I do not own any dog demons, but I have a few other kinds clawing at the walls in my brain. Review or I'll let one out.

Melissa blinked up at the ceiling in the early morning light. She'd dreamed of the little girl with golden hair again. She hadn't spoken to her. She'd been playing in a pile of leaves with another child while Melissa watched them and rocked a silver haired baby. The baby had looked a lot like Sesshomaru, but without the markings. Instead he'd had floppy little puppy ears that she just knew would be hidden when his hair grew out.

Melissa hadn't seen the girl's playmate in the leaves, but she had seen a flash of silver hair. She'd heard them giggling and growling at each other before the playmate yelped in pain and yelled "Maaamaaaa, she bit me again!" It had been a wonderful dream, she wished it could have lasted longer.

After a moment she realized what had awoken her, it was Sesshomaru's lips on her body. He released her hard nipple from his mouth and moved to the other with his eyes closed. She sighed in pleasure and ran her fingers through his hair. He looked up at her and moved up her body to capture her lips.

"Good morning, my dear." He nuzzled her neck. "You looked so peaceful I almost hated to wake you, but we have unfinished business this morning."

"I had nice dream." She replied, stretching her arms then wrapping them around his shoulders.

"So did I. Allow me to share it with you." With that he ducked under the covers and a moment later she felt him press his tongue between her hot folds. She moaned softly and spread her legs to grant him easier access. He held her hips and began devouring her pussy.

She moaned and whimpered as he drove his tongue deep inside of her and sucked on her clit. Her body started to tense, she was close to cumming. She grabbed his hair and arched her back. Someone knocked on the door.

Sesshomaru growled an obscenity as he threw back the covers, it was probably the first time she'd ever heard him cuss. He climbed to his feet leaving her exposed and dripping into the futon. She was so very close to the edge. He cracked the door open, "Come back later!"

"No. You will listen to me now, Sesshomaru!" Granny growled as she grabbed the edge of the door and threw it open. She pushed past Sesshomaru as Melissa quickly pulled the covers over her body and sat up in alarm. She slammed the door shut, making sure that it was indeed shut she proceeded to deliver a lecture that left Melissa in tears.

She finally quit screaming and simply glared at the two. Melissa hung her head with watery eyes, Sesshomaru even appeared slightly ashamed. His face never changed, but it was in his eyes. She huffed then pushed a pair of hakama into Sesshomaru's chest "Put that thing away, you haven't the time to play with it this morning. Your mother will be in to punish you shortly."

"What... What she do to us?" Melissa asked, petrified.

"I was watching last night. You attempted to stop Sesshomaru's misbehavior several times before giving in. I do not believe punishment will be severe for you, Merissa. She may feel my lecture was enough seeing as you are crying now."

Granny turned to Sesshomaru while Melissa hastily wiped her eyes. "You, on the other hand, should know better. And you dragged your poor bride into it with you. Did you even consider that she might be punished along with you?"

"I intended to make it clear that I alone am at fault."

"Well you two need to get dressed, unless you wish to face your mother in the nude, that is. Come on, Merissa, up you get." Granny ordered pulling the blanket away from Melissa and pulling her to her feet. She had brought fresh kimonos. She'd heard the ripping cloth last night and knew the silk needed time to repair itself.

Granny had just finished tying Melissa's obi when Kimiko arrived and shut the door behind her. Melissa immediately looked at the ground, avoiding the youkai's eyes, tears still in her own. Kimiko looked from one to the other and moved toward Melissa.

"Touch her and you die! Last night was my fault, she merely obeyed her alpha and I will not allow you to punish her!" Sesshomaru told his mother.

She paused and looked at him, then changed direction. When she stood before her son she raised a dainty hand and slapped him hard across the face. "Do not speak to me in such a manner, you ill mannered pup! I have no intention of harming her, but you both have abused my hospitality and must be dealt with."

She turned back to Melissa, her punishment being less severe and Melissa more obedient she wished to deal with her first. "You did attempt to stop Sesshomaru, but you gave in eventually. Look at me, Melissa!"

As she gave the order she reached toward Melissa's face, intending to take her chin and force her face up. However being already afraid when she saw a hand coming at her she threw up her arms in defense and flinched away so that she fell. Kimiko gazed down in surprise the rounded on her son "Sesshomaru!"

