Parallel Hearts

Parallel Hearts

Written by: Hinoko

Chapter One: Dismissed

"SITTTTTT BOOYYYYYY!" A scream echoed throughout the feudal era. The birds pushed off the branches of trees, scared by the frightened woman. "INUYASHHAAA!"

Kagome ran up to the well, followed by an angry Inuyasha. It had been three days since Sesshoumaru's visit and ever since then Inuyasha hadn't been acting himself. Blue eyes hit red as Kagome tripped and twisted around, watching as the half demon she knew let out a growl and walk up to her slowly, snarling and licking his lips as she scrambled backwards towards the well.

Inuyasha predicted her movements as she jumped up and tried to make it to the well in time. He jumped behind her and lifted his tetsusiaga. Swinging it to the ground with force and smashing it to the ground in anger, shattering the well to pieces.

Tears welled up in Kagome's eyes as her only way home perished under her loves sword that had saved her so many times. "Inuyasha sit boy!" she screamed again, but the rosary did nothing but light up and break, the beads crumbling to the ground.

The whole world stopped as the hanyou leapt forward, his sword in the air as he swung it towards Kagome.

"Inuyasha!"

Kagome's body bolted up, sweat pouring off her body as pain throbbed on her right side, making the sheets that were tucked around her damp. Her eyes wide and she froze, staring around a large room that she didn't recognize. She dashed her eyes around, scared. Where was she? She looked for clues or something that would tell her where she was, but nothing came.

The room was a soft sea green, with marble flooring and deep maple made up the trim and the bordering that outlined four doors. One led to the balcony and another double door, she guess led to the outside. Slowly and quietly she walked to the thick double doors and opened them carefully. The hall was endless, with many halls leading off of it from what Kagome could see. The walls were soft beige and the floor was continued with marble. Pictures hung on the walls with paintings of demons lighted by torches that lined the beige walls.

Soft foot steps echoed through the walls as Kagome studied one particular painting. It was a family, a father with striking silver hair and amber eyes. A mother with long white hair, and a son with shorter silver hair, placing himself between the two parents. His face was cold and calculated, showing no emotions, all of them marked with a crescent moon on their foreheads.

A breath caught as she studied the face of the young boy, her hand lifting up as her eyes locked with the boy's like he was holding her, begging to be released. Two magenta stripes were painted on each side of his face, each one made carefully with one stroke of a brush.

Sesshoumaru.

"What are you doing?" A cold voice echoed behind her, causing her to twirl around, bumping the picture, knocking it off of the hook it was rested on.

A gasp came from Kagome's mouth as Sesshoumaru dashed to save the picture, grabbing it by the frame and holding it up preciously. He hung the masterpiece back up before turning his killing glare on Kagome's horrid face.

"What are you doing human?" He asked again, seeing the woman shudder in fear. Good, it was about time he started to get respect from the stupid human.

"I…I don't…I woke up and I was just here and I didn't know where I was I didn't mean to come here, I don't even remember coming." Kagome stuttered in nervousness.

"I didn't care what you feel or how you got here I asked what you were doing!" Sesshoumaru snapped, angry that the human girl had touched one of the most precious things he had left.

"I was just…" Kagome gulped, feeling the whole in her stomach grow into a tight not. "I was just stretching my legs?" she whispered lightly.

The killer stare didn't waver, "then do so in your room." He said venomously, turning his back on her as he strode away, not even thinking to give her a second glance. Kagome stood there alone, her knees shaking with intimidation as she figured out where she was. She was in lord Sesshoumaru's castle in the west, hidden to man and demon alike unless they already knew the paths. He had taken her, no doubt to hold as a prize to use against Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru's half brother.

Kagome sank to her knees as single knocking sound entered the air. "Inuyasha." Kagome said softly, tears splashing into the marble floor as she whispered his name over and over, trying to make sense of the last thing that had happened in her life.

Cold water trickled down the side of her face as Kagome reopened her eyes. She was surprised to see a small human child looking down on her, a smile placed on her face. Sesshoumaru has a human child? Since when? The memories hit her as she envisioned Sesshoumaru walking around with a two headed dragon and a little girl in an orange and yellow kimono riding it.

"Morning miss, I am Rin." She said happily, changing the cloth on Kagome's forehead.

"What am I doing here?" Kagome groaned, trying to sit up. Her eyes glanced around the same room as the night before and both relief and fear ran through Kagome's body. She was glad that she wouldn't wake up outside all alone or left to another demon for breakfast, but she also feared what Inuyasha would do when he learnt that she was in the hands of his brother.

She caught Rin shrug her shoulders and push her back down to the pillows. "You need sleep miss. The lord said you were exhausted." Rin said politely. At first Kagome went to shake her head when she found herself actually tired and comfortable, letting a restful sleep taking over her.

