A/N: Do not own cast or anything.

This chapter almost kicked my ass, but I got it up for you guys. It's coming, the change is near. *evil laugh* Hope you guys enjoy it and as always read and review!

Chapter 9:
Echoes of the Past

Kagome was glad for the break that they were taking from hunting shards because she had been thinking of what to do with how she was stuck between two worlds. Gathering her courage about her she headed off to the well knowing what she was about to do would be the hardest thing she had ever done. She told the others that she wouldn't be gone long and with a final wave she disappeared into the woods on the familiar path that led home.

Standing at the well she ran her hand over it lovingly, sad that it had come to this; she held back her tears as she sealed the well knowing that she may or may not ever step foot into it again. It was the price she had to pay with Naraku still loose; she didn't want him to get into the well and into the future. She had told her mom what she wanted to do and was surprised when her mother just hugged her and helped pack an extra two bags for her to bring with. She was pulled from school with surprisingly little resistance and with a heavy heart she and her family took what seemed to be the last walk to the well together and done with goodbyes Kagome slipped into the past her tears falling and swirling away from her.

That had been an hour ago; now she stood in the clearing of the well and felt as the magic of it went into a hibernation so deep that she had to look hard to even feel it. She prayed that she would be able to go back when her quest was completed and everything had settled down. A smile crossed her face at the thought that maybe Inuyasha would be with her and that it was to tell her mother that she was going to stay with him to have a life together.

Shaking her head of those thoughts she grabbed the bags by her feet and hefted them to her shoulder before making her way to the village. A flash of red and white had her frozen for a moment as she looked around to see what it could have been, she couldn't sense anything so she started moving keeping her senses alert to anything that could jump out at her.

Making her way out of the forest she paused and looked back her heart stopping as she caught a glimpse of a soul stealer heading further into the shadows of the trees. Without a thought she made her way quicker to the village wanting to see if Inuyasha was still there or if he had abandoned her for the one he said he had let go. She was too frightened to use her power to track him and when she almost burst into the hut she felt foolish when she saw everyone sitting around the fire looking at her like she had lost her mind.

"Sorry, I'm just excited to show you guys what I got for each of you." She tried to cover up her flounder and everyone seemed to buy it except for Kaede; they locked eyes and Kaede just shook her head and gave her an understanding look.

"So why did you bring so much stuff back this time Kagome?" Sango asked as she looked at the three bags her friend was digging through.

Pausing in her search Kagome closed her eyes in slight sadness before she took a deep breath and answered her friend's question.

"I sealed the well."

Silence fell over the hut as everyone stared at the girl before them as she held her sadness at bay as well as her tears.

"Why Kagome?" Miroku asked for the benefit of everyone around them even though he knew why she had done it since she had opened up their bond so that someone knew the extent of what she had done for her family as well as for them.

"I didn't want Naraku to find out that I can travel through the well; if could have found a way through my family would have been in danger. There are other reasons, but I mainly didn't think it was fair to keep going back and forth between these two worlds." She took another shuddering breath and began her search once more ignoring the glances they were throwing each other.

Inuyasha was fairly quiet at her announcement seemingly lost in his thoughts about what it could mean for her to not have to go home anymore.

The rest of the day passed in relative peace and night came quickly, ushering everyone to sleep so that a new day could begin anew.

Kagome adjusted to living in the Feudal Era quickly, she no longer wore any of her modern attire except for her undergarments and mostly wore the outfit that Omnimaru had given her so long ago.

It had been three weeks since she had sealed the well and even longer since she had seen Rin or Sesshomaru; she wondered if they were doing alright as she walked through the forest staying close to the god tree and the well. She knew that they were probably alright and tucking those thoughts away she went back to thinking about how she was fitting into the era she had stranded herself in.

'Stranded is the wrong word, maybe stuck, regardless it's still odd to know that this is where I will be for a long time.'

Caught up in her thoughts she didn't sense the demon near her until it was almost on top of her, as soon as she did however she threw up a barrier only to take it down a moment later when she saw who it was.

"Sesshomaru," she breathed unconsciously checking him over to make sure he was alright and relaxed with nothing seemed to be wrong. She couldn't understand why she cared so much about his well-being, but chalked it up to her considering him a friend whether he wanted to be or not.

"Miko," he acknowledged as he stared at her. Becoming uncomfortable with his gaze she looked away and moved to sit on a root of one of the trees they stood under.

"Would you care to sit with me Sesshomaru and tell me why you are here?" She asked politely as she made herself comfortable and waited to see what he did. She was surprised when he came and sat next to her reminding her of their encounter many months ago under the light of the moon when she had first come back to her friends. Rubbing her leg she noticed that her limp had become really less pronounced than it had been back then, almost to the point that she forgot she had it. Smiling she didn't let the silence get to her and instead waited patiently to see what he was going to say, completely at ease in his company.

"Why?"

"Why what? Why I helped you with your arm, or when I healed you weeks ago when you showed up in camp? Or why did I agree to watch Rin? Which of those are you asking about Sesshomaru?" She answered him knowing that it was probably a whole combination of things he wanted to know about.

