Note: so sorry people for the lateness, but I'm no longer a few chapters ahead. I've spent my whole after noon writing this chapter. My brother wanted it after supper and stayed on it till 10. So I've spent from then till now, midnight, to finish writing this chapter and the responses that are at the bottom. This is my longest chapter yet. I hope this ties ya down till I can write a few extra chapters and get a head of you people again. I know it's late, but a lot has been happening, stupid boyfriend hasn't called me in 2 weeks, I think it's safe to assume I've been dumped without notice. Very rude if you ask me and cowardly. Any who, I'm sure you will enjoy this one. Lots of questions answered.
Chapter twenty-two- Explanations
Inuyasha's face went stunned. She was seeing Sesshoumaru? How? When? Where?....why? What was even more confusing was Sesshoumaru seeing a human. Inuyasha stared at Kagome for a minute, totally serious "what happened while you were gone?"
Kagome blinked, not really sure how to explain everything that had happened. She sat down on the ground and watched him sit next to her "uum…well" she started, stalling till something came to her head "I saw you in the forest with Kikyo…kissing. I couldn't take seeing you two together anymore, so I was going to go back home, but by the time I got to the well I realized I didn't want to go home yet either, since I always do when something is troubling me here" she quickly looked to see Inuyasha's expression. His face didn't look happy, or angry or sad just focused on listening to her explanation, so she continued "I decided I would spend a night or two in the woods, close enough to if anything happened I just had to scream for help"
"How did you end up hanging around Sesshoumaru?" he asked.
Kagome smiled "believe it or not I bumped into him…literally. I saw Rin was sick and offered to care for her if he'd give me a place to stay, he agreed to it and so I went to stay with him for awhile"
Inuyasha gave a nod; curious to why his brother would agree to such a thing, but something else bugged him more "so how did you end up at the youkai ball?"
She frowned and shrugged "Sesshoumaru told me that some how the northern lord learned of Rin and me and wanted to meet us"
"I see" he replied "so I understand how you ended up hanging around my brother, but that doesn't explain why or how he was able to enter the well"
"I know; I'm a little curious myself" she said truthfully.
Inuyasha sighed as he looked at the ground "why did you let him go with you Kagome? He might have tried to hurt you or worse…kill you"
Kagome smiled and placed a hand on his knee "he wouldn't hurt me Inuyasha, during our time spent together we've grown…close"
The hanyou raised an eye brow as he looked at her "what do you mean by close?"
"I'm seeing him" she replied flatly. There was no soft way to put it, so she got ready for the yelling to commence.
"NANI?!" he yelled as he jumped off the ground to stare down at her "how the hell did that happen?...when the hell did that happen?"
"It happened after you had injured him" she replied, starting to stand up "he confessed he found me very interesting and that he would like to start seeing me and I kind of agreed"
Inuyasha raised an eye brow "kind of agreed?"
She nodded "we're kind of trying it out since I'm not really sure of my true feelings towards him. I know I feel something for him, but I'm not sure yet"
The hanyou gave a small sigh "I see" there was a long silence between them before he spoke again "Kagome…I'm sorry"
Kagome looked at him "sorry for what?"
He looked at her "for the way I treated you, how I'd always run off after Kikyo and left you even after you promised you'd never leave me. Unfortunately it seems I realized a little too late that the best I can do for Kikyo is destroy Naraku and hopefully let her soul be at peace"
Kagome gave him a soft smile "Inuyasha" she walked up to him and gave him a hug "I did have feelings for you, I really did, but one can only wait so long before they move on"
Inuyasha quickly hugged her back "I understand, and you waited 2 years…longer than most people would have waited"
Kagome buried her head in his chest "I just hope Naraku will be defeated and we find the rest of the shikon shards soon"
"Naraku already has a majority of it" he reminded her "and we haven't heard any rumors for a long time. Kohaku still has a shard in his back and Koga still has the 2 in his legs…I think the shikon no tama is almost complete"
Slowly the pulled apart and looked at each other and smiled. Finally the air around them was clear and there was no fog of misunderstandings and hidden feelings. Kagome smiled "it's hard to believe the journey is coming to an end"
Inuyasha nodded "yeah, and so much has happened since the jewel first broke"
Kagome nodded before staring at him "come on, I'm sure the others are wondering what's keeping us"
Together they started walking back before Kagome told Inuyasha to go on ahead because she had to meet up with Sesshoumaru at the god tree. After watching the hanyou leave she headed to the tree where she saw the taiyoukai resting against it, watching the children chase each other.
