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Norio stood poised at his position by Sesshomaru's side, awaiting his lord's order to strike. Although he enjoyed running these kinds of drills, he couldn't help but wonder what his lord was still doing at the castle. He knew of his mother's trickery, so why had he not gone to retrieve Rin yet?

He normally never interfered, or even gave a second thought to Sesshomaru's personal life, but in such a trying matter he could not keep his prying nose out of it.

"Er-hem, milord?" he cleared his throat before addressing the taiyoukai at his side, "if it is not too bold to ask, milord, why have you not yet retrieved Lady Rin from her isolation?"

"Such information is of no use to you, Norio," Sesshomaru replied levelly.

"Forgive my indiscretion, milord," Norio murmured respectively before he returned his golden gaze towards the battle field where many of the other guards of the Western lands stood. Many had no weapons, resorting to using their bare claws and teeth to muscle their way past the others' line. His lord always preferred it that way, knowing that many of the demons who made the mistake of attacking his territory were unarmed.

Of course, he would never allow all of them to go unarmed. He always tried to make the fighting a little less one-sided, and a bit more realistic. For surely not all his enemies would be unarmed. There were always a few demons who tended to be a bit smarter than the others, and would collect an army with weapons before leading an attack on the Western lands.

While the majority of the guards were dog demons, there still was a collection of other demons and even half-demons who pledged their loyalty to the Western lands. Many who had enlisted when the great InuTashio had ruled the West were hanyous. Having so many warriors at his disposal, lowering their numbers would only hurt his lord's territory rather than help it. So he had put his prejudices aside and allowed them to stay.

They poised their bodies for the attack, their legs bent ever so slightly to allow them extra strength. Norio held his breath, feeling the predatory instinct his demon heritage was known for take over. Had he been in his true form, his ears would have been plastered against his head and his fangs bare for all to see. But instead he wore a slight scowl as his eyes narrowed and his hand hovered over the sword tied to his waist.

There was a stretch of silence as the two sides awaited their lord's command, unsure of their next move. After a few more seconds passed, Norio shifted his gaze to his lord, finding his silence even more unnerving than usual.

Sesshomaru remained just as poised as the others, his stoic expression giving nothing away. It was fleeting, but Norio noted his lord give the leading guard on the other side a quick nod. The guard did not nod in return, but instead raised his sword and let out a loud battle yell. The group of demons and half-demons charged the others at super fast speeds. Had they been fighting humans, they would have wiped them out in a single charge, before the humans even realized what had happened.

Norio unsheathed his sword and held it taunt in his grasp before he made a mad dash towards the charging guards. His methods tended to be thoughtless at times, but his lord never debased him for them. Instead, a strange look of recognition would overtake Sesshomaru at times, and he would withhold whatever criticisms he held within from escaping his lips.

With ease Norio pushed guard after guard to the ground. He would never strike down his fellow guards, merely startle or throw them off a bit. Even Sesshomaru would merely swipe his Bakusaiga across the air to send the guards flying. It was strict protocol used so not to intentionally harm a comrade. It was a training exercise, after all.

The sounds of swords clanking and growls rose in the air as the battle waged on. It didn't take long before many guards tapped out of the fighting, given that their "deaths" had already occurred.

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Korial walked briskly through the halls of the castle, finding the absence of demons unnerving. She would at least run in one of the guards while exploring her future home. She let out an impatient breath as she twirled a blue strand of hair around one of her fingers as she walked.

If she did not convince Sesshomaru to become her mate, her father's lands would be overtaken without a problem. Her subjects needed a strong lord to protect them. Not to mention more land to share amongst them. It was a win-win situation for the both of them. So why did Sesshomaru seem so uninterested?

She pointedly glared at the stone floor as she moved, trying to find possible traits that she presented that could appear unappealing to a dog demon. It wasn't like she was around many, given that the majority of her inheritance was above ground. In truth, the only dog demons that she knew who could fly were Sesshomaru and his mother, Inukimi.

"Korial, what a pleasure it is to see you again," a familiar voice purred as she glanced up just in time to catch herself from running into one of Sesshomaru's guards. She let out a faint hiss of surprise before she put a good distance between them.

"Good day," she greeted, still slightly shaken, "where is Sesshomaru-sama? I have yet to see him all morning," she added urgently.

