
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/11852733.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      F/M
  Fandom:
      InuYasha_-_A_Feudal_Fairy_Tale
  Relationship:
      Higurashi_Kagome/Sesshoumaru
  Character:
      Higurashi_Kagome, Sesshoumaru_(InuYasha), Sango_(InuYasha), Miroku_
      (InuYasha), Kohaku_(InuYasha), Kanna_(InuYasha), Kagura_(InuYasha),
      Shippou_(InuYasha), Rin_(InuYasha), Inuyasha_(Mention_Only), Kaede_
      (InuYasha), Hiina_(OC)
  Additional Tags:
      Sixteen_year_old_Kagome_(For_some_of_it), Angst, Passage_of_time, Timey-
      Wimey, A_Lot_of_Plot, Possessive_Sex, Rough_Sex, More_Story_Heavy
  Series:
      Part 8 of Perfume_of_Love
  Stats:
      Published: 2017-08-20 Words: 12902
****** Scent of Contentment ******
by FlameWolf
Summary
     Five hundred years is a long time to get everything settled or for it
     all to go horribly wrong. Will Kagome and Sesshomaru be able to save
     the youkai or will all their efforts fail?
Notes
     Disclaimer: I don’t own anyone or anything from Inuyasha. This is
     just for fun and no profit will be made from this.
     Author’s Note: Be prepared for a lot to happen. I hope you enjoyed
     this series! See you again soon~
     As it turned out, Hiina’s initial human form had been all too temporary.
 A few moments after she’d been born, the illusion faded for something that
more resembled that of her father.  White, silky fur overtook soft skin, floppy
puppy ears replaced human ears, a canine muzzle became her mouth and a stubby,
curly tail protruded from her backside.  She looked like a perfect canine/human
hybrid and, too be honest, the switch suited her.  Everyone she met simply
fawned over her adorable features and loving personality.  It certainly helped
that she seemed to enjoy being picked up, licking the face of whoever would let
her; to both her parents’ chagrin.
     To top all of this off, she was much smarter at her age than she should
be; able to talk before she had even been able to crawl.  It was honestly scary
how she used her cuteness and young face to her advantage.  All she had to do
was make a whimper or small bark and any woman in the area would fall over
themselves to give her anything she wanted.  She would be a heartbreaker when
she got older and Kagome honestly couldn’t wait to show her off to her mother.
 The only problem was, she had no idea if the young youkai would be able to
travel through the well.
     For very obvious reasons, neither she or Sesshomaru were willing to
experiment.  If the young pup didn’t make it through, it was very likely she
would be dropped to the bottom of the well; a fall that would no doubt hurt her
despite her lineage.  Even young youkai could get injured, especially with the
fact that their youki was still developing.  Not to mention the fact that young
bones tended to be brittle, no matter the species.  Unfortunately, this left
the young girl with a very hard decision.  Did she continue to travel back and
forth, risking being trapped in the future?  Or did she stay with her new
family and pick up her life in 500 years.
     With her new immortality, waiting that long would not be an issue.  Yet,
it would be a very long time to be separated from her family.  Not to mention
the fact that she would have to wait until her future caught up with the events
that led to her daughter.  It would be a juggling act with time itself, the
very notion making her head hurt and her heart ache.  The only thing she could
do was send through Sesshomaru, confident he would find a way to claw back to
the past if the worst should happen.  Thankfully, the well worked as it always
had; allowing the Western Lord to hop between the times with no issue.  Though,
he understandably had no desire to attempt such a thing again.
     Now that Naraku was dead, there was a good chance the passage between the
past and the future could collapse.  Not to mention it seemed to have some
connection to her own feelings.  The more at home she’d felt in the Feudal Era,
the weaker the connection had seemed to become.  The one trip was really all
that would really be advisable.  At least he’d been able to get Kagome’s
message to her mother, returning rapidly with a response.  A note that had made
the too young girl break into heart wrenching sobs.
     ‘While it pains me, I accept your reasons for not coming back to the
future for now.  Especially given the fact you intend to visit after this last
communication.  Time is a weird thing, especially when you are immortal.  I do
look forward to meeting my grandchild and will do my best to keep in mind that
it has been 500 years for you while it will have only been a few minutes for
me.  I do hope to see you soon and that you have survived.

                                               Love Mama’  it read, short and
straight to the point.
     The worst thing about it was the not knowing if she really would be alive
to see her own mother again.  Not with how the climate looked for youkai in the
future.  It was entirely likely a massive extinction event was about to take
place.  Either that or the humans had found a way to kill the demons.  With the
advent of gunpowder not being far off, Kagome was more inclined to think it was
the latter.  Guns were something beings like Sesshomaru were far too arrogant
to expect humans to make.  The other taiyoukai likely felt her kind were to
stupid or weak to ever pose a threat, making it all too easy to dispose of the
haughty beasts.
     Even with all the talks that had been happening, the old fools were
disastrously set in their ways.  The only hope left was to maybe get through to
some of their offspring, a feat that was also proving to be impossible in some
respects.  Most times, the eldest sibling was just as set in their ways as
their parents; leaving them with the less favorable option of the younger
siblings.  While they were more willing to listen, they had a lot less
influence.  Still, at least they were getting through to someone that was in
line for succession.  If the worst happened, it would likely be only them left.
     Sighing as she watched her baby playing with Shippo and Rin, she found
herself grateful that they had at least a few years to form the necessary
alliances.  Alliances that were causing several heated arguments.  All the
actual politics involved were worse than anything she had heard about America.
 Instead of coming together to agree on something for the good of their species
as a whole, they were busy snarling at eachother about who was right and who
had wronged who.  It was enough to make her want to tear her hair out by the
roots.  Even Sesshomaru seemed to be losing his almost legendary cool.
     This upcoming meeting would be no different, being with the Tiger youkai
from the North and the Dragons from the South.  Clans who hated eachother and
held no love for the clan of inu.  Just the fact that they even agreed to the
meeting was highly suspect under normal circumstances and Sesshomaru had to
take rather extreme precautions.  It would be held on neutral ground and all
weapons would be seized by the guards.  Their mates and children would also be
present as extra insurance against any funny stuff.  This, of course, included
Kagome and Hiina; a fact that did nothing to help smooth things over.
     The hatred of humans was deeply ingrained in youkai society.  To the point
where they actively looked down on Sesshomaru simply for his choice of mate,
let alone having a child with a miko.  At least none of them had the cojones to
tell either of them to their faces.  They just acted vaguely hostile as well as
disrespectful.  Yet, all they could do was act as if nothing was wrong; mostly
on Kagome’s demand.  What she hoped would happen was that they would eventually
accept her.  So far, she’d only made headway with the guards; getting them to
the point where they’d at least greet her with the barest hint of friendliness.
     Scooping up Hiina in her arms, she felt some amount of comfort when Shippo
hopped on her shoulder and Rin jumped up in Sesshomaru’s arms.  If they were
allowed to come, that must mean the taiyoukai felt safe enough to include them
as well.  At least he wasn’t afraid of any insult for taking in beings that
weren’t of his species as his children.  If any of them dared, it would be
their heads on a pike; a bad precedent to set when you were trying to make
friends.  “Are you sure there won’t be a problem with bringing them?” she
asked, feeling a bit nervous as they took off from Kaede’s village.
     “It is time.  Those stuck up nobles will have to get used to the idea they
are part of my family.  If they should want it, either Rin or Shippo will be in
line for succession.  Though, I doubt our little girl will be suited to the
rigors of being a Lady of the High Court.  Our kit will likely follow her
example, given how close they are,” he rumbled, grinning when both children
blushed and hid their faces.
     “Daaad~,” they cried in unison, avoiding eachother’s gazes out of
embarrassment.  The pair were rarely ever apart now a days, acting more like a
courting pair rather than siblings.  All in all, neither she or Sesshomaru had
a problem with them carrying on a relationship.  Neither child was blood
related and, besides, their love for eachother was too pure to see destroyed.
