Chapter 12: Back to the Past

The children left and Kagome collapsed on the sofa from exhaustion. "This has been a long day..." She mumbled as she laid her head down on the arm of the couch and curled her legs under her.

Sesshoumaru watch in amazing how fast she fell asleep. She was dead asleep. And for the first time he was envious of her, he wished he could fall asleep that easily but whenever he tried something would always interrupt him. He hadn't slept in months.

Kagome's mother walked in and smiled softly at her sleeping daughter. Her eyes went over to Sesshoumaru. "I'm always worried that she doesn't get enough sleep over there." She said as she put the blanket she was carrying on top of Kagome's sleeping form. "She has too much in her life that she has to deal with." Her mother muttered softly.

Sesshoumaru stared at the woman as she sat down on the coffee table and leaned over to put a lock of Kagome's black hair behind her ear. She brushed away Kagome's long bangs so that she could see her beautiful face. "I miss her when she's gone. And I worry about her too. Especially if she's with Inuyasha. I know he wouldn't let any harm come to her... it's just... I can't tell you how many times she has come home in tears because of that boy." She said softly.

"My brother is dense." Sesshoumaru said indifferently.

"You're different." Kagome's mother looked up at the youkai lord. "I can see something that you two have yet to see. My daughter is a very special girl, Sesshoumaru. She loves everyone and sees the good in everyone. You don't have to put up your barrier with her."

Sesshoumaru's eyes widen a little at her spoken words. This lady just met him today. How could she know any of the things she was speaking of? "It's a mother's duty to know." She said, letting out a soft laugh as she seemed to have read his mind. Getting up she took one last look at her daughter. "But this has been the happiest I have seen her in months."

And with that she left and went to her room to sleep.

Sesshoumaru watched her retreating figure with wonder. How...what...who... so many questions were running through his mind he didn't even know where to begin and how to answer any of them.

His eyes then fell on Kagome. She was sleeping soundly. Her life must be exhausting, Sesshoumaru thought to himself. Going back and forth between two worlds, having to deal with two different kinds of people.

Not to mention having to save one of the worlds.

He had heard about Kagome. The young miko who had shattered the shikon no tama and the supposed reincarnation of Kikyou. And even though the young girl has resemblance of Kikyou, her spirit was nothing like the wench. And as a reincarnation shouldn't she posses the same spirit and therefore shouldn't she act the same way as Kikyou?

Sesshoumaru thought so.

Therefore the more he was getting to know Kagome, the more he believed this young girl was not the reincarnation of Kikyou. She was nothing like the wench. She was, despite what Inuyasha believed, more beautiful than that bitch.

Where Kikyou had a sharp angler figure and face, Kagome was soft and curvy. Her slender waist rounded perfectly at her hips and then went into the shape of her long slender legs. Her creamy ivory skin was much like his own, except softer.

But her eyes. Her dark sapphire eyes were what caught him off guard. The mystical blues swirling with her dark pupils could make any man's mouth fall open. And the fire and passion her eyes held could make any person lose their breath.

Her beauty was breathtaking.

Kagome let out a loud sigh in her sleep, causing Sesshoumaru to jerk out of his thoughts. "Sesshoumaru if I fall asleep will you be just oh so romantic and carry me to my bed?" He thought about what she said earlier and smirked.

Getting up, he went over to the girl and scooped her in his strong arms. His lips curved into the tiniest of smiles when he felt her move closer to him. Turning around, he walked her up the stairs and followed her strong scent that led to a room where her scent was strongest, obviously her room.

Gently he placed her on her bed that she always complained about missing. "Sesshoumaru my bed is the greatest thing you could ever sleep on." Kagome would say almost every night when she had to sleep on her sleeping bag.

He placed her close to the wall so that he could sit down next to her. He looked down at her content face and almost gave another smile. He was surprised when his hand reached up and brushed her bangs across her face.

But he was even more surprised when Kagome moved her head from her pillow to his lap. Sesshoumaru watched in amazement as she did this and then she gave a sigh of contentment.

Ok... for one night he'll let it pass. After all he didn't want to wake her and make her start yelling.

At least that's what he was telling himself. In all truths he didn't mind her snuggling so close to him, in fact he went as far as to place his hand lightly on her back. 'Kami! This girl is making me way to soft' He thought with disapproval.

But the disapproval quickly vanished as he watched her sleep. And throughout the night, he never took his eyes off of her.

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Kagome eyelids fluttered opened as she gave a bright smile. 'That was the best night sleep I have ever had.' Kagome sighed and then she realized something. 'What am I laying on? This isn't my pillow.'

"Now that you are awake will you please get your head off of my legs, I can no longer feel them." Came an indifferent voice. Kagome turned a deep shade of red as she instantly got up.

'Kami! I fell asleep on Sesshoumaru's lap! What was I thinking! Oh right, I wasn't thinking, I was asleep.' Kagome then noticed Sesshoumaru staring at her and she looked away. She did NOT need to wake up to this guy in her bed.

Wait...

Her bed?

Kagome's lips formed into a smuged smirk as she looked back at Sesshoumaru. "You carried me to my bed." She stated, her smile growing into a grin. "How romantic of you!" She teased and Sesshoumaru grunted in reply.

