The Heir and the Spare

The Heir and the Spare

The Continent of Japan is in danger; humans and demons are engaged in a deadly war. To avoid calamity Princess Kagome, a human, finds herself betrothed to the heir of the demon-dominated Western Lands, Prince Sesshomaru. Too bad she finds herself falling for her future-husband's younger brother, Inuyasha.

.xx.

Inuyasha brought Kagome back to her room safely and in a timely fashion. The watching of the sunset had to be the most beautiful thing that Kagome had ever seen—next to Inuyasha's eyes, that is. It surprised her that Inuyasha's favourite time of day was sunset and that he actually planned on taking her to watch one too. Perhaps her future in-laws weren't such bad guys after all.

Inuyasha had jumped in through Kagome's window and allowed her to climb off his back. When her feet safely touched the ground, Inuyasha turned around to smile at her. Wordlessly, he brought her left hand up and pressed his lips against her knuckles before turning her hand around and kissing her palm. "I enjoyed spending my evening with you, Highness."

"Kagome," she whispered and his smirk widened.

"Kagome." He repeated. They stared into each other's eyes for a moment longer before Inuyasha broke the spell that bound them by taking a step back. "Kagome…" He repeated, his voice a husky whisper… emanating pure masculinity. He took a few more steps backwards. Pushing the door to her room open, he was just at the threshold before whispering: "Goodnight, Highness."

And he was gone.

Kagome could only stare and feel her heart pounding against her ribs. Bringing the hand he kissed up to her cheek, she pressed her knuckles there for a brief moment.

Inuyasha, she thought, you're supposed to be my brother-in-law…

.xx.

Kagome was awake during the twinkling hours of twilight. She couldn't squeeze in any more sleep but neither did she want to climb out of her futon. Prior to falling asleep she kept recalling watching the sun set with Inuyasha and the events that happened immediately thereafter. After she fell asleep, she kept dreaming of watching the sunset with Inuyasha and what happened immediately thereafter. And then, after waking up, she kept thinking of watching the sunset with Inuyasha and what happened immediately thereafter.

All the while, her heart beat uncontrollably. It had only been one day since she arrived at the Western Castle and she was already beginning to feel smitten—over her brother-in-law! Scolding herself, Kagome kept repeating her mantra: brother-in-law. Brother-in-law. Brother-in-law. Sure he was nice, and sweet, and approachable, and caring, and just about everything else she wanted in a husband but so what?! Sesshomaru was probably like him too… they both had the same upbringing so really, it should not matter.

So why does it matter? Kagome groaned.

Turning to lie on her right side, Kagome stared at the door that connected her room to the hallway just outside. She wanted to leave the vicinity of her room to get some fresh air but she was too afraid of a) getting lost and b)… bumping into Inuyasha. The latter option she was not so much afraid as she was desiring for it to happen. And she most definitely should not be desiring a twilight rendezvous with her brother-in-law.

Keep repeating it, Kagome; she murmured dryly to herself, maybe eventually the fact will sink in.

It was just a bit longer until the sun finally rose and somebody would come to retrieve her for breakfast—

"Awake, Highness?"

Kagome blinked. Did she hear him…?

"I assure you that you aren't dreaming."

Throwing the blanket off of her, Kagome rushed over to the door and swung it open. "Prince Inuyasha?!" She gasped before noting that he was standing at her doorway in only his red hakama from the previous night.

And no haori.

Sweet manna from heaven above, Kagome blinked. Look away! Look away now!

His chest was beautiful!

Inuyasha noted the change in her scent and the quickening of her heartbeat and couldn't stop the egotistical smirk that spread across his face. "You're up early, Highness."

"I can say the same for you," she spluttered out. "What brings you to my quarters?"

"I could sense that you're awake."

Kagome finally decided to glance at him but keep her eyes locked on his face. It didn't help that his hair was still tousled from sleep and his ochre eyes shone beneath the dimming candlelight. Why must he be so handsome? "Is that another doggy trait?"

"Yep. You can also call it my Princess Kagome metre."

"Isn't that slightly strange?" Kagome mused. "You have an internal Princess Kagome metre after knowing me for less than a day."

"Sometimes it takes a day," Inuyasha leaned forward—so close… "And sometimes it can take an entire lifetime."

Kagome gulped. "For what…"

"I don't know Highness," Kagome could smell the pure masculine smell that radiated off of him: it was part man and all demon. "Tell me… for what?"

"Princes Inuyasha," Kagome finally squeaked. "I would call this a hardly appropriate interaction between a lady and her future husband's brother."

Inuyasha's lips twisted into his signature smirk. "No, Highness, this is definitely not what one would call an appropriate interaction. But there is no one here to condemn such interaction, now is there?"

