InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Slave to No One ❯ Chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )

Chapter 12

 

It has been four days since Shippo had visited her in her room. Four days since she had sent a letter to her Inuyasha asking him to be here tonight at the formal dinner. She had hoped to get word back that he was coming, but sadly none had come.

 

The dinner was to be held tonigh as every high-ranking official was invited to the occasion. She still had no idea why she had been kept in her room all these days. Her parents were nowhere to be found.

 

She was sitting by the window dreaming about Inuyasha when she heard her door unlock. She turned her head towards the door and saw one of the servants enter her room with a beautiful dress that the she hung on a hook on her closet door.

 

Kagome raised an eyebrow at the servant and asked, “What's that for?”

 

The servant turned and curtsied as she said, “My lady, your mother has sent this dress for you to wear for the dinner tonight. She requests that you get ready to go.” The servant turned and left her room while she locked the door behind her.

 

Kagome got up and went to look at the dress. It was a full-length gown. It was a pale pink in color and it was low cut to show enough cleavage to entice even the married men. The arms of the dress would sit slightly off her shoulders. It looked like it would hug the top part of her body fairly well while it gathered around the waist and flared out. It was a beautiful dress but she had no desire to wear it. She went back to sitting by the window to contemplate her life.

 

A while later Kagome heard her door unlock again and saw her mother enter her room. Kagome quickly got to her feet as her mother came in wearing a gorgeous blue gown. Her mother looked at her and asked, “Why haven't you dressed yet? The dinner is going to start in a couple of hours and you have to get ready.”

 

Kagome stood her ground as she said, “I want to know what's going on. I want to know why I have been kept here under lock and key.”

 

The Queen sighed; she knew that she would have to explain what was going on to her stubborn daughter. “Kagome, the reason you have been kept under lock and key was to make sure you would attend tonight's dinner. We have given you every opportunity to find a suitor and you have rejected everyone that has come calling. Your father has taken it upon himself to find you a husband. This marriage will benefit the kingdom and will enhance our blood line.”

 

Kagome couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her father had found her a betrothed, `How dare my father think that I would marry anyone that he chooses for me. I will make that choice not him.' Thought Kagome with rage.

 

She looked at her mother and said, “Why didn't anyone ask me if I would consent to this marriage? And what makes you think that I haven't found a suitor?”

 

The Queen looked at her daughter and said, “You have found a suitor? Who is he?”

 

Kagome sighed as she said, “Mother, I love him and he makes me happy. I have met his family and they accept me with open arms. I was going to tell you both and bring him here to introduce him to you, but you chose to bring me here and keep me locked up like I was some sort of criminal.”

 

Kagome temper was flaring as she continued; “I have no idea where he is right now because I haven't seen him since I've been here. I'm sure that he is looking for me.”

 

The Queen sighed as she said, “That's fine Kagome but right now you have to get dressed to go to the dinner. I will expect you to be ready in an hour's time. If you aren't ready then I will send in some servants that will help you get dressed and make you look presentable for our guest.”

 

The look on her mothers face was one that said, `Do it or you'll regret it,' as she saw her mother walking out of her room.

 

Kagome had no choice she had to get dressed to go to this stupid dinner. Her only consolation was that maybe Inuyasha would show up and drag her away from all of this.

 

Kagome sighed as she went towards her bathroom to take a shower and prepare to go to the dinner.

 

~oOo~

 

The group that had left the Western Lands had been traveling through the woods until they reached the outskirts of the city. They all put on the rings that Miroku had given them as the concealment spell was activated. Everyone's demon features were hidden from the humans view as the group emerged from the forest and they walked towards three cars that were waiting for them.

 

Inuyasha looked on in awe when he saw the cars. There was one that was very long with the other two being of normal size. Inuyasha followed his father as he saw Miroku standing by the long car and he said, “All of the preparations have been made and everyone is in place.”

 

Inutaisho inclined his head towards Miroku indicating that he understood as he got in the stretch limousine. Inuyasha followed closely behind his father, as Miroku was the last one to enter the car. The man standing by the door shut it as he got in the front seat next to the driver and the cars started to move.

 

Inuyasha just stared out the window not saying a word as the cars drove toward the most expensive hotel in the area. When the cars stopped everyone got out as they entered the building, where they were greeted with respect by the hotel staff.

