Kagura peered down through the cloud and watched the scenery go by far below.
"You know, this is a lot scarier than my feather. I can't see through the bottom of that."
Sesshoumaru sat beside her, one leg drawn up, arms crossed over his knee.
"It's perfectly safe."
She opened the velvet case in her lap again and smiled at the beautiful necklace and earring set inside; gold and rubies. Beautiful, shining gold, like Sesshoumaru's eyes. Sparkling, startling red rubies, like her own eyes. Her future mate-mother certainly seemed to like her.
"She's not merely being polite, you know. She's the type of woman who will never hesitate to tell you if she dislikes you. The fact that she gave you those is a sure sign of her approval."
"I'm glad…I was afraid she wouldn't give her blessing."
"It would not make any difference. If Mother approves, all the better. If she hadn't, however, it would not have changed our plans. Mother knows she can't manipulate me to her will, and she would have grown to accept you with time. Still, I'm thankful we do not have to deal with that scenario."
"Mmm-hmm. Say, I don't suppose you have any use for a lot of money?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I didn't think anything like this could ever happen…you and me, I mean. So…I started storing up money. Hid it all in one of Naraku's old hideouts. It's still there as far as I know."
"Where did you get money, Kagura?"
"Well, mostly I tricked people into giving it to me, or just plain stole it."
"Wonderful. Rin used to steal food, and now my future mate turns out to be a common thief. It would seem my standards for companions have gotten disturbingly low."
She could see the teasing in his eyes, so she didn't take him seriously. Still, she glared at him playfully for a moment, and he leaned over to kiss her briefly.
"May as well keep the money. I'll send someone to take it all to the estate, if you like. As Mother would say 'It befits a woman to have her own wealth to draw from, mated or not.'"
"I find myself liking your mother more and more."
Kagura moved over, lay on her stomach, and leaned far over the edge of the cloud, looking down. She felt Sesshoumaru wrap his hand around one of her ankles and enjoyed the touch as he traced his claws over her heel. She knew from the strength of his grip that he was worried she'd fall off, but trying to hide it behind playful touches. She smiled at his care for her. She reached up and undid her bun, tucking the two pearl combs into her clothing, letting her hair blow loose. It had gotten a little longer recently, and she loved the feeling of the wind rushing through it. Suddenly, in a movement so quick she couldn't quite comprehend it, she was in Sesshoumaru's arms, his mouth on hers. His long fingers dove into her hair, and she sighed at the sensation of his claws touching lightly over her scalp.
"I love your hair down, Kagura. You shouldn't wear it up so often."
She ran her own fingers through his silky silver bangs, shrugging.
"It keeps it out of my way. When you work in close contact with the Wind, you tend to get your hair blown around a lot. Fine on a nice day like this, not so great if you can't see who you're attacking."
"You will not be attacking anyone anymore if I have anything to say about it. You no longer need to fight to survive."
She felt a strange joy fill her. She hadn't realized just how hard it was on her; being alone. She had thought her only problem was Naraku. Now she realized that much of her pain was caused not only by Naraku, but by the fact that he was her only real companion, along with her siblings; and she hated him and was indifferent to his other offspring. She had had to fight for herself, often purposefully sent to places where Naraku knew she was likely to be harmed. Now, she had Sesshoumaru. Lover, friend, and protector, all wrapped into one. It was a wonderful feeling.
Sesshoumaru guided the cloud into the Well meadow, letting it dissipate a couple of feet from the ground and catching her in his arms as he landed lightly.
"I must leave, Kagura. If we're to be mated, I'll need to see that the estate is in good order, and have preparations made for mating ceremonies and the like. Send Jaken here, would you? I'll need him to come with me. If all goes well, I'll be back before the miko's pup is birthed, if not earlier. Stay in the village. I don't want you wondering about getting yourself into fights or stealing. You are my mate now; you must remain safe until I can begin care of you properly."
"Do you…have to go? Couldn't I come with you?"
He touched his nose to the hollow of her throat, smiling against her skin as he breathed in the scent of her and savored the sound of her heartbeat speeding up.
"Will you miss me, Kagura?"
Her fingers threaded into her hair, and he felt her lips on his head.
"You have no idea how much."
He moved up to kiss her, savoring the taste of her for what he thought might perhaps be the last time for the next couple of months. There was wildness in this kiss; a raw passion and lust that made him long for nothing more than to whisk her away to the nearest private place where he could take her. He wanted her there and then, yet he forced himself away, tucking loose strands of her raven hair behind her pointed ears and kissing the corners of her smiling mouth briefly before he hugged her tightly and spoke in a hushed, hoarse whisper.
"I love you, Kagura. More than words can say."
She pulled away, to arm's length, and looked up at him with wide, excited eyes. True; he'd asked her to become his mate…or perhaps demanded it. He'd been more open with her than with anyone else, ever. He'd taken every opportunity to show affection for her. Yet he'd seen a certain dissatisfaction in her eyes; a quiet longing for something more. And he'd recalled InuYasha griping and whining that no matter how much he showed his love, Kagome was never completely happy unless he spoke it. Kagome, he suspected, was more vocal about her complaints. Kagura had been rather argumentative and sometimes downright rude in her first life. Since her resurrection, however, she was much softer; and he had the feeling that this had been her true heart the whole time. She had never mentioned wanting words of love; never spoken of feeling anything missing. It had simply lingered quietly in her eyes. Yet he'd figured it out himself, and from the delight in her eyes, it would seem that this declaration was indeed what she had been secretly wanting.
"Sesshoumaru…"
She threw herself back into his arms, the motion propelling him into a spin, and he went with it, wrapping his arms tightly around her and twirling about, plundering the sweet depths of her mouth once more.
"Sesshoumaru, I love you so much." She pulled away slightly and he was startled by the tears in her eyes. He wasn't sure whether they were tears of joy or tears of sorrow at his impending departure, or perhaps a mixture of both. "I'll miss you, Sesshoumaru. But I'll be waiting. I'll be here when you get back."
He sensed a strange doubt in her, as if perhaps she feared that he wouldn't come back. Reaching down, he undid Tenseiga's hilt from his side and handed the Sword of Life to her.
"Keep that, to remind you I will return. For it, and much more importantly, for you, mate. Even should I be delayed, even should you begin to doubt; I will come back for you."
She smiled at him weakly, seeming pleased, amused, and somehow frightened.
"Why do I feel like I'm sending you off to battle with the fear that you may never return? We've gone months without seeing each other before. Why do I feel so much more fearful and alone this time?"
"Because, mate, our souls have begun to bind. It is no omen of bad luck; nothing to fear. Rather, it is a blessing; that our spirits should intertwine in such a way that even the thought of being separate for any extended length of time causes feelings of loneliness and fear. Normally, that process does not begin until a couple has physically mated. It is a sign of great love, this emptiness at the thought of being separate. Don't let it make you fearful; I will be back, Kagura. I gave you Tenseiga merely as assurance; for one can never know what problems and delays may arise. But do not be afraid. Now, go and fetch Jaken for me, would you? No doubt he'll have heard the news from Rin by now…if he is rude to you, don't hesitate to hit him."
As had been his intention, she laughed, and kissed him once more, briefly, before she turned and walked away. His heart ached, but he refused to allow it to show. It was only a few months at most. Then, he would return for her, and take her to a place where he could spoil and pamper her like he'd been longing to do for what seemed far too long. He would return to take her to place where they could be a family; where he would have her, body, heart, mind, and soul; and she would have him.
He would return to make her his mate.