A/N: So…I'm so used to reading fanfictions from my phone that now when I'm using my laptop to write and publish them, I cannot figure out anything on here. So if there is another way to type Author's Notes except manually, I apologize for my ignorance. That said, if you like my story so far or have any comments/constructive criticism, PLEASE review! It's the only way I will know if I'm doing something right or need to change anything :).

Thank you, VixenKitsune147, for my first follow/favorite! It gives me hope :).

The Castle of Edo

Chapter 2

It happened in slow motion. The mystical blue aura engulfed her, pulling her down into the well and through the age old portal to the other world. When the light dissipated, Kagome stood, frozen in place, stunned from the surreal experience. She looked up tentatively and gasped. Above her was not a ramshackle room, but a twinkling twilight sky and the cleanest air she had breathed in two and a half years.

'Am I really…no…there's no way!'

She climbed the familiar vines to the top of the well and peered out. It was. She was back in the Feudal Era. She was back.

Kagome climbed over the side and planted her feet on the soft grassy earth and stood. She looked in all directions, taking in her surroundings. She was definitely back.

'That means…Inuyasha!'

Her instinct propelled her towards Kaede's village. She wanted desperately to find Inuyasha.

A bloodcurdling scream erupted through the forest.

She froze. 'What was that?'

Kagome, still in a daze of disbelief that she was where her eyes informed her she was, turned in the direction of the shrill sound. It almost sounded…human? Although it was nearing night fall, she followed the whooshing wind towards the origin of the commotion against her better judgment. If someone needed help, she would help. She walked through thickets and over knolls until she came to a small clearing. What she saw shocked her.

A man. A familiar looking man. His long ebony hair was streaming down his back. He wore a deep purple robe over a black tunic with a belt tied at his waist. A matching violet scarf wrapped around his head, holding back his bangs and covering his ears. His eyes were intensely blue. He looked just like…

"Kouga?..."

The man abruptly turned towards Kagome. He had heard her.

She inhaled sharply. She made baby steps towards him. How ironic he was the first person she would see when she abruptly returned. Why was he dressed so strangely, almost like Miroku?

"Hello, my pretty. My, what a pretty human. I hate to waste such a beautiful creature, but you are trespassing on my lands!"

Kagome didn't have time to scream as a huge snake youkai lunged at her. She shut her eyes tightly. 'This has to be a dream, this has to be a dream,' she meditated in her mind. She prepared for the impact…

"Kagome!"

Her eyes snapped open. Her name. Someone saw her and screamed her name! She looked up in time to see the snake youkai about to destroy her with his venomous fangs…

Weightlessness overtook her senses. She was floating, no, soaring through the air. Again. She felt squeezed. Someone was holding her. She just as quickly was placed back onto the ground. In a blur she heard a fight, someone cursing the snake youkai. She looked up to see the snake youkai obliterated into dust.

"Kagome! Kagome is that you? You almost got yourself killed! I'm so glad…oh, Kagome."

Someone, a man, was yelling her name. Kagome felt a strong, callused hand on her cheek. Then a large pair of hands took hers. She looked up and her eyes met sky.

"Kouga?"

They stared at each other silently, their eyes full of unasked questions. Kouga placed his hand upon her cheek again. His eyes began to mist, clear blue sky turning stormy.

"Kagome? I can't believe…"

"Kouga? How did you?"

"Kagome!" he yelped, pulling her into his chest. His embrace was strong, crushing her to him. She wrapped her arms around him as his body shook against her, his forehead resting on her shoulder.

He pushed her back and looked at her, swiping his fist hastily across his misty eyes. "Kagome," he said softly, "we thought you had died."

Kagome gasped, realization hitting her. Of course they would think that. She had just…disappeared. And Kouga, this Kouga anyway, never knew about her time travel. Of course he would think…

"The jewel sent me home, Kouga. I was never able to come back here until today."

Kouga stared at her hard. "Home?" he questioned.

Kagome nodded. "Yes. Back to my time. I never told you before," she began, removing his hands from her shoulders and holding them in hers as he had done countless times. "I am from 500 years in the future. When we finished Naraku and banished the jewel, its final act was sending me home. It locked the well, my portal between here and my time. I went to the well today and it sent me back here…"

Kouga looked towards the ground, processing what she had said, nodding. He just, believed her. What else was there to do?

"Kouga. What are you doing here?"

"I…" he began, hesitating. "I had to get away for a while."

