Chapter 53

Kagome found herself in a forest. She could hear a commotion ahead of her and saw flashes of light through the deciduous trees so she followed them. It was a long walk, over mossy, fallen trees and through dense brush; there was no clear path. She called out to Sesshoumaru, but could not sense him. She could always sense him. Where was she?

The last things she remembered were wanting to throttle him and wishing for the Shikon no Tama to disappear forever. It was then that she took full stock of her surroundings: the trees reflected light wrongly, in the fake way that plastic trees did. She reached out to the closest branches and pulled off a leaf. She brought it to her nose and realized there was no scent. She tore it in half to release its moisture and enhance the scent. Still nothing. What was going on?

…..

Kaede's cry yielded an instantaneous response in the form of two inu youkai, two hanyou, and a kappa youkai. They burst through the door so quickly they actually unhinged it and sent it flying. Five sets of eyes scoured the dojo, but could not find the reason for the disturbance until they realized at once they could not sense Kagome.

Sessoumaru ran to the spot where she had been, snatching up the Shikon no Tama and examining it.

"It has taken her," Kaede announced.

'No…' Sesshoumaru howled his outrage as Shiori clutched her mate who was so distraught he was shaking.

….

Eventually, she found herself in a clearing and something whizzed past her ear before she heard, "Watch out!" from a female voice. Her head whipped around and she just barely missed the attack of a giant youkai, leaping out of the way. The female landed beside her and shouted between exchanging blows with the demon, "Who are you, miko, and how did you get here?"

Kagome sat staring in awe as she recognized the young, dark-haired woman with the dynamic brown eyes beside her from her grandfather's scrolls. 'Midoriko. Gods, I know where I am! This is so not good!' Still she needed to hear it. "You are the warrior priestess Midoriko?"

"Aye, that I am. Now I will have your name." She shot an arrow toward her opponent, narrowly missing his shoulder.

"I am Higurashi Kagome. I wished upon the Sacred Jewel for its destruction, but something seems to have gone wrong. I don't know how I got in here!" Kagome moved with speed and efficiency, blocking an attack and spinning into a frenzy of purity-charged punches, driving their attacker back.

"This fight has raged on since I sealed us hundreds of years ago."

Not sure how to say so delicately, she said honestly, "Midoriko-sama, you have been here thousands of years."

"Gods, then time must move differently here, for I tell you it has only been a few hundred years. We do not tire or need rest or nourishment; we merely battle on, the heart of the one in possession of the Jewel determining which of us gains or loses ground. Things were quite dire in here a few short hours ago, but then the tide turned again. And now you arrive. Victory is assured with two of us!"

"That must be it—the Jewel could not destroy itself so it brought me here to do what I could." She ran at her opponent, high kicking into his cheek, leaving a deep scorch mark that took much tissue with it.

"Come, then, ally. Let us end this once and for all!"

Kagome unsheathed her sword, willing Sesshoumaru to know she was well, and the pair charged, battle cries ringing in the air.

….

Sesshoumaru was inconsolable. He would take neither food nor water, he merely sat in silent vigil sitting in the spot where his chosen had disappeared. For their part, the family left him alone, though his ever-faithful retainer stood guard over his Lord, ready to attend to any need he might have.

Long hours he waited, praying to the gods for the safe return of his miko, especially to Amaterasu, who had met her. He felt helpless as the time slowly dragged on, not knowing what she was facing and unable to aide her. He was fairly certain she had entered the Jewel, but he was unclear as to why. Had she wished to join the battle? Why would she do so without him? It was his duty to protect her and she had left him behind. Had she done so because of his handling of her that morning? No, she was ruled by her emotions and definitely susceptible to spite when in a fit of pique, but he couldn't believe she would willingly place herself in danger just because he made her face the day.

That left only one explanation, whatever her wish was, it had been interpreted by the Jewel as something that could only be handled by her joining the fight inside. Perhaps she wished for its destruction? If this were the case, perhaps the Jewel was incapable of completing the wish itself and required her to enter the fray. Hope blossomed in his chest. His miko was incomparable and this Midoriko who had created the Jewel was legendary. Certainly it would not be long before his chosen fulfilled her destiny and returned to him.

…..

Wednesday night Sesshoumaru was flooded with the presence of his miko in his head. He heard her voice telling him that she was well, battling the demon with the great miko. He wondered why it had taken so long for her to get a message to him, but sighed in relief at the sincerity therein. He turned to Jaken, finding him sitting, leaning against the wall by the newly mended door, and told him to watch for his intended. He needed to attend to himself but he would return to her as soon as he was finished.

…

The family had started taking meals in the dojo, keeping Sesshoumaru company and hoping for their Kagome to arrive safely. He had shared with them her message, which had given them faith for her return.

Kagome's mother was especially worried, however, because she did not understand how Sesshoumaru could be so sure. Could her daughter really communicate with her one through a sword? How was that even possible? The days passed slowly, and she worried for her daughter and for the wedding preparations. Should they cancel or believe that any moment she may arrive? If she knew anything about her daughter, it was that she was unfailingly stubborn. She knew in her heart that if there was any way for Kagome to be here for Saturday, she would cross Heaven and Earth for it, but Kaneko was a woman ruled by her mind and so unused to trusting her heart. Still, her father continually reassured her that Sesshoumaru would know if Kagome was not well, but it was not easy.

…..

