Yay! I've gotten more reviews! To those of you reviewing, thank you kindly. It really does boost my confidence in writing and makes me happy. I smile every time I see a new review in my email. (: Two chapters in two days though, that's pretty great! I hope you can tell by my story, but i'm trying to write about what would happen and how it would happen if this ACTUALLY did happen in the series, though it will never be cannon, how sad. I'm trying to make it more realistic. I think i'm doing pretty good so far! Also it is Spring Break for me, so that's a plus. Also, you know how I had blue hair? Well I tried dying it back to dark blonde yesterday and the damn blue won't come out all the way so now it's a dark blonde/gray/blue/green color. It looks pretty cool but i've pretty much given up on my hair. Plus i'm broke...soooo there's that. I need a job, but I NEED normal hair for said job. * sigh * Life is unfair. Okay, back to the story and remember to keep reviewing! Also, this is going to be a really long chapter. I felt a lot needed to be explained and I hate leaving things in the open with explanation.

Chapter 18

Kagome couldn't speak. So many thoughts were going through her head. Did he really just say what she thought he had? Inuyasha was alive...still? I mean he was a half demon, but wouldn't that mean he wouldn't have lived even that long? Her best friend, the one she had loved for years and then gave up on, the one who had known more about her than her friends back here in modern times, the one who she did and would have done anything for, her best friend in soul-mate form, was still alive and they were having dinner with him tomorrow night? Kagome tried hard not to hyperventilate. She had hoped...no, prayed that he would have still been alive, but no one prepared her for this moment. Why hadn't he been at the well when she had climbed out for the last time? Why hadn't he taken her hand like he usually did and scolded her for being late? She could ask him tomorrow, she guessed. "Y-You mean...he's...he's still alive? Like he looks the same? But isn't he half demon?" Kagome asked stuttering, trying to contain her emotions. She always was an emotional woman. "Yes, and he has missed you. It has been 500 years for him as well, though I believe I have missed you more." Sesshomaru said smiling at her. "But...how? Why wasn't he there for me when I came back through the well? I thought I was alone." Kagome said becoming sad that he had forgotten about her. "He, we. Have never forgotten about you, little one. It was just merely not the right time. You needed to heal and learn to live in the now. We were going to wait a couple more weeks, but it seems fate is funny like that and I ran into you earlier than was to be expected. Inuyasha is half demon, yes. But he has demon blood running through his veins. He will live many more centuries to come, rest assured." Sesshomaru said reaching across the table to take her hands in his, gently stroking the back on one with his thumb. "I guess that makes sense. It makes me so relieved to know that you are both still here, alive, and with me. Now I know I won't feel alone. If I need to talk about my adventures and the things i've been through, I know I can call you up and talk to you about them. At least you, unlike my family, will understand me." Kagome said smiling softly while staring at their intertwined hands. "Hn, yes that is true. If you ever need to talk, we are both here." "Good to know. Thank you, really. It means a lot. And thank you for lunch." Kagome said looking him in the eyes and smiling brightly. "It is not a problem. There will be plenty more places to enjoy, so do not worry. Are you ready to go? I must get back to my office and see what havoc the humans in charge have created since I left for Hiroshima last week." Sesshomaru said standing to his feet. Kagome nodded and walked with him hand in hand back to the car. "I can give you a ride back to your home, if you would like? I know where you live. Inuyasha has shown me a few times on our outings." He said opening the door for her. "Yes, please. I would hate to ride the bus back." Kagome said laughing as he smiled and closed the car door.

