They say the weak crumble under the pressures of life, and the strong stand tall protecting as many as they can. But with so few out there that are superior it is only logical that many of the feeble will disappear, become nothing more than a memory and a fear. Who is it that decides who is strong and who is weak? Where do the ties of power lie? It is nothing more than a quest, a desire, a patronage to the glorious tomorrow.
Then again, the truly exceptional are those out there to protect themselves and the ones they love from anything and anyone. Those are our heroes, our self sacrificing champions. However, the fact remains that not all will aspire to these heights; who can be the hero? And who will fall into despair?

She may not have been the perfect daughter, or the prodigy of a great demon; but her air was far more mysterious and alluring than many of those around. She did not believe in burdening those around her with her problems, or even involving them if it was avoidable. Though she did take the time to hear out the people around her, she was kind and assertive; but by no means a flawless character.
"Lady Calpurnia, your father has said your guests will arrive soon. You know that you should be wearing the kimono he has selected for you," cried Cal's friend and attendant Micha.
"They won't be here until sundown, there is no reason to fret," Cal said becoming impatient. Micha gave her a worried look, but remembered that Cal was the Lord's daughter, and said nothing more.
So the young demoness continued walking down the highly decorated hall; for her father was a lover of great art; taking advantage of his wealth by enhancing the beauty of the castle. The floors were carpeted with the fine cottons imported from far east that held the hue of fire, while the edges were embroidered with orange threads of the south. The walls were frescoed in commemoration with the history of the Inu demons. The paintings themselves were expressed as many of the past rulers walking about fields, some of which in their true forms, while others traipsed about naked. The Northern Lord thought the naked body to be among the most beautiful of things, and kept it as the basis of theme in most of the sculptures and other paintings. Cal had passed them so many times now they were nothing more than oils on the walls; except for maybe one particular image. In the portrait it was high noon, and within the boundaries of a field stood too pups, both in their true forms, playing and wrestling amongst the tall grass. A smile pulled at her face as she peered deeper into the details of the work; the young pup with light tan fur had the white pup pinned to the ground as it playfully tugged on the other's ear. The white pup had colorful markings on its face, much more dramatic then the subtle grey ones of his playmate.
Cal continued her walk of the hall, descending the stairs at its end, and again walking down that hall. The memories were still flowing through her mind; she had not seen her companion in a great deal of time. She wondered if he would even enjoy her company any longer; or would he prove to have taken his coming of age more seriously than she would have thought.
"Lady Calpurnia, I highly suggest that you change My Lady," Micha said quietly. Cal turned to the window, the sun was high in the sky; half the day still waited to be lived.
"My apologies Micha, but I think I will go to the hall; you may leave," Cal spoke, there was still a significant amount of time; and her calm demeanor was threatening to leave her. She needed to do something to pass the time..

