AN: My brain has temporarily checked out X) I'm taking that as a sign that I might need to take a break from writing for awhile but knowing me, my muse wont let me rest until I crank out a few more chapters so do not fret lol

sn:

missartemis88 : Thank you so much for your feedback! When I was making the decision to write it that way I was wondering if it was necessary or not, and decided to add it in just to be safe. But since I have some reader input now I decided to take your advice as you can see in this chapter :D Thank you once again!

A special thank you to my other readers that reviewed as well! You guys are my motivation to keep on writing :)

I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters nor do I make any money from the writing of this story. I do however own any and all OC characters that may appear in this story.

As the eastern princess walked next to him and behind his father and Izayoi, as was required, into the front area of the castle Sesshomaru could not help but to ponder her last few actions. Instead of the irritation or distress that he thought he would find in her gaze as they met all he found was blank uncaringness. 'She dared to dismiss me with a single glance.' He thought thoroughly frustrated. 'Even now as she walks next to me she hasn't even spared me a second glance.' He said watching her cautiously out of the corner of his eye. This little miko truly was a strange person to Sesshomaru who was used to women flaunting and throwing themselves at him with little to no work done on his part what so ever. Even though he found her actions to be highly annoying, he was actually kind of glad that she did not act the same as most women. However, he was a long way from being happy that she was so casually ignoring him as if he was not walking right next to her.

Sesshomaru allowed a frown to grace his features as he silently allowed his father to lead them to the inner palace servants that would settle Lady Kagome into her temporary quarters. Coming to a stop along with the miko, he watched as his father turned around with Izayoi to face them and address Kagome.

"These servants will take you to your room on the northern wing of the palace and help your escorts to unpack and get settled in." He stated gesturing to the servants bowing on the ground behind him. "You will have a couple hours to rest, if you wish to do so, as it is still fairly early in the day. Afterwards, a servant that will become your personal maidservant for as long as you reside here will come to collect you for dinner, where we will discuss the plans for the wedding ceremony" he finished smiling brightly at the girl.

"Thank you for your hospitality Lord InuTaisho" Kagome responded looking at the Great Demon Lord and bowing her head in appreciation.

"Nonsense, you are soon to be family after all and this is now your home" he said.

The warmth that Lord InuTaisho was showing her almost made her feel bad knowing that she was planning on doing everything possible to get out of this marriage and leave. However, after meeting her soon to be husband, she knew all the more that she could never be happy living with someone as cold and arrogant as Lord Sesshomaru. He was the exact opposite of her. Where she was kind and selfless, Sesshomaru seemed unfeeling and selfish, only concerned with how he could achieve his goals. He lived by strict rules, whereas she believed in living each day to the fullest and following your heart. Also, it was very clear to her that she would never find respect with Sesshomaru and if she could not receive respect than she was not going to give it, which would only result in lots of arguments and nothing but unhappiness between the two.

"My Lady" a woman said. Approaching her from the line of servants and bowing in front of her, breaking Kagome out of her thoughts. "My name is Sora. I will be escorting you to your room and help you to prepare for your nap if you so wish."

Nodding and smiling brightly at the young girl Kagome waited for her to stand and lead the way. Looking at the royal family and bowing her head to excuse herself, she headed off in the direction Sora was now walking. The girl lead her through a pair of double doors that lead from, what she guessed to be a greeting area for guests, before entering the one of the three main parts of the castle. The doors lead to a long corridor with doors on both sides. As she walked along, following behind the girl, Kagome was able to see into some of the rooms and she noticed that many of them were bedrooms. 'This side of the castle must be where they allow guests to stay during festivals and gatherings.' She mused. 'I wonder what the other two double doors back in the greeting area lead to then' she wondered. Making a mental note to ask Sora when they reached their destination.

As they walked along Kagome took in all the beautiful art and vases that lined the walls of the hall until Sora took a sudden right turn, and lead her to a pair of shoji doors that opened up to a large garden with a koi pond in the middle with wooden bridge running across it.

"Oh wow" Kagome exclaimed out loud. "It's beautiful."

Smiling at Lady Kagome's obvious joy at seeing the garden, Sora turned back and said "If you find this pleasing my Lady, you should see the royal family's personal garden on the western side of the castle."

"You mean that this isn't the only garden in the castle?" Kagome asked, surprise in her voice.

"Oh no my Lady, this is the garden for the guests that wish to relax and take a break from business during their stay here. It has much less variety than that of the royal family's" Sora replied, continuing to walk to the set of shoji doors right across from the ones they had just entered from.

'Wow' Kagome thought, eyes wide. 'This castle must be huge.' They had left the front area a while ago and Sora kept on leading her further and further into the castle with no signs of them getting any closer to their destination.

"Sora" Kagome called ahead to her. "Just how much farther must we go until we reach my quarters?" she asked, growing apprehensive as she thought about trying to find her way around the castle by herself in the week ahead.

Sora smiled reading the young woman's thoughts. "It is not much further my Lady. Do not worry, the week while you are staying in the eastern wing your personal maidservant will be there to escort you around where ever you may wish to go."

Kagome let out her breath in relief. She could just imagine how embarrassing it would be to be caught wondering around the castle like a lost puppy for hours on end until she found someone who could lead her to and from her room.

"After the wedding ceremony you will be moved to the southern wing of castle where the royal family resides" Sora continued. "After that, I doubt that you will have a reason to visit western wing of the castle, where some of the most esteemed and high ranked royal guards and visitors reside."

'Why would they place me on this side of the castle closest to the royal guard rather than the side of the castle where the royal family is?' Kagome silently wondered. 'Are they expecting an attack from someone before the wedding?' Why else would they surround her with so much protection?

"I wasn't aware that the Western Lands were in the middle of a war" Kagome said under her breath.

