Disclaimer: As much as I'd like to own the characters they all belong to Rumiko Takahashi, not me.

A/N: Leave me reviews. Thank you. And the poem I used was ripped off of a Full Metal Alchemist wallpaper I found on the net. XD (I give full credit to whoever created the wallpaper.)

A Gap Across Time

X: Fated to Be Entwined

"Hurry, she's bleeding profusely!" Mrs. Higurashi hovered over her only daughter and contemplated on what she should do while Souta went downstairs to dial the number for the ambulance. For one blinking second she thought she could hate the taiyoukai for what he did to her daughter, yet the look on his face could have moved any human who dared to look. He looks almost sad . . . Their eyes did lock, but hers did not hold any semblance of hatred towards him - she merely stared blankly.

"Mom," Souta called from halfway up the stairs, "the ambulance said they'd be here in three minutes! In the meantime they said we need to try and slow the bleeding!"

"All right, honey!"

"Ahhhhh, Kagome, you better not die! You shouldn't go before your grandpa does, oh, Kagome, hang in there!"

Sesshoumaru watched from the bed and wondered if the girl was really going to die. Her face had become so pale and lifeless; it was quite a jab to his chest to see her mother holding her limply in her arms without so much as a look of anger directed towards him. He was sure she knew he was the cause of her wound, and yet she didn't seem to hate him for it. Humans . . . Must they be so hard to understand? Why were we youkai born among the complicated beings? He could still feel the girl's warm blood at the tip of his fingernail - he could still feel the piercing strike of his attack like it was happening at this very moment. Closing his eyes he tried to rid himself of such annoying thoughts; the girl asked for death and he was to grant it so why did it bother him so?

Pretty soon insistent banging resounding from the front door came floating up the stairway first to the taiyoukai's ears, and then to the rest of the girl's family. With quick speed the grandpa was waltzing down the steps like his life depended on it - neither Souta nor his mother knew that he could move so fast. With a click and a turn of the front door knob the ambulance staff came marching in and were directed by the old man up the stairs to the girl's aide. One staff member looked at Sesshoumaru curiously, but said nothing because it would have been rather rude to comment the appearance of a stranger, and it was not in his line of duty to do so.

"On one, two, lift!" a man barked.

Kagome was hauled onto a stretcher and rushed down to the medical van where they could stabilize her bleeding and put her on fluids were in necessary. Kagome's mother and grandpa had trailed along behind the men and women staff leaving Souta behind with the taiyoukai on the bed. Souta was trembling as he sat down on the floor helplessly and looked at his bloody hands - they were coated in his sister's precious red water of life.

"Why . . ." This isn't fair. ". . . why did you hurt her?"

Sesshoumaru found that he couldn't utter a single word no matter how much his mind willed himself to. There was an underlying tone in the boy's voice that yelled out the words, 'I hate you' over and over again. Thinking that it was best he leave the Demon Lord tried to stand up only to be roughly pushed back down by Souta. An angry look came to his eyes as he looked down at the taiyoukai; it appeared as if he wanted to strike him and hit after hit he'd scream out why.

". . . she wished it upon herself."

"That doesn't matter!" Souta cried. "I never knew that she'd go that far for you! Does someone like you even deserve her care and attention? She's all I have and if she dies it'll be all your fault! You unfeeling creature . . . You murderous being!"

"Speak what you want."

"You tried to kill my sister!"

By the time Souta was done screaming and throwing hissy fits he was too tired to even move from his position from the floor when he laid down to rest. The bridge of mistrust was far and wide between the boy and taiyoukai - it was only earlier when he was starting to warm up to the Demon Lord. To wanting to exact his revenge was quite mistaken, because Souta had no ideals or goals of revenge against the taiyoukai; he merely wanted him to apologize which was something he was not good at. All too suddenly the bed didn't feel as comfortable as he liked; it became hard-like and rough underneath his body. A warm sensation was flowing down from his shoulders to the soles of his feet; he knew then that this had yet to be another side effect of his ailing wounds that refused to heal. Tried as he might, Sesshoumaru could not find the time to sleep when the bed felt awkward to his overtly sensitive skin - he needed to get off as soon as possible whether or not he had the strength to do so.

-----

"Sango, would you mind if we took a rest just yonder this stream?" She gave him a quizzical look. "It's not only for my benefit, but for Kirara as well, because she seems to be tiring right about now." Kirara made some kind of growling mixed with meowing sound. "See?"

"Hmmm, I suppose. However, if we are to reach Kaede's place by tonight we mustn't rest for too long."

"Of course, Sango . . ." Miroku was looking rather reluctant and at unease.

"Hey . . . What's with the long face?" she asked. Miroku simply shrugged and said nothing. "Kirara, you can let us down here."

"Meeeooowww!"

Miroku was opted to tell his female companion about what was bothering him, but he didn't want to have to make her worry about it as well. The strange tale Inuyasha had told them before never left his mind, and the more he thought about it the more analytical he became towards the well's sealing. He came to surmise that if the well was to never be open again then the fate of all feudal Japan might be at stake. The cost would be great; nothing would be spared from the upcoming calamity the monk was sure would arrive if given enough time.

