A Dream Come True

Disclaimer - Why do I have to do this everytime? Sigh. I don't own Inuyasha.

Thoughts - Just a few notes so that no one will come and harass me later… Ok, while Rin is in this story, there will not be much of her. Granted she is cute and adorable but in my opinion she is used way to much as a bridge between Kagome and Sesshomaru and with ‘this’ story at least, I want them connected through their sexual energies. Don’t worry, there is a point to this. Trust me. While the remaining plot is still rolling around in my head, this connection they have will ultimately tie this story together.


Translation Box:
Tsume – Claws
Mikomi – Hope
Nani? – What?
Nihon – Japan (Land Of The Rising Sun)
Demo – But, however (Careful to not mistake Demo with Demi (which is a bug called a cicada))
Temae – You (Your, You’re)
Houshutsu - Emit
Gogou - Joy
Bouga – Selflessness
Seijaku motte ganbou – Silent with desires
Ri – Mile(s)
Haru ni shishou nashi – Spring must go through two seasons before it can bloom (This is a rough translation, if anyone else knows the exact one, please let me know! Thanks.)
Sutoppu – Stop
Kuso - Shit


Chapter 4: Testosterone Builds Up As The Truth Come Out


If thou of fortune be bereft,
And thou dost find two loaves left
To thee-sell one, and with the dole
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul
But not alone does beauty bide
Where bloom and tint and fragrance hide;
The minstrel’s melody may feed
Perhaps a more insistent need.
But even beauty, howe’er blent
To ear and eye, fails to content;
Only the heart, with loves afire,
Can satisfy the souls desire.

~ James Terry White (Poem “Not By Bread Alone”)


For a second there was a heavy silence as Sesshomaru stared in disbelief at the old well, but then Inuyasha took another swipe at him and he moved out of its way. His poisonous tsume scratched his brother’s face as he did so, and in effect his brother cried out in pain, their fight temporarily coming to a halt.

Meanwhile, in the time it took for his brother to draw in a breath to shout, Sesshomaru took the opportunity to appear at the well, thinking Kagome to be at the bottom.

“Stay away from her Sesshomaru, she is not for you!” Inuyasha yelled angrily as Sesshomaru looked down almost worriedly into the well when he saw nothing but darkness.

Then suddenly, something seemed to click within his brain and he understood.

Turning, his white kimono robes flaring around him, Sesshomaru leveled an accusing glare at Inuyasha.

“The rumors about her are true aren’t they hanyou? She is from another time?” He asked more then stated calmly as his brother glared back at him. When Inuyasha did not immediately respond, Sesshomaru flexed his claws in agitation. As a rule, he hated when responses weren’t immediate when he chose to talk to a being. It took up his precious time and patience, and only made the other person appear to be a fool in his eyes. Unconcerned, he suddenly realized that he was still naked and that thought brought a glint of malicious humor into his eyes as his brother was still oblivious to it.

Ignoring the question, Inuyasha came at him again with his sword but Sesshomaru only dodged it.

“What does it truly matter to you Inuyasha? Surely you aren’t jealous? After all, what of your beloved priestess Kikyo? You have mated yourself to her after all.” He said with a cold arrogance only he could have.
Inuyasha stiffened.

“Kikyo is the reason of all my pain.” Inuyasha said with cryptic darkness, even as Sesshomaru continued on, ignoring him.

“I’ll only assume this as you reek of her and have the white mark upon your neck that signifies it.” Sesshomaru said with his annoyingly neutral voice, pointing to his brother’s shoulder where two white scars stood out so faintly that they were almost invisible against his tanned skin.

The only reason besides smell that he had seen them was because when Kikyo’s name was mentioned, the two marks began to glow blue, a clear sign of a mating pairs joining.

“I do not care you shit - eating bastard! I care only for Kagome’s happiness-”

“Happiness?” It was all Sesshomaru could do not to roar the word. Instead, beneath his sleeves, his fists clenched.

“What happiness is there in a life of rape?” Sesshomaru asked, his voice so cold Inuyasha felt a part of himself go numb. Inuyasha’s eyes widened a mere fraction and then pointed a clawed finger at Sesshomaru.

“You’re not worth explaining anything to, so I won’t bother! I didn’t do anything to her and no matter what, in the beginning, before you even entered the whole thing; her one wish was to be with me!” Inuyasha said.
Sesshomaru couldn’t ignore the truth that tinged the half-breeds words and turned his head to the side, not wanting Inuyasha to see the sudden emotion that was there.

“Kagome will never be yours. She is too good to lower herself to your level.” Sesshomaru said tonelessly, letting his eyes flash red, his glistening silver hair flying up all around him in his anger.

“MY level?” She’s a human, you hypocrite!” Inuyasha said through gritted teeth, taking another step towards his brother, his sword in hand.

“Inuyasha, oh Inuyasha…how easily you forget that we, the greatest branch of Inu Youkai mate for life. The bite marks on your neck are proof of you having chosen your woman. So in the end it doesn’t matter what you want! As pathetic an excuse as you are, you are well on your way to becoming a man; the change will just not happen for another few millennia. Either way brother, it seems that you still loose.” Sesshomaru said coldly, hard eyes flashing.

Inuyasha growled low in his throat, the sound of it sending a nearby musk deer to run, petrified into the forest.

Sesshomaru’s hackles raised in response and in an uncharacteristic move, bared his canines at Inuyasha in a silent threat.

“None of this is right! I have no idea what’s going on anymore! When the hell did you become interested in a human girl?” His half brother pressed on stubbornly, his ears flattening.

