Chapter Eleven: Shocking Truths and Broken Hearts

The family of four sat around a small dining table. Kagome and Sota sat across from their noble father, while their Grandmother took her seat at the end.

There was nothing but a deep and torturous silence that consumed them.

The moment that Tsume got off of his horse, Kagome was frozen in place. The strong and terrible gaze in his eyes burned her. The look of anger and shame. In that moment, she felt as though her spirit was being ripped in half.

All she could do was helplessly look back, afraid that if she looked away her soul would be stolen.

The moment passed and Tsume turned his heel without a single word to either of his children and began climbing the shrine steps.

The instant he looked away Kagome sprinted to the river. She ripped her clothes off without even scanning the area and began cleaning herself.

The icy water was like a million of small swords to her flesh, but it didn't matter, she scrubbed and scrubbed the sin off of her body.

"He saw...He saw..." She mumbled over and over again, reminding herself that her father, the great and powerful High Priest Tsume Higurashi had returned, and had seen her. The impurity that was laced in her aura.

She had just laid with her half-demon lover. He must have seen. That's why he looked at her with such disgust.

After thirty minutes of non-stop scraping against her skin, the abused flesh turned red.

She was quickly dried and then dressed before sprinting back to the Shrine and going straight into her room, there she dressed out of her Priestess uniform and into her most formal and presentable kimono.

She pulled her hair into a tight bun using a decorative hair-stick and met with her Grandmother to prepare a fine meal to commemorate his return.

And now they sat. In a pregnant pause that seemed to engulf them.

Kagome was unable to meet her father's eyes, she was too afraid to see the same stare that she encounter a few hours before. Sota too couldn't stop trembling beside her, he had to keep his hands on his lap to avoid shaking the table.

Even Kaede was silent, however, she didn't share the fear in her grandchildren's hearts, she had little to worry from her own son.

Tsume took in another modest amount of rice before placing the bowl and chopsticks onto the table and finally stating "So tell me..."

Kagome and Sota seemed to jump into an upright position, their backs straight and their heads held high as they were being addressed.

"...How did the barrier that has protected our family and our people, since the time of my grandfather...be shattered by the likes of a single demon? And why I had to come back from the charge of the Demon Kingdom?"

His voice was calm but his words were like salt to an exposed wound.

After a moment more of silence, he turned to his eldest and asked "Explain this to me Kagome."

It had been a long time since he had spoken her name. It sent a cold chill down her spine, but she composed herself and spoke clearly. "We were breached, sir. The Demon that came had greater power than we've ever come across before and were...overwhelmed. As a result, the child that was placed under my protection was taken and lost to us...the fault is mine."

At that moment Sota's voice shakily barked out "N-No...that's not true!"

Tsume's cold eyes flashed to his only son, Kagome barked his name under her breath to silence him, but the moment their eyes met Sota's head bowed in fear. "Forgive me...the girl...Rin...s-she was my responsibility. Kagome shouldn't have had to fight that thing alone. If we purged the demon's hold on Rin...I could have aided Kagome and..."

Sota's words were cut off by a sole shattering chuckle. Tsume scuffed boorishly and said "If you had been on the battleground with your sister then she'd be too preoccupied with defending her helpless ally. The last I saw of you, you were unable to hold a bow properly. Has that changed?"

His question was as rhetorical as it was painful. Sota only hung his head down farther in shame as Kagome gritted her teeth.

"That's what I thought." He resumed before taking another sip of sake. "You were at your station, out of the way. What I cannot comprehend is how the only High Priestess in this region was overcome by a dog?"

Kagome had to hold back a smirk. If only he knew how strong dogs were. Not only in power but in loyalty as well.

Before she could come up with an answer the elder's voice finally rang out "Oh enough of this Tsume. If I scolded you with each and every mistake you made as a young Priest then the greatest honor you would have would be Seppuku."

Tsume's cold gaze turned to his mother, her one eye stared him down the way he stared down his children.

