"My lord Ryuu, we need more time."
The dragon shifted in his seat, his temper flaring just a little. His tail slapped the floor and a glimmer of flame shone from behind his teeth." Every moment we stay here is a moment those damn Foo-Dogs have to train. We already know they've sent most of the citizens out. We'd best strike now, before it is too late."
Yuu nodded, her hands folded anxiously and her own tail lifting, wrapping nervously around her inner leg.
"Yes my lord. But … we need every man we can get. Surely it's worth a little more time if we can strike harder?"
His red eyes flashed, and she flinched when he was suddenly beside her. His claws sharp on her skin as he looked into her eyes.
His mane was lifted slightly, spread around the back of his neck in a ruff.
"You. Are out. Of line." He whispered, tracing a line across her neck. She held perfectly still, letting the claw draw a line of blood from one ear to another, as thin as a needle. Tears pooling in her eyes. She knew her lord well enough to know it was much better to take his punishment than to try and slap his hand away.
" I apologize, my lord." She whispered and closed her eyes, doing everything she could not to let them fall. Feeing their hot wetness on her lashes. Gods, what had she done to deserve this punishment? She wanted nothing more than to be back home in her own village. Playing with her brothers and sisters as her mother braided her long lavender hair.
She had no idea that he'd take such an interest in her when she started working in the Dragon Tribe Palace. If she could travel back in time and undo one decision, that would be it.
Then, she would never have caught his eye, and been forced to be his personal servant.
" I could kill you right now, you know. And it would be easy." He snarled, his hand resting on one side of her neck. Making sure she could feel all four claws pressed tight to her light skin.
"Forgive me." She whispered, his tail flicking back and forth underneath her in a frenzy of fear. He put a terrible cold anger in her- sometimes, she even wished he was dead. Wished she had the guts to pull a knife on him herself. She didn't used to be that way- she'd been soft, and sweet, and he'd ruined that.
And she hated him for changing her so.
" Luckily for you… you make a compelling argument." He spat, and she felt his hand removed. She stayed perfectly still, very slowly opening her eyes. The line of red on her neck dripped a few lines of blood down to her collar, staining the soft white a pale pink. She must not act relieved- that would only anger him further.
"Tell them they have one full moon cycle. After that, we ride, regardless of how many come. Dismissed." He spat, turning his back to her as he went back to his seat.
You're no dragon. You're a coward, and egotistical fool. And I pray every day that Sesshomaru and the other Foo-Dogs will give you exactly what you deserve.
She thought, her eyes shining with tears as she made her way out if his tent and back among the ranks of soldiers and servants to relay the information. How sad, that she felt safer among the ruffian cat and dragon soldiers than she did with her own master.
She looked up into the cold night. The stars shone in a thousand beautiful lights overhead, the milky way a strip of light blue. She straightened and wiped her face, trying to appear respectable before looking up at the moon.
The sign of the Foo-Dog house.
She closed her eyes, feeling the coolness of the moonlight on her skin. What a wonderful sight he must be- the Lord of the West, the Foo-Dog with the crescent on his forehead. They said his hair was like moonlight and that his eyes held the fire of a thousand suns. That he was cold and calculating- furiously protective of his mate and pups. They said that he'd brought a crowd of a thousand to their feet with a single word. And that a single glance from him wilted the courage in any Daiyokai's heart.
Yet, I'd take him as my master over my current charge any day. Please… give the Foo-Dog clan the strength they need to defeat us. I care not if I survive but… I cannot live like this anymore. With him.
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"So how are we gonna hash this out?" Inuyasha murmured, crossing her arms.
Sesshomaru pointed down at the training area.
"It's fairly simple. The citizens will be training against each other, and the guards. The guards will be training against you, I , and the pups."
Inuyasha's ears perked up a bit nervously at that. " Uh.. Is that okay? I mean, they're still little." And Sesshomaru snorted.
"I'll make sure they're in a group. And the guards will only have training swords. They'll hardly be in danger." Sesshomaru assured, reaching over and giving the hanyou's ears a low stroke with one hand. The hanyou growled lightly and the fur on his ears puffed.