Rin nodded approval then left the room, telling the nearest servant to notify lord Sesshoumaru when she awoke.

Rin waited two and a half days before the woman was well enough to leave her room. For the first day Kagome would be given a grand tour of the palace but before then she would need to eat a late lunch to gain her strength.

She found the woman in the dining area gawking at lord Sesshoumaru's table. There was enough food to feed ten grown men. Of course that's not what they were planning to do. Everyone but lord Sesshoumaru, the noble's and Rin ate in the mess hall. She had suggested the woman be brought her because the men would try stuff on her and Rin didn't want that to happen.

"Lady Kagome, I'm so happy to see that you are doing well. I was afraid you were never going to get out of that bed. I thought your wounds were never going to heal." Rin said happily as she skipped over to Kagome and took her hand, leading her to the left side of the head table then going over to the one on the right.

Food was served and Kagome gobbled it down, putting a lot of strength back into her body. She didn't notice the pair of amber eyes staring at her from the door way, nor did she care. Kagome felt like she hadn't eaten in weeks.

Once lunch was over Kagome blushed and faced Rin who was staring at the door watching her lord approach. Quickly Kagome stood up and bowed hesitantly. She didn't know if she was supposed to look down until he told her too lift her head or how she was supposed to act around him, but she knew that she needed her manners.

His hard gaze burnt a hole through her dirty cloths, causing her to remember that she was still in her school uniform. A small blush rose up on her cheeks as she started to fidget with her skirt.

"Stand woman." Sesshoumaru's cold voice demanded, sending a shiver through her spine. Slowly, Kagome stood up straight, her hands trembling in fear. Though she stood, she didn't think that you were supposed to look at his face. She knew Rin would be allowed, but Rin wasn't being held captive.

Sesshoumaru seemed to look over her slowly then turned around, Rin following his jester. "Come." He said harshly. Kagome lifted her head and fell in step behind Sesshoumaru with out a word. She wasn't sure how she was supposed to treat him, but she knew that he would want the up most respect from her, even though he did kidnap her she doubted he would hesitate to kill her.

The walk was long and silent, not even Rin seemed to talk. The girl looked no older then twelve, yet she acted as if she was already a full grown woman. She had impeccable manners and posture. She was probably the most graceful girl Kagome had ever seen.

When the threesome stopped Kagome found herself outside. She took three steps away from the group, not paying attention to Sesshoumaru's growls. Her hand lifted by itself as she closed her hand around half of the shikon jewel which was still around her neck. "Inuyasha." Kagome whispered into the wind, hoping that he would hear her plead of help.

: Sess P.O.V:

I watched the miko walk forward a released a growl. I would not have her walking around my palace by herself. The last thing I needed was for her to ruin something or shame me. I was confused of why I even took her in. I could have left her, but I didn't and I knew that I would pay for it now.

My brothers name caught my attention and I could feel my demon start to want to get out and kill the half demon. Did the woman not realize that he had almost killed her? If I hadn't stepped in she would have been raped and killed yet still she called for that mutt.

"Rin leave us." I said calmly. I could feel her nod then she left without as much as a word. The woman was still standing there, looking out into the distance as if my brother was going to come for her. I scoffed at her stupidity. He didn't even know where the palace was, how was he supposed to find her here?

I approached the woman, but refused to touch her. Even though she was my guest she was still human, if she were to touch me I had no doubt that I would remove every body part that touched me. Her attention was still on the distance that remained between her and my pathetic brother, but I refused to acknowledge her longing to go to him. "Miko, come you are to be shown the palace." I said in my normal tone. Just because she was my guest didn't mean I would treat her any different then I would a complete stranger. She was my brother's wench, not a friend or ally.

Once I turned and traveled a few steps I took into recognition that the human was not following. I wanted to stare at her to see what held her in place but I refused my body that low of action. "Miko, come I will not repeat myself a second time." I said, harsher then I had the first time. This time I felt her stare at me and move her feet in the slowest way possible. I could hear her slight limp as her feet touched the ground in a non-rhythmic pattern then cursed myself. I had forgotten she was still injured from the attack, but since she did not make a complaint about it I refused to bring it up. If it was one less word that came from that woman's mouth I would be happy to keep it from her.

I showed her the main places in the palace like the stables and the archery range, along with the dinning hall and her room. The gardens were also a place I had shown her since I didn't expect her to stay in her room all the time.

She followed me without a word, her head always bowed down when I turned to talk to her and never would she look into my eyes. Never was a complaint said even though throughout the day I could hear her footsteps grow more uneven and her breaths become more labored.

Once we were back at her room I had a servant open the door, then I looked at the woman. Her right side was sweating, I suspected because of the deep cut she had required from my brother, but again I said nothing about it. "I want you bathed and clothed properly before supper. I will not wait for you and if you are late you can eat with the soldiers." Once that was said I turned to leave. She had not talked all day so I didn't expect her to start now.

