AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes I know bad author for not updating in months. But here's the chapter that took me that damn long to write it. A great big THANK YOU to for following my story.

It was a tearful goodbye as Sakura and the group left the house later that morning. Tears were still streaking down her face as they walked to the Higurashi Shrine.

"Hey. Are you okay?"

The concern in Sango's voice breaking her thoughts. Sakura nodded, wiping the salty sadness from her cheeks.

"Yeah. The first time I left them, it was by force. This time...this time I leave voluntarily. I thought it would be easier..."

She looked over her shoulder to her home, her brothers clinging to one another; still waving goodbye. Turning her head back sharply, eyes pinched shut in a vain attempt to keep the tears from flowing again.

"...but I was wrong. This hurts a thousand times worse."

Sakura took a deep breath only to have it clash against the sob clawing it's way up her throat, causing her to cough and try again. Sango wrapped an arm around the grieving girl, pulling her close as her mind drifted to when her own sibling was beyond her reach.

"I know what you mean, but you will see them again in the after life."

Kagome came up on her other side and put her arm around her too. Together, they walked in silence the rest of the way to the shrine.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha trailed behind the group, the conversation ahead of them causing them to think on their own painful past with each other.

Ever so softly, barely even a whisper, Inuyasha heard something he never thought that he would.

"I'm sorry."

His ears perked up as he looked over at his brother.

"For what?"

"Everything. All the times I hurt you, insulted you. For abandoning you. You did nothing to deserve my ire."

Inuyasha huffed in disbelief. Surely his brother was not apologizing.

"I don't believe you."

"You don't have to, but I mean it all the same. I was angry at Father for betraying my mother. For choosing a human over her; over me. I thought he didn't care about me, that he would choose you to love and cherish."

A silence stretched between the brothers. Sesshomaru's words buzzed around like gnats in Inuyasha's ears and mind. Turning the words over and over, he found no falsity in them; yet he still refused to believe his brother.

They had reached the steps of the shrine. Inuyasha looked up the steps and saw the rest of the group almost at the top. Before he could even take that first step, his brother's hand appeared on his shoulder, stopping him.

"Inuyasha..."

He turned to look at him.

"I have no mate. No heir. By rights, you should be next in line as Lord of the West. I would like to formally claim you as Pack and name you as my Heir."

Inuyasha stared at his brother.

"Why?"

"Because we are brothers I believe it is long past time we start acting like it. Don't you think?"

Inuyasha nodded as the brother's ascended the stairs.

"What brought this on?"

"I have been thinking this over for some time now."

"Since the old man's journal?"

The slight inclination of his brother's head gave him his answer.

"Yeah, me too."

For the fist time, the brother's had hope. Hope that they could be a real family, that they could have what they wanted, what they felt was missing, their entire lives.

After another tear-filled goodbye to Kagome's family, the group once again found themselves gathered around the old well; the doors to the well house open to let in the moonlight.

Sakura stared down the well, so drawn into her own thoughts that she jumped at the alarm on Ms Higurashi's wristwatch which marked the hour.

Letting out a nervous giggle she muttered, "Midnight..."

She looked around the group, her family, took a deep breath and placed her hand on the edge of the well.

Moon Princess, I see you have returned. Are you ready?

Yes.

Then jump.

"Go."

One by one everyone jumped into the well until she was the last. As she fell through time she heard the call from the well again.

Good bye, Moon Princess.

Good Bye...

She felt like she was saying it not just to the well but to everything she had ever known, causing the ache in her heart to take up more room in her chest.

When she landed in the Feudal Era, she was met with an all out downpour. She smiled thankful she didn't pass out again, and at the irony of the weather.

It looks like the sky is showing my feelings better than I can right now. My heart hurts so much, I feel numb to everything else.

Already drenched to the bone and then some, she leaped out of the well. As she crested the top, she saw everyone made it to the forest line in hopes of minimizing the wetness. She turned looking back down the well one last time. This time, she couldn't stop the tears as they forced themselves from her eyes, streaming down her cheeks.

Arms wrapped themselves around her shoulders and pulled her against a broad muscular chest. Not even caring who it was, but sorely needing the comfort, she turned around burying her face into their chest her fists clenched into the fabric, she let go. Sakura let go of all the pain, anger, heartache, and tears that had welled up within her for over 3 years; she cried until she was hoarse and couldn't breathe, until she exhausted herself, until she no longer had tears to physically shed. It didn't take long after for the soft, soothing rumble coming from her supporter's chest to finally lull her to sleep.

"Poor thing wore herself out."

Kagome stated as she wiped the runny mascara from Sakura's face. Sango nodded in agreement, her concentration mostly on drying the still sleeping girl's hair.

