Itachi-rin: Hi everyone! Alittle note that this fic is the work of not only me but with another friend of mine named Yoru.. He's too shy! He doesn't even have an account! –smiles- His nick is Yoru and I named mine after his.. –smiles- Anyway, remember to review! Thanks sooo much! We hope you enjoy! I have to get work on my Naruto fics as well! YOSH!

Summary/Warnings/Disclaimers: How many times should I repeat this? Refer to Chapter 1!

Replies to some reviews:

dimonyo-anghel: I do hope things turn out well for Sess and Inu.. –smiles-

essenceofthedark: Yup! I think I'm liking this as well! –smiles-

Jazhira: Yoru likes to try to make Inutaishou alittle nasty towards Sess while I like to portray him biased towards Inuyasha.. Aww! Bad daddy! XD

King Mana: Lol! Your review reminds me of another friend who acts like this all the time! XD Oh god.. I'm gonna get it from her later on! –runs-

BringerVixtorrien: Glad you like this fic! –smiles- And here's the chap!

Hanyou Punk: -squeals- Thank you for your time to care to review each and every chap! Love ya! I hope you'll continue liking this one!

Ookami-jin: I re-read and found 2 errors! Sorry! I have to spend more time on reading through it! I tell ya, Yoru and I exchanged almost up to 10 emails to get this done! He and I keep changing stuffs and thought he's gentleman enough to give way to me but HAA.. he's not! Crap.. But I still like him as my friend though! –grins- He's weird at times.. –sticks out tongue-

Grrr! Have you ever wonder why Sesshomaru- who hates humans, keep Rin by his side? Maybe he doesn't even hate humans at all as time passes by! Afterall, he tries to save Inuyasha many times before! –dreaming-

Inuyasha: Itachi-rin and Yoru always have a hard time going through this fic..

Sesshomaru: Yea.

Inuyasha: So be sure to review and support them!

Sesshomaru: Yea.

Inuyasha: And Itachi-rin thought he will give way to her.. She almost pulled all her hair out just by talking to him.

Sesshomaru: Nothing special. –walks away-

Inuyasha: Yea I guess. It happens all the time.. Wonders how they become good friends..

Do you guys really read my rumblings above? Sigh. Anyway, here's the one you all people have been waiting for..

Hidden Love

Chapter 4

"I've told you Sesshomaru wouldn't listen to me." Inutaishou said as he settled down on his favorite armchair with cushions.

"Daijoubu dear.." Yukie tried to cool his 'fire' inside his mind, "Give him some time, I'm sure he will agree somehow.. Anyway, do you see Inuyasha? I can't find him anywhere.."

"Don't worry. I saw him at the garden when I was talking to Sesshomaru." Inutaishou frowned, "And I guess Inuyasha have overheard my conversation with Sesshomaru."

Yukie gasped with a hand, covering her mouth. "You sure? He would be devastated-"

"-I say don't worry." Now it was the man's turn to comfort his wife, "It's better for him to know it himself rather than we have trouble telling him."

Yukie sighed as she looked outside the window, down the garden. She saw Sesshomaru shrugged off Inuyasha's hand and walked away, leaving the younger pup.

She looked away from the window, unable to keep looking at them. She sighed wearily. "Doesn't Sesshomaru accept Inuyasha?"

oioioioio

The hanyou stared at his brother for some time before the message given was fully registered in his mind. Did his brother just say that he was going to school with him?

Noticing that the younger one didn't fully understand what he meant, Sesshomaru thought he might as well leave him alone, which was a very hard task to do but the small hand on his pulled him down slightly.

"Y-you p-promise?" The younger one mumbled as he looked at his brother's face, searching for any sign of answer. The traces of tears on his face were there.

The older pup frowned slightly at the pair of soft golden eyes. He didn't like to make any promise to anyone but he didn't have much choice. He hated the smell of his tears yet he hated to make promise.

He nodded. "..if you stop crying." His voice was slightly softer than he used before.

Upon hearing the reply, Inuyasha rubbed away the tears with his free hand absently before looking at his brother's with his clear golden eyes, smiling. "Hai!"

The older one heaved a sigh of relief but slapping himself mentally that he had made a promise with the hanyou. He couldn't believe he had just said that, probably the tears that belonged to the younger one had caused him to lose his mind.

But he thought at least he wouldn't be seeing his tears anymore for now. Furthermore, he didn't have to deal much with a crying pup. He could just break the promise later. Nevertheless, promise was meant to be broken.

He turned and headed towards the house but the small hand was still on his. He tilted his head to the younger one, glaring him coldly to let go of his hand.

