When I woke up a few days later I was happy to find that everything had healed, including my ankle, and my hair was back to it's usual silver color. I smiled and twirled it between my fingers. Everyone was still asleep, Rin and Jaken were curled up against Ah-Un and Sesshomaru was sitting up against a tree. His face looked calm and peaceful and I smiled. It was nice seeing him without the always serious and stern look that he wore. Even when he was happy he always had an elegant and graceful presence about him, but while he slept it was different, delicate almost. I decided to go for a walk and maybe find some fruit along the way. When I got about a half mile or so away from the others I picked up a familiar scent.

"Koga?" I asked out loud.

Koga jumped down from a cliff and smiled, "Princess what an honor it is to meet you again. I hope I did not cause too much trouble for you last time."

I smiled and lied, "No, not at all."

"Oh my beautiful Sassha there's no need to lie to me. Why not leave your brothers and run away with me? I'll treat you right, you can be my queen. My tribe would be honored to have such a fine Chieftess," Koga said.

I giggled, "That's nice but..."

"Sasshamaru!" Katsuo called excitedly, "I thought I heard your voice."

"Katsuo!" I called happily running to him, "How are you?"

"Fine. Really great actually, see?" He grabbed a handful of flowers and handed them to me with his previously injured arm.

"That's great, I guess it didn't take as long as Lady Kaede expected," I answered.

"That and she gave me a few really strong herbal remedies," He explained.

"Ah that would do it," I answered smiling.

Koga cleared his throat, "And who is this?"

"Oh Koga, this is Katsuo, we met the other day. Katsuo, this is Koga," I explained.

"Chief of the Yokai wolf tribe," Koga added.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Katsuo asked bluntly.

"No," I answered. Koga looked at me wearing a hurt expression on his face.

"Well, not exactly," I answered.

"What, do you like him more?" Koga asked.

"Well I..." I began.

"Sasshamaru?" Sesshomaru called.

"Run!" I whispered frantically, "You shouldn't be here Katsuo, go back to the village. You shouldn't stray so far away."

"But I missed you," Katsuo answered.

I smiled, "I'll see you again soon, just hurry. If he finds you we're both dead!"

Katsuo nodded and bolted in the opposite direction.

"What was that about, why aren't you trying to protect me?" Koga asked.

"It's a long story," I answered, "Besides you don't need my protection."

"But you like him more?" Koga asked.

"I...I don't know. Besides my brother would never approve of him. Whether he admits it or not he would approve of you a lot quicker. A Chief of the yokai wolf tribe is a lot further up on his preferred list of suitors than a human demon hunter," I explained, "Just don't say anything, please?"

"Fine but you owe me one then," He smirked.

"One what?" I asked.

"Oh you'll see," He answered slyly.

I smirked too, "Fine, we have a deal oh mighty Chief."

He stepped in closer, "Give me a chance and I'll show you just how mighty I can be." I giggled.

Sesshomaru just made it to us, "Why didn't you answer me when I called sister?"

"Sorry brother, I was a bit preoccupied," I answered honestly.

"Sesshomaru, nice to see you again," Koga greeted.

"What's that smell?" Sesshomaru asked, "There was someone else here?"

"One of my younger newcomers was here, but he went to run an errand for me," Koga lied, completely at ease.

"Well then, let's go Sassha," Sesshomaru ordered.

"Coming Sir," I answered.

Koga grabbed my wrist and pulled me back, "Lord Sesshomaru, I would like to spend some more time with your sister, if that's okay with you?" Koga asked. Sesshomaru stared at him blankly for a second, probably shocked that he had finally respected his title as a lord. That did shock me as well, but not as much as my brother's response.

"Is that what you want?" Sesshomaru asked. I blinked at a complete loss for words and then nodded in response.

"Words Sassha, use them," Sesshomaru snapped.

I rubbed my arm nervously, "Uh-um yeah."

