This chapter is going to be a bit different. It's going to take a slightly different turn so we can ease into a bigger part of the story while also introducing a new character. It won't really connect to the previous chapters until my next update.

She walked away from the forest to approach the river. A cold look adorned her slender face. Her eyes were lifeless. Her frame was small but firm as she rinsed the blood from herself. It was everywhere. You'd have thought she'd bathed in a river of blood.

The sweet, metallic scent filled her nose as she thought back to what had happened. It was a massacre. There was no other choice. Yet again, she was forced to kill. I guess training for one dark moment to prevail above all others took a real toll on someone. How could it not? She was 16 and, still, she had yet to really reach her goal. She was still sloppy. It was still a rookie move.

The young girl's phone rang. She let it ring for a minute so she could gather her thoughts before answering. She knew who it was. She knew what he wanted. "Yes?"

The male voice on the other end stated, "Get here. Now."

She sighed. "Lord Sesshomaru, I just finished with one mission. I'm not even cleaned up yet."

He snapped, "That's because you're sloppy. Kanoko, if you're not back here in a reasonable amount of time, you're being put on watch. I really don't think you want that, now, do you?"

Kanoko sighed again. "No, My Lord. I'm sorry. I'll be there within the hour."

Sesshomaru's tone didn't change. "Good to know I have a student worth paying any attention to."

Kanoko rolled her eyes. "Yes, Sir. Thank you."

He hung up on her before she put her phone away. "Dammit!" Now she had to hurry. She couldn't even was off her clothes. Kanoko only had time to wash her face and run. Her boss meant business and she really didn't want to piss him off. She knew what happened to those who disobeyed him but she really couldn't regret joining him. She'd practically begged him to teach her. She was only 10 at the time. He must've taken pity on her. Otherwise, there was no way Sesshomaru would've taken a child in. He was widely known as a strict lord. He was often known as a ruthless killer but Kanoko knew the truth. She'd seen him with his family. He was especially kind to his daughter, Yuki. She was his world. He hated being caught being fatherly but he couldn't deny her anything. Sesshomaru really had at least a part of him that was soft. The main part he showed, though, was cold, dark, and fearless.

Kanoko couldn't wait to get home, even though she dreaded her next orders. Her best friend, Yuki, would be there. Kanoko was able to live in the castle because of her. She owed that girl everything.

Upon arriving home, Kanoko found there was a certain air to the place that reminded her of a calm, spring day. It was odd. She went straight into defensive mode and hid in the shadows to sneak into her own home. A figure approached her without knowing it. She leaped out and cut his throat. Kanoko stood up straight as a light caught her eye. "Dammit, it's not like I don't have enough blood to wash off..." She followed the light and barged into the room.

There was a dining table against the wall loaded with all assortments of food and sweets. There were streamers and balloons everywhere. Yuki tackled Kanoko in a hug. "Kani! Look!" She stood next to her awestruck friend. "It's all for you. Dad told me to plan a party to celebrate."

Kanoko asked, "Celebrate what?"

Sesshomaru appeared from out of nowhere with a glass of wine, she presumed. "You're new status here. You're now officially a member of the Inukais. You've also reached such a high combat and leadership status in such a short time, I'm giving you a trial run leading the training of the new recruits. You're in charge. Don't let me down."

Kanoko watched as he walked away. Yuki leaned forward with her hands behind her back. "Don't let him fool you. He cares."

Kanoko nodded her head to acknowledge her friend but she couldn't shake the forboding feeling she had that told her something horrible was about to happen.