Have I ever explained what Ayame actually looks like? I don't think so. It is important to the story at some point. Ayame is still a little round, he hasn't really grown into his adult features yet. His skin is really pale, which accentuates the freckles going from one cheek, across his nose, and to the other. He's about 5'3 as well. Rather short when he's put next to all the demons he lives with. His has little feet too. I don't know why but I can just see him as having smallish feet. As we all know, his hair is red. Well, more orange. It's like the color of an actual orange with blonde highlights. His eyes are really big and always look like he's going to cry. He smiles a lot so his teeth are plainly visible. He religiously cleans his teeth. When he lived with Teishu he often ate apples, they whiten and clean teeth. Now that he lives with Sesshy he has access to a form of toothpaste and toothbrush. He also cleans his finger and toe nails a lot. He's a very clean little guy...So yeah. That's what Ayame looks like. it is important. Not just me taking up space. Also, be forewarned, this is a Hiroko centric chapter, probably the next one as well. I love Hiroko. He's so cool. He's the only person in the world who can insult Sesshomaru and not be killed. Yeah...ENJOY!

"Ayame, tell me, why are you so embarrassed to let Lord Sesshomaru see you without clothes?" Hiroko asked, checking the mark on his stomach.

Sesshomaru could not see Ayame's face but he could smell his embarrassment. He could also hear him shift closer to Hiroko.
"Will you promise not to say anything?" He whispered.
"I promise."
"I'm in love with Lord Sesshomaru...I don't want him to be disgusted because I'm human."
"Well now, that is interesting."

--

Ayame sighed boredly and stroked the thin sheets of his futon. He'd begged Hiroko and Sesshomaru to let him sleep in it, rather than Sesshomaru's bed.
"Master Hiroko..."He said, looking over at the black eyed demon.
Hiroko had been hiding from some of his duties by saying he was taking care of Ayame. Instead he'd been staring out the window for a few hours. "Hmm?"
"I'm really bored...When can I go back to working?" He asked softly.
Hiroko blinked, "Not for a few more days."

He stood up and went to sit next to Ayame on the floor. "Maybe I could bring you some books or games?"
Ayame nodded, smiling brightly.

He watched Hiroko rub his arm, something he seemed to do a lot. He stared at it for about a minute, getting a glimpse of a name. "Master Hiroko, you have a mate, yes?"
Hiroko smiled and nodded. "Yes. You know of demon mating rituals?"
Ayame nodded, "Teishu taught me." He paused and put on his sweetest smile, "Can I see?"
Hiroko looked hesitant, demons kept the two marks of mating hidden most of the time. He looked at Ayame and sighed, "Yes." He pulled back the sleeve of his robe and held his arm out to the human.
Ayame's eyes flashed over the mark. "Happiness...Tower...Fly..." His face scrunched in concentration, "Korohi?"

Hiroko nodded. On his arm the characters for happiness, tower, and fly where carved in. It was the most basic mating mark. During a lengthy ceremony the two demons used a special blade, very similar to a scalpel, to write their names on their mates arms. It connected them. Touching or rubbing it gave the other mate comfort.
"That must have hurt!" Ayame blurted suddenly.
Hiroko laughed, "It did. I damned his mother for a long time for giving him such a long name...But then I realized my name is just as long."

Ayame giggled. He suddenly leaned forward, causing Hiroko to push him back so he wouldn't hurt his stomach. "Meh...Do you have children?"
Hiroko blinked. "You're just full of questions today."
Ayame's eyes widened, "Oh! I'm sorry Master Hiroko!"
Hiroko chuckled. "It's fine Ayame. I don't blame you for being curious. But, yes, I do have children. Two sons and an egg."
Ayame stared at him blankly, "An egg,sir?"
Hiroko ran his fingers through his hair, seemingly diverting his eyes. "Bird demons lay eggs...Really. Big. Eggs."

"Will I ever get to meet your sons?" Ayame asked.
Hiroko shrugged, "Maybe. They're usually busy with their studies."
"And your mate?"
Hiroko's face fell, "No. I doubt it."
Ayame looked down,"Oh...Why not?"
Hiroko rubbed his wrist, "My mate is very ill. He doesn't leave our home much anymore."
Ayame's chewed on his lower lip. "I'm sorry."
Hiroko smiled suddenly, "You have nothing to apologize for." he stood up and stretched. "I think I'd better go. Lord Sesshomaru will be angry if he finds out I've been slacking off."
Ayame nodded, "I won't say anything."
Hiroko winked at him, "I'll have someone bring you something to do then."

The crane existed the room, calmly closing the door. He walked forward, further down the hall, looking around to see if anyone was around. When he saw the hall was empty he slumped against a wall and started rubbing his arm. His mate was in pain, he could feel it. He did his best to think happy and comforting thoughts.
"Korohi?" He called in his mind, "Please answer."
After several seconds he heard the weak voice of his mate, "What's wrong, my love?"
Hiroko made a soft cooing sound in the back of his throat, "Are you okay? Do you need anything?"
Hiroko's only answer was another volley of pain from his mate.
"I'm coming home." He said, standing up.
"No, Hiroko." His mate said sternly.
Hiroko's inner demon told him to listen to his mate but he shook his head to clear it away. "I'm coming home." He repeated, trying not to hyperventilate.
Uke's almost never went against their mate. Their inner demon usually stopped them, saying the seme was meant to protect them and any order they gave was for their protection. Most uke would get panic attacks if they went against their mate.
Hiroko didn't care if he did start panicking. He needed to make sure Korohi was okay. His gut feeling said, no. He wasn't.