"What's that my Lady?" asked Sora turning her head to look at her.

"Oh, nothing" Kagome answered quickly, deciding to ask Lord InuTaisho about it at dinner that night. She refused to talk to Lord Sesshomaru unless it was absolutely necessary, hoping that he would learn that she was not one to be overlooked and ignored. She allowed a small smile to overtake her face as thought of just how much fun she was having by irritating the western Heir. 'I bet he's not used to such treatment from a lady' she laughed to herself.

"Here we are my Lady" Sora said, stopping in front of a shoji door with sakura blossoms painted on them and sliding it open. Stepping aside to allow Kagome to enter first and closing it after them.

As Kagome stood just in front the door, she couldn't help the small gasp that passed her lips. Sure she was used to an elegant lifestyle but it was clear that the western servants had gone all out in their preparation for her arrival.

In the middle of the room, to the left on a platform, was a large futon bed that could fit at least three people in it. It was covered by purple and gold sheets, her family's color, and made from finest silk. On the far right corner of the room was a desk with any writing supplies she might need while staying here. Next to the desk was a bookshelf with various scrolls held on it and to the right of that, was a door that led to her own personal bath house.

Straight across from the door of which they had just entered, was yet another set of doors that lead to a balcony and on the balcony, to the left, was a small bonsai garden. It was clear that they wanted to ensure that she would have plenty of things to do to stave off boredom while staying in this room, Kagome thought.

"Do you think I could have a bath before I lie down for my nap" Kagome asked Sora, who had been standing behind her silently while she took in her room. Kagome was already very anxious to use the bath house for the first time, practically writhing in anticipation, as she pictured how it would feel to relax in the hot water after such a long journey.

"Of course my Lady" Sora smiled "While you are having your bath some of the castle servants, along with some of your own, will bring some of your personal items and clothes to the room. The rest of your belongings will be taken to Lord Sesshomaru's room" she finished, walking to the bathroom to prepare the bath for her.

Kagome felt a chill go down her back at the thought of sleeping in the same room with Lord Sesshomaru. Even though she knew that if the marriage was to actually happen that she would eventually have to lie with him and that would mean sleeping in the same bed. 'Among other things' she grimaced. She couldn't imagine him touching, or better yet, her allowing him to touch her in any kind of way. These thoughts only made Kagome's wish to escape back home and rule by herself all the more powerful. Before Kagome could further distress herself with her thoughts, Sora came to tell her that her bath was ready just as the first servant arrived with some of her belongings.

As Kagome settled herself into her bath she began to think of more ways that she could show the western family that she was not the right mate for their son. She would have to be careful because, whatever she did, she would not want to bring shame to her family by any of her actions. The last thing she needed was rumors spreading that the eastern heir was an immature princess whose parents did not teach how to properly carry herself, and couldn't possibly lead her own country. 'Whatever I do it will have to happen before my parents arrive' Kagome thought chewing on her bottom lip. That gave her five days to accomplish her goal before it would be too late. She knew, from the many discussions they had had already, that once her parents arrived there would be nothing she could do to change either family's mind.

Back in the front greeting area of the castle, Sesshomaru watched as the eastern priestess followed Sora from the room.

"Something bothering you Sesshomaru" Lord Taisho asked his son. His smiling growing in amusement as he took in the way Sesshomaru's frown deepened at his words.

"Nothing bothers this Sesshomaru" he said, impatiently beginning to walk forward past his father to the double doors that lead to main part of the castle.

"I do not remember saying our discussion was finished" his father said. A small underlying warning in his voice at the disrespect Sesshomaru showed to him and Izayoi by trying to walk past them without being dismissed or excusing himself. "Izayoi my love would you excuse me and my son? We have much to discuss." He asked smiling down at her with all his love showing in his eyes.

"Yes my Lord" she replied. Her eyes and smile reflecting her love for him right back. "Lord Sesshomaru" she said excusing herself, and walked through the doors behind her.

Sesshomaru and Lord InuTaisho stood there watching each other for a few moments after Lady Izayoi left until finally his father broke the silence by asking, "What do you think of the eastern princess?"

"This Sesshomaru's thoughts do not matter in this situation, as you have already made more than apparent by our past discussions" He replied. Already aggravated by the miko's earlier actions towards him, he was in no mood to be interrogated by his father. He could already feel a headache settling itself right behind his eyes.

He knew that he should watch his words to his father because he had already showed disrespect when he ignored his warning outside when they greeted the eastern princess. Even though his father might know that he did not mean to challenge him by his actions, the fact of the matter was that they were dog demons, and his father was the alpha male. It was in his father's blood to command his respect and submission.

"Watch your tone Sesshomaru" he father growled. "I would appreciate it if you would answer my question. Despite what you think I actually do care about your opinion in this matter."

"Will it change the outcome?" Sesshomaru asked lowering his voice even more and calming himself knowing that he had pushed as far as he dared.

"It will not" his father replied quickly. "There are reasons behind this union of the Eastern and Western Lands and soon all will be revealed to both you and her. But as of right now it is not my place to tell either of you." His father finished. Turning to follow Izayoi into the main part of the castle and deciding not to push Sesshomaru for a response at the moment, Lord InuTaisho, left Sesshomaru standing there to ponder over his words.

'What does he mean by reasons' Sesshomaru wondered, as he watched his father's figure disappear behind the double doors.

AN: And so the plot thickens MUAAAHHHAHAHA! Ignore me I am extremely tired while I am writing this X) and have decided to wait until morning so I can proof read one more time before giving it to you guys. There are a lot of little hints in here for you guys to decipher with regards to the marriage. I only hope that I made them clear enough for you guys to see :)

Chapter 5 Coming Soon!