Kagome smiled as she walked up to him "hello"
Sesshoumaru turned and looked at her "I assume you've gotten everything sorted out with him"
She nodded "yes, though he was shocked when I told him that I was seeing you"
"I can understand why" he replied and went back to watching the children. He hadn't expected his brother to take the news so well. The taiyoukai had thought his brother would be trying to attack him already for stealing his girl, but then again, he did have the dead one "are you ready to leave?"
"I need to speak with Kaede for a moment then I should be ready" she replied.
Sesshoumaru nodded, not taking his eyes off the children "go then, I will wait here"
Kagome looked at Rin and Shippo chasing each other before nodding and walking to the village where she found Kaede in her hut "Kaede?"
The old woman looked up from some medication she was making "ah, Kagome, how are you child?"
"I'm fine" she answered then hesitated a moment "uum, Kaede?"
"Yes?" Kaede watched as the girl shifted her feet. She was nervous about something that much was for sure "what is it you want to ask?"
"Well" Kagome began "Rin and Shippo and even Sesshoumaru were able to go into the well…and I was just wondering how that was possible? It never let Shippo before, why would it now?"
Kaede thought about it for a moment before answering "I believe the well maybe connected to your feelings"
"My feelings? What do you mean by that?"
"When you first met Inuyasha and were forced to partner up with him then got angry with him and went home, you secretly wished he'd come get you, did you not?"
Kagome blushed and slowly nodded "yeah"
"After he did come through you figured he maybe the only one you could" again Kagome nodded and Kaede continued "you never believed anyone else could go through, that it was just to be for you and him"
"Yes, but I don't understand what your getting at" Kagome was getting very confused, what was it that the old woman was getting at?
"When Sesshoumaru said he'd go with you to your world, what were you thinking as you both jumped in to the well?" asked Kaede.
"I was hoping it would let him through" she answered
"And with Rin and Shippo?"
"I was hoping it would let them through too"
"Because you wanted it, did you not?"
"I did" answered Kagome, starting to understand. It was because she wanted it that the well let them pass through. They didn't need a jewel shard to pass through just like Inuyasha didn't need one because she wanted them to be able to go through. She smiled "I think I understand now Kaede, thank you" she turned and started to walk out when a voice called her back.
"Kagome" Kaede watched as the girl stopped and looked back "I know that's not the real question you wanted to ask"
Kagome froze. True she wanted to know about the well, but that wasn't the real reason why she needed to speak with Kaede. Staring at the old woman, she knew she couldn't escape and she sighed in defeat "no, that was only part of the reason"
Kaede took a seat on the floor and motioned for Kagome to do the same "come and tell me the real reason"
Kagome joined her on the floor. She waited a moment before she spoke "well Sesshoumaru and I are…are seeing each other now"
Kaede nodded "I figured something was up when Inuyasha told me that you were staying with Sesshoumaru at the north lord's castle and then willingly hopped into the well with him"
Kagome hesitated "yeah, uum, well, it's not a for sure thing. It's more like a trial; we're just getting to know each other and all that"
Closing her eye before looking back at the young girl she tried to figure out what was going on "you are not happy with him?"
Kagome blinked and quickly raised her hands "no, no, it's not like that, I'm very happy with him. Sesshoumaru is very kind to me and he seems to enjoy Rin and Shippo even if he doesn't really show it, but…" she trailed off.
"You cannot help, but think he may hurt you like Inuyasha did" the old woman finished. Kagome nodded and Kaede looked at her "Kagome, I know Inuyasha hurt you, but I believe that Sesshoumaru would not"
Kagome frowned "how can you be so sure?"
"The two may share the same blood, but they are both very different. Sesshoumaru is too dignified to lower himself to do such things" Kaede looked at the girl for a moment "your in love with him, aren't you?"
