Alright everyone, I really didn't want to have to do this, but I feel as if I am being forced into it. Unless I get at least one review this will be my last update. I know that some are still reading the story but I haven't heard from anyone for the past two chapters. I hope that I get a review because I really want to keep going in the story. So this chapter will have Healo confronting Inuyasha over some of the things he is struggling with. Please review. Sorry if the Roman numeral is wrong.

CHAPTER XXL

CONFRONTING A BROTHER

Kagome's POV

'I wonder what's wrong with him,' the miko thought as she watched her friend who seemed to be absorbed in his own little world. His son, Shippo, and Rin were all playing a game of tag nearby and Kagome was surprised when she found that the Northern Lord wasn't somehow involved in their antics. Instead his dark blue eyes seemed to be focused on something distant. She decided to try to see if she could find out what was wrong with him, so she approached quietly in an effort to study him for a while longer.

However, her attempt was thwarted when Healo turned to gaze up at the young girl with a heavy sadness in his eyes. Kagome did not speak for a moment as she sat down beside her friend. When she spoke it was in a casual tone ", What's wrong?" Her friend replied in a saddened tone ", I am preparing to do what must be done." Frightened by the implication of what he had said, the miko asked in suspense ", What do you mean?"

Silence reigned for a moment as the father turned back to regard his son and his friends. Then he spoke in a calmer tone ", Inuyasha. I have to confront him over what he was planning." Kagome tried to lighten the tension by asking in a bright voice ", Inuyasha can plan?" She realized how serious the situation was when Healo did not smile but sighed and replied ", I cannot allow him to fulfill it." The miko said somberly ", You can't make him love me instead of Kikyo." Her heart was torn but she knew that there wasn't anything her friend could do.

Healo's eyes widened as he said ", Kagome, that isn't what I saw. If he chose to just leave and go with Kikyo that would be his own choice, but that wasn't all he was considering." Fear came to the young miko as she asked ", What else did he want to do?" Her friend answered stonily ", I will not tell you. It would only hurt you." Without another word the demon lord stood and began to make his way out of the garden. Just before he was out of sight he said in a loud voice ", If I have not returned within three hours tell Sesshomaru all that we discussed. He will know what has happened."

Kagome wasn't able to summon enough strength to answer before her friend had disappeared from sight. Her eyes saddened as she hoped that nothing would happen to her friend. The miko knew that Healo wouldn't do anything rash but she couldn't help but to feel some dread at his departure. The Northern Lord had been her faithful friend and something like a body guard since the moment she had arrived.

Riath's POV

The Captain sighed as he watched the Northern Lord from a balcony that shot of from the palace. He had listened carefully to the whole exchange between Healo and the young miko who held his secret master's attention. It had been less than a year before that the demon had met Naraku. He had gone into the Northern Lands on a hunt to prove to his friends that he was strong enough to be the Captain of Ionin.

It was well known that one of the reasons he got the important position was because of the patronage of the benevolent Healo. Riath's father had died in the Northern Lands wars against Sesshomaru. Once Healo began to receive an income from serving the Western Lord he gave most of it to the widows and orphans of the wars. The Northern Lord had taken a special interest in the young Riath. He had done a great deal to ensure that the young demon had been accepted as a guard in the palace in the first place.

However, while he was in the Northern Lands the young captain had been captured by a group of demons under Naraku. The wily hanyou had interrogated the promising Captain and had tempted him with promises of power and wealth. Eventually Riath's resolve had weakened and he had agreed to become a spy for the demon on the condition that no harm came to Healo. Naraku had only replied that the Northern Lord was an essential component to his plans and would not be harmed.

For a long time the information he had to offer was mostly trivial. Troop positions, internal politics, nothing that truly affected the devious hanyou in any major way. However, over the last few days he had learned several things that he had reported to his master. Naraku seemed most interested in the feud that started to erupt after both Sesshomaru and Healo began to make claims for Kagome. Riath knew better than to ask too many questions but from what his master said he understood that Naraku was enjoying seeing the brothers argue with each other.

The information about the island kingdom of Tresen had been sent to Naraku who had sent back a message telling him to cause as much mayhem as possible while the friends were away. It said that if his agents succeeded in capturing the group that Riath would be able to whip the people into setting the young Captain up as the Western Lord. Then Naraku would gain control of the West without losing a single soldier. However, the plans failure and the success of the group had disquieted the Captain.

Riath knew that despite this comeback that his master still held all the cards: a huge army, specially placed spies, most of the sacred jewel, and an uncompromising will to dominate. The Captain knew that the only thing that truly stood in Naraku's way was this quickly dividing band. Even out of them there were only four that truly had a large place in the hanyou's plans: Sesshomaru who had to be destroyed, Inuyasha whose weakness for Kikyo would prove useful, Healo who was needed to wield Yamikura, and Kagome who was needed for some unknown reason.

