Silk and Blood by royalbk

Chapter One

Wohoo! I'm on a roll again in this fandom - I hope you like this little piece because it took me some good hours to write it. My imagination kind of ran away with me so yeah...it's a challenge fic for the community Iyfic contest.

No beta reader as usual so please...any mistakes you catch let me know. I don't want to screw it up too bad.

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Disblaimer: Sesshoumaru, Kagome, Sango, Inuyasha and Kikyou definitely don't belong to me. No one from this fic does. Just the plot is mine!

Warnings: Mild swearing and some sexual situations towards the end of the fic.

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Silk and Blood

By Royal blueKitsune

She swung her legs over the edge and peered thoughtfully into the cold darkness beneath her.

There was nothing changed about the Bone Eaters well tonight but what difference wasn't supposed to be there, Kagome felt keenly - it was a pressing feeling in her chest that left her breathless and quietly trembling.

After nine years of knowing this time, how she dreaded sealing the well and leaving both her lives behind. To never sit Inuyasha again or tweak those fuzzy, adorable ears she loved. To miss seeing her adopted son grow into a handsome, powerful demon...

She wished...Kagome sighed and looked at her silent companion, wishing she could erase the faraway expression in those brown eyes.

She wished that Miroku had survived the battle with Naraku.

To save your brother and loose the one you love, the young miko mused feeling sad, was a thing no one should ever have to endure. Especially her kind, sensible soul sister - before figuratively speaking, now literally.

It had come as a surprise when the jewel had willingly chosen her, Kagome, as its eternal protector - linking her soul and binding her powers, expanding her life to that of an immortal. It had come as a shock when, that very night, Midoriko had appeared both in her and Sango's mutual dream and announced that the taijiya was to become to guardian of the protector of the Shikon.

Tongue-tying. Yes.

Mind-boggling. Very.

Kagome still wasn't sure if Sango was ever going to get over the fact that she was also going to live forever. Never to grow old or die...never was such a long time.

"Stop blaming yourself Kagome-chan. It's not your fault." Sango's firm tone broke no compromise, but the smile on her youthful face was gentle and not at all reproving.

"Yes it is. Because of me, this duty, you won't ever get to reunite with Miroku like you wanted to."

Sango's eyes flashed with pain and Kagome bit her lip, feeling sorry for mentioning him.

"Don't be," The slayer laid a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder and squeezed gently, "Kagome-chan I don't feel sorry for sharing this burden with you. You're one of the most courageous beings in this world...braver than me that's for sure." Her eyes filled with tears and she allowed them to fall, knowing that this gentle soul wouldn't ever judge her. "I didn't even ask you how you were dealing with all this. Sesshoumaru and Rin..."

She cut herself in the middle of the sentence when the blue-eyed miko almost visibly flinched and lowered her eyes.

The second man, to whom the Shikon miko had given her heart, had instead felt more strongly for his sixteen-year-old ward to seemingly care about her feelings. Such was the fate of the twenty-four year old Shikon no miko.

"We've become very jaded women, haven't we Sango-chan?" Kagome sighed from the bottom of her soul. "Many years ago, before all this started, I think we were both happy."

Sango half smiled. "Even after I met you I was happy Kagome-chan. I couldn't have asked for a better sister...and that's why I think it's best if we go now."

Her eyes were soft and understanding. "Inuyasha is finally happy with Kikyou, Shippou has found the remaining of his clan. They all understand. As for the both of us - we need to heal...and protect the accursed Shikon no Tama of course."

From her shoulder Kirara mewed in agreement.

"You know, that is the wisest thing I've heard in a long time." Kagome sat up and brushed her green hakama of dust, hands still glowing with the remnants of blue sparks - both from the well and her own powers.

She had sealed it with her own blood.

"The question is though, how do you think we will be able to travel without any money?"

The older woman looked sheepish and thoughtful for a moment, before pulling a heavy pouch and unwinding the string that held it close to reveal pure and solid gold. Lots of it. "Would this be enough?"

Kagome almost fainted then and there.

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"You'll let them go so easily?" Kikyou questioned softly, head resting on her mate's shoulder - perfectly content to stay in his embrace for the rest of the night, if not for the unreasonable guilt eating at her.

She had found happiness after decades of misery, but her reincarnation, the stupidly unselfish girl who had given her the gift, wasn't allowed the flicker of peace she wanted.

After being dead for so long, emotions came harder - but this was definitely sadness for the unfortunate Kagome who had been given so many responsibilities all at once.

"It's their choice," Inuyasha's gruff voice sounded none too pleased and the former undead miko sighed.

"You're sulking."

If he had them now, his ears would've most likely twitched in annoyance. As it was, Kikyou was still getting used to the youkai type of ears he had recently gained.

