Chapter Seven: Moonlit Celebration

After reassuring Miroku and Sango and the rest of the gang that everything was well Saphira and Inuyasha reach the outskirts of Saphira's home in the forest after a few days of travel. They chase each other through the forest with a game of tag with Saphira being the winner.

As she catches her breath on top of him, Inuyasha wraps an arm around her and stares up at the blue sky above them as he too catches his breath. To be able to relax like this was a dream to him as he was never able to let his guard down due to the hatred of humans and demons growing up. Even when Kagome was alive he was unable to relax as he constantly worried for her. But now with all the hardships behind him and Saphira in his arms he was now able to experience something he never could.

Saphira then smiles to herself as she says softly, "It's hard to believe that it's all finally over. Feels like a dream and if it is I don't ever wanna wake up. As a world without you would be dull."

Inuyasha smirks when he hears this and nuzzles her as he replies, "Yeah it does and I couldn't agree more."

Saphira pulls herself up slightly and smiles down at him as she looks into his golden eyes then leans down and kisses him, gently at first then it turns into a passionate kiss. Even though she'd liked to stay like this forever they had somewhere to be so she breaks the kiss to his dismay and climbs off him.

She turns back to look at him over her shoulder as she says with a slight chuckle as she sees the look of disappointment on Inuyasha's face, "Don't pout I'll make it up to you later. Besides we mustn't keep Grandma Sanume waiting, she deserves to hear this news as much as everyone else."

She then stands up and offers Inuyasha her hand and he takes it and gets up off the ground and stands up next to her. Keeping their hands linked they make their way towards Sanume's hut.

Inuyasha becomes more and more nervous as they near Sanume's home, the old demon woman's scent growing closer. Inuyasha then whispers nervously to Saphira as he asks, "Are ya sure she's gonna like me? Cause I doubt I'm the future husband she had in mind for you. Being...well ya know.."

Saphira squeezes his hand and gives him a warm reassuring smile as she replies, "I am nervous too but she honors the way of our people and it was my choice in taking you as a mate. There's not much she can do bout it. Our bond cannot be severed unless the Great Mother herself wills it."

They soon reach the hut and see Sanume tending to her medicinal herb garden next to the hut. The old woman senses their presence and turns and sees them walking towards her. She then grabs her basket in one arm and slowly stands up and dusts herself off with her free hand then waits patiently for them to her.

She takes note of Saphira holding the young half-demon's hand and her eyes widen as she detects the aura of their bond between them and at the sight of Saphira as her normal self in broad daylight.

The old woman then thinks to herself, "She is herself again and has formed a pair bond with that young half-demon. So he has fulfilled his fate and has freed her like I thought he would."

When they get close Saphira prepares to greet her but Inuyasha stops her and when she gives him a confused look he replies, "I want to try to greet in your way."

Saphira nods in understanding and Sanume watches as Inuyasha bows slightly while touching his forehead with his hand and then notions it towards her as he says, "Oel ngati kameie (I see you.)"

A look of surprise goes across Sanume's face at his words then returns the gesture. She looks over at Saphira and says with approval, "Nga kar po niltsan (You taught him well.)"

The old woman then adds, "From your looks I take Kalona is dead?" When Saphira nods she turns to Inuyasha and says, "You kept promise I see and she have taken you as mate."

Inuyasha gulps slightly but nods and the old woman comes closer to him, gazing into his eyes and he shifts nervously. Sanume then smiles and turns to Saphira and says with look of approval, "Po ley siltsan vitra (He have good soul.)" She then adds teasingly, "Ulte po sayrìp niteng. Po ting hino 'eveng. (And he handsome too. He give fine child.)"

Both Saphira and Inuyasha blush at this and smile shyly at one another then Saphira asks tentatively, "So you approve?'

Sanume nods as she replies, "He help bring solace to our people that alone make him worthy even with his heritage. The Great Mother approved of this bond and as Tsahik I see as good blessing."

She then begins to walk towards the door of her hut as she adds, "You have long journey. Come, I wish to hear everything."

Later on in the evening Sanume muses over the story that Inuyasha and Saphira tell her as they sit around a small fire, drinking her tea and says, "Well sound like quite the adventure. I am glad you are both back in one piece."

Inuyasha nods as he says, "Yeah it was but there's one part I don't quite understand. During my battle with Kalona I transformed, well it's more like my demon side taking over. But usually when that happens I lose all control over myself and kill anything without a second thought." His brows furrow as he continues, "But when it happened I remained in control over my body and my mind was clear. How is that possible?"

