Kagome's nose scrunched up as she thew her elbow over her eyes to block the early morning sunlight that was peaking through the curtains. Just a few more minutes she thought tiredly to herself while waiting for either her alarm clock to go off or for Sota to come barging into her room to wake her up. As she started drifting off to sleep again a familiar males voice jarred her awake. Oh… that's right, Kagome thought quietly as she stared at the ceiling, it wasn't all a dream. I really am back in the feudal era. Her eyes felt heavy as she rubbed them while Sesshomaru's voice continued to drift into the room, which caused her to fight back a smile. Careful as to not make a sound, she propped herself up with pillows against the wall behind her and pulled the light silk blanket up to her neck while she took in her surroundings.

Beautiful shades of green and beige made the room have a natural and relaxing feel, with only a handful of valuables decorating the slightly oversized bedroom. A large vase with a floral pattern was tucked in the corner next to the windows that had a perfect view of the green meadow scattered with wildflowers and the ocean water in the near distance. Kagome quickly became lost in a series of four paintings that were on the wall to the left positioned above a small desk area. Each painting had the same view of the moon in the forest with a river flowing through and a mountain in the distance, but each one represented a different season. These are beautiful she whispered in awe while trying to recall if they were a famous work of art from her time.

"My lady." Kagome jumped and thew her hand over her mouth to muffle her gasp. "My apologies, Lady Kagome," Akasuki said sincerely with a steaming cup of tea in her hand, "I thought you heard me knock." Kagome laughed and graciously took the cup of tea from her, "It's okay, really!"

As Kagome took a sip of her tea, Akasuki's focus went to the paintings that Kagome was studying. "They truly are stunning, aren't they?" she asked with a softness in her tone that Kagome had never heard before.

"Do you know who painted these, Akasuki?" Kagome questioned.

"Yes, of course. The artist is Lady Izayoi, " she answered while still staring at the paintings with a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I haven't seen these in such a long time," she said with a sigh.

Kagome's eyes grew wide at her admission, "Wait, you knew Inuyasha's mother?"

Akasuki hesitated and looked over her shoulder to make sure Lord Sesshomaru was still occupied with this morning duties before lowering her tone and turning back to Kagome. "Yes, she was a wonderful person. She brought so much love and happiness to Lord Toga, I never saw him happier."

After the initial shock of hearing a full blooded demon speak nicely of a human being with the Great Dog Demon, Kagome's mouth dropped as she set her tea on her lap, "You knew his FATHER too?!"

"Shh," Akasuki winced at Kagome's volume and once again turned to the door to listen for Lord Sesshomaru. While she knew the second Kagome was awake, she was sure Lord Sesshomaru still thought she was sleeping. "Sorry," Kagome whispered as she watched Akasuki walk over to the door and quietly close it before joining her by her bedside again. "I have been serving the Great Dog Demon's clan for quite a number of years now. I helped deliver Lord Toga as well."

Just how old are you? Kagome sat on the edge of the bed in shock as she looked over the salamander demon dressed in an orange kimono with yellow accents that was standing before her. Even in her human form, Akasuki was a gorgeous shade of navy blue with long auburn colored hair that was only tied back when she was in the middle of an important job.

Feeling her being studied intently by Kagome, Akasuki chuckled. "You know, Lord Toga would have really enjoyed your company." The vibrations in the floor changed, and she began quickly tidying up knowing Sesshomaru was walking towards the bedroom. Although she didn't talk about clan secrets, she couldn't help but feel like she betrayed Lord Sesshomaru by talking so intimately with Lady Kagome.

Once Kagome heard the knock on the door she realized why Akasuki's demeanor changed. "Come- achooo," Kagome rubbed her nose to stop the itching while Sesshomaru stood in the doorway looking concerned.

"Are you becoming ill?" he questioned before noticing how much dust had accumulated since the last time he came here hundreds of years prior while exploring his new castles.

Before Kagome could answer, Akasuki interjected. "I take full responsibility, my Lord. I only have my daughter Mayu come and clean here once every 50 years. I cleaned up to the best of my abilities last night when I arrived. I will see to it this mistake does not happen again," she assured while bowing.

