WARNING, PLEASE READ THIS NOTE!!!!

Okies,originally chapter 6 had a lemon in, but since this is i cannot post it, so i have cut it out, if you wish to read it simply private message me and I will send it ^.^

Neways, on with the story! Enjoy and review!

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Injustice

Six

Inuyasha avoided his father's eyes as he sat, his mother fussing over his wounds. Inu-no-Taishou and Sesshōmaru standing nearby, all was silent.

"I'm sorry, Dad…" mumbled Inuyasha, still not raising his eyes to his father.

"I should hope so," he said suddenly in response, his tone rising. "If Sesshōmaru hadn't stopped you, you would have hated yourself…to kill is one thing, but to tear something apart as your demon side was about to…what if we hadn't been able to bring you back?" Inuyasha remained silent. "We could have lost you forever, and what would have happened to Kagome then, huh?" Inuyasha sighed.

"I know dad, but…if he had done those things to Mom…you would have ripped his throat out and made him look at it!" Inu-no-Taishou heaved a deep sigh.

"I know, I'm sorry for getting angry…you just scare me sometimes Inuyasha, we don't fully understand the rules of your transformations, until we do, don't give into your demon side so easily, and keep your weakness secret as always." Inuyasha nodded, getting to his feet.

"What happened to the revolutionary spies?" asked Inuyasha. Inu-no-Taishou looked to Sesshōmaru for a moment.

"Some, who were found to have raped, abused and murdered our prisoners for years passed, were executed…the rest, meaning hardly any, were placed under arrest, indefinitely…" Inuyasha nodded.

"And…Katsura?"

"There were only five kept under arrest…he wasn't one of them," replied Sesshōmaru.

"So, Katsura was executed?" asked Inuyasha. Sesshōmaru shook his head.

"So where is he?" Inu-no-Taishou looked at him.

"When we were trying to bring you back, when you attacked Sesshōmaru, he escaped…but!" he added, as Inuyasha looked as if he were about to start. "Now we can trust all our guards and servants, you can truthfully assure Kagome that she can be safe here." Inuyasha nodded slowly. "Your mother told Kagome what's happened, she is fully aware of everything…" Inuyasha nodded once more, going to the door. "But Inuyasha?" the half-demon stopped to listen, "before you go any further to Kagome, make it clear what she is getting herself into, should she do so…it's only fair that she know the risks, before she becomes too deep in our troubles."

"It's too late…to say before she gets too deep, Dad, " Inuyasha said quietly, leaving the room.

***

Inuyasha sighed as he opened the door, finding Kagome sitting on the bed with her knees up to her chest. She looked up as he closed the door behind him, and he smiled at her. "You okay?" he asked, and she nodded, as he moved over, sitting on the edge of the bed. "So my mother told you, about my transformations?" Kagome nodded again, not looking at him. After a short silence she spoke.

"It doesn't bother me…I've already come to terms with the fact that there are things about you that I don't fully understand, and there are things about you that will make it hard for me to be with you.." He looked at her as she finally raised her eyes to him. "But I want to, be with you, that's why, I…"

"Kagome?"

"I was going to leave you last night, so I could stop suffering like this…so you didn't have to know what I'd been reduced to…so you didn't have to leave your family to protect me…so many reasons, but no matter how I thought of it, I didn't want to leave, in some ways…"

"I'm not sure I understand…"

"Your mother was right, when she said it'd hurt to stay…but she was right when she said, that I'd sooner die than give it up, because that'd mean I'd have to leave the thing I love the most…and I…I don't want to leave you. But if you want me to leave, then just-" She cut off as he captured her lips with a swift kiss. He smiled as he released her from their embrace.

"Never leave me," he said, and she smiled, the first true carefree smile he'd ever seen her give, and it made him kiss her again. "And if you ever do, I'll follow you, I'll find you wherever you go, and I'll bring you right back again…" she smiled again.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and Inuyasha got up. "Who is it?"

"We're here to do your fire, Sir?" Inuyasha opened the door, allowing the servants to come in and poke at the fire until it was blazing again. Inuyasha closed the door again behind them as the scuttled out of the room. His golden eyes widened as he turned back to the bed, finding Kagome standing on the floor at the end of it, fiddling absentmindedly with the collar of the silk kimono she'd been dressed in.

"Kagome?"

"I want to start again…" she said, and he looked at her in confusion, as he stepped towards her. "I just want it to go right, you know?" he nodded, stopping before her. The ebony haired girl leant up on tiptoes, Inuyasha meeting her half way as she pulled her arms round his neck, pressing her lips against his softly.

