Disclaimer: I OWN INUYASHA!!!!!!!!! *sighs* I'm just joking, though I wish I weren't....

Simple Lies

Chapter Five: Trust is Hard to Come By

The night air was silent as well as still, it bothered him. It was too quite, it almost made him feel squeamish, like something should be happening right then. His body unconsciously tensed ready for a fight or whatever else came his way while his mind traveled back to earlier events, ones that were the cause for his unease. Something wasn't right with the new help, or temporary help considering the monk had told his parents they were only staying for a little while.

How did that girl know Naraku? Why did she blame herself for past events? He wished he knew exactly what they were, he couldn't hear much of the conversation. He clenched his fist in agitation. Somehow that girl had flared her miko powers to stretch out into the court yard to keep away eavesdroppers. Luckily he had the great hearing of his otherwise he would have caught not a whiff of it. It bothered him, to say the lest, that they may be housing spies of Naraku's. But then why would that girl help them out, share some of her knowledge with the way he fights, give them a strategy to fight back? He couldn't help but feel he was walking into a trap. Now who was setting him up and where it would snap he was uncertain of, but he was sure it had to do with his new personal maid. He let his fist fall.

Inuyasha shook his head, he would have to ask Kikyou about it. This was her sister, her twin, she would know if the girl was working with Naraku, if he should pay closer attention to the copy then her earlier warning implied. He would be seeing her a week or two from this day, she had to travel back to her kingdom and see to some things. It seems that Naraku may be targeting her lands next, he had offered to come with her, to help out. She had only refused him kindly, saying that if she needed any help she would call for him, but as things stood now she could handle them on her own.

Turing from the balcony he made way for the curtains, pushing them aside he stopped in his place to meet startled gray-blue eyes. Recovering quickly from the initial shock of having someone in his room, he crossed his arms over his chest and regard his personal maid with a scowl. "What are you doing here?" He demanded, eyeing her suspiciously. Inuyasha couldn't help but notice how she rubbed her hands together nervously, her eyes adverted from his own. He couldn't tell if it were in guilt or not, but her scent held tinge of nervousness as well as embarrassment. Why? He wondered briefly before demanding answer from her. "Wench stop your staring and tell me why your here!" Making sure to make his tone harsh and somewhat cold .

Kagome didn't know whether to lash out angrily at the way he had addressed her, or go about it in a more mature manner and explain herself. After much though she decided to go with the second choice, it would help neither of them to get into an argument. Besides she did not know the penalties for servants that ticked off there masters. She cringed at that word, Inuyasha was not her master, he was her cover for being in this kingdom. She bowed her head slightly before going on with her explanation, her tone strained with the anger she felt. He was on a thin line with her, one more push and she would be over the edge! "Excuse me for startling you Inuyasha-sama." She mocked apologized, earning a piercing glare intern. One that seemed to scream 'demons do not startle!' She smiled at that inwardly, one point for her! None for him! "I was just checking to see if you were sleeping or not." She bit her lip nervously, and she had every right to be! She, in all her years of life, has never shared a room with a man before. Miroku always made sure to get them separate rooms, and they never had to campout since they day she had met him. "I thought that sense you were against sleeping in the same room I'd just sleep after you, but um your not sleeping so I 'll just go then." Kagome made to turn on her heels, only to be stopped by a hand on the shoulders, she turned to meet amused golden pools. It angered her somewhat.

She was nervous about sleeping in the same room with him... for some reason he found it humorous. He was nervous as well, but she made it sound like he would eat her in the night if he wasn't asleep first. Maybe now was a good time to see how much she trusted him. "What? Do you not trust me enough to even sleep here, in the same room, before or even at the same time as myself?" He questioned with a raised brow, studying her form with a piercing gaze. It caused her to shiver.

