AN: I can't believe it! We've finally reached the last chapter. This is a bittersweet moment. On the one hand, I never expected to still be writing this story at this point in time, and I'm so thankful for all the support you guys have given it over the last sixteen months. On the other hand, I am SO excited to be done. I hope you enjoy this final installment!

Chapter 39: Sanctuary

"Three times in one year I get to see my daughters in wedding dresses," Mama said in a broken voice, blinking away tears. She smoothed the hair by Rin's temples. "You look so beautiful, my girl. I'm just…so glad you're here." Tears started dripping down Mama's cheeks. "When I think about what could have happened to you…that we might never have gotten to continue this celebration today—"

"Oh, Mama, please don't cry—or I will too!" Rin exclaimed, wrapping her mother in a hug. It was much easier to move in this modern wedding dress than in her wedding kimono. (It also helped that she wasn't as big as a whale anymore.) "Today's a happy day."

"Absolutely," her mother replied, pulling away and grabbing a tissue to dab at her eyes. "One of the happiest."

Towa blew a burbling raspberry in agreement from her spot in Kagome's arms. Moe was holding Setsuna, who stared at her mother with wide eyes, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing either.

"That's right—your mommy is so pretty, isn't she?" Kagome asked, holding Towa up on her baby bump to look at the bride. (The irony was not lost on Rin that each sister would appear pregnant in the others' wedding photos.) Kagome pressed a kiss to her niece's cheek for good measure.

Rin's sleek dress draped down her subtle curves into a long, graceful train behind her. Vines of embroidered flowers burst from a tastefully plunging neckline and crawled over the top of her bodice before winding down her long sleeves.

Short as she was, Rin hadn't wanted to get a poofy dress that made her look like a child playing dress up as a fairy princess. The more form-fitting dress gave her the mature air she desired while also showing off her once-more slender body (she had lost all her pregnancy weight and then some during her coma, but she was finally looking properly "filled out" again) without constricting her legs to the point where she feared she might trip—which was still a distinct possibility. A long, gauzy veil trailed from a crown of white roses—symbolizing true love, new beginnings, and purity—settled upon her head. (She was hardly pure anymore, she knew, but Sesshoumaru disagreed, saying that her virginity was not all that defined her as a pure spirit.) Her hair had been tamed into a half-up half-down twist and cascade of soft curls.

Maybe she didn't look like a fairy princess, but she sure felt like an elven one.

"Not as pretty as my baby girls," Rin cooed, coming over to tickle Towa's and Setsuna's tummies. They each giggled in response, kicking out their chubby legs. "Oooh, these shoes are just too cute!" Rin squealed, holding Setsuna's golden slippers and tugging on her toes. Both girls were gussied up in identical golden dresses, shoes, and bow bands—a carryover from the party invitation where Kagome had laid them out to look like a pair of Western wedding bells.

"Kagome, Moe, you should go bring the girls out. It's almost time for the big entrance, and Sesshoumaru still needs his first look," Mama said, shooing the women holding babies out the door. Then her mother turned to look back at her. "Are you ready, Rin?"

Rin took a deep breath, grounding her feet in her white flats. "Yes."

Her mother opened the door, and Rin took slow, steady steps out to meet her husband. Eight weeks of intense physical therapy brought her back to the point where she could walk normally again, though too much standing still tired her.

Rin found Sesshoumaru's eyes—blue once more, since they were going to be in mixed company and Touga was still working with the demon slayers on a public threat de-escalation plan—and just like on their wedding day, those icy orbs widened just enough to reveal how floored he was.

Click.

Touga had had to beg his photographer friend to come back and finish the job, assuring him there would be no more interruptions. The poor demon had only managed to slip away from the DSC in the confusion because he was able to flatten himself to the point where he could turn invisible at the proper angle. After playing the pity card a few times and offering some extra money for his troubles, Touga finally got the photographer to agree.

