"When is momma coming?" Shippo whined, picking at his formal kimono. It was too stuffy for his liking, especially in the unsettling night's heat. 'Why'd they have it outside anyway?' He was far more comfortable in his usual attire. Truthfully, he didn't understand why he'd been made to dress up and go to Sesshomaru's mother's banquet, especially when it meant that Sesshomaru would be finding someone to mate other than his mother, whom obviously cared greatly for the Daiyoukai.
"She should be here any minute, Shippo." Miroku smiled down at the tike. He was sprouting like a weed and was no longer the tiny little shoulder clinging fox kit he'd used to be. He was taller, more muscular, devilishly handsome, and catching the eye of the young Kitsune-Hime of the East. "Why don't you mingle? With that young girl over there?"
"Why?"
The monk kneeled, careful not to dirty his silk robes. "Charm her, Shippo. That's what she's waiting for."
Sango scowled playfully, nudging him as she berated, "Miroku."
"…I don't know. I like humans more." Shippo nibbled on his lower lip. She was beautiful, with long auburn hair, tipped black, and sparkling grey and hazel eyes. A light blush tinged his cheeks.
"She's half, actually."
Shippo blushed further as the young girl smiled at him, nodding in her direction. "I'm going to go talk to her." Pulling his obi to make sure it was tight enough, he tilted his head up high, and started toward her with as much of a regal appearance as he could.
Miroku smirked. "I should have been a matchmaker."
Sango rolled her eyes. "You would have been too busy groping the women. Let's get-"
Into the garden stepped two guards, bowing at the waist as they announced, as they had the others, "We give you, Lady Kagome."
Inuyasha turned immediately to see her, dropping the rice ball that had been in his hand. Koga's mouth fell open, causing Ayame to punch him in the chin. Sesshomaru tensed, his eyes wide as he trembled ever so slightly.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, standing tall in her simple, yet extraordinary kimono as though she were of nobility. The kimono itself was extravagant, though not over the top, a soft aquamarine with silver, white, and periwinkle butterflies and fans. Her hair was pinned up in a tight bun, ringlets surrounding her face. Her light makeup brought out the small brown lines in her bright golden eyes. The only thing that ruined it for those closest to her, and made it for those who weren't, was the coldness in her eyes and the tight, forced smile on her face.
Miroku licked his lips, rushing toward her and grabbing her hand. "My sweet, sweet lady Kagome, I-"
"Stop it there, monk, if you wish to keep your genitals." She said lowly, arching a brow when he beamed at her.
"Forever enchanting, my miko companion." He kissed her hand, using his free hand to grope her.
Kagome sent a swift slap to her companion, then covered her mouth to stifle a giggle at his goofy, romantic look. 'Silly monk.' She thought as she moved past him, only to be stopped by Inuyasha and Koga.
"Hey, Kagome!" They started together, then glared, "Don't you 'hey' her, dog breath/ya flea ridden mutt!"
"Hi, you two."
"You look great." Inuyasha complimented with a blush.
"Sure do!" Koga chirped, flashing a brilliant, yet cunning smile.
Ayame and Kikyo then chose to approach. "You are beautiful, Kagome." They complimented before both dragging off their males.
Inuyasha snarled, winching as Kikyo tightened her hold on his ear. "Oi, Kikyo!"
"Jeez, Ayame!" Koga yelped as he too was dragged off by the tail.
Again, Kagome was tempted to giggle, that is, until she laid eyes on Sesshomaru, who was gazing at her, his eyes blank. 'Of course he wouldn't think anything of me. I was a concubine for a night. Yay me.' Bowing, she whispered, "Milord," then walked off.
Sesshomaru turned away from the miko, shocked that he was even managed to tear his attention away from her. He needed something to distract him from her.
"Milord," A soft voice called from behind him.
Turning slowly, he found his answer. The demoness was perfect! She wasn't beautiful, but was not plain either. And just by the way she stood, he knew she was submissive. That was what he needed, someone completely opposite of the miko, "Yes, my lady?"
