Chapter 6: In the name of disaster…

Authors note: Thank you Sesshomaru420 you were the first to review and it was a lovely review thank you. I know I am slacking, I just happened… to well have writers block. I know depressing huh? Especially since I can't get on until late hours when I am tired and sore. Anyways I am gunna get to the story now…

Midori stood there as Benjiro walked her back to her room. He told her he was sorry to hear about her parents and everything she was going through. He was truly a patient and wonderful man, especially with the way Juro acted… and made her act. She tried to be annoying, but she found herself… enjoying his company.

"Thank you Midori for a wonderful afternoon. I look forward to seeing you at dinner," he said kissing her hand and leaving. Midori smiled as she closed her door. When she turned around she jumped and screamed. Juro sat on her bed with his arms crossed.

"That was much longer then an hour Midori," Juro seemed angry. She just glared and relaxed her shoulders.

"Since when do you care about what I do?" she asked walking past him as he stood up.

"I don't," he said glaring at her back, "it just seems that you don't really need my help after all."

"Maybe I don't," Midori shot back angrily. Juro just shook his head and didn't reply. He walked to the door stopping for a moment, "well I hope your happy, that he's everything you want…"

"Juro," Midori said turning around, but he had shut the door behind him. She sighed and slumped onto her bed sad with what was happening. How did she always get herself into these situations? She hadn't realized how exhausted she had been until she woke up several hours later, 'when did I fall asleep?' she thought before jumping up. It was time for dinner, and she could tell she was already late.

With speed Midori ran down the halls and down the stairs her dress trailing behind her as she finally collided into the entrance. It was just then when she looked into the dinning room with it's large table and elegant white and amber features… she was the only royalty left in the castle. Neither her mother or father sat where they belonged. But as usual all the main generals and other nobility sat chatting about the affairs of their lands and others. Everyone looked her way and silenced before standing up to welcome her into the room.

"Thank you all but you need not do that," Midori blushed raising her hand," please sit everyone."

Midori's eye wondered as she made her way awkwardly to the head of the table and sat in her mothers chair. Although it was comfortable, she did not feel as if she belonged. Her eyes hit Benjiro and wondered on until they found Juro's who was talking to someone else, another female. Her heart felt this deep pain that she couldn't understand, and her eyes dropped as his moved to her face momentarily then back to his conversation.

"Milady," someone said after five awkward moments of silence for her.

"Yes general Fortho," she said looking up at the other dog youkai. He wasn't of any royal importance, but he was head of the army and owned a little of his own land up north.

"Tomorrow is the celebration of the day your father took reign of his lands," the general said sitting straight, "I know he is not with us to celebrate, but it has been a life long celebration that we've celebrated. Are we still to celebrate? I believe the men would like to still honor and celebrate it, your majesty."

"I'm sure my father would appreciate it, and want it to be celebrated. So yes," Midori said smiling making the general sigh and smile.

"Thank you milady," he said before eating his food, "then you should hurry and figure out plans. Your mother usually set it up, but the queen has left as well. So it is in your hands princess."

"Oh…" Midori said nervously thinking about it, "why didn't anyone bring this to my attention sooner then the night before?"

"I'm sorry milady there was so much going on," Fortho said nervously and shakily. Why was everyone so afraid of her? She was NOT her father and she took much pride in that.

"I will help you princess," Benjiro said smiling at her. Although she felt a little relieved at the offer, she wanted it to be someone else's offer. Juro. She bit her lip and looked down, because even though she was surrounded by many men and Juro himself… she felt lonely. She stood up feeling something inside her want to make her cry… why?

"Thank you Benjiro I except your offer," she said before placing a hand to her mouth and walking out of the room. Juro watched intensely as she ran out the door. What was wrong with her? Was she under too much pressure? Was she upset with what happened with them? Or was there something else wrong? Juro stood up and said goodnight to his fellow companions at the moment and then left after Midori. He checked her room, but she was not there… where was she? Then he knew she must be in the garden, her mother's favorite spot… Midori's safe place.

