Update: Chapter edited.

Disclaimer: Only Julia is mine…

A/N: I was called a tease…hmmm…I'll take that as a compliment ;D

So I am waiting for my ears to stop ringing from a night on the town and in all honestly should be attempting to sleep since I have work tomorrow, but I feel that you guys deserve another chapter.

With a chapter title like this one you gotta wonder who is making what decision…and this isn't even the last chapter. You heard me there is more…oh yes there is more.

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Chapter Fourteen: The Decision

Early morning light flooded into the valley below them. Sesshoumaru could not possibly morph them all there and still have any strength left to battle Naraku, so they traveled throughout the night and now sat perched upon the cliff overlooking Naraku's new hideout. As much as Inu Yasha hated to lose time he did not want to drain one of their better fighters needlessly.

He'd been shocked by Sesshoumaru's reaction to Julia's disappearance. By all accounts it seemed that he had put any trace of feeling he had had for anyone far behind him when he called them all together the previous morning. But if Inu Yasha had not stepped in yesterday, Kouga might not have been able to fight with them this morning. He had realized what was going on the first time Sesshoumaru slashed at Kouga, but the stupid wolf would not listen to him. Of course Sesshoumaru would not want Naraku to see him look defeated.

Shortly after, Sesshoumaru seemed to regain his head and had been quick to give orders on their upcoming fight. Inu Yasha thanked who ever might be listening that Sesshoumaru had not just blasted off on his own. This was not a personal vendetta any longer. It was something bigger and all of them had a reason to be there when Naraku was finally defeated.

"We gonna do this?" he asked getting the others attention.

"He probably knows we are here," Miroku remarked from his spot behind Sango on Kirara.

"There is nothing we can do about that," Sesshoumaru stated as he came to stand next to Inu Yasha.

"Let's go, then," Sango declared as she patted Kirara to give her the go ahead. Their plan was to flank the house from as many directions as possible, but that would be mainly a distraction to get in and secure Julia. Then the real battle would begin.

"You better bring her out of there alive," Kouga growled at Sesshoumaru, as he set off down the cliff face. Inu Yasha had noticed the growing attachment the wolf had for Julia, but he had paid it no mind since Kouga continued to flirt with Kagome. Now he wondered how much the wolf felt for the older girl. Sesshoumaru said nothing, not that Inu Yasha had expected him to. After his outburst the previous day he had been quite calm.

"Come on, Inu Yasha." Kagome prompted as she hopped on his back. "It's our turn." He had not wanted her to come at all, but she would not hear of it. So in the end he figured that if she was coming, she was staying with him.

"Let's do this, Sesshoumaru," he called as he set off to his designated position. Once again they would be drawing fire while Sesshoumaru got to play hero. Maybe he likes it Inu Yasha thought to himself with a smirk.

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Sesshoumaru watched Inu Yasha charge down the hill after the others. As expected, the others had already met with some opposition. He did not need the wolf to tell him to bring her out alive; he would see to it that she was alright, one way or another. He thumbed the hilt of his Tenseiga, but silently hoped that he would not need to use it. Regardless of the knowledge that he could bring her back, he did not know if he could stand to see her lifeless body. Pushing those thoughts aside he morphed and shot towards the castle. The others were doing their parts. Now it was time he did his.

He landed on the outside porch next to a door that he was sure would lead him to her. He went carefully inside, sure that Naraku would have any number of traps waiting for him, only to find the room empty. She is being held further in. He grimaced. He knew this had to be a trap, but there was no other choice. He had to get her out of this…since he had gotten her into it. He had tried to deny it, but anyway he looked at what had happened he knew it was caused because he had acted cruelly. He had meant to push her away, but not into Naraku's clutches. She is smarter than that, he thought to himself, why would she do such a foolish thing?

He moved through the doorway that led farther into the house. There were hanging lanterns stationed every few feet to make up for the lack of sunlight, but he would not have needed them. He quickly and carefully followed her scent down the hall. He became aware of the fight raging on outside. It sounded like everyone had met some resistance. Hopefully they can keep it outside and away from Julia, he thought as he stopped in front of the door he believed led to where Julia was kept.

Her scent was definitely stronger here than the previous room, but anything could be in there. He stood flush against the wall the door was on and carefully slide the door open. Nothing happened. He steeled himself and then stepped into the room prepared for anything.

It was dark, but for one candle burning at the back of the room. It took Sesshoumaru's eyes only a moment to adjust to the lack of light, and then he saw her. She was sitting on the floor against the wall with her hands tied above her head. The glint from around her neck told him the shard was still there, but other than its minor oscillation there was no movement from her.

In a heartbeat he was kneeling in front of her and with one swift motion he cut the rope holding her there. She fell instantly forward, but he was there to break her fall. He turned her so that she was lying face up in his arms. He removed the ropes from around her wrists and cursed when he saw the marks they left.

He checked quickly to see that she was still breathing and, to his relief, she was. He brushed the hair out of her face and breathed in sharply at the discoloration around her right cheek. It was then that he noticed her stirring slightly.

