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Under the bloody moon2:
The twists of fate…
Chapter one: The royalty of the Northern and Western Lands…
Summary: Nearly eighteen years after Rin and Sesshomaru marry and have their daughter Midori, he is often taking off to expand his territory. Mean while Rin is alone raising her daughter, and a war is being planned behind everyone's back. A war set against the Western Lands… two Sesshomaru may not be able to fight. One keeping his family, and two keeping them alive. Meanwhile Halder and Sagoe bring their children to visit Rin. How will Sesshomaru feel when his daughter and Halder's outspoken son team up... and get into more trouble.
Authors note: Hey guys yes I am finally back! Sorry I just didn't know how I wanted to start it! Sorry it took me so darn long! But here I am, and here is the first chapter to my new story. Thank you those who read my original and are now moving onto this one.
A young woman ran around the castle garden her mothers eye strongly on her. Midori, little sweet Midori. It meant green, which was Rin's favorite color at the time. Akemi, that was Rin's daughters middle name… or more of a knick name. It meant beautiful which Rin loved calling her daughter because Rin loved making her daughter smile. Sesshomaru wasn't around very often, and Rin was left alone at home while Sesshomaru was extending their territory. Rin tried to tell herself, more like make herself believe, he did it for them. But for awhile he began to crave more power, as if he had lost it by having a family.
He barely spent time with his family anymore, and Rin didn't know how to keep her daughters questions at bay. Now Midori was almost eighteen herself, and Rin was beginning to feel like her youth was slipping away from her. Rin still had a youth to her, the wrinkles had not yet started appearing. But Rin was starting to feel as if everyday went by way too fast. There was times when Rin thought of leaving, but knew that Sesshomaru wouldn't allow it.
'Ha,' Rin thought angrily. When it came to her daughter, not even Sesshomaru could stop her from making her happy. A sigh escaped as she watched her daughter sit down on the ground and pick a flower. Jaken was some where running around trying to keep an eye on the unruly teen, "Midori!"
"Mama?" Midori asked looking up at her mother standing by a nearby window watching her.
"Are you staying out of trouble?" Rin asked her daughter as Midori stood up, wow how tall she had grown since a child.
"Hai mama," Midori said her long flowing dress looked much like her mothers. It had become a fashion in their region do to Rin, and her fondness of it.
Surprisingly Midori did not have her fathers silver hair, but inherited a more brown red color do to her mothers dark brown almost black hair. She did not inherit one or the other, but it met in the middle. She did however have her fathers eyes, and his crescent moon on her forehead. Her cheeks were free like her mothers, and her ears were not as long as her fathers… but they were pointy. She had grown into quite a woman, and yet her father was barely around to see it. So every time he would come home from business he would be so surprised how much she had grown.
"I would like to talk with you," Rin smiled at her daughter. Midori nodded before walking back to the castle. She was so much like her mother, and Rin knew it.
--
"Momma," Midori asked turning the corner.
"My daughter," Rin said her face glowing in the light.
"You wished to speak with me?" she asked her mother, "when is father going to be back? It has been nearly five months since he left."
"I know sweet heart, but papa said six months," Rin said looking sympathetically. Midori just nodded softly before lowering her gaze to the floor, "you know what he does for us…"
"Not anymore mama he only does what he does for himself now," Midori said watching her mother drop her own gaze before continuing with her speech, "why do you let him make you feel like this momma. I know your always crying and unhappy late at night…"
"Enough!" Rin yelled looking up at her daughter, "you know nothing of the sort. I love your father so I stick by him and his decisions…"
"Maybe you shouldn't. He obviously doesn't love us, otherwise he would be with us. And a woman shouldn't let a man put her in any position mother, truly you…" Midori was cut off by her mother.
"Enough I said Midori! Who filled your head with such poisoned idiocy?" Rin asked feeling her anger building up, "a woman's place is by her husbands side no matter what. We should be grateful for what we get…"
"If this is what marriage does to you then I will never marry!" Midori yelled angry that her usually so strong mother was letting herself get so weak.
"You will marry who your father tells you," Rin said feeling her breaths get shallow and her body get shaky, "but enough of this…"
"But mother," Midori said before her mother raised her hand for silence.
"I said enough of this Midori," Rin said trying to regain her posture, "I brought you in here to talk about an upcoming event… not of your father. He will not be here for it, otherwise it would probably not be allowed."
