Chapter 3: The dream

The edge of revelation, believing all the stories told.
A final moment taken before this story's end unfolds.

When dawn broke through the midnight black sky making room for the mixed orange, yellow and red hues of the morning light. Makoto's Emerald green eyes managed to force themselves open, his loud purring coming to a pause for a moment while he yawned and attempted to stretch himself out, though soon found himself lacking movement space. Pausing mid stretch right before he managed to punch his bindings in the face... Yes it had a face, he peered up and pulled his arms back against him, turning his body around in one slight movement under the arm... His eyes studied the sleeping face he had almost awoken should he have been less careful.

Such a deceiving face, while he looked as peaceful as an angel while sleeping, the warm colours of the morning light giving him even more of an angelic grace. To know as soon as the demon would awake, he'd take no time to put on that cold...Indifferent mask, and this sweet beautiful image would be shattered and left completely behind.

This made him wonder, was just anyone able to see this side of him? He looked so calm and vulnerable, and yet so strong and merciless during the day time. Could it be this meant the other did see him as a mate? No, he couldn't be left to assume such things already, if he came back and knew what to do from here, the demon obviously learned just what needed to be done to keep him alive, so obviously he knew what awaited him when he was left heart broken. Therefore, he gave him little privileges for him to enjoy and keep pleased while he looked for a way to break them apart.

Maybe he was jumping to conclusions, maybe not, only time would tell.

He sighed and finally decided he had enough of the bittersweet scene before him. So he began to pull his body back, though soon found that although Sesshoumaru slept like a rock, he also had a set motion to sleep in, and he wasn't going to get out of his grip anytime soon. Even attempting to slide himself down under the arm was impossible, and even after all that struggling, all that seemed to immerse from the sleeping form under him was a long sigh and a tighter grip around him.

He glared, his ears pulled back down against his head and tail flicking about in annoyance. He wondered just how one person could sleep through all of that, then again...He couldn't even begin to imagine just how his full out struggling and wailing would only seem like a breeze of wind to the demon before him.

Then, it hit him... He didn't know if he was signing his will early, or if he'd awake the demon in a foul mood for this. But he curled his tail up for him to grab it, and squirmed up enough so that he could brush the tip of it against the end and underside of Sesshoumaru's nose. Giggling lightly at the displeased grunts and slight growls he got from the demon, and even a tilt of his head trying to escape the assault. But he then just moved his tail closer and kept on with his teasing until finally, with a sneeze, he managed to wake the demon and almost got ready to make a bolt for it if the demon showed any signs of wanting to rip his tail off.

Though to his dismay, all he got was a foul look from the demon, so Makoto needed to explain himself: "I wanted to move, you didn't want to let me go, so desperate times come for desperate measures." With a little devilish look on his face and his tongue sticking out at the other. He pouted when he didn't even get more of a reaction from the demon, whom only got up and shunned him for his playful attempts... So boring.

Sesshoumaru wasn't use to being 'played' with, as far as he knew, the cat demon was simply being childish and a disturbance from his rest which was needed for the travels. He watched the cat demon as he got up and got ready for the day, meanwhile, he tried to understand the creature whom seemed so much like a human in his useless acts, but was very much a full demon as far as he could smell. And his nose never deceived him before.

These demons, obviously would never last alone in these parts, and he never cared for a weak mate whom would never be able to defend herself...In this case, even less when he needs to say 'himself'. He'd never have an heir, [[A/N: I assume the old man thought Makoto was female, therefore never brought up the fact that Calico male demon cats were rumoured to be able to carry, even then Sesshoumaru would think it's fake.]] and the creature was just full out useless to him. But yet, when he slept with the creature close he found the most peaceful rest, his mind settled, and he slept through the night and morning something that he never did before. He was always on time, waking up with the morning birds but the sun was far up in the sky, and still he felt like he could hold the creature close and fall asleep again.

And as much as he felt sour towards being woken up, was it really because he found the way the creature woke him up to be childish, or was he simply sour at having been woken up at all? Though the creature was childish, he didn't hate it as much as he let it off to be. Such life and energy, it was a change of atmosphere that he wasn't sure just how he felt about it yet.

Makoto though, was already drained of his playfulness as soon as the other gave him that dirty look. It was clear now that the demon simply didn't appreciate games and he was to live the dull life without playing. He sighed and followed after the demon whom then took off without much of a warning. Strutting after the demon while peering around his surroundings, assuming that he was to follow the other without much of a warning, despite the fact that a command of any form would have been appreciated.

