So... I didn't keep to my shorter chapters promise very well... I just can't help it! I love long chapters!
WARNING: Sesshoumaru's character is how I believe he would be if he had 500 years to change. So he still has MANY elements of the canon Sesshoumaru plus other elements I believe are part of him, even though the anime doesn't show that. So here you go... chapter 2!
To the anonymous reviewer, and anyone else if you were somehow by some small chance confused by this: Kagome and Inuyasha have NOT been together physically for 500 years. I explained this both in the summary and the first chapter. They were together for three years before Naraku was defeated, Kagome made a wish, she and the others minus Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were sent to the future. The two brothers had to live 500 years without them. Well technically, 497. The brothers knew what day the others were sent to the future, so they waited at the well for them when they came through. Anyway, I hope that clears things up!
"Miko?"
Kagome lifted her head up and his heart gave a twinge of pity; her eyes held so much pain, and it looked like she had been sitting there for quite a while.
"Sesshoumaru? What are you doing here?"
"Getting groceries. Why are you out in the rain? You'll catch a cold."
"I don't care. I like the rain; it's calming." Her voice sounded tired and weak, like she had no life left in her.
"Where is your son?"
"He always goes to the shrine after school until I pick him up after work. I have a few hours until work is supposed to end... I just didn't want to go there sooner." He put his umbrella in the grocery bag, and picked her up bridal-style because he knew she was too weak to walk. "Wha-what are you doing?"
"Taking you home."
"I don't have a home there, anymore."
"Not your place. Mine. You can call your mother and ask her to take Shippou for the night, I assume."
"No, I mean yes I can, but no, I can't impose on you like that."
"You are not. I am taking you."
"But you're getting soaked..."
Sesshoumaru said nothing. He didn't know when he had come to care for her, or why, but he did. Perhaps it was when she and the others came through the well after the wish, and he saw her with Rin in her arms before the little girl ran to him. Maybe it was from all the times she babysat and home-schooled Rin for him before Rin was put in an all day school, and when they chatted lightly when he came home after Rin had gone to bed. In any case, he didn't love her, but he cared enough to not leave her here.
When they got to his Maserati, he put her down and opened the door for her. She made a half-hearted fuss about getting the inside of his car wet, but he said something about it being just water and drove them to the garage of one of the high rise apartment buildings he owned; he and Inuyasha were in real estate. She was shivering so violently now that he picked her up again and hurried inside. They rode the elevator to the top floor, but she barely registered that. She didn't even see him use a special key to get to the top floor. They walked into his apartment and after closing the door, he turned on the lights and wrung out his long, low ponytail. He then proceeded to strip his top layers until he was bare-chested, hanging the wet clothing on the coat rack. Kagome would normally have blushed and stammered, as things like that embarrassed her, but she was in too much pain to care. He took off his shoes and socks but did not remove his pants; he didn't want to embarrass her and it wasn't proper, so he trudged off to his bedroom and came back in pajama bottoms with a bathrobe and a towel in his arms.
"Take your clothes off and put the robe on. I'll go to my bedroom so you can change. Then go take a hot shower. I'll have clothes ready for you when you are done. I hope you don't mind wearing some of mine."
"Sesshoumaru... you were kind enough to take me here, get you and your beautiful car wet, and let me take a shower. I wouldn't turn any of your kindness away, so no, I don't mind." She gave him a sad smile. "I appreciate everything, even the overly oversized clothes."
He cracked a smile at her small joke. "It is the least I can do to make up for my idiot brother's actions."
So he did know. Kagome was sure he did before, but he hadn't said anything about it until now.
He walked back into his bedroom and she changed out of everything, but took her underwear and hid it under the towel in her hands; she wasn't about to let him see those. She timidly knocked on his door and opened it when he told her to come in. "Um... where is your bathroom?"
"In here. I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything."
"Okay... thank you."
He gave her an extremely rare reassuring smile, one reserved only for Rin, and left, shutting his bedroom door. He called Rin's friend's mother and asked if Rin could stay overnight. As soon as he got off the phone, there was knocking at his door. He knew who it was before he smelled Inuyasha, as the hanyou is the only other person with a key to the top floor. He opened the door. "Inuyasha." Then he saw his brother's expression, and felt confused. Inuyasha looked really bad. His eyes were downcast, his shoulders were slumped, and his face was filled with great sadness.
"Sessh... I ruined it. I ruined my future."
"Come in and sit down." He closed the door and went back to the kitchen to put the rest of the food away.
As soon as Inuyasha sat down, he smelled something familiar and jumped up with wide eyes. "Kagome! She's here?"
"Sit down, Inuyasha. She is here, and she does not want to see you so don't get excited."
Inuyasha deflated and sat back down. "Why did she come here?"
