Tales of a Prince and His Miko

A/N: Well, here’s a new story that might not go anywhere. But hey, we’ll see. Reviews would be nice to know what you guys think though.

Chapter one: What does it mean to protect your lands?

“My sons,” Inutaisho said looking down at both his sons. “As you know, I have ruled over the western lands for many, many centuries. It is time to pass my rule over to you Sesshomaru.”

The silver haired demon glanced at his brother, a smirk threatening to cross his lips.

“However my son, even though you are the eldest, you do not possess a mate.”

Instantly Sesshomaru’s eyes narrowed at his father. “Father,” He said voice cold and deadly. “This Sesshomaru needs not a mate to rule these lands.”

Inutaisho shook his head and raised his hand to silence his eldest son. “Your wrong my son. A ruler must remember it is his land, his pride, and his people he protects. But first he must learn to protect the one he care for most. I went though this test with my father when I married your mother. When she died, I marred Inuyasha’s mother and found true love. Do not pick a mate because you wish to rule for that would be repeating the same mistake I did. Pick your mate out of love my son. If you do not find this mate within a year when I step down, Inuyasha will have to take your place.”

“That insolent half breed?” Sesshomaru snarled, shooting a look at Inuyasha who looked smug. “Father, he is unfit to rule these lands. He’s rash and doesn’t make the smartest of decisions. He’s nothing more then an idiotic pup!”

“Shove it Sesshomaru!” Inuyasha growled. “At least my heart isn’t made from a rock you ass. I found a mate, what have you done with your life?”

“More then you could ever accomplish in your.” Sesshomaru growled back.

“Silence!” snapped the great dog demon. “Sesshomaru, my word is law. You have one year to find a mate. Killing your brother or challenging him for the right will not change a thing. One year. Do you understand?”

Sesshomaru’s sunset eyes fell to the ground. “Yes father.”

**

Sesshomaru cursed as he hunted though the forest. His father had lost his mind. That was the only explanation there was. Why should he, Sesshomaru, the second most powerful demon in Japan have to find a mate? On top of that his father was going to start sending women to him so he could find one that caught his interest. It had been a week already and he wanted to throttle every woman out there. Every youkai bitch just wanted him for his power and his lands. None of them respected him. Especially that Kagura woman. She just about jumped him when she laid eyes on him.

He wanted a female who could rival him. Whose strength was like fire and her powers unmatched. He knew that no such woman existed. He growled at the thought of the woman that his brother mated. A miko wench named Kikyou. He had met her when they were wondering the lands. She captured his eyes and instantly Inuyasha began to court her till finally he went to their father and begged him for his approval. Because Inuyasha was the second son, he was allowed to mate the miko. Sesshomaru called his brother a fool and left it at that. But now what? A fool like Inuyasha couldn’t rule the western lands. Only he could. To him a ruler must be strong and able to protect his lands. There was no need for a mate.

Sesshomaru frowned as he found a place in a clearing to relax. He could feel a headache forming in the back of his head from being angry all day. He closed his eyes and felt the cool breeze flow though his long silver hair. His back leaned against a large oak tree, feeling the cool bark though his white kimono.

“The quiet city in the midst of battle, falls into brief slumber.”

His eyes instantly shot open at the sound of the voice. He couldn’t tell where it was from for the wind carried the soft, yet gentle voice. He couldn’t catch a scent or sense a presence. He closed his eyes once more and tried to hear it again.

“I’ll send a prayer filled melody to where you dream underneath the far-away stars.”

He caught the scent, but only briefly. He took off running, trying to be as silent as possible. The voice seemed to lure him to her. Yes, he could tall the voice was female. But what kind of female possessed that sound, he couldn’t tell.

“Come over here, I’ll hold your sadness and your tears for you until you forget the pain.”

He could tell now that she was singing, and from the scent, she was along. He took in a deeper breath, trying to name what it was. He could tell now why he didn’t smell her before. Her scent was that of roses on a nice summer day.

“If strength is living in conflict then I don’t care if they call me weak.”

He stopped near a field, still hidden by the trees. Thee she was singing to the wind. He could smell tears fresh on her face, her sadness almost overtaking him.

