Blanket Disclaimer: The writer does not own any characters created by Rumiko Takahashi but like everyone else wishes she did. All original characters or concepts are the author's Inuma Asahi De's (with the exception of historical figures).

Unexpected Encounters

-Ten Years Later-

The great Inu no Taisho of the Western Lands sat in his study, feet crisscrossed as he rested on the ground before a low table that was littered with documents and treaties he was currently examining. He lifted a particular treaty to his eyes and read over the script vaguely, a dull pounding starting in his head as he took in the overly elevated language.

"Just say what you mean," He grumbled, bringing his unused hand up to touch his forehead. His headache was beginning to grow more and more painful. "Why do we need all this—flowery shit, anyway?" He cursed lightly as he finished and tossed the piece of parchment back on the table. Leaning back on his hands, his head tilted to the ceiling. "I need a vacation." He mused to himself before his ears twitched on the side of his head, the sound of little feet hitting the floor easy for his dog like ears to hear.

"Inutaisho-sama!"

He narrowed his eyes as the squeaky voice met his ears, followed by a slight stinging sensation in the side of his neck. Annoyed, he growled lightly, "Myoga-san," He warned the tiny flea creature that like any parasite was sucking on his blood. "That's enough."

The sound of suction breaking away echoed though the room before a satisfied exhale follow. "Oh dear—," The tiny voice mumbled as it let out a small belch. "The blood of your family is most delectable."

"Part of me finds that disturbing." Inutaisho grumbled as he watched the flea jump from his neck to the table looking full and round as he sat down respectfully on his knees. One of his sets of fingers touched the floor as he bowed. "What do you want Myoga-san?"

"My lord," The small flea brought his head up his eyes gleaming in the mid-afternoon light as he began to speak slowly and deliberately. "I have word on your son."

For a long moment the lord didn't say anything. Instead, he leaned forward, resting his hands in his lap as he looked down, choppy bangs hiding his eyes. He took a breath, a lone unrecognizable syllable escaping his lips but no words. Finally, he brought one hand to the bridge of his nose pinching it as he leaned his head back again; the headache was now a migraine. "What have you heard?"

"He is with his mother." The flea said sadly as if there was more to the statement than he was currently letting on.

Inutaisho frowned deeply at the admission, letting his hand fall from the bridge of his nose back to his lap. "And she—," He growled lightly before licking his lips slowly. "She is—a—," He struggled for a second to find the right word. "Okay with that?"

"The lady is," Myoga paused timidly all six of his small hands worrying together as he shifted from foot to foot, looking every bit as nervous as he should be. "She is cordial to him."

Inutaisho raised an eyebrow at the words. "Just cordial?"

"Ano—," Myoga let out a small squeak, rocking back on his heels. "More or les-s," He stuttered for a second small beads of sweat forming on his tiny brow. "—yes."

"Myoga-san?" He pressed, his voice tight and hard.

"She has always been a cold mother." Myoga finally admitted softly as if he was sorry that his words were the truth. "That has not changed."

"It's only been ten years." Inutaisho mumbled mainly to himself as his heart reached out for his son and his son's pain.

Sesshoumaru wanted desperately to be accepted by the woman, loved by her. And, truthfully, he was—he was her son and she loved him. She had nurtured him, raised him in an unhappy mate-ship, stayed up with him when he was small and sick, taught him to read and write, and to fight. To Inukimi, that was motherhood and once the child was raised her necessity ended; Sesshoumaru was an adult, at least to Inukimi, and her duty to him was completed.

"But try to explain that to a pup." He thought bitterly, "Sesshoumaru just doesn't understand how his mother thinks." He nodded to himself as he watched the world outside through the window.

A small nest was just beyond the window sill in a little Sakura tree, the baby birds were 'peeping' loudly, hungry, and their mother was nowhere in sight. One of the fledglings, tired of this game hopped desperately up and down, its tiny wings attempting to fly but still underdeveloped and incapable of making its way into the sky to food. The sight tore at the father's heart

"You weren't ready, were you Sesshoumaru?" He thought of his own fledgling. "You're perfectly capable in body, but your mind—it is still very young." He sighed deeply, feeling like he had failed his only son; his only child. "I wish, I would have seen it sooner."

"Thank you—," He told Myoga without looking at him, his eyes still watching that little bird hop up and down in his nest, its siblings now mimicking him. "For keeping an eye on him. Continue to do so, Myoga-san."

"I will sir," Myoga nodded obediently before giving another bow with his hands positioned on the low table and his head nearly touching its smooth surface. "I also had some other news though."

The words caught Inutaisho's attention, and he turned away from the fledglings to give Myoga a pointed look. "Go on."

"On my way to Inukimi-sama's palace," The small flea stood up as he spoke and started to pace back and forth on the table, all three sets of arms behind his back in thought. "I went through the Musashi lands."

"Oh?"

The flea closed his eyes and took one of his hands up to muse his beard. "It appears the human's are assembling an army there," He pulled on the beard thoughtfully and nodded his head. "I think they are planning a full out war from the sheer numbers alone."

"How many strong?" The lord asked as he seemed to go from concerned father to concerned ruler in seconds.

"I believe a little over a thousand." Myoga told him bluntly as he opened his eyes and dropped his hand from the beard.

"Normally," The ruler said with a sigh. "I don't care of human wars or affairs, however—," He flicked his tongue over his lips in thought as he taped his fingers on the desk. "The Musashi royal family has been trying to start trouble with us for years, threatening and building armies. It is possible that their current leader is plotting something." He nodded to himself as if confirming his own thoughts. "It's worth looking into."

"Yes, my lord." Myoga bowed automatically and started towards the edge of the table. "I will send some scout—."

"No," Inutaisho interrupted as he stood up hastily, ignoring the diplomatic papers thrown about the room as he stretched. "I'll do it myself. If they are going after us, it is best we end it quickly," He looked down at Myoga with a charming smile on his face that made him look every bit his short two thousand years. "Right?"

"Are you leaving now?" Myoga hopped up and down enthused and confused. "My lord?"

"Why not?" Inutaisho shrugged and popped his neck by moving it rapidity back and forth. "I was just thinking about taking a vacation. What luck is this?" He smiled to himself quite happily before looking down at Myoga that boyish grin still on his face. "Better now than later, hm?"

Myoga blinked several times before bringing a hand up to scratch the back of his head. "Yes, my lord," He agreed but his voice didn't sound completely convinced. "I will tell the servants to prepare for your jour—."

"Myoga-san," He interrupted once again, voice gentle yet firm. "I appreciate your help. Your loyalty is invaluable to this clan," He placed a hand on his chest to reiterate his point. "However, I think it best if I go this alone. You know—," He brought the hand away bringing it into the air out in front of him as his eyes looked down at the flea pointedly. "It's less threatening if only the leader comes to the doorstep of a country about to invade." He held up one finger as he continued. "And besides that, if they aren't planning to go against us," He pointed at himself. "It won't look like we're coming in prepared to start something ourselves."

"I understand my lord." Myoga bowed his head from his standing position. "I will inform them that you will be gone for an indefinite time."

"Thank you," Inutaisho spoke honestly as he gave the small man a fond look. "Stay here till I get back, be my spy." He winked at the words and turned to walk out the door abruptly.

"Sir!" Myoga called out suddenly, working up nerve he didn't know he had.

The Inu no Taisho halted with his hand reaching for the shoji and turned around to look at the tiny flea standing on the table among the many scrolls, bound books, and treaties. "Yes?"

"Can I ask you a question?" The man sounded timid. "One that might be out of line."

The ruler turned around and gave him a suspicious look. His golden eyes hard but not angry. "You can ask, but I might not answer."

"Of course," Myoga wrung his many hands together absently. "Are you leaving like this, because of—Sesshoumaru-sama?" He closed his eyes not willing to see the possible look of complete anger on the man's face.