When Rin reached out for Sesshoumaru's hands, he stepped forward and took hers. Then he bent over and whispered in her ear, "If I am a demon, you must certainly be an angel. You look divine." Click.

Rin smiled, her cheeks heating. How he still managed to make her blush was a mystery. "Thank you. I know I see you in suits every day, but something about this tuxedo just makes you all the more elegant." Especially with his hair pulled back in a ponytail like his father's.

With their first look done, Kagome passed Towa to Rin and Moe passed Setsuna to Sesshoumaru. When it came to their entrance procession as a married couple, there had been no question in Rin's mind about the girls being with them. After all, Touga had billed this reception as a party celebrating their births as well. They were every bit as much the stars of the show as she and Sesshoumaru were. (And she was fairly certain Sesshoumaru hoped they stole more of the limelight from him, given how much he hated it.)

Sesshoumaru extended his elbow to Rin so she could grasp it with the hand not supporting Towa while they walked towards the door to the dining hall. "How are you?" he asked.

"I'm fine," Rin answered, still taking slow steps. Though she wasn't wearing heels—she didn't feel comfortable enough with walking to keep from snapping her ankle in them just yet—she still didn't want to take any chances in this long dress, especially while holding her daughter. "But…I'm a little nervous about tripping."

This would be the first time she had walked in public since her coma. It would be just her luck if she fell flat on her face. But that was just one more reason why she wanted to hold one of her girls. If she was holding a child, she would walk more carefully.

When they reached the door, a nod from Sesshoumaru had the attendant opening them.

"Please welcome Sesshoumaru and Rin Nishikuni and their daughters, Towa and Setsuna Nishikuni," the emcee announced. As they stepped inside, guests stood up from their tables to applaud. Rin's smile burst out like a reflex muscle as she took in the sight of all the people she loved—and still others that she was only passingly familiar with on Sesshoumaru's side—gathered here to celebrate her and her family's good fortune.

Her mother and grandfather had tears in their eyes. Kagome was perhaps the most enthusiastic applauder, while Inuyasha winced beside her with every resounding clap. Souta and Moe remained calm and composed, though their smiles were wide.

Kaede nodded in satisfaction. Miroku gave her a thumbs-up and a wink, while Sango sent her a meaningful look as Kin'u and Gyokuto jabbered at her, pointing at Towa and Setsuna in excitement. Hisui was busy trying to stick his hands between Grandpa Mushin's as he clapped.

Shiori beamed next to Tsukuyomaru, who stood a bit stiffly with his wings hidden beneath his coat but otherwise seemed well enough. Kirinmaru dipped his head towards Rin and Sesshoumaru. Shippo grinned at her (pointedly avoiding Sesshoumaru's eyes), while some woman on his arm clapped politely.

Then there were her in-laws. Touga could not have looked any prouder. Izayoi sent intermittent waves to the twins. Inukimi's applause was slow and light, but her presence alone spoke volumes to the assembled guests.

Tears blurred Rin's vision. How could a little orphan like me have gotten so lucky in this life?

Towa's head flopped back and forth over the crowd with wide, crimson eyes. Halfway down the walk, Setsuna's face screwed up, and she started to cry. Sesshoumaru bounced her in his arm, trying to shush her, then nuzzled the crown of her head in an attempt at comfort, but the baby would not be calmed. They stopped, and several of the guests "aww"ed as Rin let go of Sesshoumaru's arm to reach for the pacifier attached to Setsuna's dress. As Towa added her own soothing burbles to the equation, Rin reassured Setsuna she was okay and nudged the pacifier into her mouth. It took a few tries before Setsuna accepted it and stopped the waterworks, chewing on the binky like a dog with a bone. Laughter interspersed the applause as it resumed, and the couple walked up to their table on the dais and set the girls in their carriers on either side of them.

The lunch that followed was as fancy an affair as Inuyasha's and Kagome's had been, but Rin ate far less—partly from not being pregnant and partly from nerves. She had a major speech to give, after all. Still, she tried to enjoy the food as friends and family took turns delivering their own words about the couple.