"Midori?" he asked as he entered the large garden with it's large trees and sweeping branches. He then saw her sitting by a small man made lake. Slowly Juro made his way towards her, but for the first time he felt nervous.

"Whose there?" she asked nervously.

"It's me Juro," he said sitting down beside her.

"What do you want?" Midori snapped between sobs.

"To talk," he said looking over at her, "what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?" Midori asked looking away from him so he couldn't see her wet eyes under the moons brilliant light shining upon them.

"What is it about you that makes me care so much?" he asked looking to her making her slowly look at him. A hand reached out and removed a tear, "I'm hanging onto the words you say Midori… so tell me what bother you."

"To much," Midori said shaking her head, "the way I'm feeling. I'm so confused and I understand nothing of them. I've never been so unsure of things, and I swore I would never marry… and that seems to be my future."

"No Midori, it doesn't have to be. You are a princess, but you have your own rights to make your own decisions," Juro said taking her hand in his.

"Apparently you've never quite met my father," Midori said looking at him.

"Not if you run away and make a life of your own Midori," he said squeezing her hand, "we can run away and you can back to my home. I will hide you until your father no longer searches for you."

"You want to run away with me?" Midori asked looking at him through her watery eyes with confusion.

"As friends," he said swallowing nervously, he wasn't quite ready yet to be settling down with anyone himself.

"Well of course," Midori said turning her head a little disappointed but still intrigued.

"So then what do you say?" he asked looking at her with curiosity, "tomorrow late at night when everyone has had there drinks and pass out early."

"It sounds like a plan," Midori said with a smile, "and your serious about this?"

"If you are," he said standing up, "but it is getting rather late. I should walk you to your room."

"I guess that would be a good idea," Midori said letting him help her stand up. Together they walked back to the castle quietly until they finally came to her room.

"Midori," he said grabbing her arm so she could leave.

"What is it Juro?" she asked looking at the man who had her arm.

"I'm sorry about earlier today," he said looking at her sympathetically.

"Me too," she said touching his arm gently, "but I'm also glad you came to find me."

"I am also," he said pulling her to him making her look up at him nervously. He opened his mouth to say something, but then just released her arm and looked down, "tomorrow."

"I'll see you then," she said stumbling back a step before watching him turn and walk away. A small smile crept up onto her face before she turned and walked into the castle.

*-*-*-*-*

Morning came faster then Midori expected it to. A knock at her door made her rise sleepily from her bed, and with haste she opened it to see Benjiro. She looked at him puzzled for a moment, and then remembered she had a lot to do. He was going to help her plan the celebration.

"Give me a moment to get ready please," Midori blushed realizing she was still in her dress from the night before.

"Yes milady," he smiled at her making her a little nervous. She then quickly changed into a different dress, one her mother had made for her. It was yellow with a white bow around her waist. She then fixed her hair into a ponytail with a white and silver bow. Then she hurried to open the door for Benjiro, he entered her room with a bag full of things. He seemed rather excited and enthusiastic about the festival.

Almost all day they planned the festival and gave the orders to the servants in the castle. Everyone worked together with speed to get the castle and castle grounds all set up. Benjiro looked at Midori who looked tired and nervous for a moment. He placed a hand on her shoulder making her jump.

"Benjiro?" she asked placing a hand to her heart, "I should have known… I just did not expect it."

"You should take a break I can finish the orders if you give me permission to take over," he said kissing her hand gently.

"Well," Midori bit her lip before nodding yes, "you have my permission."

"Well rest milady you need your strength for tonight," he said smiling at her handsomely, "I expect at least one dance with her majesty."

"It is yours to have milord," she bowed with a smile before walking away. While Benjiro was nice enough to help her out, she was out looking for Juro. She wasn't surprised to see him talking with one of the younger female servants.

"Milady," she bowed quickly at her presence. She had forgotten that with her parents gone she was in charge… and had to be shown respect by anyone who knew of it.

"It's alright really," she said looking at Juro then turned to walk away.

"Midori," he said before running after her.

"What do you want?" Midori asked not wanting to look at him.