What couldn't a small wish do right?

"Keh. The stupid girl had to go and fall in love with bastard half-brother and break her heart while she was at it," the series of growls that followed, forced her to rub his ears to calm him down before he ripped something apart, "And the idiot had to go and ignore her."

He sighed. "Idiot Sesshoumaru - it just goes to prove that he is truly a frigid asshole with an icicle way up his..."

Kikyou silenced him with a glowering look - promising pain if he continued that phrase. Inuyasha rolled his eyes, keh-ed and drew the blankets closer around their naked bodies.

"Sensitive bitch..."

A few moments later Kikyou was fuming and Inuyasha was rubbing the reddish palm print on his cheek - in a scene that was mildly reminiscing of Miroku and Sango - and cursing colorfully.

Endearment or not in his language, Kikyou thought with fiery narrowed eyes, she was not letting him go with calling her that!

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1542 - China.

36 Years Later

Sango frowned and lifted her Hiraikotsu in the light of the sun for a more thorough analysis, all the while pouting visibly.

This was so not fair.

Almost like she knew what her friend was thinking, Kagome smiled cheekily from above her volume of the Four Great Classical Novels.

"No sulking Sango. I took great pains to get you just the right qipao for your birthday present...whenever that is." The miko frowned and mirrored the slayer's expression, "Are you sure I can't weasel it out of you in any way?"

"And get Kami knows what frilly, pink feminine thing I'm going to rip to shreds first thing? No thank you - I'll live without."

Kagome's lips curled upwards in a grin. "Oh come on," she playfully encouraged, "you seem to like the vermilion qipao I got you; also you have to admit that the green dragon circling around your waist was a very inspired idea!"

Sango smiled also. Was she joking? The fierce dragon was her favorite design!

"You could've waited until my weapons practice was done with before stuffing me into this," she reverently caressed the shimmery material, "What if I rip it apart or stain it?"

The ebony-haired young woman had to laugh at that. Sango sounded so appalled and terrified at the same time - Kami! She was afraid for a kimono after facing terrifying demons and monsters.

"Hear yourself talk now - Inuyasha would have a fit and yell at you for becoming soft."

A snort.

"Not that he has the right to open that big mouth of his, but for his information I am too a woman and have needs. I don't get the urge often but I happen to like kimonos, qipaos and dresses too!"

The doors opened and Su Yang bowed shortly, before stepping in with a steaming plate of food and drinks for her mistresses. Everything smelled so good that Sango had to tell herself to swallow, or end up drooling disgracefully.

Kagome's stomach growled loudly and she blushed a deep red when her cook sent her a sheer look of amusement.

"Su Yang! What did I tell you about bringing our food here? You are our cook not our servant - we have feet too you know!"

The old woman smiled and bowed once more, verdant green eyes shining, "You know I can not do that mistress. It is my duty to serve you and not the other way around."

She artfully arranged the dishes, hot and sour soup and mutton hotpot that looked deliciously appetizing, and poured white tea in their cups with such poise that Sango grinned at Kagome's longing expression.

Su Yang blinked questioningly. "Is there something wrong mistress Sango?"

"No, no Su Yang. Don't worry - Kagome is just jealous that you possess such easy grace in doing mundane tasks such as pouring tea."

Kagome sulked, "I swear that my blood is made only for strenuous tasks. Etiquette is a foreign word." She was of course referring to her miko blood and Sango caught the hidden meaning.

"I hear you..."

Su Yang shook her head.

Her mistresses were such strange creatures. Always speaking in riddles.

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1588 - 1604 - Spain

82 - 92 Years Later

They had settled for Spain after leaving China - not aging had certain disadvantages at times and they couldn't prolong their stay any longer.

Kagome had wanted to show Sango that there was more of the world than she had known before. It was not only Japan and China with their somewhat similar customs and whatnot...there were other languages, other people, other habits.

She had grinned the first time Sango had laid eyes on Spanish gowns, bodice, chemise, corsets...jewelry, stockings, shoes. Kagome herself had held a morbid sense of fascination towards the odd clothes the Spanish women liked to wear.

They had appeared so constricting, heavy and taking all necessary effort to carry and wear. Painful really.

English and French clothes had appeared approximately the same to the two women caught between fascination and despair. Incredibly, they hadn't even been forced to leave Spain to see other designs...as Kagome had miscalculated the time and ended spending almost the entire period of the Anglo-Spanish and French war in Madrid.

Where the imperial court had been moved since 1561.

Kagome had considered herself lucky to have seen the Renaissance herself, and had told Sango such. The former slayer had retorted that there was nothing to be excited about when the corset was cutting off her air supply, the shoes were killing her legs and her maid had put incredibly too much powder on her - thus she was in need of a bath.

