Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha...

Simple Lies

Chapter Six: Trust, Surprises, War

The full moon hung high in the sky, it's light illuminated the night, as well as the corridors and bedrooms through uncovered windows. It was the only light she had to see by, and at times like these she wondered what it would be like to have demon blood. It would sure make stalking in the night a lot easier.

Opening the door to his room slightly, she slid her form through. Inuyasha's room was more of a western style, then a Japanese, and it was strange for someone who was use to seeing souji screens and mats used as doors to see one made of metal and wood. Kagome placed the thoughts from her mind, as she concentrated on placing one foot in front of the other in the dim light the moon offered. Making her way across the room, she was careful not to bump into anything. It is said inu-youkai have the best hearing as well as smell, she silently prayed he didn't smell her when she entered nor hear her. She really didn't want to have to explain to a sleepy hanyou why she was sneaking in. She didn't want to have a repeat of a few hours ago.

Skill fully bypassing a couch, and a few cloths scattered along the ground, careful not to get her feet twisted within them. She did not want to fall, she sighed in relief when she finally made it to her futon, and the hanyou was still a sleep. Pulling the blanket aside, she climbed in silently, taking the time to calm her beating heart before she let sleep claim her.

Inuyasha let go of the breath he held as he heard her breaths come out slow and easy, signifying sleep. He himself couldn't sleep until she was in the room, he had to wait for her, he wanted to see for himself what she was like before she went to sleep and while she was asleep. Judging on how she didn't trust him, a prince, enough to sleep before him, he assumed it was something not many got to see. Royalty held a code of honor, and women often lured men of royal blood or even noble, as they held the same code, into their beds. If a male could not control himself, and the woman happened to bare his heir, then the said male has no choice by to marry the woman. If a man of royal blood or even noble blood forced his attentions on a woman who clearly did not want it, he was shamed throughout the kingdom.

Inuyasha shook his head, he did not want that, no man did. Slowly, he pushed himself from his bed and made his way towards her sleeping form. Carefully sitting next to the futon's side, as not to wake her, he gazed upon her face. Even in sleep her face seemed to hold all her emotions. When awake she wore her emotions in her eyes, in them you could seen everything, even her deep-rooted sadness. He wandered what could cause her such sadness. Was it her father's death at the hands of Naraku, or her mother and brother's kidnapping, maybe it was both? It could also be her first taste of betrayal, and her other tastes of it.

He shook the thoughts from his mind as he made a mental note to speak with Kikyou about it. He was still curious as to why she never said anything of it. Kikyou... She never showed her emotions, she wore a mask of calm, never once letting it falter. He wondered what she looked like when she slept, as he has never had the honor, and doubted she even showed emotion then. When Kagome slept her face held contentment, she seemed relaxed, her face showing a childlike innocence that was even there when awake. Though it was more visible in her sleeping state.

Reaching over, Inuyasha brushed some of her raven locks from her face to behind her ears, being mindful of his claws. He wondered briefly if the hair his love and twin seemed to share was just as soft as Kikyou's, he wouldn't know. She has never let him be intimate with her, saying it wasn't proper before they were married. Inuyasha's eyes softened at the thought of being married to Kikyou, and wondered if, as he had on that day, if she would except his proposal if he were to make one. He shook his head, his silver hair falling over his shoulder to unsuccessfully blend in with the raven hair over Kagome's shoulder. He pushed the hair back into place, breathing in a sigh of relief, as the hair didn't seem to wake her. There were to many if's, maybe he would ask Kikyou to become his mate after everything with Naraku. That was a nice thought.

Inuyasha froze in place.

Kagome move slightly in her sleep, her face contorting in pain. "No please." She whimpered. "Please don't." She begged in her sleep.

Inuyasha relaxed, but only slightly, she was dreaming and by the sounds of it, the dream was in no way pleasant. He watched her a moment, considering waking her, but also considering walking back to his bed.

