Fantastic Colors by thetroll

Lord of All Things

A/N: This to address the below SessKag Week prompts: Day 1: Green - Nature & Eternity / Fertility & Growth / Youth & Vitality

Title: Lord of All Things

Summary: AU

He is a god, Cernunnos, the lord of the forest.

She is a young human woman, one with the potential to be a priestess.

When she finds her way into his forest, he realizes she has the potential to be so much more.

.

.

To those who followed him, he was Cernunnos, the Lord of All Things, god of the forest, nature, and fertility.

Few knew his true name, Sesshomaru, and fewer still dared to speak it.

Regrettably, one of those few was InuYasha, his half-brother and a demigod who was known to the humans as Esus. To Sesshomaru's own chagrin, their father had placed the demigod in his elder brother's care.

"Don't see why you have to hold this festival every year, Sesshomaru," InuYasha griped, lowering himself into the chair beside Sesshomaru's own elaborate throne made of intertwining branches. He tugged at his silver torc, which though similar in appearance to Sesshomaru's, served a vastly different purpose.

It suppressed his wilder instincts, ones that he was, at present, incapable of managing on his own.

Sesshomaru raised a brow, shifting on his throne as the dogs at his feet momentarily awakened to see if there was anything interesting. Finding nothing, the dogs returned to their slumber. "Did you not meet your druid at the last?" he remarked dryly, staring off into the darkened forest. Mortal eyes would not be able to see at all, but they were no mortals and neither man's vision was limited by the darkness.

InuYasha's grin was lascivious. He liked to brag regularly of the joys of having his own druid serve him sexually, but Sesshomaru was well aware that it was his half-brother who was at the hands of his druid.

Still, he supposed he was grateful for the druid's appearance as one of the huntress in the last festival, for she often kept InuYasha occupied and out of trouble that Sesshomaru would then be forced to bail him out of later. He suspected InuYasha would petition their father within the next year to request she join their ranks. Nodens—known only by his title for if he had any personal name, none were known to even his sons or his wives—favored the boy and would likely grant such a boon, for InuYasha himself lacked the power to do so himself.

"She's not hunting this year, of course," InuYasha said, puffing out his chest.

Of course she is not. Sesshomaru leaned back on his throne, repressing the urge to sigh. Only those who either have no partner or wish to find another participate in the hunt.

It was, after all, a festival of fertility, celebrated as the moon began to wane. For those couples who especially pleased him during their hunts, he would bless them with child. He had a fondness for human children and those who proved to be fitting parents with strength and grit were those he knew best capable of protecting whatever children they bore.

It also was a festival where the women were as free to hunt as the men. Any gender could take the role of hunter or prey and they could pursue any gender of their choice and any person of any status, allowing for couples who could not otherwise marry to do so if they earned his favor. Not all competed for his blessing—he was particular and few couples proved themselves worthy enough—but any who did so and received his blessing were counted celebrated upon their return and moved into the highest of statuses below that of druid and king. His blessing would allow even couples struggling to conceive to bear a child. Should a couple be of the same gender and yet earn his blessing, they would be of the first offered to home of any orphaned young for the rest of their lives.

It was such a potent blessing that those who participated did so with fervor.

"You haven't seemed interested in the festivals lately, that's all," InuYasha continued with a shrug as Sesshomaru reached for a cup of wine his servants kept at hand for them. "Of course, once you see one of the prey this year, you may change your mind."

Curious, he turned to face his brother.

InuYasha smirked. "A female druid is running as prey this year."

Sesshomaru sat up, intrigued as his brother had known he would be. "Is she?" he murmured, feeling anticipation run up his spine. "Why?"

"Don't know." He shrugged. "But aren't you curious?"

Curious does not even begin to describe it, he thought, looking out into the forest with renewed interest for the festival that would begin as soon as the sun rose. It had been some time since he'd participated in a hunt personally but he could feel the anticipation racing through his blood.

