A/N: Sorry if Sesshomaru seems a little OOC. I tried to be as faithful as possible. But let's just assume that he and his brother have matured over the centuries an their priorities changed. I own nothing but my imagination and the OC's.

Sesshomaru observed the woman before him battling the same demon he had been hunting. She was wounded and blood was running down her left side at an alarming rate. Despite being injured she was giving a good account of herself in the damage department. The question was, who was she?

Mia only faintly felt the gash on her left side. During battle the ability to push pain away gave a great advantage, despite the price. Suddenly there was another aura nearby that could not be identified. Was it another vampire? The intelligence reports did not state the creature worked with another. In her current state a second opponent would be a definite problem.

The vampire in front of her made another swipe at the wounded side of her body. Blocking at the last second it was obvious there was no way to win this battle. There was something different about this vampire that didn't make sense.

The demon lord knew if he did not intervene the warrior would perish. Releasing his aura fully he joined the battle. As he came at the creature with his Tokijiin drawn the other warrior fell. She had fallen victim to one of the demon's attacks. This was just the opportunity Sesshomaru had been waiting for to strike. With it's attention divided his opponent could not deflect his attack and the battle was over.

The warrior woke all at once with a start causing the servants to drop their trays. After the chaos was sorted out her eyes immediately focused on Sesshomaru. "Who are you?" came out as a whisper but it seemed like a demand.

The amber eyed entity sighed and commanded "Ribu"*. The servants bowed and exited the room.

He focused his intense gaze on the girl "I am Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands. Who might you be?"

She attempted to move into a sitting position but gasped in pain. "You may not want to do that. You've been unconscious for several days but the doctor said you're not healing. Why?"

The girl attempted to glare at him but pain washed everything away. "Blood." was all she managed to say. That earned her a quizzical look. Blood? What on earth would she need that for?

Her next word shocked the demon lord even more. "Vampire."

"So you're a vampire and need blood to heal?" Those creatures hadn't set foot in Japan for many years. This was very strange indeed.

"Sort of." That response was through clenched teeth. She was obviously in pain and not getting any better. The doctor he employed only worked with demons and humans. It was worth a try giving her blood.

More servants were summoned. This time with a bag of medical blood. "Do you need to ingest this or will a transfusion work?"

"Drink."

Well that answered that question. He gave her the bag and she punctured it quickly, eyes aglow. After it was drained she fell back unconscious again.

Later that evening Sesshomaru was in his office talking on the phone with his brother. They'd been planning a flower viewing party for some time now. Finally ironing out the details. "So you'll be bringing my niece and nephew for certain?" Inuyasha chuckled "Of course. I couldn't keep them away from their uncle. You're all they talk about." They were really his great great niece and nephew but who was counting?

After many centuries they were finally on friendly terms. After Naraku's defeat and taking a wife Sesshomaru had softened considerably toward the hanyou.

He'd married Rin when she came of age but they never had any children. The Gods didn't see fit to bless them that way. Inuyasha and Kagome had many children together. It was the one thing he was still jealous of. Rin and Kagome also had much to do with the reconciliation as well.

Both ladies were long gone but the brothers were still on excellent terms. Inuyasha was working at one of Sesshomaru's Tokyo companies as his Vice President. They saw each other as often as they could.

The Hanami* or flower viewing parties were an excuse to see old friends and distant relatives in the demon community. In the modern times they had to be much more discreet. The Kyoto estate had large gardens with many Sakura trees. Perfect for privacy and discretion.

"Well I suppose you've heard about my 'guest'. I'm not sure if she'll be well enough by Saturday to attend. I know very little about her anyway. Maybe it's better if she doesn't"

"I have a feeling it'll work out. Well I've got to run. The kids are waiting for me to pick them up. See you Saturday."

The elder demon sighed. Time to check on his mysterious guest. He was lost in thought as he made his way to her room.

This time she was conscious on her futon but still lying down. "I see you're awake. Good. I have some questions for you."

She blushed slightly "Forgive my rudeness earlier. I was not myself." The cuts on her face were starting to heal. But slowly from what he could see. "Please tell me who you are and what you're doing in Japan."

Nodding slightly. "I am a hunter. My King sent me after a vampire that fled here. When I engaged him in battle he was unlike any other I'd fought before. If you had not intervened I would not be here now."

So she thought that was a vampire she faced? That made some sense. "The creature you fought was a demon. But far from an honorable one. He was a serial killer and had to face justice. When he fled to my lands I was duty bound to take his life."

The girl regarded him with an understanding gaze "Duty and honor is something I know well. If I may ask something?"

Sesshomaru nodded "You have my permission."

"For one so young why do you have white hair?"

A smile played at the edge of his lips. "Not so young. I am a demon lord many hundreds of years old."

Memory tugged at the back of her mind. Lord of the Western Lands. Demon. Battle armor and an ancient engraving.

Mia inched up onto her elbows shocked "You're still alive? My tutor said you were killed during the great demon wars!"

That she'd actually heard of him brought him up short. So it was common thought that he'd been dead all these centuries? Probably for the better.

"The ancient records are incorrect. While many did perish, I survived. Events were recorded years or even decades later."

Struggling into a sitting position "You look different without the armor." She paused a moment "and your markings. They're gone."

Before he knew what happened she touched his forehead where the crescent mark should be.

A jolt ran through them both when the hand connected. "Ow!"

"You've just encountered the spell that keeps them hidden. These days I must be careful who sees the real me."

She blinked and came back to herself. "I'm terribly sorry. Just touching you like that was rude."

They regarded each other in an uneasy silence "You still haven't told me your name."

"Mia. It's Mia." For some reason it sounded uncommonly lovely to his ears.

"Well Mia I have a great deal to attend to. I'm sure you'd like to bathe so I will send a servant to assist you. Tomorrow if you're well enough we'll go into town and get you some proper clothes."

"Proper clothes, my Lord?"

He smiled over his shoulder as he exited the room "for a flower viewing party."

Ribu - Leave

Hanami - Flower Viewing Party related to Sakura Blossoms