AN: Okay, did not expect the wave of reviews this story has sparked! Thank you sooooo much! Since I was hoping for maybe two reviews-at the most-this weekend and received much more than that, I couldn't keep the last chapter to myself. I hope that you all like it, even though I don't delve too much into Kamisama. (I have no idea where the small Rurouni Kenshin part came from.)

"You've watched over Inuyasha until time has nearly caught up with him," Tomoe prodded her as they witnessed the hanyō's shy courtship of the Northern Lord's hanyō daughter.

The female was a brown dog with silver eyes and a soothing aura. Inuyasha had been drooling after her since their first meeting, giving his older brother no end of entertainment.

"You move at the pace of a snail demon, little brother," Sesshōmaru taunted when the girl had left.

Blushing, Inuyasha hid his embarrassment behind a dark scowl. "Shut up, Sesshōmaru. She's not the sort to appreciate me flying at her with declarations of affection and-and pleading for a mating contract."

Arching a brow, Sesshōmaru brushed his hair behind his shoulder. "Father has already been presented one by her sire."

Jaw dropping, he turned to face his brother. "Really? Did he sign it?"

Sesshōmaru shot him a look as if he'd dribbled down his chin. "Do not be foolish. He would not do so without first speaking of it to you."

Relaxing, Inuyasha smiled. "Thanks. She's great, you know?"

"Indeed. Light incense to Lady Kagome in thanks."

Brightening, he agreed. "Good idea. Hey, where's Rin? I thought for sure she'd be in the gardens today since it's been raining all week."

"Mother has taken her for a fitting."

"About time. The girl's shot up like a weed the past few months."

"Hn," Sesshōmaru hummed, turning to disappear inside the building.

Kagome sighed and transported them to a meadow filled with wildflowers. "Yes, I know."

"When will you go to him?" he asked quietly, knowing how sensitive she was on the subject.

Bracing herself, she swallowed and motioned to the well-hidden den just on the other side of the field. Following her prompt, he watched as a pretty female fox emerged carrying a young kit.

"And care to tell me how you managed to get up there in the first place?"

"What's in it for me, Mama?" the kit giggled.

Tomoe felt Kagome's hand grip his arm. With his free hand, he covered her hand with his own, giving what strength he could.

A jovial male fox came out next, laughing at whatever had happened to get the child in hot water with his mother.

"He's your son," the female scowled at her mate, making him beam proudly.

"That he is. Now, all joking aside, Shippō, how did you manage that? I'm most eager to know."

At his papa's praise, the boy puffed up and leapt out of his mother's arms. Placing a leaf on his head, he transformed himself into a giant pink balloon thing and began floating into the air. Both of his parents gasped and began clapping at the accomplishment.

Tomoe felt himself vaguely impressed as well. "That is advanced magic for one so young," he murmured to his mistress, making her give a watery smile.

"He was always good at figuring out ways to get what he wanted. He worked so hard on his magic."

As the family of foxes began playing games with each other, Kagome drew in a shaky breath.

"I think I've seen enough," she whispered, instantly taking them to another place.

They stood in silence for a while, Tomoe holding his words as she tried to force back her rioting emotions.

"D-do you think I'm an awful person if I don't go back?" she rasped.

"No," he answered immediately, "but you will." At the stiffening of her shoulders, he carefully ran his claws through her hair to soothe her. "Perhaps not as often as you did with your other comrades, but you will return as he grows, my lady. You want to know that his life is a good life, just as the others' lives are."

Wiping her eyes, she clenched them and grasped his haori. "Could you just hold me a minute?" She entreated, her voice a mere breath of sound.

Surprised at the question, Tomoe didn't let it give him pause. Complying as soon as he caught her words, he wrapped her in his arms and held her close as she shook. She buried her face in his chest and tried to keep herself from breaking as her loss washed over her. Happiness for Shippō was mixed into the whirlwind of emotions twisting in her stomach, making her unable to get a handle on herself. She was so pleased that he had been spared the pain of losing his parents and so very proud of him. But, her heart was broken at knowing she'd never again tell him stories before bed or bring him crayons for his fantastic drawings. She mourned his cuddles and bright smiles under even brighter eyes.

Tomoe couldn't totally grasp why this affected her so, but he did know that she was deeply hurt. He knew that he didn't like it and he knew that he'd do anything to make the anguish in her aura go away. Looking up, he saw a massive tree with perfect-for-sitting branches. Gathering Kagome to him, he leapt up and settled against the 'L' formed by the trunk and the largest branch.

His mistress had gasped at the sudden move, but allowed him to maneuver her in front of him, wrapping as much of himself around her as he could. It was moments like this, where she allowed him to be her strength that gave him the ability to push away any desire he had to return to his selfish pursuits. War was easy to him. Killing was even easier. Emotions were not.

