Author's Note: I hadn't planned on continuing this, but with so many requests, it was hard not to. Hope it satisfies that itch for more, as this is truly the end. Thank you for any favorites, follows, kudos, and reviews.

~*Flame

Disclaimer: InuYasha & Final Act are all owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Viz Media & Madmen Entertainment.

Through His Eyes

Smoke blanketed the ground, swirling around his ankles as he glided across the battlefield. Sharp golden eyes scanned the area, searching for any signs of the spider. His half brother kneeled in the smoke, covered in blood, bangs covering his eyes. The Houshi stood off to the side, staring down at his palm. The Taijiya shifting her attention between the Houshi and his half brother, features drenched in anguish. The kit's wail echoed hauntingly around them.

There was no sign of the Miko.

She was frequently one to disappear, and this wouldn't be the first battle with the Spider she missed. But this wasn't like those previous battles. His chest tightened, dread rushing through him as he reached his half brother's side. The kit was collapsed across a bloody and unmoving form, heart-wrenching sobs spilling from his small body. A lump formed in his throat as he stared down at the broken body of the Miko.

"Can you save her?" His half brother's hoarse whisper barely reached him over the kit's cries. Tenseiga had yet to pulse, had yet to urge him to save the woman who claimed his curiosity. Even knowing what he would see, Sesshoumaru still gripped the hilt of the fang, wishing he was wrong… praying he was wrong.

There were no pallbearers.

Her soul was gone.

"It is too late." The words tasted like ash on his tongue. The kit's cries increased as his half brother's shoulders slumped in defeat. Pain stabbed his heart as he stared down at what remained of the Miko. He should have been there. If he couldn't have prevented her fall, he could have arrived in time to stop her soul from moving on.

His eyes snapped open at the robotic scream of the alarm by his bedside. Sweat damped hair stuck to his neck as he sat up, shutting off the offending sound. Placing his face in his hands, Sesshoumaru groaned. How many times would his dreams torment him so? Was it not enough his waking mind tortured him with what could have been?

He may not have traveled with the Miko as his brother had, but that didn't mean he wasn't immune to her charm. She had a way of touching those she came in contact with, making a long-lasting impression. He mourned her death then; the light of one so special snuffed out far too soon. What he hadn't expected was the yearning and continued sense of loss that plagued him through the centuries. It was like a piece of him was missing.

Throughout the years, he would encounter things, wishing he could hear her opinion, listen to her snark, and watch as she overcome the challenges by his side. Never had anyone come close to replacing the Miko in his mind. It made the temptation of hunting her down, of protecting her from her fate all the harder.

How often had his brother pulled him from the edge of finding her and changing the past? How often had he been lectured over the risks? That the smallest change could take everything they had fought so hard to keep?

Sesshoumaru sighed, forcing himself to leave the bed. Where every day was a challenge to keep the haunting memories of the Miko at bay, today was already far worse. Not that any of the previous anniversaries have been any easier. At least with this year, he had an after hours work event that could distract him.

"Kanpai!" The clink of glasses rang through the restaurant as a slither of magic ran down his spine. All around him were the smiling faces of his employees, enjoying the nomikai. It wasn't often they planned these, which made them all the more enjoyable for his team. Sliding his eyes closed as he drank his own beer, he tried to find the source of the invasion. It was subtle, and not the first time he felt the quiet hum of power wash over him. Just as before, it wasn't threatening, but he had no patience to deal with the intruder.

He opened his eyes as his now empty glass rested on the table. The sweet and spicy combination of sushi and wasabi floated in the air amongst the laughter of the partiers. He typically dreaded these events, but today wasn't a normal day. The last thing he was looking forward to was returning to an empty apartment. The longer this party lasted, the better.

"Higurashi-san!" His gaze drifted to his Accounts Receivable Lead. The balding man smiled, a flush coloring his cheeks, holding up the large bottle of beer their group was sharing. "May I pour for you?"

