Living in the Feudal Era had its setbacks. No electricity, a lack of indoor plumbing, and the absence of modern medicine were all faults that Kagome noticed daily.
But the time period had its perks too. The ability to see the stars at night was something she had begun to look forward to. Befriending the attendants at the Western Palace was comforting. Having a safe place to relax and raise Rin was a plus. There was a lot to be grateful for. Yet, Kagome's favorite thing about living here was the fact that she never slept alone.
She had relocated to the bed once Sesshomaru and Shippo left. Rin had begun fussing. It was easier to hold both the infant and her textbook when she was propped up with pillows.
Which was how Sesshomaru found them.
Both Kagome and Rin had drifted off. Under sleep's siren call, Kagome had left her math textbook open and her calculations scattered around them. It wasn't until Sesshomaru started to remove her homework that she had stirred.
"Hey."
"Comfortable?" he inquired.
"Yeah," Kagome answered, stifling a yawn. "You're pampering me too much. I'm going to get fat and lazy living here."
"Doubtful. The level of training I have prepared should mitigate any concern," Sesshomaru told her.
Kagome laughed. Always so formal.
He gently picked up Rin and tucked her into her cradle. Kagome smiled as she thought of how wary he had been the first time he swaddled her. Now he approached her like any other parent would— with reverence and confidence.
Sesshomaru didn't allow his one arm to hinder his movements. He had adapted. The missing limb didn't throw him off balance or prevent him from caring for Rin. If anything, he was more attentive than Kagome initially expected. It was endearing.
"Didn't you want anything to eat for dinner?" Shippo asked from his spot at the door where he was chewing on a chicken leg.
"I'm good," she answered. "Kinda beat."
The kitsune shrugged. "More for me then."
"Beat?" Sesshomaru questioned as he settled down next to her.
"It's just an expression," Kagome assured him, shifting closer so she could lean against his side.
"Your modern colloquialisms are challenging to comprehend," he remarked.
"I know," she admitted with another yawn. "It only means I'm exhausted."
"The pups and your studies are important to you. You must not forget to take time for yourself," Sesshomaru advised.
"I enjoyed having my hair washed," Kagome confessed, eyes dropping as she curled into him.
He was silent for a moment. She had gotten used to his pauses. Sometimes Sesshomaru took time to collect his thoughts, reel in his anger, or quell his inner beast. Considering the intimacy of their evening, Kagome surmised that this time it was the latter.
"The Taisho line has a small summer palace near Toyama," he informed her. "It has not been used in centuries. The only attendant there has been tasked with maintaining the castle and the grounds. I am uncertain what state it is in but if you have an interest, we can make the journey."
Kagome perked up. "Like a vacation?"
"You mentioned your exams. Perhaps we could travel there to celebrate once you have completed them," Sesshomaru suggested.
"That would be fun. I don't think Shippo's ever been to the beach before. Oh! When we visit my family tomorrow, I'll have to go shopping for a bathing suit for Rin."
Sesshomaru stared at her.
"It's a garment people in my time wear when they go swimming in a pool or the ocean," Kagome explained. "I will get ones for Shippo and you too."
"I do not require one. My fundoshi will be adequate."
Kagome turned scarlet.
Sesshomaru chuckled. "So innocent," he said, pressing a kiss to her temple.
"I won't be for long if you keep that up," Kagome muttered softly. She didn't want Shippo to overhear. He may not know exactly what they were talking about but he would pick up on the context.
"You have already agreed to be mine. That is enough. If you do not wish to mate now, I will remain patient until you are ready," Sesshomaru promised.
"Thank you," she whispered.
He cupped her chin, tilting her face up so their lips met.
"I saw that," Shippo remarked cheekily.
Kagome flushed as his pink balloon form bobbed in the air behind Sesshomaru's head. The demon lord withdrew from her to stare at the kit.
There was a pop and Shippo returned to his natural form.
"Hey, how come you get to sleep with Kagome but Rin and I have to sleep alone?" he asked.
Sesshomaru glanced at Kagome. She could tell he wanted her approval to tell the fox.
It wasn't that Kagome didn't want Shippo to know she had chosen to be with Sesshomaru. She just wanted to be the one to tell her mother— not an overly excitable kitsune. Deciding to mate with Sesshomaru meant staying in the Feudal Era. Mama deserved to hear that directly from Kagome.
