Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha…

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"It was decided that the victor of this battle would be invited to the wedding. And a proper invitation should be done in person."

Those words…they kept pounding in my head. I longed to have them forgotten, longed to leave all of this behind, but I could not. Every little detail of Inuyasha's last battle was forever engraved in my head. Therefore, I could not forget even if I wanted to. How I wished I could be brainwashed. Then I realized, how stupid I sounded. If that was to happen, I would forget about Inuyasha.

A knock on the door told me that dinner had been served. As always, I was expected at exactly six o'clock for dinner. Today I would not eat. I did not care if Kouga had to come and yell and send me to the dungeon. I would not leave this room. That stupid bastard would have to dine without me. He would not be graced with my presence.

It did not take long to pass the message for the strong footsteps that seemed to approach my room told me that Kouga did not like the answer I had given him. But instead of arguing, to my surprise, he merely told me that if I wished to stay in this room then so be it.

I went to lie on my bed and replayed everything that happened two days ago. After the battle, I had been taken back to the mansion and locked inside this very room. I have been locked in here ever since. Every once in a while I was given water but I was not given any food. I was terribly depressed and thus I did not have a big appetite.

Last night I asked Kouga if he had really invited Inuyasha to the wedding. He simply told me that it was not my business; that I was only a woman and women had no say in anything. Did I not deserve to know who would attend my wedding?

I could just imagine the look on Inuyasha's face; one of disgust. How could I expect him to be overjoyed? How could I expect him to accept the invitation? He probably never wanted to see my face again. It was understandable. If I were him, I would not want to see my face either. If anything, I would expect him to leave and never come back. What better way to forget me?

If he were to leave, I wished to say farewell. How foolish of me to think that he would ever come back.

What an idiot I am.

I buried my face into my soft pillow and let the quiet tears run down my face. Tonight, I would cry myself to sleep again. Once more, I was alone.

I do not know how long I was out but when I heard footsteps inside my room, I awoke. My heart was pounding in my chest. Had Kouga come inside? Was he here to…rape me? Oh gods. I opened my mouth, preparing myself to let out a piercing scream but a strong hand wrapped itself around my open trap. He had come to rape me. I could feel the heated tears streaming down my cheeks as he sat down on the bed beside me.

"Shh," he said in a soft whisper, almost too soft.

This could not be Kouga. My body relaxed as it recognized that soothing tone. As my eyes grew accustomed to the dark, they immediately gazed towards the man in front of me. My eyes widened in realization. It could not be…could it? Was I dreaming? Had I really gone insane?

"I-Inu…yasha?" I wanted to know…needed to know…if it was him. Gods how I hoped it was him.

I raised my hand to touch the intruder's cheek and winced when he retaliated.

"I came here to ask you a question?" the voice asked.

It was him. I do not know how but I could feel it; I could feel his aura. I did not waste time and wrapped my arms around his neck in a sweet embrace. Unfortunately, he did not feel the same way for he remained still.

Softly, he pulled me away.

"I need to hear the truth, Kagome?"

I remained silent; part of me feared that he had really come to tell me that he was leaving while the other part of me wondered what he wanted to know.

"What is it?" I swallowed.

"Are you really—"

He could not form the proper question and it made me uneasy.

"Are you really…royalty?"

I stared down at my hands and nodded, as if it were something to be ashamed of. It was his turn to remain silent as if he were trying to find the right words. In the end he gave up and asked another question.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why did you lie to me?"

I sighed.

"I did not do it to hurt you."

"Answer the question, Kagome."

He remained motionless, waiting for a proper response.

"Kouga was offering a reward to anyone who found me and I was afraid that if anyone found out they would take me back. My father had sent me to marry Kouga in hopes of uniting our lands ad he did it without my consent. He always did everything without my consent for I was just a woman. Immediately when I arrived to this mansion I ran away. Unfortunately, I ran into a few men who sold me to a cathouse. This is where I met Kaede and Kikyo. I was thinking about running away, but before I could do anything I was taken to you. At first I despised you for your sarcasm, but then I realized that you had been the first person to ever take me into consideration. You had been the first one to treat me as a human being," I sighed and looked up at his face, feeling the tears beginning to form once again, "and before I knew it, I had fallen for you, Inuyasha."

The cold look on his face diminished and his eyes softened in understanding.

"Kagome, I—"

"I wanted to tell you. I tried to tell you. But the words never came out. I did not know if you would still see as the same person. I did not want to be treated like royalty anymore. I just wanted to be treated like a human. All I wanted was to live a normal life."

Before I knew it I was trapped in a passionate embrace. No words were needed. He understood what I was feeling and I understood him. He had forgiven me. He had given me another chance.

"I was angry," he whispered.

I turned my head to look at him.

"Not at you, but at the man who had claimed you as his bride."

"Inuyasha," I mumbled.

He continued.

"I would never allow some bastard to claim what is already mine."

I hugged him tighter, trying to ignore the feeling of butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

"Are you…are you going to marry him?"

I shook my head.

"Never," I whispered. "How can I marry someone when my heart belongs to another?"

He placed both of his hands on each side of my face and dipped his head, our lips clashing together and molding as one. There were so many emotions portrayed in this kiss—anger, frustration, passion, lust, love—it was driving me insane. I moaned at the softness of his lips and he took this as an opportunity to force his tongue inside my wet cavern; the feel of his talented tongue against mine and his strong musky scent was enough to drive me off the edge.

My hands, on their own accord, wrapped around his neck and forced him to lie on top of me. I whimpered as he abandoned my lips and left wet trails down my neck only to suck on my pulse. He softly caressed my thighs, slowly lifting my dress every time his hands moved higher. I could feel him smirk when I lifted up my dress all the way in frustration. He found my lips once again and teasingly pressed himself against my inner thigh.

I gasped once more when I felt his hands rub a place no man had ever touched before. He was gentle and mindful of his claws and I could do nothing but moan. My hands moved slowly across his back, memorizing each and every muscle.

"Inuyasha," I gasped he sucked on my earlobe.

He stopped his ministrations and turned to look at me, his hand tugging my black hair behind my ear. His gaze was soft and his eyes were brighter than gold itself.

He smiled and kissed my lips.

With his lips still pressed against mine he said, "Marry me."

I stared at him with shock. Had I heard correctly? Did he just…propose? I could feel my heart burst with joy and immediately hugged him.

"Is that a yes?" he grinned.

I giggled.

"Yes."

"Lets run away together. We can forget about everything that happened. I could resign as a gladiator and you could resign this lifestyle. We could live in the country…we wouldn't have much, but we'd have each other."

I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him. That was my response. But before we could to anything, the door swung open.

"How sweet, the poor gladiator is in love with my woman. Unfortunately for you, gladiator, your life ends now," he grinned maliciously. "Guards, seize them."

Ten men came into my room and grabbed Inuyasha, even if he could fight them off Kouga would only call for more.

"No," I shouted. "Kouga stop this, please."

"Kouga stop this, please," he mimicked me in a girly tone. "Do not tell me you are in love with this filthy creature."

"I am."

He walked up to me and slapped me hard in the face.

"Don't you dare touch her," Inuyasha yelled. "Don't you ever touch her!"

"I can do whatever I want to what is mine," he spat.

"I'm not yours Kouga."

He grabbed a hold of my arm, "You will be. The marriage has been moved up. Guards, send this despicable hanyou to the dungeon. Let the village know that there will be an execution tomorrow morning. As for you," he turned to look at me, "you will marry me. I have waited long enough."