Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

A/N: I have a very important announcement. For those that read my other stories, I have Discontinued a few. They list as follows:

-How I Found My Love

-Sakura Trees In Springtime

-The Songs Of The Heart

-Hunter Dersa

The stories that I have Discontinued are not permanently that way. Meaning that if I get inspired to update them again or if I have free time to do so I will update them.

News about Seduction and S.P.A.L

I'm working on a new chapter for seduction. As for S.P.A.L the next chapter is almost finished and on my mom's laptop. Which sadly indisposed at the moment. I probably won't post it until we get it up and working again because I - being as slow as I can be - did not save it anywhere else.

Hopefully that clears up some things. To pass some time I'll be updating this new story, so you all will have something of mine to read that I can update from my mobile device. Also Healing a Traumatized Heart is there and it is only updated once a month.

Anyway here we go, new story to pass the time.

A New Direction

Chapter One

The night was cool, the moon gave off a sliver of light in the darkness of the forest. The trees shaded the path as if it were a secret to be hidden from all. There was a slight wind that stirred the leaves from their slumber every once and awhile. The smaller animals hiding in their resting places for the night, leaving the almost darkness nearly silent and peaceful.

Sesshomaru walked along the the tiny man-made path through the forest. He strode effortlessly and calmly, his outer appearance did not give away what he was feeling inside. On the inside he was worried. He didn't know when he started to care about human emotions, he had a sinking feeling that it had to deal with his small ward. She was ten summers old now, she grew everyday filled with sprit and made it seem as if she had not a care in the world, she was the epitome of happiness.

But He wasn't walking through the forest for her. No, not at all, little Rin was resting back at the camp. It actually was for another female that he's known for three summers now. Respectively most of the time he was busy hating her but that was over. He was after the raven haired, blue eyed, miko, Kagome.

Kagome needed someone right now. How he knew that, he didn't know. He actually almost refused the idea of going to her completely and would've continued on with his nightly routines. Just as he was going to do so, he was struck with the memory of her earlier. She came back from another area in the forest after going to look for his younger sibling. There was something about her face, her lips shook a little as she smiled as if it was forced, and how her aura seemed slightly darker than it usually was, normally it was a bright pink but it dimmed almost to a midnight color. Her scent was tainted with salt and saddness, she tried to seem happy, so her friends wouldn't worry. But Sesshomaru saw through that.

Later when she thought everyone was sleeping. She got up and left. It was very unusual for the young miko to wonder off instead of succumbing to her usual deep slumber. This also worried him, he was suddenly flushed with the desire to go to her and comfort her. What was bothering the miko he wondered. It nearly ate him alive thinking it over.

He continued walking the path until he reached a small clearing. The tops of the trees were parted to allow the moon to shine through. A small pond reflected the light, tiny waves cascaded across the surface as the wind blew. Sesshomaru glanced around the clearing for Kagome and he spotted her near the small pond, hand submerged in the pond water, the smell of salt still clinging to her skin.

Silently he made his way to her side, placing himself softly in the grass, slightly surprised that she didn't run away. She continued to move her hand throughout the water, the saddness in her aura still evident and yet she remained silent. The only sound was the leaves rustling in the wind and tiny insects chirping in the forest around them, and the sound of her hand moving throughout the water.

Slowly Kagome removed her hand from the water and wiped her it on her green skirt, the fabric wrinkling as her hand moved against it. She turned her head toward Sesshomaru and stared at him for a few seconds before he turned his eyes on her.

"You look nothing like him, you know." She stated.

He knew what she meant and that she needed to speak her mind. So he remained silent.

"Your eyes are different, your hair is different, your bodies are different, and your mothers are different. So it's only natural that you act differently as well." Silence filled the space within the clearing for a few moments.

" It's been three years since we started this trip... this - journey. I fell in love with him as soon as I saw him pinned against that tree - the goshinboku. He looked so beautiful sleeping like that." She let out a humorless laugh, it was small and empty.

