In The Beginning

In the moonlight, I stood on the roof of the pagoda. The night sky clear, with occasional gloomy clouds, as a gentle breeze blew across. The night's peaceful and tranquil. There I stood, clad in a black ninja suit, I waited. Then I saw him, tall and lanky; His purple demon markings prominent on his flawless fair skin. His long silver hair blew gently in the night breeze as his golden eyes glimmered in the moonlight. Calmly, he walked across the courtyard towards his sleeping chambers. My eyes followed his every move as I waited for the right moment. Suddenly, he looked back and peered up on to the roof area. I ducked and waited. His eyes narrowed for a moment and he finally turned into his chambers. Gently the door closes, and out from my hiding place, I peeked out. I glanced around, sensing that it was safe; I jumped down towards the long walkways. I cautiously sneaked along the corridor towards the weapon chamber, which was on the left of his chambers.

Stealthily, I sneaked into the weapons chamber and grumbled to myself in a low mumble.

" All this trouble, just to get my sword back. If only that stupid KeiKo had taken care of it."

I looked around. It was a massive hall with an array of weaponry, both old and new. Kitanas, broad swords, crossbows and spears lined the walls, but I can't find my sword anywhere. Then I saw it, on a pedestal stand, my sword was placed, as if it was on display. Slowly and cautiously, I walked towards it. As I neared it, I suddenly sensed another presence and a gush of cold air blew around me.

" I knew that something was amissed."

A soft deep velvetly voice said and I turned around and saw him. Standing at the doorway, Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, stood, looking at me. His face expressionless, although amusement played in his golden eyes. I stared back at him silently as he continued, walking towards me slowly.

" It took you long enough to show yourself. All this because of this sword. "

He nodded towards my sword.

"Angel's Tears. The sword made from a fallen Angel's bones, embedded with the sacred tears of the immortal being of the Eastern Skies. Impressive and yet intriguing sword, isn't it? Why do you want it so bad?"

His golden eyes flashed a stern and cold glare.

"Because it belongs to me. Let me have it or we shall do this the hard way."

I replied calmly.

A low chuckle was heard.

" Sometimes, the hard way is the best."

Suddenly, he lunged forward and I dodged just in time to see the gleam of a blade in the moonlight.

"Toukijin."

I whispered as I landed away from him. Our eyes met and he smirked.

"Very good. It seems to me that you might prove to be a worthy opponent. Now let's see how good you actually are, shall we?"

He said as he lunged forward again with lightning speed. I dodged out of his way and quickly reached for my sword. I pulled my sword from its sheath and I felt him advance behind me. With a crystal clear clang of metal, our blades met. I gave him a smirk as we pushed away. I blocked and dodged his every attack. As I somersaulted away from him, he suddenly slammed me against the wall; his clawed hand went around my neck. Fear flickered in my green eyes for a moment and then followed by defiance. Lord Sesshomaru remained expressionless as he exclaimed in a low mutter.

"Amazing."

He said.

"I've never seen such purity."

Without warning, he pulled off my mask and his lips came crashing down on mine. Persistent, persuasive warm lips caressed mine as I closed my eyes. A gush of blood rushed to my face as he continued to kiss me. His tongue probing gently. Without thinking, I granted his tongue access into the inner recesses of my mouth. Immediately, his tongue darted in. I moaned at the sudden intrusion and my hands crept up his lean body, only to have them pinned above my head. He deepened his assault on my lips as his body pinned me against the wall.

"Sesshomaru-Sama! Are you alright?"

A voice from outside shouted. Sesshomaru pulled away and released his hold on my neck and hands. He turned around as he replied.

"I'm alright, Hiro. Nothing's the matter here."

At that moment, I quickly jumped out of the nearby window and leapt up onto the roof, heading straight to the top of the castle walls. As I stood at the top of the wall on the far end, I looked back. Sesshomaru turned and looked around, seeing I have escaped. He looked out of the window and saw me standing on the castle wall. The wind blew as my long black hair, masked the bottom half of my face. My green eyes glimmered as I smiled a small smile. Sesshomaru looked at me from a distance with compelling golden eyes. I pulled away from his smoldering gaze and leapt off the wall to head home. A small smile played on his lips as he watched me go off.

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"Princess Rei?"

My servant girl, Miko said as I was taking my morning bath.

"His Majesty requests that you join him for his morning assembly."

I nodded without turning my head and Miko bowed as she left. With my hair tied up, the Haiku inscription tattoo of the word "Jade" can be seen at the back of my neck. I got out of the floral bath and dried myself. I put on my royal robes and tied my hair in a loose ponytail.