Kagome walked inside after waving goodbye to Sesshomaru. He had been a true gentleman and walked her to the door. "I shall pick you up at 6 tomorrow evening, little one. Be sure to dress nicely." He had said as he had stroked her cheek before smiling and then turning to leave. Dress nicely? Where in the hell was he planning on taking her? She was nervous just thinking about it. "Kagome dear. Is that you?" Her mother called from the kitchen where she was preparing their supper. "Yeah momma, i'm home. You'll never guess who I ran into!" She said taking off her shoes by the door and skipping into the kitchen. "Well why don't you just tell me all about your day over some tea, darling." Her mother said smiling and placing two mugs down on the table. Sitting down she motioned for Kagome to sit across from her, which she kindly and happily accepted. "So who is it that you met, and how did the job interview go?" Her mother asked blowing on her hot mug. "The interview went really well. I got the job and I start tomorrow at 3:30! It really is an amazing place. The perfect place for me. And the person I ran into was Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older brother." Kagome said smiling down into her steaming mug while his face appeared in her thoughts briefly. "Ah yes, Sesshomaru. The one who taught you, or began teaching you, how to sword fight? Isn't he also the cold one who has tried to kill you and Inuyasha both and several occasions?" Her mother asked. Kagome just sweat dropped. "Yeah that's the one. He used to be that way, Momma. But when I started to get to know him in the last couple of weeks that I was there, he seemed different. He was kind and was interested in my well being. He was also really easy to talk to and he saved me a few times. He was extremely patient as well with me when teaching me how to spar and sword fight. We only got a chance to really go at the whole sword fighting thing like twice before the final battle. He was a really good teacher so I learned a good bit and I believe the rest was just luck on my part. He's very different now though. He's sweet and charming and he even smiled more. He uses many more emotions than he used to. He even laughed out loud today! I almost had a heart attack because I wasn't prepared for it." Kagome said laughing to herself. "Kagome, dear. It sounds like you are infatuated with this man. I understand from your previous trips home over the past two years that you fell out of love with Inuyasha. What is it that you feel for this man?" Her mother asked smiling. Kagome just took a long sip of her tea and thought over her mothers question trying to figure out the best way to answer her. "I am infatuated with him. Momma, I love him. It's taken me a while to realize it, but I really and truly do. It took a while to get over my feelings for Inuyasha, and him being an utter ass to me at times made it easier. Sesshomaru started coming around, or rather popping up where we were, occasionally more and more." Kagome stopped and wondered if she should tell her mother about the dreams she started having about him. She took another sip of her tea and decided against it. "He saved me a couple of times, mainly because I hadn't honed in all of my powers or learned to use them to defend myself. I've always been so used to Inuyasha protecting me that it never really dawned on me until a few months after I decided to give up on my feelings for him, that I needed to take care of myself because I can't depend on someone the rest of my life. Anyways, when Sesshomaru would come around, before he would leave he always turned around and stared at me, just observing me I guess. At first it made me feel awkward, but then I started to get embarrassed and wondered if he thought I was attractive and I would look at myself to make sure I looked okay. He would do that every time for a minute or so then turn around and leave. I started to think about him more and more. I realized that he was more beautiful than any man I had ever had the pleasure of meeting. He was mature, had his life together and knew what he want, and was strong. Ideally he was the perfect match and someone I could see myself with, but his attitude and lack of emotions are what made me give up on that idea. That is until a month ago before the final battle. I showed you where that bear demon had attacked me on my side, well as I was preparing to get back up and fight the demon off, Sesshomaru came out of no where and killed him. He saved my life. Then...he treated my wounds. He actually sat on the ground with his white pants and wrapped and treated my wounds for me! He was so gentle too and his eyes never left mine. I want to say I saw a sliver of affection in his eyes, but I could be wrong. After that he ended up joining my group, though Inuyasha as always pitched a fit. We made an agreement that he would teach me how to physically spar in case combat called for it, and he taught me how to sword fight