"The Sins of a Goat Demon"

The Castle was always receiving visitors. People of Otherworld came with petitions for help when a Demon moved into their area. Kurama would send one of the Protectors to take of the matter. The Castle's policy was to never turn down a request for help. And today that policy would be tested to its limits.

He bowed deeply to the Princess and began, "Thank you for this audience, Princess. It is said you never turn down a request for help and I pray that you will not turn down this one. I am Shido, Lord of the Blood Demons."

Kurama took out a rose to ready a whip and Hiei drew his sword upon hearing his words. The Princess looked at them, "What is happening?"

"There is no Demon more feared that a Blood Demon." Kurama explained.

Blood Demons lived in the dark, unable to stay in the sunlight for more than a short while, and ate nothing by fresh living blood. Their fangs injected a chemical into their victims and enslaved them. Each Blood Demon had three or four "feeders" -- Demons or humans that lived only to feed their masters. The feeders were emotionally enslaved to them. It was similar to the Princess' power, but it was biochemical in nature instead of a mental power, and it allowed the "feeder" no will power. Also, the enslavement could end by the Blood Demon not feeding on them for a couple of weeks.  The chemical had to renewed periodically.  Because of their ability to enslave Demons, no matter what the class or power of the Demon, Blood Demons were feared by all.

"There is a fable in the Human World about vampires. Vampires are really Blood Demons that have crossed over into the Human World to get new feeder humans." Kurama added.

"What can Otherworld do for you?" the Princess asked Shido.

"We live in the darkest corner of the Southern Lands of Demon World. Although Yomi is the ruler there, we do not recognize him as our ruler. But we also never caused him any trouble.  We are content to live quiet lives, staying in our dark world. Recently, Yomi decided that he wants the land we live on. He gives us no reason and when we refused to leave, he had his guards, cloaked by magic, sneak into our lair and abduct all of our females as hostages."

Female Blood Demons were very rare and without them, they could not reproduce. Unlike the fables of the Human World, Blood Demons did not create others of their kind through a blood exchange, but the natural way that almost every other species reproduced -- a male and female union. Yomi had a powerful ward placed on his fortress so that they could not get near it. They either gave up their land or their females would be slaughtered, effectively wiping out their race.

"My mate was taken and she is heavy with our first child. We are helpless against him with the powerful wards and our females hostage. Even if we did want to leave our home, which we don't, there are no other lands that are dark enough for us to live in." Shido said, his voice full of sorrow. "We know that your mage is capable of creating portals. Even if we had a powerful mage, portals can only be created between worlds, not within worlds. We only ask that you create portal for us to go through to rescue our females."

"That cannot be all you intend to do." Kurama said. "Yomi would just retake your women. How would you prevent that?"

"I wish I could promise not to take his life, but all I can do is try. I will attempt to enslave him, rather than kill him. We just want to live our lives in peace. Yomi's fortress lies in sunlit lands and we could not live there. We ask that you choose a ruler and we will support whomever you choose, as long as we are allowed to live in peace on our lands."

A week later, the plan was put into motion. Bakura would create a portal to the Blood Demon lair that Shido and a dozen of his followers would use to come into Otherworld, then Bakura would close that portal. Then, they would go directly into Yomi's manor through a second portal which Bakura would create just outside the Castle's gate.

As one, the Blood Demons rushed through the portal. Shido took a deep breath to try and sense his mate. He could not sense her, but he did sense someone else. He moved so fast he was invisible, going up several flights of narrow stairs. A heavy locked door didn't even slow him down. 

When Shido went back down the stairs, he found out that the castle was already taken. Blood Demons are deadly fighters and their speed made them almost invincible. He and about four others began to search the lower levels. Shido reached the deepest level of the dungeons and found a heavily sealed door and opened it. Inside, living in filth and utter darkness were the females.  Shido called up to his men  and they rushed down to help. He felt his heart break when he saw Liho, his mate -- so thin and weak, her hair matted and covered in dirt. But to him, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly, then pressed his hand on her stomach. Her time was so close now!  Then he picked up his beloved mate and carried her to the portal.  Kaiba would help her!  He told his men to search the fortress and free anyone imprisoned there. The servants were to be left unharmed. Then, with his mate in his arms, he stepped through the portal.

