Princess Aara sat at head of the long table. The searchers had trickled home during the day and this dinner was the first time for many of them to get together and compare notes. It was also a small celebration for Souten and Vara, but very low key since no one really felt like celebrating. On either side of the Princess were Vash, Kurama, Hiei and InuYasha. They were all chatting away, telling InuYasha about their futile search and he was telling them how Naraku had ambushed him. InuYasha never even saw that miserable Demon. Kenshin and Shido were next to them and intently listening to the conversation. Aara was not paying attention to her males but instead was watching her guests.
Yukina and Toya were also at the table, which was a rarity at this stage of her pregnancy. Toyna's birth had been very difficult and Kaiba was keeping her off her feet and getting as much rest as possible during this pregnancy. She only had a few more weeks before the delivery of her daughter. Perhaps Toya and Yukina would have the relationship that Kouga and Kagome did, but they were very content with each other. Aara was glad she had been wrong about the ice master.
While Kome was trying to stay in the Castle, Toyna was trying to go back to Kaede's Village; of course, to see Kenru. So far he was not having much success. Toya felt that Toyna was needed here more; in case Naraku surfaced. With Yukina so fragile, Toya did not want to leave her side unless it was absolutely necessary. Especially since they were down three males with Bankotsu dead, Tasuki still captive, and Sesshomaru comatose.
Kurama spoke quietly, "Your mood has effected us all. Is it Bankotsu?"
She looked at the Fox Demon in horror, blushing deep red. She could not tell them her thoughts; that she had been jealous of Mirago! But she couldn't think of good excuse, so she apologized and quickly left the table. Vash followed her up the stairs into their room. She sank on the bed and began to cry. He sat next to her and put his arms around her.
"It's okay, my dearest," he whispered as he held her.
"Oh, Vash! I wasn't thinking of Bankotsu at all!" she admitted, "I was watching Bakura and that stupid child! I have never seen him smile like that with anyone!"
Vash looked at her, surprised at this revelation. "Except when he is with you. You make him smile -- you can even make him laugh and no one else can do that. Why does Mirago bother you so?"
"I … I don't know. I even teased him about her the other night, but I had never actually seen them together; I had just heard about it from Kaiba. It hurt to see him smiling at her." She rested her head on Vash's shoulder. "What is wrong with me?"
"What?" She looked up at her mate, startled. "Bind him?"
"You have wanted to for a long time. You keep asking him."
"Have you ever asked him seriously since the first time?" Vash asked her.
"No, not really. So I should ask him seriously?"
"No, I think you should use your power and bind him to you. He belongs here with you. You have lost three males; Bankotsu is dead, when we rescue Tasuki, I think he should be bound to Vara instead of you, and Sesshomaru should be freed -- you were right about that."
"So just walk up to him and use my power on him. I don't know if I can -- even if I wanted to. He could lash out with his power. You have never seen his power; he is formidable and very capable of killing me."
"Which he would never do. He loves you; you know that he has loved you ever since he first met you."
Vash kissed her forehead and stood up, "Now I am going downstairs and try to salvage the dinner party. Think about it and listen to your heart."
After he left, Aara undressed and put on her robe, then went to the balcony and stood there in the dark. Was Vash right? She had always been attracted to the mage, but since he belonged to no one else, she never went further, respecting the request made over a century ago that he not be bound. The thought of losing him was terrifying and the thought of him with anyone else was simply unthinkable.
In the distance, she could hear the party breaking up and people heading to their rooms. Well, she had certainly put a damper on that! When her feelings were strong, her power magnified them and they came out without her realizing it. She had made a fool of herself tonight, but fortunately no one other than Vash realized it. If she went to Bakura, would she be an even bigger fool?
