Haruka

"Is that her?" the young lord asked

For months he had heard rumors of the small traveling companion. He thought it strange, they all did. Why would the Great Lord keep a human girl as a traveling companion and then have her live in his domain? Though he did admit to himself, she had breathtaking beauty. Her hair was a rich shade of brown. It flowed in waves to adorn her glowing, cream colored skin. Her eyes, framed by long lashes, were a dark hazel and seemed to brighten the world. A straight nose, full lips - she seemed the picture of perfection. Had she looked up and smiled at him, he would've fallen deeply under her spell. Perhaps he already was.

"Yes, she is Lord Sesseshomarus ward." he scoffed irritated just by her mere presence. Lord Eiichi, leader of the panther clan, had actually never spoken to Rin but he would catch a glimpse of her every so often when he was invited to the castle to give his monthly report. He didn't really have anything against her unless you counted the fact that she was of human descent.

"I've never seen one so beautiful before, are you sure she's a human father?" questioned Hakura

Eiichi glared at his oldest son "Oh she's human alright, and don't be getting any ideas, Hakura. It is best not to get tangled up with humans, especially those who our Lord keeps under his protection." but it was all too late he could tell his son was already enamored with the young ward.

"Father…" said the small demon that was tugging on her father's garments. She was a very young demon, about 6 years of age. "Lady Rin looks so beautiful, like a princess!"

"Indeed she does" replied Haruka who still hadn't removed his gaze from Rin.

Beside Rin was Sesshomaru's mother, the lady Kimiko. She looked almost identical to her son, and it was no mystery from whom he developed his stone personality. She was wearing a silk kimono that had a pale lilac shade to it. On top she had her usual long soft blue fur coat. She stood next to Rin, eyeing her meticulously. Hakura could tell that Lady Rin felt uncomfortable. Her once happy face was now puzzled and her eyebrows furrowed.

Lady Kimiko

Kimiko was holding Rin's left hand, not a strong grip, but a soft one yet firm, as if she was guiding her. "Stand straight, and chin high. Remember what I taught you." Kimiko said with a cruel tone, while looking forward

Rin did so nervously, "Remember what I told you, you are Sesshomaru's ward, and the human Lady of the West you are not just representing yourself, you are representing our entire clan, and most importantly, my son. Stand tall, remain present, and stay proud."

Rin nodded nervously. Being next to the old demon was freighting, and the four years she spent with her in her castle high in the heavens did nothing but intensify that fear. Kimiko recalled the day her son brought Rin to her. He had just returned from Inuyasha's village where the little human girl had almost been killed … again.

"Why would you leave her there to begin with, with that half breed, surely you could've found a better village to leave her in." Kimiko said teasingly

"Can she remain here or not?" Sesshomaru was beyond annoyed. He figured Inuyasha would at least keep her out of harm's way, but it seemed that Rin was always being abducted or having near death experiences. Every time he went to visit his young ward she had a new story to tell him, 'her adventures' she called it. Why this last time she had several bruises. That was it, he told himself, he knew he had urgent business in the West Lands and Rin could not accompany him. But there was no way he was leaving her with him. So that's what landed him here, in front of his mother.

"Do you intend to keep her at your side?" she questioned

"Yes" was all Lord seshomaru said

Kimiko gave a long sigh "Fine, I'll let her stay as my guest but this isn't a regular house." her eyes turned to Rin. "This is a royal house, you will do well to remember that." she finished

Rin swallowed hard, she wanted to hide behind her Lord but feared that it would irritate the female dog demon even more.

Soon after, Sesshomaru had left. She wanted to cry, yell, scream but all she could do was wave back to Jaken.

"Look at me, human."

Rin turned slowly, pulling her hand back down.

"I doubt you know how to be a proper lady, starting today your lessons will begin. And as a word of caution as long as you live in my castle you will obey my rules." the old demon took a step back and gave a devilish grin. 'Oh yes young human' she thought 'let us begin.'

Kimiko eyed Rin, even though she sheltered her for four years she still did not care for her. In truth her time with her did not make her feel anything. She just saw her as this 'thing' that would soon die. Though her son was taken by Rin, she played along. From what she had been told by that green imp, Rin was a bouncy girl. Radiant, full of love and charm. She had been told that she loved to dance. At the same time she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty when it came to finding food. Kimiko did not mind these things, for Rin was young but being 14 when she arrived at her castle, she knew rin needed to change. She wouldn't allow this human girl to go around Sesshomaru's fortress dancing barefoot with flowers in her hair. 'No,' she thought. 'She absolutely could not allow it.'

Kimiko pulled Rin in front of her, and gracefully retracted her arm. It was now Rins time, after all this gathering was for her. To celebrate Rin's 18th birthday, and introduce her to the other lords. Not for nuptial purposes, but so the lords could see and grow accustomed to Rin. At the same time she chose to be in this world, his world, and knowing the lords was a necessity. The demon mother looked upon Rin with her usual expressionless face. But in her mind she was happy. She felt a strange sort of accomplishment. She turned that little girl from nothing to someone with purpose. So that she could have a place in her son's world.

