To Become Allies
By:TycoonGirl
Chapter One: Royal decrees and The Great Adventure Begins
The blossoming young woman sat primly in the grand hall. Her joyful brown eyes were skimming over the vast amount of people that had come to hear a royal decree read by her father. The young woman whom could be no older than twenty was wearing dusty rose skirts with white lace under them, a white shift with the neckline framed in lace as well, a black bodice hugged to her torso and her face was free of most make up, only a few light pinks here and there. She wore black slippers on her feet and her hair spilled elegantly over her shoulders. The woman looked every bit the princess she was, but also looked like she deserved so much more.
On her right side sat her father in his grand golden throne. His handsome features were light. On his jet black hair he wore a grand crown for he was King of the Southern Lands. His eyes were cobalt blue and happy. In his hands was a roll of parchment that he planned on reading. No matter how much his daughter pestered him, he would not tell her what he was announcing to the court. He wore dark black pants and a white shirt. The people in the South were happier with the simplicties of life.
As the grand King and Princess rose complete silence fell. "I welcome you, my loyal followers into my grand hall. As does my daughter, Princess Kagome. However, I have an important degree to read aloud." the king announced. Kagome kept her eyes forward, looking for her friends, Shippo, Sango and Miroku. Sango and Miroku were continually courting one another and Shippo was a royal bodygaurd to Kagome that Sango took in. She spotted them and made eye contact. It was the only way to say hello, be direct and not be heard.
Her father cleared his throat and held out the roll of parchment. "I think I shall spare you all the boring details and just get down to it. The King of the Western Lands is traveling here in five weeks time." he announced, grinning.
Kagome joined her friends after the decree was read. The four went outside onto the lush green grass of the castle gardens. "So what do you think about His Majesty, Lord InuTaisho coming to visit along with his two sons, Prince Sesshomaru and Prince Inuyasha?" Miroku inquired to the princess, his violet eyes alight with happiness. Kagome scoffed. "Well, I wouldn't call Lord InuTaisho's sons princes at all! They're horrible! In my youth, well you know how I used to get so dirty and always look like a peasant? Well they would make the most awful jokes about me and play these wicked pranks on me. I long to get back at them with a few of my own pranks, but father disapproves of any un-ladylike behaviour, which is why I shall insist we all go swimming in nothing but our undergarments." Kagome giggled, running off towards the lake.
They all jumped into the water, shrieking at how cold it was. Kagome elegantly coasted through the waters, then spotted a rope dangling from a tree. "Shall we play a little game?" she asked, climbing out of the water and grabbing ahold of the rope. Shippo, whom towered over her stood next to her. He was always worrying about the princess's safety as he was her royal bodygaurd. With ease Kagome climbed up the rope and into the tree. "I believe the rules shall be, whom ever makes the largest splash has to go fetch cloaks for the four of us in their undergarments!" she twittered. The others laughed and agreed. The group always enjoyed playing their childlike games that Kagome never lost at.
Kagome flung herself off the branch, her arms out so it gave the illusion she was flying. She pointed her hands above her head and landed in the water with an enourmus splash. In the end, she had actually lost. The four climbed from the lake, tired. "I can't believe you actually lost!" Sango cried. The princess shrugged. "I keep thinking about those damn Taisho brothers. I know that they're going to get me into some serious trouble and father won't speak to me for weeks like last time!" Kagome sighed, laying on her back in the tall grasses of the pasture, staring up at the clouds.
"Well you mustn't let them bother you too much Kagome or else I'll be forced to do something durastic, like challenge one to a duel." Shippo kidded. Kagome laughed and stretched her arms out. "If only my problems could be taken care of like that..." she sighed. The four gazed up at the clouds, laughing and saying what each puff looked like.
Miroku sat up. "Oh dear Kagome, I do believe it is time for you to get those cloaks if we are to go horse back riding today." he said, smiling. Kagome blushed a brillant pink, but stood. She glared at Miroku for reminding the others and set out for her walk back to the castle, which was through a village and a knight's training camp. The others got dressed and Sango hid Kagome's clothing in a bag she'd brought along.
By the time Kagome arrived at the castle, she was bright red. It was so embarrsing. She pulled on her clothes. "You guys...suck." she sighed. Her friends laughed wildly and they went to go get their cloaks and go to the stables.
