Scenes Revisited

"I still can't get tired of that night sky," Kagome said with a smile on her face as took in the blanket of stars above her in the feudal era.

"Yeah?" InuYasha looked up as well holding Kagome in his lap, "I remember you telling me it doesn't look that clear in your time. Is it cause of those bad smells?"

"Pollution?" Kagome asked leaning her head back as though trying to steal a kiss from him, "probably. Mostly it's because there is too many lights on everywhere in the city. I missed the starlight."

The moment Kagome tried to rest her lips near InuYasha's he moved his head slightly to the side so she'd miss. He was deflecting her as he often had the last few nights. They were together under the stars, but he once again found a way to sour in the mood with the slightest of actions.

"No mushy stuff right now okay?" his ears twitched, "let's just relax."

Kagome showed obvious disappointment on her face, "You always say that. InuYasha it's okay you know? We're married now. It's like we need to hide anything from anyone or I'm going to call you a pervert or anything. Unless you're the one that's tired of me already."

"Don't be an idiot," he growled lowly, "just cause I married you doesn't mean we're going to do all that human stuff."

"What do you mean human stuff?" her voice became stern, "living in a house as a husband and wife? What's wrong with that?"

"We don't need a house. We're fine like this, aren't we? After all this time you knew what you were getting into Kagome. I might be your husband, but we're not doing the hut, kids, and constant lovey dovey stuff alright?"

Kagome stiffened. He was making it sound like that was some kind of agreement she knew about when marrying him when this was the first she was hearing about it.

"What do you mean? We can do those things. There is no reason we can't. Those things aren't all a marriage is about, but I for one wouldn't mind an actual home if I'm going to live out the rest of my days here. The villagers already offered to build us one since I'm pretty much a full fledged miko and you protect the village all the time."

"Just cause you are getting good with herbs doesn't make you a miko Kagome. You should have thought things through before you started with that whole thing."

"What whole thing? Okay so I'm not a real miko, but what else was I going to do? Be a farmer?"

"You don't have to be anything Kagome. As long as we got each other what does it matter?"

"So you are happy with just us being together? Because the way you're talking it seems like you regret marrying me."

"I don't, and yeah I'm happy just being with you. I just don't know why you need to make things more complicated than they need to be, or why you're so interested in what role you're going to play for the village. Things here don't need to be like they are in your world. You have me so it's not like you need to take up work to provide for yourself or anything."

"It's not about providing for myself. I do it because it helps people and gives me purpose. How is that me making things complicated? Tell me what is going through that thick skull of yours InuYasha, because you're kind of being a jerk right now. I don't know what you want."

She expected InuYasha to growl at her, but instead he just let out a sigh.

"Don't get all dramatic and look into it too much, but I've been thinking about Kikyo a lot lately."

Kagome could no longer bring herself to be jealous over someone who was now truly dead and wouldn't allow herself to be bitter that the departed miko still had hold over InuYasha's heart, but she still felt her heart ache when her new husband mentioned his mind was elsewhere when it should have been on their happiness.

"What is there to think?" Kagome asked quietly, "you shouldn't regret anything InuYasha. You got to say goodbye to her, that's more than what most people who've been tortured by Naraku's evil get. Kikyo could have died all those years ago without knowing you didn't betray her, but in the end you saw her leave this world in peace. She left knowing you loved her and that you came for her. She wouldn't want you worrying about her anymore."

"I know alright? That's not the death I've been losing sleep over. Her dying more than fifty years ago is what's bothering me. The way she died and what it meant. If she didn't die I wouldn't have you, but I still hate what happened to her. Her death was so meaningless you know? All she wanted was to become a normal woman. She died for a wish that she could have fulfilled herself if only she didn't take on so many roles and responsibilities. I don't want to lose you like I did her. It's fine if you want to gather herbs and help heal people with what you learned. I get it, but don't do more than you need to okay?"

"So you're worried about me? Worried that I'm going to get hurt or wish I'd made other choices?"

InuYasha gave a nod putting his head on her shoulder, "When I married you I knew what I was getting into. You're human, so you're going to leave me one day and I can't do anything to stop that, but I don't want that to be for a very long time. Naraku is dead and the jewel is gone. You don't have to fight anymore Kagome. Just let me protect you and we'll be happy together. No unnecessary risks, okay?"

Kagome gave another heavy sigh, "No unnecessary risks? Having a family and protecting it isn't-

"You know why we can't," InuYasha growled knowing what she was going to say, "do you think I like things being this way? Telling you to not kiss me when that's all I want? Making you frown and sad just cause I'm scared you're going to work me up? Do you think I like doing this shit to you? I don't."

"InuYasha just don't be scared okay? We'll get through it. We always get through things like this and-

"Stop. It's not up for debate Kagome. We're lucky to even be here now as we are. That's good enough for me. It's better than how I felt on our wedding night. The way I almost lost control. You can sit there and lie about how you didn't see my eyes turn red until you're blue in the face, but I saw how scared you looked. I could have hurt you. If I'm going to lose control like that it's not going to be when you're vulnerable and expecting better of me. I'm suppose to be protecting you not hurting you."

"You can't protect me from everything InuYasha, and I don't believe you'll hurt me. You can't. Whatever you're feeling guilty about just stop. I'm here with you alive and alright, so whatever comes next I can face just knowing you love me."

"That's right you are here and alive, and that's how I want you to stay. I'm not going to lose you. Not for anything even if we have to make a sacrifice or two, alright?"

"Well I don't want to make any sacrifices! Not anymore. We deserve to be happy, and I know what I want, and that's to move forward with you, not standing still. Like you said Kikyo's death was meaningless, because she could have had what she wanted all along. It was there for the taking but she sacrificed her own happiness for others. I'm going to die one day no matter what. Don't let me regret anything. I gave up my family and world for you, so don't let me-

"You shouldn't have," InuYasha said coldly, "and why do you have to say it that way? I wasn't worth it. You did sacrifice your happiness for another, and I already have to live with that guilt so don't make it so I have to fear losing you. Please Kagome."

"InuYasha," Kagome sounded as though she were trying to hold back tears, "don't say you weren't worth it. You were. I guess we just need more time."

"Time?" InuYasha's voice became deeper, "if only there were a way to stop it. Then we could truly be happy. Time already froze for you though didn't it? When you were there waiting for me. You'll always be waiting for me. You should have stayed there. It's where you belonged."

"You mean my world right? Please tell me that's what you're talking about."

Kagome began to physically tremble as InuYasha began to chuckle. The voice she was hearing was no longer the voice of her husband's. At first she thought it was Naraku's, but when he spoke she recognized the dark uncaring voice of Magatsuhi, the darkness of the Shikon Jewel.

"No not your world," the voice laughed in her ear as he began to disappear, "I mean the darkness where you belong."

The warmth of InuYasha's body faded away as though it never existed before Kagome was face to face with the Shikon Jewel floating before her pierced with her arrow from the final battle. She was all alone with no InuYasha at her side as she was left alone trembling in fear of the darkness.

