A/N: Sorry I've been gone for so long everyone. Here is the final chapter in Part One of Yabun No Uta. Expect some delay before Part Two continues. Please read and enjoy.

Yabun No Uta

Ch. 7: Past Memories, Present Troubles, and Future Conflicts

Sesshoumaru leapt from the well and glanced at the forest around them, dark in teh dead of night. This hadn't helped him any, and now he didn't know what time period they were in. He was about to try his luck once more when a most unwelcome presence caught his attention. He crouched low and clutched Kagome in one of his arms, drawing Bakusaiga with the other, he growled low in his throat, complying with the driving need to protect that the feel of her hot blood running down his hand caused to stir within him.

Gold eyes flashed in the night, locking on each other. The outsider nodded slightly. "Sesshoumaru," he greeted, voice guarded.

"Inutaisho," Sesshoumaru replied. Inutaisho glanced at the bloody bundle in his adversary's arms, recognizing her scent from long ago.

"Come, bring Kagome-sama to the Western Palace. She will be tended to there," he offered, but it sounded like more of an order. He wasn't surprised that Sesshoumaru seemed to know where he was going and that he seemed to know that Inutaisho was lord there; Inutaisho was starting to suspect who the taciturn demon was, but there was no time for that now. They zipped through the air, demonic missiles, one destination, one goal.

They reached the palace in record time, rushing down the halls toward the room she had once occupied. While Sesshoumaru laid Kagome down on the futon, Inutaisho summoned a healer. Before the healer came, however, Kagome's eyes fluttered open and her breath hitched painfully. "Sesshoumaru," she called weakly.

"Sleep, Kagome. You should not be awake," urged Sesshoumaru. She turned unseeing eyes to him, sweat forming on her feverish brow.

"What happened... to Ayashii... Nozomi, Toshiro... my stomach... oh Kami, the jewel..." she trailed off.

"I have the jewel, miko," soothed Sesshoumaru.

"Nozomi died by Ayashii's hands. Ayashii followed soon after, dispatched by my father. His wife, Amai, committed seppuku because of the shame. I was only a pup, as you know, but now I remember you... onee-san," replied Inutaisho from the door.

Tears blossomed from her eyes as a pained look crossed her face. Her breath hitched again in her chest, causing her to gasp in pain. "No..." she moaned as she passed out from pain, and the sound was heart wrenchingly pitiful. Sesshoumaru glared at his father; he shouldn't have told her so soon.

Ignoring the stare of death, Inutaisho turned to leave. "Come, we have much to discuss... Sesshoumaru," beckoned the demon lord as he walked leisurely to his study. Sesshoumaru followed, glancing around the familiar room, a room he had just seen a few days ago, but one he knew to be destroyed for 200 years in his own time. Inutaisho sat himself behind an old desk facing Sesshoumaru, who stood nonchalantly by the door. A few tense minutes filled with silence passed by.

"I know who you are Sesshoumaru," he began slowly. Raising an eyebrow, Sesshoumaru stayed silent, waiting for Inutaisho to continue. "You are my son, are you not?" Sesshoumaru nodded and Inutaisho sighed. "You have a lot to explain." And so he began his long tale.

A few hours later, Sesshoumaru sat near Kagome's bedside, keeping watch. She had been cleaned and bandaged and put into a white sleeping yukatta, but it did nothing to ease the sight of her. Her black hair was matted with sweat and tossed about her; every so often she would cough up blood that left splatters on her face and chest, and her skin was pale and clammy looking. She shook and whimpered continually, each sound causing Sesshoumaru to flinch inwardly.

Unable to sit and do nothing, he ordered a bucket of warm water and a cloth from the servants and once retrieved, he took the cloth and dipped it in the water. Squeezing out the excess, he wiped the blood from her as best he could, staining the water pale red. He brushed his claws through her inky hair, disentangling the knots and settling into a repetitive motion, calming her whimpers. Her miko powers were helping her heal, but it would still be slow and painful. He should have gotten there faster...

Inutaisho sat on a bench in the garden watching the rising sun in the East. It had been an interesting night. So... Kagome-sama was a powerful time traveling miko of the Shikon no Tama, a jewel that had not yet come into existence. Centuries and centuries ago she had been his onee-san, and then Kagome-sama the heavenly maiden in the pool. Kagome, who had just come from that fateful night when he was still a pup. The night he thought she had died along with Nozomi, his mother.

He felt Sesshoumaru approach and stop, standing behind him, presumably studying either himself or the sunrise. "I have often wondered how this war was started," began Inutaisho absently.

