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Kagome lifted her bow and fired another arrow into the midst of the heavy battle. There was blood everywhere, bodies dropping to the ground as the enemy moved in to attack again. She saw Naraku by her side for a moment, killing a would be assailant. She didn't even have time to thank him before he moved away to fight off more of the creatures that were invading their home. She winced as an arrow flashed by her ear, slicing off a few strands of hair in the process. She heard a scream behind her as the arrow hit something, but she knew it had been meant for the enemy that was sneaking up behind her. She glanced around for the archer that had helped her and noticed her twin sister Kikyo high up in a tree, firing and staying hidden like a good sniper should. Kagome nodded minutely to her sister and turned, firing several arrows at once at those who had their backs turned and who were killing her people.

They were strange beings indeed. All had piercing red eyes that glowed with a deep blood rage that spoke of extreme evil. She shuddered in wonderment when she saw several laugh in pure sick joy as another of her comrade's fell. She whimpered softly for the poor kitsune who was attempting to crawl away from the bloodthirsty monsters that were quickly crowding his body. Kagome shot rapidly, attracting their attention and rage from the injured Kitsune. She glanced at him and saw that it was the father of the young Kit Shippo. She felt anger well up inside of her as she shot again and again, her red streaked energy surrounding the arrows as they flew. As the tips of the arrows touched the creatures, they stopped and screamed in agony as her powers over whelmed them and disintegrated their bodies into dust. She panted, there were too many coming, where they all came from she didn't know. What she did know was that her people would have to fall back to the mountains behind them to the west to survive. She was so into firing her arrows that she did not see or sense the assassin sneak up behind her. She almost would have died had it not been for her mate, who had seen the danger and had raced to her side to save her. He growled and ripped the head off of the filthy body.

“Kagome, you must be more alert.” Kagome's mate commanded with urgency, his weapon of purity slicing through those who sought to attack them. Kagome turned and frowned at her mate before firing several arrows over his shoulder.

“I am being alert.” She countered, her voice hard as she spotted Kouga and his mate out in the distance, herding the wounded and young to a safe cavern that would only allow those who were close to Kagome's heart in. Kouga looked back and then pushed his mate in, before he stood guard, killing all who came close and letting his friends in safely. Kagome was proud of her childhood friend.

Kagome felt her mate's hand on her shoulder as she was pushed to the side to avoid another arrow that flew past. This one had been meant for her. “Is the Kousei safe?” She heard her mate whisper so that only she could hear. Kagome touched a small lump under her hatori and nodded slightly. The enemy was not to know who had the star at all costs.

She watched as her mate swung his blade in a graceful arch and only then did she realize that he was missing an arm. “What happened?” she demanded, aiming and firing accurately.
“It is only a minor wound, easy to heal.” He stated, swinging his blade with ease.
Kagome went to his injured side and tried to examine it as the battle continued. Her mate shielded her the best he could as she hastily looked over it.

“You need to rest love, allow your brother to take over!” she demanded hurriedly.
Her mate shook his head and then panted as he pushed her behind him and out of reach of another sword. Kagome closed her eyes for a moment, trying to block out the hideous sight before her. Her friends and family were being killed left and right, her soldiers and men fighting the hardest they could, but it was no use, they had to pull back. “We've lost this day, let us pull back!” she pleaded with her hard headed mate.

He shook his head. “We have been trying. Kouga has been gathering the wounded and taking them to the healing cave, Naraku is with his brother Onigumo reinforcing the perimeter, their sisters are fighting along side them, you sister is trying her hardest as a sniper, Lady Kaede is healing as fast as she can, they have us surrounded.” He glanced at her during the moment that no one came at them. “I want you to go to the cave and rest for as long as possible, help Lady Kaede with the healing if you must do something, just stay there until I return.” He demanded coldly.

Kagome shook her head hard. “I will not leave you!” She exclaimed, spotting someone raising his sword to attack Kouga, she fired rapidly at the monstrosity, who was at least a 100 yards away.
Her mate smirked for a moment. “Your aim is getting better,” his smirk faded as he made up his mind. “But this is to dangerous for you. You and the Kibou Kousei must be kept safe at all times.”

