As Death Gives Life

Chapter 38 – The Winds of Change

A/N: To all of my loyal readers.... Please accept my apology for the delayed update. The holiday season has snuck up on me and left me in a turmoil of effort to meet the inevitable deadlines that family and friends await anxiously (or not so much, if they are like me). Time for writing, reading and general computer use has been exchanged for shopping, wrapping and visiting. It was stressful and fun and now finally over, so I can at last get back to what I love to do the most – writing and reading.

Thank you all so much for the great reviews!

I hope your holiday was bright and I wish you the best for the coming New Year 2006!

Now on with As Death Gives Life....

~~~***~~~

‘So beautiful... my Kagome,’ Sesshomaru thought as he watched his mate sleeping soundly by his side. She lay on her back with a silken blanket of raven hair spilling over the white bed linens. It amazed him still that he could care so much for one being. It was almost frightening, the intensity of his love for her. And so hard to believe that he once thought her an enemy, albeit a tempting little minx, but an enemy non-the-less. When he thought back to those days so many years past, it soured his stomach at how easily he could have slain her, leaving him to face a lonely existence and never knowing of her love. If the Tetsusaiga had not protected her in his father’s tomb, he would have melted her away with his poison, thus sentencing himself to a life without her laughter and smiles.

What a barren life it would have been.

Sesshomaru reached up and lightly traced her cheek, watching as she smiled then groggily nuzzled her soft face into his hand. So loving. She opened her heart to all who would welcome her. It was a trait that was frowned upon by the youkai community leaders. An opinion that he once shared with them. Her smiles and friendly demeanor was often viewed as a weakness, but he knew better. Kagome thrived on happiness, and the more of herself that she shared, the stronger it made her.

By now, most youkai, and humans alike, were aware of her strength and power. It was almost as legendary as her kindness. The stories of the few times that Kagome ever lashed out against some inane enemy seeking to harm those that she loved had fast spread through the gossips of the land. She was almost as feared as he in battle, but Kagome would never harm anyone unless directly provoked. He, on the other hand, had no need for such frivolous behavior. If the need for violence was brought upon him, he was more than happy to dish out his own brand of justice.

“Ohayou Sesshomaru,” Kagome greeted with a broken, sleepy voice. “Why are you staring at me?”

“This Sesshomaru can not look away from such beauty,” he replied before leaning in to nuzzled his nose to just behind her ear, sniffing, and inhaling her delicious scent.

Kagome giggled and pushed playfully at his hard chest. “You silly youkai. I look a mess, I’m sure.”

“This Sesshomaru does not lie,” He growled into her ear, causing a bevy of little goosebumps to rush over her flesh. He loved to do this to her. Her skins’ very human response was still just as intriguing as the first time this happened. The unusual texture was easily, and pleasantly, smoothed down by the warm caress of his large hands

**Warning Lemon Starts Here

Once the goosebumps were gone he whispered against the shell of her ear, his voice husky with need, “Do you still not believe? Is this not proof enough?” Sesshomaru then ground his pelvis into her thigh, and the evidence of his hard arousal was all the proof that she required.

“Mmmm....,” Kagome replied as she absently arched her hips in response. “I certainly can’t argue that, now can I?” Kagome murmured as she drew her slender fingers through his long silky hair. He growled against her ear and once more pushed his throbbing erection against his mate’s soft flesh.

It had been ten years since he took her as mate, and those years passed by like the swift breeze of a fresh spring day. In the beginning he could not get enough of her smooth skin and her intoxicating aroma, even now, ten years later, Sesshomaru found that his lust for her had not receded in the least. He loved to see the look on her face and the tiny sounds she made when he first pushed his cock deep inside of her. He worshiped the feel of her hot, tight, slick walls, gripping him, quivering around him, until he groaned from the exquisite sensation rushing through his body.

Every time was a new and different experience for them. No two times were ever the same. Kagome was a willing and flexible partner, who put aside silly inhibitions once they were alone. Time and again she amazed him by doing something that he never expected her to do. And those times that he felt adventurous, Kagome never questioned or protested. She released her mind, body and soul into his keep and he would never abuse her trust.

“Ohhh...mmmm.... yessss,” Kagome moaned as he firmly thrust his hips, embedding his stiff phallus deep into her body, time and again, kissing the mouth of her womb. By the Gods she felt magnificent. He moved his hands slowly over her ribs to cup her full breasts. Squeezing them lightly, weighing the soft flesh, Sesshomaru felt as if he could crawl inside of her and happily exist for all eternity.

Panting, the dog demon pumped his thick staff into her core. “So soft... my Kagome... my mate.” His rumbling proclamation only served to enhance her experience, sending Kagome into a fit of convulsive ecstasy. Her orgasm shook her, and her tight sheath clamped down, milking her lover of his reserve. Sesshomaru threw his head back and roared his release, sending his creamy white seed deep into her slick channel. He wrapped his arms around the limp body of his mate. Holding her to him as they both fought to recover from the overwhelming sensations of lovemaking.

***Lemon Ends Here

“Sesshomaru-sama! Lady Kagome! Something has happened to Lord Shippo! You must come at once!”

From the hallway. Jaken sounded frantic and the lovers quickly untangled themselves. Kagome slipped on her nightdress and fled to the door in a flash of fine white linen with Sesshomaru following in nothing but a pair of white silk sleeping hakama tied loosely at the waist.

In Shippo’s room, Kagome found a crying Rin held in the arms of her mate, Jiyuu, and on Shippo’s futon she found.... something. Confusion and panic set in, for it was obvious that the thing on the futon was alive and pulsing in a rather grotesque way. Had something stolen into their home and eaten Shippo while he slept?! Fear and protectiveness hit her hard and Kagome screamed his name, feeling the familiar change in her body, as fangs and claws emerged. She ran to the thing on the futon.

Before she could reach out with freshly sprung claws to rip the long gray bulge in two, Sesshomaru stopped her with just one word. “Chrysalis.”

Kagome turned back to her mate in confusion and tears. “Wh... what?”

“He is kitsune youkai. When born into this world they are rather weak creatures who are given the gift of trickery and magic, but these gifts do not mature for many seasons. Natures way to offer protection in the meantime is to make them appear small and insignificant to those greater demons looking for a fight. Their appearance will remain such until the maturity of their power. At this time, the body will go through a transformation, thus the chrysalis.” Sesshomaru imparted this knowledge to his mate and felt his own body relax when her fear at once began to recede.

Kagome turned from Sesshomaru and took the time to really look at the pulsing mass on Shippo’s futon. Now that she stopped and looked closely, it really did resemble a cocoon of some sort. A really large cocoon. “Why do you suppose he never told me that this would happen?” Kagome muttered to herself. Sesshomaru answered, though she really expected none. “It is likely the kit was unaware of the phenomena, as you and Inuyasha took him under your care when he was but a pup. It is probable that he never learned the specifics of the transformation process before his parents death.”

Rin finally began to calm herself and looked up from Jiyuu’s shoulder. “Is that why he seemed agitated lately? And the food! He just couldn’t seem to get enough to eat!”

“Hai. It is so,” Sesshomaru replied as he stepped up to poke a finger at the paper-thin shell laced with an odd array of vein-like threads. Within he could just make out a dark form, but no details were forthcoming.

“Sesshomaru, how long will he be like this?” Kagome asked her mate, who obviously knew more about this phenomena than anyone else present.

“From ten to fourteen days, I do believe.” He pulled his worried mate close by his side. “Do not fear, Kagome. The kit will be fine.” He nuzzled his mark upon her neck, which served to soothe her further.

“Shippo!” Kebechet called as she dashed into the room dressed in her Egyptian sleeping attire. Her long, iridescent pearl mane of hair flowed out behind her. “By the eye of Ra! What has happened to poor Shippo!” The young girl collapsed in a heap by his bedside and Kagome quickly gathered her in her arms and shushed her sobs. “Don’t cry baby. He’s not hurt. Father Sesshomaru explained that this is natural for kitsune youkai coming into their full power. His body is changing inside of the cocoon and in a couple of weeks he will join us once again.” She rocked her daughter while she explained and the tears finally subsided.

“You mean, he is supposed to be in there?” Kebechet asked curiously. Sesshomaru stepped up beside of his daughter and answered, “Hai.” He watched her reaction, and was satisfied when she began to calm.

Kagome watched the cocoon with something close to awe. Never had she witnessed such a thing in her life and it was nothing short of amazing. She could hardly wait for the day that her little Shippo blossomed into a beautiful ‘butterfly’. “If you can hear us Shippo, just know that we are here and we love you. We will make sure that you are kept safe until the day you come back to us.”

