Jackie; since so many are interested in the 'good part' I'm initiating a 'good part' count down. 6 chapters (including this one) until the 'good part'. ;)

I try to get better with every story, and my only way of gauging that is reviews. PLEASE! PLEASE! PPPPLLLLLEEEAAASSSEEE! Take two minutes of your time to write a review. Help me out, k? 'sweet smile'

Disclaimer: Okay, let's think for a moment. If I owned Inuyasha, which is fast approaching DBZ (which not just dethroned but utterly demolished Robotech in length) as the longest running anime, would I be writing fanfiction for free? I think not.

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Chapter 19;

… The night of the party….

Miyoiki opened the bundle with her formal attire first, while Rin looked on in excitement. Rin was wearing a new outfit of her own; a white embroidered red silk kimono. Miyoiki tore open the wrapping and unfolded the garment. Both girls could do little more than stare. Miyoiki ran her fingers along some of the finest woven silk she had ever laid eyes on. With trembling hands Miyoiki stepped into the dress.

The color, or colors, were incredible. Every way she moved the dress seemed to shift colors in the lantern light; flashing magenta, blue, white, and silver, all at once. The skirt was double layered. The top layer was split up the front, and parted to frame to underskirt. The back of the dress was cut out, and two sashes of the same fabric connected at the sides of the skirts, criss-crossed her chest, and clasped together behind her back.

The fabric had an opalescent sheen to it, matching her skin. As she moved in it, the skirts flowed around her as though trapped in some unseen current. She found herself nearly dancing around for the feel of it. Rin giggled and squealed, "You're so beautiful, lady Miyoiki!"

Miyoiki could not hold back the bright smile on her face, and she tore into the second package. When she held it in the light the wheels in her head started to turn. It was a beautiful silver necklace, with large dark blue sapphires. It was beautifully crafted, but tarnished slightly around the edges. It was old, perhaps very old. She had a feeling this was important for some reason. She put it on and looked at herself in the mirror again.

"It's beautiful," Rin sighed, "It goes well with your new dress."

"Yes…" Miyoiki started, "It does."

The age of the necklace continued to nag her. Everything else he'd given her was new, so there was something significant attached to this particular item. It was important somehow, which meant… I'm important… I'm important still. She smiled. Accepted my rejection, eh? She couldn't help herself; she was positively glowing with happiness.

Rin looked up at Miyoiki. Sesshomaru and Miyoiki were so beautiful and fascinating. She couldn't help staring dumbly at them from time to time. It seemed natural for them to be together as more than lord and vassal, and she knew that was the way they secretly both wanted it by watching them. Yet they tried so hard not to look at each other, and picked fights to avoid confronting the tension between them. Grown ups are so confusing, even demon grown ups.

"Why haven't you told him?" Rin asked.

"What do you mean?" Miyoiki asked.

"Why haven't you told Lord Sesshomaru that you love him?" Rin asked.

Miyoiki just stood there in shock, she looked at the small girl and said, "I… It's not that simple."

"Why not," Rin asked.

"It just isn't," was the best answer she could give.

Rin scratched her head. Miyoiki decided to avoid further questions and said, "You stay here. I've put up a barrier to hide you, and this area of the castle is off limits. You'll be safe here."

"Yes, lady Miyoiki!" Rin said cheerfully, and Miyoiki made her escape.

………

A knock came at Sesshomaru's door. He easily recognized the scent of an ancient ally. Rootousi (Roo – toe – sigh), was a several thousand year old demon. Technically demons were immortal, but due to constant fighting very few actually lived past their hundredth birthday. Sesshomaru got up and slid open the door saying, "Rootousi, it has been too long."

"Sesshomaru," He said and nodded his hello as he walked into the room.

They sat down for their usual conversation. Rootousi would try to convince Sesshomaru to forgive his father and abandon his pursuit of Inuyasha. Sesshomaru would sit there out of respect and stare blankly at him. Sesshomaru felt a slight surge; a thought that wasn't quite making it to the surface. He tried to concentrate. Rootousi… thousands of years old… Metamorphs!

"Rootousi," Sesshomaru interrupted, "Not that the same conversation we've had every time we've seen each other isn't fascinating but, I need to ask you a question."

Rootousi knew that Sesshomaru would not interrupt without good reason. For one, Sesshomaru respected him; two Sesshomaru didn't like to talk. Rootousi nodded and said, "Go on."

"I need to know everything you know about metamorphs," Sesshomaru said.

"Hmmmm," Rootousi sat way back in this chair and stroked his chin, "Interesting creatures. Always so beautiful and so powerful."

Sesshomaru nodded and Rootousi continued, "As soon as we encountered the first one, and learned its secrets, we set out to slaughter the rest before they came of age. A shame really, they were always so beautiful of spirit too, but it was them or us. Still a shame… Their EYES were so-"

"I need more specific information," Sesshomaru almost growled.

"Why are you so interested in a created race that died far before you were ever born?" Rootousi asked.

"I have one," Sesshomaru answered plainly.

