Author's note: Hey, well, this is my first fanfic ever. Hehe…I would really like to know what you guys think of it. Please read and review.

Disclaimer: Don't own. Don't sue

Bittersweet Lies

Chapter One: Reasons

It was nighttime and the dark sky blanketed the world, enveloping everything in its eternal shadows. There were no stars out that night, the clouds hid them too well. The full moon was also hidden behind the clouds, but ever now and then, it would show its face to shed its soft light. The cold air hung heavily upon the land. As soft breeze blew, the moon was once again revealed to the world.

A tall and slender figure walked silently under the moon's blue glow. His alabaster complexion and long silver hair made him look almost like an angel. Almost. Sesshoumaru was a demon lord whose wrath was known to many far and wide. Yet at that moment, there seemed nothing fearsome about this demon lord. He seemed to be on the hunt; searching for something. Or someone for that matter.

Rin had been missing for a few days now. That baka Jakken was supposed to be watching her, but he could not find either of them. Sesshoumaru had begun to feel some form of uneasiness at her disappearance. It was a feeling of dread and foreboding laced with apprehension; humans would call this feeling concern. Yes, he was worried for her well-being. For some reason unbeknownst to him, not having the girl follow him around in her usual blithe attitude left some sort of a void inside him. At times, he found it despicable that he could be so susceptible to these human emotions; after all, he was a youkai and youkais did not feel anything except maybe the thrill of murder.

A slight breeze blew his way and brought with it Rin's scent, at least he knew he was heading in the right direction. With that, he dashed off in a sprint. The world around him fading out into a phantasmagoria of color, the wind felt like pinpricks on his face, his slivery hair whipped behind him, and he was nothing more than a white quick blur in the eyes of a passerby. He slowed down when he reached a clearing and leapt of from the branch that he was on. Silently, he landed on the ground.

Sesshoumaru listened closely for any foreign noises. There was none. However, he was aware of another youkai's presence. He was being watched.

He continued on his way, heading in the direction of the breeze. Sooner or later, the hidden demon would make himself known to Sesshoumaru and he could wait till then. Right now, he had other things to take care of. He traveled for a few more miles, before he stopped and took a short break. Rin's scent was getting stronger, so he had no fear of loosing her trail. Whomever it was that took her would pay dearly with their lives.

"Well, well look at what we have here." That sinister yet familiar voice drawled from within the darkness somewhere. Sesshoumaru had sensed the presence of the other youkai earlier but now he knew exactly who it was.

"What do you want, Naraku?" He asked, unaffected by the other demon's elusive presence. His golden eyes skimmed through the darkness as to pinpoint as to where that voice was coming from.

"Oh well, there are many things I want." He whispered. His voice coming from all around the darkness, having no specific place. Sesshoumaru did not like discharging his control over the situation. It made him feel at unease, and that was not a feeling he was very fond of.

"You have been following me for quiet some time now." Sesshoumaru said. "Show yourself."

"But why ruin the fun?" Naraku crooned.

"I do not have time to play your games, kumo." Sesshoumaru said as he began walking away, back on his trek to find his human girl. He had only gone a few feet when the sound of someone leaping down from a tree came from behind him. Sesshoumaru turned around and saw Naraku or at least the baboon pelt that he oh-so-loved to wear.

"Happy?" Naraku asked.

"Hardly." Sesshoumaru replied with a sneer. "Now that I see you, it does little to ease the questions arising within me."

"You are so hard to please." Naraku said. "You know, you should not let yourself get attached to petty things, Sesshoumaru. It lets other people use them to their advantage." Sesshoumaru growled.

"Where is she?" Sesshoumaru asked, knowing all too well Naraku knew what he was talking about.

"Oh, the little human girl?" Naraku asked in mock innocence. "She's with me, of course." For some odd reason, he did not believe Naraku. It just did not make sense. What would he want with Rin? If it was to lure him out, then why was Naraku following him?

"I'm surprised you don't believe what I say." Naraku said, interrupting his thoughts. "You don't think me capable of doing such a thing? You know that I've done worse." Sesshoumaru did not answer. "Well, well, how's this for proof." Naraku raised his hand and pulled up the sleeve to his baboon pelt so that Sesshoumaru could see the severed head of Jakken; face contorted in pain, eyes wide in fear and still dripping blood. He grimaced inwardly at the disgusting thing. So, one mystery is solved, Sesshoumaru thought grimly.

"You should not have done that." Sesshoumaru said forebodingly. It wasn't because he cared for Jakken, actually it was somewhat of good news that the sniveling little coward was out of his hair, but more because he did not like anyone touching his belongings. Yes, he was possessive especially when it came to his property.

Sesshoumaru's right hand glowed yellow and he lashed out his energy whip to cut the disguised demon in front of him. The pelt sliced apart but Naraku was nowhere to be seen. Figures, Sesshoumaru thought as his eyes skimmed through the dimly lit scenery to find where his opponent hid. He then felt a presence from behind him.

"I really liked that pelt." Naraku whispered in his ear.

