InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Trust ❯ Chapter 31

Explicit sexual material ahead…

Chapter 31

Early sunlight began to seep through the cracks in the window shutters. Sesshomaru woke feeling refreshed. He did not need much sleep normally, but the previous day had been both physically and emotionally draining. He looked down at his mate, who had yet to stir. After snuggling into his tail last night, she had immediately fallen asleep, so he had gotten no answers.

But at long as he had her back, he was satisfied. He shifted, and she tightened her hold around his tail, which was in between their two bodies.

Well, he thought, at least he didn't have to worry about her reaction to his tail. Most women would be understandably curious about a tail that appeared out of nowhere. She simply snuggled up to it as if it had always been there. He was more than a little curious about it himself. But it wasn't one of his most pressing concerns at the moment.

He was more curious about how she managed to pull her naked self out of a solid stone floor, when the last place she had been seen was a battlefield more than a half-mile away.

He felt her begin to wake. The sensation was akin to watching the sunrise…if the sun was reluctant and cranky about it. He suppressed a moment of guilt; it was more than likely that his busy thoughts had woken her up.

A burst of panic from her had him on alert just before her eyes shot open and she attempted to spring from the bed. He grabbed her arms and rolled over to restrain her before she hurt herself.

A deep breath calmed her down as she registered his scent a split second before her eyes recognized his face. "What am I doing here?" Zi asked.

Sesshomaru slowly released her arms as his eyebrow rose in surprise. "You do not remember?"

"No," she shook her head, looking pensive. "The last thing I remember is…" she flinched, breaking off her sentence. Sesshomaru felt her horror all over again as she saw the giant foot descending towards her and rolled to his side, pulling him into her as she shuddered.

He sent her a wave of reassurance, reminding her that it was only a memory. She shivered one last time and looked up at him. He felt her dawning wonder and delight as she realized what was happening.

"I can feel you." She said softly.

He nodded, as she raised a hand to his face. She gently ran her thumb along his lower lip, basking in the warmth of his body and of his heart, finally opened to her fully. She had come to know for herself the depth of Sesshomaru's emotions in a general sense. As she got to know him again she was able to see beyond his stern and reserved mask. But to experience it herself was beyond anything she could have imagined.

Sesshomaru was also in a similar state of wonder. At last, beyond her pragmatic front, beyond the flippant words, beyond even the wall she had erected to protect her secret fragility, he could finally know her heart.

Zi could feel tears burning at her eyes, and reached up to kiss him, conveying physically what she was sending him emotionally. He returned it wholeheartedly, his entire being full of satisfaction that this most important of links with his mate had finally been made.

Her touches were becoming more and more eager, and he was having trouble keeping his mind clear. There was something keeping him from claiming her, but for the life of him he could not seem to remember what it was.

Breaking their kiss, he looked down at her and drew in a breath to steady himself. The action had the opposite effect when her heightened scent reminded him-she was still in heat.

"What's wrong?" She asked. Her dark eyes were wide and she was already out of breath.

"Are you sure?" he asked. He pointedly looked at her abdomen.

Zi considered shortly, then smiled. "I'm sure."

"I do not want you fighting if you are carrying pups."

"Maybe they'll be cubs." She shot back.

He leaned down and rubbed noses with her. "You know what I mean."

"Well, that just means you have to kill him fast then." She said with a fat smile. "Should I ask later where the tail came from?"

He paused. "Does it bother you?"

"Not really," she grinned.

"Then ask me later." He lowered his mouth to hers again.

She giggled into his mouth and twined her arms around his neck. In the back of her mind, she kept expecting an interruption, but when none came, she finally began to relax. It didn't take long for her excitement to escalate, but her mate seemed content to take his time.

Her frustration grew as his fingers slid down her stomach to her inner thighs, then danced back out to her hips.

"What are you waiting for?" she growled.

"I want you ready." He then proceeded to stroke her center until she could take no more; her body arched and she clenched her jaw to stifle her scream.

As she lay there panting, he looked at her seriously. "Hmm…I went too far. I'll have to try it again." He smothered her incredulous whimper with a kiss.

