Hello Readers! After spending time in a job that I absolutely hated I decided to quit and spend some time as a stay at home mom. I would like to have this time with my son before he starts school next year. This is good news for you! I will have more time to concentrate on this story and bring it to full fruition. Enjoy!

Kaida

'That was unexpected.' Thought Sesshomaru as he stood rapidly trying to keep his dignity intact. His golden eyes quickly roamed the meadow. His mate was nowhere to be found. The taiyoukai inwardly sighed as he sniffed the air for her scent. Catching lingering traces the western lord transformed and sped off into a bright ball of light.

Soaring high in the air Rin reveled in the discovery of flight. Her youki pulsed strongly throughout her veins urging her to fly harder and faster. She had never felt this much power. The resonance stone around her neck was acting like an amplifier, allowing the dragoness a delightful burst of power. The western lady looked to her side and watched as her long majestic emerald and ebony wings beat against the wind. 'I am pretty.' She thought as the training grounds came into view. 'Lets see how well I can land and if I can scare any of those spineless new recruits. Laughing evilly to herself Rin swooped downward and aimed for where Saydia was standing.

"Don't tell me your worthless ass is serious about joining Lord Sesshomaru's army." Saydia sneered as she tossed the young youkai roughly into the dirt. "If the rest of you are as unskilled and pathetically weak as this maggot I suggest you turn tail and head home. I bet your villages can use some help washing clothes and picking weeds." Several snickered at the lieutenant's mockery of the poor sap sprawled upon the ground.

"We aren't all that weak lieutenant." A well built youkai stated as he stepped forward, his cerulean eyes sparkling in the early morning sun.

"I will be the judge of that. What do you call yourself?"

"I am called Akito."

"Let's see if your fighting skills can keep up with your mouth. Prepare yourself."

Just as the lieutenant and Akito were taking their fighting stances a large shadow loomed overhead. All activity within the training grounds slammed to a halt as everyone craned their necks upward to see what massive object was blocking the sun. A large emerald/ebony dragon beat it's powerful wings as it descended upon the newest recruits. The large beast that had not been seen for centuries landed gracefully. The dragon's jade green eyes rimmed with black carefully scanned the area. Soldiers and recruits alike were stunned into complacency. No one dared to move a muscle afraid it might provoke the dragon into targeting them.

Saydia took a moment to calm herself when she heard her lady speak to her in the old language of the north. It was broken and not technically correct but the message was still conveyed. 'Do not fear me for I am your leader.' To the other surrounding youkai the message was obviously missed. For what came out in words to the assassin came out in snarls and hisses for the rest.

Akito shook himself out of his stupor and unsheathed his practice sword. He took a step toward the creature that was doing a good job of looking positively menacing. He heard the others collectively gasp and whisper words of fear. 'Gutless wimps' He thought to himself as he took a slow step forward. He wasn't entirely sure if he didn't want to go back and join said wimps. He knew he didn't have a chance in hell at beating this beast. 'But if I'm going to die it will be with honor.' He decided as he continued onward.

Rin was busy trying to communicate with Saydia. She was trying to piece together the language that was forming within her mind. It was foreign to her yet familiar all the same. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye and swung her massive head around to see the cause of its origination. To her surprise a young youkai obviously a new recruit was slowly moving towards her. He was brandishing what appeared to be a practice sword in a very used condition. The lady of the west scoffed. 'As if this common youkai could even place a scratch on one of my glorious scales.' She gave him credit, though undertrained and ill equipped his eyes shone with courage and determination.

Akito about pissed his pants when the piercing gaze of the dragon seemed to bore right through him. Realizing it was too late to back out now he charged.

Rin carefully eyed the recruit as he ran towards her. When he got within striking range she beat her wings and watched in delight as he sailed through the air landing rather roughly several yards away. To his credit he quickly rose to his feet and came at her again. This time she swung her massive tail and hit him right across the face with the giant spade sending him flying once again. Her fun was unceremoniously interrupted when she felt the pull of a massively strong aura heading her way. The dragon demoness fixed her steely gaze upon her mate as he materialized a few feet in front of her. Sensing her power waning and her mate's frustration Rin decided it was best for all if she transformed back to her usual form. She didn't want to suffer the indignity of collapsing like the last time. Gathering her golden energy back to the core of her body, the western lady began to transform.

