I know the last chapter was really fluffy. I hope I didn't loose anybody. There's some mushiness in this chapter, but we've about reached the plateau in that area. We'll be getting back to the angst presently.

I've been really apprehensive about the next section of this story--to the point where I almost cut it out completely. After getting several second opinions (thanks guys), I decided to go ahead and publish as is. You guys can give me feedback and tell me what you think.



Chapter 20: Both Sides of the Well

Kagome woke feeling very secure and warm. Not wanting to interrupt the sensation, she remained still, enjoying Sesshoumaru's arms wrapping around her. She smiled a little, eyes closed, as she was moved by the rhythm of his even breathing. 'Is he asleep?' she wondered, but was too afraid to turn or speak for fear of disturbing him. She had the impression Sesshoumaru had wanted to spend the night alone with her, but they could not leave Rin and Shippou with only Jaken, so he had been content simply to sleep next to her. It felt wonderful to simply be held by the man she loved. It seemed, in that moment, that everything had a chance of working out after all.

She saw sun beginning to seep through the trees and began to wonder if Sesshoumaru would show any signs of moving anytime soon. It wasn't like him to idle past sunrise. "Sesshoumaru..." she whispered cautiously. "Are you awake?"

She yipped as Sesshoumaru's arms tightened and he swept in to kiss her neck. "Yes." A low murmur began in Sesshoumaru's throat at her reaction. She felt the reverberations of his voice through his chest, making her tingle.

"You're laughing!" Kagome said, shocked.

Sesshoumaru answered her with another deep-voiced chuckle. "Yes."

"You have a really intimidating laugh, you know that? What, have you just been lying there waiting for hours?" Kagome sighed in defeat.

"I woke when you did, actually." His breath tickled her neck, she giggled and squirmed in his arms. He blew on her skin intentionally to encourage her. "You really are too much fun, Kagome."

"You slept?"

"It is not uncommon for me to sleep a couple of hours a night, though I can easily go with less. It is easy to sleep near you. Your scent is calming." He pulled her collar down a little, teasing her skin with his lips and whispers. Kagome bit her lip to hold back a ticklish laugh and tried to pull away, but Sesshoumaru held her insistently, attacking her neck with renewed gusto.

"Fine! I beg mercy. Is that what you want, Sesshoumaru-sama? I thought you were in a hurry."

Sesshoumaru smiled as he pulled her hair aside to reach her lips. "No mercy." He kissed her fervently, wanting to taste more. "I'll grant you a temporary reprieve until tonight. I do not wish to wait any longer to take you as my mate properly."

They rose together, Sesshoumaru smiling secretly at Kagome's virginal blush as she dusted herself off. He wouldn't have it any other way. When she had assembled her things she nodded to him and he escorted her to the dry well.

Kagome felt a little apprehensive, staring at the old wood. It had been weeks since she had gone through, and she had never been through without Inuyasha on one side or the other. The last time hadn't gone so well. Kagome secured her yellow bag over her shoulders, sitting on the rim to say goodbye.

"I'll return by sunset," she promised. "Will you meet me here when I get back?"

Sesshoumaru nodded. "Til sunset. If you are late, I swear I'll find a way to come after you."

Kagome smiled warmly and leaned to kiss him. "I won't be late." She swung her legs over the side of the well and jumped, a blue light engulfing her when she should have reached the bottom. Sesshoumaru stared for a moment at the empty well, stirred by the beginnings of loneliness. Before today, he had never been lonely; there had never been anyone to miss.

Miroku followed the sense of youki through the woods to the familiar clearing housing the bone-eater's well. He smiled a little at the sight that greeted him. Sesshoumaru was leaning casually, back to a tall tree. His arms were crossed lightly across his chest, his eyes closed as if he didn't care what might be happening in the world around him, though Miroku had the hunch that the taiyoukai was perfectly aware of his surroundings. Even without the ears and red clothes, he felt like he was looking at Inuyasha for the briefest of moments.

"She'll be back, she always returns," he said conversationally.

"I know," he answered without moving. Sesshoumaru radiated an air of confidence and certainty that Inuyasha never had, though Miroku was beginning to understand that their motivations are not all that dissimilar.

"You spoke with her last night," Sesshoumaru said factually.

"Only spoke," Miroku quickly interjected.

"I know," he said, inwardly amused at the monk's nervousness. "I would be able to tell if you had touched her."

"Ah yes, well... my interest is elsewhere now. You don't need to be concerned about that."

"Naturally. She's mine now, and no other will touch her." Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, narrowing them into the forest toward some unseen menace. "Especially that damn hanyou."

