A/N: So sorry for the long update, you guys! I've been swamped with classes and had a very hard time putting this chapter together. To those who've been reviewing, I would like to say thank you all so very much! Your feedback keeps me going! I hope everyone enjoys chapter 11! ^-^

Sesshomaru opened the sliding door, entering through it, and walking to the opposite side of the room to sit behind his low table. The imposing demon, who currently had the demon lord's bonded wrapped around his left arm, entered the room a few seconds afterwards. It took every ounce of Sesshomaru's strong will to keep himself from sending a warning growl towards Takeshi as he took Sahara's hand and directed her towards the closest bookshelf. Takeshi's hazel eyes scanned the bindings of the books residing there as he talked to the young woman about ridiculous stories that Sesshomaru knew weren't true in the slightest. However, it was obvious to the dog demon that Takeshi's attempts to "woo" her were not working as said woman's blue eyes wavered over to meet Sesshomaru's gaze briefly before Takeshi asked her a question snapping her attention back to him in an instant.

"So, just out of curiosity," The demon began in a chipper tone, running a clawed finger over a leather bound book, "What happened out in the hall? I've never seen Akime attack someone before. She always seems so-" But he trailed off glancing down at the woman who's blue eyes seemed to sharpen at the mention of the servant woman's name.

"I couldn't tell you." She ground out tersely shifting her sudden anger towards the demon lord who blinked, his molten honey orbs hiding the slight surprise at the sudden turn of events, "You would have to ask Lord Sesshomaru what set her off."

Takeshi glanced from the female demon to the other male in slight disbelief at the growing tension wafting off her before a wry smile spread across his face, "Oh, I see... Did you finally tire of Akime's company, Sesshomaru?"

Sahara's head snapped back to Takeshi her blue eyes widening slightly. Takeshi knew of it also? It must have been true then. She couldn't hide the crestfallen expression that made it's way on to her face, but was severely surprised when Sesshomaru's right clawed hand was suddenly cupping her chin forcing her to look at him. Takeshi was apparently surprised as well at the sudden appearance of the demon lord because he released Sahara's hand and took a few steps back in a single fluid motion.

Sesshomaru's golden eyes were searching into her blue ones emotionlessly for a moment before he spoke, feeling the woman tremble slightly at the sound, "Jealousy is not becoming on you, Sahara. This Sesshomaru is over a century older than you."

She blinked unable to do much else with him holding her chin so close to his face. She felt something warm and fluffy encircle her frame as she let his words sink in to her mind. He was right, after all, he was quite a bit older than she. As unsettling as this new information was, having grown up in a human village where relationships between a fifteen and forty-year-old would have been improper. He would have experienced a lot more than she had in the barely sixteen years she had been alive. They had only been bonded for that amount of time, right? Anything could have happened before then. Feeling a bit better about this she gave him a slight nod before they were suddenly reminded that Takeshi was still in the room.

"Ah, Sahara... as in Lord Soharu's heir?" Takeshi smile grew wider when he noticed the young woman blink at him, a mixture of curiosity and confusion clouding her face, "Is that why you didn't wish to inform me of her name?"

Sesshomaru tore his eyes from Sahara dropping his hand, but not removing his mokomoko from around her, "Why are you here, Takeshi?"

"I had heard rumors that you've taken in a butterfly demon and came to investigate." He replied running a clawed hand through his long lavender locks nonchalantly.

Gold eyes narrowed irritably at the slightly shorter male, "Don't take this Sesshomaru for a fool. She's only been here for three days."

A toothy grin overcame Takeshi's handsome features, "Perceptive as always, my friend." Sahara watched blankly as he turned from them to examine the shelf of books again, "I actually came here to do a little research into the past century. Mitsui is acting rather strangely. He attacked one of my territories a few days ago. So, I wondered, if your father had left any records of such things before."

"Mitsui attacked?" Sahara glanced up at her intended mate having heard the growl laced in his words.

"Strange, isn't it? If Soharu is dead, then why is his subordinate acting on his own? You would think he would still be in search of his master's heir, wouldn't you?"

Silence grew between the trio. All that could be heard was the crackling fire and Takeshi's steady hum as he read over the book spines. Sahara's mind was trying to connect the pieces, having realized the heir Takeshi spoke of was her, which would then mean her father was this Lord Soharu person. Right? Her gaze lowered to the mokomoko that still remained wrapped around her. Her slender fingers lightly ran over the soft fur, feeling it slightly shiver at her touch, however did not move otherwise. Her gaze wondered up to it's owner, his golden eyes focused completely on Takeshi. She wondered if he had purposefully enveloped her in the warm fur or if the mokomoo had a mind of it's own.

