Crossed Path

"It seems you found a new lover, Sesshoumaru chan," said his mother.

"What makes you assume that?" said her son, arching an eyebrow.

"You stopped visitng the Hanakoen, if it is not women what else does a man indulge in?" the Lady of the West looked playfully in the eyes of her son. Hanakoen was where the courtesans resided.

"Make no more guesses for there is no such person," said the Lord and turned his gaze away from his mother.

"Hmm. You really are hiding her somewhere," said the Lady thoughtfully and she sipped the drink from her cup, savouring the bittersweet taste before asking,"Who is she?"

"Mother, I do not wish to discuss this."

"Sesshoumaru chan, it is cruel to keep secrets from your own mother," said the Lady as she placed a hand on her son's shoulder lightly, making her son turned his gaze back to her.

"I fulfilled my part and produced an heir. There is nothing more to discuss," answered the Lord coldly and with an air of finality.

"You are so uncute, Sesshoumaru chan," said the Lady with pursed lips and walked lightly away to visit her much adorable grandchild.

…...

"I guess Inuichi would not find me here," thought Yoshiaki as he hid himself under a thick tree root, covered by bushes and shrubs.

Yoshiaki and Inuichi and other playmates were going out of the castle to play and practice swordsmanship. Ejishima had set a curfew before dinnertime. They practiced many rounds and were tired. Bored with swordsmanship, they decided to play hide and seek. Inuichi was chosen as the catcher and while he was counting up to hundred, the other pups went their way into the woods and grasslands to hide.

They had played this game many times and Yoshiaki knew fairly well all the good hiding places. This time, he decided to venture deeper into the woods and he found the tree bark. As Yoshiaki lied flat on his chest and waited patiently for the seeker, he heard a faint sound. His ears twitched to the listen more carefully. He lifted his head slightly to see his surrounding.

There was a boy about his age, squatting under a tree a few feet away from him. However, the boy was not one of his playmates. The boy was obviously trembling and he had his clasped while he chanted a prayer, which Yoshiaki could not comprehend.

Suddenly, a loud voice echoed in the forest. "Don't you think you can run away, boy!"

In an instant, the boy jerked his head up and looked frantically around in fear.

Feeling danger was not far, Yoshiaki called out as softly as he could to the boy.

"Hey! Pss!"

The boy turned his head towards the voice and saw Yoshiaki waving a hand and hiding under the tree roots.

"Come over here," whispered Yoshiaki as he gestured the boy to hide with him under the tree roots.

The boy got up from his position and quickly ran towards where Yoshiaki was. Yoshiaki at once made way for the boy to hide beside him.

"Thank you. I am Taka." Taka said and smiled gratefully.

"You are welcome. I am Yoshiaki." He smiled back, showing his teeth.

On a closer inspection, Taka realized this boy not only had silvery white hair but also blue eyes and canine teeth. "Are you a demon?" Taka grew weary and Yoshiaki sense the other boy's discomfort.

"Yes, I am," answered Yoshiaki cheerfully.

Unexpectedly, Taka shrieked in fright, forgetting about the fact that they were supposed to be hiding.

"Found you!" yelled the rough voice and both of them could hear the footsteps of another approaching. Alarmed, Yoshiaki held onto Taka's hand and pulled him up as they ran down the forest as fast as they could.

"Come back here, you scum!" the man shouted. Yoshiaki could not sense any youki from the man but he was sure the man meant harm. He prepared himself to slain the man as he gripped on his sword with the other hand. On the other hand, Taka was confused and frightened, he did not know who he should run away from, he wanted to push away Yoshiaki's clawed hands but his gripped was tight and he could only follow the demon child's quick pace.

It was not long when they stopped at the side of the river. Yoshiaki was prepared to step into the water when Taka pulled him back.

"I can't swim," said Taka with worried eyes.

"There you are, you disrespect filth," a coarse voice said behind them. "And who are you, boy?" asked the man as he pointed his sword at Yoshiaki.

