Disclaimer: I deny any rights to the characters/story of Inuyasha, or to the pirates of the Caribbean. Happy now? You have destroyed my dream…

Notes and stuff: Anyway…this be the promised last chapter, peoples, so enjoy. I'm not doing an epilogue or anything like that, that I'm aware of at the moment. I've been working on another Inu story(SessxKag), but it won't be on for a while. If you really, really can't wait, the first few chapters are on my personal website, along with a whole bunch of other writing, bits of my art portfolio,(link to the site is on my profile page) and…yeah. Can anybody tell I'm using this time to advertise shamelessly? Lol :P Of course, my site updates are a random act of webmistress. Warning for that…

Chapter 26: From The Well

Jaken stared at the well, still not willing to give up. Rin still asked him if Sesshoumaru was going to be there today, but he'd given up answering her. He didn't know. She was a little miffed when he wouldn't answer, but he couldn't stand telling her the truth. Apparently he had a soft spot for her after all, declarations to the contrary.

No. He wasn't there. And, he was starting to wonder, might never be there. But Rin didn't need to know that. She was young and didn't really need to understand death, despite the fact she had already died at one point.

He was so lost in his circle of self-apologetic thoughts that he hardly noticed when Rin and Shippo, a constant companion by now, crept up behind him with armloads of flowers, and tipped them over his head, burying him.

Rin frowned as Jaken just sat there. He wasn't even making those funny noises, like he usually did. She and Shippo went over to the other side of the well to confer. Shippo's ears drooped a bit at the points.

"Do you think he's worried?"

Rin blinked and thought about that for a bit. "I don't know. Sesshoumaru's been gone so long…I don't know why. He always comes back…"

Shippo looked down. He was just as worried about Kagome and Inuyasha. The well had even swallowed Sango and Miroku, leaving him along with Kirara. He hated being alone…he was able to forget about it sometimes when he and Rin were plotting to do something to Jaken, but at night he lay awake and worried that they might not come back, just like poppa had not come back…

"I'm sure they'll be back soon Rin. Maybe today they will be!" He smiled, and pulled out his spinning top. "Maybe if we did this…" He laid out another plan to rouse Jaken for his seat.

Rin smiled, but her eyes were not quite convinced. It had been such a long time…


Mrs. Higurashi glanced across the courtyard, to where Souta and her father had disappeared into the well house. Kagome had promised to be back nearly a month ago…more than a month ago…

Usually, Kagome never promised when she'd be back, since she never knew. But there had been the odd time she'd promised to come back at a certain time. She had come for Souta's birthday, and for the family get together last April. She'd taken to promising to be gone for only a few days, or a week at a time, now that Naraku had gone. She didn't know who Naraku was, but she did know that her daughter had missed the day she'd said she would be home.

Mrs. Higurashi had waited, hoping that it was only a mistake, that she'd been delayed for a while, for a day. She'd been able to believe that then, though by now it was much harder to hold onto that hope. A whole month and a half, missing? She was frightened.

She knew, in a way, what the past was like. She simply could not bring herself to look much closer than she already had, knowing that if she did, she would never be able to let Kagome go there again. She'd always known, always feared, what might happen. How could she not? Inuyasha carried a sword, and she'd learned about the violence of the feudal era in school. She could guess enough.

What if Inuyasha had failed? What if he hadn't managed to protect her, or they had both died? What if? What if…those might-have-been's kept her awake at night.

She said nothing to Souta or her father, simply watched them chanting over the well, grandpa's thin, reedy voice ringing out easily, while Souta's sounded doubtful.

She wished them luck. She knew they were coping in there own way, and she wished them al the success in the world. It was all she could think to do, other than wait.

She couldn't bring herself to attempt the passage, to look. It might not work. She might not get back.

She might find something worse than silence.


Souta stared into the depths of the well, nowhere near as convinced as Grandpa that their nonsense chant would work. He'd been conned into helping Grandpa out before now, and when his ideas actually worked, it was more luck than skill.

Where was Kagome? He missed her, and Inuyasha. He was lonely with no sister to bug…

Souta sighed, and went back to chanting tonelessly. He hung his head, tired after last nights mad study session. Who knew? This might even work…

Maybe.

Souta didn't really notice as the well began to grow purple, mistiness parting to admit a vague, many limbed shape revolving in its center, getting larger by the second, until…

Thump.

"Ow, get off! That was my ear, you moron!"

"Miroku!" Smack!

"But Sango…"

"This is not where I want to be."

