A/N: Hey all! Well, unless something happens that I didn't expect, there should be just one final chapter after this one. I want to thank all of you for your amazing reviews and support (especially for these last few chapters). I hope that you've all enjoyed the story (even if you didn't agree with some parts of it), and I'm very honored that some of you have decided to "get over" your disagreements to continue with the story (y'all know who you are). It's quite a compliment that you've stuck with the story, and it also shows maturity as a reader. With that, I'll leave you to the pin-ultimate chapter in my story! I hope you enjoy!.!

Previously:

"You.. smell a little different, now," he told her.

"Wha-- well… is it okay?" Inu Yasha crinkled his nose, taking in a little more of her new scent. He then leaned back on his arms, closed his eyes, and his face relaxed.

"I like it even better than before," he told her, pleased with himself. He opened one eye to look at her, and his nose pointed toward the air, proudly. "You smell like you're mine."

CHAPTER 16: goodbyes
The last day Kagome spent with Sesshoumaru and Rin felt like it flew by. Rin, who had been studying the kanji characters diligently, was only a step away from learning all the foreign words in the flight incantation. As a final test, Kagome handed Rin the scroll.

"Rin-chan, can you read this?" Rin looked at the scroll for a few moments, and then back at Kagome. She was used to reading Kagome's handwriting, but these characters were still clear to her.

"Hai," she replied.

"Then, why don't you give it a shot?" Rin read the scroll, and recited the final word.

"Yuketsu," she let out a yell of surprise when the scroll began to glow. Kagome watched, remembering when the same thing happened to her. And, as it had done to Kagome the first time, the light dispersed when it touched her body. Sesshoumaru hadn't marked her yet. Rin looked over at Kagome. "What happened?"

"Nothing, right now. You'll have to read it again later. But I'm very pleased, it looks like you've learned a lot in the few days that I've been here. What do you say we give this a rest, and go practice some archery?" Rin nodded sadly. This was most likely going to be the last time she'd practice archery with Kagome.

"Your form is really good, Rin-chan," Kagome told her. "All we really need to work on is aim, but that'll come mostly with time and practice."

"Mm," Rin said before she loosed the arrow at the target. She was already better, and was hitting nearer and nearer the bullseye with greater and greater consistency. Kagome turned to look behind her, where she could smell Sesshoumaru.

'I.. did I just smell Sesshoumaru?' she thought to herself, remembering when she was given those powers for the first time. "Sesshoumaru," she greeted the taiyoukai. He looked at her for a moment, and then at Rin.

"Good afternoon, Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin said, bowing slightly. She had truly become a woman in many different aspects. Although she was still learning, Rin was definitely catching on very quickly to what her mentor had been teaching her- both verbally and non-verbally. Sesshoumaru nodded at Rin, and looked back at Kagome.

"I see Inu Yasha met with you last night," were his few words. Kagome nodded. Sesshoumaru looked down at Kagome, remembering what it was like when his scent mingled with hers. "Good," he said abruptly, before he quickly turned and walked away.

'Eh? Was that all he wanted to say?' Kagome stared after Inu Yasha's brother curiously. Somehow, she had a sneaking suspicion that he was wanting to say something more to her.

"Kagome?" Rin asked. Kagome turned around to look at the young woman. "It looks like Sesshoumaru-sama was upset that you saw Inu Yasha last night," she observed.

"It seems that way, doesn't it, Rin-chan? Well, I'm sure it's okay. He would've said something if it wasn't, right?" Rin looked up at the sky.

"Maybe. But Sesshoumaru-sama never used to speak so much, before. I think he's changed because of you," she told her teacher. Kagome could read the hint of sadness in Rin's eyes, and shook her head.

"If anyone has changed him, it was you, Rin-chan. He never cared about humans like us, until after you came along." Rin looked at Kagome, and smiled.

"Now he cares about us a lot, doesn't he?" the girl asked, rhetorically. They giggled, before Kagome continued.

"You're the reason I'm here, Rin-chan, so don't worry. Sesshoumaru's reason for changing is you." Rin blushed, and tried to shoot another arrow.

Sesshoumaru wasn't surprised when he saw the seal appear on Kagome's neck as he approached. In fact, he half-expected it. After giving Inu Yasha such a hard time about it, his little brother was bound to mark her. The taiyoukai knelt by the lake and lowered his hand into the water. Somehow, he felt as though he had given a part of his heart to Kagome. He splashed some water onto his face. Although his heart toward humans had changed because of Rin, Kagome was the one who made him express his emotions more openly. Maybe it was the fact that he marked Kagome- even though it was only temporarily- which made him feel slightly pained to see that she had been marked by someone else. Of course, the fact that she was marked by his own brother wasn't helping matters, either. Again, Sesshoumaru splashed more water on his face. Kagome was no longer in his reach. In any case, Rin- the girl he cared for, the girl for whose sake he kidnapped Kagome- was the one he had decided on beforehand. It had been his decision to stay with Rin.

