Take Another Breath

"You let me know when the wedding is. I intend to be there." Hikari winked at the blushing couple as she said her goodbyes, then stepped forward to hug Sango and Miroku in turn. Surprisingly enough, the lech didn't try to cop a feel, but maybe that was due to how closely Sesshoumaru was watching his intended mate.

"We will, Hikari. I would be honored to have you present." Sango bowed respectfully, before leaning into Miroku as his arm slid around her waist. Hikari nodded and smiled, before moving on to Kagome. The miko took the initiative and stepped forward, hugging Hikari tightly.

"I'm sorry I was so unpleasant." Hikari shook her head, lightly patting Kagome on the back.

"Don't worry about it. Had I been in your position, I likely would've been the same way." They both chuckled, before Hikari's turquoise eyes drifted towards Inuyasha. "..Take care of him. And try not to osuwari him into nonexistence."

Kagome nodded, and the two women parted, leaving Hikari to move over to Inuyasha. His back was to her, so she gently laid her hand on his shoulder, hoping he would turn around. He did, and their eyes met, just before they crashed together in a tight embrace, filled with sadness and longing. One of her hands settled on top of his head, gently rubbing his furry ear. He whimpered, causing her to give a watery giggle, sniffling quietly when they finally parted.

"If that bastard makes you unhappy, just let me know.. I'll straighten him out." Inuyasha gave a crooked little smile, brushing a tear from Hikari's cheek as she nodded. They hugged again, earning a glare from Sesshoumaru. With extreme reluctance, she left Inuyasha, and went to Sesshoumaru.

Strong arms looped around her back and beneath her knees as Sesshoumaru effortlessly lifted her. Shippou hopped up into Hikari's arms, and the kitsunes waved farewell, watching their friends disappear beneath them as Sesshoumaru's cloud carried them off into the dawn.

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It was several hours later that Sesshoumaru's estate came into view. Hikari and Shippou had both fallen asleep, so he gently nuzzled his intended mate until she woke up, then motioned towards the approaching keep with his eyes. The two kitsunes shook themselves awake, and looked where he indicated, smiles brightening their features.

"This is where you live, Sesshy?" Hikari looked away from the stone fortress, and up at Sesshoumaru's handsome face. He glanced down at her, a smile in his eyes, before focusing his gaze forward again.

"No. This is where we live." As they neared the ground, the cloud began dissipating, and faded entirely when Sesshoumaru's feet hit solid earth, just inside the gate of the outer wall. Hikari made to hop out of his arms, but he held her there, striding confidently forward. The great wooden doors of the keep swung open as he approached, and once they had crossed the threshold, he set her down. "Welcome to your new home, Lady Hikari of the Western Lands."

Several of the servants gasped in awe at the sight of their lord's soon-to-be mate. Next to Sesshoumaru with her bare feet, flowing hair, and beaming smile, Hikari was like a being of nature and light, practically glowing with the vitality of life itself. And no one could deny the proudly possessive spark in their lord's eyes as he gazed down at the nymph-like woman.

"This is amazing." Hikari practically bounced with excitement, looking down at Shippou who was much in the same state, wriggling excitedly in her arms. She was just about to ask Sesshoumaru when they would get the grand tour, but an excited squeal from one of the hallways caught her attention.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" A bundle of bright colored kimono and dark flowing hair shot through the main room and attached itself to Sesshoumaru's leg, leaving a very confused Hikari to look up at her soon-to-be-mate with a questioning expression. But Shippou was even more excited now, hopping down from his adoptive mother's arms to gaze at Rin. The human child peered around Sesshoumaru's hakama at the little kit, only to abandon her caretaker and snatch up Shippou in a hug. "Shippou-chan! What are you doing here?"

"I'm going to live here now! Hikari is my okaasan and well since she came here with Sesshoumaru, I came too!" Shippou pointed up at Hikari, who smiled down at Rin.

"Hello, Rin." Shippou grabbed Rin's hand and dragged her closer as Hikari knelt down to their height, smiling brightly. "Shippou has told me a lot about you. I hope we can become friends."

Bright eyes gazed thoughtfully at the kitsune, before Rin gave a beaming smile, uttering a squeal of delight as she launched herself towards Hikari, her arms came around the taiyoukai's neck in a hug. Sesshoumaru moved to intervene, but he stopped when he saw Hikari hugging his ward in return. "Rin thinks we will be very good friends! Do you like flowers, Lady Hikari?"

Smoothing Rin's black hair, Hikari pulled back and chuckled, glancing up at Sesshoumaru, then back to the human child. "Please, just call me Hikari. And yes, I love flowers."