Of course she didn't trust him, she trusted no one! Well, no one, but her three traveling partners and two hanyous she left in a secluded village, it was during her travels a few months back. It was sad and very pitiful she trusted little else, but after being betrayed time in and time again she was given no choice in the matter. To trust one without proof you won't get burned meant death in her world. Her eyes turned hard for a moment, before they softened in sadness. She shook her head. "I haven't been given any reason to trust anyone but Sango, Miroku and Kirara." She replied dispassionately, but she couldn't help the bit of sadness that seemed to creep it's way though.

Inuyasha regarded her with guarded eyes as he spoke his next sentence. "Why is that? And who is Kirara?" He was suspicious, but did not want her to see it.

Kagome was silent a few moments trying to think of a good way to answer the question. What right did he have to know anyway? She sighed shaking her head slightly, if she didn't answer he would be suspicious of her, and if she did but didn't answer carefully he could still be. She settled to bring in some of the story she worked up with Sango and Miroku, she was suddenly grateful for the monk suggesting they come up with a plausible story to tell the castle, preferably one that they could all stick too. She adverted her eyes from his searching gaze, he seemed to be trying to find the answer through her soul. She decided to answer the easiest question first. "Kirara is a fire-cat demon, she is Sango's partner." She regarded him an amused glance. "Sango was a demon exterminator before coming here with me, but don't worry she only kills demons bent on reeking havoc on villagers." She said in response to slight panic she could feel in his aura, it was hard to read but it was there. His intrigued her, how was he able to hide what he felt in both his countenance and aura from her? He shouldn't be able to, yet he did. Deciding to ponder on it latter she continued. "My family was betrayed by someone close to us which ended in my father being killed and mother brother as well. In my quest to forget what had happened I was betrayed countless times. Sango and Miroku would never betray me, they are like family, and have put their lives on the line for my own all because I..." She trailed off, shame and regret tainting her voice.

Intrigued, Inuyasha asked her to continue on. Why had she trailed off? What did she do? "Go on?" He urged.

She brought hard eyes to glare in to his own, he was taken aback. Not from the hardness, but from the underlying of pain and anger, her eyes were laden with tears that refused to fall. Something in his chest clenched as he looked at her, he instantly regretted in asking her to continue, especially as the first tear fell. She wiped it away harshly. "Because I forced them in to coming with me." She lied, and he knew it too, his nose was never wrong. Why had she lied? "I've gotta go." She breathed and ran from the room as if the devil were on her heels. He just watched her go with a dumfounded expression on his face.

Inuyasha scratched the back of his head as he tried to ponder what little information he gained from her. So she didn't trust him, at all. For some reason that little bit of information made him somewhat sad, he didn't know why, but it did. He sighed heavily, how in the world was he to gain it? It would be no walk through the gardens, she only seems to trust three people. How did they gain her trust, what was so important out them that she would offer it freely? Maybe one of them might fill him in, she seemed a bit reluctant to do so. With that in mind Inuyasha walked toward the shrine on the grounds, every step told of a determination and purpose. He jumped from his balcony and continued on the path in much the same way.

As he walked he let bits and pieces of they're conversation enter his mind. She always mentions her father and brother and mother, why doesn't she ever mention her sister? She never says anything about Kikyou. Does Kagome know that she comes to the castle often? Most likely, how could she not, Kikyou is always talked about in the palace halls. Is that why she never mentions her, because she thinks that he would suspect. Well, then, she is a lot smarter then he first gave her credit for. He then wondered why Kikyou never mentioned her mother and brother, she did say her father was killed by Naraku in an attack a few years ago but....

His head began to ache, rubbing the sides of his temples, he sighed in irritation. Everything was just so damn confusing! He clenched his hands in anger, when he didn't understand something he turned his confusion into anger and then took that anger out on the nearest thing possible, which just happened to be a garden bench. Taking his claws he sliced the metal and wooden in half.

"You know there are better ways on taking out your anger."

Inuyasha nearly jumped as the voice sounded behind him, and was glad he refrained from twitching even a muscle in response. He showed no outward appearance of one who was suddenly startled out of his mind. Turning a heated glare on his intruder, it melted into resignation as he saw whom it was. The monk. "I was looking for you."