Sanume listens to all of this and replies with a chuckle, "The answer sits next to you." When Inuyasha gives her a confused look she gives a nod at Saphira as she explains, "Tis the benefit of tsaheylu, or pair bond I should say that you formed with my granddaughter. This bond strengthens both body and mind of the mated pair. To put it simply, her strength became yours, making your body more tolerable of your powerful demonic blood. So when you transformed that blood became an asset instead of it being a hindrance."

Inuyasha's confused expression turns to one of surprise then understanding. He then glances at Saphira ,who gives him a warm smile, and says with a smirk, "Tis one choice I don't regret."

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, at which a look of surprise crosses Sanume's face and she says, "Seems we have visitors. Wonder who."

Inuyasha gets up from his spot next to Saphira and says, "I'll go look." He then walks over to the door. He opens the door and standing outside was Miroku and Sango, along with their children and Shippo.

A look of surprise crosses Inuyasha's face as he says to them, "What the- How did you guys get here?"

In response to Inuyasha's reaction Saphira sniffs the air and recognizes the scents as she says to her grandmother, "Seems Inuyasha's friends have found us." She sees her grandmother's wary expression and says reassuringly, "Don't worry they are good people."

Sango smiles at Inuyasha as she replies, "When you told us you were heading back to Saphira's homeland we decided to come see it for ourselves. As to how we got here we rode on Kilala while Koga lead the way by following your scent. He came to visit the village to see how things were. We asked him to help us." She then looks down uneasily as she says, "Though...he knows everything now."

Inuyasha comes out as he asks, "He's here? And what do you mean by everyth-"

Bam! Suddenly Inuyasha feels a punch to his jaw and he falls to the ground. He rubs his jaw and looks up to see a very angry Koga standing over him. At the sound Saphira comes to the doorway.

Koga snarls as he looks down at him furiously and yells, "You stupid mutt! I finally come to visit after tending to the needs of my tribe only to find out Kagome is dead!"

Saphira watches as Inuyasha slowly stands up and Koga grabs him by the neck of his hoari as he adds, "I left her in your care! I trusted you to keep her safe! What the hell happened?! Answer me!"

Inuyasha removes Koga's hands from his hoari and as he tried to keep a straight face though Saphira could feel his pain he says calmly, "You really wanna know? She died from childbirth. There was nothing I could do. It's my fault and I take full responsibility for it."

Koga stares at him in disbelief then he clenches his fists angrily and prepares to punch him as he yells, "You..You're the reason she's...I knew I shouldn't have left her with you!"

Inuyasha prepares to take the hit but Saphira blocks it, grabbing Koga's wrist as she says fiercely, "Kehe! Ftang na! (No! Stop that!)"

Koga pulls his arm away from her and says, "Who the hell are you?" He then sniffs the air and says, "You look to be of wolf descent but you reek of that mutt's scent." He then glares angrily at Inuyasha and yells, "Are you telling me you mated with this woman?! Did Kagome not matter to you at all?!"

Saphira calmly says to Koga, "She did matter to him a whole lot. He was a mess when I found him and even now I feel his pain as you make him speak of it. You cannot be angry at him for things he did not foresee happening. I know you care but becoming violent will not solve anything it will only cause more pain. Please understand he feels the same anguish you do."

Koga closes his eyes as he clenches his fists and growls irritably. As angry as he was he couldn't help but to admit that her words made sense. He then let's out a long sigh and unclenches his fists as he says apologetically, "You're right. Please forgive me for my actions."

He then looks at Saphira and Inuyasha as he adds, "Lemme make it up to ya both. I'll bring some sake and some of my clan members to celebrate ya union."

Miroku chimes in as he says with a smile, "Indeed. Let's hold a small ceremony for our happy couple." Sango nods in agreement as she adds, "Yes, a night of fun would be nice."

It was then that Sanume had come out of her hut, she had overheard the conversation and says warmly, "Well what are we all standing around for? This ceremony won't start itself."

Later on that night after all the preparations were made, Sanume comes into Saphira's room after helping Inuyasha get ready. She had given him Saphira's father's ceremonial armor for the occasion. It resembled Sesshoumaru's plate armor except it had shoulder plating embellished with gray fur.

Saphira stands up as she hears Sanume enter and Sanume takes in her appearance and says, "You look as beautiful as your mother did on her wedding day."

Saphira blushes as she adjusts her clothing and says softly, "I wanted to wear something of hers."

Sanume smiles as she says, "That means so much to me. Your mother would be so proud as would your father and the rest of our clan."

Saphira smiles sadly as she says, "I wish they were here."

Sanume comes over and hugs Saphira as she says, "They are with you." She places her hand over where Saphira's heart would be and adds, "In here. Once you love someone they stay in your heart forever."