"No," Kagome cried grasping her head, "give InuYasha back! This isn't real. I destroyed you!"

"What does it matter?" the jewel asked her, "whether you are with him in reality or not it is nothing more than an illusion. You are alone no matter the outcome. Stuck in an unchanging cycle forbidden to chase your desires. InuYasha will not come for you."

"No," she repeated as tears fell from her eyes as the darkness felt as though it'd swallow her whole.

The whole time Kagome slept she was closely monitored by Sesshoumaru. Despite now having the dictionary she'd gifted him, which he had yet to completely read through, he found himself spending a lot of his nocturnal hours watching the woman sleep. The last two nights she seemed to find peaceful slumber despite everything that plagued her, but it seemed this morning she was experiencing some sort of nightmare. Her face told him that she was frightened, and he did not enjoy seeing the girl in such a state.

"Kagome," he said her name coldly expecting her to wake, "it is morning."

She didn't wake, but instead just audibly said a name. The name of his brother. She unconsciously turned away from him masking her frightful expressions from the demon Lord.

"Woman," Sesshoumaru snarled loudly, "wake up!"

Kagome's eyes began to open slowly as she heard someone calling for her to wake up. The first thing she saw when she was still half asleep was Sesshoumaru's silver hair.

"InuYasha you did come- oh Sessshoumaru. You're still here."

"Do you wish me elsewhere?" he asked her in almost a threatening manner knowing full well she feared him among the rest of the humans outside of the shrine.

Kagome turned away from him again taking a moment to wake up. She knew she probably had a dumb smile on her face when she mistook Sesshoumaru for her husband and that most likely made her look a lot worse when she was proven wrong. That dream she had was more than just a nightmare. The Shikon Jewel part was all that had been fiction, because before she was sent to that dark place she'd experienced a memory, a night she and InuYasha shared together a couple of days after they became married. That bittersweet night where InuYasha revealed just how important she was to him and the sacrifices she'd be forced to make to live up to his ideals of how their marriage would be work.

"No," Kagome shook her head answering Sesshoumaru's question, "I'm still sleepy. Sorry."

"Is your health in good standing?" Sesshoumaru tried to sound as uncaring as possible, "your sleep routine seemed disturbed."

"What would you know about my sleep routine?" she asked with a deep yawn still having difficulty keeping her eyes opened.

"I've been watching you these last three nights," he stated matter-of-factly, "this night and the night you fell asleep by the well you seemed to be in a similar state of a fear."

That statement brought her further into the waking world as she shook her head. Sesshoumaru was watching her sleep? Why? Since when did he care about what she did? They'd officially been back in her world now for five days and the last two nights their evenings in the shed had been spent in complete silence.

"Why are you watching me sleep?" she asked him quietly turning her head back to him, "don't you have anything better to do? I know you don't need to sleep as much as a human does, but that doesn't give you the right to be a creep. First there was you touching me in the bathroom and now this."

Sesshoumaru let out a growl to let the woman know he didn't care for her tone. Two whole days had passed since the bathroom incident and she was still going on about how he'd touched her inappropriately. It wasn't as though he expected gratitude from the wench for preventing her from falling and injuring herself, but he felt entitled to more than having his weakness thrown back at him.

"Your body does not concern me," Sesshoumaru asserted once again, "except in matters concerning my unborn pup. Your nightmares or whatever it is that you're experiencing could have negative consequences."

Kagome didn't want to linger on her dreams any longer than she had to. Two out of five nights of their stay she'd had nightmares about being inside of the Shikon Jewel, and it was becoming unsettling.

"It is morning," Sesshoumaru made sure to inform her as he stood up.

"So you've told me," Kagome yawned again closing her eyes, "five more minutes okay? It's not like we have anywhere important to be or anything."

Sesshoumaru furrowed his brow as he remained standing looking down at her. He found Kagome's unwillingness to get out of bed an odd event. The last few days she rose with the sun and had some sort of goal in mind, but this day her scent carried a bit of fatigue. Her exhaustion must've had something to do with the curse inflicted upon her, because it wasn't as though she'd done any physically demanding tasks the evening before. Mostly it had been her explaining the method of printing to him so he could better understand the perfect handwriting in his dictionary and on labels. Now that he knew the mystery behind the print he'd finally rid himself of the Coke cans he'd been holding on to, but still kept a hold of the flashlight and anything else she'd presented him with.

It wasn't as though he couldn't get anymore cans, after all Kagome's mother had provided him with a whole case of Diet Coke that he had chilling in the so-called mini fridge. When he opened the device and took in the small waft of cool air he admired the six cans he had gently raking a finger across one to insure it had become chilly. However, he recalled what Kagome told him about drinking soda first thing in the morning, so he left the cans alone and instead removed two bottles of water.

The water of the future didn't delightfully burn his tongue as the diet soda did, but he was still as equally impressed with it. Not only did it seem to require no boiling or filtering to insure purity, but it came in its very own container made from what Kagome called plastic. He'd watched many times as she simply threw the bottles away when she finished drinking without any consideration of reusing them. The conclusion he'd drawn was that more innovation meant more waste. However, the drinking habits of humans shouldn't have been a concern to him for he was never the kind to carry around a drinking container as he opted to simply drink his fill from the source. The faucet of the bathroom sink or the toilet seemed like the optimal choice, but Kagome had told him it was rude and unneeded.

"Drink," Sesshoumaru ordered tossing the cold bottle of water at her frame.

"Why!?" Kagome groaned as she'd almost fallen asleep before a bottle rained down upon her landing right next to her face, "I'm not thirsty."

"The last two days you drank a cold bottle of water upon waking up in the morning," was all Sesshoumaru said unscrewing the top of his bottle.

Kagome sat up and stared at her bottle. Was Sesshoumaru picking up on routines and trying to keep them going? What for? Was it so he could force her to wake up when he was feeling bored, or was it for his learning process? Whatever it was it seemed she wasn't going to be allowed to get back to sleep. Maybe it was for the best. She didn't want her fatigue to cause her to have anymore of those scary dreams.

"Fine I'm up," she gave a tone of dissatisfaction to let him know he was being a bother.

"Why do I give Sesshoumaru so much leighway?" she asked herself, "I'm trying to help him and all I get in return is more of him barking orders at me. The time for being nice should have ended when he touched me like that. Who am I kidding? I know why I'm doing what I'm doing. He is taking me on a ride and I'm taking it no matter the risks because at least someone is wanting to take a risk and learn something new. Unlike InuYasha, who was happy enough with everything just staying the same. InuYasha that might have been what you wanted, but I wasn't happy. Couldn't you see that? I know you were scared, but you can't just bring me into a life of an adventure and risk only to end it for guilt or regret or whatever your problem was. You wouldn't have hurt me InuYasha. I wish I could see you again so I can prove you wrong."

"Drink," he ordered her again, "you'll never be able to greet the waking world if you remain there lost in a stupor. You said you had plans for my training today."