In that moment the brown-haired woman had taken back every kind or flattering words she had ever said about dresses.

And Kirara had been close to choking on the vile, disgusting powder before Sango had noticed where her little kitten had gone.

Those happy, hilarious, moments had the few times Kagome hadn't regretted leaving Japan behind. Though missing Sesshoumaru - funny how she missed a person she didn't even properly know - was a daily part of her life.

Just as Sango's was missing Miroku.

Though both had resigned to the fates they had paid with blood and efforts.

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1626 - Hong Kong

120 Years Later

Kagome and Sango-san,

I hope this letter finds you well in Hong Kong and forgive me for not having written earlier. With all the traveling you two have done, I have been having a hard time tracking you energies throughout the strange places you have been.

Only now have I localized Kagome's miko signature once more.

Perhaps my request will sound entirely too presumptuous but I have taken the liberty of writing this without the permission of Inuyasha. The stubborn mate of mine knows no reason some time.

I will be blunt - Rin and Sesshoumaru's mating did not go as expected. At all. They did indeed remain mated for twenty years, but it appears that Rin's affections were not as stable as they had been in the beginning and for one reason or another turned to Sesshoumaru's general - your brother, Sango. In front of such treatment I also suspect that Sesshoumaru did not remain indifferent for he broke off their mating mark.

I am not yet sure how that was possible, as only incredibly strong and ancient magic can accomplish that, but the Daiyoukai released her from her commitment. Rin, as Inuyasha informed me, has tried several times to appease Sesshoumaru and get back into his good graces but her requests have fallen on deaf ears.

She accused him of not being faithful in thought to her; of thinking of another even during the period they were mated. Sesshoumaru did not deny it as Inuyasha has been present to several of their one sided arguments.

You are probably wondering why I am telling you all this. It is because I believe that the person who is almost always on Sesshoumaru's mind is you Kagome.

The choice is yours to make now. I am only sending this to even the odds - I have my happiness. Would you reach for yours?

Kikyou.

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1636 - Japan

130 Years Later

Neither could believe they were home once more. It was so surreal to realize that they had come back right from where they had started.

Sango was nervous.

Kagome even more so knowing just how much she had changed in the span of so many years. Youthful still, she had grown her hair tailbone long and allowed her skin to tan, but not to the point where it was glaringly noticeable. She hadn't donned a kimono, not even a miko's garb, but had opted for a white qipao with golden edges - his colors - she had liked.

Small changes yes, but what about her long absence? The jewel buried in her bosom? The very different view on the world, now more altered than anything after passing through history on her two feet?

In 130 years since she hadn't seen Sesshoumaru, Kagome was afraid for the first time.

She was afraid of Kikyou not being correct in her assumptions and even more so of her being correct.

Both were frightening for the girl from the future who had seen the past.

"Calm down Kagome-chan," Sango sought her trembling hand and squeezed it tightly, keeping her eyes trained on the clouds of rain ahead of them. Kirara glided through the darkened sky, as high above as possible to avoid being seen by humans who had lost almost all notion of true demons.

Oh, Kagome could still feel a few here and there - hidden in the wild forests of Japan - but definitely not the overwhelming number from before. It was sad to think that times were changing...soon technology would be the dominant force throughout Japan and the entire world.

The smell of upcoming rain mixed with the smell of nature - the smell of home. Kagome grinned widely when Kirara's feet touch the forest ground and jumped down with renewed vigor, sticking her tongue out when Sango laughed at her childish behavior.

"Makes you feel young again doesn't it?" The slayer's eyes were twinkling as she pet the soft fur of Kirara.

"Very much! I feel like I'm fifteen again...not a 145 years. Isn't it great?"

'Love does strange things to people.' Sango thought with an inward pang of...something.

"I'm going Sango-chan," the young miko's eyes were bluer-than-blue and stood out against the gloomy atmosphere surrounding them, "Tell Inuyasha that I'll come to see him and Kikyou as soon as I settle some problems kay?"

Sango nodded and inwardly shook her head, watching as her friend ran and disappeared between the trees.

After all these years, she still hadn't understood what that kay meant. Perhaps she would ask Kagome when she came back.

If she came back today that was, the slayer thought with a rakish smile. Or tomorrow. Or in a few days...

Hell, Sesshoumaru might think of keeping her. Who knew?

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Western Lands - the warning flared across her senses but Kagome ignored it completely and sprinted deeper into the lands of the might Daiyoukai.

Knowing that her powers would undoubtedly attract him to come and see if she posed a threat. As much as her miko energies had shifted across the years, she honestly doubted that he would recognize her at all.

Hopefully. But she wouldn't mind surprising him.

Even if he did say no to her.

