Her Love, His Loss, Their Story Chapter 1: EDITED Loss of Love, an inuyasha fanfic

THIS SECTION WAS REVISED ON JUNE 14, 2007.

I WENT OVER THIS STORY & REALIZED THAT THE SYMBOLS THAT BROKE CERTAIN PARAGRAPHS APART WEREN'T THERE.

SO I ADDED IN THE PARAGRAPH BREAKINGS.

I APOLOGIZE TO THOSE WHO HAVE READ THE STORY & BECAME CONFUSED.

It's a really LONG one-shot, so brace yourselves.

This is just something off the top of my head.

I do not own any of the characters except for Kei, Mr. Yamada, and Mei Sung. (I think that's it.)

Constructive criticism is welcome!!

Her Love, His Loss, Their Story

Part 1

Sesshoumaru Taishou thought he could never love a human, much less his brother's wench. She was always around Inuyasha, loving him from afar and bickering with him from time to time like a mated couple.

But fate was cruel enough to make him love her.

Inuyasha's wench.

Kagome Higurashi.

He had begun to love her when he accidentally stumbled upon the Priestess Kaede's village during a search for Rin and found Kagome playing with the village children. Words could not express what he felt that day. Her smile shined like the sun and her voice was as melodic as a Siren's. She wasn't immensely gorgeous, just pretty…from the inside out.

Fate then formed a path that made him take Kagome as his mate. He had taken advantage of her bath in a hot spring and seduced her like a male would to his mate. She had resisted at first, but gave in to his ministrations.

He actually felt happy when he was with her. And he knew that she felt the same. No longer was she holding Inuyasha in her heart; she had given up on the half demon.

Her smile was for Sesshoumaru.

Her laughter was for Sesshoumaru.

Her body was for Sesshoumaru.

Her soul was for Sesshoumaru.

Everything of hers was Sesshoumaru's.

Everything of his was Kagome's.

Total unconditional love.

But then, his past hatred for humans made him say the wrong thing one night when he came home to the palace after a stressing day with rebelling humans and lesser demons.

He stormed into his study and collapsed on his dark velvet chair. He massaged his temples.

His loyal servant – the lion demon Kei – strode into the study. "How was the rebellion?"

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, willing to stop his reeling mind. "It was dealt with."

"Heard they caused a heck of a lot of commotion."

"Hn."

"So," Kei started slyly. "Where's that mate of yours?"

Sesshoumaru shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

"She's your mate. You should know." Kei sat himself on one of the chairs.

"There are times when I wish she wasn't human." Sesshoumaru spat.

Kei frowned. "Why?"

Sesshoumaru glared at him. "Why?" he repeated. "Humans are nothing but inferior races that should not have been created."

The lion demon lifted an elegant dark gold brow. Perhaps the humans gave him a harder time than I expected, he thought. "Then why succumb to a human's love?"

Sesshoumaru hissed. "I did not succumb to a human's love!" he yelled. "She is but a whore. Humans are nothing but playthings for us superior demons. Those stupid humans think that what they're giving us is love, but they're actually giving us their bodies. They're a really good fuck, anyway."

"Whoa." Kei said, surprised. "You better not let your mate hear that."

"Who cares? She's nothing to me." Sesshoumaru's mind whirled as his demon whined a warning. He ignored it. "Like I said, she's only a whore. A plaything for me to fuck. Why should I care of what she thinks? Humans are a disgusting race; they take everything and give nothing. They'll do anything for wealth and power in order to make them feel superior like us."

His demon snapped at him louder, telling him to shut up.

He ignored it.

"Why would I seriously take her as a mate, anyway?" he continued. "She can't satisfy me like a female demon could. She-"

A slight zephyr blew through the open windows and brought his canine nose a salty scent mixed with a heavenly scent that was heavy with sadness.

His eyes shifted to the doorway.

His heart fell.

"K-kagome…"

There she stood.

Whom he claimed as the goddess in his life.

The wielder of his heart.

The other half of his soul.

Waterfalls of tears cascading down her smooth, porcelain cheeks as she stared at him, blankly yet angrily.

He stood quickly as did Kei who stuttered an excuse.

But neither he nor she heard him say anything.

They were too absorbed in each other's reactions.

"K-kagome…I – "

"A plaything?" she whispered hoarsely.

He stepped forward.

She stepped back. "A whore?"

"N-no, please…"

"A good fuck?"

"I didn't-"

"Stop." That simple word that was so soft willed him to obey. "I th-thought you…lo-" She stopped herself. She couldn't say it.

"I do. I do love you, Kagome."

A frown marred her face. "H-how can you say that?" she said. "After what you've said,"

"It…It just happened."

She scoffed. "Such familiar words. I guess you and Inuyasha really are brothers."

Sesshoumaru couldn't feel anything now.

His heart was weakening.

His demon was panicking as if it knew what was going to happen.

Kagome lifted her other hand to her neck where he placed his mark on her. "This meant nothing to you? I gave you nothing?" She continued before he could speak, "I gave you my body, Sesshoumaru! I gave you my virginity! My heart! My soul! And you say that I gave you nothing? How could you?"

"Kagome,"

"How could you?" she repeated. "How could you?"

"Wh-what I said meant nothing! Nothing at all!" he tried to defend himself. "I had to deal with some humans who were causing-"

"Oh you pretty much sounded like you did mean it."