The demoness kept her head low. "I thought that you might like some entertainment. The bando is about to perform, and the dances about to begin. Would you like a partner, milord?"
Sesshomaru nodded as the music began to play, extending his hand to her. He led her to the middle of the garden as people parted for him before wrapping an arm around her waist and holding her hand in the other. It was not long before other couples began to join. "What is your name, my lady?"
"My name is Kayo, milord."
"Kayo." Sesshomaru tested it out. A bit like Kagome, but no the same.
Kagome's eyes followed him, narrowed in pain and anger. 'He pays attention to that instead of me! Damn him! He's doing this on purpose now, just to piss me off! I hate him!' Clenching her fists, she closed her eyes tightly. 'What's so wrong with me that he'd pick her?'
Kakudan frowned as he noticed his mother's aura become distraught. He looked in her direction and frowned. "Mother?" He mumbled softly.
Kagami smiled at him. "What?"
Taking his hands from around her, he stepped back, "Mother's upset about something."
"Kagome will be okay, Kakudan." She wrapped her arms around his neck and started to dance again.
Kakudan looked from his mother to Kagami. Maybe she was right, and things would be okay. Smiling a little, he continued dancing.
Koga growled. "Kagome had better get her kid away from my daughter."
Ayame rolled her eyes. "Oh, calm down, you mutt. It's cute."
"Cute my ass. She's still a fucking pup."
"Technically, so are you."
"…Damnit."
Kagome jumped with a start when a hand landed on her shoulder. She'd been sitting alone for perhaps fifteen minutes as the others danced, trying to meditate and calm herself. Looking up the tanned arm on her shoulder, she met the smiling face of a handsome demon with long silver hair and shimmering teal eyes. "Milord," She rose, bowing.
"Rise, milady." He said in a low baritone.
Doing as told, Kagome asked, "Was there something you needed, milord?"
"I do not think it is right for such a beautiful woman to be sitting here alone. Dance with me."
"With all due respect, milord, I'd rather not."
He arched a brow, surprised. Had she actually denied him? He'd known from her aura that she was defiant, but to actually decline a lord of far higher status was amazing. "Come now. I won't leave until there is a smile on your face."
Kagome sighed, taking the hand he offered and following him to the dance floor. Placing one hand on his shoulder, she took his hand in hers. After a few moments of silence, Kagome took it upon herself to begin the conversation, "My name is Kagome."
Smirking, he whispered back, "Takeshi."
"I'm a miko turned youkai."
"Truly?"
"Truly."
Takeshi chuckled lowly. "How strange and controversial."
Kagome smirked. "I know. I'm here because I'm a friend of Inuyasha's, Sesshomaru's half brother. And why are you here, milord?"
"Me? Oh, I am here to offer the daughter of the Eastern Inuyoukai clan, Kayo, to Lord Sesshomaru. They dance as we speak."
"Oh." Kagome heaved a sigh.
"Also, Sesshomaru is my cousin."
"Really?" She blinked. "I had no idea he had cousins."
Takeshi nodded, holding her a little closer to him. "Yes, Aunt Setsuki isn't very fond of my father, her brother, Lord Tadao."
Kagome tilted her head in acknowledgement. "Would you mind if I lay my head on your shoulder?"
"Mind? My dear, I suggest it."
Grateful, she leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder. His scent was so soothing, smelling of hot metal, like a fresh sword.
Kayo smiled gently as she watched her escort dance with the Lady Kagome. "What a couple, no, milord?"
Sesshomaru looked to see who she was talking about and tensed. 'Miko.' His miko? His cousin was dancing with his miko! No way in fucking hell! He growled lowly.
"Is there a problem, milord?"
"No." He said, looking down at her. His eyes slanted to Kagome briefly, and when he noticed her looking, he pressed his lips to Kayo's. As a lord, he would need no specific reason to kiss her. Drawing back briefly, he glanced at Kagome again and found her eyes wide, filling with tears. Looking away, he fought back a smirk as he dipped back down.