Kagome whimpered as she felt his fingertips run slowly all over her body, Inuyasha took advantage of the utterance and slid his tongue softly into her mouth, massaging her tongue with his. "Inuyasha…?" she moaned into the kiss, and he broke their embrace, considering her flushed expression. "…undress me…" he looked at her for a moment, before capturing her lips with his once more, bringing his hand up and stroking her cheek gently, allowing his fingers to run into her hair, drawing her deeper into the kiss...

The sunrise found the lovers, wrapped in each other's embrace. Inuyasha spooned affectionately up against the naked girl, arms wrapped round her, his head resting unknowingly, innocently on her chest, the sheets wrapped snugly round the both of them. Kagome was stroking Inuyasha's hair and puppy ears unconsciously as she slept on, the sleeping Inuyasha leaning into the touch and mewled with bliss in his sleep.

Inu-no-Taishou entered with clothes for Kagome in hand, setting them on the drawers before noticing the two, and he smiled at the calm and peaceful look on his son's face as he slept, a look he'd not seen in him since he was a very young boy. Even though he knew that little boy, had become a man in the respect that he'd lost his virginity and taken a mate, he still looked younger than he'd ever looked, defenceless and content in his lover's embrace. Inu-no-Taishou left silently, closing the door behind him, and sighed – he had a lot of work to do before the two woke up, though from the sounds they were making until very late (or very early, depending on which way you looked at it), he guessed they wouldn't be waking for a while…

***

Inuyasha awoke without opening his eyes. He could feel the first of the sun's rays shining warmly on the bare flesh of his back, and usually he would be up and about by now. But without remembering anything of the night before, he laid contently in the warmth that had wrapped itself around him, bathing in the wonderfully emollient fragrance. Slowly as he breathed the scent in, he realised what it was, and realised what warmth was holding him in a protective and loving embrace. He felt the absentminded stroking at the base of his ears suddenly improve in skill.

Slowly he opened an eye, blushing furiously as he realised his head was resting on Kagome's chest. Looking up, he found the sunlight streaming in through the window was reflecting onto their bed, bathing the breathtaking girl with the light as a smile graced her lips in realising he was awake. Inuyasha couldn't help but purr when she rubbed the base of his ears, a wavering trace of the soft pink underside before planting a kiss on the end of his nose. He growled his approval. "Have you been watching me?" he growled with a smile.

"Of course," she whispered, stroking his silver tresses, "its payback." He smiled again, leaning up planting a soft kiss on her lips. Abandoning the vulnerable position and regaining his dominant one, the half-demon wrapped the girl in his arms as he placed her with tender kisses.

Breaking their lip lock, Inuyasha stroked her nose with his slightly, deft fingertips playing with the ebony curls that fell gracefully around her face.

"Sweet dreams?" she nodded in reply. "Good…" The girl rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes, and not for the first or the last time, he inhaled her scent deeply. "Are you okay?" he asked, and she nodded, without words or opening her eyes.

"A little sore, but otherwise – what's wrong?" he shook his head.

"Nothing…" Again that smile graced her lips.

"Maybe we should wash or something," he looked up at her as she sat up, holding the soiled sheets over her chest. "I must smell a little funky, huh?" he smiled oddly at her.

"I like your scent…"

"Still, if I don't go and have a bath," she said with a mischievous smile, "then you can't come in and get all the places I can't reach." He smiled at that, kissing her gently.

"I'll run the bath, you wait here." She frowned slightly as he hopped of the bed, and making his way over to the washroom door.

"I can do it."

"Actually we have servants to do it, but if I alert people that we're awake, they won't leave us alone." She smiled, leaning back against the pillows as she heard him running the bath.

"What're we going to do? Hide out in here all day?" A small pause, and then she heard him.

"Actually I was thinking we could continue much on the same level as last night." She blushed.

If Inuyasha and I made love last night, where does that put me? She thought, running her fingers absentmindedly along her collarbone. I was getting strange looks from their servants and guards just when they thought I was his whore…she looked to the bathroom door, deep in thought. Maybe I am…he hasn't said I'm anything more… It was a mass of insecure thoughts such as these that spurred in her mind. It was just her nature to question everything and suspect it to turn out the worst it possibly could. What's wrong with me? She thought, resting her head against the headboard of the four-poster bed. I can't even experience something as special as my first time without acting like an idiot…but then again, Inuyasha isn't exactly rushing to stop any thoughts like this, is he?

She nearly jumped out of her skin as she realised Inuyasha was standing next to the bed. "Are you okay?" he asked, and she nodded, lying through her teeth, and he noticed it. "What's wrong?" She shook her head. "Hey, come on," he insisted, sitting on the side of the bed and watching her closely.

