Review Replies

Ffchick: New reviewer! (at least, I think so…) yay and welcome. I much appreciate the vote. That is what I am torn between…this must have much consideration involved, after all.
Red Skyies: Ca va, mon amie! I am also awaiting your vote, as you are one of my most faithful reviewers and your opinion also means a lot!
Sleepinghanyou: Whoops…sorry for the misunderstanding. I was in an interesting mood that day, anyways :P Your vote will also be much appreciated!
Kitsune'sangelofflames: Well, you have to love Kagura…or at least respect her. She's pretty cool. Unlike some people we all know…(winks, then looks around and mutters 'Kikyou')
Lone Wolf a.k.a Loner: Another new reviewer? So happy! (whispers) I like your vote!
SesshyBabie: I like your vote, too! Not that I don't like ffchick's vote…that has some reason to it as well…(sighs) so many hard decisions…
Sakrua: You don't really have to, but you might miss hints if you don't…lols. People throw things at you too? (starry eyed from being hit on head with Plant's poetry book) :P (cries fake) It's Lelyn! Don't you recognize me! Lols. Jk
LB: Song alert ahead...:P Bold and italic are song lyrics, except for this example, of course.

Chapter Sixteen. Home for awhile.

"Kagome! We haven't seen you for a while, now. How are you?" Kagome sighed softly, a sound that only perhaps a demon could pick up. How was she? "Naraku is dead," she stated numbly, a wave of inexplicable, desperate calm washing over her. "Kikyou is gone," she added. "Can I go up to my room now?" Her mother turned to face her, surprised, but Kagome had already fled up the stairs.

She sat on the bed, listening to the rain outside pound onto the windows. She was drenched in thought, soaking in memories. She wanted to be with Sesshoumaru so badly, but she couldn't. She couldn't do that to herself, or to him. She switched on the radio, finding a station. Gentle piano music thrummed through the air waves, followed by a voice.

You light me up, and then I fall for you

You lay me down, and then I call for you

It reminded her of her time with Sesshoumaru, how he'd take care of her, and how he'd somehow made her need him.

Stumbling on reasons that are far and few

I'd let it all come down and then some for you

She was willing to give up almost anything for him, to stay with him.

Pretty baby, don't you leave me

I have been saving smiles for you

She wanted to share moments with him, the kind that made you sure that you knew what you were doing, and that the future together was secure, and the kind that made her laugh and laugh just for the sake of laughing.

Pretty baby, why can't you see

You're the one that I belong to

Did she belong to Sesshoumaru? In a way, her heart did. She couldn't stop thinking about him.

I'll be the embrace that keeps you warm

She wanted to make him smile.

For you're the sun that breaks the storm

He'd saved her from her confinement in Naraku's lair, like a knight in shining armor.

I'll be alright, and I'll sleep sound, as long as you keep coming round. Oh, pretty baby…

And I know things can't last forever

Was there a way to make them last forever? Could Kagura really help her?

But there are lessons that you'll never learn

Was that what Kagura had been muttering about as she'd left? Lessons? What could that have been about?

Oh, just the scent of you, it makes me hurt.

So how's it you that makes me better?

Pretty baby, don't you leave me; I have been saving smiles for you

Pretty baby, why can't you see; you're the one that I belong to

I'll be the embrace that keeps you warm

For you're the sun that breaks the storm

I'll be alright, and I'll sleep sound

As long as you keep coming round

Why can't you hold me and never let go

Why hadn't Sesshoumaru come after her?

When you touch me it is me that you own

Pretty baby, oh the place that you hold…in my heart

Would you break it apart…again…oh pretty baby…

Pretty baby, don't you leave me

I have been saving smiles for you

Pretty baby, why can't you see

You're the one that I belong to

I'll be the embrace that keeps you warm

For you're the sun that breaks the storm

I'll be alright, and I'll sleep sound

As long as you keep coming round…

The voice faded out as the radio speaker came back on, announcing that that had been Vanessa Carlton, with Pretty Baby. Kagome turned and sobbed into her pillow. The words and thoughts tumbled around in her head. She wanted to be with Sesshoumaru…but she couldn't cause that much pain. It hurt just thinking about it.

:-

"Why can I not get through? I was fully able when I was with her…" Tetsuka sighed. "If you'd just let me help you…"

"No. This Sesshoumaru got through the well before, and this Sesshoumaru will do it now."

"You ignorant, arrogant, bastard…I was the one that got you through the well; or at least, I helped. It was mostly Kagome, but that's not the point. I can do it. Do you want my help or not?"

"This Sesshoumaru does not need help."

"You know you do. Admit it, and I'll help you."

"You are cruel."

"I know. Admit it."

"You remind me of her with this, you know."

"Say it."

"Very well. Get me through."

"Ahem…I thought you had manners."

"Miko…" He twitched at her glare. "Please. Get. Me. Through. The. Well. Now." She sighed. "That's a little better, I guess. Go ahead." He stared at her. "What?"

