Welcome to Beauty and The Half Breed

Once a beautiful life, turned upside down. Tarru began to travel to prove herself. One day, she adopted a small companion that would lead her to trouble with the Great Lord of the West. Will two innocent children become matchmakers?

Foreclosure: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters. However, the ones that I have created are my precious jewels and would like to keep them as my own:

Note:re: Please send your words of love or of any statements that you think I should know! I love hearing from you good or bad!

Recap:

"It will take a month for it to work into her system."

He glared.

"You will be back no moment later."

She didn't wait for any more retorts to bark from his mouth. She bit back her own as she slipped through the door. When she was free from those golden orbs, a sigh of relief escaped her. No, it had not gone as planned. She would not be able to slip into the woods and hide until the coast was clear. At least her scent would be undetectable and the woods would be around her for more than a few hours. That could give her a sense of relief.


He once spotted a girl dancing across the room. Even though they were young, she had to be his. Her long, dark hair and shimmering brown eyes could not hide. Even in the great hall full of colorful swirling kimonos he could instantly find that flawless smiling face. He didn't know what it was, or how to explain it; but he needed her. Even during his greatest battles that smile kept him sane. Gave him hope for the future. Without her in it, by his side, was just a nightmare.

Many years passed before he won her over. It was no secret that their families did not care for the other. With he a dog demon, and she a wolf, it seemed most unlikely for them to even be friends. Her father ruled the northern land and his the East. Time with her was very scarce. The only chance came with the yearly gathering of all the lands. Each year his infatuation grew and her exasperation with him seem to thin. The odds were not in his favor, a friendship did sprout after his years of trying. First, they started writing letters. Informing each other the happenings in their lands. It became such an addiction that if he did not have a letter from her every week, he would start to worry, and she the same.

When it became the time, that horrible time when a boy must choose a mate. They were together. Well, not courting like any ruler would want their hair to be doing, but off adventuring. Fighting demons that dared cross their path. Racing through dragons' tails, and even facing off with demon slayers. That was when he really, truly fell for the demoness. Unlike the other girls from court, she stood her ground when challenged. Could fight anything with her words, or sword. She was more beautiful than the setting sun. Softer than a flowers petal and sweeter than Saimyōshō honey. Her smile spread to every face in the room she stood in. With the littlest charm she could cause a wave of laughter to ripple through.

He had to have her.

The moment came during the most inconvenient time. They were in the middle of a battle with a two-headed dragon when he stole a kiss. As he pulled away he called out over the roars of the beast.

"Isamu, will you allow me to fight alongside you? Will you grant my wish and become mine for all time?"

And she had called back, "Takahiro! You damn idiot!"

She sliced through one of the dragon's necks with one of her powerful attacks. She turned to him with her brown eyes blazing. For a moment he was almost frightened that he had made a mistake. But, he knew she was the only one for him. Even if he were a dog, and she a wolf. It didn't matter that neither of their families favored each other. He would spend the rest of his life proving that to her.

Isamu, the wolf princess, stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "It's about time." She sighed before she brought their lips together for the second time.

It wasn't long before she called the Eastern lands her home where they lived happily. Before long, the kingdom was graced with twins, a boy and a girl. The happiness of the family only grew. But outsiders never understood their love. For two different breeds to procreate was blasphemy. The Eastern lands were a respectable force, but that did not stop the gossip from spreading.

As the offsprings grew, it became harder for their parents to keep the negative words away from their ears. The heirs from visiting lands shared their parents misunderstandings. They threw names at the Eastern twins. Tormented them to tears. They would steal their toys and even chase them from their own rooms. It was one of those days that the smallest and shyest of the two ran from the castle. She did not understand the names they used, but could not stop the tears that fell. They had thrown things at her and her brother. He had stayed behind to fight, for he was very brave. She could not hide her hurt like he did. The tears burned her eyes as she ran under the wall and through the brush. This was a familiar path. Her feet knew how to lead her to her favorite tree. It was her mother's favorite reading spot. She found herself following in her mother's tracks.

"My little treasure," someone purred as they approached the tree. "Why is it you are hiding?"

She saw the eyes poke through the lush leaves. She smiled for a moment, for she thought of her mate when she looked into those swimming pools. They had been this age, many summers ago, when they first met.