"Milord, I want to thank you." She said in the shallowest of voices. I froze that moment, her voice was soft and harmonic, not that I liked it, it was merely different from other human's voices, something I had not expected.

I didn't turn to show her that I heard I just continued on my way like nothing had been said. I had nothing to say to her, I didn't feel the need to converse with a mere mortal as she. Once I was around the corner, heading to my suite I stopped the nearest servant. "I wish for you to tend to the miko. She has recently inquired a grave injury and this Sesshoumaru wants it to heal with no further problems." My tone left no room for argument as the servant nodded then headed down towards the woman's room.

: Normal P.O.V :

Kagome limped into her room, ready to wash and dress for supper when a servant entered her room without knocking. Kagome was ready to snap at the demoness when she remembered it was not her place, if this demoness was here it was no doubt for a good reason.

The servant bowed her head slightly then rose, standing a tall 5ft 11. "Greetings milady." She said in a hush tone then approached Kagome with no respect. The demoness forced Kagome to sit on the edge of her bed as the demoness started to lift up Kagome's shirt, looking for the inquired injury that her lord had spoke of. Several times Kagome had attempted to push the demoness away, confused as what the demoness wanted.

"What do you want from me? I don't even know who you are!" Kagome freaked, rolling over the bed as the demoness tried once more to undress her.

The servant stopped, huffing and puffing as she bowed her head. "Please forgive me milady but my lord's directions were quite clear. You have an injury and I am to tend to it so that infection does not set."

Kagome followed as the demoness tried once more to get Kagome to sit at the edge of the bed and clear and rewrap her wound on the right side of her torso. "What is your name?" Kagome asked for conversation sake.

The servant didn't look up. She was used to the custom of human's asking for her name. Lady Rin had done the same thing. "If you wish to call me by name, call me Celene."

"Celene, that's a very pretty name." Kagome said absent mindedly. "My name is Kagome." She added trying to keep the conversation flowing.

"An honor to meet you acquaintance milady." The demon responded, taking note of the human's frown. "You were requested to bath no doubt. You can manage to bath yourself before I wrap the wound once more? Water would do some good for it as it needs a good wash for that infection does not set. You are running short on time milady. I will pick your kimono." Celene left the woman with no questions as she left to the door on the left. With a little pain Kagome headed to the door on the right and found a spring. Quickly she bathed and washed her gouge that she found on her side and the small cut on her leg. Doing her best to make sure they didn't reopen and bleed she washed her hair with a jasmine soap she had found provided for her and left the spring with care.

Once her wounds had been treated and she was dressed she found herself looking quite decent in the mirror that Celene had pointed out to her. "Milady, we must leave to the dinning room. Lord Sesshoumaru would not be grateful if his guest was late on her first supper." Celene said softly, ushering Kagome out the door and through the maze of walls.

"Guest? I am a guest here?" Kagome questioned more to herself. She watched Celene nod in response without missing a step. "I thought I was-…" Kagome blushed at the thought of Sesshoumaru kidnapping her.

The servant took note of her hanging sentence and urged her to continue. Kagome, still holding the blush on her face knew she had no right to keep the sentence unfinished. "I thought I was kidnapped."

She saw the smirk on Celene face and Kagome knew that she wanted to laugh at her. "Milady, if you were kidnapped milord would not be caring for you. You would be in the hands of the soldiers." Celene said smug.

Before Kagome could respond the couple stood in front of the big dinning room doors. Earlier that day Kagome had failed to take note of the design the doors were given. On the doors an image was carved of an Inu youki and a group of royal looking demons, laughing and having a room time. Shock hit her. She never expected that royal demons could act like humans.

The double door opened to the room, seated at the top of the room was Sesshoumaru, Rin was seated at his right and Kagome was led to his left. With as much grace as Kagome could muster with her still painful side Kagome sat down and lowered her head as if she was a lowly servant. She didn't know what to do. Maybe tomorrow Celene could teach her the manners of how to treat the demon lord.

"I trust that the servant tended to your injuries as instructed of her?" Sesshoumaru asked in a bored tone. He noticed the dazzle in her eyes as she opened her mouth to speak, but she restrained herself from saying what story she had.

"Yes milord." She spoke easily. The dazzle in her eyes still shining.

"You found your bath and cloths appropriate and to your taste." Sesshoumaru asked, again he couldn't help but notice the miko's eyes light up, but once again she restrained herself from speaking about her finds.

"Yes milord, all is wonderful, thank you." That was the end of their conversation. Rin talked almost all supper, but Kagome knew she wouldn't be welcomed to do that. Rin lived in the palace and Kagome did not. She was a mere guest, nothing more.