"Ok well listen. I need to take a shower. So you," She patted her bed fiercely, "Stay here. Like a good puppy." Kagome giggled as Sesshoumaru shot her a glare. "I'll be back in oh... fifteen minutes. Grow forty feet." Gathering the things she needed for her shower, and then left the room skipping.

Sesshoumaru watched her retreating figure and then leaned his head on the headboard of her bed. He had been up all night, thinking about the two things Kagome had said to him yesterday.

Why did he go easy on Inuyasha?

What was his problem with Kikyou?

He had been pondering those questions all night and had come up with an answer for each. The first one, why did he go easy on Inuyasha? Well it was simple. He was teaching that worthless hanyou how to fight. After all, even though he was a hanyou, he was also an inu. And Sesshoumaru would be damned if Inuyasha soiled the inu name with disgraceful fighting.

And then the second one, what was his problem with Kikyou? Why did he hate that bitch so much? Because that bitch dared to pin inu blood on some Kami-forsaken tree! She was a human wench of no accord, how dare she pin an inu to a tree just because of some love battle! Especially when Sesshoumaru was in an all out war with the cat youkai from the south. The bitch. He hated her.

So there were his answers. It took him all night but he finally found the answer, although he would be damned if he ever told Kagome them. She would think it was 'kawaii' he could hear her voice even now, shrieking with that word, "KAWAIIIII!" and then she would say, "I knew you cared for Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru! Aww, big brother love!" Even though it had nothing to do with caring for Inuyasha.

No. He would not tell her.

True to her word, fifteen minutes after she left, Kagome came back in. She was dressed in her usual uniform and her hair was wet and stringy. She put her towel over her head and began her effort to towel-dry her hair. She sat at her desk, staring at Sesshoumaru as she did this.

"I was wondering... do you ever sleep?" She asked, laying the towel on her lap and grabbing the hairbrush off her desk. She began to brush her stringy hair while talking. "I mean I know demons don't have to sleep like we inferior humans do, but you seem to never sleep."

"I sleep when I need to." Sesshoumaru's voice it's usual mono-tone void of emotions self.

"Yes but, we've been together for three weeks and as far as I know, you haven't slept a wink." Kagome said, setting down her brush.

"I haven't slept in four months." Sesshoumaru stated and Kagome's mouth fell open.

"Aren't you tired?" Kagome asked, still shocked.

"No." Lie, Sesshoumaru really needed some sleep but he couldn't sleep in this place, no not with all the noise and the smell. But he wouldn't whine to Kagome about being tired.

"Ok good, because I got some things that I have to pick up from the store before we go." Kagome threw her towel in her laundry basket near her closet. "Another trip in civilized people, are you up for it?"

"Lead the way." Sesshoumaru said haughtily and then smirked.

"Uh huh." Kagome said as she stood and stretched. Sesshoumaru however went ahead and left and Kagome trailed behind him. 'So much for leading the way.' Kagome thought with a huff as she walked behind Sesshoumaru.

And that's how she noticed it. It was something different about him. It was the way he was walking. Kagome titled her head and began to study his back. Ah ha! He wasn't standing as straight. To anybody he looked like he was standing perfectly straight, but to Kagome, no she could tell that his shoulders were a little saggy. And his step... it wasn't as sharp, it was slower.

It was subtle but Kagome could tell. Her lips formed into a wry smile.

He was tired.

It was weird how Kagome could see the ever so slight changes just in his walking pattern, but she could. Not only that but this morning he didn't so much as put up a fight when she made the sly remark about civilized company.

'Not tired my ass.' Kagome thought to herself and then walked next to him. "Seeing that you have no clue where you are going, maybe I should lead." Kagome stepped in front of him as the walked down the stairs. "Mamma! Sesshoumaru and I are going out to get some things before we leave. Need anything from the grocery store?"

"No! Thanks though, honey!" Her mother answered from the kitchen.

They reached the door and Kagome slipped on her shoes. "Alright, money." She grabbed her purse that was by the door. "Check. Alright, chain, whoa." She looked down to see the chain, still long and still visible. "Might want to shorten that. Alright, return to three feet. And invisible." The chain shorten and disappeared. "Ok check. Now, puppy sidekick." She looked at Sesshoumaru and smiled, "Check."

Resisting the terrible urge to roll his eyes at her Sesshoumaru opened the door and shoved her outside. "Let's go."

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Kagome and Sesshoumaru were standing in the aisle with the boxes of Ramon. Kagome held two boxes in her hand and was looking at both of them, while Sesshoumaru stood behind her, arms crossed, face cold, eyes narrowed, and a nice green plastic basket hanging from its bright lime handlebars on his crossed arms.

"Now do I want beef flavored or chicken?" Kagome mumbled to herself and then turned to Sesshoumaru. She held up the two boxes. "Beef or chicken?" She asked and was replied with a grunt.

"I do not care woman, just pick one and let's be gone." He said, annoyed.

"Chicken it is." Kagome rolled her eyes and then threw the box of chicken into the basket. "You could help out you know. It would make time go by faster." Kagome suggested as they began walking down the aisle.

