Disclaimer: You guys know I don't own it…
On with the story… but before that, let me just ask ya'll something….
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It was a cold morning. The sun rose, barely escaping through the thick clouds in the sky overhead. The wind was harsh and whipping the leaves from the trees with phenomenal force. One tree stood alone in the woods, a single green leaf seemingly frozen to its branches. As the wind continued to thrash it about violently, the leaf shuddered. The wind was icy cold, merciless and heartless. Then, with a sudden blast of bitter air, the leaf was finally ripped away from its branches. It floated up into the sky, over the treetops, in to its new world.
The leaf made its way tumbling and twirling, into the garden of a Taiyoukai, where there were three children dressed in heavy clothing, running around and giggling madly.
Watching over the children were two young women. They, too, were bundled up more than usual; however, the aura of one was sad and lonely. The other was concerned. The leaf was caught in the hands of the young female demoness, who looked at it with a sigh, releasing it into the flowerbed.
Sango noticed something wrong with Kagome. They were sitting together, eating breakfast outside as the children bounded about. Miroku and Inuyasha were off doing a task for Sesshomaru- paying for the supplies it had taken to fix the rooms Inuyasha had destroyed.
Kagome hadn't touched a bite of her food… She just sat there, her eyes on the children, her cheerful eyes dimmed and out of focus. Her happy atmosphere had disappeared as quickly as the leaves from the trees.
Sango put a hand on her arm, forcing her friend to look her in the eyes. "…Is there something troubling you, Kagome?"
The young woman took her eyes away from Sango's, biting her lip softly, "I… miss my family, very much, Sango…"
The demon huntress nodded her head sympathetically. She couldn't remember a longer amount of time passing since Kagome had gone to see her family. Kagome sighed again, and Sango frowned slightly as she looked at her. Kagome doesn't need to be upset over something like this… She stood, the movement startling Kagome. "Jaken, watch over the children. Kagome and I will be back in a short time."
Jaken bowed slightly at the two humans. They weren't treating him anywhere near as badly as the children or their male friends; in fact… they were the only two beings in the castle that really showed him any kind of respect at all. He wasn't going to open his mouth and snap at them.
Sango took Kagome's hand, pulling her up from the grass and walking inside with her. The demoness was confused, "Sango, where are we going?"
"To speak with Lord Sesshomaru."
Kagome stopped in her tracks. Sango was surprised, and she turned back to look at her friend's eyes. Her blue eyes were harder, slightly cooler at the mention of the ice lord… What the hell? I thought that she and Sesshomaru were interested in each other…
"Kagome?"
"Sango, I don't think he wants to be bothered about something as trivial as me going home to my family…" Kagome muttered slightly, turning to walk away.
"Kagome," Sango snapped harshly. She saw her friend flinch, but she stood in front of her, "You have to stand up for yourself sometimes! Your family means the world to you- are you just going to stay here and let them wonder what's happened to you?"
Kagome had her face down, there was that familiar fire coming back to her eyes. Her head snapped up and she held Sango's burning brown eyes. "Alright then…" Kagome smirked, "Let's go disturb a Demon Lord, shall we?"
Sango grinned, and Kagome gave her a mirror image. The two giggled and continued down the hallway to Sesshomaru's study. They were silent for a while, and then Kagome spoke to Sango once more. "I don't know if I can even use the well, Sango…"
"Of course you can." Sango replied instantly. "You and Inuyasha can both use the well, right?"
"Yeah…"
Sango continued, speaking so her friend could finish the sentence, "Inuyasha can use it becaaaause…"
"…His blood and Kaede's spell made it that way…" Kagome continued, then Sango gave her that you-should-know-by-now look and it clicked. "Sesshomaru and Inuyasha share blood…" Her eyes lit up with hope so suddenly that it startled Sango, "So that means I can still use the well!"
The two quickened their pace to Sesshomaru's office.
The Demon Lord was sitting at his study, reading over a few letters that had been sent to him about some trouble at the Northeast borders of the West. He growled softly when he recognized the pattern as Naraku's.
That damn bastard has caused this Sesshomaru enough problems… He looked out at the palace grounds. There was not a single leaf left on the trees, and the sky looked foreboding… he could smell a change in the weather now… He narrowed his eyes, thinking… Most wars occurred in the springtime on all the lands- it was the perfect time, after a rest and reinforcement, to attack full force. Many of the battles the West had fought in had been in the spring- there were fewer casualties and more resources.
He put a hand on his chin, leaning back in his chair as he thought. Naraku is going to have to rest to regain the powers he lost from Kagome's purifying arrow. She did more damage than she even realized. Hmm… that means Inuyasha and his friends must continue their shard hunt before winter… they must collect whatever remains of the shard possible to keep out of Naraku's grasp… then return to the castle to continue training.
