(Uh oh, Hadori rears his head once more and Kagome is forced to take him back to the past! But does Kaogme and Sesshoumaru have a plan? As always, Inuyasha and co belong to Takahashi Rumiko ::bows:: et al.)
Five Days In Tokyo - or - Sesshoumaru's Unlikely Visit - Sixteen
"That is interesting.." Kagome's grandfather stroked his chin thoughtfully he absently paced about the livint room floor.. "And disturbing."
Although Kagome's mother was indeed worried about the danger her daughter was in, she was most worried about the presence of Sesshoumaru. He and Kagome had been alone together. Had this Sesshoumaru taken advantage of Kagome in some way? He certainly looked more fearsome than his half-brother Inuyasha. The only softening thing about him was the fluffy - tail? - that wound around his arm. She kept giving Kagome and Sesshoumaru worried glances, something that the youkai-lord had noticed.
~She fears for her daughter's virtue..~ Sesshoumaru thought. ~I wonder if I would be that way with Rin?~
Yes. He probably would. But Sesshoumaru had the feeling that his words would mean nothing to Kagome's mother. He supposed that Kagome would have to convince her herself.
"You don't know how glad I am that you didn't stay at that hotel!" Kagome's face was lit up with pure joy and relief.
"It was a last minute change.." Her mother said. "Actually, they had lost our reservation in their computer system, so we went to another place to stay and then decided to come back home just a little earlier. We were shocked when we found out about the fire. I suppose someone was watching over us." Mrs. Higuarashi smiled nervously.
"I can put wards on the well to prevent anyone - " Grandpa started to say and then he stopped, remembering Sesshoumaru. "Well, no that would not work.."
"We can turn that Hadori in to the police. " Sota suggested.
Grandpa shook his head. "A man like that - those in power bend the law to their own whims. Just the fact that he was able to come in here and - Kyaaaa!" Grandpa suddenly exclaimed, "You say they went through my scrolls, Kagome?"
"Hai!" Kagome said quickly. "But I've brought them back." She ran to her room to bring back the carry on bag that she had stolen from Hadori's place.
"See?" She handed the bag to her grandfather, who opened it with a happy sigh.
'Thank goodness!" The old man exclaimed. "If you only knew the value of these things.." He muttered under his breath as he went to put the things back in his room Sota rolled his eyes.
"Kagome." Mrs. Higurashi said softly. "Could you come here for a moment?"
"Hai, mama.." Kagome nodded, noting the worried look on her mother's face. The two women went into the adjoining kitchen.
This left Sota in the living room with Sesshoumaru and Buyo, who still circling Sesshoumaru's legs and purring.
"He likes you." Sota said, hoping to break the ice with this guy.
Sesshoumaru only stared at the boy, who gulped. The youkai-lord supressed a smirk.
"Um, uh..what's that moon mark on your forehead for?" Sota asked. Sesshoumaru decided to answer the boy on a whim.
"It means that I am the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands."
"What's - that?" Sota asked, interested.
"I rule the Western Lands." Sesshoumaru said simply.
"Wow!" Sota looked impressed, which Sesshoumaru thought was appropriate.
And then there was silence, which made Sota nervous.
"Uh, um..I gotta go unpack.." Sota quickly made his escape, leaving onlly Buyo and Sesshoumaru in the room.
"Meow?" The stupid cat looked up at Sesshoumaru expectantly.
"If you think I am picking you up, you are mistaken." Sesshoumaru frowned. What was with this creature?
"Puuurrrrrr...rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....rrrrr..rowr? Mowww!" Buyo wound around Sesshoumaru's feet once more and the youkai-lord sighed in frustration.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Mrs. Higurashi sighed as she looked at Kagome. She was virtually a grown woman now and really she could not tell Kagome what to do and not to do - not anymore. She always had to let her innate trust of Kagome rule over any reservations that she had. She had tried her best to raise both Kagome and Sota properly and it had been difficult without a father to guide them. She had always been thankful to Grandpa for providing some support, but still she had always had to question herself, whether she was really raising her children properly or not.
"Mama?" Kagome's voice cut into her mother's troubled thoughts.
"Oh, Kagome, I'm sorry.." Her mother's eyes searched her daughter's face. "Are you all right?"
"I'm all right, why?" Kagome asked.
"It's just that you and - and that Sesshoumaru. He is different from Inuyasha. I was afraid that perhaps - " Her mother let her sentence trail off.