"It's just…you said you loved me-"

"And I do, is that what this is-"

"No, I just…you haven't told me where we stand…after last night, I mean…" Inuyasha's brows knitted together, and he leant forward, pressing his forehead against hers.

"Don't be so paranoid, okay?" she nodded. "If it's an answer you need, then I guess at the moment I guess we'd be courting, right?" she looked at him in confusion. "Since you're not my mate yet, but we've both accepted each other. But we kind of skipped a step."

"Last night, you mean we weren't-"

"Hey, no no no, not that – it does happen this way a lot, my mother conceived me before she was my father's mate so don't think like that." She nodded, slightly relieved, she didn't want him to regret it.

"So…I'm not just your…"

"My what?"

"Nothing…"

"Kagome-"

"Look, I know what they say about us, about me, that I'm just-"

"You're not just anything! You're my everything, you got that?" she nodded, and he tilted her chin to make her look at him. "I'm half-demon, and you're a priestess, things are gonna be hard, but I'm not going to give up, and I'm not gonna let you either." She smiled, nodding her assurance. "Now, do want this bath or not?" he asked roughly but with a playful smile, and she returned it, wrapping her arms round his neck as he scooped her up into his arms.

"You going to wash the parts I can't reach?" she asked coquettishly, nipping his ear.

"And then some," he replied with a smirk.

***

Kagome sighed as she climbed out of the bath, "I'll go change the sheets then, while you soak," he looked like he was going to argue, but decided not to waste his time, she'd just win anyway, he thought. Kagome walked into the bedroom again, looking around for something to put on, after drying herself. Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and she jumped slightly. "Inuyasha, there's someone at the door, I need something to put on." She said, poking her head back round into the steamy washroom.

"My mother left you loads of stuff, look in the right drawers and you'll find your stuff." She blushed slightly at his mother having arranged drawer space in Inuyasha room for her already. It's as if she knew…The knocking came again, only louder, and she opened up drawers, trying to find women's clothes.

Eventually she just grabbed the thing off the top of the pile on the drawers, pulling it on. Her cheeks darkened as she realised how extravagant it looked on her, and she didn't feel right in it. The pink satin of the light kimono felt nice against her skin but she still felt out of place. Again the knocking came louder than ever, and she didn't have time to find anything else, so she grin and bared it. "Uh…come in?" she said nervously, unsure if it was really up to her, (though also realising if she'd said that to Inuyasha he'd probably say she was being stupid).

Sesshōmaru raised an eyebrow as he stepped into the room, and Kagome only succeeded in blushing darker.

"Miss Kagome?" he said quietly, and she met his eyes at last. "It quite becomes you…" She looked confused at first, and then blushed darker when she realised he'd given her a complement.

"Thank you…"

"Is Inuyasha here?" he asked, and she shifted uncomfortably, realising that he must be able to smell the evidence of last night.

"He's in the bath."

"Right, well, could you-"

"-I'm out I'm out damn it, what do you want?" asked Inuyasha, walking in, a towel wrapped leisurely round his waist.

"Guests have arrived, there's a gathering in the Great Hall, Father expects-"

"Yeah, yeah I know," wavered Inuyasha, searching through the drawers for clothes. "Who's the uninvited guest – as if I need to ask…" Sesshōmaru smiled slightly.

"You know very well who it is…Little Brother…" Inuyasha sneered.

"Perfect timing as ever…arrogant bastards, why do they always assume they can turn up whenever they please?!"

"Because he's a very old acquaintance of Father's, and our most powerful ally-"

"-Yeah, well stuff the old windbag…him and that smooth talking pratt of a son…"

"Be that as it may Inuyasha-"

"Oh, so you don't deny it?" A smile played at Sesshōmaru's pale lips, but he neither agreed nor disagreed, before he turned to leave.

"Just behave Brother…" Inuyasha stuck his tongue out, making Kagome giggle slightly at his immaturity, (though she was sure he was doing it on purpose). "Oh, and Inuyasha?" The half-demon turned to look at his brother once more. "Father wishes that Kagome accompany you…" Inuyasha's ears pricked.

"Eh? What for?" Sesshōmaru's face remained expressionless.

"She's of high station now, I suppose," he said as he closed the door behind him.

