:Chapter 1: Lords and Ladies *8 years later*

"Lord Miroku and Lady Sango will be visiting us today?!" Shukumei said with much happiness and she had the silliest look on her face, which made a now 16 year old Rin giggle. "Hai, they are. Do you remember when they last visited?" Rin asked seeing if the child would remember. Shukumei's eye's went into a thoughtful look and after a short moment she said lightly, "I kind a do.... But not really it was a long time ago right?"

Rin and Shukumei were both sitting on the ground outside in the garden within the castle walls playing with some flowers. "Yeah," Rin said concentrating on making her little crown made of Azalea and Ajisai flowers, "You were only 3.... And really noisy." She laughed and nudged Shukumei playfully, and then they both laughed.

Shukumei then laughed some more, and stood up with her own crown she made with some white Sukura flowers she had picked off a Cherry Tree, and started twirling around. Rin sat up, "You still are noisy!" Shukumei stopped dancing and laughing for a moment and asked, "Aren't you going to put the flowers on your head too?" "Iie, you can have them." She said absently, "I made them for you anyways." She tossed the ring of blue and pink Azalea and Ajisai to Shukumei who caught them in surprise and watched Rin get up to walk back into the castle, "Arigato Rinny-san!" She liked calling Rin that. She then continued to dance around the many flower-filled trees and bushes and other sorts of lush plants which gave off a sweet transfixing aroma of calming smells. And the new summer sun made it all the more beautiful.

Rin walked the long halls of the great castle in which became her home with her foster parents, Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Ashaina. It was a large castle with many floors, hallways, and rooms. The floor that was below the first floor was for the servants to sleep in. Rin had never been down there. The first floor was where The demon Lord and Lady had their meetings with the many other highly respected demon Lords and Ladies to talk about important matters regarding the four regions.

The dog demon's line ruled the Western Lands and the present rulers were Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Ashaina. The Eastern Lands were ruled by the Cat Demon's line and the present rulers were Lord Nekato and Lady Ekokan. It had been 2 years ago that the cat demons and the dog demons had finally declared peace between the two lands and so that was also the time when all 4 regions were at peace with each other. The Northern Lands were ruled by the wolf demons and the present ruler was Lord Kouga. He had once been just a leader of one of the many wolf clans but had now recently only a year ago won his way to becoming the Lord and his companion was Lady Ayame. The Southern Lands were ruled by the Elf demons. The present rulers were Lord Maeglin and Lady Inwe.

Also the first floor was where Lord Sesshomaru, Lady Ashaina, Rin, Shukumei, and any guests would eat or talk. And it was also where Rin and Shukumei would be given their lessons from Jaken, the servant toad demon. The second floor was where they're sleeping quarters were and a few extra guestrooms. And finally the third floor was where much storage was kept and scripts were held there as well. Rin came to the end of the hall but she heard a conversation and stood by the door to listen.

"You can't let a human take over the Western Lands when you two pass into the next world Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin heard a mans rather stern and confidant voice speak. "I know that Jinten. Why must you pester me about it now?" Sesshomaru's calm deep voice which never showed much emotion speak to Jinten the leader of one of Sesshomaru's armies. "It's a very important matter me 'Lord and me 'Lady. You should have had a child many years ago so that there would be someone to take the responsibility in case something happened to you both.

"Jinten." Ashaina's soft but stern voice spoke, "You do know that we are having some old friends coming to visit today haven't you?" "Uh Yes me 'Lady?"

"Did you ever wonder why?" She paused, "I have recently found out I do have a child growing inside me and I had wanted to tell Lord Miroku and Lady Sango, and they had wanted to visit us anyways. So now that you know I am carrying a child you shouldn't have to worry any longer, understand?" "But wouldn't you have wanted the higher Lords and Ladies of the other 3 regions to know of this? This is great news and should be known!" Jinten said with much glee.

