Disclaimer: Own InuYasha, I do not. Neither do I own Breathe by Anna Nalick
Last Time:
Sesshoumaru frowned. "This Sesshoumaru does not apologize." He turned and walked away, leaving Kai and Kohaku in the hall.
"Well, she doesn't hate him." Kohaku said.
"Yeah, but she doesn't like him either." Kai responded.
"I hope he hasn't screwed this whole thing up too badly." Kohaku said, starting to walk out.
Kai turned to the demons gathered around. "Show's over folks. You don't want Sesshoumaru-sama to catch you here."
The hall was empty in two minutes.
CHAPTER 26: ONE LAST VISIT TO THE FUTURE
Kagome felt a clawed hand on her shoulder shaking her awake. "Go away, Kai." She mumbled, shooting out a hand to shoo him away. She still wanted to sleep. . .
Her hand was caught, and she felt herself dragged from bed. "I am not Kai."
Kagome shot up at that. Her glare was nearly poisonous. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "I do not remember such foul language last time."
"Maybe I'm channeling InuYasha." Kagome snapped. "Who really cares? Get out of my room!"
"You are mistaken, Miko. This is my room."
Kagome looked around and frowned. "This is definitely my room."
"This is my palace." Sesshoumaru pointed out. "Therefore, all the rooms are mine."
Kagome growled. "I really don't give a damn anymore! I'm leaving! As of this second, I am never stepping foot in the Western Lands again!" She got out of bed and went for the wardrobe, grabbing half her kimonos in one move.
"Where is home for you now?" Sesshoumaru asked. Kagome froze. "You told me the well that acts as your transportation to your home has been closed, and Kohaku has informed Kai, who then informed me, that Kikyo's village rejected you after the elder miko's death."
"Kaede." Kagome whispered. "Her name was Kaede. She is worthy of being called by her name."
Sesshoumaru paused. "So after Kaede's death, the village rejected you and accused you of being my whore."
Kagome kept her back turned, still packing away her things. After a moment, Sesshoumaru grabbed her. "Where is your home?"
"My home is still through that well." Kagome whispered. "And I'm going to find a way through. I have to."
"Why do you have to?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Kagome sighed as she placed her bag on the ground. "Because it's where I belong. Any reason other than that is none of your damn business."
They were silent for a moment. Then Sesshoumaru stood. "Dress. Then come with me, Miko."
Kagome glared at him as he walked out. "That damn bastard can just go to hell." She stuffed more stuff into her bag. "I'm not staying so that he can make even more of a fool out of me."
A few minutes later, she came out to see Sesshoumaru waiting for her. As soon as she came out, he grabbed her bag. "You will not need this."
"And why the hell will I not?" Kagome growled.
"You are not leaving." Sesshoumaru said simply.
He started walking. Kagome stood for a moment, then ran after him. "Come back here, you thief!"
He didn't stop, but he did slow enough that she could keep him in her sight. He walked in silence until they reached the healer's wing. The head healer saw him and bowed quickly. "Where is my extra help, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
Sesshoumaru jerked his head over at Kagome. "Lady Kagome is an accomplished healer. She will gladly assist-"
"Sesshoumaru, you bastard!" Kagome raced in, glowing a bright pink. "Hand over my bag this second, or I swear before every kami in existence, I will purify you without a second thought!"
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, then turned to the head healer. "As I said, she will gladly help you."
Kagome stormed up next to him. "What are you volunteering me for, asshole?"
Sesshoumaru grit his teeth, but kept himself from growling. "I wish for you to assist my healing staff with these wounded."
Kagome looked around, and noticed for the first time where they were. She could feel the pain and despair radiating from around the room. Her furious expression melted into one of sadness. "Alright, I'll help." Seeing the smirk in his eyes, she created a small purifying ball on the end of her finger and poked him. The small charge jolted him, but did little damage. "And let's get this straight. I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for them."
With that, she turned to the head healer. They talked for a moment, then the healer pointed. Kagome bowed and raced over, her face setting into healer mode.
