AN: Howdy there! I'm back! Gawd this story popped in my head while I was trying to sleep and do you guys have ANY idea the willpower it took for me to not get up and go to my computer and incur my boyfriends wrath at staying up so late? .

Disclaimer: This will be my first and only disclaimer. It is obvious that I do not own any Inuyasha characters since I am here in FANfiction. If any of my plots or stories coincides and have vague similarities with someone elses I assure you it is purely incidental

AN: No demons here... just humans with a touch of magic. And possibly witchcraft... or something. We shall see O.o

Meh, anyways here we go!

Breathe.

That was what her mind kept telling for her to do. Breathe. Just keep breathing. And run.

Her lungs were burning from the lack of oxygen as her legs kept moving at a speed she didn't know she was able to reach But she had to get away, she had to get as much distance from them as possible before they woke.

The forest that night was deathly silent. You could hear nothing but a young woman's gasps for breath and the sounds of her running as she stepped on sharp rocks causing her tender, already swollen feet to bleed even more. The stinging pain from her feet shot up to her legs and they began to weaken as her movement started to falter but she paid them no mind.

Run, just keep running. Do not look back, just run!

A voice kept repeating in her mind. And so she simply kept on running. Not even the bleeding of her feet and her scratch-covered legs and arms from the many thorny bushes she sprang from made her stop.

As she ran, she failed to notice that when she ducked to avoid a branch, that underneath it was the tree's root protruding out, so very innocently concealed in a pile of leaves. As she tripped, she didn't fall forward, no for forward meant she would land her head face first onto jagged rocks that would surely pierce her eyes and blind her.

With some quick reflexes, she managed to push herself to the right against the tree trunk on her left and a moment of relief briefly passed her before she realized that her back met nothing but air. She was falling. Oh Gods...

Her eyes went wide with horror before she closed them in fear. Only the dull roar of blood rushing to her ears and the sound of her heartbeat being erratic allowed her to not hear how she fiercely rolled down against the side of the hill.

She landed on her left side as she finally stopped falling. Her eyes flew open as every single bone and muscle in her body screamed in agony. She felt a strangely warm liquid sliding down the side of her head so her hand quickly flew to it.

Her hand met the sticky sensation of blood and the smell of copper finally reached her nose. She was bleeding, and from the feel of it, she was losing a lot of blood. She snorted in disgust and rolled onto her stomach. Looking forward, she saw as the pale moonlight glistened in movement upon a surface and her heart leapt with joy. For when she saw it, her throat ached and got parched even more.

It was a river! She landed near a river. Thank you!

She tried. She really did. But the moment she started to crawl toward some sort of salvation to her grim night, she finally felt that her left arm was being dragged limply against the ground. And that it hurt. It hurt so much that when she glanced back to her arm, she vaguely noticed that her blood was slowly pooling around her head.

Her breathing got even more ragged as her vision began to grow hazy. Falling into the darkness of sleep seemed like such a good idea at the time. But she knew that if she did not splash her face with water and sip a little bit of it she would not wake up (1). If her profuse bleeding didn't cause her death, dehydration will.

She failed to hear the soft sounds of footsteps coming her way until a shadow was cast over her and she dared look up at it. She froze in fear as deep auburn, almost black eyes gazed down at her curtained by dark, shimmering black hair.

They found me! Oh god , no... NO!

Better dead than be brought back, she thought. Never before in her life has she ever willed herself to die. Maybe it was because of the blood she was losing fast, or because the rush of fear that almost paralyzed her, or perhaps her wish for death but at the moment she was so scared that she succumbed to the incoming darkness one gets when they lose consciousness.

Kagome, you idiot! Why did you let yourself be caught after I drugged them enough to sleep? God's woman, you're helpless without me with you! She could hear her best friend, her adoptive older brother, Inuyasha yelling at her now.

Heh... I'm sorry Inuyasha. A sad smile graced her lips as she welcomed the darkness that enveloped her.

If she had stayed conscious long enough to see the pale hand that caught her head before it hit the ground and was cradling it carefully, she would have noticed the twin magenta stripes that glowed underneath the moonlight. Because if she did, she would realize that she had not been found by them as she had feared.

Since Lord Naraku and none of his man had those stripes before.

He was startled from his rest at the sound of a loud thud north of his camp. He muttered slightly to himself. He had yet to have an hour's rest at the first week of his initiation and now when he thought he could have what he hoped for, someone or something found it necessary to disturb him.

