Disclaimer: Dis.... claim.... laim... er...I... claim... laim.... (enough said, ne?)

Simple Lies

Chapter Ten: Preparations

The throne room was quite magnificent, made all the lager by the high vaulted ceilings about three stories high adorned with stain glass windows at the front, back and to either sides of the room. The suns light filtering through in a myriad of colors upon the throne and red carpet leading up to it, causing the young silver haired hanyou whom sat upon the mahogany seat to glow with an ethereal light. The boy would have looked just as imposing and majestic as the room itself as well the King whom normally sat upon the finely made mahogany throne, tapestries of the house sigil, a dog standing on its hind legs with two swords crossed in the background, hanging behind him as well as around the rest of the room. If it weren't for the petulant pout upon his face, the one that told all who entered he did not wish to be there.

All of this went unnoticed by the hanyou, of course, as he could careless about the majesty he and the throne room put about, but it seemed as if the peasants did. Every time one of them entered their footfalls slowed, eyes taking in every inch of the grandeur of the room. One wall hung, in between the tapestries of red and white, pictures of past kings their faces emotionless as their eyes stared lifelessly ahead of themselves. To the other side hung pictures of their mates, underneath detailing their length of reign in the seat of power.

In the center to either side of the red carpet, were a table that grew gradually in size the further it went back that was lined with un-lit candles waiting for use at night. With a impatient sigh, Inuyasha decided it would be best to break the peasants trance like state least he be there the rest of the afternoon well into the evening. "Well..." he drawled out.

That seemed to do the trick as the human peasant, blinked a few times before fidgeting with his hands looking everywhere but Inuyasha's face. "Ah, y-yes m-my l-lord." The man stammered nervously, just as nearly all the others had. Inuyasha wondered what he would ask for or what he would complain about. Would it be the land limit law? No, the man was practically in rags and more then likely owned nothing but a small hut, if even that. Most likely going to complain about the prices of rice... "I-I have not come here for myself you see..." He forced his hands at his side gripping his hakama to tell of his nervousness, eyes holding small traces of fear in them. "I-if I m-may m-my lord, I-I w-would like..." Taking in a calming breath he continued. "I would l-like to speak on their b-behalf?"

Inuyasha shrugged, ignoring the shaking heads of his father's counsel men. "I don't see why not, I was getting sick of hearing how someone's neighbor had a few more inches of land... yada, yada, yada... and how the poor should be swept up off there streets and hauled into the dungeons for doing nothing but having absolutely no money at all. Oh yeah and then there was that whole grain costs thing." Inuyasha eyed him suspiciously for a moment, still ignoring counsel's advice to boot him out, adding to that the horrified gasping sounds after his comments of his people a few moments ago. "This isn't a greedy plea, is it?"

"N-no my lord."

"Good." He then waved him on. "Then you can continue."

"Thank you my lord." Getting his nerves under control, he went on with what he had practice to say all morning long whilst he waited for the lord to come and other appointments to be over with. This time his voice continued on without it's stammer. "As I have said my lord, I have come here on the behalf of another or more correctly several others. They are less fortunate then I, and yet I alone have done so much for them," he brought his gaze from his lords, ashamed at his failure even though one man can only do so much. "Nothing seems to have made much of a difference, no matter the amount of determination I put forth. It is for this reason that I have come here today.... these people that I speak of are the poor of this kingdom." He paused a moment to gauge at lest a small amount of his lords reaction before continuing.

Inuyasha was shocked to say the least, as of all the people he had imagined for him to stand for they were at the bottom of his list. What exactly was it this peasant sought exactly for these people? He couldn't honestly say, couldn't even make a guess at it. It seemed by his words that he did not wish for them to be swept away to the dungeons, nor did it seem he wished to even be there pleading for his help or... Well he wasn't exactly sure what the man had come here for, but it was in desperation for it was something that he alone could not do. "What do you wish me to do about them? Or is it for them?" He questioned off-handedly, trying and failing to hide his intrigue in the matter. In all his times occupying the throne for his father in his absence he has never encountered a peasant calling for a conference for a selfless reason. For that alone he would hear him out to the end and even consider doing what it is he asks, maybe more...