After an extended pause Sesshoumaru responded in the same faraway tone, "For Kagome, for Nozomi, for Amai, for revenge, for power." An understanding passed between them, a common cause.

"Will it ever end?" Inutaisho asked rhetorically, but Sesshoumaru responded anyway.

"It is still going on, even in my time." The grim words left a feeling of despair in the elder Daiyoukai. In the East the sun blazed red, painting the sky with blood.

Kagome awoke suddenly, sitting bolt upright only to fall back in pain, her stomach protesting the quick movement. Groaning, she looked around her, recognizing the room as the one she had been previously staying in. She felt drained, spiritually as well as physically, and wondered how long she'd been bedridden. All Kagome could remember were random blurry faces, a conversations, darkness, comforting words, a soothing caress, and then nothing.

She remembered Ayashii. He had put his hand through her stomach. Tentatively, she unwrapped her bandages and looked at the wound, prodding it cautiously with her fingers. It was healing nicely, no doubt because she was a miko. Still, she'd be unable to walk normally for a while yet. She rewrapped the bandages and pulled herself up slowly, wincing.

Kagome grimaced and clutched her abdomen with one hand while steadying herself on the wall with the other. This was not one of her brightest ideas, she concluded to herself. She heard a crash behind her and turned to see a servant hurrying towards her. "Lady Kagome! Lady Kagome you should not be out of bed; if my Lord should see you, or if your Lord... I, I don't know! Please, come back to bed," the servant exclaimed hysterically.

Kagome waved the servant off, instead inquiring, "Where is my Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"In the study, my Lady, but you mustn't..."

"Take me to him," Kagome commanded.

"Y-yes, milady," quavered the girl and meekly led a stumbling Kagome to where the strange new youkai was meeting with her master. The servant girl left the miko outside the black paneled doors, excusing herself quickly and fearfully. Kagome leaned against the wall briefly, regaining her breath before sliding the door open and peering inside. She did her best to stay upright without any support, hiding her pain. The two Daiyoukai inside turned startled eyes to her, assessing her condition.

"You should be in bed miko," growled Sesshoumaru, concern making him angry at her for being so foolish.

"I will no longer stay in bed. How long have I been here?"

"Two weeks," replied a deeper voice, and she turned her head to see Inutaisho sitting before her. Two weeks... that meant they had been adrift in time for about four weeks. Four weeks! Her friends, her family, they must be worried sick. And what of the Western Lands? With the absence of Sesshoumaru, would they be in ruins? Under attack? Taken over? She couldn't help but feel that she had caused this somehow. With the combined physical and emotional trauma she was going through at the time, she collapsed against the door frame and began to fall to the floor. She never hit it, however, for Sesshoumaru held her against his side and gently lowered her to the floor beside him so she could lean on him.

"Return to your room, Kagome," Sesshoumaru commanded. "Or I will bring you myself."

"What if I wish to stay here Sesshoumaru-sama?" she murmured. He sighed and relented, nodding his head once. Only for her, he thought. What was it about human females that his family seemed to be drawn to? He could not understand it.

She relaxed against his side and brought heavy lidded eyes to the other occupant in the room, Inutaisho. "It is good to see you again, Inutaisho-sama," she greeted.

"Hai, it is good to see you as well," replied Inutaisho.

"Is it safe to assume you know who we are?" she asked, and he nodded.

"Sesshoumaru has informed me, but I pieced a lot of it together myself," he said.

"I see. Then, what era are we in?" she inquired.

"I am not entirely sure how you humans keep track of your years, however, my son, Sesshoumaru, has just been born, if that is helpful at all." Well, that was a headache, Kagome thought.

"And how old are you, Sesshoumaru?" asked Kagome, ignoring the time paradox for now.

"Demons do not keep as strict a watch on time as humans. However, I am a little older than 900," he supplied.

"So we're somewhere around 600 a.d.," Kagome said more to herself than to the two youkai in the room.

"Inukimi is in the palace then," Sesshoumaru probed his father.

"She is," he confirmed. She would not be for long, Sesshoumaru reflected. She had left when he had come of age, and better she had gone than stayed. There was no love lost between them; there was never any there to begin with. His mind wandered back to when he had been fourteen. He had been sparring with one of his father's Generals, his mother watching his every move with hawklike eyes. He executed a particularly difficult maneuver, which he himself was quite proud of, until his mother spoke that was.