"I never allow the barrier to be destroyed." He confirmed irritably "Of course not, but let's not forget that little fox demon who seduced you as a boy." The jaws of the two young people nearly hit the floor while a scowl crossed Tsume's face at his mother's rebuttal.

Kaede only winked at Tsume before returning to her meal.

After clearing his throat and effectively covering his blush, he stated "Onto more pressing matters." he looked back to his daughter who was smiling fondly at her grandmother.

"Kagome. It's become clear to me that in these time of war, we all must do our part. Our village is vulnerable and if we ever hope for survival then we must be prepared to make necessary sacrifices."

Kagome nodded, but in the back of her mind, she recalled these same words. Her duty, her power, her responsibilities, they always came first. So no matter what her father told her, it wouldn't faze her in the slightest. That's what she thought at least.

"I've been speaking with the High Priest in the Northern Temple and we've come to an arrangement to increase our number of priests and hunters ten fold."

Kaede perked up and asked, "We've been asking for air from our Sister-Shrines for years, they deemed our tiny village 'unimportant' so why help us now?"

"Because now we are able to make an even trade. One hundred of their men..." as he spoke, his hand gestured across the table towards Kagome "...for one of our Priestesses." Kagome tensed in surprise, not knowing at all what her father meant. "I'm being reassigned? B-But I'm not meant to leave the Shrine."

Tsume nodded "Yes, for many years I never thought I'd be allowing my strongest warrior to walk away from the safety of our home, but this is what must be done."

"What father?" Kagome asked, uncertainty consuming her, the look of his calm and concise face frightening her.

"You, my daughter, are to marry the Northern Shrine's eldest son."

The young half-demon watched the village Shrine intensely.

He was back.

He would recognize that scent from miles away, the bastard that frightened Satan himself. He shot to the top of the very long list of people Inuyasha hated to his very core.

Inuyasha couldn't count the number of times that pompous-ass nearly killed him! Of course, he never once saw his face, but he only needs to feel demonic energy to fire an arrow.

But that's not what pissed him off to no end. What truly drove him to the brink of insanity was how he used his authority to control the people into a constant state of fear! Even his own family.

Whenever he was around Kagome, she was tense...frightened. His woman should never know the meaning of fear, not while she was under his protection.

If he could have his way, then Tsume's blood would be dripping from his claws. That would guaranty her freedom.

One day he'd be able to take her away from this. The idea alone brought a small smile to his face, but he couldn't stop his anxious claws from digging into the branch that laid under him.

Every second that passed with her in there, being near him, somehow made him feel as though she was floating farther and farther away from him.

His dog ears twitched irritably, trying with all his might to pin down her location, to hear anything at all and make sure she was alright.

He whispered, hoping somehow his voice could reach her "I swear that I'll give you the life you deserve...Kagome."

Kagome's eyes were unable to focus on anything before her. She couldn't hear her father speaking, nor the concerned looks from her other family members. Everything was black for what felt like hours.

The words 'marriage' floated around in her mind, instantly she thought of the man that was her intended. The strong, noble dog-demon that made her heart soar. The same man that vowed to protect her, cherish her, provide for her…and above all love her.

She imagined their lives together, deep in the forest or the mountains, with a sweet little cottage just for them. Their children running around with their father, while she sat peacefully nursing a baby in her arms.

That's what she had been dreaming of every time the word 'marriage' came to her…but now…it was just darkness.

"Kagome."

The sudden sound of her name broke her from her trance. Her eyes darted upwards and met her father's stern expression. "Listen when I am speaking, this is very important."

Sucking in a breath of composure as she straightened herself in her seated position. "I'm sorry…I'm just…shocked."

Her father's eyes softened slightly as he sighed heavily. "I know Kagome, it is surprising for me as well. But there is no doubt in my mind that you'll make a fine wife for the Northern Shrine's eldest son."

She nodded dumbly, not exactly sure if she would take that as a compliment. Sota's sudden voice broke some of the tension "Father? I don't understand, why would the Northern Shrine want Kagome? We don't even know anyone from those lands."