Sounds of drums reached their ears from outside and Sanume loops her arm around Saphira's and asks, "Ready to see Inuyasha?"

Saphira nods and they both head outside to where the others were gathered.

Inuyasha was nervous as he waited for Saphira to arrive in front of the sacred fire they prepared for the ceremony. Consummating his relationship with her alone had been easy but doing it again for all his friends to see was another. The group consisted of Miroku and Sango, along with their kids and Shippo. Then there was Koga and his mate Ayame along with his friends Ginta and Hakkaku and a few other members of the wolf tribe.

Miroku places a hand on his shoulder and says reassuringly, "Relax my friend she'll be here soon." He then says teasingly to him, "So just friends huh?"

Inuyasha remembers him telling Miroku those words when he first introduced Saphira to them but he had been in denial of his feelings for her at the time. He gives Miroku an annoyed look as he grumbles, "Can it will ya?"

Everyone then turns their attention to the hut and Inuyasha looks as well. Coming towards them was Saphira and Sanume and Inuyasha couldn't help but stare in awe at Saphira. She wore a silver kimono that bared her shoulders with white fur trimmings at the chest, end of the sleeves and bottom hem of the outfit. A white obi adorned her waist and on her head was a headband that had strands of silver feathers attached to it.

As they approach Saphira smiles warmly at Inuyasha and he returns the smile shyly as he extends out his hand for her to take and she takes it.

Sanume walks over to a tree stump nearby where she had placed a bundle of sage and picks it up, then gently lights it til it smolders. Then grabbing a feather fan she walks over to where Inuyasha and Saphira were and begins to chant aloud as she fans the sage around them:

She faces to the north, "Now you will feel no rain for each of you will be shelter for the other,

She turns to the east, "Now you will feel no cold for each of you will be warmth for the other,"

She then turns to the south, "Now there is no loneliness, For you are two persons but there is only one life before you"

Finally she faces to the west, "May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead, through all years, and may happiness be your companion and may your days be long and good in this world."

She puts the sage and fan down on the tree stump then comes back and hands them a corn drink inside a double-sided vessel. They both share the drink and gives their thanks to Great Mother. They hand the vessel back to Sanume and she murmurs a prayer to the Great Mother then breaks it against the ground and buries the fragments into the earth.

Sanume then motions for everyone to gather in a circle around the couple and they all join hands and chants out:

"O Great Mother,

please protect the ones we love.

They honor all you created as they pledge

their hearts and lives together.

They honor the land

and ask for their marriage to be abundant

and grow stronger through the seasons;

They honor fire

and ask that their union be warm

and glowing with love their hearts;

They honor wind

and ask they sail though life

safe and calm as in your arms

They honor water

to clean and soothe their relationship

that it may never thirsts for love;

With all the forces of the universe you created,

they pray for harmony and true happiness as they forever grow young together."

She then looks at Inuyasha and Saphira and says to them with a smile, "Nga tsunslu pom (You may kiss)."

Looking into each other's eyes warmly, Inuyasha shyly cups Saphira face with one hand and slowly leans in and kisses her. She returns the kiss, wrapping her arms around his waist. A few whoops come from the wolf demon tribe members as the other clap at the sight of the couple's kiss.

As the couple parts, Ayame comes over and takes Saphira's hand and begins to lead her away from Inuyasha, who looks on after them in confusion and Ayame chuckles at his expression as she says over her shoulder to him, "Gonna take her for some girl time. You'll see her later."

Koga walks over to Inuyasha and slings an arm around his shoulder and shouts with glee, "Now that that's over let's get this party started!"

A few moments later the sound of flutes and drums fill the air as a few members of the wolf tribe played them and a few others danced around to the beat. Sanume kept watch over the children as the adults celebrated, amusing them with stories. After removing the ceremonial armor, Inuyasha sat with Ginta and Hakkaku, along with Miroku and Sango and told them of his battle with Kalona and they listen in amazement.

He then notices Saphira dancing a few feet away from them, her body illuminated in the moonlight, and stares but not because of her dancing. The reason being was that she wore a white cropped top, which exposed her sleek, toned stomach, with gray fur with fringe at the front adorned with blue beads. Gray fur attached to long, white loin cloth with small fringe on the sides adorned her waist. It covered her front and behind but left her elegant legs and thighs for him to see. Adorned on her wrists and ankles were cuffs of gray fur. The sight was quite mesmerizing to him as a hint of desire fills him.

Though he is brought out of his trance when Koga and two other wolf tribe members come over, carrying a few bottles of sake. Koga sits down across from Inuyasha and says, "Enough talk."