'Odd' she thought to herself. It seemed that she was beginning to care for the girl. She watched as Rin began to greet the lords, oh yes, Rin was nervous. But she hid it well. Her face was a smiling flower. Which was something that Kimiko had actually let her keep. Her warm friendly smile.

Rin

'Ohhh, why did Lady Kimiko suggest having a formal party,' thought rin

She would have much preferred to have a simpler birthday, not that she ever really celebrated it to begin with. But Sesshomaru agreed with his mother that it was time to introduce Rin to the rest of the lords, to the rest of the clan. All Rin wanted to do was run and hide like she used to do as a kid. But she couldn't now, not this time.

'It's alright, I've trained for these exact situations, I've got this' Rin repeated to herself

Rin walked forward greeting every lord, although she was incredibly nervous. But even if she was, you would never be able to tell, she hid it perfectly. Which made Kimiko proud.

"Of course she looks beautiful, Lord Sesshomaru gave her everything she's wearing." whispered one of the young jealous female demons. Rin looked up, there seemed to be a group of young female demons gossiping in the back of the room."Well of course he bought it for her, she's a poor human girl with no family."laughed a demoness. Rin couldn't help but feel embarrassed. She wore a long A line silver dress with off the shoulder sleeves, fitted on the top with designs that resembled rootes and thorns. The bottom flowed down softly. Her hair was combed down, the maids had made sure that Rin no longer had that wild hair she once had. It was now tamed, long, and decorated with several silver butterfly hair pins.

"Master Jaken" whispered Rin hoping that he wasn't that far and that he could still hear her.

"Oh what do you want, Lord Seshomaru will be coming in soon so hurry up." Jaken had been annoyed all day. He was put in charge to see that all the festivesty went according to plan. And now that the day had finally come he could finally relax and not stress, yet he was.

Rin gave a small chuckle "Actually that's what I was about to ask. I haven't seen him all day."

"He will be here shortly, finish greeting the rest of the lords,"

"Yes, Master Jaken."

Rin didn't receive welcomed greetings from many of the lords, in fact they didn't even bother to look at her. Once she was finished she stood there standing in the open floor stupidly.

'Why didn't they invite Kagome, or Kohaku? It would have been nice to at least see one friendly face.' Rin couldn't help but think of them, she hadn't seen them in over four years.

"May I have everyone's attention, while we wait for my son to arrive I would like to make a few announcements…"

Rin began to zone out when Lady Kimiko began to speak. She honestly just wanted to grab some food and head to her room, these types of gatherings just weren't her thing, and the worst part was that the celebration was just starting.

Rin felt a small hot breath on her shoulder "Calm down, you did really well."

She turned and saw a demon with Sunset orange hair with black shadows around his slit eyes. His face was pale and he had three small barely noticeable scars along his left jaw. "I didn't mean to startle you, my name is Haruka from the panther clans of the East." he smiled

Rin gazed at him with wide eyes, startled at first for obvious reasons, no demon had ever been that close, actually no one at all had ever been that close, unless you counted Lord Sesshomaru. It took a minute before she could actually speak to the young demon, as she was still in a state of shock and nervousness.

After quickly regaining her composure, "Haruka, as in the son of Lord Eiichi?" questioned Rin

"The very one, and don't worry about the gossip." He took Rins hand and gently brought it up to his lips to give a gentle kiss. "They're just jealous."

Rin couldn't help but give a laugh, "Jealous? Jealous of me? In what way?" she pointed to her as she finished her question.

"Oh, you will find out soon enough. Care to dance Lady Rin?" Haruka gave a slight bow and extend his arm

Rin nodded nervously, she knew dancing was going to be expected of her, but she had hoped that it would have been further in the evening. With a small tug, Harkua had pulled her forward, till they were in the center of the floor. Gently pulling her closer to him as he slowly placed his arm behind her.

"And one, two, three, now glide." whispered Haruka

She was dancing. Arms flailing in the sky above her, she twirled around and whooped her happiness into the sweat-stained air. Foot forward. Back. She didn't remember dancing being this fun. Haruka twirled her more and more and more, gently pulling her to move back and forth like a boat being rocked in the waves.
"You are a natural," She looked up at him ready to respond with protest but stopped. How could she not have noticed before. His eyes were of two different hue's. His left of light purple, and his right of subtle pale blue. "No, I think…I think I just found a great partner. Your eye's, I am sorry I didn't quite notice them before." They were enchanting, almost alluring, she gazed into them so much that she felt that she was falling straight into them.

"I wasn't born with them, it was caused due to a training accident almost ten years ago."

Rin looked puzzled, confused, she had never heard of eyes changing color due to training accidents.

"It was a long time ago, I was training and my mentor came at me with no restraints, but due to my carelessness I was not able to defend myself. And when I healed, my eye healed with a slight change."

A hand grabbed hers and she was swung backward, dipped low, then soaring into the air, the flashing colors momentarily blinding her … she touched ground again and skidded to a smiling, breathless halt. There, finally her Lord had come to her. Haruka bowed and slowly walked back to his family.

Please comment and tell me what you think. I am trying to practice my writing skills. I want to publish a book in the future but I need to get better.

So any feedback would be great for development. As for the story, I have the story planned to have more of an adult theme, involved with shady politics and heavy betrayals.