Her reception had none of the drama that Inuyasha's and Kagome's had had, which might have made it less memorable, but that was fine by Rin. Kirinmaru had even attended to show that his family held no hard feelings against the Nishikunis for Sesshoumaru's brief engagement with Zero.

Finally, it came time for the presentation of the bouquets. Given that they were not constrained by the seasons due to Sesshoumaru's demonic connections, Rin chose the bouquets with care: a mix of red carnations and pink hydrangeas to symbolize gratitude and sincerity towards their parents. She handed her bouquet to her mother and grandfather with a hug. Sesshoumaru simply nodded to his parents as he handed his over to Inukimi, who stood with Touga and Izayoi.

Rin's heart thudded as nerves skittered over her body. Now, as tradition dictated, she had an extremely emotional letter to read to her parents. She knew she would not get through this moment without crying. She had wet her computer with tears as she typed it out, wondering if perhaps it was too much and yet knowing that every word needed to be said. So, once everyone was seated, she approached the microphone, her breath trembling a little.

"Dear Mama and Grandpa, how do I begin to thank you for what you've done for me? By all accounts, I shouldn't be standing where I am today. If I was your average foster system statistic, I would probably be working a minimum-wage job that's just barely keeping me off the streets—if that. I probably would have ended up in abusive relationships, searching for love and finding only pain. I might have even had children I was unable to support and thus had to give up to foster care, beginning the heartbreaking cycle once again.

"But Mama…because you and Dad made not just one big decision but two—to foster me and then to adopt me—my whole life changed. I'm not a high-school dropout. I'm a nurse. I didn't end up in an abusive relationship. I found the love of my life, who has blessed me with even more gifts than I could possibly imagine." She turned back to smile at Sesshoumaru, whose eyes crinkled in a hint of a smile. Tears burned in her eyes. "And my children—your grandchildren—will grow up knowing nothing but love and comfort not just from their parents but from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and so many family friends.

"So you see Mama—and Dad, because I know you're out there somewhere listening too—you didn't just change my life." Rin's voice hitched as she choked up, and her tears broke free. "You created a domino effect. Because you let me into your family, I was able to meet Sesshoumaru, and if you talk to anyone who knows him, they'll say he's changed in the past year since he met me." Even her human ears picked up several grunts of assent in the demon half of the audience. She glanced back at her husband to find him pinning down his side of the guest list with a barely-tolerating stare. She continued, "And, of course, you ensured the birth of our beautiful children. I just wish…Dad was here to see his grandkids now."

At this point, the human half of the room was in tears, and though Rin was having trouble reading what she wrote through her own blurred vision, she had a feeling the demon half of the guest list wasn't as unaffected as they might appear on the outside.

"As a mother now, I'm starting to understand just what sacrifices you had to make. Knowing you made those for a little girl who wasn't even your flesh and blood leaves me in such awe whenever I think about it," Rin said with a sniff. The emcee handed her a tissue, which she used to blot her eyes and nose.

"And Grandpa—don't think I've forgotten about you. I lost two fathers in quick succession. I was lucky to have gotten a second. I never imagined I would be blessed enough to gain a third. Like Mama and Dad, you made a big decision: letting us come live with you after Dad died. Suddenly, your quiet house was full of three screaming kids! Now the mother of twins, I can start to imagine what you must have thought about that back then, but you never complained. Rather, you played with us and taught us the family lore. You came to every sports day and festival and graduation ceremony. And like any father, you watched the first man I brought home like a hawk. I'll never forget you trying to stick a sutra to him!" That line pulled laughs not only from the human audience who knew Grandpa but also from the demon audience who were no doubt imaging this frail old man trying to exorcise the great Sesshoumaru.

"Mama and Grandpa, I know this year wasn't what you expected for us or for me," Rin continued in a more somber tone. "I began the New Year telling you I was pregnant, and that wasn't easy for me. I was so scared to tell you precisely because I know how much you've done for me. I felt like I had suddenly thrown all those careful years of nurturing you gave me onto the ground and stomped all over it.

