Prologue

A sigh was heard as a lone figure lifted their face to the sky. It was the night of the lunar eclipse so the sky seemed almost completely black as if ready to welcome it, except there were small dots of white where glittering orbs hung suspended in the dark heavens. Although to other eyes the moon was still in full view in the sky, the figure could see that the brilliant pearl colour had faded to a grey just shy of black. The figure was a female inuyoukai that couldn't bear to sit still on this night. Her father, Inu No Taisho had fought the ryuuyoukai Ryukotsusei during the day and she knew he had only just escaped death but he had ended up with potentially fatal wounds. She sighed again remembering where he had been heading when she had tried to stop him. Her father had taken a human lover; a princess called Izayoi, and had impregnated her causing many problems to arise. One of the bigger problems was her brother Sesshomaru. All members of Inu No Taisho's direct family (mainly children) knew that the child would be a hanyou when it was born which some would most probably find 'dishonourable', after all a child born of demon and human was considered unacceptable by both societies. She turned her head so she could see the horizon. The sea was a dark navy with the occasional white horse crested over the waves. The beach that she could see was a dark golden brown with a white mark with areas of red and another standing not to far away that was a grey white. Letting her eyes pick out sharper images, she gasped inaudibly as she spotted the crimson beginning to pool under the grey white figure's arm. That injury was most probably a fatal one if left untreated as it was possible that their father could die of blood loss. She shook her head clearing the snow off her head before leaning back against the rock. She didn't want to get involved in this conversation as she knew it was most probably about the swords of supreme conquest – especially the Tetsusaiga and So'unga. What her otouto didn't know was that the swords were to be separated and he was to be entrusted with the Tenseiga. Sesshomaru would probably kill her if he knew what she did – that So'unga was to be sealed and one day banished whilst Tetsusaiga was to be entrusted to the unborn hanyou.

She shut her eyes for a short while she went over their talk from earlier. She was unaware of the transformation that her father went through except she could hear the howl echoing off the mountains and hills. Opening her right eye, she watched as the lunar eclipse began as the left side of the moon began to turn black and cursed her father under her breath.

The cry of a baby reached her ears. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she headed in the direction of the cry's origin - knowing she would only find death. Countless demons moved away from her, all in fear of their lives because of how strong she was. She paused for a moment by the beach and noticed him standing there. The waves still crashed beside his feet as he stood as he had been when talking to their father. She was tempted to go to him and cry her heart out, but she knew what her brother was nowadays and didn't dare show her weakness. Taking a deep breath she continued in the direction she was going, following occasional tracks from their father.

The house where Izayoi had been staying in and the houses around it were burned ebony black. Some of the support frames for some places were still standing but in a state of slow motion collapse. Here and there a flicker of flame as she approached what was the main house. Closing her eyes in an attempt to block out the smell was useless. It was overpowering her olfaction abilities - and she had a weak sense of smell! Taking a deep breath she allowed her hearing to capture any noises above the crackling of wood.

Stopping a cry escaping her, she ran to an area that was almost central in what was the main house and began to move the debris from her father's body. She had heard his breathing and heartbeat although both were weakening.

"Stop." The command was simple but she ignored it.

"No. I will not leave you covered by burnt planks and ash. You deserve to die in a different environment." He smiled lightly at her stubbornness – it was a welcome change after Sesshomaru's arrogance. A small chuckle escaped him before he grimaced at the pain his injuries gave him.

"Do you remember what i told you?" He opened his eyes and looked at her. His amber eyes were beginning to cloud slowly. She nodded her head.

"Protect my brothers at all cost. Never let Sesshomaru or Inuyasha kill one another, and don't let them die in vain." She sighed. He nodded his head before closing his eyes for a brief second.

"I wish for you to do one more thing. Watch over Izayoi and Inuyasha. When Izayoi leaves this world, train Inuyasha to be able to protect himself and teach him the ways of the demon."

"Yes father - you know i shall do that regardless." A small smile graced her face just as the lunar eclipse ended. The moon struck her from behind, bathing her in a white aura. Her creamy skin and amber eyes seemed to glow while her hair sparkled like diamonds. The crescent moon on her forehead and blood red stripes on her cheeks helped to distinguish her as his daughter.

"And I know it would be a good idea for me to keep an eye on them whilst she is still alive in order to ensure that Sesshomaru doesn't do anything stupid like trying to kill the infant." She rolled eyes at the thought of Sesshomaru – he really was a bundle of trouble for her.

"Good. Make sure Myoga and Toto-"

"Otou-san, they shall do as you instructed them to. And one day in the future, my brothers shall banish So'unga to hell." Her right hand was held in the air to silence him. He inclined his head slightly before closing his eyes for the last time.

"You always sound so sure of yourself..."

"It keeps me going on so i don't get bored – and if they don't do it willingly, I'll put events into motion that will make them do it themselves." It was a pained laugh that escaped him this time and she grimaced herself. She knew that his injuries were all fatal now and that he had probably breathed in too much smoke. His eyes remained closed as he spoke now and his breathing slower. A small light sparkled near her as a small moon fairy drifted onto her shoulder. Its small dress was pure pearl white and its hair was short and twisted around its jaw line. It took a look at the dying Inu lord before it fell to its knees crying soundlessly. Its tiny wings seemed to crumple as it sobbed.

"Tsukimegami, you are truly a wonderful daughter with beauty - beauty beyond compare....I would never have changed you in any way.... I wish you well my daughter." His breathing slowed steadily as his heart began to beat less and less. She moved to sit with his head on her lap, stroking his long silvery hair, until finally he was still. A single tear fell upon his face as it escaped her eye.

"And so the Great Lord of the Western Lands dies. Inu No Taisho-sama, you were a benevolent master until the very end." Myoga the flea sat on Totosai's shoulder with Saiya as they watched the scene before them. It wasn't until the dawn's light began to creep over the hills that she finally called them over.