Chapter 4

A Day At The Western Palace

Sada had awoken to the sun shining through her bedroom window, and not soon afterwards, did Ayame come rushing in with a new set of clothes.

"Good morning my lady, did you sleep well?"

"Very well thank you," Sada replied, getting out of bed and stretching her little arms high in the air.

"Shall I dress you my lady?" Ayame asked, holding up the fabric for the young girl to see. She nearly gasped at the sight. The silk kimono was light blue in color, with different shades of green and blue butterflies embroidered into it.

"Yes Ayame, you may." Sada held out her arms, and Ayame immediately began putting on the various layers of the kimono, before tying on the obi.

"Breakfast is prepared for you downstairs," Ayame whispered, "Follow me. I shall lead you to the dining room."

A grin spread across Sada's face, and she immediately grabbed hold of Ayame's hand.

As the two walked down the long corridors, Sada tried to memorize her way around the palace, but gave up after the a few turns they made through hallways.

Servants were rushing all over the place, and the young girl could only imagine how busy an average day at the youkai's palace was.

Ayame opened two large grand doors, and as they parted before the girl, she gasped.

The room was painted a creamy white, with a large window on the southern wall, overlooking the gardens surrounding the castle. A grand table in the center of the room was made out of pure smooth marble, which was outlined in gold.

"You're breakfast my lady." Ayame gestured to a small plate loaded with food. The little girl's eyes lit up in excitement, and she gracefully skipped over towards the plate.

As Ayame gently sat her in a chair, Sada had already started eating.

"Is there anything else you desire Sada-san?"

"No thank you!" But it sounded more like, "Mo fank you" with her mouth full.

Ayame chuckled lightly and quietly walked out of the room.

"You will get a stomach ache if you eat at that pace." a quiet voice whispered.

Sada looked up, and was shocked to see a young woman, with similar white hair as the demon lord Sesshomaru.

As if reading her mind, the young and frail woman smiled. "Forgive me, I am Akari. You must be the human that everyone is talking about-Sada isn't it?"

The little girl nodded her head and wiped her mouth off. "Do you live here in the castle Akari?"

The woman chuckled quietly. "Yes, I do Sada-chan. For I am the demon lord's older sister."

"Oh!" Sada bowed her head, "Forgive me Akari-sama."

The demon woman chuckled lightly, "No apology is necessary young one."

Sada slowly got out of her chair, and began to walk towards Akari. "So Akari-sama?"

"What is it?" She whispered with a kind and warm smile on her face. "Do you know much about Sesshomaru-sama?"

The young woman smiled, her golden eyes lighting up, "Of course! He is my brother after all. Is there anything you wish to know?"

The little girl's hands moved behind her back as she began to rock back and forth on her heels. "I-I was wondering Akari-sama….why is Sesshomaru-sama so stern?"

Akari's warm smile pulled down into a frown. "It is not my place to say, even if I am his sister. Perhaps when the time is right-you can ask him."

Sada's eyes widened in fright, and then she frowned. "I do not think Sesshomaru-sama would tell me even if I had asked him."

A clawed hand rested underneath the little girl's chin, and Sada met the warm gaze of the young demoness. "Do you think that my brother would not have brought you here if you did not mean something to him?"

Sada thought for a moment. That is true…if I do not mean anything to Sesshomaru-sama…then…why am I still here? Why didn't Sesshomaru-sama dispatch me when he had the chance?

"Do you see now child?" Akari whispered, "You do mean something to Sesshomaru-sama."

"Akari," a low monotone voice echoed through the room.

"Yes, what is it Sesshomaru?" The demoness did not even turn to face him.

"You should be resting. You know you aren't well."

Akari closed her eyes and stood up in one lithe movement before turning to face him. "I am fine Sesshomaru. The poison has long left my body." A series of coughs emitted from the woman's chest.

"No," Sesshomaru motioned his hand, and a woman came rushing from the kitchen. "Chi-Chui," Sesshomaru addressed the green-haired woman, "Take Akari back to her room."

"Yes my lord." Chi-Chui put one arm around Akari's shoulder, and carefully moved her out of the room.

"Sada."

The girl lifted her head in surprise. It was the first time that he had used her name. "Yes?"

Sesshomaru motioned with his hand again, and pink-haired young woman rushed out of the kitchen area.

"Haru will show you to the gardens."

The girl smiled and nodded her head. "Yes my lord!"

Haru held out her hand for Sada to grab, and the young girl grasped hold of it immediately.

