InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Poetry of Life ❯ A Chance ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Title: Poetry of Life
Subtitle: A Chance -- Chapter 2
Author(s): Ashika & Sesshoumaru_Lover

Disclaimer: I do not own nor do I claim Inu Yasha, the typical disclaimer. ^-~ However, the story itself is mine and a friend of mine's.

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After her first encounter, which it had been more than a four weeks, Zoë had ventured around in the forestland until she came to a certain spot and built her own wooden house. It was nicely done, with no trouble at all, except for a few things. The house was well-done, all built in wooden with six glass windows-much thanks to her ability of creating and manipulating fire, also the use of water.

However, if it wasn't for much of her pains, she would've had gotten the house done two weeks ago, but it was no use. Ever since she started building the house and continued to leave her place, back and forth-just as she was heading back to her house, she had encountered one of her fearful enemy, thankfully one of the minions who had secretly found her.

They had fought and fought for more than an hour, until the enemy had brought out the long sword, its blade completely red and it was apparent, the blade was made off the red stone called the Oniishi-the stone that had the ability to bring down a Makai demon for once and all. However, pitiful as the minion was, he didn't even know how to use the Oniishi, instead, he simply used it as a weapon when he remembered that a Oniishi can scar a Makai demon and leave its mark with a painful burden.

With each move he took, Zoë had carefully stepped out of the way until she was stabbed straight into her left upper thigh, one cut by her right rib and one small cut on her right hand, away from her knuckles. All three had left her an implausible pain she had never felt before until now-and such thought as that only raised anger deep down inside. Such anger as that, had brought her to ignore her own pains and managed to bring the enemy minion down with one strike when she was in her other form-the second transformation of the Makai.

Right watching her enemy died, she simply sent the body away and left back to her home to care for her injuries-and she knew her injuries would never go away that easily, not unless another stone, a complete opposite of the Oniishi is found. But it never has, or been. It was too hard to find, she knows it and she must deal with her pains for years to come.

After she had arrived home and mended her injuries, she quickly set up her house with a slight effort-simply by using telekinetic, the ability to move things with her mind. With four weeks elapsed, Zoë had not fought since then, with her injuries covered in bandages and only hoped no one would noticed for she walked with a slight difficulty-nearly she limped, only subtly. Luckily, her house had been carefully monitored with a special shield she had brought with her-the shield that was capable of preventing any enemies from coming in or even see where she lives or the house itself. However, the shield is not capable of preventing any other intruders that poses no threats, and she did not like it. Although, she knew she can just deal with it, far easily, despite what happened to her.

Now arriving through the dense forest toward the crystalline lake with a clear, but large cascading waterfall, she looked up to find numerous of exotic flowers blooming there, with a smell of fresh air. She took in the scent with a slight smile, although she still wore her cloak on. Lightly, but carefully, she made her way toward the small part of the ground that is already a small hill, nestled close to the forest and she sat down with grimace when she felt the long, but piercing striking pain shot throughout her leg, including her right ribs.

"Goddamn it…I would appreciate if someone could bless me a miracle…" She murmured silently, while she tried to draw with her right hand and found it to be difficult. Tears threatened to fall and they did, she sniffled lightly before brushing the tears away angrily with her good hand when she knew she could no longer draw. "…this isn't going to stop me; I'll just use my other hand." With that, she started to try to use her other hand and practiced and practiced as much as she can-although her drawing looked so much of a child's drawing.

As the time passed shortly, without realizing, there was a black and white puppy heading her way, his head drooped low with his ears folded against his head showing a sign of yield, but also for help. He noticed that the person before his eyes hasn't looked up, and he let out a small series of low whines, somewhat afraid of what the person would do next if he was found as an intruder.

Zoë, who had her focus on the paper before her and she looked side-way to find a lost puppy heading her way. She lowered her eyes with a smile, and gently gestured the puppy that happily took up the offer and barked endearingly.

As soon as the puppy came out of the woods she saw he was a huge almost 6ft. puppy. It did not take that long for her to find out that the puppy was also a little demon, but more of a different breed, specifically a hybrid of two breed-the dog and the wolf since he resembled both of them in some way, and not to mention the fact that he was capable of igniting the ability of lightning. He finally came to her and she patted the baby on the head and noticed that he had been dehydrated and nearly emaciated. She frowned at the pup's condition. "My goodness, no one took care of you?" The puppy whined in response and from that day, she took the puppy into her life, thus now caring for him.

