Chapter 1

I was the only daughter to one of the many high noblemen here in feudal Japan. I lived in a luxurious castle, surrounded by beautiful fields, sparkling lakes, and majestic forest. I loved living here. It's very peaceful.

On my father's lands I was considered a princess to my parents and everyone else. I was the child my father expected I would turn out to be. A midnight beauty just like mother. The night I was born was during a crescent moon on a snowy winter night, thus I was given the name Rin. I was their midnight crescent jewel.

My hair was midnight, long, and shined in the moonlight. Dark brown eyes that caught the eyes of other nobleman sons' attention and light honey kissed skin, with specks of freckles on my cheeks. I was talented in playing the shamisen since I could pick one up. I was gifted with kimonos made in high quality silks, hairpins, make-up, and everything else a sixteen-year-old girl could ask for.

Mother and father wanted me to have the best and I was grateful for that. Some villagers think that I'm spoiled rotten and that's not true at all. I actually donate kimonos I no longer wear and give them to the ones in need. I go out with my father sometimes to see what the villagers were up to and talk amongst the girls and guys that were around my age. We all became quite good friends.

Though I love living in the castle my father worked so hard to have built, part of me wants to explore more than just the neighboring villages. I want to see different parts of Japan that I haven't seen yet, but I wasn't allowed outside the castle without an escort. Two guards were appointed to me when I wanted to walk towards the village or the large open fields by my home. I hope one day I will be allowed to do so on my own.

The castle staff were busy at work this morning, preparing for the evening events my father was throwing. Noblemen, their wives, and children would be attending the festivities within our home tonight. I'm friends with a few of my father's fellow lord's children. Some I don't care to be around. One in particular is Lord Naraku's family. They're not what you call humble friendly. They think they're better than other royal family's, especially mine. Their son, Master Hakudoshi, gives me the creeps. Every time they come here, I have to greet them properly and spend part of the day with their son. Those are the days that I wish would go by fast, like today.

I spent part of my morning practicing the shamisen in my room. All my doors and windows were open, to allow the gentle music to swift through the castle. I needed something to do till everyone arrived. Tonight, I will be performing a piece I've been practicing for months. I was nervous as I have never performed in front of others before, but father and mother told me that I will do great. I hope they are right.

When I struck the last string, I heard light clapping coming from outside my room. I looked up to see my father, "beautiful my darling, Rin."

"Thank you, father. How are the preparations coming along?" I was curious since I've been in my room for part of the day.

"They are coming along quite well. The servants are setting up the banquet hall and prepping the guest rooms for everyone," he informed, by taking a seat on the cushion beside me.

"That's good," I hope Lord Naraku and his family are not staying here. "Where's mother?" She's usually here with him.

"She's giving orders to the gardeners. She wanted new plants next to the ponds. Anyways my dear, I have a gift for you," my father clapped his hands again and in came the seamstress. "I had Rori make you a new festival furisode."

"Father, thank you." He didn't have to do that. I have a closet filled with plenty I could have worn tonight. "Thank you, Rori."

She came in and placed the white box in front of me, "it's my pleasure, princess. Your father picked out the color himself."

"Father, you spoil me too much." I opened the box to find the most beautiful furisode I laid my eyes on. The fabric was a lovely light purple and a print of different colors of silver flowers and birds all over. "So beautiful, thank you again." I couldn't wait to wear this tonight.

"Anything for you my darling daughter. I'll leave you to your music and Rori, back to finishing Hanami's festival furisode," my father ordered clapping his hands.

"Yes, My Lord."

Before he left, "actually father! Would it be okay if I go to the fields?" I hope he allows me. Only if it's just for a few minutes. I wanted to enjoy the open valley, take in the sun's heat and just enjoy part of the day.

"Just for an hour, Rin. I'll have Jakotsu and Bankotsu escort you. Then I want you back so that your hair and make-up can be done," he cupped my chin and kissed my forehead.

"Yes, father." At least my escorts were down to earth. I've actually become quite good friends with Jakotsu and Bankotsu. They both could make me laugh about anything. They're very protective and they make sure no harm comes my way.

Jakotsu is a very feminine guy and likes to dress up in girly kimonos, instead of the typical male haori. He carries a sword on his back that multiple when drawn. His brown hair is held into place with just a simple hairpin. Every time I'm in a new kimono or furisode, he twirls me around just so he can complement how beautiful I look.

Bankotsu was the elder brother to Jakotsu. He was strong, brave, and nothing ever scared him. His jet-black hair was pulled back into a long-braided ponytail and skin tan as a fresh peach. His weapon of choice was a halberd, which he called his banryū. The blade was long, wide, and it looked quite heavy. But to him it weighed like nothing. I even tried to lift it once and I didn't succeed. He wore the typical male white haori and the color suited his tan skin well.

I changed into an older kimono and then made my way out to the courtyard where they were waiting. They both stood by the gates, with my horse, Seishin, and a horse of their own. She was saddled up and ready to go. Jakotsu held his hand out my way as an offer to help me up, "ready to go, princess?"

"Yes, thank you." When I was settled up, they too got on their horse. "Remember you can call me Rin when you're not in my parents' presence."

Jakotsu came up beside me as we all exited the castle grounds. "We know, so what's the reason for wanting to get out for an hour, Rin?"