Kagome was happy that Sota was there with her, she could trust him to speak for her since her own voice was lost within her inner turmoil.

"Strategy son." Their father spoke blandly "It seems that the demons on the Northern Coast are beginning to overpopulate and become more dangerous. They've been destroying entire villages, and it's even too much for their branch of demon slayers to handle. They are becoming desperate and have heard of Kagome's talent from very far."

His eyes turned back to his pale-looking daughter "Once you have been wed, you are to go to the Northern Shrine for the time that is needed, help slay the demons until there isn't a single one standing. Once that is done, you and your new husband will return to the village."

Kagome forced a mask over her face, but it was crumbling at an alarming rate. He had decided everything for her. She had no say in the matter what so ever. Even if she wasn't already (informally) engaged, she felt like she was being sold off.

"But…" she mumbled "what about everything I have to do here? The barrier isn't repaired and...t-training…I haven't finished training Sota." Her father's eyes hardened and stated rather coldly "I shall be here as well as your grandmother to take over your duties, perhaps then I can shape this one to be more spiritually able."

Sota's head was instantly bowed out of both shame and fear. He had always been taught by Kagome, she'd tell him stories of their father's methods and it chilled him to the bone.

Kagome gulped slightly, taking a blow to the information as well. "But father I…"

She was cut off by Tsume's hand being lifted upwards, singling her to be silent. "The decision has been made. You and the eldest son shall wed by the new moon."

New moon…that was in a few days.

"This is what you've been training for your whole life Kagome. To protect the human race with everything you have."

Kagome's eyes closed suddenly, unable to look into the icy depths that her father held. This was her destiny? To marry a man she never met, kill the demons of the land, innocent or not…and leave Inuyasha behind. Was this really the reason why she was born?

'That's a lie.'

Her eyes opened suddenly, recalling Inuyasha's words.

'You can't expect me to believe that this is your destiny, to kill and pray in the name of god.'

Inuyasha…

'Instead of making your own damn choices you let them dictate you!'

Inuyasha…

'I'm talking about a real decision.'

Inuyasha…

'Stand up to your damn elder, or at least let me go in there and kill him myself.'

"Inuyasha…" she whispered in misery, the sound of his name didn't hit the ears of her family. Her lips trembled as her bowed head tried to hold back tears.

"Kagome, do you understand what you must do?" Tsume's voice broke her concentration again, but as Kagome's head began to rise, he was taken by shock at the look of fury in his daughter's eyes.

"I understand…" she stated between gritted teeth "my duty to the people of our village." She slowly began to stand from her seat. "I understand…my role as a Priestess…" she continued until she was in a tall and dominating stand. "And I very well understand what you want me to do." She practically spat to her father.

"But I will never understand, the fact that I must sacrifice so much…never asking for anything…and never knowing what true happiness is. That my life is to be an endless path of killing and darkness!"

"Kagome…" Tsume began, prepared to calmly tell her to sit, but her voice spoke over him, for the first in either of their lives.

"No, I will speak!" She shouted "My entire life I was raised in the image or grace and kindness, I preach love and understanding…but how can I if I am not allowed to experience love itself. I am no more than a doll, a puppet, with this Shrine pulling my every string."

The room fell silent, Kagome's furious eyes met her father's like fire met ice. Sota held his breath, while Kaede's one eye watched the intensity of her kin before her.

Kagome continued "I love my family and I am proud to be a Priestess…but I can't do this. I can't give up my heart…it's the one thing you don't own."

Tsume took a deep breath before rising to his feet, he easily cast a shadow over his young daughter. Her eyes never looked away from him, but he could see her hands tremble.

"Kagome Higurashi…you are the last I'd expect to harbor such selfish thoughts. You are a High Priestess, and your heart has no place in this Shrine." His voice was calm, but his words burned her to the core.

"Father I've never asked anything of you." Kagome desperately tried to keep the power in her voice, but her fear was quickly seeping into her words. "But I beg you…I can't marry the eldest son, whoever he is. I simply can't."

