A1969: hey there! I just wanted to thank you guys for reading, reviewing, and placing this story on your favorites and alerts!
Sango: by the way, I think Jaken is cute, too.
Miroku: what?!
Kagome: *gasps* so do I!
Inuyasha: what the hell?!
Sesshoumaru: humans have no sense. I'm not surprised.
A1969: aww! You guys, too? C'mon, you gotta admit, the little dude IS quite cuddly xD Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

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-Chapter Thirty-Nine-

.:An Interlude:.

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Clara

I slid the door of the well shrine open, and looked up at the skies of modern Tokyo. The sky was shot with pink, red and gold as the sun slowly started to set. I lowered my eyes from the sky and saw—for the first time in months—the Higurashi household, a few yards away.

The modern era. I was back.

Overhead, an airplane flew against the clouds, casting a shadow across the courtyard. Being back suddenly felt so surreal—it was as if I had left the real world behind, and entered an alternate dimension altogether…

I shook my head. What was I thinking about? This was my world, the world I was born in, the world I was raised in…but…Why didn't it feel like it? Why did I feel as though I'd left a part of myself behind in the Feudal Era? I clenched my fists. Get a grip, Clara…

"Clara?" Kagome's voice pulled me abruptly from my thoughts. She placed a hand on my shoulder. "Is everything all right?"

"I…I don't know," I said, sighing. "It's…it just feels weird being back, that's all."

She nodded in understanding. "I know how you feel," she agreed. "The first time I came back, it felt that way, too. I got used to it soon enough." She smiled almost thoughtfully. "But that's not all that's bothering you, isn't it?"

"Then, am I a monster for wanting to keep you safe?"

Sesshoumaru's voice reverberated through my thoughts again. I had been appalled at the implication of his words—that he was willing to take Kohaku's shard, willing to kill the boy…a child.

"Taking his life…that…that would be horrible."

This time, my own voice resounded through my head. Now that I thought about it…had I…Had I unwittingly called Sesshoumaru a monster? I felt my heart clenching tightly as I wrapped my arms around myself. I was such an idiot.

"Clara?" Kagome sounded worried. Taking my hand, she gently led me to the stone bench underneath the Sacred Tree. "You know, it's not good to keep it all locked up," she said as we sat. "Tell me…what's bothering you?"

Reluctantly, I told her. When I'd finished, Kagome was quiet, her eyes fixed on her lap. Her brow was furrowed in deep thought. It was a while before she looked up, and said, "Clara, I told you that Sesshoumaru obviously cares about you, right?"

I nodded.

"Have you ever considered," she went on, "that maybe…he loves you?"

It was as though someone threw a punch at me, knocking the wind out of me completely. I could feel my eyes widening, and my stomach vanishing. Kagome was always one for crazy Sesshoumaru-theories, but…

"What makes you think that now?" I asked. There was no denying it—I wanted it to be true.

"You're really, really, really, really dense, aren't you?" Kagome said, shaking her head mournfully. "It's just that he wants to keep you safe, wants to protect you. And it seems as though he doesn't care about the cost."

"Kohaku's life!"

"I'm not saying I agree with his views," Kagome said quickly. "Try to see it from his perspective, and I won't hold back about Sesshoumaru. I've told you before, when he first met Inuyasha and me, he was a ruthless killer. He tried to trick Inuyasha using his dead mother, tried to kill Inuyasha all for the sake of taking the Tessaiga. Even struck a deal with Naraku, once, all for the sake of becoming more powerful.

"A cold-hearted, murderous, unrelenting assassin. That's how I viewed him first. I've told you before, that he met Rin. He became nicer—he certainly didn't try to kill Inuyasha as often as before, even helped us out on several occasions. But he was still nothing but ice, cold and unreachable.

"And now, you come along." Kagome smiled at me. There was something reassuring about that smile. "Clara, you and Inuyasha may not be able to see it, but the rest of us can see that ice melting. I think he's finally found someone he wants to protect differently from the way he protects Rin. I think he's found someone he loves.

"I doubt Sesshoumaru's ever been in love with anyone before, what with having ice for a heart and all. But now that he has…I don't think he wants to lose that feeling. I don't think he wants to lose you."

My fists clenched on my lap. "Kagome…let's say what you're saying is true, and he does. I…I'd rather he hated me, than do something awful for my sake!"

She looked sadly at me. "Then you two have to talk," she said. "And compromise."

I glanced towards the well shrine, and sighed. "But he must hate me right now."

"Why?"

"Kagome, I unintentionally called him a monster, remember?" I looked up at the Sacred Tree. With a sudden jolt, I realized that this—under the Goshinboku—was where Sesshoumaru and I had…fought? Disagreed? Argued?

