A/N: My muse has been gone for a while. Apparently, all that I needed for it to come back was to be admitted to the ER, stay there overnight, get pumped with fluids, tested, poked, and prodded to them be told I can't work for 2 weeks. While I am recovering, I will try to push more updates out. Hope everyone is staying safe/healthy during this crazy time.


It had taken them a week to get there, but eventually, they had made it home.

Home by his view.

A strange palace by hers.

The late arrival, along with the changing of the season to winter, made her realize that soon everything would, in fact, drastically change.

Not just the weather.

Even still, the exhausted demoness tried her best to remain positive.

Yet, the same could not be said for a certain Lord.

In fact, the Daiyoukai wasted no time in abandoning her and excusing himself almost immediately. With a tilt of his head towards what looked like a room with others inside, he spoke with disregard in his voice.

"Pick one that is to your satisfaction."

At first, she was confused.

Pick one?

Then, she followed his gaze.

Youkai. Helpers. Servants.

"Pick one." He had said it so casually. As if this was simply an item she was selecting—something to choose on a whim.

For a moment, both feline and Miko tried not to show their unhappiness with his lack of warmth. Synchronized with their emotions, they let out a huff of annoyance.

"They have names—" Her voice filled with irritation. As she turned in the Daiyoukais direction, she realized rather quickly he had already disappeared.

Was this going to be her life? Dealing with the ice prince and his disregard for anyone other than himself. More importantly, why did he have to be so drastically different than the wolf prince? At least, with the wolf prince, there had been a sense of belonging. Even though she had been a feline among wolves, they had treated her like family.

They had welcomed her with open arms.

Or paws.

In the short duration that she had resided in the den, they had made her feel like part of the pack.

Never had they let her feel unwanted.

Not once had she felt alone.

Yet, here, in a palace full of hundreds, she felt nothing short of lonely.

Both Feline and Miko tried to convince themselves that they would be okay. Yet, both failed. For, in the back of their mind, they knew that they had been thrown into a much different lifestyle than the one that they had experienced with the wolf prince.

Drawing their thoughts back to the situation at hand, Kagome quietly noticed how all youkai in the room gazed at the floor. Almost as if they were unworthy to look up. Scoffing at such a thought, Kagome tried to shove away the feeling of guilt. If she felt lonely here only at arrival, how did the servants feel?

Look at the entourage; one individual immediately grabbed her attention. Small in stature, brown hair with streaks of black, and youthful skin. As if noticing her eyes on him, he looked up at her with what seemed like hesitation.

Dark brown eyes.

Smiling warmly and unable to help herself, she began a conversation.

"What's your name?"

Immediately, his face seemed to show fear at such a question.

A quiet voice spoke behind her.

"They don't have names, Lady Kagome—they're servants."

She knew the owner of the voice. Yet, the words that had come from the little girl baffled her. They had not been spoken condescendingly, but more one of a simple explanation. As if everyone knew such things.

Turning to the child behind her, she remedied the statement immediately.

"Everyone needs a name, Rin. It is not a privilege; it's a right."

The child's eyes widened at such a response.

"But Lord Sesshoumaru said—"

"Lord Sesshoumaru is not here."

Accepting such a statement, Rin nodded in understanding. For a moment, she seemed to hesitate, and after a moment, another voice spoke up.

"The mistress is correct; we are not allowed names. However, over time she has given me one."

Kagome turned to the youkai child in relief at knowing such a secret. Thankful that despite what the Daiyouaki told her, Rin had her own reservations about certain things.

"Oh? And what is your name?"

This time, it was Rins turn to respond.

Quietly, she answered.

"Well, one of the Lords here from afar constantly yells at him. Calls him "Boy—"

Nodding for Rin to continue, Kagome waited for her to finish.

"The Lord is from another land, but he does not like him. Every time he comes to visit, he is upset at him for being a mere feline. Each visit, it is the same words we hear spoken in his language."

"Booooyyyy, ohhhh, you're in trouble."

The Miko turned feline began to feel the world around her spin. Instantly, she knew the universe truly was laughing at her expense.

"So, ever since, I just called him...Buyo"