A/N: I have decided that every 25 chapters, I'm going to times my word count by 10 so that I have a 1000 word chapter. This means chapter 25, 50, 75, etc. will be 1000 words each when all others will only be 100 words. Not sure how many of these there will be since I don't actually know how long this story will be. So savor this extra-long chapter!

Suddenly, Sesshoumaru was practically in her lap sniffing her everywhere. Little grumbles escaped his throat when he pulled away and leveled a concerned gaze upon her. He was obviously worried about her. "I'm fine. But…" she looked him over and he looked perfect – not a hair out of place. "Are you okay?" She had sworn he was dead, how was he standing here before her?

Sesshoumaru's nose swung towards the sky and he let out a little derisive snort. His arrogance was hilarious. "I really wish I knew what you were saying."

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, a warm tenor started speaking in her head. "…harmed by the likes of him."

Her jaw dropped. Was that Sesshoumaru's voice? Had that just really happened? She needed to confirm it. "May I check your wound?"

He didn't answer with words, only nodded. She came over and peeled back her makeshift bandage but she couldn't see anything in the dim light. She began to unwrap him but when the fabric was gone, she still didn't see anything marring his flesh. "I can't find your wound, you've been healed?"

Sesshoumaru stared into her eyes before the voice sounded again in her mind. "Apparently so."

That confirmed it. She was hearing him speak. But how? Suddenly she remembered the trinket she tucked in her obi. She made two wishes and they both came true. Sesshoumaru is here and he saved her from the oni just as she wished despite him having died. And now she could understand him when he spoke. She pulled it out and stared down at the little pink jewel in her palm. "The stone granted my wishes! What should I wish for now?"

As she spoke, her stomach rumbled so she wished for food and a moment later, a table appeared groaning under the weight of a massive breakfast feast. Kagome dug into it offering things to Sesshoumaru but he refused with a "this one does not eat human food." Shrugging, she tucked away as much as she could until she felt like she might pop.

"What should I wish for now?"

The dog appraised her carefully, his golden gaze dragged slowly from her feet to the top of her head and back before she heard his rumbling voice in her head. "Wish to be a great lady, to live in a castle and to marry a prince."

Kagome considered it and couldn't find fault in the suggestion. She had always lived in poverty, it would be nice to live in the lap of luxury for once and to marry a handsome prince is the fantasy of every girl, to actually do so would be a dream come true. So she smiled, held the stone to her chest and wish with all her might.

When she opened her eyes, she was sitting on a gorgeous velvet cushion and wrapped in layers upon layers of luxurious silk. She'd never worn such finery! Looking about, the room was quite lavishly furnished. Before her stood a beautiful table carved from a dark wood and polished until gleaming. Beside her sat Sesshoumaru, a sparkle of mischief in his eyes as he regarded her.

Upon the table sat writing implements, but she had never learned to read and write. So she turned to her companion. "Would you summon a scribe for me? I need to dictate a letter to the emperor."

He nodded and left the room. About ten minutes later he returned. "We have a problem."

"What is it?"

He huffed a breath through his nose. "No one is able to understand me. Only you can hear my voice."

"Oh! That is a problem! I wish for you to speak to everyone and they understand!"

Felling a tingle in his mind, he declared, "I shall try again." With that, he left again. He was gone much longer this time and Kagome grew bored and wandered about the room inspecting everything. When he finally returned, a man stooped with age followed him. "Your scribe."

She smiled at the man, patting Sesshoumaru on the head in passing. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru." Her focus was on the scribe so she missed his startled glance at her face at the mention of his name. He hadn't realized that she knew his name.

She offered the scribe a seat and arranged the writing tools before him. Once he was settled, she began the dictation. "To His Imperial Majesty…" She went on to describe her request as eloquently and respectfully as she could. How does one ask for someone's hand in marriage? But she managed it. "…signed, the Lady Kagome Higurashi," she finished at last, pressing her name stamp into the paper.

The scribe carefully rolled the letter and sealed it in wax with her noble seal. "I will make sure this is delivered immediately." Bowing, he left the room.

When he was gone, she turned to her friend. "I am bored of this room. Shall we explore the castle together?"

"As you wish, milady."

She giggled. "We're friends, Sesshoumaru. Please, just call me Kagome." He nodded and they left the room together.

A few days past and Kagome slowly learned what it meant to be a lady. She managed her small domain very well and after a week things were progressing smoothly. When 2 weeks had past, a small caravan arrived from the emperor's palace. Kagome went to meet it and out of a carriage stepped a charming young man. He took one look at her and instantly fell in love with her beauty.

Bowing, he introduced himself. "Greetings, my lady. I am the last son of the emperor, Kuranosuke Takeda. Your beauty has captivated me and I wish to ask for your hand in marriage. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

That was easy. Kagome thought. She had expected it would take a little more to get the prince to marry her. Dipping her head, she replied, "I would be delighted."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! Please review.