Sesshoumaru whipped around to attack him but found him already gone. Then suddenly branch like appendages stretched forth from behind him and snaked themselves around Sesshoumaru's arm and legs in attempts to prohibit him from moving. He pulled at the appendages but found that he had limited movement. Sesshoumaru found them to annoying and so used his claws to cut himself free from his bonds.

Why was he doing this? At one point in time, they had plotted and worked together to kill that hanyou half-brother of his, Inuyasha, so technically, weren't they on the same side? Of course, Sesshoumaru knew better than to put faith in Naraku, he was just not meant to be trusted. His words were often lies. But what compelled him to join forces with Naraku was the vow that he would receive a human arm which he could use to wield the Tetsusaiga. That was the only reason he would even consider working with another demon. Even if Naraku ended up betraying Sesshoumaru after Inuyasha's death, it would not be such a big surprise. He expected that much out of him. But Sesshoumaru had not killed Inuyasha yet…

So, the question still remained, what was it that Naraku wanted?

He would have the chance to ask him now, as he watched Naraku step out of the shadows and appear in front of him. The darkness peeled away from him and he stood there staring at Sesshoumaru with those menacing vermillion eyes of his. However, that question could wait until later; he had other business to tend to.

"Where is Rin?" He asked once again.

"Tell me Sesshoumaru, why do you care so much for that human girl?" Naraku asked. "Do you honestly believe that she cares for you back? After all, you are a youkai: a monster, a murderer. What do you think will happen when she figures out what you truly are? I know; she will hate you. She'll want nothing to do with you." Naraku paused for a brief moment to allow his words to settle in. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed slightly. "I never figured you would have the same weakness for humans as that half-brother of yours. Maybe you two are more alike than you think"

Sesshoumaru growled

"I am nothing like that hanyou! How dare you, a half-breed demon, to say that to me, a full-blooded youkai." Sesshoumaru said. "You should learn your place in the world, kumo. You are a hanyou, and a hanyou should act like a hanyou and lick the ground!" With that said Sesshoumaru charged at his opponent with his poisonous claws but only managed to barely scratch the surface of his kimono. He heard Naraku's maniacal laugh echo from around him.

"You almost got me." He said.

"Come out Naraku." He was getting tired of this game of cat and mouse that Naraku was playing. "Stop hiding and come face me."

"As you wish." He landed on top of Sesshoumaru, knocking him to the ground face first. Angered and humiliated, he rolled on to his back quickly and threw Naraku off him. He then stood up and glowered at Naraku. Deciding to waste no time, he reached for the Toukijin and charged at the half-demon. Naraku left from his place of stature and appeared behind Sesshoumaru grabbing his neck and sinking his claws into his pale skin relinquishing his poison in his blood stream. Sesshoumaru growled. He flipped the sword around and plunged it into Naraku's body. The half-demon's breath hitch in his throat and he let go of Sesshoumaru throat. Both stepped away from each other, in attempts to regain some energy. He smirked when he saw the wound he brought upon the half-demon.

"So, kumo, you ready to give up?" Sesshoumaru asked as he stood up to his full height, domineering over Naraku. From the place where he kneeled, Naraku began laughing. His laughter started out as a few small chuckles and then grew into something menacing.

"What are you laughing about?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"For a full-youkai, I would have figured you to be smarter than that, Sesshoumaru." Naraku said as he stood up slowly and in perfect condition. It was as though the sword made no impact at all. "That sword that you used was originally mine; made from my own flesh. How foolish of you to use it against me. I come out unharmed, but you, on the other hand, I cannot say the same for."

Sesshoumaru sneered at Naraku viciously. He knew that the hanyou was right. While Naraku was perfectly fine, he still had Naraku's poison flowing through his veins. His best bet would be to end this battle as quickly as possible before the poison began to disable him.

He sheathed the Toukijin, finding it completely useless in his battle against Naraku. No matter, he had other methods of fighting. Naraku grinned widely.

"If you value your life, tell me where Rin is." Sesshoumaru threatened. Naraku laughed.

"Well, since I do value my life, I guess I will just have tell you." He said in mock fear. "I sent Kagura to kidnap her." Naraku answered.

"Why?"

"Should that matter? All you need to know is that I already have your little girl and you don't need to know the reasons for it." Sesshoumaru lunged for Naraku grabbing the other demon by the throat and digging his claws into it. It stood there unresponsive and listless. Sesshoumaru was surprised by this.

"Really, I would have figured you to be more intuitive than that." Naraku's voice loomed from overhead. It was a fake! He should have known. Soon branch like appendages wiped out from all around and wrapped around Sesshoumaru once more trapping him in an immobile position. One of the tentacles snaked itself around his neck strangling him. It grew tighter and tighter.

"Why are you doing this?" Sesshoumaru choked out.

"Oh, Sesshoumaru, why do you always look for a reason?" Naraku asked, enjoying the struggle that Sesshoumaru putting up. "I do this because I can and I don't need another reason for it. You should know this. Demons do what they want, when they want. They lie, betray, kill, plunder, rape and wreak fear and havoc upon the face of the earth and they do not need a reason for it. That is just the way they are, Sesshoumaru. It's just a part of their nature…a part of our nature."

