A/N: And so I return, with more story for you all…I've decided to tear myself away from "Naruto" for a little while just so I could write something here for once. So, let's go ahead and get the disclaimer out of the way…

(Jiraiya shoves his way past everyone)
Me: …
Jiraiya: You forgot about me and went straight to Kakashi!
Me: …just read the damn disclaimer and go away.
Jiraiya: I'm one of the Legendary Three! How dare you treat me so rudely!
Me: Yeah, well it'll be the Legendary Two once I get Tsunade to come and kick your ass, now stop complaining and read the disclaimer! And make it snappy before I get Rin to introduce you to Bokken-sama! And NO RESEARCH on the female readers!
Jiraiya: (Shudders at thought of Tsunade) Aki does not own Inuyasha or Naruto. Nor does she own Dragon Man 180's "Bokken-sama". Aki would also like to give special thanks to her readers for all their love and support to keep the story going.
Me: Your job is done, go away.
Jiraiya: (Poof)

Special thanks to my faithful readers and Dragon Man 180 for being an awesome beta-reader for me! Thanks for all the support everyone!

Dragon Man 180, yeah I know, but she overreacts to everything. (Mei growls at me from the background, which I ignore) Lol, that would work…but I don't think Sesshy would be able to stay conscious through the whole thing. He'd probably faint before it's over…

Kitten, hey, that's alright, I don't mind a bit! How strange! Oh well, that's just the internet's stupidity again! Thanks so much! I will try to get them out sooner! I hope this one is just as good! XD (Don't worry; I caught on from your name…lol…)

Ohiowriter, I'm so glad you understand! Now I don't feel so bad anymore! Yeah, but that really shouldn't be a problem for me, seeing as I don't do anything in the summer. Except that this summer I'll be going to marching band practices at 6:30 pm on Mondays, and I'll have to go to summer school on July 18 for 15 days. I shudder to think of how much work I'll get…and then after that, the two weeks of vacation left will be spent on staying at school because of band camp. And during all this I'm supposed to practice my music…Hehehe…well, maybe I do have a bit of a schedule after all…Thanks so much for the advice and kind words, it truly helped. And thank you for your words of love, support, and encouragement. I'm glad you liked the chapter. Hopefully, it will be just as good. And I don't plan on quitting just yet. But I may take a LONG break. But with you and all my other reviewers showering all this love and support on me, I may not have to! XD But I wouldn't leave you hanging, so don't worry. I'm DETERMINED to finish this fic. Even if it takes 2 years to do it! You're welcome, and I'll definitely keep on going, because I now have renewed faith in my readers. I should be thanking you.

Angela, yeah, I know you love yourself. Yeah, pity her. She must be pitied as always. I'll try.

Riku, well, it's the un-motivation, really. I have too much time and not enough to do with it. Hai, at least I have…that is true Riku-chan. I guess this is the time when authors either start posting like crazy or they just slump over and die in order to balance out the posting authors? I don't know… (Sigh) I'm glad you like it Riku-chan. XD Now you're bringing up points I never thought of there! Hehehe, yeah…I couldn't see anyone else that could fit the job better! I almost had Sesshy in there as a doctor as well, but I decided against it. Awww thanks so much! You make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Luckily, last night-er morning-I couldn't sleep (Didn't fall asleep 'till almost 3:00am…) and FINALLY, a miracle happened. PLOT LINES HAVE FORMED! I can write! Well, it's lack of Inu-kun that I haven't been inspired…I haven't been able to watch any episodes, re-read my mangas, because my mother is home all the time now, and not working as much…but he can stay with you if you like, or you can send him back over my way. Thanks once again, now that I have plot, everything should run smoother! XD Enjoy the chapter!

Kagome's Pup, gaaah! Don't do that! That doesn't help me much! (Runs and hides, leaving you with the chapter)

Inuyashagal, I'm glad you like the story. XD I got your review on the other fic as well, and thank you for reviewing that…Yeah, I just didn't see how to continue the story without Inu-kun. The series is called Inuyasha for a reason, lol…Yup. It was just one of those RANDOM ideas I get…I was just thinking of plot one day and I thought, hey, how about I bring his dad back? And then, there he was…Hai, it is saddening, but as a mini-spoiler, Kagome won't be allowed to take her 'special pills' due to events brewing in the Sengoku Jidai…I'm happy to know my work is appreciated, and here is the next chapter, so please enjoy!

