AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Please try and keep up with me guys, i'm having a writer's block on this story. So, i'm making it up as i go along. You know, forcing my brain to come up with ideas each week... challenge me!!! hahaha...

Kathryn J. Blair - Why does everyone think that? lol. and sorry about the error, my mistake, I forgot to reupload it on . I had previously corrected it on Dokuga, but I completely forgot about doing it there as well. It will be corrected asap.. thx for the notice.

angelapage - Sesshoumaru is just playing with me... (Sess in background smirking evilly) i hope... *shudders* he's scaring me. Pray with me that I stay alive through the writting of this story, or yall won't know the end.

Wispr - You got a point, but I figured "hey, she deals with disgusting demons all the time, what's new?" you know...

Dani - Thx yall! I'll try and update soon!

InDarknessDeath - Thx so much! ^_^

kouga's older woman - I'm glad you enjoy. Just don't glue your eyes to the screen, or you might get stuck there 0.o

Kitsune Diva - Thx ^_^ As you can see... I updated pretty soon. lol.

Quixa - Yea... a little dream sequence for ya :P Sesshy is my favourite character after all...

'...' = Thoughts

''...'' = Speach

italic = flashbacks

Last time:

Mentally shrugging, she decided to test her vision. Focusing on an object in the distance, Kagome tentatively tried to do something she could feel within herself, but could not describe. Trying seemed to be failing, but just as she wanted to give up, the object seemed to spring to life. Her pupils grew bigger, spreading over the colour of her eyes, and then, her instincts took over. In a split second, she could identify it: a squirrel. Amazed at her new power, she smiled. A true smile that lit up her heart.

Tomorrow was going to be a new, happy day. For her old, depressed self, had died.

On with the story:

Kagome must have been tired, because when she awoke, not only was she NOT where she had slept, but she was also completely nude under silk covers. Lifting her eyes to the ceiling as she turned about in the bedding, she turned back time in her mind, trying to recount how she could have possibly ended here.

Coming up with nothing, she sat up, holding the cover over her nude form and observed the room. It possessed a wonderful fragrance of flowers and rain. The bed was against the wall, and made of multiple futons. They were one on top of the other, giving it height, and had silky soft apple green coloured sheets. The floor was covered with tatami mats, as well as the windows, and a set of doors leading to a balcony. The walls were painted a calming shade of cream, with a design of pink sakura blossoms adorning each corner of the room. And a tall wardrobe by the back wall, beside a large door.

Standing, she wrapped the bed sheet around her, grasping it firmly at the front, and walked to the wardrobe. Inside she found neatly folded kimonos of all colours on shelves, and beautiful designs on each one of them. All one-coloured inner kimonos were on the top shelf, where the undercloths were also placed. The obis were on the bottom shelf with the white socks and wooden sandals; they were arranged by shade of colour, from white to black.

Reaching a hand out, she picked a one-coloured inner baby blue kimono, a white outer kimono with a green vined and pink sakura blossomed design along the edges, and a baby blue obi to wrap around her form. Neverminding the undercloths, due to still possessing her modern under wear, which had been placed at the foot of the bed.

While dressing, she felt content; something that she had not felt for a long time. It was since InuYasha's death, in fact. She still remembered that feeling from the strength of his arms, surrouding and holding her against him in a loving embrace. From the way he possessively held her close at night, fearing she would dissapear back to her era. And the times they would take inviting morning walks, talking, and watching the sun rise. Everything about her relationship with him had been romantic; excluding their arguments when they first met. It took a while for them both to finally admit their feelings for one another. One year had passed in their journey to hunt down Naraku, when it finally happened. She could still feel the weight of his arms around her waist at night. And she did not think she would ever forget, even if one day, she may take another in her life.

InuYasha had spared her the pains of mating, since when he had thought of it, it was too late: he was dying. "You'll love another after me, Kagome. Don't force me to make it more painful then it will already be. I love you, and I want to make sure you live to be happy after I'm gone." He had given as a reason. She remembered telling him, "No, no, you'll survive through this. You'll see..." Though they both knew it was a lie at the time. He was strong, but not strong enough to live through such an incurable disease.

Shaking out of her thought, as she finished dressing. She observed her work of art in the mirror planted on the wardrobe door.

