A/N: Wow! It took eleven chapters for Sesshomaru to finally admit that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing if he fell in love! I hadn't seen the end of that chapter coming till I wrote it! And thankfully this chapter came a lot easier! I know it's a lot of dialog, but hey, conversations have to happen too! I hope you guys enjoy!

I don't think I'll ever get tired of saying thank you guy for all the reviews, favorites and follows! It really means alot to me!

I also noticed that since I started continuing this story, my other Sess/Kag story Unimaginable has been getting some hits too! So thank you guys for that!

I do have to say, I'm really happy with how this story is turning out. Since Naraku is dead, there isn't much fighting, and I kinda prefer that. But, that isn't to say there won't be conflict later on. Who knows! My mind weaves the story as I type. So, I guess we will see!

A Chance To Change Fate

Chapter 12: No Regrets

The trip to Edo had been relatively unpleasant. In order to speed up travel Inuyasha, Rin, Shippo and Jaken had all ridden on Ah-Un. While Sesshomaru and Kagome traveled on his youki cloud. The half-demon had, for the first half of the trip, done nothing but complain about Sesshomaru coming with them.

After being coldly glared at by Sesshomaru and a warning from Kagome that she would 'sit' him, he wisely shut his mouth. After that the trip had been nothing but soft chatter from the children and Jaken. As they neared the village Kagome felt more and more guilty as the demon lord tensed under her hands.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Why?"

"I can tell being in Edo will make you uncomfortable and you didn't want to come in the first place," she whimpered, "I feel like I forced you."

"You did nothing of the sort," he told her firmly, "I offered."

"Please," she pleaded, "don't be mad."

"I am not."

The tenseness in her body faded and she collapsed against him. He rose an eyebrow but did not say anything. She sighed gratefully. She wasn't sure how this confrontation would go and she really needed his strength at the moment.

They landed just outside the village and ventured the rest of the way on foot. They were greeted by Kaede, Sango who had her youngest strapped to her back, and Miroku who carried their twins. She excitedly hugged them and greeted them, ignoring their shocked looks over her shoulder at the silent imposing figure that was Sesshomaru.

"We should go to Kaede's hut," Inuyasha informed them, "Kagome came to talk with us."

"Alright," Miroku nodded.

The group moved to head towards the hut when they noticed that Kagome had turned around and was looking at Sesshomaru in askance.

"I will be here," he gestured to the forest.

"Are you sure," Kagome moved closer, not wanting him to feel unwelcome.

"Hn."

"Okay," she smiled at him, "will you be taking our pups?"

A softness only she could notice shined in his eyes, "yes."

"Sesshomaru."

The askance in her voice told him what to do. He bent down and she placed her customary thank you kisses on his cheeks. Instead of pulling away after the second kiss was planted she gently pressed her nose into his cheek and trailed it down his neck.

"Thank you," she took a step back and smiled brightly, "I will find you when we are done."

"Where will you sleep?"

"Where will you feel comfortable sleeping?"

"Hn.:"

"I can ask Kaede," she smiled, "would that be okay?"

He inclined his head just so, before he turned and called for the children to follow him. She turned back to her friends to find curious and suspicious eyes. Saying nothing, she followed them into the hut.

"Kaede," Kagome asked softly as they all took seats around the fire pit..

"Yes, child," the old priestess answered her.

"Would you mind if Sesshomaru, Shippo, Rin, Jaken and I slept here for the night?"

"That would be fine. My hut has been quite empty since Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango made their own places to live."

"Thank you," she bowed softly to her.

"Kagome," Miroku asked cautiously, "why is Lord Sesshomaru here?"

"Because I'm here," she stated easily, "he is my alpha."

"What," Sango asked, her voice hitching.

"It's a long story," Kagome sighed.

"You promised, Kagome," Inuyasha nearly snarled.

"The well closed up. After Inuyasha was pulled back through I tried to jump and nothing happened. For two months I tried jumping in almost every day. I would pray and beg and plead but nothing worked. The magic just kind of fell asleep, I guess."

"That's why you didn't come back with Inuyasha," Miroku hummed.

"I wanted to," she told him seriously, "but nothing worked. After two months I just kind of gave up. I tried to jump in at least once a month, but I knew I needed to move forward. I couldn't just forget to live because I couldn't come back. I needed to keep moving forward. I needed to finish high school.

"It was around that time that I bumped into him. I was shocked, but at the same time I was happy. I wasn't alone anymore and someone who had been there, had seen what I had seen in the past, was with me. He wouldn't think I was crazy when I talked about the past and the things I saw, because he had seen them too."