Raising his head, he looked up and toward whatever fell off the side of the hill. He saw a mass of black hair covered with twigs and leaves and a small trembling form underneath it. With his honor demanding him to help, he walked over to the figure and was shocked to see it was a young woman who wore his status colors. As a prince he was to wear white with a deep shade of magenta and have the emblem of lotus flowers at the sleeves.(2)

This woman that wore his status colors had her head tilted to her left as she looked down on her body. It was only then that his gaze was torn from her clothes and up to the shoulder that was being slightly dragged from its socket. He walked over to her, grace in every step as his status demanded.

Though the moment his form towered over hers and his shadow cast over her body, the moment that she turned her head to look up at him, he was met with startlingly crystal blue orbs that were wide with fear and glossed over with tears. He was taken aback by the sight so much that the continuous glamour spells he cast over his marks, hair, and eyes paused and allowed for the world to see who he truly was.

He, however, had no time to muse over the possible altercations that would happen might anyone chance to see him, for he saw those beautiful eyes of hers roll to the back of her head. Only with his quick movement and reflexes did he manage to catch her head before it hit the ground.

She awoke to the wings fluttering above her, the sound of the river across from her, and the pitter-patter of shoes as they walked toward her. Wait... footsteps?! she thought as she paused momentarily before opening her eyes. The events from last night suddenly came crashing down on her and with a start, she jerked to sit up only to fall back down; the unforgiving ground scratching and further injuring her bruised back.

The footsteps stopped near her and soon she heard the shuffling of cloth brushing against cloth as whoever it was sat down.

"You are indeed cumbersome." A deep, rich baritone voice of a man caused her body to stiffen at the sound. She opened her eyes once again and was blinded by his sheer brightness as he sat before her. Brimming with the rays of the sun cascading upon him. His onyx-black hair glistening against the sun's playful light. His lips were in a small line with the end of it curved upward into a smirk. His dark-auburn eyes looking down at her intently.

She raised herself up on her elbows only to almost fall back down once again, but a strong arm prevented her from it and so she was positioned sitting up right. His eyes traveled down over her form before settling on her left shoulder. "It is dislocated." he stated.

Kagome's head tilted to the side in question then followed where his eyes settled. Her left arm lay limply on her side, it had grown numb over the night. Her nose wrinkled in disgust at the sight and worry filled her eyes.

"This will hurt, though bear it."

"Wha...?" She couldn't finish her sentence for with his quick movements, he grabbed her shoulder and popped her shoulder back in place. The pain she felt last night from falling was nothing compared to this. Her mouth widening slightly, she gave an inaudible cry as tears formed from the corner of her eyes. Her breath hitched and she held onto her arm in agony.

Sesshoumaru looked at her and a pang of slight guilt ran across him before being chased away by his indifference. What care he to this woman in pain? She was nothing but a nuisance at the moment and he need not be concerned for her well being more than what he'd all ready had done.

Kagome took deep breaths before casting her eyes on him. Fear still evident but there was a tinge of relief and gratefulness within them. Their eyes locked for a moment before he broke the contact by standing up and walking away. He tossed her a glance, "You may wish to bathe, I will fetch you proper clothing and then we part ways." He said the last words as he walked away, his long hair swishing against the back of his knees.

Staring after him in shock, her mouth hung agape as his words registered in her mind. Part ways? She broke into a small giggle then bloomed into a full blown laugh. I was scared for nothing! Oh Inuyasha! Her mind said as excitement bubbled within her. I am never going back to that dreadful mansion! But... Inuyasha...Her spirit suddenly down at the thought of the man who had helped her escape, she sighed and got up.

Kagome looked herself over and to her horror, the kimono that Inuyasha had given her last night to wear had been torn to shreds. What's worse is that her long, shapely legs have been showing this entire time and a big gaping hole left her stomach in the open. At the thought of the stranger seeing her in such a way, she grimaced. Well... there goes my modesty. She placed a hand on the side of her head where she bled from last night.

Fingering the bandages wrapped around it, she smiled at the thought of him caring for her and leaving whatever modesty she had left by only cleaning the cuts to avoid infection and not removing her clothing in the process. Walking over to the river, she stripped off her clothes and stepped in.

