Chapter 13: "The girl who overcame time."

AN: Fundoshi is a traditional Japanese undergarment for males and females, made from a length of cotton.

I hadn't opened my eyes, and I still held on tight to Sesshomaru. I was afraid that if I did, it wouldn't have worked. I was worried that if I did. I'd be faced with those same familiar stars in the night sky. I so desperately wanted this to work. 'Do not lose yourself.' Lady Amelie's words echoed in the back of my mind. They are what I needed to stay grounded.

"Kagome." He said setting me down. "Open your eyes."

I took a deep breath and slowly opened my eyes. I looked up and couldn't see a thing. My shoulders started to sink, but then I froze. Wait, I couldn't see anything. Usually, I could see the stars and the trees. Then, that had to mean... I started climbing the walls. I didn't care if my clothes got dirty. If I look unkempt. I pushed aside the perfect lady and continued to climb. I reached the top of the well, jumping over the side. My feet landed on the squeaky wooden floor. I bounce on it a bit. I never thought I'd miss this stupid sound. Sesshomaru came up behind me. My heart was pounding in my chest. I almost ripped the hinges off the door sliding it open. My breath hitched in my throat when I saw it. The familiar buildings surrounding my home. The blaring sound of car horns. I took a deep breath. The spring air filled my lungs. I was home; my home. I was where I belonged.

I smiled. "It worked. It really worked." I whispered.

"Hn. It seems it has."

I looked over at him, His eyes were roaming everywhere. He was taking it in. I smiled at the curious look in his eyes. I could hear someone walking up the steps. I turned my head and saw my mom.

"Mama!" I cried out.

Her head snapped in my direction.

"Kagome!?"

She dropped her bags and ran to me. I took off running and met her halfway. I threw myself into her arms hugging her and she squeezed me back.

"Oh my sweet girl," she said kissing my cheeks. "I have missed you so much. You have no idea how much I worried about you. I wondered if you were okay; if you were eating well. I didn't know if you were alive."

I was crying now. I leaned back looking at her.

"I'm so sorry mama. I shouldn't have been gone this long. So much has happened and things just got all crazy. I wanted to come back to see you guys. I really did."

She smiled wiping my tears. "Hush now, that's all forgotten. All that matters is that you are here now." She took a step back and looked at me. "Kagome what on earth are you wearing?"

"Well, it's an interesting story. You see..." I trailed off.

She looked behind me. I followed her gaze and it led to Sesshomaru.

"That can't be Inuyasha, can it? He looks so... different," she asked confused.

He made his way over to us, and I put my hand on his arm.

"Mama, this is Sesshomaru, don't Inuyasha. He is my ... husband."

Her eyes widened. "Husband!? I assume this is what you meant by things had gotten crazy."

I nodded.

She kept staring at him. "He looks so much like-"

"Inuyasha." he finished for her.

"Well, yes," she said.

"Sesshomaru is Inuyasha's older brother." I explained.

It sounded better in my head when I'd said it. Still, how do you explain that the man you're now married to is the brother of the man you used to love? My mother stepped up to him. She looked him over. She gestured for him to bed down, and he did as she was asked. She was searching for something.

"Sesshomaru is a full-blooded demon. His ears are not on top of his head."

"I see," she mumbled.

She brushed his hair back and went straight for his ears. It had caught Sesshomaru by surprise. She tapped the pointy tips of his ears. She smiled and stepped away when she'd had enough.

This woman would never change.

"I'm sorry. I could not help myself."

"Hn."

She turned to me. " So you're married now? I suppose you two should come inside. Explain how all of this happened. I'm sure your grandfather would love to hear it when he gets home, " she said with a mischievous smile.

I sighed. "Oh God, I forgot about that."

Sesshomaru walked away from us, going over to the bags my mother had dropped. He picked them up and carried them over to us.

"Are we heading inside now?" he asked.

My mother smiled walking ahead of us.

"You carry bags?" I blurted out.

"It is the chivalrous thing to do," he said following after her.

There was that tug at the corners of his mouth again.

I wondered how long that dial on his emotional spectrum would stay stuck. I wondered if I could make it move.

I followed them both inside. I took off my shoes by the door. Sesshomaru handed the bags to my mother and removed his shoes as well. I could see him looking around the house strangely. He was in a strange land, in a strange home. It was nice to see the shoe on the other foot. My mother disappeared for a few minutes and came back with some clothes. She handed them to Sesshoamru.

