I do not own the characters of Inuyasha, they belong to their rightful owners. I make no profit off of the making of this fanfic and it only exists to satisfy my craving of seeing Sesshoumaru and Kagome together with a believable situation.

Warning: Please heed the story's rating. This fanfic contains strong language and intense adult situations that may be offensive to some people. The topics of which this plot and/or some of these characters may say or point out are not meant to offend anyone. If you do not have an open mind or is easily offended, I suggest you think twice about reading this story.

Chapter One: Because We've Waited for Far Too Long

This was different than before. The raw emotion that had encompassed her heart was mind numbing. As she stared into the eyes of the woman who was filled with nothing more but bitter anger and hatred, Kagome, for the first time in her life, wished she was capable of hate. She wished, for just this once, she could greet this expired miko with the same level of emotion, if not more. But as she stood there with her bow in hand ready to release a volley of arrows, she realized that the only feelings that she held in her heart for this jaded woman, was pity.

Hate wasn't on her menu, as bad as she wished it was.

But as the woman (who so badly needed to be reduced back to the graveyard soil she was) got ready to notch an arrow of her own from her long bow, she felt a tiny prickle coming from the core of her body. It was at that moment did the aura around the two changed from wanton hatred to something that was clearly life threatening. The miko, Kagome, grunted in momentary pain, her face contorted slightly and Kikyou could see her grip tightening around the bow as her body started to shake softly yet the younger of the two stood her ground.

She frowned as the tingle in her core grew even stronger. Kagome yelped weakly, dropping her weapon to the floor as she clenched her chest with deft fingers. 'What's… happening to me?' was all the young miko could think. Her fingers suddenly went numb with pain and she could no longer control the spasms that ripped through her muscles.

"…This is new," came the stoic voice of the elder miko, slowly lowering her long bow and placing her unused arrow back into her quiver. She took a step closer to the younger woman but the instant her foot landed on an unclaimed patch of grass, Kagome was forced to her knees with a growl that was warning Kikyou to stay away. That tiny prickle grew into a vibration and the peach hairs at the back of her neck stood up at full attention. Something clearly was going wrong here. She felt this before, and in quick recognition, her brown eyes narrowed coldly at the pain-filled miko.

How was this possible! Twice? It took a very strong willed being to achieve something as spiritual as this, especially without the use of specially made herbs or concoctions. What concerned Kikyou the most was whether or not Kagome was aware of what she was doing.

Her incarnation, the graveyard risen miko had never held any personal vendetta towards Kagome, but right now at this moment, she had never felt such hatred and anger towards anyone when compared to what she was feeling towards this particular miko at this particular moment. Kikyou knew something bad was going to envelope if she did not withdraw from this encounter. If the negative emotions she felt towards a certain red clad hanyou were weak compared to the strength of the emotions she was feeling right now, then something was going downhill, and going downhill fast.

She had to get away. However, the only one who was capable of walking away was the same woman who looked like she had no intention what-so-ever to leave without taking Kagome's head with her. But even with the raw emotion that surrounded them, the finer of the two refused to make any movement. She stood there, watching her incarnation with nothing but growing hate in her eyes. Kagome groaned as the pain intensified, making her vision turn black as she faded from consciousness and back again. Her fist clenched tightly and she was forced to fall over onto her side, gritting her teeth and gripping the grass beneath her as tight as she could in hopes of it relieving the pain.

Kikyou felt a tug at the back of her mind, telling her to go forward. Her soul was saying that it was okay to approach, that it wanted to get closer. Her body jerked toward to the pain filled miko unwillingly who, in return, cried out with intensified pain. The anger and hatred within Kikyou's heart doubled, making the miko curl her hands into fists to the point that her nails penetrated a layer of skin. Her mind was trying to convince her to kill the enemy in front of her otherwise she'll later on be in grave danger, but the closer she got to Kagome, the stronger the hate grew and the weaker her body became. Kikyou's eyes widen at the realization of how serious this situation was and how bad it was from her side of the table. It wasn't safe for her to approach, no matter how bad her soul was coaxing her to. She would have to withdraw unless she wanted to be facing the floor just like Kagome. Just this once, Kikyou was willing to swallow her pride. She turned this intense emotion rise down and retreated from the area as quietly as she could manage without speaking so much as another word.