Kagome looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Kouga looked down, never letting go of her hands. He had mourned her for two and a half years. He continued to lead his tribe, but his comrades were worried. His temper was short, his orders irrational sometimes. The elders approached him with concern. They had ordered him to take a mate. Naturally, they supported Ayame as the ideal choice. What choice, really? It was mate her or lose his tribe. They were preparing for the mating ceremony in a just a few months. All this ceremony blabber was killing him. So he ran. His legs had regained their strength since he lost his jewel shards and his own power propelled him far. He was running for a release, a break, an escape before he would be forced to return and continue this charade.

"Kouga?"

Kouga sighed. "I…I haven't been 'right' since you left, Kagome. The pack…they are forcing me to mate Ayame."

Kagome gasped. "Kouga! That's awful! Against your will?"

Kouga squeezed his eyes shut tightly and balled his hand into a fist. "It's the will of the pack. I am their leader. If I want to continue to be, I have been warned that I have to take a mate."

Kagome sat with the seething wolf, unsure of what to say. Now she had a million new questions for present day Kouga, if the well still worked and she could return. Kouga seemed to calm slightly in her presence. He squeezed her hands, drawing her attention to him again.

His features had changed. He smiled at her, wistfully. He brushed a stray hair out of her eyes, his eyes featuring an unreadable expression. "For now, I am just so happy to have you back."

She smiled at him sadly. Her eyes widened as she remembered seeing him before, in the strange clothing. She glanced at his body, studying his typical wolf clan attire.

"Like what you see?" Kouga smirked.

Kagome's eyes shot up to his and she blushed fiercely. "No! I mean, yes! I mean…hey, do you ever on occasion wear a purple robe?"

Kouga stared at her, puzzled. "Uh…no?"

"I saw someone before the snake youkai attacked me. I thought he was you. He looked just like you, long black hair, blue eyes, although his eyes, they looked a bit more…human? But he was wearing a purple robe, much like a Buddist monk…"

Kouga arched his brows. "Kagome, are you sure you didn't hit your head coming out of your time portal?"

Kagome chuckled, shaking her head. Had it been an illusion? A purple robe like Miroku…where was he? Where was Sango? Where was…

"I guess you want to know about Mutt-face, huh?"

Kagome blushed. How had Kouga just read her thoughts? "Yes…" she replied quietly.

Kouga smiled sadly. It made her feel guilty. She knew how he had always felt about her.

"He's gone."

"What?! Gone…" Kagome stood, riled with emotion. "What do you mean?!"

Kouga stood too and looked away from her. He was hiding something.

"Kouga…"

"I heard a rumor that Dog-breath went on a journey to find a Miko whom villagers had reported seeing again in towns far away from here."

"Is he…"

"He's not with the Miko's sister, no."

Kagome's heart shattered. So, the Miko…it wasn't her he was looking for? He thought Kikyo was back, again? Had he forgotten her so easily…

Sprinkles fell from the sky, masking Kagome's tears. Kouga mouthed her name and drew her to him. Why, why would Inuyasha wait for her knowing that she was gone and unable to come back?

"I can't…" Kagome said shakily, choking on the tears she refused to shed.

"And I can't…" Kouga interjected, forcefully fighting the fury he felt for his pack.

They looked at each other more intimately than ever before.

Crash!

They startled, breaking the moment. A thunderous crash was heard to the West and shook the ground. They looked at each other again, and both nodded knowingly. Kouga scooped up Kagome bridal style and ran with her towards the sound.

This time, Kagome by Kouga's side, a new adventure was beginning in the Sengoku Jedai.

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A human essense filled the space between the invisible walls of the mystical prison it was chained too. Emotions suffocated the room and the captured soul. The spirit had sworn he had seen his long lost love in the forest in which his soul had been projected. Her raven hair and facial features were unmistakable. And she had seen him. Praise Buddha, whatever visual body he was granted was recognizable to her. How he longed to have seen her longer, to have spoken with her. To have touched her…

He witnessed the snake youkai rear its head and threaten her. Then, he was gone. His soul pulled back by an invisible chain to this hell like limbo. He balled his hand into a fist and squeezed his eyes shut.

"What a terrible feeling it must be, watching your loved one in peril and being powerless to stop it…"

The spirit snapped his head up, eyes wide.

"Is, is someone there?" he stuttered, shocked and hopeful there may be another soul accompanying him in his purgatory.

Menacing laughter filled the void around him, sending a foreboding chill up his spine. "Yes. And no, Dokan Ota, you are not alone here."

Dokan held his breath, waiting for the other being to continue.

Sinister snickering sang out again. "I suppose you would assume you were alone. This is a, lonely sort of place. Are you pleased to have company?"