“What of her? Kikyo should be your main concern now. Or are you refusing your claim?”

‘Kikyo…’

“Wait a minute…Kikyo - that’s right, I know what happened! What happened over a year ago! Where is she - oh the well, yes!” Inuyasha said haltingly as he desperately dashed over towards the well’s rim, his brother totally forgotten. And then suddenly, Sesshomaru smiled a impious, heart-stopping smile that would never fail to catch attention. Sesshomaru even made it a point to appear in front of the well so that his brother could have the ‘joy’ of seeing it.

“My, my…don’t you even want to know what really happened between the girl and I?” Sesshomaru asked, the same grin on his face as he casually leaned against the well, nonchalantly blocking his brothers path.

“Sesshomaru…right now it doesn’t matter! I know the truth - Kagome should know it too! I can finally show her that it wasn’t me!” Inuyasha said, his tone suddenly pleading.

Sesshomaru wondered at the sudden change in his brother’s attitude and frowned slightly, his words temporarily silenced.

“What proof do you have now that you did not have a year ago Inuyasha? I saw you. I saw you in the girls’ memories as if it was me not her! I refuse to believe a traitorous half breed like you.” He said seriously.

“I AM NO TRAITOR!” Inuyasha screamed, lunging forward and swiping at Sesshomaru with his Tetsusaiga.
Sesshomaru never even moved; as in one fluid motion he had unsheathed Tokijin and blocked Inuyasha’s attack. Effortless was the only word that Inuyasha could think of at that moment towards his brother…and it only served to enrage him more.

“I swear Sesshomaru, if you even lay one more finger on her, I’ll-” Inuyasha pressed down with his sword onto Tokijin, the loud scrape of metal on metal echoed around them.

Sparks shot from the blades as Sesshomaru pressed up with his sword defiantly.

“I fear no half-demon, let alone you, Inuyasha.” He asked calmly, his cold words hinting at what he knew Inuyasha did not want to come to grips with.

He saw his brothers knuckles turn white as they tightened around Tetsusaiga’s hilt and felt a spiteful pleasure in seeing it.

“Sesshomaru!” Inuyasha said, his voice rising on every syllable.

Said person shrugged and as effortlessly as he had blocked Inuyasha, threw him back.

Cursing, Inuyasha was forced backwards and then stood there, his breathing unsteady as he balanced himself on one knee. Sesshomaru glanced amusedly at him as he pulled on his hakama with deliberate slowness and couldn’t help but throw one more barb at his weaker sibling.

Inuyasha went still, his anger returning in full force.
From it, Sesshomaru allowed himself a sort of twisted pleasure in knowing he had struck a nerve.

“Ah…hai, do not worry little brother about your miko. I assure you, she was certainly a pleasure.”

He paused.

“Whether damaged goods or not.”

“BASTARD!!!!!!!”

Unable to listen to his brother’s words anymore, Inuyasha flung out his Tetsusaiga yet again, and ran full throttle towards his brother.

Laughing Sesshomaru easily dodged his attack, disappeared into the night.

“Watch from a distance Inuyasha, as I woe and take your little miko, right in front of you.”

“Come back here you coward!” Inuyasha bellowed, his insult only meeting with another phantom barb.

“I would wait if I were you in going back to see the girl. She is still not happy with you. Perhaps you should wait until she returns? You said that you have proof, correct? Or are you only fantasizing?”

The following sound of Inuyasha’s scream cut through the night, his fist cleanly splitting a nearby boulder in half in his ensuing rage. Still not satisfied, he punched one of the halves into splinters, his knuckles bloodying as he continued to do so to the other half. Soon both fists were flying into the mass or crushed rock, after a while punching into the hard soil beneath. Inuyasha however, did not notice.

His rage filled howls floated eerily across the valley…and then there was silence as he raced into the forest…away from the well.

THE NEXT MORNING

FEUDAL ERA: INUYASHA’S FOREST

‘When I get my hands on him, man am I gonna-!’

Jumping into the well, she reached the other side and looked up through the wells top into a clear blue sky instead of the wooden roof of the shrine.

‘But what am I going to do? It’s not really like I can hurt him.’

Her anger deflating, she sighed and climbed out of the well to set foot on the ground, unaware of how her every move was being watched. But either way she wouldn’t have cared, her thoughts were so great.

She was wearing a white blouse with frilly bell sleeves that hung loosely around her arms, tucked into a pair of faded blue jean Capri’s that flared out at mid calve on her. The Capri’s fit snugly around her small waist, accenting her flaring hips and showing off her shapely legs. Her long brown hair was up in a navy bandana; her feet adorned in running shoes and white anklet socks.

Walking out into the dazzling sunlight, she had to shield her eyes from the brilliant glare. Offhandedly, she cursed herself for not having her sunglasses as the light caused white spots to appear before her eyes.

Turning her head slowly from side to side, she slowly rid herself of them. When she could see, she looked up to the top of the hill straight ahead of her and saw a quick movement in a cluster of sakura trees. A flash of white and yellow, and then the fall of flower petals as whomever or whatever disappeared into the tree’s many boughs.

‘So…he has been awaiting me?’

A slow smile curved her lips as the scent of her most recent lover came into her enhanced senses.

Over the years, her miko abilities had been drastically altered and primed to the point where she even had been able to gain newer, more elite powers. It made her pride grow to know that she had taught herself, without the aid of anyone else. Some of the powers included faster healing and more powerful energy blasts which she could transfer to objects other than arrows. Maybe she should show Sesshomaru her most recently discovered power? It was not exactly a ‘miko’ power, but rather a trick taught to her by Shippo before he had left with Sango and Miroku for Sango’s old demon slayer village.

