Moe: I know it's been a very long while, and I am terribly sorry! I will have a whole month to use a computer and with that time, im going to finish this! Or die trying!... maybe…. I'll try super hard, I promise!

I do not own Inuyasha or it's characters

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Every day following my first lesson, Shesshomaru would call me into his study to read more on mating. The more I learned, the more nervous yet intrigued I got. I read everything from the woman's specific role in the bedroom to how the birthing process would happen. Whenever I got to the parts about actually being pregnant and having a child, I was extremely tempted to skip over it, but somehow I knew knowing would be a hell of a lot better than being in the dark on the topic.

Even though, during the lessons, Shesshomaru and I only spoke when I had a question, I felt like we were bonding in a way. Though I wanted to deny it, I could feel myself growing fonder of him. Sometimes I'd ask questions I already read the answer to just to hear him talk. No matter how dumb the question seemed, Shesshomaru never got annoyed or treated me like a stupid child. He mostly seemed amused, as though he could tell what I was actually doing.

"Shesshomaru…?" I asked, hesitantly.

"Yes, mate?" He continued with his work.

"Are you….. Um... Nevermind. I... uh.. Forgot." I pretended to go back to reading, but I watched through my eyelashes as Shesshomaru put his pen down and looked over at me.

"Tell me, Mate." He said calmly, not demanding.

"It's stupid..." I muttered, feeling ridiculous.

"Maaaate." He growled softly.

"Well…. Okay, well it's just… Are you… uh… Disappointed that I turned out to be your mate?"

"In what sense?" He responded curiously.

"That I'm a fox and not the same demon as you."

"We're both dog descendants. It doesn't make much of a difference. Though I suppose fox demons are the weakest of the dogs. Even so, they are still a lot stronger compared to other types. Our children will be strong and that's all that matters." He spoke as though this was written fact.

Trying to ignore the insult of weakness, I continued with my real question.

"Are you disappointed that I, of all other fox demons, or anyone for that matter, turned out to be your mate?"

"I'm not… sure… what you're getting at." He replied slowly.

"Like out of everyone on the planet, you're stuck with me."

He didn't respond for a long time, and I really thought he wasn't going to. But he took in a deep breath and stood up, coming to take the chair next to mine.

Awkwardly, his clawed hand reached for mine, but he hesitated and pulled back, resting it in his own lap.

"Suri is a strong, stubborn fox demon. And I am not disappointed to have you as a mate." He said softly. It sounded as though he had a smile, but when I looked to his face it was emotionless. Except for his eyes. That's where his smile was.

Letting my heart, and not my inner demon that was a raging hormonal mess that was ready to get down to business, take over: I leaned in and softly planted a kiss on his lips.

He seemed surprised, but regained his composure and returned it with a lot more passion that I had originally put in. His hand found its way to the back of my neck and held me gently. My heart burst with an unknown warmth and it felt so good it almost hurt. I felt as though I was melting right there, and that was oddly comforting seeing as this appeared to be the absolutely perfect last moment that anyone could ask for.

"Mate?"

I hadn't realized Shesshomaru had pulled back from the kiss. I was temporarily lost in the moment. I had to physically shake my head to regain my composure.

Shesshomaru looked concerned. His eyes searched my face worriedly.

"Mate? Are you alright?" He asked, his eyes turning red in frustration from not being able to tell what the problem was.

"I love you, Shesshomaru." I sighed happily. Blinked. And then realized what words just came from my mouth. "Wait, NO! Shut up!"

"I haven't said anything…" He watched me, confused.

I slapped his hands away from me, jumped up, and ran from the room as fast as I could.

My heart was attempting to break through my chest and it felt as though I was trying to out run the feeling. I didn't pay much attention as to where I was going, until my feet felt soft, tickling grass. I was at the east wall of the castle. Opposite to the gate.

'You could just go. Leave again. Run.' My inner voice offered.

I nodded to myself. It was true. I could run again. Hide so well this time, he'd never get me back. But then I remembered something I had read.

Resisting mating results in madness. A demon will lose all their ability to think clearly and control themselves.

"What the hell am I going to do!?" I growled in frustration.

"Please don't leave." A small voice cried sensitively from behind me.

I turned around just in time to have a small being jump into my arms and hold me tightly.

"Lady Suri, please!" Bani's little tears ran down her face as she pressed herself tightly into me.

"I'd never leave you again, Bani." I soothed.

"No." She shook her head. "Don't leave here… In general."

Her comment surprised me.

"Why?" I pulled her back so that I could see her face.

She wiped her eyes with her small hands and stared up at me pleadingly. She looked so cute!

"Because I know the bad that will happen to you." She sniffed. "You can't ever leave your mate, Lady Suri."

"How did you know?" I questioned softly.

"I know I look, act, and get treated as though I am only a young demon." She explained. "But I'm older than you and Lord Shesshomaru put together."

"But-"She stopped me.

"And my mate died long ago." Her face flashed grief for a moment, before turning back to calm. "Its similar pain you will feel if you just leave. Maybe even worse. I don't want my Lady to go through that."

"Why have you never told me about this? I never would have treated you like a child."

She laughed, shaking her head.

"THAT'S all you got from what I said?"

"Well… no…"

"First off, no insult intended, but you are not a very good demon…"

"Yeah… I know." I sighed.

"You don't know much about demon stuff. Like for instance, Bunny demons ENJOY being taken care of and treated like we are delicate. Mostly because WE ARE!" She smiled. "You treated me perfectly and make a great Master."

I smiled and she hugged me before jumping down to the ground.

"Second off," She continued. "Even though he is incredibly rough around the edges, there is no better mate ANYONE could ask for than Lord Shesshomaru. He always protects his own. He is strong. He is mean. And no one ever dares to mess with him. You are the safest demon the world has ever known. Don't take it for granted."

"Thanks, Bani." I smiled, starting to walk back to the castle with her.

"Oh, uh… One more thing, My Lady…" Bani looked nervous.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Uh, The Lord wanted me to let you know that… Uh… you'll be mated tonight."

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Moe: Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease review!