After breakfast they had left and headed on their way to Inuyasha's forest. It took them about twenty minutes to leave because of Rin. She had been so upset of her leaving she wouldn't stop crying. She tried to console her but it didn't work. Sesshoumaru had as he always did commanded her to but that hadn't worked either. She hated to see Rin's tears as her eyes began to grow puffy. It broke her heart to know that she was saying good bye forever. She hadn't realized how attached she had become to the small child. But she had to say good bye. She was leaving to go home and she wouldn't be coming back.
So they flew through the air in silence as neither said a word to each other. Kagome was upset so she of course was deep in thought. And when she had glanced to Sesshoumaru he didn't seem to be thinking about anything. Well maybe he was thinking but she knew it wasn't about her.
She was starting to become nervous and a little scared by the thought of being by the small village. The thought of seeing everyone only to say good bye forever. She did want to say bye and see how everyone was but she also wondered if they were better off thinking she was dead. After all they have already been grieving over her. Although sometimes she believed that they didn't miss her, like in her dream. Maybe they would be happier without her there. 'Maybe they could be happy without such a hindrance.' She thought sadly as she looked to the trees that just flew by her.
She did want to say good bye to them all. She had too. She owed them that much. And the only thing she worried about was Shippou. He would be heartbroken if she came back only to say good bye.
She felt herself fall as she looked down to see the ground coming nearer. She knew they had arrived at the final destination.
She turned to look at Sesshoumaru after he had let her go. She looked him in the eyes for a moment before she began to speak.
"I would like to thank. You saved my life and gave me shelter. Thank you."
Feeling like he had to say something his mind went crazy to think of anything.
"Maybe we will see each other soon. Rin would like that. I may bring her to visit sometime." He said smacking himself for some unknown reason
"That would not be possible. She wont live that long." She replied sadly
Without realizing it he growled and hoisted her by her neck as his voice became devoid of any emotion.
"What do you mean?" he asked simply
"S..Sesshoumaru...please put me down. I can't breathe let alone...explain." she said as fast as she could
So he let her drop to the hard ground as he heard the thud of her backside. He stood waiting for an explanation from the strange girl.
She stood as she gently rubbed her back and neck where he had grabbed her. Her eyes squinted as her back felt like knives shot through it. She once again looked into his eyes trying to find something, anything. But she found nothing as she sighed and began to explain.
"Well you see my village is not exactly here, per say. You see the dry well in this forest allows me to travel through time. I travel back here from the future." She informed him
"Do not lie to me human!" he spat angrily as his eyes narrowed
"I'm not lying you jerk! I am from the future! Five hundred years to be exact!" she huffed
He smelled her scent and found no trace of it and when he looked into her deep blue eyes he found only the truth. This was a very astounding thing to come across. He now understood her more. Her appearance and demeanor were so odd to him. How she spoke and acted. How she did not judge people by their financial of blood. Her personality and her bathing habits. She was unlike any human of this time. She had always seemed so, dare he say, advanced or evolved compared to the humans he had come across. He didn't say anything because he didn't know what to say. He just nodded to her and watched waiting for her next actions.
She was becoming nervous. She watched the emotions cross his eyes, astonishment too curious and then to understanding. It was as if it explained everything to him. Feeling she needed to break his gaze and his attention she decided to speak.
"Well, I should go now. But I just wanted to say thank you again. Good bye Sesshoumaru." She said as she turned and made her way towards the trees and bushes where it led into the wells clearing.
His arm shot out catching her wrist before he knew what had even happened. He didn't know what to do about it. He had caused himself to be in a bind because of impulse. He never did anything on impulse nor on instinct. And his instinct had been doing this to him lately.
She gasped when she felt a hand grab her wrist. 'Why would he be stopping me. What is it? What does he want?' her mind questioned at a hundred miles per hour as her heart beat faster and her stomach had that weird feeling inside.
"Sesshoumaru?" she questioned
"Be...careful...Kagome." was all he said before he disappeared
She was frozen to her spot. 'Did he just say be careful? Why would he say that? He doesn't care.' She thought sadly as it had brought her previous thoughts back to mind. She walked into the clearing and sat on the warm lip of the old well.
'Inuyasha.' She thought to her self. 'I wonder if he's okay.'
"What am I saying? Of course he's okay. He's with Kikyo." She sighed and closed her eyes.