"Of course, Tokiwaki-san." He nodded, in case the human couldn't hear him over the ruckus. A rush of hops and yeast tickled his nose as his glass was once again filled to the brim.

"I've always wondered…" the lead mused as Sesshoumaru filled their glass in turn. "Are you related to the Higurashi's of the Sunset Shrine?" Surprised, he nearly overfilled the glass, pulling the bottle upright at the last moment with a frown. When he had taken the Miko's name he didn't realize how prominent her family was in certain circles. It was a miscalculation on his part, but one he would do again in a heartbeat. It was the closest he could ever get to her, and that wasn't something he was willing to give up easily.

"Hn," He put the serving bottle back on the table. "They are my late wife's family." The human looked surprised, be it from the admission of his status as a widower or that he took his wife's name, he didn't care. Let the human think what he would. Taking a long drink of his beer, he signaled he wouldn't elaborate further. Thankfully, his lead wasn't too drunk and understood.

Over the next few hours, others would reach over to refill his glass, some he didn't know the names of. He played the part of an executive well, but even with wanting to postpone the inevitable, he was growing tired, yearning for home. Thankfully, it wasn't much longer before the beer and sushi was finished and everyone stood, clapping once to signal the end of the nomikai.

Many of the lower-ranking employees were discussing after party plans, but he was done for the night. It was late enough that should he crawl into bed and let the rest of this day pass by in sleep, he wouldn't feel like a slug. Giving his farewells, he left the restaurant, the crisp air a balm to his heated skin.

It was a short walk from the restaurant to his apartment. Something that he had requested of the organizer the moment he learned the date of the event. He would be in no position to drive, regardless of how much he imbibed. Not that human liquor could actually get him drunk.

Upon opening the door to his apartment, the fresh scent of the kit's family instantly hit him. He should have known they wouldn't leave him alone today, of all days. "Unkie Shou!" The sweet voice of his niece echoed through the hall as he slipped off his shoes, replacing them with house slippers. A small smile tugged on his lips, unable to keep the joy over seeing the child at bay.

"Goodness, I seem to have intruders. What should I do about it?" Giggles drew closer as he moved through the small apartment, a small tendril of youki seeping from him to hunt the child, attempting to get her to hone the illusionary skills she shared with her father. The world they lived in may be far more peaceful than the one he grew up in, but that didn't mean mastering their abilities wasn't just as important.

After turning a corner, the small girl smiled up at him, hands in the air making a grasping motion. Clearly uninterested in playing games of training for the night. "Uppies!" He chuckled before grabbing the sweet thing, twirling her in the air before settling her against his hip.

"And where are your parents?" He quirked a brow at her, knowing full well her father was nowhere to be found. After the Miko's death, his half brother had taken the kit in her stead. The circumstances behind her loss connecting them in a way unlike any other. His half brother blamed himself for not being strong enough to protect her when she put herself in harm's way to protect the kit.

His niece shrugged, putting a thumb in her mouth. Deftly, he slipped the appendage out from her lips before walking deeper into the apartment. It seems they would need to work harder to break her of that habit.

"Akari!" The worried voice of the kit's mate filled the home moments before the woman appeared. Wisps of raven hair escaped her bun as relief filled her ruby eyes. Though his home was a safe place to drop the illusions, it still surprised him to see Souten in her natural state.

"Mama!" the girl in his arms called out, wiggling in his hold, reaching for the woman. He passed the child over, a deep ache in his chest watching the small family. It had been a long time since his last adopted child left the world, the sting of their loss still fresh.

"Sorry, she's been asking for you all day." She kissed the girl's forehead before tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear.

"Hn," He hummed, moving past the two and toward the small kitchen. "Have you eaten?" He wasn't hungry himself, but if they needed to eat, he would ensure they were taken care of.