Now alone in the field, Kagome could hear herself think as the unbearable pain started to die down the further Kikyou went, "what…" was all she managed to choke out through moans of painful gasps of air. Just what had happened? What was this sudden pain in her heart? Why did she lose control of her body? And why did Kikyou retreat? Her thoughts were shut off as another wave of pain coursed through her bones, shattered down her spine and wandered throughout her muscles.

"Kagome!" said woman had never been so relieved to hear her name being called from such a familiar voice.

…Sango, thank Kami.

The demon slayer was riding on the back of Kirara when she spotted the favorable miko lying on the floor. She was instantly filled with dread when she saw Kagome on the floor and that dread turned to fear when she saw the violent spasms. As the cat demon started to descend Sango had jumped off, landing a few yards away and sprinted towards her friend. Dropping her weapons at her side, the demon slayer knelt next to the struggling miko and wrapped her arms around her to pull her closer. She held on to her surrogate sister as tightly as she could without harming the small girl who was releasing violent cries and spasms of pain, "What happened, Kagome?" she whispered to herself brokenly, forcing the tears back.

Sango had lost track of time but suddenly everything fell quiet and as if someone had turned off the light switch, Kagome had ceased her all movements. Her eyes were open but dull and the light that seemed to shine in her eyes was no longer bright, "Kagome?" she called timidly, pulling back from the embrace to look at the woman's eyes, "Oh, no…Oh, no, no, no…." she whispered worriedly, quickly feeling for a pulse on Kagome's wrist. It was there but faint, something that made Sango's heart skip a beat. Something was terribly wrong, but she couldn't tell what. There were no signs of external injuries or any signs of a fight—just what had happened to this poor girl? Sango then could no longer hold back the tears of worry, "Inu-Inuyasha!" she cried for the hanyou, looking around her surroundings for any signs of struggle or any clues that would help her understand this situation better. She spotted her feline friend and cried out to her, "Please, go find Inuyasha!" She asked desperately.

The cat growled a response before taking off to the skies once again.

"What do you mean 'you don't know'?!" the hanyou hollered to the demon slayer, "You were THERE!"

"I told you, Inuyasha," she bit back, her voice holding stern and obviously not happy with the hanyou's impulsive accusation, "She was already in pain by the time I found her. There was nothing I could do!"

The half demon 'tched' a response, looking over to the catatonic miko— if only he had gotten there sooner she wouldn't be in this condition! And what was worse? The wind had blown the scent away. He had no idea what or who had attacked her. He felt completely helpless in this situation and that emotion was irregular. Inuyasha was always in charge! But now… he suddenly didn't feel so strong. His shoulders slumped, was there anything he could do to help her?

Sango noticed the flickers of emotion flash in his golden eyes and she smiled sorrowfully, "it's okay," she started softly in a comforting voice as she placed a hand on the hanyou's shoulder, giving him a quick reassuring squeeze, "you know how strong she is; Kagome will make it through this."

Inuyasha nodded his head slowly, "…yeah," was his response, but he didn't sound so confident.

He had a strong doubt in his mind that everything would be okay. He felt like the odds were against him, no matter the outcome. His instincts were telling him that this incident was beyond his control, and he just wanted to know how far from his reach this answer was. He lifted a hand and removed Songo's from his shoulder. Her fingers unexpectedly tightened around his hand and she pulled his arm in her direction to make sure she had his full attention, "she'll make it through this," she said again once she caught Inuyasha's eyes. Her tone was confident, and the smile she wore did give him a flicker of hope.

"Thanks," was all he could mutter.

"Help… please," it was a whimper, a whimper that was full of fear.

Inuyasha's ears perked, twitching as he heard Kagome's voice break through the light breeze and the silence that surrounded their camp. He slowly opened his eyes and looked in her direction. Her face was contorted with pain and there was sweat beginning to bead on her brow. His ears flattened against his head, knowing that he could not help her at this point, it had already been proven. And even if he was capable of helping her, he didn't know where to begin. They no longer had the old miko to count on; she had passed away from a sickness and her body was too weak to fight it off. The hanyou knew that Kaede would know what to do, and it only upset him more knowing that the only one who had the potential to help Kagome was no longer around.

