Chapter 1: Inu-Taisho
Lord Inu-Taisho rode his black stallion across the never-ending lush green fields. Up ahead of him and his horse was a forest he would have to pass through and once he was out of the forest he'd be in another dog demon's territory. But, of course this dog demon that ruled these new lands was an ally of Inu-Taisho's. The dog demon name was Lord Kori.
Lord Kori was much older than Inu-Taisho and there for had ruled much longer than Inu-Taisho. He was wiser and for those who did not know him well thought of him to be an ice cold demon. But, his heart was warm and kind to his friends and family. About 16 years ago the Lord Kori's mate had given birth to a beautiful daughter who they named Kirei-Tsuki. The name meant Beautiful Moon, because she had been born with the marking of a blue crescent moon on her forehead. They often called her Kirei for short.
That was the reason Inu-Taisho was coming to visit them. Lord Kori had offered Inu-Taisho to take Kirei as his mate. Lord Inu-Taisho had said he'd spend three days there and see if he would want to have her has his mate.
He soon arrived at the entrance to Lord Kori's Japanese castle. He was welcomed warmly by everyone there, and Inu-Taisho bowed before Lord Kori who gave a slight bow in return.
"Come young Lord Inu-Taisho, and eat with me and of course my daughter, Kirei." Inu-Taisho followed the great dog demon down many halls and through many rooms to the royal dinning area.
Inu-Taisho was of course still very young in demon years. He may be 19 in human years but that was a small number to old demons like Lord Kori. Inu-Taisho still even had his hot young blood and spirit in him where as Lord Kori had in the long years mellowed out into an old and wise demon lord. Though Inu-Taisho himself had started out early in ruling the western lands. Both his father and his mother had been killed in fights with great demon enemies when Inu-Taisho was only 14 years old.
He was devastated by their sudden deaths but with help from his father's scholars and Lord Kori himself, he managed to rule his father's nearly lost kingdom.
The two demon lords entered the dinning room. In the middle of the room was a low oak table with pillows for seating placed around it. The table was a long rectangle shape meant to seat many people but right now only one person sat at the table.
She had for the moment had her head down with her light blue bangs shadowing her eyes. Her blue hair was pulled back in a loose braid that cascaded down to her waist. She was wearing a formal dark green kimono with a golden flower pattern on the right shoulder part and another piece of the pattern on the left side of the skirt part. The kimono was tied with a thick black ribbon and was tied in the back in a bow.
The young girl had heard the two men step in. Inu-Taisho was frozen in his place once he saw the girl lift her head up and her bangs parted to show the crescent moon on her forehead. But what struck him the most were her bright amber eyes. Unlike his which were a dark rich color of amber, her eyes were stunning with their brilliance but they seemed to hold a cold, distant, and... lonely stare. Her fair skin looked soft to the touch. She was very skinny but was perfectly filled out in all the right places.
The 16 year old dog demoness did not smile but lowered her head in respect and said in a rich and lush voice "Konichiwa, Father and Lord..." she looked up at her father, he smiled, "Lord Inu-Taisho my dear Kirei."
"Lord Inu-Taisho, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"A pleasure to meet you to malady." Inu-Taisho kneeled down next to Kirei-Tsuki, who had her head lowered again, and he gently took her right hand and lifted it up so that he could kiss it. Kirei looked up in surprise and did not know what to do when he looked into her eyes.
"Well aren't you a gentleman Inu-Taisho." Lord Kori commented, "Now lets eat."
The three calmly ate for at least an hour. Kirei did not say much but Lord Kori and Lord Inu-Taisho talked well enough. When they were down Lord Kori suggested, "Kirei-Tsuki, why don't you show Lord Inu-Taisho the garden. So that you two may talk and get to know each other."
Kirei looked up at her father, her face was unreadable. "As you wish Father." Inu-Taisho looked across the table to Kirei and wondered why he hasn't seen this girl smile once. He figured she'd be excited to know that she might be my choice for my mate for life. Yet she appears to be...he didn't even know what cause she barely showed any emotion...
'I'll have to bring that out of her I guess' Inu-Taisho thought to himself filling mischievous.
Kirei stood up and said calmly, "Follow me my Lord." Both Inu-Taisho and Kori stood up. "Kirei wait out side for Inu-Taisho I must speak with him for a minute. She nodded her head and left.