"We have, though we expected you home earlier." He pulled a pitcher from the fridge, filling a glass with water before turning back to face her. Though human spirits didn't affect him as youkai strength spirits did, he still wanted the cool hydration of water before bed.

"I had a work engagement." She smiled sadly before running her fingers through the child's hair.

"At least you weren't alone today." He folded his arms across his chest, narrowing his gaze at her.

"Is this the reason you came? Did my brother send you?" He should have known better. Yes, he missed the Miko and continued to mourn for her, but they had never mated. It was what set him apart from his half brother and the kit. Why they never mourned the loss of the Miko together.

Souten rolled her eyes, putting the girl down on the floor only for her to run back toward him. She collided with his legs, much like how Rin would do in her youth, sending yet another pang of loss through him. "You know we don't like leaving you alone, Sesshoumaru." He snorted before scooping the child up in his arms, the quiet hum of magic fading from his mind.

"You are worrying over nothing." Leaving the kitchen, and his untouched glass of water, he turned his attention to his little niece. "Now, little intruder, how should This One punish you for invading?"

"We should watch Anpanman!" He snorted, entering the living room. Though more of a punishment for himself, he could deny the sweet girl nothing.

It had been a long morning, and all Sesshoumaru wanted to do was finish closing out the quarterly reports so he could go home. Souten had convinced him to take a vacation, or more aptly, Akari had convinced him to join them on their vacation. It was rather last minute, and he had a lot he needed to do at home to prepare for an extended time away. That could only happen once he finished these reports.

His phone rang, and there was no suppressing the growl that spilled past his lips. All the other directors knew of his plans and not to bother him. If someone conveniently forgot, he would have to correct the error in their ways. He would not disappoint Akari. He picked up the receiver, all but snarling into the phone.

"Higurashi-san," He nearly felt guilty as the calm voice of the lobby receptionist come over the line. "There's an intern from Konpeito Cosmetics here with some documents for you." His brows furrowed as he quickly glanced in his sent email box. That couldn't be right. He sent over the final offer this morning. They shouldn't need anything else from him, let alone need to send him something to review. Their fate was now in the hands of the CEO. "They said they need to deliver them personally." There was no missing the suspicion in her voice.

Initially, he was inclined to have the receptionist send the intern away. He had no time for whatever games Konpeito was playing. But there was something gnawing at him to let them up anyway. He was not one to ignore his instincts. "Send them up." He didn't wait for her response before hanging up the phone.

It wouldn't take his visitor long to arrive, and with this added distraction, he would be behind schedule. The kit and his family would likely be waiting for him by the time he arrived home, but it couldn't be helped. Hopefully, the visit wouldn't take long, but he doubted that. His youki churned within him, pushing to get out. Were it not for his iron-clad control, his carefully laid illusion would be lost and his secret revealed to the humans working on his floor.

A soft knock on his office door sent his instincts on edge. What was he missing? Was this visitor another youkai? An enemy, perhaps? "Enter." He called out, continuing to work on the report before him. The door silently swung open, a burst of citrus and sakura filling the small space. He frowned, the scent pulling at long forgotten memories.

His visitor stood in the doorway, staring at him. Even without looking up, he could feel their eyes roving over his body, practically undressing him with their gaze alone. It was most unprofessional and something he had no time for.

"Have you had your fill?" His visitor stepped further into his office before closing the door. They continued to stare, his hard won control slipping the longer they stood there.

"Sesshoumaru?" His head jerked up at his name, one that no one in the time other than his family knew. Golden eyes widened and his heart froze as the Miko stood before him. Confusion and embarrassment flitted across her features as it was his turn to stare at her. The pen slipped from his fingers, clattering on the desk as he stood. He had to be imagining things…

She chewed on her lower lip, eyes shifting briefly to the pen on his desk. "Sorry… I lied to the receptionist. I don't really have any information for you. I just…" She scratched the tip of her nose as she rambled. "I just wanted to know if it was really you." His eyes never left hers, even as she sighed, shoulders slumping. "I'll leave–"

"No!" Panic rushed through him as he lunged for her before she could turn away. His hand wrapped around her wrist, pulling her toward her, stopping her from walking out of his life now that she was here. She fell against him, a sweet blush coloring her cheeks as her hand rested on his chest.