Yes…maybe she would show him. What could it hurt after all?

Knowing Sesshomaru was watching, she reached behind her and jerked her hair loose from its tie, combing her hands gently through the glistening strands. It made her eager to see him, knowing that she had kept him waiting.

Not that it mattered. It was, in the end, all immaterial. It was good to make a man wait for a woman. It showed that they really wanted to see them. As it was, she was sure that if Sesshomaru had any idea what a telephone was, he would have called her dozens of times before last night and now. Men were such curious creatures; curious and simple; that’s what she liked about them. They were just that, once you understand their motives.

‘Let him come. I understand his intentions…and I am anxious to greet him.’ She thought with a small smile. Lengthening her powers, they reached out until she could feel his aura, could hear his heartbeat; could taste the tangy hard skin even from as far away as she was. She smiled again, deciding to humor him and play the little game beginning to take form within her mind. Walking casually towards the grove of trees, she tilted her face up towards the sky, the hot sun warming her skin. Arriving a few minutes later, she looked up into the tree she had seen him ascend up into.

Stretching luxuriously, she closed her eyes, addictively sweet power flowing through her veins, mingling with her blood as the symbols of magic began forming within her mind until she had found what she wanted.

She waited, feeling his anticipation as she continued combing her fingers slowly through her hair.
And then, her body disappeared.

*****

He watched her come out of the well with satisfaction. As he had known, she’d come back and he’d even chosen a clever hiding spot to wait for her. His instincts told him that she came here often, and because of that, it was a perfect watching post.

Cloaking his aura, he watched as she came closer, stopping directly beneath him.

He could smell the different scents that clung to her as if he were sniffing a perfume bottle. Moonflowers, morning glory, lilac, sandalwood, and ginger lilies only a few of the maelstrom of flavorful hints. His mind ticked off each as if they were the numerical system of ichi, ni, san…and so on.

He watched her comb her fingers through her hair, his instincts going into overdrive as he felt himself harden. As he had anticipated, her body was acting unawares of him. All was going as planned.
Until she disappeared.

*****

He didn’t know how long he’d sat there, staring down at that same spot where he had seen her standing.

She was just gone.

No aura, no scent, nothing.

Sniffing softly so that his nose appeared to be twitching, he lightly jumped down from his perch and surveyed the area. She was nowhere in sight.

And then he felt it; the caress of fingers against the back of his neck.

Whirling around, he was in a battle stance in moments. Seeing nothing, he growled in annoyed curiosity and slowly righted himself.

Then he felt something brush against his lower thigh.
His body jerked away from the contact as if it had been touched by fire; his hair whipping around him as he looked back and forth, in front and behind him. Then he sensed it; something was there.

“Show yourself!” He said calmly, his fingers glowing green as his poison whip began to materialize from the tips of his fingers.

He felt the ghost - like fingers brush down his cheek and against his fangs and snapped out at the unseen foe.
It was obvious that it was toying with him.

Glaring at the area around him, his nose twitched again in the barest of movements.

“This is your last chance.” He hissed again as he felt something like hair, brush across his hand. He readied his whip, the muscles in his hand and arm tightening - and then something invisible was thrown into his chest, what felt like a mouth crashing down on his.

Surprised, he flailed backwards, landing on his back in the process.

Floundering, he tried to regain his balance but stilled as Kagome appeared above him, straddling his hips; her hands pressing down on his chest, pinning him to the ground.

Surprised, he stared up at her.

“Got you.” She whispered, her mouth coming down on his, effectively blocking whatever words he was about to say.

His eyes widened slightly but was unable to find the words or strength to push her away.

‘She is cunning to attempt such a thing on me…I could have hurt her and never been the wiser.’ Was all he could think before he felt pleasurable tingles beginning to race throughout his body.

Rolling them over, he pinned her onto the ground, driving her senses crazy as the scents of white pine, and his own musky scent surrounded her.

She moaned, her hot breath mingling with his as she tried to bring him closer to her; his hair pooled around them both, shielding them from the earths view as he growled back an answer. Clawed hands slid down her sides to grasp her hips and he felt her buck up against him, his balance lost as she flipped them again.

‘Daringly foolish girl…I like it.’

“Only once.” He whispered back huskily, their mouths locked once again.

His hands clasped themselves around her back as his legs opening to cradle her between his thighs. Her nails dug into his scalp, loose hairs pulled and tugged at painfully even as he welcomed the throb. His tongue ran over the right row of her teeth and she growled, her tongue pushing it away to slide over his front canines, pricking it in her exploration. The blood drew a fierce growl from him as she pulled away, her breathing harsh and throaty as she leaned up over him to look down at his face.

“I can do more then that!” She whispered, rolling off of him and flopping onto her back as if noting had just happened.

He tilted his head back at her words; sitting up on his elbows with his right hand balanced himself against the warm soil.

He watched her as she smiled impishly at him, not knowing that it was because of his tousled hair. He gave her a small scowl to tease her, and she shifted slightly so that she rolled onto her stomach, plucking at the dirt now smeared into her shirt.

“You have new abilities.” He stated in the ensuing comfortable silence.

In answer she nodded, her smile broadening as she looked up at the cloudless blue sky. Without a word, she stood, and sat on a low branch, her legs dangling over his chest.

“I’ve been practicing ever since…that day.” She said, inwardly seeking his approval.

He did, giving her a small nod as well as a soft threatening noise as she closed her eyes. It was then that she sensed - more then heard - him stand. Next she knew he was sitting on the branch beside her.