"YOU WHAT?" Rootousi screeched, "That's impossible."

"I assure you that it is in fact possible," Sesshomaru, "And she works for me."

"She's not attached to a sorcerer?" Rootousi asked incredulously.

Rootousi raked a hand back through his hair and sputtered inaudibly. Finally he looked up at Sesshomaru and asked, "Has she gone through any heats?"

Sesshomaru nodded and Rootousi grinned as he asked, "Who did she go after?"

"Me," Sesshomaru answered.

Rootousi hooted with laughter and sputtered, "So, the mighty Sesshomaru finally has a mate, and WHAT A MATE! You lucky bastard."

"I didn't do anything," Sesshomaru growled.

"You have GOT to be kidding," Rootousi said, "No one has EVER said no to a metamorph. That would more self control than even you have."

"I love her," Sesshomaru added softly, sensing that the old demon needed a better explanation.

"You…" Rootousi blinked about a thousand times before he added, " LOVE her?"

"Yes," Sesshomaru admitted.

"You?"

"Yes"

"In love?"

"Yes!" Sesshomaru barked.

Rootousi rocked back into the chair. He did believe Sesshomaru was in love. Sesshomaru was talking and showing emotion. Rootousi smiled and said, "So you are, I see. It's about time, and you couldn't have chosen better… But if you love her, why did you turn her down?"

"She was in heat," He answered, "She didn't know what she was doing."

Rootousi let out a deep sigh, "Your old issue about your father again… When are you going to forgive him?"

"The day I put his bastard son six feet under," Sesshomaru growled, "Are you going to tell me about metamorphs or not?"

"Certainly," Rootousi said, "You should know that she loves you back."

"How can you possibly know that?" Sesshomaru asked.

"It's simple," Rootousi answered, "Metamorphs don't go into heat unless they are in love, and then anyone else that tries to take advantage of her suffers a graphic death. If she's in heat and she went after you, she's in love with you."

Sesshomaru blinked and sat back in his chair. He couldn't help smiling as he asked, "How many times and how often?"

"Once a week until she conceives," Rootousi answered, knowing exactly what Sesshomaru was asking.

"She loves me," Sesshomaru said.

"That's right," Rootousi said, "Is there anything else you want to know?"

Rootousi smiled an aged, wise smile, "No… Nothing else matters does it?"

Sesshomaru smiled back at him. Rootousi scratched his chin and said, "But I don't understand… How did you get her away from her sorcerer?"

"There was no sorcerer," Sesshomaru said.

"There is ALWAYS a sorcerer," Rootousi said, "The story I told you is somewhat incomplete. We tried to capture some of the metamorphs for mates, but the sorcerers killed them with their bonding stones. Those we didn't kill or tried to take as mates, died by their master's hands."

"A small, white, egg-shaped stone?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Yes," Rootousi answered, "Embedded in her chest."

"There is no stone," Sesshomaru answered.

"Well," Rootousi started, "I'll take your word for it, but it doesn't make sense. How can there be a metamorph without a sorcerer."

"It doesn't matter," Sesshomaru said as he stood, "She exists."

Sesshomaru slid open his door and said, "And she's mine."

Rootousi let him walk away. Sesshomaru in love… He smiled and stood up to go to the party.

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Jackie; 5 chapters until the 'good part'!

( ladie Galadriel ) short? You should see some of the 'chapters' I've seen published around here by other authors. I like Jaken, in doses. He definitely could not carry any kind of spin off. A summary of my character analysis on Jaken is that he was originally written for comic relief only, but the depth of his relationship with Sesshomaru, and Sesshomaru's unexpected popularity has made him a deeper character. He is a faithful, dutiful servant, who respects and adores his master with the same code of honor we saw in almost all areas that had a 'feudal era'. I BTW have NO problem with long reviews. I greatly appreciate the time you must have spent and the end result. ( Telekinetic91 ) muhahaha, you're going to need an iron lung. (shoujo22) Yeah I got the same thing for like four days while I was trying to upload 18. I like fanfiction… period. I like so many animes… I am SO addicted. Is there a 12 step program for this? You're welcome on the can-o-wup-arse, patent pending, I got plenty in my EVVVViiiLLLLlll laboratory. I just wish that stupid coffee-drinking monkey would stay out of it. (Trixie) moma's pelt? 'twisted'… that's eh… morbid, but interesting. 'rubs her chin in thought' hmmmm… I wonder if I could make that work. 'ponders' (Princess) We have similar tastes it seems. I looked at your profile and found we had many of the same favorites. Of course I delete old favorites, so some of it wouldn't show if you looked at my list. Great minds think alike ;) (Kawaii) Speaking from experience on my last fanfic, I have found that if I wait at least one week to publish a chapter I get twice and three times as many reviews. If people can prove this standard wrong by reviewing immediately, I will update sooner. (fudge-it) So do I. By my stats I'm being watched by a LOT more people than are showing the consideration of taking two minutes to review. Thank you for letting me know you're still following the story. To quote yoda it "brings warm feelings to my heart."