Hey everybody; are you all surprised to see that I late? Sorry but I am a leader for my churches VBS so my evenings are busy this week. Anyway want to start out with the thanks. Want to express my gratitude to a new reviewer, chicka blanca, who read through the entire fic in one sitting. I was very happy when I read that review and am even happier since Kaihaku No Iroke is back now. Thank you so much for your review and I will try to show some of what is going in with Fluffy very soon. Also want to thank PassionIsLove and I apologize for the grammatical errors in the story. Anyway, this chapter will show them setting out for their mission to see the Imperial Regent, and to try to find Yamikura. Want to thank another new reviewer, Xtina, I try my best to be as detailed as possible with my characters since details seem to bring the story to life. Hope you all enjoy and that you let me know what you think. REVIEW!!!

CHAPTER XXLIIX

HIDING THE HEART

Healo's POV

The Northern Lord spoke carefully ", My son you do not need to worry; Captain Riath is more than capable of holding the city together until we return." Sulam's eyes softened lightly as he asked quietly ", How long will it be till you return?" Healo hesitated as he calculated the time that would be required at the very least; then he said ", Hopefully we will only be gone a few weeks." His son was not fooled and said with skepticism ", Father, I know that you aren't going to take the main road. If you're not traveling that way it could be a month before you return."

Healo carefully hugged his son; it would certainly be longer than a month, but he could not tell Sulam that. Especially not with this mysterious leak lurking somewhere within Ionin; Sulam was only a child but children sometimes forget themselves when talking to friends. The Northern Lord pulled away slowly and said solemnly ", Sleep well my son; we will return." The quiet assurance in the demon lord's voice seemed to calm some of the boy's worries so he nodded and opened the door into his chambers.

The demon waited until his son had shut his door before he began to make his way quietly back down the hall. He froze after walking a short distance and stole a glance at the painting to his right of a beautiful demoness. Healo felt the pain of remorse well up within him as he stared in silence at the serene image of his dead mate as she sat among a group of lilies. The artist had done an excellent job in showing off the Northern Lady's glorious smile, but this only caused him more pain. If he were sleeping he would have a nightmare tonight.

Remembering Sesshomaru's words the demon lord turned away from the painting and made his way up to the roof of the palace. His mind was swimming with various images; Avia, Sulam, Inuyasha, Sesshmaru…Kagome. When Healo finally arrived at the top of a flight of stairs, and opened the door to the roof he was not surprised to find that several guards tensed at his appearance. However, they nodded when they realized who it was that had disturbed their vigil, and the Northern Lord nodded back as he raised his head to regard the bright stars that were shining just overhead.

The demon was captivated by the silent beauty of the tiny pinpoints, and he moved to sit down on the very edge of the roof to observe them better. A few seconds passed in silent contemplation before Healo sensed the miko's presence as she stood a few feet away watching him. Kagome spoke first in a curious tone ", Are you ok? I would think that you would be happy considering your success today." The young woman joined her friend as she also sat on the edge, but her warm eyes studied his face instead of the stars.

The Northern Lord smiled faintly as he responded carefully ", I am fine; I am considering the consequences of the last few days' events." The miko's eyes narrowed in confusion before she asked quietly ", What are they?" Her friend sighed lightly and said ", We may have succeeded in keeping our alliance together, but as long as some of us cling to distrust and hate, it will never truly be secure. Beyond that, we must not only deal with each other, but also survive the plots and stratagems of Naraku and whoever is providing him with information about our deepest counsels."

The miko was watching him with understanding but the Northern Lord continued ", I do not like leaving my son here with such a set of conditions. I told Sulam that he would be safe in Ionin, but I am starting to doubt my own words." He paused here as his dark blue eyes became somehow even deeper before he continued hoarsely ", I would not survive the death of my son. Long ago I would have allowed myself to die or fade away; if he had not been there." Kagome seemed to hesitate for a moment before placing a comforting hand on the demon lord's back and saying softly ", Don't say that. You still have a lot to live for; all of your friends, your brothers, and your people."

Healo nodded slightly and smiled at his friend's kindness as he said firmly ", Thank you, Kagome. You must go rest; I doubt that Inuyasha will be able to carry you tomorrow." The young woman laughed and said ", No I don't think he wants to do that. Goodnight." The miko stood carefully and slowly made her way back towards her room. For a moment the Northern Lord continued to examine the stars as he thought about Kagome. The demon sighed again; he knew that he was going to have another sleepless night. This would be the fourth night that he would go without sleep because of her. Healo could only keep himself awake so long before he would have to tell the miko how he felt.