Now chapter twelve!


Chapter Twelve: Division of the West

"Sesshoumaru-sama, you should take a look at this…" A servant called.

The Lord of the Western Lands paused in mid-step, glancing over his shoulder. "What is it?" he asked.

"It appears to be Inutaisho-sama's will."

"Where did you find it?"

"One of the women found it, while she was straightening up your study. Would you like to see her?"

"Iie. Let me see the scroll."

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."

The servant walked up to his lord, holding out the scroll, which Sesshoumaru took, unrolling it, and reading the first few lines.

"Leave me." The taiyoukai commanded.

The servant left his lord alone without saying a word, disappearing as quickly as possible so as to not irritate his lord. Sesshoumaru went to his study, which was empty, and sat in his chair, picking up where he had left off reading.

'Upon my death shall I have these requests: my sons, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha are to locate my sword, Sou'unga, and work together to seal it within the depths of hell where it can no longer be used again. Once that is completed, I ask that the Western Lands be divided amongst my sons. Each will have a part to control and have his own separate empire of the West, with his own palace, army, and servants. As for my daughter, allow her to marry the man she chooses, even if it is seen as unjust to the youkai society. She reminds me so much of my beloved Izayoi. Let no other being, man or youkai, try to steal the love she has already given to someone else, and be certain that she marries her important person and she is looked after by my sons. The Western Lands must always belong to our clan. Never lose them, there are far too many fond memories on these lands that I am unwilling to see sacrificed to a foreign ruler.'

The taiyoukai recalled how he and his half-brother had sealed the sword of hell, slightly smirking to himself. How he had hated having to cooperate with half-breed brother. Now, it seemed like a distant memory, something that had happened in a past life. The demon lord had realized how much he had changed in such a short span of time. Wondering why he changed so dramatically, he found only one answer. Hana. A foolish mortal woman she was back then, but yet she had a strong will and great courage. How she was able to melt his icy heart and change all his views, even grow to like his younger half-siblings, ignoring their half-human sides, a blood that he so despised. He rolled up the scroll with his father's will in mind, walking out of his study, considering the work he had ahead of him.

-

"What did you tell her, Okaa-san?" Kyo asked.

"Only what she needed to know, my son." Megumi replied.

"What do you mean?"

"The risks, Kyoshima, the things she should know…"

Kyo glared at his mother angrily. "Why'd you tell her about that? You know that I wouldn't do anything to hurt her!" he said fiercely.

"I'm sorry, but I just did what I felt was right. I felt that she needed to know…"

"Wait, are you talking about…?" Tenshi interceded.

"Yes…" Megumi replied.

"Oda-san, I don't think that was a good idea…"

"I know, but it had to have been said."

"What is everyone going on about!" Inuyasha asked irritably.

"Oda-san told Mei-chan the risks of having a mate that's in higher rank, power, and blood of herself."

"Nani?"

"Were you listening to anything you were taught about mating?"

"Keh. I had to learn about mating on my own…"

"Oh for the love of-! Damn it! Oda-kun, you should-hey, he's gone!"

It was then that the others realized Kyo had left. No one had noticed him disappear, not even his own mother. It was obvious Kyo had turned into wind and gone after the hanyou girl whom he loved so dearly.

"Well, at any rate, Miyazawa-chan, go find Mei-chan and my son. Kagome, Inuyasha, go back to the shrine with Higurashi-san. There is nothing more that can be said or done at this point…"

"Roger! See you all later!" Tenshi said, exiting the door with a small salute.

Megumi turned, walking back to her office, peering out the window, spotting the hanyou girl and her son in the courtyard several stories below in one another's arms. The earth ryuu could only hope that whatever it was her son had said calmed the poor girl's fears and quelled all doubts. She sighed, putting her clipboard down, rubbing her temples as she collapsed into a chair. It certainly wasn't the outcome she had expected.

-

"Is it all true, Kyoshi-kun?" Mei asked.

"Hai, it is…" The Ryuuyoukai boy replied, looking at the ground sorrowfully.

