After the Jewel Disappears

Sesshomaru had been standing close to the well the entire morning he was getting tired but would never admit it to himself he was just agitated that Kagome was not back yet. He started to walk toward the tree line. He had not slept very well since she had left. His beast was not allowing him a moment’s rest; it was taking everything he had to keep the beast locked up. He was starting to lose that particular battle.

‘Hmm She is not back yet. At any rate, it is growing late and I shall rest under the trees there. Where I can watch the well.’

*You better hope she comes today. If she doesn’t tomorrow I break free to look for her myself. I will not stop looking nor will I stand by just silently waiting for her. Your luck is almost out.*

‘Do not presume to threaten me. I am your master, do not forget that. She will be here I can feel it. And if you weren’t so worked up you would be able to sense her as well. She always used to disappear through that well so her home must be on the other side.’

*You can delude yourself but you can not delude me. You may believe that if you wish but she is still out there somewhere. I will not leave my mate alone for another minute you have had THREE months to find her it is soon to be my turn if she does not show up today. And I will spare no one. None will be safe from me if they get in the way!*

‘Thank the gods it will not come to that. Don’t you see she is almost here she knows I am here soon she will be here.’



“Miroku, Sango! We’re here, where is Inuyasha?” Shippo cried out as he jumped off Kirara’s back. Kirara transformed back to her small size and jumped up to Sango’s shoulder.

“Ah Shippo, there you are and earlier than we expected. There is much to tell you. Inuyasha as it happens is worse than when we left. Sesshomaru loves Kagome and hopes she will be back today. And Kaede has been telling us everything that has been going on here of late.” Miroku told the Kitsune quietly.

“Miroku what are you talking about; Sesshomaru love Kagome? No way!” Shippo cried out shocked.

Miroku and Sango both nodded slowly. Shippo sat down to contemplate these things. But suddenly stood and ran off towards the well. “Kagome! KAGOME!! Kagome’s back! Come on we gotta go see her!”

“Well now Shippo has lost it too. Kagome is gone isn’t she Miroku?”

“Then how do you explain that aura coming from the direction of the well?”

They both looked at each other and started running after the little fox demon. Coming to a stop at the clearing the well was situated in. Both looked on in wonder as a more grown Kagome came out of the well with the help of Sesshomaru. They noticed her kimono and the way she looked at Sesshomaru in confusion. Then turned toward her kitsune and hugged Shippo to her.

“Shippo! Oh I am so glad to be back. I missed you so much. Sango! Miroku! How are you? I missed you all so much. Where is Inuyasha? Is he alright? Oh Sesshomaru I missed you too! And I am kinda confused to see you here. Why did you help me out. Was it you who was calling me back? Were you here at the well all day?”

“I come every day. Looking for a more spirited Inuyasha to fight. But he seems to be broken. As for calling you back here it must not have been my calls you heard. But of your precious Inuyasha. Although I did want you back I still come second to him. An afterthought. How kind.”

“What do you mean second? I only asked after him first before addressing you because he is not here. You were here and it was your call I heard and responded to it. And what do you mean you come here everyday? I thought I felt something from the well but wasn’t sure until today. It was such a strong pull it nearly pulled me down the well while I was closing the door.”

“So it was me you came for? Not Inuyasha? You sensed I was waiting for you. Your kimono… where did you get it?”

“My mom had it made for me and she wanted me to wear it back. And I have to take very good care of it. I promised her.”

“My next question is why the dogs and the sickle moon on it?”

“I don’t know where she got the pattern idea for it. Next time I go home I will ask her. I liked it, because it reminded me of you. Why is it important that you know where she got the idea?”

“It is my families sign the Sickle moon. And in case you forgot I am a dog demon and those are not mere dogs on there. They are demon dogs. That is why it is important. Did it really remind you of-hmn.”

“Oh, well my mom says that you are welcome to visit her anytime. Now as to my other question where is Inuyasha? I have to tell him something.”

“He is over on the hill overlooking the village. Moping still as if it were only yesterday you and Kikyo left.” Sesshomaru replied testily.

“Well I will be back and please no one follow me. This is seriously private and I don’t want an audience. Okay?”