Come the morning sun, he would run through the forest in search of his prey. If he caught her, if she was worthy, he might very well decide not to let her go.

.

.

Kagome tugged on her leather shoes, mentally reviewing her list of preparations. She was young, even for a druid, and she'd wanted to prove herself to the rest of the village. Since Kikyo, their master druid's other apprentice until recently, had run the prior year as a huntress, she'd chosen to run this year as prey to prove herself worthy.

If she earned the blessing of Cernunnos, no one would ever consider her the inferior druid apprentice again. Even Kikyo, though her run had been successful enough to earn her the blessing of and service to Esus, had not managed to earn that.

It was harder to earn the blessing of prey, in particular since she had no partner in mind as most often did, but that was not why she'd chosen to be prey this year.

She simply had not wanted another opportunity of comparison to Kikyo.

"You chose a difficult role, Kagome."

Kagome looked up in surprise at the familiar voice; she hadn't even heard Kaede enter the hut. "I know," she said, giving her teacher a smile. Kaede had played no favorites with her apprentices and that only increased Kagome's respect. Whereas the other villagers felt free to compare the two ever since they'd both entered Kaede's tutelage some six years prior, Kaede had not. She had been harsh to both as they learned, but she had never expected both to develop the same talents.

Kikyo had already taken her place as one of the clan's druids even before her run the year before, but Kagome hoped to prove herself worthy of the same by participating in the Festival of the Hunt.

Kaede had already taken on two new apprentices and still she made time for her old ones.

"You fear the comparisons," Kaede noted in her customary blunt manner as Kagome nodded. "Each of you have your own role to play, child. You cannot find your own place of happiness until you stop making the comparisons yourself."

Kagome flushed. "I know," she repeated, her voice low, though she couldn't help but compare herself anyway. At every point in their training, Kikyo had outperformed her, earning the praise of the rest of the clan. Kikyo continued to exceed the expectations of those around her, including when she'd managed to obtain the favor of Esus.

"Hmmm." Kaede stared at her with her one eye in a way Kagome had always found unnerving. "Perhaps you chose the appropriate role for you."

Kagome blinked, unsure how to respond to that.

"You are aware of your duties," Kaede continued, evidently not anticipating a response. "I hope not to see you before the next dawn, Kagome."

With that, Kaede turned and left, but her message was clear: Kagome was not to fail and return early in shame.

"I won't," she promised though Kaede had already left the hut. "I swear."

She wrapped her shirt around her and tied the strings, securing it to her body before tucking the strings between her breasts. She had ensured she would have no loose clothing on her to aid any of her would-be hunters.

She would give them no advantages in pursuing her.

She left her hut, pulling aside the leather cloth door to see others who'd chosen to act as prey already making their way to the starting point at the edge of the forest. Without a word, she fell into step with them, anticipation rising within her breast.

It was time to show them all what she was really capable of.

.

.

She was young, Sesshomaru noted, watching the female druid step up to the starting line, but he could sense her power from where he stood, hidden amongst the other hunters. The prey would be given the advantage, allowed an hour's head start, while he would be forced to wait to amuse himself in his pursuit of her.

None of the other hunters seemed aware of his presence, though he noted with displeasure that several were aware of hers.

Her beauty was undeniable, from her long dark hair to her vibrant blue eyes, and her physique was no doubt appealing, but it was her innate power and her determination that drew him in.

Before him stood a woman ready to prove herself, demanding she be given the respect she was due.

He almost wished he had not hidden as a human amongst the other hunters for he wished to show himself as he truly was to her. She would no doubt be appreciative, but he also suspected she would enjoy the experience and see him for who he truly was.

They would learn not to touch what he'd claimed, but for now, he saw no harm in allowing them to look. His future wife was, after all, worthy of admiration.

.

.

"I look forward to the chase."