 

They took everyone to the top floor of the hotel, which they had rented for the occasion and were shown to their rooms. The hotel manager had bowed profusely, making sure that they understood that if he could do anything to make their stay more pleasant then all they had to do was ask, as he left them to their accommodations.

 

Inuyasha walked over to the picture window that looked out over the city. The view was breathtaking as you can see the whole city from up here.

 

Inutaisho came over to stand next to his son as he said; “We have rented the entire floor so we could have our people here. We have put your formal wear in your room. We will be leaving here in about two hours to go to this dinner, I will expect you to be ready by this time.”

 

Inuyasha inclined his head to his father as a silent statement that he understood and turned to go into his room to get ready.

 

Inutaisho seeing that his son had yet to even speak to him said, “Inuyasha? What's wrong? You haven't spoken to me since the day that Kagome sent you that letter.”

 

Inuyasha lowered his head as he tried to speak to his father. When he found his voice, after about four days of not using it, it was rough as he said, “Thank you for going through all this trouble to get Kagome back for me. I figured that if I kept my mouth shut I wouldn't piss you off.” He then turned and headed towards his room to get ready.

 

Inutaisho looked at his son's retreating form and he started to laugh. `Well at least he was honest in his answer to me,' as he too turned and went to get dressed.

 

The time had come for them to leave to go to the dinner. Inuyasha came out of his room wearing a formal black Haorihakama with a pure white silk Juban underneath and black shoes, he hated the shoes but for Kagome he would wear them. His father was dressed in much the same way as he was; only he carried himself with authority being the Lord of the Western Land.

 

He looked at his son and smiled at the way he looked. For once he looked presentable and he actually had shoes on. I guess being smitten with Kagome will make him do anything to gain her favor.

 

The group left the top floor as they walked out of the hotel to the awaiting cars out front. When everyone had gotten into their respective vehicles they took off towards where the dinner was to be held.

 

Inutaisho leaned over to his son and said, “I should tell you that they're expecting us.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes went wide as he said, “They're expecting us? How do they know we're coming?”

 

Inutaisho laughed as he said, “I planned all this. They don't know that we're demons, well at least not yet. They think that we are a high-ranking family from the west who wish to seek allegiance with them.”

 

Inuyasha had to smile, leave it up to his father to get around all of the bureaucratic bullshit to get them into places. But then he thought of something he had said that caught his attention and he asked, “What was the part about them not knowing we were demons yet?”

 

Inutaisho smiled and said, “If you want to mate with the girl then her father must agree to the union of a demon and human. It's the only way that you two will be truly happy.”

 

Inuyasha nodded his understanding of the situation as he turned his attention back to the window and thought about seeing his Kagome once again. He missed her terribly but he will soon get to hold her in his arms.

 

~oOo~

 

Kagome was fully dressed as her mother came back to her room to get her. The dress she had picked out for her daughter looked beautiful on her. She walked into the room and approached her daughter as she said, “Kagome, I have something for you to wear for tonight.”

 

When her mother opened the palm of her hand she had a beautiful necklace in it. It had diamonds all the way around the necklace but the most beautiful stone was the one in the middle. No one knew what kind of stone it was but it held an energy all its own. It shined a beautiful blue when held towards the light and it was the size of a large grape. It sat perfectly in the middle of the necklace as her mother put it around her neck.

 

When the Queen stepped back to look at her daughter she was amazed at how beautiful she looked. She carried herself better than she ever could and she commanded respect. She inclined her head towards her daughter as she said, “Follow me,” and left her room.

 

Kagome sighed as she followed her mother to the dinner. She was hoping that her father would forget about the arrangement he had made for her and she hoped with all her heart that she would get to see her Inuyasha there tonight.

 

The guest started to arrive as Kagome was forced into the receiving line to meet them all. She hated being there as she kept a fake smile plastered on her face as people after people filed past her in greeting.

 

As Kagome was greeting the guest she came upon a person she wished she would never see again.

 

Hojo stepped up and said, “Good evening princess, nice to see you again.” He grabbed her hand and planted a wet kiss on the back of her hand. Kagome was disgusted and said to her mother, “Mom, I'll be back in a few minutes,” as she stepped away from the receiving line to go wash her hand from the slobber he had left.