'There was time when I got whatever I want… but now he doesn't quite seem to care,' Rin thought back to the beginning and how happy they were, how happy she was.
--Flashback--
Rin was holding the baby in her arms when Sesshomaru walked in with a semi smile. He seemed so happy about their daughter, and it showed on his face. Rin handed Midori over to her husband and mate who bounced the little bundle of joy in his arms.
"She's beautiful like her mother," Sesshomaru commented softly. A smile erupted on Rin's young face.
"She's got my heart like her father does, and his eyes…" Rin smiled placing a hand on the baby and kissing Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru just smiled before looking back at the baby, "what should we name her?"
"Can we name her Midori?" Rin asked giving him a look her couldn't deny, he still owed her.
"If that's what you wish," Sesshomaru said kissing her forehead before sitting down and rocking his daughter. Rin watched him in aw of how sweet of a scene it truly was.
-End of flashback-
"What do you wish to talk to me about then?" Midori asked trying to not upset her mother anymore.
"Do you remember young Lord Juro? And Lady Aneko? The daughter of King Halder and his wife Sagoe?" Rin asked as Midori watched her mother.
"Yes I remember them. I remember that their son was a snotty child, but I did like very much Aneko. Although she is a year and a half younger then I," Midori said fiddling with the long sleeves of her dress.
"Well they are coming to visit for awhile," Rin said smiling at her daughter. They were in one of the smaller meeting rooms. It wasn't used often, but Rin remembered Sesshomaru playing hide and seek with Midori in that room. Whenever he would play… after hours of begging and playing.
"Is that so?!" Midori said a whole new excitement in her eyes, "when will they be here?"
"Tomorrow afternoon, and that is why we are having new dresses made. Rooms will be cleaned and decorated for them, as a dinner party is also being prepared. So you should get to class early today, and then get to the dressing room so you can be fitted for a dress," Rin said touching her daughters face. Midori smiled before running off to find Jaken who scolded her for taking off when he turned his back for a second.
--
Midori stood still while the youkai servants went to work on her dress. They wrapped her with fabrics pinning them together and measuring before layering more things on. It was such a long process which Rin made sure to get done early so she could take her ride. She loved riding down to the village where she could watch her people working and being happy. She loved talking with them and seeing what she could do to make things better, and she loved to help those who were once like her.
"That was kind of you," a man said catching her off guard. Rin turned around and glanced over at her gray horse who watched carefully, "what you just did for that old woman. Her husband died four months ago with their son and she has been alone and moneyless since. I am not even sure she has a home…"
"Why not?" Rin asked as she watched Ingwë snort and stomp his foot wanting to get a move on, "the town should take her in and shelter her."
"Yes we have tried but most of us our struggling ourselves with our great Lord Sesshomaru making his province larger. More people are taking up space, and more money is being collect for the wars that we have no part in," the human man said as he watched Rin, "you look familiar…"
"I am no one, no one you know at least," Rin lied as she thought about what he said, "and what is your name sir?"
" I am Kenji I own this store here," he said pointing to a little store that had weapons, papers, and foreign things he had collected for cheap or trade.
"Well Kenji I am sorry to hear about this sad tale. Does your lord not know of this?" Rin asked trying to hide her identity.
"Oh I am most positive he does. He is the one taxing us," Kenji said making Rin look at him as if she had seen something frightening.
"He never men…" Rin then stopped herself, "what a terrible lord."
"Oh do not speak such things milady," Kenji's eyes went wide as Rin looked at him curiously for a moment, "such things could get you killed. Many disappear for talking of our lord in such ways. It would be a devastation if something were to happen to someone as beautiful as you…"
"You are too kind," Rin said blushing feeling as if she hadn't been attractive lately.
"No I am honest is what I am milady. I wish to possibly know your name," Kenji said catching Rin's eye for a moment. She hadn't felt as young and attractive in awhile.
"My name?" Rin asked looking to him before thinking a moment she didn't really know how to respond to that, "my name? Is… Akemi."
"That's a very beautiful name," Kenji said smiling at her handsomely. Rin didn't like the feeling inside she was getting, "Your different… you seem human. But at the same time almost… like a youkai."
"No, I am a human," Rin nodded hoping that her hair covered the purple markings on her neck. The same as the markings on Sesshomaru's face.
"Well whatever you may be I feel most pleasured to meet you," Kenji said in aw of the woman.
"You are still young sir I'm sure you have better things to fiddle with older women," Rin said before turning her gaze to something else before walking to Ingwë. Kenji quickly ran up to Rin catching her off guard.