Dokan narrowed his eyes. This wasn't the type of company he was thrilled to have. "Who are you?"

The evil essence snickered again. "I am someone who can help you."

"Help?" questioned Dokan. This did not sound like a virtuous offering of beneficence.

"You seek the girl. The Miko woman. Your…love?"

Dokan closed his eyes with gritted teeth. This, thing, knew him. It knew his inner most desires. This thing was powerful, indeed.

The evil essence smirked, shrouded in darkness. "Why struggle, Dokan? I can make this happen, give you another chance to be with her, the love of your life. You will help me in return."

Dokan furtively glanced up, towards where the voice originated. It was unwise and unrighteous to make a pact with a devil, especially as a holy man. But what choice did he have? Wherever his soul was located, he was stuck, he knew this much. Perhaps this may be a chance to escape this endless void of nothingness. Perhaps if he agreed to comply, for now, he may find answers as to what happened to him and a path of freedom from purgatory to paradise.

"What is your name, demon?"

The essence snickered again. "How astute of you, Dokan Ota. You feel my demonic presense."

Dokan Ota merely stared straight ahead as his reply.

"You are right," replied the spirit, stepping slowly from the shadows. Dokan took sight of the spirit's face and widened his eyes in horror.

"You…" Dokan trailed.

The spirit laughed heartily, evilly. "Who could forget me?"

The long, wavy black hair, crimson eyes, and elegantly handsome human like face was unmistakable. It was, at least in body, Naraku.

And around his neck, the glistening deeply tainted black-violet Shikon Jewel.

Dokan betrayed himself and gasped.

Naraku jeered at Dokan. "You will do this, Dokan, and you know I know why." He smiled sinisterly. This was going to be fun. "I will give you everything you desire, and in return you will help me."

Dokan bared his teeth, short fangs protruding as he snarled at Naraku and the jewel. He knew he could not say no. Perhaps, he thought, he didn't want to try…

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Kouga ran with Kagome through the forest, rain sprinkles pelting them from the sky above. It was already night, so they knew there was not much time to explore. The stopped in a clearing in the forest, just past a thick grove of pine trees. Still clutching Kagome to his body, Kouga let out a gasp at the sight in front of him. When Kagome looked up, she gasped as well.

In front of them stood a towering and formidable castle. It was dark and ominous, despite being shadowed by nighttime. Even the moonlight drifting down from above did nothing to brighten this dreary place.

Kouga tentatively placed Kagome down on her feet, never taking his eyes off of the huge castle. His eyes narrowed as he stared pensively at the looming structure.

Kagome stared as well. Her Miko senses were pulsing, signals of danger flaring through her body.

"Kouga…"

"I know," he replied. Instinctively, he put a hand in front of her, bracing for something. They heard a shrill scream followed by a huge gust of black miasma burst from somewhere in the back of the castle grounds straight up into the night sky, dispersing towards the East.

Kagome clutched onto Kouga and buried her face in his chest as her hair violently swirled around her from the massive gust of wind created by the menacing miasma.

Kouga protectively wrapped his arms around Kagome, shielding her body from any danger the evil demonic force may bestow upon them.

But, as swiftly as the smoke soared into the sky, it vanished.

Kouga and Kagome looked at Kagome pushed against Kouga's chest and then met each other's gaze. Kagome blushed fiercely and pushed out of Kouga's arms while Kouga smirked, crossing his arms across his chest.

Kagome's heart was racing. "Kouga, what do you think that was?" Something was not right about this. Did she dream this? Everything right now felt like Déjà vu…

"I don't know. Whatever it was, it had a huge demonic presence, and an evil one at that."

Kagome nodded in agreement.

Kouga grabbed Kagome's hand in his. She turned to meet his heated gaze.

"Wanna check it out?" he half grinned.

She was frightened. Stunned. Exhilarated. It was beyond dangerous and she was so out of practice on defending herself from demons. But she needed this. This seemed like an adventure waiting to be had. She wouldn't have to think about a hanyou who broke her heart. She could simply enjoy being back in the Sengoku Jedai with her new companion and everything he had to offer. She wanted to be open to things she had never been open to before. Let herself go. And perhaps find old friends along the way.

And perhaps, even greater, there was a reason she was allowed to come back. She had a new purpose to fulfill here.

"Of course." She smiled, excitedly.

She couldn't say no to destiny.

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They had been traveling around the massive castle grounds, Kouga's hand never leaving Kagome's. He had to make sure she was safely with him at all times, after all. No taking chances when a powerful, evil demon was so close.