Sesshoumaru was struck with a sense of foreboding. He felt as if something was going to happen, and it wasn't going to be good. Grabbing the clothes that he'd paid for from the village vendor, he quickened his footsteps towards the woman he had left in the middle of the forest alone.

She had grabbed a white rock at the bottom of the river, it was smooth to the touch due to the river that, over the years, made its surface as smooth as can be. Kagome was using it as a sort of loofa to get rid of whatever dirt that hadn't washed off immediately. As she washed, her mind brought herself back when she was in the mansion. Her skin started to crawl as images of Naraku's hands touching her in ways that made her almost vomit danced mockingly in her head. She shuddered and didn't notice that she had started to rub her skin with the rock with more force than needed causing her skin to redden and her wounds to further open.

Kagome was brought back by finally feeling the pain on her arms. She looked down and suddenly, the idea of blood and water with furious scrubbing to rid her body of the filth from his hands seemed so appealing. Sighing as tears of disgust threatened to fall, she threw the rock as hard as she could towards some bushes.

A distinct yelp caught her attention and she whipped her head towards the sound. She deepened herself in the water while crossing her arms in front of her chest.

He saw it. Sesshoumaru saw the creaminess of her skin, even when marred by the many wounds she sported, to him it was still... beautiful? How the water cascades down her back from the tips of her onyx-black hair was alluring. Shaking his head at the thought Control yourself Sesshoumaru, she is merely a woman in need of help, nothing more. He was about to go over to her and give her the clothes before he noticed the faint glisten of unshed tears as he saw that she was scrubbing her arms so hard that her skin looked raw. He stopped at the edge of the trees when she threw the rock and heard a yell of pain.

The unfortunate man walked out of his hiding place, rubbing his bleeding nose where the rock hit him in the process. A playful smile on his lips as he walked over to the girl. "Ah, Lady Kagome. That was not very nice." The man spoke, his voice laced with maliciousness.

He hadn't noticed the way her back stiffened, nor did he notice that she backed further away from where the man stood. He did notice the black-eight legged spider stitched on the hem of the man's sleeves and that he called her Kagome. So that is her name? It sounds... fitting. Sesshoumaru vaguely realized that he hadn't asked her name. To him it was of no purpose since they were to part ways nonetheless. His eyes narrowed at the man that took advancing steps towards Kagome. He felt a surge of protectiveness overwhelm him, one that he had never felt before, at the sight of the cowering woman in the river. Walking out in the open, he let his presence be known. "Leave, you are frightening her." He spoke with a commanding voice.

"Young man, you need not interfere in matters that are none of your business." The man scowled at him. This would be trouble. This young man was tall and from the looks of it, he was well-built. A delicate yet deadly looking face atop a slender neck, supported by wide-broad shoulders. He easily stood over six feet, his presence sent the alarm bells in his head ringing. The young man's eyes were glaring at him and for a moment, he felt shivers travel down his spine. He looked down at the woman in the river and noticed her backing away, she still wasn't that far from him though. He sprang into action, intent on grabbing the woman from the river to take as hostage. He, however, didn't expect to be stabbed on his shoulder by a dagger. Looking over to the man across the river, he saw how his hand went back down to his side. He threw a dagger at me! Growling, he pulled the dagger from his shoulder and backed away. If his lord didn't order him to bring the girl back alive, he would've thrown the dagger at her. He cursed momentarily before turning around and retreating into the forest.

Kagome's trembling subsided but fear still crept at her. She looked back at the man who had saved her again and offered him a smile in gratitude. He nodded his acceptance and walked towards her, placing a pile of clothes and some bandages at the edge of the river, he then turned around and walked away.

With her fear shaken off, she swam towards it and dried herself with the plain white cloth from the pile.

After slowly managing to bandage her wounds and dress herself, he returned to her. As she got up and was about to bow her goodbyes, remembering what he had said earlier, she was startled when she heard his voice.

"Come" was all he said before once again turning his back on her and walking away.

"What? But... you said." She countered, confusion evident.

"Do not argue." His voice left no questions to be asked, and with that his form disappeared into the forest.

With a huff of indignance, Kagome gathered her torn, dirty kimono and followed after him.

They had been walking for hours. Her bruised feet could only keep up with how fast he was walking for so long before she collapsed. Her wounds were starting to itch as they worked on healing. Suddenly, she was swept from the ground into the powerful arms of her arrogant savior. A blush stained her cheeks as she felt him keep walking with her being carried bridal style. On the way to the nearest village, she fell asleep, content with the warmth radiating off him in waves.

