Disclaimer: Nope. Nothing's changed. I do, though, own my laptop. Sweeeet.

His Past, Her Present, Their Future

Chapter 21 - Buried

Sesshoumaru pulled away from the woman he had been toying with as he caught the salty tang of tears with another familiar scent along with it. When he turned, all he saw was a fumbling streak of blue and black as Kagome dashed out the castle gates. With her, the smell of tears faded, and it was obviously her who had shed them. But why?

The bitch beside him was bold and tried to re-ensnare him, but he shook her off. She was some daughter of a high ranking Southern baron whose father had been trying to get him to mate for a decade now. Though she was attractive, she was like every other high-bred youkai woman: a bauble. She had no thoughts of her own, no fire, no intellect.

He would never enter a life bond with a pretty brainless twit, especially not one of the ones that became aroused just by his presence. Though he knew he was attractive, he knew the real reason for their stimulation was power. The prospect of being the one-day Lady of the Western Lands was an enticing one, and he had been having women shoved on him by every male of high birth in Nippon. The idea of becoming, even by mating, related to the family of the Inu no Taisho was appealing to all breeds.

None of the trifling women had ever caught his attention longer than for a quick rut, and even that had only been since he reached of age for mating a few decades prior. He was thoroughly disgusted by all of them, and often found himself believing he would just end up finding a concubine to produce him an heir if the need ever arose rather than stooping into the petty politics of taking one of the ridiculous bitches. That seemed a much more appetizing concept.

Now though, he was stuck. His beast was pulling him, snarling to go after the human woman who had run out unprotected. If she didn't stop before passing off of the lake path, she would be in a very dangerous forest. His more calculating mind was disgusted that his youkai gave a damn what happened to her, though if he were to be honest with himself he was just as worried. What had made her cry?

Finally, Sesshoumaru broke down into a sprint after her, leaving perplexed guards and a raging youkai woman staring after him. He darted down the path around the lake's shores, dodging merchants and peasants come for daily life in the castle's town. No one saw but a blur of silver white as he ran, using the full capabilities of his youkai speed.

He had stalled too long while arguing with himself, and now she was nowhere in sight as he reached the beginnings of the forest. He stopped to sniff, instantly smelling the girl's fresh, stormy scent and took off after it. He didn't have to go far before he caught the reek of a demon and fresh human blood.

As he broke into the clearing he took in the scene before him quickly. A disfigured purple ogre towered over her broken form, which only held a couple superficial wounds. But it was her face that worried him most. She lay there, staring up at the face of her attacker, with something sickeningly like acceptance on her face.

Sesshoumaru yelled and struck out with his Dokkatsu, his claws severing the beast's head from its body. It had been weak even for a lower demon, surely a miko of her power could have purified him easily? She didn't even look to her savior, instead she continued staring up through the trees despondently.

He knelt before her, and without thinking tucked a stray lock of hair behind her rounded ear, watching her stare away from him. He had been about to lift her when she started speaking. "What in the hell do you want?"

Sesshoumaru flinched at the venom in her tone. "You are injured, I will take you back to the palace now."

"You should have just left me out here; your woman will not be pleased that you ran off to help a mortal."

Now, Sesshoumaru was not the brightest when it came to the inner workings of a woman, but he knew the tone of resentment anywhere. He pulled back his clawed hand, which he had just noticed was still against her cheek, and frowned deeply. Why was she envious? He voiced this question, though it probably wasn't the best thing he could have done.

"Envious?" she laughed humorlessly. "Because I am an idiot. You aren't him."

"I am not who? You make little sense."

That was probably the wrong thing to say, for she seemed to get a tad hysterical. "You aren't you! And you won't be for years."

"What does this have to do with why you ran crying from the protection of the castle?"

Kagome finally looked at him, her eyes dancing with fury. "Do you know the last thing you said to me before I came here? 'You will see me soon, my love.' Moron! You knew where I was going, you knew the crap I would have to go through, and you didn't warn me! If I ever get back to the Feudal Era, I am not going to know whether to kiss you or kill you! I think I am going to borrow Sango's Hiraikotsu and bash your head in! Bastard!"

