Warning, earning your red wings is a slang term for a sex act performed during a woman's period. Yes, this chapter ends with period sex, skip the end if that grosses you out.

Please read and reveiw.

p.s. I still do not own Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru ran into Yuki coming out of their chambers with Melissa's empty soup bowl on a tray. She spoke a quick greeting to the guards then spotted Sesshomaru coming down the hall. "Melissasama want's more soup so I am fetching it for her. May I speak freely, my lord?"

He nodded. "Turn around. She is having a bad morning, she started her bleeding today. If you do choose to go in there, apologize."

"For what am I to apologize?"

"What ever she yells about." Yuki replied with a sympathetic smile then scurried off for the soup.

Sesshomaru entered the room and saw Melissa sitting at the little table with tears of frustration in her eyes and her hands in her lap. He took a seat across from her and glanced at the table, she'd hardly eaten a bite. This was unusual as she was usually ravenous during her bleeding. "Is the food not to your liking?"

"Food is fine." She replied softly.

"Are you not hungry?"

"She would not allow us to help her, Maruchan." Granny explained from her seat near the window. He looked back down at the table and realized her chopsticks were laid the wrong way on the rest, she must have been trying to eat left handed. Her injured right hand was unable to hold the chopsticks.

Yuki returned and handed the soup to Melissa who thanked her and began to sip it from the bowl. Sesshomaru asked Yuki and Granny to leave and they complied immediately. He began to reach for the chopsticks but Melissa snatched them up and awkwardly picked up a small bite that fell from the poorly held sticks before she could get it to her mouth.

"Melissa, allow me to help you."

"I not baby!" She snapped, "I can eat!" She attempted again and managed to get the bite to her mouth. The next piece she dropped twice before managing to eat it.

"How did you manage to insert a tampon?" He asked without thinking. He immediately regretted it as she glared at him. Then she teared up and turned red before hanging her head in embarrassment.

"Yuki help." She replied softly, sniffling. "I not able."

"Where you at this morning?" She asked, getting angry now. "I wake up, you gone. Blood everywhere! I try clean up... Yuki help me get me clean. Mess cleaned while we gone. Why you gone?"

"I do not need as much sleep as you my dear. I decided to start my day far earlier than you would have wished."

"You know I bleeding?"

Sometimes he could distract her from her anger with affection. He reached across the table for her but she leaned back away. "I know what you doing! You did know! You should wake me up before bleed everywhere! Bad dog, Sesshomaru!"

"I should have woken you." He conceded. "Allow me to make it up to you." He leaned forward again, this time taking the chopsticks from her and lifted her rice bowl. She resisted but then grudgingly agreed and allowed him to feed her.

Once she had eaten he gave her some sweets he'd brought up from the kitchen then had Granny and Yuki sent back in. He left and a short while later the musicians arrived and began to play for them.

With her belly full she was much more agreeable, for the moment anyway. And the music was quite nice. It was actually a pretty good morning. But Yuki seemed oddly tense. She smiled and tried to stay upbeat, But Melissa could tell something was wrong.

There was a lull in the music and in the distance Melissa heard a woman scream in pain. Yuki tensed beside her, tears springing to her eyes and Granny ordered the musicians to play something more lively. Melissa then realized why they had music this morning, Sesshomaru didn't want them to hear Hihanna's execution.

Yuki managed to force back her tears. Then Melissa put her arms around the youkai, "Is ok be sad, she is sister."

"My lady, she is guilty of high treason! She attempted to assinate you! She doesn't deserve anyones tear!"

"But she still is sister." Melissa replied softly. Yuki nodded, she was her sister. She couldn't hold the tears back, not with Melissa encouraging her to mourn for her sister.

It was noon before the musicians finished playing and left. A few minutes after that Sesshomaru entered carrying a small sword that Melissa had never seen before. She hoped he wasn't crass enough to bring the weapon used to execute Hihanna into their sleeping chamber knowing Yuki was there.

He tilted his chin and she knew he was smelling the air. He directed his gaze to Yuki, "You've been crying."

"I'm sorry my lord. I know she doesn't deserve tears, but I couldn't help it." Yuki replied.

"She was sister. You can cry." Melissa reminded her gently.

Sesshomaru was silent for a long moment watching his gentle lover comforting Yuki. "Melissa is correct. She may not deserve your tears, but she was your sister. You grew up together. While the two of you may not have been close as adults I remember your bond when we were children. Your tears require neither apology nor an explanation."

"There is a matter I wish to discuss with you. As you know when Melissa first came here you were engaged in a battle to defend her honor, during which one of your teeth was knocked out. During that time Totosai was here to inspect and sharpen weapons he had forged for Mother's troops, I had her pass your tooth along to him. Yesterday you proved yourself worthy of receiving your tooth back. Totosai called this Tsurara."

Yuki received the short sword with awe and reverence. "Th-this is for me?"