Kagome pressed her lips to stop her instinctive noise of irritation. "I'm not running for you, Koga," she told him, barely taking note of his own wardrobe. Koga was one of the best hunters in the village so it was hardly surprising he'd elected to act as a hunter again that morning. "Shouldn't you be with the other hunters?"

Koga chuckled. "There's no need to be coy, Kagome." He licked his lower lip. "I know of your desire. I will win both you and the gods' favor tonight."

She sighed and made a mental note to stay well clear of Koga until the hunt ended the following morning. She'd rather return empty handed than be found by him. "I'm not here to be caught by anyone in particular," she protested though she doubted it would do her any good.

He tossed his ponytail over his shoulder in no doubt what he thought was a sexy movement. "Protest if you must to maintain your innocence," he said, his gaze dropping to ogle her body.

Another hunter suddenly appeared, a human man she hadn't seen before. That in and of itself wasn't surprising; many neighboring clans came together for the festival and it was impossible to know or remember them all.

What was surprising was the fact that the unknown man smiled at her, forcing her to take note of both his beauty and the polished torc around his neck. Whoever this man was, he clearly was someone of high status.

"Come," he said, turning to Koga. "It is time to start the hunt."

Koga gave her a wink. "I'll look for you," he promised before turning to follow the other man.

You won't find me, she promised herself. She took a quick glance around, noting that the other man had been right. The hunt was about to start and she wanted to see who her options were for hunters.

She noted that the only friend in the clan she had, Sango, was participating, but ruled her out immediately. Sango, she suspected, was acting as a hunter to win Cernunnos' favor for herself and her husband, Miroku, who had not been able to successfully conceive over their three year marriage. With Sango participating as a hunter, Miroku must be amongst the prey this year, though she didn't bother to see him out.

There were several others amongst the hunters she either knew personally or knew of, but her gaze kept drifting back to the unknown man who had led Koga away. There was something unusual about him, something that both captivated and intrigued her.

He caught her gaze and smiled. His long hair was so blond it was almost white, which was enough to help him stand out, but his eyes were a honeyed brown that was just as unusual. His beauty alone should have been what stood out to her and yet she sensed there was more to him to set him apart than just beauty. There was an energy to him, something intense and heavy, that she could sense with her power and yet she was not afraid.

His energy, whatever it was, was protective, like that of a guardian, and she found herself wishing he would be the one to chase and capture her. She wanted to see beneath the beauty, wanted to get to know him in every way she could.

She'd never felt that way before and she suspected her sudden hunger must have shown for his lips tugged into a smirk.

And then the horn blew and there was no more time to ogle the unusual hunter.

It was time for her to run.

.

.

Sesshomaru knew her name now, thanks to the impudent hunter beside him.

Kagome.

It suited her, perhaps more than she realized.

He watched her race off into the forest—his forest. There would be nowhere she could go within it that he could not find her, though he was looking forward to her attempts to try.

He remembered the look of want on her face and chuckled. Soon, Kagome, he promised her. I will fulfill your every fantasy soon enough.

He simply had to be patient and wait for the right moment to begin his pursuit.

.

.

Kagome heard the sound of running water and deviated from the path of the other prey. She had no desire to be caught too early and lose her chance at earning the god's favor.

Water, she knew, would help conceal her footprints and make her that much more difficult to pursue.

It took a few minutes, but she found a small stream, one neither deep or fast enough to pose any real risk. Though it was spring, the air was warm and so was she from her run. Even if the water was chilled, it wouldn't do much harm, especially not as the sun began to rise in earnest, warming the air further.

She took to the water, knowing she was running low on time before the hunters began their hunt. She needed to put more distance between herself and them if she wished to prove her worth.

The water rose just above her ankles but as she ran, it splashed up to her mid thighs and she was grateful she'd chosen to wear a short skirt rather than pants that might have become sodden and weighed her down. She'd considered pants briefly for the added protection from twigs, but had ultimately decided on a skirt.