"No..." Inuyasha started as the moon light caught the tears running down her face, causing them to glow with an ethereal light. What was she dreaming about? Should he wake her? "Naraku leave him alone!" Here voice was a mere whisper, but the emotion behind it, the fear, the anger, the pain, made it sound louder and stronger then the spoken words really were.

Hesitantly taking his clawed hand, he carefully wiped her tears away, as not to slice her skin with his claws. Taking that same hand, he rubbed her arm slightly, hoping the action might cause her some comfort. He sighed in relief as the tears stopped, but froze, until her movements ceased. Kagome had rolled over to her side, facing him, head resting on her arm her other hand clutching the blankets to her tightly. Standing carefully, and silently, Inuyasha made way towards his bed. Climbing under the blankets, he slowly let sleep overtake him.

His last thoughts before he gave in were:

Whatever it takes I will gain your trust, Kagome...

~*~

Sango stifled a yawn with her hand, wishing for all the world that she had ignored the guard at the door. Nope, that wasn't why she is awake at such an ungodly hour, but a one Houshi-sama, or more commonly known as Miroku. Though she would never call him such. The guard had come to her sleeping quarters the night before with news that Miroku had wished to see her in the shrine today. Sango unconsciously clenched her fist, if the reasoning behind this meeting was because of the perverted mind of his then he would truly regret angering the Taijiya. She would be sure to teach him why she was the best, by brushing up on some of her old moves that haven't been used in awhile.

Standing from her futon, Sango took with her the mandatory kimono for the lady-in-waiting. It was a snow white Kimono with red on the shoulders and bottom with a red obi. It was far better then most kingdoms she has had the honor of donning, only because Miroku seems only to be able to get them jobs at castles. She was surprised that he managed this one with out less then legal acts.

Her face scrunched up as she recalled the kingdom of the east's dress, it was a lime green kimono and puke green obi. She shuddered visibly as she recalled herself in it, Kagome was lucky she was taken in as a priestess at the time. She still hadn't forgiven Miroku for that one.

Quickly donning her kimono, she went to the more grueling task of tying the obi. That finished, she brought her hair up into a low ponytail and made her way toward the Shrine. Once again, she cursed Miroku for her having to get up a few hours earlier then normal. If this is all a game, I'm going to make sure he's hurting badly at the end of it! She thought fiercely, turning the corner she began her trek down the cobble stone pathway, silently thanking the builder of the castle for building the servants quarters next to the shrine. Each step she took was hurried toward her destination, her mind plotting ways she could kill the houshi, if and when she found out this was all a hocks. She stopped before the large souji screen door hesitating to enter.

Deciding to go for it, she slide the door open and entered, her eyes widening with the sight that meet them. In all over her travels with she has seen many shrines, with Miroku being a monk and Kagome a miko, and this one by far was the grandest. From the outside it looks to be a regular Shinto shrine, but on the inside the ceilings were vaulted higher then normal. In the center of the room was a water fountain four times taller then herself, the base at lest a few feet wide. The statue standing in the center of the base was a woman holding a vase the poured water into the base, wearing the most elegant kimono billowing in an un-seeable wind. Her face held the most concentrated look she has ever seen.

Letting her gaze travel to the either side of the fountain, she found shelves lining the walls with lighted candles that sent shadows flickering about in fast precision, starting about a foot from the ground. her gaze then travel to the alter behind the fountain and the statue that stood above it that resembled the statue that stood sentinel in the center of the room, a silk cushion resting before it. The walls to either side of the alter held a single door leading to some other room within the shrine. Sango found her eyes lingering on both statues of the woman.

"The woman there is Midoriko, a powerful Miko of her time." The sudden appearance of the voice startled Sango, turning towards him, she sent a heated glare in his direction. Ignoring the oblivious state of the woman before him he continued on. "This shrine was built for her, I learnt this from a priest working here, same as me." He informed, his gaze lingering on her feminine figure, admiring the work of the sculpturist.

