Want to say hello and thanks to all my readers. As always I want to thank my reviewers, in this case reviewer, first. So a special thanks to PassionIsLove for your review. I'm still trying to decide if I want to divide this fanfic. If I do I'm going to end up having four in a series, which is kind of strange because everyone is used to having three. I will have to decide what I want to do soon. If I do split this story the split will be in a few chapters. I definitely am going to do the sequel either way, but I really do want to do a prequel. To be honest, one of the main reasons I want to do a prequel is that before I did anything, I decided to go and completely write the major events that would take place before A Family Affair. I did this so that I could use Healo's memories and flashbacks to reveal info on the characters. However, there is SO much stuff from the past that I am not going to be able to go into detail with in this story. Plus, in this story Avia is already dead, and you only see her in a few flashbacks. In my actual story, the one not related to Inuyasha, she is one of my favorite characters. Besides if I wrote a prequel it would help to make more sense out of all the stuff with the Empire and the brother's confusing problems. Also, I would be able to explain some things that will be important in the sequel. I hope to hear from a few more people soon about this. Please review.

CHAPTER XXLVI

GOOD USE OF HALF-TRUTHS

Kagome's POV

The miko was glad that she had found the Captain so quickly. Of course, she had been surprised when he had drawn his sword, but he was a soldier and the head of the guard so it actually made sense. The demon of mixed descent continued to watch the young woman intently as she finally answered ", Yes. I was wondering if you could tell me what you saw yesterday. I'm trying to figure out exactly what went wrong."

Riath frowned for a moment as confusion entered his purple eyes before he answered carefully ", I suppose that it couldn't hurt. Are you sure that my master doesn't mind if I tell you what I saw?" Kagome nodded in understanding and answered ", I have already spoken to Sess-, I mean, Lord Sesshomaru and he gave me permission." The miko nearly blushed at her near slip; especially considering that this was the Western Lord's own Captain.

The young demon only grinned at her and responded solemnly ", Then I see no problem. I was out dealing with one of the fools who had been spreading the rumor about Naraku's supposed invasion. That man's dwelling was located on the very edge of Ionin so when I was about to return I noticed Lord Healo leaving the city. His scent was laced with sadness and determination so I followed him to make sure that he was alright."

Riath paused for a moment before continuing ", I watched from a distance as the Northern Lord confronted Inuyasha. I heard only a little bit; something about the hanyou's plans, and decided to get my master immediately. Once I had told Lord Sesshomaru he commanded me to wait until his return." Kagome asked softly ", Then why did you end up coming to the battle?"

The Captain's eyes widened as he answered with surprise ", My lord relies on me for his safety; I have the responsibility to do whatever I feel is necessary to protect him." The miko nodded and replied humbly ", I understand; so what happened next?" Riath smiled again as he said firmly ", When we arrived at the battle Inuyasha went insane. He started accusing Lord Healo of planning some sort of ambush to destroy him. However, when the Northern Lord tried to persuade him that this was not so the hanyou refused to listen. Not surprising considering some of the things that my lord said to Inuyasha; that he was a stain on his family and had to be destroyed."

He continued swiftly ", The battle was almost a joy to watch; if it hadn't been such a sad event. I had heard rumors of Inuyasha's prowess, but I was surprised by the sheer power that the hanyou was able to summon. Still this was nothing compared to the show with Lord Healo. He went against Inutaisho's fang armed with a slender, but apparently keen, katana. Time and time again he was able to use speed, precision, and skill to bamboozle Inuyasha."

Riath paused then continued with a shine in his purple eyes ", At first the Northern Lord did everything in his power to prevent wounding Inuyasha. However, at some point Lord Healo apparently changed his strategy with the result that the hanyou suffered several large scratches and a rather deep shoulder wound. If he hadn't been so tired then I don't believe the wounds would have been serious, but considering how tired he was they were dangerous."

The young Captain continued carefully ", Next, Lord Healo approached the hanyou with the obvious intent of helping him. However, Lord Sesshomaru approached and attempted to kill Inuyasha with Toukijin. When he attempted this, the Northern Lord threw himself in the way and was able to block the sword with his katana. After that he arrived and we brought Inuyasha back to the palace."

Kagome nodded with her head reeling and said quietly ", Thank you for your help Captain." Riath smiled warmly and replied ", Anything to help you, my lady." The miko then quickly turned away and made her way back towards the garden. She had a great deal to think about; especially since the guard and Inuyasha had both mentioned something that the other two brothers hadn't told her. Neither Healo nor Sesshomaru had mentioned the Western Lord's words about having to destroy the hanyou.

