AN. : Hello. I am so sorry for updating so late. It's just that I had a lot of things to do, but hopefully I will be able to update sooner the next chapter. Besides, I had a little writer's block, but the next chapter should be no problem for me. Anyway, just enjoy this one.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I own the characters. And the same goes for the previous chapter, for I forgot to add it then.

They woke up at dawn as they usually did and had a quick breakfast. They would leave for the Bone Eater's Well as fast as they could, since it would have taken them more than half a day to get there. Out in the gardens, Sesshoumaru motioned for Kagome to come to him. He sneaked a hand around her waist and formed his youki cloud, taking off into the heights of the sky. They traveled in silence, Kagome by now used in some manner with his touch and determined not to show him any sign of rejection.

They arrived at the well late in the afternoon. She took his hand and they both jumped in, but nothing happened.

'I guess it does not work because our youki are too powerful. Lets jump out and I will try something else.' she told him.

Standing in front of the well, Kagome told Sesshoumaru to sit down as if meditating and she took a place in front of him. They were now sitting face to face.

'Now Sesshoumaru, concentrate on the miko powers you have from our bond and bring them forth in your right palm.' Sesshoumaru did as told and closed his eyes, concentrating on the raw purifying energy flowing through his veins. When he felt them, he took a hold on them and brought them in him right palm. Unknown to him was that Kagome was doing the same thing, only for her it was very easy to bring forth her miko powers in the palm of her hand. When they both were sure they did what they needed, Kagome spoke again:

'Now put the palm over my mark above my heart. Do not release the purifying powers, no matter what happens do not break the concentration and let them subside.' She put her hand over his marking and clapped his left hand with her bare one in a praying position and started chanting. As she finished, a bright pink sphere-like barrier entrapped them and lifted them in the air just above the well, darting towards its dried bottom. This time, blue and pink lights engulfed them and sent them both 500 years in the future.

As they arrived in Kagome's era they let the energy subside and stood. The air and noise rushed towards them and hit them tenfold making them stand still for a good couple of minutes. After they clarified their minds and bodies of these new and polluted scents and grew slightly accustomed with them, they leapt out of the well and walked to the front door of the house.

Kagome could tell, after sniffing the air once, that her entire family was in the kitchen having dinner. She opened the door and said in a sing-song voice:

'Tadaima, okaa-san.'

She discarded her shoes at the door and waited for Sesshoumaru to do the same before going to greet her family.

'Kagome, you are home. And just in time for dinner.' Her mother said standing up and turning towards her to give her daughter a hug. But Kagome's appearance was so changed she just froze on the spot.

'What happened to you? And who is this you brought home? He looks like Inuyasha.'

'Mom, this is Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands. I will explain everything after dinner. It is a long story. Actually that is why I came today.'

'Sesshoumaru this is my mother, this is my grandfather and this here is my younger brother, Souta.' He nodded to all of them in acknowledge, but never said anything.

Her mother bowed to Sesshoumaru in respect and went to the stove to put them each a bowl of soup.

'Mom, we won't be able to eat that. Do you instead have some raw meet?'

'O-O-Of course.' she said and went to the fridge to get them the meet.

After a quiet dinner, they got all the plates and dishes in the sink to be washed and Kagome's mother boiled some water for tea. When they all had a cup of steaming tea in front of them, Kagome opened her mouth:

'Mom … the story is long. I guess I will start with the beginning. I am a youkai now, an Inu youkai. Sesshoumaru is also an Inu youkai. The markings on his face are a sign he is of royal blood and he is the heir. He is Inuyasha's half-brother, from behalf of their father, the great Inutaisho-sama. Now I am telling you this because I am his intended. I am to be his mate.'

'How did you get to be a youkai? How come you are his mate-to-be and not Inuyasha's? I thought you loved him.'

'Inuyasha died two weeks ago in the battle with Naraku. I managed to purify the bastard but not before he laid the deadly blow on Inuyasha. I am now the wielder of Inuyasha's sword, Tessaiga. I have become a youkai …

The story went on until Kagome had told them everything. It was late in the night when she finished the entire story and made her family understand the situation. Seeing she was tired, she suggested they went to bed and talk some more in the morning. She stood, Sesshoumaru doing the same, and went towards her room. She was in the doorway when she turned around whishing to ask her mother where Sesshoumaru could sleep, but he just nudged her inside and entered also.

