A/N: M rated chapter

Inuyasha

Love's War

Chapter 12

Mates

March 20, 2019

Shippou not knowing the troubles facing his family at the castle with Inuyasha's death, is extremely frustrated his intended is being held captive and he keeps getting told to stay put safely behind the walls of the Southern border garrison. Each day his responses to those around him get shorter and more agitated. He is currently standing on the wall facing the Southern border with his arms crossed over his chest with the fingers of his right hand tapping irritably on one of the the hilt's of his two swords at his side. His ears could hear the sound of fighting in the distance, since they were only a couple miles from the border his sensitive ears could just make out the sounds of battle raging on just beyond the forest in front of him. His eyes glared over the land, his tail twitched side to side, as his mind tried to work out how to obey his "father" but go to the Southern Palace and save his intended from that awful Southern Prince Hotaru. That bastard was going to pay for this.

"You know Young Shippou standing here brooding isn't helping anything." Tatsu said softly from just behind him. She felt for the young fox her son had caused him trouble now twice the first time he was too young to do anything about it but now he's old enough, strong enough, and smart enough to fight in this war but is forbidden from doing so by Sesshomaru who told him to wait here until he could get his army down to the Southern border, then told to wait again when the other Lords weren't ready yet.

"Your point is what exactly?" Shippou snapped back at her irritably the plan he was coming up with in his mind was the only way he could see getting to the Southern Palace and it would mean he would completely break Sesshomaru's trust to do it, that was just as tormenting to him as the thought of leaving Sachi in Hotaru's hands.

"Sesshomaru isn't very patient either. He will move shortly with or without the other Lords." Tatsu said comfortingly hoping to keep this young man protected a little bit longer she was sure Hotaru had started this war just to kill the young kit, but the time was fast approaching that he would no longer wait.

"And you would know being the perpetrators of the last war." Shippou said angrily as he just turned his head to glare back at her.

"I do not deny my mate and pup were both reckless and stupid, but I have known Sesshomaru for a lot longer than you young Shippou, please relax and remain patient he will act soon." Tatsu said with a small smile then turned and walked away.

"Humph…" Shippou huffed out returning his attention to the forest.

Throughout the day the more he thought about Sachi being held prisoner the more his plan from earlier in the day seemed like the only option to free her. It's just before dawn now and still no word from Sesshomaru or Inuyasha. 'I have to do this. I have to save her…forgive me…' he thought as he stood on the top of the wall facing the Southern border again glaring out over the forest. He slipped over the wall and was across the clearing in a matter of moments.

After reaching the front lines Shippou found the demon in charge of this area of the line. "Captain Saito we are moving forward." He said as he stood face to face with the dog demon who had been under Sesshomaru's command since his father had died.

"I've received no such order from Lord Sesshomaru." The old dog demon Saito said curiously wondering if he was being replaced by this young kit for failures to keep the South from pressing into the Western Territory over the past week.

"Lord Sesshomaru and Inuyasha are farther up the line taking command to push us into the South faster." Shippou lied as he kept a straight face never letting his eyes wander away from the demon captain in command her.

"Of course, but this is the closest point to the Southern Palace I would have thought Lord Sesshomaru would be here." The demon captain Saito said with a slight frown.

"Are you questioning the orders given to me?" Shippou asked aggravated as he scrunched up his eyebrows at the demon in front of him wondering if this plan was going to work if the man in front of him was going to send a messenger back to Sesshomaru to prove the truth in the order.

"Of course not, just confused." Saito said knowing this was the surrogate son of his Lord questioning his orders would be considered treason. He turned from Shippou and began moving through his portion of the army "Move out we are pressing the South!" he said several times receiving a growl of approval from them. Within minutes they were ready and began pushing across the border.

Shippou heaved a sigh of relief as he turned to face the South, if he can get past this section of Southern guards guarding the border, he should have a straight shot to get there on his own. A single person past the line of the enemy shouldn't have any difficulty sliding through the country side to get to the Southern Palace.

As daybreak broke with a long portion of the Western army across the Southern border and were pressing hard against the enemy in front of them. Now that the foot was on the other side it seemed that the South was unorganized but that could just be the surprise, up until now the West had only fought a defensive war.

The South fell back quickly trying to regroup, which was stretching out the Western Army creating a large gap along the border and the front line where it was now unprotected. The south noticing this once they regained their posture began fighting back but drawing the Western Army farther from the protection of those on the border still. The commander in charge sent word down the line to the other commanders to take advantage of this aggressive move by the West.

Shippou fighting hard to create an opening for himself to get through never once looked back to see the chaos that was left in his wake. The solid Army line along the Western border was now stretched so thin in places and completely broken in others, there was no way to stem the flow of the Southern army rushing across and killing so many of the unsuspecting members of the army left behind by Shippou's advance. Now there was a steady flow of enemies into the Western Lands heading up the back of the Western forces.

