Pardon Me by Infallibly Melisande

Chapter 1

The two kingdoms, north and west, were at once in a peaceful territory, all underneath one rule. The rumor was the two kingdoms were at once ruled by the same family, a very prosperous family. The Lady of their kingdom had given birth to two beautiful boy inu-youkais, twins to be exact. Once the father had put them both through vigorous training to become a sufficient ruler, he had chosen only one of his sons to success him once he had given up his title as king. Furious by his father's actions, the other son went to the far north, where he resided for the rest of his life. Thus, once they both became of age, the two brothers went to war, causing the lands to split between the north and the western lands. The two families' prospered into grand kingdoms and this is where we are today. Though the north became more barbaric when the brother was killed by one of his own trusted soldiers, it was reunited by the clan that still resides in power now. But for the past thousand years, they had been fighting without knowing why...and this is where we are today...

Kagome looked up at her parents with complete shock written over her beautiful face. They just gave her the worst news a woman in love with a man could give her; she was going to be married off to a prince in the west. Her mother, who has always been a romantic woman, took pity on her oldest daughter. She had always hoped that Kagome would love the man she was going to marry like she had done, luckily, many years ago. Her father, on the other hand, was for this marriage. Bowing down to her parents for they had an audience, she made herself put on a mask of calm and easiness as she received the blessings of the people of their court. "Father, may I ask you one question?" Her father nodded slightly, his dark green eyes piercing through his daughter's crystal blue ones. Thinking of how to come up with the question without coming off too harsh she kept quiet for a few moments, keeping her eyes with her father's. "Just out of mere curiosity, why must I be married off? Surely you could let Kikyou wander to the west and achieve the same results." Her father smirked at her, rising from his red silk covered chair to walk down to his daughter. Placing either of his hands on her cheeks, he moved her head up slightly, making her look up to him. "You are the oldest by thirty years Kagome... as soon as you were born you were marked my first heir, even if you do not wish it, you must fulfill the obligations this title comes with. And, my lovely daughter, means that you must do as I tell you and I've decided that warring with the Western lands has gone far enough. In order to insure that peace that I wish to have with them...I must marry you off." Kagome bowed her head down, tears brewing behind her now shut eye-lids. So I must tell the one I love that we can not have a future together for the sake of the kingdom. Her father placed a kiss on her forehead then told her that she was dismissed. Taking a glance at her mother, she smiled weakly then walked with her heart torn in pieces, towards the door to deliver the worst news.

"Father, surely you jest." InuTashio shook his head at his son and crossed his arms. His deep amber eyes watched his son as he looked out the window. It would be an understatement to say that Sesshoumaru, InuTashio's first son, resembled him more than his mother. Sesshoumaru had a lighter shade of amber colored eyes, the same long snowy-gray hair that fell in silky strands down his back. Their body shape was the same but Sesshoumaru was a good five inches or so taller than his father. The one major thing they did not have in common, however, were their personalities. InuTashio was a man of compassion, pride, caring, lenient but still a strong ruler; he was more of a more father figure to his subjects. Sesshoumaru, who was by no means evil and cruel to his subjects, he was a man who knew what he wanted and would do what was in his power to get it done. He was a very cold, emotionless, and not so much caring of other's feelings. Once his mother died when he was just turning old enough to begin his lessons in government, his mother was killed by deadly venom when the castle grounds were attacked by ruffians. Seeing his mother pass away before his eyes made him turn from a once charming, warm and loving little boy into a cold and reserved boy and to which he still acted from that fateful day many years ago.

"You are of age son, beyond the age in fact. You should have been mated with a demoness many moons ago. But I let you put it off for far too long. Once Lord Bahai suggested doing an arranged marriage to unite our kingdoms once more and I agreed. It is for-." Sesshoumaru turned quickly towards his father and raised his eyebrow at his explanation. "There is no need for any further explanation will go through with this father, but merely out of duty." InuTashio relaxed his arms, letting them fall to his side as his son walked by him towards the study door to leave. Before his son did leave the room he turned towards him and smiles, "By the way Sesshoumaru, your betrothed will be here by the end of this week." Sesshoumaru froze for a moment, his hand resting on the door before leaving without a word. Sighing InuTashio sat down, resting his head in his hands, "I feel for you Kagome, you are in for one hell of a ride."

