Marriage of Convenience by Marulover

Chapter 1

Okay, I couldn't wait to put this new story up for another week, so here is the first chapter!  

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Chapter 1

            “You want me to what?!” Sesshomaru exclaimed his voice rising.

            “Son, this has to be done if we’re to unite the humans and youkai.  The times are changing and the humans are starting to grow and take over more than we are.  Being a prince has its sacrifices.”

            Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, “I don’t understand why I have to marry a human.  InuYasha is already a half-breed make him do it.”

            “He is not the crowned prince, you are,” King Taisho said.

            Sesshomaru looked out the window at his future kingdom.  His father had been preparing him for many years to be king.  What he’d never been told was that he was going to have to marry a weak pathetic wench.  He detested humans.  Since his father had married InuYasha’s mother, Sesshomaru didn’t want anything to do with them.  Hell, he could barely handle InuYasha on his best days.

            Sesshomaru closed his eyes and pinched his nose to release the tension.  He opened his eyes when he felt his father approach.

            “I know this is hard for you to grasp, Sesshomaru.  Princess Kagome is an amazing creature, I’ve heard.  She will make a good wife.”

            “It doesn’t matter, father.  She’s still a wench!”  He turned to face his father, “I will do this only for political reasons.  Beyond that, don’t expect me to be happy.”

            Taisho nodded his head, “Thank you for that, Sesshomaru.  I know that’s a large compromise on your part.  I’ll take whatever you give me.”

            Sesshomaru nodded, “With your permission I’ll go out and scout the lands.”

            Taisho nodded his approval, “As long as you’re back by tomorrow.  She’ll arrive tomorrow!”

            Sesshomaru growled, “As you wish.”

            Taisho watched his son leave.  When the doors had shut, Taisho looked down at the floor.  He knew how Sesshomaru felt about humans and hoped this would help him.  His mother died and he’d married InuYasha’s mother.  Taisho had found contentment with InuYasha’s mother, he’d felt complete again.  Taisho hoped this young woman could do the same.

            The carriage had hit a hole for the hundredth time.  Kagome’s head hit the wall of the carriage and she immediately put her hand to her head.

            “Are you all right, milady?”  Kagome’s maid Sango asked.

            Kagome looked at her and grimaced, “I’ll be fine,” Kagome looked out the window, “We’ve been traveling for so long.”

            “Hai, I know.  It will be wonderful to get to the castle and sleep in a real bed again,” Sango replied.

            Kagome nodded and looked out at the landscape.  The whole way it had been beautiful.  She wondered what her new home would be like.  She hoped it would be nice.  Kagome remembered when her father had come to her asking to do this for their country.  Kagome had fought so hard against it.  She didn’t want to marry a man she didn’t know, much less a youkai.

            She also was secretly in love with a knight named Hojo.  Over the years he’d moved into her heart.  Now she had to leave him.  After her father had told her she had to do this, she had run to her grandmother Kaede.  Kaede had comforted her granddaughter and had sat her down and talked with her through all of this.  She had put it in terms for her to understand and now Kagome was here.

            Kagome looked down at her fingers.  She was now excited to meet new people.  To experience new things.  Before Kagome had left, she had gone to the library to find out as much as she could about her future husband’s people.  Their library didn’t have much, so she was resolved to learn as much as she could when she arrived.

            Kagome had tried to picture what her future husband would look like.  In the books she’d studied, she’d only seen them in their beast form; she didn’t quite grasp what he’d look like.  The books had said that they could take the form of humans.

            The rest of the day passed slowly and the two girls fell asleep dreaming about their new home.

            They arrived at the castle early in the morning.  Servants came out with torches and surrounded the carriage.  King Taisho came out to the large front doors waiting for his future daughter in-law.

            The first thing he noticed when Kagome exited the carriage was her stature.  Even after days of traveling she held her head high and walked to him with confidence.

            Even though Sesshomaru wasn’t here, as long as he’d be here by tonight to meet her at dinner was the only thing that mattered.

            Kagome walked up to him and bowed.  King Taisho bowed and replied, “I welcome you to my kingdom Princess Kagome.”

            “Thank you for your warm welcome, King Taisho.  I’m honored to be here,” she smiled.

            Taisho smiled back.  He already liked her, but wasn’t weighing much on his son.

            “You must be tired.  We will not expect you until dinner tonight.  You’ll meet my two sons.”

            “Kagome bowed again, “Thank you my King.”  A servant came and led Kagome to her rooms, Sango following behind her.

            Taisho smiled, ‘she would do.’

            Sesshomaru had been scouting his lands for a day now.  It was more to digest the news his father had sprung upon him.  He needed to control his emotions so when he met the wench at dinner he wouldn’t kill her.

            He couldn’t believe his father had done this to him!  He punched a tree making it shake.  Sesshomaru stared off into the forest.  This was to be all his, some day.  He had never really dreamed about who would rule with him, but it sure as hell wasn’t going to be a human!  He needed to let his frustration out.

            Sesshomaru smelled a demon nearby.  He ran through the forest and stopped when the smell stopped moving.  He faced a centipede demon.  This would be easy.  The demon approached him, and Sesshomaru’s fangs elongated.  The demon came closer and closer.  Sesshomaru stood stock still.  The demon attacked and with one fluid motion his poisonous whip flew out and split the demon in two.

            Sesshomaru watched as the pieces of the demon flew to the ground.  It didn’t help much, but it helped restrain him.  Sesshomaru looked to the east, the sun was rising and he knew he needed to return home, his father would want him there.