"I see…"

"Mei, I want you to know, I would never, and I mean never hurt you. So everything my mother said, just forget about it. You don't have to worry…I'd never do that to you…"

"I-I know you wouldn't…b-because…"

"I love you." They finished together.

As if to seal this newfound sense of certainty, the two kissed away one another's pain, finding healing in their love. It was at that moment Tenshi Miyazawa arrived on the scene.

"Well, it looks like you two are back to normal…" she commented with a smirk.

Kyo and Mei turned to the girl, annoyed expressions on their faces from being interrupted. "Shut up Tenshi!" both said in unison.

"Sheesh! Don't be so mean! Honestly, Mei-chan, you are getting married. You can't get married without a decent dress."

"Got any place in mind?"

"Yeah, and the sooner you get off Oda-kun the sooner we can leave!"

The hanyou girl blushed slightly. "Is it coincidence that you arrived right when you did, or did you just wait and pop up at random?" she asked her friend, a slight tone of fierceness in her voice.

"I'll leave you to decide that…"

"Why you-! I'm going to kill you, Tenshi-chan!"

Mei Lhi ran to chase her friend, only to find her nowhere in sight. "Alright, I won't kill you…yet. Come out, and we can go dress shopping…"

"With whose money?" Tenshi's voice asked her from above.

"Ummm…"

"My dad could pay for it. He probably wouldn't care anyway…or…we can charge it to Harukichi's credit card…" Kyo interrupted the two girls, a mischievous grin on his face.

"That second choice does sound awfully tempting, but I'm afraid to think of what he'd do to get back at us for it…" Mei replied.

"Well, then we'll just put it on your dad's card. Come on, before the store closes!" Tenshi exclaimed, sounding rather irked.

The hanyou girl and Ryuuyoukai boy nodded, before quickly glancing around to see if anyone was watching, seeing no one, they leapt to the top of a nearby building, Tenshi appearing a few seconds later.

"This way…"

A few dozen building hops later, the three youkai found themselves in an outdoor shopping district, Tenshi leading the way to a store that sold many types of formal attire, specializing in bridal wear.

Before Kyo could blink, the two girls took off, jumping from rack to rack, looking for the perfect dress. Kyo sighed, sitting in a nearby chair.

"They abandoned you, didn't they?" asked the voice of Kyo's father.

"Yeah…they just ran for it. Hey, when'd you get here, Chichiue?"

"Right around the time I saw you go in."

"Why are you here, anyway?"

"Your mother called me. She was worried about you and the girls. So I took the rest of the day off…"

"Well, pull up a chair, because I don't think those two will be done anytime soon…"

-

"Are you sure about this, anata?" Hana asked.

"Hai, it was Chichiue's wish." Sesshoumaru replied.

"So what are we going to do?"

"I must teach Inuyasha how to behave like a Lord of the Western Lands…"

"And then…?"

"He'll receive half of the West, his share of the lands, along with all the other things Chichiue requested."

Hana nodded in understanding. "Shall I send riders out to inform the servants at the summer palace to prepare it?" she asked.

Sesshoumaru glanced at his mate, giving a short nod. Hana bowed and excused herself out of the room, doing as her husband instructed.

'So much work. So little time…' thought the taiyoukai. He had so many things to do, and less than two weeks to do them. Well, Inuyasha becoming a taiyoukai could wait a little. But the preparations for his sister's wedding, the formal announcement to all the youkai clans, the fights that would be started because of it, the actual wedding ceremony itself, on top of that were his duties as a taiyoukai, instructing his son about being a lord, keeping family relations in check…

All hell would break loose during that time, he mused. The taiyoukai sighed lightly; time to go back to work.

-

"So what'd you get?" Kyo asked, trying to peer into the large shopping bag.

"No peeking!" Mei Lhi scolded.

"Why not?"

"It's a surprise!"

"If you say so…"

"So I assume you found something you liked?" Ryouji inquired.

The two girls nodded fervently, equally big grins on their faces. Ryouji laughed at the girls' antics, while Kyo smiled at them. The four of them walked out to the busy street, climbing into Ryouji's car, heading back to the shrine.

-

"Tadaima mina-san!" Four voices called out.

Kagome ran up to greet them, Inuyasha following a few steps behind.

"I was so worried, Mei-chan! You'd been gone for so long!" The miko girl exclaimed pulling the hanyou girl into a hug.

