Author's Note: Sorry that this one took so freaking long to get out (although it is within a week of the last update). Everything…EVERYTHING wanted to go wrong for me this week, and I was this--:makes the hand gesture:--close to tearing my hair out. Gah! But that's life, eh?

Uh…let's see. Oh! I received a question as to what timeline this story takes place in. At first, it was going to be slightly in the past (not the full 500 years in the past, though), but then I decided against it and chose to make it a bit easier on myself by making this in present-day.

Also, Anon from AFF…I have mentioned like…twice already that this is NOT going to be exactly like the original story. It's based off of it, which means, yes, the source should be recognizable and some elements are going to be the same. But I am not 'copying someone's work', just basing my story on it. I have given Lindsey credit in the second chapter as well. Read the author's notes in both the second and third chapters…I seriously don't like repeating myself, seeing as I have said the exact same thing twice (three times, if you include this one). I could go into more detail about the differences between copying and basing, but this author's note is getting lengthy as it is. ; The story will start to deviate within the next chapter, that I can promise you (although I assume you didn't read past the first chapter, judging by your review). I've got everything planned out.

And once again, thank you guys so much for the reviews. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate them. :huggles:

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Chapter Four

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"That went quite nice, would you not agree, Your Highness?" Miroku sighed at Sesshoumaru's silence. "Well, it could have been worse," he said, shrugging.

"Oh? And how so? My queen-to-be is a vulgar, unmannered wench. Kami only knows where her virtues are--assuming she still possesses them," Sesshoumaru replied in a sardonic tone.

"Look on the bright side, Your Majesty. If you're correct about that, she will at least be…'experienced'." He smiled slightly.

The prince sent the man a withering glare that almost made him pee in his pants. "You, as well as Kouga, will prepare the vehicle for the trip. Take any luggage the girl packs down to it also. And locate my wretched brother and inform him of our immediate departure." Sesshoumaru began descending the stairs that lead to the bar area. "I will oversee your job once you are finished."

"Yes, Your Highness," Miroku said, bowing as he watched the prince move away from him. He scratched the back of his head. "And to think…I was only being honest," he muttered under his breath. "Just thought he would appreciate that, considering the situation…"

However, Miroku wasn't being entirely fair. After all, not every man thought about things in the way that he did.

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"So…" Sango said as she began pulling articles out of Kagome's closet and tossing them onto her bed. "What do you want to pack?"

"Nothing, Sango. I'm not going."

"What? But…"

"I'm not going."

Sango's brows shot up. "But, Kagome-chan…you can't do that! Those guys came all this way…"

"Well, that's their problem to deal with. I have a life here. I don't intend on leaving it," the other woman huffed.

"I understand how you feel, but this is a chance for you to learn about your family! Don't you even want to know? I mean, that's how I would feel if I were in your situation."

Kagome looked at her before nodding. "I won't lie and say I'm not curious…I don't want to have to marry a jerk like him to find out, though. Besides, I want to stay here. I don't want to go all the way to the west to become something I'm not. I'm no princess, Sango."

The older woman chuckled lightly. "Boy, and I thought every woman wanted to become a princess."

Kagome frowned. "Not me."

Sango sighed and shook her head. "Just think about it, Kagome-chan." Moving to the door, she said, "I'll be downstairs…call me if you need me." She left the room.

Kagome moved all of the clothing off of her bed and sat down. She was not lying; she had no desire to become royalty to some family in the west. Especially when assuming the family was anything like the man she was to marry.

How dare he just show up and ruin her life? She had no warning whatsoever, just 'hi, come with us and forget everything you've done and all of your dreams to become what we think you should be'! Didn't her feelings on the matter count to anything at all? Wasn't she supposed to have a say in this? She was twenty years old, going on twenty-one. She was an adult who could make her own decisions!

'That's right. And I can decide whatever the hell I want. I'm getting out of this!'

But first, she had to get away from them.

She looked around the room as she pondered her possible escape routes. The top floor of the structure was too high for her to believe that she would survive that particular fall unscathed. 'Hmm…Maybe I could sneak past them and go through the front door…' she thought to herself, but then shook her head at that idea. 'There's three of them and little ol' me. I'd be spotted surely! And I can only imagine what Mr. I'm-so-perfect has to say about that!' Her brows slanted downward at that thought.

She wrung her hands, contemplating on what she would do. Whatever it was, she had to do it fast…before it became long enough for them to realize she was gone.

