"Don't slouch Annika."

Annika sighed and sat up straighter as she sipped her morning tea. Her mother sat across from her, mimicking her actions. It was still early, the sun had only rose a short time ago. Kamiko had shot open Annika's curtains at the crack of dawn and commanded she awaken. She complained that in her short time here, she had hardly seen her daughter and would not stand for it a moment longer. There was mostly silence between them, except for the slight clanking of their cups to the corresponding saucers. It was not uncomfortable so to speak. In facts Annika probably preferred the silence to whatever thoughts were soaring through her mothers head. Oh, how easy it was to see the gears turning. To most, Kamiko was a rather hard woman to read but to her daughter she was an open book. Or at the very least, a cracked book. In the past, when Annika was young, she was forced to endure her mothers 'advise' and criticism. When Annika had chose to mate with Isamu, she never heard the end of it from her mother. He was never strong enough, or wealthy enough, or handsome enough for Annika. Over time her mothers complaints became a little less but there was always something she had to complain about when it came to Annika's choice in mate. When Isamu died, Kamiko did as a good mother would and did her best to comfort her child. However, it was clear to Annika that her mother could not help but see is passing as an opportunity for her daughter to start a new, with someone new. "Time heals." She would say.
No, it doesn't. At best, time is the great leveler, sweeping us all into coffins. We find ways to distract ourselves from the pain. Time is neither scalpel nor bandage. It is indifferent. Scar tissue is not a good thing. It is merely the wound's other face.

"Have you met anyone?" Kamiko finally spoke.

"There it is." Annika replied shaking her head.

A scowl surfaced on Kamiko's face. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"I was waiting for you to bring up the real reason you wanted to have this little get-together, and now you have."

"It was a simple question Annika."

Annika place her cup down before leaning back in her chair crossing bother her arms and legs..

"How are you? Isn't this nice weather we are having? Read any good books lately? Those are simple questions. But to answer yours, yes, I have met a number of people in my time here."

"You know that's not what I meant." Kamiko said rolling her eyes.

"Your correct, I do know that's not what you meant. You meant, 'Have you met anyone you would be interested in romantically?' I know, because its one of the first things you ask me every time we see one another."

"Why must you be so dramatic Annika, honestly? Is it really so terrible that I want you to be happy?"

"Its terrible that you think I need to meet someone to be happy."

Kamiko placed her own cup down a little rougher than Annika had.

"Yes, well you only feel that way because you don't have any children."

"My mate died mother."

"Yes, nearly 100 years ago." Her mother argued harshly.

Annika gave a laughing scoff as she could hardly believe her mother.

"Was it that easy for you? When father died? Did it truly have no effect on you at all?

The glare that her mother had been holding quickly softened and Annika felt slightly guilty for saying what she had. Her mother an father were very different people, but she had never doubted their love for one another. Although love could grow in times of peace, it tempered in battle. Annika's father told her once - when she had said something about how perfect his relationship with her mother was - that she should have seen the first fifty years of their marriage, that they'd fought like hellions, crashed into each other like two giant stones. That eventually they'd eroded each other into the perfect fit, become a single wall, nestled into each other's curves and hollows, her strengths chinking his weaknesses, her weaknesses reinforced by his strengths.

Sometimes, Annika," She said, "a person must break with one's past to embrace one's future. It is never an easy thing to do. It is one of the distinguishing characteristics between survivors and victims. Letting go of what was, to survive what is."

Sighing Annika leaned forward and rested her knees on her thighs and her head in her hands.

"Mother..."

"I understand Annika. I know of pain, I know of it even better than you do. Although it may not seem like it, yours isn't a story about darkness. It's about light. Your joy can fill you only as deeply your sorrow has carved you. If you've never tasted bitterness, sweet is just another pleasant flavor on your tongue. One day, if you just let yourself, you are going to hold a lot of joy."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Katsu sat in his bed reading a book he found about a soldier who sneaked behind enemy lines to rescue his wife. The story itself was rather boring but Katsu found it was better than lurking around the castle all day. It was then his father quickly came into the door and shut it behind him. Katsu closed his book and quickly sat up abruptly.