"Well, I'm not dead or anything, but-Ack! Dress, Kagome! Dress! Watch the dress!" Mei Lhi said frantically.

"Dress?" Kagome asked confusedly, releasing the girl.

"We went shopping! Wedding shopping!" Tenshi replied in a singing voice.

Kagome's eyes lit up with excitement. "What did you get? Can I see it?" she asked eagerly.

Mei Lhi nodded. "Quick, we'll go upstairs!" she said.

"How come Kagome-chan gets to see it and not me?" Kyo asked, pretending to sound hurt.

"I told you it was a surprise silly! And besides, it's bad luck."

And in a loud fit of giggles, a swish of fabric, all three of the girls disappeared, their laughter heard from the floor above.

-

"It's so beautiful Mei-chan!" Kagome said in awe.

"That's what I said when I saw her put it on the first time!" Tenshi said proudly.

"You two are impossible…" Mei Lhi muttered.

"I heard that!" Tenshi snapped playfully.

"Yeah, I know you did. Now come and help me…"

"Will the veil even fit in the room?"

"It will, we'll just have to coordinate with the space we have, that's all."

"How long is the veil anyway?" Kagome asked.

"Ummm…I think around twenty-five to thirty feet or so…" Mei Lhi answered.

"Wow, that's long!"

"Yup it is! I picked the length!" Tenshi said excitedly.

Just then the door opened and all three girls screamed. Higurashi-san entered, the girls calming down instantly. Higurashi-san laughed at the girls' reactions before closing the door. "I thought you might need some help." she said with a smile.

"Arigatou, Higurashi-san! We do!" Mei Lhi and Tenshi chorused.

"We're having a space management problem at the moment…" Kagome said.

"Hai, I can see that. I'll see what I can do to help…"

After a few minutes of everyone shuffling around the room as if in a game of musical chairs, all the while moving furniture this way and that, together they all had made room for all of them to fit into the room comfortably, including Mei Lhi's veil.

"Well, you should probably take that off now, Mei-chan, before it gets dirty or something or other…" Kagome suggested.

The hanyou girl nodded in agreement, the girls and Higurashi-san helping her out of it so as to prevent the dress from becoming wrinkled. The dress was put away, and Mei Lhi grabbed some clothes to put on, settling on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans before going downstairs to join the others.

-

"You're in jeans." Kyo said.

"Yeah, and?" Mei Lhi asked him.

"I thought that was forbidden…"

"It is. But it's not like Hana-chan's here to-"

"-Here to yell at you about it?" Hana's voice asked.

Mei Lhi screamed in surprise, leaping into the air a few inches before freezing, her eyes wide, mouth gaping open, and face as white as a sheet, she slowly turned to face her friend, who stood behind her. (A/N: Gaaah…too many verbs…)

"I didn't know you lived here too, Hana-chan…" The hanyou girl said nervously.

"You underestimate my life expectancy, Mei-chan! I'm almost insulted…"

"I'll go change now…"

"Yes, that would be a good idea…"

The hanyou girl laughed nervously before bolting upstairs, coming back down in a skirt.

"That's better…now where did those little rascals run off to this time?" Hana said, the last part more uttered to herself than everyone else in the room.

"Who are you looking for?" Tenshi asked.

"My four children…" The miko-youkai replied.

"You've got another one? When was this?" Inuyasha asked.

"In a sense, yes, and it's been since this era began…the fool…"

"What's the baby's name?" Kagome asked.

"Oh, no he's not a child. But he's acting like one…"

Mei Lhi burst out laughing.

"I see someone's got issues…" Tenshi said, cocking an eyebrow.

"No! It's not that! Hana-chan you're so mean!" The hanyou girl managed through a fit of laughter.

Hana sighed, "Hai, I know. But it's true…he's a child now…and so I've got four pups to look after…"

"What the hell are you both talking about?" Inuyasha demanded.

"Sesshoumaru!" The hanyou girl and miko-youkai replied in unison.

At that moment, Sesshoumaru walked in with a sneezing fit, their three children in tow.

"My! I've never seen the house so full of guests!" Higurashi-san said in surprise. "I'm not even sure we'll have enough room for you all."

