Tender Love

Disclaimer-I do not own any of the characters from Inuyasha.

Chapter 19

The next morning Inuyasha awoke to the sound of her hearty sons screaming their lungs out for their breakfast. She lay there listening while Mina and her two young helpers cooed and fussed over the tiny infants and started making them ready for their first feeding. She sat up and watched the servants all playing with the infants.

"These two has got to be the rowdiest infants I have ever met," said Mina bringing over the eldest and placing him in Inuyasha's arms. Then she propped serval pillows behind Inuyasha’s back giving her the support she needed. "He acts as though he is starving to death."

Sesshomaru entered the room with a warm smile on his face. "I heard our sons all the way downstairs and thought perhaps I should come see what was troubling them." He walked over to the cradle and picked up his youngest son. He sat down on the bed beside Inuyasha.

Inuyasha smiled up at her mate. "I was just about to feed them their breakfast," she said nervously as she pulled down one side of her gown exposing her breast.

"You and the others can go now." He was motioning with his hand to Mina to get out so his mate won't feel too embarrassed.

"All right," said Mina rolling her eyes. "You don't have to be so pushy. Let's go girls." Mina lead the two girls out of the room to start breakfast for their lord and lady.

Sesshomaru leaned over placing a kiss on her cheek. "I sent Jaken to tell father about his grandsons and to bring back my old cradle." He watched expectantly for the scene to unfold as Inuyasha placed her eldest son's mouth next to her breast, her face blushing at the feel of his tiny lips trying to secure the nourishment that he knew was waiting for him. But she pulled back in surprise and almost dropped the infant when his greedy mouth actually overtook and latched onto her nipple.

As he took in the eagerness of his son and the confusion and surprise on Inuyasha's face, Sesshomaru’s deep-throated laughter filled the room. "I don't know why you're so surprise when he began to suck your nipple. I have done it several times."

Inuyasha's face turned a dark red and when she tried to glare at him. He just found his mate to be absolutely the most adorable creature he has ever had the fortune of knowing. He thanked the gods every day for sending him this wonderful demoness.

"You're lucky I have my son to my chest or I would strangle you," she said with no hint of anger in her voice.

"Hearty little thing isn't he?" laughed Sesshomaru tickling his son's tiny tummy.

"This is all so new to me," she sighed, gazing down at the tiny head snuggled against her breast.

"I know but I could not imagine my sons in the arms of any other."

Inuyasha quickly became accustomed to the newness of the baby suckling at her breast and relaxed against the pillows.

"We really should give them names," said Sesshomaru nuzzling his second son under his chin. The tiny infant clutched a handful of his long silver hair putting it in his mouth sucking it.

"Have you thought of any names?" She turned her gaze upon him.

"Well, I have one name. What do you think about Keitaro for the name of our eldest?"

"Keitaro," Inuyasha said repeating the name and smiled. "I like it.” She gazed down at her son. “What say you, little one? Do you like the name, Keitaro?” The infant continued to feed not paying one word to his parents. Then she looked back at Sesshomaru. “What about the youngest?"

"Well we would have to think about that because I only had the one name." As the suckling came to a halt, Sesshomaru placed his second son down in Inuyasha's lap as he took Keitaro into his arms. The tiny infant yawned and fell back to sleep. Placing him back in the cradle, he came back to sit beside his mate as she held their second son to her right breast.

"How about we wait a while until after breakfast to name this little one," she said as she rubbed his soft hair.

"Okay, it will give us some time to think of a name," Sesshomaru said bringing his lips to hers and taking them in a burning passionate kiss.

It was as though time stopped for Inuyasha and she had to pull herself back to reality with an effort and concentrate on the infant at her breast. "You shall have your son crying again if you don't stop." She tried to sound happy and not show how his burning lips had shaken her.

Sesshomaru gave her a sly grin as if reading her mind. "Is it the babe you worry for, my sweet, or yourself?” He took her lips again, this time with more hunger.

Inuyasha had to push against him with her free hand. "Oh gods, Sess, please," she groaned wanting to feel his lips again but not wishing for the sensations that those lips awakened in her body when she was powerless to do anything about them. After all, she was holding a baby in her arms.

"As you wish beloved," he murmured. "But heal quickly, for I am not a patient demon and already I can barely wait to feel the pleasures of your body."