"Julia," he called softly as he stood with her and moved towards the door. She slowly opened her eyes, but only partly.

"Sesshoumaru?" she said in nothing more than a whisper, disbelief in her voice. Somehow, that struck a nerve more than seeing her hurt. "Run," she breathed out again, "It's a trap." A low evil laugh rolling from somewhere deeper in the room caused him to stop in their escape. Turning, Sesshoumaru saw Naraku emerge from the darkness almost as if he were coming out from behind a veil.

"You will pay for this," he growled out as he protectively held on to Julia's limp form.

"I thought you would be happy to have one less human in the world, Lord Sesshoumaru. Or do you have yet another soft spot?" Naraku replied as he smiled evilly. Sesshoumaru growled once more and was about to place Julia out of harm's way so that he could deal with Naraku when the wall behind him was suddenly blasted.

First through the hole was Kouga along with the demon hunter and the monk, followed closely by Kagome and Inu Yasha bring up the rear brandishing the Tetsusaiga. All but Inu Yasha and Kouga ran towards him.

"I feared that you would be here," the monk said as he drew nearer. "It seemed as though they were herding us in this direction." Sesshoumaru shot a glare over to Naraku who only continued to smile. So that is his game. A blast from the back of the room told Sesshoumaru that Inu Yasha had just unleashed his wind scar attack on the demons behind them. Then his half-brother came bounding over them to face off with Naraku.

Kouga was still facing down various minor demons, but Sesshoumaru did not miss the worried glances the wolf was sending his way. Kouga was aided by the demon hunter and fire cat, but the wind scar had taken most of the opposing demons out. Kagome was firing arrows at any that looked like they might be threatening to overpower her friends.

"Thanks for waiting for me, Naraku," Inu Yasha called, arrogance in his voice. An arrow shot over Naraku's shoulder and illuminated the back of the room as it struck the shield surrounding him.

"Impudent girl," Naraku stated as he sent a blast towards her, but with speeds that Sesshoumaru had not known Inu Yasha possessed, the half-demon swept the girl out of harm's way. He then quickly turned towards Naraku and sent an attack using the Tetsusaiga with more energy than Sesshoumaru thought he was capable of towards his enemy. Naraku was apparently as surprised by the act as Sesshoumaru was since his smile faded as the area around the shield was decimated.

Sesshoumaru took the opportunity to place Julia safely on the ground and approached Naraku as well. Inu Yasha glanced over his shoulder at him and nodded. Together they moved swiftly towards Naraku, swords drawn, but before either could unleash an attack what was left of the room was filled with Naraku's poisonous smoke and he lifted himself through a hole in the roof. The smoke wasn't dissipating and it was then that Sesshoumaru realized that Naraku had erected a barrier around them, effectively trapping them with the poison. He heard the humans start to cough, and even the demons would eventually succumb to it.

"I'll just come collect the shards from your corpses!" Naraku taunted as he continued to drift away and then suddenly vanished.

Inu Yasha looked over at Sesshoumaru and a silent agreement passed between them. They were not going to die here. The Tetsusaiga flared an angry red and Tokijin a bright blue. In unison they attacked the barrier surrounding them and pierced it with ease. Immediately, Inu Yasha lifted Kagome into his arms and Sesshoumaru was close behind with Julia. Kouga made sure Sango and Miroku were secure on Kirara, and then they all took off.

That was too easy Sesshoumaru thought as they flew back towards his castle. The barrier should not have shattered with that much ease, not if Naraku had really intended to trap and kill us there. Could it have been to set up another one of his schemes? It was likely, but what this new scheme was, he could not yet guess.

His gaze drifted to the still form of the human who was causing him so much trouble. She lay motionless in his arms, but he could faintly hear her heat beat. She seemed so fragile and delicate, not like the fired-up and tough woman he had come to care for. Naraku had said he had another soft spot, and as much as he hated to admit it, it was true. He had tried to push her away from him and deny any feelings that threatened to overcome him, and yet he had rushed off to save her, threatened Naraku for what he had done to her. He knew he did not want her to leave him, but still…could he allow himself more than that?

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Julia had come to while the girls were getting her cleaned up and put into her futon. Wakana was helping and apparently keeping the boys away. Kagome had made some comment about how strong the old demoness was to manhandle all the guys out of the room, but Julia couldn't find the strength to smile. All she could manage was a whisper about wanting a bath.

So there she sat, in the hot springs with Kagome on one side and Sango on the other, both insisting that they merely wanted to keep her company, but Julia knew they just wanted to make she didn't fall forward and drown.

"Are you guys all okay?" she finally asked when she found some strength had returned to her.

"Yes," Sango replied, "everyone is fine."

"I'm sorry you guys had to be put in danger because of me," Julia admitted. "I feel like a real idiot right now."

"You shouldn't," Kagome said gently. "There was no way you could have known that you had passed through the shield around the castle."

"So that was it," Julia mumbled to herself. Guess Naraku hadn't found a way in. Now I feel even more stupid. She sunk slightly deeper in the water. Her shoulder ached as she did so, but the heat gradually took the pain away. She reached up with her other hand and gently pressed around the sore area. There was definitely going to be a mark.

