Chapter 6: A Feeling Is Felt, And Hearts Are Bound

Sesshoumaru's little group was once again on the road, heading towards a certain well. The night and early morning had gone by uneventful, much to Kagome's happiness. The early afternoon had it's own surprising occurrence, much to Sesshoumaru's hidden joy. Apparently, the healer had failed to mention that Kagome would begin to tire faster from the potion as it had its effect. After having to stop for the third time that morning so that she could catch her breath, Sesshoumaru did something that caught everyone by surprise, including himself. He picked her up with his tail and simply carried her as he walked. Jaken had been shocked by his master's actions, yet said nothing. Rin had simply smiled and continued on with her being happy. Kagome was simply dumbfounded. Sesshoumaru was just as or more so dumbfounded by his actions as Kagome was, he simply didn't show it. They had continued going until early evening, when Sesshoumaru simply stopped. He then said Kagome's name. When she didn't respond, he turned his head to find something he both dreaded and enjoyed. Kagome had fallen asleep in his tail once more, having cuddled herself into his fluffy fur. Vastly irritated, and desiring a little vengeance for when she DARED to slap him, he fluffed his tail around his shoulders like he usually did. Except this time, he didn't bring Kagome with the tail. Kagome hit the ground with a thud, waking her up on impact. She stood up slowly, rubbing her back. "What'd you do that for!" she yelled at Sesshoumaru. HE simply looked at her, turned away, and said, "We're there." Kagome, surprised, looked where he had turned and saw the forest. "Wow, already?" As Kagome was trying to figure out how long she had been asleep, Sesshoumaru had turned to Jaken and Rin. "You two will stay here. I will be back in four nights." While Jaken simply nodded, recognizing the tone of voice, Rin had run up and clutched Sesshoumaru's leg. She looked up and asked, "You promise?" Sesshoumaru looked down, and after a moment or two, placed his hand on top of Rin's head, simply responded, "I promise." After Rin gave is leg one final hug, she let and waved as he turned towards the forest, walking towards the girl. Kagome followed him, having finished clearing the sleep from her head. She waved goodbye to Rin as she entered the forest.

Almost five minutes later, a different group arrived where Jaken and Rin were. Inuyasha was running with his demon speed, while Sango, Miroku, and Shippo were riding on Kiara. After landing near where Rin was out, Inuyasha scared Rin by growling "Where's Kagome, brat." Inuyasha was whacked by a staff and boomerang second later. Miroku stepped on top of Inuyasha, and said, "Inuyasha, you know you shouldn't growl at one so young." He turned his attention to little Rin, who was still looking scared. "Hello there, little one. What's your name?" calmed by Miroku's charming smile, she said Rin, and then asked "Are you one of Kagome's friends?" Mirouko nodded and asked, "Do you know where Kagome went? We really need to talk to her." "Oh, she went into the forest with Sesshoumaru-sama so that she could go home." "Thank you Rin. We'll be back in a little bit to talk to you some more, okay?" When Rin nodded, Miroku turned to Sango, and noticed that Inuyasha was missing. "Where's Inuyasha?" "He ran off into the woods. Should we follow?" Sango said. "We most certainly should. In the mood Inuyasha's in, who knows what he might do." Miroku said as he hoped back up on Kiara's back, which took off to the woods when everyone was on.

They had arrived at the well. Sesshoumaru was a bit surprised that so simple of an object could hold such powerful magic. Kagome turned to him and said, "Well, I guess I'll see you in a week." Sesshoumaru simply nodded. Kagome got up on the lip of the well, and prepared to jump in, when she stopped and said to Sesshoumaru, "Thank you for everything so far, Sesshoumaru." Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow a bit. "It is not over yet, girl. There will be more to do when you come back." Kagome was about to respond when Sesshoumaru whipped his head around. That's when Kagome noticed the coming demon. "Go." Said Sesshoumaru, knowing that Inuyasha would only cause trouble. Sesshoumaru did not realize just how much trouble Inuyasha would cause.