Shifting upon his feat the peasant brought his dark eyes to Inuyasha's own after a few moments of contemplative silence. "I am not a rich man, I hold no land, and I have no business of my own. I do have a small hut and I do make money working in the fields. My house I leave open to the homeless, my food to the hungry and some of the riches I hold to the poor whom need extra clothing blankets, ect." He paused a moment, a pained look coming to his eyes. "I have become quite found of everyone that I have helped, and yet my help is not enough for them." He clenched his fists, tears welling up in his eyes. "They still die of hunger, of the cold, of disease...." He trailed off, taking in deep breaths steadying his tears. He did not want to cry, not in front of the prince!

Inuyasha was taken aback by the sudden passion spoken in his words; he truly did not want anything for himself. This was all recall, if it were not the man would have just demanded money from him for the poor. It was demanded of him before, yet he had not given it to them. He could smell the deceit coming off them in waves, the peasant held no such scents. What amazed him, though, was the fact that he found the sudden urge to want and help these people, these poor that this man so patiently spoke for. He did not let this show through his expression though. Where those tears that made silent tracks down his cheeks? With a delicate sniff of the air, his eyes widen slightly but not noticeably. He shed tears for these people? Inuyasha couldn't help but feel himself be in awe of the man before him. Shaking his head slightly, Inuyasha went on to say.

"You want me to do something for them, but have no idea of what?" He inquired, watching as the man nodded his head slowly, abashed. Inuyasha decided that he would do something for once on his own without leaving it for someone else to handle like always. Sesshoumaru managed to; maybe he could do so as well? He wanted to help them, and maybe, just maybe he would be able to show them all he was not a worthless monster like they claim. All the same, at lest he would get the satisfaction of helping someone else for a change. Yes, he agreed mentally, I like that idea. He knew exactly what to do. "Take a fourth of the gold from my own allowance and buy the abandoned farm at the edge of the village capital." He told to the gaping counsel men. It was one of his least favorite sanctuaries from the world, but it would do for the homeless. It was large and would accommodate for many. "Use the rest to buy supplies, anything that would be needed." His amber eyes then flashed back to the peasant's wide eyes of disbelief. "I place you in charge of things. Make sure that you have what you need, and come back to me once a month for a report on how things are going as it will be myself who is funding all of this."

"Y-yes m-my lord." He bowed. With sparkling eyes and a large grin, he said. "Thank you so much my lord, I never expected something like this."

Standing from his seat, he let a soft 'keh' escape his lips before leaving to walk down the red carpet beckoning the peasant to fallow him. He smirked mentally when nearly every counsel man fell over from shock, while they muttered ion about the indecency of the prince associating with a peasant. He rolled his eyes, stupid idiots. It seemed the peasant wasn't in a better state, Inuyasha could practically hear the man's heart beat at an exceedingly abnormal rate. Was it really that big of a deal to walk along side him? He knew it wasn't from fear about his heritage, as he smelt not an ounce from him, just a nervous tinge lining his personal scent.

"So, uh, what's your name?" He asked while they made way for the throne room's grand doors of cedar wood and bronze hinges, two dog demons in their true forms standing on their hind legs with their front paws resting upon the others a fierce snarl in place, the door itself was carved by a wood demon whom was best in his field. Sadly the said demon died of root rot, highly deadly in the plant demon world.

Once shaken out of his shock that his lord would wish to know an unworthy ones name, he answered a bit timidly. "Gerith, my lord." Head bowed.