"It makes me wonder if Lord Soharu is really dead." Takeshi went on, hazel eyes narrowing slightly, "His heir would be needed, it's not like Mitsui can expect to take his place. At least, not unless he found proof of her death as well." A light chuckle, that didn't seem to sound very humorous at all, slipped the demon lord's lips as he turned to examine the pair, "Why do you have Soharu's heir, Sesshomaru?"

Sahara's blue eyes avoided Takeshi's hazel ones just as Sesshomaru spoke, "What business of yours would that be?"

"Well, seeing as how the man originally in charge of finding her has yet to do so and he is attacking me, I would assume I had the right to know."

"Lord Soharu is the lord butterfly demon at the north?" Sahara spoke quietly looking up at the man whose mokomoko still had her trapped next to him, "He is my father?"

"How many butterfly demons do you think are out there anymore?" Takeshi caught her attention again before Sesshomaru had time to respond, "Hasn't anyone told you that you are the last."

"Everyone has, but I didn't expect-"

"Sahara has no business with the north." Sesshomaru cut her off, "She was born and then was raised by humans."

Takeshi studied the dog-demon lord closely before a newly formed smile cracked across his face, "And you brought it upon yourself to take her under your wing? Come now, Sesshomaru, if you think I'm that much of a moron then you offend me. The human child, Rin, was one thing when you took her under your protection for whatever reason. However, I don't believe you've turned over a new leaf and feel the need to help people." He paused examining Sahara fully, "No. I think there is more to this story than you are letting on."

Blue eyes shifted back to Sesshomaru's face wondering how he was going to react to Takeshi's prodding. His honey colored eyes narrowed, but he showed no other sign of anger, at least not in his expression. He looked as if he were about to say something, but Takeshi continued after his short pause.

"In fact, the only living female butterfly demon worthy of Lord Soharu was Lady Sarylah, was it not? Wasn't she a close friend of your father's? As I recall, and forgive me for crossing a boundary when I say this, but hadn't your father had an infatuation with her?"

Sahara flinched when the mokomoko suddenly tensed in response to Takeshi's in depth interrogation. However, the sudden squeeze didn't keep her curiosity from peaking at the mention of her mother and Sesshomaru's father. On the contrary, it caused her to wonder if what he said was true. Although, Sesshomaru's silent response to the questions slightly improved the likelihood. There was no time for the demon lord to respond as the door slid open revealing a kneeled Jaken and Rin standing behind him.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Rei-Lin requests your presence in the library. She says it's urgent!"

Sahara's heart beat quickly at the kappa's words. Rei-Lin had gone to the library doing research for Sesshomaru on the crystal fragments they had found. What could have been so urgent she would need Lord Sesshomaru for? The demon lord moved to leave the room, but stopped when he noticed the blonde woman had begun to follow his movements.

"You will remain here." His golden eyes then narrowed at Takeshi, the demon blinking with a slight look of bewilderment plastered on his face, "Do not touch her. I will return." Without hearing the demon's offended reply at having been indirectly accused of being a lecher, Sesshomaru exited the room.

Rooted to the ground where she stood, Sahara immediately blinked her eyes a few times to release herself from her shocked state. Why hadn't he permitted her to go with him? He instructed Rei-Lin to find a link between the shards and the butterfly demon clans, her clans! If it was urgent wouldn't it pertain to her more than Sesshomaru? A burning anger was threatening it's way into her being as her thoughts continued to circulate around the arrogant, selfish, controlling jerk who had left her feeling slightly cold without his mokomoko. Despite the fireplace that still crackled a few feet away.. Takeshi let out a heavy sigh his once haughty, playful demeanor fading quickly as he smiled at Sahara, gaining her attention.

"We are childhood friends, yet he still won't let me in on things."

Blue eyes blinked in surprise as she turned to face him, "You grew up with Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Our fathers were companions for centuries. They had different views, but their friendship was very strong." He took a few steps towards her causing her to move slightly back, "You were raised by humans? I bet Sesshomaru wasn't very thrilled when he heard he would be bonded to you when he found that out."

The sarcasm in his tone was lost on her because a desire to be near Sesshomaru again was welling up inside her, "You knew?"

