The following morning, the twittering of birds and the brisk morning breeze woke Kagome. She pressed her face deeper into the pillow. Breathing in deep, she stretched languidly. Despite yesterday's attack, she felt relaxed. It had been the best night of sleep she had had in a while.

Kagome opened her eyes slowly, savoring the final moments before she had to confront reality. As her surroundings came into focus, she realized that she was covered in fluffy white fur. Her fingers curled around the soft material. Kagome briefly wondered if she was still asleep.

"I feared you would catch a cold," a smooth voice stated.

She glanced up at Sesshomaru who was watching her with an indiscernible expression. "Sorry," Kagome apologized, feeling heat rise in her cheeks. "I didn't mean to steal your...um...what is it exactly?"

"Mokomoko is a part of me," he answered.

"Oh. Oh! Sorry," she repeated, hastily untangling herself from the band of rich fur.

Her face burned. She had been sleeping wrapped up in it— him —all night. Kagome wondered if any of her friends had seen them together. Considering the lack of yelling, she decided that no, they hadn't.

His brows knit together. "You do not need to apologize. It is my duty to care for you."

Kagome paused as she replayed his words in her head. He didn't sound upset that she'd slept on him. In fact, he sounded hurt that she assumed he was. Kagome remembered how he had explained demon family dynamics to her.

"Is it your duty because I'm part of your pack?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied, though there was a slight hesitation to his answer.

She felt poised at the precipice of change. Teetering on the edge was dangerous. She could remain here, stagnant with the life she knew or she could jump and allow herself to free fall into the unknown.

"Just because I'm part of your pack?" Kagome pressed.

His golden eyes flashed. It felt like a confirmation— but a confirmation of what?

"Kagome."

Hearing her say his name— not miko, not girl —filled her with a warm fluttering sensation. If she hadn't known they were sitting at the base of a tree, Kagome would have thought she was floating.

His hand reached for her face and she closed her eyes in anticipation of feeling his smooth skin against her cheek.

A chill descended upon the village and Kagome jerked back, glancing up to see a group of soul collectors flying overhead. She stiffened. Kagome's fear gripped at her like a vice, turning the comforting sensation into a cold, empty void at the pit of her stomach.

Sesshomaru's arm wrapped around her. He drew her close to him, glaring at the demon servants. "Are those her servants?" he inquired.

Kagome nodded. She thought she heard him mutter 'abomination' as he shifted around.

"Stay here," he ordered.

As Sesshomaru stood, Kagome grabbed at his sleeve. "What are you going to do?"

"Deal with this."

Kagome recognized the determined look in his eyes. He meant to kill the priestess. She swallowed nervously. Whatever concerns she had regarding Kikyo, Kagome didn't want her to die. Maybe it was because she knew how much Inuyasha loved Kikyo or perhaps it was because Kagome pitied the priestess. Either way, Kagome knew she couldn't let Sesshomaru kill her.

"I'm going with you," she told him, bracing herself against the tree as she rose.

"No."

Kagome prepared for another row with the demon lord when a scuffing noise made them both turn. In the doorway of the hut, Inuyasha was leaning heavily on Tetsusaiga. His eyes were trained on the soul collectors luring him away.

"Inuyasha, you can't," Kagome said, rushing over. "Your wounds."

"Stand aside, Kagome," he grumbled, shoving her away.

An arm came around her waist to steady her. "You would seek death so willingly?" Sesshomaru questioned as he watched his brother stumble and hobble forward.

"You stay out of this!"

"Inuyasha, we're worried about you. Kikyo can't be trusted. She gave Naraku the jewel fragments," Kagome argued.

"You don't think I know that," he snapped. "I know what she did to you, Kagome. I was there. I saved you. Me." He said the last part while glaring at Sesshomaru.

"And yet you allow your lover to exist with a piece of the miko's soul."

Kagome pursed her lips. So Sesshomaru was back to calling her 'miko,' huh? She shrugged out of his grasp and stepped to the side.

"What would you have me do?" Inuyasha demanded.

"Kill her."

Kagome gasped. Inuyasha growled.

"Her time ended long ago. Whatever she once was to you, she is no longer. She is gone, Inuyasha. Accept it," Sesshomaru advised.

Inuyasha glared at him. For a moment, Kagome thought he would try to fight Sesshomaru but then he uttered a curse under his breath and limped along.

She shook her head, sighing. "You can't expect him to kill the woman he loves."

"One cannot love a corpse," Sesshomaru returned, his gaze on Inuyasha's form.

"Let him go," Kagome said. "She won't hurt him."

"It is not him that I am concerned about."

"You can't kill her, Sesshomaru. He'll never forgive you," she tried to reason with him.

"I do not seek his forgiveness," he returned.

