Take Another Breath

With the sunrise came the chatter of the camp of the Shikon no Tama shard hunters. Inuyasha, for once, remained silent and expressionless, his coldness towards his companions rivaling that of his brother. Sango and Miroku, while worried, said nothing, and Kagome.. well, she was herself. She pestered him, prodded him, and even threatened an osuwari. But he said nothing, only giving the miko a look that told her to drop it before he simply left.

Three sets of sensitive youkai ears on the other side of the road caught all this commotion, but Sesshoumaru was the only to awaken. Slowly opening his eyes, he turned to look at Hikari, intending to ask how she'd fared the night. What he saw made him stay silent a bit longer.

Hikari had turned to face Sesshoumaru sometime during the night, and was now nestled against him, her head resting on his shoulder and her hand on his chest. His remaining hand lay protectively covering her own, grasping it gently. Probably what surprised him most was the fact that Shippou was sandwiched between them, looking quite content in his continuing slumber.

That was the moment when Sesshoumaru, inu-taiyoukai and Lord of the Western Lands, began to fear he was actually having feelings for the kitsune Hikari.

Giving himself a mental shake, Sesshoumaru then pulled his hand away from Hikari's, moving it to lightly run the tips of his claws across her cheek. "The sun has risen, Hikari. I believe your companions are readying to break camp and leave."

Hikari yawned, absently nuzzling Sesshoumaru's shoulder, before she sat up. Arms extended over her head as she stretched, whining softly, then turned those bright eyes on him with a dazzling smile. "Good morning, Sesshy. Sleep well?"

"Considering how infrequently I spend nights outdoors, yes. I believe this belongs to you?" Gently untangling the still-sleeping Shippou from where he'd curled himself in the empty left sleeve of Sesshoumaru's haori, he lifted the kit and handed him to Hikari, who chuckled as she enfolded the youngster in her arms. When she looked up, she noticed that Sesshoumaru was still gazing at her, seemingly.. admiring her? Did he really think she was that pretty?

Sesshoumaru smirked as a faint blush rose in Hikari's cheeks, making her look all the more soft and innocent in the soft dawn light. But he gave an internal sigh of reluctance as he stood, extending his hand to her, and gently pulled her to her feet when she took it. Those fingers curled gently around her own, drawing her close and giving her a soft kiss. It had a feel of finality to it that made her give him a worried look once it was broken, frowning slightly. "Sesshy? Is something wrong?"

"I must return to my estate." Sesshoumaru ignored the guilty feeling that appeared at Hikari's saddened eyes, his thumb gently caressing the back of her hand. "This Sesshoumaru will return to see you as often as possible."

"I understand, Sesshy. Walk me back to the others?" Hikari smiled brightly as Sesshoumaru nodded in assent, and gladly nestled against him as his hand abandoned hers, his arm wrapping around her waist instead. They traversed through the trees in silence, back to the road, Shippou still snoozing in her arms.

As they stepped into view, all eyes turned to them, and the familiarity with which Sesshoumaru held Hikari didn't go unnoticed. Inuyasha 'keh'd and looked away, tucking his hands into the sleeves of his haori. While Miroku and Sango simply exchanged a look, Kagome did a little internal victory dance. Inuyasha was hers!

Hikari turned to look up at Sesshoumaru, a sad little smile on her lips. His hand ran through her hair, before settling at the base of her skull, pulling her close for a kiss. She nearly melted at the tenderness of the action, and whimpered in disappointment when he pulled away. They exchanged a glance full of promises, before the silver-haired youkai strode purposefully over towards his brother.

This was the last thing Inuyasha wanted. Sesshoumaru was just going to rub it in, he knew it! So it was with a growl that the hanyou turned to face his brother, scowling angrily. "Whaddya want, Sesshoumaru?"

Since Sesshoumaru towered over his half-breed brother, he leaned down to bring himself face-to-face with Inuyasha. Identical golden eyes met in a heated stare, as Sesshoumaru's deep voice rumbled with a growl. "You will protect Hikari with your life while I am gone. If I find any harm has come to her when I return, you will answer to me."

Inuyasha blinked, then growled back, furry ears flattening against his head. That was all Sesshoumaru wanted? "Of course I'll protect her, you asshole! I was doing a good job of it before you showed up, and I'll fuckin' keep doing it as long as she wants!"

