Disclaimer : I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters .

Chapter 4:

The luxurious apartment on Middleton street had every appearance of a bachelor's abode .The living room was a little disorganized had several articles were strewn about despite the housekeeper's valiant effort to keep everything in order. The Duke of Westland owned this particular apartment. Unlike his other colleagues he preferred to keep a modest settlement. Many people thought that this was a sign of extreme frugality, but he cared nothing about that .If anybody would approach him to speak on the matter he would simply toss his hair and reply.

' Nugatory fools .'

It was claimed that his voice could freeze the tropics.

At present the master of the house was in a bad mood. This long usually silky smooth hair appeared a little lackluster .He was gingerly sipping a cup of steamy tea and attempting to read the newspaper. His eyes were however unfocussed and he winced at the sounds of the carriages that rattled on their way in the street below. They somehow managed to aggravate his already pounding headache.

' Maybe I should kill all the ningen bakas out there for irritating this Sesshomaru.'

But the truth was that he just couldn't go rampaging in the middle of London. There were rules that all youkai had to follow and that included the exclusive clause that no demon could go on a killing spree just because they had a bad hangover .If Sesshomaru was asked to voice his opinion about the aforementioned rule on this particular morning, he would have sounded much like his brother.

' To hell with rules.'

But he was not his brother, so he sat back and drank his tea, his face becoming progressively colder. After a few cups of tea he seemed to have regained his usual composure, when the lump that had been lying motionless on the couch in front of him decided to move with a groan. Sesshomaru eyed the figure with revulsion. He liked the person on the couch well enough, but he absolutely hated the purple and gold brocaded dressing gown he was wrapped in. In a moment of passion and in the throes of his rebellious youth he had brought this particular piece .He regretted it immediately.

The figure groaned once more and sat up " Oh Lord Sesshomaru."He acknowledged his host with a rather strained smile "A good morning to you."

Sesshomaru raised one elegant eyebrow but did not return the greeting.

The figure groaned once more, running a hand through his jet-black hair and attempted to squint his eye open.

Sesshomaru muttered something on the lines of 'weak human '. Then he addressed the figure.

"Miroku, Jaken has prepared some tea. I suggest you clean up and drink some tea."

Miroku groaned. Reluctantly he pulled himself off the sofa and went stumbling towards the bathroom. Sesshomaru watched his halting progress with a slightly amused eye and proceeded to sip his fourth cup of tea.

The Honorable Lord Houshi was one of the few friends he valued. Last night they had exited from the White's reasonably intoxicated. In other words Miroku was completely foxed and Sesshomaru not trusting him to reach home in this intoxicated state had brought him to his apartment.

Then he offered Miroku his much-loathed purple dressing gown. Miroku donned the said article gratefully, since he always had a partiality towards purple, bid him good night, for even in his inebriated state he was the soul of politeness and settled down on the couch. Sesshomaru, ever the thoughtful host carefully added a yellow sleeping cap on his head and proceeded to go to sleep.

At present both these gentlemen sat in companionable silence as they sipped their tea and contemplated on the evils of alcohol consumption. Sesshomaru was not expecting any guests this morning giving Jaken express orders to tell anybody who came to visit him that he was out of town..Indefinitely .So when the bell was pulled rather harshly, Sesshomaru paid no attention to it. Jaken would intercept whoever had tried to intrude on his solitude so unreasonably early this morning.

Jaken tried his best to stop the intruder. But the intruder physically lifted him out of the way and continued towards his destination .He burst through the door of the living room...

"Sesshomaru."

Miroku looked at the intruder, his face breaking into a smile "Inuyasha."After which he added an unnecessary trailer "Look Sesshomaru, its your brother."

"Half brother " Sesshomaru corrected placidly.

Sesshomaru was Lord Tashio's eldest son, a son from his earlier marriage to Lady Sayo. Lady Sayo had a sickly disposition and had died a few days after childbirth. Neither father nor son spoke much about this unfortunate incident.

The relationship between father and son soured when Lord Tashio decided to marry Lady Izayoi. It was in those times that he had brought his dreaded purple dressing gown to enforce his rebellion. But as time passed, his resentment simmered down slowly .His grandfather the former Duke of Westland's had declared him his heir, so he took up that responsibility to show his respect to his grandfather's dying wish.

Inutashio wasn't pleased, but he made no objection.