 They were nigh inseparable, sleeping together and going everywhere hand in
hand.
     Nuzzling into her own mate, Kagome smiled to herself as she watched the
trees pass below their feet.  Young love was truly a beautiful thing.  It
comforted her to know the orphaned kit would have a lifelong companion.  The
same went for Sesshomaru’s young ward.  If the two had never found eachother,
it was unlikely the Western Lord would be willing to allow her to get married
to anyone else.  He was extremely protective of the girl and her only other
prospect had been the undead Kohaku, a choice that no doubt hadn’t sat well
with the stoic male to her right.  It would have come far too close to
mirroring what had happened between his half brother and some living golem made
from a long dead piece of soul.
     Besides, none of them had any clue if the boy was even still alive.  His
shard was still missing but the being controlling him was also dead.  There was
a fairly good probability the unfortunate boy had either followed right after
or soon would.  It certainly hadn’t helped that neither Sango or Miroku had
been able to find him.  It was as if he had simply disappeared, not so much as
a glimmer of the shard he carried for miles.  Though, it was possible Kagura
had taken him along with her and Kanna out of simple pity; hiding the three of
them behind a barrier of youki.  With all that had happened, she really
couldn’t blame the demoness.  The young void demon and undead boy were the
closest thing she had to a family.
     The feeling of going lower broke her out of her reverie, watching with
faint awe as a huge compound appeared below them.  While she had been here many
times before, the sheer grandeur of it still blew her mind.  It was mostly of
ancient Japan design with some western touches here and there.  The entire
thing was made of a high polished white marble, the central structure towering
many feet over the high, blank walls surrounding it.  It was a meeting place
that belonged to the inu but was located in completely unclaimed land, making
it a nice place to hold important gatherings.
     Even Shippo was staring at the massive building as they grew ever closer
to the lush courtyard.  Decorative cherry trees lined the insides of the walls,
just the sight of their green leaves making Kagome long for Spring.  They would
have been a true wonder to behold and would have made the entirety of the yard
smell of Sakura.  A scent Sesshomaru had often accused her of having.  To her
own nose, she simply smelled of the various shampoos and soaps she used.
 Nowhere near as stunning or exotic as she pink blooms she so often adored on
her walk to school.
     Unfortunately, one of the things she had given up on her permanent move
here had been those trees.  As a poor village, Nihongo had no such foliage and
had no means to care for them if they did.  Still, the sixteen year old had no
idea just how much she had missed them until now.  Suddenly, she was filled
with a longing to see this place in Spring.  Such an intense need that she
subconsciously approached a tree once they had landed.  She only noticed when
the palm of her hand touched the rough bark, Hiina silently watching from her
arms.  “This place is very old Mama...  Even Papa has often found solace here
without knowing why,” murmured her too young voice, holding a wisdom of ages.
     Knowing what she did about reincarnation, Kagome wasn’t all that surprised
her own daughter was likely an older soul.  Kissing the crown of her pup’s
ebony hair, she simply gave a nod.  Something about this place felt far too
familiar.  Like she had lived here as Midoriko.  Shuddering, she stared down
into the toddler’s intelligent, amber colored eyes as she began to wonder.  Was
she the ill-fated babe that had been birthed far too soon?  Just thinking about
it made her shudder as she handed over Hiina to Shippo.
     The pup’s tail curled around her older brother’s forearm, black nose
quivering as her floppy ears perked forward.  A brilliant crescent moon shone
on her forehead and magenta stripes adorning her furred cheeks, clearly showing
which clan she belonged to.  Not that her form itself wasn’t a dead giveaway.
 “Talk to Papa tonight, under the full moon,” she murmured, a strange light
glimmering in her golden orbs.
     “He’ll have the answers you both need,” she continued, eyes shifting over
her mother’s shoulder.
     Turning slightly to look, she saw Sesshomaru heading toward her at a fast
clip.  He was being followed closely by guards from both factions they were
meeting with today, amusement on their handsome faces.  These were men that had
encountered her before and were well aware of her eccentricities.  Unbeknownst
to their masters, they took it upon themselves to see to her safety.  This was
mostly due to how kindly she tended to treat them.  She went out of her way to
make sure they had food or that their wounds had been taken care of.  She’d
even spoken to their Lords on their behalf, making sure they all had regular
breaks to see their families.  All in all, they were rather taken with the
human Miko.
     They were unused to any consideration from humans, let alone Priestesses.
 So, when she had first approached them with a smile as well as food, they had
no idea how to react.  Some of them had even pointed their spears at her simply
out of confusion.  Thankfully she had shown no fear or hatred, merely smiled
and set the basket down outside of the reach of their weapons.  Day by day, she
had continued; eventually earning their trust and loyalty.  “Lady Kagome, you
know it is dangerous to wander too far from your Lord,” chided a rather young
tiger demon, a gentle grin on his feline face.
     “I know but...  These trees...,” she whispered, shuddering at the feeling
of deja-vu that pulsed through her.  Hiina merely gurgled like the baby she
appeared to be, no sign of her earlier cognizance.  As young as she was, the
growing youkai was surprisingly shrewd.  She knew to hide all the cards she
held around strangers.
     “Ah, this is our first time meeting here.  Usually, we use Lord Babur’s
neutral grounds,” husked an older voice from a more humanoid looking youkai,
bold stripes decorating his grizzled visage.  This guard was much more muscular
than the other one, a long tail flicking behind him as he leaned on his spear.
 One of his brilliant green eyes was completely gone, a patch made of fur
covering the grotesque injury.
     All too often, Kagome had to help him clean and disinfect the socket that
had been left behind under the torn flesh.  Even with his healing abilities,
the skin and muscle hadn’t come back; implying he had been hit by some
exceedingly strong holy energy.  This made it even more remarkable that he
allowed her anywhere near him, let alone becoming a good friend of hers.  The
dragons behind him had similar injuries, making her heart ache for the actual
citizens under the two Lords.  If the guards’ injuries were this bad, what must
the lower youkai look like?  If it was close to as bad as she imagined, she
couldn’t blame any of the youkai for being hesitant to join their cause.
 Getting along with ningen seemed an almost impossible task.
     Giving the small group a smile, she simply nodded in response to what the
elder of the tigers had said.  “I feel like I used to know this place in a past
life.  Let’s not keep your masters waiting though.  Leaving those two alone in
a room together is a risky prospect.  Their ancestors ancestors have been
warring for longer than either could care to remember.  They had been at war
for so long, they had forgotten what the original disagreement was.  They just
found it easier to continue as they were rather than actually admit that
neither of them had a reason to hate eachother.  It was the height of
frustrating.  Especially since they got along so well when on neutral ground.
     Still, old habits died hard and fights broke out fairly often when talks
turned to the barely remembered past.  If only they weren’t so stubborn and set
in their ways but the the best she could hope for was a continuation of these
talks.  Rome wasn’t built in a day, after all.  At least the two hard headed
males were forging a sort of relationship, a rivalry more than outright hatred.
 Not exactly an ideal step but certainly one that was in the right direction.
     Walking up to her mate, she felt something inside her tighten as he
wrapped a firm arm around her; letting out a low rumble in warning as he
nuzzled the crescent moon on her neck.  It was an obvious show of dominance as
well as concern, meant to remind her of her place in his pack as well as his
heart.  Instead of fighting, she simply rolled her head to one side and made
the proper submissive noise.  Just like Sesshomaru had taught her.  While the
action of appearing to be beneath anyone in the pecking order rankled her, she
knew it would show her mighty mate in an unfavorable light if she fought him.
     In his society, she had accepted his suit and was therefore his property.