The demon lord was only waiting for the right moment. Healo only hoped that the perfect opportunity would show itself soon. The Northern Lord knew how damaging it was, physically and emotionally, to hide your heart from others, or to lie to yourself about your feeling. He had seen how much it had cost Sesshomaru once, and he knew that it also had played a part in Inuyasha's own tragedy. Yes, the Northern Lord understood exactly why the Western Lord was so angry about the situation with Kagome. As if the situation with Avia hadn't been enough for Sesshomaru. Still, Healo couldn't help it if history was destined to repeat itself…

Inuyasha's POV

The hanyou had enjoyed a fairly boring day after the miko had left him. Inuyasha couldn't have cared less about the gossip of the palace and had been uncommonly rude to the young demon that had come to care for his wounds only a few hours before. However, within an hour or so the last vestiges of his terrible injuries would be gone. The anger and frustration he felt would certainly live on far longer.

Despite what Healo had said, the hanyou knew that he would never be able to forgive Sesshomaru; not just for this, but for the years of misery and degradation he had but him through. The fact that the Northern Lord had come to his aid did not excuse his proud half-brother. Then there was the whole situation with Kagome, and the Western Lord's major role in Inuyasha's dilemma. Confused would be a major understatement. The fact that the miko seemed to be responding to the two demon's suites with only occasional uncertainty perplexed the hanyou to no end.

Inuyasha knew that he had at least some feelings for Kagome; even if he hadn't been able to express them yet. But what was the point? According to demon law, the hanyou wasn't even in the running for the young woman. He was beneath notice and had no credible position to stand on; since he was not a lord and could not claim to be equal with the other two claimants. Besides this Inuyasha knew that the miko would never accept him as long as he was torn between her and Kikyo. Soon he would have to make a desperate decision…

Sesshomaru's POV

The Western Lord remained perfectly still as he stood within the peaceful atmosphere of what had once been his mother's garden. However, even the tranquil atmosphere of that beautiful place could not ease the burning rage that the usually stoical demon lord felt as he watched his brother speak to his intended. Brother or not, it took all of Sesshomaru's self control to stop from transforming and ripping Healo to bits whenever the Northern Lord allowed Kagome to touch him. He clenched his claws and jaw to keep from speaking and interrupting the exchange between the two.

It was only after the young miko stood up and left that the Western Lord slowly gained control of himself. As the last streaks of red faded from his vision he bitterly cursed the Northern Lord to himself. How dare Healo do this to him again? Hadn't the first time been enough? Sesshomaru couldn't even stand to walk within the Northern Wing or to look at his nephew without being reminded of his brother's formal betrayal. Now Healo was purposely pursuing the same chain of events that had nearly destroyed them so many years before. The Northern Lord was willing to threaten their alliance yet again just to keep Sesshomaru from taking a mate.

Hopefully, Healo understood what the possible consequences would be if he continued to attempt to woo Kagome. The miko would be Sesshomaru's mate; he would not allow anything to come between them. The Western Lord had already felt the pain of a personal betrayal once before; surely Kagome wouldn't follow in the footsteps of her predecessor. If not, he could always deal with his older half-brother; the Northern Lord was not invincible; he had many secrets and weaknesses. Perhaps if he proved reluctant to let go of his attachment to the miko Sesshomaru would simply…slip in something he said.

That would only work if Healo had hidden anything from Kagome. Considering how friendly they seemed to be this may not work as well as could be hoped. At least for now the Western Lord knew that he hadn't told her the whole story about Lady Avia. That was not surprising, of course, but it would prove to be a fatal mistake. The Northern Lord would regret not confiding completely in the innocent miko. Sesshomaru felt certain that the young miko would be interested to learn why the Western Lord had never taken a mate. The demon lord smiled as he pictured the look of disbelief that would appear on Kagome's face.

With a savage smile, Sesshomaru glanced back up to the roof to see his brother still sitting there as he passively watched the stars. It would all be for the Northern Lord's own good; Healo would finally learn the difference between one who dreams of great things and one who does great things. Once Sesshomaru relived for everyone how his dear brother had stolen everything from him they would finally see Healo for what he truly was. The Northern Lord would realize just how evil and greedy his own heart could be, but more importantly, so would Kagome…

So what do you all think? I wonder if you all were surprised by the secret between Healo and Sesshomaru. I know that it seems kind of strange that I didn't hint at it before, but I wanted to keep it as a small surprise for later. So SURPRISE!!! If you can't guess what it is…read the chapter again and pay attention. Either way, I will spell it out for you in a chapter or so, depending on how I want to use the secret. I may allow Sesshomaru to succeed in this particular area. Again I am sorry about the lateness but I did have a lot to do. I hope to hear from all of you. Also, we tied for the last chapter as the most reviews in a chapter. Anyway, probably won't get to start the prequel for another week or so, and probably will only update once in the upcoming week, depending on reviews. Next chap will finally show the departure. Hope to hear from all of you. REVIEW!!!