Sesshoumaru waited a moment, then left the room, sure that Kagome would be fine. He headed for his study, where Kai was already waiting. "What's up?" Kai asked.
"I am leaving for the day." Sesshoumaru said. "There is something I must look into."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "You sure about this? It would be a major insult."
"There is something important that requires my attention."
"So important that you can't tell me?" Kai asked. Sesshoumaru slowed, but didn't stop. "Does this have to do with Kagome?"
Sesshoumaru nodded, but didn't say anything. Kai grinned. "Okay then. I'll hold down the fort."
Sesshoumaru nodded, and went to the window. "I should return by tomorrow." Then he jetted off into the sky.
!# Kagome #!
Kagome opened her eyes, and her power faded from the demon in front of her. "You'll be good as new as soon as you rest up." Kagome said with a smile.
"Thank you, Lady Kagome." The demon said.
"It's no problem." Kagome answered. "Now, go ahead and take a quick nap, alright?"
The demon nodded and laid back, a smile on his face. Kagome wiped some sweat off her forehead, and started to turn to the next patient. But a hand grabbed her before she could move. "Oh no you don't, Lady Kagome." The head healer said sternly. "You will take a break and eat before you do anything else."
"But-"
"No buts. You need rest, or you'll make a mistake and ending up doing more harm than good." The healer said as he dragged her to the healer's rest area. "Now, eat something, and sleep for at least one hour."
"But-"
"Would you rather leave?" The healer said dangerously.
Kagome gulped. "No, sir."
The healer hmmped then left the room. Kagome started to eat, smiling as she did so. This was what she was made for. Not the political bickering the Edo district had assigned her to. She was in her element and loving it.
I almost don't hate that bastard for letting me do this. Kagome thought. She felt him out reflexively, trying to see if he was around. But she froze. His aura's. . . gone? What the heck?
"So you just noticed, huh?" Kai's voice made Kagome jump.
Kagome turned and glared at him. "Would you stop that! Geez, you and him are exactly alike."
"Hey! I resent that!" Kai shouted. "I am much more handsome!"
Kagome rolled her eyes. "So, where'd he go?"
Kai stood to his full height. "This Sesshoumaru does not explain myself to underlings." He announced, making Kagome laugh.
"He'd kill you if he heard that."
"He wouldn't dare. Anyone else would kill themselves rather than put up with him." They both laughed at that.
When they calmed down, Kai looked at her. "He had a valid point you know. Where are you going after this?"
Kagome smiled drooped a bit before coming back. "The Edo region promised Shippou and me a home if I agreed to be their diplomat to Sesshoumaru's court." Her smile turned bitter. "After all, I am his whore."
Kai stared at her. "Did they really call you that?"
"Human woman that disappeared with the Lord of the West and returned a few weeks later?" Kagome said, a tone of anger in her voice. "What would you think?"
Kai sighed. "I guess. But that's not what happened!"
"I've found that most people and demons don't care about the truth. They only care to see what they want to see." Kagome said with a sigh. She stood and stretched. "Well, I'm gonna get back to work. See you, Kai."
She left, and Kai stood. You better not screw with her, Sesshoumaru. Cause I don't know how much more she can take before she breaks in two.
!# Sesshoumaru #!
Sesshoumaru stared down at the Bone Eaters Well, memories of the last time he'd entered it still fresh in his mind. He covered his nose as one particular unflattering memory crossed his mind.
He placed a hand on the well, and felt a small undercurrent of power. He frowned. The power of the well was the same. So why wouldn't it have returned Kagome when she wished it to?
The well pulsed slightly, something Sesshoumaru recognized as similar to Tenseiga's pulsing. He stared at the well for a moment, as if asking a question. Then he vaulted over the side and into its power.
The familiar blue glow overtook him instantly, and Sesshoumaru could have smiled. Clearly, Kagome was delusional. The well worked just fine.
