Across the Ages

and for the last chapter, some lemony goodness and tah - dah! Toga!

Chapter Sixty Three

The dead of winter. Japan was shrouded in a thick blanket of white. The halls of the west were ablaze with warmth and light. A terrible snowstorm had taken hold but three days past and the reigning lord was away on patrols. Ayeka couldn't help but worry, but then it would take more than mere snow to see Sesshoumaru fall.

Said lord touched down the icy courtyard, as though the weather had no effect on him, and for the most part it didn't. Beings of power were rarely touched by such trivial things, rarely. Flakes clung to him, to his pelt and lashes and the fringe of silvered bangs that hung over his golden eyes.

He fit here, among the snow and winter shades. An ice prince in his domain. At least to those who didn't know him well, and there were few who did. An elegant swipe of his hand swept the clinging flakes from his lashes, then fluffed his hair and pelt.

"You have returned" came the voice, so like his own. Golden eyes met golden eyes. "I have" he answered. Toga stepped into the falling snow. Clad in white like his father and grandfather before him. Tall and powerful and imposing. "Mother has been worried for you" he said then.

Sesshoumaru nodded, "And the rest?" he asked, referring to the status of the state. Toga smirked, "Unchallenged as always. There were a few bears causing trouble along the northern border. It was dealt with quickly" Toga reported, cracking his knuckles, "They were barely enough to call exercise"

Sesshoumaru refrained from smiling despite the unfurling flame of pride that blossomed in his chest. Barely into his maturity and Toga was quite beyond opponents of his own level. Like his father, his battle prowess had manifested itself early and his skill was nearly as legendary as his father and uncle.

He wore his hair in a high ponytail atop his head, and preferred blues to his father's reds. His eyes weren't marked by the red slashes of his father either. Toga watched his great and powerful father, flick lacy flakes from his silken sleeves.

"The bears will not cease their antics. The north should be conquered to avoid further issue" Sesshoumaru told him. Toga nodded, having come to that conclusion himself. "I shall, with your permission father, take a company of men and take the north".

Sesshoumaru nodded, "When the north falls to the west, if you wish you may take it" he said. Toga was in need of his own territories and had shown no wish to challenge his father for rule. Sesshoumaru wasn't entirely certain why that was, he himself, despite caring for his father, had felt the drive and the need. Sadly, the Taisho had fallen before he could take his place by sword.

Toga bowed, "I understand father. It shall be so". His mask of coolness slipped for a moment, "We have missed you. Especially mother". Sesshoumaru clapped a clawed hand to his son's shoulder. Toga smirked and together they made their way inside the warmth of the palace.

Inuyasha was polishing the Tetsusaiga, it remained a mystery to them why, he as a full demon was able to weild it. Kagome believed it was for the same reasons his father had. She was a human still and his mate. He protected her, like the Taisho had protected Izayoi. It made sense so they left it at that.

"How'd patol go?" he asked looking up from his task. Sesshoumaru nodded, "Boring. Not one fight, with anything". Inuyasha chuckled, "Not getting bored are you?". Sesshoumaru glared at him, there was always a field to conquer. Inuyasha buffed the edge of the blade, "yeah well it's good your home" he muttered.

Sesshoumaru's gaze drifted around the room, noting the absence of his wife. Toga picked up on his father's thoughts. "She's upstairs...waiting for you" he murmured with a smirk. Sesshoumaru grunted and turned to the stairs. He waved his greetings to the others as they called out to him.

He wandered down the hallway towards his chambers. As he neared the door, a slight scent drew his attention. It made him smirk in the dim corridor, she really was waiting for him. He pushed the doors open and stepped into the golden glow of the firelight.

Ayeka stood at the window, garbed in only his haori. It looked ridiculously large on her, and utterly enticing. She smiled over her shoulder at him and he kicked the door closed behind him, sealing away the growing scent of arousal which poured off both of them.