"Yes. It seems to me Melissa needs more protection when I am not present, especially if Granny's sight is permanently impaired. You do not have her nose or ears, but your sight remains perfect and you have demonstrated the same protective spirit. While Melissa is with her tutor you will learn to use that sword to defend her."

"Yes, my lord. Thank you." She replied, beaming with pride and gratitude.

"Granny, how are your eyes today?"

"Still fuzzy, very fuzzy, but I can make out people and objects."

Sesshomaru nodded then dismissed them. Jaken, who had been standing at Sesshomaru's heels offered to lead Granny out by allowing her to hold the top of his staff. She didn't need his help with her eyesight improving, but allowed him to help her anyway.

Her lunch was served. Someone had apparently relayed to Shino that Melissa was having difficulty using chopsticks, she had sent up food that could be eaten with one's fingers. She found eating this meal left handed to be much easier.

They had just finished when there was a knock on the door and Kimiko and Kumiko entered the room. "Melissa, we now get to see if you have learned anything from me. I am afraid I must leave the palace for a few weeks time. You will get to try your hand at being the Lady of the West while I am gone. I will be leaving first thing in the morning."

"Why you leave?" Melissa asked, feeling slightly panicked at this news. Yes, she knew that is why she was being trained, in case she had to take Kimiko's place one day. But she never really expected to. And this was awful short notice.

"There is no need to be so frightened, I will be away perhaps a fortnight. Your training is not complete, but I believe you will perform admirably in my absence. I will leave Kumiko to assist you and Sesshomaru will remain as well.

"As for why, well that is complicated." Kimiko carefully looked around the room to see that all doors and windows were shut and that the four of them were alone. "Hihanna confessed under questioning that she was acting on the orders of another. I must travel to speak with Daichi as his daughter was the one who arranged the attempt on your life. This situation must be handled with great delicacy and I will trust it to noone else."

"You know?" She asked Sesshomaru, a bit defensively.

"Some of this, but I did not know Mother had finalized her plans. I had planned to tell you when I had the details." She couldn't very well be angry about that, but he'd better be on his best behavior! Kimiko gave her a written list of things that would need to be done while she was gone in case Melissa forgot then she and Kumiko left them alone again.

Later Melissa and Sesshomaru were taking a walk while Melissa scanned the list of duties she needed to fulfil. Most were simple tasks, such as checking that the heads of staff were keeping their underlings in line. There were a couple she thought she knew how to do, but one she wasn't sure about and thought she'd better double check real quick.

"Sesshomaru, where is mother? I have a question."

Sesshomaru lifted his head then said "I believe her smell is strongest in the direction of the throne room."

They walked into the mostly empty throne room and found Kimiko reclining on her throne. Kumiko was sitting on the platform next to her, where Kimiko might have sat when her husband was on the throne. The women had their heads together speaking softly and Kumiko had a hand laying gently on Kimiko's arm as they giggled about some shared joked. Then she saw Sesshomaru and Melissa and jumped to her feet, stepping away to a more professional distance.

Melissa smiled and shook her head in amusement as they approached. "Kumiko, you not fooling anyone. Everyone knows, no one cares."

Kimiko smiled then looked over at Kumiko, "As I have told you repeatedly."

"Indeed, Mother has always been open about the close friendship you share." Sesshomaru confirmed

Melissa's eyebrows shot up as she looked at him "Friendship?"

"What else would you call their bond, dear?"

Melissa's eyebrows travelled further up her face then she rolled her eyes and shook her head as she turned back to the youkai women. "O.k, fool one."

"What are you implying, Melissa?"

Chuckling Kimiko rose to her feet and patted Her beloved boy's head, "I'll explain when you're older, dear." He scowled at her. He hated when she infantilized him in such a manner.

"Mother, I have quick question."

"I already know what you are going to ask about. You are not required to complete that task, I just wanted to see that you would read the list and ask me how to do it before I left." Kumiko replied with a smile. "You have passed that test."

Melissa nodded in understanding then lead Sesshomaru away so the two women could continue their conversation. They went to their chambers but then she asked Yuki to accompany her somewhere. Sesshomaru got up to follow them.

"No, just Yuki. You stay!" She ordered.

"Who are you to give me an order? I will go where I please."

"I going make blood offering, if you come maybe I offer your blood and not my blood! I say stay because is not something for a man to see, Sesshomaru!"

His eyes widened by a fraction when he realized what she meant and why she needed Yuki. "I didn't realize-"

"You not ask! Not your business! Yuki, come!" She yelled at him then stormed away. As she did he picked up the smell of her blood, her paper plug was over saturated and leaking. He decided instead of waiting for her to return it might be wise to seek out Kin for a sparring match.

He did not join her for dinner but had his meal with Kin in the kitchens. He hoped Melissa would be over her anger when he went up to his bed chamber. To his surprise she was already in bed and he could smell tears. "Melissa?"

She hastily wiped her eyes then turned over to look at him. "What is wrong, Melissa."

"Nothing." She replied, then winced in pain with her hands on her belly and he knew she was feeling her female pains. "I had herbs, not working."