Kagome looked at him strangely, hearing the unsaid. “You wouldn't dare…”
“Oh, but I would.” Her mate lunged and slashed open a hastily made portal into any world that would be much safer then their home world. Before she could pull away he dug his sword into the ground and grabbed her arm. He thrust her into the portal and then picked up his sword again to guard the opening until it closed.

Kagome was in shock at what her mate had just done. He had opened a portal without concentrating on the coordinates, thrust her into it, and was now guarding it as the opening slowly closed. “Sesshomaru!” She cried out in sadness and fear, love and anger, before the portal closed all the way. The last thing she saw before the cold darkness was his face contorted into pain at the loss of his mate to another world.

Kagome felt searing tears stream down her face in the dark, frozen place known as the between. The between was the place between the portal doors. She floated there for a moment, unable to see, hear, or feel…except for those burning searing tears down her cheek. She felt warmth hit her back as the portal door at the other end opened and allowed her to leave the frozen place. She closed her violet eyes from the harsh light of midday in the other world. She opened them as she felt a sense of weightlessness and then falling, fast and furious falling. She gasped as she realized Sesshomaru had not only opened a portal to another world without coordinates, but he had also opened it high up in the sky.

As she fell, she concentrated the last of her energy onto her back, where two dark purple wings sprouted to try and steady her rapid descent. It was to late to recover from the fall, but she did prevent killing herself. As she crashed, she felt one of the dragon like wings crack and her left leg dislocated. She moaned and lay there for a moment, conscious only to the yelling and scrambling feet of people coming near. She pushed herself onto her arms and then twisted so that she was laying on her back as her wings slowly withdrew into her back. She wouldn't be able to call them out until the one wing was properly healed. She stretched out her left leg. Pain shot up her side and into the pit of her stomach as she twisted her leg back into place, once she heard the pop and crack of the joint relocating, she relaxed and let the tears fall freely. At this time several people were coming close…She didn't look up into their faces, instead she pulled free a dagger and slammed the blade into the ground, her lips opening to emit a heart ripping wail of despair. She couldn't feel her mate because of the distance between them, she could not feel her son, her sister, her friends, her mother, no one, it was as if they were all dead to her. She ached to be able to touch their minds with hers, but when she reached out with her thoughts, they were not there. It was disorienting and hurtful to her soul. It shattered her heart, which ached severally and in her mind she was already mourning their deaths although she knew deep in her heart they were not dead. She simply could not feel them, and for her to not feel those close to her, it was the worst thing in the world.

“Kagome?! What happened to you?!” an angry and worried voice demanded over her. She looked up slowly and painfully only to look into the face of her brother-in-law Inu-Yasha. She gasped and forced herself to stand.

“You're…here! But how? You were fighting with the creatures, trying to get to Naraku to aid him in destroying the enemies! You shouldn't be here!” She felt like ripping his throat out for following her here. How could this boy leave his brother only to follow her here? Did Sesshomaru order him to follow and protect her? She hoped not, her mate needed every warrior on the field to fight.
Inu-Yasha frowned with worry, Kagome wasn't acting normal. She was babbling about aiding Naraku, which he knew wasn't Kagome at all. “Kagome, get a hold of yourself! We're not in a battle, stupid wench.” He muttered under his breath. He looked at her stricken face and reached out to touch her bleeding shoulder. “How did you get this Kagome? Did a Youkai attack you?”
Kagome frowned and reached out with her mind. She touched his, he felt similar, but very different from the Inu-Yasha she knew. “You're…not him…” She backed up hastily and then shook her head to clear her thoughts. Her hand went to her chest unconsciously to check and make sure the Kibou Kousei was there. She let her hand drop as she felt the familiar lump under her hatori.

Sango came running up with Miroku. “Sango…Miroku…no…you're not them either. Different and yet similar.” She babbled, her heart shattered and her soul lost to the pain and sorrow that was threatening to envelope her entirely. She pushed aside those feelings weakly, for they spoke of death and the need for mourning. She must try to stay strong and have the strength to be able to save her home, friends, family, and her mate. She whimpered softly as she thought of her mate, how he must be fighting on, trying to protect their young son and friends.

“Sesshomaru! I should be helping you!” She cried out as she fell to her knees, her left leg sending pain up and down her side and stomach. But the physical pain wasn't as harmful as the emotional pain. She unconsciously searched for his comforting and warm mind that had always been there to wrap her in love. But all she found was an eternal emptiness that caused her heart to shatter more. Sesshomaru had been her mate, someone she could always feel, but now…he was gone from her mind and she could not find him. She clutched at her heart, the last of her strength leaving her as she tried to reach out to her mate through all the distance of time and space. She whimpered, the strength of battle gone from her body and a pure weariness filling the void of her broken emotions.