Without being asked, she leaned against his side, her head resting against his shoulder as he gave a gently growl. She felt his arm come around her waist as if to hold her there and smiled, snuggling slightly closer.

“So small…” He murmured, nuzzling her hair, his lips brushing across the soft strands, allowing them to tickle his nose.

She was indeed small compared to him; her hand dwarfed when compared to his own. When standing, her head only came up to below his collarbone, but it didn’t seem to faze her in the least. If anything else, her body language led him to believe that that was what she wanted.

Idly, he wondered what she weighed. He knew that whatever it was, it couldn’t have been more then one hundred and forty or so pounds. He smiled slightly despite himself. During their joining, he always felt that he might crush her; that was why it surprised him when she kept him on top of her. Truthfully, it confused him, but still, he did like the way she felt, his strong body wrapped around hers protectively while she slept.

‘It would not surprise me knowing what she has gone through…’

He sighed, his chest gently rising and falling into the rhythm of the woman beside him.

He felt so relaxed around her…if he had been truly himself he would think it was almost infuriating how she always made him think about her motives. She was uncontrollable, and frankly he found her quite impertinent for a women. He just found it so strange, how at the slightest movement…barest breath, she could make him ready to explode and then in the next instant make him feel completely at peace with himself.

‘Strange…but she assures me entertainment when I am around her. Maybe that is why I feel so drawn to her. Either way…I still don’t know how to discuss the predicament I face concerning her. My mind wars with itself constantly about it. I am not exactly certain whether I want this woman…after all…passion can only go so far and when that is gone, so is the reason for being together. At least that is what they say.’

“What are you thinking about, Sesshomaru?” She asked, her voice muffled by his haori. The arm around her waist tightened fractionally but she didn’t notice.

“Many things.”

There was a breezy silence and could only smile at it.

“Oh…” She replied on a yawn, making him chuckle quietly.

“Nani? What’d I say?” She asked softly, pulling away from him slightly disgruntled. It was all he could do to not smile again at the look that lay in her eyes.

“Nothing.”

Taking advantage of her position, he leaned forward and caught her lips, effectively silencing her. She broke away after a few sweet moments.

“Cheater…” She said accusingly, feeling his arm snake fully around her waist to pull her into a straddling position on top of him.

“Why is that?” He asked with mock seriousness, nibbling teasingly on the side of her neck.

“You’re avoiding my question…!” She said slightly breathless, feeling the firm muscles begin to quiver underneath her hands. He wasn’t wearing his armor, and if she moved her hands just slightly inward at the opening of his jacket, she could…

“I am not. I am just-”

“-taking advantage of me?” She asked in an amused whisper, her fingers tugging teasingly at the silk material. His brows knit together, relaxing when he saw the laughter tugging at the corners of her mouth, realizing that she had only been teasingly mocking him.

“Something to that effect.” He said smiling slightly.

She rested her chin on one of her hands; her eyes watching him smile toothily as one of his upper canines poked out over his lower lip.

“You’re an animal…” She whispered mischievously, making him chuckle softly, his arms loosened slightly around her.

“Thank you.” He whispered silkily, making her giggle in embarrassment and buried her face into the silken material of his haori.

“Sesshomaru…?”

He glanced down at her briefly before looking out over her head to the forest.

“Can you never change?”

He paused, her sudden words catching him off guard and unable to answer. For several minutes he was silent and she wondered if he would.

“Change…can be good at times.” He said, growing serious.
Sensing the abrupt change in mood, she lowered her eyelashes, feeling a soft breeze play across them. She knew she had come close to an edge she wasn’t ready to jump off, and instantly, became cautious with her words.

Shifting, she sat sideways in his lap, her legs dangling over his thighs with her back resting against his chest. When she became quiet, one of his hands gently cupped her chin to make her look up at him.

“But…it is a two sided coin; a door that swings both ways. Change can make one win or lose in the game of mortal life.”

His eyes seeming almost to be looking through her and she bit her lip gently in discomfort.

“Demo…you are not as mortal as me, you just live much longer…so if what you say is true, you changing could be a good thing? I don’t see how…”

“Would you change?” He asked back, his tone almost bittersweet.

Confused, and unsure of an answer to give back to him, she raised an eyebrow in question and he shrugged, his eyes leaving hers to look out once more to Inuyasha’s Forest.

“You ask me to not change who I am…but what of you? For you to never change is for you to forever be that which you are.”

She sat up in surprise, her mouth opening to say something but he gave her a hard look to keep her quiet.

“What am I to anyone or anything?”

This time the words ‘were’ bitter and it shocked her at how venomous they sounded. His honeyed eyes only continued to gaze out at the landscape, dark lashes giving him a thoughtful expression as his graceful neck arched out, his proud shoulders straight beneath his robes.

“You are confused and yet so full of hope at the same time that you confuse me. I…am hardhearted and cruel. No - I speak now.” He said with a soft sway, seeing her mouth open to speak. She did as he asked and he knew he had struck a chord by the look in her eyes.

They had softened, their defensive steel walls cracking ever-so-slightly.

She had always had those walls…he had seen them even before her violation. They had just not been so strong…so fortified. These walls gave her strength and his respect, as slight as it may have been. True his respect for her was much more then it had been, but…those eyes. It was like the obsession he had with her hair…he kept going back to it. Over the past couple of days since he had returned, and all those months that he had secretly watched her, since her ‘transformation’ one could say, not once had her eyes grown truly soft like they were now. When she was around him, it was automatic to be more relaxed but she never truly let her guard down. She was in many ways like him now.

He just was not sure if the change was to his liking or not.

