With a glare Mizuki squared off with the dragon before her. "Do you really think you are a match for me?"

The dragon growled in return and charged her.

Having finally had enough of him, Mizuki sighed as she dropped her head. Drawing her katana and spun in a circle lopping off his head while she did so. "Idiot. I told him to withdraw and save his life."

"Are you Mizuki, daughter of Koga?"

Mizuki turned to find a dog demon standing before her. From the looks of him he was a royal messenger. The only demon that she knew that would have messengers that dressed like this was Sesshomaru. "Yes. What do you want with me?"

"Lord Sesshomaru has requested your presence in his court."

With a laugh Mizuki crossed her arms as she looked at him. "What? What does he want with me? The last time I saw him I was an adolescent and he acted like I was nothing more than a pest."

Shaking his head the messenger gave her a small bow. "The reason was not told to me. Will you come or send me back with your refusal?"

Thinking for a second, Mizuki blinked. The last time she saw him he actually told her that she would be ugly when she grew to an adult. Having a half demon for a mother. With a smile she gave a sharp nod. 'I will show him that he was wrong.' "Yes. I will go. I must first go back to my den and let my father know what is going on."

The messenger nodded. "I will wait for your return to this spot."

Nodding, Mizuki turned and ran for home. She wore clothing like her mother wore. She wore slimmed hakamas and a haori with slimmed sleeves. She bore a single katana at her side. She also had a light fur vest that was black with a blue symbol for wolf on the back. Her hakamas were royal blue and her haori was sky blue.

As she reached her den she smiled as Asami, Kaiza, and Kichiro ran up to her. Reaching out and touching them on the head, Mizuki laughed. "Hello little ones. When did you get here?"

With a bright smile for her aunt, Asami closed her eyes as her head fell to the side. "Mama and papa just got here a few minutes ago."

Leaping up to land on her shoulder, Kaiza gave her his best pitiful look. "Aunt Mizuki where were you?"

Smiling, Mizuki looked at him as she winked. "I was hunting and then I had to fight a dragon that thought he was stronger than me. But right now you need to play you're your brother and sister longer. I need to talk to Grandpa." She let out another smile and laugh as he fell from her shoulder and ran with his brother and sister.

As she entered the main den, she smiled and waved to Shippo and Nozomi, but went on back to where she could smell her father was. Knocking on the door she waited a moment for him to answer.

"Come in Mizuki."

Walking in, Mizuki found him and her mother sitting on the bed. Going and sitting between then she sighed as she let herself fall back. "So I just got summoned to see Sesshomaru in his palace."

Jerking his head up as he looked at her odd, Koga didn't know how to take that. "Say what now?"

now more than a little worried, Sora had wide eyes for her daughter as well. Sesshomaru had never had anything nice to say to anyone. Even Mizuki when he would be around her as a child. And in the pack, Mizuki never used titles, which she was sure he would demand when she got there. 'This could end in us losing our eldest daughter, or the West losing it's lord.'

smiling as she sat up and let her head fall to the side, Mizuki looked at her father as she sighed. "I am going to go and see what he wants. If nor no other reason than to show him that I did live to be an adult."

giving her an even glare, Koga crossed his arms as he let out a small growl. "Do you really think you can handle going to see him? I am not sure if I could really take him in a fight Mizuki."

laughing as she smiled, Mizuki knew something that they didn't know. They didn't know Sesshomaru like she did. He picked on her and degraded her yes. But he never once tried to hurt her. "I am sure everything will be fine Papa. He has never tried to hurt me. And as long as he doesn't attack me I will be just fine. You will see. But the messenger is waiting for me with A-Un." She then quickly kissed them both on the cheek and then was off and gone, rushing out of the den and back for the messenger and then the Western Palace.

Standing and going to the window, Sora sighed. Three things. Three things she could think of for her daughter to be called there, and she didn't know how she felt about any of them. "Koga, why do you think he really wants to see Mizuki?"

Feeling the fear rolling off of his mate, Koga walked over and put his arms around her from behind. "I have no idea love. But our daughter can handle herself I am sure."

"I know that Koga I do." But then she dropped her head. "There are only three reasons why I can think of for him to send for her like this. But I think I can only accept one of them."