Sesshoumaru sighed, knowing that somehow he had to get over his remaining sentiments for the recipient of his first mark. 'Maybe this is why our clan is meant only for thorough markings,' he reasoned to himself. Blinking his beautiful golden-amber eyes, he remembered watching the two girls in the classroom. Kagome hadn't detected him, but he was there. The way that the way Kagome taught Rin, how Rin learned things so quickly, the way Kagome and Rin played together, - there was something about their two souls. It seemed like they were the same girl, only different in age. He would've guessed that they were sisters, except that he knew better- even their scent was similar. Sesshoumaru lost his train of thought at the sound of footsteps behind him. He shook the water off his hand and stood up, turning to face his little brother.

"You don't seem like the kind of guy who needs to splash water on his face to get it together," Inu Yasha said. "What's going on, Sesshoumaru?" Inu Yasha had been watching Kagome and Rin from the rooftop when Sesshoumaru had approached them. He had seen the entire interaction, and was curious as to why the new-and-improved talkative Sesshoumaru hadn't said anything further to either Kagome or Rin.

"Nothing for your ears to hear," he told his brother.

"Something--" Inu Yasha was cut off, mid-sentence by his brother.

"Where is Kagome from?" he asked.

"Huh?" Inu Yasha stepped back, surprised. "Why you wanna know?" he asked, defensively.

"Her strange clothes, her mannerisms- Kagome isn't from this time, is she?" he demanded.

"Wh--" Inu Yasha was completely taken aback. He hadn't expected the sudden barrage of questions. He was about to blow off Sesshoumaru's question with a 'whats-it-to-ya' reply, but his brother's eyes were pleading for an answer. Inu Yasha had never seen a look like that come from Sesshoumaru before, and it shocked him into a stutter. "A-- ah. Kagome is from the future, where youkai like you and I don't exist." Inu Yasha was happy he could call himself a youkai. Although he still had a hint of human in him, it was hardly perceptible- not nearly enough to tip any youkai off as to his original hanyou state. Now belonging to the inu taiyoukai heritage, Inu Yasha was considered a youkai. Sesshoumaru sighed when he heard Inu Yasha's answer.

"So, that's it." Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, relieved. He was right- Kagome and Rin did share the same soul. The fact that Kagome was from the future made it possible for her and Rin to have the same soul while existing in the same time. Knowing that he felt tenderness for a soul that belonged to Rin was, somehow, a comfort. Sesshoumaru was now finally able to move on past his initial marking.

"Sesshoumaru," Inu Yasha wanted to learn more about why his brother showed an interest in Kagome's origin.

"I see you've marked her. Congratulations, brother." Again, Inu Yasha was surprised. Usually, when Sesshoumaru called him 'brother,' it was in a condescending way. While the term lost much of its bite after Inu Yasha officially became his blood brother, he still treated Inu Yasha like a boy who had much to learn. This, however, felt completely different. The tone of Sesshoumaru's voice was almost- almost as though he was resigning from a fight. Inu Yasha was somewhat suspicious as to the reason for the tone of voice his brother used. But instead of asking any more questions, Inu Yasha smiled. Kagome was his, and there was nothing Sesshoumaru could do about it now.

"Ah. Thanks." Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, and walked silently past Inu Yasha.

Kagome and Rin decided to take a break- their last one of the day. Rin sat alone on the rooftop of the castle, thinking about everything that had happened that week. She was going to miss Kagome.

"Rin," came a voice from behind her. She turned around in her seat. Looking up, she saw Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," she greeted him. Sesshoumaru looked at the girl he had been caring for over the past six years.

"What are your thoughts, Rin?" he asked.

"I was just thinking how I'll miss Kagome when she's gone," she told him honestly. Sesshoumaru sat down quietly beside her. Rin remembered back when they were tracking Naraku. She hadn't remembered the true treachery of the guy, but what she did remember were the special moments she shared with Sesshoumaru, sitting by his side in silence. After a short pause, she continued, "Do you think we'll see her again?"

"There's no doubt about it," Sesshoumaru told her calmly, looking ahead out toward the forest surrounding the castle. "Now that Inu Yasha is my blood brother, he is also a lord of these lands. He has accepted the duties that came along with that title. We should see them at least four times a year." Although Rin was a little sad that it was only four times a year, Sesshoumaru seemed like he was trying to cheer her up using that number. Indeed, four times a year was better than once a year, or once 'every-so-often.' Rin looked away from Sesshoumaru's profile, and focused her gaze onto the sky above. "Rin," he began, and looked her way, focusing his eyes on her, "you've matured greatly since Kagome's arrival." Rin remembered her most recent form of maturity, and blushed slightly.

"Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama. I have tried hard in my studies with Kagome."