"Hey, it's my house!" Kagome finally managed to see where she was, after struggling to get by what she thought was Miroku's sleeve. Or maybe it was Inuyasha…

Souta and Grandpa stared at the sounds of scuffling and arguing beneath them. Souta squeaked, and jumped back as something white flew out of the well, landing inside the well house.

Souta stared at the pale apparition, wondered if the youkai eyeing him suspiciously was related to Inuyasha…he looked a bit like him. Same hair, at any rate…

Grandpa just stared, and let his hands inch towards the stack of ofuda's beside him. "Kagome! There's a youkai in here!"

Kagome's head finally emerged from the well after a few more curses and 'ouch, you moron!' Souta grinned, absolutely delighted. She was alive! He felt like giving her a hug, just relived to see her again.. "Kagome! You came back!"

"Kagome! Watch out for the youkai!" Grandpa waved his ofuda at Sesshoumaru, and glared. "Get away from my granddaughter!"

Inuyasha snickered. Sesshoumaru did not look pleased. Sango and Miroku finally caught up to him, and watched curiously form the side of the well. "Where are we?"

"That means you too!" Grandpa pointed an arthritic finger at Inuyasha. "Leave her alone!"

Kagome sighed. "Grandpa…I asked you not to bother Inuyasha before, and I doubt Sesshoumaru likes it any better."

Sesshoumaru resisted an urge to cross his arms (it made him look rather foolish since the loss of a limb…) and glared. He wasn't back with Rin and Jaken, though the familiarity of these two humans had led him to believe Kagome, at least, was known here and presumably had an idea of where they were in space and time.

"What is this?" He scanned the inside of the well house that had mysteriously appeared. "And where, exactly, have you dumped us this time?" He looked at the well distastefully. He could grow to hate that thing…

Kagome laughed. "I'm home, of course. Grandpa, this is Sango, and Miroku. And that grumpy looking fellow is Sesshoumaru. Everyone, this is my little brother Souta." Kagome grinned and gave him a hug. "I missed you so much! Where's mom?"

Sango smiled, finally seeing Kagome's little brother for the first time. She'd heard about him more than once, and it was nice to be able to put a name to a face. He was younger than Kohoku, but she was still reminded of her own little brother. Her missing little brother…

She hoped that they could get home still, since the well had brought them here instead of where she wanted so much to be. Kirara…Shippo. They were waiting. Kohoku was waiting, somewhere. She just had to find him.

Kagome straightened up "Where's mom? I must have had her worried sick…let's go check the house." She took off at a trot, with the ragtag band of one miffed youkai, one happy hanyou and various humans following along behind.

"Mom? Mom!" She couldn't see her outside, so she must have gone in…Kagome opened the door to her hours, welcoming her friends inside. Sango and Miroku had never been here before, and watched everything with amazement. Inuyasha grinned and pointed out what some of the things were proudly, even when he got the functions and names slightly mixed up.

Kagome smiled, and didn't bother correcting him. Sango and Miroku looked like they were blown away…Inuyasha had never bothered to be amazed with her world. The only time he'd been that interested was when Souta showed him the TV. Sesshoumaru…well, she never could tell what he was thinking, or if he was even paying attention to Inuyasha's rambling explanation.

As a matter of fact, he was listening, and he was somewhat surprised. He hadn't know Kagome came from a different time originally…it certainly explained a lot of the loose ends that were lying around. Her odd clothing, the particular turns of phrase only she used, the education and the textbooks…

There was one problem though .He was now even further from where he wanted to be. While the TV was fascinating, it was somewhat irrelevant to the problem of time travel.

He hated that well. It never did what you wanted it to. If Sesshoumaru had known what Microsoft Windows was, he'd have been comparing it to the evil operating system with relish.

Finally Kagome caught sight of a slender woman, and started shouting, running up to meet her. He watched, somewhat interested as they talked excitedly, watching how the woman couldn't seem to let go of Kagome's arm. This must be her mother…she looked a bit like her.

"Kagome, you came back! You're fine! Oh, we missed you…" The older woman wiped at her eyes and smiled brilliantly, the same smile that Kagome had.

Sesshoumaru nearly rolled his eyes as the woman gave Kagome another hug. She didn't look like she wanted to let go of her again…

"You didn't come back, and we were…I was so worried about you! Don't ever do that again!" Kagome was engulfed in another hug "What happened to you? Something must have…"

"I think I want to know that too…and why are you so tanned?" Souta frowned at his sister, just noticing this fact. Even going outside every day, she shouldn't be that brown…Japan wasn't really known for its tanning beaches. That was Fiji or Hawaii…

"Ah….that's rather a long story, actually…and the main reason I didn't come back when I was supposed to either. You see, the well dumped us in the Caribbean…"

"The Caribbean! Oh wow! Did you scare the tourists?"