"Who is he," Sango had an idea on who, but…

"Sesshomaru," she sighed softly, "he seemed so sad. When he saw me, his eyes had widened. He was just as shocked as I was. He asked me if I wanted a ride to school and I accepted. I shouldn't have even gone to school, as I couldn't think of anything other than Sesshomaru and how someone from my past was still alive.

"After that, we started to see each other often. He would pick me up from school and we would spend the day together. He would help me with my homework. We would spend hours just sitting on the couch talking. At first it was rough because I was afraid of saying something that would make him go away.

"But, eventually I learned that he needed me as much as I needed him. He was lonely and so was I. We wanted someone who knew our pasts and we were just that. We could talk about anything and everything, and somehow it didn't feel so strained anymore."

"Why are you with the Sesshomaru of this time," Miroku asked curiously, "I mean, obviously they are the same and yet not. This one hasn't had to live five more centuries."

Kagome smiled sadly at him, "sure the Sesshomaru of the future has five more centuries on this one. But, they both suffer from loneliness. Sesshomaru's mother taught him that he needed no one, but dogs are pack animals. This Sesshomaru needs me just as much as the future one.

"If I can show him now that his mother was wrong, then he will not have to suffer five hundred years alone. I had an opportunity that no other person will ever be able to have. I have a chance to change the past."

"You would give up your happiness for his," Sango asked in concern.

She avoided the question for the moment, "he knew. The whole three years he knew that one day the well would open again. Looking back on some of our conversations, he hinted at the fact that I would return without outright telling me. And since I didn't think it was possible, I didn't catch his meaning.

"It hurt the most knowing he knew the well would open. That he knew he would lose me one day. He tried to stop me from coming back," her voice started to break as tears gathered in her eyes, "he begged me to stay. And he told me the one thing I had longed for, for two and a half years to hear. He told me he loved me.

"In that moment, I was torn. It was either go back to the past or stay with him. Then I realized, I could fix his loneliness. I could change his future. And I love him enough that I could do that. I could deal with losing his love for me in exchange for him to have a happy past. So, I did.

"I dropped down the well and as I fell I saw him cry. His face, filled with sadness, and his eyes filled with tears, still haunt my dreams. I never, ever, meant to do that to him. But, if I do this right, in this timeline, he will never have to cry.

"I returned because I wanted to see you guys. I missed you all so much. But, I also returned because I knew I could give him the past the deserved."

"What does that mean for ye," Kaede asked softly.

"I will remain with Sesshomaru in his palace. I have taken the title Shikon Miko of the West. I am Sesshomaru's Alpha Bitch, and Shippo and Rin are our pups. I will travel with him during his land inspections and will get to see you all once a moon cycle."

"You are too selfless for your own good," Miroku sighed.

"You are giving up your life, for him," Sango's voice was sad.

"I don't see it as giving up my life," she shook her head, "I am gaining a really good life. It may end up being loveless, but that doesn't mean I won't be happy."

"What about Inuyasha," Miroku looked at the quiet and subdued half-demon.

"There was a time where I loved Inuyasha but that was a long time ago," Kagome pointed out, "I love Sesshomaru. He may not feel the same, but if the future Sesshomaru could love me, there is hope that he may yet. Even so, his happiness is worth a loveless life."

"Why didn't you tell us when you first got here," Sango questioned her.

"There was a chance that Sesshomaru would have outright refused me. And I wasn't sure I would be able to stand talking about the future Sesshomaru if he had."

"Inuyasha," Sango called to him softly.

"What," he asked gruffly.

"Are you okay," Miroku cut in.

"I'm fucking fine," he growled.

"I never meant to hurt you, Inuyasha," Kagome couldn't stop the sadness that filled her voice.

"Yeah, well, too fucking bad," he snarled.

She flinched, "I'm not going to apologize. I don't regret my actions. If I did, it would mean I regret him and I don't."

"Kagome," Miroku hedged, "are you sure this is what you want?"

"I can't be with Inuyasha if that is what you are implying. I know you guys don't understand because you haven't seen Sesshomaru the way I have but I love him. I honestly do. And, I'm not going to just settle and live with the sadness in my heart that I loved him and never did anything about it. I've made my choice. Please. I don't expect you guys to become best friends with him or anything. I just want my choice respected."

"Fuck that," Inuyasha snarled.

She glared at him, "says the one who wanted me to respect the fact that he was constantly running off with Kikyo," the half-demon flinched, "please, Inuyasha. If you don't approve that is fine, but please I don't want to fight. I don't want to argue all the time."

