Chapter Nine:

A Requiem of Time

The scorching heat of August faded into a cool September in which the whole world seemed to wilt except for Madeline's womb, in which the child grew by the second. When Sesshomaru and Madeline would relax, he would always nuzzle into her belly to talk or play with the baby. He would lovingly speak to their child while rubbing Madeline's stomach, or would play with the babe by gently pinching or poking her belly, causing the baby to kick and poke to play with Dad.

October came with chilly rain, icy wind, and a riot of autumn color. One Wednesday in mid-October Sesshomaru and Madeline were in the shower after taking their daily walk. He washed her body gently, first shampooing her long hair, then applying liberal amounts of conditioner; then lathering up a wash "pouf" and washing her body. He felt their child kick at his hand while he scrubbed Madeline's stomach. Madeline returned the favor; shampooing, conditioning, and washing with the greatest of care and reverence. When they were clean and rinsed, Madeline turned off the water, and Sesshomaru got out of the shower, then turned to help his seven-month-pregnant mate climb out so she would not fall. They dried each other and then dressed; Sesshomaru in his kimono, hakama, and boa (no armor today), and Madeline in a pair of cargo sweat pants, and a black t-shirt with her University's logo on it.

They curled up on the couch to watch one of Sesshomaru's favorite movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. He bundled Madeline up in a blanket, but made sure to leave her belly accessible through the folds so he could feel the baby move.

However, the movie had not progressed far when the hair on the back of Madeline's neck stood on end and Sesshomaru perked up. Before she knew what she was saying, Madeline spoke, "The well has returned."

Sesshomaru rose from the couch and helped Madeline to her feet, "Is everything packed?"

"Yes."

"Your clothes and prized belongings?"

"Yes."

"Everything for the babe?"

"Yes."

"Is there anything else you will need for the child?"

She smiled up at him, "Only you."

He kissed her forehead tenderly, "I'll get your bags."

Madeline turned everything in the house off and Sesshomaru returned shortly with two large duffle bags stuffed full. "Are you ready, my little one? Are those 'legal documents' taken care of and in place?" (Meaning the Last Will and Testament she set up knowing she would be leaving.)

"Yes, my love."

They left the house through the back door, and walked towards the well. Sesshomaru stopped when he heard Madeline gasp. "What is it?"

"The well is glowing again. Like the day you arrived . . ."

She definitely senses the mystic aura about this well. She must be a priestess . . . that is the only way to explain her ability to see me through my barriers, to sense the power of this well, and how she always knew how I felt and what I was thinking. It's how she knew I was there to save her from being raped that night seven months ago. She sensed me subconsciously with her all night and knew she was never truly in danger.

He smiled down at his mate, "It is not important now. What is important is that I found you and we can go home now."

They stepped forward together and stood on the edge of the well. Madeline held Sesshomaru's hand tightly as they jumped into the well, never to be seen in the Twenty-First Century again.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

They touched down softly at the bottom of an old well overrun with vines and growth. There was no ladder to climb or vines to grasp as low as they were. Sesshomaru knelt down in front of Madeline, "Hold on to me, and hold tight. I won't be able to hold you." Madeline was surprised at first to hear him speak Japanese, but even more surprised when she could understand it. I suppose the well did this, just as he could understand English when he was in my time. I just hope I can speak it! She gripped him tightly and he leaped out of the well. He landed without the slightest sound. Sesshomaru turned, and then he and Madeline witnessed the well vanishing.

From the breezy silence came multiple, ear-splitting cracking sounds and the crashing of felled trees. Madeline shrieked and Sesshomaru dropped her bags and drew Tokijin. He sniffed the air.

"A demon is near," he looked about, "This is near InuYasha's village." Sesshomaru kicked the bags under some nearby bushes. "We will return for your things. InuYasha is in trouble." And he flew towards the disturbance. Madeline held to her mate for dear life as he sped towards his brother. Sesshomaru soon came to where the trees had been broken down and beheld a terrible sight: An enormous, foul looking, dead demon, and Kagome sobbing over InuYasha's lifeless body.