"What is it my Lord?" Inu-Taisho asked. Lord Kori sighed heavily, "It's my daughter. She seems so sad and lonely. She rarely gives anyone a smile. I am hoping to find her someone who will love her as much if not even more than I do. And I want her to fully love that man back. But I'm afraid I can never tell whether or not she does or for that matter I can never tell what she's feeling. That is why I'm desperate to see if someone can make her happy. I've tried everything and everyone. You are my last hope Inu-Taisho. I hope you do find someway to love her cause you are a great demon and kind and strong for your age. You would be perfect for her."
Inu-Taisho was taken back by his words, he said, "Lord Kori I'm sure I will fall in love with her. She is so beautiful and even though she doesn't seem to show much emotion I sense that she is strong and worthy of my love." He bowed and said, "Do not fear my Lord, I will win her heart and make her happy."
"Thank you Inu-Taisho." Lord Kori said, "I can tell you will become a great demon one day."
Inu-Taisho gave a proper smile, bowed and left to go meat Kirei-Tsuki in the garden.
Inu-Taisho walked through a door-less opening and found himself in the most beautiful garden he had ever seen. From where he stood a path of light dirt trailed off into a forest of flower-filled trees, bushes with flowers of many colors in them and patches of more types of roses than Inu-Taisho could name. The dirt path headed of straight but then another smaller path broke off to the right where it went by a small pong with lily pads and water grass. Facing the pond under a large cherry tree was a backless bench made of white marble. Sitting peacefully on the bench with amber eyes half closed, watching the fish in the pond, was Kirei-Tsuki.
Inu-Taisho was mesmerized by this demon's beauty. And seeing the pink petals from the cherry tree fall around her, he would not have been surprised if he saw this demon spread wings, and become an angel. Inu-Taisho tightened the high ponytail his long white-silver hair was in and walked over to Kirei-Tsuki.
Kirei did not look up when Inu-Taisho sat down beside her. Instead she continued to watch the orange and white fish swim among the lily stems. Inu-Taisho did not quite know what to say, all he could do was stare at this angelic creature. "Tell me, Lord Inu-Taisho..." He heard Kirei speak, "What is it like where you live? And I would like to know what you are like, for I guess I have no choice but to marry you whether I like it or not."
Inu-Taisho was caught off guard by her words. They were bitter in their sound, "You sound as if you are un happy that I might choose you as my mate. Why is that?" Kirei raised her eyes and glared at him. Those eyes.... like daggers, ready to pierce anything if needed. And right now Inu-Taisho could have sworn they were stabbing him.
"Would you be happy if you did not have a say in who you wish to marry?" she paused, "Oh wait a minute..." she lifted her chin showing her aristocratic attitude, "You are a man so how would you know." Inu-Taisho spoke, "You are very brave talking like that someone like me." he smiled showing his canines, "And I admire that." Kirei's eyes remained cool with no emotion, like stones colored by the sun.
Inu-Taisho's eyes softened, "Please malady, give me a chance, and I will prove to you that I am worth for you." "Funny," Kirei said tartly, "Usually is the woman that has to do the proving to the man." "I am not like other men malady." With that he again took her hand an d kiss it tenderly.
'This demon is a fool...' Kirei thought with much sadness, 'He's so nice and gentle,...and hansom too...maybe I should give him a chance.' Keeping her face cool she said, "If you wish Lord Inu-Taisho, but as I said I don't have a choice so it's useless."
"With me malady," He said, "You do have a choice, if you find me unworthy of you love I will leave you in peace but do give me a chance. And please, you do not have to call me 'Lord', just Inu-Taisho." He smiled.
Kirei only stared with her cool gaze back at him. "Why don't you show me the rest of this beautiful garden?" Kirei looked out over the pond, "I guess I will show you..." They stood and began to walk along the path. They walked along side each other and Inu-Taisho managed to actually start a conversation with this silent demon. And even thou Kirei seemed to get more comfortable in talking with him she sill did not show an ounce of emotion. After a moment Inu-Taisho asked, "malady Kirei, why do you not smile?"
She blinked once and stopped walking to look at him. He turned to face her. "Why do you ask?" You can never answer any of my questions without asking one back can you." Inu-Taisho chuckled.
"I guess not..." she answered simply. "Please," Inu-Taisho said with kindness, "Smile for me."
Kirei hesitated and stared into the demon lord's eyes for a moment and then slowly she let a smile play on her face. "You are so much more beautiful when you smile." After that was said she quickly frowned again and looked away. Inu-Taisho gently took hold of her chin and lifted her face up. She raised her eyes to meet his. He leaned over and pressed his lips against hers and held her in a tender kiss.
Inu-Taisho pulled away slightly for a moment, "You should smile more often..." Kirei had her eyes half closed as she said, "My lord....I..." "You don't have to call me lord..." he kissed her again.