"I have never struck her. It was her father who left her with her fear of authority." He was unsure whether his mother knew she'd once been married so did not mention her first husband hit her as well.

Kimiko turned back to Melissa, "Stand when you are able and look at me." Melissa obeyed, climbing to her feet at once. "You understand what you did was wrong and clearly feel remorse. You will apologize when we join Daichi for breakfast. For you there will be no further punishment."

"For you however, Sesshomaru, there will be. A spanking I fear would be insufficient for this wrongdoing. Your pride means more than your hide, and so it is your pride that will be flogged today.

You will address the royal court and explain why your behavior was inappropriate. You will then apologize to Daichi, you will also lower yourself to be his servant for the day. If he requests you to perform a task, you are to do it. I expect you want to apologize to Melissa for dragging her into your mischief as well."

"And if I refuse, mother?"

"I will disown you." She replied with the merest glance at Melissa.

Sesshomaru looked over at Melissa. He didn't need riches or the comforts of palace life, but she needed shelter. If he was disowned would she be cast out in this weather? It was colder than when he first brought her, he doubted that she would survive the journey to Inuyasha's village. Or would his mother keep her and keep them apart? Either outcome was unacceptable.

"I am your only heir."

"It is true I have but one son, however your father had two. Your brother would require training, but perhaps he would be better behaved." She looked at him, he could see her thinking. Then she smiled, and that smile made him nervous.

"Of course there is a way to make sure your father's line and mine both continue in this palace even if I am forced to turn you out. Inuyasha is not my son by blood after all, and he will outlive his wife by centuries. I still have centuries in which to give you another sibling. You have never cared for Inuyasha as your brother, would you prefer to call him father?"

"You wouldn't!"

"Wouldn't I? I cared deeply for your father, but you know that was not always the case. We were wed for political reasons. I could marry for political reasons again. And I am sure he would not object to the rise in status."

He glared at his mother. She had him in a corner. His actions would affect Melissa. Not only could she be endangered, but Inuyasha... His mother... He could not allow it. "I will do as you say this once."

As it turned out Daichi found the whole thing hilarious. He graciously accepted both apologies and turned down Sesshomaru's offer to serve him for the day. He did, however, enjoy poking fun at Sesshomaru about it. It was something that the whole palace would snicker about for weeks to come.

After a leisurely breakfast Kimiko and the men went to her study to talk business. Melissa was left to 'enjoy' tea and gossip with Daichi's two unmarried daughters. Granny and two guards stood near with a servant and guard Daichi had brought along to tend his girls.

"So, Merissasan, how did you do it?" The youngest asked as their tea was poured.

"Do what?" She asked, as far as she was aware she hadn't done anything to impress them, nothing they'd know about anyway.

"Charm Sesshomaru, of course. Women have been trying to for centuries. As I'm sure you are aware he is considered quite a catch, powerful, strong, wealthy, heir to the western lands. Youkai women have tried everything to earn his favor but he had never given anyone a second glance. Now here you are, a human from a distant land and his betrothed. You must tell us your secret."

"No secret. I love him, he loves me. That is why we are betrothed."

"Yes, we know he loves you, but how did you get him to fall in love?"

Melissa shrugged, "I not try." The young youkai frowned, she clearly didn't believe that. That a human could be so lucky.

"You must be so excited to bare his heirs though!" The older of the two stated changing the subject. "You are preparing you defenses, correct? Tell me, will you be using dogs for the guards or something else. "You are guarded by a female bear I noticed, will you be hiring more mother bears to guard the pups?

"You know my sister and I having been tossing around ideas to protect pups when the day comes. What spells will you be using? Will you bother posted a guard at the window? You are well protected by the walls as it is."

"Sesshomaru and I have discussed children." Melissa replied slowly. "Please excuse. Ume, come." She let herself out and headed toward the outhouse, but she didn't really need to use it.

"They underestimate your intelligence, my little lady. You understand why they were asking such questions, don't you?"

"One wants to steal Sesshomaru. One wants to kill my babies." Melissa replied, her blood boiling.

"Well, I hardly think she would steal him, she wants to know how to seduce him once you have died. But yes, the other is plotting to assassinate your children. You see you are only a human, you are not a threat as you will only live a few decades. The threat is in your womb, the children you will give him.

"If Sesshomaru already has a heir then there is no power for his second wife to gain. They will each want to be the mother of the heir so that through their son they may control the Western Lands. She was fishing for information that would aid an attempt on your children's lives"

"Disgusting women! How they come from Diachi? He seems so nice!"