"Don't go yet… I, am not as young as I may seem," he said as she watched him. She smiled feeling a little surprised, because he was indeed one of the most handsome men around that she had seen.
"You are not yet married then?" Rin asked unable to make her smile disappear, "what is wrong with you?"
"What? Well… nothing," Kenji said thinking about it as he helped Rin on her horse, "I don't think."
"Well then good day to you sir," Rin said smiling down at him.
"Will I see you again? Truly you must come back and visit me. Perhaps look around my story and have some lunch. Friends are hard to make in times like these," Kenji said staring at her as if she was a priceless artifact… a one in a kind piece. Something Rin hadn't seen from her husband in sometime, fore he was far too busy to.
"Perhaps," Rin blushed as she stroked her stallions neck.
"Promise?" Kenji said making Rin's younger smile come out, the one she used when she would find a field of flowers.
"Promise," Rin said nodding, "perhaps in a day or two. I am most busy…"
"Where do you live?" Kenji asked making Rin frown, "I'm sorry milady your business is none of mine…"
"It is alright Kenji," Rin said swallowing nervously, "I just don't know you well enough yet to talk of my affairs with you. Besides how do you know if I am married or not?"
"It doesn't matter I would still wish to be your friend," Kenji said making Rin smile, "please Lady Akemi keep to your promise. Have a good day milady."
"Thank you sir," Rin said bowing her head before riding back to the castle where she needed her rest.
--
Midori stood with her mother waiting to greet the king and queen as well their children. Which they had three of. First was the eldest son Juro, but he was also called Benjiro or Jiro, a little under a month older then Midori, a daughter Aneko who was a little over a year younger then Midori, and a new child… a baby girl named Saika. She was only two years old and told to be a little rebel, quite the handful.
"King Halder, Queen Sagoe, Prince Juro, princess' Aneko and Saika have arrived maladies," one of the guards walked in and bowed before the large family entered.
"Sagoe! Halder!" Rin said standing up and walked to them. A big hug was exchanged between them.
"You've done so much with this place," Sagoe said thinking of all the bright colors that made this once stoic and sad looking place lively.
"Yeah and what has your no good husband think of it? Has even been around to notice it?" Halder said thinking of Sesshomaru. Rin got a look of anger and shock in her eyes before Sagoe nudged Halder.
"Halder my dear that was uncalled for. Show respect to the Lord of the Western Lands. He helped us when we needed it remember?" Sagoe asked as Rin cooled down a moment. Midori smiled slowly hating her father, and not the only one to do so. When she was a child her father spent a lot of time with her, and he even took her to many places. But as she got older he started ignoring her more as he was always busy and off extending his lands with wars that were not needed. She didn't even know her father anymore, "is this your lovely daughter Midori?"
"Yes it is, Midori would you come over and great our guests," Rin said turning to smile at her daughter. Midori smiled at her mother as she nodded making her way to the group.
"My King and Queen it is a pleasure to meet you once again," Midori curtsied making them smile as they noticed a lot of Sesshomaru and Rin in her.
"My she has grown up," Halder said smiling at the girl.
"You have become so beautiful Lady Midori," Sagoe said taking her hand in hers, "I still remember when you were but a little child. My how time makes you grows so fast."
"Where is you lovely children?" Rin asked wanting to see the new child, "I have not met your newest addition to the family."
"Aneko bring the baby," Sagoe called to her daughter was helping brings their things in.
"Yes mama," Aneko said walking in with a little girl all dressed up. Rin could tell Sagoe took pride in dressing her children.
"This is baby Saika," Sagoe said taking her youngest daughter from her eldest daughter. Not too long after in came walking a boy, so tall and handsome the whole room nearly stopped. Rin was so shocked by how tall and older looking he was. He had long blowing dark brown hair and deep blue eyes, he had the red stripes on his cheeks like his mother, and his fathers handsome features. Midori watched him as he smiled as if he had just won some kind of battle. His eyes slowly scanned the room and landed on hers which she quickly dropped to avoid any kind of contact.
"Lady Midori?" his voice was deep like a mans, unlike she remembered when they were children. He was such a mean child when they were younger, he always picked on her… and caused ruckus in her peaceful castle. He even got her into trouble once. Midori raised her eyes to see his still on hers and it took her back, he still had the same eyes…
--Flashback--
"Are you a chicken?" he teased pulling on Midori's braid. She just huffed and puffed before placing her clenched fists on her hips.
