Chapter 22: Back Down the Rabbit Hole.

Serena, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were waiting by the well house for Kagome. Sesshomaru was dressed in his feudal era cloths and his arm was around Serena. She was dressed in both her kimonos and her bag of stuff was next to her. Inuyasha was pacing impatiently for Kagome.

"Where the hell is she?" Inuyasha asked as he continued to pace back and forth in front of the demon lovers.

"Will you give it a rest already Inuyasha? My sister said that she was packing a few things for the feudal era. And your pacing is starting to make me dizzy." Serena said as she held her head.

Sesshomaru smirked and covered her eyes with his hand. "There. Now he can't make you dizzy."

Serena giggled and pushed his hand away. She then kissed him lovingly on the lips. "You're silly."

"I do my best." He said as he kissed her back.

Inuyasha just growled at the two of them as Kagome finally showed up. "Hey guys. Ready?"

"Yep." Said Serena as she and Sesshomaru stood up. Inuyasha opened the shrine doors and they jumped into the well. Sesshomaru pulled Serena close to him and they jumped into the well too.

As they fell into the blue light, Sesshomaru hoped that his left arm wouldn't disappear when they got back to his era. When the light faded, he looked and saw that his left arm was still there.

He held Serena close to him and jumped hard out of the well. He landed softly on the grass outside the well and followed Inuyasha and Kagome back to the village.

Everyone was glad to see them all again. Including Rin. She came out of the village and jumped into Sesshomaru's arms. "Lord Sesshomaru! You have finally returned!"

Jaken was close behind her and his jaw dropped at the sight of his master. Sesshomaru was actually smiling at the sight of Rin. Serena laughed at the look on Jaken's face. "What's wrong Jaken? Never saw you're master smile before?"

Jaken just growl at the girl. "What have you done to my lord?!"

"She hasn't done anything Jaken. And don't ever speak to her in that manner again. You will honor her with respect that you show me." Sesshomaru said as he glared at the toad.

Jaken shivered from his glare and bowed to Serena. He then walked away, grumbling.

They then went to Keade's hut to say hi to everyone.

"Kagome! Serena! You're back." Said Shippo as he jumped up into Kagome's arms.

Kagome giggled and hugged the little fox demon.

Miruko and Sango also said their hellos and had lunch with Keade.

"My word, Sesshomaru. Ye look different then ye did a few days ago." Keade said as she looked at the demon lord.

"Yes. You seem a little more relaxed around Serena then you used to be." Sango said when she also noticed the change in Sesshomaru.

"That's because he finally told me that he loved me." Serena said as she smiled at everyone.

Everyone was shocked for a moment and then cheered.

"I just knew you two were going to get together." Said Sango as she hugged her. Serena laughed at the sudden attention from the demon slayer.

Sesshomaru just smiled. It felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest the moment he told Serena he truth about how he felt about her.

Everyone soon settled down and then went out to search for more jewel shards. They all headed east and kept traveling until sundown.

They made camp next to a river and had some fish Inuyasha got for them. Serena then fell asleep on Sesshomaru's laps. He held her close as they slept.


Serena was in the same room that she was in a month ago. It was the same room with the same sunset outside and the same elegant transmutation circle on the floor. She stepped into the circle again and once again, her father appeared before her.

"Is something wrong father?" She asked when she saw the looked on his face.

He then laughed and smiled. "No my angel. I'm just so glad you and my son, Sesshomaru fell in love with each other." He then went over to her and hugged her. She smiled and hugged him back.

"Father. Can I ask you something?"

"What is it Serena?" He pulled away and looked at her.

"How is it that I am able to see and hear you?"

He smiled softly and stroked her face. "Remember the night Kikyo attacked you and said there was a trapped portion of a soul in your jewel." He said as he tapped the jewel that was around her neck.

Serena nodded and placed a hand on her jewel.

"She was right in what she said. There is indeed a trapped soul in your jewel."

"Who's soul is it father?"

Inutaisho sighed as looked at her. "Mine."

"You are trapped inside my jewel?"

"Yes. Remember. This jewel was forged with my blood and Sesshomaru's blood as a way to protect Izayoi. And since I died, my soul lived on inside the jewel. I'm trapped in there forever. Or at least that part of my soul is."

"So this is how I'm able to speak with you? Through the jewel?" Serena asked as she looked at her father's sad face.

"


Serena slowly woke up in Sesshomaru's arms. He was carrying her and the group walked down the path they were on. "Did I sleep in?"

Sesshomaru jumped a bit at hearing her voice. He then looked down and smiled. "Yes you did." He said as he stopped and set her down so she could stand up.

She smiled and kissed him lovingly on the lips. "I was in a dream with father again." She said as they followed the group ahead of them.

"You were?" He looked at her surprised.

She nodded. "Yes. His soul is apparently trapped inside my jewel. That's how I'm able to speak with him." She said as she looked at the jewel around her neck. It was giving off a gentle glow in the morning light.

Sesshomaru smiled and pulled her close to him. "Tell him I said hi."

Serena giggled. "He says he can still hear you even if you can't silly. He also says to make sure you protect me with your life."

"Did he really say that?" He looked at her a bit started.

"Nope. But he was thinking it." She giggled again at the look he had on his face.

He smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I will protect you for as long as I live Serena. I promise."