"Yeah, it is getting pretty crowded in here, and I can't breathe!" Tenshi agreed.

"There you are, Tenshi! Come, we're leaving!" Kouga called from behind Sesshoumaru.

"We've been worried!" Ayame added.

"Is there a reason for everyone just showing up at random?" Mei Lhi yelled out, almost everyone wincing from the magnified sound in their sensitive ears.

And so, the Higurashi shrine was in an uproar. Like moths to a flame, more familiar faces showed up, and Higurashi-san, Kagome, Mei Lhi, and Tenshi were faced with cooking the largest dinner they had ever made. In all, they served eighteen people that night, including themselves.

-

"Inuyasha, I have a matter of importance that I must discuss with you." Sesshoumaru said.

"What now?" The hanyou asked irritably.

"One of the servants stumbled across Chichiue's will. And it appears that Chichiue wished for the Western Lands to be divided, and you would receive half, and begin your own empire. It is in my best interest and yours, that we obey Chichiue's final request. That is why, starting today, you'll be receiving lessons on how to be a proper taiyoukai."

"Lessons from who?"

"I will be instructing you, of course. I don't like it any more than you, so do not even let the thought cross your mind that I am doing this for my own personal enjoyment. I would rather spend my time in my study with a good scroll and a cup of tea, or with Hana-chan, as I'm sure you'd wish to spend your time with your wench…"

"Oi! That 'wench' is Kagome!"

The taiyoukai ignored him, going into a lengthy lecture about being a lord.

-

"The formal announcement will be made this evening. Sesshoumaru has invited a representative of each clan here, to the West for a meeting." Hana informed everyone.

No one needed to think twice as to what formal announcement was in question. They all knew which one it was.

"Hana-chan, I'm afraid I can't be there…" Mei Lhi said quietly, glancing at her brother.

"Oh, I can't go either." The hanyou added.

"Why's that? You both don't appear to be sick or injured, and neither of you have plans for the night…"

"The moon, Hana-chan…it's our night again…" The hanyou girl explained.

Hana nodded in understanding. "Kyo, you should stay with them. If you are at the dinner and Mei-chan is not, there would be questions. At the same time, you can protect the both of them just in case a few guests decide to wander about with hostile intentions."

The Ryuuyoukai boy nodded, Hana leaving the room.

"I hate this…" Inuyasha grumbled.

"Hate what, Nii-chan?"

"Everything."

"Now you can't hate everything, what about me? And Kagome-chan? Your friends?"

"Mei-chan's right, Inuyasha. You don't hate me, do you?" Shippou said.

"No, but you're annoying as hell, and you just like popping up anywhere you please."

Everyone in the room sighed. Some things never change, they all thought at once.

-

"Thank you for inviting us, Sesshoumaru-sama. It is an honor to be here." The Tora no Taisho said.

Sesshoumaru nodded in acknowledgment, watching as more clan heads arrived.

Once everyone was seated, each clan head looked to the taiyoukai, each wanting to know why they were there. Looking down the table, Sesshoumaru saw Kouga, Ayame, Ryouji, Hakaru, Hinoki, the Tora no Taisho, along with many other clan heads whose faces were familiar that the taiyoukai didn't bother remember the names that went with each one. Taking a breath in the deep silence of the hall, he began to speak, "Mei Lhi-Imouto-san is to be married in a few days time…" Surprised whispers rang out amongst the guests.

"Which clan has the honor of welcoming her to the family?" A Takayoukai (Hawk) asked.

"The Ryuu clan."

"Ah, you're putting that woman in quite a high place, aren't you, Sesshoumaru?" A Torayoukai commented. "Do you think that she can handle it? She is, after all, only a hanyou."

"I feel she would do fine in this position, and quality of blood does not affect one's inner and outer strength."

"Are you honestly going through with this, Sesshoumaru? We've talked about this before!" Harukichi asked.

"Hai, I am going through with it, even with your views on the matter in consideration."

"She's not marrying Kyoshima!"

"And who gives you the right to say who my son does and does not marry? Know your place, Harukichi!" Ryouji growled.

"No, let him speak, Ryouji-sama, I'd like to see where this goes." Kouga said with a smirk.

"You have a taste for trouble, but as you wish…"

"As I was saying, before I was interrupted…" Harukichi began, shooting a glare at Ryouji, which he ignored completely. "The girl isn't marrying Kyoshima. She's a hanyou!"