~~~***~~~

One week later....

“Mother, why have you never tried it again? Things change. It could very well work once more.” Kebechet said this with more wisdom in her soft feminine tone than any ten-year-old would ever dream of having. Kagome looked up from the dark abyss to the clear blue eyes of her only daughter. In all truth she had never tried again, because she was afraid. Afraid that it really wouldn’t work again, and that all hope of ever seeing her family in the future would be crushed by reality’s cold fist. Kagome inhaled deeply, then released the breath slowly. She could see it in her eyes. Kebechet knew. Down deep, she knew that her mother was afraid, and she knew that giving her fears voice would make those fears sound silly. Kami, her daughter was so very wise.

“I... I guess I have always been afraid to try again,” Kagome said in a soft, sad voice, as she turned to stare into the dark well once more. She and Kebechet were visiting her uncle Inuyasha and family, as well as Miroku, Sango and their children for a couple of days. When Kebechet asked if they could visit the old Bone Eaters Well, Kagome had almost refused, but the look in her daughter’s eyes changed her mind. She seemed drawn to this place today, as if her destiny revolved around the dormant portal to the future. So, here she stood, balancing with more grace than she ever possessed in her mortal life, on the lip of the old wooden well.

“Oi wench! What the hell are you doing?!” Inuyasha shouted as he stepped into the clearing.

