Lady of the West, Daughter of the East

By Angel Dust
It's a SesshomaruxOC, InuyashaxKagome, KougaxSango fic! You have been warned!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha or any of the other characters or the original story line. I DO own my characters, they're as obvious as the nose on your face.

A few months after the Compass Ball, Lord Nishi of the Western Lands has called in the other lords for help fixing his rebellion issues. This will pull Lord Higashi and all five of his sons from the palace, leaving Lady Mai in charge of both kingdom and their daughter. Nikki has yet to show interest in any males, to her mother's great displeasure at the ball, though is secretly writing Sesshomaru as he is fighting by his father's side. Mai is anxious and willing to do anything to get Nikki to mate, and now that her only barrier (Higashi) is out of the picture temporarily there is nothing to stop her from having her way. Can Nikki survive her father's absence, or will there be one less member of the family at the dinner table from now on?

Chapter 2


Dear Lady Nikki,

I hope that this letter finds you well and that your mother hasn't pushed your buttons too far. After all, that is my job, apparently.

The battle against the rebels is going well, father anticipates by the harvest to be back home with his mate. Lazy Izayoi has given birth to their pup, father made it home just in time for her arrival and is quite pleased. Her name is Rin. Inuyasha has been ordered home to protect the two as Izayoi is too weak right now from the birthing.

We have traveled all over the Western Kingdom, have battled so many. Father is upset at having killed so many of what he called his subjects, but the rebels have killed that many more. So many innocent have died because of the fighting, they look to their lord for saving and we are doing the best we can. Father has a plan for one big strike against the rebels, one strike that will finish them once and for all. Unfortunately, at this time I cannot divulge the information, as I know you'd appreciate seeing the battle plans. I can tell you that upon completion of this war, I will visit for I have a surprise for you.

Sesshomaru paused as he looked at the letter, he wasn't sure what to tell her at this point. He couldn't reveal the plans for the final hit against the rebellion and he didn't want to reveal his surprise, mainly because he didn't want to scare her. He had wanted her to write him, the guise was so that they could argue because they were so good at it. He fell into a daydream as he stared at the paper.

*flashback*

"I'm sorry," she said softly as she looked down to think, it was obvious she was upset for him. "I hope you make it thru it, Sesshomaru." He looked at her and nodded as he seemed to think. "If there is anything you need me to do..."

"I want you to write to me," he said softly as she smiled weakly and nodded. "Even if it's just to create an argument." Nikki chuckled as she thought.

"I think we can work something out, though I honestly I don't know how an argument on paper sounds." She said as he nodded in agreement. He was certain they'd work something out, they always did.

"Your family is ready," Sesshomaru told her as he looked over to see her father looking for her. Nikki nodded as she looked as well and returned to facing him.

"Good luck Sesshomaru, though I don't think this is our final meeting." She said with a weak smile. Sesshomaru nodded before pulling her into a hug. She hugged him back tighly as she thought. There were a million things she could say to him, but none of them would willingly come out. "And just remember, a female has her own reasons for picking on a male." Sesshomaru nodded, his face still emotionless, causing her to laugh a little. "Don't change."

*end flashback*

I anticipate your response.

Yours sincerely,

Lord Sesshomaru

Lord of the Western Lands

Sesshomaru sealed the scroll and sat back as he sighed and thought. He didn't know what else to say to Nikki, he wanted to say a whole lot more but also figured she'd run. She was still young, his plan as it was could easily back fire in his face, but it was worth more to see her than to never hear from her again because of a letter. He walked out of his tent and handed it to a runner before returning to his father to see what the responses were.

"Sesshomaru," his father said as he looked over some letters, "finish your correspondance with Lady Nikki?" Sesshomaru just looked at his father, never revealing the surprise at his father's knowledge.

"This Sesshomaru presumes the runner told you," Sesshomaru said as his father just glanced up. "What did the other lords say?"

"They will be here soon," his father said as he sat back and looked at his oldest son. "Higashi will be here first, he's the closest, and then last will be Minami from the South and Kita from the North." Sesshomaru nodded as he listened and thought about it. "About two days time, I'd wager."