Sesshomaru stared at his clans longest serving demon who continued to bow before him waiting for his response. "Hn. Never mind that. I am impressed you thought to have this place cleaned even that frequently."

Staring back at her Lord with her piercing yellow eyes, she nodded. "Thank you, my Lord. I will begin making breakfast for you and Lady Kagome."

"I think that's the most I've ever heard you talk to her," Kagome joked while putting her clothes from yesterday on. Sesshomaru smirked, "It is just you and I here. I don't have other servants listening in on my conversations with other servants." She looked over the sleepwear she borrowed from the closet before hanging it back up, "Say, now that you mention it, why is it only the three of us here?"

"Come with me," Sesshomaru said with a sigh.

Kagome sat on the wooden bench next to the koi pond she saw last night with Sesshomaru while he stared at the open water in the distance. Criss crossing her legs, she leaned back on the bench with her eyes closed and her face up towards the sky. She took a deep breath while the birds chirped around her in the trees. After a few more minutes of silence, she looked over to Sesshomaru. "What is it you wanted to talk about?" she asked curiously.

"It is imperative you do not tell anyone about the beach house, Kagome." She could sense the seriousness of what he was saying in his voice. "Only myself, Ginto, Akasuki, Jaken, and perhaps two others know of this pace." He paused for what seemed like an eternity. "It needs to stay that way."

Although the breeze coming from the water wasn't particularly cold, goosebumps covered Kagome's arms as he spoke. There was something about his tone that was different than his usual stoic speaking, almost as if he was silently pleading with her to continue the beach house's secret. "Does Inuyasha know about this place?" she asked softly, remembering what Sesshomaru had said about the beach house's intended purpose last night.

"No."

Despite Sesshomaru's one word answer, Kagome was able to piece together what happened all those years ago. Izayoi never made it here with Inuyasha, because Toga died before that could happen she thought while fighting back tears. She couldn't help but wonder how Inuyasha's life would have turned out if things had gone according to Toga's plan, but then again she never would have met him, had her journey defeating Naraku with her new friends, or be here now with Sesshomaru if that had happened.

"You need to bathe before we go back to the castle," Sesshomaru mentioned, casually leaving out the reason being Izayoi's scent still faintly lingered on the clothes Kagome had borrowed for the night.

"Go…back?" Kagome asked with a hint of panic in her voice while thinking about coming face to face with Sesshomaru's mother after her outburst. "I thought…" she trailed off.

Sesshomaru studied the once fearless and determined miko sitting beside him, "You thought what, exactly?"

"I… I don't know…" Kagome nervously answered while playing with the hem of her dress avoiding eye contact, "I guess I thought we were staying here for awhile."

"Hn." Sesshomaru abruptly stood from his seat and began walking back towards the beach house, his long locks swaying with each step that he took.

"Hey!" Kagome shouted while turning to face Sesshomaru as he continued to walk away from her, "What's that about?"

Sesshomaru stopped and looked over his shoulder at Kagome. The look of fear plastered on her face was a far cry from the Kagome he knew of years prior. "You've become weak."

"Wh- What did you just say!" Kagome yelled while jumping to her feet with her fists balled at her sides. "You have some nerve!"

"In all the years I watched from afar, I have never seen you cower in fear as you are now," he responded, unaffected by her yelling.

Kagome stomped her foot as she yelled, "Yeah well, it's not exactly easy being a human around a powerful demon who clearly doesn't like you after you were just poisoned!" She watched as Sesshomaru continued to walk away from her. "Ugh!" she yelled as she ran to catch up with him. "Are you even listening to me!"

"You have shot sacred arrows at me without the intent of killing me. Do you not understand how dangerous that was?" he questioned her. "I watched as you became a puppet due to being paralyzed, and yet you worked up the strength to stab Mukotsu of the band of seven. You hunted down Narkau." Gently redirecting her gaze to him with his fingertips under her chin, he asked, "When did you become afraid of demons who do not like you?"