Both Kebechet and Kagome looked up and smiled broadly at the handsome hanyou. Then Kebechet squeezed Kagome’s hand and said, “Mother, it is time.” Kagome’s eyes widened and she jerked her head around to her daughter who met her look of shock with a gentle, knowing smile.

Then she jumped.

Kagome’s hand held on tight to the smaller one of her daughter, trying to stop her fall, but the force of her body weight easily sent her off balance and Kagome fell into the well right behind her.

Inuyasha’s golden eyes grew wide with concern as his niece and best friend fell from the edge of the old well. He leaped into action, running to the wells’ edge, expecting to find them both dirty and bruised at the bottom, but when the old familiar blue magic pulsed to life he stilled, frozen in his tracks. In a split second he recovered from his shock and leapt to the edge where he found nothing but emptiness in the old musty depths. “Kagome!!!”

With no effort at all he hurled himself over the edge, expecting to follow the females into the future, but swiftly found himself landing with a crouch at the bottom of the well. He looked up, hoping to see a covered roof, indicating Kagome’s time, but instead the beautiful clear skies of the Feudal era hovered gracefully above. Panic set in and Inuyasha screamed, “KAGOME!!!!”

Kat heard her mates’ frantic cry and rushed into the clearing as fast as her pregnant body would carry her. “Inuyasha! What has happened?! Where are Kagome and Kebechet?!” Suddenly her mate appeared from out of the old ancient well looking lost, angry and very upset.

“That crazy kid jumped in and pulled Kagome with her! Damn it to hell! It worked! It really fuck’n worked after all these God Damned years!!” Inuyasha growled as he clenched his fists tightly in complete helplessness.

Kat was confused. She knew well of the dead magic of the Bone Eater’s Well. A mystic time portal to the distant future where her friend Kagome originated from. But it was supposed to be dormant! “Are they in the future, Inuyasha?!” Kat asked frantically. This was all too strange!

“Damn it! I think so, but I just don’t know for sure! There’s no way to tell!” Inuyasha shouted as he turned to once again peer into the darkness. His hands tightened on the old wooden rim until the wood splintered and cracked. “I tried to follow.... it.. it wouldn’t work for me. It used to work for me! It used to let me pass too!”

Kat put her hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. He was visibly shaken, and it worried her greatly. Could her friends be trapped between times? Between worlds? Were they safe? In danger? “Dear Kami, protect them and send them safely back into our arms,” she whispered as she too stared into the abyss.

~~~***~~~

Sesshomaru felt his world shift in the blink of one golden eye. His daughter. His mate. Something happened and they were no longer on this plane of existence. His heart stilled in utter despair. Their warm presence was suddenly gone. Simply vanished. “Jaken!!! Get Ah-Un ready immediately!”

~~~***~~~

THUD

Kagome shook herself. The old magic, though the same, had shaken her just like the first time she had ever used the well. Her mind felt hazy for a brief moment before her immediate concern for Kebechet pushed clarity back into her head. “Kebechet!”

“I’m here, mother,” Kebechet replied calmly, lightly squeezing her mother’s hand to send complete reassurance.

Kagome looked at her child and mentally scanned for injuries. Finding none, she breathed a breath of relief before looking up to find that they were no longer in the Sengoku Jidai. The sky was blocked out by a wooden roof. Tiny slivers of light peeked through the cracks in the building overhead lending assistance to her keen eyesight.

“I think... that we are home,” Kagome whispered in wonder.

Kebechet quickly rose to her feet and brushed her white linen finery off. Her golden jewelry reflected the light gleaming in the darkness. “Come mother. I wish to meet Grandmother.”

Kagome looked up to her amazing and eager daughter. “Kebechet... Did you.... did you do this?” Her answer was a simple smile and an honest reply, “I love you very much mother.”

Kagome stood up and pulled her into her arms. “I love you very much too, my beautiful girl. Whether you did this or not, I thank you.”

In seconds they were at the well door, peeking out. The grounds were swarming with shrine visitors, but after ten years of missing the warm embrace of her mother, Kagome didn’t really care if everyone in the world saw her.

She was home.

“Come on Kebechet. Quickly, let’s head for the house!” Kagome swung the old wooden door open and the two of them made a mad dash across the lawns. Many people stopped to stare at the odd mother and child racing across the shrine grounds. A beautiful raven haired lady wearing one of the finest silken kimonos’s that her mate could provide, with an ethereal child at her side. A child with beautiful tan flesh and long hair the color of freshly fallen snow. A young girl with large crystal blue eyes surrounded by dark sweeping lashes. Many wondered at the red mark that graced her lovely face, but everyone who saw her was soon blinded by her brilliant happy smile.

Kagome wasted no time and let nothing stand in her way, as she and her amazing, beautiful, sweet, brilliant little girl flowed through the courtyard of The Higurashi Shrine, smiling brightly and laughing the entire distance. It never once crossed her happy mind to be reserved about her arrival. Not Kagome Higurashi Toji! She was HOME!

Her hand slipped easily through the metal door handle. Kagome threw the door open and shouted, “Mama I’m home!

Silence was the only thing that greeted Kagome. Eerie silence.