"Why are you so mad at me?" he asked before realizing it was probably that he was talking to that girl, "Midori she was a servant girl. I was simply requesting something…"

"I'm sure," she shot back disgustedly. He just let out an sigh before grabbing her arm, "why are you constantly grabbing me!"

"Because you won't listen any other way!" Juro shot back angrily.

"Maybe if you tried a different approach once in awhile you would be surprised!" she yelled pulling her arm painfully from his group.

"You are so much like your mother," he said looking at her making her glare at him.

"And you're a lot like my father," she growled at him before turning to walk away.

"We are just friends remember?" he said walking after her.

"I remember VERY clearly!" she said not turning to look at him.

"Then why are you so mad?" he asked making her stop to turn around so she could glare at him.

"I DON'T… I don't know," she said swallowing nervously, "but I should go."

"Did you want something?" he asked wondering why she had obviously been looking for him.

"From you? Never," she said crossing her arms.

"Then why were you looking for me?" he asked crossing his arms also. She just gave him a look that showed she didn't care.

"I was going for a ride and wanted to know if you would like the pleasure of accompanying me," she said sticking her nose high into the air.

"Well yes I would," he said making her turn head.

"Alright," she then turned and walked towards the stable not talking to Juro.

"Are you seriously mad at me?" he asked as he saddled one of the trained horses. She shook her head no but did no respond to him, "then why aren't you talking to me?"

"I just am not in the mood to talk," she said finishing the saddling process. He just smiled knowing she was slightly jealous.

"Your just in a bad mood," he said climbing up onto his horse, "don't worry I'll find my way back into your heart."

"Right," she said hiding her smile. Together they rode off towards the forest racing horses. Midori couldn't hold back a smile when she was riding, it's when she felt most free and alive. Juro looked over at her enjoying her smile, and for a moment realizing that her smile meant something to him.

*-*-*-*

'Rin? What have I done?' Sesshomaru thought as he traveled through the lands. He stopped for a moment to try and push back her memories, 'how could I not keep you by my side? Why wouldn't you wait? How did I not see you were so lonely? Rin…'

He closed his eyes to see Rin's beautiful smile, and her bright brilliant eyes. He shuttered at the memory of her touch and intoxicating kiss. Her name escaped his lips as he clenched his fist away. He couldn't hold it back and he yelled out her name feeling his heart thump around painfully. Quickly he turned and ran back in that direction.

*-*-*-*

Rin lay on the couch at her friends house. Kenji was nice enough to let her stay and talk her through her problems. He helped her plan out her route to travel, and reassured her often that she was going to be fine. Rin spent most of the nights crying and missing her daughter… and Sesshomaru. She constantly had nightmares of terrible things she didn't think would be possible, but her worst dreams were of her past with Sesshomaru.

"Why Sesshomaru?" she asked out loud as she hugged her pillow sadly. She hated closing her eyes, afraid to see his face… and all his beauty. She was sure he would soon find a new woman to be queen and start a life with her. Its probably what he had been planning for a long time anyways, 'you bastard,' she said in her head as she let out another sob, 'I will not forgive you for this…'

*-*-*-*

Midori pulled her horse to a stop when they had reached a beautiful creek. The weather was sunny, but had a chilly wind nipping at her bare arms. Juro stopped behind her and walked beside her. Midori then pulled her horse into the creek and rode down through the water which only came half way up the horses legs. She enjoyed the sound of the splashing and the feeling that no one could trace her.

"Are you excited?" Juro asked his horse by her side at a slow walk.

"Yes, surprisingly I am. I have my dress planned out and everything, it is going to be quite the festival," Midori smiled a big smile his way. Although her smile made him smile, his smile fell to a frown before looking away.

"I was talking about after," Juro said letting out a sigh before looking back to Midori.

"Oh," Midori smiled at him and nodded making him smile again. The look on her face was cute, "but I must admit Juro I am very scared."

"…" he looked at her seeing the fear in her eyes, "nothing will happen to you I swear it."