Unconsciously cracking his knuckles, Sesshoumaru snarled, then whirled away and began to walk off. After exchanging a final glance with Hikari, he took to his cloud and was gone. Inuyasha gazed sadly at the kitsune who was watching his brother leave, and sighed inwardly.

This was going to suck.

----------

Giving herself a brisk shake, Hikari's kimono became a pair of blue-green hakama and a silver haori, looking very similar to the traditional miko garb. Shippou finally woke up, giving a yawn as he stretched in her arms. Turquoise eyes met sleepy emerald as she smiled, and strolled across the road to join their companions. The older kitsune noted with slight annoyance that Kagome had an extremely smug expression on her face, but it was Inuyasha that concerned her. He didn't look at all pleased. "There's no need to continue protecting me, Inuyasha. I'll go off on my own if it'll make things easier."

"Keh." Flattening his ears, Inuyasha tried to look anywhere but at Hikari. He really didn't want her to go, although he knew when the month was up and she accepted Sesshoumaru's suit, she'd be gone forever. He'd hold on to her for as long as he could, even if it was just under the guise of protecting her. "You'll stay with us until that bastard half-brother of mine decides to take you away, wench. I said I'd protect you, and I will."

Hikari took an involuntary step back, hurt by how unfeeling Inuyasha's words were. Kagome barely suppressed a malicious snigger, utterly pleased by how things were turning out. They just had to put up with the taiyoukai for another month, and then she'd be gone for good! This was too easy.

Fully aware of Kagome's selfish, childish thoughts, since they were plain to see on her face, Hikari shot her a look that just about screamed what she thought of the miko. Kagome quailed slightly, before turning on her heel and going to talk to Sango.

Hikari sighed and looked down at Shippou, giving him a small smile. "Shippou, I'm going to be leaving with Sesshoumaru in a month, and I want you to promise me something, okay?" He nodded, and she continued. "You've been with Kagome for four years, and you've only known me for two weeks. I need you to spend this month deciding whether you want to go with me when the time comes, or stay with Kagome."

Shippou nodded, wrapping his little arms around Hikari's neck in a hug. "Okay. I'll really think about it. I promise."

Nuzzling the little kit, Hikari bit back a sigh, then turned to look at the group with a forced smile. "Well, if I'm not mistaken, there are shards to find. Shall we?"

----------

They'd been traveling for a few hours when Hikari, trailing somewhat forlornly behind everyone else and working with Shippou on changing his shape, noticed a growing feeling behind them. She sighed, and moved forward past Miroku and Sango, to walk next to Inuyasha. Kagome gave her a glare, which the kitsune ignored; instead she looked at Inuyasha, feigning boredom. "I sense a youkai presence approaching from behind us. They're rather far away yet, but moving in closer, and very fast at that. I do believe this youkai has at least one shard of the Shikon no Tama as well."

Inuyasha gave Hikari a puzzled look, but she simply gazed at him in cold silence, before turning and retreating to her place. Finding herself next to Shippou at the rear of the group again, she scooped the kit up in her arms, pressing his face so it was effectively sheltered against her shoulder as she clenched her own eyes shut and counted. "Three.. two.. one..."

A whirlwind rushed past, kicking up road dust and sending it flying into everyone's faces. Hikari and Shippou recovered first, wiping it away from their eyes before they opened them, to glance towards the front of the group. There stood a dashing youkai with long black hair, his big blue eyes staring into Kagome's as his clawed hands carefully grasped her fragile ones. "Kagome! I heard about Naraku's death and came to find you! Now you can leave dog breath here and come with me!"

"Hey, she's not going anywhere, you mangy wolf!" Inuyasha growled, shaking his fist at Kouga as he stepped forward. Hikari and Shippou giggled, watching the amusing scene unfold.

"It's Kagome's decision. Why don't you two quit with the flying testosterone before somebody loses an eye, and let her have her say?" Everyone looked at Hikari with mildly surprised expressions as she moved towards the front of the group, Shippou perched on her hip and sucking happily on a lollipop. Kouga glanced away from Kagome, then back to her, before doing a double-take at the beautiful youkai.

"Well, who is this? You didn't tell me you had a taiyoukai in your pack now." Kouga dropped Kagome's hands and turned to gaze more fully at Hikari, his gaze sweeping appreciatively across her form. The kitsune rolled her eyes, flipping bi-colored strands of hair away from her face.

"That might be due to the fact I've only been around for two weeks. You must be the ookami prince, Kouga." Hikari fought the urge to giggle as Kouga's chest puffed up with pride. "I also believe you have a shard of the Shikon no Tama in each leg. We'll be needing those back now."

