Hello everyone! This story has been in my library of stories for quite some time now and I finally got the courage to write it out in chapter form. I know this theme as been done many a times but I added my own little twist and I hope you all will like it. I included a few Japanese words that you might not know but there will be a small 'dictionary' at the end of each chapter for you. I'd love to hear back from you all, so drop a review for me.

By the Way – I'm in need of a beta reader to help with some of the editing so if you wish to help please contact me!

Love you all

-Yuuki

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the character's that belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not make a profit from writing this story, I simply do it for mine, and my reader's entertainment.

P.S. – I have changed a couple of things about the characters, so there will be OOC-ness (Ex: Sesshoumaru still has both his arms {for now maybe} and Youkai and Humans live as one like in the Edo period) but not much and other stuff like that. ENJOY THE STORY AND PLEASE REVIEW!

~!This is a New Take on an Old Theme!~

Betrayal's Greatest Romance

~ Third Year of Tama Art University ~

Mid Fall Semester

Chapter One:

Everything Appears Normal but Maybe That's Why My Mask Is So Perfect

As the young woman walked through the automated doors, her arms clad in black and grey plaid as they held on tightly to the brown paper bag stuffed to the brim with groceries, she looked to the west at the evening sun. Wind whipping past her face, blowing her raven mane back over her shoulders, she looked back to her boyfriend of two years.

"Come on Kagome, you and I have to get back to work." His rough voice chided her as he wound his arm about her waist to pull her close as they walked. His bushy white hair tickled her cheek as Kagome leaned against him.

"What time will you be off of work tonight, Inuyasha? Kikyo is going out and I was going to cook for you." She'd looked up at him and knew her answer before he spoke a word.

"I have to work late. Sorry, there's a new shipment coming into the Chow Hound and I have to be there to make sure everything is accounted for since Koga is taking the night off." Chow Hound was Inuyasha's restaurant that he built about three years ago and he spent every moment he could taking care of it. It wasn't unusual for him to work late, but she worried anyway. Inuyasha was four years older than her in human years and over sixty in youkai years. Although it was very common for humans and youkai to be in a relationship, Kagome constantly worried that he would one day find her of no more use. They had been together for almost four years, two of which were spent in the relationship they still had, but things could change.

"It's ok. I have to work tonight anyway. It's Tuesday so Sesshoumaru should be bringing Rin by The Lil' Steps Clubhouse and they're short-handed anyway, so I'll be happy to take the overtime." Kagome supplied to cover up her hurt feelings. As the couple stopped at the cross walk, their lingering silence broke only by the honking of cars and the hustling of fallen autumn leaves at their feet.

"I know I've told you this already, but please don't be so trusting of Sesshoumaru. Sure, he's a good guy, but he's an awful brother. Watch your back around him," Inuyasha warned her as the 'Walk' sign lit up and the group of citizens started across the avenue. The supple leather of Inuyasha's red jacket began to creek as they walked in silence again. Inuyasha had been saying that to her ever since she and the Daiyoukai began a rather decent friendship through the daily dealings of each other.

Tama Art University came into view on the horizon a short while later. Kagome walked the two flights of stairs to her apartment. Already they could hear the soft hum of Kikyo practicing her sanshin. The university had many programs and areas of study under their division. Currently, the two women roommates were under different program courses but were aiming for relevantly the same goal; to one day be a part of VIZ studio productions. They both enjoyed their anime and movies from that company and their mutual interest lead to a fast friendship, though not a strong one. As Kagome unlocked the heavy door, the musical notes halted and a string of rattling could be heard just beyond.

"Kikyo, I'm home. Are you decent?" Kagome called to the older woman as she made her way to the kitchen and set the bag down. Inuyasha followed close behind, his hanyou fluffy ears twitching ever so slightly. A few moments later, a woman bearing a close resemblance to Kagome rounded the hallway corner. Her charcoal black hair, normally pinned back, now hung loose and flowed down to her backside. Pale skin was reddened as her chocolate eyes looked over at the male in the room. The inu's amber eyes met hers then quickly looked away.

All this missed by Kagome as she proceeded to unpack the groceries.

"Inuyasha and I have to get back to work. Kikyo, do you mind unpacking the rest of these?" Kagome looked up at her roommate. Kikyo nodded and brushed past Inuyasha, who flinched away, as he made his way to the door.

"Kagome, I'm going to be late and I don't want to hear the ookami's bitching again. I'll call you tomorrow." The slam of the door echoed throughout the quiet apartment as Kagome shuffled down the hall and into her room. Grabbing her old yellow book bag, Kagome threw a "goodbye" over her shoulder and began to sprint her way back to work.