"Alright Gerith, come back to see me after you receive your farm, supplies and things are a bit settled. I want to see how things are like once you are finished." Inuyasha explained stopping before the guards. "Help him find his way to the castle entrance." Turning to face the counsel men he said. "We'll have are conference later, I have a meeting with Sesshoumaru that cannot be missed." With that said he left towards the discussion hall.

~*~

Sango and Miroku both flanked either side of Kagome as they made their way towards the discussion hall after being summoned there by Sesshoumaru, or more like a servant sent by the prince. They walked down the corridors silently, eyes focused in different directions taking notice of there surroundings. This corridor held a single red carpet edged with gold lain over the wood floor, tables set off to the side ever few feet apart with vases upon them. Some contained fresh flowers while other remained without. Other then that the hall remained completely spare of anything except for a few pictures upon the walls, none of them being unique enough to be considered eye catching. Though it may have been their lack in attention to the room as their minds were occupied by thoughts of the sudden revelation.

Kagome held no worries other then the fact that Sesshoumaru may be hurt because of her. The guilt of her involving him ate away at her heart... if she had never involved the many people upon her travels there would have been a lot less hurt in this. Sango and Miroku were hurt by him long before she had even known them, like her, so it did not matter; there involvement. She needed to look at the brighter picture, with his help they might be able to gain a foot hold on Naraku... maybe, but she doubted it. Looking back on her thoughts Kagome had to laugh bitterly, she never used to be so pessimistic before, never use to know such a word even existed. Funny what an evil like Naraku does to a person.

Miroku and Sango held completely different thoughts then that of the young miko, thoughts that were slightly less dark and had nothing do with the effects their involving the inu-youkai would have upon him. No, they were silently debating whether or not they could even trust the demon lord, if he would even be of any help at all. It could have all been a ploy just to gain Kagome's trust for the jewel... it had happened before and neither the monk nor the taijiya wished for their friend to go through the pain of betrayal once more. Both were snapped from their contemplative thought at the sound of Kagome's bitter laughter, and cringed. What was she thinking about that could cause such laughter to bubble fourth from her lips, the girl rarely ever laughed in such a way. It could only be one of two things: she was thinking about her past with Naraku, or she was having dark thoughts that were less them optimistic. Right as Miroku decided to break the silence to ask if she were all right, they appeared before shoji screen door that lead into the discussion room.

Gathering up her nerves Kagome slide the door back, gaining the eyes of every one with in the room upon her form. Blinking a couple of times, she silently made her way towards a chair the sat around the iron wrought oval table. She was curious as to why it was built with such a material, but pushed such meaningless musings aside. She needed to focus on this meeting. Sango and Miroku followed her example claiming a seat on either side of her, the monk to the right and taijiya the left. With a deep breath Kagome lifted her eyes to examine both inu-demon lords before her.

"Finally you've decided to grace us with your presence." Inuyasha growled, arms crossed, eyes holding very distinguishable challenge. Her eyes met this challenge, refusing to back down as her lips went to form their reply with a witty retort. Her lips never got the chance much to their disappointment as deeper much colder voice did that for her.

"Inuyasha you have no room to talk, as you have only recently grace us with your presence a few moments ago when you should have been here minutes ago." The said inu-hanyou merely 'ke'd' softly, adverting his eyes from all else in the room focusing on the shoji screen to his right. "As for you lady Kagome, I would like you to explain carefully the plan you had mentioned before when it was just Kouga, Ginta, Inuyasha, my father and I." Noting the distrust in her eyes as the indiscriminately took in those seated around her, Sesshoumaru went on to quell such feelings. "These are my father's most trustworthy men, Kouga and Ginta you already know." He began, nodding his head in their direction, before going on with the introductions that seemed relevant at the moment. "Hokaku is to the left of Kouga, and he is the second in command to the armed forces. Tanuki, next to Ginta, is second in command of our combat forces." After that was said he locked his eyes on to her own silently commanding her to speak.

