Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. The story and characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. All I own are the characters I created including, but not limited to, Asami.

A/N: This is a lemony fluff chapter. I say "lemony" because I really strove to make it tasteful and not explicit, thus it is still a T rating and why it took me so long to write. This is my first go at writing a chapter like this, so feedback is appreciated. Also, if the consensus is that I need to bump this up to M I certainly will.

Chapter 4 –

Asami sighed audibly as she climbed the last flight of stairs up to her and Sesshomaru's private floor. The silk of her lightweight kimono slipped along her skin, her bare knee poking through the side slit as she raised it to the next step. She usually wore leggings underneath, but today she hadn't bothered knowing that she would be in lessons all day. Saburo was proving to be quite the general when it came to court life and etiquette lessons. For a full week she had been tasked on sitting, standing, walking, eating, and all manner of other behaviors she thought she knew how to do after 500 years of life. Another sigh escaped her lips as she grimaced at the thought of her etiquette lessons that day. Try as she might she couldn't keep the order of courtiers in her mind and whether she should smile at a high lord or bow to a low lord.

Despite her ineptitude, Saburo was patient, grueling, and kind. He was a wealth of information on the history and culture of yokai life and he seemed genuinely pleased to pass on said knowledge to any eager ear. Outside of lessons, in which he was strict and expected perfection, he was jovial and always sharing stories. They spent many breaks and afternoons sitting in the calm of the private garden, watching the koi and talking. She had never met a Tengu and was interested to learn about their ascetic and often solitary lifestyles. Unlike most Tengu, who are raised on their respective mountains focused on prayer and self-reflection, Saburo was raised in the Western Valley and learned to balance his ascetic nature with life amongst other yokai. In kind, he would listen attentively and laugh at Asami's stories of life in the forest. She noticed he was always alert, watching every corner and shadow. His sword never left his side, even during the longest of their lessons. Asami wondered if there was more to Saburo than he initially claimed, but she felt safe and at ease around him so she didn't worry too much about it.

As she reached the top of the stairs and entered the landing, she could feel Sesshomaru's presence. It was so rare for them to have more than a moment alone together. He was busy with his counselors discussing the possibility of a war to the North and she with her lessons. They shared a futon, but he often came to bed long after she was asleep and left before she truly awoke leaving behind only his scent and the ghosting warmth of his body. Now that he was here and it was only late afternoon, Asami had to contain her desire to run to him knowing it would only result in the tripping on kimono layers.

Opening their bedroom door, her breath caught in her throat. There he stood in his regal splendor, hair shining in the sunshine as he looked down upon his keep. Even with his swords and armor put away, he gave off a dangerous air, but she was never afraid. To her, his aura gave off a warmth that bespoke of comfort and shelter from the harsh realities of the world. Her eyes gazed upon his strong frame clothed in a midnight blue kimono and black haori and she briefly imagined the silky material sliding easily off with the mere whisper of a touch from her hand. Asami's cheeks burned red at the thought and she hastily looked away to compose herself. When she looked back, his gaze was upon her. His expression was cold and blank, but his eyes were soft, drinking in her full appearance as they wandered from her face, down her curves, and back up again.

"You're back early today," she said softly, "Was anything decided—"

Before Asami could finish her question, Sesshomaru was before her, fingers tangling in her hair, as he took her mouth with his. "Not now," he murmured against her lips, "Right now I want my thoughts and senses to be filled with nothing but you." He kissed her again and she felt an urgency behind it, a need that went deeper than a simple desire or longing. Her heart echoed that ache for a connection, that need to be touched and brought close. Unbidden, her hands gripped his strong shoulders, drawing him down into her, her thumbs grazing his collarbone beneath the silk layers.

