Disclaimer: I no own.

Sorry it took so long to update. I was banned from media miner and I couldn't figure out why so I spent a lot of time trying to figure it out. I'm still not sure shy but I still wrote the next chapter.

Please do me a favor and check out teiboi's fan fiction "Anika Vs sesshoumaru". She is a very good writer and I believe all of you will enjoy it. Thank you.

Now without further ado, on with the story!

Once Nasuku left I put the kimono he gave me carefully in my bag. I told myself I would try it on as soon as possible. Soon after Hazari woke up and was happy to know I was back and safe. He asked me where I had gone and I lied, telling him I had gone to a demon village nearby. I wasn't about to tell him I had gone to a brothel. Not to mention he probably didn't know what one was and I wasn't about to tell him. I was so relieved when he didn't ask for any more information.

Hazari combed my hair while I thought. Hazari needed to be somewhere safer than an army campsite. My mother would take care of him without complaint. She'd be so happy to have a kid around the house again. Not to mention I missed everyone at home. Masera must be showing signs of pregnancy by now. In another month or two she'll be giving birth.

"Hazari?"

"Yes?" Hazari paused in combing my hair.

"Would you mind if I took you to my home, the palace of the west?" I asked as I turned to him. His unfocused gray eyes stared back at me.

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" He responded as he quickly came to the wrong conclusion, tears coming to his eyes. "Because I'm blind? You want me to become a servant."

I quickly pulled him into my arms. "No, Hazari! I'm not trying to get rid of you. It's just you aren't safe here. I just don't want you to be in danger. At the palace you can be safe. My mother would love the company so would my brother and his mate. You'd be the farthest from a servant Hazari. You'd be an honored guest." I told him as I held him against my chest. "I'm your friend Hazari. I don't care if you're blind. I just want you to be safe."

Hazari grabbed the front of my shirt and buried his face in it. I ran my hand through his hair. I had heard that humans were emotional but never had I thought that Hazari would do something like that. I thought he knew I would never do such a thing. I ran my fingers through his hair and made a comforting deep rumbling come from my chest. I was a bit shocked with myself. I had never made that sound before and here I was doing it on my own as if by instinct. Hazari's tense body began to loosen and he closed his eyes. He looked so worriless and calm now.

"Hazari?" I asked after a couple of minutes. He didn't respond. I came to the conclusion my weird rumbling had put him to sleep. Smiling, I stood with him in my arms. I grabbed my shoulder bag and threw it over my shoulder. I walked out of the tent and squinted as the sun hit my face. It was about midday now.

"Hey Rook! What are you doing with Hazari?"

I saw Mushi walking towards me. "Oh, I'm taking him to the palace of the west." I replied. "Orders from Lady Reeka. She wants him to be safe."

Mushi nodded. "That would probably be best for him." Putting his hand on Hazari's forehead, he smiled. "I'll miss ya Hazari. I'll come visit ya sometime." Mushi then ruffled his hair. "I hope Lady Reeka finds a way to give him his sight."

I looked at Hazari. "So do I, Mushi. So do I."

Mushi then smiled and yawned. "Well I'm tired. I stayed up with Yugi all night at the brothel. He didn't want to go with a girl so he and I talked all night." Mushi explained before yawning again. "I'm going to bed." With that, Mushi walked past me and over to his tent where he stumbled inside.

I smiled and walked over to Nasuku's tent, poking my head inside I saw he was asleep, his shirt off and lying next to him. 'Probably because of the night he had last night.' I thought and to my surprise growled as a sudden anger came over me. I brushed it off and calmed myself before leaving his tent and making my way to the western palace.

Soon after I left camp I put my hair up and removed the cloth around my chest. I didn't remove the cover up. I didn't want anyone to challenge my status. After a couple of hours of traveling Hazari woke up. He wanted to walk so I set him down and he held my hand as we walked. That must have looked weird to any passing person, a demon holding a human child's hand.

When we finally arrived at the palace a guard approached me. He asked me what my business was as he was trained and I replied, "I'm Reeka and I wish to enter my palace."

The guard laughed, "What are you trying to pull?" He asked. "I'm not so stupid as to let you in I'm sorry. Now leave." The guard turned from me to return to his post.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead revealing my royal marking. Making my voice more authoritative I said, "Didn't General Nasuku ever teach not to turn your back on an enemy."