Inutaisho didn't say anything, at first. Instead, he watched the small flea tremble on the table, afraid that he had said something he shouldn't have. It was true that Sesshoumaru was a sensitive subject for the ruler of the Western Lands, but it was not a subject completely off limits, at least, to Myoga. Myoga had been in this family serving as a retainer longer than even Inutaisho had been alive. Myoga had been there when he was born, been there when he had mated, even been there when Sesshoumaru had been born. Myoga was practically any other family member in his clan even though they were of different species. He had every right to know the truth.

"No Myoga-san," The younger demon spoke as honestly as his heart would let him. His gentle voice made Myoga open his eyes and look up at him gingerly. "I'm not trying to forget." The lord said vaguely. "I just need to get away for a bit. I need a break." His shoulders slumped as he spoke, and he motioned to the low table stacked with paper after paper. "I just need to get my mind off of all this political crap." He sighed and shook his head before giving Myoga a strained and lopsided grin. "Take care of things while I'm gone. I trust you over anyone else to be able to do so."

And with that he left the room, not waiting to see what Myoga had thought of his reply.

Still standing on the desk, Myoga sighed heavily, slouching as he looked at the paperwork around him. "Inutaisho-sama," He whispered into the now empty room. "It isn't noble to lie." He mumbled before hoping towards a stack of papers and jumping on top of it to look at the contents. It was a peace treating with a nearby principality of sorts. "I guess I will start here." He decided as he began reading the treaty to see what the other side wanted.

"We, the people of the great and honorable Kingdom of the third generation of the brilliant warrior race of cat demons related once to the most noble of all cat demon clans ever to be seen among the cardinal kingdoms of the North, East, South, and West, the Neko, are honored to write you Lord Inu No Taisho of the honorable Western Lands that reside within the land's which once belonged to your honorable father the fourteenth son of the honorable demon general—,"

Myoga felt his eyebrows raise up all the way to the top of his head, "I get the feeling," He whispered to himself as he fell backwards onto the paper his eyes swirling in his head. "I've been cheated!"

-break-

Inutaisho easily came out of his light transformation, coming to stand a few hours away (by walking slowly of course) from Musashi territory's castle. "Thank god!" He whispered to himself as he stretched and rolled his shoulders, only a tiny part of him feeling the least bit bad for leaving Myoga with the horrible peace treaty from hell. "He'll be okay." He mumbled to himself with a wave of his hand before taking in his surroundings.

He was standing on the small foot path than ran throughout the Musashi territory. It was the same footpath that he normally took whenever he decided that it would be fun to take a break and patrol his lands for a few months. Taking a deep breath, he instantly inhaled the smell of flowers, the sensation of the wildness of their scent pushing at more than just his sense of smell. A memory, a distant one toyed with his senses, and he frowned deeply as he turned and looked at the gorgeous field to his right.

"Spring." He whispered as he watched the millions of different colored flowers sway in the breeze, moving back and forth as the wind caused them to dance. "When was the last time I was here during spring?" He wondered to himself. Looking out over the large field towards the mountains that rose above the horizon, he smiled faintly with realization.

"Ten years ago," The smile shifted into a frown, and his eyes became a deep, melancholic gold. "With Sesshoumaru" He sighed heavily, gaze wandering over the field as the memory from ten years ago played out in his head. The argument, the "screaming" match, the child's anger and pain. "I wish," Tilting his head back, he looked up at the white, fluffy clouds in the sky. "I could travel through time."

He chuckled bitterly and dropped his chin back down. Preparing to move forward once more, he stopped as black crow, quite unexpectedly, took flight before him. Sharp, predatory eyes followed its movement, the striking color of its feathers bringing back another memory of this very field: a little black-haired girl with chestnut eyes awash with tears sitting on her knees amongst the flowers. Turning towards the field, looking out over the yellows, whites, and pinks, Inutaisho half expected to see that little black-haired girl or at least the top of her head.

Scenting the air, instinctively, he found himself disappointed that the smell of water and willow trees didn't greet his nose. His ears tweaked, but the sound of her sweet humming of Sakura, Sakura was just as absent as her smell.

"What was I expecting?" He thought vaguely as he remembered her and her smile. She had been timid and gentle, yet opinionated and smart for her age. "I wonder what became of that sweet little thing." He shrugged as the memories of the tiny hime slowly evaporated. "By now she's probably married with children, suppressed and emotionally vacant." The thought saddened him greatly as he turned away from the field unable to look at it. A dull ache in his heart began to form—pity for that girl overwhelming him. "She never stood a chance having been born a hime-sama."

With a shrug, he pushed the memory aside and continued down the familiar path, taking his time as he walked. It had taken him a day of travel to reach his current position some three hours away from the castle and now, being so close, he found himself hard pressed to hurry up and get there. Glancing up at the sky, taking in the still morning sun, he nodded. "If I keep my current pace," He told himself as he allowed his face to be warmed by the sun. "I'll be there by mid-afternoon." He stretched his hands up above his head with a smile. "No need to rush."

Inutaisho smirked as the words left his lips and enjoyed the sounds and smells of the mid morning lull in the forest. It was the best time of day, in his opinion, when the nocturnal animals slept and the diurnal ones awakened prepared to take in the day. It was always so quiet during that time, relaxing and un-frenzied, no animals running for their lives just yet and no animals warring for nest or territory yet.

All was calm. It was heavenly.

With a slight smile on his face, he moved down the path, enjoying that peaceful atmosphere.

"Mi-watasu kagiri, kasumi ka kumo ka—."

Inutaisho froze. The voice echoed through the trees. "What?" He questioned as he looked around for the source of the soft, sweet sound.

"Asahi ni niou," It continued. A wind chime on the breeze. "Sakura Sakura, hanazakari—."

His breath caught in his throat as memories toyed with him, pressing against the back of his head. He had heard the melody, a time long ago.

"Sakura Sakura," The melody began to repeat again sweet and elegant as it floated along the wind. "Yayoi no sorawar, mi-watasu kagiri, kasumi ka kumo ka, nioi zo izuru—."

Carefully, he turned his head. His eyes searching desperately for the sound of that voice. He knew it. It was there inside him. The memory of the sound. "Where have I heard that voice before?" He thought as he took it in turning this way and that trying to find the source, "I know I've heard it somewhere before but where?" He licked his lips. "It's familiar and new all in the same breath."

"Izaya Izaya—."

The sound came from behind him, and he turned sharply. His ears twitched on the side of his head as it drifted to him on a small gust of wind. Carefully, he started towards the noise, moving with legs that went on their own accord, pushing towards it as if drawn in by a siren.

"Mini yukan."

The voice faded, and he felt his senses go on over drive as he tried to find the source before it was too late. He pushed down the path, then off it, desperately trying to remember what direction it had come from. "Left!" He realized as he turned off the path away from the flower field before he flew into the forest. Going into the dark recesses of a nearby thicket, not caring how much noise he was making as he pushed through the trees and shrubs, he made his way through the dim forest—a bright light pulling him towards something unknown.

"Sakura sakura, noyama mo sato mo—."

He halted right on the forest edge, finding himself still technically standing on the same path. If he had followed it, he would have eventually ended up in the same spot he was standing now since the human footpath was designed to go around the forest instead of through it. Humans, after all, were naturally too scared to take the shortcut straight through the dark and possibly demon ridden forest.

"Mi-watasu kagiri kasumi ka kumo ka—." The woman had started singing again, and she was so close that he could hear even her breathes as she prepared to sing the next verse.

"Asahi ni niou," The feminine voice took a soft breath in. "Sakura sakura, hanazakari." She continued on repeating the song once again in its entirety.

His hands brushed at the leaves before him, moving the last of his obstacles out of his way. He stepped back into the light of the morning, into another field that looked much like the one he had passed not moments before. Sitting there before him, picking flowers at her leisure, a beautiful woman knelt in the morning sun. Her long black hair shifted slightly as it was caressed by the breeze. Two small tuffs of that gentle black moving about her face, tickling at her cheeks. Her rich, chestnut eyes studied the pale-yellow flower chain in her hands.