He stood unmoving as his little female crossed the room on tiny feet. She stood toe to toe with him. Her head tipped all the way back to hold his gaze. He towered over her, golden eyes taking in every nuance of her face. The soft curve of her cheek, the glint of gold in her hair. The faint blush that covered her cheeks, more than the heat of the fire there.

"Miss me wife?" he asked with no expression. She knew better. She slid her hands up his chest to his shoulders and raised on her tip toes. Her lips grazed his chin and he lowered his face for her. "I did" she whispered and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

His arm wrapped around her, pulling her hard against him as he took control of the kiss. The passion between raging and blinding and leaving them both panting for more. The years did nothing to dim the love or the want. Sesshoumaru was grateful for very few things in this world, but his family and the love of his wife never failed to humble him, or make his feel more powerful than a god.

Ayeka pulled away from him, earning herself a growl. "You are dirty my lord" she whispered to him. He smirked at her, "You have no idea" he told her dryly. Ayeka knew that look all too well and with a light laugh she spun and fled from him, towards the bathing chamber.

The chase thrilled him, though it ended far too soon. Ayeka stood in the water, his haori floating around her in the water, tendrils of her hair in the water curling in wisps on the surface. She held her arms out to him, "Let me bathe you".

Sesshoumaru shucked his clothing and stood before her, strong and nude. And obviously wanting her very badly. At her command he entered the water and stalked towards her. When he wanted to touch and hold, Ayeka sidestepped and grabbed some soaps.

"Dunk" she told him and he did, rising from the water with a powerful surge. Steam rolled off his pale flesh. He knelt so that his little wife would be able to reach. She lathered his hair, her nails scraping against his scalp and he sighed, letting his eyes fall closed.

He felt her hand move to the top of his head and he let her push him beneath the water, his hair rising as she worked the soap from him. He rose from the water with a graceful movement. She reached into her own hair and pulled down a clip. Deftly she twisted his hair up and atop his head.

She lathered soap into soft cloths and lathered his body, her hands slow and soothing. He rumbled in pleasure at her pampering. She rose up in the water to press her lips against the shell of his ear. "How was patrol?" she asked, a heated whisper that caressed his ear.

He longed to press back against her, but she was already moving on. "Fine" he told her. She nodded and continued her task, placing teasing touches and kisses as she went. It had been over a week since he had left for his patrols and she had missed him greatly.

She never slept well when he was away. She felt small and lost and cold without the demon lord's presence. She often wondered if it was the same for him. She suspected it to be, as he was more than ready to reassert his claim when he returned.

At last his bath was complete and Sesshoumaru sat at the edge of the bath. He listened to the water refresh itself and watched as Ayeka moved to stand between his legs. She draped her arms across his thighs and rested her cheek there.

A clawed hand stoked over her damp curls tenderly. He was content to say nothing at the moment. She enjoyed being close to him and he would not deny her, not when it suited him to let her drape herself like some water nypmh around him. "What are you doing?" he asked with a smile.

She sighed, "Touching you. I enjoy it" she confirmed. Sesshoumaru caressed the nape of her neck, "If you come out of there you can enjoy all of me" he coaxed. She smiled against his leg, "Is that so?" she asked. Sesshoumaru grunted, "Multiple times" he assured her.

Ayeka chuckled at her husband's blatant but effective seductions. She pressed kisses along his thighs as she worked her way higher. "I think it's best to first remind you what you miss when you leave home" she told him softly.

Her tone made lust pool in his groin and he sucked in his breath as she drew closer to the very heat of him. Ayeka teased him mercilessly, before at last taking him into her mouth. His claws threading through her hair to cradle her head and caress her neck as she worked him close to the brink of his release.

Her tongue swept over his engorded head, teasing the slit and his grip tightened ever so lightly. Ayeka tasted the first droplets of saltiness escape him and she exhaled slowly as she allowed him to pass the back of her throat. He groaned softly at the warm engulfing of her. His eyes taking on a pink hue.

