"Inuyashaaaaaaa!" Kagome's voice sang. She could only hope he'd comply with her wishes soon, or else she's have to sit the poor hanyou to hell and back.

"I said no, wench. And that's final." Inuyasha snapped back. She'd been asking since she'd woken up. His answer was and forever would be no.

"Get out of my way!"

"No! We have jewel shards to find!"

She sighed exasperatedly. "Look, you have Kikyo now. I'll catch up."

His eyes hardened, and he looked away from her, arms crossed. "N-o. NO."

"Y-you..." She covered Kakudan's ears. "Jackass! You fucking son of a bitch! I don't give a shit what you say! I'll be damned if you stop me from going home, so go to hell! Sit sit sit sit sit!"

Sango sweatdropped as the half demon crashed to the ground. Thank goodness she, Miroku, and Kikyo had covered Rin, Shippo, and even Jaken's ears.

Sesshomaru nearly smirked. 'How amusing. The miko can subdue the halfbreed with one word.'

Kagome nodded firmly, but kicked him in the side when she saw him trying to get up. "I'll be back in a few hours, guys!" She chirped, her happy disposition returning. "Don't wait up!" Turning, she prepared to leap, when a hand was gently rested on her shoulder. "Hm?" She turned back. "Yes, Sesshomaru?"

The others stared intently at the two, wondering what was going to transpire.

Curious, the Daiyoukai inquired, "Where do you go, when you jump into this well?"

"Oh, I live five centuries into the future. When I come back, I can tell you about it. Hey, maybe I'll even take you sometime."

"Hn." He drew his hand back to his side.

"Say bye bye to the group, Kakudan."

The three week old cooed. "Bye!"

Kagome cuddled him. "I just love how quickly you little things age!" With that said, she leapt into the well, clutching her child tightly as the blue magic enveloped them.

Sesshomaru leaned over the well, noting in surprise that the miko was indeed gone. She had seemed to dissolve before his eyes. "Is what the miko said true?"

Inuyasha snorted. "Of course. What reason would she have to lie? I've been a thousand times."

"Hn." Turning on his heels, he started away, "We leave."

"Sure we do...you ass." He cringed slightly when his elder brother growled. "Keh. Can't take a joke."

"Well, there it is, the old well. Ashi, let me be in conrtol whenever we're with the family." Kagome remarked, her eyes a shade of maroon instead of crimson.

"Ku, whatever." Ashi replied, this time Kagome's eyes glowing a lighter shade of crimson than usual.

Kagome took a deep breath, then smiled down at Kakudan. "It's time, I guess. Oh, I almost forgot." She surrounded them both with her miko energy, and once it had faded, they were both left with human features. "Now, it's time." Leaping out of the well, she started out of the wellhouse.

Her mind started to work overtime as she mused over her family's reaction. Would they shun her? She was young, and unmarried. And now, she was demon. 'Did Inuyasha even tell them that I was dead?'

'Shut up, and just go in the house. If they don't accept you, to hell with them. We can go back to my ear.'

'Shut up, Ashi.'

Kakudan, sensing his mother's unease, cuddled closer to her as Kagome opened the door and walked into the house. "Momma, Sota. Jii-san. Is anyone here?" She muttered softly.

'Like they'll even know you're here with that whispering.'

'Don't you understand the meaning of the words shut and up?!'

'Shut doesn't go up, prices do. So shove those up your ass too.'

'What? Ugh, never mind. I hear something coming from the living room.'

"Sota, Haru, slow down! I can't keep up!" Whined a boy with long brown locks and khaki colored eyes.

"Whatever! I can't even pass Sota. I mean, come on, Sota! That move wasn't not fair!" A black haired, brown eyed boy cried.

Sota sighed, pushing the buttons on his controller harder. "Life isn't fair."

"Words spoken like a man, So." Kagome remarked, leaning in the door way.

All eyes snapped to the girl in the doorway, who was holding a baby. "S-sota, I thought you said she died."

Ignoring his friends, Sota stood and stalked toward his sister. He touched her cheek gently. "You're real."

"Duh." She smiled. "How ya been, kid?"

"Kagome, you're alive!" He cried, embracing her and burying his face in her shoulder. He was one an inch taller than his older sister.

"Careful, So, you'll squash the baby."

Reluctantly, he pulled back, tears in his eyes. "Mom! Gramps! Get in here! You'll never believe it."

Ayumi Higurashi blew her nose into some tissue as she started down the stairs, her eyes red from the crying she'd been doing. "Is something wrong dear?"

"Yes, what's with the racket, boy? I was busy." The old man limped into the house, clutching a pot in his hand.