Sesshomaru drew back, his eyes darker now and heavily lidded with desire. He took one of her hands and brought the palm to his lips, kissing it while watching Asami's cheeks flush with heat and longing. Smirking lightly, he said, "Come with me," and led her out to the hallway and down to their private bath. Asami entered to find the room warm and steamy, a relaxing smell of ylang-ylang and patchouli wafted through the air. She breathed in deeply and felt her whole body begin to relax, the tension of the day leaving her shoulders. There were two stone wash basins in the room and Sesshomaru led her over to one. On the stool by the basin she found a warmed, fluffy towel and scented soaps to wash with. She smiled, filled with excitement over the idea of such luxury. A slender, clawed finger turned her face back to the man beside her and her heart swelled with love that he had seen to such small details. Holding her chin in his fingers, he bent down to kiss her, hovering just before their lips touched, "When you are ready, will you join me in the bath?"

Asami closed the distance between them, kissing him lightly before pulling back and nodding, "I will." She smiled again, but looked away, suddenly shy under his focused attention.

"Good, then I'll see you soon," his baritone voice echoed slightly in the room as he turned to go to the other wash basin on the other side of the room.

Asami reached over and fingered the towel on the stool, it's fabric both soft and rough at the same time. Tentatively, she undid the obi and fastenings of her kimono, allowing the fabric to pool at the floor. The water from the basin was warm and the soaps lathered easily, filling her senses with gentle hints of lavender. Occasionally she could hear movement and water from the other side of the room, but the steam clouded any view other than shadows. Asami dabbed the towel to her face, clearing the water from her eyes, then wrapped her wet hair up into a knot secured with a hair stick. Seeing no point in drying off when she was just going to be getting into the hot bath, she carried her towel to the water's edge and dipped a toe in. The steaming water was very hot, just shy of uncomfortably so. She stepped in and allowed the warmth to seep into her bones, sinking all the way up to her neck. When she bathed on other days, she was focused on merely getting clean and rushed through the hot springs part. Today she allowed the water to soothe her and she closed her eyes to the world to enjoy the full effect.

A hand snaked around her wrist and gently drew her forward. Before she could open her eyes, she felt her body crushed against a mix of strong muscle and soft flesh. The hand that had brought her in released her wrist and joined the other resting itself against her thigh as he set her on his lap. Long strands of silver white hair tickled her shoulders as it floated along the surface of the water. Asami's heart beat faster as she opened her eyes and gazed upon her soul-bond. Neither said a word. She was captivated by the beauty of the man before her, his magenta markings that contrasted so vividly to his pale skin, the swirls of color hidden within his amber eyes, the strength she could feel just under her finger tips, the way their bodies melded perfectly together. Inquisitive fingers raised to touch his face, tracing the markings on his cheeks with just the whisper of a touch. Sesshomaru closed his eyes in pleasure, allowing her to explore his features. His hands slid up her back, trailing his claws and sending shivers throughout her body. He chuckled softly at her reaction, smirking in satisfaction and flashing heated eyes upon her. Asami gasped as he lifter her chin and began to nibble his way down her neck, flicking his tongue out teasingly on a spot that made her quiver. An aching need tightened and began to build within Asami and her hands tangled themselves into his hair. Sesshomaru's hands freely roamed over her body, griping her curves and drawing her ever closer against him. Needing him to feel the same intensity and urgency she was drowning in, Asami leaned in close and traced her tongue along his ear, sucking gently on the lobe. A groan escaped his lips and she did it again, finding the sound intoxicating. She moved her exploration to his shoulder, continuing to use her mouth to trace the markings there. Sesshomaru's breaths came in sharp, panting gasps and his hands became more frenzied in their exploration of her body. His touch sent tingles shooting through her limbs causing her toes to curl. Heat coursed through her veins until she cried out as waves of pleasure shot through her body.

Crushing his mouth against hers, Asami felt the need and demand for more from him. Without a word, he stood, lifting her out of the water with him. She could feel the tension in his body as he walked them both back to their room, his breath ragged as he tried to maintain some control. He pulled out the hair stick and watched as her auburn hair fanned out beneath her as he carefully laid her onto the silken sheets of their futon. The look in his eyes was nearly feral with desire. His own hair curtained them as he slid his body up along hers, feeling the soft skin of her thighs against his sides until his hips came to rest against her. Asami panted as she watched him, her body racked with pleasure and anticipation.

