AmiSami: I'm so so so so sorry it took so long to get this chapter out! Please forgive me!

Kagome: The author was very busy...

AmiSami: Summer school T_T

Sango: This chapter contains a little foul language, but nothing extreme. Just so you know.

Kagome: The author does not own Inuyasha, or the characters, except Sayuri, Yuki, Jason, and Aiko. R&R!


He was so intimidating. The way he carried himself, his gracefulness, his gorgeousness, and the fact that he was some wealthy, powerful, and widely feared demon lord. His aura practically screamed, "Don't talk to me." I listened to it and didn't make a sound for most of our walk together. Instead, I fiddled nervously with my bracelet, except, I wasn't watching where I was going. I tripped over a root in the ground. Luckily, I didn't fall, I only stumbled like an idiot, but it was enough to earn a condescending look from Sesshomaru. I pretended not to see it.

Already, he didn't like me, and we had barely spoken--except for yesterday in the woods when he saved me, and earlier when I asked where we were going exactly. He replied with, "You will see." Nevertheless, I wanted him to like me. Maybe not like, but at least tolerate. Most likely, I felt this way because it was such a difficult task. From what I'd heard, Sesshomaru disliked everyone. I made this my main mission: Get Sesshomaru to like—tolerate— me. But first, I had another mission—a side mission you could say. Now was the time to go back to the Modern Era. I had to ask, but I didn't want to bother him. Yet, it was so important. My life back in the Modern Era didn't just disappear. (I wish it had. Things would be so much easier) I had to make amends; fix things. I had suddenly disappeared for the night—people were worried and upset with me. I imagined my mom at home, her eyes red and puffy from crying. My dad at the kitchen table, making phone calls to his many connections trying to find me. I saw Yuki, pacing in his room, calling my cell phone ceaselessly.

I mustered up every ounce of bravery I had. "Um, can I ask you something?" I was tempted to say sir, but he couldn't be over twenty. Besides, that would be plain weird. He didn't reply, so I continued. "I was wondering if I could go back to the Modern Era. Just for a little while. There are some things I need to fix."

"No." his voice was so smooth and quiet, yet it the word echoed in my head as if he'd just shouted at me. I didn't want to argue, but it was imperative.

"Please, it's really impor--"

"No. You will not waste more of my time than necessary." He said firmly. Case closed...Until I reopened it.

"But I won't waste your time. This is important to me. I have a family back in the Modern Era...and friends. Right now, they're worried. They probably think I'm dead," I replied. "Besides, I need clothes and stuff. I look a mess."

He ignored me and said nothing.

"Oh yeah, ignore me like a little kid," I said, rolling my eyes.

His amber eyes penetrated my brown ones. "Watch your tongue, human." I was tempted to immaturely mock him, but I thought better of it. I was too pissed anyway, and, most likely, so was he. How dare he keep me from going home...I had to go now. My intuition was telling me to. What happened to my freedom? All of a sudden, I was being treated like some sort of weapon or possession. A wave of nostalgia hit me as I thought of home. Yuki, my foster parents, school, eating sushi with my best friends every Friday...Had they even invented sushi yet? I hoped so--I was having a craving for it.

Suddenly, a brilliant, yet completely stupid idea popped into my head...I began to pay attention to where we were going and remember unique landmarks in my surroundings. I'd be coming this way again soon...

Dusk was falling when he decided to settle down for the night. I was exhausted, but I couldn't sleep. I had places to go.

He sat across the fire—that took me ages to make; it would have been so much faster with a lighter...and some help—from me and stared into space. I just gazed into the fire. After what felt like an hour, I began to get sleepy, but ignored it, continuing to stare into the dancing, orange flame. I finally said something,

"Didn't we pass a stream earlier?" I inquired. He only stared at me for a few seconds, then curtly nodded. "Do you mind if I go there? I feel kind of funky." He stared again, not understanding. "Dirty, I feel dirty. I haven't showered in forever." I explained. He gave me another uncomprehending look--he obviously didn't know what a shower was--then nodded in approval. I flashed a smile and got up. Walking in the direction I remembered the stream was in.

I finally came across the beautiful sparkling stream and sat down at the edge, looking at my reflection. I looked a horrible mess. Surprisingly, my hair was fine...almost. A little tangled. My uniform was tattered and dirty, so were my arms and legs. Dirt spotted my face and my neck looked horrid. There were blue and purple finger marks from the demon's hands, and scratches from his claws. My eyeliner and eye shadow was smudged, making me look kind of like a prostitute after a long night out. I was mortified that Sesshomaru saw me like this.

Scooping up some water in my cupped hands, I rubbed it on my face, trying to clean it as much as possible. It made a big difference. I looked kind of funny without eye-makeup on. It made my eyes feel smaller. Next, I washed off my arms and legs, then my neck--which was a bit tender to the touch.

How was I supposed to get home? I was here, in the Feudal Era, with this powerful demon lord. I couldn't run away. He'd know I was leaving and catch me in a heartbeat. And be majorly pissed. I bet he could smell my scent right now. There was no way to get rid of him. I was trapped here until he decided I could go. It was completely unfair. Just because I was the secret to defeating Naraku once and for all, and restoring peace between humans and demons didn't mean I no longer had rights. Had I suddenly become some super weapon instead of a person? Some weapon I was anyway. I wasn't even "awakened." I was like a gun without bullets. Useless. How was I supposed to help anyone?

