Chapter 33

The first of light had hit Kikyo bringing with it the smell of new dew, and the woodsy scent of her surroundings hit her nose bringing with it a horrific stench of blood and sweat. She could feel something wet along her face and as she pulled up her hands from where they laid beside her she felt tremendous pain shooting through her wrist and yesterday's event replayed in her mind. Her mouth went drier than it already was, her eye lids felt like lead as she struggle to open them. The grass felt dry and bushy underneath her instead of soothing her it dug into her back creating prickly sensations.

Kikyo's eyelashes batted back and forth against her cheek as she struggle to see if the threat was still near. She silently cursed in her head as a painful throb began to form between her thighs. Suddenly her whole body tensed as you can see the strain on her muscles, her jaw clenched as she felt movement within the trees. 'Curse that cur, they are all beasts not fit to live with ningens'though as she continued to rage in her mind she couldn't help but feel fear creeping into the corners of her mind. Just as it came the movement was gone and she let go of the breath she didn't even know she was holding. She felt the gooey liquid sticking her eyelashes to the bottom of her eyes go and blurry blinding light was thrown against her pupils. Kikyo hissed as her eyes went temporally blind as she blinked a couple of times her eyebrows furrowed in concentration breaking the facade of her coldness for a second. She looked around the surrounding and noticed she was all alone, the thought had relaxed her instantly. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the bloody carnage that laid dripping on the grass beneath her. Her knees quivered as she struggle to get up, the soreness in her muscles sent spasms throughout her body.

"Inuyasha."Kikyo spat out as she weekly stood clingy on to a tree that was old and wrinkled with age. Her face contorted from pain then to fear. 'That's right.. Kagome gave me back life.'Kikyo's eyes raked over her form in excitement, hate, disgust, curiosity, sadness and rage. She clenched her teeth as each tiny step she took sent jolting pain to her core. Her hesitant step made rustling sounds as she dragged her feet across the grass towards her bloody and torn rags. The usual graceful priestess stumbled with the clumsiness of a new born calf. She carefully picked her priestess outfit then halting as if feeling the fabric the first time in her life. The white plain cotton fabric laid gently between her fingers as she rubbed it's soft yet worn edges. Her eyes danced with amazement as she realized that yesterday's gift was no dream. Then as quickly her eyes glazed over with hatred so deep her dull brown eyes turned into a

grotesque black.

' That troublesome wench.. she did this. She made me live 'Kikyo snarled in her mind as she cursed her reincarnation to hell. Her strength returned to her as her aura turned a ghastly violet and black. Kikyo's rage had tainted her power blinding her with the thirst of a vengeful ghost. If she had hatred within her before then she had doubled that now that she was alive. She gingerly pulled her robe back on, or as much as she could. Inside her mind she had already began plotting against her reincarnation. An evil smile slid into place standing out against her expressionless face. 'Oh yes she has no idea but her filthy demon has already fallen into my trap... Now... To find Urasuae's student at least the power to raise the dead has it's... perks'

With Kagome...

Kagome woke up with a start as sweat poured like rain into her eyes, she hesitantly observed her surroundings letting out a sigh as she realize she was in her room at her house in the future. She looked down and removed the covers that felt ever so suffocating. 'Hm... Mom must of changed me into my pajamas she gently fingered the soft satiny blue tank top.

"Kikyo... now that you have your freedom... what will you do. Will live happily with Inuyasha? She looked wistfully at the wall thinking about Kikyo and Inuyasha. 'Are you truly back to the way you were fifty years ago or are you still filled with hate and feelings of vengeance. Your love could not be pure because of the circumstances but now you have no obligation what will you do?'Kagome's eyes softened as she thought about how happy Inuyasha would be. 'Your love had went through so many trials and pushed against many rough edges... I just wish there was more I can do to help you. But I cannot.'

Her eyes traveled to her stomach as she gingerly rubbed small circles on her belly. Her current problem came to mind as a whole fresh batch of tears made it to her eyes. Her gentle icy globe was glazed over with salty tears, the gently seeped through the corner creases of her eyes and made their journey down to her quivering chin. 'I have to be strong... his life lies within my control'

" but what can I say..."Kagome stated out loud as a look of pain passed before her eyes. She took a deep breath and thought out everything she needed to tell him, but she couldn't, she loved him.

Her face fell as she thought of the face of Sesshomaru smirking in her dream with the demoness in his arms. 'He doesn't need me.. there are countless other's who are willing to take my place who has noble blood flowing through there veins ready to produce him a royal heir to the throne of the Western Land'Her eyes squinted as if in pain, she stumbled and fell against the wall. Her eyes sparkling with tears as she slowly slid down the wall huddling in a ball with her white hair billowing around her as if creating a protective cocoon.