"I told you the first time I took you would be in silk sheets," his whispered against her ear. His voice was thick with passion and his breath was hot against her sensitive skin. His lips traced a slow line along her jaw, finally meeting her mouth gently, massaging her lips with his. The tip of his tongue traced circles across her bottom lip before he took it in his teeth, sucking lightly. Asami's breath caught in her throat and her hands reached out to cup his face. Tingles shot all the way down to her toes and a warmth settled deep within her. When he finally released her, she pulled back to look into his face, scanning his amber eyes, magenta markings, and indigo crescent.

"I love you, Sesshomaru. You are my everything," she whispered.

He drew her close to nuzzle her cheek, his fingers running through her hair as the scent of summer filled his senses. He kissed her neck, "And I love you, Asami. You are my soul, my very life," his kisses trailed down to her collar bone. A clawed hand slid down the length of her body, stopping briefly to appreciate her curves, sending shivers along her body. As he cupped her thigh and drew her closer, he watched as her eyes darkened with desire, her pupils blackening out the colorful irises. They both moaned softly as he finally took her, the tension releasing exquisitely as they began rocking back and forth in a steady rhythm.

He leaned over her, his long, damp hair caressing her skin. She gripped him with her thighs and traced his more obscure markings with her fingertip. Along one rib, then the next, and down his abdomen. Her attention was drawn back to Sesshomaru's face as he groaned roughly, his eyes rolling back in ecstasy at her touch. He drew back, pulling her up and into him. Asami gasped and hugged his shoulders tightly as the new sensation rippled through her, fingers digging into his flesh. Sesshomaru held her closely, pressing her against him until no space remained. He moaned softly into her ear as he slowly lost control. Like slowly climbing a mountain, every touch drew Asami higher up as the tension tightened within her. As it did, she felt a feather light brush against her aura and she opened to it willingly. The flood of Sesshomaru's aura as it entwined with hers was overwhelming. When they had soul-bonded, they had combined their auras so completely as to nearly be one being, now she felt his presence sliding in and filling the gaps left when they had separated. She was whole again and savored the spreading warmth of his love as it radiated from their connection. The feel of his sweat slicked flesh against her as their auras spiraled around them was exhilarating. Shaking as she approached the edge, she took his face in her hands staring deep into his amber eyes laced with red. His own body was as tight as a string, his control about to snap. "Fly with me," she panted, then took his mouth with hers as they both tumbled over.

Asami lay there, curled into him, her body completely spent. The steady rise and fall of Sesshomaru's chest lulled her into a hazy sleep as he stroked her hair. They had forgone dinner and sleep alike. The sky was not yet lightening, but the birds were awake and chirping in the trees far below. With one strong sweep of his arm, Sesshomaru shifted her up higher and leaned on an elbow so he could look down into her face.

"My dear soul-bond," she murmured sleepily, "if you expect me to go yet another round, then I will require sleep first."

He smirked and kissed her palm, "This one will leave you be, for now." His gaze intensified, as if he were memorizing her face.

"What is wrong," she asked, her brow creasing in concern.

"I will need to go to the North soon to deal with the dragon Ryuji. My scouts have informed me that he is continuing to cause trouble on our border. If I go to battle him myself with a small platoon then I should be able to avoid an all-out war with the Northern region," he said.

Asami reached out to stroke Sesshomaru's hair, sliding her hand down the silky strands to rest upon his chest. "Let me come with you," she pleaded, "We can do this together like before."

Sesshomaru shook his head, "You are to stay here. Find your place in our home, here at court. Show them the strong Kodama that I love and they will submit to you."

Tears pricked the corners of Asami eyes, but she nodded. "I will make you proud," she tried to sound confident. "When will you leave," she asked with a shaky breath.

A large hand cupped her face and he laid his forehead against hers. Tears spilled unbidden as she closed her eyes. "In one week," he said softly. He nuzzled her in comfort. "Now rest," he murmured into her ear, "I fully intend to have you again before the dawn comes." A devilish glint flashed in his eyes as he lay back down and pulled her into the crook of his arm.