She made it back to work with enough time to eat a quick lunch before her regular 2 o'clock appointment made their entrance. Kagome had just broken up a fight between two of the older boys and was currently cleaning up the blood from the soft carpet when the door chimed the warning of a new arrival.

"Kagome!" A high pitched squeal called to her as she got from her knees and turned to see who had come. A small brunette girl jumped into her arms. Kagome's back would have met the stain that still needed attention had a pair of strong arms not caught her. She looked up in time to see the daiyoukai from her earlier thoughts and conversation righting her feet. His normally cold and distant attitude and mannerisms softened as his boa-like fluffy appendage wrapped itself about her waist. Patting her shoulders, he released his hold on her.

"Good afternoon, Sesshoumaru-sama," Kagome bowed as she greeted him respectfully and gave Rin, who still clung to her knees, a tight squeeze.

"Kagome, although I am a Lord, I have asked you many times to please call me just Sesshoumaru, even while in public," Sesshoumaru's rich baritone voice scolded her with a smile as he pried his daughter from her lower legs. His milk white tresses toppled past his shoulders, creating a curtain of silk to hide his blush as he admired her long legs. Forcing himself to calm down, he cleared his throat and straightened up with Rin balanced on his hip.

"Unfortunately, I have a few things to check on this afternoon as well as a meeting with the Prime Minister for our weekly review. I won't be able to pick up Rin until later tonight." He gave Kagome an apologetic look as he gently caressed Rin's hair, letting it tangle in his deadly talons. Kagome never asked but always wondered what complications Rin's mother faced while pregnant with her. The child in question, besides a few abnormalities such as the small scarlet streaks across each cheek and speedy recovery time, was completely human despite the fact both parents were youkai. She had heard rumors about Rin's mother and how Rin was supposedly abandoned when Rin was no more than a few weeks old in her mother's womb. Kagome knew better than to ask the inu Lord; it wasn't her business nor was it respectful to ask the daiyoukai about his personal life.

"Well, if you'd like, I could take Rin back to the dorms with me. I still have some of her clothes and it would be just the two of us because my roommate Kikyo is going out. Inuyasha would have been with us for at least part of the night but he has to work late again." Her disappointed sigh made Sesshoumaru wince, knowing exactly what the cause of it was.

"That will be most gracious of you. I'll send a car for her in the morning with some of her school clothes so that she won't be late." He began to flip out his phone, rapidly dialing numbers. Kagome's hand shot out to grab his wrist. Though the action alone would have done little to nothing to stop the youkai from what he wished to do, Sesshoumaru halted his movements and his almost glowing golden eyes looked into her sapphire orbs. Had she been anyone else, he would have peeled the flesh from her fingers as slowly as possible but all Sesshoumaru wanted to do was grab the curvaceous onna into his arms and tell her what she needed to know. His heart pounded, breath became labored, and perspiration dotting his forehead under his feathery bangs. He cared for her, everyone knew it, but only in the privacy of his own mind did he admit that caring was not the only thing he felt for the small ningen.

"The car will not be necessary. Rin's school is only a couple of blocks from the university and I can walk her there. I have some of her school clothes as well. I'd be happy to spend some more time with my little Rin." Kagome tugged Rin from his hold and gave her an affectionate squeeze before placing her on the counter top.

"I would like to thank you personally for this. I've always been busy and you've always been here for Rin when I needed it. Would it be too much from me if I thanked you in a way I see fit?" Sesshoumaru had three ways of thanking her, each with its own benefits and hindrances. He could kiss her, right here and now, and fulfill his desires. But after those few blissful moments she'd probably run away and never look him in the face again.

He could even be tempted to pull her close and tell her all she truly wanted to hear but never got from his hanyou brother. She would know the truth and let her sorrows on him. He might end up the rebound guy, but at least she would know that he was there for her.

Sesshoumaru could be a gentleman and simply give her some flowers or something the women like. He'd play the hopeless romantic and ask for her affections. But he was a daiyoukai, as if he would lay down his head and simply hope she looked his way. Ha! He got what he wanted – one way or another.

"Sesshoumaru," Kagome's laughter broke through her musings. "Really, I do this because I enjoy it, not because I want a reward. Now shoo! You have to get back to work and Rin and I have trouble to get into!" Kagome's mischievous grin spread to his daughter's lips as a giant uma-hanyou came from the side hallway.

"Kagome, the boys are trying to get back at it. I figured you'd like to uh…" he paused, looking towards the daiyoukai with down cast eyes.

