Hell Knows No Bounds

A.N.: Yes indeed! Post-snacking writing session! There is nothing like it. I think I might try to be nicer from now on and not leave you guys with cliffhangers, but then my anti-evil meds haven't exactly kicked in yet. We'll see where it goes! *evil smirk*

Disclaimer: I may not own Inuyasha"¦.but I keep Sesshy locked in my basement!!!! *Flees through a hidden door. Sesshomaru can be heard in the background* Not you again!!! (hehehehe)

**Last Chapter**

He looked to Kagome, begging forgiveness with his eyes as she gazed back. The Inuyoukai turned his gaze back on the struggling Wolf demon in his grasp.

The group watched on in horror as Sesshomaru raised his other hand, poison dripping from his claws, toward Kouga's heart.

**On with the story"¦**

Chapter 6
Farewell.

Kouga's eyes shifted from Sesshomaru's approaching hand to Kagome's moonlit silhouette, his mind racing. He shut his eyes as a choked growl escaped his captured throat. Giving another series of kicks, he tried desperately to free himself from Sesshomaru's iron grasp. The struggle only caused more blood to flow from the puncture wounds in his neck. The poison was beginning to take effect and breathing had become more than a chore. Kouga's eyes widened as he felt Sesshomaru's claws rake against the chest plate of his armor. A hissing sound echoed Kouga's grunts as Sesshomaru's poison bubbled and ate away at the steel. The icy gaze of the Inuyoukai seared into Kouga's, a scowl etched into his features.

"Stop this foolishness." Sesshomaru's voice held no emotion as he tried once more to talk sense into the wolf. "You can either submit, or be destroyed. I will have no choice if you continue to resist." Kouga could have sworn he saw a flicker of emotion as Sesshomaru continued to speak. "Do not put her through this. If you cannot have her as a mate, then accept her as a friend." Sesshomaru squeezed his hand around Kouga's throat. "Or would you rather never see her or any living thing ever again?" Kouga's cracked laughter met his ears.

"You mutts are so damn self-righteous." Kouga coughed roughly again, blood spotting his lips and chin. He gazed longingly at the demoness, her kimono billowing around her once more. "But I would prefer being her friend than nothing at all." Turning his eyes back to the Western Lord, Kouga bit out his next words. "I submit"¦"

A small grunt could be heard as Sesshomaru promptly dropped Kouga to the ground. The Wolf Prince rubbed the bruised and bleeding flesh of his neck, taking long deep breaths. Climbing to his feet shakily, Kouga stood next Sesshomaru and whispered low enough as not to catch Kagome's or anyone else's attention.

"When you blow it, I'll be there to take her away from you." He jumped slightly as Sesshomaru's own words came on the wind.

"I may have spared your life for now, do not think that I will do it again." Sesshomaru held the staggering wolf's gaze. "Next time you will beg me for your death." The coldness in Sesshomaru's voice sent chills down Kouga's spine. The sound of footprints caught the demons' attention. Kagome now stood a couple feet from them, her tearful eyes swept from one to the other questioningly. Kouga walked gingerly up to her and dropped to one knee.

"I have lost and in doing so forfeit my right as a suitor. I do, however, wish to remain your friend, Kagome." Kouga stood and forced a smile. His neck was throbbing painfully and he needed rest to recover from the small amount of poison in his blood. Kagome smiled at him, grateful for his compliance.

"I would like that very much." Kouga jumped in surprise when Kagome's arms came to wrap around him in a friendly hug. He returned the hug and stepped back, fully aware of the death stare Sesshomaru was delivering into the back of his head. "So this is goodbye for now?" She sighed when Kouga nodded. "Take care of Ayame; she loves you so much." Kagome patted Kouga's cheek tenderly before moving around him to approach Sesshomaru. Once at his side, she looked back to the Wolf Prince.

"Farewell, Kagome! Make sure he takes care of you!" Kouga shot a glare in Inuyasha's direction. "And don't let that flea-bag pull any shit with you either! Maybe his woman can convince him to bathe for once!" Kagome giggled as Kouga bowed, and within a wall of wind, he was gone.