They went to fruit and Kagome picked up an apple. "Ah, how great would it be to wake up and have a nice fresh piece of fruit in the morning?" Kagome smiled but then looked at Sesshoumaru and gave a large frown. "But no, I just have you." She said, dripping with mockery.

"At least I'm a ten." Sesshoumaru said indifferently.

"Uh huh. Now do I want an apple or grapes?" She held them both up and looked at Sesshoumaru. He sighed with aggravation and grabbed the apple and placed it in the basket.

They began walking over to the granola bars and Kagome once again picked up two boxes and was looking them each over when she heard her name being called. "KAGOME!" Snapping her head up she saw three girls running towards she and Sesshoumaru.

Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi made their way towards them.

"Hello girls." Kagome smiled nervously at them when they stopped in front of Sesshoumaru and her.

"Ah! Kagome! We are so happy that we ran into you and Sesshoumaru!" Ayumi squealed as her eyes darted from Kagome to Sesshoumaru and then back to Kagome. "Aw! You two already grocery shopping together!"

"Ayumi, stay focused!" Yuka said sternly. "Kagome we three have figured out the perfect wedding for you two. Location and everything." Yuka smiled proudly as Kagome stared at her dumbfounded.

"You have?" Kagome blurted.

"Yes!" Eri's faced beamed as she clasped her hands together and stared off dreamily. "With his golden eyes and your sapphire ones, we pondered what would be the best scenery, and came up with-"

"The beach!" Ayumi squealed, interrupting Eri. "His gold eyes are like the shores of sand and your sapphire ones are like the waves of the ocean." Yuka said, her voice filled with dreamy romance.

"Uh-" Kagome held up a finger to say something but was immediately cut off.

"We'll handle all the details Kagome." Yuka said, using her business-like voice.

"Yes but-" Kagome started again but Eri just clasped her hands and sighed.

"I'm so happy for you, Kagome." She smiled sweetly and Kagome gave her a blank stare.

Kagome had no idea where her friends were getting this from! Marriage! Who said anything about... marriage? And she could feel Sesshoumaru's arrogant-ass smirk on her back. He was enjoying her humiliations and her friends' embarrassing talk of weddings and such. The bastard, Kagome thought as she gritted her teeth. It was his damn fault her friends thought this. What the hell was he thinking? Lover! Oh she will get him back, that's for sure.

"Thank you so much. I am so excited that you are planning this all for me!" Kagome smiled sweetly and gave Eri's hands a squeeze. She wouldn't let him enjoy in her humiliation.

"You're welcome!" They all chimed.

"Now we better be going, me and snookums have loads of shopping to do!" Kagome stepped back and linked her arm with Sesshoumaru while leaning her head on his shoulder. "Snookums..." she felt him tense at the use of the new nickname "...promised me that he would take me bra shopping after this! Isn't he just the best ever!" She said while she squeezed his arm.

All three of the girls sighed. "He is." They intoned and smiled dreamily at Sesshoumaru.

Saying goodbye the three girls skipped off and Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru, her mouth in a large haughty grin. "Ready, snookums?" She said sarcastically and Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at her.

"Funny." He grunted and then began to walk, Kagome following after him.

"I thought so." She grinned and they began shopping once more. "Now which granola bars should I get? Mixed berries or apples and nuts?" She held up each box and Sesshoumaru grunted.

Grabbing the mixed berries, he threw them in and began walking.

"Nice choice." Kagome remarked and merrily walked next to him.

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"Okay, got my extra change of clothes, got some food, got some homework, got my lighter, my flashlight..." Kagome mumbled to herself as she looked through her yellow bag. Sesshoumaru sat a few feet away, dressed back in his normal clothes, waiting to go home.

The sun was now setting as Kagome finally got the chance to put everything together. They were going ahead and leaving tonight because Sesshoumaru needed to get back to the Western Lands and make sure Jaken hasn't done anything to make Sesshoumaru kill him.

Now Kagome was just going over the things she knew she would need, seeing that she knew she would be over there for a long period of time. "Ok I think that's everything. We can go now." She smiled as she turned and gazed at Sesshoumaru.

They went downstairs and Kagome hugged her family goodbye. She and Sesshoumaru then walked to the well and Kagome leaned over the side and peered into the dark depth. "Alright. Let's go back." Kagome said as she jumped in, Sesshoumaru following after her.

End of Chapter

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Moonchild: Holy...Crap.

Kagome: It took you along time to update this chapter MC.

Moonchild: Man I know, everything has been happening at once. But I'm glad I got it up there.

Inuyasha: MC you bitch! I haven't been in the last three chapters!

Moonchild: Ah shut your mouth, pup. You're coming. You'll be in the next chapter.

Sesshoumaru: Inuyasha you dumb wit, this fic isn't about you, it's about me and Kagome. No one-

Moonchild: Wait... as much as I love to see Inuyasha cry... it's creepy. So maybe later, Sesshou.

Sesshoumaru: --grunt--

Moonchild: Alright, Thanks everyone for reading my fic! It really means a lot to me! Please send me a review! But no flames, they cause emotional breakdowns