"Good work. I hope that even though Kagome will be gone, that you will continue to study this way." He looked back out toward the forest.

"Mm," Rin replied. After a few moments of silence, Rin spoke up again, looking at the taiyoukai. "You have changed a lot since Kagome's arrival as well."

"Have I?" He asked, almost rhetorically.

"You talk more, and seem to care about things more. I like it a lot, Sesshoumaru-sama," she told him.

"Rin," he said, practically ignoring her last statement. It had hit home, but he had been aware of what she told him for quite some time, now. "Now that you are a woman, you are free to go wherever you wish. Your ability to read will prove useful, as will the spiritual powers you've been develop--"

"No!" she interrupted the lord of the Western lands. He looked at her, amazed that she interrupted him- it was so unlike her character. He inwardly smiled. Rin had probably learned that little bit of spunk from Kagome. "Why would I want to leave? Sesshoumaru-sama, Jaken-sama... you are my family. Why would I want to leave you?"

"You are a human woman, Rin," he said, stating the obvious.

"I don't care! If I could, I would stay with you and Jaken forever!" Tears began to find their way down her cheeks. Sesshoumaru looked at her.

"Forever, Rin?" he asked.

"Mm," she said, wiping her tears.

"Forever is a long time…"

"I don't care. If it's with you, Sesshoumaru-sama, I don't care." Sesshoumaru sighed and closed his eyes as he stood up. Rin stood up as well, facing the taiyoukai. Her deep brown eyes looked up into his golden ones, pleading him to tell her that she could stay with him. Sesshoumaru sighed again, but it was a different sigh this time. Rin had never heard it before. And unlike normal, Sesshoumaru didn't close his eyes. He stared straight back at her, but his eyes were soft in their expression. Sesshoumaru was happy- although he probably wouldn't say that he was, out loud. When he was with Rin, he remembered the beauty of things in life. It had taken him awhile to come to grips with the fact that he, like his brother, inherited a taste from their father for human women. But after he realized he cared for Rin, a human girl, Sesshoumaru warily made the decision to wait for her to mature into a young woman, and then claim her as his own. Kagome would always hold a special place in his heart, but Rin was the one who gave him his heart.

"Rin, if you truly want to stay with me, there is a way for you to live with me for a long, long time, and everyone will know that you belong with me." Rin blushed. She loved to be protected by Sesshoumaru, and these words made her feel like he was being protective of her even now. "Is that what you want?"

"Yes," she whispered, slightly nervous. "You- I love you, Sesshoumaru-sama," she said softly, under her breath. She knew he could hear her perfectly clear. She felt strange, her feelings suddenly being exposed like this. She looked down to the ground shyly, but when she felt Sesshoumaru's hand on her shoulder, she looked up at his beautiful face.

"Then, turn around." Rin nodded, and turned at his order. "This will only be for a moment," he told her. She nodded again, and yelped in surprise when she felt the sharp pain at the nape of her neck. She leaned on Sesshoumaru's arm, which was now wrapped around her body, just under her chest. The sensation was strange- she felt light headed, as though she was going to faint. She smelled the air. It was sweet, and smelled like flowers and Sesshoumaru. After a few more moments, Sesshoumaru kissed the back of her neck and stood up straight, wiping away the excess moisture where he had marked Rin. When his finger passed over the bite, his family crest displayed itself in a light blue color- the center of the seal positioned directly over the bite mark. Rin turned around to face Sesshoumaru, her light-headedness gone.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," she said, wanting to ask if that was what he was talking about.

"Rin," he began, "you now…" he pulled her to his body with his arm, "…belong to me." He leaned his head over hears, resting his cheek on the top of her head. His scent was now on her, and he had to admit, her new scent gave him more comfort and less worries than when he had temporarily marked Kagome. The scent of thorough marking was different: while temporary marking was specifically for the purpose of mating, the thorough mark was for companionship. The scent of the temporary mark was much more sexually alluring than the thorough mark, but the scent of a thorough mark carried the connotations of comfort, peace, companionship- and yes, even Sesshoumaru had to admit it- happiness.

"I'm so happy," she said softly, wrapping her arms around his body. She felt his arm wrap tighter around her when she uttered those words. "I'm so happy." She shed a tear of relief, knowing that now she would indeed be with Sesshoumaru forever.

"Goodbye, Rin-chan," Kagome said to her former pupil as she prepared to leave with Inu Yasha. Inu Yasha, standing next to her, carried a large bundle full of the clothes she had worn from when she lived in the castle. She didn't want to give them up, since they fit so well, were so comfortable, and were last of all, free. She had even convinced Inu Yasha to take his own dinner outfit from the first night he had arrived there. Sesshoumaru didn't seem to mind, probably because he had plenty of clothes to go around.