Sango noticed this and glared at the monk, clenching her fists, she took a deep breath and spoke her voice strained with anger. "This had better not be the reason you requested my presence." She grounded out.

Miroku's face remained his usual calm, but his eyes held amusement. "No." He replied softly. "But this is interesting, if you will hear it." His face then took on a more serious look, one that worried Sango. Miroku wasn't want to show his emotions so freely like this. It made her wonder what he was about to say. "Midoriko was the strongest miko of her time." He repeated. "And during her time there was a war going on, between humans and youkai. Youkai wanted complete dominance over the human race, and thus, humans not wanting to comply, natural went to war with them. Midoriko lead the humans, and three Taiyoukai lead the demons. The four fought, as did every one else for weeks, and Midoriko began to grow weak. It seemed as if the youkai would win and humans fail, and Midoriko, not wanting this too happen used the last of her strength to seal her soul, along with the three leaders, in a jewel around her neck, were for all eternity they fight an on going war." Miroku explained gravely, taking a breath, he released it slowly. "This jewel is Kagome's Shikon no tama." He whispered, but Sango heard it nevertheless.

Her eyes widened as she gasped. "But, where did you find this out?" She questioned, not sure if she was liking were he was head with all of this.

Miroku shrugged. "I found a book in the shrine library, about the history of the shrine and Midoriko." Miroku explained, his face then became an emotionless mask, his eyes betraying that fact with worry. "I remember Kagome-sama saying something about Midoriko before." He said absent mindedly as he contemplated on how to explain Naraku's ambitions to her. "If Naraku should gain the jewel he would use the strength of four souls trapped with in to gain control over the army of Akki." He started. "He would then use that army to take over all of Japan." He finished.

"How could..." She sputtered, her face growing considerably pale. "He couldn't... we wouldn't..." Sango stared at Miroku wild-eyed. The army of Akki! He was planning on using the jewel to bring about the army of Akki! Akki was a taiyoukai, the strongest of his time, the same time as Midoriko, but after the war that sealed her fate. Akki was legend to be the most ruthless youkai, with his legion of the undead. The only way the army was defeated was by killing Akki, and there for is why he became such a legend. He had an army of men that couldn't die, no matter how much you hacked away at them. This army was used in a lot of children's tales, ones told by parents to make children go to bed at night and not wander past the village boundaries. The most popular being, that at night the men of the army wandered in no destination searching for children to devour so that they may have the energy the need to continue fighting their endless war in the afterlife. Sango shuddered as she recalled it, it was one told to her by her father. "But I thought he wanted to the jewel to strengthen himself!" Sango all but shouted. "How can we stop that!"

Miroku nodded his head sagely. "That is what I thought as well." That is until Kagome explained it to him on night they both could not will sleep to take them. "Besides, Naraku will not get the jewel because we will be helping Kagome-sama protect it right?" Sango nodded, some color returning slightly to her pale cheeks. "Good, then we will not have to worry about, now shall we go on to the next bit of information?" Miroku announced the question calmly.

Sango glared at him, not entirely sure if she wanted what was to come next. "Tell me houshi-sama, which was the bad news and which is the good and then I will decided whether or not I want to hear it."

Miroku regarded her with amused eyes. "If you do not recall I said that that information was not why I asked you here, I just thought you would like to know." He replied, a lecherous grin forming on his lips. "I spoke with the tavern maids, questioning them on their occupants, they were reluctant at first but all I had to do was..."

Sango held up her hand, forestalling his speech. "I don't want to know how you did it, I just want to know what you found out!" She hissed, cursing the perverted monk to the seven hells.