He clenched his jaw. He couldn't help it if his frustrations led him to say the wrong things. It was a mistake. He just had to prove that to her. A mistake. That's all it was. And that was what he said: "It's just a mistake, Kagome. The humans angered me so much-"

"That you just had to take it out on me?" she demanded. "On our relationship?"

"I…"

"We've had arguments before, but…" Kagome then shook her head. "I guess…I guess this is it now."

His heart sped, frightened.

His mind worked frantically to say the right words. "No. This is not happening!" he thought.

"I guess…this is good-bye."

"No!" he exclaimed.

"A half demon wasn't satisfied with me. A full demon isn't satisfied with me." Kagome sniffed. "I guess I have no chance for love in this time period."

"You belong here! With me!"

"Maybe I do belong in the future," she continued, deaf to his words. "Whatever is in the past, stays in the past."

She looked into his eyes now.

"No, no, no," Sesshoumaru's mind chanted.

There.

He saw it.

In her eyes.

She was done with him.

"K-kagome," He reached out to her.

"Goodbye, Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru sat up in his bed, drenched in sweat. He had that same dream every night ever since her departure.

And that was five months ago.

"Goodbye,"

He buried his face in his clawed hands.

"Goodbye, Sesshoumaru."

"No!"

"Goodbye,"

"No! No, no, no, no!"

His hands shredded his sheets in a matter of seconds. He tore through his mattress and flung it across the room.

His bedroom door opened and his toad demon retainer came running in. "Master Sesshoumaru! Master Sesshoumaru, stop! Guards! Guards!"

Demon guards burst into the room, some changing into their demon form. They frantically held their master down as Jaken tried to calm him.

"I'll get Rin!" one of the guards said and he rushed out. The little human girl always had a big effect on the powerful dog demon.

Moments later, he brought her into the room.

Rin immediately went to her master and took hold of his head, cradling it against her. "Master Sesshoumaru, stop. Please stop. You're scaring me. You're scaring everyone else, too. Please stop."

Slowly, Sesshoumaru calmed down. "R-rin,"

"Yes. I'm here, Master Sesshoumaru."

It was then he asked the same question every day after every tantrum: "Wh-where's…Where's Kagome?"

The guards looked at one another. Kagome was usually next to Sesshoumaru in a flash during his temper tantrums. At the sight of her, Sesshoumaru would calm down immediately.

Rin bit her lip. She only allowed one tear to fall onto his silver hair.

Tears sprung forth as quick as the monsoon rain. "I…I want her b-back…I want her back…I want my m-mate back…Where is my mate? Wh-where is she? Where is she?" His voice was clouded with sobs.

The guards loosened their hold on their master, knowing that Sesshoumaru would never harm the little girl, and silently left the room.

Rin held Sesshoumaru as long and as hard as she could. She stared at the angry red scar on her master's neck. It was in the same place where he had marked Kagome. It was a sign that Kagome found a way – by potion – to erase his mark from her neck and his blood from her blood.

Such a potion existed, but was rarely found and made for it was considered a great shame. Where Kagome got the ingredients and knew how to make it was beyond anyone's knowledge.

As a result of her drinking the potion, she faced a great pain that hit Sesshoumaru hard and fierce. It was females who usually felt the symptoms, but males could feel it, too, though it was not as harsh. But the impact was hard enough to bring the powerful dog demon down for he knew what she was doing.

When Kagome told him goodbye, he blacked out. He didn't what happened, but he assumed that Kagome put a spell on him. He later found himself waking to the pain of a mate releasing her mate's hold on her.

In return for Kagome drinking the potion, a harsh-looking scar formed on Sesshoumaru's neck on the exact spot where he had marked her. It stood as a symbol of shame and dishonor, one that could ruin a male demon's chance at finding another mate.

Ever since that day, Sesshoumaru felt as if something was missing from his heart. There was a large gap that would never heal. He felt empty, lonely. Where he could once reach out with his mind to touch Kagome's mind, his mind now found nothing.

Her absence in his life was a big impact.

He rarely ate.

He rarely stopped eating.

He rarely slept.

He rarely woke.

He rarely did his duties.

He rarely stopped working.

His health diminished a great deal.

His strength lessened as time went by.

The dog demon wanted his mate. He needed his mate. He longed to tell her that he needed her, loved her, adored her. But somewhere, in his heart, he knew he was too late. He had said the words that killed off the love she had for him.

514 years into the future…

Kagome sighed as she sat down. It was her break time. As a catering manager catering to three events, especially one large one, she no longer had time to herself. The Paradise Hotel, where she held her catering business in, was well-known and attended to numerous banquets, proms, wedding receptions, weddings, and business meetings.

The largest event she ever catered was coming up. The other two came up later in the month, so she didn't have to worry too much about them. This event was the first social event of Platinum Hotel. Why a rival hotel chose to host their own event in another hotel was beyond the Paradise employees' knowledge, but it brought publicity and money so it didn't matter.

Something nagged at her in the back of her mind, telling her be careful, but she couldn't figure out why.

"You know you can go home now, Kagome."

Kagome lifted her head and smiled. "Thanks, Inuyasha, but I still need to do some more things."

Inuyasha frowned. He ran a hand through his short dark silver hair. "Geez. There's no need to work yourself to death."

The half demon did not follow her back into the future when she left the past. Instead, not a month later, the future Inuyasha found her. She was surprised that he found her; she was aware of his aging process and knew that right now in her time period he was in his late twenties in dog years. He had understood the works of technology and even drove a car, something that she found amusing.

