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Ah-Un carefully searched Sesshoumaru's room—this had to be perfect.
He would start with a small item, one his pet would not immediately miss.
But what? He blew out a breath as he searched.
He turned around, careful that his tail did not disturb any objects meticulously placed within the study, lest his fastidious pet discovered someone had been in the room.
With one of his muzzles, he nudged the edge of the desk, picking up the silk ribbon his pet usually used to tie his hair during sword practice.
It still carried his scent. The miko would love it.
He pranced out of the study, carrying the bit of silk between his teeth.
He was very proud of himself; now he could repay her for all the delicious treats she gave him.
Maybe he would even get a bonus treat for his delivery.
He found her in the meadow where she usually gathered wild herbs, humming softly as she combed through a patch of greens.
How she knew the difference between weeds and eatables was beyond him, but she seemed to enjoy it, so he never pushed her to do anything else.
Recognizing the cadence of his steps, she turned around, her face lighting up with a bright smile at the sight of him.
Her touch was warm, setting down her basket before giving each of his heads attention.
He nuzzled against her palms. Astute as she was, she found the silk almost immediately.
"What's this?" she asked, holding up the ribbon to inspect it. "Did you want a bow in your mane?"
He snorted and nudged one of his heads against her hand, pushing it towards her chest.
"For me?" He pushed at it again, and she rewarded him with a laugh. "Alright, alright." Instead of tying it at the base of her neck, she braided her dark hair, securing the ribbon at the bottom as it lay over her shoulder.
As her fingers touched the silk, she thought she felt the tingle of a familiar youki, though it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. She shrugged and pushed the thought away, instead focusing on rummaging for the candied chestnuts she had hidden inside her basket.
She held two out. "Would you like a treat, Ah-Un?"
She always had his favourites. Carefully, he picked them out of her palm, munching on the sweet nuts.
If she mated his pet, he would have an assortment of tasty treats every day—and, even better, babies to play with.
He did so love little ones.
He allowed himself a few pets before he headed on his way. He had more hunting to do to find the next gift.
Ah-Un hummed to himself as he carried his newest present for the miko. Surely she would enjoy the shiny bauble he'd taken from Sesshoumaru's jewelry and the obi Ah-Un used to transport it.
"Another one?" Kagome cocked her head as the two-headed dragon landed in front of her hut.
He gently set the obi-wrapped earring down before her, snorting. One could not hope to be enough.
She gasped as she unwrapped the jewelry. The stones dangling from silver metal were dazzling turquoise, polished into a smooth teardrop.
She looked ready to reject the earring, but Ah-Un nudged her again. She could not abandon them.
The pad of her thumb brushed over the silken obi, the colours a clear indication of whom the "gifts" belonged to. "Why are you bringing me these, Ah-Un?"
He huffed, nudging her again. She had put the hair tie in, so why was she not wearing the earring or obi?
"Did you—" she hesitated momentarily, biting her lip. "—choose them?"
He stomped a foot, refusing to answer directly. After all, they would not be seen as courting gifts if she believed they came solely from the dragon.
And they had not, after all—they were Sesshoumaru's possessions.
He decided to be a little bolder, clamping his teeth around the knot of her obi she had around her waist, tugging at it.
Her brows raised. "You want me to try it on?
He gave her his version of a narrowed look. How she'd just realized that was beyond him.
"Okay, okay!" She pressed her lips together as she moved to untie her old obi. "I'll change."
He huffed with approval at the sight of the new one on her, the golden hue a perfect foil to her glossy raven hair.
She needed more of his pet's clothing.
"You're dressing me so meticulously." The miko laughed as she ran her fingers through her wavy locks. "How do I look?"
He snorted again before moving his head to look for treats. He wanted a snack before he found more of his pet's clothes for her.
The miko chuckled and took out a couple of roasted rice cakes from her pouch.
Ah-Un immediately pounced, devouring the delicious food. If only Jaken could learn to cook half as well.
She rubbed his necks as he ate and crooned his praises, which made him preen inside. If only his pet were as agreeable.
He needed to bring her another gift—until his pet realized what he was missing out on.
Ah-Un was certain he just needed a bigger push.
He knew what the next item had to be; it was just a matter of distracting his pet long enough to get it.
He had already brought the miko Sesshoumaru's boot, two necklaces, and a new blanket. This would be the final item: Sesshoumaru's outer haori.
She'd been a little reluctant with the last few gifts, but clearly, she needed something much more important—something worthy of her.
