~Ameki~

Kohaku's eyes found Ameki's. Hotaru's attention, however, was on the retreating figure toward the palace, Lord Hiroshi. They continued their walk, a bit of tension she had observed left their features. Ameki could tell though that something still bothered them.They had probably been worried about her, not wanting to return to Sesshomaru without knowing her whereabouts. That had been most unfair on her part she admitted. Ameki rose from her sitting position at the small table where Taowa had chosen for them to occupy while she ate. Kohaku spoke first as soon as they were within a comfortable and secluded hearing range.

"Is everything alright Ameki?" He asked, glancing in the same direction that Hotaru still watched.

"Everything's fine…" She replied, unsure of why it wouldn't be.

"That's good, but…" He paused seemingly unsure of how to reply.

"You're keeping company in high places it seems." Ameki smiled.

"Actually this wasn't planned. I could give you the long winded rundown of how I ended up in this situation, or I could give you the short version." She couldn't understand why Kohaku and Hotaru seemed bothered. Were they afraid that Sesshomaru would disapprove of the company she had kept with the young lord?

"We should leave here before we talk anymore." Hotaru said before finally pulling his attention back to Ameki and Kohaku.

Hotaru, if only for a moment, looked a little taken back as he stared at Ameki.

"Well, I guess that's…" He paused.

"An improvement from your travelling conditions...Hmm hm." He cleared his throat. Ameki slightly chuckled.

"Yes, I guess I can clean up every once in a while." She playfully added. Her humorous tone didn't disband the obvious tension in their frames as she had hoped, but she surmised being surrounded by so many noble's might do that to some people. She herself wasn't even completely comfortable about such high strung individual's. However, she had learned to cope with the discomfort as was expected of a princess.

Kohaku lowered his voice even further as he spoke.

"You can fill us in on our way back down. We've come across something you might want to know considering the company you've been in recently." Ameki frowned at his words, trying to discern what he had meant, but following nonetheless. When they were well out of earshot, Ameki took the advantage to fill them in on the events that had led to her location at the palace. She gave them the rundown of the showcase. She explained her reasoning for taking the offer. No one had forced her into it. She had decided that of her own free will. She soon learned though that her chosen work for the day wasn't what bothered them.

"You really shouldn't be around Lord Hiroshi." Kohaku's hushed words were directed at her as they stopped before reaching the crowded streets of the village below. Ameki felt her expression dawn as her eyebrows rose.

"What do you mean?" She inquired.

"He might not be the laid back person he presents himself to be Ameki." Ameki wouldn't argue with Kohaku. She had sensed something about him, but that didn't mean he was a terrible person.

"I understand, but I didn't approach him. He approached me and inquired about my company. I couldn't just decline his request, especially in front of so many people. It would have been rude." She exclaimed.

"And that's fine. You're away from him now and that's what matters." Kohaku ran his hand over his hair, flattening the strands that had escaped his ponytail.

"I think it's best if you return to Sesshomaru for a while. It seems Hotaru and I have a bit of work to do here." Kohaku's brow furrowed.

"I know we have more important matters to be tending, but…" His words seemed to trail off.

"We can't let this continue, knowing what we know." Hotaru finished for him. Ameki was really puzzled now. They wanted her to leave the city? To return to Sesshomaru?

"Is the town not safe?" Ameki wished she could read their minds. It was clear that they were being little more than forthcoming with what they knew.

"I still have to gather my payment from Migumi, otherwise this was all for nothing." In reality the payment didn't bother her. What did bother her was the fact that she had gone to great lengths today to earn something for herself. She wanted some sense of normalcy in her life and this opportunity had given it to her. If she were to just uproot and leave at every slight hint of danger, she would be on the run for the rest of her life. She was a grown woman after all, and not the child they were treating her as.

"You tend to your dealings, and I will finish up my business in the town. Then, if I so choose I will return to find Sesshomaru." Her voice was evenly toned, not demanding, but authoritative. Kohaku sighed.

"Just promise to stay away from the palace. We may be here for another night. I'm not comfortable with the thought of you staying within the town, especially because of you're meeting the lord." Ameki could comply with these terms. She didn't suppose Migumi would stay at the Palace all day, considering there would be festivities in the streets below. She would need to come back to her workshop before long and continue what she had sat out to do. Sell her wares.

Migumi did return, a group of women trailing behind her. It was well into the afternoon. Ameki had passed her time by sampling the many treats that lined the streets. She enjoyed the festivities and had even socialized with a few individuals that enjoyed the events as well. Migumi's eyes lit up when she caught sight of Ameki. She seemed to even rush toward her, hastening her otherwise normal stride.

"Ameki! There you are, lucky girl!" She squealed with delight. Ameki wasn't sure positive about what Migumi had meant, but she could guess with the wry looks the disdained Sashyma was giving her.

"Come on. You have to tell us all about him."

"He seemed really interested in you!"

"The both of you talked forever." The women gushed their questions toward Ameki. She was a little taken back, hoping she could just recieve her payment and adhere to Kohaku's request. She found herself actually giving in to his sentiments, even if it just were the tugging feeling she felt to see Sesshomaru again.

"He's a gentleman." Was her only reply.

"Oh come on, that can't be all. Are his eyes really molton brown? Does his smile not warm your thoughts even on the coldest nights?" One of the younger women in the crowd asked.

"I'm not sure what you mean by that, but I just met him. He seems alright." Sashyma seemed to scoff at Ameki's reply.

"Of course he takes notice of the one person who doesn't care for his attention." Sashyma retorted as she disappeared back toward the crowd. She seemed bothered, and Ameki could guess that she too had yearned for the Lord's approval.