She had made her decision, just as he had made his...
Lord Inu-Taisho rode his black stallion across the never-ending lush green fields. Up ahead of him and his horse was a forest he would have to pass through and once he was out of the forest he'd be in another dog demon's territory. But, of course this dog demon that ruled these new lands was an ally of Inu-Taisho's. The dog demon name was Lord Kori.
Lord Kori was much older than Inu-Taisho and there for had ruled much longer than Inu-Taisho. He was wiser and for those who did not know him well thought of him to be an ice cold demon. But, his heart was warm and kind to his friends and family. About 16 years ago the Lord Kori's mate had given birth to a beautiful daughter who they named Kirei-Tsuki. The name meant Beautiful Moon, because she had been born with the marking of a blue crescent moon on her forehead. They often called her Kirei for short.
That was the reason Inu-Taisho was coming to visit them. Lord Kori had offered Inu-Taisho to take Kirei as his mate. Lord Inu-Taisho had said he'd spend three days there and see if he would want to have her has his mate.
He soon arrived at the entrance to Lord Kori's Japanese castle. He was welcomed warmly by everyone there, and Inu-Taisho bowed before Lord Kori who gave a slight bow in return.
"Come young Lord Inu-Taisho, and eat with me and of course my daughter, Kirei." Inu-Taisho followed the great dog demon down many halls and through many rooms to the royal dinning area.
Inu-Taisho was of course still very young in demon years. He may be 19 in human years but that was a small number to old demons like Lord Kori. Inu-Taisho still even had his hot young blood and spirit in him where as Lord Kori had in the long years mellowed out into an old and wise demon lord. Though Inu-Taisho himself had started out early in ruling the western lands. Both his father and his mother had been killed in fights with great demon enemies when Inu-Taisho was only 14 years old.
He was devastated by their sudden deaths but with help from his father's scholars and Lord Kori himself, he managed to rule his father's nearly lost kingdom.
The two demon lords entered the dinning room. In the middle of the room was a low oak table with pillows for seating placed around it. The table was a long rectangle shape meant to seat many people but right now only one person sat at the table.
She had for the moment had her head down with her light blue bangs shadowing her eyes. Her blue hair was pulled back in a loose braid that cascaded down to her waist. She was wearing a formal dark green kimono with a golden flower pattern on the right shoulder part and another piece of the pattern on the left side of the skirt part. The kimono was tied with a thick black ribbon and was tied in the back in a bow.
The young girl had heard the two men step in. Inu-Taisho was frozen in his place once he saw the girl lift her head up and her bangs parted to show the crescent moon on her forehead. But what struck him the most were her bright amber eyes. Unlike his which were a dark rich color of amber, her eyes were stunning with their brilliance but they seemed to hold a cold, distant, and... lonely stare. Her fair skin looked soft to the touch. She was very skinny but was perfectly filled out in all the right places.
The 16 year old dog demoness did not smile but lowered her head in respect and said in a rich and lush voice "Konichiwa, Father and Lord..." she looked up at her father, he smiled, "Lord Inu-Taisho my dear Kirei."
"Lord Inu-Taisho, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"A pleasure to meet you to malady." Inu-Taisho kneeled down next to Kirei-Tsuki, who had her head lowered again, and he gently took her right hand and lifted it up so that he could kiss it. Kirei looked up in surprise and did not know what to do when he looked into her eyes.
"Well aren't you a gentleman Inu-Taisho." Lord Kori commented, "Now lets eat."
The three calmly ate for at least an hour. Kirei did not say much but Lord Kori and Lord Inu-Taisho talked well enough. When they were down Lord Kori suggested, "Kirei-Tsuki, why don't you show Lord Inu-Taisho the garden. So that you two may talk and get to know each other."
Kirei looked up at her father, her face was unreadable. "As you wish Father." Inu-Taisho looked across the table to Kirei and wondered why he hasn't seen this girl smile once. He figured she'd be excited to know that she might be my choice for my mate for life. Yet she appears to be...he didn't even know what cause she barely showed any emotion...
'I'll have to bring that out of her I guess' Inu-Taisho thought to himself filling mischievous.
Kirei stood up and said calmly, "Follow me my Lord." Both Inu-Taisho and Kori stood up. "Kirei wait out side for Inu-Taisho I must speak with him for a minute. She nodded her head and left.
"What is it my Lord?" Inu-Taisho asked. Lord Kori sighed heavily, "It's my daughter. She seems so sad and lonely. She rarely gives anyone a smile. I am hoping to find her someone who will love her as much if not even more than I do. And I want her to fully love that man back. But I'm afraid I can never tell whether or not she does or for that matter I can never tell what she's feeling. That is why I'm desperate to see if someone can make her happy. I've tried everything and everyone. You are my last hope Inu-Taisho. I hope you do find someway to love her cause you are a great demon and kind and strong for your age. You would be perfect for her."
