The Princess of the Southern Lands

Chapter 2: Dinner


Rose still could not believe that she and her family would be safe. She sighed as she looked over at her wound. She hated that the Prince would probably be punished for losing to a half-breed but she had to do whatever she could to help her family. Her mother, unknown to none except her family, was a human priestess.

Rose being her child, had been born with the ability to use spiritual powers. It was an ace in the hold that she would use in the most desperate of times until she was able to use it completely and when she was old enough to use it wisely.

"My dear daughter," her mother called out to her. Rose went to her mother.

"I am so sorry that you had to that. I know that the Lady does not like Hanyou's at all, but we had no other choice but to come here to seek refuge. At least here none of the other youkai will dare venture because of the power of Lord Inu no Taishio." Her mother said tearfully as she patted her daughter's head and held her close.

"You did me proud Tenshi." Her father said. "Our daughter is strong as well as smart, Sakura. She outwitted the powerful son of the Great Dog Demon." Her father held her mother close. "It is thanks to our daughter that we have a safe haven, and I believe a new friend in the Lord of the West." Shin smiled as he recalled the laughter of Inu no Taishio.

"Thank you father, I only did what I had to, to help mother and you. That is all." Rose said shyly. She sighed and went to look out of the window balcony in the room they had been given. The room was very lavish and the maid youkai had been very nice.

1 week later

Rose walked down the path that had become familiar to her. She and her family had avoided eating in the main dining hall with the rest of the castle for fear of what problems may rise up because of their presence there. The Lord of the West had been kind enough to take them in and they had no wish to cause him any further trouble.

Rose walked with her head down hoping not to attract any attention. Her intention was to go to the kitchen and order their food. Then she would wait until the food was done and take it back to her family. Her father usually got their food but her mother had been sick and he had not wanted to leave Sakura's side. Rose had told her father she would get the food, she had done so before so it would be no trouble to get the food once again.

Suddenly, Rose ran into someone and fell backward. She looked up and was mortified to find that she had run into the Lord of the Western Lands, the Great Dog Demon, Lord Inu no Taishio. She gasped and stood up quickly bowing very low and apologizing repeatedly for bumping into him and not watching where she was going. She prayed that she had not angered him.

She then felt herself being picked up. "It is fine little one. My son has done the same before, though he did not have his head down. And neither should you my dear, you have nothing to be ashamed of." The Lord said as he held her.

Rose was stunned into silence. She had never once thought that such a powerful youkai could be so kind. "Th…th…thank you milord." She managed to stammer out.

"I have not seen you or your family at the dining hall at all. Where are you eating or are you all eating at all?" Inu no Taishio questioned Rose.

"Well milord. We didn't want to cause you any more trouble so we have been getting our meals and eating them in our rooms that you have so graciously given us." Rose said slightly petrified of his reaction.

"Nonsense, your family has just as much right to eat with us as anyone in the castle does. I expect to see you and your family in the dining hall immediately. I will not allow you to eat in your rooms unless it is a snack at night." The Lord said sternly. He then set her down in the direction of her and her family's rooms. Then the Lord left toward the dining hall.

Rose walked back to her room silently with her head up. If the Lord of the Western Lands told her she had no reason to keep her head down then she wasn't going to put her head down anymore. She only hoped that the Lady wouldn't retaliate.

Rose came into the room. She saw her father look at her curiously at her being back so soon and without the food. "Rose? What happened?" Shin asked.

"The Lord of the West said that we can no longer eat in our rooms unless it's for a snack at night. He said we have as much right as everyone else to eat in the dining hall." Rose said to her father.

Shin sighed and nodded his head. "Sakura? How do you feel my love?" Shin asked his beloved.

"I feel well enough to go eat with you. Let us go. I do not wish to anger the Western Lord." Sakura said as she rose up.

Moments later Rose and her family walked into the dining hall that had been active with talk until they had walked in. The room fell silent as everyone in the room looked up at the family of the Southern Lands. Inu no Taishio stood up.

"Come Lord Shin and family. You may come and sit with us here." Inu no Taishio swept his hand at three seats left open for the Southern Lands family.

The three sat down with Sakura in the middle of her daughter and her mate. Rose ended up sitting next to Sesshomaru. She glanced at Sesshomaru as he looked at her. She quickly looked back at her plate as a servant filled it with food.