Sesshoumaru hissed viciously, getting angrier by the second. His eyes flashed red and he bared his fangs, sneering ferociously. There was no point in this whole battle. The tentacles began tightening and constricting his airway. There was only one other way out. He began channeling his energy and transformed into his full youkai self. The limbs tried to fasten their grip, but as Sesshoumaru grew larger, they were soon weakening. He salivated on the tentacles knowing that his salvia was acidic. It began burning through the tentacles and Naraku released his hold on Sesshoumaru, looking at the nasty burn mark on his arm. He then looked up at the overly sized mutt, glaring up at him.

"But of course, I do have my other reasons." Naraku leered as stretched forth his arms once more and wrapping his appendages around the dog youkai. Sesshoumaru could feel the miasma burning into his skin. He spat his acidic saliva at Naraku, but he evaded easily by leaping out of the way and bringing the three legged dog down in the process. Sesshoumaru transformed back into his usual self and escaped the clutches of Naraku. He reached for the Toukijin once more and channeled his energy into it.

"Foolish mutt, I've already warned you from using that against me. It will not yield to you." Sesshoumaru charged at Naraku, with the Toukijin raised high. Sesshoumaru's agility caused him to be nothing but a white blur, and Naraku turning into nothing more than a black blur as both youkais charged at each other. The collision was thunderous.

Sesshoumaru glared and Naraku smirked.

"I told you it was foolish, Sesshoumaru." Naraku had caught the blade within his left hand. "And now, you will pay the price for your reckless mistake." Naraku plunged his other hand into Sesshoumaru gut, cutting through flesh and entering his body. Sesshoumaru gasped at the sudden sensation, his breath caught in his throat, his golden eyes widened in pain. Naraku looked down into his golden orbs, satisfied by the anguish in them. It was quiet for a long time. The Toukijin dropped from Sesshoumaru's hand and hit the ground soundlessly. How was it that Naraku could have such power in one hand alone? Then he remembered the Shikon Jewel Shards. Sesshoumaru reached a shaking hand to where Naraku's hand was plunged into his stomach.

"Does it hurt, Sesshoumaru? Do you want me to stop?" Naraku hummed with a haughty smile playing his lips. "Beg for it." He whispered into youkai's pointed ear. After receiving no answer from the demon lord, Naraku shoved his hands further into the wound obtaining a grunt of pain from the silver haired youkai. He fell forward and clung to Naraku for support. His breath came out in ragged and shuddering breaths. Sesshoumaru mentally berated himself for letting Naraku see his pain. He would not let his opponent see his weakness. He could not let him see it…

Naraku basked in the feeling of superiority. He enjoyed having the silver haired youkai cling to him as if his life depended on it. He rested his chin atop of Sesshoumaru's silver head and ran his other hand through the silky tresses tauntingly. Naraku could feel his shuddering breaths, his body trembling while Sesshoumaru tried his hardest to keep it from showing.

"Proud till the end, I presume?" He inquired. "At least you haven't gone completely soft. Tell me, how is it that a hanyou like me able to defeat such a fearsome demon lord like yourself? You make stupid mistakes Sesshoumaru because of your love for this human girl. You are blinded by these emotions. They make you weak and unworthy. Your movements are slow and amateurish. I expected more from such a great youkai. I expected a better challenge from you, Lord Sesshoumaru." He said mockingly. "However, it gives me great pride to kill a once revered and feared demon." Naraku pulled out his hand slowly, scraping and scratching the insides of Sesshoumaru's stomach. Sesshoumaru let out a trembling breath and he wavered on his feet. He couldn't show his weakness, yet he couldn't help but fall to his knees. There, from his point on the ground, he could see Naraku's face looking down at him with repulsion and…could it be…pity?

"N-Na…ra…ku…" His voice cut abruptly as blood began to flow into his mouth inhibiting his speech. He began choking on his blood. The trails of crimson liquid trickled down his chin and stained his white kimono.

"Demons aren't supposed to bleed red blood." Naraku said with disgust. "What has humanity done to you, Sesshoumaru?" He began to cough uncontrollably; choking and gagging on his own blood, dying slowly.

Naraku countenance changed. Rather than looking down at Sesshoumaru with disappointment and repugnance, he looked down upon Sesshoumaru with that proud and satisfied look on his face that he loathed even more. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than scratch off that face of his. Make him regret all the things he said. But he was weakened beyond all compare. He could not even stand. The poison coursing through his system seemed to finally take its full effect. Sesshoumaru became dazed, his eyes blurred in and out of focus and soon darkness enveloped him. He then slumped forward and hit the ground at Naraku's feet.

Naraku enjoyed that. But he realized what he would enjoy more than killing the youkai, would be breaking him. He knelt down besides Sesshoumaru's bloodied form and stroked his cheek.

"I could never kill you." He said sinisterly with a twisted smile upon his lips. "Why kill you, when I can have my own fun?"

Author's note: So, what'd you think? Please review! Yes, I'm begging and I know it's pathetic, but this is my first fanfic ever so I'd like to know what you readers thought of it.