Author's Note: CITRUS: Everyone I've never written anything like this before so I may have to edit…Thanks to:White Alchemist Taya, sohnaka, inu-yokai, icecat and Jonny Vodka for all the reviews.

Icecat: Geez never wrote anything like this before girl, I sure hope my protestant up bringing didn't ruin it…;)

White Alchemist Taya: I will go back and fix spellings in CH 5, and I'm sorry for it's length I may edit it and ch 7 since I sense sarcasim… :)

Again, this is my first Fanfic of any sort so please, tell me what you think, any suggestions you might have on how to make it better are always welcome. –KK

Disclaimer: I don't own, Sesshou, or any other inu char's, I barely own a beat to hell Dodge. Takahashi Rumiko: if you want it, the van is yours. (Please pay for delivery.)

For Amalie's Love

Chapter 10: Garden of Delights

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Amalie

We spent a pleasant hour in the conservatory before dinner, and I found myself relaxing in his presence, talking freely and enjoying his company until his servant announced the meal and I followed Sesshomaru to the dinning hall.

Dinner turned out to be rice; tender bits of steak cooked only long enough to make them warm, with vegetables, all sauteed in a sweet teriyaki sauce. "Forgive the fair, I was not expecting guests." He didn't sound apologetic, but then I was becoming accustomed to the matter-of-fact tone he used for most conversation and didn't expect anything else.

"I don't mind, it's a vast improvement on my original dinner plans."

"You did not mention plans."

"Oh, it's not like I had reservations, unless I left them at home with my TV dinner and the TiVo." My brash remark was rewarded with an imperceptible upturning of his mouth. Score. I thought unaccountably please with myself, Stop that, you can't afford to have feelings for him. I scolded myself but I couldn't eradicate the thrill just being in his presence gave me. I longed for the warmth I had felt with him earlier, and so much more and I fought to distance myself from those longings and him. The sober setting of the dining room leant itself to me, assisting me into a more formal comportment.

"No masses to slaughter or yokai to liberate or inconvenience tonight?" he mocked.

"No." I said shortly, coaching myself back into stoicism, using it as a shield to hold back the temptation of him. A slight frown creased his brow momentarily before he turned his attention back to his untouched meal. We ate in silence, but it was obvious neither one of us where interested in consuming the repast. I fumbled with my chopsticks trying to get a mouthful of rice and finally gave up, finishing the meat and vegetables clumsily. Placing the troublesome instruments on the rim of the bowl I pushed it away slightly and sat back in my chair. Sesshomaru was watching me from across the table intently as he deftly finished his food. I blushed feeling a need to justify my clumsiness. "I'm far to accustomed to just shoveling things into my mouth. I think chopsticks require far more grace and patience to operate than I will ever have."

He set his utensils thoughtfully on the table and sat back in is chair. "I believe you have a great deal of grace, however, or acquaintance is far to short to pass judgment on your measure of patience."

I chuckled ruefully, "My mother always told me patience was one of the many virtues I would never acquire in this or any other lifetime."

"You must have had some measure of patience to torture prisoners and deftly plan assaults on your victims." I winced at his words; though true, to hear my former life summed up in those words, from him, wounded me. Yet, the pain was more comfortable and easily face than the other emotions he provoked in me.

"The planning of an assault, and the interrogation of a prisoner requires patience, but it's not the calm, polite patience of a social setting. It's a calculated, adrenaline instilled venture. Mistakes made in the planning or handling of a prisoner could result in the deaths of you and your team, not just an upset host and spilled tea." I replied sagaciously.

"You sound as if you are quoting someone." His half lidded gaze belied the intensity of his eyes.

"Myself, I would tell impetuous new recruits that, whenever they complained about their boredom." He nodded and stood, following his lead we went to an adjoining room and found a quiet parlor with a crackling fire and pillows strewn near it. My dog lay on a large red pillow, basking in the radiated heat. Gracefully he glided down to sit near the hearth and I again repeated his actions and soon we where both comfortably reclined fireside. It was really quite cozy, but worry gnawed at me. Danger, danger Will Robison, danger, I should leave, now. I reflected urgently trying to think of a way to politely take my leave, but he spoke first.

"Do you miss your life?"

"You mean with the DK, and my family?" He nodded curtly, "I miss feeling like I belong somewhere, and sometimes I miss my sisters, and my father. I never really knew my brothers that well, and mother…" I trailed off trying to find the words, "We are not close." In finished lamely, unable to put into words the level of animosity my mother and I held for each other. Yet he nodded as if he understood. He doesn't speak fondly of his father either, maybe he can empathize, but I turned my thoughts away from the dangerous idea and continued into safer territory. I sighed with true regret and said, "I should leave, the dinner was a nice gesture and I've had a wonderful time, but I don't need to be here."