"Miroku . . ."

Looking up, Miroku asked, "yes, Sango?"

She eyed him suspiciously from the tree stump that she was sitting on. Miroku hadn't even noticed when she sat down. "You're hiding something from me. It's better if I knew what was bothering you so I might be able to help with the predicament."

I suppose I should tell her after all. She will not let me off the hook anyway if I denied it. "I'm afraid this is something that neither you nor I can handle by ourselves. A power beyond our human limits is what is beckoning to rise above from some hidden darkness." Miroku looked around for a moment to find a suitable spot to sit down. He settled for the soft grass that was growing beside the small stream situated to his right side. "This ominous feeling pervades what little else I can feel that is bad. The increase of demons is a clear sign something will happen, Sango, and for once I do not think this is Naraku's doing because he's gone into hiding after suffering from that massive battle that took place not too long ago, remember?"

"That may be true, yet we aren't sure what Naraku is really capable of given the past surprises he's rewarded us with."

"Damn it, Miroku!" she shouted.

Surprised by Sango's sudden tone, Miroku asked, "what? Did I say something wrong?"

"No . . . you said something that sounded absolutely right for once . . ."

"Hey, what do you mean by once?" A displeased smile graced the monk's lips as he stared at the woman sitting across from him. There was something else he was itching to tell her, but he decided against it because he was pretty sure she wouldn't want to listen anyway. "Well, if that's how you want to put it, I guess I have no choice, eh?"

"Let's go," was her only response.

"Already?"

"Hurry up before Kirara and I leave you behind." Miroku looked to the general direction to his left where he'd last seen the little furry feline sitting not too far from her Master. She wasn't there and she was already transformed; Miroku knew then that it would've been pointless to argue with the exterminator if Kirara was going to side with her. "Well, come on."

"All right."

During the rest of the ride there was little to nothing being said between the exterminator and monk - they were too immersed in their own thoughts to bother talking to each other. Kirara noticed the subtle silence, and it did not slip past her that the two people riding her were feeling uneasy. Then suddenly without warning a large snake youkai leaped from the treetops below and right at Miroku. He fell from Kirara's back as the snake curled its body around him while they fell together towards the trees below.

"Miroku!" Sango shouted. "Kirara, after them!"

"You stupid human," the demon hissed to Miroku, "what do you think with what little power you have can change your fate? The surge of youkai is for the oncoming age of a new Master that will rule both the seas and lands of this wretched world. We come forth in number to await the day he comes bearing down upon us. You and that acrid companion of yours slay us day by day. I feel it only fair that I rid a pest such as you away from this place. "

"Why-why are you telling me this?" Miroku managed to ask. Was he listening to Sango and I when were talking earlier? How could I have not sensed the presence of a youkai nearby? He was struggling with the coils of the snake, because they were becoming ever tighter around his small human body. He didn't have his trusty staff with him due to the fact that it was knocked out of his hands when the snake demon lunged at him from below - it was all so sudden that he hadn't the mindset to not let go of it as he fell.

"Does it hurt, you stupid human? Shall I squeeze the very last ounce of life out of you?"

They fell the a small clearing amidst an area starving of any trees with a soft landing. At this point Miroku had already passed out from the lack of oxygen his lungs needed so badly; the youkai chuckled to himself. With quick sliding movements of his ample body, he slithered out of view into the bushes by the time Sango and Kirara made it to the clearing they were previously occupying.

"Miroku!" Sango called out over and over again. The sun had long set and now it was harder than ever to see anything through the tense foliage of trees all around her - desperate as she was she could not hear even the faintest of cries from anything several yards away. It seemed like the forest was a suffocating place with a life of its own. This time Sango feared she lost Miroku forever. "Miroku, where are you! If you can hear me, say something!" She fell to her knees helplessly. "Anything! Just as long as I hear your voice! Miroku!"

-----

Kagome awoke to find herself in a place that she was not familiar with; all the walls were white and the lights above her were so bright that she strained to keep her eyes open. Am I in a hospital? Someone's hand squeezed her right hand then, and she turned to see her mother sitting on a stool beside her hospital bed. A worried look was etched upon her features. So I didn't die, huh? What I said before . . . I really meant it. I've thought about it, too; after all, Inuyasha wouldn't care and Sango and Miroku would be fine without me . . . Even little Shippou. I'd like to say that reality has gotten the best of me. She squeezed her mother's hand back and smiled. But I guess for now I'll live a little while longer.

"How are you feeling?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.

"Not too bad."

"You lost a lot of blood; it's stained the carpet at home in my room . . ."

"Oh," Kagome's smile faded away from her face, "sorry about that."

"He tried to kill you, Kagome, aren't you afraid of him now?" Her daughter shook her head. "How can you be so calm about a matter such as this? Perhaps he's blackmailed you somehow; it's all right if you tell me what it is, honey."

