Identity Chapter 1: Request, an inuyasha fanfic

Hey everybody! It's been a while and I apologize for not getting this new story started sooner. The truth of the matter is I've been slow to get rolling on this story. After Path to Dawn finished, I immediately began outlining this story. The outline was moving along fast at first then slowed to the point it was crawling. I at last got the outline done in May and moved onto writing the first chapter. That too took much longer than anticipated in preparing due to my inability to acquire time to write. I finally got a break and managed to get the chapter done. I'm trying a few new things that I'm sure everyone will notice instantly and I apologize if it does not fit into your style of reading. If everyone prefers me to revert to how I did things before, I will. I just wanted to try something out that I had shied away from due to my inability to understand proper meanings. I've had a lot of help from a friend, who has an account on here called luckgirl13. Again, I hope everyone likes the minor changes I added. Not sure if it will go over well or not but I thought I'd try. For now, I'm going to go with 2 week intervals for chapters like previously.

Aside from writing, my life has been majorly busy. I'm about to leave my current job for a new one with a good raise and more security, but a longer drive to and from. I really hate leaving my current job due to all the friendships I forged and how much I have enjoyed working for that company. Plus it gave me time to also work on my stories during downtime and whatever else I needed. I have a feeling those days are over since I will be working for the FBI under contract. It should be fun but writing at work is over I'm afraid. I'll try not to let my writing suffer but I will warn you guys it may do so.

As well, we had a horrible, horrible storm blow through here in West Virginia back a week ago on the 29th of June. It knocked out power at work (where I was at the time), plus at home also. We didn't get power back for three days and it was sweltering during those three days, with each in the 90's. Some of my friends have yet to get power back. I still had work since we had a massive generator out back but it was still weird.

This first chapter is dedicated to my friend luckgirl13 for all her help and everything else going on. She has helped me so much in this first chapter and I'm hoping it goes over well with everyone.

Without further ado, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Bleach. Please support the official release.

Meanings for certain words:

-sama = used for high respect and typically superiors.

-san = respectful honorific between peers.

-chan = endearing honorific, but typically used towards girls and children.

arigatō = thank you

gomen = sorry (non-formal)

sumimasen = sorry (formal)

Chapter 1

"Iya-sama, your guest has arrived."

Sitting at a low desk signing documents was a young man with long butt-length black hair pulled back into a ponytail by a purple ribbon. His muddy brown eyes were focused on the documents in front of him as his clawed hand dipped his calligraphy brush in the ink pot. The young man's two black dog ears slightly tweaked at the sound for a moment but he showed no signs of acceptance of the words spoke to him. Adorning each of his cheeks were jagged purple streaks. His clothing consisted of a long sleeved white top embroidered with many fire-orange maple leaves that had a large black dog, his true form, embroidered into the back of it. He also wore white pants and a red obi sash. Sitting in the floor beside of him was a sword within a black polished sheath that had a band of green part way down it. The sword's hilt was braided in green with an oval golden guard.

Waiting several moments outside of the shōji for an answer, a young woman with black hair pulled back into a bun that had a green cloth covering said bun, remained kneeling. Absentmindedly, she rubbed her one arm uncomfortably as her brown eyes stared at the door and awaited an answer to call out. Her ears were pointed and her clothing consisted of a fine black kimono that was tied shut by a white obi sash with a big bow on her backside.

At last, she received a "Let her in" from the dog hanyou in the room. Letting out a sigh of relief, the demoness slid the door open and bowed her head to the demoness she had escorted. "Iya-sama will see you now, Akina-sama."

The woman waiting simply nodded to the kneeling demoness and moved into the room. Her straight purple hair reached just below her butt in length and swayed with her movements while her pale skin reflected a bit of light off of it. Slit jade eyes focused on her destination and revealed nothing of her emotions. Pointed ears picked up every sound within the room and the surrounding area perfectly. The demoness wore a long flowing dark blue kimono that had golden floral print embroidered into it. Her kimono ended just at her ankles, enough to reveal she was wearing a pair of zōri. Each step the shoes clacked slightly. An elaborately well tied yellow obi belt with similar floral patterns as the kimono wrapped around to form a bow.

Stopping a few feet in front of the low desk, the demoness bowed lowly and waited for approval to move from her position.

Waving off the demon before him, Iya called out "Momo-san."

"Hai?" Momo answered immediately with her head bowed.

"Do me a favor and please fetch us some tea."

