-0000

A sliver of hope filled up in her heart, she leaned forward as he whispered into his ear. Just then the screen door snapped open revealing the tall and gorgeous form of Sesshoumaru.

"Is something wrong, I heard Midori screaming" he trailed off and observed the small dinning room was askew. Blood pooled on the table and dripped on the woven floor. Arashi's hands were covered with drying blood and there was a stain on the wall from a bowl of miso. Some of the dishes were broken and both Midori and Arashi were huddled in the corner. His son very close to the older girl

Sesshoumaru's brow rose and Arashi stood his long hair falling about his shoulders. The cuts on his fingers had already healed.

"I was fighting with Midori, father" he stated, Sesshoumaru heard Midori gasp. She looked at Sesshoumaru with wide frightened eyes.

"And then we made up" Midori said finally struggling to her feet and walking over to Arashi kissed his cheek. Sesshoumaru watched his son go from white to red to purple in a few seconds.

He wasn't amused "I heard that Midori told you about your engagement"

Arashi's pleasant face winced "Yes, miso was aimed at my head. As well as some things spoken." Arashi finally took his eyes away from his father and looked to the floor, Midori stood beside him, white with fear.

"I heard them all, the whole mansion heard everything, since the screens are so thin here."

A hand touched his shoulder, fingers tipping up his chin "I don't want you planning anything Arashi. I can always tell Tsuki that the both of you are an unsuitable match. You don't have to marry her, unless you two want to wait and see now that this little squabble has finished itself."

Sesshoumaru then turned to the tall girl who looked to the floor, her lower lip quivered "It is up to you Princess" he said smiling, her head snapped up with shock.

"You, after all my friends daughter, and I know that women don't get much say in their own destinies even ones who are demons of a great land."

Midori felt the tears fill up in her eyes, Sesshoumaru reached up and wiped them away.

"No more despair little princess, decide."

Midori turned to Arashi and met his golden eyes "I-I want to stay."

Sesshoumaru grinned "Well then be on your way, Satsumi has just made some more lunch for the both of you. Since all of it has ended up and the walls."

Despite the seriousness of everything Arashi laughed, Midori began to smile and Sesshoumaru sighed

"Get out of here!" he cried and the two children let, the screen door closing on that overly long kimono that Midori wore.

0000

Over a true dinner in the peace of the Zen garden Arashi finally brought up the question

"Why did you kiss me?" he asked bluntly taking a bite of his tempura. Midori paused in mid bite.

"It seemed the right thing to do, it doesn't mean anything."

Arashi continued to chew and swallowing "But I thought…"

"You thought I secretly liked you, please" she snorted, stuffing a mouthful of rice in her delicate mouth.

Arashi felt his cheek still burning and wiped it for the eighteenth time in the last half hour.

"Then why did you stay?"

"Why because I was thinking that you might have potential, since you are turning thirteen soon right?"

"As your friend or husband?"

"Both, but that doesn't mean I have any feelings for you whatsoever." she talked waggling a finger at him.

"If this is what my father wants, then its worth giving a shot. Who knows in two years you might be a worthy candidate in vie for my hand." She said her best snobby tone.

Arashi didn't answer all he wanted to do right now was to leave the mansion and go into the forest where he could practice his magic and sword skills. His brain felt all stupid and cloudy. He was wavering between hitting and yelling at her. And father had told him that he was always to give females the greatest of respect.

"I have to go now" he said standing and abruptly leaving her. She stared at his back in shock and looked down her bowl.

Was the plan they were discussing all for nothing? The one about running away to modern times? Midori settled the bowl down and let her tears fall. What was wrong with her? Why was she so mean to him? Was that is why her father sent her away because she was so terrible… For who could ever love someone so mean as her?

She began to sob and somewhere in the garden a little demon sighed…

This was going to take a lot of work… Jaken thought silently wondering how Arashi could ever tame a shrew like Midori…