They arrived at the northern castle right before dark. They entered through the side door. Shin called a servant to fetch Tsuki some fresh clothes. He then washed and dressed. After he was done he sat on his bed, waiting for Tsuki to get ready. They moved a second bed into Shin's huge bedroom. They both were so tired that they when to sleep without any breakfast. Shin slept deeply. While Tsuki slept lightly.
Tsuki woke hearing people whispering outside her door. "Is she a demon?" "Is she Lord Shin's new mate?" "I'll wake her for breakfast" the door cracked open.
"Where is the dining hall? I'm already dressed," said Tsuki looking at the black kimono she had changed into.
The servants looked at each other. They since a great power in her voice. They probably would have done any thing she commanded them to. The eldest servant bowed. The others fallowed her example. Tsuki wasn't used to getting respect and she bowed back to the servants. They looked suspiciously at her. The eldest walked in front, Tsuki fallowed and the rest scattered to finish their chores.
"Lord Shin I present Lady Tsuki," said the women bowing.
"I thank you my dear, Kari," said Shin blushing slightly at Tsuki in her tight kimono.
"Um… can Kari stay and eat with us?" asked Tsuki. She had gotten attached to Kari.
"As you wish," said Shin slightly amused.
Kari stood confused by the door. Tsuki sat beside Shin. She motioned for Kari to sit by her. She obeyed without a second indication.
"How was your first night here Tsuki?" asked Shin.
"Fine," Tsuki said glancing from Shin to the servants around the room.
"Today your training will start. I suppose, since you seem to like Kari, she can lead you to the training grounds," said Shin standing.
"See you later," Tsuki said coolly to Shin.
Shin smiled to himself closing the door.
After Tsuki ate an apple, she and Kari headed to the training grounds. They walked slowly and still had to wait an hour before any one showed up.
"Hello, my name is Shinta. I am your since," said a demon walking into view.
"Your late. I will not wait next time. I may be a guest, but I refuse not to be shown respect," said the irritated Tsuki coldly. She decided not to show emotion.
"You will show me respect. You will call me since. Do you understand?" said Shinta trying to force power.
"I will show you the respect I think you disserve. As for calling you since. Your not until I find you worthy. Do you understand?" Tsuki said defiantly and icily.
"Fine, we will start," said Shinta getting into fighting stance.
Tsuki refused to let her self be tricked. She decided to play around and see what her new teacher was capable of. She carefully walked around sizing her opponent's energy and size. She found that her teacher had a weak left ankle. She exploited this weakness by aiming a single attack at his feet. He didn't realize what was going on till it was to late. Her attack hit his ankle.
"Damb! You're better than I thought. How'd you know I had a weak ankle human?" asked Shinta irritably.
"You favor your left side," said Tsuki simply going into fighting stance.
He smiled realizing that Tsuki was better than most humans. He attacked testing her body for weaknesses. He couldn't find any. She kept changing stances and she wouldn't stop moving. He used his demon speed and got a faint scratch on her left thigh. She quickly cut through his attack and hit his right arm.
He stepped back, "You can't be human. You're to fast."
"You are mistaken. A human can be this fast because I am human. You're so ill mannered," said Tsuki coolly. She loved ticking her teacher off.
"You will pay with your life," hissed Shinta.
He hit her. She went flying into a tree. He ran at her and had her by the throat. He put a claw dripping poison to her neck. He smiled evilly.
"Put her down NOW!" said Shin commandingly.
Shinta let go of Tsuki's now red neck reluctantly. He stepped away and bowed low.
"She is strong and will make a fine warrior for a human," said Shinta.
"You are dismissed. Now leave us," commanded Shin.
Shinta left quickly.
"What happened?" asked Shin turning toward Tsuki.
"I think he got mad," said Tsuki shrugging.
"Kari, go eat and then wait in Tsuki's room for her. Tsuki please fallow me," he said holding out his arm.
Tsuki took it and looked at Kari confused. Kari shrugged and went inside. Shin led Tsuki to a fence. There was a sign that said it was forbidden. Shin took out a key and opened the gate covered in marvelous ivy vines. Tsuki was surprised to find a canal.
"My personal escape. Come," Shin said grabbing Tsuki's hand like a child.
He led her to an old tree. Blue flowers that were closed covered it.