The rest of the afternoon was spent having races and riding, talking and picnicing. They headed home and Kagome went to her father's study to see if he could somehow send her away while the King of the West was visiting along with his sons. She knocked politely. "Enter." came her father's grand reply. She pushed open the heavy wooden door. "Hello father." she greeted with a smile. He smiled in return. "Good afternoon Kagome. Is there something I can help you with?" he asked.
Kagome bit her lip uncertainly. "Well father, I have been thinking that someone needs to go check up on Souta near the boarder. I'd be happy to go within a few days..." she said. Her father picked up on the real reason she wanted to leave to go to her elder brother's kingdom. He smiled and laughed. "Oh dearest Kagome...I take it you do not want to be around the Kings sons?" she shook her head, still biting her lip. The King sighed. "Actually my daughter, that is what I wanted to speak with you about. The king of the West and I are going to sign a bunch of papers making us allies and we need a pact sealer. Now you've known for quite some time about the thousands of men wishing to be your husband, but I put it off, now you are of age and you need a husband while you are still young. As you may have heard, the eldest of the king's sons, Prince Sesshomaru has been looking for a mate..." her father trailed off uncertainly.
"And so you would trade me to that jerk because his father signed some stupid papers? Absolutely NOT! I do NOT want an arranged marriage! I will not be pushed to fall in love by anyone, not even you father! I will be going to visit Souta for a few weeks and will think about it, but do not expect my answer to have changed!" she yelled, slamming her father's door behind her. Kagome ran to her tower chambers and pulled out a backpack.
There was a short knock on her door and her maid entered. "My lady, I have been sent to help you pack. The king's orders were that you were to dress like a fine lady the entire time riding there and back also while staying." the woman said. Kagome snorted and threw her bag down. "Can you believe the nerve of my father telling me that I'm getting married to my childhood tormentor? Urghh...there's no way! I just can't do it Ayame! I can't!" Kagome shrieked. The red-haired woman whom had been serving Kagome for quite some time filled a marble bath with hot waters and soap.
She sighed and helped her lady undress. "My lady, your father would not do such a thing without your concent. He loves you far too much." Kagome lowered herself into the tub and closed her eyes. "That's what I thought but the King of the West along with his two sons are coming here to sign the papers for it! There's no way I'm going to EVER figure a way out of this with only six weeks at best!" she wailed.
Kagome bathed and got out, drying herself off. Ayame helped Kagome into a clean white undergarment, then a white shift, then amazing black and golden skirts with black lace peeking out from the hem, a black bodice and a lovely golden waistcoat with black embroidery. The buttons went down the front and a golden locket was put around Kagome's neck. She slid her dainty feet into her riding boots and laced them up easily. Ayame went around her chambers, gathering a trunk for Kagome and a riding satchel. The princess smeared on some light gold eye shadow and pink lip rouge and put her dangly black earrings in. Ayame fixed Kagome's hair into a bun with a woven golden hairnet around the bun. Kagome placed a black hat atop her head that had a golden ribbon around it and a bright red rose on the left side.
The princess mounted her white mare side-saddle as her friends mounted their horses. Ayame and another servant climbed onto the carriage that contained everyone's things. Kagome pulled on pristine white riding gloves as did Sango. They were truly ladies of class. The party set out on the week long trip it took to arrive at Prince Souta's kingdom near the boarders of the South and West junction. There was no doubt that the King of the West and his moronic sons would pass through, how soon, Kagome and her companions would not know.
"Father, I don't see why I have to marry that loathsome human wench." a tall silver haired demon snarled. His amber eyes were flaring with anger that his face did not show. The king sighed. "Sesshomaru, we've discussed this. We both know that it is what is best for the South and West, even the girl's father agreed and he does not agree to give his presious daughter Kagome out to anyone. Did you know that he refused King Koga eighteen times? Eighteen and you get her on the first try! Now hush, we don't want to seem rude about her in front of her brother." the king said, whose looks were similar to Sesshomaru's.
Sesshomaru grumbled under his breath and followed his father out of their guest chambers, his silver hair whipping behind him.
