I hereby disclaim all rights for the characters, although I take responsibility for whatever actions I make them do. All rightful credit must go to Rumiko Takahashi for gifting the world the acclaimed InuYasha series (especially to the non-canon couple we all came to love).

This chapter is for the one who finally speaks up.

A/N: All right, guys! Here's the first update of the week. Thank you for always waiting for the new chapters. Love you guys so much! I'm trying really hard to move the plot along and a lot of explosive events will occur in a few weeks. I appreciate your positive reviews.


Secret Unraveled

The chilly breeze carried with it a gust of flurry snowflakes. The sky was painted dark blue, making the snow-blanketed Higurashi shrine seem bleak and austere. Outside the house, Kagome and Sesshomaru were standing on the doorstep with Mama, Souta, and grandpa looking on from the doorway.

"Here, Kagome," Mama said, handing her a bursting green backpack. "You didn't return with your yellow bag, so I packed this for you."

"Arigato, Mama!" the miko said brightly and came forward to hug her mother affectionately. She also hugged Souta and grandpa, who was suspiciously holding something wrapped in a brown silk cloth. Her brother shyly approached the quiet inu-youkai, his innocent face upturned and inquiring.

"A-ano… Sesshomaru nii-san, remember your promise, okay?"

Sesshomaru smiled—it wasn't much of a smile, to be honest, but Kagome found the gesture sweet and adorable. "I am always true to my word, Souta. As an honorable young man, I expect you to do the same."

The little boy's wide brown eyes widened proudly. "Hai, Sesshomaru nii-san!"

The miko's astonishment grew larger when it was grandpa who approached the Western Lord next. He extended his gnarly hands to give the box to the taiyoukai.

"As promised, this is the payment for your labor," the old man said in his croaky voice.

"You have my gratitude," Sesshomaru solemnly responded, his gaze almost reverent as he examined the intricate designs of the silk that was wrapped around the box.

"Please take care of Kagome, Sesshomaru-sama. She's been through enough heartbreak," Mama said with a kind smile on her face, bowing as she did so. This caused the miko to blush.

"M-Mama!" she spluttered, embarrassed. That very night after her acceptance of his courtship, Sesshomaru wanted it to be legal and official by asking for her family's blessing. Her mother had given her approval almost instantly, grandpa following suit after interrogating the taiyoukai and grilling him with embarrassing questions. But Souta was a surprise. Kagome didn't know where the boy got his courage to ask Sesshomaru to go with him to another room to have a 'man-to-man' talk. Nevertheless, it felt nice to know that her family cared about the matters of the heart.

"You should get going now, dear," her mother said as her eyes strayed on the falling snow. It was getting stronger. "There might be a storm coming. It's better if you're already on the other side once it hits."

Kagome nodded and waved her goodbyes as she and Sesshomaru turned and walked towards the temple that housed the well. Once inside, she closed the door to cut off some of the freezing temperature. Her thick parka helped very little to warm her shivering body, but Sesshomaru seemed to be unaffected by it.

"Do you want me to go first?" Sesshomaru asked her. "Inuyasha could be waiting on the other side."

The miko shook her head. It had been troubling her the past days why Inuyasha didn't follow her and his half-brother when he could just simply jump down the well to do so. Did something happen? She looked at the taiyoukai. "It's better if we go together."

"Very well." Warm fur slid around her waist and pulled her close to the inu-youkai. She blushed when she felt a strong arm gently lift her off the ground. In one fluid motion, they were airborne. The bluish swirls of light enveloped them as the well took them back five hundred years to the past and Kagome couldn't help but feel frantic as she thought about what's waiting for them on the other side.

Soon, hard ground settled underneath their feet and the clear blue sky of Feudal Era greeted them. Shrubs adorned the inside of the well and the smell of grass lingered in the air.

"Inuyasha is not around, but he will soon be upon us once he catches our scents," Sesshomaru calmly told her. "I can take you far away before long."

"No, Sesshomaru-sama," Kagome said calmly, but her heart was wild against her chest. "I'd like to get my things and my bow and arrow from Kaede's village before we leave."

The taiyoukai looked at her with a grim look on his face. "Inuyasha is there."

The miko took a deep breath to steady her nerves. "I'm ready to confront him."

