Disclaimer: I do not Inuyasha or any of it's characters.

Enjoy!

Sahara followed Rei-Lin to where she claimed Sesshomaru's study was. They exited her room, moved through the wooden hall, until they reached a sliding door that led out to a field where some demon warriors were apparently training. Sahara gazed upon them for a moment her blue eyes scanning each man individually at a rate that seemed to only take a few seconds. It was strange to her, as she analyzed each man individually dressed in similar armor, her demonic capabilities kept surprising her.

One demon stood out to her the most. It was helpful that he was facing directly at her from across the field watching the other warriors practice combat techniques with long katanas. He had dark hair and deep hazel eyes. Despite these characteristics, his eye shape, his posture, they all seemed so familiar to her that she had stopped following Rei-Lin before she knew it to stare at the young man.

Rei-Lin noticed, however, and turned to the girl, a concerned look on her face as she noticed the determination expressed in Sahara's gaze, "Is there something wrong, Milady?" She then turned to look in the direction of the younger demoness's gaze, which caused the young man of interest to notice the two women who stood on the wooden platform watching.

Hazel eyes met blue and Sahara almost gasped as her mind began to put the pieces together. This demon resembled her village's missing headman's son, Keiji! Only his eyes and hair color were different he also had pointed ears and, as he seemed to begin to recognize her, she saw the tips of fangs from his mouth.

He took a few steps towards her, moving past the group, to stand at the base of the stairs that led into the field before them, "Sahara? Is that really you?" She slowly nodded in astonishment, his voice sounded exactly the same and he knew her, but how could that be? "You look beautiful! When we were kids I would never had expected you to be a demon also." He smiled warmly at her and she returned it shyly.

"But how could this be? You are the headmaster's son! How are you a demon?" Sahara asked.

"Well.." Keiji scratched the back of his head with a clawed hand nervously, he reminded Sahara of the awkward boy she had been infatuated with as a child, "It's a bit of a long story and I'm kind of in the middle of training/" He motioned back to the men.

"Pardon me, Master Keiji," Rei-Lin interrupted before Sahara could respond having forgot the old woman was there, "But Lord Sesshomaru has requested Lady Sahara to his study."

Keiji's brow furrowed a bit at Sahara's title, but slightly bowed to the pair with a smile, "Forgive me. We shall not keep the Lord waiting." He looked up at Sahara, "It was good to see you again." With that he turned back to the men.

Rei-Lin motioned for Sahara to follow once again and she complied after taking a short glance over her shoulder, "Keiji is a soldier for Lord Sesshomaru?" She asked.

"He is the captain of that particular group of Soldiers. Lord Sesshomaru keeps him in high regards." Rei-Lin replied leading Sahara across a bridge and into another part of Sesshomaru's castle, "How, may I ask, do you know Master Keiji?"

"Well, in my village he was the headmaster's son. He was very popular among the girls about our age. A few years ago, Keiji led a hunting party and vanished. No one could find him, which is why I'm surprised to find him here, I had begun to believe, like everyone else, that he was attacked by a demon."

Rei-Lin smiled at the ironic thought, "No, he himself is a demon. In fact, I believe this village you have come from was run by demons. Lord Sesshomaru had a few of his most trusted men govern particular human villages on his lands that were inhabited by humans. Usually, these demons are able to conceal themselves well enough that the humans don't notice."

Sahara put a finger to her chin, "I guess that would explain Keiji's situation." Her mind was suddenly distracted from the subject as an intense longing-feeling for the demon lord washed over her again. She placed a hand against the wall of the hallway to steady herself.

"Are you alright?" Rei-Lin was at her side in a moment.

"Yes. Are we almost there?" She placed her hand against her forehead, the coldness easing the fire building inside her.

"It's just up ahead." Rei-Lin smiled, the concern leaving her face replaced by a knowing smile.

"That explains a lot." Sahara grumbled becoming very annoyed with the sudden sensations that coursed through her. Rei-Lin began walking again and Sahara followed stopping in front of a door.

