In modern-day Tokyo, being presentable meant brushing your teeth, combing your hair, and wearing the standard school uniform. The term had a completely different meaning in the Sengoku Period. Apparently, here it meant that one was unable to breathe or move.

A horde of village women surrounded Kagome. Kaede gave each a task. The first removed her 'unseemly attire' and replaced it with more layers than Kagome had ever known a single outfit to contain. The next woman climbed on top of a stool to do her hair, while a third washed her feet. Per Kaede's instructions, Kagome's feet needed to be cleansed before putting on her sandals.

The process was extensive and uncomfortable. The women worked in complete silence. Every time Kagome tried to speak with them, Kaede interrupted her. She suspected it was because the villagers hadn't figured out that she wasn't Kikyo.

Kaede believed her sister was dead. Kagome didn't agree. If Tsubaki did kill Kikyo, wouldn't she have said so? She seemed the type to gloat. Kagome figured the dark priestess was as clueless as Kaede about what happened to Kikyo. She just wouldn't admit it.

Her hair was yanked so tight that Kagome wondered if she'd pass out. The woman behind her twisted the hair into a knot on top of her head. As she secured the bun with pins, another woman approached Kagome with a basket of small porcelain jars.

"What is that?" Kagome asked warily.

The woman's eyes widened. Kaede shot Kagome a nasty look.

Yep, she didn't sound at all like the Shikon Miko.Big surprise…

"Lady Kikyo, this powder was made from the crushed shells along the shores by Niigata. The lip stain is from the red seaweed harvested from Toyama Bay and the rouge is from the dried blossoms in Matsumoto. They were all collected from the Western Lands to enhance your beauty and appease Lord Sesshomaru."

Yeah, a few swipes of makeup will definitely convince him not to kill me, Kagome thought irritably.

Outside, a horn sounded. Everyone in Kaede's hut froze. A man yelled, "The entourage approaches!"

"Hurry," Kaede chided them.

The women hastened in their duties, heads bowed in concentration. Having them fuss over her reminded Kagome of the way her aunt's hens pick over the yard. Minor details such as a wisp of hair by her ear or a smudge of shadow in the crease of her eye were called out. Every inch of her was scrutinized until the horn sounded again.

This time, there was no hollered announcement. A man entered Kaede's hut. He didn't even look at the little girl before addressing her. "Lady Kikyo, Lord Taisho's envoy has arrived."

Kagome stared at Kaede.

The girl gave her a slight nod.

She bent at the waist, praying the ornate design of her hair remained intact. "Thank you," Kagome told the villager. "Please allow me a moment to say farewell to my sister."

Everyone exited the hut except for Kaede. The instant they were alone, Kagome grabbed onto her sleeve. "I can't do this!"

"You have to," Kaede insisted. "If we disobey the daimyo's edict, Lord Sesshomaru's wrath won't be the only danger we face. Trade routes will be closed to the village. Healers and farmers from neighboring towns will no longer come to our aid when summoned. You have to fulfill the promise that Kikyo made."

"But I don't know the first thing about her!"

"That won't matter. No one inside the Western Palace has ever met Kikyo. Well…almost no one." Kaede fidgeted nervously.

"What does that mean?"

"It's nothing to concern yourself with. Forget I mentioned it. What you should be worried about is Tsubaki. She'll be back. Right now, the Western Palace is the safest place for you."

"I'm not worried about that witch! I'm worried about being found out. Who at the palace knows Kikyo? Will they out me as an imposter to the rest of the palace?"

Kaede shook her head, yanking her sleeve free from Kagome's grasp. "It doesn't matter. You have to go."

Kagome stood with her back to the door, arms crossed over her chest. "Not until you tell me what's going on."

"Fix your posture!" Kaede snapped, raising her hand to smack Kagome's arms down.

She caught the girl by her wrist. "Tell me!"

"Let go," Kaede hissed.

"Not until you tell me what has you so worked up."

Kaede tried to wriggle free but Kagome refused to release her. She exhaled the word in one terse breath.

"Inuyasha."

"Who's that?"

Kaede's response was interrupted by the same man as earlier. He approached the tent flap and called inside."Lady Kikyo, the envoy must leave now if you plan to make it through the mountain pass before might fall."

Kagome stared at Kaede but the girl was silent. She'd have to find the answer on her own.

Willing herself not to trip in her sandals, Kagome strolled out of the hut. She was met with a large crowd. It appeared that the entire village had gathered for her send-off. They all observed Kagome quietly, watching as she proceeded toward the yokai soldiers who had arrived to escort her.

Like a sacrificial lamb to the slaughter.

It was a chilling thought, made all the eerier by the fact she'd been dressed in the purest of colors: white. Both the situation and the garment felt suffocating.

Kagome moved to relieve an itch on her neck. Immediately, Kaede elbowed her in the back.