'Ah, the hell with it,' she said in her mind as she grabbed the sheets from her bed. 'I'll take my chances with the window. I can probably dangle low enough for me to not to break anything serious…'

After securing knots in both of her sheets, blanket, and cases she had snatched off of her pillows, Kagome made her way towards the window. She couldn't help casting a look over the sill before opening it fully. 'I really hope this works…if it doesn't, please let me break an arm instead of my legs! That way, I can still run!' She tied an end to a nearby chair and lifted her skirt to climb onto the windowsill.

There was a knock at her door, and for a moment, she panicked. Grabbing the long makeshift rope and nearly dropping it twice, she hurriedly tied it around her waist. Kagome turned away from the room and took a deep breath, preparing herself from the hopefully non-death-defying stunt.

Unfortunately for her, she never saw the ashen-haired man open her door, honeyed eyes taking in the situation for about a second before moving. Her hands had pushed off of the surface and she fell for a few inches before she was roughly grabbed under the arms and dragged back from where she started. Her brown eyes squinted in confusion as she turned her head to see who had halted her decent into her freedom. Upon seeing Sesshoumaru holding her and setting her back to her feet on the wooden floor boards of her room, she nearly became hysterical trying to shake his hands off of her.

"Why did you stop me!" she demanded to know. He released her.

"The only way I will permit you to leap from that window is if you are trying to hang yourself. The sheets are tied wrong if you were attempting to do so." Sesshoumaru crossed his arms. "It seemed as if you were trying to flee. I cannot allow that."

"And why not? It's pretty obvious you don't want to marry me, and I so don't want to marry you. If I leave, you won't have to!"

He gave her a displeased sigh. "I have already informed you…this situation is not in my hands. All will be explained to you upon your arrival into the Western Lands. If I did so now, we will be delayed for even longer. If you would not mind, this Sesshoumaru would like to get this entire travesty over with."

"Well too bad, because I'm not leaving!" She crossed her own arms and planted her feet to the ground, a look of determination on her face.

He blinked at her display. "I apologize…You seem to have mistaken me for someone who will put up with your childish ways. I am being considerate--though it is apparent that you do not appreciate my generosity--and allowing you to pack your belongings. I will not endure constant whining and droning about your discomfort. I receive enough of that from my worthless brother and his companions."

'Some 'generosity'…' Kagome thought. "Don't you think that's saying something? The only reason why people complain to you is because you're an arrogant, self-centered idiot."

He had enough of this conversation. It wasn't getting either of them anywhere. "That may be so. And seeing that I am so arrogant and self-centered, I command you to pack your things this instant. I will inform Miroku to watch the window outside in case you decide to run again. I will be waiting downstairs. Either you pack, or bring nothing. Your choice." Sesshoumaru moved towards the door. "If you are not completed within a half-hour, I will return and drag you to the car myself. Do we have an understanding?" He watched as she nodded after a few moments, her eyes flaring in anger. "Excellent," he said, opening the door.

He thought for a minute. "Also. Wash yourself. It is unseemly for a man of my stature to be seen with a woman presented so… unsuitably," he added in distaste, closing the door behind him. He completely missed the boot that was hurled at it a split-second afterwards.

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"Ow," Inuyasha said as he pressed the compress against his forehead. One eye cracked open at Sango. "Thanks," he said before she nodded.

"Have you always been unable to hold your liquor?" she asked.

He scowled as Kouga spoke up. "Pretty much. One or two glasses of the hard stuff and he's out of it." Kouga smirked. "At least you had it better passed out outside than Miroku did."

At that, Inuyasha looked up. "What? What happened to him?"

"This woman," the other man jerked his thumb at Sango. "knocked him out with a beer bottle."

"What! I missed that!" Inuyasha yelled.

"Actually, it was a bottle of Merlot," she corrected. "And he did ask for it. He groped Kagome-chan!"

Kouga laughed heartily. "Miroku always gropes women. It's his thing. Although I'm sure he'll think twice doing that here from now on."

"Kouga, have I not given you as well as Miroku orders?"

All three of them turned to Sesshoumaru, who was standing in the doorway.

Kouga, in turn, bowed slightly. "We decided to split your orders between the two of us. I found your brother while Miroku went to the car."

"I see," Sesshoumaru said, walking to the exit.

"Oh, Yeah…I'm fine, asshole! Thanks for asking!" Inuyasha yelled.

Sesshoumaru ignored him, as usual.

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A few minutes passed before Kagome cracked her door open and stuck her head out to look down the hallway. It was clear, she noted in relief. She silently tiptoed her way to the stairs, hoping she was quiet enough to remain unnoticed as she went down the steps.

