Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

"Speaking"

'Thinking'

Author Notes

ON WITH THE FIC!

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Summary: Princess Kagome has to go to a weeks worth of events to meet Prince Kouga. It's bad enough that he follows her everywhere, but what happens when she finds out that her own sister has killed her father, is in power of her country, and has sent the army out after her?

Friendship, Betrayal, Lust and Love

Chapter 1- Princess Kagome

A male donning male's practice clothing stood 75 meters away from a target. Quick as a flash, he knocked an arrow and released it, sending it directly into the centre of the circular board with red circles on it. Knocking another arrow and releasing just as quick, the second arrow split the first.

If you studied the male carefully, you would realize that there was something odd about him. For starters, he had two, slight bulges on his chest, that were out of place as he didn't have huge muscles. Also, he had unusually long hair for a male, that is, it was down to his backside.

Taking this into account, and looking at his petite frame, you would realize that he was, in fact, not a male. It was a young lady, a highly dangerous young lady. She had a fierce expression that could send a lion packing.

The sound of horse hooves made the young lady pause in her attempt to split the second arrow with a third. In the blink of an eye, she was perched on a tree branch overlooking the clearing in which the archery range resided. She pulled out the two identical long, thin, slightly curved swords that resided at her sides at all times, a present from her father on her 15th birthday, and crossed them behind her back.

A young man who the young lady recognized as one of the palace servants came into the clearing on one of the horses that were designated for the servants to use. The young lady rolled her eyes. Probably her father wanting her to do something that could have waited another hour. She should probably just stay up here in the tree.

"You Highness?"

The servant nearly jumped out of his skin when a crouched figure appeared in front of him. The figure, clothed in black silk male practice clothes, stood and sheathed two swords.

He gulped." M-my lady." he said, bowing in the saddle. "Y-you're n-needed at the castle. Y-your f-father has r-requested y-your presence in the throne r-room."

Emerald eyes flashed dangerously. "When." she said, dangerously soft. The young lady never spoke any louder than she had too, but her voice was always ever softer when she didn't feel like being near others.

"N-now..."

Suddenly, a shrill whistle erupted from the young lady's lips. A beautiful black Arabian stallion appeared in the clearing. The young lady skillfully swung onto it's bareback.

"Botond." the horses name was all that was needed for it to go a desired speed. The young lady had taught him to respond to the ear-piercing whistle she had found she could do when she was 9, and to respond to different octaves in her voice.

The tone she had used sent the horse into a full-gallop to the palace, leaving the confused servant still in the clearing.

.:.At The Palace.:.

An intricately carved, solid, oak door was pushed open and the young lady from the clearing stepped in. She walked into the centre of the room, then stopped and got down on one knee while bowing her head in submission.

"Rise my daughter." the king commanded. Although it was forbidden for females to don males clothing and vice-versa, except in plays and such, the king said nothing about it. The princess rarely ever wore proper female clothing.

"Sit." he commanded and gestured to the unoccupied chair to his left. The princess obeyed, but not before glancing at the young women on her fathers right.

Princess Kagome (the lady from the clearing), and her sister, Princess Kikyou (the young lady on the kings right), were twin sisters.

They both had the same long, slightly wavy black hair, and same 5"11, thin frame. But that was only at a first glance.

If you were to look at the two closely, you would see just how different they were.

Kikyou's chocolate eyes were cold and ruthless. Her mouth was a thin line that never moved. Kikyou talked to no one except her father, and occasionally her 'twin' sister. She considered herself above everyone else. Her tall frame was lean, but not muscular, and her hair was deathly black.

Kagome, on the other hand, was a bit different. Her green eyes were expressive, showing her every emotion, changing shades with her emotions, but only if she wanted them to. She had spent several years figuring out how to prevent her emotions from showing, and was now very good at it.

Kagome's mouth was usually smiling, unless she was ticked at something or someone. Kagome knew that she was above the servants, but usually didn't act like it. Today was an exception though, as she had not wanted to be interrupted. The servants knew what Kagome could be like when she was in the middle of something.

Kagome's hair had midnight blue highlights, which caught the light just perfectly. And, although she would never admit it to anyone, Kikyou was jealous of those.

Another thing that was different between them was the fact that Kagome was fully trained as a warrior, and was one of the best in the Eastern Lands. Kikyou, however, kept the porcelain doll image, and often scolded her younger sister that it was unfitting for a lady to be so muscled and toned as Kagome was, and that it was degrading for her to wear male clothing.

Kagome often ignored her.

Seating herself more comfortably, she turned slightly to her father. "Now, what was so important that you had to interrupt my morning practice?" she inquired.

King Higurashi smiled at his youngest daughter. "A letter arrived from the Northern Lands. The Prince of the Northern Lands, Kouga, has just turned sixteen. His father's health is declining, and he is in need of a mate and a queen. Since you are closer in age to him, seeing as you just turned sixteen last week, I figured I would send you to the week-long series of events that is going to be happening. Every eligible batchlorette is going to be there. There will be balls and such and at the end he will choose his mate."

Kagome's happy expression was wiped off her face. "I don't want to be married to that baka! Last time we had a visit he wouldn't stop following me around and calling me his woman!"

"Kagome, my dear, you don't have a choice. You presence is specifically requested, and it's about time you were married."

"Kikyou isn't married!" Kagome blurted out, her voice slightly rising.

"That's because she is the heir to throne of The Eastern Lands. She is my heir, because she is the oldest child! You, on the other hand, are an eligible princess who can be married off." he smiled at her.

Kagome started to think that her father was losing his marbles. "When is it?" she whispered.

"You will be leaving tomorrow."

"Nani!" she yelled. "Why wasn't I informed of this sooner?"

"Because, knowing you, you would most likely pack and flee to the Untamed Woods within a week."

Kagome mentally cursed. Her father knew her too well. She searched for an argument, anything...

"What about formal kimonos? I can't be representing the Eastern Lands properly if I have nothing formal to wear." she said smugly.

"I already took care of that! And your bags are all packed as well!" King Higurashi said cheerfully.

Kagome inwardly groaned. He HAD thought of everything. She bowed her head in defeat. "I'm going to my chamber to bathe; tomorrow will be a long day."

.:.Later That Night.:.

Kagome sighed into her pillow. She was completely relaxed after that hot, lilac-scented bubble bath, and was extremely comfortable in her silk sheets. She soon cast off the docks of consciousness and crossed the river to land on the soft ground of dream land.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Alright, one Chapter down, lots more to go! What do you think? Review now and let me know!

Botond: Hungarian for "Warrior"