Kagome clutched Takeshi's kimono. Sesshomaru had actually kissed that demoness in public…with people looking! He'd never done anything of the sort to her. Pulling back from Takeshi, she sniffed. "Forgive me, milord. I must be going." She turned to flee, but he grabbed her hand.
"Wait, my lady," he smiled at her with something akin to affection in his eyes, "allow me to escort you to your room." Her eyes cut to Sesshomaru, and he looked over his shoulder to see what had caught her eyes. 'Sesshomaru.' He growled mentally. His damned cousin always got what he wanted.
"S-sure. You may walk me, milord."
Nodding, though he knew she was reluctant, Takeshi took her hand and led her toward the castle. He could practically feel Sesshomaru glaring at his back. A cool wind swept over him and he froze along side Kagome. "Did you sense something, little one?"
Kagome lifted her head to the sky just as Kagura came crashing down. Pushing Takeshi out of the way, she jumped back to avoid the Dance of Blades. "Kagura! What are you doing here?!"
"Naraku's orders!" Kagura replied. "Dance of Blades!"
Again, the miko jumped back. 'Why is she only attacking me?' Her eyes widened as she felt a hand grasp her right arm. "Hakudoshi?"
"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried out. He knew he shouldn't have let Sesshomaru talk him into leaving Tetsusaiga in the castle. He flexed his claws. "Do you value your life kid?!"
"Yes. That is why I obey Naraku."
Kagura jumped to the ground, grabbing Kagome's other arm as she fought against them. "You should try being a little calmer. You'll need your energy."
"Why?"
"My little miko." Naraku deep voice resounded as he floated down slowly. "How have you been?"
Kagome stopped her fighting. "N-Naraku…What are you doing here?"
He smirked as he landed. "Now, now, my little woman, are you not happy to see me?"
"I…I don't know. I'm shocked. How did you-"
"Sesshomaru, you really must do something about your guards going in and out of that barrier without a care in the world."
The daiyoukai growled lowly, lashing out at the dark hanyou with his whip. His growling increased when his whip hit the barrier that surrounded Naraku. "Hiding behind a barrier? Pathetic."
"I call it intelligent." Naraku quipped, turning back to Kagome. "Might I be the first among us to say that you look gorgeous?"
Blushing, Kagome answered with a meek, "Thank you."
"It's too bad that your beautiful face will be ruined soon."
"What do you mean?"
Naraku strolled over to his son, picking him up into his arms. "I am taking my son."
Her eyes widened. "What the hell do you mean, taking your son?!"
He smirked. "I mean what I said. My son is coming with me."
"Kakudan is mine, Naraku. What right have you to take the child I've raised?"
"I do not have to explain a thing to you, miko." He turned to leave.
Snarling, Kagome snatched away from Kagura and Hakudoshi, racing after Naraku and grabbing him by the kimono. "Stop." Her voice was strong though her eyes were teary.
Kakudan whimpered. "Father…"
Turning slowly, Naraku pulled Kagome into his arms and kissed her forehead. Leaning to her ear, he muttered, "I know that you fucked him…Not wanting to be with me just yet, I understand. Infidelity, I refuse to deal with, and I am taking my child."
"Th-that doesn't give you a right to take my baby from me."
"My son is in my custody now."
"Don't make me fight you, Naraku."
A cruel smirked crossed his face. "You couldn't harm me if you tried."
Kagome lifted her fist to hit him, but Naraku beat her too it, sending a swift jab to her chest. Her friends cried out to her as she flew backward, crashing to the ground. As Takeshi helped her up, she watched helplessly as Naraku flew off with Kagura, Hakudoshi…and her baby. Her eyes bled a fierce red and she growled lowly, causing the very ground she stood on to rattle beneath her feet.
Inuyasha stiffened for a moment before approaching her. "Kagome-"
"Pup." She growled.
"Kagome…" He rested a hand on arm.
"PUP!" She snarled again, pushing him away. Her body began to stretch, forming into that of a dog's. Standing at just over half Sesshomaru's height in true form, she howled to the sky.
