Author's Note: SURPRISE! My beta reader's trip was canceled, so surprise! I've recently begun another Sess/Kag fanfic called "Wouldn't You Like to Be Me" so if you want, check it out! Other than that, enjoy chapter 11 and please review! WARNING: this chapter contains sugar! :D

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or affiliated with Inuyasha, however this particular story is M-I-N-E! :)

All's Fair in Love and Mirrors

(Back in the other world!)

How in the world am I supposed to get back? It's already been five days! I'm sure the others are really worried by now, but how do I tell them I'm ok?

Kagome lay back in the grass and gazed at the clouds. After the trip to Kagura's, the group decided to keep searching for fragments of the jewel. Earlier that day they had stopped near a large field for lunch and a break from traveling. At the moment, Miroku and Sesshomaru were sparring while the rest of them were relaxing.

He sure does love that new sword. I wonder if it can do the same attacks as the one from my world.

"Hey Kagome, have you figured anything out concerning how you got here?" Kikyou asked, holding what looked like a history text book in her hand.

"Nope. Still clueless."

"Well I think I found something you'd be interested in hearing." Kikyou scooted next to her, holding out her book. Kagome looked at the page and noticed an old drawing of a mystical mirror.

"A mirror?"

"It says this mirror once belonged to a sorcerer who claimed he could travel between different worlds that had different outcomes. If one looks into the mirror, he will see himself in a different outcome. It also says that if used correctly, one could trade places with his other self."

"So you're saying I went through a mirror?"

"It seems the most likely explanation so far."

"But I haven't touched any mirrors recently. I think I would know—" Kagome's eyes suddenly widened and a gasp escaped her throat.

"Can someone else use the mirror to make another person trade places?"

Kikyou looked at the book and skimmed the page. "It doesn't say you can't, but it doesn't necessarily say you can. Do you believe someone else sent you in the mirror?"

"Yeah, I've got a pretty good feeling I know who did. Does it say how the mirror works?"

"The sorcerer stated that one can only use the mirror in a place surrounded by magic, but other than that, it's a mystery."

Kagome smacked her forehead. "Now I get it! No wonder Kagura attacked me near the well! I bet Kanna found the mirror and placed it inside the well, while Kagura sent me flying towards it!"

"You are speaking of people in your world. Is Kagura the same person as the one we just met?"

"Yeah, except in my world she's a wind sorceress who's an incarnation of Naraku. How do you reverse the effect of the mirror?"

"Hmm, it doesn't say. My guess is that you must find the mirror's counterpart in this world."

"Great! Where am I supposed to find it?!" Kagome sighed in exasperation. Kikyou placed a reassuring hand on Kagome's shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find it. We can keep a look out for it while we search for shards." Kikyou smiled, and Kagome couldn't help but be happy that she got to know this side of Kikyou.

Kagome stood up and clenched her fist in determination. "Alright! We've got one clue and for now we should be happy about that much. The next time you go home, see if you can find out more about that mirror. I'm gonna tell Sesshomaru what we've found. Just you wait, I'm going to find a way home, no matter what!"

Sesshomaru and Miroku had taken a quick break from sparring, and both sat panting under the shade of a tree. Light footfalls caught Sesshomaru's attention, and he glanced up to see Kagome jogging towards them. She flashed a large grin and waved an arm in their direction. She skidded to a halt in front of Sesshomaru, and he looked at her curiously.

"Sesshomaru! Guess what! Guess what!"

"Hmm?"

"Hehe, Kikyou and I figured out how I can get home! Isn't that great!"

For some reason, Sesshomaru really wanted to say no, but he held his tongue, and instead asked, "How?"

"We read in a book that I got here through a mirror, and we think that if we find that same mirror, I can use it to get home!"

Do you want to leave that badly?

"I see. So you will be leaving soon."

"Well, the problem is I don't know where the mirror is, and since I can't go home without it, I'll be stuck here until I find it. Do you mind putting up with me a little longer?"

Putting up with her? Does she believe herself to be a bother?

"You may stay as long as you like. You are welcome here."

At that moment, Miroku chose to join the conversation. "We will sorely miss you when you leave Kagome. You've been a ray of sunshine during out travels."

Kagome blushed a bit at that statement and said rather shyly, "I'll miss you guys, too. Thank you for accepting me so warmly."

"Of course! Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go give my dear Sango the pleasure of my company." Miroku winked at Sesshomaru, then started heading towards the poor unsuspecting woman.

Sesshomaru gestured to the empty spot beside him, and Kagome gladly took a seat. For a while, the two sat in companionable silence, but Sesshomaru began to feel awkward. Finally, he asked the question that plagued his mind. "What will you do once you go back?"

"Hmm? Well, I guess things will return to normal. We'll find the jewel shards, and hopefully defeat Naraku. After that, I'm not sure. My guess is the well will close up after we complete the jewel, and I'll probably continue my life back home. I'll finish high school, go to college, get a job. Be normal again…" Kagome starred off into space wistfully, and Sesshomaru was beginning to regret asking.

"What about settling down? Do you not wish to find a husband?"

"Of course I do! But…I'm kinda in love with someone. Problem is he's not in love with me."

"I see." Sesshomaru felt a stab of jealousy, but forced himself to quench it. "Is this man worth waiting for?"

Kagome starred at Sesshomaru in shock, then gave him a sad smile. "Truthfully, I don't know. I've been in love with Inuyasha so long I don't know if I can love someone else. I promised to stay by his side, but I think he'd rather have Kikyou there than me."

Sesshomaru felt like killing something; specifically his half-brother.

Inuyasha's the one causing her pain?! No, the Inuyasha in her world is the cause, which means I am powerless to do anything. It would be unfair to harm my brother for wrongs he did not commit, but still…a hit or two shouldn't be a problem right?

"Why would your Inuyasha want to be with a woman who is dead?"

"Funny you mention that. In my world, Kikyou was re-animated, and Inuyasha still loves her regardless. I can't compete with her, because she died for him."

Sesshomaru pondered her statement a while before answering. "I believe love is a rare thing in this world, but to receive it twice is an even greater gift. If Inuyasha cannot accept your love, then that is his loss. Find a man who is worthy of your affections, but don't be in haste to give it away to just anyone."

Kagome starred at him dumbfounded until tears started rolling down her cheeks. Sesshomaru started to panic, but Kagome hastily wiped them away and gave him a stunning smile.

"Sesshomaru, that's got to be the nicest thing anyone's ever told me. I never realized how sweet and caring you were!"

Sweet and caring? That doesn't sound like me at all.

"I am not sweet or caring, Kagome. I merely speak truth."

"Suurrreee. Well, you're truth is a sweet and caring truth, then." Kagome continued to smile at him, and Sesshomaru felt a burst of pride from her words, even if they were a bit silly. A noise suddenly caught his attention, and he pricked his ears toward the sound.

"I believe Kikyou is calling for you."

"Oh! I better go then." She started to walk away, but suddenly turned on her heals, bent down, and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Thanks for the encouragement, Sesshomaru. You're a good friend." She bounded off towards the others, leaving a stunned Sesshomaru with a small smile creeping on his face.