"Really?" His voice was calm, showing no emotion within its tones, but his eyes clearly held amusement. He knew he had started the half-demon, but said nothing. "Well then Inuyasha - sama what can this lowly monk do for you?" He questioned, intrigued. He never thought the youngest son would search him out. He didn't seem the type to need the help of a monk.

Inuyasha leaned against the nearest tree, while Miroku sat on an undestroyed bench, resting his staff across his right shoulder, regarding the hanyous curiously. "I want to know what you did to earn Kagome's trust?" His voice was tinged with nervousness, but most of all desperation. He needed her trust to help out Kikyou, but more then anything he wanted the trust for himself. Inuyasha didn't know why, but something inside of him craved her trust, desired it. It hurt him not to have it, even if a shred.

Miroku shut his eyes to hide the suspicion and mistrust from the hanyou, even though he knew it was likely in his scent, he didn't want to confirm it. They say the your eyes are the doorway to your most inner thoughts, as well as your soul, he wasn't ready to have his read right then. "Why do you wish lady Kagome's trust?" He questioned lightly. "What brought it about?"

Inuyasha could detect the suspicion coming off of the monk in waves, it made him nervous somewhat. He didn't know why, it just did. What could be going on with the three that would cause him so much, Inuyasha shook his head and decided to go with the half truth. He shrugged. "She check to see if I was sleeping, I asked why and she said that she would only sleep in there until after I was already asleep." Inuyasha shook his head and sighed dejectedly. "I asked her if she didn't trust me or something, and she confirmed she didn't. I just want her trust, even if it's only a little bit." He shrugged as he finished, awaiting the monk with Kagome's trust to answer.

Miroku opened his eyes watching the hanyou carefully, before shutting them again. "It doesn't matter, you won't win her trust, it's not easy." He replied easily. "I have been traveling with her for three years, and we have been through a lot together. If you want that shred you were speaking of then I suggest you get to know her, and above all else don't betray her." He advised. The cool air began to sting the monks exposed face, he wouldn't mind a fire right about then. Why did they have to travel towards the coldest part of Japan during the beginnings of winter. Miroku shook his head, he was likely never to find out, and if he were to ask, both Kagome and Sango would say it was his own fault for letting his staff choose the way.

Inuyasha nodded his head in thanks, and was ready to turn away before a thought struck him. The monk had been traveling with her for three years, he must know what could have happened to her for her to forfeit trusting another soul. And it would be the truth this time, not some half truth. He hoped at lest. "What happened to Kagome for her not to trust anymore?"

Miroku opened his eyes at that question, he could not answer it. Kagome would never forgive him, or at lest not for awhile, she was very forgiving once you got to know her. But this information could be dangerous to them all, after all, Inuyasha and Kikyou are said to be lovers. How this hanyou before him is able to love such a cold heartless woman was beyond him. The things that she has done to both Kagome and the rest of the world were unforgivable in his book, though, after it was all over he would make an effort for Kagome's sake. He knew that she couldn't kill her sister, no matter the pain she had caused to her own heart. Miroku shook his head. "I can't tell you that, it is for Kagome to give away such information."

He was the prince if he wanted information on someone's past, the monk damn well better talk! He clenched is fist in agitation, taking a deep breath, he tried again, but this time adding a little favor in there for the monk. He froze. Since when had he, Inuyasha, wanted something so bad that he did something, himself, to get it? When has he ever not beat someone beyond recognition for information he sought? He was going soft, he shouldn't care that this monk was the girls friend, and would never trust him and most likely never speak to him again, if he did so. I'm only doing this for Kikyou, I'm only doing this for... No matter how much he repeated those words in the back of his mind, there was always a little voice calling him a lair. One of these days he is going to set that voice down and give it a good talking to, but now was not the time.

Inuyasha grinned, and turned back toward the monk. "What if I were to help you win over Sango, I can tell you have something for her?" He offered, watching him intently, waiting for him to react to his bribe.