He has resented Inuyasha in the beginning but as time passed he began to care deeply for his brother. Sure, occasionally he beat the crap out Inuyasha, but that was just to show he cared. They had grown closer over the years and Sesshomaru was one of those people who exerted some sort of influence on the volatile hanyou .The other one was Miroku and unfortunately Sesshomaru thought he was just as unstable as Inuyasha.

Inuyasha who had the objectionable appearance of one who had gone sober to bed and rose unusually early took a seat in front of Sesshomaru on one of the unoccupied armchairs and proceeded to pour himself a liberal amount of tea.

" I thought you were at the country." Miroku spoke up.

"I was .I just returned to town yesterday."

Inuyasha turned towards Sesshomaru "So do you know where I could get a special license?"

At this Miroku spitted out the tea he was about to swallow and Sesshomaru actually put down the newspaper he was reading to give him his full attention.

"Special license? " Miroku gulped "As in special license for getting married?"

"Feh .Yes "Inuyasha grumbled.

There was a long moment of silence during which Sesshomaru and Miroku stared at Inuyasha. Then finally Sesshomaru spoke

" Inuyasha explain."

He was not a man of many words.

Inuyasha was starting to feel unnerved by the stares."I am getting married. That's that " He snapped.

"She ..she accepted your offer ?" Miroku's headache was forgotten as he sat up straight seeing that his friend was dead serious.

"Feh! No!"

" Then did you run away with the innkeeper's daughter?"Miroku sounded hopeful.

"What? No!"

" Inuyasha " Miroku peered into his face "You do not look intoxicated to me. But you can never tell with demons. Sniff him Sesshomaru."

"Dash it " Inuyasha exclaimed, " I am not drunk! I am getting married!"

"How can you get married if Ayame has declined to be your bride?"

"Ayame is not the only freaking female in this planet!"

" I disagree. There is only one Incomparable."

"Feh "

There was another pause. Then Sesshomaru spoke " Will you tell this Sesshomaru your bride's name?"

" Kagome. Kagome Higurashi."

Miroku frowned " Never heard of her."

"She has never been to the town before " Inuyasha shrugged "Actually she is some sort of cousin to the Musous."

"The Musous?" Miroku gave a small startled squeak "As in Lady Musou? Inuyasha you must have been drunk! Did you know that the woman has sprung another shrill voiced daughter on us?"

"Feh. Kagome is nothing like that. She is a Higurashi. Very respectable family."

"Inuyasha " Sesshomaru turned his cold amber eyes towards Inuyasha " Please assure this Sesshomaru that you have not eloped with an underage girl."

" Well..so what ? " Inuyasha eyed his older brother rebelliously." She will come to age on a fortnight's time."

"You eloped? Atta boy Inuyasha "Miroku slapped him on the back.

"Miroku" Sesshomaru's voice was artic.

Miroku backpedaled " It was a very rash thing to do Inuyasha " His voice was serene and his face had the expression of meditating Buddha.

"Well it's done " Inuyasha said defensively " Besides that Musou woman was about to pack her off to some school in Bath to be turned into a Dowd. Chit that use to go bird watching with me. Couldn't let that happen "He bristled with righteous anger "Besides I got to marry somebody and it might well be her."

" Your idiocy never ceases to amaze this Sesshomaru. Where is your intended now?"

"She is at the Grillions "Inuyasha glared at Sesshomaru "Told them that she is on her way to a finishing school in Kent. There was an old Abigail with her, but she broke her leg.."

"Broke her leg?"Miroku nodded his head sadly " There was my old nanny. She could never wait for the steps to be let down..So this one time she fell down and broke her leg."

"Foolish ningen .I see why you and Inuyasha get along so well " Sesshomaru smirked "Both of you lack intelligence."

"Hey!" Inuyasha protested.

Miroku looked clueless.

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes " There was no Abigail .He made it up."

"Oh "

"Fool."

"Enough!" Inuyasha cut in " Do you know where to get the damn marriage license?"

Sesshomaru pondered on this " Jaken will know " He called " Jaken."

The toad youkai shuffled in " You called Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Jaken where must one procure a special license."

Jaken bulbous eyes bulged a little more " I believe that my Lordship can procure a special license from the Archbishop of Sussex."

" Do you know the fellow Inuyasha?" Miroku asked.

"Feh "

" I will take that as no " Miroku turned towards Sesshomaru " Do you?"

"This Sesshomaru knows no Archbishop."

" I believe that acquaintance with his Holiness is not necessary to procure the special license."Jaken informed the three gentlemen.

