Chapter 1

"Sesshomaru-sama, where we going?"

"To rest. Winter is approaching. It will be best not to travel in the heavy snow."

"Hai!"

Lord Sesshomaru kept his eyes on the path they walked, Rin at his side like always, Jaken behind. But something in the air was disturbing him. A scent drifted in and out like snow but not like snow. It was so confusing and very irritating.

It had been coming and going for a while, a few days, following him. He tried to pin it down but so far was yet to succeed. It was very good at hiding itself.

The days went on in the same way, walking, silence, the smell. Until finally, they came across the large mountains with his home perched up towards the peak, well out of human reach but forever reminding them who was in charge. Sesshomaru stopped and created his cloud and drifted up. Rin climbed onto Ah Un and followed, leaving, Jaken who had to jump up and grab onto Ah Un tail. As Sesshomaru drifted up that smell did too. Causing him to stop and turn around. His eyes narrowed for the infuriating smell was back and stronger than ever.

"Rin go on to the castle I have something to take care of. Jaken look after
Rin." Sesshomaru stated while hiding his irritation.

He flew full speed toward the scent landing in the cavern below the castle. He sniffed the air looking for the scent only to find it had disappeared again. His eyes leaked red. This was infuriating. Nothing could match this scent. It smelled of spices he never smelled before. Also a strange sweet scent of a flower not native to Japan was mixed in. He sighed and headed back to his followers. He looked to see they were at the gates waiting for him. Jaken was pacing back and forth grumbling to himself. He ran over as soon as he saw his lord.

"Mi lord. What was it a daemon? What causes you to stress mi lord?" Jaken asked but soon started groveling once Sesshomaru's glare reached him.

"Sesshomaru-sama ?" Rin's sweet voice reached his ears and his glare toned down a notch but it was not completely gone. Rin had recently turned twelve and was starting to fill out a bit. This did not go unnoticed by her daemon companions. It made them more edgy around her and Ah Un more protective of her. She was wearing a heavier winter Kimono. It was blue with Cherry blossoms on their branches and koi fish swimming around them. She watched as Sesshomaru and went deep into thought. Then something caught her eye.

It was a cat or a dog she couldn't be sure sitting on the other side of the mountain. It was weird because it had thirteen tails and all were moving, some were wagging, others were the tips moving and not the whole tail. It looked curious and bored at the same time. Then it stood up and walked away. Not long after Sesshomaru's head followed her gaze and saw nothing but that scent. He growled low within his throat. Then turned and headed to the gates of his castle.

The castle gates were huge for they had to be big enough to let Sesshomaru in while in his dog form. The guards were dog daemons. They varied in height and status. They looked down and saw their lord with a frog daemon and a human child. They opened the gates and they walked in quickly. He was greeted by his general Kai and looked around his domain. There were most daemons of the canine species. However there were some other daemons living there too. There were bird daemons, some spirits, and dragon daemons. Sesshomaru signaled one of his female servants to come over. She was a dog demoness and she was beautiful. Her silver hair went mid back, her eyes were sea blue, her skin was a shade darker than Sesshomaru, and she wore a red winter kimono. When she stopped in front of her lord she bowed and waited for instructions.

"You are going to look after Rin from now on. You are going to teach Rin how to be a lady; how read and write and behave as my ward" Stated a rather emotionless Sesshomaru

"Yes my lord." She stated calmly but her emotions were not. On the inside she was confused and frustrated.

General Kai was watching and was amused by her facial expression. It was no secret that she was Sesshomaru's concubine, if not his favorite. Whenever he came back from a journey he first go to see her and they wouldn't leave his room until two days later and the smell of sex would be all over him, her and his room. So he became curious as to why he would want Asami to look after the child. Knowing she does not like children.

He just shrugged and became intrigued by the child called Rin. Her innocent brown eyes were looking around with fear and interest. She did not seem to fear Sesshomaru just the demoness looking at her. His lord noticed and gave a warning growl. Asami backed off and led the child away with Jaken following.

"Sesshomaru- sama?" Asked a confused and slightly scared Rin as she was led away

"Rin, you are to follow Asami directions on being a lady. Asami, no harm shall come to Rin." They lingered on what was not needed to be said. Just because Asami was Sesshomaru's favorite concubine did not mean he would not kill her and enjoy it. He never admits it out loud, Rin started become the one he would protect and cared about more than his pride and his life. He watched as the three disappeared. He turned his head to see his general watching him with amusement.