She heard Vash go to bed, but he did not come out to see her, giving her time to decide what she was going to do. If she did nothing, would Bakura become involved with Mirago? Even the thought of it was painful. "Listen to your heart." Vash had told her. She did not want to lose the mage to anyone. Yes, it was selfish. When there wasn't chance of him liking anyone, she was content to have him as a friend, but now that he was showing interest in Mirago, she wanted him completely. And she had called Mirago childish!
But the fact remained that she did not want to lose Bakura. His childhood reminded her so much of Hiei's. His own mother had hated and feared the look of her son and had even refused to nurse him, sending him away when he was just a few days old. His father had found an elderly woman to raise his son, but neither of his parents ever saw their son again. And neither of them had blue skin or black Demon markings. Bakura himself had no idea why he looked like he did, the markings were a physical manifestation of his power, but his coloring remained a mystery.
Judging by the placement of the full moon in the sky, Aara estimated that was after midnight. She had made up her mind. She went through the bedroom where Vash lay sleeping and into the hall, closing the door quietly behind her. First she checked on her males, Kurama, then Hiei, and finally InuYasha. All were sound asleep. Then she walked up the long winding stairs to the North Tower. To Bakura.
"I asked you not to bind me when we first met." he said, his voice a whisper.
"And you have that choice again. I will not bind you unless you wish it."
"Why? Why now after all these years?"
"Because I realized I might lose you and I couldn't bear it."
"Lose me?" Bakura frowned. He wasn't planning to leave.
"To Mirago…"
Bakura looked at the Princess in amazement. She was serious! "But she's a child. I have no interest in her. Oh, Princess, you must know I only love…" and then stopped as he realized what he was about to admit.
"Yes, Bakura, I know. I have always known. But I don't want to take the chance of losing you to anyone. Will you let me bind you?" She asked.
Aara smiled and moved to sit on the bed with him. He sat up and she took his face in her hands. "Thank you, Bakura," she said. And then she kissed him; the first kiss he had ever received. She could feel him trembling under her hands. She deepened the kiss and touched his shoulder tenderly. He followed her lead and kissed her back, but he was afraid to return her touch. Then her hands went further down and gently cupped him.
No one had ever touched him there. He gave a little moan and unconsciously opened himself to her. She took full advantage of his accessibility, and his response was quick and complete.
I didn't even feel the binding." Bakura murmured.
"I forgot to do it! I got so involved … I will do bind you now." Her power felt like tendrils touching his mind with insubstantial fingers. He burrowed into her warmth -- it felt so good! -- and then he became aware of Kurama. The Fox Demon was sleeping peacefully. Hiei came next, and finally, InuYasha. He was amazed how he was conscious of them, just subtle stirrings in his mind.
"You need a bigger bed!" she exclaimed and then moved underneath him. He realized that he had all of his weight on top of her and started move off. She showed him how to lie so that he was still partially on her but with only a little of his weight on her.
When Bakura was settled, she stroked him down the small of his back. He buried his head in the curve of her neck. He never imagined it could feel this wonderful! This time he needed no guidance, and afterward he was careful not collapse on top of her like he had the last time. He rolled over and lay beside her. She turned so she was facing him, looking at his body in the moonlight.
"You have markings everywhere!" Aara exclaimed. With that, she lifted his penis, running her finger along the black marking that bisected its blue tip. He gave a small shiver. She glanced at him and smiled mischievously, and began to lightly stroke all the Demon markings in that area. Soon he was extremely aroused. But instead of letting him enter, she continued to stroke the marking on his tip, bringing him to the very edge. Just when he thought he was going to explode, she allowed him entry. He thrust himself in deeply, on fire after all her teasing, and flooded her almost immediately with his seed.
Aara played with him throughout the night, and he kept pace with her. It was to her great surprise and infinite enjoyment to find out that Bakura had such stamina. His fears and uncertainty began to disappear and he soon found that his hands could give her equal pleasure. She taught and he quickly learned and together they passed the night in the mutual enjoyment of each other. It was dawn before they finally fell asleep, wrapped in each other's arms.