And his pet also required the realization of the gifts to spur him into action. Something this big could not go unnoticed.
He'd worked the frog into a tizzy, tracking mud through the castle and leading him on a wild dragon hunt, his pet stalking after to silence him and giving Ah-Un ample time to sneak into his chamber.
But Ah-Uh hardly cared for the mess he'd left behind. He had other priorities
The frog was of the southern variety, having owed him a favour after Ah-Un had saved him from a poacher's trap, and the amphibian was more than happy to hop around the shiro for a while.
Given the mess the frog had brought in, Ah-Un was satisfied no one would bother him for some time.
It wasn't often that his pet parted with such a significant garment, but when he did, he hid it within his chamber on the off chance another female tried to lay claim to it.
Ah-Un hummed to himself as he located the garment in question. It was almost too easy.
Taking care not to rip it with his claws, he wrapped it around both necks before moving toward the balcony and taking to the sky, snorting in triumph.
Once again, he found the miko easily. He was pleased to see she was still wearing the obi and the trinkets he had brought her.
Even his pet would not be able to deny her now, he thought as he landed with the haori.
She turned to him with a smile, then blanched when her eyes landed on the item around his neck.
Ah-Un gently removed it with one mouth, and draped it over her shoulders.
"I don't think you're supposed to give me this," she protested softly.
Ah-Un huffed. Why was the miko making it more complicated? She clearly liked his pet's belongings.
He nudged her midsection more forcefully, huffing to convey his impatience.
"Ah-Un, I can't just walk around in Sesshoumaru's clothes. Someone will think I stole them." He watched as she thumbed the fabric. "Besides, there's probably some demon custom for this."
Yes, which was precisely why he brought the haori to her. He'd always known she was an intelligent one.
He stomped one foot, giving her his most stern look—she would not turn this down.
"When should I even wear this?" She was tempted to pull it close to her face—would it still smell of him?
Ah-Uh nudged her again, adamant. She had to be wearing it when Sesshoumaru came across her, or else this would all be for naught. And Sesshoumaru would come here. Ah-Un had made sure of that, not bothering to cover his tracks.
He'd slowly led her away from the village on more than one occasion, using specialized herbs as a lure, but this particular oasis belonged to his pet alone.
With Sesshoumaru sure to track his missing clothing, the reunion would be inevitable.
The miko strolled to the back of the garden, and Ah-Un encircled her, nudging her again to make her put it on.
"Ah-Un—" she began with an odd laugh, but he would not be denied.
He didn't care if it was only to appease him, snorting in delight when she finally put it on. It suited her perfectly.
Sesshoumaru would not be able to refuse her now. All of her tasty meals would soon be Ah-Un's.
"I still don't know if this is appropriate," she said as she pulled the collar of the haori tighter around her. "But if you insist…"
Ah-Un stomped one foot. He did insist.
He gave the miko time to tidy her appearance while he munched on the steamed buns she had brought him.
She ought to look her best for his pet, after all. Sesshoumaru was meticulous about his own appearance.
His tail swished with excitement. They were not beautiful according to his standards, but he was sure they'd make adorable babies.
As she smoothed the haori, Ah-Un saw a familiar golden light in the sky.
Ah-Un huffed, pleased that his pet had arrived according to plan and right on schedule.
He shifted back to allow his pet the room to land.
The scent of Sesshoumaru's irritation was unmistakable even before he fully touched the ground.
He gave the dragon a look of admonishment—one Ah-Un promptly ignored as he stared pointedly at the miko.
Confusion took over. Then, interest. "You are wearing my clothing," Sesshoumaru said, more of a demand than a question.
The miko turned red, as humans often did. She glanced at Ah-Un, fidgeting as her mouth opened and closed. "Well… funny story…"
But Ah-Un would be no help here.
"Yes, miko?" Sesshoumaru prompted.
The miko's flush darkened. Then, finally, she sighed and returned his pet's expectant gaze.
Ah-Un snorted, his gaze dropping to the obi around her waist.
Which was the same as the obi around Sesshoumaru's waist.
Sesshoumaru waited with a single quirked brow. "I don't know what to tell you," she admitted. "One day, Ah-Un showed up with a hair tie, then an obi, a few trinkets, and finally this."
Sesshoumaru glanced between her and the unrepentant dragon. "You wore them."
"I—" She pressed her lips together, looking well-chastised even if he had not uttered a word to say as such.
"Do you understand what you have done?" He reached out to touch the earring in her ear.