Inuyasha stared at his brother, not knowing what he meant. He did understand the glare but what he couldn't comprehend was his brother's mood. He was gentle and close to him for a moment yet cold and distant the next.

"Nii-san.." The younger pup asked, "Where are you going?"

Inuyasha was initially planning to play in the garden with his brother but it looked like Sesshomaru wanted to go somewhere else.

"Room." Sesshomaru replied with a word before shrugging off the small hand and started to head towards the castle.

He thought he had to seriously think what was happening since his 'new' family had settled in. Because he realised he wasn't himself at all. He had tried to comfort a pup whom he barely knew and made a promise with him.

He knew he can just break the promise but can he bear to?

"Ehh?" Inuyasha watched his brother's back leaving.

Even though he was rather disappointed, at the thought of his brother going school with him, excited him and that he couldn't wait for that day to come. He had made a promise with his brother.

So, the young hanyou just smiled at his brother, not caring whether he did receive the smile. "Ja ne, nii-san!" He exclaimed as he waved.

However, Sesshomaru didn't attempt to turn and reply. Instead, he wished he could reach his room as fast as possible.

At the thought of going through a teary pup everyday, made him sigh.

oioioioio

The next day during evening, Yukie had gathered enough courage to knock on a certain bed chamber's door. 5 more days to school and Yukie was worried about her son.

Inutaishou had warned her not to go and find Sesshomaru to have a talk but she refused to listen. And today, he had left for a visit to the Northern Land to discuss work with the lord and he would have his dinner over there.

On the other hand, surprisingly, Inuyasha hadn't come back home yet. During lunch time, he didn't show up in the dining table and a servant told her that Inuyasha wanted to play in the garden alittle longer. So, he wanted his lunch to be brought to him over there.

She had went and played with her son for an hour in the afternoon and went back to the house, telling Inuyasha to be careful and not to wander too far away. The young pup said he would be back by nightfall.

Now, it was already evening, nearly dinner time but Inuyasha wasn't home yet again. She thought perhaps he was in his room so he would show up during his meal.

She kept knocking but no reply made. Thus she spoke up. "Sesshomaru, Yukie's here.. I want to have a talk with you.."

She found it not appropriate to say 'Okaa-san's here'. She knew that the older pup hadn't accepted her yet. So, she wouldn't want to agitate him.

Suddenly, the door swung open and stood a very unpleasant pup, growling in annoyance. The golden eyes pierced through the blue-ocean eyes, demanding what she wanted. Afterall, he already knew she was coming since her human scent could be smelled from his room, let alone her perfume smell.

Yukie tried to clear her voice. "Sesshomaru, I was thinking if you want to go to school.. You know your Oto-san have spoken to you about that yesterday already.." She began.

Sesshomaru frowned. He didn't invite her in as he didn't want human scent to be all around his bed chamber, where he sleep. Yukie didn't ask either.

He narrowed his eyes. This human who was standing in front of him now had reminded him of the stupid promise he made with that hanyou. He tilted his head, wanting the woman in front of him to continue.

"Well.. Take it as I'm asking a favor from you.." The ocean-like eyes softened as she thought of Inuyasha, "You know very well Inuyasha is a hanyou and he know this too.. It's just that he don't know people always bully him because of that reason.."

"So?" Sesshomaru started to speak his first word. He didn't like beating around the bush.

"I'm asking if you could go to school with Inuyasha.." Yukie had finally came to the main point, "..to protect him somewhat."

"Go away." Sesshomaru groaned as he turned his back to Yukie, about to slam the door at her face when she blocked it. He didn't like to think about that brat now. He found no reason to protect him.

"When I told him that he was going to have a brother, he really likes to be with you.. He always says he wants to be a full-youkai like you.. He always ask me if you would accept him only if he's a youkai like you.." Yukie let out all the words, which had been buried in her heart for so long.

Sesshomaru raised his eyebrows in slight amusement. He didn't know he had made such a great impact on that hanyou. But he didn't have any time to care about that brat. And without any word, he pushed her away harshly and closed the door shut.

Yukie sighed. She really hoped that Sesshomaru could accept Inuyasha- her son, even if he had to detest her.

oioioioio

Stupid humans. That was what Sesshomaru thought when he closed the door of his bed chamber. He didn't want the conversation to go on any further.

Yukie was lucky not to be slashed by him for the fact that his father would slash him in return. She had the guts to come to his bed chamber, asking him a favor. What makes her think that he would accept?

