Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Shadow Kingdom Chronicles ❯ Chapters 1 - Chapters 3 ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

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Me: I only own myself, Lord Saran, and Lady Swan, Comet and Meteor.

Heather: I only own my self.

Me: We don’t own anyone else.

Heather: Master Quin owns himself.

Me: Lady Daireanna owns herself.

Me: I hope you like first chapter of The Shadow Kingdom Chronicles.

Both: REMEMBER TO R&R!!!! READ!!! AND REVIEW!!!!!!

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The Shadow Kingdom Chronicles
Chapter 1- Past Memories and The Dreaded Message
By: Kaibfan1

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Laughing came from a room deep in the castle. Me and two other young girls sat at a desk in front of a large chalk board and desk. One had long black hair and had on black-jeans and a miko outfit, and looks to be about 8. Her name is Kagome, she posses the power of a miko. Next to her sits a sandy-blonde wearing a black witches dress, and looks to be about 8 as well. Her name is Heather, she‘s ½ moon witch, ½ Inu demon.. My name is Maria, I have long  waist-length midnight black hair and I’m wearing a black dress with a cape-like silk starting at the neck and dropping to the floor. I’m an fire/ice silver Inu demon.

“These lessons are so boring,” I whined, as I leaned back in my chair.

“Yeah,” Kagome said. “Being goddesses in training isn’t fun.”

“Same here,” Heather said. “I’d rather be watching the boys train.”

“Then let’s sneak off and watch them,” I said sitting up.

“We’d get in trouble,” Kagome said. “Quin won’t be happy, we‘ve already took off on him more than 100 times.”

“Exactly,” Heather said smirking.

All three of us smirk, we were the worst when it came to trouble-makers.

“Let’s go!” I took off to the door.

“Yeah!” Kagome and Heather yelled at the same time.

Just as we reached the door, Quin enters.

“Hello girls,” Quinn said. “Time for class.”

Kagome and Heather stopped before they could run into him, but I run right past.

“Perhaps, you didn’t hear me,” Quin said, picking me up by the back of the neckline.

“Were not listening to no lesson,” I yelled, my eyes glowing. “SHADOW VISION!”

*BOOM*

Smoke feels the room, allowing Kagome, Heather, and me to get away. We race through the halls and up and down the stairs of the huge palace.

“PRINCESS MARIA!” came Quin’s yells.

“Run for it girls!” I yell as Quin appears behind us.

“YOU YOUNGLADIES GET BACK HERE NOW!” he yells.

“HECK NO!” I yell as Kagome and Heather yell, “WE WON’T GO!”

We end up running right past where the boys are training with Genkai. They stop as we run by.

“Hello girls,” Genkai says. “Shouldn’t you be in class.”

“Hello Genkai,” I said bowing my head in respect to my elder. “We’re just…”

“PRINCESS MARIA! PRINCESS KAGOME! PRINCESS HEATHER!” Quin roars as he appears outside.

“AHHHH!! Move it girls!” I yell. “Sorry `bout the interruption Genkai!”

We race for the large statue in the middle of the training yard and jump behind it. By now all the boys and girls training to be guardians had stopped training to watch our crazy antics. They already knew we only acted this way to drive our mentor nuts, heheh. But they got a good laugh at seeing us get the best of our teachers.

Quin runs up to the statue as Kagome and Heather stick their heads out from either side and I appear at the top of the statue.

Together we sing-song, “TEACHER!TEACHER!LEAVE ME BE!I DON’T WANT YOU CHASING ME! IF YOUR GONNA CAUSE A SECENE!I’LL JUST HAVE TO GET REAL MEAN!”

We race past him only to have the ground open up and chairs appear behind us. Bindings wrap around us pulling us into the chairs.

“WHAT?!” I yell.

“HEY!!!” Sheamaru yells.

“LET US GO!!” Heather yells, trying to break free.

“Well girls! It‘s been a blast!! But it‘s time for you to get back to class!” Quin sing-songs.

“Uhhhhh,” we whine, knowing we were caught.

“Now,” Quin says, letting us loose. “Why do you keeping coming out here for?”

I just cross my arms, a stone look on my face. Kagome just whistles and rolls her eyes.

“To watch the guys,” Heather bursts out smiling.