"No!" she yelled as the eight year old made clucking noises. Midori wanted to punch him, but she just kept her cool like a princess should.
"Then lets go chicken," Juro joked making Midori glare before grabbing her pony and following the boy out. Juro came early when he was born, Midori then came several weeks after him… so even though they were in the same age range he used the "I'm Older card," often.
"We aren't supposed to," Midori said starting to find excuses not to go.
"We aren't suppose to what?" Juro asked walking close to her.
"We aren't suppose to go in there, into that forest… especially this late in the evening. And most especially without adults," Midori said being the usual smart one she was.
"You're a princess start acting like it milady," Juro teased jumping up on his horse which was bigger then Midori's. She hesitated, but chased after him into the forest where they got lost. The sun fell faster then they had expected, and the whole town searched for them. No one thought they would go in there, so they didn't search for them in the forest. They had to stay the night out there, and worried their mothers to death. When someone finally found them their fathers were furious, they were both scolded and grounded. That was the last time she had seen Juro for a week. After that they only came for one more one day event, where they stayed the night… they were thirteen. And all he did was make fun of her the whole time until Midori finally broke out in tears and called him a name which got her in trouble with her mother.
-End of Flashback-
Midori glared at him which he only smiled. How he was still so darn cocky, and she couldn't stand that. All he was to her was a pretty boy with a title, someone she would not associate unless she had to. Rin smiled at her daughter thankful she only had one child, but secretly wanted another. Just one other. A boy.
"Milady," Juro teased with his eyes as he stalked her way taking up her hand and kissing it. She just pulled her hand away like he had dripped acid on it and gave him a look that showed she didn't care much for his presents.
"Milord," she said respectfully with her mouth, but her eyes spoke of much dislike.
"Well I can see you have grown, some what," he teased making her smile fade.
"At least one us has," Midori smiled once more before her mother nudged her. Midori looked to her mother with a triumphant smile that made her mother try to hide her own smirk.
"Well," Juro started before his father nudged him, "it is still quite a joy to be once more in the presence of you milady. As well the queen of the Western Lands."
"Yes it is quite a joy to have you amongst us once again my friends," Rin smiled before showing them to their rooms, "now dinner will be ready soon so you must get ready."
"Yes of course," Sagoe said before walking to the guest room. Midori showed Aneko and Juro to their rooms. Aneko had to share one with her little sister, which she didn't mind. Aneko took her stuff into her room as Midori uncomfortably led Juro to his. Once they reached it she turned to leave, but he blocked her way.
"Well aren't you going to show me around the room?" Juro smiled making her glare at him.
"You can find your way around the room yourself I assume your not as stupid as you look," Midori said pushing him out of her way. He grabbed her arm making her turn to look at him.
"Well how about you help me unpack then and welcome me properly," and a mischievous smile came onto his face making her eyes widen before she slapped him in the face.
"Your as much a pig as you are an idiot," Midori fumed as she pulled from his gasp, "now if you please… good day milord."
"Good day milady and don't worry your not my type anyways," he smiled as he watched her walk away. He laughed before closing the door behind him. What a wild one that girl always was, much like her mother was.
--
Midori fumed all day at how infuriating that boy was, how dare he put his hands on her and make fun of her in such a provocative way. How dare he insult her in such ways? OHHHH she fumed in such aggravation she wanted to storm down there and leave something smelly in his room. Midori dressed up trying to get ready for the dinner party. She placed on her green dress which was her favorite color, and it made her hair stand out… even look more red then it really was. She tied it back into a pony tail and brushed it, which took a long time since it was long.
She could hear music starting bellow her, which meant the party was starting. She quickly finished up and ran out of her room running into Aneko. They both greeted each other and walked down to the room where all the festivities were being held. It was a large room which Rin had seen on one of her travels demanding one be made. It had a beautiful marble floor, and beautiful tables set around a large dancing floor. Rin loved to dance, Sesshomaru and her danced a lot when no one was awake. Midori learned only because Rin loved it so much, and she knew it would make her mother happy. But much like her mother she took pleasure in dancing and riding her horse Moon Raiser also know as Mais, who was a white horse with a black nose.
"Entering princess Aneko and Midori," someone announced as the girls walked down the stairs. They took their seats and talked about the things going on in their lives. Rin was too busy conversing with Sagoe and playing with the baby, "entering prince Juro."