and how to wield a sword. "You are a miko of strength. A mere bow is not worthy for your hands. If you are to kill an opponent, cut them down. Let them know you are not here to play games." That's what he said to me when I questioned why he was teaching me sword fighting in the first place. Though I do agree. I rather enjoyed wielding and using a sword." Kagome said smiling thinking back fondly to their sparring sessions. "The first time he taught me how to do these things, I ended up trying something out on him. I wanted to see if I could heal his arm. Remember I told you a long time ago that Inuyasha had cut it off the first time I had met him in their father's tomb? Well I had healed people's fractured and broken bones, so I thought I would give it a try. Besides I owed him a debt for rescuing me. I sat there and willed all of my energy into healing him, and when I opened my eyes, I had regrown his entire left arm! Momma, I never knew how powerful I really was, and I still am. Sometimes it doesn't feel real. But anyways, after that I passed out and he had carried me back to camp after that and I woke up in his lap where he insisted that I remain and sleep. I was so embarrassed but he was unwilling to let me up. He was really sweet, it startled me at first, but after that night he was always kind to me and he's actually a pretty great listener. He is very intelligent so having a conversation with him is interesting and fun. About a week later Inuyasha was being as ass as usual when I declared that I was done being put down by him and I took my things and walked off saying I was going to search for the rest of the jewels alone. Sesshomaru decided to follow me, which made me really happy. During the two days we traveled together, before the battle, he opened up to me saying he felt things for me. He said he didn't understand his feelings but that he wanted to court me in the demon way, which he explained to me. I agreed, thought at the time I still wasn't aware that I was in love with him. The next day came and the battle happened and he was the last face I saw...until today in the museum. He goes by the name of Sesshoru Taisho, I guess since he's lived for so long, 500 years to be exact, so he needs a new name every 100 or so years. He's very wealthy. Like it's kinda crazy. He was the lord of the Western Lands back in the feudal era, but here he is the founder and head person of Taisho Incorporation, which is a huge law firm all around the world. All of this is just so crazy and surreal to me. I still can't get over it." Kagome said finishing and placing down her drink to stare into her mug. A lot really had happened and was still happening, but she was glad. She was very blessed and she praised any kami up there that had to do with her life.

Kagome's mother just stared in shock from across the table at everything her daughter had just spilled out to her. She had just poured out her heart and she had a feeling she wasn't done. After all, they hadn't had a conversation like this in quite some time. Kagome had been through a lot and was still going through more. "It sounds like you really do love him a great deal, darling. He sounds like a sweet man. I would very much like to meet him." Her mother said smiling and reached across the table to take her daughters hand in hers to reassure her that she indeed want to meet the man her daughter so truly loved. "Oh I really do, Momma. This love is different though. My feelings this time are actually reciprocated. I don't know if Sesshomaru loves me, but I know that he does have feelings for me. And I know for a fact that I don't have competition this time. So he won't be spending all of his time thinking about someone else. I can actually have an intelligent conversation with him about the past and modern times and unlike a lot of people, he actually understands my worth. He treats me more like the warrior and priestess that I am and he gives me praise on my abilities. He was the only one back then who actually told me I had the power to do things on my own and that I could protect myself instead of having to depend on everyone else. I went to lunch with him today by the way. And tomorrow i'm having dinner with him. Oh and with Inuyasha too!" Kagome exclaimed almost forgetting about him after her heart felt conversation. "Inuyasha?" Her mother asked confused. "Yeah, he's still alive and doing well, apparently. We're all having dinner together tomorrow night. I'm extremely excited. I know that me and Inuyasha have had our differences, and I no longer feel loving affection for him, but I do love him as a best friend. He IS my best friend and always will be. He's been there for me, besides you and gramps and Souta, than anyone else has ever been. Sesshomaru has just started being another person, but that's going to take time." Kagome said standing and refilling her mug before sitting back down. "I see, well i'm glad he's still around, dear. That's great and we