"Then Rin must show Shippou and Hikari the gardens!" Wriggling with excitement, Rin grabbed the hands of her friend and his adoptive mother, and raced off to the gardens with them in tow. The staff still present was laughing at Rin's antics, while Sesshoumaru just stood there, amusement hidden. Then with a shake of his head, he went to his study to take care of paperwork. He would speak with Hikari later.

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Morning and afternoon had come and gone, and evening was well on the way to doing the same, with the sun falling out of sight behind the fortress of the Lord of the West. The dying rays filtered through the open doors of Sesshoumaru's study, staining his silver hair a motley collection of colors as it swayed in the cool wind. Papers on his desk fluttered and a few even went floating to the floor, but the inu-taiyoukai didn't notice. His golden eyes, though fixated on the range of snowcapped mountains behind his large stone home, were distant and unseeing as he dwelled in his own thoughts.

The sound of children's laughter mixed with the mature sound of a woman's had been floating up through the door in the back wall of his second floor study, which opened onto a balcony that looked out on the gardens. It was these gardens from which the laughter had been emanating, and it had haunted him most of the day, hearing such sounds of joy in his home. They hadn't even been there when he was a child, and it had been his father sitting in this room, for Sesshoumaru had been as quiet and somber when he was a child as he was now.

It was when a servant knocked on the hallway door and informed him dinner was ready to be served that Sesshoumaru realized the laughter had stopped, and his subconscious informed him it had been silent for quite some time now. He rose gracefully to his feet, and instead of making for the hall, he turned to his balcony, hopped up onto the railing, then jumped off. His landing in the garden below was silent, as was his passage as he walked through the vast array of flowers, trees, and bushes, looking for Hikari and the children.

After several long minutes of walking, Sesshoumaru happened upon the trio, and stopped dead to stare at the scene before him. Hikari, Rin, and Shippou lay beneath a cherry tree, all three fast asleep, with the children cuddled up to the female kitsune on either side. Blossoms from the tree lay on and around them, adding to the peaceful aura of the picturesque sight. Sesshoumaru fought with the urge to let them stay there and sleep, wondering all the while at the feeling of longing that was tugging at his heart, as he knelt next to his little family and tenderly brushed the fingertips of one hand across Hikari's smooth cheek.

"Hikari. It is time to wake up."

A sleepy smile blossomed on Hikari's lips at the sound of Sesshoumaru's deep voice, and a hand lazily drifted up to catch his, her small fingers curling around his as those gleaming turquoise eyes slowly flickered open. Her smile only brightened as she caught sight of the golden hues that gazed down at her, a possessive light gleaming in their molten depths. It was a sight she could get used to, she realized. "Is it morning already, Sesshy?"

"No. The sun has not yet set. But it is time for dinner." Reluctantly, he looked away from the kitsune that was soon to be his mate, turning his gaze instead to the still-slumbering children. Their growing bodies needed food, but they were sleeping so deeply, he wasn't sure if they should be awakened or not. "..Should we wake them?"

"No. Let's just go put them to bed." Sesshoumaru nodded in response and gently hefted Rin into his grasp, while Hikari picked up Shippou and stood, then followed Sesshoumaru into the fortress. He led them to Rin's room, not so far from his own on the second floor, and placed her on her futon. There was another nearby, plainly meant for Shippou, who was laid there by Hikari.

Sesshoumaru looked at the sleeping children before he held out his hand to Hikari. She took it with a smile, and they left the room, closing the door as they went. His deep voice broke the comfortable silence as they walked down the hall, heading leisurely towards the stairs. "Rin seems to like you."

"She's a lovely little girl. I'm glad to know her." Hikari looked up with a puzzled expression as Sesshoumaru stopped and pulled her closer to him, his free hand reaching up to pluck a cherry blossom from her hair. The look in his eyes made her shiver, unconsciously licking her lips.

"You will be a fine mother. I would be more than proud of any pups you bore me." Lifting her free hand to his lips, he pressed a soft kiss to her palm, his eyes staring relentlessly into hers. Sesshoumaru was anxious for the night to come, the wild beast that was the essence of his youki howling for him to take Hikari as his mate immediately. He was having a hard time fighting it.

"I will be honored to bear your pups, Sesshoumaru." Hikari smiled up at Sesshoumaru as his hand moved to her lower back and pulled her close against him, his head lowering to capture her lips in a kiss. Like the others he'd given her so far, it was tender, but also filled with a building passion that sent shock waves running down her spine. She was panting slightly by the time he released her, eyes glazed with excitement and lust.

