Hello to everyone!! I'm soo sorry that I haven't been writing... I'm taking final exams and stuff... but I'm almost done... yea! ...anywho...this is chapter 3 enjoy... and thanks to all my reviewers you guys are awesome beyond words!! I feel so loved ::tears of happiness::

Chapter 3

Kagome made it back to her room and threw herself on her bed. Tears fell from her eyes and she sobbed for hours.

'He is cruel, heartless...how could he? He wasn't supposed to find Tetsugaiga!! It's so impossible! I hate him, I hate him so much!'

She cried herself into a quiet sleep, only to be awakened by a small, quiet knock at her door. Kagome quickly pulled herself together and glided across the room and opened the door.

An older merman, who she knew well, stood in front of her. His hair was slightly graying and his fin was a deep green color with flicks of black throughout. Kagome smiled slightly and ushered him in.

His name is Hojo, and he is the last survivor of the Clear Water Merfolk besides Kagome herself. He respects Kagome as his princess; the two remain close because they are the last of their species.

"Princess you have been crying..." Hojo spoke to her.

Kagome didn't say anything. She couldn't hide her swollen eyes, but she didn't want to appear weak.

"I heard about Tetsugaiga...Princess how could you ever agree to something like that?" Hojo asked.

Kagome grew flustered, "I didn't think he would find it! The sword was one of my fathers best kept treasures; guarded by a secret wall behind a tapestry of the family tree...I thought would be impossible for Kouga you find! But I was wrong..."

"But why even give Kouga a way to win your heart?" Hojo asked.

"He never won my heart. Even with finding Tetsugaiga, I will never love him." Kagome answered.

"But the document..." Hojo said.

"I know, I know...With the wedding Kouga will have my body... but he will never, truly, have my heart." Kagome finished.

"Will you ever be able to give your heart away?" Hojo asked, "Perhaps you could grow to love Kouga..."

"Impossible!" Kagome answered loudly, "He is brutal and revolting. He is a brat spoiled by wealth and greed; I hate him with every fiber of my being."

"Princess..."Hojo spoke emotionally, "I did not mean to anger you... its just I hear that Kouga has planned the wedding to be held in three days from today..."

Kagome blinked at his words, anger spread throughout her body. She shut her eyes and clenched her fists together.

Hojo drew back from Kagome as her anger rose, he spoke softly to her, "You should have never made that kind of a promise...not to a merman like Kouga. Why, didn't you know that he wouldn't be able to rest until he had you in his grasp? How could you..."

"I don't know... I guess I was just holding out until something happened." Kagome broke in.

"Something like what?" Hojo asked.

"A miracle, I suppose." Kagome said.

Silence hung around the pair, Hojo had nothing to say to his Princess. He hated seeing her so unhappy.

Hojo looked at Tetsugaiga lying on the floor where Kagome had dropped it. "Are you sure this is it?" he asked, "It doesn't look like much."

"In the hands of a demon," Kagome answered quietly, "it is powerful enough to destroy one hundred demons with one swing."

"Oh...I see." Hojo answered, even though he did not understand. "So, what will happen now?"

"I do not know." Kagome answered. "The wedding is inevitable...but they will have to drag me down the isle."

Kagome went to the far corner of her room and removed a piece of stone from the wall. The stone fell from her grip and landed heavy on the floor. The noise startled Kagome, but she relaxed.

She removed from her secret hiding place the Shikon Jewel... still tied with the same black cord.

Kagome suddenly got an idea, her eyes flashed as her mind thought it through. "Hojo, I cannot escape my marriage if I stay here."

"Where will you go?" Hojo asked, "Kouga has eyes all over the ocean; soon even the Arctic Merfolk will answer to him..."

"I am Princess of the Sea, which must mean something to others." Kagome spoke half to herself, "And I still have the Jewel."

"What will that do?" Hojo asked.