Looking down at the woman, he wondered why he decided to carry her in the first place, they could've made camp where she collapsed and it wouldn't have made a difference. No... yes it would've his mind supplied him. She is in need of a healer, her wounds and especially the ones on her feet need medicinal treatment. Sesshoumaru didn't notice that she fell asleep in his arms until he felt her snuggle herself deeper into the folds of his shirt.

Blinking slightly, he glanced back down at the woman and a smile or a scowl, he wasn't quite sure, almost made its way to his lips. Almost.

Gently being awakened, she looked at the man and felt herself being put down to stand on her feet. Glancing to her left, she saw a small village before seeing him making his way towards it. Why'd he put me down? She asked herself before shaking her head. It's not as if I wanted him to carry me! But soon, as she followed after him, her eyes widened as realization struck. It would not look right if a man such as him came into the inn with an unconscious woman in his arms.

Fighting the blush that was sure to show, she bowed her head and followed him into the inn and to the room they were presented.

As they settled themselves in the room provided for them, her face lit up in embarrassment at the realization that they were to share one room. Kagome stood stock still at this and averted her eyes from his as he sat down on one side of the room. "Uhh.. I um... we only have one room?" she spoke, her voice quivering.

"Is that such a problem?"

"Well no.. I mean yes! It is! A woman and a man that are not married shouldn't be in the same room! It is..."

"A woman and a man coming together in an inn and then decide to have separate rooms will rouse suspicion and gossip. Use that head of yours, wench." Sighing, Sesshoumaru stood up from his spot and walked to the door where she stood. As he easily towered over her, she matched his stature and stood defiantly against him.

"Wench?! I'd have you know that I have a name! It is KAG..."

"Kagome"

She sputtered and her eyes grew wide in surprise then narrowed in anger as he spoke her name. "If you knew, then why didn't you call me by it?!" Her finger prodded his chest in annoyance. Sesshoumaru looked at the petite woman underneath his gaze and controlled the urge to roll his eyes.

"You do not intimidate me, woman. And keep your fingers to yourself." With a scowl, he pushed her out of the way that caused her to lose her balance and land in a graceful heap on the wooden floor. Trying to redeem whatever dignity she had left, she stood up and stomped over to him. She was met by his retreating figure and the door being shut that caused the weak shoji frames to shake at the force. The faint sounds of his fading footsteps echoing across the hall was the last thing she heard before she gave in to her urge to throw a fit.

"Did... did he just shut the door on my face?! Oh of all the nerve!"

He didn't return that night, in fact he didn't return the morning after either. He had planned to leave the woman at the inn and be on his way without her troubling him. Since he had all ready paid for the room for two nights, he figured she would be fine, she seemed capable enough. But soon he found himself standing in front of the door he shut ever so rudely on her then saw his hand gripping the handle and sliding it open. For a moment, he was lost in his thoughts as the door opened slowly.

Sesshoumaru was arguing with himself in order to find the reason for the feeling of completion when her crystal blue orbs first gazed at him and the sudden emptiness when he had left her side. Subduing a low growl in his throat, he shook his head of the thoughts when he heard the door open fully.

She sat there by the window, looking outside bathed in the night's natural light. It was a full moon that night and you could feel the beginnings of winter coming. The smell of snow was heavy in the air. A small gust of wind entered the room, it made her hair sway softly as it came out of the purple ribbon it was carelessly tied in. He saw her shiver, and for the life of him could not find the reason why he walked over to her after grabbing a blanket from the closet and placing it around her shoulders.

Sesshoumaru was not entirely a cold hearted man, but he is not the type to care for women the way he cared for this Kagome. He was more stoic than most and his penetrating glare can make men crumble to their knees in fear. He would've understood his actions if he had known this girl for more than a day, or at least would've understood his inclination but as it was, he was more irritated than confused.

Kagome sighed, her chin propped up on her hand as she looked outside, her eyes lingering from one hut to another then finally resting to the sky. It was not as if she missed him, Heavens, no! But she felt so strange at his absence. Sure he was beautiful, but that did not mean she felt for him in a way that made her heart flutter. I've only known him for about a day and yet...?

