Kiyomisa: It's here, chappie number 7! Gomen for the cliffhanger, but my open hour ran out on me -_-'. But it'll be resolved now ^-^.

A/N: Kimi means prince

* * *

The youkai's bright blue eyes widened in something akin to fear and she shrank back a little. "Who are you? What do you want here?"

Miroku held up a calming hand. "Have no fear, Miss. We are simple travelers who were looking for a place to spend the night. We would be happy to render our services to you in return for a night under your roof."

She bit her lower lip uncertainly and glanced behind her. "I…I must ask my master, please…wait in the foyer," she finally said in a soft, timid voice. The group filed inside and the youkai rushed off.

The house was much larger on the inside than the outside, and it was furnished richly in deep crimson and violet silk and velvet.

"I wonder what her master's like, she seemed frightened," Ukyo said quietly in the silent room.

"Are you sure she's youkai?" Mousse asked Inu-Yasha.

Inu-Yasha snarled at him. "Do you doubt my sense of smell?"

"She no act like youkai," Shampoo pointed out.

Inu-Yasha looked down his nose at her. "There's as many types of youkai as humans. Besides, she doesn't seem any more timid than Shippo."

"Hey!" Shippo cried, bounding up. Inu-Yasha sneered at him, and the kitsune leaped onto his head to tug on his ears painfully. Inu-Yasha yelped in pain and swiped at Shippo who darted away and stuck his tongue out defiantly.

"Umm…pardon me," the woman was back, and her eyes seemed sadder and more worried. "My master has given you permission to spend the night here…but I urge you to continue on your way and find some other place to stay."

Ryoga frowned. "Why? If your master has given his permission, then it's all right, right?"

She shook her head slightly. "If you're determined to stay, I'll not stop you," was all she said before turning to leave.

"Wait! What's your name?" Kagome asked.

Blue eyes smiled sadly as she answered. "Meinu. I will return with some food shortly. Please do not wander about." That said, she left, her simple lavender kimono rustling slightly.

* * *

"You said there were…five females?" a low voice growled. Meinu flinched and kept her face down.

"Hai, Kimi-sama. Demo…you've given them shelter for the night-"

"Silence wench!" A heavy blow made Meinu bite her lip so harshly it drew blood. "Do not forget your debt to me, ungrateful she-dog! Now, bring one to me…preferably one with long hair. "

A tear slipped out of Meinu's cobalt eye as she said in a choked whisper, "Hai, Kimi-sama."

* * *

Ukyo groggily opened her eyes when someone shook her lightly awake. "Nani? Meinu-san?" She murmured sleepily as she took in the face of her shaker.

"Iie, simply Meinu. Come…my master wishes to speak with you…"

Yawning, Ukyo sat up and rubbed at her eyes. "What time is it?"

"Early morning, he wishes to ask you of your quest."

"Oh…" Ukyo yawned again and levered herself up, raking her fingers through her long hair. She glanced around. "What about the others?"

"Let them sleep," Meinu replied gently, taking her by the arm and helping her stand. "They've had a long journey."

Ukyo nodded and followed the youkai without a second thought. She was led through a maze of polished, wooden hallways to a set of two grand doors. One had the carving of a beautiful woman on it, hair flowing regally around her; the other sported a majestic wolf, or was it a dog? Ukyo couldn't quite tell, and assumed it was a wolf for the benefit of her sleepy mind.

"Kimi-sama, I bring Ukyo, the traveler you requested," Meinu said sadly through the door.

"Good, bring her in."

Ukyo shivered at the sound of the voice, it was low and over warm, like standing too near a great oven. Meinu led her inside, easily pushing the heavy looking doors open.

The room inside was dim, but there were two candles lit on either side of a large man sitting on an expensive cushion. Nervously, Ukyo sat down on another cushion near him. When Meinu moved to sit as well, she was stopped by a low growl from the man.

"Leave us."

"Demo-"

"Now!"

Flinching, Meinu bowed swiftly and hastened from the room.

The lord had strange eyes that flickered from gold to orange to brown and Ukyo found herself looking anywhere but at them. "Your name is Ukyo," he rumbled.

"Hai, Kimi-sama," she replied, not knowing what else to call him.

"And why are you and your friends traveling?"

Ukyo bit her lip, not sure how much to tell. She certainly didn't want him to find out about the jewel. "We're searching, for a youkai."

A large, black eyebrow arched. "A youkai?"

"He's named Naraku."

"I do not know that name. Why are you looking for this…Naraku?"

Ukyo shifted uneasily. "He stole something, from one of us. We want it back," she said carefully.

"Ah. I can understand your situation. Now, may we discuss payment?"

Ukyo frowned suspiciously at him. "Payment?"

"For allowing you and your comrades to spend the night under the protection of my roof."

"We don't have much money, but I'm sure we could do some chores before we leave."

"Chores were not quite what I had in mind," he replied, a slow smile growing on his face. Ukyo stood up, unnerved by the glint in his strange eyes.

"Arigatou for your hospitality, Kimi-sama, but I must go now," she said and almost ran for the door. There was a swift blur and her hair swirled in the wake of its movement. The lord stood between her and the door.

"You can't leave yet, the game has only begun…"

* * *

Ryoga, used to so much traveling, woke early in the morning and stretched a little before standing up, trying to remain quiet. The others were still asleep he had no wish of waking them up before they were ready.

His stomach growled at him and he raised a hand to still it. I'd better go get something to eat. The kitchen was right through this door, wasn't it?