Kagome placed her arm across my shoulders. "Unlike Inuyasha," she began, "I don't think Sesshoumaru can hold a grudge for something as small as that. I don't think he's mad at you, Clara."

I smiled at her. "You should be a psychologist, you know," I said. We laughed. Maybe it was because of all the stress in the Feudal Era, but we laughed long and loud. Even if it wasn't that funny at all.

"Clara?"

Surprised, Kagome and I turned towards the Higurashi house. "Mom!" I said, standing.

Alexis was standing close to the door, as though she were about to enter. She'd pulled her blonde hair into an elegant chignon at her neck, and she wore a white suit. She was also holding a shopping bag in her hand.

"For a moment there, I thought it was Diane Kruger," Kagome remarked, but my attention was wholly fixed on my mother.

Alexis blinked, and then smiled. "Mom!" I said, running to her.

She wrapped her arms around me. She smelled like Chanel (she loved brands). "Long time no see," she greeted. How many months had it been since I'd last seen her? She pulled away, and frowned slightly as her eyes fell on my neck. "What happened to this?" she asked, fingering the dressing on my neck.

I shook my head. "It's just a scratch," I reassured her. "Occupational hazard."

She looked as though she wanted to ask, but was stopped short when Kagome came close. "Hey, Mrs. Rose!" Kagome said cheerfully.

Alexis turned to her, and smiled. "Is your mother home?" she asked. "I've brought something for her." She held up the bag she carried.

"We just came back, actually," Kagome said, sliding the door open. "Come on in!"

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Sesshoumaru

I stared at the barrier before me. It rippled with light, its white glow more pronounced in the oncoming twilight. It pulsed, as though it detected my presence. I scoffed—this particular barrier will not reject me.

The barrier pulsed as I strode through it and into the cave. At the end of the darkened passage, I could make out the cavernous chamber in which rested the crystallized remains of the priestess Midoriko, and the demon that had tried to destroy her. The strong stench of decay hung about me.

I entered the chamber. Nothing had changed since Clara and I had set foot here last. There were still deep grooves on the ground and the walls, and fallen stalactites were strewn on the cave floor. My eyes found the crystallized remains of Midoriko.

The priestess appeared peaceful, her expression serene. A queer expression for one about to be devoured by demons. She had tried to destroy the demon that now held her in its crystallized jaws. In her last effort to stop the demon, she had extracted both her and the demon's soul, bound it in her heart, and, as a result, birthed the Sacred Jewel. She had perished…

And so would Clara.

"…the Sacred Jewel…it's killing you…"

Kasai's words rang through my head, and I closed my eyes in anger.

"…do you think I could bear going through every single day knowing that I was alive only because I killed him? I couldn't! I'm not a monster!"

Foolish girl. Some sacrifices were necessary. It was most unfortunate that her gentle nature blinded her to this. For a moment, I could see the horrified expression on her face as Clara realized that I was willing to sacrifice Kohaku's life for her own.

"I'm not a monster!"

I, on the other hand, appeared to be.

Hn. I opened my eyes, and turned my gaze to the foot of the statue, where Takeshi's body lay. In the months that had gone by, nature had slowly started to ravage it. Regarding it with disgust, I approached the body. Takeshi's expression was still peaceful.

I narrowed my eyes at it as I drew Tenseiga from its sheath. The sword hummed as I held it above the body, as though it were eager to be of service.

I couldn't see them. The emissaries of the afterlife were nowhere near the body.

Of course.

Tenseiga's power was limited, in a way. Resurrection was possible only if the body and soul were intact, and if it was done immediately after death. Delaying the resurrection would give the emissaries ample time to take the soul from the body. I sheathed Tenseiga.

Useless.

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Clara

Night had fallen by the time mom and I left the Higurashis. She had parked her black Accord at the bottom of the steps that led to the Higurashi shrine. "I'm surprised you're driving," I remarked as we got in. "What happened to Joe?" Joe was our driver, and he'd been around ever since I was a child.

"He had an appendectomy," mom said, as we buckled our seatbelts. "I let him resign so he could rest. Besides, it's fun driving." She grinned.

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously as she started the engine and drove. "How many cars did you crash?" I asked bluntly. Contrary to popular belief, not all models were graceful and coordinated—Alexis Rose happened to be one of them.

She looked sheepish. "I didn't crash anything," she corrected, sounding defensive. "I broke a few side mirrors, dented a few bumpers. Nothing serious."

I exhaled. "How many cars?" I asked with dread. Most people would resort to repairing the dents, or the side mirrors, or the broken bumpers, but not Alexis—she donated the ruined vehicles. She did the same thing to the cars in the States (among which was a Ferrari. It had given my father a headache).

"This is just the fifth," she reassured.

