Thy Thralldom Come

by The Monday Child

Two sisters of royal blood are captured by the enemy. Their kingdom is no more. A cruel prince has taken them both for his own, tempting them into depths unexplored by good girls. Their choice is clear: lose themselves or lose their lives.

18. Dwell in the Living Dark

Eighteen: Dwell in the Living Dark

"Presenting the Queen of Higurashi and her most esteemed attendant."

Inuyasha tapped his foot impatiently, not rising to meet the so-called queen with the rest of the court. With his father incapacitated and his brother incarcerated, the throne was now filled with his own royal bottom. His mother was beside him, wan and worried, and Inukimi was absent entirely.

The two women executed flawless curtseys and then gracefully knelt into a bow as was the custom for vassal rulers—which the bitch had given up the opportunity for a long time ago—greeting the Inu emperor.

"She's very beautiful," Izayoi whispered to him, a ghost of her usual mischief in her tone. "We could perhaps put this war to bed if you take her to yours."

Inuyasha glared at her. "I'd sooner bite off my tongue and choke on it." To the kneeling women, he said, "Rise. Explain your presence here at our court when we have been at war nigh on a year."

"Your highness," the failed queen said. "I have come to beg for peace between our two kingdoms."

He could see how she could be called beautiful with her long black hair and blue eyes, but he hated her guts already and blamed her personally for the men he had lost, even the ones she had not cut down herself. Plus, her coloring made him think of Kagome and that made him even more agitated.

"Give me one good reason not to kill you where you stand, bitch," he said, doing away with all that stupid courtly etiquette and the royal "we". No one had time for that bullshit.

"I am the only one who can give you Higurashi," she said simply. "My people follow me and only me. Would you rather raze the entire kingdom to the ground and colonize it, losing yet more of your men in the attempt, or have them easily subject to you through me?"

He opened his mouth to tell her that he'd burn it all to the ground and use her as kindling, but his mother put her hand on his wrist.

"I think we can figure something out. Please stay for the celebrations as our guest."

The queen beamed at them. "I would love to. As a gesture of goodwill, I would like to gift you my attendant, priestess Hitomiko. A virgin, just as you like." She roughly pulled down the neck of her companion's white garment to reveal a slave collar. "I took the liberty of collaring her for you. Here is the document of authenticity from Yura and Sara, the sister slavers."

A guard took the papers from her and Inuyasha didn't even need to look at them to know they were legitimate. They smelled of the cloying incense the two sisters used to bewitch their prey. He eyed the bitch being given to him lazily. Once, he would have immediately absconded to the harem to break in his new toy. But he was angry at the mere sight of the Higurashi women, angry that their presence had necessitated he sit in this stupid chair he never wanted and listen to them talk like he wasn't going to kill them as soon as the court got over their fascination with the foreign women. Angry that they were keeping him away from his resurrected—was there even a word for what she was to him?

"Fine. Get her to the harem and lock her in isolation." He knew it was rude and Kagome would have punched him in the shoulder for it, but he looked her countrywoman up and down with disgust. "We don't know what kind of diseases she's carrying."

The attendant was as blank-faced as Kikyo but had none of her elegant disdain. The self-styled queen did not even look as her companion was escorted away to a life of sex slavery. Instead, she was looking at him like she was hungry to take her place.

"I'm so sorry my arrival was delayed. We have been trying to get here since the castle fell."

"You're very welcome here and must attend the ball coming up," Izayoi said warmly. "Queen… I don't even know your name! What shall we call you?"

"Tsubaki," she said with a seductive smile, looking at him while answering his mother. "Queen Tsubaki. And I would love to experience your delightful balls."

Something occurred to him and he grasped at it, grateful for the opportunity to not respond to her terrible double-entendre.

"Where's your sister? Hojo wants 'er."

Her smile broadened. "Dead."

His nose twitched at the lie. She didn't believe the words coming out of her mouth.

For the first time since he had left—fuck, he'd have to think of a good word for her—Kagome, Inuyasha smiled.

"Enjoy your stay."

O\o/O

The eunuchs knew by now to bring the fresh meat to Kikyo. She sat in her parlor awaiting the newest member of her new kingdom. The other harem women had given her their goods and she was surrounded by trivial worldly things, her plain room much transfigured. Kagome would have liked it but Kikyo had never seen the point of excess.

"Madame," they said in unison, bowing deeply. One of them forced the new woman to her knees in front of her chair. Everyone was really banding together to make her feel like a Queen again.

"Leave us," she said, dismissing them with a kind of confidence in her command that couldn't be taught.

The newest harem member would have shocked her had she had the ability to feel anything anymore. As it was, her transformed self only raised a brow and smirked. Even though the blindfolded woman couldn't see her, she scowled.

"A priestess. Hitomiko." She was a distant cousin from her mother's line and had been named after their ancestor who had signed the treaty with the current emperor of Inu. That small drop of powerful blood had made her arrogant to the point of being insufferable.

"How do you know my name, whore?" she asked.

"Pleasant as ever." Reaching out, she slid the blindfold down. "Remember me?"

Her eyes went wide and for the first time she showed an expression different from vague resentment.

"My true Queen."

Kikyo put her foot on Hitomiko's shoulder and pressed down until the other woman bowed. She was met with no resistance but kept going until her subject's face was smashed against the floor anyway. She didn't make a single peep. Good.

"Why are you here? I thought you were dead with the rest of the priestesses."

"When you fled like a coward," Hitomiko said, words muffled by the carpet, "you condemned the rest of us to either die or follow your example. Most died in the confusion, but a few of us survived."

"I should kill you for that insult," Kikyo said, calmly pouring herself a cup of tea. "But you weren't worth much then and the same is true now."

Hitomiko was still on her knees but carefully straightened her spine. "It's true. You ran. You destroyed us more than the Inu beasts ever did."

The spoon she used to stir her tea clanged against the sides a little too loudly but that was the only sign she was being affected by such words.

"When a dear person gives their life for yours, you do not run headfirst into death, no matter how much you might want to." Kikyo made eye contact with her. "Suikotsu died for me. I used his sacrifice to save my sister. If I could have done that and continued to fight, I would have. Then the dogs captured me."

Hitomiko paused to digest that. "…Is the princess dead?"

"Death would be better than the captivity she endures now."

The priestess understood. "And the dogs have no idea who you are?"

"You'd be dead before you could reveal a word of our identities."

Hitomiko shuffled forward on her knees, eyes burning with a fanaticism that Kikyo found no longer intimidated her and made her want to flee her position. Rather, she missed it. She craved more of it.

"My Queen, please permit me to serve you once again in any way I can."

She eyed her up and down. "You are collared. Worse than useless." She was collared herself, but that was just a matter of time. And the ring around her neck didn't matter when she had once worn a ring around her brow.

"Information! I can tell you what Tsubaki is planning."

"Tsubaki? Was she not killed by the barbarians I banished her to?"

Hitomiko shook her head. "Tsubaki came in when the dogs were winding down their attack. She attempted to persuade the remaining priestesses to follow her and restore the kingdom but they refused."

"I take it you were the only one fool enough to think her worthy of your service." Kikyo shook her head. "Tsubaki was banished years ago because of her terrible ambitions. She will trample anyone underfoot in order to get the smallest thing she wants on a whim."

Hitomiko's eyes filled with tears that did not fall. "…She promised to defeat the dogs. Instead, she delivered me to them and thinks to become their queen by marrying their prince."

"Which prince? The elder or the younger?"

"The younger," she said. "The eldest is mad and there are rumors he killed the king. The youngest sits on the throne and is unwed."

"His heart will never be hers. Someone else has already stolen it." A ghost of a smile touched her lips. Kagome had always been as greedy as she was charming.

Hitomiko snorted. "She cares not for his heart. She'd consume it if she could. And she will, once she has a crown. Consume his power."

That caught Kikyo's attention. "Do you mean that? Has Tsubaki really resorted to such dark magic?"

"Do you have to ask? The bitch is more than capable."

"Damn her," she swore. "I would have killed her if not for the law."

"The law doesn't apply in Inu."

"…True." A plan began to form in her mind. "I think I'd like to be rid of that nuisance once and for all. And wouldn't you like revenge on the one who collared you."

The thorn in her side that was called Tsubaki had been around since birth. The two queens had been born during the same month in the same year. Kikyo had been born in the castle and Tsubaki had been born in some dung heap or other outside of Higurashi. The bitch had been claiming to be the "true Queen" for years now.

Tsubaki had been born and raised in a tribe of humans that had once been citizens of Higurashi generations before, during the time of the first Queen. They had supported the queen's efforts in making way against demons, but they had also wanted to subjugate the demons, not be free of them entirely the way Tsukiyomi longed for. They believed that through dark magic, they could bind demons to serve them in disgusting and foul ways, giving them power but robbing them of their souls. Few of the wanderers actually managed to successfully bind themselves to demons, and Kikyo herself had never met anyone who had.

Yet.

Years ago, Tsubaki had attempted to wage war and claim Higurashi as her own. Kikyo had recognized the power of a priestess in her and offered to train her and help her power grow, but Tsubaki had refused. Since it was against Higurashi's ancient law to snuff out the flame of the priestess, Kikyo instead killed her tribe of followers and banished her to the land of barbarian nomads who poked and prodded at their borders. She had assumed they would kill her themselves, or that she'd die of exposure.

But now here they were.

"Please," Hitomiko said, lowering her lips to Kikyo's sandaled feet. "Please, my Queen. I long to serve you in any way. In every way."

Kikyo pulled her feet away. Many priestesses and female soldiers engaged in same-sex love affairs in Higurashi, but she had never been interested.

"My heart is in the grave."

"But your body is here." Hitomiko's eyes were wide and dark and gleamed like black pearls. "I know I am not the good doctor, but my devotion is no less true. I regret my folly in thinking Tsubaki could ever replace a true Queen. Allow me to worship you as you should be worshipped, to comfort you in some small way."