Taka shivered at the sight of the man and hid behind Yoshiaki. "Help me," he whispered desperately. Even if Yoshiaki was a demon, he would save him right?

"I am Yoshiaki," replied Yoshiaki. With a swift movement, he drew his sword and stood bravely to face the pursuer. Have Courage.Yoshiaki was an aristocratic son. He would fight the man, demon or not.

The man looked at him in amusement and laughed, "My, you think you can fight me. I am the bodyguard of the respectable Shogun. Do you think you can kill me?"

"Leave us alone," said Yoshiaki as he bared his teeth.

"You are brave boy but I would finish off the two of you. You first," said the man before he raised his sword and attack Yoshiaki. Yoshiaki blocked his attack with the katana at once and they fought a few more rounds.

Taka watched worriedly and tried to think of something as he clasped his hands together and prayed. In the midst of fighting, Taka saw a figure rose up from the river and he jumped back in fear.

"What are all this noise?" said the figure annoyed and looked on in astonishment, "Why, it is Yoshiaki chan?" The figure turned and looked at Taka. " Hmm, I assume Yoshiaki chan is saving you from the man, boy?"

Taka nodded hesitantly in shock as he looked in disbelief at the almost transparent figure.

"Child, do not be afraid. This Kawada is going to save you."

However, Taka looked on with widened eyes at the figure.

"Now, do as I say, jump into the river," said Kawada as he held his hands out at Taka.

However, Taka shook his head profusely.

Kawada signed dejectedly and reassured, "This Kawada will not harm you. I promise."

Still, Taka refused to move.

Meanwhile, Yoshiaki and the man had changed side and he easily spotted Kawada speaking to Taka. Taking advantage of his distraction, the man slashed his sword at an opening Yoshiaki gave away. With a loud thud, Yoshiaki fell hard to the ground, air was knocked out of his lungs.

"I got you," the man grinned as he lifted his sword above his head, prepared to slice it through Yoshiaki's heart.

Yoshiaki eyes widened and tried to think of a way to dodge the attack when he felt a cold liquid under his feet and quickly spreading across his body.

"What?" the man cried in shock as he felt the same strange coldness under his feet and his eyes widened when he saw the wave of water from the river approached him fiercely. Within a second, the water engulfed him and pulled him deep under the river.

"Easy boys," said Kawada as he held on tightly to the two boys and traveled down the river. Though their clothes were wet, Kawada had helped them float on a platform after they crossed a river junction.

"Thank you, Kawada sama," said Yoshiaki as he smiled gratefully to the river guardian as he held on to the floating platform.

"You are welcome. Now, can you tell me where you are staying, Taka chan? You see I am quite old."

"It is just over there, across that mountain," said Taka as he pointed to the direction of the mountain.

"Alright, better get going," Kawada said in a singsong manner and glided down the river.

Soon they reached the bank and landed safely on land. After waving goodbye to Kawada, they turned to walk to Taka's village.

"I don't know why you and Kawada sama saved me," said Taka as he led them to the path back to the village.

"Why shouldn't I?" asked Yoshiaki, raising an eyebrow.

"Because I am a human? Mother always says demons are evil."

"Well, not all demons are evil. Hmm, Master Jaken always says humans are stupid and smell disgusting."

"But I am not stupid and I bath everyday." Retorted Taka.

"I see. Then Master Jaken is wrong," said Yoshiaki with an innocent smile. "There are actually good humans in the world."

"And so is mother. You are not evil," Taka said as he returned the smile. "It's getting late, Mother will be worried if I am not home."

"How far are we from your home?" asked Yoshiaki.
"It is just down the road, do you want to stay for dinner?"

"Yes, I would like to."

It took them another ten minutes to reach the village.

"Mother!" cried Taka joyfully as he spotted his mother and ran to her.

"Taka, where have you been? Why are you all wet?" said the mother as she looked at her son lovingly.

Yoshiaki looked on enviously. He wanted to have a mother who would embrace him when he came home, who love him dearly, who he can pour all his troubles to.