"Do you find my company so repellant?" His question caught me off guard; his piercing eyes arrested my own and I could not look away. His proximity was to close for me to think clearly, and my answer was more honest than I would have liked.

"No, I don't find you repellant at all, far from it; which is exactly why I should leave." I wanted to stand but I could not bring myself to move to leave him. His hand came forward and softly brushed a strand of hair back from my face. His fingers caressed my ear as he tucked the lock behind it and an uncontrolled shiver coursed down my spine as his hand came to rest on my shoulder. He leaned towards me and I could no longer smell anything but him; his impassive face was the only thing I could see.

"You haunt me. I cannot go a day, or even an hour without thoughts of you clambering in my mind. With you here, my mind is at peace, but I am at war with my sentiments." His voice was a ragged whisper, and his icy composure had cracked into a troubled facade. Somehow, through the rising flood with in my chest I managed to find my voice.

"I do not think I can take the blame for you troubled mind, or you disjointed feelings since you are the specter that frequents me and causes no end of discontent to my life." He was to close and my heart was only increasing its tempo.

"So, I am not the only one," I could not take my eyes from his lips, I was entranced.

"I told you that before." I replied irritably, still unable to lift my gaze from his enticing mouth, hoping he would not reply, hoping the movement would cease and I could break the spell.

"Indeed." And his hand trailed from my shoulder gently down my arm, another involuntary shiver went through me, and then he licked his dry lips and I was undone. Against my will, my body leaned forward and without my mind's consent I kissed him. He did not rebuff me. The hand that was on my arm moved down my back as he pulled me to him, returning my advance as his other arm wrapped around my waist. I unintentionally rolled on top of him, lost in the kiss. My tongue hungrily invaded his mouth and I eagerly tasted him, a low growl came from the back of my throat and was echoed by his own as my thighs straddled his hips. The hand on my back rubbed frantically at my tucked in tee shirt looking for access to flesh. Irritably he broke the kiss and rolled me on onto my back yanking at the offending garment until it was ripped from me.

The violence of the act brought me back to my senses a little as he deftly removed my bra. Panting I said, "This isn't right, Sesshomaru we can't…" I trailed off as his hot tongue captured my left nipple viciously and all thought was washed away in a wave of pleasure. Sluggishly my brain fought to regain control I pushed him back from me laying into the pillows as cooler air filled the void and breathlessly I tried to piece a coherent thought together. "Sesshomaru, "I tried again.

"Don't." Command, plea it was hard to tell, his breathing was as ragged as my own as his hands moved over my exposed stomach swiftly and my eyes trailed them as he reached for the button of my jeans. I let out a noise in protest as he moved to unfasten them and I reached for his hand. Our eyes met and I saw the dangerous need I felt echoed in his eyes as his yokai radiated barely contained violence. Instead of being frightened something in me responded and the overwhelming wave of desire undid my resolve as my yokai answered his own. Reaching down, and never removing my eyes from his face, I unfastened my jeans for him.

A wicked, predatory grin flashed across his face as, with one quick tug, my pants where taken from me. His hands gripped my hips before he realized I was not wearing any panties. A genuine look of surpised delight touched his features. Seizing the moment I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him into my embrace kissing him furiously as my hands began to deftly divest him of his shirt. Before I could start on his slacks, however, his fingers insinuated themselves into the pooling wetness between my thighs and my body bowed back reflexively with the pleasure his skillful ministrations produced. I moaned and he responded with a low rumble.

I felt his mouth again at my breasts and I was lost in the sensation. I don't know how his pants where removed, or when, but my next coherent recollection was of his hands gripping my hips and his penetration. The length of him slid in smoothly, a moan escaping his lips as I reflexively squeezed him. The feeling caused me to gasp my own delight and then we were moving to the rhythm of our need, encouraged by the flood of sensation until I cried out and my body spasmed in release.

Sweat dampened my flushed body. Through hooded eyes I gazed up at his physique in the firelight. He too gleamed with sweat, and his naked torso magnificent in its alien beauty. He was not overly muscular, but his body was molded into taunt athleticism by years of training. Stripes matching those on his smoothly carve features where echoed at his hips and on the wrists of the hands that would not cease their exploration of my curves as he studied the flesh beneath them.

