Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha at all…

Episode Eight: The Truth Behind It All

Five Years Ago

Sesshomaru was struggling. He never understood the Vampire Culture of using 'silverware' instead of chopsticks, reading 'books' instead of scrolls, and most importantly, enjoying the past time of dancing the 'waltz'. He'll watch his little princess in the ballroom, talking to one of the servant boys in a different language and then dance with them. He was supposed to be paying attention because she was teaching him how to dance.

"Sesshou?" Kagome asked. "Were you watching?"

"Hn", he said. He wasn't really interested. He was more interested on ripping the servant boy's arms off. One hand was on her hips, where he would touch her, and the other were laced with her small hands, the very ones that caressed his face. He didn't like the boy touching her at all.

The blonde boy looked over at the Western Lord and spoke to Kagome. She laughed at whatever the boy said to her, probably something insulting his person, which put him in a foul mood.

"What did he said?" He asked which made the boy flinch.

"He said that you looked rather in a foul mood and it was scaring him", Kagome answered as walked over to the Demon Lord and sat in his lap. "Are you bored, Sesshou? Would you like do to something else?"

Kagome saw a glint in the demon's as he picked her up and flung her over his shoulders. "I have one thing in mind." He said.

She gulped. "Uh oh…"

"Ma dame?" The boy called out. "Ma dame?"

"Je vais bien. Jouer avec Inu Seigneur maintenant . "

"What did you say?" Sesshomaru demanded.

Kagome sighs. "I told him that I'll be playing with you now."

Sesshomaru smiled. "Good. We can have a dance of our own."

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"A ball?" Kagome asked after taking a gulp of vodka. After the sparring session, the group all bathe and relax until the pub opened up to the public. The group sat in at the bar table where it was quiet enough to talk before more people came in.

Kaname nodded. "I've forgotten. Tomorrow is the fifth anniversary Kamui has been reconstructed from the flames. Everyone in town is invited to the Vampire Kingdom to celebrate the memory of the village and how it was brought back to life."

"That's amazing!", Kikyo exclaimed.

"Inuyasha was a resident here before it burned down", Kagome said, gulping more of her drink to drown away the guilt. "I nearly forgot, but I usually return back to Mikage and miss it. It'll give us an excuse to look around town for clothes and stuff."

Inuyasha keh'd. "'Bout time someone remembers what happens."

"And you all can be my very special guests", Kaname added.

"I'll be there", Kagome said. "Food, music, and the Waltz!"

The word 'Waltz' brought the silent Sesshomaru back to the conversation. "The what?"

"The Waltz", Kagome answered as she hopped off her stool. "It's a dance and very popular in balls and stuff. I'll teach you all if I have to."

Kikyo cheered.

Sesshomaru drew in a sigh. 'Not this again.'

"I must take my leave", Kaname said, getting off the stool. "I must start the preperations. I will see you all tomorrow. Have a pleasant night." He left the group and walked out of the pub. Before he could leave for the kingdom, he sensed Kagome behind him and turned. "M'yes, Kagome?"

The little vampire blushed. "Erm…uh…I'll need your help…with something. You said earlier that you would help me."

He faintly smiled at her. "Yes, my dear. What is it that you need help with?"

Kagome looked at the ground. She had been procrastinating asking Kaname the very question on her to-do list. "Erm…I…" 'Why am I struggling to ask him? It's just a simple question.' "K-Kaname…I…"

"What is it?"

She gulped down a breath then asked, "Will you help me reclaim my kingdom?"

Kaname's eyes widen in shock, and so did a pair of golden. Sesshomaru came outside in search of Kagome because she was gone for too long. As he walked outside the pub, he heard her question and stopped dead in his tracks behind her.

The air around them was still, suffocating.

It was Kaname that spoke. "Your kingdom?"

Kagome nodded. "I did want to wait until I've gotten all of my memories, but I have enough to get by. I was once a Vampire Princess. I ran the entire kingdom on my own. I know I can do it again, but I just to know where and who is running it now. And I need your help."

Kaname sighed in relief. He thought that all of her memories had returned without knowing. But she is remembering more of herself though. "Kagome, why not just marry me so we both can rule?"

Her heart skipped a beat. He gave her an offer, to be by his side forever, to rule with him. But yet, it didn't seem right at the same time. It didn't feel right. "No", she said, shaking her head. "I'll have to be a pure breed to marry you. And, plus, I want to do this on my own." She looked down at her hands. "You might not believe me, but I had Sesshomaru help the kingdom at one time." Her face heated up. Flashes of sex sessions she had with Sesshomaru back then flashed before her eyes.

