A/N: I had a collage orientation-thing I had to go to this week. It wasn't really like orientation, any more than it was a "Yay! You 2,500 got in out of 20,000, give yourselves a pat on the back" sort of thing. Mostly, it was a lot of "Have free useless stuff!" and "Let us ONCE AGAIN tell you how sorry we are about Virginia Tech" (Then again, any school in Virginia's gonna be doing that right now, I suppose).

My Dad says I'm overly cynical. I call myself a product of my generation.

(Though, my future history professor liked me because with my AP credit, I could get out of 1/3 of a history major if I choose to do so. He also liked me because he speaks Japanese and teaches Asian history, and I am totally taking those classes next year).

Chapter 28: Wedding Day

Even in the early hours of the morning, the talk of the kingdom was of the prison burning down the night before. The news was that the hanyou had escaped during the fire, and was no where to be seen. The prison and palace guards were put on alert to find the traitor at all costs, but most knew there was probably no hope. If the hanyou was intelligent, he would have fled before he was found, simple as that.

But, for such a thing to happen the night before the princess's wedding, many saw it as a cruel omen. After the princess's behavior at her knight's arrest, rumors were circulating about her relationship with him, which some now called an affair. And if the man she was rumored to love had escaped the night before she was married to another man, what did that mean for her?

There were some, however, that were firm in their conviction that even with that cruel omen, nothing could go wrong now. "So, Inuyasha fled for his life, did he?" Naraku asked Kagura, as they met in the small room in the castle before dawn. "Was it an act of cowardice, or was it a misguided attempt at saving Kagome from a marriage she does not want?"

"How should I know?" the wind demon snapped, rolling her eyes. "Even if he failed in that, he did manage to escape, which sets your little plan on edge, doesn't it?"

Lord Naraku merely smirked to himself. "Not quite. If he manages to show up, then I'll just arrest him at once. As long as I walk away as her husband by the end of the day, my plan has succeeded."

Kagura was still skeptical. "Are you sure you have no chance of failure? Time is running out, you know. And if anything goes wrong, then you may kiss your chance at the throne of the Demon Lands goodbye—"

"If you are really so concerned about how today will turn out," Naraku interjected, "Then will you go check on how my fair bride is today?"

"It doesn't matter about her," she snapped, "It's impossible that the princess escaped. You placed a warding spell on the castle, and as long as you are alive, that hanyou cannot set food inside the palace. Besides, the princess is too naive—she never cared at all about you, but all the same, she went through the engagement just because she knows it is her duty. She would not risk breaking her duty to go after some hanyou lover."

"Yes," Naraku assured himself, grinning at his own cleverness. "I had insurance as well—that ring I gave her was enchanted to make her obey her duty, no matter what came along. As long as she had it on, she wouldn't do anything rash."

As Naraku seemed to bask in the moment he had waited for had finally come, Kagura smiled to herself. You'll be disappointed, Naraku. I've already flown by her room today, and she is missing. At last, you have been outwitted, by someone you thought was under your control.

The morning of the wedding dawned happily as the palace was decorated thoroughly in white and green—the royal colors. The place was overflowing with visitors, who had come to see the princess finally married off to a handsome lord. It was all a blur; a flurry of activity as servants rushed about, making final preparations while courtiers stood and talked in the hall, anxious to see the final, grand moment.

But, while everyone seemed happy about this day, there were three in the palace who knew this day would certainly end in tragedy. Sango, Miroku, and Shippou occupied a lone corner of the palace, hardly speaking, silent in mourning for the loss Kagome would feel for the rest of her life.

Though they had previously been worried about Inuyasha, the word was that he had escaped during the fire. At least, after all the princess's troubles, she would not have to see the man she loved die a traitor's death, but would never see him again. Despite the two different fates, the despair in Kagome's heart would be the same.

"I only wish…that Kagome could be happy," Lady Sango spoke softly, with Shippou and Miroku nodding. "But…it's not going to end that way, is it?"