"Holy shit!"
Sesshomaru took it upon himself to transform as she made to run, forcing her down onto her belly. She writhed beneath him, yipping, whimpering, and growling.
Sango touched Kagome leg gently. "Kagome, calm down!"
Miroku cursed. "Inuyasha, we need to knock her out."
"Where the hell are we going to get enough force to knock out a damn gigantic dog?"
Koga grunted. "Leave it to me." He looked to Kagome, who was struggling harder. "Sorry about this, Kagome." Leaping into the air, he locked his eyes on the very top of her head and flew down with enough force to render her unconscious.
Her body slumped instantly, and Sesshomaru moved back, converting back to his humanoid form as Kagome did the same. He watched as Kagome was carried into his house by his brother. Though he wanted to be with her, to be sure that she was alright, he refused to, convincing himself that she was fine. Returning to Kayo, he nodded to his guards, who announced that the gala would continue.
Kagome groaned as she awakened. Lifting her head, she looked around the cottage. "Kakudan?" She winced as she sat up. "Kakudan?" Her heart raced as she left her futon in search. "Kakudan! Kakudan! Kaku-" Then it came back to her. "He took my baby. Naraku took my child." Her eyes filled with tears and she curled up into the corner. "My baby." A knock at the cottage door startled her, but she ignored it, curling further into herself.
Inuyasha pushed the door open, letting himself and the other's in. "Kagome?" He followed her scent to where she was huddled into a corner. 'Oh, Kagome.' Sitting beside her, he pulled her into his arms, tightening his grip when she fought to get away from him. "Come on, Kagome. We'll get him back."
"My baby, Inuyasha," She clutched his kimono, sobbing softly. 'Damn Naraku.' Sniffing, she nuzzled his neck. "Inuyasha."
He blushed a little, but otherwise continued to hold her.
"Naraku won't get away with this, Kagome." Kohaku assured her in a nasally tone, due to the cold he'd contracted.
She shrugged, staring at the ground. 'He took my baby as punishment…so what was it when he slept with Kagura? Had he really enjoyed that?' "Did you notice that every woman in this time is special?"
Kikyo arched a brow. "How so?"
"Well, take you for instance…you're so strong, so unaffected. That's why Inuyasha loves you. Sango is fierce, and Miroku loves that about her. That Kayo demoness is pretty and of royalty, so Sesshomaru likes her. And Kagura is beautiful…so Naraku slept with her." She finished softly. "I come from another time, so I'm not as special as you all are…that's why you don't love me, isn't it, Inuyasha?"
The hanyou's eyes widened, and he looked down at her. "Wh-what?"
"Because Kikyo's so beautiful, so unique…and I'm not…That's why you love her and not me. I know it is." She shrugs. "I realized it a while ago. That time when Naraku tried to kill her, when she told you about his lingering affections…You were so jealous, and you held her so tightly…You've never held me that way."
"Kagome, I-"
"And when you thought he had killed her…but I saved her." She chuckled lowly. "I was so horrible then. I was almost angry with myself for saving her, because I thought that if she were gone, you would love me. But you wouldn't, would you? Because I'm not special…Tell me, Inuyasha. Have you ever loved me?"
Inuyasha started. What the hell was he supposed to say in return? He looked up at Kikyo to find her frowning deeply, clutching her fists at her side. And he looked back to Kagome, and noticed that she was looking at him expectantly. "I…I don't…Kago-"
Kagome's face fell, tears falling down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry. I don't even love you anymore, and I'm trying to bring back feelings that probably were never there. I don't know what's wrong with me…Kikyo, would you mind if we spoke outside?"
Loosening up, the half dead miko nodded in agreement, following her outside, a while away from the hut, deep into the gardens. "Was there something wrong, Kago-" She gasped softly when the younger girl flung herself into her arms.
"I'm sorry!"
"Oh…" Kikyo remained tense in her arms. "It's alright."