When Sakura's tears started, both Inu brother's had moved to comfort the grieving girl but Sesshomaru ordered them to go to Kaede's village and wait for them there. Inuyasha tried to protest, but the Alpha command from his brother left him no choice. He had grumbled, mumbled, and cursed the entire way to Kaede's hut where they were greeted with a warm fire and hot stew. It wasn't until nearly dawn that Sesshomaru arrived, cradling the sleeping Sakura closely to his chest.

"I think she needed to release everything. It's not good for the soul to bottle up all that she had for so long."

Sango said after she finished drying, brushing, and braiding the silk-like hair; she sat back on her heels looking at Kagome.

"Remember when you and I had that discussion about Kohaku? Back when I thought he was dead?"

Kagome nodded, letting Sango know to continue.

"I felt like I had nothing and no one left in the world. But you showed me kindness and friendship, Kagome, and I can't thank you enough for that. I believe Sakura will need that same kind of support now."

Kagome pulled the blanket over the girl, tucking her in.

"I'm sure she will and she has a whole pack now to give it to her."

"Let's go get breakfast ready. I'm sure the boys are famished."

The deluge fizzled out sometime around lunch, but the resulting heat wave made sure everyone stayed indoors. Save for Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. No, the brother's were up on a nearby hill, training. Well, Inuyasha was training; Sesshomaru was lost in thought. Even with his mind elsewhere, Inuyasha was having a hell of a time trying to pin down his brother in the practice fight.

"You are barely -ugh- paying any attention -ugh- to the fight and... Gahhh!"

Sesshomaru's last parry forced Inuyasha to dodge but lost his balance and landed on his butt. He looked up at his brother, sweat pouring down his face and panting with exertion.

"What's up?"

"I worry."

"Sakura?"

Sesshomaru nodded, sitting himself down next to Inuyasha.

"Why?"

"The vision she was shown. There is a ritual she has to perform to prevent it."

"So?"

"It will claim her life."

Inuyasha sprang to his feet.

"Shit! How long have you known this?"

"A week."

"And you didn't think it important to tell the rest of us? Shit!"

Sesshomaru glared up at him as Inuyasha started pacing, trying to think of a way to keep the newest member of their family. He wasn't ready to lose another family member.

"Does anyone else know?"

"No. Just you and myself. I have tried to find another spell, however, I was unable to get far even with all the knowledge in Sakura's era. Sakura herself wasn't very forthcoming with information either. She believes she is the only one who can accomplish the feat."

"Keh! Women!"

"Indeed."

Inuyasha plopped back down next to his brother, ears slicked back in annoyance.

"You know, I never thought I would hear the day that you would admit to not being able to do something."

"I never thought I would be presented with the occasion."

Inuyasha shook his head and chuckled.

"Arrogant prick..."

"Pup..."

The two teased each other until Rin and Shippo had been sent out to fetch them for dinner.

The smell of a hearty stew was the first to hit her sensitive nose, rousing her from the debths of unconsiousness. Keeping her eyes closed she listened to what was happening around her. Kagome was talking in low tones to Kaede about herbs for her pregnancy; Rin was playing with Shippo; Miroku and Sango didn't appear to be anywhere in the vicinity. The only ones she didn't hear were Sesshomaru and Inuyasha; the only reason she knew they were there was by their heart beats. A clawed hand brushed the hair from her face.

"You are awake."

All chatter stopped and she knew heads had turned her way.

Might as well get up...

Slowly she opened her eyes. She still felt drained and weak. Her head hurt like she had a hangover. She sat up with a groan, a hand on her temple massaging the ach away.

"How are you feeling?"

Kagome's concerned tone implied that she had been out for a while.

Sakura looked at her and in a voice rough from tears stated in the flatest tone possible.

"Like I drank 32 shots of Taquila in 15 minuets flat."

Kagome giggled.

"So half dead?"

"Half dead..."

Kagome handed her a bowl of stew with a stern command to eat. With a small mile she took the bowl then looked down at it with a gimice, unsure as to weather or not her stomach will accept the food.

"Eat, Imoto."

She frowned but took a bite. Instead of the revolt she expected, her stomach craved more. It only took her a few minuets to empty the bowl. Another was placed in frount of her along with a cup of strong tea.

It was only after the forth bowl and another cup of tea that she felt better. She declined the fith bowl.

"How long?"

Sakura looked at Inuyasha in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Inuyasha glared at her.

"How long before you have to preform the ritual? How long before you die?"

"I don't know. Mom's journal said that when the time is right I'll know. But there was no indication of exact timeline."