For the Good of Things by thehotty

The Begining

A girl sat in a clearing in a garden. Her ebony locks cascaded down her back, while her black with red butterflies kimono shimmered in the sun. A tear tricked down alabaster skin coming from a velvety violet eye rimmed with long think black eyelashes.

A hand with perfect nails quickly wiped it away and a sigh escaped her lips. She quickly turned to face the castle behind her.

How could her father do this to her? Was she just something to keep other lands and Lords happy?

She sighed again.

Ever since her father couldn't keep up with the other Lords debt payment (Which seemed to double every other full moon) had had decided to hand this Lord her hand in marriage. This Lord was a hanyou and controlled the Western Lands.

She shuddered at the thought of him.

He had sharp, cold blue eyes and black hair that fell to his thighs. His skin was pale and looked cold as well, like it had never seen the sun. His laugh made her tremble in fear. The way he looked at her made her want to run and never be seen again.

The worst part was she was to be married to him. She just knew he wouldn't be kind to her. But it was for her Lands and her father.

When he explained he couldn't pay the debt and if he couldn't find a way the Lands would be seized and if he tried to retaliate, war would erupt. He explained to her what he had had in mind, and she reluctantly agreed to his request to marry Naraku.

She'd never be able to love him, and she knew Kami was not going to favor her while she was with this man. She'd never be able to escape him. She wasn't looking forward to the other part of the deal either.

She shuddered at the thought of bearing his child. And she was to do this within the first two years. How was that going to happen? She couldn't stand the guy.

'Well,' she thought while standing up, 'I have a week before I have to marry him. Maybe one of us will die before it's actually time for the ceremony.'

"Lady Kagome! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you, my Lady!" A winded hair demoness servant stopped in front of her and quickly bowed.

"What is it Yura?" she asked, standing up.

Yura watched her stand and quietly wished that she could possess the grace that her Lady owned. Everything Lady Kagome seemed to do was like she was dancing as if she was a geisha.

"Oh! Lord Naraku had just arrived and requested your company. He said that since you are to be his wife, then you shall attend him to the meeting he is having with your father. He went on to say that he'll be staying the rest of the week for the ceremony. It wouldn't do any good for him to miss his own wedding, now would it?" Yura asked.

"No, it wouldn't," Kagome answered and began heading towards the castle.

Yura watched her leave, noting the saddened tone to her Lady's words but shrugged it off. 'She's just sad because she's leaving. Nothing more. Anyone would be lucky to marry the Western Lord,' she thought while quickly hurrying after her Lady.

Kagome rolled her eyes at Yura. Why did everybody think that she was lucky? She'd trade places with them if anyone looked like her. She'd even go as far as to trade places with her older sister, Kikyou, if the had the same eye color and if she were more open. But as fate may have it, Kikyou was to be married to a lesser noble, Inu Yasha, at birth.

She'd give anything to marry a guy like him. Sure, he may be brash and have the worst temper of any guy Kagome had met, but Inu Yasha had a friendly air around him. One that screamed 'I'm really a nice guy once you know me' and 'count on me to be your shoulder.'

Kagome had even confided in Inu Yasha a few times while he was visiting Kikyou and he always seemed to know the answers or know how to make her smile, but even he couldn't help her when it came to Naraku. Instead, he offered her a place to come and visit whenever she needed to just get away for a while.

She had smiled at that and thanked him for the offer. But even that couldn't cheer her up. She reached her fathers' study and sighed for the last time before entering the room and dismissing Yura with a wave of her hand.

"There you are daughter. I was starting to think you were off on another horse ride. Naraku has requested you be here, as you are to be Lady of the Western lands and must know its business for when, and if, he falls ill," Kibito said while standing up.

"Of course, father." Kagome turned to Naraku and bowed. "My Lord. I hope you are well."

Naraku chucked and Kagome forced herself not to wince at the sound. "Please! Drop the formalities, my love. You are to by my wife soon and it would be most displeasing to hear them."

"I do not wish to make talk of people thinking we are sleeping together before the wedding, my Lord. It would be most dishonorable." She countered quickly, not wanting to be on such terms with him.

His eyes darkened and his mouth formed into a scowl. "Of course. I didn't think of our families honor. Please excuse my words," he almost hissed.

Kibito glanced at the other Lord. 'What have I gotten my daughter into?' he asked himself while motioning for his daughter to sit.

"I suggest we begin business. You mentioned a threat to your Lands and possibly your title?" Kibito asked while putting away a few sheets he cared not for the other Lord to see.

Kagome perked up at this. "A threat? Will, or even could, this threat possibly mean war?" she asked.

Naraku nodded. "Any threat to my Lands means war. I've come to see if your Lands will aid me in any upcoming war there may be."

"It depends on who this threat is. I have my own allies that, if I anger, would mean my own demise," Kibito answered.

"One of the Tashio's seem to want my Land. They are but a Lesser Noble people that had seemed, until messengers sent news, wanted nothing, in fear it cost them even the little they have gained."

"The Tashio's?!? But they'd never dream of attacking any Lords. Why one is residing in this very castle at this moment. They are a quiet family that despises war. I have met them, and I am close to the family." Kagome was outraged at such blasphemy.

How dare this creature blame Inu-no-Tashio and Inu Yasha of trying to take the Western Lands? Inu-no was quite happy right where he was with his human wife and hanyou son. They were even wealthier than most Lesser Nobles. Wealthy enough to become a Higher Noble, but when offered, he refused. He'd never want the Lands or title of the West.

"Is this so?" Naraku asked, turning his gaze to Kibito.

