Now that I know what I'm without,
You can't just leave me

Opening his eyes slowly, the demon lord took in the scenery around him. It was quite peaceful in the meadow where he stood, breeze gently blowing towards the south and he stood facing the north. The world around him seemed, different somehow, more serene than the world he was used too, it was here, he'd find her.

Beginning to move forward, he was unsure where he was headed, but standing still would get him nowhere and if he was going to help her, his best bet was to start heading somewhere within this realm of dreams. Not long after, something caught his eye, a flash of white within the trees at the edge of the meadow. He began to make his way towards it.

There again it appeared and floated around, until Sesshomaru got close enough, the floating white changed form from an orb like being into a shape, similar to his.

"My son..." the being uttered and finally materialized fully before Sesshomaru.

He was shocked at first, but his expression never showed it, "father, you reside within this realm?" he asked, not sure how he could be here with him being dead.

"In a way, yes. While I am indeed dead and my soul has moved on, my spirit has not. I am able to reside and be at peace within this realm. The dream world is where most spirits remain upon death; it is how we of the otherworld are able to speak to our loved ones that remain among the living. It is our way to keep watch over you all as well, this realm is the connection between the otherworld and your world," he explained.

"I see," Sesshomaru then began to head into the trees, knowing his father would follow him. He had to get a move on after all, 24 hours was short and even shorter in dreaming.

"Tell me Sesshomaru, do you care for her?" the older male asked.

That wasn't a question the demon lord had been expecting from his father, "what business is it of yours?" he answered.

"If you plan on saving her, it will be difficult-"

"Nothing is difficult for me," he stated cutting his father off.

"Sesshomaru, you must listen to me. While it may not seem like it will be difficult to you, these obstacles you are facing are not things that can be fought off with a sword or strength. Your own spirit will be tested to reach hers and in order to save her, the most powerful thing you can possess, is your heart. Only one emotion can aid you in this fight and if you don't possess it, reaching her will not be possible."

"I have no need of those things. I can and will save her without such pesky emotions." He knew well what his father was talking about, it was something he had also read in the books but he didn't believe it mattered, so long as he had the Tensaiga.

InuTaisho shook his head, "stubborn as always, very well. I will accompany you and advise you if need be but that is all I can do."

"I do not need your help father, but if you feel you must come along, do so," he replied coldly as he ventured on.

"Let us through you stupid toad!" Inuyasha growled and kicked Jaken into the castle, walking right past him and down the hall. He knew fully well where Sesshomaru's room was and he could smell Kagome in that direction as well. One way or another he would retrieve her body and destroy his brother in the process if necessary.

Sango and Miroku exchanged looks, both thinking it was unnecessary to be so rash and barge in, but what else could they do? They couldn't stop him, and so they walked past the toad demon and followed after Inuyasha, Shippo on Sango's shoulder and Kirara in her arms, the four went after the half demon.

Jaken after a moment recovered and shook his head. He stood up and gasped, beginning to run in circles in a panic, if Lord Sesshomaru knew he had allowed Inuyasha by or had been unable to stop him, he'd be dead for sure. With a pause he suddenly realized, running around in circles wasn't going to do any good and so ran off down the hall to try once more to stop the half demon.

Quickly he managed to catch up and came to a stop in front of his Lord's bedchambers, placing his arms out in an attempt to keep Inuyasha from going any further. "Forgive me Lord Inuyasha but I can't let you pass, Lord Sesshomaru is quite busy and in need of peace in order to complete his task," he begged and pleaded.

"Task eh? What's he doing in there? And what could he possibly want with Kagome?! I don't care what peace he needs, I'm going to get her back!" he shoved Jaken out of the way and reached for the door knob when it shocked him and sent him flying back into the wall behind him.

Groaning the half demon growled, "What the..." he stood and growled out, rushing at the door again, this time it shimmered in a soft blue light and threw Inuyasha to the side, sending him flying down the hallway.

Sango and Miroku stepped aside as Inuyasha flew down the center past them. Walking up to it, Miroku began to exam the door.