Miroku, who had been sitting down, suddenly sat up and turned away, replying, "This is how it always is, Lady Sango. The lady marries a lord and the lowly man who loved her cannot do anything to stop it."

For a moment, Sango looked hopeful, as if she wished he would give her some assurance, but her eyes fell downcast once more at his statement. "Yes," she replied sadly, looking away. "It is the one law of class that is impossible to break."

Shippou, who had been silent until that moment, glanced from lady to monk and back again. The fox demon's eyes opened wider at a realization, before turning away for a moment, sadly. "So this…is how it ends?" he asked the world softly. No one bothered to answer him.

The dowager queen had felt for a while that despite the happy face Kagome presented to the crowd, this day would be a hard one for her. She knew her daughter did not love Lord Naraku, and she had always placed a high value on love and the feelings in her heart. She felt horrible for being the kind of mother that would marry her daughter off like that when she would be miserable.

That is why she went to Kagome's room, and demanded entrance. "Please, stand aside, Hannah, I want to speak to my daughter."

Hannah looked a little bit nervous, but nonetheless answered the queen, "I'm sorry, Your Grace, but Her Highness insisted no one come in this morning…even I was not allowed in."

The queen instantly felt guilt flood her at her daughter's suffering and knowing that she had, in part, caused it. "Is she all right?"

"Yes, yes," the maid answered quickly, glancing nervously back at the door to the princess's bedroom. "But the door is locked, you see, and she does not want to come out until it is time—"

"I understand," the dowager queen sighed, turning back towards the door. "May I at least speak to her?"

"I um…I don't think that would hurt, but…" Hannah continued to look a bit guilty as the queen went to her daughter's door, and softly knocked on it.

"Kagome?" she asked. No sound was heard from inside. "Kagome, please, answer me." Again, there was nothing to be heard. Eventually, the queen gave up trying to get an answer from her daughter, and merely spoke, "I can understand if you blame me for this, Kagome…I am sorry to have put you through it…I understand that you are scared right now, and I wish that you didn't have to suffer because of this."

She was silent for a moment before speaking softly, "I love you, Kagome, and I'm sorry."

While the queen made her confession, Hannah stood by silently, never betraying her mistress's secret. It pained her to know the queen would be heartbroken when she learned her daughter had already fled the country, but there was nothing she could do. The princess had taken her life into her own hands, and until she wanted everyone to know, Hannah would keep silent, praying for her mistress's safety.

She was the only one out of all of Kagome's close friends that did not despair for her as the wedding began, with Lord Naraku standing triumphantly at the altar beside the priest, wearing his best clothes,adorned in the royal family colors. As people took their seats, they were surprised by the crowns lying on a cushion by the altar. Lord Naraku had made sure that after he was married to Kagome, he would be crowned king at once, before anyone had time to protest.

A small group of choir boys were lined up behind the altar, and began to sing gay songs of love, but less bawdy than the ones minstrels chimed at banquets. White flower petals were strewn everywhere, while trumpets blew in all pomp and ceremony. Color and decorations were everywhere, making some wonder if this was in fact a wedding and not a carnival. Lord Bankotsu had made sure that this was an occasion to remember.

The funding for such an event was exquisite, with not just the decorations, but the massive amount of food needed to feed all the guests—some even coming from the Demon Lands—while working the cooks to the bone to pull it off. Planning had been short, but the end result was exquisite; a wedding that could never be rivaled.

But even without all the effort, it would indeed be an occasion that would be remembered in all the history of the Human Lands.

It was obvious at Naraku's complete conviction that he had won when the wedding march began, with all people there standing up, awaiting the bride. The queen turned to watch as her daughter would come in, to study her face and see if she was forgiven. Lady Sango, by Miroku, felt tears form in her eyes at her friend's despair, knowing this was a final farewell to Kagome's happiness. Sir Kouga couldn't even look as they waited for the bride to come in, not wanting to see the pain across her face. Depsite the happy atmosphere, many souls cried for their friend's loss of everything she ever wanted.