She shuddered when his fingertips grazed her earlobe, then her cheek. Her lashes fluttered as she looked up at him, meeting his gaze.
"What these mean?" he continued, his hand dropping to touch the knot of her obi.
She licked her lips, and his eyes were riveted to the slight movement of her tongue. "I'm guessing it's some sort of youkai custom."
"And yet you donned them, signalling your agreement." His gaze drifted back up to meet her own.
Her eyes widened. "Agreement?"
"To the mating." He gave Ah-Un a pointed look.
She was biting her lower lip now, her cheeks so flushed he could hardly conceal his amusement.
"I assume others have seen you in this," he continued wryly.
She stiffened, her hands reaching for the collar of the haori to take it off. "No one has seen me," she said, her tone cautiously blank. "The only other creature here is Ah-Un."
"It is done." He lifted his chin, daring her to argue.
"Then undo it," she said, her voice low enough to be a hiss. "I'm not forcing you to go through with it."
"Do you truly believe anyone could force me into doing what I did not wish to?" He quirked a brow.
She cocked her head at the dragon. "Ah-Un seems to be doing a marvellous job."
He did not spare the dragon a glance, even when Ah-Un huffed with amusement. "Even he would not dare."
She gave the dragon one last look before she sighed. Her shoulders slumped, the fight draining from her. "Sesshoumaru, I don't understand. Why did Ah-Un bring me these gifts if they were meant for your future mate?"
"I had no mate before you." Sesshoumaru stood firm.
Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest, the haori still wrapped around her frame. "I might have put these on, but I never agreed, and I don't remember you ever asking me."
"Then why put them on?" he challenged, unfazed.
She grew impatient. "I didn't understand the meaning behind them. I'm not up on the latest youkai crazes."
"That did not stop you from accepting them," he reminded her.
"I wore it because I wanted to, then," she told him. "But why is Ah-Un handing out your belongings?"
They both glanced at the dragon, who snorted as he tossed his heads.
"Ah-Un is no doubt aware of the courting behaviour," Sesshoumaru said then, "as he has witnessed it before at my mother's residence."
She considered him for a moment, her voice soft when she finally spoke. "So why did he give them to me?"
"Who else would he have given them to, Kagome?" His expression didn't shift, but his tone seemed softer.
"I-I don't know," Kagome whispered, the blush returning and spreading over her cheeks.
"You put them on," he reminded her. "Did you not also have a reason for doing such?"
Her flush darkened. Peeking up at him from under her lashes, she admitted softly, "I did."
His eyes widened as he moved to touch her jaw. "I did not stop Ah-Un, either."
"So," she pressed her cheek into his palm. "You knew what Ah-Un was doing? "
"I suspected," he allowed quietly, savouring her touch.
The dragon snorted—his pet was a talented liar. He hadn't been that obvious.
"Several items went missing," Sesshoumaru continued, "but the haori made it obvious to his intent."
His pet was more intelligent than Ah-Un sometimes gave him credit for. But it didn't matter, so long as the miko accepted.
Kagome turned her face in his palm, kissing his skin softly before going up on tiptoe and doing the same to the underside of his jaw. His eyes widened at the blatant display of affection. Did she yearn for more as he did?
His hands found their way around her waist of their own volition, pulling her closer to his chest.
And as her arms wrapped around him, he revelled in how right it felt.
"I wasn't sure," she murmured, ear against his chest. "You never gave any indication that you might—that we might—"
"Nor did you."
Ah-Uh snorted nearby, impatient.
He snapped his tail at the back of Kagome's knees, making them give out so she slumped against him, his pet forced to keep her from falling.
Ah-Un huffed with pride and pleasure when he saw her wrapping her arms around his pet's neck, their bodies plastered together.
The mating mark would come tonight; Ah-Un was sure of that. And babies would swiftly follow.
His work here was done. Turning around, he trudged off in search of a patch of grass to graze on, leaving them to sort things out on their own.
With any luck, Kagome would have more snacks for him when they were done.
Especially since she was the one to pull his pet down, pressing their mouths together—he'd never understood the point, but perhaps her lack of fangs made it an enjoyable pastime.
At least they were enjoying themselves, he thought as he sauntered away. They'd be occupied for a bit to produce hatchlings, so he decided to bother his pet's brother. Inuyasha always had food on him.
And if not, he always made for a fun plaything—why were his clothes called a fire rat if they were so easily flammable?
Artwork by Julytheartist