Author's Note: My first fanfic, so be nice. Constructive criticism is welcomed, and we've had no sunshine for quite a while now, so flames will be used to heat my room. Sorry if the characters are a little OOC.

Disclaimer: I own Himeko and the theme. Nothing else.

Chapter One: Introductions

"Suzaku, you worry too much," the girl complained as she watched her master pace back and forth. "Genbu and Byakko were weaklings—you said it yourself. Seiryu will take care of the intruders for you."

"I know, my pet. It's just that these intruders are much more powerful that I expected."

The girl shook her head and relaxed against the wall. Even I had trouble defeating Seiryu, she thought. He can't possibly presume that they will get past him. Suzaku's just overreacting. She closed her eyes and willed herself to calm down. Unbidden, the memory hit her….

She had been enjoying herself that day in the forest, jumping from tree to tree with nothing to hold her back. As she neared the stream, she heard a scuffle down below. Probably just another group of idiots, she thought. They'll learn soon enough not to enter these woods again. Peering through the leaves, she saw not a group of teenagers as she expected, but rather a wounded demon staggering along the path. He's losing blood—and fast, she realized. After a moment's hesitation, she leaped gracefully down in front of him. "May I be of assistance?" she asked. He looked at her for a moment, plainly startled. Then he collapsed.

The girl opened her eyes with a grimace. She didn't want to think of the fox who had become her greatest friend and ally—at least, not now, when she was worried and a little lonely. Standing up, she stretched. The girl was fully 5'8", with waist-length silver hair, brilliant blue eyes, and two dark stripes on either side of her face, starting at her cheekbones and going down her shoulders to end at her fingertips. Her name was Himeko, known to others only as Tigress. At the current moment, she had a dark blue robe on, with a veil covering her face, leaving only her eyes showing. Looking at her master, the Saint Beast Suzaku, she saw that he was still pacing.

"Look, if they get past Seiryu, then I'll go and deal with them myself, alright?" Himeko said.

Suzaku glanced up and smiled, if only briefly. "Thank you, Himeko." His gaze traveled above her head to rest on the mirror suspended on the wall. "Though it seems you may have to follow up on that sooner than you thought. It appears Seiryu was unable to complete his assignment."

"What!" Himeko stared at the mirror. Must I do everything myself? "I suggest you send the Youshoku Ningen. But first, let me deal with them." She raced out of Suzaku's chamber. He looked after her with a wry smile on his face, then returned his attention to the mirror. Do not fail me, Himeko.