"Hai Iya-sama." the young woman chirped. She immediately rose up but not before shutting the sliding door to give the occupants some privacy.

Standing still in the same spot she had been in bowing, Akina began to feel a bit awkward in waiting for approval of her presence. She heard the dog hanyou continuing to sign papers and seemingly ignore her being there.

At last dipping his brush in a small bowel of water he kept on his desk and washing the ink out and setting the brush aside, Iya looked up and said "You may sit, Akina-san."

"Arigatō, Iya-sama." Akina replied. Taking a seat on the cushion before the desk, she sat back perfectly onto her knees.

"Sumimasen." Iya sheepishly remarked. Motioning towards the stack of papers still unsigned, he commented "In recent days, my paperwork has piled up due that I've been busy with other matters that have arisen. I wanted to catch up as best I could."

Just as the demoness was about to speak, the shōji door opened to reveal Momo returning with a tray that held the tea that was requested. Setting it on the table, the dog-wolf hybrid demoness bowed softly and offered a soft smile to the dog hanyou.

Smiling at the young woman and using waving motion, Iya softly said "You are dismissed, Momo-san."

Bowing once more to the dog hanyou, the demoness left the room. With her gone, the dog hanyou reached forward and poured out two cups of tea. Sliding the cup over to his guest, he pulled his own to himself and took a sip.

Speaking at last after a few more sips, the hanyou coolly said "Tell me, Akina-san, why have you come to meet with me."

Setting her tea down, the purple haired demoness took a deep breath. Backing away a bit and bowing deeply, she said in a low, humble tone with her head bowed "Iya-sama, I come before you as the newly appointed head of the neko clan to ask you to have mercy on my clan. They ..."

"No."

Raising her head in shock at the sudden words of the dog hanyou, Akina saw the hardened expression on the Southern Lord's face and in his eyes. Reworking her words in her mind, she at last found the words to speak.

"Iya-sama, I ask you to please reconsider. We have repented for our former lord's actions towards yourself and these lands. The neko clan wishes to merely aid in the recovery of these lands by rejoining the Council of Clans. In the past, we have proven to have sway over several clans and can help keep them in line and do as you request. So please, do reconsider our punishments and allow us to once more help the Southern Lands." the demoness begged.

Silence filled the room for several moments before Iya coolly said "I will not reconsider my judgment on the neko clan. Akina-san, I do not say this lightly. I know of the plight of the neko clan, however, I will not change my mind on the restrictions that I placed on the nekos."

"As lord of your clan, you should know that in the past the nekos have often tried to undermine my position as Southern Lord, as well as flat out betray the Southern Lands by ignoring the laws dealing with humans that have been put into effect."

Taking a few seconds to close his eyes and then reopen them, he added "Your predecessor, the one that took over the neko clan when the former lord Takeshi was expelled, pleaded his case before me similarly. I almost was swayed at that time to repeal my judgment if not for an incident that occurred near the same time."

Standing and turning away from the demoness to look out the window, the hanyou coldly began saying "A caravan of human merchant were travelling with their families and passed precariously near the neko clan's territory. Without any provocation, a group of nekos mercilessly attacked and killed the humans."

Turning back towards the demoness with his fists clenched tightly and anger visibly swimming within the muddy depths, Iya snarled out "They were unarmed and not even trained to defend themselves! Among them were elderly, women, and children! For absolutely no reason the group of nekos killed off all but one that had managed to get away in thanks to her parents. She was injured badly but managed to escape nonetheless. The nekos tried to cover it up! If not for the fact one of the patrols had been passing through I never would have known about it. They got a detailed report from the one that had survived and it was confirmed by the tracks and scents of the slaughtered group."

"When I received the report on the attack, I demanded an explanation from your predecessor. He merely said the humans had most likely wandered into the neko clan territory. It was a lie. For his betrayal of my trust, I ended all discussions with your former lord and threw him out of the Southern Keep. Naturally he wanted to know why and received an answer from me promptly detailing what had been found out."

Calming himself, the hanyou sat back down behind his desk on the large pillow before speaking in a more collected manner.

"Aside from that, the neko clan has proven they are not ready. They chose to ignore the laws that were set up to keep demons from killing humans without proper reason. As head of the clans, you should know that the punishment for breaking the laws of the Southern Lands requires incarceration, if not death. Yet you and those that represent the clan's infrastructure do nothing to those that break the law of the South. For this reason primarily, I cannot willingly allow the neko clan to return to the Council of Clans, nor repeal the sanctions placed on the clan. Such blatant disrespect will not be tolerated."

