Take Another Breath

Sesshoumaru's nostrils flared as he breathed deeply of Hikari's scent. The normal aroma of sakura blossoms and fresh spring water was now tinted with something else.. something more primal and wild. His eyes flared with a hint of red; in response, strands of dark violet laced through Hikari's sea-hued irises. The humans standing nearby were watching with a mixture of curiosity and fear, wondering why the two taiyoukai were staring each other down like that. It was Inuyasha who finally realized what was probably going on. He stepped forward hesitantly, trying to hide his amusement at the situation.

"Uh.. Hikari? Sesshoumaru? Is everything okay?"

The sound of something aside from their own harsh breathing was what disrupted the spell between the mated couple. But only for a moment. Sesshoumaru's golden eyes met those of his brother, and he snorted, as though trying to clear his mind. His voice was even deeper than usual, tinged with a growl that made Inuyasha step back.

"This Sesshoumaru requires an unoccupied hut. Preferably one on the outskirts of the village." He probably would have said more, but he became distracted, and his attention was shifted to trying to keep Hikari from disposing of his haori. His hands grasped hers, and he growled quietly; through their bond, he sent a feeling of calmness and patience. That seemed to soothe his mate a bit, giving him a chance to look and make sure Inuyasha had gone to attend to his request. Hikari squirmed in his grasp, causing Sesshoumaru to look back down at her, in time to catch her confused expression and murmured question.

"Sesshy.. what's going on? I feel.. strange..." Smirking, Sesshoumaru leaned down and whispered in Hikari's ear. Her eyes got wide, and she blushed brightly, turning to hide her face against his chest. Why did that have to happen then, with all her friends watching? Before she could further contemplate her embarrassment, Sesshoumaru had scooped her up in his arms and was striding briskly through the village, following Inuyasha.

The hut they were led to was neatly isolated from the rest of the village, and while small and sparsely furnished, was more than adequate for their current needs in Sesshoumaru's opinion. Setting Hikari down inside the hut, he stood in the doorway and looked down at the group gathered outside. Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Jiro. Perfect. Sesshoumaru heard a rustling of cloth behind him, and could sense Hikari's eagerness. His orders were given to Jiro, but meant for everyone to hear.

"Keep your distance from this hut, no matter what sounds you may hear. Do not attempt to enter, under any circumstances."

With those terse instructions, he stepped back and closed the door firmly. Everyone, save Jiro and Inuyasha, looked extremely confused. Kagome turned to Inuyasha, frowning as she placed her hands on her hips. "I get the feeling you know what's going on here. Spill, Inuyasha."

"..Keh." His ears flattened against his head as Inuyasha looked away from Kagome, hoping she would ignore the slight blush on his cheeks. "Hikari's gone into heat. They're going to stay in that hut until she goes out of it, or he.. um..."

"He what?" Kagome tried not to laugh, and failed miserably when Inuyasha whispered in her ear. Once she got herself under control, she told Miroku and Sango what he'd said, and the small group wandered back to the village. Rin and Shippou were worried that they'd said or done something to upset their parents, but were reassured that that was not the case. Jiro was the only one that remained behind; he settled down about fifteen feet from the hut, to keep guard and make sure that his Lord's orders were followed.

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When Sesshoumaru closed the door to the hut, he turned around, and was greeted by the sight of Hikari, silent and waiting, standing next to the small pallet in the center of the room, entirely devoid of clothing. In moments, Sesshoumaru was at her side, in the same state. They met in a violent collision of lips, hands wandering aimlessly, caressing here, lightly touching there, until they tumbled onto the pallet. Her nails left marks as they ran down his back, his body firmly pinning her beneath him.

Though he meant to be gentle with her, the intoxicating scent emanating from Hikari made Sesshoumaru's inner beast rise to the fore and take control. As he drew back and flipped her onto her stomach, a low growl rumbled in his chest, his eyes glowing red. Though her mind couldn't quite grasp what was happening, her inner beast understood perfectly; irises of violet fixed on Sesshoumaru when she rose up on her hands and knees and looked over her shoulder at him.

Sparks seemed to fly between their locked eyes as Sesshoumaru pulled himself fully over her, positioning himself at her entrance while his lips sought her mating mark. The penetration of fangs and member was simultaneous, making Hikari utter a low keening cry of mingled pain and pleasure. Their coupling was swift and brutal, his beast exerting its dominance over hers, and she submitted willingly, her baser instincts rejoicing in how powerful her mate was. The moment of final ecstasy tore a triumphant howl from Sesshoumaru's throat as his head tilted back; Hikari's voice lifted in harmony, their cries mingling in the morning air.

