Aaaaaand just when you think I've gone and fallen off the map... Here I am! Much apologies on the delay. I could go on, but y'know, I won't. Please enjoy!


The constellations faded, and the horizon turned a rosy hue, until either of them realized they hadn't slept yet. Birds had long been serenading to each other as the night waned, and as the light kissed the navy blue sky goodbye. How was it dawn already? She couldn't believe how oblivious she was to how much time had passed.

His hair tickled her cheek and caressed her bare shoulders, smelling pleasantly of pine. Being covered only by his heavenly soft furs, the dewy morning air barely chilled her. Cuddling up to a taiyoukai had its perks—she'd never have to suffer from the cold again.

There was a distinct shift in Sesshoumaru's energy, which now resonated within herself, too. A bond forged between them she had no name for; yet they were tethered in a way which felt familiar. When she considered it, she realized she'd shared something like this with Inuyasha, once.

No—not nearly to this degree of intensity. Nothing compared to how connected she felt to Sesshoumaru. Somehow, he'd become apart of how she envisioned her future to be.

However, she still needed to hear him say he wanted to be with her. It was the only way she could finally feel at ease; he was not one to proclaim his emotions, but she needed him to.

It did her no good to try and get any answers out of him. His ministrations were focused on her neck, and on running the tips of his fangs along her jawline. He seized her hands and pinned them behind her, nipping her earlobe. The more she squirmed beneath him, the deeper his purring became. Kagome couldn't stop him—nothing on earth made her want to stop him.

Somehow, the miko gathered enough of her wits to create a barrier, not so gently forcing him off. She sensed his temper rising the longer she stalled him. Besides, she didn't think she had it in her to satiate him again.

"Sesshoumaru," she breathed, avoiding his gaze. She wasn't sure if he was capable of hypnotizing people with those mesmorizing eyes. "I just need to ask you something, and then... I'm yours. All or nothing." Her heart was suddenly beating like a drum inside her chest.

He's probably upset I'm even questioning... whatever this is! I always have to spoil a good thing. Maybe I'm missing the mark on this one?

Surprisingly, rather than inflating his youki further, he stabilized it. This helped her gain a semblance of peace once again.

Another minute crawled by, and when he'd yet to show any sign of hostility. Kagome finally relaxed.

It was enough to lower her barrier.

An intense feeling of desire shot through her abdomen when she met his amber eyes, because that's exactly what she saw reflecting in his. It wasn't just the physical lust captivating her, making her heart lift within her breast.

Instantly, he moved to her side, tangling his hands in her hair. Sesshoumaru kissed her throatthen leaned away. Say it." His claws threaded through her dark hair calmly.

Kagome decided to dive right in. "Tell me you're in this for real. I want to know I'm not just a... a thing you're—"

"Playing with?" He interrupted. "You're insecurity is quite aggravating. Perhaps I should give you a reminder as to why I am not escaping?" Talons teased their way up her sweater, only to be stopped just before she could lose all rationality.

"I know. It's dumb." She wiggled away from his wandering hands. "I've got a lot of things to worry about."

"You used to have things to worry about," corrected Sessoumaru, growing irritable. "I am not a scoundrel who frequents the beds of women, nor am I a unfaithful. If you wish me to vow it, I shall."

"Oh no, you don't have to vow for me." Kagome swatted another hand from pulling at the hem of her jeans. "It's just a formality, is all."

He huffed. "Will it make you drop the subject?"

She couldn't resist. "Yes."

"Very well," he sighed, drawing himself up and off of her body. She watched for signs of dishonesty in his golden eyes. He cleared his throat and recited, confidently, "I give myself only to whom my soul is shared. None other than my mate shall lay claim to my flesh; may sire my sons; or share my empire, so long as we stay united. My sword shall be drawn to protect you among all others, including myself. If it to be, I will die in your place; if you are to die first, I will follow you into the underworld. I share my life, my existence, with you, and you alone. So long as I live, so shall you, under my complete protection. This... is my solemn vow."

She no longer could see any of his features—her tears were obscuring her vision, his words moving her. There was no doubting his sincerity. Not even when Inuyasha had vowed this to her had it been so... certain. Absolute.

Even though it had been years ago—and what felt like lifetimes ago—Kagome still remembered how to accept his vow traditionally.

The glow of the sun warmed one side of her face, and a cool breeze chilled the other. He nuzzled and rubbed against her cold cheek, pressing faint, brief kisses against her throat.