“Alright Kagome we will ALL head back to Kaede. Right Lord Sesshomaru?” Miroku said commandingly.

“Yes.” Sesshomaru said testily.

“Thank you.” Kagome said brightly, turning on her heel.

Kagome left to hike up the hill on her own. Looking for Inuyasha, she sensed he was there and knew without a doubt that he sensed her as well. Why didn’t he go to the well? He knows I am back. Maybe that’s why he didn’t come.

“Inuyasha?” Kagome called out loudly.

“What do you want Kagome? Come to torture me again. My mind conjures you and Kikyo so often. I know you aren’t real. And yet you smell different than you normally do. Are you here to remind me that I had chosen Kikyo over you and had broken your heart because of that. Or maybe you are here to say that you left because of my choice. That is what you normally do.” Inuyasha said dejectedly.

‘He sounds like he has already accepted a fate worse than death. This is not what I wished for him. I thought he really wanted to go with Kikyo. What if that wasn’t what he wanted? Just what he wanted to give her. If that wasn’t it then what was?’

“Inuyasha look at me. I am not a mind game. I really am here. Please Inuyasha look at me.”

Turning Inuyasha looked at Kagome with little hope that it was really her. His eyes widened as he took in her dress and realized it really was Kagome.

“K-Ka-Kagome you are really here!”

“Duh! That’s what I was trying to tell you. Anyway I am back and I came here because you weren’t at the well when I came out of it. Why weren’t you there?”

“Because that is how all the delusions start. You come up here from the well and start tormenting me with the fact that you left and Kikyo went to hell without me leaving me all alone.”

“Kikyo didn’t take you with her. But I thought that was what you wanted. What you really wanted most. If you didn’t go with her why did you stay? I wished that everyone I cared for would get what they most wanted. What did you want most Inuyasha? It really wasn’t to go to hell with Kikyo was it?” Kagome said sadly.

“No it wasn’t. That was what I wanted to give her. Not what I wanted most. What I wanted most was to live and protect the ones I cared for. Did you make that wish in hopes that I would be happy?” Inuyasha said flatly.

“I made it hoping that everyone would be happy. It was for everyone I cared for Inuyasha. Even Sesshomaru.”

“Sesshomaru? Why Sesshomaru?”

“I care about him Inuyasha. I was so sure that you wanted to go to hell with Kikyo. But I am glad you’re still here. Inuyasha you need to accept that Kikyo is gone; and that I am back but not for you. Inuyasha,” here Kagome paused and took a deep breath before continuing, “I am here for Sesshomaru, I love him and I want him to love me back. I’m just not sure if he even knows I exist but I am starting to think he does. He did help me out of the well when I got back.”

‘Not to mention holding me way to close for way to long. But it was a new experience that I want to find out more about. It’s curious but I thought I even heard him kinda purr.’

“I know Kagome he comes here everyday and just sits there at the well hoping you would come out. Today though Sango, Miroku, Kirara and Shippo showed up so he felt you would surely come back. And here you are. Shippo had just come with Kirara when you showed up. Why are they here anyway?”

“Why don’t you come down to the village and ask yourself? They might be here for you. Don’t ya think?” Kagome giggled.

“I suppose, but why bother?”

“Come on Inuyasha. Let’s go, I am sure Kaede has prepared something good to eat! Oh yea. I almost forgot Inuyasha come here.”

Standing up Inuyasha walked over to Kagome under the shade of trees. “What do you want now?”

Reaching up Kagome remove the subjugation beads from around his neck. “There you go Inuyasha that is what I came up here to do. I don’t think it is right that I can still subjugate you when I don’t really have that right. Ya know?”

“Thanks Kagome. I appreciate it but I don’t understand you should have sat me from the moment you saw me until the next era. Why take them off I could attack anyone now.”

“Because I know you would never harm a human unless they were evil. Inuyasha I know you.”

Turning around Kagome walked down the hill towards the village. Knowing Inuyasha would follow not far behind. Picking her way slowly she made the village and headed straight for Kaede’s hut. Knowing somehow that everything was working out just as she wished.

A/N: Third down, R&R please!