Kikyo didn't trust Hitomiko. Anyone who had conspired with Tsubaki was either an idiot or a menace. Perhaps both. But she needed a tool. Especially one the prince didn't seem interested in—and vice versa.

"I have a letter I'd like you to deliver to my sister. See that it is done and then we can discuss this worship."

O\o/O

It was late before Inuyasha was freed from all the many tiresome duties he had never fucking asked for and able to return to his rooms. His heart jumped in his chest when he flung open the door to see Kagome lying in his bed. His own sleeping beauty. He didn't know why he had such a reaction since she was right where he'd left her earlier after her faint, but he was unable to keep himself from drawing closer to her and taking her hand in his, bringing it to his lips for a kiss.

She snatched her hand back. "It's late. Where have you been?"

Is this what being married was like? And the honeymoon had been so sweet. "Work," he said shortly. He crawled onto the bed beside her. "How ya feeling?"

Kagome turned to him and pouted. "When I woke up, you were gone. It was cold and the servants are mean when you're away."

"I'm sorry." The words came so easily to him though he was sure they had never sincerely passed his lips before. She had changed into a sleeping gown and the tip of his finger traced the lace that framed her perfect breasts. "We'll get new servants. You can pick."

"It's not just the servants," she sighed. "It's this whole place. It's cold. Like it's made of cold. The kind of cold even an embrace can barely shelter you from."

"I can do better than just an embrace."

Inuyasha pinned her down with a playful growl and kissed her on the mouth. His fingers, clawed for maiming, were tickling her like he was born to make her laugh. Kagome tried to get him back but her efforts were fruitless. His hands were everywhere on her all at once as they play-wrestled, and their fake fight soon turned into something else. Her thighs were wrapped around his head and his tongue lashed against her clit, licking her until her orgasm overtook her and sprayed him with a blessing of her juices.

It had been fast and frantic and fantastic, judging by the look on her face. Still laughing and out of breath, Kagome looked happy and relaxed. He moved up her body, planting kisses that bloomed into love bites here and there along her body over the thin nightgown, paying special attention to the spot he clearly remembered having been pierced through but now showed no signs of such an attack. Finally, he was back where he started, and he kissed her lips with relief that he had once again banished the chill of death from her body.

"Warm enough?"

"As long as there's more of you to warm me, I will want more."

That was enough to set him ablaze entirely and he captured her lips once again. "I want to go somewhere."

She glared up at him. "Are you really leaving me again so soon?"

"Nope. From now on, wherever I go, you're coming with me." He punctuated his decree with a kiss. "Unless it's boring court stuff. Then I'm keeping you here so you don't distract me too much."

O\o/O

And since he was now acting as king, his word was law.

Inuyasha paraded her around court on the daily in silks and satins and velvets and laces. She never wore the same thing twice. Since he had been the one to order her wardrobe, claiming it was the latest Inu fashion, she was dressed in a way that would have scandalized Higurashi and should have made her blush. But instead she found herself confidently meeting the eyes of those who thought her to be chattel.

She might be a slave but she still had their king on his knees before her every night (and mostly every morning and sometimes in the afternoon…)

"Why are we always going to visit your friends?" Kagome grumbled one evening after a particularly tedious dinner party. Their hosts had "forgotten" to give her a seat at the table and instead offered her a pet bed. She won the petty fight by sitting on Inuyasha's lap and keeping his attention on her with slight shifts in position no one else noticed. "I want to visit Rin."

"First of all, they're not my friends," he said like the word tasted bad in his mouth. "Second of all, Rin is in the dungeon and there's no way in hell you're going back down there. The jailer is still scared of you."

Kagome came to an abrupt stop. "She's where!?"

Inuyasha tried to grab her hand to continue on their promenade but she snatched it back. Scowling, he finally answered her.

"She's been imprisoned for poisoning my father."

"Rin would never!"

"No one actually believes it was all her," Inuyasha said, leaning on the balcony banister that overlooked the grand palace entrance. "But she confessed. And she was telling the truth. Even showed us the poison. And she showed no remorse."

"Rin isn't just some pawn," Kagome said in disbelief. Rin was strong and smart. She fooled the demons every day and their escape plan had been so close to a success! "Even if someone came to her and lied to her or something, she wouldn't have just given the emperor poison. Something else is going on."

"Most people think Sesshomaru did it and he's letting her take the fall. That it was the whole reason he took her into his household." Inuyasha looked lost in thought for a moment. "But I don't think even that bastard is so despicable."

"Please, Inuyasha," Kagome begged tearfully, taking his right hand in both her own. "You can save her. You can do anything. Please bring Rin back."

"I'm just the acting king, not the actual king," he said. Bringing her hands to his mouth, he continued, "But I do like to hear you asking me so sweetly. Say please one more time and—"

Kagome stomped on his foot and freed her hands from his grasp. "You're acting like a true dog!"

Showing no sign that her blow had affected him at all, he returned, "You're the one acting like a dog, bitch! Practically begging me to put you on a leash again."

"I've always been on a leash; it's just invisible now."

"Stop being so dramatic."

Inuyasha embraced her but she turned from him. The two of them stood facing the grand foyer.

"Your brides are arriving," she said bitterly, watching the beautiful women, all princesses like she had been once, as well as some queens, filter in.

He didn't sound curious in the least. "Yeah, I guess. They've been coming in droves before the official courtship kick-off."

"How soon before you send me to the harem so one of them can sleep beside you?" she asked, hating how she sounded so jealous when really she should be relieved.

His arms tightened around her and his lips kissed the shell of her ear.

"Never. Never would I ever forsake you for a mere whore with a title and land. 'Cause that's all they are. They're here to whore themselves out to the Inu in the hopes they'll be spared." She could hear the eye roll in his voice. "And it won't work."

"I'm sure they're all lovely," Kagome replied, feeling better enough to defend the women neither of them knew.

"Doesn't matter. I already have the loveliest princess in my arms."

This time she let him kiss her mouth.

"I'm still mad at you," she said.

"Liar."

"I want to visit Rin! She'd visit me if I were falsely accused."

"Again, she confessed. And Rin doesn't have a master like me. Sesshomaru lets her do whatever she wants. Probably how she ended up in a cell."

"I hate you."

"Lying again. You know, in some places they burn the tongues of liars." Kagome pressed a biting kiss to his mouth. "…But I think your tongue is the one that burns, princess."

The persistent stream of royal women forgotten, the two of them fled to what had become their chambers for another night of fun.

O\o/O

Sesshomaru sat in his cell and again ran over the list of all the people he wanted to kill.

This room in the dungeon was full of rags and broken furniture. Scratch marks lined the stone walls and he wondered if they had been using this room to keep a wild animal. Whomever had chosen this insult of a chamber for him was going to be the first to go.

Then Inuyasha just because it was always somehow the half-demon's fault.

Then his father-in-law for arresting him.

Then whoever had set him up.

"You're free to go, my lord," Jaken screeched from behind the closed door. The dungeon master opened his cell, wisely fleeing to another room and locking the door behind his cowardly self. "The true culprit has confessed."

Sesshomaru grabbed Jaken by what little neck the imp had. "Who?"

"P-please, muh-muh-my luh-lord, I c-c-can't—"

Sesshomaru shook him a little. "Who?"

"Rin."

The choked name was enough of a shock that Sesshomaru dropped his servant and didn't even give him an extra knock on the head. Rin. Not Rin.

"I see someone else has delivered the happy news to you," Naraku said through the roaring in his ears. "We have found the culprit as last."

"Rin is innocent." As innocent as this bastard was guilty of something, he was sure of it. His father-in-law and his wife and his parents had been scheming to rid Rin of their lives for ages and now they had finally found their way.

"You will be kept in your quarters until the trial," Naraku continued. "For your own safety, of course. We are all confident that your pet was acting of her own accord and you weren't aware of it. By the time the guards are done with her, she'll say the same."

Sesshomaru reached out to deliver a punch fatally laced with the bitterest acid to Naraku's face, but somehow the other demon disappeared into a shadow and reappeared down the hallway in another.

"When you do something like that, dear prince, you put events in motion that not even my daughter can save you from."

"Kagura will burn with you when I am done," he threatened, fangs lengthening as he struggled against his demonic change. It was torture to know he had a mighty maw with fangs that dripped poison yet he could not tear into him without severe repercussions. His jaw ached to splinter his bones. "If either of you touch her, I'll kill you with my bare hands. You can count on it.

"I will not return to my rooms," he announced, going back into his cell. "I will remain where Rin is."

Naraku sneered. "How touching. Too bad for you lovebirds that she'll be imprisoned separately. I doubt she'll survive until the morning."

"Then neither will I."

O\o/O

"Queen Munashī of Hakanai and her ladies in waiting…"

"Princess Busu of Uzai…"

"High Matriarch Furui of Chinpu…"

Each of the women were announced as they were presented before the throne and Inuyasha couldn't even muster his usual tight-lipped fake smile. This was stupid. Stupid and unnecessary. They already had Sesshomaru, and if the asshole was impotent then he would happily take one for the team and knock Kagura up with some heirs. But to make him marry one of these insufferable women who smelled like chemicals and looked like wax dummies was just an insult.

"And the Queen of Higurashi, whose name she requests remain unspoken by those of lesser rank," the herald recited drily.

Tsubaki sashayed the red carpet towards the throne like she believed she was the main character in everyone's life. She was beautiful, sure, but too high maintenance. Plus she had crazy eyes.

The Queen of Higurashi bowed low to show off her cleavage in her form-fitting teal gown. Inuyasha was not reformed enough to look away immediately.

A sharp cough from his right distracted him.

Among his mother's attendants was Kagome. She was dressed to match the highborn women who served Izayoi, but there was nothing of servitude in her eyes. Inuyasha tried to communicate that it wasn't a big deal without saying anything but figured she'd give him an earful later before he took advantage of that extra spark her jealousy had ignited.

For the first time, Kagome was serving him in a way other than as a bedslave.

Earlier that day, he had buttered her up quite a bit. Or at least he liked to think he had. Sometimes it felt like she was still trying to manipulate him. In any case, he knew he had a peculiar kind of weakness around her and for some reason it didn't bother him.