Everyone was waiting for his return. Once they entered the castle, Shido asked if Kaiba could look at Liho. Kaiba came from his tower and carried her to the room that Shido had used before. Then he handed the Princess the little bag that he took from Yomi. She took out the silver chain with a small gem attached to it.

Then he told them the story of his most prized possession. Tear gems were made from an Ice Maiden's tears and were very rare and valuable. The gems were the reason that Yukina had been abducted by humans before Hiei rescued her. 

He had always worn it until one terrible day when the chain broke during a fight and his tear gem went sailing over a cliff into the river below. He had searched for years, using the Jagan eye, but could never find it. Why did Yomi have it? And what did he plan to do with it? He might never know the answer. Hiei went directly to Bakura to make sure the gem was clear before he put it on.

Bakura was trying to close the portal, when Hiei entered. The portal refused to close, instead it simply disappeared. He wasn't sure what had happened. There was no reason for it not to close. He had created it. He would look into it further, but now he wanted to clear Hiei's tear gem for him.

Kaiba came out of the room and announced that the strain had been too much for Liho and she was going into labor. She needed nourishment more than anything, so Shido rushed to her side and allowed her to feed from his own arm. He should have brought a feeder with him but he had not expected this sudden turn of events!

A short two hours later, Shido had a daughter -- a precious female! Liho was exhausted but the birth was easier than Kaiba expected. They named her Lido, a combination of their names. Without the Princess' help, Shido was sure that both his beloved mate and their daughter would not have survived and he vowed his loyalty to her.

The morning after, Shido and his family were ready to return to his lands. The Princess asked for an audience with him before he left. Again, they met in her study.

"Shido, we have talked it over and I also contacted Raizen and Sesshomaru's representative, and they also agree. We would like you to become the ruler of the Southern Lands. Bakura can create permanent dark clouds over most of the Southern Lands. It will not be as dark as your lair is, but it will no longer be sunny."

Shido was very surprised by the offer and knelt in front of her. "Thank you, my Princess. I will accept only because you ask it of me. I swear undying allegiance to you. Ask me any favor and it will be done."

"A Father Returns"

He ran down the stairs to meet the clan leader, and was very surprised at how much Tekken looked like him. And with good reason. Tekken had come because, upon hearing the story from Raizen, he immediately realized that he was Tasuki's father.

"You are my father?" asked the startled young man, "I don't understand. You are the clan leader, why would you spend an entire night with my mother?"

"Well, I was in your world searching for a particular plant which only grows in your mountains and has great healing properties, when my heat came upon me. I saw a woman sitting on the side of the road. I used a glamour on her and I took her."

Tekken spent the next few days getting to know his son and teaching Tasuki how to use his powers. The fire power he had from being a Celestial Warrior was enhanced threefold with Tekken's instructions. He also learned speed, agility and strength from his father. All too soon, the visit ended and Tekken had to return to his clan's lair. Tasuki promised to visit him one day and Tekken promised to return to see his son.

"Revenge"

Kouga received word from the leader of the northern wolf clan that they wished to see him. A group of them had traveled to the area and were waiting to speak with him about a half day's journey from his home. The northern clan was led by an elderly wolf Demon who had taken wolf form nearly four thousand years ago and had decided to remain in that form. The message did not say what he wanted, but Kouga hoped it was news of Naraku. Since it was only a two-hour journey for him, he went alone. He would be back before nightfall.

