Chapter fourteen! Wow I never thought that my story would get this far. I didn't even think I would get reviews. But I did and I could never be happier *cries tears of joy*. I know this chapter is little bit late compared to how I usually update and for that I'm sorry. I would also like to take this time to apologize in advance for my next chapter which won't be out for awhile, cause my English teacher decided to be so generous and assign yet another essay. Grrr! Four essays in one semester, what is this world coming to!? Anyways, on to reviewer responses!

Wolf Gothicka: Uh oh...having Mr. Fluffy problems? Haha Mr. Fluffy! That's to funny! Well if he gives you trouble you could always use my favorite trick and spray him with the hose. Although that only stuns him for a bit, so once he's wet you gotta run for the hills. Thanks for the review, it was very enertaining and I hope to hear from you again!

Natasha Z.: Thanks for reviewing! Thank you also for the compliment. Reading your compliments make me happy cause they let me know that, despite how I sometimes feel, I'm writing a good story. Well, here's what you've been waiting for! Ayame will be marked in this chappie. Thanks once again and enjoy!

Disclaimer: *Aries is once again in the dungeon wih the annoying recording of 'Aries does not own InuYasha' repeating itself. Except this time she is not chained to the wall. Instead she is sitting on the floor with chains around her wrists. Aries sighs and rolls her eyes at the sorry attempt of keeping her locked up. She takes a bobby pin out of her hair and picks the locks. Aries then strolls over to the door and exits. She whistles as she walks along the corriders. Aries enters her house, still whistling, and strides past an angry and confused Sesshoumaru.* "Wench! What are you doing out of the dungeon and how did you get out?" *Aries takes the bobby pin and flicks it at his face, then keeps walking and whistling. Sesshoumaru growls and runs at Aries. Aries turns around and snaps her fingers. Instantly two ninja bodyguards appear with swords drawn and are prepared for battle. Aries smiles then walks away* "Have fun Mr. Fluffy!" ^_^

WARNING!!! SOME ADULT CONTENT WITHIN!!! A/N: Don't say I didn't warn ya, and don't report me to ff.net cause this isn't going to be a raunchy and extremly detailed lemon, if it can even be called a lemon!

Chapter Fourteen: Passion

Ayame awoke the next morning alone and cold. She wrapped the blankets around her and sighed. Sesshoumaru had stayed with her that night, that she was sure of. He had left a few hours ago, however, judging by the slight staleness of his scent. Ayame stood and stretched, her back cracking in the process. She grabbed the closest article of clothing that was next to her and dressed. Finished with dressing herself, Ayame straightened out the dark blue fighting outfit and headed out of the room. She walked the halls in search of Sesshoumaru. He wasn't in his study or in the dinning room. Ayame turned a corner and found Jaken. She walked over to him and frowned when he scowled at her.

Regaining her composure, Ayame smiled. "You're Jaken, correct?" The toad just glared at her in silence and Ayame cleared her throat. "I'll take that as a yes. Anyways I would like to apologize for the time Rin and I accidentally trampled you."

"Well if you had been watching where you were going then it never would have happened!" Jaken harshly spit out.

"That's true and that is why I apologized. So, do you accept my apology?" Ayame politly asked, frankly she was getting irritated with this ungrateful toad, but she decided that it would be better to make peace between them then to make war.

"No I don't and I would appreciate it if you left and never showed your face here again." Jaken stated.

That was the last straw for Ayame, 'Forget making peace! I'm going to kick this little toad's ass and teach him a lesson!' She mentally fumed.

"Why you little...What is your problem? Why are you so rude to me?" Ayame asked angrily.

"You are a wench who does not deserve Sesshoumaru-sama's attention! That is my problem with you! You think that if you become friendly with the lord of the western lands you will be pampered and acquire anything you desire. Ha, I've seen your kind. You're only here for the riches and high social status!"

Ayame balled her hands into tight fists. "How dare you accuse me of such a thing!" She yelled, "You know nothing about me or of what you speak of! I should rip out your throat for that!"

Ayame began to advance on Jaken and he nervously backed away. She was just about to grab him when she was stopped by a smooth voice that she recognized immediatly.

"Is there a problem here?" Sesshoumaru inquired.

Ayame turned around and faced him. "No problem just teaching this toad a lesson is all."

Jaken ran over to his master for protection. "No problem you say? She is lieing Sesshoumaru-sama. She threatened to kill this lowly servant."

Ayame crossed her arms and turned her head to the side. "You deserve it." She muttered under her breath.

