Author's Note: I can post again! Sorry for the long haitus but FFN grounded me because of songfics I had posted. So here it is, the new chapter with my humble apology and the promise, barring death, dismemberment or illness, I won't be away so long.

Chapter One: A Queen's Dignity

Senshomi shifted in her sleep when she felt Masami kissed the lids of her eyes. She smiled slightly, pushing her arms far above her head and moaning a little; to encourage him. It achieved it's desired result. She felt Masami's arms fold around her and his weight against her as he continued his attention to her body.

"I had a dream last night." Masami murmured softly between kisses, for it was known Masami had the gift of prophecy. "I saw a son."

Senshomi opened her eyes, and brushed his cheeks lovingly. Senshomi was a beautiful creature, like her mother. Her hair was long and black like the night. Her eyes gleamed purple and red, like amethyst jewels. Across her lids are streaks of magenta that matched. The full lips that form her smile were pink and cruel. Like her mother, Senshomi's white skin was flushed with rose as if the blood within her body was clinging to life despite a cold winter that had surrounded her. On her crown is a moon in first quarter, a dull blue color that seems an afterthought on her unlike Joruri or Masami who own their mark.

Masami was handsome, pale and strong. His crest was Polaris, matching the lapis lazuli of his eyes. Older then Senshomi, Masami had been a constant presence in her life and it seemed natural when they wed. She did not love him, Senshomi loved nothing. She was, after all, destined to wield So'unga, and rule the Western Lands one day. She needed allies, not loved ones.

And Masami's heart was strong enough, and pure enough to love for them both. His heart ruled his mind, and his actions. He above all, understood the terrible burden she inherited and was the only one who dared remain by her side through it all. He was content in this.

And in times like this when she was not Joruri's daughter, merely his wife, Masami could sometime imagined he saw love in her eyes. He took it from the way, if allowed; Senshomi would stare into his eyes until the world ended. And she allowed him to believe this. It made quiet times like this more pleasant.

"You saw a child." Senshomi asked, sitting up. This was not an easy task under Masami, who clung to her as if afraid she would breeze away like vapor. "Our child?"

"You…your child." He told her. "But it was not truly yours."

"I don't understand."

"It was a stolen child." Masami shut his eyes tighter. He looked pained, desperate, as if someone had struck his heart. She had never seen him act so disheveled, so frightened. It made her shiver a little. When he opened them again, he turned back to Senshomi and leaned closer, pressing his lips to hers.

Senshomi tasted his tears as he pulled away. Her hand instantly fell to the sword lying beside her. "Tell me what's wrong, Masami."

"I don't need to." He answered dully. He stood quietly, resigned and motioned ahead of them. "Usagi and Inutaisho will."

Senshomi pulled her kimono on quickly then, and rose to greet the pair as soon as they appeared from behind the woods. She folded her arms, searching for Joruri. Usagi wore red, and blues; the robes he wore during celebrations and festivals. Inutaisho wore jet black and simple robes. Mourning robes. The sword on his hip was peace-bonded.

Senshomi shuttered.

The sword on his hip was So'unga.

"Where is Joruri?" She demanded, throwing her darkest glare at Inutaisho. "For you to wear that blade is forbidden! Where is my mother! What's happened to her?"

Masami's words were quieter by far. His voice held no passion. "O-Takeko, and Nori, do they live?"

Inutaisho met his eyes, respectfully and nodded. He then looked to Senshomi, and studied her. He had in his eyes the look of a Hunter, a Conqueror. Senshomi was so consumed by her questions she never noticed.

"Where is my mother?" She demanded again.

"A long time ago, your family took So'unga because no other could control such a terrible weapon." Inutaisho said slowly, and carefully. He was not a politician, not a man of fine words and great understanding. He was a solider, a general. His sun rose and set with the welfare of his army, his people. He saw a problem, he addressed it. He saw a need, he filled it. It was the way of the warrior, the acts of a decent man. "But somewhere, you lost your way. The protection you offered became tyranny. Your ideals became lost."

Senshomi's eyes darted to the sword on the ground. She cursed herself for neglecting to arm herself when Inutaisho and Usagi first appeared. Now all she had were her words. No matter. She was a ruler, and in her use, words could be just as deadly as a blade. "And this is where you enter, is it?" She demanded. "The Western Lands great hero?"

"I don't know what it is to be a hero." He returned. "I'm a soldier. This is a wrong I refuse to abet anymore."

"You mean to kill me then? Is that it?"

"No." It was then the Inutaisho straightened. His hand found So'unga's hilt and rested there. Senshomi arched a brow, and looked out of the corner of her eye to Masami. Her husband was watching Usagi. She didn't like how this looked. Inutaisho met her eyes when he spoke, and it stung like a strike to the face.

"Your family has the loyalty of powerful Youkai. I have only So'unga and those kept in chains by your name." Then, with a beat, he finished. "And those I've beaten in your family's name. We both could amass great armies, and plunge the Western Lands into a civil war."

"It is wise," Senshomi hissed, "that you acknowledge the war that will come."

"If it does, many will die. The Western Lands hold many lives within the borders." He inhaled and paused. Senshomi sensed his uneasiness with words, his unwillingness to reveal his full plan or appear weak in front of her. She snorted. No matter what, he was still the slave she knew him to be. He looked at her. "I would wish to spare these lives."

"How?" Masami spoke, looking up suddenly. His eyes had brightened. He had seen hope and now was hungry for it. He ignored Senshomi's glare. "How would you protect the Lands?"

