Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor any of the characters associated with Inuyasha. I write for pure enjoyment and gain no profit from writing or publishing these stories. These stories are completely fictional.
Thanks a again for your reviews – I really appreciate them!! Wonder what you think about the next chapter…
I AM STILL LOOKING FOR A BETA!!
'I hope mom is as delighted to see me and my patient as I told Rin...' but Kagome tried to push that thought aside.
After Rin had grabbed the demon's feet and Kagome had shoved the rest of him (as carefully as possible) on her shoulders, the three of them headed to the well. He really was as light as a feather – they could do that, Kagome was now nearly sure of it. But after arriving at the Bone eating well, the door between times, the next problem already waited for them to be solved. 'How should I get him down there? Tenseiga??' Kagome sought advice from the sword.
'Perhaps we can activate some of his powers to hover him down? I'll be the connection between you and Sesshoumaru – you tell me what direction and I forward that to his unconscious but still working mind. What do you think?' 'That sounds so weird that it could actually work, let's give it a try!' Kagome answered almost cheerfully.
"Rin, can you climb down the well and wait there for us?" Kagome asked the little girl. "Hai, that's easy!" and with quite some speed Sesshoumaru's ward arrived at the bottom. The child had already detected some odd connection between the miko and the blade but didn't want to interfere. Getting her Sesshoumaru-sama back to health was first priority.
A little cloud appeared under Sesshoumaru's feet and Kagome let go of her additional weight. 'Now up a bit Tenseiga, yeah, stop. Move him some steps ahead, stop and now slowly down ... stop. Perfect!' It was so easy to influence this Sesshoumaru? Kagome couldn't believe what she had accomplished during the last 2 hours with the help of Tenseiga, as if instincts had taken over.
"I am coming down now, Rin. Give me your hand please!" Before stepping onto the ground Kagome took Rin's hand and also the taiyoukai's smooth but limp one. "Don't be afraid, whatever might happen" she reminded the girl on her right hand. The well-known light submerged the woman from the future together with the lord of the western lands and with his ward. As a precaution she sealed the well in case Inuyasha was not as patient as he had promised her.
Kagome had never before been travelling through the time accompanied by two other persons, only Inuyasha had visited the future with her. Although she had been sure that it would work she was really relieved to see Sesshoumaru and Rin by her side. "We are still in the well, did something went wrong?" Rin asked a bit frightened.
"Don't worry my dear, everything is alright. We only have to climb out of the well. In fact, it is the same place but another time, we are now 400 years ahead in the future. You are not allowed to talk to anyone about what you are going to see during the next days." Kagome told her. "I won't slip anything, I promise. This is so exciting!" After the girl had found that her beloved lord was out of danger, she was back to her cheerful self again.
'Now I know why I couldn't decipher the pictures in your mind – you are from the future. That turns out to become very interesting. Well, let's take our fluffy lord to the outside world then. Shall we repeat the procedure from before?' the blade inquired. 'His treatment is not fully carried out, though...'
'One step after another, tell me what to do after we have taken him to a more convenient place'. Kagome mumbled. 'As you wish' Tenseiga replied, a hint of concern swinging in its words.
They eventually succeeded in moving the still unconscious taiyoukai out of the well. After opening the wooden door to the shrine area, as she had done nearly 3 hours before, Kagome turned to her guests and announced "Welcome to Higurashi Jinja. Follow me please!"
When she wanted to make the first step out of the wooden building that surrounded the well she caught a cough coming from her patient. She turned to investigate his condition when her blue eyes met those golden gleaming ones of his. 'Why is he looking so intently at me?
Ah, I know what will happen next. He is going to shout at me that he didn't need my help and that I am just a mere worthless human who has no right to touch his divine form. I should have left him in his misery! I am never going to hear a thank you or something like that. He is after all the brother of Inuyasha. That gruffness must be within the whole family!'