"It appears Sesshomaru that you care for that child." Stated a very amused General Kai. His voice was that of a rushing river loud but deep. Sesshomaru knew Kai since he worked for his father. His father always left him with Kai when he had to go to war or see his mother. He just looked at Kai and replayed his favorite saying.

"Ridiculous. I care for no one." His voice brimming with venom

"You could have fooled me Sesshomaru." Mockingly stated Kai

"Hn"

He walked away from him and disappeared into the castle. Kai laughed and his deep green eyes shined with amusement. He was a head taller than Sesshomaru, about 6 foot 10. He wore a deep green kimono and his amour was similar to Sesshomaru's with the only difference being that he had the spikes on both shoulders and he carried two katana blades strapped to his back and one sword forged from a dragon's flame on his left hip. He looks like Sesshomaru but he didn't have the magenta strips and had black hair instead of silver. He walked back to give his men orders. Then stopped he smelled the air and picked up the scent he hadn't smelled for a thousand years.

Oh how he missed that scent. The scent that could bring the toughest and most heartless general to his knees. Nothing could compare to the exotic scent that smelled of the spices anise, marjoram with a touch of cinnamon, also the faintest smell of the blue lotus flower. He smiled and went back his give his men orders. He hoped soon the owner of that scent would come a pay him a visit and possibly cause trouble like they usually do for Inutaisho's sons just that person did for him and Inutaisho.

…...

Rin looked around the castle and was in awe of the place. Well it was more like a palace than castle to her. The palace was huge there were many corridors and passageways. If she didn't have a guide, she sure would've got lost. She followed the pretty demoness to her room. She did not know it was across from Sesshomaru's bed chamber. The demoness however noticed and her jealousy spiked but she kept it hidden for she feared for her life. She looked at the child and scoffed at how Sesshomaru would consider this thing as someone important.

Rin, taking notice of her stare, looked up at her and smiled. She hoped to get on the demoness' good side but that did not appear to be happening. It appeared the more she was around her, the more hostile the demoness seem to become. Rin just shrunk back and went into her room. She gave a wide smile and ran around the room. She could not believe how beautiful this room was. She had a bed three times her size decorated with light pink sheets and silver trim, the bed posts where four towering dogs sitting and watching the sleeper. She had a closet full of beautiful kimonos, each more beautiful than the rest. It looked like a room made for lady of the castle which caused Rin to shrink back and look confused.

"I don't deserve this." Came her weak response to the room

"Foolish child of course you don't but my lord decided to give this to you." Snapped Asami

"Sesshomaru- sama did?"

"Yes know get ready for dinner, my lord will be waiting for you." Then she stormed off in a fit of rage and slammed into General Kai. She gave him a glare then went to her quarters. Kai raised an eyebrow and smirked.

He was happy the little concubine got a reality check. He turned his head and headed toward Rin's room. He saw the child sitting outside the room looking confused and worried. He smiled at her and squatted down to her level. He placed his hand on her shoulder causing her to look up at him. She tilted her head and gave a small smile. He felt his heart string tug slightly. Then stood up and opened the door for her. Rin in return stood up and went into the room. Kai watched as she slowly sat herself down on the bed and lay down to go to sleep. He just let her and left the room in silence.

He closed the door and went to get something to eat when he ran into his lord and sighed. He explained that even if he wanted the girl down for dinner, she seemed so in shock that he should just let the girl sleep. Sesshomaru just raised an eyebrow and Kai shrugged in return. He liked the fact that the two of had a slight communication going on. He got his food, ate it and then went back to work.

Outside in the court-yard going through the motions of fighting until his sword connected with claws. It startled him, for most of his men were either on guard or eating dinner. He looked to see who stopped him but saw no one. He smelled that familiar scent and had a soft smile. He turned around to see that familiar female dog with thirteen tails sitting in the court yard. It looked pleased to see him as he was pleased to see it.

"It has been a long time. Has it not, Kai?" The creature's voice was silky smooth silk sliding against skin and it was so beautifully female. She smiled at him showing her fanged mouth. Her fur was black with a blue patch on her breast in the shape of a lotus blossom. Her tails were trimmed with dark blue and dark purple representing the night sky. Her wrist had silver bracelets dangling onto her paws while her eyes were silver with dark, sky black pupils. She got up and walked over to him, stopping right in front of him.