"Sesshoumaru," Kagome said breathily. "My soul is yours, and yours alone. I will have no other mate in this life, for I shall follow you into the next. I am bound to you in this world, and the next, and that is my solemn vow."

She understood what awaited them after they made the final step. Somehow, it almost felt like the process was long overdue.

There was no cacaphony of fireworks, or cheers from an excited crowd, to announce what happened next. Their gazes locked, in a trance neither of them believed they could pull away from. After what felt like an eternity, Kagome mentally kicked herself, and stole a kiss from right under the taiyoukai's nose.

His surprise intake of breath inspired her to lean into him further. As she lost herself in his kiss, she absently noted that the light of the sun was now peeking out between the trees. She tried as hard as she could to ignore what it meant, hoping Sesshoumaru would provide enough of a distraction. Instead, he disengaged their kiss, albeit very slowly, and began searching for his clothes.

"Is something... wrong?" she asked.

"I can sense you're anxious, meaning you're forgetting something." He said smoothly for being wrapped around her not seconds ago.

She wanted to stay cocooned in his furs the entire day. If it had been any other day, she would've. But this day determined just what would follow after the gala. The knowledge of what it could mean to her future made her head spin.

It wasn't necessary for him to ask—he already knew the answer. Yet, he felt compelled to anyway. "Are you anxious that I am accompanying you?"

And she was, more so than she cared to admit. But what he said next surprised her. "Since I made a vow, it should come to mind that this also implies I will take into consideration your opinions and emotions. It is no question there are no youkai in existence there, so I am under no threat."

Was he even intending on rampaging through her world in the first place? Or had all of that been meant to get a rise out of her?

She chose to let the thought slide for the time being. "Fair warning, though. You're going to be a little overwhelmed at first. A lot of things are going to be beyond understanding, so don't worry if you're uncomfortable."

"Nothing intimidates me. I am without rival."Although meant to come across as serious, he was shimmying on his hakama, a sight which almost caused her to giggle.

She ignored his pointed glare, orienting him back to her main point. "The goal is to not kill anyone, or anything. And so far, Inuyasha's got a perfect track record of that, too. Although he has maimed a few vehicles and other modern appliances. I'm sure you're more than qualified to handle drastic changes you'll soon face."

The slight twitch of his ear made her believe he was up for the challenge. He noted her pursed lips, and how she was examining his person quite thoroughly.

She shook her head. "And you're not allowed to wear... that."

"You are gesturing to... my attire?" He rolled his eyes. "You suggest I instead trounce about naked? Such are the customs of your world?"

Kagome balked, nearly acting on the impulse to smack him on the arm. He wouldn't admit it, but his fascination with making her cheeks colour was becoming addictive. "No! No one wears what you do there. Unless we go to a ComicCon, then we'd get away with it. Besides," she huffed, "Inuyasha has to wear a hat or bandana while over there to cover his ears. And he doesn't even comply to that all the time, either."

The taiyoukai stretched out and yawned. "This does not concern me. I am able to adapt to any situation."

"Here we go again. Sesshoumaru, please understand this is..." Her faltering granted him an opportunity to cup her flushed cheeks. Her focus wavered as his hands wandered down her neck, pausing just before reaching the hem of her pants. "I'm just... t-telling you this to prepare—hey, no!"

He grumbled when she swatted him away. Belatedly, she realized he'd already unbuttoned her jeans, and had nearly succeeded in removing them.

"If we're going to actually do this, we need to get going. Like, now—the sun's been up way too long, and—" He cut her off with an abrupt kiss, which also worked at knocking the wind from her lungs. For a few dizzying moments, she lost herself in memorizing the way his lips shaped against hers; how his touch set fire along the sensitive regions of her body.

Sesshoumaru pulled away first, although only enough to be able to stare at her profile, keeping a tight grip on her slender hips. "I have stated I mean no harm to your world, and I vow to keep my word. Especially if I am to be inhabiting it with you."

She smiled and leaned into another kiss, more chaste and sweet than the others before it. When she assessed his lively, topaz eyes, something, inevitably, clicked into place. "Then let's go."

Not a trace of vacillation endured in her heart. With his hand secured around hers, they neared the Bone-Eaters Well. The well pulled her in like it always did—a sensation akin to a tidal wave of immense energy; untamed, and unpredictable. Just like him. And yet, she always trusted it would land her on the other side. She could only hope it would be enough to get him across, too.

Stepping one foot on the lip of the well, Kagome braced herself, but was halted by a firm grip on her waist. His wavering expression was enough to literally break her heart. She couldn't recall a time when Inuyasha dithered at the idea of time-traveling.