Plus, the thought of having to explain the dynamics of mating to Shippo made her uneasy.
Kagome acted quickly. She kicked the sheets aside and went over to her yellow backpack. "Shippo, I have gifts for you and Rin," Kagome announced as she held up the necklaces from Kaede.
"Presents!" the kit cried, immediately forgetting all about his question. He bounded over to Kagome, peering at the strands of beads. "They look like Inuyasha's."
"Yep and they work the same too," Kagome told him.
She held up the necklaces. Kagome closed her eyes and concentrated. Kaede's instructions had been clear.
Focus on the object you wish to imbue with your power.
Chanel your reiki into the object with a purpose— protection, subjugation, nullification.
Seal your power in the object with a blessing.
Kagome did as Kaede had instructed, centering her thoughts on protecting her new family and giving them the ability to pass through the well. She thought of arriving safely in Tokyo, of them unharmed after a battle with Naraku, and of the four of them together at the Western Palace. In all of her visions, Sesshomaru was by her side. A sense of peace, security, and comfort wrapped around her.
"Wow, Kagome! I've never seen you do that before."
She opened her eyes to find the necklaces glowing.
"Here," she said, handing one to Shippo.
The kitsune's face brightened. He slipped his necklace over his head, puffing his chest out proudly to display the new addition. The pale pink aura faded until the necklace returned to normal. To anyone else, it appeared to be a simple rosary. There was no indication of the spiritual seal Kagome had placed upon it.
"Does this mean we can go home with you next time?" Shippo asked.
She nodded. "Sesshomaru and I decided it would be nice to go visit tomorrow."
"Really?"
"Yeah, we're going to head out early. We want to get to the well before breakfast, so you better go to sleep," Kagome coaxed.
"This is going to be so much fun. We're going to meet your family and see your room and eat ramen and—."
"Shippo," she said gently.
"Oh, right. Bed. 'Night, Kagome. 'Night, Sesshomaru." He hurried over to his cot and crawled beneath the covers.
"Well done," Sesshomaru whispered as Kagome rejoined him in bed.
She sat the two remaining necklaces down. "You're not mad, right? I just think it would be best if the news came from me instead of a demon my family is meeting for the first time," she explained.
"They are your kin. You should tell them in your own way," he replied.
"I will. They might not understand at first, especially my grandfather, but I'm sure Mama will like you," Kagome told him.
"Why?"
"Because I love you."
He pulled her close, tucking her into his chest. "I could live a thousand centuries and never tire of hearing those words from your lips."
Kagome curled her fingers into the fabric of his kimono. "You love me too, right?"
Sesshomaru's arm tightened around her. "Love is...a difficult concept for me to embrace. I was convinced it did not exist or, if it did, it was nothing more than a weakness to exploit. My perception was muddled from my parents' separation and my time spent in court."
"Was?" she prompted hopefully.
"Naming Rin my ward, bringing you here to live with me, and training the kit have shown me I was wrong. I have begun to realize the emotion I once discredited is real. And...," he trailed off to kiss the crown of her head. "...if what I feel for you can be categorized by one simple word, then yes, I suppose it would be love."
Kagome fell asleep with a smile on her face.
"We will return in two days' time," Sesshomaru instructed his attendants. "If my mother requests an audience with any of us, please inform her that we are indisposed. She does not need to know our whereabouts."
"Of course," Akio replied.
The others nodded in confirmation.
"Until I return," he said, inclining his head.
"Safe travels to you, my lord," Ena offered.
"Thank you."
He strolled out of the palace. Across the courtyard, Kagome was already by the stables with the children petting A-Un. She had Rin in one arm and was patting the dragon's side with her free hand. The kit was beside her, his mouth constantly moving.
Sesshomaru watched them— his future mate and their pack. He had succeeded in his efforts to make them comfortable at the Western Palace. He intended to succeed in today's endeavor as well.
Asking for permission had never come up in his etiquette classes. His mother had raised him to take what he wanted, merely because of his name, title, and strength.
Sesshomaru had labored under her poor advice for centuries. Seizing opportunities did not always grant positive results. Stealing objects did not automatically grant him ownership of them. His ruthless reputation had been built on a lack of compassion and total disregard for others— demon, human, or hanyou. Touga would have been appalled.
His personal feelings aside, Sesshomaru had to admit his father had been a great leader. Those who knew him during his life spoke highly of him. Even those who had only met him once held respect for the Great Dog General. Touga was revered.