"I take it things have improved between the two of you. I am glad for Kagome-sama, she has had many difficulties. You had better be sincere about all of this. If this is part of some plan of yours and you hurt her, I'd make sure it would be returned to you somehow." Miroku fingered the beads on his hand, looking unwaveringly at the demon lord.

Sesshoumaru exhaled sharply, as if he didn't care to expend the extra energy a scoff required. "I am always 'sincere.' I'll die before I willingly endanger her."

"About that... Kagome has told me about her travels with you."

Sesshoumaru turned to glare at him, daring him to bring up her attacks.

Miroku disregarded his hostility and continued. "Naraku attacked her several times in rapid succession... and has not done so since. It strikes me as odd."

Sesshoumaru nodded slightly, "I have thought of this as well. The last time he seemed intent on her death, but has not attempted to finish her off. Certainly the situation has changed, I have the Tetsusaiga now and control of Tenseiga, but I have been expecting another attack regardless."

"Perhaps he decided it is not in his interest to try and kill her now. That worries me. This delay likely means he is forming another trap. There must be shards out there still... and Kagome is still the only one who can find them. It seems certain that whatever he is planning, she will likely be the target."

Sesshoumaru stood statue still, apparently thinking. "He will not succeed. I will protect her."

Miroku smiled at the thought of the great and cold youkai so utterly devoted to his cheerful young friend.

"Is there something you came up here for?" Sesshoumaru asked disinterestedly.

"I wanted to make sure someone was here when Kagome came back. This is where Naraku grabbed her before, you know."

Sesshoumaru shifted his gaze sharply to Miroku.

"She didn't tell you?"

"Where was Inuyasha while this was happening?"

"Busy getting impaled through the chest."

Sesshoumaru shook his head a little. "It doesn't matter. It will never happen again."

"I also came up to find Shippou."

"The kit and Rin are playing in the field." Sesshoumaru inclined his head slightly in the direction.

"I didn't think you would leave the little girl alone."

"I can hear her and Jaken is there."

Miroku turned to leave. "As long as you plan to wait for her, I suppose I am not needed."

"Houshi." Sesshoumaru addressed him authoritatively.

"What is it?"

"When you retrieve the kit, take Rin with you as well for the evening."

Miroku grinned slyly. "Sounds fair. Incidentally, thank you for letting Shippou stay with Kagome last night. Have fun."

Sesshoumaru let the suggestive remark roll off of him and went back to his thoughts as the monk walked away.

Kagome sighed in relief when she opened the door to the well house and caught her first glimpse of her house. She had wondered if she would ever make it back here again.

Somewhat hindered by her heavy pack, Kagome sprinted to the door, yanking it open gleefully. "Mama! Souta! Ji-chan! I'm back!"

"Kagome?" She was greeted by her mother. Kagome unceremoniously dropped her bag and ran into the kitchen, joyfully attacking her mother in a tight hug.

"Mama, I've missed you so much." After so many weeks of stress, she felt a little more like the teenager she was while she was in her mother's arms.

"We've missed you too, Kagome. I was concerned that you haven't even come to get more homework. But Inuyasha protected you, right?"

Kagome pulled away, her face somber.

Her mother caught the mood and sighed softly. "Something happened to him, didn't it?"

Kagome nodded sadly. "Things have changed a lot since the last time I was here."

Her mother squeezed her shoulder sympathetically. "I can see that. You look very nice, though, dear." Kagome glanced down at her blue miko's garb. She had been dressing this way long enough it felt natural. "If you like, I'll wash it for you while you take a bath. Then we can have a talk about all of this."

"Thank you, Mama."



It was strange being back in the modern time, Kagome reflected as she soaked in a hot bubble-bath. Somehow she had gotten used to being outside all the time, even began to like it. There was little left in her age of the wild Japan she had become familiar with. The wilderness Sesshoumaru belonged to. The modern conveniences were certainly nice, but she was missing him a little already.

When she finished drying her hair, she entered her room to find her set of clothes laid out for her, as well as a clean school uniform. She idly fingered the red scarf of the uniform, remembering how those uniforms had been such a big part of her life here. She put the clothes Sesshoumaru had given her back on, glad to find she no longer worried about looking like Kikyou as she dressed. It was simply the way things were now.

She trailed downstairs and found her mother busily bustling about the kitchen, sending delicious odors wafting through the house. As she entered, her mother set cups out at the table and poured tea for the both of them.

Kagome sat down opposite her mother, smiling into her teacup. "Where are Souta and Ji-chan?"

"They left for the day. They should be back sometime late tonight."