Miroku stiffened. He would help him win Sango, and just for a piece of information as to why Kagome doesn't trust anyone. He hesitated. He really, really wanted to take up the offer. He wanted Sango to love him back, but he also didn't want Kagome to hate him for giving away such information. Maybe if he gave an edited version. With a heavy sigh, and hesitation, he answered. "You... really promise to help me." When the hanyou nodded, the monk continued on still with hesitation. Please Kagome, don't be made. Oh Kami! I'm not giving him the whole truth so do not be upset. He prayed within his own thoughts before continuing. "When she was younger, about thirteen, she thought she fell in love with someone." Miroku clenched his fist as he thought about the true story, of how Kikyou and Naraku both used her to gain the jewel. If her own sister was going to betray her she did not have to go and break her heart in the process by having Naraku play her for a fool. It was completely unnecessary to do such a thing to her, they could have gotten the jewel without that added plot. He took a deep breath and with it, released his anger. "He never loved her, he used her to steal something from her as well as information, but in then end when he found he couldn't get it from her for someone. That someone had Naraku kill her father, and kidnap her brother and mother as leverage." Miroku had too take another breath, the thought of what they had done to her, the full extent of it, sent rage to his very soul. He used some of his monk training and felt the anger slowly abate. "That was the first time she felt betrayal. Along her travels she has been betrayed time in and time again by people who work for that same man." He finished his voice tinged with anger, shaking his head sadly he waited for the hanyou's reaction.

Inuyasha was stunned into silence. He felt angry, how could someone do that to another soul, it was cruel. He felt guilty as well, he was going to do something along the same lines, and probably still. His resolve as getting her to trust him, only to break it by stealing the jewel from her to give it to Kikyou, was weakening. How could he do it, he would be no better? Inuyasha shook his head, he needed to talk to Kikyou, why didn't she tell him about all of this, why did she leave it out? This Kagome, her twin, was sounding more and more incapable of betrayal and murder the more he got to know her. "I know how she feels." He whispered to himself, too low for human ears to hear. He was betrayed when he was very young by one he thought to be his best friend, it may not have cost anyone their lives, but what had happened still stung his heart. Even to this day. Louder Inuyasha went on to tell Miroku... "Monk... I..." He sighed. What do you say to someone stewing in their own anger over the pain a friend has went through, he wouldn't know. He had no friends. "I'm sorry, I... shouldn't have asked." Inuyasha started at his own words. Him! apologizing to someone without being forced to by his mother! These people, that girl, they were making him act weird, and he didn't like it, not one bit.

Miroku waved his hand in dismissal. "No need." He replied. "Just don't tell Kagome, or anyone else for that matter, I don't want her to be mad at me, even if she forgives faster then anyone I know. I don't want to see the hurt in her eyes." He explained. "Kagome-chan is like a sister to me, and If you hurt her, prince or no prince, you will suffer the consequences from both mine and Sango's hands. We consider her family, and family was meant to be avenged." He replied in a serious no-nonsense tone.

Inuyasha eyed the monk warily. Great, just great, not only will he beat himself up over his course of actions, but so will her friends, this is not looking up for him. He doubted that it would be painless, he could tell these people could take on demons. "I understand."

Miroku nodded, using his staff to help him stand he turned down the path towards the shrine. "I think you'll be good for Kagome-chan, but the one you have to convince of that is Sango, she's even more protective then I." He explained as he walked, before he got out of hearing range and disappeared into the night he said. "I will see you tomorrow then."

Inuyasha once again stood there stunned to silence. The monk thought that he... that he was interested in that wench! No he's not, he's not! He screamed within his own mind. His only interest in her was the other part to this Jewel Kikyou wants, that's it! That's all, but then why did a voice in the back of his mind call him a liar? No it was the voice that was confused, he had no interest in anyone but Kikyou. Lair... He really needed to have a talking to with that voice.

