Chapter 22

"You best leave me be once you have gotten me the chance to speak with the young princess." The Inu demoness growled out at her friend.

"This will make us even and you know it, now I will introduce you and walk with you as your escort since it is required however I will only ask that you do not reveal your ties to your son." The old dragon growled out in an annoyed filled voice. It had been centuries since he had last stepped foot in one of the villages and much longer since he had seen his daughter. After the death of his mate he had left, left the lands to her daughter to rule and had gone in search of himself and to test what he was capable of doing without his other half at his side.

"I won't, so long as you hold your tongue as well." She growled out with a grin on her face.

"I will, the last thing I need is to have to promise my daughter that I will stay and meet my grandchildren. My daughter gave birth to two females and while I'm sure that they are as strong as their mother they turned out to look too much like my late wife. I can only thank you that you were able to help us and hide the pain my mate went through while our daughter grew up." He explained in a sorrow filled voice.

"Umm…while I enjoyed learning and aiding my dear friend that was your mate, you will find that it might just do you some good in meeting them for the first time King Leon."

"While I appreciate the sentiment Lady Nana, I know that if I would have been a strong, different kind of mate my own would not have died as she had." He growled out in slight anger and bitterness.

Not wanting to add to the pain that her old friend was in, the great Inu demoness held her tongue and only offered him a small smile of reassurance before keeping at his side in silence. By the time they had reached the entrance to the court yard where the ball was being held it was as if the talk of the late Queen had never happened. The old King of the East had taken to her side and quickly offered her his arm so that he would appear to have an escort and his guest would be seen as one that would be protected. Just as they had reached the opening where the rulers of the East should have been greeting their guests, the former King let out a low growl before approaching the young group of children and growled out, "I demand to know where my daughter and her mate are and why they are not properly greeting their guests for their child's opening."

"They had some matters to tend to, I am Maya, first heir of the East and this is my mate, Haku. Who are you that you dare to speak to my guests and I in such a manner?" the angry dragoness growled out as her eyes began to glow the same brilliant, bright green color that her mother's glowed when her power came forward.

"Princess Maya, Lord Haku," a deep, cold, and dark voice was heard as Hiei stepped forward from the group, "I would like for you to meet King Leon, former King of the East, father of the current Queen of the East."

"Grandfather?" Maya asked in a surprised filled voice as she took not of his features and realized that her sister took after him in so many ways.

Before her old friend could even reply and relapse into his sorrow and depression at the likeness of his granddaughter had to his mate, the noble Inu demoness cleared her throat and said, "Good evening it is a pleasure to meet you, I am Nana, a good friend of King Leon."

"Good evening Lady Nana, it is a pleasure to meet you." Haku was heard greet as he allowed his mate to take in the sight of her grandfather, the grandfather she had never met and had longed to do so. "I do so hope that you will enjoy your evening. I hope you understand that the King and Queen are currently unavailable but I will personally see to it that you are properly introduced before the end of the evening."

"Such good manners, I must say you really are a mate that should be tied to the royal family." Lady Nana replied with a smile on her face.

"Thank you, we'll be sure to find you and introduce you to our parents and to my sister once they have returned." Princess Maya answered as she gained control over her emotions and turned to face her grandfather's guest.

"Sister…Aya has returned? Was the spell finally broken? I told them that it was not to be, that they should have let her be and watched her become the mother of all dragons just as my mother was centuries ago." King Leon growled out as he began to look around before adding, "Maya, I will have a word with you."

"As much as I would love to Kin…grandfather, I still have to greet our guests, we still have a few that have yet to arrive but I do invite you to eat a bit, drink and to get reacquainted with some of our allies and our guests." Princess Maya stated in a cold, emotionless voice as she turned to her best friend and added, "Ayume I'm sure you wouldn't mind in doing me the great favor of reintroducing my grandfather around while my mate and I continue to greet our guests."