"Yeah yeah," she dismissed unscrewing the top of her bottle and taking a sip trying to recall what her plans were, "oh that's right. Today is integration day for you. We really are going to start establishing more routines for you. It will help you get use to this place."

"Integration day?" he rose an eyebrow as he finished his water.

"Mom is going to make dinner tonight and you're coming," Kagome gave the orders for once, "I don't believe you're that full that you honestly can't stomach a bowl of soup or whatever she's making. She's done a lot for us and we both need to show our gratitude by eating her food. You should at least know that's the polite thing to do."

"I see," Sesshoumaru responded quietly knowing he could only hide from socializing with their hosts for so long, "we cannot go to dinner now. Not with you having such an appearance."

"Of course not," Kagome could feel a draft against her skin, "it's not dinner time yet. You at least know when humans have dinner right? Besides I'm not worried about my appearance it's you who-

Kagome then figured out what he meant when she noticed how chilly she felt. She'd washed the sweats and tank top her mother had leaned her so she could use them as pajamas, and that might have been a mistake. When she was twisting and turning her in sleep she'd somehow maneuvered her body half way out of the tank top and was talking to him with her left breast completely poking out of the side exposed to the world. It was the same breast he'd already violated.

Kagome's embarrassment only grew when she saw Sesshoumaru was still staring directly at her despite her finally acknowledging the awkward position. She muttered a few obscenities at him while fixing her top not understanding why he had to leer like the cold stoic pervert he was.

"Considering our situation I will allow myself to take in her body," Sesshoumaru thought to himself as he didn't let his eyes leave her, "and what a sight it seems to be. When was the last time I allowed myself to be taken in by the view of a female body? I cannot even recall, but I will not deny this one has grabbed my attention. My brother's miko truly has matured with time though those breasts didn't need much more help in those regards. It is still hard to believe that they will be used to feed my future child, the one I will be having with her. If it had to be a human at least it is this one. The one whose attentions I want with me, as well as that body."

"Stop staring!" Kagome barked at him still red in the face, "remember what I told you about privacy? It's important to me okay? I know you know how to be polite, so even if you don't want to you should use me for practice. I want you to behave around my family, but I can't stand it when are only to turn around and use me as some sort of punching bag."

"I have never struck you in this world," Sesshoumaru told her coldly, "let alone punch you."

"I don't like the term practice when it when it comes to how you will be used Kagome," Sesshoumaru escaped into his inner thoughts again, "practice implies something temporary. That is not what I wish for us."

"It's a figure of speech," she told him, "emotional punching bag is what I mean. Every time we're alone you are a jerk. Like what has been with the last couple of nights? You won't even say a word to me. Do you really hate working with me that much? You're the one that has been a bother not me."

Sesshoumaru had been cold to her the last couple nights, but there had been a reason for it. He'd been trying to ignore her presence on purpose, because despite being a few inches under the ground the Sounga was still trying to get in his head and communicate with him. If Kagome was on his mind for too long the sword would try to use her against him, but it seemed from how last night went his efforts were in vain.

"What do you even need to know about this new world?" Sounga had asked him when Kagome was asleep and Sesshoumaru was in a moment of relaxation, "the inhabitants are weak and there is nothing that can hurt a demon such as you. Slay the girl to show the others you are a creature without mercy."

Sesshoumaru gave a growl in response as his eyes traveled to the dictionary that lay on the ground beside him. He picked the book up and merely held it in his claws.

"She assists me and will become the mother of my child," Sesshoumaru responded staring at the book, "no harm will come to her. Not from me, and not from you."

"Will the son follow into his father's doomed footsteps then? You know why he died. You know why your opportunity to best him was taken away from you. It might have been injury caused by Ryukotsusei that did him in, but he could have survived it if not for that human woman. His need for her lead him into an early grave. Knowing this you will pursue a human woman just the same while ignoring absolute power that is begging you for your grasp?"

"I will not be fooled by your words. This is different and you know that. What did that human woman offer my father other than trouble?"

"It is no different. That girl clouds your mind just the same and will give you nothing but a bastard half-breed child."

"That is not true," Sesshoumaru responded still holding on to the dictionary tightly, "despite the cruel warning I gave her in regards to our relationship she assists me of her own free will. The girl has much to give me. I will not let go of her so easily."

"You will eventually. It is time for you to return to your path of supreme conquest. Once you take in the smell of blood and promise of victory the girl will no longer mean anything to you."

"She is not a girl," was the last Sesshoumaru wished to say on the matter, "she will become a woman now. A girl is what InuYasha had and I no longer want what he's had. She as a woman still has my respect whether she wants it or not, and will continue to become worthy of me. It is the path she walks now. Her story did not end when she destroyed that jewel years ago. She can still drive the darkness into a state of fear. You fear her don't you Sounga? Why is it her blood you want me to shed so badly? If I am to walk the path of conquest shouldn't I be allowed to take things of this world for myself? She is of this world, but yet you wish to see her dead above anyone else. I am not a fool."

That had been enough to silence the sword that night.

Sesshoumaru seemingly was dismissing all of Kagome's complaints and statements about him being cruel to her and possibly not liking her as he went to go flip the light switch off and on a couple times insuring it was still working.

"What were your plans to prepare me for such an important dinner?" he asked her ready to get on with the day.

"Stop picking and choosing when to listen to me!" Kagome asserted sounding quite annoyed, "you're making it harder to help you."

Sesshoumaru seemed to no longer be in a position to reprimand her for shouting at him. If he was to consider these exercises in her world as a form of training than he'd fall in line and do as she said for the moment. Her training would come later at his pleasure.

Kagome was surprised when he slowly just turned his head back towards her with his golden gaze giving a passive look. Sesshoumaru was always tricking her it seemed. He was capable of going back and forth when it came to being an elite demon Lord that got under her skin and a calm newcomer to her world who had limitless curiosity absorbing all her words. It seemed he was choosing to be calm now. Kagome took advantage of the current silence and looked into his eyes as though she was searching for something.

"Kagome," his voice almost sounded gentle to her ears, "why does you shouting at me always end with you staring at me? Is this a 'modern' human custom?"

"No-no," Kagome quickly shook her head, "just trying to figure out what you're up to. Are you going to behave or not?"

"What I am up to?" he asked, "my plan is to do as you wish if your intention is to teach me more. That is our arrangement, is it not?"

"Something about the way you're acting," she mumbled.

"Is Sesshoumaru trying to trick me?" Kagome had to ask herself, "he hasn't exactly been cooperating with me fully like he would have me think, but is Sesshoumaru the kind of guy that would manipulate me? No. Manipulation just doesn't seem to be a strong suit of his or InuYasha's. Kagome you're just looking too much into it. He just goes from acting one way to the other because he doesn't care about you or your feelings at all. Might as well just give him what he wants if you want to see him at least attempt to behave."

"Never mind," she was trying to shake the feeling she got from looking into his eyes, "you might not like it but the topic of today is grooming. We're going to make another visit to the bathroom today."

"I will honor your wish and not stare at you," Sesshoumaru recalled what happened last time they visited the bathroom together, "but I will not leave you alone for too long. You might fall again."

