A.N~ I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOO SOOOOOOOORRRRRRRYYYYYY! DX I haven't updated since March break… T^T but it's not my fault! My brother's laptop broke so he was completely taking over my computer time, so the only time I had to write was before and after he woke up which together is about an hour…. (Which is not enough time for me to write a whole chapter…) However I GOT A NEW LAPTOP SO HERE THE NEW CHAPTER IS! XD *was sick all day so I stayed up until 2:30 writing this…. Because I love you guys!*

Any ways… T^T This chapter was supposed to be longer, but I cut it short, only because I wanted to update sooner… sorry…

I guess the only thing to say here is that Inuyasha is OOC in the end, but I'll explain why in the next chapter… a lot will be explained actually… And there will be some evil Naraku planning next chapter too! XD… I decided that this story will be sad… somewhat… so yesh! XD any ways I'm rambling T^T

Lastly…. I want to thank Jazz96, xxxwallflowerxxx, JSinuYasha, Ashlan(anon), YamiBakura1988, for reviewing! It made me smile! and a special thanks to Inumimi1 Who pointed out a mistake I made last chapter which is fixed now! XD

Any ways… I own nothing… disclaimer… yada, yada, yada…

Yaoi warning…

Don't like, don't read

You should know by now T^T

So here I go again
Chasing you down again...
Why do I do this?

~Over and Over - Three days Grace~

Chapter 4: Lies

Ten Years Ago…

The beautiful raven haired woman watched in awe as the young boy ran to her side, leaping forward to latch on to her neck. "Haha!" He called, hugging her close as if it was the last time he would see her. "I'm glad your home!"

The boy smiled as beautiful laughter graced his ears, edging him to hug her tighter. "Inuyasha…" She chuckled. "I was only gone for no longer than ten minutes."

"I know…" He breathed nuzzling her affectionately as arms wrapped around him, cradling him towards the warm body. "I don't like being here alone."

The woman frowned, holding her son tighter. "I know musuko…" And she did. She knew of all the inhuman things the villagers would do to her son, regardless of her stature as princess. She knew why he hated being left alone, which was why she did all she could to ensure he rarely was.

Though she knew… She couldn't protect her son forever

She shuttered at the feeling of being watched and turned just in time to see seething red eyes disappearing into the dark forest.

She couldn't protect her son forever; that much she knew… But she would never let him take what was precious from her. She might be unable to be by her son's side forever, but she knew of someone who could.

She just prayed that the Lord of the West found it in his soul to save her son before it was too late…

'Inuyasha… I'm sorry…'

'Dearest… Watch over him…'

"LORD SESSHOMARU!"

The youkia in question sighed and looked up from his current document to see the small green kappa jumping feverishly in his direction. It wasn't that he hated the youkia, he would just rather any other voice but the kappa's high pitched screeching that often offended his powerful youkia senses. "Jaken!" He snapped, casting aside the papers in his hand to glare at the now trembling youkia. "I believe I told you not to disrupt me today."

The demon gulped visibly holding a sheet of paper towards him. "My apologies My Lord, b-but you have received an urgent message from the great castle in the sky."

Sesshomaru glared down at his advisor and snatched the paper out of the small youkia's hand, before waving him away with a flick of his wrist.

The great Diayoukia shuttered; a reaction only suitable for the most devastating of news. There was only one person he knew who resided in the great castle in the sky, and he wasn't looking forward to her arrival.

Inuyasha had never in his ten years of living in the palace seen everything in such an uproar. Even Lord Sesshomaru himself who was usually the picture of calm, and prided himself on order seemed on edge, even going as far as to kick a poor tailor maid who was attempting to measure him in a formal kimono for whatever event was taking place.

Inuyasha grunted as he was shoved hard in the shoulder, glaring as a group of nobles passed by, all eyeing the hanyou with the same judging eyes. "Maybe, it would be best if you locked yourself in your room for the event hanyou."

Inuyasha glared up at the silver tailed raccoon demon and growled. Since the day he had came, Matsu had always been the one to cause the most trouble for him, and to be honest, it was rather tiring. "And who's going to make me? You?" Inuyasha snorted and turned his head to the side, his silver locks flowing behind him. "Keh, I don't think so. If I don't listen to Sesshomaru, why the hell would I listen to a single thing you say?"

"It would be best if the dog stay in his cage for tonight." The raccoon youkia snorted, with a false kindness in his voice. His eyes narrowed, though Inuyasha was far from intimidated, there was no way he was going to get bossed around by another youkia. "Or I could just make you."

