UPDATED
Growing up, Sumi realized one thing. Women in the world, be it mortal or immortal, all shared the same role. She was taught the essentials of being a housewife, forever having knowledge of each dish she would prepare for her husband and children, the appropriate times to speak, and how to clean, sew, and tend to wounds. Her husband, regardless of who it may be, would provide for their family, and expand their land through negotiations, war, and strength. Lady Rumi, her eccentric mother, was lucky to be wed to Lord Seiho. He was one of the more powerful fox demons in the entirety of their country. Rumi went through the same training as Sumi and her four other sisters did. She wanted to break this tradition.
Rokumi, Rie, and Ryozu, triplets born sixty years before Sumiyo. Their light maroon colored hair and olive skin resembled that of their mother's. Rokumi, the eldest of the three, was their father's favorite. He would often say that she showed promise in becoming a great wife, as well as a great warrior. She was the only of the five girls who would ever learn swordsmanship. Rie preferred reading books, and increasing her knowledge on anything and everything. Ryozu found that becoming someone's wife was something she was ecstatic for. She enjoyed learning homely duties, which often gained approval from her mother and her mother's servants. Sumiyo was the troubled child for a while, until the youngest was born during her twentieth year. Sada was their mother's favorite from the very beginning. Both her and Sumi resembled their father with pale skin and ebony hair. The only similarity between the sisters besides their facial features were their piercing coral colored eyes.
Oftentimes, Sumi and Sada would hide out in the gardens just beyond their fathers' castle. While the triplets were meeting potential suitors, the youngest girls would find their safe haven within the flowers. They would tell eachother wild and bizarre stories of what they thought happened once they were given away to a young lord. These tales of being eaten, treated like the ladies they'd be, and adventurous romance were nothing but ghost stories between the sisters. The age difference in the two took a toll on their relationship the closer it came to Sumi's 100th year. She was pushed to work hard in her studies, to practice the homely duties more, and to ensure she was ready to "make use of her child bearing hips". Sumi couldn't help but to avoid anyone once she had alone time. Including Sada.
Over the years, Sumi's short ebony hair grew, along with her womanly shape and independence. Her patience only grew thin, and she had become known for throwing royal tantrums. Her first appearance at her father's demon banquet ended in her being struck by her mother. She didn't understand how anyone could deal with the highly off-putting society of the highest ranking demons. The groping, the awful staring, the arrogance. She couldn't handle it. Her second appearance was after her oldest sisters were all wed and away. Being reunited with them at the banquet was blissful. Sada hid shyly behind their mother, never leaving her side. Sumi was close to another outburst, and decided to escape the madness by residing on the west balcony.
Nobody would notice her absence anyways. She removed her jewel and flower engraved headdress, and set it down on the cool bench. How alone she felt. The night sky stretched over her, sprinkles and bursts of stars littering it here and there. Sumi rested her gloved arms on the railing, her chin in the middle of them, and stared out across the acres and acres of lush greenery. She was there for quite some time, absorbing the beauty of it all, before her pointed ears caught a small sound behind her. Immediately turning around, her defenses quickly rose. It was a demon lord, clad in white and blue silk robes, and some sort of mokomoko draped over his shoulder. He had what looked to be a small crown peaking through his white bangs. What struck her as the most shocking, were his golden eyes staring directly through her.
Nothing was said between them, and Sumi cautiously straightened out her tight kimono. "Forgive me, but I don't know your name, my lord." She stated in a polite tone, although her eyes gave away her slight fear. He didn't say anything, instead taking a few steps for her and resting his clawed hands on the railing beside her. She was puzzled and somewhat irritated at his lack of replies. She knew he could sense that. It wasn't until her cheeks were beginning to puff up in anger and a small blush formed over her cheeks until he said anything. "So my father was correct about your temper. Foolish woman." He spoke, his voice pierced through the heavy air. She could have sworn she saw an amused smirk placed upon his lips. She scoffed in protest, and opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out. She did have a short temper..