all would really like to see him again!" Her mother exclaimed happily. She had always loved the cute dog demon. "Why was Sesshomaru at the museum anyways?" Her mother asked after refilling her own cup and sitting back down. "Oh right, he was having an exhibit there. He has many antiques from his past, or "family" heirlooms, rather, and he was putting them on display. The museum is a Japanese history museum so that's why his stuff was there. He had come in to sign some paper work, and that's how I ran into him." Kagome said smiling. "Well i'm sure living as long as he has he has collected quite a few relics." Her mother responded laughing lightly with a hand to her mouth. Kagome lay awake that night too excited for tomorrow to happen. She was going to see Inuyasha again AND go to dinner with him and Sesshomaru! Oh kami she was excited, too excited maybe. Closing her eyes she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

The alarm went off at 9AM and Kagome shot out of bed. She had had another dream but this one was a nightmare. It was about the last battle and how horribly horrifying he had looked. But in this one he had killed her after doing many things to her and torturing her. Kagome shuddered. She would much rather have her more erotic dreams than that one. Even after his death Naraku was still haunting her dreams. She still had bad dreams of him, but none had ever been this terrible. Kagome shook her head willing the remnants of the dream to disappear. Climbing out of bed she went to the bathroom, showered, and came back in to dress. She picked a pair of dark flared legged jeans, a dark gray t shirt, and a pair of black looking KEDS and got dressed. Drying her long hair, which took about 20 minutes, usually she let it air dry, she threw it up into a high pony tale and let some strands down around her face. Putting on some blush and mascara she grabbed her blue over the shoulder bag and walked downstairs. "Good morning, dear. Where are you off to so early?" Her mother asked from the dinner table. "Oh i'm going to go look and see if I can find a nice dress for tonight's dinner." Kagome said smiling walking to the door. She waved goodbye and walked out and down the driveway to wait on the bus. Once on the bus she stared out the window wondering what would look good for tonight so that she would know what to look for. She didn't have much money but she had saved some so she had about $30. She decided to just get something that would go with her strappy black sandals. The ride to the mall was fast. Getting off the bus Kagome walked into the double doors and walked down around the mall until she came to a store that looked like it was reasonably priced. She tried on many dresses but ended up opting for a plain short mid sleeve dark navy blue dress that was tight up top and flared out to her knees at the bottom. Yes, this was definitely the one! Kagome bought it and left and headed to the food court, bought something to eat, and sat down. She had already spent about 4 hours at the mall looking for the perfect outfit. She really did hate shopping though. She wasn't as materialistic as people in this time were, which is another thing she loved about living in the feudal era. She was content with wearing her miko garbs and nothing else, save for a nice kimono every now and then. She was actually dreading going back to school next week with her school uniform though. The skirt, which she had come to realize throughout the years, was just way too short. No wonder people back then had looked at her oddly. She had basically dressed like a damn harlot! Kagome just shook her head to herself. She was wondering if there was any way that she could get out of wearing that uniform. 'Well we do have two uniforms for girls. One is the shirt and short ass skirt and then the other is a dress of the same fashion but the dress is longer and down to my knees.' Kagome mused to herself. She decided that with her first pay check this week she was going to get two dress uniforms so that she wouldn't feel so awkward. She would probably stand out more so than she already was going to, but oh well. Everyone from her grade was half a year ahead of her. They were starting their last semester of senior high school and she was about to start her first since she had to "drop out" due to her "illness". She was going to come back and they probably wouldn't even remember who she was because she looked so different. She definitely looked older, not to mention the fact that she was 19. She was already older than most because she had started school late, but being half a grade behind was going to really make her seem older. Oh well. All she needed to do was graduate and then see what came next. Kagome grabbed her bags, threw away her trash, and headed to the front doors of the mall. It was almost time to go into work anyways. She was glad that she only worked almost three hours today so that she had time to get ready dinner tonight.