'I will sleep in your room. We have to accustom with each other anyway.' She blushed at his statement but she knew he was right. She took a pajama set from her closet and went to the bathroom to change. When she came back, Sesshoumaru was already lying in her bed, on his back. She stood there thinking about this a few moments when he motioned for her to climb in next to him. The bed was not that big, so Kagome had to curl up at his chest while he held her in his powerful arms. Blushing ten shades of red, she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.

Morning came fast and they were both up at the sun's first rays. Kagome put on some modern clothes and they both went outside to practice their swordsmanship, since it was too early to go anywhere. A few hours and some slashes and gashes later, they made their way to the front door and into Kagome's room. She took a quick shower and showed Sesshoumaru how to use the bathroom. She was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast when her mother came down.

'Kagome, I couldn't ask you this last night seeing that Sesshoumaru-sama was in the room with us, but are you sure you are doing the right thing? I mean in becoming his mate.'

'Mother, I am sure. As I told you, I am a demoness. I can't come and live here even if I want to. And besides, I have the element of Fate. I saw his and I was his mate and had his pup. The heir of the Western Lands. And mom, I love him. I tell you this because I want you to understand my decision. But you are not to tell him about this. Fate has yet to unfold itself and in due time. For if he were to know, he might change the Fate, so please do not tell anybody about this.'

'I understand my child. You are old enough to take your own decisions. I do not question you further on this. But how will you go in town looking like a youkai? And what will you do about Sesshoumaru?'

'I can put a spell on both of up but it will only last little time, like a few hours. That is why I told you I cannot remain in this era.'

'And what do you want to do today?'

'I already called Ayumi, Eri and Yuri. We will be meeting them in the park and I will explain them that I am getting married and I will be moving out from the country. And I will introduce Sesshoumaru to them. Then I want to go to the school and talk with the principal. I have finished high school, but I still need to take my papers and degree from there, so I was thinking of doing that today.'

'Ok, honey. Do you want to go shopping also? Maybe take something for Shippou?'

'Yeah. And something for Rin too. She is Sesshoumaru's daughter, I told you about her, didn't I?'

'Yes. The one you used the whish to purify the Shikon no Tama on.'

At this point in conversation, Sesshoumaru entered the room.

'Sesshoumaru, come here please. I am going to put a spell on both of us for our youkai characteristics to disappear from human's view. Basically only youkai could see our true forms, but I really doubt there still are ones in this era.' She started chanting and when she finished she gave him a little peck on his lips. Just as their lips parted, their appearance changed, but only for the human eye. Kagome's hair was black as the night, she was as high as she had been as a human and her claws, fangs and pointed ears were hidden also. Sesshoumaru remained basically the same, only his claws, fangs and ears were hidden and his clothes changed into something modern: a pair of baggy pants and a t-shirt.

They ate breakfast and as soon as they finished they were out the door. Kagome decided to walk to the park they were meeting her friends, seeing she was used to it from the Feudal Era. The sidewalk was crowded and Kagome had to look every two minutes after Sesshoumaru so they won't get separated. Every girl they were passing by would stare at him and push her away from him. Seeing it was quite hard to stay near him she did something that surprised them both. She took his hand, entwining their fingers together. Sesshoumaru looked at their hands and then at her. He didn't have to ask, for she understood his puzzlement and said:

'It is a custom here for couples to hold hands and since we are mates-to-be this will help us getting used to each other.' He didn't say anything, but nodded once and turned his eyes ahead of them once more. By her scent he knew she was embarrassed but also angered.

'Why do I smell anger in your aura?'

At his question, Kagome blushed and turned her head away from his prying eyes.

'Because all the girls look at you with adoration and try to separate us. They all flirt with you even if they see you are taken. And they send me nasty glares, so I got angered.' She replied in a whisper, embarrassment now overwhelming her scent and aura.

Nearing the park, the amount of girls was even greater and at some point Kagome was nearly thrown to the ground by a rude girl, who was glaring at her and sending sweet smiles and looks towards Sesshoumaru. To the girl's desperation, he stopped, helped Kagome to his side and snaked an arm around her waist. At his touch, Kagome's anger subsided and she looked at him in puzzlement.

'It will help with keeping your anger under control. It will not do to kill all the girls because they are jealous and try to win me. This way, we won't get separated again. I will not let go of you. You just point the direction.'

'Ok. Thank you.'

They kept walking and in no more than ten minutes they were in the park, meeting Kagome's friends.

'Eri, Ayumi, Yuri. Ohayo.'

'Ohayo, Kagome.'

'Hey, this is Sesshoumaru Taisho, my fiancé.' Kagome said to the girls, whispering to him: 'I took the liberty of giving you the Taisho name for them to not get suspicious.' He nodded, letting her know he understood.