"Is that all you can do Sesshoumaru?" she asked, her voice bored. He continued fighting, but her words ate at him, making him angry. He had spent so long perfecting that move, and it meant nothing. His eyes narrowed in anger, which did not go unnoticed by his dear mother. Smirking, she taunted him, "Are you angry Sesshoumaru? Over a silly remark?" And as always, he ignored her, his anger making him fight harder and more recklessly than before.

It was always like that with her. She hadn't changed even in his time. "Are you sad Sesshoumaru? All this fuss over one human girl..." No, she was still the same. She had given him his arrogant disposition, his outlook on humanity, and his emotionless façade, that was all. And then she had left. Better she had left sooner. It was then that Kagome spoke, bringing him out of his reverie. "Thank you for your hospitality Inutaisho-sama, but we should be leaving. It has been four weeks since we've been away from our era, we really must get back," she said.

"But Kagome-sama," protested Inutaisho. "You're not yet well."

"We will leave as soon as Kagome is able to travel," Sesshoumaru said with an air of finality.

"But Sesshoumaru, what about my friends, my family, your lands? What about Rin? We've been gone long enough, it's time to try the well again," she protested.

"Do as you see fit," was all he said.

With determination she brought her fist in front of her and declared, "Right, we leave within the hour!"

"I do not think this is wise, Kagome-sama," warned Inutaisho. "You can barely walk." Glaring, Kagome stood abruptly and walked out of the room, determined not to let the pain it caused her to show on her features. She strode down the hall without looking back, leaving the two inuyoukai sitting in the study. Inutaisho shook his head while Sesshoumaru simply sat there. It didn't matter to him what she did, she could prepare to leave all she wanted for all he cared, she would only exhaust herself. He had no intention of leaving until he deemed her fit for travel, and she had no idea what direction the well was in, he was sure. He would not argue with her, however, she would soon be forced to retire to her chambers by her own doing at any rate.

Sure enough, she collapsed soon after leaving the study and had to be carried back to her room by a couple of nearby servants. Frustrated, embarrassed, and in pain she was forced to remain in the confines of her bed and abandon any thoughts of leaving anytime soon. Drained, she lay back and drifted in and out of a drowsy haze, punctured with moments of pain and nausea. She needed to get home, she didn't have time to be injured, but she had no choice. She was incapacitated.

"How long do I have to lay here?" she moaned to herself, surprised when a deep masculine voice answered her.

"One week," Sesshoumaru intoned monotonously.

"A whole week!" she exclaimed with dread. She had to wait around for a whole week!

"Would you rather attempt to go alone again and reopen your wound?" Amusement colored his words and sparkled beneath the surface of his eyes. In retaliation Kagome stayed silent and gave him a glare that rivaled his own. When the amused look didn't go away she sighed and laid her head back, staring at the ceiling in frustration.

"What am I supposed to do for a week, Sesshoumaru?" she whined. When she didn't even get a 'Hn' from him she turned back to face him only to find him gone. Frustrated and irritated she yelled angrily, "Sesshoumaru!" causing everyone in the palace to wince.

"I'll be back little miko," he thought to himself, laughing inwardly, but masking his emotions by locking his usual unreadable expression on his face. Today he would search for something to amuse his miko, which he was sure would in turn occupy himself. The truth was he had been quite bored and anxious for the two weeks she slept; he was relieved she was awake Now, what could he procure that would amuse her and hold her attention?

He sauntered aimlessly through the palace, unconsciously avoiding Inukimi's chambers, and found himself in the courtyard gardens. He stopped for a moment and took in the beautiful sight. The sky was clear and the day was warm; sunlight streamed down on the garden, making the pond sparkle. Sakura and dogwood cast mottled shadows on the lush grass and flowers that grew profusely. Large rocks covered in moss dotted the courtyard and a stone bench sat near the water and reeds. He inhaled softly, filling his lungs with the sweet air.

Kagome would love this. The thought came unbidden to his mind. Nevertheless, he knew it to be true; unfortunately the young miko would not be able to visit the garden for a few days yet. He would bring her before they left, however. With one last glance at the serene garden he continued on his quest.

His feet took him down corridor after corridor, and soon he found himself walking towards the armory. He slid the doors closed behind him and took in the vast room. The silence was old and oppressing, hanging heavy in the still air. Sets of armor lined the walls, some full suits, others merely a pauldron and thigh guards. Racks of spears, pikes, bo, and katana hung on the wall, and many other types of weaponry laid on tables. Everything was covered in a layer of undisturbed dust; the room had not been visited in a long time. That was understandable, though, he reasoned. This was the armory for the royal family, not the common soldier- they had another armory, separate from the palace. His father always wore his armor and swords, so he had no reason to venture here, and Inukimi did not carry a weapon. The next time anyone would disturb this place again was when he was in need of a weapon and armor he realized.

