A/N: I hate Takemaru xD lol.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha's characters.

Claimer: I do however own the story idea.

Past Attractions

Chapter Ten

Izayoi walked beside I'yun which was directly behind the two men who seemed to be fighting without using words whatsoever. She wondered how long Takemaru would last before Taisho ended up killing him though she hoped the demon would restrain himself as he was doing now. The lady could sense the distress from her companion, the twin headed beast shifted uneasily as they walked it was certainly apparent that the situation was only creating more problems.

She brought her gaze from I'yun to the two men; she was annoyed with Takemaru, why did he have to make everything go to hell? He had always been like this; she could remember the first time the two met 13 years ago, he was older than she by 8 years or at least she believed and from all the suitors the youngest. Izayoi could remember the fondness her parents had for the man, no matter how she felt they had already chosen their favorite. Had it not been for their passing she would have been forced into marriage and ended up in a loveless bond for her entire life.

Perhaps if things had been better she wouldn't have held such disdain towards Lord Takemaru. She even now held some resentment towards him and her parents. Izayoi sighed and brought a delicately pale hand up to her forehead, it all seemed so surreal; the death of her parents, her kidnapping from the palace, and her traveling with the lord of the west. It certainly was a lot of stuff to take in.

"Izayoi."

The woman looked up in surprise, the group had stopped but she had been walking and nearly ran into the great lord himself. Her pale cheeks grew a rose color and she looked down, "S-sorry…" she murmured softly, stepping back a couple of inches.

Taisho watched her movement with an arched brow, curious to know where her mind had gone during that small period; he did not bother to question her though. "You are to stay here with these two until I come back." He now told her. Her head shot up and she appeared to be struggling with an argument that would most likely end in her defeat. "We are nearing a demon lord's land; I must speak with him and cannot bring humans with me." He turned to Takemaru instantly shutting any form of comment from her. "Watch her and keep her out of trouble human."

Takemaru grunted, "Like you need to tell me, demon!"

"Good." Taisho smirked, with that he could carry on with his mission without worrying about the woman who seemed to love getting into trouble. Of course leaving her in the hands of the human soldier was probably a bad idea; most likely he would try to bring her back to her little nation and at present Taisho could not allow that to happen. There was a reason he was keeping her around. He whistled for I'yun and she stalked over to him, he leaned over to her and added quietly, "Make certain that man doesn't try anything funny with her."

When the dragon nodded in response, Taisho was off in a flash.

Izayoi frowned and he vanished quickly. She was left behind by him and he left her in the care of her previous suitor of all people. Why did she feel lonely when he left her, something inside hurt and she couldn't understand it, it frustrated her so much.

"Well milady," she felt the hand of Takemaru weigh heavy on her shoulder suddenly. "Shall we head in the direction of home while the demon is away?"

"Lord Takemaru." she spoke softly bringing her gaze up to meet his, she held a smile that the man recognized as danger. "We will be staying put as Lord Taisho has instructed or you may remove your presence from my side at any given time on your own." her voice was laced with a melodic rythme that both frightened Takemaru and mezmorized him. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes ma'am." his hand was too his side.

-x-

Taisho had been quick to rid himself of his companions, as of that moment he had shifted his direction towards the North in hopes of general information. His hunt was still underway, what he knew of his target was far less than he wanted to admit but he knew of one other person who could bring a cold lead back ablaze with little to no effort. Of course the snowy climate of the North would be harsher on his new human herd and it did not set well to have them get killed in order to get what he wanted.

With that in mind, he rushed along the ground, knowing the closer he got to the North the less green and trees he'd see. The generations of lords of the North seemed to not enjoy the closure of trees around, so had the kindgom built upon and along the snowy mountains that arose above the ground and what trees were around, were knocked down and used for villages and small settlements within the land.

The demon could sense a chill in the air as he ran, only one of many signs he was getting closer towards his destination. He could recall meeting the lord of the North many many decades ago, it wasn't often the two met personally most the time the two would write briefly to one another. They were in some aspects friends, Taisho had grew up building the relationship with the demons and now he continued onward as an adult making certain the ties between the two were never cut even when the newest of threats made it's presence known.

Just a head of him he could clearly, the kingdom in which he had come to visit, though his visit was unannounced and not at all informed to the lord. Taisho had confidence he would not be denied to be seen announced or unannounced, he supposed it was because of the relationship. As he came closer, his speed decreased the large auburn gate had been risen up so he would have to state his business there before allowed access. The castle was surrounded by a deep trench that made it impossible for instrusions through the front entrance without any signs of warning, any who wished to invade would have to take the sky and even that was even riskier.

This was of course the castle of a dragon.

