All was still in the forest. Not a sound could be heard other than the soft breeze that rustled the trees, and the chirping of the crickets late at night. The sounds were beautiful, and the sight even more so. The moonlight was pouring through cracks in the trees, casting tall shadows that might have looked frightening to anyone else. To him, they looked inviting.

Sesshomaru was sitting on the ground, leaning next to an old oak. Though the setting was breathtaking, it could not compare to the demon who took place in it. He breathed in through his nose, tilting his head back slowly until the tip of his skull was touching the oak. Calmly, the inu-youkai opened his eyes.

Golden eyes met the crescent shaped moon, mirroring the symbol he carried most proudly on his forehead. He sighed. He would like more moments like this, time alone to immerse himself in his surroundings, but as usual, there was work to be done.

He stood up swiftly, and without a sound, continued south. There were rumours about a human man who lived in a village nearby… One Sesshoumaru certainly wanted to meet.

And why, do you ask, would the great demon lord want anything to do with a pathetic human, enough for him to leave the safety of his grounds to meet? Not even his most loyal servants were likely to ever find out. And not because he didn't trust them; no, he only had servants who had been with the family for centuries, the ones who were completely trustworthy. But Sesshomaru was naturally secretive, and mostly kept to himself. He had only told Jaken to tell Rin that he would be gone a few days, so she wouldn't worry.

He had left Rin, Jaken and Ah-Un at his castle, because this task he wanted to complete alone. He usually never left his three companions at home, because, well, as much as he would not admit it, he enjoyed their company. Well, he liked Rins company. Jaken was just annoying, but essential to babysit and keep Rin busy… And even though he was perhaps developing certain paternal feelings toward the girl, he was no fool. He understood that she was human, that she would grow old and die in the span of a mere century, no more. Which is why he never let himself feel more than a spark of affection toward her.

But tonight was different. He needed some answers. He wanted to know things, things that apparently this human could tell him. He didn't hold any false hopes; he discovered long ago that humans could not be depended on.

"SIT, BOY!"

Inuyasha yelped out in surprise as the necklace around his neck glowed a moment before dragging him down into the earth at full speed. He cursed into the dirt, and stayed still a moment before darting up, ignoring the ache of his muscles and his head.

"You just went last week! You can't go back already!" The hanyou yelled, throwing his hands up in exasperation. He ignored the guilty feeling that washed over him as he saw the miko's eyes glisten.

Kagome spun on her heel and started in the direction of the well, stopping the tears before they came. Inuyasha watched her skirt twirl around, accenting her long legs perfectly. She stopped momentarily to bend down and collect her yellow backpack, throwing it over her shoulder, and he imagined that he would be able to see a fair bit of cleavage if he were on the other side. He narrowed his eyes, banishing the thoughts from his mind. "It's just one day, Inuyasha. Naraku and the shards will wait." She said over her shoulder.

"But they won't!" He yelled again, and then softened his voice a tad, realizing that upsetting her would get him nowhere. He just had to get her to understand. "D'you think he's just gonna sit back and say 'Oh, we better wait until Kagome comes back from that important test to complete the jewel and take over the world!'" He growled, unable to stop himself, and darted in front of her.

"Inuyasha…" She said quietly, avoiding his eyes. Kagome gasped as he placed both hands on her shoulders, and gently pulled her closer. A gust of wind caused a strand of soft, black hair drift into her face, and Inuyasha lifted a hand up, and, ever so gently, tucked the piece behind her ear. Time seemed to stop. She couldn't even remember why she was angry at him. His presence was intoxicating.

She didn't remember him stepping closer to her, but all of a sudden his nose was almost touching hers. "Please, stay…" He pleaded, his sweet breath caressing her face. Her eyes widened a fraction, she took in a shuddering breath, and he stared back, daring her to sit him again after being so nice. She must've seen the glint in his eyes because her eyes narrowed and she frowned, the hopeful expression wiped off her face in a moment.

"You idiot!" She spat, and she twisted out of his grasp immediately. She felt the hurt well inside her, the hopes of them actually having a moment crushed. Of course he wanted her to stay to collect the shards and only to collect the shards. She knew that he was completely oblivious of her feelings toward him, but it was embarrassing how easily he could take advantage of it.

He laughed, and his mouth turned up in that lopsided grin that she adored. "Hey, I almost gotchya there!" He said in triumph. He turned serious as he took in her expression.