Long, luscious lashes brushed her cheeks as she blinked and tilted her head sweetly. Her red lips pouted as she fingered a part of the flower chain that didn't suite her taste. She 'humped,' allowing her cheeks to puff out in frustration as she went about removing the flower she had just added from the rest of the chain.

Dropping it to her lap to steady her fingers as she worked, her hands touched her kimono. Absently, she smoothed the fabric as it wrinkled. The pattern of it was unbelievable, fitting for a woman of her beauty. A Sakura tree, branches winding up her arms, peddles drifting on the kimono's sleeves. Their sweet red and pinks the perfect backdrop to her own barely sun kissed complexion.

But that kimono was more than just fitting, more than just beautiful. It was the last piece of evidence that he needed to make him realize exactly who she was.

"Izayoi-dono." He whispered without having to know.

"Oro?" She stopped, her fingers dropping to her lap completely as she looked around. The grass and flowers were still too high for her to see over easily when she was sitting, at least. "Did someone say my name?" Her voice was even sweeter when she wasn't singing. She brought one of her hands to her chest in worry. "Hello?"

Without thought, he stepped forward. His mouth opening before he could stop it. "Izayoi-dono." He repeated easily as he came just into her view.

The large, dark eyes turned to him instantly, fear mounting on her face momentarily before a brief, strange look crossed her every feature. "Inu—," She started to say as if she didn't believe her own words. "—taisho-sama." His name barely escaped her lips as those eyes widened in haunting realization. "Is that—are you?"

"Yes," He replied evenly as he stared at her, looking at her like he had never seen her before. Really, he had never seen this her before. The person before him was not a cute little girl, she was a beautiful woman of at least eighteen or ninteen years. Her body was shapely and elegant; everything that a woman should be. He felt his heart race in his chest at the thought. His mind blanking as he looked at her. "Izayoi-dono."

"Inutaisho-sama," She repeated his sentiment but didn't move as if in shock. "You're the only one who ever called me, Izayoi-dono."

"I'm glad—," He mumbled feeling stupid as he said those words. His face actually flushing much to his further embarrassment. "I mean—I—I'm glad you remembered."

"I never forgot," She spoke softly. Her voice trained to be soft, but her body and her body's language betraying that training—saying distinctly that she didn't want to be soft spoken at all. "Did you," She continued bringing her hands to rest in her lap, hidden in the sleeves of her Kimono as was appropriate. "Remember?"

He licked his lips and offered her his most charming grin, dimples forming on his left cheek and his left eyebrow raising at the same time. "I remembered your name, didn't I?" He replied sounding much more like himself, youthful and brash.

She giggled and smiled for the first time since seeing him, "I suppose so." She answered a faint blush on her cheeks. "I—," She started to say but stopped, bringing one delicate white hand to her mouth, covering it in embarrassment. "I feel as if," She spoke around the hand. "I'm in a dream."

"A dream." He shook his head and stepped towards her once—twice—three paces. "It does feel very dream like, you're—," He stopped and looked her up and down unconsciously. His eyes growing molten. "Not a little girl anymore." He knelt before her, still having to really knell to see into her face as she sat. Even as an adult, she was still much smaller than him.

"Aa—," The sound caught in her throat, and she gasped when she realized how close he really was. "I—I—." She stuttered, flustered but didn't move away. She merely looked down at her lap, away from him and his powerful golden eyes. "I never thought I'd see you again."

"Neither did I." He said instantly as tried to see into her eyes, but she wouldn't let him. "This is a fateful day—," He pressed and prayed that she would give him even the vaguest of glances. "And a fateful place as well."

His words finally caused her to look up, and she blinked sweetly before lowering her eyes down to the ground once again, properly. "Is it?" She asked her voice sounding thoughtful despite her hime-esk gesture.

"Yes," He informed her as he watched the way she bowed her head, finding it eerily strange and unbecoming. "This is the same place where we first met, ten years ago."

"I didn't realize." She voiced sounding a little lost for words but still pressing forward. "I mean," She continued finally raising her head but not looking at him. "I—I knew it was close by, but I never could remember exactly where or which field it was." Her hands fell to her lap touching the flowers that rested their absently. "All the fields look so different now."

"Of course," Inutaisho smirked at her words and finally allowed himself to truly sit before her, crossing his legs with his arms resting on his knees. "You can almost see above the grass now. I'm sure that makes everything look different." He grinned brightly when she raised her head to look at him. "Izayoi-dono."

She blushed bright red and turned her head quickly back to him. Her red lips opened preparing to say something before she froze. Her mouth closed instantly. Her eyes became downcast, and her cheeks flushed this time not from embarrassment per say but instead from utter disappointment in herself. "I have changed in ten years I suppose." She told him civilly, her voice no longer sounding like her own. "Inutaisho-sama."

"It's just like I thought." He frowned deeply. His expression almost dark as the change came over her demeanor. "You've changed in more ways than one." He said without being able to help himself. He actually sounded somewhat disappointed. "They really did make a hime-sama out of you."

She lifted her head. Her rich eyes dull as she nodded and agreed. "It was my place," Her gentle voice told him. She too sounded disappointed. "It would have been wrong to refuse."

"I see." He whispered, secretly disappointed. A part of him was happy to have seen her, but another part of him was angry that he had been right. "She really did learn her place." He sighed depressed at the very thought as he looked at her taking in her flushed cheeks and beautiful chestnut eyes framed by silky black hair. "It's a station well suited to your beauty Izayoi-dono, but it doesn't suit your mind at all." Frowning, he crossed his arms over his chest, looking at her down the bridge of his nose. "Are you happy?"

For a moment, she gazed at him that same blush on her cheeks, that same forced humility on her features but then, as if a switch had been flipped in her mind, she raised her face fully. The blush disappeared as she did so, a hint of the girl from long ago coming back to her. "Does it matter?" She told him with a bitter smile that caught him off guard. "A hime-sama's place isn't to be happy." She added daringly, her voice becoming sad and beautiful all at once.

An undeniable wave of something tense washed through him that made him shift uncomfortably. He knelt down once more, resting his hands on his knees as he gave her a conspiratorial look. "I think," He began slowly in a hushed whisper as if this was some great secret he was about to indulge. "You could change it, if you tried."

Her sparkling eyes dimmed for just a minute, and she frowned up at him. Her expression becoming serious. "I wouldn't want to do it alone—to change it alone," She told him with brutal honesty hinging in her voice as she lowered her head. The two turfs of hair that rested on either cheek shaking like bells. "Besides, so far, I haven't met anyone who I would consider changing for."

Inutaisho felt his heart tighten. "Not one?" He looked down at the top of her head with fire in his eyes. She didn't move, nothing moved; not the wind or the flowers or even a rabbit hiding among the brush. It was quiet, surreally quiet and then, she raised her head—her chestnut eyes meeting his own.

It felt like an eternity as they looked into each other's eyes. Gold meeting deep dark brown; demon soul searching out human soul, demon heart pleading for human heart to follow it.

A flush formed on the bridge of her nose, but she didn't look away. Instead, she took him in. Her eyes seeing his facial features with much older eyes than the last time she had studied him. His jawbone was distinct and firm, tight and strong, leading to high and almost feminine cheek bones that seemed to give him an even more jagged feel in an odd way. His lips were thin yet an undeniable soft pinkish color, sweet and alluring. His tongue darted out and licked them. The sheen the moisture glistened in the sunlight as his intense eyes drew her even farther in. They were deep, deeper than she remembered and darker gold than she ever recalled fantasying about.

And they were focused completely on her.

Her heart beat picked up in her chest, and her stomach did flip flops in her abdomen. Her face, her ears and even her neck grew hot. And then a sensation she had never felt before touched the very pit of her stomach. She ripped her eyes away and actually panted for a second. A hand came over her heart as the sensation filled her before slowly ebbing as a cool breeze moved over her flushed skin. She heard the sound of fabric and unnaturally fast turned back, her eyes coming in contact with nothing more than his pants leg. He had stood. Hastily, she looked up, and she was met by shocked golden eyes.

