"My Lady, why do you insist on leaving the castle without protection?" Izayoi felt a hand being placed on her shoulder. She sighed and once again looked at the moon. Such beauty, she recalled.

"My Lady? Is there something that ails you?" the guard asked, concern on his face. He was unable what the Lady was thinking. Her face held nothing but blankness.

"No, I came out here for some fresh air, I didn't want to pry you from your duties," Izayoi looked behind her and smiled. Saddened that they did not trust her more. The trust they gave her was like that of a small child, like she wasn't a mature enough individual.

"Come my Lady, I will escort you back to your room," Izayoi sighed and reluctantly turned around

When Izayoi finally decided that she could no longer bear the thought of sleep, she rose. Raising her hands above her head, she stretched and yawned. Restless. The night was awful. Still she couldn't shake the image of that wonderful demon, if that was what it was, from her mind. Getting out of her bed was easier then she expected. Still the though of meeting a demon could tear her to shreds, its captivating beauty should not draw her in. Slipping on her favourite pale blue kimono embroidered with sliver cranes, she sighed. Takemaru would return soon. In a way she was excited and in another way, she was relieved. However the emotions she felt were too complicated to be explained. She was excited because finally she would be able to spend her time with someone and be able to talk with him. Relieved for the reason that now she would no longer have to run the Northern part of the country. She was bad at ruling, and she knew it. Izayoi walked across the wooden floor and studied herself in her over sized mirror. She dabbed a bit of red paint on her lips and then a bit of blue shadow along the lids of her eyes. Stepping back a bit, she looked harder and then blinked. This particular kimono always seemed to make her face pale. Once again she slipped into her thoughts as she left her quarters. Was she meant for something more? Or was doomed to live this life and die of boredom. She closed her violet eyes and smiled a bit. Well, she had made this far the gods might have something else for her, or they might not, she wished they could through an interesting twist at her someday.

Finally the rain has stopped. I hope this won't slow down Takemaru's travels back home. I hope he is safe. Izayoi had managed to sneak away from the castle and sit amongst her flowers. She needed to think. Not to mention the rain had now let up, it was raining all morning, and she was sick of it. She did like the rain, but it had been raining the last four days, and Izayoi thought that maybe they could use some sunlight. Amaterasu must be as bored as she was. Birds chirped above her and she smiled. One landed near her and she held out her palm. The bird carefully approached her hand, eyes wide with curiosity. Tentatively it moved into Izayoi's hand and looked up at her with wide black eyes. Then it hopped onto her index finger and began to sing. Suddenly it got scared and flew away. Izayoi looked was saddened, but she brushed it away. She turned around feeling another presence, and jumped slightly. Standing behind her was Kenji. His old face twisted into a smile and he nodded to her. Izayoi looked away and her mouth turned into a scowl. She just wanted to be left alone…

"Hello Kenji, is there a problem?" Izayoi stood up, careful not to step on her hem with her shoes. Something that she was famous for back home.

"My Lady, I thought it would interest you that, your husband's messenger has come to report that he should return home within the hour," Kenji turned around. His grey eyes fell on the birds flying near the pond.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" she tried to sound cheerful "Perhaps I'll go to the market until I hear the drums."

"Then I will send an escort," Kenji turned around and walked closer to Izayoi. She sighed then turned around to face the old man. She is like that of a small child, impossible to please.

"No, I want to go alone," Izayoi smiled, she had to make this look convincing. She didn't want to be followed, stalked or watched by anyone. She just wanted to have fun, like she used to do before her marriage and she became Lady of the Northern Lands.

"But My Lady-…"

"No, I want to go alone," Izayoi, said firmly and she crossed her arms "I do not wish to discuss it further." Sometimes you have to be firm to get what you want. Izayoi hated to act like a stubborn child but it was the only way.

"Yes My Lady," Kenji bowed, turned then his back to her. A fool, he thought, what did that foreigner know? She saw him walk away; she merely shook her head. Though the vibe she got from him seemed like he was insulting her being.