"Don't. You'll ruin everything we worked so hard for," she whispered sternly.

Kagome let out a heavy sigh. She was starting to get really annoyed with Kaede. The girl was young in age only. Everything from her mannerisms to her speech made her appear decades older than anyone else in the village. Kagome wondered if that was how Kaede had always been or if she was acting this way because of Kikyo's disappearance.

The loss had to be weighing on her. Souta could be a brat but if he suddenly disappeared, Kagome would search everywhere for him. She wouldn't stop searching until she found him. That was what family meant to her. What some referred to as obligation, Kagome called devotion. Maybe that was the real reason why Kaede bothered her so much. She had given up.

Out of the dozen guards in the entourage, only one dismounted as she approached. She noticed his ears were elongated with slightly pointed tips. If she hadn't sensed his energy earlier, his appearance would have given him away.

He bowed. "My lady."

Kagome inclined her head in return.

"I am Seiten, one of Lord Touga's personal guards. He laments that he was unable to make the journey with you but sends his regards. My troop and I will ensure your safe passage to the Western Palace."

"Thank you."

The soldier straightened up and led her over to a carriage decorated with the colors of the Western Lands. "To make your trip more comfortable," he explained, offering his hand.

Kagome glanced over her shoulder at Kaede. The little girl stood stone-faced and unflinching. It seemed that the time for goodbyes was over.

She did her best impression of a dutiful priestess. Kagome bowed to the town, wishing them peace and a good harvest. The villagers knelt, placing their foreheads on the earth. Kagome took a deep breath. She slipped her hand into Seiten's and stepped up into the carriage.

Once inside, Kagome realized there was no going back.


The clang of metal echoed in the courtyard. With his soldiers in the infirmary and his father's personal unit dispatched to Edo for his bride, Sesshomaru was left with only one outlet for his rage.

Inuyasha.

His half-brother did not possess an affinity for strategy. Each strike was about the amount of sheer force he could wield. There was no strategy. Which was why the next time Inuyasha lunged, Sesshomaru side-stepped and landed a punch to the hanyo's face.

"What the hell?" he groaned from the ground, where he sat hunched over, massaging his jaw. No amount of care would remove the bruise to his pride.

"You are far too rash. Any decent opponent will know your intent. They will be able to counterattack as easily as I did."

"Ass," Inuyasha scoffed.

Sesshomaru ignored the petulant behavior. Inuyasha's verbal rebuttals were predictable too. His brother had not yet learned the power of patience. There were times in battle when a small window of opportunity was granted but those moments only came to those who knew to wait. He sheathed his sword.

"Hey, what are putting your blade away for? We're not done!"

"I am not. You are," Sesshomaru returned, moving toward the stables.

"You're just afraid I'll beat you."

"I fear nothing, least of all you."

Feet pounded against the grass. Sesshomaru heard Inuyasha's Fire-Rat robe flap as he sprung. With a frown, he pivoted around, catching his brother by the throat. Inuyasha's blade fell to the ground as he thrashed about trying to free himself.

"Let me go, you bastard," he snapped.

Sesshomaru unclenched his fist. Inuyasha collapsed into the dirt, wheezing. "You will never improve if you do not learn from your mistakes," Sesshomaru informed him.

When Inuyasha did not respond, he continued to stroll across the courtyard.

The stables were not a location Sesshomaru frequented. He had no need for horses or other mulish animals. However, there was no other area within the palace walls equipped to house his favorite companion.

The beast heard his approach from several paces away. One head peered over the stall doorway, closely followed by a second.

Sesshomaru stopped in the entryway and opened the pantry door. A bushel of apples was situated on the lowest shelf. He had instructed the stable hands to harvest fresh fruit for the dragon. He had been surprised to discover the beast was a herbivore. Though it explained why the creature was so attached to him. It was rare for dragons to survive outside of their horde.

He unlatched the door and deposited the bushel inside the beast's pen. The twin heads lowered in unison. While the dragon consumed the apples, Sesshomaru leaned against the opposite wall.

In the next day or two, the miko would arrive. Initially, she would be housed in the guest wing of the palace but, after the wedding ceremony, she would be moved into his suite of rooms. Sesshomaru had never shared his space with a female. None of his attendants were female. The only one that visited his rooms was his mother— and only when she wanted something.

Her proximity was not the issue; her purpose was. From the moment she entered the palace, Sesshomaru would be expected to treat the miko as his bride. The very term made him scowl.

He did not need a mate. He did not want a mate. What Sesshomaru wanted was his freedom.

The woman who had replaced Inuyasha's lover appeared to want the same. He could discuss his plan with her. Perhaps she would be amenable to serving as his ally instead of his wife. If they reached an agreement before the ceremony, there would be no need to go through with the senseless practice. He would speak with her. Surely, someone of her talent would understand.