Kaname frowned at his little vampire. She was thinking about the dog, and not of him and it sickens him. She travels with him, she indulge in him, and even talks to him. He would not let this dog further ruining her future. "I do apologize, Kagome, but I do think that marrying me is the only way I can think of."

"But someone is out there, taking my place", she said, her voice rising in anger. "I should be the one at my kingdom, watching over the people I know. For all I know, some dumbass is taking my place and is screwing everything up!"

A low chuckle could be heard from behind Kagome. She was shock to find Sesshomaru behind her, not noticing him there before. She blushed again at the sight of him laughing. This was the first time since she met him had she seen him laugh. Seeing his face so relaxed, showing how childish he looks, made her giggle.

Kaname had enough of this foolishness. "Look Kagome", he said, getting the vampire's attention, "there's a reason why I can't help you reclaim back your kingdom."

"Other than you and me might be enemies?" she asked cautiously. "My family isn't enemies with yours, are they?"

Kaname raised a brow and drew down to a whisper. "Do you even know your family name?"

She opened her mouth, but then closed it, her eyes widening in shock. "Uh…my family's name… I don't…-" She look down at her hands. 'My name, the vampire linage is to have a name. A name with power, yet how do I not know it?'

She was suddenly in the embrace of Sesshomaru, her back pressed against his chest. "You don't have to remember all at once", he whispered. "Take your time."

Kagome began to tremble in his arms. She thought she was ready to face her past, but she couldn't remember her family's name, the Vampire name she was born with. She was given the last name of 'Higurashi' when she was found. 'Why can't I remember? A simple name, why can't I remember?'

Kaname was heartbroken at the scene he just witness. 'They are…close.' He walked up to his little vampire and wiped away her tears. 'At least he and I have one thing in common: we don't want the past to repeat itself.' "Kagome, don't push yourself to remembering. My Little Vampire."

Kagome looked up at the Vampire Prince and nodded.

He nodded at her and towards Sesshomaru, whom was still holding her. 'I'll let it go this time' he thought. He turned on his heels and disappeared into the night.

Sesshomaru still held the little vampire. "It's fine, Kagome." He turned her around to see her face. He ran his thumb across her cheeks to rid of the tears. He didn't want to see her like this. 'Broken. Confused. Lost. Please, would you smile for me?' "Kagome…"

"He's hiding something from me", she said, her voice sounding indifferent as they looked up at the Demon Lord. "And so are you." Her gaze drew into a glare.

"Kagome."

She pushed away from him and balled her fists. "What are you two hiding from me? I want answers and I want them now. Why can't I remember my family's name? Why can't I reclaim my kingdom? Why is Kaname still keeping secrets and why are you now?"

Sesshomaru folded his arms into his sleeves and stared at the little vampire. He didn't like the anger getting turned on to him now. "I do recall you saying that you did not want to remember your past. Why the sudden interest?"

"Because I want to where I come from", she answered. "I want to know if I had a family or siblings. I had a kingdom and I ran it with you by my side and I want that back."

He raised an eyebrow. "So it's Power that you want? To be a Vampire Ruler?" He looked away from her, getting angry himself. "I was there to protect you, because you were too young to run the kingdom on your own. I was just your babysitter."

Kagome's anger flared up. "Babysitter?! What the hell are you talking about?"

The Demon Lord sighs and returns his gaze to her. "It doesn't matter now, Kagome. You're not fit to rule anything at the current moment. Especially with you acting like a brat." It was cold of him, he realized that, but it was the only thing he could do to get her mind off the ridiculous subject. It was for her own well being.

That was the second time he has insulted her. "Sesshomaru, you asshole! I don't want Power, I could care less. I just want to know who I am and not live in the shadows of my past."

"You've said it yourself that you don't care about the past. 'The past is the past and there's nothing to do about it', those were your words."

"That's because I didn't want to kill you when I said it", she yelled. "You were special to me back then and framed for doing something you didn't do."

He eyes widen at her outburst. "You think I was framed?"

"It's pretty obvious that it wasn't you that attacked me." Her hands went down to her stomach. "You don't have blood-red eyes. You've never looked at me with hatred. You wouldn't take away something that you're given me. And from the fields of lilacs to now, you've never hurt me." 'You just drown me with kisses', she thought as her cheeks heated up. "T-that's what I want to reclaim my kingdom, so I can find the person who framed you. He's still out there if you are still alive. He could've just killed you, but he went after me instead."