"Mother, I would like to introduce you to my new friend. This is Yoshiaki," said Taka as he turned to look at Yoshiaki.

All of a sudden, Taka's mother face turned pale and her eyes glistened. Those eyes showed fear and hatred.

"Get away!" cried Taka's mother as she pulled her son close to her side.

"Mother?" Taka asked puzzled and winced at the strong protective hold of his mother.

"This boy is a demon. How many times must I remind you these creatures are dangerous?" chided the mother.

"Mother, Yoshiaki saved my life." Taka explained. "I was chased by the people of the Shogunate and he saved me."

Taka mother's eye widened as she comprehended her son's words but she continued to look warily at Yoshiaki.

At the moment, the neighbour who heard the raised voice came over and asked, "Is there any trouble?" When she saw Yoshiaki, she tensed and rushed off, crying "Demon! I must inform the priests."

"Don't!" Taka's mother called but the neighbour had already run away.

With lightning speed, she went inside the house and grabbed a dry clothing and ran out of the house. "Come with me," she instructed Yoshiaki as she grabbed his hand and ran to the far side of the forest. As the reached the end of the forest, she told him, "Run down to the other side of the hill, and far away. You should be able to go home from there. The priests will not find you."

"Why are you helping me?" asked Yoshiaki.

Taka's mother hesitated before she answered, "You saved my son, I am merely repaying back. Go now." There was something else in her eyes, but time was running out and swiftly, Yoshiaki turned away and ran on, with the dry clothing.

A while later, the priests arrived and asked about the presence of the demon child.

"Father, I am sorry. It got away," answered Taka's mother.

"I see. It is alright, Haruka san," replied the priest as he made a sign of the cross, "May the lord bless this village. Amen."

…...

Ejishima was searching ups and downs the whole palace. She was worried and petrified; the prince was nowhere to be found. She had sent guards to search for the prince where he was last seen by the playmates. It had been more than six hours since the prince was reported missing and not even the slightest trace of the prince was found by anyone.

She treated Yoshiaki like her own son. She remembered well the first day Yoshiaki was brought to her by the Lord.

She was waiting quietly in the nursery. The Lord had appointed her as the foster mother of the young lord.

"From now on he will be in your care."

Ejishima held the baby tenderly from the lord's hands. It was obvious this was a newborn baby. Ejishima was shocked. She looked up at the Lord to seek for answers.

"My lord, I beg your answers. Who is the mother?"

The lord gave her a cold stare and remained aloof. Ejishima shivered slightly. Though she was much older than the young lord, she was intimidated by the lord's glare. Having seen the Lord grew up, she came to understand that the young lord disliked to be questioned. It was not her position to question the lord.

"Yoshiaki," said the young lord.

"I beg your pardon, my lord?"

"Yoshiaki will be his name."

Ejishima quickly rushed to report to the Western Lord. She knocked on the door of her lord's study room quickly. She waited for the lord to answer and took a moment of breather.

"Come in," came the usual command.

Ejishima greeted the lord.

"What brings you here?"

Ejishima stiffened slightly and tried to speak with her voice intact, "The prince was missing. He was playing with Inuichi and the others when-"

There was a deafening growl that almost filled the whole building.

Ejishima immediately bowed her head to the floor, apologetically.

"Where was he last seen?" Sesshoumaru growled as he glared at the foster mother.

"Across the village. Near the river," answered Ejishima.

"I want the pups to be brought to me when I return," Sesshoumaru commanded.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, you cannot punish them. They are still young." Ejishima pleaded immediately.

"Do not attempt to tell me what to do," snarled Sesshoumaru as he prepared to leave.

Ejishima shivered slightly as the lord walked towards her. He could punish her if he wanted to but all he said was "Guard the house." With that, the lord was gone.

…..

There was a loud, angry howl that echoed down the hill.

Haruka woke up startled. She was sweating profusely. She thought she had heard the same growl from the past. She looked around and realized it was just a dream. She was having the same nightmare.