"He's your brother. You two may not get along much but he's still a part of you, just like this," Kagome told him, gently fingering mokomoko.

Sesshomaru gazed down at her. "You are a strange human."

Kagome found herself smiling. "Yeah, I guess I am," she agreed, sheepishly tucking her hair behind her ear.

A single clawed finger flicked the hair forward. "I am glad."

She searched his face for an indication he was teasing her. There was none. Kagome felt her face heat up again.

"I should check on Sango," she told him.

He nodded.

With one last glance at Sesshomaru over her shoulder, Kagome walked into the hut.

He waited until the miko had disappeared inside to track down his brother. If Inuyasha did not expect him to follow, then he was more foolish than Sesshomaru realized.

He picked up on two distinct scent signatures near his brother. The first, Sesshomaru was certain was the dead one. She smelled of decay and dried earth. The second was more concerning.

Naraku.

Sesshomaru held onto the hilt of Tenseiga, prepared to defend himself if the spider hanyo attacked.

As he drew closer to the trio, Sesshomaru heard voices. The loud, irate tone of his brother carried across the clearing while the dull murmurs of the dead one were barely audible. He heard her confirm she had given Naraku the jewel shards and Inuyasha's clumsy response.

Sesshomaru scowled. This disgraceful behavior had gone on long enough. Just as he unsheathes Tenseiga, the dead one stood and fired an arrow into the trees. A moment later, wind ripped through the field and Kagura ascended into the sky, retreating on her feather.

Strange, he thought as he watched Naraku's creation leave. If the dead one had sided with the spider hanyo, why would she alert Inuyasha to the spy's presence?

"And you, are you here to eavesdrop as well?" her voice called for him.

Sesshomaru stepped into the clearing.

"I told you to leave me alone," Inuyasha groused, irritably.

"Your wishes do not concern me. I am here to set things right," Sesshomaru replied.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

The dead one stared at Sesshomaru as she answered, "He means to kill me to restore the soul of my reincarnation."

Inuyasha's eyes widened and he gasped, "Kagome."

"I am not ready to pass on from this world," the dead one addressed Sesshomaru. Her soul collectors swarmed around her. "Leave us, demon. What I have come to say is for Inuyasha."

"I do not take orders from you," he said, slicing through a couple of her servants with his poisonous claws. Their remains fell to the earth, bloody and twitching.

Her cold eyes narrowed. "I tire of this." She drew back an arrow.

He shifted into a defensive stance, raising his blade. He thought he heard her chuckle just as she released.

"Sesshomaru!"

A blinding pulse of pink light appeared between them, disintegrating the arrow on contact. Sesshomaru blinked, stunned for an instant before he saw the dead one nock another arrow and aim for the figure who had appeared to defend him.

"Kikyo, no!" Inuyasha shouted.

Sesshomaru grabbed Kagome, hauling her out of range. The arrow hit the ground with a thud, embedded several inches deep from the force of the shot.

"You should not have come," he reprimanded her.

Her blue eyes were studying his face and he found himself grateful for her interference. He had not anticipated the dead one to be as swift as she was. He had not known Kagome possessed shielding abilities. Considering her expression, it was likely that she was unaware too.

"Don't kill her," the miko pleaded, tugging at his sleeve. "Please."

"He cannot kill me." The dead one's hard gaze flickered between them as she readied another arrow to fly.

"Kagome." Inuyasha tried to stand. He was watching his friend, perplexed by her selfless actions. When the dead one did not lower her weapon, Inuyasha pushed it down.

Sesshomaru prepared to engage his adversary. "Your soul—."

"She can have it," the miko interrupted. "I'm fine. It doesn't bother me."

He frowned. "It should."

"But it doesn't," she insisted, continuing to pull on his kimono. "Don't kill Kikyo. Please, Sesshomaru. For me."

His inner beast raged, furious at being caught between protecting her and pleasing her. How could the miko not see the danger she was in? How could she not understand what he was trying to do for her?

"Please," she repeated, eyes watery.

He growled. "I will honor your request," Sesshomaru relented, "but this pardon will only remain intact as long as you wish. If any harm comes to you, by their hand or one they command," he added, considering Kikyo's potential alliance with Naraku, "I will kill them."

The miko exhaled in relief. "Thank you."

"We are leaving," he announced, glaring at the half-breed. "She is not safe with you or your friends as long as you are faithful to this." Sesshomaru gestured to Kikyo. "I will not endanger her life the way you have."

Inuyasha said nothing. His mood had darkened with each word Sesshomaru spoke. He refused to make eye contact with his older brother but he maintained his position in front of the dead one, preventing her from another attack.

Sesshomaru returned his blade to its scabbard and stormed off.

