Disclaimer:It's already in the first chapter. Read it there.

Chapter Two

An Unpleasent Meeting

Quickly, Nathan scrambled up a tree, getting a better look. Ah, he could see them quite well now. Two women, a man, and... two demons by the look of it. That was about right. With a soft snarl, he mused for a moment. Hmm, the girl in the short skirt seemed quite annoying... but definately gullable. This would work! He didn't notice the white haired demon might've smelt him, but in dire attempts to gain their attention, he threw himself from the tree, landing not far with a quite heavy thud and a grunt.

Before they could approach he closed his eyes and paced his breathing. Appearing unconcious. It's not like they would know the difference. Do not think years of groveling hadn't taught him how to act. If only those tricks worked on Moridin...

"What was that?" The white haired figure demanded, looking about and testing the air gingerely. Whipping his head around when a companion spoke.

"I do sence the presence of a demon..." Mused the man. His gaze switching between his companions as he readied his staff, peering in Nathan's direction.

"Then I'm going to go find it." Growled the half demon as he sprang away, following the odd scent. It was a demon, yes. But not complete. He nearly frowned thoughtfully at that. The figure wasn't far, maybe about ten paces. He stopped, standing above the black haired other, eyes widening slightly.

He was unmoving and he heard the vibrations of footfalls nearing. It was an effort not to make his ears twitch. He was laid out flat on his back, chest rising and falling as though with difficulty. He even managed a gentle rasp. He heard more footfalls, others running. Their scents were carried to him. Ah, they were all the people he had seen. He could pick apart their scents as though he were smelling them one at a time. He waited in that long silence as they spoke, and could only wonder...

It was obviously an argument between the short skirted woman, and the white haired half mongrel, and then he heard the sheen of steel against leather. A weapon... He flickered his eyes slowly to see a large sword hovering above him. Eyes widening, he yelped and threw his arms up for cover, ears lieing flat to his skull. It was not that he feared the holder of the sword, but simply, he discovered the urge to lash out and fight back. Something he must keep back. He couldn't fight them, not now.

The blade was lifted by more frantic arguing, and then the woman... the short skirted one was kneeling by him, and apparently checking for injuries. She was apologizing for her companions idiocy, or tendencies to fight, or something like that, but he ignored her. Regarding what was around her neck without really seeing it. Taking in her words, but not really hearing them. One thought ricocheted in his blank mind. Shikon no Tama.

He shook his head suddenly, clearing his thoughts and looked to the woman, sitting up slowly, his raven ears perking intently to her as his black eyes regarded her. Tail laying flat against the ground beside him. "There is no need to apologize miss." He stated formally in his calm, suave voice. He kicked up to his feet and swept into a sudden bow, glancing to the others quizically as he rose.

"Oh!" He said suddenly, as though remembering something. "Where are my manners..." He smiled lightly to each in turn, only recieving a flat glare from Inuyasha. He quickly percieved, if not for the woman, his insides would be littering the ground right now. "My name is Nathan... Nathanael Baka Bishiounen." He said casually and smirked. Recieving flat gazes from the women, and his smile faded slowly. "Pardon me..." He murmered, "Have I offended?"

"No... not at all." The short skirted woman insisted and began by introducing herself. "I'm Kagome, and they are Sango, Shippou, and Miroku. Oh, and don't mind Inuyasha, he's just a little... cranky."

"I'm not cranky!" Came the snapped out reply and Nathan merely glanced to what appeared to be his opposite, and he blinked blankly, really tempted to wave or something and see if this was a mirror image.

Instead of showing his curiousity, he merely swept into another bow. "Apologies for disturbing your company kind travelers, but I was wondering if I could share your company?" He said innocently, bowing his head and awaiting a reply. Another argument seemed to spring up, and he regarded Inuyasha out of the corner of his eye. Obvious dislike, he thought to himself and hid a frown.

After a delay, it seemed finally agreed, and the two women were... smiling at him? He glanced to the one titled Sango as she spoke.

"Maybe we will have a companion with manners for once, Kagome. No?" The woman laughed, grinning in amusement, and Nathan noticed, she had a nice smile.

As the other two bristled in offence, he merely smiled and chuckled softly to himself. "I'm sure your companions have many traits to outdo mine." He stated formally and glanced to Miroku and Inuyasha, passing off what could be noticed as a friendly grin, but recieved nothing but glares in return. He hunched his shoulders, as though forced into submission by those mere gazes, but little did they know he was acting, and acting as best he could. He had to avoid notice. Couldn't be suspected.

There was a sudden shriek in the air as a distorted raven burst from the trees, and Nathan, along with the others watched it, though Nathan's gaze held what could be called fear. He had been watching. Damn him! He blinked suddenly and turned to watch the others. "I do not mean to offend, or assume control, but should we not be moving?" He asked calmly as the others tore their gaze away from the creature of flight and seemed to agree. Hopefully they wouldn't notice his nervous streak forming.

Though, despite the eagerness to leave... He was sure that's why he smelled anticipation, Inuyasha piped up, glaring untrusting at him. "Why should we trust him. He is a demon." He snarled and eyed Nathan from the tip of his ears to the point of his toes. Regarding for threat, anything that might cause a disturbance in there happy little company, which no longer seemed so happy. Especially because of Inuyasha's dislike to Nathan, which the black haired duplicate tried to seem oblivious to notice.

"Half demon." Nathan corrected coolly, showing a bit more offence than he felt. "And by the smell and look of you, no doubt you are half human as well." He stated and smirked thoughtfully. Let them think he himself was half human, though in truth he wasn't...

"Well you're a half demon too Inuyasha, so there's no reason why he can't come with us." The woman, Kagome Nathan remembered, stated firmly. Her fists planted on her hips in an authorative manner. The image almost made Nathan smile. He liked a woman with authority. They may be the only type to keep him in check, and it seemed, it was the same case with Inuyasha, fore his weak protest was resigned to a simple moping. Nathan mentally regarded that he'd have to try and break the ice between himself and that awkward half demon.

So off set the group with a member in addition. And so far Moridin was pleased to see his bastard son was learning the skills of lieing. Learning how to get a job done. With a deep throaty laugh, the figure stroked the ebony feathered skull of the beady eyed raven that had perched itself upon the arm of his great throne hoisted high upon the elevated dais. The abnormally large and scarred up creature tilted it's head at it's master, so the beady black eyes stared at the dark cloaked figure. Black, lifeless eyes, like the eyes of dolls. All his creatures were dolls to serve him, and although Nathan denied it, so was he. And the trademark was those black eyes, though somehow, Nathan managed to refuse them, and remain full of life while cowering before Moridin's strength. But not for long. He would break Nathan's spirit sooner or later... Even if it meant using that wretched little grand daughter of his...