Had Arisu voiced her feelings, perhaps he would have stayed by her side. Knowing the truth would have not changed Touga's feelings. Despite being her mate, Sesshomaru was uncertain if Touga would have remained. Even if he had, it would have probably been out of obligation instead of love. If Sesshomaru had been placed in the same situation— a loveless marriage orchestrated by the court —and then met Kagome, Sesshomaru suspected he would have made the same choice.
Kagome had asked him if he loved her. Answering had not been simple. What Sesshomaru felt when he looked at her— the way his inner beast growled possessively, or the rush of blood in his veins, or the urge to reach out and touch her— it was all-consuming. He was in a constant state of need as if he was drowning and she was air.
Was that love?
Sesshomaru could not be sure. The four-letter word sounded so insignificant next to the overwhelming sensations she sparked within him. He decided if his feelings could be summarized into one word it would be love, if only because he knew of no other way to articulate it.
He would explain how he felt to Kagome's family. Tradition dictated that Sesshomaru ask permission from the Higurashi patriarch. Since Kagome's father— like his — was deceased, Sesshomaru planned on speaking with her mother. Hopefully, she would be amenable to his request.
Kagome had assured him that her mother was more understanding than his own. Yet, as the time came to depart, Sesshomaru grew increasingly concerned.
Family was a cornerstone in Kagome's life. Her childhood had been nothing like his. Where she had experienced nurturing support, Sesshomaru had been handled by highly-sought-after tutors and trainers. His education had been centered around securing and maintaining power while Kagome was free to take a path of her choosing.
They had grown up in different times with different beliefs but they remained the same where it counted most. Kagome's fierce loyalty was matched only by his own. Her determination and perseverance were exceptional. She did not allow her designation as a human to stop her from trying just as Sesshomaru did not allow his missing arm to deter him from his objectives.
Different but the same, Sesshomaru mused as he watched her laugh.
A-Un was nuzzling her shoulders, one head on either side. Rin was trying to catch one of their faces in her hands and Shippo was attempting to climb up onto the saddle by himself.
"Troublemakers, all of you," he remarked, coming to stand aside Kagome.
"That's why we need you— to keep us in line," she teased.
"Indeed." Sesshomaru bent over to rub his nose against Rin's. The infant giggled and cooed happily, reaching for him.
Kagome placed the baby in the crook of his arm. Sesshomaru took the opportunity to lean in for a chaste kiss. Her cheeks turned an alluring shade of pink. He shifted closer but she turned away, rushing over to help Shippo mount A-Un.
Sesshomaru smirked. Soon. He just needed to be patient a little while longer.
"Are we going to see Kaede too?" the kit asked.
"Maybe, if we have time," Kagome told him.
Sesshomaru rose off the ground, signaling the dragon to follow. A-Un remained on the ground until Kagome had her hands on the reins.
She shot Sesshomaru a look.
It appeared he was not the only one Kagome had under her command.
They climbed over the castle walls and into the open air, Sesshomaru slightly ahead of A-Un. He kept Rin tucked into his chest, partially wrapped in the sleeve of his kimono so she did not catch a chill from the wind.
His golden eyes scanned the ground below for potential threats. If they were attacked, Sesshomaru would protect his pack first. Any assailant foolish enough to engage him would feel the sting of his claws. His snarling face and crimson glare would be the last thing they saw.
The forest appeared vacant except for the regular residents— a herd of deer, several birds, and a pair of squirrels arguing over a lone acorn. There was no scent of demons, humans, or hanyous nearby.
Sesshomaru turned his gaze to the horizon.
The sky was turning from pinkish, purple to a brilliant orange. The color stretched across his vision like tea leaves steeping in hot water. It gradually extended from one shade to another until the darker colors faded away completely. Orange transitioned to yellow and then to an almost greenish tint before giving way to the brightness of cloudless, blue skies.
It was the perfect weather for flight, making their journey swift. He wondered if it would remain consistent across the well.
Kagome had mentioned several inconsistencies between her life beyond the portal and her life in his time. Sesshomaru was curious to explore the city she had described. He had never considered humans particularly inventive but based on her stories, they had grown beyond their ignorance.
"There it is!" Shippo cried.
