Itachi – I know it's been some time since I've last updated…sorry, a lot's been going on, and it's just super hard to keep up -3-… Oh yeah, I was nice and decided to give you all the chapter your all wanting to read.

Summary:

The Missing Masquerade

It's the last year of Highschool for Kagome Higerasahi, and what better way for her school to celebrate then a Masquerade Ball! But wait, this wasn't meant to happen! Falling in love? With a Mysterious Masked Man?! Will she find her Masked Masquerade in time? Or will he forever be lost behind his Masquerade Mask?

….

-The Missing Masquerade-

Chapter 21- The Mask of Truth and Tell

"…He said I can't tell you."

"…What do you mean by that?" Naraku's voice sounded almost hallow hearing what I just said, he was silent for a while, yet he kept his intense gaze on me with red eyes, "Tell me."

"Like I said, he said that I can't-" Before I could finish speaking though, Naraku stood up from his side of the bed, not caring for his lack of dress – wearing nothing but the same black pants he wore to sleep - ignoring my reaction, and walked over to me. He looked down to his feet, clutching the thick covers on both sides of me, while I only starred at him almost mesmerized. His eyes were overcast by his bangs, creating a shadow. He picked up his face and looked back at me.

The Missing Masquerade

"That's all." Kouga said, standing in the bedroom with the lights turned off, "I wasn't trying to ease-drop or anything, I just happened ta be walkin' past his door, and I overheard some of what he said to Kagome," Kouga's expression darkened, "…But I heard everything he said aloud once you, Naraku and Kagome left…"

Kouga shook his head, letting out a frustrated sigh, "I- I just didn't know who ta tell! I don't have any feelings for Kagome or anything – but – it's just…this entire situation she's in! It's not fair to her! It's just messed up!" Kouga looked to the one he had been talking to in secret, "I couldn't find Naraku anywhere, so I had to tell you since you were with her when she walked out – I…I just don't know anymore…" Kouga wiped at his bangs with a sweaty hand, "Who knew that a parent would actually gamble off their own daughter to some guy they just meet at a bar…"

After listening to Kouga's story, Sesshomaru stood up from his place on his bed, and rushed out the room.

"Kagome..!"

The Missing Masquerade

He wore an unreadable expression.

"Kagome, please…" Naraku was begging, "Please, tell me – I have to know what he said – What Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's father said to make you…so..." he paused, " I need to know what Touga said to make you cry..!"

I wanted to tell him. Honestly – I wanted them all to know…but…

"And don't even think of telling anyone – Menomaru literally signed you over to me, heart, body, and soul, every article of you belongs to me."

…Even if I did tell them, nothing would change. I couldn't escape. I looked up to see Naraku, still waiting for an answer, his eyes pleading with me…Maybe…Maybe I could at least find some way to feel somewhat…'normal' again if I just spoke to Naraku about it…

"I…-" My speaking was stopped by the gentle click of the door being opened.

A cascade of silver and pale skin waltzed into the room.

"Sesshomaru?" I spoke quietly, surprised that he suddenly walked in. But instead of greeting me, he walked straight towards the bed I sat on – and grabbed me into a tight hug. "Huh?!" Sesshomaru bent down to my ear, and whispered something to me that was almost inaudible –

"Stay strong, Kagome, I'll do whatever I can to help you."

Naraku looked at Sesshomaru with a questing glace, before Sesshomaru and excused himself and had taken Naraku outside the room with him.

…He knew.

At first, I was too shocked to believe it.

They knew. Without me telling them.

…I suddenly felt just a bit of the pain go away. Just a little bit.

The Missing Masquerade

That morning, Naraku and I finally left Sesshomaru's house.

By that time, Miroku, Kouga, Sesshomaru, Naraku, and even a now silent Inuyasha knew about what happened with Touga and I. I looked out the window of Naraku's car as he drove down several streets. The trees and house looked like mere blurs as we went by.

I looked down to my hand.

Decorating my ring finger had been an expensive looking ruby-red ring. It was given to be by Touga in front of everyone…I didn't know what to do…

(Flashback)

Just as I was saying goodbye to Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, Kouga, and Miroku, I was approached by Touga at the door. The room grew silent. I had no idea of what to say to him – and then he spoke –

"I already know that you all know about it. It's hard to keep down something I wanted as a secret ne?" Inuyasha looked like he wanted to kill – save for the expressions worn on the faces of Naraku and Sesshomaru both.

Touga stood in front of me, dressed in formal attire – He might be heading out to work or something – gently taking my hand into his own, he rose it too his face, and planted a soft kiss on my finger, before slipping on a golden ring topped with red-rubies. Several 'gasp' where heard around the room. I saw Naraku look away, and Sesshomaru face the open window.

Touga started, "It's just a little token, love – I know we may both become very acquainted with each other soon," He used a hand and wrapped it around my waist – pulling me closer to him, our faces where nearly touching. Touga tilted my head back so my eyes would be staring straight into his own, lights where going off in my head. He licked my lips, and planted a kiss under my chin, starring back into my wide open eyes, "When that time comes," His voice grew deeper, "I will make sure you enjoy it fully…"

(Flashback Over)

I put my finger to my lips and sighed as my face started to burn red.

This was too much.

"Uh…Naraku?" I asked, while still replaying the strange display between Touga and I.

"Go on," he said, "I'm listening."

"So-Sorry…for the weird display…-"

"It's okay." Hearing Naraku speak so calmly, I turned to face him, "Surprised?" I only blinked, making him laugh, "It's okay because Sesshomaru and I have promised to you that we'll find a way to make things right for you again…"
"How exactly..?"

Naraku grew silent, "Let's look at this on a different note, Kagome," Naraku changed the subject, "We have school starting tomorrow, and I think I'm free after, how's about we go somewhere – just us two?"

"Just the two of us?" I said aloud, with everything's that's gone on so far, I'm sure I could use some sort of break from it all…maybe… "Yeah, sounds nice."

…Maybe tomorrow won't be as bad.

Maybe…

The Missing Masquerade

Touga sat quietly at his work desk in his room, starring intensely at the matching gold ring on his finger. He gave a sigh, and sat back in his chair, slumping some… in his boredom, his thoughts had started to shift to her…

"Kagome…" He unbuttoned his shirt slowly – button by button, and allowed it to slip down his shoulders which were dressed with his messy long silver hair, "Just thinking of what I could do her is getting me all sweaty," he pulled his messy hair from his face, letting out a breath he never knew he'd been holding, "I just wanna' bend that little body of hers in every position I could think of…yeah," Touga shook with anticipation, letting loose a wild open mouth grin, "She IS practically in her adult age's – Maybe I'll get us two some alone time…somewhere nice like a Hot Springs Resort, or a Hotel," he hummed, agreeing with himself fully, "Sounds perfect."

-The Missing Masquerade-

Chapter 21- The Mask of Truth and Tell

End - To be continued.

Itachi – 0_0… WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?! – Well you'll just have to wait and see my wonderful redaers! Wait and See! So, how do you all like Touga so far? I know I made him a bit…uh… 'extreme' but that's his character. Plus, I like this Touga! He's deviously awesome.