Yet later on, he had to admit that the pups seemed to be holding their own against the guards. She and Sesshomaru didn't use their swords of course- only hand-to-hand combat.
The goal was not of course, to be able to actually defeat Sesshomaru or Inuyasha- the goal was to simply be a challenge for them.
Inuyasha flipped the guard over onto his back and pinned him with her legs, making sure his arms were up behind his back before he had a chance to retaliate. The Foo-Dog growled, his black tail poofing out in anger and writhing on the sandy floor as Inuyasha leaned close and whispered, " Pinned ya." With a chuckle.
To his right, Sesshomaru slammed his opponent down into the sand as well. The spray of sand showering on Inuyasha and making her shake her head and shoulders, looking over with a huff of irritation.
She noted that Sesshomaru had stripped down quite a few layers- down to a single one on the top, thought of course he still had his fancy pants, boots, and silky belts on. Then again- it was hot in the training house- there were many yokai crammed in, and the sun was high in the sky- so it shouldn't have surprised her.
He flipped his hair back in one smooth, Ariel-style motion of his neck, the silver waterfall spreading for just a moment in the air before settling in its usual swath down the back of his neck. For a moment time seemed to stand still- a mix of sand and sweat floating in the air like frozen glitter around his face as his eyes slowly opened.
They were more amber this morning than usual- and as their eyes met, Inuyasha's throat went suddenly dry. His wet shirt clung in all the right places, showing of the curve of his pectorals and the rippling muscles on his stomach.
Oh no- he's hot. She thought, then snarled, ears twitching.
Another guard was trying to sneak up on her from behind. She flattened out on top of the Foo-Dog, then sprang up, kicking the other guard square in the cheek with her foot and sending him flying.
Sesshomaru watched this second-long exchange with some interest. Her eyes were narrowed with anger, her hair a sweaty froth of silver light as she moved. The golden of her eyes like poisonous nectar- those jagged blue markings on her cheeks fierce and feral.
Framed in those fire-rat robes of blood, it was no wonder she'd caught the eyes of those human females.
She is resplendent.
He thought, his cheeks and ears blooming with a pink tinge. The guard underneath him writhed and he stood, snapping himself out of the daze and trying to get the hanyou off of his mind.
But that proved easier to think about, than to do.
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It was an unusually cold night for that late in the year.
The moon was high and glittery silver, and a low mist hung around the ankles. Inuyasha's window was open. And yet despite the cold breeze she wasn't sleeping well. Her yokai was wide awake and plaguing her with feverish, wanting dreams again.
Dreams of Sesshomaru.
She awoke with a start, panting and sweating. Snarling, she pushed the window open farther with her foot and curled up. Head resting on her knees and mercury-colored ears trembling and flat to her skull. She did try to put up that barrier Sesshomaru had talked about but… these dreams left her so frazzled that she could hardly think straight, much less have the mental capacity for a barrier.
Inuyasha was swearing lowly under her breath. Her hands tucked over the tip of her head as if protecting her from some unseen enemy. But that was the truth wasn't it? Only, this enemy was crawling under his skin and screaming for her mate.
She heard the small paper hiss of her door opening, and the snap of it closing shut.
She looked up and startled when she recognized the outline.
"I'm sorry! I- I'm sorry. I try to stop it, to stop her, but she's so damn…" Inuyasha's voice trailed off when he crouched near her, settling a few feet from her. His weight created a slight dip in the bed, and the moonlight turned his robes and tail a beautiful silver. It spread out behind him and toppled off the edge of the bed like a shimmering waterfall. She glanced away; couldn't bear to meet his eyes just now.
Now when she was slick between the legs and drenched with sweat and disgusting.
"Stop apologizing." His voice was smooth and low as always, and she hated the immediate effect it brought as goosebumps broke out on her skin. It seemed even lower than normal, if that was possible.
She wrapped her arms around herself and pulled her legs up tighter, dropping her head back onto her knees. " I hate this."
She felt the weight of his arm. And the slight curve of his chin on her forearm. His breath heavy and sweet against her cheek and ear as he murmured, " Inuyasha. It is inevitable. I'm sure you have realized that by now. And my yokai isn't exactly known for his patience."
She lifted her head then, looking at him in a mix of surprise and horror.