He raised his eyebrows at me and I straightened quickly, "Yes Sir."

"Fine, when you're done you know how to find us," Sesshomaru said.

I gaped after him in shock before turning to Koga and smiling, "What was that?"

He shook his head, "I don't know. I'm kind of shocked myself. Maybe he finally realized who the real lord here was." He grabbed me and pulled me into his arms.

I smirked, crossed my arms, and narrowed my eyes at him, "You called him lord remember?"

He smirked and nuzzled my neck playfully, "And I called you my chieftess remember?" I blushed.

I gasped when I felt his teeth on my neck, "Ahh..."

He kissed the spot where his bite mark remained,"Mmmm..."

"And what did you call me?" He asked.

I smirked, "I can't remember." He nibbled my neck again more roughly.

"Ahhh...ahh... okay, okay mighty chief," I answered.

It was his turn to smirk, "I told you I'd prove it to you."

Arms still crossed, I narrowed my eyes at him and looked away with an expression between a pout and a smirk, "You're mean."

He chuckled and pulled my face towards his, "Yes but you like that don't you?"

I blinked in surprise and blushed, my cheeks burning with embarrassment at the accusation.

He pulled me up roughly, making me stand on the tips of my toes. Our bodies were pressed tightly against each other and I could not look away from him, "Don't you Sassha?"

"Y-yes," I answered.

"Yes what?" He asked expectantly.

"Sir?" I asked with confusion.

"No my dear, you need not call me Sir, only my pack addresses me as such, I want to hear you call my name in that sweet voice of yours," He answered.

"Yes Koga," I smiled.

"I can be anything you want me to be, I can be rough and harsh, or sweet and caring, depending on the situation of course, but my point here is that you need not look for anyone else. I will always be here for you my love," He spoke in an authoritative yet delicate voice that sent chills down my spine.

I leaned into him, not realizing how exhausted I had felt until he held me in his arms,"Let me show you something."

I smiled and whimpered, "Can't we just stay here for a while?"

"Not with your brother counting down, trust me you'll love this, and you don't even have to walk," He said.

He spun around and picked me up onto his back. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he ran. He was fast that's for sure, and yet for some reason I felt safe with him. Here I was, the first okay I ever had to go off with a guy alone, now allowing him to carry me to some unknown location. Was it the wisest decision I ever made? Probably not, but man did it feel good, and so right.

He carried me into a cave, it was dark at first, but after a moment we walked through a passage with bright green vines that dangled down over the door, and inside, or rather outside, there was a large mountainous crater, and in the middle there was a lavish waterfall that flowed down into a lake beneath. There were many different passageways, just like the one we came through, that headed off in different directions along the outside of the crater's walls. But the valley within was beautiful, blossom trees stood in full bloom around the edges of the valley. The meadow that stretched across glimmered with brightly colored flowers of all different types. It was like their own world.

"What is this?" I asked.

"Mine," He answered.

"All of it?" I asked.

"All of it," He explained, "This is where we live. The different passages include our homes, and our medicinal area, important things like that."

"This is amazing Koga, beautiful, you must be a great leader," I told him.

He smiled proudly, "I like to think so."

"KOGA!" The kids below shouted, "Koga's back mommy, it's Koga!" "Koga come join us!" "Please Koga please!"

Koga shook his head and winked at me, "You think you're up for it?"

I laughed, "Who do you think I am?" I pulled off my robe and draped it over a nearby tree limb, "Let's go."

Koga smiled appreciatively as he looked me up and down, he pulled at the white hadajuban I wore underneath, "You know you could take it all off?" We stood at the edge of the cliff ready to jump.

I pushed him playfully, "Koga, there are children present."

"We could go somewhere more private if you like?" He asked.

My answer shocked him, a stronger push over the cliff sent him falling into the water below. I jumped in immediately after him. The water was warm and gave off a sweet floral aroma. When I resurfaced Koga grabbed me immediately.

