"Kagome, do you know how long a youkai lives?" She didn't. He laughed harshly. "An infinity longer than humans. An infinity of heartache and loneliness." He took a deep drink, relishing the burn. "I had sixty two years with Rin. We lived happily for that time. I treasured every day, and grew to understand that my father wasn't weak for his love of InuYasha's mother. Although Rin and I had no offspring, we felt no regret. To the day she died, I knew I was loved. To the day I die, she will be loved." He looked at Kagome, his eyes glowing red. "My only resentment is that I have to live with her loss, while my father was spared that pain." Kagome could feel her eyes tearing up again.

Sesshomaru leaned over and gently took her hand. "Kagome, don't cry for Rin and myself. You've seen the painting, that is a picture of a woman with no regrets, painted for a man with no regrets." He squeezed her hand gently and let it go. "I've not asked you here to draw tears from your eyes."

He stood up and walked behind his desk, pulling a key out of his pocket and opening a locked drawer. "I asked you here tonight to find out your feelings towards my half-brother." Her eyes widened, and he chuckled. "I came to equal terms with InuYasha a long, long time ago. It's hard to hate a person who is good, regardless of the situation of his birth. Hanyou or youkai, InuYasha was a good man, and I am proud to have come to peace with him."

Sesshomaru took out a letter that was faded, but in good shape. "I was asked to give this to you. InuYasha knew I would be the only one who could." He walked back to the chairs and handed her a missive sealed with wax. "I'll give you some peace while you read. Please, do not leave until we can finish our conversation." As she heard the door close softly, Kagome gently slid a fingernail under the wax and broke the seal.

"Dearest Kagome, if you are reading this, than my desire that you are safely back in your time has been fulfilled." Kagome swallowed a sob. "I'm sorry I was not able to join you, I do not know why I was unable to follow through the bone-eater's well. I have been living peacefully in this time, Toutosai has taken me under his wing, and I have been helping him to make swords.

Sango and Miroku are proud parents of twins, one of each. The girl is flirty like Miroku, and the boy is as talented as Sango. They all send their love, and also pray that this letter is received in health.

Shippo has settled down with a girl he met at one of the villages we went through. He said it took him a long time to talk her around because he'd played a bad trick on her when they were children, and she hadn't quite forgiven him. They are still in the stages of new love, yeeck!

I'm afraid I'm doomed to spend the rest of my days watching those who fought with us settle down to normal lives while I long for a life I will not be allowed to share with you. I am very sorry for the wasted years in which I was unable to give my heart to you because of it's previous attachment to Kikyo. Please know that after you left and I was unable to follow, I finally understood exactly how very much I love you.

I'm not writing this to upset you. I've written a mountain of letters since the day we were separated; but this one is the one I've chosen to send. I do believe that I am now mature enough to speak my heart without the pain I felt for many years. At first I blamed you for leaving me, being childish in my inability to admit my feelings.

I know life is different in your time. I've run into Akatori Houjou numerous times since the last time you saw him, and I am wanting to make my wishes clear. If the Houjou of your time is available, it is my desire that you search him out and love him. Akatori is a good man, and the Houjou I remember meeting was just like him. I want you to be happy.

Sesshomaru was asked only to give you this missive if you were still unmarried after 10 years. Since I am human now, I will not live to your time. I'm already in my thirties, and this body does not function as flawlessly as it did as a hanyou. Please understand that I will love you forever, and I know that you love me. I'm not asking you to keep that love, although my soul will accept it. I am asking that you not pine for something that cannot happen, and that you live life to the fullest.

Yours through time,
InuYasha."

Kagome dropped the paper beside the chair and curled up, sobbing brokenly. Sesshomaru quietly entered but did not let her know he was back. After several minutes of listening to the sound of heartbreak, he could stand it no longer. Uncharacteristically, he walked over to where she was, picked her up, and held her in his lap.

After a few minutes, she quit sobbing and looked at him. He looked back. "InuYasha died peacefully at

age 92, that's very old for a human back then." Tears slid silently down her cheeks. "Kagome, stop. I have more to say." She shook her head furiously.

"I can't take anymore." She tried to push away from him; but he tightened his arms, almost hurting her.

"I need you to listen to me." He continued to hold her tighter and tighter until she finally stopped pushing and looked at him. "What if I told you I knew of a way for you to go back?"

A/N: And you probably thought I was going to write InuYasha completely out of this one.

BTW: I'd love to know if anyone is actually reading this. I'm not looking for reviews in particular (although I welcome all), just wondering if I'm wasting my time updating this story. It is Christmas time, and I could be doing other things. There are 18 chapters (yes, I completed it before I started submitting it), and at 2-3/wk, that's time that I could be doing something productive, like sleeping. I will keep updating whether I get "reviews" or not, it's just curiosity on my part since this is my first FF. -TK