I stared at her. My eyes widened in shock, and my jaw slackened. "Just the fifth?!" I screeched, grabbing on to my seat for dear life.

"You're overreacting, we'll be perfectly fine," she said nonchalantly. I noted that she gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly—nervous? I was.

"Fine?" I croaked. "Mom…I feel safer flying on a two-headed dragon than riding in this car!"

"Don't you talk like that!" she admonished. "And what about two-headed dragons? They actually exist?" She looked at me, intrigued.

"Keep your eyes on the road!"

. . .

I wrapped the towel around my damp hair, and knotted my bathrobe. Leaning against the bathroom counter, I stared at the mirror. The eyes that stared back at me looked tired. Sighing, I pushed the bathroom door open, and stepped into my bedroom, the carpet warm and fuzzy against my feet.

Home.

Glancing around my room, I shook my head. Something didn't feel right—I should be down the well, tackling the problem of Naraku in the Feudal Era, not back here, relaxing while everyone wracked their brains for a solution to our dilemma.

The warm feeling of my mother's arms around me put a block on that train of thought. She had been worried, I could tell. And seeing as how rocky our relationship had been since my father died last year, I felt guilty for making her worry…

I quickly changed, grabbed my notebook, and headed towards the piano room. The maids had already gone home for the night, and the house was quiet. I pushed the door open, and flicked on the lights to find the grand piano standing, forlorn, in the room.

I sat down and took several moments to study the piece I'd composed. Then I played.

The music was slow, at first, gentle—it sounded better than I thought. It slowly increased in tempo—becoming playful, a little more lively, a little more joyful. Until it gently slowed for a few moments, and then a crescendo…

As I stopped, I could hear clapping behind me. I turned in my seat to find my mother standing at the door. "That was very beautiful," she remarked, coming closer. "What piece was it?"

I blushed. "I actually composed it for—" I stopped midsentence. Mom did not approve of boys…much less demon lords.

"Yes?" Alexis prodded.

"Myself," I said, turning back to the piano.

"You're a very easy person to read, Clara," she said, sitting beside me.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, as I played the piece again.

"It means what it means," she said. "Also, that blush is a dead giveaway."

Was I really that obvious? This was ridiculous. I sighed as the music swelled around us. "It's just for a friend," I said quietly. Though, I don't think Sesshoumaru considered a lot of people as belonging to the 'friend' category.

"A boy," she said, somewhat flatly.

I missed a key, and the music faltered. "Yes," I huffed. I couldn't help but sound a little too defensive—she could be very protective at times.

"Is it that Sesshoumaru person?" she asked.

I accidentally struck the keys all at once, and the piano let out a loud bong! of surprise. "How do you know about Sesshoumaru?!" I said, astonished. I stopped playing.

"Kagome mentioned him once," she said thoughtfully. She folded her arms. "She told me that he was Inuyasha's older brother, and that you were traveling with him. Oh, she assured me that you weren't alone"—my blushed deepened—"and seeing as you haven't met a lot people in modern Japan, and seeing as you must have spent all your time travelling with him, I can only assume that you wrote that piece for him."

Wow…just…wow. "You should be a detective," I said dully.

She chuckled lightly. "What kind of person is he?" she asked.

I didn't want to talk about Sesshoumaru—I didn't want to think of the way he'd regarded me with such cold eyes, or the way he'd promptly turned away when I told him how horrible it would be to take Kohaku's shard. Thinking quickly, I played a piece that I knew would distract her—Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee.

"I've always found that piece hard," Alexis remarked, distracted.

I smiled. "It isn't really that hard," I said, letting my fingers fly. "The notes are easy enough, it's the speed that has you perplexed. I could teach it to you, if you want."

She made a little moue of distaste. "I'm not as coordinated as you or your father," she said, her voice gentle as she mentioned my father. I finished playing, and turned to her. For a moment, there was melancholy in her eyes, before she turned brisk.

"By the way," she said. "The principal of your school wants to see you this coming Monday." It was currently a Saturday.

"Er, why?" I asked hesitantly. I knew I didn't have a lot going for me at school—I could count the number of days I'd been in class on one hand. The last time I went to school, it was sometime in June—it was currently October. I made a mental note to bring a calendar the next time I went back.

"Your nightmarish attendance," she said nonchalantly.

"Well, you seem relaxed about it," I said, truly perplexed. Alexis Rose was strict about being on time, down to the very last nanosecond.

"I've told them you've been in the hospital these past few months," she said flippantly. "In a coma."

I blinked. "A coma," I repeated. "Don't you think that's a little overkill?" Then again, Alexis loved to be a 'little' overkill—a remnant from her days in the limelight.

"No, I don't," she said, crossing her arms and sounding defensive. "I think it's a good reason. People have been known to go into comas for years, Clara, it's a very feasible excuse."

