InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Princess of the Southern Lands ❯ The Princess of the Southern Lands ( Chapter 1 )

The Princess of the Southern Lands

Chapter 1: The Princess of the Southern Lands

The Lady of the Western Lands looked in disgust at the family before her own. It was that of another Inu-youkai. Lord Shin of the Southern Lands had come to the Western Lands to seek sanctum of Lord Inu no Taishio.

“Why can you not live within the Southern Lands as you always have Son of the House of the Black Moon? Why have you been forced to seek refuge at my house, the House of the Silver Moon?” Lord Inu no Taishio asked. He was curious to know what had driven a Taiyoukai close in power to his own out of said youkai's land.

“Forgive me Lord Inu no Taishio. My family and I have been forced out by a group of Bobcat and Blood Youkai. My son has been missing and without his help I did not have anyone to protect my family. We shall be in your service if you will allow us to stay until we can regain our lands.” Lord Shin hoped that Lord Inu no Taishio would help him. All others had scorned him and his family, especially his wife and daughter, and he could not forsake them for he loved them more than his life.

“If I may speak milord,” the Lady of the Western Lands asked as she touched Inu no Taishio's hand.

“You may,” Inu no Taishio said as he gave her a look that said she had better behave herself.

“You have only yourself to blame for this problem. Had you not mated this pathetic human and fathered an even more pathetic half breed daughter then you would not have been punished as you have. And they you have the audacity to come here and ask us to take in such rubbish. These filthy creatures will not be…”

“ENOUGH!!!” The Lady of the Western Lands clamped her mouth shut tightly as she glared at her mate. His eyes were filled with rage. “I have to be careful or there will be more problems to deal with, on top of these filthy beings running about in my home. I cannot allow such a thing. Hmmm.” The Lady of the West thought as she looked at her son, Sesshomaru. There was still hope.

“Well if I no longer able to speak as such may I make a proposition milord?” She asked sweetly purring to Inu no Taishio.

“I will hear it,” Inu no Taishio said giving her a look that make the bravest of youkai cower, but not his lady.

“Why not see if they are worthy of being within our powerful castle?” The Lady went on even with the dangerous look she received from her mate. “Let their half-breed daughter spar against our pure-blooded son. If she wins against our son then you may stay with us however long you need. If she loses then you must find elsewhere to stay and leave our lands. Do you agree girl?”

For the first time Lord Inu no Taishio noticed the little child huddled close to her human mother. She had long curly hair the color of rubies that was pulled back into a hasty bun so as to keep it out of her face. She looked up and he saw that her eyes were the color of emeralds. She had an oval face and perfectly shaped lips even for a child. He knew that when she was older that male youkai and male humans alike would clamor for her affections. He looked into her eyes and saw a determination so strong in there that he knew she would accept his Lady's demands.

“I will accept.” Inu no Taishio shook his head. Surely this girl knew that she didn't stand a chance against his son and that she would be beaten senseless, but he could do nothing to help her for she had acquiesced before he could intervene. This would be interesting to say the least.

“Sesshomaru, show this half-breed her place.” The Lady said to the small boy who could have only been 9 or 10 years old, about the same age as the little girl. The young boy walked down the stair case that led to the thrones of his mother and father. He stepped into a sparring circle that was used when someone tried to challenge the power of another. These battles were usually to the death but this would not be.

The little girl rose from her position and walked into the circle. “What is your name girl?” Lord Inu no Taishio asked.

“Rose,” was all the girl said as she bowed and stood to fight Sesshomaru.

“BEGIN.” The Lady shouted.

Sesshomaru allowed his poison to come into his claws. He had just learned from his mother on how to use the poison as well as the poison whip he could now call at will. He didn't want to kill the girl but instead knock her out. He lunged at her and she side stepped him delivering a blow to his abdomen. He rolled and landed on his knee. He looked at the girl and saw the same ferocious determination his father had seen. This girl was going to do whatever she had to, to help her family.

Sesshomaru was in awe of such determination from a hanyou. He got up and circled the girl calmly. She never let her back to him and him never to her. They had already been well trained to battle. He made for another lunge at her. His claws found purchase into her upper right arm but he failed to notice that she had grabbed him. He felt himself being thrown but did not register it quick enough to react. He was thrown from the circle and had lost to a hanyou.

The little girl held her arm and grimaced as she felt the poison spread through her veins. She huffed heavily as she heard the wails of the Lady of the West. “You cheated. You have not won. You didn't defeat him.”

The little girl named Rose looked at the Lady and said emotionlessly, “You never specified how I had to win just that I had to.” The little girl jerked in surprise as she heard the roaring laughter of the Lord of the Western Lands.

“Marvelous. You certainly are quick-witted Princess Rose. You and your family are welcome to stay here within my home as specified by my Lady. Marianne,” a vixen youkai appeared and bowed.

“Yes milord.” She said quickly.

“Show them to their rooms and give them whatever they ask.” Inu no Taishio said as he suppressed another round of laughter. He knew that if the girl had not thrown his son, Sesshomaru would have won. He would not punish his son for being bested by the hanyou girl. The loss would be punishment enough and Sesshomaru would learn to become quicker in thought of all the possible attacks his opponent could use.

Inu no Taishio smiled as the very relieved family left to tend to Rose's wound and get settled into their new home.