Chapter Eleven: Mating Under The Crescent Moon

Disclaimer: Not mine.

After the sun had sunk below the horizon, Sesshomaru finally decided it was time to take his new mate back inside and out of the cool night air. Kagome followed him back into the castle, attached to his arm, happy smile on her lips.

"Sesshomaru….why were the other lords so obsessed about you having a mate?? I don't get it…"

"Well….if a demon lord does not have a mate by the night of the crescent moon in the year the ball is held in their lands…they are stripped of their title and never allowed to rule again."

Kagome looked up at him and then wrapped her arms around his neck, playing with his long silver hair. Sesshomaru put an arm around her waist and looked down into her eyes. With another smile, the demon lord led her down the many halls and corridors until they reached the doors to his bedroom.

"You need rest, you look exhausted."

"I am a little tired…."

"Then rest. I have some things I must see to before I can sleep."

"Alright. Goodnight Fluffy."

Kagome leaned up and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before vanishing into the bedroom. Sesshomaru chuckled a bit at the use of the pet name again, before walking to his study and sitting down behind the large desk in the middle of the room. He pulled some scrolls and books from the shelf behind him and laid them out on the desk.

"Hmm…"Mating rituals of the dog demon" eh? Interesting…of course, who needs a BOOK to tell them how to mate…"

He tossed that book aside and picked up another one. This one with the title "Perks to mating under the moon". Sesshomaru growled and sat it aside as well.

"Good lord my father was a pervert…"

The next book Sesshomaru came across had no title, so of course, curiosity being one of his weaknesses, he flipped the book open to a random page and immediately slammed it shut again, a faint blush on his cheeks. He took the book from the desk and chucked it out the window of his study before watching the darkened landscape. His eyes were drawn to the moon, its silver light flowing in the window and coating the demon.

"Tomorrow night the crescent moon will be in the skies…and tomorrow night I will mark Kagome as my mate."

With a satisfied smile, Sesshomaru left his study and made his way to his bedroom where he joined Kagome in the bed. As soon as he was settled, she curled into him and attached herself to his waist. He snorted a bit in amusement before his arms closed around her and he closed his eyes, falling into a deep sleep for the first time in years.

MORNING

Kagome awoke to the sun filtering in through the window and striking her in the face. She yawned and stretched and sat up, rubbing her eyes before her gaze drifted down to the still-slumbering demon beside her. She leaned down and kissed his forehead before lying back down and gazing at his peaceful face.

"He looks so at ease….and so…gentle. Not to mention really good looking…"

Kagome's thoughts were cut off as Sesshomaru stirred and opened his eyes with a large yawn. He sat up and stretched as well before looking over at Kagome, a smile finding its way onto his lips. Sesshomaru then got up out of the bed and straightened his clothes before holding a hand out to her. Kagome took the offered hand and got up as well.

"So…what's on the agenda for today?"

"I have no pre-determined plans…."

"Ah ha…I see…so we can spend the whole day just goofing off??"

"If you want, then yes."

She grinned and dragged him out of the bedroom towards the gardens, laughing at his startled expression. She didn't stop until they were back on top of the hill with the white roses, where she sat down and looked up at him.

"Sit with me."

Sesshomaru lowered himself to the grass beside Kagome and she leaned her head on his shoulder. The wind was blowing gently, birds flying overhead and in the trees were singing their unique songs as the sound of laughter floated on the wind from the village nearby.

"It's so peaceful here…"

"That is one reason I love it here…this is one place that is free from the sounds of fighting and war…and the only place in my lands where blood has not been spilled."

"Sesshomaru…you put everything in such a poetic way…"

He looked down at her and smiled before looking out at the lands from the hill-top. A strong wind blew and he closed his eyes, the warmth of the sun beating down on him as it emerged from behind some clouds. That is where the two spent the entire day, on top of the hill amongst the roses. Night fell and Sesshomaru stood, ready to go back to the castle when Kagome grabbed his wrist.

"Let's stay here….just a bit longer…please?"

"You like this hill?"

"I love it up here. It lets me forget how evil the world can be. I feel like…up here I can't see the death and pain…"

"You feel like the world belongs to you."

"Yes…"

Sesshomaru pulled her into his arms. He gazed down into her eyes for a moment before he leaned down and kissed her. Kagome's arms went around his neck out of instinct and her eyes slid shut. The demon lord growled and closed his eyes as well before deepening their kiss. Kagome let out a small whimper as she felt Sesshomaru's hands start to roam over her body. He pulled back and looked down into her eyes.

"Kagome…I need you to tell me this is what you really want…"

"It is. I want to be your mate, and I want you."

"Let's go back inside and…"

"No. Here…on this hill….the purest place in the land according to you."

Sesshomaru's face broke into a gentle smile once more and he lowered them both to the earth among the roses. Kagome pulled him close and kissed him, resting her hands on his chest. He returned the kiss and began to slowly strip off Kagome's clothes, kissing every inch of skin he revealed. Kagome couldn't help but let out soft moans as he worshiped her body.

"Kagome…you are beautiful…"

"And you are the most handsome demon I've ever seen."

He smiled, and soon, Kagome had relieved him of his own clothing and armor. He nuzzled his face into her neck and gently pushed into her body, kissing her neck to try and get her mind off the pain of her innocence being taken. Tears welled up in her eyes and fell, only to be kissed away by Sesshomaru.

"Tell me when your pain stops love."

Kagome soon nodded, signaling him to continue, and he started a gentle pace, slowly thrusting into her, watching her face for signs of pain and pleasure. Small moans escaped her lips and her head fell back onto the ground, eyes closed. He kept his gentle pace for a while, and then started to speed up once he was sure Kagome could handle it, and was rewarded with louder moans, and the occasional scream. Before long, Kagome had reached her climax and clung to Sesshomaru's frame. He growled and sank his fangs into her skin where her neck and shoulder met.

"Sesshomaru!!"

"Kagome…"

The great demon reached his release as well, and fell to the ground beside his mate before pulling her close and kissed the mating mark that now adorned her body. Smiling when he saw she'd fallen asleep, he picked her up and started back to the castle, only to send a glance up to the crescent moon shining brightly in the sky. He entered the castle and went to their bedroom, laid Kagome in bed and lay beside her.

"My mate…my Kagome." he said before joining her in the sweet abyss of sleep.

A.N: I know the lemon wasn't very descriptive, but I tried to make this one all romantic and loving. They will get better, trust me. ((wink)) But keep leaving that valuable feedback! Love ya!