Chapter 5:
(Vitamin String Quartet - Bad Guy)

"How lovely for you to join us this morning, my love." Lady Higurashi beamed at Lord Higurashi as he lumbered into his seat at the head of the dining table.

"Someone has to set this household back in order," he grunted, bloodshot eyes glaring at the women before him, "set my daughter back in order."

The maids had done an impressive job of covering Kagome's cuts and bruises with makeup and a dress with an exceedingly high neckline, but the wounds underneath still pained her terribly. While Kagome told her mama that she stumbled after too much drink and fell into a potted tree in the ballroom, her father had no idea what transpired last night. Kagome was certain her mama didn't believe her awful concoction of a lie, but nevertheless, she didn't ask questions.

"It was simply an accident with a small shrub, papa," Kagome said calmly, fearing he had noticed her the faint color of her bruises under the foundation. She scooped up a big bite of her breakfast, "My corset may have been strung a smidgen too tightly. I am fine."

The lord's silverware crashed into the table so violently it shook. "You were seen on the balcony daughter, alone with not one, but two demons. And then being carried half-dressed by the duke in the Hitomi gardens like a common doxy. Drop the pretense."

Gently setting her spoon full of oatmeal down, Kagome dared not glance at her mama, "I-"

"I did not ask you to speak, girl. Good grief, no wonder no one else is calling on you except demons." Lord Higurashi took a deep gulp of his wine.

Kagome closed her eyes, remembering a time when her father was prosperous, fairly tolerable, and not drunk at eight in the morning.

"You have humiliated our family, and you will set this right," Lord Higurashi declared. "Clearly you have fallen so low no respectable human will have you. I am expecting a visitor this afternoon. Since this Duke Inuyasha has compromised you; he will marry you. If he does not, Lord Naraku has offered for your hand. If you refuse both, you are dead to me."

Lady Higurashi stood so rapidly her chair crashed to the floor, "My lord, please-"

"Father, please don't do this!" Kagome cried. "I will find another suitor, it's merely been a little over a week! Lord Koga - he will be courting me!"

"He came earlier." Lord Higurashi said dismissively, "I had the footman send him away. When he realizes what transpired last night, he will come to his senses, just as Lord Hojo did."

No, no, no, no. Her wildly erratic breath was discernible throughout the room. "But the duke does not love me!"

"Then if you can't manage to be a demon's wife, go upstairs and put on your finest dress fit for a demon's whore." With that, Lord Higurashi pushed his untouched plate away and stumbled out the room clutching his bottle of wine.

Kagome sat in the drawing room in an extravagant white gown as the afternoon light illuminated her in a warm glow. Her stomach had twisted into knots an hour ago when she asked her lady's maids to choose the most inappropriate dress she owned - such a dress that might tempt a rake into marriage. If he would have her, she would accept to save her family. If not, she'd be gone by morning.

Kagome had shed a tear as her maids solemnly tied her bodice lower than normal. She also requested her maids style her hair up, baring her neck. The angry scratches were still blemished and rough beneath the makeup, but a large diamond necklace - the largest their family owned - hid the worst of it across her collarbone.

It seemed like so much more than a week ago when she had worn something similar and attracted the duke's unwanted attentions. How foolish and naive she had been.

Was this to be her lot in life? That no matter how much she fought, she lost? Indeed, her life was never her own and it was never clearer to her than in this moment. This was supposed to be the best time of her life, and yet-

Her mama sat next to her father, eyes flitting to Kagome and giving her sad smiles of encouragement. It was difficult to fathom now, but her mother once considered their marriage to be one of love before father had started mistreating her. All the maids were used to concealing bruises.

Knowing her father's temper, this was going to be nothing short of a disaster.

"Duke Inuyasha," the footman announced, as Kagome silently stood on her unsteady feet.

Inuyasha's brow furrowed as he strode into the hushed room. He had accepted Lord Higurashi's late afternoon invitation to talk business, anticipating the former member of parliament would ask him for an investment which he could refuse. But why were Kagome and her mother here? And why wouldn't she look at him?

It was instantly obvious to the duke that she did not choose her outfit. He stared at her long exposed neck, the scratch marks and bruises beneath the expert makeup, and Kagome's immaculate white gown. Everything about her was executed perfectly, expensively, to his tastes. Her breasts pushed up above the neckline with each unsteady breath she took, just barely concealing her nipples. She looked delectable, like a pristine lamb fit to be sold and slaughtered. And thus it dawned on Inuyasha why he was here...

"Your grace, I wish I could say it is a pleasure, but it is not."

Looking down at her feet, Kagome dared not say anything that would provoke her father to snap, although she couldn't think of anything that would conceivably be more embarrassing than this. If Inuyasha put her father in his place, which he had the authority to do, this would get ugly. Her father hadn't even had the decency to allow them to sit.

She began to quietly ponder where she would go at dawn, for no one would receive a fallen woman. Her skills of pianoforte, singing, and needlework would not get her far on the streets. Even so, thinking about being kicked out for refusing to marry Naraku was more pleasant than focusing on the calamity before her.

Inuyasha finally tore his eyes from her as his nostrils as they filled with the murky scent of alcohol. "What can I do for you, Lord Higurashi?" He wouldn't betray his anger, for apparently this man did not care about his unwed daughter if they dressed her unwillingly like an expensive whore in his own house.

"I am certain you are aware of why you are here, your grace. You have ruined my daughter, taken liberties with her virtue." He took a deep swig of wine. "The whole damned city knows it. I demand you marry her."