His other hand cupped her cheek, a tremble running through him. She was really here… He swallowed past the lump forming in his throat as she blinked up at him. She felt so good in his arms.

"You got your arm back." He chuckled, the pain of her loss slipping out. Weak from the need and uncaring that she knew nothing of his yearning, he pressed his face into her neck, inhaling her sweet scent until it burned into his soul. His hand slid from her cheek to wrap around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

"You're alive." His words were barely a whisper, one he hoped she didn't hear, but couldn't bring himself to care if she did.

"Of course I'm alive. Did no one ever tell you I'm from this time?" Of course they had. Once his half brother realized what the Miko meant to him, how decades after her death he mourned her loss, he revealed her origins. The knowledge was meant to bring him solace, that he could one day see her again. But it only brought him pain. He would be forced to lose her again. Stand by and watch as she was dragged down the well to one day never return.

"Not until…" He pulled back, staring at her. No. There wouldn't be an until. He was good, never sought her out. Never willingly risked changing the past. But she came to him. The Kami wouldn't be so cruel…

"Sesshoumaru?" She reached up, resting her palm on his cheek. His eyes slid shut as the heat of her flesh seeped into him. No, the Kami brought her here so he could change things. She never deserved to perish as she did, and he would ensure that fate never came to pass. Opening his eyes, determination fueling him, he stepped away, returning to his desk without a word. He couldn't risk it. There was too much he wanted to tell her. Too much he wanted to warn her about. But there was one person he could trust with the secrets of the future.

He felt Kagome's eyes on him as he pulled out a notebook, picking up his pen once more. "Are you going to ask why I'm here?"

To my younger self, the Miko tells you the truth of her origins.

"No."

I will not warn you of much, the risk is too great, as you can imagine.

"Are you going to ask how I found you?" It didn't matter why she was here or how she found him. She was here now, and he would not waste the opportunity laid so perfectly before him.

Soon, possibly within a year, the spider will slay the Miko.

"Or… How about you explain why you're using my last name?" If he were not so focused on the letter to his younger self, he would have found her irritation amusing.

We are too late to save her.

The miko huffed before taking a seat before his desk, dropping a manilla envelope on the pristine surface.

You may not realize it now, but she is our equal. The only one worthy to stand by our side.

"I would have pegged you to have a more traditional office."

Do not live with the regret I have every day since her loss.

"We do a lot of business with Europe. It helps set them at ease." He nearly smirked, imagining the ire in her sapphire eyes as he finally responded to one of her questions.

Save her.

He signed the note with a flourish, the signature one he hadn't needed in the centuries since youkai went into hiding. Releasing just enough of his control, a flare of youki filled the office. A claw appeared through his illusion, allowing him to cut open his thumb. Pressing the digit to the paper, he allowed his blood to seep into the fibers beside his signature.

"What are you doing?" He folded the note, sealing it with another flare of his youki before looking up at her. His younger self would know it was from him; there would be no doubt with the feel of his youki and scent of his blood. He could only hope he would listen to his warning.

"Give this to me in the past." She frowned, staring at his outstretched hand and the note.

"So you won't tell me anything, but you'll tell yourself? How is that fair?"

"Kagome." His eyes narrowed, willing her to do as he asked without question. Her lips parted, and he knew she was going to argue. She was always so headstrong and argumentative, it would have been unlike her had she not tried to argue. "Please." He begged, needing to try and save her. Even if she rebuffed his advances, even if he perished in her place… as long as she lived, he could be at peace.

Slowly, she took the letter from his hand. "This is really important to you, isn't it?"

