After all the excitement of the ball's events, everyone retired for the rest of the night. In the infirmary, Lord Akuokaesu and Lady Akira where still recovering from the injuries, that they'd received earlier that night.

Akuokaesu looked at Akira. She looked at him. There seemed to be sparks between them. Akuokaesu cleared his throat.

"Hello, I believe, we haven't been introduced. I am Akuokaesu, Lord of the Southern Lands. And you?

Akira blushed. Then she cleared her thoat. "I am Akira, daughter of the Lord of the Southern District of the Western Lands, Kenryokuyoku*. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Like wise. Were you the one who challenged Lady Kagome for the right to be the mate of Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Yes, I was. Why you ask?"

"No reason really. We both came out defeated and injured. But who cares right?"

"Who cares? I cared. I cared because these last ten years, I had proven to Lord Sesshomaru and the Western Court that I am his best choice of mate. I saw the way he looked at his mate. The look of love, admiration, and complete confidence in her. The last ten years were a waste. If it wasn't for my father, then I would had found another one, who would want me. But noooo, my father wants the Western Throne. I mean I could had been mated with pups by now. All the training to be the strongest was all, but waste of precious time. I mean, I could get any male I wanted during those years...and they still want me. What does she have that I don't? I mean, she's human and a miko."

He smirked. "Listen, the reason why I was defeated easily because I wanted to know how he fights. Nothing more; nothing less than that."

"Why? I mean, you purposely lost so you can learn how he fights. What reason for...*something clicked into her devious mind*...unless you plan on challenging him for the Western Throne."

"Oh my, my dear lady. You caught me red handed. Now that you know of the important information, what do you plan to do with it? Perhaps, tell the Western Lord."

"No, I won't foil your plans to conquer the West. However, if and I mean...if I did spoil your plans, what will you do to me? Kill me? Death doesn't bother me."

"And why is that, my lady?"

"Because I'd faced death many times before. I'd fought with other powerful demoness as myself; with mikos with and without reiki; and also monks with and without reiki, as well. I'd faced many bandits who was stupid enough to trespass the Southern District. I patrol it in place of my father. He's getting to old for things like that. I am his last chance for greatness. I would do anything to help my father, but sometimes..."

"Sometimes you want to do your own things. You wanted to accomplish your goals and to make your wishes and dreams come true." She nodded. "Yeah, my father is doing the same thing to me, what your father is doing to you. However, I am planning on accomplishing what he failed to accomplish. For him...and for myself. I know we just met, but would you do me the honor to court you, Akira?"

Akira blushed and said, "Yes, I would like you to court me, Akuokaesu."

"Good." Since they were laying in different beds, beside each other, Akuokaesu leaned in to kiss Akira on her plush red lips. She reciprocated, then he deepen the kiss. They only stopped to breath. They were panting heavily.

Akira became bold and said, "Screw the courting; just mate me."

He smirked and said, "Are you certain of this, my lady? What about Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Who cares about Lord Sesshomaru! If he wanted to mate me, he would had done it already! Besides, he had broken my heart many times."

"How so, may I ask? Did he court you before?"

"Yes, only a little bit. He told me that I wasn't worth his time. I believe he courted me out of curiosity."

"How long is a 'little bit', my dear?"

"A week," she said as she remembered that day.

FLASHBACK BEGINS...

It was on the seventh day of the courting, Akira waltz inside the study like she owned it. She made her way to one of the plushy seats, that was upholstered with red velvet cloth. It was smooth, soft, and very comfortable.

Sesshomaru was already in there to do some paperwork because of some incompetent baka had messed up the paperwork. When he felt Akira coming, he groaned in annoyance.

The past six days was pure torture because the bitch thought, since she was being courted by Sesshomaru, that she could ordered around every single servant there, including her appointed maidservant to be her personal assistant. Her personal assistant wisely told her that she wasn't allowed to order other servants around without permission because they hadn't been ordered to obey her by their lord, which it wasn't granted.

Sesshomaru explained to Akira, since she first arrived, that she wasn't there to order around the servants. He was generous enough to let her pick one of his maidservants to be her personal assistant while she stayed there as his intended until the seventh day, when he would make his decision to mate her or not. He also explained that she could not be in his study without his permission.

Has she done what she was told? No, she hadn't done what she was told. It was simple. One: She COULDN'T ordered his servants around because she had a personal assistant to obey her every order. Two: She COULDN'T enter his study without his permission, if he wasn't already inside the room. ONLY when he was there, however, she MUST knock before entering. Three: TO RESPECT HIS PERSONAL SPACE AND PRIVACY.

The first day wasn't even over when she broke the third simple rule; to respect his personal space and privacy. She was always near him. He can't even fart without her being there. I mean, she was there every time he turned around. He complained to his mother, who persuaded him to court her, in the first place. All his mother said, 'Just give her a chance, since it was her first day.' He complied to his mother's wishes, even though he hated it. He had her personal assistant to tell her what he was expected from her...again.