"She didn't. I found her in the park on a bench in the rain."
Inuyasha groaned. "I can't believe I fucked up so badly."
Sesshoumaru didn't bother correcting his language. "What happened? Cheating is not like you."
"My secretary - who I fired - I took her out to dinner to talk business with her and she put something in my drink."
"She drugged you?!" the daiyoukai seethed. His youkai instincts flared to life. He and Inuyasha may have hated each other for hundreds of years, but that was behind them. Now they saw each other as family, having spent the last 500 years together. So to say he was pissed was a severe understatement.
"Not... exactly. I guess you could call it that, but it wasn't a drug. At least not one that alters your personality and thinking. It was something that... increases..." he blushed, "hormones, and makes it impossible for you to say no to... relief." His cheeks were burning.
"That sounds like a drug to me," Sesshoumaru growled.
Inuyasha saw the look in his brother's eyes and got worried. "Sessh... don't. Please don't cause any trouble. You can't kill people in this time, even though you're still technically the western lord. You know that doesn't hold as much meaning, anymore."
"I know that, but that does not mean I can't make her life hell. She drugged pack." Sesshoumaru's inner beast was coming through and his eyes were tinged red.
"Aniki," Inuyasha said with great respect, a name for 'brother' that he only used when he needed to get Sesshoumaru's attention away from his youkai. It was so shocking to Sesshoumaru that Inuyasha would ever call him that, that it always did the trick. The red faded slightly from his eyes. "It was my fault for taking Emiko out to dinner. She may have drugged me, but I still had rational thought. It was my fault for trusting her and it was my fault Kagome's heart was shattered. So I have to deal with this problem myself." His ears drooped.
Sesshoumaru was about to say something when he heard quiet, shallow breathing. Kagome was listening. He briefly wondered if his brother could hear it, even though he had lesser hearing than a daiyoukai, but continued with the conversation anyway. "When did you grow up?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "When we were left in the past to fend for ourselves without our humans, I guess."
"I am... proud of you." Inuyasha looked up in surprise. "All you can do is explain everything to Kagome and hope she understands. When she is ready to listen," he added. "I would not get my hopes up if I were you, though. She is a passionate girl and you were still in your right mind. You said the drug doesn't affect rational thought. She will take that into account. However, there is always a possibility in trying."
"I love her so much, Sessh."
He nodded. "Just not enough."
Inuyasha looked like he was about to defend that, but then he dropped it. "I would argue... but I guess you're right... I would think that if I truly loved someone, I would never ever cheat, even if someone slips an arousal drug in my drink... she'll think that, too. I'm gonna go... I don't want her to find out I'm here, if she doesn't already know, and get upset all over again. Thanks... bye, Sessh."
"Goodnight, Inuyasha." When he was sure his brother was in the elevator on his way down, he spoke. "I assume you heard everything."
He heard a gasp and his bedroom door opened. "How did you...?"
"I am a daiyoukai. I have more heightened senses than most youkai."
She blushed. "Right. Forgot. Well, you were right. About everything you told him. He was still in his right mind the entire time, and I can't forgive him. Maybe over time... but I won't give our relationship another chance."
"I understand. Just know that he is not a bad person, miko."
"I know. I know how pure his heart is. I just can't take another risk, as much as my heart is telling me to. And, could you please call me Kagome? I know I've asked you before, but miko is so old fashioned and I'd prefer my name... I hope you don't mind that I call you by your name without a title, I've just always called you that... anyway, can you please call me Kagome?"
He nodded, amused at her rambling. "As you wish."
"Thanks. Oh, uh, since when did you and Inuyasha get so close? I have never known that he calls you aniki."
"It is rare, and only to help control my beast's rage. Perhaps that will be a story for another time, as it is long. Would you like something to eat?"
"No, I'm alright. Thank you, though."
"Your stomach is growling." She blushed. "I am making dinner for myself, anyway. What would you like?"
"You cook?" she asked, shocked. Then she shot her hands over her mouth. "Oh! I'm sorry! That was so rude... I just didn't think you cooked because you're the lord of the west and all..."
"You are not rude. I never used to cook in the Sengoku because of obvious reasons, but when we started our business, I needed to be closer to work some days out of the week. Now that Rin is back, it makes it easier for her to get to school on time. I learned to cook because I did not want anyone here but myself, and now Rin."
"I always wondered who cooked your food here when I wasn't here to make Rin's dinner... I'm just curious, you're the lord of the west. Why did you start a business?"
"I needed something to do with myself. The additional funds help, as well."
"Makes sense."
"So. Food?"
"Whatever you're having," she replied. "I'm not picky."
It was then when she realized that being with Sesshoumaru made her feel happier and forget about Inuyasha. She smiled her first real smile that day.
