Hi everyone. Just got through my first few days of the new semester and man was it boring. I love history and everything, but my teacher just went over a bunch of stuff that I already knew this week. Anyway, I want to again thank byakugan-master93. Thanks for the compliment I just wanted to make sure that that rivalry was still in all of your minds. Next was Kaihaku No Iroke. This chapter will let you see a little of what's going on with Kagome, but more will be in the next chapter. Also I had a new reviewer Goddess of the Water. I can't tell you who she will pick but she does have an important spot in the story otherwise Naraku wouldn't have any schemes concerning her. You'll just have to wait a few more weeks (hopefully). I hope the rest of my reviewers are all right since I haven't heard from them in a while. So this chapter is Healo being grilled by the Council and the group gets ready to separate. Hang in there guys we're almost there just a few more twists and we'll be at the end. Special note thoughts will now be written like this: I am thinking. Please let me know how I do on this chapter because I tried to slow down a little and to be more descriptive. Please review.

CHAPTER LVI

THE DESIRE FOR FAMILY

Healo's POV

The Northern Lord's eyes closed slowly as he sat under the flickering shade of a short tree, its graceful limbs moving softly in the wind like a group of ballet performers, and considered the young woman sitting on a stone bench across from him. To a random observer she wouldn't appear to be anything special; she was a very pretty, to be sure, but nothing else would attract the glance of a passerby. But to Healo and to two of his other brothers there was something impossibly strange and appealing about her. Kagome was a powerful miko, but it was not merely that. The demon lord was almost convinced that it was her heart which seemed to be amazingly pure that called them to her.

Among humanity or demon society this was a priceless rarity, and the fact that she combined this with more desirable qualities only drew more beings to her side. The miko was beautiful, kind, loyal, truthful (or at least she had no skill at lying), and intoxicatingly irritating. This was a deadly combination when matched up with his sorrow, Sesshomaru's aloofness, and Inuyasha's irascibility. Healo grinned mischievously when the girl in question gave him a curious look; her brown eyes arched and her head tilted ever so slightly.

A gentle breeze tugged at the strands of her dark hair as she asked calmly, "Are you nervous about the Council?" The Northern Lord closed his sapphire eyes and replied just as calmly, "What leads you to believe that I am nervous?" The demon lord repressed a smile at the flash of irritation that he felt come from the young miko. He heard her shift lightly on her seat before she explained, "I dunno I just thought that you might feel kind of like I do when I have to give presentations for my classes." Healo sat up slowly and opened his eyes when he detected a sense of longing in her voice.

Kagome had her elbows on her knees as she leaned forward, but it was not just her posture but the sad glint in her brown eyes as she stared at several passing clouds that alerted the Northern Lord. It was a look he had seen on the faces of his soldiers during various wars so he stated confidently as he watched her carefully, "You miss your home." The young miko smiled apologetically as she responded, "Yes, and I miss my family." Kagome's filled with such sadness and the demon lord knew that it was because of how long she had been away from her time.

The Northern Lord turned to watch the passing clouds as well as he considered what his mate-to-be had said. I suppose that in a sense I should be thankful. I can see my family whenever I desire, but she…she has to divide her time between this world and her own. Healo closed his eyes softly as he pondered this idea of family, and the various images that came to his mind. He had no place in his mind for his biological father, but he could still bring the proud picture of Inutaisho to his mind as well as his mother the image of gentleness brought to life. Next of course was his half-brother Magus who had been his constant companion through the many hardships of life, and whom he trusted more then most.

Next the Western Lord came into view which caused a twinge of regret to pass across the demon lord's handsome face. When he was a child, Sesshomaru had wanted nothing more then his big brother's respect and attention, but the imperial heir had at times ignored him and instead caused enmity that lasted to this day. The Northern Lord sighed at those memories. How could I have been such a fool? However, his mind moved next to a certain hanyou who held the strange position of brother/son. When his adopted father had charged him with the protection of his new son and mate Healo had taken his words to heart and fulfilled them with, perhaps, too much vigor.

In fact, from the moment that the Northern Lord had seen the young hanyou standing at the door of the small hut, when Healo had been marching towards his new kingdom, he had felt a strong need to protect the outcast. It did not take long for this to transform from a brotherly concern to a father's love, and Inuyasha had begun to respond in like manner moving from the shy guest in awe of the kindness of his ally to actually returning the attention he received. The demon lord remembered one particularly cold winter…

FLASHBACK

Healo's POV

The young demon lord's blue eyes twinkled merrily as he looked down at the young hanyou before him. Inuyasha shivered slightly every few seconds and his lip quivered as he stood there fresh from coming back inside after playing in the snow. His clothes were dry and he was wrapped in a warm red blanket, but it was obvious that he was still cold from his adventures in the winter wonderlands. Lady Izayoi stepped in the room after her son and smiled sympathetically at the Northern Lord. Healo placed a pale hand on top of Inuyasha's wet head and he said calmly, "Come sit with me near the fire and I'll have a servant get you something warm to drink." The young hanyou nodded in mute agreement and a shadow moved away from the wall to fulfill its lord's request.