Sesshoumaru inwardly rolled his eyes. "We should continue your training Ayame." He said and started to walk towards the dojo.

Ayame followed him and she turned around and cast a warning glance at Jaken that said 'I'll get you later.' Ayame was glad that they were going to be training. She had some pent up anger that she needed to release and training would suit perfectly. Once in the dojo, Ayame grabbed her kodachis and prepared herself. Sesshoumaru unsheathed his sword and without wasting any time, he attacked her. Fueled by her anger, Ayame was able to block the attack with one kodachi and attack with her other one. She swung at him and managed to cut the fabric of his kimono as he dodged and backed up. Sesshoumaru looked down at his ripped shirt then back up at Ayame who was smirking at her accomplishment.

'So she wants to fight that way does she? Very well.' Sesshoumaru thought.

Sesshoumaru stuck his sword in the floor then began to remove his torn shirt. He threw it in the corner and took hold of his sword once more. He watched as Ayame's smirk faltered and a faint pink began to stain her cheeks. He swiftly swung his sword at her while she was off guard. She dodged but the fabric on her right shoulder had been torn. Sesshoumaru attacked her again but Ayame parryed it. Sesshoumaru repeatidly attacked Ayame and she noticed that he was slowly backing her into a corner. Ayame attacked him then leaped behind him. Sesshoumaru spun around as quick as lightning and swung his sword at her. Ayame jumped away, but the fabric on her left shoulder had ben ripped. The top half of her outfit fell open so that the back and front half were now folded over. Her bottom half was still clothed, but her torso was bare except for her breast wrappings. She looked at Sesshoumaru who was now the one smirking. Ayame's competitive side took over. She didn't want him to win, so she attacked him with everything she had and was able to get him in a corner. She blocked one of his attacks then swung her kodachi and stopped it just inches from his throat.

The two were panting heavily and Ayame watched as a bead of sweat rolled down Sesshoumaru's finely sculpted chest. There suddenly came some applause from the doorway of the dojo and Ayame withdrew her kodachi and turned towards the door. Inari and Haruko were standing in the doorway smiling and applauding. They walked over towards Ayame and Sesshoumaru.

"That was fantastic. Well done Ayame. It's about time someone beat Sesshoumaru." Inari commented.

Ayame slightly bowed, "Thank you." She uttered, trying to catch her breath.

Inari noticed the glare he was recieving from Sesshoumaru. "Calm down Sesshoumaru. I was just complimenting Ayame on her beating you. No hard feelings, after all we both know that you are still able to beat me."

"What do you want Inari?" Sesshoumaru stoically asked.

"We need to talk," Inari looked at Ayame then back at Sesshoumaru, "in private."

Sesshoumaru nodded his head and gathered his torn shirt. He left the dojo with Inari.

"Perhaps you should change into something that isn't torn." Haruko said to Ayame.

Ayame agreed and they walked back to the house. Haruko waited for Ayame in a small room that had a few cushions to sit on and a table with some prepared tea on it. Ayame finished changing into a forest green kimono with some celtic looking designs on it in silver and a silver obi to match. She went into the small room and sat across from Haruko.

"So tell me Ayame, why did you leave so suddenly the other day? We didn't even get to say goodbye."

Ayame's eyes became downcast as she spoke, "I'm sorry, but I would prefer not to talk about it."

Hearing the sorrow and pain in her voice, Haruko left the topic alone. The two idely chatted for awhile on nothing in particular.

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*In Sesshoumaru's study*

"Well I support your decision Sesshoumaru."

"Thank you Inari."

There was a brief period of silence beween the two before Inari spoke up. "So she is really who you say she is and those things have happened to her?"

"Yes."

"Then you will need to keep an eye on her. Especially from Karisou."

"I know."

"Hmm... well if you ever need help, you can count on me."

Sesshoumaru nodded his head in gratitude.

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*Back in the tea room*

Ayame and Haruko's conversation stopped when Inari and Sesshoumaru, who Ayame noticed had also changed into untorn clothing, entered the room. Ayame and Haruko stood and walked with them to the front gate of the house.

"It was nice seeing you again Ayame. I hope we can get together again soon." Haruko merrily said.

"Me too." Ayame said and smiled.

"I believe you have made a wise decision Sesshoumaru and I hope that happiness will find its way to you in the following years." Inari said quietly so that only Sesshoumaru would hear.

"Thank you Inari." Sesshoumaru spoke.

