InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Simple Lies ❯ Seemingly Innocent ( Chapter 2 )

 

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

 

 

 

Simple Lies

 

Chapter Two: Seemingly Innocent

 

 

 

 

Beams of sunlight stole through the thin curtain covered window, spilling over her face and penetrating her closed lids to irritate her gray-blues hidden beneath, ultimately pulling her from the world of haunted dreams. She was grateful to get away as consciousness slowly came to her in layers; she stiffened. There was another presence in the room with her; she could feel that as she first started to rouse. Noting waiting for all of her senses to return, she sat from her futon searching every square inch of the shoji separated room widely. She could have sworn she felt another presence, and would have thought it a mere trick of her miko powers had her eyes not fell upon a monk clothed in purple robs grinning like maniac, while his eyes looked upon her as though he'd died and gone to heaven. Why does he look at me with those eyes, am I…?

 

A strangled noise trapped itself in her throat as she quickly yanked the thin and tattered blanket up to her chin. Taking a breath to calm her racing heart, Kagome sent the monk a glower to rival that of a ragging thunderstorm at sea. Miorku shivered, as the irises of her eyes seemed to be tossing and turning like the waves by direction of the fierce winds, an almost electric undercurrent that may fire him on the spot. "Miroku I will give you the count of three to leave before I scream for Sango." She warned lightly, almost warm as honey, though the steal underlying each word betrayed her as did the eyes boring into his own relentless.

 

Holding both hands in front of him as though the act alone would be able to shield him from anything she might be able to throw; Miroku took a tentative step back. "Kagome-sama," Miroku spoke calmly the respectful suffix in hopes of calming down the ire that could be just as deadly as Sango's. "I have only come to your sleeping quarters to wake you as normal, yet I did not anticipate on finding you in such delicate finery…" His words slowly came to a stop. Lips curving into his famous lecherous grin, while his eyes glazed over as he played for his mind the article of clothing but over another's body. He could see Sango crawling towards him, wearing the nearly see-through cotton nightgown...

 

Searching around her bed, Kagome grumbled lightly under her breath. "That is the last time I barrow something from Sango," and then threw the comb lying next to her pack towards the comatose monk, stuck in his own fantasies, hoping to send him into a cold sleep. A very cold sleep, yes very cold indeed. Sadly, the temporary weapon only reddened his forehead where it had come into contact. She huffed in disappointment. "Don't throw your lies at me, I know it wasn't me that you were trying to awaken. Haven't we gone through this same routine a thousand times on our travels enough to know it by heart now?" Sighing heavily, Kagome questioned. "Don't you realize the sleeping arrangements by now? I sleep in the middle with you and Sango on either side of me. Doesn't it get tiring having to wake the wrong girl from her beauty sleep?" She paused a moment. "One would begin to think you do it on purpose, but I know there is no truth in that."

 

Hiding his embarrassment, Miroku laughed a tad bit nervously as he went on to plead forgiveness. "Kagome-sama, again I am terribly sorry that I have invaded your privacy in such a way, please forgive this lowly monk his trespasses." A glint lit his eyes brighter then the noonday sun could ever achieve a lecherous glint. One that had Kagome groaning in preparation for the monk's next words. "Might I inquire if your earlier words rang true, did this remarkable garment truly come from the fair and lovely Sango's array?" Hope for an answer now lit his colbat orbs; a smile curving his lips as his gloved hand groped air in his less then pure thoughts. Thoughts that monks like him should show such compunction for. He showed no remorse, only -at lest Kagome thought so- strange delight in the beatings he received.

 

Smothering a giggle behind her right hand while the left continued to hold the old worn blanket in place, she said coyly. "Miroku you know that Sango would be madder then a nest of disturbed hornet youkai if I fed your lecherous mind with those details! Besides," a devious light shown within her gray-blue and her grin widened with devious intent, "She received this from the young lord we saved from the youkai on the path with his entourage. Sadly the pack containing my night cloths and books were hit with acid and Sango allowed me too barrow this." Kagome could barely keep the laughter in as the look of raging jealousy contorted his visage.

 

Miroku grinned at hearing her laughter as she told him this, it had been so long since he had heard the musical notes of joy escape her throat, as it is with every run in with the great Kikyou. However, the smile slipped to a noticeably marked frown when he heard the origin of the slip. A garment only a husband should give his wife, was given to his Sango by a man they had saved on the roadside. The bitter tang of jealousy filled his chest and choked his throat, filling his mouth so much so that he had the irresistible urge to spit it out. Anger came next, that the man would shame her so with such a present after she had so generously save his unworthy life. What such a gift implied..."Really..." His now monotonous voice replied. If he ever saw this young lord again, he would kill him torturously slow.

 

Kagome could not hold it in any longer and full-blown gales of laughter spilled from her lips relentlessly. Seeing the look of disbelief cross her friend's face as his jaw drew slack, she tried to assuage herself with all the effort she could muster. "Your face," she wheezed, "so jealous," she cackled. Taking in a deep breath to calm herself and feed air to her steadily aching lungs, Kagome said with a wide grin. "Yes, but she knocked him unconscious afterward for the insinuation. It is where the black eye came from, not fending of youkai from his person."

 

Miroku could not help the relief that flooded his body, nor could he stop it from showing upon his face. "Good for her." He muttered, before turning a glare upon her that bore no heat. "You are enjoying this way too much Kagome-chan. You should have spoken the truth, before I..." Pausing, his back stiffened as two thoughts dawned upon him in this moment. He nearly admitted to her accusation of having a jealous heart, and information that he had with held the night before came flooding back in to his mind with a startling clarity. Miroku could hardly bring himself to feed her this ill-gotten knowledge when she had been lamenting within herself of past memories. "Kagome-sama." He whispered faintly to get her attention while his mind worked feverishly on the best possible way to go about what he wished to say.