He had explained to her that he had gotten a job at the Paradise Hotel as the Head Chef and offered her an application as catering manager. He also explained that after she had departed from the Era, Miroku and Sango had gotten together – much to Kagome's happiness – and their descendants were his friends.

"Do you want me to wait and drive you home?" he offered.

"No, that's okay. I'll be all right."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Kagome stared at him.

"What?"

"Why haven't you settled down?"

Inuyasha blinked. Then, blushed. He didn't and never wanted to admit to her that he loved her still. He had only discovered his true feelings for her when Sesshoumaru took her as his mate. He had never confessed to her and he knew he never will.

"I just haven't found the right person," he lied.

"Sure," she said.

"I'm serious."

"I've known you long enough to know who you are, Inuyasha."

He just patted her head. "Of course you do. I'll be heading home right now. So don't stay late."

Kagome looked at the clock. 5:14pm. "It's not that late."

"Still," He leaned down and gave a gentle kiss on her hair. "Later,"

"Bye."

Minutes after he left, her boss came into the room. "Thank god you're still here, Kagome!" he gasped.

Kagome laughed. "Of course I am, Mr. Yamada. You know I don't leave until late. So, what's up?"

"I forgot to tell you that I need you in my five-thirty appointment with Platinum's manager," he said. "He's coming over to finalize the number of people attending and adding on to the buffet."

"Oh. Okay. I'll be in your office in five minutes. Is that all right?"

"Yes, yes! Thank you so much, Kagome!"

She smiled. "No problem."

Kagome later walked into her boss's office and began, "Sir, I've got a problem with – Oh I'm so sorry!" Yamada had been talking with a client.

The person sitting in front of him looked strangely familiar with the short dark platinum hair.

Yamada immediately stood. "No, no. Please, come in. Mr. Takahashi came in early for the appointment we set up. We're just chatting."

Kagome cleared her throat and walked up with a big smile on her face. "It's nice to meet-"

He turned.

Amber clashed with chocolate.

Her heart froze. "Oh no," she thought. "What's he doing here?"

She swore she saw his eyes soften with relief and warmed with love.

"Kagome, this is Setsuna Takahashi from Platinum Hotel. Mr. Takahashi, this is Kagome Higurashi, our catering manager. She will be personally attending to your social event." Yamada introduced.

Kagome blinked. She stuck out her hand and said stiffly, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Takahashi."

"Likewise, Miss Higurashi."

Kagome frowned at his emphases. Her frown deepened as he wouldn't let go of her hand. Warmth shot straight up her arm and warmed her shoulder. She pulled away. "Let's get down to business, then."

"Of course."

Throughout the entire two-hour meeting, Kagome took some moments to study her former mate. He had not changed, save for the little wrinkles that bespoke of strain and stress. He looked older than she last saw him, which was years ago. Even though he had changed his name – to suit the growing world, she assumed – he never lost his air of superiority.

When the meeting was over, she immediately stood, stuffing the papers into her briefcase. "Well, thank you, gentlemen. I'll be heading home right now."

"Home? So soon? It's only seven-thirty, Kagome." Yamada said, surprised. "You usually stay here until midnight."

At that, Sesshoumaru shot her a look.

"She's such a dedicated manager." Yamada continued as he addressed Sesshoumaru. "Sometimes I wonder if she lives here secretly!" He laughed.

"Yamada, I don't think Mr. Takahashi-"

"Setsuna." Sesshoumaru corrected.

She glared at him. "Mr. Takahashi is interested whether or not I go home."

"Alas, Miss Higurashi," Sesshoumaru said. "It is unsafe for a young woman to be walking about at night, especially when it's midnight. I will offer you a ride home and to work tomorrow morning."

"No. That's not necessary-"

"Come, come, Kagome!" Yamada said. "Mr. Takahashi is generously taking time out of his busy schedule to see you home safely. I'd offer you my services, but I think it's best for you to acquaint yourself with Mr. Takahashi. After all, you two will be working together."

Kagome clenched her jaw. "If you say so,"

"Good!" Yamada said. "Now I won't have to worry about you tonight." He guided Kagome and Sesshoumaru to the door. "Have a good night, you two."

Kagome speed walked to the elevator.

Sesshoumaru easily kept up with her with his long legs.

They stood side by side, waiting for the elevator to come up. The bell dinged and they both went in.

As soon as the doors closed, she asked, "How'd you find me?"

"Years of looking and waiting," came his soft reply. He turned to look at her. "How are you, Kagome?"

She ignored him. "Setsuna?" she asked. "What kind of a name is that?"

"I needed to rename myself every forty decades or so."

"Is your social security number and private records handled by other demons in hiding?"

"Yes."

"Inuyasha has his done by other demons as well."

He paused. "You've…seen my brother?"

"Now you call him brother?" She scoffed. "That's a big change!"

"How long you seen him?" he persisted.

"Not long after I left."

A soft growl was heard.

"Let me guess," Kagome started. "He knew you were looking for me and did all he could to keep us separated."

"That is my assumption."

She sighed. "Guess he overlooked this,"

A frown marred Sesshoumaru's smooth features. "You'd rather my brother still keep us parted?"

Kagome lifted a brow. "Why not? Seeing as I was only a 'whore' and 'a good fuck'."

