Hello everyone, I've got another update for you. I would've done it yesterday but this site seemed to be down! Oh well. Did everyone have a fun (and safe) Christmas? Uh, if you celebrate it, that is. Well anyways, here's some A/Ns:

1) Don't own Inuyasha, just like always…

2) I've started another Inu fic!! I think you'll be surprised with the pairings—hopefully pleasantly surprised. Anyways, please go read that if you have the time. That is what I'll be working on when this fic is done.

3) The next chapter will almost assuredly have lemons, so be sure to look at it in my homepage if you want.

That's all for A/Ns. Now that we've gotten that over with, enjoy this update!:

After I prepared myself for the day, I ate a short breakfast and went to check on my father's condition. He was still unconscious, but the sensei was fairly certain that he would pull through soon. I thanked him, and then inquired about whether or not Inuyasha had returned yet.

"Hai. Earlier this morning…he came into this room, in fact. He must be somewhere close by…"

"I see." I glanced at the motionless Emperor in the futon one last time before leaving to travel around the castle's perimeter. After reflecting about what should be done today, I looked up and noticed suddenly the large hole in the woods, where trees once were.

At the front was Inuyasha, grinning sheepishly. "Hey Sesshoumaru! Look what I can do!" He pointed behind him happily.

I recognized the damage for what it was. "The Kaze no Kize attack…you know how to perform it." My suspicions rose. When had he practiced this technique since yesterday? Did he truly ever try to follow Naraku? "Show me, Inuyasha."

"Gladly!" He moved off to the side and pulled out the Tetsusaiga once more. After pausing for a moment, he felt, and so did I, a movement within the woods. A giant ant youkai came out to investigate. He smiled. "You picked a bad day to come here." With that, he swung down his sword, causing a huge blast to instantly annihilate the huge youkai. Yes, this truly was it…he really did master the technique.

"One more step to traveling back home." I said to myself upon observing this. I turned to him once again. "How long did it take you to learn this?"

He shrugged. "…I can't really say for sure—I've been practicing for hours out here. Well? Is this neat or what, Sesshoumaru?"

I ignored this. "You did not need to waste your strength so needlessly. I would have helped you to discover its secrets, had you waited. Our father…wants me to do this task. He wishes for us to work together-"

"-Work together!? Since when have you been so concerned with stuff like that!?"

"…Perhaps I don't." I growled back. "If you would like, I can stop trying to give you sound and reasonable advice."

"You've become soft, Sesshoumaru."

Yes. There was no use denying this fact, of course. Still, I could never admit this to him. "I will say no more. Practice with the Tetsusaiga as much as you desire, though it will cost you strength when the kingdom might need it later today. There are many things to be done today, and I cannot stay here any longer."

"Fine." He answered, and began to pull his sword out of the sheath for more practicing.

The next few hours passed with me inside of the castle's massive library. I was studying—from what I could manage to read, at any rate—about any information that might be useful. Anything at all. This included historical documents, ancient magic spells in case I needed to learn more about how exactly Kagome and I came here, and geographical maps of the continent. At around the time when the sun was the highest in the sky, the sensei burst through the door.

"My lord! Come quickly—he has awakened!"

I threw the documents back on the table and quickly walked back with him up to where the Emperor was. And indeed, when I arrived there I saw my father sitting up in his spot, drinking quietly from a cup, probably filled with medicinal herbs.

"Sesshoumaru? Is that you?" He set the cup down and looked at me. "Yes…it is…have I been here long?"

"…Long enough." I motioned to the sensei for a signal that showed it would be better if he left. He nodded politely and made his exit. I turned back to the Emperor. "The human army has left…Naraku escaped us…"

"I know." He coughed slightly and eased a little back into the futon. "I can feel his evil poison in the air…it lingers."

I thought about this for a moment, then asked, "…How did you know, when the battle was taking place and you said this to me, that you knew about…her? What were you saying to me?"

A knowing smirk flitted across his face for an instant. "Simple—I could smell her scent that was upon you. It was distinctly Lady Kagome's—oh, don't look so surprised, Sesshoumaru. It was clear to me that you had been…very close to her during the last few hours. You can't keep secrets from me, and by now, you should know this." He leaned forward slightly to look at me closer. "I was once where you are now. Inuyasha's mother…I would do anything for her. If you care about her, truly care, then don't let me delay you. Run to her, Sesshoumaru."

I looked at him with surprise. "Nani? I cannot…Naraku might-"

"All will be dealt with in time. He wouldn't dare show his face on this land for quite some time, especially because we have the jewel half again. Everything is secure in this kingdom, Sesshoumaru."

I was still not convinced. "Kagome understands my duties. I swore to protect this castle…he wishes it…"

He glanced up at me swiftly. "He? Who?"