‘Did I like her then? Her cheerful disposition? Her zest for helping people? Her loathsomely cheerful view on life and that it was all flowers and other such frivolous things? Did I at all, even once, notice her then? Or was it when she changed…that night when I found her broken and alone on the forest floor? Was the reason I took her in because I found her to have finally realized what this god forsaken life is? That it is hardships and reality and pain...and loneliness?’

“You emit joy and selflessness…and you are silent with your desires. But they all are you. To find independence such as yours, I thought that I would have had to travel one thousand ri. Haru ni shishou nashi…she must find her own way as is the seasons way. You are like that. You allow no one to teach you but teach yourself instead…but with change…with change you could be-”

“SESSHOMARU!”


*****

She almost screamed in surprise at the sound of Inuyasha’s bellow of rage from directly below them, the red from his haori sticking out vividly against the petal-littered ground.

“Inuyasha?” Kagome asked disbelievingly, her voice louder then she had intended. But Inuyasha’s gaze was not on her, but on his brother; his amber eyes filled with a rage so powerful, that she shrank closer to Sesshomaru in fear.

For the moment, her anger was dormant.

“Brother.” Sesshomaru’s words were no better; dangerously low with an air of being unreachable, his body becoming tense and ready to spring.

She felt the change more then saw it.

“Get off of her!” He screamed, his hand flicking to his sword. Sesshomaru’s response was to smile toothily at him, one of his hands coming up to gently grasp her smooth white neck.

“What are you…?” The words seemed almost nonexistent she had spoken them so softly, and instinctively, she did not speak again. Inside however, she was churning with sentiment.

‘Sesshomaru did not hear him approach us…it must have sent him into his demonic side out of instinct. I can understand that…or at least I think I can. No one ever surprises him after all, so why were his senses more dull then usual? Was it because he was talking with me? Could I have somehow distracted him to the point of unconsciously making him let his guard down?’ Looking up at him, she saw that Sesshomaru’s eyes were becoming a deep red, his normally golden irises a darkening burgundy. And as she watched, his mouth became a silent snarl, the strips on his cheeks become darker and more pronounced then usual.

She wanted nothing more then to sooth him but could not move in his vice like grasp.

“You have interrupted us enough! Know when you are not wanted half-breed!” He growled, his voice even more dangerously low. She had only heard him sound like that once before, and that was when Inuyasha had battled him within their father’s skeleton. It sent a sliver of fear through her as she felt his other hand tighten on her waist. The It began to escalate until she felt it beginning to beat a steady tattoo against her ribcage.
She watched as Inuyasha readied his sword to try and attack again, the tautness in his body telling her that unless she did something soon, Inuyasha might forget she was even there, his focus on only how to get to his brother.

Numbly, her mind searched desperately for anything she could do or say to stop the situation and instead gasped in shock, as Sesshomaru’s hand began to squeeze around her neck. Her eyes widened at the pressure, and on impulse she brought her hands to his to try to loosen the contact. It was not painful, but she feared that Sesshomaru could forget that she was human and unknowingly crush her neck. The results of which could be deadly.

As it was she didn’t even know what was happening.

“St…op…” Kagome could only wheeze the word out, because as she drew air in to breath, Sesshomaru’s hold on her neck tightened further.

She saw Inuyasha take a step towards them, Tetsusaiga held securely in his hands…and then without warning, he struck up with the blade, the metal arching up directly below them. She gagged as with lightning promptness, Sesshomaru teleported the both of them away from the blade just as it crashed into where they had been sitting. Kagome felt her windpipe begin to close in panic as Sesshomaru, now standing lifted her up closer to him so that only her toes touched the ground.

“I-AH-” Her strangled breathing finally closed off and she found herself twisted back and forth, her legs kicking out wildly as she clawed crazily at Sesshomaru’s hands.

And then she knew what she could do. She disappeared.
It wasn’t as good as teleporting - she hadn’t exactly learned how to do that yet - but it was good as a means of distraction. And she was right. When her body materialized itself into thin air, Sesshomaru suddenly seemed to come to himself, the initial shock of her vanishing body making him realize what he was doing.
“No-” Quicker then she thought possible; he had released her, her body regaining her form upon contact as she fell to the ground, gasping wildly for air.

Next she knew his hands were on her shoulders, his worried eyes looking into hers in horror. Looking around, she realized that Inuyasha was still there as well and confused, afraid, and somewhat angry, she found herself pushing Sesshomaru away from her, and standing shakily. She found that she was able to run and did so, turning jerkily away and sprinting as fast as she could towards the well.

As she did so, she wondered why she’d felt no initial anger at Inuyasha upon seeing him.

It might have been because Sesshomaru had taken her mind away from him…but how? He was her sworn enemy! For a split moment she wondered if Inuyasha was telling the truth…but what possible way was there for him to prove his innocence? Somehow, the more she thought about it, the more irritated and confused she became. Inuyasha had been right about some thing - they had always trusted one another - loved one another. It suddenly seemed so strange and yet familiar, like déjà vu gone wrong. The air around the whole situation seemed twisted somehow…but then her anger returned along with her pride and they blocked the reasoning.

She did not want to solve this!

Solving it - finding out if Inuyasha had or had not been her rapist would not solve the fact that it had happened! Someone HAD violated her…and she had been changed because of it. She had been tainted and shamed and RUINED because of it!

Without even looking back, she, in one graceful movement, flew into the middle of the well just as Inuyasha reached for her, and then fell out of sight; a dazzling purplish-blue light shooting out from the lip of the well and then disappearing, leaving an enraged Inuyasha, and infuriated Sesshomaru in her wake.

