Time: Right after the wedding Spring 2020

Place: Initially in Japan then in Canada

Special thanks to Nikki for brainstorming with me

Chap 14

After all the emotional rollercoaster of mourning for a previous mate and then rejoicing for the addition of a grandmother to their family, Sesshomaru took Inuyasha back out to the deep remote forest of Japan.

"I know we just did this but I wanted it to be the last memory we had of this visit. Come. Let's just be the two of us only if only for the next couple of hours."

Inuyasha nodded and started leaping through treetops racing his mate. It reminded him of the beginning of their courtship. They had such fun then.

Ultimately they ended up at the same meadow where Keiko was conceived. Against the moonlight sky they made sweet, passionate love.

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On the plane ride back to Canada Inuyasha slipped in beside Nikki.

"Hey Nikki! I'm so glad you could come to Castletown. Thanks for joining us. Hope you got to tour around." They chatted for several minutes until Kyo interrupted them.

"Excuse me, sir. The Captain has put on the seat belt lights and your travel partner is in need of your presence." Then whispering he added, "Dad, can you move back to your seat please? Don't make me look bad in front of the lead attendant."

Nikki and Inuyasha laughed.

"I'm moving but Nikki I'd like to drop by your shop for a visit soon. You good with that?"

Nikki replied, "Why certainly Inuyasha. Give me a couple of days. I just need to make sure my shop is running tightly. Come on over for some cake and tea whenever you're able."

So one day when Kyo and Yuki were available to watch over the girls Inuyasha went to visit Nikki at the cake demon shop.

"Hey! Told you I was going to be dropping in. How are you doing?"

Inuyasha smiled at the cake demon.

"It was so exciting being part of such a great wedding! Thank you for taking me. What about you and yours? Are you recovered? Did you have a good time there?" Nikki bubbled with enthusiasm.

"It was great!"

Inuyasha declared exuberantly. Joy shined from his face as he internally relived their latest sexcapade at the meadow.

"Sesshomaru and I got to spend some time in the forest with nature. Man, it was great for charging the soul and mind. I saw cranes and pheasants, and some other birds. There were Asian bear, sika deer and amami rabbits along with all sorts of other mundane animals. "

Inuyasha paused as he reflected. He sipped his tea and then quickly turned to Nikki.

"Nikki I got side tracked so many days we were home. Did you get to tour enough? I even forgot to ask you to bring your spouse with you to visit Japan. I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

Nikki reached out to touch his hand.

"Oh Inuyasha, Didn't I tell you. I'm a widow times two. My husbands died years ago. They were both heroes." Her voice filled with pride as she continued. "My first mate fought in WWII on the front lines. There was an ambush and he threw himself on a grenade so the others could live. So heroic," Nikki appeared lost in thought for a second and then continued. "We had been married for years and had several kids. But we were the last of our breed."

"I was single for many years, but my kids wanted me to get back in the "game". So I went to a USO dance for the troops and that's where I met my second husband. He fought in Vietnam. I met him a couple of days before he left for boot camp. He was young and spontaneous. I loved that about him. It was our second date and he asked me to marry him. Crazy, huh? But I succumbed to his charm. Strong, young, handsome, and very human. I didn't even have a chance to tell him I was a demon. He died in some "offensive". The officers that delivered the news gave me his medals. They said a bunch of nice things about him but I really didn't hear them. I guess I was in shock."

"Oooh," Inuyasha stumbled for words. "I had no idea."

"Inuyasha, it is part of my story. My children, my friends, and the memories of my two great loves are just a part of who I am. I not just a cake maker; I'm "The Cake Demon". Through my art, I bring happiness and joy to others. I'm just a hopeless romantic!"

Inuyasha sat quietly absorbing what he had heard.

"So," he drug the word out in a drawl. "Would you consider another soldier husband?

"I would have to kiss him to tell. Why do you ask?"

"Just jump straight to the kiss? Huh?

"Kisses-Yup, kisses are EXTREMELY important for many reasons! They help me figure out if what I feel for my lover is the real deal. The kiss from the one I've had my heart set on, if it's real and NOT some infatuation, the kiss can make my mind explode! It can bring out the stars in the middle of the day, and the brightest Sun at night!" Nikki laughed. "If my heart ISN'T in it, I won't feel a fizzle! And I like the fizzle, don't you Inuyasha! Bet you two can light some fireworks!"