As they both entered the livingroom at the same moment, they each dropped what was in their hands, and called out in disbelief, "Kagome!" They were about to run to her, when they saw the baby in her arms. "Who's child?"

"Mine...and Naraku's."

Ayumi's eyes widened. "Haru, Daisuke, would you two leave. We have important business to talk about."

The boys nodded, then hurried out of the house, mumbling about sisters coming back to life with a baby in her arms.

"Kagome, sit and tell us everything."

"Well, I got kidnapped by Naraku..."

Shippo pouted, his lip poking out as he whimpered. "When's mama coming back?"

"Would you quit asking me that, kid?! I have no idea! She'll be back, when she's back." Inuyasha bit.

There was silence for a while, before Rin started to whine. "I want okaa-san! Bring her back, Inuyasha!"

"Damnit! Shut the fuck up!" He yelped when Sesshomaru yanked one of his ears roughly. "Jeez." he rubbed the abused appendage.

"Hn."

"You deserved it, Inuyasha." Kikyo scolded. "You can't be so brash with children."

"I-" The hanyou paused in his response when he caught a scent on the air. "Naraku's scent. Smells like an incarnation." He turned to find his brother and the others already in battlestance. "It ain't Kagura, Kanna, or Hakudoshi. Must be that new one. Kiyoshiyuki."

As if on cue, the demon came bounding down the mountain side, landing in front of them. "Where's Kagome-sama?"

Inuyasha growled, unsheathing Tetsusaiga. "Why do you want to know?"

"It's important. Now, don't make me ask you again. Where is my Kagome-sama?"

"Your Kagome-sama?! Since when did she belong to you?"

Kiyoshiyuki narrowed his eyes and pulled his sword out of his sheath. Naraku had just given him this sword, and already he was going to have it stained with hanyou blood. He smirked at his reflection in the steel sword, gripping the handle, which was a pale blue, with black swirls. He prepared to attack when he heard the kit cry,

"Wait!"

"What?" He asked, lowering his sword and squatting. "You're that kit Kagome-sama was always babbling on about." A wide grin formed on his face. "You make her happy."

Shippo smiled. "Thank you. Mama's at home, but she'll be back before the sun goes down."

Inuyasha scowled. "Shippo!"

"Arigato, Shippo. Tell Kagome-sama I'll return for her." Waving, he jumped over the side of the mountain, thoughts of the moment he'd see his Kagome-sama again.

"Shippo, what the hell?!" Inuyasha clenched his hand into a fist. "He could be trying to hurt her under Naraku's orders."

"He isn't. He likes her. And Naraku doesn't control him like the other, at least, that's what mama said."

Sesshomaru eyed the kit closely. "What all did she say, kit?"

He looked over at Sesshomaru. "She didn't say much, just that Kiyoshiyuki wasn't like Kagura, Kanna, and Hakudoshi. We can ask her when she gets back."

"That we will." Sesshomaru turned and began walking again. 'How is that incarnation different from the others?'

"Oh, my poor baby." Ayumi hugged her daughter tightly. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright, mama. I promise you. I'm fine now, and my son is fine. Aren't you, Kakudan?" She gave him an eskimo kiss.

Giggling, the little boy snagged her nose in his hand, shaking it roughly. "Mama!"

"Oww! Let go of mama's nose!" Jerking away, she winced, rubbing her nose. "That hurt."

"Silly."

She rolled her eyes, amused. "You're the silly one."

Sota beamed. "I can' t believe I'm an uncle...to a demon! Awesome! Let me see you and Kakudan in youkai form! Please!"

Kagome shook her head, but obliged nonetheless. Her hair grew longer, deepening in it's raven color. The streaks she'd had faded when Naraku's mark disappeared, strangely enough. Claws extended from her fingers, and fangs from her mouth. The black markings she had spread over her cheeks.

Kakudan squealed in excitement, slapping his hands on his cheek. He stared at her with wide, crimson eyes. Other than that, nothing on the child changed.

"Coooool! Man, I wish I could tell people! But at least you're back." Sota grabbed her hand while blushing.

"My granddaughter...a demon."

Kagome shuddered at her grandfather's cold tone. "Jii-san."
"My granddaughter, the first demon miko in history! I can't wait to spread the tale. I'll write it in ajournal that I'll leave for you. You hand it down, and down, and down! Oh my! The stories that will come of this!"

"Okayyy." Kagome's eyes twitched. She took a deep breath.

Ayumi smiled. "I'm going to cook a meal. Kagome, you and Kakudan can take a bath. Relax a bit." She kissed her daughter's head. "I am so glad you're back, my child."

"I'm glad I'm back too."

"That wench! She probably fell asleep!" Inuyasha grimaced as paced back and forth around the fire.

"Inuyasha, sit." Kikyo said boredly. "Kagome will return in due time."

