Windsong returned to consciousness slowly; every thing was blurry and surreal before it suddenly all snapped into place. A warm mass was at her back and something heavy pinned her waist and legs. A rumbling purr surrounded her and a familiar calming scent washed over her.

Kouga….

At first she simply laid there, soaking up his scent and presence like a sponge. It had been far too long since she had simply been in his presence. Something inside her relaxed and she found herself squirming about in his arms til they were face to face. Kouga didn't even stir and Song felt a stab of guilt as she took him in. He looked older somehow, like the pain of living without her had aged him.

This is my fault, she thought as she ran her fingertips over his features. Her feather light touch seemed to soothe him into deeper sleep as she traced the dark circles under his eyes and the new lines on his face; smoothing them away with a gentle caress. A peaceful look came over his face and Windsong smiled as he tightened his hold on her with a sigh.

I'll have to make this up to him somehow…I didn't even realize how much it hurt to leave him til I was back in his arms…my mate.

Purring quietly, she snuggled closer as her fingertips continued to dance across his face. A quick glance out the window told her night had fallen and her miko senses told her the only creatures nearby were lesser servants. Her sisters wouldn't be coming to check on her til morning unless Lotus saw something in a vision and needed her.

In short, the night was hers to do what she would.

Smiling, she managed to wiggle free of Kouga's snug embrace and climb to her feet without waking him. Padding quietly across her rug strewn floor, she slipped into her personal privy to relieve herself. Grimacing at her reflection, Song winced as she ran her fingers through her sweat matted hair.

This is just nasty… I have to get clean.

Careful to remain as silent as possible, Song slipped over to check on her sleeping mate. He looked like he would be out for a while and she wasn't about to risk his groggy wrath by waking him early. Smiling lovingly at her weary husband, she flitted over to her wardrobe and snagged a breast band, loincloth, and a simple green silk yakuta that matched her eyes. After a moment's thought she changed the usual loincloth for the scanty thong she had worn on their bonding night and discarded the breast band.

Quick as can be, she slipped out of her bed chamber to the beautiful bathing room Sesshomaru had his servants install; just for her. He said that it was so he didn't have to smell her sweat and stink outside the Dojo, but that's what the public baths were for. Right? Either way, she was grateful and right now she was going to put that lovely gift to good use.

Stripping off the rumpled clothes she was wearing, she quickly scrubbed away all traces of sweat and filth. Another scrubbing and two rinses later, she finally felt clean enough to soak for a moment before drying off and getting dressed. With just a thong and her yakuta to slip into, she was soon dressed and back to watching her mate sleep. Having just slept herself, she wasn't in the least tired and wasn't about to deprive Kouga of a much needed rest.

Restless and unable to sit still, she began her katas minus her bow staff. Slow and smooth, she worked to make her movements flow smoothly from one to the next. Instead of speed and lethality, she concentrated on grace and sensuality.

So deep was her concentration that she didn't even hear Kouga wake.

Kouga slowly swam back into the conscious world as the sound of bare feet on smooth wood pulled him out of his deep sleep. His arms were empty and for a moment he panicked. For one frantic moment he was afraid he had been dreaming and he was back in his den…alone.

Sitting up in a rush, he spotted her across the room and relaxed. She was really here…she was…dancing? It was the only way to describe the way she moved; a fluid, sensuous dance. He eyes wandered over her sleek form.

She's…beautiful

There was new toughness; a new hardness to her body that spoke of long hours spent sparring in the dojo. She was polished; improved til nothing else could match her. Her golden skin was as smooth and soft as ever and still without blemish; but now it flowed over firm muscle. Her hair had grown since she had left and it brushed the floor as she danced. Toned and graceful limbs bore a sheen of sweat and a slight flush from her exertions. Her eyes were closed, he realized as he tore his own hungry gaze from her form to her face; she did not know he was even conscious much less watching her so lustfully. Moving slowly, he climbed to his feet and silently approached her.

Song jerked in surprise, startled when one of her strikes actually hit something! Her eyes flew open and she stuttered to a halt.

"Don't stop yet, love. Dance with me."

His voice was rich with longing and rough with passion. His icey gaze warmed and blazed like the heart of a raging fire; calling to her.

Windsong shuddered in response to the sensual invitation in his delicious body and enthralling voice and his eyes…oh my yes…his eyes threatened to drown her past all reason. Struggling to keep herself from appearing the fool and undoing all she had sought for in these past months of training, she nodded her acceptance. Gracefully she bowed and then took up her beginning stance as cool and collected as she could manage under such…tempting circumstances.