Kagome and I do a face-fault, “HEATHER!”

I close my eyes, groaning. All the guardians had heard too. What’s worse was three particular guys were standing near us.

“What?” Heather says looking at us. “What’d I say?”

Genkai who had also came over laughed, as Quin just raised an eyebrow.

“Well, back to class,” Quin said.

I just raise my eye-brow, he really thinks, after all that trouble I’d just follow orders, I…don’t…think…so.

“Maria,” he said looking at me.

I grinned evilly, now was my chance to show off for one particular full inu demon with silver hair, who was watching. My tail begins to glow as I lift my claws, my cape flaring up. A blast of light surrounds me. When it ends, a black inu the height of a horse stands in my place. My fur is midnight black with silver tiger stripes.

“Get on Girls,” I growl leaning down. They grin and hop on, as I paw the ground.

I let out fierce roar, before taking off in a blur towards the castle. Only to stall when a man with neck length black hair and royal black robes walks out.

“Godfather!” I bark happily.

“Maria, put on the brakes!” Kagome yells as I realize I’m going to end up crashing into him.

I slam my paws into the ground, and transform at the same time. We tumble and end up crashing into each other. A mess of arms and legs.

“Yowch!” Heather whined rubbing her head.

“Double Yowch,” Kagome groaned.

“Owwwwww.” I whine, pain shooting through my arms. A shadow falls over us.

“Hello Godfather,” I say as I look up.

“Maria, have you been causing trouble for Quin,” he said, smiling slightly. “Again.”

I gulp grinning sheepishly, “We were just having some fun. History lessons are so boring.”

“History is important to know, Maria,” Lord Saran said. “It helps greatly in life.”

“I know Godfather,” I sigh as Kagome, Heather, and I stand up.

“Good Evening, Lord Saran,” Kagome and Heather say bowing.

“Also to you, Princess Kagome and Princess Heather,” Lord Saran greeted. “Now, why don’t you three return to the castle and get ready for your etiquette lessons.”

“Yes, Godfather,” I said. I follow Kagome and Heather into the castle.

“What will I ever do with her,” Saran sighed.

“She needs more discipline,” Quin said sternly.

“That’s not the problem and you know it,” Genkai snapped.

“She is right,” Saran said, with a deep sigh

“Sir,” Quin turned to him.

“She’s restless, her blood is of a warrior,” Saran sighed again. “Her father was a mighty warrior, his blood resides in her. Maybe training would do her good.”

“I would be happy to train her with Princess Kagome and Princess Heather,” Genkai said.

“Very well, starting tomorrow, you shall train them,” Saran said.

Genkai nodded and turned to go back to training the guardians. Saran and Quin headed inside.

“Alright girls, time for class,” a cat demon half vampire walks in.

She has midnight black hair tied in a bun with chopsticks. She has sapphire blue eyes and is wearing a midnight kimono with red flowers on it.

*gulp* “Good Evening, Lady Daireanna,” I say politely along with Kagome and Heather.

We didn’t dare act rude in her presence. She was a Demonic Spellcaster and could easily put us in our place.

“Evening, Princess Maria, Princess Kagome, Princess Heather,” she said sternly, inclining her head to each of us. “Now today, we practice our tea lessons.”

She faced the board as she started talking, instructing us in the proper way of drinking tea. I groaned letting my chin hit the desk, I watch her ears twitch and wisely kept myself from muttering the curses I was saying in my head. It was known throughout the castle that she didn’t like anyone. She only liked making people suffer, namely Heather, Kagome and I. Especially kikyo when ever she visited, though we liked to do the same thing.

Letting my tail materialize, I wrapped it around my waist and over my shoulder as I laid my head on it. Before I realized it, I had fallen asleep.

After what seemed like eternity, I felt my shoulder being shook, “Princess Maria.”

“Princess Maria, would you wake up,” a man’s voice says.

“huh,” I groggily open my eyes to see Quin standing beside me.

I look around, I’m in his office. I suddenly remembered that I had been in Quin’s office being taught Demonic carvings that were on different swords when I fell asleep.

“Forgive, Master Quin,” I said yawning.

“Are you alright, it’s not normal for you to fall asleep during any lesson that talks about swords,” he said.

“Yes,” I said rubbing my head. “I don’t know how I fell asleep, but I was dreaming about a time with Kagome and Heather.”