I bore no markings on my body beyond the ones left to me from past battles. One lone claw gently raked over a scar I had to the left of my belly button before trailing downward stroking other abrasions on my person. I pulled him to me and licked the sweat on his chest, tasting him, I drew my tongue up to the pulsing vein in his neck, a shock went through me as I gently suckled and let lose a primal growl of my own. My claws raking gently down his back I was rewarded with another moan as I thrust my hips forward enjoying the feeling of moving him inside me. He remained still for several moments, his hands gripping my hips, the feeling of his claws on my sensitive skin only encouraging me to move slower, drawing the pleasure out. I gently nibbled on his throat, letting my teeth graze his flesh, his eyes fluttered shut. I bit down, bruising, but not breaking the flesh and he growled. Roughly turning me onto my stomach and entered me from behind as I went to my knees.

The ferocity of his actions was instinctive and brutal; yet instead of being alarmed by the sudden change in manner something deep with in me lurched forward in hungry, needy response as he pounded into me. My hands gripped the pillows beneath me violently as I threw my hips into his rhythm and I grunted with the effort as by mind and body were carried in a dizzying cyclone of pleasure.

The ecstasy, the need and the animal lust consumed me in that moment, it felt so right, so natural I could not question it as our bodies moved in a dance that was older than time and everything else was washed away by the shear force of it. I let him push me from my knees and felt his full weight settle onto as he continued the driving greedy motion of his hips. His hands ran up my body and I cried out in rapture when he ferociously yanked my hair away from my neck and I could feel myself nearing my climax.

He slowed his pace for a moment and I whimpered agonizingly, so lost in the moment and the need that I was fully ready to beg him not to stop when his mouth came down on the soft spot where my neck met my shoulder and he bit hard, sending me over the brink. I cried out in my release grinding into him and I felt my entire lower half tighten with it and a strangled cry came from him as his body tensed in his own orgasm.

After, I lay there, too stunned to think; my mind overloaded from the pleasure. He rolled me to my side, still inside me and lapped at the wound in my neck it sent tiny rippling shivers through me. It was a delicious sensation. A contended rumble emanated from his throat and I sighed in response, unable to speak as long as he continued to lick me, and several moments more after he had ceased.

When my brain began to work again, and I realized I was feeling far too comfortable in his embrace, I should never have let that happen. I wanted to lean into him and let his warmth become my own. I wanted to mold my body to his and fall asleep in his arms.

I sighed and pulled away from him, preparing to stand. His arm shot out and wrapped around my waist holding me against him. "Don't," he said colorlessly.

"I have to go, I shouldn't be here." I responded struggling to sit, he released me and I sat brushing my hair out of my face and my gaze roamed to room, looking everywhere but at his perfect naked body on the pillows next to me, I located my jeans and reached for them.

"You should be here." He said, pushing himself to a sitting position and reaching for me. I froze as he grasped my shoulders and forced me face him. "You belong here, with me, now and forever." His words sent a shiver down my spine and something deep inside me agreed with his words. For the first time in three years, my yokai, and I wanted the same thing. We both wanted him, and it frightened me.

I shook my head in denial to the longing with in me; "This is insane, what the hell is wrong with me, with you?" I replied accusingly trying to pull away. His yokai crashed over me then and the mark on my shoulder burned in response. I felt overwhelming rage boil out of him, but the mark on my shoulder ached and I felt a terrible longing and hurt that I also knew instinctively was his, masked by the rage. My hand went to the mark as my eyes widened and sorrow lurched in my stomach as I fell away from him in shock.

I did not want to be the cause of that pain. He turned away hiding his face from me, and every line of his body announced controlled rage.

I had read about the power of a mate's mark in the journals of DK prisoners, but I never expected to feel it for myself. It should have horrified me, it should have enraged me, and I should have been disgusted by the fact that I had not only fucked a demon but I'd also enjoyed it. Instead my mind was preoccupied by the injury I had just caused him, in my refusal. A confused cacophony of regrets and arguments raged in my mind. I could not bring myself to leave him, hate him or deny my feelings for him.

I let my jeans fall from my hands with a sigh, "Sesshomaru…" he looked towards me and his contempt fill visage greeted my pleading eyes and I knew that this was not something that sat easy with him either. I moved to him, sitting on his lap I straddled his hips, wrapped my arms around his neck and gazed into his eyes. "I don't care how, or why this came about. I want to be here, at your side, and in your bed, for as long as I can. This is where I belong."

