Sesshoumaru awoke to the sound of a shrill whistle. He pushed back the covers and sleepily rubbed his eyes, a very unlordly thing to do. He yawned. It had been a month since he had first arrived at Kagome's house. He was quite well acquainted with modern-day machines and people. Everything seemed normal. He still, however, had not met Kagome's family. Quietly creeping out of the room, he leapt silently down the flight of steps and advanced on his prey, closer and closer.
"Don't even think about it, Sesshou," Kagome said, not turning away from the stove.
"Awwww," he pouted, "you're getting too good."
"Well," she said playfully, "I've been living with you for a month now. Plus, you're the only other person in the house."
Kagome poured the hot water into two teacups, each with a tea bag at the bottom. Sesshoumaru took one and started sipping the fragrant tea.
"What are we doing today?" he asked after a while.
"Mmmm…" she started, also sipping her tea, "we could go to the store and buy you a uniform."
"Mmm," he answered, "and then?"
"I don't know. Anything you want to do in particular?" she asked.
"Yeah, but you wouldn't let me do it," he mused.
"And knowing you," she said teasingly, "You want to go and destroy something."
"You know me too well," he said.
Over the last couple of weeks, his emotional barriers had broken down. Now, he was acting somewhat human. He still cared for no one, or so that's how he acted.
Kagome frowned, looking up at him.
"What?" he asked, gazing back at her.
"Why don't you kill me?" she asked for the millionth time.
And, for the millionth time, he left the question unanswered, unsure of his own thoughts. Yes, why don't I kill the dumb wench? The thought was left alone as Kagome made another suggestion.
"Mm! I know! Let's go to the high school campus and practice kendo!" she said excitedly.
"Kendo? You know kendo?" he asked, smirking.
"Why not?" she said defensively, "You think I'm too weak?"
"Maybe," he teased.
"Mmmm, is that a challenge, Fluffy?" she replied, also smirking.
"So it is," he answered. "Let's go."
"Fine! Let's!" she said happily, running up the stairs to change.
"Such an energetic girl," he sighed.
Over the short period of time, Kagome and Fluffy had become very good friends. They both took care of the house and went out everywhere together. Sesshoumaru was accustomed to modern life now. And, he liked it. Here, he didn't have to defend against his lands, put up with Jaken's incessant squabbling, or deal with that mangy hanyou brother of his. But, he lusted for blood in this peaceful world. However, that was only one con to all the pros. It was nice here. The thought on his mind nowadays, was what he would do when Kagome was gone. He would live for centuries more and still retain his youthful looks, but Kagome was a human. She wouldn't live much longer. It was a depressing thought that kept him up late at night. Oh well, nothing I can do about it. He sighed deeply, waiting a whole ten seconds at the door before opening it.
"Ready or not," he muttered, gliding into the room.
He caught sight of half her back before she pulled the garment fully over her head.
"Sesshou," she reprimanded, glaring at him, "you shouldn't walk in like that."
"I gave you a whole ten seconds," he said smoothly.
"You should know that's not enough time!" she shot back, pulling her hair out of the shirt.
"Hmph," he answered, looking her over, "looks like you got dressed in time."
Kagome sported a collared light blue top, exposing her slim, pale arms. The top buttoned down, stopping just below her waist. It matched perfectly with the smooth, black skirt that fell halfway down her thighs.
"That's no excuse," she snapped, noticing he was looking her over, "Don't do that!"
She walked into the bathroom to brush out her hair.
"Oh," he said mockingly, "I apologize, your eminence."
Sesshoumaru walked into her closet, where she had cleared some of her old clothes to make room for his. He quickly chose an outfit and slipped deftly into it. Then, he, too, walked into the bathroom to brush out his long, silky hair. When he reached for the brush, Kagome swept it away from him, taking it up herself. Sesshoumaru sighed and turned around so she could brush his hair. Such silly habits.
Kagome smirked at her victory, slowly brushing out his perfect mane. After she had finished, she put the brush down and started to separate his long locks into three different bundles of hair.
(A/N: I don't know, how do you explain that?)
"What are you doing?" asked an annoyed Sesshoumaru.
"Braiding your hair, Fluffy," Kagome answered casually, twisting the thick strands over each other.
"Why?" he asked, still annoyed.
"Awww," she pouted, "Don't you like me playing with your hair?"
"No, not really," he replied.
"Too bad," she said, continuing to braid.
Sesshoumaru sighed again. What did I do to deserve this?
About an hour later, Kagome and Fluffy stood face-to-face, each holding a shinai pointed to the other's throat. They stared at each other through the cage-like helmets they sported.
"I hope you're as good as you say you are," Sesshoumaru said, smirking from behind his mask.
"Don't get so cocky, Fluffy," Kagome replied, gracefully pushing her arms forward, starting the match.
Sesshoumaru blocked expertly, moving swiftly to the side and attempting to strike his opponent with the bamboo sword he held. Kagome dodged, making her own attack by bending down and thrusting the shinai forward. She almost got him, but he jumped back elegantly, shinai raised over his head as he swung it sideways through the air to her wrists. Their swords collided, a sharp cracking sound echoing off the weapons.
"Hmph," Sesshou huffed, "not bad."
"Much better than you think, Fluffy," the girl answered, thrusting the sword at his throat, stopping inches away from her mark. "One point for me," she cooed through the confinement of the helmet.
"Mmm," he mused, not moving, "maybe I'll have to kick it up a notch."