"These were Kagome's fathers. He was close to your height, so they should fit you. You can change into these. Being dressed like this will draw attention to you."

He took the clothes from her and I held back a smile. He was trying to figure them out.

"Come on, follow me. I'll help you change."

I grabbed his hand and led him up to my old room, closing the door behind us. I should have still been angry, but seeing my family made me forget all of that.

"Are you alright?" I asked him.

"This land, it is... different."

I started sifting through my drawers.

"Oh? What's so different about it?" I asked smiling.

"The sounds, the sights and smells; these homes. These strange contraptions," he said tapping his claw against the TV. "The clothing as well," he said holding them up. "How does one put these on?"

I laughed. "Here, I'll help you change."

I took the clothes for him. I could feel plastic in the middle. I looked and it was a pack of new boxers. She must have bought them for Souta. I placed them on the bed and helped him with his clothes. I helped remove his Hatori first, then the Hakamas, and tossed them on my bed.

I smiled. "I'm sorry but the fundoshi has to come off."

He dropped them around his ankles without a second thought. He stepped out of them. I was never going to get used to seeing him naked. I cleared my throat and grabbed the pack of boxers. I ripped it open and handed him a pair. He looked at it strangely.

"Put them on as you would a pair of Hakama. Just make sure the little white tag on the inside is, in behind you."

He did as he was told. I tried not to laugh. He seemed so uncomfortable.

"Men in this time wear this? It is so... freeing."

I nodded. "Next, the shirt," I said grabbing it. "Sit on the bed and raise your arms."

I slipped the shirt on and it was a pretty good fit.

"Next, the pants," I said holding them up. "Put them on the same way you did the first pair."

He slipped into them perfectly. I was worried they'd fit awkwardly, because of his height. I looked him over. Hopefully, people would think his markings were tattoos.

"How do they feel?"

"Unfamiliar, but not uncomfortable."

I smiled. "Good."

I grabbed a pair of shorts and a tank top, tossing them next to him. I'd only been gone for three years. So, things should still fit. I removed all the pins from my hair; my least favorite thing to do. I started to undress, but then I realized he was staring. I could see myself blushing in the mirror.

"Sesshomaru look away," I said embarrassed.

"I have seen you naked many times before."

I could feel my cheeks on fire. "Shh, my mother might hear you."

"We are married and mated. I am sure she knows we have relations."

I groaned. "Can you just look away, please?"

"I will not," he said matter of fact.

I sighed. "Fine"

He could be so stubborn at times.

I continued to undress and he made sure to watch. I tried my best to ignore him watching me. I was stark naked and I felt like I was about to explode from embarrassment. I quickly slipped into a pair of panties and a bra. He hooked his claw into the waistband of my panty.

"What is this strangely shaped fabric?"

I swatted his hand away. I didn't want him to rip them.

"They're called panties. Women here wear them. Think of them as the Fundoshi of this time."

"Hn," he said letting his eyes linger on them.

"This?" He said gesturing to the bra.

"Think of it as a binding for breasts. You can choose to go without one. I do sometimes, but for the most part, I wear one."

"Around your home?"

"Outside or inside." I shrugged. "Whichever I prefer," I said slipping into my shorts.

"Have you worn this thin fabric outside without cloth underneath?" he asked, gesturing to my tank top.

I nodded. "Times are different here Sesshomaru."

"Hn. Yes. A time where women seem to enjoy being half-naked."

I laughed. "It could be worse."

He raised a brow. "Worse?"

I grabbed the Polaroid from inside my dresser and gave it to him.

"That's from my beach trip the last time I was here."

I watched him in the mirror, looking at the picture of me in a bikini, to see how he would react.

"Others saw you in this?"

I smiled and nodded.

"Kagome-

"Kagome! Where is my granddaughter?" he called from downstairs, cutting him off.

"That is my grandfather. We should go down and say hello." I told him.

He held up the photo. "This-"

I smiled. "We shouldn't keep him waiting."

I opened the door and he followed after me. We went down the stairs. I could see Grandpa sitting at the kotatsu.

"Kagome my dear, come sit beside your grandfather. Let me look at you. " He said holding my face in his hands. "You are growing so beautifully. You look so much like your mother." He squinted in Sesshomaru's direction. "Inuyasha, my boy is that you? You look different."