“Why do people hurt each other? Even though there’s certainly strength in loving…”

Her long midnight black hair flowed in the wind as if it was the night sky carried by the river. Her chocolate eyes reminded him of the trees, swaying on the gentle breeze. Her clothes were torn, her skin dirtied with blood and dirt. But from what he could tell, it wasn’t hers. She held her hands together as if she was praying to the kami’s.

“Even though anyone would be lonely alone…”

She bowed her head again, tears falling down her face. Why? He felt the urge to go to her, hold her tight in his arms and sooth her tears, but instead he stayed in the shadows. He watched as she took a breath and once more looked to the sky.

“Come over here, I’ll hold your worn out love, year heart until you forget all the pain… Goodnight, goodnight… on my chest.”

She ended her song by placing her hand by her heart. Once more she broke out into sobs.

Before he knew it, Sesshomaru walked out of his hiding place. “Why are you crying woman?” He asked, sounding colder then he meant to.

The girl gasped and instantly looked up, her eyes wide in surprise. “I…um…”

“I know you can speak. I heard you singing just now. Tell me, where did you learn a song like that?”

The girl bit her lip. “My mother taught me that song when I was little. She said to sing it in times of war so the lost souls would rest peacefully.”

“Why are you here?” He asked again.

The girl bowed her head once more, tears falling down her face again. “I live in the village not too far from here. We were attacked by a demon. I’m the only one who escaped.”

“And your crying for your loss? Pathetic.” Instantly he wanted to kick himself for saying those words.

The girl’s innocent expression instantly turned angry. “Well excuse me for being human!” She screamed at him, taking the demon by surprise. “I just saw my whole village get slaughtered! My friends and family are all gone only because I didn’t get there in time! And the only thing I could do to avenge their deaths was to purify that demon straight to the afterlife. So don’t you dare get all high and mighty with me because I’m a fucking human with fucking feelings!” She panted after the rant, her energy being spent on screaming at him.

Sesshomaru stared at her in surprise before another shock hit him. “You… purified the demon?”

“Yea? So what?! What, do you think because I’m a human girl doesn’t mean that I cant defend myself?”

The Inu youkai hid a smirk. The girl had spark. Even though he could sense her sadness, he insulted her, and she got back up and started screaming at him. No one had ever done that to him. Ever.

“Woman, what is your name?” He asked her.

The girl looked at him, glaring. “Kagome Higurashi. And you better stop calling me woman. Its getting on my nerves.”

Sesshomaru held out his hand. “My name is Sesshomaru of the western lands. Higurashi, sense you do not have a place to stay, you will live with this Sesshomaru.”

Instantly Kagome’s jaw dropped. He had the markings of the prince of the western lands. The magenta strips on the cheek, the half crescent moon on his forehead. Words her mother had told her instantly rushed though her head.

“/Kagome, lord Inutaisho is a very kind demon lord. His first wife he was gifted with a strong son, and even when she died, he married a human hime and was gifted with a second son. But the first son, Lord Sesshomaru, is not like his father. For he is a cruel man who hates humans and treats other’s as if they are nothing. So if you see an inu youkai with long silver hair two magenta strips on his cheeks, and a crescent moon on his brow, stay far from him if you wish to live long enough to be as old as lady Keade./”

Kagome cursed her horrible luck. “I think I’ll be fine alone Lord Sesshomaru.” Kagome said, bowing her head.

Sesshomaru’s eyebrows tightened in confusion. Just a moment ago she looked at him with fire in her dark eyes. And now her scent changed from angry to weary. It was as if she feared him.

“Why do you turn your head to the ground?” He asked.

“Because my lord, I’m aware of your dislike for humans.” Kagome really, really, REALLY wanted to live to see tomorrow.

He frowned slightly. “I’m asking you to come with me, not to kill you, but let you live woman. This Sesshomaru does not ask often.”

Kagome lifted her head slightly to look up at him. “Promise?”

“This Sesshomaru does not lie.”

Kagome put her hand out, her pinky out. “Then promise me the way we do. That way I can hold you to your word.”

Sesshomaru looked down at her hand then back at her. “What do you mean?”

Kagome rolled her eyes and took his hand, wrapping her pinky finger around his. “And now its sealed.” She said happily. “It’s a promise between two people.”

The youkai looked at his hand after she let him go and shook his head. “Let us go then.”

Tbc…