Izayoi looked behind her. She could have sworn she heard someone calling her name. Brushing it off she turned her attention back to the shopkeeper. She took out a few small coins and dropped them into the elderly lady's hand. Izayoi watched the old woman close her hand into a fist and watched the wrinkled old hand disappeared. The old woman looked up at her and smiled nervously, her eyes showed wiriness and nervousness. Her eyes held that of a hard life, she could see the labour that this woman must have done in her life. But as Izayoi tired to make her smile more sincere, her eyes clouded over with fear, like she expected Izayoi to call the guards on her at any moment. The old woman smiled again, nervously, with her eyes locked on the ground. The village people always had to respect their Lady, they weren't allowed to disrespect her or they would face the dyer consequences of their poor actions. Still, Izayoi would rather them speak their minds then pretend to be keen on her. Everyone was afraid of her. Was it because she came from another village in the south? They didn't trust and outsider? Izayoi sighed. They all hated her. She picked up the blue shadow, of which she was almost out of, and bowed to the elderly lady. She didn't know what she could do to make them trust her. They all trusted Takemaru, shouldn't they believe in her too? Izayoi shook her head. It was because he was born and raised here, she was not. She was, and always would, be a foreign person to which they could never trust. She was different to them, even if she was their Lady, their ruler. What could one do when you have no one on your side?

Izayoi walked down the busy streets where she received cold and deceitful glares. Easily they all wanted to yell at her for something she had done wrong while their Lord was away. She kept her eyes on the ground. Almost the whole portion of the village had black brown hair and soulful light brown eyes, including her husband Takemaru. But she, a Southerner, had ebony black hair and soft violet eyes. It only added more complications to her being unwelcome. She felt like a small child being picked on by an older sibling, however, instead of only one or two siblings, there were almost two thousand siblings. Picking, taunting, glaring, shouting and laughing at her. It hurt her deep inside, to know that they would never accept her. Maybe once she bore Takemaru a son they would change their minds. But what if the fates where horrible to her, what if she bore a daughter? What then? She pushed that thought out of her mind. She would deal with it when and if that time occurred. But they probably would hate him or her too; after all, he was not of pure decent. Izayoi brushed past another shopper on the road. But after they had their heir, then maybe they would finally accept her as one of them. She didn't really care about the castle dwellers, they had to like her, and even then, she didn't care if they didn't; it was her people, the ones that weren't so fortunate to live a high life. She wanted them to like her, because she liked them, all of them. Maybe that was selfish of her to think that.

Izayoi stopped short at one of the corners in front of a small table. It sold fruits. Baskets lined up along the front the table to greet welcomed customers and to interest them in buying the sweet fruits. Izayoi looked past all the people and then saw a small girl reaching into one of the baskets of apples. But a large man, who grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out from underneath the stall, she had been caught. Izayoi could see sheer terror in her large brown eyes. Her long hair bounced along her back as she struggled to get away. Izayoi closed her eyes as the man backhanded the girl across her face. She needed to help the small girl, but how? Izayoi walked up to the stall with a firm look in her eyes, she was going to help this poor street urchin. As soon as the man caught sight of her, he let the small girl go and shoved her behind him. His small eyes closed and he smiled at her. Too late for that, I saw what you did to that girl. Izayoi rolled her eyes. Perhaps asserting herself, would earn her respect.

"Ahh, My Lady, come to buy my many fruits? Tell me what it is you long for, I guarantee I have it for you!"

"I'd like a dozen apples please and a request for forgiveness," Izayoi crossed her arms and closed her eyes, which she quickly reopened. True this man towered over her, she was small, but she felt firmness in her voice, and that was causing the man to shift uncomfortably.

"P-pardon me, My Lady?"

"A dozen apples and an apology." she repeated.

"An apology? To whom?" the man's voice deepened as he wiped the smile from his face.

"The small girl you have just struck with your anger," Izayoi pointed behind him. On cue the girl stepped out from behind him and stared at the ground.

"But My Lady, she is nothing but a urchin, I think it is she who owes me an apology." the man forced himself to remain calm. Yet his cheeks were tinged red with anger. His small eyes shone with malice as if he himself was planning something else. By now half of the market had surrounded the three in hopes to get a glimpse of their Lady taking on a lowly shop owner.

"Perhaps, but if you had not struck her-…" Izayoi widened her eyes as the man cut her off.