Ripping her face from Sesshomaru's fingers, she stepped back. "You're the one who brought me here because you were scared too, aren't you!?" Jerk she mumbled under her breath as she stomped towards the house, forgetting Sesshomaru had spectacular hearing. She is still a feisty one he thought to himself as he looked to the still rising sun.

Akasuki wiped her forehead with the back of her hand with a smile while looking at the spread of fruit and eggs she had arranged on the table. I may have went a little overboard she thought while unintentionally listening to Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Kagome argue, I'm sure he will not be joining her for breakfast. Kagome stormed in from outside and mustered out a 'thank you' as she sulked at the table. "You know," she said turning to the pile of dishes she created, "he's saying that because he cares about you."

"He doesn't have to be such a jerk," Kagome whined while pushing the eggs around on her plate with her head resting on on hand.

Not wanting to get too involved, Akasuki turned to face Kagome as she dried her hands on her cooking apron. "While my Lord may be blunt, he only speaks on what he sees."

Kagome's normally fair colored skin started to turn a shade of red from feeling ganged up on, so she quickly finished her breakfast in silence in order to break away and bathe. "Thank you again, Akasuki," she said curtly. Once Kagome was settled into the steaming bath, she slowly slid down into the water until she was fully submerged with her hair floating around her with her eyes tightly shut. The warm water rejuvenated her tired swollen eyes while she rubbed her temples in a circular motion under the water. Feeling the urge for a fresh breath of air, she popped out of the water and took a deep breath just as she heard a knock at the door. Can't I get one moment of privacy around here she thought as she rolled her eyes. "Come in," she answered begrudgingly.

"Lady Kagome," Akasuki began with apologetic eyes, "I did not mean to overstep earlier." She set the freshly washed towels on the stool next to the raised tub and clasped her hands together. "I apologize." She flashed a faint smile before softly closing the door to the private bath off of the main bedroom, leaving Kagome by herself. Ugh, Kagome groaned, how could I get upset with her after all she's done for me.

After putting her previous days outfit back on that Akasuki quickly washed and laid out for her on the bed, she went outside to give Sesshomaru another piece of her mind. She found him still standing out by the koi pond where she left him. "Sesshomaru, I-"

"A-Un will take you back to the castle." he answered, cutting Kagome off. Stunned, she looked to A-Un and back to Sesshomaru. "That is what you were coming to tell me, was it not?"

"Fine," Kagome huffed as she climbed onto the large two headed dragons back. "Not too fast, okay? I just fixed my hair," she whispered while gently patting their heads. A-Un grunted and nodded, and while they ascended into the sky Kagome fought the urge to turn around and shoot Sesshomaru one last scathing glance. Only a few minutes after they took off, Sesshomaru went hurling past them in his ball of light towards the castle. "Jerk," she mumbled.

After pushing the massive castle doors open himself, Sesshomaru was greeted to a silent castle, indicating everyone else was still asleep aside from the early morning servants that were scurrying around. He sighed as he stepped into his office and saw another fresh stack of papers waiting for him. At least it is quiet he reflected as he got to work reading up on the latest news on the unrest in the North.

"My Lord!" Jaken squealed when he walked past the open office door and saw Lord Sesshomaru sitting at his desk. "I didn't know you returned!"

Squinting his eyes, he ordered Jaken to come in and close the door. As soon as he heard the door latch click he lowered his voice to a level that was almost undetectable, even for those with superior hearing. "Was it completed?"

Sweat began pouring off of Jaken, "Y-yes.. they-"

"Silence," Sesshomaru barked harshly, annoyed by Jakens need to constantly over speak. "How long?" he asked while tapping his finger impatiently.

"About a weeks time, worst case scenario two," Jaken whispered carefully, trying not to reveal too much information in the event of someone listening in.

"Very well," Sesshomaru dismissed Jaken with the wave of his hand as he dove back into his paperwork before adding, "Wait at the castle doors for Kagome and A-Un to return."