With Sesshomaru...

"She lies!" He roared as he continue to destroy a room in the grand castle. He didn't care as the servants scurried around him flinching every time something flew across the room. His chest heaved in excursion, his ragged breath can be heard across the grand room. He ignored the useless ranting of Lakasu as she tried to calm him down in her fake sugary voice. Finally with his temper spent he locked himself inside his study trying to receive some silence to think about recent occurrences. His eyes softened as he thought of his mate but his hand clenched as he thought about his brother. No, he had to believe in her, she has done so much to help him and loved him to no condition.

His anger was soothed as he thought of his gentle mate. Her gentle smiles could calm the fiercest of foes yet when angered she has the power of unimaginable magnitude. Creases appeared on his forehead as he furrowed his eyebrows in deep concentration and thought. 'But why hasn't she told me about the pups yet, this Sesshomaru is their father...'he growled as he clenched fist in frustration.

"Damn it all!" he was panting as he smashed his fist through the soft cherry wood table in his study creating wooden splints around the hole in the reddish brown colored wood. Sesshomaru slowly closed his red tinged eyes as he took in deep cleansing breath. 'well trying to calm down was a ridiculous idea' He opened his eyes and most of the red was gone, he sighed and lifted himself out of the chair. He gracefully walked toward the bay window located on the side of the study, he sat down without a sound. His eye lids slowly shut allowing him to recover what strength he had lost after venting out his anger. His crescent moon turned a more brilliant blue under the beating of the sun, his glossy silver hair looked like it was sprinkled with mist as it sparkled like jewels. Sesshomaru's magenta stripes stood out against his ivory skin contrasting with the blue of the crescent moon. A gentle breeze drifted through the open bay window reaching his nose. He would of noticed the strange components of the smell if he was deeply asleep.

…………………………………………………………………………………………

'hmm how doest his seem so familiar to this Sesshomaru' He can sense nothing as he stared at the dream image of a pond surrounded by lilac and soft roses bloom under the moonlight. The light glinted of the tiny droplets of water collected on the reeds in the pond. Soft foot steps can be heard as senses returned to normal. He turned his head slowly towards the dark forest as the creature approaches. Gentle breezes swept through his silver mane giving them the magical feeling that they are alive with their own thoughts and actions. A shape of a woman started to form a silhouette against the moonlight.

' no smell...how quite unusual' his eyes narrowed as the muscles in his hands and legs tensed in a silent battle stance. The woman's hair swayed back and forth once in a while catching the glint of the moon and appearing in a dull brown color that seemed vaguely familiar. The woman stopped a few feet away from him allowing him to see that she was a bit shorter than his mate not as well proportioned with heavily emphasized hips and breasts. The woman's clothing was not much better it was a silly blue kimono which had a V cut for a plunging neckline and there was slit from the hip to the bottom of the kimono.

" Hello Sesshomaru." The woman had purred giving the lines itself a sultry tone.

His eyes squinted as he remembered this voice. Then his eyes went shockingly wide and if he had any less control his jaw would of probably dropped.

" Misushiki.." The great Lord of Western land had a look of pain upon his face but as soon as you caught a glimpse it was gone. What was there was the mask of indifference that he had for the past 60 years. He closed his eyes and did not see her smug smirk that illuminated her face.

But when his eyes were open they were red...

With Kagome...

"Momma I'm leaving now and I'll come back and visit you soon" Kagome tried to put on a cheery face as she bounded down the stairs towards the well. ' I hope' she raced out the back door and towards the well with amazing speed.

" Take care my daughter, for what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger." Her silent words brought tears of hope to her eyes as she watched her eldest go down the well. It was said a fair well between a child and a parent was the most tormenting act existing but the pain was beyond. Then again they said all you had to worry about with teenagers was dating, clothes, attitude, and grades, but Kagome never gave her any of the normal problems and she had thought she had gotten off easy. But nothing in the books or manuals said anything about ancient well, feudal era, fighting demons, falling for a hanyou, the undead, betrayal, depression, adoption, falling in love again or sacrifice.

"I'll always be with you in spirit little one."

Other side of the well...

Kagome hopped out of the well taking in a deep breath of the smell of nature without pollution or noise. A strong musky smell reached her nose that had startled her. 'Where's Sesshomaru?'

She turned around to head into the woods only to bump into something solid yet soft. Landing quite hard on the ground she muttered a couple curses and then swore about her luck while rubbing her bottom.

"Ka..go.me?" came from above her in a anxious, desperate and happy voice.

Her breath caught in her throat as she eased her head up from the ground to see a pair of dull red tinged mustard eyes. She stumbled back as if slapped and her breath came in small mustered breath.

In an unsure and emotion filled voice came to break the silence.