A few minutes later, she had grabbed a pillow and was screaming her release into it, but he had yet to enter her. She was close to sobbing now, and his control was sorely tested. His goal had been to bring her to the brink before entering her, wanting them to come together. But there was no way he could last now, not with her writhing beneath him. Each of her moans seemed to shoot straight to his groin.

Even as she grabbed his buttocks with one hand and drew him into her with the other, he knew he would not last. He tried to maintain some sense of control, but he simply was not able. When he was inside her, all he could think of was withdrawing so he could feel her inner muscles draw tight around him again. All too soon, he gave one last powerful thrust, and he groaned as he felt his seed finally, finally find its place inside his mate. He felt somewhat embarrassed at his lack of control; he could not remember releasing so quickly since he was a youth.

Even with Zi's earlier orgasms, the joy of actually having her mate inside her at long last was enough to start the familiar pressure building up inside her once again. But even her mate's iron control had a limit, and so he finished just before she reached completion for the last time.

As he lay on top of her, shuddering, she lay still, unsure whether to laugh or cry. A growl involuntarily began to grow in her throat as her claws began to lengthen. Sesshomaru raised his head from where it had been nuzzled into her neck with a look of surprise. It quickly turned to disbelief and not a little bit of worry when he smelled her frustrated state.

As he panted, searching for the strength for one last superhuman effort, his mate took the choice out of his hands by rolling them over so that she wound up on top. As he continued to gasp, not quite recovered from their last bout, she began to ride him, determined to reach the goal that she could feel was still within reach. He had not yet had a chance to soften much within her, so he was still hard enough for her. Her cries grew louder and louder as she neared her release.

When she finally came it was even more powerful than the first two. The only noise that escaped her throat was a sort of choking gasp, and she actually grayed out for a few seconds. When she came to, she was bent over Sesshomaru's chest; her shaking arms barely holding her up. She raised her eyes to her mate's face, to find his eyes wide with disbelief. As she watched, they narrowed, and he sat up, knocking her on her back. He quickly pulled out and flipped her over on her hands and knees. Zi lay in a daze as she felt his still-hard manhood parting her legs.

"Shit," she whimpered before he rammed into her from behind. "Oh, shit." She was so sensitive she thought any more contact and she would dissolve into a quivering puddle of exhaustion.

A few deep strokes, and he emptied himself into her once again. Sesshomaru collapsed on her back, lethargically nuzzling the back of her neck as they both gasped for air.

As they both struggled for breath, and strove to calm racing hearts, they both lay silent, shaken by the intensity of their long-delayed coupling.

"Can you…" she managed. She regretted it as soon as she felt the absence of his warm breath on the back of her neck.

With an exaggerated groan, he pulled out of her and rolled to the side, bringing her along so that her head now rested on his chest.

Sesshomaru never imagined the strength of the satisfaction that would be running through him after he finally fully claimed his mate. Zi smiled as she sensed his contentment, lifting her head to kiss him lightly.

"Not again, woman. Who will teach the pup to hunt once you have drained me dry?" He said lazily.

"I am more than capable of teaching the cub to hunt, thank you." She responded.

Sesshomaru turned his head towards the window. The morning sun had grown stronger since their awakening, and he knew it would soon be time to leave and face battle once more.

He turned his head back to look at the top of his mate's head where it still rested on his chest. The idea crossed his mind that he could almost die a happy man right at this moment. He scoffed to himself a moment later. Those were the thoughts of a weak-minded fool. He still had people to kill.

And pups to raise.

His mate muttered something that even his keen ears could not make out.

"What was that?" He asked idly.

She raised her head from where it was pressed to his chest. "I said," she enunciated, "I'm hungry."

He rolled his eyes. Of course.

***

Sango began stirring shortly after sunrise. She had slept like a rock the night before, and stretched her arms over her head to work out the kinks. Her movement woke Miroku, who looked at her sleepily from the other side of the bed. Testing her body, she sat up carefully and swung her legs over the side of the bed. When that produced no pain, she stood up and stretched some more, yawning.

Her husband smiled to see her. "Good morning, Sango."

She turned quickly to him. "Good morning. I didn't mean to wake you."

He sat up, the covers falling from his chest. "You didn't wake me. You know I can't stand the idea of you doing something without me."