I began to feel tears threatening to fall...

"You have taken enough time with your human frivolities." A voice suddenly spoke behind me. I jumped, even though I knew who it was. Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I quickly wiped the baby tears away and turned my head towards him.

"I'm sorry," was all I said. I didn't trust my voice at the moment--I knew it would betray me and show that I had been about to cry. He only looked at me, then turned and walked away. I guessed that was my cue to follow him. At first, I blindly followed him, like a dumb sheep, until I realized we were going in a different direction. "Um..." I began slowly. "Where are we going now?" He did not reply. If he did this the entire time we were together, I would go insane.

He didn't look at me as he spoke, "We are going to your time," he said. My heart immediately began to beat faster." "Do not waste more of my time than necessary." I was so happy I wouldn't have to try to sneak away after all; all I could do was smile stupidly for a few seconds. Then I said,

"I promise I won't."

It was strange to be back in the Modern Era. All the extra senses hit me like a brick wall. The polluted air, the extra noises, even the colors seemed different--less vibrant. The horizon was impossible to see, because of all the tall buildings. I found it less pleasing to breath. In the Feudal Era, all the trees made the air clean and fragrant, but in the Modern Era, it felt thicker due to the lack of trees and the smoke and pollution.

I turned to the dog demon beside me. He looked kind of silly with my uniform scarf tied to cover up his ears. My hands still tingled from the moment about fifteen minutes ago. After we got out of the well, realizing that his ears would draw attention, I suggested we do use my scarf to conceal them. When he complied, I tied it for him. I was still thrilled at the softness and silkiness of his silver hair.

"OK, you wait out here, and I'll be right out." I told Sesshomaru, who stuck out like a sore thumb. We were standing in front of my foster parents' quaint, two-story house. Although it was two-stories, it wasn't large. The only thing upstairs was my room and my bathroom. Sesshomaru moved somewhere out of the way, where he couldn't be seen, as I took a deep breath to prepare myself. Slowly and apprehensively, I knocked on the door. Before I even finished the second knock, the door swung open so swiftly and suddenly it made my heart jump.

In the doorway stood my foster mother with her gorgeous, straight, black hair—it went well passed her shoulders. She was petite and absolutely beautiful. Her eyes and nose were red from crying. She gaped when she saw me.

"Sayuri?" she asked as if she thought I was an illusion. I nodded as she reached out and apprehensively touched me. "Sayuri!" she screamed and pulled me into a painful hug as she pulled me into the house, closing the door behind us. When she stopped hugging me and held me away at arms length, I could see her eyes were glistening with fresh tears. I felt mine getting a little misty, too. "Oh my goodness, what happened? Where have you been? We've been worried sick! Are you OK? I'm so happy you're—" She gasped loudly, just like Kagome had. "Sayuri? What happened to your throat?!" As she said this, my father came walking from the kitchen. "Honey! Sayuri's home! She's back!"

"Hm," was all he said as he pushed his old person glasses up his nose. "You're home. Where have you been?" His stern blue eyes pierced through my brown ones.

"It's um...actually a long story." How did my mom, happy and full of spunk, end up with the old geezer who acted like he had a pole stuck sideways up his ass all the time?

My mom took my hand, "Sweetie, are you OK? What happened to you? Your neck looks horrible, you've been gone for two days, your uniform is in tatters!"

"If I tell you, you won't believe me."

"Do you need a doctor? Honey, I think she needs a doctor."

"She's fine," my dad answered before I could. He motioned stiffly to the kitchen table. "Have a seat, and explain where exactly you were, and what happened. I want nothing but the truth." You can't handle the truth. Popped into my head, but i did as I was told and sat down. My mother sat next to me, still holding my hand. He stood across from us. "Firstly, what happened to your throat?" How could I say it without making my mother go into a crazed frenzy?

I kept my voice strong to show i was telling the truth. How could he doubt it anyway? The evidence was right in front of him. "I was...asphyxiated." I used a big word to make it sound less terrible. It worked. My mother looked at me with puzzled expression.

"'Asphyxiated?'" She repeated.

"She was strangled," my dad explained, ruining everything. Her breath caught loudly in her throat.

"Jason! Our poor daughter! Who did this to you? I demand to know! Don't be afraid. We'll call the police and--"

"Aiko, calm yourself." he commanded, stopping her rising rampage. He turned back to me. "And how did this so called, 'asphyxiation' happen?"

Great, he didn't believe me already. "Well, he wrapped his hands around my throat and squeezed really hard--"

"I meant, tell me the story. Who, when, where, and why." he interrupted.

"Um...I don't know who he was. It happened yesterday in...Feudal Japan...And I don't know why. He just...wanted to I guess." I tried to say Feudal Japan quickly so they didn't notice, but of course he caught it.

"Feudal Japan--"

"I swear I'm not on drugs, OK? Just hear me out." I took a long, deep breath—stalling—then delved into the impossible-to-prove story. I just had to hope they would believe me. This was highly unlikely.