With the slightest inclination of her head to show that she understood, Kagome let her eyes traverse the maps before rising to a stand. Before coming, as they did not leave right after the summons, they had discussed what was safe to give away and what was not. She know was going to exorcise one of the agreed upon things. "I have faced Naraku before, many times after the destruction of my home for revenge." She began softly trying not to twitch nervously underneath the gazes of those present. "I know how he works better then all of you here, beside the two seated on either side of me, so I expect you to listen closely and not question what I say. Is that understood?" She inquired, eyes traveling to all seated waiting for her cue to go on.

Sesshoumaru was slightly impressed with the commanding presence she put forthright then while his amber orbs peeks at Inuyasha discreetly. He seemed to be board out of his mind slouched in the chair like he was, but he could see the hanyou's right eye trained upon her form as his ears were upon her voice. He was shocked at first with the mention of Naraku, but what she said went along with her story given before but with a deeper insight into her knowledge of things.

After getting what she desired, Kagome went on while pushing a strand a raven hair behind her ear. "Naraku will attack on the eastern border as long as we make it desirable and to do that rumors must be spread around that it has the lowest amount of men guarding it. Which would be believable as you and kingdoms boarding you at the east are on friendly grounds." As she said this, Kagome began to move white markers to indicate how many fake men should be at the other borders, as opposed to the real ones, leaving the eastern border with five hundred men, but in reality one thousand. Though she doubted they would need so much. "Naraku likes to point out the weakness in people, if we should present him with one he will attack it, but this would only be a mere distraction." She told them, going on to elaborate her meaning holding every ear especially Inuyasha's even though it seemed not. "Attacking the board it not what he wishes to do, and this isn't even a real war to him, it is more of game. He wants to show you how far he can get to your capital without even by playing off on your weakest points with his weakest men. Naraku wishes you to know how powerful he is before he truly attacks."

As Inuyasha listened to this he knew something was up, she knew the enemy far to well. He remembered early this day the girls that had been confessed to him, the one that peeked his curiosity to such high levels that he sought out the answers for himself, and remembered her saying that Naraku wished for it... his eyes widened slightly, but his features were quickly placed under control. Is that why she wishes revenge? No, it was because of her family that she wants revenge, but... massaging the bridge of his nose Inuyasha sighed mentally, he was just so confused with this all. Why hadn't Kikyou told him any of this? He really wished that she would hurry up with her business, that way he could speak with her about all of these new developments in absence. Shaking the thoughts from his head, he refocused his attention back on to Kagome...

"...is were he will attack first as long as we make it appealing like the border. I wish to only place twenty-five of your best men there as I already know whom will attack the village, but as always she will bring reinforcements so that is where the men will come in handy." Taking her seat, she set her eyes upon Sesshoumaru's own before sliding in-between the two brothers. "This is the plan that I had set before Inutashio-sama." She had said for the benefit of those whom were no there the last time.

Sango and Miroku nodded there approval, the taijiya noting with delight that Kagome had improved in her tactical planning from her last plan of action back in Izumo. Before anyone could claim the chance to speak up, Miroku stood, his staff making a soft clinking noise with its rings. "Kagome-sama I wish to know where you plan to take part in this war?" He questioned softly, as Kagome turned refusing to meet his concerned gaze. She knew that he would not like her answer, and he knew it to as he could feel a slight apprehension start to form within his gut.

Kouga stood abruptly from his seat. "The girl plans to fight to!" He yelped looking to Sesshoumaru for help. "But she's a human, and these are demons were talking about." He protested sternly, before gulping slightly at the frosty glare sent his way from the said human girl. "She would be easily killed." He pointed out, not giving in despite the fact the looks the girl was giving him, were starting to effect him in away he would rather not acknowledge; fear.

"I am perfectly capable of handling myself, as I have been doing so for the last six years." She replied sternly, her voice losing the childlike innocence as well as gentleness it seemed to have possessed before. "This is my fight, you just happened to be in Naraku's way, thus the reason I have chosen to help you." She paused a moment, with a long-sided look to Miroku and then Sango and with a sigh decided to change the subject ever so slightly. "You and Sango are going to be watching the border." She replied.