Silence surrounded them. The chirpings of bats could be heard overhead. Kagome waited patiently for Sesshomaru to answer. He knew she was right, or else he wouldn't be so close to her.

Sesshomaru looked at the little vampire, and then closed his eyes. "Naraku."

"Naraku", she asked. "My name is Kagome Naraku?"

His eyes snapped open. "No! He is the one that framed me and attacked you." He sighs. "He's the one who destroyed your kingdom, slaughtering everyone in the kingdom. No one survived, but you."

Kagome gulped. 'Naraku is his name. It sounds familiar.' She then remembers when Kouga had told everyone stories around the campfire. "Naraku, Kouga spoke of him before. He can't be the same one you and Kouga went after and killed, is he?"

Sesshomaru nodded.

"But…didn't you kill him? That's what Kouga said. Your sword can kill the vampires and even half breeds like me. Kouga said he was never seen again."

Sesshomaru frowned at the memory. "I was certain that I did. There was so much blood." He looked down at his claws. "He cried in pain before I delivered the final blow…I was so certain."

"But why did he come to my kingdom or come after me in the first place?"

He looked up at her with a small smile. "It was no secret that you were supposed to be my Queen. Everyone knew you were my marked mate." Then he frowned. "Naraku took the opportunity to strike, thus destroying the kingdom and ending the life of the woman I loved. All out of revenge and it was perfect."

"If Naraku is still out there, why haven't you gone to find him?"

"Hn. All the really mattered was you, Kagome." He stepped closer to her and brought her into his embrace. "I found you in a pool of your own blood, my seeds in the mix. I've thought I've lost you, but your heart was beating strong. It wasn't until I was told that I was the one that attacked you was when I went away. I vowed to find you again and clear my name. And…here we are now."

Kagome returned the embrace. She knew that it wasn't him that attacked her. She just knew. Sesshomaru was always kind and sweet to her, a little on the Nymphomaniac side, but no harm was done. "Now, there's only one thing I have to do now", she said.

"And what is that?"

"I'm going to kill Naraku." She said that in an excited tone.

The Demon Lord looked at the little vampire, wide-eyed. "No, Kagome. You can't! He's too dangerous."

"And you're not", she asked, raising a brow.

He gripped her shoulders. "Naraku is the reason why I lost you in the first place. I'm not going to let you go after him. He'll kill you."

The vampire then pushes the demon away. "You clearly have no faith in me, do you?" She turned away from him and folded her arms. "I'm a vampire. I can kill anything and everything if I wanted to. I can take anyone down, even you and you know it. How is Naraku any different than anything I can kill?"

Sesshomaru just stared at her. He didn't know how to answer. Hell, he didn't how to explain to her how ruthless Naraku really is, yet she is ready to kill him. 'This is to be expected of her. Full of Pride, Power, and Strength.' He then sighs. "Okay. But if you want to go after Naraku, I'm coming with you." He was then almost tackled to the ground due to the hug the little vampire gave him.

"Thank you", she whispered.

The next morning, Kagome discussed her plan to both Inuyasha and Kikyo about going after Naraku for vengeances of framing Sesshomaru and destroying her family and home.

"I thought Naraku was dead", they both said in unison.

Kagome sighs. "I know, I thought so too."

Inuyasha keh'd. " 'Bout time Sesshomaru finally screw something up. He couldn't kill one half-breed."

"You ought to hold your tongue, brother", Sesshomaru warned with a growl.

"It's not Sesshomaru's fault", Kagome pleaded. "He didn't know so cut him some slack, Inuyasha."

The half-breed feh'd.

"So, we're going to go after him?" Kikyo asked.

Kagome nodded. "That's the plan."

"But, where is he", she asked. "Where can we go find him?"

Kagome, unfortunately didn't think that far. She just wanted to go down to the South where the Demon Kingdom was and search him out. But even so, how does she know that if he's there? She then lay back onto her bed. "I don't know…"

"It'll be another adventure, Kagome", Inuyasha sat, sitting next to her with his arms in his sleeves. "We don't need to find the direct location of this asshole, we can ask around."

"Adventure!", Kikyo cheered. "And they way, we get to cut him up into pieces and be drenched in his blood. The excitement is killing me!"

Inuyasha hid behind the now upright and laughing Kagome. "I swear, Kikyo. There's nothing Holy about you but your virtue."

She huffed. "You're just jealous because you're also a virgin, Inuyasha."

His face turned red. "Fuck off, Kikyo!"

Kagome couldn't stop laughing at her friends bickering. She was at peace to find out that they will join her on her mission. She glanced over to Sesshomaru, whom was sitting against the wall, staring off into space. She was more than happy that he'll join her as well. 'Not like I could shake him off', she thought. 'He'll just follow me everywhere I go.'