"No, but we did manage to go sailing on a pirate ship…and we found the last piece of the Shikon Mom! See!"

Mrs. Higurashi had the finished Shikon waved in her face, Kagome babbling excitedly about how they'd found it, they'd met a bunch of cursed pirates, and they had even brought some pieces of eight back! (these last were put on the table, where Souta stared wide eyed at them and the few remaining pieces of jewelry and gems not been used to pay for passage)

"Wow Kagome! You're rich! We're rich!" Souta crowed in delight and waved the coins around, excited as hell to have gold and his sister given back in one day. "Pirate gold!"

"But how did you…?" Kagome's mother wasn't as interested in the coins as Souta. She wanted to know what had happened, every last detail…

Sesshoumaru glared pointedly. "This reunion is all very nice, but might I point out that we are not where we are supposed to be?" He tugged at his necklace even more pointedly, with a slightly pained expression. "And I fail to see why this is still here…"

Kagome glared at him. She had half a mind to down him…she hadn't seen her family in well over a month, and all he could think about…but then she sighed, remembering the little girl that had been with him before, Rin, was that her name? He must be worried about her…or about the toad…goodness knew why he was worried about Jaken though…

"I guess we can try again. But the necklace stays on, Sesshoumaru. If nothing else, you might be civil to your brother…"

She was not going to let go of the only insurance she had. And there was the slight probability he'd attack Inuyasha less. He wouldn't stand much of a chance if they picked a fight and she just downed him, would he? She wouldn't let Inuyasha torment him while he was down, but she wasn't going to stand by and let him go after Inuyasha either.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes angrily. Like hell she was going to leave this thing on him! He opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off.

"You wouldn't make me say certain words, would you? Besides, I'm not even around you most of the time."

Sesshoumaru sourly decided that he would remain somewhat unsatisfied but still standing upright. He didn't need to end up getting to know the floor better. It was true that he could stay away from her…which would mean holding off on facing Inuyasha over Sesshoumaru's rightful property for a while…damn wench…damn Inuyasha…damn necklace…damn wench for getting the best of him…

Kagome looked back at Sango and Miroku, who'd been kidnapped by her brother. He was halfway though showing them his newest game on the 'X-box', talking excitedly. Poor Sango looked confused, and Miroku looked even worse.

"Do you want to wait for a while, or go back sooner?"

"But Kagome…you haven't even been here ten minutes…" Souta clicked off the TV, and wandered over. "I want to show you some biology stuff…I can't figure it out…"

"I'll be back in a bit Souta. I promise. I just have to get back to my other home, and take the rest of these people back with me…"

She nodded in Sesshoumaru's direction and rolled her eyes a little. "They're probably just as worried as mom was here. I've never been away that long, and neither has anyone else."

Mrs. Higurashi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She didn't really want to let go of her daughter this quickly, not even when she knew how worried the other side of the well must be. She'd only just met her two friends, a friendly woman and a nice young man in monks robes.

Reluctantly, she let go of Kagome's shoulders. "If you go, you promise me you'll come right back, alright? I'll make curry for dinner…" She glanced around the room. "You're sure I can't persuade any of you to stay for curry?" If one of them would stay, then Kagome might too…

Miroku looked mildly interested at the mention of food, but Inuyasha tried very hard to keep his face from breaking out into a horrified expression. Well did he remember Mrs. Higurashi's burning, spicy curry…it had permanently scarred his tongue, he was sure of it...

Sesshoumaru didn't really care what the woman was offering. She could promise the worlds finest delicacies for all he cared and he still wouldn't be interested. Getting home was more important. The whole scheme was to keep Kagome here with her mother. He wasn't going to fall for it.

Kagome must have caught on as well, because she smiled, and told her mother that she'd be back in ten minutes to help her cook.

"I'll be fine. No more tips on pirate ships, and no more Caribbean adventures Mom! I've only been doing this for years by now. But I really do have to get my friends back home. Think how worried everyone there must be over us."

That did it. Mrs. Higurashi wasn't going to be responsible for keeping her daughter away from other loved ones, or causing anyone more heartache. Her own was far too fresh. "Well…just come back soon, please. Or I'll come after you and haul you back by your ears!"

Inuyasha winced, and half-reached to cover his own furry digits. He did not like that idea one bit…but he did not doubt that Mrs. Higurashi would do it. She was that kind of person. She was always very warm on the outside, but if you ever poked the dragon in the eye…well, so much for you.

Kagome laughed "Of course. There's no way I wouldn't come back. Even if I did get stuck in the Caribbean with Jack again…I'd just ride back here."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. Jack might not want to sail all the way back here again. "Come on!"