She could feel them, though. The familiar aura’s in the house were caressing her senses.

Something crashed, shattering loudly in the living room. Kagome’s heart stilled and she raced off in a panic. In the living room she found her mother. Ten years older and very, very frail looking. Her body was thinner. Her hair was grayer, and her eyes held pain that only the death of a child can bring. Tears poured down her still lovely face and she raised shaking hands up toward her very alive, and recently returned, daughter. Found. Finally home, and not at all dead.

Not at all dead!

Alive.

“K... Ka-gome!!!” the elder woman groaned. Her voice, her face, her entire form, seemed to twist as if the most horrible burden had been lifted from her shoulders. “Oh Thank Kami! Kagome!” Kagome ran and fell into her mothers’ embrace. Her mama’s arms were smaller, and her body seemed shorter than she remembered, but there was no mistake. She was home and in her mothers loving arms once more! “Oh Mama,” she cried, her voice cracking as tears pooled in her cerulean eyes. “Mama, I’m so, so sorry! Please forgive me. The well, it just stopped working. Just... s...st...oppped,” Kagome gave up trying to speak. Her body shook with the force of her sobs. God. She never thought that she would see her face again!

Kebechet stood by, smiling in wonder at the emotional reunion of her mother and grandmother. Grandmother Higurashi was a delicate flower among mortals. A pure heart, just as her daughter. The halo of kindness glowed about her form. She truly loved her daughter and it was a glorious sight to watch the halo of happiness consume the sadness and despair. Truly, a beautiful sight.

“Who are you?”

Kebechet turned and looked up to a slender young man. He had the same big, soft eyes that graced her mothers’ face. “You must be Uncle Sota. Konnichiwa, I am your niece Kebechet.” Uncle Sota smiled then, through tear-glistened eyes. The smile grew into a full, huge grin, and suddenly Kebechet found herself lifted from her feet and flying through the air. She laughed out merrily, enjoying the swirling embrace of her fabled Uncle.

Fumiyo Higurashi felt her tired old heart racing with new life. Her daughter was alive and home at last. Her eldest, her only daughter. How many nights had she lain awake crying unending tears, blaming herself for letting her travel to that godforsaken time? How many times had she, Souta and Grandfather, sat through silent meals that stuck in their throat as thoughts of their missing Kagome plagued their hearts? Three years ago, she could take it no more. She faced the fact that her sweet young daughter was dead. Never coming back. It was hard. The hardest thing that she had ever done, but it was done.

Now here she stands.

Back. Alive.

The sounds of girlish squealing laughter caught her attention. It reminded her of when Kagome was a child. She opened her eyes and pulled away from Kagome, still holding to her arm as if she may suddenly disappear. Kagome also turned to the sound and wrapped her arm around her mother’s shoulders. “Mother, meet Kebechet Mikibou Toji. Your demi-goddess granddaughter.”

“Granddaughter? Oh my,” Fumiyo muttered as she took a hesitant step forward. ‘My granddaughter. I have a granddaughter.’ “The Kami has been good to me this day.” She walked up to the smiling young girl, standing beside Sota like an Angel from Heaven. Nothing could describe how majestic this child appeared. She was a vision of pristine white. Her hair fell to mid thigh in a cloak of soft shimmering white. Huge blue eyes, as clear as the most beautiful ocean, held innocence and wisdom. They seemed to peer into her very soul leaving behind a comforting warmth. A brilliant welcoming smile graced her slender face and Fumiyo knew that she was already well loved by this child of light. She was an exotic princess, who had the familiar button nose of her own daughter. A family trait that gave Kebechet a soft, friendly appeal.

Fumiyo wrapped her granddaughter in her arms and felt the pulse of the child’s power seep into her pours. She sighed happily and snuggled her even closer. Amazing. This child was something special. She could feel it in every cell of her body.

Kagome cried torrents of salty tears as she watched her mother holding her grandchild in the same comforting embrace that had always been there for her. This was most definitely one of the happiest moments of her entire life.

“Well, Sis, it’s about time you decided to come home,” Sota chuckled as he elbowed her in the side. Kagome laughed and tackled him in a bear hug. Sota, who was no longer a pesky kid but a grown man, returned his sisters hug with relish.

“God Kagome. We thought you were out of our reach forever. Dead, or trapped in another time. Either way, it was the same to mom. You were gone.” Sota moved away, still holding her hand and pulled her to the couch. “What happened? Why now, after so long?”

Kagome slumped back into the comfy couch; something not found 500 years in the past. “Sota, it’s a long story. We were shard hunting as usual, not long after the last time I was here. I met a beautiful Egyptian God named Anubis. I fell in love, but he was not looking for love. He wanted a mother for his child.” She nodded when he glanced to Kebechet. “Yes. She is his daughter. He killed Naraku and his evil horde with the flick of a wrist. Inuyasha is still whining about that.” She chuckled before continuing. “Just after Naraku was destroyed I found out that I was pregnant so I tried to come home. I was so scared. I wanted Mama, and I needed to see a real doctor. When I jumped in the well it no longer worked. Inuyasha tried too, but the magic was gone. Kami. You have no idea how it destroyed me. I was stuck on the other side.”

