Chapter 12
Announcements...
Daylight poured in the window, birds sung. I screamed and bolt upright in the sitting position after a nightmare. I was crying, panting, and sweating at the images of my friends and family dead at my feet and me in Naraku's dirty disgusting hands. The jewel corrupted and completely black merging with him. The world as we knew it was completely and utterly destroyed and replaced with a new world one of were blood and death reined. Tears poured down my face and a low grunt from the demon that was sprawled on the bed beside me forced me to look. He was out dead to the world, strange, normally he'd wake at the slightest noise but no today he was so out I could scream and he'd barely twitch. But damn after such a horrible nightmare it was nice to wake up to find perfection laid out as if he were a feast for the eyes. His new left arm had been curled around my sleeping form now lay flung wide from where it had laid under me , His right hand stretched above his head clawed fingers splayed head tilted down to were mine must have rested on his shoulder lips slightly parted . God he looked so tempting with his guard down so delicious and ungodly hot. It's criminal to look that damn good all thoughts of nightmares drifted away as I looked at him.
Reaching out I brushed a lock of silver hair that had escaped and hung in his face. I shifted to lean on him I laid half on his chest and pressed my lips lightly on his. A girl could get use to kissing those perfect lips smooth and soft firm and commanding when awake. Kissing this man was addictive a small growl warned me of his being awake he caught on to the situation immediately his left hand sliding across my lower back and his right burrowing into my hair his tongue sliding across my lips leisurely finally sliding into my mouth devouring me forcing me to respond in time to his demands. I pulled away still held tight suggesting.
"It's time to leave we should get going before everyone else is awake its only 5 am they won't be up for a few hours. I don't want them to feel the well closing until it's done my family may not have powers but they have a strange connection to the well especially my mother and Sota they always seem to know when I'm coming or when the well will not allow me back and forth so if we leave before they realize I forced it closed they won't try their force the well open trick I'm not sure how it works but if they try it I'm not sure how it will interfere with the spell I'm going to cast to force it closed." He nodded grumbling under his breath letting his arms fall from around me.
" I have your clothes and armor in my back pack knew it'd be quicker if we could just leave I don't want to say any good bye's cause it's not good bye. So let's get our shoes and go." I added
"Alright love whatever makes this easier on you." He yawned and rose I followed going to my backpack trying to sling it over my shoulder but (forgetting the armor I had manhandled into it) was unable to the weight was too much. Laughing lightly at me Sesshomaru walked lithely over took the bag from me and lifted it up as if it weighed no more than a feather I blushed grumbling about cocky men and huffed to my dresser were Tenseiga and Tokijin still sat I gently picked them up Tenseiga pulsed happily in my hand greeting me in its normal manner. I smiled at the demon who scooped me up in his other arm and carried me silently down the stairs the air still and quiet as we stepped to the entry way to slide our shoes on I paused when he quietly opened the door and stood outside waiting for me to say my silent good bye's to my slumbering family. I turned around swords still clenched in my hands silent tears slid down I sent all of my eternal love for my family silently. I turned suddenly wiping my tears away and turned to the man I loved the man that represented the future the future we were going to build together. I smiled and we left my family home knowing we weren't saying good bye just saying see you later we would find them again it wasn't all that hard they'd always be here in this house with my familiarity of modern Tokyo and Sesshomaru's nose we'd find them easily.
We walked the ground's hand in hand to the sacred well Sesshomaru let go of my hand to sneak his arm around my middle lifting me as he leaped into the well without a backwards glance we traveled thru the swirling blue light. We landed on the bottom of the well in feudal Japan ivy growing around the lite smell of lavender and wild flowers filed the air cleaning my sinuses of all the smog there was a grunt and air flying as Sesshomaru jumped out of the well and sat me down. He took a deep breath thru his nose sniffing the air.
"That's so much better I can finally smell properly. My nose has been so assaulted by the air there it's going to take a while to clear away. Come on love, the children are waiting. We have to tell them about the changes that are coming about. I suppose well have to tell the others to." He grumbled
"Yes dear." I replied sardonically rolling my eyes heaven wards. He growled grabbing the back of my head pulling me in for a deep scorching kiss. I pulled away before he could get any further.
"Now is not the time for that I have a well to seal. Hand me my bag." I asked patiently. He held out the monstrosity that was my bag I laid the swords down next to it pulled out an ancient scroll and a small bag of crystal gems for the spell. I placed them in a circle around the well one on each corner and recited the incantation pushing all my power and concentration in to the task the same way I did when remolding Sesshomaru's left arm. I took my time powering the circle, closing it off for good, no one but I would be able to take the spell down. Not even another powerful priestess only my magic would work on it I made certain of it when I cast the spell. As I worked Sesshomaru watched me from beside a tree keeping watch as I sealed everything dear to me away from the dangers of this world. When I was done I was tired and stumbled slightly but remained on my feet.