He pours some sake into a shell cup and hands it to Inuyasha, who takes it then gives it a sniff. Inuyasha then takes a sip and flinches at the bitter taste, though that was due to him not being much of a drinker, and says, "Not sure if this is a good idea."

Koga scoffs as he says, "Don't be a wuss." He pours himself a cup and says to Inuyasha smugly, "Bet I can handle this entire bottle better than you mutt-face."

Not one to back down from a challenge, Inuyasha puts his discomfort aside and grins as he says, "You're on." And they begin to drink and everyone else sitting with them cheers them on while taking drinks themselves.

Moments later Koga loses the challenge and he drunkenly says to Inuyasha, "I- "hic" thought enough drink."hic"..you not be so ugly."

Inuyasha shakes his head as he chuckles, "Yep you're wasted." He was slightly buzzed but thanks to Miroku he knew how to handle his sake.

Saphira then comes over to them and pants as she catches her breath. When she does she then says to Inuyasha, "You must dance."

Inuyasha prepares to decline as he slightly shakes his head but she grabs his wrist and pulls on him eagerly as she says, "It is the way."

Inuyasha gives in and lets her pull him to where the others were dancing. They dance for awhile as the flutes and drums swept them away.

Saphira then stops dancing and with a smirk on her face grabs Inuyasha's hand and says, "Za'u (Come)."

He follows her willingly as she begins to lead him away from the others, making her way towards the forest.

Sanume watches them leave with a knowing smile and chuckles to herself as she murmurs, "Ah youth...so eager to play."

When the couple were far enough into the forest where no one could see or hear them Saphira stops. She leans up and nips his ear playfully as she whispers, "You're it."

She then takes off running and he smirks as he gives chase after her. Saphira hears Inuyasha somewhere behind and dives into a patch of underbrush and crouched down. A blur of sliver raced by her and she sprang to her feet and backtracked.

It took Inuyasha a few seconds to realize he'd been tricked and Saphira soon heard him behind her again. She tries the trick again but felt she must've been too slow this time as she felt Inuyasha pounce on her and they tumble down a grassy hill. They come to a stop with Inuyasha lying on top of her.

Inuyasha let's out a chuckle as he catches his breath. He props himself on one arm, then looking down at her he says teasingly, "Well now looks like I've caught ya. Whatcha gonna do bout it?"

Saphira smirks up at him then cups his face in her hands then pulls him down towards her and kisses him passionately. He is surprised at first but kisses her back with the same enthusiasm. He gains access inside her mouth, deepening the kiss as their tongues dance with each other. She tasted sweet like honey and he loved every bit of it.

They break apart for air, once they regain their breath Saphira says softly, "...Inuyasha."

Inuyasha looks into her eyes and sees a hint of lust behind them as she says huskily to him, "Oe new nga..set (I want you...now)."

Inuyasha smirks at her then leans down next to her ear and says huskily, "Oe niwotx ngaya. (I all yours)."

He then trails kisses down her neck then goes back to her lips and kisses her passionately. His left hand goes under her top, cupping her left breast and he teases and massages it with tender but firm touches.

Saphira lets out a soft moan as he does this then proceeds to undo his hoari and juban and he takes a moment to shrug them off. Inuyasha unties and removes her top then nibbled and licked his way down while he massaged her right breast with his right hand, rebelling in her gentle moans as he went.

He cups her left breast with his other hand then takes it into his mouth and begins to lick and suckle on the hardened peak, causing Saphira to arch her back, her hips rising to meet his as her head fell back and a louder moan escaped her lips as pleasure filled her from his attentions.

Inuyasha breaks away from her breasts and looks at her with lust as he says huskily, "I love your voice. I want to hear more of it."

Saphira breathes steadily as she replies lustfully, "And what I crave and love most is all of you..." Then to his surprise she flips him over onto his back and straddles him. She smirks at his expression as she leans down next his ear and playfully nips it as she says huskily, "I want to feel you deep inside me. To feel you're body moving against mine as we give way to passion with our hearts dancing as one in rhythm to the beating drum."

To her amusement she feels him harden beneath her. Her hands then trail down his chest and over his abs with feather-light touches as she then kisses and nips up and down his neck, rebelling in the slight moan that flutters pasts his lips as he shudders. She kisses him once more as her hands stop at the ties of his hakama and slowly slide them down his hips slightly. Never breaking the kiss and with nothing blocking her entrance, she slowly eases herself down on to his erect manhood.

