Patrolling the grounds of the ancient shrine Sesshomaru paused for a moment readjusting the two swords that rested at his hip.

Jumping high into the air onto a cliff that overlooked the forest tapestry he rested to stare at the city beyond it. Loud, bright, and odorous his eyes rested against a particularly tall building uninterested.

Stepping off the cliff to land gracefully on the ground Sesshomaru ascended the shrine steps that lay hidden and lost to time.

Facing the ornate doors he brushed his fingers against the wards and ancient sutras that had been placed centuries before to protect what lay inside.

Burning the tips of his fingers he withdrew but knew that the occupant had been able to feel his energy as hers reached out slightly to greet him.

They were alone yet they were together. It was an odd existence that they had both been forced to endure. Never meeting one another again but able to provide comfort and support behind a locked, warded door.

After the defeat of Naraku the shikon no tama had proved to be more than a nuisance. At first, from what his brother had said, the priestess Kagome had attempted to simply wish it away however she was awarded with immortality and becoming its keeper as the jewel once again fused within her body.

Essentially becoming the sacred jewel herself she had been attacked relentlessly, used as a vessel to channel the malevolent energy of the jewel, and nearly killed.

Inuyasha had done his duty to protect his love to the best of his abilities over the years while Sesshomaru had had his hand forced to do the same more than once to protect his land and vassals.

At first it had been begrudgingly, a matter of protecting what was his, until the day that Inuyasha had been killed saving Kagome.

Her screams had been ear shattering as her throat became hoarse yet still she continued on. Beating at him as Sesshomaru made away with her, begging him to take her back, pleading with him to kill her as well before finally collapsing against him whimpering.

"He died because of me." She had croaked out. "I can't live like this, everyone is in danger around me. I need to to be alone where I can't hurt anyone."

"Inuyasha willingly gave his life for you. He understood the risks of being with you and still took it upon himself to protect you." Sesshomaru replied softly.

"Please don't talk about him in the past tense, I can't wrap my head around any of this." Kagome bemoaned sitting up. Sesshomaru pitied her. It was a new sensation as he had never felt such an emotion before but knew immediately what it was.

"I, Sesshomaru, will protect you. On my honor." He swore. Kagome shook her head quickly.

"No. I can't lose you. No one else. I'll just go away and…"

"And allow something to once again use the sacred jewel to lay waste to the lands? To cause suffering and harm to countless, nameless others?"

"Then I will seal myself away." Kagome stated her gaze deadpanned in resolve. "I will enclose myself somewhere and maybe figure out a way over time what to do about the jewel."

"Your friends will not appreciate that idea." Sesshomaru remarked. "They will fight you on the matter."

"They won't know." Glancing down at the ground Kagome closed her eyes. "Surely you know somewhere I could go. People who could help me."

"My lands are vast with a number of abandoned shrines. Perhaps we can find one you will find suitable."

"We?"

"This one assured you priestess that you will be protected, personally."

"Thank you."

Standing in front of the entryway with human monks, priests, and another priestess in tow ready to seal Kagome away for possibly eternity, she had faltered.

Grasping for Sesshomaru she had wrapped her arms around his torso and sobbed. "Please I just, I need to feel someone one last time."

"Kagome, I will be here by your side for as long as need be." He had soothed embracing her for support. "Whenever you need me search me out and I will be here."

Nodding her head in understanding she had cried against him, for what he wasn't certain. Perhaps it was her lost life, love, or impending fate but regardless he had held her until she had calmed and moved away from him.

As she entered the shrine she cast a last glance back at him and smiled brightly giving a small wave even as tears still ran from her eyes.

Over time he had done exactly as he had said, while he still came and went as he pleased or as he needed too he was there whenever she called him to her. At first it was a near constant ache that was so palpable it took on a life of its own.

Once Rin had died of old age and Jaken also succumbed to time Sesshomaru found he didn't hold much interest in what had once been his life's goal of conquest and domination of the land.

Even still with the encroachment of civilization threatening to come upon them it was peaceful at the shrine, the last piece that was still his with the eternal priestess, that by proxy he had also claimed as his.

As the centuries went by she called for him less and he found himself reaching out to her. Her spiritual energy would wrap around him assuaging his fear that perhaps she too had been taken by time but still remained.

Undoubtedly unchanging as he physically despite the mental toll that time had taken on them both. Sitting with his hand resting against his lap he stared at the shrine cursing it for locking her away and damning her.

"I am here Kagome." He assured loud enough so that she could hear.

"I know you are Sesshomaru." Came her reply close to the door. She must have been standing or sitting in front of it. "How are you?"

"I am well. Is there anything you need or require from me?" He asked. He didn't ask her how she was, it always resulted in her tears.

"I could use a hug." Her tone had that tinge of sadness to it that he had grown to hate.

"Then open the door and I will never let you go."

"I can't."

"Kagome, it is safe now. The humans have taken over the land. They no longer believe in such things."

"I know."

"Then why do you insist upon staying in there?"

"I'm afraid to live." Her reply came broken and small. "In here it's simple but out there it's confusing and hard."

"I have made a place for us in this era." Sesshomaru comforted. "All you have to do is open the door."

"Okay." Sesshomaru stood his eyes widening. She had never relented before no matter how many times over the last century they had had a similar conversation.

The wards crackled falling away as she pushed open the door from her side. In an instant Sesshomaru was by her side pulling her to him tightly.

Dust settled around them as the scent of must surrounded her settling in his nose. No longer did she smell of wildflowers and sunshine but of centuries of solitude.

"It's so bright out here." She buried her face into his shirt.

"Much more so now that you free." Resting his face against her hair he smoothed down the unruly locks. "I am here."

"You've always been here." She said.

"And that is where I will remain, by your side."

"For eternity?"

"Yes Kagome."

"Where will we go?"

"Wherever we wish." Feeling her arms tighten around his middle she hummed contently.