"We just finished training. It is a fancy of his to keep all of his guards on their toes, and to test their skills on the battlefield at a moment's notice," he replied, his small smirk somewhat familiar. Her auburn eyes narrowed slightly as she tried to recognize him. If she was to become the future lady of the west, she needed to know the names of the guards who were to protect her and her lands.

"Korial? Are you quite alright?" the guard asked suddenly, and by his bemused expression she could only assume that he had asked her that a few times. Her cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment before she cleared her throat.

"I'm fine, I was merely trying to place your name. It seems that I have forgotten it," she admitted with a deeper blush, "I give you my word that I will do no such offense again," she added with a firm nod. A smile pulled at his lips before he began to reach towards her.

"Perhaps I should jog your memory," he murmured before his hand cupped hers and he slowly brought it to his lips, where he placed a soft kiss atop her knuckles. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight, vividly remembering the flirtatious guard who had temporarily stopped her and Inukimi from meeting Sesshomaru. And yet, while she could place where she had seen him, his name still escaped her memory.

"I still can't remember you name," she stated bluntly, and noted the slight look of disappointment on the guards face.

"It's Norio," he replied as he gently released her hand, and she quickly pulled it back towards her side.

"Alright, Norio. I will not forget it, I promise!" she smiled politely before her hair frizzled slightly when Norio suddenly appeared before her. She was surprised, and slightly impressed, by his speed.

Had she been a weaker demon, she would have not even realized that he had moved at all. His golden eyes held her auburn ones captive as she released a breath when she felt one of his fingers trail along her jaw. His silver hair was messy, a product of his training she suspected. A high ponytail held the longer strands away from his face, but she couldn't deny herself the want to run her fingers through his thick bangs.

Her hand came up as if to push away the strands from his face, but he was too quick for her. His hand caught her own before she could reach him. His grip was firm, but gentle. His calloused hands felt rough to the touch, but it's feel also enthralled her. For it was living proof that it's owner was a powerful and driven individual.

Suddenly, she looked at the guard in a new light. His generic features became distinct, and she couldn't deny the fact that he was an attractive man. His sharp features could even compete against a bird demon's, a feat that was hard to do.

As if reading her thoughts, a confident smirk graced Norio's lips before he took her into his arms. His golden eyes searched her face, her expression, before he lowered his head and kissed her. His lips were gentle, merely testing for her acceptance. She stared at him wide-eyed, torn between the pull she felt within, and the responsibility she had to her lands. Korial felt her eyelids flutter closed, even against her better judgement, and she returned the kiss.

It embodied her, overtaking her senses in such a way that she wondered how no other man's lips had ever felt this good. Norio responded to her excitement, his lips growing stronger, more ravenous as he pulled her body up against his. She let out a slight sigh before she was let go and she stumbled slightly at the sudden need to find balance once again.

"Do you truly intend to remember my name?" he murmured against her skin before he backed up to put distance between them, "you truly would be a great Lady of the West," he added before he gave her a low bow and continued on his way. Korial's eyelids fluttered in surprise as she struggled to compose herself, and noted the fluttering feelings of desire that filled her heart when she lightly pressed her fingers to her lips.

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Rin stood in front of the well, staring down intently at the darkness within it. It was the portal between the future and the past. It seemed odd to Rin, that such an object could hold so much power. It made her think of all the generic things she had ever seen before, and if there was more to them that her untrained eyes might have missed.

Her thoughts quickly turned to the miko as she wondered what was taking her so long. Kagome and Inuyasha had gone to say their goodbyes to the family and pack whatever supplies they needed for the journey back. But that had been almost a half hour ago. She let out a light sigh at having to wait, but felt goosebumps travel up her arm when she felt a breeze from the well caress her arms.

She stood next to well with her hands gently resting atop its wooden rims. She was happy to go back, especially after getting the news of the daughter she and Sesshomaru would eventually have. But, there was still a part of her that wanted to stay.

From the brief moments she had spent with her future daughter, she could already tell that she loved her. Perhaps she could remain here, and live in this time.

The Sesshomaru in this time would surely love her too, given that he had fallen for her in the past. Her appearance could resurface those feelings, and she'd be far happier in the time where he'd actually return her feelings.

"Mama," Kimi's voice whispered suddenly. Rin's head shot up at the sound and she spotted the hanyou standing on one of the wooden beams above her. Her silver hair was still in the side ponytail that rested against her right shoulder as she surveyed Rin with familiar cinnamon eyes.

"Kimi," Rin breathed as the hanyou jumped down to land gracefully on the ground next to her.