He hated the fact that in her smallest form she still was the same height as him sitting down and was about two inches taller than him standing up. He still smiled though and placed his hand on her head and gave a slight welcoming growl. She licked his forehead.

"Yes, it has. Nephira" Stated a blissfully happy Kai

"How have you been? I missed your stupidity and curiosity when we were pups." She smiled that warm smile and looked up toward Sesshomaru's war room.

He followed her gaze and gave a sad smile. He remembered when InuTaisho left her for Sesshomaru's mother. He should have felt happy about that, but he could not, even though he loved her with all his heart, he could not bear seeing her in so much pain.

He highly doubted InuTaisho even loved her for a time but the night he left her and he heard him howl in pain and from then on he knew that InuTaisho had given his heart to her just as he had when he first met her.

HE knew the two females InuTaisho had been with were fillers for the pain he felt when he abandoned his first mate and left her. Those two females, especially the human female Izayoi, may have had his broken and shattered heart.

But Nephira had his soul and his eternal love. He was there when he went to go save Izayoi and when he asked his son, if he had someone to protect. He knew he protected Izayoi because she carried his son, not because she carried his love and soul. It was out of duty, not love. He heard him say 'I can't afford to lose her' but in reality he remembering the time he lost Nefira to his pride and selfishness. He hoped that saving Izayoi would redeem him for what he did to his first mate but in Kai's eyes there is nothing he could do to redeem himself for the pain he caused her.

He believed that InuTaisho knew that. He was there in his final moments when he fought Tokimaru. He remembered that short but vital conversation.

"Kai, what are you doing here?" said a weak InuTaisho

"I followed you."

"I see. Kai… I know you must hate me for what I have done to her."

"Your right, I despise you giving her up, for making her feels as though she didn't belong." His voice and words stabbed InuTaisho in the heart.

"Your right…"

"What right do you have to ask your son if he had someone to protect when the female you promised to protect ended up getting harmed the most by you?" Kai was now yelling all his anger and hatred was surfacing. His fist clasp so tight his claws drew blood

InuTaisho laughed and started coughing up blood. He smiled a sad smile "You are right Kai. I need to tell you something before those palm bearers take my soul away. I have always loved Nefira. When I said I can't afford to lose her. I meant that I could afford to lose Nephira again. I have been a fool to not realize that I have given my heart and even soul to her when I mated her." He gave a bitter laugh "Kai you have to promise me if Nephira comes back to Japan or this realm please give her this."

He held up a necklace with the full moon and a lotus in between the moon. Kai smelt that it was enchanted with a daemon spell of protection and ancient and forbidden one. This spell had been banned because in order to cast it, a part of your soul had to be fused with the item the spell is being cast on. It drained the person casting the spell and if not done right, it could kill them, which explained why his lord had such a hard time fighting that pathetic dragon. Kai took it from him and nodded. He watched as Lord InuTaisho left this world with a smile and soon he left to let the fire engulf his lord.

Kai was brought from the past by a pair of arms wrapping around his waist. He blinked and placed his hand on her hands. He did not need to know that she did not have any clothes on, as unlike him and his clan of many other daemons can transform within their clothes, without destroying them. For Nephira however, her clothes tear from the sear power she releases from transforming. He turned around in her arms and forgot that she was shorter than him by 4 inches. He placed his head on top of her head. She sighed and pulled him closer. She soon pulled back and transformed back into her animal form then soon disappeared.

When she did Sesshomaru came out looking well and pissed off. He sniffed the air and his eyes fell on him. He walked up to Kai and snarled. He could smell that scent all over Kai and yet he could not figure out who it belonged. He knew it was female now, that the scent was extremely strong but who this female was and how in the nine hells did Kai know her?

…

Sesshomaru gave Kai one last glare before heading back to his office. He had jumped out of his war room window in order to track down the scent that had been teasing him for the past couple of days. When he did he saw Kai hugging some female than she disappeared along with that scent. He walked over to Kai and snarled. He knew Kai would not give up any details on her. It infuriated him that some random female could sneak into his castle and seduces his general. Then have his general keep her a secret from him. Sesshomaru growled in frustration. He made it back to his office and slammed the door open. He looked up to see Asami sitting in his chair with barely anything covering her. Exposing herself to him. He growled in frustration and glared at Asami.