I sat beside him and nudged him in the arm.

"That is not Inuyasha Grandpa."

"Dad, that is Kagome's husband, Sessshomaru. He is Inuyasha's brother."

"Husband!? When were you married!?" he asked flicking me in the arm. "You did not even invite your family. A letter, a visit, nothing! He did not even ask fo your hand!"

"Ow." I rested my chin on my hand. "We got married in the past Grandpa, I couldn't send a letter. You couldn't have come even if I wanted you to. We've only been married for a few months now. I was too busy to visit. We didn't know we could travel together until this morning."

"Wait," he said putting his wrinkled hand up. "He is Inuaysaha's brother. You married a... demon! Silly girly, have I taught you nothing!?"

I covered the ear he was yelling in. "Yes Grandpa I did marry a demon. However, Sesshomaru is one of the good ones. He is very courteous and thoughtful. There are times he puts his foot in his mouth. However, he has many other great qualities as well. So please, don't think of drawing any talismans. Not that they work anyway." I said mumbling the last part.

He glared at Sesshomaru. "What magic have you used to bewitch my granddaughter? She does not fall for men so easily. You are only the second."

"I have done no such thing." he's said.

"You're better off divorcing her and giving her back to her family. Soon you will realize how wild and stubborn she is. She often makes silly decisions. You will not want to keep her by your side. I will gladly take her off your hands for you."

"Dad!" my mom said slapping his hand.

Divorce me? Thanks a lot, Grandpa.

"That she does." Sesshomaru chimed in.

I shot him a glance, for taking my grandpa's side.

"However, I will keep her by my side. I will not hear of divorce." he'd said.

I hadn't expected him to say that. My mother set more food on the table and Sesshomaru sat opposite us. My mother took a seat across from us.

"How did you two meet?" she asked.

I grabbed a pair of chopsticks and ate a piece of fish.

"Oh, when I first met him he tried to kill me," I said plainly.

"Excuse me?" they asked in unison.

Sesshomaru nodded. "Inuyasha cut off my arm in retaliation, but I have replaced it with magic. We have since moved past it. It happened many years ago."

I nodded. "I agree, water under the bridge."

I plated some food for him and passed it to him with a cup of water. I had gotten used to doing this at the palace. The two of them looked at us as if we were crazy. They didn't get it. I wasn't going to explain it. I could tell Sesshomaru wasn't going to either.

"Sesshomaru." my grandpa started. "What do you think of my granddaughter?"

"Yes, she is stubborn and can make silly decisions, but she is strong and more intelligent than most women I have met. She protects those she cares about, putting their safety above her own. However, I think it would be wise to put herself first. It is still an admirable trait to have. Kagome... she is a good person; genuinely."

I looked up at him and I couldn't help but smile.

Did he honestly think all of those things?

"Why did you marry my granddaughter?" he asked.

I took a sip of water. I wanted to know how he was going to answer this question.

"We found each other during a time when we needed one another," he said plainly.

Well, that is one way to put it.

"I want you to know this Sesshomaru. If the time ever comes when you no longer want her. Please do not break her heart. Just give her back to me. She is very precious to me. Can you promise me that?" she asked him.

Mom...

Sesshomaru set his chopsticks down. "No such promise is necessary. I will not be sending her back. We have entered a pact for life. She will be with me always."

When he said things like that it made me feel like there could be more... like we could have more.

My mother smiled. " I want Kagome to be happy. It is all I have ever wanted, and if you are what Kagome wants. Then that is what I want for her as well. However, I do have another question. When should I expect grandchildren?"

I nearly choked on my water. "Mom!?"

My grandfather sighed. He looked like he was going to be sick.

"Aoi please."

"Soon," Sesshomaru said.

I looked up at him, but he kept his eyes on my mother.

"Soon?" I asked.

"Hn. Soon," he repeated, without looking at me.

I was sure I'd die from embarrassment, by the end of this.

