Okay then, here we are, Chapter 7. I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRY for not updating for two days, but I needed to sleep and I had a slight writer's block! SORRY! So, Anyways...

I never thought I would make it this far, so Kudos to me, I guess. Thank you for all of your support, and reviews, because that's what has brought me this far! Thank you Nesta! You really are a cool person for liking my story sooo much!

Oh, and Please don't hate me for what I did to Kagome, I told you's it would be angsty and stuff...

Disclaimer: I still don't own Inu-Yasha, so yeah..

Chapter 7-Lost, Found, and A New Arrival

It the week that followed, Inu-Yasha was never seen far from Kagome's bedside, even after being yelled at by his father, Miroku, Sango, and the doctor to sleep and eat. Inu-Yasha couldn't for he was getting worried for Kagome. Although she was eating and her wounds were healing, she refused to talk to him, or even look at him for that matter. Inu-Yasha knew she would be hurt, and more than likely a bit angry at him, but he never thought she would refuse to look at him. That hurt more than her angry ever could. He'd actually rather have her be angry instead of this calm, cold shoulder she was giving him. At least then, he could know she had some feelings inside of her for him, even if it was anger. Inu-Yasha pushed his fingers through his hair, and for the first time in days, left the room.

After spotting Sango walking down the corridor quickly, presumable going to meet with Miroku, Inu-Yasha bounded after her.

"Sango, I need your help, please. Kagome refuses to look or talk to me, what am I supposed to do?" Instead of the sympathetic look Inu-Yasha was expecting, anger sparked in the depths of Sango chocolate eyes. Inu-Yasha frowned, not knowing what he had done to incur her anger. He was soon educated in the error of his ways.

"You are asking me! You, who knew everything, and wouldn't listen to reason when it was screaming in your fuzzy little ears! Why bother asking for advice, you know it all, remember! If she's smart, Kagome won't listen to you anyway." With that last scathing remark, Sango rushed down the hallway, leaving Inu-Yasha staring in befuddlement as she disappeared around a corner. Inu-Yasha knew he had made a hasty decision, but he didn't think it had been that horrendous an act. Apparently, it would haunt him in the near future. Inu-Yasha sighed, sometimes it was impossible to be him.

Sango entered the room Kagome was staying in, wanting to talk to her without Inu-Yasha close enough to eavesdrop. Before speaking a word, Sango shut and locked the door, then turned and walked to Kagome's bed, sitting nervously upon the satin covers.

"Kagome, I would like to talk to you, and I don't want you to say anything, just listen. I'm going to say this to you as a friend, and nothing more. I know you are angry at Inu-Yasha, and for good reason. He said he loved you, asked you to marry him, then turns around and tells you he's marrying someone else. I understand why you feel like you do, but Kagome, Inu-Yasha loves you as I've never seen someone love another.

The entire time you were gone, Inu-Yasha worried about you. He asked Miroku and me where you had gone. He said it was because he thought something bad was going to happen to you, and it seems he was right, but I thought he was just making it up. I'd seen him so many times looking out into the horizon, talking to himself. Once I actually got up close enough to hear him talking. Do you know what he said? He said, "Kagome, I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you, I wish I had never chosen this path." Those were his exact words.

He regretted choosing the crown over you, but he felt he had an obligation here, which he did. When he heard about Sesshomaru marrying, he practically beat out your direction out of us and took off. All he had said before he left was that you were in trouble. He knew you were in trouble, he could feel it. Kagome, I don't expect you to believe anything I say about him to you, but at least think it over. Inu-Yasha regrets what happened, and he loves you. Just hear what he has to say, at the very least." Sango reached over and pulled Kagome into a sisterly embrace.

"I'm sorry for what happened to you, Kagome. I wish I could have stopped it." Kagome didn't answer, she could, for her throat was constricted with emotion. Sango stood, and smiled sadly to Kagome, before quietly exiting the room. For the rest of that day, Kagome stayed within the walls of that room, contemplating Sango's every word.

While Inu-Yasha sat at the mahogany desk in his study staring at a blank sheet of paper which he intended to write a letter to the neighboring kingdom explaining the situation, a commotion was heard in the main hall. Inu-Yasha's fuzzy little ears twitched at the racket being created there. He stood and made his way to the main hall, black eyebrows scrunched together in irritation at the scene that lay before him. His men stood in a long line, side by side, refusing the entrance of one woman, who struck a striking resemblance to Kagome.

"Stand down, men!" As soon as he barked (AN: Forgive the pun, again!) the order, his men shuffled out of the way, revealing the woman completely.

The woman wore a gown of the purest white, making her pale skin seem even paler. The gown was accented by pearls and diamonds around the bodice and the sleeves. From the waist down, the gown formed a perfect bell-shape, hiding her feet underneath. After looking over the gown, Inu-Yasha's amber gaze looked upward to the face of the woman, passing over a heart shaped diamond pendant along the way. Her chestnut hair was curled and clipped to the top of her head, a few escaping captivation and framed her pale face. As Inu-Yasha scrutinized the woman, he could note a few differences between this woman and his Kagome.

Kagome had much more color, and large, expressive eyes. He could always tell her mood just by looking into her pretty brown eyes. This woman was paler than he had ever seen another person. Her eyes were smaller, and bland. Expressionless. All that Inu-Yasha could tell from this woman's eyes were that she was just a little bit irritated at being barred from entrance to the castle, and that wasn't because of any expression in her eyes. He could tell because he lips were bent downward in annoyance, as well as her thin, elegant eyebrows. That brought up another thought, why was she trying to enter the castle?

"My Lady, please come this way. I would like to know for what reason you are here." Inu-Yasha took the woman's arm and placed it within the crook of his own. They walked in silence to the sitting room, and he pulled out a chair for her to sit upon. After she was seated, and positioned comfortably, Inu-Yasha took a seat beside her.

"How about we begin with your name, and why it is you are here." Inu-Yasha looked patiently to the woman who so resembled his Kagome. She took a deep breath and began to speak.

"My name is Kikyo, and I am here to become the wife of Inu-Yasha." Inu-Yasha almost fell from the spot he was sitting on.

"My lady! I fear there has been a slow communication of facts. I no longer need to marry, so I shall not be marrying you. I was going to go to your home to tell you, but you are here!"

Inu-Yasha was not at all prepared to come face to face with the wrath of this angry princess.

"How dare you disgrace me! You will be marrying me as you promised. Our fathers will not allow it any other way. I will not be seen as someone that is to be tossed aside upon a whim. Where is your father? It is time I speak to a more mature person on this matter!" With his ears pressed firmly against the sides of his head, Inu-Yasha gave Kikyo the directions to his father's study. Only after she had stormed out of the room did Inu-Yasha relax.

"Damn, I'm in deep trouble."

So, I had to stop there. I hope you liked it, and I am very sorry for not updating sooner! Sorry! R&R PLEASE! Bye!

TK