 

Taking in the stern setting of his face and the seriousness his gaze held, Kagome realized she was not looking at the friend she joked around with, but the warrior monk that was her companion in her fight against Naraku. Instantly her own smile faded to a frown, as she questioned hesitantly. "What is it Miroku?" Her stomach tied up in knots of nervousness, a feeling she got only after something bad were to occur and it filled up her senses. Kagome was hole-heartily assured that she was not about to like what her good friend, her companion, is about to say.

 

There really is no easy way to tell this information he had inadvertently collected for her ears to hear, yet he would do it the smoothest way he was capable of and hopefully spare her heart even a shred of pain. "Lady Kagome I... don't really know how to say this but…" he sighed such a forlorn note. "When we first arrived Sango was to replenish our supplies, you were to scout the city that housed the palace for any and all places of entry and exit and I was to find a suitable place for work that would not be too obvious for Naraku." He finally managed. "I heard some words spoken between the guards of the palace in my search, and they spoke of an attack lead by a general of Naraku's that had decimated several villages holding no remorse for the old or children. It is partly why I chose the palace for our work, it would be the best location to hear gossip as well as to hide from the eyes of Naraku." Miroku finished, taking in the contour of Kagome's face looking passed the stoic set and perhaps find the real emotions underneath the facade.

 

Taking a deep breath, she looked Miroku straight in the eyes. "Was it Kikyou?" Kagome demanded; voice entwined of, iced steal. "And do not lie to me, Miroku, thinking that I can not handle the truth." Though her tone was hard and demanding through out, there was an underlying note of a plea laced within the end. Her blue-grays bore on to his own cobalt with such entreaty that he could barely force the words he wanted passed his usually smooth talking lips.

 

"I believe the entity was Kagura." He replied softly, eyes averting from her own. He could not bear to lie, even if not entirely, to her face, to her eyes that held him with such a pleading and honest gaze. "I would never lie to you, Kagome-sama, not for such a useless reason." Miroku managed through the tightening of his throat. Yet, for some reason I can not bring myself to give you the whole truth. Were his glum thoughts, he knew why, Miroku did not want to the pain that would encompass her heart through her expressive gaze. Since their encounter in Izumo her visage rarely lit with a smile, nor did her laughter ring throughout the air lightening their hearts. It was an utterly depressing few weeks, and he did not want to relive them. "It would seem that our predictions were proven correct, Naraku does seem to have his eyes set upon this kingdom as his next target." He surmised.

 

Kagome squeezed her eyes shut as she breathed in deeply while taking in the information. Was the total annihilation of Izumo not enough for him? Did he truly need to cause more sufferings, was his craving to paint villages, towns... whole Kingdoms red with blood and hear the screams of his tortured enemies unsatisfied? Her stomach lurched, and her sister was helping him accomplish all of his diabolical wants. It was hard to believe that her sister would commit such a crime. Kikyou, when she still knew her sister, was not capable of this kind of wickedness. Her twin was sophisticated and kind and… though she had a problem with showing her emotional side to the world for fear of betrayal, Kikyou never hid from her sister, never with her sister. Kagome shook herself from her introverted thoughts, bringing her attention back to Miroku while feeling complete and total mental relief. He had said that Kikyou was not involved this time. "How can you be so sure that Kikyou was not involved, Miroku?" The name spoken softly, pleadingly, for him to deny what she knew deep down in her heart.

 

He knew this question was coming and knew that he would have to answer her, at least with partial truth. "I can not say for sure if Kikyou had no part in this, and for your sake I hope that she has decided to stay from this entirely. I heard the guard speaking and say that she flew upon a feather that was pulled from her hair." Miroku stood suddenly, the staff that he never seemed to be without jingling slightly from he deft movement. "I also heard that their enemy seems to know their every move before they make it and that means spies. While we are at the castle if you notice anyone familiar do not say a word, for you know what will happen should we be found." Kagome made a small noise of agreement, suddenly feeling sullen as she tried not to remember what lead to the destruction of Izumo. One careless movement and they were discovered, because of that, Naraku moved that much faster with legions of youkai, much more then they could handle. They had wrought such chaos, demolishing the kingdom in a short time. Still, out of all the empires Naraku tore down, Izumo was the worst. "Good, then I shall leave you to your own devices, you have one half hour before we leave to the castle." Miroku gave a short inclination of the head, before turning and leaving her alone in her makeshift bedroom.

 

Watching him leave, purple robes disappearing behind the shoji screen door, resignation written all over her face; she wanted more sleep before facing a king and having to play her part in this farce of a game. Sighing heavily through her nose, Kagome reached over to drag her pack of clothes towards herself. Plunging a hand inside, she pulled out the first piece of folded material her hand met. Her eyes looked upon it thoughtfully, it would do. A plain dull blue kimono and matching color obi folded up with it. It would do perfectly. Kagome was supposed to be a traveling peasant looking for work -their common rouse- and needed to look the part. The poor quality of the fabric spoke of a farmer's daughter or perhaps a poor merchant, the dull color also speaking of the lesser affluent. However, the blue color, being such a rare dye to find, said that her wealth was not entirely, unfounded. The kimono would be perfect, for a woman of her status, to stand before a King and Queen.