Miroku's lecherous grin remained as he went on. "Aren't we in the gutter, all I did was offer to pay for their drinks, they were more then willing after that.." He trailed at her blush, he loved it when she blushed, but what he love most of all was her strength and bravery. From the moment he first set eyes upon her, Miroku found that Sango owned his heart, and nothing would change that fact. Now if only the favor was returned. "Anyway, it seems as though a few men of Naraku's were staying there, they refused to talk much at first, but it's wonders what you can find out by losing a few tongues with sake." He grinned, then his face became serious, but the lechers glint remained in his eyes. "Very talkative, I found out lost of information, they were also good with the ladies, though I nearly had to knock one unconscious when he..."

Sango clenched her fist in annoyance, as she interrupted him for a second time. "Just tell me what you found out!" She demanded.

Miroku's face appeared calm, but his eyes still regarded her with amusement, this fact alone was enough to annoy her to kingdom come. "My aren't we persistent, but that's what I love about you." Miroku cursed himself for letting that slip, he brought his eyes from her face to stare at the candles flicker shadows every which direction. Maybe, Just maybe, she might return my affection. He thought, before Turing the very idea down. No, how could she love me, I am cursed and not only with a wind tunnel, but wandering hands as well... no, my beloved Sango could never feel for me as I her. He brought his eyes to the floor, studying the swirls in the wood as he spoke. He made sure to keep his eyes down the entire time, not wanting her to see the emotion that played in them, not until she returned them. "They say that Naraku plans on invading a week from now, and since that was yesterday, it would be six. I was surprised when they explained to me that he would be attacking from the weakest border and village, as it was just like Kagome said he would do."

Miroku looked up long enough to see the strange look she was giving before he looked back down, having no idea what it meant. "Why?"

Miroku snorted. "Why? Because Naraku is evil, sadistic, and not right in the mind. Kagome is pure, innocent, Kind, and completely right in the mind." He defended. "I know I shouldn't be as Kagome has been fighting Naraku a lot longer then we have, and knows him better, but they are so different. It was surprising that Kagome would have been able to anticipate his next moves to such a detail."

Sango gasped, her eyes widening. Miroku looked up when the sound caught his ears. "Houshi-sama, how long have we been talking?" She questioned frantically, her eyes just as much.

"A little less then an hour." He replied. "Why?"

Sango turned toward the Souji screen doors, placed a hand upon it and slide it to the side, quickly taking to the cobble stone pathway. "I have to go. I have chores to do." She yelled over her shoulder to a stunned monk.

~*~

Kagome groaned as her eyes opened, she sat up slowly, her hand coming to rest upon her forehead. Her hand dropped to her side. Why does her head hurt so much? She let her gaze wander until she found her way towards Inuyasha bed. He was gone. Kagome groaned again, letting her body fall backwards unto her bed. She was suppose to wake up an hour earlier then him, get his cloths ready, bring his break fast up, wake him, clean his quarters, and then proceed to do whatever else he commands of her. She wandered briefly where he was before sitting up again. She could always try again next time, just hopefully he wasn't mad.

Coming to a stand from her futon, Kagome made way toward the full body mirror the queen had placed within the room for her. She personal has never met the queen for longer then the few moments before they were assigned to their tasks, but Sango seems to like her, and that was good enough for Kagome. She trusted her best friends judgment. Taking in her image she cringed. "I'm such a mess." she chuckled a bit at her appearance. Her raven tresses tousled every which way, her sleeping kimono crumbled from sleep. Her eyes opened wide, blushing slightly, as she noticed her Kimono gaping open. Quickly fixing, she walked over to her bed side, and pick up her dress for the day, she hoped it hadn't been like that while she was asleep. Silently praying a certain hanyou hadn't seen anything.

Walking back before the mirror, Kagome undressed from her sleep ware, quickly donning her kimono. It was a silk material, light purple in color with a rose pink obi. Near the edge at the bottom were a line of pink roses that traveled all they way along one end up the left slit to about her waist. It was her favorite kimono. She had gotten it from her father for her birthday when she turned thirteen, a year before he died. It was shortly after her birthday, she recalled, when she found out Kikyou's betrayal. Kagome began to brush her hair, deciding to leave it down as she would be doing house work, which would only serve in making it fall. Kagome stared at her reflection in the mirror, lost in thoughts of the past.