They will make the decision for us, Inuyasha.
"I can't… I…" She shook her head, closing her eyes tight to press back tears. No, no. This was too soon. She was just a damn hanyou. Inuyasha had given so much to Kagome and Kikyo that there really wasn't all that much left. If Sesshomaru betrayed her, mocked her, hurt her… there wouldn't be anything left.
Just a shell.
Look at me.
She looked up, hiccupping once miserably. And her breath caught in her throat, her mouth becoming dry.
His eyes were glorious. Like beaten, twisting gold- each little river of it coming out from the center of that black pupil. Near the blackness they were a deeper shade, but near the edges they became softer. Like sunlight. And the expression they held was something that Inuyasha would never forget.
Let me be what you deserve, Inuyasha. Let me ease your suffering. I cannot bear it.
She trembled on the urge of the decision. Gods it was terrible. If she rejected him now surely their yokai would take her by force. And that would be severely painful, she knew it. But at the same time… the alternative was just as terrifying. For some reason that particular act put a fear in her. Perhaps because she knew they'd never be the same after that.
By morning light, you will be safe and sound. I promise you.
Her legs gently uncurled and she straightened up in bed, leaning into his chest. Ears folded under his chin as she took a deep shakey breath. "There's not a lot of me left to give Sesshomaru." She left him lifting her chin then with a single finger.
"You are enough for me. Just as you are." And to his surprise it was her who started the kiss first.
It was a shakey thing at first- barely the brushing of lips. But he was patient and gentle and soon, she started getting comfortable. His taste was familiar by now, as was his touch.
I'm scared as hell but… I don't want to stop this.
He was a terrifying Daiyokai who tried to kill her before… yes. Cold and aloof and strange. But this other side of him was warm and alive. And she knew how men worked.
I'm placing trust in you so please… please don't hurt me.
Her head tilted slightly to the side, lips parting a bit wider. Sneaking in some fang and tongue here and there, sucking on his lower lip and letting it snap back into place. Her hands slipping up under the layers of his clothes. Tracing those dark stripes on his ribs with amazement. They came in twos on his body, just like on his cheeks. And were stunning. She felt a rush of satisfaction when he jolted at the feeling of her claws.
"Scared?" She smirked, pressing her claws against his chest. He snorted, eyes narrowing playfully. His arms sneaking around her and pulling her closer to him. Inuyasha's thick thighs wrapped comfortably and lazily around his torso as they had so many times before in her dreams.
"You wish. Your hands are frigid."
"Sure."
He pushed her down playfully into the sheets( one arm of course, cushioning her head), and she squeaked in surprise.
"Be careful damn it! I'm a fuckin' delicate flower!" She whispered heatedly, but was soon shut up by a pair of lips crashing against her own. He nuzzled down the line of her neck, placing sharp nips here and there. And she stifled a gasp at the feeling of the wounds closing, helped along by a lick from his wet tongue.
He then went to the mark on her neck, one canine so gently brushing the blue mark on her skin. And suddenly, both of their eyes bloomed with that festering red and blue.
And neither of them knew more, for some time, as their yokai's fought. Sesshomaru- for the right to have her as a mate. Inuyasha- for the knowledge that her mate was every bit as strong as she thought he was.
And from then on, it was only pleasant flashes as they both switched from their yokai, to themselves and back again.
/
She remembered the feeling of him first entering her- that strange type of stretching pain. Luckily for them both she was easy to tease into a frenzy, so she was quite slick for him in no time at all.
His yokai was mercifully tender in that regard, to her shock and relief. Just a little at a time. Those demon eyes watching her reaction, feeling her breath, carefully. Only getting greedy at the end- snapping up into her impatiently and earning a soft cry of pain that about halfway through, turned into an entirely different sound.
His mouth was wet around one of her nipples, teasing the skin with tongue and teeth until it was so taunt it ached. The tingling fear and pleasure that laced through her whenever his fangs scraped around her skin, teasing. Leaving pink marks damn near everywhere she could see.
/
He remembered the first time she orgasmed underneath him.
It had been very sudden, and very powerful, just like her emotions. So much so he'd had to bite down on her neck hard and twist up her silver hair around his fist. His hand shaking as he fought down his own end.