"I, honestly, do not know...its power I never fully was able to understand. But it guided me once before, when I needed help...when I needed answers." Kagome answered.

She turned to Hojo, with a look of hope in her eyes. "Hojo, I need your help." She said.

"I am your humble servant Princess Kagome." He answered bowing slightly.

Kagome fitted the Jewel around her neck; it hung, like it always had right in the middle of her chest, between her two breasts.

"Sweet Hojo, I need you to pretend to be me for awhile...so that I can escape from the Dark Waters and my marriage."

"How do I do that?" he asked.

Kagome directed her gaze to her closet. Hojo followed her gaze and when it fell onto her closet he began to shake his head. "Princess I am not going to put on woman's clothing."

"Just for a little while, please Hojo. If I have to marry Kouga in only three days then I will never live to see tomorrow." Kagome said, fighting back tears.

Hojo didn't want to bring Kagome to suicide, he wanted to help her. He had to help her, and if this was the only way...then so be it. Hojo nodded his head in agreement.

Kagome swam over to her closet and began to search through her clothing; all provided by Kouga... all but one. The long robe she had worn the day she arrived in the Dark Waters. The robe had long since lost its beautiful deep color, now it looked old and warn out, but that was precisely why Kagome wanted it.

She wrapped herself with the familiar cover. The robe concealed her fancy clothing. Turning to Hojo she spoke softly, with a bit of fear in her voice, "Find something in my closet that will fit you, and will cover most of your body."

Hojo opened his mouth to protest, but Kagome held up her hand, silencing him. "Please don't ask questions, just do as I ask." Hojo nodded in reply and began to pick through her closet; looking for a cloak or shawl that didn't look to girly and would cover him.

As Hojo did this, Kagome went to her looking glass and began to take her hair down. Normally, she would have attendants take it down, but she didn't want anyone she couldn't trust getting involved.

The lavish braid was complicated and strong. Done, clearly, by professionals. After much pulling and brushing her own raven hair appeared, and it lay around her shoulders. Kagome had not seen her hair down in a long time, for it was not the style of the Shadow Merfolk culture for ladies to wear their hair down; in fact it was socially unacceptable.

Yet, long flowing hair had been highly recognized, among her extinct people, as a sign of beauty.

Kagome pulled her raven hair back and parted it down the center, then loosely tied it back with a ribbon.

Next, Kagome worried about the dark lines around her eyes, another Shadow Merfolk culture fad.

Although the lines were very elaborate and pretty, they marked her as a member of aristocratic class, and would make her stick out among the common people. With a piece of rough seaweed, Kagome scrubbed at her eyes; trying to remove the swirling pattern.

The black substance was thick and permanent; all of Kagome's scrubbing only made her skin raw and red. However, the lines were now a lighter shade of gray, no longer deep black.

They would have to stay, for now. Over time, they would disappear.

Kagome turned to look at Hojo, her mouth curved into a smile when she saw his outfit. He had chosen one of her nightgowns that cut low in the front, revealing Hojo's old hairy chest. But the nightgown did cover the rest of his body, and halfway down his green fin.

He held his shirt and sword under his left arm and looked unhappy.

Kagome gave a small laugh and swam over to her friend and hugged him tightly. Hojo sighed and said, "What do I do with these?" he asked. Holding out his own clothes and sword within its holster.

"Hide them," Kagome said, "but I was wondering. Could I possible use your holster and sword belt... to carry Tetsugaiga?"

Hojo nodded and handed her what she asked for. She removed his own sword and replaced it with Tetsugaiga, then she strapped the belt around her waist, and the sheathed Tetsugaiga lay, gently, on the side of her body.

"Princess," Hojo asked, "How will you escape? There are guards at every entrance."

"By a miracle." Kagome answered, touching the Jewel that lay under her robe.

Hojo nodded, "But what do I do?" he asked.