"Oh no!" Kagome blushed. "No, he didn't hurt me and he didn't try anything." ~Well not anything that I would have stopped.~
"Kagome, you can tell me anything." Her mother's eyes were troubled.
"Mama, we - " Kagome sighed. "Kissed a bit, but no, he didn't try to force me in any way. Sesshoumaru - he looks - well, he IS fearsome, but he's protected me. I've grown to - to like him very much."
Mrs. Higurashi looked relieved. "I trust your word, Kagome." She kissed Kagome on her forehead. Kagome smiled. Mama hadn't done that in ages.
"Thanks, mama.." Kagome said.
"Will you be going back there?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.
"I suppose so.." Kagome said with a sigh. "The Shikon no Tama shards still need to be gathered. I have to at least help Inuyasha with that."
"Ah, but what about Sesshoumaru?" Her mother asked with a slight twinkle to her eyes.
"What about him?" Kagome asked. "I guess he'll go back to his lands.."
"Hm.." Her mother murmured. "Are you sure? He seems very protective of you."
"H - how do you know? He hasn't done anything in front of you to show that.." Kagome looked quite surprised.
"His stance, the way his eyes seemed quite intent upon you." Her mother said softly. "You may have difficulty between Inuyasha and this Sesshoumaru when you return."
"Hah. There's already difficulty between them." Kagome replied. "I wouldn't worry about it, mama. I'm not interested romantically with Inuyasha now. I mean I was at one time but now - "
"Sometimes forbidden fruit tastes much sweeter." Kagome's mother said. "Don't be surprised if Inuyasha takes more of an interest in you now."
Inuyasha? But Kagome knew the only one he loved was Kikyou and not her.
The two women went back into the living room and Kagome smiled to see Buyo trying in vain to get at Sesshoumaru's tail, which was twitching back and forth.
"Ahhh!" Grandpa came back into the room frowning. "I still have some things missing!"
"How can you tell, Grandpa?" Sota was back in the living room as well, since everyone else was back and he didn't have to be alone with Lord Spooky-maru-whatever-his-name-was.
"Eh? I know! I know!" Grandpa muttered to himself. "You can't be too careful! No, you can't be too careful!"
It was then that Sesshoumaru spoke. "Kagome."
Kagome nodded silently and said, "I need to get Sesshoumaru back." She glanced at the youkai-lord and said, "Let me get my things - I'll be right back."
Sesshoumaru nodded and ignored the humans in the room more or less, although that cat was getting on his nerves. Fortunately for the cat's nine lives, Mrs. Hirgurashi snatched up Buyo before he could do anything further. Kagome came back into the room with her battered backpack filled to the gills.
"Uh oh..looks like it's gonna be a long stay this time!" Sota said. "Looks like you're going to have to use a new illness, Grandpa!"
The old man's eyes twinkled and Sesshoumaru was puzzled.
"Yes, yes.." Grandpa nodded. "Every time she goes to the past, I have to make up a new illness! Let's see, perhaps this time I will use hoof and mouth disease!"
Kagome put her hand over her eyes in embarrassment.
"That's for animals, Grandpa!" Sota said.
"Ah, but that's what will make it more stunning!"
"Argh.." Kagome shook her head. "Let's go, Sesshoumaru."
"Goodbye, Sesshoumaru-sama." Kagome's mother stood up and then she bowed just ever so slightly in respect.
~Hm, very good. I can see where Kagome gets her manners from.~ Sesshoumaru thought. Although he was not one for greetings or farewells, he did acknowlege Mrs. Higurashi with a terse nod. He saw her eyes clearly and although they were worried for Kagome, they had a trust to them. Did she trust him?
"Bye, Sesshoumaru!" Sota waved as they left the living room and went towards the hallway.
"Hm." Sesshoumaru grunted softly. The boy was not too bad.
"You look after my granddaughter!" The old man said.
Sesshoumaru did not acknowledge that statement as he followed Kagome outside to the courtyard.
"Well, here we go." Kagome turned her face sideways to him and then she opened the well house door - just when Sesshoumaru smelled something quite familar.
But it was too late.
"Kagome.." A chilling voice said. "I knew you would come here."
It was Hadori!
****
He was surrounded by two of his ever present bodyguards, and was as usual attired in a dark suit. He looked quite smug as he faced Kagome and Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru did not speak nor give any warning - instead he leaped up in the air and prepared to attack Hadori with his poisonous claws, the greenish haze pouring from his fingertips.
