A demon's kiss is eternal. Only death can sever the bond between two who have shared the kiss. Koga knew very well what the bond meant for his and Kikyo's future, and he was proud to have found someone strong enough to share it with. She was his miracle. Though he truly had loved Ayame, they never partook in the ceremony together. She had been ill far too long; her soul simply had not been anywhere near strong enough to withstand the joining. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that she would die during the ceremony. Most thought she would never bear a child; giving birth to two healthy pups over the years had shocked the entire clan.

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Koga awoke the next morning half expecting Kikyo to have fled. He rubbed his dreary as they searched throughout the midmorning light. When his eyes found his new mate lying at his side, his heart was lightened.

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The sun shone brightly through the cave's entrance. She awoke rather slowly, her eyes taking time to adjust to the sun's rays spreading throughout the room. Voices could be heard from outside. They were loud, inexplicably, and she could identify each one right away. She sat up and looked around as the scent of lilac filled her senses to the brim. It was strong, so much stronger than the night before. Kikyo found that he was not at her side, though it was not too surprising. Every morning the men go out on a hunt, leaving the women to clean up camp and prepare for the day, a few selected men left behind to take care of everyone. The children would usually play off in the fields, dancing amongst the summer wildflowers and enjoying their merry little games. Some of the elder children would remain at home and assist their mothers with chores.

Lying back, she found herself within a pile of furs, soft to the touch. A smile came to her as she stretched her limbs and wriggled a bit beneath the blanket, the fur tickling her bare skin. Everything seemed to be setting off her senses, more so than any training or meditation had ever done. It was almost overwhelming; almost. She saw it as an amazing experience, no doubt from the wolfen ceremony the night before. Her blood was now his blood, and vice versa; his keen senses were now hers, filling her with a head rush of pure ecstasy.

"M'lady?" came a soft voice from the entryway, "Are you awake?"

Kikyo's eyes flickered open as if she were startled by the up-close sound. A younger girl, about sixteen in age by the look of her, walked in toward the cave's center with a creamy bundle in hand.

"My apologies, m'lady. Did I wake you?" she asked politely.

Kikyo sat up slowly, holding the fur blanket close to her chest, "It's no trouble, I must have dozed off again."

"These are for you," she extended her hands and allowed the bundle to unravel, revealing to them what appeared to be robes of silk. She placed them gently on the end of the bed, "Lord Koga had this made especially for you. Robes of fine silk and fur, fit for a queen such as yourself."

A faint smile crept to the corner of her lips, "I am no queen."

"To us, m'lady, you certainly are." she smiled to Kikyo kindly and curtsied upon her exit.

Kikyo rose to get a better look, her blanket held tightly around her shoulders, but was only able to stand there in awe. It was the very last thing she would ever to have expected come from the clan; pure silk, as white and smooth as her fair skin. It was trimmed with fur along the collar and waist, the neckline low and hanging across her shoulders. The gown was even accompanied by a silk cloak lined with fur as well and two fur wristbands, one with a beautiful lily attached.

The robes fit her perfectly. She loved how the silk felt on her skin, as if water were constantly flowing about her. She left Koga's chambers around noon, the sun was high in the sky and beating down upon her as if a spotlight shone down from the heavens. Walking down the path towards the heart of camp, she felt out of place, as if she no longer belonged there. The women stopped and admired her from a distance, smiling, some waving, but then returning to work.

"About time you woke up!" Koga shouted excitedly, approaching his mate with a grin of approval.

She looked around in search of him. His voice had sounded as if it surrounded her, "I definitely need to get control of these enhancements of my senses…" she thought, a smile spreading across her face as Koga appeared at her side instantly and clasped onto her hand. He dashed away from the camp and headed into the woods with Kikyo in tow. She was desperately trying to keep up with him on top of keeping her new dress from getting caught on bramble and rocks. Before she knew what was happening, he stopped and had her pinned up to the trunk of a large willow. The willow's vines hung around them like a canopy, only allowing brief segments of sunshine to pass through. She was quite breathless by all that was happening, but she knew that she would need to get used to such a thing; Koga seemed to enjoy living life fast-paced at times.

His handsome blue eyes gazed deeply into hers as he trailed his tan hands along the smoothness of her arms, running his fingertips over the fresh marks upon her neck. He grinned and kissed them gently, "They'll scar over soon enough," he breathed planting more gentle kisses along her neck and shoulder. Every aspect of him made her heart skip a beat and sent tingles throughout her spine. He made her feel as if the world simply disappeared, as if she were all that mattered.

"The robes suit you. Do you like them, Kikyo?" he asked, kissing her upon the forehead.

She smiled and encircled his neck with her arms, "They're lovely. Only…I feel awkward around the others while wearing something so fine."

"I meant for you to stand out." he smirked, watching her blush lightly and avert her gaze with an 'Oh...', "I have robes as well, for my position as lord. I can't wear them while hunting though. I save them, for special occasions; like last night." he explained with yet another grin, slipping his arms around her waist.

"There's something I wish to ask you…" she stated flatly.

He blinked and nodded, "Okay, what is it?"

"Well…" she began slowly, "I'm not saying last night was wrong, you must understand that. I have no regrets."

"But something's wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong. I simply have a favor to ask of you."

He smiled and kissed her softly, "That's all? Alright, then, what's this favor? I want you to know I'd do anything to make you happy, Kikyo."

"Would you even marry me?" she cocked a brow, receiving an awkward stare from her mate.

"Marry? Like the humans do?" he asked.

She nodded in reply, averting her eyes once again, "I used to think all demons were savages; filthy vermin that would reproduce for the sake of pleasure and sin with no strings attached. I know differently now…and I am ashamed to have thought so before merely due to prejudgemental prejudice. I am one of the clan now, but I am still partially human. I owe it to my mortal blood to marry properly as well as participating in your ceremonial ways." she told him, lifting her eyes back to meet his gaze, "And if news were to spread of a priestess marrying a demon, then perhaps some human views might change, just as mine have. It would create such a great measure of peace between villages and demonic tribes…I think it is surely worth a try."

He stood and listened, looking deeply into her eyes to study her a moment, "If that is what you want," he began, a smile appearing on his face, "then it shall be done. I think it's a great idea."

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A/N: Wow, that was a fast update, huh? Yeah…I've been working on that chapter for months. School is real crappy right now; project after project after project. But no worries, I've already got a head start on chapter eight! 3 Stay tuned for updates!