The next morning they prepared to leave. Shippou was overjoyed to find that he was going with them. It took most of the day to get to Sesshomaru's house. Shippou had talked non stop and was wearing on Inuyasha's nerves. He was relieved to finally arrive.
They went inside and were greeted by Rin. She was most excited to see the young fox demon. Inuyasha was happy that Shippou decided to go play with her.
The days passed and Kagome was truly happy. She had even convinced Inuyasha to start training Shippou. One afternoon when Shippou and Inuyasha were gone she and Rin walked together through the garden. The girl had told Kagome that she was her second favorite companion.
They were laughing and talking when a huge roar erupted behind them. Kagome looked back. A large demon was bearing down on them. "Rin, run and find Inuyasha. It is me that he is after." she said.
Rin did as she was told. Kagome had wanted to spare the girl. She knew that Inuyasha could never make it in time to save her. She ran in a different direction, but was knocked forward by an attack. She would feel a warm pool forming beneath her. "I'm sorry Inuyasha." she whispered. The edges of her vision started to darken. She saw two large yellow eyes and a band of green light, then nothing.
Sesshomaru had come upon Kagome and heard her whispered apology to Inuyasha. The smell of death was surrounding her. The air was thick with blood. He use his poison whip to destroy the youkai that had attacked her, severing its head.
A primal cry of both rage and sorrow erupted from the trees. "Kagome." Inuyasha cried. It was a mournful sound. Enough to break even the coldest heart. Sesshomaru felt his brother's agony.Suddenly a flash of red appeared kneeling at Kagome's side. He cradled her life less body in his arms.
Sesshomaru approached. He sensed Inuyasha's will to live fading just as he had sensed the life fading from his brother's mate. "Step back." Sesshomaru said softly, but leaving no doubt that it was a command.
Inuyahsa looked up at his brother. Sesshomaru had drawn the Tensaiga. He was going to revive her. Inuyasha laid her down gently and moved back. Sesshomaru moved his fang of life over Kagome.
She gasped taking air back into her lungs. "Inuyasha." came her hoarse voice.
He returned to her side and held her close. As he held her she passed out again, but she was still alive. He laid her down gently and came to his knees before his brother. He bowed his head and held the Tetsusiaga out to his brother "My sword and my life are all I have to offer in exchange for what you have done." Inuyasha said. "Both are yours if you ask it."
Sesshomaru looked at Inuyasha. He knew that his offer was sincere. He didn't know what to make of it. How could one human woman inspire such emotions? Part of him had wanted Inuyasha and his Miko here so that he might discover the secret that his father had also known, but that he Sesshomaru had never been fully able to understand. He was grateful to the Miko for making sure Rin was spared, but he would not have offered her his life in return. "I have no use for a sword I cannot wield." Sesshomaru said at last. "Take your mate inside. She needs to rest."
Rin and Shippou stood by watching Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's exchange. Rin made her was to her Lord's side. "Excellent work my Lord." she said happily. She followed him away from the others.
Inuyasha picked Kagome up. "Is she really all right?" Shippou asked.
"Yes." Inuyasha replied.
"Why did Sesshomaru save her?" he asked.
"I don't know." Inuyasha told him.
"What..." Shippou started.
"Listen runt. Can you give it a rest?" Inuyasha asked.
At first Shippou was a little hurt, but then he remembered how Inuyasha had reacted when he felt Kagome's spirit leaving him. Inuyasha wasn't trying to be mean, he was just upset. Shippou looked at his adoptive father and could see that he was still in pain. Shippou went off to find Rin.
Inuyasha took Kagome to their room and laid her on the rug in front of the fire. He figured her bloodstained clothes were ruined so he cut them off of her. He went to her bag and found a towel. He grabbed the basin of water that was on the night stand and used it to clean the blood off of her. When he was finished, he put her to bed and went to stand in front of the fire. He leaned his head against the wall and started to cry.
He had lost her. He had failed to protect her when she needed him most. What would he have done if Sesshomaru hadn't killed the demon and revived her? He knew the answer. He would have died. He had felt it when he held her lifeless body against his.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome called. He didn't turn. "Inuyasha, I'm sorry." He came over to her. His expression was unreadable. Inuyasha at on the edge of the bed, his back to her. "Please koinu, forgive me."
Inuyasha turned and took her in his arms. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I let something happen to you. I don't deserve you." he said softly. "I lost you."
She felt his tears on her neck. His warm breath caressed her ear and sent heat through her body. A longing to be with him stirred inside her. She ran her fingers through his hair. "Shhh. I am here now." she whispered.