            Sesshomaru raced back to the castle.  He ran through the gates and came to the door.  He sniffed the air and could smell humans.  So she’d arrived.  Sesshomaru growled.

            He entered the castle to be met by Kagura.  She smiled at him, mischief in her eyes.

            “As you can already tell that human wench has arrived.”

            Sesshomaru growled.  “What do you think of her?”
            “She’s a pathetic ugly little thing.”

            Sesshomaru stared above her head, “I still cannot believe my father is making me marry a wench!”

            Kagura pulled him closer to her to get his attention.  She was the only one who was allowed to touch him without his permission.

            “Let’s not think of that.  Come with me to forget your problems for tonight,” she put her hand to his face.

            Sesshomaru looked down at her.  Whenever he slept with Kagura he’d be satisfied, but it would be so fleeting.  At least for tonight he could forget this one problem.  Sesshomaru nodded his head and Kagura led him to his room.

            Later in the day Kagome and Sango awoke and prepared for dinner.  Even though Sango wouldn’t be attending the dinner she was still allowed to bathe in the hot springs and relax.

            Sango helped prepare Kagome.  She wore a beautiful white kimono that gradually turned into purple at the bottom.  Sango placed her hair up and had tendrils coming down past her shoulders.

            Kagome wore a crystal around her neck that her mother had given her so long ago.  She fingered it, missing her.

            Sango noticed, “Do not worry, Kagome, I’m here with you.  You’re strong, that’s why you’re the princess.”

            “Thank you, Sango.  I’m glad you came with me.  I’m sorry you can’t eat with us.”

            “It’s all right, I’ll meet new people.”

            Kagome nodded.  Someone knocked on the door.  This was it.

            “Come in.”

            A young woman with white hair opened the door.

            “Princess Kagome, dinner is ready.”

            “Thank you,” she replied.  She looked once more and she smiled at her.  Kagome followed the young woman.

            “What is your name?” Kagome asked.

            “Kanna.”

            “It’s nice to meet you, Kanna.”  Kanna bowed her head.  They were silent for a few moments.  Kagome took in the castle around her.  She hadn’t noticed it before because she had been so tired.

            The architecture was beautiful.  Kagome was mystified.  The wood was very dark and beautiful.  Several times she had to catch up with Kanna because she had fallen behind.

            “Do you like living here?” Kagome asked.

            “Yes,” was all she said.  Kagome smiled.  They came to two large doors.  ‘This was it, she suddenly became nervous.

            Kanna easily opened the doors for her size compared to the size of the doors.  Kagome walked into a magnificent dining room.  Kagome looked around her again stupefied.  She lowered her eyes to see the King talking to a man with white hair and dog ears.  She wondered if this was her future husband.

            The two turned to her and smiled.  They came closer and Kagome’s stomach jumped.  He was so handsome and she wanted to touch his dog ears.

            “Princess Kagome you look rested,” the King said.

            “Thank you for your hospitality,” she replied bowing.

            “You’re most welcome,” he turned to his son, “This is InuYasha my son.”

            Kagome bowed, “It’s an honor to meet you.”

            He looked at her and smiled, “It’s all my pleasure,” he kissed her hand.  Kagome already liked him.

            “He is my younger son you’re future husband Sesshomaru isn’t here yet.”

            Kagome looked at the King a little disappointed that InuYasha wasn’t him.  She nodded.

            At that the doors opened and Sesshomaru entered.  Kagome held her breath.  This was him?  He was beautiful!  He had long silver hair like InuYasha’s yet no dog ears.  He had a crescent moon on his forehead and stripes on his cheeks.  He was dressed in white and looked so handsome.

            A difference between him and his brother was InuYasha was warm and welcome, Sesshomaru was hard and cold.

            He stepped closer and Kagome noticed his golden eyes.  They were deeper and richer than InuYasha’s.

            “Sesshomaru this is Princess Kagome.  Kagome this is my son.”

            Kagome smiled trying to make a good impression.  She bowed.  He didn’t move.  Kagome’s smile died a little.

            They sat at the table and were served dinner.  King Taisho asked Kagome many questions about herself and her kingdom and she answered excitedly.  She asked them so many questions learning a lot.

            Kagome glanced at Sesshomaru every once in a while.  He stared off into space.  He looked bored.  Kagome wondered why.  Didn’t he want this?

            When dinner was over Kagome bowed and went to her room leaving the three men to themselves.  She started to walk back to her room when she heard shouting coming from where she had just come.  Apparently those doors didn’t block out all of the sound.  Usually Kagome wasn’t an eavesdropper, but she went back to the door to listen.

            “Why the hell did you bring her here?  She’s a pathetic stupid little thing,” Kagome assumed this was Sesshomaru, since his voice was unfamiliar to her.  She realized that he hadn’t spoken at all to her during dinner.

            “Sesshomaru you aren’t giving her a chance,” InuYasha interjected.  At least InuYasha stuck up for her.

            “Shut up, half-breed!”  A door slammed and she assumed InuYasha had left.

            “Now that’s enough.  I realize that these aren’t the greatest of circumstances to bring our kingdoms together, but she is a wonderful young woman.”

            “She might be in human terms, father, but I told you, I’m only doing this for political reasons.  The only time I’m ever going to go to her is for pups.  That’s all you want isn’t it, father?”  Kagome froze.  He hated her?  He hadn’t wanted her this entire time?  She had given up everything to come here for this?  Tears slid down her face.

            “I hoped you would want more, Sesshomaru,” his father replied.

            Kagome turned and ran.  She couldn’t listen to any more . . .

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I hope you liked it!