"It's not about me," she made sure to tell him, "it's all about you today. You're getting a bath or a shower, whichever one you want. Being stuck in a new place doesn't have to be all bad. You're living in a modern world with modern conveniences and not trapped in the woods, so you need to act like it. I'm going to show you that most humans bathe, or should be at least attempting to be bathing daily. Good hygiene and all that is our lesson of the day."

"I have not been in any battles nor have I traversed through dirt," Sesshoumaru made sure to tell her, "I am not dirty. Have I developed a scent even a human such as yourself can detect?"

"Well you're not exactly smelly," Kagome made sure to tell him, "it's kind of odd really because you should be, but that's beside the point. You smell like trees and firewood, and it's kind of making me homesick to be honest."

"So you do find my scent offensive? You are demanding me, your better, to bathe to make you feel more comfortable?"

"I already said it's not about me, we just need to try-

"I shall try to learn the practice of modern day grooming then," Sesshoumaru made sure to stop her before she said something to further incriminate herself, "if I recall there is another one of those self imposed rules you informed me of. I cannot bathe myself under the rain you humans create if I am clothed."

"We call it showering," Kagome made sure to correct him, "and yeah you have to ditch your clothes for a bit. Don't worry though. Your body doesn't concern me Lord Sesshoumaru."

The woman was mocking him. Sesshoumaru would let it slide for now just to save themselves another argument so they could get the move on with the rest of their day. He needed to take advantage of all Kagome's planned lessons and learn as much as he could before their future child became a distraction.

Kagome was surprised Sesshoumaru didn't say anything mean to put her back in her place. She was wondering about all their small little fights and how many of them she'd been personally responsible for starting with just her attitude. Was she actually disappointed Sesshoumaru had no response to her obvious disrespect? Kagome just didn't know what was going on with her feelings towards the demon Lord.

Quietly they returned to her house and made their way to the bathroom without Sesshoumaru checking on the refrigerator now that he had his own stash of soda in the shed. Kagome left him alone in that room for only a moment before coming back with a bag.

"Alright I know your kimono doesn't rip or get stained but it can still use a good washing," Kagome put on a domineering tone, "so you got two choices. Either hang out in here naked until they are done being washed, which will take a couple of hours, or put on some different clothing. I have some right here for you. If we can keep you decent I'll show how you how easy laundry has become in my world."

Sesshoumaru didn't know if he was ready to make that choice yet as he quite liked being clothed in what he was use to, "The chores of human women do not interest me."

"Being able to dry something that is wet in under an hour with no help from the sun doesn't sound interesting to you?"

Sesshoumaru thought about it. Whatever magic she was speaking of did sound quite interesting.

"Very well," he admitted defeat, "I will wear something else while you demonstrate your cleaning techniques on my clothing. I would prefer you not to destroy them."

"If they can survive all the fights you've been in I think they can handle the family washing machine. Alright with that settled I also got you your own toothbrush, body wash, and shampoo. They belong to you and only you, so hopefully you will use them."

"Hm," was his response as he picked the toothbrush off the top of pile of offerings she brought for him, "what is this?"

"We can start with that," Kagome became quite forward as she grabbed Sesshoumaru by the wrist and brought him to the sink, "you remember how to use this right?"

Sesshoumaru didn't seem to mind her touch as he gave a nod. He showed her he remembered how to use the sink as he turned the knob for cold water, which created a source of water on demand. He hoped her family didn't have to pay extra to what he'd been calling the chieftains of utilities because of him.

Kagome smiled as she reached into a cup that had other toothbrushes and pulled out a pink one.

"This one's mine and this cup is where we will keep yours," Kagome told him, "you can tell it's yours because it's a wooden bamboo one. I guess my mom thought it would be fitting for you, and everyone else's is a different color and is plastic. Now watch me. This thing over here on the sink is called toothpaste. We just unscrew the cap like you do on the water bottles and squeeze it just a little bit on to your toothbrush."

Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome pumped some sort of bluish and greenish material on to the hairs of her toothbrush. He reached out for the toothpaste wanting to do the same to his so he could figure out what she was using. It smelled of mint.

"You want to try?" she asked handing it over to him.

Sesshoumaru gave a nod as he tried to mimic her actions and squeeze the bottle, but wound up spurting the mint smelling substance all over his brush and on to his arm as well as the sleeve of his kimono above it.

"Good thing we're cleaning it," she shook her head, "you don't need to be that rough with things. A gentle squeeze will do it."

"Last time I tried to squeeze something of yours gently I got scolded," Sesshoumaru recalled to himself as he tried to focus on the substance on his arm.

"It stings very lightly," Sesshoumaru informed her, "is this made of miasma? It does not smell like it."

"That's probably just the mint flavoring," she assured him, "we won't be eating it anyway. At least you managed to get some on your brush. Okay what we do next is get our brushes a little bit wet under the sink like this. Now when it's nice and ready you pull it to your teeth and make little circle motions around your teeth and gums."

Kagome couldn't instruct him any further with her words and instead did a demonstration as she was using the toothpaste and brush to massage her teeth. She cleaned all of them from top to bottom, and that was when Sesshoumaru figured out this must've been how humans kept their mouths clean in the modern era and why Kagome's teeth had been so white when he first met her and considered her an out of place oddity. The girl even went as far as to brush her tongue before spitting out the paste, which had become foam by the time it found the sink. She reached for an empty cup on the counter and filled it with water, taking it into her mouth before swishing the water about and spitting again.

"There my mouth is all clean and minty fresh," she tried to tell him, "now you try."

She wasn't completely clean. There was a bit of the foaming liquid peeking out of the corner of her mouth and making a trail to her chin. Before attempting the feat himself Sesshoumaru used one of his fingers to wipe it off of Kagome's face. He wasn't surprised when he recoiled.

Kagome's eyes widened as she had no idea why Sesshoumaru was touching her, or why she was feeling the way she was feeling when his finger glided across the skin of her chin and to her lips. Why was he able to generate such warmth underneath her skin? She stood there frozen and not understanding until she saw visible traces of toothpaste under his finger.

"You-you didn't need to do that," she squeaked, "today's lesson is hygiene remember? Don't go touching things from other people's mouths Sesshoumaru."

"You were trying to keep your mouth clean yet failed," Sesshoumaru told her matter-of-factly, "I was trying to assist you. Will you always flinch and go quiet at my touch Kagome?"

"I- I just hope you aren't planning to touch me too much any more in the future is all. It's inappropriate remember?"

"It is inappropriate to extend my generosity to you?"

"I never asked for your assistance Sesshoumaru," was all she said to end the awkward conversation.

Extend his generosity? Though he'd probably never brushed his teeth before he had to know that it was a bit intimate, so why was he concerning himself with it? Sesshoumaru was acting weird between that and his groping of her the other day. What happened to the proud demon Lord that enjoyed reminding humans he was above them? Why was he being so forward with a girl like her?

"Your mouth is clean now," was all he said in response as he finally took his eyes off of her and returned them to his toothbrush that he got damp under the faucet of water, "so I use it in circles around my fangs?"