Haruko walked over to her mate who whispered something into her ear. She giggled a bit then spoke some hushed words to Sesshoumaru. He nodded his head. Haruko turned towards Ayame and her smile became even bigger. Ayame was confused, but she just shrugged it off. She waved goodbye as Inari and Haruko sped off towards their own home. Ayame and Sesshoumaru walked back inside. Sesshoumaru excused himself, saying he had some work to do, but he really needed to go prepare himself mentally for what he was going to do later that night. Ayame watched him go, then walked to the gardens. She walked to the pond she had found the night before and sat down. She put one of her feet in the water then layed down on her back in the cool grass. She felt a nip on her toe and she smiled, already knowing what it was. She closed her eyes and spent the next few hours thinking and enjoying the warm sun and refreshing breeze. After a little while longer, Ayame stood up and headed back inside as the sun began to lower behind the mountains and the clouds began to turn beautiful shades of red, orange, and purple.

Once inside Ayame's nose was assualted with the scent of food. Her stomach growled as she realized she hadn't eaten anything in quite some time. She went into the dinning room where she saw Rin sitting and eating, but Sesshoumaru was not around. Ayame sighed and sat down in her usual place.

Rin looked over at her and smiled, as if she knew a secret. It seemed that everyone was keeping secrets from her today. Some food was brought out to her and Ayame ate it ravenously. When she and Rin were finished they went back out into the garden. Ayame watched over Rin as she ran about chasing some fireflies. After an hour or so Rin became tired, so Ayame took her to her room and tucked her in for bed. Ayame walked to her room and when she reached the door she could sense Sesshoumaru's presence inside. She slid the door open and entered. The second she was done sliding the door closed she was drawn into Sesshoumaru's embrace and he kissed her deeply. Ayame was shocked at first, but she soon relaxed and just enjoyed the moment. Sesshoumaru broke the kiss after a minute and looked down into Ayame's eyes.

"Ayame, I have come to terms with my feelings for you and have found that I am in love. You are constantly on my mind and I can't go a day without thinking about you. I want to stay with you forever. Will you be my mate?" He softly spoke to her.

Ayame smiled up at him, "I love you too Sesshoumaru. Of course I will."

Ayame watched as the doubt and nervousness extinguished from his eyes and she found herself once again drawn into a deep and passionate kiss. Sesshoumaru wrapped one arm around her waist while the other skillfully untied her obi. Ayame's hands also went and worked at his clothing. She removed his clothing as he did hers. Sesshoumaru took a clawed finger and cut through her breast wrappings. They drifted to floor and landed silently. Sesshoumaru looked over his mate and Ayame shifted nervously under his scrutinizing eyes. He then traced his finger over cheek and down to her neck.

"Didn't I tell you someday I would make you mine?" He whispered in her ear.

Ayame smiled and nodded her head. "Yes, you did. And I never doubted that you would." She replied.

Sesshoumaru scooped her up and walked to the futon. He gently layed her down and hovered over her for a moment before pressing his lips against hers. His hand made its way to her breast and cupped it. Ayame sighed against his lips and she arched her back as he began to gently caress it with his thumb. He removed his lips from hers and began to place light kisses down her neck and torso. He moved his knee up between her thighs, opening them. He looked into Ayame's eyes as he postioned himself.

"This is going to hurt." He said.

Ayame saw the worry in his eyes. She smiled and nodded her head in understanding. At the same time as he entered her he bit into her neck at the junction between her shoulder. Ayame closed her eyes in pain, a few tears rolling down her cheeks and she fisted one of her hands in the blankets and the other in Sesshoumaru's hair. The pain soon subsided and she could feel Sesshoumaru softly lapping up the blood at her neck. She unfisted her hands and watched as he looked at her and wiped her tears away with his thumb. He then leaned down and kissed her.

"Mine." He whispered against her lips.

They spent the rest of the night expressing their passion for one another until they fell asleep in each other's arms.

*Gasp* Did I just write that? 0_0U. *Rereads the story* Hmmm, it's not to bad, I think it's kinda tasteful. I don't think I went overboard with it. To clear one thing up, yes Rin knew that Sesshoumaru was going to ask Ayame to be his mate. However, all she knew was that she was going to get a new mother, not about the whole mating process. Okie dokie well lemme know what ya thought! Again I apologize in advance for my next chapter, which will be fashionably late. Don't blame me, blame my English teacher for assigning another essay and delaying you from reading my story. *Sigh* Such a cruel world we live in. Till the next chapter, see ya!

~Aries