Sesshomaru's voice spoke, "Ah, but that is why we have messengers to tell this. So send 3 of our messengers to each of the other regions, it's as simple as that." "Oh, hai me 'Lord! Right away!" A door being slid open then closed was heard. "You can come in now Rin." Rin was surprised he knew she was there but then remembered he's a demon. Of course he'd know she was there.

Rin slid open the door and then shut it behind her. Sesshomaru and Ashaina were sitting on one of the futons in the meeting room. Sesshomaru had his right arm around Ashaina and his left hand rested on his knee. When the regions had made peace between each other the Lord Maeglin had offered to allow one of his healing priests heal Sesshomaru's shoulder giving him a new arm. Sesshomaru at first decided to decline the offer but then thought it would be better to accept for it would strengthen their trust, and so he now had two arms once again.

"Was there something you wanted Rin?" Ashaina asked smiling. "Oh iie, not really...."Rin paused, "So you're going to have a baby?" Ashaina's smile grew a little, "Hai we are, and you are going to have a sibling." She paused, "Are you ok with that?" Rin smiled, "Of course I am. I can't wait till the baby is born." It was exciting. Rin didn't mind that she wasn't allowed to rule the lands. She understood the reasons.

She was human.

And humans only lived for a short wile, and weren't all that strong. Well there were some humans that were strong, like Lord Miroku and Lady Sango, but not many. Rin suddenly felt a longing to be able to live as long as demons did.

Shukumei then came in. "Konichiwa uncle Sesshomaru and aunty Ashaina!" Rin nearly always laughed whenever she heard Shukumei call Sesshomaru "Uncle". "Why hello Shukumei." Ashaina said and then she and Sesshomaru stood up. "You two should go get ready to see Miroku and Sango." Sesshomaru said, and with that the two girls nodded and Shukumei ran off to her room wile Rin walked.

A few miles from the dog demon castle Miroku, Sango, and Sango's little brother, Kohaku, who was now 20, were walking through the forest. Sango and Miroku were now in their 30s and had never had any children. But were still content in what they had. Kohaku had always stayed with his sister, never wanting to leave her again. Kohaku was still however trying to get over his trauma of having to realize that he was being controlled by Naraku all those years ago and had killed all of his family and fellow exterminators. Sometimes he would even go for night walks on his own and cry all through the night.

"Before we reach their home. We should pay our respects to Kagome's and Inu-Yasha's graves." Sango's face was saddened, "Yes we should..." When they were only a mile from the castle, nearby was a small hut decorated like a shrine and inside buried safe side-by-side was Kagome and Inu-Yasha. The 3 went inside and kneeled by the two stones which had Kagome written on one and Inu-Yasha written on the other.

After a moments pause of prayer they got up and headed for their destination. When they reached the gates the ones in the watchtower saw them and recognized them, "Lower the gates for Lord Miroku and Lady Sango!" The man yelled. The massive door was lowered and Miroku, Sango, and Kohaku were inside the walls of the dog demon castle. "Miroku! Sango!" Shukumei exclaimed in delight and ran up to them in her blue kimono tied with a green ribbon. Sango bent down to hug the gleeful child. "How have you been?" She asked. Shukumei pulled away to look at Sango, "I've been doing great! I'm so glad you could come!"

Sesshomaru, Ashaina, and Rin had walked up now. Sango stood up to greet them, as did Miroku and Kohaku. Ashaina smiled and she and Sango hugged. Even though they lived far apart, they were still close friends.

"How was your journey over here? No trouble?" Sesshomaru asked. Miroku smiled, "No trouble at all." Rin noticed Kohaku was looking at her. She felt a light blush form on her cheeks. Kohaku smiled, "Hi Rin! Long time no see, eh?" Rin smiled feeling extremely awkward, "Yeah, it's good to see you."