He looked into her warm brown eyes and saw desire burning there. He planted soft kisses all over her face before settling on her lips. "Koishii, I love you. Don't leave me." he pleaded.
"I will never leave you." she told him. Kagome slid her hands under his haori and pushed it off his shoulders.
He shivered as her lips spread soft moist kissed across his bare chest. It had been over a month since he had lain with her, felt her soft flesh pressed against him, and he longed for her in a way that he hadn't since their first night together. All rational thought left him as he succumbed to her tender caress.
She laid back on the bed, taking his hands pulling him down with her. "I need you." she whispered. "Love me Inuyasha."
Her words released him and he moved to explore her body, to love her. His lips fell over her, and he kissed her hungrily. He felt it as a fire ignited with in her, enveloping him. Her desire was even greater than his own. His lips trailed along the line of her jaw, and down her neck. When he came to his mark, he gently pierced her skin with his fangs. She moaned softly, though not with pain. He pressed his lips against her ear and he growled, a low visceral sound that she had heard before, but not understood.
She knew know what it meant. She would be the only one to ever hear it. It was a pronouncement of his love for her from the deepest most instinctive part of him. "I love you too." she replied.
They were totally consumed in each other. Their love existed in a place beyond time, and they got lost there, neither wanting to leave. He whispered her name over and over. She was his life, his salvation. She took away all the pain and made him whole. She brought light to the darkest places in his heart. She had set him free.
As he called out to her, she heard so much more than her name. She found herself understanding him in a way that was both beautiful and frightening. She only hoped he understood her as well. Her love for him was all consuming. Without him there would be nothing left inside her.
When at last they were both exhausted, when there was no more to be said between them, they found release together one final time. Still wrapped tightly in each others arms thy fell asleep.
The next morning Inuyasha woke holding Kagome in his arms. She stirred. "I didn't mean to wake you." he told her.
"I want you to take me to see my family." she said sadly. "It is time."
"You don't have to. I promise I won't leave your side. You will be safe." he replied.
Kagome shook her head. "No. It has to be now." she said. Inuyasha nodded.
They got Shippou and headed toward the village, so that they could go through the well one last time before purifying the jewel. They made camp for the night in the same cave they had used before. Inuyasha let Shippou sleep with Kagome so that he could keep watch, for any demon thinking to come take the Shikon no Tama.
A few hours before dawn he woke the small fox demon. "There is a youkai coming. Take care of Kagome." he whispered. Shippou nodded as he watched Inuyasha leave.
Less than an hour later Inuyasha returned, one arm wrapped tightly around his waist. "What happened?" Shippou asked.
"I killed it runt." Inuyasha replied.
"You're hurt." Shippou said. "I should wake Kagome."
"Don't." Inuyasha said. "You can help me. She feels bad enough. It won't matter after tomorrow. The jewel will be gone."
"All right, but I still think you should tell her." Shippou agreed.
"I will once we get back to the village. She will want me to rest and I can't protect her if something comes." Inuyasha told the kit.
Shippou helped Inuyasha wrap his wound. "You sleep with her." Shippou said. "I will wake you if anything comes." Inuyasha was too tired to argue. He laid beside Kagome and pulled her into his arms.
Kagome woke and was pleased to feel the familiar sensation of Inuyasha's arms around her. She hugged him tightly and heard him groan. He opened his eyes. "What happened?" she asked.
"It's nothing." he said roughly, and wished he could take it back at once. He hadn't meant to sound upset with her. He saw the hurt in her eyes. Kagome stood up and walked off to stand beside Shippou. Baka, Inuyasha thought. He joined Kagome and circled his arms around her waist. "I'm sorry. It's just a scratch. Shippou helped me with it."
"Let me see." she said.
Damn it. "I'm fine." he told her.
"Let me see then." she replied.
He opened his haori and his undershirt. Kagome winced as she lifted the bandage. It wasn't a scratch, but he had definitely had worse. "See it's nothing." he said.
"It isn't nothing. We are staying here until you are better." she announced.
"No." he said firmly.
"Yes." she told him .
"No, damn it. This once you are going to listen to me." He yelled. "We can't stay here. We are leaving as soon as you eat something. I will rest once we are in your time, where you will be safe."
She was upset by his tone, but understood where it was coming from. He was worried that he wouldn't be able to protect her since he was hurt. "All right." she agreed. "But if it starts bleeding again or hurts too much you have to promise me that we will stop."
"Keh." he replied. At last he had won.
Kagome sighed. She knew that it was as close to an agreement as she was going to get from him.