He hugged me close and I rested my head on his shoulder and relaxed into the embrace. From deep inside something rose in me, and my head turned, I nuzzled his neck, my tongue came out and licked the spot where it met his shoulder, and then I bit down, hard. I heard him gasp and his arms tightened reflexively around me. His blood, sweet and thick met my lapping tongue and I felt his yokai respond. "Yes." He growled into my ear and the sound and the spicy aroma of his yearning body made me wet. He shifted me in his lap and entered me again greedily as we both gave into our desires, and I knew neither of us would get any sleep that night as I brought my legs up and wrapped them avariciously around his waste.

Sesshomaru

She had been silent during the short drive to the house opting to stare out the window rather than converse with him. The dog remained quiet in the back seat, but then domestic dogs always behaved well around their betters. When the car halted in front of the door she was out of her seatbelt and standing in the drive waiting for her pet to exit the vehicle before the engine was off. He wondered at her odd behavior, she appeared to be calm, but her erratic behavior signaled and underlying nervousness that intrigued him.

"Are you uncomfortable, being here?" He asked more out of curiosity than concern.

"No." She said shortly and looked to him expectantly, her dog ran up the steps to the front door and sat, waiting patiently for them to join him. Sesshomaru nodded once and precede her up the stairs. The front door opened before they reached it, and an ancient, obese kappa greeted them.

"You are early, Sesshomaru-sama, welcome home!" Eyeing Amalie suspiciously the toad continued, "I did not know you where expecting a guest, Sesshomaru-dono." The toad sounded more reproachful than respectful, but his master was obviously accustomed to this behavior.

"No, it was a surprise. Make sure there is enough food prepared for two, no special preparations are necessary, have tea brought to the greenhouse and then see that we are not disturbed." The little yokai's face scrunched up in disbelieving shock and he looked ready to protest his master's decision, but Sesshomaru circumvented the impending outburst, "Jaken, I want that done now and make sure this dog is shown to the front room." His commanding tone held an edge of violence; it was not something you would disagree with lightly, and the toad apparently not at all.

"Yes Sesshomaru-sama." He said bowing quickly and fled from them. Sesshomaru did not even spare a glance to his companion as he strode down the hall, expecting her to follow, silently she did.

He led her towards the back of the house and into a conservatory. She stood in stunned amazement by the door as he gracefully sat at the garden table near a magnificent waterfall in miniature. The waterfall fell from a height of at least nine feet, tumbling down basalt rocks before pooling in a basin so deep a casual observer could not readily discern a bottom to it. Some of the water ran out into a little stream feeding the surrounding vegetation of bamboo trees, orchids, lilies and hundreds of others. The smell of wet earth, ozone, and flowers caressed them; the sound of the waterfall was soothing to overactive ears and the whole scene was comforting to hypersensitive yokai senses. Her eyes closed, she took a deep breath and her entire body visibly relaxed. Sesshomaru allowed himself a short lives smile of satisfaction as he watched her lean into the doorjamb. Several moments passed before she opened her eyes and looked to him sheepishly, by then he had regained his customary composure.

"I'm sorry this place is," she paused struggling with her thoughts, "Overwhelming."

"There is no need for you to apologize." He said moving the chair next to him out from the table invitingly. He knew perfectly well that his surroundings complimented his features and the light reflecting off the water made his hair shine. It gave him an unfair advantage, yet he was not interested in playing fair, he was interested in winning his prize.

She approached him warily, claimed the proffered seat and gazed upon him consideringly. She opened her mouth to speak, but Jaken chose that time to arrive noisily with the tea. "Your tea Sesshomaru-sama." He did not answer the toad, but just waited for him to set the things down, pour the tea and leave. He stood then and went to the entrance. Without looking through the doorway or around the corner he said, "Jaken, leave now." The servant's whining apologizes could be heard receding down the hall for a moment, before they where again left in the peace of the garden and he turned his full attention back to her.

"He is very loyal." She commented and as he thought of how to reply, she changed the subject, "How long have you lived in this house?" He reclaimed his chair to her right and answered thoughtfully.

"Hmm, I purchased it two years into the Meiji Restoration so… One hundred and seventeen years, give or take."

"You've obviously redecorated a few times since then, these chairs and this table are British wrought iron and these pillows can't possibly last more than ten years, especially with the frequent use they see." He cocked a quizzical eyebrow at her, "your seat cushion." She reached forward and ran her hand a long a worn spot in the cushion near his leg, "it's fraying around the edges and is unevenly faded by the sun. Evidence that someone sits here regularly." She looked up at him and apparently just then realizing her proximity to his person; she sat back abruptly and blushed slightly, folding her hand into her lap.