He got to the lip of the well and froze. This was not the well house he remembered. In fact, nothing surrounded it at all. And yet, there was still the scent of the toxins and pollution of Tokyo in the air. He vaguely saw some walls in the distance, but he seemed to be in a field very similar to the one he'd just left. There wasn't a single building in sight except for a rather large one that looked to be about a mile away.
The sound of giggles brought him back to himself. With a growl, he jumped out of the well and onto the grass. The giggling only increased. He extended his claws. "Who dares to laugh at this Sesshoumaru?"
"Grandpa!" A voice shouted. Sesshoumaru turned to see a former acquaintance run through the trees. "Mom said you're not allowed to use your claws on your grandkids."
Sesshoumaru growled. "This Sesshoumaru is not your grandfather, female." He growled. Distantly, he remembered this inuyoukai female. She had helped him rescue Kagome from the human boy when she'd returned to the future without him. What was her name. . .
Inuhime grabbed his wrist. "Oh, stop playing around, Grandpa. Mom's looking for you." She turned an evil glare on him. "And if you've had more than your allotted pieces of cake, Mom's gonna throw a fit!"
Sesshoumaru growled and tried to jerk away, only to find a smaller hand grabbing his other hand. He looked down to see another demon child clutching his hand. "Grandpa mad?" He whispered.
Sesshoumaru couldn't help it. Instinct had him kneeling beside the pup, growling in comfort. "I am not mad."
The pup smiled. "Kay!" He ran ahead, and Sesshoumaru felt like smiling. He quickly clamped that feeling down.
He allowed Inuhime to drag him towards the large building he'd seen in the distance before. After a moment, they entered a fenced off area, where a large number of demons, humans, and hanyous waited.
Sesshoumaru instantly went into defense mode. He settled into a crouch and growled, warning anything with demon blood in the vicinity to back away.
"What's with you, Grandpa?" Inuhime asked. "You're acting like you don't know your own family."
"That's because he doesn't." Everyone turned to see an inuyoukai Sesshoumaru knew more than anyone else stepping forward: himself. "At least, not yet." The inuyoukai bowed, a gesture that Sesshoumaru returned. "Why don't you come into my study, and I'll meet you there in a moment."
Sesshoumaru growled. "This Sesshoumaru does not take orders."
Sesshoumaru's older self cocked an eyebrow. "Not even from yourself?"
Sesshoumaru smirked, an answer in and of itself. The older Sesshoumaru smiled and shook his head. "I must admit I wasn't expecting you today. How about we go to our study together?"
Sesshoumaru nodded, and the two of them walked up to what Sesshoumaru now recognized as his own palace. He saw with interest the way that his older self smiled and laughed as pups of all ages swarmed around him. His eyebrows rose as he saw demons and hanyous calling him "Grandfather." There was even one that seemed completely human!
It took them only a few minutes to reach his study, even with all the interruptions. His older self sat behind the desk, one Sesshoumaru recognized as the one he'd bought to replace the one Kagome broke. So it had managed to survive for so many years. . . when in the future was he anyway?
"You're in the year 2008." The elder Sesshoumaru answered. Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, and his older self smiled. "You're forgetting that I sat in that seat 500 years ago. I remember it quite clearly." His older self sat back. "Now, it's time to ask the right questions."
"Why did the well not work for the miko?" Sesshoumaru asked.
His older self raised an eyebrow. "We love Kagome. Get over it and say her name already. It's in your best interest."
Sesshoumaru sighed. "Fine then. Why did the well not work for Kagome."
"Because I asked it to save up its power for one last trip through the well." The older Sesshoumaru siad. "This one."
"It will not work again?"
"No. Without the Shikon no Tama, it had a limited energy supply, and therefore had only enough power for one round trip."
"What is this place?"
"You know very well where we are." The elder Sesshoumaru said, raising an eyebrow. "Don't waste time with stupid questions."
Sesshoumru leaned forward. "Why am I here?"
The elder Sesshoumaru smirked and leaned forward as well. "To change the past."