Once everyone was done eating Kagome waiting patiently for Sesshoumaru to take his leave, but he stayed, watching her out of the corner of his eye as he listened to Rin's story. The story ended soon with a yawn from the child and a direct order for her to go to bed. Kagome wouldn't admit it, but she was tired herself. She was about to request to go up into her own room and sleep when Sesshoumaru turned to her. Her eyes immediately dropped and he once again noticed her behavior. "Miko, I request your presence. Walk with me and I will discuss your stay here." He had said the 'request' but Kagome knew it was no request. It was a demand, do or die.

Kagome nodded and reinforced her agreement with a "yes milord." Both rose and Kagome followed Sesshoumaru in complete silence, sure that when he wanted to talk he would talk.

Once they were out in the west garden Sesshoumaru turned to her, still walking with perfect posture. "I expect you to stay until your wounds are completely healed. After that I will take you to your home and leave. Until then you will help Rin with her studies and inform her of her bodily changes. I will not agree to return you to my half brother so don't waist your breath trying to convince me. Is there are no questions of what is to happen here?"

Kagome opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it, unsure if what she was about to say should be told to the demon lord.

"Speak up human. This Sesshoumaru is not a mind reader." He stated harshly, causing Kagome to open and close her mouth once more before the words would come out.

"You are not able to return me to my home Lord Sesshoumaru." Kagome stated simply.

Sesshoumaru blinked his confusion. It was the longest sentence he had heard the miko say all day and it made no sense. "Are you doubting this Sesshoumaru's ability to return you to your home?" he asked, a sharp edge to his voice that warned her to watch her words carefully.

"No Lord Sesshoumaru, I didn't mean it like that. The only way to my home was-…destroyed." She explained hopelessly.

"This Sesshoumaru does not understand woman." He said, mildly curious.

Kagome looked around to the nearest bench then looked at Sesshoumaru then looked at the bench once more, hoping he could catch the jester. Sesshoumaru nodded then led her to the bench taking a seat then motioned her to sit beside him. He was glad when she sat at the other end of the bench. He didn't like sitting so close to the human.

A sigh escaped from Kagome she struggled on how she was to tell Sesshoumaru of where she lived.

"Well speak human." He grumbled, grumpy that he had sat down to listen to her yet she had yet to speak.

"This is going to be hard to believe." Kagome warned him in a whisper. She could feel him start to object so she quickly continued. "The well that Inuyasha had destroyed before I woke up in the room you had so graciously allowed for me to use, it was my way home. I come from 500 years in the future."

She didn't look at the lord. She knew he wouldn't believe her, it was expected. No one would have believed her in Tokyo is she told them she could travel 500 years into the past. It was like asking a person to trust a random stranger, but more difficult. Kagome wasn't just a stranger to Sesshoumaru, she was also his enemy and his brothers…well friend.

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as the miko's thoughts carried her away. "Do you take me for a fool wench?" he said bitterly.

Quickly Kagome shook her head. She knew he wouldn't believe her. "I told you it was hard to believe. I would prove it, but the well is broken and my bag was left in the group." Kagome muttered, suddenly feeling very small.

: Sess P.O.V :

I watched the woman's expression turn sad and surprise passed over my cold expression. Everything told me that it was impossible. No one could travel through time so what made this human so special. I could find nothing that was extremely pleasant about this woman so my conclusion stayed the same. The wench was lying to me. There was no other way to explain it.

She took an uneven breath muttering a few words that sounded remotely close to "Inuyasha would have believed me." I found it extremely hard to suppress my anger towards the woman. I was not going to be a fool like my little brother, she mustn't have known that I was happier now that I didn't believe then woman. If my brother fell for that trick that was one thing, but expecting me to believe it was another. "He even went over to my time. I have pictures to prove it." the woman muttered again. I almost let my curiosity slip but I contained it. My gaze traveled to hers, but she was not looking at me, more like around me, through me as some would say.

I could tell that she wasn't herself. She looked flush, like a fever was coming over her, but I refused to point it out she drew a shaky breath and I regretted ever trying to get her to speak. "I remember when we both when into a photo booth and it took our pictures. I put them in a locket and gave it to Inuyasha. In the end it saved him from princess Kaguya when we battled her to save the world." I wanted to roll my eyes such myths didn't belong in my palace in front of Rin. Lies were what they were, I didn't remember the fight. I do not recall ever hearing about it either.

Her point of sight switched and suddenly she was looking at me with crystal blue eyes. "I wouldn't expect you to remember it. Princess Kaguya stopped time so you wouldn't have even acknowledged it."

The moment the words left her mouth I knew she regretted them. Her gaze dropped and she became nervous. She stood, no one stood before I did, I let out a growl to warn her but she was already gone, running down the garden path, the scent of salt following her. She was crying but what for. I had not threatened her life in any way and she just broke down. I blinked once then stood and left in the opposite direction. I assumed she would return to her room like most women did when they needed to release their tears.