They remained still and silent for long moments after the sounds of their completion had died away, panting slightly, before Sesshoumaru, now watching his mate with eyes of soft gold, carefully withdrew and sat back, extending his arms to Hikari. Her whole body trembling, she managed to turn and crawl over to him, nestling herself in his embrace when he pulled her onto his lap. Running his cheek along hers, then into the softness of her hair, his hands tenderly stroked her back as he growled quietly.

It was a moment of peace in the tempest that was sure to continue, but they treasured it while it lasted. Soft kisses were exchanged in silence broken only by Sesshoumaru's growling, and the occasional sigh of contentment from Hikari. But as they knew, it wouldn't last long. Sesshoumaru was slightly surprised when Hikari brought her lips to his neck, kissing her way to her mating mark, and ran the tip of her tongue across the two faint scars. He reacted almost without thinking, lowering her onto her back on the pallet as he dipped his head to take the taut peak of one breast into his mouth.

For this time, the world outside the hut didn't exist.

----------

Five days passed before the two taiyoukai emerged from their hut. Sesshoumaru, as usual, wore a distinct lack of expression, though his arm was looped protectively around the waist of his mate. Hikari on the other hand seemed to be glowing, with a small smile constantly on her lips; Sango and Kagome both recognized the look of a well-loved woman, and that was without that testament of the marks visible on her neck.

Leaving Hikari to say goodbye to her friends, Sesshoumaru went to retrieve Ah-Un and Jiro. The kitsune didn't even have chance to open her mouth, when Shippou ran up and jumped into her arms, followed by Rin who clung to her legs. The company of adults laughed, watching how the two young ones loved on their mother. Next thing Hikari knew, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and even Inuyasha had enveloped the children and taiyoukai in a group hug. Hikari was pleased to find that her cheeks were not the only ones wet with tears.

"Don't be strangers. You're all welcome to come to the Hall of the West any time." When everyone backed off a bit, Hikari gently placed Shippou on the ground and turned to Kagome. One clawed hand was placed on the miko's stomach, even as her eyes darted back and forth between the faces of Kagome and Inuyasha. "I want to know as soon as possible when this little one is born. I very much look forward to meeting my niece or nephew."

"Okaasan." Rin tugged lightly on Hikari's sleeve as she spoke, causing the kitsune to look down at her daughter with a questioning glance. "Otousan is back with Ah-Un and Jiro-kun."

"Thank you, Rin. Go on with Shippou, I'll be there in a moment." The two children scurried away at Hikari's behest, and once they were out of earshot, she turned to Sango and Miroku. "The same goes for you two. Should you have a child, I'd like to know of it, and when it is born. I'll consider it as much my niece or nephew as if you were blood related.. I think of you both as a brother and sister."

There were more hugs all around, and tears from the women. Hikari finally brought herself to leave her friends, turning a tearful smile on them as she ran to Sesshoumaru's side. She met his steady gaze with a nod, allowing him to help her up onto the back of Ah-Un, where Shippou and Rin were settled with her for the long ride home. Looking back at the small group one last time, Hikari raised her hand and waved in farewell, then looked toward the road they were traveling.

The road home.

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Sunset was settling across the land when the small company arrived back at the Hall of the West. Rin and Shippou were fast asleep, and Hikari was well on her way there. Jiro gladly took the two small ones inside, while Sesshoumaru took his drowsy mate in his arms. She struggled briefly, but became still when he held her tighter against him, and she buried her face in the crook of his neck. The servants bowed in respect as they saw their Lord and Lady go by, though they were silently marveling at how gentle Sesshoumaru was with his mate.

By the time they reached their rooms, Hikari had fallen completely asleep. Sesshoumaru laid her down in their nest, and turned to leave. The sound of a quiet voice stopped him, causing him to look over his shoulder, into the tired eyes of his mate.

"Sesshy.. where're you going?"

"To check with Jaken and see if there is anything that requires my immediate attention."

"You'll come back when you're done?"

Offering one of his rare smiles, Sesshoumaru knelt next to Hikari and smoothed her hair back from her face, kissing her lightly on the forehead as he replied. "There is nowhere else I would rather be. Sleep. I will return soon."

Nodding sleepily, Hikari turned and burrowed deeply into the pile of fabrics that made up the nest. Sesshoumaru sat there and watched her until her breathing evened out, then left as quietly as possible.

Several hours passed before he returned, tense and exhausted. After shrugging out of his clothing, he allowed himself a tired smile and settled into the nest with Hikari. Despite how busy his mind was, it quieted swiftly enough when he breathed deeply of his sweet little mate's scent, allowing him to slip into a deep sleep. He would discuss what Jaken had told him with Hikari in the morning.