Sesshoumaru's lips pursed. "I told you what I said meant nothing."

"And like I said, it sure did sound like you mean it." The elevator doors opened and Kagome stepped out on the floor to her office. "I don't need a ride, so don't bother waiting for me."

Half an hour later, Kagome walked to the parking lot and jerked to a stop when she saw a shiny black Porsche next to her silver Lexus. "What are you still doing here?"

Sesshoumaru ran an elegant hand over her car's hood. "Nice car. Needs a wash, but it's nice."

Kagome rolled her eyes and went straight to the driver's side.

A hand covered her hand as she put the key into the lock and a hot, hard body was pressed up against her back. Smooth nose and lips grazed across her neck as his free hand pulled her hair away. He inhaled. "You still smell the same."

Kagome turned and shoved him away; he didn't budge. Instead, he brought her roughly against his chest and laid a fierce yet passionate long-awaited kiss on her lips.

Angry fire burned in her chest. "How dare he!" she thought. She ripped her lips away and shoved him with all her might.

He gave a slight budge, but stared down at her with love in his eyes. "Make no mistake, Kagome. I've lost you once in the past and I'll never loose you again right now."

Kagome slapped him as hard as she could. "You've wasted more than five hundred years, Sesshoumaru. What we had was nothing. It was just a reminder of which time period I belonged in."

His amber eyes glittered. "You did belong in the past. Since you were mated to me, time would have no affect on you until I age, which would not be until another one thousand years. You were destined to be with me."

"Yeah, so you could hurt me." Kagome spat. "All those other fights we had about our relationship…Didn't it occur to you once during these years that we were not meant for each other?"

"Then why did fate bring us together?"

"It was you who wanted to find me. If you'd just accepted the fact that we weren't meant to be, then we wouldn't be here right now."

"Those fights were to strengthen our relationship."

"From my point of view, it only weakened it." Kagome leaned against her car, crossing her arms. "The fights we had…They were about you being a high class demon and me being a low class human."

Sesshoumaru frowned.

"Don't think I was deaf to the opposition your advisors gave when they met with you in the meetings. They said it would have tainted the pure line of the Inutaiyoukai line."

Sesshoumaru's hands clenched. The advisors were lucky that they had died; they were long past their death period and their withering bones were frail.

"And our fights were about…" Her voice broke. She took a breath and continued, "About me providing you an heir."

Sesshoumaru remembered those fights well. He remembered that it broke her heart that she had to conceive because he needed an heir. She wanted to conceive when she was ready, but it was already a month or two into their mated life that the advisors were growing restless and deemed Kagome a barren mate.

"You knew that I didn't want a child just because you needed an heir. You knew I wanted a child born of love and patience." Her eyes turned dreamy. "I wanted a child as much as you did, but I didn't want our child to think that it was born because it needed to be born. You know?"

He nodded. "I knew. I understood."

Her eyes turned hard. "But you didn't. You almost forced yourself on me. Not once, twice."

"My advisors…" He sighed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "They were pressuring me to impregnate you."

"And you just gave in?"

"Kagome, let's not start this again," he said. "They are long dead and this is a new era."

"You know, I still never forgave you for those nights."

He winced, remembering the nights where he had deliberately made himself drunk so he could block out her cries as he forced her to his bed. "I know."

"Sesshoumaru, let's stop this." Kagome said with a defeated sigh. "We've hurt each other more than we could count. There's no point in staying together if we can't be in a relationship."

Sesshoumaru glared at her. "No," he said vehemently. "I will not give up on us. What we had…We are soul mates, Kagome."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Oh come off it, Sesshoumaru."

"I am serious. When a demon has found his mate to complete the other half of his soul, it is difficult for either mate to be separate." Sesshoumaru stepped up closer to Kagome, amber eyes penetrating chocolate eyes. "These past five hundred years was excruciatingly painful for me. To wait year after year after year just for your birth and your maturity into adulthood…I could not stand it. Perhaps it has only been a few years for you, but it has been an eternity for me."

Kagome looked away. "You've wasted your time, Sesshoumaru. Go home. We'll discuss the other details of your social event tomorrow." She opened her car door and got it.

"Kagome!" Her car backed out of the parking slot and drove off. "Kagome, wait! Kagome!"

The month for Platinum's social event came up. During the preparation, Kagome carefully made appointments with Sesshoumaru in the presence of others who would be working to set up the event. Whenever Sesshoumaru tried to get her away, she would just ignore him and busy herself with an employee.

The night before the event, Kagome got a large package that was personally delivered by her boss to her home.

"What's this?" she asked.

Yamada smiled. "It's a gift from Mr. Takahashi."

She frowned.

"Now, now, Kagome. I don't know what you have against the man, but he's being very nice to you and he's our biggest customer. Just accept the gift."

"All right," she muttered as she sat on her couch. She was aware that her boss wouldn't leave until she opened it and accepted Sesshoumaru's gift. She opened the card on the box. It read:

Miss Higurashi,

Please wear this as a token of my appreciation for you helping me make this social event real.

Yours truly,

Setsuna Takahashi

She set aside the card and opened the box. In it was a sleek, satin strapless black dress with V-shaped back that had strings pulling the wide V together. It had two slits that came up modestly to the knee. The box also contained a pair of strappy black heels and genuine diamond jewelry.

Kagome took note of the Inutaiyoukai insignia on the clasp of the diamond bracelet.

