A/N: Here is chapter eleven! Thanks for reviewing and reading, keep it up :) Enjoy.

Chapter Eleven

The crowd stood in a collective shocked silence. Their view kept switching from Lord Sesshomaru to me and back again. Rin nudged me forward.

"Say something to them."

I looked down at her and then back up at the crowd. All their eyes were now focused on me, "Uh…" I had never been good in crowds. I took a deep breath and tried to steady my nerves. Come on I bet Mom did this all the time when she was my age. With new resolve I trained my eyes on the group and tried to sound as princess-like as possible. "I know this must come as a shock to you, but to be honest it was a shock to me as well. Until a couple of days ago I had no knowledge that my mother had been a princess or that I was one as well. And yes I'm human right now, but you've all heard the stories right? About the sorceress? Well apparently it's true. I have become a demon before and I've resorted back to my human self but I know I will change back into a demon. I can feel it." I paused, "As for running this village Lord Sesshomaru is going to help me because to be honest, I have absolutely no idea how to do this. But I will try my very best. I want this village to prosper, I want all the villagers to live a good life. I want this to be a village that accepts everyone. I was happy to see that there were demons and humans alike in the village today, it deeply warmed my heart. That's what I want, everyone to be accepted, whether they be demon, human, or half-demon."

"Half-demon!?" someone from the crowd exclaimed.

I took a deep breath and nodded, "Yes half-demons too. As I have stated I will become a demon again, but I've lived eighteen years as a human not knowing that demons even existed, my human self will always be a part of me. I wouldn't want others like me, whether I'm truly a full-blooded demon or not, to be treated badly. I can't change what is in your hearts but I ask you even if you can't accept everyone at least treat them fairly." I took another breath. That was the end of my speech I couldn't think of anything else to say. I braced myself towards all the ways the crowd could respond. I expected disbelief and anger but what I got was an old woman that stepped forward.

"My son is a half-demon."

I looked at her in surprise, "Oh?"

The woman nodded, "That's right, his name is Jinenji and these people," she pointed accusingly at people in the crowd, "come and throw stones at him! He's scared to even leave our hut."

I nodded to her and looked at the crowd, "I want this behavior to stop. I can't change the fact that you don't like Jinenji, for whatever reason you don't like him, but treat him civilly. I don't expect you to become best friends with the man, but how would you feel if loads of people came to throw stones at you every time you stepped foot out of your home. I know this is the first time I've ever even been to the village, and I know you're probably thinking that I don't have the right to order you all around. Well, you're right. I don't, at least not right now. I haven't earned your respect or your trust, but this is something I must insist upon. Everything else I will work hard to prove that I am worthy of your respect and loyalty. If anyone wants to speak to me, you can find me at Lord Sesshomaru's palace." I bowed to the people and then walked in the direction of the carriage.

A little ways down the road Rin caught up to me, "That was a really good speech Nicole."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, "Thanks, I thought I was going to die I was so nervous." I looked back at the crowd, they were all talking amongst their selves, Lord Sesshomaru was still standing where I left him. "Shit, do you think I've made Lord Sesshomaru angry?"

"Nah, I don't think so," Rin said cheerfully, "he's still wearing the flower crown you put on him, if he were really mad he would have taken it off by now."

I laughed at the little girl's logic, "You think he's not mad at me because of a flower crown. What if he's just forgotten that he's wearing it?"

The little girl giggled and skipped ahead, "He's Lord Sesshomaru, he doesn't forget anything."

I shook my head but hoped the little girl was right as I entered the carriage.

True to his word Lord Sesshomaru spent the next several weeks teaching me everything essential to running a village. I had notebooks filled with necessary need to know facts. And according to Lord Sesshomaru we had just gotten started. Ugh. It's not that I wasn't appreciative to Lord Sesshomaru for teaching me or for giving me rein over my mother's-my village but it was a lot of hard work to learn all of this. Now I understood why people, like Rin, are taught this from a young age.

I had had a few visitors from the village come see me. Some just wanted to see the new princess they heard about. Others were not quite pleased with the speech I gave. But to me the most important visitor I received was Jinenji and his mother. Jinenji was quite a shock, the only other half-demon had been Inuyasha and Jinenji was no Inuyasha. He was huge! I welcomed them into the palace anyway. It turns out they had came to thank me for my speech and to tell me that it had already started to work. People had quit throwing rocks at Jinenji every time he left his house. They also told me that some of the people of the village were mad at me but others admired my heart. Lord Sesshomaru had walked in on my meeting with Jinenji and his mother and I was scared for a moment that he might get upset with me. Especially since he had a half-demon brother who he hated, but he nodded in greeting to us and then left the room. I was hesitant when I went to my lessons later because I thought that maybe he was just being polite in front of guests but when I showed up he didn't mention it. He didn't even look mad. But then again he never has any expression on his face at all, so it's kind of hard to tell.