"Father? Whats wrong?"

His father quickly walked over to the bed and sat at the edge next to his son.

"Nothing is wrong my boy. In fact, everything is fantastic. I believe I have found a solution to our problem and her name is Mei."

Katsu raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand, Mei?"

His father nodded quickly. "Mei is, a daughter of a lord in China whose father has agreed to mate with you."

"Mate with me...? Father, what does it matter if I cannot give her a child?"

Grabbing his sons shoulder, Eito gave him a large grin. "That is just it my son, she is already pregnant."

Katsu's eyes widened. "Already pregnant? Father you are speaking cryptically."

"Mei is young and foolish. She gave herself to a man who made her believe he planned to marry her. When his lie was revealed she ran home to her father and he has been looking for a discreet match before she begins to show and disgraces her family."

"Disgraces her family...like me?" Sighing Eito dropped his hands from Katsu's shoulders.

"Katsu, your...problem, is not your fault. I hide it to protect you from forces that will use it against you. This will solve everything."

Katsu thought about the information being given to him. "You said she is already pregnant...how will people not notice that before we are mated? Is she a demoness? What kind? Will I go to her or will she come to me? What-?"

"Do you truly believe I have not thought all this through? I discussed it with her father as well as her. She is demoness, fellow dog thank the gods. She is only a few weeks pregnant and she will be coming here within a weeks time. We shall tell people that you two had met while you were out on your travels and coupled. You left, to come back home, only to find out soon after that she was pregnant and you are doing what a good lord should and mating her officially. A pregnancy out of union is frowned upon but its much better than the latter."

"Will I like her?" Katsu asked. Hoping he was not about to be stuck with some woman he would only hate.

Eito smiled. "I believe you will my son. She is a sweet girl, naive perhaps but sweet. I am sure she will make a fine mate for you."

"Will I love the child? It isn't mine after all, I just don't know if..."

"Should you ever wondered how much you could love a child who did not spring from your own loins, know this: it is the same. The feeling of love is so profound, it's incredible and surprising. You will raise this child from its birth to adulthood and then some, you will love it because it will love you."

"Will she love me?"

With a hand placed firmly behind his sons neck, Eito gave another reassuring smile. "I have no doubt in my mind."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Eri watched Akio from across the room. He was chatting with Annika with his signature bored expression. She nudged him with her elbow and he gave her a weak smile. Eri had been thinking about their last conversation. Since it had happened it seemed that Akio was doing his best to avoid her. She assumed he was embarrassed. Akio may show off a nonchalant, I don't care attitude about most things, but that conversation was one of the few she had ever had with him where he had shown her his heart. Maybe it was because she told him her secret that he felt obligated to tell his own. If she was honest, Eri couldn't picture a woman rejecting Akio. He was handsome and confident, funny and charming. A little pessimistic perhaps, and stubborn on occasion but all in all he was a catch. Eri blushed a little as the thought that maybe if she and Sesshomaru had not ended up in this arrangement that maybe... It didn't matter. Not now anyway. However there was something about the way he looked at her. It was something Eri could not quite describe but what she did know is that she liked it. Probably more than she should. It was like she was taking her all in, every detail. There it was again. He was looking at her now. His gaze intense and Eri wanted to know more than anything what was going through his mind. A hand on her shoulder tore Eri away from eye contact.

"Brother, you startled me." She spoke, trying to find her voice.

"My apologies little sister, but I have news I wish to share with you."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOooOoOoOo

"Are you alright?" Annika asks, nudging him with her elbow. Akio gives her a small smile.

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine, in fact you look rather humdrum."

"I got a lot on my mind." Akio says with a shrug.

Annika nods slowly.

"A lot on your mind? Or a lot of Eri on your mind?"

Akio's eyes shot up at her with a glare.

"Shut up."

A smile creeps on her face as a light goes off in her head. What a reaction...what a reaction indeed.

