Disclaimer: I don't own ANYTHING! Well, except for the stuff I have in my room… and out… and… well, you get the point!

Red Lantern

Chapter 10: Secrets Reveled

Author's Note:

YAY! I finally passed 100 reviews! Thanks to sunflowerobi! Okay… This is also going to be an angst-y chapter, with a nice ending that's not to 'Kill Totally Wicked because she's being bad!' Nothing much, but it's there. Next chapter is one of my favorites… The movie part of this story will be ending soon, so soon it'll all be me! Have fun and please review!

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Chinese Glossary ~

N/A: I'm Chinese myself, but I'm not 100% sure on the spelling of these words/phrases. If anyone knows for sure, tell me! They are in order they appear in the story.

Xiexie: "Thank you."

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Author's POV~

Kagome stared out her window, her face expressionless. Turning, she called out to Kaede, who had been under her service for more than a week now.

She reached into her pocket and took out a handful of bills. "Kaede, could you go to the market and pick something up for me?"

Kaede nodded slowly. "What do you need, My Lady?"

"Please by me the finest bottle of sake you can find."

Kaede looked up in surprise. "Why? You aren't a heavy drinker, Lady Kagome."

"No, I'm not, but it's my birthday, and I would like to celebrate." All this had been said with a blank voice.

Kaede smiled warmly. "It's your birthday, Lady Kagome? Why didn't you say so?"

Kagome shook her head. "Please, just get me my sake."

Nodding, Kaede started out the door. "Remember, Lady Kagome. If you need to confide in anyone, I'm always here."

"Xiexie."

'Drown in my sorrows…'

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Inu Yasha's POV~

I wonder if I should truly return home. It's been half a year, and I usually do come home for Chinese New Year, but…

Do I want to see the face of my father's new wife? Sure, I had heard that he was away, for some business trip again, but…

Ugh! What am I doing? She's a girl for heaven's sake! What's with my hesitation?

Of course I would go home! Mother is expecting me!

"Master Inu Yasha, we are here!" a voice announced.

I stepped out of the carriage, examining home. It looked the same as always.

Entering the courtyard, I spotted servants rushing out to the yard. My father's second wife, the one I hated the most, was leading them. She had a victorious smirk on her face. I wonder why.

After they rushed by me, I looked to Kagome's apartments. Muffled pleas were heard.

What?

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Author's POV~

"Lady Kagome, I brought back the Sake you asked for," Kaede murmured, carefully settling down a bottle of Sake.

"Thank you, Kaede."

Kagome instantly poured herself a shot of Sake. She picked up the cup and looked at its contents distastefully. She gulped it down.

The raw, burning sensation agitated Kagome's throat. However, she did nothing, except to pour another cup.

After about ten shots, Kagome's senses had begun to blur. Kaede saw immediately, and rushed over.

"Please, Lady Kagome, don't keep drinking like this!"

"Kaede," Kagome said, waving her hand carelessly and slurring her words. "Don't bother! Let me drink!"

"Don't do this to yourself, Lady! You can't keep drinking!"

Kagome hick-upped, and smiled to herself. "No, let me drink!"

"You can't! You're drunk!"

"No! Leave me be!"

Kikyo came into the room, her eyes wandering. "Why is Lady Kagome drinking, Kaede?"

Kaede jumped. "Lady Kikyo! Lady Kagome, she asked me to--she told me to-"

"Never mind!" Kikyo said, stepping closer to Kagome, who didn't even seem to notice her. "Lady Kagome, why are you drinking?"

Kagome sighed dramatically. "No one loves me!" she burst out. "Kikyo has her 'Master' and Kagura has her doctor, and I'm all alone!"

Kikyo grabbed Kagome's hand. "What? What doctor?"

Waving her off, Kagome said carelessly, "You know, Dr. Kouga! She's probably with him now! She has someone who loves her!"

Kikyo smirked. "Alright, Lady Kagome! I'll go find her!"

Without another word, she walked out of the room, triumph shining in her eyes.

Kaede went to Kagome, confusion clear on her face. "Lady Kagome, what was that about?"

"Nothin'," Kagome said. She suddenly giggled. "I think Kikyo doesn't like me!"

Kaede pursed her lips, making them a pleated line. "What are you talking about, Lady Kagome? Please stop drinking!"

"You don't like me either! You just want to hate me, just like everyone else!" Kagome's voice was slurring heavily by now.

Inu Yasha came into the room, face confused. "Kaede, what's going on?"

Kaede rushed over. "Please, Master Inu Yasha, stop her! She's drunk!"