"I need you to pretend to be asleep, then, at midnight when the guards change shifts. Put on your own clothes and leave. If anyone is to question you, tell them that the Princess requested you to stay to help her get to sleep...like you sometimes do."

Hojo nodded again but then he looked worried, "Where will you go?"

Kagome didn't want to worry the old man so she decided to lie, "I'm going to see the whales migrate one last time. Maybe they know where more of our people are, since they travel into the artic waters. Then I'm going to go into hiding."

"For how long?" Hojo asked.

"Until Kouga is long dead. Shadow Merfolk do not live nearly as long as we do. It's because of their environment the deep and dark water." Kagome said.

Hojo looked fearful Kagome regarded his emotions and gave him a long hug, "I'll be fine...do not worry. I just cannot let my life be made for me. I'll miss you..."

She pulled away but before she did, she kissed the old man softly on his wrinkled forehead.

"Thanks for everything." She said. Then she pulled her hood up over her face and wrapped her robe tighter around her body. Kagome opened the door, and slowly made her way out; Hojo shut the door behind her.

Kagome slipped easily down the first hallway, no one had been passing by. She kept one hand secure on the wall and another out in front of her. She didn't know any passages that led to the outside. She only knew ones that led to the throne room, the dining room, and Kouga's private room. The catacombs were probably endless, twisting and turning throughout the rock.

Kagome listened for voices but the hallways were empty...at least for the moment. Kagome briskly swam down another passageway that headed southward. At every turn she paused to listen if any merfolk were around the corners.

A few times she heard voices and the merfolk passed right in front of her, but they didn't turn down the passageway that she was in, they just continued on their way. Each time Kagome thought she was about to get caught.

Kagome wondered if she dare brave asking for directions, saying she was part of a new staff of servants. But she knew that only select individuals, who were raised to do this sort of work, could serve the aristocratic family. She would instantly be caught.

Kagome swam down countless tunnels and turned around dozens of turns. Each tunnel had a stream of doors on either side. Some doors seemed old and rusted, others freshly mounted.

She didn't dare open any and peek inside, for fear she would open one that was Kouga's bedroom or something.

Kagome's heart raced as she made another left and continued down the dark tunnels.

Kagome paused again as she heard voices coming up the hallway. The voices were coming down her hallway, and she had no where to hide, no other passages seemed to be on this hallway. She could only find a dark corner and hide in the shadows.

Kagome strained her hearing to listen to the voices coming...

"...I declare I don't think I ever been so tired in my whole life..."

"...only two hours..."

"...that Kouga with his plans..."

"...decorations..."

"...invite the whole city..."

As the voices grew closer she recognized them as female...two of them. It sounded like harmful gossip; she could now hear their fins swish the water as they swam...Kagome held her breath.

The two mermaids passed, each holding a basket filled with articles of fine linen. One pulled a sac over her right shoulder. They continued down the hall without even looking around themselves.

Their talk continued as they passed by.

"...just wanna stop and pitch this old garbage out into the canyon..."

"...ok I'll wait for you..."

The mermaids continued to swim down along the hallway, Kagome watched them intently.

Kagome could barely make them out as they stopped swimming. The mermaid that had carried the sack opened a small door; a brighter light illuminated the hallway.

Even as deep as they were underwater, some sunlight could still penetrate through, making the ink blackness turn to a misty black.

Kagome's eyes had long since adjusted to the darkness of the Shadow Merfolk's world. Any small source of light attracted her eye now, after spending five years in darkness.

Kagome now could be easily seen, but the girls had their back turned. She first mermaid shut the door again after depositing the sack, and the hallway was back to its haunting darkness.

The girls continued to swim down the hallway, leaving Kagome with a joyous feeling in her heart. She had a way out!

Kagome slowly swam up to the small door; if she opened it, light would cascade all through the hallway, and someone would probably notice her slipping through.

With her sensitive fingers, Kagome felt the length and width of the door. It was really small; she might not be able to get through.