"I would like to speak with you."

The unfamiliar voice caused Kagome to jump, she wasn't expecting it. Her eyes focused on the face in the mirror of the man behind her. Silver hair framed a face with a purple crescent moon on his forehead and three purple stripes on either cheek, with amber eyes that watched her closely. She recognized him from the throne room and Inutashio's study as the kings eldest son and Inuyasha's elder half-brother, the youkai's height matched Inutashio's rather then Inuyasha's. The youkai watched her suspiciously, and Kagome couldn't help but wonder what it was he wanted.

She turned to face him slowly, her eyes showed nothing of what she felt. Truth be told she was somewhat afraid they had been found out, it was the way Sesshoumaru watched her that gave her the uneasy feeling. "Would you prefer to speak somewhere private, or does what you have to say not matter if over heard?" She questioned hopping it was something to be over heard.

Sesshoumaru watched her carefully, taking in her scent. It was overwhelmed with nervousness. He was curious as to why she would be so? What does she have to hide that would cause her to act so? "In private." He then turned out the door and headed toward his own studied.

Kagome fallowed close behind him, and couldn't help the sudden nervousness that threatened to choke out her heart. Taking deep breaths to calm it, she suddenly widened her eyes, before bringing her emotions under control. How had they gotten there so fast? Without waiting, or looking back to see if she fallowed, Sesshoumaru pushed aside the souji screen and entered. Kagome hesitated a moment, could she trust the youkai lord to be in a room alone with him?

Deciding that she had to find out what it was he knew, she walked forward, shutting the screen behind her. She watched as the youkai before her observed her presence through golden eyes of suspicion. His eyes then narrowed in a glare, he took a step forward for intimidation purposes. "Girl, tell me who you really are?" He demanded harshly.

Kagome's eyes opened wide for a moment, before narrowing. "I don't know what your talking about, but if you mean a name then it's Kagome, NOT girl." She replied defiantly. Outwardly she looked so but on the inside she was afraid they were found out, but more afraid for her two friends then herself.

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. She wasn't afraid of him, damn! He had been hoping to use that to his advantage, the only scent she wore was one of nervousness. "Do not play games with me girl." He growled out. "I know you are not who you say you are. A generals daughter, whom has only face one battle against Naraku, would not have come up with a plan such as yours. The way you thought of every detail he might pull, you had to have meet up with him more than once." He explained watching her carefully for the slightest indication he was right. He smirk, she flinched slightly, he continued. "Now tell me who you are." He demanded once again, his voice deadly calm.

Kagome shivered at the tone, but was glad it was not visible. What was she to do? She couldn't tell him that they had lied to get a job in the palace, she couldn't tell him, about Sango and Miroku, nor could she tell him her reasoning's. They would be in trouble, and not only that, but the royal family will be brought into things more then they already are. Her eyes found his. But if she didn't answer, she feared he would just rid himself of them anyways, and she'd be damned before she let anyone stop her from gaining her revenge out on Naraku. With a strangle sigh, she hesitantly went on to speak. "If I tell you, you have to make me a few promises."

Sesshoumaru rose a brow in amusement. "Do you really think you are in any position to be making deals with me?" He asked.

Kagome growled a human like growl, and narrowed her eyes at him. "Either make the promises or I do not tell you a thing." She hissed. Sesshoumaru watched her a moment contemplating on whether or not he should just kill her like he should have done to Kikyou when he found her relenting some of the castle secrets to Naraku. He had wanted to kill her, wanted to turn her in, but ended up only mentioning the matter to his father. He could not bring himself to serve the wench the justice that she deserved, his brother suffered enough for what he is, he did not want to be the one to break his heart even though he would never admit to it. "Alright, First you have to promise that you will not tell a soul about this. Second: You must promise you any punishment you see fit will be taken out on me, and not Miroku or Sango. Third: You must promise to help us if we need it." She finished awaiting his reaction.

