Sayuri looked at her reflection in the mirror. She picked up the delicate hair comb in front of her and gently pushed it into her silver hair. Her servant had pinned her hair up in so many elaborate twists and turns she feared touching it lest she ruin it completely. Satisfied
with the combs position she turned to her reflection once more and sighed. Her pale skin, large green eyes, long luscious hair and high cheek bones made her beautiful. Or so she was told. Her lineage certainly dictated that she be nothing less than regal.

Her father was a great inuyokai who served the honorable Inu no Taisho. Truly, they were best friends. Her mother was also an Inuyokai; one of the most beautiful in the land. Her father had perished when she was but a child and Toga insisted she and her mother lived in the castle with him, his wife, and their son Sesshomaru. Sayuri's face burned as she thought of the great Lord Sesshomaru.

Today he was returning from years of traveling. He had taken part in the defeat of the evil Naraku and there was to be a great celebration. She feared seeing him. Many years had passed since their last encounter. Perhaps he wouldn't even remember her, though she knew of
course he would. She wasn't even sure why there was going to be any celebration at all. Lord Sesshomaru was not an outwardly emotional person. She doubted he cared to even be home at all. Taking one last look in her mirror she stood up and walked towards her door.
With a deep breath she slid the screen open and stepped out into the hall. Servants rushed around attempting to finish last minute preparations for the great feast. All who lived in the palace of the great daiyokai were expected to be in attendance, including servants. Her
servant Fumiko ran up to her and grabbed her hand.

"My lady! Lord Sesshomaru has returned early. He is already sitting at the head of the great table. You must hurry!" Fumiko sputtered out.

Sayuri's eyes widened and she felt her palms get moist. She had meant to be already seated and waiting by the time the Lord had walked into the dining hall. She wanted to go unnoticed as much as she could, but now with his early return it may not be possible. She and
Fumiko walked towards the doors of the massive dining hall. She peeked in and saw that Sesshomaru was already seated at the head of the main table, which was slightly elevated above the smaller tables for the rest of the household.

A small girl sat next to him playing with her hair and looking around with wide eyes of excitement. Sayuri narrowed her eyes and wondered who the little girl could be. She was human. Sesshomaru hated humans with a passion. Why would he bring such a simple, young creature here, among dangerous demons? The girl was quite adorable with dark chestnut hair and large brown eyes. A small section of her hair stuck out to the side in a little ponytail. Her kimono was simple with orange and yellow squares and a green obi tied in a large bow.

Deciding to worry about the little human later she inhaled a deep breath for courage. Sayuri saw servants bringing in dishes of food and she dodged behind them as inconspicuously as possible, rushing to her seat hoping Sesshomaru wouldn't notice her. As she sat down she
looked up only to find herself staring directly into golden amber eyes. She stared back at Sesshomaru frozen in mild horror. 'Damn it' she chided herself mentally. She offered him a small smile and relaxed as he looked away without giving her anything in return.

'Well I can see he hasn't changed one damn bit' Sayuri lamented. Suddenly a little green toad rapped a twisted wooden staff upon the floor. Sayuri rolled her eyes as Jaken sucked in an enormous amount of air and bellowed to the crowd, "Lord Sesshomaru, the great and honorable
Lord of the Western Lands has returned safely from defeating the wretched Naraku! Tonight we celebrate his long awaited return!" Cheers erupted and music started as the household began its festivities.

Sesshomaru stared icily at his subjects. The same impassive, bored look adorned his face that he always seemed to have. He didn't care for all these festivities and pointless celebrations. Was there ever any doubt that he would defeat the weak half demon and return home to
rule his lands? He looked to Rin and watched as she clapped her hands at all the succulent foods placed in front of her. He wasn't sure what possessed him to bring her back to his lands with him. Loyalty? Hmph, of course not. He was loyal to no one. Cared for no one. But he
felt responsible for this child's life. He had brought her back from hell itself, after all. Sesshomaru let his eyes wander over the great hall and found himself looking at his childhood friend Sayuri once more. Her head was turned this time so their eyes did not meet. Sayuri was
engaged in what seemed to be a lively conversation with Juro, a member of his gaurd.

He hadn't thought about her in a long time. The last time they had seen each other did not go well. As soon as she walked into the great hall he had smelled her sweet delicate scent. He watched, slightly amused, as she seemed to be hiding behind a servant in order to reach her
seat. When their eyes met once she sat down he could feel the tension and fear washing off of her in waves. Perhaps she was still mad at him. He hadn't been kind to her when they said goodbye so long ago. He knew she had left the palace and returned only a few
years ago. Maybe she had meant to come make amends only to find him gone? He shook himself mentally and turned his attention back to the dinner his servants had prepared. What a waste. He wasn't going to eat any of it. Sesshomaru stood, already bored with these
ridiculous merriment.

"Rin. Come."