 

No sooner than Kagome had left the receiving line than Inutaisho and his party arrived at the dinner. They went through the line and greeted the King and Queen as he said, “Hello my name is Inutaisho and this is my son Inuyasha.”

 

The King hearing the name beamed with joy as he said, “I'm glad that you were able to make it to the dinner. I hope to talk to you a little later.”

 

Inutaisho inclined his head indicating that he would be honored as he continued to go down the line.

 

Inuyasha picked up on Kagome scent but she wasn't there. His heart dropped knowing that he had just missed her.

 

The group made it through the receiving line when Miroku walked up to them with Sango hanging on his arm. He bowed as he said, “Lord Inutaisho I want you to meet Sango she is a good friend of mine and the reason I travel to this area quite often.”

 

Inutaisho smiled as he looked at Miroku and then turned his attention to the girl and said, “So you're the reason I can't keep him at home to do business. Well can't say I blame him you are lovely my dear.”

 

Sango blushed a deep red as she heard the compliment given to her by Miroku's employer. She looked at the young man standing next to him and said, “Have we met before? Because you look familiar to me.”

 

Inuyasha had to do some quick thinking as he said, “I'm sorry but I don't think that I have meet you before. I rarely leave my home.”

 

Sango smiled as she heard his reply and then Miroku was pulling her away to meet someone else.

 

Inuyasha breathed a sigh of relief when she walked away. He was irritated that Miroku would bring her over to introduce her to his father. She was the only person that could identify him.

 

Inutaisho leaned over and asked, “Is something wrong?”

 

Inuyasha said in a very low voice that only he could hear, “She's the only one that would know who I am. She has seen me before and I protected her when they tried to kill Kagome before.”

 

Inutaisho nodded his head in understanding as he stood straight and looked around the area. He did it out of habit as he caught sight of someone in the near distance. He nudged his son in the ribs as he pointed with his head towards the person he was looking at.

 

Inuyasha turned in the indicated direction and his heart leaped, there stood the love of his life and she was gorgeous. The dress she had on was beautiful and it brought out her beauty even more. He saw her mating mark on her shoulder but he also saw the spell that covered it, so no one else could see it. His heart sank just a little as he turned away from her.

 

Inutaisho pulled his son over to the side and said, “Inuyasha, don't take her hiding the mating mark as personal. She still has it, which means that your bond with her is still strong. She could've just healed it completely and no one would've ever seen it. But she chose to keep it and just use a spell so no one else would see it unless they were a demon.”

 

His father had a point she still had it so that meant that she still loved him.

 

All of the guests had finally arrived as the royal family moved toward the front of the room. They stepped up onto a low platform that allowed them to see everyone.

 

King Higurashi cleared his throat as the room fell quite. He looked at everyone present and then he said, “I wanted to thank everyone for attending the dinner tonight. I'm pleased to announce that I have arranged for my daughter Kagome to be wed to Hojo of the northern clan. I think that this union will be of benefit to all here.”

 

Kagome was shocked. She couldn't believe that her father wanted her to marry that asshole who has been after her for the past four years. She looked at her father with anger in her eyes as her mother put a hand on her arm and shook her head no. Effectively telling her not to say anything.

 

Kagome temper was starting to rise. Her eyes turned a deeper blue as she glared daggers at her father.

 

Hojo had made it up to the platform and was now standing next to her father as he was waving his arm at the crowd.

 

Inuyasha upon hearing the announcement started to growl at the guy who had grabbed his mate that one day. Inutaisho placed a hand on his arm to calm him as they continued to listen.

 

King Higurashi had pulled Kagome next to him as he shoved her in Hojo's direction. He wanted her to smile but she refused.

 

Hojo looked down and said, “So Kagome, now that we're engaged you must learn to love me because we will be together for a long time.”

 

Kagome face turned white at the thought of being married to this jerk. Then she heard her father start to speak.

 

“If anyone objects to this union speak now or forever hold your peace.” Said her father.

 

Kagome was about to voice her own objections when she heard another more familiar voice answer for her.

 

“I object to this union.” Everyone turned to the voice that had spoken as they parted to allow the person to be seen by the king.

 

Inuyasha stepped forwards as he said again, “I object to this union on the grounds that she doesn't love this jerk. How can you marry your daughter to someone who is going to mistreat her for the rest of her life? I have seen what he is capable of and yet you want her to be unhappy.”