Rei-Lin gently knocked on the door she said led to Lord Sesshomaru's study. Sahara took a deep breath preparing herself to face this demon and get her questions answered. The strange feeling had grown stronger the closer she got to the room and now fluttered in her stomach causing her to hug herself tightly in a futile attempt to make it go away. A part of her was frightened to go in and another, unfamiliar part of herself, urged her to open the door and jump in there. As if some part of her knew whatever was on the other side was key to her own survival.

"Enter." A strong masculine voice answered and shivers went down Sahara's spine.

"Don't be nervous." Rei-Lin whispered with a small knowing smile. Before Sahara could question the older demon, she had begun to open the door, which led to a vast room full of scrolls and books with small cushions doting around. A man with pale skin and silver hair sat on a blue pillow across the room, seemingly to be reading something. Sahara immediately recognized him as the man who had pinned her to the tree with his hand around her neck. She immediately stopped in the doorway.

"Milord, I have brought Lady Sahara to you as you've requested." Rei-LIn bowed respectfully.

"You may return to your duties." He replied without looking at the two.
"As you wish." She graciously left giving Sahara's arm a gentle squeeze before shutting the door.

Sahara watched cautiously as the Demon Lord stood, placing the parchment on a small table nearby and then turned to Sahara. Her blood began to boil at his gaze, the feeling she'd been experiencing since she awoke in the other room was much stronger now than ever before. She couldn't control the longing she had for him to touch her, although not in the way he had in the forest when she feared he might have killed her. Her eyes tracked every movement he made, every muscle twitch, every shift his honey colored eyes made as he watched her. She stood back against the door as he moved closer to her. Hoping that digging her claws in the wood would distract her from doing the things her mind was telling her to do.

"Are you aware of your circumstances?" He asked sending more shivers down her spine at the sound of his voice. She began to wish he wouldn't speak, fearing she'd give into this strange sensation coursing through her body.

She took a breath before replying in a small voice. "I'm aware that you have kidnapped me, but I don't understand how I could be of any use to you. I know that I am a butterfly demon and am said to have been the last."

The demon lord didn't respond in any way to this. He just continued to stare at her through golden eyes that expressed no emotions. Sahara didn't know how long they remained standing before he finally spoke.

"Do you remember the day my father saved you and your mother from the fire at the North?"

Sahara began to shake her head and then stopped herself remembering the image she had seen not too long ago. "I remember a fire and a man with his hair pulled back. But thats the extent of my memory before growing up with my siblings."

"Your mother made a pact with my father and promised you to me." He paused moving closer to her so that his amber colored eyes were burning into her blue ones, "Do you understand?"

Sahara began to tremble and shook her head quickly. The pieces of the situation was melding together, but some part of her didn't want to know what it all really meant. He began to walk towards her causing her to press herself as close as she could possibly be to the door. He was an inch away from her face, his hands at either side of her body against the door, before he finally spoke again.

"You are to become my mate."

His breath was hot on her face and the only thing her eyes could focus on were his lips. Her heart began to pound in her chest so hard she swore it would pop out. She was beginning to sweat now. She wasn't sure if it was just the fact that the room was warm or if the source was from his closeness. The latter being the more likely reason, she thought as she began to realize that her hands removed themselves from the door and reached up clutching his shoulders tightly. Her body began to move on its own and she feared the worse. Before she could gain control of herself she found herself standing on her tip toes to reach his lips and pressed her own against them. She felt as though her heart had stopped. A hot blush rushed to her cheeks when her mind finally cleared and she stared into his emotionless golden pools through fearful eyes. What had she just done? He didn't even react to her. She wasn't sure whether to be embarrassed or angry at this. Was he not experiencing the same frustrating feelings?

She released him slowly melding her body back into the comfort of the door, "I'm sorry. I don't know what has come over me." She looked away from him placing her hand against her forehead and sure enough it was burning. "I'm finding it very difficult to control myself since I've been here."

He moved away from her, watching her carefully. "The pact my father and your mother made between us will be very troublesome when I'm away." He stated walking back into the room and away from her, "Sudden actions like the one you've just displayed are not uncommon for a bonded female. I'm sure you have other needs as well." He turned back to her just in time to see her face turn bright red, once again.

