Title: Love Me Love Me Not

Chapter: The Start

Date: October 29, 2010

InuTaisho spent most of the night after Pancho's talk plotting on how to correct the grave mistakes of his past against Inuyasha. He figured that the first thing he would have to do is show his young mate that he was not going to cause him any harm to him; neither emotionally, physically, or mentally. That would have to be the first step into the gaining the hanyou's trust and once he had the bast- Inuyasha's trust then he could begin to heal emotional and mental turmoil that he had caused. Torment he had allowed to befall the young one for every day of his life and all because he blamed Inuyasha for having shamed his first mate as she had not been able to give him a child. InuTaisho still felt the sting of resentment, but now he had to question whether it was resent for Inuyasha himself or if it was resent for what his young mate stood for.

Inuyasha stared blankly at the food that had been placed before him. He had long since lost his appetite for anything of the living world and no one, not even his children, had been able to convince the hanyou otherwise. Inuyasha had become so tired of living that he could not even muster up the energy to be surprised that it was his husband whom had delivered the tray himself. Inuyasha could see his mate's mouth moving, but no sounds reached his ears. The hanyou did not want to hear anything anyway. He just wanted to pass into oblivion without the noise that everyone wanted him to stay. He knew good and damn well that no one wanted and that he could not even trust in his Mother because in the end she had betrayed him also. He just wanted everyone to leave him alone so that he could quicken the process, but he was not alone for even a moment. If it was not his mate, it was Pancho and if not the healer, it was his children cuddling up to him. He wondered what tricks they had up their sleeves as they had never been so clingy before he had went to Bokusenou. On the other hand, Inuyasha hoped that he was not around long enough to find out. He did not want to find out whether or not there was any more of him left to break. He already felt as though he had been shattered into nothing but dust from the first round. He could not and would not go for round two.

Inuyasha's opportunity came when everyone became flustered with the arrival of induction of an heir to his father's position in the Northern Lands. Since the Western Palace was the closest dwelling built to hold such ceremonies, the wolves (who lived in dens in the mountains) asked to hold the event within the palace walls. For the sake of keeping one of his few remaining allies, InuTaisho agreed. He, Sesshoumaru, and many others, including the twins, were busy preparing for the arrival and the servants that had been assigned to watch Inuyasha had long since left the disgusting hanyou's side. Inuyasha took the open balcony doors and began the slow climb to the highest terrace that made up the west end of the palace. It only took the weakened hanyou an hour to reach it. Panting heavily, Inuyasha looked over the edge and judged the distance to be enough that even his Mother would not be able to revive him after he had hit the ground. Inuyasha pulled back from the edge and took a deep breath of the cool wind that was rattling through the tops of the palace. With his eyes close, he missed the blue eyed demon that had just arrived through the west gate and spotted him.

The newly titled Lord Kouga of the Northern Lands had just arrived at the Western Palace and was looking forward to the next day of rest after the long travel to the Western Lands. The blue eyed, dark haired wolf lord had taken a moment to stop and appreciate the view when he had caught the sight of glaring white at the top of his vision. He stared at the figure as it stepped back from the edge, his heart stuttering a beat for a moment before it skipped several beats in his chest when the tiny figure took sure steps forward to the edge. The unknown individual did not show any hint of slowing and Kouga's feet were moving before his mind could fully comprehend what he was seeing.

Inuyasha was ready. He was going over the edge into the final moments before he attained eternal peace, the only thing he had ever selfishly tried to attain time and time again. Without opening his eyes, Inuyasha took confident step forward. He was ready to get away from it all and nothing could still this moment because everyone was too busy caring about something else, just as Inuyasha had known that they would eventually forget him. Inuyasha smiled as his body fell forward and the wind began to whip harshly at his body as he fell from the great height. Everything would be okay now. He would not have to suffer the world anymore and the world would not have to suffer him. Compromise would be made and a treaty of understanding would finally be honored. Inuyasha would be free. The smiled widened as Inuyasha sensed the ground getting closer.

Kouga was desperate. He was not going to make it in time even with his superior speed. The wolf lord made a bold decision and called forth his youki. When it had all gathered, he began to change into a wolf that was about the size of a large tree, but the ookami still did not think he was going to make it in time. He was almost there. He leaped for the figure, a scream, yells, agony in his side. Did he get it?

InuTaisho had been seeing to the preparation of the ceremonial hall when the alarms sounded that a demon had just transformed within the palace walls. InuTaisho was running down the maze of halls toward the sound of the alarms at the west gate and was joined by Sesshoumaru just before they reached the door. They saw the large wolf and they also saw what the wolf was running towards. Sesshoumaru's eyes grew large while InuTaisho attempted to raise his voice above the din of his men.

"STAND DOWN!"

The cry went unheard, however, and the warriors attacked the wolf anyway. The wolf jumped and was attacked at the same time. Inuyasha continued to fall, but the wolf seemed to be getting closer.

"OKAA-CHAN!"

A/N: Hey my most faithful readers and (better be;) reviewers! I'm back (for now). I know this chapter was shorter than normal, but it does serve a purpose. I am also going to figure out how to work the poll thingymagigger to see if there should be a sequel for my story Forsaken. I have been thinking about it, but I want to know if you guys think it warranted. It will be posted on my profile page. Until then please be on the lookout and REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!

Cheers!

Nama