However, he wanted them anyway. He wanted to understand what she felt and how to make her stay smiling. He wanted to feel what she did, the unselfish goodness she radiated. He wanted her affection and he wanted to give it back to her. It was just so confusing.

With her tiny form tucked up against him, it was a lot less confusing, he mused to himself. She didn't want him for sex, but maybe…maybe he could give her shelter? Was that what she needed from him? Someone to turn to when she was weak?

He could do that. He could be that. He would.

"He would be distraught at your pain, my lady," he told her softly as she curled into him.

"I know," she sobbed. "I can't help it. I feel like I've lost everything and I have no right to feel like that. This is the best outcome. It is. All of them got happy endings and I truly, truly want that for them."

"But you want your happiness, too," he finished when it seemed like she wouldn't.

Squeezing her eyes shut as if she were ashamed, she gave a faint nod.

Nosing her temple, he smiled and ran his fingers through her hair to brush it from her damp cheeks. "Who is to say that you will not have it? You have seen to everyone else's, perhaps now it is time for you to pursue your own?"

Blinking owlishly, she looked at him in bewilderment. "What?"

His ears twitched with his thoughts and then focused on her. "Your human family is still waiting for you, aren't they? And you have many more people to meet-to help. They won't mean the same to you, of course, but that doesn't imply they won't bring you as much happiness."

Her hands flexed on his clothes as she stared at him thoughtfully, her emotions subsiding at this advice. A small smile finally pulled at her mouth as she tucked her head under his chin.

"When did you get to be so smart?" she teased quietly, feeling some of her heartbreak heal at his words and presence.

"I've been with you a very long time," he teased back. "It was bound to happen sometime."

Sighing, she relaxed fully and simply enjoyed his protective embrace. They stayed in the tree as night began to fall around them, content with the silence as they often were. Tomoe's past was filled with the roar of warfare and Kagome had been alone for so long before him that she'd grown to appreciate the ease of silence.

"How many of your former comrades did you go back to guard?" he eventually asked her as the moon rose.

"All of them," she whispered. "Everyone I could remember. I watched over all of them and did what I could where I could to ensure that they were happy."

Blue eyes turned to him, drawing his own. "I will check on Shippō, you're right, but I don't think I can appear to him like I did most of the others. Would you-would you go to him sometime? Just to check?"

He smiled and nodded, internally preening a bit at this example of her trust. "Of course, my lady. I would be honoured."

"Thank you."

And that was that.

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Feeling eyes on him, Shippō paused in his game and hesitantly looked around the meadow. His papa was just inside the den, but something told him that whatever was watching him wasn't hostile. His green eyes widened when he spotted a white fox standing at the edge of the tree line.

"H-hello?" he called, unsure why he'd drawn the older fox's attention.

The fox smiled, however, and inclined his head in greeting. "Hello, Shippō."

Alarmed, the kit stood up and took a few steps toward his den. "How do you know my name?"

A weight settled on his shoulder, chasing away his tension as his father stepped out beside him. He was surprised when his father bowed deeply to the white fox.

"Honourable familiar," he greeted respectfully. "How can we be of service?"

The kit's gaze snapped back to the white fox at the title his father gave him. "Whoa!" he gasped. "Are you Lord Inari's?" he asked excitedly, unable to believe his luck at seeing a real Spirit familiar.

The fox snorted. "No. I serve Lady Kagome, the Spirit of Time."

Shippō's father's tail swished at the knowledge, leading the kit to believe that Lady Kagome must be very powerful.

"What's your name?" he couldn't help but ask. "I thought white foxes were super rare."

"Tomoe," he answered, "and there are few of us left. Lady Kagome saved my life or else there would be one less. She wishes to know if you are happy."

"Yes," Shippō said slowly, confused. "I love it here with Mama and Papa. Our den is awesome."

Tomoe smiled at his enthusiasm and reached into his haori to draw out a beautifully crafted top. "She asked me to gift this to you as she knows how hard you work on your fox magic."

Looking to his father, Shippō silently asked permission. The older fox gave it instantly, stunned at this turn of events. Scampering over, Shippō eagerly opened his hands for the wonderful toy. Tomoe placed it in his palms and patted his head.

"She thinks highly of you, kit," he told him softly, "and my lady's favor is something to cherish."

Clasping the top to his chest, Shippō eagerly nodded. "I will!" he promised. "Thank you! Thank her, I mean, thank you both."

Lips twitching, Tomoe inclined his head. "You're welcome."

With a last nod to the other male, the white fox disappeared back into the forest.

Shippō raced back to his papa, waving the toy around excitedly. "Look, Papa! Isn't it great? I've never seen one like this!"

The older fox examined the top, finding it of higher quality than anything he'd ever seen, either. It was sturdy, and painted with running foxes with a lone female watching on. He wondered why his son had so drawn her favor, but wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

"Mama! Come see!" Shippō hollered, his tail bushing up in glee. "Tomoe said that it was a reward for working hard!"