But, fate had decided that this was not to be.

Though the music continued to play softly, there was some confusion in the air as the bride did not come in at her cue. Perhaps she was a little late; after all, the morning had been rough on her, but the wait lasted longer and longer, with more and more voices joining the worried chatter, until the march reached its end, with no bride in sight. The silence that had been over the room faded, as courtiers began asking questions amongst themselves. What was wrong? Where was the princess? Had she refused to come after all?

Naraku silently seethed, as Lord Bankotsu, eager to preserve the mood, strode in front of the crowd and spoke, "Just…keep calm, everyone, I'm sure there is an explanation for this…"

"There had better be," Lord Renkotsu, at his side, muttered.

As the crowd grew more anxious, the doors to the palace chapel flew open. Many felt relief that at last, the bride had appeared, but once more, they were disappointed. It was no more than a serving boy, running in to tell the news. As he glanced at all the eager and awaiting people, he shrank back a bit as he revealed, "The…the princess's maid says that she will not come out of her room—"

"What?" Lord Naraku demanded, his maroon eyes flame red as he strode from his place at the altar towards the boy. "That little strumpet! How dare she—"

"Lord Naraku, please!" the dowager queen spoke in shocked tones from his side. "I'm sure if we just talk to Kagome, we can figure out why—"

"Oh, I know why," Naraku spoke in an angry monotone as he marched out into the hall, followed closely by Kagome's friends and then by the courtiers wanting to know what was the matter. "Thinks she can make one last stand, does she? Well, I'll marry her in her room for all I care!"

The dowager queen had expected Kagome's betrothed to show concern about her not showing, not fierce anger. Her eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion at the man's actions, wondering silently if Kagome was right when she expressed her concerns to her mother earlier.

Naraku barged into Kagome's sitting room, making Hannah, who was sitting on the couch, gazing into the fireplace, gasp. "L-Lord Naraku!" she was in such shock that she forgot to bow. Not that she would bother anymore with formality after their last meeting.

"Where is she?" he snarled, making Hannah nearly stumble over her feet in an attempt to get up.

Quickly, she spoke, keeping her eyes down so she would not have to look at him. "She is…she is in her room…n-not coming out…"

Before Naraku could rip down the door and barge in, the queen stopped him. "Lord Naraku, stop. Let me try. You might only upset her." Gently, she walked and knocked on her daughter's bedroom door. "Kagome? Kagome are you in there? Please you need to come out now…the wedding."

Once again, there was no reply. Lord Bankotsu, who was crammed in the back of Kagome's sitting room as people filed in, glanced around. "Does anyone have a key to the princess's room?" Fortunately, Lord Jakotsu, who was in charge of internal affairs, also had a set of keys for the castle.

Before Lord Naraku was able tear the door down by himself, furious that his triumph had been thwarted, the door was quickly unlocked. Naraku, the dowager queen, Hannah, Lady Sango, Miroku and Shippou all barged in at once…to be met with an empty room.

Lord Naraku was the first to express his rage. "Where the Hell is she?" he roared, scanning the room. The windows showed no sign of her exiting that way…had she gotten out before he placed the ward on the castle?

Sango, who surveyed the empty room with a mix of wonder and relief, was the first to notice the note left on the bed. "Here," she said, giving it to the queen, who it was addressed to.

All gathered around as the queen read Kagome's farewell notice. A collective gasp was heard as they kept reading and taking in the words:

Mama,

I have left the country. I know it seems kind of sudden, but it was something I had to do, for my own happiness. Truthfully, I cannot marry a man I do not love, when there is another man I love so much in my own heart.