~*~

Leaning back against the wall, Sango sighed dejectedly at the pile of clothing before her. She was expected to have them washed, dried and placed back with in the lady's room by the eighth hour. She's been at it for at lest two, and she is nowhere near finished. If anything her pile looks the same as it did when she first started with it. Sango shook her head at her own idiocy, she should have taken the offer of help. But no, she had to insist upon doing it all on her own, letting all the others whom waited upon the lady Saiako an early dismissal. She is too nice for her own good.

Reaching over for a linen shirt, most likely the kings, she stopped in mid reach. "Kagome?" She questioned at the girl who stood with her back turned to the entry way of the washroom.

The figure turned on her heals, confusion clearly written on her face before it turned to one of recognition. She smiled warmly, despite the trouble in her eyes. "Sango what are you doing here?" Kagome walked slowly to her friends side before taking up a seat beside her.

Sango eyed her. "The laundry." She paused a moment, amusement shown in her eyes. "Can't you tell, I'm sure you'll have to be forced to endure such work for Inuyasha- sama..." Her words trailed off at the forlorn look to her friend. "Did something happen between you two, an argument perhaps?" She tried. "Or maybe..." Her eyes narrowed, her fist clenched in to a tight ball, her nails close to piercing skin. "He didn't try anything did he?" Sango questioned, her voice dangerously low. "If he did so help me I'll show him why I was the best exterminator in my village, and I'll ..." The demon exterminator trailed off once again as Kagome placed her hand gently over her one fisted ones. She let her hands relax from the form.

Kagome shook her head gently. "Nothing like that." She whispered. "But if he ever did you would be the first one I called for." She smiled warmly at the woman she has come to love like a sister, Kagome laughed to herself, she sure acts like an overprotective sibling sometimes.

The anger left her at those words. "Then what? Is it anything I need to take care of?" She questioned, liking the prospect of brushing up on a few of her old moves she learned in the exterminators village. "Would you mind helping me with these cloths?" Shooting Kagome a puppy dog face, she just sighed and began grabbing clothing and folding them neatly.

"No." She sighed. "Remember yesterday I waited for Inuyasha sleep first before sneaking in and doing the same?" Sango nodded. "Well I tried it again, only he wasn't sleeping, and questioned what I was doing so I went for the truth and he asked if I held any trust in him not to do something." She adverted he eyes, using the excuse of searching through the pile for something else to fold. "I told him no."

Sango place a pale blue silk dress atop of the ever growing pile. "What did he say?"

She hesitated before answering. "I didn't wait, I just left to explore the castle." She sighed in dejection. "I know, it was very cowardly, but I didn't want to see his reaction." She whispered.

Sango shook her head furiously. "It wasn't cowardly, you just needed some time to yourself." She explained, offering up a comforting smile. "Besides, I don't think he'll take it the way your thinking, at lest I hope not." Sango paused in thoughtfulness. "I mean what woman in their right mind would trust a man alone in a room." She laughed heartily.

Kagome smiled sheepishly. "I kind of told him I only trusted you, Miroku and Kirara."

Sango just shrugged it off, even though she was slightly worried at the new predicament. She only hoped Kagome's words didn't spike up any suspicion on them. "No matter, I don't think he'll be suspicious at the fact that you don't trust him. You just met him after all..." She paused, hesitant to continue. "Maybe you should, um, give him a chance for your trust." Adverting her eyes from her dear friend, she folded another shirt for the pile. "It couldn't hurt you know." She whispered, wishing dearly she had not agreed to bring Inuyasha and Kagome together for the queen.

Should she give Inuyasha a chance? He deserved one after all, didn't he? So far he has proven trust worthy, but then so did everyone else. She would get to know him, not trust him, he would have to earn it hard through his deeds and actions, she decided. "I'll get to know him, but I will not offer up my trust for him, not until her earns it." She whispered with conviction.