Kagome swiped at the fresh trail of tears racing down her cheek. “At the time, things seemed to go from bad to worse. Anubis insisted that I live out the pregnancy under the protection of a Feudal lord, who by some unbelievable twist of fate, happened to be Inuyasha’s half brother, Sesshomaru.”

Sota gasped and shook his head. “The one that tried to kill you!” Kagome smiled and nodded with a half-hearted chuckle. “Yep. That’s the one. Needless to say, neither Inuyasha nor Sesshomaru were none too happy about that arrangement.” She groaned and put her palm to her forehead. “Oh the fights and bickering! It was really awful.”

Sota grunted in understanding. He remembered the angry response from Inuyasha when he once made the mistake of asking about his half-brother. Then Kagome looked at him once more and smiled brightly, surprising him completely. “Sota, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Sesshomaru and I fell in love. He is the answer to my every dream. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’d like to knock him for a loop on occasion, but overall, Sesshomaru is the perfect mate... er, uh, husband, I mean.”

Sota stared at his sister. He could hardly believe his ears. The story she told was like something from a fairytale. He glanced up to his mother, who now stood by his side, also listening to Kagome’s amazing story. She already looked healthier, younger. Kebechet, his ‘brand new’ niece, stood just by her side, smiling knowingly at her mother. Come to think about it, Kebechet’s hair seemed to look allot like Inuyasha’s.

“Daughter! Sota! Your grandpa could use a hand out here!”

Every eye in the room looked up when the bent form of the old man entered the room. His expression froze as he looked at the faces, recognizing his lost granddaughter. Immediately noticing the smile finally back on his own daughters’ lovely face.

“Gramps!” Kagome squealed as she ran to embrace her crazy, lovable, old grandfather. She was so relieved that he was still alive and kicking! “Kagome? Kagome! I told them, girl! I told them that you would be home one day! It was in the bones, I tell ya! The bones always know!” Kagome laughed and squeezed him tightly. “Oh Gramps, I missed you so much!” No doubt the old man wore the ‘magic’ bones out trying to bring her back. It was so good to be home again.

“Gramps, I have someone that I would like you to meet,” Kagome said as she pulled away to motion for Kebechet to come closer. “This is Kebechet, your great granddaughter.” Just like the princess that she is, Kebechet bowed respectfully, before throwing formality aside to wrap her arms around the old man in a hug. “Grandfather. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Mother has told me so much about you.”

“Oh my! I have a Great Granddaughter?! Just wait until I tell the guys down at the Veteran’s Center!” The old man croaked happily as he held the girl-child away to get a good look at her. “Why, she’s the prettiest thing that I have ever seen! And the magic! The purifying magic flows strongly through her veins! What are you, child?” The old man asked with wonder in his voice.

“Dad! Don’t embarrass the child...” Fumiyo gasped at her elderly father’s blunt question. Kebechet quickly calmed her, with a warm smile. She was such a strange, wonderful child.

Kebechet turned back to her great grandfather. She tilted her head just the slightest bit and said, “I am Kebechet Mikibou Toji, daughter to the revered Egyptian God of the Dead, Anubis, and daughter to Lord Sesshomaru Toji, Taiyoukai of Western Japan. I am princess and heir to the Western throne and protector of human and demonkind alike. Like my mother, I am purity. This Kebechet is the Earth-bound Goddess of Freshness and Purification.”