A light moan escapes past her lips as she lowered her body even further, her walls stretching to accommodate him. A moan escapes Inuyasha lips as well as he feels her wet heat envelope him. When he was fully immersed inside she takes a moment to steady herself, placing her hands upon his stomach. She then slowly begins to rock against his body, lifting herself up and down upon him as a feeling of fullness then emptiness passed through her with each stroke as she made love to him.

She squeezes her kegel muscles as she went, eliciting a few moans from Inuyasha as his body writhe in pleasure under her. His hands had made their way to her hips to steady her as she continued to pleasure him, with him giving slow, small upward thrusts each time she came down. She slowly begins to pick up her pace slightly as she starts to feel a pressure build within her, much to Inuyasha's enjoyment as he pick up the pace with her.

A moan escapes Inuyasha's lips as she went, managing only to speak a few words between breaths, "...Damn woman..ahh!" He could feel immense pressure building in his loins.

Saphira smiles inwardly as she hears him, releasing a few moans herself as she spoke out breathlessly, "..Inuyasha.."

Inuyasha looks up to her blissful tilted-back face, her closed eyes and open mouth as the moonlight illuminated her body. His gaze lowered down to her modest breasts as they bounced with each stroke of their union. She looked like a goddess to him and pride filled him knowing that she was his. With one final stroke an intense wave of pleasure passes through them both and they cry out their release.

Saphira slumps down against him, panting heavily as she tries to catch her breath and he strokes her hair and places a kiss on her forehead as he tries to regain his breath as well. To her surprise she feels him harden inside her once more and she glances up at him and he smirks at her.

She chuckles slightly as she says softly,"Someone's energetic."

Inuyasha chuckles as he replies, "Can't help it, but I will say ya to blame." He then whispers in her ear, "Lay on ya stomach would ya?"

Saphira blushes knowing what he wanted but excited and curious as to how it would feel as she nods and slides off of him then gets down on all fours. She lifts her hips as high as she could before him the glances over her shoulder at him. Inuyasha removes his juban completely then slides her loincloth from off her hips. She swishes her tail to the side, giving him the go ahead and he covers her.

Inuyasha nibbles on her ear and kisses her neck affectionately then massages and teases her breasts and he hears a moan escape her lips.

He bites back a moan as he feels Saphira grind her butt against his loins then smirks as he whispers huskily to her whilst nipping her neck, "Eager are we?"

Saphira shudders from his attentions as she replies, "You promised me more fun and I intend to have it."

Inuyasha chuckles as he replies, "So I did. If that's what you want then you shall have it. Now then moan for me." He grips her hips as he slowly enters her wet heat and Saphira moans as she feels him inside her, an intense pleasure running through her from their joining at a different angle.

Inuyasha moans slightly at the pleasure of it and begins to ply her with long, slow strokes and does this for a couple minutes, making love to her and rebels in the sounds of Saphira's moans as they flutter past her lips as she cries out, "AH..Inuyasha.. Txa'..Ruxte..(Harder..Please..)"

Inuyasha smirks, clasping his hands over hers and does as she wanted, increasing his pace while thrusting deep into her with every stroke while releasing a few moans himself as he cries, "...Saphira.."

He closes his eyes, savoring every bit of pleasure that ran through him. Saphira moans louder as she rocked back in sync against him, meeting his thrusts as her hands gripping the forest bedding as wave after wave of pleasure hit her and she cries out, "AH!...Srane!...Ni'ul!...Ra'a ftang!..AH! (Yes!..More!..Don't stop!..)"

Inuyasha could feel the signs of her impending orgasm as he feels her walls quiver and tighten around him. Finally he feels her walls clamped down on him and she screams out her pleasure to the world and with one final thrust Inuyasha follows suit.

The two collapse onto the ground, finally exhausted from their intense love-making. Inuyasha snuggles against her, bury his face in her neck as they lay on their sides.

He then asks curiously, "So..you were a lot more bolder tonight, what brought this on?"

Saphira blushes as she replies, "Sango and Ayame had abit of "girl talk" with me and it kinda delved into our love life thus giving me new ideas, so for the rest of the night all I could think of was getting you alone to try them. I must thank them later."

Inuyasha chuckles as he wraps an arm around her and kisses her neck as he says in an affectionate tone, "Please do."

He then grabs his hoari and drapes it over them both, giving them slight cover should anyone find them. Saphira let's out a small yawn and asks, "Think they'll be mad that we left them?"

Inuyasha smirks as he replies, "Nah it's our night and I don't give a rat's ass even if they are. Now then let's get some sleep."

Saphira nods as she closes her eyes, basking in his warmth and soon succumbs to sleep. Inuyasha soon follows suit and both begin to dream of their bright future ahead of them.