"And yet, once again, you left me in awe. Where other parents might have cast out such a daughter, you only pulled me closer and offered all your help. I can't tell you what that meant to me. I was drowning in anxiety, and you were a lifeline."

A glance at her parents showed Mama with a tissue pressed against her nose and tears streaming down her cheeks. Grandpa looked like he was trying very hard not to cry and absolutely failing.

"And then there was my accident," Rin murmured. Because their human friends couldn't know the truth of what happened, their family had had to craft a story when Rin fell ill. After Rin woke up, they let her in on the story—which honestly sounded more outlandish than the actual event, since Grandpa had a penchant for coming up with obscure medical maladies to use as excuses—and that was how she referred to it now.

"You could say I was privileged not to have to experience seeing my children in the hospital. But Sesshoumaru did, and through him, I've come to understand some of that pain. But my girls were only in the NICU for just a week. You had to watch over me for six weeks, not knowing if I was going to wake up. And yet you still came by every single day to check on me. Not only do I thank you for that, but Sesshoumaru does as well. You helped him through the worst time of his life—and of course in helping him, you helped me, because without him…I would not have woken up.

"So, Mama, Grandpa, and Dad—thank you for being role models of selflessness. As I raise my daughters, know that it will be you that I look to as I try to give my own children the best lives possible. Thank you for taking in a little girl who only wanted a family. Thank you for loving me as your own." Here, Rin's throat tightened in pain, and she sucked in several breaths as tears dripped down her cheeks. She didn't need to be able to read the last line. "I-I love you so, so much."

The hall broke into applause, and both Mama and Grandpa came up to the dais to hug and kiss her. After the clapping died down and they had wiped away their tears, Touga stepped up to the stage to offer the final speech of the night, as per tradition for the groom's father.

"Well, that's a tough act to follow," he said, earning some laughs. "I can't promise nearly as much emotion, because if you know my son Sesshoumaru, you understand that he's not fond of showing his feelings." More chuckles. "But this is a celebration in honor of him, his lovely wife, and my beautiful grandchildren, so whether he likes it or not, I'm going to get a little emotional here.

"Rin mentioned earlier that you've changed over the past year, and as someone who has watched over you since the moment you came into this world, I can wholeheartedly agree with her on that. And while your mother and I have always loved you for who you are, we can both agree that our son is now stronger than ever before—and I, for one, and very proud of the man you've become."

Rin looked at her mate and smiled, grabbing his hand. Sesshoumaru ducked his head, hiding his face from the audience, but he squeezed her hand so tightly, she couldn't let go. Nor did she want to.

"We all make mistakes," Touga continued. "I've made plenty myself over the years in both relationships and parenthood. Normally, this would be a time when a father would give advice to his son about how to be a good husband or parent. But in this case, I'd like to highlight the ways this son has already surpassed his old man.

"As I understand it, nearly from the start of your relationship with Rin, you made her your top priority. While it's true you were following some misguided notions at the start, nevertheless, those feelings came from a desire to put Rin's needs and wants above your own. Any successful couple will tell you that the secret to marriage is putting each other first. What you mastered in a few months—nay, a few days—took this old dog years to learn."

Rin casually glanced over to Inukimi and Izayoi to see how they were taking this speech—the former in particular. While her mother-in-law's expression remained placid, her eyes watched her ex-husband, unblinking.

"I mentioned earlier, we all make mistakes. For those of us who are a little prouder than others…who might even believe they are damn near close to perfection…." He coughed delicately with a grin, earning some chuckles from the audience. "Admitting that you were wrong is especially difficult—even humiliating. And no one likes to feel humiliated by the one he loves. And yet, for every mistake you made with Rin, you were quick to humble yourself before her and apologize. And when one apology wasn't enough, you continued to try to regain her trust. From what I can see, your efforts have paid off. The mutual, unwavering trust I see you both display in the other is, quite frankly, both awe-inspiring and enviable. If we all trusted our spouses as you two do, then this world would certainly be a better place."

