The weather around the Northern fortress was covered in snow and ice as well as also completely covering the entire mountainside. Normally this would not be seen

as odd considering this was the northern lands, however, this was the middle of summer. Karan sighed as she was treading through the ice and snow, "Well, this is

not going to go over well.", thought Karan. Shuran appeared before her. " Sister! What was the decision by both councils? Are they really going to force our sister to

mate that Dog?"Karan sighed and hung her head. Shuran understood at that moment Touran, the Great Panther of ice would no longer have any control of her own

fate. She would be bound to Sesshomaru's claws for the rest of her long life. A part of her heart broke for her sister knowing that she would not be bale to find her

life's partner on her own terms. Yet she and her sister, Karan understood that it was needed to forge the two youkai kingdoms of Japan into one so that they could

withstand the ever increasing numbers of the humans. It seemed that the bonding of the heirs of the blood lines would be the only way in order to ensure the peace

thus uniting the countries not just in familial bloodlines but politically. Her sister Touran and her reluctant mate to be, were to be the Lord and Lady of a united Youkai

Japan.

Gathering their courage the sisters entered the northern fortress to tell their elder sister of her fate...

"WHAT! THOSE OLD FOOLS ARE ACTUALLY DOING THIS!" Roared the mistress of ice. " I am afraid so sister they have decided that you and Sesshomaru are fated to be

together.", Karan stated calmly to try to calm down her livid sister. " I knew I should have killed those fools! They apparently have forgotten who their alpha and

master is. I should remind them..." "NO SISTER PLEASE YOU MUST NOT!" "If you do then our only chance against the humans will be over and we will be hunted down

by those religious zealots, who think just because we are youkai we are evil. I beseech you, my alpha, my lady but most importantly as my sister whom I love, please

consider this. As your sister my heart brakes for you in not having the choice of the male who is to be your mate, but you must think of the future of our people.

PLEASE TOURAN! PLEASE SISTER!" Begged Karan. "Please try to understand this is the only chance our people have left." " I will also say something sister I cannot

understand what you are thinking. Especially because I am male." All three of the panther divas turned to see Shunran enter the big burly cat sat down in front of his

three sisters. " I know you are not happy about this sister and I understand your misgivings about mating Sesshomaru but you must understand that even though

Sesshomaru's brother and father have had bad reputations about being faithful to their mates Sesshomaru is a youkai of honor. He would never dishonor you like his

father did Kimi, Sesshomaru's mother. He would never do this because he has seen what has happened to both of his father and brother's marriages and matings. He

will be yours just as much as you will be his." Shunran calmy explained to his sister. " I know it's just that I...We...have fought so long against him. I am not sure if I

have anything in my just to lay my claws aside and be his mate instead of his enemy." Lamented the eldest panther. "You are right sister we have fought him many

times and we, including myself and your sisters would not still be here in this world if it were not for Sesshomaru defeating our crazed uncle, who started the fight with

the dogs in the first place. Remember he gave you your family back. Do you think a truly heartless person is capable of that? I say no sister there is no way he is

heartless. If I were to wager anything you are probably the only female to ever have a chance at thawing the dog lord's heart." Moved with her brother's warm and

kind word's Touran started to smile and looked out her window towards the Westernlands and thought. Maybe just maybe it is possible to still find some measure of

happiness in this arranged mating. I hope that he will at least grow fond of me. I hope that fate can give me that much.