"Why will this be troublesome when you are away?" Sahara glanced over at him. If anything it's been worse for her when they are together.

"You will see, I won't need to explain it to you." He sat down on a pillow and motioned for her to come closer, which she hesitantly complied, "You will remain in my quarters from now on."

Her blue eyes widened at this as she stood before him, "I can't! It would be wrong!"

"You will." His voice was cold and final. Arguing with him would be very difficult, "You'd end up there anyway, so instead of making a fool of yourself, you will obey."

Her blood boiled again for a very different reason and she clenched her fists at her sides. Her powers began to rage inside of her, "You can't just kidnap me and command me to sleep in the same bed as you!" She found herself raising her voice, which caused him to narrow his eyes at her.

"You will find that I do not sleep as humans do."

"Then what is the point in having a room with a bed in it?" She asked tilting her head to the side, curiosity taking over her sudden anger.

A dangerous smile crossed his handsome face and she felt something stir in the pit of her stomach as he rested his chin against his hand, "You will find out soon enough." Was all he said before the smile vanished and he reverted back to his emotionless self.

"I don't know that I want to find out." She stated hugging herself. She was sure she already knew what other things went on in a bedroom, but she wasn't too keen on finding out if she was right any time soon. He began reading over the another piece of parchement leaving her standing there left to her own thoughts. She was trying very hard to ignore the feeling that seemed to stem deep within her stomach. She wondered how long he would leave her standing there or even how long he would keep her here in his palace. If they were "bonded" then perhaps she would be required to live with him forever. The thought would have frightened her if she was still in her human form, but she wasn't and her demon blood seemed to make her feel brave. Regardless, she still missed her family and wished to see them again. Surely, this bond wasn't that powerful that she couldn't be with her family again. "You should just return me home, Lord Sesshomaru. This "pact" that you speak of has more to do with our parents than it does with us."

"It has everything to do with us." His response was quick and to the point. Was this how he would always be? Sahara began to wonder slightly annoyed.

"But surely it isn't as final as that? Am I to be locked up her for the rest of my life as...?" She trailed off unsure of what to really call their relationship, but she continued over it not expecting him to fill in the blank, "I can return home can't I?"

He suddenly loomed over her, taking her chin in between his thumb and index finger of his right hand causing her to gasp in surprise as she was forced to stare into his honey colored eyes, "I don't think you understand your circumstances, Woman. The second you leave for any unsavory reason, you would cause serious damage to yourself."

Fear flooded her senses now, but it wasn't for her life, but for the lack of control she possessed when his face was so close to hers. When she could smell his intoxicating scent and his breath was hot on her face. Oh, how she wished he would stop doing that. His amber eyes locked on her blue ones made the world around them seem to disappear. "But you said you would be coming and going. Will you not experience the same "damage" you claim will befall me if I leave?"

"I know I will return. You, on the other hand, have uncertainties." She swore his face grew closer to hers and her heart pounded louder in her ears.

"You don't think I will return?" She clarified aloud.

His voice grew husky and his eyes took on a dangerous look, "You've already acted on the effects of the bond so I have no doubts of your return, however," He moved to whisper in her left ear, "I know that half-cat demon won't allow you to return."

She froze at his assumption knowing full well that it was true. If she were to return to her home, Touya, who was already probably furious about her abduction, would do everything he could to keep her away from Sesshomaru. In his eyes he would be protecting her, but... if what Sesshomaru said was true, he would essentially be the potential death of her.

Something warm and wet touched her neck causing her to blink out of her thoughts. One of his hands had moved to the back of her head holding her in place while the other pressed against her lower back pushing her against him. His tongue continued to travel downwards from behind her ear down her neck. She couldn't move to respond and began to wonder whether or not she was breathing. Her mind could only focus on the wet trail his mouth was leaving on her skin.

"Wh-what are you doing?" She stammered, her eyes trained on the far wall behind him.

She heard his deep voice chuckle lightly and he buried his nose in the junction of her neck, "You taste very lovely. And you smell of sakura petals. I enjoy it."