"The little filth needed to learn some manners!" the man yelled, all calmness was gone.

"May I have my apples please?" Izayoi responded with a flat tone. The man gaped at her then turned around. He stuffed some apples into a basket and then turned back to Izayoi. He looked beside him to find the small girl gone and clutching Izayoi's pale azure kimono, tears were starting to from in her eyes, a large crimson welt on her face. The man shoved the apples at Izayoi who took them from his grasp and smiled kindly. Then she dug into her kimono and pulled five gold coins. She placed them into the man's large hands. He stared at the coins with respect and shame.

"My Lady this it too much, I ask only for two-…"

"The other three are for your apology to this small child," Izayoi replied. She heard the man snort and then roll his eyes. A murmur of words began around the crowd as they watched the man and waited for his apology.

"Sorry." he muttered and then the girl gave a small grin. Izayoi smiled and watched the man turn around and go back to his fruits. Izayoi balanced the basket in one hand and took the girl's hand in the other. She led her away from the man and out of the crowd. Their eyes wide and words still ongoing.

Walking for a little bit then stopping in front of a young lady selling flowers, she let go of the girl's hand and bent down to her level.

"What's you name little one?" Izayoi asked and she placed a hand on her red cheek. The girl flinched but soon relaxed.

"It's Suzu My Lady."

"That's a beautiful name."

"Thanks."

"Tell me Suzu, why were you stealing apples?" Izayoi asked. She watched Suzu fidget for a bit with her hands. She looked around her surroundings and didn't look Izayoi in the eyes when she spoke.

"Because I'm hungry. I only did it to help my younger brothers, our parents are dead, my daddy was killed in the war and my mommy died from a sickness. It's only me and my three brothers," at the mention of her parents, Suzu began to cry. Her pale cinnamon like eyes glassed over and soon the tears wouldn't stop. "I only want to care for them, but we don't have any money to buy food."

"Oh Suzu, don't cry, it will be okay, tell you what? Take these apples home with you okay?" Izayoi handed Suzu all the apples she bought. She took out a small cloth and wiped her eyes with it.

"But-…" tears still fell. Izayoi wiped them away with her fingers next.

"And this too Suzu," Izayoi once again dug into her kimono and pulled out a small black pouch. Suzu took it and opened it up. In it was money, and plenty of it. Suzu's eyes widened and she smiled.

"Thanks My Lady!" Suzu gave Izayoi a hug with caught her off guard, but she welcomed it anyway. "I'd better go, I'll need to give these to my brothers!"

"Take care Suzu!" Izayoi called after her as she began to run off down the streets. Izayoi stood up and began to walk out of the market. That's when the taunting and snide remarks started again. She felt her face burn and she quickened her pace. She was not safe anywhere. Then she heard the thunderous drums. He was back! Izayoi smiled and relief washed over her. She almost ran out of the main gates. She faintly heard their laughter and it echoed through her mind. Not safe anywhere…

Izayoi sat on the steps and rested her elbows on her knees. Both hands were on her cheeks and she was nodding off. She knew she heard the drums, she just knew it. She grew bored of staring at the massive wooden doors that led into the thick and dangerous forest. It was rumored that many great and terrible demons lived there. She had never ventured there before but she had always wanted to. When the adventure spark had hit her. It would be like a grand adventure, she closed her eyes, like that was ever going to happen. She heard the wooden doors rust as they were forced a part to let in the travelers that sought shelter. Her eyes snapped open and she stood up. Finally her husband had returned. She quickly ran down the steps, careful not to trip, and to the main gates.

They seemed to torture her because they were opening slowly. Finally after agonizing minuets, she saw Takemaru's chocolate horse trot into the main courtyard, after him rode in the surviving members of his army. Wounded men staggered in after those on horseback. The smell of blood reached her nose and she immediately felt sick and stopped. She gave a small cough and took a deep breath. She saw Takemaru's horse ride up to her and she smiled. That's when she noticed another pair of arms around his middle. Making his jaded armor stand out more. They were slender hands and arms; they belonged to a woman. Perhaps she was wounded and Takemaru took pity on her, maybe she was with child and he saved her from death. Izayoi didn't know, but she would do her best to make the girl's stay in the North more enjoyable.