"Yes," Kagome was still blushing, "do it like I did. Just don't swallow it okay? You gotta spit it back out into the sink."

Sesshoumaru revealed his fangs to her as he held the brush over them and tried to do the same. He didn't very much care for the taste of the toothpaste but continued to create circles over the white surfaces of his fangs and under them. The further he got the more he realized that he was indeed cleaning his mouth. Somehow it was feeling clean despite him not believing his mouth had been dirty in the first place.

Kagome took advantage of Sesshoumaru being unable to talk when she saw he was cleaning his tongue just as she had.

"I am trying to understand you," she sighed, "but I just don't get it. You were trying to get me to accept the position I'm in so I could help you get back to your own time, and now you apparently don't care anymore. You say you want to protect me and you don't want to see me upset, but you only say those things after you've done something to upset me or threatened me. What is it you want from me Sesshoumaru? Are you ever going to give me a clear answer? I didn't think either of us were the deceptive type, but I don't know what's going on anymore."

Sesshoumaru stared at the reflection of Kagome in the mirror as he spat out the foamed up toothpaste. Instead of using a cup he put his mouth directly underneath the faucet to get water before spitting that out as well finding his mouth clean enough.

"Being under my protection doesn't mean you're safe from me," was what he told her coldly, "it is a double edged sword. You do not need to fear anything outside the two of us, but yet you will be wise to distrust me as you have been. Not leaving me to my own devices for too long or being nervous every time you take me out of my comfort zone to learn new things such as these modern day hygiene practices."

Him warning her that he was a threat was of no consequence to him. He didn't particularly enjoy how his touch always seemed to upset her, but he preferred this understanding how of how things were going to be. He would make it clear that no outside forces would be harming her, and since fear was still a form of attention, her fearing him would insure he had the attention he desired. That was what he wanted.

"Idiot," Kagome shook her head looking at the ground, "you are only confusing me more, because you are telling me I should be afraid of you when I can't be. I know you won't hurt me or my family, so why are you saying those things? I don't want to distrust you and I don't want to fight with you. Can't you see that? Why do you need to make things more complicated than they need to be?"

"Did I brush my teeth correctly?" he asked her still staring at her through the mirror.

"There you go again just ignoring me! Why are you doing these things Sesshoumaru? You wanted me to wake up, wanted me to continue with some sort of routine so we could get on with your lessons, so why do you feel the need to side track me? What is your game?"

"Game?" he asked disappointed he wasn't getting praised or scolded for his technique when it came to brushing, "these are lessons are they not? You are teaching me and using your standing with your family to house me, but yet I haven't properly repaid you."

Was Kagome finally going to get the acknowledgement she'd been seeking from Sesshoumaru? She didn't expect anything in return from all. All she wanted was for him to understand that he at least owed her enough not to be a constant jerk to her.

"I don't need anything I just want you to understand that-

"You will give me lessons and I will give you a lessons in return. Iron sharpens iron and I wish to put that saying into practice for a demon such as myself and the human woman I consider close to my equal. Accepting your situation when it comes to being separated from InuYasha and being forced to birth my child isn't the same as enduring it and rising above it. You wish to be strong for your family as well as the ones that have you have left behind and I can help you in these matters. Your life, I assume, was free of complications when Naraku died and you were eventually reunited with my brother. That has made you weak Kagome. When this new life becomes overwhelming and you get tempted to fall into hysterics I will wake you, as you woke me when I came to this world. When you fall into routine and think things are calm and that fate is once again working for you I will complicate matters for the purposes of keeping you on your toes. We are in this together are we not? In this world I doubt I'll ever fall into boredom or security again, so it is only fair for you to experience the same as I. Even if you find my actions bothersome Kagome perhaps you understand that the risk is worth it. If not for the efforts we've made for each other there is a chance that the two of us would still be stuck by the well in this moment with our minds far from reality."

As Kagome took Sesshoumaru's words in all she could hear was InuYasha's voice.

"Naraku is dead and the jewel is gone. You don't have to fight anymore Kagome. Just let me protect you and we'll be happy together. No unnecessary risks, okay?"

Sesshoumaru was offering her a life experience that was the complete opposite of what her husband wanted her to have. InuYasha wanted them to just live in a way where Kagome would never put herself in danger again, even at the risk of her own happiness, and yet Sesshoumaru seemed to believe her being on her toes and put into unknown situations would strengthen her. His words should have upset her, after all he was trying to justify being a jerk to her by saying it him paying a debt he owed her, but there was something intriguing about his little monologue.

"You don't need to upset me to keep me on my toes," Kagome shook her head, "given the situation I don't think I have the luxury of being bored, and even if I could it's just not possible with you around. You shock me when you actually do what I say and follow the rules, and then you turn around and amaze me when you turn something as simple as brushing your teeth into something like this. So is that the truth then? This whole thing was your whole 'iron sharpens iron' game? You don't hate me?"

"Training is far from over," was all Sesshoumaru would say on that subject, "every time I think you've made progress you continue to say something like that."

"Like what?"

"Are you not upset with me? The way I ignore you at night and how I touched you last we were in this room. You are still angry about how forward I was with my touch, but yet you are concerned with my feelings towards you rather than your own. It is perplexing."

"I just don't want to share a roof with a guy that hates me. I need to know what your intentions are Sesshoumaru. You shouldn't be the kind of guy that is hard to read, but like I already told you, you seem to want to go the opposite of the way the wind blows every chance you get lately. Was wanting to stay in my world just another test of yours to keep me on edge?"

"Your family will never be threatened by me," Sesshoumaru promised, "so as for my intentions they are MY intentions, therefore not open for discussion with you."

"You're so frustrating!" Kagome recalled this being about the third time or so she'd said that about him that week.

"You are frustrating me human," Sesshoumaru snapped back at her, "did I cleanse my fangs properly with the toothpaste or did I not? You are suppose to be teaching me."

"It's fine!" Kagome crossed her arms obviously annoyed, "just stop drinking out of the faucet like some kind of an animal. Your mouth might be clean physically, but not clean in spirit obviously with the things you spout off."

Sesshoumaru made sure his toothbrush was completely clean of the paste by rinsing it in the water before finally turning the faucet off.

"It does feel very much clean," he made sure to tell her as he ran his tongue over his fang, "as though grime was removed from the surface. These grooming techniques are not a waste of time. So my brush will go in there?"

"Yeah," she told him, "you should at least brush twice a day. At night you do it when you're done eating and drinking for the evening. I'll show you flossing after dinner."

She would have told him about mouthwash, but since he took a liking to Diet Coke so easily she decided against it. She didn't want Sesshoumaru liking the burning taste of it and going around the house chugging chilled mouthwash.

Sesshoumaru turned to stare at the real her, and not just the reflection as he added his bamboo toothbrush into the cup next to her pink one. There was a finality in what he was doing. He was showing that he had been inserted into her life for better or worse so it was best she just enjoy the ride.

"Part of the family," Kagome sighed understanding the significance of what he'd done.

