Author's note: chapter 14 is basically an explicit sex scene and I think we all know FFnet has some issues with sex scenes so I am skipping to 15. Chapter 14 can be found at either www(insert period here)dokuga (insert period here)com or www(insert period here)Inuyasha-fanfiction(insert period here)com There is an important plot point contained in the sex scene so I advise you to read it even if you are opposed to sex scenes.

I'm going to give a shout out to the 1 person in the Netherlands reading this. Hallo, hoe gaat het? I am afraid that is pretty much all the Dutch I know and it doesn't really count since I cheated and looked it up online. My apologies.

Chapter 15 Afterglow

As the filtered morning light washed across Kagome's face like a gentle golden rain, Sesshoumaru memorized every beautiful line, every luscious curve, every vibrant color she possessed.

Reflecting on his previous life, he couldn't believe that he had denied himself this for so long. It terrified him to think that he had almost annihilated this life before it began, that Kagome had nearly met her end at his hand on more than one occasion. Frustration once again gripped Sesshoumaru as he went over the prophecy Kagome had given. He was determined to protect her, but how could he when any action he might take, could trigger the event. Whether he stepped backwards or forwards, left or right, in the future or the past, an unseen threat was still reaching for Kagome with invisible talons.

The only thing I can do, it seems, is stay as close to Kagome as her own shadow and hope I recognize...whatever it is... before it happens...The very thought of Kagome missing from his life sent a thrill of black pain spiraling through his heart. That is why the future she saw cannot come to pass. I refuse to be without her. Even if I have to move heaven and hell, I will keep her by my side.

Reaching out to stroke her raven tresses, he then leaned over and licked her lips savoring their sweet taste. "Wake up sleeping beauty. It's time for breakfast."

Kagome opened her eyes slowly and stared into his golden orbs before reaching her arms around his neck and stroking his flowing silver mane. "Mmmm...I know just what I want."

Sesshoumaru smiled down at her. "Up and at them, Kagome. If we don't meet the others for breakfast Rin and Shippou and possibly Kohaku will be tearing down the shoji screens to get at us to join them. I know they have to learn about the birds and the bees eventually, but not this soon or that way."

Kagome reluctantly rose and began to stretch languidly causing popping sounds to come from her joints. "You ever wonder who came up with that story or what it is exactly? No one I know has ever heard it and actually I never had the 'sex talk' with my mother either. Not that I'm complaining of course, that would be unbearably awkward. Guess sex ed., romance novels, and TV made up for it anyway."

Sesshoumaru went to a dresser which, thankfully, was stocked with modern and feudal age attire. While rooting through it to find something appropriate he started cursing himself mentally. The pants he'd been wearing last night were among his favorite and in a moment of lust he had destroyed them.

Damnit!

Kagome's light chuckle pricked his ears. "You should be more careful in how you treat your clothing." She pointed to his shredded pants. "I would've happily taken them off for you."

Sesshoumaru looked at her pointedly with his amber eyes while pulling on some boxer briefs. "You probably would have torn them to pieces also. You were very naughty last night."

"What can I say? You're just a bad influence on me." Kagome replied, as she pulled on her top. "Bringing out my animal side and all. By the way, was it my imagination or did you seem to have a great deal of know-how on your side last night?"

Sesshoumaru, who had finished dressing, smiled proudly at her before gliding up behind her to play with the waistband of her panties. She knew he loved their black silken lace and had chosen to wear them on purpose. "One can find a lot of useful information on the internet. Of course you have to wade through gigabytes of porn first..."

"And useful it was," Kagome granted in a mirthful voice. A pang of hunger shot through her stomach and made her realize just how much energy she must have spent last night.

Sesshoumaru was all too aware of her need for sustenance and released her. Since both he and Kagome spent most of their time in the future, their house was in the past rarely had food in stock. Consequently they generally ate with Sango and Miroku who were always happy to accommodate them.

"I wonder what's on the menu today," Kagome said.

Breakfast, as it turned out, was rather rushed as Shippou and Rin were not-so-subtly pressuring the participants to hurry up with their meals after they finished scarfing down their own. Kohaku was somewhat better mannered, but still sending silent vibes, urging a speedy departure. Sesshoumaru, meanwhile, was straining his senses outward for anything even remotely suspicious. On one level, he was actually eager to return to the future as well, because it seemed the safer of the two eras. But on another level, a sense of trepidation filled him. The future was like a dark corridor that they were all running blindly through. I wonder how many others have had this problem of trying to escape the future but being unsure how to do so? How do you fight the flow of time without being dragged under by it?

Sesshoumaru was dragged out of his dark musings by Kagome's bright and slightly mocking voice. "Would you blink every once in a while? It's disconcerting to have your unbroken stare shining out at me. Oh, and let's get a move on. I finished."

Shippou suddenly appeared at Kagome's shoulder and grouched irately in his high-pitched voice.

"It's about time. After all that prep work he made us go through," Shippou said, while gesturing to Sesshoumaru, "No one can say we haven't earned it."

Kagome pulled the kitsune into her arms and into a motherly hug. "Someone is just a little impatient. Well, we're on our way now so no more fussing."

Shippou's only response was a barely audible purr.

"Rin, Kohaku," Sesshoumaru called out while lifting his backpack. "Mainly just Rin actually, try to keep your curiosity under control. And remember don't mention anything about this era in public spaces. Now follow me."