A/N: Yay for another chapter and my first review! Thank you ForeverDayDreaming for reading my story!

In this chapter we have an appearance of the great Daiyoukai we've all come to know and love. There will be more of him in future chapters because what he does is important to the story line. You'll see.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the InuYasha characters.

I only am responsible for Yumiko, Kotsuroki, Yoru, and Taiyou and any of the other original characters that appear.

~~Spoiler Warning~~

This story does take place after the end of the MANGA. So, possible spoilers may be found.

Narrator!

Three nights passed in silence. The beautiful song that once would fill the night sky was no more. The voices of the Daiyoukai quieted. At the Daiyoukai Ookami den, there was not a soul left living of the clan. Each wolf was slain and the heads of the two leaders were on display for victory of the Orochi and Ryu. The scent of blood was strong, the blood of wolves overpowering what few casualties there were among the Orochi and Ryu. It was a perfectly executed attack and the one living soul that stood on blood stained soil knew that. Standing in front of the piked heads, starting to decay from the exposure to the sun, was a grand demon that stood in his own beauty. Long, silver hair would cascade like water down his back. He wore a kimono top with a red, design along it but it is more white than red. It is tucked into a pair of hakama that is bound at the ankles. Over his chest he wears his harakimi (his battle armor) in dark black. Coming up and round his left shoulder there is a spiked guard. Around his waist there is a heko-obi made of yellow silke, embroidered with a dark purple. This is what holds up the two swords at his side. Then draped over his right shoulder is a long mokomoko which he holds into place diligently. Those narrow, golden eyes look to the decaying heads and there is only a frown on his pale features. At his feet, there is a kappa. His skin green and his face beaked. Those large yellow eyes stare at the heads with utter disbelief on his face as well as surprise. He is clothed in brown robes with a black cap. In his hands he carries, with the most protection, a two headed staff of a woman and a man.

"Lord Sesshoumaru! Who could have killed the Ookami Lord and Lady?" his voice is like a strained squeaker.

The great lord stares in silence as he takes his newly reformed left arm and lets the still soft locks of the Ookami Lady pass through is fingers. His expression shows nothing as he looks to her. But he did know who did it. Their stench was everywhere, the reptilian blood strong and their secretions about everything. They wanted him to know what had happened here.

"Orochi and Ryu hm?" he says softly, mainly to himself but he is aware that his companion will hear this.

"Those lizards! This is just wrong my Lord! The Lord Hisashi and his Lady should not be shown this way," the kappa exclaims.

"For once, this Sesshoumaru agrees with you," his voice is calm as he takes his hand off of his mokomoko and promptly removes the Lady's head from the stake.

Yumiko

I can only sit diligently at the entry of the den that is filled with scents I do not know. Learning about my new surroundings there is little to no privacy to the wolves but dens only reserved to those who have mated and the Alpha himself. But oddly, I am not bothered by the lack of privacy and can only take in the way that everyone seems so close together. The few wolves that are here have shown me great hospitality as well as to my brother. They have been kind and polite, calling me their sister. It is strange since the Daiyoukai way is different than that of these Youkai. But there are few of them, the numbers of Kouga's pack were decreased dramatically after Naraku destroyed so many of his numbers. But I do find it odd that he has allowed his members to mate and have children before he has. Peculiar considering we breed for strength and dominance. But I understand his reasoning, the pack needed numbers and it couldn't wait for him to choose his own mate. He is a wolf of heart unlike others I have met. It is a good quality in a leader and he has only shown me how much his pack respects him.
I sit at the den entrance that overlooks the lake at the bottom that is nestled within this mountain. The lake is a place of play for most and that is where Kotsuroki is with the mothers and their cubs. Taiyou has remained close by his side taking the place of his surrogate mother. It is noble but while Taiyou has abandoned me Yoru has become more protective of me, rarely leaving my side. I do not blame him. With the lose of my parents now in the air my life and my brother's life is important now for the survival of our great breeding and our power. At this very moment, even though I may be thought dead, the Northern lands are mine. I would pass them onto Kotsuroki when he is old enough but this is where his training should begin. He is already playing the games with the children that teach them how to defend themselves and I can only hope that Kouga will let us stay here until he is old enough. I let out a sigh as I bring my right leg up to my chest, watching him splash in the water and being cared for like a cub should. Yoru is next to me, napping but I know that if there is a sound he will lift his head up. He has deemed this place safe.

"You sure sit up here a lot," states a guff voice behind me.

My crimson gaze shifts to Yoru as he lazily lifts his head to look up behind him. There is the sound of his tail swishing a few times before he lets his head rest again. The scent is one I recognize. It is Kouga.

"It is the best place to watch Kotsu play," I reply.

I touch my fingers down to my left where the water from the den entrance cascades down and into the lake below. Just like a river. It was a good place to hide, behind water. Kouga steps up to the edge and my eyes travel over to him as he looms above me. He is my Alpha now. I have no dominance here. He watches me for a moment before joining me on the other side of Yoru. He ruffles the black wolf's fur on his head which gets an annoyed gruff from him. I smile a little, taking in these small moments in life. I would have to if I intended to ever get revenge for the death of my mother and father. I would have to do it before Kotsuroki did. He was the key link to making the Ookami Daiyoukai line flourish again. My eyes shift to watch Kotsuroki as he splashes another child his age, both laughing as they get each other wet. The warm weather was good for a swim, even though I couldn't do it. Yes, I had failed to learn how to swim. Not that I've not tried, I just sink like a rock.