Rin raised their clasped hands and kissed Sesshoumaru's knuckles. He still didn't raise his head, though he did glance up at her from beneath his bangs.

"And finally, there's your devotion to your children. Taking care of your first baby is tough; raising multiple children is a whole other challenge. But you're in the unique position of having your first stint in parenthood be with twins, and in a mere two months after learning about them, you rose to that challenge. The devotion you showed in taking care of them for the first six weeks of their lives without their mother was nothing short of astonishing. But more than that, what impressed me most was your commitment to giving each child equal attention. If Towa wants to play with a toy, you make sure Setsuna is playing too. If you changed Setsuna's diaper last time, it's Towa's turn to be in your hands. Balancing the physical and emotional needs of each of your children is one of the most difficult parts of being a parent. Some of us do it better than others." His voice grew more somber, and the way Sesshoumaru squeezed Rin's hand let her know that Sesshoumaru heard the words Touga wasn't saying aloud to the rest of the audience: that he had failed to give Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha the equal attention from him that they deserved.

"But if you keep this up, I have no doubt that your daughters—and any other future children you might have—will recognize this sincere form of love in the future and repay you with it.

"So, son, let me finish by repeating once more how proud I am of the man, husband, and father you've become. And if I might offer one piece of advice…keep doing what you're doing, and you'll never have to worry about sleeping in the doghouse." He winked, arousing some laughs and applause.

Sesshoumaru stood up just then, letting go of Rin's hand. He walked over to his father, who watched him with curious eyes.

Then Sesshoumaru bowed.

The demonic side of the audience broke out in gasps and whispers. Touga's mouth bobbed, as if he had barely stopped it from dropping open, and even Inukimi's eyes were wide with surprise.

But as quickly as Sesshoumaru had lowered his head, it was back up again. He approached the microphone to make his closing remarks.

"This concludes your entertainment for the afternoon. There is a table of favors by the door from which you may take. Good day."

When he stepped back from the microphone, Rin hurried up from her seat and lifted her dress, quickly walking over and trying not to trip. As soon as she reached Sesshoumaru's side, she grabbed his hand and said, "We thank you all for coming out today to celebrate our new family with us, and we hope you all have enjoyed your time! If you'd like to say hello to the girls, please come on up!"

"Good save," Touga murmured to Rin, and she just giggled.

In her other ear, Sesshoumaru said, "Why did you prolong this, Rin?"

She turned to him with a frown. "They came all this way in part to see our babies. We can't just show them off from afar. It's only fair to let them come meet the girls."

"But every moment we delay, you deny me the pleasure of removing that dress from your body."

Rin's face flushed scarlet. Of course. She had nearly forgotten—they technically still hadn't had their wedding night.

And given how they hadn't had sex in almost four months—and non-pregnant sex in over a year—it probably would feel very much like the first time.

Sesshoumaru closed the door to their bedroom and locked it—mostly as a precaution to Jaken bursting in unannounced. The children were staying with his father and Izayoi for the night, so that their home would be quiet with no interruptions. Even his mother had driven herself to the sanctuary to give them some peace—or in her words, "To forget what would be happening on the other side of their bedroom walls."

Rin stood by the bed with her back to him, the train of her dress hitched up to the bustle. His eyes trailed over the long line of buttons dotting her spine, and his fingers itched to undo every one of them.

But there was something else he had to see to first.

He walked over and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Her heartbeat galloped in his ears, goosebumps littered her arms, and her fingers tap-danced over each other. Noting these reactions, he ran his lips against the crook of her neck. Rin shivered and giggled, shying away. "Sesshoumaru, you know that tickles!"

"I do. I want you to relax. You seem nervous."

Rin sighed. "I'm sorry. I don't want to be."