" Then she came along... Kikyo. His first and only love. He always ran to her. And it hurt - still hurts. I never wanted this, I never wanted to want him so badly - or anyone. I never thought that being here would be so strenuous. "

She smiled sadly as a tear slid down her cheek. " I never thought falling in love would be so hard." She sniffled and looked at the lake once again.

Sesshomaru felt for her. His face didn't show it. He didn't know he could feel so terribly for a simple human. But it was clear that someone from his bloodline - even though he didn't like to mention it - hurt her so deeply. And that sickened him.

"You know... Tonight when I went looking for Inuyasha... he was with her again. They were confessing their love for each other. And then they proceeded to make love - right there in the middle of the clearing. The worst part was that Kikyo saw me. The whole time she knew I was there and she didn't stop. She wanted me to see. She wanted me to hurt." She hung her head, her tears falling into her skirt as her hands fisted the fabric of her skirt. She sobbed with her whole heart, her long black hair shielded her face like a curtain, hiding it from his view.

Sesshomaru didn't know what to do. He wanted to comfort her yet all he could do was remain silent, watch and listen to her. But it seemed to be exactly what she needed.

"I don't understand why she would do that. I've never hurt her. Not in the slightest." Kagome looked up at the sky, her tear stained eyes staring at the moon above them. "But I give up. She wins - I lose. I can't keep hoping... hoping that he loves me. "

She sniffled and wiped her face with her sleeve. Her eyes turning back to Sesshomaru. "Why couldn't I have fallen in love with you? At least I would've known I had no chance. " Sesshomaru wanted to retort that comment of hers. It hurt that she would've thought that she wouldn't have gotten a chance. But why would he? She was right to assume that after all their past wasn't the best to be shared.

" Miko. Don't say such foolish things. This Sesshomaru is not as cruel as he seems." Sesshomaru said looking at the pond. He knew he shouldn't try and comfort her but he couldn't help himself. "This Sesshomaru wouldn't have done the things he's - Inuyasha's done, and I wouldn't outright reject you. Not anymore. "

Shock crept over Kagome's face. She couldn't believe he said that. "This Sesshomaru has grown rather... sympathetic for human emotions. So he would prefer that you miko Kagome fall in love with this one instead. I cannot promise you that your feelings will be returned. But this Sesshomaru wouldn't hurt you - not on purpose. "

Kagome's eyes widened as she let his words sink in. He was trying to comfort her. And as odd as it seemed to be, it was working. Sure he wasn't a sure thing but he was an honorable man and he promised not to hurt her. She smiled.

"Thank you Sesshomaru. " She said softly as she reached out to hug him, carefully avoiding the spikes in his armor. Sesshomaru held a ghost of a smile on his face and placed a hand gently on her back.

( Interval )

They walked back towards the camp in silence. Kagome was no longer sad, instead she was happier than she'd ever been in the past few years on this quest for the jewel.

Though Sesshomaru's words weren't exactly the best words one would expect comfort from, they still calmed her when her heart was torn in two. The wind wished her hair through the air as she stopped suddenly. Sesshomaru stopped as well and turned to look at her.

"Miko?" His low baritone voice spoke in a soft whisper.

She looked up at him and offered him a small close lipped smile. "I don't want to go back." She said calmly, a gust of wind rushed by and carried leaves with it. Their hair and loose clothing flowed along with the wind while silence was shared between them. Electric blue eyes locked with simmering golden ones, both seemingly sharing a private conversation spoken with thoughts.

"Elaborate. " the word was sudden and ended the pregnant silence between them.

"I don't want to go back. I'm not happy there, not as happy as I am when I'm alone with you." She paused. He didn't understand why his heart increased in speed but at the moment that did not matter. "I'm constantly being ridiculed by Inuyasha. He makes the best days insufferable at times. I love the small family we have created over the years. I can't imagine life without them now. But I still don't feel as happy as I used to."

She turned away from him and looked upward toward the top of the trees. "I don't understand why. I love them with all my heart, but tonight with you - even though I cried most of the time and you were just there listening - I felt so good, so happy. I know this is so selfish of me. But I can't help it." She sighed and turned back towards him.

