Very slowly, the Fox Palace was being rebuilt. It was understood that for the moment they would replace the Dragons of the South as leaders, until Yuu and the young drakeling came to reclaim their place as one of the four main rulers.
Diaozuan popped back and forth with his teleportation skills. Often spending at least a few days there. Sesshomaru didn't mind too much. It was a good excuse to make sure that the fox had some separation from Inuyasha's demon. At least until she had calmed somewhat.
And Sadao would not be the Lord of the South forever.
Now that Diaozuan was next in line, he needed to be there for his people. Though it was not easy. And he needed to help with the repairs as best he could, seeing as his flames were one of the strongest, beside his father's.
Gradually , the beautiful structure was rebuilt. Old stones salvaged and new ones carved until finally…
Finally, it was what Sesshomaru had first seen when he'd carried his pups outside its walls for the first time.
Someday it would be Diaozuan on the throne. But Sesshomaru knew he would never accept it willingly until Toshi was a little older. A little more ready.
In the meantime, the little lives inside Inuyasha were getting stronger. She was quite pupsick, and so Sesshomaru and Diaozuan picked up the slack while Inuyasha was incapacitated. Able only to drink blood-broth or relieve herself before crawling back into bed. Her body quite weak as the demonic auras of the pup and kit grew.
For she was half-human after all.
Sesshomaru and Diaozuan didn't show it, but they were a little nervous.
After all it was Inuyasha's yokai who had wanted the mark. Perhaps she'd been correct… perhaps Inuyasha not only wanted, but needed, Diaozuan's venom and mark in order to carry the pups to term.
Sometimes Sesshomaru or Diaozuan cared for Inuyasha instead of the servants. Wanting to give them a break but on another level, wanting to bond with her and let her know they were there for her.
For they both knew too well how much she hated feeling weak.
Diaozuan was tending her for the moment while Sesshomaru was signing the final paperwork to make Sadao and the fox tribe kingdom officially a part of the four main rulers. It was an important day; meeting with the other three to see if they too approved. Someone had to be in charge of the South. The other two yokai houses were too weak and needed protection from the humans, and the dragon yokai would be in ruins for some time now that Ryuu's line was ended. And seeing as Diaozuan and Toshi both were Daiyokai he assumed there would be little objection.
The other leaders did not like that Sesshomaru was mated to the next-in-line of the South. It gave him far too much power, they said; especially once he had pups and kits on the thrones of the South and West.
He agreed. But it was the only logical thing to do…
Otherwise, the monkey and rooster yokai that normally were safe in the dragon's fortress would perish. Either from food shortages, the elements, or human interference it did not matter. For now they needed to refuge that the fox tribe now had, now that the Palace had been reconstructed.
The humans were getting far more efficient at killing yokai than any of the leaders would like to admit. So, to keep them happy it was written that the foxes were to step down from the main four once the dragon tribe recovered and produced two daiyokai heirs to hold it steady.
Little did they know that Sesshomaru also had a hand in placing a little Daiyokai dragon as next in line. A gentle, kind, shy one who would be the opposite of Ryuu in every way. And that would be most refreshing to what was left of the dragon tribe.
Diaozuan squeezed out the damp cloth for Inuyasha's forehead into one bowl, and dipped it into fresh cool water before placing it on the hanyou's head.
Inuyasha's eyes flicked for a moment to the fox before looking out the window. It was a grey, misty, bleary day. The flowers were heavy and bowed with the weight of the water. And the rain smelled so fresh and sweet. God what she wouldn't give to be running around in its coolness.
At least there was a slight breeze trickling in from the window. As the fox stood to leave she murmured, Wait." Giving him a glance and looking away again.
"Stay, please." She finally added. The fox nervously took a seat, flicking his tails underneath the chair where they curled in soft shimmering piles of blackness.
"…Makes me feel better when you're here. I dunno why. Less hot." She muttered nearly under her breath, so quiet that he could scarcely hear it.