Kouga's pride deflated as he stared at Hikari, wide-eyed and disbelieving. He looked over at Kagome, appearing very confused as he pointed at the taiyoukai. "What kind of youkai is she?"

"I'm a kitsune. It's rude to talk of someone with others when that person is standing right there. Now if you'll just stand still, I can get those shards out of your legs quickly and painlessly." Having already gently placed Shippou on the ground, Hikari walked towards Kouga, a determined gleam in her eyes. The ookami began moving away, which earned him a growl from Hikari. "Kouga, if you don't stand still, I'll be forced to restrain you. And I can guarantee you won't like it."

Reluctantly, Kouga stilled, watching as Hikari knelt next to him and wiggled her fingers. Claws and fingers slid easily, free of blood or pain, into Kouga's flesh, returning moments later with a glowing shard in each hand. Trying to ignore the exhaustion that filled her from the use of such focused magic, Hikari rose somewhat unsteadily to her feet, turning to place the shards in Kagome's waiting hand.

"Thank you for your cooperation.. ladies and gentlemen.. Elvis has left the building." Hikari swayed, her eyes rolling up into her head as her body collapsed. But before she could hit the ground, Inuyasha was there, lifting her gently in his arms as he gazed at her in concern. Sango and Miroku huddled into the little group, peering worriedly at their kitsune companion.

"Does dog breath have his sights set on her or something?" Kouga scratched at the base of his neck with a claw, turning to look at Kagome as he asked his question. The pure rage he saw in the miko's face made him step back, gazing warily at her.

"He shouldn't, considering his brother is apparently dating.. err.. courting her." Kagome huffed, crossing her arms as she turned away from the scene of everyone worrying over Hikari.

"I thought I smelled Sesshoumaru around here somewhere. He scent marked her, eh?" Kouga snuffled in her direction, growling back as Inuyasha growled at him. "So he has. But she seems so nice. Is she going to accept his suit?"

Inuyasha nodded, then stood, still cradling the unconscious Hikari in his arms. "She is nice. But she's a seer, and she says she's seen herself as Sesshoumaru's mate. So she's going to accept the bastard's suit once the month is up."

"Maybe having someone so nice as a mate will make that half-brother of yours less of a bastard." Kouga chuckled, falling into place beside Kagome as they resumed walking. "Are you going to stay with dog breath, Kagome?"

"Yes, I am. Don't you have a pack to return to, Kouga?" Still irate, Kagome glared at him, secretly reveling in the way he quailed beneath her gaze. She was liking this whole being a bitch thing.

"Geeze. No need to get so testy." Kouga snorted, then turned and ran off, leaving the group in his dust.

Shippou hopped up on Inuyasha's shoulder, who surprisingly didn't attempt to harm the kit. Instead, he looked at Shippou with narrowed golden eyes, growling out a question. "Is she okay?"

"Yeah, she's fine. She just used up too much energy with that spell on Kouga. Give her a day or so to rest, and she'll be fine again. But she'll be really hungry when she wakes up." Inuyasha nodded, looking back down at Hikari with a sigh. How did he get himself into these messes?

----------

Sesshoumaru sat in his study, going over the various documentation that had piled up in his absence. While Jaken was capable of handling the Western lands while his lord was away for whatever reason, there were many things that the toad simply couldn't handle. Fortunately the taiyoukai had managed to get through a sizable portion of these papers, but being cooped up in this room all day was starting to get to him.

The estate of the Western Lord was vast, with a large fortress that carved out of rough-hewn stone. While it was rugged on the outside, the interior was plush, though simplistic in its luxuriousness. Probably the most surprising feature to anyone were the gardens. While Sesshoumaru would never admit it, they did hold an ascetic pleasure.. that and Rin was quite fond of them, usually spending most of her day frolicking amidst the flowers.

It was to one of these numerous gardens that Sesshoumaru went now. Youkai guards patrolled the wall surrounding his fortress and its lands, watching for sign of attack or messengers. The scent of the flowers soothed him as he inhaled deeply, savoring the peace and quiet.

But when one has a young child roaming around, when does peace and quiet ever last?

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin squealed delightedly as she came careening out of a wall of flowers, attaching herself to Sesshoumaru's leg with a giggle. He gazed down at his charge, patting her gently atop the head. She beamed up at him, pleased by his greeting.