"That wasn't what he asked you Kagome!" Sango cried out, voice dripping with worry and dread, as she slammed her fist upon the iron table. So that's why it was iron, Imaging if a demon were to do that... Kagome thought distractedly, before cringing at the look Sango was giving her. They both knew what she was planning, she nearly did the same before...

Shoulders slumping, Kagome bowed her head as she continued on in a soft voice. "Sango please don't..." She pleaded; ignoring the stares she was receiving from the others, while hoping that either Sesshoumaru or someone interrupted this interrogation to continue on with the planning. It would seem this day was not on her side. "Whether you agree to it or not I am going to sit in that village and wait for her to come." She confessed finally after some time passed when it seemed Sango was not going to give up and no one else going to speak of something new. Did they want to know as well? Probably...

Sango looked into Kagome's gray-blue eyes with her own wide disbelieving cinnamon ones, her mouth working silently. Grabbing at her hands quickly, the taijiya shook her head in denial of the others words. "You can't Kagome!" She spoke furiously. "You'll be killed, hell, you were almost killed the last time!" The miko's own eyes were wide now, Sango meant business, she almost never cursed.

Kagome stood abruptly, hair falling over her face with the movement, eyes ablaze with determination with a watery sheen from tears held back. "This will be my chance, Sango! If she is there then... then he might come and I can end it once and for all!" She yelled in reply. "If I can bring back Souta... you don't understand what this is doing to me! These dreams, not knowing if he and my mother are safe..." She trailed wiping back her tears and berating herself for showing weakness in front of others as she field from the room, Sango trailing after her.

The room was dead silent after they left as each contemplated and tried to understand what just went down only seconds ago; all except for Miroku. With an unreadable expression, Inuyasha set his determined amber orbs on the monk. He wanted to know what happened, what they were talking about and the only way was through the monk they traveled with.

"It hurt so much to watch him die in the dream, to hear my onii-chan ask me how I could let him die, for him to ask me if I even love him. I should have just given them the stupid jewel, I wish I could be selfish just once, I wish that I didn't care about..."

He needed to know what she meant, who was this she? Was this the other one after the jewel along with Naraku? Even more determined then before, as this answer could possible clear up some of his questions, Inuyasha demanded from the monk. "What was that about monk!"

Miroku remained with his head bowed, as he let his thoughts ponder over whether or not he should fallow after the two. Those musings left him as Inuyasha's words reached his ears, now he was pondering over what exactly he should say. If it were just the two princes in the room this would not have been so hard, but there were others. With a heavyhearted sigh, Miroku looked up. "There is this youkai called Kagura, she is a wind sorceress." He paused searching their faces for some kind of reaction, recognition maybe. Inuyasha was the only one to have a slight change in his features at the name for about a split second his brows drew up in surprise, though it was not what the monk thought.

"I found Naraku holding a knife to my fathers throat, and the wind sorceress keeping captive my brother and mother. She just watched it all, she betrayed me again, she betrayed all of us."

After few more seconds of study, he continued. They know nothing, but Inuyasha of something... "Kagura is whom Naraku will send, it is whom he always sends as she is the only one he can trust to finish the job to his liking. Kagome wishes to fight her is all." He explained nonchalantly, keeping all worry from his tone in voice.

Inuyasha shook his head, did the monk really think he was that stupid. That Sango girl would not have gotten that upset over Kagome fighting this youkai, no there had to be something more to it as their words suggested towards it. With a mocking laugh Inuyasha said. "I don't believe you monk." Crossing his arms, he looked down on Miroku through narrowed orbs of amber his brows drawn down. "There's more to it then that, their words say so and their actions say so. Now tell me this again."