"Come. We will eat now."

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Night was in full bloom when they finished eating, and Sesshoumaru led Hikari out to the gardens once more. He could tell the kitsune was nervous because of the way she kept fidgeting during the meal, and wouldn't meet his eyes when he looked at her. Hoping to calm her down, he led her to a large sakura tree, which stood next to a small waterfall. He leaned back against the sturdy trunk with his small mate on his lap, nestled into the sturdiness of his chest and her head on his shoulder. They sat in silence like this for quite some time, Hikari admiring the starry night while Sesshoumaru occasionally nuzzled her neck, savoring her innocently delicious scent.

Hikari looked away from the heavens as she felt Sesshoumaru take her hand, twining his battle-worn fingers with her tiny unblemished ones. It was odd how she'd seen her life with Sesshoumaru, or bits and pieces of it anyway, and yet she'd never glimpsed such tender moments. Usually it was just her with a youkai child that had his hair, or her standing at his side looking out across the Western Lands. This made her wonder.. had she been wrong? Was her life with Sesshoumaru going to be as bleak and lonely as she thought? Would they have affection, or even love?

"Your mind wanders, my mate. Tell me what it is you are thinking." Sesshoumaru buried his face in the thick silkiness of Hikari's hair, savoring the texture of it against his face, and the feel of her smooth hand within his. He didn't know how much longer he would be able to hold out. Her light weight on his lap and even her innocent little sighs of what he hoped was happiness were having their effect on him. She seemed so fragile, in more ways than one, and he didn't want to break her. She was far too precious for that, and he intended to take very good care of her.

"I'm not your mate yet, Sesshy." Shifting herself, Hikari turned to look at Sesshoumaru, ducking her head beneath his chin and nuzzling his jaw. A sign of deference, submission to his dominance, and affection as she made a soft purr-like growling noise, that had his blood boiling as it ran through his veins. He growled appreciatively in return, running his free hand through her hair.

"I would change that, Hikari. Though I will not rush you. I am not the monster that half-brother of mine would have you think I am." Nudging her head gently with his own until it was no longer tucked beneath his chin, he kissed her, softly and sweetly, just a brush of lips that confirmed what he'd said. Gaining her trust was far more important than claiming her as his mate. He would show her that her well-being was first on his list of priorities.

"Sesshy, you have every right to claim me. I accepted your suit, and came to your home. I couldn't stop you even if I wanted to." Hikari tilted her head as she looked up at him, smiling almost coyly. While not entirely sure what Sesshoumaru was trying to achieve, he was certainly succeeding in making her nervousness go away. Her clawed fingers sought out the ties of her haori, tugging at them until the silvery material loosened on her body. Her smile faded, and she blinked in surprise, when Sesshoumaru's hand grasped hers, stopping her from untying the garment entirely.

"Hikari, whether or not I have the right is not the issue. I know very well I could just take you against your will, but I will not... Did you say you do not wish to stop me?" His brow furrowed in slight puzzlement as he peered down at the vixen on his lap, trying to comprehend if she had indeed said that. Seeing as he was suffering from a lack of blood to the brain and, consequently, a pair of hakama that were far too tight, he wasn't too sure.

"Yes Sesshy, that's exactly what I said." Hikari couldn't help but giggle as Sesshoumaru's puzzled expression literally faded away, to be replaced with a predatorily pleased gleam. She squealed slightly as she was suddenly hefted off his lap and set down beside him, giving him a confused look. Only to bite her lip as she saw he had already gotten his haori untied, and was slipping it off his shoulders, to then lay the soft material on the grass beneath the sakura tree.

"This Sesshoumaru will gladly succumb to your wishes." His growl was almost playful as he grabbed her, drawing her against his bare chest as his lips went to her neck, kissing the spot where he'd marked her before. She quivered in his embrace, running her hands across his deliciously toned abdomen, earning herself another soft growl from the youkai that was soon to be her mate. Her clawed fingers abandoned his body with reluctance, instead moving to the ties of her haori, fully loosening them and parting the silky material as she began to shrug the garment off her shoulders.

Sesshoumaru helped Hikari slide off the obstruction, letting it fall forgotten to the grass as his arms wrapped around her. He shifted onto his knees and leaned forward, gently laying her on her back on his haori. For a moment, he simply knelt there and gazed down at her half-naked form in the moonlight, admiring her curves and how her pale skin seemed to glow under the milky light that she lay basking in, her hair wild around her. He wondered if that skin which he hadn't seen until this moment was as soft as it looked, and lowering himself down until he was hovering over her, his hands on her hips, he lightly nuzzled her flat stomach.