"But, Kikyo, "He whined, glaring at his brother and the monk when they smirked, "anyway, Kagome should be back by now. I'm going to go get her."

"Not necessary." Kagome replied, coming into the campsite with her sleeping baby in her arms.

Inuyasha smiled, then grunted, turning away. "Finally, wench."

She rolled her eyes at him. "I missed you too." Lying Kakudan on her already stretched out sleeping bag that laid near Sesshomaru, she stretched her arms above her head. "Didn't you miss me, baka?"

"Keh."

"Fine. Don't say it. S-"

"I missed you!" He cried, covering his head.

Kagome beamed. "Now, how easy was that?" Taking off the large pack on her back, she threw it at him. "Got you some chips, ramen, candy, and a bunch of other stuff. So..." She plopped herself down beside Sesshomaru, "What'd I miss?"

Shippo and Rin scrambled over to her, trying to sit in her lap. "Move!"

"No!"

"My momma!"

"She's mine too!"

Kagome sighed, carressing her temple. Wrapping one arm around each of them, she pulled them back into her lap. "There."

"Kiyoshiyuki came looking for you." Shippo told her, despite the fact that Inuyasha was trying to strangle him with a glare.

She arched a brow. "Did he say why?"

'Why do you care at all?! Naraku was mad because of him!'

'No! He was mad about something else. I could tell.'

"Nope!"

"Hm." She frowned slightly. Startled by the sound of Sesshomaru's voice, she jumped, "What?"

He neary smirked in amusement, his lips quirking before he repeated himself, "According to the kit, you think that Naraku's newest incarnation is not like the others."

She nodded slowly. "Oh. Well, yeah." When he continued to stare at her, she shrugged, "He has a hold on his heart."

"So, Naraku can kill him whenever?" Sango questioned, intrigued.

"That's the best thing! He can't!" Kagome shook her head with a smile. "Thousands of times, I remember him doing things to piss of Naraku on purpose. I think he was testing the limits. Naraku only struck him once. I think Naraku needs him."

"Wow..."

"So, you think he's like Akago?" Inuyasha asked.

Kagome shook her head. "I think he's better than Akago." Akago had been killed, and yet, Naraku had not.

Miroku nodded. "That is very good information, Lady Kagome."

Upon noticing that the children were asleep, she laid them on the extra sleeping back, covering them with blankets. "Sesshomaru?"

No answer.

"Fine. I guess you don't want to know about the future. Ah, well." She stalked into the woods.

Sesshomaru waited a moment.

'Go!'

'No.'

'Mate want follow!'

'She is not our mate.'

'Follow. Want know bout future.'

'...Hn.'

He narrowed his eyes and stood up to follow the miko's scent, only to find her standing next to him.

"You jerk, you weren't going to follow me?!"

"You wished for this Sesshomaru to follow."

"I'm bored. I figured, I could at least burn some energy explaining things of the future to you. Do you wish to know or not?"

He glared at her, then sat down.

Growling, Kagome huffed, "Fine, then, you arrogant bastard." She was going to leave, when he grabbed her wrist and snatched her down.

"Explain."

Grinning, Kagome leaned against his shoulder. "Where to begin? Where to begin? Ah, there's a good one. In my time, women are equal to men. Well, we're supposed to be. There are laws stating that you can't belittle us."

Sesshomaru frowned at the thought of a woman being of the same status as him. He wanted to ask her why, but decided against it, seeing as the rest of the tachi was staring at them both so openly. Instead, he closed his eyes, and listened to every fascinating word she spoke.

"Kagome, you done packin'?" Inuyasha bent over to allow Kikyo to hop onto his back. The sun would be rising soon, and they'd decided to leave early. Sesshomaru's palace was close. If everything went right, they would reach the palace by nightfall.

Kagome nodded at him, zipping up her bag. "Yup. I'm all...Do you sense that?" An aura...she knew that aura...but where?

"No? I don' t even smell anything."

"Sesshomaru?"

"Hn." He scented nothing in the air. What could the miko possibly be sensing that he himself could not?

Kagome frowned deeply, but shrugged. "I guess I'm bring paranoid." She jumped slightly when she felt something on her ankle. Looking down, she smiled at Kakdaun, who was gripping her ankle tightly. "Hello there, little one." Scooping him up, she purred at him. " Ready to go?"

He crawled over onto her shoulders, settling himself on her neck, his small hands tangled in her hair. "Mama!"

"I'll take that as a yes." She fell into line beside Sesshomaru, who was lagging behind the rest of the group in thought. Casually, she stared up at him, analyzing him and everything that made him up. She wanted to get to know him. She knew he wasn't as cold and heartless as everyone though. He just couldn't be. He protected Rin. He actually allowed her to ride on his back and touch his hair without killing her. He bothered with Inuyasha, the half-brother he supposedly hated. There had to be more to him. "What are you thinking about? The things I told you last night?"