"I don't want to step on anyone's toes. I wasn't there for his approval. I was just doing my part in earning my wage and helping a tailor advertise her clothing." Ameki gave a small smile toward the women who surrounded her. Migumi nodded.

"Ah yes, come on girls. I have your payment."

Ameki walked away with a new outfit. A peach colored Kimono with beautiful white Lilies displayed over the fabric. It was fashioned much like the one she currently wore, the only difference being the color and design. She was also able to keep the one she had modeled for the community. Ameki had made a nice little pouch of coinage as well. She had simply added the pouch to the one she already carried. It would be her way of repaying her Lord without him knowing. Her little secret.

She found herself wondering what her lord had been up to in their absence. He had kept Jaken and Ah-Un with him this time, or maybe he had left. She chuckled. She couldn't blame him if he had with the way Jaken often whined about everything. She would seek them out anyways.

~Sesshomaru~

The afternoon was quickly becoming evenings. He hadn't seen hide nor hair of the demon slayers. He hadn't seen Ameki since the night before. Knowing she was so close, and yet so distant made him feel weird. A few times he could have even sworn he had felt her. He wasn't sure how that could be, considering he was certain she was within the village. However, the feeling still irked the great dog Lord. Jaken and Ah-Un had settled near a stream on the western side of the village. Jaken was currently snoring loud enough for Sesshomaru's hearing to pick it up. They weren't little snores either. If Sesshomaru hadn't known better, he would have believed a wild hog to be rooting in the distance.

He watched as the sun's rays seemed to glisten on the last of the leaves that held onto life. They were rich in color, the last of the leaves to be left from the fall, hanging on ever so tightly to welcome winter. They would soon join their kind on the ground as well. The crunching of leaves wasn't what alerted him to her arrival. It had been her scent. Her strong and inviting scent that wafted upon the breeze to greet him. His attention was drawn in her direction. He froze. Unsure of how the sight before him made him feel. It was her, definitely her, and yet… The demon deep inside of him growled with approval. Her hair was drawn back on one side leaving waves in its wake. There was a deep warmth to her complexion. The attire she wore paled compared to her radiant skin. Her eyes. Eyes that had halted Sesshomaru's mind in its tracks.

"Lord Sesshomaru." She greeted him with a smile. A warm smile that heated Sesshomaru's body more than the sun ever had. What is happening to me? He inwardly searched the possible reason for his reaction. This wasn't like him. He wasn't the type of person to… actually be excited to see someone. This wasn't him. He had always felt content when seeing Rin. She had always been the only one to bring forth any kind of reaction, but now… Ameki. Ameki brought forth strange feelings, and foreign reactions. A part of Sesshomaru felt wrong feeling this way. Yet, another part yearned to reason with himself. A part of him beckoned to welcome her, a much darker part wanted nothing more than to leave in that moment.

As if Ameki had sensed his sudden change in mood, she stopped.

"My Lord?" Her hand lightly touched the area of her chest where Sesshomaru could sense his own energy. She was still wearing the necklace. Hidden below her attire. She too had thought it better than to display the gift. This was all wrong. Sesshomaru was, for the first time, uncertain. Completely perplexed by the emotions he held for the woman in front of her. A fondness he had shared for no one else, not even her mother. A different type, a more sensual type.

Sesshomaru could feel his brow knitting as he fought with himself. The demon inside of him yearned for the girl, but Sesshomaru's other half, the logical part, wanted to distance himself. He would simply protect her, and nothing more. He turned to walk away and Ameki began to follow. Her short stride crunched through the leaves that had fallen to cover the beaten path. They walked like that for a few feet, until Sesshomaru came to a halt.

"I have business to attend to." He spoke, not daring to turn and look at her.

"My Lord, Koha-"

"Return to the village." He spoke, cutting off whatever reply she had prepared. He needed to distance himself. He truly did need to seek the rest Ameki had spoken of the night before. It was clear to him now that his mind and these feelings depended on it. Rest would give him the clarity he needed. Rest would restore his resolve once more. Rest would return him to more of the demon he was, and less of the man that had recently been stirring.

"But my Lord there's som-"

"I said return, now…" he cut her off again. Afraid that anything she could say would draw him back to her like a moth to a flame. He could hear the way her breathing hitched at the tone of his voice. The low demanding tone that he often had used on Jaken, but rarely if ever her. He still didn't turn though. He didn't want to see her face. He knew an expression that would affect him was displayed. She was better off in the village, away from him and his demon for the time being.

Sesshomaru began walking again, only this time Ameki did not follow. This both pleased and hurt him somehow. He never heard Ameki's footsteps behind him. It was as if she had just stood there until he disappeared from her sight. He knew she was more than likely thrown off by his reaction. He was a demon though, and to mortal's they were full of surprises. She would recover from any offense Sesshomaru had given. He was sure.

Sesshomaru found a clearing. It wasn't too far from the village, but it was definitely further than he had been staying. He had stayed near the village the night before to access any threats that could or would arise. A few times he had picked up a scent that had made him question the object or person exhibiting it. It was a strange smell, almost like rotting flesh, but it still held vitality. There were plenty of fragrances and smells that had carried on the wind to his senses from the town. He didn't sense a demonic aura to be worried about though. He had dismissed it as some new concoction the mortal's had come up with. The lot of them were always experimenting with different meats, vegetables, herbs and spices. There was no telling what they would come up with next.

This spot would do. It was isolated by the natural geographic formations around it. Sesshomaru was surrounded by dense vegetation and a full view of the sky. He would seek rest here if only for one night. Some would always be better than none.

