Is anyone else glad thanksgiving is over? I host for the holidays, and that is a lot of work. Anyone, everyone enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 25

Kagome could only pick at her food. She had brought Sesshomaru to the mall, because they were both feeling down and aggravated. They had tried to return to the past after a few days of rest, but the well had denied them. She did not feel power inside the old wood anymore. That terrified her. Where they stuck? Would they be on this side forever?

Sesshomaru was a human. Did that mean he was stuck that way? Kagome knew that was why he was upset. That and his lands. Who would protect and lead the West while he was locked away in the future? She couldn't help but to think of her friends, and the great evil they left behind. What of Naraku? Their minds were filled with worry and doubt, and no way to remedy it.

They had just sat around moping, so Kagome's mother forced them to go out. She took them to the mall and dropped them off. Now they sat in the food court, barley eating the food they bought. Their minds were still trapped in the past.

And then she heard it, the giggling of three very familiar females and one male. She ducked down, trying not to be seen. Sesshomaru just raised an eyebrow at her, silently questioning her actions. She didn't have a problem with Yuka, Ayumi, and Eri. They had been her friends for a long time. But the more time she spent in the past, the more she felt she grew up, and they just didn't. They remained clueless to the dangers that she faced on a daily basis.

Their chattering and loud laughing now grated on her nerves. They talked about boys and the latest gossip while she fought off demons to save the future they took for granted. She didn't hate them, but she had out grown them.

"Kagome!" Of course, she couldn't hide. It was just her luck to get spotted by the people she didn't want to see. Her friends were one thing, it was Hojo that was the problem. She already knew that this was going to end badly, and for once she was glad Sesshomaru wasn't a demon. Heads would roll if he was.

"Eri." Kagome sat up, her face tense as her four friends made their way over to her. She glanced at Sesshomaru, watching as he eyed the newcomers. "Yuka, Ayumi, and Hojo. Its been awhile." It really had been. The moment they graduated high school, Kagome began to spend most of her time in the past. She spoke to her friends through email when ever she was home, but that was it. As far as she knew, they were off at college, but looking at the time frame, she realized they were on break.

"Yes, it has! What have you been up to? Are you still always getting sick? Are you dating anyone?" Kagome couldn't tell who was asking what, but they hadn't changed. Easily excitable and still obsessed with gossip.

A hand clasped Kagome's shoulder and she looked up to meet Hojo's smiling gaze. She wanted to be swallowed at that moment. After all of this time and he was still holding on to the hope that Kagome would go out with him. His eyes were shining with it.

"I've been a bit busy with life." Kagome discreetly moved away from Hojo's touch, once again looking to Sesshomaru. He was glaring at Hojo with a look that screamed death. Yep. She was more than glad Sesshomaru was a human at the moment.

"Who is this?" Ayumi held out her hand to Sesshomaru, her flirtatious smile in place. "I'm Ayumi. Can I have your number?"

Bold much?

"That is my Boyfriend, Sesshomaru." Now Kagome was more than aggravated. She didn't like any other woman looking at Sesshomaru. It was a new feeling within her, but she wouldn't deny it. She thought of Sesshomaru as hers, and she was going to make sure everyone knew it. She was hanging out with demon's too much.

Ayumi just put her on ignore. For a moment, Kagome thought Sesshomaru was going to shake Ayumi's hand, but he brushed her away in clear rejection. The disdain was clear on his face, and everyone took a step back, to Kagome's relief.

"Wow, Kagome. You really know how to pick them." Eri crossed her arms, glaring right back at Sesshomaru.

"Yea, first it was InuYasha, and now this jerk." Yuka shook her head, and Kagome bit her lip, trying to keep herself calm. This wasn't the place to go off on girls she was currently thinking about ending a friendship with. How their friendship had lasted this long, she wasn't sure.

"Can I talk to you, Kagome?" Hojo leaned into Kagome's personal space, and she leaned back. "Alone." He glanced at Sesshomaru who looked feral.

"No, Hojo. There is nothing we need to talk about that requires it to be a private conversation." Hojo's bold behavior was Kagome's breaking point. She wasn't going to let her now ex-friends walk all over her. Not anymore. "And all of you shut up about Sesshomaru. None of you know him, and I can promise you he is better than InuYasha ever was."

They all stared at her in surprise, no one able to say anything. Sesshomaru was looking at her with a proud smile on his face. She ignored him for the moment as she glared at the people who still refused to leave. "To make this clear, I am not interested in keeping up with your gossip. You won't drag my life through your mouths when you don't know the half of it. So please leave. I would like to enjoy my date with my boyfriend in peace."

"Boyfriend, Koneko?" Sesshomaru's voice drawled out, causing all four females there to shiver. Kagome was not happy to see his voice affected the others, but it was something she was going to have to get used to. He couldn't help how delectable he was. "As I recall, you are this one's fiancé. You agreed to eternity, do you not remember?"