"Go. Into. The. Well." He leapt in, and was soon assaulted with a faint trace of the disgusting scent her world carried as he appeared in the well house. Tetsuka was behind him, grinning smugly. "Told ya so." He tried futilely to brush her away. "At the very least, conceal yourself," he muttered. She sniffed. "Hmph. You just want to make it look like you got through all by yourself. Well, the greater the pride, the greater the fall. Kagome won't buy it for a second, so let's see how your macho ego takes that! However, I will conceal myself and refrain from speaking until she figures it out, which will be quick, just to see the look on your macho, egotistical face!" His fists were clenching so hard that he was digging his claws into his palms. From her verbal assaults, the scents and sounds murder on his senses, and the forbidding feeling he had about even being here, in a place where demons did not exist, he was more than a little tense, which was uncommon for him. He hesitantly twisted the knob thingy. Nothing happened. He twisted again. Nothing. He tapped on the door with his knuckles. A little boy, Kagome's brother, opened it, staring wide-eyed up at Sesshoumaru. "I thought Kagome said you weren't coming." Sesshoumaru stepped inside, grateful for the slight relief in his respiratory stress. "Kagome does not expect me. However, I must speak with her immediately. Where is she?" Souta pointed up the staircase. Sesshoumaru climbed it easily, then sniffed the air, catching Kagome's scent.

:-

She sensed a powerful demon aura coming towards her. That was impossible, though…the door opened, and she looked back down at her math. "I know that you sense my presence, Kagome," he stated with eerie calmness. She closed her book, not leaving her spot in front of her desk. "What do you want, Sesshoumaru? And how did you get through the well?" Sesshoumaru thought for a split second. This was the perfect way to repay Tetsuka for her comments. "I came the same way that I did the last time."

"Without me?"

"Technically, it was impossible for you to have been present, as you were here…reading?" She didn't bother to replace the strands of hair that slipped in front of her face, hiding her face from view, but he could smell her tears. He stepped closer, closing the door behind him. "What is the matter?"

(A/N: Tetsuka is currently staring at Kagome, dumbstruck, wondering why she didn't catch on that she was there. This was so damaging to her own ego…and Sesshoumaru wasn't even going through hell! She was going downstairs…Hmph.)

Kagome sniffed. "I can't go back," she whispered, fingering the shikon jewel hanging around her neck. "Why not?"

"B-because I- I…"

"Yes?"

What if I told you it was all meant to be

"Because…" Her voice faltered, and she barely said the rest of it, under her breath, so quietly that even he could not pick it up. This was an expression he rarely found reason to use. "Pardon?"

"Because…I love you." The scent of her turmoil spiked in the air, and she stood up. "I can't go back because I don't want to hurt you, okay? Unless…unless you don't…and I was just….making a fool of myself, as usual…"

Would you believe me…would you agree

"Kagome." She looked up, and he gently touched a clawed finger to her chin. "You were not making a fool of yourself."

It's almost that feeling we've met before

She had a feeling that this was as close as the Lord of the Western Lands got to confessing love, or as far as the ice mask would allow.

So tell me you don't think I'm crazy…

She was heartened a bit to know that she had melted it, even slightly. "Return to the Sengoku Jidaii, Kagome. Rin needs you. Your human friends and the kitsune miss you, as does Inuyasha and his…wench. I…I need…I need you." Tears sprung from her eyes, but the scent which cloaked the room that coincided so well with her personality was happiness, not sorrow. She flung her arms around his neck, boldly kissing him.

when I tell you love has come here…and now…

His eyes widened slightly, and her hands combed through his silver hair. "I'm s-s-so sorry, S-Sesshoumaru…I missed you so much…" she mumbled, and he cut her off, deepening the kiss. She smiled. This was perfect; kissing him, listening to the rain against her window and the radio playing

A moment like this

Some people wait a lifetime

For a moment like this

Some people search forever

For that one special kiss

Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me

Some people wait a lifetime

For a moment like this

They parted softly. "That was…even better than any other time before," Kagome murmured.

Everything changes

But beauty remains

Something so tender

I can't explain

Well I may be dreamin'

It felt like a dream to both of them…

But 'til I awake

Can't we make this dream last forever

And I'll cherish all the love we share

A moment like this…

The rain beat out the radio, followed by persistent static, but she didn't care. She heard the last words, But let me tell you this…some people wait a lifetime for a moment…like this, and switched the radio off.

:-

"Disgusting, isn't it?"

"Huh? What?"

"She didn't even realize I was there! What was all that bull about sensing auras? She obviously doesn't do so well with Mr. Almighty-Taiyoukai standing there! I'd hate to see her driving test if he were present. Kami…I wanted them to get together, but she's forgetting about me! She just had to go and feed his ego."

"Umm…mind telling me who you are, again?" Tetsuka glanced up from her ramblings. "Oh. I'm Tetsuka. You haven't met me, but I know you. I met you last time Kagome came back. I was in her head." Souta's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yeah, and let me tell you, that kid has a dirty little mind when nobody's there to keep her in check. Can't imagine what the poor child will do without me. Of course, she's not as bad as the monk, who goes and…" Mrs. Higurashi stepped in calmly. "Erm…it's Souta's bedtime." Tetsuka nodded. "Of course. I probably shouldn't be mentioning Kagome's mind to him anyways…that's like giving him her diary…" Souta's eyes brightened. 'Hmm…' Tetsuka could see the wheels turning in his head, proverbially, of course. 'I am going to enjoy working with this kid, while I'm still here,' she thought to herself merrily. She had a few days with the kid. Perhaps they could join forces and pay Kagome back for being a love struck meanie!

LB: Long chappie! I think this was the longest one so far. I was in a musical mode when I wrote this, so don't mind the songs. I thought that they contributed well to the chapter. If not, spare me the tomatoes. :P And the vote standing is:

Kag Human: 1

Kag Demon: 2

Please continue to vote! (I notice that some people didn't…lols jk)