A/N: So yeah, I should be updating Lotus... but in my defense, I've sent the next chapter to my sister to edit! She just hasn't sent it back to me. So instead, have Songbird. This is an old thing I started a few years back as a short story... and I recently picked it back up, and it's not so much a short story anymore. It's slow-burn, but more focused on Political Intrigue, Courtly Drama and less on any 'Action'. So, please enjoy!

Prologue

The dancers were painfully boring and quite frankly, nothing that she hadn't seen before in her long and privileged life. She had seen contortionists from the mainland, elephants from far West... there was nothing remotely unique about these too-thin children, twirling around painfully on their toes.

"Merchant," the Lady Linfey said, thrusting as much boredom that she possibly could into voice, "I tire of this game that you insist on playing. If you have nothing decent to show, then don't show at all." Her mother had always taught her to keep her cards close to her chest and never reveal herself, but what was the point of being an Empress if she didn't use her title to her advantage?

The Merchant bowed nervously and fretted about, scratching at his balding head as he wrung his colorful hat between his fingers. "Many apologies, your Majesty," he sputtered. "Truly, one hundred thousand apologies. I just thought that these dancers-"

"Once you have seen one, you have seen them all," Empress Linfey replied dryly.

The Merchant froze, perhaps fearing for his life. Her eyes glinted dangerously as she regarded him carefully. He fussed about and sputtered again, his face turning red as he tried to salvage the situation. She rolled her eyes at this, pausing to glance at her son standing to her right. It was odd that he was willingly in here presence, but perhaps that was a good thing. It had been over five decades since they had had a civil conversation.

But, like his father, he wasn't one for courtly drama. He would sooner wander the lands and search for strength, than bother with these petty political affairs— or in this case, frivolous shows of wealth. His regal air and ethereal looks added to their overall intimidation, making them quite the pair.

"Oh son, what do we do?" The question was more rhetorical than anything, which caused Sesshoumaru's lips to quirk into an annoyed frown. "Do we let him carry on, or shall we kick him out?" Truth be told, she wondered why he even bothered to hawk his wares to the Imperial Family.

"Leave me out of your trifling matters, mother."

"But son," she pouted, "I fear that I am weary from the display."

At this, the Merchant begged for mercy. Honestly, she had no intention on killing the man, perhaps just a slight maiming instead. Those tended to brighten her mood. She smirked mercilessly as she raised her hand, displaying her sharp and lethal claws-

"Wait!" the Merchant cried. She paused, watching the man carefully, her eyes narrowed in slight interest. She wasn't above allowing the man his last words. "Your Majesty," he added for good measure. Her lips twisted into a malicious smile. Surely this man didn't think that propriety would easy her mood. "There..." he started, but then hesitated. The moment her lips drooped into an unamused frown, he broke into a stutter once more. "T-t-there is something else!" he squeaked.

"Explain."

He swept his hand to the side, motioning for the dancers to leave the floor. His business partner gave him a curious glance from his spot against the wall, seemingly unsure as to what the Merchant was referring too. "Something beautiful and serene! Something with the grace and poise of a butterfly, and the voice of a Goddess. Truly, she is my greatest treasure, but I am willing to offer a sample of her skills."

Linfey's eyes flashed at his words- if anyone was a Goddess, it was she. Still... curiosity poked at her. She loved things that were unique.

The Merchant waved towards his partner, motioning towards the entrance to the grand hall. "Your Majesty," his partner said, his soft voice composed. "I will require the help of a few of your guards." Clearly he didn't fear her, something she might have to change.

The Empress lowered her claws, only to rest her chin upon her hand impatiently. She waved her other hand towards two of her soldiers, standing attention at the walls. They bowed quickly and followed the man out. She trained her gaze back on the Merchant once more, her eyebrows drawn up in curiosity and annoyance.