Sango rolled her eyes. "You can be such a child sometimes, monk."

"I have no idea what you mean, wife." He swung his legs to the side to sit on the edge of the bed. As he stretched, he tried to ignore the alien feel of the rosary against his palm. "I need a bath."

"Will we have time?" Sango looked doubtful.

"It doesn't need to be a long soak. I need to feel clean…if only for a little while." Miroku tried to keep his voice light. With this taint within him, even a surface cleansing would be welcome.

Sango looked at him, but didn't say anything. Instead she rounded the bed and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Well, maybe we have a little more time I thought." He brought his hands up to her hips as she stood in front of him. Hmm…her breasts were right at eye level.

"Don't." She said softly. "Don't hide behind that superficial mask. I know you're worried, so don't try to protect me."

His mouth drew down into a frown, and his whole face hardened. "How can you ask me not to protect you from something? I would sooner die."

Sango flinched. Her earlier dream, where he had done just that, flashed in her mind. Miroku embraced her more tightly.

"I won't let you leave me out of this." She said firmly. "I won't let you crawl off and die somewhere alone because you think I'm too weak to handle it."

He shook his head. "I've never doubted your strength. It's mine that I need more faith in."

When she opened her mouth to argue again, he raised a hand, silencing her. "Peace, Sango. I would not fight you before we go to battle once again." He rubbed his face tiredly.

Frowning, she backed down. Fine. She didn't need to argue with him. She already told him her intentions, so he could not say he was surprised when she followed through on them.

"We can go to the baths, then meet for breakfast. How does that sound?" He suggested.

She nodded, as she released him. Turning for her bath things, she was surprised to feel Miroku's hand grab her own. He pressed it against his face, and she was shocked to feel the dampness of tears.

Swallowing past the lump in her own throat, she turned around and hugged him fiercely to her breast. From his sitting position, he buried his face in her chest and squeezed her around the middle so tightly she could scarcely breathe…but she never said a word, simply holding him through his silent anguish.

And when he let go, she wiped the tears from his face with her hands as he looked up at her. His beautiful eyes were brighter from usual from the tears, and his eyelashes were spiky and damp. She suddenly had a picture of herself wiping their child's tears; maybe another too-charming little boy with a wicked smile and eyes the color of the evening sky.

He looked so vulnerable in that moment, she wanted to lock him in the room and never let him out…but that wound was not a problem from which she could hide him. They had to defeat Naraku if she was ever going to be able to wipe tears from their children's faces.

Miroku took her palm from where it lay on his cheek, and brought it to his mouth, kissing it. He smiled up at her and Sango smiled back. Together they gathered their things and made their way to the communal baths.

***

Commander Higurashi splashed water on his face to wake himself. Helping direct the battle was incredibly draining, especially when his daughter was one of the soldiers. He thought he'd lost ten years off his life when he found out Kagome had run out to the battlefield yesterday…and when Inu Yasha brought her back, so pale and motionless afterwards. He gave thanks once again that his son Souta was fostered at another fort, safely away from this fight.

For the first time in a while, Naota felt every last one of his years. His daughter was married-mated-he corrected himself. Sango had also gotten married, to that young monk. Soon, both women would begin having children of their own. And he wanted to live to see them.

The urge to see his daughter was suddenly too powerful to ignore. He quickly dressed, and left his room, leaving his destination with a sleepy eyed page. With long strides, he quickly made his way to the upper levels of the fort.

Opening the door to the outer chamber, he listened carefully for any sounds that would indicate a need to come back later. There were a few soft noises in Sango's room, but he heard nothing from Kagome's. He walked forward and knocked quietly. He did not want to wake her if she still needed her sleep, but he knew Inu Yasha's keen hearing would catch it.

The door opened slowly, and Inu Yasha drew a clawed hand through his mane. "Commander?" He said urgently. "Is everything alright?"

Naota smiled, sorry to have startled the younger man. "Everything is fine, Inu Yasha. I just…I just wanted to see my daughter."

Golden eyes widened in understanding, and the shifter stepped back to allow the Commander in.

Kagome lay in her bed. She looked better after a night's rest. There was more color in her face and she no longer had that frightening stillness. He sat on the side of her bed, content to just watch her a moment.