"Oh my, oh my," Yamada said. "He certainly has taken a liking to you, Kagome. Make sure you wear this tonight at the event."

"Why am I going? I'm only supposed to be there for the beginning and the end. I'm not staying-"

"Yes, you are. Mr. Takahashi insists that you be here."

She sighed. "Very well."

That night, Kagome grudgingly admitted to herself that she liked the dress. It fit her well, bringing out her curves. The back of the dress was scandalous for her, but she sort of liked the idea of being the object of desire as important men gave her flirtatious looks.

The flirtatious looks immediately faded when Sesshoumaru approached her in a black suit with a dark gray vest and tie. He looked amazingly good. He gave a gentlemanly bow as he offered his hand. "May I have this dance, Miss Higurashi?"

Not wanting to make a scene, she gave a stiff smile and took his hand.

He whirled her along the dance floor with the expertise of a true noble. He didn't talk to her, just looked deeply into her eyes, obviously pleased that she was wearing the dress and the jewelry. He didn't flush himself against her body, just held her at an appropriate, modest distance.

Many women in the room envied Kagome for dancing with the richest man in Japan. They wondered what had attracted him to her, seeing as she was "only a catering manager".

When the dance was done, Sesshoumaru brought her hand to the crook of his arm to lead her off the dance floor. He brought her to the refreshments table and began a civil conversation, "Miss Higurashi, your work is renowned. I am grateful to have you as my catering manager."

"Thank you, sir," she replied. "I can only hope that it is up to par with your catering manager's."

"Miss Koichi is an excellent catering manager, but your style is so much more unique than hers. Might I inquire of your inspiration?" He glanced around the room, recognizing the tiniest details of his palace.

She slightly blushed. "I saw a…picture of a palace and thought it was quite beautiful."

He slightly smiled, his eyes shining. He knew she loved his palace. He remembered she would wander the halls every night to memorize each detail, sometimes waking him from his sleep to tell her about the history behind each tapestry or vase.

"What was in this…picture of the palace?" He deliberately asked this question to make her remember the good times they had in his palace. He would never admit it to her, but he was fond of the hide-and-seek she made him play with her and Rin.

Kagome nervously looked around, hoping for a distraction. She found it. "Kaname Inukai!"

Inuyasha turned around and gave her a bright smile as she walked up to him. He glanced behind her and his smile faltered as his half-brother followed Kagome.

"Kagome, I didn't expect you to be here."

"Mr. Takahashi insisted that I be here. He really shouldn't have."

"Yes. I should." Sesshoumaru said. He didn't glare at his younger half-brother, but Inuyasha could feel the cold daggers being shot at him accusingly.

Inuyasha looked at Kagome, whose eyes pleaded him. He sighed. "May I have this dance, Kagome? It's been far too long since we've danced."

A spark of relief and happiness shown in her eyes and Sesshoumaru openly glared at him as Inuyasha pulled her to the dance floor.

"Thank you so much, Inuyasha."

"No problem," he said. "Though next time, make sure he doesn't follow you. He was creeping me out."

"He was creeping me out! He recognized the designs in my style."

Inuyasha raised a brow.

"It's from his palace when I lived there for a while."

"So?" he asked. "You liked the design. You made it part of your style. Nothing wrong with that."

"But it could make the wrong impression!"

"Kagome, you worry too much." Inuyasha laughed.

She blushed. "I can't help it!"

All the while, Sesshoumaru glared heatedly at the couple. He didn't like the camaraderie they shared. Sure, Kagome had fallen for the half breed first, but it was Sesshoumaru who was her soul mate, not Inuyasha. And besides, he despised Inuyasha for hiding Kagome from him when he had asked about her. But when he witnessed the glow in her eyes when she saw Inuyasha, he understood.

Her heart was far from his now. Their fights and the nights when he forced himself on her served as only the foundation of their breakup. Degrading her race and herself was the final straw of their relationship.

Kagome started laughing at something Inuyasha said.

He clenched his wineglass, careful not to break it. Arrows of pain shot through his heart.

If he had not taken Kagome as his mate, then surely Inuyasha would have taken her as his within time.

"Oh Kagome," he thought. "I wish you knew what pain I went through when you left my life."

Just then, a woman came up to him. "You must be Setsuna Takahashi," she said with a flirty smile. "I am Mei Sung from the Chinese Platinum Hotel in China. I'm an assistant manger to Mr. Kai."

Sesshoumaru recognized the name of his employee who managed the two Chinese Platinum Hotels. "Nice to meet you."

"I must say, I'm impressed at what you've done to make yourself known." Mei said.

He only gave a nod.

"Perhaps you'd like to show me how your mind works. I'd love to see the…inside of the main Platinum Hotel." She gave a seductive smile.

Sesshoumaru knew when a woman tried to make a move on him, especially when she refers his main hotel to himself. "Make an appointment with my secretary and I'm sure she'll be glad to show you the works."

Mei gave a shocked look.

Sesshoumaru gave a slight bow. "Excuse me."

Just when he was walking away, Inuyasha grabbed his arm. "Mr. Takahashi," he said. "I'd like to have a word with you if I may."

Sesshoumaru stared at him coldly. "You may."

Inuyasha dragged his brother to the privacy of the balcony. "All right. I know you're upset that I didn't tell you about Kagome."

"Upset?" he repeated. "That is not even close as to what I feel right now."