The outcome was beautiful, and it fit her perfectly. It was also very comfortable. She could move freely, and not bother holding up the bottom of the kimono like a long dress when she walked. Last item to place: the white socks and wooden sandles. Though thinking better of it, she left the wooden sandles in the wardrobe. Kagome never really liked the sound it made as she walked.

Sometimes, tradition was just a pain in the rear.

Smiling, she took steps toward the large door, in which she thought was the exit. Kagome was ready for a new beginning.

Sliding the door and peeking outside, she only saw a small hallway, with a door on the other end. She stepped a few paces out, then noticed another door to her left. Her curiosity peaked, she slid it sideways and took a step inside. It felt warm in there though it was dark. She searched on the wall by her side with her hands to end in obtaining a torch. 'If this place is like old traditional houses,' she thought, 'a few rocks should be on the floor,' she crouched. Her smile widened when she felt them by her feet. Knocking one with another, she suceeded in making sparkles and lighting up the torch she held in her left hand.

Lifting her hand and looking around, she noticed five more torches hanging on the walls. Kagome wondered where the warmth came from, since it seemed to be getting hotter.

She took a few more paces in, when she almost lost of footing; the floor ended there. Lighting up the floor to analyse the problem, she excitedly giggles. A hot-spring was located in the center of the room. Thinking to disrobe and take a nice hot bath, she ran the thought twice before making a decision. 'I need to find out where I am first. In case I am not welcomed.'

She exited, and walked to the end of the hall where that other door was. As she came closer, she registered people talking not far away from it. Finally making it there, she pressed her ear flat upon the door to try and find it if the voices belonged to friendly people. She did not feel like getting attacked after waking from a strange place.

There was a young female voice speaking lowly to a grave baritone voice that she recognized. Sesshoumaru was speaking to a young girl. His demon senses must had already picked up the fact that she was awake and eavesdropping by now. So, not to make a bigger fool of herself, she lifted her head, and slid the door open to step out into the hallway.

While closing the door behind her, Kagome fixed Sesshoumaru with her beautiful underwater green eyes. She heared what he had been explaining to his ward, Rin. "She shall be here as long as she chooses so."

Was he talking about her? Shrugging, she let it go and walked towards him silently.

Both individuals stopped speaking when they heard a door close. Kagome stood there for a few seconds before joining them across the hall. "Good morning, Lady Kagome," Rin greeted her.

"Good morning, Rin." She gently smiled.

Her eyes contemplated if she could face the demon lord in the outfit she had decided to wear. But before she figured it out, he spoke, saving her the trouble.

"I trust your assigned chambers are comfortable," he asked in his non-too-caring baritone voice.

"Oh," she exclaimed, "I hadn't realized he'd arrived to your home already," explaining in her groggy morning voice the best way she could at her surprise of waking up in such unfamiliar grounds.

"Hn," he simply let out as he fixed her, "your choice of kimono is suitable."

Smiling, while she knew it was as close she would get to a compliment from his lips, she gratefully replied, "thank you, milord," and slowy inclined her head in a small bow.

His eyes widened slightly at her action. Never had he thought she would impose such respect toward his person. Obviously, she had done much thinking, and made decisions involving her new state of life. She had begun to accept it. 'Admirable,' he thought, never letting his facial mask waver.

"We must speak privately, Kagome. Rin, please meet us back to the dining room."

"Of course, Lord Sesshoumaru."

While both watched her walk away down the hall and down the set of stairs, neither said a word to each other. When she was finally out of sight, Kagome lowered her head and let her eyes study the floor that seemed to be interesting all of a sudden. They were made of hard planks of wood, and covered with tatami mats. She wondered when the floors were made; they seemed a bit modern for the warring states era.

As she let her mind wonder, Sesshoumaru brought her out of her reveries by lowering his head to her ear, and whispered, "come with me."

Turning around, he walked up further into the hall, and stopped at a set of double doors, which he slid open. Obeying, she followed and walked inside the room.

Her eyes roamed over the contents that were much of the same as the chambers she slept in. But, the colours were different, as well as its size. The room was much bigger and had white walls all around. They had golden dots and royal blue dashed designs along the edges, which gave off a much more subtle and royal look than her own that was quite feminine.

The head of a bed was against the back wall, and the thinner sheets were of a very pure white silk. The thicker sheet was a yellow-golden with black paw imprints at the top. She mentally giggled at that. 'Little puppy prints, how fitting.'

Kagome could tell that the room belonged to him. But the question was, why would he want to speak with her? And why here, of all places?