I smiled. This was how she was before my father died. I really did miss her. I leaned over and hugged her. "I missed you a lot, mom," I said quietly.

She held me. "I've missed you, too," she said.

"By the way, I have a lot to tell you," I said, pulling away from her. And I was wondering how I was going to tell her—about Kikyou, Takeshi and his gift of immortality, Momitsumi and Hitori, Naraku…basically, everything. But…I don't think I could tell her about what Kasai had said, about the jewel killing me.

"Yes, and you can start with Sesshoumaru," Alexis said, suddenly remembering.

I groaned.

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Sesshoumaru

"You've chosen such an unholy hour to come visiting, my son," Mother said.

She was standing in the middle of the courtyard, bathed in moonlight. It seemed as though she had been expecting me. I descended in front of her, and she smiled, amused.

"Why, I wonder?" she said, as she turned to sit on her elaborate throne. She regarded me with both amusement and curiosity. "Are you here to ask about Lady Momitsumi?"

"Of course not," I scoffed.

"Such a shame, really," she said, tilting her head at me. "That she would go and marry a mere soldier far below her rank, when she could have had you. I'm surprised Lord Hoshimaru acquiesced to it. But then again, it would be rather silly to disown his only heir."

She smiled—it was filled with mockery. "You are hopeless," she remarked, sighing. "You might as well die an old bachelor, Sesshoumaru. Such shame you haven't a drop of your Father's charm."

"That does not concern me," I said, growing impatient. "I've come regarding the Tenseiga."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "Haven't you mastered that blade already? You even had the gall to bequeath the Meido to your Bakusaiga—that shows your mastery over the sword. What more do you wish to learn?"

"You made mention that Tenseiga cannot revive those whose lives have been prolonged by a shard of the Sacred Jewel," I began.

"Ah," she said, leaning her cheek on her palm. "You wish to augment Tenseiga's power, so that you may revive one bound to a shard. Is it the boy that priestess of yours was looking after?"

I remained silent. "My," she continued. "You may not have inherited your Father's charm, but you've certainly inherited his odd fondness for humans. You've never shown an interest in the jewel before now. Do you feel sorry for the boy, Sesshoumaru?"

"Don't be ridiculous," I scoffed. The boy was merely a part of the reason.

Instead of taking offense, she chuckled. "Or perhaps, you wish to help Midoriko?"

This woman—I was beginning to suspect that she was capable of reading minds. I kept my silence. "Oh?" she said. "No denial from you? You needn't be so surprised. Totosai was merely telling me interesting tales. He thought I would find it intriguing that you allowed Tenseiga to be shattered by Midoriko's reincarnation."

"He also told me," she went on, "about the jewel and the priestess. And I can only conclude that you wish to amplify Tenseiga's power to save the boy's life, in the hopes that you will be able to save the girl. Isn't that interesting, Sesshoumaru?"

She leaned back in her seat, and regarded me with a derisive smile. "Enough," I said. "Will you tell me, or need I find the answer elsewhere?"

"The answer is no," Mother said, her tone imperious. "Tenseiga's power is as it is. Your Father had the sword forged for specific reasons, Sesshoumaru, and one of those reasons is to teach you that power cannot give you everything you desire. You see the girl dying in front of your eyes, and yet your power will never save her, if she does not wish to be saved.

"Do you feel frustrated, Sesshoumaru? Do you feel helpless knowing that she will never allow you to remove the boy's shard, even if it costs Midoriko her own life? Do you feel inept at knowing that, no matter how powerful you are, you cannot save her from herself?"

Her gaze grew steady as she continued to regard me. "Oh, take the boy's shard, if you must," she said. "But you will not, because you do not want to disappoint her. You do not want her to think of you with disgust, am I right?"

I chose not to answer her. My eyes fell on the Meido stone she wore around her neck. "No, it cannot help them either," she said, as though reading my thoughts. "Neither Tenseiga nor the Meido stone will save her if she dies. You know the reason why, I presume? The other half of her soul is still bound to the Sacred Jewel. And as to the boy…" She smiled, whether it was with mirth or sympathy, I could not tell.

"I assume that he has been dead for a while, before he was brought back with a shard. You see, Sesshoumaru, the Meido stone brings back those souls trapped in the Underworld. The boy's soul has already been judged, but was called back to his body."

Silence reigned as she finished speaking. For a moment, she said nothing, then her smile faded, and she regarded me with a solemn stare. "Tell me, Sesshoumaru," she said quietly, all manner of frivolity gone. "Have you someone to protect?"

I met her stare with a steady gaze. For a moment, I remained silent. And then, unbidden, I thought of the way she smiled, the way she blushed when I turned my gaze to her. For a moment, I could hear Clara's voice calling my name.

"Yes."