~*~*~*~ Western Castle ~*~*~*~

After last night's events, Inuyasha asked Himeko to be his mate and the two had spent the morning finding suitable quarters. They found their new quarters just before lunch about half the size of Sesshomaru and Kagome's room at the front of the castle in the West wing. Inuyasha enjoyed being able to see the front gate it made him feel more secure with Sesshomaru at the back of the castle. This is a single room with enough room for a seating area plus two armoire's one on each side of the room. A fireplace in the middle of the seating area, gorgeous tapestries of the Western Beaches spanning the wall above the fireplace.

The day was spent watching the servants moving their belongings into their new room together and resting since everyone was tired and low on energy it was a very quiet day in the castle. Even the children were subdued in their playing, last night had definitely left its mark on all those in the castle.

Inuyasha was standing in front of the doors to their balcony watching guards coming into he castle's court yard through the front gate then leaving. "What are you watching?" Himeko asked curiously as she stopped slightly off to the side behind him to see out of the windows too.

"The guards coming and going." Inuyasha replied as he turned his attention over to Himeko.

"If you're interested, we can go down and find out what the reports are, I'm sure they are from the front lines." Himeko said with a small smile.

"No, if it's important Sesshomaru will send for us." Inuyasha said as he turned away from the window to face her. He had waited long enough to do this, so he wasn't going to keep putting it off as his cheeks defied his resolve as they turned slightly pink.

Himeko smiled softly at him as she leaned over and kissed his lips softly. "You're right." She said softly against his lips as she looked into his eyes.

Inuyasha reached for her pulling her against him as he kissed her again. But this kiss was much deeper as he moved them from in front of the window. Her body against his felt amazing just like earlier this morning and that kept him moving her backwards towards the bed.

Himeko letting him move her reached down and undid his obi letting it fall to the floor as she pushed her hands apart opening up his hori's. she heard his growl softly for a moment before leaving her lips and tracing his down her jaw and neck to her shoulder.

Inuyasha felt her fingers tracing their way up his chest towards his shoulders pushing his hori open then off his shoulders and he let go of her long enough to let them slide off his arms to pile in the floor just behind his feet. Following her lead, he undid her obi dropping it to the floor then began tracing his fingers up her torso from her belly button, pausing to grab both of her breast lightly relishing in the feel of them for a moment. An uncontrollable urge hit him when she growled softly and he saw her biting her lower lip, he leaned down pulling a nipple into his mouth lightly suckling on it.

Himeko sucked in air surprised pressing the breast against him then moaned ever so softly trying to suppress the sound. She felt him trail kisses towards the other breast as his hands roamed upward and pushed her hori off her shoulders to fall into a pile at her feet as he pulled her other nipple into his mouth enjoying the small movements and sounds, she was making.

Inuyasha started trailing kisses up her chest to her neck feeling her heart beat there he pauses opening his mouth slightly with his fangs brushing against such a sensitive spot then let his tongue slip over her skin there at that vital point on her neck. He looked up at her to find her head leaned to the other side and backwards giving him complete access to her neck in submission to his whim. Realizing how much power over her he now had turned him on to a level that actually hurt, the need to have her was so physically great in that moment his manhood throbbed painfully.

Himeko's body was reacting similarly as she was throbbing in places she had never once thought was possible and she whimpered softly when he nipped at her vital spot gently then traced his lips up the rest of her neck as he pulled her against him again. She reveled in the feel of his chest against her bare breast and she wrapped her arms around him letting the tips of her claws ever so gently trace down his back.

Inuyasha moved his hands down to her hips and slipped his fingers into her hakuma pants then pushed them down over her rear then when the tension faded just below her butt, he released the tension in his fingers let the pants just fall to the floor with gravity. He used both hands grabbing her ass picking her up.

At being picked up suddenly Himeko squealed lightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Then was silenced by Inuyasha putting his lips over hers, he moved one hand to around her waist and the other up her back and into her hair, he began walking forward until he found the bed. He put a knee up on the bed then leaned forward laying Himeko down gently.

Inuyasha stood back up for a moment to push his own hakuma pants to the floor then climbed onto the bed putting himself between her legs as he propped himself up on his hands he leaned down and claimed her lips yet again as his. "Are you sure?" he asked softly as he leaned back up slightly to look into her eyes making sure this is what she wanted.

"Uhm hum." Himeko hummed out softly with a nod of approval.

Inuyasha watched her eyes for a moment to make sure there was no doubt in them, he'd lived his whole life as a half-breed, so he knew the discrimination that was out there. Mating a full demon would pull her down into his category in the demon society. He saw no wavering in her gaze up at him and it filled his heart with joy, this woman had truly accepted him as he was. He slid into her slowly till he felt a small barrier then with one last look into her eyes shoved the rest of the way in.

Himeko closed her eyes for a moment biting her bottom lip and arching her back to him with a small whimper. She felt Inuyasha still waiting for her to get comfortable with him in place. She looked up at him as he back returned to the bed with a small smile and nod to him letting him know she was fine. She lifted her legs bending them so that the were resting on his hips.

Inuyasha felt her move beneath him so he leaned down and kissed her lips passionately then slowly slid himself back, but before removing himself completely he slid home again. This slow pace continued for several minutes as they got used to each other for the first time.

