Chap 29 Kiss & Mate

4 Dec 2299 Monday

Location: Castletown, Castle.

As soon as Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, Kyo, Yuki, and Ryuu arrived at the castle the twins were hugged by their tearful sisters and brothers. Only Suzy was missing.

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru began, "You have a very bad habit of jumping to conclusions. I would like to perform a little surgery on that bad habit now. Come sit with me in the throne room. The rest of you follow us."

The family entered the castle and walked directly to the throne room.

Kyo and Yuki sit together and the others surrounded them in a semi-circle.

"Ordinarily I would do this privately but as all of you have some knowledge of the situation I would prefer you all heard it at the same time. Inuyasha, you will listen to Ryuu. And no interruptions."

"Ryuu, tell them what you told me."

So Ryuu told all his brothers and sisters and his dad what happened and what Suzy saw. Then he pulled out the ring box.

"See, here's the ring. I've been carrying it for months. I have been trying to find the best time to ask her."

Inuyasha stared. "But Suzy saw you hugging that dragoness."

"Yes, I had tried to get her off me but finally I hugged her as a last ditch effort. I tried to tell her I loved another. Hugging her was a bad idea. I wish I hadn't hugged her but I did. I had just saved her life, for whatever that's worth," Ryuu's voice dropped off.

Inuyasha got up and walked to his son.

"Look at me, Ryuu."

Ryuu looked at his Dad's big round eyes.

"I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions. It was a bad idea to hug her but I can tell you are being honest."

Ryuu's eyes welled. "I adore you so much Dad." The Sesshomaru look alike stood and hugged his Dad and cried.

Sesshomaru cleared his voice. "Now Ryuu, you need to find your sister and then bring her to the dining room. My mate needs fluid and food and we want to share about Lernean and Yuki's adventure."

"Lernean Hydra?" voices echoed. "Really Yuki?"

But Ryuu didn't listen. He was on a search for Suzy. He followed his nose through the castle. Her scent was strong in her room but she wasn't there. He tried the library but the book worms said she had left over an hour ago. He found Uncle Jaken but he hadn't seen her. He walked out to the horse barn. Maybe A-Un could help him look for her. As he approached A-Un's area in the barn, he heard her voice.

"Maybe I'm being stupid, A-Un," Suzy was saying. "But I love him so much. But I guess he love some dragoness."

A-Un grunted.

"Wish I could talk to you like Ryuu does."

Ryuu took the moment to step forward. "He said Ryuu loves you and only you."

Ryuu stepped closer to Suzy and knelt. "Suzy, please hear me. I don't love that dragoness. I had just saved her life and she was so excited she knocked me on the floor and started kissing me. Your ring," Ryuu pulled the box from his pocket, "fell out of my pocket from the force of her attack. I've been carrying it for months. I have been trying to find the best time to ask you."

"Really?" Suzy's eyes shone with hope.

"Really, truly, My Suzy."

A-Un grunted.

Ryuu laughed. "He says you should say yes."

Suzy smiled. "I vaguely remember our goofy brother Steven stating his wants and Keiko just standing there. Very recently I learned a painful lesson about not jumping to conclusions so I'm going to ask you directly. Are you asking me to mate you?"

Ryuu laughed. "Being around that goofy guy is contagious! Yes Suzy. Will you be my mate-Forever?"

Suzy smiled. "Yes Ryuu."

Ryuu picked her up from the hay and looked into her eyes. They both leaned forward, closing their eyes as they got closer. A breath apart Ryuu closed the distance. The kiss was chaste. Suzy's lips tasted of cherries.

Before they could get any further they heard a voice clearing.

"Hey, Dad sent the "goofy guy" after you. He thought you might get off track since Suzy's more forgiving than he is. Father still wants us all to join them for dinner. NOW," Steven laughed as he walked away.

Ryuu grabbed Suzy's hand and slipped the ring on. "Better hurry…"

But Suzy grabbed Ryuu and covered his face in kisses. Ryuu was dazed.

"Better!" Suzy said as she led Ryuu out of the barn. "Now you're covered in my kisses!"

When the duo returned to their parents, Ryuu still wore a goofy dazed look and Suzy was admiring her ring. Suzy's smile was brighter than the sparkler on her hand.

Steven smiled at Keiko. "You do that to me too."

Keiko smiled back and rubbed her mark.

Steven's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.

"We have two mating festivities to celebrate tonight. Kyo and Yuki and Ryuu and Suzy!"

Congratulatory handshakes, back pats, and hugs were accompanied by loud choruses of happy comments. "Way to go Kyo!" "Welcome to the mated world," "I win the bet," and more squeals from the girls as they admired the rock on Suzy's hand.

Sesshomaru rubbed his mark, "Are you okay?"

Inuyasha smiled, "Never better."

Dinner was divine and everyone was impressed that Ryuu could speak with Lernean. Yuki recounted the tale from her perspective with Kyo following every word. Kyo told them how his heart hurt when he thought Yuki was gone. It was the first time any of them had heard Kyo tell a story. The story was so touching that everyone had tears in their eyes and all were in awe of his ability to tell a tale. "I've had two great teachers," he quipped as he pointed to their Dad and squeezed Yuki's hand.

As the evening progressed Sesshomaru wondered who would depart first. As he considered excusing them all, Kyo spoke, "Father, Dad, Our life-threatening experiences have made me realize each moment is precious. I look forward to tomorrow but tonight I'm ready to make my love mine. Will you excuse us please?

Sesshomaru smiled. The beta had become a sigma male. "We're proud of you Kyo, Yuki. Our blessings go with you."

Ryuu stood next. Offering a hand to his love, they stood side by side. "Father, Dad, thank you."

Sesshomaru squeezed Inuyasha's hand. Inuyasha spoke, "Our blessings on your joining. We are blessed to be your parents.