At What Price

SUMMARY: Inuyasha turned from where he, and Kikyou were standing to look at what the mass of people were clamoring adamantly about. He scanned over the surrounding when he eyes widened in surprise. Inuyasha’s amber eyes turned hot like molten glass. It was then that he saw Sesshoumaru in the most intimate lip lock with his Kagome.

Author's Note: This should make many of you happy. This chapter is twice the length as normal. I was contemplating leaving you another cliffie, but I decided against it. What stopped me you ask? Well, I envisioned all the death threat I would receive. LOL!!! So, enjoy and review. Tah- Tah! P.S. I don't own Inuyasha... Darn, I said it.

CHAPTER 42: A BETRAYAL OF A MEMORY
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Inuyasha paused and looked at the well dressed goddess before him. “Where hell have you been?” he bellowed. “I’ve been looking for you!”

Sango flinched and began to reach over for Miroku, not realizing that she latched on to his leg and began to dig her nails into this inner thigh. The pressure Sango applied to Miroku’s inner thigh sent odd pleasure shooting up his body. Apparently Sango didn’t realize, or care about the discomfort she was causing Miroku at the moment. The only uneasiness feeling Sango was aware of was watching her two friends. ‘Here it comes.’

Kagome turned white. ‘Wait! Did he just ask me where I was? Is he stupid or something? Did the baka miss the entire announcement?’

Miroku covered Sango’s hand with his own and leaned into her, so that he could whisper into her ear. “If you don’t stop groping me Sango sweets, I might not be able to control myself.” He whispered in a husky tone.

“I was here.” She answered back. “Where were you?” Kagome asked Inuyasha in disbelief. She wasn’t sure if he was playing dumb or what? But, Kagome decided to play it safe for the moment.

Inuyasha noticed Kagome’s rigid stance, as if she couldn’t make up her mind to run and hide, or stay. “I was here, but I must have missed the announcement of Sesshoumaru’s bitc-….”

Inuyasha was cut off again when someone on yelled his name. “Yashie! Baby come here!” Kikyou jostled over near him. Silicon breast bounce with very move she made, and the over sized melons looked as through they were ready to burst from her shirt. She completely ignored everyone. “There is someone I want you to meet. Please babe, do it for me.” Kikyou whined.

Kagome’s jaw dropped to the ground. ‘He really doesn’t know! Kikyou would have definitely said something by now.’ Her thoughts were totally in disarray.

“Okay, Kikyou hon. I will be right there.” Inuyasha replied to his fiancée as she turned an left. He then turned back to his friends and mumbled something. “I’ll be right back.” And then trailed after Kikyou.

Miroku waited until he knew Inuyasha was out of hearing range before he spoke. “Ah, Kags, I do believe you have some major explaining to do.” Miroku said, now with his usual chirper.

Kagome eyed him suspiciously then glanced over to Sango to see how to gauge the situation. She gave a weak smile before responding. “Yes, Miroku?”

“Kags, are you really going to marry Sesshoumaru-sama?”

Kagome nodded.

“Why?” He truly looked puzzled.

“It’s a long story, one I think Sango could explain later tonight. I don’t wish for Inuyasha to find out. At least not right away.” Kagome’s voice went from strong to weak at she talked.

“Kags!” Sango said exasperated, “It’s a little too late for that don’t you think? Besides he going to find out sooner or later tonight. You just can’t just avoid Sesshoumaru.” Sango paused to breath before continuing on. “Are you sure you really want to go through with this?” She gave Kags her best ‘you know you don’t have to’ expression. It was imploring.

She smiled at her friends sitting at the table. “Please, Sango. I know what I’m doing. It would hurt him if he knew why. It’s better this way.” Kagome’s eyes didn’t hide the sadness in them.

Miroku just watch the two as they exchanged a cryptic message that held no meaning for him. But, for those two it seemed that it explained the meaning of life. ‘Wait did I just hear her say, “knew why”? There is more to this marrying Sesshoumaru than she is letting on.’

“Kagome?” a deep baritone voice called.

The three turned to face Sesshoumaru, who had quietly walk up on the friends talking in low tones. He offered his hand out to Kagome. “It is time for us to start the traditional opening first dance.”

