**LEMON**

Chapter 8: Love and War

A sharp clash of blades echoed through the forest. Kagome shifted her weight onto her heels and stumbled a bit before regaining her balance and shooting forward, taking a swipe at Inuyasha. He dodged her easily, swinging back with the blunt practice blade, only to let Kagome block it. She was fast, but her true advantage was her fighting style. The first time Inuyasha had agreed to spar with her it took him by surprise how well she handled the blade. He was faster and stronger, able to defeat her easily any time he wanted, but he enjoyed watching her graceful movements almost as much as she loved the release.

He always took the blunt practice blade, letting her wield Tessaiga. He was sure he wouldn't hurt her, but holding Tessaiga against her seemed wrong in every way. He slowed himself down, and only swung with a fraction of his strength, but that didn't mean he let her off too easy. He wore a wicked grin as the edge of his sword connected with her leg, tapping her harmlessly as a reminder to leave no openings for attack. She growled, swinging hard at him and locking blades. Their spar continued at a feverish pace.

Since Kagome had been officially mated to Inuyasha, her speed was much improved. She was able to block most of his shots, and even hit him back on occasion, though she suspected he let her. It wasn't about winning or losing for either of them, but enjoying the dance.

Inuyasha's form was almost the exact opposite of hers. He didn't wait for an opening to strike, finding it faster to make one himself. To his thinking, when an opponent was kept on the defense, he always had the upper hand. Kagome countered his moves with deadly precision, taking her time to watch his patterns. It was difficult with him as he switched it up often, but she was always able to find his weak spot when he least expected it.

As she stepped out of the path of his blade she quickly spun to the side, landing a glancing blow to his shoulder, much to his surprise. She was already swinging again when he turned, blocking her with force, knocking her back a few steps. He went on the attack while she was off balance, knocking Tessaiga from her hand with a sharp singing of steel. She fell on her butt as Tessaiga clamored to the ground a few feet away. Inuyasha stood over her, pointing the practice blade at her throat. She shot him a cold glare. He couldn't help but crack a smile at her ferocity as she sat in the grass, defeated. She looked so mad, but with the speckled sunlight splashed across her face, she wasn't looking too scary. She could always 'Sit' him, but his Kagome was no sore loser. "Do you yield?" He asked, a little hint of pride in his voice. She hesitated a moment before letting a soft smile break her cold expression.

"I yield." She said, rolling her eyes as he grabbed her forearm to help her up. Her soft smile turned wicked as she yanked him with all her strength, making him fall on top of her. Their lips were locked the second his knees hit the ground, pulling her in roughly as she squeaked against his lips. She pressed her balled fists against his chest playfully, giving him no choice but to pin her so he could continue his passionate assault. It only took one hand to hold both of hers still above her head, allowing the other to roam her body. He pulled the knot holding her Hakama free, allowing him to pull aside her collar. She hummed a high note against his lips in protest. He knew she would be embarrassed by him undressing her in the open air, she always was, but that only made it all the more fun. He couldn't hear anyone around for now, so what harm was there in enjoying his beautiful wife's body on a sunny day? Still she whined as his hand snuck beneath the fabric to her bare breast. She writhed beneath him, unable to move very far, but trying nonetheless. He released her lips, letting her breathe for a moment.

"Inuyasha! N-not here!" She squeaked, embarrassed at his brazen display of dominance. He watched her face in fascination, her eyes closed, lips parted, blushing shyly from his groping. Ignoring her protest, his fingers tightened around her nipple, squeezing lightly. Her face changed to the familiar look of pleasure, making him growl in anticipation. Kagome pulled against his restraining grip, but didn't tell him to stop as he leaned down to lick her neck, making her whine sweetly. He felt her quickening pulse beneath his lips, a sensation that drove his more feral side wild. It made him feel like an animal who had caught some very tantalizing prey. Her voice cracked while her head tilted back for him, a submissive gesture that pleased him more than she might have realized. He smiled in approval, licking her soft neck and finally releasing her hands. He knew he had her now.

He pulled her up to better remove her clothes, an action that she seemed suddenly willing to help him with. He quickly shrugged off his own clothes and sat on the grass, pulling Kagome close to straddle him. Her hands splayed across his chest as he captured her lips and grabbed her butt, grinding her over his cock in the process. She yelped in surprise as he gave her butt a firm slap before rubbing away the sting. "Inuyasha!" She scolded playfully. He only flashed her a dangerous look of amusement before recapturing her lips. He lifted her briefly in order to slide his himself into her, then laying back to enjoy the show. He loved watching his mate ride him. She was never shy, knowing exactly what she wanted and taking it. She took control, lifting herself again and again, all the while panting seductively until Inuyasha's teeth clenched and his eyes rolled back. It turned her on to watch him lose himself in the moment, moaning her name. Knowing that she was her strong Hanyo's one weakness made her feel like a goddess.

Her eyes fluttered shut when an orgasm temporarily paralyzed her like a bolt of lightning. He took over for her, lifting her hips with his hands. Her breasts bounced in the speckled sunlight through the trees, her body shimmering from the sweat. He had to constantly remind himself to be gentle when her glimmering body made him want nothing more than to fuck her with everything he had. He pulled her off of himself, moving her so her back was to his chest. She whimpered as he reentered her from behind, setting a fast and steady pace. His hands held her close, one moving up her chest to her neck while the other pleasured her between her legs. She couldn't keep herself from crying out as another orgasm came over her, only making Inuyasha speed up more. She felt like the climax would never end as she screamed his name. His hands released her, moving to her hips as she bent forward. With a better view of her butt he noticed a red imprint of his hand on her milky white cheek, a result of the earlier slap. The mark was strangely sexy, making him growl, low and deadly, as he continued thrusting, being as rough as he dared. He pounded into her as she cried for him to keep going. The image of his Kagome bowed down and clutching the grass in front of him, begging so sweetly for him to fuck her, pushed him quickly towards orgasm. He pulled her in one last time as he finally came, filling her completely as she called out in ecstasy.