He looked at her with some surprise and his expression softened a little. Must be the kit. He thought in quiet wonder. Wanting to be close to me.
He knew he wasn't supposed to be connected; wasn't supposed to hope. But he just could not help himself.
He wanted to be near Inuyasha as well. Pulled by the same instinctual force he'd felt when Sesshomaru had been heavy with Toshi.
Diaozuan had been doing his best to avoid her, these last few weeks.
But his resolve was weakening.
"You got in trouble with Sesshomaru didn't ya. Because of whatever my yokai did." She looked genuinely concerned. He considered a lie for a moment.
" Yes. But he's surprisingly quick to forgiveness with a certain kind of persuasion." Diaozuan said thoughtfully, running a clawed hand through his dark purple locks. Inuyasha wrinkled her nose in disgust and he added in amusement, " We just talked, Inuyasha. And I apologized. That is sometimes the only thing you can do."
Inuyasha grumbled something about apologies being stupid, sitting up a bit in bed and pressing the cloth tight to her forehead. " The fuck do I even have a fever for. Kagome never got one. Hell, she never even got this sick with Ame inside her. I don't get it." It was hard to think when she was so uncomfortably warm but she did know one thing; none of it added up.
And she was pretty sure Diao and Sesshomaru knew something she didn't. Sesshomaru had felt a little more cool than usual, and sometimes Diaozuan seemed to be tripping over his words.
"Foo-dogs have closer body temperatures to humans. Other yokai species can be warmer or colder." Diaozuan said without thinking as he rubbed an eye. Foxes, for instance, ran a few degrees hotter. And the stronger your foxfire magic; the innate magic you were born with, the higher the temperature.
Diaozuan's mother and even Sesshomaru had had the fever too for a few weeks until their bodies finally adjusted.
He imagined Inuyasha's human blood was none too happy about the fiery blood that mother and kit were now sharing.
Diao was tired, and had forgotten that Inuyasha's wit could be incredibly sharp at the most inconvenient of times.
"What?" She said, golden, wide eyes glancing over at him before setting a hand on her abdomen. Her ears flicking as her mind raced, remembering the littler interaction with Mai-Zei all that time ago.
She'd saved Sesshomaru's pup, without a doubt. But she'd also done something else too.
"Hm?" The fox murmured, glancing over.
Those two orbs the dragon had made him choose from; the red, and the black. The red one had smelled faintly of Sesshomaru but the other one-
She swallowed thickly, her heart pounding and her stomach starting to twist into knots. That second orb. It had been black, but with a faintly purple tinge. The same purple that Diaozuan was currently combing through long, clear claws to get out all the little snags and tangles.
And once she'd touched it, brought it back to life, it had been hot.
Hot like-
Like his skin. Like his fur. Inuyasha grabbed up Diaozuan's hand and placed it on her abdomen, much to the fox's surprise.
"Inuyasha?"
Her ears trained downwards and her hands trembling. She was right; it was the same exact heat. The same smell that had been on that orb; familiar, but at the time she hadn't been able to place it.
She could now.
Inuyasha didn't know how, but one of those lives inside her was his. Thanks to some dirty trick from Mai-Zei.
The blood was rushing in her ears and she felt faint. A kit.
She let his hand go, but felt it on her shoulder. Felt him get closer and nearly lost it as she crossed both arms over the little curve in her abdomen. Pulling her legs up and placing her forehead against her knees.
"Inuyasha-"
She could feel the genuine concern in his voice and felt ready to jump out of the window to escape this. Ready to just lose it completely. Trembling under his touch.
Well Sesshomaru had been right- she was more prone to crying in this form.
"I can't do this. I can't. Fuck." She whispered, snarling when she felt his arms around him. A part of her wanting to strike out but- hell, it wasn't his fault.
It was hers for choosing both those little orbs that day. How could she blame him for her decision?
She went for the window, but he caught her, walking her back to the bed with embarrassing ease. She was as slow as a human right now thanks to the pup-sickness.