When the strange event had been told to the vixen, she turned thoughtful eyes to her mate.

"I've heard that the Western Lord has a shrine to the Spirit of Time. Perhaps we should journey there sometime to pay our respects."

Watching their offspring playing with the perfectly spinning top, he silently agreed.

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"Have you ever thought about staying at a shrine permanently?" Tomoe asked her one day.

Brows furrowed, she shifted to look at him. "Tomoe, I was born on a shrine and reared on a shrine."

Flashing a fanged grin, he nudged her gently. "Not what I meant, my lady. Your own shrine."

Catching his meaning, she hummed thoughtfully, watching as a red-haired boy ran from a hive of bees that he'd accidentally knocked into. That kid was going to have a large hand in shaping Japan, but he was hopelessly clumsy sometimes. She couldn't believe a descendant of Miroku's could be so…un-suave.

"Well, the Sunset Shrine has been built for some time now, but I wouldn't be able to live there until after my human self is no longer human."

Tomoe eyed the young swordsman-in-training, who yelped when a few of the faster bees stung him. Finally, the boy leapt into the river to escape them. He didn't know what was so special about the child, but his mistress insisted that he would grow into a master swordsman.

"That is not the only shrine available," he pointed out.

"For the love of…" she muttered, waving her hand to get the river to spit the boy back onto shore. "I swear, keeping this kid alive and healthy is more daunting than that stupid sake jar Kikyō and I were once stuck in together. And let me tell you, that sucked."

Chuckling, he crossed his arms as the boy stared around in befuddlement. "I haven't heard this tale," he prodded, flashing his foxfire to destroy the remaining bees coming to sting the kid.

The red-head sat up fast, his mouth falling open. "Hello? Is-is anyone there?"

Kagome stepped into his reality, looking down at him with an arched brow. "Really, Kenshin. Be more careful."

Kenshin blushed and almost dropped his gaze before he remembered that she knew his name. Narrowing purple eyes, he looked at her and then the…his eyes sprang open in astonishment. The male behind her had fox ears. And a tail. And claws. What?

"Close your mouth," the male said with an arched brow.

Obediently, he snapped his jaw shut. A strangled, questioning sound still escaped his throat.

The gorgeous female smiled at him. "I'm Kagome, and this is my familiar, Tomoe. You have much to do, Kenshin. Try not to get yourself killed before you can do it."

Then, the two were gone, leaving him soaking wet and wondering if he'd lost his mind. When he informed Hiko of the event, the large man spat out his gulp of sake.

"You saw a Spirit and her familiar and you just stared at them?" he demanded incredulously.

At Kenshin's sheepish nod, his teacher ran an exasperated hand down his face and took another swig of alcohol. His idiot student would be the death of him.

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"Why do you want those men to get lost?" Tomoe asked in confusion.

Kagome motioned to the female kneeling and reading her diary. "Because the human Tomoe has written her secrets in her diary and Kenshin will find it tomorrow. If she hasn't been told that the trap's ready, then Kenshin can confront her and not walk into that cluster blindly. It'll prevent his soul from being wounded beyond true repair."

The kid was still annoying, the fox thought, but he'd had a rough life. He didn't deserve to be completely broken. So, Tomoe the fox flicked his fingers and put the two men in an illusion no human could hope to escape. When they thought that their task had been fulfilled, he released them on their way. It was ridiculously easy.

"That wasn't a challenge," he near-whined.

Petting his ears affectionately, she giggled. "You're just upset because you're so close to getting your sixth."

Sulking, he crossed his arms even as he bent to allow her better access. "You would be, too."

"Probably, but you know it'll get harder with each tail. There are so few real challenges left in the Human World since the three realms were separated."

"This Sesshōmaru resents that remark."

Tomoe stiffened and turned to glare at the dog. They crossed paths rarely, but he never warmed up to the self-righteous demon.

Kagome waved him off with a grin. "You know that's not what I meant. Demons can't go off and have epic battles anymore here. You have to go to the Demon World for that and even then Koenma is a rule-loving jerk about everything."

"He's better than his father," Tomoe pointed out.

"True," she agreed. "Enma…I can't stand him. But, what are you doing over here, Sesshōmaru? Didn't your dad start the Dark Tournament this week? Crazy, I call him, but it's worked so far."

"Hn," the dog grunted, "he enjoys the sport of it and the false belief those foolish demons have that they'll actually get the chance to rule the Demon World."

Tomoe shrugged. "The winner has luxurious accommodations, which would be enough for many of them over yonder."

"Indeed. I came to tell you that your kit has enlisted in my guards."

That took her aback. "What?"

"He was taken as an apprentice to one of Father's Generals. Part of the requirement was to go through guard training so that he earns his keep at the palace. His master is a nine-tailed fox older even than Father."