Akina was floored by the dog hanyou's words and held a distant look in her eyes. She sat merely in silence lost in thought and trying to come up with a response.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Iya softly said "You are young and inexperienced in these matters, Akina-san. It is not surprising that you did not know of the things your clan has done. I do not hold that against you, however, I will not bend on this subject. The neko clan made the situation the way it is on their own. Until I see proof before me that they have changed, I will continue to uphold my previous decision on their punishments."

"Iya-sama," Akina began in a low tone with her eyes becoming glassy, "please reconsider your position on this matter. I'm begging you. The conditions imposed upon my clan are too great for us to bear the weight of any longer."

Looking at him with pleading emerald eyes, she whimpered out "Please, I beg you to rethink on it, Iya-sama."

Unfazed by the neko demoness's plea, the dog hanyou replied sympathetically "I understand your plight but I cannot do it. Until the neko clan can prove to me that they will willingly follow the will of the Southern Lands, they will remain as they are."

Akina slightly lowered her head with each word that had been spoken to her. She felt her world crashing around her, all of the hope she had built up slipping away.

Out of desperation, the neko demoness raised her head and asked "What of your mate? She is a neko hanyou and yet she is not treated as the neko clan is. How is that fair to my clan when your mate is free to do as she pleases?"

"Akina-san..." Iya mumbled with a heavy sigh. Taking in a deep breath, he smoothly said "My mate was originally a human transformed into a neko hanyou against her will by a mage known as Kenshin Himura. Because of this very reason, she has no connections to the neko clan and is not held accountable for their mistakes. She is innocent due that she never was part of the clan."

"If Lilly-sama learned what it meant to be neko and saw the plight of my clan, perhaps you would reconsider your stance." Akina challenged.

Releasing another heavy sigh, the dog hanyou replied "Lilly has nothing to prove to either the neko clan or myself. I accepted her for who she was all those years ago and told her then that she never had to prove herself to me or anyone else. I stand firm by that statement even after all these years. She is the Lady of the Southern Lands and does not need to display why she is."

Visibly unwilling to let it drop, the neko demoness shook her head. "Lilly-sama should come visit our clan and then you would understand the plight of the neko clan. Please, Iya-sama, let her visit and she will be able to tell you what she has learned has become of our clan due to the sanctions against us."

"Akina-san, we will not discuss this any further. I have made my decision and quarrelling about having my mate learn to be a neko and see the plight of your clan will not sway me into changing my mind. If that is all, you are dismissed." the dog hanyou said as he stood.

Standing, the neko demoness bowed deeply with frustration showing on her face. She quickly turned and left the room before proceeding to stamp down the hallways.

Heavily sighing, Iya sank back down into his pillow and pinched the brow of his nose. Hearing a stirring sound from the corner, he glanced up to see his bodyguard coming from the shadows.

The bodyguard moved forward into the light to better reveal himself. He had shaggy orange hair and brown eyes that seemed to have a disinterested look within them, along with a scowl etched into his features. His clothing consisted of a black kimono top and pants with a white obi tied around his waist, a thick red leather cord that wrapped from his right shoulder to left side and back around, and a black collar that rose up from his top with white outlining it and cutting through the middle. A cross like black tattoo peaked out from his chest where his top came up to and four black vertical lines appeared to form over his wrists and ankles. Four black tattoos appeared on four of his knuckles on his hands.

Attached to the long leather cord and hanging from his back was a large curved cleaver blade like sword wrapped in a white cloth that kept it firmly attached to the cord. The hilt of the blade was a foot long and looked like brownish cloth wrapping it and had a short half a foot of chain dangling from it that rattled slightly with each step made by the orange haired man.

"Do you think I was too hard on her, Ichigo?" Iya questioned as he watched his personal bodyguard approach.

Adjusting his sword to sit down, Ichigo remarked "Since when has my opinion counted?"

Smirking at his friend and long time partner, the hanyou replied "Your opinion has always been valuable to me."

Silence engulfed the pair momentarily as the hanyou took a sip of his tea. At last, the quarter demon broke it, saying "You were being truthful with her. Her clan obviously is very secretive, even with their new clan lord. I didn't sense any false truths coming from her. What about you?"

"None." the hanyou stated. Sighing heavily, he ran a hand through his bangs to cover his forehead momentarily. "The neko clan is going to be the death of me."

