A/N: I do not own the Inuyasha characters. Any others are mine though.

Hi again, I'm sorry for such a long delay in finishing this. Life happened and I lost my thought process. The story will be going under revision now and will be finished this time. Promise!

Chapter One: The Beginning

The city teemed with life as it did every night. Bars seemed to be shaking with the loud music that went on 50 feet below, cars sped by an occasional one stopping to pick up a known prostitute, fights breaking out in alleyways. This was not the reason that he was here though. His men had been tailing this one woman for weeks now. Every night they had lost her, never being able to find where she stopped for the night. He wanted information on her. She appeared to be a single demoness running rampant through his father's city. This was not acceptable, and his men could not find out why she was here. This night, he had decided to follow her himself. He would find the answers that his men would continue to miss.

The shadows hid him from view as he stood on the roof a mere ten feet from her. She stood at the edge, watching the street life below. It appeared she was waiting for something. He admired her form as he waited as well. She was slim and appeared pale, though her dark hair and clothes made her appear to blend in with the night. He could not fathom why his men were unable to keep her in sights. She was a beauty that had not been seen for centuries.

"Are you just going to stand there?" she spoke in a whisper. He waited, thinking that maybe she was meeting someone, until she turned briefly in his direction lifting a dark elegant brow while she stared directly into his eyes. Calmly, he stepped out of the shadows. "So, you finally came yourself."

He watched her carefully, though she did not seem to move. He felt a tap on his shoulder a moment later as her form vanished from in front of him. He turned quickly grabbing her hand swiftly as he made to face her. She smirked at him and he narrowed his eyes at her as he responded. "I did. You are trespassing in my lands young lady."

"I did not know these lands were owned, as you say. Isn't the Feudal Era over?" She remarked with seemingly simple curiosity. He was surprised slightly, though he did not let this show. The flash of green fire in her eyes took him off guard though and he almost jerked back from her. "Though, what gives you the right to call me young?"

"You appear young. Would you rather I called you an old hag?" he queried, calmly.

"Only if I can call you an ancient hermit," she remarked in return with the barest hint of a smile. He growled softly knowing the remark came from his hair color. White was more common among the old than the young these days, though, that was more among the humans. Others had tried similar remarks at times, though they came out the worse for wear more often than not. He demanded respect from all and received it accordingly, as he also dealt respect where appropriate. In a moment, he had her pinned to the wall gripping her throat in one hand. She gave no obvious sign of fear and even had the audacity to smirk at him. Those who smirked at him normally had a death wish and did not survive long.

"Do you even know who you are dealing with?" he asked sharply.

"Sesshomaru Taishou, known walking ruler of the night in the city of Tokyo, Japan; keeps the thugs in line and crime to a minimum. Strange way for a leader of the cities underworld, wouldn't you say?" she asked with a smile before continuing. "Also a big shot business tycoon set to inherit the fortune of his father. Twenty-seven years of age according to the humans. Three siblings, through his step-mother Izayoi. Only one is blood related. Continuously fights with his step-brother Inuyasha, who seems to have incestual interests in his sister Kikyo. Shall I continue?"

He saw the blatant mischief in her eyes as she summarized the well-known parts of his life. He threw her to one side in anger and turned to face her with his arms crossed severely over his chest. She landed on her feet still, even from the sudden movement. None had ever managed that before. "So, Mr. Ice doesn't like to talk about family?"

He watched her a moment longer. She seemed to be trying to taunt him into fighting her. He mentally smacked himself for not noticing the attempt sooner as his instincts now called out for her submission. "You give a rather blatant challenge to my authority, pup. Do you have a death wish?"

"Not quite," she said as her tone turned to ice with a flash in her eyes. "I have a wish to test my skills. No male has managed to defeat me yet and there are rumors that no one has been able to defeat you in over a century."

All emotion was void from her face as she said this. No one he had met before could shield their emotions as quickly as that. Not if they were used to letting them show. One thing had him confused, however. "Women are only to be fought for mating rights, or did you forget this?"

"I have not. Yet, since when do the males let a female who has defeated every male she has come across to walk free?" she asked innocently. Disbelief colored his gaze as he continued to watch her skeptically. There had been rumors of a female that had yet to be tamed for the last century. He had not expected one such as this though. She was a slight thing that appeared to be thing enough to blow away in the wind. He ensured to keep his thoughts hidden though.

"Considering most females have to protect themselves from lesser demons, it is not surprising. Why do you think we should concern ourselves with you?" He turned, walking to the edge to stare at the city below, seemingly brushing off her claim.

"I defeated Sherin," she said simply as if it were the most obvious answer. Sherin was his father's second in command. He and his father were the only ones that had ever been able to defeat him until about a century ago. None had defeated him since. No one living had even tried in the last fifty years. His father had selected Sherin because it had been at the time that no one could defeat him save Lord Taishou. There were a few now but not many. It did not seem likely that this slight girl could have defeated him. Though, why else would Sherin disappear without a word? He was a man that believed wholeheartedly in honor, yet, he had failed to answer his father's summons this last week. He turned back to look at the girl, making a quick decision. His father would need to hear of this. There were not many eligible men that were of mating age that were stronger than Sherin. And he was, himself, one of the few. He had not planned on a mate so soon, but depending on how strong the woman really was it was not even guaranteed that he would defeat her. In that case they would have an even larger problem on their hands.

"Follow," he said simply before leaping to the next building. This was definitely something to inform his father of.