With that, he backed up into their starting position, shinai crossed inches from each other, pointed at their throats. This time, he attacked first, raising the weapon above his head and swinging it at the girl's helmet. She blocked, her sword held horizontally in front of her, trying to push him away. Nevertheless, he pushed on, making her take a step back from the strength he forced on her.
"Ne?" she said, "Don't hold back."
"As you wish," he answered, taking his shinai away from hers.
An audience had begun to gather around the woven mat, watching with silent awe as the two battled it out. One face in particular seemed to take special interest in watching the fight.
"Who are those two?" it asked, turning to one of the other spectators.
"I hear that both of them will be going to this school," the stranger answered.
"I see," the figure said, turning back to watch the fight.
* * *
The metal of the swords clanged together, Inuyasha's sweat trickling down his forehead.
"What's the matter, hanyou?" the enemy sneered, "Getting tired, are we?"
"Yeah right!" Inuyasha retorted, "Just getting started!"
He forced his strength on the Tetsusaiga, the impact creating a crater around the two fighting figures. The enemy backed up, surprised by the half-breed's outburst. Behind him, Kikyou stood clouded in the miasma that paralyzed her. Backing up to her, Inuyasha's adversary held his sword to the undead miko's throat.
"Are you sure you want to risk your little friend?" he asked, smirking.
Kikyou watched with emotionless eyes as Inuyasha faltered.
"Who are you?!" he shouted venomously. "What do you want with Kikyou?!"
The enemy gave an evil smile. "Ryutaro. I only want the Shikon shards. Hand them over and the miko comes to no harm."
Inuyasha finally took the chance to study him. He had long, shining, black hair that was held back in a neat braid. Emerald green eyes gazed at him, awaiting his answer. He had a slim body, lean muscles ran over his arms and legs. Ryutaro, as he was called, wore dark blue yukata, a black dragon embroidered on his back. Three navy blue stripes graced each cheek, and a diamond mark rested on his forehead. Strands of dark violet highlighted his jet-black bangs, which parted in the middle to show his diamond emblem. Something else that caught Inuyasha's eye was that the young-looking man had two marks running down from his eyes, a strange silvery color. They looked a lot like a stream of silver tears if they had not ended halfway down his face.
"I hold no Shikon shards!" Inuyasha finally answered.
"You're lying!" Ryutaro spat.
"I don't lie!" Inuyasha retorted, charging at the figure.
Ryutaro's eyes seemed to flash a light blue before leaping backwards, away from Inuyasha.
"Mmm," he mused, "So you are telling the truth."
The hanyou snorted , glaring up at the fleeing youkai.
"Until we meet again, 'yasha," Ryutaro snorted, disappearing into the forest and dispersing the miasma that encased Kikyou. The shell of a woman fell, Inuyasha catching her with his quick reflexes, supporting her weak body.
"Kikyou! Are you okay?" he asked, examining her for any physical damage.
"Inuyasha," she whispered, plastering a fake sad smile over her cold features.
"Yes, Kikyou, it's me," he soothed, rocking her back and forth.
(A/N: Getting kind of gushy…*_*)
She threw herself into him and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tightly.
"I'm sorry," she said, an icy tear running down her pale skin.
"No, don't be," he answered calmly, wrapping his arms around her.
"It's all my fault!" she cried, sobbing into his shoulder.
"What is?" he asked, stroking her hair.
"Kagome! She's…" she stopped, sobbing again.
"What happened to her?" he asked quickly, trying to suppress his anger.
"I sealed her in the future!" she answered, hugging him more tightly to her.
A small part of the undead miko was truly sorry. The girl had nothing to do with this. It was not her fault that she had be reincarnated. The larger part of Kikyou, though, remembered her sole mission in this world. I'll never let Inuyasha go. I will drag him with me to Hell! She held on to him more tightly. The ground began to open up, strong whirlwinds blowing around the couple.
It was then that Miroku and Sango decided to check on their friend. They both gasped at the sight before them. Inuyasha sat on the ground, Kikyou wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. The hanyou seemed oblivious to the fact that the ground was opening up under him and that strong tornadoes blew around them, infernos blazing from the pits of Hell.
"Inuyasha!" they both called simultaneously.
He looked back at them, realization flashing across his face. Giving a sad smile, he spoke his last words.
"I promised her."
Kikyou looked back at him, astounded. Tears began forming in her eyes.
"I'm sorry Inuyasha," she said as they were pulled farther and farther, "I really did love you."
Gradually, the violent gales stopped and the ground closed up, leaving no hint that the gateway to the underworld had ever been opened. Sango and Miroku watched the clearing in utter disbelief. After a few moments, Miroku recovered, walking over the spot where Inuyasha had just sat. He crouched down, placing one hand over the now cold area.
"Goodbye, my friend," he said, a single tear finding its path down his cheek.
Sango still stood in utter disbelief. Finally, when she could take it no more, she fainted, collapsing to the ground in a heap. Miroku hurried over to her, picking her up in his arms. Before returning to the village, he turned around, taking one last glance at Inuyasha's grave. He smiled sadly. What's done is done. With that, he strode toward the village, Sango in tow, never to look upon the spot again.
Little did anyone know, before Kikyou dragged Inuyasha to where they belonged, she lost her hateful soul, returning to her loving self. She had made a single wish. The fates were watching over her that day, deciding to grant the loyal miko's last request.
"Let Inuyasha live again, in another time, with the other that he loved, Kagome. Let him live again."