"It could be much worse. You could have to deal with them in the Council of Clans."

"Not even funny." Iya muttered. Removing his hand, he glanced at his unfinished stack of paperwork and let out a dejected puff of sigh smoke. "I suppose I need to finish this."

"Have fun." Ichigo commented as he stood up and started to leave the room.

Remaining silent for a moment, the hanyou suddenly grabbed his sword beside of him and stood up. He followed after his partner, saying "We're going to the training fields."

"What about the paperwork?" the quarter demon questioned from over his shoulder though he knew the answer already.

"Screw it, I'll do it later. I need to let off some steam."

000

"Do you think I'm getting any better at Kidō, Ka-chan?"

Emerald slit eyes slid over to her daughter and a small smile broke out on the face of a neko hanyou who had long black hair with red streaks throughout it flowing down to her butt. Black neko ears twitched slightly at the sounds she heard throughout the hallways the pair walked through. She wore a lavender colored kimono that had blue flower patterns embroidered into it and had a slit that gave her more mobility. Tied around her waist was a royal purple obi sash that tied behind her into a formal bow. Over top the obi sat a black fur covered tail that was wrapped tightly around the neko's hips to keep the tail out of the way. Within her sash sat a sword that had a purple cloth wrapped hilt and a golden guard and was within a black lacquered sheath.

The one asking the question beside of her was a younger neko hanyou. Her jet black hair reached down to her mid-back in length while her black furred tail swished back and forth from the movement of her hips. Amber eyes seemed to shine with natural curiosity, if not a bit of mischief. A bright orange kimono with blue butterflies embroidered into it with a slit to match the elder hanyou's wrapped around her still forming body and gave hints at her developing curves. A white obi sash tied her kimono shut with a sophisticated bow in the back.

"You're improving, Kaia." the older neko replied warmly. Pausing for a moment, she kindly added "It's impressive that you've learned to use through level thirty spells without no incantation so quickly, but you have to remember to keep practicing to get better."

Smiling happily back at her mother, the younger hanyou returned her attention forward. The pair soon noticed someone approaching them.

Moving at a slow pace towards the two hanyous was a neko demoness that had an air of pride fixated in her features. Her midnight blue hair had free hanging bangs on the side that reached her mid-arm in length while the rest was tied up into a fancy bun and held in place by an elaborate black ribbon to the back of her head. A blue colored fur tail swished through the air with the swaying of her hips. On her neck was a black choker collar that sat on top of her pale skin. A blue top and pants fit her form perfectly to reveal all of her curves in the right places and her well sculpted bosom. A red obi belt wrapped around her waist and tied in the back with the ribbons of the bow trailing slightly below her rear. In her obi sat a sword that had a light purple cloth hilt with a round silver guard. The sheath to the sword was midnight blue as well, blending it in well with her clothing. Midnight blue slit eyes regarded the pair momentarily as she silently approached the pair.

"Lilly-sama, what a pleasure to see you." the demoness icily said.

"Sensho-san." Lilly greeted with lackluster enthusiasm. In an attempt to get rid of the woman she preferred not to be bothered with, she asked "Shouldn't you be out checking the Southern Lands Troops or coordinating them in some sort of exercises?"

The neko demoness merely waved off the words, saying "My troops are well prepared for any scenario. What I'm curious about is why is the Lady of the Southern Lands not doing the duties bestowed upon her by the Lord of the South. Perhaps you are taking your responsibilities of being the mate to the Southern Lord far too lightly as always. If you continue to do so, he may choose to find another mate, one more suited to the task."

Inwardly annoyed, the elder neko hanyou sighed within her mind but revealed no frustration in her features. Deciding she doesn't wish to continue to be berated or belittled any further, the hanyou simply walked away.

"Tell me, Lilly-sama, do you even know how to keep your mate happy? I hear he is more often going out to the training grounds with that bodyguard of his to spar and the intensity of their battles seem to reveal a massive amount of frustration. I do hope you are keeping him happy and not letting him suffer." the general pointedly commented.

Lilly merely ignored the statement and continued onward with Kaia in tow. Uneasiness shown in the face of Kaia though she knew not to get involved after a previous incident where she was scolded by her mother for bothering to indulge in giving the general a piece of her mind.

"I hear your mate has met with the head of the neko clan today. Perhaps he is searching out for prospects in replacements." Sensho droned on. "One has to wonder what they are talking about."