It was after dark when they arrived. It had taken longer this time because of Inuyasha's injury. They decided to spend the night with Sango and Miroku before going to Kagome's time. Kagome was dreading, having to tell her mother that she was going to seal the well, even though she was sure her mother already knew.
Kagome entered her mother's house and was greeted warmly. Her mother took one look at Kagome's troubled face and understood why she had come. The book hadn't said exactly how long they would be gone before they returned to seal the well. "How long will you stay?" she asked.
"I'm not sure." Kagome said.
"We will stay as long as it takes to arrange for us to be married." Inuyasha said. Both Kagome and her mother looked at him in surprise. "What? I said we would didn't I. I'm going to leave you two alone." Inuyasha went outside.
"Well Kagome." her mother said. "It looks like we have some planning to do. Obviously it will have to be informal, considering that Inuyasha doesn't exist in this time. Where would you like to have the ceremony?"
"I always thought that if Inuyasha and I ever married that it would be under the sacred tree, but I guess that's not going to be possible." Kagome sighed. "If only the snow was melted. I guess it will have to be in one of the buildings."
"Oh, I don't know about that." her mother replied. "Come look." Kagome looked out the window. Inuyasha had found a shovel and was clearing the snow from the area around the sacred tree. "It seems like Inuyasha had the same idea. Follow me. There is something I want to show you."
Kagome followed her mother to her room. She watched as she retrieved a large box from the top of her closet. "Open it." Mrs. Higurashi instructed.
Kagome opened the box and inside she found a beautiful white silk kimono. "Mama it's beautiful." Kagome said softly.
"I wore it when I wed your father. We will find you a red obi. Since you are already married you do not have to wear all white. I want you to take it with you, so that your daughter may wear it someday." her mother said.
"Thank you mama." Kagome replied.
Inuyasha came in for dinner. Kagome told him that they would be able to be married in three days on February 2nd. Mrs Higurashi found a shrine priest willing to preside over the ceremony. While Kagome did the dishes, her mother took Inuyasha aside.
"Here." she said, offering him something in her hand. "I know it is not your way, but it would probably mean a lot to Kagome if you would give her this at the wedding." She placed what she was holding in his hand. He looked at the two matching bands. "These were mine and her fathers. I know hers will fit. If yours doesn't we can get it sized."
She took the larger and slid it on his left hand. It fit perfectly. "These belong to you." he said.
"It is my wish that they belong to you and Kagome now." she replied.
"Thank you Higurashi sama." ho told her.
"Inuyasha I know you probably cannot call me mother, but I would like you to use my first name, Asami. You are my son now." she told him.
Thank you Asami." he said.
The second came too soon for Kagome, not because she didn't want to marry Inuyasha, but because they had agreed to return to the past that night. That morning Kagome spent with her mother getting ready. Though it was cold, the sun was shining. It was a beautiful day.
When the time came Inuyasha took his place under the sacred tree. He had his hair pulled back and was wearing the shoes Asami had given him. Souta and Kagome's grandfather were waiting with him by the priest. Asami joined them.
A few moments later Kagome stepped out into the sun. Her hair was held up with traditional combs and she had a red flowers in her hair to match the red of her obi and Inuyasha's haori. She had never looked more beautiful.
She came to stand across from Inuyasha. The priest began the ceremony.
"Inuyasha, you have already pledged yourself to this woman. Will you in peaceful times and during sickness, Love, respect, comfort and help her until death? Will you reaffirm your choice to this promise fulfill." the priest asked.
"I will." Inuyasha relied.
"And Kagome you as well have already pledged yourself to this man. Will you in peaceful times and during sickness, Love, respect, comfort and help him until death? Will you reaffirm your choice to this promise fulfill." the priest asked.
"I will." Kagome replied.
"Inuyasha has asked to say a few words of his own before we exchange the rings." the priest announced.
Inuyasha took Kagome's hands in his. "Kagome, I don't know how you ever forgave me for being such a fool and not realizing sooner how truly special you are, but I thank Kami everyday that you did. You set me free with your pure heart and then again with your love."
Inuyasha looked back at the priest. Both Kagome and her mother were in tears. "Now for the rings." the priest said.
Inuyasha gently slipped a band onto Kagome's hand. Souta gently tugged on his sisters kimono. She took the ring he was holding out to her, and slid it on Inuyasha's hand. Kagome bent down and picked up the sake from the low table beside them. She handed it to Inuyasha. He took a drink and turned the cup before handing back to her. Kagome then drank from the cup, before setting it back on the table.