"Goodbye, Kagome," Rin said sadly. "I'll miss you." The young woman gave her tutor/mentor/friend a genuine hug. Kagome could smell the mark of Sesshoumaru on her. She smiled, patting Rin's back. When she stepped back, Kagome turned to face Sesshoumaru.

"Goodbye, Sesshoumaru," she said warmly, looking into the taiyoukai's face. The corners of his mouth turned upward. He smiled at her. It wasn't one of the smirks she had grown used to; no, this was a real, gentle smile. Inu Yasha raised a leg in surprise and guarded himself- one arm in the air, the other across his chest, his hands making the 'I love you' symbols. It was safe to say that he was shocked, yet again, by the newfound mannerisms of his brother. Rin laughed, and began to say her goodbyes to Inu Yasha, telling him that he had better bring Kagome to visit. While she spoke with Inu Yasha, Sesshoumaru continued to speak to Kagome.

"Goodbye, Kagome. Thank you for your time here. It was something that this Sesshoumaru…" he put his hand over his heart, "…will never forget." Kagome looked at him carefully. The small glint in his eyes told her that he indeed was referring to the special one-on-one moments that they had shared. Kagome breathed a small sigh, and looked down at the ground.

"I'll never forget, either. Thank you for your kindness and hospitality, Sesshoumaru." Kagome bowed to the taiyoukai, and looked into his eyes as she stood up straight. They both nodded near imperceptibly at each other before Kagome turned to take her place beside Inu Yasha. While both Sesshoumaru and Kagome had moved on from their experiences together, their hearts would never forget the moments of tenderness- and passion- that they had shared.

"Sesshoumaru," Inu Yasha said, ready to leave.

"I will be seeing you in a few months for your report, Inu Yasha," his older brother said casually.

"A--ah. He turned around, making room for Kagome to ride on his back next to their new clothes. "Ja-- we're leaving, then." Kagome mounted onto Inu Yasha.

"Bye-bye!" Kagome called out, just before Inu Yasha leapt out of sight, heading towards his father's castle. Rin wiped away a tear as she waved goodbye.

"Don't worry, Rin," he said, turning around and using his arm to urge her to do the same. She did, and he left his arm around her shoulders. "We'll see them again soon." Rin nodded, and the two walked side by side back toward the castle.

A/N: Okay, really quickly... I need you guys/gals to review for me, because I want to know how many of you would be interested in reading an alternate ending, if I make one? I'm not sure I will, just yet, but I was putting some serious thought into possibly making an alternate ending where Kagome chooses differently. Please review and tell me if you'd be interested in reading something like that. I'd basically be continuing from like, chapter 10 or 11 of this story. Let me know!

Nilee: yeah, a lot of writers have huuuge misconceptions of what Inu Yasha is really like in the series. My opinion, anyway. I have a feeling that it's because of this that most readers turn to Sess/Kag stories instead- because writers believe that S-dono is much cooler and more mature than Inu-chan. Oh well..

Beulah Page: Thanks for your awesome compliments. I absolutely agree with you, and I'm glad you consider my story plausible. Yay! that makes me really happy. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, as well!

toxiclollipop: heh, your reaction was funny to read over the two chapters.. I hope you're not terribly disappointed! It's so sad, disappointed with Inu not smelling the temporary mark, and now this.. sorry!

Exunamoon: An alternate ending for an alternate decision, of course!

Melody W: hehe! It's weird to think that someone out there is printing up my story... but cool!

zookie78: yeah, Kikyou died-- or, was purified- in the first chapter of this story. It was like, one or two sentences in the middle of a huge paragraph..

kitsune ninja: hehe, anti Sess/Rin... it's okay.. you probably didn't like this chapter too much, huh? About your comment on their life spans... yes, you're pretty much right. That's how I think it works, anyway.

Kris: yeah, you're right about the end of the story. The whole point was that Kagome had to make a decision. I keep having to defend myself on this point to various readers... it is marked as both K/S and K/I because there are feelings going into both pairings throughout the story- enough so that it is possible to make an alternate ending to this fic. The main characters of this story are Sesshoumaru and Kagome whether or not they pair up romantically, so I have them listed as such. glad you like the story, anyway, though! Please keep reading!

Jewel Of Souls: I got both of your reviews, don't worry. That's happened to me, too, when I try to review stories. I'm glad you liked the part where Inu-chan pokes the back of Kagome's neck over and over.. I thought it was funny to write, because I could totally see it happening in my head. I guess I can pretty much see the whole story happeningin my head... hmm... that's why I had all those dreams with Inu Yasha and Sesshoumaru, I guess...

thanks also to: sheenachi, pinkpreppypunk, hermonine, Lady-Sess08, Elektra, destinyheart15, animefanatic-9877 (thanks for joining!), RinCutie7455(you cried? Really?.?)and whimsy. Your reviews really brighten my days! Arigato!