by
Jeslyn Nighthawk
A/N: Umm… in light of the fact that I need to include Sesshoumaru's mother in this chapter and no name suggestions have yet come forth, I will temporarily use "Sakura." As soon as a better option is presented, this will change. I still also need a Japanese name for my male protagonist. Thanks and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own it. Believe me, I have lost countless hours of sleep trying to reconcile this problem. So far no solutions are in the offing.
Part 1: To Make a Name Chapter 1When Miyu arrived at the Palace in the Western Lands, she was immediately shown to a small room in the same wing as the Royal Apartments. Small as it was, it was beautifully decorated in silver and midnight blue. Moon motifs were used throughout her new quarters, giving the room the cool comfort of night even in the height of day.
She was shown then to the baths, and after cleaning up, dressed in a new kimono that was like her room midnight blue with silver moons embroidered on the sleeves, shoulders and hem.
So far she had been given no time to reflect upon her new situation, and it appeared that she never would. No sooner had her long black hair been plaited, than she was whisked off by yet another servant-this time for a meeting with the Lord and Lady of the Western Lands, Inutaisho and Sakura.
The throne room was immaculate. Red as trimmed with gold and the entire room exuded a feeling of royalty. Inutaisho lounged in a throne upon the dais at the front of the room, with Lady Sakura to his right. In her arms was a tiny bundle that would periodically squirm and make mewling sounds similar to those of a kitten. Though Miyu assumed this was their child, she did not yet know its name or gender. Lady Sakura had still been with child upon Miyu's departure from the Northern Lands.
Lord Inutaisho's eyes were warm as he perused his new young ward. She moved with natural grace, and although properly respectful, there was still a great amount of pride in her bearing. He glanced down at his newborn son, thinking it would be good for his child to have such a person to look up to as he grew.
Miyu was startled when her uncle's smooth voice addressed her. "Get up, Miyu, there is no reason for such formality between us; you're family."
What does family have to do with it- father always maintained that we remain formal at all times. Although confused, Miyu did as she was bidden. "Forgive me, my Lord, but formality was a way of life in the Northern Lands." She murmured, head down.
"Things are different here, child. Neither myself nor my lord feel the need to impose such strictures- especially on kin."
This statement was delivered in the crystal tones of Lady Sakura. Startled again, Miyu looked up in surprise, getting her first real look at the strange couple. Both had the long silver hair typical of their breed of youkai. Golden eyes looked at her from nearly perfect faces, though Inutaisho's were a darker amber than his wife's. Both sported nearly identical facial markings, though where Inutaisho's was a crescent moon, Sakura's was the star shape marking her as Miyu's blood relative. They looked very similar to her father…yet more proof that she took after her mother. The only thing marking Miyu as a blood relative to either was the stripes on her face and the star that was a familial marking.
"I'm sorry… I'm still not used to this place." Miyu stuttered, a blush forming on her cheeks.
"Of course not, Miyu. You haven't even been here a day. If you are done with her, my Lord?" Sakura looked to her husband. At his nod, Sakura rose to leave the room, motioning Miyu to join her. "Come on… Let's get you settled and then we'll decide what to do with you."
Seeing no other choice, Miyu bowed hastily to Inutaisho and scurried after the retreating Lady.
***
Lady Sakura led Miyu into the
Royal Wing and into the royal nursery. She laid her infant down in the crib,
then motioned Miyu to her side.
Miyu came up to the side of the crib and finally looked down in the eyes of her young cousin. His eyes were round and a warm golden, and there was a small wisp of silver hair upon his head. Even his stripes and the crescent moon on his forehead only contributed to the essence of his cuteness.
"Miyu," Sakura's voice barely registered in her mind. "This is your cousin, Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru. Suddenly, Miyu was very sure that she was going to like living here.
TBC
A/N: Did you like it? Was it as good as the prologue? Better? Worse? Still looking for name ideas…Anyway thanks for reading and please review. Flames are welcome.
Review responses:
J. Garibaldi: Thanks. I hope this chapter met expectations.
O2: As I stated in the author's note, I'm hoping for Japanese names. Thanks for caring and let me know if you think of anything.
Besa-sama: I fixed it. Thank you my only awake during the daytime beta-reader. You'll find a note in your reviews if you feel like looking.
Ja ne.