Miroku was spying the two before him. He could have sworn he saw Sesshoumaru flash something like tenderness cross his eyes when he looked at Kagome. ‘Maybe the Ice Prince isn’t heartless after all.’ Miroku watched Kagome slowly extend her arm out to Sesshoumaru’s and took hold.

Kagome’s breath hitched as she met Sesshoumaru’s eyes. ‘Don’t Kags! Don’t do it.’ She could feel her heart slowly falling for the Taiyoukai before her. ‘Halt! Stop! Warning!’ The little voice in her head screamed, but her heart won this battle.

“Did you tuck Rin in?”

“Yes.”

Kagome heard coughing behind her. She knew it was Miroku. ‘Manners Kags. Where did you put them?’ She reprimanded herself.

“Oh, Sesshoumaru, I would like to introduce my friends. This is Sango and Miroku. Sango works for Inuyasha as a financial representative, and Miroku works at Tokyo University as a professor of health sciences.” Kagome turned back to look at her friends. “Guys, this is my fiancée Sesshoumaru Masarau.”

Sesshoumaru nodded his acknowledgement to the duo, but that was all he offered.

Miroku and Sango both mumbled a response back to the Lord of the Western Lands and bowed there heads respectfully.

“Kagome, lets go. I don’t want to keep the band waiting.” Sesshoumaru then cast a look over at Kagome’s friends. “Would you like to joins us in the opening dance? I’m sure it would make my Kagome happy.” With that he pulled Kagome with him toward the dance floor.

“Shall we, Sango sweets?” Miroku got up from his chair and looked at her.

Sango nodded as she quickly stood.

The music started its sweet strumming melody, as Sesshoumaru led the way onto the floor. All eyes where trained on the couple, and Kagome could feel they eyes on her. She chose to ignore the best she could and looked to the side, where she located her family. They were smiling at her, with a big goof grins. The goofiest grin came from her mother. Kagome waved at her, but quickly had her attention readjusted to the Inu demon holding her in his arms.

Sesshoumaru pulled her closer into his arms. “You pleased me tonight, Kagome.” He whispered into her ear. Sesshoumaru saw Inuyasha off in the distance. ‘Baka! He must not be paying attention. How typical!’ Sesshoumaru smirked has he thought of a way to gain Inuyasha’s attention.

“Oh? How so Sesshoumaru?”

“You did not reject Rin and you never faltered once this evening. Not bad for a human.” Sesshoumaru chuckled when he heard Kagome gasp at his insult, however; he covered it with the next statement he made. “And a beautiful one at that.”

Kagome replaced the frown with a smile. “So, honey, have we convinced them?” She was teasing him. “Or, do we need to spice this up a bite?” ‘Spice it up? Kags, where did that come from?’ She scolded herself. Kagome blushed when she notice Sesshoumaru laugh.

“Spice it up.” He repeated her statement with a quirk of an eyebrow. “How so Kagome? Like this?” Sesshoumaru said while he tightened his hold and hauled up against his hard frame. One of his hands, that was secured stationary on her waist began to skim down to her backside. Sesshoumaru fondled her butt with his hand giving a squeeze. He chuckled as she turned a deep shade of red. “Or, was it something more like this…”

“Sessho-” Kagome said in a husky tone when his mouthed calmed her’s. She moved her hands from his shoulders to around his neck, and locked them together. Kagome pressed her body tighter against him as if trying to meld into Sesshoumaru. She all but forgot about the crowd around her. It would prove to be an eventful mistake, or would it?

The crowd applauded and cheered at the two’s show of affection. They could hardly believe what they were seeing. Sesshoumaru-sama, the Lord of the Western Lands, was making out with his fiancée on the dance floor, and in front of a live audience.

Sango and Miroku stared at them with dropped jaws and wide eyes.
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Inuyasha turned from where he and Kikyou were standing to look at what the mass of people were clamoring about. He scanned over the surrounding when he eyes widened in surprise. Inuyasha’s amber eyes turned hot like molten glass. It was then that he saw Sesshoumaru in the most intimate lip lock with ‘his’ Kagome.