 

Once dressed, she examined her fine work with the obi with a small hand mirror and decided to do nothing with her raven hair. Turning, Kagome dumped the remainder of her clothes from her bag, and packed within it the things a woman of the status she was portraying would carry. The only piece that did not fit was a kimono that she could not bring herself to leave a gift from her deceased father. Hefting the pack over her shoulder, Kagome squeezed her eyes shut hoping that she would not have to face her sister any time soon. Such a sudden reunion after the events following Izumo's destruction would only be disastrous. A short prayer was all she whispered before exiting her room.

 

She, Sango and Miroku left for the palace in several different states of thought leaving Kirara to guard Keade's hut full of their treasures that could not have been brought along.

 

~*~

 

Keeping a serene face in the midst of this extravagantly decorated corridor was proving to be a most trying venture, and Kagome had to hold her breath so that she could not take her friend, the monk's head from between his shoulders. That Miroku could walk through these halls without so much as a shocked glance irked her like nothings else. A surreptitious look in Sango's direction calmed her a bit, seeing the same quivering difficulty marking the slayer's visage like her own. The guard they had met at the gate's entrance must have taken lead through the most extravagant corridor the palace had to offer. If it were not for the slight fact of it being years since she had seen anything so expensive, Kagome might have had a better time at concealing her awe.

 

The halls were laden with luxurious silken tapestries, gigantic dogs marked with a fierce countenance sown through that were meant to intimidate the onlooker; such fine work its weaver had accomplished. She could feel the glowering gazes upon her, and nearly hear the snarling from its muzzle as captured in the artwork. Such finely woven rugs of red and white designs, inlayed with gold in-between the two contrasting colors occupied the stone floors. To absorb the footfalls of men and keep them from echoing through the corridors as well as to impress. Oak tables crafted by the hands of a woodcarver-youkai, for no human could have whittled the intricate scene her eyes saw upon the legs nor could they have sculpted the spiraling wood also inlayed with design connecting all four supports, lay sentient even throughout the halls on either side. Almost like teeth in a mouth. Kagome's eyes lingered a second longer then she would have like upon those designs; at lest she had managed to stave off the gasp that wished to escape through parted lips. A forest in which children played happily with a ball, so calm and unwise to the true unforgiving nature of the world in which they lived. She smiled sardonically, if only she could go back to those days; a wistful thought that shown through her gray blues the more, she examined the piece. She adverted her eyes to what lay upon the table before more silly thoughts enter her head, mentally making note of the boy with dog ears atop his head. It reminded her of Shiro, a boy she left with a most trusted friend.

 

It struck her as odd, seeing how richly the floors and walls were decorated, that the tables would only sport a large vase with red and white roses atop a table cloth of the same colors. The vase was not ornately decorated and was made of iron likely done by a sword smith, no fancy designs. The courtyard was nearly made up of red and white roses, and that was most likely were these originated from while the cloth beneath the vase was cotton only made up of two stripes of color.

 

Kagome stayed between Sango and Miroku keeping the two dog youkai guards shadowing them far from her, while walking a respectable distance from the one leading them. She had met up with things that are more ferocious then these youkai flanking her and her companions, still, she did not like being vulnerable. Upon coming to the entrance, they had been stripped of weapons, excepts for Miroku's staff. Kagome did not like the feeling of being unarmed in a palace full of armed dog youkai; the most aggressive youkai second only to wolves. She had seen a few of those in passing only heightening her unease. They had been scattered servants dressed in liveries of red and white -as had nearly everything else in the palace- keeping their eyes averted to the floor as they passed, only to raise them and watch their backs in curiosity.

 

Coming rapidly into view were two large iron wrought double doors, each door having upon it a large dog-youkai in dog form standing on hind legs, front paws resting upon each other, seared into the surface. The image took her breath away and Kagome could hardly keep the air from escaping with a whoosh. It would seem even Miroku had a time holding back his own amazement, keeping to his passive front. Almost imposing was the way the creator of this piece captured the wild perceptiveness in the dogs' gaze as it bore into it's visitors', the sheer magnitude of viscous intelligence sent a shiver racing down her spine. Muzzles open in snarl and flashing sharp canines that seemed to glow with wet saliva combined with the eyes made for a frightening appearance to any first timer, as the guards seemed not to be stirred by the iron portrait.

 

Moving her line of sight to the guard as he called their attention, she listened with care to his words. "Through these doors the King Inutaisho and Queen Izayoi preside with the young lord, Sesshoumaru." He announced as he halted their procession, as though he feared they could move the large doors that more than naught weight well over a ton. "Speak clearly when you are spoken to, but otherwise keep silent. If you follow my lead all will be well." The guard turned his attention to two armed guards that stood at either side of the two doors, smaller entrances made fit for one of normal height they held positions before as though they were to guard it with their lives. "Announce the presence of the candidates for the hired help to his majesty," he told the door keepers, "as well as General Ginta for their guide." The men disappeared behind the smaller doors, and as Ginta -whom named himself so- turned, to motion them to follow and the two large doors swung open with barely whisper of sound, stopping only to admit one man at a time. A sonorous voice sounded to announce those who came.

 

Ginta moved through first, squaring his shoulders and acquiring an apathetic disposition. Kagome watched the man go, unease building in her gut as she tugged at her kimono sleeves as though a child in fit of havoc ridden nerves. She followed after both Sango and Miroku, going for a regal entrance as though she were back in her own homeland and it would have worked if not for the way she fitted with her sleeves. Coming to a halt a few moments after Miroku and Sango, she tried to emulate the pose Ginta partook to the best of her ability. Kneeling upon the ground with her head bent, knuckles of the right hand held over her beating heart while the left rested upon her hip. She had no sword hilt to rest it upon as others in the room, and had not a clue as what to do with the limb other then this.