He landed in the cover of some nearby trees that had survived the onslaught. Sesshomaru walked forward slowly and they both heard Kagome's anguished cries. "Why did you have to be so stupid? Why, InuYasha? Why! Don't leave me like this! What am I going to do without you? InuYasha! INUYASHA!" She screamed and clutched him to herself.

Madeline's heart went out to poor Kagome. I couldn't handle it either if I lost Sesshomaru.

"Kagome," Sesshomaru said softly, announcing his presence.

Kagome gasped and looked up. Her sorrow melted into her instinct to protect those she loves, "Get away from him!" she was still crying, "I won't let you hurt him now!"

He slowly walked towards them with Madeline still holding onto his back. "What happened here? What happened to my brother?" Sesshomaru was now next to Kagome and InuYasha's body, and he knelt to allow Madeline to climb down. Kagome hadn't noticed the woman until now, for she was still grief-stricken.

"Who is this?" she asked in shock as she watched this seven-month-pregnant woman walk towards her.

Madeline smiled at the young girl and knelt next to her, and hugged Kagome. "I'm so sorry for your loss," Madeline released Kagome and looked at her (and inwardly let out a sigh of relief that she could speak Japanese), "I am Madeline. I am Lord Sesshomaru's mate."

"But, you're human!" Kagome glanced at Madeline's clothing, "And from the looks of it, from my era? What is going on?"

"Calm down, Kagome. I will explain everything shortly; after I revive InuYasha, for I hate repeating myself," Sesshomaru said as he sheathed Tokijin and drew forth Tenseiga.

Sesshomaru focused on his brother's body, swinging Tenseiga precisely to banish the demons trying to carry InuYasha's soul to the Underworld. InuYasha's eyes fluttered, then opened to see the queer sight before him: Sesshomaru stood over him, sheathing Tenseiga, and a strange red-haired woman knelt beside Kagome who had fresh tears welling up in her eyes. Sango, Shippo, and Miroku appeared from the trees upon Kilala's back. The newcomers halted in their tracks, baffled beyond comprehension. InuYasha jumped up and took an offensive pose to his older brother.

"InuYasha, stop! No!" Kagome shouted through tears, "He saved your life!"

"What?" InuYasha extorted.

"I revived you, little brother," but there was no sarcasm or malice in Sesshomaru's voice.

Miroku interrupted, "Could someone please tell us what is going on here? We're gone half an hour and the world turns itself upside down!"

"If you are all finished asking the same question, I shall explain," Sesshomaru spoke in a noble tone.

All remained silent, unless you count Kilala nibbling at an evasive flea.

"Very well. It began when I was summoned by the demon tree, Bokusenou . . ." and Sesshomaru plunged into the full account of his year-long absence.

" . . . And so, when I heard the disturbance, and smelled InuYasha's scent, I remembered the promise I made to my mate and came to investigate. I revived my brother. That leaves only one thing left to deal with," Sesshomaru removed his swords from his waist and the armor from his shoulders and set them at Madeline's feet. He walked over to face InuYasha, and then knelt before his younger brother.

"I have wronged you, little brother. I have feuded with you since your birth. I have been a fool, and Father would be ashamed of us both. I ask of you today to forget all that has gone between us, and embrace me as your brother. Let there be peace between us, InuYasha."

The wind rustled the leaves and everyone present held their breath in shock and anticipation.

InuYasha lifted Sesshomaru, "Get up, ya big jerk!" and embraced Sesshomaru as his brother. Madeline smiled brightly and approached the siblings. The brothers released each other and they turned to face Madeline.

InuYasha grinned playfully, "So, you tamed him, eh? 'Bout time someone did."

"Oh, it wasn't that hard," she grinned, "Once you get past all that tough guy crap – OUCH!" she slapped her neck and heard a tiny voice croak, "Nice reflexes . . ."

She looked into the palm of her hand and saw a squashed flea. "What the --?" Madeline muttered.

"Myoga," the brothers said in unison as the flea re-inflated himself with a "POP!"

"Who?"

"My vassal," InuYasha grumbled, "Myoga! The lady is here ten minutes and you're bothering her! Give it a rest, will ya!"