Sesshoumaru sat stunned at the revelations. Not only had she just told him that his future self had referred to her as his beloved, but she was speaking of wanting to kiss him, whether angry or not. He was now intrigued by what part in his life this little woman would play. First things first, though of course. "What does this have to do with you crying? What made you weep?"

Kagome shook her head minutely and pinched her eyes shut hard, a few stray tears squeezed out from the corners. He doubted that someone with human hearing would have heard her whisper. "Because, like I said, I'm stupid. Just because I know you aren't him doesn't make it hurt any less to see the man I was falling in love with devouring the face of some woman. I can't make myself come to terms with the fact that you are not him, and you will not be him for a long time. You are not the man I was falling for, and I have no right to be upset with what you do. I am sorry to disturb you. Just leave me in peace, please."

Sesshoumaru had absolutely no idea what to say. He sat bewildered by everything she had told him, his mouth slightly agape, staring at the closed eyes of the mortal before him. Someday, in the future, he was going to be in love with a mortal. He knew this, because he had long ago vowed to never speak words of love lightly. So someday, he would be in love with a mortal, time-traveling, argumentative miko, and she would be falling for him. It was a lot to take in.

He had no idea what to do with this. So, the Western Prince did the only thing he could think of and scooped her against his unarmored chest and began the trek back to the House of the Moon. She struggled against him for a few moments out of pride, but exhaustion coupled with the injuries the demon had inflicted on her won out, and she leaned her drying face against the crook of his neck. "This would be more comfortable with your fluffy-pelt-thing, I wonder when you're gonna get it?"

Sesshoumaru rose his eyebrows. "Traditionally, a pelt is given on the second centennial celebration of the Prince's birth."

The miko was beginning to drift off, but mustered the energy to blow out a hot breath, tickling his throat. "Stupid, you could have just said 'On my 200th birthday' but no, you enjoy being difficult. That will never change."

"Go to sleep, Kagome."

Said girl sighed and snuggled more comfortably against him before stiffening. "You just said my name."

"So I did."

Little known to the other, each smiled softly, and Kagome finally fell asleep.

Kaori sat curled into her mate's lap on the castle wall, looking east as they waited for the sun to rise. Since youkai needed little sleep, they always woke before sunrise and watched it together. Even after over four hundred years as mates they still did; there was something enchanting about the rising sun and the banishment of night.

Mattaki propped his chin on his lady's head and sighed. "Those two fought again yesterday, though I think that they may be making improvements."

Kaori quirked an eyebrow in question. "What this time, my love?"

"I was correct that in the future they are more than platonic. The child came upon our son and Baron Damemaru's daughter, I believe, because Sesshoumaru smelt like the twit. I only heard part of the conversation, but apparently before coming here she was rather falling in love with our son, and he was already in love with her. It's a pity she was torn away."

Kaori sighed. "The poor thing. No wonder she's taken Sessy's attitude so badly. She would be so good for him."

"True, but she is still a human. He would be very upset to lose her so quickly."

"I think that would not stop him from loving her, my lord."

"I agree. But I think young Sesshoumaru is having a change of heart. He's already been interested in her unwillingly, I've seen him brooding, but I think perhaps from now on he will indulge himself and allow himself to treat her at least civilly."

"It would be a good match; she is intelligent and kind. Our son needs something more than the woman of the courts can give him."

"I agree, my mate."

"I just hope he realizes what he has soon so the poor girl need not suffer."

"I think he will. She is a jewel in disguise. She has fire and wit, but retains a pure and loving soul. She is very much like Midoriko."

"I miss her so much sometimes. I understand her sacrifice, but it took a light from us all."

The sun broke the horizon and banished every vestige of night's shadow. The West may have been the Kingdom of the Moon, but the beauty of the morning was not lost on its rulers. As the spectacle ended, Mattaki rose up, his mate cradled in his arms, and sauntered back to the castle. Breakfast would soon be served.