He heard the miko run after him. The smell of salt hovered around her, increasing his ire further. His instincts roared at him. She was unhappy and that was unacceptable. He needed to see to her needs. Yet, Sesshomaru was unclear what those needs were. Nothing he did appeared to help.

"Why did you go after her? I don't understand. She's done nothing to you."

He whirled around, nostrils flaring. "She hurt you."

"Me?" the miko said, staring up at him with wide eyes.

"She would have killed you and I..." he fell silent, glaring at the useless blade his father had left him. "Your protection was more useful than this."

Her surprise vanished. She took his hand in both of hers. "Tenseiga is powerful. It doesn't just protect human life; it protects the one who wields it. Don't you remember how it saved you from Tetsusaiga's Wind Scar?"

Despite the truth of her words, Sesshomaru continued to glare at the blade in contempt.

"It is loyal to you. Don't be discouraged. Your father left it to you for a reason and, for what it's worth, I think he chose well," she told him, squeezing his hand.

Sesshomaru was overwhelmed by the desire to pull her close. The way the miko was beaming up at him with pure affection was everything his inner beast required to settle down. For a moment, he forgot about his brother's foolishness and the dead one's threat. All he saw was the girl beside him.

"Come on," Kagome said, lacing her fingers through his. "Let's go home."

Home.

It had been centuries since Sesshomaru had applied the term to any place. As they walked together, hand in hand, he wondered if perhaps the word could be applied to a person.

The palace was a welcomed sight. No sooner had they landed, then Shippo burst from the kitchen's side door and came running into the courtyard.

"Kagome!"

"Shippo!" She crouched down, holding her arms open to catch him in a hug.

"What happened? Is Sango okay? What about Kirara and Miroku? Did Inuyasha beat Kagura?" Shippo asked as she straightened up.

"Not exactly," Kagome answered hesitantly, "but everyone is fine. They're resting in a village not far from here."

"Can we go visit?" Shippo prompted.

Kagome shook her head and said, "Not right now. I need to check on Rin. My supplies are running low."

"Yeah, Ena said there was only one container of formula left," the kitsune told her.

"Okay," Kagome replied.

She would need to make a list and return home this afternoon. With everything that had happened, Kagome wasn't even sure what day of the week it was. She hoped it was a weekend so it wouldn't look suspicious that she wasn't in school.

"I made sure no one slacked off while you were gone, Sesshomaru," Shippo told the dog demon.

"Good."

"And I've been practicing," the kitsune announced proudly. "Look what I can do." He produced a ball of foxfire and maintained it for several seconds before putting it out.

"Wow, Shippo, that's great!"

"Your control is increasing, kit," Sesshomaru agreed.

Delighted by the praise, Shippo grabbed Kagome's hand and began leading her up to the palace. He chatted about everything he had done in their absence. Kagome glanced over her shoulder at Sesshomaru who was smirking.

It was nice to see Shippo so happy. He hadn't had an opportunity to develop his skills and Inuyasha's guidance had always been more physical than positive. Sesshomaru's approach seemed to be working much better.

When Kagome entered the nursery, Ena smiled warmly at her. "She's been fussy all morning like she knew you were returning," the demoness shared. She lifted Rin out of her crib and brought her over to Kagome.

"There's my girl," Kagome cooed. Rin laughed. Her hands grabbed for Kagome's hair. "Uh uh uh, what did we talk about? No hair-pulling," Kagome reminded her sternly, though she couldn't keep the grin off her face.

Was this what it was to be a mother? Wanting to be with your child all the time and missing them the second you were parted? As she hugged Rin, Kagome decided it was.

She had thought of the little girl constantly since leaving. Kagome had wondered how Rin was behaving for Ena. She worried if Rin had enough formula left to feed her. She thought about what else she could buy the little girl back in the modern-day. Her thoughts were consuming but not unpleasant. It made Kagome appreciate her own mother that much more.

Rin's large brown eyes looked up and Kagome saw Sesshomaru leaning over her shoulder. The infant studied the demon. For a tense moment, Kagome worried she would cry but then Rin laughed. She forgot about pulling on Kagome's hair, too busy studying Sesshomaru.

"I'll take my leave," Ena said with a bow.

"Thank you," Kagome called out to the demoness, though her gaze remained fixated on Rin.

The little girl had begun blowing spit bubbles in an attempt to hold Sesshomaru's attention. Kagome giggled. Only a baby as cute as Rin could get away with that.

"It's a good thing she's getting more comfortable with you," Kagome remarked to Sesshomaru. "I'll need to go back for more supplies."

"Already?" he asked.

Kagome nodded. "One package isn't going to last. I'll buy more this time."

"Will you bring me some candy too?" Shippo asked hopefully.