Kagome watched a blush burn Inuyasha's face, as he determinedly searched for clothes, trying not to ponder the demon's words too much. Kagome watched him as she brushed the ebony tresses, mimicking the style on her hair that Izayoi had done for her the other day. Something was playing Inuyasha's mind, but she had no idea what, in fact she was still reeling from the confusion Sesshōmaru and Inuyasha's conversation had left her in. Who's this guest or, guests that I have to meet? And, "Higher In Station"? Does that mean that – No! She looked herself over in the mirror as she thought about it some more, until her brain felt like it was going to explode, and until she saw Inuyasha reflected in the mirror, watching her with an adoring gaze.

"What is it?" she asked, not turning to face him, watching his reflection instead. He walked forwards, wrapping his arms round her and nuzzling her hair, planting a kiss in the nape of her neck.

"You just – look really beautiful is all…" she blushed.

"You look great too, as usual." Inuyasha smirked. "Do you actually own anything else – apart from that kimono I mean?" Inuyasha shrugged.

"It's my inheritance from my dad…"

"Huh?"

"That armour Sesshōmaru wears is demon armour, from my Dad, and this kimono is my inheritance from him."

"So you wear it all the time?" He shrugged again.

"I guess they just…"

"What?" she asked, turning in his arms to face him.

"They…make me feel safe…" she watched him closely, "and having a life like mine, I just…felt comfortable in them is all..." she smiled planting a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Thanks."

"For what?" he asked, confused.

"For making me feel safe." He smiled. "And, for opening up to me." He rolled his eyes.

"Don't go soppy on me girl." She smiled at him as he took her hand in his and lead her out of the room.

Kagome felt strange, walking at his side down the stairs and even further down the halls. She was about to walk into a meeting of demons, and felt completely out of place already. Inu-no-Taishou wants me involved because Inuyasha slept with me…how is that going to make these demons look at me? The thought of being in such close proximity of demons, and them looking at her like she was some – it made her shiver. Inuyasha squeezed her hand softly, and she looked at him, realising that they'd come to a stop before a great door. "Don't look so terrified, they're aren't gonna hurt you, heck they aren't even here about you-"

"Wouldn't be too sure of that." Inuyasha and Kagome nearly leapt out of their skins as Izayoi appeared behind them.

"Mother?" he asked. "What do you-"

"After everything that's gone on, and with Katsura gone back alive to the other revolutionaries, and you letting hell loose on them," Inuyasha avoided his mother's eyes, but Kagome was sure she saw him roll his eyes and 'tut' impatiently.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Kagome came up in this conversation." Kagome pondered her words.

"Is that why Lord Inu-no-Taishou wanted me here?" asked Kagome, and Izayoi smiled, and she noted that Inuyasha cast her a sideways look.

"No dear, it's just – how can I put this politely…" she said, thinking. "There are a lot of established rules, laws and understandings of things in demon society, Kagome. Inuyasha has recognized you as his significant other, making you his equal in life." Kagome looked to Inuyasha, who could still not meet her eyes, and was watching her out of the corner of his golden ones.

"So I'm, like in the same position as you are to Lord Inu-no-Taishou?" she asked nervously. Izayoi smiled.

"Not quite, I suppose humans at this stage would call it engagement." Kagome looked as if she finally understood.

"So, I'm like Inuyasha's betrothed or something?" Izayoi nodded, and Inuyasha finally spoke.

"We'd better go in now." His mother nodded, as he pushed the doors open.

The vast room was lit by the sunlight streaming in through the great windows. It was the room she'd first seen Inuyasha in; Inu-no-Taishou and Sesshōmaru were standing where she'd seen them on that night, the night of the gathering, only now it was daylight, and there were many demons gathered before them now, and it made a lump rise in her throat. It didn't help her uneasiness as the faces of every being in that room turned to face the three as they entered. Look away, please, stop looking this way…

She was thankful that she didn't trip once walking up there. Izayoi took Inu-no-Taishou's hand as he held it out to her, standing beside him, Inuyasha stopping next to Sesshōmaru, and signalling to Kagome that she should do the same. The girl took a breath as she stilled, realising that most of the demons were still looking at her.

"Lady Izayoi, it's been a long time," greeted one of the demons, kissing her hand politely, the woman smiled graciously, but Kagome couldn't help but notice a shadow of contempt for the demon that was greeting her so warmly. "Everytime my eyes fall upon you, you seem to have grown more beautiful, if at all possible." She bowed slightly.

"Thank you My Lord." Kagome looked to Inuyasha, who seemed to sneer slightly at the way his mother showed such politeness, looking as if he wanted to rip the man apart, and probably would have, if it wasn't such a strong ally of his father.

