I trekked around my room, humming a sorrowful tune. Almost my entire kimono collection was strewn around my room. Nothing seemed to be perfect enough for this occasion. Today was around the time that Lord Inutaisho and Lord Sesshomaru would have been coming for their meeting with my father. The only difference is that this time, I would have attended the meeting as well, for today is also my three hundredth birthday. It was a time of great celebration and maturity. Soon, I'd be going into heat and I will also be able to be mated without the consent of my parents. Although, that probably wouldn't have stopped Father from getting a say in the matter.

However, today was not a joyous occasion. Father had died a full moon (about a month) ago while patrolling the lands. It came as a surprise to us all, especially to me. No one or nothing ever messed with my father. He may have been a jokester, but his temper was nothing to play with once he lost it. I was also the one who took Father's death the hardest. I refused to eat and only drank water when I needed to. It was hard to wake up knowing that he wasn't going to be there. Lord Inutaisho and Lord Sesshomaru came for the burial, but had to leave shortly after. I wished I'd went with them. Mother's brutality had only gotten worse since Father's death. I had no one to be a buffer between us and her new mate wasn't any better.

That's right. Mother has another mate. His name is Ryonji and they mated a few days after Father's burial, which I found highly suspicious. Not only did I find that suspicious, but the supposed cause of Father's death was weird. He wasn't attacked nor did he put up a fight, but faint traces of youki were found in the area around his body. No one else believed it, but I figured that whoever killed my father was someone that he knew and trusted. But, I knew that it wasn't the Lords of the Western Lands. They'd never do that to my father. So, that only left one other person.

"Hurry up, you stupid girl," Mother sneered, stepping into my room. I stared up at her with a stoic expression. "Did you forget? Your new mate will be here soon and you look absolutely disgusting!"

"Yes, Mother." I'd long since learned not to go against Mother's wishes once Father died. It never ended well for me. "I will be right down."

"You'd better."

With one last sneer, she turned and exited my room. I waited until I no longer heard her footsteps before resuming my melancholy tune. Finally, I found a dark, solid purple kimono and put it on. I tied the black obi around my waist sloppily and ran my fingers through my hair repeatedly. I knew Mother would fix my kimono, but there was no taming the mess of hair on my head. Father used to always say that I got that from his mother, but I'd never met her. She died long before he ever mated and his father pined after her long after her death until he eventually lost the will to live without his mate. Thankfully, Father was old enough to care for himself and the Northern Lands.

"Would you like some help, Lady Ayame?" a soft voice questioned from the entrance to my bedroom. Peeking over my shoulder, I noticed one of the human maids standing there. I didn't know her name, but she was nice. I nodded, standing still so she could fix my clothing. "You look very beautiful, milady. Like a true Lady of the North."

"Thank you…" I trailed off, not knowing what to call this sweet woman.

"Mai," she finished, turning me around so she could see my face. Her long brown hair was pulled back into a neat bun and her green eyes sparkled even without copious amounts of light. She was shorter than my five-foot-seven frame and appeared to be about sixteen human years. "My name is Mai, milady."

I nodded to her to let her know I understood. With a sigh, I straightened my posture and made my way down to the Devil's chamber.

"Ah, Lady Ayame! Don't you look marvelous today! Doesn't she look beautiful, Sesshomaru?" Lord Inutaisho bellowed as I stepped into the dining hall.

I couldn't help it. A grin spread across my face and I ran into his arms. It felt good to be around someone who loved you and it felt even better to be hugged by them. I felt the tears I'd held at bay for so long slip out and I cried into my surrogate father's chest. He held me until no more tears would come.

"Thank you, Lord Inutaisho," I smiled, thankful for his presence. He'd never know just how much I loved him and his son.

"It's no problem," he replied. Grinning, he mock-whispered, "You should go hug Sesshomaru as well. He's been worried about you." It was loud enough that I heard a snort come from Sesshomaru's direction and I couldn't help but to laugh, tearing myself out of Inutaisho's arms to fall into Sesshomaru's.

"I have missed you, Sesshy," I whispered against his chest. I forced his arms around me. "You have missed me as well, have you not?" I asked, looking up into the golden orbs I loved so very dearly.

"You have this Sesshomaru mistaken for his father. This Sesshomaru misses no one," he replied very stoically, might I add.

Nevertheless, a smile appeared on my face anyways. I knew he missed me if the lingering of his arms around me after I'd let his hands go was any indication.

A/N: Okay, so I know the chapters are short, but there's a reason for that. You'll see. But once the story gets to the main part, then the chapters will get longer. I promise.