Even though the lessons were long and hard I was enjoying them. I got to spend more time with Lord Sesshomaru than I had the entire time I had spent in the palace so far. I liked to entertain the thought that we were becoming close. That was until I got my next group of visitors. They came when Lord Sesshomaru was out for the day, which I was thankful for.

"Lady Nicole, you have some more... eh visitors at the door," a man told me.

I smiled at him, "Thank you for telling me."

He nodded and left as I made my way to the door, Rin and Hotaru were following close behind me. When I got to the door I was surprised at who I saw. "Kagome? Sango, Miroku, everyone?!" I shook myself back to my senses, "welcome, come in." I said motioning them inside.

"Shippou!" Rin exclaimed excitedly and ran up to him. He looked surprised but soon the children were talking and laughing with each other.

Kagome smiled at me, "Thanks. Wow I've never been here before."

They all filed inside and I turned to look at Inuyasha, "I'm glad to see you Inuyasha, the last time I saw you, you were injured very badly."

Inuyasha scoffed, "Keh! What's it to you?"

I blinked, Inuyasha was a lot different than Lord Sesshomaru, his emotions showed plainly on his face. He was not happy to be here. "Um…" I didn't know how to respond to that.

"Inuyasha! Be nice," Kagome yelled at him.

A maid came up to me, "Lady Nicole lunch is ready, shall I prepare some for your guests as well."

I smiled at the maid, "Yes please." The maid nodded and bowed and then left in the direction of the kitchen. "Are you hungry?" I asked turning to the group.

"Yes!" Shippou shouted. The rest of the group nodded and I started to lead them to the kitchen when I noticed Inuyasha was not following.

"Aren't you hungry Inuyasha?"

"Where's my bastard of a brother?" He asked completely ignoring my question.

I noticed he had taken on a slightly defensive posture, his arms were crossed in front of him and his ears kept swiveling as if that way he could spot an attack before it occurred. Honestly I felt bad for him, it must be terrible to have to be on guard around the only family you had because you thought that they might kill you. "Lord Sesshomaru is out for the day. He said he would probably return in time for dinner."

Inuyasha stared at me like he was trying to decide whether or not I was lying. He must have decided that I was telling the truth because he said, "I could go for some food."

I laughed and led them into the dining room. Once the food was served I turned to the group again, "Not that I'm not happy to see you but what are you guys doing here?"

Kagome smiled, "Well were going to visit our friend in village close by and usually we get some pretty weird looks, but not this time. And usually we go to our friend's home only to find people throwing rocks at him. But today was different he was out in the sun tending to his gardens."

"So you're friends with Jinenji?"

Kagome nodded, "Yeah, and he told us that a new princess was ruling over the village and that she wanted half-demons to be treated fairly. And when we asked about the princess he said we could find her at Lord Sesshomaru's palace. It took a lot of convincing to get Inuyasha here."

"We were surprised to hear that you were still with Sesshomaru," Sango told me.

"Yeah and what's with all the Lady Nicole stuff? Did you marry Sesshomaru or something? I thought you were working for him," Inuyasha huffed while gobbling down his food.

I blushed, "Uh n-no I haven't married Sesshomaru."

Rin giggled, "Nicole is the new princess."

Everyone stared at me in shock. "You're the princess?" Kagome asked.

"Yeah, sort of."

"What do mean sort of?" Sango asked.

"How can you 'sort of' be a princess?" Inuyasha questioned through bites of food.

"Well, it's kind of a long story…"

"Why don't you tell us from the beginning," Miroku suggested.

I nodded, "That's probably a good idea."

Soon I started telling them about the attack on the palace and wanting to save the kids, and Rin helped me by telling them what I looked like when I changed. I went on to tell them about my mother and time traveling and the sorceress. By the time I was done even Inuyasha had stopped eating in order to stare at me.

"So a lot has happened since the last time we saw you," Sango commented.

I had to laugh at that, "Yeah a lot has happened."

"So why aren't you living in your own castle now instead of living with Sesshomaru? I know he can't be fun to live with," Inuyasha said.

I thought for a moment, "Well I haven't really thought about leaving, I just kinda thought I would stay here, and Lord Sesshomaru hasn't said anything about me leaving…"

"Nicole can't leave!" Rin shouted.

I smiled at her, "It's okay Rin, I'm not going to leave you."

"Promise?" she asked me.

"I promise." I turned my attention back to the others, "What do you say we eat for now and then we can go talk some more in the library." Inuyasha and Shippou were the first ones to agree to that.

