Chapter10 Title: Welcome home, Lord Ryu.
Written by: Shaun Witt

Mai was growing a little bored during the flight back to Tokyo. Ryu could not help but notice this.

"Mai something wrong?" he asked.

"I'm ok. I'm just a bit bored." She replied and then asked, "What do you think your leader wanted to speak to you about?"

"I'm sure he is going to say that i have to go into hiding." Ryu told her.

"Why is that?" she asked.

"It is one of our rules, that when someone with in our group kill one of Naraku's generals, then that person must go into hiding. It is our way of preventing that person from being found by Naraku's people." he told her.

"Where will he send you?" she asked.

"We'll find out soon enough." he replied.

"Sir we will be landing in a few minutes." the pilot said.

After the plane had landed and both Ryu and Mai walked off the plane they were met by Lord Sesshoumaru himself. Sesshoumaru had pulled Ryu off to the side to talk with him while Mai was escorted to a waiting truck.

"RyuI want you to return to your birthplace and take over the base we have there. Kagome and Inuyasha are already waiting there." Sesshoumaru said.

"So she is getting some training at the school?" Ryu asked.

'Correct." he replied.

"You do knowI have not been to the sacred valley in many of years." Ryu told him.

"I do." Sesshoumaru replied, "But before u leave take this."

Kit took the object from him and looked at it, "My sister's picture?"

"My mate grabbed it before we left the base."

"Tell her thank you for me." Kit said before turning around and getting on the truck.
Once Kit was in the back of the truck , the driver took off. The truck went down some back roads to give better coverage.

"Ryu what is that?" Mai asked.

"Picture of my sister." He replied handing it to her.

"She very pretty." Mai said.

"She also was a kind and very caring person. Much like you are." Ryu told her.

"Thanks." she said blushing.

"MaiI should warn you that if you happen to see the people of the place where we are going acting strange around me, please pay it no mind." Ryu told her.

"Why?" she asked.

"You'll see when we get there." Ryu replied.

A couple of hours later the driver said, "We are about to enter the barrier sir"
"Very well. Once through please proceed to the main house." Ryu replied.

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"Something wrong Kagome?" her mother asked.

"Three Sacred jewels just entered the barrier." Kagome said.

"Who is it?" Her mother asked.

"I think it is Kit." She replied and walked outside.

Kagome watched as the truck rolled by the house she was given for her family. She noticed Ryu in the back of the truck.

"Mom I have to go fallow the truck." Kagome told her mother and looked at Inuyasha, "Coming"
Kagome and Inuyasha walked up to the main house. Ryu was already waiting for them in front of it with his friend.

"Was wondering how long it take you to come here Kagome. These belong to you now." Ryu said handing over the small chest.

Kagome opened the small chest and looked at the two jewels. "I will keep these safe"
"Lord Ryu, good to see you home again." A male voice came from behind him.

"Lord Ryu?" Mai asked.

"Maechen good to see you are still alive after all of this time." Ryu replied. "Could you show my friend, Mai here a room where she can stay?"

"Of course my lord. will there be anything else?" he asked.

"Please answer any question she may have for you." Ryu told him

Maechen nodded and escorted Mai into the house. Ryu stayed outside and talked with Kagome for a little while.

"Maechen?" Mai asked.

"Yes my lady?" he replied.

"Why do you call him your lord?" she asked.

"Lord Ryu's family ruled over this valley for a very long time and this makes him a prince. One day we hope the war will end and he can rule over us very much like his fire did." Maechen replied.

"Is he seeing anyone?" She asked blushing slightly.

"Lord Ryu is..." He was interrupted by Ryu from behind.

"Maechen what have you been telling her?" Ryu asked.

"Nothing personal sir." He replied.

"Maechen have you found her a room yet?" he asked.

"I was about to show her one of the guest rooms." he replied.

"Well she can stay in Reeni's old room." he told him and looked at Mai, "There should be a few dresses in her old closet which you might be able to fit in."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Of course." He said.

Mai walked into Ryu's sisters old room and was amazed at everything she saw. The room was filled with some lovely antique furniture and the closet was filled with some very lovely dresses.

Being a girl she could not help but pick a few dresses out and hold them in front of her as she looked into the mirror.

"Excause me, Lady Mai?" a young girl asked.

"Yes?" Mai replied.

"I was asked to assist you with anything you might need." She said.

"I am ok." Mai replied.

"Well if there is anything you need please do not hesitate to ask." The young girl replied.
"Ok." Mai said.

"By the way Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes." The girl said and left.

Mai continued to look at the many dresses trying to find something nice to wear to dinner. She wanted to look nice for Ryu in hope that he would notice her in that special way.

To be continued...