With an even greater sight then before, Miroku slumped back in his chair in defeat. "That is what she plans to do." He replied firmly, before turning his attention to Sesshoumaru whom had remained silent throughout the whole thing. "I am sorry for this Sesshoumaru-sama, but since this meeting is now basically over I must help Sango with Kagome... You are free to do what-ever you wish with this plan." With that said the Miroku stood from his seat, leaving four stunned soldiers, an understanding prince and a suspicious one.

Inuyasha stood as well, catching a hold of the lingering scent that belonged to Kagome. He would find her first, and he would get the information he sought from her. He was tired of not knowing, hated it with a passion, and would not rest until he found it. Sesshoumaru only smiled knowingly as he watched his little brother leave eagerly.

~*~

Running as fast as her legs could carry her, Kagome rushed down the corridors every thing passing her in a blur. She took no notice of the look of the places she ran though nor did she pay any mind to the frustrated shouts that followed her as she knocked into a servant every so often. She needed to find a place where she could be all-alone, a place where Sango and Miroku would not find her for a while.

She could understand their worry for her, she knew what she is about to do is foolhardy, but she could not just stand by when the chance arises and do nothing about it. She made a silent vow to her remaining family members that she would return for them, that she would free them and gain revenge for their father's death. Kagome threw open the doors to the room at the end of the hall, her eyes frantically taking in the place looking for an exit paying little mind to much else. With a quick gait, she marched towards the double doors throwing them open and walking out on to the balcony, heaving a heavy sigh of relief. Her eyes traversed the entire area, and to her utter disappointment the balcony was to high for her to jump. Looking around once more she found the room to be devoid of furniture and other such objects, slumping her shoulders Kagome slid to the ground her back against the farthest corner while drawing her knees up.

-

-

She was just floating in a void of nothingness, she knew nothing, remembered nothing. As she floated feelings over came her, ones of dread, of hopelessness, of determination, hatred and betrayal... She did not understand why she felt such, did not understand where she was. Did she always live here, in this place of darkness? Some how she knew that she did not. What was her name again…?

"Kagome...."

Was that it? Wait a second, where was this voice coming from, why was it calling her? She looked around wildly, trying to find a face in all of this darkness. She could find nothing, or maybe it was that she did not know what to look for, did not remember it. Did she know once? What had happened?

"Please come back to us, please Kagome..."

Who was that, why did they sound so sad? She wanted to find this person; something pulled her to it... a strange yet familiar feeling from inside of her. She did not want to make this person sad, and it hurt her for some reason to hear this worried and terrified voice. Did she leave somewhere, is that why this person is pleading with her to come back? She knew that she wanted to, but she just couldn't find her way through all of this darkness. It was strange; she could see her self as if it were bright as day out, but the rest was shrouded by shadow. It was kind of peaceful here, she decided.

"Don't die, please don't. What would we do with out you, Kagome, we still need you here..."

She could think of a lot of things that could be done without her.... wait did they say that she was dying! She shook her head; no this just could not do at all, not at all. She could not die; she had something to do something very important. She could feel it tugging at her, encouraging her to fight this darkness that wishes to consume her. No she couldn't die, she just couldn't... whatever she had to do was too important to let her self be taken in... Her eyes widened as she placed her hand at her stomach as it drenched with blood.

What was happening! Why was she bleeding, her arm was injured as well and her face.... she brought her hand to wipe away at the blood and her eyes widened even further... where was all this pain coming from? She wondered as she fell to her knees, head bowed until she only knew the darkness.

Her eyes opened slightly, but it was enough to alert the others of the room to her awakening. "Kagome!" They shouted all at once, causing her to cringe at the sheer volume. They seemed not to notice.

She was confused, how did she end up here, why did she hurt so much? Her eyes found Sango over her with tears trailing down her cheeks, and Kagome found herself shivering as a tear dropped upon her extremely heated face. Why was it so hot in this room? "Kagome promise me you wont do that again, please promise me." She demanded brokenly. "I will not lose the only family I have left."