Soon we were all in the library talking, only this time we were talking about the group's adventures. Shippou and Rin picked up where they ended last time they saw each other and started drawing on some paper. Their stories were amazing. Since the last time I saw them they had fought tons of demons. Winning every time except for when the demon escaped. It was always the same handful of demons that did escape. Naraku, Kagura, Kana, and Kouga. According to Inuyasha all these demons were the source of all evil in the world. Kagome, however, told me that Kouga was harmless but the others were trying to kill them. The stories kept coming and coming until the door to the library slammed open. I jumped up and turned towards the doors.

It was Lord Sesshomaru, he didn't show it on his face, but he was furious. "Inuyasha," he spat.

Inuyasha stood up and pulled out his sword, ready to defend himself and his friends if necessary. I ran in between them and held a hand up to both sides. "Sesshomaru," I said trying to get his focus on me, it didn't work he was still staring death at Inuyasha. "Lord Sesshomaru, don't be angry at them. I invited them."

That got his attention, he sneered at me, "You invited that filthy mongrel into my home!"

I flinched but stood firm, "I did."

"He has no right to be here. He is filth that needs to be disposed of," Sesshomaru stepped to the side so he could attack his brother, but I stepped with him and stopped him.

"Sesshomaru," I demanded, getting his attention. "Leave him alone, I invited him here. I wanted to see if he was okay, since the last time I saw him he was laying half dead in a ditch, thanks to you."

"I should have finished the job then and took father's sword," he said stepping to the side again, and again I stepped with him.

"Stop it." He stared down at me. For a moment I thought he might hit me but he turned on his heel and left the library. I turned to the group, "Excuse me." I left the library and caught up Sesshomaru a little ways down the hall. "Sesshomaru."

He whirled around to face me, "You had no right to invite that filth into my home."

I knew that he was upset and I knew that I should be apologetic but I could feel my blood boiling with anger. I took deep breaths trying to contain my temper, "Look, you heard what I said in the village. I told them I wanted to accept half-demons. Your brother is a half-demon. And I can't understand why you can acknowledge Jinenji with a nod of your head and then you can go about your business, but your own brother comes to visit and you try to attack him."

"Jinenji didn't kill my father."

I looked at Sesshomaru and blinked, "How did Inuyasha kill your father?"

"He was born."

My blood was boiling hotter and I knew it was only amount of time before my temper exploded, "Care to explain?"

"My father was injured on the day that Inuyasha was born from fighting Ryuukotsusei, and my father had to go save his weak mistress and bastard child from a fire. He saved them but he was killed in the process."

"So let me get this straight, you blame Inuyasha for your father's death?"

"Yes," Sesshomaru ground out.

"I'm sorry that your father died, I really am, but that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Inuyasha was an infant. He had no more control over your father's death than you did."

Sesshomaru glared at me, "Watch your mouth."

And it exploded, "No, you watch your mouth you fucking idiot."

Sesshomaru let out a snarl that shook the walls and his eyes flashed red, and if I had been any calmer I probably would have been scared. Or at least I would have let the issue drop. Is that what I did? Nope. Instead I glared at him and slapped my hand over his mouth, effectively stopping the noise. "Inuyasha couldn't have done anything. Nothing. He. Was. An. Infant. And because you blame him for all this bullshit you have isolated him and left him on his own!" I took deep breaths trying to calm myself, but it wasn't working. "Do you know what that probably did to him? Can you imagine the kind of pain that must have put him through? I bet you can't. Because from as far as I can tell, you've have pretty easy life. You're a full-blooded demon, did you even have to work for any of the strength or power you have now? Maybe, maybe not. But I can tell you one thing, I bet you didn't have to run every day of your life from things that wanted to kill you. Which I have come to understand for half-demons that means everybody. Humans and demons. And his own fucking brother."

Sesshomaru removed my hand from his mouth, "Are you trying to insult me?" he demanded.

"I don't fucking care if you're insulted or not. I just want you to fucking think. Push past all you prejudices and think. Because if you want to be mad at someone it shouldn't be your brother, it should be Ryuukotsusei or the people that set the fire. Not your brother. No, your brother doesn't deserve all this shit!" I gestured back towards the library, "if anything you should be proud of him. Have you heard of some of the stuff he's done? Any of it? He pretty fucking remarkable, especially since as Jaken has told me 'half-demons are weak'. Your brother is not weak, he fights full-blooded demons almost every day and comes out on top 98% of the time! And everything he learned, it was on his own! Compared to him, you're just a spoiled prince." By the time I took a break from yelling at the dog demon I was panting with anger.