Kagome arrived at her brother's palace along with her companions early morning. Servants rushed to help her down from her horse, along with the King of the North, Koga, whom was also visiting Souta. His hand roamed her backside as he picked her up. Kagome gasped, and blushed. He set her down, grinning. "Well, well. Kagome my love it really has been far too long. You look-" Koga was repremanded for his ass grabbing session with a sharp slap across the face. "Your majesty, if you would kindly refrain from grabbing my behind perhaps we could be friends. Until then, please refer to me as Princess or My Lady." Kagome snapped, taking her white horse and handing it off to a stable hand. She striaghtened her outfit, her cheeks still red from the king of the north grabbing her.
Koga roughly grabbed her arm. "Listen bitch, I don't think you know whom your talking to." he sneered. Shippo drew his sword as did Miroku. Kagome waved her hand. "Fine, pardon me your majesty, but I don't believe my brother, nor my father will take news of this incident well and seeing that your on our lands I outrank you. Now get your hands off of me before I make you." she growled.
He let out a bark of laughter and slapped her across the face. She tasted blood and took out a hanky and wiped her mouth. She dropped her hanky and leaned to Koga, getting fake tears at her eyes. "I apologize my lord. I was mistaken and I should not have been so harsh, I beg of you to forgive me. Will you not get my hanky?" she asked in a fake lovey-dovey voice. Behind her, her brother, the King of the West, Sesshomaru and his brother stood, all saw that he struck Kagome with enought force to knock her out. He leered at her and bent to pick it up. She then kneed him in the groin and pushed him backwards. She took her hanky. "I never said you could keep it my lord." she snapped, striding away, real tears prickling behind her eyes. Sango ran after her.
Koga was taken to the dungeons. "Christ almighty, that looked like it hurt." Inuyasha said.
Sango caught up with Kagome in a field where Kagome had calmly sat down to dry her tears with her hanky. "Oh Kagome, you were amazing. I would've started crying back there!" Sango said, smiling at her friend. Kagome sniffed. "What do you call what I'm doing now?" she asked, standing. Sango shook her head, hugging her friend. "You are...urhm...enjoying a good victory sob with your best friend?" she asked ernestly. Kagome giggled and put her hanky away. "Yes, and now shall we go have a victory cup of tea or perhaps a victory nap?" she laughed.
The pair emeged in the front of the castle to see a panther sitting there. Both women shrieked when the rare jungle cat started to move towards them. Kagome knelt in front of the cat and it snuggled to her. Kagome giggled and she and Sango pet the 'fierce' beast until someone came to get them. It was Prince Sesshomaru. He stared at the two woman's stupidity for getting so close to a wild beast. He pulled Kagome to her feet. "Wench do you not understand that the cat you've been petting can eat you in three bites?" he demanded, his tone icy.
The princess pulled away. "She's causing no harm. Besides, I like her and I know that she would never hurt a human whom wasn't bothering her cubs." Kagome said, scratching the animals ears. It purred its contentness and she smiled down at it. One of her faults was that her heart was too compassionate. Sesshomaru just stared disdainfully down at the human woman whom would become his wife and shuttered. Kagome looked up. "Have you seen my brother?" she asked, looking past the tall, very handsome man she had assumed to be one of her brother's knights or scholars.
The demon lord looked down at the woman whom acted if they had never met. Well in all fairness the last time they met was when they were fifteen and Sesshomaru's hair had sill been black. Now, five years later, both had matured greatly, though Sesshomaru still had a few tricks up his sleeve for the annoying human wench whom would always follow him and his brother around when they visited. "He's waiting for you in the great hall." Sesshomaru said at last. "Thank you!" Kagome called back to him. She lifted her skirts in a very un-ladylike fashion and ran into the castle.
As soon as both brother and sister became aware of the other's presence they hugged each other. Kagome giggled as he spun her around. Souta was always the stongest man she knew. "Sister, I was wondering when you'd come visit me again." he beamed down at his sister. She smiled. "I do believe that you know how to write. Father and I haven't heard from you in ages! He was getting worried." Kagome said, lying for there were others in the room and she did not wish to speak ill of her father or the lords of the west. "Ah, well, I have been rather busy. Father must have told you about the conflicting islands that are our territory?"