~Ameki~

Shock was the only emotion that registered as his words had halted her being. She stood there long after his form had disappeared from her view. He had never used that tone of voice with her. The only time he had even come close was the night she had plunged herself into the river, ready to end her life. This wasn't like the Sesshomaru she knew. This wasn't the perfect Lord her mind remembered. She had only been away from him for less than a day. What had changed? She knew not to follow him. She had tried explaining that Kohaku had requested her to return to Sesshomaru, but had been cut off by his icy words each time.

Pain. Yes, it was pain that she was feeling now. How had she offended her Lord? She had no choice but to return to the village for the night. A night that would no doubt be a long one. Ameki's mind wouldn't let her rest with Sesshomaru's strange behavior freshly imprinted on it. With any luck she would reach the tavern in time to extend her stay, otherwise she would have to pay full price again. Kohaku had covered the stay cost the previous day, but this time it would be on Sesshomaru's coin. She wanted to spend as little as possible, even with his new strange behavior.

Ameki sat in the tea house, observing the evening crowd. The few women that served tea and food looked tired. Ameki could tell that these women needed a break. She had seen them serving patrons that morning as well. They had been working non stop it seemed, and continued to do so. Ameki sat like that for a while, just observing the crowd around her. The aromatic environment of the dining area became too much for her after a while. She and her thoughts moved to the entryway, the porch out front came into her view. Fresh air. She needed fresh air.

Maybe Sesshomaru's reaction was because he was tired too. His life never let him stay in one place for too long. He had been busy since she had met him. Never letting himself rest. It was a recurring issue with them. Something was always happening. Maybe Sesshomaru had enjoyed his time away from her, and wasn't ready to see it end. That was beside the point though. It couldn't be helped considering Sesshomaru had been the one to take the burden upon himself.

Ameki caught sight of something in her peripheral. Someone approaching. She turned slightly from her sitting position upon the large porch. It was the maid from the palace. The one with the brown hair and penetrating eyes. The closer she came, the more of her features Ameki could make out. She wore a different attire this evening. Ameki made a note to herself, feeling silly that she still wore the same white and blue Kimono. She almost forgot how often palace occupants changed their clothing. It was tedious, but expected to keep up appearances. Maid's were no exception. This evening she wore a plain red yukata, the most notable feature was the violet trim and matching obi. Her hair was done up this time a head piece of beads surrounded her crown. She herself could have passed as nobility among the current crowd.

The maid came right up to her, as if she had singled her out from the beginning. A warm smile plastered her features. Much more welcoming than the earlier expression she had been given while conversing with Taowa.

"I was hoping you hadn't made your departure just yet." The woman stopped a few feet away from Ameki. Ameki stood to greet her visitor.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly. We weren't afforded much time earlier. My name is Kasumi. I'm the head maid to the Lord's late mother." She gave a slight bow, Ameki returned her greeting with her own.

"Ameki." She spoke as she too bowed.

"It's a pleasure to formally meet you Lady Ameki." Kasumi's eyes gleamed. She seemed more friendly in nature than she had previously. Maybe it had simply been the atmosphere keeping her from becoming too involved. In palace life it was sometimes seen as stepping out of place if the servants spoke without being spoken to.

"Please, just call me Ameki." Kasumi's smile continued.

"He was right, you are humble, but believe me when I tell you I've seen more than my fair share of palace maidens. You are without a doubt a princess. You just have that air about you." Ameki hid her surprise toward this woman's intuition. She had sniffed her out. More than likely Taowa had as well.

"From what region do you hail princess?" Ameki didn't see the harm in being honest. Why should she lie to someone she didn't know, and would likely never see again after their departure?

"House Yamato Yuudai of Yamato." She answered.

"So you are a princess then? My talents aren't slipping?" Ameki gave a slight nod.

"I just don't want the attention from it and would prefer it be kept away from the public."

"What brings you to the region of Kotsuke? If I might ask?" This woman was full of questions. Ameki wasn't busy though. She figured she would simply spend the rest of her evening at the tea house waiting for Kohaku or Hotaru to appear. She still needed to let them know that Sesshomaru had told her to return. It was still an uncomfortable subject. Maybe she would just tell them that he could not be found.

"I'm passing through to the region of Echigo. I have business to tend there."

"The Lord mentioned that you had travelling companions. Would you happen to be travelling with an ambassador?" Ameki chuckled.

"You're quite inquisitive all of a sudden." Ameki observed. Kasumi's brow raised.

"Forgive me princess Yamato. I didn't mean to be so direct in my interrogation. I simply wished to get to know you better since I've been tasked with finding you and inviting you to a palace feast this evening." A sense of dread tickled Ameki's conscience. Kohaku had specifically pleaded with her to stay away from the palace, but now Taowa had sent someone to basically retrieve her. She couldn't deny such an invitation from the lord of the region. She had no idea the repracution that would follow if she did.

"As honored as I am, I'm feeling quite fatigued this evening. I was planning on turning in soon to get a fresh start tomorrow." Ameki's words seemed to bring forth a bit of resistance in Kasumi's demeanor. Her weight shifted, and her smile felt more forced, like a frown was trying to replace it.

"I'm sure my Lord will be sorry to hear that." She could see Kasumi's eyes try to persuade her. A feeling of guilt crept over her, having fibbed to Kasumi about her evening plans. In all honesty she wasn't sure that her bed would bring her sleep. Her thoughts were far too complex to become idle enough to sleep.