 

"Rise." This single command of the King cut through air, making her heart jump sharply. Ginta, whom stood at their front and the two guards at their side slowly, ambled into the shadows leaving them alone and vulnerable to three sets of piercing gazes.

 

Both the King and the Queen along with their son held themselves with a type of authority she remembered viewing within the visages of her mother and father when they took to the throne; it was quite an intimidating aura to feel. It was though you were being judged and convicted for any number of crimes you might have committed the pretense of a knowing gaze and intense silence. It was a comfort, though it is said all comforts are short lived, to see the kindness that tinged Queen Izayoi's gaze. Kagome did not often see such softness in the eyes of nobles, but then it could have been the trick of the mind. Being in a court surrounded by youkai soldiers, as a youkai King and their youkai son bore unto you eyes with stone gazes; any pair of eyes might have seemed soft. Whatever the reason, she still felt consoled.

 

Her sight was transfixed upon the three and held tighter then any spell could possibly perform that she barely noted her surroundings. The middle throne always housed the king, and though not every man fit the description of what one should appear to be, this tai-youkai seemed to be felicitous for this part entirely. An iron wrought throne inlaid with what appeared to be polished oak in the arm rests and legs, where most would have hand inlaid gold, or perhaps an entirely mahogany chair polished to perfection with the highest comforts. In other words, most would rather have images of wealth and stature presented to the people then their own inner power. The marks of a true king. His rusted amber eyes were those of a man that seen all seven hells and back, and yet did not let such horrors break him, only used it to make himself stronger. It was an aspect Kagome found herself admiring in the youkai King, as it were something she could almost relate. Having such a common bond known only to herself helped in taking some of the unease from her shoulders, loosing the weight trying to force them down. Kagome could not entirely name the age of the youkai seated upon the throne of power. She had heard it rumored that all of the inu-youkai that took to King-hood bore silky strands of silver hair, but if she were to go by the eyes she could conclude it to be well over hundreds of years.

 

Moving her gaze the near identical man to the right of him, Kagome deduced that this dog-youkai was to be the son in which she was to play as a personal maid for. A note she made in distaste the longer her eyes beheld him with her own surreptitiousness. His eyes, amber near the color of the father, narrowed even more watching her with the calculated sight of the inquisitor, aristocratic features drawn up in to a noticeably marked frown. Kagome wanted to shy back from the young youkai's gaze and hide behind Miroku for protection; she felt as though she were standing for sentencing.

 

Of course, the seat of power to the left was always the lady, wife of the king. Even if one did not hold such knowledge as she in such aspects of intimate relations, it was an obvious fact in the way the King held her hand in his, gentle shared looks between brief intervals of time when they thought no one was watching transmitting messages of devotion.

 

So caught up in her own assessments of the three before her, Kagome nearly felt her heart leap from her chest and through her throat as the King's heavy baritone echoed through the large chamber. The sound ricocheted off the stone walls and filling their ears of his voice made all the more powerful. "So it is the three of you whom wish to find work in my castle, my domain." He mused to himself, amber orbs holding all of their gazes as firmly as though he had them griped in both hands. Those eyes, they seemed to search her soul for answers; leaving her with the sting of intrusion. "Youkai haven't the use for a monk, yet not every subject under my rule is youkai now are they? A mouse does not ignore the owl for the snake around the bend or the other way around as both could be costly mistakes, no?" A rhetorical question. "Truly my question is, would it please you, young monk, to be keeper of the shrine upon these palace grounds?"

 

Miroku bent his body nearly in half as he gave his bow, showing his deepest respects. "Yes, it would please me greatly, your majesty, to hold such an honored position."

 

Two claps of those large clawed hands summoned fourth a female servant rising from the shadows collected around the front of the chamber room, before the throne of where the light did not touch. She stood gracefully moving with the behavior of a shadow to knell before the king, partaking their earlier pose, only her left hand was held flat against the floor. "Katilia, I trust that you will be able to transport this monk safely to his quarters? Good." He said as though her unmoving form had provided him with the answer asked. "Be sure to inform that he is to be treated with the respect his title demands. Be on your way." The king commanded of his servant, the warning more for the youkai of his lands then for the humans. As Kagome watched Katilia, whom bowed to her king before exiting led Miroku, she briefly wondered how long it would be until her infamous friend tried his regular antics out on the female servant.

 

"And you." He addressed Sango. "Are looking to be hired as my lady wife's 'lady in waiting' or so I was told." He grinned rakishly, fang over lapping his bottom lip. Leaning forward as though he was to whisper a secret, but he spoke loud enough for all to hear. "You sure that you want this position, Izayoi has a problem with running her maids off in tears." He grunted as he was jabbed into the throne's back, by the elbow of his lady, wife.

 

"You beast! What horrible thing to say to the young girl!" She crowed trying to keep a stern setting of her face, the slight smile upon her lips ruined it. "Spouting lies like that! You know perfectly well that I have refused to take another after Nassau left." She sniffed indignantly, and he patted her upper arm in silent affectionate, apology. The king leaned towards her ear and whispered a few words to which she nodded in response. Their son besides them snorted in disgust at the display looking elsewhere. Kagome found the scene before her, of man and wife, to be a sweet and touching moment; then, she supposed, things were different when the culprits were your own parents. Still, it was refreshing to see someone so in love, even after so many years of marriage. She had been witness to many atrocious and despicable complications between spouses in her travels.