Sango looked at Ashaina with a concerned look. "Lady Ashaina...." "Just call me Ashaina, Sango. We're friends you don't need to call be Lady." Ashaina laughed. Sango smiled gave a slight smile, "Ashaina there's something we need to tell you." Ashaina frowned noticing Sango's concern, "What is it?"

Miroku spoke, "Our home was destroyed and we have no place to go except here." He paused, "If it isn't too much trouble could we stay here?" Ashaina was shocked to hear what had happened, "Of course you can stay." Relief over took Miroku, Sango, and Kohaku. All three bowed and Miroku spoke, "Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Ashaina." "Do Itashimashite." said Ashaina, "Now let's go inside and you three can make yourselves at home. For we have something to tell you as well."

They all sat around a low square dark wooden table. The table had a beautiful bocce of Hollyhock and Hydrangea flowers set in a white jade vase in the middle of the table. There were two sitting pads on each side of the table. Sango and Miroku sat across from Sesshomaru and Ashaina. Shukumei sat across from Kohaku and Rin playing with her blue and green ribbons that were once in her hair.

"So what's the news?" Sango asked. Ashaina smiled, "I just recently found out I'm going to have a baby." Miroku's eye's widened, "That is news!" "Omedeto gozaimasu Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Ashaina ." Kohaku replied calmly. "Oh how exciting." Sango said and then looked at Rin, "So how do you feel getting a new sibling?" "I'm glad I'm going to have a sibling." Rin smiled. "Yay!" Exclaimed Shukumei, "Does this mean I'm getting a cousin?" "Hai, Shukumei you are correct." Replied Sesshomaru. He then saw Jaken who had entered the room and now knew of the news. "Jaken." Sesshomaru said. "Hai m'Lord?" "Show Miroku, Sango and Kohaku to their rooms so that they may settle in." Jaken nodded and Miroku, Sango, and Kohaku fallowed the toad demon.

When they approached the second floor there was a corridor. The closest door was on the right and it was Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Ashaina's room. A little further down on the left was Shukumei's room and a little more further down on the left side was Rin's room. They walked down the corridor and they stopped at the next door on the right. "This can be your room, Lady Sango and Lord Miroku." "Arigato, Jaken." they said and entered the room. Jaken then led Kohaku further down. "And this will be your room Kohaku." The room was across the hall from Rin's room. "Arigato" Kohaku said and entered his room.


~~~
Lord Maeglin was rummaging through his scriptures with a panicked look on his face. "Damnit! Where is it?" "Maeglin?" He heard his wife's voice seep into the room. He stopped searching to look at her slender figure standing in the doorway. She was wearing a dark green dress, which had no sleeves but had a high collar and the rim was lined with silver. She had a silver cloth tied around her waist.

"What is it Inwe?" He asked in a low calm voice, but still a little shaken. "I just heard that Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Ashaina will be having a child finally." She said with much happiness, but it faded when she saw the look on her husband's face. "What's wrong?" She asked. Lord Maeglin got up and ran his hand through his short black hair with green highlights. "What a terrible time to choose to have a baby." He said dismayed. Inwe was shocked, "Why?".

Maeglin looked at his lovely wife, "You know of the dragon demons right? Great beings, which take the form of humans but have dragon wings and dragon powers, and the dragons, are like their companions, like wolves are to Wolf demons."

Inwe nodded, "Hai but what about the dragon demons?"

Maeglin explained as best he could, "Remember when I told you about what happened 200 ago when my father and his army were fighting the Dragon demons and how we had defeated them? But that they'd come back within 200 years...and...Oh! there's not enough time to explain! The time they return is 3 days from the next full moon! And we need to have another 4 region meeting at Lord Sesshomaru's and Lady Ashaina's castle as soon as possible for the other Lords and Ladies do not know of the chaos that will be unleashed the next full moon!"

Inwe spoke in horror, "The time when the dragon demons return is a week from now! That gives us barely enough time to declare the meeting then to have it then to get all our armies ready!" "Precisely!" Maeglin said, "That's why we must send our messengers NOW!"