"And I trust in you," Midori nodded with teary eyes, "I just miss my mother. I need to know she is alright."

"When everything settles out I swear we will look for her," Juro said making Midori nod before look down to hide the tears. He stopped and touched her arm making her reaction be to stop also, "Midori…"

"What?" she said not looking up at him.

"Look at me," he said dipping his head so it was lower. Slowly she looked up at him with wet golden eyes.

"What?" she said as her dark brownish hair fell in front of her face. Quickly she pulled it back into it's original ponytail uncomfortably as Juro watched.

"Midori," he said when he finally had her attention again, "your going to be alright. I swear I won't let anything happen to you."

"What?" Midori asked lowering her eyebrows as if to look harder.

"I said…" but Juro could finish she interrupted him.

"I know what you said, I just don't know why," she said swallowed nervously.

"I said it because I meant it, and I said it so you would know," he said staring at her as his horse stomped his hooves impatiently.

"Well, I believe you Juro," she said making him smile, "what?

"You've said my name for like the first time," he laughed making her look at him like he was crazy.

"I say your name all the time," she said in defense. He just smiled bigger.

"Not to me you haven't," Juro made her blush with that statement.

"Of course to you! It's not like I say your name to others," she said nervously tapping her horse to go.

"Then why you running away from the conversation?!" he shouted after her. Midori just trotted her horse down the stream and out of it, 'she's so different…'

*-*-*

Midori was in her room dressing with the thoughts of the previous hours. She had confided in him her likes and secrets dreams, and he had shared as much with her as he could… without giving anything away that would harm his rep. She looked at the dress her mother had passed down to her when she was little.

*-*-*-FlashBack-*-*-*

"Momma this dress is BEAUTIFUL!" a little Midori said stumbling in a dress to long and loose for her.

"And you look BEAUTIFUL in it Midori Akemi," Rin said as she walked around the room laying her dresses on the bed. She was trying to decide which ones to throw out for the new ones, "in fact Midori, I love that dress and I love you so much. So you may keep that dress in your closet for a VERY special occasion when you fit it properly."

"Really momma?!" an excited Midori bounced up and down.

"I wore this when I had my first dance with your papa," she said kissing her daughters cheek. It was the red silk dress with the silver and black waist band and long flowing arms. It was a beautiful dress that brought back memories for Rin, but she would never wear it again… it brought back TOO many memories. And perhaps it would bring a good one or several for Midori.

"Thank you momma!" Midori bounced up and down in the dress.

"Alright little one now you get back into your kimono for now it's cold out there. Take your dress back to your room and have Gracie hang it up for you okay?" Rin said as Midori nodded and did as her mother told her to.

*-*End of Flashback*-*

'I wonder how Gracie is after my mother let her leave?' Midori thought in her head about her old child hood nanny. She remembered Gracie married the youkai with the silly accent, and then moved away. Gracie sent many letters, but had yet to return or visit.

Midori put the dress on for the first time, and it fit beautifully. In fact it was a little tight. She fastened and tied the tight waist band as the red dress flared out and the long arms fanned out and dangled. Midori felt so beautiful as she took her hair out of it's ponytail and brushed it. She then lined her eyes and put some glossy stuff on her lips.

A knock at her door disturbed her for a moment, and she quickly placed the small round container down on her dresser. She made her way towards it and answered it. It was Jaken…? But she thought he left with her father.

"Lady Midori," Jaken said just walking into her room.

"Why are you not with my father? Is he alright?!" Midori asked not sure if she really was worried.

"No Midori he is fine," Jaken said looking at her, "he is on his way home. He should be home tomorrow after noon. He wanted to me to inform you, and find out whether your mother really left or not. Did she leave? And how long ago if so?"

"She really did and she left the following day. My mother has been gone for about three no four days now," Midori said sitting onto her bed, "tell my father that we all look forward to his safe swift return."

"I will tell him, he has made a short stop on the way," Jaken said bowing to her hurriedly before taking off out the door to get back to his post.

'Strange guy sometimes,' Midori thought with a sigh. She then finished getting ready in hopes the festival would soon start.