"This is not a good time. Get out." His voice chilled the passing servants to the bone but not Asami. She had been Seshomaru's concubine for almost 50 years. So she knew his moods better than anyone else. She got up and started acting submissive toward him. She placed her hands on to his amour ready to take it off but was stopped by Sesshomaru grabbing her hands and literally throwing her out of his office. She landed with a thud and the door slammed after her. She stared at the door in shock and humiliation. Sesshomaru had never denied her. No matter what.

She picked herself up and walked away with whatever dignity she had left. Sesshomaru on the other hand didn't care whether he hurt her feelings or not. He told her to leave but she disobeyed. He narrowed his eyes at the door and turned his gaze to the pile of scrolls containing treaties, alliances and other crap he would much rather not be doing. He sat down and went deep into thought.

A knock on the door causes him to come out of it. He could see the outline of Rin and caught her scent. It instantly relaxed him. He gives a small smile but it soon went away when the scent of fear reached his nose.

"Come in Rin."

She opens the door wide enough to let herself in but small enough so no one else can come in after her. She closed the door after her and walked over to him. Her eyes are filled with doubt and worry. "Sesshomaru- sama, Why is Rin here?" she asked meekly

His eyes widened in response. This once laughing, playful, and sometimes annoying child was here asking why she was here. The child, the only one could make Ah Un, aside from himself, cooperate to her will. The child that could talk back to Jaken, was now looking like a caged and frightened animal. His heart cracked a bit.

"Rin, you are here because I desire to have you here."

"But why? Rin does not deserve the things you have brought her and…" She was cut off by an unknown force that seemed to sooth her. This went unnoticed by Sesshomaru.

"Rin, you are worthy of the things I buy you. I do not care what my servants think of you, all that matters is what I think of you. Now head back to your room and bring Jaken to me."

"Yes, Sesshomaru- sama"

He watched as she left and gave a barely audible sigh. He sat down and began to go over the scrolls. Little did he know a certain female was making her way toward Rin.

…

Rin got back from visiting Sesshomaru and was telling Jaken that Seshomaru-sama wanted to see him. She was tired but for some reason she felt comforted. She reached her room and dove on to the bed and silent tears came out. She buried her head in the pillow to mask the scent. She felt a paw rub her back and a wet nose nudge her.

"There, there child. It will be okay. Do not worry." Whispered a calming female voice "I'm sure everything will turn out alright"

Rin nodded and rolled over to look at the source of the voice. What she saw startled her. It was that strange creature that was sitting on the other side of the mountain. The creature smiled at her and got to walk around her room. Now that the creature was in the same room as her she could see that it was actually a female and she was gorgeous. Her fur was black as the night with traces of dark blue on her front that appeared strangely shaped like a lotus blossom Lord Sesshomaru had shown Rin a very long time ago. Her tails sparkled with dark blue and darker purple tips. On the two front paws were silver bracelets that tinkled against each other as she moved. Rin looked into her eyes and they were pure silver, even more than Sesshomaru-sama's hair with pure black, trusting, beautiful pupils. There was also what looked like a thick collar around her neck. She looked at her with pure curiosity because has never seen a creature like her before. She wondered if she was native to Japan or some other country. A soft laugh brought her out of her musing.

"Little one what is your name?" asked the female creature in a gentle tone. Like to a lost child

"Rin is Rin's names" She said while smiling ear to ear. She didn't know why but she felt she could trust this female

"That's a strange name for sweet child." The female tilted her head in confusion "Who gave you that name?"

"Sesshomaru –sama did"

"I see, well we're just going to have to change it when I'm around. Okay? Little one." She sounded so convincing that Rin just nodded her head in anticipation. "Hmmm let me see. A name…." She put her paw in front of her mouth and went into thought. Many names went through her head but none seem to suit the child. "I got the perfect name for you. Your name when I'm around will be Kiyoko which means pure child."

Rin blushed at the name but nodded anyway. She got done off her bed and walked over to the female and wrapped her arms around her neck and buried her face in her fur. It was so soft and warm. Most of all comforting to Rin. She heard a slight purr and nuzzled even deep in her fur.

"What is your name?" asked Rin's muffled voice but the female still heard her

"My name, little Kiyoko, is Nephira."

This is my first Fan fiction so please review and tell me you thoughts. Thank you for reading.

Ps. I am currently working on chapter two

I would like to thank StoryLady, Mi Ling Chi, and Taraline for editing my work and catching things I Don't always catch. Love you guys.