"Why are you nervous?" he asked, feeling only a touch of sadness. Did she think he would hurt her after all this time?

"It's…been a long time."

He grunted an affirmative. "All the more reason why I look forward to unwrapping my wedding present," he said, running a talon along her dress's buttons with just enough pressure that she would feel it.

Sure enough, she sucked in a breath. "Even though you already know what's inside?" she asked in a meek voice.

"Precisely because I know what awaits me. I have missed your body for too long, Rin. And a good husband would make sure his wife is recovering well from her coma."

He swept her long hair over her shoulder and started with the fasteners along her neck, placing a kiss at its base when her collar was undone. The lacy part of her dress fell open, and he ran his nose along her spine, making the hair on the back of her neck rise. When he reached the buttons at the middle of her back, he placed a kiss for every two he undid until he reached the base of her spine. Then he straightened and carefully peeled the gauzy sleeves off Rin's shoulders.

Doing so pulled the bodice down as well, and his eyebrows disappeared beneath his bangs when he exposed her naked breasts. "This is a pleasant surprise," he murmured, reaching around to finger one of her hardened nipples.

Rin chuckled lowly. "Cups in the dress. No need for pesky bras."

"Less for a new husband to take off," he added, turning her head and capturing her lips with his. She twisted to wrap her arms around his neck, pressing her bare breasts against his suited chest. Time to rectify that barrier.

He reached up and yanked off his bowtie when Rin stopped him.

"Just a minute. Don't you think I should get to unwrap my present?" she asked.

Conceding, he let his hands fall to his sides. Rin undid the button on his jacket and pushed back the satin lapels, letting it fall off his shoulders. Then she reached behind his back, pressing her chest to his stomach, and untied his cummerbund, tossing it to the floor. Finally, she went about unbuttoning his shirt, reaching up on tip-toe to do as he had done and kiss a line down his chest for every button she opened. When she reached his pants, she yanked the rest of the material out, and he shrugged the shirt off.

"Now we're even. Continue," she said.

He shimmied the waist of her dress over her hips—were they larger now from birthing his children?—and as the dress puddled on the floor, he paused as he beheld the new changes in her body. Despite what she claimed, he had not known everything that was inside his present.

Her stomach lay as flat as it had in the fall when he last saw her so thin. Any extra baby weight she might have gained had been lost during the coma, and while she was putting muscle and fat back on, Sesshoumaru noted that he needed to feed her more, since she still appeared somewhat on the skinny side of healthy.

But what stood out most of all was the pink scar slicing across her womb.

Rin shifted, her arms coming up defensively across her middle. "Is something wrong?"

He knelt down and ran a thumb over the incision from her C-section. "This worries you, does it not?" He looked up when she didn't answer, seeing the concern in her face. "I know you, Rin."

"I know it shouldn't bother me…but it still does," Rin answered.

"You're right—it shouldn't. This is a battle scar. You should wear it proudly."

"Isn't it…ugly?"

He shook his head. To prove his point, he bent forward and ran first his tongue and then his fangs along the sensitive flesh. Rin's abdominal muscles quivered under his touch, and the aroma that drifted out of her sex called to him like a siren. It was not the scent of fertility—he had learned to smell the changes in her cycle over the last couple months as her body returned to normal—but it was potent nonetheless.

And it meant that they could play to their hearts' content tonight.

Letting Rin focus on her recovery had given them time not only to plan their future as a family but to practice the abstinence that they ultimately agreed would become a part of their marriage. They weren't planning to have additional children quite yet—newborn twins were more than enough to handle right now—and they would refrain from sex around her fertile times as needed…but they wouldn't actively prevent potential conceptions either.

As Touga and Izayoi had pointed out months ago, Rin's childbearing years were limited, and in the face of a near-eternal life, those would be precious few years indeed. And given all they had gone through in the last few months, they had both learned not to take any life for granted.