I told them about the well and the Feudal Era. I told them about the demon I thought was hot until he tried to kill me—my mom rolled her eyes at this. I was always talking about hot guys. I told them about Kagome and Inuyasha; Miroku, Sango, Kikyo, Shippou, Kirara, Kaede, Naraku, and Sesshomaru. I told them about Yuki and the demon blood I supposedly possessed and how I had to have it awakened so I could restore order between humans and demons and defeat the one known as Naraku *deep breath*…It took at least an hour. Hopefully, Sesshomaru wasn't angry at me. It's difficult to convince people of things when you have absolutely no proof. It would be like me telling them the sky is orange, when everything shows that it is, in fact, blue—to them, the feudal era has passed; it no longer exists, and I have no proof to convince them otherwise.

When I finished, my foster parents only stared at me. Then my dad said,

"Go to your room while a call one of my colleagues. He's a very well know teen psychologist."

I couldn't believe my ears. "Dad! I'm not lying!" I yelled. He ignored me as he went to the phone in the living room. "Mom! Tell him I'm not lying please!" I begged. She said nothing--just looked at me with her puppy dog black eyes. "I can't believe this bullshit!" I screamed.

my mother gasped, "Watch your language young lady!" She reprimanded, looking at the entranceway to where my dad was. I knew she was hoping he hadn't heard me.

I didn't care. I wanted everyone to hear. "No! I will not watch my language! I will not do anything you say!" I said as I made my way to my room. "I don't have to do anything you say!" I stopped at the top of the stairs to see both of them staring up at me—My dad with the phone to his ear. "You wanna know why I don't have to listen to what you say?" I watched as my dad left to talk to whomever had answered the phone on the other line, "Because Jason and Aiko, you're not my real parents!" I yelled finally, then walked into my room, Slamming the door as loud as possible. I was definitely getting the hell out of here. I took my cell phone and threw it into the wall. The backing flew off and the battery spiraled across my room, landing on my Hello Kitty bed. After locking my door, I went to my closet and began pulling out clothes and any other things I would need. I made sure to grab a lighter, too. I turned around and had to cover my mouth to stop from screaming.

Standing in the middle of my room, staring curiously at the plasma TV perched on my dresser, was Sesshomaru. It was comical seeing him standing in my Hello Kitty decked out room. His eyes narrowed at me.

"Hurry. You have wasted enough time already with your petty sentimentalities." I rolled my eyes and moved past him. He was a jerk—Even though he did have soft hair, which, right at this moment, I wanted to run my fingers through. Suddenly, I remembered one word: shower.

"Be right back." I said, while I yanked clothes out of my closet and fled to my bathroom. It was awkward having him stand there; watching me…judging me.

The hot shower calmed me. I pulled on my short, purple shorts, my plain-black, v-neck top, converse, and splashed on some body spray, before exiting the bathroom. I went back to my room and continued packing. When I walked by, I noticed Sesshomaru's nose twitch slightly—like a dog's when they sniffed something. It was absolutely adorable. I remembered that he was a dog demon after all. My phone began to ring as I zipped up my backpack and flung it over my shoulder. I was running a brush hurriedly through my hair as I walked over to it and answered.

"Sayuri?" My name came from two different places. One was from Yuki, who sounded hopeful, the other from my mother as she softly knocked on the door.

"Go away, Aiko. I don't want to talk to you or Jason. Just leave me alone!" I called out, then responded to Yuki, "Yeah it's me. I'm really sorry, but I can't talk right now." I glanced at Sesshomaru, who was still occupied with the TV. Although I knew he was getting impatient. "I'll call you later, OK? Promise. Bye!" I said, then, hanging up, I turned to Sesshomaru. "I'm ready."

"Sayuri!" Aiko was still begging. "Please, unlock the door." I ignored her and slid open my window. It was higher than I thought. Sesshomaru saw the look on my face and went first, gracefully jumping out of the window and landing on his feet. I decided not to think of how much attention that had attracted from passerby's. He looked up at me, waiting for me to jump. Would he catch me? I decided not to think about this. I put my legs through until I was sitting on the ledge and with difficulty, closed the window behind me. Then, before I could second-guess, I pushed off. Instead of landing on the ground, like I thought I would, I landed safely in his arms. It was almost too good to be true.

"Thanks." I said as I put my feet to the ground and he let me go. For a second, I stood there, staring into his amber eyes. I just couldn't help myself. His voice brought me out of my daze.

"We must go now."

"Right."

AmiSami: I finally finished it! For a while, I was stuck with a little writer's block, but I pulled through! I hope you enjoyed it! Thank you everyone who reviewed. =D It made me really happy.

Sango: I really did.

AmiSami: Ok readers, the next chapter is up to you. Option 1: I rewrite this chapter in Sesshomaru's point of view (what a challenge that will be, but I'll try!). Option 2: I move on to the next chapter and stay in Sayuri's point of view. Option 3: Move on to the next chapter and write in Sesshomaru's point of view. It's up to you! Review and tell me which one you want, and I'll do it. =D

Sango: She's serious.