"So how's my face look?" she asked moving her hand from her shoulder to her face. She had yet to actually look in a mirror, but she could feel the swelling. Kagome and Sango both scrunched up their faces. "That bad, huh?"

"No," Kagome lied as she shook her head.

"Don't worry. I have some ointment that will help take the swelling down," Sango added after a moment.

"I'm sure that it'll be okay," Julia tried to say in a light tone. "But, I just feel so tired. I don't understand why."

"What did Naraku do to you?" Kagome asked, but with a little hesitation.

"Other than leaving these?" she gestured to her face and shoulder, "Nothing. But, there was this kid..." She could see some recognition flash in Kagome's eyes.

"Akago tried to take control of you?" she asked in a hushed voice.

"I guess that was his name," replied Julia, "but I figured out what was going on. I take it you've met the little bugger before?" Kagome could not speak, but Sango told her how Kagome had been captured and Akago had attempted to control her so that Naraku could use her to search for the jewel shards.

"So you were out of it for a little while too, then." Julia directed her comment at Kagome, but she still seemed to be reliving that horrible moment. Julia could understand why. The feeling of having someone crawling around inside your very soul was not something she was going to soon forget, either.

"So how long was I gone?" she asked to change the topic and get Kagome out of her own thoughts. However, she was starting to feel her strength leaving her again.

"Only a day." replied Kagome, a little sheepishly. Then she launched into an explanation for why it was that her missing had gone unnoticed for so long. Julia was shocked when Kagome told her about Sesshoumaru ramming Kouga into a tree. The surprise continued as she told her about how he had led the others in her rescue and insisted that he be the one to get her. Julia flashed momentarily on what she thought was a dream at the time. Sesshoumaru holding her and saying her name with a hint of affection. She had thought it only a dream, but was it possible that he had really been the one to free her?

All of her happy thoughts suddenly faded as the image Akago had conjured up flared brightly in her head. 'How could I ever care for you?' She couldn't do this to herself. She would have to finish what Sesshoumaru had obviously tried to start the other day. She would allow him to push her away, and then some. She would run at the same time.

Julia excused herself, saying something about needing sleep, but as she stood her legs gave way beneath her. The other girls immediately took hold of her and helped her out. She insisted she was fine, but they still held onto her while she put her robe on. They made her wait while they too put on their robes and then escorted her down the hall to her room.

She thought she heard herself thanking them as they helped her into her futon, but she was so tired at that point. Shortly after they slid the door closed she found herself floating in a blissfully dreamless sleep.

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It was nearing the end of the day and Julia had yet to come out of her room. Sesshoumaru had toyed with the idea of going to see how she was, but Wakana had been offering severe punishments to anyone who disturbed her, and he did not think the lord of the castle was exempt in this matter. The other problem was the he had no idea what to say to her.

At their morning meal Kagome had said that she had spoken with her the previous night and that she seemed alright. She and the demon hunter took turns relating what Julia had to say, but the tale was brief.

Rin had found her way to him at one point during the day to ask if Julia was alright, and ask when she would be able to play with her again. He had told her that Julia would be fine, but that he did not know when she would be able to play again. Rin left, sulking the entire way out of the study. It appeared that everyone seemed to be in a similar mood. It amazed him how one person could affect everyone so deeply in such a short amount of time.

She is special, even for a human, he thought with a mirthless laugh as he walked between the trees that bordered the field of his castle. He knew he cared for her, there was no denying that, but how could he allow himself to feel anything more than that, to become weak? He looked down at his left hand and frowned. His father had said that he had care for someone other than himself and that was why he was granted use of his hand again. That moment of what he preserved as weakness had actually manifested into added strength, but…

"You ever gonna tell me you got that thing back?" asked a voice, breaking into his thoughts. He looked up to see Inu Yasha leaning against a tree, much like he had been a few days ago. Sesshoumaru stopped walking and eyed him. "I guess not," Inu Yasha added with a half smile and walked closer to Sesshoumaru.

"What do you want?" Sesshoumaru asked, though he really didn't care. Inu Yasha sneaking up on him like this was only serving to add to his perceived weakness.

"Naraku is up to something," he stated with out preamble. Sesshoumaru had suspected something too, but had not yet brought it up to anyone. "He would not have set that weak a shield if he had really meant to kill us."

"I thought as much, myself," Sesshoumaru replied with a nod.

"We need to figure out what his game is before we can act again." Sesshoumaru only nodded again. It still surprised him when Inu Yasha displayed more brains than Sesshoumaru thought he had, but then again his half-brother had done a lot of things recently that he had never thought possible for a half demon.

"How did you -" he started to ask and then wasn't sure how to continue. Gods, was he actually about to praise his worthless half brother? Inu Yasha raised an eyebrow at him, but held his tongue. "Where did you get the extra power the other day when we were fighting Naraku?" There, that did not sound too complimentary.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, somewhat defensively.