"Oh. I wanted to see them before I left again." Kagome said disappointedly.

"You're leaving so soon?"

Kagome nodded. "I promised Sesshoumaru I'd be back by sunset."

"Sesshoumaru? What about Inuyasha, what has happened to him?"

"He was killed, not long after I went back," Kagome said sadly. "He was trying to save me. Since then his brother Sesshoumaru has been... looking after me."

"I am sorry about Inuyasha, Souta will be crushed. But I'm sure it must have been worse for you. Are you all right? Why didn't you come home?"

Kagome swirled her tea a little, not looking up. "We were far away. After Sesshoumaru rescued me from Naraku we went searching right away. It's only just now that we've gotten close enough for him to allow me to leave for a while. He is not very trusting by nature, but I believe that he has faith in me now."

"But how do you feel about all of this?"

Kagome frowned, sorting through her feelings. "I miss Inuyasha, but it doesn't hurt as much as it used to. I didn't really get a chance to say goodbye until yesterday, and I've been feeling a lot better since. And now Sesshoumaru is always with me."

Kagome felt her mother's hand come to rest softly over hers. "Kagome, why do I feel like you're saying goodbye?"

Kagome returned her smile sadly. "It's just that things have gotten so much more serious lately. I never really thought Inuyasha could die until it happened. I know I haven't told you a lot about what happens on the other side, but there is a very dangerous enemy that we must defeat. I don't know anymore if we'll be able to do it. I thought I should tell you, in case I can't come back."

"And if you succeed? What will you do then?"

"I think..." Kagome paused bracingly, "that I belong there now. I want to stay with Sesshoumaru. I... I love him, and he loves me."

Kagome was reassured by her mother's nurturing smile. "I'm glad for you Kagome. What kind of man is he?"

Kagome smiled thinking of him, at the same time choosing her words carefully. "He has features similar to Inuyasha, but taller and without the ears. He's full youkai, and he is usually very serious. He can be self-centered, but it seems like everyday he becomes better. He adopted a little girl all on his own and she adores him more than anything. She's so sweet, I wish you could meet her. He's really overprotective, but I know he'll always keep me safe. There are times when he can be so gentle and kind, and I'm always happy when I manage to make him smile. He likes to tease me and pretend he's not, but it makes him happy and I can't force myself be mad at him."

Kagome's mother laughed a little at Kagome's bubbly description. "You sound like me when I met your father."

"I do?" Kagome blushed. "He proposed-sort of, and I accepted. I hope you're not mad."

"Sort of?"

"Well, he never actually managed to put it into the form of a question, now that I think about it. He's not that big on conversation. He just said that he wanted me to stay and I agreed. He's so stubborn and has more pride than anyone I've ever met. He's not really accustomed to giving people choices, he has never had to compromise to get what he wanted before. He's changed so much in the past few weeks."

"It's all right, Kagome. I know you're still young, but if this is what you want I will not say anything about it. You have taken on more responsibilities than other girls your age ever dream of. I trust you to make the right decision. What do you want to do about school and everything else here?"

"I guess if I'm going to stay there, there's not much point in trying to continue school. Sesshoumaru would hate for me to be away, and I don't want to be away from him either. We probably won't be near the well for much longer anyway. I suppose I could bring some books with me... no sense in letting my mind rot completely."

"I'll inform the school. I just have to ask your grandfather to think up a reason of why you're leaving." Her mother had a mischievous glint in her eye.

Kagome groaned. "As long as I won't have to face everyone this time. I'll write a letter to my friends before I leave. They deserve that much. I can finally tell them I solved my boy problems at least."

"He better be good to you, or he'll have to answer to me." Kagome almost laughed aloud at the image of her mother scolding Sesshoumaru. Her mother probably wouldn't be at all bothered by Sesshoumaru's moody glare. It was easy to see where she inherited her straight spine.

"Thank you, Mama. I just hope I'm not a disappointment to him. He's so sophisticated."

"You? A disappointment?" Her mother understood her nervousness. "If he loves you, I'm sure everything will be fine."

Her mother waved a spoon at her scoldingly. "Well, even though it's just the two of us, I suppose I could make some oden. It will have to hold you until you can come back. And you better come back to visit, young lady, or you really will be in trouble. Try to bring this man of yours with you sometime. You still have to come and see your brother and grandfather as well. I'll be waiting, so don't disappoint me."

Kagome smiled brightly. "Yes mama. And thank you."