Kagome glared back as madly as she could. As nothing else happened she abruptly spun back and walked out taking a surprised Rin with her. When she was about to close the door leading outside she thought she received some new channel of thoughts that didn't seem to belong to Tenseiga.
A low but soft male voice was echoing in her mind. 'I should really thank that miko for saving Rin and this Sesshoumaru! She appears to be quite enraged about something, perhaps thanking her would cool her down a bit. However, she should not be so unfettered in showing her emotions in such an open way. This behaviour is far too dangerous when dealing with potential enemies!'
Kagome once again turned her face to that infuriating son of a bitch, whose voice she apparently had heard, if only in her mind. "What was that? Do you want to tell me something, oh great demonlord?" Kagome was still quite angry about that imperious and overly intelligent youkai. It seemed that his mindpower had not been sufficient enough to move his ass out of a certain situation which would have been his death if she had not lent her hand so 'freely', but there he was, blaming her for being emotional.
As they were staring at each other, Rin looked at both of them wondering what was going on.
Kagome could only notice a short frown crossing his features before his emotionless mask slipped back into place and after some seconds Sesshoumaru went back to sleep, oblivious to everything around him.
'I am sorry I can't hold his powers activated anymore. He seems to have cut my connection with him!" Tenseiga stated wearily. 'We have to carry his whole weight the last part of the way, then.' Kagome suggested, calming down a little.
"Rin, I'll need your help with Sesshoumaru-sama here, if you could just deal with his feet again?" Kagome asked the little girl. "Sure, I'll do my best!" she answered eagerly.
If anybody saw them carrying along their burden, they would call the police for sure. It looked like a girl and a woman transporting a corpse in order to get rid of it next to the shrine. Or the spectator could think that they were taking home a heavily drunk person in an interesting manner. Luckily, nobody of the neighbourhood took notice of their peculiar behaviour.
Kagome crammed in her bag to retrieve the key for the front door after eventually getting there. Upon entering she cried out loud: "Mama, there was an accident and we have an injured person to tend to! I need your help!"
Only two seconds later the lights went on and Mrs. Higurashi, wrapped in a gown, came dashing down the stairs, asking "Kagome, you are back! Are you okay? And who are you two guys?" "Yes, mama, I am fine, but Mr. Sesshoumaru here is not in such a lucky position, he just got rammed by a car down the street and is now being unconscious. This is Rin, his little daughter. Please, can we help them?" Kagome lied while putting her hand over Rin's mouth. Phew, thank goodness that this idea struck her only a minute ago. Rin seemed to get the hint as she didn't interrupt her.
Mrs. Higurashi suspiciously narrowed her eyes at her daughter "And why don't you call the ambulance, then?" "Unfortunately, he doesn't have any insurance, so they wouldn't take him in. Before you ask, his daughter told me. Mom, please, he can rest in my room!" Kagome urged.
"Very well then. It's your responsibility now. Let's take him up and have a look at him!" her mother stated. "Arigatou, mom!" Kagome thanked her. "Rin, please follow us to my room, it's upstairs."
Together they shifted his body up the stairs and along the corridor until they reached Kagome's room. Mrs. Higurashi pressed the doorknob and pushed and held the door open with her right leg. Everyone was breathing heavily, but they were glad that the injured demonlord was finally propped into Kagome's bed. Her mother opened the upper part of his hakama, revealing a gorgeous formed chest and well-shaped but not too muscular stomach. The former cut was a little wet but hadn't opened so far. "That is quite a remarkable wound, but it seems that someone has already tended to it a short while ago!" Mrs. Higurashi said.
Because of all the commotion Souta had also woken up and was now standing in the already jammed room, examining the face of the unknown visitor. He pointed at Sesshoumaru's face and said "Look there's a purple crescent moon on his forehead!"
"Now that you mention it, I see it, too! And doesn't he look a bit like Inuyasha?" his mother remarked. Kagome didn't like the way this conversation was going, "No, there is no resemblance at all! He is much more handsome and he has manners at least, I assume!" she trailed off.