The room was comfortable since it had couches and chairs of various sizes arranged around the room and several handsome chairs were situated near a blazing fire. Its light cast a strange, but calming, light upon the room and exposed the large number of books that lined the walls. Healo moved slowly and carefully sat down in a large chair where he sighed in contentment from the warmth of the fire. After a moment the young hanyou made his way over and climbed onto the knee of his brother. Inuyasha eye's gave off a strange glow as the flames reflected in his golden eyes, but the child turned away and picked up the dusty book that the Northern Lord had been reading.

Inuyasha examined the book carefully then asked, "What's this about?" Lady Izayoi silently sat down in the chair opposite of them and smiled at the scene before her. However, the demon lord answered the curious pup, "That is an account of a very important battle that took place a long time ago." Inuyasha looked up innocently, "Before you were born?" Healo chuckled lightly at the question, but nodded and said, "Yes long before that." However, the young hanyou seemed interested in the subject and so continued, "Have you ever been in a battle?"

The lady stirred at her son's question and seemed about to speak, but Healo answered softly, "Yes, I have spent more of my life on the battlefield then almost anywhere else." The child's eyes lit up at this and he pressed excitedly, "Then you're a good fighter and you'll teach me right?" The Northern Lord smiled though he noticed that Izayoi tensed at the mention of learning how to fight. He responded warmly, "You are the son of the greatest warrior the Empire has ever known; it would be a crime to not instruct you such things." The hanyou's eyes brightened at this answer, and he began to eye his guardian with an appraising look; almost as if checking to be sure that he could train him.

Finally Inuyasha asked with a curious look, "Have you ever been hurt?" Healo pulled a fold of his cloak around the shivering child and answered softly, "Several times by various foes." This answer only encouraged the hanyou's curiosity as a sad expression covered his young face but he pressed, "You've seen people die?" Inuyasha turned away slightly and asked softly, "You saw him die didn't you?" The questions only mildly surprised the Northern Lord, but before he could answer the child's mother said firmly, "That's enough Inuyasha. It is time for you to prepare for sleep." The hanyou slowly stood and kept his eyes down as he said, "Yes mother."

Healo's eyes darkened with concern for both child and mother; the young hanyou seemed to be feeling guilty about something. When the Northern Lord carefully glanced at Izayoi he realized what the child was upset about. The lady's eyes were filled with emotion as she clenched the arms of the chair she was sitting in. The demon lord sighed lightly in understanding; she had lost her mate to battle and that her son showed such interest in it frightened her. He said kindly, "My lady I will escort him to his room," mentally he added You should have a few minutes to yourself.

Izayoi looked up with a weak smile and said, "Yes you all go on ahead," she also thought back Thank you for understanding. Healo gave a soft nod in acknowledgement and said calmly, "Come Inuyasha you will be warmer in your bed." The hanyou glanced at his mother before dutifully placing a clawed hand in the pale hand of his benefactor. Without another word the Northern Lord opened the door and led the child through the various halls of the palace until they arrived in the hanyou's room. After a few minutes Inuyasha was tucked into his large, comfortable bed and was waiting for his mother to come bid him goodnight.

Healo regarded the young hanyou who was starting to blink in contentment because of the warmth of his bed. The Northern Lord closed his eyes and said softly, "Inuyasha do you know what your father's last thoughts were?" The hanyou opened his golden eyes and shook his head so the demon lord continued, "He was worried about you and your mother." The child's ears perked slightly at this and he asked timidly, "What will happen to me if anything happens to you?" Healo smiled sadly at this question, but he responded, "My brother, Magus, will become lord and will take care of you. If anything should happen to him then you will become Lord of the Northern Lands."

Inuyasha sat up slightly and asked, "But aren't you gonna have your own mate and children?" The Northern Lord shook his head and answered calmly, "I am a soldier; I could not put my mate or children through the constant uncertainty of such a life." The young hanyou's ears flattened some in confusion as he replied, "But you have generals you don't have to fight." The demon lord's tone was icy as he said, "That would be cowardly; it is the responsibility of a lord to defend his people. I would be forced to either neglect the people or my mate and I refuse to do either." Plus the imperial line would end, and hopefully so would the civil unrest that plagues are world…

Alrighty, well here is yet another chapter. I hope that I did all right with showing some of the emotions behind the various characters, and that you enjoyed it. Let me explain what Healo was talking about; originally the Northern Lord hadn't even planned on taking a mate because he used to believe that the imperial system is what caused all of the civil wars. However, something later convinces him that this is not so and he somehow ends up taking a mate, but I don't really want to tell you what. Please let me know how I did and I apologize for not being able to get the chapter up on Friday. Next chapter will show the Council and continue moving the storyline. Also will continue from where this chapter ended. Oh one last note…I want to thank Flame Rising for kicking me out of the Fireplace not once, but twice and also for deleting many of my posts to try to salvage his own reputation and self-esteem. Though I doubt he will descend from his lofty Mt. Olympus to respond; I am very proud of the knowledge that I was able to irk him so. Hopefully the update will appear sometime this weekend depending on my work load. Remember to review.