"I wish... I wish for everyone to be happy. Together. I want us all to be happy and live happily together. Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Inuyasha, Kirara, Sesshoumaru, Rin... everyone. Even Kouga and Ayame, and other youkai we befriended along our journey. I wish for Kikyou to be reborn and have a long, beautiful, fruitful life. Even if I don't make it, even if I have to sacrifice myself, especially for Kikyou to be reborn,I want everyone to be happy."
"Your wish is a selfless one," came a soothing female voice. "I will grant your wish in a way that will be best for all of you. You all want to grow old together. Since I cannot grant eternal life, I am sending you and your friends into the future along with your adopted son Shippou, simply because your lives are tied by family and he has no other in this time period. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru have business to attend to here still, and much growing up to do. They will stay, and meet up with you in the future. When, I cannot say. Kikyou will be reborn, but I will give her a new soul; you will get to live happily, too. However, with the adventures you and your group have had here and the changes you have made, youkai will exist publicly in your time. They will be numerous and live harmoniously with humans. They will have government positions and own businesses like everyone else. I will also make sure that your family retains their memories of before this change. Thank you, Shikon Miko, for making these changes, and for setting me free. My battle is over. Your battle is over. Go on to live and fight new ones. I wish you all luck."
She opened her eyes and saw everyone around her. They were staring at her in shock, and she realized they heard everything. Rin and the inu brothers began to protest because they did not wish to be apart from each other, but there was a flash of light that enveloped the humans and Shippou. The last they saw were Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru running at them and reaching out to Kagome and Rin. Then they suddenly appeared at the bottom of the well, but there was a roof overhead. Kagome held a sobbing, hysterical Rin who was screaming "daddy" and explained to her that she would see her father again. They helped each other climb out of the well, and looked around at the inside of the well house.
"Kagome-chan?" Sango asked timidly. "Where are we? Your time?"
Kagome nodded. "We're at my family's shrine, in the well house. Come on, we should go to my house and tell my family what happened." Her voice was filled with sadness, for she, as well as the rest of them, didn't know when they would see Inuyasha again. But as soon as they stepped outside, they all gasped. Alongside Kagome's family, there stood Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, hair pulled back and in modern clothes, waiting for them.
"DADDY!" Rin ran full speed at Sesshoumaru, who, shocking everyone, fell to his knees and enveloped Rin in a big hug. "Rin thought she'd never see you again! Why... why are you crying?"
"Don't be silly, Rin."
She understood his meaning, and said nothing else about his tears.
Kagome was picked up and swirled around by Inuyasha, both laughing and crying. When he put her down, he got on one knee and pulled a box out of his pocket, opening it to reveal a ring. Kagome's hands went to her mouth and fresh tears fell down her face.
"Kagome, I've grown up. I've had five hundred years to love and miss you. I don't want to lose you again. I've been waiting for so long to be with you again, and it was agony watching you go to school and go to the well without being able to talk to you. It has made me realize how much you mean to me, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
Kagome opened her eyes. How had everything changed so drastically? Why did he have to go and mess it all up? Her mind was battling with taking him back. It was a drug, not his choice... but he would have resisted had he loved her enough. Maybe it had to happen. To open her eyes. But he would never have cheated if he was never drugged. Maybe he could have grown to love her more in their marriage... she doubted it. If he couldn't fully love her in five hundred years apart and seven years in total together, he never could. She wiped her tears away and hesitantly got out of bed.
"Good morning," Sesshoumaru said when she walked down the hall, still dressed in his pajamas.
"Morning. Wait... if I slept in your bed, then... where did you sleep?"
"My sofa pulls out into a bed," he simply answered.
She looked distressed. "Sesshoumaru! Why did you let me take your bed? I would have gladly taken the couch! I'd have preferred it! I'd never want to take your bed and room away from you-"
"Miko," he interrupted strongly, "enough. It is alright. You fell asleep and I put you there. That bed is more comfortable than the sofa bed, and you needed rest much more desperately than I. Eat."
She said not another word after her mumbled thanks, and sat at the table with the heaping plate of food he handed her. He joined not long after.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
"I guess." He raised an eyebrow and she sighed. "I had a dream."
"About?"
"About the wish, and our return home here. Meeting up with you two again."
He knew what she wasn't saying. She dreamt of Inuyasha's proposal. "Tea?"
She looked relieved at not having to talk further about it. "Yes, please." She was glad that he, more than most, understood what she was thinking, and especially that he didn't ask her anything more about it. Sango would drop it, but she'd ask first if Kagome wanted to talk, and then she would look concerned for the rest of the day.
He poured her a cup and set it beside her. She glanced up at him and their eyes met. It had her wondering again how things ended up this way. "How did you change so much, Sesshoumaru?"
