Disclaimer: The author of this story does not own anything (or anyone) used in this story.

How the writing is organized:

"....." speaking

'......' thoughts and quotes (if it's quotes then it'll be in the speaking)

Word character's actions or sound he or she makes

(......) notes

Italics how much time has passed or where the scene is taking place

Chapter Eight: Dumb Meets Uncivilized and Kagome Confronts Her Worst Nightmare

"I'm sorry but he's busy right now. Come back another day," Kagome replied.

"I don't have the time to come back another day. Besides, it's Lord Higurashi who should be honored by my presence," the man insisted.

"Well, he's busy with another client. Unless you plan to wait for a long time, I highly recommend coming back another day," Kagome reluctantly advised while thinking 'What a jerk! He thinks that everyone is inferior just because he's rich and spoiled.'

"In this case, you must take me to someplace where I can wait for him," the pampered lord ordered.

"Come this way," Kagome said silently. 'Who gave him the power to order me around? He treats me like a servant! He should know better! Treating a miko like this! How oblivious is he? I'm even dressed in miko clothing! If only he was a youkai, then I can secretly purify his sorry little self! Oh well, I guess I'll just have to hope that he'll leave before dinner. I'm sure Inuyasha will keep Grandpa busy until then.' Kagome thought angrily as she led him towards the second greeting room.

Two minutes later

'I hoped his feet are tired... he probably rides on horses to get around the house, let alone outside.' Kagome thought as they entered the other greeting room. "Wait here, Lord?" Kagome questioned.

"Lord Hojo to you, you poor excuse for a servant," the disrespectful man lectured.

"I have duties to perform. Please pardon my departure," Kagome excused herself while trying to keep being polite as best as she could. 'He's such a jerk! He doesn't deserve to be a lord. What kind of a name is Hojo anyway?' Kagome reflected mentally as she strolled towards the main greeting room.

With Inuyasha and Grandpa

"So then young man, you and my granddaughter, Kagome, will be engaged as of now. We'll have a one year courting period for the two of you to decide if you like each other or not. Have I missed anything?" Grandpa asked while writing down the terms on a piece of parchment.

"Nope. I don't think you missed anything old geezer," Inuyasha answered rudely.

"Sign here," Grandpa commanded as he passed the quill to Inuyasha, who signed it right away.

Knock, Knock

"Come in," Grandpa said as Kagome entered the room. Inuyasha looked up, gazing on the face of his fiancée for the first time, or so he thought.

"Hello Lady Kagome," Inuyasha greeted. 'What a beauty! I'll do anything to make her mine. Nicely shaped body, pleasant face, and such intense eyes...' Inuyasha thought as he looked at Kagome with awe.

"Hello milord," Kagome replied while pondering about Inuyasha's reaction to her entrance. 'What kind of a person is he? It's like he's got mood swings or something. He treats me like dirt when I'm dressed up as a boy but he treats me like a noble when I'm dressed like a girl. Is it just me or is he staring and checking me out?'

"Kagome, this is your betrothed, Lord Inuyasha." Grandpa informed her as he unknowingly interrupted Kagome's thoughts. "His family is close to ours. He's your father's best friend's nephew."

"Nice to meet you, Lord Inuyasha," Kagome said courteously. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Grandpa, but there is a guest by the name of Lord Hojo. He's waiting in the second greeting room. He said he had an important proposal for you. I asked him to come back the next day, but he insisted on waiting until you could see him."

"Well then, if you'll excuse me Inuyasha, I will have to see to the guest. You are welcome to come with me if you want." Grandpa said as he stood up and left the room.

"Lady Kagome, may I escort you?" Inuyasha inquired politely as he curved his arm for Kagome. He contemplated to himself, 'I'll do anything to get her, even it involves using manners and holding back my language. I know I'm a hanyou and that I'm not worthy of either race, but this might be my only chance at happiness.'

"I'm honored milord, but there are other tasks I must see too," Kagome lied. 'I don't want see that stupid Hojo again. He's a million times worse than Inuyasha. I'll just go and listen in the room next to it.' Kagome left as she went to take a secret shortcut to the guest room that is beside the other greeting room. Inuyasha stood up as he headed towards the direction Grandpa went.

With Kagome, who is listening to the conversation between Hojo and Grandpa

"You want to marry my granddaughter! You can't! She's already engaged! She was engaged a long time ago!" Grandpa's protested loudly, shaking the entire wing.

"Well then, Lord Higurashi, you better think of something fast, or else your family might be at stake. I have a lot of power you know..." Hojo warned.

"But I can't... her fiancée has already upheld the engagement. In fact, he's here right now."

"Well then, find him. I'll have a word with him. He will see things my way..." Hojo grinned greedily at the thought of how easy he could pay Kagome's fiancée to break the engagement, leaving her all for himself.

Bang!

Suddenly, the doors slammed open and Inuyasha stormed in, anger written all over his face. It was clear that Inuyasha had heard some of the conversation about Kagome, and he was far from happy with Lord Hojo. With fury burning in his amber eyes, he shouted, "Back off, pretty boy! Lady Kagome's my fiancée! I came way before you did! Besides, you're not worthy of Lady Kagome!"

"How much do you want hanyou? I'll give you as much money as you want," Hojo stated with a yawn, treating Inuyasha like he was a lowly servant who was unhappy about his son's death in a battle as a soldier for a lord.

"I'm not interested in money so get lost! I'll drag you out of here myself if I have to," Inuyasha hollered, fueled by Hojo's insult.

"Now, now boys. Let's settle this properly. We'll hold a competition between the two of you. Whoever wins will have my granddaughter's hand in marriage," Grandpa pleaded, hoping to stop the two's bickering. 'Hehe, what a great plan I've come up with! This way, I'll get the better of the two for sure,' Grandpa thought to himself.

"Fine! I agree! I'll show you pretty boy! I'll whoop you till you're practically buried six feet under!" Inuyasha vowed. 'This is my chance to prove myself to Kagome! She'll love me for saving her from that tyrant of a lord,' thought Inuyasha.

"I accept. You're not going to win hanyou. I, the superior Lord Hojo, will easily defeat you for Lady Kagome's hand in marriage."

Author's Note: Thanks again for the reviews! The voting is still continuing, however, I've added the number of votes so far (the number is beside the pairing). Again, if you have any suggestions about any pairing(s), let me know. The Miroku and Sango pairing is guarantied. Also, let me know if you want Rin to be older (like teenager or adult or remain same age as in the anime/manga) and if you want her to be youkai or not.

Possible Pairings (ones being planned unless voted/suggested otherwise):

Kouga and Kagura Votes so far: 1

or

Kouga and Ayame Votes so far: 1

Shippo and Rin (if you don't want Rin to be older)

Kageromaru and Kikyo Votes so far: 1

Hinten and Kagura Votes so far: 1

And for Alternative Endings (these pairings will be added to the other pairings in the Alternative Endings):

Sesshomaru and Rin (if Rin is older) Votes so far: 1

Inuyasha and Kikyo Votes so far: 1

First ending to come out (the other ending will be the alternate):

Inuyasha and Kagome Votes so far: 2

Sesshomaru and Kagome Votes so far: 3

Extras:

Rin being youkai: For: Against: 1

Rin being older: For: 1 Against:

Reminder: There will be alternative endings for sure so there will be separate chapters for Inuyasha and Kagome and for Sesshomaru and Kagome, however, whichever pairing has the most votes will have that alternative ending posted first