Sesshomaru fixed his golden gaze upon his mate. She was truly incorrigible at times. He allowed his gaze to travel over her natural form and found himself enraptured with her beauty once again. Feeling the shift in her aura the western lord regained himself and watched as her transformation took place.

Once Rin was herself once more she walked over to the regal demon she called mate and looked him in the eyes.

"I have discovered some new things about myself." She stated proudly.

"Indeed"

"Meet me in your study in one hour? I have some business to attend to with that one." She asked as the demoness pointed to Akito.

"Hn"

After feeling her mate's presence disappear Rin waked over to Saydia.

"Was my meaning clear?"

"Yes my lady. Our language will become clearer with each use. It is housed within every dragon."

"Excellent. Now I would like propose a plan of sorts. The recruit that attempted to attack me I would like to see him obtain additional training. For what he lacks in skills and practice he makes up for with courage and determination. I think we could make a good leader out of him. "

"I can train him daily after the evening meal. Is this acceptable?"

"Very. And Saydia?"

"Yes?"

"Do not go easy on him." The western lady replied as she turned to face the platoon of shocked recruits.

"You." She said pointing to Akito. "Come here."

Akito wasn't really sure what to think at this moment. He was certain he along with everyone else was facing certain death by a creature not know to exist for centuries. Then all the sudden Lord Sesshomaru shows up paying no mind, the dragon transformed into a beautiful woman, and his lieutenant is looking at him with an amused glare. 'What in the hell is exactly going on here?' He asked himself as he cautiously walked over to the woman.

"What is your name recruit?"

"Akito my lady."

"Do you have any idea who you are standing before?"

"A demon whom by all rights has been extinct?" He replied hesitation in his voice.

"An insightful statement. I am Lady Rin, mate to Lord Sesshomaru, and ruler of the northern throne. My line was thought to have died out after the seize of the northern castle. That is obviously not the case. Although it is common knowledge that Lord Sesshomaru has mated a dragon demon, the fact that I am the last of the northern bloodline is not widely known. The reason you are here recruit, is to form me an army. When the time is right we will fight for the Northern castle once more and regain my families honor. Now back to the matter I wish to discuss. After seeing your little display of attempted heroism while these other buffoons stood around soaking up perfectly good air I have made arrangements for you. Meet the lieutenant in the dojo after the evening meal."

"Yes my lady." Akito replied as he leaned forward executing a bow.

Noticing she was tired and hungry the western lady dismissed the soldiers and headed towards the castle. 'A nice long soak in the hot springs sounds like a good idea. I doubt Sesshomaru will mind If I change the location of our meeting.' She thought to herself and smirked at the image of exactly what kind of meeting would take place.

Saydia groaned inwardly as she looked upon the blank faces staring back at her. These really were some worthless demons. How in the hell was she supposed to turn these youkai into soldiers? Catching the blue eyes of the ookami recruit who foolishly attacked her lady she wondered why the fates had punished her so.

Sweeping his grey and black hair out of his face, Akito reached up and re-secured it into a high ponytail. 'The lady sure packs a punch.' He thought as he reminisced the sharp sting of her spaded tail.

"Ok listen up morons. The fact that only one of you attempted to get their head out of their ass long enough to try and establish self preservation just further proves how much training you sorely need. Welcome to hell."

Rin entered Sesshomaru's study her bathing supplies in hand. Her eyes swiveled to where she knew he would be sitting. Golden eyes looked up to met hers then went back to the scroll for which he was writing. A half a minute later the western lord added the finishing touches to the trade route he was modifying.

"I am going to the hot springs to bathe. Would you like to come with me?" Rin asked as she walked over to her mate and started to kiss his neck.

"This Sesshomaru will accompany you." He answered as he pulled the demoness into his crushing embrace. Tilting her head to the side he captured her lips and ran his hands down her back. Realizing where they were heading in a hurry the taiyoukai released his mate and started into her sparkling eyes. "Let us proceed."

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