"He is, but their mother was a real piece of work. Political marriage. Luckily Daichi's wife only gave him daughters, his sons were born to a concubine whom he loves. I wish she could have come, she is a darling woman, you'd like her. But she is close to giving him another son and so can not travel so far from her midwives."

The meeting with Kimiko and the men extended into lunch and Melissa was forced to endure the meal with daichi's girls. As Melissa was restless and the cool winter weather didn't bother the youkai much they decided to have a picnic outside. The servants were setting up the tables under a tree when a snap drew everyone's attention to a small boy in the upper branches.

"Peasant, what are you doing up there? You are disturbing us!" Daichi's oldest yelled at Kiyoshi, who had been in the tree before they arrived.

The boy blinked in surprise at being spoken to so harshly, he hadn't done anything wrong. "I am getting my toy Merissasama made for me." He replied pointing at a tattered paper airplane the wind had carried into the tree top.

"Kiyoshi, is worn out. Come down, I make you new tomorrow. I have sweets, you have one." Melissa called up the the kitten who grinned down at her and began to descend.

"You will share your food with peasants?" Daichi's daughter asked in shock.

"Like kids." Melissa replied with a shrug.

"Our lady will be a wonderful mother someday!" A nearby guard replied before Ume could to more than grin at Melissa.

Then their was another loud crack from above followed by a yell. Kiyoshi crashed down on the picnic as the limb beneath him broke. He broke two tables and splattered food everywhere. Melissa leaned forward to help him up, "You ok?"

"Why you clumsy little brat, how dare you!?" Daichi's eldest screamed. Melissa glanced over and saw her draw back her hand, claws gleaming. She threw herself forward and wrapped herself protectively around little Kiyoshi. She yelled in pain as the claws tore open her shoulder and the blow sent her flying.

Next she heard chaos erupt, the only thing she heard clearly was a petrified voice above the din, "No! I didn't mean to hit her! Not the human!"

She was lifted in strong arms while she continued to cling to Kiyoshi, the child now crying in fear. Granny carried her and the kitten to the healers while the guards settled matters in the courtyard. Her shoulder burned like fire, were those claws poisonous?

She learned from the healers that they were indeed poisonous. It was a mild poison, it wouldn't kill her, but Kiyoshi was a very young child. She had very likely saved his life. The healers cleaned the poison from the wound and had her drink an antidote. Her shoulder still hurt, and she might be groggy, but she'd be fine in a day or two.

Once she'd been tended to she demanded they make sure Kiyoshi was ok before carrying him out on her hip. She took him to his house and sent him in for a change of clothes then took him to get cleaned up. She didn't have the authority to invite visitors to the royal baths so she carried him into the common baths were a group of huntresses were enjoying a bath having just returned with fresh meat for the kitchens.

"Hey, isn't that Kin's boy?" One of the women whispered to her companions. They fell silent and watched the lord's betrothed tending to a peasant child, Melissa ignored them. She didn't have time to give Kiyoshi a full bath but she did wash the food from his face, hair, and hands before helping him change into a clean set of cloths then sending him home. Only once he had been cared for did she allow Granny to take her up to her chambers to change.

Sesshomaru and Kimiko were already there waiting for her and Sesshomaru strode forward and pulled her kimono down off her shoulder. He unwrapped the bandage and examined her arm. "We heard about the attack, where have you been?" He demanded as he examined the wound.

"I take care of Kiyoshi." She answered as though it should have been obvious. Sesshomaru didn't reply because he realized it really should have been. Kiyoshi must have been frightened and Melissa has a mother's heart.

"Daichi wishes to apologize for his daughter's behavior tonight, but if you are not up to coming to dinner you may have yours in here and he will see you in the morning before they leave. His daughter is confined to the guest quarters until then. He has promised he will decide on a suitable punishment when they return home."

She decided to attend dinner, but as the healers warned her she was groggy. Near the end of dinner someone called her name and she jerked her head up and blinked in confusion. Sesshomaru and his mother were looking at her with some concern. Her chopsticks, and the bite of food they had once held, were lying in her lap.

Granny started forward but Sesshomaru stopped her, "I will take her to bed." Once they were out of sight he picked her up and she dozed off again before he laid her down. He tucked her into bed and licked her good night before returning to dinner.