Her questions were answered before she could voice them, as if he read her mind.

"This Sesshoumaru's chamber is better fitted for the line of conversation to come. This place tends to house eavesdroppers."

A feeling of guilt crept into her mind. Was it not what she had been doing not long ago?

Passing by her and sitting at the foot of his bed, Sesshoumaru motioned she sit by him. Not being sure what kind of talk he would be leading to, she complied without hesitation.

"Upon arriving," he began, "this Sesshoumaru found a book in father's librairy with much information on spring-healers."

Oh, so that's what they would be speaking about...

"The information led to a discovery which could be beneficial for the both of us. Care to hear me out?"

He was being gentle with his words, and asking her if he could carry on. She liked this side of him, but she also knew that he would not let this kind of thing happen often. So she nodded in confirmation.

"Your transformation has given you immortality."

She gasped. "What?"

Breathing in deeply, he reformulated his words, "your life has been lengthened into forever. Now, only death can tear you from this world."

"But..." She tried to speak, though speachless at the news.

"Let me finish," Sesshoumaru firmly interrupted while her mind was racing a mile a minute.

His mouth opened once more, but this time, what came out was completely uncharacteristic on his part. Something she never ever imagined he could do. It felt like a dream; a really strange and obsured dream that wanted to cheat her into thinking it was real. But no, it was no dream; it was very much real. And it seemed to slap her in the face. How could life in this era have taken her this far?

"This Sesshoumaru realizes there may be consequences if you accept, but there is no one else who would be worthy enough to possess the position. Thinking thoroughly, you were the best choice. Now all there is left to determine, is whether or not you would be willing to become this Sesshoumaru's," he hesitated, almost fearing the answer that would could out of his mouth, "... mate."

Yes, he had thought it through. For hours in fact, he numerated all the advantages the coupling would bring. Kagome was a strong miko, a legend since Naraku's end came by her hand. She was indeed beautiful, that is something he had never convinced himself otherwise since the change. As a human, he had found her plain, but curiously strange in an admirable way. He had searched its reasons until it was explained that her actual home was five hundred years into the future. It was a long enough time for many customs, languages, and dress wear to make drastic changes over the years. Sesshoumaru learned of the so called 'school fashion' that was introduced, causing young girls to dress in nothing but what they would call 'whore wear'. Only, her manners and loyalty was a great key to the position with which he was willing to gift her. Though her scent told of her remaining humanity, he noticed the slight change whenever her emotions would peak. He did look forward to its results.

As her eyes lifted to his, he was hit with the smell of salt which indicated she was on the verge of tearing. Understanding, he let her.

He let her lay her head against his shoulder even though her hands covered her face to hide herself. He let her take as much time as she needed to process all the information he had given her. He let her understand his choice by silently staying present at her side while she cried. After twenty minutes of it, as much as he thought he would have regretted letting her do as she pleased, he did not. He rather felt relieved to know he was ready to settle down. Pups were another matter, something he wasn't quite ready for. Until he could find a way to conceive a full-blooded pup, his thoughts on the matter were clear: they would have none.

When the tears subsided, he stood and extended his hand for her to take. The hand he felt rest within his own was small and warm.

Softly rubbing his thumb over her hand, he comforted her with his next word, "think it over. This Sesshoumaru does not wish to pressure you." Pausing, he led her out, and down the hall. "You may return to your chamber if you wish, or, you may visit the grounds. Only restriction and rule, is to never go beyond the great wall. This Sesshoumaru has matters to review within the study. We will meet again at the dining room in the evening." Then, he went down the stairs, his long hair bouncing behind him.

Kagome hadn't expected her transformation to do so much. It was overwhelming. All the plans she made, always turned up in flames. Not literally, but close enough. In the modern era when she wanted to become an archiologist could no longer be an option the day she fell down the well. She had missed way to much schooling, and her math grades had only gotten worse. Then, her plans of living forever more in happiness until the end of her days with the love of her life, had gone down the drain as she learned of the disease killing hanyous and demons alike.

Within 2 short years, she had gotten through the worse pains imaginable to the heart, and yet, it did not seem to be enough to the kamis. They wanted more from her. What was it that they truely expected of her?

She learned to take life as it presented itself during her travels with her love and friends, but now, being immortal? That was something that would keep her heart suffering. All the people she loved, or grew attached to, would most likely die, while she lived. The killings and wars over the centuries would grow in intensity before lessening. What could she do now?