She quickly glanced from right to left, no one seemed around. Yet, she couldn't be sure...but she might not get another opportunity like this one...she had to get out.

Kagome slowly opened the wooden door, just enough to peer out into the dark water. Her eyes scanned the area...she would have to make a mad dash for cover, for she would certainly be seen.

Kagome opened the door all the way, checked quickly behind herself, looking left and right, and then she slipped her head through the door...followed by her neck and chest, this a tighter fit.

She scraped the bottom of her stomach as she passed through the door. Kagome put her hands on the outside wall to steady herself, all she had to do was get her hips through the opening and she would be free.

But her hips were certainly not her most flattering feature. The rock face was cold as she pushed her body through, her scales rubbing up against the rough edges.

Kagome gave a sharp pull, in an attempt to pull her entire body out, but her hip shifted and she felt her body give. Her hips locked in-between the doorframe. She was stuck.

Kagome's fear heightened as she tried to wedge her fin out of the stuck position. 'I'm trapped!' she thought, 'I'm going to get caught, they will find me stuck to in-between this stupid wall!'

Her stress made her body tense up, making it even harder to work her way free. 'I'm doomed...Kouga will find me! If he does, I will pay dearly for my escape.'

Kagome pulled and pulled, but her hips would not budge from in-between the door frame. The edges of the rock face cut at her scales, a few drops of her blood from the scratches dripped into the water.

She was breathing heavily and shaking, for more reasons then one... she heard voices coming up behind her...from down the hallway. And they were definitely male.

They would see her fin sticking out of the wall and surely get her for sure. Kagome pulled harder and harder, ignoring the pain it put her in.

The voices grew louder; they were coming closer...almost upon her.

Kagome began to whine, she slammed her fists against the rock face, trying to break off a stone that would give her more room to squeeze through.

She could now hear their conversation...

"You two cover the south wing..."

"Kouga says double all security..."

Kagome began to cry, it was hopeless she was doomed. She almost thought about cutting herself out, but she'd probably bleed to death before she got anywhere safe. And blood was an easy trail to follow.

"...the garbage door is open..."

"...one of the maids probably..."

"...holy shit what the hell is that?!?"

They spotted her! Kagome screamed in pain, she yanked and pulled against the door frame. The pain overwhelmed her, she felt like she was being ripped in half.

She heard the voices behind her talking to her.

"What the fuck are you trying to do?"

"Stop her!"

Kagome felt hands grab onto her fin and pull her back through. She smacked her fin left and right to get them to let go. If they got a good grip, they would pull her directly back through.

Kagome shut her teary eyes; her body quivered and broke down. It was hopeless; all her pulling had only gotten her more stuck. With her final strength she pulled for the last time, while silently whispering a prayer to herself, 'someone, anyone, please...help me...I can't get caught... I can't marry Kouga...don't make me...father...please, guide me...Shikon Jewel...I need something...please...help...me...'

The Jewel hung around her neck and lay under her gaze, Kagome watched breathlessly as it began to glow a bright pink/white color. A surge of strength passed through Kagome's body; energy emitted from around her.

A great heat followed this strength, Kagome could hear cracking sounds. Then a blinding flash enveloped her. The wall that held her captive exploded and shattered into piles of debris.

Kagome was throne out of the wall, thrown out into the open water. She tumbled over and over until she finally stopped. With her head spinning she glanced back at the rock palace. Underneath a cloud of spoke and crumbling rock, Kagome could see a huge hole in the rock face.

Kagome breath caught in her throat... 'Did...did...I do...that?!?' she wondered. Her hand moved to her chest and she grasped the Jewel, which still admitted a slight warm sensation. Kagome looked down on it with high suspicion, 'Will I ever know the true depths of your power?' she wondered to the Jewel.

Suddenly, Kagome realized the commotion surrounding the hole she had made in the rock. Although she was in pain, she turned and swam for her life, up and out of the Dark Waters... away from her cursed life.