Inuyasha got up again and ran back to the door, glaring. "What the hell is going on in there?!" he shouted and glared at Jaken. But Jaken was unable to answer, for even he didn't know what his lord was doing.

"Please forgive this lowly servant, I do not know but Lord Sesshomaru has given me instructions to not allow you into the castle, please, wait outside," he begged, throwing himself at Inuyasha's feet.

Inuyasha kicked him off, "nothin doin, I'm getting in there one way or another!" he growled out.

Reaching for the knob again, Miroku used his staff and stopped him. "No Inuyasha, there is a barrier, that is why you are unable to open the door," he explained.

"A….barrier?" he asked, "what the hell does he need a barrier for?! Fine..I'll get in there," he looked at the room next to Sesshomaru's and walked over to it, doing the same he gripped the knob only for it to toss him into the wall again.

"Looks like the barrier covers both rooms," Sango stated in surprise. "Why does he have a barrier for Kagome's room too?" she wondered aloud.

"Is he protecting Kagome from Naraku?" Shippo asked.

"I doubt that, alright, if I can't get in the easy way, looks like we're doing this the hard way," Inuyasha smirked and withdrew the Tetsusaiga, aiming it at the door, he sliced through the air, but the sword remained its dull shape and nothing happened. "Wha?!"

"You haven't been able to wield the power of the Tetsusaiga since the day before yesterday, I've been pondering the reason ever since," Miroku began, folding his arms and looking down in thought.

"What are you getting at Miroku?" Inuyasha ordered. "Why can't I use the Wind Scar or anything at all?" he shouted and asked at the same time, growing more impatient at being unable to get inside.

"Hmm….I can't say for certain….we will simply have to wait and see," he stated, not wanting to give Inuyasha any more fuel to his current fire at the time being.

'Sesshomaru,' a voice called his name, but it wasn't hers. Ignoring it, he kept on walking when he came upon a clearing. The clearing led towards a mountain in the distance, the ground from this point on had lost its lush green grass and was now covered in a thick blanket of snow. It had gotten a bit more windy now and he heard it again, 'Sesshomaru,' the voice called out to him.

Looking in the direction he had heard it come from, it was coming just a little ways away from the mountain, down an unknown path.

InuTaisho studied his son, he could hear the voice calling and was quite curious himself, but it was not his place, he was only able to accompany his son, but not aid him in any particular way if it was needed, save for advice. Sesshomaru had to do it all on his own.

Brushing it off, the demon walked in the direction of the mountain, ignoring the voice once more. The source of it grew angry and soon enough a blizzard began, pounding down on him, but it didn't faze him as he kept the pace he had started. When Sesshomaru finally reached the base of the mountain a figure emerged from a cave embedded into said mountain.

"Sesshomaru….." the female before him looked like Kagome but something felt off. "Thank you for saving me," she smiled sweetly at him, walking over to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him, slowly she moved her lips towards his but before she could reach her destination, he grabbed her arms, yanking her off of him and tossed her aside to the ground. "Leave my sight before I remove you from this world and the next," he glared at the woman.

"How can you say that? You came here to save me, I'm the priestess don't you see?" the female looked shocked and hurt as she stared up at him, tears running down her cheeks. But he gave no sign of caring.

"I have more important matters to attend to. Either leave or die," he stated and walked into the cave she had emerged from, finding a path that led to the top of the mountain, he began to walk faster, he was sure it was quite late now, how many more hours did he have? It didn't matter; he knew he'd get to her. The ring on her finger had called to him, he could see it through the darkness, straight up over his head, he knew exactly where she was.

She watched him go and growled out, how dare he even dismiss her like that? How could he know she was a fake? Standing the woman changed forms, dressed in a black kimono, her painted red lips smirked, her hair long and black, "you will not leave here and neither will she," the female vanished after uttering those words.

At the peak of the mountain, it was freezing, the blizzard had died down long ago but the wind and snow remained. In the center that was where he found her laying upon a stone-like bed, he walked over to her, kneeling down and gazing at her with those molten orbs.

She looked as if she was merely sleeping, this was good news to him, it would make things much easier. But something was wrong, Tensaiga wasn't pulsating and he had no idea how to awaken her. Gently he shook her, "priestess, awaken."