Sesshomaru glanced at her briefly, then stared ahead.

"Oh." She nodded. It was as she thought. "You know, in a few days, after we get settled in the castle, maybe I can answer some questions. Sure, we'll have to be in private, but that's fine with me. How about you?"

"That will be acceptable."

"Good. I was thinking..." She faltered in her step, then halted completely. "There it is again." With a frown, she sat Kakudan on the ground, looking around. A flash of periwinkle flew in front of the tachi before Kagome was knocked off her feet and sent flying to the ground. Opening her eyes with a groan, she gasped, "Kiyoshiyuki?"

He grinned. "Kagome-sama." Leaning down, he crushed his lips into her, kissing her as deeply as he could manage.

Sesshomaru's brows furrowed, his hand clenching at his side. He was furious, for reasons beyond him, ones that if he were to dwell on now would drive him to suicide, a very dishonorable was for a Daiyoukai to die. He managed to surpress his beast, but he didn't know how long he could.

Kiyoshiyuki finally pulled back from a blushing Kagome. He stood, reached down, and helped her up, only to draw her into his arms. "Kagome-sama, I was worried."

"U-um, wha?" She asked unintelligently.

He laughed, a deep resounding chuckle. "You're so lovely, Kagome-sama."

Kagome blinked a few times, then glared up at him. "Don't mock me. And stop calling me that. My name is Kagome."

Nodding, he squeezed her tighter.

"And let go." She pushed him away.

"I've displeased you?"

'Yes, now vanish.' Sesshomaru thought before he could stop himself.

Kagome shook her head, sighing. "What are you doing here?"

He smiled. "I snuck away from Naraku, to be your follower," he bowed, "your lover."

That phrase made Sesshomaru's jaw tick. He wanted to say that there was no way in hell, and that frustrated the hell out of him. His damn beast was getting stronger. It must have been near mating season.

"Well, actually,-"

"And I could be a father to your son. I've even been creating small souls for him, the souls he absorbs at night. I can make a large one, now that I am close enough to him."

"Really?!" She leapt into his arms, hugging him tightly. "You'll help him?!"

He nodded. "Yes. Of course, Kagome."

Kagome stiffled a giggle with her hand. "That makes me so happy. Kakudan, come here, baby."

Kakudan crawled over to his mother, before hugging her leg and using it to pull himself up. "Up!" He reached.

She lifted him up, and handed him to Kiyoshiyuki. "Do your thing please."

Kiyoshiyuki's eyes closed. He blended his aura with the infant's, feeling for the characteristics that child would have. After processing the information into a small space in his mind, he formed it into a ball in his mind and mixed it with a tiny portion of soul, which ran through his blood. Casting the soul from his body, he opened his blank eyes and used his mind to push the soul into the baby's body.

Kakudan whimpered, squirming at the odd sensation.

"Is it hurting him?" Kagome asked worriedly, watching closely.

"He's fine. Just afraid." Hugging Kakudan closer, he pushed the last of the soul into the baby, blinked, then smiled, handing him over to Kagome. "There, Kagome."

Kagome grinned at him gratefully. "There ha to be someway for me to repay you."

He nodded. "Be my wife, my mate. Bear my children."

Sango smirked. "He sounds like you, Miroku." Looking around the group, she noticed that both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were tense. Inuyasha, she understood, but Sesshomaru? What could have made him upset? Even Kohaku seemed sense. Maybe it was more about Kiyoshiyuki, than what he had said to Kagome.

Kagome blushed. "I-I couldn't do that. But I'll do anything else. What makes you happy?"

"Doing what makes you happy."

"So, you really want to serve me?"

"Yes."

"Okay, how about this? You return to Naraku. And if I ever need you, I'll find a way to contact you. Will that work?"

Though a frown marred his beautiful features, he nodded. "Anything for you, my Kagome."

Again, she blushed prettily. "Um, yeah. Now, uh, you get going."

Pecking her lips gently, he took off, sending over his shoulder. "My love for you will forever burn, Kagome! You can not distinguish it!"

"Who said I was trying?!"

"One day, I will have you!"

Kagome shook her head. "And stop kissing me without my permission!!!"

"I'll be doing much more than that, my Kagome. Some day!" His image and voice died over the horizon.

She blushed harder. 'Damned pervert.' Touching a hand to her lips, she sighed. "I'm far too kind." Turning around, she started to walk, brushing past the frozen group. "Move it, people.'

Sesshomaru was the first to turn, returning himself to the miko's side...where his beast felt he belonged.