Kagome gulped. "What are you implying, Prince Inuyasha?"

"Nothing. I'm just stating obvious facts," Inuyasha brought his left hand up and flicked Kagome's nose. "You have this endearing panicky look in your eyes when you get nervous."

Kagome's eyes widened. "Wh-what?"

Finally, both to Kagome's pleasure and dismay, Inuyasha took a step back. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and his smirk still would not disappear. Kagome's eyes were locked with his and they were engaged in an unannounced staring competition. Neither party blinked, and nor were they planning too. Inuyasha was enjoying the open invitation to stare into her endless blue eyes—they reminded him of the vast ocean.

Deep.

Mysterious.

Calming.

"Did you come here to inform me of how endearing I look?" Kagome finally asked, blinking and looking away from his mesmerizing eyes. "Because if that is the case, you should return to your quarters and let me go back to my futon."

Inuyasha chuckled. It was slow, sinuous… almost sinful.

"Oh heavens, no. I actually came by to show you something because I knew you were awake. I heard you rustle when you moved and caught the change in the pace of your heart," he winked at her, "my bedroom is just down the hall from yours."

Kagome blushed. "Oh my… do I snore?"

Inuyasha laughed. "Yes. Very loudly. Ruined my sleep."

"Prince Inuyasha!" Kagome was horrified and he snickered.

"I'm joking, Highness."

Crossing her arms in dismay, Kagome turned her head away from him and stuck her nose in the air, quietly harrumphing. Inuyasha stifled his laughter and held his hand out to her. "Come on Highness, we have to be there before the sun begins to rise."

Kagome, slowly, looked at his outstretched hand before taking it rather hesitantly. Smiling, and genuinely this time, Inuyasha gently tugged her towards the grandiose balcony that overlooked their kingdom. "Mother and Father don't know that we're up to this."

"Scandalous," Kagome murmured. "Are you sure your brother would approve?"

"I never cared for my brother's approval," Inuyasha snickered, "besides, if he isn't here to entertain his beautiful bride than who am I to give up the opportunity. In any case," Inuyasha winked at her, "I would never give up the chance to spend sunrise with such a lovely woman."

"Flattery gets you nowhere."

"I wasn't trying to get anywhere." Inuyasha chuckled. "You need to accept a compliment when it is given to you."

"An unnecessary amount of compliments, however, is not something I am going to accept."

"I am not unnecessarily complimenting you."

Kagome was aware of how their hands were still connected and didn't know whether she should pull her hand away or not. Inuyasha made no move to let go so Kagome, as a half-attempted effort, tried to pull her hand out of his. She felt his grip tighten slightly and didn't try again—she didn't want to relinquish the feel of his warmth spreading into her. Granted, it was wrong on every level but… but she wasn't married to his brother yet and Inuyasha was just being a hospitable brother-in-law!

Yes. Hospitable.

Inuyasha pushed the balcony gates open and crouched down. "Get on, Highness."

"Again?"

"Quit complaining and just get on."

Grumbling incoherent words, Kagome climbed onto his back and Inuyasha quickly ran to the edge of the balcony before leaping off and soaring into the sky. He quickly touched foot with the top of a tree before leaping off and soaring into the sky once more.

Kagome felt like she was flying.

"Where are you going?" Kagome asked. The sun wasn't visible yet, but faint traces of orange and yellow were beginning to pain the sky. That meant that the sun would be coming up any moment. Inuyasha didn't reply as he kept leaping from treetop to treetop. He seemed like he had a solid destination in mind and Kagome decided she was not going to repeat her question. If there was anything about Inuyasha she learned it was that he had a one-track mind and she had to just let him complete his thought and arrive at his destination before asking him any questions.

After what felt like endless hours of flight (which ended up being just a few brief moments as the sun still wasn't coming up yet), Inuyasha perched them both safely near a tree that they were the previous night. This time, however, Kagome had a clear view of the Miyaji River. Inuyasha made sure they were both standing and had his fingertips pressed gently against the small of Kagome's back.

"What are we looking out for?"

Inuyasha smiled. "In about three…"

Kagome looked over at him.

"Two," he looked down at her and ushered with his head to look over at the Miyaji River.

"One." His voice was just a whisper and at that precise moment a group of dolphins began leaping out of the Miyaji River just as the sun began peeking out from beyond the horizon. Kagome, who was holding onto Inuyasha's haori, gasped and tightened her hold.

"Oh my," she breathed, "that's so beautiful…"

Inuyasha, who was also training his eyes on the dolphins, nodded. "Isn't it?"