But nothing happened.

"You can't wake her that easily Sesshomaru, remember what I told you, you've proven to have the will to get here, but that alone is not enough my son. Do you care for her?" his father asked once more.

Sesshomaru looked at the girl, that question had come back to haunt him. Did he care for her? Wasn't the fact that he was here to save her and restore her life enough? What more was he supposed to do? He knew the answer, though he didn't see how he could feel that way for a human. Their nightly visits within this realm had indeed brought them closer, they had grown to understand one another, but was that enough? Had he taken that kind of a liking to the priestess? No he hadn't, at least he thought he hadn't.

For the first time ever, he turned towards his father, questioningly, "then what must I do father?"

"A promise of life and change. This young woman has gone through quite a lot, behind Inuyasha and you as well, as limited as it was. She has endured pain, can you promise her a chance to no longer feel such sadness that she was left with before her death?"

Sesshomaru turned to her again, thinking it over, the only thing he could do was allow her to stay with him until the Jewel was complete, that Jewel his idiot brother desired so badly, he knew was the reason she was here, Naraku's death as well, was something else that had to be dealt with. He could allow her that much, but could he promise she'd have the happiness she deserved?

Despite not having the answer he was looking for, he did have one thing, desire. He had the desire and will to help her, to restore her life and one way or another he'd do it. Sesshomaru knew the next step, though he had hoped he didn't have to do it, yet at the same time he found himself leaning in towards her, without so much as a thought on the matter. His body, his heart and his mind all knew what she needed to be saved and gently he placed his lips on hers, a kiss that sent warmth coursing through her. The contact was enough, he wasn't sure why, but it had caused a reaction.

Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life

Moving back, he stood up and watched as her body glowed before him, she gasped and was almost awakened when ice suddenly began to cover her form. What was going on? This wasn't supposed to happen and he was sure of it.

"Sesshomaru! Look out!" he heard his father shout and turning around he watched as a woman dressed in a dark kimono appeared, it was the woman from earlier. She laughed and watched him. "Did you really think it'd be that easy? Awaken Miss Princess over there with a sweet kiss of love? Ha love, an emotion you don't even have. Well you're too late, she won't be awakened, she will not leave her and neither will you," the woman laughed evilly and jumped over to Kagome's body.

The ice rose and stood, making Kagome look as though she was standing but trapped in crystal. She hadn't had the chance to awaken and somehow he had a feeling time was running out.

"Enough of this, I warned you once," he placed his hand on Tokijin.

The woman laughed, "You think you can kill me and be rid of me here? I don't think so, I've come here especially to greet you and make sure you stay here, along with this troublesome woman," she smirked, "now if you don't mind, I'll be taking her with me, the longer the wait, the more certain her fate and yours will be, Lord Sesshomaru!" she laughed and moved into the air, the ice that held Kagome, going with her.

His eyes widened but quickly he was back to his usual expression. "Don't count on that," he stated and jumped into the air, stopping her with a slash of his poison whip.

She screamed out and fell onto the mountain, the ice falling back down as well and landing as it had just been a second ago.

Looking down into the snow, she waved her hand and ice appeared, in the reflection of the ice she gasped as she saw blood on her face and a gash on her cheek. "How dare you!" she screamed and turned around, sending forth thousands of ice crystals at him.

He easily dodged it and landed in front of the ice coffin Kagome was currently stuck in. This woman didn't belong here and he could sense it. "I will send you to hell where you belong," he stated blankly.

"Oh and you know where I belong hmm? Well then, try and get me," she laughed and vanished into thin air.

He listened for her, waiting. Silence. Suddenly in all directions, spikes of dark energy went flying towards Sesshomaru. InuTaisho moved quickly and shoved his son out of the way, dodging it himself. Both dog demons landed a few feet away from Kagome, the ice box stabbed all around with the dark spikes. Miasma from the spikes began to seep into the ice, slowly but spreading around in an attempt to get to Kagome.

"Ha! Nice move…you've sealed her fate," she laughed out wickedly.