"Izayoi-hime!"

Both froze at the sound of the voice, neither moving very quickly at all as they both heard shuffling among the tall grass.

"Izayoi-hime, it is time to go." The voice called again this time a bit closer.

Just vaguely Inutaisho recognized the voice but truly, even if it had been Sesshoumaru or Myoga calling in this instance, he would not have been able to recognize them quickly either.

"I have to go." Izayoi said quickly, her hands shaking as she pushed herself up with the grace of a swan from the ground. She stood to her feet bowing to him respectfully with her hands concealed expertly in her kimono as she whispered out the proper phrase for a very formal goodbye. "Shitsurei shimasu Inutaisho-sama." Bringing herself back up, she turned without giving him another look and hurried away as fast as she could. The many layers of her kimono that pressed into her skin attempted to hinder her movement.

All Inutaisho could do was nod absently in response as he watched her shuffle away. Her scent wafted to his nose, permeating all the way to the very core of his being, deep within his brain. This wasn't the scent from all those years ago, young and fresh and childish. The scent that hit his nose now was the scent of a woman, spicy and hot in his nose, driving his very demon nature to nearly howl in pleasure as it pressed deep within his very soul—telling him over and over again that this scent was special. That this girl was special. That this girl—

"She—," He whispered faintly in disbelief as that heady spice pushed into his nostrils, forcing him to resist the urge to pant and take chase after her. "Was aroused." His eyes snapped opened as he said those words. His eyes searching for her even though he knew he couldn't see her, even though he knew she was already gone.

-break-

Standing in front of the gate some hours later, Inutaisho rolled his shoulders back waiting for the guards he was currently standing in front of to either ask a question or attempt to kill him. "I could really do with either at the moment." He thought to himself as he watched the two human men whisper back and forth to each other as quietly as they could. Both knew the man before them was a demon and might easily be able to overhear conversations spoken too loudly. "Like I care what they're saying." The dog demon thought to himself as he resisted the urge to take his current frustration out on the two idiot guards.

Sighing deeply, he shifted his stance and crossed his arms over his chest. Unwittingly, his mind turned to his current predicament: the woman he had only encountered a few hours before. He couldn't believe the smell she had left behind—couldn't believe that the smell had been untainted. "She's a virgin." He felt the groan bubble up within his chest. "A fucking virgin—her father has yet to mate her. He must be waiting to create an alliance somewhere." He screwed his eyes shut at the thought. His mind immediately rushing to a dangerous place. "I could be an ally—shut up!" He growled at himself and pushed the thoughts immediately away.

Now wasn't the time for them anyway. After all, there were far more pressing matters at hand. He was about to attempt to gain an audience with the ruler of Musashi who was currently creating a rather large army. He needed to have his head on straight, needed to be ready for anything, needed to prepare just in case something went wrong, needed to not think of the man's daughter.

"Inutaisho-sama." One of the guards addressed him with a bow finally.

"Will he see me?"

"Yes sir." The guard's voice sounded tight and thick with racism. "Please, follow me." He bowed once more but the dip of the bow was nowhere near low enough to be considered respectful for a king. Luckily for the human guard, Inutaisho choose to ignore it and instead took a step forward.

"Please lead the way." He motioned with one clawed hand, making sure the razor sharp utensils were well seen in the bright sunlight that shone above their heads.

"Of course, sir." The man bowed just a little lower this time, his eyes never once leaving the blades on the demon's fingers and started off into the castle, the gate opening as he waved his hand.

With his chin raised high and his back straight, Inutaisho followed the guard through the entrance watching the amount of 'hidden' guards who filled in behind him with some amusement. "Human's can be ridiculous creatures." He thought with an internalized smirk, not wanting to show any emotion on the outside. "Can't blame them for trying though. It would be dumb not to." He held in a snort as he followed the young solider through the courtyard. His eyes looked up at the castle still far ahead of them with some interest.

It really was one of the nicer castles he had ever seen a human build. The stones were well placed and sturdy as they corroborated with the beautiful rich red woods that had been chosen to make the arches and doors as well as roofs. The pathways, especially the main one he was currently walking on, were made of that same fine stone but off to either side of them was well maintained grass almost meticulously cut to remain short.

"I wonder how they do that?" He thought to himself vaguely as he eyed the Sakura blossoms that were currently in bloom. The trees themselves lined the whole of the walkway, all of them surprisingly tall even though he was almost positive the castle itself had only been in this location for maybe fifty years. "Maybe he used a demonic gardener." Inutaisho mused as they approached the second entrance.

The second entrance opened slowly after the guard escorting him waved a palm towards the sentries mounted along the top wall. Briefly, Inutaisho glanced at the archers that lined the inner wall, watching as the arrows pointed at him almost menacingly.

"Really?" He thought dryly but didn't comment out loud as he followed the man through the doors, annoyed at these humans' audacity. "They think some archers and—," He looked at the 'hidden' soldiers out of the corner of his eye. "Them—are going to take me down if I decide to transform?" He held back his amused grin. "Human's are strange creatures."

He snorted and eyed the scenery of the inner wall, his pupils actually dilating to take in the beautiful garden he found himself walking in. Everywhere around him were Sakura trees in bloom and flowers and willows and a stream with a beautiful bridge running over it and koi fish swimming slowly underneath the bridge itself staying in its shade to get away from the sun. He saw children playing off on the other side. Little girls with dolls and boys with wooden swords play fighting under the watchful eye of the nurse maid. All of them were laughing and joking as they played. Their own mirth loud on the breeze.

Only vaguely did he wonder if the nurse maid was watching Izayoi-dono's brothers and sisters or if those children were simply noble born but not high born. Either way, he was pleased to see them out and about on this beautiful spring day instead of inside for lessons.

"Wait here."

Inutaisho stopped at the sound of the voice, surprised to find himself standing in front of yet another entrance: this one being to the castle itself, not merely a gate but a door. Patiently, he stood watching as the man opened the door a fraction before glancing inside and whispering something about demons before moving his head back out and turning towards the demon lord.

"We will await Tokugawa-sama here."

"Okay then." Inutaisho spoke softly, giving the man his best frown/smile. It was a look he had perfected long before this man's greatest grandfather had been born. "We will wait."

It was no more than a few seconds of waiting later that the small door opened without preamble and a woman kneeling down before it bowed. "Inutaisho-sama," The woman whispered with her eyes down to the floor not daring to look at him out of both fear and duty. "Tokugawa-sama will see you now, please come in."

"Thank you." Inutaisho offered the woman a short nod before he stepped up onto the steps, turning around only slightly to look at the man behind him who had escorted him so far through the castle. "Wasn't too long a wait it seems."

"Yes, it does seem that way." The man replied as he eyed the dog demon with disdain. "Inutaisho-sama."

"Thank you for the escort—," He started to say the man's name but came up short having never asked for the formality. "I'm sorry but I did not catch your name."

"Takemaru." The man replied with his dark eyes clouded with distrust and even hate—hate for a man he had never met and knew nothing about.

"Thank you then, Takemaru-san." He made sure to say the –san distinctly letting the man who had given him such cold attitude know that he was in fact beneath him both as a lord and as a man. "I appreciate your help."

"Of course, my lord." The man bowed but did not avert his eyes as he was supposed to with a man of higher station.

Inutaisho merely smirked at the man bowing his head ever so slightly before turning away and walking in the door. His ears barely picked up the sound of it sliding closed by the servant girl's quiet hands.

"Please my lord," She whispered as she stood just beside him, eyes still averted to the ground. "We must go down many corridors. I ask you to please follow." She bowed even lower as if apologizing for her own help, like it was some kind of intrusion. "Thank you for your understanding."

"Lead the way—ano?" He waited for her name.

"Aika."

"Lead the way Aika-dono." He tilted her formally, his own gentle heart making him speak kindly; he had never been one to look down on any woman no matter what her station or job.

