Chapter Seven: It's About Time

Somewhere from the distance she could hear music playing. Someone was playing music in the house next door, she guessed. But it was so romantic. Such a fitting song to this moment, whatever this moment exactly was.

Need. That was all that could really describe why they had come to this point. They were the only ones that remained of their worlds, and so… they needed each other; desperately. She would have gone insane without his solid presence. He would have died alone and broken without her crazy personality. They rejuvenated one another.

Kagome never questioned him. He never questioned her.

It was only they, laying there within the damp and darkened well-house. And that song, playing in the distance, that desperate song; was it a sign?

No, don't think. Just feel. Oh feel.

Kagome cried out as she felt him touch her body. It was so cold in here, so why did her flesh feel so hot? He whispered to her, nothing in particular, and she didn't care what it was just that it was.

Neither would know why it had happened. Neither would care.

They would only know that it had happened. And that it had been beautiful. There, in the well-house, alone.

Kagome lost herself to Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru lost himself to Kagome.

Over and over. Until the sun had twinkled away to nothing and the moon began to creep high.

She was still panting hard and looked up at him with a hazy glance, running her hand over his face. That unchanging face that looked so much younger now.

"Will I see you again?" It was a very weighted question, one that neither knew the answer to.

He didn't answer her, merely kissed her gently. And then she was gone, back down the well.

Kagome felt it… the water from the well touching her before she disappeared into the past. She could never come here again.

But… within her she knew the answer to her question. Yes. Yes, Kagome, somewhere… somewhere in time. I'll find you and possess you again.

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InuYasha came running up to her screaming. "Kagome! Where have you been!" She winced at his tone and he stopped abruptly, looking at her oddly. "What happened to you?" His voice was concerned and a little angry. Did he sense something?

She smiled and brushed it aside. "N..nothing. Really. It's okay, InuYasha. My mom is better now so she said that I could come back here until we're finished with the jewel, seeing as how close we are. She said she knew you'd be excited to get it done and that she wishes us luck."

He frowned but nodded, then raised a curious eyebrow at her. "Did anything else happen?" She shook her head, no, and then raced down the path to the village. Hoping he wouldn't pressure her more.

Running after her he was confused. She smelled different. Like… like a woman in heat but not; something had definitely happened. He decided to question her more subtly. "So, meet any interesting guys lately?"

Kagome stopped, giving him an odd look and shaking her head. "Nope. Nobody even remotely interesting, not one." She turned, continuing on her path but a little slower this time.

InuYasha frowned and tried to think of another one. Ah. "Been on any dates lately? You usually like to talk about going to those… movies." He grinned; he knew he had her here.

Again she shook her head. "Nope. No dates." He stopped, shocked, and looked at her with a gaping mouth.

"You mean that you just went and mated with some guy without even knowing them!" Kagome blushed and sighed, noticing that they were just outside Kaede's. She frowned at him and decided to ignore him for his lack of tact.

However when she entered the hut she had all occupant's eyes on her, wide and mouths agape. "Is what InuYasha says true, Kagome?" Kaede asked, unsure what to think.

Kagome growled out slightly and shoved herself against the wall, falling down to the floor. "No! Would you get off me about it? He's probably just misreading!" She sighed and rubbed her temples with her hands. Leave them to ruin a perfectly good evening.

But it wasn't evening here. It was Daytime. How strange. Kagome looked outside, watching some children play and smiled wistfully. Well that would never be.

Kagome knew she could never be with another man now. Sesshomaru had blinded her to anyone else. And now… he was gone. A tear escaped her eye and she felt it race down her face.

"Kagome? Are you okay?" Shippo asked, afraid for her. She smiled down on the kit, unsure what to say.

"Yes, Shippo. I'm just a little nervous."

He frowned and looked confused. "Why?"

Biting her lip she swallowed hard and looked out to the sky. "Because we must face Naraku soon."

Nobody said much after that.

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It had been eight weeks since she last saw him. Eight weeks since she had felt a passion that would never return. With a sigh Kagome turned, trying to get comfortable on her sleeping bag. It was too cold without him.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes she sighed, then without warning some unknown signal went off in her head and she jumped out of the sleeping bag and raced off into the nearby bushes. Everyone else was asleep, luckily. Had there been something she ate that hadn't settled with her? Possible, but what?

She frowned and tried to clean herself up as much as possible. This was so disgusting. Walking over to the nearest river she kneeled over it, taking some water in her hands to splash her face with before rinsing her clothes as best she could. As she was trying to get a rather tough spot off her shirt she noticed her reflection.

Wow. Kagome, you look really amazing. Blinking she bent over, examining the subtle changes. Her face looked fuller and her hair looked shinier and tamer. Her skin tone had evened out and had a nice slight tan to it, it almost seemed to glow. What had happened?

"Kagome! There you are!" It was Sango. The slayer ran up to her and smiled, giving her an approving look. "Wow, Kagome, you know this is weird but you look really pretty. Have you done something with your hair?" Kagome shook her head, no. Her friend eyed her a little longer before smiling in a quirky way. "You know, Kagome, if I didn't know better I'd say you had that 'pregnant glow' going on." She laughed and then started to head back to the campsite. "Come on, Kagome, we have to go."

Kagome nodded, yes, I'm coming. Just before I get over what you said, okay? She blinked, looking at herself in the water again before racing after Sango. Was it possible?

When she re-entered the campsite everyone was waiting for her. "So, Kagome, how many do we have left now?" Miroku asked with a hopeful tone.

She smiled and reached into her pack, taking out the little bottle she kept the shards in. Looking at it she grinned wide. "I'd say about four." Everyone looked shocked.

"Seriously?" Sango, this time, asked with an uncertain look. Kagome nodded in glee and they all cheered. It was time to find Naraku and finish this.