Jaken nodded and proudly made his way to the castle doors, ecstatic he was entrusted with greeting Lady Kagome instead of Ginto. As soon as he opened the doors to the castle he saw A-Un gracefully landing and Kagome sliding off of their side, making sure to rub each of their chins with a thankful smile. "Ah, Lady Kagome!" Jaken beamed while waving.

"Not now, Jaken," Kagome pushed him to the side and stormed into the castle, still seething from what Sesshomaru had said to her earlier. Just as she walked into the foyer she saw Sango, Miroku, and the children walking with Inuyasha from the guest wing carrying all of their belongings.

Sango could tell something was wrong by the look on Kagome's face, "Kagome, is something the matter?"

Shaking her head, Kagome tried to force a smile. "Never mind me," her tone became shaky as she spoke, "are you guys heading out?"

"Yeah," Sango fiddled with her bag and looked back at her children who were eager to get back home to granny Kaede. Kirara purred and rubbed against Sango's leg to reassure her there was no reason to feel guilty for leaving.

"Yeah Kagome, we can't stay around here forever you know," scoffed Inuyasha, who was eager to get out of his older brothers castle and back to his 'own' territory.

"Ginto, could you thank Lord Sesshomaru for his hospitality? We do not wish to disturb him," Mirko asked with a smile while he silently blessed the castle simultaneously.

Glancing up from his morning briefing on his way to Sesshomaru's office while sipping on some tea, he was surprised to see mostly everyone standing in the foyer so early in the morning. Akasuki will not be pleased he thought when he saw that they were carrying their own luggage, knowing the servants that she directly supervised would get a good reaming from her later. "Ah, are you leaving so soon? Would you like me to have breakfast made before your departure?"

Miroku waved his hands, "No no, that will not be necessary. Thank you for the offer."

Nodding, Ginto went back to his briefing and took another sip of his tea. "Well, I guess this is goodbye," Sango said while reaching out to Kagome for a hug. He nearly all but spit his tea out when he head Kagome respond, "Nope, I'm coming with you." "My Lady," he asked through coughs from the tea, "does Lord Sesshomaru know about these arrangements?"

"Hm." Kagome turned her back to Ginto and stomped her foot, "Last time I checked he wasn't the boss of me." Ginto could do nothing but watch as she confidently walked out of the castle doors with her nose in the air while the others looked on just as confused. Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha shrugged their shoulders and cautiously followed behind. "You know," Miroku whispered to Sango outside of the castle, "this reminds me of Kagome and Inuyasha's fights all those years ago." Sango giggled, "Oh yes, you're right." An annoyed Inuyasha turned around and yelled, "Will you two stop babbling and come on already!"

Sesshomaru sensed Ginto rapidly approaching when he nearly flew past his office door. "My Lord.." Ginto gripped the doorframe for stability while he tried to catch his breath. "Kagome… left… with the others… I tried.." he puffed as he put his hand over his chest.

Sesshomaru smirked and shook his head from his desk while setting a paper down, "Did she now?"

"My Lord… I…I do have to admit I do not understand why you are so nonchalant about this?" Ginto was starting to wonder if he was dreaming, because just a few days ago the situation would not be playing out this way. What exactly happened at the beach house he questioned to himself.

Sesshomaru motioned to close the door, and before sitting down in his favorite red velvet chair that he unofficially claimed Ginto grabbed the small cup of sake that was poured from him. After clinking their glasses and taking a sip, Sesshomaru gathered his thoughts. "We have our suspicions of who was responsible for Kagome's poisoning." Ginto nodded in agreement while taking another swig of his drink, intrigued to hear what was coming next. "They are currently under this roof, are they not?"

"Ah," Ginto raised his drink in the air with a beaming smile before taking the last sip, "I see we both came to the same conclusion."

Sesshomaru folded his hands on his desk over the last remaining paper he had to review, "Lastly, I am not going to hold her back from training. She is weak, and I cannot always protect her."

Feeling more uneasy about it than his Lord, Ginto dared to question him. "I understand your reasoning, however…couldn't I of trained her?"

Sesshomaru leaned back in his chair and asked with a raised eyebrow, "Are you a priestess, Ginto?"

