Mana and Morio; worth it

Mana's POV

I pulled back my arrow, the target just in sight, I so transfixed on the bull's-eye that it looked like it pulsating. I drew in a breath, steady Mana…remember what your mother taught you. With another breath…I released and let the arrow soar…it missed!

I let a loud growl of disappointment "dammit!" I cursed and threw down my arrow. I had not practiced since the birth of my fifth child a year ago and I had lost my touch. I had slacked...I had spent too much time enjoying being the mother version of myself that I forgot the fighter in me, the part demon child of Lord Inuyasha!

I loved being a mother, wife and co-ruler; however…as much as I loved this life, it wasn't the one I had planned. I was meant to take the place of my mother as head priestess…to be the first demonic priestess in history! Sometimes I wonder how that life would have been…I imagine the excitement of it all.

Instead I fell in love, got married and had children…it was a wonderful life, just not the one I had expected.

With another a sigh I shook myself from this, I was just so frustrated that I missed my target. I had long for adventure, to travel as my mother and father did. I touched the ruby necklace Morio gave me, a token of his affection. The moment I met him…I knew I met my match, someone who wasn't shy or timid. He was a flirt, he still flirted with me constantly, after years of marriage and five children, it was nice. Still, I wanted a little more excitement.

"Hey their little pup, you look a little downtrodden there" Morio spoke as he descended from the sky, his torso bare. The patches of golden scales glimmered in the sunlight.

I frowned at him; I was not in a mood right now. "Don't you ever wear a shirt scaly? You're a father now."

He laughed, stood behind me and wrapped his arms around me, his warm muscles sent a shiver down me, but I wasn't about to let him know that.

"Not for the next two days I'm not" he shot back.

I turned and frowned at him, "what are you talking about? Where are you going?"

He had that grin on his face; his orange eyes were alight with mischief. What is he planning?

"Nowhere my little pup, While you've been busy practicing with your arrows, the kids and I flew to Edo, they are staying with your parents…Surprise!"

Surprise? I stared at him in disbelief, "I'm the worst mother in the world" I breathed.

Morio's smile dropped, "what? Don't be stupid, you're a great mother!"

"No I'm not!" I yelled at him. "I was just thinking about what my life would be like without them…what kind of mother of does that? Then I find out that I was so wrapped up in practicing with my arrows to know they had left the castle? What if it wasn't you who took them…if something happened to them it would ruin my life! I'm a terrible mother and a terrible person!"

I slumped down onto the ground angrily, angry at myself. I could feel Morio staring at me. "Sorry" he began as he sat beside me, "I should have told you about this first, I wanted to surprise you…I know you think I'm not very perceptive-"

I snorted, "That's an understatement, you spend most of your time flapping your wings and being shirtless."

"Dammit woman let me finish!" he exclaimed, I pouted and kept quiet, I secretly enjoyed it when he snapped at me like that. When he saw my mouth shut he continued. "Any way…you may not think that I notice these things but I do. I've noticed that you have been feeling a little down lately, after twelve years of marriage I know you inside and out" he paused and cupped my face. "You are not a horrible mother or person…we're good parents but we have devoted every day for twelve years devoted to our children, that isn't going to change in the next two days but we're going to have a well-earned break, we're going to have fun…how does that sound to you pup?"

I smiled at him, this was what I needed. My children were safe with my parents; they had wanted to visit tem for so long, so I guess this was nice.

Mori tapped me under the chin, "hey come on now, let loose a little grouchy. When they come back I don't want you going all psycho mother till you smother mode. The reason you didn't notice them leave was because you instincts didn't tell you they were in danger, because they weren't. If you want to take more time to practice with your arrows then fine, it means you get to teach them the way your mother taught you. So…tell me, what do you think?"

I was grateful to him, I was so worried that I was being a bad mother but he helped me see that it was natural to feel this way, that it is okay to imagine what could have been so long as I wanted what I have all that much more, which I did.

"Fine what did you have in mind?" I asked with a half-smile.

His lips stretched and the mischief returned, next thing I knew we had taken off into the sky. He knew I didn't care for heights! He laughed as we soared up into the air.