The only one not staring at Kebechet with an open mouth and wide-eyed expression was Kagome. She already knew all this. The big title meant little to her anyway. Kebechet was her baby girl, and that’s what she would always be.

~~~***~~~

Inuyasha paced around Miroku and then did an about-face just in front of Sango, as he beat a worried path in the dirt. He was mumbling to himself, occasionally cursing, but basically in a world all his own. Kat watched in dismay. Never had she seen Inuyasha so stressed. After Sango, Miroku and Kirara joined them, with their children playing just at the edge of the forest, she told them all of what happened. Needless to say they were as shocked and upset as she had been, but Inuyasha seemed to really be torn up inside.

Suddenly he stopped and looked their way. “Damn! What the FUCK am I going to tell Sesshomaru?!”

Miroku sighed and shook his head regretfully. “I can only wish you good fortune in that endeavor, as Sango, the children, and I, shall be returning to the village immediately.” Sango quickly slapped him on the back of the head. “You cowardly monk! We are not leaving Inuyasha to face this alone.” Miroku looked pleadingly to his wife. “My dearest Sango! You do not understand! I would never abandon Inuyasha! I simply think it best that we make our departure before Sesshomaru-sama arrives in order for the brothers to have a moment of privacy.” Sango narrowed her eyes and glared at her husband. “We are not going anywhere. Do you hear me?” With a heavy heart Miroku gave in. Sango just couldn’t see his reasoning in this.

The reasoning soon became clear when the roar of a dragon echoed over the land. They all looked up to see the approaching two headed dragon of Lord Sesshomaru, with said taiyoukai regally seated upon its back. Inuyasha grimaced and shook his head. “Damn. Speak of the devil.”

“I-nu-yasha,” Sesshomaru called out in a deep booming voice. “Perhaps you will explain the complete disappearance of my mate and daughter, while in your care?” Only one well familiar with Sesshomaru could detect the hint of tightly reined fury behind that stoic face. Those piercing golden eyes focused on Inuyasha, and for the first time since finding Tetsusaiga, he felt fear of his elder brother. He quickly shoved Kat behind him.

“Just calm the fuck down Sesshomaru. Kagome and Kebechet went into the well,” Inuyasha pointed at the old structure, hoping that his brother’s fabled control held out. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and glanced to the well. He knew they were not here. He could feel their absence down into his very bones. “Do not toy with me, half-breed,” Sesshomaru warned.

‘Damn, now I know he’s furious. He hasn’t called me that in over a decade!’ Inuyasha thought as he made ready to do battle. It was very doubtful that this was going to end without a fight. “Just like I said, asshole! They went into the well. They were standing on the rim, looking in, when Kebechet suddenly jumped, pulling Kagome in with her. I ran to help, in case one of them was hurt, but then the God-dammed well decided to work after ten fucking years! The magic engulfed them and they were gone. I tried to go after them, but it...” He turned away, hating to see the look in Sesshomaru’s eyes. “... it wouldn’t accept me. It didn’t work.”

There was no doubt in his mind that Sesshomaru cared deeply for Kagome and Kebechet. His brother made no qualms about his feelings for his mate, openly showering her with his affections. It was a side of the cold-hearted bastard that he never expected to see, but Kagome brought it out. Leave it to Kagome to turn the demon known as ‘the aristocratic assassin’ into a snuggly pup. Only for her though. And only for their daughter. Rin also held some esteemed place in the tiny black heart of that bastard. Kami only knew how the human kid managed to wiggle her way through the layers of hard, cold ice, but she did. Those three were deemed something special by Sesshomaru, and the demon would stop at nothing to keep them safe. Which once again brought Inuyasha to his current situation.... How to explain to Sesshomaru that two of the only three people he cared about were gone from this land and possibly were now five hundred years in the future? Hell, he couldn’t even be sure that they were in Kagome’s time, or that the portal would allow them back through to the Feudal era. Well if it didn’t, he would be damned if he was sticking around to see the outcome. It wouldn’t be pretty, that he was sure of.

Inuyasha watched closely the reactions of his powerful full demon brother. He was ready, at the first sign of violence, to protect Kat and the others. He didn’t want to have to fight Sesshomaru, but he’d be damned if he would let him hurt his own special family in a blind rage.

The fire in Sesshomaru’s eyes seemed to roar out of control, and then just as quickly it extinguished. He looked to the well and then back to Inuyasha. “Tell me, little brother, you saw Kebechet intentionally jump into the well?”

Inuyasha couldn’t see where that would matter, unless Sesshomaru intended to punish the kid for it. “Well, yeah, but hey, she’s just a kid, Sesshomaru. You can’t take this out on her.”

Sesshomaru snapped at the insult, “Fool! I have no intentions of doing such. Kebechet is wise beyond her years. If my daughter has done this thing, then she has purpose, and complete control of the situation.” He said this with the usual air of utter self-confidence in his words, though truthfully, Sesshomaru felt a small hint of worry still. Of this, he would never speak, especially to one such as Inuyasha, but the seed of doubt was there, and he resigned himself to a long tension filled wait.

Inuyasha’s mouth fell open in disbelief when Sesshomaru made a complete turnabout from rage to minor annoyance. He watched his brother stroll to a tree at the edge of the clearing and take a seat, leaning casually against the trunk. He looked completely unconcerned now, as if he wholly trusted a ten-year-old girl to make everything alright. “I don’t believe my eyes,” the hanyou muttered. His mate stepped up and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Kat hugged her mate, allowing her soothing aura to ease his tense muscles. She carefully regulated the dose, in order to save her mate the embarrassment of tented pants. It had taken a great deal of practice and meditation, but she had finally mastered her powers enough to discharge specific amounts. Inuyasha had been extremely happy when she reached this milestone.

“Well, Kat, I guess we may as well settle down and wait too. Hell, if that bastard ain’t upset, then what the hell am I ranting and raving about, eh? Fuck it,” Inuyasha shrugged and turned to Miroku. “Hey monk! You got them playing cards somewhere in that robe of yours?”

Miroku reached in his sleeve and pulled out the well-worn deck of cards given to him by Kagome many years ago. He waved them at Inuyasha with a smile. Sango and Kat wanted in as well, and soon the four of them had a game of Five-Card Stud going. Deuces and one-eyed Jacks were wild.

~~~***~~~

It was nearing dark, and her mother begged her to stay. Kagome was very tempted to take her up on the offer. Heck, it had been ten years since she was last home. The shower was calling her name. Her room was still exactly the same as the day she left it; minus the dirty laundry that always graced the floor. Her mother had kept it almost as a shrine to her memory. It was both creepy and heartwarming.