"I will let the Lord know of your absence. I hope you do gain the rest you require my Lady." Ameki felt oddly strange as the woman spoke to her. Kasumi's eyes took on a darker color than she had previously recalled. It was probably brought on by the dimming light as the sun began its descent. However, Ameki's guilt only grew in leaps and bounds.

Maybe she would go, if only for a little bit. She would make her visit short and sweet. At least making an attempt to appear might be enough. Kohaku and Hotaru would probably be stalking around the palace. She was sure they would let no harm come to her, if there even was a chance of it.

"I suppose I can make an appearance. I won't be let stay long though due to my plans for the early morning." Ameki answered. She felt strange. She had been perplexed by the idea in the beginning, but had made her mind up not to go. It felt weird, or maybe it was intimidation. She had changed her mind so suddenly, and she hadn't even thought much about it.

Kasumi beamed a smile toward her.

"Allow me to assist you Lady Yamato. It would be my pleasure to accommodate your needs and help you prepare for the evening." Kasumi wanted to aid her in readying herself for this feast. So be it. She decided. She just wanted it over with.

Ameki didn't have much in the way of personal items. Aside from her clothing she wore the day before, what she wore now and the dress she had acquired that day, she didn't have much of a selection to pick from. Nothing seemed suitable enough for a dinner party at the palace. All of her other belongings were still strapped to Ah-Un, and Ameki had not wanted to risk irritating Sesshomaru further by travelling back outside of the village.

It mattered not anyways. Within half an hour Kasumi had arranged a completely new ensemble for Ameki's wardrobe. Ameki did feel kind of bad, considering she hadn't needed to fork over currency for the outfit. Kasumi had seemingly done that herself to obtain it. She supposed that like some maids, Kasumi carried around with her a palace fund. Something that was given to certain servants to take care of palace business as it arose. This was probably one of those occasions seeing as the Lord had wanted Ameki's attendance.

Ameki sported a new Kimono, one with an overcoat and train. It befits a woman attending such an event and Ameki found herself impressed by how simple yet adequate it was. It was elegant yet far lighter than a female's normal castle attire. She surmised the lack of layered clothing being the cause. It was a little drafty though. Certainly the overcoat would dampen the wind's effects. The Kimono was red. A common color among dinner party guests. The overcoat was a beautiful deep blue with the depiction of a crane on the left front side embroidered with white thread. The train was white as well and matched the obi she wore around her mid torso. Her hair was left down, the comb removed from her previous outfit. She was presentable.

Ameki soon learned that Kasumi had not travelled down from the palace alone. Once they gained some distance from the tea house, a few men accompanied them. Palace guards she surmised, and an obvious escort for them to travel back with. The crowded streets had nearly dispersed. The festivities of the day were now a memory. A few individuals still lingered. Most were shopkeepers who closed up for the evening, and some simply cleaned up the debris and litter left behind from the day's activities. There seemed to be a mixed reaction on a few of the people's faces that had taken notice of their little group. A few smiled and beamed toward the maid from the palace. Some of the younger women gazed with envy, something that made Ameki a bit uncomfortable. Then there were the people that seemed to rush away, doing everything they could to avoid meeting Ameki's eyes. One woman had even seemed a bit worried. Ameki could clearly make out the expression of dread she held. Why though?

The exterior of the palace seemed deserted. It was almost strange remembering how many people had been there earlier that day. Ameki looked around, only spotting a few guards. It was a bit odd for a palace to not have more guardsmen, though she had recalled seeing a few men in passing coming up the winding steps to the palace. Maybe it had been a shift change, and the few guards she did see were the early birds for the night shift. It wasn't her business, so she wouldn't worry. This wasn't Yuudai's palace or region. She would just have to be open minded that things were done differently. Over analyzing things would get her nowhere, except maybe flustered and confused.

Kasumi halted the group shortly after entering the palace. She had instructed Ameki to make herself comfortable among the furniture while she set off to inform Lord Hiroshi of Ameki's arrival.

"I want to run ahead to make sure everything is perfect for our honored guest. Lord Hiroshi would be displeased if you were to enter unannounced with things not ready." She paused.

"Not displeased with you my Lady. He would be displeased with the servants." She gave a quick bow and headed off down a hallway where she disappeared through a sliding door.

Ameki wasn't sure how long she waited. She had chosen a mat near a collection of browsing scrolls. Short stories filled the many parchments. She looked over a few of them. Some had small depictions and illustrations to accompany the written material. There were also a few statues in the spacious room. One statue in particular caught Ameki's attention. A faceless woman. She turned back to the scroll nearest her. There it was again. The figure of a woman, a beautiful dress, and fair skin to accent it. The paint looked to be fresh. As if it had been commissioned within the last few months. Yet again though, there were no features. The face was blank. Ameki soon began searching for this trend in the many depictions, finding it numerous times. Some older paintings looked as if fresh paint had been added to cover the face of the women within. Ameki stood, walking over to a scroll that looked to be very old. This was the one that seemed to puzzle her the most. The painting before her was of a woman. This woman did have features, but something was off about it. Ameki blinked, a new set of features coming into her view. Ameki blinked once more. A completely different woman stared back at her. The clothing stayed the same. The dark green kimono with golden trim looked to be vintage. Ameki fought the urge to rub her eyes. Maybe she was tired. Maybe her incident with Sesshomaru earlier had bothered her more than she had thought. Maybe...Maybe something strange was going on within the palace. She blinked once more and in an instant the face of the woman had changed. She wasn't imagining it. Again and again she blinked. New features appearing on the aged scroll. What trickery is this?

"Lady Yamato Ameki. The Lord will see you now."

