A/N: honestly I forgot I was sitting on a couple chapters *shrug*

working on more now!

~sploosh out

"Your guard stays." The elder's voice echoed in the cave before Sesshomaru could take a step forward.

"Sesshomaru, please." Kagome begged, her back to him, "I'll be just fine."

Relief came in the form of his retreating steps.

Kagome released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, and followed the wolf.

They were in pure darkness for many minutes, with only their steps echoing around them. Every minute that went on, the more anxious she grew. All she could see was the wolf's aura, a hazy ray of sun that refused to shift with his moods.

She almost asked if they were through walking, when she noticed the flickering firelight ahead. Seeing his true outline, Kagome's racing heart began to slow.

"Sit by the fire." The elder circled the flames, sitting opposite of the entrance. It was a small cove, but roomy enough for a large wolf to pace.

Kagome followed as instructed, albeit slowly. Her belly was getting in the way now, especially when she had to bend at the waist.

"Tell this one of the Ookami clan's fate."

"Well," Kagome stared into the flames, watching every flicker, entranced by every burning ember that crackled with warmth, "I should start with where I come from…"

Flames took shape before the two. The elder pinched his eyes into slits, assessing the visions in the fire. He'd only seen his own brethren, the elders before him, perform this visionary skill.

He saw buildings, and humans, too many to count. Amongst them, his descendant, the cub Ayame bore, a proud man in a foreign land.

"Kouga will die in this war, if we're not careful." The flames could not tell what she had not seen, but an older Sesshomaru, aged only in his manners, changed only by the length of his hair, was sullen for his sight.

"Ayame will lose against Kiryu," Kagome's eyes glazed over with tears. Her oceanic eyes only reflected the light of the fire, even as she cried, "And Kakushin will lose her, and this land," She blinked and the flames displayed the glitter of the casino, and the security of the tribe, "But not his people."

"What is your plan?" The elder's voice was a shiver to her senses, reeling her back from the fire. Her confusion churched his assumptions into shape. It was just as he'd heard; the Shikon Priestess was unaware of the depth of her strength.

"I fell through time, and I think it's on purpose. I'm back to change everyone's fate, but it's going to take all of us to change the outcome." She was determined, her mind immediately playing Inuyasha's voice calling her name. She had to save him, no matter what.

"What vision do you see?" The elder sniffed in her direction. She was right, afterall. It was a warning.

"A wolf, biting at me, but it never harms me. And I can't harm it." Kagome wiped her eyes dry, "We thought maybe Kiryu was sending us a warning."

"A wolf, yes, but not the Beta."

"Then who?"

The elder rose to his paws again, and came around the fire, dropping his snout to her forehead. Kagome watched intently for any changes in his aura, but only saw the tone pale, as if her own body sapped the saturation upon touch.

"You were cursed, in a way, just as I thought." The wolf pulled away, his eyes seeing into hers with a quiet reserve. "Your fate has already been prophesied. The wolf led you home."

"W-what do you mean?"

"I have no cure for you here, but luckily you're carrying the heir of the West. Perhaps the Lady Mother will aid you in spite of her own feelings," Kagome nodded, weighing the options. "Due to her actions that burdened you, of course."

She understood, offering a weak smile. "Is there no one else?"

"One as mischievous as she is? Her strength lies in manipulation. What is a curse, but mastering the very skill?"

"They know, then."

"I'm afraid so, Shikon Priestess."

When Kagome emerged from the tunnel, guided by the elder, she was exhausted. At the mouth of the cave, Sesshomaru searched her form for any harm, and found nothing, not even a hair out of place. He reached for her person, and down the mountain they went.

"The elder told me we have to see your mother." Kagome explained, dressing for bed behind the screen.

"In the morning, we'll go to see her." Sesshomaru chose not to dress in the clothing provided by the wolves. He did doff his armor and shoes, however, and reclined against the wall, with a knee propped up and the other leg extended.

Exiting from behind the screen, Kagome smoothed her hair out of the collar of her sleeping yukata. Despite the news of her curse, she managed to relax. It was late into the night when she'd emerged from the depths of the cave, and neither of them were eager to face their hosts again. Opting for bed, they'd fallen into a silent routine.

"Where is she?" Kagome crawled under the covers, relishing the heat of the fur. Her face stung from the cold wind on the cliff top.

"She lives in a floating castle, in the sky."

"Why doesn't she live in your fortress?" Kagome asked.

"The same reason as any woman scorned."

Kagome winced at that.

There was no reason to hold one another tonight, and it brought an emptiness to her chest. Despite being grateful for the comfort of shelter and warmth, Kagome almost ached to be out in a tree just so Sesshomaru would have to hold her all night.

"Kagome," His voice gave her hope. Maybe he missed holding her, too. "You should sleep."

Her heart sank at that. Of course he wasn't going to suggest they try to sleep together. Turning over to face the fire, she said, "I'll try."

Sesshomaru knew she was disheartened, but kept his hands to himself. He couldn't comfort her without becoming more entwined. She needed to return to the future, for both her and the pup's sake.

Still he couldn't deny that his own chest ached when she turned to face away.

When morning came, Sesshomaru realized he'd dozed off. Despite laying down with space between them, that space had shrunk to none. Kagome was spooned in the curve of his spine, with her mess of dark curls tucked under his chin.

If the scent of wolves wasn't cloaking their surroundings, he would say this was the preferred way to wake up.

"Sesshou…" She was sleep talking again.

More and more lately her nightly chatter was about him. She still mumbled Inuyasha's name, but less and less every night.

He untangled their limbs and made space between them, resting on his back. It was early, still. They could wait another hour, when sunlight would aid her clumsy steps. Sesshomaru itched to embrace her protruding belly. An hour for the pup, so she wouldn't fall on top of it.

Kagome rolled in her sleep, turning over to rest her head on his chest, embrace his torso, and weave a leg between his own. The pup was pressed against his side. Sesshomaru refused to delve into his conflicting emotions, and wrapped his arms around her back and on the pup.

When they were packed up in the foyer of the Stronghold, Ayame and Kouga were pensive and somber. They'd both asked what could possibly happen, what could be so bad, but Kagome refused to cave. Only the elder could tell them now.

"Trust me," Kagome begged, grasping Ayame's shoulder, "I'm going to change things."

"Just," Ayame blinked back tears, turning her gaze to the wolf cub bundled against her chest, "Can you promise me he's going to be okay?"

This she could be honest about, "He's just like his father."

Ayame had to laugh at that, despite the tears that smudged her vision. Kouga pulled her to his side, smiling with her.

"Kakushin will be a wonderful leader."

"Thank you, Kagome." Kouga could accept her admission, even if she shared nothing else of their own fates.

"Thank you both." She nodded back to them, bowing, "We'll send word when it's time."

"We'll see you." Kagome only wished to feel as confident as Kouga was.

Outside, they ventured off the Northern grounds. They'd need to head a bit South, Sesshomaru informed her. His mother, despite never wanting to return to the Western Fortress, always stayed close.

When the ground underfoot began to slop instead of crunch with each step, and the biting cold faded as the sun rose higher in the sky, Sesshomaru grew more tense. Kagome could see the overriding colors taking over one another in his aura, like a new wave breaking against the last. He was troubled by their latest destination.

Her only consolation was that she could never sense shame.