"Keh! Try me."

"Brave words for a hanyou." The demon snapped.

"Suicidal words for Sesshomaru's bitch."

The nobles snarled at the statement, slightly taken back by his vulgar language. Matsu however only snorted and stepped forwards until he was only a few inches from where Inuyasha stood. "I suppose living amongst a civilized people has taught you nothing."

Inuyasha laughed at that and shoved the other male back. "You call your selves 'civilized'."

The raccoon youkia smirked and turned around before spitting. "Well I guess this is all you could expect from the son of a promiscuous mortal slut."

No longer had he said the statement was he tackled to the ground by a growling hanyou. Matsu laughed as he stared up into the hanyou's eyes, only to see a flash of red. 'I suppose I made him angry' he thought to himself before knocking off the seething brat and pinning him to the ground. "Did you think you could overpower me?" He snarled; pulling the hanyou's hair back in a painful grip, finding great pleasure in the way the boy gritted his teeth to stop from showing the pain filled look on his face. "You seem to have forgotten, I am a full youkia, while you are nothing but a filthy hanyou."

"MATSU!"

All eyes widened as the raccoon youkia was roughly pulled off by a raging wolf. "Who the hell do you think you're touching like that?" Koga of the wolf tribe snapped, tossing the youkia back to stand in between his friend and his attackers. "Don't you have some papers to sign, or some babies to eat?"

"You have no place protecting this hanyou. He needs to learn his place." One of the other demons growled.

"Maybe not me" Koga started. "But I'm sure Keiko would gladly take this incident up with Sesshomaru, were it to happen again…" He narrowed his eyes at the end as a silent warning before helping his friend up and glaring at the group of youkia. "Are you still here?"

"O-of course, my apologies Lord Koga." They growled in a rehearsed tone before turning to leave.

When the group of demons was finally out of site Inuyasha growled before pushing his friend hard in the chest. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?"

Koga sighed, ruffling Inuyasha's silver locks, receiving a deathly glare from the hanyou. "Stubborn as usual... I Thought I was saving your life. And a simple 'thank you' would suffice."

"I never asked for your help." Inuyasha sighed, knocking off Koga's hand. "Now they probably think I need you to protect myself."

"Eh? Since when do you care what they think?"

"I-I don't!" Inuyasha said quickly before sighing to himself. It was true, he usually didn't care, but why did he feel like he needed to prove himself. Like he needed them to understand that he was worthy. Like he wanted them to know he wasn't a waste of space. He was worthy of Keiko's love; and he deserved to be noticed, he wanted someone to tell him, he wasn't so useless, that Sesshomaru – his own blood brother – would treat him like he belonged, or talked to him without curling his lip in disgust.

"Inuyasha…?" Koga frowned at his friend's expression and narrowed his eyes on him. "Are you o…kay…?" When he didn't get an answer he grinned, pulling Inuyasha into a tight embrace. "It's alright Yasha-chan!"

"Keh!" Inuyasha growled, pushing at Koga's chest and glaring harshly. "Would you get away from me you freak!"

Koga grinned and ruffled Inuyasha's hair again. "Good to see your back to normal!"

Inuyasha glared at his friend but sighed. He didn't want to be angry with Koga. He knew - that despite his stupidity – Koga was just worried about him.

"Inuyasha, Koga, there you are!" The two friends turned to the voice to see the smiling face of Keiko walking towards them. "What are you doing here? Get to your room; we need to have you fitted before dinner. I'll be up to work on you later." She said with a smile. She narrowed her eyes on the two boys, looking between the two. "What… happened?"

"Nothing!" Inuyasha said quickly, pulling Koga off and towards his room.

Keiko watched Inuyasha storm off with Koga in tow, who turned and flashed her a sympathetic smile. "What… did I say?"

Inuyasha sighed in relief when he was finally in the safety of his room. He hated the way Keiko just seemed to know things, it was extremely inconvenient when you wanted to keep something to yourself. He had been ignoring Keiko for a little over a week now since the incident with Sesshomaru. It wasn't so much that he didn't want her to know than he thought it would be best for her if she didn't. Keiko did everything she could for everyone else, now it was his turn to help her. He would talk to Sesshomaru himself – mind you, he hadn't talked to Sesshomaru, or seen him for that matter, since the incident, but he was sure he could do it… he was just waiting for the right time.

"Master Inuyasha." Inuyasha sighed at the familiar voice and turned to see the raven haired tailor maid Kagome.

