"I'm here to collect my daughter, Kimiko." Haru grunted, his hazel eyes searched the group for her. He might not have looked old, but his body was starting to decline. His sense of smell was the first to start dissipating.

Kimi's heart leaped out of her chest when she heard her name. She couldn't see anything because Sesshoumaru was so tall. Her father was here? She was from a family of royalty? Sesshoumaru's grip on her arm tightened causing her to wince. She caught the eyes of Natsuko who shrugged her shoulders.

For all those years, Kimi never told him where she had come from. This was completely new to him. Why would she run away from her lands if this was the case? Sesshoumaru only glared at the Lord. How did he know the man was telling the truth? Their scents didn't even remotely match.

"How do we know she is your daughter? Why haven't you come for her before?" Sesshoumaru finally questioned. He wasn't asking about the present, he was asking about the past; when Kimi and him were about to mate. Kimi carefully listened. Haru let out a boisterous laugh.

"As you can see, Lord Sesshoumaru, I am getting older. My senses are starting to decline so I couldn't track her down as I was able to years before." Haru shrugged his shoulders. "She always would run off; which is why I asked you for some of your guards."

"Maybe if you weren't so fat, you would be able to find her yourself…" Kouji mumbled as he crossed his arms. He received a hard elbow to the side from Mamoru.

Sesshoumaru could tell Haru was telling the truth, but he didn't want to let Kimi go. He just got her back. Kimi finally got out of Sesshoumaru's grasp and stood in front of Lord Haru. Haru's face lightened when he saw his daughter stand before him.

"There's my Kimi. Where have you been? Why did you disappear all these years? Where did you go? And why are you wearing those peasant garments?" Haru questioned, each one getting more desperate. Kimi only stared at him, her eyes filled with confusion. She had no idea what he was talking about. Natsuko stepped forward as she cleared her throat.

"If I may, M'Lord. Kimiko… she… she lost her memories…" Natsuko informed, her brown eyes saddened. She didn't want Kimi to find out this way. But her father had to know. Kimi's head reeled. What memories had she forgotten? What was everyone talking about? Lord Haru glared at Natsuko.

"What are you talking about, human?" Haru snapped. He was starting to grow impatient. Kimi shot a glared at the man. No one talked to Natsuko that way.

"I mean, she doesn't remember anything before she disappeared." Natsuko explained unphased. She was used to the rude comments from other demons. Sesshoumaru clenched his fists. He didn't want Kimi to find out so soon. She would go into shock

Kimi's mind fished for information. She had no idea how to process all that she was hearing. Her mind was racing. Everything was happening so fast. Black dots started to cloud her vision until she no longer could see anymore.

Kimi's emerald eyes shot open as she jumped up. She observed that she was in a room that she was not used to. The walls were painted a bright pink causing Kimi to wince. Suddenly she felt light headed. She held her head in her hands and took deep breaths. She then realized she was sitting in a large pink frilly bed.

Kimi jolted out of the bed and fell to the floor. A shiver ran down her spine. The room was freezing! She then noticed her maid outfit was gone and she was wearing a thin pink silk garment. She sighed in frustration. Why was everything pink?! A soft knock caused Kimi to look up to see a mousy servant girl staring at her.

"Where am I?" Kimi asked without hesitation.

"Lady Kimiko, you are so funny. You are in your chambers, of course." The mousy girl laughed. Kimi raised her brow at the title she had been given. The girl clapped her hands together. "It is time to get up. Your father would like to see you after lunch. Lun, Ji, come on we do not have time to waste!" The girl shouted out the door. Suddenly two girls, who looked just as mousy as the first, stormed in and started to drag Kimi off of the floor.

"H-hey! What are you doing!?" Kimi shrieked as they started to remove her clothing. The first girl laughed again.