"I suppose not," Ginto laughed. "Do you want me to keep an eye on her?" he asked seriously. While his Lord seemed calm, cool, and collected, he knew he had to have some apprehension about Kagome going on her own.

"No," Sesshomaru said sternly, "you will stay here and keep an eye on our unexpected visitor."

Ginto nodded and closed the office door. Once he was alone Sesshomaru stood up and walked to the arched windows behind him and looked out to the courtyard that was blooming with flowers with his hands clasped behind his back. "Kagome," he sighed.

"Sooo, why exactly are you coming with us?" nagged Inuyasha. No one except the children had spoken since they left the castle and the tension could be cut with a knife. Sango and Miroku rolled their eyes, knowing what was coming next.

"Sit boy!"

Inuyasha left an imprint on the path they were walking on in the forest from being thrown into the ground and immediately jumped up, "Hey! What was that for!" he fumed.

"I'm not in the mood to talk, okay!" Kagome yelled, sending the birds scattering from the trees around them. Inuyasha immediately hung back with Sango and Miroku while rubbing his head.

Kagome clung to the straps of her yellow backpack as she walked up ahead from the others. The green leaves blew from the faint breeze that was able to make it through the thick of the forest. I forgot how much I missed this. Everything was different, yet in this moment it felt the same. At the top of the slight incline in the path between two mature trees, the village that served as her home base when she was in the feudal era became visible. "Mm, we're home," she whispered as she stopped to take the sight in. "Come on you guys!" she yelled in a cheery tone as she jogged closer to the village. Sango and Miroku's twins happily chased after her while giggling.

By the time they had reached the village, the sun had began to make its decent and the sunlight was quickly fading. Satisfied with how her sleeping arrangements turned out, Kagome looked around at the small hut that she spent so many nights at before. Being back here made her miss her home in the modern era. This was always my first stop after coming back to this world she reminisced. She noticed Kaede's bed looked cramped where it was set up on the other side of the room, and guilt washed over her. "I'm sorry to just barge in on you like this," she said softly.

"Nay child," she reassured her while continuing to poke at the fire crackling in the hearth, "you are always welcome here."

With every passing minute the sky became darker and Kagome's eyes became heavier as she rested her head on her knees while watching the rice slowly boil with her stomach growling angrily.

"Is something on your mind, Kagome? You are a lot quieter than usual." Kaede asked while continuing to stir the rice.

"Oh no, I'm fine, really. I'm just tired from the walk back, that's all," she answered wearily.

Kaede gasped, "Ye walked all that way! No wonder ye are tired. Why not just ride on Inuyasha's back while the rest rode on Kirara?" She glanced around her small but cozy home, "Speaking of, where is Inuyasha?"

Kagome's gaze fell to the wooden floor, "It's a long story."

When Kaede was happy with the rice's taste, she scooped up a big bowl and handed it to Kagome. "I do not wish to pry, but I have time," she said with a warm smile.

"…. and that just about sums up the past few years up until now," Kagome said matter of factly while setting her now empty bowl on the floor. It felt good to finally get it off her chest, but after talking about Sesshomaru she couldn't help but feel a pit in her stomach as she longed to be near him again.

Note from the author:

Happy Friday, friends!

To be completely honest... this isn't how I wanted to end the chapter, but if I kept going with what I have planned it wouldn't have been published for at least another two weeks at best. I really had it in my head that I wanted to publish a chapter tonight, so I tried to have it end as clean as possible. I have my notes all written for the next chapter so I don't forget my plans, and I can't wait to see how it turns out!

I also wanted to say thank you again from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has been reading my story. Every like, follow, comment, and view means so much to me. You all are truly the best and make my days a little brighter.

As for me, I need to get ready for our first date night sans child in months! Dinner and the new Bob's Burgers movie. Fun Fact: our child's middle name comes from the show, so it was a no brainer that we had to go see the movie in theaters.

Alright enough babbling from me! I hope you all have been doing fantastic and remember that in a world where you can be anything... be kind.