"And what's wrong with that, may I ask?" Hana said fiercely, glaring at him, memories of him beating her when she first went to see the Ryuuyoukai flashing through her head.

"Simple. It would be a disastrous blend of three bloodlines. Our superior race cannot be allowed to be poisoned by such-such unworthy sources…"

At this, Hana stood quickly, all the anger and hatred she had been harboring against the Ryuuyoukai of the Sun suddenly rising to breaking point, unable to stay controlled for much longer. "Excuse me? 'Unworthy sources'? It seems to me you're the only one who has any objections on the matter. No one else seems to care about it."

"That is because their ignorance overwhelms them! Even yours. Don't any of you see? What kind of child that hanyou would bring to the world! It wouldn't be hanyou or Ningen, or youkai!"

"Hai, he's right! And besides, wouldn't the high ranking of her husband also affect her health? You're insane, Sesshoumaru! You're condemning the girl to death before she even has a chance!" The Tora leader agreed.

"Do not underestimate to strength of the girl's will." Sesshoumaru said with a sharp look.

-

"So I heard about how you're getting your own land…" Kyo said, trying to break the ice.

"Yeah. Sesshoumaru says it's in oyaji's will." Inuyasha replied.

"So do you know if you're getting anything else other than land?"

"I'm supposed to get my own palace, army, and servants, half of the Western Lands, and I get to control everything that's in my half of the lands."

"So is that why you've been getting all those lessons, then?"

The hanyou, now human, nodded. "But it's annoying as hell to have to listen to him go on and on…"

"I know what you mean…I swear I must've fallen asleep without even realizing it during all my lessons…"

Inuyasha smirked. "I never would've thought 'The Great Kyo' would fall asleep in something so important."

"Hey!"

"What?"

"Nothing…but first, let's get serious for a minute; are you going to be personally controlling your armies?"

"Yeah, I guess…pansy-ass was ranting about that too…"

"Hmmm…and if Kagome's taking those pills…not good…" Kyo muttered in thought.

"What are you babbling about now?"

"You need an heir."

"Nani?"

"If you're going to be controlling your armies and managing your own empire, you're going to need an heir to the throne. Inutaisho's wish was to divide the West, but still keep it connected by having one son manage one side, and another son manage the other so the Western Lands can expand to much greater lengths with your combined conquests. And in the event you're wounded in battle and you die, you'll need an heir to take your place, so your half of the West isn't automatically surrendered to the person who defeated you."

"How the hell do you know this?"

"The Ryuuyoukai were going to do the same thing with the North…"

-

"You see? There is wisdom behind my words! You would do well to heed my advice! Marry the girl off to a Ningen, but not to Kyoshima, or any other youkai. That is the only way she can be accepted into society." Harukichi continued.

"It appears that your definition of acceptance is far different from mine! I accept Mei Lhi for who she is! And so does Kyo! He loves her for the person she is. You cannot change that!"

"You only accept her because you were Ningen before all of this! Kyo is blinded by what he believes is love, but what he truly feels is lust!"

A few shocked gasps rang out, and Hana had never before felt so much anger in her life.

"Even though I was a simple, foolish woman before all this, have my views changed? No they haven't. And who are you to say you know what every feeling is? You aren't Kyo! You're not even his father! You have no right to speak like you know everything about him!"

"And you have no right to speak to me with such a tongue, bitch!"

Sesshoumaru stood and was at Harukichi's side with Toukijin drawn in less than a second. "You will take back your words and apologize to my mate. No one is allowed to speak to her in such a way." The taiyoukai said in a soft, venomous voice just loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Then you must learn, Sesshoumaru, how to keep your bitch on a leash, like the dog she is." Harukichi replied, ignoring the fact that he had a sword pressed to his neck.