Sesshoumaru's groin tightened, and he lacked the willpower to stand. Instead, he hooked his talons over her thin lace panties and pulled them down, leaving the faintest hint of red scratches along her hips. As he revealed the garden of her sex, he dipped his tongue into the swirling roses to swipe at the nectar therein. Rin gasped, standing up on her tip-toes as Sesshoumaru plunged deeper. She teetered on her feet and suddenly fell back against the edge of the bed.

"Are you tired?" Sesshoumaru asked as her legs twitched.

She propped herself up on her elbows to look at him. "This isn't because my legs are tired, Sesshoumaru." Then she hooked them over his shoulders and brought him closer, her ulterior lips marking his chest with a wet kiss.

He growled and bent back down to nip her clit, eliciting a shriek from her. He tongued her over and over under she exploded beneath his teeth.

Rin panted, throwing an arm over her eyes. "Oh gods…that felt so good. It's been…so long."

"I hope you are not satisfied with just that. I have many plans for you tonight," he said, teasing her folds with his claw. She squirmed around him. "The least of which is exploring this passage once more." He thrust a finger into her channel, and she bucked and shivered.

"I guess the…good thing about a C-section is…I should still be…pretty tight for you," Rin gasped.

"No matter how many children you birth in the future, I will still fit you, Rin," he said, climbing onto the bed so he could brush away a sweaty strand of hair from her neck and kiss her there. "Now finish unwrapping, or I will do it for you."

Rin looked down and considered him with a wicked grin. "You're sure not going to make it easy, are you? Just look at this," she said, running a finger over the tent that had formed. Her touch sent sparks shooting towards his thighs.

"Rin…."

She hummed nonchalantly as she teased his pants open and pulled the zipper down. His boxer-clad erection burst forth like a Whack-a-Mole, and she grabbed him through his underwear, running her hand up and down his length. He groaned.

"I almost forgot how big you are. A man like you could break me."

Her words splashed him like cold water. "Is it too soon, Rin?"

She stopped stroking and looked up at him in confusion. "What? No, Sesshoumaru, I didn't mean— It was just dirty talk. I'm fine. We've had sex plenty of times before, and you haven't broken me yet."

"Still…we should take it slowly," he said, removing her hand and shucking off his pants and boxers. Rin watched his erection bob as he freed it. He leaned down and peppered soft kisses along her chest, eliciting sweet moans from her.

After he worshiped her body for a moment, Rin asked, "What if I don't want to take it slowly?" She bucked her hips against his, their genitals meeting for an all-too-fleeting second. "What if I want you inside me right now?"

Sesshoumaru growled against her breast, teasing her nipple with his sharp teeth. "Rin…."

"I want to feel your claws run down my body," she murmured, dragging her own blunt nails across his back. He arched like a damn cat as she did. "I want to feel your fangs mark my skin." She latched her lips to his neck, sucking and needling the tender skin there with her teeth to make a mark. His body trembled with the feeling of being claimed. When she let go, she whispered in his ear, "I want you to rail me so hard that I'm too sore to walk in the morning." She clutched onto his back and ground herself against him like a teenager at a school dance.

"Temptress," he hissed. He wanted to do all that and more to her. But Rin was still healing. "If I do what you ask, you will fall apart in my arms."

"I want to fall apart," Rin answered, reaching down and grabbing his cock, sliding it towards her entrance.

"I don't wish to be the reason you fall into another coma," Sesshoumaru said.

Rin stopped maneuvering him as her mouth dropped open in astonishment. "You seriously think you can knock me unconscious—from sex?"

"I've done it before—with just a kiss," he replied, pressing his lips to the soft skin in front of her ear with a smirk.

"You—that—I had gestational hypertension! You couldn't replicate that if you tried!"

A familiar switch in his brain flipped. Temptress indeed—he never could resist a challenge.

He disengaged her limbs from his and flipped her over. "Can't I?" He lifted her hips into the air, relishing the sight of her facedown in such a pliant position. Memories of his first time taking her flooded his mind, and his skin grew feverish as his blood heated with demonic energy. A red haze laced his vision.