"The real Sesshoumaru, your son and heir to the throne." I murmured under my breath. To him I said, "Never mind. I suppose you have heard that Inuyasha has learned the Kaze no Kize attack?"

He shook his head. "No, I have not heard, but that is relieving news." He paused to take another sip of his drink. "Very well—I will be up in an hour's time to see it for myself. Inform the sensei that I will be up from this futon soon."

I nodded. "Very well." I turned to leave in the doorway.

"Your heart is in pain, Sesshoumaru." He said quietly from where he sat. "I can hear it in your voice. Go to her."

My eyes shut temporarily, but I did not let him see this. I walked outside of the room without another word.

After I told the sensei that my father would be coming out soon, I went to look for Inuyasha one last time before leaving.

Yes, I had decided to travel back to the human lands. I needed to see her again, and it was clear to anyone who might've looked at me. I found him swinging his sword for practice amongst the outline of the trees. "I'm leaving now for the human kingdom." I said loudly to him once I was close enough. "Our father has awakened, and will come down here to see you perform your new technique momentarily."

"Fine." He said without looking at me. "Go already, then." Clearly he was still annoyed over what I had said that morning. Well, I was not about to make an attempt at amends. Just then, we heard some rustling within the bushes.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!!" Out came a small, green, and familiar youkai. Jaken brushed himself off and then ran to me eagerly. "Sesshoumaru-sama!! Sesshoumaru-sama!! I've found you at last!" Once he reached me, he stopped in his tracks and panted heavily for several moments. "Where have you been!? I've looked everywhere for you, Sesshoumaru-sama! You haven't forgotten about me, have you?"

This was the truth, but I didn't say it. "Naraku has escaped my sight yet again. I am going back to the human kingdom now. Stay here and watch over the castle with Inuyasha. Do you understand, Jaken?"

His face fell. "But…but I wanted to go with-!" I looked at him with an icy stare, and he immediately shrunk back and squeaked apologies. "Y-Yes, my lord…I'll stay here…"

"And in particular, keep an extra eye on Inuyasha." I said this last sentence out of his earshot. "Be sure that he does not find trouble."

Jaken bowed. "I'll watch him like a hawk, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"And if Naraku were to appear in this region, immediately send word to me through a messenger. I do not know as of yet how long I will be staying in the human kingdom. Perhaps it will only be a day. In the meantime, you must look for any signs of Naraku. It is absolutely essential that he does not infiltrate this castle."

"Don't worry, I've got everything under control!" Inuyasha swung the Tetsusaiga over his shoulders and held it in an egoistic manner. "Nobody's getting in here…not while I'm around to look after it."

I ignored him again and turned to the north. "Do not fail me, Jaken." I clenched my fist tightly, and I could see that he got the picture from his dry gulp. On another thought, I added quietly "Naraku has many henchmen to do his biding. In particular, look out for a wind sorceress, one who calls herself Kagura. Immediately send word to me if there is any appearance of her as well."

Jaken nodded quickly. "I will!"

I leapt suddenly to the North, away from them and the castle. Soon…soon I could be with her again.

After hours of traveling, I arrived inside the human kingdom. Thankfully, the atmosphere seemed to be peaceful overall. Naraku's evil poison was not in the air. At the gate, the guards immediately recognized me. Although many suspicious looks were given, they reluctantly let me inside. Apparently Kagome had managed to convince her citizens that I was no criminal after all. I moved quickly inside.

"Lady Kagome is in a very important meeting right now." One of the guards informed me.

I glanced at him out of the corner of my eyes. "Then I will wait outside the meeting's door."

Looks were exchanged from each of them. "Would you like to be escorted to the castle, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"No." Without another word, I left them to the worn road that would eventually lead me to Kagome's home. It was obvious to anyone that they still did not trust me one hundred percent, but I was satisfied that they trusted me enough to allow passage.

The same process occurred as I approached the gate into the castle, but eventually the watchmen let me through. I asked one where I could find Kagome at the moment. He pointed up to one of the higher towers.

"There. She's in a meeting with her advisors, I think. It will end in another hour or so."

I walked up a flight of stairs and saw the monk called Miroku, along with Sango. Their faces lit up once they saw me. "Is that you, Sesshoumaru? What're you doing here? Has Naraku been destroyed yet?"

The monk studied my face for a moment. "…No, Sango, he's still alive. His face would not look nearly as grave…isn't that right?"

I glanced down for an instant and saw that their hands were laced. Their eyes traveled down my gaze, and the hands immediately pulled apart while both blushed heavily. I almost laughed.