She felt her lungs began to wheeze and stopped to breathe just as she heard the sound of a distant horn echoing through the forest.

The hunters.

Some prey, wishing to be caught quickly and by the one they'd sought, had arranged to leave trinkets behind their lovers could follow.

Kagome had no such trinkets and had no such desires to end the hunt so early.

If she wanted to remain at large, she needed to start running again.

She took a deep breath and then pushed on, hoping she'd chosen the right path.

.

.

Sesshomaru moved quickly but with purpose, studying the forest for signs of his intended. He could see the path of every creature that moved within these woods but there was only one at the moment who interested him.

He found her tracks a moment later, sensing the twinge of power she'd left behind in her heightened state.

She'd been excited by the chase.

There you are, he thought, pleased, as he followed her trail leisurely. He was enjoying the hunt, he realized, and he had no desire to end it prematurely.

He stopped short when her trail abruptly ended at a small stream and it took him a moment to realize why he'd lost track of her.

"Brilliant," he murmured as satisfaction rose within him. He felt even more confident in his choice now. "What a prize I have found."

Grinning to himself, he followed the stream, confident he would find the one he sought at the end of it.

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.

"I'm going to head right," Miroku had said the night before. He'd then grinned. "Of course, I won't make it easy, either, not if we're going to win the gods' favor. Can't make it too hard though." He'd winked as she'd playfully slapped his chest. "Don't want any other hunters finding me."

"You better not," she'd said with a haughty sniff though she couldn't entirely hide her own grin. "I'd leave you in a second."

His hand had moved to his chest. "Sango, my wife, how you wound me!"

"You'll survive," she'd noted dryly, allowing him to pull her into a hug just as her brother entered the hut. 

Sango shook her head. She needed to focus, not circle back to the night before and what had happened after Kohaku had gone to bed. That damn infuriating monk had left her wanting—

As Sango veered to the right, she noticed another hunter break formation with the others, though he headed the opposite direction. She wasn't entirely surprised; as the day wore on, more and more hunters would chart their own paths for the prey they sought.

There was something odd about this hunter, though, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

I wonder who he's after, she thought and then shook her head. She didn't have time for distractions. She had to put her everything into finding Miroku.

Of course, she wasn't one of her clan's best hunters for nothing.

She'd find her druid lover and claim her prize.

She did so love it when she occasionally took charge of their lovemaking.

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InuYasha stretched on his seat, watching the festivities in smug amusement. So you went after her after all, didn't you, Sesshomaru? I knew you wouldn't be able to resist.

Kikyo suddenly appeared, leaving InuYasha to speculate that she must have snuck away from the festivities at some point. She moved so silently that if he had not been the son of a god, he likely would never have heard her approach.

"Hello, InuYasha," she greeted him, her voice low.

He wished he could sneak off with her then, reading the heated promise in her eyes, but he had his own role to fulfill. With Sesshomaru partaking of the festivities directly, it would be up to InuYasha to keep an eye on the hunts in his half-brother's place.

Still, his body responded anyway as she approached, removing her robe. He swallowed and began to wonder if there was not some way of managing both expectations—that of his lover and that of his brother.

"Kikyo, I—"

"Shh. I know." She placed her fingers on his lips, silencing him. "Indulge me, InuYasha, and then you will have two pairs of eyes to observe with."

Her gift of sight, he realized, grateful he would not have to turn her down. It would have put her in a foul mood for days.

He reached out to pull her to him, mindful of his claws as he pulled her onto his waist. "I would want nothing more," he managed, noting how hoarse he already was.

She smiled, shifting so she sat directly upon where he most ached, and lifted his chin up to her waiting kiss. "I know," she repeated, her breath against his lips.

.

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The small stream ended abruptly, leaving Kagome no choice but to abandon it. The stream bed had continued further, though empty of water from the spring rains to fill it. If the festival had been any later in the year, she would had quite the advantage.