"Forgive me, my lady," he bowed to her, "You must be an extraordinary woman indeed to dissolve the feud between these brothers. My lords' father would be proud."

"So, I take it that you heard the whole story since you rode in on Kilala and then hopped to my mate," Sesshomaru stated accusingly.

"Bokusenou told me that you had gone in search of the Transient Well, and that you would return vastly changed! It was a hunch to remain close to Lord InuYasha!" Myoga began to grovel, "Please, go easy on an old flea . . ."

"Very well, Myoga. As you know, this is my mate. You will address her as 'Lady Madeline'."

Myoga bowed, "Ever at your service, my lady."

"And" he added in an acidic tone, "You are not to bite her or our child."

"Very well, my lord," Myoga seemed disappointed.

Now that the feud had ended, and everyone had met the newcomer, Miroku and Sango offered to go retrieve Madeline's bags. Sesshomaru accepted their offer gratefully, especially since he did not want to leave Madeline's side. Madeline and Kagome took to each other quite naturally. Shippo thought Madeline was as sweet as Kagome, and Madeline found Shippo positively adorable! Kagome extended an invitation for Madeline and Sesshomaru to return to the village with them.

"At least for a night or two! Please, I can't bear the thought of you traveling being so far along in your pregnancy," Kagome pleaded.

"I would love to, Kagome, if Sesshomaru does not mind."

Sesshomaru nodded his approval, and when Miroku and Sango returned (Miroku bearing a red handprint on his cheek) the troop began to walk back to the village.

Old Kaede nearly went into cardiac arrest seeing Sesshomaru and his human mate with InuYasha and his friends. "Goodness me," the elder priestess said as she hobbled to the group, "Have ye stopped quarrelling with your younger brother, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Yes, Lady Kaede, I have."

She turned to Madeline, "And who is this beautiful young woman with you?"

Sesshomaru told his tale again.

"In light of these events I insist that you both remain with us for a feast tonight! I must also insist on you remaining in the village until that child is born! She should not travel overmuch. Oh, how exciting! Sesshomaru! A father!" she got quiet, "Oh ye gods, InuYasha will be an uncle."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean, you old hag?" InuYasha shouted.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

A wonderful supper was prepared and Madeline felt like it was like a family gathering. But it was now long after dinner, and the only two awake within Kaede's hut were the reunited brothers. Sesshomaru looked to his brother and observed how InuYasha sat protectively perched over Kagome. He chuckled to himself when he realized that he sat in the same position watching over Madeline.

"What's so funny?" InuYasha growled in a low voice.

"Only that we are more alike than we ever dreamed," Sesshomaru reached down and caressed Madeline's hair, "I love her so much. I want to make sure she is safe, no matter the cost to me. Even if it is my own life. You are the same way with Kagome."

"What! I am not! She's just . . . She's . . ." but InuYasha was silenced by the expression on Sesshomaru's face.

"You protest needlessly, little brother. The only ones in denial are you and her. Ignore it all you two want, for you are only cheating yourselves. You still mourn for Kikyo, and it tears Kagome to pieces. I know because I heard her screaming over your lifeless body. It was killing her. She cried as if her soul was being ripped from her. Well, brother, for the first time in your life, heed my advice: Forget Kikyo. She is dead. Kagome is alive, she is flesh and blood. And she loves you."

InuYasha was taken aback by his brother's words. How could this woman change him from a cold-blooded assassin to, to . . . "Why are you saying this? What's come over you?" InuYasha asked.

"She has come over me. Madeline showed me what it was to have a friend, to love and be loved, to not go through every day alone. I know, Jaken and Rin traveled with me. But Jaken is only my vassal. Rin views me as her lord and guardian. Before Madeline, she was the closest thing I had to a friend.

"I am saying this to you, InuYasha, because I do not want for you to lose this chance."

"What chance?"

"A chance to see that there is something greater than battle and honor."

"Really? And what's that?"

Sesshomaru smiled at a sleeping Madeline and then looked at his brother, "A loving mate."

And when InuYasha replied with his usual "Feh!" it was not as impudent as usual.