*-*-*-*

Midori walked down the hallway slowly and to the court room where most of the higher rank people were. The rest of the village had there own celebration set up, for they had been free for a long time there and were very happy that they had such a strong leader. Midori would later on leave the castle to join the outside festivities, but first she had to keep her place in her home first.

"Midori?" a voice made her turn around quickly. A handsome youkai man stood there, but it was not the handsome youkai man she wanted it to be.

"Benjiro," she smiled before looking over her shoulder.

"So how do you like the your festival?" he asked leading her to the large and decorated dining table.

"It is truly beautiful Benjiro," Midori smiled as someone watched them off in the distance very unhappy.

"Sit with me," he said pulling a chair out so that she could sit.

"Oh, well I had, alright I suppose," she said not seeing Juro at the table. It took a moment before Juro sat at the table. He would not look Midori's way, for he hated the sight he was saying. He couldn't help but needing to drink, and drink after drink he tried to chase away the feelings he swore he didn't have.

"Would you like to dance Midori?" Benjiro asked standing up. Midori looked at Juro uncomfortably who just looked away and began to drink some more as he asked a girl to dance.

"Why not," Midori said sadly as he took her hand and led her too the dance floor.

"You look very beautiful," Benjiro said as he twirled her and brought her back.

"Thank you Benjiro," Midori said swallowing nervously as he dress flung around beautifully. Juro watched from afar as he danced with a girl who was finding her dance partner quite the catch, "you look quite wonderful yourself."

"Thank you Midori," he said his hand on her waist as he stared down at her. Midori looked over at Juro who seemed to be fully interested in his dancing and dance partner. The song ended and everyone stopped to applaud for the musicians.

"I think I am tired," Midori said wanting to go and hide, "but feel free to dance with someone else."

"Oh, well of course," Benjiro said kissing her hand, "and perhaps I may, but I will not enjoy it like I enjoyed your company."

"Well I would hope not," Midori lied and smiled before Benjiro headed off of the dance floor. Juro took this opportunity to grill her. She almost screamed one someone spun her around and started dancing with her, leaving his partner standing there in shock. The blonde female youkai with the dark skin stared at them angrily before storming off of the dance floor, "you couldn't ask first?"

"I'm sorry that I'm not as polite as your little boyfriend," he said as he pulled her close. Midori just stared at him a moment.

"What does he have to do with that?" Midori asked angrily. Juro just spun her around to the slow melody, "and he is not my boyfriend."

"He has everything to do with us," Juro said looking down at her the smell of alcohol all over his breath.

"What do you mean us? There is no us remember!" Midori tried to push away, but Juro would not let her go.

"I didn't mean it! I want to try!" he said pulling her into a kiss. Midori fell for it for a moment, but pulled away angrily.

"Your drunk!" Midori yelled angrily and tried pulling away, "why are you trying to hurt me!"

"I'm not! Midori I just don't want you with anyone else!" Juro yelled angrily catching her off guard.

"That's not fair," Midori said looking at him sadly, "you can be with others but I cant?"

"I don't know," he said looking down at her, "but you look beautiful."

"Thank you," Midori said looking at her sadly, "but don't worry I am not running away with him, I'm running away with you."

"Are you packed?" he asked curiously.

"Yes," she said looking at him sadly.

"Then get it and meet me in the garden," Juro said kissing her hand and walking away.

"Alright," she said as she turned to get her belongings. Hastily she made her way to her room and gathered her belongings. It was with ease that she made her way unseen to the garden and met with Juro. He sat there with a bag of stuff waiting for her, "Juro."

"Midori," he said standing up. Something seemed wrong, and she didn't have a good feeling. It looked as if he was telling her to run, but next she knew there was a dark sack over her head and all she could hear was the sound of Juro trying to fight to get to her… and then silence. Damn it! In the name of disaster, why does everything bad happen to me? Midori thought.

Authors note:

Thanks for the patient long wait everyone! I know it took me forever to get to this! I hope it was any good, and not too rushed…

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters, only the plot and the characters I created.