"When your woman was in trouble and afterwards," he explained. He did not need Inu Yasha throwing a tantrum about him always being that good. Sesshoumaru had fought him before and he had indeed improved, but the kind of power he had when he was protecting her was something he had never seen from the half-demon before. Inu Yasha's face changed and he look more introspective.

"Because she was in trouble," he answered a moment later. "Kagome is my strength. If I were to lose her…" he shook his head, obviously trying not to think of that possibility.

"But you've been injured because of her," Sesshoumaru stated. He knew that since he had caused some of those times. Inu Yasha must have remembered those instances too, as he narrowed his eyes at him, then he shook his head with a sigh.

"If she'd've listened to me that wouldn't have happened, but she has a tendency to think for herself." He smiled wryly then. "Good thing she does, too, because that has gotten us out of a lot of hard times."

"How can you say she is your strength when clearly she is a weakness to be used by your enemies?" Sesshoumaru asked, not really believing that he was having this conversation with his half brother.

"I have to be stronger in order to make sure that doesn't happen," he replied, but it was almost like he was telling himself this. Then he looked up at Sesshoumaru, his eyes hard. "That is what you thought my mother was to Father, wasn't it? A weakness." Sesshoumaru looked away from him. This was definitely not something he ever thought he would talking about, especially not with his half brother. "Because she was human?" He could hear the anger in Inu Yasha's voice, but he still did not answer him. "You are so blind." His half-brother added, a little less venom in his voice. Sesshoumaru turned to look at Inu Yasha then and to his surprise his eyes had actually softened. "It was my mother who gave our father his strength back after your mother died." Sesshoumaru stared numbly at him, the truth hitting him like buckets of cold water. Inu Yasha turned to leave and then paused.

"It doesn't matter if you are demon or human or," Inu Yasha turned back to look at him, "somewhere in between. Love is love. It affects everyone the same for good or bad." He turned again and walked away.

Sesshoumaru's head was reeling. Especially with the thought that his worthless whelp of a half brother could actually be right. He looked down at he restored hand again.

"Was that really it, Father?" he asked quietly.

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Inu Yasha could not believe what had just happened. Sesshoumaru was in a state of utter confusion and not likely to snap out of it anytime soon. He was still not sure what had possessed him to speak like that, but somehow he knew it was the right thing to say.

He had finally found his happiness with Kagome and, as much as he resented his brother for their past, he did not want to see Julia suffer because of Sesshoumaru's ignorance. He was not as blind as everyone thought he was to the emotions of others. He merely pretended not to care. It was only an act intended to keep his own feelings in check most of the time.

He had no idea if he'd actually had any effect on his thick headed brother. But hell, if I can start spouting poetry then he can get over his past. Inu Yasha shuddered as he remembered his words.

"Man, if any of the others had heard that my image would be ruined," he said quietly to himself as he continued his walk toward the castle. Now they needed to figure out what Naraku was up to and why he had let Julia go so easily. Perhaps the others would have some ideas.

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Julia had stayed in her room the day before recuperating, among other things. She was not too badly injured by Naraku. Only a couple of bumps, and she knew her face probably still look horrible, but she had still felt so tired and drained. However, every time she closed her eyes all she could see was Akago's image of Sesshoumaru saying he would never care for a human.

I don't care, she told herself over and over again, but it did not work. So that morning she decided that she needed to find some distractions. She dressed as quickly as she could, willing herself not to feel tired, and headed to breakfast. She paused outside the door to the dining room, took a deep breath and put a smile on. She was determined not to let the others worry about her anymore.

"Good morning, everyone," she said as cheerfully as she could manage as she walked in. They stopped talking and looked up at her with apprehensive faces. Well, everyone but the kids.

"Julia!" the little girl squealed as she jumped up and rushed her, stopping only when she had a firm grip around her legs. Julia almost lost her balance, but caught it before she found herself on the floor. That just would not have been a very good way to start the morning.

"Hi Rin," she said as she patted the girl's head, "did you miss me?" she asked with a smile and attempted to walk towards an empty place setting with her still attached. Rin finally got the idea and let go of her legs only to grab her hand and led her to a spot next to where she was sitting.

"Are you feeling better this morning, Lady Julia?" Miroku asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Much," she lied through a smile. But, it must have been good enough because everyone seemed to relax then. "So what were you guys talking about?"

"Naraku," Inu Yasha answered honestly, but she saw Kagome eye him. She was obviously worried that it would only remind her of her capture, but where Naraku was concerned she was having very few nightmares.

"What about him?" she asked nonchalantly and then shoveled some rice into her mouth. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. Wakana had brought her some food yesterday, but she had been treating her like a sick person, giving her only soup and water. Good, though it was hardly filling.

"We were trying to figure out why it was he did not put up more of a fight when we came to get you," continued Inu Yasha.

"From what Kagome told me the other night it sounded like quite a battle," she commented around another mouthful of food.

"Well it appeared that way to us at first, too," Miroku cut in. "But we all agreed last night his final trick was less than convincing." Julia figured Miroku was talking about the shield that was supposed to keep them inside the poison filled room.