Kagome didn't understand, what was going on.... oh now she remember. She went to see Souta, yes, she went to get him back. She almost laughed bitterly, and would have if it weren't for the fact that she may do her body more harm. She had lured him to her thinking she could trick him, but it didn't work, he was prepared for it... next time she would make sure he did not see her coming; yes next time.

"Kagome please promise me." Sango's voice demanded once again. Kagome shut her eyes tightly against the pain, as well as to escape the woman's voice. She could not promise, because she knew, if given the chance, she would do this again.

"Sango..." she heard Miroku's voice whisper in near the same tone as Sango's, but it was more subdued. "Let her rest, she nearly died today Sango... just let her get some rest to heal her wounds and then we will both speak with her."

If Sango replied, the young miko did not hear, but she did hear the retreating foot steps as they left the hut, left her to sleep. Before she let the sleep her body so dearly wished to have, Kagome whispered one last sentence. "Sango, I'm sorry..."

-

-

Kagome hugged herself tighter as she let the cool night air brushed past her, drying the tears upon her face chilling her. She only hoped that Sango would understand eventually, that she see she would do that same should the opportunity arise to save Kohaku... She buried her head into her knees, her arms tightening around her legs trying to offer herself some comfort. While she silently prayed for things to go right for once.

"Please Sango, forgive me..." Kagome whispered softly, her voiced choked with the tears that she had been shedding.

"Why would she need to forgive you?" A rough voice asked, causing Kagome to look up in shock. What was he doing here? Why did he fallow her... he was the last person she needed to see right then. She watched in stupefied wonder as he walked closer to her, letting his body fall beside her own with his arms crossed.

"Inuyasha...?" She questioned, watching him in curiosity as he crossed his arms golden eyes staring up as the starry sky. He seemed to be glaring at the quarter moon, but did not dwell on it. "What do you want, some shirts washed perhaps?" Trying to make her tone harsh and uninviting. She wanted him to leave, and if he did not she wanted him to fight with her wanted to get her mind of her predicament.

Inuyasha's lips curled upward at the remark, he knew what she was trying to do and shook his head. Normally he would have bitten at the bait like a starved fish and came up with a retort of his own, but this time around there was information to be won here. He needed to know, he was tired of not knowing, tired of the little lies that these people seemed to throw about. He was not sure what was truth and what was not anymore. He frowned then, he was tired of his own lies too, but it could not be helped right then and with a sigh he replied. "What was that about back there, what do you plan to do that would upset her so much?"

Kagome leaned her head back against the wall, and shut her eyes lightly. "I said my whole family was dead right?" She did not wait for his reply and continued; she already knew what she had told them. "Well I did not want this place to know who I am, and I still don't so please do not ask." She went silent, hopping he would remain so too. This silence was doing well on her soul; she needed some solitude to think things through. Did she really want to tell Inuyasha about everything, or at lest some of it?

So she admits to lying about herself, he gave her a sidelong look, just how much is a front and how much is really herself? He wondered silently as he watched her from the corner of his golden eyes. After a moment, he asked softly. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"It has everything to do with it." She replied off handily, eyes still closed she loosened her hold needing less of the comfort she sought before. Maybe it had something to do with Inuyasha's presence beside her, should she tell him anything? It might gain them more help, but what if... "Do you love Kikyou?"

"Kikyou..." he whispered, stunned. How did she... why would she... after a few mixed thoughts Inuyasha answered. "I... yes." Why did she want to know? He gave her a suspicious look from the corner of his eye, and found her with a smile on her face eyes still closed. Why was she smiling, was she planning to do something wrong? But most of all why did his words sound like lies to his ears.

