Author Note: Half of this story is complete, now its time to just fill out the rest to get to the end. Chapters come short and long. Enjoy the ride!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the way these words weave themselves into dreams.
-1: Pre Prologue
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"You came," she said in a relieved rush, standing up from the circle of Inuyasha’s pack.
"We are allies are we not?"
She softly smiled as the daiyoukai turned and surveyed the rest of his brothers pack. A surge of hope buoyed her spirits seeing the brothers unite against a common enemy. With Sesshomaru and Inuyasha working together, she felt that nothing could stop them and Naraku's defeat was fated to happen.
"Miko, a moment?" a smooth voice interjected into her thoughts.
Inuyasha and Sango looked up with mild curiosity. It wasn't a rare sight to see the miko and taiyoukai in conversation. As their quest to defeat Naraku progressed, the inutachi became closer overcoming trials otherwise impossible independantly. Sesshomaru and his group were not invulnerable to this effect, even if they did not always travel together.
Kagome followed Sesshomaru away from her pack and melded into the forest. They walked until the taiyoukai deemed an appropriate distance for discretion. He turned towards her and she waited patiently for the small ritual.
His eyes lost a slight edge in focus as he breathed deeply. "You are well," he stated matter-o-factly.
She nodded her agreement. His eyes shifted to the side as he spoke again, "the final battle draws near."
"Inuyasha says we are close to finding Naraku," she offered.
"What of after the battle?"
Surprise colored her features. He spoke of after the battle as if it was guaranteed. "I have only focused on the final battle," she said. "It consumes my every thought," she added with feeling.
"I will protect Inuyasha's pack," he repeated a reminder of his pledge that he had taken nearly a year ago.
She smiled ruefully. What could a girl say to a taiyoukai like Sesshomaru. Anything contrary would be a mark against his honor. "I know," she said.
A gentle breeze passed through them, ruffling their hair and the leaves above.
"What will you do after the battle?" he asked again.
"Return home," she said.
He gave this some thought. A deceitfully simple answer. He knew of the well and her disappearances therin. But he also knew of her fondness for Kaede's village. Which would she choose?
"Here or through the well?"
"To the otherside of the well," her face suddenly pained. The uncertainty of whether she would ever see Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, and Shippou filling her with dread. But it is where she belongs, and she could only hope that youkai were as long lived as legend foretold. Feeling the heat of Sesshomaru's scruitny she felt compelled to say, "it is where I belong."
Sesshomaru weighed this. And selecting a conclusion, spoke again, "Are you certain Kagome?"
"I..."
Sesshomaru saw his opening and pounced figuratively, everso the predator.
"There is something I wish to show you," he said softly.
Kagome tilted her head in question, "now?"
He shook his head, "after the battle. Delay your departure, and I will show you."
The intrigue was welcome and freed her from worrying about decisions. It was terrible, but the ache in her heart at uncertainties eased. "Okay Sesshomaru-sama," she said.