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Hikari woke slowly the next day. Everything seemed hazy and pleasant; the nest was warm, there was soft breath against her cheek, strong arms wrapped around her, and a possessive hand splayed across her stomach. Placing one hand atop that of Sesshoumaru, she opened her eyes and turned her head to look up at her mate, to end up staring into a pair of golden eyes. Her smile was immediate and affectionate, momentarily melting away the worries that were clouding Sesshoumaru's mind. Dipping his head, he kissed Hikari gently, silently rejoicing at how she responded to him.

When Sesshoumaru broke the kiss, Hikari giggled breathlessly, rolling half on top of him and laying her head above his heart. The steady rythym sped up and became slightly irregular, making the petite kitsune smile mischievously as she trailed the tip of one claw down her mate's restored arm, tracing the contours of the muscles there. "Why, Lord Sesshoumaru.. I do believe I make your heart race."

Narrowing his eyes and smirking, Sesshoumaru pulled Hikari closer to him and subtly shifted his hips. The resulting gasp from the snowy-haired female made him growl quietly. "You do more than that, my mate. As you should well know by this time."

"So I do, Sesshy. So I do." Squirming her way up his body, Hikari pecked him on the lips, then looked into his eyes and smiled sweetly. "And now that our morning pleasantries have been exchanged, are you going to tell me what's bothering you or not?"

Sesshoumaru stared at her in silence, one brow arched in wonder. How did she know..? Then he felt the gentle prodding at their bond, and rolled his eyes. Of course, the bond. Running his fingers back through her hair, he dropped a light kiss on her lips and trailed his hands down her back. He had been intending to tell her anyway, so he might as well get it over with now. "Jaken informed me last night that it is now widely known that I have a mate, and there is much curiosity as to why you have not been formally presented to the court yet."

A grimace spread across Hikari's lips as she tilted her head, looking at Sesshoumaru with confusion. "..Court? What court? And what's this about being presented? And why does it bother you so much? ..Or is it just that there's something else you're not telling me?"

Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru grasped Hikari's chin with his fingers and attempted to silence further questions with a kiss. It seemed to work, seeing as she said nothing when he drew back. "I shall explain soon. But first, we need to go speak with Jaken. So, let us bathe and dress, and the day can begin."

Hikari nodded, and squealed in surprise when she found herself being lifted in a pair of strong arms. Clinging to Sesshoumaru's neck, she laughed quietly as he carried her to the bath, kicking her legs feebly, as though trying to get him to put her down. "I can walk myself, you know."

"I am well aware of that. But, I could hardly do this if you were walking, now could I?" Giving her a roguish smirk, he captured her lips as he lowered both their bodies into the steaming water. Jaken would just have to wait a little longer than planned.

----------

Jaken was already waiting in Sesshoumaru's study when the couple walked in. Hikari looked positively radiant, her hair flowing free about her body, with a kimono of pale blue and deep indigo obi lending her a somewhat regal air. Her bare feet and ready smile slightly spoiled that image, though her comfort and apparent lack of care made her all the more beautiful. Especially in Sesshoumaru's eyes. Settling himself on the cushions behind his desk, he grasped Hikari's wrist as she moved to stand behind him, tugging her down at his side instead. Pleasantly surprised, she laid her head against his shoulder, giving a warm smile of greeting to Jaken.

"Good morning Lord Sesshoumaru, Lady Hikari. I trust you slept well?" Jaken bowed low before the royal couple, grasping his hat in his paws.

"Good morning, Jaken. I slept very well, thank you. It's good to be home again." Sesshoumaru's arm snuck around her waist and squeezed slightly, causing Hikari to look up at him with a vaguely confused expression. Then she saw the faint spark of pleasure in his eyes as they glanced sideways at her, and smiled brightly. It seemed he was quite pleased that she had called the Hall of the West 'home'.

"Indeed." Laying his hand protectively across Hikari's stomach, Sesshoumaru cast his gaze back to Jaken. It was time to get down to business. "Now Jaken, what was it you wanted to discuss with us?"

"Ah! Hai. I had forgotten about that." Bowing even lower, the imp finally sat himself down on the floor before the desk and placed his hat back on his head. "There has been some discussion amongst the other nobles about your Lordship's protection of Rin, yet again."

The growl that rumbled in Sesshoumaru's chest was fueled by pure anger. Hikari raised her eyebrows in an expression that seemed.. disinterested. "Oh, is that all?"

Jaken blinked, glancing at Sesshoumaru with a befuddled look, then addressed Hikari nervously. "Ah.. Lady Hikari.. perhaps you do not understand. Dissension amongst the youkai nobility is practically asking for war. There would be much death were any of the other houses to attack us. We would be completely annihilated if they decided to all join forces and destroy us."