Kagome smiled at her mother and accepted her offer. Inuyasha would probably be worried, but he would get over it, and Sesshomaru was still at the Western Palace, so he had no idea that they were no longer in the village of Edo visiting their friends. Besides, Mom promised to cook her favorite for supper, Oden!

A trip to the grocery store was in order, and for once Kagome eagerly joined her mother for the short journey. Kebechet wished to come along as well, so Fumiyo set about finding some clothing to fit her granddaughter. While the fine white linen garments looked regal and exotic on Kebechet, it did nothing to help her blend in, so they had to find something modern to wear. Much to Kagome’s distress, she found that many of her clothes, still neatly tucked into her dresser and closet, did not fit as well as they once had. Her body had more pronounced curves than it did ten years prior. Her breasts and hips were fuller. This worked out well for Kebechet though, and she wasted no time in pointing out what she wished to wear. Kagome finally found a pair of shorts and a tank top that fit herself, and soon the trio left the Higurashi Shrine to explore the local supermarket.

Kebechet was astounded by the future. Tall shining buildings seemed to touch the sky. The ground beneath her feet was smoothed by some sort of hard rock, and everywhere she looked was crowded with people. The smells were pretty awful, but the sights made it well worth that small discomfort. The supermarket was magnificent. Every kind of food imaginable could be found there, and her mother wasted no time in grabbing packages of something she called ‘Ramen’. She also tossed bags of ‘pocky’ into the odd cart. Her grandmother insisted on stocking her time-traveling daughter with sweet smelling soaps, as well as other bathing items, and by the time they arrived at the counter to pay for their goods, their cart was packed full.

~~~***~~~

After spending the evening in the lap of modern luxury, it was now time to return to the Feudal Era.

Kagome hugged her Mom tightly, then turned to her Grampa, giving him a squeeze as well, before finally embracing her brother Sota. Kebechet, too, embraced her newfound family members, hating that her Grandmother was crying once more.

“I promise, Mama, that I will return soon if the well will let me. If I don’t return, please don’t worry about me. Kebechet and I are safe and happy in the Western Palace, and hopefully we will be able to come home again some day.” Kagome wiped a stray tear from her cheek and smiled at her mother. “It was wonderful seeing you all again. We will miss you all very much.”

Fumiyo tried to hold back the tears, for her daughter’s sake. She could always cry her eyes out once she was gone. But this time when she shed those precious tears, it would not be in mourning. Thank Kami for that. No, this time it would be from the happiness that she felt knowing that Kagome was alive and well. There would always be a part of her that missed having her daughter near, but it eased the pain of separation to know that she was living a full life with people who loved her.

“Sayonara! Good-bye! We love you all!” Kagome and Kebechet called, as they made their way back to the well-house. Kagome was very nervous, but trying her best to hide it from Kebechet. She hoped with all her heart that this didn’t turn out to be a one-way trip. She wasn’t sure why the well suddenly decided to work, and she had no idea if it would return them to the Feudal Era again.

Kebechet, ever aware of those around her, chose that moment to reach out and grasp her mothers’ hand in her own. “Do not fear, Mother. We shall see Father Sesshomaru again very soon.” Kagome looked down at her with a slight smile. She should have known that she couldn’t hide her anxiety from Kebechet. “I certainly hope your right, baby girl.”

“Of course I’m right, Mother. I would not have said it if it were not so,” Kebechet replied with a hint of annoyance. It was times like this, that Kagome could see Sesshomaru in her daughter. She laughed and shook her head, before hefting the giant bag of supplies over her shoulder. “Well then! Hurry up slow poke! Let’s get back to the fresh air of the Sengoku Jidai!”

~~~***~~~

A familiar air of magic stirred Inuyasha’s senses and he leapt from the tree that he was currently lounging in. He glanced around for Sesshomaru, and found him already standing beside of the well. The blue light flashed once and suddenly the world was filled with the soft jasmine scent of Kagome and the fresh scent of a cold mountain spring that always surrounded his niece.

Kagome and Kebechet leapt from the depths of the well and straight into the arms of Sesshomaru. He pulled them both roughly against his chest, burying his sensitive nose into their hair, inhaling of them, and thanking all that is good that they both were returned safely to him. He dared not think how he would have lived without either, or both, of them. It would have been too terrible to bear!

“Can’t... breath....” Kagome gasped. Sesshomaru finally loosened his hold on them both and she inhaled deeply of the vital oxygen. She smiled up at her love. “Wow, I didn’t expect to find you here.”

Inuyasha decided that this was his queue. “Wench, if you hadn’t jumped into that damned well, he wouldn’t be! Fuck, you can be so careless sometimes!” Kagome glared at Inuyasha and Kebechet did the same. Both of them knew that Inuyasha was voicing his worry through harsh words, but it hardly helped to lesson their anger.

“Inuyasha!” Kagome growled at her hanyou friend. “If you don’t behave, then we won’t be sharing our Ramen with you!” The look on Inuyasha’s face turned from frustration, to happiness in a split second.