"You could just leave if you wanted." Sesshomaru stated. He did like the idea of spending time alone with her. She wasn't exactly unpleasant to be around.

She laughed a bit. "As much as I'd like to. I know my obligations to the cause are more important than my own personal feelings. " She brushed off her skirt. "So I must go back." She walked over to him and put her arm in his. "Let's go, Lord Sesshomaru. "

He nodded silently and started to lead her back towards the camp. His eyes were discreetly on Kagome. She wasn't selfish, she was selfless. She felt normal human emotions yet she pushed them aside and focused on the others, what they needed and wanted.

For that he admired the small woman, whose name was Kagome.

( Interval )

Back at the camp they separated both secretly shooting a longing look at each other before settling in their respective positions. Kagome said into her sleeping bag, remaining awake for a few moments then falling into a contented sleep. Sesshomaru sat awake watching over the pack in Inuyasha's stead.

Sesshomaru thought about the events of this night. He truly enjoyed it and didn't wish for it to end. Not ever. He wanted to spend every night like this one - minus the tears and pain.

Sesshomaru was happy for the first time in the longest.

( Interval )

The next day came with a large sun shining down upon the sleeping pack. The first to arise was Kagome. Though she was by far the deepest sleeper she was usually the first to awaken. She sat up and stretched her arms up to the sky while a yawn passed her lips.

She smiled as the birds chirping reached her ears, it was a lovely morning to be awake. She removed her body from her sleeping bag dragging her heavy yellow backpack towards her. She opened the flap as she pulled out the components for the breakfast that she was about to create for her small makeshift family.

Sesshomaru watched her. She felt content this morning, happy - he could sense it. He almost smiled if he wasn't a stoic mastermind that hid his emotions from all. Kagome moved almost gracefully as she set up the beginnings of the meal. Poking at the almost dead fire and bringing it back to life. Then afterward placing the food over the fire.

The others stirred slightly as the heavenly scent of breakfast reached their nostrils. Even Sesshomaru's mouth watered at the enticing smell coming from the flames. Kagome was a very good cook though the credit wasn't always given.

After a while of cooking. The others slowly arose from their slumber. All yawning their good mornings and stretching their stiff limbs. Shippo hopped on his adoptive mother's shoulder, rubbing his sleep laden eyes.

"Good morning, mama." He said yawning. "What's for breakfast?"

Kagome smiled and reached up to pat her son's head. "Good morning, Shippo. Just a little something. Pancakes, bacon, and some tea." Shippo nodded at her answer. He'd never had pancakes or bacon before but he would try whatever his mama gave him.

Everyone sat around the fire as the sun continued getting higher. Sango and Miroku sat beside each other with Kiara settled in Sango's lap, still resting. Sesshomaru was next to Rin and across from Kagome. They all were eating the breakfast that was distributed to them. Even Sesshomaru was eager to try the Miko's cooking. They all ate in silence, no one questioned where the missing self-proclaimed leader of the pack was. They all knew that it had something to do with Kikyo. Though they were shocked that the male was still gone.

Usually he would have returned by sunrise, but instead he was still missing. What happened to the hayno? Had Kikyo entranced him so, that he had not fathomed the thought of leaving her side and returning to the pack that he led throughout Edo? It was very possible.

'It doesn't matter now' Kagome thought with a sigh. 'We'll have to continue on without him.'

Kagome's eyes landed on Sesshomaru, visions from the previous night flashed across her mind. Sesshomaru suggested that she fall in love with him. 'Could it be that easy to fall for someone else?' She wondered 'should I trust him? Should I believe in him as I had Inuyasha?' She bit her lip as she lost herself in her musings. Her eyes never leaving Sesshomaru's form.

Sesshomaru saw that the miko was in deep thought. Many emotions passed over her features, like a current in a rapid stream. He was curious and almost questioned her about what she was thinking of. But he decided to remain silent and watch. Like always.

(End)

A/N: Review!