"Are you alright?" Sesshomaru's voice asked next to my ear. I had not even noticed when he had walked up behind me. I nodded confirming.
"Yes, I'm okay just used up a lot of power. At least I didn't collapse on the ground this time." I leaned into him he set his left arm around my shoulders soothingly and I added.
"Give me just a sec to regain a little then we'll go." He nodded and let me rest agents him for a while. He stood rigidly afraid that we were so exposed he gave me as long as his instincts would allow.
"It's not safe here I need to change into my kimono and armor not that I don't enjoy wearing jeans and shirt but its impractical for battle thou it will be more comfortable to ware at home." He smiled at me grabbing hold of my bag I followed and picked up his swords he grabbed my free hand and pulled me out of Inuyasha's forest and into the outskirts of Kaede's village.
The villagers greeted us both me ,more than him, some of them still had trouble with demon's but for the most part were accepting of their presence. We made our way to Kaede's hut entered it knowing a warm welcome. A small object launched itself at me knowingly. Everybody was seated at breakfast and waited till my son greeted me first.
"Mama your back welcome home I missed you so much!" Shippou cried into my shoulder I let go of Sesshomaru's hand and held the boy to me.
"Oh baby I missed you too. I'm home for good okay." I said soothing the boy in my arms. He nodded his understanding into my shoulder when he had enough he scrambled over to Sesshomaru's shoulder and whispered something to the other demon. Sango collected her hug next whispering her welcome home and embracing me fearsomely. She reluctantly stood back allowing Miroku to come for his hug.
"Welcome home Kagome-sama it's been rather dull without both of you." Miroku turned shaking hands with Sesshomaru something he rarely allowed towards human's but a mutual respect between the two vastly different men blossomed into a friendship of sorts over the period of our travels, Miroku enjoyed Sesshomaru's company and vice versa. Miroku also helped bridge the gap somewhat between the brothers' to a point where they no longer drew their swords on each other unless they were sparing with one another.
Miroku stepped away to allow Rin thru she ran for me first throwing her arms around my legs I returned her joyful hug then she fell as suddenly on Sesshomaru he smiled at the girl tenderly and ruffled her hair.
"Are you well Rin? Has Jaken been looking after you properly?"
"I am well Lord Sesshomaru; Jaken-sama rarely enters the village he usually stays on the out skirts up on the hill. But that doesn't bother Rin Uncle Inuyasha has been keeping an eye on me as have Sango-sama and Kaede-basama and Shippou-chan stayed with me and even when I'm with them Uncle Inuyasha stays close. Especially the night before last when I had a bad dream and laid with me for the rest of the night... "Rin stated unable to keep anything from Sesshomaru but was cut off by a loud.
"Hey Rin he's doesn't need to know everything." From Inuyasha who walked up to me not even looking at his brother who looked surprised and thankful until he remembered were we were and quickly put up his Ice king mask as Inuyasha added.
"I knew if anything had happened to her you'd be sad and upset at me for not looking after her and after a few days she grew on me she's a good girl and deserves the love and care you give her." He looked at me shrugging it off turning away I knew his mind moved to the memory's he had of his mother he of all people understood the importance of family. And knew why I did what I did adopting both children as mine.
"Inuyasha I am so proud of you thank you. "I smiled as he turned around I hugged him he laughed hugging me back . Then the most amazing thing occurred something no one predicted happening Sesshomaru stepped up after I pulled away from Inuyasha and reached out and pulled a shocked Inuyasha into a firm hug which Inuyasha returned still stunned.
"Inuyasha my brother you have proven your loyalty and love for your pack you have done me a great service watching out for the pups. It is an honor to have you as a brother and I hope that one day I can make up for all those years I doubted you." Inuyasha looked up at the odd smile on his brother's face when he held him at arm's length after the powerful hug the soft honey colored eyes stared into amber eyes seeing himself reflected in Sesshomaru's eyes It gave him something he hadn't had in over 60 years family. Sesshomaru thanked him as his brother Sesshomaru's little brother. The big strong brash insensitive Inuyasha was at a loss for words.