 

Izayoi stood from her seat, but did not move an inch except for to lock her violet eyes with Sango's cinnamon colored line of sight. "What is your name child?" She inquired.

 

Sango bowed her head meekly, awkwardly trying to curtsy to the queen. Kagome could barely hold the smile in that wanted to make itself known at the sight the slayer made. Her youkai exterminating friend, her companion in arms, was anything but submissive. "I am called Sango, your highness." She replied her tone of high formality.

 

Those surprisingly strong violet eyes landed upon her next, with a simple demand spoken from her lips. One that nearly went unheard, as Kagome squirmed under such a gaze, one nearly to rival her husband. "And you?"

 

Bowing her head, Kagome curtsied as Sango had, answering back in a strong and gentled voice. "I am called Kagome, your highness." There was something swimming within those violet depths that gazed back into her own, something wholly familiar, and utterly depressing to her mind and soul. A light that Kagome's heart pushed her whole self to ignore and forget. Still, it ate at the back of her mind and teasing her memories to slide forward and provide the answer. Kagome pushed the feeling aside.

 

The queen smiled to the both of them, but Kagome could not help the feeling that it was meant more towards Sango then herself. "It is a pleasantry to meet you both. I would appreciate it, though, if you would refer to me as Izayoi rather then 'your highness'." Kagome nodded her understanding along with Sango, watching curiously as the Lady Izayoi took Sango's hand in her own, pulling the slayer to follow her direction. "I will speak with you later Kagome." She promised, with a hard and assuring undertone to the pleasant tilt of her voice. Izayoi began to lead the both of them through the large doors of the chamber, taking her likely to her quarters. "Come Sango, you will have the room beside my own, and your duties can be spoken of latter. What I wish to know is..." The voice of the queen drowned from her ears as the heavy doors were shut behind them by liveried servants.

 

Suddenly, realizing how alone she was in the chamber without her two companions, she felt bare and empty to the twin gazes of amber piercing into her own eyes as though they could read all of her secrets there. She wanted to run, she wanted to flee and hide behind Miroku and let him protect her from this feeling of venerability the two youkai made present within her gut. She would stand firm, and meet them with a gaze of steel and bolster her heart against the beginnings of fear and panic growing. She knew those looks; one such as the queen had given her.

 

The unease Kagome felt grew by the second as their eyes bore in to her as though weighing her worth. Why had not her companions received the same observing treatment? She knew and yet firmly guarded her mind against the answer. "It's strange, but you hold great similarity to someone, too close to my son's heart." The rough baritone of his voice echoed in the chamber like a sentience. Calm and casual though his statement seemed to the unobservant, yet, a primal undertone that spoke wholly of a parent protecting its child. Deadly soft were the spoken sounds, a warning for the slightest wrong movement. His words rang in here ears and repeated in her mind, gripping her heart as though they held form enough to grasp the origin and squeeze to such a painful clarity. Relief did not come, as she had thought, at the sound of his voice. "Perhaps you know of her?" He inquired with a casual tone, but this was anything but a casual conversation; it was an interrogation.

 

A quick glance in the direction of the youkai son beside the king was enough to assure her that they were not speaking of the same man. Miroku had lied to her. No, he had just sugar-coated the truth to spare her feelings of sadness... still he hadn't the right to keep the escapades of her sister's making to himself. Such treacherous makings were her fault and her responsibility to make right. "I'm sorry but I know of no such woman that bares resemblance to myself." She answered simply, using proper speaking for court nobles. Even as horrible at lying that she may have been in the beginning of her life, in this journey she had mastered it as well as her archery.

 

Therefore, Kikyou was pulling off the same scandalous trick as she had done in Izumo. Winning the heart of the prince to ease information from his love addled tongue to slowly rip apart his lands. Kagome took in a breath; she would have to handle this situation better then last, not wanting of a repeated vision. Such horrors as that small Kingdom had been turned into were never meant for eyes of even the most seasoned warrior.

 

Inutaisho studied her form with all the care of a man buying a horse from a handler. Finally, he spoke. "Well, as I had said, my son is infatuated with a woman the bears resemblance to your own face and I fear that she will be his undoing." He explained, suddenly with the countenance of a worry-wearied parent.

 

"How do you mean, your highness?" Kagome inquired softly when it became apparent Inutaisho did not intend to speak without bring pushed into doing so. Hesitant, were the words in coming, as she did not wish, could not bear, to hear another story of pain brought on by the hands of her once gentle twin. No, this remake of Kikyou was not her sister. Though she may bare her body, it was not truly she, but the girl corrupted by Naraku's dark aura. A likely untrue statement, yet it was the only thought that could lighten the blow of her sister's betrayal. She would be restored back to her original self once Naraku's end was at hand.

 

A look passed between father and son, a silent argument that she could only guess at, before words were spoken. "My son is in line to be the heir of this throne and speaks daily of taking this woman to be his mate. I know her for the traitorous wench that she is, as does everyone. My son refuses to see it, even if Sesshoumaru has seen her openly speaking with spies of..." Inutaisho's sentence was left hanging in the air between them as his eyes widened slightly. Very suddenly, he was grinning like a mad man at Kagome, startling her so clearly that she made step backwards. "Grant me this favor, lady Kagome, and you may have whatever you wish as long as it is in my power to do so."

 

Out of curiosity, she asked. "And that would be?"