The guard turned around and stared at my forehead before stumbling back a couple of feet. "W-where did that come from?" He asked as he pointed at my forehead. "T-t-that wasn't there before!"

"Yes but then it was hidden. Now it is not. Let me in soldier." I commanded.

The guard slowly approached me. "M-my Lady if it really is you I apologize." Reaching up he rubbed my forehead gently. Closing my eyes I let him. This was actually a very smart move on his part. During a war an imposter may try and fake a royal marking. Satisfied he stopped rubbing my forehead and took a step back before bowing. "My Lady." He said. "Welcome back."

I nodded. "Now please allow me to pass." I commanded. The guard stood and stepped to the side. I nodded to him and walked inside Hazari gripping the fabric of my pants. I walked across the courtyard to the palace stairs. Picking up Hazari I walked up them. "Stairs." I stated to answer his unasked question. Setting him back on the ground I threw open the palace doors.

Walking inside I felt Hazari grip the fabric of my pants again. I walked down the familiar halls until I came to the dinning hall. I smelled my mother's, brother's, sister's, and Masera's scents coming from inside. I took a deep breath and opened the door quickly making my mother jump and her to drop her teacup.

Sessho looked over and stood up quickly. "Reeka what are you doing here" He paused. "And who's that?" He asked noticing Hazari, who had buried himself in the back of my leg.

"Oh this is Hazari and I came to drop him off here." I replied. "See he was mistreated in his village because he's blind and…"

"You just couldn't keep yourself from helping." Sessho finished. I nodded.

Keema suddenly stood and walked over to me. Leaning in my face she said, "Why did you just vanish without telling me where you were going?" She sounded almost hurt. "We tell each other everything!"

"I know." I said. "But I was ordered by father not to tell anyone. I'm sorry."

She glared at me for a couple more seconds before hugging me, her cheerful side getting the better of her. "I'm just glad you're alright!" She said then released me. She looked at Hazari and scooped him up. He let out a small gasp of surprise. "Hello Hazari! I'm Keema, Reeka's twin sister." Keema said happily. She spun around with him in her arms.

"R-Reeka!" Hazari shouted. I quickly took him from my sister's grasp and held him against my chest. He grabbed the fabric there as he regained his sense of direction. I looked at my sister. "Keema you can't do that kind of thing to him. He's blind. He can't comprehend fast movement like that." I told her.

Keema's eyes saddened. "I didn't know. Most kids his age like to be spun around." She looked at Hazari. "I'm sorry." She said as she ran a hand through his hair. He turned in my arms so he was facing her direction. He held out his hands trying to find her. She gently grabbed his wrists and placed them on her face. He ran his fingers across her face taking in all the small details.

"You are very beautiful, Lady Keema." Hazari said as he removed his hands from her face. She stared at him for a moment before smiling.

"Thank you Hazari."

Nasuku awoke near midday. Sitting up he rubbed his forehead desperately trying to get rid of an upcoming headache. Standing he put on his shirt and left his tent. Smiling he walked over to Reeka's. He pushed back the flap. "Hey pup. I was about to check…" He stopped mid sentence noticing she wasn't there. He let the flap close and turned away from it feeling stupid that he had tried to talk to no one.

Deciding he would look for her around camp he began to walk through the camp. Soldiers would occasionally greet him and he would nod to them while he continued on his way. When he was sure he had checked the whole campsite worry began to come to him. Returning to her tent he searched for a sign as to where she was. He noticed her bag was gone meaning she had gone somewhere farther away and she had taken Hazari with her.

Leaving her tent he searched the camp again. His pace quickened. He passed Yugi who turned and watched his back before asking, "What's wrong?" Nasuku continued on not wishing to speak with the cat at the moment. The smell of rain hit Nasuku nose and he growled slightly. Yugi walked after him. "I asked you what's wrong." He said this time annoyance slipping into his voice.

"Nothing." Nasuku replied.

Yugi raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh really?"

"Yes."

"Hm. Then what's with the growling and the fast pace?" Yugi asked.

Nasuku stopped and looked at him. "You really want to know what's going on?" He asked angrily. Yugi nodded. "Well Rook's missing." He told him.

"What?" Yugi asked. "Missing! What do you mean missing?" He almost shouted.

"I mean gone, no where to be found, not here." Nasuku responded smartly. It started to drizzle and Nasuku growled loudly. "Dammit! Now I won't even be able to follow Hazari's scent." I began to rain harder and they took cover in Nasuku's tent.