Ameki turned. A bit startled at the sudden outburst of words. She had failed to hear Kasumi's return. Her mind had been busy with other things. Things that bothered her more and more as she walked down the hall toward the sliding door that Kasumi had entered previously. This was all so strange. The faceless women, and the woman who continued to change before her very eyes with just a simple blink. Maybe she had accidently consumed a spiked tea at the tea house. She wouldn't be surprised considering how tired the women working had appeared. It would have been easy to mix up her tea with one of the more recreational tea's being served to other patrons. Ameki had never drank Sake, but from stories she had heard it was capable of warping a person's reality, or rather exaggerating a person's senses. Ameki felt fine otherwise. She hadn't noticed anything different. Other than the crawling of nerves that began agitating her skin and mind alike.

Kasumi slid the door open. A thick smell of incense washed over Ameki, pulling her back from her wandering thoughts and fidgety behavior. Very few people came into view. This was supposed to be a feast. A feast usually consisted of crowded tables and non stop conversing. An atmosphere that Ameki had been through on many occasions.

"Lord Hiroshi." Kasumi smiled bowing toward the already seated Lord.

"I give you Lady Yamato." As if her words had been a que, the few individuals that had been sitting including the Lord, rose. Ameki stepped forward. Everything about this situation she had gotten herself into made her want to remain in the hallway. Maybe even just leave. What was she walking into? The memory of the mysterious portrait lady was still fresh in her mind. She took a few steps and froze, her mind not wanting her to continue. She scoured the room, taking in the faces. Both of the nobles were women, one of them she actually recognized from that morning. She had been seated nearby where Ameki and Taowa had conversed. The other looked to be barely a woman at all. She wore all of the finery that would be expected of a palace maiden. Taowa hadn't mentioned that he had a sister, yet, there sat a princess. Her eyes though seemed a bit strange. Like she was looking in Ameki's direction, but not seeing her. There was no emotion on the girl's face. Taowa, however, held a smile that, under different circumstances, could have melted any girl's heart. Ameki could see it that moment. Why every girl seemed to fawn over him. It still didn't change the way she felt though. Her senses were in overdrive.

Her sight registered the slight movement in her peripheral. Kasumi motioned for Ameki to continue. Ameki didn't move though, she couldn't. She wished she had heeded Kohaku's warning. She was getting in too deep. Kasumi's face faltered as she observed Ameki's lack of intentions. She looked as if she were ready to say something, however she didn't get the chance. Taowa made his way around the table, a smile still plastered on his features. His evening wear was simple, yet elegant. The material was clearly a black dyed silk that looked very soft to the touch. Taowa stopped in front of her, grabbing her idle hand, surprising her.

"My Lady. Thank you for joining me this evening. I was afraid you had your own matters to attend to, but I'm delighted to be in your presence now. It is a privilege I will not take lightly." He brought her hand up, even with his face and gave a bow.

"Please, allow me to entertain you this evening." He slightly motioned for her to accompany him on his walk back to the table. Ameki felt rather hesitant, but the tug on her hand seemed to thaw some of the icy nerves that had halted her before.

The cushioned mats were very luxurious. Even more so than the ones she had thought to be top notch, due to Yuudai's lavish tastes, back in her old home. Taowa sat at the head of the table, first allowing Ameki to adorn the first seat beside him to the right of the table. He was chivalrous, even for a young Lord. It was a trait that was hard to find among blue bloods of society.

Kasumi disappeared through a different sliding door this time. Leaving them to sit in idle chatter for what seemed like an eternity. Upon Kasumi's return she announced that the banquet would be served. A few new faces entered the room. All women, carrying the many different trays of food that would be served.

Ameki found herself yet again picking at her food. It wasn't a habit she was fond of, but her nerves played a huge role when the habit did arise. She couldn't help it. She found that sampling the different flavors and textures gave her mind the lead way needed to not linger on a certain thought for too long.

"This feast is magnificent Kasumi. Give my regards to the chef." Lord Taowa broke the silence that had befallen the room after the arrival of the food.

"Thank you Lord Taowa. I'm sure Jiro will be pleased with such compliments from his Lord." Kasumi bowed, leaving the room.

"So princess…" Ameki's attention was drawn from her half eaten bowl.

She expected him to be speaking to the young girl straight across from her, but to her surprise he was staring straight at her. Either Kasumi had told him, or she had been right and he had known all along. This whole evening felt rehearsed, and Ameki felt less and less like she was in control of anything. Ameki didn't say anything.

"I was just discussing Migumi's new clothing with my sister earlier." He motioned toward the seemingly emotionless girl. Ameki really took in her features this time, each detail. A cold feeling arose in the pit of Ameki's stomach. The back of her neck began tingling. Something was off about her. The more she took in each feature, the more a feeling of familiarity crawled forth in her mind. She was… The back of Ameki's neck began to burn. Not now! She inwardly pleaded. The spot where Yakunan's mark lay hidden in plain sight brought Ameki's attention back to herself. This was no place for Yakunan to strut his power. She was already in the midst of trouble, she could feel that much.

"Is everything alright my Lady?" Taowa's sincere concern caused Ameki to force back together her previous composure. Whatever discomfort she was feeling needed to be hidden. There was no rhyme or reason to depart an explanation of her sudden change in behavior. She could feel the sweat coat her brow as her composure had slipped.

"Everything is fine I assure you. Just some muscle pain from my journey." She smiled.

"You know, it's not my business to pry…" he began.

