A/N: You should complain if this is getting too long… o-o Anyway, exams are over, now I have about a two week holiday… oh joy -.-

Chapter Ten

"What do you mean you won't let me pass?" Setsuko asked the guard at the castle's gates.

"I'm sorry, only family or people approved by Inu no Taishō may pass these gates. And you are no longer Inu no Taishō's wife, therefore you cannot enter."

"I am Sesshōmaru's mother, I am still family. I don't care what you say! Move!" Setsuko demanded.

"What about those three - uh, four?" the guard pointed at Rin, Aun and Jaken.

"Them? They're Sesshōmaru's," she shrugged. "Oh fuck it! Just go and call Sesshōmaru!" She said highly annoyed.

The doors to the dining room flung open and everyone's attention was brought to the guard who walked in then kneeled a few feet a away from the table, behind Izayoi.

"What is it?" Inu no Taishō asked, obviously annoyed at the intrusion.

"I'm sorry my Lord, I don't mean to interrupt but there's a woman at the gate who insists to see Sesshōmaru-sama."

Sesshōmaru got up then walked out. The guard got up, bowed gracefully then followed the young master.

Inu no Taishō looked with confusion at the door they just used. He immediately knew who was there, for what he didn't know. "Excuse me," he said politely in a serious way then got up and walked outside as well.

"Aww man," Hana moaned. "They always interrupt us while we eat…" she sighed.

"What's going on?" Kagome asked.

Izayoi looked confused behind her at the door. Inuyasha looked over at his mother. "Mom?"

"I don't know… something tells me something's up…" She blinked a few times before turned back to face them.

"Then let's check it out," Inuyasha said and was about to get up.

"No," Izayoi shook her head. "Your father should have everything under control."

Inuyasha looked in front of him, very suspicious.

Sesshōmaru walked through the garden and arrived at the gate.

"Sesshōmaru-sama!" Rin smiled happily.

"Open the gates," Sesshōmaru ordered.

"Yes sir!" The two guards replied and started to open the gates.

"Setsuko!"

The two guards suddenly stopped when they heard Inu no Taishō's voice.

"What are you doing here?" He stopped next to Sesshōmaru.

"I'm still family you know, I think I have a right to be here. And it would make Sesshōmaru happy," she said glaring at him.

"Open the gates," Inu no Taishō ordered.

The guards nodded their heads and continued to open the gates. Setsuko smirked, but before anything else was said, Inu no Taishō turned his back on them, his fluff blowing through the air with the wind, then he made his way back into the castle.

"Stubborn old dog," Setsuko commented as she walked inside the castle's gardens.

"Ooo! It's so pretty in here! Look Sesshōmaru-sama! I got you these!" Rin said and held up the flowers she picked for him.

"Why don't you go into the castle and ask someone to put that in a vase for you?" Sesshōmaru told Rin.

Rin nodded then ran into the castle.

"Did I drop in at a bad time?" Setsuko asked.

"We just finished dinner," he said then made his way back to the castle.

Jaken was still busy admiring the garden.

"Ooo, dinner, I'm starving," Setsuko followed her son.

The servants were busy cleaning up the dining room table and everyone else got up, ready to do the next best thing.

"What's for dinner!" Setsuko said when she entered the dining room. Sesshōmaru wasn't with her anymore, and Inu no Taishō never came back to the dining table after he left.

"What the hell are you doing here!" Inuyasha exclaimed.

"Heh, I'm glad to see you're all hanyō-y again. You don't look good as a human. You remind me too much of someone I don't like when you're human," Setsuko said referring to Izayoi.

"Okay that was just mean," Hana said.

"Hana!" Setsuko smiled at the younger yōkai. "Just the person I was looking for."

Hana raised an eyebrow, "What for?"

"I'd like to have a word with you just regarding this and that," Setsuko said.

"Really?" Hana rolled her eyes.

"But it can wait till later, I want some food in my stomach, I haven't eaten all day. Besides I think Rin and Jaken would like some food too, wherever they might be…" She shrugged.