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "Surely that is impossible."
The older Sesshoumaru sighed as he leaned back. "Ask a question, or I won't be able to answer."
"How am I to change the past?" Sesshoumaru asked after a moment.
"500 years ago, I sat where you're sitting." Sesshoumaru's older self said softly. "I heard the same words I'm going to tell you now. I failed. I want you to succeed." The older Sesshoumaru looked him dead in the eyes when he next spoke. "I allowed Kagome to die."
Sesshoumaru was reeling at that. Kagome died, and he was to blame? When? How? Why? The logical portion of his brain managed to keep a slight grip of control. "Explain. Now."
"When I came through 500 years ago, I wasn't given any specifics." His older self whispered. "Our older self didn't want to change the past, just correct it. That was wrong." He sighed. "About 60 years ago, there was a war between every major country in the world. By 1945, it was ending, with only Japan against about half the world."
Sesshoumaru couldn't even begin to imagine the scale of such a war. Nevertheless, he tried to concentrate, figuring he could ask questions later.
"Japan was warned to stop fighting, or the Americ- another country would use their newest weaponry against them. Nobody believed them." Sesshoumaru's face seemed sad. "On August 6, 1945, they used their weapon for the first time, on a village named Hiroshima. Three days later, they used it again on another village, Nagasaki. They used it two times in total, and killed 225,000 people and demons in just the initial attack."
Again, Sesshoumaru was unable to comprehend. 225,000 people. That was impossible! No one could kill that many people with one blow!
"What they didn't know when they used their weapon was the after affects." Sesshoumaru's sad tone grew worse. "Extra power from the weapon was leftover after the attack. It infected the people who were left behind, and they eventually got sick. Hundreds more died after the fact than died in the initial attack."
Sesshoumaru was on edge now. His system couldn't take the thought of so many deaths just from one blow. Even Tetsusaiga, the most powerful weapon in existence, couldn't kill that many. And it didn't leave behind after affects that could kill.
Mentally, he shook himself. Focus. "What does this have to do with the miko?"
Sesshoumaru watched as his older self's face flashed with pain, and his eyes widened. When would his emotions become so visible? "You know how Kagome is." He whispered. "She knew when the war started what the outcome would be, and so she had us shipped out of the country. All of us hid out, and she made us swear. We wouldn't come back to Japan for at least ten years. She was really worried about it, to the point that she put a barrier around the entire complex until we promised. So finally, we did. Even me."
Sesshoumaru had a feeling that this story would have a less than perfect ending. MUCH less than perfect.
"The next morning, I woke up and found her gone. All that was left was a note. It said she couldn't just stand by while these people died, and if she could help, she was going to." The elder Sesshoumaru seemed to be on the verge of tears. But that wasn't possible. "I tried to go after her, but she'd made me swear. She used a binding spell to make sure I kept my promise, because she knew I'd come after her."
Sesshoumaru growled in frustration. That sounded just like that damn woman. "This illness that was caused by the attack. She caught it."
The future Sesshoumaru nodded. "We were still bound by our promise, and so we couldn't go to her. And by the time they realized she was sick, she was too weak to come to us. She went through all the treatments, tried every cure. But nothing worked. Nothing." Now, Sesshoumaru was sure he saw tears. Nothing else could accompany the expression of absolute pain on his future self's face. "All she could manage was a promise to last until we could be with her."
"She lasted exactly ten years. We arrived at the airport and went directly to the hospital. We got there maybe an hour before she died." The elder Sesshoumaru whispered now, as if not even realizing he was speaking. "I don't think she even knew we were there. She was so drugged up on pain relievers that there was no way she could have known we'd come to see her." A single, solitary tear slid a path down the older Sesshoumaru's face.
