Authors Notes: OH MY GODDESS 300 REVIEWS I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Hehe,soz, I get a little excited every time I hit another hundred, and I go reward myself. It sounds odd I know, and maybe arrogant,but hey…I always get something small. This time it's going to be….Some ice cream. Ive been craving ice cream. And my life is no longer crappy, because, well, I figured my now ex isn't worth it if he couldn't see what a wonderful beautiful girl I am. You know you guys have a lot to do with that right? You all encourage me so much and give me a lot of confidence, because my writings are in fact my life. I live to write. And they're a source of pride to me, especially when other people like them. Well, Im done babbling. Thank you guys a lot again.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inu Yasha. Blah.

Falls On Me

Chapter 19

Sesshoumaru went over several documents on his desk, reading them carefully, going over the familiar script. He had not read them in several decades, but he had not forgotten the words at all, in fact, he didn't have to really read them.

A knock sounded at the door and he quickly rolled the scroll and set it back into the chest, then closed and sealed the chest once more. It had taken a day to find where Inu Yasha had stashed the scroll that had given him the secret to an ability that he had no right to.

"Yes?" He asked as he sat back down at his desk.

"Lord Sesshoumaru?" Anei said as he came into the room. "I trust I am not disturbing you?"

"No, what do you want Anei?" Sesshoumaru asked, a little discomfited by the formal posture of the youkai as he entered the room. Anei was very rarely so formal when in private with the lord. So what was going on?

"My Lord, I came to request permission to be released of my duties regarding Lady Kagome," Anei said.

Instantly Sesshoumaru was wary and cautious. Anei was very attached to Kagome. Whatever had happened to change that, it would have to be a very significant event.

"Why, may I ask, do you wish to be released?" Sesshoumaru asked, looking at the now kneeling youkai in front of him.

"I wish to court her. It would be wrong of me to stay her guard and do so," Anei answered honestly.

Sesshoumaru felt his blood beginning to boil. Perhaps So had not been entirely wrong when she had said Anei's fondness of Kagome went above and beyond his duties. While Anei had every right to court Kagome, Sesshoumaru was tempted to deny the youkai's request. But it would seem odd if he did so, and the night before, as he had bathed, the taiyoukai had come to the decision to not pursue Kagome.

"Granted. You will return to your former duties. If courting gets in the way of that, you will be banished," Sesshoumaru told the youkai. Anei nodded gratefully.

"Thank you Sesshoumaru."

Looking the panther youkai in the eyes, Sesshoumaru made a dismissive motion with his hands. Anei seemed somewhat confused at Sesshoumaru's sudden coldness towards him. For years they had been able to keep a friendship outside of their stations. Despite all appearances created by serving Sesshoumaru, Anei was a lord in his own right, more than a hundred miles of land belonging to him.

But Sesshoumaru seemed to cold suddenly, as if their friendship did not exist and he was merely another servant. No, an outsider of some sort, for Sesshoumaru was at least genial to the servants in this castle.

While musing on Sesshoumaru's action, Anei rose and left the room, only to see Okibi going in the direction of his study.

"Hello Anei, how are you doing today?" Okibi asked the happy looking demon.

"Well," Anei answered with an even wider smile than before.

"Are you going back to your post?" Okibi asked. "Kagome's in the kitchen."

"No, I was released of my duties concerning her," Anei chuckled.

"Goodness, why?" Okibi asked. She wanted to keep a close watch on the emerald eyed youkai. He would throw a kink in her plans if she let him.

"I requested it, I'm going to court her Lady," Anei answered. He practically bounced as he walked away, and Okibi only wanted to hit him upside the head and make him see the obvious.

Then she realized just how Anei had been released of her duties.

"Stupid males," She muttered right before she entered Sesshoumaru's study.

"Get out Okibi," Sesshoumaru said in a distracted tone as he opened another scroll.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Okibi snapped at him. Sesshoumaru didn't look up at her.

"In reference to what Okibi?"

"Letting Anei court Kagome! Don't you see that she doesn't care for him like a lover? Damn it Sesshoumaru, what the hell were you thinking?" Okibi exploded. She was now in a foul mood, especially after seeing Kagome chopping vegetables in the kitchen, sniffling slightly every now and again.

"Despite what you may think, Anei will be good for her, and she is fond of him," Sesshoumaru stated.

"Damn it that's not enough!"

"It doesn't matter what you think Okibi. I know what you were trying to do last night and it didn't work. Kagome and I will not mate," Sesshoumaru snapped.

"You stubborn mule headed male! I know for a fact you two desire one another and for god's sake when was the last time you desired a woman? Then think about how Inu Yasha treated her! Most women would abhor the thought of mating after being with a fool like that!" Okibi exclaimed.

"It means nothing Okibi. Now leave, I'm busy," He stated coldly. Okibi was about to berate him even more, then closed her mouth and sighed.