Kouga grinned, scenting her inner turmoil, and mimicked her, waiting for her to make the first move. Slowly she began her dance once more; this time she kept her eyes open.

Amazing, she thought as he seemed to pick every move from her head to counter it perfectly. Testing him, she picked up the pace while keeping her form as flawless as before. So caught up in their dance, she didn't notice that her hastily tied yakuta was slowly slipping open. But Kouga did.

Yea gods…it's been too long…

A light sweat that had nothing to do with the kata they shared broke out on his bronze flesh. He gritted his teeth, not realizing he had gouged his lower lip as he tried to concentrate on matching her movements.

The scent of fresh blood teased her nose as Song sped up once again. Confused, she ran her gaze over her mate as she began to finish up the kata.

Hes not hurt, no cuts; not even bruises…why do I smell- , and then she spotted a thin trickle of red seeping from the corner of his mouth. Flicking her gaze back up to his own icey fire, she swallowed hard. Need, want, longing…plain unadulterated desire; he radiated with it. Slowly, she brought the kata to a graceful halt. Heat raced through her form from head to toe as she ran her gaze over his slick form; and this time she let her gaze linger.

Kouga felt the tickle of blood running down his jaw, but the sensation was lost in the rush of heat that filled him at her lusty gaze. Blushing heavily, Song leaned forward and boldly ran her tongue from his chin, along his jaw, to his mouth; lapping up the blood seeping from his lips. The feel of his skin under her tongue sent shivers down her spine as the taste of him flooded her mouth. His scent spiked with his own lust and she smiled up at him, licking her lips; painting them crimson with his own blood.

With a low moan that was half whimper, half growl, he pulled her flush against him. Burying a hand in her thick hair, he titled her head back to run his tongue along her throat; recommitting her taste to memory. But it wasn't enough. Having her so close at last just set the fire raging and woke the beast within. Tightening his grip on her hair, he forced her to submit to him as he brought his teeth into play against the skin of her throat.

Song moaned, her ears flattened to her skull as Kouga worked his way from the sensitive point under her jaw, and down her neck. Reaching her mating mark at the crook of her neck, he bit her hard. Windsong keened and bucked hard; grinding up against him as pure pleasure surged through her from where his fangs pierced her mark. Growling his approval, he wasted no time in stripping his mate of the silky yakuta.

Song gasped and felt her inner demon rise to the occasion as Kouga's touch left fiery trails over her skin. Whimpering as he drew back to strip off what remained of his own clothes, Song finally let go, giving the beast within free reign like never before. Kouga smirked as he watched his mate's eyes go hazy with desire before her beast was unleashed.

Blue eyes so much paler then his own glowed as her golden face suddenly bore jagged stripes of green edged with gold on each cheek. Her canines pushed out over her bottom lip as she growled an invitation. Stepping close, she rubbed her tail across his slick chest, trailing it down his stomach and lower before flicking it into his face. A shudder rippled through her body and little flecks of light gleamed on her skin like crushed diamonds as her tail continued it's teasing explorations.

Kouga groaned as the silky appendage wandered across his heated flesh. He was sure how much of this sweet torture he could take…but heaven forbid she stop. Muscles twitched and jumped as she trailed it back down his chest and ran it across his stomach before dipping ever lower. A whimper escaped his lips as she turned her attentions to his obvious and most painful desire.

Oh Gods…don't stop…

Song purred as she teased and tortured her eager mate with her silky tail against his flesh. The feel of his hot skin against her one was maddening and a low moan slipped past her lips as she turned and pressed her body to his. A hardness pressed against her belly and stirred her desire to the point of pain. She needed this, needed him; his touch, his taste, the feel of his skin under her fingertips. Like a tree planted in a drought, she soaked up everything he gave and begged for more.

Even if I live for a thousand years, I will never be able to leave him again...my mate...MINE

And as he joined his body to hers for the first time since that fatefull fight so long ago, Windsong became whole once more.

Somewhere within the castle, a healer smiled. Never forget, sister of mine, Brightfeather thought as the sounds of pleasure penatrated the walls about her, He will always come for you; no matter where you are. Always.

--

Author's Note: Hey guys! Sorry this took so long but I got major Writter's Block and couldnt figure how to finish it! Well, I still think its way too rough, but seeing as I haven't updated since November I figured I'll go ahead and post and hope I dont embarass myself too badly...mmmyeah...hides Paul and I just moved recently so we have no internet and no computer...it sucks...Just know that as soon as I get a computer of my own I'll be wizzing through my fanfictions...until then I'll do my best to get my sorry butt to the library, lol

R&R Please!

Enjoy!

Shaliken