Giving her an odd look, Koga just blinked. "What are you talking about Sora?"

Turning in his arms, Sora looked up into his blue eyes. "He is calling her to the palace to try and tell her that he is going to have her work for him. To kill her when he sees her, or for a mate."

Flinching at the word mate, Koga just looked at her. That wouldn't be so bad in a way. At least he would know that someone ruling over the demons had a brain. "Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves Sora. Just wait and see what she sends back in a message, or comes back to tell us." When she nodded, Koga kissed her and then hugged her to him with her head under his chin.

X

Dropping down from a tree by the messenger, Mizuki smiled. "Well let's get going."

Nodding as he bowed, the messenger then lead him to where Jaken was waiting with A-Un. "Lord Sesshomaru sent Master Jaken and A-Un for you to ride as well. Master Jaken she has agreed to go."

Turning his glare on her, Jaken crossed his arms. "I still don't k now why Mi Lord sent us after a lowly little wolf like you! He would not even tell me, his most loyal vassal what he wants with you!"

Not even about to tolerate his mouth for a second, Mizuki growled as she marched up to him and thumped him on the head with her fist. "You just keep your trap shut toad. The only one I will ever show respect too is Sesshomaru. And someone he asks me too. Which would never be you."

When he mumbled something, Mizuki growled then turned to A-Un and rubbed his head. "Hello A-Un how are you? We haven't seen each other for a while." She then laughed as both heads leaned in to get a scratch. "Okay okay."

Clearing his throat, the messenger pulled all eyes to him. "My Lord is waiting."

Nodding, Mizuki then swung herself up on A-Un and took to the sky, leaving the messenger to follow on his cloud. A smile as they soared through the sky headed for the Western Palace. Dropping her head she sighed. 'But I do wonder what it is that he wants with me.'

But for the life of her, Mizuki couldn't wrap her head around the fact that he had not come himself. He always came himself when he wanted to see her. Though she had to always make sure that they didn't touch so her parents wouldn't know that she was meeting with him. While her father never had any beef with Sesshomaru personally, she figured he would be upset because of what happened with his wolves and Rin. 'But they don't know that he has forgiven that because he was able to bring her back. And they don't know that he has a soft side.'

With a glare as he sat just behind the wolf, Jaken still didn't know why Sesshomaru wanted her there. Or why he would meet with her growing up. "Mi Lord probably wants to kill you."

Turning a hard glare on the toad, Mizuki growled. "Who asked you anyway toad."

Flinging his arms around, Jaken glared. "I am Master Jaken to you!"

With a growl, Mizuki made him freeze. "Do you ever just shut the hell up?"

Glaring back at her, Jaken crossed his own arms. "No! Not when I do not agree with Mi Lord Sesshomaru. Why he wants to see you is beyond me!"

Raising her hand to thump him again, Mizuki stopped when she heard two pitiful low growls escape from A-Un. Looking back at him, she sighed as they slowed and went lower. Then she saw why. They were passing over the graves of Rin and Kohaku. Patting his neck, Mizuki let her eyes half close. "You miss them don't you A-Un."

Starring at the graves as they passed over them, Jaken couldn't help but stare at them either. As children, Kohaku and Rin grew close, and when they were both old enough, mated. They had a son, and then a daughter. That daughter mated with a dog demon that was part of Sesshomaru's army. But then a massive battle claimed the lives of both of Rin's children, and the dog demon mate of her daughter. And now, Sesshomaru watches over their half demon child just like he did Rin.

"Jaken!" When he jerked his eyes up to her, Mizuki sighed. "Does he still wonder the gardens at night like he used too?"

Nodding as he closed his eyes, Jaken crossed his arms again. "Yes. Rin is still in everything that he does."

With sad eyes, Mizuki turned away from the toad and let out a sigh. "And how is Nariko doing these days?"

Still trying to figure out how one human child and her half demon grandchild could have changed his lord so much, Jaken turned his nose up at her. "Just as annoying to be around as her grandmother was."

Laughing, Mizuki turned and looked down at him. "Perfect. Someone to give you a hard time toad."

Waving his staff around, Jaken glared harder at her. "I will put you in your place wolf if you do not start calling me Master Jaken!"