Against his better judgment, Sesshoumaru nodded his assent, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Alright fine, now speak." He wondered briefly what could possibly need punishing, was she a spy for Naraku? His eyes narrowed at the thought, at lest she was brave for taking any punishment he may give alone.

Kagome hesitated a few moments before going into her story, praying silently that her words did not condemn her two friends. Her real worries lie in what he may do when he found they had lied to them. "When I was fourteen my father was killed right in front of me, my mother and brother kidnapped." She whispered, adverting her eyes so that she did not see his eyes widen with underlying sympathy. "It was all over an object that I protect...

"I guess I should start from the beginning." Her eyes found his and he nodded. Why did she start her tale off with that information? Sesshoumaru found himself wondering. What object did she hold with in her possessions, that would cause another to kill for it? Pushing the thoughts away he listened carefully as she continued on with her story. "My father was ashamed of me because I wasn't like a normal girl, I guess that's how I'll put it." She paused for a moment and then nodded. "I wasn't normal, I enjoyed frightening, archery, playing with the village children... basically I was a free sprit, so my father sent me to the local shrine to train as a shrine priestess. I was not the ideal heir for my father, therefore, my sister was trained for the job." She took in a deep breath. "My sister and I were close, or at lest I thought we were...

She smiled slightly, but it did not reach her eyes, which held a sad cast to them. "I met her friend one night at a ball, his name was Naraku, and I had thought we had fallen in love..." Her voice cracked on that word and she mentally berated herself for it. She would not show weakness to the prince. "It was all a lie, I guess my sister wanted to break my heart as well as betray me... She had taken the item in which I protect. She did not have to go the added distance to break me, the betrayal of my sister and best friend was enough for that." She spat out vehemently, then shock her head. "I blame Naraku for her change, she was never like this before he got to her." She fell silent, stuck in a memory of the past. A past she would much rather forget.

Sesshoumaru process the information becoming curious. What did they take, why did she betray her? What was so great about this item that blood was willing to betray blood? So she more then knew Naraku, they had a relationship... his eyes narrowed. Could they really trust this girl? He shook his head, she wouldn't help out Naraku, not after that type of betrayal. Sesshoumaru admired the girls strength, most would have committed suicide after such an event. "What else happened?" He questioned and against his will his curiosity reflected in his tone.

Snapping out of her revere, Kagome turned tear glossy eyes on him. Sesshoumaru felt bad for making her relive this, though he would never admit to it, he had never expect this type of story and therefore had to find out more of it. He had thought it would be something simple, like she was a spy, she worked for Naraku, and then all he would have to do is put he to the question to be dealt with accordingly. Guess it wasn't as simple as that.

She continued on, her voice losing emotion. "She had taken the imposter, and therefore Naraku wasn't happy. A year later when I had turned fourteen they paid me a visit at the castle, after her betrayal my sister was no longer heir and I had taken up the spot. She had let Naraku kill father and take our mother and our brother hostage until I decided to give to them what they sought." She shook her head slightly, squeezing her eyes shut. "It was the hardest decision that I was ever forced into making... I ran." She breathed while clenching her fists, head bowed, eyes shut. "I couldn't let him have it, if I did something worse would have happened. They understand though, and before I left I made a promise to get revenge and save them."

"What is this object and why is it so important that you would sacrifice your own family to keep it?" He demanded. Nothing was worth more then family, not in his eyes at least.

Her head shot up, eyes boring into his fiercely. She growled. "I did not sacrifice my family, I will save them and for every mark lain on them Naraku will pay tenfold. Kikyou promised she would not let harm come to them as long as I considered handing over the jewel, but I think it was more that she didn't want our family being harmed." At lest I hope that is why? Kagome thought sadly.