The Dog General turned, and met Masami's eyes. The two men stood for a long time in silence as Senshomi and Usagi waited. Usagi shifted, and flexed his fingers hungrily. Senshomi saw the hate in the old Fox's eyes and smirked at him. If she was to die, he would be first under her blade. She half-considered making the first move, while Inutaisho and Masami stared at one another.

Then, she heard the words the seemed to freeze time.

"You mean to displace me." Masami whispered. Senshomi jerked her head towards them, and moved closer to Masami. Her husband closed his eyes, tilting his head, and nodding as his Sight weaved through his vision what was to come. "The Dog General could never get Senshomi's armies on his side, nor could she ever quell the seeds of rebellion you would sow. However, the child you two produce would bring unity to the Western Land."

Inutaisho stepped forward, and when he spoke; it was to Masami. "The child would be the guardian the Western Lands deserve."

"I would never mother a child from you!" Senshomi hissed, pushing forward. "So'unga is mine and with it, the Western Lands. You have no right to steal my birthright and then dare offer peace on these terms! Let my sister be your whore! I am Senshomi!" She turned to Masami then, and stared into his eyes. She was desperate for some form of defiance in his eyes. All she needed was some small signal that he stood beside her. She was childish enough to believe that was all she needed.

But Masami's eyes betrayed him.

She felt herself retreat a little, as she stared into his dark blue eyes. When he reached for her, she shuttered. When she found her voice again, it trembled, and Masami's features distorted. But still she stared into those eyes. Those eyes she imagined she loved, and watched as they betrayed her.

"We cannot defeat So'unga." Masami whispered. "And you know it."

"Yes," She told him. "But I would rather die then be shamed."

"He will give you the son you crave."

"Masami…" She strained. "It will not be our son."

"He will be stronger then So'unga, stronger then many swords combined." Masami murmured, reached for Senshomi's hands and taking them into his. "And when it is his time, this son will command the Western Lands, and expand them greater then Joruri or any of our family."

Senshomi jerked away. "But this child will not be of our line! A second class bloodline," she threw a hateful look to Inutaisho. "A child of Queen's blood mixed with slaves!"

"And it will be his path which line to follow."

Senshomi felt the world darken around her. She had been groomed to lead, groom to accept nothing but greatness and control, and now she stood helplessly as the world she had been groomed to command spiraled away from her. She was left to clutch at the wind. "But I am your wife."

"And you are Senshomi, ruler of the Western Lands first.' Masami told her gently. "Two paths lie before you: fight Inutaisho, and watch these lands burn…or take this," He glanced to the Dog General. "meager peace and save them."

Senshomi studied the hands that clutched her. Then, gingerly she removed her hands and inhaled. "Tell me this is what you want of me, your wife."

Masami struggled with the words before speaking. "I ask this of my wife."

"Tell me this is what you want of me, your kinsman."

"It is."

She raised her head again, catching his eyes. "Now tell me, this is what you would wish of me, as your rightful Queen."

Masami caught her eyes, but only for a moment, before turning away. She nodded a little, and then turned to Inutaisho. Senshomi straightened, capturing all her dignity and pride and refusing to let it go. For now, that is all she had left. She walked towards the General, offering her hand. Usagi grinned. Masami trembled as he fell behind to begin to break camp.

Senshomi looked at Inutaisho. "Well?" She snapped, and then, "Or will you take me into my home in chains as your slave."

The Inutaisho reached forward and took her arm. "You are my equal."

"I am your better, boy. Do not forget that."

Tama ran over the rooftops of the Compound when he heard the convoy approaching. O-Takeko and Nori appeared quietly from Joruri's rooms, dressed in black robes. As they approached, the sunlight caught their eyes, causing O-Takeko and Nori to turn away. Tama pressed himself closer to the rooftops. After a moment, he saw the Inutaisho appear, pushing back the hair from his face and met the two siblings. Nori reached for his sword, but Masami stopped him. They spoke for several minutes. O-Takeko's face shined with betrayal.

He could not have realized then, in his young mind, what would come into past because of this interchange. What Tama did know, what he could tell as he studied the faces of stronger and wiser then he was that he had witnessed betrayal and victory all in one today. And it looked nothing like the songs said it was.

Inutaisho walked away, with Tama's father Usagi behind him. Tama took his chance. He bounded from the rooftop and landed deftly in front of Senshomi. "Hail, my Queen."

"Queen Consort." Senshomi corrected suddenly, favoring him with a sad smile Tama had never seen before. She kneeled down, and took Tama's cheeks into her hands. Ever since he was an infant, he remembered Senshomi's attention to him. "The rules have changed, my dear boy."

Tama frowned a little. "I don't understand."

"One day, you will." She murmured, her sad eyes reaching into his heart and piercing it. She smiled at him, and brushed the hair from his face. "One day it will all make sense."

"What has happened, my Queen?"

"The rules have changed. I have lost…"

"I will defend you!" Tama injected suddenly. "Ask this of me, and I will!"

Senshomi laughed. "Not this time." She leaned closer to him, to share a secret. "But soon and until that day, I give this. I will teach a new word today. You must keep it in your heart, and tell it to my son one day, years from now, when he reclines his head upon your lap and wishes for nothing else but your company. It is then you must warn him never to allow himself to become this word. Do you understand?"

Tama nodded.

"Promise me." She continued. "Promise me you will do whatever is in your power to guard him against this."

"I swear, my Lady."

"I believe you and now I will tell you the word." She said, smiling again. She put her hands on Tama's shoulders and leaned over, kissing him softly on the lips before whispering one word. "Conquered."