The miko thought that she could understand the Northern Lord's reasons for not telling her. Healo wouldn't have wanted to color the young woman's perception of his younger half-brother. Plus the Northern Lord was probably very worried about keeping his coalition against Naraku as strong and solid as possible. However, Sesshomaru's reason for not divulging his words were more obvious; he probably just didn't want to tell her something that would lower her view of him…

Riath's POV

The mole watched the miko leave with great pleasure. He realized that he had very wisely sowed seeds of doubt within Kagome's already confused mind. There were a couple very good reasons that he had made sure to mention Sesshomaru's disdain for his younger half brother. While the Western Lord had never been kind to the hanyou over the time since they agreed to join forces; he had also never done anything to him. But now, the Captain had given evidence that the icy demon still desired Inuyasha's death.

This was useful because it would weaken the already shaky alliance between the brothers. However there was another aspect to this; it would raise the fortunes of Inuyasha and Healo in Kagome's heart, but it would damage the prospects of Lord Sesshomaru. Naraku would like this first because it causes yet more tension, second because he is determined to have the hanyou betray his friends and the closer the miko is to the hanyou the more pain it will cause her. The last reason is because the closer the young woman gets to the Northern Lord the easier it will be capturing them both.

Riath knew that his true master would be very pleased at these developments. Naraku appreciated more than anyone else the power of half-truths and exaggerations. The more suspicion there was between friends the greater the chance that the friendship would fail; the same principle applied to partnerships in an even stronger sense. In this case there was already a strong predisposition to mistrust with the only thing holding it together was everyone's advantage from such an alliance.

The Captain would continue to scheme and dream as he waited for his true master's final victory. After Naraku had obtained the sword, the weilder, the miko, and the jewel; he would finally fulfill his promise. The Northern Lands would be free again and Riath would rule it in eternal peace and bliss; underneath his master of course. It wouldn't be long now; the plans were ready, the events were being set into motion, and all that was left to do was to await their enemies' reaction.

Healo's POV

The Northern Lord walked quietly through the halls of his younger brother's palace. Healo's face was grim and he was determined to confront Sesshomaru over his actions during yesterday. The demon lord was pretty sure that the Western Lord would show no remorse for his choices, but he felt that it was necessary to in effect 'lay down the law'. There was a possibility that his younger half brother would call his bluff, but the Northern Lord had several cards that he could play to bring his brother to heel.

When he arrived at the Western wing he was relieved to find that his brother, Magus was just exiting the area. The purple haired demon smiled at his older brother and asked smoothly ", Is something wrong?" Healo did not smile but answered firmly ", I wish to see Sesshomaru immediately." The guards glanced at each other in amazement; the Northern Lord had not addressed his brother properly. At the moment, the demon lord didn't really care; if his little brother wasn't going to act like a lord then he would not address him as such.

Magus eyed him for a moment then replied in a soft tone ", Of course. Remember that Lord Sesshomaru has been under a great deal of stress, and is working on the preparations for our departure." The message was clear; Sesshomaru knew that Healo would be coming and was telling him to back off. However the Northern Lord was not easily intimidated and replied firmly ", I won't take too much of our little brother's time, and it shouldn't pressure him since he never pressures anyone else." This was a little harder to decipher but the northern demon seemed to understand.

Magus gave a small bow and said ", Very well. I will go inform Lord Sesshomaru of your request." This, of course, was another warning to back off, but Healo smiled and said ", I'm afraid that this isn't a request, but all the same, go tell Sesshomaru that I'm here to talk with him." The Northern Lord was being very rude in a very public way. There was no doubt in Healo's mind that the two guards would later spread word about these events, but at the moment he really didn't care. The demon lord was getting tired of the selfish bickering that kept taking place between himself and his brothers.

Shrewdly, Healo had thought that if the family troubles became more public that Sesshomaru would be forced to limit them in the name of his honor. The Western Lord usually didn't care about what anyone thought but when it came to honor he refused to allow himself to be mocked. This came from his belief that all people in the end will fail you, thanks in part to his father and Healo, so that he had to rely on his self.

The Northern Lord was slightly calmer by the time Magus returned. The demon had a nervous look in his purple eyes as he said hesitantly ", Lord Sesshomaru has agreed to meet with you. Try not to take too long." Another attempt to dissuade but Healo had made up his mind; if he backed down now it would be himself that would be the laughing stock. His response was stern as he said ", I will take as much time as I want." Again he was sending a slap towards his arrogant younger half brother. He could only hope that it would have the desired result…

Alright everyone; don't forget to let me know what you think about this chapter and what you think about the prequel, sequel, splitting issue. I was a little sad that I only got one review, but glad that I got any at all. I hope to hear from all of you about these issues. Also just curious but number of hits has also gone down so I want to know is it from bad writing or a summer thing or what? If you know please let me know. Next chapter will FINALLY get through all the arguments. Hope to soon start next part of the story. Update will be Sunday or Monday depending on reviews. Please REVIEW!!!