Inuyasha laughed.

"Yeh—I love my man! We've had a lot of practice and he still blows my mind."

The two friends sipped their tea in silence.

"But you still haven't answered my question. Would you date another soldier? An old blood hound, Captain of the guard, my oldest friend, for example…" Inuyasha made a fun face and raised his eye brows suggestively.

"You mean that cute man with the rabbit son?" Nikki blushed.

Inuyasha smiled and nodded. "That's the one."

"Tell me more," The blushing cake demon leaned forward on the table. "He's single?"

The two talked for an hour longer and the conversation ended with an exchange of phone numbers. Inuyasha promised he'd introduce them via text message.

Time passed rapidly and many texts were passes back and forth between the two dog demons. Captain Kenichi hadn't dated in forever and was incredibly awkward. He resorted to silly jokes like:

Why did the baker go out of business?

His pay roll kept rising.

But Nikki found them humorous and would always respond with a LOL or smiling, laughing emoticon. Their relationship deepened and matured as the time passed.

It wasn't long after that that Captain Kenichi found a reason to visit Canada. On the Captain's first night in Canada, Sesshomaru ordered him to attend family dinner. Captain Kenichi, the ultimate faithful soldier, reported as ordered. It only took a few minutes for Inuyasha to countermand the "order" and change it to a pleasant request. Captain Kenichi sat to Inuyasha's right during dinner. Initially he was high strung but after several dinner squabbles between children and a humorous interchange between his two lords he realized dinner in Canada was a bit more relaxed that at the table in Castletown. As he relaxed and savored Inuyasha's cooking, he enjoyed the banter. Soon the table was cleared and tea was served.

Sesshomaru cleared his voice.

"Captain Kenichi."

"Yes Lord Sesshomaru," he replied promptly.

"I understand you are visiting Inuyasha's friend Nikki while you are here." Sesshomaru looked serious.

"Yes, My Lord. Unless, of course, you require my assistance in any matter," Captain Kenichi's eyes widened a bit and he looked over the faces at the table ending with his focus on the King.

The Takahashi children were watching closely, their eyes flashing back and forward between their Father and their Daddy's faithful friend.

"As the Captain of Castletown's guard you hold the standard for behavior and actions." The King continued as if he were posting an edict in the royal court.

"Of course, Lord Sesshomaru. I follow your example. I am your loyal servant. I live to serve my lords." Captain Kenichi wondered if he should be kneeling like the old days.

"Very good. Your room is here at our home. I understand you will be out and about with the lady,"

The Takahashi children leaned forward and smiled. They knew this lecture by heart. They were just amused their Father was giving to Captain Kenichi too. That means Father had deep affection for their childhood guard as if he was family. Inuyasha lifted the corner of his mouth in a half smile. Wait until bedtime. He was going to have some fun with this one.

Sesshomaru continued mindless of the smiles of his children and spouse. "Here is your key to the house. Make sure you protect it well. The security system is set to automatically arm at midnight, because-"

Before Sesshomaru could finish his sentence the Takahashi kids finished it for him. "—Nothing good happens after midnight!" Then looking satisfied with themselves they looked at their Father and added, "Isn't that right, Father?"

"Well said," Sesshomaru's facial expression never faltered. "Then we are understood."

"Yes My Lord." Captain Kenichi sat rigidly in seat as if he were standing at attention.

"At ease, we are glad you are here with us. I imagine you have someone you want to visit? You may be excused. Enjoy your time in Canada."

Sesshomaru nodded his regal head in dismissal.

The children raced to the recreation room. Fighting a bout of laughter, Inuyasha grabbed his friend and walked him to the door, showing him how to override the alarm system and reset it.

"Just in case."

That evening Inuyasha reminded Sesshomaru of a time in the past that was definitely after midnight and it was GOOD!

xxxooooXXOXOXOXOXOOOOOXXXXxxoooxoxox

During the entire time Captain Kenichi visited, he was up and out the door with dawn and home at 11:59pm. That actually worked better with Chef Nikki's schedule because she was always up early and in bed early due to her bakery.

Inuyasha wasn't surprised at all a month later when Nikki told him she was moving her business to Castletown. He celebrated with her and shared her happiness. But as he left the Cake shop he suddenly felt very lonely.

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