Kagome's eyes were wide and in complete awe. She saw big dolphins and smaller dolphins leap out of the water and release a waterfall from their blowhole. Her heart was pounding; the sun was continuing to rise and the dolphins were moving farther and farther away. "Do they come every day?" She murmured and Inuyasha made a sound that sounded like the affirmative.

"Every morning," he answered. "I come every day to watch them."

Kagome looked over at him. "You do?"

Glancing over at her, Inuyasha smiled. "I do. You can join me if you'd like. Anytime, you're welcome to come."

Kagome looked over at the disappearing dolphins and smiled gently. "I would love nothing more."

The two stood side by side for a few moments longer, enjoying the soft morning gale, the beauty of the rising sun, and the brief moment they were granted to relish in each other's company.

.xx.

"We are preparing a gathering to happen in a few days' time." Izayoi informed over breakfast. Inuyasha made sure that Kagome was back in her room before Sango came searing for her. He whispered in her ear, just before leaving, that their morning adventures would be their little secret. Then, just like the night before, he kissed her knuckles and then her palm before exiting her room via her balcony.

"For?" Inuyasha inquired.

"The union, of course."

The young prince snorted. "Right. A union would only be possible if the second half were here. Evidently big brother is still acting like a coward."

Inutaisho rolled his eyes. "And you're any better?"

"Hey," Inuyasha smirked, "I get to enjoy the company of his bride. I am not complaining, she's one hell of a lady."

"Language." Izayoi scolded. Kagome's eyes were wide and she decided to focus on her breakfast and not on the conversation that was happening amongst family members. "I've already decided on how to punish your brother upon his arrival back home."

"Lock him up in a tower and only feed him bread and cheese until the wedding ceremony?" Inuyasha sounded hopeful. Kagome bit back her laugh… the thought of that was kinda funny.

Inutaisho tapped his chin. "That is actually a good suggestion."

"Inutaisho!"

"Sorry, dear."

Inuyasha glanced over at Kagome and winked. "What did I tell you, Highness? They're constantly bickering."

Izayoi shot her son another glare. "Inuyasha…" her voice rung with warning and her youngest son knew the repercussions of not listening to her. Being the intelligent boy that he was, he decided to drop the topic of his parents' constant bickering. Kagome chewed on her bread roll and watched the conversation between Inutaisho and Izayoi.

"We're withdrawing him from training." Izayoi stated. "And he's confined to the palace until the ceremony."

"And he cannot have any contact with the Western Army." Inutaisho piped in.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "How about you strip him of the title as heir to the throne and give it to me? There had to be a reason why I was born as the spare. May as well make this the reason."

"Princess Kagome came here to marry the heir to stop the war." Inutaisho reminded his son.

"So?" Inuyasha smirked not daring to look at the human beside him. "If I become heir, she can marry me. That way we can tell Fluffy that I was here to greet my bride like the honourable Prince that I am."

"Not funny, Inuyasha." Izayoi chided.

Kagome controlled her breathing. Marry… Inuyasha? The idea of that was a lot more tempting than the idea of marrying his elder brother.

An elder brother that didn't have the courage to greet his future bride.

Doesn't that say a lot about his character? Kagome asked herself.

"Well what is the plan for today?" Inutaisho decided to switch the topic. They would deal with Sesshomaru when he decided to return. Now was not the time and he was sure that his future daughter-in-law was getting anxious with all the talk about a husband she had yet to meet.

Inuyasha shrugged. "No idea. Do either of you need the attendance of Princess Kagome?"

The King and Queen shook their heads.

"Then I plan on taking her on a boat ride onto the Miyaji River."

Kagome's eyes widened. "I can't swim!"

Inuyasha smiled at her. "But I can. Trust me, Highness; the river is a lot more beautiful when you're on it rather than watching it from afar."

Izayoi nodded in agreement. "He's right. I never knew a river could be so beautiful until I was on a boat and taking in my surroundings. The Miyaji River is like a little piece of heaven."

"And Inuyasha can swim so you mustn't worry about drowning," Inutaisho winked at Kagome. The human princess smiled weakly and nodded. She glanced over at her lady-in-waiting, Sango, who was munching on some fried eggs.

"Sango, you're coming too, right?"

Jumping, Sango looked up and smiled apologetically. "My apologies, Princess. I am required to attend some meetings with the other castle attendants today."

"Oh come now, dear," Izayoi smiled at Kagome. "You're with Inuyasha, you'll be fine."

Kagome could only smile and nod.

Great…

A trip to the Miyaji River with Inuyasha.

Alone.

With nobody else.

She shouldn't be excited… she couldn't be…

But she still was.

All the while Inuyasha kept repeating his well-versed mantra:

My brother's bride.

My brother's bride.

My brother's fucking bride who's fucking gorgeous beyond life. Fuck.

.xx.