She leaned back, as though satisfied with my answer. "Your Father has nothing more to teach you," she said, her tone dismissive. "Everything else, you must learn on your own now."

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Clara

I slowly opened my eyes. For a moment, I felt confused—why was I on a bed, surrounded by pillows with a duvet on top of me? And then yesterday's events came flooding back—Kasai's words, my argument with Sesshoumaru, my mother's embrace…

For a while, I lay there. Last night, I'd sat down with my mother and told her about my time in the Feudal Era. With characteristic briskness, she had taken everything in stride, even the part where I told her that Takeshi had given me his immortality to save my life ("Immortal. Well, that will cause a lot of illegal paperwork in the future," she had remarked).

But I hadn't told her everything. I couldn't tell her about what Kasai had said, about the jewel killing me. I didn't want to worry her now (though, sooner or later, I would have to tell her). Truth be told, I couldn't accept it, either. We're human—we don't want to die, we cling to our lives with every breath we have. But…if it had to be me, or Kohaku, I'd rather it was me.

I rolled over, and saw the Sacred Jewel on my bedside table. It glittered purple, with Naraku's darkness prominent at the center. It would be a while before I asked Kagome to help me purify it again.

Despite what Kasai said, I felt fine. I didn't feel weak, tired, strained, or even pained. I felt absolutely well. And I guess, that was why it was hard for me to believe that I was dying. What, would I just dropped dead all of a sudden, with no warning?

I shook my head as I sat up. I couldn't wallow away in self-pity—I'd done that before.

There was a sudden knock on the door. "Clara?" It was mom. I suddenly heard a soft whimpering sound.

"I'm awake, and it's open!" I called, curious.

Mom opened the door. My eyes widened in surprise when I saw what she was carrying in her arms—a puppy. A Blenheim-colored Cavalier, with a red ribbon round its neck.

"Cute, isn't she?" mom said, as she sat on the bed. The puppy barked playfully in her arms, and tried to lick her chin.

"She is," I said. She handed me the puppy, who stared at me with wide eyes. I giggled as she licked my cheek.

"She's yours," Mom said.

"Mine?" I said, surprised and pleased. "Really?"

"Of course," she said. She smirked at me, almost mischievously. "You love dogs, don't you?"

I flushed. "Well…yes…" Was she teasing me? In my defense, I've always liked dogs. They had a certain charm, and could be quite funny at times (though, I did acknowledge that some dogs didn't have a shred of humor in them. Not one bit).

"What will you name her?" Mom asked.

I thought for a moment. The temptation to name her 'Fluffy' (damn you, Inuyasha) was too strong to ignore. But no…it didn't cut it.

"Sammie," I said at last. The puppy barked and licked my chin.

"She seems to like it," Aleixis went on as she stood. "Oh, and I have something else for you."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Unless you've started on the illegal paperwork already, it's not my birthday," I pointed out as I began untying the ribbon from Sammie's neck.

"You will need these later," she pointed out.

Before I could ask, Tinette, the maid, walked through the door carrying—what the heck?—several purple shopping bags from Bergdorf Goodman. Wait…was there even a branch in Japan? I could feel a headache threatening to build. Alexis Rose loved designers (you can only wear so many shoes in your lifetime).

"What are these for?!" I gasped as Tinette set them on the duvet.

"For later," Alexis said flippantly, as she sorted through the bags. She held up a familiar turquoise shopping bag. "I ordered this one from Tiffany's," she said, thrusting the bag at me. "I thought you might like it. Think of it as an advanced birthday present."

"My birthday isn't for another two weeks," I pointed out, but I took the bag anyway (hey, who didn't want to receive something from Tiffany's?). "You've already got me a lot of stuff, but thanks."

I opened the bag to find a small turquoise box wrapped with a white ribbon. Sammie sniffed the box and barked, her tail wagging as though in excitement. I untied the ribbon and tossed it to the puppy. Inside was a platinum band of diamonds and sapphires.

I stared at my mother. "Do you like it?" she asked eagerly. "I thought it matched your eyes!" She paused for a moment. "Besides…I didn't really give you anything last year."

I smiled at her. Last year, my father had died, and my mother and I had drifted. It was only this year that we'd started getting along again and—funny enough—it started when I began going to the Feudal Era.

"I love it," I said, smiling. I slipped on the ring.

"And these," Alexis went, suddenly business-like. "Are for tonight. The company's holding an auction, and I want you to go. You need to get acquainted with the board of directors, and everyone else who matters."

I smiled, and she turned to leave. Sammie plodded towards the bags, nuzzling them with her nose. I sighed. Get to know the board of directors…

What was the use? I glanced towards the Sacred Jewel, and sighed. For the first time since Kasai mentioned it, I actually felt scared. There were so many things I suddenly wanted to live for—the friends I'd made, the renewed bond with my mother, Sesshou—

I blushed, and clenched the comforter with my fists. I shouldn't be selfish—Kohaku was only a child, after all….Sighing, I stood up and stretched, Sammie barking at me.