She waited for Takemaru to dismount his steed and come over to greet her. However, when the horse neared her, he merely nodded his head at her and continued to the stable. Izayoi felt her jaw drop; she had just been rejected. By her husband! Izayoi felt her cheeks burn with anger and she watched as the young girl snuggled closer to Takemaru and rested her head on his broad shoulders. Izayoi stomped up the stairs and stood at the doors. She wanted to know what was going on. How dare he bring another woman into their home.

When she finally did see her husband come a round the hedges he led the girl around with his arm around her shoulders. She was smiling broadly and he was grinning too. However, Izayoi's suspicions about the girl being with child were false, as were the thoughts of her being wounded. She looked to be in perfect health. When Takemaru caught sight of Izayoi's tinted cheeks, he quickly wiped the smile from his face. The girl, interested in what Takemaru was staring, also stopped grinning.

"Hello Takemaru, my husband, tell me, who is it you have brought with you, home from battle?

"Oh, ummm, Izayoi, I'd like you to meet Hazuki. Hazuki, this is Izayoi,"

Izayoi smiled coldly, "I'm his wife, I guess he forgot to mention that. Welcome to our home Hazuki, please allow me to invite you inside, you're welcome to have a bath, after all you must want to relax and I assure you that you are most welcome here." That came out far easier then she expected. Must have been the amount of times she had said it over the years.

"Thank you my Lady" Hazuki bowed deeply and Izayoi led her inside. Izayoi glared at Takemaru and then turned her back towards him

It had been a long day and Izayoi was ready for sleep. She had helped Hazuki around the castle and lent her clothes to reside in. She helped her work the bath and styled her hair. Hazuki never said much; she was a very quiet girl, and quite pretty as well. Her brown black hair was long and dark, and it had a nice shine to it. Her grey eyes slanted up a bit more and gave the illusion that her eyes were big. Her face was round and soft and pale too. But her lips were full; they made Izayoi jealous. She was a slender girl, but not bony, the kimono looked like it fit her awkwardly though. When Izayoi had presented her at dinner she saw the look in Takemaru's eyes. Lust. It sickened her. She was supposed to be the only one he looked at. He was being overly friendly with her and that put her in a bad mood. Flirting was growing between the too. She excused herself from dinner early and Takemaru never even inquired why, he just kept grabbing Hazuki's hands and laughing with her. Her smile towards him never waned and she began touching his face. Izayoi watched them from behind the dinning hall doors at them. Her eyes widened as Setsuna planted a kiss on her lips. Izayoi gasped. That…that b-bastard! How dare he! Izayoi ran from her hiding spot and into the garden where she collapsed and cried. He betrayed her! That two timing, bastard!

After hours of letting her tears fall, after letting all the agony she had experienced while being here, she looked up at the sky. Night had long since fallen, but she was too upset to go inside, but now, loneliness had taken its toll and she was ready to be in Takemaru's arms. She stood up and vigorously wiped away the tears. No one had looked for her. She opened the doors that led to the narrow corridor to her room. She was more then ready for sleep. Her eyes were red from crying and they were also puffy. The wood creaked under her weight and she saw the guard disappear around the corner and she smiled. Stopping in front her door she heard giggling. What is going on in there? Quietly she opened the door and covered her mouth so she wouldn't scream out. What she saw horrified her. Hazuki was atop Takemaru, and she wasn't wearing any clothes! Izayoi widened her eyes and felt more tears fall. She backed out of the room quietly and she slid the door shut again. She was breathing heavily and she chocked back a sob. She couldn't shake the image from her head and she ran down the hall and turned right. She ran to the southwestern corridors that lead to the market. They may not be anyone out now, but she could use the walk. She threw open the doors and ran down the steps. Her ebony hair stuck to her face where her pure tears fell. Betrayed. She was so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she didn't notice a hand cover her mouth. She was forced to stop and couldn't scream to alert anyone. She felt another presence beside her and she widened her eyes.

"Well, well, well, looks like we caught ourselves a Princess,"

So you may have noticed that I have revamped the story a bit. It was sorely needed. Well I hope you enjoy the revisions. I forgot to post this in the first chapter.