And then again, the piercing sound that permeated his entire being and made his head feel like it was going to explode. It threw him off balance enough to where one of the bodyguards fell upon him and stunned him with something. Immediately Sesshoumaru felt himself weaken and knew that this was the substance by which he was taken down before. But that sound! It was still ringing in his ears, almost rendering him deaf.
"Move again and I won't hesitate to use it again on you - uncle." Hadori glowered at Sesshoumaru.
"Stop it!" Kagome knelt next to Sesshoumaru.
"Don't order me, Kagome." Hadori said with a smirk.
"You lied.." Kagome seethed, feeling the pulse of the Shikon within her breastbone.
"No, for all intense purposes, I did believe them dead - your family that is. I have rectified the situation and have liquidated the incompetent fools who told me so. But your family.." Hadori paused. "You will do as I say and take me to the past or I will see that they suffer."
Kagome blanched but said, "Fine."
"Good." Hadori's gold eyes glittered. "Take him away." He gestured to Sesshoumaru.
"No!" Kagome yelled, shielding herself in front of Sesshoumaru's crouching body. "He doesn't belong here!"
Hadori shrugged. "Don't worry. He will have his uses - experimentation I think. I could use his DNA to produce some marvelous beings."
"You're sick!" Kagome spat.
"No, I am merely an - opportunist." Hadori placed his hands behind his back.
Abruptly, Kagome took one of Sesshoumaru's swords and placed it at her own throat.
"You'll stop whatever is crippling him and you'll take him with us, or I will kill myself!" Kagome's eyes were stormy and her face set.
Sesshoumaru, crippled as he was by the stun and the piercing sound that no one else could hear, registered Kagome's words even as he realized that she had the wrong sword, the healing sword, the Tensaiga. Still the fact that the wench would spill her blood for his own made her that much more unique and priceless.
Hadori raised a brow. He had not anticipated this turn of events! He could not let Kagome kill herself however. With an impatient snap to his fingers, he gestured to one of his bodyguards and the piercing sound stopped for Sesshoumaru.
"He can go.." Hadori frowned. It did not matter much anyway. He had more than enough means to be rid of his uncle anyway.
Kagome still kept the Tensaiga at her throat however. "You will promise to leave my family alone."
"You're asking a lot of me, Kagome, but very well.." Hadori said in a bored tone. Kagome put the Tensaiga down but deep down she still did not trust Hadori, not a bit. She had the feeling that if they just went to the other side, she and Sesshoumaru would have more of an advantage.
In fact, since Hadori had lied about things, she would do the same. Kagome helped Sesshoumaru up and placed the Tensaiga back in it's sheath. Looking at Sesshoumaru, she prayed that he would be alert enough to know of her intentions. Kagome turned her attention back to Hadori and said, "All right. We can go through the well.."
Hadori nodded and gestured for his bodyguards to come a bit closer to the well.
"No." Kagome said with a frown.
"No?" Hadori snarled, growing even more impatient with the woman.
"The Bone Eater's well can only take so many people through time. " Kagome explained. "You, I and Sesshoumaru can go without any fear of being lost within the infinite waves of time.."
Sesshoumaru was listening to Kagome with interest.
"But if more go through the well, then all have a chance of being lost forever in time." Kagome stared levelly at Hadori.
"You are sure of this." Hadori frowned.
"It was told to me by Kaede, the miko of the village near where the well is located." Kagome squeezed Sesshoumaru's arm as if it were some unspoken signal. She looked at him once more and he could feel the tenseness of her body and smell her scent. It was the scent of someone readying for battle.
~Ah, the wench is lying..~ Sesshoumaru thought as he felt his strength returning. Still, he let his body look weaker than it was, slumping ever so slightly, his eyes hooded.
"Very well." Hadori grimaced. He reasoned that once he was on the other side, he would wrest the Shikon shard from Kagome and draw anything he needed back to that world.
"Then let's go.." Kagome said shortly, helping Sesshoumaru to the edge of the well.
"Wait." Hadori said, coming up beside her. Kagome felt a click and looked down as Hadori had handcuffed his wrist to hers.
"A precaution, Kagome.." He smirked. "Now let's go before your family suffers.."
Kagome glared at Hadori and then murmured to Sesshoumaru, "Hold onto me...and be ready.."
Sesshoumaru said nothing, only wrapped his arms around her, making sure that it looked more of an effort than it really did.
"Get on the lip of the well.." Kagome instructed. "When I count to three, we all jump in at the same time."
"Ready?"