But maybe…

"…back… together?" her voice was sounding more confused now as her body shifted uncomfortably.

His ears lifted and he looked over his shoulder before he jumped from his spot on the tall tree to approach the unconscious miko. These weren't the first words she had spoken in her sleep. In fact, she had been in and out of it for two days now. Whenever she was awake, however, it was only for a few minutes (hours if they got lucky), and all the woman would do was mumble about something breaking. Kagome never made it clear what was broken, just that it desired to be as one. It confused him, and he only wished he knew more. If she was able to talk in her sleep, would she be able to answer him? The hanyou bent his knees to crouch near the mumbling girl... it was worth a try, "what are you talking about?" he asked softly, knowing that an answer was not guaranteed. He traced the girl's cheek bone with the tip of his claw, hoping that it would offer some sort of comfort in her unconscious troubles.

The wind suddenly started to pick up speed and he felt an odd pressure that surrounded him, almost as if someone was next to him, looking at him, "…The core…" she murmured hazily, as if she was trying to recall an old memory.

"The core?" Inuyasha echoed, looking over his shoulder as he got the impression that someone was now standing behind him.

"…I think—I think… it …wants…" she started to struggle with her words, her face contorted once again in pain and this time her lips pulled into a snarl as she tried to sink further back into her sleeping bag.

"Wants what?" he prodded, looking back to Kagome.

"Together, they… need to be." She was struggling to voice her words and her legs began to shift positions as if she were trying to untangle herself from some unseen web.

"Kagome, what are you talking about? You're not making any sense!" he whispered urgently, careful to not wake the others in the camping area. But before he could get an answer, the light switch had been shut off once again and she was back to the unresponsive state she had been in for the past two days. His ears flattened to his head as he listened and hoped for any more signs of continuous life. He started to worry when he hadn't heard her breathing, but sighed in relief when her chest started to silently rise and fall.

It was silent again, the dying fire crackled as tiny embers flew off from the flames, illuminating the clearing in a golden hue. The leaves above bustled together as the wind slowly came to a halt. The pressure around him slowly dissipated and it all made Inuyasha sit back on his haunches, chewing over what was just spoken, and the odd occurrences that followed. The more he thought about the more confused he grew, the only words his mind could get a grip on were: What the fuck was she talking about? What was broken, who or what were the 'they' that needed to be together, and why was she asking for help?

Cool breeze, soft hands… wordless whispers, all so very soothing that he found himself closing his eyes in hopes of savoring this moment. Although this occurrence wasn't new, it was still never understood why it was happening and to him of all people. He was far from a religious person, being a demon made him despise anything holy. This creation that was haunting him needed help, but Sesshoumaru wasn't a giving person. He wasn't a spiritual person either, so why this strange pressure around him attached itself to him was vexing.

The first time this presence made itself cozy in his chamber was a day ago. It came out of the blue, and stirred him from his meditation that he nearly decapitated the servant who was tending to the gardens. He could have sworn he sensed someone approaching him, but the only one around was the gardener who had already been present and at the opposite end of the garden no less. He was unsure of how to make of this new subject, but he wasn't going to let it make him feel uneasy, especially in his own home. He refused to acknowledge the entity all together, and it worked fine for the first few hours until…

His pale hand lifted to brush across the top magenta stripe along his cheek bone. It touched him that night, caressing his face gently… almost… lovingly. The feminine voice called out to him that night, called out for help. It was apparent that whatever it was that kept haunting his chamber wasn't going to leave anytime soon. Sesshoumaru looked out over his balcony, arms crossed over his chest as he stared out to the crescent moon, "What is it that you need from me?" he asked out loud, in hopes of an answer but wasn't expecting one.

His voice quickly faded into the silence that was joined by the cricking crickets and the dozens of fireflies that kept his gardens below occupied, "…help," the soft voice faded in after a brief moment of silence, "I just need help."

He felt a hand run its finger along the ends of his bangs and he closed his eyes as a blunt nail gently scraped against his brow, "And how is this Sesshoumaru to help what cannot be seen?" A better question: how is it that he felt so comfortable with this invisible presence? Anyone who touched him would leave with a broken wrist, and that was if he was in a good mood. But he felt no malicious intent coming from this …this phenomenon, and his beast all but purred whenever he felt the entity nearby.

