AN: Sorry that there's so much description but I just needed to get that out of the way before the next chapter as well as for the sake of time saving when returning to it whenever Winter passed in the story. Please bear with me.

Chapter 11

There were absolutely no words to describe the mountain that was Sesshomaru's manor. Perhaps mountain was an excessive term to use, but how else was poor Mio to describe the palace in the sky that belonged to her beloved.

The cloud itself appeared normal, the average gray/white of any cloud and she had somewhat expected something like this from remembering his mother's castle in the sky from seeing it in her old world, but his mother's home had nothing on this. As far as she could see in any direction there were buildings, gardens, gates, ponds, courtyards, platforms, areas for sports like archery or wrestling, dojos, and countless storehouses full of treasures. Sesshomaru showed Mio everything, everything he had collected over his traveling days, all of the rare and valuable treasures.

Mio no longer questioned where he had gotten her valuable hair ornaments and such. They appeared mere trinkets alongside all the finery spread across this palace. After walking around this dreamlike palace that could rival that of the Dragon's below the sea, Sesshomaru felt the need to ask her opinion, almost eager for her to approve.

"Is this manor to your liking?" His hand slipped into hers and he raised it to his lips, lingering there as he waited for her answer. Mio answered breathlessly, taking in the beautiful art scrolls that lined the walls, the poetry just as brilliant and seemed to look at her beloved incredulously as if she could not quite comprehend his words.

"To my liking? Sesshomaru-sama, this-" for a moment she stayed stunned, speechless, for there was so much that could be said but too few ways to say it and convey her emotions clearly, "Sesshomaru-sama, I have never seen a palace so large with so much beauty, so much valuable art. It is more than I could have ever imagined." As a thought crossed her mind, she slid her hand out of his only to cup his cheek with it.

"That you think it would displease me in any way seems rather silly, Sesshomaru-sama." It seemed he would have taken offense to the endearing comment were it not for the fact that after stating it Mio placed her hands on his chest, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Besides, it would not matter to me if it were this palace or a straw hut. I would only feel at home in your arms." Though Mio whispered the words, her voice soft and nearly inaudible, Sesshomaru heard them clearly and reciprocated the feeling he heard in them by holding her tightly. His lips brushed against her silky hair and he responded to her statement.

"You deserve nothing less than what you see here. I would offer you the world if that is what you wished." Were it any other man, demon or human, Mio would have believed them to be honeyed words, meant to tame her, to make her theirs, but she knew that Sesshomaru spoke only the truth and the truth behind his words is what scared her. The quiet conviction she felt hiding behind those heat provoking words also sent cold shivers down her spine as fiery images of Sesshomaru in a bloody battlefield fighting both demons and humans alike all for the single sake of granting her the world as her footstool.

Sometimes the depth of his feelings for her frightened her just as much as they made her unreasonably happy, however she did not feel that her feelings were any less. No, she couldn't believe that otherwise she wouldn't feel worthy enough to be by his side, not that Sesshomaru would ever allow Mio to leave. After slowly and grudgingly releasing each other from their loving embrace Sesshomaru offered his hand to her much like when he first asked her to join him and asked yet another question that surprised Mio albeit for a much different reason.

"Shall we retire for the night then?" There was so much unspoken in that statement. He addressed her wish to rest but he was also looking for consent and for what Mio knew all too well. It was all in his words, those soft spoken words and although his face would have been to anyone else the same emotionless frown to anyone else Mio saw it differently.

Mio saw the warmth and passion in his golden eyes, the softening of his jaw and mouth, even how his posture was relaxed rather than on guard. Sesshomaru was only so calm when he was with her, she knew. She knew him, they had not spoken much in the seasons they had spent together besides the occasional exchange of love words or sweet whispers, but they did not need to, their eyes spoke for them, much more than words ever could and so she read his eyes. As easily as she knew her own feelings, she knew his as well and they were one and the same. There was no need for hesitation nor was there any as she placed her hand in his and whispered the only word needed to convey the swirling emotions that ran rampant inside her.

"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama." Silence dominated as they made their way through a maze of hallways to where Mio could only assume led to his bedroom…their bedroom. Being still pure of body, Mio could not help but think of what was to come and their relationship thus far. There have been countless moments where Sesshomaru has won her heart over and over again with his words, with his actions, with his gentle caresses and even more times where his hungry kisses had left her weak kneed and laboring for breath but never before had they crossed the threshold from innocent sweethearts to intimate lovers.

At first it had confused Mio endlessly as to why he would refrain himself from joining with her for it was not as if she were unwilling. Perhaps shy and uncertain, but never unwilling, however when one thought about Sesshomaru and his feelings towards her it was so glaringly obvious. Sesshomaru simply did not wish to take her in a place he felt beneath her. This seemed to include anywhere outdoors close to human or demon villages and any edifice smaller than a castle or that reeked of other demons or humans. That left very little places applicable besides his own home. So perhaps his offer wasn't as surprising to her as she had initially thought, but she still couldn't help the quickening of her heartbeat, the anxiety she felt as the minutes passed for there was always the worry of making a mistake or being unappealing, but just the feel of Sesshomaru's large hand clasping her ebbed away any fear and aversion she felt towards the event that was to come.

Sesshomaru slowed and soon came to a complete halt in front of an impressive set of sliding doors. Sesshomaru lightly squeezed Mio's hand bringing her attention to his eyes and his next two words left Mio breathless and ready to throw herself at him if she had to.

"Shall we?" They were a caress against her skin, a soft kiss on her lips that coaxed the answer from her mouth.

"We shall."