The forest became a blur as Sesshoumaru rushed towards the well. He could hear Kagome's heartbeat slowing down as she struggled to breathe. Would he be able to make it in time? Would the well even allow him through to her time?
As the demon lord broke through the tree line, he could see an ancient well in the distance. Without hesitation, he jumped into the dried-up reservoir. The jewel shard embedded in his arm began to glow, and a blue light enveloped them. Sesshoumaru felt weightless as he traveled through time. The transition between eras was brief, and soon, he stood on a dirt-covered floor under a rickety roof with no sky above him.
The monk's plan had worked.
Sesshoumaru heard a wheezing sound coming from the woman he was carrying, bringing him back to reality. He jumped out of the dark well with great force and opened the door, letting the light from the setting sun brighten their surroundings. The demon lord felt overwhelmed by the scents of this world, causing his golden eyes to water as he frantically looked around the courtyard. He was about to barge into what he thought was Kagome's family home when he saw an older woman sweeping near the shrine steps.
Mrs. Higurashi, a middle-aged woman with greying hair tied up in a bun, meticulously swept away the fallen leaves and dust from the steps. As she bent down to pick up the dustpan, she suddenly felt a strange sensation, as if someone was staring at her from behind. Her heart skipped a beat as she turned around to find her daughter covered in blood while in the arms of a strange man.
"Kagome!"
Miroku and Shippo were the first to reach the well clearing. They had witnessed the demon lord's disappearance into the abyss while Kiara landed nearby. The two breathed a sigh of relief upon looking into the empty well, meaning Kagome and Sesshoumaru had successfully made it through.
The duo in the glade turned their heads at the sound of Inuyasha's loud entrance. The half-demon appeared in a hurry as he approached the well, causing him to nearly drop Sango as he released his hold on her. However, his path was obstructed by Miroku, who stood before him with his staff and began to charge it with his spiritual powers.
"That's far enough, Inuyasha. Lord Sesshoumaru and Kagome made it through, so there is no need for you to get involved." A slight hum came from his staff as it glowed light blue.
"Are you serious? There is no way I'm letting that bastard tromp around Kagome's time! Hell, he could have just dumped her body at the bottom of the well and is now attacking the city!"
"I highly doubt that" said Miroku. "I may not know Lord Sesshoumaru well, but seeing how he treated Kagome after the battle with the centipede, I am confident that she is safe with him." As Miroku thought about this, another memory from that interaction resurfaced, which he had previously been forced to put aside. "I currently have more trust and faith in Lord Sesshoumaru than I do in you, Inuyasha," he said firmly, his violet eyes shifting to Sango, who stood further back. He tightened his grip on his staff. "Moreover, Sango, I am disappointed in your actions. Instead of confiding in Kagome and me, you kept your relationship hidden and pushed your friend away. I believe that both of you should take this time to reflect on your behavior."
Sango flinched at Miroku's harsh words. She knew that everything the monk said was true. She and Inuyasha had behaved immaturely, and there were many things she wished to say in their defense. But she wisely chose to remain silent for the time being. Unfortunately, Inuyasha wasn't as self-aware as Sango.
"What goes on between Sango and me isn't any of your business!" He glared down at the monk's glowing staff and then back at the well. "Three days. After that, I'm going after them."
The half-demon shoved past Sango and strode towards the village. Sango shot Miroku one last apologetic glance before trailing after him.
The monk, Shippo, and Kiara remained by the well. None intended to leave their post until Kagome and Lord Sesshoumaru came back on their own.