 

King Higurashi looked at the young man and recognized him as his guest from the west.

 

Then he heard his daughter say, “Inu… Inuyasha!”

 

As she jumped from the platform and rushed into his waiting arms, his arms closed around her as he held onto her for dear life. It felt good to have her in his arms again as the crowd around them started to talk.

 

King Higurashi didn't know what to do. Clearly his daughter knew this young man and he had come here in hopes of asking for her hand in marriage.

 

He cleared his throat as he said, “My apologies my dear friends but it seems to me that I need to talk to my daughter and her guest. If you'll excuse me we shall return momentarily.”

 

The king and his party left the platform as he walked towards his daughter and the young man that was holding her and said, “Will you two please follow me.”

 

Inuyasha looked at his father as his father nodded his head for him to follow. He followed behind the king while he kept Kagome close to him as his father and a few others joined them. They left the great hall and went into a smaller room where they could all talk about what just happened.

 

Inuyasha, his father, Kagome and the rest of their group where on one side of the room as Kagome's family and Hojo were on the other side of the room. They looked at one another as the king decided to break the silence.

 

“Now, will someone please tell me what is going on?” He said with anger in his voice. He hated to be made a fool of in front of his people.

 

Kagome release Inuyasha as she turned around and said, “How dare you betrothed me to that jerk! I told you once father that I would marry for love and nothing else. I don't care what your great plans are for this kingdom but this is my life you're messing with.”

 

King Higurashi had never seen his daughter this mad before. She had never spoken back to him the way she was doing right now. He looked at her and said, “Kagome, you know that I only have your best interest at heart. Hojo said that he loved you and that you felt the same way about him. So I agreed to the union between you two and thought that it would bring our two lands closer together. I thought that this is what you wanted.”

 

Inuyasha started to growl as he said, “He loves her? Ha! He doesn't love her he lusts after her. Why don't you ask him what he did to her on the day of her finals that her slave had to step in to get him off your daughter.”

 

King Higurashi eyes opened wide as he turned towards Hojo and asked, “What is he talking about Hojo? What did you do to my daughter?”

 

Now there was a definite edge to his voice as a father defended his daughter. He hated being lied to more than being made a fool in front of all of his subjects. This young man was getting on his nerves.

 

Hojo couldn't answer his question as Kagome said, “Yes, Hojo why don't you tell my father why my companion almost ripped your head off. Why don't you tell him that I have repeatedly asked you to leave me alone because I wasn't interested in you, or the fact that you have grabbed me on several occasions and have hurt me!” She yelled at the paling face of her would be suitor.

 

Hojo couldn't believe what was happening. First he was engaged to Kagome now he was getting the third degree from her and everything that she and the guy standing next to her were saying they believed.

 

Hojo was backing away from the group as he sought the safety of the crowd out in the main reception area. He quickly turned and left the room as King Higurashi said, “Follow him and escort him off the premises, I don't want him to ever come near my daughter again.”

 

The guards bowed as they left the room to follow the young man and make sure that he left the area.

 

King Higurashi then turned to his daughter and said, “Kagome, I'm sorry, I should've asked you if everything he was saying was true. I wanted you to find someone that you could love and be happy with for the rest of your life, that I never thought about asking you.”

 

Kagome turned to her father and said, “Father, I have found someone that I love very much and I will tell you right now, whether you approve or not, I will be married to him. I don't care about taking over the thrown.

 

I want to live my life in peace and be happy with him. His father has already accepted me for who I am and has given his blessing. I only ask the same from you. Accept who I have chosen to be my husband.”

 

King Higurashi looked at his daughter and asked, “Who is this young man that has captured your heart? Is it him?” he said as he pointed toward Inuyasha.

 

Kagome nodded her head yes as she said, “Yes, Inuyasha is the person I have chosen to marry but there is something you have to know about him.” Kagome swallowed hard and said, “He's Prince Inuyasha of the Western Lands.”

 

King Higurashi eyes went wide as he said, “He's what? The Prince to the Western Lands?”

 

Kagome nodded her head yes as she said, “Inuyasha, can you remove the concealment spell please.”

 

Inuyasha smiled as he removed his ring and his demon features where shown. Kagome giggled as she reached for his ears and gently started to rub them. Inuyasha started to purr with delight as he put his arms around her waist and brought her closer to him.