With another three weeks passed by, the two of them slowly became a strong bond, while the pup, now named Tavien, played the role as a protector. Just now that they came from the nearby village, they soon made the crossing through a large plain, covered in several of rocks, with small ponds and short grasses.

Tavien lifted his head high when he sensed another presence and bared his fangs. He stopped in his place, thus stopping Zoë in her track as well, although her eyes were narrowed when she sensed the same thing.

A small group of, most preferably a gang of demons, appeared out of their hiding places from behind each large boulders, each laughed cruelly. "Well, isn't it the girl and her doggy? What a day, perhaps you can do us some favor and we can let you go on your way?"

Zoë, as usual, remained in her place; thankfully her hood had safely hooded half of her face, although her lips showed no sign of expression. "I suggest you leave us be and we can be of no trouble to you."

"Ooooh, this girl got some tongue. Perhaps she should be taught a lesson, neh boys?" Obviously, the male who spoke, was the leader as he twirled his large mace, he was big, and muscular.

"Take another step, you'll regret it, boys." Zoë spoke just as the gang laughed eccentrically. She knew she can take them on, but it would only hurt her more, and she knew that Tavien knew her injuries and understood her situation-in which she was surprised to find out when Tavien started became a guardian for her own safety. Of course, he had a witty intelligence, with the speed and power of lightning, although he was still just a small pup in age. A much thanks to her, since she now feed him, he had grown in strength, physical and mentally.

Tavien remained in his position; his head lowered as he bared his fangs in menacing way, his shoulder bones hunched upward as his lifted his tail high as a warning-much similar to that of a wolf's. A spark of lightning shot straight down at the gangster's feet who yelped in surprise.

"Urg! You stupid little twit, you'll pay for that!" One of the gangsters yelled angrily and made his jump toward the pup.

Sesshoumaru had spent his time most with Rin and dealing with the problem of his brother...Mainly the fact that Inuyasha had mated his human bitch and was now expecting his first pup. The pup would be born in a couple of months. For now Inuyasha was an overprotective mate and father-to-be. He had laughed when he saw it. He still remembered the faces of the group around him, when he laughed at Inuyasha that day.

Now he was patrolling his lands outer borders. Not that he wanted too, but ti had to be done. He also knew that the Bitch called Zoë had settled down around here and he was in no mood to see her again, he had just recently gotten his demon to forget how tantalizing she was. Meeting her again he feared that his demon would start liking her again. He came near a place he knew bandit demons liked to hide from him in, and picked up the scent of unwelcome demons. Not to mention Zoë, but also a full demon pup. He wondered what a full demon pup would be doing around here, and with that company. It should be with it's parents, it smelled to young to be alone. He walked to the plain and saw the battle. The instant he walked onto the plain, the bandit demons started running for cover.

"I thought I made myself perfectly clear...I guess I was mistaken..." He said coldly to the demons. One of them stupidly tried to attack him, Sesshoumaru killed him off quickly with his Toukijin. The others ran off, he picked up his face a little and smelled that they had run out side his boundaries.

Sesshoumaru then looked at Zoë, she was hurt. He had smelled that a long time ago, but did not really care.

Zoë stood there motionless in her position, although it was visible that her lips had already curled into a snarl when she noticed that the demon lord had looked in her way. She had silently hoped to never meet the demon lord ever again, but now, he's here. She had wondered if he had intended to come here-perhaps it was the bandits he had came for.

He looked at the pup.... and growled; starting a conversation with the pup. The pup told him that he was an orphan and that Zoë had taken him in. That surprised him and led him to look at Zoë again. When he asked the pup why he was in that form, the pup told him he had never been taught how to transform back. That made Sesshoumaru roll his eyes.

~ What kind of stupid parents did this pup have, that is the first thing you should teach. Hmpht!~ He knew he couldn't leave the pup like that, it would be a sitting duck form any demon with a problem with their kind, and he wouldn't be able to fully learn his powers.

