**I don't own them**

***Sorry no lemons here. In the interest of keeping the rating down I have resisted.***

Chapter fifteen

Izayoi woke wrapped in silk and the warmth of a firm strong arm. For a small moment in time she floated in a kind of happy bliss. Quietly she turned and looked up to watch him sleep.

His silver hair fell loose and wild sliding in silken strands over his smooth cheeks, his face still as a pond while his breath came deep. Izyoi curled into him, snuggling closer to his bare chest she ran her fingers lightly over the outline of his muscles.

Her mind wandered, remembering last night she lost herself in such sweet memories and emotions.

Far in the distance, no doubt from the village near her sisters home a rooster crowed as the dim light along the horizon grew.

Sweet bliss flew from her mind like smoke on the wind. What had she done!?

Beside her he stirred, his arm wrapping around her tighter he leaned into her neck breathing deep he sighed out her name planting a kiss against her shoulder. A shiver of pleasure made her heart soar again. Did it really matter now? The deed was done and could not be recalled.

"My lord, we must return. I will be missed." She whispered into his pointed ear.

"It is early yet," Toga mumbled as he nuzzled closer to her ear.

Izayoi giggled at the sensation but lay a hand on his cheek, brushing against the mark there,

Still, she could not remain much longer. Her father deserved to know the truth. She would not lie to him. Sitting up she brushed her air from her face and then leaning into her lovers pointed ear she kissed him lightly. "Toga?" she whispered. "My absence is undoubtedly known already, my father must be very worried." She insisted, despite the small smile at his response.

"Woman," He growled softly as he curled his arm tighter around her. "You tremble." he stated, voice low.

Did she? looking into her heart she knew he was right. She was afraid. Looking again into his golden eyes she willed herself to have strength.

"My...my Father may not forgive me." She admitted.

Toga snorted, "We do not need his permission." he said. "I shall take you away, I will build you a grand palace and keep you as no princess has ever enjoyed before!" He promised with full sincerity and a wide grin on his face.

Izayoi felt her lip tremble, a small tear rolled down her face.

"But" Toga face went still and his head tilted to the side, "you want his blessing?" he guessed.

Nodding Izayoi slipped on her clothing. "He is my most beloved father, I never wanted to shame him, I wanted to only be a worthy daughter." She sniffed away the feelings of guilt. "I made my choice, you are my choice but I must make this choice known to my father."

Toga snorted "Very well," he gave in but not before pulling her to him for another long kiss. "We will face this together."

Her heart fluttered with his words. "Together," she said as well throwing her arms around him again.

~o0o~

The sun was near Noon by the time her sisters home came into view. Her heart thundered in her chest as they began to descend from the sky toward the open courtyard.

There was a yelling from the walls and the courtyard below and suddenly Izayoi was sure they made the wrong choice. She clung to him her heart fit to burst.

This is a mistake... she worried even as they landed. The shouting had not stopped but none dared attack yet as she still clung to him.

"Hime-Sama…" Gasped out a servant before they bolted into the home.

"Leave her and be gone Demon!" one of the guards yelled, the fool threatening him with a pike.

Toga growled his arm holding her closer.

Leaving the circle of his arms she held out a hand, "Please lay down your weapons, he is no threat." she begged.

From the open doors her Father came running followed closely by her sister and brother in law. All of whom stopped short at the sight before them.

"Father what..." her sister began only to stop as her husband grabbed her arm with a hiss.

"My daughter, Inu-No-Tashio." Her father began, voice full of relief. "Who was it that managed to steal my daughter again?" he wondered.

"She came willingly." Toga said, his arm wrapped around her shoulder.

Izayoi couldn't look up, she wanted to, she tried to, but despite the fact that she went willingly into his arms she knew that in their eyes she had done wrong. Worse than wrong.

"I, It's," Her father began, "Inu No Tashio, I," his voice shaking as he tried to remain respectful toward the Demon lord before him.