Lowering her eyes, she thought of going to put a little food into her stomach.

She went down the hall and down the stairs, seeing as it was the only way out. It brought her to a wide open room with another set of stairs in front of her and a pair of double doors on each side. The walls were all made of the same bright brown-ish colour. Observing intentely, she noted plaques on the walls by the doors. The kanji written indicated the doors on her left led to the servant's quarters, and the ones on her right led to the family hall. Clearly remembering that she could visit the grounds, Kagome turned right, and into the family hall.

The family hall was nothing other than just that: a long corridor with three double doors on the left; all widely spaced out. The room doors were all identified by symbols: the first had blocks with kanji that said "Toys", so she guessed it was a play room for children; the second had a bowl with a pair of chopsticks, 'ah, the dining room.' She wanted to stop there and go inside now, but her curiosity carried her feet to the next door. A symbol of two swords crossed over each other told her that it was a dojo, a training room.

Hearing her stomach growl, she turned around and into the dining room. Sitting on the end of the table sat Sesshoumaru with a few papers resting by his hands on the table, and Rin on his left quietly eating rice and scrambled eggs.

Lifting his eyes to her, Sesshoumaru gestured to sit on his right, which she did, then called to the servants behind her to serve her the morning meal.

She was served the same as right, as well as a few pieces of tropical fruit. How he could be able to procure those fruits were beyond her imagination. She did not think he would have even known what humans ate in the first place. But only the fact that InuYasha had been over two hundred year old, he was without question much older, maybe three times older. '600 years old, wow!'

He was old all right, but his young features did not betray the elegance, the wisdom, and the beauty he possessed. A demon of great power.

Noticing she had been staring at him, she lightly blushed when he lifted an eyebrow and turned to her bowl to start eating with her chopsticks.

As she ate, she thought back to everything Sesshoumaru had told her back in his room. Just then, her eyes widened as big as saucers. 'Did he... just...'

Turning her head in his direction again, she spoke her thoughts aloud, "Did you... ask me to be your mate?!?" She almost screeched.

Slightly lifting the corner on his lips, a fang showing, he let her know that he did. "Indeed."

"But... you hate humans!" Kagome reminded him, only to see his line of sight shift to Rin, who sat across from her. Sighing, she groaned. "Why me then, huh? For as long as I remember, you never wanted anything to do with me!"

Taking the hand closer to him into his own, he gently squeezed. It was like a lover's touch; it confused and sadenned her. "As this Sesshoumaru has already explained; the pairing could be beneficial to the both of us. And you are no longer human, Kagome, you are immortal."

Breathing hard and fast, she felt her head spin. Now she remembered why she felt so akin to touch him earlier. He had accepted her as she is, but to his benefit. He maybe said it would be for them both, but only 'could' be. It meant nothing. "You don't even love me, so the answer is no," she rudely finished, hoping the conversation would die there. It was in vain.

He had known she would subject to love, but love was not a demon emotion. Attachment and protectiveness is what they felt by nature, he was a dog after all. "Do not assume to know anything, woman. This Sesshoumaru has centuries of experience over your own," he replied angrily, his eyes flashing red for a split second, "we shall discuss this another time. The dining room is no place to speak on such matters. Finish your meal and meet back in my chamber."

He piled the papers in front of him and left in haste.

~ To Be Continued ~

Me: Okay, I'm completely worn out. Sesshoumaru, please let me go. I can barely breathe anymore.

Sesshoumaru: Hn.

Me: *grunts in frustration* Pretty please! My boobs are being crushed!

Sesshoumaru: This Sesshoumaru shall think it over.

Me: *face turning purple*

Sesshoumaru: ... ... ... ... ... *stands from sitting on my back*

Me: *exhausted and trying to stand on my feet, breathing hard* I... think... I'm... okay. Better than being... turned into a pancake, anyway.

Sesshoumaru: Have you had enough of a punishment, woman.

Me: Umm... do i have a choice of answer on that one?

Sesshoumaru: grrr *growling dangerously*

Me: Eek! Yes! I won't do it again, I promise!

Sesshoumaru: *Stands straight in proud success*

Me: Sooooo... will you do the honors then... milord? *bowing*

Sesshoumaru: *looking at audience with a hard glare* This Sesshoumaru orders you review this chapter, humans.

Me: You could've been nicer... *sigh*