"I know, I know." Inuyasha said. "Kagome needed time to heal, to bring herself together. She was a total wreck when she left the Feudal Era."

"Still, that did not give you the right to hide me from my mate!" Sesshoumaru hissed, his voice a hoarse whisper so as not to alarm any of the humans who might be near.

"She's not your mate anymore!" he said in the same tone. "Once she drank that potion, it was all over!"

"You let her take it?"

"No! I thought it was one of her medicines, so I said nothing. Sango and Miroku, too. Even Kaede."

"But you know the scent of the potion, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru glared.

"Yes, I did, but Kagome somehow put something in it to make the scent go away. I don't know what she used or how she got it, I just know that it smelled like one of her medicines."

Sesshoumaru's lips pursed. "Still…"

Inuyasha ran a hand through his hair as he sighed. "Look, I already talked to her about your guys' relationship and she may be willing to give it a go."

"Because you told her to do so."

"No."

Sesshoumaru lifted a brow. "She wanted to?"

Inuyasha gave smile. "She just needed a little push in the right direction." He scratched his head, a familiar trait of his that Sesshoumaru recognized. "So. I'll be right back with her and…well, you guys can work things out."

Sesshoumaru stared at him for a moment. "Is there something you'd like in return?"

The half demon looked genuinely surprised. "No! I just…" He paused. "Kagome is my best friend. I'd hate to have her live a life without love."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "Thank you, Inuyasha."

His younger half brother gave a nod and turned around.

"I know you're still in love with her, though."

Inuyasha froze. He paused. "Kagome is far from me now, Sesshoumaru. Ever since the day you mated with her, her heart was no longer mine to hold. I can see that she still loves you, even if she denies it a thousand times. Right now, I can only show the love of friendship to her. If I showed her my true feelings, she'll only reject me. She may go out with me, but I know she'll never love me the way she used to. I've lost her once and there's no way I'll get her back."

Sesshoumaru said nothing.

Inuyasha turned. "But you, Sesshoumaru," he said. "You have her heart. You lost her, but you have a chance of regaining her love."

"I intend to…brother."

A flicker happiness shown in amber eyes. Tears welled up. "I wish you luck…brother."

Sesshoumaru gave a nod.

Inuyasha turned around, blinking back the tears of happiness.

"Mother?" a four-year-old Inuyasha said.

"Yes, dear?"

"Sesshoumaru is my brother, right?"

A smile. "Yes, dear."

"He'll always be my brother, right?"

"Yes."

Laughter. "My brother is so cool! He can fight and transform and fight and-"

"All right, Inuyasha." Izayoi said with a laugh. "You love your brother, don't you?"

A silver head bobbed up and down. "Yup! When I grow up, I want to be just like him."

Inuyasha walked into the room. "Even though you've tried to kill me several times, I knew you couldn't kill me," he thought. "It's not in your nature to kill family. You hated my mother, but only because she was human. You hated me, but only because I wielded Tetsusaiga. You could never hate anyone fully nor could you hurt someone you care about. That's why you adopted Rin. That's why you let Kagome into your heart. I know you'll take good care of her, Sesshoumaru. And for that, I'll always love you, my brother."

Kagome turned around when she heard Inuyasha's footsteps. She gave a hesitant smile. "Are you sure I should do this?" she asked.

He nodded, a dreamy look in his eye. "You two are meant to be. Always and forever. No matter how many times you two fought, there is always love under anger." He brushed back a strand of her hair. "Maybe that's why you two always fought."

"What do you mean?"

"You love each other so much that it doesn't matter what you two say to each other. Forgiveness is always there."

Kagome bit her lip. "But, Inuyasha," she whispered his name. "What if forgiveness isn't enough? What if love isn't enough? What if-?"

"Anymore of that, Kagome, and I will be angry at you. He's waited for over five hundred years. I'd say that's enough to a guy to redeem himself. He's changed, Kagome. For you. Only for you. Always for you."

Kagome sighed. "Fine. I'll give him a chance, but only because you want me to."

Inuyasha shook his head and pushed her toward the direction of the balcony. "Only because you want to."

Kagome continued walking toward the balcony, her heart speeding with nervousness. "What if-" questions ran through her head as her palms became sweaty and her head became light.

She took a breath before going out onto the balcony and what she saw made her even angrier than ever. She whirled around hearing, "Kagome, wait!" She stormed out of the ballroom, ignoring Inuyasha's questioning gaze.

It was raining.

"Kagome!"

Her black dress clung even more to her body.

"Wait, Kagome!"

Her hair flattened against her skin.

"Please! Stop!"

Her vision became hazy.

A light.

Her eyes widened. "Sesshoumaru," she whispered.

"No, Kagome!!"

Darkness.

Kagome dipped her head underwater and came up, flicking her hair back. She heard a rustle in the bushes. She whirled around and demanded, "Who's there?"

Intense amber eyes greeted her as a tall, imposing figure came out. He was dressed in his white and red-printed clothes that depicted his position of the Western Lands.

"Sesshoumaru," Kagome paled.

Instead of seeing hatred in his eyes, she saw something totally out the ordinary: lusty affection.

He walked toward her slowly, careful not to scare her. He knelt and took her chin in an elegant clawed hand. He leaned down, his warm breath against her lips. "You witch," he muttered before laying a sweet kiss on her lips.

"I am mated to Sesshoumaru." Kagome said nervously to her friends.