"You are very observant, I myself had not noticed the depauperate condition of my furniture." He commented coolly his eyes not leaving her face. She looked away, in apparent embarrassment.

"I did not mean to insult your furnishings, it's a very lovely room and I only meant to comment on its noticeable comfort and frequent use…" She trailed off with a helpless wave of her hands her eyes fixed on a point somewhere to her left and toward the far wall.

"I am not insulted, it was a valid observation." He replied reaching for his tea. She looked up at him apologetically and took her own tea.

"I'm usually much better at conversation than this." She remarked sipping her tea.

"I am quite proficient at conversations regarding my business, but I do not have much opportunity for social discussion. I find it difficult and often unpleasant, the hindrance may lie there." She thoughtfully stared into her teacup, taking several sips before speaking again, "The tea is lovely."

"Yes."

"Well since you have now admitted that business is a comfortable topic I am obligated, out of polite curiosity, to ask what exactly it is you do." She gave him an impish smile that hinted at mischief.

"I buy companies, improve them, and then either arrange to have them managed by a subsidiary company or sell them depending on their success." She sighed in mock exasperation her eyes rolling heavenward before setting her tea on the table and leaning towards him, laughter in her eyes.

"I read the business section of the times, and I have a subscription to Forbes. I asked what it was you do, personally." She was mocking him, and he wanted to be irate about it, but she was too close. Her scent in his nose confused his normal pattern of thought and it was a struggle for him to maintain his usual icy composure, he had no energy left to find anger or annoyance.

"I make decisions on what to buy and what to sell, I meet with the head of each company and my subordinated to negotiate these transactions and I am the final say on the way each company is operated." She leaned away from him, but the confusing mix of sensations that her nearness had caused to roll in his stomach did not subside. He drank some if his tea, hoping to calm himself.

"Taisho Corp. currently owns ninety seven companies globally, purchasing on average three a month and selling twelve a year and you over see all of those transactions?" Her voice betrayed unabashed admiration. He was surprised by her knowledge and flattered by her appreciative words.

"Yes." He replied with a solemn nod.

Shaking her head ruefully she asked, "So you mean to tell me you are negotiating the Denhild buyout, the purchase of Medicon and the sale of Genco Nutrilab all at once and you managed to leave the office before five on a Thursday?" He was shocked and suspicious of her knowledge.

"How did you know about Medicon, I just received the proposed contract today. We haven't had a meeting yet and there is no possible way the media could have received that information so quickly." His obvious outrage was apparent in his icy tone.

"Don't be like that!" She exclaimed leaning forward and taking his hand into hers, alarm making her sincere and resolute, "I was attempting a sincere compliment. As to Medicon It was an obvious move. The organization has been on the decline for two years now, even though they produce seventy-eight percent of the world's medical technology mismanagement has driven it into bankruptcy. It's exactly the kind of investment your company deals in. Rumors have been flying around the papers for the past week that it's on the market; you would have had to be completely dim-witted not to have instigated negotiations. You are not a stupid man and it doesn't take a business genius to realize that either Taisho Corp or Bedalhi Inc would make a move on it, they are the only companies with the resources to bail Medicon out of the hole it's in. I bout stock yesterday at twenty-five a share and I fully expect to sell it next year for thirty times that." She trailed off embarrassed by her earnest speech, but her insistent eyes did not leave his face. He laced his fingers through her own, examining the way her tiny claws looked against the back of his hand his irritation gone, cowed by her impassioned speech.

"I am flattered by your faith in my company and my intelligence." He said in a preoccupied tone and was rewarded by a small laugh.

"I don't operate on faith, faith can be misled or injudicious. I work on facts. The facts are Taisho Corp is run ruthlessly and well with little turnover, no large job losses and record profits. You are not just an example of good business, you're the paradigm everyone else tries to reproduce."

"You flatter me."

"Modesty does not suite you, Sesshomaru, I merely spoke the truth. I have no intention of unnecessarily praising you; it serves no purpose." Her voice had become soft and distracted. From a sword He thought as he ran his thumb over the calluses on her palm and he heard her heartbeat increase its tempo. He stopped the motion, loosening his hold on her hand. Looking to her face once more, he expected the appendage to be withdrawn, but she did not break their connection. Allowing her hand to rest comfortably in his as she slowly relaxed back into her chair.