"Run," the priestess told her.

"Run? Why Kagome sama?" Haruka asked.

Kagome caressed the cheek of the little girl and said in a dejected voice, "Why? Because this place is going to be ruined."

As her family travelled away from the village, Haruka heard the howl as it echoed down the hill and sent a chill down Haruka's back. She was tempted to look back at what happened to the village but his father hugged her and pressed her to his chest, preventing her from looking back. That scared her and she asked, "Papa?"

"Do not look, come Papa will carry you," replied his father as he lifted her up and the family continued up the hill. When they reached the top of the hill, Haruka managed to glimpsed at their village below the hill from her father's shoulder. She was frightened and shocked. The whole village was engulfed in fire. Flames burnt and smoke rose up to the sky. She shut her eyes tightly and rested her head on her father's shoulder, seeking warmth and security. Her heart prayed silently for the safety of the priestess and the lives lost.

Till then, Haruka had not met the priestess. She wondered if Kagome sama was still around.

"Mother? Are you not sleeping?" Taka asked as he rubbed his sleepy eyes, preparing to sit up on the bed.

"Shh. Go back to sleep," murmured Haruka as she gently rested her son back on the bed and pulled the blanket over him. She patted his back gently until he fell back to sleep. After a while, Haruka came to the chapel and kneeled down in front of the cross. Haruka had lost faith once and found new faith and hopes in this new religion. She made a sign of the cross and began to pray softly, "Our father in heaven, holy be thy name…"

This village was kept secret as the Shogun had opposed to this new religion. The Shogun had ordered to capture them and threatened them to renounce their faith or face death. Haruka was fortunate to fled to this village and live peacefully for a long time. She wanted and earnestly hoped that the village would be kept safe and the world would be a peaceful place to live in.

,….

Inuyasha had wondered around Japan to search for his fiancée. However, she was nowhere to be found. He crossed to the North, as far as the Japan sea. He settled down at the abandoned villages for a short while before continuing on his journey. He once passed by a village, burnt down to ashes many moths ago. The air smelt of burnt ashes and it was like a ghost village. What were left of the houses were some charred wooden sticks. The remains of the bones were scattered among the burnt ground. The silence of the village sent a chill down his spine and he moved on with his search.

What he never knew and never guessed was that what he was looking for was just within his reach. She was so near yet so far.

Now, he was a wanderer again.

Inuyasha returned to his campsite with two rabbits, which he had hunted. As he reached the entrance of the cave, he felt the youki of another being. He tensed and walked warily inside the cave. There he found a small figure, curled up near the campfire, sleeping. He bent down and inspected the intruder. Inuyasha was surprised to see that the intruder was just a child.

"Who are you, boy?" asked Inuyasha as he saw the boy stirred to wake up. No doubt, the boy had felt his presence.

Yoshiaki woke up startled. He gasped silently when he saw a pair of bare feet beside him. He gathered himself and said in a confident tone, "I am Yoshiaki."

"What are you doing here? This is my campsite," Inuyasha said.

"I am cold and I am alone," said Yoshiaki truthfully. "I tried to look for you, sir. But you are not around, so I decided to stay here and wait for you." Yoshiaki realized he had golden eyes and he wore a red robe.

"Keh, Where's your parents?" asked Inuyasha.

"Across the western land," Yoshiaki answered briefly. He was careful in sharing information with the stranger. The man sat down beside the campfire and Yoshiaki could have a good look him. His hair was silver like his and he had dog like ears growing among them.

"Are you a demon?" asked Yoshiaki after he had a good look at the stranger.

"I am a hanyou," replied Inuyasha as he prepared to cook the rabbit.

"Oh. " Yoshiaki heard about them, they were conceived as a result of the union between a youkai and a human. There were some hanyous working in the castle.

Inuyasha was shocked to see the boy. He was a full Inu youkai and his forehead had the symbol of the House of Moon. It was impossible and he wanted to dismiss the thought.