"Kikyo, I feel so horrible. I know he loves you, and you love him and I'm probably ruining your relationship. Please, promise me that you'll always love him, that you'll finish changing him. He has to smile, to laugh, to actually be care free."
"I promise."
"And when you're alive again…birth him a lot of pups."
"I will."
Kagome sighed, stepping back. Lifting her hand, she summoned a small soul to her. "I got Kiyoshiyuki to make this the other night…I hope it brings you happiness."
Kikyo shook her head. "That soul will not work. My souls only last until their life source dies. I must absorb new souls every night."
"This one is different. Kiyoshiyuki fused it with a tiny portion of my…our soul. It should last you the rest of your life." She pressed it to the other miko's chest and instantly felt the hard clay beneath her hand become flesh.
Kikyo's eyes grew wide as she felt her blood coursing through her veins, her heart pounding in her chest. She touched her cheek, surprised to once again be able to feel soft skin…but she did not fell alive, instead her chest was cold. "I am not yet living…but I thank you for all you have done, Kagome-chan." She embraced Kagome, tears streaming down her face. "I thank you." She cried softly.
Kagome gladly embraced her in return, smiling gently at the warmth they exchanged. "You are alive now, Kikyo, and you're tired."
She'd almost forgotten what being tired felt like. Smiling as Kagome helped her to sit, she whispered, "Thank you."
"Do you think you can walk?" Kagome asked, scribbling on a sheet of paper she'd pulled from her sleeve.
"No." She replied lowly, yawning. 'A yawn.'
Kagome nodded. "Good. Kikyo, I'm leaving. I'm going back home, for good. By the time you stumble back to the cottage, I'll be too far away for Inuyasha to come after me. Goodbye, and I'm glad we met." She slapped the paper into Kikyo's hands before sprinting off, bounding away from the castle.
Kikyo cried after her, "How will you get out of the barrier?"
"You have to have Inuyoukai blood to get in, not out!"
Kikyo panicked, trying to stand up, only to crumble to the ground. How was she supposed to stop Kagome? "Inuyasha! Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha's ears twitched. "That's Kikyo…And she sounds panicked! Come on!" He hurried from the hut with the tachi on his tail. 'Kagome, Kikyo, be safe.' He followed Kikyo's scent to her and froze. "K-kikyo?' he pulled her into his arms. "You're alive! How?!"
"Kagome." Kikyo replied. "Inuyasha, you have to stop her! She's going home!"
"She goes home all the time."
"And she is not returning."
His eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
Kikyo shook her head. "She made me promise to love you forever, then she returned me to human. Upon making sure that I was too tired to return to you and tell you, she hurried off.
"Shit, shit, and double shit!" Inuyasha cursed, releasing her to pace. "I have to go after her. Will you be okay?"
"I'm fine. Just don't let her leave. Stop her, please, Inuyasha."
He paused, remembering a time when her leaving was just what Kikyo wanted. Shooting her a smile, he nodded and took off into the air.
A cool breeze blew through Sesshomaru's window, onto his face and causing him to open his eyes. He sat up slowly, allowing his memories to rush back to him. He turned to his left and saw Kayo sleeping peacefully there, nude as the day she was born and sporting his potential mate's mark. Within a year it would disappear if he decided against marking her as his mate.
Standing up from the futon, he walked out to his balcony, closing the door behind him. Inhaling deeply, he caught Kagome's scent in the air. Was it truly smart of him to mark the girl simply to mask and smother his feelings for the miko? And what were those feelings? 'I care greatly for her.' He mused truthfully.
'I love her.' His beast said lowly. 'And you have run her off.'
'I tolerate you far better when you speak in broken sentences.'
'But you listen to me more when I do not. I can tap into your brain at any time and alter myself."
'You love her.'
'We love her.'
'We should not. She was human. She is human.'
'And yet she is still perfection.'
'No. I will not stand for us falling in love with a ningen. I will mate…'
'You cannot even remember her name!'
'I will mate Kagome- I meant, Kayo.' Sesshomaru gripped the rail tightly. 'I will mate Kayo, and she will birth me a pure heir. And we will live.'