"But a palace maiden shouldn't fare too far from her homeland. It's not common for a lady to leave on business." Ameki felt a bit of irritation arise. There it was. The pompous noble side. Or maybe her discomfort was making her easily irritated. He might have just been observing, trying to understand why she was so far away from her home, and seemingly unattended.

"Are you… betrothed to someone? Is that why you are travelling? Your family has parted with their princess?" He was just prying into her personal matters. That had been what his earlier statements were about.

"Nothing like that I assure you." She paused. She would need to give him some sort of reasoning.

"Like I previously said, I'm investigating a matter of a missing priestess in Echigo." The other noble woman slightly shifted on her knees, jarring the table where her body had made contact. The motion brought everyone's attention momentarily to her. Everyone but the dazed princess. Ameki noted the appearance of this other noble. Her hair was done up by a lavish gold circlet that resembled a western tiara. The evening gown she wore was rather thin for the impending cold. A wheat gold with lavender trim. A very bold decision for an evening feast. Her eyes though, held caution much like Ameki had felt. She too seemed a bit nervous now.

"You must be a very involved individual to leave your palace and deal with matters on your own." Taowa searched her face questioningly.

"I don't mean to make assumptions, and I do not wish to offend. Simply observing." Ameki gave her best attempt at a smile toward Taowa.

"Rather it is a more personal matter." She replied.

"Ah, then I shall not pry any further into your affairs." He cleared his throat, momentarily looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Though, since you are not betrothed, I would like to make an offer. One of a more personal nature." His emphasis on the word personal made Ameki want to squirm.

"Stay with me. Live with me in my palace. I'll lend the aid you need to seek out this missing person, or the very least find out what has happened." His eyes held hope. It wasn't uncommon for a woman of high birth to receive a proposal from an interested Lord so quickly. After all in these hard times it was important to solidify a families next generation to preserve their place as the region heads. It was expected to be a quick process. However, Ameki's answer would be no.

"I can't." Were the only words to leave her mouth. At first it appeared that Taowa had expected such an answer. He seemed unfazed, but…

"Yes?" Taowa called out. Ameki's brow furrowed. Was he attempting to sway her decision? Did he not hear her correctly?

"It has to be this way…" Taowa's brow furrowed. His expression changed to one of confusion. Movement came into Ameki's peripheral vision once more. The noble lady stood, giving a quick bow in Ameki's direction before hurriedly leaving the room. The princess sat seemingly unfazed by Taowa's sudden change in behavior.

"He's a tyrant...must be stopped." Taowa's body took on a more aggressive demeanor. His hands flailed as he appeared to be fighting with his own thoughts. Ameki felt her pulse hasten as a sudden burst of adrenaline coursed through her body. She was scared.

"I can't do this to him!" He yelled, directing his attention to something beside him. Ameki couldn't see anyone or anything. He was yelling at nothing.

"It was you!" His gaze turned on her. His face was filled with a mix of anger and sadness.

"How could you do this to my family?" Ameki rose to her feet quickly, gathering her draped clothing for faster movement. She hastily made her way toward the door. A hand grabbed her shoulder, halting her advance. She pulled away from the grasp but it only tightened causing her to whimper. The mark on the back of her neck flared it's ugly presence once more, causing her further panic. The necklace she still wore against the skin of her chest seemed to pulse. The two seemed to grow in intensity, the burning of the mark and the pulsing of the necklace. However, the only thing she could focus on in that moment, was the crazed eyes of the young Lord looking at her with such hate. What had she done? She had said she couldn't stay. That was it. He didn't even give her a chance to explain. He truly was a different person than he portrayed, behind closed doors.

Ameki heard the bang of the sliding door adjacent to them. She was hoping with everything in her that someone was coming to her aid. A quick glance behind Taowa revealed the same maid that had gathered food for her during the morning's festivities. She had a look in her eyes. Something told Ameki that she wasn't there to help.

"Leaving so soon?" She asked coolly. Ameki didn't answer, her attention crossing back and forth between the maid and the young Lord. His eyes were still wild, but had lost some of the anger he had previously held. His grip on her shoulder had slightly loosened as well. This could be her chance. She could escape if she timed things right. The maid moved closer, her movements almost a sashay.

"You haven't even had dessert yet." A devious grin crossed her lips, causing Ameki to want to lose the little she had eaten. This wasn't good. She had walked into this palace knowing full well that Kohaku had his reservations about the Lord. Yet, she couldn't understand why she had still come. Why she and disaster went hand in hand she did not understand.

"Bring her back to be seated." Her voice took on an echo, almost as if two people had spoken. Taowa's eyes glazed over before her. His pupils became almost as large as the iris. A relaxed expression filled his features as he complied. He pulled Ameki with him back toward the table. At first she tried to fight against it, but the Lord's strength was far greater than her own. If she wasn't careful, she would end up on the floor and a lot more defenseless than if she were standing.

All the while events unfolded the princess still held a solemn gaze. Ameki instantly compared the expression with the one that Taowa held now. Somehow they were being controlled.

"I like that your spirit is fiesty. The longer it takes to break you, the better it tastes." The maid spoke as she rounded the table. Ameki was forced back onto the cushion she had fled from. Lord Sesshomaru… Kohaku….Hotaru…. Anybody please!!! Ameki inwardly begged. Her tanto had been left at the tea house. Kasumi had assured her that there would be no need for weapons around the Lord, why she had stupidly complied she did not know. She did think it was stupid. All of her actions this evening had been questionable. Even on her worst day she would have had better decision making skills. Why had today been any different? The door slid open once more, Kasumi appeared with the noble woman that had fled previously.