"Sesshy..." She actually giggled a bit at his nuzzling, her hands sliding down to weave into his long flowing hair as he slowly nuzzled his way upwards, occasionally dropping a light kiss or brief lick onto her skin. By the time he reached her breasts, she was struggling not to wriggle with anticipation, and failed miserably as he left a trail of feather light kisses across one soft globe, stopping when he reached the peaked nipple, only to flick it with the tip of his tongue. She whimpered at the contact, arching towards him as though begging for more.

Glancing up at Hikari's face, obviously flushed even in the moonlight, Sesshoumaru obliged her unspoken request willingly. Clawed fingers quickly made work of the ties on her hakama, pulling the dark material away and casting it aside without a second thought. She gasped at the sudden rush of cool air against her heated flesh, and looked at him with wide eyes, that got wider as he flashed her a roguish grin and placed a light kiss on her inner thigh. Before she had chance to react or say anything, she was tilting her head back with a gasping moan, her hips held in place by his strong hands as he tortured her with his mouth.

Hikari didn't know how long the delicious ministrations went on, but she didn't register anything until a rush of pure bliss swamped her senses, leaving her panting and trembling beneath him. Sesshoumaru trailed lazy kisses up her body until his lips met her own, and then he was kissing her gently; the knowledge that she was tasting herself was unbearably erotic, and she shifted against him, running a hand down between their bodies, trying to relieve him of his remaining clothing. Her nervousness was gone, and all she felt was an inner need that was howling for completion, demanding Sesshoumaru as her mate now.

He was suffering from much the same, tearing his lips from hers with a growl as her shaking fingers accidentally brushed against the source of his agony through his hakama. Moving her hand aside with his own, he swiftly released the ties and slid off his hakama, only to grab her hand and guide it to his length. He nearly yelped with glee as her smooth fingers wrapped around him, sliding eagerly from base to tip, exploring him as he had explored her. But he knew he couldn't endure the terrible pleasure for long, and nipped at her jaw, signifying that for once she had the control.

For a moment, Hikari was confused. Then when she felt Sesshoumaru grabbing her hips and almost roughly settling himself between her thighs, she understood. Carefully, she guided him towards her entrance, tilting her hips up and opening herself fully to him. The low whine he uttered as he tenderly licked her neck was an apology for what he was about to do, which she grasped only as she felt his head press into her, and then there was a searing pain. She yelped, then whimpered quietly, biting down on her lower lip to try and hold back the tears. They came despite this, spilling freely down her cheeks.

Sesshoumaru became very still, but lifted his head and began to kiss Hikari's tears away, nuzzling her as he waited. He felt complete, nestled so deeply within her, and yet he knew there was more; he quivered with the strain of holding himself back, but he would not do anything until he knew she was ready. His tenderness seemed to be having some effect, as she began relaxing beneath him, her unsteady hands rising to tenderly caress his back and tangle loosely in his flowing locks.

And then, it happened. She lifted her hips towards him and arched her back, sliding one leg over his hips. He actually groaned, kissing her deeply as he began to pull out. Despite the fact that his inner beast was snarling at him to flip her over and take her like an animal, and claim her as his bitch that way, he forced himself to go slow, reveling in the gasps and groans that echoed from her throat.

Hikari moved her hips in time with his, nuzzling her way to Sesshoumaru's neck as instinct began to take over. It seemed to speak to her in time with the pulse of the writhing tension deep in the pit of her stomach; as he paused within her, grinding his hips purposefully, she grasped tight to him. That tension deep within her snapped, like a spring released from pressure, and at that moment, she sank her fangs into the crook of his neck. He felt her clenching rhythmically around him, and as white light consumed his vision and he felt himself pouring into her, he reopened the marks he'd left on her before.

Several long moments passed, where they simply laid there and languidly cleaned the wounds they had inflicted on each other, occasionally inserting their sharp incisors again and drawing sounds of pleasure from the other. Then she shifted beneath him, making him growl, and it all started over again. Their mating bond deepened through the night, and by the time dawn came, she lay curled against his side, fast asleep. He simply picked her up, and leapt from the garden to the balcony of their bedroom, placing her gently on the pile of pillows and blankets that was their nest. Watching her peacefully sleeping form, he allowed himself a genuine smile, then settled in next to her and drifted off into contented sleep.

Sesshoumaru, son of the Inu no Taisho, Lord of the Western Lands, had finally taken a mate.