Sesshoumaru felt frozen. Finally, after a few minutes of pure panic and fear, he was finally able to speak. "And why should this Sesshoumaru-"
"If you finish that statement, I swear I'll rip your throat out." His older self snarled, eyes flashing. "I don't care if it kills me. The only reason I've waited fifty years instead of killing myself when she died is because I needed to tell you this. So that you could fix this." Sesshoumaru could see his older self struggling to remain in control. "Kagome was, is, and will be our mate. No one will ever take her place. She is mine!" He roared the last part.
Sesshoumaru tensed, fighting his demon for control. She is mine!
He is us.
Mine! Mine, mine, mine, mine, MINE!
It was several minutes before Sesshoumaru soothed his beast enough to retain control. He looked up to see the red receding from his future self's eyes. Taking a breath, he rephrased his question. "What is Kagome to us in the present time?"
Sesshoumaru's future self breathed. "She is our mate." He whispered. "She may be dead, but she is still our mate."
Sesshoumaru had somehow known that would be the answer. He sighed, simultaneously panicking and feeling relieved. "How am I to save her?"
"I don't know." The future Sesshoumaru growled. "I obviously didn't succeed at it." He reached into his desk angrily, and violently slammed down a jewelry box in front of Sesshoumaru. "We lost this 200 years before your time. You won't find it until it's too late. So give this one to her."
Sesshoumaru took the box, and was about to open it, but was stopped as his future self grabbed hold of his wrist. "If I see that, I'll lose it." He said. "Just take it and go."
Sesshoumaru hesitated, then nodded. He stood and faced his older self awkwardly for a moment. Then he bowed. "Thank you for the information."
The older Sesshoumaru stood as well. "Save her. Then you'll have my thanks."
!# Kagome #!
Kagome sat in Sesshoumaru's private garden, staring at the piano. Sesshoumaru had only been gone a day, and yet it felt like so much longer. This is pathetic! Kagome thought ruefully. I'm over him. I am! Damn it all, he hates me. Why am I so upset over this? And yet she couldn't dispel the worry that filled her.
She looked down at the keys with a sigh. Almost robotically, she placed her hands on the keys and began to play. As per usual, the rest of the world fell away as she played. She smiled as her own specially developed piano version of Breathe filled her ears.
There's a light at each end of this tunnel,
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.
Unbeknownst to her, another pair of ears listened to her play. Sesshoumaru smirked as she played. I wonder if she even realizes that she's singing out loud.
"2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to"
He started walking up to her, and she stopped when she heard his footsteps. She looked at him, and the look of relief that flashed through her eyes before they returned to their blank default was enough to convince him. He sat beside her on the bench as she began to speak. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru."
He raised an eyebrow, and she explained. "I meant, thank you for allowing me a distraction that I sorely needed." She lowered the key protector. "I still do not forgive you for what happened yesterday, but I am still grateful for the distraction."
Sesshoumaru watched the sunset hit Kagome's face, and he fought to keep his breath even. "It was not a distraction, Miko."
Now it was Kagome's turn to raise an eyebrow. "What in the world do you mean?"
"It was not an offer of momentary convenience." Sesshoumaru clarified. "If you wish, the change could be permanent."
It took Kagome a moment. "Are you. . . offering me a job?"
Sesshoumaru nodded, watching her face to gauge her reaction. He breathed a sigh of relief when she nodded. "I would appreciate that, Sesshoumaru." She placed a hand on his. "You have no idea how much that would help me."
Kagome started to pull her hand away, but Sesshoumaru caught it. He held it in his for a moment before he released it. "Now we are even." With that, he stood and left, leaving her at the piano, utterly confused.
!# Kai #!
Kai waited for Sesshoumaru in his study. He didn't have to wait very long. Sesshoumaru arrived mere moments after his meeting with Kagome. He was still feeling rather peaceful from the encounter.
"So, where exactly have you been, Sesshoumaru?" Kai asked.
Sesshoumaru shook his head. "I cannot tell you that, Kai." Sesshoumaru whispered. He pulled out the jewelry box that his older self had given him and noticed for the first time that a note was attached to it. Carefully, he pulled off the note.
