A/N: Hello dear ones. My sincerest apologies for nearly 2 years worth of absence. A lot has gone on in my personal life, including a massive move, and everything was thrown out of balance. Hopefully, this is the end of the silence and the soon to be ending to the story (not TOO soon, but at least regular updates that I can adhere to). As always, InuYasha and its characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi. My story idea is my own, and if you'd like to leave a review (even to scold me...I wouldn't blame any of you loyal followers!) I thank you.

Kagome woke slowly, loathe to leave the warm nest she was in. Addled as her sleepy mind was, unsure slightly of her surroundings, no panic came to mind. She felt utterly content and safe. Everything carried a hint of winter, with the faint trace of petrichor, like freshly fallen snow was kissing the final autumn leaves. His scent. She snuggled deeper into the blankets. It had been so long.. and her brain flared into functionality, her eyes flying open. His scent! She was still asleep in his bed? Seven hells, what time was it?!

She threw her hand out for her cell phone, sitting silently on the bedside table. Eight in the morning. Whew, so it wasn't as bad as she thought. She hadn't slept that deeply in a long time. Stretching luxuriously, she then slid out to freshen up before heading to seek Sesshomaru. Patting her face dry, Kagome's thoughts were replaying the previous night's discussion. She was sure it would continue today, but she wanted to make sure she heard Sesshomaru correctly; this could be fixed with her help. There were so many questions she had, she sincerely hoped she wouldn't raise his ire with them.

Standing in the kitchen, Sesshomaru felt Kagome's aura flare awake. If he hadn't been expecting it, his beast would surely have been frothing to run to her. Lifting his cup of coffee, he wondered how the day itself would fare. They still needed to discuss the final objects, how the spell functioned, and plan any additional preparations. Her easy acceptance of last night might not have the same response after thinking it over. What he proposed still carried the potential for failure no matter how careful their planning. Taking a sip of his coffee, he glanced at his bedroom door, awaiting her presence. As if his thoughts summoned her, the door opened.

As Kagome opened the door, she caught sight of Sesshomaru standing in his kitchen. His feet were bare, and his hair loose. He was in a casual, relaxed pose, but she could tell he still had a tenseness about him, almost a wariness. But still, seeing him like this set off another pang in her heart. 'If I could wake up to sights like this…' she cut her brain off before it could go further, saving yet another memory in her heart. Clearing her throat, she addressed him.

"Good morning, Sesshomaru."

"Good morning, Kagome. Did you sleep well?" he inquired, lowering his cup. "I have coffee brewed, and the kettle ready if you prefer tea. There is also espresso, if you'd prefer something along those lines."

Smiling at his genial manner, she crossed the room to his side, slipping onto one of the stools around the island. "Coffee would be great, thank you. I slept wonderfully, like on a fluffy cloud. Thank you for the use of your bed. Did you sleep well, also?"

He chuckled, moving to pour a cup for her. "I am glad you had a pleasant rest. After leaving your time to go to the Sengoku period, I know sleeping on the ground more often than not was not pleasant, especially as I now know of the comforts you left. As to your inquiry, I rested well, although I do not sleep as much as I used to. The need is based on my use of youki and in this place, I no longer use as much to defend my territory. Everything is dealt with in more mundane ways now." He sounded a little disappointed about that. "How do you prefer your coffee?"

"Two sugars and a light splash of cream, please, thank you. And yes, sleeping on the ground was not always fun, but there were many times we were able to avail a village of at least a hut to sleep in. And InuYasha was adept at finding caves as well, and often those we revisited on our travels that didn't appear to be disturbed during our absences had a little more effort put into making them restful, safe places for us, usually so we could heal from whatever battle we encountered with Naraku. Once you joined us, we really didn't need to retreat to those places."

"Hnn," was the response, as he stirred her requests into her cup, settling the cup before her on the island. "You honor this Sesshomaru."

Kagome blinked, several times, pausing in the reach for her cup. "I, um. I'm sorry, what?"

"You indicate that my presence was enough to give security to your pack. You honor this Sesshomaru."

His inner self howled as color crept into Kagome's face. 'I told you, baka! Listen to me, will you?' Sesshomaru rolled his eyes mentally at his beast.

