Hello all of my fellow readers/reviewers. ^___^ Vira's here with another update. I'm soo sorry I made you guys wait for a longer time than usual, but all will be explained in my A/N:

1) Okay, so…yeah. There are two main reasons that this wasn't updated so quickly: the first, that this was probably very hard to write, the hardest one yet actually. The second, that I had LOTS of work to do. More than you'd believe. You can scream at me all you like (*hides*) but that still doesn't change the fact that I won't be able to update as often as I used to. But I'll try!! Really!! In the meantime, here's another chappy, right?

2) I had to seriously rewrite this chapter so it would fit in context with the edits I made. Sorry if some things seem out of place…

3) This time I updated my website as on schedule, AND SO, you can go there for the lemon I promised (in my profile, remember…?). I must repeat this for my reviewers who don't like to follow directions…You. Can. View. The. Lemon. For. This. Chapter. On. My. Website. In. My. Profile. Got that? Good.

~~~***~~~

I landed at the bottom softly. 'Well, here goes nothing…' I thought. I crawled out slowly. I heard shouting from above. "Where IS she!? Kagome's TWO hours late!! Where the hell did that wench go!?"

"Well you know Inuyasha, you could always go look for-"

"Shut up! I told her to come and she'll come!"

WHAT did he call me!? I leapt out of the well and raced to him. I was PISSED. "Inuyasha, you idiot!" I moved my hands up to strangle him. This really DID take the cake, of all things.

He stared at me angrily. "THERE you are! Where the hell have you been!? We've been waiting for you!"

"I had to help my brother with something, okay!?"

"We need you to help us find the Jewel shards!"

Inuyasha and I snarled at each other and turned away indignantly. Miroku, ever the practical one, said soothingly, "What's done is done, and we're just wasting more time arguing about it. We should leave now and try to forget this, right?"

We both 'hmph'ed and nodded. Sango rolled her eyes and Shippo chuckled. I hopped on my bicycle and ignored everyone. I couldn't help it if my mom made me go to the store! I couldn't always be on time after all! They were expecting too much of me.

Suddenly, I sensed…something. I turned my head to the west and stared intensely. Did I feel one already? And where was it?

Miroku observed this. "What is it, Kagome?"

I nodded to the direction I felt it. "A Jewel shard…I sense one that way…or maybe more? It's pretty faint, but…"

"Very well, then we shall look over there."

And so, that was how it happened. Inuyasha and I were on bad terms with each other, and when we met Sesshoumaru at the scene, Inuyasha wouldn't listen to me when I told him not to attack his brother. And then, Sesshoumaru and I were transported here because of the attack he gave, which unfolded another story…this story…I cried out as it rained down upon me, and then felt nothing.

~~~***~~~

"NO!" I sat up with wide eyes.

I heard a faraway growl and a few seconds later Sesshoumaru could be seen leaping over to me. "Kagome." He said quietly. Sesshoumaru peered down carefully. "What's the matter, Kagome?"

I smiled. "N…no, it was just a dream…I'm fine." I looked around—it was morning. I glanced at him. "…Sesshoumaru, you didn't stay up all night guarding us…did you?"

He shook his head. "The monk insisted that he took a turn as a watch-out instead of me." Sesshoumaru lowered his voice a little. "…Though I could have been there all night."

"Sesshoumaru, you need your strength to be saved for the day, right? You never know what's in store…after all, we're in Naraku's land. I'm sure he knows we're here and that-" I stopped suddenly, realizing something.

He stared at me. "What's wrong, Kagome?"

"The castle…" I mumbled. "They'll be wondering where we are…Rin…"

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "…There's no turning back now. Everything is being taken care of. Should we fail, we can always come back there. For now we should press on." I must've still had a worried expression on my face, because he knelt down to me and cupped my chin. "…Don't regret, Kagome. If we don't try to travel back to the Feudal Era now, we may never have another chance…right?"

I nodded slowly. "Yes…yes, you're right." I smiled and felt for his hand gently. It was…cold? He must've woken up long before I did. Perhaps he was waiting for me? "Thank you, Sesshoumaru."

He looked to the East. "I told Miroku and Sango that I would search the area for any threatening demons to make sure it is safe to proceed." He turned to me. "Would you like to come?"

I thought for a minute. "Um, won't it be dangerous…?"

"If I'm there…no." Sesshoumaru replied bluntly.

