Chapter 7: Northbound and Dark Dealings.

True to his word, The Lord of the North was awaiting the two inuyoukai at the break of dawn. Sesshomaru was already wide awake, being a veteran of having to wake in even ungodly hours. What both Lords didn't expect, was Inuyasha wide awake, replacing a book on a table and looking as if she been awake for a couple hours.

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru greeted, masking his surprise. "What...How long have you...?"

"I've been awake for I'll say, almost three hours. You old guys were trying to catch up on your beauty sleep?" Sesshomaru smirked and chuckled lightly.

"As if we really need it." He retorted. The Lord of the North chuckled at them, kindly reminding them that time was of the essence. Both of them didn't need a second reminder, falling in step behind the Northern Lord, who escorted them to the high snow capped mountains of the North. Sesshomaru took the departure harder than he let on. But then again, his life had never been the same since that fateful day when their father revealed that he had a sister (Although she was his half-sister). His feelings were mixed. He was happy but at the same time, he was pissed but not at Inuyasha. Oh no, she was all innocent on this one. He was angry at his father, mother and all who knew,he hated that it was hidden away from the both of them, although he understood the reasoning behind all the secrecy. Absentmindedly, he reached up to run his right hand through his tresses but blinked before shaking his head, remembering his long hair was gone.

"Aniki, are you ok? You look ready to cry."

"I'm fine Dear Heart, really. I just..."

"We have a lot to deal with I know. Don't think you're the only one who wants to scream and kick some ass."

"Must you be so crude?" Sesshomaru asked, a bit annoyed at how common his sister was acting. When was she going to get it right and realize that she was not a commoner?

"Look Aniki," Inuyasha began, picking up the silent cue from him. "I know you don't like the way I come across at times but in all honesty, I really don't give a shit. I was not raised to balance books on my head, not slurp my tea, and all that fru fru crap you high borns learn since the cradle. I break a nail, I could care less. If I want to walk barefoot to feel the grass between my toes, then who are you to stop me? I enjoy my freedom and I like being spririted. It's what makes me different. Yea, I know I don't use my smarts all the time, but it doesn't mean I don't have any. But that's because I CHOOSE not to fhrow down all my cards in one go. You better learn to lighten up and look beyond your nose or everything will go to shit." Biting back her anger, the younger inuyoukai walked on ahead, leaving the two elders to speak amongst themselves.

"Don't you dare say anything Dasai."

"I don't have to Sessho. She pretty much covered her points, in her own way."

Sessho, when are you going to get to know her for who she is?

"Oh great, you too?"

Damn right. I saw and heard everything and she's right. She's been through a lot in her young life. Why add onto it?

"But I've lost..."

She's lost more than you have, believe me. It is not my place to say. Let her tell you, when the time is right. She's hurting, go to her, be there for her. You two will get through this.

When he was finally alone with his own thoughts, Sesshomaru apologized to Dasai for his behavior and excused himself to find Inuyasha. She wasn't far, just by a lake, sitting under a tree, hugging her knees and her face in her lap. He already knew that she had been crying and probably still was. Taking care to not startle her, he sat down next to her and ran a gentle hand through her silky peppered tresses. Her shoulders stilled and beautiful violet and gold eyes shining with tears and pain looked up at him. Sesshomaru mentally kicked himself, he caused her tears. It made his blood boil but he schooled himself to remain calm.

"Forgive me Dear Heart." He whispered. "I was...being an ass."

"You cursed, that's a first." She whispered back. "At least out here that is."

"You were right on a lot of things. I am not promising that it will happen overnight but, I will try to "lighten" up."

"I know it's not going to happen fast, but that's ok. We'll take it one day at a time." They shared a small smile and after a moment, Sesshomaru helped Inuyasha to her feet. It was then that he noticed that she was barefoot, but said nothing on it. He caught her smile and she showed him her slippers, which were in her left hand.

"Thank you for not pitching a bitch." She said as she replaced her slippers onto her feet after she cleaned and dried them. Sesshomaru just nodded and waited, allowing her to use him for support. When she was done, she tapped him on the shoulder and when he turned to look at her she darted away. He blinked and waited. When she tapped him again, he turned to face her but again, she darted away. He allowed himself a smirk and waited again. When she tried to go for him a third time, he startled her and tried to grab her. She laughed and slipped away from him, breaking into a small run. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes in mock-annoyance then went after her. He would not be outsmarted.

Inuyasha couldn't believe that she actually got Sesshomaru to chase her. She thought he never did such a thing such as running. In her opinion, she thought he was a stuck up tight ass who didn't know fun if it woke up and bit him on the ass. It was just he was refined and reserved. It was due to his upbringing. As Lord of the West, he had to take charge and put others' needs before his own. He did with a very iron hand and for a long time, due to his prejudice against hanyous and humans, he hadn't been the Lord of the Year. Oh he was part of the blame. He had turned a blind eye for so long. It took Inuyasha to get his attention. For centuries, he was Lord Sesshomaru. Now, at this moment, with Inuyasha and Dasai, he was just Sesshomaru...

"It seems," A cool baritone over her head chided gently. "That you are easily distracted." She looked up just in time to see Sesshomaru grinning at her, ready to make a grab. She yelped and turned a little too sharply and fell headfirst into the lake! When she broke the surface of the water and shook the water out of her hair, she glared at Sesshomaru who was still sporting a grin.

"Oh, I wouldn't be smirking if I were you." She warned. Sesshomaru blinked then face fell as he was dragged into the lake! He actually yelped and swallowed a good amount of water! As he came up coughing and wet, he saw Inuyasha and Dasai waiting for him,

"Damn it Sessho, you were down for a spell and you couldn't scare up dinner?" Inuyasha teased. Dasai chuckled and Sesshomaru growled lightly as he went to change his clothes, just as she had. Although he would be damned to admit it, Sesshomaru had the most fun he's ever had in ages and it was thanks to Inuyasha.

Meanwhile, in the Southern Palace, there was a meeting going on with three demons, all of who had dark, evil, intentions. One was Rajuki, the Lord of the South, the other was the Lady of the East and last but not least, our favorite dark hanyou, Naraku! The dark hanyou was called to the Southern Palace to reveal a deep secret of his most heated rival, Inuyasha.

"So, what is it that summoned me here?"

"I know you desire to know the weakness of your rival, Inuyasha." The Lord of the South began, smirking as he observed the hanyou's interest and curiousity. "The secret is simple, as it is dangerous. For you see, the Great Dog General had one son and one DAUGHTER..."

"Are you saying...?"

"Inuyasha is a female. In fact, she's a princess, which she inherited from her late mother, the Princess Izayoi."

"And what do you want?"

"I want her for myself. The Last of the East wants her out of the picture for she wants Lord Sesshomaru for herself. And I'm sure you'd want Inuyasha broken."

"More than you know." Naraku said darkly. "Very well, I will help you but when it is over, I will name my price." Both demon and demoness smirked triumphant, believing they outwitted the hanyou. Well, the joke was on them and Naraku wasn't going to tell them just yet. He was going to play them for the fools they were.

Soon Princess, you'll be mine!

I know it's a bit short, but more to come! Let me know what you think. Thanks!