Sesshoumaru kept talking with the pup for a while and finally realized he couldn't explain how to transform back, the pup just wasn't getting it. So he concentrated and flew up in a ball of light, when he came down he was in his full Dog demon form. He quickly laid down, hiding his missing arm. Tavien came to him, running and barking happily, he was happy to have found another dog demon, and a strong one to at least teach him what to do.

Tavien ran around Sesshoumaru as Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes, and growled at the pup to stop. Tavien did as he was told. Sesshoumaru told him to pay attention, because he would not do this again. He told Tavien to concentrated on controlling his demon side. When he felt his demon side controlled to focus on a human shape. When Sesshoumaru saw that Tavien was concentrating. He did the same thing and they both flew up in two balls of light; Sesshoumaru came down gracefully as always. While Tavien came down and hit his butt on the floor.

"Work on the landing. " Sesshoumaru told him. Tavien looked at him and blushed a little, he remembered Zoë and looked up, he got up and ran to her.

Zoë had taken a few steps backward, somewhat unsure of what was happening until she noticed that the Tavien she knew had taken the form of the human boy. However, her eyes had been on the demon lord, she was shocked when she saw his form, although she had noticed he had a missing arm. At the thought of it brought concerns to her, but she had wiped them away, thinking that the demon lord as still arrogant as usual.

When she watched Tavien fell onto his butt, she gave a motherly smile for the first time when she saw his appearance. He was an adorable one, with black, but ruff hair-style, which made him looked even more boyish with bright green eyes, his pupils somewhat similar to that of a wolf's, slightly narrowed. He wore mandarin attire that's all dark forest color with black embroidery borders with black shoes on.

She silently watched Tavien ran back to her with a goofy grin imprinted on his face, yet his expression turned to a eager look, as he finally, for once, talked and asked her, "Lady Zoë, may I call you mom?"

Zoe was taken back, surprised to hear what Tavien had asked her of. Where exactly are his parents? She had no idea, although she was concerned. "Tavien, wouldn't you want to look for your parents?" As soon as she said that question, Tavien bursts into tears and threw himself into her arms that already got onto her knees, her arms now embracing him.

"They're dead." The little Tavien whispered, and somewhat whined in a low tone.

Zoë froze in her place, her eyes widened when she realized Tavien's situation. She said nothing more, except she held Tavien gently in her embrace, allowing him to cry on her shoulder. She buried her face into the soft matted of dark hair, "Don't worry, you will not be left alone. You may call me mom or whichever you like."

She lifted her head, her eyes directed straight at the demon lord, and for once, she had given him a sincere smile, "Tha........" She couldn't finish when she saw that he was already walking away, and was half way to the forest.

Sesshhoumaru had started to walk away almost immediately after the pup started to cry. If it was one thing he hated was to be reminded he had done something good; and after this sort of thing, he knew there where going to be thank you's and other stuff. He was not one that liked to be thanked, it would be better for him, if she forgot that he had ever done it.

Zoë frowned while she watched him slowly faded from her sight, but she felt her arms pulled to her side and looked down to find Tavien struggling to let go and he ran back to the demon lord. "Tavien!" Zoë lightly shouted for the little demon, who he, in turn, did not respond back to her, instead he continued to run until he managed to grab Sesshoumaru's pant.

He first now tugged hard on it, trying to regain his attention. "Can you stay and teach me how to fight properly?" He was whining only subtly, and pleaded him. "I want to be able to protect, not lose."

Sesshoumaru felt the tug at his pants, stopped and looked down. He heard the whining from the pup, and mentally rolled his eyes. "I can not stay! I have other duties...." He said looking down at the pup. He looked at Zoë...

~ I know I am going to regret this! ~ He said mentally spanking the small goodness he had in his heart, at least the part where Rin had awoken.

"But...Since you are a dog demon. You and your mother.....May come and stay in my castle...That way I would be able to teach you what you need to know. Of course...If you choose...I would have a small job for you Lady Zoë. Since I will be teaching your son...I would require you to teach someone in my care as well." He finished looking straight at her, knowing he had made this as difficult for her, as it was for him.

Zoë had never predicted this to come at all, nor did she predict Tavien's action-not that she's a future reader or anything, but she always liked to plan her days and her future, but this? She had never planned it-nor did she ever wished to be in a castle that belongs to some demon that could easily agitates her as none others could-whereas she could be destructive and menacing to others, but him? She found unable to do so and it angers her so.