The young voice pulled her out of her memory.

"Hotaka called me something that made brother angry." Isamu appeared on her branch, the demoness crouched with a raised eyebrow. "What does half-breed mean?"

Isamu's heart dropped to the earth below. It finally happened. They prayed that this day would never come. Their children were half wolf and half dog; hybrids that resulted with a full fledge demon, to the open-minded. She reached out and collected the little girl in her lap. Then started explaining the unintended curse the children would have to suffer through their whole lives. But to her and her mate they were perfect.

Isamu wiped away the tears from her child's face and whispered beautiful words into her ear. She had to make her realise there was no shame of her heritage. Finally, the girl started to smile as she nuzzled into her mother's chest. Neither sensed the coming threat. Until the fangs sunk deep into the woman's flesh. The poison started to flow when Isamu pushed the girl away. Her instructions to run gurgled by the snake at her neck.

The child froze. As if the poison was injected into her veins instead. The image before her was so vivid. It would burn into her retinas and haunt her forever. She couldn't blink. The scent of blood, her mother's blood, was so thick and tainted by the poison. She did not know how to fight this snake, or how to keep her mother safe. She was useless. All she could do was watch her mother wither in pain. Fear had taken an icy grip on her heart. Every nerve seemed to have become detached from her brain. Her body did not react to any of her commands. Even when the snake released its' victim and turned its slit pupils to her. She saw the tongue tasting the air, tasting her. Yet, her body still refused to even stutter.

"So…" The beast slithered down the branch towards her. "It is true… the two did conceive."

It coiled around her. The scales were smooth against her skin. Life around her started to cloud. She could no longer hear or smell her mother dying. All she could concentrate on was how soft the scales were against her skin. It glided around her legs, through her arms and around her chest. Its forked tongue caressed her cheek as it licked at her tears.

"This is perfect… The Great Isamu, who killed my brother, gets to watch me eat her half-breed child."

The only thing that could free her were the sharp claws that swiped at the snake. It screamed and the coils released the girl. A mighty hiss came from its throat when it turned to its attacker. Isamu was fighting against the poison, or helping it kill her faster. Her movements were shaky. Her muscles started acting on their own. She saw two snakes attacking the little girl and could feel foam forming under her tongue. It started to spill through her lips and on to her kimono. She needed to be strong for the girl. Even if she could feel the poison seeking out her heart, she would do everything possible to keep the little one safe.

Her inner demon sent a sharp order to her muscles. She fought against aching bones to hold the little girl to her chest. She jumped, enjoying a moment of the air in her hair as she waited to land on to the next branch. Her body couldn't make it. She and her little one fell to the earth. The rocks and sticks caught her. A loud crack rang in the air before she felt the pain. Her back broke. She could feel hot tears soaking into her kimono from the little girl's eyes.

The snake was making its way towards them through the grass. There was nothing she could. It was all lost. Her body was broken and the poison would be reaching her heart any moment. There would be no victory for her in this battle. She could feel the world spinning around her. Something was against her chest and shaking. It started glowing. The light so powerful she wished she could close her eyes to shield away from the pain. A tiny voice sang in the back of her head, promising her that it all would go away if she did. She could see the snake, well all three of them, sneaking through the grass. His chuckle rattled all around her.

She brought the little girl closer as the snake's head rose, the fangs dripping with poison. There was nothing she could do.


She awoke with a start as the sun grew from the horizon. The fire Rin needed to help her sleep had died down. She sat up and stretched her back as her claws ran through her hair. It had been a month since they left. A whole moon cycle since she the confrontation with the rat demon. Resulting, probably, with an offended Inukimi. In the back of her mind, a tiny voice warned that she would regret it when she returned.