Inuyasha's face turned red as an apple at his words.

"I am only kidding. I will not push you on the matter until I am sure I shall only bring you joy and pleasure and not pain." He kissed her cheek.

"Jerk," she huffed still embarrassed by what he said.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, interrupting the loving moment between the couple.

Following the knock, Sya entered wearing a blood red kimono, her eyes icy chips as she took in the tender scene before her.

Sesshomaru rose from his seat beside his mate annoyed to be disturbed at this time especially by her.

"I am sorry if I am interrupting anything. I only came to offer Inuyasha and the pups my best wishes."

Inuyasha clasped Sesshomaru's hand and he turned to her. Inuyasha smiled shaking her head. "Please leave us alone."

"Very well," he sighed. "I won't be long. I just have a few things to take care of first and then I will be back." He placed a fleeting kiss against her temple and stroked the side of his son's cheek. Then he left the room.

"I appreciate your coming, Sya. Would you care to take a peek at my sons?” Inuyasha asked.

Sya snorted and walked over to the cradle and looked down at the sleeping infant. She sneered in disgust as she turned her cold eyes upon the infant that was suckling at Inuyasha’s breast. The sight of the baby nursing at its mother's breast was sickening to her. "For heaven's sake, why on earth do you not get a wet nurse to do that dreadful job? You will ruin your figure if you insist upon doing it yourself."

"Because I am their mother. It is my responsibility to make sure they are nourished," said Inuyasha frowning at her. "Besides, I enjoy this bonding experience between mother and sons."

Sya started to comment but Inuyasha spoke before she could say anything.

"I had hoped that we could be on more friendlier terms now that there are infants in the house but that was wishful thinking, right."

"Do you want me to be honest?"

Inuyasha nodded her head.

"I only came in here to pay my respect because I felt it my duty since I am a guest in your home and have no place else to go at this time. But since you want honesty, so be it. If you think for one minute that I will ever forget the way I have been treated in the past by you, simply because you now have children, you are sadly mistaken. I loathe children and their crying and the mess they make."

Inuyasha sat holding her infant in her arms thinking about all that Sya had said to her. 'Hmm, she will never forget how she was treated in the past. So, Sess was right. You are up to something Sya.' "Since you have made your feelings clear, you can leave. I had also hoped that since having been here since your aunt died you would begin to see that all your petty vindictiveness was a waste of time. But I can see you are just a plain mean and spiteful with no hint of a redeeming nature. So, I shall tell you this." Inuyasha spoke in a low meaningful voice. "I know Sess said you can stay but I will have no more of your foolishness. Once the children make two months old, there will be a celebration introducing them into demon society. I suggest you spend this time finding yourself somewhere else to go."

Sya glared at Inuyasha. "You don't have to get so uppity about it. You have known how I have felt toward you every since we left China and I hope it will not be too long before I shall be out of your house."

"That’s good to hear." The smile on Inuyasha's face became vindictive. "Now, you are dismissed. I wish to finish feeding my child in peace. Your aura upsets him . . . and me." She added pointedly.

Turning her gaze back to her suckling infant, Inuyasha smiled when she heard the angry hiss come from Sya. She stared from under her bang as the angry girl turned on her heels and stormed out of the room, leaving the door ajar.

Inuyasha sighed as she sat and began to ponder Sya's words. 'Did I misunderstand her meaning, or was there a possibility that there was someone Sya cared about?' She had thought this once before but let it slip as time went by. 'Well now, if this is your intent, I will be glad to see you go.' She still had doubts about Sess' plan to keep an eye on Sya but now that she is hinting that she will be leaving soon. 'I for one will be happy when she's gone.'

xxxxx

Sya left the palace in a furious rage. "Who does that little bitch think she is?" she stormed as she made her way pass the gardens. She’d be damned if she were going to start being friendly to that little snob; especially not when she would soon have her revenge on the half breed bitch. And her beloved Naraku will be be by her side.

At the thought of Naraku her blood rushed fiercely through her veins and she walked faster in order to get to her destination quicker. As she neared the river, she scanned the area until she saw one of his insects. The pest buzzed around her head and went into the forest. 'Am I suppose to follow? Is that what it wants?' So she followed the large wasp into the forest.

It was dark and eerie here under the boughs of the trees, but Sya felt no fear as she continued her trek through the woods. Her senses kept pounding, as she knew that soon she would be lying in her lover's arms again. And finally she came upon him leaning against a large oak tree. There stood her one and only love-Naraku.

"Naraku!" she cried, her dark hair flying behind her as she ran to him and threw her arms about his neck. "It has been almost a month now since you last met me." She snuggled her face close against his neck.

"I’m sorry I could not come sooner, but a pirate's life is not his own," he murmured with a twisted grin on his face.

"I know, I know; it is only that I have been so miserable without you, and when I sit in my room all alone, my whole body yearns for the feel of you close beside me."

"It will not be for much longer now, Sya; perhaps only a few more weeks."

"But why do we have to wait? Why can we not just leave now?" Sya pleaded, raising her head to look into Naraku's crimson eyes.

"Dearest, we have been through all of this before. We shall need all the money we can get our hands on, so I can treat you as the queen you are."

"I do not care!" she pouted, her bottom lip trembling slightly.

"I do!" Naraku replied in an angry voice, setting Sya from his arms. "Now, tell me what has been happening since last I have seen you?"

Sya, her face flushed from her hurried trek and her eyes showing the hurt she felt from his harsh words, spoke in a strained voice. "There really is not too much to tell. That bitch had two disgusting brats last night and I do not think I can bear much more."

"So, the little one had two whelps, did she?" he asked with a faraway look in his eyes. His mind was going back to the day he had promised Inuyasha aboard his pirate ship, that he would make her his. Yes, soon now, he told himself, he would have that golden-eyed vixen, who had haunted his dreams for these past months, in his power.

"And what did the arrogant Lord Sesshomaru sire?"

"Twin sons. One was a little red-faced, wretched monster, that will scream the walls down. While the other is a mutant little freak that has the bitch's ears."

"Now, my dove, don't bare your fangs; it does not suit you." He spoke kindly, taking Sya back into his arms and guiding her to the ground.

"It will not be long now. We but have to wait for the right moment and we shall be leaving Japan for good."

Sya did not know the meaning of his words, or what he meant by waiting for the right moment. All she knew was that she loved this man with every fiber of her being and that he loved and wanted her also. Why else was he holding her in this manner and why would he risk his life coming to meet her, if it were not for love?

But as Naraku removed her kimono and proceeded to take her in a cruel, brutal manner his thoughts were not of Sya. With each thrust he made into her body, his mind was consumed with thoughts of a certain half demoness, who had the prettiest eyes and the softest features he had ever seen in his life. He swore in his mind that soon he would have the lovely Lady Inuyasha Aoki lying in his arms. Then perhaps he would be able to put his mind on something else and not be plagued night and day by visions of that beautiful, golden-eyed temptress.

xxxxx

It was around lunch time when Jaken returned with the cradle and Inutaisho came along as well. The elder dog demon burst into the room to see his son and daughter-in-law each holding a pup.

"Father," Sesshomaru said smiling. "I am glad you came." He stood up and motioned to his father to come in.

The elder demon rushed into the room and stood before his son. "Father I would like for you to meet your eldest grandson, Keitaro." He placed the pup in his father's arms.

Inutaisho looked down at the cute little pup and smiled as he began to suck his tiny fist. "Sess . . . I," he choked out his words. "He is adorable. Your mother would be so happy for you son." He wiped the tears from his eyes and sat in the chair that Sesshomaru was sitting in only a moment ago. Then he turned his gaze upon the other pup. "They are so beautiful. You must be so proud, my boy."

"I am father." Sesshomaru sat on the bed beside his mate.

"So, what did you name the other one?"

"Well, we have been trying to think of a name for him but nothing seems to fit," said Inuyasha.

"I know it might seem kind of clique, since they are twins but would you mind naming him Keitano," asked Inutaisho.

"After grandfather?" said Sesshomaru.

"Yes, he looks so much like my father." Inutaisho gave Keitaro back to Sesshomaru and held his arms out for the other child. Inuyasha smiled and placed the infant in his arms. "Yes, father was the only one to have a red stripe on each of his cheeks and on his thighs." He looked up at them. "So, if you do not mind . . .?"

"I think Keitano is a wonderful name," said Inuyasha smiling.

"So do I," agreed Sesshomaru.

"Thank you," Inutaisho said smiling sadly.

The warm summer days swept by in a scene of peacefulness. And for Inuyasha this was just the beginning of her life. Her sons, Keitaro and Keitano, was growing healthy and happy and promised to be as strong and hearty as their father. It was still a wonder to her at times when she would sit and watch her small children discover something new and chuckle how she could have produced something so perfect. Her whole life now seemed to have a special meaning. It had been nearly two months since she had had her sons and Sesshomaru since the time of their birth had treated Inuyasha with a new and special tenderness.

He constantly was at hand and offered her any service of which she might be in need. And now, with the Introduction Ceremony going to be held at the palace in only two more days Inuyasha found herself often seeking out her mate for help and advice. Also, they decided to make their announcement of legally adopting Shippo as their son. Although he would not be in line for the throne, Sesshomaru decided he would make the little fox kit one of his elite guards.

There were so many things to arrange for the ceremony and this would be the first one Inuyasha herself would be giving but hopefully will not be the last. She insisted on everything being perfect. Everything inside the house was polished to a brilliant sheen and the outside grounds never had looked as neat and trim as they did at this time.

Every lord and lady, prince and princess, human and demon, throughout Japan had been invited and Inuyasha promised herself no one would find any fault with the new Lady of the West.

Even Sya seemed to be looking forward to the affair. Inuyasha had noticed a strange glint in the other girl's eyes each time the subject of the ceremony was brought up. Now, as Inuyasha sat in the small rose garden, she made a mental note to remind the gardeners who worked about the yard to carefully cut some roses to place inside the house.

Yes, indeed, she sighed to herself, the celebration would be a huge affair. Several of their guests would be staying for a few days and others would have to be put up for the night. Her heart soared when her father would be returning along with her little brother for this joyous occasion.

But as the time grew closer for the affair, Inuyasha found herself growing nervous and apprehensive. She had a feeling of impending catastrophe, but Sesshomaru soothed her fears by saying they were due to her wanting to make a good impression with her first important party.

Dear, sweet Sesshomaru, she thought, what would she be without his kindness and love. She could imagine no other man as her mate.

Since the birth of their sons, Sesshomaru had not yet approached her to re-consummate their mating bed. But just the thought of their wonderful love-play now sent shivers through Inuyasha's body and she could feel a fire begin to grow in the depths of her belly.

‘Oh, he had best make his move soon,’ she thought, ‘or I shall die from wanting him so badly.’ She never would have believed she could have such strong feelings toward a man, but just the slightest touch from him and her senses would reel. And his kiss would send her mind soaring to gigantic heights. Perhaps tonight, she hoped, she could lure him to her bed. He must know that she was healed from the birth of their sons and fine now. Well, if he did not make the first move, she would just have to force the matter upon him and bring them back to the way they had been before the pups.

The rest of the day went by in a flurry of activity. Inuyasha with the help of Mina went over the entire palace again to be sure that nothing had gone unnoticed and everything would be ready for the celebrations.

xxxxx

That night, to Inuyasha's delight, Sya had decided to have dinner in her room but unfortunately Shippo was there. 'Dammit all! I was hoping we would be alone tonight.’ Oh well, no need in crying over spilt milk. She had her hair done up in a bun and wore a beautiful, white sheer kimono that had a silver rose stitched in the fabric above her left breast in hopes of bringing Sesshomaru's blood to a boil. And when she made her way to the dining room, her hopes were answered.

Sesshomaru was standing out on the balcony looking out over the gardens. Inuyasha smiled at Shippo and kissed his cheek. The little fox giggled happily and watched his mother go outside.

Sesshomaru turned when he heard footsteps. His eyes hungrily devoured the sight of his mate as his eyes traveled from her lovely face to rest lustfully on her rising breasts. He felt his cock twitch in his hakama as he spied Inuyasha’s hard nipples thrust against the thin fabric. Inuyasha felt her own intake of breath. His eyes felt like twin flames of passion, searing her flesh with their hungry greed.

Finally Sesshomaru's eyes rose and locked with hers, and as if his eyes spoke the words, Inuyasha felt them say, "Tonight, my love, tonight I shall make you mine once again."

Sesshomaru regained his composure, strode over to his mate's side, and took her arm. "You look quite ravishing tonight, beloved. I hope you know what your beauty does to my simple mind?" he murmured softly against her ears.

She turned to face him and brushed her lips against his. "I hoped you would notice, love, for tonight I had hopes of tempting the beast," Inuyasha whispered pointedly before she walked saucily over and took her placed at the table.

Sesshomaru stood looking after her, the full meaning of her words reaching him and he smiled.

Mina's delicious dinner was eaten hurriedly. There was little conversation between them but Shippo made up the differences by talking on and on about his day with his friends. Inuyasha stole covert glances at her handsome mate; she wished for the time to fly so Shippo could go to bed and they could make their way to their room.

Sesshomaru quietly ate his meal, wondering if he could have read more into his mate's words than she had intended. ‘Could it be,’ he wondered, ‘that she wanted him as much as he wanted her?’ By the gods, he had bided his time, waiting for the right time to approach her. Could she be just as anxious as he? Or perhaps he thought she had meant more than she had intended with her short reply. ‘Dammit!’ he thought to himself, 'if Shippo were not sitting at the table I would come right out and ask the little temptress.’

Shippo was the first to rise and excused himself.

So, when they were left alone, Sesshomaru attempted to break the silence. "And how are our sons this evening, Yasha? I did not get a chance to go to see them before dinner."

"Keitaro is fine and is asleep but Keitano was still up. I think he doesn't like being separated from his aniki," she smiled. "But when I left, he was chewing the ear off of the stuffed animal you got for him and I left one of the servants to watch them." Inuyasha replied a bit nervously, now that she was alone with him. Her thoughts kept going over his lovemaking.

"They are getting to be quite a handful," Sesshomaru said, barely realizing he had spoken; his eyes and thoughts were entranced by her beauty.

"I agree, they will grow, and be a replica of their father," Inuyasha added, her eyes clouding over with the love she felt for this man.

Sesshomaru rose from his cushion and went to her side. "And will it be so terrible, my sweet, if our sons were like their father?" He leaned down and took one silky ears into his mouth.

She moaned. "No, Sess, I only hope they will be half as kind and good as you." She slowly stood to her feet and turned to face him.

Sesshomaru lost himself in those dark golden pools and bent his head to take those soft pink lips which rose to meet his own. He took her gently into his arms, his lips and tongue exploring and tantalizing her mouth, until she leaned against him breathlessly.

Sesshomaru could feel Inuyasha's slight trembling and could sense the passion he had awakened within her. "Perhaps we should retire to the bedchamber. I would hate for Mina or one of the other servants to accidentally come in here and catch us taking stolen kisses in the dining room.

Inuyasha could only nod her head and let him led her by the hand out of the room up the stairs. Her whole body was a quiver with the tingling sensations she had almost forgotten existed.

In the privacy of their bedchamber Sesshomaru took Inuyasha once again into his arms. As he took her lips again in a possessive but gentle kiss, Inuyasha's pulse seemed to burst into a feverish tempo.

Sesshomaru took the pins, one at a time, out of her hair until it was flowing free and its glossy sheen fell about his hands. "Oh, sweet, I have been waiting for this moment for so many weeks now."

Inuyasha could feel his length grow large and hard against her thigh and she could hardly wait to be lying naked against him.

As if reading her mind Sesshomaru spoke softly against her ear. "Let me help you out of this, my pet. your body's much too lovely to keep hidden under this garment."

Inuyasha stood waiting impatiently as his strong sturdy hands slowly undid the obi to her kimono. He had to hold himself in check, so as not to let his eagerness overrule his actions; he wanted to rip the cloth away from his beautiful mate's body and have an end to his waiting. As he let the thin sash fall to the floor, he pushed the thin material down her arms, letting it pool at her feet.

Inuyasha walked over to the dressing table the light from the candles made her skin shine with a golden hue. Her silver, shining hair cascaded to her waist; it looked as if she were wearing a crown of the moonlight draped upon her. He found himself rendered almost senseless as he stood across the room, passion and desire pouring from his eyes and from every pore of his body as he watched her delicate hands remove the rest of the pins from her hair.

Yes, he thought, as he tried to clear his mind to fully appreciate the tempting picture that his young mate was presenting to him. Childbearing had not hurt her figure in the slightest; in fact, she was even more beautiful, if that were at all possible. Her breasts were more rounded and fuller, but as firm and high as before; her stomach was as flat as ever, but now there was a more mature and womanly look to her body. As all these thoughts coursed through his mind, his body shook with a spasm, caused by his desire for her and his memory of that graceful body lying supple and responsive beneath his own.

He walked up behind her as though he was a panther stalking his prey; his eyes devoured her as his lips bent down and nibbled the sweetness of her satiny shoulder; his senses swirled in the rose-scent perfume which seemed to cling to her hair and body. "Oh, my sweet, you are tormenting my very soul. Come, take mercy on this lowly demon and let me once again feel the warmth and sweetness of your body's joys."

Inuyasha turned in a single motion and her body molded perfectly against his. "As you wish, my lord; my only wish is to please you," she whispered softly, rising on her toes, her lips meeting his as her arms wounded around his waist.

Sesshomaru quickly disposed of his clothing as he lifted his mate into his arms and carried her over to the bed. Laying her on the bed, he laid down over her sealing his lips against hers. Inuyasha moaned into the kiss as her hands trailed over his broad firm chest. She could feel him shiver as her fingers brushed against the stripes on his thighs. He raised himself upon his elbows to stare down into the face of his lovely mate. As his gaze traveled over her body, his eyes were drawn to those lovely twin peaks that waited anxiously for him to lavish them with his attention. Lowering his mouth, he took hard nub into his mouth and Inuyasha shrieked in pleasure as fire coursed through her body. He licked, sucked and pulled at the hard nub until the heavy, creamy breast milk trickled from the nub and he tasted it greedily.

"Mmm," he moaned as he moved to the other and attacked it in the same manner.
Inuyasha writhed and moaned beneath his rough tongue.

Deciding to give her a short reprieve, he moved his mouth lower leaving a scorching, wet trail down her body. He hesitated briefly to stab his tongue into her navel before continuing his journey lower. He growled in satisfaction as Inuyasha spread her legs wide for him. He lowered his mouth to nip and suck her clitoris. Inuyasha felt the bottom of her world fall out from under her as a spasm danced up her spine to pool in the pit of her stomach. She screamed when she felt his tongue stab inside of her.

"Sessho . . . no more," she panted heavily. "Please . . . need you . . . inside . . . Now."

Without another word being said, he quickly positioned his aching length at her entrance and gently slid into her. She moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist and pushed him all the way to the hilt inside of her. She moaned in blissful pleasure to feel her beloved’s throbbing length filling her up.

"Yasha, you're so tight," he panted as sweat trickled down his face.

Once he became use to the constricting pressure of his mate's body around his throbbing length he began to move slowly at first but the moans of his love spurred him to move faster. He snapped his hips rapidly, going deeper into his mate. She sunk her claws into the flesh of his shoulders as her back arched off the bed. Their love making that night was like nothing they had experience before. Their bodies molded together as though they were one. Each touch given by the other was that of fire, burning in its intensity, scorching in its desire to be close to the other's soul. Their kisses, like molten liquid, seemed to devour, to ravish, to draw out all of their secret and hidden love that seemed to be in the depths of their bodies. Angling his hips downward, he struck a bundle of nerves inside Inuyasha that made her see stars. She felt an intense heat pool in the pit of her stomach. And with one more thrust, Inuyasha howled in ecstasy as her orgasm washed over her like a tidal wave of pleasure.

As her insides clamped down on his cock, Sesshomaru groaned as he released his seeds into his mate's sated body. He collapsed on top of her breathing heavily against her neck. He lapped a spot of sweat from her neck and he saw her skin shiver from the touch.

Never before had their lovemaking been so complete; never had either one of them seem to feel so much a part of the other.

Inuyasha knew it with a certainty the moment Sesshomaru raised above her and gazed deep into her passion-filled face to see if she also were feeling the same fierce and overwhelming feelings as he; she knew then as shudder after shudder coursed over her body that at this moment if some quirk of fate were to happen and the bowels of the earth were to open and devour them in darkness, neither would notice. Their minds, bodies and souls were so consumed with each other there was no room for anything that could possibly affect them.

Sesshomaru pressed a kiss to her lips and pulled her close to him as they fell into an exhausted sleep.


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A/N-Naraku will make his appearance once again in the next chapter to carry
out his devious plan.