Kagome blushed, looking over to Sesshomaru with wide eyes. He was right of course, but that didn't mean he had to go blurting it out. "Perhaps I can remind you tonight. While we are alone. You-"

"I think they get the hint!" Kagome didn't realize she could blush that deep. Sesshomaru didn't even try to wipe the smugness from his face as the other four finally moved away. With a sigh of exasperation, Kagome slouched and covered her face with her hands. "You just can't help yourself can you."

"There is no reason as to why this Sesshomaru can not praise his mate to be." He waved a dismissive hand towards Kagome, looking around the mall. He was still fascinated by the world that was Kagome's home.

"What part of anything you said was a praise?" She stood, gathering their food to throw away. It had gotten cold while they sat around, and she wasn't interested in it anymore. She just wanted to go home and get the day over with.

Sesshomaru stood, making his way to an annoyed Kagome as she threw away their food. He grabbed her hand bringing it to her lips and kissing the back of it. She blushed at the unexpected gesture. It wasn't something he had ever done before but she didn't mind it either.

"This Sesshomaru praised you by acknowledging your cleverness in making the decision to remain by my side for the rest if your life." Her mouth literally dropped at his arrogance. She hadn't realized his head could get so big. And then he opened his mouth to continue on. "I reward you with my sexual pr-"

She smacked his stomach and stomped her foot. "Really? I don't need or want that reward. So reward yourself, you arrogant jerk. This Kagome is going to the restroom." She bristled at his dark chuckle, but she didn't stop her feet. She really did have to pee, and a moment away from an arrogant Sesshomaru would be nice.

Who was she kidding? She didn't ever see herself wanting to be away from Sesshomaru. And she meant it when she said she would mate him once the spell was broken. Even if he was arrogant, she couldn't argue most of what he said.

She knew his last little outburst was just to get a reaction out of her. He enjoyed riling her up. That just meant she would have to get him back. She wasn't sure how though. Maybe she could tease him, but not give in? That would really get him going, in a bunch of different ways.

As soon as she reached the restrooms she was suddenly yanked into the family bathroom. The door shut, throwing her into darkness. She couldn't see, but the sound of that door locking was loud enough. "Who are you? What do you want?" Her voice trembled in fear, but she put out her hands to defend herself. She wouldn't forget what Sesshomaru taught her.

"You really think you could fight me, Koneko." His voice was dark, and she relaxed with a breath of release.

"What is wrong with you?" She stomped her foot again, hands clenched by her side. "You scared me Sesshomaru. And why did you follow me here?"

"I needed to speak with you. Away from my past self." Kagome stiffened as soon as she heard that. Past self? Did that mean? The lights flicked on and she was met with a Sesshomaru that was not the one she just left behind. This one was dressed in an expensive looking suit. His hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. He looked sleek, arrogant, and rich. He looked like the Sesshomaru she had always seen before the spell. Especially considering he had his markings that screamed what he was.

"You're from this time? That means demons are still here and not extinct! But how?" She narrowed her eyes suddenly, taking a step back. "How do I know you're really Sesshomaru?"

"You have a birth mark on your thigh, an inch from your-"

"Yep. Its you." Kagome put her hands on her hips and glared at him. It seemed all Sesshomaru's liked to embarrass her. Past and future. Again, this Sesshomaru didn't even try to hide his smirk at her reaction to him.

"I am not here for pleasure, Kagome." His smiled faded, and he reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "The well has stopped working, as I am sure you are aware. The magic is fading. You will have to make a choice. The past, or the future."

She opened her mouth to ask questions, but he placed a finger on her lips. "I can not answer any questions you have Kagome. I cannot reveal what your future will be." His eyes looked sad and haunted for a moment as he thought on a distant memory. As soon as it appeared it was gone. "You must make the decision on your own. And once you do, it will be final."

"Are you saying I'm going to have to choose between my families?" She could already feel the tears on her cheeks, and he brushed them away. This Sesshomaru showed a lot more emotion than the one she was used to. He leaned forward, kissing her temple.

"Life is full of choices, some that we don't wish to make. However, we all must make them. You must decide soon Kagome. The well will not last much longer." He backed away then, reaching behind him to unlock the door. He gave her one last meaningful look before he turned to leave her behind.

Her arms crossed over her chest, heart breaking. How could she choose between her family in the past and her family in the future? She loved them all and living without one was going to hurt. She didn't want to chose. She didn't want to lose anyone. But according to Future Sesshomaru she would have to. She would have to pick which family she wanted more. If she didn't, the decision would be taken from her.

Suddenly cold, she walked out of the bathroom. At that point she just wanted to go back to her Sesshomaru so they could go home. This day hadn't been a very good one and she was more than ready for it to end.