He pulled Kagome along behind him, gruffly muttering about time wasters. Kagome laughed, and kept up with him. She wanted to go back to the feudal era nearly as much as her friends did.

"Sango, Miroku, hurry up! Same to you, Fuzzy!" Inuyasha yelled over his shoulder.

Sesshoumaru's eyebrows twitched in annoyance. He did not like being called Fluffy, but Fuzzles, Fuzzy, the giant puff ball and some of the other things Inuyasha had thought up were truly revolting…if only he didn't have this necklace on…then Inuyasha would be in deep trouble…

They all paused just inside the well house, and Kagome gave her mom one last hug goodbye. "I'll be back soon! Promise!"

"You'd better be. And bring your friends too, sometime. I've never met them before, and I'm sure they would love to come to dinner one night, wouldn't you?"

"Ah…of course." Miroku smiled. Mrs. Higurashi was a lovely lady, and one never passed up an invitation to be served a free meal by said lovely lady any day. Even if she was Kagome's mother, and therefore far too old for him.

Sango looked at Miroku with a suspicious eye, before smiling., "We would love to." What was Miroku thinking of right now? She could guess…

Grandpa sighed and waved, and Souta bounced up and down. "Come back soon sis!"

"Don't worry! I will! Now…hands. And I hope this works better…"

The group reassembled, this time with Inuyasha on the front and Kagome bringing up the rear. Inuyasha jumped up on the rim of the old well, and jumped down. Sango, Miroku, Sesshoumaru and finally Kagome followed him down.

Starts and streaks of light wavered around them before the long time of time travelers slowly floated down to the bottom, and tumbled together in an untidy heap.

"Ouch, damnit Miroku, stop poking me in the eye!"

"Miroku!" Sango tried to slap at the offending hand, and belted Sesshoumaru across the nose. "Oh…woops…sorry"

Sesshoumaru said nothing, but his entire stiff outline was loud with 'no comment'.

Inuyasha managed to stand up, and looked up at the rim of the well. "Kagome? You alright?"

"Yes…" Kagome looked up at as well, at the black hoop filled with sky. A familiar voice echoed down excitedly, followed by a very familiar pair of green eyes. "Shippo!"

"Kagome!" Shippo shouted, and grinned. He started bouncing in the lip of the well. "Kagome's home, Kagome's home!" He overbalanced, and fell off the edge backwards, landing on Jaken a muffled whump.

"Ouch! Fox brat!" Jaken's voice joined the confused jumble of sound, and Sesshoumaru smiled faintly. Where Jaken was, Rin would not be far behind…

As if his thoughts had called her, Rin climbed up on the edge of the well, waving hr arms in delight "Sesshoumaru! I knew you would come back!" She grinned, and jumped down the well shaft without a second thought.

Miroku winced as something small and bony landed on his back and ran over his shoulder in an effort to reach the white haired lord who'd straightened up behind him.

"Rin. I did say I was coming back." Hadn't she believed him? Granted, it was a long time…He'd been worried himself, sometimes…

Inuyasha picked up Kagome, and jumped out of the well, where Kagome was immediately assaulted by a small, reddish blur. Sango and Miroku started to climb out once they'd gone. There was room enough to move finally.

Sango looked down, and grinned as she caught sight of Sesshoumaru patiently explaining to Rin that he hadn't meant to stay away that long, it had just happened that way.

"Will Sesshoumaru stay away that long again?" Rin seemed afraid to let the lord out of her sight.

"No."

"Will Jaken and I come with Sesshoumaru next time he goes someplace?"

"Yes, Rin."

"I have flowers for you, Sesshoumaru! I picked them this morning!" Rin held out a fistful of miscellaneous plants, each blooming wildly and trailing a few stray roots.

"They're lovely, Rin."

"Jaken doesn't like flowers. He didn't like the pretty pink crown Shippo and I made for him."

"Really."

"Yes! Shippo and I had fun…can we come and visit him sometime? He always has the best ideas to play with Jaken!"

"Yes, Rin." He was sure the kitsune child had lots of ideas. And he was equally as sure that Jaken would like none of them. Sesshoumaru was tempted to smile. He would have to see some of those idea's in action, one day. Watching Jaken and Rin 'play' had become one of his main sources of entertainment…

He stood up, and measured the distance he'd have to jump up out of the well. He was glad to be home...he'd missed seeing Rin and Jaken argue…

"Come here, Rin. You shouldn't stay at the bottom of the well."

Obediently, Rin walked over and held on tight as he got them both out of the well. She waved at Shippo as they landed, and he grinned back from his circle of friends.