Kagome had barely changed positions from sitting on his face to laying in his arms when he broached something he had been thinking about since she had mostly started to behave.

"You wanna come to dinner with me?" he asked, tongue still licking away her orgasm from his face.

She gave him a tired glance before snuggling back into his chest. "We have dinner together all the time and you never asked before."

"No, I mean like with other people. A lot of other people, not just small groups. A state dinner."

Kagome perked all the way up like that. "Not like a date? Like we're going somewhere together like we're just a normal official couple?" She sounded as skeptical and excited as a peasant being told their turnip was worth its weight in gold.

He poked her nose with a claw and couldn't help the smile that made its way onto his face at her crossed eyes.

"It's gonna be work again. I want you to tell me something. And if you don't wanna, that's fine."

The catch had her relieved and maybe a little disappointed. "…What is it?"

"You haven't asked about that queen of yours yet. Can it be I've finally swayed you to my side?" He ran one hand up her spine and she shivered, naked and willing but still just out of reach of being completely his.

"You can have my body—whenever I let you," she amended when his touches began to stray towards starting something up again. "But my loyalty will always belong to Higurashi. We've been over this."

"I find it strange that this queen who took out so many of my men doesn't look like she's ever held a sword or shot an arrow in her life," he said.

"Looks can be misleading."

He smiled at her again. "Yes. Who would ever think a girl like you could conquer the prince of Inu."

That earned him a kiss. "It feels like you want to be 'conquered' again already." Her hand cupped his crotch and fuck, she was right.

"Come to dinner," he murmured as she undid the laces of his trousers. "Please, Kagome. Just confirm that she is who she says she is."

Her hands stopped their work and he just knew she was going to say no. "How is Kikyo?"

His brow wrinkled in confusion. "Fine, probably. I don't know, I'm with you all the time I don't spend on the throne, ain't I?"

Her smile was radiant and he relaxed a little, relieved she wasn't jealous. She began to stroke him. "That's all? Just point her out to you?"

Inuyasha watched Kagome's lips form the words and longed to have that same luscious mouth wrap around his cock. His hips lifted off the bed as she caressed his cock, already knowing just how to touch him.

"Yesss," he hissed. She stopped. "Wait, uh, no. W-we would have dinner with all the court in residence. And all the royal women who have arrived. You'd play a noblewoman serving my mother. I'll threaten anyone with death if they talk about your collar." He reached out and caressed her throat, running his fingers over the leather that encircled her neck. "Damn thing was faulty, anyway. I'll get you a new one of pale gold like your skin and flawless sapphires like your eyes and—Fuck!" He finally seemed to have said the right thing as she swallowed him whole.

Back in the present, Inuyasha was having a very difficult time controlling himself in front of everyone else. They hadn't gotten to properly fuck yet today and he was discovering that Kagome was an addiction not easily overcome.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief and the knowledge that she had him wholly no matter what enticing cleavage another woman possessed. Her clothes covered her more than he ever allowed, with a high neck that obscured her collar. The silver and blue layers of silk in the style of his mother's people complemented her perfectly. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lower lip and he wanted to touch his own to it, to take her in front of everyone, damn the hopeful bachelorettes. All his life he had followed orders—more or less—even to the extent of putting his life on the line for his kingdom and his family. Why should he not be allowed to make one important choice and publicly have her forever?

"Thank you all for coming," Inuyasha said to the crowd of possible brides and the court. "It pleases us to see so many looking to cement an alliance with Inu. Let us pay you back in this small way and follow us to the dining hall for the welcome feast."

Inuyasha linked one arm with his mother and the other with Queen Tsubaki and led a pompous procession to their grand hall. He could feel eyes boring into the back of his head and his spine stiffened in a mixture of alarm and anticipation. A jealous Kagome was a Kagome eager to reclaim her property, as he had come to understand Higurashi women thought of their husbands, and he was in no way opposed to her doing so.

"You did a beautiful job decorating," he said to Izayoi.

Normally he wasn't one to just toss out compliments, especially for something he considered inessential. But his mother had been nowhere near her cheerful self ever since his father had fallen ill. She had lost weight and stopped sleeping, spending every moment at Toga's bedside. Inuyasha visited as much as he could, but he always felt like he was intruding. The two of them had always existed in a sort of bubble that they never welcomed anyone else into, rather allowing the bubble to pop for a short time as they took care of whatever business they needed to address.

Izayoi smiled at him but it was nothing like the smile that had enraptured an empire.

"Anything for you, my puppy."

"Thank you for allowing my attendant to witness me dining with you at last, Emperor Inuyasha," Tsubaki purred into his ear.

"I'm not the emperor," he bit out, wishing he could walk with the girl trailing behind them.

"Oh, but you will be. Any day now," she said, fingers squeezing his bicep.

If there were not so many witnesses, he'd kick her ass off the cloud they walked on.

It was strange for him to sit at the head of the table even at his own betrothal welcome feast. If everything had remained the same, it would be his father sitting here. If not him, then Sesshomaru. The wrongness of it all had him on edge and he did not even notice the first course had been placed in front of him until he wondered why no one was eating and just staring at him. With a grimace, he took his first bite. Everyone soon followed.

Kagome was seated next to his mother who was the first on his right. When he looked at her, it was just for support, something to keep him going and remind him what this was all for. But she nodded and glanced at Tsubaki.

Kagome had been incredibly relieved when she was able to get a good look at the one calling herself the queen of Higurashi. It wasn't Kikyo. They were safe. Well, not exactly safe, but they were…something.

When she had first heard Queen Izayoi mention that the Queen of Higurashi had arrived, it was enough to knock her into a stupor. She had been terrified. Inuyasha knew, he was mad at her, he was going to kill her, he'd never kiss her again. But then he continued to act the same and he was many things but not deceptive. What clinched it was when he asked that she verify the queen's identity.

Kikyo had told her all about the battle she had fought against the horrid Tsubaki. Before Higurashi had fallen there was even a colorful mural in progress of Kikyo's glorious victory over the false queen. Though the painted Tsubaki had been depicted with snakes for hair, it was the same face sitting next to Inuyasha.

"How are you enjoying your plate, Lady Kagome?" Queen Izayoi asked, smiling at her false title not in a mean way but rather like they shared a secret. "I am told my son requested your favorites be served during the whole of the betrothal process."

Her cheeks colored and Tsubaki looked at her sharply, recognizing her as competition. "Anything served by the royal family of Inu is something I am delightedly grateful to receive." It was something like Rin would have said. A lie that she made herself believe so none of the foul demons would smell it on her.

Queen Izayoi was not a demon and even better at detecting lies. The smile changed into an amused smirk that recalled her son. "A wise answer but not an honest one. Just say you like it, dear. It's okay to like things and not admit to liking the people who provide them."

Her blush deepened. "Thank you, my queen. It's good, as are all the luxuries at court." She said it begrudgingly. Higurashi was nowhere close to this and she had thought herself at the apex of grandeur. Peasants in Inu must live the way she did as a princess of her own kingdom.

"You look very much like an old friend of mine," Tsubaki said from across the table. "Where are you from, Lady Kagome?"

"She's from Okuri-inu in the mountains," Inuyasha said. Though he was answering the imposter queen, he was looking at her. His eyes shone with a fond warmth that almost looked like pride. No one could mistake that they were intimately involved. What the hell was he trying to do? "The most beautiful and worthy of the noblewomen there. Only the best for my mother."

"With her dark hair and light eyes, she almost looks like she's one of my people," Tsubaki said, voice light. "We've been a hermit kingdom for so long that we all rather look alike since, you know, there was no one else to breed with but one another."

Kagome locked her jaw and pretended to take a sip of wine so as to avoid sharply correcting that bitch. Though many accused Higurashians of being inbred, it was illegal to enter into relations with anyone closer than a third cousin and the punishments were harsh. They had to take such measures since they were, as Tsubaki had stated, closed-off from the outside world.

"That's all gonna change now that Higurashi is part of Inu."

Kagome put the goblet down a little harder than necessary but thankfully Tsubaki didn't seem to notice, too absorbed in biting her lower lip in a way she must have thought was enticing while fluttering her fuck-me eyes. Inuyasha glanced at her like he kept doing and then back at the false queen, giving her a thin-lipped queasy smile. He put a hand on Izayoi's.

"Mother, you look tired. I'll have a servant halve the planned courses."

Izayoi gave him a look. "For your sake, my puppy, never again tell a woman she looks tired, especially when she actually does. Do what you will. I cannot deny I am eager to return to your father's side."

Inuyasha flagged down a servant and made his request. Good. He was going to get it when they got back to their room.

Kagome spent the rest of the meal glaring at Inuyasha. Was he doing that on purpose? Inviting that hated enemy's attentions simply to make her upset?

"Lady Kagome," Izayoi began. "You are so lovely in this new frock of yours. I simply cannot help myself and must dress you again. I have just the piece in mind for the Kanayama celebration in a few days."

"Kagome isn't going," Inuyasha said, discarding his conversation with Tsubaki and proving he had been listening to them primarily the entire night.

"But she must. As my guest." Izayoi smiled in a way that brooked no argument. "Lady Kagome is the closest thing I have to a daughter and I wish to spoil her. Besides, I cannot wear this splendid creation now that your father is…" she trailed off and looked lost for a moment, unable to finish.

Inuyasha frowned. "Fine. But you're leaving early." He tried to look stern.

She had no idea what kind of party they were talking about. If anything, she'd want to skip it entirely, but now she was definitely going to be the last one to leave. She simply smiled in a way that felt appropriately servile.

"I serve the Queen, your highness, and I do not wish to displease her."

Everyone thought she was playing her part and referring to Izayoi, but of course she was not. First and foremost in her heart was Kikyo, always and forever.

The event ended not long after. Most of the bridal candidates looked more than a little put out as they had not been able to even speak a single word to Inuyasha whose attention seemed entirely absorbed by the Queen of Higurashi. It seemed things had been decided already. Kagome trailed behind Inuyasha and his two ladies once again, ready to give him an earful when she was able to discard her role.