"Thank you Aniki I'm proud that I was able to be of help to you." The hanyou replied a tear escaped from a amber eye and was pulled to his brother's shoulder again. Neither demon nor hanyou cared about their human friends at the moment they were finally forgiving one another for years of hate and abuse at each other's hand. The humans around them cried in joy over the brother's new found love. When all the welcome's and tears were out of the way they all sat down to breakfast and enjoyed a leisurely meal the meal out of the way everybody pitched in and made short work of the dishes I gathered My courage enough to know that this was the moment I needed to announce that things were going to be different.
"Everyone I have a few things to get off my chest and the first is that well I can no longer return home I have sealed of the well and my time for good I will no longer be going back I will do my best to blend in to this time from now on. Also this is probably going to be weird but well I have fallen in love with Sesshomaru and surprisingly he feels the same way he has asked for me to be his mate and I've agreed. "There was an explosion of sound from my friends.
"Finally I was wondering when you'd finally admit to loving him after the arm incident it was painfully clear to everyone that there were mutual feelings. Congratulations!" Sango shouted Miroku just nodded agreeing. Shippou and Rin laughed and screamed nonsense. Kaede just nodded smiling trying to get the kids to settle down.
"It's about damn time!" Inuyasha huffed I blushed realizing that my friends new something that I was agonizing over for months and had accepted it with ease even Inuyasha the brazen misfit. I looked over at a chuckling Sesshomaru I flushed even deeper reaching over to hit him on the shoulder he caught my hand and pulled me till i fell into his lap were he nuzzled my hair growling soothing sounds. I was still bright red and fuming as my friends stopped their chatter the kids were still smiling Rin stood and walked to stand in front of me and asked in a small hopeful voice.
"Kagome-sama would you allow me to call you Mama like Shippou-chan does?" My heart melted I opened my arms to the girl she folded into me Shippou joined us unable to hide his happiness at having a family again the four of us huddled in the first of many family hugs to come as i told the girl.
"Of course you can Rin honey I already consider you my daughter you can call me whatever your heart desires."
We sat in our own world the four of us happy to have what we were missing our other family members gave us our family time but stayed close sitting and going about their daily routines. Sango brought out Hiraikotsu and Miroku sat writing Inuyasha smirked and leaned into the wall.
"Kit I know this is all new and it will take time to get use to but as I am your stepfather to be you are under no obligation to call me father or anything you can simply call me by my name I will never be able to replace your father but I hope you can come to at least see me as a older brother of sorts." The kit looked up at the full demon he already idolized and smiled.
"My father would be grateful to you and Mama for taking me in he would also tell me to be proud of what I have in the now and not dwell in the past. I have already come to see you as a big brother and am proud that you chose my mama as your mate and have no problem seeing you as a father the fact that you are willing to see me as your son brings nothing but happiness to me and I honor you and honor my mother and new sister and any other pups that come along means more to me then you can imagine. Thank you Dad I will do my best to uphold the family."
"You already are holding up your honor to both me and your mother I am proud to call you son you are brave and strong but you are still young my boy and have the chance to grow up in safety and love and become a powerful demon with the rite training both you and Rin should have the chance to be children before you should shoulder battle I regret my actions when I was younger and did not provide for my family what I should have. I cannot make time go back and fix that mistake but I can do better for you and Rin thanks to the help of both your Uncle's they made me see my error and want the chance to change it." The kit looked at me then at Inuyasha then turned back to Sesshomaru and nodded understanding but not wanting to elaborate on it any further. We passed the rest of the day leisurely Sesshomaru finally traded his jeans and silk shirt for kimono as did I put it on with Sango's help she taught me a few tricks to easily put it on and off she even handed me a lighter weight slayer suit not exactly like hers short sleeved and not a suit but looked like pants and a shirt but lighter it fit nice was comfortable enough and gave me enough support to ware all the time under my clothing and didn't over heat.
"I've been experimenting using your future clothing as a guide i thought it would be more comfortable then a full suit but function the same and I turned out to be rite so I made you one and myself I kind of stole the buttons off of one of your uniforms the one that got the back ripped out." she confided in me I laughed flapping her apology away. The day flew by and before I knew it I was telling the children a story curled up in my sleeping bag I knew I had a better sleeping sport then that so gave the kids something warmer than a blanket to sleep in. I kissed them good night walked toward Sesshomaru who watched my every move and sat down in my customary spot in his lap.
"Tomorrow starts a new journey doesn't?" I asked him.
"I'm afraid so Kagome a log grueling one dangerous and demanding one the kids shouldn't be a part of. They should be in the one place I know will guarantee their safety My home." He replied sighing I nodded in understanding settling into his shoulder gaining strength and love from him. This was it the last calm before the storm and I was going to enjoy it while it lasted...