The next day, Sesshomaru thought that she would comply to his wishes, since he and her personal assistant told her the three simple rules. The first time, he made time to spend time with her from his busy schedule. She never showed up. Whenever she did, she was late. There were only a few times, that she complied to his rules. However, those few times were far and between.

Then the servants began to complain about Akira; how she told them when to do the laundry; when to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner; how she wanted her rooms clean everyday; and the list goes on and on. Her personal assistant reminded and warned her repeatedly.

Then when it was time for him to patrol his lands, which he does every two weeks; two home, then two on patrol. He shortened it just two days, while he was courting her. He told her that he normally patrolled his lands every two weeks. He would have let her come with him, if she wasn't up his ass most of the day. He needed privacy, like everyone else in this world.

It went on like that until the seventh day. His mother, at first, didn't know who her father was, because she was unable to attend the ball that year, until she spend the last day with her. Inukimi would ask her questions like; how she was getting along with Sesshomaru. Apparently, the bitch was oblivious of her actions. Sesshomaru had never showed anything if he was upset or if he was pleased with her. Then when Inukimi asked her, "Akira, since I wasn't there at the Annual Ball this year, can you tell me what were your parents' names? And what district your father governs?"

Akira answered proudly, "Well, my mother died by giving birth to me due to too much blood loss. However, my father is alive. He's called, Kenryokuyoku, the Lord of the Southern District."

When Inukimi had learn who was Akira from and whom her father was, she swallowed her raged. Then she said, "I see. I apologize that we need to cut this visit short. I remembered that I have important things that I must attend to. I wish you luck with my son... *she thought*... 'Over my dead body, you, power-hungry, gold-digging bitch.'"

Inukimi barged in her son's study, which indicated that there was something wrong, heavily panting.

"Mother, I am in the middle of my paperwork. Can this wait until later?" He knew that his mother had some urgent news about something.

"No, pup, this can't wait. That bitch who you are courting is the daugther of Kenryokuyoku. You mustn't mate her, pup. She's a power-hungry, gold-digging harlot. She's not even a virgin. I demand that you don't..."

"I am not going to mate her, mother."

"What?"

"I don't repeat myself."

"Oh, thank Kami! Out of curiosity, why?"

"Because she's not worthy of me, mother. That's all you need to know."

"Very well. I'll be returning to the Sky Palace."

"Hm."

Afterwards, she left the study to return home with a proud smile on her beautiful face.

Later that night, after dinner, Sesshomaru and Akira with her personal assistant and the guard, who was assign to her, were sitting comfortably in the family sitting room. Her personal assistant, who would be dismissed as Akira's personal assistant soon enough, was serving tea as if she knew nothing of what would be happening soon. Her assigned guard was standing behind her as if it was a normal thing to do. However, as soon as his lord would tell her his decision, the guard was ordered to escort her back to the Southern District.

Akira knew that this seventh night would change her life forever. She was confident that she would be his mate by morning. Her father would be so very proud of his daughter. However...

Sesshomaru told her bluntly, "This Sesshomaru has made his decision that you ARE NOT worth of his time. Guard escort her back to the Southern District."

"Yes, my lord."

"Wait what?"

"This Sesshomaru doesn't repeat himself."

"Why then?"

"This Sesshomaru doesn't need to explain himself."

Akira walked closer and rubbed her hand on his chest, "But Sesshy-poo..."

"You shall remove your hand off of his person and leave."

She removed her hand but stayed where she was. Baka!

"Sesshy-poo..."

"This Sesshomaru gives his last warning! LEAVE OR DIE!"

The guard pulled on Akira's arm to get her to follow.

She said before she made her exit, "You will mate with me sooner or later because I am the strongest demoness of all this land!"

Sesshomaru scoffed and thought, "I, seriously, doubt it."

FLASHBACK ENDS...

"Two years ago, my father invited the Western Court, excluding the Lady Grandmother, Kimiko, and the Lady Mother, Inukimi, for my birthday celebration at our palace. You see, my family has been after the Western Throne for centuries. To make them oblivious to our true intentions, the eligible bachelor would compete to the right to mate. Every decade or so, we would fail. Well, actually, we did have a near success story. I know that doesn't count but..."

Kenryokuyoku interrupted by barging in the infirmary. "Come daughter, we're leaving!"

"But father!"

"No buts, Akira! Now come!"

Akuokaesu put a hand on Akira's father's shoulder. Akira's father looked over his shoulder.

"Who do you think you are?" Not realizing that he was talking a Cardinal Lord.

"I am Lord Akuokaesu, of the Southern Lands. You can't take my intended."