Relaxing, she smiled. "Thank you for telling me. I'll check on him soon, then."

His golden eyes warmed at her happiness, not surprised when Tomoe flashed his fangs at him in warning. It was amusing that the fox sought to hoard her as his treasure and even more so that she had no idea. The dog wondered at the fight the familiar would give if they ever did come to blows. It was tempting to test, but this was hardly the place. Perhaps when next he caught them in the Demon World he would finally answer the challenge in the other male's eyes.

Bowing his head a bit to the Spirit, he took his leave of them.

"Bastard," Tomoe mumbled when the dog was out of hearing range.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "I don't get why you two are so aggressive towards each other."

"He's too friendly with you," he blurted before he could stop himself.

Freezing, she looked at him in disbelief. "Tomoe, Sesshōmaru still has a hard time using my name politely. I think I've touched him maybe three times ever and I don't recall him ever touching me. How on earth is that 'too friendly'?"

Mumbling, he scowled and turned away, leaving her totally bewildered.

When he leapt into a tree and huffed, she arched a brow, trying to puzzle out his odd reaction.

"He's gotten loads better," an affable voice remarked beside her.

Wrinkling her nose, she looked at the other Spirit. "What are you doing here, Mikage?"

He shrugged, "Oh, you know, a little crop growth here, a little fertility there-the usual."

Crossing her arms, she shot him a look that told him she didn't buy it, but wasn't going to call him out on it just yet. He simply grinned innocently and tipped his head back to the fox in the tree.

"Your little fox," he prodded, "is much changed from the way he was when I first met him."

Kagome shifted to stand between them, knowing Tomoe would be unable to hear their conversation, but wanting to keep Mikage from poking at him all the same.

"Leave him alone."

The Land Spirit held up his hands in defense. "I wasn't going to bother him. I'm just talking to you. Our first conversation, I asked him what you gave to him. Even then he could wax poetic about pretty much everything you touched." His expression turned serious. "But, when I asked him what he gave you, he dried up. He had no idea. I wonder what he'd tell me now."

Uncomfortable, she looked away. "Tomoe knows what he means to me."

He arched a brow. "Does he? Have you told him? He doesn't hate Sesshōmaru because he has a problem with dogs, my dear. He hates Sesshōmaru because he thinks that the dog is the only one with a chance of taking you away from him."

Her face went slack at that and she found it hard to swallow. "What?"

Mikage smiled sadly. "You know the nature of a fox, Kagome. You know that they all have a treasure they guard mercilessly. Where is Tomoe's?"

"He doesn't have one," she replied weakly.

The male Spirit laughed and shook his head. "You are so bright and yet so incredibly oblivious when it comes to these matters and yourself."

Patting her on the head, he spun and left in a flash. With him went the barrier preventing Tomoe from witnessing the exchange. The fox noticed immediately that something had happened to his mistress. Cursing himself for leaving her side, even if it was simply into the air above her, he jumped to her shell-shocked form.

"My lady?" he asked worriedly, nose quivering as he sniffed around her, finding no wounds. Something had simply greatly surprised and distressed her.

Blinking, she woodenly looked to him, something a bit broken in her expression before she hid it away.

"I don't care for Sesshōmaru in that way, Tomoe," she told him quietly, making him pause. "I've known him longer than I've even known you and if those kinds of feelings were going to grow between us, they already would have." She clenched her jaw and then cupped his face, making him look at her. When his dark eyes finally obeyed her silent command, she ran her thumbs over his cheekbones.

"He won't take me away from you."

Shuddering, he drew back, unsure how to handle the intense emotions she stirred. He caught her hands as they fell, however, and held them carefully.

"I didn't say he would," he murmured.

"I just wanted to make sure you weren't worried about such nonsense," she smiled. "I don't know of anything that would take me from you. That could, even if it wanted to."

Standing on tiptoe, she pressed a quick, simple kiss to his mouth, as if to reassure him that their bond was still there and true. Smirking, he nodded and felt a weight lift from him. She was still his-his beautiful treasure-and she always would be.

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Kenshin and his Tomoe lived a very happy life together, as Kagome insured with her instructions all those years ago.

Her Tomoe thought she was leaning more and more toward being a match-making Spirit.

"Honestly, my lady, Mikage is bad enough," he grumbled.

Kagome laughed, tossing her head back as she did so, making him soften at the joy she expressed.

"Oh, Tomoe, hardly. I just like happy endings. Kenshin and his wife get theirs and in turn they help Kaoru get hers with that nice kid who's been in love with her forever. Now, come on, I have a feeling I'm going to be needed right…there."

In a blink, they were gone.

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Time caught up with itself-or herself as the case was. Kagome was finally able to return to her family.

She stood at the bottom of the Sunset Shrine's stairs, as still as he'd ever seen her and wearing the guise of a human. "I'll lose them again, I know. I haven't jumped ahead because I didn't want to cheat. But, I'll have such a short time with them, Tomoe."