"Breath, please," the voice came again, against his ear in a light whisper, "I just need you. Keep breathing." A hand cupped the right side of his face and he felt the soft fingers caressing his temple.

"Who is to say this Sesshoumaru would stop?" He didn't like the sound of that answer. He quickly went to grab the hand but only succeeded in grabbing air. His eyes narrowed dangerously, not liking vulnerability this entity induced upon him. Was this voice imposing a threat? Was something coming his way that could potentially destroy him? No, that was nonsense. Sesshoumaru had no rival when it came to power. But there was something in that voice that put him on edge and he was convinced that it was because he had heard it before, but he couldn't recall where and from whom exactly.

The voice didn't answer this time, and Sesshoumaru was forced to sleep without knowing.

But this sleep didn't last long. He was disrupted when a scout started pounding on his bedroom door, but Sesshoumaru was awake before the first knock. The aura of this particular scout had caused him to open his eyes in alert. It was something important. The radiation of this messenger shouted urgent news. The Western Lord answered to the scout's call, meeting with the eagle demon in his office just moments later.

"She wishes to speak to you in person," said the scout, whispering as if Sesshoumaru's office wasn't secure enough to speak such words.

Sesshoumaru sat back, his tea cup off to the side of the table, not yet deciding if he should be insulted or amused at the scout, "yet she made no effort to show at your side," he turned his piercing gaze towards his personal messenger, "how is it that you came across her?"

"She found me," the eagle demon started, golden eyes darting around the room as if looking for something out of place, "is it me, or does something feel out of place in here?" The eagle shifted uncomfortably, scratching the back of her neck nervously.

The eagle was speaking of the presence that refused to leave Sesshoumaru alone, he knew, however the demon lord refused to speak of it, "explain your story," he ordered.

One last look around the room and the demon started to explain her story, warily at first. Apparently a middle aged priestess had come searching for the scout relentlessly. She told of how the priestess discovered her due to her aura, even though it was masked. Sesshoumaru predicted this priestess had to have been in high spiritual power if she could detect hidden auras, and he could only think of one priestess who was capable of such feats—and they weren't exactly on allied terms. The eagle continued with how the woman pounded her with information. Apparently she had premonition that concerned the Western Lord. The priestess claimed that it was so urgent, it couldn't wait a second longer and that she was to return to her lord as quickly as she could.

"So I presume you haven't finished your mission," it wasn't a question.

"What?!" the scout asked, as if he just accused her of raping a bunny, "Me? Not complete a mission?" she fanned her face with her hand, as if she just received the worst insult anyone could throw at her.

"You over react, as usual."

"Of course I finished it!" She lifted her head with pride as her back straightened and her shoulders evened out sharply.

He lifted a thin eyebrow, not asking for the scout to speak the story because he shouldn't have to.

The eagle grinned guiltily, accustomed to what that look meant, "The cursed woman stole the scroll from me," she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest, "said something about collateral." Her proud stature was quickly claimed by an annoyed posture as her arms lifted to cross at her chest and her shoulder lifted to her ears.

Sesshoumaru wanted to sigh, but such an action was uncharacteristic for him. If that's the case, then he obviously had no choice in the matter. The information that this eagle was supposed to have was in the hands of a being that had the potential to ruin his empire, "very well, you and I will leave at dawn. You are dismissed."

The female sighed sadly most likely at the lost opportunity to play with the human child and that of a lost break, "Yes, my lord." The eagle stood slowly, bowed and departed silently, leaving Sesshoumaru to his thoughts.

Once alone, the demon lord stood to his feet and moved to lean against the window seal of his office. He looked out to the dark sky, watching the stars with an unreadable expression, "does this involve you?" he asked the entity.

No answer, but he instantly felt the comforting presence behind him.

"Lady Syarie, please!" begged a servant, "If you don't calm yourself down now you'll run a hole in the floor!"

The woman paused in nervous pacing, looking at her servant with evil eyes. It was an ongoing staring contest, one glare meant for intimidation and the other for determination. There was an even longer silence as servant and master faced off, but surprisingly it was miko who broke eye contact first, "I am sorry, Day," the woman sighed, sitting herself down on her cushion, "It is this vision unsettling me so."

