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Chapter 15- Secrets

Disclaimer: Inuyasha is owned by Rumiko Takahashi. Sadly, I am not her. I am but a simple peasant. Well not really, but you get the picture.

Inuyasha stared for a few minutes at the confusion on the girl who called herself Kei. He wasn't sure what her "problem" was, but it was starting to get annoying.

"Okay, it's obvious you know who I am. Why don't you tell me why you know me so we can just get along?" Inuyasha spat sarcastically.

Kei glared at him, he had acted polite until now. He must have a short temper. She thought to herself, and walked a bit closer.

She noticed the girl who had tried to "stand up" to her earlier stiffen, clearly she was worried for his safety. Did he have a certain weakness of some sort? She wasn't planning on attacking him, but it might come in handy...

"Yes, I've heard of you, but it wouldn't be in my best interest to tell you why. Please let me go on with my business."

Inuyasha glared, and shook his head.

"I'm not just letting you off on your own. I still don't know what kind of power you hold or what your secret is. If you are willing to tell me, go right ahead and then I'll let you go free."

"What's in it for me?" asked Kei, her eyes narrowing.

"I just said you can go back to where you came from." Inuyasha said, annoyed at her for not either listening or understanding the first time.

"What if I don't want to go home and in the first place what makes you think you have the power to keep me here?" She said, with a fiery hate burning in her eyes.

Inuyasha looked to those around him, and with a nod of his head motioned them to stand beside him.

"These people and I have more than enough power to make sure you don't go anywhere."

Miroku, Sango and Kagome all nodded, Kagome still keeping a close eye on Kikyou.

"What about you, Kikyou?" called Kei, wanting to know whether they were friends or enemies.

Kikyou turned to face Kei, and gave her a look of vengeance.

"Why do you think I would stop you from leaving? I don't care either way. My use for you is through."

"You and I both know that isn't true." Kei replied calmly, and turned to smile at Inuyasha.

By now, Inuyasha was even more confused, but he didn't say anything. What the hell is this woman playing at? He thought, wondering what possible connection Kei and Kikyou could possibly have.

-Back with Sesshomaru-

"Rin, come here." Sesshomaru said, lingering anger in his voice from when he discovered Kei to be missing. The anger wasn't directed at Rin, though it might have been before. He had seen her in a new light that day, though he wasn't sure what he felt of her now. The only thing he did know was that he had never felt this way about another being, especially a human.

She walked over to him with a pleasant smile on her face.

"Yes, milord?" She asked, curtsying low.

"I want you to go watch over that tailor's apprentice. You never know if she was just pretending that Kei left to help her escape."

Rin curtseyed again and left.

Sesshomaru wished he hadn't gotten into this now. It was beginning to become more trouble than it was worth. If Inuyasha found out the secret it would only confuse him more then he already was and he'd probably tell it to the wrong person and disgrace his family even more. If they knew what he knew about Inuyasha's mother...

Sesshomaru shuddered at the thought.

-Kei-

Kei sat on a small piece of a straw mat as Inuyasha, Kagome and Miroku surrounded Kikyou, talking in low whispers.

She still didn't trust them, but since they weren't allowing her to leave decided to make the best out of the free food and home for a while.

She could just use a powerful enchantment to leave them wondering who she really was, but decided that it would only bring more questions and maybe even some answers if Inuyasha was bright enough. It seemed unlikely, but it was better not to take such a risk.

Taking that risk was what had led the Lord to take her captive, afraid that the secret of her identity would be exposed to the world, including his lowly half-brother.

Kei didn't know this at first, but after a year in his service it became apparent. Before that time she was willingly working for him, thinking he had taken a liking to her, but discovered the truth. That was the reason behind practically enslaving her, and she hated it.

It was such a petty reason. It made no sense to her why this powerful demon was almost killing himself so that it wouldn't be revealed...

Maybe if she were to just tell Inuyasha? She was just working up the courage to walk up to him and spill everything when a loud scream cut through the quiet night.

AN: Who was the one screaming? Only time (and the next chapter) shall tell! God how I wish I could get out of this writer's block... Sorry to end on a cliffhanger, but I couldn't think of anything to put next. Tee hee. Please read and review.