 

"My foolish son only believes that he is in love with... this woman. If he were constantly around another with striking resemblance to her face with limited viewing of... her, then he would surely fall for you. He is young and impulsive and knows not the true meaning of love and commitment." It was painfully obvious that the king purposely did not speak the name of the woman playing the dangerous game with the heart of his son, it was as though he feared just speaking it would summon the face of that name before him. Like those whom believed that speaking the true name of the evil, one brought his wrath upon you like the unforgiving fires of hell.

 

Kagome was thrown in to speechlessness by the request. Did he truly mean as his words sounded? Was the appearance given off by her structure screaming that of harlot that he would even make such a suggestion? It was not long before her voice returned after moments of working her mouth silently. "You want me to lead him on?" She questioned blunt and to the point.

 

"Yes," the king began, "well, not exactly. I just wish you to only distract his attentions away from... Kikyou." Inutaisho clarified his wants for her service, spitting out the name of her sister, as though it was the most dangerous and foulest of poisons. With the image she had made her herself, it would probably be considered such now.

 

Her lids fell shut over her gray-blues tightly, as though it would block the pain coursing through her every limb and shredding her heart hearing that one and simple name brought. Kagome berated herself for this show of weakness in this one moment, and likely showing something to confirm her knowledge of Kikyou. She knew that Inutaisho spoke of her sister even without the name attached. Still, having the confirmation of her sister's wrongdoing shattered any childish hope residing in her steadily stoning heart for it to be another.

 

Opening her eyes, Kagome locked gazes with the king searching for any reason to deny this one request. When this game began in the furthest of the eastern regions, she had resolved to leave her sister to the men she toyed with, the thought always the same. One of those men, or youkai, could be the one she would truly fall in love with and she would be saved from Naraku's grasp by a fairy tale ending. Fairly tales did not exist; still, it did not stop her from hopping. All Kagome could find within those elusive depths, after a hard search, were an abundance of her concern for his son, and fear. Sighing in defeat, Kagome nodded; she would only perform this on her terms. "Hai, I will do it." She confirmed. "However I refuse to seduce the prince like some common wench. I will not allow myself to be used that way." She stated firmly, damning the consequences, her tone and speech might have brought to her. She was a tool for no one to use. "I will befriend him, and that will be all of the interference I perform for you."

 

He wanted something from her, it was what saved her from a strong reprimanding, and perhaps time spent in a holding cell for her disrespect. Kagome could see it in the tightening of his amber-eyed gaze, and a slight respect. "Fine." The king waved his hand out in a dismissal. "I do not know how you shall manage to keep his mind from her without seduction, but it had better show success." Inutaisho did not want this girl to seduce his son into anything, knowing that his heart was a fragile thing, still anything would be better then leaving him in the clutches of that wench, Kikyou. Why his son ever got involved with her... This Kagome would soon see that it would take a lot more then simple friendship to sway his boy's stubborn mind. Taking in a deep breath and discretely sniffing the air, he scented a familiar smell. "Rin." He called her to him, motioning her over to him. She was likely waiting for their conversation to end so that she could speak with Sesshoumaru. Leaping forward when she got close enough, he whispered low in her ear. "Take her to Inuyasha's rooms, we will deal with the living arrangements later." Rin nodded, and he added. "Speak of what you may have heard to no one, especially not Inuyasha, you know how hard headed he can be."

 

Rin bowed to her king, a superstitious look to the man next to him. Blushing as said man caught and held her gaze, beckoning Kagome to follow her, Rin made way toward the left side of large double doors and exited through it's smaller counterpart. Inutaisho watched as his soon-to-be-daughter led the carbon copy match that he had hired for a despicable deed. Suspiring heavily, perhaps he should have left well enough alone, and perhaps his son might have seen the harpy for what she is. He squared his shoulders as he defended his actions, Inuyasha was too bull headed to see past his own desires, his own heart, and find the faults that lie in the girl.

 

"I believe that you are acting in haste when you laid your trust within that carbon copy of Kikyou." Sesshoumaru's staidly voice pierced through the wall of his father's thoughts. "Their smells hold little difference, and there is a slight trace that would link them together as kin; likely they are twins. I wouldn't doubt that she and Kikyou are working with one another, and are likely responsible for our recent losses."

 

Inutaisho waved his son's fears off, with a careless flick of his wrist. "I think that your paranoia is causing your senses to run amuck, Sesshoumaru, as I scented nothing wrong with her." He commented falsely. Inutaisho could smell the same link within her scents general make up as his son, only he did not want Sesshoumaru to act something foolish because he is attempting to protect his brother from what he perceives as a threat. Even if she may be a relative of Kikyou, her eyes, her deposition spoke a different story. Those eyes of hers, they held something there that a young woman such as her should not even be able to comprehend... he mused thoughtfully. The moment he had mentioned the harpy's name her eyes they took on such a pained note, and in that moment her soul became vulnerable to his probing gaze. It was more then obvious Kikyou caused her some type of torment that imprinted itself into her very essence. Inutaisho turned from his thoughts and to his son. "Perhaps we should head off into the war room and begin with the strategies to prevent the next attack." He suggested a note in his tone making him sound a tad hopeful for his son to agree.

 

Sesshoumaru met his father's gaze, amusement clearly lighting his own. Such a show of emotion was only given to family, by him and usually only private where none could possibly wittiness the ice prince of a stone heart showing anything but his bellicose appearance he set fourth. "Such rubbish, father, you only wish to be away and deep in work when Inuyasha finds out that you have given him a female maid with no where to go besides his own quarters." He teased, and then shrugged his shoulders from the glare he received in response to his taunting words. "You do realize that Inuyasha will still find you there, and definitely will not care if you are... planing a war for the good of the country when he finds you." He retorted as he stood and began his trek towards his father's study.