"Sorry," a woman said before bumping into her.

Kagome didn't realize how odd that was at first, not until the woman, a slave according to her collar, shoved a tightly folded triangle of paper in her hand before blending in with the rest of the crowd once again. By now, she knew enough to stick the paper in her sleeve without making it obvious.

She slipped away to their room as Inuyasha dropped Izayoi off with a kiss to the cheek, having memorized the way by now thanks to their frequent walks. Tsubaki would try and get Inuyasha to spend the night with her, that much was for sure. She didn't know how much time she had. What if Inuyasha took her up on the offer? Kagome gripped the paper she had been given so hard it crumpled.

Unfolding it, her heart beat faster when she recognized her sister's writing. Her vision blurred and she blinked the tears away so she could hurry up and read.

Kagome,

My sources notified me you have ensnared the heart of the dog bastard. Good. I need you to seduce him. Make him so attached to you that he cannot bear to go anywhere without you. Deny him nothing. Indulge his every sick whim. Soon, he will leave the palace again. I will make it so. When that day comes, he must take you along and it must seem to him to be his own idea. Only agree to go if he takes me as well. Do whatever it takes. Promise him he can have his way with you and I in turns if that is what will sway him.

This is all I ask of you. See that it comes to pass so that the fight returns to the battlefield and away from the bedchamber.

Kagome wished Kikyo had said more. Asked how she was. Told her of what had been going on with her in their time spent apart. Said she loved her. What would her sister have said if Kagome told her she had already nearly completed her role in the plan without even trying? And that she had liked it. Some of the time, anyway. Okay, most of the time.

The way he dominated her and allowed himself to be dominated in turn was a kind of thrill she never could have conceived of before meeting him. What would her life have been had she remained the princess she was? Dull and boring with only hopes of Hojo in terms of what to look forward to sexually. She would have gone to her marriage bed believing they were only to pray for children and then find them growing in the garden the next day.

Anger filled her chest. Was she angry at Kikyo? For keeping her secluded even within their hermit kingdom? For not teaching her anything of worth? She had never been angry at Kikyo before. Kikyo was her sister, her Queen, her everything. The only one in the world who loved her.

But Higurashi was not her world anymore.

The door opened and Inuyasha stomped in. Kagome threw the letter in the fire on instinct.

"That fucking bitch," he growled. "She tried to threaten me. Said if I take her to wife she'll tell me all about some secret fuckin' weapon the Human Alliance has. It's all dragonshit."

Kagome went over to him on instinct and put her arms around him. Instantly, he relaxed, embracing her in turn. The stress lines on his brow uncreased and his entire face changed as he looked at her.

"You'll be happy to know that's not the Queen," Kagome said.

Before she could continue, he kissed her mouth. "Good. I hate her almost as much as I hate the real queen, though. This bitch smiled at me when she told me her fake sister was dead."

"Tsubaki tried to take over the Higurashi throne awhile ago. She was defeated nearly instantly by Kikyo," she bragged. Then she remembered who she was talking to. "…And other soldiers, I guess."

His hand cupped her face and he was looking at her in that soft way again that made her just as soft.

"Good girl," he purred, giving her a lingering kiss. "You more than earned the kind of night I'm going to give you."

They kissed again and he carried her to the bed without breaking the contact of their lips. As he began to ravish her, Kagome thought again of the letter. The prince of the Inu and she had become so intertwined that she could not imagine life without him. What if Kikyo wanted to hurt him? Or worse?

Could she even go through with Kikyo's commands at this point?

O\o/O

Rin was walking when she awoke.

She gasped and stumbled over her own feet, falling down the few stairs that remained into what she at first thought was a basement. There was laughter behind her and that hurt more than the bruises that had yet to show. Someone behind her sighed heavily in annoyance and grabbed her by the back of her dress, dragging her along the cold, hard ground.

The shock she felt at not knowing how she had ended up in this situation made her docile and she allowed herself to be thrown into a dark room.

"Stop this at once!"

The tears started when she heard the voice of her lord. He was here, everything would be all right now. He would save her like he always had and take her away somewhere safe. Nothing would hurt as long as she could see his face. She would gladly allow herself to be trod underfoot if only she could remain where she could see him every day.

Through the doorway she saw one of the guards be flung away, skin burning from the toxic acid rope that wrapped around his neck. Her lord quickly appeared, his eyes finding her at once.

"Rin," he said.

That was all it took. Rin sobbed and held out her arms. The crown prince went to her and enveloped her with his remaining arm, holding her so tight her ribs ached. But it was a good ache. When it was him, it didn't hurt. Everything from him was something she'd pay for in even more than gold.

"I'm sorry," she wept, clinging to his tunic. "I'm so sorry, my lord."

"Rin, my Rin, what did you do?"

"I don't know! I can't remember anything," she said. "But months ago, Advisor Naraku gave me a vial and told me to poison the emperor."

"Why did you not come to me!?" he hissed, shaking her. "I could have done something. I would have protected you!"

"Would you?"

"Of course!"

"We both like to believe you would," she sniffled, wiping her tears. "But you don't protect me. Not really. You just keep me away from everything. And that's not a life. You don't see me. You see what you want to see. If I had come to you and told you about Naraku, what would you have done?"

"Killed him."

"And your wife?"

"Killed her as the offspring of a traitor."

"There are more people involved than just them," she said. "I didn't want you to get hurt. Not more than you already have been." Rin caressed the stump of his arm over the silk of his clothing. "I thought if I did nothing, they would forget about me. After all, I am no one of note."

"No one of note?" He made a sound that was almost a laugh. "You are everything to me, and none have rank above I save my father. How must you view me?" he whispered, golden eyes full of a quiet rage and sorrow. The back of his clawed fingers ran over her wet cheek. "Do you think me an invalid? Someone to be pitied. Not a man who wants to give you everything, most of all himself."

"Never would I pity you, my lord." Rin brought his hand to her trembling mouth and kissed it. "Just as you want to shield me, I want to shield you."

"I will take you out of here and make Naraku take your place."

"That's not enough! If anything, it would make things worse. You must unearth all his plots and save not only me, but everyone else in Inu and the world."

"…Is this what you want, Rin? Is this truly what you want me to do for you?"

She nodded, resolute but unable to look him in the eye as she did so, so close to being swayed that one glance would undo her words. "Please, my lord. I don't remember much, but I know Lady Abi was behind what happened to me, too. She did something to me and then took it away. It was like…" Her eyes narrowed as she tried to describe the feeling. "It was like there was something else in me and I could only watch my own life in bits and pieces. Like I was just a suit of clothes someone else was wearing."

"Say the word, Rin, and I will stay here in this cell with you. I will suffer your sentence alongside you." That quiet passion that had haunted him since they met was naked in his voice and face, making it clear what he wished she would choose. "Our lives have been intertwined since our first meeting and it will never be me who undoes our thread of fate."

"Go to the emperor. He at least deserves to know as much as we do now. Save him, and you save all of us." This was bigger than the affection between them. How many other little orphan girls like Rin had been would suffer if the dark forces at work won?

"It makes me sick I will not be able to keep my eyes on you." He rose to his feet, bringing her with him. "Stay alive while I go about clearing your name. If something happens and I lose you, it will not be for long. I will follow you wherever you go, even to the afterlife."

"No threat has ever sounded so sweet," Rin said in a choked voice.

"Believe me. I have never lied when it comes to you, Rin."

"My lord…" She bit her lip, hesitant. Rin knew that no matter what her lord felt, she truly was not important to the rest of the world. She might not live once he left. It was time to voice all the dreams she had saved for a vague someday. "Please, though I am nowhere near noble-born, grant this last wish like you would of a real lady."

"Anything, Rin."

"Will you kiss me?"

He was entirely still, like an animal that thinks itself a predator realizing it has become prey.

Rin fidgeted. "I'm sorry. Please forget it. I just… Lately, or maybe always, I've been wanting—"

Sesshomaru crushed her to him and his mouth was on hers with such a pressure it could hardly be called a kiss. It was almost like he was angry at her, but it still ignited a roaring blaze in her body that would never be extinguished. Rin squeaked and the kiss gentled, becoming a meeting that felt the way hot cocoa tasted. She swayed towards him, knees no longer supporting her. Sesshomaru supported her without any effort and there was no space in between their bodies. It was as beautiful a first kiss as Rin had ever allowed herself to dream of.

"Rin," he murmured. "My Rin. I have wanted this longer than I ever should have."

"Come back to me, my lord. And kiss me when the rest of me is as free to love as my heart."

O\o/O

"I completed the mission you sent me on, my Queen."

Kikyo dismissed the eunuchs who had brought Hitomiko to her, giving them a silver coin each. Before acknowledging her priestess, she continued to review the documents in front of her. The other women of the harem had each written up, or, if they could not write, dictated all they knew about the prince that kept them in the castle and his habits. The more she learned about him, the more despicable she found him.

The beast sought out impoverished virgins, often enslaved ones, and pretended like the choice he offered them of warming his bed or not was actually a choice. His preferences once he got them into bed were distasteful as well. She knew that much through what she had personally experienced. Luckily for her, she had never been one of his favorites nor had she put up a fight.

Those among them who had resisted, as she knew her sister had, were subjected to cruel tortures. In Higurashi, men who forced women, either physically or by other manipulations, were put to death. Though this bastard prince of the dogs liked to think of himself as some kind of savior of impoverished women, in reality he was simply a violent collector of living persons he used as sex toys.

Kagome must be putting up quite the fight to not yet have made it to the harem. As her sister, it distressed her to know more details of what he was putting her through. But as her Queen, it enraged her.

Kikyo couldn't wait to finally kill him.

"Did you want me to get a letter back from the princess, my Queen? I believe Tsubaki will summon me to serve her again soon."

She put the papers down and studied Hitomiko. The priestess appeared anxious and eager to please, hungry for praise. Goddess only knew how Tsubaki had deprived her of everything but beatings and harsh words during their travels together. The Hitomiko she remembered had been stern but confident. Passionate.