“You three used to cause so much trouble,” Quin said. “You were always sneaking off and trying to escape my lessons. You never did it to Lady Daireanna, though.”

“We were too afraid to,” I yelped.

“Yes,” Quin said. “She seemed and still does have that affect on people.”

I laughed as I looked at the picture on Quin’s shelf. It was a picture of Kagome, Heather, and I on one of our “drive Quin nutz days”. Someone had managed to take of picture when I was in my transformed state and Heather and Kagome were on my back, Quin was in the background looking…annoyed.

“We were the worst trouble makers in the whole kingdom when the three of us were together,” I said with a smile.

“Yes, you did seem to get yourselves into quite a few scrapes,” Quin said sitting down.

“It’s been 4 years since I last saw them,” I sighed sadly. “Sure, we write to each other, but it’s not the same.”

“Maybe you’ll be able to see them soon,” Quin said. “After all, fate works in mysterious ways.”

“Maybe,” I said, standing up.

Suddenly the royal horn was blown.

“Godfather!” I said happily. “He’s back early!”

“Then let’s go meet…” Quin started as I shot pass him. Chuckling and shaking his head he followed at a normal place.

I raced into the thrown room, as I started to the front I realized everyone had a sadden expression. Their heads were bowed and they stepped aside, as I reached the middle, where godfather’s most trusted messenger stood. Godfather, was nowhere to be seen.

The messenger had just got done talking to my handmaid and the nurse who had taken care of me after mother died. The guard looked at me before bowing his head and backing up.

Lady Swan, walked over to me and laid a hand on my shoulder, “Princess, I’m afraid there is bad news about your godfather.”

My shoulders started shaking, “What is it?”

“I’m afraid Lord Saran has been slain in battle,” Lady Swan said sadly.

Tears begin falling from  my eyes, I close then to stop the tears. Lady Swan wraps an arm around me and hugs me as if I was her own child.

The messenger stepped forward then announced so everyone could hear as he held up a scroll, “I hold here, Lord Saran’s will. It seems he knew he would not return from this war.”

Master Quin, as father’s advisor as well as my godfather’s, stepped forward and took the scroll. He opened and read it.

“Lord Saran states that should anything happen to him, Princess Maria will inherit the Shadow Realm as well as become Queen of the Shadow realm,” he said turning to me as I looked at him. “You are now the new ruler and Queen.”

Standing straight I looked around, I knew their would be time to mourn later, but now… Grandfather’s kingdom needed me.

“Very well, As the next in line, I accept the job of ruler of the Shadow Kingdom,” I said. “However…I shall choose 4 fellow princess to help rule over the 5 kingdoms.”

Lady Swan smiled proudly at me, “Lord Saran would be proud.”

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.

“It also states, you are to choose a mate,” Master Quin said.

My face turned the color of snow, “WHAT!”

Everyone winced at my shocked yell.

“I’m sorry princess, but in order to full fill the job you will need to have chosen a mate by the coronation of Queen,” Master Quin said. “Where you will be crowned as Queen of the Shadow realm and the other 4 queen of the kingdoms you have chose for them”

I groan as I collapse into the chair behind me, “uhhh, so what else does my mighty godfather state should be done.”

Lady Swan shook head smiling at me.

“That you have 5 guardians, your mate will also be your guardian,” Master Quin said. “4 guardians shall also be chose for each of the other 4 princess.”

I sigh then stand up, “Very well, send messages to the four goddesses. Send for Princess Kagome, Princess Heather, Princess Kikyo, and Princess Aerith.”

“Yes, my lady,” the messenger said, bowing before disappearing. By now, everyone had left to prepare for the burial service for Lord Saran, who’s body was being brought back.

“How long do I have till I must have a mate,” I asked.

“A month,” Master Quin said. “The coronation is in a month, and you must have a mate by then.”

“What about that handsome young Lord Sesshoumaru, you two are so close,” Lady Swan said.

A deep blush formed on my cheeks, it was true. Sesshoumaru and I were close, really close. In fact, he had asked me if I would be his mate, but I had told him I wasn’t ready for something like that yet.

“Well, he has asked me…but,” I started my blush depend. “I had told him I wasn’t sure about it yet.”