"Don't worry Jinenji. I'll be there in a few moments. Can you get someone to come and finish cleaning this blood off the floor? I don't want it staining this new carpet; let's keep it clean for awhile." Jinenji nodded walking slowly back through the hallway as his knuckles dragged against the soft tan carpet.

"Sorry about that. There was a fight between the two older boys before you came in and Jinenji and I had to split them up. Unfortunately, not before the youkai cub got a swipe at the other cub. I'm truly sor –"

"No need, I will take my leave. Have a good day," he cut her off. Taking Rin back into his arms one more time, he kissed her forehead, whispered a goodbye and I love you, and then left without another word.

"Come on Rin let's go have some fun before we leave tonight. Which would you rather have – pizza and hot chocolate or ramen and ice tea?" The little girl batted her long eyelashes, giving it serious thought as they walked slowly down the hall towards the rest of the kids. Jinenji's voice resounded off the halls as he began to tell a story.

"I want ramen and ice tea! Will we get it from uncle Inuyasha's restaurant?"

"Yes, of course, where else would we get the best ramen around?" Kagome teased as she rubbed her nose against Rin's. Rin seemed to pause then once again batted her eyes, turned her huge lemon-like colored eyes on Kagome, and gave her the 'puppy look'.

"Can I get the big bowl of ramen this time?" she asked in her cute voice, jutting her bottom lip out into an adorable pout.

"Well when you look at me like that, can I say no? Of course not. Sure, you can have anything you want." Grinning, Rin cheered out and shimmied down Kagome's legs to join one of the child's best friends, Shippo. Ayame, a close friend and another coworker, suddenly came from inside and started to roar and the kids scrabbled.

"I'm the big bad wolf! Where are my goodies?" Ayame cried out. The kids yelled and laughed as they ran.

0o0o0o0

Outside, Sesshoumaru continued to take calming breaths as he contemplated his next move. He had to check on several watch stations this afternoon and the meeting with the Prime Minister was in about two hours.

Other things needed to be said and done.

Getting into his car and peeling out of the small parking lot, he speed dialed his lawyer and personal friend. "Miroku, meet me at the Chow Hound in ten minutes. Let the ookami know we are on our way. I'll be there in less than five minutes." He didn't give him a chance to answer. Shutting the phone call off, he pulled his shades on and began down the block to his brother's establishment. Their father had given Inuyasha the money and means for building and running his restaurant in hopes he was finally growing up, and hopefully, about to mate Kagome. But when his behavior had suddenly changed, their father threw all hopes for the hanyou aside and focused on keeping him out of trouble again. But now enough was enough.

Screeching to a halt, he got out his car. Stepping into the bright red and orange shop packed with youkai and humans alike as well as quite a few hanyous, Sesshoumaru spotted the ookami behind the grill top. His back was to him, and his river of black hair was shoved into a messy ponytail as he talked animatedly on the phone. His voice was easily heard with Sesshoumaru's excellent hearing.

"What do you mean he's on his way? Inuyasha's…busy and you know how Sesshoumaru is!" He took a pause to let Miroku finish his sentence before resuming his rant. "Look, I'm sick of covering for Inuyasha's ass too but now is not the time! We're packed to the brim and I got work to do. He's the freakin' Lord of the West! If we have any sort of scene happen here it will be on the news in less than an hour! We won't be able to hide anything then! You have to stall him!" Having heard enough, Sesshoumaru stepped to the counter and let his presence be known.

"And who, pray tale, are you talking about Koga?" The ookami stiffened and hung up the phone abruptly. Turning to the daiyoukai, he straightened his back and busied his hands by cleaning the already cleaned stove top.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, what an honor. I was unaware that you like ramen. May I offer you our special of the d – "

"Cut the crap Koga. Where is my idiot brother?" He sighed impatiently as the ningen that were settled beside him at the bar quickly gathered their belongings and left. An audible gulp sounded from Koga's throat.

"Sesshoumaru, you know as well as I where he is and who he is with. Kagome would be very upset should we disturb her time with Inuyasha," Koga passed off, grinning as if he hadn't lied to the most powerful youkai in the region, and perhaps all of Japan.

"That's funny that you say Kagome is with Inuyasha because I just dropped Rin off at the day care." Nothing else needed to be said. Sesshoumaru never left Rin at the day care unless Kagome was there and Rin's only baby sitter was Kagome. He didn't trust anyone alone around his daughter and only heir unless Kagome was with her. If he had a benefit to attend and Rin couldn't go, Kagome was the one and only person he would allow to watch her for the night and even then, he would pick her up afterwards.