"And then how long before this is all done?" Sesshomaru asked, it was the most important piece of information anyone could ask his father.

"If we can corner them like we did in the forest, as soon as we're done there, but we have to trick them into a spot again and I know where to do it." Nishi answered as he seemed to stare off into his thoughts. "It will be nice to be home again, won't it?" Sesshomaru didn't answer, he didn't need to. "Then you boys can finally mate your chosen females."

"That indicates this Sesshomaru has found a female to choose," Sesshomaru finally replied.

"How long have you been writing the Eastern princess?" his father asked him seriously. "Because if you're giving that girl hope where there is none, you will not be returning home." Sesshomaru seemed intruiged.

"How would this Sesshomaru be giving her hope where there is none? The female doesn't want a mate," Sesshomaru told him as his father looked surprised. "She'd be just as content running thru the forest naked and doing her own thing, a mate would only hinder that." Nishi sighed as he looked at his son again. "And since the ball."

"Do you intend on courting her? Or attempting to if she is truly that reluctant." His father demanded. Sesshomaru just nodded and looked down as he thought. Nikki had already explained her enjoyment of her freedom, he had accepted that and was reluctant to ruin what she enjoyed.

"Only when she is ready will anything of the sort happen," Sesshomaru replied softly as his father looked at him ready. "For like the princess, this Sesshomaru is not prepared for a mate either. There is no sense in rushing what cannot be rushed."

"It's not the idea of rushing the two of you," his father replied smoothly, "it's what is required of the two of you. You are not common folk who can do as you please, you are members of royal families and as such bound to rules you cannot break or change."

"But you can," Sesshomaru reminded his father before leaving the tent. Nishi sighed as he thought about it, it was true that he could change the rules with the other lords and he'd probably feel the need to by the time Rin was old enough to mate so he can keep her close as long as he can.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Kingdom, Nikki was having no better a day. Her mother had forced her to make several kimonos to make sure her sewing was adequate enough for when she was mated and with several kittens. Nikki didn't understand the point of such an excercize when she would simply call in a seamstress like her mother does all the time. But to save arguing, having learned which battles were worth their fights, Nikki did them without question.

"They are quite beautiful," her mother said as she examined the kimonos. She had made three; one for her, her mate, and a child. The mate's sizing Nikki guessed about height and weight, as she did with the child. "Your stitching is flawless on all three of them, which is good because you'll be wearing yours tonight to dinner as we will have a guest." Nikki looked at her mother suspiciously.

"We will?" she asked as her mother smiled and nodded, that never meant good for the younger female.

"Yes, from the Northern Kingdom, Lord Hojo, he's from a very prominent family there." her mother answered as Nikki groaned. Her mother looked at her surprsied.

"Mother, I am not mating anyone," Nikki said as her mother scowled at her. "You were understanding at the ball, I don't understand what happened all the sudden."

"I'll not hear another word," her mother said turnig cross very quickly, "you will meet him, be on your best behavior, and we will see what happens from there." With that Mai left the room as Nikki sat down with a heavy sigh and tried to figure out what was wrong with her mother all of the sudden.

Mai stormed off and went to the only place that seemed to understand her headstrong daughter, her equally headstrong mate. He found him in his study doing a little research and obviously distracted.

"Yes, Mai?" he asked as he looked up from what he was working on.

"What's all this?" Mai asked curiously, almost forgetting about her stubborn daughter.

"Sit," he said as Mai looked at him confused. "I received word from Nishi that he needs help with the final crush of the rebellion, so I agreed that the boys and I would go."

"So, who is staying behind?" Mai asked him as she prepared for the worst.

"None of them are, all of the boys are coming with me," Higashi said as Mai looked at him surprised. "It'll leave you and Nikki here in the palace, I'll leave behind half the guard to keep an eye on things, I will need you to do a few things for me while I'm gone, and we should be back within two months tops."

"Higashi, you are not taking all of our sons into battle," Mai said upset with her mate for thinking of such an idea. "What if something happens? Not just there, but here, we are defenseless females with half of what is usually protecting us."