Tsume scuffed and replied "You can, and will. Make your peace with your inner quarrels Kagome, this is happening with or without your consent."

And with that, the High Priest bowed his head to his mother and left the room.

Kagome stood stunned. What else could she do besides stare blindly into nothing? Her entire world, a world where she and Inuyasha could live happily…just vanished before her eyes. Leaving her in a dark place…filled with nothing but loneliness.

She jumped suddenly at the touch of a soft hand. Kagome looked down and found Sota grasping her shoulder gently. His eyes held nothing but understanding and comfort, which finally brought Kagome to tears.

She fell to her knees and pulled her brother into a tight hug. His arms came and wrapped around Kagome's neck as she buried her face into Sota's shoulder.

He was unable to say anything to console his weeping sister. Placing a gentle hand over her hair, stroking her raven locks, he tried to imagine the perfect statement to make her suffering end, but nothing came to mind.

Kagome held him tighter, seeking the comfort that she desperately needed. But then again, her brother could only provide so much...the one she truly needed in this moment was waiting for her in the forest.

Inuyasha let out a long sigh. He had grown bored of watching the crescent moon hover above him as he sat lazily against the trunk of a large tree. Kagome was supposed to come right after sunset. It was much easier when her damn father wasn't around, the made had the ears of a hawk.

When they first started seeing one another she had to wait til he was asleep for her to sneak out, then again, they were innocent back then, only spending the hours of the night to talk to one another. They didn't get into the fun stuff til he left for the 'war', but Inuyashapreferredd to call it the extermination.

Tsume and his band of Priests were going up and down the coasts slaughtering every demon in their path. It was times like these that he was glad he was Half-Demon, he didn't pose as much as a threat but he wouldn't dare take the psycho head on without a real reason.

It wouldn't be easy escaping his claws. This Priest was powerful and would most likely search for Kagome if she and Inuyasha fled. Their move would have to be carefully thought out. It kept Inuyasha up at night, thinking about the exact way to take Kagome away from the Shrine. Then again, he couldn't do anything unless Kagome was okay with leaving them behind.

To leave with him, would mean to never see her family again.

Suddenly, a delightful scent entered his nose and the soft sound of footsteps approaching. He quickly jumped to his feet with a smile on his face. Kagome walked at a slow pass, her head bowed and out of his sight.

"Well it's about time wench, I was about to..."

His sentence was cut off at the sight of her, she stood a good ten feet away from him, she was holding her arms, cradling herself, and the sudden scent of tears that completely drenched her scent. Inuyasha stalled for a half a second before outstretching his hand but she looked so fragile that she might break "Kagome?"

But she instantly took a step back, her eyes concealed behind her thick bangs. She seemed terrified, but she forced a sad smile onto her face as she mumbled "Sorry..."

Inuyasha's hesitation ended at the sound of her broken voice, she was barely holding back a sob. He stomped forward and took hold of both her arms. Kagome flinched at his touch and tried to back away but Inuyasha's grip tightened, he tried to look her in the eyes but her head was down.

"Kagome." He said sternly "What did Tsume do to you?"

But she said nothing, her arms only trembled in his hold. Before he knew what he was doing the pulled her quickly to him, wrapping his arms around her and shielding her from the world. Her face was pressed into his shoulder, but he could hear the sniffling and the cries she tried to chock down. "Kagome..." he whispered gently into her hair "Whatever it is...you can tell me. You don't have to be afraid."

She stilled at his comment. Inuyasha's eyes cracked open, puzzled by her behavior, but then he felt two hands come onto his chest and he was pushed violently back til he hit the tree he was previously on.

Golden eyes stared in disbelief at the Priestess before him. Never before had she acted so aggressively, the action hurt him deeply. Her eyes still covered by her thick tresses of hair, but her stance had become stronger. She stood as tall as possible with a bowed head as she said softly "I can't do this...not anymore." Inuyasha's jaw tightened as he asked, irritably "What the hell are you talking about Kagome?! You're not making sense!"