"…Well I suppose you would like to speak with Kagome right now." Miroku said to me once they were a good distance apart. "She'll probably be in the meeting…another hour or two, I'm guessing…"

I looked down below to the courtyard. "You are the head monk of this castle, correct?"

"Er…yes…why?"

"Go into the meeting and interrupt it, then. Draw her out to here. Perhaps your title will be enough. Time is of the essence."

I could sense him step back a little. "You want me to do…what? Lord Sesshoumaru, this is a royal meeting. Only in an extreme emergency—if the castle is being attacked or perhaps something vital has been stolen—can Lady Kagome come out from it. There are many important things which must be discussed-"

"-Get her out." I said with a low, angry growl.

He lowered his hands and saw the amount of determination and will in my face. "…Very well. Come with me and wait outside the door…"

"But, Miroku…" Sango reached and held his arm back.

He smiled at her. "Don't worry Sango; it probably won't be much of an issue. Maybe." I saw her eyebrows raise from that last word with discreet concern. "I'll be back here soon." I saw a moment's hesitation, and then she finally released him reluctantly. Miroku nodded to her, and then turned to me. "Follow me down this passageway…I'll see what I can do."

The door was rather large, and to lesser men, intimidating. The monk sighed and pressed his ear against the frame, listening intensely. Finally, he stood straight again. "Someone is giving a speech…I'll try to enter when he's done and I hear clapping."

And indeed, five minutes later I too heard the speech end and a round of applause. Miroku inhaled deeply and then opened the door quietly. As he was quickly walking over to the front of the table, I looked through the crack of the double doors.

Yes…there she was. I almost pushed the doors open myself at that moment to reveal that I was here. 'No…' I thought to myself. 'Let this be a surprise for her. Don't reveal yourself until she has come out and the doors are closed again.' I would have to use great restraint for this, but I stood back a little, within the shadows of the royal hallway.

Moments later, the two walked quickly back out of the door. "That was a very fortunate break, Lady Kagome." Miroku muttered. "It was lucky that you had already given all the input they needed for one meeting."

"Yes, you're right with that." She replied to him. I sighed pleasantly—that voice…I missed hearing it. "So, what did you bring me out here for? I mean, I guess it doesn't really matter, it was really boring in there…"

He raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked around. "Nani? What happened? Where did he go?"

"…Huh? Where did who-"

I emerged from the shadows behind her and whispered into her ear, "Tadaima, Kagome."

She immediately whirled around in complete surprise. "…Sesshoumaru!? Sesshoumaru!" She fell into my arms and grasped my shoulders tightly. I accepted this full embrace as my hands held her waist captive at long last. We were lovers reunited, now oblivious to the presence of Miroku.

"Oh Sesshoumaru!" She locked me in tighter. "I missed you so much…I was thinking about you all day, too…I'm so glad…this is so wonderful…"

I was pleased to hear this. "I promise, that was the last time I'll leave you. It has become…unbearable otherwise." I released her waist gently. "Come, we must leave these doors and talk about all that has happened."

She pouted, something that she knew was a weak point of mine. "Talk? Can't we do…other things?"

I smirked sinfully. "Yes, there will be plenty of 'other things' if you wish it."

Kagome giggled. "Oh, I do, I do…"

"…Ahem." Miroku cleared his throat, annoyed. "If you don't mind, we need to leave this hallway now."

"Of course. You're right." Kagome said with a blush. "Thank you for all your help, Miroku." She looked at me, and I nodded.

We parted from him and left to another, more private area of the castle.

Review Responses:

Wake-Robin: Heh yeah it definitely is. Kagome sure has seemed to have gotten a firm hold of his heart, ne?

Inugirl: Will do! Hope you like this chappy!

fluffys-sidesick: Yeah hopefully you're right on that…well, we'll just have to wait and see…

yuki kesuma: Hahaha I wish I could have a test where the answers are on the back…no I didn't steal your name. XD

xypherscompany: lol you like to be the first reviewer? Well maybe you will this time, ne?

Fire/Ice Fox Goddess: Arigato! Glad you like it so much!

Tsuki Yume: Yes, I am 'around that age'…lol. I suppose I was going for that kind of mood, yes.

zeddy222: Glad to hear! Hope you'll be able to read the next update too!

Youkai no Hikaru: Alrighty then! I'm updating as fast as I can, heh.

sadako sasaki: Yep, those seem to be the favorite pairings…and I can see why.

rinseternalsoul: Aw, Vira is blushing a lot right now…hopefully this update was fast enough! Arigato for the review!

Okay, that's all…remember, a lemon in the next chapter, and please read Vira's new Inu fic if you can spare the time! This story is starting to wrap up, so be sure to catch these last few chapters! R&R! Arigato, ja ne!