"No need," she said after she determined the priestess had squirmed enough. "My sister is a soldier now. Orders do not require a response; they are merely followed."

Hitomiko nodded in understanding. "That is true."

"Now for your reward…" Kikyo pulled out the box of silver coins she used to keep the eunuchs loyal.

Hitomiko knelt before her and put a hand on hers, closing the box's lid. "Not that," she said, voice soft. "You know what I want."

Kikyo went rigid. "And that is?"

"To comfort you."

When their lips first met, she did not participate at all, just remained sitting straight up, spine severely erect. But Hitomiko was, as she had always been, persistent. The second time their lips met, Kikyo's mouth softened. The third time, she kissed her back.

It had been a while since she had been doted on. Served the way she had once been used to. Never like this. She had never known it could feel like this. Hitomiko's tongue ran across hers and Kikyo shivered, a moan escaping her.

"Yes, my Queen," Hitomiko said, lowering her to the floor. "Let yourself be taken care of."

Kikyo kissed her this time, one hand at the nape of Hitomiko's neck to press her closer. One of the priestess' knees settled at the apex of her thighs as she sucked her lower lip. Kikyo gasped as Hitomiko moved her knee, creating a kind of friction that lit her up all the way to her breasts. As though she knew, the priestess reached into the bodice of Kikyo's dress and ran her fingers over the binding of her breasts. Kikyo licked her way back into Hitomiko's mouth and the other woman swallowed her shaky moan.

"You first," Kikyo said when the priestess' fingers ventured under her bindings. "I want to see you."

Still in her now torn and tattered traditional priestess garb, Hitomiko undid the ties at the front of her white tunic and slipped it off her shoulders. Her bindings were so worn that they were see-through and her dusky nipples were obvious and hard.

Kikyo tore through the bindings easily and put an arm like a steel band around Hitomiko, bringing her to her face. The priestess cried out in surprise and her palms hit the floor with a slap. Kikyo licked a nipple and then sucked it with a kind of hunger she hadn't known she possessed. Hitomiko groaned and pressed her knee into her harder. Kikyo ground her hips against it, wondering how it could feel so good to bring pleasure to another.

The priestess brought one hand to Kikyo's bindings and skillfully undid them until they unraveled to the floor.

"Beautiful," Hitomiko said. "I always thought so."

Her lips came down and pressed worshipful kisses to her breasts. She circled the areolas with licks and nips until Kikyo thought she would go mad. At last, the flat of her tongue ran against her nipple and Kikyo arched her back so the other woman would take more of her breast. More, more, more. She wanted everything Hitomiko wanted to give her and beyond. It was what she deserved. Tribute to the Queen.

Kikyo grabbed Hitomiko by the hair and pulled her off her chest. Reaching up to her desk, Kikyo fumbled for a letter opener and tore through the front of her dress until it lay to her sides in shreds. She spread her legs and pointed at her bare sex with the letter opener.

"Put your mouth there."

She shoved the priestess down where she wanted her. Hitomiko easily slipped her tongue inside Kikyo's slick entrance. She moaned for more and Kikyo angled her hips up. Fire coursed through her veins and she sucked on one of her fingers. When it was as wet as her pussy, she ran it over her nipple, eyes on her busily working servant.

The fine dark head between her legs slanted to the side so as to watch her while she enjoyed herself. Hitomiko moaned as she watched Kikyo play with herself. Her tongue left her entrance and moved up to her clit where she licked her and sucked her in turns. Kikyo grabbed her by the hair again and brought her face closer. That was another hint that she was close and Hitomiko followed the wordless instructions and brought two fingers to Kikyo's entrance, sliding them in and reaching until she found a spot Kikyo hadn't known existed. Hitomiko rubbed her with angled fingers and didn't even stop when Kikyo screamed and began to shake.

If she thought what she'd felt with the bastard prince was a proper orgasm, that was nothing in comparison to this.

"Enough," Kikyo said, voice hoarse.

Hitomiko stopped the movements of her tongue and hand at once. Crawling over her body, hard nipples dragging against her skin, she kissed her again. For the first time, Kikyo tasted herself, and she liked it. She wondered if her servant would taste similar.

With one movement, Kikyo turned them around so she was on top. Hitomiko gasped at the change in position. Kikyo roughly tugged at the strings that held closed her pants and reached her hand inside where she quickly found her sopping wet cunt.

"You're so wet." Hitomiko groaned in agreement. "You got this wet just from knowing your place and serving your mistress. Doing as you're told." She nipped at her lower lip. "I don't think that collar around your neck is just for show."

The priestess held her head to the side as Kikyo's lips and tongue teased her neck around the binds of her collar. Her mouth continued its scalding downward trail until it arrived at her pert breast. Her nipple was plump and she mashed it between her lips first, making Hitomiko give a small shriek. When she took it into her mouth with a punishing suck, Hitomiko's hips stuttered and she instantly came.

"My Queen," she moaned. "My Queen, my Queen, my Queen…"

Kikyo kissed her, mostly so she could enjoy some silence once again. The two of them lay together in one embrace until the sweat cooled on their bodies.

"I always wanted you," Hitomiko admitted. "Though I was just a low-ranking priestess and you are who you are, I wanted you. You are…" She laughed softly. "You are everything I imagined you to be and more. Strong and pure and true. Even now you fight for us. When I thought you had run, it cut me deeper than any mortal wound. Because it was like you were suddenly an enemy who had slain the idea of my precious Queen."

Kikyo smiled. "When we return to Higurashi, things will be different. You and I will no longer be separated by custom and birth. I will restore Higurashi and you will be my chief advisor."

Her black pearl eyes glowed. "I will follow you until the end of days, my Queen."

O\o/O

For the first time in his life, Sesshomaru was accompanied by a guard when he visited his father. And it wasn't even that annoying shadow of his, either. The popular opinion was that the shadow status made them too close, even though he found no need for such a companion. It wasn't like he was his weak and stupid brother. Even if they did think he had orchestrated the poisoning of his father, what was a guard going to do? He'd smash him like a bug.

"Sesshomaru…" Toga said. His voice was so faint it was like he was already a ghost. He looked like one too, pale and wasting away.

Izayoi was lying at his side in the bed, face pinched with worry. Toga began to cough and it shook the whole bed. He only seemed to get some relief when Izayoi held his hand in hers and brought it to her lips.

"Leave us, my love. Keep Sesshomaru's guard company. My son and I must talk."

The queen kissed his lips tenderly and lingered, like she thought this might be her last chance to do so. With a small smile at Sesshomaru, she took the guard by the arm and distracted him with prattling talk about painting the dragons in the Inu royal colors for Inuyasha's betrothal balls.

"Father," Sesshomaru said with a nod.

"Have a seat, my son."

Sesshomaru did so. Before he could say what he had come to say, his father began to talk. Since it seemed to take him such effort, Sesshomaru didn't try to interrupt.

"You know I was not born to wear the crown," the emperor said. "My older brother was. The first Sesshomaru." A smile ghosted his lips. "He was everything I was not. He loved war and was always looking for another stronger foe. I preferred my studies and the discipline of training without stakes. As Izayoi recognized at first glance, it was the dance I preferred. But he liked to draw blood. A true son of Inu.

"Your mother loved him. Everyone did, but she was mad for him. When they were betrothed, she fainted with joy, and she is not exactly a delicate woman. But the way he treated her was the way you treat your own wife. By the time they were to be wed, it was too late. Sesshomaru had found a lover and he would not let her go for anything.

"She was a human, like your Rin. A girl from one of the human noble families. They were more abundant then. Her parents brought her to a terrestrial festival we attended. He took one look at her and he was not the same man. He brought her to the palace, decorated a room for her in splendor, and locked her away. To tell you the truth, I never knew if she returned his feelings. That didn't seem to matter to him.

"Everything went to hell in less than a year. In a few short months, she was pregnant. Then she was dead along with her unbirthed babies. He tried to use the sword of Tenseiga on her but it didn't work. She didn't want to return. Sesshomaru went mad and slaughtered a thousand ancient demons, thinking he could win the power to force her back. Instead, he challenged the wrong dragon and it wounded him in a way he would never recover from. Rather than succumb to his injuries or live as a cripple, in his pride he took his own life.

"You are so much like him." His voice was pained. "You are the living and breathing copy of him. If I didn't know better, I would think you were his son instead. You have always seemed more his than mine. As you aged, it got harder for me to even look at you. If that is why I doted on your brother, then so be it. But never doubt that I love you, my son. If I kept you away from the battlefield and your rightful place, it is because I remember a past no one wishes repeated. If I forced you to marry a demoness you didn't love, it is because I felt that this was best.

"But I was wrong." It was the first time he had ever heard him say that. "You need to make her your own. Claim Rin. It is the only way you will both remain alive. Do not be like the first Sesshomaru. He struggled against his desire first and then resisted out of consideration of his duty. When he acted on his feelings, his passion was frightening to her. It led to him losing her and then losing even his own mind. You must not walk the same path."

"You must recover, Father," Sesshomaru said now that Toga's speech seemed to be at an end. "They believe Rin did this to you, but we both know it was not her. Not in truth."

Toga sighed. "You know as well as I do that we do not absolve the fatal arrow simply because it is not the archer. It is the law. The only way you can change it is if you become stronger and take your birthright. I am too weak. Anything I attempt now will be struck down instantly. You might not have your brother's natural charisma and leadership qualities, but you must gather an army. Now, people will only follow you so far for your title. When they see you believe what you say, then you will own your royalty. Until then, Inuyasha will sit on the throne."

His word was final.

Toga continued, "Please bring Izayoi back. I cannot find rest unless she is with me."

It seemed that the moment called for something more, but Sesshomaru had said what he had come there to say and so considered his errand finished. The lesson of his departed uncle was lost on him. He was not some revenant, a dead fool. If his father had wanted to try and bond with him, then he should have done it an age ago. This wan-faced recitation was the most Toga had said to him in years.