"Sesshomaru, this woman doesn't belong here, challenges to obtain the priestess would not be this way, you must get out of here and quickly before you are stuck here with her forever," he ordered. "Go!"

"No, I came for her and I am not leaving without her," he said in a deadly calm voice. "This ends now."

He rushed towards the ice and removed Tensaiga from its sheath, stabbing it into the ice from the top and in front of Kagome, the Tensaiga pulsating and acting as a barrier, it began to repel the miasma, sending it back out from its source.

The demon lord turned now to the woman and jumped towards her, dodging or slicing the spikes with his poison whip, he vanished and appeared right beside her with his speed, punching her in the face, she went flying into the wall next to the cave.

The woman screamed and growled, "You think you can beat me? Forget it, I can control this realm, I can stay and go as I please, but you haven't much time, it's already been 22 hours, your time is short and I will make sure no matter what, that it will run out on you," she laughed and wiped the blood from her lips.

Running at him, her hands turned into two blades and she tried to slice at him. Each try though, he dodged and kicked her in her stomach, Sesshomaru used his whip again and sliced off her arms, she screamed out in pain but they grew back immediately and she began to laugh. "It won't be so easy to destroy me," she cackled and grew two more arms, forming them into blades, "you will die here!" she hissed at him.

Growing tired of this and being pressed for time he had enough of her. In one swift movement he jumped behind her and she laughed, "I got you now," she turned her blade to stab him behind her, her arms folding under her, but before she could make contact, his clawed hand had ripped into her chest from behind. She coughed up blood and fell to her knees with his arm through her chest. Ripping her heart out of her chest he disintegrated it, "I will deal with you later," he walked past her, knowing he had only destroyed her here but not at the source. The woman screamed and panicked, tears flowing down her cheeks she shook her head, "NOOOOOO!" and vanished, seeming to have disintegrated as her heart had in his hands.

"That is not the last of her," InuTaisho stated. He knew she wasn't a part of the dream realm at all.

"I am well aware," he stood now looking at the ice she was frozen in.

(Wake me up) Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up) Wake me up inside
(Save me) Call my name and save me from the dark

Sesshomaru used the Tokijin, slicing open the ice, Kagome fell forward from it, free at last. Quickly he sheathed the sword and caught her, picking up Tensaiga and sheathing it as well, while still holding her in his arms. She gasped out but was asleep once again. Leaning closer to her he whispered her name, "Kagome…awaken," he waited patiently for a response from her.

Her fingers began to move, gently she stirred turning her head to the side where the light was coming from, eyes opening to take in the bright world around her. The freezing mountain had vanished and now they stood somehow, in the meadow as when he had entered this realm, a lake not too far off from them. Kagome turned to look at the one who saved her and gasped as she lay there in Sesshomaru's arms. "S….Sesshomaru?" she questioned.

"Priestess," he went back to his usual name for her.

"Welcome back to the dream realm Kagome," InuTaisho stated, standing near and watching them, a smirk crossing his lips at his own private thoughts on the two. "It is time you returned to your world," he said.

"W…who are you?" she gasped suddenly in realization, she had seen him once before. "Wait….you're Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's father!"

"Hmm, you remembered, well now let us get you two on your way," he began and walked over to the lake, peering into it. "Come now, this is your way out, Sesshomaru, you remember those words I take it?"

The younger male stood, lifting Kagome into his arms and carrying her with him, he stopped a few feet into the water and began to utter the chant. The bottom of the lake began to change and the image that now shone through was that of the castle, Sesshomaru's room to be exactly. Turning he looked at his father and nodded.

"Good bye my son, take care and remember my words," he smiled at him, that smirk from earlier still remained.

Sesshomaru had no idea what was going through his father's head but he simply ignored it, "yes father," was all he said before looking down at her. "Are you ready priestess?" He asked.

She looked at the water then at him and nodded, "uh huh…" her arms around his neck now, she held on to him tightly and he stepped forward before diving into the deepest part of the lake. A minute later he stood in his room both of them completely dry, she was in his arms still, holding on to him, glancing over at the room, he noticed she wasn't in the bed any longer, somehow within that realm, upon finding her spirit, he had awakened her fully and had the real Kagome in his arms at this moment.