When a small clearing came into sight though, he almost had completely forgotten about the little human girl that had been travelling with the superior Yokai. When the little girl spotted him as he spotted the girl, he brightened up, his ears perking up and face lighting up: "Rin!" He called to the girl who in return took to a jog towards him to throw herself into his arms: "Makoto! I'm so happy to see you!" She blinked large curious eyes: "So you spoke with Lord Sesshoumaru! See! I told you, you could trust him!" Of course Makoto wouldn't shatter the little girl's dreams and images of the demon, instead, he smiled and nodded to her. He wondered what this little girl was doing with a demon like him, but then... Sesshoumaru was so impossible to read it almost drove him up the wall.

Of course though Jaken was throwing a different kind of fit, being an imp able to pick up on the scent of Sesshoumaru just oozing off of the cat demon, he was just about to start his rave and rant when a rock ended up knocking him out completely silent. It seemed like Sesshoumaru knew exactly what Jaken was about to throw a fit about and he didn't want the bit of information to reach Rin's ears either. As far as everything seemed innocent, it was good. And Jaken learned his lesson since then, and would probably throw the fit out of ear's reach some other time.

Travelling was interesting he found. Though while speaking with Rin at the back of the line with Jaken and Sesshoumaru leading in front. He learned quite a few things about Sesshoumaru that he wasn't aware of... Of his status as Demon Lord of the western lands, of his half brother InuYasha, whom was also half demon, the adventures they went on and how Sesshoumaru had saved the girl from a wolf pack and many other times afterwards. So he wasn't so much of a cold hearted demon after all if he did care for the girl so much. Sort of like a father figure to the human girl he had to admit, but, in the end... Wouldn't that mean that despite his cold appearance the demon Lord could make for quite a father some day?

Now if only he could start loving him a little and get that stick out of his ass...

Travelling was the main part in all days. While at night Sesshoumaru made sure to manage to sneak him into cuddles for the night, away from sight and ears, Sesshoumaru seemed to like falling asleep with the cat demon in his arms. Though after the events of the day, just how he'd be given the cold shoulder at all times. It only seemed to fuel Makoto's assumptions of the demon Lord simply sleeping with him to keep him from dying.

Though aside from the confusion the demon Lord was putting him through, he was enjoying himself, fishing with Rin and showing her different ways to prepare different fish that could be taken from the river. Being a cat demon after all, they had quite the taste for fish and different methods to fish bigger fish, easily, and also prepare it over something as simple as a fire. And though Jaken had started off with him on a bitter step, it seemed like as days passed, even the imp seemed to appreciate the full stomach in the end.

Seemed like the way to his heart was indeed through his stomach, not that he really cared for the toad looking creature. Though it wasn't like he really liked having a bitter atmosphere around, he didn't need anymore on his shoulders.

Hours turned into days, which turned into weeks, and then a month and some passed. And with the weeks prior, Makoto seemed like lady faith wasn't going to be anymore caring to him. When for the past two weeks he woke up with a wave of nausea that even gave him the strength to fight out of Sesshoumaru's arms and run as far as possible. That morning was no exception, like a bat out of hell he fought against the arm holding him down and ran towards the depths of the forest to let the nausea wash over him in heaves and unpleasant sounds.

He knew what this meant, though he hated to admit it, nor did he want to even acknowledge it knowing just what Sesshoumaru would do if he ever put the pieces together. But the demon almost seemed stupid with how a couple of days back he asked him if there was something he was hiding from him, and when he fought against the other with no's. The demon had went and explained that he thought he was hiding something about his race and the binding, leaving out any complete hints on his hormone imbalance and colour pattern...Which meant the demon was completely oblivious.

He went and simply explained that he was fine, it was only with the season and his stomach would settle as spring would lead into summer. And it seemed like the demon bought it, which relieved him. He wasn't sure just how he'd take it to know he was to be father when he seemed so desperate to find a way around the bind. He knew...Sesshoumaru was going around asking if there was any way he could break it, though Makoto realized there was a way, he didn't wish to bring it up. Since though as time passed, he realized he was falling deeper and deeper into this. With every morning though ignoring the rude awakenings, he always washed himself and his mouth then returned to cuddle for a bit longer into the morning. Since after the morning, as long as he didn't eat, he'd only have to deal with nausea which he despised though was able to live with.