Miroku looked around nervously and then whispered to Inu-yasha. “Something is very wrong here, she looks like Kagome but…” he shook his head confused. “We must take her to Kaede at once.”

Kagome looked up suddenly. “Kaede? You know of my mother?” she looked at them hopefully, but then her hope faded as it dawned on her at last that she was in an alternate world. With that realization, she blacked out, the relief of no feeling a joy to her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kibou Kousei: Star of Hope (the alternate Shikon jewel)

Priestess Kagome sighed for the tenth time. It had been 3 days since the battle against the weasel. 3 lonely days since her mate and only love had pushed her through the portal into the backwards word. She shook her head as she watched the little shippo play with the fairy she had made.

“When can we start training?” Kagome from this world asked with a smile.

Priestess Kagome looked up at her sadly. “When I have recovered my strength.” She stated simply. Using a portion of ones soul to create an energy arrow was always draining and that was why she and her sister had only used it as a last resort.

The younger Kagome from this world sighed and sat down next to the older Priestess Kagome from the other world. “…you miss him don't you?” she asked softly.

Priestess Kagome nodded. “I think about him every moment I'm alive. I know he is alive because of the connection he and I have. He feels so very far away and yet it's like he is right next to me.” Priestess Kagome looked away and off into the neighboring forest. “I worry about him, as well as my friends and family.” She winced as the mere thought of them forced her to see their faces before her.

Now that she had time to think, she had realized that there were subtle differences in all of them. Inu-Yasha in her world for example had one black streak in his hair while the Inu-Yasha did not.
Kagome leaned her chin against her knees as she watched Shippo jump around to try and catch the little fairy. “I'm sure you'll get back soon.” She murmured sympathetically.

Priestess Kagome nodded, her calm solid and forced. She would not cry again, her mate would not have approved. She shouldn't have cried before. “We will start training when I have healed.” She said as she stood and walked towards the forest.

Kagome stayed seated as she watched Priestess Kagome walk off. She would be fine on her own, though Kagome didn't understand what she meant by heal. “She didn't look injured.” She murmured as she turned her attention back onto Shippo and the fairy.

Priestess Kagome slowly walked from tree to tree, reflecting on her thoughts. There had to have been another reason Sesshomaru had pushed her through the portal. He knew she could take care of herself and the Kibou Kosei so why had he pushed her through the portal? She sighed as she ran her fingers over the bark of a tree as she passed. It just didn't make sense.

Priestess Kagome continued to walk even as a familiar presence came closer. The Sesshomaru of this world was coming near and she could only sense him because of her training, not because she was mated to the Sesshomaru of her world. If she had been in this world for any other reason then the one she had, she would have gladly enjoyed observing the differences between the two worlds. “Hello Sesshomaru.” Priestess Kagome said as she felt him behind her.
Sesshomaru looked down at his brothers b***h with contempt. “You are coming with me.” He stated reaching out with one arm.

“I don't think so Sesshomaru. I would rather stay here and think.” She said with a long sigh. The Sesshomaru of this world was even more similar then the two Inu-Yasha's. She turned around and blinked as she saw this Sesshomaru for the first time. He was missing an arm, just as her mate. “Tell me, how did you loose your arm?” she asked without much care.

Sesshomaru growled softly, his lip curling as the wench asked about his arm. “You should know, my whelp of a brother ripped it off.” He glared at the girl until finally something came to his senses. His arm shot out and he pulled her Kimono off her left shoulder. There, gleaming in the shifting forest light was his mark. “How did you get this!” He demanded as his hand changed positions and encircled her throat.

Priestess Kagome coughed softly from the grip Sesshomaru had on her. “My mate gave this to me to protect me.” She said, her eyes turning cold. This was not her mate, her mate would never hurt her like this.

“Where did you get this. I will not ask again.” Sesshomaru said, empathizing each of his words with a squeeze of his hand.

Kagome gagged and chocked as his grip tightened and then loosened a little. “My mate Lord Sesshomaru gave it to me.” She hissed out. “I am not from this world.” Her words stuck to her throat and she could barely get enough air to her lungs.