"But you didn't." She added, voice quavering. "And I'm still going back."

And without another word, she stepped around the half-demon and continued to the well. Kagome huffed angrily as she lifted herself onto the old wooden sides of the ancient portal, and she didn't look back as she dropped herself into it, trusting and knowing even with her closed eyes that a bright violet light had engulfed her, taking her back home.

It was just after sunset when Lord Sesshomaru arrived at the village.

Most of the villagers had gone in for the night, and the place was practically a ghost town as he glided soundlessly across the uneven dirt road. There was no light coming from inside the small huts that surrounded him, but he knew there were small families, comfortable and asleep in each one. He reminded himself that he should not harm them, no matter how tempted he might be to dispose the world of another of those pathetic creatures. He was here on business, not pleasure.

It wasn't long before the taiyoukai had stopped before a large temple. His expression was detached, uninterested, as he watched a young priestess finish her prayers.

The girl looked to be about seventeen, and she was still in her miko garbs as she knelt in front of the temple, her hands clasped together as she chanted under her breath. Her black hair, almost touching her waist, was billowing in the soft wind. Sesshomaru did not make a sound, and he waited curiously until she finished her prayers.

He was slightly surprised that she had not acknowledged his presence. He knew she could sense him, and any miko in her right mind would have done something with the demon. Still, she continued.

Her prayer eventually ended, and she stayed still for a moment before opening her eyes. The girl looked over her shoulder.

"Thank you for letting me finish. My people find it disrespectful to stop in the middle of prayer." Her voice was soft and soothing. She turned to Sesshomaru, and bowed respectfully. He raised his eyebrow, but did not return the gesture. She was a very unusual girl.

And a very beautiful one at that. Her porcelain skin had an amazing effect with her dark hair, and her wide brown eyes and red, full lips were not modest. But the demon lord discarded her beauty. It was hardly important to him, as it was nothing in comparison to the dark, unnatural beauty of the demonesses he knew back at his kingdom.

The strange miko locked eyes with Sesshoumaru. She had a very strong aura, and he could tell by the way she presented herself she was very brave. Here she was, a mere human in the presence of the demon lord of the west, and she showed no signs of fear or distress.

This naturally concerned Sesshoumaru. He was definitely not used to being looked at as an equal, and he definitely did not like it.

The girl was obviously waiting for him to say something, but the demon, frustrated with her and stubborn as a mule, refused to say a word.

She realised what was happening, and, fortunately for her, decided to speak before she annoyed the lord further.

"I think I know who you are looking for." She said, and he arched an eyebrow. "Come. I will take you to him." She turned and, without looking back to see if he was following, started walking.

And of course, he followed.

He detested taking orders from humans, but he knew it would be foolish to refuse her when she was giving him exactly what he wanted.

He followed silently, and when they came to a small hut on the outskirts of the village, she turned to face him.

"You must have heard the rumours about my grandfather. I assure you, they are true. He has… Gifts, I guess you could say." She said quietly. She looked out into the forest at nothing, daydreaming. After a few moments of silence, she snapped out of her trance and looked at the demon, whose name she did not even know.

"He is very sick. I don't know how much time he has left. The only thing I ask of you… Be gentle with him. Please don't let him over do it. It makes him very weak. You'll see what I mean." She added.

Sesshoumaru wasn't about to make any promises. Of course, he was always willing to go through extreme measures to get what he wanted, and the old man was hardly any of his concern. But he nodded anyway to satisfy the miko, just a slight tip of the head to make her understand.

She smiled sadly, her eyes sparkling softly in the moonlight. "Alright." She whispered, and opened the door to the hut.

What he saw surprised him. He immediately started to doubt the rumours he had heard about this man, the ones about an incredibly gifted human in a village. Demons all over Japan had come to see him, and no one had dared to harm him because he was, apparently, nonexpendable.

Sesshoumaru had heard that, with one touch, the man was able to see anything and everything about you. Things that even you did not know about yourself. Not only your past, present and future, things you thought about and things you wanted, your purpose in life, the whole shebang.

When he had first heard about this ridiculously talented person, he had scoffed at the idea that it was even possible, let alone a human that possessed it. But after the stories he had heard, he decided it might not be a bad idea to drop by.