"Kagome does your family burn herbs on this shrine?" Sesshoumaru asked her.

That was an odd out of nowhere question.

"Not that I know of?" she rose an eyebrow, "unless gramps has come up with some new techniques or traditions I don't know about. Why are you asking?"

"I smell burning herbs," Sesshoumaru made sure to tell her.

"Is it sage or something like that?"

"No I do not recognize it."

Kagome couldn't smell anything. As long as the house or her family shrine wasn't on fire it wasn't any concern to her what someone was burning.

"Probably gramps just up to something then," Kagome told herself, "we're not done here yet. Clothes off Lord Sesshoumaru, because it's shower time."

"Will I get to turn the knob and make the rain this time?" he asked her.

"Yeah if you want. I'll be here instructing you. Don't worry. As I said, your body is of no concern to me."

"And your lack of concern for my body is no concern to me either," he said coldly as he began to untie the obi around his bottoms.

Kagome already had a basket prepared to collect his delicate demon cursed silks as well as the two swords he'd be leaving unguarded.

"Oh yeah," Kagome was reminded of her own curiosities as she stepped forward and placed a hand over Bakusagia's hilt.

Her actions resulted in a snarl and a wide eyed Sesshoumaru staring her down, "Woman!"

If Kagome were outside of her body she would understand how ridiculous they looked at the moment. Sesshoumaru had his pants pulled halfway down and while she grabbing at his sword hilt that was just below his waist. Sesshoumaru didn't seem too happy about what she'd done as he was in disbelief at how off guard he let himself become. His mind was clouded and it allowed the girl a chance to attempt to disarm him.

"What?" Kagome asked releasing her grip from the sword, "I just wanted to test something is all. It's not like I ever get a chance to touch any of your swords."

"What test would a mortal such as yourself want to perform with my blades?" he continued to snarl as he put a hand over both his hilts.

He was unsure about undressing now. Despite Sounga attempting to talk to him every night he had almost forgotten that with his clothing came the two swords that rested at his obi. The Tensagia could fall through the well for all he cared, but did not want to leave the Bakusaiga carelessly sitting around.

"Well it's your very own sword that you made with your body," Kagome told him what he already knew, "so I was wondering if it had an anti-human seal or something on it. You know, doing the opposite of your father since angry human hating demons can't just go picking up the Tetsusagia."

"I am not my father," he said with a stern voice calming down now that he knew she wasn't attempting to attack him, "I will not deal in complicated seals. I am not your InuYasha either. I need no seals for if I cannot defend my own sword I do not deserve to wield it."

"You don't need to remind me you're not him. You two are nothing alike."

Kagome wanted to change the subject quickly, "So could anyone wield the power of the Bakusaiga then? Even me? Is that why you're mad at me for touching it?"

"Why are you asking so many questions of me?"

"It's you repaying your debt. If I am expected to answer all your questions no matter how frustrated you make me I'm allowed to ask all the questions I want."

"I do not know if humans can wield my power or not. I have not tested these matters for I'm not going to put my sword in the hands of someone untrained who would turn it against me. I doubt they could, but I do not have an answer for you."

Kagome nodded taking a few paces back, "You can just lean your sword against the tub then. I'm not going to take it from you."

Sesshoumaru looked unsure for a moment before leaning both of his swords against the tub and continuing to undress. If she'd try to take his sword again he'd be able to stop her as long as he kept his mind clear, however his mind became a slave to fear as he thought about her taking it from him, and how he didn't want to see her going back on her word or betraying him in such a way. He knew he wouldn't be able to forgive her for being so deceptive, and there was something about that notion that made him feel a pang of guilt. She always got angry and upset with him only to move on from it almost as though she were forgiving him, but yet one wrong move and his instincts were forcing him to distrust her. That was no good, so he fought his urges to retreat into himself and continued to undress.

He was beginning to fear the human woman would break her own neck by how hard she was straining it to not look at him or his reflection in the mirror. His need for privacy was way less than hers, so he didn't understand why she was trying so hard to not take in his body.

"The fluffy thing," Kagome said still not looking at him.

"Fluffy thing?" he rose an eyebrow.

"Yeah your boa. Is that allowed to get wet?"

"My Mokomoko," Sesshoumaru corrected her.

"Yeah that's it," Kagome was trying to keep in control of herself and not peek, "see there is still a lot I don't know about you. I still don't exactly know what that thing- the Mokomoko is."

"Get to know it then."

On Kagome's bare shoulders she felt something incredibly soft and fluffy as something white was draped over her. Her eyes widened as she saw one end of the Mokomoko on her side and the other trailing to the ground behind her. She tensed up for a moment fearing it would wrap around her to imprison her, but seemed to be unmoving.

"You can remove it?" she asked him in disbelief.

Sesshoumaru gave a nod heading towards the bathtub being quite cautious so he wouldn't lose his footing like Kagome did a couple of days ago, "It is part of me but it can be detached. Just like it was when it took that form."

"What is it?" Kagome ran her fingers across the fur that almost felt like silk.

"A piece of my tail. A long tail can be a handicap in battle, so when I fully matured and my father deemed it too long he cut it. The Mokomoko is what has become of it. Instead of being a burden it is now an asset."

"Interesting," Kagome said finally looking in the mirror getting a glimpse of Sesshoumaru's ass before he disappeared behind the curtain, "see those are the things that I'm curious about but it's not like I was ever in a position to ask you."

"Why didn't you?" he asked her quietly as he began to fumble with the knobs in the shower trying to remember how to make it rain.

He knew he had no right to ask that question. He was the one that held out on asking her about the well's functions before it swallowed them both up whole. Had he known the answer he might have never been in that position to begin with, not that he was really regretting much about their situation.

"When could I have?" she asked innocently enough, "you weren't this talkative before. Like I said you keep surprising me Sesshoumaru."

"You did say you just like to talk with me," he told himself, "very well. I will answer those sorts of questions if it pleases you if you'll answer my questions. I will not ask them in an upsetting way."

"We've had this conversation already," Kagome reminded herself, "every time we make some kind of a happy ending something always happens to soil it, something Sesshoumaru related. Can't we just keep things like this Sesshoumaru? Can't we just be friends?"

"As I've already told you woman," Sesshoumaru finally had hot water raining down upon him, "I have taken it as my responsibility to not let your days fall into the mundane. We both seek a balance, however, where I do not upset you or stress you out so we shall find that middle ground as we continue to live together."

"You're the one being positive for once," Kagome dared to rub her cheek against the masterless Mokomoko, "fine. Third time's the charm right?"

Not only had they already had the same conversation, but they were in the same place. However, Kagome just had to believe him this time. Sesshoumaru wasn't revealing his true intentions, but when he confessed to her how he was planning to pay her back for her kindness there was something about it that made sense. He wasn't allowed to be bored or idle so she wasn't going to be either. Kagome should have dismissed his notion as stupid, but it was something new and different. Indeed Sesshoumaru was taking her for a ride and she was becoming more than willing to see where it took her.