Shifting, he slid his arm around her shoulders. "Then you should not waste it. Besides, aren't you the embodiment of Time?"

Perking up, she grinned and gave him a sideways hug. "You always know what to say."

With that, she released him and bounded up the stairs. He smiled at her actions and quickly caught up with her. When they reached the top, she stopped to take everything in, filling her nose with the smell of home.

Tomoe looked around with interest, knowing how much this place meant to his mistress. It looked well-kept and radiated the same peace she did. Perhaps she'd influenced it even wearing her mortal shell.

"My past self just left for the final time," she told him lowly. "If I remember correctly, Mama should be doing the dishes and Sōta will be hurrying to finish his homework so he can play his video games." She laughed, the sound full of excited longing. "And Gramps has probably toddled off to watch his ninja shows."

Hundreds of years and she still remembered with such assurance, he marveled, getting a glimpse of how much she was yearning for this. To be honest, he didn't know how long she'd been separated from them. He didn't even know how old he was now. He measured his age by tails, but as he'd just grown his eighth one, knew that he'd probably give it up altogether soon.

"Shall I knock?" he inquired when she seemed to hesitate.

Taking a fortifying breath, she gave a jerky nod. He did so and soon heard light footsteps crossing to the door. When it opened, a friendly older human woman was smiling at them.

"Can I help…Kagome?" she cut off, her eyes widening.

Kagome's lips trembled and she rushed to hug her mother. "Mama!" she cried, her emotions finally overtaking her.

"Oh, goodness," Ms. Higurashi exclaimed, cradling her daughter and looking to the strange male with her for an explanation.

"I am Tomoe, Ms. Higurashi, Lady Kagome's familiar. It has been a very long time since she has seen you."

That spurred the woman into action. Somehow still holding her sobbing daughter, she grabbed the fox and snatched him into the house, shutting the door behind them. Then, she settled them all down on the sofa, petting Kagome and shushing her.

"There, dear, I'm here. Tell me what's happened, hm? Who's this boy you've picked up this time? What happened to Inuyasha? Oh! He's got a tail!"

Laughing wetly, Kagome pulled back and reached for Tomoe, who gave her his hand without thinking.

"Mama, I have so much to tell you."

And tell her she did.

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Ms. Higurashi sat back in awe as Kagome dropped her glamour and let her see the ethereal Spirit she'd become. Tomoe's eyes glowed a pale purple in the light of her daughter, his ears always focused on her.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that," she told her child, wiping away her tears. It had been centuries for the Spirit and she would have her family for such a short time after that wait that it didn't seem fair.

Understanding what her mother was thinking, she grinned and shook her head. "As Tomoe chided me earlier, Mama, I'm the Spirit of Time. I think I can stretch out ours a bit."

Indeed, when her mother glanced around, she found the world frozen with a stillness that marked no passage of time. Releasing a relieved breath, she drew her child into another embrace.

"I am so very proud of you, dear. And you, Tomoe! Thank you for taking care of my daughter."

Surprised, the fox nodded, his tail wrapped around Kagome's ankle. "Of course, ma'am."

Clapping her hands, the human woman stood. "Well then, I'll just grab your brother and grandfather. Now that all the crying is out of the way, perhaps they won't flee."

Giggling, Kagome nodded. When her mother moved out of the room, Kagome turned back to her familiar. Leaning over, she pressed a grateful kiss to his cheek.

"My lady?" he asked, his brows furrowed. She never did such things, the occasional kiss she gave always to his crown, as if a benediction. Or the extremely rare brush of lips when they reassured each other of their bond. This was something else.

"Thank you for making me your treasure," she told him, her blue eyes shining with her happiness.

An uncharacteristic pink tinge flooded his cheeks at that and he wondered how long she'd known. When her powers sparked through their bond, he melted against her, rumbling his approval.

Giggling, she wrapped her arms around him and held him close, so full of bliss that she felt all her trials had finally been worth it to be here, in this moment, with her family.

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"Excuse me," Kagome fairly snarled as Tomoe hastily shoved the girl off him and began yelling irately.

His growls lowered in volume at her words and he quickly retreated to her side, his fangs still bared at the one who had attacked him.

"What were you doing to my familiar?" she demanded of the girl, her left eyebrow twitching and flames in her blue eyes.

The girl looked instantly mortified, her wide eyes leaping between the two. "I-uh-Mikage said that he had a familiar at his shrine and that I-uh-would have to be quick to-er-establish the familiar bond between us."

Kagome towered over her, hands on her hips as she glared. "That doesn't explain why you assaulted Tomoe."

Covering her face, the girl hopped from one foot to the other. "I'm sorry! I literally just walked in and only saw the two wisps briefly. I couldn't find anyone else here and so when he walked in-obviously not human-I thought he was this shrine's familiar! I'm so very sorry!"