The rain had started sometime while she had been running and she was now thoroughly soaked to the bone.

And see through! How embarrassing! Anyone could see her underwear without trying.

So much for modesty sake.

Kagome stopped and looked around...sensing the familiar thrill of power surrounding her from all directions. Threatening to overwhelm her aura and searching to make her submit.

She expected to see him coming out of trees but she was wholly unprepared for the way her heart sped up furiously when she did catch sight of him.

Sesshoumaru hadn't changed a bit. He was still pristine, dressed the same and cold. His hair was the same length, though now soaked by the dense rain falling around him, and his clothes stuck to his skin, showing muscles and skin that Kagome had no doubt would be warm and alive under her hands.

The thought was enough to make her blush hotly.

"You are intruding on my lands. Leave." Sesshoumaru bit out coldly, narrowing his eyes at her and making to turn back from where he had come.

No doubt he didn't consider her a threat.

Kagome wanted to feel insulted before remembering that she wasn't here to fight him.

"Is this the type of coming home welcome you have for me Sesshoumaru?" Kagome shielded her eyes and smiled at his rigid back, "Am I not worthy of a mere hello, how are you doing from you, your Lordness?"

One time she had mocked him like that and almost got herself killed. She had been the only one to ever call him that.

There was a strange emotion dancing in those golden eyes when he turned to regard her more closely. Kagome licked her lips, despite the fact that she was wet from head to toe, and clasped the material of her qipao in what might've been a curtsy...but without actually bowing.

"No more green, short skirts for me. I've given up my miko garb also but it's me nonetheless. You know...the girl you tried to melt into a pile of goo for managing to take out the Tetsusaiga that first time we met."

She hoped that by giving him clues of her identity, revealing things that only a handful of people was aware of, she would make him remember her.

Sesshoumaru approached her slowly and Kagome felt her stomach tie itself into knots of tension and emotions. He looked more beautiful closer. She wanted to reach forward and run her fingers along the jagged markings on his cheeks but wasn't sure that her touch would be well received.

For a moment they stood in silence, with only the rain falling hard around them.

"Either say something or turn and leave."

Her voice seemed to make him start slightly - or maybe it was the rain moving on his skin and she had imagined it - and suddenly Kagome found herself hauled up against a solid chest and his mouth descended against her in a kiss that melted every bone in her knees.

His body was real against her and his kiss warm and pleasant; not hurried, nor bruising and passionate, but deliberate and making her toes tingle and curl pleasantly. The hint of fang made her see stars and Kagome wrapped her arms around his chest to keep herself from falling.

How long it lasted she didn't know. She knew that she was breathless and grinning by the time the Daiyoukai was finished with her.

"Wow. I think I like that hello very much." Kagome didn't know if she should give herself credit for managing to get that out through pants, or be horrified at the kittenish way her words had come out.

"Didn't you die girl?"

"Nope. You don't get rid of me that easily - I survived Naraku so what's death going to do when I have the Shikon jewel burning inside me?"

His lips pursed in a way that had Kagome wanting to defend herself. Her laugh was short and nervous.

"You can say that I took a very long vacation from the world. Been everywhere and seen everything and enjoyed my immortality."

"I'm glad to see you again Sesshoumaru," her voice was soft and thoughtful, "you look...the same as before."

He was moving forward all of a sudden and she only knew his intentions when he pressed her into the bark of a tree. The cold made her squeal and snuggle deeper in his arms...only to draw back a few moments later when she realized that she was embarrassing herself.

"Isn't it a bit too early to be passing to that phase?" Kagome wiggled against him, trying to get more comfortable, and sharply squeaked when Sesshoumaru's mouth latched to her neck, forcing her to throw her head back and give him full access.

"It is never too early miko." He drew blood from a particular insistent bite and immediately lapped it up, like she was some sort of delectable treat.

Kagome gulped, eyes wide and misty with passion. She had only been toying with him - she hadn't expected a positive answer!

"Ummm," more wriggling and she groaned when he ground his hips against hers to keep her still, "this is a bit too early. We've barely met after more than a hundred years. Shouldn't we go slower?"

Her voice died on that last word as he brushed his knuckles against the hardened peak straining against her bra. (the one she'd patched and patched...and then tried to recreate...ahem!)

"Slower is for later priestess. Now it shall be fast and hard."

The answering rush of heat that tightened her body had her throwing all caution into the wind and kissing him with as much passion as she could muster.

Tomorrow she would think of the consequences of her actions.

Tonight she wanted to feel what had been denied for so many years.

And he was willing to give her all.

End.

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Uh, yeah...I'm quite aware that I'm nuts. You like it? I hope for opinions from you because I'm curious as to what you think about this.

Reviews?

EDIT: Sorry...ehehe! Found some mistakes.