Kagome shook her head. "No, father doesn't mention things like that to me." she said. Souta shrugged. "Anyhow, I have been busy over there, trying to figure out what the hell their saying. I brought one of their people back with me. Maybe you'd understand what they're saying. You alwaysd were the smarter one." "Oh Souta, don't say things like that if their not true." Kagome cried. Her brother laughed. "Well, we know that it's true. You must be very tired, Katie will take you to your rooms. Your companions are already sleeping I believe." he said, gesturing to Shippo, Miroku and Sango whom were passed out standing. Kagome smiled brightly. "Perhaps I'll just leave them there." she said. Then Miroku fell on top of Sango, causing her to wake and freak out. Kagome winced when she heard the slap. She laughed a bit nervously. "Or not."
Kagome woke early in the morning to Ayame shaking her. She groaned. "Oh come on Ayame, it's too damn early. What is it?" she asked, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "My Lady, your brother has requested that you join him for a morning horse back ride." she said, going over to Kagome's trunk and getting an outfit together. Kagome dragged herself from her bed and sunk into the hot water in the bath that Ayame had already prepared. She soaked for a bit, trying to wake then got out and dried off.
Ayame helped her dress in the outfit she'd laid out. It was a sappire blue dress. The shift was white and the skirt was puffed out with the help of an underskirt. Kagome let her hair spill down her back and she pulled on her riding boots. She took off to the stables where her brother was waiting. "Good morning brother." she smiled. "Good morning Kagome. I hope this isn't too early for you." "Not at all. I love horse back riding. I hope you weren't planning on dragging me along to go hunting. You know I hate that so called sport." Kagome said, shuttering. Her brother laughed and helped her mount her horse. "Now why would I go and do a thing like that? Here, you might need this, there are many bandits near my kingdom." Souta said, handing her a quiver of arrows and a bow along with a sword. "Ah, so you wanted me to go riding with you this early so I could help you round up bandits. Well I'm dressed all wrong, you know that don't you?"
"You look fine, and I doubt the robbers, bandits and highway men are going to care." he sighed. Kagome shook her head and jumped down. "I won't go with you unless you give me clothes I can wear." she said. Her brother rolled his eyes and led his bossy kid sister to get pants and a chainmail shirt.
Kagome remounted her horse. She was wearing pants that she borrowed from a slender man in the castle. Kagome wore her shift, then her bodice, then her chainmail then another shirt and a man's vest over that. Her belt held her sword and pouch of coins. On her back were her arrows and bow. Her pants were tucked into her knee-high shiny black riding boots. "I swear Souta, you get me into more trouble...if father hears about this he'll be upset. He told be to be lady-like the entire stay here." Kagome complained. Her brother laughed. "No way. Not you, Kags. What, did he have a bet with uncle that you wouldn't be lady-like? There's no way that you'd manage that and he knows it." Kagome laughed and they set off to rid her brother's land of robbers, bandits and high way men.
Four hours later Kagome was sweating and she'd gotten her arm cut pretty badly. They hadn't had time to wrap it because they were being attacked by dozens of men. Kagome blocked another attack with her bloody sword and looked to her brother. He was slaying men left and right with an injury to his gut. Kagome refused to kill any of the men, only fought to disable them. "Damn it Kagome, kill them!" her brother yelled. "It's not a fair fight!" "Then make it fair!" he yelled. Kagome jumped from her horse and saught out the leader.
"Sir, if I can beat you in a fight, then you shall come with my brother and I to the dugeons without a fuss." she announced. The man laughed. "And if I beat you?" he asked. "Then you may loot as many people as you can with my protection." "No. I think I'll settle for you being my son's bride." he said. Kagome nodded and fire started in her eyes. The bandits stopped fighting as did Souta. They circled the fight. It was clear Souta was afraid for his sister. Kagome dodged all attacks, blocking easily. The man swept her feet out from under her and she rolled backwards, then sprung at him. This was easy for her. She knocked him down and held her blade to his throat. "I win." she growled fiercely.
Kagome mounted her horse and led the bandits to the castle. They arrived and gaurds started freaking out. Kagome jumped from her horse and the leader whipped out a sword and stabbed her in the heart. Kagome watched him and shook her head. She ripped the long blade from her chest, cutting her hands. Kagome threw it to the ground. "Moron." she spat, turning and leading her horse to the stable. Once her horse was in a stall she saw the blood on the front of her vest. She sighed and walked out to her brother, whom stared at the large blood stain. "You're bleeding." he said. She paled and nodded, then collapsed.