Ayeka knew that he was close and so she began to swallow. His head fell back, his eyes closed in his pleasure. He growled softly and a moment later she felt his length harden even more and then his warm slickness was sliding down her throat. His need was great and so his release was as well, Ayeka let his slide into her mouth and he flooded her with the glistening seed.

A small amount trickled over her chin and he opened his eyes to follow it's journey. She pulled back and he fixated on the gleaming thread that connected them. Ayeka licked her lips, breaking the contact and then wiped her chin with the back of her hand, rinsing it in the water. He was panting softly. Gods but she was good.

Ayeka looked up at him as he returned to himself. His hands pushed his haori away, the wet silk, cool above the water, sliding over her flesh. Making her shiver, her nipples hardened at the glide. Sesshoumaru growled softly in his throat, "The time for play is over wife" he rasped at her.

His claws shredded the silk, the scraps tangling and vanishing in the water. She yelped when he tugged her up and out of the water, tossing her unceremoniously over his shoulder. She let out an indignant oomph. "Let me go" she growled at him. He chuckled, "Now you'll pay the price for teasing" he told her.

She poked at his backside, "You are a barbarian you know that?" she asked, humor creeping into her voice. His hand slid over her backside, "You like it" he told her, and gave her a playful swat. She reared up on his shoulder, slapping at his shoulders and back.

He merely shifted her weight and down she went. His hand stroked her bottom and she grunted, "Don't touch that" she snapped, folding her arms and pouting like a child. He chuckled and merely rubbed her bottom more, slipping his hand between her thighs to find the wetness he'd caused. "Hmmm, someone doesn't mean that" he commented.

She batted his pretty hair away as it tumbled from the clip, a moment before she sailed over his shoulder to land on her back in the softness of their large bed. She pushed herself up on her elbows but his attention was not on her. He was sifting through a nearby trunk.

He turned back to her with a devil-may- care smile and a wicked gleam in his eye. From his claws dangled several silk obis. She blinked at them in confusion. She was still confused when he latched onto her ankle and dragged it to the footboard, knotting the silk around the delicate limb.

She knew his game now and she struggled slightly. He growled loudly and her struggles ceased. He nodded and looped another obi around her other ankle. Securing it with firm and expert tugs. He prowled up her body and latched onto her wrists, catching them both in one hand.

Ayeka stared mutely as he tied her wrists above her head to the ornate headboard. She blinked up at him and he smirked. "Now you'll see what you get when I return" he told her in a heated murmur. She was tied spread eagle and there was no way she could get herself free. Not that she wanted to.

He slid down her body to crouch between her legs, staring at her tiny ankles. He wrapped his fingers around one and she watched him carefully. His inu was shimmering just below the surface and while she held no fear of it, she knew that it liked to play rough. That was fine with her too.

Sesshoumaru felt his beast whine, wanting to touch and taste and tease and he allowed it some freedom. Ayeka's eyes went wide as a kiss was pressed against the bridge of her foot, tongue swirling against the thin skin at her ankle. Fangs teasing over blue veins.

Ayeka panted and writhed against her restraints as he worked his way upwards. Pressing fanged kisses to the back of her knees. His claws moving higher, ghosting over those paces she craved him most. "Damn teasing youkai" she snapped at him and he chuckled darkly at her.

Upwards he creapt, lavishing devastating kisses and caresses as he went. He mapped her body with his tongue and lips, his claws and fangs. His need for her growing with each pass and her whimpers ringing in his ears as her scent lifted and wrapped around his every sense.

Kisses trailed along the inside of her elbow, up to her wrists. He pressed wet kisses to her palms and his tongue curled around each slim finger. She wanted to touch him, to embrace him. He would not set her free. Not yet. So she watched him through hazy eyes as he loved her.

So tender, with animal grace and demon's fire. A dangerous combination and she was more than aware of his ability to conquer by more than the sword. For he, time and again, had laid her low before the blade of his desire and she had lost to his might.