 

King Higurashi had to sit down. This news was hard to take. He didn't know what to do as Inuyasha came forward and said, “Sir, I love your daughter. I will always protect her with my life, which I have already done and have kept her save. I'm asking you now, I want your daughter hand in marriage.”

 

Inuyasha waited for her father to come to his senses. He was having a hard time with him being a demon.

 

Kagome's mother had been watching from the side not saying a word as she stepped forward and said, “Do you promise to always love her and keep her happy for the rest of her life?”

 

Inuyasha didn't even hesitate as he said, “Yes.”

 

Kagome's mother smiled as she said, “I can tell that you love my daughter deeply and that you will always protect her. I give you my blessing.”

 

Kagome came towards her mother as she hugged her, while she said, “Thank you mother I really do love him.”

 

Inutaisho was standing off to the side as he observed everything that was going on. He saw that her father was having a hard time dealing with the situation as he stepped forward and took off his ring and addressed her father.

 

“King Higurashi, I am Lord Inutaisho, Lord of the Western Lands. I have no problems with your daughter marring my youngest son. I see no reason why you should have any problems with it. With them being married our two kingdoms will be united as one.

 

For years you have been fighting to get your people to treat demons with respect. When our two kingdoms combine we will be free to live in peace with each other. It's time that we put behind us everything that has happened in the past and start living for the future.” Said Inutaisho as he waited for the man to answer him.

 

King Higurashi looked up and met for the first time the Lord of the Western Lands. It was amazing because the Lord of the Western Lands never left the safety of his homeland to even travel into the human territory. But there he stood in front of him. He had come with his son to ask for his daughter hand in marriage.

 

He stood as he walked towards him and said, “You're right, we should start living for the future and forget about the past.” He said as he shook Inutaisho hand in a friendly jester.

 

King Higurashi then turned to his daughter and said, “Kagome, is this what you want? Do you love him that much that you want to be with him forever?”

 

Kagome turned to her father and said, “I do love him. He is the other half of my soul, the other side of me that I have been searching for. I love him and I want to be with him.”

 

He smiled at his daughter and said, “I give you my blessing my daughter. I hope that you will be happy together.”

 

Kagome went over to her father and hugged him as she said in his ear, “Thank you, daddy.”

 

When she let go of her father she walked over to Inuyasha and said, “Do you still want to have me as your mate?” and she gave him one of her most perfect smiles.

 

Inuyasha smiled and the only answer he gave her was the long and passionate kiss that they shared as she melted into his arms.

 

Her father cleared his throat in order to get them apart from each other as he turned to Inuyasha's father and said, “I guess I'm going to have to explain all this to the people out there. I would like for you to remain as you are. They have a right to know whom my daughter has chosen as her husband and that I have given my blessing for the union. Could you wait until I have announce the engagement to present yourselves?”

 

Inutaisho inclined his head towards him agreeing to his request as he left the room to go and address the people gathered there to have dinner.

 

King Higurashi walked back into the reception room, as he stepped up on the platform and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention again. Once everyone had quitted down he began.

 

“I'm sorry for the delay. I should've talked to my daughter before I made the previous announcement of her engagement to Hojo. This was a mistake I don't think that he would've treated my daughter very well and she has refused the union. But my daughter has brought me great news that she has found a suitor. He has asked for her hand in marriage and I have agreed to the union.

 

I'm pleased to announce the engagement of Princess Kagome and Prince Inuyasha, of the Western Lands.”

 

Everyone in the crowd gasped as the announcement was made. Inuyasha, Kagome, and his father made their appearance when the announcement was made in there true form.

 

The crowd was surprised by the announcement but they erupted in a loud applause for the happy couple. They accepted whom Kagome had chosen for her husband as they welcomed the union of both kingdoms.

 

~oOo~

 

All right, everyone has accepted whom Kagome has picked for her husband. The stage has been set for their marriage to one another. But trouble is coming. What can it be? Will they stop the marriage between Kagome and Inuyasha? You have to wait for the next chapter to find out.

 

This will be the last chapter for a while. I will be going on a business trip and won't return for a week. So, for all of you faithful readers when I come back I will post the next chapter. I hope to have the story completed by the time I come back from my trip. I know that you like the story but please be patient with me.

 

Remember to leave me a review and tell me what you think.

 

Until the next chapter!

 

Ja ne!