With a glare in his eyes, A-Un snorted and went into a deep dive over the court yard of the palace, flicking his tail and sending Jaken into the koi pond. He didn't like hearing him talk about Rin or Nariko like that either.

Laughing out loud as the toad hit the water, Mizuki shook her head. "Good boy A-Un." Just as they landed she slid off and then sighed when she heard an excited squeal. Turning in time to catch Nariko as she rushed from the palace and jumped into her arms. "Nariko!"

"Mizuki!" Hugging her as tight as she could, Nariko was so excited when Lord Sesshomaru told her that he had sent for her. "I am so glad you came! I have not seen you in forever!"

Sitting the pup down on her feet, Mizuki sighed with a smile. She was fifty years old now, and she already came to her hip. "Well thank you. By the way where is Sesshomaru?"

Grabbing her hand, Nariko pulled her with toward the palace. "Come on! I will show you! He has been expecting you! This way!"

Smiling as the half sized half demon pulled her through the halls at a run, Mizuki coudlnt' help but notice that some smiled at her, but there were some that glared at her like her being there was a sin. 'I think that some of them know something that I don't know.'

X

Standing in the room that was once Rin's but now belonged to her granddaughter, Sesshomaru sighed. It was Rin's. Then Rin and Kohaku's after they mated. She hadn't been in this room for a very long time. He missed her. More each day. Though he would never tell anyone that. And having Nariko around, he would be able to have part of Rin around forever. Something he welcomed.

The smell of Nariko coming down the hall, he couldn't help but smile. Mizuki was with her as well. Turning as they entered the room, he let out a long sigh. "Mizuki."

"Sesshomaru." Smiling brightly at him, Mizuki sighed. She knew that glassed over look he had in his eyes. He was thinking about Rin. They only did that when he thought about her.

Standing between Mizuki and Sesshomaru, Nariko smiled brightly up at them. Her mother told her all about how her grandmother always said that there was no one like Sesshomaru, or her father. And since the death of her own parents, Nariko now knows what that must have felt like. To have Lord Sesshomaru, the strongest of all demons watching over her grandmother. She knew what it felt like to her, and figured her grandmother felt the same way.

Looking down at Nariko, Sesshomaru took a deep breath. But for the fact that she was a half demon, she looked exactly like Rin. Which helped in not having Rin around as well. "Nariko. Mizuki and I are going to talk about things in my study. You have practice right now. We will both see you in a while."

With a gasp, Nariko jerked her eyes up to his. "I forgot about it when you told me that Mizuki was coming." She then gave him a bow, hugged Mizuki then raced from the room to the gardens.

Brushing past Mizuki, Sesshomaru sighed as he headed for the door. "Come with me Mizuki."

Following him to his study, Mizuki gave him an odd look. Once the door was closed she sat down and was just blunt to the point. "Sesshomaru why did you send for me?"

Knowing he needed to, and that his court has been on him to take a mate. Sesshomaru wanted to make sure that it was the mate he wanted. The North had a daughter that was half leopard and half fox that he kept shoving at him. But she was a pampered ninny who would just stand in his shadow and do anything that she was told. He wanted a fighter. Someone who would stand with him if it needed, and stand up to him as well. But he had to do this right, for if the wrong demon pulled out his inner demon, he would be stuck with her.

Taking a deep breath he sighed as he closed his eyes. "I called you here because I tire of the nobles and Lords of the other lands and this one pestering me about finding a mate. They are trying to force women on me that I do not want as a mate. I want a fighter, one who will stand up to me, and stand with me. A warrior of sorts. That is why I have sent for you Mizuki."

Letting her jaw drop, Mizuki didn't know what to think about that one! He asked her to come, so that he could ask her to become his mate! "Wait what? You asked me to come here to see if I would be willing to become your mate?"

His eyes clear and met with hers, Sesshomaru showed no emotion, but inside he was screaming at her to at least try. "Yes. It will not happen right away. A trial period will happen first. Three months."

"But what would this trial period include anyway?" Though she tried, Mizuki couldn't hide the blush in her face fast enough. She could not deny that it was a very appealing thought. She had always admired him. She would not hold back that she was clearly attracted to him. But that wasn't a demon level.