What all had happened since they left? Had Sesshomaru ordered the servants to clean the place from top to bottom like she instructed? Had he confronted his mother for this whole mess? Tarru found herself chuckling at the idea. Sesshomaru calm and quiet, his golden eyes flaring at his mother. Her face set like a stone as she sat on her throne of blankets. She knew Lady Inukimi could push Sesshomaru's buttons better than any demon. Of course, Tarru wouldn't mind watching Sesshomaru being harassed by the Ladies of Court. She ignored the weird growl from her inner demon when she thought of them all draping themselves on him. Using their fans on his face as he drank the sake from their offering hands. She wiped the image from her thoughts before she could indulge more into it. She would rather stay in the woods. But, she had made a promise to Sesshomaru. Even though the wilderness around her was quite orgasmic, she needed to return. He would hold her to her word or his rage would rein upon her.

She didn't feel like getting up. Her mind wander into a place it had not been since she slipped into the night over 200 years ago. What if everything was different? What if she was one of the girls attending the dance? What type of kimono would she have worn? Would her hair be up or down? Would those golden-amber eyes even look upon her? Would she look into them as they swayed around the dance hall as envious eyes of the bitter demonesses glared from the sidelines? Would she get to know what those lips felt like? How soft would they be when they were not snarling at her?

She shook her head, making herself come too. Even if things were different, if she had not chosen this path, things would never play out like that. No, she had concluded that many years ago. She never pictured love in her future… well, maybe once she did. It was a wonderful fantasy. One she had spent all her childhood planning. All her dreams wasted on that one day when someone would love her. Eventually, she came out of her daze. Having no idea how or why she let herself be taken to that place. Her insides were cold.

"Tarru?"

The demon in her chest perked its' head up through a rib. A small flicker of warmth came at the sound of her name. She turned towards it and spotted Rin and Haru running through the trees. A smile split her lips as she watched her young one, the boy who was not hers by blood run towards her. She started to truly realize that maybe that sort of love was not in her future. It didn't matter. All she needed was Haru's smile to keep her moving forward. Her traveling had come to an end. She was fine with that. In fact, she was happy she had fought through every milestone so she could be that person for Haru. Maybe this feeling was what she was looking for.

The wolf pup finally reached her. Filled her out stretched arms with Rin following shortly.

"Are we returning to the castle?" The human questioned softly.

She knew how much the demoness loved being outside the stone walls, but she was ready to return. She missed her Lord, and even Jaken, very much.

Tarru pulled back smiling a smile that never reached her eyes.


Sesshomaru tore his eyes away from the window. A month. A full moon cycle he had waited for that damned woman. The ball was tonight. But, he could not get her out of his thoughts. With her gone he found himself… dare he say it… bothered by her absence. He had hoped with his halls quiet and her damn magic leaving him be that his mind would finally be set free. He found himself even more distracted. He had no idea what to do when his nerves could not be calmed. Every thought always ended with her. It became so bothersome one day that he had to escape his sanctuary. Only the wild seemed to calm him. She had been there before and he dared not venture close to it. He would not want to track back her stench and ruin the reason he had been so frustratingly fidgety.

It was all for Rin, he told himself. All of this waiting. It must have been that he missed her laughter. His inner demon ached to watch her in the fields of flowers that were outside his window. His desk had been empty of the human girl's collection of weeds since she had taken them. His ears missed the stories she would tell the two children as they sat on the hill, absorbing the sun's rays.

There he went again! Letting that damn woman take over his thoughts. He shook his head, forcing his mind back where it needed to be. Not of her, the half-breed, but on the scroll he had in hand. It was the invite list that he confiscated from the red headed rat. His eye found all the demonesses that would be filling his hall later this evening. Figuring out who he would really want to avoid. If only she were to accompany him to this ball. To warn him of any more foul play. Possibly keep him distracted as they all begged for his attention. Focusing on her wouldn't be that hard…

"Did you miss me, great and powerful Lord Sesshomaru?"

His eyes snapped towards the sound. His heart jumped. His inner demon did a somersault of surprise. The voice had actually startled him. He almost dropped his ink brush. His fangs bared. His limbs ached with anticipation to pounce on the intruder. His eyes fell upon her. Just sitting there. Filling the window seal with a smirk spreading across her face. She fiddled with a flower nonchalantly as if she had not just startled the most powerful demon in all the lands.

He smelt the air but only the golden flower reached his nostrils. She seemed to notice, for her smirk grew.

"So. It must work if the great Sesshomaru can not detect me."