I do not know how much you know or have seen Mama, but I love Inuyasha. I have loved him ever since we were in the Midlands, and have carried that love as a great pain all through my betrothal to Lord Naraku. That was not the only reason I fled with Inuyasha last night, but perhaps if you dig deeper, you will discover that Lord Naraku is not as chivalrous as he seems.

Do not blame Hannah; I forbid her to tell anyone until this note was found. By the time you have found this, I shall be gone forever with Inuyasha, to start a life of our own.

The Midlands taught me many things. I learned I did not need to be a noble to be happy. I intend to live like this, poor but so much in love, until the day I die. I am sad that this will separate us, but perhaps, if fate is kind, we will meet again under happier circumstances. All I know now is that I love and am loved, and finally, the one wish I had from childhood has come true.

Kagome

As she red the letter, the queen's eyes began tearing up as Kagome revealed the secrets locked deep within her heart. Her daughter had loved the hanyou knight. She had loved him for a long time…so that was why she had taken the betrothal so hard. Love, when it worked against you, was a pain deeper than any sword.

Even though she was sad of the pain her daughter had to go through, Kagome's note assured her that she was happy. And because of that, she wouldn't lift a finger to stop her daughter on this escape. All she had ever wished for was her daughter's happiness, and if Kagome had found that, she certainly wasn't going to ruin it.

"Kagome did it," Sango gasped, with now a happy tear forming in her eye. "She ran away with him at last…"

Naraku couldn't have been more enraged. So…that whore got away, did she? But as he was about to lose control at this whole day ending in a disaster, the queen turned and rounded on him. "I wonder, Lord Naraku," she asked, glancing back at Kagome's letter. "Why does Kagome say here you are not as chivalrous as you seem?"

Instead of denying it and putting on that charming, elegant façade, Naraku just gave a cold laugh. One helpless, or so he thought, girl had outwitted him. Ironic indeed. "Because, unlike most of you, that girl is not a simpleton."

"What are you saying?" the dowager queen demanded, as Lord Naraku merely turned away. "What other motive do you have, Lord Naraku?"

The door to the bedroom was closed for the princess's privacy of her bedchamber, so only a select few saw his true aim. Naraku headed for the portrait of the royal family, grinning back at his audience as he pressed a finger to the corner of the canvas. "Oh, nothing but matters of state, you see."

Only the queen understood the meaning of this gesture as the canvas swung open. "The Shikon no Tama!" she darted forward, but was flung back as a red, translucent barrier sprung up around Naraku.

"Your Grace!" Both Hannah and Sango cried as they came to the queen's aid, as the glanced back at Lord Naraku. The barrier had done something to his appearance…he no longer looked human, but, to their eyes, his form shifted from that of a human to a creature with many long, curling tentacles and a bare, human torso.

Miroku the monk tried everything he had picked up at the monastery, from chanting ancient texts or using prayer beads to break the barrier, but it was too strong for his powers. All they could do was watch in horror as Naraku, grinning evilly, reached for the box containing the Shikon no Tama.

"If he gets that, then there is nothing we can do," the queen gasped in terror, remembering stories of its misuse, long ago. "It is a source of limitless power, granted to those in the royal family, and even without the wedding—" She didn't have continue. They could imagine what would happen if he got such a power.

The wooden box was opened, and all held their breath, waiting for the moment of doom. But, instead of a triumphant cackle from Naraku, his eyes opened wider in surprise. There was a howl of anger and a blast of power and pure hatred as he dropped the empty box. "She took the Shikon no Tama with her!"

The Shikon no Tama was fastened around Kagome's neck, resting gently against her breastbone in plain view as she slept in the dark, leaning back against Inuyasha's strong arms. They had been traveling by horse for days now, and would soon reach the Midlands. Knowing by now that Naraku had probably sent pursuers after them, they hadn't stopped unless it was absolutely necessary, even if it meant almost killing the horse to get it to the next mount changing station.