"I've been cooped up all day and I wanted to get out for some fresh air." I'm also trying to avoid Lord Naraku's family's arrival anytime now. They always wanted to be the first to arrive during any event that was being held by any lord.

Bankotsu came up on the other side of me as he said, "I don't blame you; it's been a long and busy day. You know the great dog demon, Lord Toga, will be attending tonight? Including his wife Lady Izayoi and their youngest son, Master Inuyasha."

"Lord Toga? What of his eldest son?" I've heard plenty of stories of this family. Lord Toga is the ruler of the western lands. He was once married to a beautiful daiyoukai like himself, they had a son together, and his name is Master Sesshomaru. He became cold hearted and developed hatred towards humans when his father married one several years later. "I guess Master Sesshomaru will not be attending?" I've never met the guy before but heard some stories about him. They weren't great ones.

Jakotsu threw his head back and laughed, "Haha, probably not. That boy won't show his face in public where humans reside. He thinks we are below him and not worth his time."

"What that boy needs is a week with a human girl, close to his age, and realize we are all not that bad. Say Rin, you would be the perfect one for that, haha," Bankotsu joked loudly.

"More than a week elder brother, I say a year. Master Sesshomaru needs to learn that times are changing, and humans and demons can be with one another. Rin, I can totally see you changing his ways. You have that type of charisma."

"Boy's, No! He's better off with a lovely female daiyoukai like himself. Me, when it's time, I want to find a young lord to be, that'll accept me for who I am." I'm at the age now where girls are married and having families of their own.

"You will honey. Anyways, who wants to race?" We all came to stop along the path towards the fields.

I loved racing these two, "your on, boys!" But knowing them, they'll always let me win.


"I had just been informed, Lord Naraku, and his family had just arrived." Always has to be early for these types of occasions. Today was the day I was dreading the most. My darling Rin would be promised to Master Hakudoshi, and be wedded next spring. "How I wish I never made this deal with Lord Naraku, but he promised that our daughter would be treated as such, and no harm would come to her."

"My dear, Hiroto. We knew that this day would come. You made that deal after Lord Naraku saved you that night on the battlefield. I just wished you didn't offer our daughter as a return of favor for him saving you."

"Same here, Hanami. Rin will be so upset when we tell her the news tonight. If anything were to happen to her, I won't forgive myself." I wish I could turn back time and think of something other than giving our only daughter to Lord Naraku's son. "I have to go speak with him shortly."

"Do you need me to come with you?" I would rather if she didn't.

"No, you should be getting yourself ready for tonight. I know how much you like to spend time on your hair and make-up." I pulled her towards our private bath.

"Okay, join me when you finish?"

"Yes, I'll be back soon."

In the courtyard, Lord Naraku awaited with his family. His wife, Lady Kagura who had just given birth to their third child, a son a few weeks prior. The second eldest was a daughter just three years younger than Rin, Princess Kana. Their oldest son, Master Hakudoshi, who I had wished I didn't agree to marry my daughter, stood tall next to his spider hanyo father. "Lord Naraku and Lady Kagura, what a pleasure it is to finally have you back. I hope your travels were calm."

"Lord Hiroto, yes it's been sometime, and our travels were gentle. How's Lady Hanami? And Princess Rin?" He has that creepy smirk I have grown accustomed to since I met him.

"They're both doing well. I'm sorry they're not here to greet you as they are both getting ready for tonight." I'm not going to tell them Rin stepped out to enjoy part of the day. They don't like that a princess like my daughter does that. They believe her place and duties are inside and behind castle walls. It's going to break my heart when that time comes to an end for her. "Anyways, my servants will take you to your room..."

"Mind if we chat, Lord Hiroto?" I knew what this was about.

"Yes, we'll go to my studies, and we shall speak privately." I gestured my hand for him to follow.

"Kagura, take the kids and go get settled in. I have a feeling Katsu is going to need to be nursed." He held his hand for them to follow my servants. "I shall be with you all shortly."

"Yes dear. Come children. You all need to rest up for tonight." Their children give me the creeps. They are all dressed the same in white and that's all they were allowed to wear. Rin soon will be forced to face the same dress code of their standards.

In my study, Naraku sat across from me, dressed in a deep black and purple haori. "Lord Hiroto, I wish to speak to you about Princess Rin. You know what I'm about to say, do you?"

"Yes, this is about the agreement we made ten years ago. I trust that after they are married, that no harm will come to my daughter, and that she will be allowed to make choices herself?" I know they would go against my word, but I couldn't help but ask.

"Of course. Hakudoshi will see to it that she will be treated the same way she is here. He will provide her with whatever she needs. Kimonos, hairpins, make-up, and much more." I don't see that happening.

"Yes, whatever he can provide to keep her happy." She won't be happy at all. She'll try to do whatever she can to reject this offer. After tonight, her mother, and I will have a very long talk.


Okay, this story came to mind after I rewrote Through The Well Again. Originally that story was going to be the arranged marriage one, but I wanted to change it after it was completed. I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter and for the new ones to come.

I know it may seem strange to see Sesshomaru being addressed as Master instead of Lord. In this version he needs to earn the title in order to succeed for his own purpose.