A knock sounded on his door. He perked an eyebrow when he felt Kagome and the Slayer outside of it. "Enter," he called firmly, returning his gaze to the papers in his other hand.
The two entered, bowing to him in unison with respect. Kagome stepped forward; he didn't look up at her.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I request permission to return to my home for a few days."
He looked up a bit quickly. Their eyes met. Sesshomaru's were once again an emotionless amber-gold. They didn't flicker in the slightest under her gaze. He was prepared to say no, prepared to tell her that she had an obligation here and would not be leaving anytime soon to go off with her family. He was more than prepared to glare at her and tell her how foolish it was to ask him for such a request. Yet, the words became stuck in his throat when he looked into her eyes.
Her eyes were not soft and pleading with him. They were not begging him. They were not trying to tempt him to get her way. Two firm, glittering blue eyes met his. They were absolutely glowing with radiance, defiance and beauty. Her eyes… looked fiery and alive- like she had looked when learning how to fight properly.
He lost the cruel words and instead, his mouth spoke before his mind consulted it.
"How long are you planning on leaving?"
Kagome looked a bit taken aback-, as did Sango. However, she didn't falter much with it. She spoke, "Four, five days at most."
"When?"
"…I was hoping I could leave today."
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at her slightly. He trusted her, however, he knew that she was not from anywhere near here. Her scent, her actions and her ridiculous garments told him that. In fact, he knew that she was from a different time all together. He had been near Kaede's hut one night and watched her disappear when Jaken had lost Rin, and she had wandered in to the old miko's village.
Curiosity beat his brain to his mouth. "Very well. I will be accompanying you."
He looked down at his papers and continued to write- but neither woman had moved. In fact, both had tensed slightly. He smirked inwardly- then a tentative voice spoke to him, "Umm…Lord Sesshomaru…"
His eyes met Kagome's again. He could see she was in discomfort… but there was only pure curiosity burning through him. He wanted to know her village. He wanted to see how such a woman could be raised and who was responsible for it. She would show it to him. He spoke very firmly, his eyes growing colder. "I will accompany you or you do not leave. Do not test my patience. I will be prepared in one hour. Be ready."
The women quickly left his office. Sesshomaru growled, getting back to the letters and deciding he would do what he could in the next hour. He lifted his pen, beginning to write responses to his awaiting men on what action they should take.
Sango and Kagome ran off to Kagome's room, emptying out her big yellow bag to take it back to her world and refill it. Shippo, Kohaku and Rin came in to see Kagome headfirst in her bag, throwing things out of it. Sango caught them, placing them on the desk, bed and chest at the foot of the bed.
"Mama, are you leaving?"
Shippo's voice caught Kagome's attention. She pulled herself out of her bag, looking over at Shippo. The fox kit had his head tilted sideways, a bit confused. "I thought that you were gonna stay here from now on…"
Kagome smiled, "It's okay Shippo- I'm just going home for a few days, to see my mama again…"
Shippo's eyes lit up. He bounded over, jumping in Kagome's bag and began tossing things out to Sango. The demon slayer laughed as she caught them easily, continuing to place things down orderly.
However, Rin's chocolate brown ones dulled slightly and tears threatened them. She looked up at Kagome's face, "You're leaving…"
"Rin, come here," Kagome stated, sitting on the bed and pulling out her photo album. The child came up curiously, Kohaku following. Kagome opened the book, and then pointed to a few pictures, "That's my family, Rin…"
Rin ran her finger across the picture affectionately, "Your mommy is very pretty… She saw the odd house they were standing in front of, "What an odd home… where do you live, Kagome?"
"Well…" Kagome sighed, running a hand through her hair. There's no use lying, she always sees right through it when I do… "Rin, I live in the future… There's a special well that allows me to go from my time to this one."
Kohaku looked very confused. He spoke, "Going to the future…but… are you sure you can get back?"
"I do it all the time, Kohaku," Kagome said with a gentle smile. Rin was still looking through the photo album; Kohaku was very interested in it as well. She smiled, "I tell you what Rin…" the little girl looked up at her, "I'll let you borrow that photo album, and if you keep it nice and safe, I'll bring back a gift for all of you kids."
Rin's eyes widened slightly, "From the future?"
Kagome nodded gently, smiling. The girl hugged the book to her chest, "I promise I'll take real good care of it!"
The demon-miko smiled, "I know you will, Rin…"
Rin ran over to Kagome's bag, looking in at Shippo in wonder. Kohaku came over, lifting the fox child by his tail. He relayed Kagome's promise to Shippo, and the fox kit came over, bouncing on the bed, "Can you bring back chocolate, Kagome!"