Being placed in a castle that belongs to him? The thought of it sickens her, but she knew she must do it for Tavien's wish. Of course, she could teach him herself, but it would be a long painful years of teaching, from the fact she now had been scarred for life, with a heavy burden. She lowered her head with a small sigh after she managed to stand up, without as much as a limp. "That's fine with me, as long as Tavien is not purposely harmed."

Tavien quickly jumped with a childish laughter, happiness was brought to his face. He ran straight back to his mother and grabbed her good hand, dragged her back to the demon lord, although he did it gently along the way. "Come, come, we must not be late!" He giggled lightly and abrubtply stopped as they neared the demon lord, and he innocently looked up to his mother and to Sesshoumaru, "…we need to get our thin-her things."

He once again, tugged innocently on his mother's cloak, and also Sesshoumaru's golden ribbon that's wrapped around his waist, lightly dragged them forward back to the wooden house.

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and let Tavien drag him where ever he wanted.

~ If he wasn't dead I would swear he planned this! ~ He thought as he mentally frowned.

"I do not care if you think me the most evil being in the world, but do not think I would lower myself to kill a harmless pup." He said not showing any emotion, even though the words clearly showed that he was pissed. As he kept letting Tavien push him to what ever 'home' they had.

Zoë tilted her head slightly, with a small smile, although somewhat seen as wicked, "Since when did I state that you were evil? Isn't it natural for an adopted mother to be cautious around her child?"

Together on their way toward Zoë and Tavien's home, Tavien quickly let go of the other two and he ran into the house, grabbing her bag, shouting at the same time, "Com'mon! We don't have time to lose!" Zoë shook her head with a light chuckle and decided to say a comment/warning toward Sesshoumaru, "Careful, he can be a little mischievous."

She left his side straight into the house just as Tavien ran right out when he noticed she had already begun to pick her things up. As soon as Tavien ran right out of the house, he hopped right in front of Sesshoumaru, and gave him two pictures he had been holding onto. "Thought I should show you." The first picture that was shown to him was a photo of Zoë with her family and the second one was a piece of sketch, specifically drawn a picture of himself, the demon lord with a sense of royalty.

Sesshoumaru looked at Zoë, coldness in voice, but his inner demon showed warmness in his eyes. Warmness he would prefer would stay hidden. "No self respecting dog demon would kill a pup. They are too precious. It does not matter if they are our own or not." He finished and stayed like a statue, his hair the only thing moving as he waited out side the hut, until Tavien came running to him and showed him the pictures. It left him speechless.

~ Why would she draw me? Hmmm... ~ He thought as he looked at Tavien.

"As for the mischievous part, I have previous experience with that." He said not realizing he had given away clues to himself…And to Zoë no less. Well it's not like he could hide Rin.

Tavien quickly snatched the pictures from the demon lord and twirled around, hiding the pictures behind him as his mother came out with a large silver bag carefully positioned on her back. "Tavien, what were you doing?"

"Nothing!" He spoke, as he rolled up the pictures nicely and placed it under his top garment silently as possible with an innocent grin.

Zoë planted one good hand on her hip, "Well, if you say so, Tavien." She knew he was up to something, but she wasn't sure what it was. She shook her head once more when Tavien hopped away a few steps further and stood there, somewhat impatiently. "Alright, alright, we're going." Zoë said, as she laughed for the first time at Tavien's little act.

Sesshoumaru lead Zoe and Tavien to his castle. The trip had taken two days, because he had not used his flight to get them there. When he reached the the castle guards automatically came and bowed in front of him, he waved his hand at them to get up, and told them about Zoe and Tavien. The guards bowed to them both and went on their way.

Maids now came as he led them into the castle halls. "Place Lady Zoë in a room in the Western Wing of the castle, and give the pup a room next to it." He ordered to one maid, who happened to be a rabbit demon. He looked at another maid, this one a snake demon, "Bring Rin to me!" He ordered, the maid promptly got up and walked away fast, a couple of minutes later a beautiful black haired human girl about 10 years of age was seen running with all her speed towards them.