He ignored her angry thrashing and snarling and made sure she didn't have a chance to draw her sword. Though he did let her hold it, noting the way she was gripping it with such intensity he was a little worried she'd wreck the tendons in her hand.
Seemed like a comfort item for her.
"Let me go." She hissed and he said firmly, "No. The last time I let you go alone, you were nearly consumed by feral yokai and Sesshomaru had to get you. That's not happening again."
Her ears went down slightly. Oh, right. She'd forgotten about telling Diaozuan that little white lie to get outside of the wall. Apparently he hadn't forgotten. He let her stew and waited until she seemed more calm before starting up conversation again.
"Tell me what's wrong." The fox murmured, beginning to suspect that she'd figured it out but wanting to hear it from her first. His breath was warm and faintly sweet. She could feel his tails gently cupping her form as they had so many times before.
"Look, I know how crazy this sounds but…" She gritted her teeth for a moment and swallowed her emotions, telling the fox everything. Being flung into the wall by Ryuu. Waking up in that strange living room with Mai-Zei in her human form. Her showing him the two little orbs and telling her to choose one.
How Inuyasha had chosen both. Not wanting either of them to disappear.
And it was then that Diaozuan truly understood. While it was Mai-Zei who had called the spirit back from the dead, it was Inuyasha who had chosen to carry the kit. Easily, she could have just gone with Sesshomaru's pup and let his kit slip back into the veil.
"Why did you choose it if you did not recognize the scent?" The fox asked in quiet wonder. The hanyou murmured, "Well, it felt… familiar somehow. I knew it wasn't bad, and I knew if I didn't choose it, it would just disappear and… that felt wrong."
Diao's tanned hand went to her cheek, the cruel curve of his claws resting very carefully on her skin.
"You saved my kit." He said very softly, his gaze incredibly soft. She couldn't meet his eyes.
" I didn't , I didn't know what I was choosing–" She trailed off, still trembling. How the hell was she going to handle carrying a pup and a kit? Probably both Daiyokai knowing her damn luck. She felt so weak. So hot.
"I can't do this."
"You can. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. And I'll be here for you. Every step of the way. Okay?" He whispered, lifting her chin and forcing her to meet his gaze. "It'll be just like before. You and me and Sesshomaru raising our pups and kits together. One big perfect family."
Inuyasha nodded numbly.
They both seem to know just what to say.
He's like Sesshomaru…But so different too.
She supposed she should have been angry, or screaming, or trying to slip out of the window-(it still looked appealing) but mostly she was just tired of all of this. One surprise after another. And scared. Getting entwined to the fox in a way she never could have expected.
She leaned foreward, resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes. Fuck you for making me feel this way. For being here for me, comforting me. I hate you so much.
And yet. She felt the warmth of him, and his smell, and the coil of his muscles when they moved, and the smoothness of his voice … Even his stupid jokes and flirting were a godsend now, when there seemed to be no more laughter in the world.
Sesshomaru brought Inuyasha stability. A coolness and rationality that she so needed. A safe place for his pups to grow up.
But Diaozuan brought his own benefits. He was far more approachable. Kind. He processed problems in a similar way to Inuyasha and therefore was sometimes more relatable. His jokes and sass and flirting helped her concentrate of the present rather than dragging Sesshomaru down into her pool of woes.
There were many traits in him that she … admired.
Desired. Some terrible voice in the back of her mind whispered. She looked up, and it was like before. Those awful butterflies in her stomach and that low, irresistible urge. The same feelings she had for Sesshomaru in those quiet, soft moments when she could admire how beautiful he was. How lucky she was to have him.
Quivering with fear(anticipation? excitement?) she leaned up. Pressing a kiss to Diaozuan's lips that was so gentle and soft that he almost thought he imagined it.
He checked her eyes- no not her yokai this time. Just Inuyasha. He was quite surprised.
