" It's a bow staff. They have accepted you as his mate, but you need to be able to protect him. Your human. There's a big difference between you and us half demons." said Inuyasha. He glared at Miroku and Miroku smiled. " Do you really think I'd hurt him?" asked Miroku. " If you did, I'd kill you. If I didn't the wolves would. He's had too much betrayal in his life for us to watch him get his heart broken." said Inuyasha.

" I would never do that to him. I love him." said Miroku. " They sensed that you loved him, even before Mr. Lovely over there admitted it." said Inuyasha. As he jerked his thumb in the direction of his brother. " I do you know." said Miroku.

" I really hope you do. I can't see him get hurt again." said Inuyasha. Miroku stood and hugged Inuyasha. " I wouldn't. I give you my word. I wouldn't have marked him if I didn't love him." said Miroku.

Inuyasha growled low in his throat, " You what?" He turned on his heel and stalked over to Sesshomaru. The wolves cleared the way and he knelt down by his head. Sesshomaru rolled onto his back and looked up at Inuyasha through blurry eyes. " Sorry, I know you were about to go to sleep. He said he marked you." said Inuyasha. Sesshomaru bared his neck and Inuyasha gently touched the mark with feather-light fingers. " I can't believe they let him." murmured Inuyasha.

" I'm glad they did. I love him." said Sesshomaru. " I'm glad, but if he hurts you, tell me and I'll use my bow staff. I'm quite out of practice." said Inuyasha. Sesshomaru chuckled. " Of course little brother, but you and I both know I can take care of myself." said Sesshomaru. Inuyasha went to get up, but Sesshomaru's hand clamped around his wrist. Inuyasha laid down and Sesshomaru raised his head. Inuyasha cupped the back of Sesshomaru's neck and Sesshomaru laid his head back down. " Miroku, this does not mean he's weak. He can still kill you if he chose to. You may be his mate, but if you try to protect him when he doesn't need it, I and the wolves will be on you for it." said Inuyasha.

Miroku completely understood why Inuyasha was so protective. He knew not to do that. He was Sesshomaru's mate, but he wasn't going to take it to ridiculous level and try to dominate him. They were equals.

" That bow staff can be hidden underneath your robe. That will tell demons and half demons that he is your mate, not that the mark won't already prove that. There's an aura surrounding that staff. You'll find out in the morning what kind of aura that is." said Inuyasha. " Thank you for trusting me with your brother's heart." said Miroku. " Your welcome." said Inuyasha. With a yawn.

They fell asleep. Miroku sat against the tree watching the wolves. One of the black ones came up to him and looked at him. He then looked at the other wolves, specifically Sesshomaru. " Was Inuyasha right? Do you trust me to take care of him?" asked Miroku. The wolf growled, but his eyes were soft.

" I'm taking that as a yes. You want me to treat him like he's fragile as my mate, but never try and step in for him if a battle arose." said Miroku.

The wolf nodded and an aura suddenly surrounded the wolf. " You are his mate, but you are not part of this pack. We are family. We have helped him with his emotional turmoil. You have helped with his self esteem. We applaud you for giving him someone that understands him, someone who can love him for him. You have given him the security of being a mate. Thank you." said Asmira. Miroku stared in shock at the black wolf.

" I will treat him like the fragile, but deadly rose he is. I hold his heart in my hands and will cherish what he has been sweet enough to give me. Feel free to kill me if I break his heart." said Miroku.