*****

Reaching her time, Kagome climbed out of the well, and fell to the ground, lying there limp for a long while. And then, as it had happened the morning after her attack, the situation began to finally take hold of her - and she began sobbing at her own weakness.

Sesshomaru had almost killed her…suffocated her!
She knew that her earlier thoughts were correct on the matter but still - Sesshomaru could have - he would’ve had the control to stop - wouldn’t he?

No…this was wrong - all wrong!

She knew that she was running away…but she had no choice. She didn’t want to be bound to anyone, and it suddenly seemed like her attraction to Sesshomaru was just that - a bond.

She only wanted to sate her inner desires…but these things…Inuyasha, her time, her mind…ever since Sesshomaru had appeared it seemed that everything was becoming uncertain.

‘How?’ She wondered?

‘How can Sesshomaru hate him and yet at the same time somehow change my views on him? It can’t be from Sesshomaru. It’s been a year since what happened and I have coped with it. I have backed away…hidden myself from it! Like a trapped animal I have fled and ignored the calling that could have been mine. I bordered on being a kuro miko…a dark priestess. As it is I still hold the hidden desire to cross over and become-”

Everything that had suddenly began to happen had forced her to rethink all that she had built…all that she had promised, and kept, and worked for, in the feudal era.

‘Sesshomaru…’

*“But with change…with change you could be-”*

What had he been about to say? What could she be? What would he have said if Inuyasha had not come when he did?

Gritting her teeth, she pounded her fist into the dirty ground…and wept.

*****

“HOW DARE YOU?” Inuyasha roared; the sound ringing through the valley.

For reasons unknown to either sibling, Kikyo had shown up at Inuyasha’s first yell and now stood close behind him, her bow and satchel of arrows slung over her back casually as she watched their ensuing confrontation.
But she remained in the shadows, watching silently from afar.

“HOW DARE YOU COME TO KAGOME? I ALREADY TOLD YOU, SHE IS NONE OF YOUR CONCERN!”

‘Kill him…kill the hanyou!’

Rage and boiling fire raced through him as his instincts called out for appeasement. Maybe he should…his brother had interfered not once but twice…it would have to be the last time

Sesshomaru paid his brother and his mate no attention, his mouth curving into a deep frown as he surveyed the situation, calculated the ground between he and his enemy, took into consideration the air flow, the possible influences or distractions that could cause trouble.

“Little brother.” He said with surprising calm, retying the sash to his hamaka with a casual air. When he had left the hot springs with Kagome, he had only managed to put his pants on, even if they weren’t secured yet. He didn’t fail to notice the interested look his brother’s wench was giving the revealed parts of his body. He snickered inwardly.

It seemed Kikyo was more interested in him then in his foolhardy brother. He wasn’t surprised. His brother couldn’t keep a woman if she were connected to his hip.

Honestly…if only his brother would stop sulking and notice. He could at least be satisfied with that little tidbit of humiliation that his brother would be swamped by. He sighed inwardly knowing that it was too much to ask that his brother realize something so obvious. It was sad.

Casually, knowing Kikyo was watching, he flexed the abdominal muscles and saw a gleam come into her cold brown eyes.

He gave her a distasteful look. Who would ever want to rut with a dead corpse was beyond him…but he knew hanyou’s. Nothing was beneath them.

He crossed his arms over his chest impatiently.
Idiots…idiots, idiots, idiots, all around him.

“You make it sound like I was raping her.” He said, watching Inuyasha stop cold.

Satisfaction flew through him knowing that he had struck a nerve.

“Can you honestly look at me and say we were doing anything? Was our talking to much for you to handle that you just stormed in and interrupted us? You are becoming increasingly unwanted around here, Inuyasha.” Sesshomaru said, his eyes aloof.

“Truthfully, can you ever learn to hold your tongue and see what is actually happening before jumping to conclusions?”

“How dare you reprimand me? I’m not a child you can talk down to anymore, Sesshomaru!” Inuyasha said dangerously.

His brother remained unfazed as always.

“It’s hard not to, knowing the way you act.” Sesshomaru remarked offhandedly.

He thought he heard a giggle in Kikyo’s direction but did not look at her to see if he was right.

“How many times have you ever been there for Kagome?” Inuyasha asked with a baleful glance in his direction and then a look at Kikyo so frigid that Sesshomaru actually paused momentarily in surprise.
Wasn’t that his mate? Then why were they so…?

“How many have you?” He tossed back, hitting his intended target.

Inuyasha’s face went red with anger, his hands balling into fists but somehow this time, remaining in control himself.

“How long have you known her? DO you even know her? True, I fell in love with Kikyo! Our past together runs deeper then the ‘infatuation’ you have for Kagome…but that’s changed now. I am not with that - that-” Inuyasha’s bitter words were so full of regret and loathing that Sesshomaru became confused.
Who was his brother talking about now?

“Humph. You are foolish Inuyasha. It was never meant for the living to love the dead. You go against all you and I know by doing so, especially since she has outlived her intended purpose.

“My purpose is not yet finished.” Kikyo said softly from behind her husband.

Inuyasha didn’t even bother to spare her a glance, and Sesshomaru against felt the nudge of confusion touch him. Something was up that Inuyasha was not saying.

“You call me foolish Sesshomaru, so what am I foolish of? Making a mistake?”

“Do you even have the capacity to stop talking?” Sesshomaru asked feigning curiosity.

His brother shot him an angry glare, not yet out of things to say.