"Julia, did he say anything to you that might help?" asked Sango, a small blush appearing on her face. She obviously did not want to ask, but knew that Julia might have information that would help. Unfortunately…

"No, not that I can remember," she told them after a sip of tea to wash down her food. "He just seemed really upset when he couldn't get the shard from me."

"He must have realized he could not take it from you if he killed you, so that is why you were still alive when we found you, but why pretend like he was going to kill all of us when clearly he knew we could escape?" Miroku spoke so clinically about her possible death that it almost made the situation humorous in her eyes. Well, morbidly humorous, but still humorous.

"Yeah, I don't know," she said again and was going to tell a little of her experience with Akago when Sesshoumaru entered the room from the main hall entrance. She put the chop stick full of rice in her mouth and looked away from him. She had told herself that there was a possibility that he would be there, and that she could deal with it, but now that the time had actually come she didn't think that she could. "Well, I'm full," she said in her cheerful voice after quickly swallowing her food. "I think I'm going to get some fresh air. See you guys later."

She quickly got up and left the room before the others could protest. She didn't spare a glance Sesshoumaru's way, but she told herself that he would not care. You are just helping him to push you away, she reminded herself, that is what he wanted, and that is what you want.

She thought of going to the garden, but thought better of it. Too many memories. So she headed towards the field in the back of the manor. She was halfway to the trees before she realized she had a shadow. Thankfully, it was Kouga.

"What brings you out here?" she asked with a smile.

"Just thought I'd get some air, too," he replied and fell in beside her. They walked silently until Kouga cleared his throat.

"Julia," he started, "what is going on?"

"With what?" Julia asked as she looked over at him, unsure as to what he was talking about, and hoping it was not what she thought it was.

"With Sesshoumaru?" he clarified, but she could see that he was somewhat annoyed at her feigned ignorance. "The reason for your exit was not because you wanted some fresh air."

"How do you know?" she asked with a smile, trying to ignore his question. Alas, it did not work. He raised his eyebrow at her and waited. "Nothing," she answered shortly and looked away.

"You and I have been straight with each other from day one," he stated rather harshly, "why are you hiding things now?" Julia knew he was right, and for some reason she felt that if she could tell anyone what she was feeling it was Kouga.

"There really is nothing going on," she answered again with a small smile, "there can't be."

"What are you talking about?" he asked, clearly confused.

"I'm human," she answered simply.

"So?" he replied. He said it like it was nothing. As it should be, but she could see in his eyes that he understood.

"Sesshoumaru doesn't like humans, remember?" she explained with a small laugh.

"Hah," laughed Kouga a bit more heartily. "That's not what the back of my head thinks." He rubbed the back of his head for emphasis and Julia knew it was from Sesshoumaru's actions the other day, a piece of information that she still did not want to admit really happened.

"It doesn't matter," she told him softly, "he hasn't really changed and I don't think he wants to change. Besides, I can't stay here. I don't belong here." She said it with such finality that she almost believed it too, but the tears that threatened to fall kept it from sinking in. Kouga only furrowed his brows and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Yet," he said a moment later, "despite that fact you still fell for him?" She nodded slightly. She had a hard time believing it herself. She hadn't meant to care for him as anything more than a friend, but somewhere along the way that had changed. "I don't get it," he said, utter disbelief in his voice, "this blasted dog family seems to have all the luck with women." Julia stopped walking and stared at his back as he continued on.

"Kouga?" Was he saying what she thought he was saying? He stopped and then slowly turned around, arms still crossed, a genuine smile gracing his lips.

"Dog Breath almost let a special girl get away, and now his brother is proving to be just as blind," he said casually as he walked slowly towards her and then stopped just short of her. "He has no idea what he is letting slip through his fingers," he continued as he gently cupped her uninjured cheek.

"Kouga, I.." she didn't know what to say. She had always looked at Kouga as a little brother type, but clearly he was more grown up than she gave him credit for.

"I don't want anything from you, Julia," he said quietly as he wiped a tear that had slipped out off of her cheek with his thumb. "I only want you to be happy. I mean that." She lost control and let the waterworks come as she lurched forward and hugged him. He placed his arms around her and held her tightly. "You want me to go knock some sense into him for you?" His voice was so serious that she couldn't help but laugh.

"No," she finally said as she got control of her giggles and her tears, then pushed away from him. "It doesn't matter. I told you, I can't stay here. I don't know why I would have ever considered it a possibility to begin with." She smiled at him and then added, "Besides, if you did he might kill you. I don't think I could live with myself if that happened." He narrowed his eyes at her, but she couldn't help but smile. There is someone out there for you Kouga, someone who will make you very happy, and I'm sure you will make her happy as well.

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Sesshoumaru was starting to see a pattern. She left when he walked in at their morning meal, she left when he had followed the kids out to find her sometime after the wolf had, and now she left the dining room during their evening meal saying something about being too tired. She seemed energetic enough before he had entered the room. He had heard her laughter, which was what had actually drawn him there to begin with.