He'd spend some time watching the other simply drift back to sleep after he got close to him, peaceful, and the other had even taken to rubbing his back gently in his sleep as if the motion was completely absent minded, and he was trying to comfort him out of his nausea. If only the other showed more affection during the day, he'd be able to assume maybe his feelings would be returned. But the cold, careless eyes and even snubbing during the day completely crushed these small, wonderful moments where it seemed like the demon really did care.

It was absolutely impossible to read him, and he wished the night time wonders meant more then simply feeding the body's needs and absent minded care. Even that night, after a redundant days travels, he found his way back into the distance where Sesshoumaru was waiting for him to get some rest. And during the day, Makoto had thought deep and long about what he was to do from here, after he had taken a swim with Rin and the other asked him if he had been gaining weight. It was an innocent question of course, and since Makoto had taken the top part of his kimono off leaving him in but his leggings, which was bare yes but it was a warm day and he really did start to see the human girl as a daughter as the demon Lord had.

He realized it was becoming obvious, and soon enough even the oblivious Sesshoumaru would start to ask questions about his weight. He needed to get a straight answer on what would happen from here, so it was time for him to see... He didn't want to give the child hopes of living and then pass away, taking a soon to be born child with him. It was cruel, and maybe, he'd even manage to survive until he got back home and had someone else take care of the child while he'd fight against heart break.

The more he fell in love with the other, the quicker his death would come.

He found the demon Lord leaned up against a tree as he always did every night, a little smile playing across his lips at the sight of the other, just as angelic as the morning...Oh how deceiving images were. Stepping even closer, he slowly lowered himself up to lean against the other. Automatically, his throat would start to give away and gentle purrs and he'd cuddle himself close, and the other would wrap his arm around him protectively... Or at least to give the image of so.

Though Sesshoumaru had done his own changes, as the three months passed, he almost couldn't recall what it was like to sleep alone. He couldn't tell what it was, the protective nature that needed to keep what ever it was he had close, and just how he was growing fond of the little kitten and his playful tricks, teasing and even just how he seemed to take responsibility over his daughter figure in a way he could never think of. It seemed like the cat demon had a lot up his sleeves to surprise him with, always full of energy and bringing a rather different atmosphere to them. He wished he could express himself better to the other, but he was so overwhelmed with trying to figure the little creature out, he never noticed just how cold it made him seem towards the cat demon.

Though he was growing suspicious of something, as oblivious as he seemed. He didn't fail to notice that Makoto had been losing the contents of his stomach every morning and avoiding food until the evening, where he always failed to eat far as much as he should, and then the next morning would once again lose all contents in an endless cycle. But yet, even with this, he had been gaining weight. Makoto's attire wasn't the most concealing, especially around his waist area so it was clear when he'd look at the kitten, that his once perfectly flat and toned stomach was bulging, though he blamed it on spring, Sesshoumaru was gaining his doubts.

Though he was also raised knowing that males couldn't carry children. It was physically impossible so the thought would never cross his mind.

When the kitten came close to join him for the night once again. He felt the little creature curl up against him once again, though instinctively... Maybe because he had grown a liking to the lustful pleasures that came from being mated with someone, or simply because it seemed like Makoto had been avoiding it for the past few days. He leaned in and began to nip and lick at the back of Makoto's ears, which earned him a pleasured groan from the kitten and slight shifting. Before, it was always Makoto whom approached him like this, biting and licking at his neck and ears until he couldn't take it anymore and gave in, tonight, it was different as he was the one to start it off...

Despite the fact Makoto had intentions of speaking with Sesshoumaru first, he supposed it could wait. Since this was indeed the first time Sesshoumaru had asked for physical contact... Feeling the others warm hand slide up under the top of his belly top like kimono. He felt the others fingers teasing at his nipple and actually teasing him. He did his best to keep his voice down so not to alert Rin, or worse, Jaken. He folded his arms up against himself, hands resting up against his shoulders and back arched into the teasing. Until he couldn't take it anymore and turned his head to bite down on his mate's neck. Though Sesshoumaru didn't seem to like being pleasured and teased anymore then rough biting where the demon Lord could hide it, and allowing Makoto to undo his armor and any form of clothing that could get in the way. Makoto soon learned that it was impossible to try and tease his mate back. Even as much as trying to feel him or pleasure him through his hand, Sesshoumaru would shrug from the attention and simply go rougher on him. Though he wished he could know why, it wasn't like Makoto had much to complain about the lack of being able to foreplay with the other.

Foreplay...A term Sesshoumaru didn't seem to know much about.