 Her behavior directly reflected on him and she was to behave with the utmost
of respect when around other nobles.  Though, to her relief, he never asked for
her subservience.  In youkai circles, the female was seen as on equal ground
with her male and was often party to what happened during the meetings.  Their
opinions were usually considered with the same amount of weight as their
Lord’s, allowing her to at least voice her opinion on important matters.
     Thankfully, most time her outspokenness was seen as a sign of great inner
strength; often earning the respect of the elder youkai.  At least
begrudgingly.  Today would be no different, the burly, barrel built Tiger Lord
spinning to face her first.  While he wore the guise of a human, there was
something almost feline in the structure of his broad face.  He had wild, brown
facial hair surrounding his head, the bits growing on each cheek resembling a
thick stripe.  Wild, green eyes glistened at her above a wide beard and
mustache combo, his own tail twitching with good humor.  “Ah, Lady Kagome!
 Your warm presence will loosen up ol’ scale britches,” boomed his boisterous
voice, fairly rattling the rafters.
     The slender, much more composed Dragon Lord merely narrowed his red eyes;
his own tail swishing with mild irritation.  He too resembled a human, his true
species only hinted at through features on his gaunt face.  Shoulder length,
black hair was slicked back, a soft smile on his angular but handsome face.
 “While I am loathe to agree with anything this oaf says, I am happy to see you
are well mi’Lady,” purred his sonorous, smooth voice as he smiled gently at
her.  Giving them both a grin in return, she found herself encouraged by the
presence of their tails.  Even Sesshomaru’s was unwound from his shoulder,
swishing with a mixture of amusement and irritation.  Most of the time, such
appendages were hidden or tightly wound around a waist or shoulder.  They
showed off far too much emotion, much like their true animal forms.  Animals
didn’t hide their emotions well at all.  Only humans were such good liars.
     All her time in this society had taught her a lot about demon mindsets and
she found it ironic that they dubbed it safer to hide under the guise of
something they hated.  Sesshomaru himself only showed his true face in absolute
privacy out of habit and comfort.  He found his true form as alien as the moon,
oddly more comfortable in his more human skin.  Suddenly, her reflections were
broken by cries of excitement; her gaze going to a swarm of younglings.
     Too young to have prejudice, the whelps mixed with the cubs easily;
clinging to her jeans as they stared at her with wide eyes.  In one, loud
chorus, they cried for the strange sweets from her time; a supply she was
beginning to run short on.  All too soon, she would be completely out of the
large mountain she had Sesshomaru tell her mother to buy on his one visit.  She
didn’t look forward to the crushed expressions on their faces when that
happened.  Making sure it was okay with their fathers, she handed out
lollipops; having long banished chocolate.  While she wasn’t entirely sure it
would hurt the canines in her pack, she didn’t want to take any chances.
     The animal-like children took their sweets with an eagerness only the
young could muster, circling around Shippo and Rin to chat with them as well as
make funny faces at Hiina.  The young pup simply giggled and clapped, acting
very much the innocent infant that she wasn’t.  Her eyes were shrewd and
attentive, taking in everything that was said and done.  Kagome and Sesshomaru
would no doubt get a full report about how well the fox and human were accepted
by the end of the visit.  For now, the pair approached the two taiyoukai they
had come to see.
     “I’m happy to see you,” the young miko declared, meaning every word
despite her lingering frustration with their continued pigheadedness.  She
approached Babur first, allowing him to crush her in his customary bearhug as
he lifted her off the floor. Raucous laughter poured from the huge man while
Sesshomaru quietly shook hands with an equally stoic Isamu.  Once she was
released, her and her mate switched places; allowing Kagome to witness the Lord
of the West get picked up off his feet out of the corner of her eye.
     “I take it you are happy to see  me  as well?” purred the draconian,
pressing cool lips to the top of her hand.  Just the feel of his skin against
hers made her shudder, a faint sensation of deja-vu washing over her.
     Like Sesshomaru and this place, she felt like she knew him.  Had loved him
almost as much as Noriyasu.  Would have probably mated him if not for meeting
the arrogant dog.  He had been a guard of hers long before she had become a
full on priestess, taking it upon himself to watch her from a young age.
 Without him, she would have likely never became what she was.  While revered
later in life, Midoriko had been abandoned as a child.  This dragon’s former
self had stumbled upon her son after she had been left in the woods, the
animals around her caring for her out of simple instinct.
     The look in his eyes told her he remembered too, a faintly paternal
expression coming over his features.  This only added to the sense that she
knew this place.  Images of her and Noriyasu wandering these halls filled her
head.  Rocking on her feet as the past overwhelmed her, the teen’s eyes rolled
back in her head as she simply dropped; Isamu catching her before Sesshomaru
could even move.  Though, the dragon didn’t look much more steady; looking at
his fellow Lord for help as he slid to his knees.  Barely hanging onto
consciousness, he handed the miko to her mate before he lost consciousness
himself.
     Hiina was the only who didn’t panic, sending out a thread of her odd
energy to her father.  It was neither reiki or youki but something in between
and even more powerful.  It was so unique to her that she could disguise from
anyone but the recipient for her subtle message.  Shuddering, her sire turned
to give her a relieved look; his head moving up and down in a subtle nod.  Then
he was scooping her mother into his arms, carrying her off into one of the
rooms reserved for overnight guests.  This left Babur in a rather odd
predicament.
     Looking down at his unconscious enemy, he found himself struggling for any
true animosity.  All that was really left was a sense of duty to an ancestor
long gone and even that was fading.  In all honesty, Isamu was an honorable
enough youkai.  Especially given the one who preceded him had been the dreaded
Ryūkotsusei.  Under this male’s rule, the dragons had gradually become less
war-like and more scholarly.  It was barely any fun to have their annual battle
anymore.  So, with a heavy sigh and knowing full well the gaggle of children
was watching him, the Tiger Lord took his rival into his arms and carried him
into a room before summoning healers.
     “She should come around soon mi’Lord.  She seems to have just fainted,”
assured a wizened voice from above her, sounding neither male or female.
     Groaning as she took in a deep breath, Kagome slowly sat up while she
cradled her throbbing head in both hands.  Already the memories were assaulting
her, the pain broadcasted across their strange link causing Sesshomaru to growl
protectively.  Before she could even begin to reassure him, he was taking her
into his arms; rough tongue licking through her ebony hair as her nurse showed
herself out.  Catching the barest glimpse of a wrinkled crone, the sixteen year
old found her attention drawn back to her beloved as he began to nibble her
neck.  “What did you remember,” hissed a not quite demand, the beast heavily
coloring his voice and causing her to shake all over.
     “I’ve seen this place.  I feel like we’ve been here a long time ago.  And
the dragon..,” she responded, her voice sounding a bit huskier than before as
she felt her consciousness drift like a wayward balloon.
     “I feel it too.  Meet me tonight, under the full moon,” purred in her ear,
a echo of the past and her daughter that made her skin tingle.  The voice was
gruffer, more like an animal than Sesshomaru’s was.  She had only heard it
twice but still knew it in the depths of her soul.
     “Noriyasu...,” breathed an intonation that didn’t quite sound like her,
blood singing in her veins as fangs prickled gently on her neck.
     “Soon...,” rasped a husky promise, his reiki mixed youki spiking as his
hold on her tightened.  Then the true owner of the body was back, the stark
difference in energies as apparent as night and day.  It almost made her feel
like she was cheating on her mate in a way, despite the fact the other man was
a past version of himself.
     Soft lips replaced deadly teeth, a deep inhale coming from the powerful
being cradling her.  “Do not feel guilty.  He would not be talking to you if I
did not want him to.  He and I are parts of the same whole, we share a soul as
well as several personality points.  The same goes for you and Midoriko and I
hope to finally meet her tonight.  She is part of you, one well hidden,”
rumbled a smooth baritone as he slowly pulled away from her, walking to the
front of her bed to offer her his hand.