'When plan A fails, you got to move to plan B…'

Her feet stopped when she heard voices. Luckily, she didn't hear Sesshoumaru's, and she was the slightest bit grateful. She peeked around the door way and observed the owners of the voices. Sango, that other guy, and another with white hair. At first, she thought he was indeed Sesshoumaru, but quickly realized he wasn't from the unruly hair and disgruntled expression. 'No…Mr. Perfect would never 'allow' himself to look like that,' her mind reasoned bitterly.

Both Sango and the white-haired fellow were facing the stairwell door she was hiding behind. They would notice her if she were to suddenly spring out and break into a run. She had to come up with another way.

The dark haired guy was talking to them, his back to her, and suddenly she had an idea. Removing the dagger she kept concealed, she crept up behind him.

'Well…who says I can't improvise?'

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Kouga felt a prick on his back. He gulped and his head started to turn so he could see just what was jabbing him, but was stopped by a hushed voice.

"Alright, keep moving towards the door, but don't turn around."

A smile formed onto his face as recognized it. He held up his hands in a non-threatening manner as he shrugged. "Oh? And what are you planning on doing, Princess?" Kouga said, matching the volume of her voice.

He heard her huff. "Please don't call me that. Just start walking already! Unless you want a back full of scars."

"Not at all, Princess. I shall obey your orders." Kouga's smile widened as he felt her jab his back once--not breaking any skin--as a reward for his comment. He began to move towards the door as she had instructed.

Kagome really didn't like doing this, but the arrogant prince had left her no choice. The window was out, and she could see no other way.

They silently moved to the tavern's entrance, Kagome's back to the door and Kouga facing the bar. The rest of the room's occupants ceased their conversation and watched in confusion as Kouga turned and walked backwards, his face beaming the entire time.

Inuyasha gave him a quizzical look. "Kouga…what the hell are you doing?"

"Just following orders," he said as he continued moving.

"What? I thought Sesshoumaru only ordered you to pack the car…what else did the asshole tell you to do?"

"The order didn't come from His Majesty, but from a much more threatening source at the moment," Kouga said mockingly, his smile transforming into a smirk. That action earned him another jab at his back.

Kagome frowned as she wished he would stop talking. It was slowing them down. She was almost to the threshold when she felt her back slam into a wall. 'That's funny…' she thought. 'I could have sworn we left the door open…'

"Not taking my advice again I see, wench."

Her eyes widened in surprise at the deep timbre of his voice. 'Well…so much for that plan.'

Kagome's arm was grabbed and she was whirled around. Sesshoumaru made quick work of seizing her dagger in addition. She heard Sango gasp behind her as she glared into the prince's eyes.

The prince, on the other hand, looked past her to the other men in the room. "It appears we are finally prepared for the trip ahead," he said, handing her weapon to Kouga. "Let us go so we may return to the palace in haste."

"Fucking finally…" Inuyasha commented, rising from his seat.

"Wait just a minute--!" Kagome started struggling.

"We have waited enough for you as it is," Sesshoumaru stated, his tone bored.

"Too bad! I'm not going with you!"

He blinked at her, his face expressionless. Kagome's world was flipped upside down and she soon realized her stomach was flat against Sesshoumaru's hard shoulder. "Gentlemen?" he said, his brow raised as if he was daring anyone to say anything about his treatment of her.

"Alright! Put me down! I'll walk, you big oaf."

"And you expect me to trust you? Even after your melodramatics?"

"Whatever. I said I'll walk. You'd just chase me again if I ran, right?" She sighed in relief as Sesshoumaru set her on the ground again. "Fine. Let's go."

Sango ran up to her and wiped a tear from her eye. "I'm going to miss you, Kagome-chan."

She gave her a small smile and hugged her friend. "Don't worry, Sango. I'll be alright." Her smile widened as they parted. "Just take good care of the bar and say goodbye to Myoga-san for me, okay?" The older woman nodded.

Sesshoumaru placed a hand on her lower back and began to push her towards the door. Kagome grinned darkly to herself.

'If everything goes my way,' she thought. 'I won't be gone for that long.'

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Author's Note: Hmm…okay. I said that the start of the journey would be in this chapter, but it would have gotten to be a bit too long, even for my tastes. So yeah, that'll be the next one. Hopefully, my once-a-week plan will continue, even if my schedule is as hectic as it has been lately.

See ya next time!

ACP