She followed closely as the infamous male in front of her sped quickly through the large city. She had never intended to mate anyone but the changing times had forced her decision. Since the humans were becoming more powerful by the day, they could not afford exposure just because of her foolish whims. Since the day she had reached matable age, there had been many males that were foolish enough to think that they could defeat her. They were all dead. When she had met Sherin and managed to defeat him without really trying, she knew there was a problem. Her mother had always told her that the females needed to be controlled. She never said why though. For the longest time she had assumed her mother was weak. She felt that no self respecting female would say that they needed to be controlled. Whatever happened to controlling yourself? Recently though, she had found the reason.

An unmated female was a danger to the world. The battles for mating could be intense with older females as they were normally stronger. A weak female was fought over by the males. A strong one though, had to be fought herself to prove that male could control her. The male also had to be stronger in order to prove he could protect her during a females weakest time, child birth. It did not help that females in her family were naturally stronger with each generation. At least when they did breed a female. She had been of matable age for almost two centuries now. Unfortunately, due to the rising population of humans, there were not many strong males to be found. The only benefit in finding them was that they normally held positions of power or influence.

She brought her mind back to focus when she sensed the Taishou heir stopping in front of her. She had to swiftly dodge him in order to skid to a halt without falling.

He watched the graceful stop performed by the female. She slid to a stop and turned to face him, all in one graceful move as if she had been dancing and not running. Many women attempted this but always managed to slip and land in an ungraceful heap on the ground. This was the first he had seen of a woman being able to stop so fluidly.

"Are we here?" she asked with a tilt of head in curiosity.

"Yes," he answered simply leading the way into the simple mansion that sprawled at least a hundred acres. He mentally cursed upon realizing that no one was home. He calmly turned to her to ensure that she stay. "My father is not home just yet, however. It should not be long though. You will stay until then, come."

"And who said you could boss me around?" she asked with a slight growl. He turned calmly though his anger was starting to get the better of him. He would be glad when his father returned and he could leave the insolent female to him.

"As you are on my fathers' lands and he is not present, the youkai law dictates that you must obey the residing male. Now, unless you wish me to have you placed in the dungeon?" he paused for a moment to get his point across. "I suggest you listen."

He watched as she simply shrugged and gestured for him to lead the way. He turned around sharply and led her to the sitting room. He made sure the servants knew to alert him once his father arrived and then moved to pour himself a glass of whiskey on ice. He watched carefully as she followed him into the room. She stopped just inside the door staring around the room. To him, it was unimpressive. The Lady Izayoi had redecorated it recently. A crème blue painted the walls above the dark mahogany wanes coating where there were not bookcases. There were only a couple. The ceiling was paneled wood to contrast the carpeting beneath. She simply stared at the far wall, though, where there was a landscape that his mother had painted. It showed her private garden that not even her mate knew where it was. He was the only one to know. He stood simply watching her until his father arrived an hour later. He then left her in order to meet with his father first.

Taishou followed his son into the room shortly after he arrived. She turned to face him immediately, executing a respectful bow. He was shocked by her appearance. Her scent pointed toward full bred inu but there was an underlying scent of something else. Her appearance was a unique coloring that had not been seen before. Pale skin with such dark hair was unheard of amongst the inu. She was a dazzlingly beauty in any case. If he had not already been mated, he might have considered taking her for himself. "Sesshomaru has informed me that you have come to be claimed. Is that right?"

"That is correct, milord," she answered demurely. He was slightly surprised as his son had mentioned a strong defiance within the girl.

"How old are you?" he asked skeptically. He waited quietly praying that the answer was younger than was rumored.

"I will be two hundred forty-nine in two months time," she said calmly. He almost spluttered in shock but was able to keep himself in check. An unattached female of that age was unheard of. It also did not bode well. They had little time to ensure that she found a mate.

"Who was the last male that you defeated?"

"He was a white Inu named Sherin. It was a decent enough challenge, though I would have preferred having to actually try," she said making her disdain at her last opponent clear. Taishou almost took a step back in shock. She spoke as if it had been a child's fight. He gestured for her to site before excusing himself to speak to his son. As soon as she had sat he gestured for his son to follow him.

"Is there a problem, father?" Sesshomaru asked incredulously. Taishou took a moment before he could speak.

"When was Sherin last heard from?" he asked his son sharply.

"A month ago. It is the same Sherin, father. There is no other inu with that name and my men have been unable to tail her for more than an hour. It would also explain his failing to respond to your summons last week," Sesshomaru answered dutifully.

"This female must be mated soon. If she reaches her 250th year without a mate then we might as well kiss the world goodbye. Not even I would be able to defeat her after that," Taishou whispered the last, though Sesshomaru caught it clearly.

"What happens if she reaches 250 years?" Sesshomaru asked cautiously. It did not appear to be something he would want to know.

"Her powers will at least double what they are now and the beast will consume her mind. Why do you think all the females mate before they are 100?" he answered sharply. He watched his eldest's face pale further than it was if that was possible. "Now, give her a room and summon the eligible males stronger than Sherin. Hopefully, one of them can defeat her."

Sesshomaru watched silently as his father walked away. Never had he seen even a hint of fear in his father's eyes, and now he had seen what looked like pure terror. He understood though. This female, if as strong as she said, would destroy all life if not mated soon. He made his way back to her and proceeded to lead her to her rooms himself.

She followed him silently, questions dancing around in her mind. He did not speak but simply walked through the mansion until reaching a room on the west side. She paused at the door, looking back at him. He raised an elegant silver brow at her, calmly awaiting her voice. "Why was your father so upset?"

"A female has not reached her 250th year without being made in over a millennia. This has been prevented till now as their powers double and they lose control of their beast. We will ensure you are mated before this occurs," he said seemingly dispassionately.

A sharp smack made his ears ring blocking the noise of the door slamming next to him. He stared in shock at her door for the next hour before moving away. No female had ever dared to touch him in such a way before. His beast purred in appreciation. This bitch would be his.