None of that mattered. Rin was his now in a way he had never thought could be. Anything could be overcome to make a future with her come to be.

O\o/O

Inuyasha glared at the closed door behind which his—his what?—his Kagome was being primped and pampered by his mother's personal servants. Used to the queen's "eccentricities", they were nowhere near as snobby as the empress' ladies in waiting.

"I hate this," he said petulantly.

Izayoi laughed and patted him on the head like he was a toddler and she was trying to avoid a tantrum.

"It's your Kanayama, my puppy. You should have your friends there."

"She's not my friend, Mom! She's my— Fuck, she's mine."

"But you are not hers."

The two of them sat in silence at that.

"Do we even have a choice when it comes to who we belong to?" he said quietly.

"You always knew you couldn't keep her," she said, face soft in sympathy. "Not the way you are together now. You will be marrying a powerful woman. Her family will make sure there will be consequences if you embarrass her. Best to start ending things now. And seeing her have fun at your Kanayama with the rest of your friends will make things easier."

"There'll be consequences if anyone tries to separate me an' her." Especially for him because Kagome would be pissed.

"Go on to your party, puppy. I'll see your friend there."

Inuyasha reluctantly got to his feet, trusting his mother just enough to leave her alone with his most precious possession.

"…Don't let her get hurt," he said. "I'm going to do my duty for Inu, like always, but I don't want her to be another casualty in our war against the rest of the world."

Izayoi smirked. "I think Kagome is stronger than you give her credit for."

"Just please tell one of your servants to keep an eye on her and escort her out quietly if she seems upset."

"You're going to be late to your own party!" She made shooing motions with her hands. "Let me deal with her. Have fun!"

Izayoi waited until Inuyasha was out of her chambers and around a corner before she entered the room where her ladies were putting the finishing touches on her son's lady.

"You look beautiful, my dear," Izayoi gushed.

Kagome smiled stiffly at her, looking uncomfortable as someone applied small red jewels above her brows.

"Thank you," she said. "Are you sure you want to lend me such a fine gown? I'd be happy to wear something a little less…less."

Her bright eyes glanced down and cringed at seeing the transparent scarlet material that clung to her, literally chained to her body with gold that wrapped around her waist and crossed her chest in an X between her breasts before coming up to wrap around her neck.

"No, you're too stunning. I couldn't possibly deprive everyone's eyes of seeing you like this. That would be the height of thievery!"

The girl relaxed a little and her smile looked more genuine. "Okay. Just for one night."

"Did Inuyasha tell you what a Kanayama is about?"

She shook her head. "He just said it was a party, and I know he doesn't want me there, so I have to be there."

"A Kanayama festival is a young Inu's ascent to real manhood. For men of rank, it's even more. Inuyasha will be displaying his virility and masculine prowess as well as observing the traits he wants in a mate." Her hands fluttered up to Kagome's neck. "Let me take that collar off, it clashes."

Kagome's hands flew up and caught hers. She seemed to catch herself and blushed. "Sorry."

Izayoi raised a brow. "You want to keep that on? Inuyasha said he'd get you a new one, but if you're sentimental…"

"No! It's okay."

The collar came off easily. "If this had been active, only Inuyasha could have done that. Now any Inu can. Even so, it says a lot that he was willing to let this go sooner than you were."

"I wasn't thinking!" Kagome said quickly. "Throw it away for all I care."

"I wouldn't want to see you digging through the refuse pile. I'll keep this for you while you're at the party."

"You're not coming?"

"I'll see you there but I won't be participating." Her cheerful disposition faded. "My husband is not faring as well as we'd hoped."

"I'm sorry," she said, putting a hand on hers. "Of course you'd want to spend as much time with your beloved as possible."

"Like you and Inuyasha." It was a statement though said with a spark of mischief.

Kagome was done protesting. One of the ladies in waiting brought a mirror to her and her kohl-lined eyes went wide.

"I don't even recognize myself." She ran a hand down her high ponytail, her waves smooth and shining.

"The rest of us do," Izayoi said. "This is the you we have seen all along."

She stared at herself in wonder. Izayoi clapped her hands, disrupting her trance.

"Come along. Time to make our grand entrance."

Arm in arm, Izayoi and Kagome made their way to the ballroom without escorts. The halls seemed strangely hushed and they encountered few servants. Finally, they got to their destination. There was little noise behind the closed doors, a hush of anticipation.

"Announce me first," Izayoi said to the herald. "And then Lady Kagome."

With a nod the herald flung the doors open. Kagome stood to the side, just out of sight.

"Queen of the Inu and all our many realms and territories, both terrestrial and celestial, Izayoi."

Applause and calls of greeting and praise. When they died down, the herald gestured for her to enter.

"Lady Kagome."

At first, nothing. And then a roar of applause that stunned her so badly she stopped walking and just blinked at the crowd.

It seemed like everyone in the entire kingdom was there in the massive room. There were no dining table and chairs, so the festival didn't include a meal. There were some musicians in the corner but they weren't playing. Strangely enough, they were all blindfolded. In the center of the room was a fountain flowing with not water but a sparkling pink liquid. Inuyasha was standing next to it with his mother. She wanted to go to them, but she knew it wasn't her place, so instead she hung back. Everyone was looking at her, but she didn't care. It only mattered that Inuyasha was staring at her so hard that she felt even more naked than she already was.

Inuyasha couldn't believe that not only was she willingly—more or less—dressed like that but that she was dressed like that where others could see her. See the sweet curves of her body, those perky nipples, that delicious pussy he could still taste. His mouth watered for her and he hadn't even had a drink yet. There were over a hundred royal women in the room but everyone only had eyes for her. His lovely slave.

Wait, where the fuck was her collar?

He glared at his mother who smiled and pretended to be oblivious.

Izayoi took a goblet from her sleeve to the fountain and dipped it in its depths, raising her full cup to the crowd.

"A toast, to my future daughter-in-law." It seemed like she smiled directly at Kagome. "Whomever you may be. A woman is like a kingdom. You must fight for her and be ever watchful so she remains yours. And Inuyasha is nothing if not a warrior."

There were servants making the rounds with trays of the pink drink in the fountain. Kagome grabbed one and smiled in reflex at the waiter only to freeze when she saw it was Sango.

"So," the shadow said. "He invited you. And I had to resort to disguising myself as waitstaff to be able to see him for the first time in days."

Kagome shrugged, wishing she had something to cover herself up with. "He is the acting emperor now. He has a whole bunch of guards."

"It should still be me at his side. Not you."

Kagome downed the drink to avoid more conversation, completely missing Sango's mouth drop open in shock before she swiftly recovered.

"…Enjoy," she said, moving over to the next person.

Not once as the evening progressed did Inuyasha take his eyes off of Kagome. People were flocking to her. Kōga, that bastard, was jockeying for position and coming up in the lead. A half dozen other young male courtiers joined him. And even women were beginning to sidle up to her. Fuck, even some of his prospective wives had been drawn in.

And he had promised his mother he would mingle tonight.

Tsubaki was the only one who honestly seemed interested in him. "Have you given more thought to my offer, Emperor?" she purred. "You must have, since you allowed me out of my rooms tonight."

"Uh huh," he said, nostrils flaring in displeasure at the sight of Kōga saying something stupid enough that Kagome laughed in pity. It had to be pity, right? She didn't actually like him. Right?

The festivities only truly began when one man in a far corner couldn't take it anymore and threw his goblet on the ground, shattering it. He bent another man over a side table and entered him swiftly with the help of lube provided by a watchful servant. A woman nearly tore her skirts in pieces and climbed on the table where impaled man began to eat her out.

From there it seemed contagious. Several of the candidates for his bride swarmed him, lust in their gazes. Inuyasha was feeling it too, but he had been drinking Blood of Gula since he was in his teens. It was a strong potion that when taken in large quantities allowed those who consumed it to fall into a sleep that accelerated healing. But when watered down with alcohol, it became a powerful aphrodisiac. Most people took no more than a sip or two unless they were pros.

Had his mother told Kagome? How much did she drink?

Two bridal candidates tried to kiss him, turning his face this way and that. Three fought over his cock while another unbuttoned his shirt. Inuyasha craned his neck for a peek at Kagome. Where the fuck was she?

His mother had already left, thank the gods, but Inukimi had wandered in and was having her way with two of the waitstaff as well as the minister of finance and his mistress while his wife watched, hand between her legs.

Meanwhile, Kagome's heart was cracking into pieces.

No one had told her she would be forced to watch Inuyasha entertain other women tonight. Hold them like he held her. Kiss them like he kissed her. Smile at them like he smiled at her. The pain in her heart distracted her from the effects of the drink, but then the wave of sex made its way over to her. One of the women that she thought had been Inuyasha's intended smiled at her and was now wearing nothing but a pearl tiara.

"You have the most gorgeous breasts," she said, pupils dilated and skin shining with sweat. "May I taste them?"

Without getting her permission, the woman felt her up over her borrowed dress. The touch was more than electric and a hushed gasp left her lips at the forbidden feeling. She dragged a single fingernail down her nipple and Kagome shivered. Then her hot mouth closed around the tip of her other breast, her tongue making the fabric scrape against her nipple in a way that had her sopping wet.

"You're so beautiful, Kagome," the man she recognized as Kōga said. "Or is it Lady Kagome now? I don't know. Doesn't matter. Can I please have the honor of tasting your—"

Kagome grabbed him by the collar and brought him to her for a kiss. Fangs. He had fangs. Just like… She felt herself get wetter. His lips moved down her throat and then he too was sucking at her breast. Kagome threw her head back, watching through slit eyes as the two dark heads hungrily attacked her sensitive nipples. The woman was rougher than the man and Kagome put a hand on the back of her head, pressing her closer.

Everything felt like a dream. A hot and naughty dream. The music being played was foreign to her, the instruments and tunes completely different from anything they had in Higurashi. It swelled when the passion in the room did and was a perfect accompaniment, matching them and driving them on. Her head started to spin and she was grateful when Kōga knocked a probably priceless vase off a podium and put her on it instead. Then his face was between her thighs and her head was thrown back again, this time hitting the wall hard. She saw stars.