"SESSHOUMARU-SAMA!!!!!!!!" She giggled happily, stopping one inch in front of him and giving him a hug, not seeing Zoe or Tavien yet." Rin missed you! Rin picked you flowers. They are in your room." She said letting go and giving him one of her angelic smiles.

Sesshoumaru looked down at Rin, not showing any emotion, but his eyes showed that he was indeed happy to see the little girl. "Did you behave while I was away Rin?" He asked. At that Rin gave another angelic smile. "Yes...Behaved...Rin played with Jaken-Sama and studied a little...Rin knows Sesshoumaru-Sama want her to study more…But Rin don't like that teacher. So Rin ran away from him." She said as if awaiting some punishment, lowering her head.

Sesshoumaru looked at Rin, picking up her little face with his hand so she was looking at his face, and gave her a ghost of smile. "I will find you a teacher you like then. You do not have to stand anyone you do not like." He said still in a cold voice. But Rin knew the love behind the cold, so she just smiled happily.

That was the moment when she noticed Zoe and Tavien. "Who's the lovely Lady and the boy; Sesshoumaru-Sama?" She asked innocently, while standing by his pant leg. At once Sesshoumaru remembered Zoë and almost smacked himself for doing all that in front of her.

He raised his eyes at once and looked at Zoë. "This is Zoë, and the pup is Tavien. Zoë might be your new teacher, if you like her enough? If not, she can be of use elsewhere." He said sounding as cold as ever.

Rin walked over to Zoë and smiled at her. "I like her, she looks beautiful and nice." She giggled, looking over at Sesshoumaru again. "Rin want her for her teacher." She said happily.

Sesshoumaru looked at Rin and nodded in agreement. "How about it? Do you accept the job? I will warn you. Do not be fooled by her looks. Oh and she rarely obeys anyone but me. If you manage to get her to obey you...I will be impressed." He said in his normal cold tone, but there was a hint of fatherly pride behind it.

Throughout the whole time, Zoë and Tavien had been silent. Zoë had watched with admiration for once, and told herself that there was more underneath the cold exterior of that demon lord, and there was the evident when she saw the young little girl, a human, came up running toward him like any daughter would. She knows it, and she can see it, and thus, cannot be fooled by it. She had been the same way with her fathe-such memories nearly brought her knees to a buckle and she grinded her teeth to force herself to rid of these memories.

When she watched Rin came up to her, and she took a long look at her, the young girl had indistinctively reminded her of herself-in some ways. She knew from the moment that she could be a mischief, and she didn't need to be told. Beside, she can be a mischief herself-too bad, the demon lord may have to deal with it as she mentally grinned to herself. However, she gave the little girl a returned smile and looked up to the demon lord, "I gladly accept the job."

She felt a soft tug on her cloak and she turns to look down at Tavien with somewhat of a reassuring look on his face. She wondered what he was thinking until he spoke up, "Ma, you don't need to be wearing cloak all the time…you're safe in here." He tilted his head as he took a long look at her cloak, "Maybe you can try to wear what many girls here wear…" He gave her a pouted look, knowing his mother could possibly reject the idea of wearing what many other girls wear.

Zoë gave him a soft, but a motherly smile and she pulled the hood down, revealed her exquisite features, "Tavien, I'm not a big fan of those over-size clothes. I only want to wear that allows me flexibility, you know that."

"But there is one that I think you may like…they call those uh..chen-something." He pondered cutely and rubbed his hair with one hand as he looked on, seeming to look as if he was struggling to remember. After a while, he finally gave up and he turned to look at the demon lord, "I can't remember. Do you know what I was talking about?" He looked at him and back to Rin, going back and forth, expecting an answer while Zoë blinked with a slight confusion on her face. However, Tavien never really did get an answer.

Sesshoumaru had looked at Zoë after she said she would take the job and instantly knew he was in trouble. ~ Great now I have two troubling women in my life. ~ He thought as he looked at Rin and then at Zoë.

Rin looked at Zoë and smiled back. "Great! Rin has a new teacher. Yay! Much better than the other one who called Rin a stupid human. You won't do that will you?" She asked innocently, only afterward remembering that Sesshoumaru was behind her listening, and she knew he would be angry, not with her of course but with the teacher, and she didn't want the teacher to get killed because of her, even if she thought he was evil.