"Hi Rin! They all came back! And Inuyasha already hit me..." He winced as he rubbed the bump on his head. He made a note to remember that pouncing on Inuyasha and talking really fast annoyed him no end. He'd have to try that again sometime…

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken waddled over, disbelief in his eyes. "You came back.

"Yes. We're leaving soon. Rin, say goodbye."

Rin grinned and bounced over to Shippo. "Bye! We're leaving now…but Sesshoumaru said we could visit soon, so don't worry!"

Shippo let go of Kagome and walked over. "Aww…but we were going to put…"He caught sight of Jaken's glare, and grinned innocently "We have to do that next time!"

Rin grinned. "Yes. I will practice catching butterflies for then!"

Jaken shivered. The evil butterflies…

Inuyasha crossed his arms. "So you're leaving already?"

"Yes." His decision had nothing to do with the fact that he found thrashing Inuyasha very tempting right now…he didn't want to get Rin in the middle of that though. And Kagome had point blank refused to take off his thrice cursed rosary…

Kagome grinned. "You'll have to come back, and bring Rin with you! Shippo said he had a really good time while she was here." Kagome decided not to mention the things Shippo and Rin had plotted against Jaken during that time period. "I'm sure she'd like to, wouldn't you Rin?"

"Yes! I want to see Shippo again!" The little girl grinned widely and waved a fistful of flowers. "Bye!"

Sesshoumaru started to walk away, Rin skipping along behind him and Jaken bring up the rear, shooting one last, fearful glance at Shippo.

Shippo waved till they were out of sight, then turned back to eagerly asking questions about where they'd gone.

"Why did you stay away so long? Did you bring anything back? What was the Caribbean like? Can I go there someday? Can I try to go to Kagome's time too? I tried once, but the well wouldn't work…"

Kagome laughed and hoisted him into her arms. "I'm going back for dinner right away Shippo…why don't you try to come with me? I'm sure mom would love to have you for curry…"

Inuyasha shivered. "No, don't! That curry tastes awful...it burns your mouth out…"

Kagome glared at him. "Inuyasha…it's terribly rude to say that.

"But it is! She pours fire on that stuff, I swear!"

Miroku shook his head slightly. Inuyasha never learned. "Inuyasha, you never insult a woman's cooking. I'm sure Mrs. Higurashi meant well, and I'm equally sure it tastes excellent. I'd go myself, if I didn't want to go back to Kaede's village and assure her we're alright."

Sango nodded. "Kirara…we have to find her. I'm sure she was worried sick…"

"She was! I was worried you'd never come back…" Shippo's face fell, and he frowned slightly. " I don't want to be alone again…"

"And you won't be. You can come back with me to dinner! Mom'll just love you, I'm sure! She loves little kids…and she is a good cook!"

Inuyasha laughed "She cooks with fire sauce! Don't eat it Shippo, or you'll be sorry!"

"Inuyasha?"

His ears drooped. Damnit, he was sure he knew what was coming next…maybe he'd gone a little far….but she didn't need to sit him…

"Sii…"

He flinched.

Kagome giggled. "I don't even have to say it now and you wince…"

"I did not! I was bracing for the impact!

"Right." Kagome rolled her eyes, and Sango grinned. Miroku looked upwards. Inuyasha never seemed to learn….

"Was too!"

"You were not, Inuyasha!" Shippo stuck out his tongue "You wereso flinching!"

"You brat…" Clunk!

"Ow! Kagome, he hit me again!"

"Inuyasha, sit."

Thump

"Wench!"


There. Fin. The end, whatever you want to call it. No epilogue either. Too tired…zzz

Phewf…not entirely satisfied with the way this chapter turned out. Maybe I'll rewrite it. When I rewrite the rest of this story, starting today. :P It needs it, especially in the begining.

Really sorry about the wait for these last two chapters. I was, as I said, on vacation, with no computer access. Then I got back a day before school started, where I was introduced to the horror known as calculus. (shivers violently) And then my internet service provider decided to be a pain in the rear and give spotty i.e NO service... I finished days ago, but since my connection was down…--

Bleh. Enough of my issues. Many many thanks, to everyone who read this! And especially to those who reviewed! I really appreciate the encouragement and nice/constructive notes you left, and I'm glad I was able to entertain you guys for a bit. I know there were a few days when I was 'I don't want to write…too tired…', or 'Ahhrrrg! Writers block!', but just knowing that a few people cared enough to drop a note was encouraging. Thank you!

(I actually finished a story! Wow…break out the pocky…XD. And now to start rewriting the entire thing...lol.)

- Draconic Ban-Sidhe