DPK13: I AM HAPPY! I AM BACK FROM VACATION!!!! AND MY BOYFRIEND STILL LOVES ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....anyways. Ehem. Sorry to keep you all waiting (shows scene of empty room) now... on with the SHOW!

Mansee415: Thank you for such a nice review! It was soooo sweet. Also InuyashaxKagome fics are my fav too. Hope you like this Chapter

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Chapter 3: Tied

"P-Peace?" Kagome stuttered, something she hadn't done in ages, then regained what little composure she now had. She straightened up and looked at the Youkai Prince. His cold emotionless amber gaze drew her in and she faltered, and looked away for a moment. When she looked back she knew she'd failed some sort of test, it was in his gaze. Emotionless, except for a small hint of triumph.

"Yes, peace." His voice somehow seemed patronizing, yet remained without feeling. Kagome swallowed and stepped toward the Youkai Prince.

"How may we achieve this peace between our nations?" Kagome asked and tried to draw in a breath. She was so nervous, she'd hoped for this for years. Ever since she'd been seven when her father died and his head had been hung on the town square. What terror she'd experienced when she'd looked from her balcony that morning. She blinked to clear away the memories.

"Well it depends," he began then with a smirk finished, "What are you willing to give for peace?"

"Everything," Kagome answered immediately, steadily. What was the Youkai Prince asking for? What did he want from her? His smirk upon his face told her that he had something in store for her.

The Youkai Prince stood up and circled around the silent room. Silent since the offer of peace had been made. He came back around behind her and then walked halfway across the table from her; he slowly tapped his left hand fingernails upon the wooden table. Each hit with a startling click. Kagome watched mesmerized, and then with his other (right) hand he snapped his fingers. Kagome's gaze jerked to his face.

"You know," he began calmly dropping his right hand to his side, "When I asked my brother, Inuyasha, that very same question, he said 'Anything'." He glanced at her closely. Kagome stared up into his eyes unsuspecting of the words to come. "You both are similar... yet each different in their own way. And it is because of these differences the war has started. Similarities," he paused, "Disappeared." He watched his left hand fingernails as he slowly tapped each one on the table.

"I—." Kagome started to say, but he held his right hand up and she stopped. Shessoumaru's left hand index fingernail moved in a clockwise circle about a half dollar size, around the table.

"To fix these differences, we must tie the two royal families together." Suddenly Shessoumaru's voice was loud, commanding. His gaze turned to Kagome and he walked until he stood before her. His voice quieted as he spoke this time almost becoming a whisper, but everyone heard, "Will you Kagome Higurashi, take my brother Inuyasha as your husband?"

"THIS IS RIDICULOUS!"

"OUTRAGEOUS!"

"MY DAUGHTER MARRIED TO A DEMON!! I WON"T HAVE IT!"

"NO WAY!"

Many voices yelled, shrilled, screamed, for attention. Yet, the Prince paid them no mind. He held up his hand, his eyes intent on Kagome, and the crowd of them quieted. Only Hojo stood out, he was red in anger and strode forward stiffly.

"She will not marry with the likes of you! She's a PRINCESS, not some low life prostitute!" Hojo shouted his face crimson in raw hate.

Shessoumaru turned to him, calmly grabbed him by the neck and shoved him up against the wall. The hall gasped in unison, a couple pieces of stone fell from the ceiling.

"I didn't ask for your opinion." He snarled and dropped Hojo, then calmly turned to face Kagome, "I asked for the lady's." Everyone's head turned toward the Princess.

'Surely he can't be expecting an answer now?!' Kagome thought desperately. Then she saw his curious face, he was. 'What if there's no other way Kagome?' she argued with herself, 'You said you'd do everything for peace.' With that her mind was made up and the determination on her face was noticed by her mother.

"Kagome no!" her mother cried. Shessoumaru shot her a look that could peel paint from walls.

"It's the lady's decision." He said, and glared at the others in the hall. They all stepped back a foot. "What have you chosen?"

Kagome looked him in the eye calmly. Shessoumaru lifted an eyebrow.

"I accept."

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DPK13: NEXT CHAPTER IS INUYASHA! Or maybe the chapter after that...I can't wait to post this! Oh and btw this is an Inuyasha Kagome fan fiction. YEAH!!!!!!