Sesshomaru could not afford to waste any time. With each passing minute, the envoy drew closer.

His father's guards were escorting the miko to the palace. Sending the entire unit had been Touga's idea. He had insisted that it was for the woman's protection. That may have been necessary for Inuyasha's mate, but this woman was more than capable of defending herself. Sesshomaru had felt her power. She was not a fragile flower. If anything, the guards were required to ensure her arrival.

Sesshomaru planned to convince the miko to join him willingly. Of course, if she refused, there was a second option: coercion.

He knew the woman coming to the palace was not the Shikon Miko— at least not the one who had been betrothed to him. He was unaware of how the women had switched places. The reason did not matter. Their betrayal would be seen as a slight against his family and insubordination to their ruler. If their secret was exposed, it was unlikely either would survive.

Sesshomaru did not care about their lives though he did lament the loss of power. It seemed a waste to lose such a rarity.

Ultimately, the choice would be hers.


Kagome rolled her shoulders, trying to loosen the knot in her upper back. She always thought a carriage ride sounded fun. Whoever had romanticized the mode of transportation had clearly never ridden in one before.

The Western Palace carriage was no more than a wooden cart with three walls and a roof. The door was a curtain of fabric that flapped open with every bump on the road.

The interior wasn't much better. There were no windows. Her seat was a bench on the rear wall of the cart, wide enough to sit on but too narrow to lie down. It was carved from the same wood as the rest of the carriage and did not include a cushion. Comfort appeared to be a luxury in the Sengoku Era.

Kagome hoped the palace had pillows, though she was so exhausted that she didn't think it would matter. As soon as she got out of her ridiculous outfit, she was going to sleep. Kagome didn't care if her behavior would be deemed unacceptable. Kaede was no longer around to berate her. She was going to do what she wanted.

And what she wanted was to sleep.

A yawn escaped her. Kagome slumped against the wall, eyes heavy. She wondered what Mama, Souta, and Gramps were up to. Did they notice she was gone? Had the school called about her absence? She groaned, thinking about all the make-up work she would have when she got back.

That was one plus for the Sengoku Era. At least here she wasn't expected to pass final exams.

I just have to marry a complete stranger.

Kaede said Lord Sesshomaru was a merciless warrior. Impatient, cruel, killer instincts— he sounded more like a monster than a man. Kagome reminded herself that he was, in fact, not a man but an inu daiyokai. She tried to remember if Gramps had ever mentioned the Western Lands in his stories. If he had, Kagome couldn't recall. Maybe she should have paid more attention.

Thoughts of home soothed her. Her body sagged as her eyes closed. For a short time, Kagome could pretend she was in her room, asleep at her desk after a long night of studying.

It felt like she had drifted off for only a minute or two before she felt the carriage dip then suddenly stop, jerking her out of her slumber.

Kagome attempted to stretch her arms overhead and was reminded of her limited mobility. Frowning, she moved to pull the curtain aside. The sun had transitioned from East to West, signaling the late afternoon hour. She blinked. Guess I slept longer than I thought…

"Whoa!" Seiten's voice boomed over the disgruntled whinnies of the horses. "Whoa, steady."

"What's going on?"

Seiten trotted over. "Apologies, my lady. The axle broke. We will need time to repair it."

She grabbed hold of the carriage wall and peered around. A couple of soldiers were inspecting the damaged wheel.

"There is a farming village about a kilometer up the road. I can take you there to rest while you wait," Seiten suggested.

"That's okay. It will give me a chance to stretch my legs," Kagome told him.

"You should not go unescorted. I'll send my mate, Kujaku, with you."

Kagome was surprised that there was a female inuyokai included in the unit. Kujaku wore her ebony hair up in a high ponytail. The red markings along her face looked like blood dripping down her skin. It was rather unnerving.

"My lady." The female warrior greeted her with a bow.

"You can call me Kagome."

Kujaku glanced at her mate. Seiten's brow creased in confusion. For a moment, Kagome worried that she should have referred to herself as Kikyo. Then, the captain spoke.

"As you wish, Lady Kagome."

"Please, you don't need to call me 'lady'. Just Kagome is fine," she assured them. The formality was making her uncomfortable. Each time she heard the title, it reminded her of the lie she was perpetuating.

"Lady Kagome, Lord Touga would not approve of us—."

"Well, Lord Touga isn't here. I am. And I want to be called by my name. No title necessary."

Kujaku's gaze flickered to her mate, then back to Kagome as she laughed. "Oh, I like her. You're exactly what he needs."

"Huh?"

Seiten cleared his throat to cover his chuckle. "My mate is referring to your intended. Lord Sesshomaru is…"

"An ungrateful, arrogant fool?" Kujaku offered.

"…a daiyokai of singular tastes," Seiten said.