Sango let out the breath she held, that answer was better then nothing at all. Her gaze the went to the pile, opening wide. They were done! Maybe she should con Kagome into helping her out more often. "Well I should start taking these back to the King and queens personal quarters." Taking a stack in arms she began her way towards their room, she paused at the door. "Be careful Kagome, and watch your back." That said she continued her trek towards her destination.

Kagome watched Sango maneuver her way out of the room with her sight partially block by the stack of clothing in her arms. Now that she thought about it, Inuyasha never asked anything of her. She should speak with him of that, she is his personal maid after all. How did he expect to get clean cloths and sheets if he didn't ask her to see to it, or is she suppose to do that automatically? She's never been a maid before, nor did she ever have one, preferring to do things on her own. Shaking her head of the thoughts, Kagome stood to leave the washroom.

~*~

The room was so dark one had to strain to see what exactly was in front of them, no matter of their blood, this was magic induced darkness. A figured moved silently within it as if the figure were apart of the darkness, as if the figure thrived off of it. The figure smirked, the only way one would ever know he was even in this room of eternal darkness were if they held a sharp enough eye to spot his choice in clothing. A white baboon pelt.

"Naraku stop playing games and face me!"

Kikyou shivered from the laughter behind her. Turning sharply she went to face him, or at lest the direction of the noise. Why must he always play the insane tyrannical bad guy? It was beginning to get tiresome. Every time, every single time, she came to see him she always had to pick her way through this room and find him. All she wanted to do was have a conversation! Why must everything with him be so difficult? The darkness receded into the corners of the room, or whatever objects seem to have cast shadows within the room. She sighed in relief, she was able to see the nose in front of her again.

"Your no fun, koibito." He pouted.

Kikyou sauntered over towards him and placed her arms around his neck. "We'll play your game some other time, koi, but right now we have some important matters to discuss." She scrunched her face up in disgust. "My dear sister happens to reside in the same kingdom as I, she was seen the last time I was there."

Naraku raised a brow, as he brought her into his lap. "Oh." He grinned. "This will be fun, you do know that I plan to invade in a couple of weeks, who knows, maybe she'll be one of the casualties." Kikyou nodded against him.

"Hai." She laughed. "But you know I've finally found a use for Inuyasha besides information." She looked up to face Naraku and his questioning glare. She could've laughed from the jealously behind them. He never did like her choice in seducing Inuyasha, she slapped his arm playfully. "Get your mind out of the gutter, it's nothing like that! In fact I asked the idiot to find her and gain her trust so that she might give him the jewel she so wrongfully stole from me, and, being so blinded by his love for me, agreed to it." She laughed. "He seems to think my dear sister is going to kill me for the other half."

"And why would think that?"

Kikyou grinned. "Because I showed him the imposter jewel I posses and said to him that in order to gain the full power of the jewel both were needed." She shrugged simply.

"That is why you are mine Koibito." Naraku stated, wrapping his arms around her tighter. "Your mind matches mine own in cunning."

"Hai, now just what are you planning dear?"

Naraku shook his head slightly. "Always to the point aren't we koi?" He laughed. "We'll then I plan on invading from the lest expected border. The guard should be weak, and I want to push that fact in their faces." He growled out low. "Besides, I want to get as close to the castle, plunder that village and vanish without a trace. I want them to feel insecure, I want them to feel ashamed that I, Naraku, was able to enter their lands without so much as a scratch . That is what I want them to feel, before I come down on them and claim their land for myself." He laughed sadistically.

Kikyou joined him. "Koi, you are simply too much." She whispered into his ear. "I think I should delay my stay at the castle another week, don't you agree?" She rose a brow. Naraku's only response was to laugh and then cover her mouth with his own in a chaste kiss, before pushing her from his lap.

"I need to work this out with my generals one last time before we move against them." He drew the hood of his baboon pelt over his head, giving one last glance before leaving. "I won't be long."

~*~

A/N: Whelp I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Sorry for this one being so late! I wasn't able to go on the computer recently because my mom wouldn't let me until she renewed the viruses protection fire wall on the computer so that no one could kill our computer well I'm on the internet. Nifty huh?