Standing next to her sister behind her father, Cal waited patiently to be excused so that she may continue to play. She never found any interest in the politics of the castle, she was much more focused upon the games she could play, and finding someone to play them with her. Kestrel, her sister, was the only one in the castle that was near her age and she found no pleasure in playing Cal's rambunctious past times. Kestrel was always the more reserved one, taking things in strides; mature for her age. Cal was another story, she ran the castle servants and attendants ragged; it seems there was always someone chasing her as she jumped off, and broke something. But when told by her father she listened without question, frightened into submission she continued to stand there waiting to be dismissed.
"Lord InuTaisho, it is good to see you and your wife and son healthy," Cal's father spoke in a cheerful voice. Cal however paid no mind to him, she was only interested in the new arrivals. She had never seen them before, and even for being of her species she was astonished by their look. The man stood tall, a kind expression worn upon his face; the blue streaks upon his face made bold of his golden eyes. The woman at his side was almost as beautiful as the man was handsome; her hair was the same golden hue as Kestrel's, except that her eyes were a magnificent blue rather than Kestrel's pink. But what excited Cal the most was the small boy standing in front of the guests; he looked about Kestrel's age, but she prayed he would be a better playmate. She slowly rose her hand in the air and gave the boy a wave; with an awkward smile he waved back.
"You are looking good as well Lord Fado, but I have not had the pleasure of your pups names," said the man with azure cheeks. Cal fidgeted a bit more.
"Oh course, this is my eldest Kestrel; a fine girl, good at everything she tries. And this," he spoke pointing to Cal, "is my youngest Calpurnia, she is over active," he said in a frustrated voice. This was Cal's cue, so she and her sister stepped up to the Lord and his wife; each bowing and offering a respectful welcome. The Lord's mate smiled as she met his eyes, beaming with love as she turned back to the two girls before her.
"This is my son, Sesshomaru," the Lord boasted proudly as he gave the boy a small pat on the shoulder. Greetings always seemed to take so long, and now even Kestrel was showing the extents of her patience. "Maybe we should allow the children to play, they after all will show no interest in what needs to be discussed," the great dog Lord said. Fado nodded, and with that Cal took off; running over to the field that sat just off to the right. Kestrel left as well, but she moved with much more ease and casually strolled towards the castle walls. Sesshomaru however made no motion to move, and stood awkwardly in front of his mother. She gave him a gentle push, signifying to him that he should join the others. He reluctantly pulled himself away, and started for the castle; going after the lesser of two evils.
Cal however saw his departure from the adults, and started over for him.
"Hey, do you want to play with me?" she asked hopping out in front of the boy. He eyed her suspiciously,
"I don't take part in such childish games, not when there are matters of castle politics to be discussed," he said in a neutral tone before walking past Cal to the castle. Cal's head tilted to the side as she watched him walking away; if he didn't want to play with her, she would simply have to make him. So with his back to her, Cal started running for him; and with a leap landed squarely on top of him. The small demon boy was startled and hit the ground with a roll. Cal however had complete control over the situation and pulled herself on top of him, pinning him to the ground by his shoulders. She grinned happily down at him,
"Do you want to play now?" The boy gave a growl as he tried to wriggle free, but he was trapped; so instead he glowered back up into the face of his attacker.
"Let me go! I don't want to play with you!" he yelled as he thrashed about more violently. The smaller pup looked down upon him unhappily, but then turned her frown into a big smirk. "What's wrong with you, let go!" he said trying to growl menacingly.
"Your just mad that I beat you, see look who is trapped!" she teased. The little girl than crawled off him, and sat down upon the grass; watching as he sat up as well. His face was tinted red from shame, and the work involved in freeing himself; still he glared at the little girl with pale silver eyes. "Fine, there are better things I can do then play with you!" the demoness shouted a bit hurt and rejected. She pushed her self to her feet and slowly made her way back to the clearing, the small youkai watched her anxiously. And feeling the need to redeem himself he shot up to his feet and charged towards his enemy. With a powerful jump he barreled towards her, catching her with his small claws in her abdomen. They hurtled forward, rolling through the dirt; Sesshomaru holding on tightly, he was not going to be bested again.
As their momentum started to stop the young girl grabbed the boy's ankles, pulling them up as they coasted through the air causing him to fall forward faster. They hit the ground hard, and once more Cal came out victorious on top; the boy growled again as he fought to free himself once more.
"Get off me you brat!" the boy grumbled as he tried to claw at her small arms. But she only grinned back at him,
"Admit it!" she squealed. "Admit you want to play with me!"
"I want to play," he mumbled barely audible to anyone.
"Louder!" she giggled as she put pressure on his shoulders.
"FINE!" he roared. "I want to play!" With that the small girl leapt off him and started running, and the boy followed, chasing her as fast as he could move his legs.

The young demoness sighed remembering his face, his laugh, and his rare smile. She missed him dearly, for he was not just a guest to the castle; he was her best friend. There were memories of him scattered everywhere in the castle, things they did, conversations they had; the tricks they pulled.

"Shhh, Maru, she'll hear you," the young girl whispered as the two hid behind a cabinet in the kitchen.
"I told you not to call me that," scolded the boy, though he did quiet himself more to just above audible.
"Well you call me Cal," the demoness said as she peeked from her hiding place to the door.
"You name is long and hard to say," he growled again.
"So is yours," Cal said as she rolled her eyes. The older youkai was about to retort when the kitchen door swung open violently, both children sulked back door behind the counter as they suppressed their laughter.
"Where are you two? Just come out and I'll give you guys a treat," cried a frantic voice from the doorway. Cal laughed into her hand, as she leaned forward and grabbed a piece of twine; her companion on the other hand crawled over to the edge of the cabinet and prepared to stand.
"Micha! I can't find Cal anywhere," he said going out into the full view of the room. Micha's eyes turn to him as relief washes over her; her face was still stricken with worry however.
"It's ok, come I will help look for her with you," Micha said taking a step towards the boy. Sesshomaru's eyes then darted over to his playmate's and she responded with a tug to the string. At the pull a crate filled with cooking pans falls over behind Micha, at the sound she leaps forward out of fright. The boy immediately reclaims his seat next to Cal and they watch their plan unfold.
As Micha's feet touched the ground again she slipped over a gravy like sauce, where she was sent sliding into the cooler. And as fast as their still growing powers would let them, the two demon children ran over and locked the cooler; trapping poor Micha inside. Cal turned to Sesshomaru as she grabbed her sides with a laughing fit, he too could not suppress his laughter as the attendant frantically pounded on the door; begging to be let out.
"Let's go play tag," the young girl laughed as she took her companions hand, and together they walked outside with a merry skip.

Cal moved her eyes back over to where Micha stood, she had still not left like she was asked to.
"You know Micha, I never apologized for what I did to you when I was little," she said with a partial smile.
"Oh My Lady Calpurnia, that is long forgotten. You have grown to be a wonderful person now," Micha responded with a small sigh, clearly showing her relief for the turn around. "Why don't you go see Sir Makar, I am sure the practice may calm your nerves," she said a bit more motherly. The young princess rose to her feet, listening full heartedly to what her attendant said; but before she left she had to ask.
"Do you think he has change because he is now of age?" she asked twirling the bracelet upon her wrist. Micha gave her head a small shake, but once her charge turned a depressing frown came upon her face. The males always changed when they came of age, and with his character already so distant she feared the worse.

Alright, I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. The next can be out soon; please Review.