"Why do you care about this Sesshomaru?"

Her breath caught in her throat at the unexpected question before she turned her eyes to meet the smoldering confused eyes of the Taiyoukai. Clearing her throat she tried to find out why indeed she cared for him and decided that it wasn't something she could think about, but instead something that just needed to be said.

"I care for many reasons Sesshomaru; I care because you have a little girl that loves you as she would her own father and that looks up to you. I care because I feel partly at fault for the loss of your arm and since it was in my power to return it to you when you were in pain I did; I will not be stingy with my abilities if I can help others. I care because for a while now I have noticed that you haven't been seeking Inuyasha's sword and instead when you fight you seem to be trying to teach him in the only way you know how. I know that there is more to you than meets the eye Sesshomaru.

"When you came into camp that one night injured and bleeding something in me had to help you; I couldn't let you suffer knowing that I could help and I know that you wouldn't have come to camp if you could have defeated those demons on your own. You sought us out to help you and that shows trust that I don't think I've seen you place in anyone ever. I care because of everything that I have seen I consider you a friend Sesshomaru whether I am one to you it doesn't matter, you are my friend and you have my trust." She smiled shyly as she looked at him hiding her laughter as she saw the almost astounded look that he had on his face before it was quickly hidden once more.

"I would like to have a 'friend' as you call it." He stated looking at her and seeing her reaction.

Laughing she smiled widely happy to know that she was probably the first friend he had ever had and honored to know that he thought so highly about her.

"I'm honored to be your friend Sesshomaru."

"Hn," he acknowledge clearly uncomfortable with the show of trust he was not used to exhibiting.

"So how is Rin?" She asked knowing that a topic change would be the best thing for now.

"She is well; she wants to know if it would be alright to come visit in a few days."

"Of course she is welcome as well as you are; let her know that I have a gift for her when she gets here."

He nodded and silence fell over them again for a while before Kagome stood noticing that it was starting to get dark and that she should probably get going before Inuyasha came looking for her.

"I should get going Sesshomaru otherwise Inuyasha will come looking and that always makes him agitated. I expect to see you and Rin in a few days then, right?" She watched him nod before she continued, "Then I bade you goodnight; see you in a few days!" She waved before disappearing into the trees not noticing how his eyes followed her every move or the words he whispered.

"Goodnight Kagome."

They were only a two day walk from Kaede's before Kagome sensed Sesshomaru getting close to them and it was then that she decided to let the others know that Rin was coming for a visit.

"Hey Inuyasha, can we take a break?"

"We don't need to take a break, we haven't gotten that far today!" Inuyasha whined as he kept walking expecting her to follow.

"Inuyasha," she warned setting her bag down before beginning to look through it once more.

"Feh."

"Oh yeah by the way, Rin is going to be here soon for a visit so be nice to Sesshomaru when you see him or I'll 'it' you so hard you won't be able to get up until morning." She smiled up at him through her bangs watching as he opened and then closed his mouth at her threat.

"Kagome-nee-chan! Rin's here!" Smiling as the little girl ran over to her Kagome was glad to see that Inuyasha held his tongue and even managed a curt nod to Sesshomaru before he went to sulk underneath a tree. She giggled to herself when Sesshomaru turned to her eyebrows raised and all she could do was shrug her shoulders before she paid attention to Rin.

"Rin, I got you something when I was home last time, do you want it?"

"Yes please!"

"Okay Rin, I want you to close your eyes and only open them when I tell you too, okay?" Seeing the girl nod her head vigorously hands covering her eyes she laughed and drew out the gift from her bag.

Holding it in front of her she waited a bit longer before sighing and telling Rin that she could open her eyes. She watched as Rin uncovered her eyes and squeal when she saw the bright pink mini backpack held out in front of her.

"Open it Rin, it's yours."

Wide eyes looked up at her as she gingerly took the bag before looking down and opening it wanting to know what was inside of it as soon as possible. If it was possible her eyes widened further and setting the bag on the ground she pulled out a princess coloring book and some crayons.

"Thank you Kagome-nee-chan! Rin really likes it!" Giving the miko a hug she then gathered up her presents and ran to show Sesshomaru what she had been given. Kagome watched for a moment before deciding that since they were stopped then they might as well have lunch and began to gather firewood so that she could cook.

"Soon Inuyasha, all will come crashing down around you and there will be nothing you can do to stop it or me. I will watch as you fall and all that you have ever wanted will become mine." A shrouded figure laughed in the dark as he sent a small mirror baring child away from him.

A chill ran down Kagome's spine as the world seemed to darken and warp around her for a moment before everything sprang back to the way it was supposed to be. Warily she looked around not noticing how everyone had grown quiet and was now watching her. She got up to walk a ways away from camp and continued to look around as if she could pinpoint where the chill had come from as well as the feeling of unease.

"Kagome, what's wrong?" Inuyasha asked as he came up beside her ears perked and senses on alert for anything that might show up.