"The most." His eyes roved over her again, knowing this would be the last time he would see her. Even if she delivered the letter, she would not wish to spend her time with an old man like himself. "It contains the only regret in my life."

Slipping the note into her blazer pocket, she simply nodded. "Can…" She bit her lip once again, looking down at her hands twisting in her lap. "Can I come back so we can talk after I take it to you?" She looked back up, determination shining in her eyes. She wouldn't take no for an answer. He should have known better. His age didn't matter. What others thought didn't matter, not to her. Why else would she have traveled in Sengoku Jidai in such a tantalizingly short skirt? "I have so many questions."

A small smile twisted his slips, knowing he was weak. Much like Akari, he could deny her nothing. More so, given what she meant to him.

"I'd like that. Though there might not be much I can divulge." She hummed her acknowledgement.

"I guess I should get this delivered." The Miko stood, glancing back at the door. Sesshoumaru nodded, though remained sitting. He didn't trust himself not to grab her and keep her here. Protect her in this time, stop her from returning. There was no guarantee his past self would heed his warning. He was a prideful creature in his youth, and it took losing the Miko to realize what he wanted.

"I'll let the receptionist know to let you up anytime you come." He smirked, glancing at her forgotten manilla envelope. "No need for a cover story going forward." Blushing, she grabbed the envelope before escaping his western style office.

Her scent lingered as he leaned back in his chair. With great risk came great reward, and he was gambling with the greatest reward on the table. He could only hope that his younger self would pull himself together in time to realize that.

"I'm sorry… you did what?" The kit growled quietly, Souten and Akari sleeping in the back of the car as they traveled. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly Sesshoumaru was surprised it didn't break. He hadn't originally planned on telling the kit of his meeting with the Miko, but it slipped out. He was anxious, waiting for any change to their present.

"You cannot tell me you wouldn't do the same."

"Of course I would, but that's not the point!" He snarled, neck tense as he kept his eyes on the road and not glaring at Sesshoumaru as he so clearly wished to do. "You're messing with forces beyond our control. What if you make things worse?"

"How could things get worse?" He snorted.

"I don't know!" He threw up his hands briefly before slamming them back on the wheel. "You could prevent Naraku from being defeated or the Shikon from disappearing when we burned mama's body."

"You and I both know it's only a matter of time before the Shikon appears again in the Miko's next incarnation." Why his half brother was so determined to burn the Shikon with the Miko as was done with Kikyou was beyond him. All it did was to ensure the cycle would repeat. Risking the rise of another foe like the spider.

"Don't do that." The kit sighed, shaking his head. "You just risked life as we know it and still you won't use her name." It wasn't entirely true. He had used her name when she was in his office. How could he not? She was so adamant about everyone using her name as opposed to the title she earned. Not using it during her visit would have been a slap in the face.

"She's not here to protest the use of the title she so rightly deserves." The kit pressed his lips together, clearly refusing to voice his disagreement.

A spike of pain shot through his skull.

Grunting, he leaned his head back against the seat, shutting his eyes against the harsh light of the sun. The sudden jab settled deep into his head, a throbbing ache radiating from the center of his mind.

"What's wrong?" The kit's voice was harsh. Each syllable driving the pain deeper.

"Head hurts." Though he whispered, his own words felt like a scream. He was a daiyoukai, immune to such human ailments as a headache. This was something far beyond the physical. If he wasn't in so much pain, he would be smiling.

"Well, at least you know your letter got to your younger self." He snorted as Sesshoumaru bit his tongue, preventing the agonized groan from leaving his lips. If this was a side affect of his attempt to change the past, he would gladly take it. As long as it worked.

The world around him dampened, only the pain spreading through his body remained.

The Miko sat against a tree, the kit and his ward huddled around her as she read to them. Every other page she would have the kit attempt to read, aiding him in sounding out the words. His ward was enraptured, and the Miko had already promised to teach the girl as well. Which was a bit concerning. If his ward decided to live with humans once she was older, her knowledge would be frowned upon.