Forcing herself to calm, Kagome rubbed her temples and pinched her nose. "Yes, I can see that he's slapped a Mark on you. We stopped by to pay him a visit, but since he's obviously in the middle of some sort of crazy scheme, we'll just be going."

"Wait!" The girl pleaded. "I just needed a place to stay! Mikage said that all I needed to do was practice and make sure that I bound my familiar immediately. I don't know anything about all of this!"

Blowing out a harsh breath, Kagome crossed her arms. "Let me get this straight, a random stranger offers you his shrine and powers and you simply nod your pretty head and take them?"

Abashed, she dropped her eyes. "I had nowhere else to go and no money."

Tomoe rolled his eyes to the sky. "You could have turned him down and asked for sanctuary at the shrine," he pointed out, his tail still quivering with agitation. He lost the battle with it and relented to wrapping it around Kagome's wrist. She patted it soothingly as she glared down at the girl.

"Oh." Said girl blushed heatedly. "Th-that didn't occur to me. I saved him from a dog and it was all so fast, I guess I just leapt at the chance to have a roof over my head."

Kagome sweatdropped. "You saved Mikage from a dog and he turned all this over to you? That makes no sense."

The girl shrugged. "He said he was scared of dogs."

"Uh-huh," Tomoe drawled, "that's the same Spirit that told Sesshōmaru he'd have better luck with the general population if he removed the stick from his ass."

Laughing, Kagome glanced to him. "I'd forgotten that! How did I forget that? I thought Sesshōmaru was going to disembowel him!"

Aware that she was way out of her league, the girl began to cry. That made the other two eye her uneasily.

Kagome frowned. "I'm at a loss here, girl. You've gotten yourself into a fine mess, but crying about it won't help. You need a teacher more than a familiar. I was alone for lifetimes before I found Tomoe." She held up her finger and put it in the girl's face, "And you can't just jump on people randomly in the hopes of 'catching' a familiar. Your familiar needs to complement you! You need to balance each other to have the best bond. You can't expect him or her to do all the work for you."

Clasping her hands, the girl nodded her understanding. "You mean, you'll teach me?"

"What?" The older Spirit backpedaled. "No! I'm the Spirit of Time, not Land. Besides, Mikage should be here mentoring you."

The dejected look on the teen's face made her feel a bit badly for her. Relenting, she motioned to Tomoe.

"Fine, we'll find Mikage and drag him back here. I don't know what he's doing, but he can fix it himself."

Brightening, the girl eagerly agreed. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Grinding her teeth, Kagome waved her off before she and Tomoe disappeared from the naïve girl's presence.

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"Mikage!" Kagome bellowed at him. "I don't know what kind of experiment you're running and I don't overly care. I do care about teeny-boppers assaulting my familiar on your orders!"

Tomoe stood behind her, slightly impressed that her temper had been so utterly lit. It had been ages since he'd seen her this pissed. Normally, she probably would have offered to help the girl herself. This uncharacteristic animosity made him rather puzzled.

Of course, he was rather relieved that he wouldn't be subjected to the human girl again, but that was beside the point.

Mikage shrank back in the face of Kagome's wrath. When her words registered, he winced.

"Oh, she didn't?" he asked weakly, praying that Nanami hadn't tried to kiss Tomoe of all people. It was about the only thing that would turn sweet, kind-hearted Kagome firmly against her.

The dark expression on the female's face said it all. "She did," she growled. "Tell me why I shouldn't beat your tail for that. The girl's ignorant and so I blame you."

Straightening, he glanced at the white fox, finding him watching his mistress with confused pleasure. Huh. That was interesting.

"I'm terribly sorry, Kagome. As you say, it's a bit of an experiment of mine. I suppose if she thought Tomoe was my familiar, my actual familiar either threw off our bond or is perhaps missing. Either way, I should find out. And, yes, you're right: she needs training. I'll just see to that, shall I?"

And he popped away.

Tomoe looked at the place he'd been standing in disbelief. "Wouldn't he have felt the bond being broken?"

Kagome scowled, her back teeth grinding. "Yes," she spat, stomping off. "That-that butterfly is up to something big and we got caught in the middle of it. Whatever. Let's just stay the heck away from Mikage Shrine for the next hundred years or so. I don't even want to know."

The fox smirked at her rage, his own calming in awe of hers. "I didn't think you could just pass your powers on like that. It was like a stamp on her forehead."

"I know. He's being an idiot and no, you can't just bequeath your powers to someone with a rubber stamp to the forehead. Gah. I need to hit something."

Perking up, the fox moved to walk backwards in front of her. "We could go over yonder?"

She shook her head. "No, Koenma's still mopping up that mess his detectives stumbled into this last time. Besides, you and Sesshōmaru will inevitably have to have a pissing contest and I don't feel like refereeing today."

He frowned and slid his arms into his sleeves, returning to her side. "We aren't that bad anymore."