Sesshoumaru turned to gaze at Hikari in surprise as she scoffed, obviously irritated. "I am quite aware of this Jaken. What you seem not to understand is that I am a kitsune taiyoukai, and one endowed with certain abilities at that. It would be a rather simple matter to instigate a metamorphasis that would result in Rin's transformation into a taiyoukai."

Silence echoed after this statement, before Jaken began stuttering apologies and bowing frantically. Sesshoumaru couldn't keep from chuckling quietly, then lowered his head to murmur in Hikari's ear. "It is pleasing to see I am not the only one who can make Jaken react in such a manner."

Hikari laughed, turning to hide her face against Sesshoumaru's voluminous sleeve. She hadn't meant to make Jaken act that way, but she had to admit, he was rather amusing, tripping all over himself like he was. Once she had recovered herself, she smiled at Jaken and spoke quietly. "It's all right Jaken. You didn't know. There aren't many who do know what I'm capable of. ..And it must remain that way. You can't tell a single soul what you know. Understood?"

"Hai, Lady Hikari! I will take your secret to my grave." Jaken bowed so low he fell flat on his face, earning another bout of laughter from Hikari, and the faintest of smiles from Sesshoumaru.

"If that is all you have to say, Jaken..?" Sesshoumaru arched a brow, watching with amusement as Jaken hurriedly righted himself and bowed his way out of the study. The door had only just closed when Sesshoumaru turned his eyes to Hikari, trailing the tip of his finger along her jaw. "Can you really do such a thing, my mate? Can you make Rin a taiyoukai?"

Nodding slightly, Hikari lifted her own hand and let the tip of one claw trace the crescent moon on Sesshoumaru's forehead. "I sure can. I can even make it so that she has your blood.. as though she were your child. She'll have her own crest and everything." Letting her hand fall into her lap, blue-green eyes fixated on Sesshoumaru's gold ones, trying to convey to him just how serious what she was going to say was. "But it would be best not to mention this to her or Shippou for a while. And it will be even longer after that before I can actually do it."

"As you wish." Furrowing his brow slightly in puzzlement, Sesshoumaru easily lifted Hikari and settled her on his lap, his arms wrapped lightly around her stomach. "But, I have to ask.. why must we wait so long? The sooner we can do this, the better it will be for all of us."

"Oh no you don't. That's my little secret." A sly grin curved her lips as she looked up at her mate, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Even his attempt to find out what this 'secret' was by focusing on their bond was futile; he could feel nothing out of the ordinary.

"Hikari, it is unwise for mates to keep secrets from each other. It weakens the bond." He was being entirely honest, judging by the solemn tone of his voice and the worry in his eyes, but he was also just very curious. It was one of his few weaknesses.. he hated secrets.

Knowing that he was worried about their bond weakening made Hikari feel immensely guilty. She wasn't going to let that happen again, and she was going to make sure Sesshoumaru knew it. Twisting herself slightly in his embrace until she was facing him, straddling his lap, she placed her hands on either side of Sesshoumaru's face and brought her lips to his. Brief though it was, the kiss was full of reassurance, as was her voice when she drew back, only to nestle her face into the crook of his neck. "Don't worry, Sesshy. This is one secret I won't be keeping long."

Holding her tightly against him, Sesshoumaru nuzzled the mark on Hikari's neck, savoring the closeness between them. There was something unfamiliar to both of them in their bond, which they fearfully ignored. Everything was still too shaky between them to do much exploring down that unknown road. "Then I shall respect your wishes, my mate, and wait until you are ready to tell me this secret of yours."

"Arigatou." Shivering as his breath whispered across the tip of her ear, she growled quietly and let her fingers wander back into the silken thickness of his hair, then slowly slid her hands down the front of his body. "You work too hard, Lord Sesshoumaru. Let me distract you for a time, before your day becomes too busy..."

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened when he felt Hikari's small fingers deftly untying his hakama. Well, the affairs of his land could wait for a little while...

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It was just over two weeks later that life in the Hall of the West changed forever.

Sesshoumaru was awakened in the middle of the night when he felt Hikari rush from his arms and to the door that opened onto the balcony; she threw it violently open, collapsing on her hands and knees on the cold stone near the edge, moments before the sound of retching came to Sesshoumaru's ears. In a heartbeat, he was at her side, holding her hair away from her face with one hand and rubbing her back soothingly with the other.