Lady Swan smiled, “Well, dear, seems you can finally give him an answer.”

“Shall I send for him,” Master Quin smirked. “Yowch!” Lady Swan had hit him over the head with a scroll case.

“You take your time deary,… I…shall send for him,” she said glaring at Master Quin.

I laughed at that, Lady Swan was a youkai you didn’t want to mess with. She was a swan youkai, hence the name Lady Swan.

“Now,” Lady Swan said. “We have all had a trying day, tomorrow, we start preparing for your coronation and for Lord Saran’s burial service in a week. All the Lords and ladies should arrive by then.”

Master Quin nodded, “I’ll go help where I can.”

He left the throne room as Lady Swan turned to me, “My dear, you should get some rest. You have had a great shock and a long day.”

“Yes, Madam Swan,” I said as we walked to my rooms.

I had changed into a black gown and cape, and climbed into bed.

“Get some sleep, dear,” Lady Swan said, making sure the sheets were tight since I usually ended up kicking them off.

I yawned as I closed my eyes, and laid my head on my pillow. Lady Swan smiled and closed the drapes on the bed and shut the door behind her.

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The Shadow Kingdom Chronicles
Chapter 2- The Lords Arrive
By: Kaibfan1

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The loud blaring of a horn woke me. I sprang from my bed and ran to my window looking out. I could see the flags of the Northern and Eastern lands waving in the distance. Lord Akira and Lord Kerr had arrived. I knew it wouldn’t be long till the Southern and Western lords arrived. I sprang around my room, quickly putting on a black dress with a silver rose design going down the side and grabbed a black and silver cape. I put on my black knee-high boots and black wrist gloves.

After a quick look in the mirror I ran out of my room and down the stairs, the main gates were being open at that exact moment. Lord Akira and Lady Jasmine rode through the gates first, followed by Lord Kerr and Lady Tara and their guards.

“Welcome Milords and Ladies,” Quin said, bowing his head.

“Good day, Sir Quin,” Lord Akira said, inclining his head, his mane-like getting messed up by the wind.

“Dear, fix your mane,” Lady Jasmine said.

“No point, I fix it and it goes right back to the way it was,” Lord Akira said shrugging.

“Sound like someone’s attitude we know,” Lord Kerr chuckled.

“Ah yes, Lord Sesshoumaru,” Lord Akira chuckled, “the pup knows much, but he still has a lot to learn.”

“And he’s such a handsome young pup too,” Lady Jasmine said, “he’s sure to find a mate.”

“Lord Sesshoumaru’s been against having a mate for so long,” Lord Kerr chuckled.

“Yes, but I’m sure there’s one girl that can get him off that little kick,” Lady Tara said, smiling at her husband.

My ears twitched as I smiled nervously, Lady Jasmine and Lady Tara had stepped down from their horses.

“Princess Maria is that you?” Lady Jasmine asked. “My, you’ve grown up so much, I hardly recognized you.”

“Good morning Lady Jasmine, Lady Tara,” I said smiling.

“My you look so much like your mother,” Lady Tara said, as her and Lady Jasmine walked over to me.

“Thank you, Lady Tara,” I said, inclining my head.

“Ah, Princess Maria, we are sorry about your loss,” Lord Akira said, as he and Lord Kerr dismounted from their horses. “Lord Saran was a great Lord, he will be missed by all.”

“Thank you for you kind words, Lord Akira,” I said inclining my head, “my godfather would have been very happy to hear those words.”

“He was a great demon, and a good friend,” Lord Akira said.

“All the lords of the lands will gladly give their respect to Lord Saran,” Lord Kerr said.

“Such a shame, he died so soon,” Lady Jasmine said sadly, “leaving you poor dear to have to take care of the kingdom.”

“Somehow I think my godfather planned me being giving the kingdom soon,” I said, ears twitching. “He stated in his will that I must have a mate by the day of the coronation.”

“Ah haha,” Lord Kerr laughed, “sounds like something he would do.”

“I wonder who the lucky demon will be,” Lord Akira said smiling, nodding a head to Lord Kerr who was smirking.

“Lord Sesshoumaru has been chosen,” Master Quin said.

“Master Quin!!” I yelled, my cheeks turning red. Lord Akira and Lord Kerr chuckled, I growled crossing my arms as Master Quin chuckled at me.