Sesshomaru's grip loosened slightly as the girl's words penetrated his mind. He, being a powerful and well educated Lord, understood what she said. He knew of several possible worlds like this one. “You will come with me.” He stated as he pulled her close and rose into the air on his cloud.
“No, I will not.” She said as she pushed a small amount of her aura against him. It forced him to let go, but by this time they were already high in the air. She swiftly took a step back off of the cloud and dived into the air. She summoned her wings even though they were not fully healed. She felt her right wing strain with pain as the wind pushed against it. She winced, but controlled her glide until she was on the ground.

Sesshomaru had been momentarily stunned as the girl freed herself and then jumped from his cloud. He watched, unable to move as wings appeared on her back and slowed her rapid descent into a fast glide. He noticed the right wing tremble slightly as she finally touched down and retracted her wings into her back. “Interesting.” He murmured as she started walking deeper into the forest. He would not try to take her again, but he would watch her. Closely, for not only did she have his mark, but if he had sensed right, she also carried his child. He growled softly as the thought surrounded his mind. He would never degrade himself to take a human as a mate, but she had just proven to him she was not a full human. Things were very interesting indeed.
Priestess Kagome sighed as she continued walking, Sesshomaru's aura was now hidden but she knew he was there, watching her. She knew enough about Sesshomaru and some things would never changed.

She came to a stop when she came upon an old, large tree. This kind of tree was considered a “tree of life” in her world and to touch it would heal away simple problems as well as bring peace to the mind. As she approached she saw a scar in the tree and there was a remnant of power around it. She couldn't isolate it to figure out who had created the scar, but it was there. Priestess Kagome sighed as she laid her fingers lightly on the bark. She felt a tingling sensation but that was all. There was no healing energy nor was there a calming presence in the tree itself. It was simply a tree where magic had once been present. She laid her cheek against it and thought about her lost love. Tears sprang to her eyes and she slid to her knees, her cheek still pressed against the tree as the tears silently slid down her cheeks.

Sesshomaru felt something in his heart stir as he watched the girl silently cry, leaning against the tree that his brother had been trapped to for fifty years. He started to step forward when a bright light flashed between them. He covered his eyes as the light would not dissipate.
Priestess Kagome whipped away her tears as the light filled her vision. She felt the Kibou Kosei tug towards it for a moment and the mark on her shoulder glowed for a second. “I miss you Sesshomaru.” She murmured as the brilliant light flashed and then dissipeared all together.
There were dots in Priestess Kagome's vision and she was blinded for a moment. She blinked several times before she could finally make out a blurry figure. Her heart pounded as a single name entered her heart and thoughts. “Sesshomaru…”

Lord Sesshomaru, guardian and mate to the Protector, stood between the Lord Sesshomaru of this world and his mate. “I missed you.” He muttured as he looked down at his tear stained mate.
Priestess Kagome nearly jumped to her feet and into his arms as she heard his words. Tears flowed freely now and her sobs wracked her body as she entangled her fingers in his hair. Her mate was here, his hair was in her hands and he was holding her with his arms. “Your arm, it's healed.” She murmured after a minute of her happy sobs. She hiccoughed and rubbed her eyes. She looked over his shoulder to see the Sesshomaru of this world staring, his eyes wide with amazement.

Her mate smiled, something he only did for her. “Your mother healed it as well as a gash wound to my chest.” He did not add the fact that he had blocked the sword that had made the gash, from the portal he had pushed her through. “How are you feeling?” He asked seriously as he his hand ran across her face and to her left shoulder.

Priestess Kagome smiled warmly as her mate's hands inspected her for injury. “I am fine, my right wing is sore but it will heal.” She said as his hands turned her around to run over her back.
Sesshomaru of this world frowned and took a step back. He turned and ran off towards the place he had left Rin and Jaken. He would then go back to his castle for some heavy contemplation.
“Are you here to take me home?” Priestess Kagome asked her eyes riveted on her one love.
Sesshomaru shook his head slowly. “I only came here to check up on you. The fighting has stopped for the moment and everyone is resting.”

Kagome frowned. “But why can't I come home with you then?”
“Because I don't want to risk you and the child.” Sesshomaru said possessively as he wrapped his arms around her tighter.