'Ohayo, Sesshoumaru Taisho-san.'

'Sesshoumaru, these are my best friends: Ayumi, Eri and Yuri.'

'Ohayo.'

'Kagome, so you are getting married? But I thought you were sick, how did you get to meet Sesshoumaru-san?'

'Hehe … well I was –

'She was in the hospital and I was visiting a relative. I saw her in a room all by herself, bored and sad and went to speak with her. That was how we met.'

'Yeah … and since then he came everyday to the hospital to see me.'

'Wow … talking about romance.' Ayumi said giggling. 'Kagome, you look very good. So when is the wedding?'

'Well that was what I wanted to talk to you about. You see, we will leave for America in a couple of days. We will get married there and also move there for the rest of our lives. I wanted to see you guys today to say goodbye.'

'Ohhh … Kagome, you are leaving? We will never see you again?'

'Unless you come to America, no, we will never see each other again. I am sorry, but Sesshoumaru has his business there and he cannot move here.'

'Yeah, we understand. Well, Kagome, we wish you all the best in the world.'

'Thanks guys. I wish you the same. Good luck with college, OK?'

'Thank you.' All three girls said.

They said their goodbyes and left. Kagome and Sesshoumaru left for Kagome's school so she could get her diploma. She wouldn't need it but she was not going to let it in the school. She will give it to her mother and should they ever meet again she will take it back then.

It was already lunch time when they left the school, so Kagome suggested they go and eat. Although they were not hungry, she wanted to show Sesshoumaru as much as she could of her era, so she guessed that a restaurant was a good point to start from. She took him to a small, but cozy, restaurant, where they could eat traditional Japanese food. Seeing that he was not accustomed with the dishes, she ordered for both of them. While they were waiting for the food, Sesshoumaru noticed she was sad and asked:

'Why are you sad?'

'Because I will never see my friends again. Nor will I see my family. I have decided to destroy the well after we return to Feudal Era. It is best to do it, for I do not want anybody to find out about it and try to use it.'

'A wise decision.'

'I will miss them all, so that is why I am sad. I think we should return tomorrow morning to your castle. I promised I will not take more than two days. So I will pack some essential things tonight and we can return tomorrow morning to your era.'

'Very well. If you want to stay longer, we can remain for another day.'

'No, it will be even harder for me if I stay one more day.'

'Kagome? Is that you? It is. How are you feeling? Your jii-san said you were in a hospital for a long period of time because of your most recent disease.'

'Hojo? Hello. Well I was in the hospital, but now I am fine. I would like to introduce you Sesshoumaru Taisho, my fiancé. Sesshoumaru, this is Hojo. We used to be classmates in school.'

'F-F-F-Fiancé? But Kagome, I thought you will marry me. How did you meet this guy anyway? How do you know he is not a serial murdered?'

'Hojo!! How can you speak such nonsense about my fiancé? I met him while I was in the hospital. He came to see me everyday since that day. And of course I know him. I trust him with my life.'

At her last statement, Sesshoumaru's eyes widened just a fraction. He was not expecting that from her. Of course he knew they could trust each other, but hearing her saying that to another male, in front of him awestruck him.

'Hn. You should leave, human. You are disturbing my fiancée with your preposterous statements. Leave now and no harm shall come to you.'

'Harm? Who do you think you are? The president? If anything happens to me I will call the police. Kagome, honestly, you should come with me. It is not safe for you to remain with him.'

Kagome by now was standing from her chair. She was pissed off because of Hojo and his remarks. He mistook her action though as if she wanted to leave the restaurant with him and took a hold on her left arm. She yanked free her arm from his grasp and turned to face him. When Hojo looked her square in the eyes she raised her right arm and with a fraction of her demonic power she slapped him senseless across his left cheek. The force of the slap sent him but first on the floor.

'No one is to speak with my fiancé like that, do you understand? You are not my family to tell me what to do, either. I suggest you shut up and leave right now, or else I will ask the owner of this restaurant to call the police and tell them there is someone harassing his clients. I can take care of myself very well, thank you. And to your information, Sesshoumaru is not a criminal and never will he be one. I am moving with him out of Japan tomorrow and nothing can stop me. You are a pathetic person, Hojo, trying to take me away from the only person that would protect me from everything and would most certainly die doing it, if that should be the case.'

'I told you to leave.' Sesshoumaru added as an afterthought.