I moaned at the force behind it and threw my head back as he whispered in my ear, "You'll pay for that one later."

I smiled and shivered despite the warmth of the water and his body against mine, "Oh I hope so."

"I knew you weren't as innocent as you look," He said.

I smiled playfully, "What gave you that impression, and I have no idea what you mean." The kids beside us giggled, making me realize that we weren't alone. I pulled away from him quickly and blushed.

But the children were to eager to see Koga to notice, "I wanna push Koga off the cliff next." "No me!" "I wanna do it too!" "Me first!"

Koga looked at the four children, "No you all know we don't roughhouse on the cliffs. What my friend Sassha did was very naughty."

"Are you going to punish her?" One of the boys asked.

"Later," He answered, making my blush deepen further, "For now let's have some fun!" We played for a while and it was a lot of fun, but I was really anxious to see what he had in store for me. So finally, whether out of mercy or his own anxious feelings, he grabbed my hand and led me to the shallow area.

"Aww you're leaving?" one boy asked.

"Yes," Koga answered, "We have a lot of important things to do."

"But-" The boy started. "Shhh or you'll be punished too!" A girl whispered. "Ohh is that what they're?" She covered his mouth. "Bye come back soon okay?" "Yeah we'll miss you!" "You better visit!"

Koga led me out and draped a cloth over my head, laughing at their goodbyes. I couldn't help but laugh as well. He massaged my wet hair soothingly and I relaxed into his touch. Then, all too soon, the cloth was stripped away and the only touch I felt was a firm grip that he placed around my wrist. He led me through another passage and into a wide open space. I could tell instantly by the scent that this room had to be his. Despite the ample amount of room, it still felt warm and cozy.

My thoughts were cut short as he shoved me back against the wall, "Now about earlier." I whimpered.

"You dangerously and disrespectfully shoved me, in front on my tribe. Unfortunately for you, I can't let such a discretion slide. If my tribe were to find out, or think that I'd gone soft..." He spoke.

I was pretty sure half of his words were for show but it worked, it really worked... I clenched my thighs together tightly, "What are you going to do to me?"

He smiled, "I'm going to punish you Sasshamaru, and in a way I am positive that you are used to." He pulled me along swiftly and pulled a stool out with his foot and sat down, without ever letting go of my wrist. I wondered briefly if he thought I might flee, but there was no way that I was going to miss this. The thin white cloth clung to my body, still soaked from the water. He tugged it down and gave me a sharp smack. I yelped and wiggled earning myself a soft moan. I grinned evilly and when the next smack landed, I moaned and wiggled even more.

Another moan escaped and he growled at me playfully, "You really are a handful, even more than I had expected." I bit my lip to keep my smile from widening further as I regained my control.

Then I answered in the most innocent voice that I could muster, "I have no clue what you mean, Ko-ga."

He gave me another smack and leaned down over me, close to my ear, "It's okay, I like the challenge."

Another smack followed and I was overcome with sensation. The stinging warmth that lingered was in perfect unison with the hot air I felt at the nape of my neck every time he took a breath. He trailed warm wet kisses from the top of my neck to my collarbone, where he paused and nipped me. The piercing sensation shot through me causing my back to arch as my toes curled. That was definitely going to leave a mark, hopefully one that I could hide until it healed. But at this moment I didn't care. It was just the two of us in the world, and nothing else mattered.

Another smack followed and then he picked me up bridal style and carried me across the room. I was thrown onto his bed and he embraced me. My brain did it's best to fight through the fog that had succumbed me. Was this going to be it? I wasn't sure if I was ready. I had never expected this moment to come so soon and it definitely wasn't on my mind when I woke up this morning, or on the list of things to do today.

He must have seen the look in my eyes because he smiled, "No sweet Sassha, I would never make you do anything you don't want to do, remember? Besides in my tribe it is tradition to be married before that." I smiled, relieved, as I clung to him.