Sango, Miroku, Kaede, and Inuyasha gaped openly. "WHAT?!?"

Behind her, Sesshoumaru smirked.

"Kagome, the advisors are growing restless. We have to do something now." Sesshoumaru said with a glare.

Kagome glared back at him. "Well, I'm not ready and they can kiss my butt."

"I need an heir, Kagome. If something happens to me-"

"Nothing will!" Kagome interrupted. "I can heal, Sesshoumaru. So there's no way you'll die when I'm around."

"And if something happens to you?"

"Then it happens!"

"You exasperating woman!" Sesshoumaru whirled around, rubbing his forehead. "This heir will continue my line and ensure that the Western Lands will not be the hands of another careless demon."

"This heir will be made of love, not business."

Sesshoumaru downed a full shot of strong sake. At once, he felt the symptoms of a drunk. He turned around and grabbed his mate. "You will bear me an heir whether you like it or not."

"Sesshoumaru, stop!"

When Kagome first moved into the palace, Sesshoumaru had granted her personal room where no one – not even he – would interrupt her except for emergencies. This was where she would always go to escape Sesshoumaru and his advisors. She'd been doing this more often than usual and it alarmed her.

A knock. "My lady, there is a delivery for you."

Kagome sighed and stood. She opened the door. "What is-?"

The female servant sidestepped and let the other servants pass, each holding a large vase filled with different flowers, except for roses.

Kagome, surprised and speechless, stepped aside. "Mi-Eri," she addressed the servant, watching the other servants place more than a dozen vases of flowers around her room. "What…Wh-what is this?"

The servant Mi-Eri just smiled brightly. "There is more,"

"H-huh?"

Ten more servants came in holding rolls of colored silk.

"For your new kimonos, my lady."

Kagome just stared at her. "O-oh…"

Five other servants came in, each holding a foot-long jewelry box that contained expensive jewelry pieces.

"Mi-Eri, who are these from?"

Mi-Eri stepped aside as Rin happily pulled Sesshoumaru into view.

Kagome's eyes widened. "Sesshoumaru?"

He was dressed in his best attire, his two swords hanging dutifully at his left side. He looked every inch a lord, a god. His long silver hair was brushed until it shone. His eyes glazed with tears that pleaded her to forgive him.

And in his hand, he held a single velvet-red rose.

Rin gave her master a shove behind his legs.

He stumbled forward. He sheepishly looked away as he presented her the flower, a faint hue of red shown on his porcelain cheeks. He obviously didn't want to be here at the moment with all the servants and Rin staring at him in expectation.

Rin giggled. "Master Sesshoumaru got all this for you, Kagome," she said. "He hopes you will forgive him."

Kagome stared up at Sesshoumaru, who still didn't look at her. "I will, if he tells me himself," she said, her voice soft.

Sesshoumaru slightly glared at his adoptive child, but swallowed and slowly turned his head to Kagome. Hesitant amber eyes looked into neutral chocolate eyes. "P-please…" he murmured, his voice as soft as the wind "Forgive me."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "You stupid demon," She tiptoed up to wrap her arms around his neck before placing a kiss on his lips.

His demon snapped at him louder, telling him to shut up.

He ignored it.

"Why would I seriously take her as a mate, anyway?" he continued. "She can't satisfy me like a female demon could. She-"

A slight zephyr blew through the open windows and brought his canine nose a salty scent mixed with a heavenly scent that was heavy with sadness.

His eyes shifted to the doorway.

His heart fell.

"K-kagome…"

There she stood.

Whom he claimed as the goddess in his life.

The wielder of his heart.

The other half of his soul.

Waterfalls of tears cascading down her smooth, porcelain cheeks as she stared at him, blankly yet angrily.

He stood quickly as did Kei who stuttered an excuse.

But neither he nor she heard him say anything.

They were too absorbed in each other's reactions.

"K-kagome…I – "

"A plaything?" she whispered hoarsely.

He stepped forward.

She stepped back. "A whore?"

"N-no, please…"

"A good fuck?"

"I didn't-"

"Stop." That simple word that was so soft willed him to obey. "I th-thought you…lo-" She stopped herself. She couldn't say it.

"I do. I do love you, Kagome."

A frown marred her face. "H-how can you say that?" she said. "After what you've said,"

"It…It just happened."

She scoffed. "Such familiar words. I guess you and Inuyasha really are brothers."

Sesshoumaru couldn't feel anything now.

His heart was weakening.

His demon was panicking as if it knew what was going to happen.

"Kagome,"

"How could you?" she repeated. "How could you?"

"Wh-what I said meant nothing! Nothing at all!" he tried to defend himself. "I had to deal with some humans who were causing-"

"Oh you pretty much sounded like you did mean it."

"That you just had to take it out on me?" she demanded. "On our relationship?"

"I…"

Kagome then shook her head. "I guess…I guess this is it now."

His heart sped, frightened.

His mind worked frantically to say the right words. "No. This is not happening!" he thought.

"I guess…this is good-bye."

"No!" he exclaimed.

"A half demon wasn't satisfied with me. A full demon isn't satisfied with me." Kagome sniffed. "I guess I have no chance for love in this time period."

"You belong here! With me!"

"Maybe I do belong in the future," she continued, deaf to his words. "Whatever is in the past, stays in the past."

She looked into his eyes now.

"No, no, no," Sesshoumaru's mind chanted.

There.

He saw it.

In her eyes.