The clan leader had brought with him ten wolf Demons and a couple of dozen wolves. His had been a much longer journey through dangerous country and he needed the protection. They were now in a small cave waiting for Kouga's arrival. When Kouga arrived, the old wolf did not get to point, instead stood on ceremony, and insisted on having a cup of wine with Kouga. Kouga sat down cross-legged across from the clan leader and drank the wine with him, Kouga's in a cup, the leader's in a bowl which he lapped up. After the wine was consumed, the leader talked about very trivial things, which, of course, made Kouga impatient, wanting to get to the point and go home. He stood up and was instantly assaulted by waves of dizziness. Kouga rarely drank but one cup of wine should not have done this to him. Helpful hands surrounded him and took him to a bower at the back of the cave. They gently laid him down. His head was spinning. Had he been drugged?

"I am Ayame." she intoned solemnly, "I am the highest female of the northern wolf clan. I am an unmated female. I invoke the right to the use of the high clan leader."

"It does not matter if you are mated or not. You are high clan leader. I have the right to your seed."

Then she knelt between his legs. He bit down hard trying desperately to stop his arousal but it was no use. Whatever drug they had given him broke his concentration -- all he could feel was what she was doing. She brought him to the very edge and then she stood up. She removed her tunic and he groaned in anguish. "Why are you doing this?" he pleaded.

"I fell in love with you the day when you rescued me and you should have been mine! I have always believed we would be mated. There is no other female of my rank. Instead you choose a human female." she said, "If I cannot have you as my mate, at least I will have your son!"

Then she lowered herself onto him. Her rhythm and his readiness combined and he could not stop himself. His seed exploded into her. When he finished, she rose and left without another word, taking the other Demons with her. In seconds, he was alone. He dragged himself to his knees, still very dizzy, and struggled with his clothes. Damn her! Although he was still unsteady on his feet, he had to get out of that cave. He walked to the entrance where the old clan leader waited. "Forgive me, Kouga. Ayame insisted on this. I tried to talk her out of it."

He ran for a few miles until he arrived at a small lake. Night had already fallen and the full moon reflected on the lake's surface. Any other time it would have been beautiful. He stripped off his clothes and plunged into the cold water. He washed and washed. 

Finally he gave up trying to feel clean and got dressed again. He stood there by the water edge, the moon's glow reflecting on his face.  Kagome! What could he say to her? How would she ever understand?

Kagome wrapped her arms around him and he hugged her tightly, whispering "Forgive me, Kagome, forgive me" in her ear.

"Forgive you for what?" she looked into his eyes. There were tears starting to form. She had never once seen him cry. What had happened?

He sat down heavily on the porch, and she sat next to him. She noticed deep fang marks on his lips. Why had he bitten them? Slowly he told her what had happened. Tears fell down his cheeks while he talked and his voice caught.

Kouga looked at his mate -- she never stopped surprising him. Her strength and love was boundless. He buried his head on her shoulder, holding her very tight. "I love you, Kagome. I will always love only you."

"Bitter Tears"

Late at night, the Princess made her rounds, checking on each of her sleeping males. InuYasha was the last one and he was sound asleep, his white hair spread across the bed. She gently lifted one of his hands searching for any sign of a scar from the terrible burns he received breaking Miroku's barrier, but there was nothing. It was amazing how Demons completely healed even the worst wounds. She sat on the edge of the bed, watching him sleep. He looked so sweet when he slept. He must have been so cute as a young child!

It really shouldn't have been a surprise.  She had not been born -- she just "was" -- one day she appeared as an infant. She had no mother, no father. Exactly the same as her sisters. She had no idea what she was. She was not human and she was not Demon. Even Bakura and Kaiba could not tell what species she was. She was something that they had never encountered before.

But it would have been nice to hold a baby InuYasha in her arms. The Hanyou stirred in his sleep, whimpering softly. She immediately reigned in her emotions. They were so attuned to her, she had to be very careful. She left his side and went back to her own room and out onto her balcony. The moon was full and bright. She stood there in its light and carefully put thick mental walls around herself. Only then did she allow herself to cry. The reason for her tears was not something she wanted to explain to any of them. Alone in the dark night, bitter tears ran down her face as she slipped to the floor of the balcony.