"Sure," Kagome replied with a knowing smile. She rocked Rin, seeing the child's eyes begin to droop. "Sesshomaru, can I bring you anything?"

"No," he answered. "I will escort you to the well."

"Oh, no that's alright. I know the way back. If I could just borrow A-Un for the trip so—."

"I do not trust the dead one will adhere to my instructions," Sesshomaru cut her off.

"Well," Kagome drawled, wondering how much of an inconvenience it would be for Kaede to host Sesshomaru while he waited for her. "I suppose you could stay in the village."

"I wanna go too," Shippo whined.

Having the kitsune tag along would certainly help. He could act as a buffer between Kaede and Sesshomaru. But what would they do about Rin?

"If I go back just long enough to stock up, do you think you can manage with Rin on your own?" Kagome asked Sesshomaru.

"Our agreement was for two days," he reminded her.

"She doesn't have enough formula to last two days. Besides, I can have Souta hand in my homework and get my makeup assignments. It's nothing I haven't done before," she assured him.

"I will look after my ward and the kit in the village as you suggested," Sesshomaru agreed. He shifted closer and Kagome settled Rin into the crook of his arm.

She stared across the room spotting the pair of necklaces Kaede had gifted her. This could be the perfect opportunity to test them. If she was able to create a link for Sesshomaru and Rin, Kagome would need to request a third for Shippo.

Seeing the necklaces reminded Kagome she still had her offerings for Sayo and Kaede. She'd give them to Shippo to hand out while she traveled across the well.

Her backpack felt lighter as she slung it over her shoulders. Without the formula containers and her textbooks, it hardly weighed anything. Or maybe it was the fact that the air had been cleared between her and Inuyasha.

He had chosen Kikyo. They both knew it— had always known it but today was the first time Kagome had chosen a different path. It felt good.

"We just returned. Are you sure it's okay for you to leave again?" she asked Sesshomaru as they proceeded down the staircase.

"This is my palace. These are my lands. I answer to no one."

"Yeah," Kagome said with a stifled laugh, "but shouldn't you tell someone so they don't worry."

He glanced at her as if this had never crossed his mind. She realized that it probably hadn't. From what Akio had told her, Sesshomaru had been on his own for centuries. He wasn't used to others caring for him or showing concern. The only one who may have been worried was—

"Lord Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru!"

She winced as Jaken came rushing after them.

"Where are you going, my lord? Allow me to offer my assistance, if I may."

"That is not necessary, Jaken. Stay here and ensure the palace is kept ready for our return," Sesshomaru commanded.

The imp looked between Kagome and his master. He regarded her with a mistrustful gaze.

"Lord Sesshomaru, do you think it wise to travel with members of Inuyasha's party? The miko, especially, is quite loyal to your half-brother."

"If I wish to hear your opinion, I will ask for it," Sesshomaru replied tersely.

"But, my lord—."

"Jaken," Sesshomaru began in a cold tone, "when it comes to the miko, the kit, and the child, you will cease your distasteful behavior or you will find yourself removed from these grounds. Is that understood?"

"Ah! Yes, my lord. Of course," the imp crowd, bowing repeatedly. "I only meant to serve you."

"Then do as I ask and halt in this fruitless endeavor to prove that my judgment is poor," Sesshomaru retorted.

"Certainly, my lord," Jaken assured him, continuing to bow.

"Come," Sesshomaru said to Kagome, inclining his head toward the stables. "I am certain A-Un will be pleased to see you."

The two-headed dragon, was, in fact, delighted to see Kagome and Rin. He sniffed both of them repeatedly before Sesshomaru announced they were leaving.

Their journey to Kaede's village was uneventful. Shippo talked the entire time, reciting the extensive list of treats he wanted Kagome to bring back while Rin slept curled up in Sesshomaru's arm.

A-Un landed beside the Bone Eater's Well, nuzzling her gently before Kagome promised she'd be back as soon as possible. She sat on the edge of the well, pivoted around, and jumped.

Time travel always felt strange, like falling through a pool of water without getting wet. When she resurfaced, Kagome heard the tell-tale sounds of Tokyo.

She found her grandfather selling chachkies in the gift store. In the house, her mother was busy cooking.

"Kagome!"

"Hi, Mama," she greeted her with a hug.

"How are you? How is the baby?"

"She's doing well. The formula was a hit," Kagome told her happily. "That's actually why I'm here. I need more."

Her mother turned around and knelt to open the cabinets. Inside was a full box of formula. "They were on sale last week at the store. I got a case figuring you'd be back."

Kagome felt her eyes burn. "Thanks, Mama," she said, hugging her again.

She was grateful to have her support. Without her mother to teach her, Kagome knew she would have never been able to be the caretaker Rin needed.

Or the partner Sesshomaru did.