     Taking the elegant appendage, she allowed him to pull her to his feet;
feeling a bit nervous despite his assurances.  While Midoriko felt closer to
her personality than Kikyo, that didn’t remove her apprehension about dealing
with past lives.  The last thing she wanted was another situation like what
happened with Inuyasha.  Though, she had doubts this would ever be the case for
Sesshomaru.  He saw her as her own person, even when his soul had drawn him to
her side.  On top of that, he genuinely seemed to enjoy her company as well as
that of Shippo.
     A few moments later, she found herself listening to a flurry of excuses
from Babur about how any peace with the neighboring humans was impossible.
 Isamu simply observed, a strangely thoughtful look on his alien face as he
mulled over what had happened between him and Lady Kagome.  “If you would just
extend a hand in kindness first and keep at it, I’m sure the villages would
eventually come to change their minds,” Kagome assured, rubbing her temples as
she felt the beginnings of a stress headache.  It was an argument she’d had
with him before and she was beginning to feel like she was spinning her wheels
in thick mud.
     “That would take far too much time, I keep tellin’ ya that.  Humans are
surprisingly stubborn.  Can take several generations to even make a dent in
some prejudices,” the wide Lord pointed out, unaware of how close he was coming
to describing his war with the dragons.
     “Not as stubborn as some youkai,” she quipped, jarring both men enough
that they stared at her with their mouths slightly ajar.  Even their wives were
gawping, seeming stunned that she had said such a thing.
     “I agree.  In some diplomatic situations, it is best to extend the hand
first.  Send out help should the villages need it.  Give them food during
famine.  Send healers to the sick.  It is time we end this silly struggle.  It
does no good,” the Dragon Lord interjected, keeping a neutral facade even when
the focus shifted to him.
     “On that note, I wish to be the first to suggest we bring an end to our
own differences.  I have long stopped seeing you as an enemy.  I see you more
as a friend and find all the battles rather bothersome,” he continued, getting
to his feet so he could offer his long rival a clawed hand.
     Babur only stared at it like it was some alien thing, brow crinkled in
consternation.  Closing his wild, green eyes, he let out a slow sigh before he
got to his own feet; easily towering over the other male.  Then he was offering
a meaty hand, a broad smile on his huge face.  “Alright, from this day on we’re
brothers.  Gives me an excuse to throw a party in your honor,” he announced
booming laughter as the kids began to swarm amongst eachother with glee.  Over
the varied meetings, they had become quite close; forming tight knit bonds that
would have been near impossible to break.  Isamu could only smile, the
expression looking more like a grimace as he was carted off by his new ally.
     “Think they’ll also discuss his ideas for humans?” Kagome whispered,
giggling as the voices moved off toward the back of the building.  It was there
that a ballroom had been set aside for an occasion like this, allowing other
guests to have quiet while they tried to rest.
     “I think they will.  We might finally be making headway.  Just a little
bit.  At least we already have the wolves.  But the other Lords are not going
to be as easy.  Still, Babur and Isamu will add credibility to our stance,”
growled out Sesshomaru while Rin and Shippo gathered around them, Hiina holding
tightly to her adopted brother.    
     As the party in the other wing got into full swing, the young girl excused
herself to sit on a bench outside; watching as the sun set.  The children had
long ago been escorted to bed, having had a very long day.  Sesshomaru, on the
other hand, had followed her like a shadow; lingering behind her as the orange
in the sky deepened to a fiery red.  It wouldn’t be long before that red faded
to a bruised purple, a foretelling of dusk.  Just thinking about talking to
Noriyasu again made her want to fidget in anticipation, her blood fairly racing
through her.
     The creature behind her seemed to feel the same, his tainted youki flaring
every so often as his tail wound its way around her waist.  Clawed hands landed
on her shoulders, the warmth of him almost burning her as the sky continued to
darken.  As the stars slowly began to blink to life in the gloom, crickets
began to sing while Sesshomaru’s energy changed to something different
entirely.  Rough lips brushed just under her left ear as a soft, growl laced
breath gusted against her skin.  “Close your eyes for me,” rumbled the deep
voice of Noriyasu, making her mouth go abnormally dry.
     Nodding, she did as he requested; feeling her conscious mind break off
from her body.  Buoying up into the sky, she felt the tether of her soul to her
body grow taut; stopping her ascension.  Looking down, she saw the color
gradually drain out of the landscape while the full moon rose above her.  The
pair below also changed, their clothing becoming older while reality changed to
sepia toned.  The building also changed to a more Japanese feel, the layout
staying the same despite that fact.  It was then that it hit her why she felt
so at home here.  Midoriko and her mate had lived here, meaning the fateful
night had likely occurred here.
     Upon this realization, she was rocketed back to her body; her frame
jolting backward to be stopped by the inu youkai behind her.  “This was our
place, our home that we had built ourselves.  It will soon be so again, after
we have accomplished a few more of a goals,” assured a soft grumble as strong
arms picked her up to place her in a lap that felt familiar and strange at the
same time.
     “That time is not far off.  During our child’s second year, all will fall
into place.  Though it will look like it was falling apart long before that
happens.  Never lose faith my love, that is tantamount.  Keep moving forward
and you will be rewarded,” promised the ancient voice, careful claws moving
over her arms as he began to plant kisses along her neck.
     All she could do was moan, leaning into the male as shame prickled at the
back of her mind.  While this was a past version of her mate, that didn’t stop
her from feeling guilty for being attracted to him.  “It has been so long since
I have touched you...  Even with a different name, you are still the same.
 Especially your scent,” sighed in her ear, roughened hands still caressing her
as if trying to offer comfort.  Given the mark, he was likely able to sense her
discomfort and was reacting to it.
     “Can you not see I am the same as well.  I have missed you, terribly.
 Feeling my current incarnation hold you is not enough for me.  I need to touch
you for myself, if only once,” pleaded his snarl of a voice, the gruff tones
making her shudder as a fire started in her lower tummy.
     “B-but...  I’m not...,” she began, only to be cut off by urgent lips
covering hers.  Sharp fangs nipped her soft lips without injuring them, a quiet
rumble leaving him as he wrapped his oppressing youki around her.
     Yet, this energy wasn’t like Sesshomaru’s.  It was a lot like their
daughter’s while more closely resembling demonic energy.  Probably the result
of his long relationship with her first incarnation.  “You are while not at the
same time.  You are unique,” insisted his feral voice, a certain part of his
body hardening under her buttocks.  Squirming slightly as she realized what it
was, Kagome went bright red as her heart began to pound against her sternum.
     “I want to feel you, my Kagome.  You don’t just belong to my
reincarnation.  We inu never truly give up our chosen mates,” declared his
guttural voice, the growl edging it making her skin break out in goosebumps
while her nipples tightened painfully.
     In a blur of dizzying speed, the teen found herself in an entirely
different part of the courtyard.  A secret place that had been carefully walled
off from the rest.  Only those that knew it was there would be able to find it,
making it a rather private spot.  In the center of high walls and surrounded by
a floor of plush looking grass was an ancient cherry tree, its branches in full
bloom despite it being the end of summer.
     Blinking as the being wearing Sesshomaru’s skin set her down, Kagome
stretched her senses toward the imposing foliage.  She could feel a strong life
within it, seeming to be aware of her probing.  Instead of rebuffing her, it
welcomed her with what felt like a motherly hug; immediately making her feel
right at home.  “In time, you may remember this tree.  For now, let us use this
period for ourselves.  I want you to know me as you do him, to understand why I
insist on being around you,” Noriyasu sighed, walking ahead of her to sit under
the branches that appeared to be perpetually raining down pink petals.
     Licking her lips, Kagome gathered her courage before following; sitting on
the grass as she looked up at the brilliant lights eating up the sky above.
 The stars in this era were truly unrivaled by the small specks in her time.