"You know, I really thought you were different from your father, but you're more like him than you'll admit. He searched for a woman that would accept his strength and weakness and not fear him nor be disgusted with him. Someone he could trust and love. And he was blind about the one woman who could do all of that. You're just as blind as that silly fool," Okibi told him sadly then quickly left.

Sesshoumaru, as apathetic as he was trying to be, felt her final words hit home with deadly accuracy.

He had watched his father rut with woman after woman, when he was young he didn't understand, not until he saw his mother crying. A little part of his heart had hardened that day, and it hadn't stopped there. Inu Taisho had brought woman after woman into the castle, convinced he was in love with her, then just as quickly he had cast each woman aside.

Sesshoumaru had never known why his father did such things, and in front of his mother no less, until he had been a little bit older and Airon had explained the taiyoukai's behavior.

"He's searching for someone to find himself in, to love. Poor fool doesn't realize it's right in front of him," The cook had said. From that point on, Sesshoumaru couldn't help but view his father as a weak fool.

Sadly, he couldn't help but find his mother weak as well. Lady Akari had wasted away over the years, finding solace in helping Airon. Sesshoumaru remembered his mother being most happy there, and how she had spent most of her time in that one room, working side by side with Airon. The only other times he had seen her truly happy was when Okibi visited.

Was he truly turning into his father? No. He wasn't turning to every woman, looking for something right in front of him.

Yet for some reason Okibi's words haunted him, distracting him and making it too hard to concentrate on reading the scrolls. He even forgot why he had pulled them out in the first place.

"Damn her," He growled.

Kagome held back the tears that threatened to spill over for the hundredth time that day.

"Aiji, what's wrong? You seem like you're ready to fall in on yourself," Airon said as she sat down across from Kagome at the small table. It was a rare time, the entire room was empty save for the two of them.

"It's nothing Airon," Kagome sniffled.

"Don't hand me that line little one, I've heard it enough in my time. Now tell me what's wrong? Is it having to find a new mate?" Airon asked.

"Well, it's…Oh Kami Airon. I don't know what to do! He hates me!" Kagome wailed.

Now by now Airon knew of Kagome and Sesshoumaru's shared kiss, being in on Okibi's plan. However it seemed the plan wasn't going as Okibi thought it would.

"Who child?" Airon said instead, feigning ignorance.

"Sesshoumaru," Kagome sobbed.

"Dear, what happened?" Airon asked. She really hated doing this, but she needed to know what had happened if she and Okibi were going to do anything about it. And the cook had seen the possible outcomes for the miko and the youkai since Sesshoumaru had moved her into the rooms his mother had once occupied.

Above all, Airon didn't want to see Kagome share Lady Akari's fate.

"Oh Airon I was so stupid. But it just happened, we kissed and then the next time we kissed and touched and everything just got too out of hand and now he hates me!" Kagome wailed despairingly. The youkai moved around the table and embraced the sobbing miko gently.

"Now now dear, I'm sure he doesn't hate you. If he kissed you, there's got to be good reason," Airon said.

"He said it was because he couldn't stop," Kagome whimpered.

'Ah, no wonder he's made her feel unwanted. There hasn't been a time that boy hasn't wanted to be in control of every situation and himself for that matter,' The cook thought to herself. Her next thoughts revolved around berating the youkai who, despite his age, would always be the young pup sitting in the kitchen next to his mother gobbling treats.

"Listen to me aiji, and listen well. I don't know how far this has gone between you and Sesshoumaru, but from what you've said he's pretty shaken up, and that's something he won't admit to a soul, not even to himself most likely. Now answer me honestly, this is important. Do you have any deep feelings for him?" Airon asked.

The question had blindsided Kagome, and she sniffled as she thought on the question she hadn't even really thought to ask herself. Of course she had asked herself where the entire thing was going, how far she was willing to go. But never had she questioned how she felt about him. Maybe she hadn't wanted to admit to herself that she had stopped seeing Sesshoumaru as a cold hearted youkai and started seeing him as a male that she had become attracted to.

"I don't know," Kagome answered.

"Aiji, I know you very well, and I know that this is hard for you, but that's not the answer in your heart," Airon pushed.

"Oh god I think I'm in love with him!" Kagome wailed only minutes later as she clung to the youkai, sobbing fiercely.

"Come now aiji, it'll be okay," Airon soothed.

"How can you say that?" Kagome wailed.

"Because, you have the loyalty and love of every servant here, and we'll be struck dead before we stop helping you out. And think of it this way, you got Sesshoumaru all shaken up and confused. That's got to count for something," Airon explained.

Her words didn't seem to affect Kagome, who was still crying brokenly into the cook's shirt.

"I want to go home," Kagome whimpered.

"Perhaps that can be arranged," Airon sighed.

Suddenly the door opened and Kagome jumped in Airon's embrace, looking to see who was entering.

"Airon, we have a problem, oh Kagome, what happened?" Okibi asked as she walked towards the miko.

"I'll explain later Okibi. In the mean time, I think Lady Kagome needs to go home for a few days," Airon said. Okibi looked somewhat confused before she grasped the cook's meaning.