"Of course Princes, King Leon it is good to know that you are still doing well. I am Lady Ayume, I'm sure you remember my mother of course." The young dragoness greeted as she approached the old King and his guest.

'Really now, what could have…um…interesting…it would seem that even the wolves were invited, just what could the East be planning with their treaty?' the Inu demoness thought as she walked after her friend and the dragoness that would be showing them around.

"Miku I need you to go and find your escort and come back and wait by my mates side, Hiei you will greet our guests in my behalf, I must go and find my sister." Princess Maya whispered to her family and guards that were at her side.

"You have no idea where she went or if she is even stable. This is the last thing we need. I suggest you stay here at least until she returns and do as you were asked to do as the first heir of the east." The man named Hiei was heard growl out, "She will return when she is ready and when she is in better control over herself and her powers."

"You may be my father's advisor Hiei but you are not mine, I will do what I see fit." Maya growled out in a low voice as she glared at the dragon before her.

'Pups, they do not know that I can still hear them…but still…Aya…I wonder how much different the child will look once I meet her…and it is no fault of hers that she has no control over her power. She was raised as a human child for centuries. I'm not surprised that she is having trouble controlling her demonic energy and her demonic instincts.' The Inu demoness thought as she worked on staying focused on their words.

"Maya, it would be wise to allow her some time, go for her once your parents have arrived." Haku whispered into his mate's ear.

Before she could hear any more of what was being spoken the Inu demoness was forced to turn her full attention to the dragoness before her when she heard her ask, "So my Lady how is it that you know our good King Leon?"

"She is a childhood friend; tell me child is your mother here. I would so like a word with her and see it was that she chose to leave my daughters side once she had gotten a mate of her own." King Leon growled out as he looked around for any familiar faces only to find very few that he would know and that would truly know him and his character.

"Forgive him, we had a long way to travel, and yes we were friends as children. His mate, may she rest in peace, was my closest friend. When he was invited of course I would wish to come with him as his guest. I am looking forward with visiting those that I was introduced to so long ago." The Inu demoness explained as she continued to walk about and greet those that would greet her.

And so the greetings went and came and kept her full attention. While she wished to gather as much information as she could for her son so that she would ease his worries about the child that was meant to be his and only his, she still had been raised a certain way and as the Lady she was would not ignore those that greeted her politely. Meanwhile, Maya, having been convinced to do as she had been asked to do, was thankful that Miku had gone in search of her escort the first Princess of the East was thankful when her parents finally arrived just as they had finished greeting the last of their guests. While the King of the East thanked his son-in-law and Hiei for watching over them, the Queen turned to her eldest daughter and asked, "Where is your sister? How long has she been gone?"

"She has not been gone for long mother, she left just a bit after you and father did. She needed a bit of fresh air. King Leon arrived shortly after as well. He wished to speak with you both the moment you were able." Maya answered as she turned to face her mate.

"I'll show them to King Leon and Ayume. I'll have Miku waiting with Amon here at the gate for you and our sister." Haku stated as he turned to face his parents.

"I told you that she was not ready for this. If she breaks down now we will have a hard time convincing the people that she is more than capable of holding her power in place." The King growled out in a low voice as he turned to face his mate.

"I'm sure she was just feeling a bit overwhelmed dear, Maya go and gather your sister, I do so wish for her to meet your grandfather just as you have gotten the chance to. I also hope that you both can help me convince him to stay for a few days." The Queen of the East explained.

"I'll see what I can do, it also depends on my sister's point of view, she will be confused as well seeing as how we believe the man to be dead." Maya hissed out in anger before storming off to go in search of her younger sister.

Ever since she was a child, even when her sister had just been born, she had heard stories of her powerful and caring grandfather, of how he had helped save their lands and how he had fought tooth and nail to prove himself to her great grandmother for the right to be with the princess at the time. She had heard of his devotion and had been confused and hurt that he had not shown such a thing or even shown an interest in herself or her sister. She had no idea what had caused his curiosity to drive him to come in search of them now but she would not have it nor would she give him a chance. He had lost his chance with her and she would not be welcoming to a relative that could have, should have been there for her. 'Even if he were to listen to our request…he would do as asked since I look the most like grandmother.' Maya thought sadly as she quickly made her way to her sister's side.