“Quite a spitfire, isn’t she,” Lord Kerr chuckled, “perfect for Sesshoumaru.”

My ears twitched as I muttered, “rotten lords.”

“Cut it out you two,” Lady Tara said smiling.

Suddenly a horn was blown again, my ears perked up as I climbed to the top of the gate, I spotted the flags of the western land. Suddenly feeling really nervous, I took off in a blur into the castle.

“Now where does she think she’s going,” Master Quin said.

The gates opened as Lord Inutashio the former lord of the western lands, Inuyasha and Lord Sesshoumaru rode through.

“Ah, that’s why,” Lord Kerr chuckled.

“Welcome Lord Intashio, prince Inuyasha, and Lord Sesshoumaru,” Master Quin said.

“Good evening Quin,” Intashio said. “Where’s our young princess?”

“You just missed her,” Lord Kerr laughed.

“She just took off into the castle,” Master Quin said.

“Haha, guess she saw your face bro and took off running,” Inuyasha laughed.

“Shut your mouth half-breed,” Sesshoumaru said, knocking Inuyasha beside the head.

“Damn it!” Inuyasha yelled rubbing his head.

“That’s enough boys,” Lord Intashio said.

“You may head in Lord Sesshoumaru,” Master Quin said, as Sesshoumaru dismounted from his horse. “Lady Swan should know where Princess Maria has gone off to. Now, since Lord Shin and Lady Kana won’t be here until dusk, we should head in. Feel free to look around.”

Master Quin led them into the great hall, where it had been set up to sit a great gathering. They all took their sits when Lady Swan entered.

“Ah, Lady Swan, hello,” Lord Akira said. “You’re looking lovely as ever.”

“Don’t try to fool an old woman you old kit,” Lady Swan said, good heartily.

“Still as stern as ever,” Lady Tara said smiling.

“Well I have to, what with the princess such a spitfire and old lords acting like kits,” Lady Swan smiled. Lord Akira, Lord Kerr and Lord Intashio chuckled, as Lady Jasmine and Lady Tara smiled.

“So where is the spitfire?” Lord Intashio asked.

“As jittery as a jitterbug hiding in her room, pacing back and fourth,” Lady Swan said.

“Ha! She did bolt because of you bro,” Inuyasha said in a mocking tone.

“Half-breed if you value your life…” Sesshoumaru warned.

“Inuyasha stop provoking your brother,” Lord Intashio said.

“Yes sir,” Inuyasha said, glaring at Sesshoumaru.

Lady Swan turned towards the stairs, “Princess Maria! Your guest are waiting!”

My ears twitched as I poked my head out of my bedroom, “I’m busy!”

“Get down here! NOW!” Lady Swan yelled back at me. I sighed, it was wise to listen to her when she got like that. I took another look in the mirror, fixing my hair and dusting off my clothes.

“Uhh,” I sighed as I took a deep breath and headed down the stairs.

“Ah, here she is,” Lord Akira said.

“Good day, Princess Maria,” Lord Intashio said.

“Good day, Lord Intashio,” I said politely. I sat down at the head of the table in a chair that had wings coming from it. “I trust that your journey here went well.”

“It was a normal trip,” Lord Intashio said, eyeing Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru.

“Ah, brotherly quarrels,” Lord Akira chuckled.

“Half-brothers,” both Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha growled.

“Same thing,” I said rolling my eyes. “You two have been at it for years.”

“Well, maybe if Mr. High and Mighty wasn’t so proud, I’d stop beating his ass,” Inuyasha said.

I raised an eyebrow, “as I recall, you’re the one who starts it Inuyasha, at least most of the time.” I looked over at Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru remained sitting with his head held high, “stupid half-breed.”

“Why you!” Inuyasha yelled about to jump at him.

“Dark Cyclone,” Inuyasha was knocked back into his seat by a swirling dark funnel cloud.

“What the hell?!” Inuyasha growled.

I smiled, “manners Inuyasha, your in the presence of a high princess.”

“Oh dear,” Lady Swan said, “I believe we should start the meeting.”

“Good idea,” Lord Akira said.

“So what was in Sesshoumaru’s letter,” Inuyasha leaned towards Maria smirking.