He pressed a kiss to her brow, feeling her need to touch him. His lips graced her nose, her cheeks, her eyelids and then he captured her mouth swallowing the harsh cry that broke free. Her hands tugged against the silk which held her, but gained her no freedom.

He met her eyes, he and his inu together working in tandem to drive her mad with want. Her body was tense and her eyes shimmered with tears. Her senses heightened to a near painfulness. He sucked her lower lip into his mouth and nipped it with his fang. Lightly, not enough to draw blood.

She whimpered as he kissed along the column of her throat, revelling in the scent and softness. Lapping and nipping until the white flesh of her throat was red with love marks. His tongue swirled against her mating scar and she arched against him.

His lips and fangs slid over her collar bones and down to her chest once more. His teasing near it's finish. She cried out when his hot mouth engulfed the straining tip of her breast. His tongue laving circles before suckling like a new pup. Motherhood had changed her body, made it slightly softer, increased her breast size. He enjoyed each of those things immensely.

His hand slid down between them to find her moist core and he groaned against her breast when he felt he wetness of her want slick his fingers. Those long, elegant fingers gliding over the swollen pearl hidden among the folds. His thumbs dancing circles over her as she writhed and whimpered beneath him.

Two fingers entered her core and she moaned out long and loud. Sesshoumaru let his hand tease her to pleasure and growled as she tightened around him. Her release bowing her back. He purred up at her and kissed her lips, a wet tangling of tongue and mingled pants.

He reigned himself in and slid down her body once more. His breath warm puffs against slick hotness. She mewled when he spread her with knowing fingers and attacked her core with that skilled tongue. His tongue flickering over the pearl. Fangs pressing against it. Her thighs trembling mere moments later, he threw over the precipice and into the winds of want. Her juices flowing across his lapping tongue, a honeyed sweetness proving her happiness with him.

She cried out his name, relieved tears rolling down her cheeks. Sesshoumaru lifted himself and slammed his lips down on hers, drinking her cries as he had her release. He positioned himself against her, and she mewled to him. He growled, his face pressing against her shoulder as he thrust his hips forward, rolling to the deepest part of her.

She bit out harsh cries and her arms ached from the constant pulling against the binds. He slipped one arm around her shoulder, the other went to her hips, lifting her to him and allowing him to fully fill her. Her eyes going wide at the feeling.

He began his rhythm, slow and deep. Painfully slow, and she wriggled trying to get him to go faster. Her cries falling on deaf ears. "Please... I need to touch you!". He growled harshly at her, his desire peaking and he pulled from her, slamming back into her depths.

His pace increased then and she felt the coil tighten as molten heat swept through her body. He angled his hips to strike her pearl on each thrust and soon she was crying out, nearly incoherently. Her babbled words of love filling his ears.

When he felt his own release drawing close, he reached down to flick the pearl once, twice. She tightened around him and he reached up and sliced through the obis at her wrists. Her hands flew to his head as she curled under him, her orgasm ripping through her.

His own rocking him, and he bit into his mark, making her shriek her pleasure to the rafters. He chuckled at he lapped the shallow wound. Even the wolves should have heard that. He panted against her, feeling the residual pulsing of his length as his seed flooded her. The heat of it, causing her flesh to flutter around him deliciously.

He lay atop her for long minutes, enjoying the flutter of her heart against his chest. His great weight cushioned on his forearms. His brow into the pillow of her hair. Ah yes, patrols were needed but not enjoyable, but coming home was worth it. She moaned as he shifted, letting his length slide from her. The warm course of fluids making her grimace slightly.

He snapped his youkai whip, slashing through the scarves that held her legs and gathered her against him, away from the wet spot. She tucked her arms around him as he settled them for sleep. With a flare of his powers, the Tenseiga and Tokijin rose up from the floor and settled themselves against the wall beside him.

He stroked Ayeka's back as weariness overtook her. She only slept well when he was near her, and he knew that only too well. He felt her tuck her face beneath his chin and then he let his own sleep cover him like a dark velvety blanket.