"They are dressing you, it is our job." She informed as she handed one of the girls a garment. They swiftly pulled it over Kimi's head and stood her up. Kimi stared in shock at the beautiful white dress they placed on her. It was a little too frilly for her liking, but it was still beautiful none-the-less. They finally dragged her down thousands of hallways until they were in the dining hall where they fed her.

After she was done eating, the maids dragged Kimi through even more hallways until they stopped in front of large double doors. The head mousy girl knocked on the door twice before a booming voice was heard. She pushed opened a door and led Kimi through it. Sitting at a large desk was Lord Haru. He smiled when he saw Kimi.

"Lin, you are dismissed." He ordered. The mousy girl, now known as Lin, bowed and exited the study. Kimi held her hands in front of her not knowing what to do. She was still confused about her so called lost memories. It was a strange thought, but it also made sense of some things like how she knew the rules of the castle before Natsuko even said a word.

"What happened to me? How did I get here?" Kimi finally asked. A smile crept onto Lord Haru's features.

"You're still the curious Kimiko I raised. You fainted. Lord Sesshoumaru and I came to an agreement. You could stay for a week, learn about your past. And we'd decide what happens after that." Lord Haru explained. Kimi crossed her arms. Why were people always making decisions for her? She was old enough to make them herself. She was nineteen after all.

"And who are "we"? I'm pretty sure I am capable of making decisions for myself." Kimi retorted with her eyes narrowing. The smile only grew bigger on Lord Haru's face.

"You are just like your mother…" He mumbled as his hazel eyes saddened. Kimi's eyes widened.

"My mother? Where is she?" This was the first she was hearing about her mother. A least she had finally found her parents. Lord Haru stood up slowly and sauntered towards a portrait Kimi didn't even notice was in the room. It was a little smaller than the one she saw in Sesshoumaru's library. It was of a woman sitting on a fountain's edge. She had long brunette hair and bright eyes that resembled sapphires. She wore an intricate ball gown that was several layers. In her pale hands she held a beat up katana.

"Your mother was an amazing woman. She cared about everyone in the lands. She treated everyone as if they were equals. She would always speak her mind and let everyone know how she was feeling." Lord Haru spoke, still staring at the picture. Kimi's heart clenched.

"W-was?" She whispered. Lord Haru ignored her as he continued.

"She somehow caught some sort of virus. No matter what we did, she only got worse. When she seemed to be getting better…" Lord Haru stopped speaking and sauntered back over to his desk. Kimi got her answer. Her mom, her real mom, was dead. "For a demon, it was strange for her to… But that was five years ago now." He finally finished as he sat down.

Kimi could tell he still wasn't over her mother's passing. It then hit her.

"Demon? She was a demon?" Kimi asked. Lord Haru's eyebrow rose. Kimi could feel her face warm up. Maybe that was a stupid question.

"That peasant woman was right. You have lost your memories. We're all demons Kimi, even you. Your mother and I are full-fledged dog demons; as is Lord Sesshoumaru and yourself." He explained carefully, watching Kimi's movements. He didn't want her to faint again.

Kimi stared at her father. She was a demon? A full-fledged dog demon? She couldn't believe it. Was she even hearing properly? Kimi quickly sat in the chair that was beside her and stared up at Lord Haru.

"Tell me everything." She whispered. She needed to know everything. This was her whole existence. It was like she didn't even know who she was anymore. Lord Haru smiled.

"I'll tell you what I know. I'll start from the beginning," He started. He was glad that she didn't go into shock again. But he still had to be careful. "Your mother and I decided we wanted an heir for the throne, but after three years we had given up. A year later, your mother stumbled upon a baby left alone near the fountain in front of the palace."

Kimi's mouth nearly dropped open. He wasn't her biological father? The woman in the picture wasn't her mother? What was it with people and adopting her? Was she really that unwanted?

"Me?" She whispered. She started to twirl her golden hair with her fingers.