"May the lives of these two be blessed. Now before the Gods I reaffirm that they be man and wife." the priest finished.
Inuyasha stepped forward and kissed Kagome sweetly. Neither of them notice as Souta took their picture. Several more pictures were taken and then they went inside. They celebrated until nightfall.
Kagome changed and carefully packed her wedding kimono away. They would have to make several trips through the well to carry over all the things Kagome was taking with her. When the time came Inuyasha insisted that she stay until he was finished taking her things to the past, so that she could be with her family.
While they waited her mother handed her a small package. Kagome opened it. It was an album with photos of the wedding as well as several of her family. Then Asami showed her that she had a matching set of photos. "We will always have our memories." her mother said. "I will never forget you."
"I will miss you mama." Kagome said starting to cry.
Inuyasha returned. "Are you ready?" he asked.
Kagome nodded. Even Souta who was trying to be brave cried as they said their goodbyes. "I love you." Kagome called as they leapt through the well.
Out on the other side, she stared longingly into the well. "You don't have to do this." Inuyasha said. "I will fight for you."
"I know you would, but I don't want that. One day if we have children, they will deserve peace." Kagome replied.
She took the sacred jewel from around her neck and held it in her hand. She thought of the wish she was going to make. 'I wish to purify the jewel removing it from this world so that an evil like Naraku may never return.' she thought.
She found herself being pulled into darkness and then she was surrounded by the same light that she went through to cross time. A beautiful woman was standing before her. She had the aura of a priestess. "Who are you?" Kagome asked.
"My name is Midoriko. Why did you not wish for what was most important to your own heart?" Midoriko asked.
"I could not put others at risk for my own selfish desires." Kagome replied.
Midoriko smiled. "Your pure heart and sacrifice has earned you a wish. On this date from one dawn to the next each year you and Inuyasha, as well as your children will be able to cross through the well. If you should not return by the time the sun has completely passed the horizon it will be a year before you can return." Midoriko said.
Could it be true, Kagome wondered. Will I get to see mama again?
"Yes it is true. It would seem that Inuyasha is quite worried about you." Midoriko told her. "He too has earned a reward."
Suddenly Inuyasha appeared beside her. He saw Kagome and hugged her. "You disappeared." he said.
"Inuyasha, son of the great Inu no Taisho, wielder of the sword of man, the fang of destruction, who like his father chose to love a human and protect her, what would you ask of the great spirits?" Midoriko asked.
"I only want Kagome to be safe and happy." he replied.
"I see that is indeed the greatest wish of your heart. Is there nothing else you desire?" she asked. She looked at Inuyasha intently for a moment. "So you would wish to be free of your night of change, so that you don't have to fear not being able to protect her."
Inuyasha nodded. "I do not want to fail her again." he said.
"You realize that you will no longer be able to bear a human child, but will still have the desire and ability on the new moon?" she asked.
"Inuyasha what does she mean?" Kagome asked.
"For me the nights of the full and new moon are the nights when I can produce pups. When I am human the baby would be human. She is saying that both nights would produce a hanyou child." Inuyasha told her. "If you want our children to be human then I cannot accept her offer."
"Why would I want that?" Kagome asked. "I want our children to be like you."
He smiled. "Very well. It is done. I have seen what is in your hearts. It is a rare love to have called your souls together across time. Continue on the path that has been set before you." Midoriko said.
The light faded and Kagome and Inuyasha found themselves standing beside the well. She took his hand. "Come on, we have to go see mama." Kagome said.
"Kagome the well is sealed." Inuyasha said.
"Do you trust me?" she asked.
"Yes." he replied.
"Then jump." she told him.
They crossed time and jumped out of the well on the other side. Kagome ran inside. "Mama." she called. Her mother was standing in the kitchen smiling.
"I wondered how long it would take for you to get back." she said
"Mama, how come you didn't tell me?" Kagome asked.
"I thought it best not to interfere with what will be." Asami hugged her daughter.
"Oh mama." Kagome cried.
They stayed a little longer with Kagome's mother before returning to the past. Inuyasha was pleased that Kagome was in a much better mood than when they had left earlier. They stayed the night with Miroku and Sango before returning to spend the last few weeks of winter with Sesshomaru and Rin. Inuyasha didn't mind staying there, because his brother was frequently away.
A/N: I don't really have any notes except to thank all those who took the time to review. I'm sorry that I don't ever leave cliffys because I know how much people love thoses...lol...I'm not very good at leaving you in suspence...Well thanks for reading and please keep reviewing...