But the instant she turned and saw the anger in his eyes, she knew it was going to happen. "Rin.....How long has Senobi been calling you that?" He asked with his normal unemotional voice, while his eyes showed only pure anger and a need to protect.

Rin ran to his side, and grabbed his pant leg. "Not long...He only did it when he was angry because Rin would not learn." She said but at once quieted when he saw the look in face, which told her to be quiet. "Do not protect those that treat you badly Rin. I have told you to tell me when some one mistreats you. Why did you keep this from me until now? You have not told Jaken either have you?" He asked looking down at her and Rin nodded a 'no'. "Rin knew Jaken-Sama would tell you," she said lowering her head.

She knew what was coming. The teacher would die, for mistreating her. She knew....No one touched Sesshoumaru's little girl.....All the servants in the castle knew it. The fact that the teacher had been stupid enought to think he could was not important.

Sesshoumaru looked down at Rin. "Do not keep anything from me ever again, Rin. Do you understand!" He said in an ordering tone this time. "Yes...Sesshoumaru-Sama." She said still keeping her head down.

"Stay with Zoë and Tavien. Help her with her clothing. Get the seamstresses to make her something appropriate. I have something to do." He said walking away, his eyes getting back to normal as he controlled his temper... The fact that someone in his castle had actually dared to talk that way to his Rin was infuriating. But this would not go unpunished that much he knew. He killed for much less every one knew that.

Rin walked darkly back to Zoë. Her head still low... "Sorry...Rin should not have said that...Rin knew it would make him angry. We can get the seamstress to make anything you wish…and I think what your son was trying to explain is a cheongsam. They can make those too. They can make anything in any color and pattern you wish." She said changing the subject quickly. By that time Sesshoumaru had already disappeared into the other halls of the immense castle.

Zoë smiled down at the little Rin, "I see. It happens that way, I would understand if my…" She coughed a little, forcing herself to say it, "father beat the others who dare to mistreat me or my…little sister." She arched her left eyebrow delicately when Rin mentioned the name, "Cheongsam? I never heard one of those...perhaps the two of you can help me out? You two seems to know what kind of dress I may be wearing…but please, do -not- put me in those over-size attire called Kimono."

Rin looked up to Zoe, her eyes wide. "Do not tell him you know. Sesshoumaru-Sama is a very private person with his emotions. But Rin know how he feels. So it's ok."

Tavien grinned widely and laughed when his mother had told them not to force her to wear one of those clothes. "Okay ma. Let's go, Rin, time to play dress up!" Rin tilted her head and her smile broke the darkness out of her as she grabbed Tavien's and his mother's hand, and she brought them over to a special room where clothes are made.

As soon as they entered, Zoe blinked her eyes and she stood in the middle of the room. She doesn't know what to do, until at that moment, Tavien yanked on her cloak and it fell away off of her, revealed what she was wearing. She now stood in the room, her long black hair, slightly wavy to her knees with streaks of golden. She wore her modern clothing, although it was a bit to the extreme; she had dark gray skirt with brown belt loosely held around her hip, dark brown knee-high boots with maroon bandeau, which revealed most of her skin, but not to mention that she wore her jet black jacket with both sleeves rolled up to her elbows and black finger-less gloves.

She simply stood there, all eyes were on her.

The seamstresses had been called and at once entered the room when they heard the order. When they went in, the spotted the Lady, dressed in the weird clothes. One of them the oldest of them, nearly fainted, in all her long years she had never seen a lady so badly dressed. They marched to the group and bowed.

"What can we make for you, My lady?" The one in charge asked.

Rin was the one who spoke first. "Make her lots of Cheongsam. So she can look pretty." She said while smiling at the seamstress.

Now sitting in his office, Sesshoumaru had waited for the teacher to come by.

A middle-aged demon came by, his head peeked through the door before he fully entered the room, "You called to see me, Lord Sesshoumaru..?"

Senobi looked up to his Lord and nodded a no. "She has behaved as well as can be expected Lord Sesshoumaru," he responded. "For a Stupid human girl...You forgot to add." Sesshoumaru said getting up from his expense chair and walked around to stand in front of Senobi. At once Senobi knew he was going to be killed.