"Come back and say that to my face, Numb-nut!" Inuyasha roared as Kikyo tried to hold him back. Sango and Miroku laughed heartily; Shippo was doubled over on the meadow floor, tearing from laughter. Sesshomaru even grinned at the parting comments. As the laughter died, Kagome gazed up at the prince beside her. This is where it would get awkward in her own opinion. Sesshomaru had proven himself as a suitor, which me courting would begin. Kagome wasn't sure how she would handle such attention. The human boy in her own time, Hojo, had chased after her and that attention had been annoying and embarrassing! Kagome had to suppress a giggle at the thought of Sesshomaru giving her creams and medicines as gifts.

"Oops!" Kagome let the phrase tumble from her lips, earning a raised eyebrow from Sesshomaru. "˜Hojo still thinks he's my boyfriend! I had left in such a hurry I had completely forgotten about him! Oh no"¦' She felt the pressure and twinge of the impending headache. She would have to go home and take care of business. "˜Oh god"¦' Another unpleasant thought made its appearance. "˜The well will close when the jewel disappears!'

Sesshomaru felt the tug of a smile at her thoughtful expressions. Taking her hand in his, he gave it a gentle squeeze. Kagome started out of her thoughts and gave him a bright smile.

"Is there something wrong?" Concern reverberated through his baritone voice. "You seem to have quite a bit on your mind. Is this about what has just happened?" What was that in his voice now? Rejection?

"Oh! No! I am happy with how things ended, granted it may have ended nicer if Kouga weren't so stubborn." A small graced her lips, showing off a fang. "There are just some things I need to take care off back home." He nodded, accepting her answer. An idea dawned on him; he needed to meet her family and discuss his intentions.

"Very well, I will accompany you." Kagome's eyes grew to the size of plates. She frantically tried to summon a decent reason to decline.

"I don't know"¦" She shifted to from foot to foot, playing with her sleeves. "My time is so different from now, Sess. There are people everywhere and it's terribly noisy". "˜Man is it noisy!' She recalled grumpily, remembering her experience with heightened senses back home. Sesshomaru gave an uncharacteristic shrug, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"I think I can manage. We should leave as soon as possible." He left no room for argument.

"Why so early?" Kagome raised an eyebrow in curiosity. His eagerness to leave was alarming, and the playful gleam in his eyes was very unsettling.

"Do you not wish to return in time for the slayer and monk's wedding? We had better settle things now." She nodded, impressed by his thoughtfulness. Sesshomaru began to walk towards Inuyasha and the others with his arm still firm around Kagome's waist, tails entwined.

Upon returning to the village "“ must to the discomfort to Sesshomaru and Kagome due to their sense of smell, Kagome explained her need to make a quick trip home. Sango would hear non of it until Kagome swore she would return in time for the wedding, but certain things had to be dealt with. She would have to prepare to leave her time for good; this side of the well is where she belonged. Her "˜mother' and her would have to talk and she had to bid farewell to her friends.

Kagome spoke with Kikyo on waiting to wish until after she had returned. Kikyo agreed whole-heartedly and wished Kagome luck with her task in ending things in the future. Inuyasha would be coming, of course. Taka would not forgive her adopted daughter if she was not able to say goodbye to the half-demon. Souta would be heartbroken as well. He had grown to see Inuyasha as an older brother and role model. Sesshomaru had sent word for Jaken to bring Rin to the village. He had left them at the fortress when he had taken the trip to the village, only to find Kagome at the well. Shippo would be glad for the company.

The kitsune gave his mother one last hug before she placed him back on the ground. Sango and Miroku agreed to watch him and he was happy to help with the wedding preparations. Kikyo offered to help as well, and seeing how Sango was already flustered with last minute arrangements, the help was well received.

With the last of the goodbyes said, the three set out towards the well, the Shikon no Tama dangling from Kagome's neck once more. Standing at the well's edge, Kagome placed an arm around Sesshomaru's waist and he did the same. Taking Inuyasha's hand in her free one, they counted to three before jumping into the well. The usual bright blue surrounded them before giving into darkness and a shrine roof at the well's opening.
They had made it to Kagome's time.

TBC
A.N. Yes! Another one in the bag! Lovin the reviews!! Thank you so much! I'll update as soon as I can! Cheers! "“ G.S.
Special thanks to:
Kaisgirl112: Very sweet review! Thank you so much. Your words mean a lot to me.
Cindy: I thought it would be wrong to make you wait for another chapter. Enjoy!
Golden_eyed_Girl: I'll need all the luck I can get! Lol
Arryelle: Thank you! *blushes* I'm glad you like the story!