She tasted like pear sake- sweet, but with an underlying bitter tang that left him wanting more. So very different from Sesshomaru's exotic, sharp lemon and pine combination. But a nice kind of different.
A different Diao could get used to.
He found himself kissing her back. Entranced. She had a faintly human tinge to her taste that was so very addicting. After all the fox had eaten his fair share of humans, and they'd been quite delicious.
Inuyasha was certainly no exception. And that human blood that lingered in her veins was-
So tempting.
He was pressing her down into the bed, gently. He was pressing her down, and she was letting him. Tails flicking and spreading nervously behind him as they kissed, nipped. His maroon hair falling to either side of her face, blocking out her view of everything but him. The kisses were shy at first, but slowly building. Her warm hands around the back of his neck.
Stop.
Some part of Diao told him. But he was busy; his warm claws slipping slowly into the many complicated layers of Inuyasha's outfit. Finding skin and sweetly dragging, causing bursts of goosebumps all across her tanned hide and a cute sound from her lips.
He could get used to that sound.
The fox nuzzled up her neck, tilting her head back with a coaxing mix of kisses and nips. Dragging fangs gently over her skin so she could feel their warm wetness. Her clawed fingers looping in purple hair and knotting tight at the back of his neck. Inuyasha's free hand wandered across his back, pressing their torso's tight to each other.
Close like this, he could feel that little bump and his cheeks went faintly pink. My kit. Mine.
She was trembling, back arched, and he was losing himself. The urge to sink his claws into her, sink his teeth in, was almost overwhelming. Her flesh was soft and warm as summer sand and that slight tinge of human in her was driving him out of his mind.
Knowing how easily he could destroy her, snap her like a twig, was both intensely alluring, and terrifying. How on earth did Sesshomaru keep his head? How did he mate her without seriously harming her?
Halfway through a long lick to her neck, he tasted the bitterness of his own venom.
Diaozuan.
A low, very angry warning growl from Sesshomaru ripped through the back of his mind. He stopped, sheathing his fangs behind his lips and coming to his senses. His mate's anger rippling through the crescent moon mark on his chest.
In fact he was so angry that Diaozuan was slightly aroused by it; for it was not often his very cool mate lost his temper like that.
Sorry, sorry. Nothing happened.
He yanked back, snapping his mouth closed; and Inuyasha gave a noise of surprise, seeming to come to her senses as well.
Sesshomaru said nothing, only giving another slightly quieter snarl. It sent goosebumps up Diaozuan's spine and spreading outward onto his chest and arms.
Huh boy. He'd have to be sure to make it up to Sesshomaru when he was out of his meeting.
"Apologies." He muttered, looking down in no small amount of embarrassment. Heart still racing, hair slightly mussed. Every part of him still urging him to finish what she had started.
Inuyasha was equally embarrassed, and laughed nervously, "Ah, fuck. You know… I'm not even sure if its me or my yokai anymore whose in charge of things. I dunno how you and Sesshomaru cope with this all the time."
Diaozuan smiled in a small sympathetic way and pressed their foreheads together.
"You and me both." He whispered. They stayed that way for some time, purring lowly.
You have to tell her.
That same, small voice said. And he knew he'd have to tell her about the markings… how he and Sesshomaru would have to share her. But… she needed a break. A small one. Even if it was just for a few minutes.
His gaze wandered to the window. It wasn't raining quite so hard anymore… And everything was gleaming with a thick coating of fresh rain.
Harder to track smells after a fresh rain.
"I have an idea." He smirked, leaning back a bit and indicating the window with the flick of his eyes. Inuyasha's ears perked a little. "But we're gonna have to keep it a secret from Sesshomaru, or he'll be pissed."
"I'm in." Inuyasha said with certainty, sitting up and grinning wickedly. The fox laughed, " I haven't even said what it is yet!"
And the hanyou laughed, "Anything that will ruffle his fur I'm in for." Going to her usual cross-legged position and prodding "So? What're we gonna do?"
Diaozuan set a clawed hand on Inuyasha's shoulder and purred, " Just hold still."