He changed and laid beside her in the bed. Crying she snuggled to him and apologised for yelling earlier. He stroked her body gently and as his hand glided across her belly he felt her womb contract as it cramped to shed it's unused lining. He frowned, that had to hurt, badly.

Not knowing what else to do for her he began to gently but firmly rub her belly. It worked and the tense muscle relaxed. She thanked him and pressed herself more tightly to him.

They kissed and hugged. Then she began to kiss along his jaw and down his neck. He stopped her, not wanting to be aroused when he could not take her. She complied, but it was to late, he was stiff as a log. He laid with her warm in his arms until her body relaxed and her breathing slowed then carefully stood and went to his courtyard.

It was nearly spring. Soon they would be able to leave, though they would have to return frequently so he could manage his father's affairs, now his affairs. But he knew Melissa was anxious to see Kagome and Rin again. And to tell them of their betrothal.

He took a deep breath. The buds on the cherry tree were swelling with new life, and though they had not yet opened he could smell their fragrance already. He walked to the tree and leaned against the trunk as he opened his sleeping yukata and gripped his swollen manhood. He began to stroke it with smooth steady movements as he visualized his lover's luscious, bouncing breasts. Her smooth soft belly leading down to her golden curls covering her pink flower.

"Sesshomaru?" He opened his eyes and saw her standing in the doorway, the mokomoko wrapped around her for warmth. She smiled at him and walked forward.

"I thought you were asleep. I did not wish to disturb you."

She smiled at him and reached out her uninjured left hand to begin stroking his penis and she kissed him. He put his arms around her, one hand reaching down to grab her firm buttocks and she continued to kiss and stroke him. She dropped to her knees before him and gazed up as she took his penis in her mouth.

She began to bob along the length, slowly taking more of him in until her sucked his entire length. Her warm, wet mouth felt amazing to him. He rested his hands on her head, and while he didn't push her he couldn't help rocking his hips to meet her lips.

He had been mastubating for a while and so it was not long before he felt ready to burst. He warned her that he was going to cum but she kept sucking, infact she sucked harder and faster. He groaned as his body tensed. His seed flowed out into her mouth. She swallowed every drop then continued to suck him until he was soft.

He leaned heavily against the cherry tree and gazed down at her as she looked up from her knees. After catching his breath he scooped her up in his arms and carried her back inside. He laid her on the futon and kissed her passionately. "I wish I could give you pleasure, my dear."

"You can if you want, I would like it." she replied smiling.

"I can not, you are in your bleeding. I can not enter you." he explained, stroking her cheek.

"Why? Does my blood disgust you?" She asked.

"Do you not realize how harmful a woman's blood is? It is natural, and blood has never disgusted this Sesshomaru. However it is known a woman's blood can render a man sterile, they even say it can cause his manhood not to work or even to fall off."

Her eyes went wide, then she began to laugh. She couldn't help it. She'd never imagined he was so superstitious.

"It not harmful. Is just silly... Um, silly belief. People once think it hurt men, but is not true. In my time many men have sex while wife is bleeding, they have lots of sex while bleeding and have many babies. Some think is gross, but not hurt penis."

"Men bed their wives during their bleeding in your time?" She nodded. "And their penises do not cease to work? They are not rendered sterile?"

"No." She replied, stroking his face. "It never harm any man."

He stared at her, thinking hard for a long time. "May I bed you to night?"

"Yes." She replied softly, opening her legs, ready for him.

"I will be back momentarily." he whispered. He didn't want to pass the guards who were posted outside the door to the royal wing. What they were about to do was tabooed. Instead he stepped into his courtyard and stealthily flew over the wall, careful not to be seen.

He returned with several towels and a bucket of warm water. He slid one under her hips then stealed himself and removed her tampon. He had expected a flood of blood, but there was none, the tampon had absorbed all that had been in her passage. Though he could smell more inside.

He lowered his face and slipped his tongue over her warm womanhood. Most of the fluid of her desire had been absorbed as well, but she still tasted wonderful. He slipped his tongue deep inside then over her clit, savoring her flavor. It was several moments before he tasted blood in her passage. He noticed that as a woman's blood smelled different, so did it taste different.

Melissa was ultra sensitive from the hormones flooding her body and quickly had a toe curling orgasm from her lover's vigorous licking. Sesshomaru wiped his mouth with a towel as he watched her tremble in the afterglow then kissed up her body. He hesitated for a few minutes. He knew she would never lie to him, but he had been taught to fear her blood his entire life. Finally he slid into her.

It was amazing! The forbidden nature of this act, coupled with having been deprived of her body for several days made it the best sex they ever had. He pounded into her relentlessly as she moaned and whimpered with her legs locked tightly around him.

They finished and he cleaned them both thoroughly then put a fresh tampon in her. Luckily Yuki did not have Granny's nose, so she would not smell any remaining semen when she helped Melissa tomorrow. Then he rinsed the towels of blood before putting them in the dirty laundry to be washed with Melissa's bloodied wash clothes from that morning before joining her to sleep.