Kagome hurriedly climbed the vines lining the inside of the well. It was starting to get dark, but the sun shouldn't have set yet. She apprehensively thought about what had been waiting for her the last time, and who she had expected to see. Every time she traveled through the well it was as if she had come to an entirely new world.

She cleared the well, looking about nervously. Abruptly she felt something wrap around her waist from behind. She stiffened in panic until she looked down and saw two magenta-striped wrists encircling her. She relaxed in his firm grasp as he lifted her out of the well and set her next to it. She turned to face him, a wave of comfort washing over her at his closeness and subtle scent. She dropped her bag heavily, leaving only her ever-present bow and arrows over her shoulder. "Thanks for waiting for me."

Sesshoumaru's face held little expression, but was softer than his usual indifferent mask. "Always. Did you enjoy your trip?"

Kagome nodded. "Yes, thank you. I'm glad I got to go back-- there were things I had to take care of. My mother sends her greetings, by the way."

Sesshoumaru raised a curious eyebrow.

"I told her I was going to stay with you."

Sesshoumaru looked at her in intent silence.

"If... you're really sure you want me," Kagome said nervously, suddenly very aware again of how tall he really was.

She stopped breathing as Sesshoumaru slowly raised his hand, letting it rest softly to cup her cheek. The beginnings of a smile appeared as he moved in closer to her, wrapping one arm behind her. Torturously slow, his lips crept toward hers, finally meeting in an earnest kiss. His touch sent tingling warmth through her, filling her with an ache as she moved into his embrace.

He drew back just enough to be able to look in her eyes. "I want you," he said softly.

"I don't understand," Kagome confessed, "what it means to be your mate."

"My wife, my mate, my companion. By any name you like: you are mine and no one else's, and I will have no other."

"I'm still human. How long will this last?"

Sesshoumaru did not really want to think that far ahead at the moment. "Until some force greater than both of us separates us. I will die before I willingly let you go."

Apparently satisfied, Kagome allowed Sesshoumaru to close the distance, but he was surprised when he picked her up. "It's only the two of us tonight," he whispered heavily in her ear.

She burrowed into him, half-excited and half-nervous as he took off with her. He set them down gently in a clearing she didn't recognize. The first and brightest stars were beginning to shine in the navy sky through the round gateway of the apex of the forest. She could hear the gentle sound of running water and see the sparkling foam of a sapphire waterfall. Sesshoumaru stood in front of her, his silver hair reflecting the soft tones of the waning day, his strong white form seemed to light of it's own accord.

She realized hazily that his hands were burning at her waist, his molten eyes holding her senseless. He hungrily pulled her into a kiss, loving the way he could almost fold himself around her small body. While he kept her lips occupied, he let his hands move teasingly up and down her body. Kagome whimpered a little against his mouth, wrapping her hands tightly against his neck.

Kagome could feel her body warming against Sesshoumaru, the feeling of his muscles sliding under silk made her reel, but somewhere at the back of her mind something unnerved her. She pulled herself into his kiss more, trying to shake the feeling, but the tingling sensation grew worse. The feeling intensified, and she forcefully pushed herself away from Sesshoumaru.

"Something's wrong..." she whispered, glancing around nervously. "It feels like..." She came to a sudden realization. "Youki."

The sensation washed over Sesshoumaru just as she spoke. She was right, there was something powerful approaching. It was more than simply powerful, however. It seemed to come from every direction. "We're surrounded."

Kagome's eyes widened as she reached for her bow. "There are no shards," she told Sesshoumaru. "But it's so strong."

"I know," he said softly. He was angry at himself for letting them corner him. He wasn't sure how many there were, but he could smell them now. "I'm sorry, Kagome. I did not think this would happen at this time. I have put you in danger."

Kagome shook her head. "What are you talking about?"

Sesshoumaru took a stance protectively in front of her. "They've followed us here. I misjudged their boldness."

Indistinct shapes appeared at the tree line, advancing in synchronicity.

"The opposition from the Western Lands has come for my life and yours."



Yeah... sorry about that. Like I said, I was really tempted to cut out the next chapter (21), but hageshii mouse said she liked it. At least that saves me the time of having to rewrite, so you'll get an update sooner. Good, right?

Quick note: The Sango/Miroku stuff last chapter was really subtle. H. M. said she didn't catch it until after she read this one. Sorry if it didn't get across. I just didn't want their pairing distract anyone from the K/S stuff going on.

Who is coming for Sesshoumaru and Kagome? What does Naraku have up his sleeve? Will Sesshoumaru ever get some???? Find out next week. [Same bat time, same bat channel ; ) ]

Please Review

-Aiwendil



This chapter last updated: Saturday, June 14, 2003