"You are that bastard's son," Inuyasha blurted out.

"Who?" said Yoshiaki, more alarmed at the hanyou's choice of words.

"The arrogant Western Lord who looked at anyone as if they were dust," answered Inuyasha as he crossed his hands across his chest.

"Do not call my father name," said Yoshiaki as he glared at the stranger.

"I apologize. I never know that he is married," said Inuyasha as he sat back down and wait for the rabbit to be cooked.

"Father is not married."

"Then who is your mother?"

"I do not know. Father never mentioned about her to me before," answered Yoshiaki with a downcast face.

"Keh. I bet the woman left him for good," said Inuyasha.

"You speak of Father as if he is equal to you," said Yoshiaki as he looked closely at Inuyasha.

"I do not see the reason to see my half brother as a superior," Inuyasha snorted.

"You are Father's sibling?" exclaimed Yoshiaki.

"Unfortunately yes."

"Then that makes you my uncle! I didn't know you exist!"

"Same here."

"Where do you stay?"

"I stayed in a village at the Eastern Japan, Edo."

"That's far."

"Are you hungry?" asked Inuyasha as he held out the rabbit meat to Yoshiaki. "There are enough for two."

"Thank you so much," said Yoshiaki as he began to eat. "So why are you alone? Do you have friends?"

"I am searching for someone. She was missing for ten years."

"Who is she?"

"My financee,"

"I see. Would you mind telling me stories? I like to understand what life is like in the outside world. The castle is so boring."

The boy was jubilant. He found his relative. He only knew about grandmother and father. He was overjoyed to find a family member. He opened up to Inuyasha and began to speak freely about anything with him. The feeling was mutual and Inuyasha gladly replied the boy with whatever questions he asked.

As the night grows, it became colder and Yoshiaki took out the long cloth that he received for his birthday. "I am glad this is dry," Yoshiaki thought as he wrapped it around his body.

Suddenly Inuyasha jumped at him and sniffed the cloth.

"What is it?" asked Yoshiaki startled, he was tired and confused at his uncle's behavior.

"Nothing," muttered Inuyasha as he released his hold gently and went back to his sitting position. "Sleep well."

"Good night, uncle," said Yoshiaki as he lied on the ground to sleep, missing the shocked look on Inuyasha's face when he called him uncle.

….

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed as he sensed a familiar aura. His fingers gripped the hilt of his sword.

"What is wrong?" asked Yoshiaki, as he looked at his uncle confused. They had come out of the campsite and Inuyasha was helping him to look for a way back to the Western castle. It was not long when he spotted a white figure came flying across them. Recognizing who he was, Yoshiaki smiled widely.

However, neither Sesshoumaru nor Inuyasha was pleased.

"Father!" exclaimed Yoshiaki as he ran up to the side of his father when he landed on the grassland.

"Yoshiaki," Sesshoumaru nodded as his hand rested gently on his son's head.

"Where have you been, you naughty boy. If it is not-" said Jaken. However, he was cut off as he ran out of breath when Yoshiaki hugged him tightly. "Master Jaken!"

"Take care, kid," said Inuyasha momentarily and he turned and walked away.

"It would be a fruitless attempt to find her if you continue to search in such ways," said Sesshoumaru as he looked at the back of the hanyou.

"What do you mean?" asked Inuyasha as he stood stiffly on the ground, his eyes locked at his half brother's.

"You are looking for the woman, aren't you?" asked Sesshoumaru as he raised his eyebrow.

"It's Kagome. Keh! Don't tell me you know where she is," said Inuyasha as he turned around fully to face them, obviously displeased with Sesshoumaru.

Seeshoumaru smirked and Inuyasha read his expression well. "He knows- but how did he-." Then something struck him. He looked intently at Yoshiaki, then to his half brother. Though he had not seen his fiancée for years, the similarities were too glaring to be ignored. The boy was their son.

In the moment of realization, Inuyasha placed a hand on the hilt of Tetsusaiga and wield it.