Hana sighed and rolled her eyes. "Alright, get some food for Setsuko, Rin and Jaken… who ever they might be…" Hana ordered the kitchen staff and they nodded their heads.

"Thank you, I'll go and find Rin and Jaken. Then you and I can talk after dinner," Setsuko smiled with an evil glint in her eyes just before exiting.

Everyone then went their own ways.

"Honey…?" Izayoi peeped into one of the room's in the castle.

Inu no Taishō sat in a chair his elbow resting on a desk in front of him, and his head in his hand.

Izayoi walked in and closed the door behind her. She walked up to him and rested her hands on his fluff. (A/N: Yes, his fluff… if she rested her hands on his shoulders…. She'd have really sore hands… o.O)

"Everything alright?" She asked then started to remove his armour. (A/N: Just the metal-y things (and his fluff P), not his kimono… and um… she's just doing it to be able to stroke him to comfort him and stuff, not to… ehem… yea)

"Yea, everything's fine," Inu no Taishō replied. "I'm just disappointed that Setsuko showed up."

Izayoi rested her hands on his shoulders after removing his armour. "I don't think she can do much harm… she just has a bad mouth."

"With her around she'll make sure Sesshōmaru and Inuyasha don't have any bonding time."

"There will be other times."

"I doubt it. It's not so easy to get Sesshōmaru and Inuyasha into the same house, or same room for that matter."

Izayoi walked over in front of her husband then kneeled down and rested her arms and head on his knees. "She seemed more interested in Soyahana than Sesshōmaru though."

Inu no Taishō's head popped up out of suspicion.

"Stop being so suspicious," Izayoi lifted up her hand and rested it on his cheek, stroking his face.

Inu no Taishō rested his hand on hers that was stroking his face. "She hates you most, yet you are the one defending her," he smiled at his wife's actions. "How do you remain so positive?" Izayoi only smiled at him with a small chuckle. She stood up and removed her hand from his cheek. He gently took hold of her waist and bent her forward, bringing her face towards his. He made sure that their lips locked in a kiss. His one hand was gently stroking the hair out of her face, even if his eyes were closed. She held onto his shoulders to not fall over, but her one hand travelled up to his face and got tangled in his hair…

Awww they wanna be alone - So let's go somewhere else…

"Alright, so what do you want to talk about?" Hana asked Setsuko. They were in Hana's room.

"Nothing much…. Just about your brother…" Setsuko said.

"Oh goodness…" Hana rolled her eyes. "What about him?"

"How did a thing develop between him and Izayoi?"

"I don't know! He was her body guard thing! Something must have happened then. Why do you ask?" Hana asked getting suspicious.

"Just curious," she said and started walking about Hana's room. Hana was sitting on the bed getting very impatient. She used to be good friends with Setsuko when she was married to her brother, but everything went backwards after the divorce.

"What are you up to?" Hana questioned.

Setsuko picked something up, then put it back down. She walked towards Hana and sat down in front of her. "What do they fight about?"

"Who?"

"Your brother and Izayoi," Setsuko said not raising her voice so that the conversation stays inside the room.

"I don't recall ever seeing, or hearing them fight. And if I even did, I don't see how that concerns you. You're trying to break them up, aren't you?" Hana asked with anger in her voice.

"Whatever makes you think that?" Setsuko asked with disappointment in her voice.

Hana sighed, "Forget it. You know ō-aniki will never take you back, so you should rather leave it. He and Izayoi are very happy together and I don't think you want to ruin his happiness again."

Setsuko looked annoyed at the younger yōkai. "So I made a mistake… everybody does, and he's bound to forgive me."

"Well duh, he probably already did, but he doesn't love you anymore! Get it in your head!" Hana said and hit Setsuko over the head. "He loves Izayoi."

"Aren't we supposed to be friends?"

"You were the one who started to bitch at me when ō-aniki found out about your affair," Hana said and got off from the bed and walked towards the door. She opened the door and looked back at Setsuko, "Now please leave, you can take one of the guestrooms."

