Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha
Chapter 2 - Betrayal
7 Years Later
"Mother, I don't want to see that arrogant fox."
"Hidenka please stay patient. Nothing is set in stone yet. I don't see why you won't give him a chance."
"Because the very first time we met he insulted me!"
"For heaven's sake Hidenka you were both ten years old!" Hidenka glared at her mother who only glared back. Hidenka had grown into a fiery young woman. She possessed all of her mother's beauty within her father's features. Tall, thin, with a plentiful chest, the princess had more than one suitor her in father's villages. Along with her waist length straight silver hair, and golden eyes, she was probably the most beautiful girl in the four realms, and that wasn't an exaggeration. "Hidenka, Prince Shippo will be here today, and you will be ready to meet him. I know there is something else you're not telling me, but we'll discuss this later." Kagome turned and left to room to find Inuyasha. Maybe he could talk some sense into his spirited daughter. She found him beneath the God Tree playing with their infant son Mitoko.
"Kagome, I'm worried about this meeting," he started as he handed his son over to Kagome, "I don't like the way Naraku has taken over the East and proclaimed himself lord over Shippo. I think Shippo is of age to take over his father's lands."
"Inuyasha, I think you're worrying too much. The real problem is with that stubborn Hidenka. She keeps struggling against this meeting. There's something she's not telling me, but I can't figure out what it is."
"Just nerves probably. She probably doesn't like the idea of an arranged marriage. She'll come around when she sees how Shippo has matured. Losing both of his parents has definitely made him grow up faster."
"You're probably right. O, and don't forget about our meeting tonight."
Inuyasha winked as he responded, "How could I forget? Don't worry Kagome, I'll be here at midnight." She smiled at the meaning between his words and headed back towards the castle. Their guests would be arriving soon.
Hidenka yawned again as she chewed her food. Her father was talking to Lord Naraku, and her mother was busy feeding Mitoko. That left no one to talk to besides Shippo, and there was no way in hell she was talking to him. He kept trying to make conversation with her, and she kept ignoring him. 'You'd think the moron would figure it out by now.'
Kagome sighed as she watched Hidenka continue to ignore Shippo. She definitely gave the young fox a lot of credit for trying to speak with her. He had definitely grown in the past seven years. He was tall, about as tall as Sesshomaru. His hair was still a flaming red color, the same as his tail. But his eyes weren't as mischievous as they once were. In fact, his eyes made him look a lot older than his seventeen years. Inuyasha wasn't kidding when he said the young prince had matured. She looked towards her husband and smiled as she found him speaking with "Lord" Naraku. Something about the man bothered her. But she couldn't figure out what. Shaking her head as if to empty the thought she turned back to her young son who was currently covered in food. Laughing she began to wipe him off and think of her meeting later with Inuyasha.
Inuyasha hummed to himself as he walked beneath the moonlight to the God Tree. He loved these "meetings" with Kagome. Seeing she hadn't arrived yet he figured he was early and sat beneath the tree and gazed up at the stars. The souls of his predecessors floated above him as he tried to find a specific star. Finding just west of the North Star he smiled. That star had appeared the night his father died, and he knew it wasn't just a coincidence. 'Father, protect my family and my people. Please let us always be safe.' Closing his eyes, he rested his head against the tree, and was soon asleep.
Kagome's scent woke him, and it wasn't a good thing. He looked around and found her standing at the top of the hill between the tree and the palace. She was upset, very upset. He could see the tears running freely down her cheeks, and could smell the salty trail they left behind.
"Kagome! What's wrong?" She didn't reply right away, but instead produced a bow and arrow.
"You betrayed me Inuyasha!" She screamed as she cocked the arrow onto the bow and pointed it towards him.
"Kagome what are you talking about! I have done nothing wrong!"
"You call what I saw 'nothing wrong'! How dare you!" Inuyasha watched her hand shake as she pulled back the string. "May your soul always be tormented like mine is right now!" With her curse said she released the arrow. Inuyasha attempted to reach out for her, but was struck in the chest and pinned to the tree.
"Kagome…" his head slumped to his chest and his body hung limply from the arrow. Seeing her job completed Kagome fell to her knees clutching her chest over her heart.
"He betrayed me…" she panted, "how could you Inuyasha?" She fell over in a dead faint, history having been repeated.
"I hate being a fucking princess!" Hidenka yelled and she walked around outside. Being outside at night was her only comfort. 'I can't believe they expect me to marry that stupid fox. All for the good of the kingdoms. What about my good. Don't I matter?' Hidenka kept walking through the forest observing the creatures around her. 'I wish I could be as free as the animals of these woods. That would be a perfect life.' She stopped walking when she picked up the scent of blood…her father's blood. Leaping up into the air she followed the scent to the God Tree, and gasped at the horror before her. Her father was pinned to a tree, and her mother was lying on top of the bow used to put him there. Knowing not what to do, Hidenka screamed.