Sahara's heart leaped to her throat and she immediately made to move away, but his grip on her refrained her from doing anything as he began to lick her neck again. "Don't." He commanded firmly, pressing his nails into her lower back where his hand was as a warning.

Her body began to react in a way that was becoming more familiar to her. Her breathing became quick and heavy. Warmth was forming in-between her legs and she tightly clenched them together in response. Slowly, her hands reached beneath his arms and clutched his shoulders tightly. Her eyes glazed over as she allowed his scent to overwhelm her. A whispered question slipped her lips as she buried her face in the junction of his neck and shoulder, "Is this the same for you, Lord Sesshomaru? Do you suffer from these strong, strange urges for me as I do for you?"

He stopped and pulled away from her examining her face with curious eyes, "Arousal?" And then his lips were pressed against her mouth, his tongue parting her lips for entrance. Her eyes went wide in response as he pressed her even closer and explored her mouth hastily. "You are very new to this." He stated with a ghost of a smile. "You've never been aroused by anyone. The bond must've affected your attraction to others even as a human."

She suddenly broke free of the dazed state she was in and glared up at Sesshomaru at this, "I've been attracted to a man before!"

His face reverted back to expressing no emotion as he released her, "Attraction leads to arousal, but they are very different. You've never felt arousal. Which would explain your inexperience in this "feeling" you have." He turned away from her to go back to the low table.

A newly formed blush covered her face again. She began to wonder how many times he would be the cause of her blushing in the time spent with him. "Well, thats none of your business."

"I do believe it is." He returned to his sitting position on the blue pillow. "Rei-Lin should be back to retrieve you any moment now."

Sahara barely had time to blink before a knock was heard on the door and Sesshomaru gave the order for the older woman to come in and she bowed before him, "I've returned for Lady Sahara."

"I am finished." He replied not looking at them once again.

Sahara grew more irritated staring at the demon lord who looked exactly as he did when she first came in. Was that all he wanted? How selfish can he even be? She couldn't exactly pin point the reason as to why she was so angry with the demon lord, but she was. Rei-Lin touched her arm gently and nodded towards the door, which Sahara exited through without another word.

Meanwhile...

Inuyasha led the others through the forest running top speed with Kagome on his back. "I don't understand why we have to help them." He grumbled for the millionth time that morning, leaping from branch to branch in the trees, "Its Sesshomaru after all. I don't like to meddle in his affairs."

Kagome starred ahead a determined look on her face. "We have to. Its not right for Sahara to be abducted and then married against her will. Besides, her family is worried we have to at least make sure she is okay."

Inuyasha wanted to argue his point that this time period's values weren't the same as the ones she was farmiliar with in her time, but knew that was a losing battle, "Feh!"

"Inuyasha!" Miroku called from above, "How long did you say it would take to get there?"

The half-dog demon glanced up at the large, flying, twin-tailed cat demon who carried Sango, Touya, Shippo, and Miroku on her back. "At this rate? Probably a good couple of days at least."

"A couple of days?!" Touya shouted leaning over from behind Miroku, "By that time he could have done whatever he wanted to do to my sister!"

"Well, we don't have very many options here, kid." Inuyasha barked back dodging a tree. "You're lucky we are taking you. It would take much longer on foot or by horse."

Touya glared at the half demon, but reverted his gaze back to the horizon.

"Don't worry, Touya! With your sisters powers awakened, I'm sure she can defend herself for a while!" Shippo's cheerful face came into view over Miroku's shoulder. "My Pa used to tell legends of how strong the butterfly demon clan was before the wars. I'm sure a lot of that power is still in Sahara."

"Thanks Shippo." Touya tried to smile at the little fox demon, "But I don't think that will be the case."

"How come?"

The strong smell of fresh water touched Touya's nose and he glanced down at the long windy river that went off towards the far horizon to the right. "Because demons grow up with their powers and eventually get used to them. Sahara didn't even know she was a demon until yesterday. She is a woman so is led by her emotions. I imagine if she got angry or upset it would weaken her natural ability to keep her powers in check and they would be out of her control. She could really hurt herself. Thats why its so important for us to get there now."