"Kikyou?" Sesshoumaru voiced, his tone questioning.

"Hai, my twin." She replied sadly.

Sesshoumaru did not understand why the news shocked him. From the moment he met this girl he could see and smell the similarities to them. He shook his head, he just couldn't believe it! He knew Kikyou was evil, but he never thought the wench would sink as low as to harm her own family. He thought she was just merely a spy for Naraku sent to entice his brother into giving her information freely, Sesshoumaru sighed. "You have such a nice sister." He shot back sarcastically, his voice tinged with acid. He couldn't help it, normally he was able to control his emotions better, but the wench was messing around with his brother! No one was allowed that honor but Sesshoumaru! He shook his head, not only that but she stole his heart, something of which the girl did not deserve. She was only using him. Sesshoumaru brought his eyes to meet Kagome's glare. He smirked inwardly, he liked this girl. She wasn't afraid of him, she is stronger, and ten times better then her twin. She would make the perfect mate for Inuyasha, now only if he could get him to realize it. He folded his arms across his chest, turning his head, he watched her from the corners of his eyes. "You still haven't explained to me what it is you protect."

Kagome sighed, she knew this question would come, but wished it hadn't. "You have to promise me one thing before I tell you."

Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat. "Why do you insist upon all of these promises." He demanded as his golden orbs glared at her lithe form. "Fine." He grounded out. "Now what is it you demand of me this time?" If I didn't have a desire to know what information she held, and if she wouldn't have made the prefect Mate for Inuyasha as well as somehow get under my skin, she would be dead for such impudent demands. Sesshoumaru assured himself firmly, no matter how many times a voice in the back of his head called him a lair. Damn inner voices.

Kagome adverted her gray-blue eyes from his own golden ones, her arms coming to rest over her chest, before bringing her eyes back. She need to watch him for the slightest indication that he may wish to own the jewel that was kept in her protection, as well as keep her senses open to his aura. He may be able to hide every thing well from the world, but his aura was another story, he may be able to mask it sometimes, but not very well, not like Inuyasha manages to hide from her. She pushed the thoughts away, she remembered she was suppose to ponder how he was able to accomplish such a feat, but now was not the time. "You must promise not to desire the object and attempt to take my life for it, you must not make an attempt to gain it at all." She watched him closely.

His face was a mask of calm, but on the inside he couldn't help the curiosity forming in his gut. Just what was she protecting? "I can promise not to make an attempt to take that which you protect, but I can not promise that I will not desire it. No man can promise not to desire, but they can promise not to act upon a desire." He responded.

Kagome studied him a moment before nodding her assent, she could detect not an ounce of deceit upon his countenance or aura. Hesitating momentarily, she went on to quench his curiosity. "Midoriko was the greatest miko of her time, and considering she is Inuyasha's great, great grandmother I am to assume you know of the time. The war that took place which was to enslave humans but instead turned into a treaty between humans and youkai to live with one another peacefully." She rose a brow, he nodded, therefore she continued. "In order for that to happen as you know, Midoriko had to seal her soul along with the three taiyoukai with in a jewel she carried around her neck..." He nodded. "I protect that jewel, it is called the shikon no tama and has the power to grant whatever the barer wishes as well as add on to their power if that barer happens to be demon."

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened at that statement. He has heard of this Shikon no Tama before, and have always thought it to be a myth. Somehow he has never thought such a powerful jewel existed as none has ever seen it. How had this girl come across it. "How did you come to posses it?" He questioned, eying her suspiciously.

She dismissed his suspicious glare and went onto answer his question. "The jewel is neither good nor evil, but adjusts to the barer. If evil it glows a malevolent purple, but when pure it glows bright rosy pink. I am a priestess with exceptionally strong purifying powers, I can not be that strong and I, myself, not be pure of mind and heart." She answered. "If Naraku should get a hold of it he would defile the jewel until it glowed of the darkest purples, and if that should happen... Well anyway that is why I could not give it too Naraku for my mother and brother."