His rigid frame and flexed claws told the miko all she needed to know. Before she could think twice about it, she wrapped her fingers within his, willing him to relax. "It's easier if you close your eyes," she said softly.

Sniffing, he belligerently obliged, but not before sending a scathing look her way. For reassurement, she patted him on the shoulder.

"It'll be quick and painless, I promise."

He squeezed her hand back, grumbled something she didn't catch, and held her tighter against him. All the pandemonium within his aura was being assuaged by her spiritual powers. Quietly working in the background, it gradually freed him of negative energies.

As long as their connection held, Kagome was confident he'd make it across with her.

Isn't that how Inuyasha had been doing it all this time?

"I'm ready," he said calmly.

She nodded, feeling a tear slide down her cheek. "Take a deep breath, and—Go!"


Her descent felt different this time. Panic threatened to cloud her focus, so she clung, even tighter, to Sesshoumaru. Just knowing he was with her grounded her, enough to try and identify the ominous sensation lurking within the Well.

Even for himself, he looked pale. And also appeared not to be breathing. She was able to keep from falling apart, only because she could sense his aura. However, it was weak, and fading fast.

The weightlessness, coupled with the vertigo and nausea, confirmed they were at least moving through time. The question was, how far would they be able to make it together?

Seizing his hands, Kagome squeezed his fingers. She could only think of one possible way to wake him. "This is going to hurt a little," she apologized, then zapped him with her purification.

He didn't respond. "Sesshoumaru," she hissed. "Hey! Please, don't leave me now!"

His grasp was loose, so when he began drifting away, she struggled to hold onto him.

With a jolt, she realized she was no longer holding his hands. Looking down, portions of his body were fading into the maelstrom of demonic energy. Any part she tried to cling to disappeared; nothing she said was stopping it from happening. Little by little, he ceased to exist the closer they approached her timeline.

Pitch black clouds swarmed, obscuring her vision, long enough for her to realize it was too late.

The smell of the musty, moldy old cellar was the first clue. Seconds later, her feet touched the damp soil of her family's wellhouse.

There was no trace of his youki.

Numbly, the miko climbed the ladder, perching at the top. She poised to dive right back in and retrieve the taiyoukai, but something urged her to stop.

Kagome reached out to connect with the Well's energy, and found terrifying results.

It was sealed.

Just like when she ran away from Inuyasha.

Sesshoumaru was... gone.

She was... alone.


Kagome and Sesshoumaru both jumped in, holding hands. A brilliant pillar of light beamed into the sky following their departure. The kitsune observed all this behind a tree. He tried to recall a time when that had happened to Inuyasha and Kagome. Failing to think of anything, he decided it was worth investigating.

Waiting for the light to dissipate, Shippou peered from behind the tree. A feeling as if something went horribly wrong passed over him.

Inuyasha's always been the only one able to go with Kagome. He glanced in the direction of Kaede's village.

I should tell him, he reasoned with himself. He'll know what to do.

Erring on the side of caution, Shippou approached the well. He perched himself on the edge and stared into the gloomy depths, his guard up. A spicy scent lingered around the well, causing the kitsune's nose to start burning. I know this smell. It was when Kagome had gotten trapped on the other side for the first time.

A sudden, fierce burst of energy sent a gust of wind upwards from the depths of the well. Shippou flew off, tumbling almost to the edge of the glade.

He saw a strange white sphere shoot up from the well and into the sky. It darted off in the opposite direction of the village, toward the rising sun. The energy slapped him in the face, and shook the trees around the clearing. It only took him a second to register what he'd seen. By that time, Shippou sensed the approach of his hanyou friend.

"Hey! What the hell?!" Inuyasha shouted, barreling into the meadow at a break-neck speed. He landed atop the well, snarling. An familiar, acrid odour wafted up through the well."It's fucking closed! Shippou, did you see what happened?"

The fox kit trembled, near tears. He murmured, "Sesshoumaru and Kagome tried to go through the well, only—"

"Only what?!" he roared.

"I don't think Sesshoumaru made it!" Shippou cried, pointing in the direction the taiyoukai took off. "He-he was... thrown out of it, or... I don't know! But Kagome made it through."

"Bastard. What did he do?" Inuyasha sniffed about the clearing, trying to piece together what had transpired. "If I find out he did something to Kagome, I'll rip his goddamn head clean off!"