"I knew it! You are into Eri! Why didn't you tell me? You should-"

"I should what?" Akio says cutting Annika off with a harsh tone. "Have you forgotten what we are here for?"

Sighing, Annika gives her friend an apologetic look.

"She doesn't love him, you know? And he doesn't love her."

Akio turns his gaze to Eri from across the room and their eyes meet.

"I know."

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it." Annika claimed, hoping it might give him a push.

Akio watched as Katsu escorted Eri away and then brought his attention back to Annika.

"That's treason Annika."

Annika pursed her lips and looked at him with dull eyes.

"Do you really think Sesshomaru would care Eri changed her mind about being with him? I mean really?"

"People would talk."

"People always talk."

Akio smirked.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Sesshomaru could sense her from anywhere in his castle, so he was not at all startled when Annika busted into his study with a triumphed smile on her face.

"Its working." Was all she said as she leaned over and placed he palms on his desk. He didn't need to ask what she was referring to of course, as it was the main thing they seemed to discuss these days.

"How so?"

"Akio admitted his feeling to me, for Eri that is." Annika replied, not sure why she really felt the need to elaborate.

"That is progress I suppose." Annika tilted her head at his mono tone. She then walked around the desk to the other side and sat on its edge directly in front of Sesshomaru.

"It is. I don't expect you to be jumping for joy or anything but you could at least try and have some enthusiasm. If this works out you wont be trapped in a mating you don't want, remember?"

Sesshomaru discreetly ran his eyes over Annika's figure before meeting her gaze. She was, he was not denying it. And he was somewhat satisfied to hear this current update. He had been thinking though. First of all, crossing one obstacle did not mean the other would be any easier. Akio admitted his feeling about Eri to Annika, but not Eri herself, if he could not do that then this minor victory would mean nothing. Sesshomaru wished that was the only thing bothering him but unfortunately Rin happened to be the cause of his discontent this day.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Hm?" Sesshomaru responded as he looked over at Rin who was finishing up her breakfast.

"Rin was wondering...Lady Annika is trying to get Lady Eri and Lord Akio to fall in love right?"

"In a way."

"Well...if she succeeds...what happens then?"

"What do you mean Rin?" Sesshomaru asks trying to understand what was troubling the girl.

"If it works, Lady Eri and Lord Akio will get married and will be happy, and you wont marry Lady Eri so you will be happy. And then everyone will be happy so Lady Annika will be happy."

"Rin what is your point?"

Rin frowned and fiddled with her hands.

"And then the mission will be over and Lady Annika will leave."

"No matter which way this plan of her turns out Annika will have to return home."

"Lord Sesshomaru...?" Rin asked, her voice going soft.

"What is it Rin?"

"Rin doesn't want Lady Annika to leave."

Sesshomaru took a deep breath an closed his eyes. Rin was simply to young to understand.

"It's not that simple Rin."

"You don't want Lady Annika to leave, do you Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin asked, her large brown eyes staring up at him as they began to get watery. Placing a hand on her head, Sesshomaru attempted to sooth the small child.

"It's not that simple."

"Whats on your mind?" Annika asked softly, her features showing that of concern. She hesitantly placed her hand on his and gave it a light squeeze. It was a gesture that made Sesshomaru's bones ache. To feel the need of something that was only temporary. He wanted to respond but he did not know how. It was as if the word simply could not, would not form on his tongue. Instead, he fell into his old habits and shut her out, retracting his hand from hers.

"Nothing of your concern."

Annika frowned but nodded anyway.

"Alright, but I am here if you need me."

She then got off the desk and proceeded out the door of his study.

Sesshomaru clenched his firsts and fought the urge to throw something.

"I am here if you need me."

But she wouldn't always be.

Well that's chapter 13! Great googly boogly I am glad I finally got it out. I hope you guys are all enjoying the story and I look forward to hearing from you guys and getting your opinions on everything! It really is a motivation when I see how much people are actually enjoying the story. Thanks for reading and I'll see you in the next chapter!