Setsuko glared at Hana then made her way out of Hana's room. Hana shut the door behind her. "There is no way that I'm sleeping in a guestroom. Sure enough Sesshōmaru will have room in his room." Then she made way through the hallway to the three main bedrooms in the east wing. On her way over there she heard s noise in one of the other rooms that Inu no Taishō used to do his work in. She stopped in front of the room and looked at the door. She bent down and looked through the keyhole. (A/N: I don't care if this is ancient Japan, this is a castle, they're bound to have keyholes -).

Her eyes widened when she caught a glimpse of what looked like Inu no Taishō and Izayoi. Fury grew in her eyes when she realised they were making out, on the chair of all places, and his hair was loose and he only had his kimono on, the rest of his armour was taken off. "Izayoi you bitch that is my man," she growled in a whisper. She put her hand on the door's handle ready to open it, only to mentally kick herself. 'Don't barge in there or else you'll say things you'll regret and make him hate you all over again.' She calmly told herself then let go of the doorknob. She stood there a few more seconds, before continuing her walk to Sesshōmaru's room. What bothered her though was that Inu no Taishō should've smelled her, or does Izayoi make him not notice the things around him? Jealousy rose in her bones and she fastened up her pace before she did something stupid.

After dinner, Kagome had asked Inuyasha to give them all a tour of the castle so that they'd at least know their way. Sango, Miroku, Kirara and Shippō were back in their guestrooms.

"I wanna see your room," Kagome said. They were walking down the halls.

"What for?"

"You haven't showed me it, and I'd like to see it," she said with a grin on her face.

Inuyasha grumbled but then took her to the stairs. They walked up the thousands of stairs and moved to the east wing. He stopped in front of the three rooms. Setsuko and Sesshōmaru were standing in front of Sesshōmaru's room. A moment of silence occurred as Inuyasha, Sesshōmaru and Setsuko had a glaring contest.

"Humans such as you don't deserve this style of living," Setsuko said referring to Inuyasha's human half and Kagome.

Inuyasha started to growl at the elder woman. Setsuko smiled at her successful attempt in pissing him off 'He's kinda cute when he's mad…' She thought with a smirk on her face, then the smirk turned into a frown, 'Just like his father…' She shook her head. She turned her head towards Sesshōmaru when she just realised something… Sesshōmaru might have his father's appearance but he acts like Setsuko, while Inuyasha has his mother's appearance but he acts almost just like his dad. Then how did she end up hating the hanyō? 'He's HALF human, my husband's OTHER son who has a different mother than my son… that's all there is to it,' She reminded herself.

"What, cat got your tongue?" Inuyasha asked referring to the gap of silence that just took place.

Setsuko jumped back to reality and just noticed what was going on again. Sesshōmaru glared at his little brother then grabbed him by his throat and held him in the air.

"Ah! Inuyasha!" Kagome gasped.

"Sesshōmaru," Setsuko spoke as if she had just seen a ghost, in fact she kind of looked pale.

Sesshōmaru looked at his mother then his expression changed from anger to worry. (A/N: If you can actually SEE him change expressions xD).

"Leave him. Just let him go…" She spoke then walked into Sesshōmaru's room.

Sesshōmaru looked back at Inuyasha, "Next time you won't be so lucky," he said and let go of Inuyasha's throat causing him to fall on the ground on his butt. Sesshōmaru walked into his room as well and Kagome kneeled next to Inuyasha.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

Inuyasha watched as Sesshōmaru closed his door, suspicion in his eyes. "Yea, I'm fine." He got up along with Kagome. Kagome looked into his room.

"Is this your room?"

Inuyasha nodded.

"Awww! Look at all the fluffy toys!" She squealed and ran inside.

Inuyasha sighed and eyes the door, still. Setsuko was acting weird, and she looked weird. But that's probably none of his concern anyway. Maybe she wasn't as bad as they thought she was. He looked at Kagome who was playing with his fluffy toys. That sounded weird. His fluffy toys. He was quite fond of them as they were gifts that his parents got him before he was born, but that's just it. He never really had anything from them except the things his mother left behind, which one of them Naraku broke, and the Tessaiga that his father left him. Just at that thought happiness flowed through him once again. But even so, he still felt something missing: he never had his dad during his childhood. Once thing he'd still like to do with his dad is to just sit down with his dad and talk about everything. Everything up from where his dad died up to where they were reunited.