Besides Naraku was already preparing a surprise for the Western Lands once its' defenders left. Even if they managed to escape his grasp he would obtain something that would force them to come where the hanyou wanted them. The demon glanced at the children with his purple eyes and nodded thoughtfully, Naraku knew exactly where to push to force his enemies to do his bidding without them realizing it. Riath finally moved to carefully follow Lord Healo. He couldn't help but feel a great deal of pity for the demon lord. If he had only thought of reading Riath's mind he would have quickly found and eliminated the mole among them, but instead he had allowed his emotions to rule him.

It was ironic that Naraku had tricked the Northern Lord into making the same mistake once before. Healo had allowed his anger to take him down a ruinous path for the Northern Lands, and for himself. Now he had dismissed the possibility of Riath's treachery because of his compassion, and the Northern Lord had caused a rift within his own family because of whatever feelings he held for the strange miko. It was a stark lesson that the Captain was glad to not have to learn.

Healo's POV

His stride was as powerful and confident as ever but doubt was gnawing away at his resolve. Healo knew that this had to happen. The Northern Lord had to at least warn Inuyasha of the consequences for what he was considering. Every step he took felt like he was losing more control of the situation. Healo knew that his brother might resist, but he was sadly determined to prevent him from fulfilling his desires at all cost.

If at all possible he wanted to convince Inuyasha to abandon his plans. If he didn't Kagome would be hurt either way. The lord did not raise his eyes as he gestured for the troops to open the gates of the city since he knew where the hanyou was. As he climbed the first hill he could already make out the red from Inuyasha's clothing as he sat resting in a tall tree. Inuyasha did not react to his brother's presence until Healo was standing directly below the tree.

Healo gazed up at his brother as he struggled not to show his anger, but instead his grief over what the hanyou was planning. Inuyasha glanced down at the Northern Lord with an expectant look as his hand covered the hilt of his powerful sword. Healo spoke sadly ", Do you expect me to attack? I have not come to fight you, brother." The hanyou flushed but jumped down carefully from the tree and stood about five feet away from the Northern Lord.

Healo wasn't surprised by the harshness in his brother's voice as he asked ", Then what do you want?" The Northern Lord was glad to see that Inuyasha had moved his hand away from his sword so he smiled slightly. After a moment he said ", We need to talk about what I saw earlier." The hanyou narrowed his eyes and said in a deadly voice ", There's nothing to talk about because it's none of your business."

The smile fled quickly as a harsh stare replaced the welcoming expression on Healo's face. When he spoke it was a voice filled with authority and icy calm as he said ", On the contrary. What you plan would affect my mate-to-be. I do not just have the right, I have the responsibility, to interfere. I will not let you harm Kagome by fulfilling your plans." The hanyou nearly flinched at the change in his usually kind brother, and he said in a softer voice ", Don't worry I'm not gonna kill her. I want Kikyo to be whole again, but I…care about Kagome to much to do that."

The Northern Lord started to smile in relief but Inuyasha continued ", So instead I'm gonna take the shards that we've already collected and use them to keep her alive." In disgust Healo responded harshly ", How can you be so foolish? Kikyo has had many opportunities to use shards taken from you, and others, to keep her alive, but what has she done with them? She willingly handed them over to our greatest enemy. Don't you realize that the undead miko does not care about you? She only desires to reap revenge."

Inuyasha responded in anger ", Don't say that! I know that I can convince Kikyo to forgive me. After all you and Sesshomaru have ensured that Kagome and I don't have a chance." Healo calmed again as he said calmly ", We still have nearly two months. I beg you to be patient, then if we are successful, and Kagome is willing, she will become your mate. Don't allow this to push you in the wrong direction. Do not give in to despair or you will make the same kind of mistake that nearly destroyed me."

The hanyou paused and for a moment hesitation fleeted across his face. Seeing this Healo pressed on ", Please let go of these plans. They will only cause others pain and suffering, I know that you have been hurt in the past, but do not take this out on Kagome. Help to ensure that Naraku does not cause anyone else the kind of pain he is causing you to go through now. We will need your help to defeat him, I know we will. Don't turn your back on us." Healo watched as an internal battle raged inside of his brother and thought sadly ', I only hope that he is stronger than I was or we are doomed.'

Yay! Got the chapter done without getting angry at my readers! But seriously I do need that ONE review. Hope you all thought this chapter was good. Please let me know about that, or any problems, or any suggestions. Before anyone asks Kagome doesn't follow Healo because she realizes how serious he is. I know that she normally would follow right away, but I think this will work out better. Hope byakugan-master93 noticed that I used different POV's ; it was all for you! Next chapter will show what happens between the two brothers. Should Inuyasha stick to his guns or give in? Just wondering what you thought since I have already considered possibilities for both and I want to get some response. Hope to update by late Thursday or early Friday. Please Review!!!