The barrier had faded now that he had returned and he had made it back with an hour to spare. Suddenly the door was kicked open.

"I knew it! It's gone! Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha growled and rushed into the room only to get stopped in his tracks by the sight before him.

Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Kirara were right behind him and Jaken was cowering in a corner, behind the wall.

"What the fuck are you doing with her?!" he growled out ready to attack when Miroku stopped him.

"Wait Inuyasha….Kagome is…alive…" the monk trailed off.

This brought his attention more to focus in on the girl in his brother's arms. "Ka…Kagome?" he said her name slowly and quietly, for fear that if he said it too loud, she'd disappear at any moment.

Gently the demon lord placed her down on her feet. She took a step forward away from him but stumbled and Sesshomaru held her back against him, allowing her to lean on him.

Sango shoved Inuyasha out of the way, tears in her eyes, "Ka…Kagome is it really you?" she asked stepping slowly towards her friend.

Kagome smiled at seeing Sango and nodded. "Yea it is…I'm alive…thanks to Sesshomaru," she smiled and glanced up at him.

Sango rushed forward and hugged her best friend, relief and happiness washing over her. Shippo hopped off her shoulder and onto Kagome's, hugging her tightly as well, while Kagome returned their hugs. Kirara ran in and purred, nuzzling Kagome's ankle and looking up expectantly as the priestess picked her up.

Sesshomaru allowed the other girl and the two demons to greet Kagome, he knew they had missed her; he looked as emotionless as ever but smirked at his brother when he found the half demon growling in anger and anguish.

"How dare you save Kagome!" he shouted.

"Hn? You'd rather I left her dead Inuyasha?" he asked and got the reaction he was looking for.

Kagome glared at him, anger in her eyes at Inuyasha's stupidity. Inuyasha looked guilty and looked down at the floor, his eyes covered by his bangs.

Miroku cleared his throat, "perhaps this is best taken outside or in much more open quarters?" he asked and looked at the demon lord.

"Jaken," Sesshomaru called and the toad demon creeped out from behind the door, "y…yes mi'lord?" he asked, trembling in fear.

"Lead them to the gardens, I have to discuss something with the priestess," he ordered.

"Yes Lord Sesshomaru," he then jumped up and ran out the door, stopping to make sure they were following.

Sango carried Shippo out, Kirara following behind her, Miroku placed a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder, "let's get going shall we?" he asked and led his friend out the room, despite Inuyasha's desire to not leave her alone with his brother, he did so anyway, knowing he'd have some explaining to do anyway with Kagome.

A/N: So here we have it, Kagome is alive! I do hope this brought some relief and happiness to you guys. Don't worry, this isn't the end just yet, Naraku has to be dealt with still and that mysterious woman is also a factor. Plus we have to find out what Inuyasha's fate is. I also plan to show Kagome and Sesshomaru grow more closer into those feelings he says he doesn't have at the moment. It wouldn't be fair for me to deprive you guys of not seeing the great demon lord fall in love with Kagome :3 Also I'd like to thank you all for the wonderful and sweet reviews you always leave me. It really is my motivation you know, I can't tell you enough how I look forward to them after posting each new chapter ^_^ Also I've started on my next story, I'm so anxious to get it up that I've posted the first chapter today, not long after I have posted this one. As this one is drawing to a close, I'm quite certain I can maintain the two at the same time :) And if you're wondering, yes it is another Kag/Sess!

Mini side note: Also sorry for the delay in this new chapter by the way. Its just that, during the time I posted that last chapter, mom began to feel some really bad pain in her hip. I lost sleep, as did she. She had hip replacements done due to arthritis about 5ish years ago and I don't believe I've outright mentioned to you all why it took so long before to do the story update but...my dad was growing weak and sick last year and well in that same year in July he died so when mom was in pain, both of us were terrified of her going to the hospital over that pain. Thankfully it had nothing to do with the replacements she didn't even have to stay over night in the hospital, in fact, she had an infection and they gave her antibiotics so now she's feeling much better, we're both so relieved on that. Anyway if you read this, thanks for reading it and being so supportive as you guys usually are :3