 Only the brightest avoided being absorbed by the light pollution so this
veritable ocean was breathtaking.  Swallowed by a sudden cramp of nostalgia,
Kagome felt tears clog her throat as she ached for her father.  He would have
love seeing this, let alone hearing about her adventures.  Feeling strong arms
wind around her only helped the dam crumble, soft sobs leaving her as she
burrowed her face into a strong chest.  “Sorry, I just... I miss my family,”
she admitted quietly, melting into the soft touches of his deadly hands.
     “I know it is hard but you will see them again.  This one is not willing
to die anytime soon,” declared the haughty voice of the male holding her, the
closeness to her mate’s making her giggle.  Just the fact they spoke the same
did worlds to set her at ease.
     “Yeah, I guess you’re right.  500 years is a long time for a human though.
 We’re meant to live maybe ninety years max.  That long will seem like an
eternity in and of itself.  At least all these peace talks will keep me busy,
not to mention caring for Hiina,” she whispered, the weight of that time
sitting on her shoulders.  It was almost inconceivable, as was eternity.  She
would likely watch all her human friends grow old and die long before she saw
her birth family again.  Then they too would fade into time, leaving her to
march forward with Sesshomaru; alone.
     “We will always have eachother.  Not to mention Rin, Shippo and their
family.  Our time will be far from empty,” Noriyasu reasoned, using firm
fingers to tip her face toward his.  Then, with a soft noise, he was kissing
her; his tail holding her close to his muscled body.
     Knowing he was right, she allowed her sorrow to ebb to the background.
 What she was thinking of would likely happen decades from now.  Worrying about
it would only drive her insane.  Instead, she focused on the taiyoukai that was
doing his best to gain entry with his questing tongue.  Opening slightly, she
let out a gasp when he plunged inside; taking immediate possession of her mouth
as his arms tightened slightly.  Letting out a gruff noise he released her,
reddened eyes meeting hers as his armored chest heaved.  Acid producing
implements of death moved her hair out of her eyes as the ancient soul staring
at her licked his lips.
     “This will go no further unless you wish it.  As much as I wish to taste
you for myself, I will not force you into something you do not want,” assured
his deep voice, the stripes on his cheeks sharpening as his gaze bore into
hers.  Meeting it steadily, Kagome took a moment to consider her feelings about
what was happening.  While Sesshomaru was okay with it, could she really
rationalize it to herself.  Could she accept the fact that it wasn’t
technically cheating?  Looking up at the pleading islands of amber floating in
lakes of blood, she found herself wanting to try.
     Closing her eyes, she allowed her consciousness to slip just enough to see
what the part of her that was Midoriko felt about this.  To her shock, she felt
that part of her entwined with what felt like Sesshomaru; the pair engaged in
their own bonding.  Snapping back to reality with a blush, Kagome took a shaky
breath before coming to a decision.  “O-okay.  I... I trust you.  I want to
learn about you, learn about who my mate used to be,” she admitted, getting a
grating noise of approval in response before he was nibbling at her mark.
     “I will not disappoint you.  Sesshomaru is not all that different than I,
much like you and Midoriko.  It is only our life experiences that set us apart
from you both,” Noriyasu reasoned, his words making an odd sort of sense.  Then
a rough tongue was lapping at her cheek, the feel of it making her giggle as
she turned to face him.
     A sense of familiarity slammed into her and she leaned forward to give him
a shy kiss, whimpering as he spread her open with his tongue.  His right hand
moved to hold her head while the other pressed against her lower back, a
strange noise escaping his as his fangs seemed to sharpen.  “You taste like
Heaven little one.  I cannot help but want more,” lamented the previous
incarnation of her mate, the spicy scent of him fogging her brain.  He smelled
much more musky than Sesshomaru, more wild and raw.  Even his motions were a
touch untamed, impatient while remaining gentle.
     Suddenly, he was breaking free; lifting her shirt over her head in a
frantic movement.  Feral eyes took in her developing breasts, the orbs still
heavy with milk from feeding their pup.  With a desperate groan, he took one in
his hot maw; suckling and nibbling until her milk began to flow.  Shuddering
down his entire body, Noriyasu fed from her eagerly; his hands slowly unwinding
from her to play with the rest of her body.  One settled on the other breast
while the other began to tease her folds, drawing the most tantalizing noises
from her rosy lips.
     In the back of her head, she could feel Sesshomaru’s attentions to
Midoriko; as if the pair wanted to make it clear they were giving their full
blessing.  Wrapping fingers in liquid platinum hair, she tipped her head back
and moaned as a pleasant buzzing began to fill her supple body.  Despite the
fat and stretch-marks that clung to her after the birth, Kagome had no problems
with her own body.  Rather, she saw them as war wounds to bear with pride.  She
had gained them carrying her child, after all.  Then a long finger was dipping
into her cavern and all other thought was blown away on a wind of pleasure.
     Soft growls and chrrs graced her ears as he released her left breast to
move to her right, his fingers teasing her clit until she was moaning on every
exhale.  Panting softly, the sixteen year old swiveled her hips needily as she
felt a tingling ball begin to form within her.  Each stroke of his skilled tips
sparked another jolt inside her, drawing her closer to the edge but never being
enough to tip her over it.  Just as she was about to beg him for more, he was
lifting himself from her; leaving her feeling a bit stunned.
     Before she could think to complain, the demonic male was settling between
her thighs; placing her thighs over his broad shoulders as his tongue met her
quivering junction.  A strangled groan left her as her back arched, her ankles
locking around his back while both hands settled on his head to keep him in
place.  Chuckling gruffly, Noriyasu began to lick at her; giving her long
strokes with his tongue that tantalized but didn’t satisfy.  Squirming, she
whimpered his name as he tortured her; bending her hips in a vain attempt to
get more contact.
     Despite her best efforts, he danced around where she needed him most;
keeping her right on the knife’s edge.  “Nori,” she whimpered in a frustrated
growl, tears rolling down pale cheeks as he gave her button a too brief flick.
     “You know what I wish to hear,” came a demand that was barely discernable
as language at all.  Gritting her teeth, Kagome gasped as he gave her a brief
suck.  Pride be damned, she wanted this sweet agony to end!
     “Please my Lord!  I need you to slake this fire within me,” she begged,
inwardly wincing at how cheesy the lines sounded.  Still, they were what came
to mind; sounding almost familiar as she spoke them.  She was rewarded with a
growl that shook the ground below her.
     “As you wish,” rasped the specter in Sesshomaru’s body, propping himself
up to place his foreskin coated shaft against her moist center.  Without
further ceremony, he was entering her; relishing her groan of satisfaction as
he stopped to allow her to adjust.
     Soon, her soft body was arching into his; the scent of Sakura flooding his
nose.  It was painfully familiar, calling to unwanted memories he had buried
deep in his mind.  Memories of the night he had died, the mournful cries of his
beloved following him into Hell.  Shaking his head to clear it, Noriyasu began
to move; the feel of her making his vision bleed crimson.  She was tight,
quivering around him while her blunt nails did their best to damage his
impenetrable hide.  Smirking slightly, he lowered his youki just enough to
allowing him to feel the dull pain; a rough rumble leaving him as he shuddered.
     It had been so long since he had been allowed to fully feel anything and
was quickly finding himself overwhelmed.  Barely hanging onto his senses by a
thread, Noriyasu heightened his pace; grabbing ample hips in a tight grip as
her noises grew a bit more high pitched in tone.  Due to long experience, he
could tell she was getting close; drawing his darker instincts to the surface.
