For Forever My Lord, For Eternity My Love

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha.









...Nine months. It's been nine months since Sesshoumaru had been gone. She ran her fingers through a little girl's hair as one of her ladies had begun combing her own. Kagome had gotten some updates on the war, usually from Tansho. Tansho said that Sesshoumaru was fine and would return for her soon. Kagome smiled and had believed her, but days and weeks kept passing and she didn't know if she could continue to believe. Tansho would never tell her where the reports were coming from and every time Kagome asked, Tansho would just smile and walk off.



One afternoon while Tansho was bathing, Kagome ran into the bath house and stared into Tansho's eyes. Kagome knew this was very inappropriate, but she needed to know. She couldn't go any longer not knowing exactly where Sesshoumaru was. Tansho's eyes were wide as she looked at the young woman, the water shielding her body.



"What is it, child?" Tansho asked.



"When will Sesshoumaru be here?" Kagome asked as in a hurry. Tansho's eyebrows that were up in curiosity and surprise, slowly fell back down into place.



"Soon, my child." The herb mistress answered, washing down her withered arms. Kagome's head shook furiously.



"No!" Kagome yelled, surprising Tansho. "No! No! No! I need to know, Tansho! I can't do this anymore. It's been too long. I can't wait anymore. I..." Kagome's next sentence trailed off as she slid down to the floor. Her hands took place on the edge of the onsen, her sad, watery eyes staring into the still water. Her tears began to fall and drip into Tansho's bath.



Before Kagome knew it, hands were on her shoulders, pulling her gently back from the water. Kagome's eyes widened before quickly looking back. It was Tansho. How did she move so fast and quietly? Tansho was all ready dried and dressed, smelling like the wood herself.



"How-"



"Come, child." Tansho said softly, helping her off of the floor. Tansho smiled as she linked her arm with Kagome's. Tansho walked them outside of the bath house to Tansho's own room. Both of them sat in the middle of the room.



"I'll get us a drink." Tansho said lightly, getting back up. Kagome nodded and in a matter of seconds, Tansho returned with two drinks. The young woman's eyes closed, inhaling the scent of the tea.



"Mmm. It smells good, Tansho. Thank you." Kagome said softly, taking a sip. Tansho watched her drink in silence, the herb mistress's lips curving into a slight frown. Forgive me... young one. Kagome finished her drink and as soon as she sat her empty cup down, lied down into a comfortable slumber. Tansho moved closer to her, removing the young woman's bangs away from her eyes.



"You will awake soon, My Lady." Tansho whispered, placing a soft kiss on Kagome's forehead.







...She slept for days. Hours. Weeks. The young woman did not awaken. Tansho had made sure she was bathed regularly, as well as watched over. But, Tansho did not worry too much, Kagome would not awaken until Sesshoumaru came for her. Tansho did not wish to put Kagome to sleep, but it was for the best.



It wasn't one could see their breath and the snow began to fall from the sky when they had come. Tansho was sleeping close to some of the other women, the fire blazing, keeping them all warm in the room. Their blankets keeping them warm as well. Kagome slept beside Tansho, a blanket kept over her as well. Tansho sensed something at that moment and her eyes snapped open, looking towards the door. She silently moved away from the other women and walked towards it. The door opened itself. Tansho's eyes widened before she smiled.



"Sesshoumaru."







...Tansho filled him in on what has happened to them in the past year --besides telling him about Kagome-- and he her. The battle between him, Lord Kito and the fiend Lord Takana. It had taken them longer than planned to find him and kill him. Lord Kito was badly wounded in the end and many of Kito's men as well as his had died during the battle. Sesshoumaru did not leave out the part when he was hurt himself only because he trusted her and the other women, along with Kagome, were sleep.



Sesshoumaru had continued his story and when he had finished, the rays of the sun had flashed across the sky. Tansho had noticed that Sesshoumaru's eyes had continued to glance in Kagome's direction. She knew that this would be a good time to tell him.



"I had put her to sleep." Tansho said softly. Sesshoumaru's head snapped back to her. "What?"



"She was worrying herself too much about you, and many moons ago, I had put her to sleep." Tansho explained.



Sesshoumaru still did not like it. "When will she awaken?" he asked quickly.



"She was supposed to awaken when you came..." Tansho's sentence trailed off. "But it may be more that you may have to do."



Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. "What."



"You may have to kiss her."



Silence.



"You must Sesshoumaru if you want her to awaken."



"What if This Sesshoumaru does not want her to awaken." Tansho laughed her old withered laugh.



"Then that, My Lord, would be a lie." Sesshoumaru growled stubbornly, turning his head to look over Kagome again. He had missed her, that he admitted only to himself. He did not ever think that he would return to see her in this state, though. Tansho had opened her mouth to speak once more, but immediately closed her mouth when she saw the demon lord walk towards the human woman. Sesshoumaru bent down on one knee, gently bringing Kagome's body over to him. He purposely sat in a way so Tansho could not see what he was doing.



He ran a clawed finger over her lips before leaning down and settling his mouth over hers. For a moment, it seemed as if his lips were tingling, but he did not dwell on it for long. He felt her shift in his arms and soon found her blue gray eyes staring into his amber ones. It took a moment for him to realize she was smiling at him.



"You're back." she whispered. Her arms suddenly wrapped around his neck. Sesshoumaru allowed her to pull him towards her lips. Not too long after, he felt something wet on his cheeks, realizing it was Kagome crying.



"I didn't think you were coming back." she whispered against his lips, her tears falling more freely. Tansho smiled a small smile to herself as she left that side of the room, giving them as much privacy as possible.



Sesshoumaru only grunted in response before replying, "This Sesshoumaru will never be defeated." He heard her laugh, that wonderful sound lightening his heart.



"You're still the same. Confident as ever," she said softly with a smile, caressing his cheek with the back of her hand. Sesshoumaru just stared down at her, his face impassive.



"Come. It is time for us to return to the castle."



Kagome was happy to oblige.