When she finally fell back into his arms, exhausted and shaking, Sesshoumaru lifted her and carried her towards the bath. There, he tenderly ran a cool cloth across her face and neck, then wrapped her snugly in a blanket and laid her in their nest. Taking only the time to pull on his hakama, he was practically running out of their rooms and down the hall, to Jaken's room; the imp woke with a squawk of fear when he was kicked out of his bed, and became fully aware when Sesshoumaru's voice, more growl than anything, was heard in the darkness.

"Fetch the healer and bring him to my rooms. Now."

Jaken had no time to respond, for Sesshoumaru was walking swiftly out of the room even before he finished speaking. The urgency evident in his Lord's movements had Jaken hurriedly pulling on his robe and rushing to find the healer. Meanwhile, the worried inu-taiyoukai returned to his mate's side, where he enfolded her blanket-encased form in his arms and buried his face in her hair. He was so worried, he felt nauseous. Was Hikari ill? Had he done something to upset her and make her this way? She was still shaking against him, a faint sheen of sweat on her pale flesh, yet when he heard her whisper his name, he looked at her face, and was surprised to see her smiling.

"My mate.. are you all right?" Her nod had him breathing a sigh of relief, bringing his nose to lightly nuzzle her clammy cheek. "You had me worried. I sent Jaken to get the healer."

"Good." Nuzzling his cheek in return, Hikari sighed and wormed one hand out of the blanket's confines, to brush stray strands of silver hair back from his face. "When he arrives, I want you to wait in the hall until he's done." Prepared for his argument, she laid a finger across his lips and shook her head, her features tired yet determined. "Please, Sesshy."

Though he definitely didn't like the idea, how could he deny her when she looked so sickly? Growling unhappily, he gave her a look that said just how much explaining she had to do later, only to turn his gaze to the door when he heard it slide open. After dropping a quick kiss on Hikari's lips, he reluctantly pulled himself away from her and left the room, giving the healer a look of warning before he stepped out into the hall. There stood Jaken and half the servants and off-duty guards, all looking as though they had just gotten out of bed, and all noticeably worried. It was one small child that had the courage to come forward, looking up at Sesshoumaru with tear-filled eyes.

"Lord Sesshoumaru.. is the Lady Hikari going to be okay?"

Sesshoumaru was touched by how much the people of his household liked his mate. She was always nice to them, even going so far as to learn their names, and to play with the children while their parents were working. She was a perfect mate, an exemplary Lady, and just an all-around good person. It was in that moment that Sesshoumaru realized what the unfamiliar sensation he'd first felt that day in his study was.

Love. He was in love with Hikari.

"Lady Hikari is going to be just fine." Much to everyone's surprise, Sesshoumaru smiled faintly and knelt down, lightly patting the child on the head with his large hand.

The boy smiled sleepily and wandered back over to his mother, who swept him up and looked at Sesshoumaru in awe. Everyone noticed then that he looked so very different than he had nearly two years ago, and though the change had been gradual since Hikari came into his life, it seemed to hit them full force just then. Their Lord was truly a person now.. not just their Lord.

"I assure you all, I will inform everyone when I find out what is wrong with Lady Hikari. Return to your beds." Uttering 'arigatou's and bowing, the servants and guards all departed, save for one. Jiro stood across the hall from the door to Sesshoumaru and Hikari's rooms, his eyes lowered deferentially. Sesshoumaru understood that Jiro was a good friend of Hikari's, and wandered over to the young youkai, arching a brow and smirking with amusement. "You will be the first told, and the one to tell the others, once I find out what is going on."

"Domo arigatou, Lord Sesshoumaru." Bowing deeply, Jiro took a chance and glanced up at Sesshoumaru, who nodded and smiled ever so slightly. Jiro grinned in response, before straightening and making his way back to the barracks. Sesshoumaru watched him go silently, then turned and leaned against the wall, sliding down it until he was sitting on the floor. Golden eyes remained fixated on the door directly across from him, waiting for when the healer would come out, and hopefully be able to tell him what was wrong with his mate.

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Sunrise was stealing into the Hall of the West when the healer finally came out. The old youkai looked the same as always, somewhat cheerful and kind, though there was a different gleam in his beady black eyes as he glanced at Sesshoumaru. The taiyoukai jumped to his feet as soon as the door opened, striding over and looking curiously down at the healer when he closed the door behind him. "Speak, healer. What illness has befallen my mate?"

"It is no illness, Lord Sesshoumaru, rest assured. The Lady Hikari has requested that she tell you herself, so I shall take my leave now." Bowing respectfully to Sesshoumaru, the healer turned and walked off, leaving the Lord of the Western Lands staring worriedly at the door before him. A few tense moments passed before he gathered the courage to open the door and step into the room.