"What do you want?" He snapped, ready to dash for the door if she tried anything. It was no secret in the palace that Kagome had a thing for him, he just couldn't stand to be in the same room with her. He had been nice to her in the beginning, but after being groped one too many times, things had been extremely awkward between the two to the point where he would turn and run the other way whenever he saw her.

The miko pouted and pulled Inuyasha to sit on a chair by the mirror. "Just sit."

Inuyasha gave Koga a look and Koga smiled sympathetically. "What is so important anyways that even I need to dress up?"

Kagome and Koga gasped in unison. "You mean no one told you?" Kagome said with a shocked expression.

"Uh… T-told me what?"

"Just count your blessings that she probably won't talk to you." Koga sighed taking a seat by Inuyasha. "And pray to Kami she doesn't get angry."

"Who?"

The wolf smiled weakly at him and patted his head. "Maybe it would be best if you sat this out." Kagome nodded in agreement.

"Would you just tell me who it is?"

Koga sighed… This was not going to turn out good.

Keiko winced as screams were heard from her cousin's chambers.

"P-please My Lord… I-I apologize!"

Keiko opened the door to see a shaking slave huddled in a corner with tears burning in her eyes. "You impudent wench!" Sesshomaru hissed, and Keiko stepped in front of her cousin with a smile, her smile brightening when Sesshomaru's red eyes flashed back to their usual golden color.

"Kon-nichiwa Itoko!" She greeted, allowing the girl time to escape before she pushed Sesshomaru in front of the mirror and sat him down. "Are you well Itoko?" She asked, running her fingers through his silky silver locks only to frown when her fingers met resistance. She picked up a comb and began to slowly work the knots out of his hair.

"Hai…" He replied quietly, his stoic expression masking none of the distress she knew he was feeling.

"All will be well soon…" She smiled kissing the top of his head and pulling her comb through another knot smiling at his lack of reaction. "You are much better than Inuyasha when it comes to hair." She cocked a brow at the flash of expression on her cousin's face and grinned. "Did something happen between you two?"

"Keiko…" Sesshomaru warned, causing the raven haired youkia to laugh in response.

"I won't pry." She sighed, pulling Sesshomaru's hair into a tight ponytail atop his head, smiling at his striking resemblance to his father. "You look just like him you know…" She released his hair and allowed it to flow down his shoulders. "You're hair is much more beautiful though. Just like your mother." As the silence carried on Keiko leaned her head on her cousin's shoulder. "Inuyasha will become very beautiful one day."

"Why do you continue to bring him up?" Sesshomaru asked and Keiko giggled.

"Because you can't stay cold to him forever; he has a way of worming into people's hearts… if they'll let him. Besides," She pulled away from Sesshomaru and returned to brushing his hair. "I can't protect him forever… It has to be you."

Sesshomaru looked at the youkia behind him who just grinned and patted his head. "Turn back around so I can finish Sesshy-chan."

He growled at the nickname but turned around anyways.

His cousin was a strange woman…

Kurohime scoffed as a trail of servants rushed to greet her. Did these commoners think they were worthy enough to greet someone as high in statue as herself?

"I see Lord Sesshomaru has taught none of you manners." She snapped, ignoring their attempts at flattering. "Ingrates…" She scowled, allowing her servants little time to catch up to her. "I can see now how much help my son truly needs." She narrowed her eyes on the people surrounding her. "Why is my son not here to greet his own okaa-san?"

"Haha…"

The Inu youkia turned and smiled at her son. "You have grown musuko." She smiled, slowly circling him. He wore a more formal light blue kimono with a white sash, the sleeves were dark blue, but grew paler up the long sleeve where white flowers decorated the fabric. "Such a pretty face too." She beamed. "This may be easier than I thought!" She laughed slightly and walked past her son without a second thought. "Come, we shall talk after dinner."

"Uh… Ha-ha…" He called, knowing she was most likely ignoring him. He sighed, running fingers through his long hair before following after the woman that had tormented him for years, before abandoning him completely.

After all that had happened to him these past few weeks, this was the last thing he needed. The stress always associated with his ice cold mother was always unwanted, but inevitable.

Sesshomaru winced, feeling the familiar painful feeling in his chest whenever his mother was near. He just hoped that Keiko wouldn't decide to suddenly miss dinner.

Inuyasha sat at his place at the table, fidgeting more than usual. If he thought Sesshomaru was bad, how horrible was the one who raised him?

He knew by Koga and Kagome's attempts to have him miss dinner, she was a lot worse than the evil bastard himself. Although, because Inuyasha wasn't one to scare easy; he of course came to dinner despite the desperate please of his friends to miss it. Now however, as he watched the terrified, unsure faces around the table, he was regretting his stubborn decision.