Dear Sesshoumaru,
This is my last gift to you. You once told me that you met your older self, and that he told you how to protect me from the assassin who tried to kill me so many years ago.
Funny. The other him hadn't mentioned an assassin. Good thing there was a note left.
I know that seeing this will cause you more pain than anything else, since it is representative of everything we are to one another. If I had another choice, you would never see this again. However, I have a secret: I'm very selfish. I don't want someone else to have your necklace or your mark.
So I have one final request. When you meet yourself again, and you tell him to keep me away from Hiroshima and Nagasaki (as I know you will, because I know you) give him this as well. After all, didn't you lose it 700 years ago? (I'll never understand how someone so organized can lose things so easily.) I want this to always be mine, in one way or another.
Give this to him. And know that the past cannot be changed, even by you.
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at that. Did she truly have so little faith in him that she thought he couldn't or wouldn't do what it took to protect the one he loved?
Now I'll ask you this, not as Lady of the West, or Miko of the Shikon. I'm asking you this as Kagome, your mate. Live. Don't take away what you have to offer the world because of me. In your own words "I will not allow you to kill this Sesshoumaru."
I love you, just as I always have.
Kagome.
Sesshoumaru stared at the message for a moment. It was so typically Kagome. She ignored everything and just wrote directly to him, thinking to ease the pain of her removal.
Slowly, he opened the jewelry box, a bit wary of what could be inside. He stared in shock for a moment, until Kai finally prodded him. "Sesshoumaru?"
Carefully, Sesshoumaru lifted a long silver chain from the box. Only one pendant rested on the chain: a sapphire crescent moon, the symbol of his house. "Your mating claim." Kai whispered. "I thought you lost it."
"Apparently, I will find it, eventually." Sesshoumaru whispered. He closed a hand around the sapphire moon possessively and smirked. Now you will be mine.
!# Kagome #!
Kagome danced with the lesser noble, her mind somewhere else entirely. What did he want by holding my hand like that? It couldn't have meant nothing. He never does anything without a reason. She was twirled again, and froze as she felt the lord's hand slide lower down her back. Without a thought, she grabbed hold of his hand and pulled away. "You're disgusting." She hissed.
"Now, now, you don't need to act so high and mighty with me, my dear." The lesser lord said with a smirk. "We all know what you are to Sesshoumaru-sama. I am just offering something more permanent than he is."
Kagome was used to comments like this. But that didn't mean she wasn't furious. "You have no idea what is between Sesshoumaru-sama and myself. So don't act like you are all knowing." She started to walk away, only to have her hand caught in his grasp.
"I know enough to know that if the price is right, you'll give me whatever I want." The lord growled. "Now, be a good little girl-"
Kagome glowed, and the lord howled as her power burned into his flesh, forcing him to release her. "The next time you lay a hand on me, I'll blow you to bits." Kagome threatened.
The lord snarled. "You'll pay for that, you bitch!" He started forward, his claws extended. Kagome began to glow and waited as he ran closer. Three. . . two. . . one. . .
A flash of green later, and the lesser lord was in a heap on the floor. Sesshoumaru landed beside her, glaring down at the offending noble. "Kai!"
Kai grimaced down at the corpse. "Disgusting! Did you have make such a mess with him?"
"Just do it, Kai." Sesshoumaru snapped. He was still on edge from watching her be attacked. "Miko, you will come with me."
Kagome bit her lip, willing herself not to react. I was perfectly fine on my own. "As you wish, Sesshoumaru-sama."
The two of them left the hall earning more than one look for their rude behavior. Kagome was determined not to care. She followed Sesshoumaru's example and pretended that she couldn't hear what they said.
Sesshoumaru kept them walking until they reached his private garden. Kagome had learned by now that the most important things happened in his garden, so whatever he wanted was serious.
Sesshoumaru sat once more on the piano bench, and Kagome took her spot beside him. "What's up, Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "You wish for a vocabulary lesson at this time?"
Kagome held back the urge to roll her eyes. "I mean, what's on your mind?"