Our little family dinner was fun. I needed it. I didn't realize how much I missed them. Until they were right in front of me It was the most normal I'd felt in months. This trip was to make up for him saying those harsh things. It was working, but still, an apology would be nice. Grandpa had gotten drunk hallway through and started crying because he didn't get to give me away. He ended up falling asleep at the table. Sesshomaru had to carry him off to bed. It turns out, my mother had found herself a special friend while I was gone. That is where she would be tonight. She wanted to stay and spend time with us, but I encouraged her to go. She promised she'd be back early tomorrow. Sesshomaru was using the bathroom to bathe in my room, I was using the one down the hall. I threw my nightgown and panties and towel-dried my hair. I walked into the room and he was sitting on my bed. In a new pair of boxers with the towel around his shoulder. He looked like he could belong in this time period.

"How was your shower?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"Small," he said.

I laughed. "I'm sorry about that," I said hanging up my towel.

I grabbed his towel and hung it up next to mine.

"You are different here." he'd said.

"Oh? Is it a good difference? Or a bad difference?"

"A happier different."

I shrugged. "Well, that makes sense. Were I don't have to be a perfect Lady. Here I am just Kagome, not the Lady of the West. No one expects anything of me here."

"No responsibilities." he'd said.

I nodded. "You are better at responsibilities than I am."

"Is this the kind of life you would prefer? Small and quiet... free."

I shrugged and gave him a small smile.

"It doesn't matter. I made a deal remember? This is the price I agreed to pay."

"I apologize for what I said to you that night. It was harsh and unnecessary. I did not mean to offend you."

I smiled. "Apology accepted, you're learning. You know you're different here too," I told him.

"Yes, to not have to constantly be on guard. It is..."

"Freeing?" I joked.

He nodded.

I turned off the light and climbed onto the bed, slipping under the covers. He laid down beside me, coming under the covers as well.

"When do we have to go back?"

"Not for the next three days."

It was a short amount of time. I'd make sure to enjoy every moment of it before I had to return to the role of Lady of the West.

"That's right, the gathering will be in a few days. We have to be back in time for that."

"Hn. I will arrange for you to have an escort to the well often. So that you may spend time with your family."

"Would you be able to come too? They enjoyed having you around."

"If that is what you wish."

It'd be nice if that is what you wanted too.

"Tomorrow we should go somewhere. It'd be a shame if you came all this way and didn't get to see what the future has to offer."

"Hn."

I looked over at him. The curtains were open slightly and moonlight spilled in. I could see him well enough. I traced the markings on his arms. I realized that whenever we did things, he was always the one who initiated it. I wanted to be the one to do it this time. The day had gone well and it felt good; it felt normal. I wanted the rest of our time here to be like this. I wanted to have sex with my husband, in a normal bed, in my time. With no responsibilities attached. With no guards or maids nearby. I threw the blanket off us and straddled him. His hands instantly found their way to my hips. He sat up and I slipped my arms around his neck. I kissed him softly and slowly, slipping my tongue into his mouth. I could feel him getting hard underneath me. His hands slipped under my nightgown. His claws raked against my skin. I slipped my hands into his hair deepening the kiss. My lungs burned for air, but I didn't care. He pulled away from me kissing my chest. He slipped my straps off my shoulders. He caught my nipple in his mouth. He adjusted his bottoms and lifted my nightgown. Stopping once he'd seen the lace panties I was wearing.

"Should I take them off?" I whispered.

There it was, the familiar specs of red in his eyes.

"Leave them on." His voice was low and husky.

He pulled them to the and slipped inside me. A soft moan slipped past my slips.

"Do not be loud." He whispered against my neck.

"No promises," I whispered pushing him down.

I kept my hands on his chest, while I rocked my hips back and forth. Each time I went forward he gripped my hips and slammed into me from underneath, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. I stared down at him his eyes were shut and his jaw clenched. I bit my lip and smiled. He enjoyed how I was riding him. I picked up the pace, and his grip on my hips tightened. I ripped the nightgown off and tossed it to the side. I leaned over pressing my breasts against his chest. He gripped my ass with both hands slamming me down onto him. before I could cry out he kissed me and swallowed my moans. Pleasure shot through me while I clung to him. I dug my nails into his skin. One final slam onto him and I could feel him explode inside me. I rested my head on his chest, relaxing into him. I inhaled, breathing him in. I felt his arm slip around me and rest them on my back. He used the other to push my hair to the side and trail his claws up and down my spine. I was still a little mad at him, but damn was he making it difficult to stay that way. I lay there in silence, listening to his heartbeat. I wondered if this was what our life could be like. Dinner with my family, and doing normal boring things. I could feel myself beginning to drift off.

In another life I suppose.