"Have a good day Sesshomaru-sama!" Sada called out happily to the demon lord.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened in slight surprise, but he maintained his composure before anyone could notice.

…..

"Haru?" The young girl questioned. The cat demoness turned her purple eyes to the young girl's face. "Are there other children in the palace?"

Haru let out a light chuckle, "Yes Sada-san. I have a daughter just about your age.

Sada gasped, "Really?"

Haru smiled warmly. "Really. If you would like, I can go and fetch her for you."

Sada beamed and smiled hugely, "Yes! That would be wonderful Haru!"

Haru laughed again, "Alright." Haru came to a stop and let go of Sada's hand before bowing slightly. "Please wait here Sada-san, I shall be back shortly."

Sada bowed in return and gave the demoness a warm smile.

With such speed and grace, Haru was gone.

The little girl looked around at her surroundings. The gardens were indeed beautiful. Flowers bloomed from every bush, and the grass was so green that Sada thought it was pure magic. The sun was at its highest point in the sky, and the way the light shone through the tree canopies, just made the gardens seem all the more beautiful.

A light rustle in the canopies above caused Sada to twirl around in fright.

It's probably only a squirrel….Sada's thoughts trailed off. A soft giggle drifted to the little girl's ears. "Who's there?"

Another giggle emitted from the trees above.

"Who's there?" Sada tried to sound as firm as possible, though a part of her was screaming for her to be afraid. Screaming for her to run.

Sada let out a surprised yelp when something fell from the leaves above. Quickly, the little girl shielded her eyes with the sleeve of her ocean blue kimono.

"Hello." a high voice stated. Sada stayed where she was and said nothing.

"I said hello." the same voice urged on.

Very slowly, the little girl removed the sleeve of her kimono from her face, to reveal a startling sight. A little girl-perhaps her age-was staring at her with curious blue eyes. Her hair was tinged pink-the same as Haru's Sada pondered-and the ears on the side of her head were pointed. The little girl gave Sada cheerful smile.

"W-who are you?" Sada slowly removed the kimono sleeve from her line of vision.

The girl laughed, the sound like distant silver bells. "I am Misaki!"

"Oh!" Sada stood up and slightly brushed the dirt from her silk kimono, "You must be Haru's daughter!"

Misaki smiled, "Yes I am!" Misaki walked over towards Sada and poked with her claws.

"Ow! What was that for?" Sada's brow furrowed in anger.

"Kaji said that a human's skeleton was on the outside of its body."

"That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!" Sada moved away from the poking demon and crossed her arms in front of her small chest.

Misaki chuckled and held the sleeve of her kimono over her mouth. "Do you want to play?"

Sada lifted her eyebrows in surprise and smiled slightly, "Sure! What do you want to do?"

"Hmmm…" Misaki was deep in thought when a loud voice caught her attention.

"Misaki!" The high voice called.

"Oh no…" she whispered under her breath.

A young woman-perhaps 15 or 16-came rushing towards the two girls. "Misaki!" she called again.

Sada acknowledged that the young woman was very beautiful. Her long red hair moved as if it was alive-reminding Sada of a flame-, and her yellow eyes were similar to Misaki's-like those of a cat.

"Misaki!" the young woman rebuked, "What are you doing out here with a human?" She said the word as if it was something disgusting. Sada felt anger boiling inside her, but she regained her lady-like posture and said nothing.

"Mama said I could play with her!" Misaki pouted and stomped her foot on the ground.

"Hmph! I don't know why mother would let you play with such."

Misaki's eyes flashed red, "BE QUIET KAJI! Do not insult my friend!" She set a clawed hand on Sada's shoulder.

"Very well," Kaji sighed swatting her hand, "Play with your food if you wish."

"She is NOT food Kaji and you know that! Sesshomaru-sama commanded that we only eat animals."

"Ridiculous law if I do say so myself. There is no need for humans on this earth. Humans are weak and lack confidence."

Sada's face boiled with anger and without thinking, she rebuked the demoness. "You should not speak of humans in such a manor! You do not even know them!"

Kaji's eyes glowed red and she picked Sada up off of the ground with ease. "If I were you," Kaji said slowly barring her fangs, "I would keep my mouth shut when speaking to someone more powerful than you."

Sada gulped loudly and uselessly tried to free herself from the demoness' iron grasp.

"Kaji." a low and solemn tone called out. Kaji froze up and began to shake slightly. "Put her down." the voice commanded. The demoness immediately released her grip and the little girl fell to the ground with a slight thump.