"Now where?" she murmured to herself, eying the landscape around her. There was a clearing with a small copse of trees to her right if she wished to hide, but it was far too early in the day for that. The sun had only just reached its zenith.

To her left, the trees ended abruptly, likely due to a sharp cliff face. She had no confidence in her own climbing abilities even if it was permissible to leave the forest during the hunt.

She had no desire to backtrack so that left her with one option: straight ahead, heading further into the heart of the woods.

She hoped she hadn't chosen a path too difficult to follow. At first, she'd been filled with the excitement of the hunt, but now, her anxieties began to well within her. She heard no one follow her and could not help but fear no one would. While it was dishonorable to return before the end of the hunt—hunters and prey were expected to celebrate their successful hunts upon capture—it would be even worse to return alone. This was a festival of fertility; the shame would be great if she returned alone.

No, she said, forcing herself to take a deep breath. Even if no one else follows, I know Koga will.

Why did that alternative seem even less acceptable than returning alone?

She slowed for a moment, lost to her thoughts, and then heard a loud screech of alarm. Turning, she noticed a young bird that had fallen from its nest. It was likely only a few days old and had fallen on a pile of leaves, reducing the potential for injury. A quick check told her it had no serious injuries, though that would not be the case for long if it remained away from the safety of its nest.

She couldn't leave it there. Its nest was in clear view above the bird and it would be easy enough to return it home before a predator found it. As gently as she could, she scooped up the bird in both hands, its cries of distress resounding in the forest, before gently stepping up on the root of a tree so she could reach the nest.

"There," she said, smiling. "You're safe again. Try not to fall out this time." She gave it a reassuring smile.

The brown bird chirped, though it seemed wary as she turned and continued on her way, her mind once again troubled with her own situation. The bird's cries were loud and may well have attracted the attention of a hunter, despite her attempts to elude attention at first.

She hoped Koga wasn't close enough to hear the sound and investigate. If she could choose her own hunter, he would be the last she would choose.

Unbidden as she pressed on ahead, she thought of the blond hunter with the torc. Though druids were not without status, the silver of his torc was reserved for gods and kings. He was therefore likely a young human king, one would could have his pick of anyone acting as prey this hunt, male or female. If his status wouldn't entice them, his looks certainly would have. She knew of two king's daughters running the hunt tonight; either would be a celebrated match should he return with one of them.

And yet she wished he'd found some reason to pursue her instead.

.

.

The stream had ended, too shallow and slow to continue its path ahead, but Sesshomaru only paid the water a momentary notice just long enough to ascertain that fact.

She had moved out of the water, allowing him to track her more easily. She had taken care to try and avoid leaving footprints, but she was no forest expert, either. The path ahead of him was rife with the signs of her movements. Twigs had been bent or broken, some leaves disturbed, and even the woodland creatures had taken their silence at the sight of this human.

He was pleased. The damage she'd left was minor, easily healed by the forest on its own, and he was closing in on her. It would not be long now before he found her and captured her.

He had every intention of seducing her once he found her, but he had begun to suspect that he would want far more than a brief encounter with the woman. The more he learned of her, the more he desired her.

The familiar cries of a distressed bird resounded in the forest and he shifted, seeking out the cause. Either a bird had been alarmed by his druid's presence or it was in distress and in need of aid.

Targeting the sound, he followed it, continuing on that path even after it fell silent. It appeared to be coming from the same direction as his druid had traveled.

Kagome.

He rushed ahead, certain of what he would find.

Only to find the druid had left a short time ago. And yet, her traces were everywhere. He followed them, wishing to learn more of what had caused the alarm and the obvious delay, for her steps had circled in the dirt.

He heard the chirp again and looked up, immediately piecing together what had happened.

"So, you rescued the bird," he noted, pleasure racing through him. She had stopped, knowing it might increase her chances of being found early, to aid the young bird chirping weakly before him. "You protect this forest as though it is your own."

