A/N: I realize that it's been a really long time since I last updated. I do extremely apologize for that. All that matters now is that I have a new keyboard and I'm ready to write! I've even got a new story brewing in my head. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Kagome rushed back to the safety of the base floor. It was still night, so she could only go to sleep or stay awake until Sesshomaru. Kagome already knew she wouldn't be able to sleep with all this on her mind, so she headed somewhere to think.
She slowly made her way up the winding staircase. She passed her room, then Sesshomaru's. She finally made it to the top of the staircase and opened the door to the balcony. Finally, she felt like she could breathe. Everything around her was such a mess. She'd thought she wanted to get down to the bottom of all this, but the further she got, the more suffocated she felt. A little part of her wanted to escape to the well, so she could go back to the present and be normal for a while. But she knew she had to stay. As much as she loved her family, she couldn't just leave without seeing this through.
Behind her, she heard a faint creaking, and turned to see Rin standing next to the large door.
"K-kagome… Why are you up so late?" Rin looked up at her, a bit of worry showing on her young face.
"Oh, I couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd come up here and relax a bit." Kagome said, feigning casualness.
"Oh, okay. Can I join you?"
Kagome nodded, and Rin came up to where Kagome was sitting. She leaned forward to the railing on the balcony.
"This is really far up. You can hardly see the garden. And it's kinda cold. How long have you been up here?"
"Just a little while." Kagome looked around for a second, and spotted Sesshomaru near the door. "Why don't you go downstairs and get some tea? I'll be right behind you."
Rin jumped to her feet and ran toward the door, almost knocking Sesshomaru down.
Sesshomaru moved aside, and she flew past. "Having you here has made Rin very happy. I haven't seen her this excited in a long time." He came over to where she was sitting and took a seat himself. "Have you made a decision?"
Kagome avoided his eyes, feeling guilty. "I did. I went down to talk to him."
"Why didn't you tell me? I was to escort you down there for your safety." His cold steely eyes softened for a moment.
"I'm fine. I didn't get hurt."
"Well, what did he say?" Sesshomaru stiffened.
"He says it was an accident caused by his loss of Tessaiga. I don't know if that makes it better or worse…" Kagome looked down at her feet, tears welling in her eyes for her fallen friends.
"What are you going to do? I'm leaving his judgment to you. However you see fit, I'll do as you say."
"I don't know." Kagome stood up. "I'm really hungry. I think I might go get some food, if that's okay."
"I'll join you." He stood, and offered her his arm.
Kagome hesitantly took it and followed him downstairs. He pulled a chair for her. After she sat, he took the seat opposite hers and took a long look at her. "What would you like to eat?"
"I don't know. Whatever you'd like is good."
Sesshomaru stood, and walked into the kitchen. He came back and sat at the table, waiting for our food to be done. He looked at Kagome, his eyes softening once again.
Suddenly, a man burst into the dining hall. "He's gone, my lord. Forgive me."
Sesshomaru stood. "Who's gone?'
"Your brother, the half-demon." The man cast his eyes down, shame evident in his eyes.
"Get together as many men as you can and search for him. He is to be brought back here at any costs." He turned to Kagome. "We must go. It's not safe here in the open. Follow me." He said, proffering his hand.
Kagome took it and was immediately jolted forward. She tried to keep up with him as he took her somewhere she hadn't been before.