"What have you done to Kagome?" he snarled, bearing his fang.

"Father, who is Kagome?" asked Yoshiaki as he turned his head up to look at his father, confused by the conversation between the two adults.

"Stupid boy, she's you mo-" Inuyasha shouted at the boy but he was cut off as he was thrown off the ground.

Yoshiaki gasped and looked worriedly at his uncle.

"Jaken take Yoshiaki home," commanded the lord.

Without waiting for the toad's answer, Sesshoumaru charged at the hanyou. "It seems you are still a weakling."

"Bastard. I don't care what you say. Just tell me where is she," said Inuyasha as he prepared to take on the fight.

"How pathetic," sneered Sesshoumaru as he swung his sword at Inuyasha.

"Kagome is my intended and you took her away from me!" shouted Inuyasha as he blocked the attack with Tetsusaiga.

"I did no such things. The girl deserves to die, and I spared her life," replied Sesshoumaru coldly as he aimed the sword at Inuyasha.

"You bastard. You violated her," sneered Inuyasha and he swung Tetsusaiga down. "WindScar!"

…

"That filthy hanyou. He should know that he can never win my lord. As stupid as humans" muttered Jaken as he guided Yoshiaki back to the road to the castle.

Yoshiaki was shocked to hear what Jaken had muttered. He bitted his lips and asked, "What's wrong with being a human?"

"They are disgusting, just like your mother. She assisted them, she-"

What did Jaken just say? Yoshiaki thought.

"My mother?" Yoshiaki said and looked at Jaken in confusion as a wealth of emotion stirred in him.

"Aiyee. I am saying the hanyou's mother, yes the hanyou's mother," replied Jaken nervously.

"Jaken. Who is Kagome?" asked Yoshiaki, unconvinced.

"I do not know," Jaken stammered.

"Then why are father and uncle fighting? Aren't they brothers?" asked Yoshiaki in confusion. He had never seen his playmates drew swords at their siblings.

"Half brother. That hanyou is a traitor. All humans are the same."

"But what did uncle do?" asked Yoshiaki.

"He is the most disrespectful hanyou. And the wicked human murdered my precious Rin."

"Who?"

"Kagome, I can't believe my lord chose her to be your mother," muttered Jaken under his breath angrily.

"My mother? You said you do not know who she is before, Jaken sama," said Yoshiaki as he stopped his track and blocked Jaken from walking any further.

"I…er…did I say anything. Did I just admit that the wretched woman Kagome is your mother?" mumbled Jaken, mostly to himself.

"What? Wait a minute. My mother is Kagome?" exclaimed Yoshiaki.

"Aiyee!" the toad croaked. "Oh help. Please forgive this old servant. I know not what I am saying."

"Jaken sama. Stop babbling. Tell me everything now!" Yoshiaki switched to the commanding tone.

"I can't! Oh kami, let this old Jaken die before I utter anything foolish. Lord Sesshoumaru will know, Lord Sesshoumaru will murder me," the toad pleaded.

"You will and –" commanded Yoshiaki as he glared at the toad furiously. Jaken knew about his mother all this long and yet he never uttered a word of her to him. Yoshiaki felt betrayed. He felt unfairly treated.

A bright light surged through the sky in the form of a dragon.

"Father! Uncle!" cried Yoshiaki as he ran back to find them.

Jaken was relieved that the prince was distracted and stopped tormenting him to give him answers that would result in his death.

"Father, please don't hurt uncle," pleaded Yoshiaki as he spread his arms to protect the fallen hanyou. His hands were shaking as his father glared at him.

Uncle? The boy recognized this hanyou as his uncle.

"Move away, son. This has nothing to do with you," ordered Sesshoumaru coldly.

"No! Not unless you promise not to hurt uncle," retorted Yoshiaki.

"This Sesshoumaru does not repeat himself," Sesshoumaru snarled as he glared at his son to move away.

"Nor does this Yoshiaki, father," said Yoshiaki as he stood bravely.