"And of course Lord Sesshōmaru and Master Inuyasha," Sesshōmaru bowed his head slightly, and again that same shadow of contempt dwelled in those eyes as Inuyasha did the same. Kagome seemed to notice, as it seemed no one else did, that Izayoi and Inuyasha seemed to share a secret loathing of this man, that ran deeper than Lord Inu-no-Taishou realised. Sesshōmaru however, did realise it, and perhaps that was why he stood so close to his brother, to keep his temper in check. The demon's eyes wavered over her for a moment, before he smiled courteously at her, bowing his head slightly as he'd done for Izayoi. "And who's this vision of loveliness?" Kagome smiled half-heartedly, noticing a strangeness behind the flattery he offered both her and Izayoi. It made her uneasy. She met Izayoi's eyes, whom she noticed now was standing opposite her, and the woman signalled her to offer hand to him. Kagome did so, though she didn't like one minute of it, and she could have sworn she heard a low, almost silent growl of hatred rumble in Inuyasha's throat.

Kagome was surprised that when she went to reply with her name, Izayoi widened her eyes as a signal for her to silence.

"Lady Kagome," Sesshōmaru replied for her. Then she realised – "There are a lot of established rules, laws and understandings of things in demon society…" She wasn't allowed to introduce herself; it seemed that only Inuyasha or another male of the family could do so. Chauvinistic bastards, I bet demon men made the damn rules!

"A fine capture of yours Lord Sesshōmaru?" he asked, and Sesshōmaru shook his head.

"Inuyasha has-"

"Oh, I see, so the rumours are true then?" The family looked at him. "This is the priestess from the demon slayer's village?" Inuyasha sneered, but Sesshōmaru looked at him with warning in his golden orbs.

"She was…the revolutionaries burnt it and everyone else to the ground, Kagome came here to warn Father about them," explained Inuyasha, though the demons didn't seem to want to hear him. Inu-no-Taishou turned to his younger son with a sigh.

"I've already explained to Lord Eisuke and the others about what has come to pass over the last few days. They are fully aware of-"

"Then why are they watching her like she's a damn murderer!"

"Inuyasha!" shouted his father. "Hold your tongue! You don't understand that Kagome did in fact kill demons-"

"To stop them from killing her – from killing us in our sleep like the deceitful bastards they are!"

"Inuyasha, stop it, please," said Izayoi softly, but Inuyasha ignored her, knowing full well she'd scream and shout at the demon herself if she could.

"Inuyasha, stop," said Sesshōmaru quietly, grabbing his arm warningly as he went to move forwards. Inuyasha silenced.

"I'm sorry about that Lord Eisuke; my son is very sensitive about such things-"

"Yes, Inu-no-Taishou, I can recall. He's got a temper on him worse than yours," said the demon with a smile. Kagome shivered with that empty smile, and Inuyasha looked at her a moment.

"Are you okay?" he asked, she nodded.

"Maybe you should take her back upstairs, Inu-"

"We wished to speak with Lady Kagome, if that's alright with you," said Eisuke, interrupting Sesshōmaru. Inuyasha sneered again.

"But what if it's not alright with me…?" Kagome squeezed his hand softly, and he stopped.

"You're not his mate yet, are you?" Kagome's eyes widened as did Inuyasha's and Sesshōmaru's.

"Lord Eisuke that isn't something we should talk about now is it-"

"Are you?" he repeated, cutting across Izayoi. Kagome looked away from him; it wasn't something she wanted to talk about with anyone but Inuyasha. Inuyasha noticed the look on her face and pulled her back slightly behind him.

"She doesn't have to answer that," he said as calmly as his temper would allow him. "It's got nothing to do with you."

"But if she isn't you're mate, and you're scent is smothered over her the way it is, the rumours that she is your whore are true!" Inuyasha snarled angrily.

"My father may put up with your revolting scent and snide comments, but I'm not my father and I will do no such thing!" Sesshōmaru bolted forwards and held his brother back, arms locking around the fuming boy's shoulders, Lord Eisuke eyeing the hanyou strangely.

"You are truly unaware Master Inuyasha, just how like your father you are."

"Inuyasha, stop it now!" Inuyasha stopped his resistance of his brother's restraint, and his silver bangs hung into his eyes, shielding them from view.

Still that falsely understanding look was plastered over the demon's face, and Kagome kept her eyes to the floor. She felt awkward and out of place here, the yukata that clung so blatantly to her figure not helping any.

"There's no need for hostility Master Inuyasha, we only wish to talk with her, that's not so difficult is it?" Inuyasha looked as if he were going to retaliate, but the warning look in his father's eyes bade him hold his tongue. A smirk of triumph in Inuyasha's silence flickered across Eisuke's face for a blink of a second, before he focused his dark eyes on Kagome.