"I've sure Inuyasha would love to hear how you pity him," Sesshomaru remarked.

I clenched my teeth, "Sesshomaru don't speak, every time you open your mouth you sound like a dumbass. I don't pity Inuyasha, look at him. He doesn't need my pity. He went from a half-demon barely surviving to a half-demon that eats full-blooded demons for breakfast. And he has his friends that have his back and fight with him. No, he definitely doesn't need my pity. And I'm not saying you should worship the ground he walks on, but he's pretty flipping amazing. And you fucked up, because had you been nice to him and developed a brotherly bond instead of being a dumbass, you would have had a lifelong ally. But now you have nothing. I mean sure you have this palace and you have your servants, but that's not really the same now is it?" I stared at him still breathing hard. He looked like he wanted to say something, to scream, to yell, to rip somebody's head off, but he didn't, instead turned away from me and walked out of sight.

I stood there and watched him go, trying to get my breathing under control enough that I could go confront the people that were still back in the library. Slowly and purposefully I was walked back in the direction I had come from. I grabbed the door handle and had to resist the urge to try and pull it from its hinges. When I entered the library everyone was staring at me.

"Nicole your eyes changed colors again," Rin told me.

I didn't speak to her, I was afraid that if I spoke to her I would still be yelling. And none of this was her fault. I clenched my teeth together and focused my view on the group before me, "Hotaru will show you to your rooms for the night. If you'll excuse me I need sometime alone right now."

"We don't have to stay if-" Kagome started.

I shot her a look and her mouth closed with an audible snap. Which usually I would feel bad about that, but right now I didn't give a fuck, I could feel guilty later. I had shut the door behind me when I heard Inuyasha remark, "Is it just me or did her hair get darker."

I didn't know what he was talking about and quite frankly I didn't care. I stalked down the hallways trying to relieve some of my anger but it wasn't working. I felt like a caged animal. It seemed like hours until I came to a dojo but in reality it was probably just a few minutes. I didn't even know we had a dojo. There were people in there, some were sparring with partners, others were just hitting dummies. I opened the doors and everyone turned to look at me. "Out," I demanded, the people dropped their things and quickly hurried out the door. I stepped in the middle of the room and took a deep breath. And then I gagged, the smell of spoiled sweat was terrible, but right now I couldn't bring myself to care. I walked over to one of the dummies and ignoring a perfectly good sword, I opted to attack it with my bare hands.

I don't know how long I had been in there, but when I stopped to take a breather I noticed that the dummy I had been attacking was ripped to shreds. And I noticed with surprise, so were all of the other dummies. And the wall had a crack in it. And the window was shattered. Oops. I felt better but I still wanted to attack something, only there wasn't anything left to attack. I just stood there panting and staring at the destruction I had caused. Someone whistled, and I looked up to see Inuyasha standing in the door way.

"I knew you were angry, but man, you really tore this place apart." I didn't say anything and he nodded, "You're still angry," he observed, "need a partner?"

I stared at him for a minute, I didn't have enough air in my lungs to talk. Finally I said, "I would love one."

Inuyasha strutted over to me and looked me over, sizing me up. "You ever fought with anyone before?"

I pointed to the dummy, "Him," I pointed to another one, "and him."

Inuyasha laughed, "So that's a no." He cracked his knuckles and got into a fighting stance, "Don't worry, I'll go easy on ya."

I got into a fighting stance of my own, "Don't bother."

And then we were at it. Clawing, punching, biting, kicking. It went on and on until finally we both plopped down on the floor, breathing heavily and bleeding.

"You don't have a lot of skill, but you just keep coming and coming."

I laughed, "I could say the same about you. I watched that last fight between you and your brother. You go attacking and then leave yourself wide open for a hit and bam! You were landing on your butt. And then you're up and attacking again."

Inuyasha scoffed but didn't say anything. and for a while we just sat in silence. Then Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably, "Uh… you know for everything you said back there… uh thanks."

I winced, "So you heard that huh?"

"It was kinda hard not to, you're really loud when you're angry."

We were silent again for a couple of minutes, "Your brother is an idiot."

"Yeah he is. Wha-why are you crying!? I didn't hurt that bad did I?"

I shook my head, I felt bad for Inuyasha he looked like he was at a loss. From out of nowhere Kagome and the rest of the group appeared. "Where'd you guys come from?" Inuyasha asked, apparently as surprised as I was.

"We were watching from behind the door. Come on Inuyasha, it's time for the girls to have some alone time." Kagome told him as she pushed all three men, if you count Shippou, out of the room.

She came over and started rubbing my back comfortingly, then her and Sango sat there telling me how stupid men are until I stopped crying.