"One."
"Two"
"Three!"
The three of them jumped and soon were in the tunnel of time that would lead them to the past...
Five Days In Tokyo - or - Sesshoumaru's Unlikely Visit - Sixteen
"That is interesting.." Kagome's grandfather stroked his chin thoughtfully he absently paced about the livint room floor.. "And disturbing."
Although Kagome's mother was indeed worried about the danger her daughter was in, she was most worried about the presence of Sesshoumaru. He and Kagome had been alone together. Had this Sesshoumaru taken advantage of Kagome in some way? He certainly looked more fearsome than his half-brother Inuyasha. The only softening thing about him was the fluffy - tail? - that wound around his arm. She kept giving Kagome and Sesshoumaru worried glances, something that the youkai-lord had noticed.
~She fears for her daughter's virtue..~ Sesshoumaru thought. ~I wonder if I would be that way with Rin?~
Yes. He probably would. But Sesshoumaru had the feeling that his words would mean nothing to Kagome's mother. He supposed that Kagome would have to convince her herself.
"You don't know how glad I am that you didn't stay at that hotel!" Kagome's face was lit up with pure joy and relief.
"It was a last minute change.." Her mother said. "Actually, they had lost our reservation in their computer system, so we went to another place to stay and then decided to come back home just a little earlier. We were shocked when we found out about the fire. I suppose someone was watching over us." Mrs. Higuarashi smiled nervously.
"I can put wards on the well to prevent anyone - " Grandpa started to say and then he stopped, remembering Sesshoumaru. "Well, no that would not work.."
"We can turn that Hadori in to the police. " Sota suggested.
Grandpa shook his head. "A man like that - those in power bend the law to their own whims. Just the fact that he was able to come in here and - Kyaaaa!" Grandpa suddenly exclaimed, "You say they went through my scrolls, Kagome?"
"Hai!" Kagome said quickly. "But I've brought them back." She ran to her room to bring back the carry on bag that she had stolen from Hadori's place.
"See?" She handed the bag to her grandfather, who opened it with a happy sigh.
'Thank goodness!" The old man exclaimed. "If you only knew the value of these things.." He muttered under his breath as he went to put the things back in his room Sota rolled his eyes.
"Kagome." Mrs. Higurashi said softly. "Could you come here for a moment?"
"Hai, mama.." Kagome nodded, noting the worried look on her mother's face. The two women went into the adjoining kitchen.
This left Sota in the living room with Sesshoumaru and Buyo, who still circling Sesshoumaru's legs and purring.
"He likes you." Sota said, hoping to break the ice with this guy.
Sesshoumaru only stared at the boy, who gulped. The youkai-lord supressed a smirk.
"Um, uh..what's that moon mark on your forehead for?" Sota asked. Sesshoumaru decided to answer the boy on a whim.
"It means that I am the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands."
"What's - that?" Sota asked, interested.
"I rule the Western Lands." Sesshoumaru said simply.
"Wow!" Sota looked impressed, which Sesshoumaru thought was appropriate.
And then there was silence, which made Sota nervous.
"Uh, um..I gotta go unpack.." Sota quickly made his escape, leaving onlly Buyo and Sesshoumaru in the room.
"Meow?" The stupid cat looked up at Sesshoumaru expectantly.
"If you think I am picking you up, you are mistaken." Sesshoumaru frowned. What was with this creature?
"Puuurrrrrr...rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....rrrrr..rowr? Mowww!" Buyo wound around Sesshoumaru's feet once more and the youkai-lord sighed in frustration.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Mrs. Higurashi sighed as she looked at Kagome. She was virtually a grown woman now and really she could not tell Kagome what to do and not to do - not anymore. She always had to let her innate trust of Kagome rule over any reservations that she had. She had tried her best to raise both Kagome and Sota properly and it had been difficult without a father to guide them. She had always been thankful to Grandpa for providing some support, but still she had always had to question herself, whether she was really raising her children properly or not.
"Mama?" Kagome's voice cut into her mother's troubled thoughts.
"Oh, Kagome, I'm sorry.." Her mother's eyes searched her daughter's face. "Are you all right?"
"I'm all right, why?" Kagome asked.
"It's just that you and - and that Sesshoumaru. He is different from Inuyasha. I was afraid that perhaps - " Her mother let her sentence trail off.
"Oh no!" Kagome blushed. "No, he didn't hurt me and he didn't try anything." ~Well not anything that I would have stopped.~
"Kagome, you can tell me anything." Her mother's eyes were troubled.