Eyes narrowed Sesshoumaru regarded her with a snort. "That explains nothing girl, what would Naraku do with the jewel. Increase his power? If that is the case you should have just handed it over for your family, the jewel wouldn't have made that much of a difference in his strength." He remarked.

Kagome growled. "You don't understand!" She shouted. "He does not care for the jewel in the means." She took in a breath. "After Midoriko there was a Taiyoukai that is rumored to be just as ruthless as the times before she made the sacrifice of her soul to end the war between humans and youkai, by the name of Akki. The reason for this rumor was that he held an army said to have been brought about by his very own strength that could not die no matter how much a warrior hacked at them. The army of the dead or better known as the army of Akki." She paused waiting for what she had said to sink in.

The army of Akki? What does that have to do with anything? What does it have to do with Naraku, confused Sesshoumaru nodded his head when her eyes met his to go on. She took in a breath and continued. "What people don't know is that Akki had possession of the jewel. Because he had done every thing in his power to defile the jewel to make it glow the darkest of purples, when he made a wish on it..." She trailed, taking a deep breath she exhaled slowly. "When he made his wish the jewel granted it giving him his army he is so well known for, if the jewel hadn't have been defiled it would not have granted it. That is what Naraku wishes to do, that is why I must not let him have it. I will not let ten years of protecting this jewel go to waste, as well as all the sacrifices I have had to make to keep it that way." She fell silent.

He wanted to raise the army of Akki! If that were to happen not a man a live would stand a chance against him, nor demon for that matter. His father had been a live in that time, and has told him stories of the battles against the warriors of the undead. Such horrors stories of which Sesshoumaru wished not to see, not matter how much he craved a challenge. Taking a deep breath, he turned toward the souji screen door, he much rather preferred the Japanese style to the western, and prepared to slide it open. "I will not tell a soul, as for punishment..." He smirked at her downcast eyes. "You have done no wrong that deserves to be reprimanded." He pushed aside the screen. "If you need help I shall offer it to you within reason." He went to take a step to leave but stopped as her voice sounded beside him.

"Sesshoumaru wait." He turned to her, brow arched in question. "If you could... when Kikyou returns, to help us through her off of our scent. We can't let her know that we are here, at lest not yet?"

He stepped back in shutting the screen. "Why is that?"

She bit her lip. "Um... I want to help fight in the village used as bait, as does Sango and Miroku. We're going to need help with that as well as with getting to be apart of the conversation about what is to be done. If she knows that I am here then Naraku will be prepared for us and I don't want that." She explained, giving him puppy dog look, her blue-blue eyes boring into his own golden ones begging and pleading with him to consent.

With a sigh he turned toward the Souji screen, sliding it opened he to a step out. "Hai, I shall see what I can do." With that said she shut the screen door behind him. Kagome could hear the soft tap of his booted feet resounding down the halls as he walked away from her location.

Hopefully she would not regret coming clean with the elder prince. With a prayer to whomever was listening, Kagome pushed open the souji screen, shutting it behind her, to head toward the shrine to find Miroku and then Sango. They need to talk. Maybe Sesshoumaru should be Involved. She thought, as she turned down a hall that lead toward the court yard, but after she explained things to Sango and Miroku to better prepare them. Her stomach growled. Maybe I should visit the Kitchens first. With a nod of her head she changed directions, each step hurried, she had to get everything done before Inuyasha found her. She shook her head, he always seems to show up wherever she is.

It's like he is stalking me...

~*~

A/N: I hope you all had a very wonderful and merry Christmas!!!! I know that I did! I got all kinds of greats stuff… My favorite being the lovely Japanese sword that I received from the meji era … I am a collector of old swords, or other weapons like that… I have a short sword as well, and a pair of kradchi and kunai… some daggers… I've got quite the collection going.

Anyways, I hope you all read and review… tell me what you think -K-