"Hello, Rin. Did you behave while I was away?" Movement in his peripheral vision caused Sesshoumaru's golden eyes to turn in that direction, only to see the Staff of Two Heads approaching at swift speed. So Rin had gotten away from Jaken again. Unsurprising.

"Oh, yes, Sesshoumaru-sama! Rin was very good! Even though Rin did have to kick Jaken a few times." Rin wrinkled her nose, turning to look at Jaken as he tore through the garden, squawking in a highly amusing manner.

"Why did you find it necessary to kick Jaken?" Sesshoumaru arched a brow, turning his gaze from his assistant to his ward.

"Because Jaken kept hitting Rin on the head with that staff." An irritated sniff came from Rin as she glared at Jaken, before prying herself away from Sesshoumaru's leg. Her eyes were wide, a gleefully anticipatory grin on her young features. "Jaken said Sesshoumaru-sama is going to be bringing a lady youkai back with him in a month! Is this true, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"L-Lord Sesshoumaru! I apologize, m'lord! The brat ran away from me." Jaken bonked Rin on the head with his staff, only to receive a kick to the shin from the girl, who stuck her tongue out at him.

"Silence, Jaken." Sesshoumaru smirked as Jaken cowered face down before him, only to turn his attention back to Rin, effectively ignoring the toad. "Most likely, yes, I will be bringing the Lady Hikari back with me. When she accepts my suit, I will bring her back here, and take her as my mate."

Rin blinked, and tilted her head, looking up at Sesshoumaru with a curious expression. "Suit? Mate? What are these things, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Stepping forward and nudging Jaken with a booted foot, Sesshoumaru mentally chuckled. Time to put his retainer through more agony. "Jaken will explain that to you, Rin. This Sesshoumaru must return to his work."

"H-hai, Sesshoumaru-sama." Though Jaken looked thoroughly displeased with the notion of having to explain such things to Rin, he would comply. To refuse would mean death. So he stood, brushed dirt from his robes, and went off towards the deeper parts of the garden again. "Come, Rin."

"Goodbye, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin waved and ran off after Jaken, snatching the hat from his head as she went. Sesshoumaru shook his head, and went back into the keep, anxious for when he could come up with an excuse to see Hikari again.

----------

Three days passed, and Hikari didn't awaken. Inuyasha carried her every day, with Shippou perched on his shoulder, watching the older kitsune with worry. When they made camp that night, Inuyasha sat with her prone form nestled against him, and Shippou curled up on her lap. It was on that third night that she stirred, blinking her eyes slowly open to look up at Inuyasha.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" Hikari smiled at the concern in Inuyasha's voice, though it faded as she remembered how cold he'd been that morning when they encountered Kouga. She sighed, looking down at Shippou.

"A little tired, but none the worse for wear, I suppose. How long was I out?" That was when Hikari noticed she was resting on Inuyasha, her head on his shoulder. "..Have you been carrying me this whole time?"

Inuyasha winced, seeing the hurt in her eyes, and brushed her hair away from her face with his claws. "Three days. And yeah, I have. No one else could, and.. well I said I'd protect you."

Hikari simply nodded, sighing as she put her head back on Inuyasha's shoulder and closed her eyes. "Can I just.. stay here? I feel so weak." When he didn't say anything, she yawned, and drifted back into slumber.

Golden eyes drifted across the camp, then back towards Hikari, only to be met with a pair of emerald green staring at him from her lap. Inuyasha grimaced, looking away from Shippou. "So, runt. Have you thought about what she said?"

Shippou nodded, snuggling closer to Hikari as he settled in to go back to sleep. "Yeah. I'm going to go with her. She's my okaasan now." Inuyasha nodded, and closed his eyes, settling more comfortably against the tree behind him. Kagome wouldn't take the news well, but when did she ever take anything well?

----------

"So, explain this.. youkai courtship thing to me. He bit you, which was his way of saying he wants you as his mate, and then you have a month to say yes?" Kagome had decided to try and be friendly to Hikari, seeing as how the kitsune was condemned to a horrible fate. Who would want to be suck with the cold-hearted Sesshoumaru for the rest of their life?

"..Sort of. His bite is called a scent mark, and any male who takes interest in me will smell that I have the interest of another. If they want to challenge the other for rights of courtship, they bite me too, and fight. Thankfully no one else has decided they want me. That one bite was painful enough." Hikari shivered at the memory, then looked at the ground passing beneath her feet. "Saying yes is.. somewhat complicated. I have to give him something to acknowledge that I accept his suit. If I don't accept, but haven't found a more suitable youkai for my mate, then he has rights to me anyway."