It warmed his heart as nothing else could. Not all humans respected his forest or all that lived within it. The fact that she had was infinitely more appealing than anything else she could have done. Life and death were both natural parts of his world and hers and yet she still did what she could to protect those around her.

No longer did he think of her as a mere woman; now he saw her as his future queen. He had seen her spirit and fallen for it.

He used his magic to check the bird for injuries, relieved when he found none but a few bruises easily healed, and took a moment to summon its parents to it. The bird was hungry and frightened and in need of its parents now more than ever.

That accomplished, he turned back to his own prey, his desire stronger than ever, though it was tempered by the awareness that another had caught the sound of the bird and had changed the direction of his own hunt.

Koga, Sesshomaru noted. You may desire her, but she is not yours to seek. Know your place.

It seemed the time had come to stop playing with his prey and capture her in earnest.

.

.

Kagome hoped her short break wouldn't cost her. She had no regrets about helping the bird, but now she'd had to stop again to give her feet a momentary break. They'd begun to throb, made worse by the rock she hadn't seen before the ball of her foot had landed on it.

Fortunately, the rock hadn't been sharp enough to do any real damage aside from slowing her down. She'd been forced to perch on the log of a recently fallen tree to give it a moment to recover.

She didn't dare remove her boot to check nor to massage her feet. The alarm cry of the bird she helped had her on edge, knowing that anyone could have heard it to seek out, and it was still a few hours before the sun would begin to set. She was simply running out of time, both in her pursuit and in being pursued.

Please, Cernunnos, help me hide from Koga, she prayed, hands clasped together. She'd do almost anything for his favor, save be claimed by Koga. The hunter, she knew, had no interest in a one time affair and he would use the opportunity to try and bind her to him—permanently.

That obsessive type of love would be suffocating.

The leaves rustled and she looked up in resignation. Even if she ran now, if it was a hunter who had found her, she would not get far.

She saw the glint of the silvery torc first and her head jerked up in surprise to see the blond hunter standing before her.

He must have gotten lost.

His words dispelled that notion almost immediately. "At last, I have found you," he murmured, though he made no motions to rush to claim his prize.

She swallowed. "Y-you were hunting me?" she asked, wincing at how shaky her voice sounded.

"You were the only one worth seeking." His expression was serious and he spoke with conviction.

"But..." She glanced down at her boots, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the intensity of his honeyed gaze. "There were princesses running tonight. A-and one of our best artisans, too."

He took a step forward but paused when she tried to scoot back on her log. "And yet you stood out amongst them all, Kagome."

She flushed, meeting his gaze hopefully. "You really sought me?" she asked him softly.

"I only sought you," he confirmed, his voice low. "Tell me, why did you run as prey today?"

"Why did you?" she countered with a confidence she didn't feel. He may be her hunter, but she felt more exposed then than she ever had. What was she to say? He knew her name but she didn't know his. Any more information felt like an advantage she'd never recover from.

His lips quirked. "There was one worth pursuing," he answered her and as though he sensed her discomfort, he added, "You may call me Sesshomaru."

She barely stifled a gasp, surprised the king had given his name so freely. His answer compelled her to answer him as well. "I wanted the favor of Cernunnos," she confessed, feeling a bit silly to admit such aloud.

He raised a brow. "Oh?" he asked, sounding intrigued. "Why not run as a hunter then?"

Because I am no hunter, she thought but couldn't bring herself to say so aloud. Unlike Kikyo, Kagome had always wished to be devoured rather than the one devouring. "It seemed fitting," she finally settled on.

"Ahh," he said, stepping forward again and this time she didn't retreat. "So that is what you wish."

"Something like that." She laughed awkwardly, wondering why it was that she felt like he could see anything, even the parts of herself she wished to keep hidden.

He reached out to cup her chin. "I will do nothing you do not wish me to do, Kagome," he promised then, his eyes on her lips.

She nodded, hoping then for the kiss his eyes seemed to be promising her.

"Oy!"