Realizing she was not going to get a response, the demoness quickly asks "Do you even know what it means to be neko, Lady of the South?"

The older hanyou immediately came to a stop upon hearing words that made her remember incidents in the past when accused of the same situation.

"... In fact, you don't even know what it means to be neko. You were a weak human turned into a half breed by that foolish mage Kenshin Himura. Don't even think you can begin to understand how nekos feel or act!"

Those words spitefully said to her by her former friend turned enemy repeated within Lilly's mind for a moment. Hearing those words made her long for a secret desire that she had pushed aside long ago in order to focus on her life. Now the desire returned to truly understand.

"You understand nothing about being a neko demon. I would wager to bet that you wouldn't last one day in the neko clan's home." the neko demoness smugly taunted.

Remaining silent for several long moments, Lilly at last spoke in a mere whisper, asking "Could the clan really teach me?"

A bit surprised by the question but also inwardly satisfied that she was asked, Sensho sauntered up to the elder hanyou and coolly said "Perhaps if you could get Akina-sama to agree to it you could learn. I think it is a lost cause but maybe you can convince her otherwise. Not that I think you have the courage to go ask."

"She is currently here as I recall." Lilly mumbled to herself. Walking away in the general direction of the rooms that housed guests, the Lady of the South stopped suddenly and said "If you want Kaia, you may come with me or go on ahead."

That split second was all it took for Kaia to go after her mother. Flashing a smile at her, she received a nod from her mother and the two proceeded onwards down the hall.

"Too easy." Sensho smugly commented within her mind as she merely chuckled.

000

The Lady and one of the Princess' of the Southern Lands soon reached the portion of the Southern Keep that housed guests. Before coming down the hallway the elder hanyou had asked one of the guards which room the clan lord resided in. Once she had found out she was quickly on her way towards the end of the hallway.

Arriving at the room soon enough, Lilly reached out and knocked on the door. A few moments passed before Akina appeared before the pair with a bewildered look on her face but hastily bowed to the Lady of the South.

Returning the bow, the elder hanyou softly said "Akina-san, I've come to make a request of you."

"What possible request could I fulfill, Lilly-sama?" Akina inquired with a puzzled expression.

"I wish to learn more about the neko clan and to learn their ways."

Showing a touch of shock at the request but quickly masking it, the neko clan lord softly smiled and coolly replied "I would enjoy showing you how to act like a true neko, Lilly-sama, however, it comes with a request of my own."

"I request that you speak to your mate and try to ask him to ease up the sanctions imposed upon my clan. That is my only requirement."

"Meddling in Iya's affairs as the Southern Lord will not be pleasant. I can already hear him being rather upset over it." Lilly grumbled within her mind. Making up her mind, the hanyou cleared her throat and said "I will speak to him about it. I make no promises though."

"Of course, Lilly-sama." Akina responded in a respectful tone. "I will await word from you and once I have received it, I will make the necessary arrangements for you at my clan's homelands for your visit and training."

Bowing to one another, the pair remained staring at each other for a short moment before the demoness retreated to back within her room. Turning and collecting her daughter, the neko hanyou proceeded down the hallway, her mind already pitching ideas on how to broach the subject with her mate.

000

The sound of footsteps softly approaching woke the Lord of the Southern Lands from his light slumber, however, he remained still and feigned sleep. A few moments later, the scent of his beloved mate filled his nostrils, confirming his suspicions that she had found him.

Moonlight gave Lilly sight of her mate's lounging figure in the branches of the tree he had made his own personal spot for the time being. Faintly smiling, she felt a small hint of uneasiness bubbling up from her stomach to remind her of what she had come to speak with him about.

"I guess it's now or never." she decided.

Approaching the tree slowly, the neko got to the base at long last and crouched down slightly before effortlessly leaping onto the branch her mate lounged on. Using her tail to balance herself, she smiled sweetly at his peaceful face. Years of living together gave her all the signs that he was feigning sleep in hopes of fooling her into possibly laying with him. Taking a seat on the branch, she reached out with her tail and grasped hold of the thick branch to better hold her onto it.

In taking a sharp breath, she softly asked "Iya, can we talk?"

"That tone tells me she has something on her mind." the male hanyou inwardly thought.

Opening his eyes to stare at the beautiful silhouette of his lifetime mate, the dog hanyou yawned slightly and sat up. "I guess."

Silenced engulfed the pair for several long moments that made the dog hanyou wonder what was so difficult for his mate to speak of but didn't have much longer to wait.