"Nothing, I just had a strange feeling for a moment; it's gone now." She stated brightly at him trying to hide the growing unease in her heart as she turned back to her friends and continued to make lunch though he knew she was uneasy with whatever she had felt.

They had settled down for the night and Kagome was surprised at how well Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were behaving around with each other, but she knew that it could change at any moment. Saying her goodnights to everyone she cuddled up with Shippou and Rin when she came over and quickly drifted off to sleep happy to have everyone together in one place.

Soon after everyone followed her except for Inuyasha and Sesshomaru; they stared at each other, barely restrained dislike for one another in their eyes. They looked away from each other when a soul stealer came into camp and twisted around Inuyasha before heading back into the trees that were around them. Sesshomaru watched as his half-brother stiffened and he could see the struggle to follow it wage war in his mind, but he stayed put earning a bit or respect from him, but only a bit.

They continued on their way the next day with a couple of new companions including Jaken and Ah Un who had shown up sometime the night before. It was relatively peaceful aside from the growls that the brothers threw each other but for some reason Kagome couldn't throw off the feeling that something was coming, that something was going to happen. It was a feeling that followed her all day and didn't leave her even when she went to sleep and the others had started to notice that she had been feeling uneasy all day, but they couldn't figure out why and soon they too fell asleep.

"Good they are getting closer. Kagura, Kanna prepare to leave."

"Yes Master Naraku," they whispered together, one wanting him to fail and the other not wanting or feeling anything at all.

Waking the next morning Kagome almost cried at the intense feeling of dread that filled her and she knew that something was going to happen that would change how things were. She tried to act normally around her friends, but it was hard when she knew that something was coming and they didn't. She knew that she could tell them, but she couldn't find the words to explain what she was feeling and didn't want to worry them needlessly.

She ignored the stares of both dog demons as she moved around camp making breakfast and keeping the children entertained as well as herself. It wasn't long before everyone was fed and packed up, ready to head out to continue their quest. Kagome played with the children as they walked and talked to everyone at one point or another, even Sesshomaru, much to Inuyasha's displeasure and it seemed that whatever had been bothering her had been tossed to the background.

As the sun drew higher in the sky, the group stopped for lunch and that was when Kagome felt it again, a rising darkness that was threatening to overwhelm her. Drawing away from the group for a bit she took Shippou with her wanting to talk to him as privately as she could before whatever was coming arrived. Sitting she drew Shippou into her lap and cuddled him a moment, surprised that he was staying still and quiet, but told herself that he probably knew that something was wrong. As subtly as she could she put up a sound proof barrier before she looked to Shippou and saw him looking worriedly at her.

"Are you okay mama?" Smiling slightly at the question she ran her fingers through his hair as she thought.

"I'm okay Shippou, but I need you to promise me something alright?" He nodded waiting quietly for what she wanted him to promise.

"I want you to promise that if a woman named Omnimaru shows up that you will go with her no matter what alright?" She whispered before taking off her necklace and putting it around Shippous neck before tucking it under his shirt, "Please keep this safe for me alright Shippou?"

"I promise mama, but I don't like the feeling I'm getting from you." He stated honestly as he hugged her closer to him and buried his face in her shirt.

"I'm sorry Shippou, I really am, but something is coming and I wanted to make sure I kept you safe."

"I want you to promise me something," he looked up at her tears shimmering in his eyes but he held them back stubbornly.

"What?"

"I want you to promise to be safe and to not leave me."

"I'll try my best, I promise," she told him honestly and hugged him to her for a moment longer before she dropped the barrier and stood to make her way back to the others. It was then that she felt it, a burning evil coming from her right and when she glanced there she saw a moving mass of darkness on the horizon. Heart pounding in her throat she turned back to the others and a glance from Miroku and Sesshomaru let her know that they felt it too and that they were going to watch out for any attacks. She watched as Inuyasha grow agitated with the atmosphere around them before he too looked and saw the pending attack heading towards them.

She ate little, giving the rest to Shippou since he was a growing boy before walking to a hill a little ways away to watch as the darkness drew nearer. Standing there her breath caught in her throat when the pull of the shards slammed into her and she knew between one breath and the next that it was Naraku that was coming towards them.

"What's wrong Kagome?" Miroku asked as he came to stand next to her looking in the direction she was.

"Naraku is coming Miroku."

Said monk laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder as he watched with her the approach of their most hated enemy and knew that they time had come. Kagome smiled at him before turning to go tell the others what was going on and to gather their things together. As she turned Miroku's hand tightened as he searched for something that lay hidden in her eyes.

"What are you hiding Kagome?" She only smiled at him and squeezed his hand before continuing her trek back to the others, leaving the question unanswered. He smiled sadly as she left him before turning his gaze back to the horizon, clenching the hand that no longer caused him fear or pain and thinking that he would protect all he loved. He took Sango's hand in his when she came to stand by him and together they watched as their destiny approached.

A/N: All done! I will get the next chapter up as soon as I get 30 or so reviews. I think that my loyal fans can do that. I want to thank those loyal fans for all the reviews and inspiration you guys have given me!