A mischievous smile creeped it's way on to his lips and he ran his fingers through his thick violet hair again, "Oh, Sesshomaru knows that I knew. That's why he was being all stoic and irritating." He rolled his hazel eyes and shook his head at that before continuing, "I have the ability to see auras, Princess. I knew the moment he stood beside you in the hallway that you two were bonded. I must admit I was surprised. Bondages rarely actually work, which is why a simple betrothal is agreed upon. However, they can also be easily terminated, unlike bonding."

Sahara furrowed her brow, the room around them was beginning to spin. It's never accelerated like this before. She thought forcing herself to concentrate on Takeshi's face, "Princess?"

"Well, yes. By all technicalities you are a princess." He smiled leaning in closer, "Your father is a demon lord, which being a daughter of a lord kind of equates to the same thing. On the other hand, Lady Sarylah was in, every way, a princess. Her parents ruled over the butterfly demons. Well, for the most part."

The young woman placed a hand over her right temple on her head, hoping the pressure would help keep her steady, at least until he returned. "But she was disowned."

Takeshi chuckled humorously at this, "Demons don't work the same way humans do. Sure, by the meaning of the word, her parents could have not looked at her as their daughter. However, her blue eyes, your blue eyes, are what decides the heir."

She furrowed her brow at this, "I don't understand."

"Well, you wouldn't since you've never seen another butterfly demon in your life." His gaze moved upwards to her forehead, "That mark... I suppose you don't know it's origin."

"Mark?"

"Didn't you know you had a heart shaped mark on your head?" When she shook her head, which she regretted the second she did because it made the dizziness worse, his face grew serious, "I've studied all sorts of demons and their culture. Most of my information though was acquired from Sarylah herself, but I know she told me butterfly demons do not have markings. You are just full of rarities, aren't you?"

The butterfly demoness took a few steps backwards while he advanced towards her, reaching out a clawed hand, "It's okay." He gave her a comforting smile when her backside came in contact with the wall, "I promise I won't hurt you. Remember how I said I can read auras, I can read into things a normal person wouldn't know. However, my powers work better if I"m in actual contact with-"

A pale fist came into hard contact with Takeshi's handsome face and sent him flying to the ground, Sahara's eyes glued themselves to the demon lord standing before her, "I thought I told you not to touch her."

Sesshomaru glowered down at the demon who was beginning to sit up rubbing his right cheek, "Geez, I wasn't going to make a move on her. I just wanted to see what made her so unique." His hazel eyes glared at the defensive demon lord, "If you didn't notice earlier, she's unaffected by my charms."

"Hm." The silver haired demon glanced over at Sahara noticing the pained expression on her face. Her pretty blue eyes were hooded under heavy eyelids and she swayed slightly, despite trying to steady herself against the wall.

"I think you were just looking for an excuse to hit me." Takeshi grumbled finally standing just in time to see the young woman's knees buckle in beneath her and she began to fall forwards towards Sesshomaru, who caught her in his strong arms effortlessly.

Sesshomaru cradled the unconscious girl in one arm and placed the opposite on her forehead. She was burning at the touch and her breath, he noted, was coming out in heavy gasps. His eyes narrowed in confusion. Sickness was immediately ruled out since demons were extremely unlikely to get sick. But she was so warm, like when Rin would come down with a minor cold.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Sesshomaru. You've been slacking on your bonding duties haven't you?" Takeshi scolded teasingly receiving a glare from his friend, " When was the last time you loved up on her?"

The demon lord inwardly flinched at the idea of doing such things, "This Sesshomaru does not 'love up' on anyone."

"Well, you better start if you want to keep her around." Takeshi examined his claws briefly before his hazel eyes bore into Sesshomaru,, "Believe me you'll want to keep her around. Losing a bonded will form a black pit in your soul and there will be no hope for happiness in your life. Not even little Rin could fill it." With that he headed for the door, "I better head off now, it seems your father didn't have anything of use to me. Good luck, Sesshomaru!" He winked before darting on to the other side of the door just barely missing the green venomous whip that had been directed at him.

Sesshomaru retracted his attack, glancing down at his sleeping intended. A heavy sigh escaped his lips just as he sat down on a nearby cushion holding her in his lap. This woman was proving to be far more trouble for him now that he had found her, than she had been when she was lost to him. The mere thought irritated him greatly.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

The smell of sake and smoke overcame Akime's senses as she entered the wooden brothel house on the far side of the large village she had traveled to. The place was lavish in beauty on the inside, unlike the others that she had seen. Red and yellow decorations hung on the walls and beautiful screens blocked the two hallways that led to what Akime knew were large rooms cluttered with cushions and beautiful demon women. A demoness older than herself, with simple brown hair and dark colored eyes, who wore a decorative black kimono approached her, bowing lowly. "How may I help you, young maiden?"