Hands were mauling her from all sides and it was a blur of faces and lips and cocks and breasts. Normally, she'd be scared of something like this. But something was stopping her from feeling that all the way. She did want to run, but more than that she wanted the people who were touching her to keep doing it.

"Fuck me," Kagome growled, grabbing the nearest person by the hair.

It happened to be Kōga.

He smiled at her like she was a goddess and he was chosen from among her worshippers to be initiated into a divine rite.

"Anything, my lady."

Distracted as he was and with his senses dulled by the drink, it took Inuyasha longer than he was comfortable with to catch sight of Kagome. When he finally did, he was so shocked he actually let Tsubaki start giving him head with that horrid lying mouth of hers.

Looking at her was like watching ants swarm a piece of sweet fruit ripened in the sun. She had so many partners. So many. And a crowd of onlookers besides, both masturbating and fucking to the sight of her.

But Kagome's eyes were closed, blind to the reaction she inspired in the lust-mad crowd. She gyrated her hips against a fair-haired man and woman who he was pretty sure were siblings pleasuring her with their mouths. Someone had given her a bottle of Gula and she drank from it deeply before pouring it down her now naked breasts. It ran between her legs and her lovers lapped it up eagerly. Others sipped from her breast, some sharing what she still held in her mouth. Kagome pulled Kōga to her and he pushed the others out of the way, cock aiming for her entrance.

What happened next was inevitable. His mother should have known there was no way in hell he was keeping that promise.

Tearing the false queen off his dick, he pushed and punched his way across the room, stumbling drunkenly and forgetting with a single leap he could soar over them all. He probably would have done it this way anyway. He wanted them to hurt. Wanted them to suffer for keeping him from her. He reached her in seconds and pulled out chunks of Kōga's hair when he ripped him away before he could get more than the tip of his cock inside her.

Inuyasha entered Kagome without warning and she moaned his name.

"That's right," he growled, voice hoarse. "No one else will ever fucking touch you." Kagome opened her eyes and looked at him surprised. He put a hand around her neck and squeezed hard enough to bruise while he kissed her. "There. Now you have a collar again."

Kagome gasped for breath, tears in her eyes. Suddenly, she looked pissed. One of her hands came up and she clocked him in the eye. Inuyasha cursed and they were falling down to the ground.

"You bastard!" she hissed while riding him. Her perfect pussy was gripping him so sweetly that his mouth fell open and he rocked up into her, making them both cry out. "I should kill you for bringing me here tonight."

"I told you not to come!" The double-entendre was lost on neither of them.

"I had to! You're trying to replace me."

He had to laugh at that. "Replace you? That's not even fucking possible." He put his hands on her hips and helped her ride him all the harder, both of them nearing their end. "I'd rather be a pauper and spend my days with you than a prince with a hundred of these others."

He couldn't tell if the tears in her eyes were from pleasure or sentiment. "Then don't you dare try to hide things from me ever again. Whatever happens, we're doing it together."

"Fuck yes," he grunted. "Get over here." He grabbed her by the throat again and brought her close to seal their vow with a kiss.

"Indeed," Inukimi said from the sidelines. "I believe the prince has chosen his dance partner for tonight, ladies and gentlemen." There was a disappointed groan from all those who had been hoping to get in the mix somehow with the two who were now crying out one another's names as they orgasmed. "You're all welcome to join me on the non-monogamous side of the room, however."

After a couple more rounds, Inuyasha was carrying Kagome down the hall. She smiled at him goofily, more drunk than anything else at this point. They had fucked the Gula out of their systems and it had been spectacular. His shirt was gone, never to be found again, and the fly of his trousers was irreparably damaged. Kagome was covered in bruises from lips to thighs. He kissed as many as he could reach and she giggled sleepily.

"I can walk, you know."

He smirked at her. "I don't think you're gonna be able to walk for a while, princess."

Instead of arguing, she made a rare choice and just rested her head against his shoulder. "Whatever. Let's go home."

She was dozing by the time they got to their door. Kagome wasn't sure if it was real or a drunken dream, but she thought she heard the queen greet them by their room.

"You look like you had fun, puppy," Izayoi said.

Inuyasha frowned at her but it was hard to do after all the smiling that night. "You did this on purpose, didn't you? You wanted me to make a choice and you wanted it to be her."

"I wanted you to do what you wanted." She shrugged. "I just always thought you took after me. We saw how you enjoyed your slaves and your harem, and we all agreed. But now I see how your slave has mastered you and I know you are your father's son after all." She grinned. "But that possessiveness you do get from me. I won't allow your father to even be alone with a female member of state. Sometimes he does it anyway just to get a beating."

That was the last thing he wanted to hear.

"Good night, Mom. Say hi to Father for me."

Kagome roused a little when he laid her in bed. She was naked, the dress in tatters somewhere in the ballroom but the chains remaining. Inuyasha tugged them off of her and she sleepily complied. He kissed her solar plexus like he always did lately, lingering like he was saying a prayer.

"No more," she said. "The alcohol is wearing off and I'm starting to realize you were right about the walking."

Inuyasha snickered and kicked off his pants, crawling into bed beside her. "Finally tired you out."

She nodded and he drew the covers over them. "You meant it, right? It wasn't just a sex thing?"

"What?"

"That we're in this together."

His arm came over her and he held her hand. "Forever."

Kagome fell asleep smiling, secure in the embrace of her captor, her prince, her Inuyasha.

O\o/O

"I have a surprise for you," Inuyasha said the moment she opened her eyes.

He tugged on her hand to get her out of bed and she laughed. "Am I allowed to get dressed first?"

"Fine," he said. "But hurry up!"

Since he was so excited, she did as he asked without arguing too much. After the events of last night, which were an embarrassing blur to her, she chose an outfit that covered her the most and freshened up. Hand in hand, they went to the throne room, where there was already a huge assembly. It seemed like everyone who had been at the orgy last night was there plus more. Kagome tried to pull her hand away, but he held her fast, even bringing her a little closer.

"After last night, no way in hell you're getting away," he muttered to her.

Only whispers filled the room as Inuyasha walked to the throne. Though neither Izayoi nor Inukimi were there, Kagome knew enough not to ascend the dais and sit with him. Inuyasha pulled her up anyway and had her stand at his right hand.

"Bring forth the prisoners," he said in his emperor voice.

Tsubaki and the slave who had given her the piece of paper were presented in chains. Tsubaki looked mad enough to fight, but the other seemed the way Kikyo had. Like she had no hope.

"Tsubaki," Inuyasha said, "you are queen of nothing but lies." Grabbing Kagome's hand once again, he said. "My… Kagome here is from Higurashi, as you thought, and served the real queen herself. You are not her."

"Ridiculous!" Tsubaki responded at once. Her eyes flashed hatred at Kagome and it was so awful she took a step back. "I've never seen her before in my life! She's just a lying whore, your highness, a traitorous slut who sold herself to the Inu."

Inuyasha's eyes darkened and his grip on her hand strengthened. "If you had only lied about your identity, we would have simply imprisoned you. But for insulting Kagome, you will die."

Kagome opened her mouth to protest but Inuyasha gave her a look that warned her to remain silent. And when she thought about it, Kikyo would have said she deserved it.

"Prepare the stake here," Inuyasha ordered. As an afterthought, he said, "Bring the harem women and any prisoners we have in the dungeon. They should see this."

A flurry of activity erupted and no one was paying much attention to them.

"What are you doing?" she hissed.

"My duty." He refused to look at her.

"This is brutality, Inuyasha!"

"This is the Inu way. And weren't you cold? This should help."

The red carpet with gold fangs printed on it and trimmed in white that led to the throne was rolled up. Wood was piled in the center and servants used long poles with hooks to open the high windows. It was suddenly bitterly cold. More than ever.

When the execution site was properly assembled, Tsubaki and the slave were lashed to the stakes. Tsubaki cursed and fought and struggled but got nowhere, her magic nullified in the Inu palace. The other one looked around for someone, the first real signs of comprehension she had displayed. When a group of women were led in, she saw who she wanted to see, and so did Kagome.

"Kikyo!" she called out. Kagome tried to go to her, but Inuyasha held her back.

"Your place is by my side."

But her sister did not look at her. She only looked at the stake, face pale and eyes hard.

Inuyasha got up and left her at the dais. One of the servants handed him a torch and he held it aloft.

"Witness the might of the Inu," he said, voice resounding in the quiet room. "Our enemies will be vanquished, legitimate or no."

He threw the torch on the pyre.

Tsubaki started screaming before the flames had even come near her. The sounds she made were horrible, inhuman. The other woman just cried, her tears seeming to be more from the smoke than anything else.

Those assembled crowded the fire, laughing and pointing and shouting jeering insults. Like it wasn't enough to kill their bodies but they must crush their souls as well. Kagome felt like each one of them was for her. Because if Inuyasha knew who she really was, it would be. She was seeing her future in the flames.

Inuyasha bounded back to her, a grin on his face that left only when he noticed her tears.

"Hey, what's wrong? Is it the smell? Dead liars stink pretty bad."

She said nothing. Too much was wrong for her to even begin to start. Instead, she just hid herself in her cruel master's chest. His arms came around her in an attempt to comfort her. Kagome cursed herself for being so stupid. Why hadn't she just lied and told him Tsubaki was the Queen? Then Inuyasha would stop looking for her and Kikyo and no one would have had to die.

His arms left her and she looked at him in question. Inuyasha was smiling at her in that soft way again but it was so out of place that it looked horrible to her. Out of his trouser pocket he brought a delicate chain of pale gold from which hung multiple flawless sapphires. He fastened it around her neck and the promised collar was so cold it burned.

"My lady Kagome," Kōga said as he swaggered over. He wore a grin he surely thought was winsome but was unwelcome when accompanied by the sounds of dying women. "You are looking quite ravishing today. We were interrupted, but if you ever want to try again, with or without Gula, I'll be waiting."