She sat there for a minute not thinking a single thought. When she opened her eyes she gazed upon the plush plant life around her. Watching as the butterflies lazily flapped their way around the clearing.
'This is where it all started. If it weren't for this well I would have never met him. I would have never met Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kaede or even Sesshoumaru.' She sighed sadly as her thoughts drifted back to her friends again. She wanted so badly to run down to the village and hug everyone, even Miroku. But she didn't want to say good bye and she was kind of scared to see Inuyasha too. What would he say or do if he found that she was alive all this time and never came back? And what's worst of all what would happen if he found out she had been with his brother the whole time? She didn't want to deal with it, any of it. She just wanted to leave, to go back home with her family. Only just to try and forget about her travels here. Knowing she would miss the quiet and peaceful atmosphere that was everywhere here. But she had to go home. Her mom would worry about her and she missed everyone. She found it amusing that she even missed her grandpa's stories.
It had been decided. She was leaving this place she loved so much. She was going home and never looking back.
He ran through the forest at top speed. Thoughts running at the same speed through his mind. He didn't understand why he had grabbed her or why he had told her to be careful. He just needed to distance himself from her as much as possible. He couldn't understand his actions or the weird feeling that has been currently residing in his heart. So he just kept running as fast as he could and didn't look back.
He stood in the shrubs surrounding the small clearing as he watched her. Her face changing with her thoughts. Her emotions playing across her face telling him how she felt. Showing her pain and sorrow and confusion. She looked like a goddess standing there, his goddess and no one else's. He wasn't sure how he would get her yet but he soon would find a way.
He was standing at the god tree thinking of how things had changed. He remembered the time Kagome had woke him from the spell and released the arrow from his chest. Putting his hand against the tree where he had been pinned by Kikyo's spell for fifty years. Kagome had come along and released him like it was no big deal. And along the way of collecting jewel shards they had become close. Meeting his friends along the way. Before he had known it he had a family. His own close circle of friends that all worried about him. And the one person to bring them altogether was no longer with them. She had given her life for the one person who had tried to come between them. The one person who took what they had spent so much time collecting and gave it to their worst enemy. She gave her a new life and in return had given her own up. Just so that he could be happy.
But he wasn't happy at all. How could he be? Kagome was dead and he didn't save her. How could he have been so stupid? How could he have been so blind? He didn't see her when she stood in front of him. Kagome never hid her feelings for him. She always showed how much she cared. She always risked her life to be by his side and make sure he was okay. Of course he always said she was stupid for it but he never meant it. He wasn't good at showing how he cared. Except through yelling at her, which only got him sat in the end.
He sighed sadly as he lowered his hand away from the tree. He would never get to tell her anything. He inhaled deeply trying to keep his composure when a familiar scent entered his nose. Baffled by what he smelt he wasn't really sure what to do. So he sniffed again finding the scent a little different. 'How could I smell Kagome? She's dead. I must be going crazy.' He thought to himself as he started to head back towards his house.
She was about to jump into the well when an arm grabbed her. Spinning around she came face to face with the familiar gray-eyed demon. She gasped in horror from the man standing in front of her.
"What are you doing here Lord Toro?" she asked
"I have come to take you home Lady Kagome." He simply stated
"I am already home." She threw back at him
He smiled at her as he spoke "I mean your new home. Where you will become my wife and Lady of the Eastern Lands of course." He informed her
"I have already declined your offer Toro. I will not go with you." She told him defiantly as she closed her eyes and turned her head to the side
"I thought that would be the case." He replied as he reached in his haori and pulled out a small bag. He threw her to the floor and poured the contents in his hand.
She yelped in pain as her back hit a rock on the ground. She looked up to him as he poured a powder in his hand.
"What's that? What are you doing?" she asked in a scared voice
"Making you mine dear Kagome. Soon you will never want to leave me." He responded with a sinister smile as he began to chant. When he finished chanting he kneeled in front of her and blew the dust in her face.
"NO!" she screamed and soon after fell unconscious.
He smiled at her as she lay there knocked out on the ground. He would have enough time to return home and cast the second spell on her. And he had obtained her without interference from anything. It was a wonderful day for him. He was happy at his success.
He heard her now. He really was going crazy but now he had to check it out. Turning and running towards the bone eaters well not really knowing what to expect when he got there.