She slid from the window and sashayed towards him. He was not amused or distracted by her antics. The growl that loudly ripped through the room let her know without the use of words. Instead of her retreating, like any wise demon would, she chuckled. Chuckled. The sound made his inner demon purr. He kept his face like a stone. She didn't any more confidence.

"I only jest." She was close. Only his desk separating them. "The potion obviously is working. The children are in Rin's room. All will go well if we keep drinking this potion every hour. Not a minute late."

"You have no skill to make a stronger one?"

There were too many flaws in this plan already.

"I could have stayed away longer, if you so wished."

Her smirked turned into a frown. This made her inner beast go cold at the thought of Sesshomaru's disappointed with her. She would deal with that later.

"You are lucky I have the skill to even brew this particular plant. I will bet that your best planter does not know of the Kakusu Shūki."

So what if she was right? He wouldn't let her know that. He decided to turn the conversation around. To long his questions had gone unanswered. He still wondered why she had wished to mask her scent. She showed much pride in her muddled blood. Why would she go to such lengths to make sure she was undetected? It was most suspicious.

Before Sesshomaru could even command the words to his lips, or step around his desk so he could back her up into a corner, she made a movement that startled him. She reached across the desk and tucked the flower into the fold of his kimono. Her fingers strayed a moment longer than needed. He found himself enjoying her skin against his a little too much.

"Worry not for my problems, Sesshomaru. You have many coming your way as we speak." Her blue eyes flickered towards the window. They both could hear the screeching of carriage wheels. She turned towards the door. "Do dress your best. Gold suits you."

Oh, what he would do to crush her in his arms. To feel her skin against his as every bone in her body crushed. He glanced down to the flower and twisted the soft, silk petal between his fingers. He could not help but wonder if she felt the same. A sigh broke through his lips as he brought a hand to his face.

What he really wanted to do to his mother for creating this mess.


Suddenly her heart gave a jolt. The wind danced across the land and brought many scents to her nose. There were a lot she did not know, but her heart grew cold when the ones she feared were heading this way. Her instincts told her to run. To retreat into the woods and return when this was over. Her inner demon gave a reminder of the potion and the children. It wouldn't last. She would need to return or all the hard work would be lost.

She just needed a moment longer…


He sat back in to his seat with misery. The carriage had rocked his stomach to the point of sickness. He pulled back the curtain and glanced through the window. The cool air brushed against his face. It seemed to help, but he still preferred walking. If it weren't for his companions, his feet would surely be on the ground. Hell, he wouldn't even be in this situation if it weren't for the two filling the seats across from him. He never would want to take this trip to the Western lands. He glanced at the man sitting across from him. Their matching blue eyes glazed over pain from this travel. Next to him were the two women fussing over their hair. Aya, his stepmother, had her nose up as if she smelt something vile. Her silver hair was pulled into a tight bun. Her sharp, dark eyes glared at the fallen piece of hair from her daughter's head. Chiyo, an exact replica of her mother, shared the same expression as she gossiped about the other ladies of court who also would be attending tonight event. Her words were very negative. She spoke of many women that he had befriended. The ignorance of the two poked at his inner demon.

He turned to the woman at his right. Her green eyes glanced at him and they instantly warm with a smile. Her fingers were busy rubbing circles of her protruding belly. His own smile spread his lips as his hands found hers. There was no stopping the pride that shot through his body. Hina, with her beautiful red hair and skin that glowed like the moon, was truly beautiful. The fact that a part of him was growing, at that very moment, right under his fingertips made his inner demon puff its chest. A call came from the open window, a distraction from him mate.

"Mi' Lord, the castle approaches!"

Both men gave a great sigh of relief. Finally they could be released from the holds of the carriage. Secretly, hidden from both their mates, they were haunted by this trip. To Chiyo this was another chance of finding her a mate. But to him and his father, it was just a reminder that there should have been another joining them. He knew if it were true, they would be smiling. Hers would have been the biggest as they ventured to her new home. The Gods must be enjoying a great laugh as they watched them approach this particular ball on the very day she was discovered missing 200 years ago…

His legs were so grateful to hit the earth. His stomach became less of a knot as he took in a deep breath of the chill around him. The atmosphere was electric as royals exited their carriages. The cries of their exotic pets filled the air as they pulled away the carriages. It was pathetic how hard they were trying to impress the west. Flashy kimonos swayed across the grass. Pheromones stunk up the place as each Lady of court tried to make herself as appealing as possible. He didn't have to worry of royal courting any more. He showed his cared by stretching his arms over his head, elegance flying out the window. Aya and Chiyo stepped down from the carriage. Their fingers clutched their fans as they gave him unappealing looks at his less-than-royal ways. He brushed it off, having received that look nearly every day of his life.