Sesshomaru's yellow-gold eyes searched her face for a moment, as if trying to read her emotions, but he merely nodded and crouched in front of her. In a quick flash, Kagome was reminded of Inuyasha doing the same whenever they needed to travel quickly, but she firmly pushed the thought off her mind. She carefully climbed onto the taiyoukai's back, cautious not to impale herself in the spikes of his armor.

"Hold tight," he told her before taking off in a speed that did not even match Inuyasha's. Exhiliration filled Kagome as they passed through the woods in a blur, her raven hair whipping against her face and the wind swooshing past them.

A small, excited laugh spilled from her lips until it completely broke out, her chortle echoing like a child's. Her hands tightened on Sesshomaru's shoulder as he sped up, fear taking over for a moment before the taiyoukai let out a an assuring growl. They stopped in the outer ring of the trees, the village just a few yards out. A figure cloaked in that distinct red was standing not far, silver hair gleaming under the bright glare of the sun.

Sesshomaru set her down carefully and shielded her with his towering figure. "Inuyasha," he said coldly, hinting at his unwelcome presence.

"Sesshomaru," the hanyou responded in the same tone, his eyes fixed over his half-brother's shoulder. Sango, Miroku, Kirara, and Shippo appeared after a few moments and stood behind Inuyasha.

Kagome peeked from Sesshomaru's mokomoko-sama and awkwardly waved at her friends, making sure to avoid Inuyasha's gaze.

"Let Kagome come to the village to retrieve her possessions. We will leave shortly after." Sesshomaru formally addressed the group. Kagome was more than greatful to the taiyoukai for taking the lead. No matter how much she tried to convince herself, she would never be prepared for a confrontation with Inuyasha. The cut was too deep to simply brush off.

"Whaddya think you're saying, bastard? Give Kagome back to us!" Inuyasha spat bitterly, his hand gripping tetsusaiga's hilt.

Sesshomaru sneered. "How foolish are you to believe that Kagome remains loyal to you after you betrayed her trust?"

"Shut your mouth!" the hanyou roared, but it was clear that the taiyoukai's statement struck his chord.

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said in his steel voice. "Do not challenge my patience and attempt to deceive me no longer. I know your secret. Tell Kagome the truth or I shall. Her heart is no longer yours to break endlessly."

Now this caught Kagome's attention. Inuyasha's secret? His constant feelings for Kikyo was not much of a surprise to them anymore. She looked at him inquiringly, despite the hollow ache she felt in her chest.

"S-stay out of this, Sesshomaru!" the hanyou spluttered, his amber eyes wide with horror.

"She deserves to know why Kikyo remains a precedence in your sorry excuse of existence. She deserves to know the reason of your betrayal so that she no longer thinks unworthy of your loyalty and faith." Kagome was touched. She didn't expect Sesshomaru say those things in front of an audience he didn't consider his equal. Raising her right hand, she softly caressed his white fur in gratitude and appreciation.

"Inuyasha, what is it you're keeping from us?" Sango spoke up, stepping forward with furrowed brows.

Inuyasha was agitated. "I-I…"

But no words came out. Sesshomaru exhaled as he reached the end of his patience. "How shameless are you to refuse confessing the very truth that had become Naraku's power to hurt Kagome? He fears her untrained but formidable spiritual power. With Kikyo's capture, he had acquired the perfect weapon to cause your ultimate betrayal."

The hanyou had gone speechless, his head hung low.

Sesshomaru continued his narrative. "I had not noticed it during my first encounter with the undead miko as it was not of importance, but when I had come to Kagome's aid, everything made perfect sense."

Her breathing became ragged as the taiyoukai turned to her, his eyes clearly pleading for understanding. She felt an earnest tug in her heart and she saw silver and pink glimmer between them. Her hand slipped to his arm. "Just please tell me," she whispered tersely.

With an impassive expression, he merely stared at Kagome. "Kikyo is mated to Inuyasha since before she passed on to death. She carries his claim and his mark, making them inseparable beyond the afterlife."

Everyone let out a surprised gasp. Except Kagome. She simply stared at the guilt-ridden hanyou. Questions ran across her mind, but only one stood out:

Is that why he's also possessive of me? He still believes I'm Kikyo's reincarnation…

And then it dawned on her.

Inuyasha thinks his claim and his mark on Kikyo is also reincarnated with me.

He thinks I'm his mate too.