He walked softly toward the other end of the great room, but stopped near the door, eyes catching on a long thin dagger that gleamed even with the dust. He was drawn to it; it called to him, and anything that could do that was powerful and/or evil. Warily, he extended his senses, testing the aura of the blade. It didn't feel malevolent, in fact it caressed his soul, making him shiver. He had the sudden urge to take it, and wondered at himself, but he took it and hid it in his haori. Perhaps he would give it to Kagome when she was well; she was in dire need of a short range weapon. At any rate what harm could it do? He frowned slightly, and if one didn't know him the small change in his features would have gone unnoticed. This didn't feel right; his instincts were screaming at him. 'You are mine,' he told the blade in his mind.

'No, I will not bow to you,' it's "voice" whispered through his mind, soft and melodious, with a metallic undertone.

'I will not succumb to your will,' thought Sesshoumaru.

'I will not control you; I wish only for you to deliver me to the one with whom you travel,' it explained.

'Do not manipulate this Sesshoumaru to do your bidding, fang,' he hissed.

'I will not make the same mistake twice,' it said.

'See that you do not. I will take you to your mistress. What is your name, fang?'

'Kyuuseisha,' it whispered through his mind, resonating in his soul.

'I will present you to her, but when the time is right,' he informed Kyuuseisha with finality. Placated, the fang fell silent in his haori.

What had he been doing again? Ah, yes, finding some amusement for Kagome. His mind on the blade hidden on his person, he deftly continued his search. Sesshoumaru almost sighed in frustration, but schooled his features into a cold mask. His hunt had been fruitless, but he refused to admit defeat. This Sesshoumaru never failed, and he would not do so now. He sat on the ancient stone bench in the garden, contemplating his next move, eyes trained on a fat koi in the pond, swimming lazily to and fro.

It was then the sound of an infant's giggles interrupted his train of thought. His golden eyes glanced up and alighted upon himself, as an infant. The child was being shown the garden in the arms of an attendant. A yellow butterfly hovered on his nose, causing the babe to giggle once more. Sesshoumaru seemed to remember Kagome had a kitsune pup with her, and seemed to be a sort of surrogate mother to him. Perhaps she would be content if she had a child to play with.

He shook his head slightly; how could he even be contemplating this? He was actually entertaining the idea of letting the miko play with his past self. It was wrong in so many ways. Still, if he didn't find something to distract her, she'd torment him, so having her coo over his infant self was a much better alternative. And Inukimi would be extremely annoyed that her son smelled of human miko. That thought alone was worth it.

He strode purposefully toward the servant in the garden, clearing his throat as he approached to alert her of his presence. Startled, the servant looked at him sharply. "May I help you, my Lord?" she asked when she regained her composure.

"The Lady Kagome wishes to see the young heir," he stated smoothly. It was a half-truth; she hadn't specifically asked to see the babe, but she would undoubtably be pleased when he arrived.

The woman bowed low. "I shall bring him to her shortly," she replied.

"No," he answered without thinking. "I shall bring him myself," he added. Wide eyed, the girl nodded and deftly handed over the child. Sesshoumaru took him carefully in his arms and wondered at how small he had been. To think that this tiny babe would kill his first oni at seven, see his first battle at twelve, and become the most feared youkai in Japan. No one else had believed it possible, but he had proved them wrong. 'One day, you will be a great demon, a Daiyoukai, and all will know your name,' Sesshoumaru thought, looking down at his younger self while navigating the halls of the palace.

Kagome was roused from her half sleep by the sound of her shoji doors sliding open. Turning her head, she had to smile at the sight she saw. There was Sesshoumaru, standing in the doorway, and in his arms was a baby- more specifically Sesshoumaru as a baby. It was too cute. She propped herself against the wall as Sesshoumaru came and sat beside her. "May I hold him?" she asked softly. He nodded and handed the baby over to her, watching as she crdled him to her chest. She cooed and tickled him softly, earning a giggle from the baby. Soon, though, the child in her arms tired and yawned, and she began to sing softly.