And both of them disappeared in a puff of beautiful purple and black smoke. The barrier around the Palace no object to Diaozuan; for he came and left with no intent to ever harm.
When Inuyasha opened his eyes again, they were in the woods. Not anywhere near the Palace; the trees were tall and thick. Their branches reaching infinitely into the darkness. But it wasn't dark. No.
It wasn't dark out here.
She and Diaozuan were laying underneath a particularly large tree; close enough to be spared the drizzle that was still pouring down. Yet… Above them was all the light they would ever need.
Her eyes were wide with wonder. It'd been a while since she'd seen the stars. The Palace let off too much light; their brilliance was clouded and murky.
Here there was nothing but them. The rippling blue mar of the milky way. The soft reds and yellows among the smattering of white stars. Like droplets of milk spilled on a black canvas… well. Not quite black. Even the nothingness had a wonderful blue tinge to it.
"Whenever things seem to be too much, I come out here." Diaozuan said softly. Blinking and wiping away a stray raindrop that had managed to sneak down to his cheek. Then tucking his arms behind his head and murmuring softly,
"Everything that's going on right now? Everything that ever was or ever will be, will pass with time. Soon enough, all this shit- this moment in your life will be a memory. And then when it's all finished and you open that final door- you are going to be among the stars forever, Inuyasha. Caught in an adventure that will never end."
She stared at him in wonder. And he seemed content, eyes reflecting the pale light of the stars and his tails low in the grass and twitching faintly.
" And we'll be there too. You'll just have to be a little patient and wait for us."
She swallowed thickly and laid back down, making sure her breath didn't give her away. Letting their precious primitive light settle into her mind and batter her eyelids when she couldn't bear to look anymore.
"I don't… I don't deserve-"
He almost snarled. "You deserve peace. And love. And to shine among the great kings and queens of old." His gaze softening a bit as he raised his chin once more. " And you will. I believe that."
She was silent for a while. He was making her feel far too many things.
"Who-taught you about death like that?" She asked when she was sure her voice wouldn't betray her. It wasn't anything she'd ever been told before.
"My mother." The fox said, his tails moving thoughtfully. " She's up there with your mother. They probably would have gotten along well if they'd ever met, I think."
Inuyasha's stomach dropped. And any control she'd had over the hormones inside her body was gone.
"Asshole, you- you-" She indicated her face before starting to cry once silently, and he sat up, pulling her to his chest with some amusement and sympathy.
"I was trying to get you to stop crying-"
"Good job. Real good -real good job. Jerk." She managed as she bit her lip, and he smoothed her long silver hair and her cute little ears.
"I'm sorry." He said, purring lowly. His tails cupping her form and she could feel their warmth and their gentleness almost made her sob harder. It was so unfair. Why did every one of her loves have to be so difficult? Why couldn't she just have fallen in love with someone easy?
When she was finished they watched the stars quietly. Occasionally pointing out constellations to each other and chatting about their long-dead mothers. They had more in common than Inuyasha had originally thought.
She was watching the stars… but she was watching him too. The way the starlight glowed on his cheeks. The little white lights of the stars in those glittering jeweled eyes. A thousand purple stones shattered so beautifully in his eyes that she could hardly look at him.
His child is inside me.
She thought with a kind of far off wonder. And yet… If it had to be anyone other than Sesshomaru, she was glad that it was him. Someone familiar. Someone strong and brave and kind and…
Someone who could take her to the quiet places of the world like this when she needed it most.
I love him. Shit.
She didn't want it to be true. But it was happening the same way as it had with Sesshomaru and damn it- she was getting tired of denial all the time.
I love you, you stupid asshole.
She wanted to say it. So badly. But it wasn't quite the right time, and was happening a bit too fast. Just like everything else going on right now. She thought sarcastically as her eyes turned back to the stars.
All too soon it was time to head back. Diaozuan was forced to give the hanyou a little tough love to get her to hang up the slightly damp outer layers of her clothes. But he didn't want her getting any sicker than she already was.