This thought made Inuyasha think of one thing: Were their parents revived to help destroy Sou'unga since he and Sesshōmaru both refused to work together, or were they revived as in until they got killed again? This thought brought a frown to Inuyasha's face. He didn't even know who, or what revived them and if someone was actually behind it all. But… what if this was all a trap set by Naraku? He somehow found out about Inuyasha's father who sealed Ryūkossei and unsealed him. Who says he didn't find out what his parents' appearances were and just made detachments in their appearance? Even though, there were definitely his parents. He had found no scent of Naraku on them, and sure enough Inuyasha should know what his own mother smells like. As for his father, surely Sesshōmaru would've picked up if it was Naraku in disguise.

Inuyasha shook his head trying to get all of these thoughts out of his mind. He didn't want to think about this. He just wants to enjoy the moment while it's real, whether it stays real forever, or whether it gets shattered.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome called and threw a fluffy toy at him.

Inuyasha snapped back to reality and caught the fluffy toy, looking up at Kagome.

"What's wrong?" She asked with concern plastered all over her face.

Inuyasha shook his head. "Nothing," and threw the doll back at her.

Sesshōmaru closed the door and eyed his mother's every move. As if he was expecting for her to do it.

Setsuko sat down on the bed, with Rin lying behind her.

"What was that all about?" Sesshōmaru asked with anger clearly in his voice, yet he remained as expressionless as always.

"What was what all about?" Setsuko asked him and rested her forehead in her hands. She felt though her mind was running away from her.

"Is Setsuko-sama alright?" Rin asked Setsuko.

"Rin, untie my hair," Setsuko asked the little human girl.

Without further questions, Rin took the demon's hair in her own two little hands and undid the braid her hair was in. Her hair fell all over her, covering her back and her face completely.

A slight glint of concern craved over Sesshōmaru's eyes. "Are you… okay?" He asked his mother.

Setsuko vaguely nodded, but Sesshōmaru could clearly see the nod.

"Sesshōmaru," Setsuko paused. She brushed her hair backwards and looked him in the eye. She was extremely pale and her eyes seemed quite teary. "Is it really worth it to kill Inuyasha? What will it prove… or bring you for that matter? Your father will hate you if you kill him…"

"It's getting late, we should rest," Sesshōmaru looked at the yawning Rin.

"Don't change the subject," anger was caught in her voice, only feint, but it was there. "Answer me, Sesshōmaru," a flash of red covered her eyes for a mere second then she looked down.

"It will prove that I am greater than him. That hanyō like him are worthless," Sesshōmaru stared confused at his mother's sudden actions.

"Could you… get me a glass of water?" She asked still not facing him.

Sesshōmaru said nothing, but opened the door and walked outside. He noticed that Inuyasha and Kagome were in his room now. He looked back into his room, doubting if he should leave Rin with his mother.

"Rin," he said.

"Hai, Sesshōmaru-sama!" Rin replied and jumped off from the bed.

"Let's go," he said and passed his brother's room, eyeing him as he passed.

Setsuko finally looked up once she was alone. 'What's going on with me? Am I having the same fetishes towards Inuyasha that I have towards his father? Why is this? Because he acts so much like him? NO! This is preposterous!' She lay down on the bed and rested her head on the pillow. 'I just miss him, so now I'm confusing him with his own son…'

Morning finally rested its beautiful face upon the dog yōkai in the village. But the beauty was soon destroyed by the restless Kane, walking up and down, left to right, through the village. He was extremely impatience and was walking though as if he wished to pass time. He growled then walked in the direction of the castle.

Hana was walking down the halls as though if looking for something.

"Hana," Hana heard her brother speak. She stopped in her tracks and turned around to see him walked towards her. He hadn'r put him armour back on yet and his hair was still loose, just neat, and not messy. (A/N: I sure doubt he sleep with his hair up and his armour on P )

"There you are, you just disappeared last night!" Hana exclaimed. (A/N: Hmmm, and I wonder why xD).