The girl blushed at the honor he had placed behind her name and looked as if she was about to faint. "My l-l-l-ord." She barely got out before he raised his hand to calm her.

"Please dear lady," He spoke softly. "Do not worry—all women should be addressed with high formality. If I did not abide by this," He gave her a supple smile. "I would not be a gentlemen—or gentle-demon as it were."

His words seemed to sober the girl to a certain degree and then turn her almost skeptical. He watched as she dared to lift her eyes up to look at him for a moment as if wishing to see the lies she had been told. Because undoubtedly, she had been told many lies about demon nature—now all of which seemed somehow rash. "Thank you." She whispered ever so softly as she gave him a low bow of great respect. "Please follow me Inutaisho-sama." She spoke with a smile in her voice, seeming to decide that this man had meant what he said.

"Of course, Aika-dono." He bowed back as well. watching as the girl turned, her long hair tied slightly at the end, swishing as she began to move down the hallway. Her feet took tiny steps, avoiding tripping over her plain, blue kimono with matching (albeit lighter) blue obi. "She seems sweet." He thought absently to himself as he followed her down the winding hall. His nose twitched to pick up every scent around him, distinguishing only ever so slightly between the many different people who were tucked away in rooms here and there.

For a moment, he thought he smelt the familiar fragrance of the hime, but the smell was masked by the overwhelming stench of ink. It was growing more powerful the closer they came to what he supposed was their destination by the girl's slowing pace.

"I wonder if they did that on purpose?" He thought to himself as he tried not to sneeze. His sensitive nose completely unhappy with the growing stink. "Brilliant strategy if they're out to kill me—dull my best sense." He snorted just as they came to a stop at another rather large shoji door.

The girl knelt down to her knees before the door, slid it opened, and bowed her head towards the floor as a sign he should enter. Without preamble or a single word to her, knowing that was for the best, he stepped inside the room coming face to face with a man he had not seen for over twenty years.

"Inutaisho-sama." The man spoke from his place on the pillow. His dark eyes, lined with age, scanned the demon carefully as he motioned towards another small pillow that sat some feet in front of him. "Please come sit."

"Tokugawa-sama." The demon lord bowed respectfully and accepted the offer. He stepped completely in the room and gracefully sitting on the prepared spot, crossing his legs as he watched the lord sit stiffly on his knees. "It has been many years," He paused thoughtfully. "You have grown old."

"And you have stayed young." The old human replied with his raspy voice and an arrogant smile. "I have to say though, I am most surprised after so long that you would come here once more."

"I was surprised myself." Inutaisho spoke his voice free of any emotion, his eyes half glazed over as if bored—it was a look he had taught Sesshoumaru. "However, something has come to my attention I thought we needed to discus."

"Hm," The lord before him smiled as the note rang out from his throat. "No pleasantries?" His voice was snide.

"Today, I think it best we finish our business as quickly as possible."

"Well, for once there is something to agree upon." The lord replied honestly. "You neither wish to stay and I neither wish for you to be here, Inutaisho-sama."

The dog demon quirked an eyebrow but said nothing against the other man's words. "It has been brought to my attention that your armies are mobilized." He spoke slowly at first only continuing quicker when he noticed the other man about to open his mouth to interrupt. "I have never had a problem with your military in the past—however," He chose this moment to glare. His eyes became dark molten gold as he looked at the man trying to instill the fires of hell into his soul. "I would like to ensure that those armies are not intended for anything that might upset the delicate balance of our two kingdoms?"

"Why would I do that?"

"I would like to think you wouldn't."

"You think well, my friend." The other lord responded honestly. "I have no intention of bringing my armies against anyone other than the east."

Inutaisho kept his surprise off his face as he narrowed his eyes. Musashi and the eastern territories had always been in constant battle for both land and life, mainly because the eastern wolf tribe were man eaters by nature. "I have no alliance with the Yoro clan of wolf demons—if he is planning to invade the east, it will not affect me all that greatly." He resisted the urge to sigh in relief before he looked bluntly at the lord once more. "You are warring for land once more?"

"I plan to yes."

"Tokugawa-sama." He spoke respectfully closing his eyes and smiling at the other man. "This pleases me much." He opened his eyes into slits. "I would not want to hinder our friendship in anyway—it means much that we are at peace."

"I am—." A sudden knock on the door stopped Tokugawa from finishing his sentence. "Who is it?" The lord's voice was tight with pent up rage that someone would dare to interrupt this meeting.

"Otou-sama," Came the reply as the door opened without permission, revealing the slight form of Izayoi who had her head bowed in the most respectful of ways despite her disrespectful entrance.

"Izayoi!" The man immediately chastised as the Lord of the West looked on at the woman stunned by her boldness. After seeing her in the field, he would have never suspected that she would do something so unsuitable for a woman of her station during a meeting of this grave of importance. "Child what are you doing?"

"I was to tell you of my return Otou-sama." The girl gently reminded as she looked up only to have her eyes widen for just a second from the sight of Inutaisho sitting on the pillow almost directly in front of her. Before the reaction could be detected by anyone other than the Inutaisho himself, her expression went blank once more and she bowed her head ever lower—a sweet blush forming on her face. "I'm sorry, I did not think you had company Chichiue." She changed the name, knowing it was considered dishonorable to address her father so informally in front of another lord.

"Oh," The man blinked at the girl but didn't deny her as he gestured with a wave of his hand for her to leave. "Thank you for actually doing as you were told for once, Izayoi." His tone was much lighter than it had been before but still held some disappointment.

Inutaisho had to smile at the statement, the fact that this was an odd event actually warming his heart. "So, she didn't just become some porcelain doll?" He tried to control the ever growing tilt of his lips as he scented the air unconsciously trying to take in the telltale signs of Izayoi's unique scent, unfortunately, the smell of ink overwhelmed his senses far too much to allow him to smell anything let alone her. "Damn." He cursed just as the girl raised her head again looking past him at her father, her expression taunt as if she was trying desperately to not allow her eyes to slip towards him.

"It is my honor, Chichiue." The woman whispered softly as she kept her eyes on her father for only a second longer before turning just her beautiful irises to look at him. The two made eye contact for the briefest of seconds. Her face flushed and she dipped her head and bowed, fingers still resting on the door as an act of defiance, however slight it was.

"Thank you, Izayoi." The man spoke gruffly and waved his hand again. "Now leave us and go to your chambers."

"Yes, Chichiue." The woman bowed again and raised her head ever so slightly to look at the Inutaisho once more. Something in her deep chestnut eyes compelled the man, making his heart race It was as if those eyes were trying to express something that only words could ever say and then, before she dared to speak, she backed out of the room and ever so gently slid the door shut behind her.

"That is your daughter?" He spoke without thought as he turned back to the other man across from him, trying to maintain some semblance of calm not wanting to ruin everything by appearing even the littlest bit over interested in the girl.

"My oldest daughter." Tokugawa replied with a sigh as if that fact alone was disappointing. "I have seven more," He rolled his eyes this time before they lit up with pride. "And five sons."

Inutaisho spared a slight formal chuckle before closing his eyes and nodding his head courtly. "You have done well."

"You have one heir," The other father proclaimed smoothly, appearing just slightly smug. A pointless comparison seeing as demon's didn't have to have many children in order to assure survival of even one; their pups were far too strong to die as easily as humans often did. "Do you not Inutaisho-sama?"

"I do." The man answered but his voice became instantly tight as his thoughts of Izayoi and the man before him disappeared, running away from him as thoughts of his poor son filled his mind. "Sesshoumaru." He closed his eyes momentarily and gave the man across from him his best diplomatic smile. "He is an adult now but not wise just yet."

"I understand—," Tokugawa nodded his head briskly, a sudden comradic look forming on his face. "My oldest son needs much work before he can rule an empire."

"Then here is to your health," Inutaisho gave the man a smile and raised a hand as if raising a glass. "So you might rule until he is properly prepared."

"To yours as well—," Tokugawa made the same motion with his own hand. "For the same reason."