She was done with him.

"K-kagome," He reached out to her.

"Goodbye, Sesshoumaru."

Kagome walked into her boss's office and began, "Sir, I've got a problem with – Oh I'm so sorry!" Yamada had been talking with a client.

The person sitting in front of him looked strangely familiar with the short dark platinum hair.

Yamada immediately stood. "No, no. Please, come in. Mr. Takahashi came in early for the appointment we set up. We're just chatting."

Kagome cleared her throat and walked up with a big smile on her face. "It's nice to meet-"

He turned.

Amber clashed with chocolate.

Her heart froze. "Oh no," she thought. "What's he doing here?"

She swore she saw his eyes soften with relief and warmed with love.

"Kagome, this is Setsuna Takahashi from Platinum Hotel. Mr. Takahashi, this is Kagome Higurashi, our catering manager. She will be personally attending to your social event." Yamada introduced.

Kagome blinked. She stuck out her hand and said stiffly, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Takahashi."

"Likewise, Miss Higurashi."

Kagome frowned at his emphases. Her frown deepened as he wouldn't let go of her hand. Warmth shot straight up her arm and warmed her shoulder. She pulled away. "Let's get down to business, then."

"Of course."

Kagome bit her lip. "But, Inuyasha," she whispered his name. "What if forgiveness isn't enough? What if love isn't enough? What if-?"

"Anymore of that, Kagome, and I will be angry at you. He's waited for over five hundred years. I'd say that's enough to a guy to redeem himself. He's changed, Kagome. For you. Only for you. Always for you."

Kagome sighed. "Fine. I'll give him a chance, but only because you want me to."

Inuyasha shook his head and pushed her toward the direction of the balcony. "Only because you want to."

Kagome continued walking toward the balcony, her heart speeding with nervousness. "What if-" questions ran through her head as her palms became sweaty and her head became light.

Sesshoumaru pushed Mei Sung off of him. "You insolent bitch!"

Mei Sung looked offended. "What? And you think that girl will satisfy you?"

He growled in her face. "More than any other woman, I can guarantee that. I could care less about a whore like you."

Before she could say anything, Sesshoumaru ran into the room and followed Kagome, calling out her name. "This is not happening! No, it can't be!" he thought, his heart was racing with anxiety. "Please, don't! Not when she has finally thought of giving us a chance!"

Just when Inuyasha left, Mei Sung had approached him, trying to seduce him. He had rejected her on the spot, but she still advanced on him, thinking that he was already weakening at the knees for her.

"Oh come now, Setsuna," she had said in a deep, husky voice. "You can't deny the attraction between us."

She had pressed herself up against him, pushing him against the balcony rail. She had her leg wrapped around his waist, the slit to her dress opening to her hip. She rubbed herself against him as she moaned in delight.

And that was how Kagome found him.

He had no time to react.

She gave him no time to react.

It was a similar replay of the event that separated her from him.

Her heart shattered before his very eyes.

The look of accusing betrayal shown in her chocolate eyes before she whirled around.

"Wait, Kagome!" he called. "Stop!"

Then, he saw the car. Speeding uncontrollably away from a police car.

His heart stopped.

"No," he whispered. "No, Kagome!!"

"Mr. Kaname Inukai," a reporter said. "Would you mind telling us about your brother before the accident?"

"Certainly," Inuyasha said with a pained smile. "He was so immersed in his work, such a workaholic. A wonderful businessman, but one would always find him in the early hours of the morning to the late hours of the evening. I even dared called him 'insane' a couple times."

The reporter chuckled.

"And he was, but only for a reason."

"Oh?"

"He fell in love years back."

The reporter nodded for him to continue, eager for details.

"He lost her because of an argument they had." Inuyasha explained. "They both hurt themselves immensely. He had to undergo…therapy. She was healing slowly but surely. Setsuna looked to work as…as a getaway, I suppose, but there was not one day where he regretted the day she left. When he found her, he was so relieved. His health started to come back at an amazing speed. But fate wasn't so nice."

"Ah yes. The accident. The car that was driven by Tsuyoshi Hana, a very renowned burglar."

Inuyasha nodded.

"Do you see them often?"

"Yes. When I can." Inuyasha said, fingering the family insignia ring on his finger. "But it's hard to look at them sometimes."

"Why's that?"

He gave a wry smile. "It's like a Romeo and Juliet play in real life. Two star-crossed lovers who were meant to be together couldn't be together no matter how many times one of them may try to go against fate."

Sesshoumaru sat on the hill, overlooking the sea. He took a deep breath, running a hand over the bandage that went around his head . "The palace used to be here, you know. Inuyasha told me I demolished it two hundred years after your departure and built a mansion in its place. He said I've done some renovations to match with the time periods that went by, but nothing had changed much." He paused. "Do you like it, Kagome?"

He turned to the grave beside him.

"I may not remember you anymore because of the accident, but I know you meant something to me." He smiled. "One day, Kagome, after your rebirth, I'll bring you back here. I'll make you see how much I love you."

514 years into the future: I assume that 500 years after the Warring States Era Kagome is in her teens. 14 years later, she is in her twenties.

Okay.

I didn't like how it just ended like this so I made another chapter.

:FYI:

Sesshoumaru did catch up to Kagome, but he was tad bit too late.

The car did crash into them.

The impact happened so fast that the car hit Kagome instead of Sesshoumaru, despite him trying to shield her.