She nodded once to herself, she would not tell him everything, just some of it. Maybe he would be the one to help her win her sister back, she smiled at that thought. She missed her sister with all of her heart and wished for things to be the way they were before. "Good, I'm glad." If she had her eyes open she would have seen the stupefied look that crossed his face, along with confusion. This girl was supposed to kill her sister over some jewel that he still had yet to learn the full capabilities of, and yet with the most sincere voice he had ever heard replied to him that she was glad for his feelings toward her twin. "A long time ago Naraku killed my father, and took Souta and my mother captive." She paused, turning on her side a bit so that she would have a better look at the moon as she spoke. "I'm going to fight Kagura to the death and draw out Naraku, and in doing so I will be taken in captive."

"What!" He whispered furiously. Inuyasha didn't know why he cared what this girl decided to do, but he did and he would not let her go through with it. For some reason, even if he wanted to let her, he could not for his demon side was already attached. It saw her as something that it is supposed to protect and the thought of harm coming to what his youkai half wanted to keep safe sent rage boiling beneath his flesh. "You can't do that, you could be killed!"

Kagome gave him an odd look. "I don't see why you would care." She whispered harshly, but he had heard it and for some reason it caused him pain. In a louder, sterner voice that warned one not to question it said. "You can't stop me, I will do whatever I wish, and since this opportunity has come I will take it." She sent him a harsh glare over her shoulder. "If I would not consent to Sango who is like my sister, what makes you think that I would consent to you?" She inquired bitterly, while clenching her fist within her kimono to stop herself from punching the hanyou before her.

Ignoring the sting her words caused him, he voiced his retort in a even harsher tone, his eyes narrowed with all previous warmth they held gone; only a shadow around the anger. "I am the prince and should I say you can not go, then you can not go."

Slamming her fist into the ground to relieve her of some anger, her eyes blazed as they came into contact with his after examining her bruise-forming fist. It hurt, and she may have broken something, but did not let it show trying to keep the anger that she felt. "You are not my prince, I do not belong here! This isn't my home and never will be!" Her eyes drew up in surprise, but only slightly, why did his eyes reflect such hurt when she said that? It didn't make any sense at all.

Taking a deep breath, he replied in a calm even tone, while he battled with his demon blood. It wanted her to listen to him; he was only trying to protect her, why was she being so stubborn. His instincts were forcing him to reprimand her like one would a disobedient pup, but he fought it. "You work for me, so for right now I am your prince and to go against the prince's orders, especially when I am in charge for right now, it would mean treason against the kingdom."

With an equal calm voice Kagome looked him straight in the eyes, her gray-blue ones flashing furiously. "Then I will have to be hung for treason, won't I?"

"Not necessarily." He almost smirked at the look of shock that registered upon her features along with suspicion, if it weren't for the anger boiling with in him, he would have. Coming to sit in his most famous pose, knees before him, upper body resting on his fists that sat against the ground between his legs. He almost looked like a puppy-dog sitting there, and Kagome had to reframe herself from reaching out there and giving his ears a good rub down. She had to remind herself that he did not diverse it and would most likely snap at her for even trying it. "If you agree that I wait with you, then I won't have to order you not to go and you wont have to face charges for treason."

Kagome's face fell into a contemplative look, one full of concentration over his offer. She had seen him fight against Sesshoumaru, and knew that he could hold him own, heck she even fought him herself... though she knew that if the swords were real she would have lost terribly. She was one to use a bow rather then a sword, she wasn't too good with close rang combat, but was well enough to be able to hold her own in a fight should it come to that. "Fine, I agree, but should you die you are on your own."

He smirked at that, his demon blood calming at hearing agreeing words from her lips for once. "Agreed."

~*~

A/N: Wow, I finally got it done!!!!!! *cough, cough* Damn cold!!! It's really taking its toll out on my writing among other things, like I'm going to have so much homework once this cold goes away, as well as chapters coming out sooner to make up the delay in the chapter.... *sighs* life is always so hard ain't it?

- You know what, I don't think I used any new Japanese words that you guys wouldn't know... if I did let me know and I'll translate it in the next chapter -k-

Review Answers: