Take Another Breath

"Well, we're going back to camp. You coming, Hikari?"

Hikari, who had been lounging in the water and meditating, opened her eyes and looked up at Kagome and Sango. They had already dried and dressed, and were waiting patiently on her. She gave them both a kind smile, and shook her head, motioning them on.

"No, I'll stay here a bit."

Both bowed respectfully before wandering off, followed by a small sigh from Hikari. Great, she reveals that she's a taiyoukai, and they start treating her like some damned violent being who would disembowel them at a moment's notice. Her parents hadn't mentioned how vicious taiyoukai were to ningen during the Sengoku Jidai.

Hikari twitched an ear as her thoughts were interrupted, sighing once more as she sank lower in the water. It seemed the time had come, though she wasn't expecting it so soon. The youki that had become so familiar in the past hours stroked across her own, even as his scent invaded her nostrils. If he didn't already know that she was aware of his presence, he would in a moment.

"No need to hover in the shadows, Lord Sesshoumaru. The water is quite nice."

Sesshoumaru frowned slightly to himself as he felt her youki unfolding beneath the touch of his own. So she was a taiyoukai, was she? Then why did she hide it before? And why was her scent so damned alluring? With a low growl that rumbled forcefully in his chest, he stepped forward from the treeline, and began discarding his garments, armor, and weaponry. Hikari's eyes remained closed, whether out of deference for his disrobing or simply because she was enjoying the water he couldn't tell.

Hikari smiled as she felt the water ripple around her. Sesshoumaru had entered the spring silently, barely causing it to stir at all with his graceful movements. She opened her eyes and straightened as she felt him approaching, gazing up at him with those shining turquoise eyes. His own golden hues locked with hers, and the sparks were almost tangible as they flew between the two powerful taiyoukai.

Sesshoumaru allowed himself a small smirk as he saw that the female wasn't at all intimidated by him. Respectful, yes.. but she didn't fear him. His muscled form came close, sandwiching Hikari between himself and the rock wall of the spring. His head dipped forward, seeking out the place where her neck met her shoulder. His eyes closed and heinhaled deeply, growling appreciatively as her scent flooded his nostrils.

Hikari tilted her head away from Sesshoumaru and bared her neck as she relaxed against him, showing the proper submissiveness to the alpha male. While an alpha female herself, it was necessary to display her acceptance of his dominance, so he wouldn't have to get violent to enforce it. His growl deepened to a low rumble, pleased with her actions, as his tongue darted out to taste of her flesh. It was just as sweet as he'd imagined. "Why did you hide your true power from this Sesshoumaru?"

Hikari shivered beneath that brief touch of his tongue, giving a soft keening whine. Her eyes moved up to gaze at Sesshoumaru, her lips curling into a smile. "It was necessary, to get them to trust me."

Sesshoumaru lifted his hand, tracing the tip of one claw along the silver stripe on her left cheek. Hikari's scent, oddly pure considering her nature, was affecting his body in ways he really wished it wouldn't. Though it would be appealing to take the female as his mate right then and there, he had questions that needed answering first. "And why did you need the trust of the ningen and my pathetic hanyou brother?"

Hikari frowned ever so slightly, though she did lean into Sesshoumaru's touch. He likely wouldn't believe her, but she had to give him some answer, or he'd get mad. And that was the last thing she wanted. "..So they would let me stay with them, and I could find you. It was.. meant to happen."

That hand stilled, before returning to let strong fingers grasp Hikari's chin. Piercing golden eyes stared into hers, searching for any sign of dishonesty, even as Sesshoumaru's sensitive nostrils flared, searching more deeply into her scent. No fear, anxiety.. her heartbeat remained steady, and her gaze was open, showing only a faint thoughtfulness. "..You are a seer. That is how you knew of this Sesshoumaru finding the shards of the Shikon no Tama." His claws trailed idly down her throat as she nodded, falling away when her body disappeared beneath the water's surface.

Hikari watched him silently, before leaning forward and gently nuzzling his chest, uttering another of those low whines. Sesshoumaru watched her, smiling internally. The bitch knew her place, and would be worthy of bearing many pups. Her features were fine, her demeanor deserving of the title of Lady of the West. Without a second thought to the matter, he wrapped his arm around her waist, leaning his head down and nudging her hair away from her neck with his nose. When the spot where neck met shoulder was fullyexposed to him, he bared his fangs, sinking them harshly into her flesh.

At the pain of Sesshoumaru's fangs piercing her neck, Hikari gave a low yelp, arching against him as her hands gripped at his shoulders. The inu-taiyoukai withdrew his fangs, tongue lapping at the blood that welled up from the two tiny punctures. He actually shivered at the taste of her. She was sweet.. almost painfully so, and he continued to lick up the thick red liquid until it stopped rising from the wounds, leaving her a trembling, highly aroused mass of kitsune in his embrace.

Sesshoumaru's deep voice rumbled in her ear, and Hikari trailed her hands down his chest, leaving faint red marks from her claws. "This Sesshoumaru has presented his suit.. but of course, you will be given the proper amount of time to respond accordingly. You have a month to reject or accept my offer to mate." He drew back ever so slightly, and with surprising tenderness, captured her lips in a kiss. Despite how soft it may have been, it still expressed his possessiveness. She growled in response, kissing him back with fervor, and Sesshoumaru grinned inwardly. This kitsune would be hard pressed to find a mate more suitable than he.

----------

At the sudden blossoming of powerful youki, the Shikon hunters looked towards the hot spring. Sango and Kagome shared a glance, figuring it was simply Hikari finally unleashing her youki for the whole group to feel. Shippou looked over at them, and nodded, figuring that they knew now.

"You guys don't need to worry. Hikari will tell us everything when she gets back." Shippou sounded so much wiser than his short years, though it was odd to hear such a mature tone coming from a kit with a lollipop in his mouth... Inuyasha snorted, then stiffened at the sound of a yelp, a very feminine one at that, coming from the direction of the spring.

"That sounded like Hikari." The hanyou's golden eyes narrowed in worry, his ears flickering wildly. It was only then that he noticed the feel of Sesshoumaru's youki had faded away from their general vicinity, and he leaped from the tree, prepared to bolt for the spring. "Where is Sesshoumaru? If that bastard has done anything to her..."

"Inuyasha, it's nothing you can control."

"And how would you know, runt?" Inuyasha glared down at Shippou, nose wrinkled.

"Because Hikari told me. So just.. stay." Shippou sighed, and rolled his eyes at Inuyasha, before devoting his attention to his lollipop once more.

Though worried and positive Sesshoumaru had done something to Hikari, he returned to his tree, anxiously watching for the kitsune's return. She had some explaining to do.

----------

Sesshoumaru broke the kiss slowly, his lips seemingly having a mind of their own, and reluctant to leave the soft petals of Hikari's own lips. The kitsune gave a soft whine, gazing up at the inu with eyes darkened to a deep sea-like green-blue. He growled in response, gently nuzzling her cheek. While he didn't often display such tenderness, it was necessary to gain the female's affections, and take her as his mate.

Giving a quiet, happy little yip at his nuzzling, Hikari tilted her head, angling to nuzzle beneath Sesshoumaru's chin. Her arms came around him, clawed fingers gently shifting through the soft thickness of his silver hair, as the single hand of Sesshoumaru ran down her side, following the curve of her hip, then raking his claws back up. Her arousal spiked, taunting his nose with a delightfully thick musk.

Hikari tilted her head away, baring her throat to Sesshoumaru as his teeth latched onto her flesh, once again exerting his dominance. There was no doubt in his mind that she would accept his suit; she was properly submissive, even seemed eager for his dominance, and demanded no affection while giving her own freely. Was this what had so attracted his brother? Her giving heart and beautiful soul?

With some reluctance, he released her, giving a brief nuzzle and mildly affectionate lick to her cheek. Hikari's giggle brought a small smile to the lips of the ever-expressionless Sesshoumaru, and after running a claw through her hair, he stepped nimbly out of the spring. A safe distance away from both their sets of clothes, he gave his body a brisk shake, sending water flying in all directions, leaving bothflesh and hair perfectly dry.

In the process of removing herself from the steaming spring, she paused as Sesshoumaru extended his hand to her. For several moments, all Hikari did was gaze at the magenta stripes on his wrist, before placing her smaller hand in his, and letting him pull her effortlessly out, to land lightly on her feet. She moved away, and shook herself much as he had, then strolled over to her clothes. The sound of his voice gave her pause as she moved to dress, turning to look at him with a faintly surprised expression.

"It would please this Sesshoumaru very much if you would wear his colors." In the process of tying his hakama, Sesshoumaru looked over at Hikari, then back to what he was doing. It had taken a while to get used to dressing and un-dressing with just one arm, but he'd become accustomed to it in time. Soon he was settling his pelt over his shoulder again, haori, armor, and swords already in place.

"I don't think so, Sesshy. I'm not your mate yet. But, I will wear more traditional clothing, since I am going to be living in this time." Hikari sighed, and knelt down next to her modern clothes, looking at them with a slightly wistful expression. She sure was going to miss the clothing of the modern era, but what was there to do? It was destiny. Forming a small sphere of shimmering silver fox fire in her hand, she squeezed it in her fist, then sprinkled the embers over her clothes.

Sesshoumaru watched in slight amazement as her odd clothing became a flowing kimono of dark blue-green silk, embroidered with silver vines around the hem, collar, and sleeves, with a silver obi and silver slippers to match. Standing with the clothing in her arms, he could only admire the graceful shape of Hikari's still-nude form, before she slid expertly into the kimono, and stepped into the slippers.

When she settled her obi just beneath her breasts and pulled the material taut, Hikari was surprised to feel her hair being lifted away from her neck. But then she smiled, somewhat touched by Sesshoumaru's act, and swiftly tied her obi behind her. A sigh escaped her lips when his arm wrapped around her slender frame, pulling her back tightly against him as he buried his face in her hair. Eventually, his attention wandered down to where he'd bitten her, laving his tongue over the scent mark. She shivered, and he growled, before releasing her and stepping away slightly.

Pushing her hair back over her shoulder and away from her face, Hikari turned to make her way back to the camp, only to find Sesshoumaru still standing there, with his hand extended to her. It was all she could do not to lose her heart in that exact moment. He was so handsome, and the sweetly innocent, yet intimate, gesture made something deep within her ache. But if she did accept Sesshoumaru as her mate, which she knew she would, it would be a loveless union. She would be beneficial to him, with her gifts and her magic, and of course being a taiyoukai able to bear many pups.

But why did he have to be so damn sweet about his courting?

Almost hesitantly, she moved closer, and placed her hand in his. Hikarididn't hidethe smile that came to her lips as Sesshoumaru's fingers curled possessively around her own. Inuyasha would freak when he saw this, but there was nothing to be done about it.

The decision had been made.

"..Sesshy?"

Sesshoumaru's voice interrupted her thoughts, and Hikari looked up at him, amused. "You don't like it?"

"..I will tolerate it. But only from you."

----------

Everyone had just about settled down to go to sleep when the two youkai came walking back up to the little camp. Inuyasha and Shippou, who had been awaiting their return, were the first to gaze upon them when they entered the ring of firelight.

Shippou grinned, running forward to jump up into Hikari's free arm. Both kitsunes laughed with quiet delight as Shippou nestled into her embrace, though he did give a slightly apprehensive glance to theblank face of Sesshoumaru. The taiyoukai gave him a sideways look, but simply nodded, acknowledging that his intended mate hadpractically adopted the kit, and he accepted it.

Inuyasha, on the other hand, was quite displeased. His heart sank, ears pressing flat against his head, at the sight of Hikari and Sesshoumaru not only coming back to the clearing together, but holding hands. Fangs bared in a growl as they came to a stop, and Sesshoumaru leaned in, lightly kissing Hikari before he leaped into a tree and settled there. The hanyou jumped down from his own branch, and walked over to Hikari in sorrowful silence.

Happily shining turquoise hues lifted from thesilently laughingShippou as Inuyasha approached, and the look on his face made the smile on her own fade away. Hikari murmured something to the kit as she put him down at the base of the tree where they'd be sleeping, then turned to Inuyasha, her voice low. "Inuyasha? What's wrong?"

Internally, he bristled. How could she ask what was wrong? She came back from supposedly bathing holding hands with his hated half-brother, and let him kiss her! Not to mention the bastard had apparently decided he wanted to mate her; a small bit of Sesshoumaru's scentwas mixed in with the pureness of Hikari's. It made Inuyasha want to snarl, but all he did was lower his head, ears flickering slightly. "Can I talk to you somewhere.. away?"

"Sure. C'mon." Hikari motioned off in the opposite direction of the spring. In the woods on the other side of the road, she could smell cool running water. Undoubtedly a small creek, it would be a nice place to simply sit and talk. As Inuyasha nodded his assent, she began picking her way around the camp, and he followed after her, head still bowed.

They were both oblivious to the gazes following them. One pair, golden and glowing with a possessive light from the branches. The other, dark brown and filled with jealous rage in the shadows cast by the campfire.

----------

When they reached the creek, Hikari had to pause and admire the beauty of the little clearing. The small strip of running water flowed off into the woods in either direction, but the clearing itself was free of trees, filled only with thick grass and wildflowers. She breathed deeply of their sweet aroma, before folding herself gracefully on the ground a few feet from the creek, and looking at Inuyasha as he sat next to her.

The poor hanyou was clearly heartbroken. Hikari felt so bad for poor Inuyasha once she saw the look on his upturned face, and the hurt in his soft golden eyes. So much like his brother's.. but at least Inuyasha showed emotion. That was much more than could be said for Sesshoumaru. Biting gently at her lower lip with a fang, she reached over, laying a hand lightly on his arm. "Inuyasha, please tell me what's wrong."

"Keh." Resuming his usual gruff demeanor, Inuyasha yanked his arm away from her soothing touch, turning his face away. He could smell her hurt, and let loose a mental rush of curses, turning back to her with an apologetic expression, ears flat. "Gomen, Hikari. I'm just.." He paused, huffing irritably, before he burst out in quiet anger. "He's my asshole half-brother, Hikari-chan... I know I'm just a lowly hanyou, but why'd you have to fuckin' pick Sesshoumaru over me? I'd prefer you mate that mangy wolf Kouga."

Hikari knew she was crying, but she didn't care. She'd told Inuyasha not to get attached to her, but he did anyway! With a low cry, she launched herself at the inu, wrapping her arms around his neck and sobbing into his thick silver-white hair. "You are not a lowly hanyou, Inu-chan!"

To say Inuyasha was surprised would've been a vast understatement. If Hikari didn't think he was an unworthy half-breed, then why did she reject him, and for his brother at that? Despite his confusion, his arms came around the crying youkai, holding her close as his ears swiveled worriedly. "Don't cry.. damnit, I didn't mean to make you cry..."

They remained like that for several minutes as Hikari's tears slowly died off into weak sniffles. When she pulled back, she gave Inuyasha a look that begged him to understand, and he knew he wasn't going to like what he had to hear. "Inuyasha, I have to. I've seen it. While Sesshoumaru and I may have a loveless life together.. I'm meant to be his mate." She nearly started crying again when she saw the mixed anger and sadness in Inuyasha's eyes. "I'll always be your friend Inuyasha.. he won't be able to keep me from spending time with you, and the others. You know that, Inu-chan..."

Inuyasha sighed, folding his hands into the sleeves of his fire-rat haori. That damned nickname always softened him up, and Hikari knew it. But what she said couldn't be denied. Even though he was pretty sure he'd fallen in love with her the short time they'd been together, he couldn't argue with her if she said she'd seen it. "..Keh. Why didn't you tell us you were a taiyoukai, wench?"

"You wouldn't have trusted me as soon as I revealed it, would you?" Hikari smiled as his ears pressed flat against his head. Inuyasha never was a very good liar, and she didn't even need him to respond. "I had to let you think I was just a low-level kitsune until I could get those shards from Sesshoumaru."

"Well.. I guess that makes sense, now that you mention it." Inuyasha frowned, scratching at one ear as he pondered it. Why was that wench so damn smart? He never would've thought of something like that. With a sigh, he looked over at Hikari, admiring the way her stripes enhanced her features. A blush rose in his cheeks at what he was considering, but he wasn't going to let this opportunity get away from him before that damned Sesshoumaru whisked her away. "Hikari.. can I.. ask a favor of you?"

"Of course, Inu-chan." A sad little smile curved her lips as she gazed at Inuyasha. She knew just what he was going to ask.. the only question was, was she going to do it or not? And what would be the consequences if she did?

"Can.. can I.. kiss you?" Staring at the creek, he just waited for Hikari to reject him, his cheeks flushing bright red. It was a shock when he felt delicate clawed fingers on his ear, lightly stroking and massaging. The touch was almost.. sensual, and he groaned internally. Kami, what was that onna doing to him? The look in her beautiful eyes reeled him in, and next thing he knew, Inuyasha had his arms wrapped around her small waist and was holding her tightly against him as his lips plundered hers.

Not stopping the movements of her hands on his ears, Hikari kissed Inuyasha with all the pent up emotions that were roiling inside her. The proof of how she was affecting him could be easily felt as the hanyou hauled her onto his lap, cradling her closewhile his lips passionately caressed hers, tongue questing almost reverently into her mouth.

Had Inuyasha been in the right frame of mind, or in any frame of mind at all for that matter, he would've been highly embarrassed by the actions of his hand, which seemed to have completely taken on a life of its own. It hastily loosened Hikari's obi, careful not to slice the material with his claws, before seeking out the opening of her kimono and slipping inside. His breath caught as she arched against him and gave a breathless moan, and that was when he really noticed that his clawed hand was gently fondling her breast.

More out of instinct than anything, Hikari broke the kiss and tilted her head away from Inuyasha, offering the creamy expanse of her throat to him. The hanyou growled appreciately as he took what was offered, licking her ear before nuzzling his way down to the crook of her neck. It was only when he encountered the scent mark left by his brother that he stopped, and came to his senses. Sesshoumaru already sought Hikari as his mate.. and there was no way Inuyasha could stand up against his brother in a fight over a mate, lacking an arm or no.

Besides.. Hikari said it was meant to be. So with a disappointed sigh, Inuyasha withdrew his hand from her kimono and gave her a quick peck on the lips, then aided her in straightening up. Gently shifting her from his lap, he stood, and made to leave the small clearing. He paused before disappearing into the shadows of the trees, and looked over his shoulder at her, his heart in his eyes. "Just.. don't leave without saying goodbye."

With that, he was gone.

----------

Inuyasha barely spared the sleeping figures in the campa passing glance as he leapt into his tree. Shippou was puzzled by the hanyou's solitary return, though, so he quickly scampered through the camp and towards the place where he'd gone with Hikari. He almost yelled in fright when he found himself being picked up, only to quell the urge upon finding it was Sesshoumaru who had hefted him up by his little haori, and was now carrying him as he strode smoothly along.

Setting Shippou down when they reached the clearing where Hikari was, Sesshoumaru stepped towards her, thinking her to be asleep by the way she lay on her side on the ground. But she stirred, and turned to look up at Sesshoumaru, her eyes rivaling the stars with their brightness.

Shippou immediately curled up in the curve of her stomach, and not for the first time, the powerful inu-taiyoukai was struck by Hikari's beauty. Thus why he didn't resist when she extended a hand, silently beckoning him to join her. He laid at her side, and curled his arm protectively around her, gently nuzzling his mark.

The scent of Inuyasha was all over her, but Sesshoumaru didn't care. He knew the hanyou and his intended mate had become friends, and that they had likely just been hugging and saying farewells. So he paid no attention to the annoying aroma of the hanyou, and simply graced Hikari with a soft kiss, before settling down to watch her and her adopted kit sleep.

She would make a good mother to his pups.