"Aren't you an attention-seeker," I said, patting her on the head. She nuzzled my hand with her nose. "You'll like him too, I think."

She barked again.

. . .

The day had gone by pretty quickly, and the evening found me with my mother in the company lobby, greeting guests. I was wearing a black cocktail, the straps of which were—thankfully—wide enough to hide the wound on my shoulder. I'd let my hair fall over one shoulder, to hide the small dressing at my neck. My feet ached in the black pumps I wore—Christian Louboutin was definitely not a friend.

I'd brought the Sacred Jewel with me, in the clutch I carried. Try as I might, I couldn't leave it in a safe at home—I felt anxious the longer I stayed away from the jewel.

My face began to ache from all the smiling. I'd been greeting people with my mother nonstop. "Why did you drag me here, anyway?" I asked my mother, somewhat grudgingly.

She smiled at an elderly couple dressed in very elegant kimono, before turning back to me. "Because I do not want to die of boredom on my own," she admitted in an undertone. "You're father used to bring me to these events for the same reason."

"Alexis!" a booming voice called out. A second later, a pudgy man wearing a pinstripe suit, and a canary yellow tie waddled over.

"Hello, Abe-san," mom greeted, shaking his hand.

"I see your daughter is out of her coma!" he said jovially, shaking my hand and beaming.

Right…my coma.

"Thank you," I said, smiling at him.

"It's good to see that you're doing fine," Abe went on, dropping his voice lower. "Truth be told, the other directors and I wondered whether you would be up to your duties, what with Kendrick passing away last year."

My mother's smile became tight. "We're doing fine, thank you," she said.

"And what will we be having tonight?" he went on, looking around the crowded lobby.

"Well, we managed to obtain very valuable antiques…"

I let my thoughts drift as they began talking about antiques and who would have the highest bid tonight. There was one word Sesshoumaru would use for an occasion like this…

Ridiculous.

. . .

I sighed as I squirmed in my seat. Glumly, I watched the auctioneer strike his gavel, and proclaim an item sold. It was, truth be told, boring. I would rather listen to Jaken complain nonstop than listen to this.

"How are you holding up?" mom asked, as several of the auctioneer's assistants brought out a sculpture of a beautiful woman onto the platform.

"Fine," I lied.

"Lot two five six, a sculpture of the goddess Venus dating from the Roman-era. In good condition, with several chips along the hand, and arms. Carrying a spray of myrtle in one hand, and a dove upon her shoulder. Sculptor unknown. Bid starts at one hundred thousand dollars."

The elderly man in kimono raised his hand. "A hundred and fifty thousand dollars," he said.

"A hundred fifty thousand dollars, do we have two hundred thousand dollars?" The auctioneer was extremely energetic.

"Three hundred thousand dollars!" a woman said, raising her hand.

The elderly man was not going down without a fight. "Five hundred thousand dollars," he announced calmly. Beside him, his wife nodded in approval.

There was a great deal of muttering around the room. "Seven hundred thousand dollars!"

"One million five hundred thousand dollars," said the old man. Now that I looked at him closely, he had the air of an old samurai—he wasn't going to let anyone outbid him.

"One million seven hundred thousand!" another voice piped up.

In the end, the old man won, and the statue was sold to him for a whopping eleven million dollars. "We're bidding in dollars, as you can see. All that money goes to charity," Alexis whispered beside me.

"I'm surprised you aren't bidding," I said.

She smiled. "I've seen nothing that I like," she said solemnly. Riiiight. She had the catalogue open on her lap.

"What you like hasn't been put up yet," I pointed out.

"True," she agreed.

I sighed and leaned back. A yawn threatened to escape, but I managed to suppress it. "I need to use the bathroom," I whispered suddenly. And maybe take a walk until the whole thing was finished.

. . .

I dried my hands with a paper towel, before pushing the door open and leaving the bathroom. Across the lobby, I could make out the booming voice of the auctioneer from the hall as he called each bid. He sounded so delighted, I was surprised he wasn't dancing.

I glanced around. This was the first time I'd ever set foot in the company. The lobby was cavernous, with windows that reached towards the ceiling. Its sleek interior made me think of technology, and rightly so—the company specialized in it, after all. Several people were mingling in the lobby, probably not interested in the ongoing auction either.

Exploring the place seemed like a pretty good idea. Making sure my clutch was tucked firmly under my arm, I made a beeline for the elevators at the end of the lobby.

I suddenly stopped.