Her flesh was hot around him, squeezing him in that strange female way that was both pressure, and rippling, trying to tease him into his end. His periphery vision shuddered for a second and his heart beat impossibly fast as he edged himself away.
But he was not about to be outdone by his yokai. Sesshomaru had every right to enjoy this as much as his demon half, and he wouldn't let this end so easily.
He gently removed his fangs and licked the wounds a few times, earning a soft wanton sound from the hanyou before their gazes met. She was both herself, and not- her eyes were a pretty blue, but the sclera was normal. Half demon in every sense of the word. And she gave a low surprised sound, nuzzling up his neck and jawline as if to ask why he hadn't let himself go.
He chuckled softly and nuzzled back, whispering, "It's because I'm not done with you yet, hanyou."
He very much enjoyed the look of surprise and pleasure on her face as he yanked her farther underneath him. Folding his legs but keeping their hips connected, and tossing her legs over his shoulders as if they were nothing at all.
/
Her yokai made her forget the times his yokai was awake, but she was pretty sure he mercilessly fucked her.
After all, she had bedsheet prints on her left cheek, his claw marks deep in her hips… and remembered being pushed face sideways into the sheets while her rear was yanked high into the air. That friction between them to the point where her own legs could barely support her weight.
But she remembered the end. And really, that was the most important part.
She was panting in his ear- her fangs longer than normal, and a string of saliva glittering from her upper to her lower canine.
Her arms were around his shoulders, her chin tucked against his neck. Her claws gently hooked in his silver skin. She could see long, terrible marks all the way down his back and wondered vaguely if she'd been the one to place them. But there were more important things to think about.
Like for example, the way he felt inside her. That terrible friction that tossed stars into her vision and curled her toes.
Initially she'd thought it'd be just awful. But feeling his heartbeat inside her, the way his muscles rippled along his body as he moved… The way her body moved with his, so small, a little vessel for the power just under that porcelain skin… She tucked her head into his neck for a moment. Hiding.
If only I'd been born as a part of you. Just like this.
She felt that familiar building in her gut again. Another one. She felt like she might pass out. But she wasn't about to let him have that kind of satisfaction.
"Sesshomaru-." She whispered in quiet warning to that pointed ear- and licked her lips. Damn. How long had they been at it? Her mouth was dry and her body ached- so sensitive that her skin seemed to scream everywhere she was touched. And the shadows on his body that had been silver were now a very pale pink as the sun began to rise. Her black eyebrow such a contrast to the sea of silver hair that they both shared- hers, in a long wave and his, somehow now in a messy bun at the base of his neck. Glittering like it was wet.
She felt warm breath on her collarbone as he gave a huff of acknowledgement. Then yelped softly as he moved, shifting her a bit so she was back underneath him once more. Her hand went instinctively up into his hair, her claws almost forming a crown as they poked through silver locks.
Her ears went out to either side uncertainly- but that was taken away when his hands cupped her face. Lethal claws so close to her cheeks and so incredibly tender she could have cried. He took her lips in his own; both rather chapped and red now. Overly-sensitive.
Hair that had escaped his bun tickled her neck and collarbone gently. Strands of starlight and mercury.
And their little game ended in a rush of clenched muscles and fluid: somehow, all at the same time.
Inuyasha was absolutely floored at the sensation. No wonder Kagome had been so thrilled when they'd finally started trying for pups. Was there anything better than that spark of heat? The feeling of it growing, melting its way to every corner of her? Even her hands were trembling.
She buried her face in his neck once more and muttered, "Its hot…" doing her best to catch her breath. There was quite a bit too… her abdomen was full, and a little excess dripped from their connection.
"You'll live." Sesshomaru whispered in amusement, placing a kiss on her jawline and then her neck in reassurance.
Damn. He really does mean to breed her.
Sesshomaru thought with irritation. The yokai hadn't produced that much seed in some time. Gently, he removed himself from her- cracking a wry grin at her little mewl of dissatisfaction. He cleaned them both despite her half-assed protests. She was in a daze and her movements were slow and gentle, easily startled.
With that finished, he drew her to his chest and set the sheets up to her shoulders. She could tell by the way Sesshomaru's skin was reflecting the soft golden and pink that morning had come.