"I did not expect you to be such a shrewd judge of corporate matters." She smiled at him, and he realized he was beginning to enjoy the frequency and ease in which that look was aimed towards him.

"Now you must explain that remark or I may be insulted." She teased.

"Hmmm. I mean to say that I did not expect such a discerning mind to be working as a stock clerk at a bar and the Demon Killers do not seem like an organization that would lend its members to an understanding of corporate transactions." His words made her chuckle.

"It's only because you don't understand how the DK works, or me for that matter. How in the world to you think they are funded? Huntsmen have been trained for generations to go out into the world and managed dummy corporations, donating large shares of their proceeds to the DK. A corporate setting would have been the first place they would have look for me, and the one they would monitor the most intensely. Taking great pains to research anyone who shot up the ladder to quickly or seemed to shine to brightly in their field. A small business was less suspicious and bars are fun to work in." She let out a melancholy sigh and he struggled to return her to her affable mood.

"I had not seen you dog until today, he does not appear to have a pedigree." He ventured desperately and was rewarded with a sardonic smile.

"He's a pound foundling, breeding is not something their known for. Careful though, you are venturing back into social conversation, I would not want to tax your skills, Sesshomaru." It was illogical, if anyone else on the planet had ever addressed him so informally and in such a teasing manner they would have soon after experience the inconvenience of eating through a straw for the rest of their lives. Yet, from her, he was pleased and astounded. I would never expect her to be this comfortable around me; her presence confuses me and fills me with a mountain of unwanted emotions. She is a weakness but I cannot let her go, when she is away from me I am even more preoccupied and filled with anxiety. She is also a source of information. I need her. But whether to calm the fretfulness at her absents or for the information she held, he could not say.

"I am willing to risk it the challenge." She let lose a hearty laugh.

"My God, that was almost a joke, careful now I might get the mistaken impression you have a sense of humor and then you'll never be able to live with the consequences."

"And those would be?" He asked quirking and eyebrow at her.

"Well for one I would quickly realize your icy demeanor is a facade to avoid people, and secondly I'd be petitioning for your satirically amusing observations. Hounding you constantly to lighten up, maybe even laugh every once and a while; begging you to show off that stunning smile I've been graced with so briefly… You'd never be rid of me and I'd ruin your reputation as a antisocial badass completely." She finished in artificial matter-of-factness, grinning up at him and giving his hand playful squeeze.

"Doubtful, you would only make me appear to be a long-suffering, antisocial badass." His tone didn't change, it was still glacier cold, but there was a twinkle in his eye and an unperceivable upward twitch to the corners of his lips and she let out another wholehearted peal of laughter.

"Well, wonders never cease indeed! Who knew you could be charming?"

"I can be very charming if I wish, irresistible in fact," he retorted arrogantly.

"I didn't mean seductive charm, that I'm aware you have in spades. No I have no doubt you could charm the pants off of anything living in four seconds flat. I was speaking more to witticism, social charm; I'm astounded that you not only possess a measure of it but know how to apply it to a conversation." She scoffed.

"I was quite charming as a child." He responded haughtily.

"Pray tell, what happened to this amazing charm?" She teased.

"Gratefully I grew out of it."

"Why do you say gratefully?"
"Being charming requires a great deal of energy and care. It also attracts a large crowed and I do not appreciate social settings."

"Yes, you've remarked on that before it must have been dreadful for you."

"Unspeakably so, I assure you." He responded drawing his hand from hers irately.

Her expression softened and all mocking left her voice, "Well then I shall not morn your loss of sociability, but I am glad you did not completely lose your ability to charm. I believe it is an even more attractive trait in you for its infrequency." She gave him a compassionate smile and reached for his hand again he allowed her to take it. She gave him an intense look and said, "You have stalked, terrified, harassed and harangued me since the instant we met. There have only been a few tantalizing moments that where I was actually comfortable in your presence, and one of use usually screws it up by saying or doing the wrong thing. I would like to make this one last a while longer, before that happens."

Her words inspired so many more in him, a confusing flurry of sensations raged with in his breast, I have never wanted to fuck her more a clear thought in the pandemonium that raged, but then, anything in that direction would reinforce her words. "What makes you think that will happen?" He asked instead and she sighed.

"Because it is the way between us, because neither of us is suited for peace and quiet, and because the gap between us is so very large, and I for one refuse to cross it."