It was hard to believe his little girl was capable of the kind of destructive power he knew she had at her command. Although if what he heard was correct, she would be equally capable of healing, when properly trained. He had always known there was something special about his daughter. But he never saw a destiny like this in her future.

She murmured, and Naota could tell she would wake soon. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked confused for a moment, then pleased. "Father!" she said in a sleep-fuzzed voice. She sat up to embrace him tightly. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see my daughter, that's all." He said gently. "How do you feel?"

She made a face, and her father laughed. "That good, huh? I guess I'll have to keep you in today then."

Her eyes widened. "Father," she began.

"I'm joking, I'm joking. Though I wish it were otherwise, your power is too valuable to leave you out of the fight." He sighed, the playful moment gone.

"It'll work out, Father. We have an incredible group of people here. I believe in us." She said stoutly.

"You've always had that unbeatable spirit." He said quietly. He stood and turned to Inu Yasha, who had remained quiet. "Take care of my little girl, Inu Yasha. I need to be getting back." He bent over and kissed Kagome on the forehead.

"Take care, Father."

Naota smiled and took his leave, closing the door behind him.

Kagome stretched, a smile on his lips. That was a nice way to start the day. She hadn't gotten a chance to really talk to her father in weeks. The time had been short, but welcome.

"I think I want a bath." Kagome purred. Inu Yasha looked at her oddly as she rolled around in the bed.

"What are you doing?"

She looked considering for a while, then let out a short bark.

His eyebrows flew into his bangs, then he smiled slowly. "Who taught you that?"

"Why?" she began to feel nervous. "Did I do it wrong?"

"No, no…" he came forward and sat next to her on the bed. "You meant to say you were having a roll, right?"

She nodded, and he reached out an arm and pulled her to him for a kiss. When they broke for air, he murmured, "I can't believe how much you've picked up. Now I won't have to worry about the pups not being able to talk to my father in his dog form."

"Pups?" Kagome blinked.

"You will eventually get pregnant, you know. I haven't made an issue of it, but as soon as this battle is over, I'm going to stop avoiding you when you're fertile."

Eyes wide, Kagome could think of nothing to say.

Inu Yasha looked at her. Even in the midst of war, with his brother unstable and his sister missing, she filled his heart with joy. This gentle, powerful woman was his life.

"Gods, Kagome…" He swallowed. "I…I love you."

He watched, panicked, as she seemed to freeze. All he was picking up from her was a blank shock.

"Kagome? Kagome, are you alright?" He was about to reach out and give her a good shake when she took one of his hands in both of hers and kissed it. She then took his face in her hands and kissed his lips softly.

"I've been waiting so long to hear that." She said shakily.

He finally relaxed. "Don't scare me like that, dammit." He muttered.

She laughed and began to stroke his ears, slowly and rhythmically. His growl smoothed out into a satisfied rumble.

***

Kikyou closed her eyes, resisting the call of the sunrise. But it was no use, and she rose to prepare herself for her mission.

She felt a strange feeling welling in her chest at the idea of seeing her childhood friends again after so long. She had so much practice in suppressing her emotions; it took her a moment to recognize the feeling as shame. She was ashamed to face them with all that she had seen and done.

She knew that Inu Yasha would have blamed himself for her disappearance all those years ago, and hoped he come far enough along not to let it affect his ability to fight. Naraku had to be destroyed, one way or the other. There was no room for personal feelings when it came to an evil of that magnitude. Kikyou would fight, but she did not think she had it within her to use her full strength against her former friends.

Now dressed, she smoothed out her robes. It was silly really, given her task, but she like to retain what little control she could, even over something as trivial as her attire.

She had no mirror, but wondered how she looked. Would all of them be able to see the taint within her, or would she appear to be just a normal woman?

Kanna appeared at the entrance of her tent, a silent messenger.

"Is it time, then?" Kikyou asked. Kanna nodded.

With skill born of long practice, Kikyou schooled her face to its normal cool mask and left the tent. Naraku did not appear. He knew his instructions would be followed. The dark haired woman was well aware of the price of failure.

She laughed bitterly to herself. That was something she would not have to worry about for much longer, at least.

Kikyou did not expect to survive this battle.