He was surprised when she wriggled close. Curling up her legs and arms and getting as small as she could, pressing herself against him. Her head tucked to his chest and her ears tucked contentedly against her skull. She was more beautiful than she had ever been – her skin glistening with sweat and a pink flush on her cheeks. Golden orbs not narrowed in anger but wide, soft. Gentle.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his tail around her back, and pressed lazy kisses to her. Jawline. Nose. Cheek. Smoothing her bangs back to make sure she had some fresh air.
"Safe and sound Inuyasha. Just like I promised." He whispered in her soft ear. His breath warming the fur.
I feel so tiny. So safe. I've haven't felt this, not since I was a pup. Inuyasha thought in wonder and closed her eyes tight, and she buried her face against his bare skin.
God, please don't ever let me go.
Sesshomaru looked down and his expression went soft. Perhaps she hadn't meant for him to hear that part… but he'd heard it nevertheless. She was trembling just slightly.
I am here love – until your last sun sets.
She blinked and looked up at him in shock. He'd said it first- love. Her hands gently uncurled from his chest, and instead wrapped around his torso fiercely. Gripping so tight on the sheets it left holes as her hands rested in almost full fists. The warm curve of her claws clear on his back.
And he could feel the strength of her love, ripping through his body like wildfire. Furious and volatile and different than Diaozuan's. But it was strong and wonderful and worth tending.
And someday, it would be as strong as the sun.
I love you. Inuyasha's voice was so small, so sweet.
As if it was a question, and she was waiting for an answer.
And I you, wildfire.
His clawed hand began toying slowly with her hair, smoothing it back over one shoulder and then coming to a rest. Cupping that bronzed curve of flesh. Her eyes caught the way the light bounced through those clear claws, turning them into little pink curves of light. How many times had she been on the receiving end of them?
Too many to count. And yet now. Here they were- resting so gently on her shoulder and glittering in the morning light. How was it that every part of him was its own work of art? It was so unfair.
She chanced a glance up at him. Her vision was blurry from tiredness. His hair was a wave of starlight and strawberry lemonade, and his eyes shimmered like the finest flecks of amber. The dark twin stripes on his cheeks bringing out the cruel curves of his cheekbones and the masculine arch of his jaw. On his neck, the occasional stray strand of hair was stuck in a silver river, pooling in a sinful way just behind his collarbones. He was… beefier than she'd expected- somewhere along the way he'd filled out in the chest and bicep area. And his stray hairs accentuated this perfectly. Curling around his biceps and pectorals wickedly.
His skin glittered from sweat- no huge dropets, just a fine layer of fantastic damp.
Inuyasha flushed and buried her face back in his chest, and he laughed softly and pulled her closer.
She could feel that pale morning light against her back, slowly warming her through the sheet. His heartbeat was slow now, calm. The slow rise and fall of his chest was extremely comforting to her and her eyes slowly lidded. Sandwiched between the warmth of the sun and the warmth of Sesshomaru's body, Inuyasha soon fell into a deep sleep.
Sesshomaru soon followed suit, his last thoughts being of relief as he closed his eyes. The act was over and it had gone well.
My beautiful hanyou. My mate.
And in the comforting darkness of Inuyasha's body, a pup began.
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The next morning, Inuyasha woke up to a knock on the door.
She was surprised to find Sesshomaru still around her- she'd assumed he'd disappear in the morning, like he usually did. He woke at the sound too and his nostrils twitched once at the scent.
A Foo-Dog was at the door.
Instantly, his eyes switched to red and blue. His arms went tight around her, and his tail folded several times over until Inuyasha was all but invisible in his arms. A low terrible growl ripped from somewhere low in his belly as he glared at the door.
And you didn't need to be a Foo-Dog to understand the message underneath the growl.
Mine. Don't you dare come near her.
From somewhere in the soft mass of his tail and arms Inuyasha squeaked, " Sesshomaru- its Tiao-Wen. The servant. Calm down!" managing to sneak a hand to his chest.
The Daiyokai blinked a few times and his eyes faded to his usual sharp yellow. He tucked a strand of silver hair behind his ear in embarrassment and cleared his throat. "Yes, Tiao-Wen?" starting to slowly unwrap the tail from Inuyasha's form.