I chuckled. "I see. Then yes, I will go." I stood up and began to walk down the path, into the woods. He followed, striding up to my figure and walking alongside me protectively.

~~~***~~~

As I walked through the woods, I thought about many things. What did my future have in store for me here? Would I ever meet Inuyasha? And would he be the same? Or completely different? And what about Naraku? Could we really beat him and take his Jewel half? And how was Rin back at the castle? So many questions but not enough answers. I sighed miserably.

Suddenly, I looked around. And where was…? "Sesshoumaru?" Where had he gone? I was wrapped up in my thoughts so much that I hadn't noticed which way he went. "Sesshoumaru?" I repeated. This wasn't like him at all. I walked further. This forest seemed much darker all of a sudden. I turned down a path, but heard a shrieking demon cry that way. I gasped and turned around quickly. Well, I sure wasn't going down that path! Oh, why didn't I bring my bow!? Screeches could be heard in various directions and my heart picked up speed. I ran in a circle, seemingly—around and around the path I went, through the trees and past the cries. Which way!? Suddenly, I backed into something…soft.

Hands crept around my waist and breath fell against my neck. "Hello, Kagome." Sesshoumaru whispered to me softly. "I've found you at last, it seems." He spun me around and looked straight into my eyes. "…For you, Kagome." He pulled from behind his back a beautiful red flower and handed it to me. "I believe this one is called a Sea Willow—the slopes of the petals match the waves of the ocean." He cited. "I've heard in the past that female humans love to receive flowers. Am I…right?" Sesshoumaru tilted his head to the side questioningly.

I blushed. "Well, er…yes, I love it. Thank you, Sesshoumaru…it's lovely." I stood on my toes and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. "However…you shouldn't have left me like that! I was all alone!"

He shook his head. "I didn't—I would never do that, Kagome. Never."

I stared at him. "But then, where did you…?"

"I was up in the trees, watching for any possible flying predators. I was also waiting for the opportune moment to give this to you. I never left your side." He took my hands and closed them around the stem. "And now…" He whispered quietly. "You're mine." Sesshoumaru bent down to give me a gentle kiss but, but I stopped him with my hand.

"Sesshoumaru, please…a kiss is what I need right now, but not here. These woods…they make me uneasy."

"I understand." He answered. "Another place, then…"

"Yes." I smiled gently. "And I know just the one! Follow me!" I giggled and sprinted away. Sesshoumaru gave a growl in surprise and I heard him leap off the ground. 'Now who's looking for who?' I chuckled.

~~~***~~~

I smelled a nice scent. Someone was cooking something. I walked through the last trees and saw Miroku was cooking some sort of meat with Sango. She looked at me happily. "Oh! You're back Lady Kagome! C'mon, we're eating now!" She peered behind me. "Hey…where's Sesshoumaru? Wasn't he with you in the woods, Lady Kagome?"

I shrugged. "I wouldn't worry too much—he'll be fine. I'm…sure he must be guarding the area or something. We should stay here until he gets back for now. Lunch can wait…right?"

But Miroku saw through me. "My Lady, as his wife, I would think you would know more about his whereabouts…even IF he's only your spouse in this world." I blushed. "Are you sure you don't know where he went?"

I bit my lip. "Well…not really—I mean, he didn't say exactly…but Sesshoumaru will be here soon enough."

He sighed. "We really need to move on—we can't stay here for too long; otherwise the demons may get us."

I nodded quickly. "Yes yes, I know. But for now we should stay here, okay?" I ran to the spare robe I brought and felt around in the pockets. Where was it…? "Ah HA!" I pulled out a very small bottle. "This should do the trick…" I poured a little of the liquid out and patted it around me.

They stared at me. "What're you…doing…?" Shippo asked me curiously. "My nose hurts all of the sudden…"

I chuckled. "Yes, it's a little perfume I brought along. Let's see how he'll do now!" Now they were REALLY staring at me. "Er…don't ask. Just…don't ask." I blushed again and ran away into the forest.

"…What're they up to…?" Shippo asked aloud.