She nodded, then told the children to run off and play, that she would be back in a few days. They obeyed without hesitation, bounding off to put the photo book someplace safe. Sango smiled at her friend. Her room was still neat and tidy, and the backpack was empty. The two smiled at each other. Kagome picked up her journal, making a list of things she would need to get. She smirked at Sango, "Let's go find out what the guys want…"
Inuyasha's eyes lit up when he heard she was returning home. Kagome laughed at his antics, "Let me guess, Inuyasha… would you like me to bring back some Ramen?"
"Please!" he exclaimed, he had learned the only way to get her to bring ramen… the mere thought made him hungry. Who knew that some humans really CAN make good food?
Miroku pulled Kagome aside quickly to ask her, "Kagome… I remember last year, you celebrated a holiday in the winter time… you said it was a time to show those you cared about by presenting them with special gifts…"
"Yes, I'm shocked you remembered, Miroku."
He nodded, waving it off. "I wish to give Sango something special this year… I wonder, can you find a craftsman to repair this or make another earring to match this one?"
The monk lifted his hand, opening a small leather pouch. Kagome opened her eyes slightly wider. There in his hand sat a dangling earring, made with the finest, lightest gold. It was in the shape of a dragon with glittering ruby eyes, and small diamonds traveling down his back. There were the remains of the second earring in his hand, the gold was melted away, but each diamond was there…
"Miroku, where did you find this?" Kagome breathed.
"…Sango was upset after a battle a year ago," he stated quietly, looking at the jewels in his hands, "These earrings were her mother's… she was crying and threw them on the ground, but I picked them up. I've held on to them, and asked each craftsmen we've come across in this world… None of them are capable of fixing this… Do you think someone in your time would be capable?"
"It would take more than a few days…" Kagome muttered quietly, "But… I could go back in a few weeks to retrieve them… does that sound good, Miroku?"
He smiled in relief, nodding his head and tying the bag up gently, "Thank you, Lady Kagome…"
The woman smiled at him, then returned to the others. Inuyasha teased that the monk had been asking for dirty magazines. Miroku's innocent face wouldn't tell them if he was or if he wasn't.
Kagome slipped the pouch into a pocket in her backpack. Then, she felt a familiar tingle in her spine. She stood, lifting the empty bag onto her shoulders, turning to see Sesshomaru at the door.
"Are you prepared?" he asked firmly.
She nodded, then turned to the others, hugging them goodbye. However, after she hugged Inuyasha, he held her wrist, "Kagome… why is Sesshomaru taking you to the well?"
Oh no… I was hoping they wouldn't ask that… Kagome smiled at her friends. Their eyebrows went up at her answer. "Sesshomaru is accompanying me to my world…"
No one could move. None of them even blinked. Kagome turned, and walked out the door. The group was too stunned to say anything. SESSHOMARU? Of all the people in this era—he was going to go to her world!
Sesshomaru walked outside of his castle, summoning his cloud. She sat on it silently, and the two of them took off to the well. He didn't give her friends the opportunity or the time to object his requirement for her to return home. The flight seemed oddly short. His senses were trapped in hers for the most part- he was occupying himself by inhaling her unique scent.
Kagome didn't speak at all on the flight. She was too busy thinking, writing things down that she would need to buy. Miroku reminded her about Christmas just in time. She was going to be doing a lot of holiday shopping! However, she bit her lip, looking up at Sesshomaru… he was probably going to want to follow her everywhere she went, to make sure she didn't disappear on him.
They landed at the well in seemingly no time at all. Kagome dismounted the cloud, and then looked over at the well. She smiled, taking her backpack off and putting the journal and pen inside it. She clipped it shut, then turned to Sesshomaru. He was standing there, watching her silently.
She cleared her throat, "This is how I get back to my time…"
"The well?" he responded after a moment, looking at it… he sensed a powerful magic emitting from it, he nodded. "How do we get through?"
We… wow that… sounds odd coming from him… "Well, I need to be holding you then we just… jump."
He perked an eyebrow, "That is all?"
Kagome nodded. He walked forward; she sat on the edge of the well. He mimicked her action, and then she held his shoulders in her hands. Her scent rushed at him as she did so. He tried to ignore it, and then put his arms at her waist for more support. They held eyes; then Kagome grinned. She pulled him into her and he pulled her into him.
They jumped.
At first they were just falling. He was sure they were going to hit the bottom and prepared himself. Then- a soft blue light suddenly caressed them both. Sesshomaru's arms tightened around Kagome protectively in surprise. Then, he relaxed. Her hair was whipping about him and her scent had hypnotized him.