His ear twitched when he heard the bush near rattle with life. He turned his skillful eye towards it. His interest peaked when he saw, and smelt nothing. But Hina tried fitting through the carriage door and his attention was brought to her immediately. His hands were around her hips and secured her feet to the ground. Her voice was a soft, embarrassed giggle. It made his inner demon shiver with delight.

"You must let me do something on my own!"

"My love," he purred, not holding back his affection for her. "You dare refuse my excuse to touch you?"

His stomach relaxed as he nuzzled her neck with his lips. He found the secret spot that sent shivers down her spine. He loved the control that he had over her body. She completed him. They were going to spend the rest of their lives loving each other. It was only when he found her did he ever think happiness could be a part of his life again. He just wished that she was be able to share this it with him.

His eyes spotted something. Actually a pair of eyes staring at him from that damn bush. He startled, totally trapped in the pool of blue that were so familiar. So vibrant through the dark around them. His stomach twisted back into a tight knot. For a moment he couldn't even breathe.

He pulled away from Hina. Torn. Half of him was ready to pounce on the bush and pull the shrubs from the earth to reveal whatever, or whoever, was behind it. It couldn't be anything else! No one, no creature could have eyes like that… not like hers. The other half of him was scared. He wanted to curl up with his mate and let her protective arms keep every haunting memory away. He was so tired of his hopes being shattered by truth. He had spent every day since she disappeared looking for her.

Was it finally time to let her go? Was it possible to forget the one person you missed the most? Could he stop holding on to the idea she could still be out there? Was it time to stop wondering and searching and turn all of his attention to his future with his new mate? But what if it was she? Fate would surely have a party if it were…

He approached the bush. He didn't give the creature a chance to escape. They never didn't even budge. In fact, they returned his gaze without blinking. Were these the eyes he had spent many years mourning over? Searching For? Hating and missing every single day? He reached a clawed, shaking hand out. Could she really just be behind these leaves, literally an arm's length away?

"My son," his father called from the pathway leading to the castle. Their carriage had been led off.

He didn't have to say anything. There was no way he could. The best he could do was glance over his shoulder. It seemed to be enough since it brought his father and Hina over. When both were at his shoulder, he turned back to the shrub. His fingers pulled the branches, his lungs tight with anticipation.

His heart stopped at what his eyes fell upon. No, shattered. For a moment he hoped to see her. Instead, a wolf stared back at him. Its' bright blue eyes shining. He took a deep breath hoping to catch a scent from its glossy, black fur. Nothing reached his nose again. His chest was hollow. He felt like hanging his head. The weight of denial heavy on his heart.

"My love?" Her lovely voice brought him back. Her hand on his shoulder sent a small spark of warmth through him.

He shook his head, then brushed the dark locks from his face, "nothing, my love."

He reached his hand out cautiously towards the wild animal. When he touched the silky fur the animal showed no signs of aggression. He scratched behind its perked ear.

"Just… this animal looked at me the same way someone did so long ago."

Hina tightened the grip on her mate's shoulder. She didn't need him to explain for her to understand. She could feel his disappointment. It was the last thing the Gods needed to do to him on this day. Her mate thought he hid his worry well. She knew exactly who he wanted to see behind that bush. The fact that he was wrong meant she needed to distract him, pull him away from the dark thoughts.


She stumbled into a tree. Her thoughts raced in every direction. She couldn't figure out how to walk a straight line. Her body was numb. She could feel rough bark digging into skin like a fishing gaff. It kept her on her feet. How could she have been so dim to get that close! The first moment his eyes laid on her she should have run! To even let him touch her was enough to throw everything she had spent a month preparing for, a lifetime of running, to be completely useless!