The male servant bowed lowly, "I understand, my Lady. Lord Sesshoumaru should arrive momentarily; you know he doe not take matters that concern you lightly."

Priestess slapped open her folding fan and stood to look out of her window, "prepare some tea will you?" she spoke calmly, smiling at her long time friend as he went off to tend to her request. Her eyes caught daybreak in the sky and she sighed quietly, 'I hope time will forgive my belated warning,' for awhile there, the priestess was worried that the demon lord would not heed her call. What she had to say was highly important and she was thankful that he was giving her a chance to speak it to him, willingly or not.

She anticipated his anger, expected it evenly but what she had to say was worth risking her head.

The demon lord and his scout were sitting side-by-side at the opposite end of the table from the miko and her servant. Before each, there were tea cups and a tea kettle for anyone who desired more. The silence was endeavoring and there was tension coming from both parties. The priestess was the first to take a sip from her tea, and to break the silence, "Lord Sesshoumaru," she said, placing her tea cup back on the table. Turning her green eyes to face his golden, "I can sense it now, I have a third guest. So it has already begun, I see."

Sesshoumaru eyed the woman with suspicion, "I've come to regain the information you have stolen from my person." He didn't want to touch the subject of his invisible follower.

The miko looked at him with a risen eyebrow, "'your person'?" she echoed, "My memory hasn't gone bad just yet, my lord. I've stolen nothing from you."

The eagle muttered something under her breath and Day frowned, "If what you have to say is so important that you can't keep it in your thoughts, then I suggest you speak up; we do not take kindly to insults and neither do we tolerate them."

"Why you…!" the short tempered eagle slammed her hands on the table, causing the tea to spill from her cup due to the force.

The scout had started to stand up but before she could even lift a knee, Sesshoumaru held his hand out in front of her to silence and stop his company from making any further movements. The Western Lord would not be made a fool, and he would not allow himself to be misrepresented. He was already in a bad mood, "Tsuyu," he spoke calmly, never taking his eyes off from the priestess in front of him, "you will hold your ground and allow this woman to speak. Show respect for those who invite you into their homes, despite the incompetency within their decisions." He lowered his arm back to rest on his knee when his scout had reclaimed her seat. He eyed the male servant who had spoken against his company, "and you, it would be wise to know just whom you speak against. She may just be another demon to incinerate, but she is under my wing."

The daiyoukai had spoken, and neither of the parties were willing to speak against his words. His aura had increased in strength (and in anger) to show these two just who they were messing with. Not only was he the Western Lord, but he was one of the strongest demons to have ever walked these lands; surpassing even his father's strength—a force not to be reckoned with. He had the right to kill and had no worry about consequences or punishments from the Kami's above. He was a demon; he was the Kami's punishment.

Syarie cleared her throat, a demon he may be… but she was a priestess who could be counted amongst even the strongest deities. Although, even she knew better than to speak further against him, especially when she had already tampered with his mood negatively, "Pardon our rudeness, my lord. We meant no harm."

"You will speak of what you summoned us here for, nothing more." The authority in his voice made her feel small, but it was to be expected she did, after all, borrow vital information from his spy.

She had to suck it up. They were as close as natural born enemies could be, and she did not want to risk that. Choosing to be enemies with someone as powerful as Sesshoumaru was near suicide. But Syarie was one of the few who could see passed his act. He wasn't as cold as he made himself seem, which is why she didn't fear him as much as others. That fact alone is was gave her the gull to take hostage of his scroll, "I have had a vision, My Lord, and it seeks your attention desperately."

It was time to get down to business.

Author's Note: Okay, so this is the first fanfic I've chosen to take seriously. I'll update as often as I possibly can, but we all know that life isn't generous when it comes to time. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as I have had writing it. (:

Oh, and… if you plan on flaming please make sure to make the fire as hot as possible and to bring extra marshmallows!

Chapter Two Teaser: and It's about Time We've Stepped In

Inuyasha's desperate to save Kagome from whatever it is that has her withdrawn, and so he seeks confidence in Kikyou. Will she speak the truth and tell him what's wrong? Meanwhile, the Priestess Syarie informs Sesshoumaru about her premonition, but what does it mean for the days to follow and why does this entity continue to follow the Daiyoukai?

Find out next time on: Savior!