Summary: Kagome's forest meetings with Sesshoumaru turn into something . . . more.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

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I have so much to tell Mama; she'll be happy my quest is over.

Kagome grasped the edge of the well and planted one foot, ready to jump over the side, when she felt an abrupt tug and found herself backed away from the well with both feet on the ground.

What in the world? Who -

Both surprised and annoyed at the rough handling and whoever was keeping her from her destination, Kagome indignantly opened her mouth to protest.

"It is closed," she heard his voice behind her before she could speak.

Kagome froze, her heart thudding in her chest. It's what?

"No," she countered with the fierce determination she'd learned in the past few years. Futilely, she tried to move forward again, but he held her backpack steadily. "N-No, it can't be," she whispered.

Of course she had considered that the well might close when the jewel disappeared, but it hadn't been a serious consideration. As much as she loved the feudal era, her home was with her family. She refused to believe the well would take that away from her.

At her slump, he released her and she felt eyes gaging her as she once again tiptoed to the edge.

Fierce determination overtaking her features, she scowled. "No," she breathed just before vaulting herself over.

The rushing wind was comforting, calming, expected. It was the beginning of her way home; it always had been and always would be. A second later, worry sunk in as the familiar glittering blue light refused to show its face. Come on, come on. Where are you? She had just enough time to clap an unbelieving hand to her mouth and brace herself for an uncomfortable impact when she felt a sharp arm around her waist jerk her to a stop - something that also succeeded in knocking the wind out of her.

Kagome barely registered her assent upwards as she was placed choking and gasping for air on the ground, tears filling her eyes as her lungs demanded to be filled.

Once her breathing settled down to a consistent heaving, she allowed tears of sadness to join the tears of pain.

"Sesshoumaru-sama?" she asked, turning to the taiyoukai standing by, "Why?"

He did not deign to reply, merely gazing at her with his ever impassive face.

Pausing for a different tactic, she tried again while fighting her wobbly voice, "How did you know?"

This time, the question seemed to deserve a response. "The aura of magic around the well disappeared one week ago."

Kagome chewed on his answer; that was about the time their mismatched group had defeated Naraku, about the time she had wished the jewel into disappearance - this time forever.

Although Sesshoumaru had helped their group in the search for Naraku and they fought battles together, he had not been there for the final battle. For him to know the time the well stopped working . . . what in the world was he doing all the way out here?

Kagome slowly pulled herself together. For now, her questions didn't matter: the well was closed, and she had no idea what to do. What kind of life was there for a twentieth-century girl in the feudal era? She knew some of the culture and customs, but by searching for the jewel, she was able to ignore most of them; actually, in most cases, she had no idea of what was proper. How was she going to survive?

Steeling herself, Kagome slowly rose from the ground and gave a short bow the Sesshoumaru, knowing his appreciation for formality and respect. "Thank you for catching me, Sesshoumaru-sama."

He gave a short nod back.

She smiled weakly. "I guess I'll head back to the village now; it seems like all those teary goodbyes weren't necessary after all." Quickly turning her tear-stained cheeks away from his gaze, she dazedly shuffled away.

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A few months later found Kagome in a clearing. The sun was high; the shade provided by the trees was cool. Kagome swatted away a bug and contemplated her stoic companion. They had actually been having something of a discussion before the conversation lagged. She was internally giddy at the success of holding down a discussion for so long with the taiyoukai. Sesshoumaru was not one to stand around and waste time. Kagome felt honored that she was somehow worthy of so much of his time today: she knew he did not give of it freely.

Above her giddiness, she was frantically trying to find a way to pick up their dialogue. What to say, what to say, what to say . . . Her frantic repetitions were not helping her decide what to say next.

Kagome was still frantically thinking when Sesshoumaru turned his head to the side, as if waiting for something. Confused, she followed his gaze and strained her ears. A few seconds later, she heard the pitter-patter of small feet and the trudging of large ones. Rin burst through between two bushes and wheeled to a stop before Sesshoumaru, followed by Jaken and Ah-Un.

Jaken's eyes bulged at the sight of her. "It's the human that traveled with Inuyasha!"

Kagome cringed at his squeaking, accusing voice and frowned down at the toad. He had made her lose her train of thought, and now she really didn't know what to say to Sesshoumaru.

"Hello, Kagome-sama!" Rin called, unfazed by Jaken's reaction.

"Hello, Rin-chan," she replied, glad that she had a distraction before telling Jaken off for always looking so affronted when he saw her.

Rin began a ramble to Sesshoumaru about Jaken's inability to find dinner while the accused youkai tried unsuccessfully to interrupt her and Ah-Un came further into the clearing. Sesshoumaru looked nonplussed at the situation and about ready to turn and let the trio follow him.

Kagome was determined that she leave first this time. It was a little awkward staying anyway; she felt almost as though she were intruding on a familial moment.

"Well," she began, "I should get back to the village."

Rin paused in her monologue to call, "Goodbye, Kagome-sama!" with a cheery wave.

Kagome smiled at Rin and locked eyes with Sesshoumaru for a moment.

"Goodbye," she whispered before turning back towards the village.

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A/N: A new story! :) I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. It looks like this will be about ten chapters total, and (good news!) I have most of it completed!

Please make my day; review and tell me what you think!