She was avoiding him, there was no doubt about it. He sat through the rest of the meal listening to the others prattle away so as not to make his feelings obvious. What feelings those were he could not rightly say, but he was feeling something. Anger, hurt, and confusion to just name a few. He had gone to rescue her after all, and now she was giving him the cold shoulder. Only after you purposefully hurt her, he reminded himself. She really wasn't conscious for his little heroic display anyway, and as far as she knew he still did not want anything to do with her. He needed to talk to her. Needed to tell her…tell her what? He hadn't really decided what it was he could tell her, but he still needed to talk to her.

The others had finally drifted off to their respective rooms and he pretended to do the same, but as soon as he entered his room he exited through the outside door and headed around the porch for Julia's room. However, someone had already beaten him there.

"How are you feeling tonight, Lady Julia?" asked the old demoness.

"Just fine Wakana, thank you," replied Julia. Sesshoumaru leaned casually against the wall to her room and waited. Wakana could not be there long.

"We were all glad when you were returned to us safely," she said, a smile evident in her voice.

"Oh, I don't know about that," Julia countered. "I'm sure Jaken, at least, was praying for my demise at Naraku's hands." He heard Wakana stifle a laugh.

"On the contrary! He also hoped you would return safely once he saw the state our Lord was in after your disappearance." Sesshoumaru hadn't really given much thought to the way his servants would react to his gallivanting across the countryside to rescue a human. As much as he had insisted it was to take Naraku out, he knew that his servants were not blind; he just didn't think he had been that obvious. Though even Sesshoumaru had to admit that Jaken had been uncharacteristically concerned over Julia's disappearance – he'd even offered to watch Rin while they were gone.

"And what state was that?" he heard Julia ask, though he almost had to strain to pick it up as she had dropped her voice slightly.

"Well, at first when I told him that I could not find you he'd told me it was unimportant because they were discussing battle plans or some nonsense," she said flatly. Don't tell her that, he thought to himself. "But, after I explained how thoroughly I had looked he was quite visibly upset. Why, he personally rushed to ascertain your whereabouts. Once you were returned safely I practically had to beat him out of the room so we could tend to you. I think he must have walked by your door at least once an hour yesterday, but I was of a mind that you should not be bothered." She was making him sound like some kind of lost puppy, was it already too late for him?

"Oh," came her reply. That was it? 'Oh'?! Wakana had made him sound completely lost with out her and all she could say was 'Oh'!? Sesshoumaru leaned up off the wall to enter the room and set the record straight, when Julia continued. "It was good of him to be concerned for life of a simple human." The words cut deep and he slouched back against the wall. She still could not look past his words from the other day.

"Oh, pish posh," chided Wakana after a moment, "what is this only human nonsense? You are a special breed, you are. You live such short lives and yet somehow you manage to make so much of them, while most demons live for centuries without truly opening their eyes." Had she just raised her voice a notch? "But, my dear, once the eyes are open it is impossible to close them again." If he didn't know better he could have sworn she was talking to him. Could she know he was listening?

"Thank you, Wakana," she replied in a hushed voice.

"Now you get some sleep," Wakana admonished in a very mothering tone. "Hopefully sleep will come swiftly. I want you in tip top condition tomorrow. The days are too nice to spend them indoors." The light in her room was extinguished and he heard the inside doors open. "Once again I am glad that you were safely returned home to us," added Wakana as she shut the door. He could not bother her now. Not after Wakana's warning. She had to have known he was there for her to add the bit about sleep coming swiftly.

He turned and walked quietly back to his room. He would speak to her tomorrow. He just hoped sleep would come swiftly to him as well.

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Julia lay there after Wakana left, completely unable to close her eyes. She had grown to care for the old demoness very much, but sometimes she'd wished she'd just keep her opinions to herself. Granted, she had asked how he had reacted in spite of her brain telling her she didn't care, but the rest was unsolicited.

Wakana was obviously trying to convince her to give Sesshoumaru another chance. But, she could not tell the old demoness all of her reasons for cutting herself off from him. Wakana had said she was glad she was returned home, but this was not her home. She belonged five hundred years in the future, where this world did not even exist anymore, a world where she would not have to deal with the fickle feelings of a demon lord.

It is time for me to go, she told herself as she finally closed her eyes.

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Kagome watched Julia play with the children from the shade of a near by tree. She seemed to be back to her old self again, except for the fact that she continued to go out of her way to avoid Sesshoumaru. Kagome wished she knew what had happened between those two, but she could not get the courage up to ask. Whatever it was, it had started before her kidnapping, and quite obviously Sesshoumaru's rescue did not seem to fix the problem.

She had tried asking Inu Yasha what he thought was going on, but he had only laughed and sarcastically said "It's Sesshoumaru, what do you expect?" He didn't say anything more, but she knew he understood what was going on more than the others. He can be such a pain sometimes, she thought as she rested her head on her raised knees. Granted it really wasn't any of her business, but…

"You okay, Kagome?" asked Julia, surprising her out of her thoughts. She hadn't even seen her sit down next to her. A quick glance told her that the kids were still playing with Kouga and Kirara. "You looked like you were spaced out there for a second."

"Yeah, I'm fine, I was just thinking about some stuff," she replied giving her friend a smile.