She sighed and stared at the floor "I'm not sure, I think I am, but I remember what happened the last time I fell in love with someone…I just don't want to go through that again"
Slowly Kaede stood up "Sesshoumaru understands what you went through, after all he was there to witness it when fighting his brother, and he would not lower himself to do the same things his brother has done. I believe he cares for you Kagome a great deal"
Kagome stood up and forced a smile "thank you Kaede" and walked out of the hut. She still wasn't totally sure what to do about the whole situation yet, but hoped she could figure it out. She was tired of not being able to choose 'do I love Sesshoumaru?' she wondered 'I think I do, but does he love me? Would he even tell me if he does?'
It was a good question. Sesshoumaru very seldom expressed his feelings both physically and verbally. If he did love her, would he tell her? She was sure he would have told her by now if he did, but then again maybe he was waiting for her to decide. They're relationship was suppose to be a trial, so Sesshoumaru could prove to her he would not follow his brother's mistakes. So far, he had done nothing to show he would hurt her like Inuyasha did. What about her family? Would they be okay with it if she did stay in this time? Could she spend her life with Sesshoumaru?
Kagome was so lost in though that she didn't even notice someone standing beside her until they said her name. She beside her to see Miroku "is there something you need Miroku?"
His face was serious "just a moment of your time" he then smiled, which put her more at ease "come, we must talk"
Kagome was a little curious about what he could want to talk about, but followed him along the stream that ran in the village. They stopped just a little bit out of the village, away from people who would try to listen in.
Miroku sat on the grass and Kagome did the same "so what is it you want to talk about?"
Miroku was silent a moment and the only sound that could be heard was the trickling water "I heard that you and Sesshoumaru are together"
She gasped "where did you hear that?"
He smirked "I was ease dropping while you were talking with Kaede, you seem lost"
She frowned and nodded "I am; I don't know what I should do"
Miroku gave a simple nod "I understand perfectly. I've been with this group for 2 years and I hope after Naraku is defeated that we are together for many more to come. I have seen your struggles with Inuyasha and trying to be strong, knowing he was still in love with Kikyo"
Kagome nodded, remembering those times, which suddenly felt like so long ago since meeting Sesshoumaru that one night when she saw Rin was sick.
"I remember the first time I saw Sesshoumaru" continued Miroku before Kagome could get dragged further into memory lane "he was arrogant and ruthless. He tried to kill as all, even you…but I've thought about it and while I know he would have had no hesitation in killing Inuyasha or myself; he always seemed to miss killing you"
Kagome looked at him "huh?"
"Did you ever notice?" he watched her shake her head "during that battle he released those bees to kill me, made no hesitation in killing Inuyasha, but when you shot your arrow at him and yes he did try to kill you with the tetsusaiga, but if you noticed instead of the blast going straight, it went from side to side, which took just a few seconds longer for the attack to reach you. Those were the few seconds Inuyasha needed to reach you"
"I never noticed that" she said thinking back. All of his attacks were straight and true other times, but not when he aimed at her. Did he do it on purpose?
Miroku stared at the water "I believe he's changed in many ways"
Kagome looked at the monk "what are you trying to say Miroku?"
He smiled and stood up "only that I believe he would do anything to protect you and he'd always be true to you and never mean to hurt you on purpose" he turned and started to walk away, but paused for a moment "he cares for you Kagome, don't miss a chance for happiness when it's being offered"
Kagome watched the monk walk away before staring at the stream as a fish swam by. What did he mean by that last statement? Yes, Sesshoumaru cared for her. She believed that, but what did he mean by her missing a chance for happiness when it's being offered?
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Sesshoumaru glanced up at the sky. It was getting late. If they didn't leave soon they would not make it back to his castle in time for supper, but there was still no sign of Kagome.
Shippo was in the middle of chasing Rin when he stopped and started sniffing around. Rin noticed and watched him for a minute "what is it Shippo?"
"I thought I heard something, but I don't smell anything" he replied.
Both children watched as the taiyoukai walked up to them, but kept his gaze to the bushes. After a few minutes, Shippo could smell something and it wasn't exactly a pleasant scent. Rin stood close to the demon lord in case it was anything bad, but after another minute or so they learned it wasn't.