The demon looked over at her, causing her to be struck by those eyes once more. "I do not care for such frivolous gatherings, either." The simple sentence made her heart skip a beat. Their little moment was interrupted when the voice of her eldest sister, Rokumi called out for her. "Sumi-chan! What are you doing out here all by yourself…?" The demoness looked between the two, and seemed surprised. "Nothing, sister. I was just getting away from mother's constant nagging and the groping." Sumi began to say, before putting her headdress back upon her head. "I suppose I should return before mother throws a fit." Sumi said, and bowed to the man. He nodded slightly, before returning his gaze to a bright star above them. Rokumi linked her arm with her younger sister, and the two walked back into the festivities.
"Sumiyo! What were you doing with Lord Sesshomaru?" Rokumi nearly shouted once they were far enough away from him. "I don't know who he is. He didn't tell me his name.." Sumi admitted, before tilting her head. "Why? Is he super important or something?" Rokumi gasped in disbelief. "His father, Lord InuTaisho is one of the greatest warriors. He worked with our father to take over the western and eastern lands! Of course he's important!" Her older sister scolded playfully, lightly smacking the top of her head. Sumi's eyes widened, and her face instantly flushed pink. "How was I supposed to know?" She exclaimed, looking around to see if Sesshomaru was anywhere near them. "His markings! His mokomoko!" Rokumi laughed behind her hand, shaking her head. "I swear, how will you ever find a lord who would wed you? You're clueless."
The following weeks after the banquet were uneventful. Sumi spent much of her time reading about various wars, many of them including her father. On one particular lazy spring day, Sumi was just finishing up another one of her books, when she heard a couple of shushed giggles outside of her door. Her eyes flickered to the door, and she shut the book. "..so handsome!" She heard one of the servants say, hearing their feet walk further and further down the hall. Odd. She got up from her desk, and made her way to the main area of the castle. Her mother was currently greeting Sesshomaru, Sada beside her as usual. For some reason, Sumi's heart skipped again, and she found herself bowing to the lord once more. "Ah, Sumiyo, Lord Sesshomaru was here to ask for your hand in marriage." Her mother beamed, excitedly grabbing her daughters' hands and pulling her close. Sumi looked over at Sesshomaru in shock, and he didn't have any form of emotion on his features.
He ended up joining them for the evening. Sada and Sumi were wary of this sudden suitor, and glanced at each other throughout their dinner. Once Lady Rumi said her farewells and excused herself, Sada did the same, and Sesshomaru and Sumi were left alone. The silence was tense for Sumi, and she cleared her throat after a moment. "May I ask why?" Was all she could muster out. She barely knew him and didn't know he even existed until a few weeks prior. She knew she had to say yes. She knew this would happen. But the reality of it actually happening sent worried nerves down her spine. "My father wished it to be so." Sesshomaru answered, still emotionless. "He works alongside Lord Seiho. They have agreements." Sumi let this settle in her mind before saying: "Well, what do you want?" It was silent for a while again. She sighed when she received no reply, and stood up. "Lord Sesshomaru, thank you for the proposal, It would bring great honor for my f-" He was in front of her before she could finish that sentence, and it was only then that Sumi realized he was much taller than she was.
"You do not need to accept, Sumi." He stated, and she couldn't hide the blush on her face. They were so close! Why was he so close? "I-" She was interrupted once again when she noticed his lips getting closer to hers. "Don't get cocky!" She exclaimed suddenly. He was away from her now, and she was flustered. "Whether or not I accept, y-you cannot justify your inappropriate actions! Please refrain from getting that close to me, Lord Sesshomaru." She was completely overwhelmed, as she had never been close to a man like that. He hummed in approval, and she thought she saw a small smile. "I appreciate the modesty." He paused, and turned around. His back was facing her now. "Most women are quick to lust. I am grateful father picked you."
Thus began Sumiyo's long and confusing relationship with Lord Sesshomaru.