"That's right. We took you in and raised you as our own. Your mother and I wanted to tell you sooner but she got sick… The bracelet was on you when we found you." He explained eyeing the bracelet she had on. Kimi began to play with the bracelet. This piece of metal was her only clue.

"Your mother became sick and after the whole ordeal… you became depressed. You never wanted to stay in the castle. Well, you never did to begin with, which you got from your mother, but it escalated after… You would usually be with the villagers but one day you disappeared without a trace. By the time I had found where you were, we heard of your engagement to Lord Sesshoumaru."

Kimi shot up from her seat with wide eyes. Did she hear that correctly? She was engaged to Sesshoumaru? And when was he planning to tell her that?! She slowly sat back in her seat with a flushed face. Maybe she was hallucinating.

"What?" She finally choked out. Lord Haru's hazel eyes brightened with laughter as he covered his mouth and softly coughed.

"Yes. And before I could even intervene, you were declared missing." He finished explaining as he stood up from his desk and sauntered in front of Kimi. "That is enough for today. Let us have dinner." He smiled as he led Kimi out of his study.

Two days had passed since Kimiko had been with Lord Haru. It was starting to drive her insane. All the maids would address her as Lady Kimiko. No matter how many times she said to just call her Kimi, they still did it. Every morning she would be woken up by Lin, Lun and Ji who would dress her and drag her down to the dining hall for breakfast. She tried to get them to let her dress herself, she was a grown woman after all, but the mouse demons would laugh and continue on.

When she escaped into the gardens after breakfast, guards would surround her as if she were a prized possession. She complained to Lord Haru, who she still couldn't call Papa, and he would laugh and say it was for her own good.

Kimi leaned against a weeping willow as she glared at the guards. She pulled out useless accessories from her hair, allowing it to cascade down her back, just as she liked it. She blew at her bangs and finally got fed up.

"Have you ever heard of a personal bubble?! Give me some space to breath at least!" She snapped. The four guards glanced at each other before they took a step back. The youngest one spoke up.

"I'm sorry, Lady Kimiko. But we have orders to protect you at all costs." The young man stated. Kimi rolled her emerald eyes. She now knew why she would run away years ago. She hated the palace life. She stood up and stomped towards the castle, the guards close behind her. It was hard to get away from them in the dress she was wearing. It was an emerald green ball like gown and had three layers to it.

She sighed as she stepped into the castle when she noticed Lord Haru speaking with another man. Kimi raised her eyebrow. Lord Haru glanced up and smiled at her.

"Ah! Kimiko! Just in time, I would like you to meet Lord Ichiro."

Kimi's eyes widened as the man turned to greet her. He had teal coloured hair and eyes to match… just like the Ichiro she knew. Only difference was, his hair was longer and held in a low ponytail while Ichiro from her school's hair was kept short. If she thought Mamoru looked like him, it was only a fluke.

Lord Ichiro closed the gap between him and Kimi. A smile crept onto his handsome face as he took her hands into his own.

"I came as soon as I could after I heard of your return, Lady Kimiko." Lord Ichiro informed as his kissed the back of her hands. Kimi inwardly gagged. This was probably Ichiro's bloodline. Kimi removed her hands from Lord Ichiro's and stepped away from his as a fake smile appeared on her face.

"Ah." Was all she said. Lord Haru placed his hand on the small of Kimi's back as he led her away from the younger Lord. When they were far enough he stopped.

"Kimi, there is something I must inform you of that I left out when I first explained your past." Lord Haru started as he stared at his daughter. Kimi raised her brow.

"What is it?" She asked. Lord Haru gazed at her for a short while before finally speaking.

"Before you disappeared and found Lord Sesshoumaru, you and Lord Ichiro were betrothed." Lord Haru explained. Kimi removed herself from Lord Haru's arms and glared at him.

"I was what? Why didn't you tell me?!" She shouted. She now knew why she had run away. She thought it was the guards, but that was just a joke compared to this.

"I did not want you to go into shock again. I-" Lord Haru was cut off by Kimi.