Before Kagome could jump, Inuyasha arrived. "STOP!" he yelled, Which Kagome actually did, and turned to look at him. Sesshoumaru cursed under his breath. "What the hell are you doing with my brother!" Inuyasha yelled. "I'm with him cause at least he knows how to fight!" Inuyasha got further pissed and threw an insult back, at which Kagome load the verbal cannons and began full barrage. Sesshoumaru sweat dropped as Inuyasha and Kagome began a full-fledged insult war for a good five minutes. Kagome was having little effect on Inuyasha, but Inuyasha was getting some hits in. Then Inuyasha broke out the Big One. "You stupid idiot! If you would just realize you were nothing more than a reincarnate, you would know what your place was!" Kagome literally got blown back by this one, stepping back towards the edge of the well. She tried to respond, but Inuyasha continued in his rant. "You are everything Kikyo was! Maybe if you just realized that, you'd realize what you're meant to do!" Kagome couldn't even try to respond, she simply moved her mouth, her eyes saying everything. Sesshoumaru had started growling, his muscles tensing as his half-brother continued his disgusting words. "You were meant to be with me! You ARE Kikyo in heart and soul. You may act different, but you're still just a reincarnate!" Inuyasha was unable to continue for Sesshoumaru had hit him up into the air. While Inuyasha was flying, Sesshoumaru jumped to Kagome, took her into his arms, and went down the well, sending both of them into the future. When Inuyasha came down from the air, he too jumped into the well, only to whack into the ground as the well refused to transport him. He began to curse violently at the well, and jumped back into the trees, heading to his favorite tree.

In the future, inside a well that was covered by a shed like shrine, were a full-demon and a human. At the moment, the human was silently sobbing, letting loose all the hurt the words had made. The demon was holding her against his chest, rocking her back and forth while uttering little nothings in an attempt to soothe her. Kagome was devastated. She had always known what Inuyasha thought, but to hear it in words, to have him confirm her fears, was horrible. Despite having tried to separate her heart from him, he was still able to twist the knife he had put in her heart. She didn't care who was holding her, only that it was warm, and she heard kind words being whispered. She let her eyes close as sleep overwhelmed her.

Sesshoumaru was still seething at his brother. The words he had heard come from his mouth, and for them to be directed at one who had laid her life on the line for him, had angered him at the core. He had always had a jealousy deep inside that his half-brother could somehow attract people who would do everything for him. But for him to stand there and practically abuse someone who would die for him was disgusting. "Fool brother never has realized what he has." He thought as he rocked his brother's mental casualty against his chest, trying to calm her. When she finally fell asleep, he decided to find this home of hers, and put her in the hands of family. He jumped out of the well. He was greeted with the sight of a building around the well. This confirmed to him that he had gone somewhere. Seeing the door, he walked over to it, and opened it. The sight he was greeted with took him entirely off guard.

The forest was no longer there, a land of tall buildings, flat roads, and odd creatures that zoomed down those roads. The air was thick with smoke and other things just as bad. He would have continued staring at this future if not for the movement of Kagome. Snapping his attention back to the task at hand, he began to look for her home. He saw the God-Tree and decided to look from there. After reaching the tree, he saw what could be a house. After stepping on the back porch, he looked at the odd door, trying to figure out how to open it. Eventually giving up for the moment, he noticed his brother's scent going to a tree on the side of the house. He hoped up the tree, and saw a window that looked into what seemed to be a bedroom. After working the window open, he stepped in to the room, noticing that Kagome's scent was strong here. "Judging by the smell, this would be her room." Looking outside and realizing that it was nearing nightfall, he decided to simply put her to bed. He pulled the sheets down, bent down and laid her on the bed, only to discover that, once again, Kagome had death gripped his tail. Deciding that he would NOT sleep on the floor simply because of something so simple, he scooted her over a bit, and lay down next to her. Kagome cuddled up next to him, causing him to feel a bit uncomfortable at first. However, as her scent washed over him, he began to relax, his eyes gaining weight. As his eyes closed for the night, he realized that he would likely have a very painful morning.

She was having a hard time waking up, because she felt like she was in the warmest, softest bed she had ever been in. She opened her eyes slowly to be greeted with the sight of a colorful looking fabric in front of her. Trying to clear the sleep from her mind, she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. It was an odd white thing slightly over her shoulder, twitching slowly. It reminded her of a dog's tail when asleep. And then it clicked. Her eyes widening to the size of pool balls, she looked up slowly. Sesshoumaru's face was resting above her head, obviously asleep. She paused just a moment to observe that he looked quite handsome when he was asleep, only to blush a good deal and dropping her head. She continued to look over the situation, and as she did, she realized several things. Like the fact that Sesshoumaru had his hand around her waist, and that his tail was encircling the both of them. She also realized that she was in her room. Realizing that at any moment her mother could come in, she begins to slowly get up. She carefully picked up Sesshoumaru's hand and placed it down on the bed. Slowly, she worked her way off the bed, careful to not wake the sleeping demon. Standing up after sliding off the bottom of the bed, she looked at the demon on her bed, and realized he looked almost innocent when asleep. She quietly left her room, so as to see where her family was.