"What are you doing you scaly bastard!" I yelled at him.

"Now that's not very nice" he teased and let go of me and letting me drop. As I screamed he swooped down and grabbed me again, laughing loudly. "Now wasn't that exciting?"

"No you son of a-"

"Uh-uh…that's not any better my dearest wife" he let go of me again; he waited just that second longer than the last time to catch me.

My heart was racing, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I knew he wouldn't actually let me hit the ground, still it was wonderfully terrifying.

"See this is why my father doesn't like you!" I shot at him.

Morio laughed, "What are you talking about Inuyasha loves me! I'm like a son to him." He again let go but swiftly caught me by both wrists so that I was dangling. I looked down…so damn high!

"Morio! I swear I am going to kill you after this!" I shouted as though I truly meant it.

"Well I better enjoy this then" with that he hoisted me up, I shot up into the clouds. When I began to fall again he caught me. This time his right hand clasped mine and his left arm hooked around my waist. He twirled us, it wasn't long till I noticed we were dancing in the way people did in the west.

We drifted gracefully to a song only we could hear, for the melody came from within us. My scowl turned into a smile and I blushed as he looked down at me. His eyes glittered when he saw the red in my cheeks, he always jabbered on about making me blush and how hard he had to work for it. Well he had certainly just earned it.

I quickly threw my arms around his neck and he held me close to him. My head was resting on his chest…this was actually kind of nice.

"This is more like, eh little pup?" He noted as he leaned his cheek on my head. "Thanks for finally blushing for me."

I giggled "Well…you earned it scaly."

In all my life I could never have anticipated meeting anyone like him; he was so joyful and light hearted despite all his hardships. Morio made me laugh when I didn't even want to smile! What was I worried about being his wife was an adventure in itself, so was having his children. I doubt I'll ever think about what could have been again…I love what I have right now far too much. Every day we shared together it was like he was still trying to pursue me and court me, always doing something reckless and foolish to get my attention, he is the biggest idiot…but he is my idiot!

All my cares went away and I felt that incredible desire pooling in the pit of my stomach. The feeling grew stronger when the setting sun reflected on his golden scales.

"So my bare-chested husband…wanna get started on baby number six?" I whispered into his ear.

Next thing he is squeezing me tightly and jetting through the air in the direction of our home, I was laughing so loudly at his excitement. I would give into his charms for a little while longer; he had worked hard for it after all.

Morio's POV

Oh she is one bad puppy! From the moment I met her I had this spark with her, this spark ignited into a flame that then grew into a large roaring fire that would burn eternally. In the days I was hiding from my biological father, I had a lot of female attention. All I had to do was smile and wink at them and they would melt into puddles. They were easily obtained, so easy that I had no interest in them. I wanted the excitement of chasing someone, Mana answered that right away.

She never backed down and she never simply succumbed to me. Yes we fell in love instantly but she still made me work hard for her. I got the thrill of the chase, I was always so eager to impress and be rewarded for my efforts. Even now I awaited my reward in our chambers; she was just "slipping into something more comfortable."

My mentor and guardian, the half wolf demon who looked out for me after mother died…she was everything he described the perfect woman to be. I never thought that I would ever be so lucky.

She may have been a little crude in her speech, but I liked that…I also liked the way she spoke her mind, the way she playfully mocked me, the way she made me try my best.

Mana entered; dressed in red silk…I loved her in red! My mouth watered at the sight of her. All my hard work, all my effort it was all about to pay off.

If anyone ever asked me why I worked so hard, why after twelve years I still chased her like a love stuck teenager? I'd simply conjure this very image of her…it was all so worth it!

With a devilish look in her eyes she slowly approached me, the red fabric moving with her hips.

"Can I just point out that you had sworn to kill me? If this is a trick my little pup then-"

Mana chuckled saucily and leant forward and kissed me slowly and sensually. "I told you" she began, "I like a man who misbehaves…and you my love had been very, very bad."

That was it…I grabbed her and laid her upon the bed, she giggled.

"Hey watch my hair dummy!" she scolded as I kissed her.

"Sorry"

So worth it!

Next up, Yuna and Kenta.