He, however, chuckled at her discomfort. "I am teasing, Kagome. Times have changed, but it is still a habit of mine to fall back to old patterns. A certain wolf's mate takes great pleasure in pointing this out at any opportunity she is given."

Finally picking up her cup, Kagome smiled before sipping. "Ayame hasn't changed, I see. I'm very glad to hear it. I've missed her, and the rest of the pack as well," she said, taking another sip of the warm brew. She'd never had coffee THIS good.

"Then you are in luck. They will be arriving tomorrow, as I informed them of your discovery last night. They are pleased beyond measure that you are to be restored to them."

"Really? Tomorrow? Wow," was the quietly awed response from the dark haired beauty who was suddenly very interested in the contents of her coffee cup.

Sesshomaru blinked. This was not the reaction he was expecting. Of old, when reunited after a separation of any length, even a few hours, her joy was usually present. "Is it too soon? I should have asked before informing them, but as I have to leave for America in two days, I did not wish you to be alone," he began, cutting himself off when he scented her sudden tears.

Kagome sniffed softly, wiping her eyes before raising her head to look at him for a moment before returning to her perusal of the cup. "I'm fine, it's just… it's been so long for them. I'm so pleased Ayame and Kouga mated, but I remember how she felt before, and I don't.. I don't want to intrude on their happiness. I'm human, after all. A mere blip in the life of a youkai, especially Daiyoukai like you and Kouga."

"You may not be Daiyoukai, but you are more than a mere human to more than just myself. Allow yourself to meet them, in your time, to assure yourself of that. I ask nothing more of you for this, Kagome, but I believe they need you as much as you need them," he replied. He had to curb her thoughts of not valuing herself; she'd nearly brought his beast to the surface, and it was frustrated enough with him to say things he was not sure she was ready to hear.

She smiled at the cup. He always knew what to say to soothe her. Raising her head again, she took another sip and nodded at him. "You're right. Thank you, Sesshomaru."

"Hn. This One is sure you have questions about our plan."

"I do. Please, tell me exactly how the spell is to work. How did you find it? Does it use the well? I thought it was beyond tampering."

"Your own experience in the well would suggest otherwise," Sesshomaru responded. "Even Naraku attempted to control it, but I believe he could not because of your family's influence, on your era's side. It was too pure to be corrupted."

"The spell itself does not corrupt the time flow, but directs the caster, you in this instance, to a pivotal moment in the lives of the individuals whose aura is embedded in specific objects."

"Wouldn't that possibly direct me further into the past for InuYasha and Kikyo? I'd call Kikyo's death at Naraku's betrayal fairly pivotal," Kagome replied.

"Your premise has merit, but recall that InuYasha was trapped when Kikyo died. As he lived through her first death, his object would temper Kikyo's to the correct moment, as the objects had to have been on the persons when they died." His expression was sorrowful. "The moment of their death trapped pieces of aura in the objects."

"I'm sorry, what was that you just said?"

"The objects," Sesshomaru began, only to be cut off by Kagome raising her hand.

"No, no. I heard you," she said, taking several deep breaths. "It's just.. That adds a lot more emphasis on what power these objects hold. I apologize for interrupting. Please go on."

"The spell uses the power of the objects to return you to hours before the moment where the incorrect choice was made. I can only tell you the events as I know them to have occurred. I do not know more."

Sesshomaru watched Kagome's face as she absorbed that information. The gravity of the spells requirements was not one he concerned himself with, not when the goal was her at his side. He'd assault the gates of hell itself if he had to.

"What items do we have? There should be six, right?"

"Rin's kimono, Shippo's coat. I have located what I believe are the items for the slayer and houshi. Until I am in their presence, I will be unsure."

"Okay, so four possibly, two definitely. What items should we be looking for that would be for InuYasha and Kikyo?"

"The two that I believe will bring the most success are the hanyou's beads, and a ribbon," he smiled at her confusion. "Even with your presence lacking, InuYasha refused all attempts to remove the beads. Kikyo had been gifted the ribbon by my mother when they wed; she imbued it with some of her youkai to mark Kikyo as pack to more than just InuYasha. It is embroidered with the clan symbol and a rendering of the Shikon no tama, as Kikyo was a guardian of it, as you yourself were. Kikyo wore it constantly, grateful that the pride that kept my brother from the rest of his family was finally over with."

