Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

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"Has your transformation totally effected your mind?" boomed Inuyasha. "Your proclaimation of Sesshoumaru being a suitor is legalized since you have proclaimed it in front of the elder assemblies of two lands!"

"So? He and I can just later announce that it would not work out and we decided to end it!" retorted Kagome.

"I'm afraid not Kagomechan, inu youkai mate for life. All intended courtship is taken seriously even if only words are exchanged, so Sesshoumarudono is now bound by your words to fulfill the role of potential mate. I am not sure how he will react to this but I am positive that he will not back away from your statement as his honor demands nothing more than to make true your declaration before the elders." Sango remarked sadly.

"I..I...Gomen Inuyasha, I did not know... I did not think.."

"Hai you sure as hell didn't think, now because of what you said, your now his would be mate! That means that unless his frigid ass gives Miroku and I permission to talk evenlook to you we cannot do so otherwise!" he fumed.

"That's enough Inuyasha! Kagomesama has had enough for today." said Miroku silencing the angry hanyou. "This is quite a predicament. I am not entirely sure how to proceed with this, I am not even sure how Sesshoumarudono will react."

"I'll tell you how his frosty ass will react, he'll lock her up in her room and throw away the damned key!"

Kagome cried finally not being able to hold back her tears. What has she landed herself now.

"Mama don't worry Rin and I will be with you always." comforted Shippo.

"Shippo and Rin made this for you Kagomeneechan." Rin said, handing a stick-figure to Kagome. She observed the crude likeness of her and held it up in the light. It had a peg like shape, round head, and a straight body. It had a pair of horizontal line for eyes, a vertical line for a mouth and a diagonal line for a mouth. "Shippokun cut some of your hair while you slept and we tied it to your doll. Sowee we couldn't find a small ball to put on your head." she beamed a toothy smile.

"Yea, we tried looking for a small lizard egg but Jaken caught us and told us to go inside our room before we could get one." sighed Shippo.

'Oh god!' groaned Kagome inwardly, 'now I'm a cross between an action figure and a voodoo doll.' She smile weakly, and hugged the two in appreciation. "Thanks you two, it's lovely. I'll err, make sure to keep it close when I sleep tonight ok?"

"Kagomesama, Sesshoumarudono has arrived and is presently requesting your presence at his study." interrupted Yumi. Everyone fastened their worried eyes on Kagome as she made her way out of her room. Inuyasha stopped her as she reached the shoji door.

"No matter what the bastard says, I'll always protect you." he whispered cupping her face in his hands.

She smiled warmly and hugged him back tightly. "Inuyasha, no matter what he says, I will always be your friend."

"And I will always find my way to you Kagome." he said softly placing a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Now keep your head up and show that bastard half brother of mine you're one force to reckon with!"

She looked at him admiringly. Smiling she thought, 'why was fate so cruel? We really must have a romeo and juliet complex. First came Kikyou then when they thought they had a chance together, fate deals a cruel blow and now to top it all off my loud mouth leaves me bound to Sesshoumaru.'

She followed Yumi silently pondering what to say to the demon lord. Upon reaching their destination, Yumi nudged her forward and left her in front of the shoji screen. She knocked haltingly.

"Hairu ni (Enter)."

She crept in silently. He had his back turned to her. He was looking serenely at the koi pond in his private garden. Dressed in a casualnavy blueyukata, he stood regally in the serene atmosphere of the green enclosure. A tense silence followed.

"Ano... Sesshoumarudono?"

He turned towards her and walked forward until he was directly in front. He kept his eyes focused on her face. She blushed, then looked away, nervous for some unknown reason to be under his molten gold gaze. He lifted his righthand, took her chin then tilted her face to meet his softening expression. She looked at him mesmerized. His thumb brushed ever so lightly at her lips as her eyes widened in a surprised reaction. Confusion loomed large in her mind. He frowned suddenly, smelling the familiar scent of his half brother on her person. A gasp escaped her lips as she found herself laying on her back on top of the low table in the middle of his quarters.

"You have put us both in an awkward position, hime." he breathed seductively.

'Did he just call me hime?' thought Kagome.

"Because of your words you are now bound to be my mate, for by your own declaration you have accepted my 'proposed suit' to you."

"I .. I have been told the full implications of my words." gawked Kagome still unnerved.

"Indeed. Then you bind yourself to me willingly?"

"Well I can't very well go back on my words now that practically all the lands know can I?" she snapped.

"Do not use that tone of voice upon me Kagome. I have been more than tolerant of your anticsthus far. Do not give me reason to reiterate my generosity." he stated in a cold tone.

She bowed her head and sighed. "Gomen.. there was no way around it at that time. I know you don't want to have anything to do with me because I am not what you had in mind for a mate. I am sorry to have dragged you into this. There must be a way out without you losing face. Isn't there?"

"Hai there is, however it involves your death." Sesshoumaru replied flatly.

"Yyou're not going to kkkill me are you" she stammered nervously.

"On the contrary, I intend to fully comply with your 'proposition'."