Despite how angry she was with herself, she couldn't keep the smile that spread on her lips. Could not quench the warmth that spread through her veins. Yes, it was very risky, very idiotic. Finally something had gone as she had planned! Technically they did not see or smell her. All she needed was to see him alive. To witness that Aya, or Chiyo, had not broken his spirit. Her heart swelled when she thought of his mate. How her belly was swollen with child. Tears filled her eyes. He had done what she had wished for him. He went and found his happily ever after.

Her legs, now free of fur, were still shaking. The adrenaline she had experienced when he pulled back the bush was starting to wear off. Her nerves were left wrung and rattled. She stumbled to the next tree letting nature guide her towards the back of the castle to Rin's room. She paused when reaching for the next branch. Her goofy smile faded when she felt a small prick in her skin. She reached up with an open palm and slapped at her neck. She brought her hand to her face and expected what was in her grip. The sight made her eyebrow raised.

The flattened creature wiggled in the middle of her palm. A small mumble of pain vibrated against her skin. It suddenly sprang to life, revealing a flea clad in traveling clothes.

"I can't believe my taste buds!"

"Myoga..?" She brought her hand closer to her face, evaluating the tiny demon. How many years had it been since she last heard of him? He always went on how much he enjoyed both her parents' blood. How hers was a delectable combination of the two. She had avoided him since slipping into the dark. He was very connected with her past.

He readjusted his straw traveling hat. "It is I, Myoga!" He bowed with much respect in the palm of her hand. "I just had to make sure it was true! He came to me and I just couldn't believe it! There was no way they had just brought me Takahiro's daughter's blood! She had been missing for 200 years! Who would have known she was hiding out in the Lord of the West's castle all this time!"

She held up her free hand to silence him. "Your ranting is impossible to understand. Make sense before you get lost in the woods."

He took a mighty gulp as he melted in her glare. He reached for his straw hat and held it to his chest. "The Lady of the Western lands sent her adviser, a rather taut rat demon I might add…" He cleared his throat when her glare intensified. "They sent for me to identity the blood soaked into a kimono. At first, I was very startled and went out to test a theory. I had only tasted such perfectly blended blood like that from only two royals… and one was considered departed from this world. I've been looking for you ever since! After all this time!"

She let his words sink in. So, Inukimi sent Kenta out to dig around some more. She knew that vile woman had been up to something, but why? Did it really bother her that much… just suddenly appeared? What? No, how long had it been? It couldn't have been that long since she last drank…

"Besides Inukimi, how did you find me Myoga?"

"I followed your scent of course." He explained, "After tasting the blood, I went straight to the Eastern lands and found Takeshi to figure out if it was. When I realized when it wasn't, I knew it had to be yours. I returned to the western land, but your scent had been wiped away from the castle completely. It was, however, last traced to a field not far from here. Then it faintly appeared when I was returning to inform Inukimi my findings."

She took off then, not waiting to hear any more of Myoga's story. She used every ounce of her demon spirit to sprint in between the trees. If he, a little flea, could find her what of all the powerful demons collected together right inside the castle? She came to the wall, ready to jump straight through the window. Something caught in her peripheral vision. She spun to avoid it and landed with a curse belting from her lips.

She reached for her boot, her weapon secured in the leather. When she stood, a chain shot through the darkness and wrapped around her wrist. She went to flick it away. Before her brain could even send the command to the limb the metal link emitted a purple glimmer, followed by a startling shock. It touched every pore in her arm as it sent lighting bolts through her muscles. She thought fighting it off would make the pain disperse. When she realized that it was wrapping itself further up her arm with every movement, it was too late. The limb had been completely constricted in pain. A growl ripped through her as she followed the path of the chain into the shadows of the trees.

"Reveal your worthless self, Kenta. You dare use purified items on me? Your damn aura must be melting just being close to it!"

She went to jump again. She was so close to the window. So close to the potion. He pulled her back to the ground. Her fanged growl turned to him. She was tired of playing games. The longer she went without gulping down that potion, the stronger her scent was becoming.

"I do not have time for this, Kenta."

"That is the point."