"Mama, we - " Kagome sighed. "Kissed a bit, but no, he didn't try to force me in any way. Sesshoumaru - he looks - well, he IS fearsome, but he's protected me. I've grown to - to like him very much."
Mrs. Higurashi looked relieved. "I trust your word, Kagome." She kissed Kagome on her forehead. Kagome smiled. Mama hadn't done that in ages.
"Thanks, mama.." Kagome said.
"Will you be going back there?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.
"I suppose so.." Kagome said with a sigh. "The Shikon no Tama shards still need to be gathered. I have to at least help Inuyasha with that."
"Ah, but what about Sesshoumaru?" Her mother asked with a slight twinkle to her eyes.
"What about him?" Kagome asked. "I guess he'll go back to his lands.."
"Hm.." Her mother murmured. "Are you sure? He seems very protective of you."
"H - how do you know? He hasn't done anything in front of you to show that.." Kagome looked quite surprised.
"His stance, the way his eyes seemed quite intent upon you." Her mother said softly. "You may have difficulty between Inuyasha and this Sesshoumaru when you return."
"Hah. There's already difficulty between them." Kagome replied. "I wouldn't worry about it, mama. I'm not interested romantically with Inuyasha now. I mean I was at one time but now - "
"Sometimes forbidden fruit tastes much sweeter." Kagome's mother said. "Don't be surprised if Inuyasha takes more of an interest in you now."
Inuyasha? But Kagome knew the only one he loved was Kikyou and not her.
The two women went back into the living room and Kagome smiled to see Buyo trying in vain to get at Sesshoumaru's tail, which was twitching back and forth.
"Ahhh!" Grandpa came back into the room frowning. "I still have some things missing!"
"How can you tell, Grandpa?" Sota was back in the living room as well, since everyone else was back and he didn't have to be alone with Lord Spooky-maru-whatever-his-name-was.
"Eh? I know! I know!" Grandpa muttered to himself. "You can't be too careful! No, you can't be too careful!"
It was then that Sesshoumaru spoke. "Kagome."
Kagome nodded silently and said, "I need to get Sesshoumaru back." She glanced at the youkai-lord and said, "Let me get my things - I'll be right back."
Sesshoumaru nodded and ignored the humans in the room more or less, although that cat was getting on his nerves. Fortunately for the cat's nine lives, Mrs. Hirgurashi snatched up Buyo before he could do anything further. Kagome came back into the room with her battered backpack filled to the gills.
"Uh oh..looks like it's gonna be a long stay this time!" Sota said. "Looks like you're going to have to use a new illness, Grandpa!"
The old man's eyes twinkled and Sesshoumaru was puzzled.
"Yes, yes.." Grandpa nodded. "Every time she goes to the past, I have to make up a new illness! Let's see, perhaps this time I will use hoof and mouth disease!"
Kagome put her hand over her eyes in embarrassment.
"That's for animals, Grandpa!" Sota said.
"Ah, but that's what will make it more stunning!"
"Argh.." Kagome shook her head. "Let's go, Sesshoumaru."
"Goodbye, Sesshoumaru-sama." Kagome's mother stood up and then she bowed just ever so slightly in respect.
~Hm, very good. I can see where Kagome gets her manners from.~ Sesshoumaru thought. Although he was not one for greetings or farewells, he did acknowlege Mrs. Higurashi with a terse nod. He saw her eyes clearly and although they were worried for Kagome, they had a trust to them. Did she trust him?
"Bye, Sesshoumaru!" Sota waved as they left the living room and went towards the hallway.
"Hm." Sesshoumaru grunted softly. The boy was not too bad.
"You look after my granddaughter!" The old man said.
Sesshoumaru did not acknowledge that statement as he followed Kagome outside to the courtyard.
"Well, here we go." Kagome turned her face sideways to him and then she opened the well house door - just when Sesshoumaru smelled something quite familar.
But it was too late.
"Kagome.." A chilling voice said. "I knew you would come here."
It was Hadori!
****
He was surrounded by two of his ever present bodyguards, and was as usual attired in a dark suit. He looked quite smug as he faced Kagome and Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru did not speak nor give any warning - instead he leaped up in the air and prepared to attack Hadori with his poisonous claws, the greenish haze pouring from his fingertips.