"Just get your hair soaked," Kagome told him standing on the outskirts of the shower, "and I'll talk you through how to wash it. Not that you really need it. Your hair seems pretty silky and clean on its own, but a little soap can't hurt."

Sesshoumaru would try the hair soap fully trusting her in regards to hygiene. After all brushing his teeth had been an interesting exercise. His mouth just felt so clean, and given the lingering smell of mint he was sure the scent of his breath had been improved. Truly value could be found in her daily lessons and he'd continue to take in all of her words.

While she and Sesshoumaru were separated by the shower curtain Kagome changed out of her sweats and put on a pale yellow sundress she felt comfortable in. She planned to take a bath that night if she could manage to sneak away from Sesshoumaru. She knew he wouldn't care if she saw him naked, but she felt like ruining the veil of his privacy would somehow give him permission to keep doing the same to her.

"Did you get your hair wet?" she asked him taking a few steps closer to the steamy shower.

"Yes," he told her still running his tongue across his clean fangs, "which of those bottles do I use?"

Kagome pulled the shampoo out of his bag and handed it through the curtain, "you only take a little bit of it alright? Just a small circle will do you. You will put it in your hair, massage your scalp with it to make a lather, work it through, and then rinse it out. It's not too difficult."

"Your demonstrations help me more than your instructions. Can you not just do it for me?"

"I'm not going in there with you."

"I cannot do what you are asking of me then. I do not deal in lathers."

Kagome wanted to tell him tough luck, but how many chances was she going to get to touch his hair? She barely even got chances to touch her husband's. She was curious to know if it was as silky as it looked.

"Poke your head out," she ordered him putting a small bit of the soap in her hands.

Sesshoumaru did as ordered and revealed himself in a form she'd never seen him in before, with flat damp white hair clinging to his back. It was like seeing a very fluffy dog after a bath looking much smaller.

"Might need a bit more," she told herself taking in another squirt of shampoo before finally claiming those locks of his as her own and working the shampoo through.

Sesshoumaru was disappointed to see that she had changed clothes. Perhaps if she wasn't wearing something so fresh and clean he might have had a chance at getting her to join him in the shower. He did not see the problem since both of them had stated each other's body were of no interest to them, but it might have been a mutual lie. If he was truly no concern to her why was she still so huffy about him touching her last they were in this room together?

He became distracted in his thoughts when her small hands began to work the substance through his hair. She did it so softly and sensually it caused him to shut his eyes as he recalled never letting another touch him in such a manner. He'd bestow the honor on Kagome, however, and was hoping she could use it to understand that he was favoring her to a degree.

"Even wet I can feel how soft it is," Kagome chuckled seeming to be having the time of her life as she worked the shampoo through creating suds that were easy to lose track of, "I was nervous about today. I thought you would bite my hand off for trying this."

"If anyone else did perhaps I would," he made sure to tell her, "you are given leighway."

"Oh I'm the one being given leighway? I see."

In return for whatever crime he'd committed with his response she rubbed against his scalp harder, her small frame being forced to put all her energy into the action allowing her breasts to heave up allowing him a view of her cleavage.

"Careful woman or I'll retract such a kindness," it was a warning but his tone was gentle.

"Washing your hair is a kindness?" she said in a huff despite enjoying task, "is the water to your liking my Lord? Do you require the finest silk robe in all of the land when we are finished."

"Despite my warning you continue to mock me? Do you not see why I must be so hard on you. You don't seem to take anything seriously."

Kagome tried to change the subject as she finished, "So the Mokomoko was once part of your tail? Your tail in that form is already pretty huge. I can't imagine it with more length."

"Try not to imagine my father's then. He had two Mokomokos."

"I don't think I can. Alright we have you all sudded up. Just gotta put your head back in and keep it under the shower- or rain as you call it. Let it clean all the suds out."

"Hrn," he shifted his glance as he slowly disappeared back behind the shower curtain to take in more of the water beating down on his head cleansing it as all the dirt of his many travels seemed to be leaving him transforming his scent into something new.

"Alright last step is some body wash," Kagome blindly reached her hand behind the curtain trying to find the big sponge so she could soak it in a different kind of soap.

Sesshoumaru saw her hand creeping inwards searching for something and could not help himself as he took a couple steps forward so her hand would collide with his thigh and rub up against his half erect member. Only a slight touch, that was all he was going to inflict on the woman to get what he wanted. She couldn't hate him too much. It was only an accident after all.

"Nyeh," Kagome jerked her hand away not knowing what it had brushed up against while her imagination ran wild, "S-Sesshoumaru hand me that yellow spongy thing."

"Spongy?" he did not understand already missing her touch.

"The yellow thing! The only yellow thing in there!" her blush had returned.

"This?" he asked pushing the sponge past the curtain.

Kagome was quick to retrieve it from his grasp as she soaked it with body wash. Whatever kind of body wash it was called the scent was labeled as forest fresh. It seemed to be perfect for him.

"Rub this all over your body," Kagome told him handing the sponge back, "it will clean you off any more. Just umm don't use it on, you know where, your sensitive bits. That would probably sting if it got into the wrong place."

"You mean the part of me you touched touched on accident?" Sesshoumaru made sure to tell her as he took the so called sponge.

"Just clean yourself and stop talking!" her heart was beating faster in her chest for some reason, "you're doing it again. Letting that mouth of yours get in the way of all of our progress."

"Hrn," he brought the sponge up to his nose so he could smell it, "perhaps I should clean it with the toothpaste again."

With a bit more of passive aggressive instructions from her Sesshoumaru managed to get himself through the showering process. If he'd be required to repeat the process every day he could see himself getting use to it. He wasn't use to having his hair so damp and being without his weapons and Mokomoko, but he felt so clean. It was as though he literally washed away the dirt of his former world and was ready to begin a new, however, his cooperation still had its limits.

"What is this?" Sesshoumaru asked pulling a pair of silk basketball shorts out of the bag of his new belongings, "and this? I told you I do not like these."

It was a white tank top. He already made it clear he did not want to dress in something so ridiculous that would make it so he'd be seen with his arms completely visible to all those that wanted to look. He wondered if she would have dared brought him such an item if he were still missing an arm, and judging by the length of the so called shorts his legs would be exposed as well. Just because her time allowed her to dress like a whore did not mean he wanted to do the same.

"Calm down," Kagome tried to tell him, "don't get all huffy and overwhelmed again Sesshoumaru. It's just temporary. Wear them for a couple of hours until we wash your normal clothes alright."

"Is this because you see me in a state of undress? Do you think I will lower myself to-

"I don't see anything," Kagome was back to straining her neck to not look at him, "just put them on. I won't even tell you about boxers or anything cause it's just for now. Please just do this so we aren't stuck in here all day. I promise you you'll feel a lot more comfortable."

"Boxers?"

"Underwear, you know undergarments? Doesn't matter cause we're going to skip that like I said."

"You told me that thing that holds you chest in place is an undergarment. Will I eventually be required to wear one of those as well?"

"No Sesshoumaru. Just put them on."

