PROLOGUE: The Prophecy

The day of the eclipse arrived. InuTaisho waited patiently outside the hut of the village miko, carefully hidden on the Goshinbuku tree. It is time for him to fulfill the duty that has long been assigned to him. His ears twitched as he heard the cry of the first infant. He looked up at the sun that is now half-hidden by the moon. He readied himself to jump down and do what he must.

The great taiyoukai of the west watched as the sun was completely covered by the moon. At that very same instant he heard the cry of the second infant. He sprung forward and took the infant from the village miko. He quickly wrapped the child with his discarded kimono and stood at the doorway of the hut. He stood against the returning light of the sun and saw the shocked faces of the occupants of the room as they looked at the most powerful demon cradling the little human infant carefully. Nobody moved because they fear the taiyoukai standing before them.

InuTaisho closed his eyes and remembered the words spoken by his beautiful mate.

"Twins cursed by the Fates to be separated from birth. They shall live in different eras, never to grow up together. Only one is to remain as the protector of the jewel while the other is to remain in a time that is long after she was born. The younger twin must be thrown in the Bone Eater's well. Remember my words and do as I say. The twins will be born when darkness reigns the land, when the moon overpowers the sun. And on this day, the ruler of the Palace of the Moon will fulfill the prophecy. The Fates have decided and all must obey..." he repeated the words his mate had spoken to him to the parents of the little child in his arms.

Golden eyes fixed on the man that began to step forward. He extended his claws and bared his fangs to discourage any attempt to stop him from doing his obligation.

The man bowed respectfully. "Please, InuTaisho-sama," he pleaded. "I would just want to hold my daughter, just this one time." When InuTaisho nodded, the man took the small bundle in his arms and kissed her tenderly on the forehead. With tears in his eyes, he handed his daughter back to the mighty taiyoukai who looked at him with quiet intensity. "Name her Kagome," he said before stepping back.

"Kagome," InuTaisho repeated the name and took off to the direction of the well.

The scent of enchantment was very strong in this area. InuTaisho stopped a few feet from the well. He looked at the little child smiling innocently up at him. Such a lovely girl with the most unusual eye-color. It was as blue as the sky on a clear day. He gently kissed the child's right temple in order to fulfill the other part of the prophecy that he had decided to omit. He looked at the nape of the child's neck and was satisfied with the very faint silver crescent moon that is unnoticeable to the human eye.

"You will come back one day, little one," he whispered to the child who cooed up at him. "And when you do, you will change the fate of the Palace of the Moon."

The inuyoukai moved to the lip of the well and dropped the child. "Until next time, Kagome," he said fondly to the child. He watched as the blue light enveloped the child.

The demon lord of the west then turned to go back to his lands. He was too distracted by the events that took place that he didn't notice the pair of eyes that watched his every move from the shadows of the trees.

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On the other side of the well a young woman was sweeping the fallen leaves of the Goshinbuku tree. She had felt the power coming from the well that she decided to investigate. She saw the blue light coming from the bottom of the well before she heard the soft cries of a little infant.

She curiously leaned down and saw the baby wrapped in a bundle. Without another thought, the woman went down and retrieved the baby. It was while at the bottom that she heard a faint whisper. "Until next time, Kagome," the voice said. She looked around her but found no one. As she looked at the baby, she couldn't help but smile. She was such a little darling. "Are you, Kagome?" she asked the child who squeeled happily. "It's Kagome then."

She went out and hurried inside the house, deciding to keep the little girl. If she belonged to an ordinary family she would have not believed what she saw. But she grew up in a shrine with a family of monks and mikos. What she saw was nothing out of the ordinary for her. A lot of weird things have happened in her family. And the baby appearing magically in the well is a blessing.

end chapter

TITLE: Cursed Twins

AUTHOR: InuYoukaiAki

DISCLAIMER: I do not own InuYasha and Co.

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Author’s Note: Here’s the first chapter. RATED 18. I was in a naughty frame of mind so there. You can even tell by the title of the chapter.

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CHAPTER 1: Desire

"Osuwari!" Kagome yelled at the top of her lungs, her face red with anger. She stalked towards the fallen hanyou and looked down at him. She then took a deep breath before releasing a very long stream of "Osuwari". Smoke and dust billowed around the area when Kagome finished her tirade.

When the dust and smoke had cleared, Kagome stood trembling beside a very large crater caused by Inuyasha's too-many-to-mention smashes to the ground. Tears rolled down Kagome's face. She had finally had enough of Inuyasha and his constant belittling of her skills and abilities. With a last hurt look towards the hanyou that she had considered her best friend in her stay in the Sengoku Jidai, Kagome took off towards the woods. She didn't think. SHe just wanted to get as far away as possible from Inuyasha.

She had been running and crying for almost an hour when Kagome finally felt her feet hurt. She slowed down to a slow walk, kicking the rocks at her feet. It had been five years since she was pulled into this world. Before that, she had always felt that somehow, she doesn't belong in her time. She had many friends and yet she felt there is a void in her life. Then she was pulled to the past by an enchanted well and she met everyone-Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kirara, Kaede... and of course, Inuyasha. She finally felt she belonged. She enjoyed her time spent in this era more than the time she spends staying at home. And so she had volunteered to stay at the past to look for the scattered pieces of the Shikon no Tama, which she destroyed, as Inuyasha always reminded her of that fact as if she did it on purpose and not just accidentally.

Kagome never regretted the fact that she had fallen in love with Inuyasha. She didn't even deny it. And over the years, she had gotten over those feelings. She knew that Inuyasha's heart will always belong to Kikyou. And so she was content just being his friend. She had endured Inuyasha's constant comparison of her and Kikyou which he always concludes with how much better Kikyou is compared to her. She had always accepted that and never took it against him or Kikyou. However, Inuyasha had been more harsh in his words and more frequent in telling her how useless she is. Today was the last straw and Kagome had finally had enough being looked down upon. It was just one mistake. Just one minor mistake and he began ranting about how stupid she is and how great Kikyou is.

Looking back, she can't even remember what ticked Inuyasha off. They were just fighting another demon and she just joined in the mayhem when Shippo was thrown in the line of fire.

"Stupid Inuyasha! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" she ranted as she angrily wiped the tears away.

"I agree," a voice drawled out, effectively freezing her in place. "Inuyasha is quite stupid."

Kagome felt her heart catch in her throat as she heard the oh-so-familiar voice. She turned to the direction the voice came from. The hair at the back of her neck stood on end as she returned Sesshoumaru's intense gaze. Kagome would have swooned if this creature was just an ordinary human. He was just so beautiful and she could feel the power radiating off him. But as luck would allow it, he was a very powerful demon who happens to hate humans and could actually kill her any second. And that thought brought her back to the moment at hand. As much as she loves admiring the inuyoukai, she knew she was in very grave danger. She mentally berated herself for her carelessness. She had actually forgotten that they were travelling at the Western Lands, Sesshoumaru's domain. Her blood froze as Sesshoumaru began to advance toward her. And then add the fact that she had forgotten her bow and arrows not that it could really help her against the arctic demon. She could really get a ten out of ten for stupidity.

She watched warily as Sesshoumaru took his time advancing towards her. If he thinks she will just wait for him to get to her then he could think again. Kagome matched every forward step Sesshoumaru made towards her with a step backwards away from him.

The taiyoukai smirked. "You do realize that I could easily catch you if I really wanted to," he said mockingly.

Kagome's anxiety increased when her back hit a tree. And before she could even blink, Sesshoumaru is already in front of her, his face mere centimeters away from hers. He had effectivelt trapped her between the tree and his well-sculpted body. She swallowed hard. She could feel Sesshoumaru's muscles tense, it was like a coiled spring, ready to be released any minute. Warmth spread all over her body. She mentally groaned in frustration. She could not believe this! How could she lust after a demon intent on killing her? But she must admit, his body against hers really feels good. In her many encounters with the taiyoukai, this was the first time she had had physical contact with him. And she was glad nobody is here to witness her embarrassment.

She took a deep breath for courage. Hmm... He smells nice-clean, male and very sexy... She mentally shook her head again. She must really be going insane. That could only be the reason why she was lusting after Sesshoumaru while in this precarious situation. At the back of her mind, Kagome wondered why he hadn't killed her yet. Nobody is here to stop him anymore.

Her eyes strayed to the youkai's firm lips and she vaguely wondered how those lips would feel against hers. Where are these thoughts coming from? He could very well kill her and she is wondering what it would feel like to be kissed by him. Talk about insanity at its best.

Kagome momentarily closed her eyes. She could feel Sesshoumaru breathing down her neck. Maybe this was really her end. And these thoughts were caused by terror of being killed plus the fact that she might die a virgin. She could just imagine it now, Higurashi Kagome, born a virgin, died a virgin. Never been kissed at the age of 21. Life is so damn unfair.

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Sesshoumaru gazed at the miko who have kept helping Inuyasha despite the hanyou's unjust treatment of her. This is the same miko who had pulled the Tetsusaiga out. Who is she that she was able to accomplish something that neither he nor Inuyahsa was able to do? He watched the play of emotions in her her transparent face. There was fear, anticipation, confusion and... excitement? Why would the miko feel excited? He looked into her unusual eyes. They were a bright clear blue which reminded him of the sky in a clear cloudless day.

He felt her dormant power. In that small, fragile, almost seemingly helpless body lurked a power nobody can even begin to imagine. He surveyed critically. Even she wasn't aware of the extent of her power. Sesshoumaru bent and took a discrete sniff. She smells like watermelons, sweet and refreshing. Her scent was so unlike other human who reeked of sweat. And he could also smell her innocence. Apparently, his stupid half-brother still preferred the dead miko over this one. Otherwise, he would have claimed her already. It was when he took another discreet sniff that he noticed her arousal. He smirked evilly. So, he has that effect on the little innocent miko. And he could see that even she was confused with her reaction to his nearness. It was a good thing she was not youkai because Sesshoumaru could feel his body responding to her.

When she closed her eyes, apparently waiting for her death, Sesshoumaru bent down a little and breathed down her neck. He was secretly satisfied when her arousal increased. He could now feel the heat radiating from her. He decided to play with her. With deliberate movements, he grazed the side of her neck with his fangs. He smirked when he felt her shudder against him. He shifted a little so that his own arousal wouldn't be obvious to the unsuspecting miko.

"What to do with you?" he whispered seductively against her skin. When her breast brushed accidentally against him, he almost groaned. He looked up and positioned his face so that his lips are mere inches away from hers. "Look at me," he whispered. He watched as her eyelids flickered open to reveal her usually clear blue eyes clouded with desire. His eyes followed her tongue as it nervously ran over her dried lips.

"What are you doing to me?" she asked in confusion.

Sesshoumaru gave another of his smirks. "Why? What do you feel?" he asked with his usual monotone.

Kagome looked into those golden eyes that looked at her with such intensity. "I don't know," she whispered. "I-" she stopped as she looked over his shoulders, her eyes widening slightly, clearing any sign of arousal.

"Get off her!" Inuyasha yelled.

Sesshoumaru turned his head to his half-brother without moving his body against Kagome. He had felt him even before he was near. He had already masked his scent to prevent the hanyou from detecting his arousal. "You do not have a right to tell this Sesshoumaru what to do," he said coldly.

Inuyasha trembled in anger. "Don't you dare harm her!" he threatened as he unsheathed Tetsusaiga.

"Use your nose," he said coldly.

Inuyasha's eyes widened when he smelled arousal from Kagome instead of fear and blood. "What the hell did you do to Kagome?!" he demanded angrily. "She is not just some bitch you could take anytime you want."

"Oh, yeah?" Kagome said mockingly. "I believe you called me bitch so many times I already lost count." Her tone was full of hurt.

"But Kagome," Inuyasha began.

"Enough," she said in a tone that rivaled Sesshoumaru's usual cold tone. "I am unharmed." Her gaze turned to Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru returned her gaze. It was now blank. With an almost imperceptible nod, he let her go. She had just taken three steps away from him when the thought entered his mind. And for the first time in his life, Sesshoumaru did something impulsively. He grabbed her arm and whirled her towards him. He looked at her startled blue eyes before he bent down and gave her a soft lingering kiss in the mouth. "Until next time, Kagome," he whispered against her lips before he took to the sky.

The demon lord masked his presence and scent before landing on a tree where he could follow the miko and her comrades.

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Kagome stood dumbfounded on the spot. Her hand flew to her mouth which has been recently kissed for the first time in her 21 years by a taiyoukai, no less. And he had used her name to address her. She didn't even know Sesshoumaru bothered to remember her name. She suddenly felt giddy. Sesshoumaru kissed her! It was no use denying it. She had had a huge crush on the cold taiyoukai ever since she first met him. He was just so magnificent and powerful. He is graceful and regal and so unpredictable. Despite the fact that their encounters were never pleasant, she can't help but be attracted to him. His coldness even added to his appeal.

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" Inuyasha broke her line of thought. He looked indignantly at her.

She turned cold, expressionless eyes at him. "Why do you care?" she asked coldly and turned to her friends who had their mouths gaping open in shock. Even she was in shock but they didn't have to know that.

Inuyasha stood before her, stopping her from walking towards their friends. "Why do I care?" he asked incredulously. "He's my enemy!"

Kagome sighed in exasperation. "Exactly," she said in cold tone. "He's your enemy, not mine. So don't go butting in my business. Who I decide to associate with is none of your concern."

"Is this about Kikyou?" Inuyasha asked suspiciously. "Is this some kind of sick way to get back at me?"

"You know what?" Kagome said irritatedly. "You're so immature. This is not about you. In fact, this has nothing to do with Kikyou nor you. It is time you understand that my world does not revolve around you. And if you think for a second that I'm still in love with you, you are dead wrong. I can't believe you're that conceited. I've been over for you for a long time now."

"So, what the hell was that with Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha demanded stubbornly.

Kagome shook her head in dismay. Inuyasha just wouldn't understand. "I don't have to explain myself to you," she said with finality. What would she say? Even she don't know what it was back there.

"What if he killed you?" Inuyasha asked.

"Did it look like he would kill me? He had me pinned on that tree for a few moments. If he wanted me dead I would have already been," she said and walked away from the stubborn hanyou she called her friend.

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It was already dark and the group decided to camp out at a clearing near a hot spring. Kagome hadn't spoken a word to Inuyasha and the others had been wise enough not to ask her anything about the events that happened the previous morning. But it was obvious in the curious way they looked at her that they were dying to ask her something. They just didn't want to start another fight between Kagome and Inuyasha which was likely to happen because of the hanyou's stubborn attitude.

After eating, Kagome went to the hot springs to bathe. She was peacefully leaning against a rock when she felt another's presence. "Hello, Kikyou," she said, not opening her eyes.

Kagome heard the rustle of clothing as Kikyou settled herself on a rock near the spring. "Hello again," she said quietly.

Kagome's resentment towards the woman had died together with her feelings with Inuyasha. And now she and Kikyou had began to become close. It had started over a year ago when Kikyou approached her, telling her that they were not meant to be enemies. Kagome had been suspicious at first. However, the miko always seem to be around whenever she needs someone to talk to. And somehow, she felt a connection with the woman that looked so much like her. They had met constantly unknown to the others, even Inuyasha. And they had learned to appreciate each other as equals. Somewhere along the way they had become friends.

"Something is bothering you," the miko said. "You can tell me."

Kagome sighed. "Why do you always seem to know when something is bothering me?' she asked curiously, finally opening her eyes to look at the wise woman before her.

Kikyou shrugged. "I just felt it," she said.

She took a deep breath. It was curious how comfortable Kikyou made her feel. She felt closer to the miko. "I'm extremely attracted to Sesshoumaru," she said bluntly. "And I don't know what to do about it. I'm so confused. I know I shouldn't be feeling this way but I just do."

Kikyou nodded. "Had he not tried to kill you so many times?" she asked.

"No," Kagome answered. "Just that first time when I stood on his way as he tried to acquire the Tetsusaiga."

The older miko became thoughtful. “You're quite right,” she said after a while. “However, Sesshoumaru is a taiyoukai and one that hates human. He will not take you to be his mate. Do not forget your duty. I do not want you ending up like me.”

Kagome felt guilty for all the times she resented the fact that Inuyasha loves Kikyou and not her. Her heart went out to the two lovers who never had the chance to be happy together. She watched as Kikyou stood gracefully.

“I need to leave,” she said quietly. “Someone is coming. Be safe, Kagome.”

“Inuyasha still loves you,” Kagome whispered sincerely to the priestess.

Kikyou smiled sadly. “It was never meant to be,” she said before turning away and disappearing to the forest.

A few moments later, Sango emerged from the trees, ready to join her in her bath. She smiled at her friend and engaged her in a conversation about sword techniques. For the past two years, Sango had taught her how to wield a katana and she had also helped her practice her bow and arrows. Kagome felt more useful now that she can defend herself. Her taijiya friend even remarked that she is now very proficient in using a katana.

In her free time, Kagome also tries to improve her miko skills. Although her powers are not very strong, she can now call it forth at will unlike before when she just accidentally release it. In fact, she can now use any medium to channel her energy and not just the bow and arrows. Currently, she is trying to practice releasing her miko powers without the use of any medium.

They finished their bath and walked back to their companions.

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In a cave near the Western lands, two individuals met. “The time nears,” the old man sitting on a rock, said gravelly.

A small youkai hopped onto the said person. He nodded in agreement, his little arms crossed. “Yes,” Myouga said in his usual wise tone. “We have waited long but the time is near. Do you have it?”

Totousai took out another katana forged out of Inutaisho’s fang. But this one is different than the two that he had given his two sons. The great demon also infused his youki in it. Neither Sesshoumaru nor Inuyasha knew of the swords existence. Only Myouga, Totousai and Inutaisho knew about it.

“It is here,” the old man said. “But who would be the one to wield it? Did Inutaisho-sama tell you anything?”

The flea youkai shook his head. “It was all unclear,” he replied. “All he said was that she will return and she will wield the sword. And that she would change the fate of the Palace of the Moon.”

“Could he be talking about the return of the child he had been tasked to throw into the enchanted well?” Totousai asked curiously.

“I do not know,” the flea youkai said. Both of them thought of the young miko who had been able to travel back and forth through time with the help of the Bone Eater’s well. Was she the one? Or was it just coincidence?

Silence reigned over the two loyal vassals of the former great demon lord of the West. Both pondered on the identity of the person who was intended to wield the magnificent sword.

End chapter.

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Author’s Note: I want to make it clear that there is no love involve in what happened in the chapter. That was pure physical attraction. I think it would be too fast if they are suddenly in love in the first chapter and entirely impossible. Oh! As for who was watching Inutaisho… I’m not telling yet… But you could guest! Tell me what you think about the chapter. I kinda got tired of Kikyou siding with Naraku so I wanted to make a more acceptable character for her. Ta-ta for now! ^^,

CHAPTER 2: The Deal

The leaves rustled on the branches of the tree as the wind gently blew on them. Kikyou moved leisurely towards the village where she used to serve as the village miko. So many had changed and yet so many remained the same. She saw the familiar sight of the hut she used to live in. She knocked lightly, knowing full well that Kaede would still be waiting for her despite the lateness of the hour.

“Kikyou,” Kaede greeted as she opened the door for her older sister. “You wanted to talk to me.”

The undead miko walked to the middle of the room and settled comfortably. She waited until Kaede was seated across from her before relating her reasons for coming. “I need to tell you about the prophecy,” she said serenely.

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The time is near. You must fulfill your destiny… Do not resist it.

Kagome sat up from her sleeping bag. Somehow, the voice seemed familiar. She looked around and saw that everyone was still asleep. Looking up, she saw that the moon was still high above indicating that dawn was still far away. She sighed. It was pointless to try and get some sleep. She had always been like that, once she woke up it is difficult for her to go back to sleep.

Making sure not to wake Shippo, Kagome stood up gingerly. Inuyasha was nowhere to be found. She shrugged. He couldn’t be far away, his over protectiveness wouldn’t allow him to leave them all unprotected.

She remembered passing by a stream on their way here. Kagome decided to go to that area to practice the use of her miko powers. Arriving at the stream, she removed her shoes and waded into the cold water. She was splashing water on her face when she felt a familiar strong aura. The hair on her arms stood on end as she recognized the presence standing just behind her. She froze, something she seems to be doing quite often lately.

A few moments later, Kagome felt someone breathe on her ear. “We meet again, Miko,” Sesshoumaru said.

Kagome jumped away from the taiyoukai. She knew he was playing with her but she didn’t know what he would gain from this. “What do you want?” she said, raising her chin a fraction. She refuses to cower in fear before him.

Sesshoumaru’s eyebrow rose. “What do I want?” he said, pondering the question. His face was as unreadable as ever. Slowly, he inspected her from head to toe. “This Sesshoumaru requires your assistance.”

Her eyes widened. Sesshoumaru needs her help? Is the world coming to an end? “What is it?” she asked warily.

The taiyoukai remained silent for a minute before he spoke again. “You will retrieve something for this Sesshoumaru,” he said, the authority in his demand ringing clear.

“And if I don't?” Kagome challenged although her fear of the taiyoukai is almost paralyzing her. She couldn't just let him push her around. It's high time she stand up for herself. “We are not actually in good terms for me to just help you, you know.”

The demon's eyebrow rose. “I am not asking,” he said regally. “This Sesshoumaru is telling you that you would retrieve something for me.”

Kagome's eyes narrowed in annoyance as she completely forgot her fear. The nerve of this arrogant jerk! She placed her hands on her hips and glared at Sesshoumaru. “I am so not going to help you,” she said. “And who are you to order me around?”

With a blink of an eye, Kagome found herself pinned on a tree with Sesshoumaru's claw wrapped threateningly around her neck. “You will obey, Miko,” he said coldly. The only sign of his irritation was his slightly narrowed eyes.

Her eyes widened in fear for a second but she immediately glared up at him. “I will not get Tetsusaiga for you!” she said stubbornly as she held on to his wrist. Although Inuyasha was a jerk to her most of the times, they were still friends. And Inuyasha has always been there for her. Not even a gorgeous taiyoukai who could make her knees weak just by looking at her could change her friendship with Inuyasha. She would rather die than betray their friendship. With that thought in mind, she resigned herself to her fate.

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So the miko thought he was still after the Tetsusaiga. He was amazed as she fell limp. Her eyes were closed, no doubt waiting for his final blow. It was curious how she would rather die than betray that stupid hanyou when Inuyasha always seem to belittle her. He looked at her critically. Her long eyelashes caressed her creamy cheeks.

“You can open your eyes,” he drawled. “This Sesshoumaru is not going to kill you... yet.”

Her eyes flew open. “You're not?” she asked, surprised.

“It is not the Tetsusaiga that I wish to acquire,” he said haughtily. “This Sesshoumaru has no need of that fang.”

Her eyes rounded. “Not the Shikon no Tama!” she cried.

Sesshoumaru almost rolled his eyes in exasperation. The miko has a habit of assuming things. “The jewel is of no importance,” he said in a bored tone.

Kagome sighed in relief. “Then what is it?” she asked, her curiosity evident.

“You will know when we get there,” he said. It was not necessary for her to know until it was time for her to retrieve it.

“No fair!” she cried childishly. “And why should I do it?”

Sesshoumaru smirked and let her go. Taking a small bottle from the sleeves of his kimono, he showed her five gleaming shards of the Shikon no Tama. “You will get this in return,” Sesshoumaru said. He saw her eyes rounded in disbelief.

“How come I didn't detect those shards?” she asked skeptically.

Placing the shards back in his sleeves, he smirked again. “I placed a ward on the shards,” he said.

The miko sighed in resignation. “Oh, all right! It's a deal,” she said. “I'll do it. But you promise to give the shard afterwards?”

“You have my word,” Sesshoumaru said.

She nodded and started to head back to their camp. However, Sesshoumaru have other things in mind. With the speed he was born with, he grabbed the miko and took to the sky, towards the Western Lands.

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Kagome didn't have time to react. One minute she was on her way back to camp to tell the others that she was leaving, the next she was flying as Sesshoumaru carried her like a sack on his shoulders. “Hey!” she cried when she finally got back to her senses. “What do you think are you doing? Put me down!”

The stoic youkai remained silent. There was not even an indication that he heard her.

“I can't just leave without telling the others,” she said impatiently. “Besides, my things are at camp. I would need those.”

Sesshoumaru glanced at her. “I will retrieve your things but you are not to tell the others where you are heading,” he said.

“How can I tell them where I am going when I myself don't know?” she asked exasperatedly.

“Hn.” Sesshoumaru turned around and went back to the direction they came from.

Her eyes brightened when she saw the light of the camp. However, her happiness was short -lived as they sped past it. “That's our camp over there!” she cried. Maybe Sesshoumaru just didn't notice it. Fat chance. He handed her yellow bag to her and turned around again. She sighed in resignation.

“I don't want them to worry,” she whispered.

Sesshoumaru remained silent and didn't even falter as they sped past the trees.

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Back in Kaede's village...

“Is this true?” Kaede asked incredulously. “When did you find out?”

Kikyou looked thoughtful. “Two years ago,” she said. “I saw the prophecy.”

Kaede fell silent as she digested the fact. She sighed. “What will happen now?” she asked.

“There is nothing we can do. It is her destiny.,” Kikyou said. “She will fulfill it.”

“I can understand her duty as the protector of the Shikon,” Kaede said quietly. “But I do not understand why was she chosen to change the fate of the Palace of the Moon? And how will she go about that? It is not fair for her. She is but an innocent child.”

“The Fates have decided,” Kikyou repeated the words. “And we must all obey.”

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They have made good time in traveling back to the Western Lands. They had been traveling since midnight and it was already near noon. Sesshoumaru felt the miko squirm again. He knew that the position he had decided to carry her with was not the most comfortable of positions. However, he does not particularly care for the miko's comfort. The woman had chattered endlessly and had only stopped when dawn came. Since then, she had been quiet and by her steady breathing it is easy to conclude that she is already asleep.

As Sesshoumaru landed in front of his yard, he dropped the miko unceremoniously. “Ow!” the miko cried, instantly awake as she landed on the ground. “What did you do that for?”

Without another word, he turned to go inside fully expecting the miko to do the same. After a few steps, however, he stopped when he realize that the miko was not following. He turned around and his eyes narrowed as the miko stood frozen, her eyes glazed. It was as if she wasn't there at all. Slowly, she walked as if in a trance towards the castle.

“Miko,” he called. She continued on her slow walk forward, her eyes focused on something just behind him. She doesn't seem to hear him. He glanced behind him to find nothing but the entrance to his dwelling.

“You're... Inutaisho...” she whispered in awe before promptly falling unconscious right in Sesshoumaru's arm.

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as he heard the miko call out his father's name. What had just happened?

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Kagome felt like she was floating in space. She was lying on something soft. Slowly, she opened her eyes. She sat up when she realized that she was lying on a fur pelt not unlike the one Sesshoumaru always wear on his shoulder. Looking around, she found herself under a sakura tree. Where was that arrogant youkai?

“If you're looking for Sesshoumaru, then you'd better wake up,” an amused fatherly voice said.

Her head snapped to her left where the figure sat leaning on the tree. One knee was drawn up. His left hand rested on the raised knee. The wind gently blew. His silver hair swayed lightly. For a moment, Kagome was speechless. Finally, she found her voice. “Did your son finally kill me?” she asked boldly.

Inutaisho gave a bark of laughter. When he was finally calm, he looked back to her with a smile. “No, he did not kill you,” he said with amusement. “I have been with you since the moment I passed away. I promised you we would meet again and here I am.”

She frowned. As far as she know, she had never met Inutaisho before. “Uhm... When did we exactly meet?” Kagome asked, obviously confused.

“When you were born,” Inutaisho answered, suddenly serious. “I held you in my arms on that day. I held the child that would grow up and change the fate of the Palace of the Moon.”

She frowned. Now she was really confused. “Are you talking about me?” she asked doubtfully.

The former lord of the western lands smiled fondly at her. “Yes,” he said. “You're the one who will change the fate of my line. Here, I want you to have this.” He handed her a small chain with a crescent moon pendant.

“I don't understand,” Kagome said as she shook her head, taking the necklace and putting it on. “How am I suppose to do that? And why me? And how come you held me in your arms when I was born? As far as I know, you were already dead when I was born.”

He then began to fade. “You will know all in due time,” Inutaisho said before completely vanishing.

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“Wait!”

Sesshoumaru's head snapped to the miko when he heard her suddenly shout. She was already sitting down on the futon. She was wearing a confused expression on her face. She looked at her lap. It was obvious that she was in deep thought. Soon, her head snapped back up as she remembered something. He waited until her eyes landed on him.

“What happened?” she asked, confusion all over her face.

“You fainted,” Sesshoumaru said in a deadpan voice. He looked intently at her and saw her frown.

She wrinkled her nose. “Then it must be a dream,” she said brightly after a while of contemplation. Her hand flew to her neck and her eyes widened.

Sesshoumaru's gaze followed her hand and even he was confused. On the miko's neck lies his father's pendant. How did it get there? When his father passed away, he had looked for that pendant but he was unable to find it. And he could not remember her having that pendant before. He would have noticed it if it was there. “That is my father's,” he said unemotionally.

Kagome looked at him. She fingered the necklace and started to remove it. However, the pendant glowed and refused to be removed. “What is happening?” she asked in panic.

The moment the pendant glowed, Sesshoumaru felt his father's youki. Whatever is happening, the old man wanted the pendant to remain in the miko's possession. “You will not be able to remove it,” he drawled. “It is my father's will that you wear it.”

“Oh,” the miko said before looking curiously at the pendant. “This is weird.”

Sesshoumaru's face remained impassive but his mind was swirling with so many questions. He does not understand what is happening but he will soon find out. “Indeed,” he said.

End chapter

CHAPTER 3: Marked

Kagome awoke with the sound of chirping birds and sunlight in her eyes. She stayed staring at the ceiling for a few minutes before groggily sitting down on the soft futton. Her eyes roamed around the simply furnished room. It was almost bare except for the futton, a small table, a lamp and washing bin. But the lack of furniture was compensated by the intricate wall paintings of an autumn scene. Her eyes landed on the kimono placed at the foot of her futton. Her eyes immediately flew to her body. Who changed her clothes? She thought in panic. She was wearing a plain white sleeping kimono.

Panic gripped her as the thought of Sesshoumaru undressing her crossed her mind. She was at that state when said demon lord entered the room unceremoniously. She glared at the youkai who just looked back at her with a cold look.

“I could have been dressing, you know?” she said as she clutched the kimono to her chest.

The elegant youkai just cocked an eyebrow at her. “You appear to be decent enough,” he drawled. “Come.”

Kagome jumped to her feet and glared at the youkai. “That's it? Come?” she sputtered indignantly. “Why of all the arrogant things to say!” she said angrily as she stalked to the youkai who narrowed his eyes in annoyance. However, Kagome was too caught up in her tirade to notice the demon's shift of mood.

“I am not your slave and I don't intend to be one,” she said as she poked at his chest.

Her eyes rounded in shock as Sesshoumaru caught her hand and had her pinned back at the futton. Needless to say, their position is quite indecent, add the fact that Kagome is wearing a thin sleeping kimono. Her legs were spread apart with Sesshoumaru positioned between her legs. His face was just a few inches from her face.

“Do not presume to take liberties on this Sesshoumaru's person,” he said menacingly.

Kagome licked her suddely dry lips. To be honest, she was more aroused than sacred. Her breathing became ragged as heat flooded her body. She could feel every lean muscles that the demon possesses. Her bright blue eyes strayed into his gold ones. It was evident that he was as affected as she was. Fear and anticipation intermingled in her mind when she saw his eyes begin to be tinged with red. She dare not move. Her eyes instantly closed when the demon lowered his head and began to nuzzle her. Kagome could not suppress the shudder that ran through her body as Sesshoumaru grazed his fangs on her neck.

It was over as fast as it had started. Kagome opened her eyes when she felt Sesshoumaru's weight off her. Sesshoumaru was looking at her with disgust in his eyes. She felt a twinge of hurt and chastised herself for feeling that way. Her chin rose as she mentally shook away those unwanted feelings. This was Sesshoumaru and he hates human. She has no business getting hurt with the disgust he felt for what they had done. She locked eyes with the demon, her defiance clear in her eyes as the evidence of his desire is also evident in his red-tinged eyes.

“What have you done, Miko?” he asked with a subtle hint of anger, a deviation from his usual emotionless tone of voice. He looked acccusingly at her as if she was the one who started it.

Kagome did her best to look decent. She tightened the ties of her kimono and ran a hand through her hair. Unbeknownst to her, she looked even more attractive in her rumpled state. Her ebony her tumbling carelessly over her shoulders and the thin white kimono clinging to her generous curves. She ignored the hurt she felt and glared at the youkai as she held her head high. “As far as I remember, you were the one who jumped me,” she said haughtily, trying her best to maintain her dignity.

Sesshoumaru growled lowly before turning to the door. Just as he was outside, he stopped but did not turn. “There are indoor hot springs three doors to the left of this chamber,” he said. “Be decent in one hour.” With that, Sesshoumaru left, closing the door behind him.

Kagome sighed when he finally left. She felt so drained. Her eyes strayed to the only clothing available for her. It was a dark blue kimono beautifully embroidered with snowflakes. She slid down to the futton, totally confused. Her body never reacted that way, not even with Inuyasha. This is going way out of hand. And for Sesshoumaru to almost lose control... Kagome shook her head. This is just something else.

Gingerly, Kagome stood up and headed to the indoor hot springs that Sesshoumaru so graciously offered. She found her bag just outside the door and was glad that it was with her.

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He felt the wind causing his hair to whip his face but he does not care. It had already happened twice. First was when he met her at the forest a few days ago. And now this. His “innocent” encounters with Inuyasha's miko always seem to end up not-so-innocently. The odd this is, she is human. Why does a mere human evoke those reactions from him?

Sesshoumaru growled in frustration and ran faster. No doubt she was attractive but he was not some ordinary human to be lured by those. And he does not usually succumb to his baser instincts.

He suddenly stopped as he realized that he was already at the borders of the Western Lands. He smirked when the wind brought Inuyasha's scent to him. He smirked evilly as he realized that the miko's pleasant scent of fresh rain and watermelons clung to him. This should be interesting.

He decided to await his half-brother on a tree. Not ten minutes later, a blur of red passed the tree he was sitting on. But it immediately went back when the hanyou recognized the scent.

Sesshoumaru smirked when Inuyasha stopped at the foot of the tree. Predictable as always, the hanyou unsheathed the Tetsusaiga and jumped on him, releasing the infamous Kaze no Kizu. However, he had foreseen his actions and was able to dodge the attack effortlessly.

Inuyasha surprisingly landed gracefully enough and stood a few feet from him. “Where the hell is Kagome?” he asked angrily, his chest heaving. Pbviously, the hanyou had been frantically searching from the miko. Inuyasha sniffed the air and Sesshoumaru felt a certain amount of satisfaction when the half-demon's eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What have you done to her?” he demanded.

“She's probably bathing right now,” he drawled. “At least that's what she was about to do when I left her.” Although he said this in his usual emotionless tone, there was no mistaking the underlying meaning in his words. And as Sesshoumaru expected, Inuyasha misinterpreted his innocent words.

Inuyasha's eyes widened. “I'll kill you, bastard!” he said angrily and began to attack him.

Sesshoumaru effortlessly dodged Inuyasha's attacks. It was obvious that the hanyou's mind was clouded with anger. Soon, he was able to disarm Inuyasha. “Calm yourself,” he said when he had him pinned down. “I will give back your miko once I am through with her. But until then, you will keep out of the Western Lands unless summoned by me.”

Inuyasha struggled futilely. “Give her back,” he said stubbornly.

“Do not defy me,” he said with narrowed eyes. “Or she will suffer.” He headed back to his lands. He smirked in satisfaction when he heard Inuyasha's angry yell.

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Kikypu's eyes strayed to the hanyou who stormed inside Kaede's hut. It was obvious that he was furious. She briefly wondered what could anger Inuyasha this much but then it takes little to anger him. She noticed that Kagome was not with him. Maybe her twin went back to that other era where she grew up. She promptly ignored him and went back to helping Kaede treat one of the villagers.

Miroku and Sango followed him wearily with Shippo and Kirara trailing behind. Shippo was sniffling. Obviously, Inuyasha bullied the little kitsune again. However, it was Shippo's small voice that caught her attention.

“Kagome will be back, Shippo-chan,” Sango said as she stroked his furry tail.

“But Sesshoumaru might hurt her,” Shippo wailed miserably.

Kaede dropped the bowl she was holding. “What happened to Kagome?” she asked calmly but her shaking hands bellied her calm.

Inuyasha avoided Kaede’s eyes. Kikyou saw he play of emotions in his eyes. Thers was anger, guilt, sadness and resignation. She felt a twinge of pity for the hanyou that she had loved when she was alive.

“Sesshoumaru took her,” he finally said after a long pause. His shoulders slumped visibly as the words finally came out of his mouth. “And he threatened me that he would make Kagome suffer if I go to his lands.”

Kikyou exchanged a glance with Kaede. It was obvious that the old miko was extremely worried with this new development. “What did he want with Kagome?” Kaede asked tentatively, dreading the answer.

The hanyou looked dejected as he shook his head, confusion written all over his face. “He didn’t say,” he said. “But…” he trailed off, unable to continue his line of thought. Anger again sparked in his eyes.

“But what?” Miroku gently prodded, suddenly wary.

Inuyasha remained silent, purposefully ignoring the question. He looked at Kikyou and there was a hint of longing in his eyes, His claws dug into his skin and drew blood. Inuyasha looked helpless and defeated.

Kikyou felt fear for her twin squeezing her heart. “What is it, Inuyahsa?” she gently prodded. “What are you not telling us?” she said calmly.

The hanyou looked angrily at her. Although Kikyou was confused at his reaction, she hid it well. “Kagome’s scent was all over him!” he burst out suddenly.

Sango paled visibly at Inuyasha’s announcement. She was not able to contain a gasp of surprise at the outburst.

Understanding dawned on Kikyou. Inuyasha was jealous of Sesshoumaru. And by the way things are going he has reason to fell that way. Despite the callous way Inuyasha treats Kagome he genuinely cares for her. He may even be in love with her. Kikyou felt a twinge of jealousy. She shrugged this feeling off. Hers and Inuyasha’s time together had long since ended when she had been easily tricked by Naraku into believing that Inuyasha could actually betray her. Her distrust in him had resulted to this tragedy. And now, she would really want Inuyasha to be happy even if it’s not with her.

“Inuyasha, you sound like you are jealous,” Miroku said seriously. “For all we know, Sesshoumaru had chosen Kagome to be his mate. After what we saw the last time, I wouldn’t be surprise.”

“I am not jealous!” Inuyasha denied violently. “And Kagome is too good for Sesshoumaru. He does not deserve her.”

Kikyou cleared her throat. “And you think you do?” she said seriously.

“What are you saying, idiots?” Inuyasha said, blushing furiously.

Shippo snorted. “Inuyasha doesn’t deserve Kagome,” he said in a huff. “You never treated her any better. Always making her feel stupid and useless.”

“Why you!” Inuyasha said angrily as he tried to lunge at Shippo. However, the kit was fast enough and perched on Sango’s shoulder who glared murderously at Inuyasha.

“Shippo has a point, you know,” Sango said.

Inuyasha stopped in his tracks. “I know,” he whispered, his face reflecting the guilt he feels. He stormed out of the hut, leaving everybody dumbfounded at his last words.

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Sesshoumaru felt the evil presence even before he took in Naraku’s stench. He raced back faster towards his lands as the thought of Rin and reluctantly, Kagome, being taken by the loathsome creature formed in his mind. How dare that hanyou trespass to his lands? He will pay for his insolence.

His eyes narrowed dangerously as he heard Rin’s shrill scream. A moment later, he was standing at the entrance of his castle. Naraku’s tentacles were wrapped around Kagome’s unconscious form as he laughed evilly. Rin was crying under a tree as the tentacles tried to get past a barrier that was obviously set up by Kagome.

“Give me the jewel!” Naraku demanded. “Your efforts are futile seeing that the miko that erected your barrier is unconscious. Sooner or later, I will be able to get pass that weak barrier.”

Anger welled inside Sesshoumaru as he witnessed Naraku’s relentless attacks. However, he was also proud at the loyalty and courage Rin is showing.

“No!” Rin said defiantly. “Kagome-nee-chan told Rin not to give this jewel to you. Kagome-nee-chan said to give this to Sesshoumaru-sama!”

Sesshoumaru was surprised at his ward’s words. The miko apparently entrusted him the jewel in the event that she would be captured by the hanyou. How curious… Soon, he was a blur of white. He slashed the tentacles that held the miko and caught her before she hit the ground.

“Sesshoumaru-sama!” Rin cried happily. Relief evident in her voice.

“Stay in the barrier,” he said without looking at his ward. He gently placed the miko at a safe distance and faced the stupid hanyou that dared to challenge him.

With one blast of Toukijin, Sesshoumaru got rid of Naraku's puppet. He went to the miko. He immediately smelled her blood and as he neared, he saw that she was getting pale from the blood loss. He wrinkled his nose a little as he scented a vaguely familiar scent mixed with her blood. He had never encountered such a scent on a human.

Sesshoumaru noticed that Rin's barrier had disappeared when the threat of Naraku was gone. Rin was already besiede the miko the instant the barrier was dissolved.

“Kagome-nee-chan was hurt when she saved Rin,” Rin said imploringly at Sesshoumaru.

He sighed and picked up the miko gently. It was a hard task considering that he only has one arm. However, he was able to balance her with the help of Rin. They walked slowly towards the miko's temporary chambers. When he placed her on the futon, Rin immediately slid Kagome's kimono exposing the miko's creamy shoulders.

On the junction between her right shoulder and neck was a large gash where blood flowed freely. Sesshoumaru immediately gathered her hair and arranged it away from the wound. It was then that he noticed that the woulnd was healing rather fast for a human. And he saw the crescent mark on the nape of Kagome's neck. He looked at the woman whose face was returning to its usual healthy color.

A woman marked... Born to be a part of the House of the Moon... He remembered those words uttered to him when he was but a child. Is she the one? This human?

He must get that sphere as soon as possible. If he remembered correctly, the time is near. He must hurry. The prophecy must be fulfilled.

End chapter

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Author's Note: That's the third chap! Hope you liked it. I bet you thought that the title meant Sesshoumaru marking Kagome. Hehehe... Well... It's a bit too soon for that. Tell me what you think. Questions and comments are very much welcome but I cannot guarantee that I would answer every one. It might spoil the story if I tell the answer.

“You are developing a habit of fainting,” an amused voice said, as Kagome opened her eyes.

Kagome groaned and forced herself into a sitting position. She noticed that she was lying down on a very familiar fur pelt under the same sakura tree where she had first “met” InuTaisho. There was a sense of deja vu in the situation. She turned her head and as she expected, there sat InuTaisho sitting in the same position. Despite the fact that he was a powerful demon, like Sesshoumaru, Kagome felt the urge to smile at him. She smiled warmly.

“And you're developing a habit of popping in my unconscious,” she teased. “Care to tell me more?”

InuTaisho shook his head and smiled ruefully at her. “The time is near, Kagome,” he said seriously. “And when the time comes, you will find out. It is imperative that you fulfill the prophecy.”

“What prophecy is that?” Kagome asked exasperatedly. “How will I fulfill something that I don't know?”

“You will know when the time comes,” he said cryptically. “Go to the East. You will find the answer there.”

Kagome pouted. She mimicked InuTaisho as she made a face.

“What is it with Inuyoukais and cryptic replies?” she said in annoyance. “Can’t you just flat out tell me what I’m supposed to do? It will make it easier, you know.”

“I suppose you are referring to Sesshoumaru?” InuTaisho said, his eyes sparkled with amusement.

“You supposed right!” Kagome said with a snort. “Anyway, if you won't tell me the prophecy, tell me what this pendant is for? Why can't I take it off?”

“Because I want you to wear it,” he said before fading away.

“Arrogant youkai,” Kagome muttered under her breath, as he disappeared with an amused smile.

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Sesshoumaru had gone over the scrolls written by both his parents. Whatever that damned prophecy is, it isn't written in any of their documents. He searched his head for anything his father or mother told him.

A woman marked... Born to be a part of the House of the Moon...

That was it. But what is the mark? Who marked her? And how will she be a part of the House of the Moon? Is she human or youkai? His head swam with so many questions. Why didn't they just tell him what was in the prophecy? All this secrecy was just a nuisance.

He looked at the door as he felt Rin's rapid approach. Soon, the bubbly girl slid the door open and beamed up at him. The child never left the miko's side, despite his reassurances that the girl was all right. Rin kept her vigil beside the miko, which forced Sesshoumaru to send for another futon inside the chamber.

“Kagome-nee-chan is awake!” she said happily and latched herself to his leg.

He waited until the girl unlatched herself and walked towards the miko's chambers. When he got there, Rin preceded him inside. His eyes strayed to the miko who was inspecting the shoulder where a large wound should be. He stopped a few feet from the futon where she was comfortably sitting; one sleeve of the white sleeping kimono was off her shoulder, revealing an expanse of creamy white flawless skin.

Kagome looked up and returned his look. She had forgotten her modesty in her confusion. She shook her head as if to help her form her thoughts into words. “What happened?” she asked huskily, her tone weary and confused.

“Trouble seems to follow you,” he said evenly. He watched as she looked down guiltily. Sesshoumaru knew that the miko was thoroughly confused. Probably, she was more confused than him.

Rin immediately began retelling them what happened. “Rin-chan and Kagome-nee-chan were playing and the yucky monster came and tried to hurt Rin! But Kagome-nee-chan saved Rin! And then Sesshoumaru-sama came and killed the monster.”

“I remember having a wound right about here,” she mumbled, unconsciously rubbing her shoulder.

“Oh yes!” Rin butted in. “But then it disappeared like magic!” she said, all wide-eyed innocence.

Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru as if confirming Rin's words. He nodded and she returned to her deep thoughts, almost forgetting that she was not alone. She was chewing her lip thoughtfully and her brows are furrowed, as if trying to remember something. He expected she was pondering the unusual occurrences ever since she set foot on the Palace of the Moon. However, what she said next was unexpected.

She looked up at him, fingering the pendant unconsciously. The miko sighed in resignation and muttered under her breath to what sounded like, ‘this better work’, before she spoke to him directly.

“When are we heading to the East?” she asked.

Sesshoumaru arched his brow as if questioning her sudden interest in going to the East.

“Do you want to go back to Inuyasha that badly?” he mocked.

“Funny you should mention him,” Kagome said. “I haven’t thought of him in a while now. Actually, I have my own personal reasons.”

The inuyoukai’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “And what is that reason?” he asked coldly.

Kagome pulled her kimono on tightly. She tossed her head and smirked at him. “You will know when the time comes,” she said cryptically.

Sesshoumaru decided not to press. He didn’t want the miko think that he cared. He was merely curious, or so that is what he says to himself.

“Very well,” he said haughtily. “We leave in the morning.”

The miko nodded and her face turned serious. He left the woman with Rin and walked back to his own chambers. He should prepare.

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“Wake up you filthy human!”

Kagome jerked awake at the familiar sound of Jaken’s high pitched irritating voice. She snorted at the disgusted look on the toad-youkai’s face.

“Well! You’re more filthy than me, you slimy toad!” she retorted with a smirk.

The toad sputtered and threw her clothes at her face. She was so glad to see her own clothes that she decided to let that toad go without a come-back, maybe later.

She went to the hot springs and took a short but thorough bath before dressing herself in her mid-thigh denim shorts, blue shirt and sneakers. She was just tying her hair in a high ponytail when Rin barged into her room.

“Ohayou!” the little girl said happily, as she sat on Kagome’s lap. “Kagome-nee-chan looks very pretty!”

Kagome smiled fondly at the girl. “Ohayou, Rin-chan,” she said as she finished tying her hair. She began to brush the child’s hair. “Do you want me to braid your hair today?”

The girl shook her head vigorously. “No,” she said. “Rin wants her hair to look like yours,” she said with a big grin.

“Okay!” Kagome said happily and did as the little girl asked. “Wow, Rin-chan! You look real pretty,” Kagome said as she finished tying the girl’s hair in a similar ponytail.

The child giggled and stood. “Let’s go show Sesshoumaru-sama! He is waiting at the dining area,” she said happily and all but dragged Kagome.

Kagome laughed good-naturedly and allowed Rin to lead her to Sesshoumaru. She glanced at the window and realized that it was still foggy outside but she can still see the silhouette of a huge old tree outside her window. Good. At least she was early.

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Sesshoumaru looked expectantly at the door when he heard Rin’s running footsteps accompanied by the miko’s. He watched as Rin dragged the miko inside. Both paused by the door and tried to catch their breaths. As the two grinned at each other, he took his time observing the miko.

She was wearing her usual indecent clothing, although this one did not reveal as much as the green short kimono she wore years ago. Her hair was tied back, exposing the crescent mark on the nape of her neck. However, he knew this mark was only visible to a youkai’s eyes. That was the only additional information he was able to find in his search. His eyes strayed to the miko’s long shapely legs. He returned his gaze to the miko’s face which was flushed due to her earlier exertion. And his mind conjured up another image that would cause the same flush in her lovely cheeks. He narrowed his eyes in irritation. This thing between them was starting to become a distraction he did not need.

He looked at his ward to divert his wandering thoughts and his eyes softened. However, it was curious how the miko and Rin looked alike. They have the same raven hair, warm smiles and their wide expressive eyes except that the miko had blue eyes and Rin had brown ones. They could almost past as sisters or even mother and daughter if the miko was a few years older.

“Sesshoumaru-sama!” Rin’s happy voice broke his contemplation.

He looked up and saw the pair looking at him expectantly. “We shall eat before we leave,” he said and motioned for the two to sit.

Kagome sat across from him as Rin sat on his right side. As soon as they were seated, food was served and they ate in silence.

“Are we going to walk to the East?” the miko asked curiously.

“That would take us a week to get there with your human speed,” he said coldly. He was amused when the miko pouted in annoyance.

“Well, how do you propose we get there?” she asked haughtily.

“You will see,” he said just to annoy the miko further.

She immediately shut her mouth, refusing to be baited. Sesshoumaru waited patiently and he almost smiled when the miko was not able to hold her irritation. “Arrogant youkai,” she muttered. “Just like his father,” she mumbled under her breath.

Sesshoumaru stiffened at that last remark. So his father once again talked with the miko. “You mentioned my father,” he said coldly.

“So what if I did?” she said, lifting her chin in defiance.

Sesshoumaru saw the spark in her eyes and refused to ask what they talked about. “It is of no consequence,” he said unemotionally.

The miko pretended to feign nonchalance. “You’re right,” she said. “It isn’t important since he wouldn’t even tell me about the prophecy.”

The demon lord stiffened. His father mentioned the prophecy to this miko.

“But I’ll be more persistent the next time,” she said happily. “I know I can make him tell me sooner or later.”

Sesshoumaru’s curiosity was nagging him to ask the miko for more information. But he didn’t, he had too much pride.

“At least he told me about this pendant,” she added while fingering the pendant. Then she looked at him and smiled in satisfaction.

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Kagome snuck a glance at the stoic demon. It was evident he wants her to tell him more about what InuTaisho told him. However, it was also obvious that he would not ask. Damn his pride! But she would relish this small victory against the arctic demon.

He didn’t need to know that InuTaisho told her little about the pendant. Yeah right! Little was an overstatement. But at least it tickled Sesshoumaru’s curiosity.

Right after their breakfast, Sesshoumaru told her to meet him at the front in an hour. Kagome nodded and decided to spend her time in the gardens with Rin. And now here she was, standing at the front waiting for Sesshoumaru to come with Rin standing beside her.

Soon, the demon lord came striding out. He threw her a package that she curiously opened. Kagome's eyes widened in appreciation, as she saw a beautifully crafted bow with a quiver of arrows. The bow was made of ivory with a silver handle. The handle had very detailed carvings of an inuyoukai on a cloud. The bowstring seemed to be made of some strong material that she does not know of. She was examining it when Sesshoumaru spoke.

“The bowstring is made from my mother’s hair,” he said levelly. “It is infused with her youki.”

“Oh,” was all Kagome was able to say. She was too surprised to say anything else. She gazed at the weapon in her hand and felt the youki. It somehow felt good, like it actually recognized her. She smiled warmly at Sesshoumaru. “Thank you.”

The demon lord looked at her silently and nodded.

“So, how do we travel?” Kagome asked cheerfully. She slung the bow and arrows on her shoulder and a small back pack on her back containing a few personal belongings. She caught up with him and kept his pace.

“Can I come?” Rin asked hopefully, trying to keep up with their pace with her short legs.

Sesshoumaru stopped and looked at Rin. “No,” he said simply.

“But I want to go,” the child said pouting, her eyes getting teary.

Kagome sighed and kneeled until she was at the child's level. “Sesshoumaru-sama would need someone to watch over the palace for him,” she said. “We promise to be back in a few days.”

“You promise?” the child said in a small squeak.

“Promise,” she said and hugged the girl before hurrying up to catch Sesshoumaru. She turned back and waved at the little girl who waved back before turning to face the demon lord who waited a few meters ahead.

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Sesshoumaru watched Kagome handle Rin. She was able to convince the child easily without the usual persistence that the child demonstrates. His mind strayed back to his mother's bow and arrows. He had thought hard before giving her the weapons. It was the only thing that was left of his mother. However, he felt that it would be of more use in the miko's hands.

He remembered her expression as she opened the package. Sesshoumaru didn't know why he felt that way but he was pleased that she genuinely liked his mother's weapons. And when he felt his mother's youki reacting to the miko's touch, he knew that his mother would have wanted her to have those.

The miko approached and he felt her lightheartedness. It was odd that she should feel that way with him since he was considered her enemy for a long time. And her carefree attitude was somehow making him feel more relaxed, something he had never felt in centuries. And he could not understand how she could smile so warmly to anyone especially with all the confusing things that is happening around her. Kagome seem to have a smile ready for everyone. She even saw her smile at his guards and servants. And her smile was infectious. Everyone who was given that smile could not help but smile back at her.

“So, how do we travel to the east?” she asked as she got in stride with him.

Sesshoumaru looked at her. She was smiling again. That warm genuine smile that lights up her face and make her eyes crinkle and sparkle.

“We fly,” he said simply. He watched her from the corner of his eyes. Her face lit up and her excitement showed in her face.

“We will?” she asked, grinning broadly.

Her excitement caused warmth to spread all over him. However, it was not the same warmth that he had experienced with their previous “warm” encounters. He shook the feeling away and grabbed the miko's waist without a word. She gasped in surprise and clutched at his sleeves when they lifted off the ground on his youki cloud.

There was no fear in her expression. She was actually grinning widely and scanning everything below. The miko briefly closed her eyes. When she opened them, her eyes were shining with happiness and excitement.

“Wow,” she whispered in awe. “I've never been this high up. Not even on a plane. And to think I'm flying with the wind whipping pass me.” She was clutching at him but there was no fear in her. She was merely enjoying the feeling of being up in the air.

He didn't answer but he could feel the warmth of her skin. He relished the feeling. Somehow, this miko is making him feel more relaxed despite the circumstances. And he had missed that feeling of comfort he had when he was but a pup. He almost smiled. Almost, but he caught himself.

The miko was making him feel things he had long forgotten. Things that he had no business feeling. He was confused yet at the same time glad of these feelings. It made him feel more alive.

“Thank you, Sesshoumaru,” the miko whispered. “This is an experience I will never forget.”

“Hn,” he said noncommittally. But deep inside, he was secretly pleased.

-End chapter-

Sesshoumaru felt the miko's weight leaning on him. They had been traveling nonstop for half a day. The sun was already setting, tinting the clouds with orange and pink hues and the wind blew gently, caressing their cheeks was starting to become cooler. He glanced down and noted that she was leaning on his fur pelt, her raven black hair contrasted against his pristine white pelt and kimono. His gaze strayed to her slightly parted lips as it often does lately. Her eyelashes softly brushed against her smooth rosy cheeks. The miko looked so innocent and peaceful in her sleep, as if everything was normal.

It was a wonder why humans still flourished when their lives are so short and they waste half of it sleeping. He looked at the setting sun against the mountains and briefly wondered if he should continue their journey or land somewhere. Kagome stirred lightly, trying to be as comfortable as possible in her semi-sitting position. He sighed and gently descended on a small clearing near a hot spring.

He carefully positioned the sleeping female under a large sakura tree. It was difficult to say the least, with his only arm. It was small wonder that the miko did not wake and instead curled into a ball on the soft grass at the base of the tree. The miko gave a slight shiver from the cold and Sesshoumaru felt something tug at him. He shook his head at himself and removed his pelt. He cautiously draped the fur pelt over the miko's fragile body. He felt warmth that he could not even begin to explain spread over his being when he heard the miko's small sigh of contentment. A small smile graced her lips and she burrowed deeper into his fur pelt.

The demon lord mentally shook his head at himself. Anyone who would see him now would think he was getting soft. He forced his eyes away from the sleeping female and positioned himself under a larger sakura tree. He raised one of his knees and stretched the other forward. He then draped his arm on his raised knee and leaned his back on the sturdy tree. He closed his eyes but his senses were acutely aware of the even breathing of the sleeping miko.

The light pink blossoms of the tree fell gently on the two immobile bodies that lay under the trees. To an observer from afar, it would almost seem like snow was falling. The beauty of the surrounding and the gentle sweet scents calming them both.

-+-+-

Kikyou stopped as she neared the cliff. She could make out the silhouette of an old man sitting on a cow. She continued in her usual sedate movements when she recognized the man waiting for her at her usual place.

She stopped a few feet from him. He slowly turned and she returned his serious gaze. Both of them kept silent. They measured each other until Myouga jumped on Kikyou's shoulder and cleared his throat.

“We understand that you already know of the identity of your twin,” the old flea youkai said, measuring his words carefully.

Kikyou stayed silent, absorbing those words. So, these two were still not aware that Kagome was traveling with Sesshoumaru. And they were still clueless as to who was the one chosen by Fates. She looked up after a short thoughtful pause.

“Are you not aware that she is now traveling with the Taiyoukai of the West?” she asked carefully, purposefully omitting Kagome's name.

“She is with Sesshoumaru?” Totousai asked, his eyes bulging in his surprise.

“Who is she?” Myouga asked.

“Tell me what the prophecy states and I'll tell you her name,” Kikyou said, her face devoid of any emotion.

“We can’t,” Myouga said.

Totousai nodded in agreement. “We do not know,” he admitted. “Only she can tell us the prophecy.”

Kikyou tried to read the two loyal vassals of InuTaisho. It was evident that they were telling the truth. She hesitated before sighing in defeat.

“Kagome,” she said with a sigh. “Kagome is my twin.”

-+-+-

Kagome felt warm. She burrowed deeper into the soft warm material covering her. It distinctly felt like the fur pelt InuTaisho often lends her. She opened her right eye as that thought sunk into her foggy brain. Sure enough, her bleary eyes caught the image of a youkai in white leaning against the large sakura tree.

“Did you come here just to annoy me again with all your cryptic answers?” she mumbled, closing her eyes again before it was able to focus clearly on the demon.

“I believe you mistook me for someone else,” the cold voice drawled.

It was funny how the old youkai sounded exactly like... Kagome's thoughts trailed away as she sat bolt upright at Sesshoumaru's mocking voice. She blinked a few times and sure enough, her eyes focused on the arctic demon instead of InuTaisho.

“Oh,” was all she managed to say when she realized her mistake in her half-awake state. “I thought you were...” she trailed.

“My father,” Sesshoumaru stated flatly.

“Right,” she said, a blush staining her cheeks.

They were silent for a few minutes, neither of them knowing what to say to each other until, surprisingly, Sesshoumaru finally broke it.

“We leave in a few minutes,” he said levelly. “You can use the hot springs nearby if you wish to bathe.”

Kagome gingerly got up and walked to where Sesshoumaru sat like a statue. She handed him the fur pelt which she folded neatly.

“Thank you,” she whispered. She was about to go to the direction he had indicated when he spoke.

“Do not take too long,” he said.

She nodded and went to the hot spring, looking forward to a wonderful and relaxing bath.

When Kagome left the clearing, Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. The miko and his father seemed to get along well, if the miko could speak to the great InuTaisho that way. But then again, the miko tends to forget her place most of the time. He stood up and went to find something to eat. Surely, Kagome would be hungry. They did not have dinner last night, not that he needed to eat as often as humans do. But still, she might be hungry. Sesshoumaru stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes narrowed in annoyance. When did he start to care? He shrugged the thought aside. He did not care for the human. It just would not be convenient for the miko to get sick. With that thought in mind, he went back to hunting, keeping within sensing distance of the miko in case of any danger.

-+-+-

Despite Sesshoumaru's warnings not to take too long, Kagome took her time. The water was just too warm to resist. She put on her extra clothing and jogged back to the clearing. As she neared, she could smell something being cooked. Her stomach reacted at that thought. She was reminded that she had not eaten dinner the previous night.

The sight of Sesshoumaru roasting rabbits greeted her. She smiled to herself. What would demons and humans alike say if they saw the great demon lord of the West cooking for a human? She took a deep breath. She noticed that it wasn't just the rabbit meat that she could smell. There were herbs and spices in them. Sesshoumaru does know how to cook. She grinned but quickly wiped the grin off her face when Sesshoumaru looked in her direction. She stayed rooted to the spot, returning the demon's look.

“Are you not hungry?” Sesshoumaru asked coldly when she didn't move to eat.

Kagome smiled and jogged towards the fire. “You know I am,” she said cheerfully. “In fact, I know you could hear my stomach grumbling.”

Sesshoumaru scoffed and took one of the rabbits. He handed her one and took one for himself.

Kagome watched as Sesshoumaru took a bite. How could he stay graceful while eating? She took a bite and her eyes rounded. The rabbit didn't only smell good, it tasted good, too. “Wow!” she said after taking her second bite. “This is great. I didn't know you could cook.”

“Hn,” was the only reply Sesshoumaru gave.

They ate in silence, Kagome relishing every bite of the delicious roasted rabbit. The herbs and spices he used were somehow familiar to her although she could not place the name. It left a sweet and salty tang that blended well together. She didn't even notice that she ate two whole rabbits.

“I'm so full,” she said happily, patting her stomach for emphasis. She looked at Sesshoumaru and noticed that he was watching her.

Sesshoumaru finished five rabbits. He inclined his head. “We shall proceed,” he said, standing up.

She stood up and followed him. “Could we walk for about a few minutes at least?” she asked. “I'm so full.”

The demon lord nodded and began to walk to the direction of the eastern lands.

“So, are we almost there yet?” Kagome asked as she kept up with Sesshoumaru's long strides.

“Two more days of travel at the most,” Sesshoumaru answered.

Kagome's brows furrowed. “That far?” she asked. “I didn't think it would take that long.”

The demon lord looked at her. “The place we seek is at the eastern most part of the land,” Sesshoumaru said. “It would take longer if we walk.”

“I see,” Kagome said. “Anyway, can you now tell me where we are going? And what exactly I'm supposed to retrieve for you?”

“To the Eastern Lands,” Sesshoumaru answered.

“I already know that,” she answered exasperatedly.

Sesshoumaru quirked his eyebrow haughtily. “Then why do you still ask?” he mocked.

Kagome rolled her eyes in exasperation. Sesshoumaru was worse than his father. He always used that mocking tone with her. And she could feel that he knew what she was asking but decided to evade answering her question. Demons!

-+-+-

Sesshoumaru smirked to himself when he saw the miko's eyes roll in exasperation. He had debated whether to answer her questions. It didn't matter if she knew or not but it was fun irritating her. Fun? It had been a long time since he had fun.

“Why won't you tell me?” she asked. “I deserve to know since I'm the one helping you.”

He felt his mouth twitch. He suppressed his smile and gave the miko his characteristic blank look just to annoy her more.

“You will know when we get there,” he said stonily.

The miko stomped her feet in annoyance. “You are so like your father!” she burst out, irritated. “Cryptic, mysterious and annoying! Your whole family seems to be there just to annoy and confuse me,” she said with a huff.

It was really fun annoying the miko. “We need to hurry,” he said instead.

“Oh, fine!” Kagome said, pouting. “We can fly now.”

Without second thought, Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around Kagome's small waist and formed his youki cloud. He could smell her sweet fresh scent. It made him think of the first blossoming of flowers in spring. The smell was refreshing and sweet, calming him. It was almost making him feel... at home.

Kagome slumped, leaning onto him. Her head bowed down. Then he smelled it, salt. She was crying silently. He could now feel her tears falling on his kimono. Sesshoumaru was confused. A few minutes ago, she was ranting at him and now she was slumped against him, crying silently.

After a few minutes, Sesshoumaru could no longer contain his curiosity. And he was a little concerned, too, he admitted grudgingly to himself. He had never seen the miko in this state before. She was always bubbly.

“What ails you?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she whispered, her voice cracking. Her voice was full of despair.

Sesshoumaru's brows furrowed and prepared himself. “Tell me,” he said.

Kagome looked up, her eyes full of despair. “I've never asked for any of this,” she whispered brokenly. “Sometimes I wonder if this is worth everything I've sacrificed. If all this pain I feel is worth anything. All I ever wanted was to live a normal life. Just a normal life,” her voice trailing wistfully as her eyes misted again.

“You have the gift of the Shikon no Tama,” Sesshoumaru couldn't help but point out.

The miko gave a bitter smile. “It is not a gift,” she said. “But a curse. No protector of the Shikon could live normally. The protector is bound to live in misery. Ever since I knew of its existence my world had completely and irrevocably turned upside down. I had to sacrifice my life... and my heart. A girl could just take so much.”

“Is this about Inuyasha?” he asked coldly.

Kagome snorted. “It seems that way, doesn't it?” she asked bitterly. “I wonder that myself. But then again, I've long grown tired of crying for him. No, it's not about Inuyasha. This is all about these duties I have to do. Responsibilities I'm not even prepared to perform.”

Sesshoumaru thought about the miko's words. She must have reached her limit. It had been five years and she had just reached her limit with so much going on in her life. “Things happen for a reason,” he said flatly. “You were given these responsibilities because you have the capability. Do not think that you are not capable.”

She looked up at him. Her tears had dried because of the wind. “You think I can do it?” she asked, her hesitation still evident.

“Believe you can,” he answered, his voice ringing with sincerity. “You are capable.”

The miko sighed and smiled tremulously. “Thank you, Sesshoumaru,” she said sincerely. She looked out to the horizon. “Gomennasai, I know I was rambling. It's just that I am so confused. And I had gone through so much.”

“Hn,” he said noncommittally.

-+-+-

Kagome felt embarrassed at her emotional outburst. And she had to say all that to Sesshoumaru, no less! He must think she's a spineless idiot. But it sure felt good to let everything out. And she knew Sesshoumaru listened to her. He even went so far as to reassure and comfort her. Maybe he wasn't as bad as everybody thought him to be.

“We will go to a cave at the East,” he finally said after the short silence that ensued. “You will retrieve a sphere containing a prophecy that my mother left.”

She was surprised. He had answered her earlier questions. She smiled to herself. Perhaps there was still hope for the demon lord, after all.

-+-+-

“So, it is Kagome,” Totousai mused. Kikyou had left long ago.

Myouga jumped on the cow and sat. “We must get to the cave,” he said. “We know her identity at last. But why did Sesshoumaru take her?”

“Maybe he knows,” Totousai contemplated that possibility.

“No, he could not know,” Myouga said. “No one knows the whole prophecy especially the identity of the female. Many speculated, but no one was sure…until now.”

Totousai nodded. “We must leave at once,” he said seriously. “They are already ahead of us by a day or so. We must not dally any longer.”

Myouga nodded and the two took to the sky.

-+-+-

Inuyasha looked up at the sky. He felt that once Kagome went back, nothing will ever be the same again. His relationship with Kagome was already strained before all this had happened. And he knew it was his entire fault. He had always run off to Kikyou, failing to protect her a couple of times. And he had always compared the two.

He had hurt Kagome so many times and yet she stayed with him. He bowed his head. Sesshoumaru was not that bad. Sure, he was cold and emotionless. But despite the way people view him, he was different inside.

Inuyasha could still remember when he was just a pup. He had always looked up to his older brother. He was graceful, strong and capable. Things were different. He saw how great he was…until things happened. His mother died and he blamed Sesshoumaru for everything. He even went so far as to accuse him of killing his mother.

But now, he knew better. And it was already too late to patch things up with his brother. They hated each other and it will stay that way. Especially now that he took Kagome away.

It had already begun to rain, the tiny droplets hitting the leaves of the trees before falling down to be absorbed by the earth. The first droplets created tiny dark marks on Inuyasha's haori and he thought back to the time when Kagome sat him for making them walk under the rain. Inuyasha looked at his companions. “Let's settle for the night,” he said gruffly.

End chapter

CHAPTER 6: Realizations

Sesshoumaru looked out from inside the cave. The miko was laughing outside, getting soaked by the rain. He watched as she opened her arms wide, lifting her face up to the rain as if offering herself to some higher being. There was a sweet smile on her face as she started to spin around, laughing with childlike abandon.

However , she looked anything but childlike with her meager clothing soaked, outlining every curve of her ripe body. She was a sight to behold. Even he cannot deny that. He tried to look at something else but his eyes seemed to have a life of its own. It kept straying to the dancing miko, following her every move. Without realizing what he was doing, he found himself standing in front of her. Soon, Sesshoumaru was also soaked from the heavy rain, but he didn't care.

“Why do you let yourself get wet?” he could not help asking the miko. He was confused by her actions. Most humans would rather stay indoors during a downpour like this, keeping warm and dry. She was the first ningen who enjoyed the rain, aside from children who did not know any better. “Humans avoid it. Why do you stay here when you can keep dry and warm?”

The miko stopped dancing and turned to him, her face alight with glee. “If you think happiness is all about sunshine, then no one has told you about dancing in the rain,” she answered his question, smiling happily and punctuating her statement with a twirl.

She looked so free and alive. Things that Sesshoumaru hadn't felt in centuries. She was looking up at him, her lips quirked in a rueful smile. Her blue eyes mesmerized him. Her soft pink lips beckoned to be kissed, and for the life of him, Sesshoumaru could not resist the pull. He caressed her cheek and bent down slowly to capture her slightly parted lips in a sweet lingering kiss. It was slow and exploratory, slightly hesitant as if testing each other's reactions.

And then they parted, each of them speechless. They stared at each other. Both were confused, not knowing what really happened.

Sesshoumaru looked into her blue eyes which mirrored her confusion. They were soaked to the bone but not one of them noticed it. All they were aware of were each other. Nothing else seemed important.

“Dancing in the rain is fun,” the miko whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion. “But kissing in the rain sure is a hell of a lot better.”

Sesshoumaru could no longer help it. His lips lifted slightly in an amused smile. And the miko's answering laugh added to the warm feeling at the pit of his stomach. She twirled around him and caressed his cheek, making his stomach squirm with an unnamed emotion. She was looking deeply into his golden eyes, her blue ones soft with an emotion he could not place. Her smile was tender and he didn't know what to make of it.

“You're even more beautiful when you smile,” she whispered.

Sesshoumaru didn't know what to say to that. He searched her eyes and saw only sincerity in them. He searched his mind for something to say but could not come up with anything. He had never talked much to anyone before, and someone talking to him like this was also new to him. So he decided to just keep silent, the way he always was.

He waited with baited breath for her outburst. To his surprise, her eyes softened even more. “You'll always be you,” she whispered with feeling, as if understanding the inner struggle he was having. Then she smiled and danced away from him, laughing gaily, and the momentary spell was broken.

His eyes watched her every movement. She was alive and carefree... Something that he was not, and somehow, she understood him. Most demons and human alike never do. They mistook his silence to coldness and arrogance. He never bothered to correct them. It wasn't really in his nature to explain himself. Maybe that was arrogance in his part. He did not really care what others think.

The miko waved happily at him, her warm genuine smile making him feel things he had forgotten. She was an unusual creature. She was powerful and pure, a very rare combination. And she had never ceased to surprise him.