Eventually after lots of barking and snarling, she agreed. He hung up her outer layer to dry as she slipped into bed. And she was asleep before he had even turned around.
Amused, he tucked her in and closed the window a little more. Leaning down to lick her ear and hearing a low, sleepy growl as he did so.
Ignoring the sliding of the door and Sesshomaru's soft, quiet steps for a moment to make sure she was settled before meeting his gaze.
Sesshomaru was quite angry; only because he was afraid. That had been too close. They would have to mark her, soon. Perhaps within the next few days.
We will mark her tomorrow. Together. I will clear my schedule, and the pups will be in their classes. He said cooly, running his claws through his long hair and glaring down at his mate. Diaozuan withered slightly under his gaze, and gave a long sigh.
But I haven't even told her-
That was far too close for my liking. Would you have stopped without my interference? I doubt it.
Sesshomaru snarled and showed his left canine, his eyes narrowing a bit. And in his heart he knew that his mate was right. That had been way too close. He'd almost marked her, and that was not something easily undone.
Diaozuan's gaze wandered to Inuyasha, and after a moment, he nodded. It wasn't a nice thing to do… but she was carrying their precious babies. And telling her would put more stress on her. After it was over, her yokai would be satisfied and she could come to terms with what was done with time.
You are coming with me.
The fox shivered, feeling Sesshomaru's fangs on his neck and the tearing, and repairing, of his own skin. He followed the Foo-Dog into their room, raising a brow when the Foo-Dog started gently undoing all of his armor and hanging it on the racks on the wall.
He then pushed Diaozuan gently to a sitting position on the bed. Shrugging off his outer white-and-red kimono and hanging that as well before going to the closet. Taking out some rather long strips of black cloth, shredded from one of their many kimonos.
The fox shuddered in anticipation. Holding his hands palm-up as Sesshomaru gently tied each of his wrists, leaning down and whispering in his pointed ear, " You've forgotten whom you belong to, Diaozuan. But I do not mind giving you a little… reminder."
He used the last ribbon of cloth for his own hair, tying it up high on the top of his head. For sometimes, it got in the way of these sorts of activities.
"We will be operating by the same rules as usual." Sesshomaru's voice was as cool as always as he secured Diaozuan's hands to the bed posts. Tugging them a few times to make sure he couldn't pull free.
" You'll not get your release until I've had mine twice over. That will begin to make up for the transgressions today with the hanyou. Understood?" His voice was sheer ice- deadly, smooth, chilling.
"And what if I'm extra good?" The fox purred, his many tails twitching. A few of them gently petting along Sesshomaru's back and legs in an encouraging way. Diao was half-regretting teaching the Foo-Dog everything he knew, everything he liked. All of the weird ins and outs of his preferences in the bedroom. But he was also half-shaking with excitement.
The Foo-Dog snorted, " When are you ever." The whites of his eyes filling with silver as a warning. Diaozuan gave him a knowing wink.
"I might surprise you."
He grabbed Diao's face none too gently and snarled, " You can start by silencing yourself." And huffed at the way the fox melted under his claws. Those big eyes softening and a pink blush spreading on his cheeks. The way his legs were already starting to splay open and the muscles in his thighs trembling.
"Make me." He whispered under his breath. Unfortunately, Sesshomaru's left ear twitched.
He'd heard.
A minute later, gagged by a piece of cloth with three knots tied in it, Diaozuan writhed under Sesshomaru. The fangs of his mate deep in his neck, his beautiful blue blood dripping down in two trails.
He was already panting, his mate trickling enough venom in him to make his blood burn from the inside out. Trying to yelp when he felt very sharp claws dragging down his back and the hot tickle of more blood.
Sesshomaru smirking when he felt the fox slowly giving in. Arching his back up into Sesshomaru's hard torso and hands. Molding under him like clay.
It was a long night for both of them.