"Ok, ok, he's in the back. His office. The door is locked, so please knock. It took me a week to replace the last door he broke and Inuyasha chewed me out the whole time, even though it was his fault. Damn mutt, if I didn't need the money I would have been beat his ass." The brash male grabbed a rather large knife as he continued his rant. Sesshoumaru paid him no attention. Koga had once had a crush on Kagome before he mated with his newly pregnant wife, Ayame. He and Ayame held Kagome as a very important person in their lives, so of course this whole situation really took a toll on his relationship with her, considering Ayame knew not a lick of what was going on.

None of them even imagined it would take this long for someone to finally put their foot down.

"So, are we going to do this?" A breathy voice panted out to him. Looking back, Sesshoumaru saw his lawyer and friend Miroku's face grow serious as he righted his clothes. As husband to Kagome's sister Sango, he too was done with this charade. He held his sister-in-law dear and was tired of lying to both of the women.

"Koga, if you will lead the way," Miroku asked as he walked past Sesshoumaru and towards the back of the small business and went through a door double way, blocking him from view. Sesshoumaru got up and followed the two males. As soon as he was past the double doors, the spicy scent of arousal filled his nostrils and his temper began to boil his blood.

"Inuyasha, someone is coming." A feminine voice warned from behind the door down the hall. He followed its origins to his brother's office door. 'Owner and Manager – Inuyasha Tashio' head the gold plaque on the stained door. Koga had said that the door was locked but as he let his claws rake down the length of the door knob, his poison acid leaving a trail of molten metal and lime green streaks, the door came open.

"You know I did have the key," Koga commented as he rubbed the back of his neck. The young ookami prince could already hear the nagging Inuyasha was going to give him about the door.

"Hello little brother," Sesshoumaru greeted as he dusted the invisible lint from his lapels and looked to his brother. What a disgrace. Inuyasha sat in his wheel chair, the ningen onna named Kikyo in his lap, with his feet up and some movie playing on his computer. It was a week ago to the day that he had come in to see his brother about what their father had sent him and seen Kagome in the exact position as the woman now. Sesshoumaru felt the urge to transform into his demon form, ripping his expensive black Armani suit. But, what good would that do?

'It would be worth it, but to whom other then this Sesshoumaru,' he thought as he regarded his brother in the cold manner he did with everyone else he… disliked.

"What do you want?" Inuyasha growled as the two other men began to file in. Kikyo clung to Inuyasha, not scared of them, scared that Inuyasha would lose his temper and transform. She knew why they were here. They were all best friends with her young roommate, Kagome, and had been helping Inuyasha and her sneak around behind her back for the past three years. Honestly, you'd think the sweet naïve girl would catch on after all this time but maybe she really had that much trust in Inuyasha. Hell, Kikyo was mated to the hanyou and she didn't even trust him that much.

"Apparently, you men have business to discuss and I have class to get to. Excuse me." Standing, the dark haired woman picked up her instrument case and left, pushing her way past Koga and Miroku.

"So, you won't believe who I just saw," Sesshoumaru began, as he took off his jacket and his mokomoko squirmed as its master began to build up his youki aura. The furry boa-like appendage slid from its master's jacket and stuck to him like Velcro. "Kagome. You remember her, right? Five foot two, long black hair, blue eyes, beautiful smile and an even better heart?" He slowly began to make his way around the desk as he unbuttoned his sleeved and folded them up delicately. "She told me that she and Rin were going to be spending the night in her dorms. Funny thing though, she let it slip that, even though she adored spending the night with Rin, she'd much rather hang with you. She said you were busy with work. But I get here and what are you doing? Fucking your supposed 'mate' in your office." Dragging his deadly nails across the hard wood desk, letting his poison eat away at the finish and fill the room with toxic fumes, he came to stand in front of Inuyasha and tilted his head in mock confusion. "Now, what should I do when my friend is being lied to and I have finally washed my hands in helping my whelp of a brother deceive her?"

Inuyasha didn't even get a chance to even try to answer. Sesshoumaru brought his arm up, bunching the muscles up as he swung down to bring his knuckles to connect with Inuyasha's jaw. The cracking sound echoed through the office as the other men watched, slightly amused and rubbing their own jaws, thankful that Sesshoumaru's light anger wasn't directed at them. Could you imagine if he were to really lose control?

Falling from the chair and to the floor, the hanyou only had enough time to stand back up before his brother striked him once more in the pit of his stomach, then again in his throat. Blood spurring from his lips, Inuyasha looked up to Sesshoumaru.

"Do you know how it feels to look into Kagome's eyes as she talks so fondly of a son of a bitch like you? You know how much it hurts to see her eyes darken as we lie to her about where you are or what you are doing? No, you don't but then again you probably do. Tell me Inuyasha, you never did explain how exactly you reacted when Kagome 'introduced' you to Kikyo as her roommate when you had known and slept with the woman for a year already. How did you happen to squeeze your way through that?"