“Mistakes. Ha! Mistakes are all you make since you can’t care for anyone. You think too much of yourself Sesshomaru. I love Kagome. My mistake was in thinking I loved “HER”.” He said wrathfully, crossing his arms the way a spoiled child does after not getting the exact toy they wanted for Christmas.

‘Fool…acting as if he has won.’

“You’re lying.” Sesshomaru stated coldly, his words almost lost on the breeze that swept around them, whipping their long silver hair around them in a shower of silver. Inuyasha visibly stiffened even more, watching his brother looking around disinterestedly for some unknown object to anyone but himself.

“What did you just say?”

Rage filled words that had no affect whatsoever on his brother, filled the air. Sesshomaru gave what could have passed for as a shrug.

“You always were a horrible liar…and then some. Your unspoken words are still loud and clear to all around you. Kikyo will always be in your life…whether Kagome is there or not and because of that you knowingly hurt her as you have been over the past years.”
He paused briefly.

“And that is what angers me.” He said, his chilly eyes flicking to the undead priestess.

“I suspect that the “love” you feel for Kagome is the longing you had at the time for Kikyo when she was not around. No, I know it is. To you Kagome is merely a second chance. A chance to fill the holes left between you and the woman you loved all those years ago, am I correct?”

Sesshomaru paused, cold humor flashing through his eyes as he flicked his gaze to the priestess again.
“I think I shall depart from their presence now. I do not much care for an idiots company.”

“Why you…!” Inuyasha growled as he took a step forward, but stilled as his brother disappeared from sight, a greenish-blue mist gathering around him as he vanished.

“IF YOU COME NEAR KAGOME AGAIN, I SWEAR I’LL KILL YOU! I WILL NOT LET YOU HAVE HER FOR YOUR OWN SELFISH WANTS! SHE IS NOT YOURS! SHE IS NOTHING BUT MINE!” With these words, he shot Kikyo a quick look and without a word, jumped into the well that only twenty minutes earlier had transported Kagome to her own time.
In moments all that was left of him was the wells fading blue and purple light.

“We shall see little brother.” Sesshomaru stated quietly, staring out of the still forest at his departing brother.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he watched as Kikyo appeared with silent grace at his side, her dark eyes watching him for any sign of emotion but becoming disappointed.

He eyed her warily.

“Something is different here; isn’t Inuyasha the one you are faithful to?”

She smiled coldly at him in response, and suddenly a silvery light materialized above her, what looked like a long snake with frills and six legs like a crabs, coming down to land upon her shoulder. She stroked the soul stealer almost affectionately as she looked at him, taking her time in her answer.

“I am one of the dead and am faithful to nothing and no one. My reincarnation is the same only for different reasons, as I’m sure you know.” She said, taking a small step towards him.

Something seemed to catch her attention then, her head tilting to the side in question.

She gave a small hiss at something Sesshomaru could not see and suddenly without warning, he saw the priestesses body jerked backwards until she was once again where she had been standing earlier. Cocking his head slightly to the side, Sesshomaru couldn’t help but allow the corners of his mouth to tip up in understanding.

“What have you done Kikyo?”

*****

“Damn him to hell!” Inuyasha mumbled aloud, landing at the bottom of the well with a soft thud.
Looking up, he saw light and guessed that the well door had been left open. The smell of salt made him flinch as he realized that it must have been from Kagome’s tears. Damn that Sesshomaru anyway…he was the one causing this upon her, not him! But still…it irked him of his brothers knowledge of his and Kagome’s past history.

“Damn it Kagome! I won’t let Sesshomaru take you away from me! Not now that I know the truth!”

Jumping out of the well he leapt towards Kagome’s balcony, and into her room. Looking around he didn’t see her, but instead was assaulted by her smell.

It made him smile despite the maelstrom of emotions that were flooding his mind, as previous memories from their quest for the jewel came to him.
Days of him coming to get her when she was late or barging in on her while she was busy or eating; or when she and he had gotten into one of the numerous small spats and she had come home to rid herself of him. Nights of him coming in to check on her in her sleep or even think of apologizing. All of it…all in the past, yet it seemed as fresh as if it had been yesterday. And, as much as he wanted to change it all, the fact that he couldn’t made him sad that such times were lost to all of them.

And even more sad that now she just came here to escape.

Looking around, his smile dimmed into a frown. Nothing had changed within her room. The same bed…same frilly pillows and desk. Everything the same as it had been when he had first et her when she was sixteen.
The alarm clock that she had gotten after he had destroyed hers all of those years ago, sat upon the same bedside table, and the same stuffed bear sat propped up against her headboard.

He forced himself to turn away from it all. Everything seemed to scream that he wasn’t welcome here anymore…as if it too, knew of the unspeakable crime he had supposedly committed upon her. And because of it, some part of him wished that it could be forgotten…or that time could be turned back. He knew it was a wasted dream…but still…what would it have been like if she had not been there that night? If he had just taken her with him to Totosai’s? It was a thing in the past and yet…he seemed to relive it every day…whenever he looked at her. Whenever he heard her name or smelled her strong sweet scent.

Why? What if? How?

The three questions that he had heard and thought enough of to last him an entire lifetime. And still…it seemed now like they had never been asked enough.

“Kagome…?” He called out softly, receiving no answer. The house held no other occupants that it had used to.

Kagome had inherited her parents house when her mother and grandfather went to live somewhere in Tochigi…then they had both died. While her younger brother did live with her, because he was seventeen he was usually with friends at night and school during the day. Kagome had made it very clear to him that if his grades became bad he would have to start staying at home but because he was excelling, he was usually gone. Right now he was in America on something Kagome had called a “Foreign exchange trip” and would not be back for a long time. He had left more then a year ago…that was how he knew. It was before…all of this had happened.