"How could you lose her?" Yugi asked as he paced Nasuku's tent.

Nasuku sat on the opposite side, his arms crossed. "She normally tells me where she's going. In either a letter or…"

"Well she didn't his time did she?" Yugi shouted.

"Calm down Yugi." Nasuku told him. "We'll find her."

"No." Yugi responded. "I'll find her." Turning he walked out into the rain.

Nasuku stood suddenly and pushed back the tent flap to watch him walk away. "Why is he such an ass?"

"So Masera how are you feeling?" I asked.

Sessho placed his hand on his mate's already large belly. Masera placed her hand over his and looked at me. "I'm feeling great. The pregnancy is going great." She told me.

I smiled. "That's good to hear."

Sessho looked at me and asked, "How's your shoulder?" Mother looked at me quickly.

I pushed the material on my shoulder off so the remainder of the wound was visible. "It's almost healed. I should be gone by tomorrow." I informed him and he nodded. I turned to my mother who was sitting next to me and she touched it lightly.

"Did it hurt?" She asked. I nodded, thing that was a stupid question. My mother sighed and fixed my shirt. She placed her hands on the sides of my face and made me look at her. "You need to be more careful." She said. "I don't want to lose a daughter. I don't know if I could handle it."

I put my hands on hers. "Mom, you know as well as I do if I died father would bring me back." I said trying to reassure her. My mother nodded and removed her hands from my face. I sighed internally. My mother worried so much about father and I being away. It must kill her on the inside as she sits so far away worrying for days on end.

I heard laughter coming from the hallway and all of a sudden Keema and Hazari came running into the dinning hall soaking wet. Keema picked up Hazari and spun with him for a second before setting him down. He then stumbled a little and fell. Keema and him broke out laughing.

Mother, Sessho, Masera, and I stared at the two. Mother asked some servants to bring towels. They placed the towels on Keema's shoulders and she thanked them before leaving to change clothes.

I picked up Hazari and removed my undershirt. Then I wrapped it around him so he wouldn't catch a cold. Plucking off his clothes, I gave them to a servant to dry and return. I returned to my seat with Hazari in my lap. He smiled then sneezed. I looked down at him. "Oh please don't tell me you have a cold already." I said.

He just smiled and snuggled into my chest, closing his eyes. I sighed. My mother reached over and ran her hand through his hair gently. Hazari smiled again. My mother smiled. I was happy to see that Hazari would bring her more comfort.

Keema returned a couple of minutes later wearing a pure white kimono. She sat down across from me and next to Masera. Pulling her wet hair over her shoulder, she ran her fingers through it. "It came out of nowhere. I'm sorry he got wet we were just having so much fun." She said then noticed Hazari. "Aw that's cute!"

I looked down at Hazari. He was asleep…again. "Geez Keema you really wore him out. This is the second time today he's fallen asleep." I said and brushed some loose hairs from his face. He snuggled further into my chest and I smiled. Sessho and everyone smiled as well.

"You're going to make a great mother, Reeka." My mother said. I looked at her quickly. "You treat him as if he's your own child." She added.

I smiled. "Well I did adopt him in a way." I ran my fingers through his hair. "I couldn't stand the way his village treated him. I guess instinct took over. He just seemed so alone and helpless. Not only that but he realty is a sweet kid. I guess I just saw him as a lone pup that needed a family. He's very bright he might be able to help out around here too."

My family and I talked for hours about the war and what had happened while I was gone. Then before we knew it night had come. Hazari woke up not long after my mother left for the night. He smiled at me. I asked him if he was hungry and he said no but his stomach told me otherwise.

I had a servant bring him some fruit, which he thanked her for and ate quickly. After Hazari finished he stretched and yawned. It picked him up and told my brother I was going to stay the night. He smiled and nodded. Then I left him and Masera and walked down the maze-like hallways to my room. Opening the door I noticed it smelled stale. I set Hazari down on my bed and opened the window. Fresh air, wet with the recent rain flooded my room.

I inhaled deeply enjoying the clean air. Hazari sneezed bringing my attention to him again. He pulled my inner kimono tighter around him. I sighed and walked over to him. "Cold?" I asked. He shook his head. I knew he was lying and sat down next to him. I pulled him in my lap again, wrapping my arms around him.