Kagome wrinkled her nose, shaking her head as she looked over at Sango, on the other side of Hikari. The taijiya had about the same expression, though she didn't look so surprised. Probably because she knew all this demon stuff anyway. "Wow. Either way, you're stuck as Sesshoumaru's mate."

Hikari shrugged, snagging Shippou up gently by the back of his haori as the kit ran past, and setting him on her shoulder. "It won't be so bad. I'll be living large, for this time anyway. I guess the whole.. basically being used as a brood mare and a crystal ball aren't exactly upsides, but I'll make it work."

For the first time, Kagome felt true sympathy for Hikari. Seeing how the poor kitsune was going to be living her life made her realize just how well off she was, with Inuyasha who at least felt something for her, and a modern time to return to. She reached over, gently patting Hikari's back. "We'll come visit you as often as you like. I'm sure having us around will break up the monotony a little, right?"

"Thanks, Kagome." Hikari gave the miko a weak grin, before glancing off towards the sunset. Towards the west. Where Sesshoumaru was. She sighed, and tore her thoughts away from him as Inuyasha found a clearing for them to camp, and everyone settled down. It had been over a week since Sesshoumaru left, and the run-in with Kouga, and she hadn't even felt the caress of Sesshoumaru's youki. Was he going to come back and see her as he promised?

----------

The moon was high in the sky that night, the fire died down to flickering embers as everyone slept. Hikari stirred at a familiar tickle in the back of her mind, and it took her several moments to recognize what it was. The feel of Sesshoumaru's youki. Shifting the slumbering Shippou out of her lap, she gently set him in the spot where she'd been sleeping, before dashing off into the woods around their camp, following the feeling that tugged at her stomach.

Every so often she saw a flash of silver and white, and she changed her course to follow it, stumbling into a small clearing filled with wildflowers after several long minutes. A smile curved on her lips as she felt someone coming up behind her, to suddenly find a strong arm wrapping around her middle, pulling her back against a firm body as his face nuzzled into her hair. "Did you enjoy leading me in circles, Sesshy?"

"Almost as much as you enjoyed following me." Sesshoumaru chuckled, gently licking the mark he'd left on Hikari's neck. She shivered beneath the touch, and he chose that moment to open his hand, revealing what lay nestled in his palm. "I brought you a gift."

Hikari glanced down at the sudden glimmer from his hand, her claws lightly running across Sesshoumaru's palm as she picked up the gift. She lifted it up to the light of the waxing moon, gasping as she saw what it was. A delicate silver chain, from which a small pendant dangled; a single pearl, thin silver wires wrapped around it in a simple filligree design. "Oh, Sesshy, it's beautiful. But you really shouldn't have."

"It is customary in courtship for the male to give his intended mate gifts." Stepping back a bit, Sesshoumaru gathered her hair in his hand, lifting it so as to make it easier for her to put the necklace on. "Put it on. It would please this Sesshoumaru to see you wearing his gift."

Hikari carefully unhooked the clasp, and situated the chain around her neck, fastening it again before Sesshoumaru let her hair fall. The chain was just short enough that the charm came to rest in the hollow of her throat, where she ran her fingers across it as she turned to look up at him. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru. It's wonderful."

All he did was nod in response, before wrapping his arm around her waist again, pulling her close against him. Hikari closed her eyes just before their lips met, and then her arms were around Sesshoumaru's neck, hands curling gently into his hair. He was insistent, his passion evident, though he was tender as he gently manipulated her lips with his own. It was only after several breathless moments that he broke away, pulling her closer and nuzzling his face into her silken hair.

"Do you know what your name means, Hikari?" The sudden question surprised her, and she giggled slightly, uttering a quiet 'no' against Sesshoumaru's ear. "It means beautiful light. You were aptly named."

Hikari was speechless, even as she uttered a soft whine, gently nuzzling Sesshoumaru's jaw just beneath his ear. Why did he say such sweet things? Was it simply to woo her? Or did he perhaps feel something for her? It was a puzzle indeed, and one she intended to solve.

They sat in the flowers and spoke of their lives and families as the sun slowly sank towards the west. As the first hints of dawn touched the sky, Sesshoumaru walked Hikari back to her camp, leaving her with a kiss as he took to the skies and returned to his home. She watched him go, wishing that he didn't hold her heart in his hand.