But Miroku smiled and set the skillet off. "Hmm…I think I have an idea…" He shook his head knowingly.

~~~***~~~

I stood by the waterfall and leaned against a tree. Would this work? Who knows—I just wanted to have some fun. A bit of a chase, right? But why was I doing this…any of it? Something wasn't right…something inside of me. The old Kagome would've wasted no time meeting Inuyasha instead of this! Suddenly I froze, listening. What was…? I crouched down slowly to a tree nearby.

Moments later I saw Sesshoumaru leap across the river. He stopped suddenly and stood straight—tense…sensing…the surroundings. 'He must be retracing my path with my scent.' I thought. 'The perfume must be delaying him.' He turned his head sharply and leapt away.

I breathed a sigh of relief—too soon.

"I've found you, it seems." I heard a voice say behind me. I didn't bother turning around—instead I giggled and sprinted away. This must've caught him off-guard because he growled and leapt back in front of me. I dodged his grasp and ran to the side. He growled again, louder this time, and moved swiftly after me. It became a game of cat-and-mouse. I knew he would catch me eventually, but that's how I wanted it anyways.

I ran by some trees and suddenly fell into him once more. This time his victory would be certain—immediately I felt his arms encircle me captive. Sesshoumaru studied my face. "…You're smiling." He stated after awhile. "You enjoyed that, Kagome." I nodded in defeat. It was no use denying things to him. "But I have found you at last…and now you're MINE." He stooped down to me and whispered into my ear, "Your scent may have been masked, but it couldn't hide what you really are…what I feel when I'm by you. It'll never change, and for that I could find you anywhere, no matter how thick the forest or wide the river, no matter what."

I purred a little. "You don't like my perfume, Sesshoumaru?"

He brushed his lips against my shoulder and ran it up my neck. "…Is that what that infernal scent is? No, I don't like it…it's unnatural…your perfume is nothing in comparison to what you really are. Don't change it." He said softly.

I looked into his eyes. "Sess…Sesshoumaru…" He held me close and I reached up to touch his cheek. I ran my hands down the stripes there gently, then rested them against his shoulders. He nuzzled me for a few moments until I whispered to him, "Sesshoumaru, they'll be wondering where we are. We should…get back now."

Sesshoumaru nodded, giving me one final, reassuring kiss. "You must be tired from our walk. Come." In one swift movement he picked me up from my feet and leapt away as quick as lightning.

~~~***~~~

He walked back slowly to the campsite with me in his arms. Everyone looked at me questioningly, but Sesshoumaru cleared his throat a little, saying "Kagome is tired from our long walk. Let her rest a while here." I saw them roll their eyes, but they said nothing. Sesshoumaru walked over to my blanket from before and carefully placed me down in it. I squeezed his hand one last time with love before closing my eyes peacefully. I guess it had worn me out more than I thought…

Review Responses:

jinxandfrost: ^___^ Why thank you! Hope you'll read more!

chinagirl223: lol, giggly huh? Is that…good? Meh, I guess so…lol.

wyldwolfrose: Arigato! Then here's a nice update for you!

bloodbunny: lol, yeah that's what we ALL need for flamers—evil ninja guard bunnies. Hehe what a funny image.

Guardiun Angel15: Wow that sucks…I'm glad I don't have to take that thing! Anyways, hope you can read this chapter!

Stacerue: Teh yayness, I'm glad you think so. ^__^

zeddy200: Hehe, they are aren't they…

SakuraPetal13: lol, no no, I think I've figured it out: you meant the style 'cute and fuzzy' rocks, not the fact that rocks are cute and fuzzy. Lol I had to look at it for a second or two.

fluffy sama 13: Maybe, maybe not…we'll just have to see! =D

Miko-Princess: Yeah, she is…I'm planning her for her appearance in the next chapter. She'll play a minor role though.

PeachesDani: ^___^ Thanks! Glad you could read!

Satu-Chan: lol, neither can I! ;)

Sapphire-StarLight: lol, yes that IS the question…hence the 'questionable ally'…hehe.

Hoshi-Chan1: o_O Hopefully what…? That I'll update soon? Well I don't think this was fast enough but um…whatever…meh.

Vamps: Yes yes I know I've been very very very busy. Um, glad I reminded you! Somehow…

Queen of Hearts8: *blush* Wow…^____^ thank you for the lovely compliment, but I'm afraid it's very untrue…there are a lot more Sess/Kag pairings on here that are waaay better than this one…I'm simply a lowly writer trying to attain the rank of 'mediocre.'

Kyo-sama: My website is the one in my profile, lol. I'd give it here but a certain person would be too…tempted to look it up…*shakes fist at her* lol. And I bet you can write just fine! You just need a good idea and enough time to put in it. ~_^

Kagayaku: Hehehe, well we'll just have to see…=D

mandyfanforevr: Heh, the same with me! (muscles…mmm…) ^___^

Rabid-Inu-Girl: Lol, you're welcome! Come again!

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Robin5791: Thank you! And yes, they'll meet Inuyasha, in the next chappy in fact.

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puffin: I hope it's good too! ^__^ Please read this one!

Gomen: Thanks, will do! Arigato!

I guess that's all. Thanks for the reviews! Hope you guys like the lemon on my webpage for those of you who are reading it! Anyways, next chappy, our favorite demon makes his entrance at last! (besides Sesshoumaru…and Shippo…lol). That's all for now. R&R! Arigato! Ja ne! ^______^