“That is none of your business half-breed,” Sesshoumaru  said.

“Now, now Sesshoumaru,” Lord Kerr chuckled, “Don’t be modest. It is obvious to everyone what the letter was about. Since it has been known throughout the land that should Lord Arago pass on, that princess would need to find a mate before she can become queen.”

“Throughout the land?” I asked, not liking the sound of it.

“Yes, did you not know that any warrior youkai may come to the palace and announce a challenge to court you?” Lord Kerr asked.

“…No, I didn’t,” I said, eyeing Master Quin. “Why was I not told?”

“Oh, hush child,” Lady Swan said, “There is nothing to worry about. You have already made a choice.”

“I wish it was that simple,” Master Quin said sighing, “but Lord Kerr speaks the truth. Another youkai may challenge Sesshoumaru for the right to court you. By law they have the right to pledge their courtship to you. Only by Sesshoumaru challenging them to a battle and winning, will they lose their right to court you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” I asked angrily.

“You should have been taught this earlier,” Master Quin stated, “but Lord Arago was against it.”

“…Excuse me…” I said standing up, and inclining my head to everyone. I turned and headed out of the great hall and up the stairs. A aura of high energy had filled the room before spilling out into the castle, mixed with scent of anger.

“Why did you go and tell her that?!” Lady Swan snapped at Master Quin, once I was out of hearing range.

“She needed to know!” Master Quin said, his voice raising. “She should have been taught this, but Lord Arago refused cause he believed she would be mated before he died.”

“I see what Arago was doing…” Lord Akira said with a hand rubbing his beard, a thoughtful look on his face. “He had long since noticed the closeness between Lord Sesshoumaru and the princess. He must have believed that it would work out before he died.”

“Yes…but now that he has died sooner then he thought,” Master Quin started, “there will be others coming to try to claim her.”

“Then I’ll just have to fight,” Sesshoumaru said sternly, with the normal emotionless look on his face. “Excuse me.” Sesshoumaru stood and headed to the stairs.

“…He’s angry…” Inuyasha said.

“Yes, because others will show to try to claim what’s his,” Lord Kerr said, he had known Sesshoumaru since they were both pups.

I stood on the balcony overlooking the gardens. Sighing I walked down the stairs leading to the gardens. My ears twitched at the sounds that surrounded me. The chirping of the Shadow Kingdom’s rare silver song birds, a small pound and miniature waterfall.

“…I can’t believe I was never told sooner…” I sighed, sitting down at the edge of the pond. I gently ran my claw through the water, watching the ripples. One of the silver songbirds landed on the fountain, I smiled softly as more came out of hiding.

“Hello, my friends,” I gently ran my claw the wing of one that was close to me. I stopped as I felt like someone was watching me, turning I looked towards the balcony. No one was there, I slowly stood up as I looked around.

“Whoever’s there, I order you to come out,” I picked up the sound of leaves rustling. “Who’s there?” I began heading for the stairs, a figure stepped in my path. I stepped back, bearing my fangs.

“Who are you,” I growled, “these are private gardens. I order you to leave.”

“Unfortunately for you, princess,” the youkai growled smiling, “I don’t follow orders.”

I growled backing up, “what do you want?”

“To claim you,” the youkai smirked.

“Claim this!” I yelled, aiming my hand at hit and shot a shadow blast at him. The youkai disappeared.

“Is that all the mighty princess knows,” came the youkai’s voice from behind me. I spun around slashing at him with my claws.

“Pathetic,” he grabbed my wrist and threw me back. My back slammed into the side of the fountain, I growled as I dug my claws into the ground.

“You will come with me,” the youkai growled, “conscious or unconscious.” Before the youkai cold take another step, a claw was slammed through him. Poison dripped from the claw.

“No one takes what is mine,” Sesshoumaru growled, the demon moved away in fear.

“L..Lord S..Ses…shou..maru,” the youkai tuned to run but Sesshoumaru used his poison whip to tear the demon to pieces.

I stood up dusting the dust from my clothes, I looked up as Sesshoumaru stood in front of me.

“Weren’t you trained better than that,” he said sarcastically.