“You brought Ramen?! Damn, it’s been too long since I tasted Ramen! Hurry! Somebody boil some water!” Inuyasha shouted as he raced toward the village. Kagome stared after him while laughing herself silly. She looked up to Sesshomaru, who quirked on elegant dark brow in silent question. She smiled and tip-toed up to place a gentle kiss on his mouth. “You’ve never had Ramen, have you?”

~~~***~~~

Four days later....

“Lady Kagome! Lady Kagome! Come quick! Master Shippo is finally breaking free of his shell!”

Kagome rushed down the long corridor and up the winding stairwell. Rin, Jiyuu, and Kebechet met her at the summit. The three women hurried into Shippo’s bedchamber in time to find a highly unexpected sight.

Standing beside the futon was a grown youkai male. He was covered in some thick gel-like substance and holding a bedsheet around his narrow hips. At the sound of company invading his room, Shippo turned his bright emerald eyes on the females. The look on their faces was enough to make him laugh out, and he did so without further thought. The looks of shock turned to amazement and he smiled. “Come now, ladies. Don’t you know that it’s impolite to stare?”

All three faces flushed a brilliant shade of red before they each fled from the room in great haste. Just as he was about to continue his inspection of his recent transformation, he heard Kagome behind him again. He turned to find her peeking around the doorway.

“Shippo, I just wanted you to know that I am very proud of you. Inuyasha is too. I spoke with him a few days ago, and told him about your transformation. He and the others will be here in a few days to meet the new you,” Kagome then winked at him and ducked out of the room, leaving him to himself once more. Jiyuu cleared his throat, and Shippo then glanced to the inuyoukai who was still leaning casually against his bedchamber wall. “Well Jiyuu, maybe you can fill me in on what in the hell just happened to me? Seems I’m the last to know. One night I went to sleep a three foot tall furball, and the next time I wake up, I’m covered in gunk and almost as tall as Sesshomaru-sama himself!” Shippo chuckled a little nervously. Even his voice was not his own! It was deeper, more masculine.

It was weird. His thoughts were clear and calculating, like his mind had grown along with the rest of him. He should have been paralyzed with fear over this whole thing, but for some reason he wasn’t afraid, just... surprised.

After a long and revealing discussion with Rin’s mate, Shippo retired to the hot springs to cleanse the goo from his body. Once in the steamy water he took the time to reflect on what Jiyuu told him of his new improved self. It was all so strange. He knew that he would go through a transformation one day, but had no idea of the details. This was wild! It was like growing up overnight!

Jaken was kind enough, with his usual grumbling of course, to bring him a pair of hakama and a haori that fit his newly filled out form. Shippo combed through his mane of auburn hair and then fixed it at the nape of his neck with a leather thong.

When Shippo returned to the castle, it was time for the evening meal, and he entered the dining hall feeling all the world as if he were having an out-of-body experience. This new body was lean and strong, and he could feel his newly enhanced powers coursing through his veins. The looks that he received from everyone he passed, was nothing short of gawking stares, making him feel a little self-conscious. This was definitely going to take some getting used to.

Kagome was amazed at Shippo’s transformation. He went from a cute little kitsune pup to a tall, handsome, physically mature male, seemingly overnight. The differences were amazing. Gone were the childish looks and youthful voice, and now Shippo was an adult kitsune-youkai male. Even his movements were graceful and sure, as if he adapted to his new form with no struggle at all. His face was handsome, with high cheekbones and a shock of long red hair tied neatly at his back. Her little Shippo was going to be quite the ladies man now.

So many things in her life had changed, but strangely, instead of cowering from fate, Kagome accepted it with the grace that only she could have. She understood that change was a part of life and nothing ever remains the same forever. Over the past ten years she saw enemies destroyed and new love’s bloom. She birthed a sweet, loving, daughter and mated a handsome, wonderful, male. Her friends had found love and started families of their own and even her little Shippo was no longer little. Now he was matured and ready to pursue his own destiny.

Kagome sat back trying to digest the whole of it. Her Lord sat silently by her side, waiting for everyone to be seated. Sesshomaru had, many years ago, ceased to eat alone and at her pleading, now chose to take his meals with her and the others. It really didn’t bother her, or anyone else, that he only ate raw meat. She’d had her fair share of the stuff when she was pregnant with Kebechet, and still found that she liked her meat fresh and somewhat rare. Kagome was startled out of her thoughts when her mate suddenly called everyone’s attention.

“Shippo, you have our sincerest congratulations on your second birth. This Sesshomaru will enjoy testing your newly formed skills first thing tomorrow morning in the dojo.” Shippo looked a little shaken at the Taiyoukai’s words, but bowed in response none-the-less. Sesshomaru waved him to his seat and then turned to his mate. His golden eyes held hers, bathing her in their warmth, then in a voice normally reserved for only her, he said, “I would also like to announce that Kagome and I are expecting our second child.”

His words were nothing short of shocking. Kagome gaped at him for the longest time, absorbing what he said to the fullest. She was pregnant? “Are you sure, my love?” She whispered.

“This Sesshomaru would not have said it if it were not so.”

~~~***~~~

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this installment. The story is gearing down! Only a few chapters to go!