"Princess Rei, are you ready?"

Miko asked. I walked out of my chambers and nodded. I walked down the long corridor, followed by Miko and Ryukio, my other servant girl, towards the grand hall. In the Grand hall, was my father, Jiro Takena, Emperor of the Eastern Land, seated at his throne. On his left and right were his ministers and advisors. As I walked in, I bowed and took my seat, just to the right of my father. My father surveyed the attendance of his court and then said in a deep rich thundering voice.

" Now that everyone is here. Let us proceed with the morning's daily affairs."

The ministers each one proceeded by presenting the progressions and problems of the different region under my Father's Rule. After that was done, my father then asked.

"Is that all?"

He waited for the ministers to nod before continuing.

"Since we are all done, I have an announcement to make."

He then turns to look at me.

"Princess Rei is now hereby betrothed to the son of Emperor Ichiro Sanga, Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands."

My father announced. My eyes widened with disbelief for a moment and then regained back their glazed look as I tried to calm myself down.

"We will set of to the Western Lands tomorrow morning and they will be wed by the end of the week. Now, go on with the duties of the day."

My father commanded as his ministers bowed one by one as they left, till I was left alone with my father. He turned to look at me and then asked me with a tender voice.

" Reijin, my child, are you happy about the arrangement?"

I smiled a small smile and commented.

"Isn't it a bit too late to asked me how I feel, Father? But if it is your wish for me to do so, I gladly proceed on with your plans."

My father laid a hand on my shoulder and then said.

" My little precious Rei, You don't have to worry about this arrangement. It is both beneficial for you as well as for the region. I promise you that Lord Sesshomaru is worthy and he will not hurt you in anyway, my child."

I smiled at him and nodded. My father smiled and said.

" Go and get ready, Reijin. We set off tomorrow."

I bowed and left the presence of my father.

"Ryukio,"

I said quietly as I turned to my servant girl.

" Send a message to Youko Kurama and tell him to meet me at the usual place as soon as possible."

Ryukio nodded and hurried off in the other direction.

"Princess Rei, are you sure you are going to go through with the marriage with Lord Sesshomaru? I heard that he is a ruthless and cold-blooded Yoktai."

Miko said as we walked into my chambers.

"Even so, Miko. It is my father's wishes and I am bounded by duty to do so."

I replied as I sat down.

"Get me my daily tea, Miko and then we shall meet Youko Kurama."

Miko nodded and went to get me my tea. As I watched her leave, I fell into a deep thought.

" If Lord Sesshomaru is really ruthless and cold-blooded, why did he spare my life last night? Why did he kiss me?"

A flush came upon my face as I remembered the kiss. I smiled a small smile and thought.

" Is he really that cold-blooded?"

Just then, Miko arrived with my cup of tea. After my tea, Miko and Ryukio escorted me to a big willow tree, by the pond, in the royal garden. This was the usual spot where Youko Kurama and I have our meetings. I looked around for him, but he was nowhere to bee seen. I stood under the willow tree and then sensed his presence. Not too near, but yet not so far as well, was the feeling.

"You can come down from the tree, Kurama-san. I know you are up there."

I said quietly as I sat under the tree. There was a soft rustle of leaves and a sudden breeze blew. When the breeze stopped, Youko Kurama stood before me. His white hair rustled gently behind him as he produced a rose in his slender hand.

"That was surprising. How did you manage to pinpoint where I was?"

He said with a gentle smile as he handed me the rose. I took the rose and shrugged as I replied.

" Been training recently. Have you heard the news?"

Youko Kurama nodded and asked.

" So how do you feel, Rei? Do you think you can go through with it?"

I smiled a small smile and replied in a quiet, calm voice.

" There is a first for everything, Kurama-san. I find Lord Sesshomaru very interesting."

Kurama cocked his head to the side as he folded his arms.

"After last night's encounter? Why so Rei?"

"Because, if he really was that cold-blooded and ruthless as people say he is, he would have killed me, when he had the chance. But why did he let me escape instead?"

I answered him with a twinkle in my eyes. Kurama thought for a while and nodded.

"True, I would have been required to save you. I clashed with Lord Sesshomaru a few times and Toukijin is a very powerful blade. As to why he let you off last night, does makes me wonder."

I smiled and got up.

" Well we are setting off to the Western Lands tomorrow morning, Kurama-san and I will be wed before the week is done."

I slowly walked away towards the palace. I stopped before I joined my servant girls and I asked, without turning my back.

" Will you be coming along, Kurama-san?"

Kurama looked at me with an amused smile and replied.

"As you wish, Reijin. As you wish."

I smiled and nodded and walked off.