"By your appearance I can assume she said no." Kasumi stated, pushing the woman into the room. She had seemingly been speaking to the maid. Kasumi closed the door and guided the noble to where the other maid stood.

"This one was trying to flee. I had to convince her otherwise." The maid took in the nervous woman before her as Kasumi spoke. She looked quite irritated.

"That just means more to go around. Take them to…" The maid paused, eyeing them both with mischief.

"Marinate." She chuckled.

"I'll be down later to oversee the process. Wouldn't want that one to get out of hand." She stated as she turned her attention to Ameki.

Ameki's mind raced. This wasn't good. This was very very bad. She was sure if these people didn't kill her, Kohaku would make her wish she was dead. He had warned her, but she hadn't listened. She had used caution, but caution had not been enough it seemed.

"No please…" the words came from a foreign voice. Ameki's shocked gaze broke free from the maid. The princess, the voice had come from the princess. Her face was no longer void of emotion. She seemed confused and scared. Her eyes held more life than they had before. Her sudden change brought Ameki's mind back to the ever changing painting of the woman in the guest area. She had been one of the faces, she was almost certain.

"Why do you even keep her around?" Kasumi asked, looking quite disgusted at the princess who was gaining awareness of her surroundings by the second.

"Appearances Kasumi. It's not wise to kill off the whole family. Besides. There may be use for her yet if this Lord keeps fumbling the proposals." The maid walked around the table making eye contact with the princess.

"It's alright Hanae. Everything is fine. You're such a good girl. Rest my dear." The maid's voice lost the earlier venom that had laced her tone. Now it was as if she were calming a child, or even someone she cared about. Ameki knew better though as she watched the glazed confusion wash over Princess Hanae's features.

"And mother and father are alright?" She inquired, her voice returning to a more even tone. The maid answered her.

"They are just fine. They will return to the palace soon, child." Ameki watched as a faint smile etched Hanae's features. The obvious delirium was setting in. It was as if somehow the maid had drugged her, or hypnotized her.

Everyone's attention was on the princess as she drifted back into her naive bliss. This was Ameki's chance. The door was unguarded. If she were quick enough, she'd be able to get there and open it before anyone could stop her. Everything in her pleaded with her muscles. They seemed rather lethargic. Her mind set into action what she planned to do, but her body would not comply. She pushed her will forward, the burning from the mark on the back of her neck actually helped her to regain control of her body. The burning increased. Was it helping her? She dashed for the door. At first she had stumbled, but regained her footing rather quickly. Not quickly enough though. A blur from beside her knocked her off of her balance once more, slamming her into the adjourning wall mere feet from the door and her escape. The blunt force and impact of the wall knocked the wind from Ameki momentarily. She was going to die, she just knew it. She had failed.

"Not so fast." Kasumi's voice broke through the ringing of Ameki's ears. Her body had taken most of the impact, but her head had soon followed, sounding a high pitch noise through Ameki's sense of hearing.

"Stop resisting. Kasumi's features entered Ameki's dazed mind. She was kneeling down in front of her. Her eyes demanded Ameki's attention. A part of Ameki wanted to comply, she could feel the pull of the command. However she was stronger than the princess it seemed. She fought against it, the heated mark on the back of her neck seemingly grounded her resolve.

"No." Ameki groaned through gritted teeth.

"Very well, Taowa." The floorboards creaked with weighted steps. The Lord came into Ameki's vision, grabbing her by the hair this time instead of the arm. A scream tore through the room as Ameki fought against the force pulling her hair.

"We need to be done with this quickly." The maid spoke as she removed a lantern from the wall, twisting the hook it had previously hung. Ameki heard the creaking of boards, and grinding of stone. A hidden door in plain sight opened up before them. Taowa's grip on Ameki's hair only grew as he pulled her faster toward the door. Ameki tripped over her stumbling legs, her body sounding a thump against the wooden boards. Taowa continued to drag her through the door as she flailed her limbs kicking and screaming.

"This one will definitely do nicely. She may have been the wrong choice for a proposal, but we can definitely make use of the energy she exhibits." Kasumi scoffed at the maid.

"How will we use her if we are not able to calm and control her?" Ameki could tell by their banter that Kasumi was not the one in charge. It was the other maid. She still didn't know her name, but she wasn't really in a position to ask.

Stairs, it had to be stairs. Taowa didn't slow his pace as he pulled her further into an underground cellar. Each step proved more painful as her body caught the uneven surface in different areas. She was going to be bruised and sore, if she survived. She didn't guess she really had to worry about that at the moment. She still kicked and screamed. It was very likely that would be her final moments of life, but she wasn't going to give up without a fight.

Ameki felt the level ground once more, no more stairs. Her body was thankful for the flat surface due to the new aches and pains she felt.

"Taowa, please fight it." She cried, her voice becoming hoarse and cracking under the exertion. If only for a moment she thought she had noticed a bit of hesitation. Maybe the real Lord was still in there. Who was the real Lord? Who were these women that were controlling the Lord and his sister? What did they want? Taowa came to a halt. The castle servants had followed them down with the noble woman in tow. Ameki tried to turn her body, but Taowa still held a firm grasp to her hair. It was painful in itself, but the action of moving had caused a sharp pain in Ameki's side. Her ribs, something was wrong. The jabbing pain when she moved made it hard to breathe.

"She's wounded. I think it's internal. I can smell it." Kasumi's voice came from the shadows. The cellar was dark, and Ameki could only make out their figures, no features.

"The plasma will preserve her." The other maid replied.

"We have other things to attend to tonight. Let's secure them and worry about it later. With those two slayers lurking about we need to seal these women away as soon as possible. We can't have the slayers discovering us just yet." The maid's voice took on the eery echo once more.