Inuyasha took a breath in relief and rubbed her face with her arm, trying to scrub out the blush that rested there.
Then, stared in shocked wonder.
Sesshomaru was scratched to hell. Big, terrible marks up his chest, and down his back. Hell, he even had four jagged lines on his face, scraping down from eyebrow to lip. They were healing even as she watched, but were still pink and raw.
Tiao-Wen's nervous voice came through the door. " I know you already rescheduled your earlier meetings, I just wanted to let you know that your meeting for this afternoon has been moved to this evening, Lord Sesshomaru." Poor guard. Being greeted by one of Sesshomaru's snarls was a good way to ruin a good set of pants.
Sesshomaru sighed, yanking his hair from the hairtie and then smoothing it back up into a much higher more dignified ponytail. "Thank you, Tiao-Wen. Could you let the house servant know to send Inuyasha's breakfast here?"
"Of course my Lord. Will that be all?"
"For now, thank you." Sesshomaru raised an eye when he saw Inuyasha's gaze. He blinked in surprise when she set her hand in line with those marks. Her heart sank when she saw that her claws lined up with the jagged scars perfectly.
"I did this." She whispered, awed and terrified. She didn't remember seeing these yesterday… but then again, her vision had been blurry from exhaustion. He looped an arm around her shoulders in reassurance.
"Just your yokai. It's very common for yokai to fight right before intercourse. Have to make sure your mate is worthy after all." Sesshomaru said in a low tone, petting her shoulder gently with his claws. " I apologize. I wanted to tell you before all of this but there never seemed to be a right time."
"I can see why. But I'm still really sorry…" She murmured, now tracing the ones on his face. "But… I don't understand. I was with Kikyo and Kagome and I never scratched them like this."
"Your yokai was an insane beast until Gao was created. Only then did she gain a soul. And she didn't bond with the miko, despite you being married."
Inuyasha's brow furrowed a little as she moved some of Sesshomaru's hair back from his forehead.
"How do you know that?"
And he suppressed a kind of dark chuckle. " Inuyasha. If she had, Kagome would be dead. A human miko is no worthy mate for a yokai, hanyou or not. Your yokai would have killed her, or chased her off. If Diaozuan had lost to me when I was female, the result would have been the same."
Inuyasha paused at that. "Are you saying that if you'd lost to me, I would've killed you?" Sesshomaru lifted her hand and kissed the knuckles gently. "Obviously I did not. So do not fret over such things." And to be fair the marks on his face had already almost faded away. However the deeper ones on his chest and back remained, and probably would for some time.
Seeing her confusion he added gently," She was also a bit more aggressive than normal because of the marks. If I'm to be one of her only mates, she wanted to be extra sure of my strength."
Her ears went down in frustration and sadness. " Damn. I still really don't know much about anything, do I?" And her mate leaned over, pressing a kiss to her folded ear. "You're just learning. Don't be discouraged."
All of the sudden, she realized that they were still both very naked. Her face went red as her robes. " Um. Could you hand me my fire rat robes?"
Sesshomaru made a rather nervous face. He wasn't sure if they'd survived the night.
Well. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look.
"Uh. Um." She stuttered when he slipped out of bed, naked as the day he was born. His long tail sliding behind him in a glittering coil and the stripes on his ribs and hips shining proudly. As he reached up into the wardrobe and pulled out a robe for himself, she saw the way his muscles flexed. Still damp from their earlier activities.
Oh, damn. Pin me to the wall with those arms.
No, no no. Stop it!
Inuyasha pinched herself on her thigh to stop that train of thought and looked out the window pointedly, her heart racing. He paused, her emotions lacing down through his mark in waves.
"Oh, I apologize Inuyasha. I didn't mean to be so- distracting." He purred, dressing himself and pulling the tie on his robe tight. His own clothes had not survived the night- but he didn't mind wearing this for a while until he needed to dress in more layers.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She huffed, and he handed her her clothes. The inner shirt hadn't survived- but thanks to the toughness of the material, the outer robes had survived even Sesshomaru's claws.