"I had to see you, one last time before you left," Kimi stated urgently, "It's been so long that I...I almost forgot what you looked like," she admitted guiltily before a small smile graced her beautiful face.

"But I know, now, that things will be different," she added, "because you'll fight harder for him, and I know you'll win," she grinned.

"What if I stayed here?" Rin offered urgently as she took Kimi's hands in her own, "then you wouldn't need to say goodbye and I'll be able to be with Sesshomaru, too," she added happily. Kimi's smile faltered slightly before it bent into a frown.

"No, you mustn't," Kimi murmured, "the past has to happen. If it doesn't...I may not exist, and Sesshomaru may not even recognize you if you remain here. Memories may have already been altered with the time that you spent here,"

"That's impossible," Rin mumbled as she lowered her eyes, "he sent me away from his castle, and refused to even say goodbye to me when I left,"

"But that's perfect!" Kimi giggled, "Daddy always talks about that time whenever I ask about your relationship. He says it was the time that he realized his mistake of leaving you. It only means that you'll be together soon!" she assured her happily.

Rin's heart nearly leapt out of her throat at the possibility, and she couldn't hide the smile that tugged at the edges of her lips. She nodded towards Kimi before the girls let go of their hands and put a little space between them.

"Even though I only got to see you for a little bit, I'm glad I did," Kimi murmured happily before she turned and made her way out of the shrine. Rin reached out a hand as if to call out to her, but let it fall to her side and pressed her lips together instead. While she wanted to remain here with Kimi, she also knew that she'd get the chance to be with her in her own time as well. She only needed to be patient.

She watched as Kimi's form slowly camouflaged with the darkening sky outside of the shrine until she disappeared altogether. A moment hadn't even passed by before Kagome peeked her head into the shrine.

"Rin-chan! Are you ready to head back?" Kagome asked happily. Rin hesitated for a moment before she smiled and nodded her head confidently. The miko smiled before she came into the shrine holding a large bag of some type.

"Here's the kimono you were wearing earlier," Kagome stated as she passed the bag to Rin, "my mom cleaned all of our clothes while we were out. Don't worry about the wash either, my mom hand washed it to make sure nothing would shrink," Kagome added with a knowing wink.

"That's so wonderful!" Rin cheered, but felt her heart fall slightly. She couldn't believe that she almost forgot the cherished garments she had received from her Sesshomaru-sama. How could she be so foolish?

"C'mon, let's get going," Inuyasha mumbled as he cracked his shoulders before glancing at Rin in slight surprise that swiftly turned to agitation.

"Hey! What's with the face? You got something to say? Spit it out!" he growled angrily. Rin let out a light gasp before she quickly shook her head.

"No, it's nothing, Inuyasha-sama!" Rin reassured him hurriedly, "it's just – you look a lot like Sesshomaru-sama in the moonlight," she added bashfully as her cheeks heated at the notion. She had truly been taken aback at the likeness.

For the longest time she had always thought the brothers looked nothing alike, and never would. But, when Inuyasha became focused, Rin couldn't deny how his silver hair and golden eyes became just like her Sesshomaru-sama's. Especially when they were highlighted by the moonlight.

"Does he really?" Kagome asked curiously as she angled her head to gaze at her mate. Inuyasha blew out his chest before his face scrunched together in anger.

"I look nothing like that uptight, self-centered, hypocritical, bas –"

"Ok, darling. We get what you're trying to say," Kagome sighed as she patted his arm affectionately. He sent her a hot glare and opened his mouth again as if to continue on his rant, but quickly shut it with a huff when Kagome pressed a swift kiss on his cheek.

"Alright, let's get out of here," Kagome smiled before linking her arm through Inuyasha's before she reached for Rin's.

"OK, Rin-chan, we're going to do this like last time," Kagome stated confidently, "you stay in between us when we jump, and we'll make sure to hold you when we land on the other side of the well so you won't fall,"

"OK," Rin grinned as the three positioned themselves atop the sides of the well. Inuyasha wound an arm around her waist, and Kagome wound hers around Rin's waist. Rin visibly gulped before her knees began to quake at the idea of jumping into the black abyss beneath them.

"Alright. On the count of three. One, two, three!" Kagome instructed happily. They each pressed off of the well and fell feet first into the well as darkness surrounded them on all sides. Rin was frightened for a moment, but when she felt the embrace of her friends the fluttering in her chest stopped.

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