Kagome jumped at the familiar voice, absently noting that Sesshomaru had clicked his tongue.

"Get your hands off my woman." Koga stepped into the clearing, his fists raised as though he intended on fighting off Sesshomaru.

"She is not yours," Sesshomaru returned calmly, stepping to the side to shield Kagome from the other man. "Find your own prey."

She could only imagine the umbrage on Koga's face, though she couldn't see it. "I saw her first," Koga hissed. "You're an outsider to our clan. Besides, the rules are that if she prefers a different hunter—"

"Do you presume to lecture me about the rules of the hunt?" Sesshomaru asked, his voice low and dark. "What you seek is beyond your ken, boy. I would suggest you leave."

Kagome leaned to see Koga's indignant expression. "Just who do you think you are?" Koga demanded furiously. "That torc might mean you're of noble rank, but noble or not, I can still kick your—"

Sesshomaru's entire appearance shifted then. The blond hair bled to silver as silvery horns spread out from his temples. Reddish purple lines appeared, accentuating his cheeks and his eyelids, and a vibrant crescent moon appeared in the center of his forehead. Gone were the simple hunting leathers and in its place was an elaborate silvery robe, left open to the navel to expose a hard and honed chest.

Both Koga and Kagome immediately dropped to the ground in recognition.

"My lord," Kagome whispered just as Koga managed to get out, "Cernunnos!"

Kagome's brain was spinning. Cernunnos himself had appeared to hunt her? Why?

"Forgive me!" Koga managed, all traces of arrogance gone. "I did not recognize you, Lord of All."

Sesshomaru considered that and then inclined his head. "I did not wish to be recognized," he returned smoothly.

"I apologize for my behavior!" Koga continued, bowing again. "I will hunt the finest stag for you as an offering should you allow me to go free."

Sesshomaru seemed to consider that and then inclined his head again. "You are young." He looked amused. "There are other prey more worthy of you to hunt."

Koga flushed but did not disagree.

"You may leave."

Koga fled into the forest and did not look back.

Sesshomaru—no, Cernunnos—turned back to her then, a small smile at his lips. "My lord Cernunnos," Kagome said quickly before he could speak. "Please, forgive me—"

He knelt, lifting her chin to meet his gaze. "There is nothing to forgive," he reassured her quietly. "You have done no harm to me or mine, Kagome."

She took a deep breath. "I am human—"

He looked amused. "I am aware."

"—and you cannot possibly mean to...to..." She trailed off, not daring enough to say it aloud.

"To what?" he murmured, his voice a low rumble. "To seduce you, Kagome? To claim you?" He pulled her to her feet then, though he kept one hand under her chin so she could not look away. "I dare all of that and more, Kagome, if you will but have me."

"Why me?" she asked, trying to hide the shivers at his words.

His thumb stroked over her lower lip. "I have seen you, Kagome. Perhaps in time you will see yourself as I do." He moved closer until she could feel his breath at her lips. "For now, my dear, only one thing matters. Do you accept me?"

She wanted his kiss more than his next breath. "Kiss me," she breathed.

And yet he held back. "I will not," he told her, hovering just above her mouth, "unless you consent, Kagome. I will not take anything you do not freely offer me."

"Even a kiss?" She tried to close the distance herself but his hand held her firm.

"Most especially a kiss." He moved his other hand to cup the base of her neck. "If you do not want this, tell me and I will give you my blessing and leave. You have earned it."

Her eyes widened. She could have everything she wanted; all she had to do was reject his suit. He would leave then; she could see it in his gaze. He would keep his word.

That alone convinced her and she gave in yet again to the urge to be spontaneous. "Okay," she told him, her heart suddenly lighter at her agreement. "I accept you, Cernunnos."

"Sesshomaru," he corrected gently before giving her a quick kiss. "For you, I am only Sesshomaru."

And then, before she could respond, he kissed her again, taking advantage of her gasp to deepen the kiss.