And then again, the piercing sound that permeated his entire being and made his head feel like it was going to explode. It threw him off balance enough to where one of the bodyguards fell upon him and stunned him with something. Immediately Sesshoumaru felt himself weaken and knew that this was the substance by which he was taken down before. But that sound! It was still ringing in his ears, almost rendering him deaf.
"Move again and I won't hesitate to use it again on you - uncle." Hadori glowered at Sesshoumaru.
"Stop it!" Kagome knelt next to Sesshoumaru.
"Don't order me, Kagome." Hadori said with a smirk.
"You lied.." Kagome seethed, feeling the pulse of the Shikon within her breastbone.
"No, for all intense purposes, I did believe them dead - your family that is. I have rectified the situation and have liquidated the incompetent fools who told me so. But your family.." Hadori paused. "You will do as I say and take me to the past or I will see that they suffer."
Kagome blanched but said, "Fine."
"Good." Hadori's gold eyes glittered. "Take him away." He gestured to Sesshoumaru.
"No!" Kagome yelled, shielding herself in front of Sesshoumaru's crouching body. "He doesn't belong here!"
Hadori shrugged. "Don't worry. He will have his uses - experimentation I think. I could use his DNA to produce some marvelous beings."
"You're sick!" Kagome spat.
"No, I am merely an - opportunist." Hadori placed his hands behind his back.
Abruptly, Kagome took one of Sesshoumaru's swords and placed it at her own throat.
"You'll stop whatever is crippling him and you'll take him with us, or I will kill myself!" Kagome's eyes were stormy and her face set.
Sesshoumaru, crippled as he was by the stun and the piercing sound that no one else could hear, registered Kagome's words even as he realized that she had the wrong sword, the healing sword, the Tensaiga. Still the fact that the wench would spill her blood for his own made her that much more unique and priceless.
Hadori raised a brow. He had not anticipated this turn of events! He could not let Kagome kill herself however. With an impatient snap to his fingers, he gestured to one of his bodyguards and the piercing sound stopped for Sesshoumaru.
"He can go.." Hadori frowned. It did not matter much anyway. He had more than enough means to be rid of his uncle anyway.
Kagome still kept the Tensaiga at her throat however. "You will promise to leave my family alone."
"You're asking a lot of me, Kagome, but very well.." Hadori said in a bored tone. Kagome put the Tensaiga down but deep down she still did not trust Hadori, not a bit. She had the feeling that if they just went to the other side, she and Sesshoumaru would have more of an advantage.
In fact, since Hadori had lied about things, she would do the same. Kagome helped Sesshoumaru up and placed the Tensaiga back in it's sheath. Looking at Sesshoumaru, she prayed that he would be alert enough to know of her intentions. Kagome turned her attention back to Hadori and said, "All right. We can go through the well.."
Hadori nodded and gestured for his bodyguards to come a bit closer to the well.
"No." Kagome said with a frown.
"No?" Hadori snarled, growing even more impatient with the woman.
"The Bone Eater's well can only take so many people through time. " Kagome explained. "You, I and Sesshoumaru can go without any fear of being lost within the infinite waves of time.."
Sesshoumaru was listening to Kagome with interest.
"But if more go through the well, then all have a chance of being lost forever in time." Kagome stared levelly at Hadori.
"You are sure of this." Hadori frowned.
"It was told to me by Kaede, the miko of the village near where the well is located." Kagome squeezed Sesshoumaru's arm as if it were some unspoken signal. She looked at him once more and he could feel the tenseness of her body and smell her scent. It was the scent of someone readying for battle.
~Ah, the wench is lying..~ Sesshoumaru thought as he felt his strength returning. Still, he let his body look weaker than it was, slumping ever so slightly, his eyes hooded.
"Very well." Hadori grimaced. He reasoned that once he was on the other side, he would wrest the Shikon shard from Kagome and draw anything he needed back to that world.
"Then let's go.." Kagome said shortly, helping Sesshoumaru to the edge of the well.
"Wait." Hadori said, coming up beside her. Kagome felt a click and looked down as Hadori had handcuffed his wrist to hers.
"A precaution, Kagome.." He smirked. "Now let's go before your family suffers.."
Kagome glared at Hadori and then murmured to Sesshoumaru, "Hold onto me...and be ready.."
Sesshoumaru said nothing, only wrapped his arms around her, making sure that it looked more of an effort than it really did.
"Get on the lip of the well.." Kagome instructed. "When I count to three, we all jump in at the same time."
"Ready?"
"One."
"Two"
"Three!"
The three of them jumped and soon were in the tunnel of time that would lead them to the past...