The storm was raging on as Kagome Higurashi made her way home from the mall that evening. The city of modern day Tokyo looked desolate. No one walking around, businesses closed, and even office lights were off. Something weird was going on.

~I should have left earlier~

She had only remembered earlier that day, after returning from the feudal era that it tomorrow was her mother's birthday. She had spent nearly a month helping Inuyasha and the group gather what was left of the sacred jewel shards from the Shikon No Tama. It was only a matter of time before Naraku found them. Kouga had reluctantly but willingly given up his two shards. Sadly, Kohaku hadn't survived having the shard removed from his back. When Kagome had left, Sango had still not returned from burying him back home in the Demon Slayer Village.

~Poor Sango. I'm glad Miroku went with her. Hopefully he won't try anything. If he does there might be a second burial right about now~

Kagome chuckled at the thought of those two. Then turning her attention back to the rain still pounding down she rushed down the dark, empty streets home. Even the beggars that sometimes could be seen loitering around the buildings were missing too.

~What's going on?~

She held her umbrella open above her as she finally heard the thunder roar and saw the lightening shoot out and illuminate the sky. As beautiful as the show was, it was disturbing to be the only living creature out as far as she could tell. She started to run home. Only two blocks till Kagome would reach the shrine steps. She can hear something coming at her from down one of the dark alleyways.

~Not good. So not good~

She breaks into a sprint and finally slips on a wet patch of grass going around a corner. Closing her eyes Kagome braces for impact. Out of nowhere a strong arm envelops her and Kagome sends out a silent prayer expecting to not make it back home again. When nothing happens she sneaks a peek. There standing above her, holding her to his chest with his one arm is Sesshoumaru. Shaking her head, she tries to clear her thoughts.

"Can you stop running and stand up, Miko? I will need my arm shortly."

Nodding her head, Kagome stands up and rubs her eyes a bit to make sure she isn't seeing things. Sure enough he is still standing in front of her only now his hand is resting on Tokijin. The noise from down the alley is coming closer. However, that's not the direction Sesshoumaru is facing. He is facing the open street.

~Oh no! Now what?~

The creature that had been hiding down the alley slowly makes its way into the light. It appears to be a wounded dog. It painfully limps towards Kagome before collapsing about halfway there.

"Poor thing," whispers Kagome running to its side.

There are cuts and bruises the length of its body. The once brown coat now black from all the blood. Leaning over she can hear its wheezing breath.

"I agree, but we must not forget that there is something else out there."

~Talk about a kill joy. How is he even here? Wait a minute. If he came through what else did?~

Sesshoumaru can smell her unease before he catches a glimpse of the purple glow emitting from her hands. She slowly runs them over the injured animal. Working carefully to focus her healing powers on mending that which is the most needed, so as not to drain her energy before what could turn out to be a battle.

~Is she really wasting energy to save that pathetic creature?~

"Miko, we do not have time for this," he growled.

"I'm making time. I will not let this innocent creature die if I can do something to avoid it," she snaps back.

Once the animal was breathing normally and able to stand, it followed Kagome as she walked towards Sesshoumaru. All the while, she was trying to gather her thoughts.

~He is here, the dog is fine, I'm soaked, the shrine seems ok, we're being stalked by Kami knows what, he's in attack mode, no idea what's out there, and I'm unarmed~

"Well crap!" she mutters.

"My thoughts precisely, Miko."

"The name is Kagome."

a/n: hope you liked the beginning. I have a basic idea of where this is headed. now just to fill in the blanks.