"Remind me why there is now a giant swamp on the northern border of the Western Lands?" she asked sweetly.

Gritting his teeth, he looked away, silently giving her that. He and the dog had gotten a bit carried away during their last…spar. True forms may have been implemented and it still might have only ended because a specific mistress and a rather impressive father got involved. It sounded much worse than it actually was, honestly.

Pushing away the memory, he eyed his mistress as she continued to frown. Even so put-out, she was still as precious as she'd been all those centuries ago when she'd kissed life into him.

Noticing his look, she pushed her hair back self-consciously. "What is it?"

A smile crept onto his face at her actions and how she could go from being awe-inspiring in her rage to endearing in her innocence.

"It is wondrous to me, that you only grow lovelier as time passes."

Blushing, she laughed. "Time doesn't pass for me, Tomoe. I pass for everyone else. I look exactly the same as I did in the Warring States Era."

Slowing to a stop, he waited until she turned to face him, the sun highlighting her hair, turning it all shades of deep blues and blacks. A breeze stirred the locks and sent a few golden leaves passed from the tree they had stopped under. His intuition fizzled around him, prodding at his bond until he knew that now was finally the right time.

Reaching out, Tomoe ran his knuckles gently across her cheek, his pale amethyst eyes studying her with a tenderness Kagome had never seen from him.

"No, my lady," he denied quietly, "you are more beautiful now and shall only grow more so to me." A smile pulled at his lips. "I do not see you simply with my eyes."

Her breath caught at the reference, knowing the fox's love for Shakespeare's sonnets. Swallowing, she tried to calm her heart that had suddenly decided to nest in her throat.

"Tomoe?" she whispered uncertainly, wondering at this turn he was taking.

He ducked his head and stepped closer to her only to run his nose lightly down her temple. "You asked me once if I wanted to be free of you."

Unconsciously, she gripped his haori, her heart dislodging and falling into her stomach. "Yes," she agreed shakily. "You didn't."

"No. Do you wish to be free of me?" he asked lowly, his breath stirring the fine hairs at her temple and raising goose bumps.

Unable to speak, she shook her head and felt him smile.

"You've given me everything, my mistress, and for a very long time I did not know what I could give you in return."

Pulling back, Kagome met his eyes, a protest on her tongue, but he cut her off before she could utter it.

"Necessary or not, that is what my thoughts were."

Letting him take her hands, she watched him bring them to his chest, over his heart.

"This is all I can give you, my treasure," he told her softly, and the feelings in the words brought tears to her eyes.

The secret wish she'd hidden away deep in her heart suddenly sprang free at his offer. Everything around them faded away and it was simply her and him, as it had been for nearly a thousand years.

Smiling through her tears, she brought one hand up to his cheek. "That is all I want, my fox."

An expression of such joy overcame his face that she found herself unconsciously raising to brush a kiss across his lips. Unlike the other times that had remained a chastely reassuring gesture, when their lips met, Tomoe wasted no time showing her how much he'd been holding back all those years. Kagome opened to him like a shy flower, content to let him lead her in this. Her submission drew out a pleased growl from him, prompting her to rest more solidly against him.

Their bond fairly sang with power, heightening their pleasure until it was almost too much to handle. It made their want for the other nearly overwhelming.

A tingling hit the base of his spine, making him arch and pull away from her. Through their bond, she felt the rush and blushed hotly.

"Did that just trigger your ninth tail?" she asked in disbelief, her face flushed and her lips parted with her quick breaths.

Rubbing at the phantom feeling, he smirked and then drew her back into his arms. "Yes. You of course, know that foxes are sexual creatures."

Eyeing him, she still fairly melted into his embrace. "I'm aware."

She was giddy with this, with discovering that his feelings for her were just as deep as hers for him. She honestly had no idea how she was forming words after he'd kissed her senseless.

A wicked grin revealed sharp fangs. "You should know then, that I have been celibate for our entire bond, Kagome," he told her, his voice sliding into a lower, sensual register that had heat pooling between her legs. His dilated eyes let her know he was aware of it, too. That coupled with his use of her name-just her name-and she was only barely able to keep from jumping him right there.

The full meaning of his words hit her an instant before she moved to kiss him again. He was a nine-tailed fox that had been celibate since before his third tail. All that pent-up sexual energy and power was likely to level the city.

"Oh, damn," she cursed as he gathered her to himself and leapt into the sky, laughing gleefully in anticipation.

From below, Mikage stepped around the tree and sighed sappily as he watched the couple disappear.

"Now, if we could just get you to find a mate," he grumbled to Sesshōmaru when the dog appeared beside him.

The demon snorted, his arms crossed in his sleeves. "This Sesshōmaru was beginning to doubt the intelligence of the fox."

The Spirit waved him off. "Oh, hush. They both had issues to deal with and growing they could only do together. It's wonderful."