She winced in pain. Her arm was sore and so was her chest. Kagome opened her eyes and sat up. There was an elderly woman in the room, healing her arm. "Lady Kagome, you must lay back down. Your chest will start bleeding again." she said without looking up. Kagome closed her eyes and gathered her engery and foucused it on healing herself. Suddenly she was engulfed in a blinding pink light. The old woman's jaw dropped in amazement. The young princess was the fabled reincarnation of the most powerful magical being in the world -Mirokodo! The elderly woman climbed to her feet and ran to alert the lords.
Kagome fell unconsious, her engery gone. Ayame pulled her mistress's night clothes on and tucked her into the bed as Souta, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and InuTaisho burst in, followed closely by the old woman, Shippo, Sango and Miroku. There was a loud fuss over Kagome, but she did not stirr. Finally the old woman spoke up. "Please my lord, Lady Kagome must sleep. Her energy is gone. Everytime she uses her powers she must sleep to regain them." "But why isn't my sister breathing?" Souta demanded. "My lord, when Lady Kagome is sleeping to regain her powers, she does not breathe. Do not worry about Lady Kagome, she will be fine."
The old woman convinced everyone and they soon left. Kagome slept the rest of the day and for the majority of the week. When she rose she felt fine. "Ayame?" she called. The redhead appeared. "My lady, you are awake at last!" she smiled.
Kagome bathed and dressed in a lovely purple dress. She left her hair alone and slipped her feet into her black slippers. Kagome left her room to find her friends and brother. She was wandering the hallways when Sango and the others accousted her. "KAGOME!" Sango cried. She smiled at her friends. "Hello. You all act as if something horrible happened to me. I was just sleeping." Kagome said. "For a week!" Shippo cried. Kagome visibly paled. "Y...you...you're serious?" she whispered. Miroku nodded and Kagome smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand.
"Fantastic! I have even more problems now! Damn it. Where's Souta?" she growled. They all pointed to down the hall. "Outside." they answered in unison, sensing that Kagome was not in a good mood. Kagome turned and stormed away, leaving very worried friends. They scampered after her, trying to calm her down.
Kagome stormed back to her room and slammed the door. She threw her things into her trunk and pulled on her riding boots. She tied her hair back with a thin blue ribbon and put her blade at her hip. She grabbed a blue velvet cloak and continued her heated ramage of throwing things. Her bedroom door opened and her friends cowered at the enterance. "Please Kagome, don't go!" Miroku said, narrowly avoiding a book that sailed in his direction.
She grabbed a small bag and straightened. "No. I need to go to the Eastern lands to see someone. You will not come with nor follow me. Also you will not alert ANYONE of my absence nor where I have gone. Understood?" she growled, glaring at her friends. "Good." she said. "Here Kagome, you'll need this." Sango said, holding out a pouch filled with golden coins. Kagome bowed to her friend. "I shall pay you back. Now I must go and I must ask you to distract the stable hands then the gaurds stationed at the gates." she said. Kagome strode down the hall. Suddenly she was lifted off the ground. "Where do you think you're going wench?" Lord Sesshomaru growled.
Her brown eyes narrowed. "What is it with people calling me wench. My name is Kagome damnit, not wench or bitch, now would you let me go you stubborn, arrogant jerk!" she spat. He smirked, enjoying making her squirm. "Or what?" he asked, his voice dripping with venom. He knew that the powerful couldn't use her powers unless she had some jewel. She smiled sweetly at his. "Or else I'll have to give you a big kiss." she said. He cringed and dropped her. She dashed away, sticking her tounge out at him, laughing.
Sesshomaru followed Kagome to the stables. "Where are you going?" he asked. She rolled her eyes. "Listen, you do not have any authority to know." "Yet. In three weeks we'll be engaged." he reminded her. She visibly cringed and nearly fell off her horse. "God, don't remind me! Just go away and look at it this way, if I die, you won't have to marry me." she smiled, pulling on her chainmail shirt and pants under her skirts. He growled at the girl.