"He hasn't done anything to me, really." Yet, I can't tell mom that I wanted to die! That'd freak her out! Kagome clasped her hands towards and recited a poem her father once told her long ago:

If only, if only the moon speaks no reply
Reflecting the sun and all that's gone by
Be strong my weary wolf, turn around slowly
Fly high my baby bird
My angel, my only

"You still remember that?" her mother asked.

"Yeah." Her hands then wandered to her neck where Sesshoumaru punctured her. "Mom, he really didn't mean to hurt me. Despite the way he looks and acts, he can be just as caring as either one of us - I've seen it with my own eyes - I've heard it with my own ears. He may not say nor show such things directly to a person, but every bad heart is always enveloped with a good one."

"I'll trust your word, but make sure to be more careful around him. You shouldn't shrug off an injury like yours like it was nothing. You could have died if Souta did not see you when he did."

"Where is he and grandpa, by the way?"

"They're outside by this room talking."

"Oh."

"Are you hungry? You've slept for a few hours since breakfast."

"I'd rather go home; I want to see how Sesshoumaru is doing . . ." She could see the worried look her mother was giving her - it only made her want to go home more badly. "Is he fine? I hope he's all right! We should go now, mom!" When Kagome tried to get out of the hospital bed her mother simply pushed her back down. "What if he needs help going to the bathroom? He can hardly walk on his own . . ."

"Let's not worry about him for now. You should be more concerned with your own health, Kagome."

"You're suddenly turning to him a cold shoulder . . ." Kagome was not surprised by her mom's behavior though; it was only natural for her. ". . . Yet, even if you do that I will not turn him away. I will try my best to heal him and get him back to his own era where he rightfully belongs . . . Mom, did you know that on the other side of the well there's this little human girl he takes care of? She trusts in him completely and he'd never hurt her - on occasions when she'd get into trouble he was always there to save her." Saying all this makes me feel all warm inside . . . How strange. "All the pent up frustration he must feel, all the times he could not help himself to anything when that was in his very nature to be independent, all the times he's relied on you, me, Souta, and even grandpa. He deserves so much more . . . He, as a Lord and a loving father figure to a human child."

"Ah, I've misjudged you, Kagome."

"Not only me. Sesshoumaru as well."

"All right, let's go home."

Sesshoumaru heard their voices even before they unlocked the front door and entered the house. A pair of feet were making their way up the flight of stairs, and towards the room he was occupying - he could smell the scent of peaches evading his nostrils. He leaned his head down to await the arrival of a certain raven-haired girl that he'd like to avoid for the time being instead of seeing. Even as she approached the bedside he did not look up or acknowledge her presence - it confused him as to why he could not look her in the eyes.

"Did you need anything while I was gone?" Kagome could only wonder what Sesshoumaru was doing simply sitting there on the bed with his head bent. He often best stared her down with his golden-colored eyes, but not this time. "And . . . And I'm fine now; you didn't kill me, see?"

"I have no time for you. Leave my side at once."

Taken aback by his words Kagome stood there for a second before letting the words sink in very slowly. "If only you were still giving me the silent treatment like you had before, then I wouldn't have a problem not being around you!" He is such a jerk! "Or are you gonna say it was because you lost your voice as an excuse?"

"You stupid woman, I did lose my voice. If I hadn't I would have disciplined you with words."

"Hmph!" She crossed her arms one over the other. "Then how did you regain it?"

"You needn't know that."

"You can be so overbearing at times." Kagome glared at him for a moment before losing all expression on her face. She sensed something that was not normal for her - some strange lingering presence was invading the room, making her feel like she could hardly breathe. "What's happening?"

What nonsense must she spout out to me now? The terrified look on the girl's face grew more intense as she continued to stare at him. It was as if she was scared of something that was behind him when there was nothing to be seen other than the taiyoukai. I sense nothing, and yet she is afraid . . . "Why must you make that horrid look - are you so terrified that you are rendered motionless?" She didn't answer him. "Has the time come for you to realize that you're of no use to me?" Still, she would not answer no matter what sort of insults he threw at her. It was becoming quite bothersome. "Have you gone mad?"

"Se-Se-Sesshoumaru . . ." she finally breathed out, ". . . there's something suffocating me!" His eyes flared up instantly as he looked at her helpless form standing in front of him rigidly. If he didn't know any better he was sure that she was about to collapse from some unseen attack directed at her. It made him raise his eyebrows in speculation at such a prospect. He was no stranger to the forbidden arts, but in this girl's time era, he was surprised that such things existed here. "Help me! I-I can't breathe!"

"Death warrants you now - was that not what you wanted?" he asked of her.

She shook her head fearfully and tried to reach out to the taiyoukai with trembling arms. Somehow, for some unknown reason, she knew she'd be all right as long as he could touch Sesshoumaru - even the faintest hint of skin on skin was all she needed. Despite her lack of motor skills due to something omnificent, she reached out as far as she could until she got a hold of Sesshoumaru's left hand with her own. The suffocating feeling she felt dissipated immediately. Kagome gulped in mouthful after mouthful of air like her lungs would never get enough of it. Sesshoumaru never groped her hand back, instead, his were slack and cold compared to her own warm, sweaty palm.

"What was that?" Kagome said more than asked.

To Be Continued!