Alright everyone. I want to apologize for the last chapter. I realize that it was a little rushed but I was trying to update when I promised. I really wish someone had reviewed but I got so many hits that I'm feeling ok now. So in the last chapter we realized what one part of the tension between Sesshy and Healo is about. Next chapter will be starting off towards the Tower of the Moon, but for this chapter I want to show some of the thoughts going on in the characters minds. Please review.

CHAPTER XX

REFLECTION

(Healo POV)

Healo sighed as he sat at one end of the table in the room where he had conceived this grand proposition. On the other side of the table his younger half-brother was presiding over a meeting that was discussing the preparations for their departure that would take place that night. To the right of Sesshomaru a subservient little toad named Jaken was nodding vigorously at his master's words. To the regal demon's left, the silent captain of the guard, Riath, was listening with an attentive, but neutral, expression.

The Lord of the North was glad to have his hanyou brother on his left and Magus on his right. While Sesshomaru had not yet said anything directly, the somber demon lord knew that it was only a matter of time before he said or did something. He found himself slipping from time to time out of the conversations. They were not very important since the matters it discussed had little to deal with Healo's upcoming attempt to free Japan from Naraku's grasp, but they were important to his younger brother's land so he had come to give him his support. Even if the proud demon lord didn't seem to want it.

He found his thoughts constantly traveling to a certain young miko. Healo had experienced the joys of love and so knew that that was not what he felt for Kagome, at least not yet. At the moment she was in the trying position of a friend who is rapidly becoming more than a friend. The demon lord admired her for her frankness, courage, and sense of conviction, but he also appreciated her kindness, thoughtfulness, and child-like innocence. She was potential, and she was a paradox to him. Kagome possessed powerful abilities that many would kill for, but she would give almost anything to be unburdened by them. This fascinated him since he had once struggled through the same questions she was trying to answer for herself.

However, if Healo were honest with himself he would admit that he feared the idea of falling for her. It was not a fear of Kagome's reaction but more a dread of the consequences of that love. The demon lord cared not for any social or diplomatic problems, these he had already faced with Inuyasha, but his conscious was scarred by the memory of the wars and destruction that he had caused in the name of 'love'. Healo thought that love was the most wonderful thing in the world, but he had lost faith in it, at least where it concerned himself. Over the years the wounded demon had convinced himself that he needed only the love of his son and of his brothers to be content. But then he met Kagome.

Healo was roused out of his musings by the question that was asked by Magus to Sesshomaru. "Are the elders still trying to convince you to take a mate? I am sure that this…adventure…will bring up that old argument." The younger demon's eyes examined Healo with a fierce emotion as he replied neutrally ", I believe that I have found a suitable match. However, there is a small impediment." Jaken bowed his head as he asked fervently ", Who would dare try to block the mighty Lord Sesshomaru?!"

Again a piercing glare was directed towards the Northern Lord who, however, did not react to the taunt. Sesshomaru eyes cooled, as if he realized that his older brother would never succumb to his taunts, as he said softly ", Another suitor has asked for the young woman's hand." Riath made a good point when he said ", That should not be a problem. Your claim overrides all other possible candidates, unless another lord has declared his claim." The demon smirked in triumph as he said in a conversational tone that did not fit him ", You have stated my position accurately. Another lord has stepped forward."

Inuyasha suddenly laughed as he said ", Old Nelit has decided he's spent enough time alone?" Healo still made no movement but a feeling of dread passed over him. If the miko had not confided in Inuyasha then it seemed unlikely that anyone else had learned of the events that had taken place yesterday. The demon lord did not regret his decision concerning Kagome, Sesshomaru's actions had been overtly deceitful, but he could imagine the anger that Inuyasha, at least, would display.

The younger demon surprised Healo by acknowledging his hanyou brother with an answer ", No. The person who has placed his own desires over the needs of the Western Lands is my devoted brother, Lord Healo." The demon lord was not disappointed by the result. Magus, Riath, and Jaken turned towards him with an unreadable expression, but Inuyasha seemed confused as he said ", I didn't think you were interested in taking another mate. Who is the girl that has you two fighting over her?"

The Western Lord's smile widened; but it became, if anything, less beautiful and more demonic as he replied ", You know her quite well half-breed. She is your young miko, Lady Kagome." At the intendeds name Jaken began to weep and mutter ", Oh! The line of Inutaisho has sunk further into madness! A human girl?" Magus wore a sympathetic expression but Riath only frowned grimly as he glanced between the two brother's who refused to break eye contact with one another.

However, both turned away when Inuyasha said in surprise ", What are ya talking about? Kagome doesn't want a mate? She's too preoccupied with her 'tests' and helping me find the jewel shards." Sesshomaru grinned ferally as he said ", Believe me, both Healo and I made a claim upon Lady Kagome." Healo spoke up quickly hoping to end the argument ", It is true. Sesshomaru offered your friend the Western Ladies' rod. She accepted it, not knowing what it meant. When I forced your half-brother to divulge the truth she seemed so distraught that I felt it was my duty to do what I could to help her. You know our laws. I made a claim so that she may have three months of freedom before she must choose."