Sesshomaru wasn't entirely staring off into space. He was contemplating of rather or not he should tell them of what Kouga had told him. 'Naraku is in hiding in a human village' he thought. While his now team were excited about their new adventure, he stayed silent until he heard the priestess scream.

"A spider!" Kikyo leaped onto Inuyasha's back in fear. "Kill it! Kill it!"

On Kagome's bed was a black spider with glowing red eyes and twitching fangs. It was abnormal big for a normal spider, but the group (except Kikyo) didn't see anything of it.

Inuyasha sighs. "You kill demons, want to cut them to pieces and bathe in their blood, but you're afraid of spiders?"

"A harmless one at that", Kagome added as she gently scoops the eight-legged bug onto her palm. "It's not going to hurt you. It's rather cute. See?"

"Kill it!" she wailed again. "Kill it! Kill it! Kill it!"

"Fine." Kagome rolled her eyes as she left her room to go outside. "How did you get into my room, little fella", she asked the spider. "My room doesn't have any insects so it's best for you to stay outside." She planted a kiss on top of the arachnid before putting it down to the ground. "Be safe", she said before going back into the pub.

The spider's fangs twitched and it scurried into a dark shadow of some houses. It then stopped and began to morph into a humanoid. Its hair was long, black and wavy, it's skin was as pale as snow and it's eyes were of the color of blood. The spider had transformed into a handsome man baby blue kimono and black pants. He then grins as his fingers touch his right cheek.

"She sure is…friendly", he said in a dark, sinister tone. "Think it's about time to come out of hiding." He quickly turned and headed north, where the Vampire Kingdom stood in the distance.

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"Why is it so difficult for you to learn one simple dance?" Kagome sighed at the Demon Lord. Kagome took her friends back to the sparring clearing to teach them The Waltz for the night's ball. It was simple to teach Kikyo and a lot easy teaching Inuyasha to the point both friends could practice on each other. Now it was Sesshomaru's turn and he was failing miserably at it.

Kagome looked up at the demon. "How come you are so difficult to teach?"

"I'm not interested into Vampire Dancing", he said.

"It's not 'vampire dancing', it's something I learned from Kaname." She had her right hand on his left shoulder and her right hand in his left. The form is perfect. It always when he moves, he goes the opposite of her teachings. 'This is bothersome.'

"I do not want to go to the ball if this dance is required", he said, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"This isn't really required to be known, it's just fun to do."

"Fun?" He raised a brow. "Walking into circles with a partner is fun?"

Kagome sighs and lets go of the Demon Lord. "You're hopeless, Sesshou."

He smiled at his nickname.

"Yoo-hoo~! Ka-Gooooo-Me", called out a voice.

The couple turned around to find a blonde vampire in a crisp white suit leaning against the trees. Both Inuyasha and Kikyo stopped their dancing due to the call.

"Mizuki", Kagome exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"I came by to pick up the 'Guests of Honor' for the ball", he said, walking towards the group. He then pulled the little vampire into his embrace. "It's so nice of you teaching the commoners how to dance. That's soooooo sweet!"

"Not really", Kagome said, smiling weakly at the older vampire. "Sesshomaru can't dance at all."

"That doesn't surprise me", Mizuki muttered coldy before getting happy again. "Come along, little fledglings! Off to the Vampire Kingdom!"

"So Kaname sent over a scout?" Inuyasha asked.

Mizuki turned towards the half breed, ready to yell at him for calling him a 'scout' but his eyes fell over to the half-breed's ears. His blue eyes widen. "Oh my god!" He went over to Inuyasha to rub his ears. "This. Is. Splendid!"

"Knock it off!" Inuyasha pushed the vampire away from him.

"My apologies." Mizuki bowed at Inuyasha. "Your ears were calling to my attention." He then faced Kagome. "His ears are soft. It must be fun touching them while he's sleeping."

"It is", both Kikyo and Kagome giggled.

Mizuki didn't waste any more time leading the group to the white kingdom, it was a two hour walk at most for them, which gave them enough time before guests would arrive. "I'll be taking the men to my quarters and dress them properly for the occasions", Mizuki said as they near the white gates of the kingdom. "You're okay taking your friend to your room to find a dress, Kagome?"

The little vampire nodded.

"Alright, my little fledglings", Mizuki said as he waved his hands over at the guard that had the gates closed, "we are here. I bring you…The Vampire Kingdom of Kuran!"