"What do you want, Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha responded instead of answering. Koga decided it was then that he would step in. Grabbing the hanyou by his sensitive ears, Koga made Inuyasha sit down again and made him face towards Miroku.

"What Sesshoumaru-sama is trying to say is that if you had any honor left, you'd fess up to Kagome because we aren't helping you anymore. It's been three fucking years. It'll hurt her more than anything else, but at least she'll know now instead of when the onna shows up pregnant." Inuyasha paled and looked up to Miroku, betrayal evident in his eyes. Miroku was supposed to be his friend before anything and here he was partnering up with his brother.

Miroku said nothing. He seriously couldn't care less. What he really worried about was how his life at home was about to go to hell. Sango was seven months pregnant and her mood swings were giving him nightmares. Once this whole pile of shit finally hit the fan, he would be the first to get hit. Kagome was going to resent them all, but with her loving nature she'd forgive them all sooner or later, even Inuyasha. That would probably hurt the most, getting forgiven so easily after his part in the whole charade. But his wife would try to cut his sack when he was sleeping. He should have never listened to Inuyasha, all this wasn't worth it. "Men stick together," Inuyasha had told the lawyer. Running a hand through his dark mane, his wedding ring nicking a couple of hairs, Miroku let out an aggravated breath.

Thinking of his little sister-in-law's face as she finally got the news made the man wince.

Sesshoumaru, who had been quiet since his initial questioning, grabbed his jacket as he unfolded his sleeves. He had done what he came here to do and now that their point was across, he had a meeting to attend.

"Inuyasha," the daiyoukai paused as he reached the door. His brother needed to know. "You have one week to tell her, or I will." He made a move to leave when his brother's voice called back to him.

"Fine, you tell her. Either way she will hate you. Don't think that I'm the only one going down. All of you are and yeah I cheated on her but you guys are worse. You knew and didn't tell her for three years." Inuyasha tried to turn it on them. It was a below the belt move but he needed their help to keep this going. He knew he couldn't hold it forever and they did have a point – this had gone on far enough. Despite what most might have thought, the hanyou truly did love and care for Kagome. But after meeting Kikyo at one of his dad's benefits, that had all changed. He saw her there, playing music for the room's inhabitances. It was like love at first sight. He almost called her Kagome but as she looked up, as if feeling his eyes on her, those chocolate orbs caught him in a cage and held him tight. He was hers ever since.

"One week," Sesshoumaru ended the conversation and continued out the double doors and to his car. The Prime Minister was waiting.

"Inuyasha," the lawyer spoke for the first time, going lax against the frame of the still open door. "I don't agree with Sesshoumaru-sama's…method of going about this whole situation. My legal sense would tell me to let you tell her and do it quick, fast, and in a hurry. Like ripping off a band-aid. But, Kagome is not just a client. She is my sister-in-law, great friend, and a respected person to me. I love her as I did…as I do Mika…" Everything grew silent. They all knew the story of Mika and for Miroku to compare Kagome, or anyone for that matter, to her was a big deal. Sango healed the pain, and now it was apparent that Kagome had been the seal.

"Look, Kagome deserves to know! This has got to end! Tell her before someone else has to." Steam practically coming from his ears, Miroku left. The man tried to keep his emotions in check but the hanyou and the ookami could smell the salt of his tears. Neither one blamed him. After almost eleven years, the memories of that day still haunted them all.

Brows furrowed with thought, the ookami didn't think this whole thing would come down like this. Kagome was bound to put two and two together now. Koga walked out the door silently, not sparing a glance at the other male that now reeked of regret, remorse, and heavy sorrow. In one week's time, Kagome would know, whether Inuyasha wanted her to or not, but questions still whirled about his troubled mind. Would Miroku really put himself through all this and still tell her? Could Sesshoumaru fulfill his threat when it would hurt himself and his daughter?

And there you have it people! The first chapter. Wow took me about a week of straight writing (minus the three days of writer's block) to write it like this. The whole thing with the Mid Fall Semester at the beginning is really important. I want to incorporate that the whole 'time heals all wounds' isn't always true. So pay attention to that as we continue this story. I will try to keep up with a two week update time but with A Midsummer's Dream still on the run, I really do have my attention divided.

Chapter Dictionary:

sanshin - Japanese banjo

daiyoukai - demon lord

hanyou - half demon

onna - woman

ningen - human

ookami - wolf

uma - horse

Anyway, thank you for reading and please leave me a review!

Love you all and see you next time

-Yuuki