Inuyasha glanced up from his sword and grunted, "They could be a little quieter" he growled. Kagome looked up from her book, "Who could? What are you talking about?" she asked. He looked over at her, his ears flickering. Of course she hadn't heard them. "Nothin. Don't worry about it" he told her.

Kagome shrugged and went back to her book. She had an idea of what he was talking about but since she didn't hear it it didn't matter much. She flipped the page of her tattered romance novel. She'd read it over a dozen times but she still liked the sappy story.

Inuyasha caught the distinct scent of her arousal moments later. His golden gaze flickered over her face. Taking in the slight blush that kissed her cheeks. She must be reading one of those parts again. After everything they did and the children she'd given birth to, he was amazed that she could still blush. He liked it though.

A wicked smirk lit his features and he looked around, letting his youkai flare slightly. Good, no kids around. Kagome felt the surge of his power and looked up at him. "Hey Kagome" he said in a low growl. She blinked at him, "Yeah?"

He slid the blade back into it's sheathe and rose to stride closer to her. He plucked the book from her hands, much to her embarrassment. His eyes widened slightly at what he read and then he handed it back to her. "Feh. You're blushing over that?" he asked. Pink turned to red and she glared at him.

Inuyasha walked to the doorway, "You wanna stay here and read or you wanna come with me and do something way more interesting?" he asked suggestively. She blinked at him, feeling her pulse kick up a notch. He smiled a delicious smile, "Come on 'Gome, I'll give you a real reason to blush".

Kagome followed him into the hall. Toga stepped out a moment later and Inuyasha's eyes went slightly wide. How had he NOT felt him? Toga chuckled and strode passed him, and placed a kiss on Kagome's cheek. Then he turned and gave his uncle a decidedly cheeky wink, "Go get em uncle yasha" he said and closed the door to the study.

Kagome giggled at the pink that tinged her mate's cheeks. "Aha! Who's blushing now Inuyasha?" she teased. He growled playfully and pounced on her, swinging her up against his chest and headed for their rooms. Kagome laughing all the way, Inuyasha smiling softly at her amusement. Damn that Toga, he'd get him back later. And with that happy thought he pushed the door open.

Toga chuckled to himself as he sank into the tall leather chair. His father and his uncle were obviously happy and he had seen the result of that happiness in his childhood. Both of them had led bitter lives in their youth. And then one day, it had begun to change. The need to fight, the desire to kill gave way to the desire to protect and hold children.

Great men, great demons. Legends that filled these halls. The two strongest youkain in Japan, wed to perhaps the most courageous of humans. Toga loved his mother, she was the nurturing warmth. Her children were her world and so was her lord. He had many happy childhood memories.

He recalled trying so hard to live up his father's reputation. Dying to get out of his shadow. Sesshoumaru knew how that felt and took his young son aside. "Why do you think that you must be my equal?" he asked, "You are young yet, not even entering your majority".

Toga had grunted, "Because my grandfather and his sons were legendary and I must be" he told his father. To his surprise his father chuckled, "It was never the intention of Inuyasha or myself to be legends" he confided to his son, "But because of that drive and the blood you carry, you will find a key truth soon enough".

Toga had peered up at his father, "What hey truth?". Sesshoumaru dropped his clawed hand to the little shining head, "You will not become legend, legend will become you". A cryptic statement, but a truth that Toga would one day see and understand for it was.

Toga had found that his father made sense in an odd way. When he fought it was not for glory it was for the victory that blood demanded he take. Whispered words of his exploits traveled fast and far and he was considered the third most powerful now. The blood of the Taisho was that of heros.

So now, he'd take the north and have his own domain. He'd ally it with the west of course, making himself and his father stronger. He wanted to venture away from Japan like Shippo, Satoru, Ryu and Kurama had done. When the north was won and settled, he'd see to it. He'd spoken to Taisha and his more than capable sister had agreed to rule in his stead until his return.

The adventures were waiting and the possibilities were endless indeed.