Was it just my imagination, or could I feel something dark coming from across the lobby? I stared at the hall where the auction was held. Beside the main door, at a corridor, was another door, smaller. Probably an entrance to the backstage.

Frowning I closed my eyes and focused my spiritual energy at the door. I shuddered. I could feel something dark creeping behind the door, something that made the hairs on my nape stand on end.

Demonic aura.

Impossible. I thought there were no demons in this era, so…what was one doing here, of all places?

I hesitantly made my way over to the hall, towards the side door. As I drew closer, I could feel the demonic aura stirring. I placed a hand on the door and pushed, only to find that it was locked.

"Ms. Rose?"

I gave a start of surprise as I turned to a young man behind me—one of the auctioneer's assistants. "Yes?" I asked. The demonic aura behind the door grew stronger.

"May I help you?" he asked.

"Er…I was just…trying to see what was behind this door," I said honestly. Lame, very lame.

"No one is allowed in there, Ms. Rose," he said apologetically. "That's where the items for the auction have been kept."

I could tell he was one of those stubborn ones. Think, Clara, think. "Well, I was interested in"—the demonic aura stirred again, almost like a pulse—"bidding for a certain item on the catalogue. I was wondering…I was wondering if I could see it, before I bid for it. Pictures can be very misleading, you see."

"You could wait until we bring it out," he said politely. Definitely stubborn.

"My mother would greatly appreciate it," I said craftily. Truth be told, I was loathe to use money and influence to get my way, but this was an emergency!

He hesitated. "Well…I suppose it wouldn't hurt," he said, scratching his head. The demonic aura stirred again. C'mon, already! "But you mustn't touch anything, or the boss will have my head."

"I won't," I said quickly. "Please open the door."

The man unlocked it with a key, and promptly swung the door open. The room was filled with rows of antiques—statues, paintings, brass sculptures, porcelain vases to name a few. The strong smell of dust lingered in the air.

I dashed through the rows of antiques, searching for the source of the demonic aura. "Ms. Rose, wait!" the assistant called out. I could hear him running after me.

Ignoring him, I rounded a corner and stopped, stunned. On the wall at the far end of the row hung a painting of a smiling little boy of around four. His blonde hair and green eyes made him look like a cherub. But it wasn't the boy in the painting that held my attention—it was the shadows oozing from the bottom of the painting that made me open my mouth in shock.

The shadows writhed like snakes. Stunned, I watched as the shadows grew taller, taking on humanoid shapes, with dark, blank faces, and sharp, long-fingered hands.

A slit suddenly appeared on their blank faces—a slit-mouth filled with long, shark-like teeth. "Jewel," they groaned, reaching out towards me.

Damn. I grasped my clutch tightly. Of course, it had to be the jewel.

My hand instinctively went to my waist for Shinsei, when I suddenly remembered that I'd left it home, under my bed. Double damn. I took a step back and ran. "Jewel!" the shadow demons groaned. I couldn't hear them, but I think they were running after me.

"Ms. Rose?!" The assistant suddenly appeared at the end of the row. He glanced behind me, at the shadow demons, and his eyes widened in shock and surprise. "What are those things?!" he exclaimed, paling.

"Don't just stand and stare, run!" I shouted, grabbing his hand. We rushed towards the open door, and I looked behind me. The demons were gaining, their long fingers outstretched.

We rushed through the door, and he immediately closed it. There was a loud thud! coming from the other side as the demons hit the door.

"What are those things?!" the assistant gasped, locking the door.

This cannot be happening—demons cannot be here! After we tried to keep the Feudal Era secret, too...

The door suddenly burst open, hitting the unwary assistant on the head as it swung wide. The assistant fell to the floor, unconscious.

"Jewel!" the demons groaned.

I threw out my hands, and willed a barrier to block the door. The demons groaned. They tried to touch the barrier, but immediately retracted their long fingers as they felt the sting of the holy barrier. I quickly shut the door. That should hold them—

Something grasped my foot. I looked down. A shadow cast by a potted plant had slithered towards my foot, grasping it with long fingers. A slit suddenly appeared on the shadow, revealing a row of razor teeth.

"Jewel!" it groaned.

I pulled my foot free, and it let go. The shadow cast by the plant grew and took on a humanoid appearance. "Jewel!" the shadow demon moaned, fingers outstretched.

I glanced towards the lobby. Thankfully, people were too busy mingling to notice. But I couldn't run towards the lobby. The shadow demon would follow me, I was sure of it.

"Come and get it!" I shouted, making a mad dash for the fire escape beside the door. I flung it open and ran up the stairwell. I glanced behind me. To my horror, the shadows in the stairwell also grew and took on a humanoid shape. They ran after me, groaning and wailing. At least they weren't as fast as Sesshoumaru.