"Indeed." He said sadly. Amalie stood and he thought that she would leave, but her hand never left his grip and instead she nudged her chair closer to his. Seating herself again and using his captured hand, she pulled his arm around her, placing the hand on her shoulder and releasing it. He did not protest, confused by her actions as she leaned into his side and drew his free hand into her own pulling it to her face and letting her lips brush his knuckles before letting it fall.

"Lets just sit here, pretending we are friends for a while." She murmured softly.

"I believe I would like to be you friend, Amalie." He answered interlacing the fingers of his free hand with hers.

"We'll see." She answered and they slipped into a companionable silence. Her hand folded in his on his lap, sharing the warmth of the moment, the sound of rushing water and their heartbeats where the only things to hear. Her eyes drifted shut and she melted into him, he could not help the sense of fond contentment her peaceful composure in his presence brought upon him.

"I love this room, it's very comfortable," She murmured softly, "I can see why someone would spend a lot of time in here. It's so soothing; if I lived here you'd have to use some serious force to get me to leave it."

"Indeed."

Time passed peacefully as the sun faded from the room and soft electric lamps jumped to life. He gently removed her hand from his own and let it rest on his leg as he gently pushed her hair back from her face. Her eyes had opened at the release on her hand and she looked to him in confusion. "Jaken is coming." He answered her silent question and she nodded, lazily pulling her hand from his thigh and moving from his embrace. The sensation of her hand unconsciously dragging across the skin of his thigh momentarily ignited another feeling within him and he wrestled with it as she stood and gave a lazy stretch. His eyes where transfixed by the innocuous motion and he dug his fingers into the table in an effort to control the flood of desire. Her muscles flexed, arms stretched above her head and her back bowed as she let out a small yawn before relaxing and looking around the dim garden. He loosened his grip and fought to regain his composure, desperately searching for the lost tranquility he had found with her just moments before.

"Wow, this place was cozy in the sunlight, but it's lovely with these lights." She turned to him and he was grateful his features where hidden in the shadow of his hair. The light danced off of the waterfall and clever submersible lights illuminated the pool making it glow with its own radiance. He did not respond and unperturbed, she continued, "I bet it all glows in the moonlight, it must be magical." Earnestly she turned to him, "please tell me these lights aren't allowed on when the moon is out." He chuckled at her and she smiled brightly.

"You may rest assured they are not." His tone was tender and content, even to his own ears. She let out a sigh and again he was grateful to the shadows for hiding his smile.

"You have a nice laugh." He wanted to respond somehow but before his befuddled mind could form a reasonable reply.

Jaken's whiney voice broke the magic of the moment. "Sesshomaru-sama, dinner is served in the dining room." Why did I not tell him that we would be eating here? He thought irately, reluctant to leave the affable enchanted the conservatory had wrought between them for the formality of the dining room.

"That will be all, Jaken." His voice had recovered its customary arctic temperature as he dismissed his servant and stood. Not waiting to see if Amalie would follow he lead the way to the dinning hall. He pulled a chair out for Amalie and waited for her to be seated before claiming his own.

The meal laid out was simple, and did not meet with his approval. He had told Jaken no special arrangements where necessary, but that was only for Amalie's benefit, Jaken should have known better than to take him at face value, he will have to be dealt with later, this is beyond absurd he tried not to let his furry show as he spoke to her, "Forgive the fair, I was not expecting guests."

"I don't mind, it's a vast improvement on my original dinner plans." Anger registered, and it occurred to him that he did not want her to be making plans with others, when did I become so possessive of her? She is nothing to me. Yet, he knew he lied.

"You did not mention plans."

"Oh, it's not like I had reservations, unless I left them at home with my TV dinner and the TiVo." Relief banish the anger, and set aside a troublesome feeling he suppose might have been jealousy. He smiled a little.

"No masses to slaughter or yokai to liberate or inconvenience tonight?" he mocked.

Her short answer and stiff attitude annoyed him. They had been getting along very well and her change in demeanor was aggravating, silently he cursed Jaken again for placing them in the dining room as they slipped into silence. Her clumsiness with the dinnerware amused him, but he did not allow it to show, after a few moments he found it difficult not to remove the chopsticks from her and feed her himself. His immense reservoir of self-control, served him in good stead, however, and when she set her meal aside and spoke he was rewarded. Their conversation became more like it had been in the garden, until he said, "You must have had some measure of patience to torture prisoners and deftly plan assaults on your victims," he had meant it as a compliment, but it had been to frankly worded and he saw pain cross her face. Baka, any other woman and I would have her in my bed by now! We would not be discussing utensils and patience! Why is this so difficult?