Kagome grimaced, shutting her eyes. How drunk was her father to make demands of a duke?

She glanced up as the silence stretched on. He was staring at her face, not at her body, but into her eyes. At first she thought he might say yes. His own eyes held a wistful, almost remorseful look. Kagome looked away first, letting him win again. There was always an intensity the duke possessed that frightened her.

We have won, we can crush him! If you marry her, you will save their family and that pathetic swine of a man. Do you smell her fear? She is terrified of being married to you! She can't even look at you. I still disgust her. Are they daft? Naive, stupid, princess. Ruin them!

Inuyasha's eyes turned cold as stone.

"I will not."

Kagome braced her arm against the chaise so she wouldn't fall.

The smell of salt confused Inuyasha, if she detested him, why were her eyes brimming with tears? Upon remembering his mother, his demonic hatred of Lord Higurashi consumed his humanity, and he forced thoughts of his daughter to the deep recesses of his mind.

The head of the Higurashi household slammed his cup onto the sofa table. "I beg your pardon?"

"You, the one who founded the Demon Detention Act," Inuyasha spoke slowly, punctuating each syllable with the hatred he had kept burning inside him for so long. "The man who loathed me and my kind enough to steal everything from me once… all because we were beneath you, a threat. And now you wish for me to marry your only daughter, solely to spare yourself? I said, I will not."

The realization dawned on Kagome so swiftly her head swam. He pursued her because he despised her so much he yearned to ruin her, all because of something her father had done. She had heard of this act before, but paid it no mind as it did not concern her. She recalled her father bragging about it over dinner once, something about demons finally learning their place and being kept like prisoners in their estates...being stripped of their titles. Inuyasha's time with her was all a ruse, a game of vengeance to destroy her family.

"You sought her out on purpose...to get back at me..."

As her mother gasped, Kagome sank into the chaise, turning away from Inuyasha to mask her tears, exposing her back that he suddenly yearned to touch, to comfort.

The duke shrugged, "I did nothing less than you deserve. Why else do you think no one will invest with you?"

"You- you monster!" He father spat, swinging at Inuyasha, who easily subdued him with his demon strength.

Casually straightening his coat, Inuyasha regarded Lord Higurashi as he stepped back. "The only monster in the room, sir, is you."

"Get out of my house. I never want to see your face again. You have ruined us."

Inuyasha began to take his leave, when he realized Lord Higurashi wasn't speaking to him. The reason for Kagome's tears became very apparent; the vile filth was disowning her.

"And take the family diamonds off before you go."

"My lord- please." Lady Higurashi finally pleaded, tentatively grabbing her husband's arm. "I beseech you, she is my only daughter! Sota needs his sister!"

The slap that reverberated throughout the room woke Kagome from her haze.

She rose, her fingers shakily grabbing the clasp of the necklace behind her. The sooner she was gone, the sooner her father would calm down and leave her mother alone. It took her more time than she would have liked, but the heavy diamonds finally slid down her neck. She gently set them on the chaise. Next, she allowed her hair to fall, releasing the tiara.

This is not my fault. This is not my fault. This is not my-

She locked eyes with Inuyasha, finally allowing the loathing and betrayal to burn. Now, she literally had nothing left to lose. Kagome had spent her entire life striving for perfection in each of her studies, all to secure a proper, suitable husband to please her family. The duke had taken everything from her, even her own home. Finally, she turned away.

Inuyasha's eyes only looked from Kagome when someone grabbed his wrist, "Your grace, please reconsider, I beg you. Kagome would make an excellent duchess. She does not deserve this."

Kagome had never heard her mama beg before, especially not on her knees. Seeing her bought so low made her hatred and desperation grow tenfold. She was ready for this to be over. She had tried to be positive; she had sought to play the game, but the game had ended before it truly ever began. Inuyasha was right, she had no idea who she was dealing with, but now it was crystal clear.

"Would you like the dress also," Kagome's voice cracked, addressing her father, "my lord?"

For the first time, it was Inuyasha's turn to grimace as his humanity returned. He offered Lady Higurashi a hand so she could return to her feet, her right eye swelling. She was right about her daughter. Kagome was a product of what her mama had raised her to be – proper and chaste. She had played the game flawlessly and failed through no fault of her own. A byproduct of his resentment. If she was on the streets unable to control her powers and someone like Naraku found her-"

Mine. Only mine.

Abruptly, Inuyasha had an idea.

"I have conditions."

Everyone stared at him. "I will marry her, but I will supply no funds to this family." He stepped away from Lady Higurashi, "Henceforth, she shall cut all ties with your entire household, but you will have what little honor you have left since she won't be ruined. You will not benefit from my rank and title, or the duchess'."

"And what of her dowry?" Lord Higurashi challenged.

"You can keep it," Inuyasha growled, clenching his fists. "I have no use for your sordid money. No doubt it's of more use to you than me."

Lord Higurashi shrugged, motioning his hand dismissively towards his daughter, "Take her. Get out of my sight."

Inuyasha bowed slightly to the lady of the house, then offered Kagome his arm. Not wishing to further cause any more of a scene, she allowed her hand to rest against his arm. They took their leave of the room as Lady Higurashi dissolved into sobs on the floor.

He had won.

...

Notes: Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a comment if you did! I will probably be taking next week off from the story, as I want to go back to the beginning and flesh out some details. I tend to write very short and precise and would like to make the story better.

I am searching for a few BETA readers, if anyone is interested. Thanks for reading!