Closing his eyes with a sigh, Sesshomaru tapped his finger on his desk. "Simply put, we will live the life of a mated pair. Our routines and actions will reflect that. Nothing else would happen where you are worried about, unless our demons claimed each other."

Nodding, Mizuki cast her eyes down with another sigh. "But what happens if just my, or just your demon shows up. What would happen then?"

His eyes now on her again, Sesshomaru thought for a moment then let out a long sigh. "That would be a problem either way it went. When it is noticed that one is starting to come out, you will have to be sent home immediately. That way, you or I could find someone else to mate with."

With a frown, Mizuki was actually afraid of that one. Without a word at first, Mizuki stood and turned to go to the door. Stopping she looked over at what looked like a very worried Sesshomaru. "Well regardless of what happens Sesshomaru. I think I want to give it a try. I am going to go send a messenger and let Mama and Papa know what is going on."

Once she was out the door, Sesshomaru sighed as he finally relaxed and smiled. From the time she was nearly grown, he had a desire for her, but would never tell her that. So when he sat down and decided to finally appease the world and take a mate and have an heir. It was not a hard choice to make as far as who to send for. Yes her mother was a half demon and her father a demon. But there was nothing about her that said she was anything less than a full demon. And the chances of her having offspring that were half demon were almost nothing.

Leaning back on the bookshelf behind his desk, he closed his eyes. "Now if only things go the way that I want them to go. It would not be hard for me to let go of my leash and claim her."

X

With a sigh as he sat on the roof again, Koga looked up at the sky. Sora and the girls were once again with Nozomi and the kits. Daisuke and Isamu were out hunting. And Kosha was now spending his time with a certain female at the moment. He could see it in his son's eyes. Taking a deep breath as he started to l ay back, he smiled. 'It won't be much longer before our pack grows even more.'

Though just as he was almost laid back he caught the smell of a dog. Sitting up he saw a dog demon land just in front of his home. Jumping from the roof he crossed his arms. "Can I help you with something?"

Turning to Koga, the messenger held a note. "Lady Mizuki asked me to have this delivered to her father. Shall I wait for a return reply?"

Arching his eye at the way he called her "Lady" Koga sighed. "Let me read it first." He then looked down at the message.

"Papa,

Well, I am sending this because of what happened. It turns out that Sesshomaru asked me here for a reason I never thought of. He has decided to take a mate, and I was his first choice.

I know I owe you and Mama a full explanation, but ever since I was big enough hat you and Mama would me go hunt, or just explore on my own, I have been meeting with hm in secret. I know him Papa. I can handle him and he knows that I won't be a push over. That is what he wants.

There is going to be a three month trial where I stay here and we act like mates to see if our demons claim each other. If they do, I will be Lady of the West. If not, or just one does, I will be home early enough I will still be able to find a mate.

Tell Mama please make her understand that I said I wanted to stay and see if I can do this. I will send you updates as they happen. Please don't be mad at me Papa.

Mizuki"

Having been a little shocked that his daughter had been carrying on a secret friendship with Inuyasha's brother, Koga still had to smile. This did seem like something that she wanted to do. And he knew for sure that no one was going to push her into doing something she didn't want. He made sure of that. "Yes I will be sending a reply. Wait here a moment." He then vanished into his home and to his desk to pull out a piece of paper.

"Mizuki,

Yes you do owe us that explanation. You know how I felt about Inuyasha, but I never had any bad dealings with Sesshomaru. You could have told us and we would have been find with it. We raised you so that you wouldn't be a push over for anyone.

If you really want to, and you think you can handle him, go for it. Just make sure you keep us updated on what is going on. Don't worry about Mama. I will handle her."

Papa"

Going back outside Koga gave his reply to the messenger and then sighed. "Make sure that she gets this tonight." When he nodded and flew off, he couldn't help but have a far off look in his eyes. He always thought that all his pups would mate and stay home, or at least close to home with another tribe. But at the moment, his eldest daughter could be Lady of the West. A smile as he shook his head and headed back inside, Koga sighed. "If only Karasu was still alive to see our daughter mate with the Lord of the West. That would be a face I would love to see."