'Whatever you say, Kouga', Kagome thought.

She knew he was right. But still, she couldn't help thinking it was a cute 'excuse' to hold her hand. To touch her. She blushed at the thought. His heated hand warmed hers. She was enjoying this.

Kouga abruptly stopped, halting Kagome's thoughts.

"It came from here," Stated Kouga.

Kagome looked up at a beautiful shrine. Instantly, she knew he was right. She felt it too. She nodded in agreement.

They looked at each other and nodded, slowly stepping ahead to the shrine doors. Kagome put her hand on Kouga's chest gently, slowing him. She let go of his hand holding hers as she put her other hand on the shrine door to push it open. She wanted to make sure it wasn't protected with Sacred energy that could injure him.

They looked into the abysmal room, the demonic aura stronger than ever. Kouga and Kagome scanned the room, looking for a glimpse of evidence.

Suddenly, and object gleamed in Kagome's peripheral vision.

"There!" she shouted loudly, pointing directly to her right. Kouga's head snapped toward the object in question. They walked up to a shining golden mirror. Kagome was drawn to it instantly. It was so familiar…

"The mirror from the exhibit?"

"What? Exhibit?" Kouga questioned. What was she talking about?

Kagome shook her head. Of course this Kouga didn't know what she was talking about…"I was just at an exhibit, or a big traveling show, in my time. They had artifacts from the Feudal Era and I saw this mirror there!"

"Interesting…" Kouga pondered.

Kagome stared at the mirror. This was definitely no accident. Why would she see the mirror in her time and then coincidentally find it in the past at almost the exact same time?

And then she saw them. Blue eyes from within the mirror piercing hers with a terror filled stare.

Her dream from the other night came crashing back into her mind.

"Kouga, I see eyes! There's someone in there!"

Kouga stepped beside her and peered into the mirror, his cheek touching hers to get her view. His eyes widened when he saw the flash of cobalt eyes staring out of the object.

"Love…my love. It's Dokan. Dokan Ota. I'm…I'm coming, my love…" said the voice, fading into a whisper.

Then the eyes were gone.

"Dokan…Ota," Kagome repeated the spirit's name, slowly. Where had she heard that name before?

"Dokan Ota?" Kouga thought aloud.

They stood silently in the dark room, moonlight streaming in through the open door illuminating their escape.

Kouga began looking all around nervously. "Kagome, let's get out of here. We can talk when we are out of this castle and safe."

Kagome nodded in agreement. "Okay."

Kouga wasted no time. He picked her up in his arms, clutching her to his body, and lunged out of the shrine exit, bounding out of the ominous castle and into the safety of the surrounding forest.

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"Who is Dokan Ota?"

Kagome shrugged. Still, that name sounded vaguely familiar, in some way. That triggered another thought. "Kouga, we need to find out who he is. Then maybe we can help him."

Kouga nodded. "Maybe that will lead us to figure out who is this evil demon that has emerged from the shadows as well."

"Yes," Kagome nodded in agreement.

They fell silent for a moment.

Kagome began to think about present day Kouga. She had been pulled back into time so suddenly. The last thing she remembered was seeing his worried face. She frowned, sadly. She needed to get back and let him know she was okay and tell him what was happening. Maybe he could even help…

She was pulled back from her thoughts as Feudal era Kouga grabbed her hands in his, eliciting a light blush on Kagome's cheeks.

"Kagome," he nearly whispered, "we have to find shelter. It's not safe to be out in the woods at night."

"But I…" Kagome began. But Kouga picked her up bridal style again and bounded through the forest until he scented an open cave and lept inside. He placed Kagome down and set out again for a short time collecting firewood. When he returned, they started a small fire to stay warm in the chilly night.

They sat around the fire, near each other on the same side.

"What were you about to tell me in the forest, Kagome?"

"Huh?" Kagome wondered, looking at Kouga only to meet his intense gaze pouring into her. Okay, so maybe his intensity was a natural trait and maturity had nothing to do with it.

Kagome smiled at that thought. "Oh yeah. I was going to tell you I have to go back to my time right away. I know it's unsafe right now, but in the morning its critical I go back."

Kouga frowned. He looked away into the fire, dejectedly. Kagome gasped silently before adding, "but I'm coming back, of course!"

He looked back at her quickly, studying her eyes. He smiled at her genuinely, something deep and passionate twinkling in his eyes. "Good."

The look in his eyes made her heart flutter. The fire illuminating his skin, shining off his armor, made him look like a god. He was so handsome, how had Kagome so easily overlooked him before?