"Yes Usagi Danshaku fujin." Kasumi replied.

Baroness Usagi? The maid was a baroness? Kasumi's figure pushed the noble woman forward. In the dim light Ameki could see the hesitation. This noble woman, though clearly terrified, did not put up a fight. It was starting to make sense that Kasumi could use some kind of hypnotic suggestion. Ameki had heard of people that were able to pull off such feats, but to see it actually happen?

"Stand." Usagi commanded. Ameki felt the sudden urge to stand. She knew the pain would come with moving. She didn't want to, but the pull of those words. The need to comply was almost suffocating. She had wanted to obey when Kasumi spoke to her, but had been able to fight it. However this was different. Usagi's command felt much more powerful and even painful to disobey.

Ameki did her best to stand, trying to muffle the cries of pain that erupted from her shaking body. Taowa had released her hair as soon as Usagi had spoken.

"Walk." She commanded once more. Ameki obeyed once again, though her steps were slow. It was hard to see. She heard the creaking of a door. A heinous smell wafted into the hall from the new illuminated room. She felt the push in her mind rather than on her physical form as Usagi marched them forward.

The smell was sickening, causing Ameki's breath to hitch and bile to climb into her throat. She was going to lose the contents of her stomach. The dry heave came first, sending a sharp pain through her side, radiating in her chest, causing her to choke even further while gasping for air. She calmed herself finally, breathing only through her mouth. This was all so terribly painful. She wished if they were going to kill her, that they would at least do it quickly.

A cave, they were descending into the earth now. It was probably a natural formation into the mountains that had been discovered when building the castle cellar. Caves, though sometimes wet and humid, provided fresh air. This one did not. The source of the stench was soon discovered to Ameki's complete horror. The very stone within the cave looked to be melded with bone, some looked fresher than others. The flame from the torches that lined the cavern wall illuminated the scene. The ground they walked on was littered with the skeletons of varmints, animals and humanoid skeletons alike. The crunch of each step was almost deafening. Ameki had never witnessed such a horrific scene. It was a mass grave below the castle. One that Ameki feared she would become a part of very soon.

They approached an unusual formation. Five raised surfaces came into her view within a widened space of the cave. As they came closer, Ameki caught a faint glimpse of a reflection of a torch flame on the surface. It was a dark liquid that filled the five pools. A dark liquid that almost felt...alive, or at the very least it had a presence to it.

"We bring an offering, Blood Matron." Usagi's voice rang through the cavern.

"Accept our gifts, in place of our failures." Kasumi's voice joined Usagi's as they spoke in unison.

The pool at first was still, but soon began to ripple. It had almost been unnoticeable at first, but the ripples soon grew in diameter, reaching, forcing themselves outward. The ripples became waves, lapping the sides of the stone surface in which they occupied. Soon sloshing over the edge, escaping it's confines to find freedom as it pooled on the ground. The thick dark liquid held a red tint in the torch light. A deep crimson that reminded Ameki of… blood. Plasma… it was all starting to come together. These were pools of blood. Ameki's knees buckled as she peered at the dark liquid that seemed to defy gravity. The liquid expanded upward in front of the group. A painfully slow process that absolutely terrified Ameki. She watched as the pool of blood began to take shape. The thick iron smell even seemed to over power the stench of decay that surrounded them. A featureless form appeared from the pool on the ground. A woman maybe? The form was slender, but there were no defining features. The face held no characteristics, and the body was as plain as a child's doll.

Usagi had called forth this being, summoning it with the use of the word Matron. That alone led Ameki to believe that this entity was a female.

Without warning Kasumi pushed the noble woman forward. The blood seemed to ooze toward her, along with the figure that had appeared from within it. It seemed to observe her, twisting it's limbs to get closer. The woman looked as terrified as Ameki felt. Her eyes held a hint of tears. A whimper escaped her lips as the being inched closer.

The mark on Ameki's neck ignited once more, causing a hissing sound that reverberated off of the cavern walls. Everyone's attention turned toward her, including the being that came forth from the blood. It had no features to signal it's change in attention, but it's movements migrated away from the terrified noble woman, and now inched closer to Ameki. Kasumi grabbed the noble woman's arm, and with one swift motion, pulled her toward one of the nearby pools.

"She has accepted this offering." Kasumi spoke. The blood within the pull reached out, grabbing the woman without warning. She didn't even have time to react, or make a sound before the pool of red liquid engulfed her, and soon returned to its former stillness. Ameki's mind was shattering by the moment. Her thoughts raced, but failed to hold on to a coherent thought. All logic and reason was lost as her sanity collapsed in on itself.

"Not here." A voice echoed through her mind.

"You will not die here." She was hearing things now. Ameki could feel the darkness in the mark on the back of her neck. It was a searing pain that seemed to manifest. The necklace she wore hummed with energy in response to the mark once again. Yet, once more, her attention, what little she could muster, focused on the being that was now mere inches from her face. Ameki felt as if she were staring into an illusion. The blood seemed to separate into darker portions that swirled within the lighter crimson pool.

"She yearns for this one." Usagi seemed pleased.

"Yearn no longer, she is yours."

The blood reached out, pulling Ameki's body into a tight embrace. Instead of warm, the liquid was cold. Very cold. Uncomfortably cold. She felt her feet leave the ground as she was pulled toward the pool of blood that the being had originated from. This was it. Everything she had done was in vain. Everything Sesshomaru had done for her was in vain. Her sanity broke in that moment. Her mind screamed but her physical body was unable to make even the slightest sound.