Since as quickly as the teasing started, when both bodies were ready, Makoto was down bare, and straddling the others waist so to bring the other inside of him, and slide the other in and out of him, while his arms leaned over Sesshoumaru's shoulders and helped steady him in his movements. This was where it became hard to keep his voice down. Though his mate on the other hand seemed to be quite the silent lover, without as much of a grunt, he on the other hand had enough voice for the both of them if they weren't trying to be quiet.

He felt the others claws dig into his back though and drag up, which made him shudder and return the motion along the others bare shoulders. His entire body clenching around his lovers member while he slid up and down even quicker on the other, warmth washing over him and breathing quickening, while he muffled moans which turned mainly into whimpers body's rubbing quickly against one another. Though still there wasn't as much as a sound from the demon Lord, even when the other gripped onto him and his body tensed meaning he was releasing, and Makoto followed soon after when he felt the warm liquids spill inside of him. Finally the cold air washed over Makoto's nude form, while he nestled against Sesshoumaru's partially bare one, nuzzling gently into the others neck and purring loudly while he enjoyed the comfortable aftermath, feeling sleep wash over him, though he wasn't done in for the night.

He was even more surprised to find Sesshoumaru gently nuzzling the marking over his neck. Which made him smile, hands gently sliding up the others arm while he made himself comfortable and let the other give the rare signs of affection. Which made him think tonight's test might go over well after all.

He whispered: "It's nice isn't it? I'm sure I never saw one quite like it on the others in my village." Small talk seemed to be common between them, though by small talk, it seemed more like Makoto was talking to himself since he rarely ever got an answer from Sesshoumaru: "I find it beautiful, usually, the others get something that seems more like a pure tribal pattern, never really in a distinguished form." He reached up to gently run his fingers across the marking, before letting his hand slide over Sesshoumaru's cheek: "But... Yours has a shape..." It was shocking that the other didn't pull away, and let him gently move his fingers over the markings along his cheek, then slide his fingers through the others silky hair. He never did get to delicately touch the other, though he tried, Sesshoumaru always shrugged from his touch or give him a cold glare, which wasn't so now. Though the look on his face was his usually emotionless gaze, half lidded, and he almost looked like he was in deep thought. Makoto took the time as he continued: "Roses and moons, I wonder what it means..."

"Is it really that unusual?" The cold voice questioned, while Makoto wasn't startled to hear the other speak, he paused and gently slid his hand from the others face, before thinking: "It is.." He saw the others eyes starting to close, and though he was just as ready for sleep as Sesshoumaru was, he tried to keep the other awake, sliding himself to sit with his side pressed up to the other so he could get a clear look at the others face: "You know... There's a special gift given to those who mate with my specie of demons, I didn't tell you this sooner because...Well... I was waiting for a better time, but this is a special gift that only comes after being mated for a month or so. I thought I'd see if it works now." Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and glanced at Makoto curiously, as if the other had peeked his interest again. Makoto smiled and thought for a little, before peering up to the sky, continuing: "We're given one wish, just one though, but it's still a lot more then what most could ask for. Kind of like a gift given by our blessing..."

'So it's a blessing again?'

Makoto giggled: "I'll start, and if there's one wish I would have for me now...It'd be..." He had confirmed very well what his wish would be: "It'd be for you to have your arm back." He smiled: "So I wish for you to get your missing arm back!" And almost instantly, the marking over Makoto's neck began to glow and weird unpleasant sounds came from Sesshoumaru's missing arm, cracking and rippling till the bone formed, muscle, and finally the flesh over it returned as if it never went missing. It'd be impossible for him to get his arm back any other way, since it had gone missing completely and eventually, Sesshoumaru had lost care for his arm completely. He didn't need it to be powerful and now that his arm had returned to him so easily in one night where he didn't even expect it. He glanced down to his arm coldly, staring at it and moving it around... Though he didn't seem pleased or to even care for the thing at all which made a bulge form in Makoto's throat. Was he not pleased with it-?

"Such a meaningless waste of a wish- I never had any care for this arm." Makoto tensed and felt tears start to form in his eyes...And here he was trying to please the other with giving him back something he lost, instead...He coldly told him he wasted his wish, and didn't even seem to appreciate it at all!: "T-then...What would you wish for?" He tried to keep himself from crying, clenching his fists waiting for what exactly the other had to wish for.