"If you do not stop talking like that, I will have to remove you from my lands…permanently. Apologize, and I won't have to think about how badly stained the floor will be from your blood…"

"As you wish, Sesshoumaru…"

Harukichi stood, walking over to Hana, who was still standing. "Apologies, lady…that was rude of me!" he said, his voice becoming an angry growl. Before anyone could move, Hana was being held by the throat with five golden claws embedded in her chest. Harukichi dropped the miko-youkai like a rag doll, casting her to the side of the room as if she were nothing. She didn't move. Sesshoumaru's eyes went red in an instant. Ryouji stood before the taiyoukai. "I'll deal with him. You wouldn't want a war. Look after Hanajima-sama." The Suna ryuu said. Sesshoumaru nodded, fighting off his bloodlust for conscious thought. The taiyoukai's eyes turned to gold once again, as he rushed off to his mate. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw two Ryuuyoukai in their true forms, colored gold and bronze, fly out the open shoji doors. A silver Ryuuyoukai joined them a few seconds after.

Taking a hint, all the youkai clan members left, except for Kouga and Ayame.

"Sesshoumaru, is there anything we can do?" Ayame asked.

"Get my brother's woman and fetch the kaze no ryuu-sama's mother." The taiyoukai replied.

Kouga and Ayame nodded, taking off immediately.

Sesshoumaru lifted Hana from the floor, cradling her in his arms. "Hana-chan…you've been hurt worse than this…stay with me. I don't want to bring you back again if I don't have to…"

The taiyoukai began walking towards the room he shared with his mate, when Tsukimisou and Rin appeared with Jaken.

"Chichiue? What's wrong?" Tsukimisou asked, looking to her father's arms. "Hahaue! What happened to Hahaue?"

"Sesshoumaru-sama, who did this?" Jaken asked.

The taiyoukai did not speak, he simply continued on, laying his wife and mate down on a futon, sitting with her in silence.

Tsukimisou panicked and ran, Rin following. "Hahaue's hurt! Help her! She's hurt!" Tsukimisou screamed repeatedly.

"Mei-oba-san can help us!" Rin thought aloud. "Tsuki-chan, this way!"

Rin took her little sister's hand, and dragged her down the halls while she continued to shriek the same message over and over again. Rin finally stopped at a door and rushed inside. "Mei-oba-san! You have to help Hahaue!" the girl exclaimed, falling to her knees and starting to cry.

"What happened, Rin-chan?" Mei Lhi asked.

"I don't k-know! I was just walking with Tsuki-chan and Jaken-sama to go find Tsurugi, and I saw Chichiue carrying Hahaue…she was bleeding…I-It looked like someone attacked her."

"What did her wounds look like?"

"S-she had bruises on her neck, it looked like a hand, a-and she was bleeding from the chest, and it looked like a set of claws stabbed her…only it was an opposite hand from the one on her neck…"

"You bastard…" Mei Lhi whispered, her body shaking. "It was me you wanted…but you settled for her instead…"

"Where's Kagome?" Kouga asked, appearing in the room.

"I'm here." The miko answered.

"Sesshoumaru sent for you."

"To help Hana-chan?"

Kouga nodded.

"I'm coming with you." Mei Lhi said firmly.

"Me too." Inuyasha said.

"So am I." Kyo added.

"Hurry up, we'll all go!" Kouga said, sounding frustrated.

All of them stood, running to the private quarters of the castle.

"Tsurugi! We have to find Tsurugi!" Tsukimisou exclaimed.

"Come on, we'll look for him." Mei Lhi replied, taking the two girls' hands.

Kyo and the hanyou girl exchanged glances, both of them nodding at the other.

"If I need you, I'll call." The hanyou girl said.

"I'll come and get you when it's over." The Ryuuyoukai replied.

"Good luck." The two of them said, each turning to go in opposite directions.

Mei Lhi ran with the girls, glancing at the sky outside. 'Shit. Dawn's arrival will be slow…the night has only just begun…' she thought, gazing into the inky abyss. "Come on, we have to go. Where'd you last see him? You both have to help sniff him out. I don't have my youkai senses, so I'm counting on you to guide me the right way." she said aloud to the girls while they ran.

"He was in his room, he was practicing his calligraphy." Rin replied.

"Which way, Rin-chan?"

"To the right, now left! Go straight! It's at the end of the hall! There, that door right there!"

Mei Lhi maneuvered this way and that, following the young youkai girl's directions, stopping at the door, throwing it open.

"Nee-chan! Oba-san!" Tsurugi sobbed.

Mei Lhi held out her arms for the young boy, who ran right into his aunt's embrace.