Hojo stood from his place on the floor and left without even saying goodbye. A little later their food came and they started eating, though they, being youkai, could not enjoy the food very much. After they ate and paid for their meal, Kagome and Sesshoumaru stood and left for her home. She had some packing to do and some goodbyes to say to her family. She hoped neither she nor Sesshoumaru, Shippou or Rin would die in the war she knew to come between humans and demons. Remembering of Rin and Shippou, she changed her plans and they went to the nearest store to buy something for them. After shopping was done, they finally went home.

She went in the kitchen and told her mother, jii-san and brother of her leaving.

'Mother, jii-san, Souta, I will return tomorrow with Sesshoumaru in the Feudal Era. I want to tell you that I will destroy the well, for I do not want anybody to try and use it for evil matters. Sesshoumaru is the Lord of the Western Lands, as I already told you, and he has enemies as every Lord has. Me being his mate-to-be could be considered as an advantage for them. They could try and harm me or try and use the well if they found out about it. It is of utmost importance to have it destroyed. I will no longer be able to come and see you nor will I be able to find out anything about you. I guess you would still have the history books and the legend books and you can find out about us from there.' Kagome was by now crying herself a river.

'Kagome … I cannot tell you what to do and what not to do. It is your path and if you consider destroying the well the best way to protect both us and yourselves, than I suppose it is a good thing. But I do know my heart will ache after you, my girl. I am proud of you, do not ever forget that. And be a good mother to Shippou and Rin. The only thing I regret is that I will never be able to see my grandchildren, being them Shippou and Rin, or your own.' her mother said, tears pouring down her cheeks.

Her grandfather and brother both said their goodbyes, also crying.

'Sesshoumaru-sama' Kagome's mother said before they all went to sleep 'please take good care of my daughter. I love her very much and I leave her in your care. I trust you with her life, for if I hadn't, I would never let her leave this house or destroy that well.'

'I will protect her with my life. I will not fail my mate.' At his words, Kagome's eyes widened to the point they would pop out of their sockets. She could not believe what she just heard. 'Could it be that he loves me also? It is the first time I hear him saying he would protect me with his life. Yes he is more emotional that he ever was. There are high chances he loves you also.'

'Mom, we will leave at dawn for there is a long way to our castle from Inuyasha's Forest. There is no need in you getting up to say goodbye in the morning.'

'Goodbye my daughter. Remember to honor your mate and love him. Be a good and obedient mate, Kagome and raise your children with love, respect and manners.'

'I will mother. Thank you for everything. I love you all.'

That being said, they parted their ways and went to each of their bedrooms, Kagome and Sesshoumaru going to her room. She finished packing some undergarments and also some shorts and t-shirts and went to her bathroom. She took her soap, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, her toothbrush and toothpaste and came back. She packed everything and then went to bed, lying next to her intended.

At dawn they went to the well, they took their positions on the ground again and Kagome started chanting, the sphere-like barrier entrapped them and shot through the well, taking them five hundred years into the past. When they got out of the well, Kagome asked Sesshoumaru to use his Tokijin to destroy her only way back to her era and family. After the well was blown to pieces by the demonic attack from Sesshoumaru's sword, he formed his youki cloud and they flew away.

The next fortnight passed quite fast. Kagome and Sesshoumaru would train in the dojo every day as they did before going to her era. She was now able to use Tessaiga's attack so the days were now longer and more tiresome for her. At the end of the moon's cycle, Kagome was able to stand her ground against Sesshoumaru's attack and fight him back, even managing from time to time to disarm him and win.

One evening, after they finished their daily training, Sesshoumaru said:

'I am pleased of your progress. No other Taiyoukai will be able to defend you in a sword fight if you use your miko powers as well, as we did in training. However, you are far from having learnt everything about swordsmanship. Tomorrow we will be leaving for the Lords' gathering. But first we will be stopping to collect your gift.'

'My gift? What gift?'

'I am sure you have read in the book I gave you after your transformation, about Inu youkai traditions. One of them obliges the male to offer the female he courts a gift, and that is the gift I was talking about.'

'Ohhh … yes of course I remember reading about it. And what is it?'

'You shall find out tomorrow.'

'Fine.'

That being said, they went to their rooms to prepare for dinner and to tell their servants what kimonos and other things they would need on their trip.

AN. : I want to thank everybody who reviewed the last chapter. Also I want to tell you that I will try to finish this story as fast as I can for this school year is very important for me and I would not have time to write later on. I would not feel good if I will be overwhelmed by my school and leave this story hanging so hopefully in a month or two I will end it.

That being said, ja ne.