Kagome didn't like either description. Combined with what Kaede had already shared with her, the probability of her surviving their upcoming nuptials was slim. "I should have brought my bow," she lamented.

Seiten disappeared behind the carriage, returning with something behind his back. "This?" he questioned, holding out a bow and quiver.

"Oh my gosh! Where did you get that?"

"Your sister thought you'd need it," Seiten answered.

"I agree with her," Kujaku remarked.

"She also sent this." Seiten held up a large yellow pouch.

"My backpack!" Kagome wrapped herself around the massive bag. In all the chaos, she had completely forgotten about it.

"Is it some form of a saddlebag?" Seiten asked.

"Kind of. It's called a backpack. You wear it like this." Kagome demonstrated. The weight of her textbooks nearly sent her toppling backward. She was still getting used to moving around in sandals. Kujaku steadied her.

"Why does a miko need such a large traveling sack?" she inquired, eyeing the backpack.

Good question, Kagome thought. Kaede hadn't had time to describe Kikyo's training in depth so Kagome decided to keep her answer as close to the truth as possible. "This pack holds everything I need when I journey away from home."

"The palace will be your home now. I doubt you'll need to carry anything once you're mated to Lord Sesshomaru."

Kagome's cheeks burned. Marriage was one thing. Mating was an entirely different matter. She had never so much as kissed a boy, let alone…. No. There was absolutely no way that was going to happen.

Kujaku studied her with concern. "Are you feeling feverish?"

"Just thirsty. Do you think they have fresh water in the village?"

Kujaku nodded. "I'll go with you."

Since it didn't appear that either her or Seiten would allow Kagome to make the trip alone, she agreed. Kujaku carried Kagome's backpack for her. She found it easier to walk with only her bow and quiver strung over her shoulder. They weighed considerably less than her mountain of textbooks.

As they followed the road toward the village, Kagome wondered how common it was for females to be part of military units. She had never read any historical accounts of female warriors. Any stories of female fighters had been fabricated— or so she'd been told. She was curious to learn what else the history books had gotten wrong

"How long have you been part of Lord Touga's unit?" Kagome asked Kujaku.

"Centuries" the inuyokai answered. "Seiten and I were by our lord's side for his mating ceremony with his mate, we were present for the birth of his first pup, and again when he took a human mate who gave birth to his second son. We have been his loyal servants for many years."

"What made you want to follow him?"

"Your kind are not the only ones who quarrel with themselves. Among the yokai clans there is discord and unrest. Those who seek power are not limited to a single race. Evil exists everywhere. Lord Touga has never turned his back on anyone who required assistance. He has also never permitted an adversary to beat him. He walks a fine line between being a compassionate ruler and a swift executioner.

I respect him for his ability to navigate such a treacherous path," Kujaku explained.

"He sounds like a great ruler," Kagome commented.

"I understand you may not approve of his tactics, given your betrothal to his eldest son, but I believe this union is the best option available to us. If our kinds do not find a way to live harmoniously, soon there may be nothing left of this land except the rocks and trees."

Kujaku'a assessment was eerily similar to how Kaede described the situation. Despite being on opposite sides of the divide, they both acknowledged the importance of bridging the gap. Kagome felt the weight of her situation settle over her.

She hopes Kaede discovers a way to reverse Tsubaki's curse before the wedding.

Rapid footsteps drew her attention. Kagome spotted a woman running towards them. When she noticed Kujaku and Kagome, the villager froze. She seemed to contemplate continuing but only for a moment.

"My lady," she bowed to Kagome, "please forgive me for troubling you. I was wondering if you've seen my son pass by."

"We have not come across anyone outside our own party," Kujaku told her.

The village woman's face fell. "I see. Thank you." With another bow, she pressed on.

"Wait," Kagome called after her. "Let us help you. Three pairs of eyes are better than one."

"Kagome," Kujaku began to argue.

Kagome waved her off. "It will be nighttime soon. I'm sure this woman would appreciate having her son returned home before dark."

"Thank you, my lady. Your generosity knows no bounds."

"What's your son's name?" Kagome questioned.

"Jinenji."

"And yours?"

"Hina, my lady."

"It's nice to meet you, Hina. You can call me Kagome and this is Kujaku."

Hina's gaze flickered between them. When Kujaku didn't offer up any protests, she nodded.

"Do you have any idea where he might have gone?" Kagome inquired.

Hina pursed her lips, hands fidgeting in front of her. "I don't. This is the first time he's run off like this. The other children have been bullying him because of his looks. They chased him out of town."

"What?" Kagome cried indignantly. "Those jerks!"

Hina and Kujaku stared at her. Kagome ignored them.

"Once we find him, I want to talk to those kids," she demanded.

Kujaku's lips turned up in a smile. "As you wish. Shall we begin?"

"Let's go!"