He stepped into the light of the moon. His hand full of rope. The end tied to the chain that clung to her arm. She tugged, hoping to disarm him. He smirked, pulling on the rope and tossing the chain so it caught her around the neck. The cold metal glowed so bright. It lit everything in a purple hue. He approached her fallen form on the ground. His smirk made his face even more grotesque.

The chain was tight around her jugular. Her hand had flown up to protect it and the limb was caught in the hold. The glowing chain sent a wave of pain through her. It was starting to burn her skin, the whelps already forming. She couldn't move. Her limbs paralyzed by the the purification. His fingers dug into her hair and pulled her head towards him to stare directly into his green eyes. She wanted nothing but to rip his face to shreds. His scent filled her nose and made her stomach churn.

"You thought you could outsmart us, Princess. But I have a surprise for you!"

She growled.

He replied by throwing her head back to the earth. A sharp rock found her temple. For a moment her vision danced, all the colors swirling together. She blinked, screaming at herself to gain control. When she could focus a steady stream of warm, crimson had smeared across one of her eyes. She realized Kenta had tied the chain around her even more, and was dragging her across the grass. He had done his best to make sure that the chain touched as much skin as possible, keeping both of her limbs to her body.

He was lucky the manacles held her still. That the purification kept her limbs numb. She fought against the hold, even using words to release them. But his smirk stayed, growing bigger the closer to the destination they got. When she heard the music, smelt the food, dread came over her like a crashing wave of freezing water.


Sesshomaru sat at table designated for him. He was situated on a raised platform that looked over his hall filled with visiting royal. Surrounded by both male and females, all competing for his attention. None seemed to realise that his thoughts were far from this room. His cup never emptied of his favorite säkē. A different demoness doting the honor on herself for the chance to gain his attention. Currently a dog demoness, Chiyo, was rambling about her home in the East as her thin fingers reached for the jug of alcohol.

A sudden memory hit him. It played across his inner eye. There once was drama from the kingdom in the east many years ago. When he was a child, actually. That's how he remembered this harpy demon at his side… she wasn't the true heir of the east. No, the daughter of Takahiro had gone missing. It caused a wave of commotion in the western lands for He and the little brat were betrothed. The Gods had looked out for him on the day she disappeared. He had given her no attention, like he did to all the royal children. But something had been different about her. What was it…

His golden amber gaze scanned the room. Glancing at each demon wasting his time. He searched every face until he found the prince of the East and his pregnant mate. Yes, that was it! They were twins. Half dog demon, and half wolf demon with stunning blue eyes. The pieces suddenly came together. His inner demon did a triumphant flip as it all began to make sense. But the mighty doors burst open with a spine rattling bang. For a moment, he had to forget his findings. The music stumbled to a halt. Conversations silenced as all eyes turned towards the entrance. He stayed sitting as everyone jumped to their feet. They all reacted as if a monster had come barging in. Inukimi appeared suddenly at his side with her golden eyes gleaming with excitement. It poked at his inner demon, warning him.

The crowd parted. The dancers moved aside and Sesshomaru had a clear view of Kenta perched in the very center of the hall, a chained creature linked to his wrist. Her scent reached his nose before his eyes could tell what was behind the glowing chains. His stomach, if ever so slightly, tightened.

"My Lord!"

The rat demon bellowed, his face alight with excitement. The predator had just caught its prey and was presenting it to his dignitary. He stood with his fingers in her hair, revealing the blood stained face to the crowd.

"I present to you the lost princess of the East! Princess Takara!"

The name instantly went through the crowd in hushed whispers. Sesshomaru stood, surprising himself as his inner demon went to pounce over the table and on to the rat. It was very angry at the thought of his fingers touching her. He felt a sudden urge to keep her hidden from the crowd. Her usual bright, blue eyes were glued to the ground, glazed over with unseen emotion. She looked like a lost animal, trapped in a cage. His inner demon stamped its feet, wanting to push him forward. But he stayed behind his table, watching the crowd part again. Two males stepped forward. Sesshomaru recognized them as the Lord and Prince of the East.

All set of blue eyes laid on each other. Everyone seemed frozen. Having no idea what could happen next. Was it true? Was this bloody demoness the missing princess, the one they had searched for for 200 years? Was she really here in the flesh, now a grown woman in the middle of Sesshomaru's castle?