She laughed. "You can follow if you like, but I do not reccomend it. I'm the best rider of the South." she said, kicking her horse to go forward. The black stallion whinned, reared on it's back legs and galloped off. Kagome's ribbon fell from her hair and coasted to Sesshomaru's feet. He leaned down and picked it up. Damn the girl. He was going to have to go after her.
Kagome was riding fast when she came to the river. She hopped off her horse and knelt by it to take a drink. "You shouldn't drink river water wench." Sesshomaru's voice startled her. She pitched forward, shocked and Sesshomaru reached out to grab her, but he was also pulled in. They both landed with a tremendous splash.
Kagome emerged, soaking wet. She glared at Sesshomaru. "You did that on purpose." "Wench, if I did something on purpose, like pushing you into the river, I would not allow myself to be dragged in along with you. I was merely trying to prevent you from falling in." he said calmly. Kagome grumbled and pulled her chainmail off. She pulled off her wet bodice. "Wench, what in the seven hells do you think you're doing?" he asked. She smiled at him. "Don't worry, I'm not getting naked. I have other clothes in my bag." she said. Kagome disappeared and a moment or two later reappeared in black men's pants and a white shift.
Sesshomaru had changed into his own outfit. His black pants and a form fitting white shirt along with a black vest. Kagome drew her sword. "Now what are you doing?" he asked. She turned around and glared at him. "Will you shut up? I'm getting firewood. Apparently you've never been camping or traveling." she scoffed. Suddenly she looked around. Only she had a horse. "Where is your horse Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked as she began to climb a tree. "Woman, this Sesshomaru does not require a horse. I can run faster than that silly animal of yours any day." he smirked. She shrugged. "If you say so." Kagome was now high in the tree and making Sesshomaru rather nervous.
She stood and started whacking away at the branch when suddenly it snapped under her weight. Her eyes snapped open wide, in shock. She dropped her sword and it hit something. Kagome grabbed for a tree branch but was falling too rapidly. At this point she'd die if she hit the ground at this sort of speed. Suddenly arms encircled her waist. Sesshomaru jumped down once more. She noticed his leg was bleeding. "Are you okay?" she asked. He frowned. "You, damn wench, dropped your sword. It happened to land in my leg. You are so stupid." he growled. Now he could not run fast. Kagome blushed, embarresed. "I'm sorry Lord Sesshomaru." she said, lowering her head to the ground.
Before he could reply she grabbed her sword that was laying on the ground. She returned to her work of building a fire, silently. Once the fire was going she sat on the bank of the river, away from the warmth of the fire and away from her future husband. Kagome laid back, staring up at the stars. Kagome nearly fell asleep but was jolted by the sound of Sesshomaru humming. She smiled up at the sky. So he knew the melody to the old song that her mother used to sing. She wondered if he knew the words.
Neither got any sleep that night. In the morning Kagome stood and grabbed her bodice. She pulled it tight and then pulled on her chainmail. Kagome awoke her horse by gently rubbing it's nose. Sesshomaru came up from behind her. "Can this animal carry two?" he asked sourly. Slowly she nodded. "Well get on the damn horse." he snapped. Kagome climbed up onto the tall horse, silent. Sesshomaru climbed up behind her, his chest touching her back. Kagome blushed. "Ready?" she managed to ask. "Just go already." he said, holding her waist.
She obeyed and kicked her horse. The horse trotted off. Kagome was an expert rider. "I don't plan on marrying you, you know." Sesshomaru growled. She shrugged. "I figured as much. Father just wanted to sell me off to the highest bidder and I guess that was you." she said quietly. "What do you mean?" he asked. "Many man hang around the castle courting me and asking for my hand. Even some men that I've never met before. I knew that I would never be able to love who ever I married." she mumbled. Sesshomaru rested his head on her shoulder. "I'm sure that's not true. Besides, how can you not love this face?" he asked. Kagome blushed. "Very easily." she snapped.
The pair arrived in the east two days later. They got a room to share and Kagome curled up on a shabby mat in the corner, leaving Sesshomaru the bed. She yawned and fell asleep. Kagome was exhausted. She had to stay awake and steer the horse while Sesshomaru often dozed, his head on her shoulder. To be honest, the man no longer bothered her. Sesshomaru entered the room to see Kagome asleep on the mat. He sighed and picked her up easily. He set her on the bed and removed her shoes. Sesshomaru undressed to his pants and laid beside Kagome and pulled a blanket around the both of them.
