A week later found Shiori yawning and stretching before wincing. Her hand rose to the back of her neck, a little memento Inu had left her with. True to inu-youkai traditions, he had marked there by biting her neck as they mated. Due to time after time of this, she knew it would leave the scar and scent that would tell all youkai and hanyou alike that she was a bonded female. She smiled as she thought of when he would do it though, biting then soothingly licking the wound in apology while all the while they gave into their urges, it was a pleasing sensation to say the least. She shifted underneath the makeshift blanket that was his outer haori to look at her "attacker." He was dead to the world in sleep, lying on his side, though his arm tightened protectively around her waist when she had moved. His ears were back in contentment, features looking as though he was dead tired but that was given considering how the week had gone. His ears had flitted briefly forward when she had moved but neither sound nor any dangerous scent presented itself so they went back again. She bit her lower lip lightly to hold back a chuckle, Inu refused to let his guard down even in sleep. Shiori supposed as a hanyou, he really couldn't with all the other youkai out to kill him. She sighed softly as she watched him, for a hanyou, he was quiet interesting. With his piercing amber eyes, silvery long hair, haughty smile and well other things that made her cheeks redden when she thought of them, the neko knew she didn't regret her choice. He was the right one, the one who was to be the sire of her cubs and above all her mate. Her heart fluttered as she thought of the future, in a few months, things would be very different for them. But such things would have to be thought of later as Shiori drifted off again, nuzzling his neck as dreams took over.

She awoke a few hours later to Inu's hand traveling slowly up and down her back. She shivered and yawned before amber eyes met her own. Her mate raised an eyebrow at her staring as though wondering what thoughts were crossing her mind, perhaps wondering if she would leave him now since her heat had spent itself. She leaned in and gave him a soft kiss, biting his lower lip lightly to soothe his fears. This motion earned her a soft purring growl from him as he pulled her close to him. Shiori giggled and leaned back a bit.

"A week wasn't enough for you?"

He leaned in more then nipped at her ear with a playful growl.

"No but I wasn't thinking about that right now….we should be getting back or at least get out of here…unless you feel like more…"

He added with a smirk.

Shiori giggled before nipping his ear back.

"No, we should probably take a bath though…."

A short time later and another "quick" stop, they were headed back to Kaede's village where the group always met up. They found the group waiting in her hut, Miroku flashing them a knowing smile only to be whacked over the head by Sango.

The pair ignored them, Inu took up his usual spot in the corner, leaning his back against the wall before Shiori sat in his lap acting like it was normal for her to do so. This caused a sweat drop from everyone else in the hut, they knew what had gone on due to Shippo mentioning an odd scent from Shiori before the pair left, the kit didn't understand of course but the adults did. Still it was a bit shocking how youkai and hanyous acted sometimes. And more importantly, this was very unlike Inu, he was rarely cuddly, barely showing Kagome any attention when others were watching. But it was good to see him smiling again, it had been so long since Kagome's death. Shiori looked quite happy as well, purring away, resting her head just under Inu's chin. It looked the pair would be quite happy for a long time.