Her father paled. "Akira, is this true?"

"Yes, father, it's true."

"If you mate with the Southern Lord, how, in the seven hells, are we going to get the Western Throne?"

Akuokaesu spoke up, "My lord, there are more ways to gain the Western Throne. Akira told me that you and your family were trying to take, but failed every time. Tell me why you want to gain the Western Throne?"

"My ancestors were ruling this land before the Silver Inu Tribe took over. I simply want to take back what's ours to begin with."

"What inu are you?"

"I am a Red Inuyoukai, milord."

"A red inu...hmm, well, I hadn't seen one until now. Is your tribe diminishing?"

"Unfortunately, yes, but I am determined to increase our numbers."

"I see. Don't worry, my friend, I won't spoil your plans, however, I, too, seek the Western Throne. Having two competitors of the same goal is dangerous. Also with Lord Sesshomaru ruling this land, it seems pointless."

"True, but how are you going to dethrone His Lordship?"

"Simple. Kill him and kill all those he cares about. I want to cleanse the land by shedding his and his supporter's blood."

Akira's father snorted and said, "Impossible! That would be suicidal. NO ONE could kill a Silver Inuyoukai. Believe me, my family and myself had tried."

"What? You wanted to mate with them; not kill them."

"That's not entirely true. We planned after one of my own took the throne. We will strike to kill every member of the Silver Inu Tribe; male, female, pups; kill everyone of them. Also their servants and their families."

"I propose an alliance between us. To have me mating to your daughter would be essential to you, Lord Kenryokuyoku. You see, I am planning not just take the West, but all of Japan. I will give you the Westurn Throne to govern."

"Hmm...very well, then. We have an alliance." They shake their hands.

"We must to go my palace to make this official."

"Yes, we must leave as soon as possible."

-

Meanwhile, in the mated couple's bedchambers, the couple just finish their passionate love-making. They were content and exhausted.

"Sesshomaru?"

"Hm, you're awake. You should rest, omae.

"I will, but what about you?"

"I don't need to sleep as much as you do. Sleep." He placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I can't. I am restless. I mean, after what happened this evening and even after we made love. I just couldn't go to sleep, yet. Can I ask a question?"

"Is that so?...*she nodded*...Ask anything that you want?"

"Really?...*he nodded*...Even personal questions?...*he nodded*...This evening I had questions forming up in my head. I couldn't get them out of my mind. Okay, have you ever court any one of those females? I promise I won't get upset."

Sesshomaru took a deep breathe. He knew she would want to know about his past. He has nothing to hide. So, why not indulged her.

"Yes, she was the one, who you fought earlier. I imagine my mother already told you about her, didn't she?...*she nodded*...I knew she would because she hates her family. All they wanted was to take what's ours because their ancestors were, at one time, ruling these lands until my second great-grandfather challenged and won the Western Throne. For a few centuries, they accepted our rule until Kenryokuyoku took over for his father as the lord of the Southern District of this land.

Anyways, back to the question at hand, yes, I courted Akira for about a week, that was when I was 175 years old, that's about 14-15 years of age in human years. A week is long enough for inuyoukai to know for certain that the female is the correct choice. Obviously, she wasn't. She had gotten on everyone's nerves. The servants of this household complained about her after the second day of our courting. They weren't order to obey Akira, but they didn't bother to argue the point. Even her personal assistant warned and reasoned with her. However, she'd never did what she was told; always broke three simple rules, which were: Couldn't order the servant around unless they were order to by me; Couldn't go into my study when I wasn't there, if I was there one must knock before entering; and one must respect my personal space and privacy. What really got on my nerves that she was always called me. 'Sesshy-poo'...*she giggled*...That's not funny. It was humiliating. Also she was always around me. She would either sit or stand by me. She was invading my personal space. She wouldn't even let me have my privacy. Only time I did, was when I am in my rooms. I put up a barrier just in case. So, on the seventh night of our courting, I told her bluntly that she was not worthy of me. She'd disrespected me and my wishes. Afterwards, I had her assigned guard to escort her back to the Southern District."

"I am surprised that you didn't kill her. If, mother hates her family, then why did she let you court her?"

"Mother didn't know who her family was, at first. On the final day of courting, the parents would ask questions, because they would give there opinions about her. The reason why she didn't know about what family and where her father governs until she asked her. Afterwards, she barged into my study and told me NOT TO MATE WITH HER. I told her that I wouldn't. I wouldn't even if she didn't tell me. She thanked Kami and left to return to her palace."

"What about Inuhime? Did they tried to mate her?"

"Yes, but they started that about two years before. They were almost successful."

"Really? Can you tell me what happened," she asked with a yawn.

Sesshomaru smirked. He knew that she was falling asleep. So, he indulged her once again by telling her the story between Inuhime and her late intended.

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari