Somewhere in Time

The Subjugation Beads

Inuyasha could tell Miroku and the rest were inside Kaede's hut, but he didn't dare to come near. He could only look on from the branch where he stood. Kagome's scent was all over the place, yet something told him she didn't pass through the village. Sesshomaru must have taken her directly to the Bone Eater's Well.

It angered him just thinking about his half-brother getting involved with Kagome. What's his deal? He knew Sesshomaru's been lurking around her lately, but he didn't expect him to go out his way and actually save her. It wasn't in the bastard's nature to be so caring about humans—or anyone, for that matter.

Damn you, Sesshomaru. Why are you toying with Kagome?

He had to hurry to the Bone Eater's Well. It's a good thing Sesshomaru can't pass through it because Inuyasha needed all the time he could get to talk to Kagome alone. He had so many things to say to her, so many things to explain. Absently, he wondered just how many osuwari he was gonna get this time.

"Inuyasha!" Miroku yelled from below the tree he was standing on. The monk's staff was placed protectively in front him and Sango came running from inside Kaede's hut with the hiraikotsu on her shoulder. Kirara had phased to her neko-youkai form while Shippo perched on her large head. They looked ready to fight.

Inuyasha looked around in confusion. He sensed no danger anywhere near the village.

"Oi, Miroku! What's the matter?" he said as he landed on the ground.

"Do you intend to follow Kagome to the well?" the houshi asked. Everyone in the group stepped forward defensively.

Inuyasha scoffed. "Are you gonna stop me?"

"You're not getting past us, even if it costs our lives," Sango replied through gritted teeth. Kirara growled.

"Is it true, Inu-baka? You left Kagome for dead to save someone who's already dead?" Shippo hissed.

"Watch it, you little runt," he warned, balling his fists in irritation.

"Kagome would be dead if Sesshomaru didn't intervene, Inuyasha. Let that sink in. We almost lost her because of your stupid choices. Why do you always hurt her and make her cry when all she's done is be nice and kind to you?" The kitsune began to cry. His words stung the hanyou because it was the harsh truth he'd been dreading to hear. Guilt washed over him like a flood, and he began to fully realize what he'd done.

"If you would just let me talk to her..." Inuyasha stuttered pleadingly. He began to take a step forward but the group advanced to him and blocked his way. This was not fair. As he was about to force his way between Miroku and Sango, Shippo suddenly lunged forward and grabbed him by the neck, pulling the subjugation beads backward to make him step back. "Let go, Shippo!"

"Never! You're not hurting Kagome again!"

In an effort not to hurt the kitsune, Inuyasha also gripped the prayer beads and pulled it back. Kirara pounced, making the hanyou lose his balance and fall to the ground. Shippo tumbled a few feet and got up readily to spring at Inuyasha again. He raised his little fists and everyone suddenly drew sharp gasps.

The hanyou looked at the kitsune with wide eyes. In his small hands was the subjugation beads, hanging loosely.

"How...?" Miroku stammered, confused. Inuyasha didn't know what to say. The prayer beads never came off no matter how many times he tried before. Only Kagome could remove it from him, so how did Shippo take it off so easily?

He stood up and dusted off his Fire-Rat robe. It was impossible. Something must be wrong. Something must have happened to Kagome. Wordlessly, he turned and began to walk towards the Bone Eater's Well. No one stopped him. They were all too shocked.

"Inuyasha, wait!" Kaede suddenly said as she emerged from her hut. She ambled towards Shippo and took the subjugation beads to examine. The hanyou stopped in his tracks and waited for the old miko to speak again. After a long, tense minute, she looked at him. "Kagome must have unconsciously lifted off the enchantment, if she didn't do it on purpose."

"Why?" Inuyasha croaked, a lump forming in his throat.

It was Sango who answered. "She doesn't want you to pass through the well, so the only thing to do that is to disable the spell. It must be the reason."

"Yes, it's possible," Kaede agreed. "The beads of subjugation is the only thing that connects you to her and the only thing that enables you to pass through the well. Without it, you're stuck here."

"She could've done it a thousand times before!" the hanyou reasoned out, but even as he said the words, the realization was slowly sinking in.

Kaede breathed deeply. "Inuyasha, remember that moment on the bridge, the day Kagome set you free from my sister's seal. You intended to harm Kagome and I had no choice but to put the Kotodama no Nenju on you." She waited for recognition flicker on the half-breed's face before continuing. "It was meant to prevent you from attacking her or other people. Over time, you learned to care for your companions. You learned to protect them. It even became the object that binds you to her and allows you to pass through the well. But you willingly exchanged Kagome's life for another. She only has to subconsciously cast you aside as her protector for the subjugation beads to lose their power over you. As part inu-youkai, you should know what that means."

"N-no... But Kagome is Kikyo's reincarnation. We're still connected... it's not possible..." Inuyasha said desperately. With a heavy heart, he took off running in the direction of the well. Why would you do this, Kagome?

Her scent was more distinct the closer he got to the well. But Sesshomaru's scent was mixed with it. Inuyasha was furious. How dare he trespass this part of the forest? When he reached the beaten-down portal, he wasted no time and leapt inside. He waited for the bluish swirl of energy to envelope him and take him to Kagome's era, but nothing happened. He only landed on the hard ground.

Inuyasha cursed. He really can't pass through the well without the subjugation beads.

But the worst of all, he could smell Sesshomaru's scent all over and disappeared together with Kagome's. Did the bastard manage to go through her time?

Inuyasha let out an anguished cry. This can't be happening.