-+-+-

They sat across from the fire inside the cave. The downpour has trailed down to a gentle drizzle but they decided to spend the night in that cave since it was almost nightfall. There were fishes roasting on the fire. Kagome smiled to herself when she remembered trailing behind Sesshoumaru in that downpour when he went to the river to catch the fish. She watched as Sesshoumaru used his bare hand to catch the fish and she clapped every time his hand came out of the water with a fish.

She smiled as she remembered the curious look he was giving her. He surely must think she was odd. She had seen more emotions in his eyes in the few days she had spent with him than the five years she had known him.

Kagome witnessed his confusion at their “encounter” under the rain before he was able to mask it. She saw his eyes soften a little as he looked at her. Surely, that must mean something. She was absolutely sure Sesshoumaru smiled at her. That smile did wonders to his face. She felt a tingle of emotion in her heart and suppressed it. She could not afford to let herself feel these feelings. These feelings were not meant for the protector of the jewel.

Her eyes strayed from the fire to the demon who sat bare-chested across from her. He had hung his soaked top near the fire as she had done to her clothes. Of course, she had brought a couple of extra clothes. And Sesshoumaru had given her the fur pelt to keep her warm. She smiled at the thought. He wasn’t really that bad.

Sesshoumaru was looking at the cooking fish, as still as a statue. Kagome’s mind registered the fact that he had a nice sculpted body. His missing arm didn’t mar the beauty he possessed.

“You know, Sesshoumaru,” Kagome started, breaking the silence that reigned. The Taiyoukai looked up from his fire gazing. “I never imagined I’ll spend so much time alone with you. You’re just too…” Kagome paused to think of the right word. “Distant,” she finished with a bright smile.

Sesshoumaru’s eyebrow quirked up. He seemed to think of a reply. The miko thought he was distant, not cold, heartless, ruthless or evil. “Do you fear this Sesshoumaru?” he asked curiously.

Kagome bit her lip in thought. “Well, I used to,” she admitted after a short moment. “Until I spent so much time with you. You could say I am now immune. Besides, you haven’t tried to kill me.”

“Yet,” Sesshoumaru added with a blank look.

Kagome’s eyes widened momentarily as she looked at Sesshoumaru. Then her eyes narrowed as she observed his blank face. It was then that she noticed the unusual quirk of his lips. It was very slight, unnoticeable unless you were looking very closely. She grinned.

“You were joking!” she exclaimed happily. “Hah! You thought I wouldn’t catch that joke!”

“This Sesshoumaru does not joke,” he said disdainfully.

“Oh, yes you do!” Kagome said pointing at Sesshoumaru and giggling. “Just when I thought I’ve you all figured out, you would do something that surprises me.”

“Hn,” was all Sesshoumaru said as he handed her the cooked fish.

-+-+-

“You and my son seem to get along very well,” the now familiar deep soothing voice of InuTaisho woke Kagome.

Kagome opened her eyes and yawned. She looked to see InuTaisho sitting under the huge sakura tree where he always does. “Figured you’ll pop into my dream again, old man,” she scoffed mockingly but smiled genuinely at the old demon.

InuTaisho returned her smile. His handsome face reflecting his fondness of the miko who had been a part of both his sons’ lives. “Of course, I would not pass the chance to talk to my future daughter-in-law,” he teased.

“Hey! Watch it, old man!” Kagome cried with indignation. Her face must have been as red as a tomato. Was InuTaisho suggesting that she and Sesshoumaru was a couple?

The inuyoukai laughed at the young miko’s discomfort. “The two of you certainly enjoy kissing each other, don’t you?” he said with a quirk of one elegant eyebrow. The gesture reminded Kagome of Sesshoumaru.

“You’re spying on us!” Kagome burst out accusingly, a finger pointed at the grinning InuTaisho. “You dirty old man!”

InuTaisho burst out laughing at the miko’s indignant face. “I told you my spirit is always there to guide you,” he said when he was already calm.

“Like you’re actually helping me with my dilemma,” Kagome scoffed. “I’m totally confused here and I don’t need unnecessary feelings to confuse me more.”

“Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha are different,” InuTaisho said seriously, as if reading Kagome’s thoughts.

Kagome started at those words. But she immediately composed herself. “As if I don’t know that,” she mumbled. “They are like night and day, but both are totally confusing and damn irritating.”

“But you seem to affect them both in a different way,” InuTaisho said with a grin.

“Yeah, right,” Kagome said sarcastically, her nose wrinkling. “Inuyasha seems to think I owe him for accidentally destroying the jewel and Sesshoumaru just loves to order me around like I should thank him for sparing my life. You sure do have wonderful sons!”

InuTaisho’s grin widened. “I must admit my sons have very strong personalities,” he said.

Kagome rolled her eyes. “That would be the understatement of the century,” she said. “Your sons are domineering male chauvinists! Must have taken after their father.”

InuTaisho chuckled. “You, child, amuses me,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“At least someone is amused,” she said with a huff, but could not contain a small smile at the demon who always invaded her dreams. “Now, what else would you tell me? Aside from the fact that I am now wearing your pendant because you want me to.”

“Because you amuse me, I will answer that question,” he said with a smile. “That pendant is infused with my youki. It will increase the power of your miko powers.”

“Cool!” Kagome said, clapping her hands. “But why did you give it to me?” she asked curiously.

InuTaisho stood up. “Because the fate of everything my ancestors and I worked hard for lies in your hands,” he said before disappearing.

-+-+-

Sesshoumaru and Kagome resumed their journey east when morning came. They had traveled in a fast pace, stopping only to eat and sleep.

“We are at the Eastern territories,” Sesshoumaru said, the afternoon of the second day after the downpour that delayed their journey.

It was then that Kagome felt the presence of two shards. It was heading in their direction at a very fast pace. Her heart thumped in anticipation. Inuyasha was not with her and she could not possibly ask Sesshoumaru to help her. Her hand tightened at the bow that Sesshoumaru had given her.

“What is wrong, miko?” Sesshoumaru asked when he noticed Kagome’s tensed muscles.

“Shards,” Kagome whispered. “Heading this way, fast.”

Sesshoumaru’s eyes narrowed and descended slowly. He had landed at the middle of a clearing surrounded by large trees. His hand was poised to unsheathe Toukijin.

A whirl of dust soon became visible and Kagome relaxed visibly. “Kouga-kun,” she breathed in relief, her face wreathed in a wide smile.

Sesshoumaru also dropped his defensive position and stood behind Kagome.

The wolf demon stopped directly in front of Kagome. “I knew you would finally realize that I am a lot better than that mutt-face,” Kouga said with a rakish grin. He grabbed Kagome’s hands. “I’m glad you decided to be my mate.”

“Uh, Kouga-kun,” Kagome said uncomfortably.

Kouga stiffened when he noticed Sesshoumaru with Kagome. “What are you doing with him?” he asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. Then he sniffed and his eyes narrowed even more. “And his scent is all over you!”

Kagome rolled her eyes in annoyance and took her hands from the overzealous wolf. “Sesshoumaru and I have business to attend to,” she said calmly.

“The two of you? Alone?” Kouga said indignantly. “You’re my woman! You should not travel alone with an unmated male!”

“How many times do I have to tell you that I am not your woman?” Kagome said irritated, her hands on her hips.

Kouga looked at Sesshoumaru, purposefully ignoring Kagome’s words. “Oi! If you ever touch my woman, I’d-” he was cut off by a stone thrown at his head.

“You stubborn wolf!” Kagome cried indignantly. “I am not your woman! And I am not here to be your mate!”

The wolf demon grabbed Kagome before she could react. “Such a strong woman,” Kouga said wistfully. “You will make your mate proud.”

A soft growl made Kagome jump. That growl held a lot of threat in it. Even Kouga released her and turned to Sesshoumaru who was looking at the wolf-demon. “You will release the miko,” he said coldly. “It is apparent that she does not return your affections.”

“Don’t tell me you also want her for yourself?” Kouga sneered.

Sesshoumaru flexed his hand and poison dripped from it. Kagome realized that the two were going to fight. She rolled her eyes in exasperation. No matter how much they deny it, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha have a lot in common.

“Stop!” Kagome bellowed.

The two demons looked at her. Kagome stalked towards them and stood between the two demons. She formed two energy balls in her hands. She was inwardly surprised but shrugged when she remembered what InuTaisho said. Then she noticed that the energy balls were pink with a tinge if purple in them. It must be InuTaisho’s youki.

“You two will stop this nonsense,” she said with authority. When the two seemed to have calmed down, Kagome retracted her energy balls. “Sesshoumaru and I are going to continue our journey. And you, Kouga, will not insist on making me your mate.”

“But—” Kouga began to argue.

“No buts,” Kagome said and turned to Sesshoumaru. “We can leave now.”

Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around Kagome’s waist and formed his youki cloud. Kagome in turn clutched at Sesshoumaru to prevent herself from accidentally falling. After so many times she had traveled with Sesshoumaru on his cloud, she could still not get used to the height.

Kagome sighed with relief when they were already on their way back. Kouga was really a handful. It was lucky she was able to stop them. Sesshoumaru might have harmed Kouga if they fought.

-+-+-

Sesshoumaru smirked inwardly when he saw the wolf’s face contorted in jealousy as he watched them fly up. The irritating wolf had dared to touch Kagome, tainting her scent. He looked at the miko who was clutching at him. He was secretly pleased to hear her reject the wolf’s advances, but the reason behind his feelings still remained elusive to him.

He remembered the energy balls that she had formed. It had a feel of his father’s youki. This made him more curious. What is happening?

Well, he will soon find out. The cave is just half a day away. He found a clearing near another hot spring. He realized that unlike most humans, the miko enjoyed taking baths. He had since looked for a place to spend the night near hot springs. As he expected, the miko took her bath. She took her time taking her bath and while she does, he took those opportunities to hunt for their food.

“Is there a hot spring near by?” Kagome asked as soon as he landed.

He nodded to the direction of the hot spring and watched her run to that direction. He smiled inwardly. No wonder she smelled pleasant.

When she disappeared from his view, Sesshoumaru went to hunt for their food. For the past few days that they had traveled, no danger had come to the miko. He decided to hunt farther away, for the first time straying out of sensing range.

Sesshoumaru had caught a boar and was just back at the clearing when he heard Kagome’s shrill scream pierce through the silence of the forest. Without another thought, Sesshoumaru dropped the boar and raced towards the hot spring. He could smell the miko’s fear and something clutched at his heart. He should have stayed within sensing distance. The wind rushed past his ears, whipping his hair. He didn't mind the barks that scratched his skin. They were just irritations that he could dismiss. The scratches disappeared as fast as they appeared, maybe even faster.

His heart began to beat faster as he ran towards the miko.

End chapter