Brown eyes narrowed in annoyance at having not been recognized, but she immediately shook it off. She, herself, didn't recognize this woman, which must mean that she was new and Akime shouldn't be upset that the woman didn't know her. In fact, this was the first time in over fifty years the young demoness had set foot in this place. She had told herself that she would never return, but as circumstances stood, there were no other options. This was the only place she would find help.

"I am here to see Master Kazuhiro."

The brown haired woman's dark eyes expanded in surprise before she bowed her head further again, "Forgive me, but Master Kazuhiro will not see any visitors."

"He will see me." Akime spat, "Tell him his sister is here to speak with him." At that the woman quickly stumbled up, her eyes still wide, only this time fear was clouding them.

"Right this way, please." She quickly led Akime down a few different hallways, making their way towards the back of the large building, down some wooden stairs, before stopping in front of a large sliding door, "He is just in there, My lady."

This back part was much darker than the entryway she had come in from. Akime wondered if they had added this on after she had left, fore she didn't recognize it at all. However, she nodded curtly, dismissing the plain woman away with a wave of her hand before tapping lightly on the door and sliding it open slowly, "Yo."

Bright golden eyes looked up from the back right corner of the fairly large, dark room. A candle danced nearby giving off a dim golden glow, shimmering the man's long dark blue hair. The darkness didn't do much for obscuring the man's handsome features, though that could be because Akime would not forget a single detail of her sibling's face. A toothy smile stretched across his features while he carefully set down the blade he had been cleaning with a cloth. Outstretching his clawed hand towards her, he motioned her to come in, "Akime, I haven't seen you in ages. How is palace life treating you? Are you the new lady of the West yet?"

Her older brother's mocking tone was not lost on her and she made sure to slam the door shut behind her in an effort to express her irritation at him. She crossed her arms, hiding them in the sleeves of her simple orange kimono, taking a seat about a foot away in front of him. She had to remind herself of her mission to keep herself from fighting with her older brother. The image of the blonde demon woman who needed to be removed flashed before her eyes and she cleared her throat.

"I need you to do a favor for me. And I believe you would certainly benefit from it."

"Oh?" A delicate eyebrow raised before he picked up his katana to finish wiping it down, "What kind of a favor?"

Akime's jaw tightened as she glared at her sibling. She swore to herself that she wouldn't get involved with her brother's "business" in any way, but it seemed she didn't have much of a choice, "There's a woman I think you would be very interested in. She is a rare type of demon, said to be the last of her kind. She's young and inexperienced, but with some training I'm sure she'd catch a worthy price."

Kazuhiro's light gold, almost yellow, hues left his sword to observe his sister, chuckling menacingly, "Is that so? Is this woman by any chance threatening your potential position?" Akime balled up her hands into fists, her shoulders tensing, "Is this woman a whore like you? Or is she of actual noble birth?"

She hesitated for a moment wanting to punch him in the face for the insult, but she needed him to do this. Sahara had to be removed so she could get Lord Sesshomaru back. Then she could start plotting her revenge for her unsupportive brother. "I suppose you would classify her as a servant. Lord Sesshomaru has kept her in his bedchamber. However, last night she left without permission and was not reprimanded at all."

He shook his head letting slip a cackle, "Have you considered that perhaps Lord Sesshomaru intends to make this woman his mate?" If possible, his grin seemed to widen at the disgusted expression that crossed her face before he continued, "You do realize, for me to acquire a woman from the palace itself, I would need the Lord's permission."

"Not unless she somehow winds up in the servant's quarters." His eyes flashed maliciously at the idea, "You would have had no idea she was anything but a servant. You do have free-range of the servant women, do you not?"

"I suppose I wouldn't be at fault if she happened to be down there when I make my next capture." Kazuhiro feigned a bored tone as he examined his handiwork on the blade carefully, "Who is this woman you speak of, Sister? For you to go to such lengths to be rid of her, she must be important."

"Lord Sesshomaru has taken an unusual interest in her, but she is of no real importance." She narrowed her brown eyes at his satisfied expression, "Are you interested?"

Akime's older brother frowned slightly before sheathing his katana and leaning forward against it, his smile returning, "Have her down in the servants quarters tomorrow night and we shall see if I am interested."