She had came and asked him to protect that hanyou from the bullies. What could be the reason for that? There were so many servants. She could just choose one and accompany that son of hers. Why would she want to choose him?

This morning, that brat was asking him if he wanted to play in the garden with him. He just snapped at him and slammed the door at his face. He didn't cry though, for he really keep up to his promise he made.. with me.

And didn't Inuyasha tell his mother the promise he had made yesterday? According to his character, he would have told his mother long ago. He frowned at the question Yukie had asked.

And did she just say that Inuyasha wishes to be like him? Only accepting him if he was a full-youkai? He wasn't sure. True, if he were a full-youkai, maybe he would accept him much easier.

He took a glance at the clock. It was almost dinner time. Besides dinner, he would be excused to have meals in his room, which he preferred a lot.

He sniffed the air, taking a note that the human had already long ago gone; he opened the door and walked towards the dining room.

oioioioio

He frowned as he only saw Yukie at the table. He sniffed around, searching for his father when Yukie spoke up.

"Inutaishou has gone to Northern Land today. He will not be back for dinner.." She smiled even though she was ignored. She knew he wasn't comfortable with her around.

Sesshomaru took his seat and waited for the meal to serve. He then looked at the empty seat on his right. That brat was missing. But he thought it was better for he didn't need to entertain him any further.

Yukie's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Do you see Inuyasha anywhere?"

The servant replied with a shake of his head. "Iie, Yukie-sama."

She started to probe. "Where is he?"

"Sumimasen, Yukie-sama." The servant replied with an apologetic look, "I've sent people to look for him already." He bowed.

"What do you mean? He's missing!" Yukie got out from her seat, "I have to find him! It's already nightfall!"

"Yukie-sama! Chotto matte! Please wait!" He called as he followed behind the woman.

Sesshomaru slightly widened his eyes as he heard the news of that hanyou was missing. He then watched how Yukie panicked as she was leaving the dining, totally forgotten about the dinner and as well as his presence. Because her mind was filled up with her precious son.

The pup got up from his seat as well when a servant approached him. "Sesshomaru-sama, do you want your dinner to be served now?"

All that the poor servant got in return was a deadly glare from the young prince before he left the dining room.

oioioioio

He stared in front of him. What did he do? He didn't know. The only thing he knew was when he opened his eyes from darkness; a dead youkai corpse lay in front of him. The same youkai who wanted to hurt him a moment ago.

He clutched his head. "My h-head.. It h-hurts.." before he stood up with the help of the tree beside him. And he felt something wet on his hand.

"It's b-blood.." He gasped, "It's r-red in color.." And he trembled unknowingly.

He then ran as fast as his legs could. He didn't know where he was going but he knew where he must go. His red silk kimono was torn due to the bushes he had gone through and his legs were tired due to hours of walking and running.

He was nearly attacked by a youkai just now and he somehow, fainted or something. He wasn't sure. The next thing he woke up, he saw a dead youkai. Did someone just save him? And was there blood?

"Okaa-san.." Inuyasha stammered as he tried to get across the swamp.

The small pup blamed himself for being playful. He should have listen to his mother, not to wander out so far away. Not that he wanted, but the ball he was playing flew out of the gate and he was determined to get it back himself.

He sneaked out of the gate that was a barrier that separated their private land from the outside world. He then proceeded to the forest and in search for his ball. Unfortunately, he didn't retrieve the ball and furthermore, he was lost in the middle of the forest.

"Oto-san.." He called out softly, hoping that his father could hear.

The pup could feel his tears were forming in his eyes. He really wanted to cry so much but something across his mind stopped him. The promise that he had made with his brother. He hadn't told his mother yet because he wanted to give her a surprise.

It was already nightfall. He had spent hours of shouting and calling but no one made a reply to his call. He began to shiver due to cold and fear. He wasn't familiar with the forest here and his legs started to hurt so much.

He was afraid that there would be other demons roaming around, trying to hurt him again. He pushed himself through the bushes once again. "Anyone-" and he was cut off when he slipped and rolled down the slope.

His body only came to a stop when his back connected harshly to a bid tree, causing him to yelp out in pain.

His body was covered with dirt and scratches. He was cold. His body hurt. He could taste something metallic liquid coming out of his mouth but he didn't know what was it.

He called out the last time before darkness took over him. "Nii-san.."

TBC?

oioioioio

Itachi-rin: Another chapter done! Well.. I tried to edit as much as possible to make it better and I guess.. This is the outcome! I really need reviews to keep me going! Thank you for you people who had been supporting me! Reviews please.. Thanks!

Ja!