Yet, he couldn't be the one to wipe the smile from their faces.

He rested his head against his own tree, taking in his new and equally strange pack. Considering their less than stellar relationship, his half brother didn't give him a fraction of the trouble he expected when he first joined them. Strangely, the Miko wasn't as surprised. It was as if she instinctually knew the yearning his half brother had for his blood pack.

The Miko glanced up and their eyes met. A small smile graced her features as his fingers once more grazed the warning hidden deep in the pocket of his haori.

"You're being ridiculous." The Miko huffed, keeping pace with him as he left their camp, fury focused on reaching the small village their pack passed through earlier in the day. Spinning on his heels, he faced the Miko, eyes bleeding red.

"What is ridiculous was not informing this Sesshoumaru of the altercation sooner." She had the audacity to roll her eyes at him.

"It's not the first time we've been run out of a village. We're not exactly the most conventual of travelers." He growled, unswayed by her words. It didn't matter how unconventional their group was. It didn't matter that he wasn't present when they passed through. What mattered was they were in the Western Lands and his people disrespected those he deemed worthy of his protection. He turned back, fulling intending to force the villagers to see the error in their ways when a delicate hand wrapped around his wrist.

"Please, Sesshoumaru." The Miko's touch and plea did much for his ire. "Come back to camp. We need you there." He had always wondered how his half brother believed himself to be the alpha of his small pack when it was so clearly the Miko. Now he understood. With a sigh, he allowed the Miko to lead him back the way he came. It seemed the pack dynamics hadn't changed any with his additional after all.

The weak bear youkai had no hope of defeating his half brother and the pack he had taken under his wing. They didn't even need his aid in dispatching the beast. Which is exactly why he stayed back and let them handling things. Of course, he wasn't standing idle while they battled. He watched each of them closely, learning their strengths and weaknesses from a perspective other than a half-hearted enemy.

Not that his half brother realized that.

The moment the bear youkai lay dead, the hanyou stomped over to him, ire raging in eyes so similar to his own. "What the hell is wrong with you?" A delicate eyebrow rose in response. "You were so determined to join us; the least you could do is help!"

"This one's assistance was not required." His half brother growled, turning their father's fang on him as like so many encounters before.

"Osuwari!" The hanyou slammed into the earth, Tessaiga clattering from his grip. His own gaze narrowed on the Miko as she frowned at the prone form. It hadn't been long since he joined them, but already he could tell she used the Kotodama far more than was needed, at times when simply irritated with his half brother. They did not need such discontent within their group.

"Miko." Her gaze jerked to him, irritation swirling within her sapphire depths. "Unless there is an imminent risk of death for yourself or Inuyasha, do not subjugate him." She blinked, as if this was the first time anyone, other than his half brother, had said anything over her use of the spell.

"But he was-"

"Voicing his discontent with this Sesshoumaru." Her lips parted, prepared to argue further. "This One is fully capable of handing things had they escalated." She closed her mouth, looking every bit as chastised as the hanyou pulled himself from the ground. He looked at his half brother, confusion and gratitude warring within his gaze.

It had only been a few hours since the Miko left and already his half brother was pacing across the clearing, impatiently waiting for her to return. The kit and his ward were spending the break in their quest playing and enjoying their childhood. The Taijiya and Houshi cared for their weapons, ensuring they would be in pristine condition for the next battle. Why his half brother could not do something more productive was beyond him.

"I don't understand why you're okay with this," He growled, glaring at the bone eaters well. Instead of responding, Sesshoumaru leaned back against the old wood, closing his eyes. Should his half brother try once more to drag the Miko back to this time, he would be there to stop him.

As soon as she explained the importance of her visits home, he had no qualms with allowing her to return. The Miko wasn't shirking her duties. If anything; she was ensuring all of her responsibilities were being met to the best of her ability, not only in this time, but her own. It was commendable and something that he would gladly support.