Jaken popped out of the bushes, panting heavenly. He noticed Sesshoumaru standing and quickly composed himself "S-Sesshoumaru-sama! I've finally found you"
Sesshoumaru stared at the toad. He wasn't even aware that Jaken hadn't been around for awhile. Probably because so much was going on he reasoned. Well the little youkai was here now "Jaken, watch the children"
Jaken's mouth dropped. He had just arrived after searching everywhere for his lord, only to be left to baby-sit? The fates were truly unkind to him.
Sesshoumaru walked close to the village trying to pick out Kagome's scent. It took some time, but it was soon found…and it was leaving the village with another scent. He also recognized it to be that of the monk's. Why would she be with him? He shook his head and followed the scents along the outskirts of the village so not to cause a panic by his appearance. It wasn't long before he could smell the monk's scent headed back into the village…without Kagome. Once he was sure the village would not see him, he walked along the stream until he finally saw her, sitting and seemingly in deep thought.
Sesshoumaru quietly approached her until he was standing right next to her. Still she had not noticed him. She was defiantly in deep thought "Kagome"
He watched her jump in surprise before looking up at him "Sesshoumaru?"
"You have been gone for a fair amount of time" he replied.
Kagome half smiled "sorry, guess I got lost in thought and lost track of the time"
He nodded and took a seat next to her "what exactly is this thought that has you lost?"
She sighed "it's nothing important"
"I believe it is or you would not be spending much of your time thinking about it" he replied.
"I was just thinking of us, how this can all work" she eventually answered. There was a short silence between them before "Sesshoumaru?...if I did stay here…would you let me see my family?"
"I have yet to deny you that opportunity" he answered, wondering what brought this on.
Kagome smiled at his answer, but then frowned "what about when the jewel is complete and after the wish is made the well…seals itself and I can't go back"
Sesshoumaru looked at her "I would see if there was another way and if there wasn't, then I would try to help you with your loss"
Slowly Kagome leaned against his shoulder "arigato that makes me feel better" after another minute of silence she spoke again "Sesshoumaru? What does our future hold? Do we have a future together?"
Sesshoumaru pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her "I believe we do have a future, but we both must work for it. As for what our future holds I do not know, possibilities for a better life and for new life to breathe"
Kagome blinked. A better life, it sounded nice already. She knew he would take care and protect her. She then thought about his other statement. New life to breathe, but how could new life breathe. It has to be made…Her eyes widened as she gasped and looked up at him. He couldn't mean that could he. She looked at him for a moment "y-you want children?"
"The thought has crossed my mind" he replied.
"How many?" she asked.
He smirked "that is for the future to decide" he then moved her so he could stand up and then offered her his hand to help her up "come, we must be going"
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Inuyasha watched as Sesshoumaru held Kagome in his embrace. If he had noticed everything sooner that could have been him, but it wasn't. He wouldn't stand in her way after all the hurt he caused her; she finally looked happy and even his brother seemed to have lighten up a bit. He sighed. There had been plenty of signs that she was in love with him, but every time he ignored it and went off with Kikyo. He was surprised she had actually stuck with him for the past 2 years, especially when she knew what he was doing, but there was nothing he could do to change the past. He could only work with what he still had left.
"Inuyasha?"
The hanyou turned around to see Sango "what?"
Sango walked next to him and watched as Sesshoumaru was helping Kagome stand up "you wish that was you, don't you?"
He growled "it's none of your business,"
Sango smiled "you had plenty of chances, but it seems like everything is finally starting to work out for Kagome. She's happy and even Sesshoumaru seems to a little warmer towards even us"
Inuyasha couldn't help, but let out a sigh "so he does; now we just have to find Naraku and finish him off"
She nodded "and it looks like we may have an ally to help us" she looked at him "come on Inuyasha, let's go say farewell to them"
Inuyasha nodded and slowly followed Sango back to the village to get Miroku.
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Sesshoumaru and Kagome went out to the clearing where Jaken was watching the children. Actually it was the children chasing Jaken around and scaring the poor toad to death, but they quickly stopped when they saw the two adults.
Shippo quickly leapt into Kagome's arms "Kagome! What took you so long?"
She giggled "I'm sorry Shippo, but I had to talk with Inuyasha then Kaede and then Miroku wanted to speak with me"
Rin smiled as she walked up to the adults "are we going home soon?"