Himeko moaned softly as she used her fingers to trace up his spine then across his shoulder and down his side. She pulled her hands up in front of her tracing his abs up his chest just to do the reverse.

Inuyasha was being tickled by her fingers light touch so he decided to up the pace to give her hands something else to do, hold on. Which worked cause now her hands were placed flat on his back fingertips just on either side of his spine. Her back arched up to him and he placed a palm on her back to keep her in place as he leaned down and pulled one of her nipples into his mouth. Tracing his tongue around it he heard her moan again with her fingers pressing into his back causing her claws to start to bite into his skin. He growled out in pleasure releasing her nipple and going up to her neck and nibbling on it gently.

Himeko again gave him free access to her neck as she moved her head out of the way of his. She moaned out this was better then she had expected. "Inuyasha…please…" she moaned out softly with her eyes closed then bit her bottom lip.

The sound of her calling out to him like this drove his instincts into a frenzy he moved up to kiss her passionately before leaning up, bracing her against him, then began ramming faster and harder into her. She was clenching around him and he knew she was close, so he didn't stop her body was drawing him to a conclusion too. Soon he was still leaning down on top of her propped up on is elbows panting with his head cradled in the crook of her neck and he bit down marking her as his mate. He was now panting and licking the blood off her neck.

Himeko felt him collapse against her, she was panting as well. She felt his fangs pierce her at the crook of her neck it was official she was his mate, now to make him hers. She leaned up slightly doing the same to him, and now he was officially her mate. "I love you Inuyasha." She said softly when he stopped bleeding from her mating mark.

"And I love you Himeko." Inuyasha said softly in her ear with his head laying on the bed beside her. Once he caught his breath, he slid off of her to lay beside her pulling the covers up over the two of them to keep them warm. He laid on his side then pulled her against his chest laying his head on top of hers, soon both of them were asleep.

~*~*~*~ Night Fall ~*~*~*~

Sesshomaru burst into Inuyasha and Himeko's room angry. "Get up Inuyasha!" he said from the door.

Startled awake Inuyasha sat up reaching for his weapon that normally was beside his bed but in this room, he had laid it over by his armoire. Himeko startled awake as well grabbed the blankets to keep herself covered. "What the hell Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha yelled at his elder brother glaring at him making sure his lower half was still covered along with his mate.

"The southern forces are marching on the castle. Get up!" Sesshomaru said angrily then turned and stormed out of the room and down the hall.

Inuyasha jumped out of the bed dragging on his clothes as he rushed over towards the window overlooking for front gate then looking out the window out towards the gate and sure enough even in the dark beyond the walls he could see massive dark movement towards the castle. "What the fuck…" he said angrily as he ran over grabbed his armor putting it on then putting his sword on his side.

"Lets go." Himeko said from the door fully dressed with her swords on her side as well. She opened the door then ran out of the room with Inuyasha right behind her. "Lady Kagome…" Himeko said skidding to a stop at the top of the stairs to keep from slamming into Kagome.

"What do you think you are doing?" Inuyasha asked her angrily as he glared at her sword on her side, arrows across her back, and her bow in her hand.

"I'm going to defend my home and my family whether you and Sesshomaru like it or not." Kagome said then began walking down the stairs.

"Damn it… you stay by her and protect her." Inuyasha said to his mate then dove around Kagome at a run to get outside the castle as fast as he could. He made it to Sesshomaru's side on the wall in a matter of seconds as he watched the approaching enemies. "Where did they come from?" he asked curiously.

"The South Inuyasha." Sesshomaru said without ever looking over at his younger brother.

"Smart ass." Inuyasha growled out as he glared over at Sesshomaru for a second then returned his attention to the enemy. "How did they get here without us knowing about it?" Inuyasha asked rephrasing his question.

"Some time after lunch our lines of communication were severed with the front lines. We weren't receiving any communications. After several hours my mother came to inform me, as night was falling, I sensed these bastards almost on our doorstep." Sesshomaru said with a small shrug then growled lightly. "Kagome…" he growled out glaring back towards the castle his mate stood there on the landing on the top of the stairs to the castle.

"I have Himeko staying with her. She refused to stay inside the castle." Inuyasha said glancing over at Sesshomaru out of the corner of his eye.

"Damn her, I can't afford to be worrying about her fighting and myself fighting at the same time." Sesshomaru growled out lightly returning his attention to the enemies who have now stopped their advance and were inspecting the preparations the castle had for this invasion.

"There is no point telling you not to worry about her but your mother, Sango, Miroku, Kohaku and Kirara are now at her side as well as Himeko. Plus, she's not exactly useless in a fight anymore." Inuyasha said after glancing back at Himeko and Kagome.

"She is with pup Inuyasha." Sesshomaru said softly over to Inuyasha. "I can't go through that again…" he whispered honestly over to Inuyasha then he stood tall and proud like he hadn't just admitted a weakness of his.

"We'll protect her this time." Inuyasha said as he looked up at his elder brother with a small smile on his lips.