Inuyasha tore away from Kikyou’s side with a vengeance and marched to the couple on the dance floor in livid fury. He let out a howl of rage. “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!” Inuyasha grabbed Kagome by the shoulders, forcibly pulling her away from his bastard half brother.

Kagome fell to the ground from the sheer force of speed at which Inuyasha pulled at her. *Thump* It took her a while to regain her thoughts at what just occurred. Then the full impact of what just happened hit her like a semi-truck.

“Inuyasha.” Sesshoumaru said in a deadly tone. His eyes were flashing red.

The party died down with an unnatural quiet, almost eerie.

“Kagome, are you Sesshoumaru fiancée?” Inuyasha yelled over his shoulder.

Kagome stood up in a flash. ‘Oh my god!’ “Yesss.” She stuttered in response.

Kikyou smiled at the dramatic scene unrolling, or should she say unraveling before her. She decided to go back up Inuyasha on the dance floor. Kikyou wanted so desperately to get Kagome payback for the black eyes she received by Kagome’s hand. ‘That bitch will pay, finally!’ She ran over to the side of Inuyasha.

“Inuyasha? Please let me….”

*SLAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

Kagome’s face stinged with pain as her head snapped quickly to the side by a hard blow. Tears started to form in her eyes. The entire room gasped at the dramatic display before them.

Sesshoumaru hadn’t thought his brother would react like this. So much so, that he didn’t even see Inuyasha raise his hand at Kagome until it was too late. But, wait it wasn’t Inuyasha. It was Kikyou.

“WHORE! You couldn’t have Inuyasha so you went for his brother. What a skankie….” Her ranting was cut short by Sesshoumaru.

This grievous insult would prove to be her last. Sesshoumaru brought his hand up to Kikyou, who was not paying attention to him but rather at Kagome. Neither was Inuyasha watching Sesshoumaru at the time. He brought his hand down so hard across her face Kikyou fell to the ground seeing stars
*SMACK*

“Inuyasha if you can’t control her, I will kill her now.” Sesshoumaru said in a lethal tone.

Sango and Miroku knew that if someone didn’t intervene soon, they were going to have a blood bath on their hands. They dashed to Inuyasha’s side and held him back. But, the odd thing was he didn’t react or struggle against their hold. Nothing. He continued to bore into Kagome eyes.

“Why Kags?” Gone was all rage he had built up. It was replaced with sorrow.

Tears came down her face. “Inuyasha it’s been almost seven months. I love him…” She nearly choked that last phrase out.

‘You need to say what you need to Kags. You must maintain your cover, for your business agreement. For Inuyasha.’ The voice in her head told her soothingly while she continued to talk to the clearly emotional wounded Inuyasha.

“You can’t have expected me to stay single for the rest of my life. You made your choice. Please, please let me make mine.” Her heart was breaking into a million pieces again. ‘No, not again. Not after I was starting to put it back together.’ Her mind told her she had to be cruel to protect him from the truth. ‘Cruel to be kind,’ was the phrase that ran through her thoughts. “It’s my choice, Inuyasha. Sango and Miroku have accepted the fact. The question is will you? If you can’t I understand…” A sob shook her frame, but she forced it down.

Hatred gleamed in his eyes at her words. Inuyasha was not expecting that. “You betrayed me Kags, I will never forgive you!” He was now coming out of his weakened emotional haze.

Sesshoumaru was going to intervene when Kagome stopped him when she raised her hand up at him. But never once did she look his way. What happened next stunned him. Kagome’s gave his half brother a cold dismissing look and statement that would have done him proud, once he got over the shock of it.

“Betrayed you?!” Her voice stayed cold and bitter, but came out in a hiss. “I believe that it is the other way around Inuyasha. What we had, you let go. Willingly! I made no qualms about my undying loyalty and love to you even after the fact. But,” she inhaled before continuing, “you have made it perfectly clear, time after time, what my friendship means to you! If you feel that I betrayed you then it is only a memory that I’ve betrayed. A memory that you are reliving in. It’s the past Inuyasha. Forget it and forget me.” Kagome turned and left the ballroom in a hurried rushed, but proud stride.
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