Midoriko attacked from the front as Kagome leapt over his head, eyes blazing as she cried for all that had happened to her in her life over this stupid Jewel. She would end this and she would end it now. Twisting her body like a cat, she spun mid-air, swinging her sword aflame in brilliant purity and striking the demon at the neck. Her feet hit the ground just as his head landed beside them. The lumbering body of the great youkai fell to his knees before collapsing entirely. She rushed to the head, stabbing with her sword, igniting the skull before it burst into glittering dust. Midoriko stabbed a glowing arrow into the back of the monster purifying the body as well.

They shared satisfied glances amidst the sparkling air and moved to meet each other. Before they could touch, however, Midoriko started to fade before her eyes. She called out to her, reaching, but realized she was disappearing as well. The last thing she heard was Midoriko's voice urging her, "Do not be afraid, Miko of the Shikon."

….

Friday afternoon, Sesshoumaru was sitting in the same spot he had been since her disappearance when he sensed her. First the smell of her hair and exertion, then he felt her weight in his lap. Finally, the specter of his chosen appeared to him before she solidified in his arms.

"Miko!" he exclaimed on a sigh. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling deeply, holding her tight and nuzzling her face.

"Sesshoumaru! I'm back! Thank gods! I wasn't sure where I was going after that battle. Did you get my message?" she spoke in a rush.

"Of course. I will always hear you." He pulled back from her neck to look into her eyes, noting the dirt smudges on her face. His lips found hers, kissing her soundly, his senses jubilant in her moan of pleasure as her arms slipped around his neck. She was home and if he could help it they would never be separated again.

They were interrupted by the family barging into the room, having sensed her arrival, despite also sensing full well what the couple was doing in there. It had been three days and they would not be kept from her a moment longer, instincts clamoring to reassure themselves that she was well.

Inuyasha and her mother both flung themselves at her, holding on to whatever parts of her they could grab. Her mother was crying and her best friend was sniffing her madly, searching her with hands, eyes, and scent for injury or distress. Kagome tried to get up to greet them properly, but she was being pinned down to Sesshoumaru by their attentions. Finally, Sesshoumaru had his limit of the crowding and pawing of his chosen and gruffed, "Enough!"

He took the opportunity of their momentary shock to rise with her, setting her on her feet. He allowed everyone to come and embrace her but as soon as that was over, he gave in to his need to be alone with her and announced they had a rehearsal to get ready for and would meet them all at the shrine, escorting his chosen out of the dojo and down the family wing hall to their chambers.

Sliding the door shut behind him resoundingly, he turned to her and asked, "What do you need?"

"A long, hot bath and a nap, but I probably don't have time for the nap, do I?"

"Your grandfather is officiating. They will understand if we are late."

She sighed in happiness. "Good."

…

Sesshoumaru joined her in the bath, massaging her temples and encouraging her to relax in his hold as he groomed her. When he was done, she insisted on doing the same for him, and though part of him wanted to concentrate on her, he acknowledged his need to be near her was greater. He luxuriated in her gentle touch and basked in her loving presence. They dried each other off and combed and plaited the other's hair before slipping under the covers.

He would stay awake, keeping track of time so she didn't sleep too late. She was excited about this rehearsal and would be upset if they missed it. He had insisted that she go all out and have her rehearsal dress designed as well as her wedding and mating clothes. His only stipulation was that tomorrow she not wear a headpiece as was tradition; he wanted to see her hair down. Her mom definitely hadn't liked that, as the headpiece is said to bring good fortune to the couple, but he had a way of making his own good fortune. Besides, the ceremonies and their clothing would be wrought with symbolism. One superfluous piece wouldn't make a difference and it was really his only specification for the ceremonies. To him, her hair was the first part of her body that he saw and the first part that he had been attracted to until he had walked around her and met her eyes.

The designer had said her dress tonight was whimsical in design with blue and gold in it to represent their eyes as that is how they were identified in the prophecy. Kagome had also said to her that she had known her one at first look so this dress honored that and the designer had passed the sentiment on to Sesshoumaru. He was touched that his chosen was as romantic at heart as he.

He gave her two hours to sleep while he held her close and breathed in her fresh, clean scent of honeysuckle. He found he missed the orange scent she used to have on her from her habit of snacking on oranges all the time before he had put her on her diet, but the fruit had a lot of sugar in it so he purposely hadn't kept them in the house since then except as the juice that Inuyasha liked to drink in the mornings.

When it was time to wake, he growled for her in the manner that always woke her, and though she clung to sleep, she did eventually open her eyes and move her head to look at him.

"Hello, handsome."

He laughed shortly. "Hello, beautiful."

"You get to tie my corset tonight. If you're lucky, I'll let you untie it, too." She winked at him in her show of cheek.

Now that got his attention. Not untying it, though that was a lovely thought, and he would make it a certainty, but the idea of his chosen in the old form of dress. Something had always captivated him about the undergarment. It was like a form of bondage, forcing the wearer to adjust her breathing, to sit and stand perfectly straight by way of the whalebone or steel stays. And what it did for a woman's figure, accentuating the very femininity of it, was divine. Highlighting how her soft, curved body differed from the hard lines and slender hips of a man. Kagome already had a figure that looked like she was wearing a corset, he could only imagine how his sexy chosen would look in one.

Eyes flashing, he nudged her nose with his own and whispered, "Hurry."

Oh, she just had a feeling he would be a corset kinda demon… She heard his unspoken words loud and clear: the sooner they finished with their obligations tonight, the sooner they could spend time alone together. Her smile was immediate and she jumped up to dress for him.

…..