"Mm hmm. Your face is more scarlet than these robes." He hummed, then turned his back to her so she could dress.
Instead, she tackled him in anger. " Your damn hide will be redder than these robes by the time I'm through with you!" However, she realized about when they hit the bed one fatal flaw to this plan- she was sore as hell.
"Ow! What the-?"
"Inuyasha- you shouldn't be moving around like that. Take it easy." Sesshomaru murmured, pulling her close as she bit down a whimper. It really did hurt- her legs, her hips. Other parts she didn't want to mention. She rested in his lap resentfully. Not liking the fact that she liked cuddling with him.
" You're not sore. Why should I be?" She muttered moodily, poking his chest.
" I'm a Daiyokai, little hanyou. Besides, women usually are after mating." He murmured softly in her ear, and she flushed. Angry that she knew he was right. When he nuzzled her neck and jaw, he was surprised at the scent that lingered there.
Something was different.
She looked up when he glanced off, trying to place the scent. It was familiar, that was for sure.
"Sesshomaru?"
"Your scent is different." He said softly, nuzzling the top of her head with the side of his face, deep in thought.
"Well yeah, obviously. I'm all covered in your grossness." She half-teased, and he snorted.
"It's not that." He murmured and his gaze was still thoughtful. It was so familiar! Why couldn't he place it? His mind was all jumbled from taking Inuyasha as a mate, but he knew this smell. It was part of the reason why his yokai had been in such a protective mood this morning.
His yokai knew it, he was sure. He shook his head, giving up for the moment. It wasn't the scent of illness or pain so it must not be that big of a deal.
"Its not.. bad, is it?" She said, almost nervously. And he reassured her by lifting her jaw into another gentle kiss. " Of course not. It's lovely." And this seemed to placate her. They rested quietly in each other's arms for some time. When the food came he was amused as always to see Inuyasha absolutely destroying the plate within seconds. Eggs, bacon, and sausage all meeting their maker down her throat.
Earlier, he'd tried teaching the hanyou manners. He'd found that she did know how to eat properly… it was simply a decision on her part to eat like this. And since it was a choice rather than lack of knowledge, it didn't bother the Daiyokai nearly as much.
Sesshomaru sipped his blood-sake quietly next to her. Watching the devastation.
"Isn't it a little early in the morning for sake?" She said, then swallowed thickly before picking up the bun on her plate. Slicing it quickly with a claw and then eating both halves.
Damn. She was starving!
"Isn't it a little early in the morning for your attitude?" Sesshomaru said smoothly back with his eyes slightly narrowed. They glared at each other.. and then, she saw it: just a glint in those yellow orbs.
He was teasing her. She broke into a gentle laugh and his own expression softened.
"You got me there."
He pressed a kiss to her temple, flicking her ear once playfully with his claws. She swatted the hand away but the smile was clear on her face.
"I thought you'd be gone, you know. When I woke up. You've always got places to be." She murmured, sopping up the juices on the plate with the last bit of biscuit before swallowing that too.
"I rescheduled. I did not want you to wake up alone." Sesshomaru said mildly, offering her some of the sake as well. She declined with a wrinkling of her nose.
She sat and processed that for a moment, stacking the plates gently on the nightstand so that they wouldn't fall off. Then she gently sidled up to him. Resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes for a moment.
Thank you.
His expression showed affection and love for the hanyou. Snaking a hand down her side and pulling her closer by the hip.
"This feels like a dream." She muttered, her voice a little muffled by the thick silk of his robe.
"Is it a good dream?" His voice was as silken as his robes, but darker. Deeper. As deep as the warmth he'd left in her body; the warmth that was still there now.
"Yeah." The hanyou whispered after a moment, sounding a little surprised herself. And though she didn't see it, he smiled just a bit. Birds sang outside, the sun warmed her shoulder, and the scent of Sesshomaru clung to every part of her.
And she couldn't remember being this happy in a long time.
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EatEmUp-He did, and I kinda wanted to make sure he had that before this chapter( for obvious reasons lol). And yep, its definitely getting closer by the minute. I'm so happy you're enjoying it! It means a lot to me every time anyone drops me a review, so thank you! I get pretty nervous about what people think and how they're gonna react, to be honest. /p