Sighing once again, she wiggled her nose as a snowflake landed on it before a gust of wind hit her in the face. She couldn't help but shiver at its coldness. Kagome didn't hear him come in so when she felt the warmth of a blanket being placed on her, she was surprised.

Slowly turning her head and tilting it up so her eyes can look at his, she was almost struck dumb at the intensity of his stare. His deep-auburn eyes looked at hers and she felt as if she was drowning. Kagome tried to snap out of it but the longer their eyes were locked with each other, the harder it was to look away.

When he saw her turn her head, he was half-inclined to turn and walk away and half wanting her eyes to look at him. Though the moment she looked up at him, the decision was made. He was trapped by the sheer innocence and pain reflecting from her eyes and something inside him wished he could take the pain away. He felt himself lean towards her slowly, but he managed to control himself and maneuvered his descent so his lips were close to her ear. "We leave in the 'morrow." He spoke, his voice in a whisper. With that, he stiffly stood up and walked to the other side of the room.

Her heart was beating so loud, it was really all she could hear. When she saw him lean down towards her, it was as if time slowed down and she managed to pry her eyes away from his and land on his lips instead. But when he turned his head and instead placed it to the side of her face, she was glad he couldn't see because she was very sure that her face was beet red. Kagome heard his words and his breath left the side of her face tickled and warmth crept throughout her body.

"Since... since you know my name. It is only right for me to know yours?" Kagome had asked, managing to steady her voice in the question.

"Se... Cilvan" He corrected, he cursed himself inwardly for almost revealing his true name.

A soft knock interrupted them and she saw him walk towards the door. A small old lady, about half his size, stood there and told the both of them that dinner will be served downstairs as a celebration for the birth of the owner's son With a nod, he turned to Kagome and motioned for her to follow him. Nodding, she stood up after folding the blanket and closing the windows then walked towards him.

"Oh my," The old woman started. "What a beautiful couple." She smiled.

Cilvan's eyes went wide slightly while Kagome's was close to bulging out. "We... we're not!" She said in horror and embarrassment. Forgetting what he said earlier about gossip.

"Oh? Then why are the both of you in one room together?"

"We... uh." Kagome sputtered.

"She is my bride-to-be." Cilvan answered for her while grabbing her around the shoulders and having her lean against him.

"Ahh, I see, of course! My eyes never lie! In fact, I know for sure since your red string is bound together tightly!" The woman clapped her hands together in excitement as her eyes were glazed over by a light they didn't know. "And strangely thick, might I say." She added as her eyes were staring at their hands as if something was there that they couldn't see.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Kagome unconsciously leaned against him further but her hands stayed clasped together on her chest. She asked the small, old woman with a furrow on her brow.

"You're soulmates of course! Why it is lucky for the two of you to have found each other! Not many soulmates ever meet anymore. The world is not perfect after all, since due to times such as these that people can die early." The woman said with a grin on her face, "I mean one's soulmate can live for this century while their partner may have died early and only to be reborn the next leaving them unable to connect."

The woman's words fell deaf on Kagome's ears after she heard soulmate. Shock barely registered on her face before she fell slack against Cilvan's arms in a dead faint. The events of that night causing her poor brain and heart to overload.

(1) - Random fact, did you guys know that if you were severely dehydrated to the point of death that drinking water will kill you? Eh well what you're supposed to do is just make sure your body and face are moistened and you can only sip water for a time so your body can get used to it again. Lol random fact! Hehe

(2) You guys remember what he wore in the 2nd movie? Er I think it was the 2nd movie... but it was when he was talking to his father and Inu no Taisho was injured because of Ryukotsusei

I swear this was supposed to be a One-shot. Even a Two-shot but as I kept writing, I kept thinking of more things to add and dear god I think this may be my first story (of more than 3 chapters) that I will finish. Plot and all. Hell I even wrote a plot map with plot notes. And even a possible Epilogue! Wut dah deuce?! O.o

To avoid confusion, Sesshoumaru will be called Cilvan from now on until we get to the part where she finds out who he is. shrug

Anyway, I would truly, madly, deeply (hehe) appreciate REVIEWS! I love them, I love reading them, and I sure do love it when people read my fic and leave me reviews. They are my writer's fuel, they make me go forward further and push me to write more and update faster! I'm not kidding, a writer writes and puts it up for others to read. It is their dream come true and we can say someone wants to read what WE wrote! We are filled with pride!

So fill me up with pride! Let me know what you think! R&R! :D