"Shippou! Take Rin and get out of here!" Earth exploded around the Miko as she notched another arrow. The kit hesitated.

"Jaken." He didn't need to shout for his retainer before the imp scurried to his side. "Take the children and guard them with your life." He melted away another of the spider's tentacles as it drew too close. His most loyal retainer ran off, dragging the kit with him while his ward followed obediently. He understood the need to defend the pack, but the spider would have no qualms about using them to stay their hands. He may be confidant enough not to hit either child, but the Miko wouldn't.

"Hiraikotsu!" Limbs rained down, cluttering the battlefield. Were it not for the Saimyoushou the Houshi could have easily cleaned up the mess left behind. Instead, they had to work around the hazards. His half brother and the Miko were at the front, much to his displeasure.

Their pack was caught off guard, focused more on yet another argument between the two when the spider struck. Once they defeat the hanyou, he would need to put a stop to their constant bickering. It was no longer amusing, and too much of a liability.

"Kaze no Kizu!" The earth rumbled as Tessaiga's attack cut a path to the spider. A smirk spread across the hanyou's face and his heart sank into the pit of his stomach.

A tentacle lashed out.

The Miko screamed.

Reiki bathed the battlefield in pink light.

Tenseiga pulsed as the dust settled.

He bristled as the wolf once again grasped the Miko's hands in his own. The sheer volume of pheromones wafting off of the youkai was mindboggling, yet the Miko remained uneffected. Of course, this only encouraged the wolf to produce more.

"It's pretty awful, isn't it?" His half brother grumbled beside him.

"Hn." They were only here to obtain the last two shards held by the wolf before moving on. He had assumed it wouldn't take long, but was quickly learning that was wishful thinking on his part.

"Stay, Kagome." The wolf crooned, a blush spreading across the Miko's cheeks. His teeth gnashed at the sight. "You have all the shards now, there's no need for you to travel with the mutt anymore. Stay with me."

"Sorry, Kouga-kun." The miko smiled while slipping her hands from his. The wolf sighed, but didn't push the issue. Shards in hand, the Miko returned to Sesshoumaru's side. She looked up at him, a softer smile on her face than the wolf received.

Their group stood in the meadow that housed the well, their hearts both breaking and full of relief. The Miko had wished away the Shikon, only to have the cursed jewel lash out one last time by taking the magic of the well with it. Effectively stranding the Miko in this time.

The moment she noticed the magic fade, she ran to the wooden structure. She had nearly thrown herself in had it not been for his own arm wrapping around her, saving her from breaking her limbs and joining the dead at the bottom of the well. She pounded her fist against his chest, blaming him for keeping her from reuniting with her family.

He remained silent, her tears burning his flesh as they soaked his silks.

The Miko's grip was tight on his hand as they watched the kit enter the Kitsune School, head held high. It would be a long time before they would see each other again, but it was necessary. The kit had shown a lot of potential during their travels, and it would be wrong of them not to foster that. Even knowing that, the Miko struggled.

She had already lost so much with her life beyond the well barred. Now she was losing her kit. At least this loss was only temporary. He squeezed her hand back as the kit disappeared from view. "Come." He turned, leading her back to his Shiro. The salty scent of her tears filled the air, but she didn't fight him.

"We can visit him, can't we?"

"Hn," He squeezed her hand again, already planning distractions for her.

"You're not listening to reason." He could feel the Miko's glare without looking up. "Rin's old enough to get married, if that's what she wants." Ignoring her, he continued his response to the Eastern Lord, denying his request for his ward's hand in marriage once again. "Sesshoumaru!" The Miko slammed her hands on his desk, forcing him to look at her.

"No."

"She likes Kenichiro." His eyes narrowed, anger pooling in his chest.

"And how would she know that if this Sesshoumaru has never taken her to meet him?" There was no masking the danger in his tone. Though many things had changed since the magic of the well was lost, the Miko's talent for ignoring the danger around her never did.