 The more animal part of him wanted to howl in triumph as she came around him,
her squeezing muscles forcing his own end.  Instead, he muttered her name;
holding her against him as he rolled to lay beside her.  Soon the pair was
sleeping peacefully, well protected in their secret alcove.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ten Years Later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
     While many good things had happened in the long decade, just as many bad
had occurred near the end.  The Tigers and Dragons were getting along better
than they had in centuries, actually going so far as to arrange marriage
between their first borns as a show of solidarity.  While Kagome couldn’t say
she really approved, she had to admit such practices were normal for this time
frame.  In fact, it was even expected; often solidifying relationships between
separate clans.  Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if the two would truly be
happy together.
     Beyond that, her one night with Noriyasu had been the last.  The odd
spirit seeming to disappear back into his reincarnation.  A fact that honestly
depressed her, even with how hectic things had become.  While relations between
some clans were improving others were eroding no matter what they did.  At this
rate, a full on war between several clans would break out; likely taking out
thousands of individuals.  The only thing they could do was prepare to take in
refugees from all sides and hope that gesture would be enough to gain them some
favor.  Even so, the thought of all that death made her feel ill.  Losing so
much life could only hurt their efforts but there was nothing they could do to
stop the eventual blow up.  Pressure had been building for far too long.
     At least the children had been unaffected by the drama, their relationship
growing into a full on romance as they got older.  Shippo, as it turned out,
grew into quite a looker; breaking many a heart of a village girl.  Rin was no
better, looking like a proper Lady of the court with her heart shaped face and
dark brown hair.  Since the pair was so wrapped up in eachother, they were
oblivious to the attentions of others around them; much to their adopted
parents’ amusement.  Hiina was no different, getting softer features despite
the fact she refused to use her human form.
     It hadn’t been long before ningen children were flocking to her, asking
all manner of questions about why she looked the way she did.  Inquiries she
answered in an eerily childlike manner, especially to those who knew her.  The
wise child still went to great lengths to hide just how advanced she was, doing
her best to blend in with those around her while observing them.  It was a bit
like watching a shark watching its prey, the comparison often making Kagome
shudder.
     Sighing, she leaned against the wall of the hut they had been given;
listening with one ear as Hiina, Shippo and Rin spoke.  Just hearing her
daughter talk like an adult still made an icy feeling creep up her spine but
she was coming to accept it.  It was just part of who the pup was, making her
all the more unique.  Having her around was a joy, the small child being fairly
affectionate while wildly intelligent.  Yet, thinking about all of this did
nothing to distract her.  Right now, she was basically waiting for Sesshomaru
to announce a declaration of war in some part of the land.
     All too soon, she felt a faint tingle of reiki colored youki approaching
at impossible speed; making her shoot to her feet in an instant.  Already, she
could feel a bit of his rage and frustration; telling her it was exactly the
news she had feared.  As much as she loathed it, she would have to ask her
friends for their help.
     In the years, the members of her pack had semi-settled.  It certainly
helped that there was only Kohaku’s shard to gather.  As soon as the boy showed
himself, they would work on finding a way to remove it without killing him.  So
far, the only idea had been to use Tenseiga.  Maybe, just maybe; the sword
could negate the effects of death on the walking corpse.  At least there were
no children because of this hiccup, making it easy for her friends to be on the
road should she need them.
     Exiting the house, she felt an odd mixture of relief and apprehension as
her powerful mate landed his youki cloud.  “The boar and the bears are
attacking tomorrow.  You can bet the jackals and buzzards will join in,” he
declared, the words making a chill jolt through her veins.
     “Our allies are setting up the neutral compound for refugees, both youkai
and human,” continued his too calm voice as he closed the distance to take her
into his arms.
     Nuzzling into his neck, Kagome took comfort in the build of his body as he
carried her into the shack they shared.  While it wasn’t as grand as the Lord
was used to, he hadn’t complained; knowing it was important to his mate to live
near her friends.  She received strength from this small villa, an inner steel
that allowed her to get through many tough situations.  A determination she
would need in the years that were likely to come.  Already feeling weary and
soul sick, the twenty-six year old allowed her mate to comfort her.  “I have
scented the boy near here.  He is being escorted by Naraku’s two incarnations,”
burred a quiet voice in her ears, the words catching her attention.
     Blinking, she looked up with questioning look; she received a nod in
response to her silent inquiry.  “Go tell Sango, I will see if his companions
mean to cause trouble,” he assured, placing her on her feet before giving her
temple a kiss.  Then he was leaving, Kagome sprinting out right behind him.
 Heading in different directions, the pair set to their tasks with a deadly
seriousness.  They had no idea what the trio’s intentions were and had to be
prepared for trouble just in case.
     Sesshomaru greeted Kagura while his mate was busy explaining the situation
to her slayer sister, a neutral expression on his sculpted visage.  To his
inner suprise, she knelt before him with her head bowed; the two behind her
hiding while she prostrated herself.  “I don’t come here to cause any trouble.
 The boy... Kohaku, he wanted to come here.  Upon Naraku’s death he... regained
his memories.  It took a long time to talk him down from suicide but he still
wanted to see his sister.  He also... wants to return to shard,” she explained,
her voice carefully submissive while her pink eyes focused on the ground below
her.
     “The boy knows this will likely cause his death,” the mighty assassin
demanded, his voice cold and emotionless as his eyes fixed on the figures
crouching behind a bush.
     “Yes...  But he also knows the Shikon cannot truly be healed without it.
 We wants to say goodbye to his sister and give his shard back to where it
belongs,” the shaking youkai whispered, looking like she expected to be killed
at any moment.
     Behind him, a breathless voice was calling for said boy; drawing a thin,
sickly figure from the forest.  It certainly seemed that learning of his past
had taken its toll, his bones barely visible through his tight skin.  Haunted
hollows surrounded sad, dark eyes, making Sesshomaru ache for the undead boy.
 A boy that hadn’t aged in ten years.  A fact that didn’t bode well for
Tenseiga’s effectiveness.  This likely would be the last time the Taijiya would
see her brother alive.  “Sango,” the unfortunate creature murmured, staggering
toward his sibling and collapsing in her arms.
     “Shhhhh,” she soothed, running a hand through his matted hair while Miroku
came to kneel by her side.  The boy could only sob, bony frame shaking as he
wrapped his arms around the older woman’s neck.
     “Sister...  I have to give up the jewel piece,” he uttered, his voice weak
as his eyes begged her for understanding.
     Just seeing the boy told Kagome Tenseiga wouldn’t work and she felt her
stomach drop.  If there had been any hope, he would have aged.  The fact he
hadn’t meant his life was tied to the shard’s very presence, just as they all
feared.  It was the power that moved his body, giving him the ability to be
alive but not to change like the true living do.  “No, not yet!  We’ve just met
again!  I can’t lose you a second time,” wailed the predictable, pained
response; making the young woman wince for the woman who was her soul sister.
     “Sango... he is suffering.  He isn’t moving forward in time like the rest
of us.  You must let him go, for both your sakes,” Miroku tried to reason,
getting a violated yell in response as his wife shot to her feet to shoot him a
glare that was beyond all logical thought.
     “I will not let any of you near him!  I will kill any who try!  He’s just
a boy!” she spat, looking much like a wildcat preparing to fight for its cub.
     Kagura winced, getting to her feet as she took a few steps back.  After
years of longing for freedom, the last thing she wanted was to be destroyed in
a random fit of temper.  Thankfully, Kohaku tugged on her sleeve; drawing her
down from nuclear in a second.  “Sister, please.  He’s right.  I feel so empty
all the time, so cold.  Like I’m forgetting what emotions really feel like.  I
don’t want to continue like this,” he pleaded, tears rolling down his white
cheeks.  Sango could only stare down at him, swallowing thickly as she knelt to
take him into her arms.
     “This isn’t fair!  None of this is fair!  I lose you once, only to have
you brought back under the control of a monster!  Now I have to let you go all
over again!  How can I be okay with any of this!” she exclaimed, glaring at the
sky as if she expected the kami above to answer her.