"Hai. He is to marry Kikyou in one more full moon. I am sorry, but I will not help. I know the Tashio family personally and they pose no threat. I will not ruin the agreement I have with them so you may take out that family. I do not wish to displease you, but I also do not wish to displease them. I will remain neutral. Kagome, call a servant to retrieve Inu Yasha. He'll know of any of his family trying to claim your Lands and title Naraku," Kibito answered.

Kagome nodded and opened the door. She peaked out to spy Inu Yasha and Kikyou walking down the hall.

"Ah! Inu Yasha! Just the person I was looking for. Father wishes for your company. It will only take a few minutes. I'll have him back to you soon, dear sister." She smiled and Kikyou nodded, a soft smile splayed across her lips as she let go of Inu Yasha's arm.

Kagome envied her sister. If she could only be in love with someone and be as happy as Kikyou was...

Inu Yasha smirked. "Got into trouble, did you? Need me to cover?"

"No! You're just a big jerk. I don't know how sister can deal with you. Father needs to speak with you about other things. So hurry up and get in here," Kagome joked as Inu Yasha pushed past her.

Kikyou rolled her eyes and Kagome slipped back into the study and quickly shut the door.

"Lord Kibito, I am here, as you've requested." Inu Yasha bowed.

"Ah! Inu Yasha, welcome. Please sit down. We will make this quick, as I believe Kikyou's waiting for you?" he asked while Inu Yasha sat down.

"Hai, we were on our way to the garden. Her and Kagome's training session begins shortly," he answered.

"Hai! I had almost forgotten about that. I am sorry, but Kagome will be leaving as soon as we finish speaking with Inu Yasha, Lord Naraku. But until then, she'll stay here and we will speak to you."

"Hai. Inu Yasha. You are a Tashio, right?" Naraku asked.

"Keh! Of course I am. Who else would I be?" he scoffed.

"I wasn't insinuating that you were not, just merely asking if you were. How close are you and your father?" Naraku questioned.

"The old man? Close enough, why?" Inu Yasha asked, eyes narrowing dangerously at Naraku.

"Just asking."

"And who are you? Not another person trying to talk my father into becoming a Higher Noble, are you?" Inu Yasha growled.

"No. He's Lord of the Western Lands, Inu Yasha. Respect him as you would me," Kibito cut in.

"Sorry, my Lord. I didn't know. I shall answer anything in my ability," Inu Yasha apologized, bowing to the man.

"Tell me, do you have a brother Inu Yasha?" Naraku asked.

"No. I'm an only child. What are you getting at, my Lord? I do not like beating around the bush," he answered.

"Alright then, I have been brought word that your family is trying to take over my Lands and title. Is this true?"

"Why would we want that?" Inu Yasha growled

"Power and money, of course. Why else?" Naraku answered.

"We have enough power and more money then any Higher Noble, so we don't need it. We are almost as powerful as a Lord, but we do not want it. Lord Kibito here has even offered to step down and let the old man rule, but he declined saying he has all he wants and needs right were he is, and I understand why. He's happy and in love. Power means nothing to him compared to that. So get it out of your head that we want the West, because we don't."

Inu Yasha growled louder and stood up.

"I'm leaving. Kikyou must get to training. Kagome, may I escort you?" he asked.

"Of course, Inu Yasha." Kagome stood up and bowed to her father and Naraku. "Good day gentlemen. I shall see you both at dinner."

Inu Yasha held out his arm and Kagome placed her hand on it as they walked out of the room. Kikyou latched on to the other arm and he led them away from the study.

"Kagome, I'm going to tell you something and I want you to promise me you'll listen to what I'm saying. It will save you're life," he said, his voice hushed.

Kikyou looked at him questioning while Kagome nodded. "Of course. If it means my life, then I will."

"There is am man that is going against Naraku. He is family, but he is not my father. His name is Sesshoumaru. Nobody is to know this name. When and if he comes to you, and you will know him because he looks a lot like father, say his name. He'll know who you are then."

"Why is he doing this?" Kikyou asked.

"When I told my old man about Naraku and Kagome, he flipped out. Tore half the house apart. He cares about you and her just like Mom and myself. You girls are family. Anyway, he called to Sesshoumaru, who came quickly. We explained the situation to him. He told us the only way to get you out of this marriage you've to be in is death on either side.

"Since he already dislikes Naraku, he decided to kill him. At night, in his chambers. If you seem to already know his name, it'll make it seem like he's a past lover who's extremely pissed off at Naraku for taking you away. Especially since he's a demon. Of course, in the end, he'll become Lord, but oh well." Inu Yasha finished as they exited the castle and entered the garden again.

"Thank you for helping me, Inu Yasha. If I can ever do anything to repay the debt you've placed me in, just ask, and I shall do it." Kagome hugged him tightly.

"Marrying your sister is all I want. And maybe some of your rice balls." He smirked as they headed towards an old, haggard woman dressed in traditional Miko garb.

"Of course. Kikyou can help me make them. Good day, Lady Keadea. I hope you are well this evening?" Kagome asked, facing the older woman.

"Aye, young one. And your self?" she asked.

They all smiled and the girls let go of Inu Yasha. "Thank you, Koshii. We can handle ourselves from here," Kikyou said while kissing his cheek lightly.

Kagome once again felt the little green monster poke his head out from where she'd buried him. She quickly shoved the feeling aside and put a smile on.

Days flew by and Kagome became more afraid of Naraku and wished more and more that what Inu Yasha had told her would come to pass.

As it seemed, the fates did not want to be kind to her. And that was why she stood in front of the temple wearing the traditional twelve layered kimono. She sighed for the thousandth time that day, but knew it would not be her last. The tears that had threatened to spill earlier that day once again made an appearance and she forced them back.

The doors opened and she stared down at Naraku. Her father walked her down the isle where she took her seat and the ceremony began. The drinking of tea was quickly over and she began praying to whatever Kami was there to end one of their lives before the celebration was over.