"Inuyasha." Keiko smiled at him as she took her place next to Inuyasha. "No matter what is said at this table, I need you to hold your tongue." Her face turned serious and she looked to Koga who was on the opposite side of Inuyasha. "Make sure he listens."

"Keh, don't talk around me! I'm right here! I know I know, stay quiet, don't be rude, don't make eye contact; I heard it all from Koga and Kagome before I came here. She's scary, I understand."

Keiko narrowed her eyes and sighed. "Just think before you speak." Inuyasha nodded again, but stopped as soon as Sesshomaru walked into the room. Inuyasha cocked his head at his brother as he sat at the head of the table.

Most would only see the stoic expression of the Diayoukia, but Inuyasha could see the collection of emotions - hurt, confusion, fear, anxiety - hidden behind his golden eyes. Could this woman be so horrible, that even the great Sesshomaru was affected by her?

There was silence as the food was spread around the table before a tall Inu youkia walked gracefully into the room and sat down beside Sesshomaru. The woman smiled at the group of youkia, causing the room of nobles to shudder. The woman was a true beauty, though her looks were nothing compared to Sesshomaru, she was beautiful enough to entice lustful stares from the men around the room. Even Koga had trouble looking away from the radiant beauty.

It seemed like hours of silent eating before the silence was finally broken. "Keiko…" All eyes turned to Sesshomaru's mother as she addressed the raven haired youkia. "Have you by chance, mated any one?"

"Ha, ah… n-no oba-san, none have approached me yet that I find suitable."

The woman pouted "Why not?" She suddenly laughed and leaned her head on her palms. "Unless none have asked you for your hand?" Keiko blushed and the woman sneered. "As is excepted. Suitors seem to only choose the beautiful ones, capable of breeding a strong heir. Not anything you would have to offer." She frowned and turned to her son. "Why do you keep her in the palace if she is of no use here?"

"Haha…" Sesshomaru warned.

The woman sighed and turned away from her son. "You will die a miserable death, just as your father did." Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at the woman. First she insults Keiko, and now her own son. Inuyasha moved to sit up but was stopped by a strong hand on his shoulder. He looked over at Koga who shook his head, and pushed him down.

"He was just as soft and look where that got him." Sesshomaru turned his gaze away from his mother and towards the food on his plate. "Anyways." She started with a smile. "I have some good news." All eyes turned to her and she continued. "I have found our new Lady of the West."

Inuyasha watched as Sesshomaru's eyes widened. "You did what?"

"Oh hush Sesshomaru. As if you would have chosen a woman to mate had I not done so for you. As soon as I heard of your predicament, I had to help you."

"Predicament?" Keiko asked, eyes blinking with confusion.

"Useless…" The woman muttered with a wave of her hand. "Sesshomaru has a year to mate or he loses his throne." Keiko gasped and looked towards her cousin with a sympathetic look. Inuyasha just gawked. Was that what they were talking about in the garden – Sesshomaru and Naraku? Was this the reason why they had to get rid of Keiko?

"You will mate with Lady Yuzuki in two months. That should give you enough time to get to know the young girl."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. Sesshomaru was mating? Inuyasha shook his head; he didn't know why that bothered him so much. Sesshomaru was the Lord of the West; of course he was expected to mate… but still. Inuyasha couldn't shake the feeling of despair that told him this shouldn't be happening, that Sesshomaru wasn't meant to be with this woman.

"You will escort her to the castle in three days. She lives further up north." The woman smiled. "Don't worry; I'll watch the palace for you." She looked at her son and sighed. "I'm sure you'll like her. You two will make a great couple."

"Hai…" Sesshomaru said, his stoic expression unreadable to Inuyasha, and he couldn't figure out why it scared him so much. Why did he care that Sesshomaru was mating? It had nothing to do with him.

"She's a beautiful full blooded youkia." Inuyasha winced. Why won't she just stop, he didn't want to hear about it anymore. "She is known as the most beautiful amongst her people." Why was he so angry? "She is a brilliant young lady, from a very dignified family." Why did he feel so sick?

Sesshomaru walked out to the garden after his encounter with his mother. He didn't know why it was bothering him so much that he was to mate with this Yuziki woman. From what his mother told him, she was an exceptionable woman who would make an acceptable mate. This also meant that Sesshomaru wouldn't have to go through the trouble of finding one himself.