Inu-Taisho was taken back by his words, he said, "Lord Kori I'm sure I will fall in love with her. She is so beautiful and even though she doesn't seem to show much emotion I sense that she is strong and worthy of my love." He bowed and said, "Do not fear my Lord, I will win her heart and make her happy."
"Thank you Inu-Taisho." Lord Kori said, "I can tell you will become a great demon one day."
Inu-Taisho gave a proper smile, bowed and left to go meat Kirei-Tsuki in the garden.
Inu-Taisho walked through a door-less opening and found himself in the most beautiful garden he had ever seen. From where he stood a path of light dirt trailed off into a forest of flower-filled trees, bushes with flowers of many colors in them and patches of more types of roses than Inu-Taisho could name. The dirt path headed of straight but then another smaller path broke off to the right where it went by a small pong with lily pads and water grass. Facing the pond under a large cherry tree was a backless bench made of white marble. Sitting peacefully on the bench with amber eyes half closed, watching the fish in the pond, was Kirei-Tsuki.
Inu-Taisho was mesmerized by this demon's beauty. And seeing the pink petals from the cherry tree fall around her, he would not have been surprised if he saw this demon spread wings, and become an angel. Inu-Taisho tightened the high ponytail his long white-silver hair was in and walked over to Kirei-Tsuki.
Kirei did not look up when Inu-Taisho sat down beside her. Instead she continued to watch the orange and white fish swim among the lily stems. Inu-Taisho did not quite know what to say, all he could do was stare at this angelic creature. "Tell me, Lord Inu-Taisho..." He heard Kirei speak, "What is it like where you live? And I would like to know what you are like, for I guess I have no choice but to marry you whether I like it or not."
Inu-Taisho was caught off guard by her words. They were bitter in their sound, "You sound as if you are un happy that I might choose you as my mate. Why is that?" Kirei raised her eyes and glared at him. Those eyes.... like daggers, ready to pierce anything if needed. And right now Inu-Taisho could have sworn they were stabbing him.
"Would you be happy if you did not have a say in who you wish to marry?" she paused, "Oh wait a minute..." she lifted her chin showing her aristocratic attitude, "You are a man so how would you know." Inu-Taisho spoke, "You are very brave talking like that someone like me." he smiled showing his canines, "And I admire that." Kirei's eyes remained cool with no emotion, like stones colored by the sun.
Inu-Taisho's eyes softened, "Please malady, give me a chance, and I will prove to you that I am worth for you." "Funny," Kirei said tartly, "Usually is the woman that has to do the proving to the man." "I am not like other men malady." With that he again took her hand an d kiss it tenderly.
'This demon is a fool...' Kirei thought with much sadness, 'He's so nice and gentle,...and hansom too...maybe I should give him a chance.' Keeping her face cool she said, "If you wish Lord Inu-Taisho, but as I said I don't have a choice so it's useless."
"With me malady," He said, "You do have a choice, if you find me unworthy of you love I will leave you in peace but do give me a chance. And please, you do not have to call me 'Lord', just Inu-Taisho." He smiled.
Kirei only stared with her cool gaze back at him. "Why don't you show me the rest of this beautiful garden?" Kirei looked out over the pond, "I guess I will show you..." They stood and began to walk along the path. They walked along side each other and Inu-Taisho managed to actually start a conversation with this silent demon. And even thou Kirei seemed to get more comfortable in talking with him she sill did not show an ounce of emotion. After a moment Inu-Taisho asked, "malady Kirei, why do you not smile?"
She blinked once and stopped walking to look at him. He turned to face her. "Why do you ask?" You can never answer any of my questions without asking one back can you." Inu-Taisho chuckled.
"I guess not..." she answered simply. "Please," Inu-Taisho said with kindness, "Smile for me."
Kirei hesitated and stared into the demon lord's eyes for a moment and then slowly she let a smile play on her face. "You are so much more beautiful when you smile." After that was said she quickly frowned again and looked away. Inu-Taisho gently took hold of her chin and lifted her face up. She raised her eyes to meet his. He leaned over and pressed his lips against hers and held her in a tender kiss.
Inu-Taisho pulled away slightly for a moment, "You should smile more often..." Kirei had her eyes half closed as she said, "My lord....I..." "You don't have to call me lord..." he kissed her again.
She had made her decision, just as he had made his...