"This is important to me, so please, hear me out."

Receiving a nod from her mate and seeing she had his full attention, Lilly gathered up her courage and said "Something has been bothering me recently. It was thoughts I had in the past and thought I had shrugged them off, but they've returned."

Glancing up at the night sky, she pressed on, saying "I want to travel to the neko clan's homelands and learn more about the neko demons. I've always yearned to learn more about them so I could know more about my demon nature and satisfy the side of my mind that has always thought on it."

"Damn that Akina for daring to drag my mate into this matter."

"No."

"Just no?" Lilly questioned as her voice rose a few decibels. Smoldering anger reflecting in her emerald eyes, the hanyou asked "Why?"

The dog hanyou remained tight lipped, further angering the neko hanyou. Calming herself a bit, she coolly said "Iya, this is important to me. Please at least hear me out on this and not just shut down this conversation without reasoning it out with me."

Heavily sighing as he stood, Iya looked away from his mate and quietly replied "The neko clan is using you as a play to return to the Council of Clans. They want you to force my hand in a matter that I will not allow. By having you visit their clans, they think it is a sign of good faith and expect me to lessen their punishments. That is probably what Akina asked for, right?"

"How did you ..."

"I'm not stupid Lilly. I know Akina was most likely the one to talk to you about going to visit the neko clan. She mentioned your status to me today during our meeting about the fact you are a neko hanyou yet are not punished like they are. I refused to bend to her so she is now trying to use you against me in hopes that you can persuade me to lessen their penalties imposed upon them."

Staring straight into his mate's eyes, he firmly added "I maintain my stance on the subject and no matter what you say will change it."

"I understand."

Taken back by his mate's words, the male hanyou had no chance to respond as she continued on.

"I was not expecting you to change your mind on their past. I only was asked to talk to you about it. The subject has been on my mind also and I think I have come with a resolution."

In taking a deep breath, she said "Should you allow me to go, I can assess their situation and help you determine if they are learning from their mistakes. That would go a long way in bringing them back under the Southern Lands rule and possibly remedying this mess."

"Rebuilding a relationship with the neko clan is important to you. It is something we have talked about before and I understand your stance. This is merely a suggestion that I have to try and build confidence in not only their clan but relations with them. Other clans will see this as encouraging and possibly help in your efforts to continue the restoration of the Southern Lands."

"Aside from that, I really truly want to go visit the neko clan." Lilly added. Pausing for a moment to look away, she quietly said "Kaia has been asking me about how neko demons are supposed to behave. Even to this day, I still don't know. I've only had a few examples and those that I've seen have been very poor in choice."

Looking up at her mate with her eyes shining full of determination, she stated "I want to learn more about the nekos so I can pass that along to our daughter so she will not have to suffer a similar second guessing of herself."

Turning away from his mate for a moment and resting his hand upon the trunk of the tree, Iya gripped the bark roughly to the point his claws had dug in slightly. In a bitter tone, he grunted out "I thought you were satisfied with yourself. That was the answer you gave me seventeen years ago when we last discussed this topic. As I recall, you said 'I am who I am.' Was that just a lie to appease me at the time?"

"It wasn't." Lilly coolly replied. "I was satisfied with that answer back then. But now, with Kaia asking about her neko side, I just want to satisfy not only her craving but the one I've subconsciously had as well. The answers I seek can only be found in the neko clan's home."

The dog hanyou tensed a bit upon hearing the answer from his mate. His claws dug a bit deeper into the bark as he felt his mind in turmoil over what to do.

"She won't let this go. It's that important to her and because of Kaia she won't ever give up hope in finding out more about the neko demons. I guess she's forced my hand and left me with no choice. Still, I won't let her go alone."

"Very well Lilly." the dog hanyou said in a calm tone. Turning to face his mate, he continued on with "I understand that this is something important to you. You want to learn more about the neko demons for not only yourself, but to also pass along that knowledge to our children, namely Kaia. As well, I realize you wish to assist in bettering relations between the Southern Lands and the neko clan. I will consent to your request."

A grin slowly formed on the neko's face only to stop as her mate spoke up again.

"However, I have one requirement. I want you to take a bodyguard with you."

Happiness soon vanished from the neko hanyou's face as a frown marred her looks. "I can protect myself."

Nodding in agreement, Iya replied "This is true, however, I still want you to take a bodyguard with you on your trip."