"Lord Inu-no-Taishou has informed me of all that has befallen both you and this house since you're arrival…and yet, I wonder what is to befall you now that Katsura has escaped and is once again out of your reach?"

"He would not have gotten away, but problems arose in the battle and they distracted us from Katsura himself," Sesshomaru responded for her, still glancing at his brother out of the corner of his eye to keep him in check, sensing his building fury. Kagome didn't look directly at Sesshomaru, but she knew that the usual, complacent expression would be present on his face, he was definitely hiding the details of Inuyasha's demon self arising and lashing out senselessly against what his base instincts told him was foe. Sesshomaru is lying to protect Inuyasha's secrets…I guess people knowing about Inuyasha's unstable blood is dangerous indeed, she thought, hearing Inuyasha's fangs grind against each other as he fought to not lash out at Eisuke again.

"I apologise, Lord Sesshomaru, but I was asking Miss er..."

"Kagome." Sesshomaru interjected emotionlessly, "Lady Kagome, to those of your honour." Inuyasha didn't fail to pick up the slight sarcasm on the word 'honour', since they both knew this demon and all his wretched family had no such thing, not that they'd anger their father by stating so.

"The point is, something seems to be amiss here, Lord Sesshomaru," Eisuke replied. "Why suddenly is the Great Royal Family of the Western Lands all so desperate to shield a priestess from even speaking for herself? If she's no more than some concubine is it necessary for such decorum?"

Finally, he snapped. Inuyasha wrenched himself free from his brother's slack hold and leapt forward. Fist collided with a demon's jaw, but it wasn't Lord Eisuke's. Inuyasha snarled as he watched a young, dark-haired demon he knew all too well, smirk through his bloody lip, which was instantly healing.

"Good job your punch is still as lacking as it always was Master Inuyasha."

"That's fucking Lord Inuyasha to you, you little twerp. I know and you know that when it comes to position in authority, you ain't even worthy of wipin' my ass!" The half-demon growled, making his mother make some ashamed noises in the background. Kagome's eyes widened; this was a Royal gathering and yet no one was even attempting to separate the two.

"Whatever, 'cause while we know that your family are higher than me, a half-demon could never be a lord of the west. It's not just in my opinion that Sesshomaru is the only heir to Lord Inu-No-Taishou's position." He spat, and though he didn't display it, at least three people in the hall knew that the words cut into Inuyasha worse than any blade, the two human women who were two of those three, watched Inuyasha closely. "I will never call a mongrel my Lord."

"That is enough!" Everyone's eyes snapped in pure shock to the silver-haired demon who'd spoken, and who no one had expected to speak up. Sesshomaru moved elegantly forwards, prising his little brother's clawed hands from the young Lord Satoru's throat with relative ease, separating them. "This is our father's house," Sesshomaru stated, his voice back to it's usual monotone, Satoru not missing the demon acknowledging Inuyasha in the conversation. "And while it isn't my heritage yet, this house and these lands will one day be mine, and though my father has a sense of Royal etiquette, and how to treat one's guests, I will not tolerate such impudence and rudeness to someone who is an heir to these lands." Satoru, and the other demons lowered their gaze, and Kagome noticed for some reason, that they were in blatant fear of the demon lord who was suddenly speaking more than she'd ever heard him speak before. "And what's more Lord Satoru, no brother of mine and certainly no son of my father could ever be a 'mongrel'…Hold your foul tongue in future lest the task fall upon me to remove it."

Everyone snapped their heads up to Inu-no-Taishou as he clapped his hands to regain attention to himself. "That's enough." Sesshomaru and Inuyasha stepped back next to their father, not even waiting for the command to do so. Lord Inu-no-Taishou was thoroughly angry with them, and though he didn't lose his temper with them often, they didn't want to be on the bad side of it. "Lord Eisuke," the demon lord continued curtly. "Your concern for Katsura and the Revolutionaries is not without good reason. I too, fear for their next move, but as their spies have been removed from our midst, the fear of their overthrowing us from the inside is demolished. My only fear is that with the great numbers of great demons they possess, a war could be disastrous to the lands." Eisuke nodded slowly.

"Though I did not disagree with your decision, My Lord, there is much hatred of humans and part demons, and all of them wish to rid this new 'equality' law you've brought forth. The outcomes of war, I must say, far outweigh the benefits."