The bus arrived downtown to the museum and Kagome stepped off coughing at the smoke that left in the wake of the bus driving away. 'Just like the future to have so much nasty pollution.' She thought sourly to herself. Kagome walked into the museum and up to the front desk where the blonde lady was seated. The lady, upon hearing the door open, looked up and frowned as Kagome made her way to her. "How can I help you?" She asked standing. "Oh hi again, my name is Kagome Higurashi. I'm here to start my first day." She said smiling politely. "So he actually hired you? Stay there, let me go get him." The lady said rolling her eyes and walking to the back office. 'Why...that little...what the hell is her problem?' Kagome thought angrily to herself. "Ahh there you are!" Mr. Kurama said coming out from the back with a smile on his face and then taking her hand and shaking it formerly. "It's nice to see you again, Ms. Higurashi. This here is Brittany. She is my head clerk. Whenever you come into work just sign in on this roster right here. I'm going to let you work every other day, so Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:30 to 5, if that is okay with you? Mr. Taisho mentioned that you were still in school, so it will be after school gets out and you won't have to work as many hours. You can gradually increase to more hours when you get the hang of things." He said smiling at her. "Oh yes, that's wonderful. Thank you so much. This is perfect. What would you like me to do today?" Kagome asked him smiling gratefully. "I want you to become acquainted with the relics here today. Remember their names mainly and what time period they came from. I would also like it if you polish the glass cases. We can talk about doing more on Friday when you come back, but for now since it's your first day, just take it easy. I don't want to push too much on you too soon." He said handing her the roster. "Thank you, again. I'll get started right away." Kagome said signing in her name and her time in and out of the roster in her hands.

Kagome sat on the bus staring out the window. Work had gone by faster than she thought it would and it was 5 before she knew it. She hadn't worked that hard so she didn't need to rush and take a shower when she got home. Dinner was at 6, or rather Sesshomaru was getting her at 6, so she had butterflies in her stomach. She was excited and about to burst from happiness. Everything was going just right and her way for once. As the bus came to a stop in front of her driveway, Kagome got her bags and hopped off and headed up her driveway. Opening the door she slipped off her shoes and picked them up. "Hi darling, how was work?" Her mother asked her coming down the stairs. "Oh it went good! I get to work every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:30 to 5 so that's really good. I really like it. Oh, and I bought a cute dress for dinner tonight! Let me go change and get ready and you can see it." Kagome said smiling happily before up the stairs. "Okay dear. I put your clean clothes on your bed. I sewed up your priestess outfit that you came back home in. I wasn't sure if you wanted to keep it or not but I figured it's from the past so you might want a token to remember it by." Her mother said smiling at her daughter who had stopped abruptly and turned around. "Yeahh, thank you Momma. I had almost forgotten about it. I'll definitely use it when I start back up training." She said smiling before turning around and walking up stairs and into her room. She placed her bags on her bed and stripped out of her clothes and changed into some different underwear. She decided to not wear a bra because her shoulder wound had started hurting her again. It didn't hurt too bad, but the medicine made her kind of nauseous and she wanted to enjoy this evening. Grabbing the white gauze on her vanity, she wrapped around her breasts and over her right shoulder continuously so that it would numb it some and it wouldn't bleed any on her new dress. It still spotted blood every now and then and she didn't want to ruin her new dress. Sitting down in front of her mirror she reapplied her makeup, putting on a bit more mascara and let down her hair. She liked the natural look better and rarely ever wore makeup unless she went out. Brushing her hair she got up and walked over to her bag, got out her dress, and slipped it on. She went to stand in the mirror and admired herself in it. "Yes, this was the perfect choice." She said smiling to herself. Spraying her hair lightly with hair spray, she put on some red lipstick and slipped on her black strappy sandals when she heard the doorbell downstairs ring. Her stomach lept into her throat at the sound of it. "Okay, I can do this. I have no reason to be nervous. I mean, i'm sure Sesshomaru will think I look good and everything will go good. I have nothing to worry about." She said to herself as she glanced once more in the mirror before walking out to go downstairs. She stopped at the head of the stairs and stared down below. Sesshomaru stared up at her with a look of adoration on his face, something she wasn't used to seeing, and then her gaze shifted to the figure beside him. "I-Inuyasha?"