What her brother had told her since then he didn’t know.

Perking his ears, he heard running water coming from behind the closed bathroom door that was connected to Kagome’s room. Curious, he opened the door and was instantly met with a blast of steam, his eyes closing happily at the pleasant feeling but he shook himself out of it. He was here to see Kagome and talk her out of being with Sesshomaru.

She may hate him…and want nothing better then to kill him every moment of every day for the rest of their lives, but he didn’t want her hurt.

And he knew she would be with Sesshomaru.

Behind the “gentle” side she may have seen with him, all there was, was a cold façade he never would let go of. He would tear her down even more then she was…he would take over the final edge that he knew she had been bordering.

Sesshomaru would make her into a kuro miko whether she wanted to or not.

Walking forward, he stilled as suddenly the water stopped and the shower curtain was pulled back as Kagome began to step out of the shower and then freeze at the sight of his face all but inches away from hers.

‘Oh no…’

*****

After Kagome had arrived home and cried for a short time, she went up to her room and fallen face down onto her bed. She’d stared up at the ceiling as she contemplated her next move.

Things were getting difficult.

She decided not dwell on it any further and went into the shower, the thought of what she had to face when she went back to the feudal era not one that thrilled her but it had to happen. There were still shards to find, even if Naraku was dead and gone and Inuyasha was...

She turned her face into the hot water and felt it sting her with its heat.

Naraku’s absence from their lives excused nothing. Another demon could just as easily take up his spot and then where would they be?

Easy, in another tangle just as before.

Sighing as the water was only being wasted, she stopped it. Then, pulling back the shower curtain she came literally face to face with Inuyasha.

It was something right out of a romantic comedy. They just stared at each other for a few moments as if they were brainless idiots.

Then she was the first to react.

“Inu…yash…AAAAAAA!!!!!!!! OSARWI!!!!”

And without fail Inuyasha was pummeled to the cool surface of the tiled floor.

Grabbing a towel, she pressed it against her breasts in order to cover them and proceeded to soundly thrash the just-as-startled hanyou.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN HERE? GET THE HELL OUT! NOW, DAMN IT!!! OUT!!! YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING YOU WANT BACK THERE BUT THIS IS MY HOUSE, AND MY TIME! GET OUT!” She screamed, grabbing the metal trashcan next to the toilet and forcefully throwing it at him, watching as it connected soundly with his head.
The loud KLANG from impact resounded around the bathroom like an echo around a cave, and for what seemed like a long time they just stared at each other. Then suddenly, Inuyasha fell silently to the floor, very unconscious.

She huffed angrily in satisfaction at her work. The jerk had finally gotten what he deserved! Now she just had to decide whether she was going to wake him up or not. After all, she couldn’t just leave some half man - half dog being sprawled across her bathroom floor.
Besides, for all she knew he could have been dead.

‘Pity if he isn’t.’ She thought with a venomous glance at him. But she couldn’t just leave him there, and couldn’t carry him back to the well, so her only option was to wake him up. Dressing quickly in what she had been wearing earlier only with a tan blouse this time instead because the white one was in the wash, she took a small towel, filled it with cold water and put it on his forehead.

Then she slapped his cheek.

Once, twice, three times, and then on the fourth he groggily began to wake up.

She stepped back, away from him as he sat up, the towel falling from his face. Blearily, he looked up at her through squinted eyes and then his mouth opened in a groan.

“Owwwwwahhhh…”

She swore to god, if it hadn’t been Inuyasha…if it had been somebody…anybody but him, then she would have laughed. But it wasn’t funny with Inuyasha there.

She shifted, fixing him with a cold stare.

“Get out of my house.” She said, pointing to her window for effect.

He put a hand up to his face and massaged it, and she watched his ears flatten and perk up only to flatten again.

She again told him to leave.

“I will…but you have to come with me.” He said, his words somewhat slurred as he shook his head and looked up at her.

“No.” She said, anger coating her words at him telling her what to do.

“You have too.” Inuyasha said, this time more authoritatively. Kagome arched an eyebrow at him.
“Why.” It was more a statement then a question and he knew that his next words would be it.
“I know what happened.”

He saw Kagome open her mouth to possibly this time scream at him so he spoke again.

“Kagome, I know what happened to you.” His words were almost dreamy, as if he himself could not fathom still their importance, but still he continued on, his voice growing louder.

“My god Kagome…I know what happened, I can prove it all to you now!” Inuyasha said, his words suddenly becoming clear.

“What?”

Her voice was soft…so soft it was almost as if the wind had spoken…as if the wind had simply taken her place. She took a step forward, her small body unbelievably still as all of her anger and rage at him being there dissipated.

“I’m not lying Kagome…I know…” He reached out and offered to take her hand. She stared at it in uncertainty.

“Yes…It’s been a year and now I know! I can show you…but you have to come with me!”

She hesitated once again, and then full to the brim with hope, with curiosity, with wonder, she found herself taking it and found herself coming back through the well.

She found herself coming home.

*****

She noticed Kikyo as soon as she came out of the well but she did not flinch. As it was the other woman only gave her a passive glance and then raised her nose and looked away with disdain. Kagome watched her with a surreal feeling of annoyance but then saw Sesshomaru and knew that at that moment that something truly had been discovered.

She forced herself to look at Inuyasha when she felt his hand on her shoulder. She shivered underneath the touch and Inuyasha removed it regretfully.

He looked away from her before she could see the pained look in his eyes.

“Go on Kikyo. Tell us what you did.” Was all he said.