-break-

The discussions between the two men did not last long after that and before the Inutaisho knew it, he found himself once more in the hall with the tiny servant girl in the blue kimono. Said girl bowed to him deeply upon standing from her duty closing and opening the door, the blush apparent on her face as she led them through the building as she had before, weaving them this way and that on her silent tiny feet.

Absently, Inutaisho thought back to the meeting with a frown. "It's obvious the man is hiding something." He told himself as he took small steps in order to not run into the girl before him. "But I don't think he's going to attack us anytime soon—no—the man's not stupid." He nodded his head briskly. "However, I have to wonder what he could possibly be thinking assembly an army that large and then telling me he's only invading a little section of the east for land?" He frowned darkly and bit his lip with one fang. "He must know I'm not stupid—well he is human and they have a habit of thinking any creature other than themselves is far below normal intellect." The demon lord sighed heavily and shook his head. "I'll wait and discus this with the generals and Myoga, they'll be able to give me more insight."

Suddenly, the girl stopped in front of him, her shoulders drawing tense much to his surprise. She looked around her nervously before turning to look at him, her expression extremely anxious.

"What's wrong Aika-dono?" The dog demon asked as he watched her shift nervously from foot to foot hands wringing in front of her.

"This is most improper." The woman spoke as she continued to rock back and forth. One of her hands went to her sleeve before hesitating and dropping to her side. "I'm sorry my lord but this—this just can't—." Her voice trailed off, and she turned back around red in the face as she wrapped one arm around her sleeve as if hiding it.

Raising an eyebrow, Inutaisho took a step back from the girl wondering if she was about to attempt an assassination and had decided she was morally against it. "What is?" He ventured slowly as he eyed the girl, the logical part of his brain telling him it would be reckless to think such a tiny woman would dare to hurt him. "Then again—I've seen miko's disguise themselves as normal women to destroy demons—anything's possible."

"Well," The woman whispered as her hand went for the sleeve once more this time hesitating before it reached into the kimono's sleeve completely and pulled a letter out. "Ano—," Her hands shook so much that she had to tighten her grip to the point of crumbling it so it would not fall. "I was asked to give you this."

"By whom?" Inutaisho asked confused as he scented the air, his nose still too clogged up with ink to really smell anything off the paper other than Aika.

The woman blushed and nearly lowered her hand back down to the ground as she looked away from him and whispered as softly as humanly possible. "Izayoi-hime."

"What?" He felt his heart stop in his chest as he looked at the piece of parchment as if it was some great treasure. "She gave you this?"

"Yes." The servant girl spoke in a hushed voice as she handed the paper to the demon. Her fingers still shook, causing the paper to practically rustle like a leaf on a tree. "Please take it," She looked behind her as she spoke softly but rushed. "Quickly—I-ano—I will not tell a soul." She promised as she turned back to him and bowed deeply.

"Aika-dono?" He whispered as he took the small paper and held it in his own slightly unsteady hands.

"Izayoi-hime has always been a good friend of mine." The young woman confessed as she wrung her hands together once more and sucked in her bottom lip. "We're the same age, we both grew up in this castle together—I—I do this as a favor to her and in return for your kindness." The woman bowed deeply staying in her dipped position for several seconds longer than was necessary. "Please just—just—I apologize," She shook her head and raised upwards turning her back on the man. "It is not my place. I will take you to the front door now."

For several seconds, Inutaisho didn't move just watched the girl's shoulders as the note practically burned his hand. "Thank you." He whispered out to the woman before him softly, gently, not wanting to startle her already tense form. "I thank you for your kindness, helpfulness, and consideration. You are truly a lady deserving of a fine title."

The girl blushed at his words but did not speak as she started to walk once more. Inutaisho followed her without saying a word, knowing that his obvious praise would be something far too embarrassing for her to take lightly.

"There's a good chance she will never look at me again—not that I'll see her anytime soon." He smiled to himself at the very thought as they came to approach the front door where two samurai who had not been there before stood side by side. The dog demon eyed them wearily for only a moment before nodding to both men out of respect for their warrior heritage. Neither man returned the gesture but by the looks in their eyes he could tell they understood the respect he had shown them.

Knelling down to the ground, the woman opened the door carefully and bowed down low before speaking. "I wish you good health, Inutaisho-sama."

"I wish you the same." He whispered to her offering a slight bow of his head. "Aika-dono." He saw her smile to the ground. Holding back his own grin, he stepped out of the castle itself and back onto the grounds where another guard awaited to escort him back out completely.

"I will take you back to the front gate."

"That won't be necessary." He replied and cracked his neck before jumping into the air and transforming into a mass of light right before every humans' eyes. Before any of them could react, he disappeared from sight and dropped down already outside of the castle's outer wall and outside of the village as well. Sighing deeply, he glanced around to make sure he was alone before reaching into his haori sleeve and pulling out the note he had stashed there.

With a surprisingly racing heart, he unfolded the paper and stared at the simple sentence that rested there in beautiful calligraphy worthy of a princess.

"Meet me in the garden underneath the moonlight."

His heart stopped bounding in his chest just long enough for him to feel dizzy and nauseous all at the same time.

-break-

Inutaisho sat on the large secondary wall that housed the inner palace he had been in only six hours before. Every muscle in his body was taunt as he looked out across the garden with sharp golden eyes. "Kami-sama." He thought to himself, uneasy. "This is stupid." He shook his head quickly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a guard that was getting closer and closer to his current position. "What the hell am I doing here?" He asked himself the rhetorical question before slowly bending his knees and jumping upwards to land on top of the battlement.

Staying as low as possible to the side of the wall, leaning his back against one of the pillars so he would blend in even better, he watched as the patrolling samurai walked past him without a second glance and sighed silently.

"That was all luck." He told himself as he turned his focus back on the garden below him and swept his gaze across its every inch. "I don't see her—why the fuck am I even doing this!?" He resisted the urge to bang his head against the pillar beside him.

Breathing deeply, he looked down into the courtyard and licked his lips. Deciding it would be safer below where no guards rested than up here where one walked by every five minutes or so, he jumped over the side of the wall, falling gracefully to the ground. He caught himself on the balls of his feet, landing in a crouch silently as he ducked behind a small bush like plant filled with flowers. His nose twitched almost violently at the smell and he closed his watering eyes.

"Don't sneeze." He told himself as he held in the reflex. "Why couldn't it be the middle of winter!" He groused as he tilted his head back and looked up at the full moon. "Or at least a moonless night, god I'm an idiot—stupid—stupid—stupid."

"Inutaisho-sama?"

He froze as the soft name floated along the breeze. His mind almost didn't comprehend it as he heard it drift towards him so quiet that only a demon could possibly hear the sound, no human would ever be able too. Pulling himself away from the bush, the need to sneeze successfully forgotten, he looked out across the garden in wonder. After a moment, his eyes came to land on the delicate figure of Izayoi standing in the shadows of a Sakura tree. Her body was no longer covered by the elaborate kimono but instead by a simple white yukata that hugged her much too tightly to be considered appropriate for a woman of her station.

Unable to move, he continued to watch as she leaned her back against the tree, her normally free long hair braided over her right shoulder. The end of the long braid gently moved in the breeze as she turned to look across the garden—look for him—and he blinked feeling the need to take a reckless step forward but knowing better. Ducking down low to the ground, all of his baser instincts fueling his movements he darted through the underbrush of the garden, hiding himself in the most shadowy of corners and under the densest of plants so as to not be seen.

Within seconds, he found himself just a few precious feet away from her back, hiding against another Sakura tree whose branches hung low enough to cover him up more completely.

"Inutaisho-sama." She whispered softly catching him off guard as she continued to lean against the tree without turning around. "I'm surprised you came."

He didn't say a word, so she simply continued.

"I had wondered if Aika-chan would even give you the note." Her voice was light and airy as she spoke still only loud enough for him to hear. "I'm glad she did—I'm glad I got to see you again."

"Izayoi-dono." He finally found the ability to whisper to her. His eyes caught every ripple of muscle as she shuddered from the sound of his voice. The action made his heart pound.

