Chapter Four: Meet InuTashio

" What's your name?" A 7 foot( not exaggerating) giant stood at the gates to the Western Palace.

" Kagome Higurashi," She answered.

The giant flipped through the pages of the names before stopping at H. " You may go in, Kagome."

" Thank you, um..."

" Hitashi," he offered.

" Thank you, Hitashi, have a nice day," Kagome smiled genuinely before walking through the now opened gate.

' I wonder what Sesshoumaru will do to her. She probably doesn't know his wrath. I pity her, and such a pretty face too.' Hitashi thought, not knowing Kagome can read him like an opened book.

Now Kagome is nervous. ' Sesshoumaru's wrath,' what's that suppose to mean? Maybe he's a horrible looking demon, that's why he doesn't have a mate, I guess. Maybe he's mean and cold-hearted.' Kagome wondered after trying to resist herself from using her mind reading powers. Obiviously, she failed.

' Quit day dreaming about the worst. Maybe he is handsome, kind, loving, sensitive, decent, dreamy, tall, and...' Kagome caught herself before she could go on. ' I need to reset my standards, it's way too high. ' I will never find a mate like this.'

Kagome was lost in her thoughts. She did not see the approaching InuTashio until she bumped right into him.

" Oh, I'm so sorry," Kagome apologised quickly before trying to scramble back onto her feet. She slipped on the marble floor and fell down on her butt once again. Kagome looked up and saw almost a split version of Inuyasha.

InuTashio offered his hand to Kagome.

Kagome blushed and held onto the handsome demon's hand before QUICKLY getting up on her feet. " You must be Sesshoumaru, I'm Kagome."

InuTashio took a good look at the girl and eloped her into a bear hug.

Kagome turned crimson. She murmured," The floor is too clean."

InuTashio pulled away and laughed at Kagome's face. " You have sure grown, Kagome," InuTashio said. " Oh, I'm InuTashio, Sesshoumaru's father. I still remember when you were just a pup running around the garden while your dad and I discussed business."

" Uncle T, right?" Kagome asked with sudden realization on her face.

" Ya, good memories. You were only four when you dubbed me with that nickname." InuTashio remarked.

" Can I still call you that?" Kagome asked boldly.

" Of course, you are practically family." InuTasho replied.

" Do you know where the meeting room is for the 'contestants' is?" She questioned bitterly, especially putting a heavy accent on the 'contestants.'

InuTashio laughed," I can see that your old man entered you in the contest, not on free will, right?"

" Ya, he didn't even tell me about it, can you believe that?" Kagome huffed.

" You should have seen Sesshoumaru's face when I told him about the contest." InuTashio related the sour experience. It wasn't very PRETTY.

" You mean he didn't organize it?" Kagome eyed InuTashio suspiciously.

" No, of course not, I did," InuTashio explained. He knew a headache was coming on for him.

" If you are not my uncle right now, I would have to hurt you," Kagome joked but it still sounded very forced. Kagome was straining herself from punching this cheerful youkai, even if he was her uncle. Kagome is so angry. She wondered if steam is billowing from her ears.

' A match made in heaven. Both are hot-tempered, educated, powerful and great-looking. I'll think of a way to get them together.'

" I heard that," Kagome said with even more anger.

' Perfect match,' InuTashio smirked mentally.

Kagome is so angry, she didn't even pick up the last part of what InuTashio just said. Thank god she didn't. Kagome would have battled him to death if she had heard.

Flashback

" What do you mean I have to play bachelor?" Sesshoumaru roared furiously as he turned nearly purple in the face.

" It mean I have decided to host a contest of finding you a proper mate." InuTashio slowly backed away, but regained his posture.

" I can't find myself a proper mate, is that what you are saying?" Sesshoumaru interrogated his father.

" Exactly," InuTashio made himself loud and clear to his son.

" Finding a mate needs time," Sesshoumaru retorted, his anger not settling down a bit.

" Oh, is that why you haven't found a mate in the last two hundred and five years," InuTashio replied arrogantly.

" You are so sure of yourself, aren't you, father?" Sesshoumaru searched his brain desperately for something useful to say, or just to stall. All of his excuses do not fit for this occasion. Who would have thought any dad would do something as crazy as signing up your own son as bachelor in order find him a mate?

" Having a powerful mate would strengthen our Western Land. Look at all the other lords. Who doesn't have a mate?" InuTashio reasoned calmly.

" I've been managing fine ever since you passed your land to me," Sesshoumaru looked around the room for inspiration.

" There are no wars so far. What would you do if there was a war? I'm sure a powerful mate would help you manage the land. Less offenders will be likely to attack, don't you think?" InuTashio smirked.

" You know, I hate it when you're right. I really, really do. But I know that I will not find a single proper mate when you are hosting the contest." Sesshoumaru dissed his dad.

' They never change, even if they are two hundred and five years old. Kids will always be kids.'