'Because of stupid, two-timing Inuyasha…' she finished the thought ruefully.

Kouga smirked, observing her observing him and his body. He could get used to this. In fact…

"Kagome, it's cold. Where do you want to sleep to stay warm?"

Kagome gasped. She hadn't planned to be in the Feudal era suddenly, especially at nighttime, and did not have her giant yellow back pack and subsequent supplies like, oh, a sleeping bag and blankets and warm clothing.

Kagome shivered at the thought of going all night on the cold, damp cave floor with no warmth but the dying embers of the small camp fire.

"I have an idea."

Kagome perked up. "What is it, Kouga?"

"Sleep with me." He responded, with that intensely heated stare.

Kagome let out an "eep!" and rushed her hand over her mouth in disbelief he had just said that. Then he did the unthinkable…

Kouga laughed, heartily. He clutched his gut and laughed until he had tears.

Kagome balled up her fists in irritation. If she could have said 'sit'… "What's so funny about me freezing my butt off and you asking me to 'sleep' with you?!"

Kouga slowed his laughter. "You're reaction. You're so serious sometimes. I know what you thought I meant. I simply meant," he patted the floor beside him, "to 'sleep' with me."

Kagome looked hesitant. "But, Kouga…"

Kouga smiled reassuringly and put his hand up, "please remember, I am an honorable demon and care deeply about you and would never put you in a bad position. But…" he lowered his voice, stepping up to Kagome in the firelit cavern, kneeling before her and lifting her chin up with his finger to meet his gaze, "I couldn't live with myself if I let anything happen to you, now that you just came back."

Kagome's cheeks heated with new sensations. This was not merely embarrassment. His face, his lips, were so close to hers. They had a heated, invisible connection, the small space between their bodies swirling with intertwined fire. He made no move to venture closer to her. She was too stunned to move away.

She eventually found her voice and whispered, "oh, okay."

He took her hand, guiding her over to his spot. He had no fur pelts or blankets, so the floor would have to do. He lied down and Kagome came down with him. He spooned with her, his arm wrapped securely over her waist, holding her close to him.

Kagome tried to get comfortable. But that chest plate of his…

"Is my armor bothering you, Kagome?"

'How does he read my mind?' Kagome mused.

"Yes. Sorry," she voiced apologetically.

He smirked. In one quick motion, he undid some straps and bindings and pulled it off over his head.

Kagome was now staring at his bare and beautifully sculpted chest.

She had never seen him, his body, unclothed before. 'Wow…' she thought. He was handsome. No, he was gorgeous.

"I promise you can gawk any time you want, Kagome. Right now, let's get you some rest."

Kagome turned her head viciously away from him toward the fire, the still bright embers hiding her flushing face.

She lied down again. Kouga pulled her back to him, this time with a bit more fervor. Without his armor and feeling her body curled against his flesh, his inner wolf flared. He pulled her into his chest a little tighter, a bit more possessively, wrapping his arm protectively over her hips and resting his clawed hand upon her outer thigh.

He instantly felt her pick up his hand and place it securely around her waist.

He chuckled, pushing down the desire of his inner wolf and settling for nestling his face into her hair falling upon the crook of her neck.

He inhaled her scent deeply. That pure, innocent, wild flower scent.

Kagome sighed contentedly. She was warm, inside and out. Finding Kouga had been a whirlwind. She smiled as she drifted off to sleep in his warm embrace. She was beginning to enjoy this ride.

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Kagome and Kouga stood at the Bone Eater's well, silently. Kouga picked up Kagome's hands in his.

"Kagome?"

Kagome met Kouga's gaze with a soft smile. She had slept surprisingly well last night, for being on a cave floor. Thankfully she had a wonderfully comfortable pillow and heated blanket to assuage any discomfort. She had felt minimally awkward at the amount of physical contact between the two, but forced herself to not overthink things. She wanted to enjoy her new adventure and getting to know this handsome wolf demon in a new way.

"It's okay, Kouga." She smiled, squeezing his hands. "I'll be back in two days, okay?"

He sighed, resigned. "Okay," he almost whined.

Kagome chuckled. She climbed onto the side of the Bone Eater's well, feet dangling over the edge going in, before she turned around and added, "oh, and get used to me going back from time to time. I have to see my family and let them know I'm not dead," she finished with a wink.

Kouga chuckled and nodded. "Ok, Kagome. See you in two days."

Kagome smiled brightly. "Bye for now, Kouga."

And with that, she pushed herself off the ledge into the blue vortex of swirling time traveling light.