"Oba-san! It's so scary! The dragons outside are fighting and the gold one keeps setting things on fire, a-and I thought I was going to burn to death, and there was no one here, the servants all ran a-a-and-OBA-SAN! Please, make it all go away!" The young heir to the West cried.

"Shhh, it's alright now. I'll protect you. Rin-chan and Tsuki-chan are here to protect you too. We won't let anything happen to you." Mei Lhi said to him reassuringly. "Come on, let's get to somewhere safe." The hanyou, now human, girl held the young boy securely with one arm, while the other had Tsukimisou's hand in her grip. Rin walked a little ahead of them, navigating the way through the many hallways in the castle.

CRASH!

The wall next to them crumbled, revealing the outside, a gold dragon occupying the gaping hole. The dragon turned to see who it was behind him. He smirked, his size shrinking until he had returned to his human form.

"I didn't know you babysat for Sesshoumaru as well…" Harukichi said with a laugh.

A bronze dragon behind Harukichi appeared, reverting to its human form in a whirl of sand.

"Don't even try to touch her, Harukichi." Ryouji commanded.

"So, is this why you weren't at the meeting today, hanyou? Because you had become a weak ningen rat?" The Ryuuyoukai of the Sun asked.

Mei Lhi's eyes narrowed. "Tsuki-chan, Rin-chan, get behind me. Whatever you do, don't listen to what you hear. Don't look at what's around you. Close your eyes, and only open them when I say you can. Tsurugi, stay with your sisters. Don't worry about me. I'll be alright." she said, setting the boy down.

"H-hai…" he sniffed, running to cling to Rin's side.

"That snot-nosed brat is the heir of Sesshoumaru? Don't make me laugh! He's so scared of everything. Boy, how can you ever hope to be even a fraction of what your father is when you cry all the time? You are weak. One so weak can never hope to accomplish anything with their foolish little lives." Harukichi said with a nasty grin.

"What do you know of weakness? Yours is your pride and that oversized ego of yours." Mei Lhi spat at him.

"Silence, bitch! You're next on my list…right after I kill the children and Sesshoumaru…your friend, Hana, will be dead soon. Then, I'll kill your brother, and his woman. After that, your wolf youkai friend, followed by that annoying little kitsune, and last, I'll kill all your friends in the era beyond the well."

"There's no way you're touching those pups! I'll kill you first before you can harm a single hair on their heads!"

"Ha! As a ningen? I could kill you in my sleep!"

"Did you forget I was here, Harukichi?" Ryouji asked coldly. "I'll ask you one last time…leave Mei Lhi-sama alone."

"No, I didn't forget, Ryouji…and as for your offer, I'll have to decline. I have business to be done…"

"So we are to be rivals until death, then."

"Hai, apparently so…you have no idea how long I have desired for this day…the day that I will finally kill you…"

"We'll see who the dead one truly is…"

"This is the end."

"I'm ready for it, are you?"

"Ladies first…"

-

"Hana-chan, hold on! Please hold on!"

'Kami-sama…don't take her from me again…I'll never forgive you if you do.'


A/N: Holy crap! I actually finished a chapter before over a month passed! Thanks SO MUCH for all your kind words of encouragement, and thank you for your understanding and OVERWHELMING support! Thanks to you all, I AM NOW INSPIRED WITH THE FIRES OF YOUTH! (Gai appears)

Gai: You stole my line!
Me: I don't care! Go away! I'm trying to make a speech here. You're interfering…
Gai: Oh, gomen… (Disappears in a puff of smoke)

Now as I was saying, I'm inspired now, and with help from my muse, bloomz-baby, aka Angela, together we have formulated some plot lines! So writing should be much easier, now that I know where I want to go with it. I know last chapter I ripped you off, but this time I've given you one of my normal 10+ page chapters to make up for it! So I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it! At last my brain has settled down and I can think! More updates hopefully soon. Stay tuned for Ch. 13!

And you all can shoot me later for the cliffy. If I hadn't stopped, this chapter would've been 30 pages or something…and I think poor Riku-chan's eyes would've fallen out by page 20. And Dragon Man, I HAVE CAUGHT UP WITH YOU! XD Anyways…going away now…

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT! I COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN THIS CHAPTER UP SO QUICKLY IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU GUYS!