"Your parents death has spread but word has it that you and your brother were killed as well. Do you have any idea what you are going to do?" he asks, curiosity and concern in his voice.

I could only see that it was natural for him to be concerned. In a sense I am his "sister" as the wolves in his pack put it. I can only shake my head, my long ebony hair swaying around me. I reach up and tuck some of those locks behind my pointed ear, trying to think.

"I was sort of hoping, that if it isn't too much trouble that..." I trail off, unable to really get the question out.

There is silence as I shift uncomfortably, my leg coming from my arms and dangling off the edge of the cliff as well. I then turn to him to see those brilliant blue eyes on me, that intense look within them. I feel a bit of heat rise to my face but simply because his eyes make me uncomfortable under that gaze.

"There is one ally to the Ookami in the Western Lands, Sesshoumaru-sama. I know that he will know the truth and he'll come looking for me and my brother. I guess, I won't know what to do until then," I reply, my previous answer leaving me.

Silly, you don't ask to stay as a part of his pack before you know all of the situations. I flash him a smile and he shrugs his shoulders a bit. But those eyes don't leave me but his expression is less serious and almost bored.

"Well, you can stay here until that Sesshoumaru guy shows up then. Can't have you and the kid wandering around lost," he replies with a sigh.

I look out towards the lake once more, a smile on my features. It was so peaceful here. So, beautiful and wonderful. It was simple and there wasn't the worry about the great clans.

"I like it here Kouga. It is peaceful and you have been really good to us. Your pack loves you and I would like to hope that one day, when this is all over..." I pause for a moment before letting my gaze soften, "that I could stay here for real. Kotsuroki is meant to rule the Daiyoukai not me. I'm just a woman after all."

Yeah, that's all I am in the end. A woman. A reason why I couldn't claim the throne in this world. Because I was given the ability to bare children, to make heirs, not to be one. As these thoughts plague me I give a laugh, one that was a bit odd since someone shouldn't be laughing about this sort of thing. But I found it funny in a way. I found it funny that I was underestimated, that all women were underestimated.

"Just because you are a woman doesn't mean anything. I know that because I've seen a couple strong women," he replies.

My brows furrow as I turn to him. I was confused but I do listen. I was curious about these strong women he's seen.

"Really? I'm curious now? My father told me that I should just sit pretty like a good girl," I reply with all honestly. Well, it really was what he would tell me.

"Their are the human miko. Pretty strong women if you ask me. I've even met a female tajiya. Could carry a big boomerang that was bigger than her. Can't say that you are just suppose to sit there and look pretty if you don't want to," he explains.

Humans? He was familiar with humans? But the miko and tajiya? Sounds like a familiar story that has been spreading.

"Miko? Like Kagome. Tajiya, like Sango. From the story about how Naraku was destroyed," I reply as I pull my legs up over the cliff edge, leaning towards him a bit.

I wanted to get in all the details. If he knew these people then maybe I could learn more about what I was forced to miss. Lord knows that Sesshoumaru didn't give any details with how little he speaks.

"Yeah, that's the two of 'em. I was going to take Kagome as my mate you know. But that mutt face, InuYasha, just kind took her heart you know. She could see the jewel shards and she wasn't a bad fighter. One arrow from her could cripple you pretty good. Then Sango, damn she knew how to fight. Sword, her boomerang thing, she had all sorts of tricks up her sleeves. Heard she was one of the top tajiya in her village before it was destroyed," he explains, leaning back a bit.

I lean over Yoru and he gives a soft grunt. He doesn't seem all bothered by it though.

"So, you have met them. Wait, you are the one who got Goraishi from the ancestors!"I exclaim.

Yoru lifts his head up to get a look at Kouga before resting once more. He obviously had no interest in this like I did. Kouga looks at me a little confused.

"What? They didn't tell you who got it?" he asks.

I shake my head furiously, my hair whipping around me a little.

"No, as I told you. Sit there and look pretty in some fancy dress. Speak only when spoken to for I am a precious flower that need not be harmed and only to be protected," I explain almost mockingly. He gives a small laugh at this. "Is it really different outside of the Daiyoukai world? That I can learn to fight for myself and I don't have to just be someone to care and nurture?"

"Pretty much. I've met a few female demons who were great warriors and if you tried then I think you could be too," he replies.

Was he only saying this stuff to make me feel better? Either way it was working. I smile a bit and tilt my head to the side, in that same manner I would if I was trying to get something from my father. It was an unconscious thing.

"Do you think you could teach me how to fight Kouga-sama?" I ask in that small, childish voice.

He laughs a little and a small frown comes to my features. Really? He was going to laugh at me for wanting to learn. But he reaches over, brushing his hand over my shoulder and now I am curious once more.

"Sure thing. We'll meet tomorrow over it. No sweat," he replies with the laughter still in his voice.

Okay, now I figured out why he was laughing. The voice didn't work on him but was agreeing nonetheless. I give a broad smile and sit up straight. Well, that was going to be fun.