Soon enough, there was the sound of heavy footsteps across the marble. Her men carried a large birdcage to the dais and set it down on the floor before her. The thing was gilded in gold, but it showed age, tarnished in a few spots and in desperate need of polishing. There was a lump inside the bars, breathing gently as it rested.

If this was the Merchant's bid to save his life, he wasn't off to a good start. She was silent as he stepped over to it hastily, unlocking the intricate mechanism and letting the door swing open.

"Songbird," he crooned into the cage, his voice slick with forced sweetness. The thing in the cage shifted slightly and the Empress leaned forward in interest.

The Merchant reached into the cage and pulled out a chain, the links cast iron, thick and heavy. The lump moved with sleepy effort, slowly unfolding itself. He shook the chains slightly, pulling at them. "Songbird," he repeated, "Come."

A leg emerged from the cage, long and slender, the flesh pale as moonlight. Linfey's eyes widened slightly as the other followed suit. But the creature paused, causing the Merchant to huff, tugging at the chains harder. He was met with resistance. He yanked far harder and the creature tumbled from the cage, crumpling onto the floor, covered in rich fabrics of all colors and sheen. Her long, raven hair was loosed, piling around her, and she smelled-

The Lady's nose flared as she stood abruptly, her eyes bleeding red as rage filled her. "You!" she screamed to the merchant. "You dare bring a human into this place? Into my presence? Have you no self perservation? I should—"

"Mercy!" the Merchant pleaded hysterically. "Mercy, I plead, Imperial Highness! If you would just hear her sing-"

"Sing?" she queried, a nasty sneer settling across her face. "This thing sings?"

The man nodded enthusiastically, barely breathing in his nervousness. "Yes, oh yes! Her voice is like the smoothest of silks. You must listen and you will see, why I have brought such a thing into your presence."

The Lady regarded the human on the floor for a moment, before her gaze shifted to her son. His face was stony and uninterested, but she saw the tightness of his lips, resisting the urge to curl into a disgusted scowl. Her husband would have welcomed such a pitiful creature into their home with little question, but his soft heart is the reason that he wasn't there anymore. She looked towards the Merchant again, not bothering to hide her contempt.

"I beg you," he said, shriveling into a low bow. "Give the girl a chance."

"Girl," she repeated flatly, as though the idea repulsed her. Finally, she waved her hand towards them.

The Merchant bent down, reaching into the curtain of hair. He grasped at her cheek, forcing it towards the Empress without resistance. Slowly the girl stood at his direction, turning to face the dais. She wasn't tall, shorter than the Merchant, who wasn't tall himself. Her hair was as black as the night sky and glossy, falling around her in waves. Her face was heart shaped, her almond shaped eyes wide set around her petite nose. A thick iron cuff wrapped around her neck, attached to the chain.

Very striking, as far as humans went, the Lady supposed. Even though the girl was skinny and swam in her fanciful outfit, she couldn't deny that she had the grace the Merchant had promised. But anger bristled through her. The girl reminded her of that woman, the one who will not be named.

Her husband would have loved this girl instantly, were he still alive. Disgusting.

"Songbird," the Merchant crooned softly, grasping her hand lightly, "Sing." Then he stepped back, letting go of her hand, waving his other one in a flourish of presentation.

She stood tall, gazing serenely at the Empress, her dark eyes penetrating. Calculating, thinking. Her eyes swept the room, from the Lady Linfey, to her son, to the ceiling and then back. Finally, she opened her mouth and held her arms out, taking a breath and-

It was the most beautiful sound that she had ever heard.

It was a language that she didn't know, the syllables of the words rising and falling with the melody. Her tone was clear as the most polished crystal, filling the space robustly. Her arms spread out before her, swelling with the tune as her eyes closed, and she lost herself in her music.

The Empress was enraptured and the Merchant smirked.

The Songbird's voice warbled on the last note before dying off, leaving the hall in silence. Her son shifted uncomfortably at her side. Finally, the Lady Linfey looked to the Merchant.

"Name your price," she said to him. "I must have her."