"I'll go speak to Sesshoumaru about it. I'm sure it won't get in the way of her finding a mate. However Kagome, I must have your word that you'll come back," Okibi said in a gentle but firm tone.

"I promise," Kagome said weakly.

"Then go pack Kagome, Airon you go with her. I'll go speak to Sesshoumaru. Kagome, be ready to leave within a few hours," Okibi ordered gently.

"Is there need for such haste?" Airon asked as she and Kagome stood.

"Of course there is, otherwise I wouldn't be rushing," Okibi snapped as she left the room.

As she stalked back towards Sesshoumaru's study she saw Anei looking clean and smiling widely.

"She's going back home for a week, and the last thing she needs right now is a suitor, let her be," Okibi snapped as she passed him. Anei looked slightly startled until he saw a red eyed Kagome walking next to Airon. He was just opening his mouth when Airon shook her head to stop him.

"Hey Anei," Kagome said in a hoarse voice. Anei looked over her face with concern shining brightly in his eyes. What had caused her to cry so much?

"Hello Kagome, I hear you're going home for awhile. I'll see you when you get back," He said in a gentle voice. Kagome seemed almost not to notice her words. Instead she smiled mechanically, not saying anything else as Airon guided her past him. Anei felt a little hurt, but convinced himself it was because of all of the stress. After all, Kagome had defended him against Sesshoumaru before, so she had to care for him and acknowledge him. She was just a little off at the moment.

"Sesshoumaru, arrange for someone to take Kagome to however she gets to her time for a week," Okibi said as soon as she had stepped back into his study. With a glance she took in the several scrolls laying on the desk in disarray and Sesshoumaru's frustrated aura.

"Won't that get in the way of her finding a mate?" Sesshoumaru snapped.

"She needs this you fool, or else there won't be much of her for anyone to mate to," Okibi snapped right back. Sesshoumaru was itching for a fight, and right now he wished they had delayed sealing Inu Yasha's youkai blood. There was no one else around that would fight him without holding back.

"Fine, send Anei with her," Sesshoumaru growled finally.

"No, he's going to be courting her, it's not appropriate. If you won't find someone, I'll take her. I am aware she is from a different time. Where is the portal?" Okibi practically snarled at him.

"The infamous well in Inu Yasha's forest," Sesshoumaru said with a chuckle.

Now he was worrying her. His chuckle hadn't sounded sane in the least, and dripped with some sort of twisted mirth.

"I see, I'll find it. She'll be back in a week. I suggest you get your priorities straight before she comes back you fool, or turn out just like your sire," Okibi bit out as she left the room, slamming the door closed behind her. Due to her considerable strength, the door was shattered.

"Wonderful," Sesshoumaru groaned as he leaned back.

"Sesshoumaru, Okibi just told me Kagome is going home," Anei said as he walked into the study, looking curiously at the debris.

"Anei, leave. Now."

Kagome looked at the well with a sense of dread. Would it let her back through? Would her family be glad to see her? Would they hate her for being away so long?

"Kagome, it's time," Airon said. Kagome nodded and jumped over the lip of the well, praying to land at the bottom in her own time, but at the same time fearing it.

But she felt the familiar magic wash over her and her fear increased as she landed on the bottom of the well. Looking up, she saw something covered the opening.

"What's going on?" She asked as she climbed up the rope ladder and tried to push the cover off. It wasn't budging.

"Damn it!" She said, feeling more than a little angry. Why had they covered the well? She had said she'd try to come back for a visit after she married Inu Yasha!

"Argh, damn it come open!" She yelled as she punched it several times, her hand becoming bloody in the process as the wood began to splinter and break. Soon there was a hole in the rotting piece of board and Kagome tore chunks of it off frantically, ignoring the pain growing in her right hand as she held onto the rope ladder with her left.

Eventually she could crawl through, though it was a tight fit going through the hole. Sighing, she slumped as she rolled off the well cover and stared at it, confused. What the hell was going on? Didn't her family want her there?

"Mom, Souta? Grandpa?" Kagome called out as she opened the door and stepped out into the bright sunlight. No one answered. No one was around.

"Wow, this is surreal," Kagome grunted, feeling more than a little put out. She had envisioned being welcomed home by her brother and mother running to meet her and hug her, like some sort of movie scene.

Instead she walked up to the house and opened the door, then removed her shoes and walked around, looking at how everything seemed to have changed, but at the same time not at all.

"Merow?"

Kagome looked down at the fat cat rubbing her ankles, then stopped and picked it up.

"You're getting old Buyo," Kagome chuckled as she rubbed the aging cat under it's chin. Suddenly she heard a sharp intake of breath and something shatter. Fearfully she turned around to see what was wrong, only to take in the pale countenance of her mother, who looked as if she'd seen a ghost.

"Mama, are you okay?" Kagome asked, concern filling her voice.

"Kagome?"

And then the pale woman collapsed to the floor.

Authors End Notes: Hope you enjoyed it. Thankies again and please review!