"But…you don't know where they are?"

"I do not, but I know they are still in Japan," he stretched his arm out, grasping a small silk pouch embroidered with symbols Kagome had not seen before. He carefully opened it, spilling a brilliant, but dulled, hexagon stone into his hand. "This was spelled by my mother and Nika. The stone is divided in such a manner that each item's aura causes the stone to shine. That is why part of it shines bright, a little duller, and then dark. I could not overtly search until I knew if you were willing to assist. Having the items but not having you would accomplish nothing."

"What are Sango and Miroku's items? Where are they?" Kagome asked.

"I believe the slayer's mask and houshi's shakujō are in America. As I said, I am traveling to vet the items myself. They are in possession of, hnn," he paused, obviously disgusted, "an American collector. After the Americans invaded in the forties, many items were conveniently re-homed under the guise of "appropriation". If not for my claim that they were removed from my family, and were I not who I am, I have little doubt I would be able to recover them lawfully."

Kagome stretched her hand carefully and took the stone from Sesshomaru. It was warm in her hand, and she could feel his mother's youki in it, as it was similar to her sons, along with the unknown Nika. She turned and looked at it in every direction, catching the light as she could. She placed it back in his hand.

"Since the stone is only dim on one part, I know the remaining items never left Japan. Truthfully, I had only a small theory as to when you fell through the well, so until I found you, it was a leisurely search," Sesshomaru concluded, carefully replacing the stone in its pouch. "Once all the items are together, the final portion of the spell can be recited, which will grant four days for each pair of items, resulting in twelve days in the past. Only one chance is given per pair; ALL must be successful in order to make the changes permanent. Tampering with time is not taken lightly and requires strict adherence to the instructions, or a different price is paid."

He watched her face carefully. A firm determination settled in her eyes, chasing any lingering doubts of her possibly declining. Her face was set the same, and her posture as well, as the day they defeated Naraku.

"So you believe the other two items are still in Japan. How far away can we take the stone from the items you have before the light fades?"

"The items and stone, governed by the spell, become linked once touched and their light in the stone will not fade once attuned. It is for that reason, when I go to America, the stone will remain here, with you," he replied. "The wolves are knowledgeable about what we attempt. If you are willing, I would have you keep the stone and see if you, and they, have success locating the items. If we are fortunate enough, we may have all the items without too long a delay."

"Sesshomaru," Kagome began, "why did you not seek what you could? With the stone, you could have found all the items. I know you said that you didn't know my precise return, but we could already be on the way to fixing this."

He chuckled softly. So close to their goal, and she was scolding him because he wasn't fully prepared. "I believe that I was not allowed to locate the items until I located you as well. The auction house that I located the slayer and houshi's items at did not reply to my missive requesting a meeting with the owner until Saturday - after you recognized me."

Taken slightly aback, Kagome nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense, when you really look at what we're doing. Fated pairs and all that."

"I believe it to be more than that. Nika, once her message was relayed regarding Rin, was invited by my mother to reside in her castle. Mother liked her, oddly enough, and they grew to be close friends. She often tranced by Mother's side, and claimed it was because she felt safe. I have, hnn, other suspicions. One day, her visions altered rapidly, sending her into a panic and before anyone knew what happened, she had entered a seers trance. One of my mothers retainers was quick enough to write what was said," Sesshomaru said, walking to a bookshelf, removing a slim volume from its expansive shelves. Returning to the island, he handed her the book. "Please, read what was preserved."

The pages were worn by age, but still legible, and the cover was bruised but still sturdy. With a slightly shaking hand, Kagome opened the book.

Fate as written you seek to defy, an affront to the Kami themselves. Strong you are, Lord of the West, and your defiance is done in love. To honor you for your aid in the destruction of the hanyou Naraku and restoring the balance to the land with the Shikon no Miko, we will grant you this boon.

Die your daughter will, most tragically, without the Shikon no Miko. Therefore, we allow you the chance to save her. Live to see the Shikon no Miko again, secure her aid honestly, and your daughter and more will be saved.

Shaking more, Kagome raised her face to look into his. His amber colored eyes had a sheen she rarely saw, but beyond that, she could see hope. She drew in a steadying breath.

"We can do this, and we will bring all of them home."