"She is truly priceless," he responded. "I acquired her from a circus years ago, but her history before that is a mystery to me. She hails from the East though, that I am sure."

The Empress detected no lies in his words, and the girl did have the coloring and slight stature of an Eastern lady. The man believed his words to be true and it was likely that it didn't even matter. The history of a slave was a small detail.

"Nothing is priceless," she scoffed. "Tell me what it is that you want."

"Your Imperial Grace," he started, "I would be reluctant to let her go—"

"Five hundred thousand gold crowns."

The Merchant fell silent, gaping at her. It was more than she knew he could possibly make in a lifetime, even selling the high-quality goods that he did. It would be more than enough to ensure he lived the rest of his days in comfort and luxury... even for a youkai, such as himself.

"Five hundred thousand," he repeated.

"Did I stutter? Was I unclear? Five hundred thousand gold crowns, if you leave me this... human." The word tasted ill on her tongue. Truth be told, she didn't want a human lurking anywhere near her home, not after what happened to her beloved husband, but-

"Mother!" her son hissed, glaring at her with eyes that were red with rage.

"Son," she said, her tone cool. A clear warning.

One that he didn't listen to. "You dare buy this thing?"

"This thing is truly unique. You know of my weakness for one-of-a-kind things."

"You will dishonor Father if you do this. Gave you forgotten-"

"Sesshoumaru!" she snapped. He stopped short, nostrils flaring and eyes burning red, like a child knee-deep in a tantrum. She resisted the urge to grab him by the scruff; he son was still so young. "Do not dare presume that I have forgotten the fate of my husband. I swear to you, I can never forget, nor will I ever forgive." Despite her harsh words, she paused bowed her head in respect for her husband. Her son was angry, seething really, but he did not respond. She turned her gaze back to the Merchant. "Do we have a deal, Merchant?"

"Five hundred thousand crowns, for the Songbird." It was like he couldn't comprehend basic words.

"That is the offer."

"Then I accept." He stuck his hands into his sleeves and bowed deeply in reverence. "I leave to you the child, and her cage."

"My adviser will see to it that you get paid. Good day, Merchant."

He bowed once more, before turning to take his leave, his business partners and the rest of his wares following close behind.

"Son," she started, but when she looked to her side, she found that her son was already gone. She let out a small sigh, before she turned her attention back to the child. Slowly, she stood from her throne, climbing slowly off of the dais and down the steps. Reaching out, she grasped the girl by the chin, forcing her to look up.

"Do you know who I am, girl?" She did not answer. Her eyes watched the Empress, expressive but wary. The Lady squeezed her her jaw tighter, her nails just barely digging into her skin. It would be easy to snap the bone between her fingertips like it was nothing.

But still, the girl said nothing. "Do you not speak?"

There were no words, but her eyes spoke volumes. She was scared, even if she didn't shake like a leaf in her grip. The girl understood the threat. The Lady's lips twisted into a smug smirk, satisfied. She would allow this... thing within her home, but at a price.

"I do not like humans," she told the Songbird. "In fact, I detest your kind. You however... you are special, something truly unique. A treasure. I collect treasures, and so now, you are mine. You will have your health as long as you mind your place." She motioned to the cage. "So, do as I say."

The regarded her silently for a moment before she stepped towards the cage, her feet padding delicately along the floor. She folded herself into the cage, pulling and coiling the chain after her in a practiced motion. The Lady shut the door tightly behind her.

"Take her to the Gallery," she said, waving to a few of her guards. "I'm sure that you can find a place to put her."

The men nodded, hefting the gilded cage as if it weighed nothing. The Lady watched as the girl gazed at her solemnly through the bars. If she had had a heart, perhaps she would have felt guilt, or even pity for the child who had been bought like a a pet. But she had no heart and she did not care for anything, other than the twisted sense of irony that flooded her chest

She smiled sweetly at the girl child, forcing her lips into a charming quirk that dripped poison and malice, and said, "Welcome to the Western Palace, my little Songbird."