"I've thought about you often for the past ten years, you know?" She continued as if he had not spoken. Her voice coming across in an airy rush. "Anytime I thought it unfair that I was a hime-sama, I remembered your parting words to me when I was but a child."

He blinked slowly, amazed that she would remember such a thing from so long ago.

"I was always blessed with those thoughts—," She leaned her head back against the tree. The yukata slipped slightly opened, revealing the top swell of her breast. "They were good thoughts that turned into dreams," She leaned forward and looked down at the ground the yukata closing from the action. "Dreams where you called me, Izayoi-dono," Her arms snaked around herself, tightly. "In the darkness of the night."

His breath came in pants as her voice grew heady and his eyes feel to her virgin breast. Blinking rapidly, he started to take a step forward, but before he could move, she dropped her arms to her sides clutching her hands tightly as she continued.

"I just wanted to say thank you." Her shoulders began to shake as she leaned against the tree for even support. "Thank you for giving me the ability to escape, even if it was for only a little while in a dream." She moved a hand up to wipe tears he hadn't noticed before. "It was nice to even have that much."

Her words struck something within himself that he couldn't even begin to understand. "Izayoi-dono." He thought her name as his heart tore in his chest looking at this beautiful woman cry. "It isn't fair that she should have to live like this," He bit his lip to the point of drawing blood. "Not a girl like her—she's so—she seems, she's not just another stupid but beautiful princess," He eyed her slumping shoulders and her bangs that covered her tear streaked face. "She's smart, she could be so much more than just a pretty figurehead."

Suddenly, the cries subsided and the girl dropped her hands away from her face as she raised her eyes to the moon as if channeling the moon princess to come down and save her. "But I'm afraid," Her eyes were the saddest brown he had ever seen. "The time for escape is limited."

He could almost hear her lip tremble.

"Takamaru," She whispered the name with no affection as she dropped her chin and looked to the ground. "Will take it from me."

He frowned at the familiar sounding name but even more so at the finality of her words. "What?"

"He is to be," She paused unable to say the words. "When you saw me in the field today—," She changed tactics easily. "I was there because I couldn't dare think of it."

"Of what?" He felt a swell of panic enter his heart. Despite himself, he already knew what she was about to say.

"Of marrying him," She let the words slip from her mouth as if saying them would make them disappear. "When there is someone, I like much better."

"Marry." The word filled him to his very core even before the rest of her sentence registered in his brain. "She's engaged." In truth it wasn't much of a surprise, but something about the fact unsettled the man as he stood hidden behind her in the Sakura trees shadow. He almost felt betrayed and yet, "Who am I to think such thoughts? I've only known her for a day—well ten years—but I've only seen her twice as a small child and now as a woman." He gulped even as a memory haggled with his mind.

"When you meet your true mate, you will know within seconds, my son. You will know by the scent. It will envelop you, and you will be helpless to it. You will want to tell them everything, and know everything about them in return. They will become your whole world within seconds."

He pushed the thoughts away, knowing his father's words were the truth but not daring to believe it. Instead, he opted to focus on the girl in front of him who was still looking vacantly at the full moon. It was only as he stood there watching the moonlight cast a beautiful glow across her skin that he remembered the other half of her sentence. He felt his breath hitch, daring to believe a thought he wouldn't even allow himself to think.

"There's someone you wish to marry?" His voice was tight in the spring night's cool.

"Yes." Her voice was faint, like a little bird afraid to peep.

"Who?"

"I cannot say—," The girl told him but the lie in her voice was loud in his ears. "And it does not matter." Her body seemed to slump against the tree. "The marriage is impossible anyway."

"Izayoi." Her name left his lips without any form of honorific, causing the woman to gasp and finally turned around.

Her wide brown eyes looked at him as if he were a fish and not a demon standing right behind her. "You called me—." She shook her head a mixture of disbelief and something else evident on her face.

"I'm sorry." He quickly tried to correct, realizing the gravity of his mistake, to call a woman of her station by only her name when they were alone. That was worse than calling a -hime -dono or a -dono -hime. It was closer to calling a –hime –chan, "It just slipped out. I'm sorry really—."

"Don't be." She stopped him as she looked directly into his golden eyes something in her sparkling as she took a step towards him before shying away and seeming to chastise herself for her own boldness. "No one's ever just treated me like," She began as she pulled both her hands to the front of her yukata and held it closed nervously. "Like I'm not something noble," She raised her eyes to look at him, and he felt as if he was drowning in their warm pools. "Like I'm no different than any other woman."

"You're not insulted?" He whispered as he became lost in her, her scent, her eyes, the sound of her voice, he was trapped in all of it.

"No," A smile formed on her lips a true beautiful smile that lit up her whole face. It was the first real smile she had given him in over ten years. "I'm happy."

He managed to raise an eyebrow in surprise at her words and opened his mouth to say something.

"Inutaisho-sama," She stopped him and stepping closer to him in the moonlight. Her eyes sparkled with each step. The moon highlighting both irises with its soft glow. And then, she was standing right before. A good two feet shorter, but somehow overpowering him. "Thank you for everything." She hesitantly reached forward as if to touch him, but her hand dropped before it even dared. "I just wanted to say that before you returned to your lands." She looked away from him at the ground her blush so sweet it made his heart swell.

He would never be sure what compelled him to do what he did next, but he was sure it was some inner demon that was captured by her unique beauty in that moment. Compelled, he cupped her cheek holding it as those irises grew with sparkling wonder and her heart beat loud enough for him to hear.

They stood frozen that way for several seconds as he gazed into her eyes and she returned the favor, a slightly peppering of red appearing on just the bridge of her nose. "Inu—." She tried to say his name but he moved his thumb to rest on top of her sweet lips before she could get out a single word.

"You don't have to stay." He told her watching as her cheeks changed from red to pale.

"But it's my duty." She pulled back from him ever so slightly, but he brought his other hand behind her head to force her to look at him.

"You have five brothers," He told her using the information from this afternoon to make his point. "And seven sisters. Plenty to perform the duties expected of you by your father."

"But," Her eyes looked scared as if having the world presented before her was something she had never thought real enough to actually believe in. "I am the oldest sister."

"You're not the oldest brother." He fired back as he felt her silky black hair at the base of her braid brush against his hand.

"But—," She protested weakly as one of her hands came to rest on his chest ready to push him away at any moment for fear of what was happening in her heart and mind.

"Come with me." He implored her as he brought her just a little closer to himself not really understanding the invisible force that was begging him to move her.

Her eyes grew huge as she searched his face. "You're crazy."

"Perhaps," He agreed as he closed his eyes and tried to comprehend his own train of thought—but there was no logic in it, he couldn't have found any even if he tried. "But I also know you are unhappy."

Tears formed on her lashes, and she held in the urge to cry. "Please—don't—."

"Come with me—," He repeated the words as he felt himself pull her even closer being weary of his armor even though it was flat as he brought her body near his own. "I can let you live however you want under the safety of my charge." He informed her wanting nothing more than to protect this woman, see this woman smile, see her laugh, see her happy. "You can work as a normal woman or live as a noble in my house—," He watched as her mind seemed to work it through. Her eyes telling him that every cog in her head was trying to understand what he meant. "Whatever you want. I'll give you whatever you want."

Her eyes closed, and she tilted her head down between them. Her hand on his chest, tightened against the fabric of his haori as she trembled. He felt his hands loosen their hold on her as he watched the shaking take over her. He winced when she finally lifted her head with tears filling her eyes to the brim.

"What if," She began her mouth forming each word as if the devil himself was making them come. "What if I want to just," She closed her eyes, her lips trembled and, in a rush, a tumble of words, she finally spoke from her heart. "What if I want to wander the Earth forever." Her eyes popped opened the tears on her cheeks seeming out of place now. "What if I want to travel all the way to the edge and jump off? What if I want that?" It was almost a challenge she was presenting.