'Did I say that loud? Oh no, shame on me! Though, he is quite nice to look at when he is sleeping so peacefully, an angel in disguise. But his character, it's as black as the night – you can't make out anything nice no matter how long you are looking for it. Or should I say it is as cold as ice – any emotions frozen off? Inuyasha is going to kill me when he finds out what I have done. He doesn't have to find out, now does he?' Kagome grinned evilly. Rin stood there agape – had Kagome just said that she liked the appearance of her master? Now if that wasn't good news! She did not quite understand the strategy of lying but she would play along.
"Sis, is that really the first time you have seen this guy?" Souta wanted to know. Mrs. Higurashi noticed her daughter's tension and sent the boy to bed. "But mama, I don't want to go to bed when there is finally something interesting going on!" he protested.
"Well, then go downstairs and prepare a nice cup of green tea for our guest and also for Rin, if she wants some!" with that she turned to the little girl. "Yes, please, Higurashi-sama, ah Mrs. Higurashi!" When Souta had left, her mother turned to Kagome. "Now is your last chance to tell the truth – who is this person?" At that sharp tone the taiyouki lightly stirred from his unconsciousness and slowly opened an eye, which was gone unnoticed by the others.
"Alright, alright! This is Sesshoumaru-sama, the brother, well half-brother of Inuyasha and lord of the western lands. And this is Rin, his ward. I wanted to go home today but had forgotten to bring the seeds of the moonstarflowers along, you know they are eradicated in our time. So I returned but when I climbed out of the well I heard some strange noises..." "And you had to follow them, leading you to this injured demonlord and you couldn't help but to help. Am I assuming that right?" her mother interrupted her story. "Yes, you've got me!" Kagome pouted. "My stubborn child! You know that could have ended up you being the injured one or even worse!"
"I certainly agree with those wise words from your okaasan, miko! There was no purpose in going into that dark forest – I was not in need of your help and still aren't!" the calm but icy voice of the now fully awake taiyoukai stated. Everyone turned to the dog demon, being surprised.
"But Sesshoumaru-sama, if Lady Kagome hadn't come..." Rin started. "Rin!" was the only word Mr. Ice prince had to say to silence his ward. 'Don't anger him now' Tenseiga notified Kagome, but it was too late. "Well, then just try to stand up and we will see what Mr. Almighty can do!" the before warned woman glared.
Sesshoumaru tried to sit up and pressed his hands against the mattress. Due to all those exhausting efforts, the wound on his belly started to open again. "Please stop this foolish behaviour, Sesshoumaru! It doesn't help to accelerate the healing process for sure, only the opposite will happen! You are just the same mulish jerk as Inuyasha!" Kagome shouted angrily.
"Never mention the half-blood's name in my presence again, or you'll regret it!" the injured (both body and pride) demon growled low. Mrs. Higurashi saw the conversation slipping out of hand. "Please Mr. Sesshoumaru, we will do everything so you will recover as fast as possible, but please try to behold of your temper! My daughter tends to be harsh sometimes, but she doesn't mean it that way. I beg of you!"
"Very well then, so be it." With that words he retreated back into Kagome's bed. At that moment Souta returned with a pot of tea and 3 cups on a tray. He put it on the desk next to the occupied bed. "Thank you very much, Souta! I want to introduce you to Sesshoumaru-sama, lord of the western lands and half-brother of..." Mrs. Higurashi announced, being interrupted by a threatening snarl emanating from a certain youkai.
Souta bowed and said enthusiastically "I knew it! You must be really strong then and wealthy – so cool!" Sesshoumaru didn't know the meaning of 'cool' but he found it suitable and acknowledged his appreciation with a cough. In Souta's mind an interesting idea took shape: when the demonlord was in a condition to get up, he wanted to invite him for a game of F1-racing on his new PS3.