Once he pulled out Kagome simply laid face down on the grass. The cool blades felt amazing on her bare skin as she tried to catch her breath. Her Hanyo could be an incredibly tender lover, but she loved the thrill she felt when he got a little rough. It was always more likely when she challenged him to something like a spar. He liked to remind her who was boss when she got too close to kicking his butt. It was instinct, more than any choice he had. He was part demon, after all. He laid on his back in the grass beside her, one hand under his head.

"I wasn't too rough, was I?" He asked, seeing that she looked completely drained. She smiled at his concern. At least he'd stopped treating her like a china doll when they made love. She'd literally had to beg him to go harder for the first few months, and even then he was holding back. The first time he'd really let himself have some fun she could hardly stand the next day, but they'd worked out the kinks now. Still, he tended to worry.

"You were perfect." She sighed, pushing herself up to kiss her sweet husband before going to gather her clothes.

Once they were dressed they were both content to stay in the grass, chatting and watching the sunset. She sat between his legs, leaning on his chest with his arms wrapped around her lovingly. The moon was out before the sun was fully set, a small white crescent against the orange and blue. "It's so pretty..." Kagome mused absently, suddenly feeling tired.

"Yea. Only two more days to the new moon." He replied. He opened his mouth to ask her something, but quickly stopped when he felt someone approaching. Another second and he was able to make out it was Sesshomaru, coming fast. "Hey Kagome, Sesshomaru is coming." He said, giving her a little shake as she'd started to doze. She nodded rubbing her eyes softly at his warning. They both stood up to greet him, but Inuyasha still kept an arm protectively wrapped around her waist.

Sesshomaru landed before them softly, striding straight up to his brother with a dark scowl on his face. "Inuyasha." he growled the name in such a way that he briefly missed the days when Sesshomaru didn't bother to greet him at all. His brothers tone put him on edge as he took a step forward, pushing Kagome behind him subtly.

"What? Didn't want to leave without sayin goodbye?" Sesshomaru grimaced at the smirk on his brothers face, briefly considering just punching him and being done with it.

"I am here regarding Rin. Specifically, the word she learned up from you." Inuyasha dropped his smirk. Shit. He tried to watch his mouth around the kids, at pretty much everyone's request, but sometimes one or two curse words slipped by. Old habits.

"Keh!" Inuyasha crossed his arms. What was he supposed to do? Never talk? He'd told her which ones not to repeat! And how'd he know it was him anyway? For some of the village men, half their vocabulary seemed to be curse words! "What'd she say?" He asked, ready to defend himself.

Sesshomaru's glare could have cut him like a blade. "I asked her if she was happy here." He paused, annoyed that he was going to have to say it. "She said...'Keh.'" He made the noise with a sneer, crossing his own arms, really thinking about that punching plan. Inuyasha really tried not to smile, amused by his brother's anger over such a silly thing. Of all the words Rin could have learned from him, 'Keh' was definitely a cleaner one!

"Wait, did she really?" Kagome spoke up, moving around Inuyasha's arm to look at Sesshomaru with concern in her eyes. "She... isn't happy here?" He glared in annoyance at the Miko that her brother had taken as both mate and wife, honoring both traditions. She was unlike any miko he'd ever met. Loud, opinionated, and totally unfazed by him. That last part bothered him the most.

"She is happy enough. She agreed to stay of her own free will." He said, ready to continue berating Inuyasha.

"I see. So she is happy here, but she still wishes to travel with you, is that it?" The anger towards Inuyasha was fading fast. Distracting woman. What concern is it of hers?

"Yes, that is correct." The woman hummed thoughtfully, looking worried but appeased. He turned back to his brother to finish his original conversation when he was interrupted yet again.

"Ah! I've been meaning to ask you!" Sesshomaru's eyes were wide with anger. This insolent woman! "I was wondering if you can you tell me when Rin's birthday is? She doesn't seem to know and -"

"Silence." He said flatly, hoping to stop her jabbering. She did, but looked no less like she was waiting for an answer. He inwardly sighed. "If you must pick a day, and Rin does not know, It will be the first day of Spring." Kagome hummed a thoughtful note and looked at him oddly. He thought about what he'd said, realizing how sentimental it must have sounded. "That is when I revived her with Tenseiga." he said coldly, hoping that would end this conversation. Kagome gasped at the revelation, a hand flying to her lips.

"Revived her? You mean... She was..."

"Yes." he snapped, losing his patience with the conversation. "She was dead." The Miko looked devastated for a moment, he could see her connecting dots, but wasn't sure what to make of her look of grim understanding. He had had enough. "Inuyasha, you will make sure Rin does not make that word a habit." Inuyasha nodded in agreement, making a mental note to talk to her about it later, although he didn't see the big deal. With that settled, Sesshomaru turned away and began his ascent into the sky.

Inuyasha turned to Kagome, watching her expression change from sorrow to determination. "What was that about?" He asked, weirded out by how hard she took Rin's past. The kid was alive now, so what did it matter? He'd known for years that's what happened, never thinking to tell Kagome."

"It's just..." She sighed, staring off into the horizon. "Tenseiga can only bring someone back once... I didn't know it had already been used on her." Inuyasha quirked a brow.

"Only used once? Where'd you hear that?" Inuyasha was sure Sesshomaru had never told him that before.

She thought for a minute before shrugging like she couldn't remember. He looked up at the moon, now much brighter with the sun fully set. He suddenly remembered a question he forgot to ask her earlier.