     “I know its hard but I’ll feel better.  I finally be at peace, in the
afterlife where I belong,” assured his young voice, the pleading in his words
making all gathered fight to hold back tears.  Even Sesshomaru was affecting,
having formed a soft spot for children during his time with Shippo, Rin and
Hiina.
     After a few minutes, Sango released him with a small nod; allowing the
priest with her to lead her back to the village.  Watching her until she had
disappeared from sight, the degraded soul in a boy’s body turned to fix his
eyes on the Aristocratic Assassin.  “Just make it painless,” he whispered,
closing his eyes while he turned his back to the mighty inu.  Nodding,
Sesshomaru made a movement undetectable to human sight; holding a blood coated
shard in his likewise soiled talons in a split second.
     Swaying for a few moments, Kohaku’s eyes went blank before his body was
falling; decomposing in the blink of an eye.  All that was left of him was a
pile of ashes that was quickly gathered into a mason jar by Kagome.  While it
wasn’t anything glamorous, it was certainly a better option than allowing them
to blow away.  Sango would likely want to keep them so she could honor her
brother’s memory.  With a nod to Kagura, the pair that was left behind
departed; leaving the wind demon with a perplexed expression on her oddly
beautiful face.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Four Years~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
     The war was utterly destructive and swallowing up more clans the longer it
went on.  As such, the number of casualties continued to increase.  Any injured
she healed just returned to the battlefield, only coming back as a corpse
across her table.  She had seen enough blood to make her utterly sick but the
fighting still continued.  By the time everything was said and done, there
would be a good chance there would be nothing left for them to save.  What was
worse were the women and children that came into her tent.
     Wide eyed and scared, they consistently had horrific injuries that
exhausted her to heal.  All too often, she had to hand off a patient to another
healer when she simply had no more to give.  The others in her pack berated her
over her unhealthy behavior, complaints she ignored.  She couldn’t stop while
people needed her, she wouldn’t have been able to live with herself.  The only
one that didn’t criticize her was her young daughter.  Instead, the fourteen
year old helped where she could; offering some of her odd energy when her
mother ran low.
     The end to all this pain and misery couldn’t come soon enough, the thirty
year old having had quite enough of seeing children ripped from their mothers
or vice versa.  A soft grip on her upper arm drew her attention to Hiina, the
canine-like girl already beginning to reach her height.  It wouldn’t be much
longer before she equalled her father, making the miko feel more than a little
jealous.  “It won’t last much longer.  Things will be better.  Father will also
be here soon.  Seems the other wishes to see you again,” assured the furred
femme, a grin on her slender muzzle.
     Hearing that came close to making her stop in her tracks, her heart
thudding hard in her chest.  It had been a long time since she had seen him,
making her nervous as well as a bit angry.  After all, their last encounter had
ended in sex and nothing more; after a lot of talk of getting to know
eachother.  While she had no idea how all of this worked, she felt hurt the
past incarnation had made no further attempt at contact.  It made her feel just
a bit used, an odd thing to feel towards a spirit that was a precursor to your
current mate.
     Finishing what she was doing, she gave her girl a scritch between floppy
ears; chuckling at the gruff noise that escaped.  Wagging her tail, Hiina
licked her mother’s cheek before she was leaving; giving Kagome some time to
gather her thoughts.  Already, she could feel him closing in; his energy
erratic.  From what she could gather, Noriyasu was eager to speak to her;
giving her the impression he hadn’t been separated from her by choice.
     It could be that he could only come through at certain times, making her
curious about what the conditions were.  Would there always be such huge gaps
with only a few hours given to them?  Such a reality depressed her.  She had
honestly found herself fascinated by the echo of her past.  He held many
answers that she longed to have, not to mention the fact she had barely
scratched the surface of who he had been.  So, when her mate came charging into
her tent, she offered him a knowing smile.  “All sides are surrendering.  The
loss has been dubbed too great to continue,” announced his wavering voice just
before his arms were wrapping around her.
     Once again, he found himself shoved to the back while his former self
surged forward to talk to their shared mate.  Not that he really minded.  This
allowed him to commune with the fascinating Midoriko, a woman who had been done
a great injustice by the priests who worshipped her.  While she was seen as a
hero by them, none of them told her whole story.  His first meeting with her
had been a mere taste that left her starved for more, making him eager for this
encounter.
     Already, an older version of his Kagome’s scent was wrapping around him;
causing him to feel safe and comforted.  Purring softly, he purposefully wagged
his tail as a figure began to materialize mere feet away from him.  She was a
much older, almost regal version of his mate, the energy she gave off offering
him a comfort he could only find with her current reincarnation.  “My Lady,” he
uttered, bowing before her as a sign of his ultimate respect.  She simply
smiled in return, rubbing the top of his head affectionately.
     “Sessho, I thought I asked you to refer to me ask Midoriko,” chided her
musical voice, causing an instinctual shudder in the canine demon.
     Giving her a shameful grin, he straightened to catch one of her hands;
bring it up to his lips for a kiss.  “I shall do my best.  It is not often that
this one is confronted by one that is his better,” he rumbled, showing no shame
in his admission.  Soon, his Kagome would be on her level; making him eager for
that day to come.  She would be truly glorious.  The legendary priestess before
him merely grinned, as if fully aware of what was going through his mind at
that moment.
     “I don’t see myself as your better,” Midoriko sighed, tapping the tip of
his nose with the index finger of her left hand.  He simply twitched the limb
in response, raising an elegant brow at her while she giggled.
     “On a different note, I am glad they are getting along.  I just hope
Kagome will be able to allow herself to trust him,” she continued, moving up to
rest her cheek on his bare chest as her arms curled loosely around him.
     “She just needs some time.  She already longs to see him, to know more.  I
bless humans for their curiosity,” Sesshomaru chuckled, nuzzling her midnight
hair as his own arms reciprocated.  Once Kagome accepted Midoriko and Noriyasu,
the pair would finally be able to join their reincarnated souls; able to be at
peace.
     The only reason either of them still hung around was a simply want of
acknowledgement as well as to pass on the knowledge of the past.  Though, the
sex was a very nice perk.  Still, both her and Noriyasu longed to finally rest.
 They had been lingering for so long, they looked forward to being whole again.
 Even if it meant losing their consciousness.  Nuzzling the shade, Sesshomaru
simply enjoyed her company while the conscious pair held their own discussions.
 Soon, the celebration would start and there would be no more time for talking.
 They had to take whatever they could get.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Two Years Later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
     Looking at the crowd gathered in the hall, she could barely believe a war
had happened at all.  Already, numbers were recovering; all the clans going
into a breeding frenzy to replace lost  life.  They were also acting like
nothing had happened at all, talking amongst eachother like they were old
friends.  As strange as it was, the conflict had brought many clans closer
together simply due to the fact they took in injured that weren’t their own.
 Such actions had forged inroads to ending the war in the first place.
     Just grateful all the strife was over, Kagome simply moved into the crowd
to talk to the gathered guests.  As Noriyasu had predicted, things were
beginning to fall into place; the Lords discussing the possibility of
tolerating humans.  It helped that many villagers had banded together to fight
for the taiyoukai that owned their land out of an odd loyalty.  Watching these
people that had no reason to fight risk their lives for the sake of those that
mistreated them had made a deep guilt settle in.  As horrific as the events had
been, it seemed to have brought both species closer together; forcing a
grudging understanding.
     Smiling, the young woman moved through the thick press of people; liking
everything she was hearing.  Here and there, she heard whisperings of allowing
some of their younger children to marry the children of the headmen of their
villages.  While they were few and far between, they made her feel giddy.  With
the way things were going, the hard part of their fight was pretty much over;
all because of a disagreement between lower youkai clans.  Still, if all of
this was successful, why hadn’t Sesshomaru sensed anything on any of his visits
to her time.  He hadn’t even sensed their future selves, only deepening her
concern.  Nibbling her lower lip, she began to seek out the familiar form of
her mate; longing for the comfort of his presence.