I remembered when Nasuku used to do the same to me on cold nights. He would pull me into his lap when he noticed I was cold. Even when I told him I wasn't. He would wrap his arms around me and use his body heat to keep me warm. I smiled at the memory and tightened my arms around Hazari.

Suddenly it occurred to me that I hadn't told Nasuku where I was. I flinched knowing he was going to tear me a new one when he found me. He was probably worried sick and Yugi too.

The door to my room opened and I looked up. Sessho walked into my room. He smiled and shut the door behind him. He held a small, white, folded sleeping kimono. He handed it to me. "For Hazari." He explained. "The servants aren't going to finish with his clothes for awhile and I think he deserves something more…his size."

I knew what he meant by that. My undershirt reached past Hazari's knees when he stood. "Thanks." I said as I handed Hazari the clothing so he could feel it.

My door opened again. Keema stood there. "Hey Reeka could I talk to you for a moment?" She asked.

"Sure." I said. I picked up Hazari and set him next to me then stood. "Sessho take care of Hazari while I'm gone, 'kay." Before he could answer I had shut the door and followed Keema down the hall. "Where are we going?" I asked.

"Father's study. I have to show you something I found." She replied.

Keema opened the door and let me in before shutting it. She sat at the low desk and I sat across from her. There were two stacks of letters in the middle of the desk. Keema pushed one pile across the desk to me.

"Look at who these letters are addressed to." She said.

I picked up the first letter and found it was addressed to me. I turned it over and noticed the seal had been broken meaning someone had read it before. I read the letter and stared at the paper in disbelief. It was a proposal from a lower lord further north. I set down the letter and picked up another. It was also addressed to me and was a proposal. I opened many of the letters every one the same. Addressed to me, asking for my hand, and already open. I was disgusted that some were dated to when I was still a pup.

I looked at my sister. "Where did these come from?" I asked.

"I found them when I was trying to find a book from father's library. They fell off the shelf." Keema told me then she motioned to the other stack. "I have a lot as well. Most are like yours. Trying to make an alliance with father but there's one I have that's not signed. The person said that I knew him and that he loved me. It said that he had gone to war and that I should wait until he returned before marrying anyone." Keema laughed softly. "It also said that he was shy and it might take him awhile to confess."

I laughed lightly. "Well at least he's honest." I stated. My sister nodded.

I read all of the letters showing a couple to Keema then when I got to the bottom I found one that was still sealed. It wasn't addressed direction to me but it still mentioned me. What confused me the most was the person didn't use my title. It said: To Lord Sesshomaru concerning Reeka.

The handwriting looked familiar but I couldn't figure out where I had seen it before. There was no signature on the front so turned the letter over. I was about to open it when Keema stopped me.

"Reeka that one's still sealed and it's addressed to father. I don't think he'll appreciate us going through his mail." She said.

"But it mentions me." I responded. "I should be allowed to open it."

Just then the door opened quickly and forcefully.

After the rain stopped Nasuku began asking the soldiers if they had any idea where Rook was. No one knew were she had gone. Nasuku grew more and more frustrated and decided when he found her he would give her hell.

Yugi also continued his search. He was beginning to worry. He couldn't find a clue as to where she had gone. He had passed Nasuku a couple of times while they walked through camp. They would glare at each other as they passed then continue their search.

Nasuku growled loudly when he finely gave up. A still half asleep Mushi poked his head out of his tent. "What's the matter, General?" He asked.

"Rook's missing." He replied still walking away.

"Oh, I knew where he is." Mushi replied yawning.

Nasuku spun around quickly. "Then where is he?" He asked eagerly.

"Oh he's…" Mushi yawned again, "He's at the palace of the west. He took Hazari there for Lady Reeka." He told Nasuku.

"Thank you, Mushi." Nasuku turned and was about to go find Yugi when Mushi spoke again.

"If you're going to the palace of the west can I come too?" Mushi asked putting his hair up. Nasuku nodded and Mushi smiled. "Thank you."

After finding Yugi the three began their journey to the palace. They ran the whole way there. By the time they arrived it was dark. The guard at the gate was surprised to see his General but didn't ask any questions when he saw the look on Nasuku's face.

"Is Lady Reeka here?" Nasuku asked.

The guard nodded. "Yes."

"Good." He said and pushed past the guard, Yugi right behind him. Mushi stayed behind not wanting to get in the way of the two angry demons. Nasuku walked through the familiar halls. He followed Reeka's scent and found that it led to Lord Sesshomaru's study. Without any indication he was coming in he threw the door open.