"You are not defenseless," Higashi said with a sigh, "Nikki is more than trained for fighting, she's better than the best guard. As for the half the defenses, the castle is still here, that would be half the defenses. This is to help Nishi get home to Izayoi." Mai sighed and shook her head as she thought about it. "Now, what did you need?"

"We are having a guest for dinner and your daughter is being difficult again." Mai answered without thinking. Higashi sighed and rolled his eyes as he realized Mai was trying to set Nikki up with someone else.

"Who is he?" Higashi demanded without a thought.

"He is the son of a prominent lord from the north, his name is Hojo," Mai answered innocently. "I figured Nikki should continue to meet suitable suitors for her. This way she can find someone to make her happy."

"Nikki isn't ready for a court, you even agreed to that," her mate reminded her.

"It also doesn't happen overnight, Higashi," Mai reminded him. "Since neither of our friends seem to have suitable sons for our headstrong daughter, I figured we'd invite some of the lords' sons to visit with her so that she may find someone of her liking." Higashi shook his head, there was no stopping her so there was no point in arguing with her unless she got too demanding.

"Alright mate, what time does the boy arrive?" Higashi asked her tiredly.

"He's already in a guest chamber preparing," Mai said happily, she loved when her mate didn't argue with her. Higashi just shot her a warning look. "Yes, I took liberty without telling you, but you've been coming to our daughter's defense too much. You agree the boys need mates but not Nikki, it is both unfair and confusing as she's the one who needs to be taken care of."

"No, she doesn't," Higashi said as he stood up and prepared to leave the study as he needed to get ready for dinner since they now had a guest over. "Nikki is far more independant than you'd like to admit. She will find a suitor in a male that can appreciate that. If she hasn't already and hid the fact from you while she gains her own thoughts on the subject." Mai just looked at him surprised as he sighed and left the office. "Why do I bother?" he muttered to himself, though still within ear shot of his mate. "Not like you ever listen to what anyone else has to say." Mai glared at him as he left the room and stormed off to find something else to do until her mate was done in their chambers.

Higashi knocked on Nikki's door as they were all getting ready for dinner. He poked his head in on her okay and looked at the kimono she was wearing. It was obviously one of her homemade ones but it was still beautiful on her. He knew he'd have to beat this Hojo character back from her, like all the other males Mai conjured up in the palace for her.

"Yes, father?" she asked as she finished putting her hair up.

"Your mother says you're being stubborn about these visitors," her father began.

"And why shouldn't I be? I'm not allowed to make a decision of any kind here; what I eat, drink, wear...everything is chosen for me." Nikki protested as her father looked at her surprised. "I'm tired of not being asked my opinion, of what I want."

"That is unfortunately the life of a princess," her father said as he thought about it. No one ever did ask Nikki about her opinions about a suitor. "If I could give you the freedom of others, I would. But your mother would always be there with the reminder that you're a princess."

"I know," she said with a sigh, "I know. And as such a puppet for anyone who gets me. I just hope if I ever find a suitable suitor that Mother won't say no to, he's more open minded than most of these morons that she seems to find." Higashi chuckled as he thought about it. He figured eventually Sesshomaru would step up for Nikki's hand, with the writing and all, but he didn't want to ruin it for the two.

"Maybe you should tell her you're writing Sesshomaru," her father suggested.

"Oh no," Nikki said shaking her head and facing him scared looking, "do you know what that woman would do? My wedding would already be planned! She'd take every decision I have away from me without a thought...He wouldn't even get the option, and yes then he'd hate me for something else." Higashi looked at her stunned. "Sesshomaru isn't going to court me, father, he just wanted a friend to write to. Someone who understood and could listen without a million questions. Do you see any other princesses like that?"

"Sweetheart," Higashi said as he thought about it. He couldn't explain to his daughter that things were never as they seemed and that the letters were obviously a way of getting to know each other better. He sighed and pulled her into a hug as she snuggled into him.

"You must promise me, father, you will not tell her," Nikki said straightening up and facing him. Higashi nodded hesitantly, he knew this would be a way to calm Mai down, but Nikki was right at the same time. Everything would immediately be planned and Nikki would be punished if Sesshomaru never showed up to claim her.

"I promise, kitten," he said as she sighed and nodded. He stood up and together they left for dinner, both dreading the night to come.