"It's a lunar tree. Will you meet me here tonight?" asked Shin, in such a way that he could of asked anything and he would have got it.
"Yes, of course," said Tsuki.
Before she knew it Shin had her in a passionate kiss. She looked dreamingly up at him when he broke the kiss. He blushed and left, leaving Tsuki standing alone. She touched her lips tenderly. His lips were like silk laid upon her lips. She could still feel the sensation. After a while she headed back to the castle.
When she entered Kari looked worried, "Where have you been! The Lord has been here for an hour and you just returned! I was so worried!"
"I was at a place Shin calls his escape," said Tsuki still dazed.
"Oh.. you were. What happened my dear child?" asked Kari tiredly.
"Well, he kissed me then ran off. He wants my to go back tonight," said Tsuki blushing.
"I will let you go on one condition. I decide what you ware," said Kari smiling.
"Of course. Um, i know this is kind of stupid, but can I call you mama? I sort of don't have one," she asked turning away.
"That's not stupid and you didn't have to ask," said Kari pulling Tsuki into her arms. She cradled Tsuki.
Kari had decided on a short kimono bottom and tight, loose-sleeved kimono top. It was all black with silver vines embroider on it.
"Oh its beautiful mama! Thank you so much! You're to kind," Tsuki said.
"Don't be sad my dear. What is wrong?" asked Kari looking in Tsuki's eyes. Tsuki's eyes didn't show sadness. They actually showed nothing and that frightened Kari.
"Nothing mama," she smiled at Kari.
"So you did come," came Shin's voice through the night air.
"…Yes…" Tsuki shyly stepped into view.
Shin jumped from the branch he'd been resting on. He wrapped his arm around Tsuki, leading her around the tree. Tsuki looked around, taking in every detail.
"It is such a uruwashii (beautiful) night… Why are you here with me?" asked Shin.
"Yes…. I don't know," whispered Tsuki looking at the moon.
She looked up at the hansom man beside her. He looked down into this strange woman's eyes. He could not stop himself. He swept her off her feet in a passionate kiss. To his surprise she returned his passion. Reluctantly she broke the kiss. She needed to breath. She stared at this man. The only man that ever showed more than lust or hatred to her.
"Uhm…" she got out of his arms.
"Gomen," whispered Shin turning his back to her.
Tsuki walked around Shin. She lifted his face to hers. She studied Shin's eye. She took in every part of him with the lustrous lunar tree blooming. He felt her warmth. He held her tight frightened that if he released than she would disappear.
"It is time for bed. From what I've heard you have a big day tomorrow. Meeting all the other lords for dinner," Tsuki said leading Shin to the castle. "What bothers you my love?"
"Lord Sesshoumaru will be there," said Shin looking like a frightened child.
"Why does he frighten you? Do you think he'll try to take me back?" asked Tsuki.
"I need to tell you something, but first promise you wont be angry at me," said Shin standing before Tsuki.
"I promise," Tsuki said kindly.
"Sesshoumaru is the reason you're here. He… sent you here so he could test your abilities," said Shin sitting against the lunar tree.
Tsuki sat down emotionless by Shin. She pulled his face up so she could look in his eyes.
"Did he tell you to fool with my heart?" spat Tsuki standing up.
"You promised you wouldn't get mad. And he didn't put me up to this. In fact I'm supposed to hate you and you hate me. Funny how things work out, huh?" said Shin grabbing Tsuki's hand.
"How do I know you're not lying to me?" asked Tsuki staring into Shin's eyes.
"Because I really love you. There's no way you can fake love," Shin said pulling Tsuki into a kiss.
Tsuki let out a gasp of pleasure. "We have to stop before it goes to far."
"….Yes…." Shin said sitting down.
Tsuki sat in Shin's lap, fiddling with his hair. "It's okay if I sit at your right hand at the meeting? I mean every one even Sesshoumaru has either a woman or general with them, and your general is sick."
"If you wish it," he answered closing his eyes.
Tsuki frenched Shin passionately. "Good night my sweet ice prince."
"How was it Tsuki? Tell me," Kari was sitting on Tsuki's bed reading.
"Wonderful, magical, and I get to be at his side tomorrow," said Tsuki collapsing on the bed.
"Tell me about it tomorrow. You seem famished," said Kari turning out the lights.