Inuyasha looked like he was going to throw Kōga on top of the fire too but then his expression blanked and rearranged itself into something almost cordial.

"Why don't you meet me in my office this afternoon. I'll send a servant with an official summons."

Kōga looked more scared of a meeting than a brawl, but he nodded.

"I think they're dead," he remarked flatly a few torturous moments later. "C'mon, let's go back to our rooms. You look ill. Too much smoke."

Kagome tried to get her sister's attention as they passed her but she was focused on the flames, watching unblinkingly. The way she looked told her that she was going to watch until the last ash was swept away. Was she angry at her?

Was the only one who truly cared for her now the demon who had burned two women in front of her?

Her tears were gone by the time they were back at their place but the ache in her chest remained.

"I'm going to see Father soon. I'll tell him about our plans to marry."

"What? What plans?"

"The ones I'm about to tell you." He sat her down on the bed and began to pace, animated with a kind of feverish excitement in his eyes that she once would have found endearing but now frightened her. "I told you I'd rather have you than anyone else, and I know no other man could ever compare to me. So here's the plan: you marry Kōga."

She reacted with silence. Too hurt and stunned to even cry. "A-are you really getting rid of me this time?"

"Fuck no!" He stopped in front of her and took her hands, eyes imploring her to listen. "Nothing would change. You would never live with him. But Kōga is a lesser noble, though he is a prince of his mountain tribe. According to their law, which Inu law respects, he can marry you. And if he marries you, you would no longer be a slave. More than that, you'd have a title."

"What makes you think Kōga would want to marry me in the first place?"

He barked out a humorless laugh. "Kōga might be an idiot, but he was never careless before. He never would have challenged me over anything in the past, just woulda made a big stink before running away. But he would fight for you. I've seen the difference when he looks at you." He started to pace again. "He's Sesshomaru's shadow but he never uses him. He does dangerous shit all the time and goes on the riskiest missions. He dies a few months after your marriage, you keep the title, and I tell Father that Inu is strong enough that we don't need to look outside our lands for allies."

"I…I don't know…"

Inuyasha bent down to give her a swift, encouraging kiss. "I'm just a second son, Kagome. If they wanted a kid who was gonna do whatever they wanted all the time, they shoulda had more Sesshomarus."

"But what makes you think Kōga is going to die?"

He smiled and kissed her again. "No matter what I do to you, you are always innocent. We would get creative, Kagome. A hunting accident. Maybe he gets sent to the frontlines and is killed by friendly fire if our enemies don't do their job. I don't know, we'll think of it later."

"That's murder. You mean murder. You want to murder Kōga." She got to her feet and hugged herself, facing away from him. So cold. Now even he was cold. "What has happened to you, Inuyasha?"

"Don't tell me you actually like the moron," he said with more than a hint of jealousy. "Does his tongue work better between your lips than his own or something because the man is a fuckin' embarrassment to our species."

"It's not like that! I don't have to be attracted to someone to not want to murder them."

Inuyasha's hands fell on her shoulders and he turned her around. When she refused to meet his gaze, he took her chin between thumb and forefinger and made her look.

"How many men do you think I've killed, Kagome?"

"I don't know. I don't like to think about it."

"I have led armies. I have flattened villages and kingdoms. I led the charge against Higurashi." His golden gaze was hard but also pleading. "Me. That's who I am. You don't get to only have one side of me, Kagome. You are going to get all of me. And I want all of you no matter what you want. I am strong enough to find a way for us to be together, are you?"

Kagome felt sick. "If it's the throne that made you this way, I'd rather have you as a peasant too like you said last night."

His forehead touched hers and his lips chased her mouth for a kiss, forcing her to accept him. "You and I both know that can never be. But that doesn't mean we cannot be together. I am never giving you up, Kagome. Not until the flame we ignited between us burns to ash, and that will never be."

"But murder?" she whispered. "He's innocent!"

"Enough of that," he ordered, stepping away. "I need to go about my duties for the day. The first of the bridal balls will be tonight. I will announce your engagement at the start. There's a new dress being brought for you and Mother will be by to escort you again."

Inuyasha left her with a kiss to the cheek. Her knees went weak and she collapsed in a chair. Once, he had sat here and she had squirmed in his lap, desperate for his touch but too proud to allow herself to beg. Where had that Kagome gone? The one who would rather die than be leashed to a dog?

He was just as horrible as all the stories of demons she had been told as a child.

She did not know how long she sat there, but soon some maids came in. They bathed her and made her up and dressed her in a gown that shone like the stars and was obviously inspired by her new collar. Though she didn't respond to her chatter, that didn't seem to bother the servants any. They continued to talk amongst themselves. How many other women of the court were like this? Catatonic with helplessness and grief.

The only one who hadn't been a part of the system or lost in it had been Rin.

"Beautiful as ever," the maid said, setting a circlet that matched her collar on top of her braided updo. "You are all anyone is talking about these days. No one's made this much of a stir since the queen herself."

"Speaking of the queen, she is running a little late," another servant said. "The emperor had a terrible coughing fit."

"We could see you to the ballroom, my lady."

Kagome smiled at them. "No, you two go enjoy the festivities. I'll wait for the queen. I've been wanting to talk to her anyway."

The two of them bowed and scurried off with smiles, eager to drink whatever Gula remained in the servant's quarters. Kagome waited a few minutes and when Izayoi didn't open the door, she made the kind of decision she was best known for: one without thought.

It had been a long time since she had last been in the dungeon. When Inuyasha had taken her from there, she had been unconscious. But she was getting to know her way around the massive palace lately so she sort of had an idea where she was going. Most everyone was already at the ball and the few servants she encountered were used to seeing her by now. After a few minutes, she finally found the right door and she stepped carefully down the dark steps, the filmy material of her gown held in sweaty fists so she would not trip.

Was it always this many steps? Kagome was out of breath and it felt like she had been walking forever. When she had been brought to the dungeon it hadn't seemed quite such a long walk. And why was it so dark? There were fewer and fewer torches lining the walls as she went down so she grabbed one, unsure if there would be enough to light her way going forward.

Finally, there were no more stairs.

Kagome looked around in confusion. Where in the veiled name of the Goddess was she? There were no cells and even her torch did not seem to provide much light with the kind of stale, deep darkness that was down here.

"Rin?" she questioned in a loud whisper. "Rin, it's me. Kagome. I'm here to set you free. Everyone is at the ball. We can leave together."

Nothing.

Then a voice from the darkness. "…Kagome?"

She froze. That was a man. "Uh, s-sorry, I made a mistake—"

"Come closer, child. It has been an age since I have seen another soul."

That was pitiful indeed. Kagome's hatred for the Inu had been rekindled along with the burning that was still fresh in her mind. Going towards the voice, she held the torch aloft so she could be some small comfort to what had to be yet another wrongly imprisoned person.

There indeed were no cells in the massive dungeon. It was all just one room, and when her torch lit up the sole inhabitant, she screamed.

It was a dragon.

But not like the dragons the Inu rode. This was a dragon like the one from her storybooks. The kind that had fled the earth for the high heavens and depths of the seas long ago. He was scaly and massive with a fearsome face, a human-looking second face in the center of his brow.

"A girl. Human girl," it said.

Was it her imagination or did he sound hungry?

"S-sorry to intrude," Kagome said. "I was looking for my friend and I got lost."

"You spoke of freeing her. Is your friend imprisoned?"

Kagome nodded. "Yes. I really must go to her…"

The human face tsked. "The Inu are still up to their old tricks. It had been well over a thousand years by my count and yet still I remain here, unmoving, abandoned and forgotten. I was collared by the first queen of Higurashi herself, Tsukiyomi, before there even was a Higurashi. You smell like her."

"I am from Higurashi," she said simply.

"Child, you are Higurashi. My nose does not lie." The human face cracked its lips in what it must have thought was a smile but seemed more like a threat. "You are of her line. You have her power in you. One touch and I could go free. And I would take you and your friend with me."

That was an interesting proposition. "Why did the Inu lock you down here?"

"Ah, that." He sounded sad rather than angry. "The brother of the current emperor challenged me to a duel to the death. I did not want to participate. But he struck blow after blow after blow and so I had to fight back. And I won. The Inu don't like it when you beat them."

That was true. "Okay," Kagome nodded. "If I can free you, will you promise to take my friend and I away from here?"

"You have my word, Kagome."

The collar that circled the dragon's neck was ancient and rusty. It was etched with runes that she recognized as being sacred to the goddess. Only priestesses were allowed to read such things. That ignited an old resentment in Kagome and she tugged on the collar.

It came apart instantly.

The dragon growled and she knew she had made a terrible mistake. Its beast mouth opened wide and swept her up in it. Then they were flying.

O\o/O

Inuyasha impatiently tapped his finger against the wall. He had been making the musicians play the same song over and over again, the one that Kagome had said she'd liked at one of the business dinners they had gone to. The sooner he announced her impending marriage to an annoyingly enthusiastic Kōga, the sooner they could get on with their lives.

Izayoi finally arrived but there was no girl shining in sapphires and gold with her.

"Where's Kagome?" he said without even greeting her.

"She's not here already?" Her brow creased in worried confusion. "When I went by her room, she was gone. I assumed she went without me. Perhaps she's lost?"

Screams sounded outside the ballroom and guards poured in. The guests whispered amongst themselves at what could be happening. Had the emperor died? Had the crown prince killed someone else and pinned it on yet another servant?

"Ryūkotsusei has escaped!"

His gut sank. Inuyasha knew where Kagome had gone.

Note: There is a Halloween shotweek collab with Heartrush/Doginabirdcage over on Ao3. Give it a look!

So it's been over a year since I've updated. A few of you have been asking if I'm okay, and I mostly am. I've been very busy with work and round 2 of an old boyfriend and various illnesses (including Covid) and the person I love most and built my life around died and I no longer know what to do with myself. It's been pretty generally awful, but I'm thankful for what I have left. And that includes you guys. I'm looking forward to the ride this story has in store and I hope you'll come along.