Disclaimer: no I don't own Inuyasha, but if I did, Sesshoumaru would be in my closet right now barely clothed, and Kikyo would be my personal slav—I mean maid cleaning up after my cat's hairballs.

450 years ago...

Jaken was sprinting through the marble halls of the Castle of the Moon towards his master's study. Out at the front gates stood Naraku, one of the dukes that inhabited the edges of the Western Lands. Naraku arrived not half an hour ago, demanding to speak with Lord Sesshoumaru. Of course, Jaken had refused to let the lowly duke meet with his lord, telling Naraku that he's wasting Lord Sesshoumaru's time and Jaken said every insulting thing he could think of to the duke except flipping him off. However, when Naraku proposed the idea that he wanted to make a business deal with Lord Sesshoumaru and that he is willing to let Lord Sesshoumaru marry his daughter, a well renowned inu youkai, Jaken reevaluated his decision. Her beauty was rumored to be heavenly and breath-taking, and the only thing that could possibly surpass her beauty was her skill as a warrior and her kindness towards all living things.

And that is why our dear Jaken is running like the devil was on his heels. This offer would prove to be a once in a life time deal. Union with the world's most powerful inuyoukai bitch and the attached string was that Lord Sesshoumaru would have to provide protection to the duke's house and family? It was a win win situation with no possible way to lose. Lord Sesshoumaru patrols that part of the Western Lands all the time anyways. Jaken grinned as he continued his marathon through the castle. Finally, master might reward Jaken for finding him his soul mate! And from then on, he will start to really appreciate me! And from what I've heard, the duchess is supposed to be kind and gentle. Very forgiving! If Lord Sesshoumaru gets mad at me, I could hide behind my soon-to-be mistress and she will protect me from my master's awful kicking! Jaken thought gleefully.

Jaken finally reached Sesshoumaru's lavish study doors. He momentarily forgot to knock before entering and before Jaken realized it, he was down on the floor with a boot over his green throat. "Sesshoumaru sama! I have very impo...gagrtant news," Jaken rasped. After a moment, the silver haired taiyoukai eased his foot off of Jaken's throat, but he didn't take it off. Jaken took the gesture as an invitation to continue. "Lord Sesshoumaru, forgive this lowly servant's interruption, but Duke Naraku is out in the conference room, waiting for your presence. He came to propose a deal with you; in exchange for his powerful and beautiful daughter's hand in marriage, you would provide their family with protection from enemies." Jaken said all of that in one breath. He did not think his Lord Sesshoumaru would stand for more incompetence.

Sesshoumaru lifted his foot off of his poor servant's green throat. He majestically walked back to his desk and sank down into its silkiness. So, Naraku, the duke who refused my father's request for aid three centuries ago, is now begging me for aid in exchange for his daughter? Sesshoumaru withheld the bitter chuckle that threatened to escape his luscious lips. He had heard of the legendary beauty known as Duchess Kagome that lives on the border of the Western Lands. Her looks were said to be exotic; she was also said to have some sort of miko power in her because she could leave a man or youkai mesmerized for weeks on end. Her skill as a warrior, however, was one not to be reckoned with. Rumor had spread saying she could take down 10 male youkai by herself due to the foreign training her father had offered her. Of course, most of it would be just a hyperbole; no one was that perfect. However, Duchess Kagome was still an enigma to Sesshoumaru.

Another mystery that puzzled the great Sesshoumaru was the duke Naraku. Three hundred years ago, Naraku appeared into the world with lands and wealth out of nowhere. A few years after his sudden appearance, he was gifted with a female heir when he hadn't taken a youkai or a ningen to bed. Also, Sesshoumaru's spies and intelligence networks have yet to dig up anything about Naraku.

Sesshoumaru held his breath and sighed. It was going to be a long day.

The raven haired inuyoukai sat on one of the beautiful wooden chair in the simply decorated conference room. Uninterestingly, he lifted one of his claws to inspect the speck of dust underneath his manicured nails. It had been a half hour; that is, a half hour waiting on that arrogant son of a bitch Sesshoumaru. If it weren't for the damned renegade youkai living on the edges of the Western Lands, Naraku wouldn't have had to resort to begging Sesshoumaru like a dog; no, he was not the one like a dog; Sesshoumaru was.

The conniving duke knew that Sesshoumaru would not help him without some sort of benefit. And what would be better than Naraku's own darling daughter, Kagome? Kagome, the exotic, breathing taking, generous, and skillful daughter that anyone but Naraku would want to have. He was a vile creature; plague and evil radiate around his person while Kagome was always surrounded by a peaceful aura and a smile that could cheer the bluest of the blue.

Finally the infamous demon lord sauntered lazily into the conference room with a bored look that donned his emotionless face. Sesshoumaru quickly slipped into the chair directly across from Naraku and began negotiating some sort of business deal with the duke. After quite a while (as all business deals that involved Sesshoumaru turn out boring), Sesshoumaru swiftly summed up the major points of the deal:

The duke Naraku would marry his only daughter, Duchess Kagome, to the Lord of the Western Lands, Lord Sesshoumaru under the following rules:

By marrying the duchess, anyone of her kin is considered family and part of the Western Lands.

By accepting to be her mate, the lord Sesshoumaru accepts responsibility over every aspect of her life.

By accepting this business deal, the lord Sesshoumaru is to take full responsibility in protecting the duke Naraku and his kin in any way possible.

By agreeing to this marriage, the duke and his house should remain in Lord Sesshoumaru's service until the time he deems fit.

By agreeing with the above statement, the land which the duke now occupies also belongs to Lord Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, the damn negotiation was over and done with. Quickly, both inuyoukai signed and dated the agreement and then they shook hands with each other. Just as Sesshoumaru was getting ready to leave for his chambers, Naraku spoke up.

"My lord, don't you wish to see who it is that will be sharing your bed in the near future?"

Sesshoumaru grunted quietly. He really didn't care if he saw the bitch or not. It was really only going to be one night. After she gives him an heir, she would not have the privilege to grace him bed ever again. Sesshoumaru gave a small shrug, signaling that he was indifferent about the idea.

Naraku smirked. He then turned around and beckoned Kagome into the room. The door to the room slowly opened and in the doorway stood the most beautiful bitch Sesshoumaru has ever since in his rather long life. Her hair was like a curtain of black waves cascading down to her lower back, making Sesshoumaru wonder if the hair would feel as soft as it looked. Her eyes, a honey gold that was a shade darker than his, studied him in return. The light colored kimono she wore complimented her snow white skin. The grace that she walked with surprised him; it looked like she floated towards him instead. Sesshoumaru finally saw the questioning gaze Kagome was giving him before he averted his stare.

Everything had been going really well.

Naraku sealed his deal.

Sesshoumaru gained a beautiful, and powerful, mate by his standards.

Yes, everything was going well... until Kagome opened her big mouth.

"Oh my, you're so beautiful! Are you Sesshoumaru sama's sister?"

O…M…G… I can't believe she said that! O.o Now Sesshoumaru is going to kill her… not. Rate and Review!