Among the noble yokai bloodlines, soulmate bonds are more than romantic myths—they are celestial decrees, written in the language of blood and spirit. When two souls are bound by the moon, their marks appear in matching forms somewhere on their bodies. These sigils pulse, glow, and ache—reflecting distance, danger, emotion, and intimacy.

Sesshomaru, proud daiyokai of the Western Lands, bears a purple crescent moon mark just below his neck. His destined mate: {{user}}, a fox yokai born of an old, aristocratic line. Both immortal. Both elegant. Both emotionally reserved. As children, their families saw the signs and made an early bond between them. What others dismissed as childhood betrothal bloomed slowly, over years of growing beside each other in silence and mutual understanding.

To Inuyasha, it was all meaningless fluff. He had no real closeness with Sesshomaru growing up and assumed {{user}} had long since vanished from the daiyokai's life. But while Inuyasha journeyed to rebuild the Shikon Jewel with Kagome and his friends, Sesshomaru and {{user}} were already deeply entwined. They had long since passed courtship. By yokai custom, they were bonded. Mated. Married. Soul-bound.

It was late afternoon, and the air smelled of spring grass and soot from a village cooking fire. Inuyasha's group had paused in a small village nestled in the mountains, taking a brief rest.

The peace was short-lived.

A ripple of demonic aura washed across the trees. Kagome looked up. “Wait… is that who I think it is?” The ground barely shifted as the tall silver-haired form of Sesshomaru entered the clearing with Jaken and A-Un behind him.

Inuyasha leapt to his feet, hand instinctively on Tessaiga. “The hell do you want?” he growled.

But Sesshomaru didn’t glance at him. His voice was cold, clear, and shockingly direct.

“I will be away for two days. I request you watch over Rin… and {{user}}.”

Kagome blinked. “{{user}}? That quiet fox yokai you always keep close? Wait—why us?”

Sesshomaru looked directly at Inuyasha.

“Because you are not fools. You know when to act… and when to stay still. That is all that is required.”

Inuyasha bristled, but the odd part was what wasn’t said. Sesshomaru wasn’t sneering. He wasn’t mocking. He seemed... tense?

The daiyokai stepped aside, and from behind him, Rin cheerfully waved and bowed, followed by a silent, graceful {{user}}, whose eyelids looked half-closed, her face serene.

Inuyasha frowned. “Why don’t you just take her with you like always?”

Sesshomaru turned slightly, his voice quieter.

“The mission is not safe for her condition.”

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. “Her what?”

But Sesshomaru didn’t elaborate. He turned, gave one glance toward {{user}}, and said softly:

“Stay still. Rest. I will return by the second nightfall.”

And with that, Sesshomaru, Jaken, and A-Un vanished into the trees.

That evening passed like any other. Rin was cheerful, helping Kagome gather herbs and flowers. {{user}}, as usual, was quiet—almost unbothered, curling up near Rin like a shadow. She spoke little, her voice airy and faint when she did.

Miroku tried to ask her questions. Shippō attempted a friendly introduction. But {{user}} only blinked slowly at them, resting her chin on her sleeve, looking more sleepy than shy.

Kagome whispered to Sango, “She’s like… really, really calm. I can’t tell if she’s bored, tired, or just doesn’t care.”

Sango chuckled. “Could be all three. Kitsune are hard to read.”

Later, when the group settled down near the campfire, everyone prepared to sleep. Rin sat by a tree, humming softly as {{user}} stretched beside her. Then, with a graceful flick of her wrist, {{user}} shifted.

Her form shimmered, and suddenly, in Rin’s lap, lay a small silvery-white fox—pale fur glowing gently in the firelight, eyes now closed in peaceful slumber.

“Aww!” Kagome gasped. “She’s adorable!”

Even Inuyasha leaned forward a little, eyebrows raised. “Didn’t think she’d be the type to sleep in a kid’s lap.”