Her sudden question took him by surprise. He thought for a moment before he put his cup down. "To think and change into a better person takes a long time. Even longer for stubborn individuals. I had five and a half human lifetimes to change from the moment my daughter was ripped from me. If Rin was not in my life beforehand, I might not have changed as much. I was devastated, and lost without her. I can admit that, now. To be quite honest, it was Inuyasha who pulled me through."
Kagome's eyebrows almost flew off her head. "Inuyasha?"
He nodded. "We spent ten years alone, wallowing in our self hatred and pity, missing our humans and cursing Midoriko. Then one day, he found me to talk."
"What did he say?"
"He said this was ridiculous, the way we were living and being miserable. That there was a reason for Midoriko to leave us here, to do some of the 'growing up' we needed, as she put it. He said he was willing to let bygones be bygones because of my help in defeating Naraku, as well as saving your life, even though we hated each other. He was lonely, so I suspected that is why he came to me. I told him I didn't hate him, that I was so hard on him because I was jealous at first about Tetsusaiga, and when I got over that, to keep him in shape and stay on his toes. I did hate him for the first two hundred years of my life, but things changed. We talked for hours, though it was mostly him. He would come and find me every once in a while after that and would either be silent, or talk. They were brief visits, but they became longer. I asked him if he wanted to live in the palace after a while, to which he, of course, said no. He is a free spirit to this day."
"So that's how you two got close. I've wondered ever since we got here four years ago, but he never gave me a straight answer and I never had a chance or a reason to ask you."
"What is your reason, now?"
She took a moment to think. "The Sesshoumaru I knew would never have done all of the things you've done for me last night and this morning, or consider my feelings. You wouldn't have even stopped for me in the park. You used to want to kill me, and have tried to do so many times. But you've changed so much. You have a kind, caring heart now, that I'm sure Rin pulled out of you, and you've grown up; you're more mature. You have your own business, you're a father, you no longer kill without reason even though you're not allowed to, anymore. At least you don't seem like you want to. But you are still Sesshoumaru-sama of the western lands, and while people do change, the hardest thing to change about ourselves is how we react to things, our insides, our hearts. And I am willing to bet yur pride is taking a serious blow right now at having yourself laid out on the table, so I want you to know that I admire you. I admire how you've changed, what you've become, and how you are with Rin. I appreciate everything you've done for me, who, if not for Rin, you would never have any contact with at all. Back then, you were selfish in every aspect - excuse me for saying so - but now, you're a beautiful person, and I didn't understand why you did so much for someone you barely know or care about, someone you used to want dead. That's why I asked, that's my reason for wanting to."
He stared at her thoughtfully for a long time before he answered. She really hit every nail on the head, and she was right; he hated it when people pegged him, but she was the only person to ever get it correct. "You are perceptive," he finally said. "I was an idiotic bigot as a youngster, and I cannot take back what I have done to you and your friends. All I can do is apologize."
She smiled brilliantly, surprising and pleasing him. "I never wanted an apology. All you've done for me yesterday and today is more than I've ever expected from anyone. But, showing me how much you've changed is even more of a gift. I've always known you had good in you, even before you met Rin. And look at us! We're sitting in your living room, drinking tea and talking." She laughed a real, hearty, full belly laugh. "It's blowing my mind. And I love it."
He actually smiled. "It is blowing mine, as well." They sat in silence a bit longer until they finished their tea. He got up and brought her a pile of her clothes. "I washed these. They are dry and clean."
"Oh! You didn't have to do that... thank you." She smiled.
"You're welcome," he said sincerely. "I have to pick Rin up from her friend's house. Would you like to come along and pick up your son as well, or stay here until we come back?"
"Stay here? I thought I was going..."
"Home?" he asked. She nodded. "It is Saturday; Inuyasha will be there. You need a place to stay until you find a new one. You can fine someone else to live with if you wish, or you can stay with me and Rin for a while."
"You... you're offering for me to live with you?" she asked, completely shocked.
"Yes. I know Rin would love it, and it would do her good to have an adult female present more often, as well as a friend her own age; I know she and Shippou are close. Think it over, and decide later if you wish. I will not be offended if you look for another apartment. I am sure I can find one for you, being the owner of thousands." He smirked and she smiled.
"Thank you. I'll come with you... I'm just nervous about facing the public. Aren't you afraid of what they will say about you being seen with me not even twenty-four hours after breaking up with Inuyasha?"
"This Sesshoumaru is afraid of nothing, especially not petty commoners who believe everything magazines say."
She smiled all the way out the door and down to the garage.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! The next one won't come as soon because I still have to write it out. Possibly next week. Please let me know what you think!