I jumped and dropped the letter when the door opened so suddenly. Nasuku entered the room without hesitation. He hit his hands on the desk and leaned over so his face was right in front of mine.

"Why didn't you tell me where you were going?" He asked angrily, glaring at me. "If you are going to leave you have to tell me where you're going! Not only is that a rule your father set but also one I set for the army! By leaving you made me look like an idiot in front of the whole army!"

I locked eyes with my teacher afraid he would yell again if I looked away. Finally he sighed and sat down next to Keema. He rubbed his forehead. I didn't notice Yugi was there until he shouted, "You scared us both to death!"

"Don't shout at her, Yugi." Nasuku said softly. "It never does any good. Don't waste your breath." Yugi glared at me once more before sitting at the desk as well. He put his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his palm.

Keema looked at me. I was sure my face showed my surprise. I wasn't expecting them to just barge in. I wasn't even expecting them to find me with the recent rain. I stared at my sister who looked shocked and confused. I looked at Nasuku who was staring at me. He looked relieved but also slightly irritated. Looking at Yugi I noticed he had his eyes closed and was smiling. He looked satisfied.

I sighed and looked down. I spotted the sealed letter partially under the desk. I picked it up and set it on the table face down. Nasuku saw it and looked at me in question. "It's my father's." I replied. He nodded and scanned the table and letters.

He stilled for a moment, recognizing the way the letters were addressed. "Reeka, you're not supposed to be looking at these." Nasuku said as he gathered the letters. He straightened them out then grabbed the sealed letter. He turned it over and placed it on the top of the pile. He stared at it and his eyes seemed to grow worried. He flipped the letter over again checking the seal then he seemed to sigh in relief.

I raised an eyebrow at him in question he answered smoothly, "It's addressed to Lord Sesshomaru do you know how much trouble you would have gotten into if you opened it?"

I shrugged and Nasuku sighed and stood. He gave me a look that I recognized as the look that meant he would speak to me later. Then he left.

Yugi scolded me a little bit more before Keema had a servant lead him to one of the guest rooms. I explained to Keema who he was before returning to my room.

Hazari was asleep on my futon, a large blanket on top of him. Sessho's scent was faded but he left a note on my dresser. I picked it up and read it:

I put your undershirt in the laundry and it should be ready by tomorrow. I waited until Hazari fell asleep before I left. Hazari's a sweet kid.

Sessho

P.S. Nasuku wants to see you in his room.

I folded the letter and stuck it in my pocket. Walking over to Hazari, I pulled the blanket up to his chin before making my way to Nasuku's room. I knocked on his door before pushing it open. "Nasuku?" I asked.

The room was dark and it was hard for my eyes to adjust. "Why didn't you tell me you were going somewhere?" His voice floated to me from somewhere in the room. It sounded cold, maybe angry.

"I… You were asleep." I replied.

"You should have woken me up." He replied. I hesitantly walked into the room and closed the door behind me. I scanned the room but I couldn't locate Nasuku.

"I didn't want to. You seemed tired from the night before. How many women did you sleep with that night? Four? Five?" I said before I knew what I was doing.

"What?" He asked. "I didn't sleep with anyone."

I knew he was lying and it angered me. "You're lying, Nasuku. I know you slept with those demons." I said my voice growing angry.

"Reeka, I didn't sleep with anyone." He replied, his voice growing irritated.

"Yes, you did." I said back.

I heard a fast movement coming from the direction of Nasuku's bed and before I could react Nasuku had me pinned to the wall next to the door, his chest bare from resting. "No, I didn't!" He shouted at me. "Even drunk I would never betray…" He stopped as if he was about to say something that he shouldn't. Then he gently grabbed my chin and made me look at him. "Please from now on tell me if you are going somewhere. Please don't ever scare me like that again. At this point in the war anything could happen." He said gently.

I could tell I really scared him and I had insulted him by accusing him of sleeping with the women at the brothel. I hugged Nasuku. "I'm sorry." I said. "I didn't mean…"

"It's fine." He replied wrapping his arms around me. "Just…don't do it again." He told me.

I nodded.

There. Done. Hope you liked. To tell you the truth I think my chapters are getting worse and worse, and at this rate this story will go on for forever. Not that many of you would mind.

Review please.