"The planning of an assault, and the interrogation of a prisoner requires patience, but it's not the calm, polite patience of a social setting. It's a calculated, adrenaline instilled venture. Mistakes made in the planning or handling of a prisoner could result in the deaths of you and your team, not just an upset host and spilled tea." It was said emotionlessly, but with conviction and he recognized memorized words. And he struggled to change the subject and bring her back to her earlier disposition. I have to get her out of this room, he thought and standing he lead the way to the parlor.

When they had settled he asked, "Do you miss your life?" and she relaxed a little as her thoughts where turned to the emotional topic of her family. He understood all to well how confusing your thoughts can be when thinking on family and he was not surprised that she was so conflicted over the issue. The DK do not appear to be the kind that would show a child a great deal of affection, or inspire love in their offspring. His observation was rewarded when she mentioned her mother.

She heaved a mournful sigh and said, "I should leave, the dinner was a nice gesture and I've had a wonderful time, but I don't need to be here." Her tone was sad and reluctant, he fought ineffective fury and the urge to hold her down and force her to stay.

"Do you find my company so repellant?" His tone was scornful even to himself. Rejection was not something he'd ever been subjected to, and he struggled with the need to punish her for making him feel so unstable.

"No, I don't find you repellant at all, far from it; which is exactly why I should leave." She said, but her scent spoke louder to him than her words, and there was desire in the air. This game, my dear I know better than you, he thought triumphantly as he reached forward on the pretext of pushing her hair back, but in truth it was to trail his fingers over the tip of her sensitive ears and he was rewarded with a tremble as he rested his hand on her shoulder possessively. He leaned in sending tendrils of his aura out to her, and was caught in the trap of her enchanting scent.

Kami! I need to fuck her! The need was a burning torture, but more beguiling words came to his lips as he played his game, "You haunt me. I cannot go a day, or even an hour without thoughts of you clambering in my mind. With you here, my mind is at peace, but I am at war with my sentiments." He was surprised by his voice, it was a shadow of what he'd intended it to be and he felt his restraint slipping. He lost track of the conversation as her eyes drifted downward he ran his fingers along the soft flesh of her arm, evoking another delicious shiver, he licked his lips intending to try a different tack when she broke the stalemate, and her lips met his hungrily. As she rolled on top of him and molded her body to his own he felt a possessive shock go through him as something within recognized an integral missing piece that belonged to him. Any hope of her leaving that night was lost in that moment, as a dangerous necessity to claim what was his took him.

A perilous moment occurred when she tried to deny him and he waged a battle not to force her, their eyes met and his yokai rolled forward in warning. Her own responded with an enticing wisp of invitation before she startled him by unfastening her pants for him.

After, he held her to him. Possessively taking in the delicious scent of her, content to let the perfect, exhausted bliss of the moment last for eternity, but he felt her shift in his arms, and he knew she would try to leave him, and deny both of them the pleasure. Again anger boiled inside him at her stubborn stupidity and ridiculous morality, she is mine and she will recognize that. He reached for her retreating form and wrapped his arm around her hips, "Don't," he warned.

"I have to go, I shouldn't be here." She reached again for her jeans and he allowed her to leave him, hoping to use reason, before force.

"You should be here." He wanted to slap her, fuck her, hold her to him, anything to make her realize she belong to him and only him. She held a necessary piece of him inside her, and now that he had found it he could not let it go. "You belong here, with me, now and forever." He struggled to hold his yokai back as it fought to lash out and smother her into submission.

"This is insane, what the hell is wrong with me, with you?" rage won out as his yokai rushed loose and his gripped his hands into fists resisting the urge to lash out and looked away so that she could not see the raw emotion in his face. Even now she denies me. She denies what she is, and her idiocy makes me weak. "Sesshomaru…" He heard her pants fall to the floor and his name on her lips. He looked towards and braced himself for more of her despicable excuses or brainless justifications. But she surprised him by doing none of that. There eyes met and the raw pain he saw there melted his rage, she went to him straddled his hips and held to her. "I don't care how, or why this came about. I want to be here, at your side, and in your bed, for as long as I can. This is where I belong."

He hugged her close in relief. Cherishing his victory, and closed her eyes as the delicious sensation of her tongue on his neck began to arouse him again and then her teeth tore into that flesh and his yokai rolled forward in urgent demand as she claimed him. "Yes." He growled and the scent of her answering arousal sent him over the edge as he entered her again and they fell together.

Damocles lay in the kitchen at Jaken's feet, and what he thought, no one cared.