Sesshoumaru stayed silent for a moment, and Kagome waited patiently. She knew he would say what he wanted when he was ready, and not a moment sooner.
Finally, Sesshoumaru turned to her. "Are you happy here?"
Kagome blinked. She had not been expecting that. She had to think a moment before she could answer. "Yes, Sesshoumaru. I think I am." She turned her face up to see the stars. "Well, at least happier than I've been in other places."
Sesshoumaru nodded. Without a word, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small jewelry box. "Then I would like you to have this." Seeing the wary look on her face, he held it out. "Consider it an apology for the other day."
Kagome looked at him curiously, but took the box. Cautiously, she opened it and looked inside. She gasped as she saw a silver chain with a sapphire crescent moon pendant.
Sesshoumaru had never been so nervous in all his life. What if she refused it? What if she refused him? He wasn't sure of all the variables, and this made him more and more nervous.
"Oh, Sesshoumaru!" Kagome exclaimed. "It's beautiful!" She set the box down and held the necklace out to him. "Help me get it on!"
Sesshoumaru took the necklace slowly. "You accept it then?"
"Of course!" Kagome gushed. "I'll wear it with pride."
Sesshoumaru put the necklace around her neck, sealing the clasp with his poison. It would not be removed until the day she died. When he dropped his hands she turned, a smile on her face. Sesshoumaru felt warm, knowing that Kagome was now his.
Kagome gazed at the moon, smiling at the crescent moon that was so much like Sesshoumaru's. She looked up to thank him and nearly squeaked with surprise. Sesshoumaru was smiling. And not a I show you this smile because I'm going to kill you smile. It was a genuine, content smile. Kagome would have sworn on her life, her future descendant's lives, or anything else you could think of, that that smile was the most beautiful she'd ever seen.
She mentally shook herself. Focus. "Sesshoumaru, tha-" Before she could finish, Sesshoumaru had his arms around her. Before she could realize his intention, he had her on his lap, his head resting on top of hers. A part of Kagome reminded her that this was Sesshoumaru. But she'd never felt more safe or more loved. . . Wait a second! Loved!
Kagome pulled away, trying very hard to keep herself in check, and failing miserably. "I'm afraid that I'm rather tired, Sesshoumaru." She said with a quick bow. "If you would excuse me, I'm going to retire for the night."
Sesshoumaru let her go, but watched her as she exited the garden.
Why did you let her go, you baka!
She has accepted our suit. We will soon have all the time in the world with her. A few more days to allow her to adjust will not harm us.
But what if she reconsiders and returns the necklace?
The necklace cannot be returned. You know that. She is ours.
Remember what they say about assuming? I have a feeling you're about to screw this up AGAIN!
You are paranoid. Sesshoumaru cut off the conversation there. Kagome had accepted him as her mate, and nothing would be able to change that now. He smirked as he returned to the castle. He'd like to see anyone try to interfere.
------------------------------------------------------Author's Rant------------------------------------------------------
Obsessive_Goddess: Aw. Widdle Sesshi's trying to help out his girlfriend!
Kagome and Sesshoumaru: We're not dating!
Horse Wolves: But. . . it's so CUTE!
Sesshoumaru: I would rather be killed a thousand times than be put through this torment for one more moment.
Obsessive_Goddess: Watch yourself, Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru: You can't even write this horrible garbage well! So why even bother?
Obsessive_Goddess: Why, you- [takes a deep breath] Promised HW. Promised HW.
Sesshoumaru: And you! You claim to have been brought in to help write this dung better, but all you do is add to the caziness! What good are you.
Horse Wolves: But. . . but
Obsessive_Goddess: You evil little prat! Insult me all you want, but don't you dare insult my friends. Sesshoumaru, that's strike three. Get ready to beg!
Sesshoumaru: I'd like to see you try.
Obsessive_Goddess: I don't need to try. I have my brand new laptop!
------------------------------------------------------End of Author's Rant------------------------------------------------------