The little girls head jerked up from her plate, "Coming Lord Sesshomaru!" she sang out.

Sayuri watched the pair walk out of the dining hall and let out a sigh of relief. Maybe she wouldn't encounter him again.

After a huge and filling dinner that lasted long into the night the majority of the staff and other members of the household decided to head to their rooms and seek the comfort of their warm beds. But Sayuri felt unsettled and so she opted for a walk in the garden. She smiled
as she entered the beautiful enclosure filled with trees, bushes, and flowers. Inu no Taisho had built the garden for Sesshomaru's mother. Sayuri knew little about her other than she lived else where and had not been here since she was a little girl. Neither father nor son spoke
of the woman and Sayuri didn't even know her name. But she imagined that once upon a time the daiyokai and his first mate must have been deeply in love for him to engineer such a gorgeous landscape just for her.

As she walked she breathed in the scents of the flowers. Turning her head into the refreshing wind she saw the little human girl that Sesshomaru had brought home with him. Heading directly for the child, she called out to her softly, attempting not to startle the small creature.

"Hello, little one. What are you doing out here all alone so late into the night?" Sayuri expected her presence to be met with fear but instead the girl turned to her and smiled brightly.

"Oh I just love the flowers! I saw them outside my room and just had to come see them," she cried happily. She handed Sayuri a crown of golden flowers she had fashioned.

"Ah aren't you so sweet, little one," Sayuri whispered, taking the brightly colored crown from the child's hands, "what is your name child?"

The girl looked surprised to be asked such a question, "My name is Rin, my Lady. Lord Sesshomaru brought me here with him. You are the only person who has spoken to me at all since we got here," the girl whispered looking sad.

"Well, Rin, my name is Sayuri. Don't pay any of these mean old demons mind. They are just stuck in their old ways. Why did our Lord bring you here?"

"Lord Sesshomaru saved me Lady Sayuri! I have been traveling with him since. He and Master Jaken," Rin exclaimed with such an exuberance Sayuri could not doubt the truth of her story. How odd though, she thought, that Sesshomaru would save and allow a human to travel with him. Had his position on humans changed? Maybe he and Inuyasha were friends now. Sayuri rolled her eyes at such a silly thought. Had she herself not bore the brunt of Sesshomaru's anger over his father's siring of a hanyou? A chill came over her as memories drifted through her mind.

Sesshomaru whirled around to face her, anger seething on his every word,"What do you mean he ASKED you to do it, Sayuri?" he spat out bitterly.

"Sesshomaru, he requested my help. After all he has done for me was I supposed to turn him away? You can't really expect me to dishonor your father in such a way! Even for you..." she left the words hanging limply.

"He dishonors himself with that filthy human whore and hanyou offspring."

"Don't speak ill of her, Sesshomaru." she said faintly, thinking of poor Izayoi. "What's done is done. I have taken both the infant and Izayoi and hidden them somewhere safe. It was his last request of me, should he perish in his battle with Ryūkotsusei. That little baby is your brother. He needs you Sesshomaru, hanyou or not!" she raised her voice slightly.

"You are a fool, Sayuri," his icy eyes falling to hers, "My father was weakened by that wretch and her unborn child. It's a shame they both survived. It should be them gone instead of father."

Her eyes widened and she searched his face before answering softly, "Oh Sesshomaru, they did not weaken him, but instead made him stronger. Love knows no bounds. I was not going to deny Lord Toga's wishes, especially when his death came to pass. How sad that he already knew he could not ask you for your help. I am not ashamed that I helped them. And I do not regret it."

"Hmph. Leave me before I lop your head off right now," he bit out venomously.

Tears welled in Sayuri's eyes and she reached her hand towards his face. Sesshomaru pulled out of her reach and yanked his sword from his side.

"Leave."

She turned from him and ran as fast as she could out of the garden. She gathered her things and went to Izayoi and her child. She helped her raise Inuyasha and after Izayoi's death continued on alone. Inuyasha knew her as his "sister." When he was old enough though she had returned to the castle hoping Sesshomaru had cooled off enough to forgive her. He had been gone, having left long ago, the servants told her. But the household welcomed her return and she helped run the estate in Sesshomaru's absence.

"My lady?" Rin asked startling the woman out of her reverie. Sayuri sniffled and turned to Rin.

"Rin, you are so sweet. This garden hold's many memories for me. I got lost in them for a moment. But it's so late. You should go get some rest. The flowers will be here in the morning," she held her hand out to the girl and helped her up. "Good night, Rin."

Rin gave the woman a charming smile and turned to leave, "Goodnight, Lady Sayuri!"

Sayuri followed the retreating girl with her eyes until she was sure she had gone safely back into the castle. She wandered back to her own rooms, her mind occupied with what the girl had said. Sesshomaru had saved a human? And then let her travel with him for years? Were they speaking of the same Sesshomaru? She drifted into a troubled sleep thinking of him.