Shippou jumped to their defense. "He didn't do anything though... they looked... h-happy. I-I think this wasn't their fault, Inuyasha. She's probably a-alone, too. Poor K-K-Kagome," he sniffled.

Inuyasha couldn't discern why he felt his heart pounding in his breast. Or why he was seeing red. Maybe he just didn't want to understand it. The conviction in the Shippou's words were enough of a reason to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Well, if that's really what you saw, then who am I to say?" Inuyasha sighed. "I'll just have to track Sesshoumaru down and find out the details. Maybe this time... we can undo this."

Shippou's eyes brightened, encouraged by the possibility of getting the miko back. Yet, within his heart, the hanyou felt like he was prolonging the truth.

Inuyasha had known the instant the well had sealed. It was impossible to ignore the sudden alteration in the energy. Kaede sensed it too. Even though he knew it was too late, there was still the matter of confirming it with his own eyes. It reminded him, all over again, just how little control he had.

"Maybe it didn't want Sesshoumaru to cross over." Inuyasha mused aloud, finding it hard to form words. "It didn't want me to follow her, either. I always thought it was because she made it to that. But maybee... I dunno."

Shippou blinked, wiping away tears. "Do you think it got mad at them, so it took Kagome away?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "I think the only one who's going to actually know why is the Well itself. That's all I can think of."

But still, it doesn't explain why it kicked Sesshoumaru out. It sure sounds like she wanted him to go too. Maybe... the first time it happened, she didn't mean to lock me out?

No matter how much he wanted to ponder this new avenue of thinking, he had to deal with the present issue. Starting with finding his only credible source.

"You stay here and wait for Kagome in case she comes back." The hanyou ruffled the fox demon's hair roughly. "Make sure you're there when she gets back, you got that?"

He crossed his heart. "I swear it." Shippou marched back to the well, planting himself right on top.

Casting one last glance back at the Bone-Eater's well, Inuyasha ran like the devil was at his heels. Right now, he needed to find Sesshoumaru and get the whole story.

It couldn't end like this.

She can't just... disappear again.

There just has to be a way to get her back. Right?


The inuyoukai paced around Bokuseno, stifling his rage caused by neither swords or words. The demon tree, followed his every move, having not yet said a single word. It wasn't unusual that Sesshoumaru would seek his counsel. But it was unusual to find him so distressed and incensed. He wouldn't know anything until the daiyoukai blabbed.

Silence continued, with Sesshoumaru traipsing around the ancient demon's small meadow. Judging by his stony expression, Bokuseno predicted there would, inevitably, be a breaking point. The tree speculated that if this hadn't meant so much to him, he'd likely never even see the son of the Dog Genera. Let alone so riled up, and to the point of complete discord. The demon tree pondered this worriedly.

Despite how secure he kept his thoughts locked up, he struggled to keep from lashing out. He couldn't extract any vengeance. How was one to punish an inanimate object? How did one even begin to rectify the mistakes made, when no one had the ability to do so? It had outright rejected him from going to the future—what could he do to change that?

It ripped Kagome away from him. Putting him unconscious the second they'd entered the portal. Jettisoning him out without hesitation.

And she was either coming back, or...

Sesshoumaru finally ceased his pacing and faced the direction of the rising sun. He cracked his knuckles and struck down a nearby oak with just a flick of his wrist. Poison-tipped claws sizzled and splattered onto the earth, putrefying the grass and weeds.

Bokuseno wished there was an easier way to deal with the demon lord, as he hacked up five more trees with ease. Clearly, someone needed to set the record straight. A person of experience needed consulting.

Luckily for him, Bokuseno sensed the presence of the hanyou nearby.
"Looks like help is finally arriving," remarked the demon tree.

"Hnn." Sesshoumaru extinguished his poison whip. "He's tardy. It's rather aggravating."

Bokuseno chuckled. "Ah, well he does take after your father in that aspect." Declining to respond, Sesshoumaru resumed his march around the demon tree. "It's not as if the Dog General was known for his... elegance on the battlefield. Nor can I recall him ever being punctual. Too often, he'd be late for his own war meetings."

Sesshoumaru welcomed his half-brother by way of glaring and snarling at him. Instinctively, Inuyasha placed a hand on the pommel of Tetsusaiga, baring his fangs. "I've got a problem with ya, you bastard! What the hell happened?"

Sesshoumaru flexed his claws. "I'd like to ask you the same question, half-breed. Don't try my patience."

"Might be wise not to slaughter your half-sibling, my lord," Bokuseno chimed in, drolly. "I understand you're distraught, but he may be the only one who knows how to assist."

