Miyu
ByJeslyn Nighthawk
Disclaimer: Inu-Yasha is the creative property of Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own it. Do not sue me. The name Miyu probably belongs to whoever owns Vampire Princess Miyu, and I did base my protagonist's appearance on her. She is not Miyu however.
A/N: The two main characters in this story just kind of attacked me. You'll understand this more as the story goes on. Any way, they might make an appearance in my other fic, but as that fic is currently on hold…. This plot is a little clichéd, but I hope I can make it something new. Enjoy (or don't) and please review.
Prologue
Miyu knelt upon the floor before her father, prostrate. He always demanded this level of respect from her, despite their shared blood. She was after all only the illegitimate daughter of a dead concubine.
Even at barely ten years old, Miyu was old enough to understand the harsh reality of her existence. She was constantly ridiculed by the legitimate children of the other lords in her father's court and not allowed to consort with the children of the servants and slaves. Her father's wife despised her and took every available opportunity to make Miyu's life hell. Unless fate smiled upon her, and by some small chance her father and his wife were unable to produce a legitimate heir, and her father legitimatised her, Miyu's future looked bleak. The most she could hope for was to become a concubine for a demon less than a millennium old.
Miyu had experienced enough in her short years to know better than to get her hopes up. Even at barely ten years old, Miyu no longer believed in fairy tales.
"You may rise, Miyu," Her father's deep voice rumbled. Even to her, he was terrifying, a great inu-youkai, Lord of the Northern Lands. Trembling just slightly, Miyu rose to her knees, keeping her head demurely and humbly lowered. "Look at me, child!" He ordered harshly. When she obeyed, he studied her features intently.
Her raven locks were styled in a simple braid, and already fell almost to her hips. A few stray strands fell to frame a finely boned face. Slightly tilted, stormy gray eyes peered at him from beneath perfectly arched brows. Already, her small lips were nearly red in hue. He chuckled. His daughter would grow to be a beauty if given the opportunity, of that he had no doubt. He also had no doubt that if she remained in his court, she would never get that opportunity.
"Do you like it here, Miyu?" The Lord of the Northern Lands softly questioned his only child.
She hesitated before answering "I have no complaint with my situation, my lord." He inwardly winced at the distance he had been forced to impose between himself and his offspring. Even the fact that it had been necessary for her safety did little to ease the pain in his chest when she addressed him as "my lord." Despite that distance, he still had no difficulties telling she was lying. What child in her situation would be happy with her life?
"Then I am sorry I must give you this news, Miyu," He continued with a sigh, "The Northern Lands are going to war against the Southern. As my Court is uncomfortably close to the border… I have decided that it will be safer to send you to foster with my sister in the Western Lands. She is Lady there and will be able to give you a proper education. Learn well. I have told only her and her husband about your less than sterling birth. I have asked that they tell no one else. At least not until you have earned your own place at Court. I hope you find a way to make yourself valuable Miyu, for I do not wish to see yo become some petty lord's concubine. I loved your mother and can only hope that you find the happiness you deserve. I know as well as you that you will never find it here. Be ready to depart in the morning." This last was clearly a dismissal. The great and powerful Lord of the Northern Lands could no longer stand the cold silence of his small, too old child. Her gray eyes were as ice as she bowed touching her forehead to the floor, and with a murmured "as you wish, my lord," rose and left his life.
***
Miyu looked one more time back at the magnificent palace that had been her home since her birth. Strangely, she felt no sadness at leaving, and only a small amount of nervousness. Instead, Miyu felt a sort of burgeoning hope.
Miyu was being given what so few children like her were granted. A chance to live a life solely her own. A chance to make her name known. Not as her fathers bastard daughter, but as someone who left a true mark upon the land she resided in.
Her stormy gray eyes shown with new life as she turned her pony's head and joined the caravan headed to the Western Lands.
TBC
A/N: Did you like it? Did you hate it? Does any one have any name suggestions? I need a name for Sesshoumaru's mother, and a male protagonist who is also an inu-youkai, and nobility. He also is into swords, but then who isn't? Please, please, please, please review. Do I sound desperate yet?
Ja ne J