----------

The days passed, and as the moon reached fullness and began to wane once more, Hikari became more anxious. When it became the final crescent before the new moon, Sesshoumaru would return for her answer. The night before that fateful eve was to come, Hikari took Shippou to the side as their evening meal was being prepared, to ask him if he'd decided.

"Hai. You're my okaasan, Hikari. I'm going with you." Shippou beamed at the older kitsune as she knelt before him, her turquoise eyes troubled. "Kagome was upset when I told her, but I think she understood."

Hikari nodded, and walked back to the fire with Shippou, cradling the kit in her lap as they ate. After dinner was cleaned up, she explained to everyone that Sesshoumaru would be coming for her tomorrow night, and that she would be leaving with him the next morning. The faces of her companions, even Kagome, were filled with sadness. Inuyasha looked practically heartbroken. But they understood, and promised to visit her as often as they could.

With that, everyone settled down to sleep, though Hikari and Inuyasha both remained awake, unable to sleep, watching the moon traverse its path across the sky.

----------

Dawn arrived, and they packed up to continue their travels. That day was uneventful, though Hikari remained silent and simply held Shippou as they walked, conserving her energy. The gift she was to give Sesshoumaru to signify her acceptance of his suit would take a lot of her strength, but it was worth it.

When they made camp that night, Hikari sent Shippou to sleep next to Sango, and went off into the woods by herself. She didn't know when Sesshoumaru would come, or how long he would be there. It was obvious to her friends that she was nervous, if not entirely afraid, and they all felt for her, giving her glances of comfort and sympathy as she trotted off into the woods.

A large oak tree was Hikari's haven that night. She nestled herself amongst its large, winding roots as the sun set, and fell asleep as the sky darkened and stars made their appearance.

As the moon hit its zenith, Sesshoumaru came upon her, unable to help a very brief smile at the sight of his Hikari sleeping so peacefully. He went to her side, gently running his claws through her hair as her murmured her name. "Hikari."

"Nng.. eh?" Hikari slowly opened her eyes, looking at Sesshoumaru with a sleepy, uncomprehensive smile for a moment. Her gaze lifted to the crescent moon hanging above their heads, and bit down nervously on her lower lip, realizing that the time had come. "Hello, Sesshy."

Sesshoumaru gently lifted her, settling himself in the spot she had occupied before placing her on his lap. Hikari's head fell to his shoulder, and he nuzzled her hair, breathing deeply of her pure scent. "Have you decided?"

"Hai. I have." Afraid she would lose her nerve if he spoke again, Hikari tilted her head up and kissed Sesshoumaru, halting the words he had been about to say. Caught by surprise, but certainly not displeased, his hand traced her subtle curves, envisioning what it would be like to have his hand run that same course without her clothing in the way.

His growl shook her to the very depths of her being, his touch making Hikari tremble as she moaned against his lips. Nimble fingers sought out the ties of Sesshoumaru's armor, untying his sash and letting his armor fall away before she set to work on his haori. He growled again at the feel of her soft fingers against his chest, and made to remove her clothing when he realized where her hands were going.

Hikari broke the kiss as she pushed the silk of Sesshoumaru's haori and undershirt away from his chest, lightly running her claws across his left shoulder and down to the stump of his left arm. The scarred flesh brought tears to her eyes, and she gently caressed it as she leaned her forehead against his arm, closing her eyes so the crystalline droplets dripped onto his flesh.

A tingling sensation ran across his body to his left shoulder, causing the stoic Sesshoumaru to shudder, gazing almost dazedly at Hikari. Had she done something to him? Her shining eyes opened once again, lifting to his as she smiled. Tears still gleamed on her cheeks, and he lifted his hands, gently brushing the liquid away with his thumbs.

Thumbs. That was when it hit him, and Sesshoumaru blinked, looking down at his left arm. After studying it intensely, satisfied that it was as the original limb had been, stripes on the wrist and all, he looked at Hikari.. and smiled. "This is your gift?"

"Hai." Hikari nodded, more than somewhat surprised by the sight of that smile, brief as it was. She had made Sesshoumaru smile. No one would ever believe that. "I accept your suit, and will become your mate."

Shifting back into his undershirt and haori, Sesshoumaru put his armor back on and re-tied his sash, before giving Hikari a kiss. Both of his arms wrapped around her, holding her close against him as he nuzzled his fading mark. "Then it is settled. In the morning, we will retrieve your kit, and you will return to my lands with me."