“Well excuse me, I got caught off guard,” I grumbled. “I had a lot on my mind…but thank you..Sessy.” His eyebrow twitched in annoyance, I was the only one along with his sister, who could get away with calling him that. “Seriously, thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Maria,” Sesshoumaru said, he stood there for a few minutes before he took my hand as he pulled out a silver ring with a blue stone. “This ring holds powerful magic, it will protect you whenever I am not around. It also shows other youkai that I am courting you. They will not be able to touch you while you are wearing this.”

“Sesshoumaru…if I where this you’ll be constantly challenged,” I said, tail swaying, I didn’t want him to have to fight.

“If I must fight them, so be it, but I will not let anyone take what is mine,” Sesshoumaru growled. My ears twitched, I shook my head smiling, he could get so protective.

“Sesshoumaru, you really were serious about asking me to be your mate, weren’t you,” I said, looking up at him.

Sesshoumaru knew what I meant, “I was, not because you the Shadow Kingdom princess. But because you are the only girl besides Rin and my sister who has made me feel such emotions. You taught me emotions that I believed were useless.”

I smiled softy, I laid my head on his chest as he held me. I closed my eyes sighing, this wasn’t the way I wanted to be courted. But we had no choice, it was the law of the Shadow Kingdom. I was all allowed to choose, but that didn’t stop others from trying to court me.

“What’s wrong?” Sesshoumaru asked, I blinked out of my thoughts as I looked up at him. He was looking at me sternly.

“…So many are going to show, you’re going to have to fight so much,” I said looking at the ground.  “There’s some that are going to try to use force.”

Sesshoumaru realized what I was trying to say, he placed a claw under my chin. “I will protect you with my life, no one  is going to take you away from this Sesshoumaru.”

“I.,,Love you Sesshoumaru,” I said slowly, “I always have.”

A smile appeared as he looked down at me, “and I you.” His head lowered as his lips captured mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, sighing softly. I prayed that the next day would prove to be a better day.

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The Shadow Kingdom Chronicles
Chapter 3- Old friends, Old and New Villians, and Homework Trouble
By: Kaibfan1

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I awoke with a yawn and looked around. I was back in my room, all I remembered was Sesshoumaru and…his kiss. Sesshoumaru must have brought me to my room after I had fallen asleep. I got up and hurriedly got dressed in a midnight blue dress with matching knee-high boots. Grabbing my cape, I ran out of the room. As I raced down the stairs and through the left hall, I was slammed backwards as I hit a firm chest. A claw grabbed my wrist before I fell all the away, pulling me against the warm chest.

“You’re sure in a hurry,” I looked up at the sound of the voice, it was Kouga.

“Kouga,” I blinked at first, before snapping out of it. “When did you arrive?”

“Late last night,” he replied, I felt uneasy cause he still held me against his chest.

“Could you please release me,” I asked politely, trying to keep my voice straight.

“What’s the matter, I just wanted to say hello,” Kouga said, an almost strangeness to his voice.

“Release her,” a stern voice stated coldly, causing Kouga to look towards the voice. Not even a few feet away stood Sesshoumaru, a mask of indifference on his face. However, anger flickered in his eyes as well as his voice.
“Lord Seshoumaru,” Kouga smirked, “fancy meeting you here. What brings you to this place, or are you here seeking more power.”

“I won’t repeat myself,” Sesshoumaru replied, ignoring Kouga’s words. He cracked his claws, ready for anything.

Kouga narrowed his eyes, standing there watching Sesshoumaru, before letting go of Maria’s wrist. Only to get a hard slap against his face, he looked at my furious look, the mark turning red.

“You fucking bastard,” Maria snarled, “I don’t know what you think you’re doing. Don’t ever do that again!”

Kouga stepped back from her, before looking from her to Sesshoumaru and back. A smirk crossed his face, “so it was true. Hold onto what you cherish Sesshoumaru, cause once it’s gone, there’s no getting it back.”

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes and Kouga walked passed him, watching his every move until he had disappeared around the corner. He turned back to her, “are you alright.”

“Yes,” she walked over to him, “something’s wrong with Kouga. I just don’t know what, yet.”

Sesshoumaru turned on her, voice stern, “stay away from him. Don’t allow yourself to be caught alone with him.” Kouga’s words still haunted his mine `Hold onto what you cherish Sesshoumaru, cause once it’s gone, there’s no getting it back`.

“I’ll be fine

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