Priestess Kagome froze and leaned slightly away from him, as far as his arms would allow. “Child, what child?” she asked softly.

Sesshomaru placed a hand on her stomach. “Our child.” He pulled her close once more and tucked her head under his chin.

“That can't be possible,” she muttered to herself. “I took precautions.”

“And those precautions were countered by the Kibou Kosei.”

“But how?” Kagome demanded.

“Everyone in our world wanted to see you have a child. To ensure the line of protectors would carry on, we have a son but only a female can become the protector.” Sesshomaru murmured gently and comfortingly. “Kagome…I want this child as well. I want a child of our blood.”

Priestess Kagome gripped his shirt tightly. “I wanted a child of our own to, but not until I could ensure it's safety. I thought we could be happy raising Sota.”

“And now it is safe my love. You'll be safe here.” Sesshomaru said, running his fingers through her hair. “You need to stay here,” Sesshomaru paused and continued “Sota wants a younger sibling. And he understands that he cannot inherit because he is not my true heir.”

Priestess Kagome struggled in his arms and frowned. “I want to go back with you! My place is with you!” she cried out desperately. She lifted a fist and let it fall onto Sesshomaru's chest. “My place is with my people, not in some other world where everything is so horribly different.” She sobbed and lifted her fist only to let it fall onto Sesshomaru's chest once more. “I want to be able to hold Sota, even though he is our adopted son. I want to talk to my mother and laugh with my sister. I want to be by your side, and raise our future child! This world feels so cold and distant compared to our own.”

“How can things be so different here? I can't sense the monsters, but things shouldn't be that much different.”

Priestess Kagome sobbed and looked down towards her feet. She pulled away and sat down carefully under the tree. “I'll have to explain.” She muttered sadly.

Lord Sesshomaru sat down next to her and then pulled her into his lap so he could hold her comfortingly.

Priestess Kagome didn't take long to start explaining and it took nearly an hour before Lord Sesshomaru heard the entire tale. “Are you sure this is true?” he asked. Some how he could not imagine Naraku being evil.

“It is…I've already checked.” Priestess Kagome said softly and tiredly.
“You're tired my love. Perhaps I,”

“Perhaps you should get your filthy hands off her!” A voice resonated across the clearing.
Sesshomaru and Priestess Kagome looked up to see a very pissed off Inu-Yasha standing there with Tetsusaiga. The other Kagome was there along with Sango and Miroku. Shippo and Priestess Kagome's fairy were nowhere in sight. “I said get your filthy hands off of her!” Inu-Yasha said again.

Lord Sesshomaru looked at this alternate Inu-Yasha for a moment. “I will do no such thing as long as you have a sword drawn in the direction of my mate.” He stated coldly.

Priestess Kagome tried to push herself into a standing position, but Sesshomaru held her still.
“Inu-Yasha…I don't think that's the Sesshomaru we know.” Kagome stated slowly.

“You're right. This is my mate and Guardian, Lord Sesshomaru.” Priestess Kagome said with a decisive nod.

Inu-Yasha reluctantly lowered his sword. “You sure?” he asked skeptically.

Priestess Kagome nodded. “The Sesshomaru you know has already come and gone.” Priestess Kagome stated as she kissed her loves cheek.

Sesshomaru sighed and held her close, nuzzling her neck as he did so. “I believe I better go my love. The fighting could start back up any minute and I am needed,” he said as he gently pushed her from his lap.

Priestess Kagome struggled for a moment and tried to hold onto him. “Don't leave me here love! Please take me back,” she whispered pleading, tears slowly slipping from her eyes.

Inu-Yasha shifted from foot to foot. He heard the exchange between the strange Sesshomaru and the other Kagome. He could see the love the two shared and it was…unnerving. He had never seen Sesshomaru act that way, and it was just to strange for him to think about. He released the breath he had been holding as the other Sesshomaru pushed Priestess Kagome off his lap. “Where are you going?” He demanded, carefully shifting his sword.

Sesshomaru sighed and ran a clawed hand through his bangs. “I don't have time for this baby brother. Take care of my mate, I must return to my world,” Sesshomaru said with an exaggerated sigh. He glanced back at his mate, who had turned her back on her mate. “Kagome…please understand. I want you and our child to be safe. Your safety can not be assured on our world.”
Priestess Kagome spun around, anger evident on her face. “And you think I'm safe here? No matter where I go Sesshomaru, there will always be danger! You cannot guarantee what will happen. I want to go home!” She demanded.