 

"Yes, but once he sees us planning he will forget all about his upset and lose himself in the politics and strategic planning war involves." Inutaisho answered back self-assuredly. He stood slowly and leisurely ambled after his son.

 

.

.

.

 

Kagome slowed her trek so that she walked behind the maid toward their unknown destination, in unwanted silence. She hated the feel silence gave to a person; such awkwardness making her feel entirely fatuous. She needed to make a sound, just one or perhaps two. Some one need to say something, but it seemed as though she were content to remain as they were and those they passed in the hall acted as though they were not corporeal beings, and just kept to their duties. In short it did not seem as though the silence would be broken any time soon; Kagome wanted so much to run around the castle tossing glass bowls and vases just so that the tapping of her feet were not the only sound that graced her ears. It was not truly even the soundlessness of the halls that bugged her, but the fact that her feet -feet trained by the best taijya in all the world- were the only ones that made sound upon the stone floor.

 

"Would it be all right if I asked for your name?" She inquired lightly, careless while deeply hoping for a response. Kagome desperately wanted to the sound of another voice besides her own echoing down the now deserted halls, and the noise of her tapping feet.

 

Shooting a half smile, the servant replied a reply that Kagome had not expected. "I am Lady Rin of house Keri." Feeling utterly foolish, she had to try to stave of the blush trying to color her cheeks a bright crimson. How could she have mistaken the girl for a servant? The lack of red and white livery should have tipped her off quite nicely! Soundly berating herself, Kagome opened her mouth to say anything to rid herself of this feeling. "You likely thought so because of my uncouth behavior, all the first timers view me as such until they learn. However, you were probably mistaken because out of all in the castle he had handed me the task of escorting you to your quarters for the moment. Am I right?" She surmised, but did not allow Kagome the time to answer. "This demanded the utmost secrecy and my family and the house of Inutaisho are extremely close, if word were to have gotten out to Lord Inuyasha that you were acting as his personal maid; he could be extremely peeved. Even more so if he knew the real reasoning behind your service to him." She announced no more then in a conspirator's whisper as they rounded another corner.

 

She opened her mouth to apologize for any disrespect and offense her comment might have brought on, but closed her mouth with a slight click. There was no need, Kagome realized, to bring to call her mishaps as Rin had already dismissed them as though they were nothing. Instead, Kagome used her opportune moment to question something else. "This lord Inuyasha, how is he?"

 

The reply was slow in coming, but it did spill from her lips. "He's… well, not." Taking in a breath, she used the time to rethink upon her use of wording. "Inuyasha may seem rough around the edges, and a bit harsh at times, but just remember that his outer exterior is just a ploy. Have patients with him and he is sure to come around and become more tolerable to you."

 

"I will keep that in mind." She promised.

 

That one key questioned started a never-ending and nearly one-sided conversation between them. Kagome began wondered if getting Rin speak with her just to eliminate the silence was such a thorough plan as she had first thought it to be. It would seem that once the girl began moving her lips they never wanted to pause for a break. Kagome was not annoyed so much as amused and perplexed, she had never known for someone to be able to carry on such long winded speech without feinting dead away. Becoming so lost in her thoughts Kagome almost missed Rin announcing they the end of their trip and in-depth explanation of what she should do in case of an emergency and who she should seek if help was needed.

 

"Call Katilia if you are in need of anything, she should be able to help." Rin finished with the slight inclination of her head and made way to leave, but paused. "If Inuyasha gives you any trouble, come to me and I will give you a hand in straightening him out." Then she left.

 

"Thank you." Kagome offered her a slight parting smile and waved her good-bye instead of voicing it.

 

She watched the back of the young woman even well after she disappeared around the corner of the hall, unsure of herself. Should she just enter, or would it be better of her to use the knocker upon the metal door. Her hesitating hand hovering over the ring, she grasped it, slammed the knocker against the door three times, and then waited for an answer. Only to have none forth coming; Kagome repeated the processes a couple of times before concluding that likely not a soul dwelt within.

 

Pushing the door open, she ducked her head inside for a peek, and was astonished to find nothing but darkness meeting her sight. Emboldened, Kagome stepped into the room and moved with great caution to find a wall and perhaps the location of a curtained window, or candle, in order to lighten the room up a bit. Feeling around the room, being blinded by the darkness as she was, Kagome waved her arms about high and low moving in directions according to the objects her limbs came into contact with. Though it was silly, she made a game out of guessing what her hands felt. Some things were obvious, like a book shelve containing books, or the table around the center of the room, and the bed with the smooth silk feeling sheets. Carried away with her game, Kagome next grabbed held of a thick and heavy cotton material, as she lightly pulled at it rays of light broke into the room. Excited with her find, she blocked all else from her senses unconsciously.

 

Hands gripped her, pulling her back into warmth, one hand freeing to block her mouth. "What do you think you're doing?" A rough voice that was distinctly male asked, hot breath fanning her neck. He was her captor, the 'man' that held her prisoner against his chest.

 

Closing her eyes against the urge to bring her purification powers to the fore, Kagome suspired calmly. She would need a clear head to think this through, and find the best way to go about freeing herself. Barely moving her arm to test its move ability, Kagome tried not to smile against the hand over her mouth. Jerking swiftly, her elbow into his stomach, Kagome dove for the curtains to move them aside when the arms dropped her as though she were hot coals. Spinning around so fast she nearly dizzied herself, Kagome's eyes widened at the sight the newly lit room brought. "You!" The man from the market way, what was he doing in the prince's room?