"Feh," he crossed his arms and glared at the wall.

"Kagome," Kaede called her attention back to the rest of the group, "ye are very certain, even I can see this. I will not stop ye, simply caution ye."

"Thank you."

"If this will make you happy," Sango nodded her consent.

They had all seen and noticed Kagome's unhappiness during her two month stay in Edo. And seeing her now, there was a huge difference. She was back to the bright happy-go-lucky self she had always been. And none of them felt right condemning her to unhappiness just because they were nervous about her choice in… association.

They had saw the display between the demon lord and Kagome. They had seen her affection with him. She had never been that open with Inuyasha. Heck, the times that they had simply hugged embarrassed her. They couldn't tell what he had been thinking as his face was blank and emotionless, but the fact that he had deliberately leaned down for her spoke volumes.

"I think I'll go find him," she unfolded herself from her sitting position, "I haven't spent much time with our pups the last couple of days. Sesshomaru and I usually spar in the early morning and then I wake up our pups and teach them to read and write then take them to the garden to play."

"You and Lord Sesshomaru spar," Miroku stopped her before she could leave.

"Yep," she smiled, "future Sesshomaru and I trained together almost the full three years we knew each other. Taught me everything from swords and all manner of weapons to hand to hand combat. He is a good teacher, tough and strict, but he made sure I only ever left with welts or bruises, never cuts."

"Was he the one that taught you about demons," Sango couldn't stop her curiosity.

Kagome smiled softly, her eyes filled with a far away look, "yes. He taught me about all demons and their cultures, beliefs and traditions."

When no more questions appeared and Sango and Miroku's children began to fuss, she ducked out of the hut. It felt strange being back in the village. Human villages were similar to demons, except humans built smaller huts to live in.

She hummed as she walked through the street, easily and happily greeting people as she made her way to the well. The familiar path left an ache in her heart. How many times had she walked this in the past bent on headed home? It had never occurred to her the well would one day sleep for three years trapping her in the future.

When the well came into view, homesickness hit with a vengeance. Kneeling beside the wooden structure, she placed her arms on the lip and laid her head down on them. She liked being at Sesshomaru's Palace because then she didn't have this constant reminder that she couldn't go home.

She missed her mother, her brother and her grandfather. She missed the excitement as the last school bell rang and she spotted Sesshomaru's car parked on the side of the street. She missed the nights when her mother would invite him over for dinner and after eating they would curl up on the couch to watch a movie.

Tears built up in her eyes and slid down across her arms until they were soaked into the dry wood. She missed him. While she knew one day she may just be able to see her family again, if she lived long enough, she would never see her Sesshomaru again. That time line no longer existed. Once she reached that time the only Sesshomaru that would be, is the one that is now.

Her fingers curled around the wood, shocks of pain in her fingertips spoke of splinters, but she didn't care at the moment. She remembered the first time she spent the night at Sesshomaru's house and how badly her mother had freaked out. Souta teased her for days, purposely making her blush every time they happened to cross paths.

She remember the awkward conversation with her mother explaining Sesshomaru's demon needs and how Kagome wanted to spend more nights at his place. At first her mother had been rightly worried, till she was reassured a million times that nothing more then sleep would ever happen. As Sesshomaru understood and respected that she was still underage.

He always tried his hardest to make sure she was happy. He never allowed her to slip into depression when thinking about the past. He would always grab her hand and pull her out to the car and take her somewhere. Sometimes just to the park, or to a movie, or somewhere to eat, but during summer he would make her pack her things and take her camping. It was those trips that she yearned for. In those days out in the woods, she could pretend they were in the past again.

Her tears fell faster. All that was left of her Sesshomaru was her memories. Because she had decided to alter time and take a different course than what fate had wanted. She knew it would be better this way, but that didn't make missing him any easier.

She let out a loud sob, her whole body shaking with the loud mournful sound. A warm hand softly landed on her shoulder causing her to jump. Through her tears she could barely make out Sesshomaru's passive face. But, his eyes held a look of concern that tore into her already saddened heart.

He sat down and gently coaxed her into his lap. She vaguely realized that his armor was off, as he pillowed her back and head against his pelt, letting her face press against the warmth of his neck. Her hands snaked up and clinched in the fabric of his haori, ignoring the stabs of pain as the splinters were pushed deeper into her skin.

One of his hands wrapped around her waist and the other gently cupped the side of her head holding her softly and yet firmly to him. The sobs she had kept at bay suddenly split forth, her whole body shaking in her release of sadness.