"You're not the only one who can take her places."

"You had no right!" He snarled, lunging from his seat to come nose to nose with the impudent Miko. "She is The One's ward, not yours!"

"I may not be your mate, but Rin is every bit my daughter, as Shippou is my son." Her voice grew cold, daring him to argue otherwise. "She overheard us discussing the first request and, knowing you wouldn't agree, asked me to take her to meet him. She wanted to know what kind of man was believed to be worthy of the daughter of the West."

"No one is worthy." She rolled her eyes at him.

"You don't have to agree to the marriage, but at the very least agree to a courtship." She folded her arms across her chest, refusing to back down. "This is a request from Rin." They stared each other down, neither moving, neither giving in.

"Fine. But he must come here." She smirked before placing a gentle kiss on his brow.

"Good, because he'll be here within the week."

Sakura petals floated in the air, swirling around the couple kneeling before an altar. The Miko sniffed as his ward and her husband exchanged nuptial cups. He kept his face impassive through the whole ceremony, regardless of the war raging inside of him. Letting his ward leave his protection was the hardest thing he had ever done; but seeing the utter joy on her face as she stared at her husband was one of his greatest joys.

The Miko had been instrumental for the couple, constantly fighting for their relationship. Were it not for her intervention, he may not have ever seen that joy on his ward's face. He still didn't care what alliances their joining created. As long as his ward remained healthy and happy, that was all that mattered.

The kit stood in his office, head held just as high as when he entered the Kitsune School. He had matured into a fine young youkai, earning three tails far faster than even he expected. "Thank you for taking care of mama while I was away." Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed, a snarl building in his chest.

"This Sesshoumaru takes care of what is his." Emerald eyes glinted dangerously in the sunlight streaming through the windows.

"She isn't yours." His snarl broke free as he barely stopped himself from lunging at the kit. The young kitsune smirked, knowing full well Sesshoumaru wouldn't risk the Miko's ire by attacking her son. "You had years to take her as your mate, yet failed to do so."

"Do not speak of things you know nothing of." Neither had broached the topic of mating, far too content with the companionable relationship they had forged. Had she given any indication she wanted something more, he would have leapt at the opportunity long ago. His future self wasn't wrong. There was no one like the Miko, and there never would be. None were strong enough, compassionate enough, or stubborn enough to stand by his side as Lady of the West.

Silence filled the room. The words of the letter penned long ago by his future self came to mind. He could still lose her, forced to live with the regret he so adamantly tried to avoid. The kit was right; she wasn't his.

Not yet.

But she would be.

Soon.

Silken tresses slid through his claws as he swallowed her moan. Her own hands clung to his shoulders. His youki swirled around them, caressed by the sweet sting of her reiki. "Sesshoumaru…" she cried out as his lips found the juncture of her neck. Eyes bleeding red, he scraped his fangs against her flesh. Her knees weakened, his strong arms sliding to her waist, holding her against him, keeping her from collapsing.

"Mine." He growled. "My Kagome."

"Sesshoumaru…" His mate's sweet voice called to him, no trace of heated passion in her tone. Brows furrowed as the ache in his head slowly faded. "Sesshoumaru…" Golden eyes fluttered open, locking with the soothing sapphire he loved so much. A sweet smile spread across her face as she leaned into the car. "Hope you had a good nap. Akari is already bouncing to see her favorite grandpa."

"I'm her only grandpa." He snorted, unbuckling the seatbelt. A frown marred his features, the fading remnants of his earlier nightmare nagging at him. Leaving the car, he pulled Kagome into his arms. The surprise on her face melting away as his lips pressed against hers.

"What was that for?" She asked, caressing his face as he pulled away. He frowned, still unsettled by how vivid his nightmare was.

"Must there be a reason?" He kissed her again, his sweet Miko melting into his arms. The last fragments of the hellish life fading from existence like it never was.