Having enough of all the turmoil, his mother ushered Souta to bed. "Oh, why, just a little longer!" he pleaded, but Mrs. Higurashi remained at her point of view. "That was my last word! I am accompanying you and Rin to your room, now! I bring you some hot chocolate and then please go to bed!" she ordered and they left Kagome's room. "Good night, Sesshoumaru-sama, good night, Kagome!"
Kagome couldn't believe that her mother had left her alone with that unnerving taiyoukai. She glanced at the motionless male for another few seconds.
'That is going to be a long night for both of you, but I am going to be silent - for the rest of the night at least - as I need a rest from today's struggle! Have nice dreams!' Tenseiga directed to both Kagome and Sesshoumaru, leaning against the desk, where Kagome had put it.
When her patient didn't utter any word, she went to the tea pot and filled two cups with the green-brownish liquid. Still nothing, not even a cough. Hesitating, Kagome handed him a cup, saying "It is still quite hot" when he slowly took it out of her hand, unintentionally brushing against her skin. At that collision she nearly dropped the teacup, it was just as if she had made contact with a powerful magical being, energy flowing over to her. In fact, he was a magical being after all. How powerful must he be when even now in this weak condition his strength was so overwhelming?
The only acknowledgement Sesshoumaru had shown for touching her was raising one of his delicate eyebrows. After sipping some delicious green tea, she inquired "May I take another look at your wound?" "You may" was the curt answer.
Kagome gently removed parts of his garment around the edge of the injury which had slightly reopened and let go a breath. "What is it miko?" "I am just terribly tired from today, but that's nothing compared to what you surly have handled today. You were deathly wounded and then you were brought to a weird future world – nothing of that has happened to me, so I can't complain."
"Do not belittle your deeds, miko! You have tended to the wounds of this Sesshoumaru and taken him and his ward to a save place. I owe you my gratitude after all, but don't take that for granted for all of your life."
"I don't know whether this was a compliment, but thank you for your words of appreciation. I'll only heal that wound of yours and then I call this a day!" 'And what a day!' Kagome added in her thoughts. Soon her pink healing power worked on the injured stomach and before the demonlord's eyes the wound was closed again.
It didn't feel bad, in fact it was quite intriguing seeing such skilled magic performed on his very self. After she had finished, a warm feeling spread across his still weakened body which rendered him slightly tired but nevertheless comfortable. Admittedly, he had not felt so relaxed and taken care of for a very long time.
"I am going to change into my pyjamas, so no peeking!" Kagome announced. "As if this Sesshoumaru would take any interest in looking at a human body." "Just do it and stop making me angry all the time!" "This was a mere statement, nothing else!" Finally the taiyoukai turned his head and stared out of the window.
Kagome had never been so embarrassed, but she had to admit that she was not used to change before a male, no matter if it was a gorgeous lord of the western lands. 'Perhaps I should ask him if he also wanted to wear something different during the night, nah, that would be even more embarrassing as I would have to help him in and out of his clothes. I don't take any interest in his body neither!' Finally in her pyjamas, Kagome retrieved a blanket from underneath the cupboard and laid it out on her couch. She also found an extra pillow. That would do for tonight, but not much longer – she already missed her cosy bed. Looking a last time at her patient, she switched off the light and whispered "Good night, Sesshoumaru-sama!" An voice with a barely audible amused pitch answered "Good night!"
Sesshoumaru was lying in her soft bed but could not sleep. There were too many things on his mind. 'So this is the future world? Everything is so different here. Outside the air smells so polluted and it reeks of human beings but here in the chamber of hers the scent is quite pleasant. It reminds me of the starmoonflowers in full bloom, during the midnight hour when the blossoms open up completely. Which reminds me of the coincidence that made her travel back in time. So she likes those pure flowers? It is only natural that they cannot survive in that contaminated atmosphere. But why can I perceive their enticing perfume then? Could it be emanating from that miko?