But at the sight of the scraggly, skinny old man, he almost considered leaving right then. Power was almost always shown in beauty, and the greatest demons were always the most beautiful. But this… Thing… Was repulsive, and he watched as he struggled to pull in a deep breath, his body convulsing as he hacked out a terrible cough. Surely this man didn't have an ounce of power in him.

When the old man had not noticed his granddaughter and the demon lord, the young girl rushed to his side.

She kneeled down by his side, ringing out a cold washcloth that was already stationed in a bucket next to his bed. The moment the cool cloth touched his forehead his eyes snapped open, looking for the source of comfort. He struggled to sit up, and the miko slid a hand around his back, murmuring under her breath.

All the while Sesshoumaru stood there, his head almost touching the ceiling. His swords hung loosely by his side, his armour shining in the candle light. The old man suddenly stopped coughing, his body going still. He looked up through gray eyelashes and locked eyes with the demon. Seshoumaru stared back, nothing but a slight disgust visible in those hard, cold eyes.

He watched as the man squeezed the girls hand before wheezing, "Aiko, I won't be in need of your service for a while. Sesshoumaru and I have some matters to discuss."

The girl, Aiko's eyes widened, and she was speechless for a moment before nodding slowly and retreating to what he guessed was the kitchen. Sesshoumaru himself was surprised that the old man could get out more than a few words. His own eyebrows lifted slightly at the mention of his name, but it only encouraged him further. Maybe this human was not as powerless as he believed.

Some colour had returned to his pale, sunken in face. His hand was shaking as he beckoned Sesshoumaru forward. He smiled brightly, and he could tell it took a lot of effort to channel the muscles in his face. His eyes shined brightly anyway as he looked at Sesshoumaru like a long lost son.

"Come here boy," He said, and Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, insulted. He must know very well that he was hundreds of years older than this weak human. Seeing the demon lord's expression, he corrected himself.

"Oh, I apologize! How rude of me. I am Hiromasa." He smiled again, seeming to gain strength out of nowhere.

"Hn." Sesshoumaru retorted, his eyes sharp. The human, Hiromasa, watched Sesshomaru for a few moments before shaking his head and smiling. "I dreamt about you, you know." He said.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, a sign for him to continue. "Many demons have come to see me, but never have I dreamt of one before meeting them. You must be special." Hiromasa winked.

Sesshomaru scoffed at the man's young spirit. "Explain." He commanded.

Hiromasa chuckled. Yes, he looks much stronger than before. Sesshomaru was curious at the sudden recovery, but he kept silent. "The first one was three nights ago, and I've had the same on ever since. In it, you come to see me. The details are a bit hazy, but you are angry at what I tell you. You come back several times after our first meeting, which I presume would be right now." He nodded and continued.

"In the dream, you change. For some reason, our encounters, or maybe something else, changes you. In here." He patted his heart.

"You speak nonsense." Sesshomaru bit out, unsettled by his prediction. Though he did not move, and Hiromasa shrugged slightly. "It confuses me as well. But that's just what I saw during the night. I can't say my dreams are as accurate as my other gift." He amended. "May I try? That was what you came for anyway, was it not?"

Sesshomaru, displeased that it was now Hiromasa who was asking the questions, nodded stiffly anyway. He was surprised when the old man held out his shaky, wrinkly hand.

The demons eyes flashed with disgust as he regarded the human. He did not in a million years want to touch it. Sure, he had touched Rin every once in a while, but she was young and healthy and soft, unlike this old hag. Hiromasa just chuckled, as if expecting the demon lords' reaction.

"It only works when I have physical contact." He informed Sesshomaru, almost smug.

Sesshomaru growled softly, narrowing his eyes. He would not tolerate such behaviour from anyone, a human no less. The man was clearly not afraid of him, and he would respect that, although he had his limits. He would not be humiliated by someone below him of such.

While all this was happening with Sesshomaru, a voice inside him was rolling his eyes, saying, stop being so immature. It wouldn't kill your huge ego if you just listened to someone for once. It'll do you some good.

Sesshomaru calmed down slightly, and he looked up to find Hiromasa waiting, hand extended, one eyebrow raised. The inu-youkai paused. There really was no harm. Sighing, Sesshomaru threw his pride out the window and placed a clawed, flawless hand in the weak one of the human.