Once their meeting had been over with, however brief it had been, Ayame and Koga had joined the rest of the guest and gotten to talking and introducing themselves. While there were some that greeted them with a smile, there were those that lacked respect and quickly disappeared when they realized who it was that they called an ally, their only ally. Just as Ayame was about to ask her mate if he was going to stay the night as they had asked, Ayame turned around and was surprised to find an Inu demoness in the tight circle that made up most of the royal family. Before she could voice her concern and tell her mate that she was going to go and investigate, Ayame turned her full attention to the fox clan leader as she heard her mate greet him.

"Lord Yuki, what brings you to this rather rare gathering?" Koga's confused filled voice was heard.

"I was asked to attend and to meet the newest heir of the East. I must say it was a shock when I was told that she was indeed still alive and had been sent to finish training and conquering her rather unique powers." Lord Yuki answered before he turned to Ayame to add, "Lady Ayame, it is a pleasure as always. I hope that you have been doing well."

"Indeed I have, although I would have figured you and your mate would have respectfully declined this invitation in favor of traveling with the females that would part take in the trail that Lord Sesshomaru has just announced that he would be hosting." Lord Yuki replied with a frown on his face. "I was sure that you would be there with Lady Kagome and Lord Inuyasha since it has been heard that they had moved their pack for the event."

"Oh, and what trail would that be? We have not heard word and if word had been sent to us we would have not been present to receive such news." Ayame pointed out.

"So if you could please inform us of what it is that you speak of so that my mate and I can make plans accordingly." Koga growled out in an annoyed filled voice.

"It would seem that the great Lord of the West is ready to find a mate of his own. He is holding a contest to find a demon that would be his equal. After tonight I will be returning to my mate before we take the females in our clan that wish to try to fight for the right to be the next Lady of the West." Lord Yuki explained in a surprised filled voice. "OF course if you ask me he is in a hurry to find a mate. He has given these females from the start of the full moon till the next new moon to prove that they are worthy. He makes his choice the night of the night moon. The female that has made it till the end will have to spar the current lady of the West."

"Wow, I didn't think I would see the day so soon. The death of his ward Rin must have hit him very hard." Ayame replied in a surprised filled voice.

"You know that there will be some in our clan as well that will go to prove themselves. He is a man that is very well known and has the power to protect many." Koga pointed out as he turned to lock eyes with his mate. "It doesn't help that our sister has been named the current Lady of the West and that her mate is now named true Heir of the West and head of the dog clan."

"I suppose we'll have to leave soon if we wish to meet up with the females of our clans on their journey to the West." Ayame pointed up as she looked up to the sky and whispered, "It is after all the night of the full moon, the battle will begin tomorrow."

"Then I suppose that I will see you both at the castle once I have collected the females of my clan as well." Lord Yuki stated with a grin on his face.

"Excuse me, I could not help but over hear of the great Lord of the West and his plans. Lord Yuki, I am Lady Miku the second princess lady in waiting, I was hoping if you could inform me if it was open to all of noble family and those strong enough to hold their own or if you had to be invited." The young dragoness spoke as she appeared behind Koga and Ayame.

"Ah Lady Miku, a pleasure to see you so soon, is everything alright?" Lord Yuki was heard ask as he took note of the guard that stood close behind her.

"Of course, I just was curious but I do hope we get to speak of this later, if you will excuse us, Amon and I have somewhere to be." Miku replied as she heard the first Princess call her to her and to her command. While she hoped that it was not true of what she had just heard but one look at Amon told her that it was true and that he feared that she would go in search of finding her mate in the great Lord of the West. 'Foolish man, as if I would let him be with anyone else…no he belongs to my mistress…Rin.'