Instead of being angry with the words, Inu-no-Taishou shook his head slightly, much like one might at a child who didn't understand something. "But not to me. As any man, human or demon alike, I love my family, it is no secret that my weakness is them, since everything I've every strived for is for them… I loved Sesshomaru's mother when she was alive, I love Inuyasha's mother, and I love my sons… I will do anything to bring them a better world to live in, to ensure their happiness. This prejudice, cruel world has left people less fortunate afraid to speak their mind or feel free to love who they wish; no humans may mix with demons lest they lose their lives entirely, and any part demon "abominations" that are brought into this world as a result of that selfless love are forced into a life of loneliness and hate… Despite what people may say, I favour neither Sesshomaru because he's full-demon, and the oldest, nor Inuyasha because he's a half-demon and the youngest. They're lucky enough that it makes no difference to me what they are, I care for them equally, but from birth I never though they'd have equal lives…" No one dared interrupt, though the couldn't see where this speech was heading.

"That's unfair, I thought to myself, while Inuyasha was still growing in Lady Izayoi's womb. My youngest son is not yet in this world and even now his life is lesser than that of his brother. They should be equal. So, then it occurred to me, as I watched Inuyasha and Sesshomaru meet each other for the first time – if my two sons should be equal in life, why shouldn't everybody else? Humans, Demons, Part-demons, when everything else is stripped away, we're all in this world, and we all breath the same air, live under the same sky, rise and fall to the same sun. Why is any different from the other? That's unfair, I thought, as I watched Inuyasha grow slowly, outcast from children that he was equal to, hearing his tears as he hid from them, watched him gradually cease seeking refuge behind the likes of his mother and brother, and gradually just stop reacting, just getting used to it. That's unfair that anybody should be different from the other just because his mother was different from his father. So you see, Lord Eisuke, the benefits can never be outweighed. Giving people the chance to not be shoved aside to make way for another, allowing mortals, demons and parts-demons the opportunity to be happy – together, isn't that worth over two-hundred-years of all this struggling?" A long silence ensued; no one knew how to answer.

Suddenly, Inuyasha broke the silence. "Sorry, please excuse me," he said hurriedly, darting through the demons gathered round, rushing through the great doors and out of sight. Sesshomaru and Kagome met each other's eyes for a moment, before receiving a small nod from Inu-no-Taishou, dismissing them both to follow after him.

***

Inuyasha fought back tears as he dashed through the halls, running out into the bright morning sunshine, dropping himself down on the side of the fountain that he and Kagome had sat together at only yesterday. Staring angrily at his reflection, he cursed his half-demon appearance. Watching his puppy-ears with hatred as if they'd disappear if he wished hard enough. Inuyasha didn't tear his self-loathing gaze from his reflection, even as he noticed the two reflections of both Kagome and his brother alongside his own. After a moment of silence, Sesshomaru lowered himself to sit next to his younger brother, leaving Kagome to merely stand there, not sure what to do or say, or if she even had a place to. "Inuyasha?" asked Kagome nervously, seriously worried as for what was making him act like this.

"Stupid old man…" Inuyasha growled under his breath, his golden eyes glassy, but betraying no tears – Inuyasha having forgotten long ago how to cry. "He goes on and on about things like that…he fights all this time, he throws this crap out about 'equality' but it will never be the way he sees it," Inuyasha growled out, sounded half angry half distressed.

"Inuyasha, he merely-"

"-He cares, I know, but he has no idea what it's like to be different! If he did he'd know it's hopeless to try…" The half-demon continued, cutting off Sesshomaru's words.

"Inuyasha, I know, he's my father too. I understand that he sees the world differently, but he-"

"-He what? He doesn't know what it's like. He can strive and try but it'll never make any difference! This world is cruel, and harsh and bitter! Have you forgotten so easily? What life I lead even when I was a little kid? Have you forgotten so easily Sesshomaru?!" Inuyasha screamed, not giving his brother chance to answer. "Have you forgotten watching me trying to play with all those kids and watching them push me aside? Have you forgotten all of them, and the so-called adults trying to pull these fucking ears clean off my head?! Have you forgotten all those fucking tears and all the times I ran away from home? Have you forgotten all the times they'd beat the crap out of me or even set wolves or dogs on me? And then when you'd have to come and find me later on at night time, and fetch me down from a tree or somewhere I'd gone to hide? Do you remember all the times I begged you to kill me?!"

Sesshomaru watched his younger brother with unusually uncertain eyes.

"No, Little Brother, I have not forgotten…" Inuyasha shook his head to shake away the tears, looking with disgust at his reflection once more breaking the image with his hand in the water.