Her Brother in law coughed loudly and stepped forward. "Let us find somewhere private perhaps?" He waved away the men at arms and gestured toward the home.

"I, um..." Her Father could not seem to find words.

Izayoi's heart wept for the pain she knew he felt. "Father, I.." she began intent on explaining herself.

"Yes, please I will serve tea and Sake." Her sister said loudly covering what Izayoi meant to say.

Her Father nodded and they all filed inside behind the lord of the house.

As they walked her sister hissed commands to every servant who passed, demands for food and drink but mostly privacy, and secrecy.

As the door slid shut everyone remained silent. Still standing near him Izayoi tried to calm her heart and her fears. Looking at their faces she knew what they felt. Then a large warm hand covered hers and she looked up into a pair of golden eyes. Her fears calmed and she knew that whatever happened they would have each other.

"I have come to ask for your daughter Nakatomi." he said breaking the silence.

"What?" her sister gasped.

"She is already betrothed to Takemaru!" her brother in law said.

"Betrothals can be broken. She is not yet taken by him." Toga reminded them with a small smile.

"But, Father!" her sister hissed leaning in close to their shared parent "A demon!?" she whispered.

Izayoi flinched at the word, "He is who I love, demon or no." She whispered.

Silence again filled the room.

Her fathers face was drawn, tired and old looking under this news. Looking with pleading eyes Izayoi prayed he would understand.

"May I speak with my daughter, alone?" he at last managed.

"She may do as she wishes." Toga said, though his voice was low and dangerously near a growl.

Izayoi lay her hand against his strong arm and nodded up at him. This was her choice, Toga was her choice and she knew she must speak the truth of it or her father would undoubtedly do something foolish.

Her Father nodded, turning on the spot he led them through the door and into the next room.

As she slid the door shut she watched him pace in the open space. "father?" she began

"My daughter, my Izayoi, how," He stopped his face a mask of pain and misery. "Did, did he take you?"

"Father, I..." She paused her heart breaking at the sight of his confusion and anger. "I chose him,"

"When, how?" He demanded, "He hasn't been seen in months."

Izayoi hung her head, "He has been coming to visit me for some time Father, I have grown to love him."

"LOVE him? Izayoi, my foolish child, he is a demon!" He yelled.

Her fear shattered and underneath it anger grew. "And Takemaru is a Monster!" she yelled back. "He hides beneath the trappings of nobility. He does not care for me, he cares for the ties we have with my sisters husband! He cares about power and making himself famous. I am little more than a prize to him! A breeder for the sons he wants from me!" Tears began to fall and her entire body shook. "I have no feeling for him, I never have! He was your choice father, one I agreed to for your happiness not my own!"

Her father stepped back from her, his face confused.

"I would rather have the love of a demon than the indifference of a man who would use my family and my body!"

"He, he didn't force you?" Her father wondered stepping forward he took her hand. "My daughter I want only your happiness, but this, this path is..." he stopped.

Taking his other hand she held pulled his closer, "I am happy. He loves me and wants me." she said.

The door slid open and Toga stood, tall and proud. "And I offer more than any human could." he said stepping into the room. "You would be a fool to not agree."

"For her happiness I would stand even against you Inu-no-Tashio." Her father said, his voice still and strong as the demon he looked at. "And for her happiness I will not stand in the way."

Izayoi smiled, taking his hand she kissed his cheek, "Thank you father."

Looking up into the golden eyes of her love Izayoi felt at peace. They had each other, and no matter what the future held she was happy she would spend it with him.

**End**

***This is the end. I have spent months working and trying to write more but honestly we all know how it ends and I have discovered I do not like writing unhappy endings. She ends up alone and He ends up dead, a tragic end. I don't like to write those kind of stories, and while I played with the idea of making this an AU and maybe changing fate for them I couldn't. So I hope you will forgive me and that my story of their romance filled you with warmth and perhaps a smile or two. Thank you for ready my fic.***