"It was almost wrecked with your experiment. Kagome does not do well with jealousy. Not after Inuyasha."

Mikage winced. "Yes, well, I hadn't planned on that. Totally handled, though. Completely. Well, it's being handled. Actually, I should probably go check on her."

Sesshōmaru watched as the Spirit disappeared and huffed to himself. When his golden eyes drifted in the direction Kagome and Tomoe had gone, however, a small smile pulled at the corner of his lips. For a moment, his frost melted with sincere warmth.

"And there is your happy ending, Kagome," he stated quietly before returning to his palace. He knew he'd get a visit from her soon enough and maybe he would finally be able to convince her to re-meet the kit who carried a particular top with him wherever he went.

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Much, much later, in a pocket of time, Kagome lay wrapped around a slumbering fox. She couldn't help the shy, pleased smile that pulled at her kiss-plump lips as she watched him sleep. He was so gorgeous she could spend forever just admiring him. Not that she'd admit it, the vain fox. Still, running her fingers over his defined abs, she marveled at the feel of their skin pressed together. This closeness meant almost as much to her as the lovemaking had.

She'd been wise in that regard, to take them out of the flow of normal time. She couldn't believe that Tomoe had managed to remain celibate for the near-millennium he'd been with her. For a fox to show that kind of abstinence…she wondered if it had been a conscious decision on his part. She'd made certain to give him space and time to himself over the years; everyone needed that. It had been her assumption that he took care of any-urges -during those times alone.

Regardless of his intent, the explosion of his energy had been something phenomenal. Granted, it would have been completely destructive had they been anywhere else, but in this time pocket with just the two of them? Well, it had acted as an accelerant that lasted for ages.

It was now, after sharing the deepest parts of themselves, that Kagome felt a bit embarrassed at her over-reaction to the girl kissing Tomoe. Lifting blue eyes, she smiled at seeing his ears twitching with whatever he was dreaming.

Her fingers slid languidly across his soft skin, mapping the ridges and contours as she savored finally being able to do so. Shifting more firmly against him, she pressed her face into his chest and released a contented sigh. Eyes closed, she felt him adjust to accommodate her, one clawed hand tangling in her hair and one rubbing the small of her back. Smiling, she brought her arm down to wrap around him, his tail fluttering against her fingers before it curled around her thigh.

"I thought you said I should rest?" he sleepily questioned her, nuzzling the top of her head.

"You should," she whispered back. "Even I dozed for a bit after all of that, you insatiable fox."

Chuckling deeply, he rolled onto his back, tucking her into his side. Sliding a leg over his, she got as close to him as she could, breathing in the scent of magic he always exuded.

"Why did you stay celibate?" she asked him quietly.

Sated, violet eyes cracked open to peer down at her. "I'm not sure if you're aware, but Ikusagami first attacked me in a brothel. He caught me unaware and dealt the worst of my wounds then. At first, that was a very large deterrent to my tendency toward debauchery. I disliked the idea of the Spirit catching me so off-guard again. Then, I grew to worry that I would not be able to protect you, should you need me and I was…otherwise engaged."

At her unsure look, he brought her hand up to nip lightly at her wrist. "When I first witnessed you speaking to Sesshōmaru, however, I realized that I had found my perfect treasure and…no one else would do, you see?"

He pressed her hand to his cheek and met her eyes. "And slowly I realized that I could not have you without these feelings you tried so hard to teach me." His fangs flashed as he smiled.

Grinning, she ran her hands through his still-short hair. "Worth the effort?"

His teasing faded as he kissed her tenderly. "I would have waited another thousand years for you, Kagome," he admitted against her skin, making her fingers flex against his scalp.

She wondered if he'd even realized how long it had been before she'd told him. She wondered if it mattered.

"I do find it curious," he drew back, his brows together, "that you were so furious with Mikage. Granted, his experiment was absurd, but you were uncharacteristically harsh with both him and the girl."

Blushing to the roots of her hair, Kagome looked away. Surprised, Tomoe massaged the knots in her shoulders, prompting her to relax and huff.

"That little girl kissed you," she grumbled with embarrassment.

Pausing, the fox took a moment to assimilate that and what it meant. His grin stretched across his face as he rolled to hover between her legs. At his obvious amusement, she covered her face.

"Stop laughing," she whined, the tone turning it into an entreaty rather than a command.

Running his tongue along the tendons in her neck, he drew a low moan from her.

"My precious treasure was jealous of a bit of glass," he pointed out, grasping her thighs.

At that, her eyes snapped to his, finding him staring at her with all the things she longed to hear. Understanding his words-both spoken and unspoken-she relaxed fully underneath him, holding him to her.

"Thank you," she breathed as he caressed her face.

As their bond brightened with their feelings, Tomoe once more taught her why foxes were so prized as lovers.

And why her happy ending was only the beginning.