"Why protect such filthy creature. Unworthy. Betrayers," Sesshoumaru growled, his eyes were cold and emotionless even as he looked at his son.

"No, father. You are wrong." Said Yoshiaki as he looked at his father with determination and stood stubbornly in front of the fallen hanyou.

The lord snarled at his son. "Do not try to lecture me, boy. You knew nothing at all."

"Stay away from this, Yoshiaki. Your father will never understand about us. He does not have a heart," said Inuyasha he struggled to stand up.

"But-" retorted Yoshiaki as he turned his attention to his uncle.

Taking advantage of Yoshiaki's distraction, Yoshiaki felt himself pushed to the ground.

"Nice words, hanyou," said Sesshoumaru as he grabbed the Inuyasha's neck roughly and lifted him up from the ground, green acid flowed down from his fingers and burnt the hanyou's flesh.

"Father, don't-" cried Yoshiaki as he tried to stop his father.

In a flash, he saw his uncle being thrown far away and landed heavily against a tree, which broke into half due to the impact of the fall.

"Go home now," commanded Sesshoumaru as he pulled his son's collar when he attempted to run to Inuyasha.

"Let me go," Yoshiaki struggled as he cried out for his uncle, "Uncle! Uncle!"

However, Inuyasha merely lied there covered in blood.

"Why do you call the hanyou your uncle?" asked Sesshoumaru coldly as they landed back in the Western castle.

"He is my uncle," replied Yoshiaki as he straightened himself.

"The fifthly creature is not worth to be recognized in the family," said Sesshoumaru harshly.

"So am I," said Yoshiaki as he looked bravely into the eyes of his father.

"What did you say, son?" asked Sesshoumaru as he stood rooted and looked aloofly back to his son.

"Mother is a human," said Yoshiaki. "So I am also a fifthly creature who will stain the blood of –"

Before he could finish, Yoshiaki felt a sharp pain on his cheek and he stumbled onto the ground. Yoshiaki stood up and touched his swollen cheek, realizing his father had just hit him. His pride was broken and he felt so much anger. He glared angrily at his father and almost shouted, "I hate you."

Sesshoumaru stood unmoving as he watched his son ran down the corridor.

It was the same expression. Those eyes glistened with hatred in the same way. The two have never met. Yet his actions resembled her too much.

….

"Yoshiaki sama," called Ejishima as she knocked on the shoji door. "Open the door, Yoshiaki sama."

"NO!" yelled Yoshiaki from inside the room.

"You have to eat, Yoshiaki sama. If not you will stay as short as Jaken sama," said Ejishima. She had brought food for the young lord.

"I do not care!"

Ejishima signed. It was useless to talk to Yoshiaki if he continued to act like that. This was the first time Yoshiaki threw a temper. He had locked himself in the room for one whole afternoon.

"Where is Jaken?" asked Yoshiaki.

"He is guarding at the left wing," replied Ejishima, hiding the surprise she felt, as Yoshiaki did not address the toad properly for the first time.

"Tell him I want to meet him," said Yoshiaki, his tone was commanding and there was no room for negotiation.

…

It was silent in the garden. A lone figure stood at the bank of the river and glanced up at the sky, watching the sunset.

"Are you staying?" asked Kagome, breaking the silence. She hated to ask the question, it made her sounded as if she wanted him to stay. However, the servants were petrified and confused with the demon lord. Oddly, the lord did not demand anything from her when he visited the garden. He simply stood at the same place for hours. She came to meet him only when the servants urged her to ask if he was going to stay for the night.

He turned his head and looked at her. Her sapphire eyes locked his golden eyes.

I hate you.

He closed his eyes and turned his head away. "No," he replied. He would not stay for the night. Rather, he could not stay. A heaviness had settled in his heart and he took his leave and flew away.

….

A/N Thank you for all your support and reviews. Hmm… I agree Sesshoumaru needs to find out about the truth. So, don't worry. Anyway, I am still deciding if Kagome will go back to Inuyasha. So tell me what you think, thank you once again