He opened his eyes when Kagome left the room. He had been awake the minute she starting shifting about. He had been instantly aware of how he had cuddled up to her, and realized he was likely going to get yelled at. He waited a moment to see what would happen, and he was absolutely stunned by what she did. Instead of the usual slap or screech, she simply got out of bed, trying not to wake him. He stood up as he heard her go down the stairs, smoothing the wrinkles out of his clothing. He silently left he room and went down the stairs. When he reached the bottom, he noticed a salty smell. He began to follow it, fearing what he would find. He entered what may have been a kitchen, and saw Kagome at a recess in the counter, her shoulders shaking noticeably. The salty smell was centered around her. Sighing, he walked behind her, trying to think of how to stop a crying woman.

She had come downstairs, and found a note on the counter. It said that the family and gone on a week's vacation to a nearby town. It was signed by her mother, and dated the day before. Putting the note down, she walked over to the sink to get a glass of water. "Why was I in bed with Sesshoumaru? Why am I back home?" Her memories were a bit fuzzy on the day before. " I remember getting ready to jump in the well, and then Inuyasha arrived and…" The memories of what Inuyasha had said came back to her; causing what happiness she had to drain out, as the sorrow begin to flood her. She placed her hands on the counter to keep from falling, as she allowed the tears to flow, the sadness becoming all-consuming once again. Through the waves of pain crashing against her mind, she sensed Sesshoumaru behind her. "Kill me." Kagome whispered. Had she bothered to look at Sesshoumaru, she would have seen how surprised he was at her comment. "Why?" he asked, once his voice found itself again. "All I am is a reincarnation. The only reason I am is because I'm supposed to be Kikyo. I don't WANT to be her, so there must be something wrong with me. All I'm doing by being alive is hurting Inuyasha. If I'm dead, Kikyo will get her soul, and everyone will be happy." After Kagome finished, she turned around and lifted her head to make her neck visible, and closed her eyes.

He had been stunned when she had whispered those two words. It had also become VERY apparent how deeply his brother had struck, making her doubt her own individuality. It would take something else than warm words at the moment to fix this. He needed to get her to fight her depression. He smiled inwardly when he thought of JUST the thing to do. "So, you're not quite as strong as I, Sesshoumaru, had thought you were." Kagome's eyes snapped open. If Sesshoumaru had learned anything about this girl, it was that she HATED to be called weak. "So quick to be wounded by my bastard brother. Willing to kill herself for an idiot that feels nothing for her." Kagome was clearly starting to get livid, so he decided to make his move. He leaned close to her ear, and whispered the one thing she would never expect to hear. "You look cute when you're angry." Kagome had only a second to look stunned before Sesshoumaru's lips met hers.

She had just been getting mad at the jackass in front of her, and all of a sudden he says she's cute when angry? She had been about to ask what was wrong with him, but then, he had kissed her. Her mind shut down for a moment, before any real thoughts could form. The very first thought was that Sesshoumaru was a MUCH better kisser than his brother. She had already closed her eyes and started kissing back. Sesshoumaru than wrapped his arm around her back, and she wrapped hers around his neck. The kiss intensified, Kagome's mind once again shutting down, overloaded by the feelings she was getting from this kiss. Than, Kagome realized something important. She was out of air, and she couldn't breath.

He had never felt anything like it. He had some expectations for what it would feel like, for he had not been womanless his long life. Yet, nothing those other women did ever felt like this, and this was just kissing! He put his hand around her back, pulling her closer. He subconsciously noticed her hands around his neck. When he first heard her groan, he simply ignored it, however when she tried to pull back, he stopped kissing her to see what was wrong. He sweat dropped when he realized that she was out of air. He simply held he near while she got her breath, his head in her hair, smelling in her sweet scent.

After Kagome got her breath back, she moved away enough to look up into Sesshoumaru's face and simply said, "Why?" Sesshoumaru seemed to think for a moment, and replied with, "Because." Before she could speak more he picked her up in his arm, using his tail to help hold her. He walked over to the couch and laid on it, his back to it's back. Kagome was held tight to Sesshoumaru by his tail, which had moved itself to act as a blanket and pillow. Sesshoumaru moved his mouth close to her ear and said, "Nothing my fool brother said is true. It is untrue because I, Sesshoumaru, say so." "Why do you care? Don't you hate humans?" Kagome asked, slightly confused, yet warmed by his words. Sesshoumaru paused for a moment, thinking his words through, before he answered. "I do not how or why I began to care. But I care little for such things. All that matters is that I do care, whether you are human or demon." While he had talked he had pulled her closer, and on finishing, gave her another kiss, shorter than the last. When the kiss ended, he looked her in the eyes and said, "You are mine, Kagome. Nothing will ever change this." Kagome's eyes teared up as she slipped her hands around his neck and buried her head in his shoulder, giving him a hug. Feeling sleepy, she whispered one last thing before falling into light sleep. "I love you." Sesshoumaru eye's widened in surprise. It had been many years for him before someone had said those words to him. A smile came to his face as he rested his head on top of Kagome's, breathing in her scent, as he too entered a light sleep.