"Why? You've been looking for me?" Inu no Taishō stopped in front of her.

"Yea, it's about Setsuko," Hana spoke with a serious face.

"What's she been up to?" Inu no Taishō asked fury growing in his face.

(A/N: Oh, just a side not: Jaken slept outside with Aun…).

"I don't know, she's been asking me all kinds of questions about you and Izayoi. She's up to something," Hana sighed.

"Question? Such as…?"

"Stuff like how you met, and if you ever fight or argue about things.

"Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on her," he said annoyed that his ex-wife is trying to ruin his current marriage as well. "Could you let everyone know when breakfast is?"

"Sure thing!" Hana said and walked on.

Inu no Taishō leaned against the wall out of annoyance. He rested his head in his hand, trying to figure out what to do now. His thoughts were soon interrupted by footsteps walking down the halls, and it wasn't Hana's. Inu no Taishō looked up to see one of the guards walk up towards him. "What now?" He asked to himself out of annoyance.

"My Lord," the yōkai kneeled in front of Inu no Taishō.

"What is it?" He demanded to know. He didn't have any patience right now.

"Kane-sama is outside. He demands to see you, my Lord."

"Whatever it is, can't it wait?"

The guard shook his head. "He said it was urgent."

Inu no Taishō sighed. "Fine, I'll be there in a few minutes."

The guard nodded and got up and made his way out of the castle.

Inu no Taishō watched as the guard left then soon enough walked back to his own room.

Inu no Taishō closed the door behind him. Izayoi had finished dressing and was ready to go to the breakfast table, but she noticed her husband's annoyed face.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing," he shook his head. "I won't be having breakfast with you today." He then started to put his armour back on.

"Something came up," he finished putting his armour and fluff back on then started to comb his hair up.

"Something like what?" Izayoi asked concerned.

"Kane wants to see me, I'll try to hurry," with that, he left the room.

Izayoi sighed. She walked outside of the room then paused in front of Inuyasha's. She knocked on his door. Inuyasha opened his door, "Mother?"

"Just came to make sure if you know when breakfast is," she smiled.

The guards opened the gates for Inu no Taishō and he walked through to where Kane was.

"What is it, Kane?" he asked annoyed.

The minute Kane noticed her was standing there, he dropped to his knees. "Aniki, I ask you to come with me. I overheard some yōkai saying they wish to attack this village."

Inu no Taishō raised an eyebrow, obviously not trusting Kane. Kane looked up and saw the look in his eyes.

"Would I lie to you?" Kane asked, looking him directly in the eye.

"I'll come check it out," Inu no Taishō informed.

Jaken who was with Aun outside in the garden saw the entire thing. Jaken watched them walking away, unsure if he should let Sesshōmaru know.

Kane had a huge smirk on his face, one that Inu no Taishō couldn't see since Kane was walking in the front. His plan was falling into action. He knew he wasn't strong enough to beat Inu no Taishō, but there were other ways.

A/N: Yeee…. Too many loud noises… I am PHOBIC of loud noises! I swear OO I'm shivering my ass off! I have no idea what's gotten into the planes! Every five minutes they pass AS LOW AS THEY CAN FLY over our effing heads! OO Next time I swear I will shoot them down with my deadly hairpin:O! Not to mention my parent's are having a dishwasher put in AND THEYMAKE EVEN MORE NOISE! XX!

Anyway, in non-related news… while I was writing the scene between Izayoi and Inu no Taishō I kept thinking about this girl who bit her boyfriend's tongue while they were making out and I was thinking what would happen if Inu no Taishō had bit Izayoi's tongue since he has FANGS. I swear that was such a tempting thought… I had to chain myself up not to write that…

ANYWAY…. Important note: (not really, just wanna grab your attention xD) My dad's going to redo my computer tomorrow (Good Friday) so I'll have to re-install EVERYTHING on my computer. How fun -.-' But that shouldn't take me more than one day, so no worried there for you. Just thought I'd state that xD Anyway, Happy Holidays! Happy Easter:D

Kiyoshi Kaiiki Rindō