I nearly tripped. Cursing, I kicked off my pumps, hoping that they at least hit one of the demons as they fell. I glanced behind me.

"Jewel!" they shrieked. They were definitely gaining.

Gasping, I ran up another flight of stairs. The number next to the stairs told me that I was at the fifth floor. How many floors did this building have? I couldn't keep running forever…

I suddenly stopped, and spun around to face them. I held out my hands, and they glowed as a barrier materialized in front of me. The demons stopped, their wailing echoing along the empty stairwell.

Taking advantage of the reprieve, I fumbled in my clutch for my phone. I quickly dialed my mother's number. "Hello?" she whispered after the first ring. I could hear the auctioneer's voice booming loudly in the background.

"Mom!" I gasped. The demons tried to touch the barrier, but immediately drew back as light flashed.

"Clara, what's wrong?" she said, suddenly alert.

"Mom…you have to get everyone in the building out," I said, keeping my eyes on the demons.

"What happened? Are you all right? What's going on?"

"I'm fine," I said. "Listen, I'll explain everything later. There are demons in the building, you have to get everyone out, and make sure—"

I stopped midsentence. The shadows on the wall on either side of me suddenly writhed. Like paint dripping, long shadowy fingers suddenly fell towards the floor.

"I have to go!" I said, running up the stairs. I ended the call, and glanced behind me. The shadows on the wall writhed and twisted until they took on a human-like appearance. Triple damn.

What to do? What to do? What to do?

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Kagome

Too much…

These formulas were just too much. I stared at the spread of books on my desk, each page opened to a complicated formula invented for the pure purpose of torturing students. If I could make a wish on the jewel, I would wish for all math to vanish.

I took a moment to stretch my arms, savoring the feel of cotton pajama sleeves against my skin. Sighing, I took up my pen and began to write.

"Sis!" Souta suddenly called, banging my door open.

Startled, I dropped my pen. "Souta!" I huffed. "Can't you knock?"

"Sorry," he said. "But Clara's on the phone. She sounded really freaked out."

Freaked out?

Formulas forgotten, I quickly ran downstairs, and picked up the phone. "Clara?" I said.

"Ka…gome!" she gasped.

It sounded like she was running—I could hear her footfalls echoing on the other end. "What's going?" I asked.

"I need your help!" she said. I could hear her panting as she ran. "Demons! There are demons at the company, and they want the jewel!"

"What?!"

"I tried stopping them, but they keep on coming!" she huffed. I could hear a loud unearthly wailing on the other end, and I felt the hairs on my nape stand on end. "Kagome, they—"

The wailing and keening grew louder, drowning out her words. There was a loud crash! followed by the sound of a door being flung open, and then silence.

"Clara?!" I shouted. The line was dead.

I dropped the phone and made a dash for the door. "Sis?" Souta asked, as I ran past him and out the door.

I ran towards the well shrine, and leapt into the well. Blue flashed around me as a million thoughts raced through my head…

Demons. There were demons in the modern era. I'd never seen or sensed a demon in the modern era before, except for the soul piper. Where did these things come from?

The light receded, and the starry night sky of the Feudal Era loomed above me. "Inuyasha!" I shouted as I climbed out of the well. I ran into the forest towards Kaede's village. "Inuyasha!"

As I raced through the trees, a streak of red suddenly landed in front of me. "Kagome, what's wrong?" Inuyasha demanded as I ran into him.

"Clara…demons…in the modern era!" I gasped, gripping his sleeves. "They're after the jewel!"

"In your world?" Inuyasha said, just as surprised as I was. "I thought your world was safe!"

"We have no time, we have to go now!" I said. Inuyasha nodded and scooped me into his arms. He leapt over the trees and landed beside the well.

He set me down, and I turned towards the well. "We have to hurry before—" I was cut off, when a white blur suddenly streaked past us, and leapt into the well, vanishing with a flash of blue light.

Oh, no.

I groaned. This can't be good. Modern Era plus demons plus Sesshoumaru was the perfect recipe for disaster. For just a second, a picture of Tokyo in flames flashed across my mind…

"We have to go!" I screeched. Grabbing Inuyasha's hand, we jumped into the well.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

A1969: end of chapter.
Inuyasha: I still can't believe you people like Jaken.
Kagome: c'mon, Inuyasha, the little green guy is really unappreciated. It's sad, actually.
A1969: yeah, especially considering that he *points at Sesshoumaru* keeps beating the guy up.
Sesshoumaru: do you wish to lose your head?
A1969: see? That's the kind of thing poor Jaken puts up with every time. And no one appreciates him for it.
Sango: it's sad, actually.
Miroku: well…if you think of it that way…
Kagome: *raises placard* more love for Jaken!
A1969: anyway, please don't forget to review, guys! C'mon, sweet five hundred! xD