After lunch, Kagome found herself in the cheerful company of the Lady of the West, who was humming sweetly under her breath. Kagome smiled as she watched her thumb through various kimonos, pulling one out every so often and holding it to her front. Kagome would then nod or shake her head, and there were two steadily growing piles of silk on the floor of Kaori's closet. 'Closet' was a term Kagome would not have used, considering it was bigger than her bedroom back home.

After an hour of joking and comparisons, Kaori had had enough. "That's it, I have nothing to wear!"

Kagome looked incredulously at the several six-foot piles of kimonos. "What is this for, again?"

Her friend huffed and dropped to her side, her head in her hands. "I hate these banquets, but we are forced into them. The Lady and children of the South are obnoxious, the Lady of the North is a gossiping hag and her daughters might as well be common whores for the way they attach themselves to my Sessy. I don't mind the Eastern Lady, but her mate is a boorish braggart. I hate being anywhere near these people, but every decade we have these stupid functions. Tradition, you know?" Kaori raised a hand and waved it around dismally.

Kagome sighed and rubbed Kaori's back. "Why not get a new outfit, then? It would make you feel better, I bet! Maybe something in a purple, it would bring out your eyes."

Kaori looked into the human girl's eyes with a hopeful gaze. "You're right! That would make me feel better… oh, my dear, you need something to wear, too!"

Kagome gulped and laughed uncomfortably. "Umm… that's really not necessary…"

"Heavens, of course it is! You are an honored guest! We shall both have new kimonos made, and we shall be the beauties of the ball." Kaori's eyes had taken on a far-off cast and Kagome could almost see the hearts and stars surrounding her.

"Err, I thought it was just a banquet?"

"Well, it is, but there is dancing!"

Kagome groaned silently. "Sounds like fun?"

Kaori became quiet and contemplative rather suddenly, but Kagome missed the mischievous smirk in her lavender eyes. "Kagome?"

"Yes, Kaori?"

"Would you be willing to do this old dog a favor?"

Kagome scoffed. "Don't say things like that. And of course I would, I owe so much to you and your mate, you have both been so kind to me! What do you need?"

"About two-days journey from here is a youkai village, and my favorite seamstress resides there. With the preparations for the banquet, I cannot go to her myself… and I trust your judgment above that of a maid. Would you go to her and order our new outfits made?"

"…Are you sure, Kaori? I would hate to chose badly and disappoint you…"

"You could never!"

Kagome sighed and tried not to blame Midoriko for this as well. "All right, all right, it would be an honor, my lady. When do you wish for me to leave?"

"Morning, so that they will have time to complete the projects in time for next week. For now, though, it is dinnertime." Kaori waved at the silken piles, ushering nearby servants to clean their frantic lady's mess.

The two walked lightly through the halls and into the dining hall, already awaited by the men. "I am sorry, my dears, but Kagome and I got a little tied up."

"Or buried," Kagome said with a small grin.

The men looked questioning, but Kaori just laughed and took her seat beside Mattaki, grinning at him conspiratorially, "My love, Kagome-chan has offered to go to Futaridori to petition me a new kimono for the banquet! I, of course, demanded she get one made for herself as well. That is all right, is it not?"

Mattaki grinned and gave her a chaste kiss. "Of course it is, I spare no expense for my family, and the young Kagome is quickly worming her way into mine. I may never get a daughter, but it is good to know what it would be like to have one." Kagome blushed heavily but smiled happily up at him. "But, I am afraid I do not like the idea of her going to Futaridori alone, my love. There are many youkai there who would attack her simply for being a priestess."

Kaori blanched and scratched the back of her head apologetically. "Umm… I think I forgot she was human…"

Everyone stifled a groan. Mattaki stroked her hand lovingly. "No worries, she will just send with her an escort, to make sure it is known she is not to be harmed."

"Mm, wonderful idea, my mate. Who will you send? Gyaku perhaps? He is very loyal."

"No, considering the price of the items she will be returning with, and her worth by herself, I have only one person I would trust with her."

"Who?"

Kagome looked up and saw the cunning twinkle in Mattaki's eyes as he smiled sweetly, fangs glinting in the magicked light. "Who else, my mate? Sesshoumaru, you shall leave with the Lady Kagome on the morrow."