"That will be all Jaken .You may go now."

Jaken bowed and left.

" So..What now?"Inuyasha looked at Sesshomaru.

At this moment there was a furious pounding on the front door and moments later a rather handsome wolf youkai rushed into the room.

"Dog breath "There was a fire in the wolf youkai's blue eyes "Step outside. You and I have a score to settle."

"Feh "Inuyasha snorted contemptuously.

"Now, now Kouga "Miroku held up his hand placidly "Don't fly into a pet. Inuyasha is getting married!"

Kouga turned three shades of pale, the fire in his eyes died out, he sank onto a sofa clutching his disheveled black locks.

"This ..cannot be .."Kouga's voice was tragic "Sesshomaru use your poison claws to rip my heart out of my body .It hurts too much."

"Fool "Sesshomaru snorted, "He is not getting married to Ayame."

"He is not."Kouga turned towards Inuyasha "You are not marrying Ayame."

"Feh."

"Well who are you marrying?"

"Kagome "

"Kagome?"

"Kagome."

"Who is Kagome?"

Both Sesshomaru and Miroku shrugged. Kouga calmed down; much placated by the fact that Inuyasha was not marrying Ayame .He looked at Inuyasha.

" I have wronged you Inuyasha. "

"So you have mangy wolf."

" I thought you went to the country to sneak a march on me with Ayame."

"Actually, so I did." Inuyasha said bluntly.

"She ..she refused you ?" Kouga was ecstatic.

"Don't look so happy .Its not like she has accepted your suit either."Inuyasha reminded him darkly.

Kouga's face fell, but then the fire in his eyes lit up again "She will be my woman."

Inuyasha gave a snort of laughter "It is more likely that she will be Duchess of Northwood."

"Unsay that mutt-face."

"Or what mangy wolf?"

"Step outside dog breath."

"Gladly fleabag."

"Enough!"

Both of them turned to look at Sesshomaru.

"Your mindless argument tires this Sesshomaru."He turned towards Kouga " This Sesshomaru thinks that Ayame will show much good sense if she marries the Duke of Northwood. He is after all much more established than you."

"My family is one of the most ancient and well respected families in England."Kouga said hotly.

Sesshomaru was unmoved "That is all you have ...your family name."

It was no secret that Kouga's lands had been heavily mortgaged mainly due the gambling excesses of Lord Ookami, Kouga's father. After Kouga came in control of the property he had been trying very hard to restore their former glory .He was successful, but only to a small extent. His fortune was still much less than his rival ...The Duke of Northwood.

"I cannot believe she will be so..heartless ..so mercenary ."He sighed.

"Heart has little to do with being established respectably."

"Thanks a lot Sesshomaru. That was really uplifting "Kouga said sarcastically.

"This Sesshomaru is always glad to be of any assistance "Sesshomaru said quietly, a slight amused look in his eyes.

"But what are we going to do about Inuyasha?"Miroku asked.

"This Sesshomaru was thinking about that when these two broke my chain of thoughts with their innate bickering."

"What does the mutt-face need?"

"Unsay that wimpy wolf."

"Silence Inuyasha. He needs a marriage license."

"A marriage license .."Kouga appeared to be deep in thought .If Inuyasha would get married then that would be one rival less for Ayame's hand."That could be arranged."

There was a pin drop silence in the room. Then Miroku spoke "Kouga do you know a priest?"

"The Archbishop of Sussex, his name is Ginta. Distant cousin of mine."Kouga shrugged."The marriage license can be procured. We will have to go there of course."

"Very well " Inuyasha got up "Lets go. I intend to be married before the sun sets this day."Then he turned towards Sesshomaru "Fluffy, I need a favor."

Sesshomaru raised an elegant eyebrow " Never call this Sesshomaru by that degrading name and no this Sesshomaru will not do you a favor."

"But I need somebody to explain the circumstances to Kagome."

"I could do it."Miroku piped up expectantly.

"No " Inuyasha said vehemently.

"What? You wound me deeply my friend "

"Feh whatever."He turned towards Sesshomaru "Will you help?"

Sesshomaru sighed, " This Sesshomaru despises you Inuyasha."

Inuyasha got up and followed Kouga, pushing Miroku in front of him " I love you too brother. Come so that I can introduce you to my intended."

Sesshomaru muttered something on the lines of 'baka hanyou ' but reluctantly followed him.

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