As the girl took continued to gulp down the Sake, Sesshoumaru watched, intrigued. This woman was so unorthodox, so unlike any other he'd ever met. He took one last look at her before speaking. "What is your name, Hanyou?"

The girl straightened her posture, attempting to savor the last drop of Sake as she turned the bottle upside down over her open mouth. " Santko , Jade Santko , and before you ask I am InuYoukai , a canine demon, just as yourself."

Sesshoumaru gave a low growl to the girl's reply. She looked at him with a hardened look, reciprocating the youkai's expression.

"Do not take offense, no one, neither human nor demon, is able to identify my breed on my appearance or scent." Sesshoumaru softened his glare, realizing the girl meant no resentment.

"Why is that?" Jade sighed at Sesshoumaru's question, obviously he'd brought up a painful subject.

"That is quite personal, a secret that is none of your concern, but I assure you, I am InuYoukai ." Sesshoumaru gave a puzzled look to Jade's reply, not clear on what she meant, but did not press the matter.

Suddenly Jade attempted to stand, but failed when her knees gave out and she stumbled, landing softly on her pillowed seat. Sesshoumaru rushed to her side, slowly standing her up against his body. He grasped her by her waist, leaning her against his chest. Once he stabled her, he unknowingly began to gaze into her eyes, they were no longer angry and cold, but soft and lipid. They called to him, begging him to search deeper into their shallow green pools. Jade could feel Sesshoumaru's grip on her waist tighten as he fixated his vision into her eyes, her thoughts churned as he continued to survey them.

'He's quite different; I've never met a man like him. He's subtle, and hidden, but he is also warm and affectionate, I can sense it.' Her thoughts were interrupted when she began to notice that Sesshoumaru's face was beginning to close in on her own. His eyes were still open, and were still gazing into hers. His grip on her waist had moved to her hips, pressing her lower body against his own.

She could feel his breath now, it was cold, and had no scent. She felt his blood rushing faster through his veins as his fingers dug into her flesh through her kimono. Slowly, he pressed his lips against hers, holding the angle. Sesshoumaru could not think as he lightly kissed Jade. His desire for her was all that he could strain. He could feel her left hand brush against his neck as she slowly placed it on his right cheek, enhancing the kiss.

A minute had passed when Jade broke the kiss, pulling away gracefully. Sesshomaru's notions and beliefs came rushing back, recalling to him what had just taken place, but he did not phase, he did not regret what he'd done. His expression of did not change, nor did Jade's, they knew something miraculous had happened, yet they did not speak of it. Sesshoumaru gently took Jade's hand from his face with his own right arm. He took a step towards the corridor they'd came through only twenty minutes ago, attempting to lead her.

Jade followed at her own pace, she was still weak. All the while she walked, Sesshoumaru kept constant watch on her, until they reached their destination...his chambers. He let go of Jade's hand after sliding open the door, allowing her to search over the room. She entered slowly examining the room. It was quite fitting for the sophisticated and aristocratic lord. The room was rugged with an oriental carpet which covered only one fourth of the room. A large bed which binded most of the rug, stood in the middle of the room. A woodened armoire sat in the corner, delicate carvings of warriors and weapons covered the doors of the closet. A single window gave watch over the lands of the west.

It was night. The moon was out, acting as the only light in the desolate room. As Jade looked over her surroundings she heard Sesshoumaru slide the door closed, switching a padlock to fasten it shut. She turned around to see him walking towards her, aroused. Sesshoumaru knew Jade could sense his stimulating emotion as he approached her. He knew, just as she did, that tonight would change their lives for eternity; tonight, she would become his mate, his wife, tonight she would become his.

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