"There is no point in arguing, I suppose." Lilly surmised. "Very well, I will take a bodyguard with me to the neko clan. Who is the question."

"A very interesting question to say the least." the dog hanyou commented.

Sitting down onto the branch, the neko sighed and said "Orihime can't go since she is three months along in her first pregnancy."

Letting out a faint chuckle, she added "Ichigo won't leave Orihime alone so asking him to go would be pointless. Aside from that, he would be useless due to his constant worrying over Orihime's wellbeing when she is not within sight."

Becoming quiet, the female hanyou closed her eyes and ran through the list of possible bodyguards that she could ask.

"Yukio would not willingly agree to go, aside from the fact that the neko demons probably would have no part of it. Whomever I choose will have to be probably at the very least a neko hanyou or demon, with a hanyou less likely to be allowed. That tremendously narrows my field of choices down."

A dejected sigh escaped her lips after a few more moments. "The few neko demons I know I would rather not have to deal with, namely Sensho."

An image of a particular happy neko came to mind, making the hanyou's eyes snap open and a small knowing grin appear on her face.

Standing, Lilly stared straight at Iya and said "My choice of bodyguard is May Chang, Ryo and Tsunade's daughter."

"Why May?" Iya calmly asked with a raised eyebrow.

Smiling still at her mate, the neko hanyou evenly responded "She is a neko demon herself, so that should satisfy any complaints about a bodyguard accompanying me. As well, May is an accomplished young woman that can cover off on the position of bodyguard."

Rolling the words of his mate around in his mind for a moment, the dog hanyou at last relented and nodded his head. "I think she would be a fine choice. You need to clear it with her first, and I'm certain it will need cleared with Akina."

"Right."

"Now then, there is the issue of when. Remember, we are expecting company in the next few days, meaning you'll be tied up for at least two weeks. Make sure to work that out with Akina when you speak with her." Iya remarked.

"I will. Don't worry mate, I will take care of it."

Nodding his head, the dog hanyou reached out for his mate, offering his hand to her. Taking it, the neko felt herself pulled closer till their bodies were flush up against each other. The pair stared into one another's eyes as love reflected back at each other.

"Shall we go in then?" Iya asked kindly.

Slightly nodding her head, Lilly replied "Lets."

000

"May-chan, Lilly-san is here to see you."

Turning to the voice of her mother was a young woman with ebony black hair pulled back into two buns, one on each side of her head. Three braided ponytails rained down from each bun, giving her six in total. Her skin was cream colored and had a youthful glow to it. Black slit eyes showed kindness and a childish spirit. Pointed ears poked along the sides of the buns. Swishing a few times behind her was a black fur covered tail. Her outfit consisted of a simple maroon top and pants while a white obi tied around her waist and formed an elegant bow above her rump. A pair of black slip on shoes covered her feet.

Staring at the woman that had adopted her and she now called mother without any reservations, the neko demon took in her image. The buxom dog demoness had long straight blonde hair that was pulled back into twin ponytails and trailed down to her mid-back in length and left her bangs free to frame the sides of her face. A single gray-blue diamond shaped marking adorned her forehead and amber eyes revealed nothing but softness for the neko demoness, along with the fact to her dog demon heritage. Her well endowed chest jiggled slightly with each simple motion she made while the remainder of her body was toned and had appropriate curves in the right places. A green open jacket reached down to the back of her knees while beneath it a gray tank top was tied shut by a blue obi with a simplistic bow hidden in the back. Blue pants ran down to just above her lower calves in length. A pair of high heeled were on her feet and made her height seem slightly improved.

"Did you hear me, May-chan?" the buxom asked.

Waking from looking at her mother, the young neko woman brightly smiled and sheepishly replied "Gomen Ka-chan."

Shrugging it off, the blonde dog demoness motioned her daughter to go on. The neko took her cue and headed into the main room area that had been built for guests that visited the three mages. Their set of rooms all were adjoining and enabled them to take up a whole wing on their own for their purposes.

Seeing the Lady of the South looking at a tapestry, the neko demoness smiled and stopped a few feet away. A moment passed before the hanyou turned and smiled warmly at her.

"It is good to see you, May-san."

Bowing slightly as she responded, May respectfully replied "I'm glad to see you as well, Lilly-sama."

"No need to be so formal with me, May-san."

"Alright, Lilly-san." the neko remarked with a smile. "Is there anything I can get you?"

Shaking her head quickly, the hanyou replied "No thank you. Tsunade-san already offered. I actually came to speak to you about something important."