If he wished the bind off, then he'd be able to leave and go raise their child without the other knowing of it's existence. But no, he wouldn't even get that blessing, since soon after Sesshoumaru answered: "I have no wish that I'd need to rely on a blessing to give me, I can make my own wishes come true." Alas, he wouldn't get a straight answer, straight enough for him to clear his mind. Instead, he was brought right back into the same abyss of questions he had before and now even more.

"Why! Why won't you even give me the satisfaction of knowing just what you're thinking! Do you want me to leave! Do you want this bind off! Here's your chance! You can wish for it! There's no other way to break this! NONE! It's set in stone for life from here after you use up your wish! So do it! If you want me gone so bad now's your chance, you don't have to pretend anymore!" Sesshoumaru though just seemed to stare at him with that cold mask, without a word, without a whisper, without even a change in expression as he simply watched the other as he was yelled at.

Nothing, not even a word! He had enough of this! He reached over and grabbed his clothing, tears streaming down his face as he dashed off into the woods away from the demon Lord for good.

He got dressed when he had enough of running, panting and whimpering while his chest felt like it was crushing itself in. He wished this would have made it clear, but no, he was even mocked for his wish to get Sesshoumaru's arm back, something he thought would make the demon happy, and maybe even encourage him to let him know he cared, and didn't want them apart. Even if the demon had wished for something else, other then that, it would have made it clear he didn't want to break them apart and wanted to stay with him as a mate.

But there was nothing, no answer at all. Even now he felt like he seemed weaker then what he started with to the demon's eyes... Because he couldn't get his arm back by himself, it was impossible..

He sobbed in his hand, kneeling down near a pond far away from where the others had set up camp, sobbing so much everything seemed to hurt, the worst though was his heart, to know he was left with the first fear, where he'd need to die and take the child with him if he didn't manage to last until birth. He didn't want to stay, he didn't want Sesshoumaru to know of their child, if he didn't even have the care to love him.

Managing to stop the tears, he could only stare blankly at his reflection... If only he wished he had changed himself to be of Sesshoumaru's liking, he wondered what he'd look like. Would he be female? Was that the problem? Would he be beautiful? Powerful? Composed and of nobility like he was? Would he have a mask like his? Unable to show emotion, fair, intimidating, a perfect image in marble.

He reached up, the claws of his hand digging into the marking in his neck, deep enough so blood almost seemed to squirt from his neck to bleed down over his clothing and body. The pain didn't seem to bother him, nor was this enough to kill him... But he wished the marking was never there, if he could live... If he could mate as any other creature and have the chance to find that one who was meant for him, the soul mate he wanted so badly...

He wouldn't care if he'd have an army of children behind him while he searched for his quest, as long as he got to experience true love... That's all that mattered. But no... This, this was what he was left with, one chance, and normally, that chance was never the one that brought joy.

Quickly, the blood seeped from him enough to make him fall over and simply wait to see what would happen from here. His mind swimming in a thousand questions, and heart pounding in his chest trying to keep him alive. He stared at his blood coated fingers, glad to at least feel the pain pulsing in his neck.

Until, finally, something happened, he heard two familiar voices that he thought he'd never hear from again.

"Makoto!"

"Brother!"

[[I'll probably have the fifth chapter up tonight sometime, since I'm in a major writing mood and don't want this to go to waste. Since there has been fav's, alerts and reviews on the story, as well as comments on my DA page, I'll be working on this fic until it seems like people don't care for it anymore. Since I even have an ending ready, it's one step ahead of what I had for my other fics.

And for Sprite: I thought the same thing at first, but then thought... It'd probably not be enough for Sesshoumaru to get some care towards Makoto, this is something that would put the cherry on the cake you can say? I wanted Sesshoumaru to come alert with his feelings for Makoto BEFORE he gets the big news. And that's what will be unrolling in the next few chapters.

But don't worry, I can't possibly imagine Sesshoumaru as a big sap, but a REALLY clumsy lover instead whom you need to KNOW he loves you, because he won't say so. Haha!

Anyone else realized that Sesshoumaru and Makoto didn't even kiss yet!

Thank you for your reviews Sprite, it's really encouraging to know someone cares enough for the fic to even comment on it and continue reading. I hope I won't disappoint! And yes it is hard for me to continue writing when I see no one cares for my fictions. I tried writing a fiction where a main character was with an OC in a FFVII fic before, alas, it only got one review long after I was sick of trying and just gave up on it. 5 chapters in even...

So I thought this one was going to get the same faith, but apparently not, which is REALLY encouraging for me! -Beams happily.-

And no worries, I still haven't finished a fic yet either. 3 -High fives fellow lazy person- ]]