Sesshomaru had never, not once, seen Kagome in a state such as this. In all the time he had known her, he had only ever seen her shed tears when she thought someone's life was in danger. But, even then, she had never cried this hard or this much.

The pain in his chest doubled when he realized he was probably the one that caused this. Indirectly, as it was his future self she was crying over but, it was still his fault. He had caused this wonderful woman such pain and agony. After everything she had done for him, and he had accidently hurt her. He pulled her a little tighter against him, not wanting to hurt her, and yet still unsure how to console her.

He had only ever had to deal with a crying Rin, and she was young enough that a simple command to stop would end her tears. He knew that Kagome would not appreciate being told to stop crying. She needed to let her sadness out. And for the first time in his life, he felt useless and he didn't like it. It was a horrible and uncomfortable feeling.

Footsteps on the path drew his eyes to her approaching friends. Sango and Miroku looked at him with worry and concern. While Inuyasha had a look of pure outrage on his face.

"What the fuck did you do to her," he demanded when they stopped at the edge of the clearing.

He couldn't bring himself to answer. He couldn't say nothing, because he knew she was crying because of him. And yet, he didn't want to admit out loud that he had been the cause.

"Lord Sesshomaru," Miroku stepped forward, "can you tell us why she is so upset?"

His golden eyes drifted to the mass of black silk neatly tucked against the curve of his neck. He remained silent, simply holding her. Why couldn't they just leave? Didn't they understand that she wanted to grieve and how could she when they were bombarding them with questions? Before he could stop himself his upper lip curled and bared his fang, a growl slipping past his teeth.

The three froze, their eyes wide and suddenly panicked. Their dear friend was being held by the demon lord. And she was crying, which led them to believe that maybe her tale had all been lies and she was being kept against her will. But, even together they didn't stand a chance against Sesshomaru if he didn't hold back.

"Sesshomaru," Kagome called out to him, "don't be mad, they are just worried."

Her head tilted backwards and their eyes connected. He pressed his lips gently against her forehead, thinking she would find a lick on her skin uncomfortable. A small hand reached up and gently cupped his cheek, bringing gold to once again clash with blue.

"Thank you," she said, her voice wavering as more tears started to spill, "I just… I miss him and talking about him… just brought up a lot of memories… He is gone… I'll never see him again."

The pain in his chest before was next to nothing as it was now. If he had been in true form his ears would have drooped and his tail would have curled between his legs. A whimper, so soft that Kagome could only feel it against her side, came from him.

Inuyasha's ears flattened against his head. Sango and Miroku frowned. They hadn't realized just how much sadness and pain she was in by being there in the past. She hadn't lied, why would she lie to them. She was genuinely hurting. She had been born of the future, but her life had been torn between times. And it just so happened that one day she had to pick. It had meant she had to leave one behind.

And like all her friends, in one single moment she lost her family and her home. They had all been caught up in the happiness to finally have her back they hadn't thought about the pain she must have been going through. They had lost their families, that was true, but they hadn't chose to. It had simply happened. She had to pick and then live for the rest of her life with the choice she made.

"I feel better now," Kagome wiped her eyes on the sleeves of her kimono, "thank you."

"Hn."

She gave a soft giggle as she wiped her tears from his neck, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"Okay."

He gently helped her back up to her feet. She reached out and her hand entwined with his. The splinters could wait, right now she needed this reassurance to help push away the sadness of loss.

"I'm okay guys," she smiled sadly at her friends, "really. I just was missing my family and him."

"Kagome," Sango gave her a sad look, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Sango," she smiled, leaning up against Sesshomaru's arm, "I made the right choice, and I don't regret it. Just sometimes I need to give myself a moment to feel sad for what I had to give up to gain what I have now."

Inuyasha looked between the two. He was shocked that his brother had held Kagome as she cried. And now he was allowing her to cling to him. Sesshomaru let no one touch him so it was odd to see how almost comfortable he looked.

"I think," Kagome started, "that I'm going to go play with our pups. Will you come with me, Sesshomaru?"

"Hn."

He led her into the forest. She turned back and waved to her friends as they disappeared into the trees.

The whole time she had been in the past she hadn't let herself truly cry over her loss. She had shed a few tears now and again, but she had never allowed a true breakdown. It felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders and suddenly she could finally allow herself to be happy.

As the children came into view, frolicking in a field with Jaken and her hand being held by Sesshomaru, she knew it then. Without a single doubt, she was happy. She had made the right choice. And she could not and never would regret it.