     Despite their success, a lot could still go wrong.  After all, she had no
real idea of what had happened to kill off the youkai in the first place.
 Maybe it really  had  been a disease, the very thought of it making her feel
ill.  If it had been some plague, she had no hope of treating it herself.  She
would have to depend on the unreliable well and she wasn’t even sure if it
still worked in the first place.  To have to travel between time made her skin
tingle with apprehension.
     Soon, the sight of silver hair was driving her worries from her muddled
mind.  Sesshomaru would no doubt have a much more rational outlook and would
point out they had hundreds of years to figure it out.  Still, she had her
doubts.  She had no idea just when the event would happen, whatever it turned
out to be.  As if sensing her unease, he spun to face her with his normal cool
mask.  Only his golden eyes gave away his true emotions, glimmering with a deep
worry.  Obeying his silent message, she closed the distance to nestle into his
side.
     The only thing that helped quell her anxieties was a brief glimpse of
their adopted children.  The pair had long ago mated, Shippo proposing to her
as soon as she had turned eighteen.  Now the couple were expecting their first
pup, the twenty six year old Rin practically glowing with happiness as a hand
rested on the slight swell of her stomach.  Kagome herself would be attending
the birth, having learned all there was to know about healing from Kaede before
she had died.  Despite being prepared, the thirty-two year old still missed the
old woman.  She had been like a second Grandmother to her.  “What bothers you?”
rumbled in her ear, drawing her attention back to Sesshomaru.
     “What if this wasn’t what fixes the past?” she whispered, giving smiles to
the youkai and humans around her.
 
    “I have my own theory about that.  I shall discuss it at a later time.  For
now, we must socialize as well as strengthen ties.  Maybe, at least then, we
can mitigate the human element,” he assured, leading her to the Boar Lord that
had started this whole mess.
     Like most of the lower demons, he retained his animal form; a grizzled
looking pig head glaring down at her from atop a humanoid body.  Beady, mean
eye scanned her judgmentally, a snort burring through his upside down heart of
a nose.  Almost reluctantly, he offered a hoofed hand to shake; tiny ears
twitching with displeasure.  “This one thanks you for saving our daughter,”
grunted his gruff belch of a voice, sounding like a pig trying its best to
speak.
     “I don’t require any thanks Great One.  Just the satisfaction that I
helped one as mighty as yourself,” she simpered, hating the words that slid off
her tongue like slime as she took the offered appendage.
     While dealing with a Lord for the first time, it was best to seem as
subservient as possible; flattery winning over a majority of the arrogant
males.  Buta was no exception, puffing up like a toad due to the praise.
 “Indeed, you have done your mate and land a great honor by serving us,” he
gloated, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he lead her to meet his
family.  Sesshomaru followed closely, his posture relaxed despite this having
been an enemy not that long ago.
     By the time the night was over, she felt exhausted; grateful for the
secret alcove Noriyasu had shown her their first visit to this place.  It
allowed her a comforting level of privacy to gather her thoughts, the children
being the only ones who knew where it was in the advent of an emergency.
 Leaning against the trunk of the perpetually blossoming tree, she allowed her
dark eyes to close as all the tension built up inside her bled out of her
muscles.  Still, it wasn’t long before her peace was interrupted by familiar,
reiki mixed youki.
     Smiling, she opened her eyes as she felt an unnatural heat settle next to
her.  Looking up, she saw Sesshomaru giving her one of his rare grins.  “The
demons may have learned how to hide their youki as well as their true nature.
 Our daughter has already been teaching some of them how to cloak themselves,”
husked his smooth baritone as he leaned down to give her a gentle kiss.  Just
hearing that made her feel much better, relief filling her as she leaned into
him.
     “Now, we must get rid of the Shikon.  We have a time of peace and we are
alone.   It is time for the souls inside to be put to rest,” he continued,
nuzzling under her ear as she pulled said jewel out of the collar of her shirt.
 She had made a necklace out of it to better keep track of where it was,
finding some comfort in the feeling of it against her skin.
     Staring into its pink depths, she smiled at the thought all of it could
finally be over.  All she needed was a truly unselfish wish, the only wish that
would make it fade away.  Clutching it to her, she listened as Midoriko
whispered the answer to the riddle in her ear.  Murmuring it softly, she
watched as the orb slowly faded out of existence; leaving behind only a dusting
of white glimmers.  “What did you wish for?” husked beside her, drawing her
attention to her mate.
     “I didn’t.  The best wish was to ask for nothing,” she responded, kissing
under his chin as a sense of well being filled her.  Something deep inside her
now felt complete, the bit of her that was Midoriko almost seeming to fall into
a deep sleep.  It wouldn’t be much longer before that part of her joined the
rest of her soul, making her a little nervous.
     How much of her would be left behind when that happened?  Would she even
be the same person?  At least Sesshomaru’s own transition had been fairly
unnoticeable.  The only difference had been a surge in his power, leaving him
much the same as before.  This fact gave her some comfort for what was to come.
 “Now that we no longer have to worry about much, what would you say to another
pup,” Sesshomaru’s lusty tone purred, making her blush to her toes as he pushed
her into the grass.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Modern Times~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     It had been a long five centuries, filled with many hardships as well as
highlights.  Sango and Miroku were long dead, leaving behind generations of
children that she still kept in touch with.  Shippo and Rin’s family had also
grown, having a hundred children in the five hundred year gap.  Not that she
and Sesshomaru had been slacking in that department.  The youkai had been
fascinated by her fertility, doing his best to get her pregnant as often as he
could get away with.  In the end, they ended up with quite a few of their own;
several of them obtaining families once they were old enough.
     Hiina had been no exception, receiving several suits before she settled
with one of the dragon clan; a son of Isamu’s as it so happened.  To be honest,
the reptilian Lord couldn’t be happier, having become quite close friends with
Kagome after he had remembered his past life.  Even Inuyasha was doing well,
having chosen a lynx hanyou after about a hundred years.  The pair had several
of their own offspring as well, making the inu clan one of the largest in
Japan.
     During the long years, they had all been busy working with youkai all over
the world.  After a lot of work as well as heartache, they had succeeded in
saving several species of youkai.  Even now, you would not be able to tell them
from normal people; most of the taiyoukai ending up as high powered business
execs or franchise owners.  The hardest part had been waiting for the day she
would meet her family again.
     It was beyond difficult to simply sit by and watch your own life play out
in front of her.  Especially when she saw her father alive and well again.
 She’d had to restrain herself from rushing to him, from warning him about his
too early death.  She had already taken a huge risk with the youkai, meddling
with time any more seemed like an exercise in foolishness.  Still, allowing him
to die had been the hardest thing she had to do; spending many a night sobbing
in her mate’s arms.
     Finally, after going through the surreal experience of watching herself
grow up, it was time to show her presence to her mother.  Watching a younger
version of Sesshomaru hop through the well for the last time, she took a deep
breath before tightening her grip on the current Lord’s hand.  Then she was
moving up familiar steps, Hiina being the only one coming with them at first.
 She didn’t want to overwhelm the woman on the first day.  So, with her pulse
roaring in her ears, the miko knocked on the door of her childhood home.
     The moment Mrs. Higurashi opened the door, the floodgates opened wide as
she held out her arms for her mom.  “We made it,” she announced lamely, the
breath knocked out of her when the matriarch nearly tackled her.
     “Welcome home, come on in and let’s get caught up.  I’m sure there’s a lot
to cover in five hundred years.  You know, I’m jealous!  You haven’t aged a day
past sixteen,” gushed the excited mother, leading the trio into her humble
abode.
     “You have no idea mom,” Kagome whispered, sitting on the couch as she
launched into a very long story.












The End
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