Unfortunately he really didn't expect to see what he did. There on the ground was an unmoving figure. A man standing above the woman that lay there. Her scent drifting to his nose and lighting his short fuse. 'It is Kagome. But how? She died.' He thought as he stared at the green haired, gray-eyed man with hatred.
"What did you do to Kagome?" he spat
"It doesn't concern you half demon." The man replied
"Kagome is my friend so there for it does. Not tell me what you did to her you bastard? I don't want to have to slice you in half!" he shouted angrily
The man frowned at his comment as he took back his thought from earlier "I was hoping to have no interference today, but I guess it's better that I fight you then your brother Sesshoumaru. I will make this quick then." He said aloud to himself thoughtfully
"What did you say? Why would Sesshoumaru have anything to do with this?" he yelled at the man
Toro reached for the bag and poured some more dust into his hand as he chanted again.
Inuyasha became impatient and pulled his sword out and ran head on towards the other demon. He didn't take his eyes off the man as he ran straight for him. But before he could strike he disappeared. When he looked behind him he found the gray-eyed man a foot away from him. He didn't get a chance to jump out of the way as dust was blown into his face.
"Hey, what is that..." he didn't finish as his body went limp and he fell to the ground in a similar state to Kagome's.
Toro walked over to Kagome's form and took off after taking one last look at Inuyasha. He headed towards his castle while trying to stay off the path. He didn't want to run into Sesshoumaru until he had cast the final spell on the priestess. His father would be proud that he had claimed a mate. He would now be able to take the throne.
Inuyasha's eyes fluttered open as he finally came out of the spell. Looking around he found he had been there for a long time. It was dark out and he didn't know how late it was. Jumping up he ran towards the village to find the others. He would need their help and they would want to know Kagome was still alive.
He entered Kaede's hut like a tornado. Looking around the room he found everyone asleep already.
"Get up! Get up!" he shouted as everyone quickly jumped up
Miroku and Sango had their weapons in hand defensively. They both stared at him for a minute in confusion.
"Why is it you have come here Inuyasha?" Miroku asked
"Yeah you jerk!" Shippou said finally realizing what was going on
"It's Kagome. She's still alive." He told them
"That's low Inuyasha. Even for you. How can you sit there and say such things about her." Sango spat angrily clutching her boomerang even harder
"Yes, it is not good to joke about the dead." Miroku added in an angry voice
"I'm not joking you idiots. Why would I joke about something like that? I just saw her. Some demon took her this afternoon. He must have used the dust on her that he did me." He shouted angrily
"Dust did ye say Inuyasha?" Kaede asked curiously
"Yeah. He chanted something then blew it in my face. And I only now woke up. But she was unconscious before I got there."
"Lizard demons are known for using powders to cast spells. And for him to knock you out for half a day he must be quite powerful." Sango said
"Indeed they are. Did ye hear his name or anything that might tell me anything?" she asked
"He mentioned Sesshoumaru but that was all. He wouldn't tell me why he was taking her either." He said clutching his fists into tight balls as he spoke his brother's name
"I suggest ye visit with Sesshoumaru and tell him of this incident. He might know the reason why she has been taken." Kaede told him
"I will not go talk to that bastard!" he spat
"Perhaps we should all go as well. I guess we will have to drag Inuyasha to Sesshoumaru's." Miroku spoke calmly
"Yes but we don't know where his castle is." Sango added
"I have an idea." He responded
"Fine we'll go to see Sesshoumaru. But afterwards I will finally destroy him." He huffed as he took a seat
"Then it's settled. We will leave in the morning." Miroku said and quickly laid back down to rest for the new journey
Eastern Castle...
"Finally she is completely mine. Nobody can have her but me." Toro said evilly as he left his room
Western Castle...
Sesshoumaru sat in his study going over his paperwork again. He was having a hard time focusing again too. He couldn't stop thinking about the other day. Why he had felt so lonely when he let go of her arm? Why his house feels so empty now? He had asked himself so many questions and came up with only one answer. He felt this way because she was gone. She had left to her own time and he could never get her back.
It irked him so much when he realized how she had somehow made him feel. The only emotion he ever felt was anger. But when she had arrived he started to feel confused, happy, jealous, relaxed, wanting and needing. And the most surprising of all was attraction. He had felt attracted to her, even though she was human. He couldn't help himself. For the first few weeks he distanced himself but it only made him long for her company more. That of course only upset him more. So he tried to be around her to rid him self of the feeling he had. Once again he still found himself longing, but now he wanted more than to be near her. He wasn't sure why he felt this way so he did his best to ignore her and the feelings. Of course that didn't help either. He became jealous when Haki made the proposal and relieved when she had declined. It was all so confusing to him.