"It's all hopeless…Half-demons will never be considered people, ever! So what's the point in trying? As long as there's people like Satoru and Katsura in the world, half-demons will remain the scum of the earth…" Sesshomaru and Kagome watched as Inuyasha looked thoughtfully at his bare feet for a moment. "And I…I've already accepted that…"

"Inuyasha-"

"-No, Sesshomaru, I've accepted it, okay? I'm not a human, or a demon, but I…I don't care anymore…" The half-demon suddenly looked up to Kagome, making her jump slightly with the movement of his head, jerking up at her. "Kagome?"

"Yeah…?"

"You don't care that I'm a half-demon, do you?"

"Of course I-"

"-'Cause I'll say it now, before any thing else happens. Everything they say is true."

"Inuyasha-"

"-I am nothing more than a half-breed. Whether I'm the son of Lord Inu-no-Taishou and Princess Izayoi or not, it doesn't change the fact that I'll never be my father's true son and heir, like Sesshomaru. And I'll never be able to earn me or my family anything but disrespect and snide comments… I'll never be able to offer you anything else but my 'tainted' half-demon blood…"

"Is that all you have you say?" Kagome asked quietly with tears welling in her hazel eyes. Inuyasha didn't reply. "Because all I had to offer you was me, and you loved me without question. Do you really think so little of me, as to think I'd abandon you so quickly? I love you, in whatever shape or form you have or will take, you should know that by now…" Inuyasha looked up at her from his seat by his brother, throwing her a heart-felt smile.

"Yeah, I really should…" Sesshomaru looked away from the two in 'not'-embarrassment, not knowing where to set his eyes.

"How very sweet." The three looked in the direction of the voice bearing such sarcasm. "There's the weak little half-demon who I used to know," continued Satoru, "dealing with problems the only way he knows how, running to cry behind Lord Sesshomaru or Lady Izayoi." Inuyasha growled, stalking forwards.

"My mother is more of a lady than any whores from your family will ever be!" Satoru sneered at Inuyasha's comment.

"Why? Because your father decided that she'd be a good lay every now and then? Everybody knows that the only reason he ever took the Eight Vows with her was because she was carrying your worthless body inside of her – and your father, being the dutiful demon he was, couldn't bear to abandon a mistake of his creation." Inuyasha's eyes widened in anger and shock, turning his gaze to Sesshomaru as if to clarify if this was true or not. However Sesshomaru didn't answer, with his mouth or with his eyes.

"Well? Say something Sesshomaru?!" Ordered Inuyasha, "DAMN YOU ANSWER ME!"

"As if you need him to respond. Everyone knows your mother, like the whore she was just laid back and accepted your father using her as some prostitute to rut in after the loss of companionship after Sesshomaru's mother died. In payment he gave her village and castle the highest degree of protection under the western lands. You hear that?! Your filthy human mother sold her body to a demon to protect her wasteful human servants and family, who wouldn't even accept her after you tainted her mortal body!" Inuyasha bit his bottom lip, trying not to snap. Satoru's words hitting a nerve. He'd heard rumours that his mother and father were under some sort of arrangement and that when he, Inuyasha, was conceived, it merely messed up this said arrangement, and they both had to be accepted into the castle. But it's not true…It…it can't be…

"So what do you have to say now, Lord Inuyasha? Now you see what a whore your mother really was? Everybody knows that the only real Lady of the West was Sesshomaru's mother. How could a human have a place in a Great Demon's Heart? And if so, how could a mangy half-demon? You should realise by now how he strives to make it appear that you and Sesshomaru are equal? It's well-known that it's merely a cover-up, his so-called love for you is no more than his duty to a mistake that he sired."

"Well…say something…Sesshomaru…" Inuyasha muttered after a long silence, in which Satoru relished in the agony in Inuyasha's face. "Is…is what he saying true?!" Kagome watched Inuyasha spin on his heel, seizing the front of Sesshomaru's silk kimono. "Tell me!!! Is what he's saying true?!" The priestess standing beside them watched as Sesshomaru peeled his little brother's clawed hands from the front of his clothes, holding them tightly in his own, not saying a word in reply.

TBC

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A/N: And That's about the it for this chapter. What ya think? Oh, BTW, I realise that in this story at some points I refer to Sesshy as Sesshōmaru and then sometimes I refer to him as 'Sesshomaru' - without the accent on the 'o', the accent is merely a character to show it's 'said' with the sound 'ou', but my computer got confused and does both, so just forgive me for that ^_^ And please don't ponder my mention of 'The Eight Vows', as I think Satoru referred to it, that'll be revealed in either the next chapter or the one following. And dont forget if you want to read the lemon that was originally in this chapter just private message me! :D Yeah, so neways, please remember to leave a nice review, even a few short words will make my day a bit brighter and will inspire me to update ^.^

Hope You Enjoyed!

Shigure-san

x chuu x