So it would please her if he wore the ridiculous attire? He would once again obey, but the whole time he followed her instructions on how to wear them he glared at her backside with ill intent in his eyes hoping she'd understand that she had favor with him, but she shouldn't get too use to ordering him around.

Kagome turned around and barely recognized the man standing behind her with damp white hair clinging to the back of his neck soaking the white generic tank top that stretched over his light blue and yellow basketball shorts. Sesshoumaru was right to feel embarrassed for being seen in such a state as she took in his ankle's. Sesshoumaru's ankles were something she'd never seen before, and there was nothing abnormal about them, it was just surreal to see them underneath basketball shorts.

"If it isn't a problem why are you leering at me woman?" he asked her coldly.

Kagome revealed a dangerous smile as she walked closer to him only to get on to her knees and poke at his ankle.

"Your body is of no concern to me," she told him, "only thing that remained a mystery were these. I have seen them now."

She was mocking him again. Sesshoumaru could see that now. He knew this whole lesson hadn't been put together for that purpose and that she was merely taking advantage of what he considered an embarrassing situation. That was fine. He would have his revenge later when her real training began, but that'd have to wait until much later down the road once he'd truly assessed their situation.

The rest of the day was almost uneventful, and Kagome had to wonder if that was because of Sesshoumaru. Was he letting her fall into an average mundane routine out of punishment for touching his ankles? She showed Sesshoumaru how the washing machine and dryer worked by doing a couple loads of laundry. His clothes she planned on doing last using the excuse that they would need to put on a delicate cycle. She probably wasn't wrong, and knew it was kind of cruel to keep Sesshoumaru in clothing he didn't care for longer than he wanted to be, but after all he had been putting her through she thought she deserved a little power over him.

After a while Sesshoumaru ceased his complaining as he felt very comfortable once his hair dried and was even softer than it had been before the hygiene practices. He was even comfortable enough to take in the unfamiliar gadgets of her household and ask questions about them one item at a time as to not overwhelm her since she still smelled of fatigue. Kagome indeed still feeling a bit worn out decided to stay in the house that day to show him around. Her mother at work, Souta in school, and her grandpa managing shrine tours made it easy for them to maneuver around the house without incident.

Eventually, however, Kagome's family began to return one by one as evening fell. Sesshoumaru made sure to put on his polite act as he thanked her mother for all the grooming materials she'd gotten him as well as the dinner she was preparing for them. Souta seemed happy enough just locking him and his mutt inside his room as things between him and his sister seemed to become awkward since their last conversation where they blew up at each other, so that would be a mess that needed to be solved later. The whole time Kagome couldn't help but notice Sesshoumaru hadn't reattached his Mokomoko. It was still in the bathroom laying in a laundry basket. He felt as though it were in no immediate danger, but his swords were a different matter as he carried them everywhere under his arm not having a proper waist band to contain them.

"Sesshoumaru," Kagome had an idea as she lead him into the backyard, "you should put your swords in the shed. No one is going to mess with them I promise."

He rose an eyebrow, "My swords are not for humans. This better not be some sort of ploy."

She rolled her eyes, "Now you're the one who is acting like everyone is out to get you. You know that's not it. I might be taking advantage of you being dressed up like a modern day human but I won't do anything to hurt you alright? I just want to show you something okay? Now that you're not wearing your Mokomoko and silks I think it's finally time to show you what's out there before dinner time."

What was out there? Was Kagome talking about what was beyond the shrine? The world that Sesshoumaru had not yet explored as he didn't believe he was ready?

"Just a glimpse of course," Kagome said with that hopeful smile of hers, "if you get uncomfortable let me know and we'll turn back, alright?"

"I do not fear this world," Sesshoumaru made sure to tell her wishing she would forget about the state she'd found him in when they first went through the well.

His curiosity was getting the better of him again as opened the door to the shed and laid his swords down on the ground before closing it and returning to her side. He followed the woman's lead as she went over to the shrine's entrance and down the many stairs that lead to the rest of her society.

During their walk she looked up at the night sky to see that indeed the stars couldn't be seen as clearly as they could in the feudal era. She wondered if she'd ever be able to take in that natural sight ever again with InuYasha by her side. Was the well really never going to open again all because of some strange demon? If it could be controlled that easily why did it let her see InuYasha again two years ago when she needed him most? Sesshoumaru liked to think she'd been spoiled by destiny, but destiny also had a strange way of hurting her more than anything. What if destiny had given her InuYasha again just to take him away from her? The demon known as Amethyst seemed to want her despair after all, so maybe that was why she had to be in this place with Sesshoumaru of all people.

She gave Sesshoumaru a guilty look. She was suppose to be the strong one when it came to showing him the real world outside of the shrine, and quickly she was falling apart as she tried to ask the question that just wouldn't leave her mind, which was why this was happening to her and if she would ever be with InuYasha again.

All they had to do was stand on the sidewalk beneath the hill of the shrine to see the city scape. Sesshoumaru would be able to see everything that was still a mystery to him such as the cars producing the strange sounds and smells, the skyscrapers from the city looming above them, and all the lights Tokyo had to offer them at night.

Sesshoumaru was silent for a bit as his eyes widened taking in the world. She'd told him a few things about the place known as Tokyo, but actually seeing it was a completely different story. He wanted to know more about cars and why human made structures needed to be so big and what royalty resided within them, but the lights was what took him most by surprise.

"It's starlight," Sesshoumaru said out loud.

"Stars?" Kagome asked stepping forward to be closer to him, "you think the city lights look like stars?"

"What else would you call them? Instead of being above us they are in front of us. Are they the work of electricity chieftains as well?"

Kagome frowned, "Yeah they are all a bunch of light bulbs like the one in our shed, but what you said sounds a lot better. Let's just call them starlight. This is the world Seshoumaru, so what do you think? Is it really something a demon Lord like yourself wants to be part of? If I went back home and left you behind you think you could handle this place?"

"This place that smells awful yet looks like the night sky?" he spoke quietly, "I will not fear it. Nor will you."

Sesshoumaru withdrew into his own thoughts as he took in his new personal starlight, "I will accept this world as my new home. I do not understand it yet, but it will be mine. You must accept it as well Kagome. It needs to become your home again, because I wish to share it with you."

(End Chapter)

AN: I apologize. This is not MoC, so why is this chapter so long? I just knew I wanted to open up with Inu and Kag look at starlight and end with Kag and Sess looking at starlight and shengingans in the bathroom just kept going and going. I'm awful. Don't read any further, but make sure to leave a review all the same. I know Kag and Sess are having a lot of the same conversation, but certain demon Lords just aren't learning their lessons are they? I'll give myself permission this time cause the chapter is literally called scenes revisited, but they should be over that. We don't fully know what Sesshoumaru is up to, but he kind of laid his little game out and now that he's done and is trying to explore the boundaries of what he can and can't do to Kagome they could move on from that. I've been writing fanfiction for 15+ years and am quite aware I spell Tetsusagia completely wrong to but at some point that spelling has become my canon.