Chapter One

Inutaisho

"I will admit father, Japan is beautiful." Christophe ruffled up his daughter's hair playfully as they looked upon the palace of the western lands. The palace grounds could be seen from a great distance away. It was set high upon it's own platform but it was almost missed compared to the mighty mountain behind it. Hundred of stairs led up to the mixture of palaces made of wood. It was nothing like the mighty stone castles she was used to back home. Slowly, the dull memory of this place tugged at the back of her mind.

"I'm sure Inutaisho is eagerly waiting for us. Let's not keep him," her father led the way closing the distance between them and this mysterious palace. The palace grounds grew bigger and bigger until they were climbing the daunting stairs passing various guards who bowed low as they passed. Callisto counted the steps silently. The first thing she saw as they climbed over the final 900th step was one large palace surround by many others. Momentarily, Callisto was lost in the fantasy of her surroundings.

A great demon suddenly came into view. Callisto only had to meet him once to know he was the great lord of the western lands. He was an epic fighter and an accomplished war general. Her own father could be considered a wimp compared to this demon. Of course, Christophe was much too kind and tender hearted to care about power. Callisto wondered how they became friends in the first place.

"Christophe! The gods had favor on your journey here! I trust you didn't run into too many fights on the way?" The demon lord spoke with a thick voice and his Japanese was easy to pick up.

"You keep your lands well patrolled, Inutaisho," as the two lords met, they greeted each other in a firm handshake. "However, our short journey through the southern lands proved slightly perilous. Many power hungry demons there I see."

The demons continued to talk of politics and battles leaving Callisto to fade into the back round and tune out her father's choppy Japanese. The journey had been long and all Callisto could think about was sleeping for a few days. Her brothers always made fun at how much she still needed to sleep even though she was pretty much full-grown. There was something about sleep she enjoyed very much even though in training she learned it left her vulnerable. She'd lived her life behind castle walls. What did she have to be vulnerable to?

Laughter brought Callisto out of her ravine of thoughts. Her father and Inutaisho were looking at her still chuckling. Callisto blushed in spite of herself.

"When was the last time you rested child?" Inutaisho asked looking directly at her. Callisto's blush deepened when she realized she must have said sleep out loud. "Your father is lucky to be able to regenerate quickly. Why, I remember you once got your hand cut off in battle and it grew back in less than a few days. I could never do that."

Callisto was unsure of her words standing in the aura of Inutaisho. Her nervousness broadcasted across her face.

"Don't be shy. You're almost family!" the great demon lord boasted. Callisto furrowed her brown but took it as an invitation to speak.

"Yes, well along with growing body parts, my father never seems to sleep. I'm sorry but I haven't had much rest, my lord," Callisto spoke softly and slowly so as not to screw up her Japanese. She looked to her father who seemed to be staring daggers at Inutaisho.

"Please, Aya will show you to your room." As Inutaisho spoke, a wise looking fox demon stepped forward and bowed low. "She will be your attendant. Anything you need, don't hesitate to ask her. But before you disappear, I invite you to a dinner in honor of you and your father."

"Thank you, my lord," Callisto gave a small bow and looked to her father to see what this was all about but he gave no hints.