Seriousness washed over the younger woman's face as she nodded her head and awaited the words of the Lady of the South.

"I wish to ask for your services as a bodyguard on a trip I'm about to undertake. Orihime-san is three months along in her first pregnancy, making her unable to go with me. Her mate, Ichigo-san, would never leave her side long enough for such a mission. So I thought I would ask you if you perhaps would take over the role temporarily on this trip." Lilly requested.

Face scrunching up, May coolly questioned "Where are you going exactly?"

Faintly smiling, the neko hanyou replied "I'm going to visit the homelands of the neko clan to learn more about neko demons. Iya will not allow me to go unless it is under escort. Another restriction I'm certain that will be placed on whomever goes with me must be someone that the neko clan will approve of. Asking you does not seem unreasonable since you are a neko demon."

"There is a problem." May interjected. "I am a foreigner. They may object to that fact."

"Let me worry about that." Lilly remarked with a confident smile. "Akina-san will most likely let that fact slide since it was my request to visit in the first place and everything hinges on me getting permission from Iya to visit. Should she deny you coming, the visit will not happen due that I do not have an appropriate bodyguard."

Soaking in the words of the Lady of the South, the neko remained quiet for a few moments before at last speaking again. "When would this trip take place?"

Lilly tapped her chin for a few seconds till she said "I'm not certain. We have visitors coming to the Southern Keep over the next few days and they will remain here for at least two weeks. That means most likely preparations will need to have everything ready in a month. At least that is what I'm hoping for."

Folding her arms over her chest, May slid her eyes shut and seemed to drift off into her own thoughts. After a minute, she opened her eyes and finally said "I would be honored to go with you, Lilly-san. I swear I will do my best to protect you."

"Arigatō, May-san. That comforts me that you will go. Do not worry too much though. Iya merely wants someone with me just in case."

"You are the Lady of the South, so it makes sense." May commented.

Shrugging, the hanyou smiled once more and said "Well, I must take my leave. I have to catch Akina-san and let her know the details. She agreed to wait until I delivered my decision on the matter. Arigatō once more, May-san."

000

"Do you really think it's wise to let her go do this?"

Vein popping out in his brow as he smashed his hands down onto his low desk, Iya threw a death glare directly at Ichigo with a look that could kill. In a low, agitated tone, he retorted "Do you really need to nag me about it?"

"I'm just saying that maybe you should rethink this idea." the quarter demon responded evenly.

Pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes as he felt a bit of pressure building in his head from an oncoming headache, the hanyou muttered "I'm not in a position to."

Raising an eyebrow, the orange haired man asked "And why not?"

"This is something Lilly wants to do. I can't stop her for wanting to go and discover more about her neko heritage." Iya answered in a tired tone.

Folding his arms over his chest, Ichigo quipped "She wasn't born of the nekos though. Lilly was a human transformed into a neko hanyou, forcefully mind you."

Throwing an agitated glare at his partner, the hanyou remarked "I'm fully aware of that fact."

"Then why not argue the point?"

"Why don't you go argue with your mate over how she isn't supposed to do anything and tell me how that ends. " Iya hotly retorted.

"That's different." Ichigo childishly muttered.

"It isn't." the hanyou deadpanned. "Lilly wants to learn more about neko demons. This came up seventeen years ago, however, she concluded at that time she was happy with herself for being the way she is."

Sighing heavily, he added "Because of Kaia's questioning over the same thing and most likely Akina's meddling, she has come full circle to this question again. If I denied her this opportunity, she would take it personally and cause many issues among the two of us. Not to mention, she would think I do not want her to explore that part of herself and had no interest in allowing our children to know either."

"It's similar to you letting Orihime do some stuff on her own though you want her to sit perfectly still so as not to risk something happening. You accepted the fact she can still do stuff though you don't like it." the hanyou explained.

Looking out the window for a few long moments, the quarter demon remarked "I still don't like the fact you're letting her go. A lot could go wrong."

"As true as that statement is, I have to let her do it on her own. Perhaps she can get through to the neko clan but I somehow doubt that. We'll just have to see how it goes."

"I still don't like it."

"Then go with her if you don't." Iya all but growled out.

Waving his hands, Ichigo protested quickly and said "No, no, I don't."

"Then shut up so I can get my work done."

Thanks everyone for reading the chapter. Now, if you could do me a kind favor and review to let me know what you think of the chapter, I'd appreciate it. Till next time!