At first, nothing happened. Sesshomaru sat awkwardly at the end of Hiromasa's bed, gently touching hands with the human sitting up in it. Hiromasa closed his eyes. A few moments later, he gasped, his small hand curling around Sesshomaru's.

But as soon as it had started, it was over. Hiromasa opened his eyes and released the demons hand. He sat back, taking deep breaths. The human now carried the burden of Sesshomaru's whole life.

Sesshomaru waited patiently, and watched, surprised, as Hiromasa gave a low whistled. "What a life."

Sesshomaru wanted to get up, to tear something apart or scream at the old man, how can you say that! Why do you have the right to know my whole life when I haven't even lived it yet!

But he was Sesshomaru, the great dog demon, Lord of the west… So he kept his cool. "What did you see?" He hissed through clenched teeth.

Hiromasa's eyes were unfocused, and he lay back in his bed, the exercise clearly having drained him of whatever remained of his energy. "Oh, that I couldn't tell you even if I wanted to. Telling you your whole future would get some kind of reaction from you, and that would no doubt change everything. I apologize, lord Sesshomaru." Sesshomaru was suddenly vulnerable, and he felt uncomfortable knowing that if the rumours proved to be true, the human knew every little detail about his life.

"Well, what was the point of this whole exercise if you cannot do anything for me?" He asked bitterly. Not expecting an answer, he stood up and turned to leave.

"I never said I couldn't give you anything." Hiromasa said quietly, stopping the demon in his tracks.

"I will give you some information, something that will help you to achieve the future I saw." He said, a mysterious glint in his eyes.

Sesshomaru faced Hiromasa, but did not move from before the door. He waited.

"You want your arm back, no?" He asked.

Sesshomaru's eyes flashed down to the stub that was once his arm. He longed for it, yes. And it was a valuable asset in battle. His golden orbs betrayed no emotion, but the human had a sixth sense for such things.

Hiromasa nodded, satisfied. "It would take one of the most powerful mikos' ever to live to restore it. And I know who you must seek out. I have seen her in your future. She plays a very important part in your life." He said, and then frowned, like he had maybe already said too much. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, was desperate to know more. He had not thought that restoring it would be possible.

"Who?" He snapped.

"Kagome Higurashi."

Kagome Higurashi.

The name bounced around Sesshomaru's head a few seconds before he placed where he had heard it before. His eyes flashed with disbelief for a moment as he realized that it was her, that damn girl who traveled with his stupid half-brother.

He growled in annoyance. He had no time for games, and he would not allow the pathetic human to play with him.

"Impossible." He snapped. "I've seen the girl in action. She could barely pass as a miko. She has no power."

"You are wrong. She is the protector of the Shikon no Tama, is she not? It might not be visible at the moment, but that girl has great power that lies within her. It is your job to awaken it, and she will restore your arm." Hiromasa stated.

Sesshomaru was not enjoying being told what to think. He crossed the room in one quick stride, and had the man's neck in his grasp. "Enough with your games, human. You lie. She cannot be the one to do the job."

Hiromasa closed his eyes in pain, even though the demon lord hadn't applied any pressure. Sesshomaru let go, frustrated, the emotionless expression back in place.

Hiromasa finally opened his eyes, but still he showed no fear in front of the demon lord. "You know I am not lying, Sesshomaru. But you must listen to me. You need that girl."

"I need no one." Sesshomaru growled, a low rumble that vibrated deep in his chest. He almost laughed, the thought of him needing a human girl. Obviously having heard enough from the human, he left the hut in one graceful leap, ignoring the pleas of Hiromasa. He did hear as he was closing the door behind him a soft whisper.

"Find her. Bring her to your castle. And when you do, come back to me. I will help you. Trust me."

And Sesshomaru, oddly enough, felt he could.

A.N.

Phew! First chapter is complete!

So I'm super excited to write this story, because I am IN LOVE with this pairing! I mean, how romantic is it when the cold, heartless monster falls in love with the caring, innocent human?

I've been reading around and so I decided I wanted to write one of my own! Yay! This story is inspired mostly by one that I've read and loved, and I am so disappointed that it was discontinued. I'll name that one and another that I really liked in a list below so you can check them out.

-As she Wishes, by ENFP

-The Once and Future Taiyoukai, by RosieB

P.S. Here are the meanings of the names.

Aiko - 'little loved one'

Hiromasa – 'Broad minded, just'

Love youuus!