Kagome woke the next morning, next to someone. She moved closer because they were warmer. An arm went around her, pulling her closer. She opened her eyes and look up to see Sesshomaru smirking down at her. Kagome tried to pull away but his hold was tight. "Good morning." she blushed. He grinned. "Good morning to you too Kagome. You see your subconsious has succumb to me. Why not just give it up already? You know you like me." he taunted. She tried to pull away but that only caused Sesshomaru to lay on top of her, pinning her against the bed. Kagome looked up at him, blushing. Their eyes met and he kissed her.
The ride was long and silent. It had been very akward since he kissed her. She made the horse move there faster. "We should be there in a few hours Sesshomaru." she said. "That's good." he mumbled. "Why did you decide to follow me?" she asked abruptly. "I don't know. Do we have to talk about this?" he sighed. Kagome shrugged and murmured something under her breath that Sesshomaru couldn't understand even with his great hearing. Soon the silence took over, but not for long. Suddenly they were surrounded by demons, the kind that were hired help. Sesshomaru drew his own sword and jumped down from the horse. Kagome jumped down as well and pulled an arrow out along with her bow. She narrowed her eyes at one demon whom was standing motionless in a baboon cloak. Kagome fired at the demon and it hit it's arm. Suddenly the thing was in front of her. "Well well, if it isn't Akira's daughter. Perhaps you could be of some help to me." he growled, grabbing Kagome. She swore. "Let me go you jerk!" she yelled as the demon slung her over her shoulder.
Sesshomaru ran to Kagome's side and attacked the demon so it would release her. "I believe you have something that belongs to me." Sesshomaru growled, holding a blade to the demon's throat after it dropped Kagome. She scrambled to her feet and ran behind Sesshomaru, feeling protected. "Oh, so the heir to the Western lands is traveling with the miko wench. How convient. I can kill you both now, but perhaps later." he said, disappearing from Sesshomaru's grip along with his hoard of demons. Sesshomaru swore and put his sword away.
"Who was that?" Kagome asked, putting her sword away along with her bow. Sesshomaru turned to her. "This is your fault. If you'd stayed on the damn horse instead of attacking that man I would've been able to destroy him." he growled. Kagome narrowed her eyes. "Pardon me? I think I would've been able to free myself without your assistance." she snapped, crossing her arms. He narrowed his eyes at her. "I don't think so. You're helpless without me." "I am NOT! I was managing fine until you came along!" Kagome growled, pulling herself up on the horse. "Where do you think your going wench?" he growled. Kagome jumped down and slapped him across the face, leaving a big red mark. "Stop calling me that!" she yelled. Sesshomaru advanced on her, growling. "You dare try to marr MY face wench? Who the hell do you think you are?" he growled, grabbing her around the neck and hoisting her off the ground. She just glared at him then kicked him in the stomach. He dropped her to the ground and she rubbed her neck, coughing. He hadn't realized that she couldn't breathe. Kagome sorely stood and climbed on her horse. "You can leave now. I will be fine on my own. Like I said back at the castle, if I die then it gets both of us out of this arraged marriage." she said, handing him his things and kicking her horse to go.
Kagome rode through three days without food, water or sleep. The eastern reigon was the largest and the most dangerous, but Kagome needed to reach the furthest place from her home in order to retrieve the myserious jewel and find out more about that man whom had mentioned her mother. She arrived in a fairly nice sized town rain drenched and tired. She checked into a hotel room and sat in a warm bath to regain the feeling in her clammy skin. Kagome set out to find something to eat and she did. She sat in a bar eating her stew and bread. Her nose was red at the tip and she was pale. It was clear that she was sick. When she finished she bought things for the rest of her trip. She returned to her room and fell asleep, clutching her sword.
In the morning she awoke, sicker than the previous day. She rolled from bed and dressed quickly in her black pants and white shift. She pulled her black bodice on and her black riding boots. Kagome let her hair spill down her back and she went to pay for another night at the hotel. Kagome stepped out into the bright sunlight and felt a smile grace her pale face. This trip was going to be harder than she thought.