However, there was something telling him he couldn't mate the one his mother had picked. What would his father say if he was here? Would he be proud of the great lengths he was willing to go for his kingdom? Would he be angry that he was mating for the wrong reasons like he knew Keiko would be? What did his people think? What does Inuyasha-

Sesshomaru stopped himself before the words could cross his mind. Who cares what the hanyou thinks? Sesshomaru snarled to himself.

"Sesshomaru?"

The Diayoukia turned towards the voice, his eyes widening in shock at the owner. "Inuyasha…"

"I don't really know why I'm here…" His head was downcast as he fidgeted with the ends of his sleeves. "I need to talk to you."

"What do you want?" He asked in a bored tone.

"Your mother seems like a cruel woman."

Sesshomaru scoffed and turned away from the hanyou. "If that is all you came here to discuss, than you are better talking to someone else. I know how my mother is."

"I-I'm sorry… I want to talk to you about what happened that night." When Sesshomaru didn't answer, he continued. "I don't know what you plan to do… but you should leave Keiko out of your royal disputes. If you are to get rid of anyone, just… I'll just leave."

Sesshomaru cocked a brow at this, but let him continue. "I don't know if you plan on mating… but if I am so much of a nuisance that Keiko would be in danger than I'll leave."

"Is that so?" Sesshomaru turned back to the hanyou to see his golden eyes fly open in confusion. "Then leave."

"W-what?"

"If you want to spare Keiko, leave." He grinned inwardly at the horrified expression on the boy's face. "I want you out by the new moon tomorrow."

Fear grew in the boy's face. "I'll leave after the new moon, I-"

"No."

"Sesshomaru, you don't understand, I –"

Sesshomaru walked past the hanyou whose head was now hung low. "Leave by the new moon, or take Keiko with you."

"I-I understand… Sesshomaru?" Sesshomaru stopped mid step and turned to the hanyou. "Are you really going to be happy with that woman?"

Sesshomaru was slightly caught off guard with the question, but kept his stoic face unwavering. "Happiness has nothing to do with mating. I will be content with my mother's decision."

He turned and walked out of the garden, a small voice stopping him as he exited the doors.

"…Liar…"

Inuyasha walked slowly towards his room. He didn't know why he decided to talk to Sesshomaru then, but he felt like he had to. He had expected nothing different than what happened, but had hoped… hoped for what? That Sesshomaru would be the big brother he had always wanted him to be and comfort him?

No, he knew from the beginning that Sesshomaru wanted nothing to do with him. No one ever did.

To be honest, he wanted to leave. He wasn't sure if he could handle seeing Sesshomaru every day, mated to someone he hardly knew. Why did it hurt so much knowing that Sesshomaru was going to mate someone else?

He would leave. Not because Sesshomaru had told him to, or because he was worried for Keiko, but because he couldn't watch Sesshomaru do this to himself. He didn't want to witness the great Diayoukia fall.

Inuyasha sighed and walked off, oblivious to the red eyes watching him from the shadows… the ones that were always watching.

The light from the moon's glow illuminated the hallway, coating his face with a blue line of light, creating an eerie glow on his fine hairs of his silver tail.

The castle was dark and unwelcoming, the walls slowly closing in on the youkia. The air around him felt thick, as if he were treading through an unseen force, wordlessly calling him into the darkness.

"Who's there?" He called squinting his eyes to see through the shadows.

"Matsu…"

"W-Who's there?"

"That doesn't matter…" The voice called, seemingly coming from all directions. "All that matters is that I know what you want…"

"And what is that?" Matsu growled.

"You wish for power, wealth, Sesshomaru's hand… and most of all… The death of Inuyasha."

"What do you want?" He called into the darkness.

"I want your help, so we can both get what we most desire."

Matsu thought for a second… Could this be real? Was he having some sort of nightmare? Or maybe this was real, and he had finally been given his chance to kill that stupid filthy hanyou who disgraced his Lord by sharing the same blood. "W-What do you want me… to do?"

Naraku smiled from the shadows at his new puppet. "I want you to do exactly as I say…"

I know what's best for me...
But I want you instead.

~Over and Over - Three Days Grace~

A.N~ Sesshy is going to be mean in this one… sorry… And yes Keiko is very odd…. She seems to know everything! XD just like a mother with supersonic senses O_o

That's it… Review and stuff…. I don't mind critiquing as long as it's not a flame about the characters or pairing or stuff like that so feel free to be honest! XD If you don't get something, just tell me and I'll do something about it! (fyi I will start to respond to reviews now…. Because… I don't know just because….)

Urgh… I still feel sick and I just ran out of halls… FML! DX