'Yes, but we will live as father did…longing for a far truer love.'
Sesshomaru faltered, his eyes widening. "Is that true? Am I becoming father?"
Inutaisho materialized at his son's side. "Yes. You are. Tell me, Sesshomaru, how do you feel for this Kayo?"
"I do not feel for her in the least, however she is a pure Inuyoukai, and will bare me pure, strong, beautiful pups."
"You're confusing her with Kagome."
Sesshomaru scowled. "Father, that wench is no concern of mine."
Inutaisho sighed sadly, turning to gaze at the sky. "Then you won't need the information I have to offer concerning her."
"What information?"
"Have you ever looked at the sky, Inuyasha?"
"What information, father?!" Sesshomaru lifted his voice ever so slightly.
Inutaisho sighed. "Kagome's run off home. You should bring her back."
The daiyoukai rolled his eyes. "She goes home rather often, father."
"Ever for good?"
"For good?" Sesshomaru repeated with a small shake of his head. "No, never for good." He said to himself.
"So are you going to go after her?"
He sent his father a confused look.
"Hai majide, Sesshomaru! You have to think about this? If you don't go after her, you will lose her! She is your love, and you know it! Go get her!"
Sesshomaru lowered his gaze. "I should not care so much for her."
"Sesshomaru, you can't choose your soul mate! It's time to choose! Bring her back, or lose her and mate this demoness that you couldn't care less about."
"I…I decide to…to retrieve my mate." He decided with a triumphant smirk. "I will retrieve my mate." He jumped down from the balcony and took off at top speed.
"Hurry, my son!" Inutaisho's shoulders slumped. 'I hope I haven't motivated him just for him to lose her."
Kagome panted as she leaned against the God Tree. 'Only a little further.' She coached herself. If she remained there for too long, Inuyasha would manage to catch up. Of course she knew that Kikyo would end up telling Inuyasha earlier that she had planned, so she needed to hurry. 'I better get going.' She opened her eyes and was met with a fierce, golden glare. "I-Inuyasha."
"Where did you think you were going?"
"I, I was," she stepped back as Inuyasha stalked toward her, "I was going home," Her back his the tree, and she shuddered. The pained, furious look in his eyes just too much. She tried to look away, but he grabbed her chin.
"You were leaving me." He said angrily. "Kagome, what the hell were you thinking?!"
She shrugged. "I don't know. I need to go home. This damned era is nothing but pain for me! Naraku took my baby, Kikyo took you, Sesshomaru rutted with me, then told me that it never happened! I just need to get away from this."
Inuyasha sniffed hotly. His furry ear twitched mechanically. "You promised, Kagome. You promised that no matter what, you wouldn't leave."
"I lied."
"You didn't." He wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him. "You aren't going anywhere. I refuse to let you leave me. You're going to stay here forever...with me."
"I-I can't. You have Kikyo."
He snorted. "I don't give a damn. I'll have you too."
Kagome whimpered. "You don't love me. You never did." Her eyes flew open when Inuyasha crushed his lips into hers, kissing her with as much passion as he could muster. "I-Inuyasha?"
He drew back, staring her in the eyes with his own soft amber ones. "Kagome, I've always loved you. I love you now. Then, I just could express it, and I didn't want it. I'm destined for Kikyo, and I love her. Now, I love you as my best friend, but strangely, still as a mate. If I didn't have Kikyo, I would gladly be with you. But I have Kikyo, and I want her."
"And I'm happy for you…but I'm not happy for me. I lost you, and I got over it. I mean, I still love you. I forever will. But then a piece of that love broke off for Naraku…and then…"
"Sesshomaru?"
"Ye-yeah."
He sighed. "Kagome, I care about you." He admitted. "I can't stand seeing you hurt. But the thought of seeing you leave me, leave us, I can't even imagine that. So you aren't leaving."
"I have to."