"Then," He spoke without needing time to think. "I will wander behind you," He held her cheek with his clawed hand and tilted it to look at himself not daring to bring her closer for fear of what his lips just might do without his consent. "I'll make you fires at night to ward off the demons that come. And when we get to the edge, I'll jump with you."

Her eyes became wide as teacups and her hand that had been gripping his haori went slack. "You would do that."

"Come with me, Izayoi" He thought his voice sounded like he was begging. He couldn't deny that he was. "And find out."

No words left her lips. The moon slipped behind a cloud. Darkness consumed them both, and in that darkness, confidence took root in her heart. Pushing herself to the very tips of her toes, head leaning back, braid slipping from her shoulder to her back, she pressed her lips softly against his own.

He inhaled sharply. The hand on the back of her head, slipped to her shoulder. The hand on her cheek, fell to the curve of her back. Every instinct inside of him caught on fire as her soft lips grew in confidence, becoming forceful as they massaged his own. Her hands fisted in the vaguely exposed fabric of his haori, and he blessed the fact that he had chosen to wear the chest-plate that was smooth and lacked spikes. Pulling her closer, he moaned at the feel of her soft body against his own. Her hands moved as they grew closer, and he lost all sense of reason when she wrapped them around his middle. Twin palms felt the fabric at his back, smoothing it with nimble fingers as their lips danced against one another. Hers somewhat inexperienced, but his happy to teach.

Suddenly, she pulled her lips away, and his body ached to taste her once more.

Following her, he pressed his lips against her own again, delighting in the tiny moan that escaped her throat. Whatever had pulled her away, seemed to be forgotten. And she carefully, pressed herself a little closer, mindful of the cold metal. Her hands lighted on the spot at the base of his spine, and Inutaisho growled, low in his throat. The hand on her shoulder, slipped down her arm to her elbow and he pulled tighter, exposing her to the firmness that was growing by the minute.

Gasping into his mouth, she pulled her head back completely, and separated their bodies just enough for comfort.

Confused, mind fuddled, and truly aroused, Inutaisho stared at her, blinking as the moon came back, the soft light highlighting the flush upon Izayoi's cheeks. He dipped his head, needing to taste her again, but a soft hand landed on his lips, preventing him.

"Take me." She panted so softly that for a moment he thought he had misheard.

His groin went even stiffer and only a healthy sense of propriety prevented him from following her command underneath the sakura.

"Take me," She spoke again, and his eyes followed her plump kiss swollen lips as they formed the words. "Take me away. Take me to your home."

Inutaisho didn't have to be told twice.

-break-

Myoga hooped down the hallway of Inutaisho's palace. He had been informed by the guard that his master had returned at some point in the night and gone directly to his chambers. There had been some talk amongst the court that he had not been alone upon his return, but Myoga hadn't been taken in by the gossip. Inutaisho wasn't one to bring people willy-nilly into his private section of the castle.

Turning down the hall, coming closer and closer to a certain bedchamber that no one save Sesshoumaru and himself were allowed near, Myoga paused mid jump. Landing on the ground, baffled by a strange scent he didn't recognize, the tiny flea glanced at the sliding shoji door of the bedchamber. The scent was female, fertile female at that, mixed with the undeniable smell of certain nightly activities.

Eyes going as wide as the moon itself, Myoga didn't think to move when shuffling from the room greeted his ears. The shoji door opened and a woman dressed in a barely tied yukata stepped out. Her braid was undone, and her eyes held a sort of dream like haze of one who cannot believe they were lucky enough to call their current situation reality. Rubbing them, she started down the hallway, yawning into her hand without noticing the tiny creature staring up at her. She passed by him quickly enough, disappearing around a corner opposite of the direction Myoga had come from. Most likely, she was headed towards the bathes that were no doubt fully prepped and waiting due to the master's return.

Blinking dumbly, Myoga glanced up in time to see his master standing in the doorway, looking down at him half-asleep. The dog demon was equally disheveled. His normally high ponytail was down, his long silky hair mussed and rumpled. A pair of hakama barely covered his hips and more intimate areas, leaving him virtually half-naked.

"Welcome back, Lord," Myoga greeted with a hesitant bow. "Did—um—," He glanced towards the direction the woman had disappeared to. "You have a good trip?" The phrase seemed utterly inappropriate.

"Ano," Inutaisho had the decency to blush. "Yes—everything went well." He pretended not to notice the direction Myoga kept glancing towards. "They won't be coming for us it turns out. Army was for the Eastern kingdoms, not ours."

"I am glad I was wrong, my Lord," Myoga spoke civilly even though he was dying to ask the obvious question that hung in the air between the two men.

"I was as well, um," He muttered towards the tiny flea. "Did you see which way my companion went?"

Myoga quickly cleared his throat. "To the bathes, I believe, Lord."

The dog demon perked for a second. His golden eyes flashed and a downright primitive smile twitched up from the corners of his mouth. "Really?" Stepping out of the doorway, a look on his face like a dog in heat, Inutaisho started to step around the old flea.

"My Lord, may I—before you go," Myoga couldn't bring himself to look the man in the face any longer. "Might I ask a question?"

Feeling foolish, Inutaisho stopped dead in his tracks and cleared his throat loudly, "Sure."

"Who was the woman?" Myoga felt his whole body go quite rigid from the prospect of the possible answer.

"Well," Inutaisho sent Myoga a strained smile. "She's—um—Tokugawa's eldest daughter."

Myoga nearly fainted at the idea. His eyes watered with horror, and forgetting himself entirely, he snapped at his master. "What on earth are you thinking!"

"I don't know." The words slipped out of the Inutaisho's mouth before he could stop them.

Crossing his arms over his chest, incised by the cheap answer, Myoga rolled his eyes. "Obviously!" He shook his head and raised up all six hands to rub his face. "What will the clan think? She's human!" He began to cry, hopelessly, knowing this would be a political and diplomatic nightmare. "What will Tokugawa-sama think if he finds out? He barely tolerates us to begin with!" He ripped his hands away to look at his master, who was paling considerably. "What will this do to our relations with the Wolf Clans and the Cat Clans? They can't stand mixed breeding!" Myoga struggled to think of anything he could add. There was only one thing. "What will Sesshoumaru think? As the future ruler, your heir, what will this do to the relationship between you?"

Inutaisho opened his mouth, slightly, not entirely sure of what to say. In the end, he could only chuckle, the sound so out of place in the tense moment that it made Myoga lose all steam. The dog demon's mind went back 10 years in time to the sight of his son standing on the edge of a field of flowers. He could see the tense shoulders, the well disguised pain, the need for affirmation that he was loved without the ability to actually ask. Inutaisho had tried to give it to him, but he hadn't known how. He didn't know the right words. He didn't know the right gestures. And the damage had been done. Sesshoumaru had left and gone back to a mother that loved him, but would never reveal the words, let alone give him the attention and affection he craved. Sesshoumaru was looking for love in a place he would never find it, and there was nothing more Inutaisho could do.

His son was grown. His son was jaded. And it was his fault.

"Honestly, Myoga," Inutaisho looked down at his life-long friend; his eyes haunted by true despair. "What more damage could be done to the relationship between me and my son?"

Myoga tried to think of an answer, but the truth was there wasn't one. The relationship between father and son was beyond repair. That had been known the second Sesshoumaru had retreated to his mother five years before and not come back.

Lifting his head up, Inutaisho bit his lip. Echoing down the hallways, the faint melody of Sakura Sakura reached him. Izayoi's beautiful voice drifted through the lonely halls, filling them with a love that knew no bounds. Like Myoga, Inutaisho had known the smell of a fertile woman and what it meant. He had made a rash decision, but as he listened to her and the sweet, beautiful song, he couldn't help but smile.

"Maybe," He whispered, talking more to himself than his loyal retainer, "I'll get it right this time."

-End-

-Unedited/Unrevised-

Sakura Sakura Translation:

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Blanketing the countryside,
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Flowers in full bloom.

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Across the Spring sky,
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the air.
Come now, come,
Let's look, at last!