Sesshomaru glanced over his shoulder to see Kagome holding onto the reins with one hand, while the other was holding onto the kit's vest. She was the only thing keeping him from falling off A-Un.
He caught her attention. She rolled her eyes heavenward, exasperated by the kit's zeal.
By comparison, Rin was a much calmer travel companion. Once they were in the air, his ward had fallen asleep. She was content being held. The slight sway of his body with the breeze had lulled her to sleep effortlessly.
Sesshomaru hoped her nap would ensure she was in a good mood when Kagome's family received them. He did not wish to have a squalling infant in his arm for his first impression.
Kagome had warned him about her grandfather. Sesshomaru doubted there was anything he could do to persuade the family elder of his intentions. He would have to prove himself to her mother and brother, hoping it was enough to compensate for the grandfather's disapproval.
Carefully, Sesshomaru descended into the forest clearing. A-Un landed beside him. The two-headed dragon laid on the ground to allow Kagome and Shippo to dismount.
The kit wasted no time in running to the well, hopping up on the ledge to peer into its depths.
"Wait, Shippo! I have to give Sesshomaru and Rin their necklaces," Kagome called over.
"Okay," he replied, green eyes still staring down.
"Here," Kagome said as she approached Sesshomaru.
Gently, she situated one of the beaded strands over his ward's head. Rin did not rouse.
"I'll take it off once we arrive. I don't want her to get tangled up," Kagome explained.
"Nor do I," Sesshomaru returned.
"This one's yours," she told him. Sesshomaru knelt, allowing her to reach up and drape the necklace on him. "There. Perfect."
He straightened up, glancing at the accessory. It was a basic construction. The necklace was nothing like the refined material of his boots or the skillfully dyed silk of his kimono.
Yet, Sesshomaru cherished the necklace over them all. It was not merely a gift bestowed by his future mate but a symbol of her trust. She was granting him access to her home, inviting him into her world. The necklace was not just a string of beads. It was proof that he was loved.
Not for the first time since choosing Kagome, Sesshomaru wished he had both of his arms. He wanted to pinch the round wooden beads between his fingers, yearned to feel the fleeting warmth of her hands and her power. There was a part of her imbued within the small, unsuspecting object— a part she had given to him. Sesshomaru vowed to hold onto it for eternity.
"Ready?" Kagome asked, staring up at him.
He nodded.
Kagome joined the kit at the well. She adjusted the straps of her large, yellow backpack before climbing up over the side and dropping herself through.
Shippo glanced at Sesshomaru.
The demon lord approached the well, eyeing the drop. It was several meters, hardly a danger to either him or the kitsune if the necklaces did not work.
Sesshomaru did not doubt Kagome's abilities. Her reiki was beyond any spiritual power he had seen before. If he was skeptical of anything, it was the fact that the necklaces had been supplied by the one-eyed miko— the same woman whose sister wanted Kagome dead. Kagome may have placed her trust in Kaede but Sesshomaru was reserving judgment.
"Shall we go together?" he offered Shippo.
The kit nodded, his jaw set with determination.
Sesshomaru floated over the opening, keeping Rin close to his chest. Shippo jumped onto his other side.
Together, the three descended.
There was a flash of deep pink light, then darkness surrounded them. Sesshomaru glanced around. He could not scent anything other than himself, Rin, and Shippo. It was as if nothing else existed in this realm between worlds.
Specks of light began to appear, spotting the endless black with white. Like fireflies in the summer evening, they cast a dim light around them. Sesshomaru turned to Shippo who was staring up at him expectantly.
He did not utter a word. This portal was unlike the one which hid his father's burial grounds. Despite being the resting place of thousands of demon bones, it was not tainted by death and decay. There was a freshness to the air as if no other had ever passed through, which Sesshomaru knew was a lie. His brother had gone through the well before.
Had Inuyasha seen the same stars?
Slowly, the specks of light faded and the darkness lessened. Sesshomaru's boots hit the ground. The interior of the well appeared the same as before.
Had it worked? Were they still in Edo or had they been allowed to pass?
Curious, he glanced up.
Kagome was standing above, smiling down the well shaft at them. "Took you long enough."
Sesshomaru smirked, relaxing slightly as he realized the necklaces had worked.
"Did we make it? Are we here?" Shippo asked, hopping up to join her.
Sesshomaru leaped out of the well and landed next to his future mate.
Kagome beckoned them to follow her. "Why don't you come outside and find out?"