This woman is quite interesting for a ningen. Somehow she has succeeded in gaining the trust of Tenseiga and she could even mingle her now awakening powers with its energy. I'll have to interrogate that unfaithful sword about that after my health is entirely restored.
That filthy half-breed Naraku! He and his spawn had chosen a painful death by capturing my ward. Unfortunately I was not able to find the shikon shards this abomination has been holding in his possessed. Undoubtedly he must have hidden his treasure somewhere in his castle. Had he not used some black magic which blocked my natural healing abilities, I would have detected them. For now that threatening jewel is save there, as the disguising barrier is still in place. I'll take care of it when the time is suitable.
Tomorrow I have to ask the miko how those lighting devices working – she only pressed that strange white squared surface on the wall and the candles inside these glassy bowls went out. How can humans be capable of constructing such wondrous contraptions?
I hope for that little brat of hers that he is behaving decently while Rin is in his presence. Are only the three of them living in this building? I wonder where the head of this household is staying?'
Questions didn't cease to pop up in his mind and hadn't he been a being with an incredibly high amount of self-control he would have stood up and shaken Kagome until she had answered all of them. Eventually he shifted his position to the left side of the mattress from where he had perfect access for staring at the sleeping form of his rescuer. How vulnerable she was in that state. 'Just as vulnerable as you are!' Tenseiga reminded the stoic demonlord. 'I remember a certain sword saying that it wanted to refrain from speaking up for a longer period of time. You are unquestionably ready to provide me with some explanations, then? Why are you so talkative today, by all means?' – Silence – 'Foolish sword, don't dare to mock at me!
At that moment Kagome's body started to shake violently while she sobbed "Sesshoumaru, please don't die. I promised Rin to safe you from death. I won't break that promise, no matter what!"
'Am I causing her so much distress? She must rest properly, otherwise she will suffer from a lack of sleep and her healing power won't be replenished by tomorrow morning. I have to calm down her mind.' he pondered. 'Tenseiga!' Sesshoumaru mentally barked for the sword. 'You don't need me for accomplishing that task. You know, I also have my pride and would it be as enormous as yours I would not talk to you until the end of the world, no matter if you were the last intelligent being on earth! So cherish my presence as long as you can, otherwise I would look for another so called master. Perhaps I should ask Kagome if she takes me in... She would surely appreciate my advice unlike a certain inflated taiyoukai.'
'What have I done to deserve such a dim-witted sword? Why are you acting so ... unswordly?' the demon questioned, apparently having calmed down a bit. After a short silence Tenseiga finally answered 'I have nearly lost you today! I, the sword who can revive 100 lifes with one single blow, have helplessly lain in the grass watching you bleeding to death, had not the girl from the future come along! ... Good night!'
Realizing that he wouldn't get any help from that cursed sword, Sesshoumaru tried to concentrate on Kagome. To be sure that nobody, in particular a certain blade, would eavesdrop on his connection with her, he firmly withdrew his aura.
In his mind he imagined her smiling face with those sparkling blue eyes. Suddenly the scenery changed. He saw himself lying in his own blood and experienced the dread she had felt while fearing for his life in that very moment. 'I hope she doesn't feel the same for every enemy of hers, for instance for Naraku, but it would be too late anyway. His body is completely destroyed!' he thought, infuriated by the incomprehensible concern she had displayed for him.
'I have to concentrate harder if I want to soothe her! What would comfort Rin?' He sent a picture of a meadow full of blooming moonstarflowers to her scared mind. In the middle of the meadow he situated a nice little pond with a bridge spanning over it. Next to the water he planted a lime tree. Then he raised the temperature of the spring air to comfortable 23 ° C. 'Hm, what else? I need to show her that I am not in danger anymore, but how?' He placed his mighty demon dog form next to the pond. 'No, that is not going to convince her that there is no threat anymore!' Then something came to his mind, so adorable that a female would never sense any danger coming from it. However, he neither had never ever felt so humiliated before.