Darkness creeps upon the world

In streets and allies it lies curled

The stars, they twinkle in the sky

Listen to them sing and sigh

O crescent moon, how pale your face

You stand so stoic, so full of grace

The breeze, it whispers to the trees

Rustling their thick and vibrant leaves

How cool this night, the cricket chirps

In darkness silent creatures lurk

Pretty night, too soon you go

Dawn will come with it's soft glow

But tomorrow you will fall again

Just as it has always been

When she finished her lullaby she gazed down at the baby fondly, smiling softly at his sleeping face. Sesshoumaru looked on impassively, silently appraising her skill with children. She would be a good mother one day. And that song she sang- he knew it sounded familiar, and this was when he had heard it, when he was just a babe.

Kagome sighed happily and leaned back against the wall, shifting into a more comfortable position. "You're so cute as a baby Sesshoumaru, what went wrong?" she teased.

"Are you insinuating that this Sesshoumaru is currently unattractive?" His aristocratic eyebrow raised ever so slightly above one golden eye. She slapped him playfully on the arm.

"You're just trying to get a compliment," she accused.

"Hn." Amusement sparkled in his eyes fleetingly, gone almost before it was noticed.

"So, Inukimi is your mother?" asked Kagome.

"Hai," he said tersely. She noticed the tightening of his eyes and the slight clench of his jaw and regretted her question immediately.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," she said quietly. Okay, taboo #1: do not mention his mother. "Sit with me a while," she asked of him, glossing over the subject. A nod of his head was his affirmation. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying each other's company. Unfortunately the tranquil moment was broken when a baby Sesshoumaru woke and began to cry. "He's hungry," said Kagome as she handed him back to her companion. "You should bring him to his mother," she said and yawned. "Besides, I'm tired. I think I'll take a little nap."

He nodded and took the child, moving towards the door. "Sleep well," he whispered as he left, not seeing the small smile that graced her lips as her eyes drifted closed.

The week went by slowly, and for the most part Kagome was bored out of her mind. Only when she was kept company by Sesshoumaru or Inutaisho was she content. Sesshoumaru especially made a point to amuse her in small ways, which she found endearing. He acted cold and stoic, but she was beginning to see that he really did care. He was just emotionally stunted, she laughed to herself; but that was better than being entirely devoid of such things.

Finally, at the end of the week they were ready to go. Before they left, they bid their goodbyes to Inutaisho. Kagome hugged the imposing Daiyoukai tightly, crying a little. "Thank you so much for all you've done," she said, smiling at him through her tears.

"Don't cry, Kagome-nee-san," he said, hugging her as well. She laughed a little and punched him in the arm lightly.

"Don't you forget about me, you lecher," she teased, making him grin and expose his fangs.

"How could I forget such a beauty? Your celestial features shall be legend in my clan," he declared roguishly. Sesshoumaru's eyes widened imperceptibly and he growled low.

"She's the Celestial Water Nymph, Father?" he grated out.

"Oh, I like it: 'Celestial Water Nymph.' Perfect!" 'Great,' thought Sesshoumaru. 'I just gave him the idea.' Kagome frowned.

"Celestial Water Nymph?" she asked, confused.

"I will tell you later," said Sesshoumaru.

"Okay..." agreed Kagome. She wasn't sure if she really wanted to know. "Alright, I'm ready to go now!" She hobbled over to Sesshoumaru. He nodded to his father.

"Father," he said by way of goodbye.

"Son," Inutaisho replied, returning the nod. With that they turned to leave. They didn't get two steps before Kagome swayed and fell over. Inwardly sighing, Sesshoumaru turned to see the miko grinning sheepishly at him.

"Uh... Sesshoumaru? Do you think you could carry me? Um... please?" He groaned inside his head.

"Bothersome miko," he grumbled half-heartedly as he picked her up and cradled her to his chest, slinging her old beaten yellow pack over his shoulder. Centuries from now, when Inutaisho had his final encounter with his son, and the cold waves crashed on the shore reflecting the ice in his son's heart, he would think back on this moment. The image of his son tenderly carrying the form of the fragile, fiery miko wouldn't fade with time, it would remain as clear as if it had been yesterday. And with this truth in mind the Great Dog General would ask his son: "Do you have someone to protect?" And centuries after that, the words would echo through the young Daiyoukai's mind. 'Someone to protect...'

The journey to the well was quiet and comfortable. Kagome, already exhausted from her excitement that morning, quickly snuggled into his mokomoko-sama and drifted off to the soothing motion of Sesshoumaru's gait. Unbeknownst to her, she would soon be rudely awoken...

END OF PART ONE

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. As always, reviews are most welcome. Thank you.

Still yours,

The Masked Fox