Kagome knocked on the wooden panel along the door, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. Hearing footsteps come to the door she straightened up her posture and wiped her eyes quickly as the door slid open. Kouga smiled at seeing the love of his life stand in front of his home. "Kagome, what have I told you about knocking? Come on in." Stepping aside Kouga allowed her entering then shutting the door behind her. Seeing her tense, he walked in front of her resting his tan hands on her small shoulders, holding her still and causing her to look up at him. "Are you alright Kagome? You seem sort of...down today." Kagome took a deep breath and shrugged his hands off of her shoulders, causing Kouga to give her a look of confusion. "Kouga... do not think that I do not love you, for that wouldn't be true. But I have received the worst news this morning and I know you are not going to like this." Kouga watched her as she balled her fists up then relaxed her posture, showing her defeat emotionally. "We can no longer see each other than outside our duties. I...I am betrothed to the Western Lord, Sesshoumaru to ensure the peace between our nations." Kouga's bright blue eyes widened in shock, sitting down he moved his hands through his dark hair before shaking his head and stood up once more. "Are you sure, since when and why not Kikyou?" Kagome smiled a bitter smile, the tears in her eyes growing and starting to spill down her pale cheeks. "I am sure, Kouga. I asked the very question to my father, I am the oldest and it is my duty to see the best of this kingdom because it will be mine once father dies. But I must go; we leave in the morning... I had to say goodbye." Kagome touched his cheek smoothing out the frown he displayed on his handsome face. Blinking and slowly backing away she turned away, running out the door and towards the palace, leaving a heartbroken Kouga in her wake. I will save you from your marriage to Sesshoumaru, Kagome... do not worry.

"Sango, I wish I did not have to go. You should have seen Kouga when I left the house. He was heartbroken." Sango, who was Kagome's best friend since childhood, shook her head and held Kagome's hand. "You have got to stop thinking about him Kagome. You've got an intended now, and you must work towards the future and stop lingering on what has happened. Besides, if you two were in love, you would have not told him to stop when he wished to mark you that day out in the fields." Kagome blushed, remembering the intimate moment between them two, but she did tell Kouga to stop his progressions but she had always blamed it on the fear of what her father would say. Seeing it from Sango's view she tightened her hold on Sango's hand and looked up to her doe-like eyes, nodding her head. "You are right, but what if Lord Sesshoumaru does not like me, I do not think I could live without being liked by my husband, my mate." Sango pulled her cousin into a hug and that is when Kikyou came through the door, smiling sadly at her older sister. Sure, Kagome and Kikyou had their differences and had many fights in the past, but she knew how much she loved Kouga and she, Kikyou, had offered to go in Kagome's place but her father said it was too late. Sighing she made her presence known and spoke softly to the two on the bench near the window. "Father says it is time for you two to leave. You are already behind schedule, you have got luggage to carry on this trip and servants." Sango watched Kikyou leave, and then turned to Kagome as Kagome nodded her head, "She's out of hearing range." Smiling Sango stood up and motioned for Kagome to do the same. "I'll come to the western palace after the ceremony, and don't worry, I am positive that they will love you over there." Sango and Kagome exited her room and made their way down to the entrance courtyard of their palace.

Greeting the bright spring sun, she raised her head kissing her mother's cheeks farewell, receiving a hug from her father and Kikyou and a wave from Sango, she left the confounds of her only dwelling for the past 200 years of her life and sighed. Taking one last look outside her makeshift window of her carriage she caught Kouga standing near the edge where the road met the forest. Somewhat hidden in the shadows they caught each other's eyes for a moment then Kagome broke their blank stares, looking down before turning her head away and shutting the silk blinds. This was to be a new chapter in her life, and she was not going to dwell on her past as she headed toward her future.