Five minutes later he was hopelessly lost and had begun to take random hallways in an attempt to get back to the sleeping quarters. As he took a promising looking left turn, something plowed into him and fell back.

"Meinu-san?"

Startled blue eyes stared up at him, tears welling within their depths. "Ryoga-sama! Quickly, you must save your friend!"

"What!?"

"Ukyo-sama is with my master, but he means to-to-" she couldn't finish as she brut into tears.

"Kuso! Where are they!?"

"Th-this way," Meinu replied, running down one of the halls. Ryoga followed after her, his mouth in a grim line.

* * *

The lord had her pinned to the wall, and Ukyo was struggling with all her strength to get away.

"Iie! Get away from me!" she snarled, kicking out powerfully. The lord snarled back and wrapped one large, muscular hand around her throat.

"You can suffer through this, or I can have my way with your corpse, it's up to you," he growled.

Ukyo's eyes widened impossibly with fright, stilling in shock. The lord chuckled and moved one hand to her top to rip it down.

With a bang, the sturdy doors flew across the room, literally, slamming against the opposite wall so hard that they shook the building.

"Ukyo!"

"Ryoga!" she called back as best as she could with a large hand on her throat.

"Bastard!" he yelled, attacking while he still had some element of surprise. The lord was crushed into the wall, letting go of Ukyo in the process.

"Impudent roach!" the lord snarled and slammed Ryoga sharply upside the head. Ryoga stepped back, shaking his head, hoping to clear the pain away.

"Ryoga!" Ukyo cried, searching for something she could use as a weapon.

"Ukyo, get outta here!" He yelled, punching the lord solidly again.

"I'm not leaving you, you idiot!" she called back angrily, having picked up a large piece of splintered wood. "Duck!"

Ryoga dutifully ducked under the lord's sweeping arm swipe and kicked him in the stomach, doubling him over. Ukyo swept the board heavily over his neck.

With a roar, he slammed Ukyo into the wall where she slumped down, trying to regain the wind that had been knocked out of her. Then he slammed down heavily on Ryoga's back, sending him crashing to the floor.

"Pathetic human!"

"I'm not pathetic!" Ryoga roared, leaping up forcefully and knocking him back. He caught sight of Ukyo struggling to stand up and his battle aura flared. "SHISHI HOKODAN!"

The lord was blasted into non-existence, as well as the wall behind him.

Ryoga stood there, breathing heavily, trying to get his battle aura to die down now that the danger was past. He strode over to Ukyo, who was being helped to her feet by Meinu.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm okay," she said raspilly.

"Ukyo-sama, we should get you back to the others," Meinu said in concern.

"I'll take her," Ryoga said and picked her up.

Ukyo frowned up at him. "I can walk perfectly well, Ryo-chan."

Ryoga blushed slightly but didn't say anything to her or put her down. "Lead the way Meinu-san."

* * *

By the time they reached the sleeping quarters, the rest of the group was awake. Sango rushed forward in concern and took the cook from Ryoga and began caring for her.

"She should drink some water, I'll get some-" Meinu turned to leave, but found her way blocked by Inu-Yasha and Ranma.

"You're not going anywhere bitch."

"What did you do to Ucchan."

"Meinu-san had nothing to do with it," Ryoga snapped, his temper still running a bit high. "Let her go get the water."

Glowering, the two stepped aside and Meinu fled.

"Ryoga, what happen?" Shampoo demanded.

Ryoga told them everything, pausing every once in a while to gain control of his temper, which rose at the memory of the fight.

"Meinu helped you then," Akane said.

"Some help, she didn't even fight!" Inu-yasha snarled.

"She was terrified of her master, it was brave of her just to lead Ryoga there," Miroku explained patiently.

Inu-Yasha snorted. "She's a disgrace to youkai."

"I know I am," her soft voice said behind him.

Inu-Yasha jumped and whirled to look at her, guilt flashing across his face. Then it sterned and he narrowed his eyes at her.

Meinu attempted to smile at him before bringing the water to Sango and Ukyo.

"Arigatou," Ukyo murmured and began drinking slowly.

Meinu turned back to Inu-Yasha. "I know I'm not a very strong youkai. My parents abandoned me when I couldn't do anything besides transform, and I probably would've died if I hadn't been found by the lord of this manor."

"That bastard saved you?" Ryoga demanded incredulously.

Meinu shook her head. "Iie. His father saved me. I was happy here, until five months ago. The lord died, and the kimi took his place. I had taken a vow of servitude, and I couldn't do anything about it. I'm very grateful, because you set me free of him."

"What are you going to do now?" Sango asked.

Meinu shrugged and laughed nervously. "I have no idea. If you want, you can stay here another night. I'll go make breakfast for you." And she left.

"Poor Meinu," Akane murmured.

"To be forced to serve such a thing," Miroku added.

"We should take her with us," Kagome said.

* * *

Kiyomisa: He he, another chapter done! I'd like to thank Totally-wicked (you'll just have to review for everyone who doesn't), Sasali the Snowgirl (I updated ^-^) and everyone else who reviewed! (They're my fav couples too Tenshineko ^_~) Anyway, I think a certain wolf-youkai will be making an appearance soon and hopefully I'll have chapter 8 done before I go to Nan Desu Kan in Denver. I'm finally going to a convention, yeay!! But I will try to get chapter 8 out soon. Ja ne! ^-^