Sesshoumaru's eyes glowed red while he looked at Senobi. "You defied my orders...I specifically told you...She was not to be harmed in any way! She was harmed...So you will pay..." He said coldly. Senobi turned and ran but he didn't run enough, he was struck in the back with Sesshoumaru's light whip.

Sesshoumaru looked at the corpse in front of him, and called the maids to clean it up, as he went back to his chair and got back to his rolls of paper that contained letters from other lords and laws that needed to be fixed in his Lands.

The maids came at once and started cleaning up, as if that happened everyday. They were neither surprised or scared. For they knew they would be safe as long as they did what the lord asked and above all else treated his daughter with respect, for they all knew, of course none was going to be stupid enough to say it in front of him.

Meanwhile, Zoë was attacked by a swarm of workers who does all the clothe making, each of the workers pushed parts of her body that way, and this way, the other way around as Zoë squeaked in surprise each time they measured her.

One of the worker kindly pushed two children out of the room as she whispered, "It'll be a surprise."

Rin and Tavien got pushed out of the room, while both children huffed in anger at being taken out of the preparations.

It had only taken them a full hour to complete a new whole wardrobe for Zoë, since there were more than ten people in the room doing all the clothes making while Zoë was being critically inspected by one of the worker to design each clothing for her, a taste that she tried to make it go well with Zoë's sharp features, especially her hair. It was her hair that had intrigued her the most and knew that she can have Zoë's hair done in any style, in any possible way. However, in this attire she was thinking of for Zoë to wear, she knew it would make her stand out big time, especially when her hair is kept down in its natural wave.

As soon as the clothes were aligned together, each worker raced right out of the room straight into Zoë's room and placed her wardrobe in the large closet while Zoë was already in the making of putting the new clothe on.

With the door slowly opened, Zoë walked right out, in her newly done dress, a dress that was neatly done to follow every curves of her body, with two splits on both side to allow her flexibility; the dress she wore was sleeveless, all black with a dragon image imprinted on the side of her dress from the bottom and halfway to her waist, with golden borders that matched her golden streaks. She blinked, while she held her fan in her hand and she glanced at herself, "Hey…that looks nice, what do you think?" She whispered while the lady who was in charge of the making wardrobe clapped her hands with a wide grin for the first time behind her.

Rin looked at Lady Zoe when she came out in her new dress, her little eyes wide open. "Wow. Lady Zoe looks beautiful. Even Sesshoumaru-Sama will like you." She said giggling with a mischievous look in her eyes. Tavien had nodded his head in respond, agreeing with Rin with the compliment. "Yeah, my mother is the most beautiful in the face of this planet!" He grinned widely while his mother blinked; both cheeks were turning light red when she received the compliment.

Zoë smiled at the children, "Well, thank you very much for your compliments." She pulled the fan apart and made a pose with a grin, "I'm starting to like this dress, and it's not so bad." As she finally calmed herself slightly, she glanced at Rin, now that she suspected something, and yet she decided to let go. "Well, what would you like to do next, Rin, Tavien?"

Rin looked at Zoë and smiled an angelic smile. "You two can fix your rooms for today. But Rin has to go make sure Sesshoumaru-Sama is calm now. Or he'll kill more servants." She said turning around, "Dinner is at 7pm. The maids will show you to the dinner hall. See you then. Byeee!" She quickly walked away in the direction of Sesshoumaru's study.

Zoe and Tavien nodded their head at Rin while the demoness shook her head when she was informed that the demon lord may still be mad with the possibility of killing more servants. ~Crazy lord, sounds like he has anger management. Hmpth.~

She looked down at Tavien who watched Rin left into the direction of Sesshoumaru's study, and tapped his head who looked up in response. "Well, let's go then. We don't have that much stuff in our room…I guess we can go some little touring around here, no?"

Tavien hopped with both arms spread out before he grabbed onto his mother's hand. Together, they walked down the other way as they toured around the castle alone. It did take them while, but somehow their short tour had led them straight into the garden, which left Zoë in awe by its sight. She let go of Tavien who quickly ran after a small butterfly playfully with laughter.

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~::~ Writer's Place ~::~

Mmm...another long chapter. ^-^ A beginning of a new blossom! Hope you guys like it.