"Like a good place to meet Inu Yasha later?" smirked the other girl with a sly smile. Kagome felt her face go red immediately.

"No!" she cried waving her hands in front of her face and shaking her head. "That wasn't it at all."

"I swear, you kids are so cute," Julia chuckled.

"How did you know anything had changed between us?" Kagome asked, still red from the topic.

"I've known since the night of the party," Julia answered with a smile. "You two might have thought you were being sly about it, but I doubt I'm the only one who has noticed." She turned her face from Kagome's to the others playing. "Come on, Kouga, you can take'em, they're only kids!" she yelled a moment later. Kagome smiled and watched as the kids all dog piled on Kouga with Kirara taking the top of the pile. Kagome briefly wondered what would happen if she transformed into her larger self and then quickly decided it would be best if that did not happen. "I'm going to miss this," Julia said quietly a moment later.

"What do you mean?" Kagome asked. Julia turned her face towards her then, her eyes sad.

"Kagome, it is time for me to go," she said flatly. There was no question in her voice. She had already made up her mind.

"But I don't understand," Kagome stammered out, "we haven't beaten Naraku yet, and you still have time before you start work." Julia smiled and looked out across the field again.

"True," she said in the same voice, "but it is not like I will be any help in that fight. You guys all have your own special power that will help with that. Me, I'm just your garden variety human."

"That is not true!" Kagome shot out immediately, causing Julia to look at her with eyes wide in surprise. "You have helped us all so much." Julia only stared at her.

"With what, Kagome?" she said finally. "With Kohaku? In the end it was really Rin's words that got through to him."

"But if you hadn't been there, Sesshoumaru wouldn't have hesitated to kill him." Kagome insisted. "And it's not just that. You helped Inu Yasha and Kouga work through their differences, you helped Kohaku find a purpose in his life again and helped him to move on from the past, and…" she trailed off. Did she dare bring it up?

"Those were things that any of you could have done," Julia replied with a shrug. "I just happened to be there." Kagome made up her mind. It did not matter now, not if Julia had already made her decision to leave, so there was nothing to lose.

"And you helped a narrow minded, heartless demon lord see the bigger picture," she added, but there was no change in the older woman's features.

"No, Kagome," she replied stoically, "in the end, I don't think even that has changed. Not completely, anyway."

"But-"

"No, Kagome," she cut her off, "it is time for me to go." There really was no arguing with her. Kagome sighed.

"Alright, Julia. I don't understand why, but I know you have your reasons," she said after a moment. "I'll tell the others and we can take you back to the well in the morning. That should give you enough time to say your good byes." Julia smiled, leaned forward, and hugged her.

"Thank you, Kagome." Julia replied. She released her and Kagome could see a smile return to her face. "Well, I guess I better get back out there before Kouga decides to get serious." She winked at Kagome and walked back out to the field.

Kagome sat there numbly for a moment watching her resume play with the kids. She didn't want Julia to leave. Julia did not want to admit it, but she really was the reason they were all so close to defeating Naraku. There were so many decisions that led up to this point that were made simply because of something Julia had said or done. What had Sesshoumaru done to her to make her doubt her own self worth?

"What's up?" said a familiar voice from behind her. A moment later Inu Yasha sat down next to her.

"Julia is leaving," she said tonelessly, without looking at him.

"What?" Inu Yasha was obviously surprised, and from the tone of his voice he did not like the idea either.

"That is what she just told me," explained Kagome, finally looking at him. His face matched his voice. "I tried to convince her to stay, but she wouldn't listen to me." Inu Yasha furrowed his brows then and looked at the ground. He did know something.

"It is probably for the best," he said suddenly. Kagome looked at him in shock.

"How can you say that?" she asked placing her hand on his and leaning towards him.

"It's Sesshoumaru, what do you expect?" he said once again mimicking his earlier statement, but this time there was nothing sarcastic about it.

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Julia walked through the garden in the cool night air. She had already gotten ready for bed when she decided that she wanted to walk down its paths once more. This is the last time, she thought to herself rather sadly. The wind picked up momentarily, bringing the scent of cherry blossoms and whipping her robe around her legs. A few fireflies still danced around the pond and off in the distance she could see the little bridge that stood over the small stream. She decided that she could not go that way and instead walked off the path towards her favorite spot overlooking the valley below.

It had been an adventure alright, and now she would be going back to the future, back to her normal life. Part of her was sad, but she also knew that she had to do it. It was getting pretty close to the start of her new job anyway. At least, that was the reason she kept telling the others. Kagome had spread the word and at dinner she had to put up with an onslaught of "Why now?"s and "You can't!"s from the others, especially the children.

But, she had finally been able to say her good-byes. Wakana had wanted to prepare something special in honor of her departure, but Julia insisted that she do nothing of the sort. She could see that Wakana did not want her to leave either, and some part of her was happy that so many people cared about her, but somehow their good feelings were not enough to outweigh the feelings of one other. She hugged herself and took a deep breath. Returning to the future is the best thing to do, she told herself.

