DarkPriestess66: I do not own anything at all.

The halls of the palace were sober as the Lady of the Planet Yōkai walked the halls, heading to the council chamber, for a meeting with the Council of Elders. They were the descendants of the founders of the planet that escaped their original home world of earth when space travel was first made possible.

The Elders were all sitting waiting for her to enter one of the lesser demons was standing guard by the door. The Lady walked into the chamber, and took her father's chair, she was younger then most only sixteen, which was to young to reign in the eyes of the Elders.

"My lady, greetings, it's good to see you once more." One of the more kinder elders say. Most of the others just bow to her.

"I agree as well, my lord." The Lady murmured she sat back in her chair intent on listening to her Elders give their speeches.

After most of the meeting goes by one of the men stands and turns to face her. "My lady we have one more matter we must bring up and that is of your marriage, you must choose a mate, we have brought several suitors for you to choose from."

"My marriage? Surely, my father never mentioned anything of the sort to me?" The Lady's eyebrows rose in mock-shock. "Your suitors are not eligible." out of the folds of her skirt, she pulled out a packet of papers.

This sent the council into an uproar. "What do you mean most of these men come from the greatest families on our world and are fine warriors in their own rights."

"And their families were beaten by my Father and Grandfather by right of Conquest, They are not suitable for anything but scrubbing the latrines. And you seem to think if you parade enough male demons under my nose, I will fold and be a proper Lady, Get real." The Lady responded

"My lady you must choose a mate this is a matter of law that your grandfather set in place himself."

"There is nothing in the Laws that state an unmated female cannot lead her pack and thus her Empire alone, if I do choose a Mate, it will not be by your choices because each of them had ties to you lot of old bones. If I do want to mate, I would want a love-match, I am not a prize to be won, I am not a slave at the auction nor am I willing to settle for anyone who cannot beat me in a fight." The Lady snarled as her eyes glowed red.

A guard knocked on the door, and slipped inside before the Lady could kill the Council of Elders and replace them with females, who had made their own way in the world. "My Ladyship, on the view screen there is a Captain seeking your attention."

"Very well, I'll take it in my quarters, thank you, and for you, my lords, this meeting is dismissed."

The Lady stood up and swept out of the Council Chamber.

Once she was in her chambers, her ladies' maids swarmed over her divesting her of formal Council robes and placed her into a less formal dress. She went to her study and opened her mini-view screen.

Once she sat down, she saw an older human on a bridge sitting and waiting for her to answer.

"I am Lady Haruko of the Yōkai Empire, why is it that you have disrupted my Council session?" Haruko questions

The man stood and bowed to her. "My lady, I am captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise, we have come to reestablish connection with your empire." He stood proud and ready.

"I see." Haruko responds, keeping her expression neutral as she was taught. "If you and your highest ranking Officers do not mind, we will discuss this matter over say dinner, as my guests of Honor, of course?"

"We would be honored to join you for dinner at what time would be best for you."

"You and yours are welcome come now and enjoy fresh air and all that my world has to offer." Haruko "Several generations have made sure this world is exactly as earth-like without destroying the native flora and fauna..."

"Then just allow us to gather and we shall meet you in your courtyard in a half hour till then i hope all is well."

Haruko nods as the transmission was cut between them, she stood up and she didn't understand why she felt excited even happy about this visit, this was her first time meeting with a Captain of the Federation as an equal. Normally, she would have stood behind her father as his right hand as his Heir but tragically, he passed away too soon. Haruko closed her eyes as tears threatened to show her weakness. She was very close to the demon, who was both mother and father to an unruly little beast that she was as a younger pup.

A half hour later she was at the courtyard waiting for her guests to appear. She saw the energy field which began to form in her yard.

Haruko watched as the four figures appeared, two were plainly human as far as scent goes, the other was hanyo, the fourth was neither, he was dark skinned male with a brow ridge.

"Good evening, Lady Haruko. it is an honor to meet you face to face."

"Forgive me." Haruko states as she stepped closer and took a sniff of their scents.

The last one she sniffed took an almost hidden defensive stance as she near him.

"There, I will remember your scents should I ever need you." Haruko stepped back and bowed back to them. "I am honored that the Federation would like to reestablish our ties since our world is older then the federation."

"I would like you to meet Commander William Riker, Ship's counselor Deanna Troi, and my Chief of Security Lt. Worf."

After the introductions were made Haruko lead them in to the in part of the manor to a semi-formal dining room.

"I wish to personally thank you for your disruption earlier, I wasn't thrilled with the way my council session was heading, I believe its time, I replace couple of those old bones with fresh, young new way thinkers." Haruko states, as she clapped her hands as servants appeared with several dishes. "I see my Cooks have outdone themselves."

"If you would forgive me for speaking out of turn, my lady. But the Lead Cook was about to resign in protest if you didn't request a feast fit for one of your station." the head server states, placing a covered dish in front of his Ladyship.

Will and Deanna both cover their mouths to hide there smiles at the statement will Worf looks serious around the room.

"I see Worf-san is a seasoned warrior, if I may be so bold to inquire but what are you?" Haruko questions.

Worf looks right at her "I am of a race called Klingon we're a warrior race."

"I speak for myself and that of my Empire, I am willing to reestablish our treaty with the Federation, however, I have one request in return." Haruko replies, as she looked straight at Worf as well, not backing down.

Picard turn to face her. "And what is that request, Lady Haruko? If its within our power and reasonable i see what can be done."

"This is between us, it does not concern the Federation as a whole, however, my council is forcing me to accept an arranged marriage, because they do not want a Lady in power, they wish for a Lord, I see their problems as I have to find a suitable mate and produce heirs but I want to do so on my own terms. I wish to travel the universe in search of the one, who will prove to me that my title does not matter that he will protect me, ensure my future pups that we will always be safe and secure." Haruko states

"My lady I don't see no problem with your request if you sure your empire would survive with their leader gone?"

"My empire is peaceful, and my Council will see to the day to day needs of my subjects, and just on the safe side, I will chose my own Regent to act in my stead." Haruko answers

"Well then I see no problem with the request."

Haruko gave a feral grin, "I've not this much fun since I was but a young pup. My Council is in for a rude awakening."

The meal progressed as normal with everyone talking of different things from the state of the government to just stories of their travels.

Haruko held her peace as she plotted against her Council, she offered the guests to stay the night but they declined, they would remain in orbit until tomorrow evening.