Sesshomaru's expression went from sad to strict. “You will not be going back until I can guarantee you will be safe,” he said with finality. He turned and, with his claws outstretched, slashed at open air. Instantly there was a flash of light and a portal door opened. He glanced over his shoulder. “If you follow me, I will be sure to send you to a aunt Lillith's world instead of this one,” he said as he stepped through the portal.

Priestess watched his back retreat through the portal. She seethed with anger and her hands clenched into tight fists. Her head bowed as tears rolled down her cheeks, she didn't even watch as the portal closed behind her love. Before anyone could say or do anything, Priestess Kagome turned and began to walk away, once again feeling as though her heart was being ripped from her chest. `I don't know if I can keep doing this,' she thought sadly as she tromped through the underbrush.

Sesshomaru clutched at his chest as the portal closed behind him. This had been one of the hardest things he had ever done. `At least she is alright,' he thought as he leaned against the wall.

“Father…is mother with you?” A voice floated out from the darkness of the cave. A flicker of light danced across his vision as a torch was lit.

“No. I did not allow her to return,” Sesshomaru said as he pushed himself away from the wall. “Why are you away from the others Sota?” Sesshomaru asked as he looked over his adopted son carefully. At the age of 15, Sota had developed well. He was strong for his age, and compared to how he used to look, was in good health. Sesshomaru winced sadly as he remembered the day he and his mate had found the small Sota huddled under a tree, bleeding and injured.

*Flash back*

Kagome laughed happily as she twirled under the forest light of the Western Lands. “It's such a wonderful day my love. Thank you for bringing me here,” She said as she ran into the arms of her new mate. They had only been mated a few months and those months had been her happiest.
Sesshomaru smiled, the smile only meant for her. “I'm glad you are happy my love. It's good to see you smile again.”

Kagome lost her smile for a moment and leaned into her mate's arms. “It's hard to believe my father died only a few weeks ago,” she murmured into his chest. She clung to him as tears threatened to develop. “I miss him so much!” she whispered hoarsely.

Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around his young mate and held her close. He had known her father for a long time, and had known his time had been close. “He lived a long and happy life Kagome. He had been very old when he had met your mother,” he tilted her head up so he could look into her beautiful eyes. “He told me our mating made him so proud and happy for us both.”
Kagome attempted to smile, only to give up and burry her face into his chest again. “I just wish he could have lived longer to meet his future grandchildren,” she whispered softly, blushing lightly.

Sesshomaru blushed as well, running his hands through his mate's hair. “I'm afraid that won't be for awhile Kagome,” he said with a light chuckle. He took his loves hand and then continued to lead her through the forest. “For now though, let us enjoy the sights around us,” he said as he waved a hand towards natures beauty.

Kagome smiled and nodded, following her Lord and mate wherever he decided to lead her. “Whatever you say love,” she said with a warm smile.

They walked like that for a while until the two lovers froze from the scent of blood and pain. “What could…” Kagome whispered as she suddenly jolted forward to where the scent was coming from.
“Kagome, wait!” Sesshomaru commanded, only to be ignored by his mate. He quickly followed after. He barely had time to stop from running into her when she suddenly halted. He looked up from her back to where her eyes were resting. There, at the base of a tree, was a boy no more then ten years old. He was badly injured and sickly looking.

“That poor boy,” Kagome murmured as she hurried forward to see what could be done for him.
Sesshomaru followed hesitantly, quickly and carefully scanning the surroundings. Something wasn't right here. Rarely was a human of any rank injured by anything this badly. He caught a sight of fleeting red, but was unable to get a real look at it.

`Something feels strange,' he thought as he knelt to help his mate lift the injured boy.

*End Flash Back*

Sota smiled and took his adopted fathers hand. “The others are resting, and the barriers are holding firm. It seems the monsters have made camp about 10 miles away,” He reported quickly.
Sesshomaru nodded and allowed his son to lead him to the others.

“Let us hope they stay there long enough for us to recover and burry our dead.”

Back in the world we know, the Lord Sesshomaru was pacing his chambers, contemplating on what to do about the mate to his alternative self. He could not just allow her to wander around where she could be injured. Although he himself was not mated to her, he still felt a pull on his heart to protect her.