Sesshoumaru nodded "shortly"
Jaken watched his lord's interaction with everyone and couldn't help, but feel like he missed something big and important in his absence, which was not his fault. After loading the dragon for the eastern land, his lord had failed to tell him when they were leaving. When he had returned from grabbing his staff of heads, they were all gone. It took a majority of his time to walk to the east since he had no mode of transportation. After being told by a servant that everyone had left for the ball days ago, he had decided to head back to the western castle and wait for their return, but he had seen Ah and Un flying around this area of the forest and came to inspect it where he had found everyone.
Kagome smiled as the Rin and Shippo told them of what they had done while she was away talking with the others. She listened and nodded at some points while laughed at others. By the time they had told her everything Inuyasha and the others had come into sight.
Miroku smiled at Kagome "we have come to say farewell and to ask if you are going to still help us defeat Naraku"
Kagome nodded "of course I am, nothings going to stop me from helping destroy that monster"
Sango walked up to her friend "take care Kagome and we'll see you real soon"
They hugged before pulling apart. Kagome saw Miroku hold out his arms and she backed up "no offence Miroku, but I don't trust you when it comes to physical contact"
Miroku chuckled and rubbed the back of his head "you know me far to well, but it's not like I would have tried anything with you"
Inuyasha glared at the monk "I question that" he then glanced at her brother as if asking him something. With a nod of the taiyoukai's head, the hanyou embraced her and whispered in her ear "be safe Kagome and I hope you will be happy"
She hugged him back and whispered "do you mean that?"
"Of course" he replied "I only want to see you happy"
Kagome smiled as she pulled back "thank you, Inuyasha"
Sesshoumaru looked at her "let's go"
She nodded "okay, I'm coming"
Sesshoumaru had the kids and Jaken ride the dragon while he transformed and allowed Kagome to ride him. Of course she was a little hesitate in riding him, remembering the last time she rode him, but he insisted by nuzzling her with his nose and then eventually growling.
As they flew in the air, Kagome noticed that this seemed a lot better than when he had been running through the forest at top speed. In remembering everything that had happened so far, she was brought back to earlier questions and was slowly beginning to answer them with the help of the little pieces of advice her friends and Sesshoumaru had given her. It was when there were a few minutes left before they were to land that she finally came to a conclusion.
"Sesshoumaru?" a grunt let her know she had his attention "I've been thinking about everything that has happened lately and I've come to a decision about us"
Sesshoumaru listened attentively. So she had finally come to a decision about what was going to happen to their future. Would it end now? Would she want to wait for a while more and let it build further? Or had she finally understood he would not follow his brother's mistakes?
Kagome's heart began to race faster. Well it was now or never. Time to tell him of her conclusion about their relationship "Sesshoumaru, I….I love you"
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Taiyoukai- great demon
Hanyou- half demon
Arigato- thank you
Did I miss any? If so you probably know them already since I continue to repeat the same ones at the end of every chapter. Okay response time.
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Mori-quessir - Actually I'm 18 now. So he was 29. Big shock when he told my mom.
T.a.L.o.t.U.L – Totally agree with you on the ways of Japanese spelling. I actually use to spell it Souta, but some one told me it was spelt Sota. I won't change it for this story, but I am planning many others (so far got 6 planned out) so consider this a test chapter for spelling ways. I'm keeping track how everyone wants the spelling and how it should be spelt so I won't screw up next time.
Keosis-chan- Thank you for the compliment. Though I'm not sure it worth 10/10…there's a lot I would fix up to make it better.
Ariane- Sorry I haven't updated in awhile, but there's been so much going on. Career day at school, pictures up the wazoo for grad, school is already preparing for grad. Boyfriend never calling. Also I use to be a few chapters a head so it was okay if I took a long brake cause I'd just put up a chapter and no one would ever know, but I've run out of extra chapters. Guess I gotta make some. Promise to try and update quicker. Maybe slow updating the cause I'll be busting my ass of to write at least 3 extra chapters for everyone, but I'll try to hurry. Late nights and all.
Kidakkia- Those are some pretty good ideas, but sorry to say that this story already has everything planned out. Ending and all, I hope you will still like it anyways. Maybe I will try to write a story that has an ending like that. I've got 6 stories all outlined. The next one I think of I will see if I can give it one of the endings you mentioned.