The hanyou's arms wrapped tightly around his beloved as she slept, tired out from the long journey. It was hard for her, but knowing Naraku would probably try to come after them, they weren't safe until they reached the Midlands, where they could hide and blend in easily.

The anticipation was hard for Inuyasha. He wanted to be back in his homeland, to be back in those beautiful meadows with the woman he loved, to visit his mother's grave and show his mother this wonderful, beautiful woman that fate had given him. To start a life with her, where no one could interfere in their happiness. She had finally chosen to stay with him, and he wanted to enjoy a life with her in the Midlands as much as he could.

Keen, golden eyes glanced upon the horizon and saw a small village, the only building with lights on at this time of night was the inn, and that was where he headed. "Kagome," he said softly, nudging her gently as he steered the horse towards the biggest building in the village. "I found an inn."

"Huh?" she yawned, her eyes still closed as she woke from her small nap. "But I thought…you didn't want to stop…"

Inuyasha couldn't help but smile softly back at her. "We're far enough away. We can stop for one night…you should sleep in a bed, instead of uncomfortable on a horse." As he jumped off the horse and led it into the inn stables, he was thankful he had gotten rid of that hideous armor once they were out of the capitol; its clanking would have no doubt disturbed a number of sleeping guests at the inn.

He helped Kagome down off the horse as he put it away in the stall, feeling her warmth as her arms wrapped around him while he helped her down. She stumbled for a moment, and fell into his arms, a moment that left them both smiling a minute later as they walked into the inn, Inuyasha's arm around posessively around her waist.

The innkeeper had to be roused with a bell at the bar, making the old man quite angry when he finally woke up. "What do you want?" he grumbled, pausing only a moment when his eyes flickered up to Inuyasha's dog ears.

"One room for the night," the hanyou explained, handing the man a few coins that Kagome had thoughtfully taken with her when she ran away, just in case.

Counting the coins carefully, as if he expected this strange couple wouldn't pay their share, the innkeeper finished and pointed up the stair. "That way, first door in the hall." After Inuyasha thanked him and ascended the stairs, he looked back for a moment. It seemed the innkeeper just went right back on sleeping, only to be roused again if another late night customer decided to show.

The room they had been given was small, but functional, with a simple bed all made and ready for visitors. "Here," Inuyasha said, giving Kagome the bed without hesitation. "You need sleep."

"Are you sure?" she asked, but obliging his wishes by getting in to bed anyway. "You should be tired, too…"

"I'll stay awake," he told her at once. "I have to keep you safe…I promised that, didn't I?"

As Kagome lay on her side, her head on the pillow that felt the softest in the world, she smiled, "Yes, you did, didn't you?"

Inuyasha knelt by her bedside, taking her hand gently. "And I've kept to it since the day I made it."

I love this man so much, she thought, admiring him before changing the subject, "Inuyasha…how long until we reach the bridge to the Midlands?"

The hanyou thought a moment. "We've been riding for days…should only be one day more. We can't get a horse to cross the bridge, so we'll have to go on foot."

"I don't mind," she told him with a soft, loving smile. "I don't mind as long as I am with you."

He couldn't help but smile back…and thank the stars for bringing him this wonderful woman. "You should rest," he told her gently. "Sleep, Kagome," He leaned forward, and kissed her on her forehead as her eyes fluttered shut.

As she slept, Inuyasha sat at her bedside, thinking over a lot of things. Their escape was sudden, feeling more rushed with Kagome's newfound assertion that she loved him. His heart raced in his chest just thinking about it, and anticipating the life they were planning on living together. They were fugitives now, going to live in a strange land. An odd pair—a hanyou knight and a human princess, and by the laws of their land, they shouldn't have ended up this way at all. Even so, Kagome once said that they were both people trying to survive in life, and that made them equal.

Silently, Inuyasha kissed her fingers like he did so long ago, when making that promise to protect her. Kagome…I will protect your body from harm…but now, I promise, I will protect your heart as well.