Inu Yasha looked at the girl taking a gulp of her alcohol.

Without taking his eyes off her, he asked his old nursemaid, "Why is she drinking?"

Kaede sighed in pity. "The Master has her banished from himself."

Inu Yasha sharply sucked in his breath. "That bastard… How could he play with her like this?"

"Master Inu Yasha! You shouldn't speak of your father so!"

Inu Yasha let out snort. "You know I don't care for him, Kaede. Now, why did my 'father' banish her?"

Kaede lowered her eyes. "She pretended she was pregnant."

Glaring at Kaede, Inu Yasha asked in a serious voice. "You have to be kidding."

"I never do, Master Inu Yasha!"

"Alright. See if you can find some water. I'll talk to her and try to get her to stop drinking," Inu Yasha commanded. He stepped closer to Kagome, whose head was lolling as she fought at staying awake.

Grabbing her hand to keep her from pouring yet another shot of Sake, he forced her to look at him. "Kagome, it's me, Inu Yasha. Dammit, girl, why are you drinking?"

Kagome pouted. "Aww… Inu Yasha! Don't spoil my fun! Let me drink!"

Inu Yasha growled in a dog-like fashion. "Stop! You're drunk, you fool!"

Kagome's eyes started watering. "Do you hate me, too?"

Inu Yasha dropped her hand in surprise. "N-no! I don't!" 'Hate to see a girl cry…!'

Kagome smiled. "I know you didn't, Inu Yasha! Where were you?"

"I was on a trip…"

"Really? D-did you meet a pretty girl to make your w-wife?"

Kaede entered, saving Inu Yasha from having to answer her question.

"Master Inu Yasha, please lay Lady Kagome down on the bed," Kaede requested.

Kagome blinked slowly. "What? B-but Kaede, I don't want to!" She banged her fist lightly on the table.

It pained Inu Yasha to see her like this. She had been happier when he last saw her, and it was her life that truly attracted him. Her eyes had sparkled… He nodded slowly, and picked her up.

Kagome giggled. "That tickles, Inu Yasha!"

Inu Yasha almost choked on air. He lifted her into the air and dropped her gently on her bed.

Kagome mumbled, but her eyes were already closing. Her breathing became regular, and she fell into a drunken stupor.

"Master Inu Yasha, thank you. I think I can take care of her for now," Kaede said with a nod towards the door. "Mr. Aki asked me to tell you to go to your father's office. He said he had some matters to discuss with you."

Inu Yasha slowly dipped his head. "Thank you, Kaede."

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All done! Nothin' much to say, except that you better hurry and review! Next chapter, "Death"!

Responses to Reviews:

AnimeObessionFantasy: Wow! You're so nice! Even I think Sayo is evil, and you still feel pity! Inu Yasha was in this chapter! YAY!

Kiawatha Amara: Don't worry… I can be quite cruel too. Inu Yasha and Kagome… Hmm… I have to say that they won't seriously get together until the last chapter… You think I'm good! I feel so… happy! Warm and fuzzy now! *receives strange looks*

Sleepy: YAY! I'm glad you like this chappy so much! You luv it! Wow-ness! Go see the movie! It's good! Wait… don't see it yet. See it after the next chapter! Then it won't be spoiled!

sesshomarwezhere: You know, you must be one of the only people in the world (other than me, cuz I read them, too…) to read author's notes! You are fantastic! I can't thank you enough for all the reviews and everything! There are practically tears in my eyes now! You're the best!

AnimeFreak: Hey! I can't tell you that… Well, at least not yet! They do get together later, though! Just keep checking up!

dark-coyote: Sorry I didn't tell you when I usually update! Well, now I will: between every 4 to 6 days! Sorry, but no Inu/Kag fluff until later. There is a bit of 'AW! Inu you're so sweet' for the fangirls next chappy though! A jaunt in lala land? COOL!

DiaBlo2: YES! Someone who agrees with me on the subject! Sayo is dead! I've been waiting so long…! HAHAHA!

Fire Phoenix: For me? *munches brownie* Muse… Is… Overflowing… Must… Write… FASTER! *types like crazy* YES! Writing! Thanks very much!

And to the 100th Reviewer, sunflowerobi: WOW! First things first: thank you so much for the critics! Probably one of my favorite types of reviews! I'll change a lot of the stuff! And yes, this was based off of Red Lantern Hanging High. I thought it was a little… weird, so I shortened it. Did you know you were the only person who guessed right? No one knew who Sayo or the Master was! You should be extremely proud! Yes, I altered some original plots, including the ending (who ticked me off). Again, thank you!