He managed to get the fox to orgasm so hard that tears came from his eyes and he could scarcely move. Curled up against Sesshomaru as he cleaned him gently. Making sure his wounds were sealed and healing and that there was no leftover stickiness from seed and sweat.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He was whispering, trembling at the gentle loving touches and feeling true guilt now when he thought of what he'd almost ruined. This. He'd almost ruined these moments. Damn his yokai, and damn himself for being so easily swayed by her smell and taste.
"I know. I forgive you. And love you always." Sesshomaru assured, nothing but tenderness now that Diaozuan had paid the price. Untying him and checking his wrists meticulously for redness or burns. Then the gag-checking his mouth and teeth. And finally, all the claw marks- running his tongue along each to make sure they were scabbing nicely.
Finally, tucking the fox prince's head to his chest and pressing kisses all over when he was sure the fox was all right. A kiss to the part of his hair. A kiss on his pretty tan shoulder, marred with pink claw marks.
A kiss to his beautiful curved cheek and the long line of his pointed ear.
" Just remember; I am first. Always." He whispered, playing with a small section of Diaozuan's hair. The fox nodded, sleepy and exhausted. Nuzzling into the mark he'd placed on Sesshomaru's chest and placing a kiss in the center of it in soft thanks.
Sesshomaru feeling a slight rush of hormones. The marks were quite sensitive, after all.
"Would you like a bath, love? Are you hungry? Thirsty?" He offered, his voice low and deep and content. Sesshomaru was usually extra soft to the fox after a session that intense, and he appreciated it. After all, he could still feel the stinging ache from his claws all over his body. Not to mention, aches in … other areas.
Diao perked up a little at the mention of something to drink, and Sesshomaru handed him a cup from the nightstand. He took a few long drinks of it before handing it back and settling up tight against his mate.
It was cute when the fox tried to curl up so small- he was still a bit taller than Sesshomaru after all. But with some very careful wriggling he managed to make himself small enough to curl up in Sesshomaru's arms quite comfortably.
The Foo-Dog pulled the blue blanket over the fox's shoulder, hiding both of their nakedness. Perhaps he should slip on a robe- but he was far too comfortable right now, and busy bonding.
" I missed this." He murmured, so quietly Sesshomaru had to strain to hear it.
"Mm? What?" Sesshomaru was a little sleepy himself, his eyes the color of a summer sunset. Hazy. Soft.
"Your warmth inside me." He said, a hand curling over Sesshomaru's shoulder gently. The five points of his claws warm and gentle pricks on his snow white skin.
The Foo-Dog blushed furiously and threatened, " I will put that gag on you again. I mean it." But his tone was full of embarrassment and a little shaky. Mostly because… he'd missed it too. He smoothed back his mate's long, damp hair and hugged him tightly, one arm around his shoulders and the other around his waist.
My beautiful mate. Perhaps this is the last time you will be truly mine.
Sesshomaru thought, and his heart ached as he pressed his cheek to Diao's. Maroon stripes against red. Memorizing this moment and everything about him; his smell, the way he moved. The way his cheek pressed back as they scent-marked each other and the low, pleasant vibrations from his chest as he purred.
I love you so.
And they both drifted into pleasant nothingness.
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Empress Tatiana- Well I haven't quite answered that yet, but I will soon, I promise. Hope you liked the chapter!
DMaduks- Well he's gonna have a rough time for a while. Insecurities about being abandoned, favoritism, etcetera will come into play for a bit. But I think you guys are gonna like the ending I have planned. At least, I hope that you will.
EatEmUp-Hahah! I feel the same way when I look up tags for stuff I'm interested in. It doesn't help that there's not a whole lot of new stories going around. But I'm so glad you can get some kind of surprise from this story… I always worry about the balance of predictability and, you know, doing things that actually makes sense for a character xD And yeah. Once I end this one I think I have a good idea for a Koga/Sessh one, but the father oneshot would be fun too. Sorry this one is shorter but I hope you still enjoyed it !