"I won't let you." He growled forcefully. "You're my friend, my Kagome." He stroked her hair. "You've shed tears for me, you were there when I ran off to see Kikyo. You forgave me after I caused your death. When I thought you'd died the first time, I cried for you when I hadn't cried since I was a pup. I smiled at you, and laughed at your antics. Kagome, you've made me trust again, made me love again…I'm not done yet. There's so much changing left for me to do."
"And you will do it, with Kikyo."
"But I need you too."
"You can't have us both, Inuyasha. And this isn't about you. You can't think deciding that I will stay will really make me stay. I have to go."
He arched his upper lip. "Not if I have anything to say about it. You're leaving over my dead body."
Kagome sighed. "Inuyasha," she hugged him, "my dear friend, Inuyasha, I don't care what you say. As much as I'll miss you all…I. Have. To. Go!" Pushing him off, she sprinted off toward the well.
Inuyasha howled, his eyes bleeding red. He dashed after her, shouting gruffly, "Think about Shippo! Rin!"
"I'm not their real mother! Kikyo can take my place!" She fought back her tears.
"What about…Sesshomaru?!" He sped up on her, reaching to grab her.
Kagome bolted out of his reach. "Sesshomaru has Kayo!" She halted as they neared the well.
Inuyasha skidded to a stop. "What about me, Kagome? If you leave, I'll never forgive you. I'll hunt you down in your era when I live to be 700. I mean it. If you leave…if you leave me forever, I'll paint my claws with your blood!"
"Do what you must, Inuyasha." She stood on the well's edge, gazing at him. "Goodbye, Inuyasha." She fell backward.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha reached in, grabbing her hand.
"Let me go!"
"No!" He prepared to help her out, howling when she zapped him fiercely with her miko energy. He snatched back, gazing at his scorched, human hand as she fell. "I'll murder you, Kagome!"
She smiled sadly. "I love you too, Inuyasha." And with that, and a mouthed sentence, she disappeared into the dark abyss of the well, through magic and time.
"Damnit!" He jumped after her, but when his feet hit solid ground, and the sky continued to show above him, he cursed loudly. "DAMNIT!!!"
Sesshomaru pushed himself harder as he heard his brother's yell and saw birds flee from the treetops. The well came into sight, along with his brother, who was kneeling before the well, hunched over in pain. 'No.' Slowly, he approached. "Where is she?"
"In her time." The hanyou whispered.
He tensed. "And you let her go?!"
"What do you care?! This is partially your fault!" Inuyasha stood, glaring at his brother with reddened eyes. "How the hell could you hurt her like that?! You cold hearted bastard, you just fucked her and lied about it!"
"Can you get through to her?" Sesshomaru asked.
"She sealed the well." He replied dejectedly, glaring at the ground as he held his fists tightly at his side.
Sesshomaru cursed, pacing. "A message, a phrase? Did she say anything for me?"
Inuyasha nodded curtly. "But there ain't no way I'm tellin' ya." Immediately, he found himself forced against a tree.
"Sesshomaru!" Inutaisho pulled his eldest son off his youngest.
"What did she say for you to tell me?!" Sesshomaru growled, ripping out of his father's grip and preparing to attack again.
"You asshole!" Inuyasha punched him in the jaw, surprisingly sending the Daiyoukai back a few feet. "Give me one reason that I should tell you."
Sesshomaru snarled. "Because I love her."
Though shocked, the hanyou didn't show it. "She wishes you a happy mateship with Kayo."
"…" He could bring himself to reply, inwardly cursing. He felt like he'd been ripped apart, and though he hardly cared, he knew that his brother felt the same. "What will you do?"
"I made her a promise. If she leaves, and doesn't return, I'll live to her time, hunt her down, and kill her for not keeping her word to me not to leave." Swiftly, he took off, back to the castle. He'd give Kagome a full moon cycle to return, no more, no less. If she didn't, he'd leave Sesshomaru's castle and work on living until her time.
Here's a Q. Do you guys want a sequel? Or do you want me to try to finish this story in this story? No, this isn't the end, I'd just like to think ahead. I have the greatest idea for the second story dealing with eradication of all youkai.