 

Rage filled his chest and nearly blocked all reason from his mind; he did not let the madness consume him, and took a few steps back in fear of what he might do with such a short distance between them. What was the copy, the twin, doing snooping around his quarters? Had she perchance followed him after their initial meeting? Did she witness the moment between he and Kikyou? No, that idea was too impossible for it to have truth. He would have smelt her tagging along behind his trail, would have sensed it if she were anywhere near the ridge where he and Kikyou held their secret trysts. It must have been a coincidence. He mentally nodded his head in agreement with that assessment; she was here purely out of coincidence. Now that the girl was present he would be able to carry out the plan that much easier. Inuyasha suspired long and hard, he was in high hopes for the girl to be just a passing traveler; obviously, fate had it out for him. "Yes me." He rolled his eyes. "Now tell me, why are you in my rooms?" He queried. Carrying out such devious ventures as this was not his forte, but for the woman he planned to spend his life with he would walk on spears.

 

"Y-your lord Inuyasha?" She swallowed, disbelief pulling at her facial features. At his nod, Kagome lightly whacked her forehead. "I should have known, especially after meeting the king." She muttered lowly. "He looks well enough like him, more then the other silvered haired guy." She grumbled a few more curses beneath her breath, thinking of the astonishment her two companions would have. Never before had she been so unobservant.

 

"Thanks, I guess." Inuyasha answered slowly although he knew her words were not directed towards him. A thought struck him hard between the eyes, and he could not help but voice it. "I recall you saying that if we ever met again you'd tell me your name." When she did nothing more then stare at him he demanded again, for her to tell him saying calculatingly, "you are one to keep promises, right." Tapping his booted foot on the stone floor impatiently was a habit of his, a good one as it kept his mouth in check when irritation held him fast. This was one of those moments were he needed to hold back his normal brash behavior and behave as his father and mother constantly beg him to partake, he needed this girl to like him to trust him.

 

Kagome sighed heavily; it was simply amazing how she always seemed to end up in such horrid situations as though she was a magnate that attracted them. If her fateful monk friend was there, he could get her out of this with his fast talking tongue and smooth charms but then again maybe not. Now that she thought about it, this youkai did not seem to be one to fall prey to a thieving monk. "I am Kagome, as well as your new personal servant courtesy of your father." She thought that was a safe comment to make since it gave her a legitimate reason for being there in his rooms as well as telling him who exactly she was as per her promise.

 

The grin of triumph he had acquired as she gave into him was wiped completely clean as he adopted more of an apathetic façade, hiding the feeling of being punch in the face by his brother Sesshoumaru. "So you're my personal servant now? A female?" He asked for confirmation once more and Kagome nodded. At lest this makes things easier now, he thought glumly. "Feh."

 

"What's that suppose to mean?" Kagome inquired, unsure if she should be insulted or not.

 

"Whatever." He replied with a tiny shrug of the shoulders.

 

"Well excuse me for asking you a question." She grounded out.

 

Inuyasha could not help as his eyes stared her down in something akin to amusement and interest. Here this slip of a girl, an exact replica of Kikyou, stood tall and her eyes were narrowed while her hands rested on her hips glaring down at him, he burst into laughter; something he rarely did. Her eyes narrowed more so. "No it means, 'whatever'." He explained another rarity he was performing for the unknown wench that had tried to kill her own sister. His Kikyou.

 

Kagome dropped her hands from their position. "Oh, gomen nasai, I thought…" She trailed off a blush staining her slightly tanned cheeks.

 

"Feh." He replied to the apology, a slight blush staining his own cheeks. He was not used to people apologizing to him since he was only a half-bread and so people, humans and demons alike, had always felt he was not worth their time. That was one reason why he had given his heart to Kikyou, she did not care about him being only half-human. His mind wandered and he could not help in thinking that there was something about this girl, something that he could not quite figure out. She was definitely different from Kikyou; she seemed to radiate warmth through her very eyes and stance making her highly approachable. Being this close to her, he could not smell any traces of a murder within her, but he also knew of the spells and charms that could block certain aspects of a person's scent. He knew those items painfully well, but would she have such knowledge to hide her taint?

 

 

 

 

A/N:

 

 

So here it the newly fixed Simple Lies, what do you think? Better then the last, ne? Or if you're new to the story and never read it before then tell me, did you like it so far? I'm really interested to know what you guys think… I've work hard to transform it from the poorly written work it once was for you guys so please tell me if you like it or not. If you don't its okay. If you do that's great! Oh, and if you notice any mistakes please tell me so that I can fix them. Especially if it's a mistake that makes the story difficult to read.

 

~Zonza

 

 

 

 

Review Answers!!!

Purple Uranium: I agree ^__^ and I love stories with sibling rivalries… I will be sure to go back and correct my last chapter, and thanks I wasn't sure which way it was spelt so I spelt it both ways, but thanks that helps a lot!!! Thank you so much!!! I'm glad you like my ideas and my favorite one out of my new stories is the Frozen Kingdom too! ^_^ … Yep!!! She will be, and I can't wait to see either, I haven't decided yet but it's gonna be funny, suspenseful, and romance filled (gotta have the fluff, I'm a fluff freak if you hadn't noticed yet ^_^) I don't really dislike Kikyou either, yes sometimes she makes me so mad because I want Kagome and Inuyasha together and she seems to always get in the way, but I agree with you there she's probably just confused. I know I would be. Now if she and Kagome make up, only time will tell ^_^ Ja matane!!!! P. S. I can't wait for your next review!!!! You're my favorite Reviewer I enjoy reading your reviews so much!!!!