AN: Well, here's my next chapter. I was gonna make it a songfic, but I decided against it. More work on my part. Well, R&R please!!

Lithium

The bright sunlight of morning brought Sesshoumaru to his senses. He could tell Rin was still asleep, could still feel Kagome's warm body nestled comfortably in his lap. Her tears had dried long ago, but the taiyoukai could still smell the salty residue of his kouyuu's distress.

He didn't dare move; he wouldn't wake her until she was ready. His mind finally cleared enough o permit coherent thoughts, and he looked down the study the girl. She really was quite attractive for a human; Sesshoumaru had to wonder why Inuyasha chose the undead miko over her.

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome opened her eyes and peered blearily up at him. "Kami, I was afraid it was all a dream."

The taiyoukai could not help the small smile that touched his lips. "No dream, kouyuu." he said softly. "I am here." She sighed and relaxed again.

"Good." she mumbled. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and was surprised when it came away wet. "I didn't know I could still cry."

Sesshoumaru adjusted his grip on her, forcing her to face him. She quickly grasped his shoulders to steady herself. "Kagome, pain like that doesn't go away overnight." His voice was as cold as ever, but this time she could see past that. She knew he cared. "It will take time for you to heal." Kagome nodded.

Silence descended between the two, but there was no discomfort with it. They sat as companions, as equals, and no one else mattered.

Well, almost no one. "Sesshoumaru-sama?" Rin's voice brought them back to reality. "Where are we?" The child sat up in the bed, peering around in confusion. Then she saw Kagome and grinned. "Kagome-onee-san! Are we at your home?"

Kagome chuckled. "Sure are, Rin-chan." she said, and it pleased the taiyoukai to hear the cheerful tone in her voice once more. "Come on, if you're ready to walk, I'll get you some food." Rin nodded excitedly and Kgaome stood to lead the way. He almost missed her warmth, and try as he might he could not shake the feeling. He quickly stood as well, determined to follow and learn more about her era.

The miko picked Rin up and carried on her hip, taking the small group back down the stairs and into the kitchen. Rin's eyes went wide as she studied everything in the strange room. "Onee-san, what is this stuff?"

Sesshoumaru paid close attention as Kagome explained everything from the sink to the stove. He had every intention of coming back to this time and investigating further. Kagome handed Rin a sandwich and turned to him. "Do you want anything, Sesshoumaru?"

He shook his head. "Iie, I do not eat human food."

"Sesshoumaru-sama, will onee-san come with us when we go back home?"

The question was completely innocent, and it threw the two adults completely off-kilter. Kagome seemed mildly surprised by the question, but he did not miss the strange glimmer in her eyes. Was it hope?

"If she wants to."

The miko's face lit into a soft smile, and he knew – Inuyasha would not be getting the miko back. She was his first friend, and that was too precious for him to allow his baka half-brother to destroy her.

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AN: Ok, I wasn't intentionally going to stop there, but it seemed like a good spot. sorry for another short chapter, but I did warn you. So, whaddya think?