He seduced her then, on that log, taking her in that forest as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

She enjoyed every minute of that pleasurable domination.

.

.

InuYasha huffed to hide a smile when the forest seemed to come alive with Sesshomaru's passion and power. "Caught her, did you?" he muttered, unsurprised. "Took you long enough."

He suspected that Sesshomaru had taken more than his druid's body. More likely than not, when he returned, he would bring back a queen with him.

Kikyo stirred from where she'd collapsed on top of him, thoroughly spent. "Me?" she murmured sluggishly.

"No. Go back to sleep." He pressed a soft kiss to her temple as she sighed and snuggled closer. There was no one else he'd rather have by his side, he knew then, keeping a careful watch on the forest even as his arm wrapped around her waist.

"Okay." She sighed against his chest. "Stay with me?"

"Always," he promised her softly. They'd spoken before of living together, of marriage. At first, she'd wanted him to choose to remain human with her, but he could not walk away from his duties and those that needed him. She'd understood that, given her own role, no matter how tempting it might have been to escape together to live as normal humans.

But there was one other way they could remain together—

She shifted and then made a sound of pain as her hip jabbed into the hilt of his sword.

He shifted his sword so it was out of her way and pulled her more firmly against him.

He would ask his father for his favor for her, he decided, as soon as Sesshomaru returned.

In the meantime, he kept one careful eye on the only couple that he suspected Sesshomaru would favor tonight.

.

.

Sango collapsed on top of her husband, drained and spent between their hunt and the exertion of their mutual passion. "How do you think we did?" she managed once she could breathe again.

Miroku chuckled. "I hope you aren't wanting to return already," he murmured, his hands tracing the outline of her hips. "The night has only begun, my dear wife, and there are far more interesting ways to spend the time."

She batted his hands away, closing her eyes as she sagged against him. "Go away," she grumbled good-naturedly. "I'm too tired."

He rolled as he chuckled again. "That is because you did all the work, Sango." He winked at her. "Allow me to return the favor."

She gasped as his mouth began making its way down her body. "You-you lecher!" she panted, feeling his answering laugh as he moved his mouth to her breast.

"Only the best for you, my dear," he said and then to no one's surprise, he took her there on the forest floor.

.

.

When Sesshomaru finally returned, he held his sleeping woman in his arms. He'd draped his own robe around her, unashamed of his own nudity as he took his place on his throne once more, Kagome snuggled into his chest.

"I was right," InuYasha said beside him, his expression smug. "She's radiating with power."

Sesshomaru snorted, amused. "Most of it is her own. It merely required awakening."

InuYasha looked at Kagome, intrigued. "That's a lot of power, for a human."

"I do not believe she was ever intended to remain as one." Sesshomaru combed his fingers through her hair, delighting in the silky feel.

InuYasha snorted then. "Leave it to you to find the only nonhuman human there is." InuYasha glanced down at his own sleeping woman. "I'm going to speak to Father about her."

"Hmmm." Sesshomaru raised a brow. "About time."

"Yeah, yeah." InuYasha rolled his eyes. "Before I go, I kept an eye on things for yah and there's a couple you should consider giving your blessing. Seems they worked hard for a blessing for a child." He waved a hand towards the forest. "Their names are Sango and Miroku."

He inclined his head. "I will do so then."

InuYasha's mouth snapped shut. "Just like that?"

Sesshomaru shrugged the shoulder that did not support his sleeping bride. "I trust your judgment."

InuYasha flushed. "Thank you," he said quietly. "And consider us even for you convincing me to run last year as prey."

With that, InuYasha left, carrying his own druid with him presumably to find their father.

Sesshomaru gave his blessing then, hopeful the two humans would find their own happiness, but he did not relinquish his hold on Kagome even as the sun began to rise again. Custom dictated the humans return, but when she woke and appeared before them, it would not be as a human or even their druid.

It would be as his wife and queen.