With Inuyasha leading them they got there in half a day. Miroku and Sango had ridden on Kilala while Shippou was on Inuyasha's back.
They walked to the doors of the castle and banged loud enough for someone to hear. After a few moments of waiting the door opened revealing a middle-aged woman with short brown wavy hair.
"May I help you?" she asked kindly
"Yeah! Let..." Inuyasha got cut off before he could finish
"We are here to speak with Lord Sesshoumaru about Lady Kagome." Miroku informed her
"I understand. Please come in while I find Lord Sesshoumaru." She said moving aside
When everyone had entered the castle she quickly left down the hall. They watched her disappear behind a corner that they assumed was another hallway.
Sumi knew exactly where to find him and so she headed straight for his study. Stopping at the door she knocked and awaited permission to enter.
"Did you feel it as well Miroku?" Sango asked
"I did, but I'm not sure what to think of it yet." He responded
"She smelt odd too. I have never come across some one who smelt like that." Inuyasha added
"Come in." Was his simple command
"Milord, your brother and his companions are here. They wish to speak with you about Lady Kagome." She informed him
"Send them away. I do not wish to speak with such filth." He told her
"As you wish milord." Sumi bowed and quickly left the room
She headed back down to the main doors and stopped in front of the small group.
"He does not wish to be disturbed. I apologize but you must leave." She said with no emotion
"That's it!" Inuyasha shouted as he took off down the hall
Sumi just watched and didn't say a word. She looked to the others as they started to follow him down the hall.
He sat there as he smelt and heard Inuyasha coming. He rubbed his temples as if predicting the headache he would soon have. Just as he expected Inuyasha bust right through the door and began yelling.
"You bastard. I don't know what you did to Kagome but you better give her back." He shouted
"I do not have your human half-breed." He replied
"Then where is she? How did that demon know you?" he asked angrily
"I know not of what demon you speak."
Sango, Miroku, Shippou and Sumi had finally entered the room and after hearing what Sesshoumaru said the decided to speak up.
"A demon attacked Kagome by the well. He used dust to knock out both her and Inuyasha. Inuyasha said that the demon mentioned your name." Miroku said as he looked over to the demon lord
Sesshoumaru became worried by the mention of magic dust. He didn't know who would use such magic.
"What did he look like?" he asked
"The only thing I remember is his green hair and gray eyes." Inuyasha said more calmly now
"What!" he stood angrily slamming his fist on the table only to have it break in half
Before anybody registered what had happened he was already gone. He had left so quickly none knew if they had actually talked to him at all.
Inuyasha was the first to respond to Sesshoumaru's actions.
"Why do you think he got so mad?" he asked the group as he contemplated what his nose had smelt
"Do not worry. Lord Sesshoumaru will return shortly. In the meantime I will show you to the dining hall. Please follow me." Sumi said
"Do you know of this man he speaks of milady?" Miroku politely asked
"Yes, his name is Lord Toro. He is son to Lord Haki and future heir to the throne of the Eastern Lands." She answered
"Why would he want to take Kagome?" Sango asked
"Yeah and how did he know her?" Shippou added
"After Lord Sesshoumaru brought Lady Kagome home he received notice of the celebration to be held at his house. Lady Kagome had decorated for it. Everyone had arrived and Lord Haki had gone to Sesshoumaru with a proposal." She explained but was cut off
"So Lord Haki made a marriage proposal to Lord Sesshoumaru. He asked for her to marry his son Toro." Miroku said somewhat questioningly
"Yes, but she declined the proposal. Which angered Lord Toro from what had been said." She explained
"So he must have put her under a sleep spell to get her quietly to his castle. But with his powerful magic I wonder what he would do with her now that she is in his lands." Sango spoke worriedly
Inuyasha was listening to every word as it sank in. He now understood how she was alive. His brother had revived her with his sword. But why would he revive her. He hated humans from what he understood. What was also confusing was how drastically his scent had changed when he had told him the demon's appearance. The jealousy and hatred that profusely poured from his body and how he left so quickly with red eyes. He could tell he was extremely angry and about to transform. The question remained though. Why would he act this way?
"Let's go. We're wasting time here." Inuyasha said hurriedly