Inuyasha glanced at the demon tree, scoffing. "Since when are ya hanging around with talkin' magnolia trees, anyway?" Even though he felt like raging and fighting, Inuyasha sheathed his sword. "Can you tell me what in the hell that was all about, at least? What made the Well seal over again? What the hell did you do?"

Sesshoumaru wanted to feel as though he owed the hanyou no explanation. Yet, he couldn't ignore the possibility of himself being the one to blame. After all, Inuyasha was the only other one capable of even using the well. If what he said were true...

"Sesshoumaru! You've got to tell me what happened. Because whatever you two did, it's..." It was uncharacteristic to hear his younger brother's voice break. It only concerned the taiyoukai more than it already did. "Look, it's not good, all right? I can't... I can't sense her, anymore. It's... just like before. Before, I—we—couldn't reconnect."

Bokuseno had enough to form a general understanding of the predicament they were facing. The reason Sesshoumaru was here was because he believed the demon tree knew how to help.

If only it were true.

Creating some distance, Sesshoumaru maintained neutrality. "Is it possible there will be a time when Kagome could come back?"

The hanyou shook his head, concern in his voice. "I...I don't know. This feels... worse. I can't describe it, but..." Inuyasha flinched when his elder brother scowled and came to a complete stop. "Something's stopping her from passing through. It's the same thing from last time."

Growling, the inuyoukai resumed pacing, this time back and forth in front of Bokuseno.

"It is indisputable that a sinister energy has surrounded the Bone-Eater's Well." Bokuseno heaved a mighty, funereal sigh. "Perhaps... she may not be able to return. Inuyasha, your understanding of this Well is far beyond ours. Perhaps enlightening us on your thoughts would help?"

"I ain't a god damn expert," Inuyasha scoffed at the tree. "I'm just sayin' this is just like the first time." This was to Sesshoumaru. "When she ran away from me, it closed up behind her. It kept her away for three years, and we don't even know why." Inuyasha didn't want to say it, but he felt obligated in a way, knowing exactly what he was experiencing. "This feels... just like that."

Both the hanyou and the demon tree were anticipating some sort of outburst to come from Sesshoumaru. To their relief, he was reticent—reserved, even. Boiling rage had been his primary emotion; though he managed somehow to stifle it, control it.

Stopping just at the edge of the clearing, he didn't bother turning to face them. He spoke in low tones which held no emotion. "If she is gone, then I shall await her return."

"What if she doesn't come back?" Inuyasha barked.

"She came back for you," the taiyoukai retorted. "It stands to reason she will come back for me someday, too."

There was something in the way Sesshoumaru assumed things would work in his favour that annoyed Inuyasha. How could he be so arrogant and expect things to bow to his every whim?

"She might be able to get through. But how long this time until it happens? Ten years? Thirty? If she's dead, how the hell are ya gonna be able to reconnect with her then, huh? Look, all I'm saying is... we shouldn't assume she'll be back." Inuyasha hated exploring options; because he couldn't see her anymore, either. It hurt knowing she was gone, out of their grasps—for no clear reason once again. His brother's delusional outlook on things would only wound him in the long run. Especially if she couldn't ever come back.

Sesshoumaru replied with no hint of malice. What's more, is that he sounded genuine. "I have great faith in her capabilities. She is able to accomplish remarkable feats when challenged. She will find a way. She has done so once before."

"Keh. She's stubborn for sure." The hanyou exchanged a fleeting glance with Bokuseno, whom been mute up until then. "What do ya think? Could there be a way to fix this?"

The wise tree deliberated. "If you are adamant this miko can triumph, then there should be no doubt. If she is unable to rise to the task, what will you do then, my lord?"

The dog demon directed a statement to his half-brother instead "She will return. You and I will collect any and all information pertaining to the Bone-Eater's Well in her absence. It will open again."

The hanyou acquiesced, although grudgingly. Of course he'd help—they'd been through so much together already. A much welcome change from the sneering and brawling, he also relied on the taiyoukai when shit hit the fan.

"Yeah, it might work." Inuyasha huffed. "Just don't go crying to me if it doesn't."

Bokuseno witnessed the mutual expression of companionship sweep over the Dog General's two sons. If anyone stood a chance of succeeding in this impossible mission, it were these two brothers.


Yes, yes - I know you probably aren't happy with me right now. Just when you thought there could be a happy ending... life throws you a curve ball. Don't worry, I'll be sure to explain in the next chapter :P Kindly leave a review if you've got a comment :)