"Sesshomaru-sama!" Kaji fell to a bow at his feet, her face turning red from embarrassment.

"Kaji." Sesshomaru spoke solemnly and she slowly lifted her head to the dog demon's stone cold gaze. "Leave her be."

"Y-yes S-Sesshomaru-sama!"

"Go."

Kaji clambered to her feet, curtsied slightly, and rushed off at an alarming speed. Sada's eyes drifted over towards where Misaki had been standing, and found that she was on the ground in a bow.

"Thank you Sesshomaru-sama." Sada whispered and bowed slightly.

"Hn." Was all the dog demon said before he walked back into the palace.

"Wow!" Misaki said in awe standing up. "I've never seen Kaji so embarrassed!"

"Why was she so embarrassed Misaki? I understand that he is your master and that you would be afraid-but why was Kaji EMBARRASSED?"

Misaki giggled, "Oh, my sister likes him."

The little girl's eyes widened. "Kaji is your sister?"

"Half-sister to be exact. We have the same father but not the same mother. I am a full bred cat demon-but Kaji is only half. The other half is fire demon."

"So is that why she has such a bad temper?" The two laughed at Sada's little joke and the two began to play tag. Misaki had the advantage of abnormal speed and strength, causing Sada to lose greatly.

"Misaki that is not fair!" The little princess argued. Misaki only giggled.

"I am not playing anymore!" Sada shouted in agitation and stormed off towards the palace.

"I'm sorry Sada! I knew humans were slower than demons, but I didn't think you were THAT slow."

The young girl's face grew red and she continued to walk briskly towards the palace.

"Forgive me Sada-chan-if I may call you that…" Sada stopped and nodded slowly, "I did not mean to offend you. It's just-I have never met a human before and…"

"You are forgiven." Sada tried to sound as strong as possible. Sada suddenly beamed up. "Do you want to go into my private quarters?"

"Sure!" Misaki said but then frowned. "What's wrong Misaki?" The little girl asked in a quiet tone. "I am not allowed in any of the chambers. I am only a servant."

"Well, you're my friend as well." Sada grabbed one of Misaki's clawed hands and began dragging her towards the palace.

…

"Wow!" Misaki's eyes gazed curiously around her. To her, Sada's bedroom was bigger than anything she could have ever imagined.

"I suppose it IS rather large. But the bedroom at my palace was close to the same size as this one."

Misaki smiled and gazed out the window. "Look at the beautiful sunset Sada-chan!

Sada followed her friend's gaze and smiled slightly at the setting sun. Perhaps it IS beautiful…"Shall we play a game Misaki-chan?"

"What kind of game?" Misaki questioned.

"How about dress up?" Sada's eyes filled with excitement.

"Yes!" Misaki exclaimed giggling.

The two girls rushed over towards Sada's wardrobe and they immediately began trying on various clothes, and pretended to be rich ladies that ruled the Western Lands.

…

"Misaki-chan?"

"Yes?"

"What is your father like?" The two girls were both lying on Sada's enormous bed, dressed in un-matching clothing.

Misaki seemed to think for a moment. "I don't see him that often. He is away from home a lot and he often runs errands for Sesshomaru-sama." The little cat demon smiled lightly, "He is very brave. What is your father like Sada-chan?"

The little girl frowned and rolled over onto her side.

"Oh I'm sorry Sada-chan!" Misaki wailed, "I did not know-"

"It's alright Misaki," Sada laughed but it was broken and uneven. The young girl's eyes drifted towards the ceiling. "My pa-father-was very kind. I could tell that he loved my mother and I deeply, and he would do anything to provide for us. Like your father, he traveled a lot and before I came here I was traveling with him and….." Sada trailed off and fell silent.

"You don't need to say anymore Sada. I think I already know what happened."

"Thank you Misaki-chan." Sada whispered quietly. The young princess had no idea how tired she had become, and before she knew it, she had closed her eyes.

"Goodnight Misaki."

Misaki yawned and got comfortable as well, "Goodnight Sada."

The two girls both drifted off to sleep, dreaming about lords, ladies, and clothes.

…..

Sesshomaru watched the two girls asleep from the doorway. Why am I doing this? Sesshomaru thought to himself as his eyes grazed over Sada's sleeping form.

I need to rest. This girl is getting to me. Sesshomaru turned on his heel and walked back towards his own chambers.

Tomorrow would be another matter.

Phew! Sorry this update took so long guys, but juggling like...5 stories is a LOT of work

Anyways I hope you enjoy!