"Well it's too late for that." She argued as she crossed her arms and turned her back to her father. Lord Haru sighed as he started to walk back to Lord Ichiro.

"You may not like it, but that is the truth. Lord Ichiro has agreed to mate with you tomorrow. It is the only way to keep you from Lord Sesshoumaru." He ordered as he left Kimi alone. Kimi couldn't believe her ears. This was definitely why she had run away so many years ago. Just as she started toward the gardens, Lord Ichiro stood by her side.

"I guess you heard the news." He commented with a smirk on his face. Kimi shot him a deadly glare. The Lord laughed as he leaned toward her delicate ear.

"Do not worry; I will take good care of you tomorrow. I will be gentle, promise." He whispered into her ear before he gently licked it and disappeared after her father. Kimi's eyes widened. She roughly wiped her ear with the sleeve of her dress. She had to get out of the palace and tonight was her only hope.

Kimi slowly rose from her bed and tiptoed toward her door. She slowly cracked the door open and peeked out. Outside, she could see two guards standing in front of the door. She closed it back and raced toward the window. She slowly glanced out the large window and noticed three guards standing underneath it. She silently cursed to herself as she stomped back to her bed. Her father must have put them on high alert. He was one step ahead of her… but she would find a way to escape.

Kimi stood up from her bed once more and paced across the room, her emerald dress from earlier that day dragging on the floor. She closed her eyes and thought hard, probing her lost memories. If she used to escape in the past, there had to have been a secret exit.

She scanned the bright pink room but nothing seemed out of place or triggered a memory. She removed pictures and furniture but nothing could be found. She was about to give up when she noticed her bracelet would vibrate every time she came close to the vanity. Every time something from Kimi's past was about to arise her bracelet would become alive, she noticed.

She quickly searched around the vanity. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until Kimi looked under it. There was a small groove in the floor. To others it would look like a crack, but Kimi knew better. Her bracelet vibrated as if telling her 'you found it'. Kimi moved the heavy vanity to the side and pushed two fingers into the groove. She pulled up and the floor moved. A large smile plastered onto her face. Stairs led deep down into the floor. Where they led, she had no idea, but she would happily find out.

Kimi slowly started down the creaky stairs. When she was low enough, she pulled the vanity close to its original position and replaced the floorboard. A giggle threatened to escape her throat but she took a couple of breaths. The secret exit was now dark but Kimi pressed on. She cautiously followed the stairs, in hopes it would lead her away from the damned palace.

Ahead of her, a small light was shining. When she got closer she realized it was a peep hole. Kimi looked through and saw it led to her father's study. The smile on her face grew wider. Whoever made this passage way wanted to make sure they never got caught. She turned her attention back to the task at hand. Even though there were dozens of peep holes, she had to escape.

A door stood in front of Kimi and her escape. She slowly opened it and laughed out loud. She exited out of a large tree and gently shut the door back. No wonder her father never could find her. As soon as she started on her way, alarms sounded off. She assumed they were meant for her and started to run as fast as her legs could take her.

The sky started to sparkle with stars, making Kimi nervous. Although she was getting used to the new world she was in, she still didn't know any of the dangers that lurked the dark forests. The colour from her hands drained as she held onto the bottom of her emerald gown tightly. She had to get away, she had to.

Just as her confidence was growing, a clearing came into view. A pair of voices quietly spoke, causing Kimi to stop running. She cautiously listened to the pair as she tip-toed passed them.

"How do you even know she's in the Feudal Era? And even if she is, she could be anywhere!" The first voice complained. Kimi raised her brow. So she was in the Feudal Era? How did that even make sense?

"I don't know, InuYasha. I just have a strong feeling!" The other voice responded. Kimi stopped moving. That voice… It was so familiar. She could've sworn it sounded like…

Teehee! Cliff hanger!
Hope you enjoyed!
Rate And Review!
R&R~
Snowy B