He lodged his dick within her in an instant.

"Oh! Yes," Rin gasped, her core giving him a hard squeeze. She looked over her shoulder with a sultry look. "Finally. I've got you right where I want you."

Sesshoumaru leaned over until his chest was flush with her back. "Or do I have you?" He bit down on her mating mark—not as hard as he had when he first gave it to her, but enough to hold her in his grip—and thrust his hips hard, eliciting a sharp cry from her. He rammed into her again and again, and every punctuated breath of hers was music to his ears.

But her moans quickly grew less breathy and more pained. Only the sound of her distress could banish the lust that had him in its grip.

He stopped, hanging halfway out of her, and released her shoulder. "Rin, am I hurting you?"

Rin peeked back at him. Her hand crept under her belly. "It's…it's not necessarily you, but…."

"Rin, tell me."

"My incision is starting to hurt."

Sesshoumaru pulled out as fast as he had driven himself in and turned her over, inspecting her belly for wounds. She didn't appeared to be bruised or bleeding, but he didn't want to take any chances.

"That will be enough for tonight then," he said, laying down next to her and pulling her into his arms. He willed his cock to go limp, but having Rin's naked body against him didn't help in that department.

"What? No, Sesshoumaru—it's our wedding night! Or…our celebration of it at least. I want this to be special. I'll be okay. I just…can't be on my stomach, I guess."

"And I should not have been as hard," he added, refraining from saying, I told you so.

Rin seemed to know that's what he was thinking anyway. She sighed. "You were right. We should have taken it a bit easy to start with." She hooked a leg over his and pulled their hips together, his head touching her slit. "Come on. Let's finish what we started."

Sesshoumaru's hand slid down her side, dropping down to her stomach and grazing her scar. "Are you sure?"

In answer, she aligned them once more and pushed against his buttock with her leg, nudging him in. She kissed along his clavicle and over to his bicep. As her lips trailed along his arm, the skin tingled, as if the scar she had once left there—now a sword safely ensconced in the sanctuary—still remembered her touch. He raised that arm, breaking off her kiss, and entwined his hand with hers as he captured her lips. He rolled on top of her, making sure to hold himself up on his elbows, and from this angle, it was easier to glide in and out of her body.

"Does that feel better?" he murmured, nipping her ear.

"Yes," she sighed, squeezing their joined hands. "And how do you feel?"

"Like I'm home."

Rin smiled, breathing hard. "Well…I am your sanctuary…aren't I?"

Sesshoumaru smiled back, keeping up his leisurely pace. His balls tingled with the need to release. "Indeed."

Rin used her free hand to comb through his hair as he moved against her. He gave a little twist to his hips to shake things up, and she shuddered, gripping the hair at his scalp. "S-Sesshoumaru?"

"Hm?"

"I-I love you."

The words flooded his soul and broke the dam in his groin. As streams of his seed rushed into the rich valley that was Rin's womb, he gazed into her earthen eyes and felt two emotions that were still so foreign, they surprised him every time.

Peace and contentment.

He no longer felt any need to run—from his family, from his duties, or from his heart. As his father had long hoped, he had found something—someone (or three someones, rather)—to live for. He would nurture the love between him and his family. He would be grateful for every day they shared. And most importantly, he would keep them safe.

He would be their sanctuary.

THE END

AN: BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! That's right—if you're wondering why it took so long for me to get this (relatively) short chapter out, it's partly because I broke the original chapter in half! This just felt like the natural ending to the story, so what I had planned for the second half of this chapter will now be the first of two side stories. And this first one will feature—dun dun dun—the honeymoon! Look forward to that! I make no promises about posting time, since I obviously can't keep them anymore. Just know that it's mostly penned at this point.

The second side story will FINALLY address what happened in the bedroom between Touga and Inukimi, which I wrote (yikes!) a year ago. Thank you for your patience thus far, and I ask for it for just a little while longer!