Then, they did hit the ground. Sesshomaru stumbled into the wall with an undignified grunt. He looked around. The well looked... different. He could smell a change in the air… it was less fresh and he could smell so many humans. He snarled slightly, holding Kagome in his arms and jumping out of the well.
They were in a small hut of some kind. Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose in distaste. He could smell humans, pollution, and the air was somewhat thicker than at his palace.
She opened the doors to the odd house and he followed closely to her, her scent rid some of the disgust out of the air around him. They entered the larger house in front of where the well had been.
Kagome's mother was singing her lullaby softly, cutting a few potatoes for dinner in the kitchen. She heard the door opened and looked up quickly. She gasped two strange creatures entered her house. One had hair darker than the sky- with intense blue eyes. The other was Inuyasha- no… no it only looked like Inuyasha. Both of them had odd markings on their face, and a crescent moon on their foreheads.
As the two entered, she gave a startled cry; dropping the knife she had been holding and putting a hand to her heart in shock. It clattered to the floor noisily. She heard movement in the living room.
"Mama, are you alright?" A young voice exclaimed urgently. Souta walked in the room. Kagome's mother grabbed the boy by his shoulder, stepping in front of him and pushing him behind her.
"What do you want?" she demanded bravely, her eyes refusing to release the dark haired creatures.
The dark haired one bit her lip softly, "Mama… it's me, Kagome…"
The woman's eyes widened. She heard Souta gasp and commanded him to stay put. She walked closer to her, and then held the face of the female demoness in her hands. She looked deep into the eyes of the demoness, then her face softened, tears came to her eyes. "Oh Kagome…" She embraced the girl, who held the woman tightly in her arms. Sesshomaru could smell tears threatening Kagome, but she didn't release them yet.
"Kagome, we thought you were dead!" A cry came from the living room and a young boy glued himself to Kagome's waist, sobbing against her side.
The two humans pulled away from her, then Kagome noticed someone was missing, "Where's Grandpa?"
"He's in his room," Kagome's mother stated, "Praying… he's been praying for you for months, Kagome…"
However, an old man suddenly appeared in the doorway. Kagome looked over in surprise. Her grandpa had lost weight- his eyes were darkened and tired. However, the fire inside his eyes burned more powerfully than ever. He met the scene before him; their eyes met. He rushed to her, crying out, "Kagome!"
Her eyes widened. "Gramps- how did you know-?"
He didn't answer. He was crying and held her to him tightly. Sesshomaru watched this in amazement. Kagome was so loved in this world… what made her continue to travel in theirs when she had such a loving family? However, he wasn't slow. He noticed instantly that her father was not in this household.
The four humans had a reunion that took the better part of four hours. They welcomed him into their home, and Kagome explained how he had saved her life. Her family was most grateful to him. Souta, the young boy, looked on at Sesshomaru in wonder. He had never met a real demon before…
It was late when the family retired. Kagome had explained to them that she and Sesshomaru did not require much rest because they were demons. They sat in the living room to talk about what would happen in the next few days.
After a while of their babbling, Kagome turned to him, her tone suddenly urgent and business-like. "Lord Sesshomaru… this world has a few laws that everyone must abide by."
He perked an eyebrow. Now her eyes were slightly filled with fear-apprehension… she thought he would not heed her warnings… He grit his teeth slightly. He didn't even want to hear what she had to say… But… with the strange area and odd smells… I think I must obey what the woman has to tell me…
Sesshomaru listened. "First of all, you can't kill anybody. Period. No killing."
He nodded. That was a simple rule.
"Second… you can't carry your swords around with you…" She saw him glare at her and she glared back, "There are people in this time called police. They're the only ones allowed to carry weapons, and if you're carrying those swords then they will arrest you and people will find out you're a demon."
"I am a demon, I have nothing to hide," he hissed. Her words were angering him. He could sense what she was leading up to…
Kagome bit her lip, then spoke, "There are no demons in this time, Sesshomaru… and if there are, they mask themselves as humans. You are in the future now, Sesshomaru, things have changed!"
He growled in annoyance. "Fine," he snapped, "And the third?"
She smirked, looking him up and down in his royal robes. He was surprised that she would gaze at him so freely. "We have to get you some new clothes."
Sesshomaru frowned slightly. He looked down at his robes. He didn't see anything wrong with them! They were in perfect condition and boldly printed his title on his chest. However, Kagome had stood, walking to the staircase. She motioned for him to follow, but he growled, annoyed at her behavior. He growled slightly as he stood, glaring at her.
"What's wrong with my clothes?"
Heehee I'm going to have so much fun with this, you have NO idea! I might be gone for a lil bit longer than usual, u know, the joys of school…
Just one little detail that I don't want you to forget….
PLEASE REVIEW! PLEASE REVIEW! PLEASE REVIEW! PLEASE REVIEW!