Silence pervaded the room for only a moment before the half-demon stood suddenly and grasped the hilt of his sword as he said savagely ", You bastard! I'll kill you for tricking Kagome like that!" As he went to draw tetseiga Healo said sharply ", No Inuyasha! You must not react this way. It's what he wants, an excuse to kill you and me. You know how grave an offense drawing a weapon on your host is. Be calm."

Inuyasha obediently sat back down but he ferverently ignored the gazes of both of his brothers. Healo was not surprised at this reaction but that didn't ease the pain he felt any. He tried to gain some of the hanyou's feelings from his abilities but captured only a thought from Sesshomaru. 'You see brother? Since you desire to steal my miko from me, I have destroyed the trust between you and the half-breed. You should not have interfered. Perhaps you will take this lesson to heart, but I doubt it; since your heart is hardened by pride.'

Healo thought that it was ironic that his younger brother should accuse him of being prideful but he verbally responded only this ", I will not back down on my claim, not even for the West. You had no right to lie to her." The golden eyed demon did not blink as he responded ", I did not lie to her. I told her that the rod brought her protection." Impatient with the statement the Northern Lord answered earnestly ", Do not play at words with me. You told only what was convenient for your desire. You knew that she would not accept an open proposal so you hid details. You had the same conviction to deceive as you would have had had you lied to her face; only the circumstances are different, not the results."

The Western Lords composure evaporated as he said heatedly ", What a wonderful picture you always seem to paint of me! Where are the words of love and kindness that you have claimed to hold for me? Have you lost them? Or perhaps they never truly existed. Were they your way of deceiving me?" Healo responded with a small smile ", Nothing I will say will ever convince you that I care for you. Perhaps that is not a bad thing; it is said that actions speak louder than words, but Lady Kagome did none of these things to you. If indeed, you lied to her because of my supposed deceptions in the past, why are you working against her?"

Sesshomaru's reply was filled with disdain as he asked ", Why does the matter even concern you? What is this miko to you?" The Northern Lord spoke solemnly ", She is a very dear friend. One who came to me ignorant of the doom that awaited her, and when I revealed her future to her she was consumed with a desire to escape from it. When I felt the depth of her sorrows I pitied her plight and so have bound myself to this issue in order to help her."

Inuyasha spoke up for the first time since the damaging revelation in a subdued tone ", So you don't love her?" Sesshomaru snapped a glare towards the hanyou before saying haughtily ", Love? What does some emotion have to do with it? She would make an acceptable mate who could produce a proper heir. That is what the West needs most, so that is what I desire." Healo's response was slower in coming but calm as he said ", Inuyasha I do not harbor such feelings for Kagome. As I have said I wish to help her escape the fate of being a mate by necessity. However, I do respect and care for her."

The young half-demon seemed satisfied with that answer though a lingering cloud still troubled his molten eyes. Magus spoke up tentatively ", Since nothing else can be said on this matter I think we should get back to more pressing concerns. Such as our plans to visit the Regent." Healo smiled at his purple haired brother, he was always the wise, steadfast one of the family. He gave his support with a small statement ", I agree." The others seemed to accept this as the conversation returned to a less tense subject.

Sesshomaru said openly ", I have no problem with the idea of meeting with him. However, I will not give my support if I believe that he is doing this only to increase his own strength and influence." Healo was not surprised by the statement. Lords must always try to prevent others from gaining more authority. One of the major problems with feudalism was the amount of bickering between local lords who wanted to increase their own power while denying the powers of others.

Healo added his own opinion in soft tone. "I agree that the motive must not be completely selfish. However, we cannot afford to be to scrupulous with our allies. We all know how powerful both Naraku and Bianen are. We may have to be willing to make some concessions initially to win the Regent's good will." Magus nodded and said ", This counsel is wise my lord. If we appear to be uncompromising he will also act accordingly towards us." Sesshomaru seemed to hesitate before replying in a slow voice ", I will consider this possibility. For now you may inform the Regent that we will attempt to meet with him."

Inuyasha spoke up with a wise point. "How do you think we'll get in without Naraku or Bianen finding out." The purple haired demon nodded and replied ", The fact that they both have many spies within the Imperial Territories does complicate the matter, but we should be able to find a solution." The head of the guard spoke up and said ", Have you thought about a disguise? Perhaps you could pretend to be soldiers or merchants." Sesshomaru shook his head before replying in a stern tone ", No that will not work. Why would the Imperial Regent meet with mere soldiers? Besides Naraku or Bianen will surely have inspectors who would realize immediately who we truly are."

Healo interjected coolly ", I believe that we will have to concede that eventually Naraku will find out, but perhaps we can make it so that they do not learn until after we have spoken with the Regent. I believe that we must attempt to go through the Western Mountains. There are many uncharted trails that could conceivably come out near the capital. Since Sesshomaru is their lord they would not deny us right of passage."

Sesshomaru did not smile but he did acknowledge the point as he said ", Yes. I believe that that is the best option. Magus, you may begin writing your message for the Regent. After our visit to the Tower, we will come as soon as possible to speak with him. Hopefully by then we will have found the Yamikura. Then we will destroy Naraku."

So what did you think? I'm going to be honest and say that I LOVE this chapter. I really needed to go back and talk about some of what Healo was experiencing and I think I did that here. So remember to review. Update will be Saturday or Sunday. Hope to hear from ALL of you for this chapter. Review!!!