He pushed himself off the tree and stomped towards her again, outstretching his hand a second time but instead of gently grabbing hold of her, the young woman slapped his hand away and barked "I can't do it! I can't keep living this lie it's tearing me apart!" Inuyasha stood in pure shock, this was nothing like his Kagome.

She continued breathing hard and she clenched her fists, it was taking everything in her not to break down. Inuyasha crouched in front of her, hoping to get into her line of sight with her head bowed. His eyes were serious but he was trying to muster as much understanding as he could. "Kagome...I get it. This is hard for you...and I'm sorry."

He locked onto the water pools, the tears had finally broken through and were dripping down her face. Slowly, and gently, with his ears tilted back, he rose to his feet and stepped within an inch from her. He placed his large hands over her delicately small ones and whispered into her temple "It doesn't have to be like this...let me take you away. We can leave and never look back."

Kagome's shoulders began to shake, as she whimpered, trying desperately to conceal herself. "Inuyasha..." she whispered in a pleading manner. He leaned in closer and replied "Yeah? I'm listening Kagome."

She took a few quick breaths to steady herself, carefully she untangled their hands from each other and said shakily "I'm sorry...something has happened and things are different now. Everything has changed and...I need to f-focus on my responsibilities." Her eyes were shut, but she knew the look on his face. "Inuyasha...I can't...fulfill my promise to you."

It was as though she had shot an arrow at his heart. Quickly he asked "Tsume said something didn't he? Convinced you that all demons were nothing but evil creatures again? Is that it? Come on Kagome you know better! You don't have to listen to him!"

Kagome only shook her head, turning to away from him to face the dark forest. Her hands were trembling as she said "No...this is my decision." Her tone turned cold as she stated "It was fun...I'll never forget about this little perfect fantasy...but it's time for me to go back to the real world. Where demons and humans are separate."

"Fantasy?" he repeated, his voice breaking as did his heart. "It's no fantasy!" He whirled her around to face him as he shouted "Everything I've ever felt for you is real! I'll never love anyone the way I love you! Why are you saying this?!" The frustrating finally broke her as she said with cruelty "You know it wouldn't work...we can't be together. I am a Priestess, a woman of faith who is meant to be unselfish and held back from temptation...while you are nothing but a half-breed, the unholy spawn of a manipulative demon and a woman of poor judgment."

Inuyasha released a menacing growl, if anyone else had said that then he would have stricken them down.

"You can find someone else...someone who can actually commit to you, who can give you everything you need with no strings. Who knows, I might even find a human husband someday."

The half-demon inhaled a sharp breath and barked "You know damn well that I'll never find a woman who can accept me for what I am. Besides, there's no way in hell I'm handing you over to some puny human who can't protect you!"

"It's none of your concern anymore Inuyasha."

"It is because I'm not letting you go so easily!" and with that, he leaned forward and crashed his lips onto hers, she protested against the painful kiss. His arms had snaked around her hips and caged her against him. She tried turning away but his hand was pressing against the back of her neck, holding her in place. After a moment longer, he pulled away and stared with a pleading gaze as he said "Kagome...I know you love me, you're my mate...tell me what's really going on."

The tears began to build again but before he could see them, her hand shot out and slapped him across the face. The man was turned towards the ground, a red mark staining his cheek, Kagome only gave him a cold look as she said with no emotion behind her "I am not your mate, I am the Priestess of the Higurashi Shrine! Now begone Half-Breed."

As the words left her mouth, Inuyasha leaped into air, vanishing into the night. He was gone. Left to fix the mangled and torn pieces of his broken heart. It took only seven seconds before Kagome's legs gave out, she dropped to the ground and wheeped, cradling herself in a tight ball as she began crying like she never had in her life. But he was free...free to live any way he wanted.

This was the only way to make sure Inuyasha would be safe, away from her and from her Father's wrath. Soon, they would discover her secret. Til then, she would have to prepare for her wedding day.