"I am here to meet with the lord of the North; Tsukimi!" he announced clearly as he approached where the bridge would be dropped. "I am Inu No Taisho, lord of the West!"

The two demons looked down at him from their posts at first unimpressed by the status of the demon which was of no surprise to Taisho. Dragons were well reserved and powerful creatures, he doubt even he in a serious fight could handle one. After a moment or two the draw bridge was dropped down and slammed before the dog demon mere inches from him, a large gust of wind blew his hair in a chaos, whipping his face unplesantly.

They certainly did that on purpose... he thought nonchantly as he walked forward through the large gates, on either sides a white statue of dragons were posted, most likely representing the lords from past generations though he never clarified with the current lord. Taisho continued his pace until he made his way to two large doors, they creaked open as he approached, this was the actual entrance to the fortress of the dragons.

"Ah, Inu No Taisho.. such an honor to have you here." Taisho looked up to see one of the regular servants that greeted him every visit, he bowed as the demon lord came closer. "Milord has been expecting you." he added.

Of course he has... when wasn't he? It seemed even on unexpected visits, Tsukimi knew the demon lord would be there. It helped that the dragon lords of all generations retained an ability or power so to speak that allowed them to see a little into the future. "Lead me to him." Taisho now said, he wathed the servant nod and turn heel.

"Lord Taisho!" as the large doors drew back the dragon lord himself, Tsukimi, stood from where he sat and almost ran over to his visitor. "I was wondering how long it would take you! I could barely keep still knowing you'd come and visit me!" he announced happily. The man or demon, stood as tall as Taisho himself; long silver hair pulled back into his usual braid that laid over his shoulder elegantly, bright green eyes that acted as a distraction for the most part, and pale skin that made even Izayoi look tan. This was Tsukimi, the 14th dragon lord from the oldest colony of demons around who ever owned any land. It was pretty impressive not something that anyone could take for granted or lightly, out of all the dragons that Taisho knew, only Tsukimi was beyond reserve.

In fact the man was bubbly. "You must come and sit!" Tsukimi eagerly announced, running from his visitor to the chairs he had within the library.

"Tsukimi, I am here-"

"Yes yes! You're certainly here for something." waved the dragon as he sat back down and ordered drinks for the two. Tsukimi was very different from the other dragons, in was a surprise the others hadn't started a revolution but of course they were as loyal as any dog with the exception of a few lone pieces. "Come now, Taisho, don't give me that look. I am well aware this visit isn't a joy call."

Taisho sighed and approached his 'friend' and took a seat across from the dragon. He wasn't even going to bother trying to start a conversation knowing full well Tsukimi would change directions of said conversation to devirt it away from the actual point. The drinks were brought in and placed upon a table between the two chairs, Tsukimi took to slapping away his servant so he could do the serving. "So.. I hear you got yourself a human well two actually but I am far more interested in the female."

Not where Taisho wanted to go.

The dog demon brought a hand to his forehead to sooth a headache from beginning, "Must we go there, Tsukimi?"

"Oh yes. Most definitely." Tsukimi chimed as he sat back comfortably in his chair with his cup.

"She's merely a human that was caught in the cross fire." he murmured.

"Far from it actually."

Taisho shot a glance at Tsukimi, "What do you mean?"

"Well... I suppose she was thrown into a cross fire but it had been intentional." Tsukimi stated.

"Please continue."

Tsukimi looked over to Taisho as he took a sip of his drink, the only time Tsukimi ever appeared serious were in times that needed the utmost of it. "The lead you got was a false. He has learned that you are looking for him, Taisho. Because of this he had false information reach your ears and you ended up attacking that castle."

Inu No Taisho gritted his teeth and clamped his hands into fists, frustrated with the news. "So she's just an innocent bystander?!" he growled lowly.

The dragon didn't bother to answer the question. It was obvious now. Tsukimi took another sip of his drink before putting the cup down, "He has become quite strong in the last couple of weeks, Taisho, it's becoming unbearable to say the least. To keep news from leaking only a few people are trusted with this delicate matter so that they do not reach his ears." the man spoke softly and much more quietly, as if trying to keep even the walls from hearing.

Taisho nodded. "Where is he now?"

Tsukimi eyed him at first before taking a carefree disposition, "I'll tell you after the ball you attend with your female human tomorrow evening." he smiled.

"What?"

"You heard me. You never come over to play anymore Taisho." Tsukimi crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back casually. "If you want that information then you must come with your human. I want to meet this woman. I only know a little of this woman, she is suppose to be as beautiful as any demon."

"Who told you that?!"

"So you'll come! Excellent! I'll see you there!"

"Tsukimi come back here this instant!" Taisho stood up but by then Tsukimi had already rushed out the door, leaving the dog demon dumbfounded.