She heard a twig snap behind her and realized she was no longer alone. Sesshoumaru stood a short distance away, his face unreadable. She had not said her good-byes to him, and even now she could not bring herself to do so.

"I was just getting some fresh air," she said lamely without looking at him. "I'm going in now, so the hill is yours." She tried to make her voice as light as possible as she turned to leave the clearing. However, her route of departure was suddenly cut off by Sesshoumaru stepping in front of her.

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"You are leaving," he said stoically. It was more of a statement than a question, but she nodded anyway. "Why?"

"It's time," she responded, not looking at him.

"Rin tells me she doesn't want you to go," he said softly, "she was most upset tonight."

"Rin has plenty of friends now, she will not need me. Besides, it is not like you want me hanging around telling you what to do," she tried to leave as she said this, but was stopped by him stepping in front of her once more.

"I would think you would know by now that you should not presume to tell me what I 'want'".

Sesshoumaru watched the fire return to her eyes when he blocked her path once more and they momentarily met his, but it left just as soon as it appeared and she again avoided his eyes.

"You're right," she said softly, "I have no idea what you want. But, I have no reason to stay." His heart seemed to stop; he had not expected that response. Her voice had been so emotionless, so cold - too much like his own could be.

"You would leave before Naraku has been defeated?" he asked, trying to regain some of his composure.

"You said yourself I would be no match for him," she responded with a sad laugh, still not looking at him, "You were right. How am I going to help when the time comes to take him down? I can't." she answered for herself. "So I will leave my shard with Kagome and I will go home, where I belong. Good night, Sesshoumaru," she added and then turned to leave. But he could not let her go yet.

"Are you so eager to leave my presence?" She stopped, but did not turn. "It seems that every time I am present you leave."

"I don't know what you mean," she responded without turning.

"Then why can't you even look at me?" he asked, hoping to get a rise out of her. Her anger would be better than the ice she now wore. But it did not work, for she turned and looked at him.

"I can look at you just fine," she replied, but even as she said it her gaze shifted. He would not resort to an 'I told you so' for in that short instant of eye contact he could see pain that made him want to do anything to make it go away. "Do you even know why it was that I left you the other morning…after our match?" He shook his head, though he knew she was not watching him. He just could not seem to find his voice, however she must have known the answer.

"I was so angry, with you and your attitude and…with myself. I've always prided myself on being my own person. I was never going to become someone I was not for the sake of another. But, for the first time in my life I found myself wishing that I was something else, and I hated it. I was so caught up in it all that I didn't realize what was going on until it was too late." She paused for a moment, but he knew she would continue.

"Naraku tried to get me to give him the shard by force," she ran a hand over the bruise she bore on her cheek. A mark that did not help the ache he felt in his chest. "But, I would not give in," she smiled weakly, "I'm not weak. I told myself over and over, I could handle it. Then when I found myself floating in darkness unsure as to where I was, I found my way through, but not before that little bastard Akago had a chance to pry my heart open. Though I really aught to thank him." Sesshoumaru stared at her, unsure why in the hell that would be the case. "He opened my eyes to something that I refused to fully admit to myself…" she trailed off and then she looked directly at him. He could see the pain and what looked like unshed tears in her eyes, but there was also determination and perhaps resignation as well. "That no mater what…you would never be able to lov…care about me for me." He stopped breathing for a moment, the blood drained from his face. She smiled weakly again, but did not look away.

"What?" he questioned softly, still not sure he of what he was hearing.

"I am human after all. Nothing can change that, I don't want to change that, and you don't want that." She turned to leave then but he still could not let her go. He turned her and grabbed her about the shoulders.

"I thought I told you about telling me what I want." He would not let this end this way, he could not let her leave, he…

"What do you want then?" she asked looking him in the eyes once again. He could hear a small amount of anger in her voice, "You want me to stay and baby-sit Rin for the rest of my life? What?"

"No," he shot back, "I…I want you to stay." There he'd said it. He wanted her here. He did not want her to leave.

"Why?" she asked quietly. "You would always want me to be something I am not. Like when we were sparring. You expected me to be capable of things that only someone with demon abilities could do. You're not just going to wake up one day and find me different from who I am tonight."

"I know that," he said perhaps a little harsher than he had meant to, "You know I do." He added, but more gently.

"But, I don't know that," she replied, "and I can't live my life like that." He released her then, but could not look away. They stood silently for a moment until she turned to leave, "I will promise you something though," she said quietly, back to him, "I will always remember this place and the good times we had together. Good night, Sesshoumaru." She left the clearing and he could not stop her. She had said good night, but it had really been good-bye.

She was going to leave and it was his fault. If he had admitted to himself sooner what he was feeling then she would have never been captured by Naraku and that little brat would not have been able to use him to cause her so much pain. He hung his head in defeat. Inu Yasha had been right. It really did affect everyone the same.

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A/N: Ahhh. Poor Sesshoumaru. And what about Kouga? Nice guys never do get the girl do they? But, hey if you were wondering, the girl I alluded to that was meant for him was Ayame…at least that is what I think ;D

Okay the last chapter is coming soon, but I really have to sleep now…

Review….