"No offense but I really don't like your brother Aneko," Midori said as she took a bite of her pork.
"My brother really isn't all the bad Midori he just for some reason has a rivalry with you," Aneko said taking a bite of her food, "ever since you were kids. I think it was he tried to kiss you or something silly, but you wouldn't. That's what my mother says, and he's just become so popular lately he has a large ego. But he truly is a good guy."
"Yeah to others, and I don't recall that ever happening. Besides why would anyone want to…" she stopped herself when he walked in with a young lady. She was beautiful, which for some reason struck Midori. She had always been praised for looking like her father, but she was most certainly not that beautiful. She was modern, especially for having some youkai in her, "is that one of my maids?"
"I think it is one of the ladies from town, one of the higher up ones," Aneko said making Midori just smile.
"That's all he can get?" Midori said trying to hide her self consciousness of the girl.
"I doubt it he has had some pretty well beautiful dates before," Aneko said still eating her food.
"Whom he probably paid," Midori said stabbing at her food.
"Does some one sound jealous about my brother?" Aneko laughed making Midori look at her before shaking her head.
"No way never!" she shouted making everyone look at her, "absolutely not. He isn't even close to my type, that is just barbaric and silly. I merely don't like him."
"Right," Aneko smiled before turning her attention to her food again. She was a lovely girl with long light brown hair almost golden like her mothers, and blue green eyes. She didn't have the marking on her face, but had her mother and fathers some what pointed ears.
Dinner went on and when they were finished they all got up to dance. The music was beautiful, and almost all of them knew it. The other lands would have looked at them like they were crazy, but Rin had been very interested in Halder's findings on his journeys. So she took a lot of the things she learned, and so the rest of the castle and lands knew of it. There were still a few places which stuck strictly to the old ways.
Midori stood up noticing Juro staring at her before she turned her head with attitude and walked away. A young man walked up to her asking for a dance from her, and though she wanted to say no she did not. Juro brought a date, so she would dance with the fine young youkai. He had long black hair and kind green eyes. He took her hand and they began a dance. Juro just smiled as he pulled his date onto the dance floor and they danced. The girl did not know exactly how to dance, and neither did Midori's dance partner. He knew how, but not as fluent and well as her.
"I think I have had enough for one night thank you kind sir," Midori said politely curtsying. He bowed and watched her make her way through the crowd.
"Not a good enough dancer for you?" Juro said catching up to her. Midori just smiled at him and placed her hands on her hips.
"He was an exquisite dancer, but clearly your date knows nothing," Midori said giving him a look that was mocking. He just smiled and dipped his head.
"You are correct, she does not move the way I like," he said making her frown, "dance with me."
"No one demands anything of me," Midori glare at him.
"Do not argue milady," he said taking her and pulling her close. Midori's eyes went wide, but his grip on her was tight. He was a beautiful dancer, the way he moved… and the way he moved her without getting in the way. They made such a beautiful dancing pair. Their moves were flawless and graceful, both were running out of air with the fast pace song. It stopped and so did the dancers who began to clap. Midori's chest was raising and lowering heavily as she tried to catch her breath, it had been awhile since she danced like that. He too seemed a little winded, but he did not show it like she did. A slow song began to play and she backed up trying to turn, but his hand grabbed her wrist and he pulled her close once more.
"I must go," she swallowed still breathing heavily. He just stared down at her with deep eyes and a serious gaze that gave her chills, "truly I must…"
"Say no more you are much too winded," he said pulling her closer making her open her mouth a little in shock as he began to twirl her and then pull her close. Back and forth, side to side to the music. He led and she followed, and he would not let loose his gaze. Midori was so terrified to make any sudden movement, she didn't get what was going on… why was she getting a funny fluttering feeling in her stomach. His gaze was perhaps much too serious for her. When the music stopped he lowered her into a dip as he watched her intensely. He held her in that position making her feel uncomfortable until she looked away and he slowly brought her back up. Everyone clapped but they just stared at each other unsure of what to say or do.
"I think it is time, to um, for me to…" she didn't know what to say as she swung her hand around trying to point to her room. He just smiled as his hand lowered down her back making her stop him before he reached her destination. She sourly spoke up able to regain her normal stature, "goodnight milord."
"Milady," he dipped his head as she backed up a ways then spun around taking off for her room. She was so confused, but she would not let herself think on it. To her he was just a jerk who had grown up to be also a pervert.