He looked up at the fading horizon streaked with colors of orange and purple. He closed his eyes. Another day was close to an end and still he was not permitted to pass thought the well. Another day that he has not seen the face of his mate.

He wanted her back, not his beast, no, he Sesshomaru wanted her back.

He needed her here to make him feel alive, to bring him laughter and joy, to protect her. He, who has never needed anything from anyone, needed the one person who at one point in his life, he thought was unworthy to even breathe the same air as he did. He was such a fool.

A gentle breeze came from the well and with it…her scent. Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru stood immediately but didn't move from where he was.

She's come back.

He watched as she leaped out of the well then turned to help the human priestess out. He watched as the girl took a beaded necklace off of Inuyasha and stuffed it into her bag.

Inuyasha looked surprised, and then relieved, then undeniably overjoyed.

Sesshomaru took a step towards them, allowing himself to be uncovered from the shade of the tree he was under. He saw the moment she caught his scent.

She had on the cloak he made for her, that brought a small smile to his lips. At least he knew now that she was protected in that era. Inuyasha's hood was still drawn up so he couldn't see her face yet.

"Inuyasha" he said softy to her, so careful as to not frighten her.

She didn't say anything, just lifted her hand and lowered the hood back and pulled her long hair from beneath the fabric shaking it lightly letting the silky silvery mane fall down to her waist in curls.

Oh how he missed the sight of her shiny hair and those utterly adorable ears of hers.

She turned to look at where he was.

He exhaled painfully. She was sight for sore eyes. His little koneko was back. Her angelic face, so treasured by him was regarding him with distrust. He understands why though. Her cat eyes captivated him, pulling him into their golden depths with her dark long lashes.

Her eyes were different. She had color on her lids much like Sesshomaru did but in a brownish color, making her golden eyes glow, has her eyes always been this alluring? This beautiful?

She didn't say anything as he looked her over.

He drank in the sight of her. He smiled when he saw the dress she wore, it was red of course but it had his symbol of the crescent moon. His little minx was trying to get on his good side.

The way the dress clung to her made her waist look impossibly small and her hips tantalizing. He looked further down and almost groaned out loud. Her toes had been painted a deep red color that made him want to kiss her little feet, then he noticed the piece of jewelry of red and white crystals around her right ankle with a little silver dog, his mate was more beautiful than any angel.

He finished crossing the space between them.

Now he stood in front of her inhaling her sweet scent while she looked up at him. He lifted his hand in an attempt to stroke one of her ears but stopped as she flinched slightly as if he was about to strike her. Was he really that much of a monster to her that she would think it possible for him to harm her?

He delicately took her face in his hands, and watched her eyes go wide at his sudden movement.

"I would never strike you koneko. Yes, I was angry that you ran from the protection of the castle, but I would never raise a hand against you" he leaned down and softly nuzzled her cheek and pulled her small frame into his embrace.

She was back where she belonged, in his arms. He growled softly letting the vibrations in his chest sooth her fears of him. He felt her relax and sighed in relief.

She looked up at the demon Lord and gave him a smirk.

"You won't hit me sure, probably because you're afraid I'll bite your hand off! "

Sesshomaru wanted to laugh at her antics.

He heard the human girl snicker at Inuyasha's comment. This was what she brought to him, the urge to laugh at her outrageous behavior. For all his years' strict training and demeanor of seeming like a cold bastard, he craved her light.

"I've missed you koneko. I know that you don't feel the same way as I do and I recognize that the fault lies with me" Sesshomaru pulled back, only to lift her up by her legs so that she was eye level with him

"Hey! Put me down you oaf!"

He didn't listen, just wrapped his arms around her legs more securely. She stopped squirming and eventually placed her hand on either side of his broad shoulders.

"I will travel with you and your pack and offer you my protection, and in the same process I ask you that we make an attempt to reform the trust that was broken between us"

She frowned at his words as several emotions flashed across her face.

"I don't know" she started "If I do this, we take things slowly. Kagome explained some things regarding the difference of human blood and demon blood and why mating between half siblings in royal families are common, but I would like a bit more time to adjust"

Sesshomaru lifted an eyebrow as he looked behind Inuyasha to look at the human priestess and nodded his thanks to her.

Maybe he could talk to this Kagome girl and try to see if she would be willing to help him in convincing Inuyasha of being his mate in true form. For the first time since he decided to join their pack, he started to feel like something good would come out of this. He knew that Inuyasha trusted and listened to her human friend.

"Alright Inuyasha, you have my word" he lowered her down and buried his face in her neck and scraped his mark gently with his fangs making her shiver and gasp in response.

He licked her skin, savoring her taste that he has been deprived of for weeks. Sighing, he huffed out a breath of frustration as he growled and rested his forehead on her shoulder.

"You're not going to make this easy for me are you?" He said softy to her. Sesshomaru felt her chuckle.

"Not in the least, now stop that! Taking it slow means none of this either!"

"Inuyasha…I come home to find you left the protection of the castle and that you sneaked off to whole new world. I couldn't go to you and you have been away for over two long weeks…I am sorry if my actions are breeching our agreement a bit but my inner demon wants it's mate" he said and nuzzled her cheek, nibbling softly on her skin making her giggle as she squirmed in his arms.

He never heard her giggle like that, but then again...be doesn't remember ever raining so much affection on her.

"Alright! Alright Sessh! I get it! You missed me" she laughed. He found that she was a tad ticklish and continued to nibble and lick her skin near her ear and neck "Stop that! You're tickling me!"

He felt a genuine smile appear on his face at her carefree laughter until he heard Kagome cleared her throat.

Inuyasha turned a bright shade of pink as she tried to hide her self behind Sesshomaru

"Lord Sesshomaru I'm happy that you are going to be joining us and I hate to interrupt your reunion, but we have to get going" she said trying hard not to laugh at Inuyasha who finally realized that she had an audience to their display of affection, and buried her face in his back and managing to hide in his hair.

"Very well" Sesshomaru said trying to keep his straight stoic face as he tried to pry his mate from under his hair "You heard her Inuyasha, let's get going, don't you want to walk with your pack mate?" Sesshomaru said knowing that she would be too embarrassed to do so but couldn't help himself from teasing her.

"My heart feels so light and free. This is what we should have had long time ago" he decided

"Bite me Sessh" she grumbled as she let go and started to walk towards Kagome, a bright pink shade on her cheeks.

"All in due time koneko" Sesshomaru promised making her blush again. He didn't even mind her nickname for him anymore.