Chapter 1: Under the Stars We Meet

Cold, calculating, golden eyes glowed from the shadows of the trees as they observed the oddly dressed little miko that sat in the clearing, her sapphire eyes gazing towards the stars, seemingly unaware of her surroundings. How foolish could one be? All alone, unprotected, without a weapon, any youkai could easily kill her. Sesshomaru mentally snorted at her stupidity but his thoughts hesitated as the miko called out to him.

"Lord Sesshomaru, what do I owe this honor?" she asked turning her head slightly in acknowledgement, her beautiful sapphire eyes were glassy as he caught the scent of her unshed tears in the breeze. Saying nothing Sesshomaru used his youkai speed to appear beside her.

"You are a fool miko," he finally said waiting for a fiery response.

However the miko merely sighed, her shoulders heaving in self defeat as she turned her eyes back up to the sky, "Perhaps you are right my lord, many others would agree with you."

The cold taiyoukai looked away from her beautiful face to examine the stars that she seemed so enthralled by. They were breath taking, not like the regal bold moon but simple yet elegant bursts of light coating the inky darkness of the night much like the little miko. Glancing down at the miko Sesshomaru mentally approved his thoughts; she was indeed like the stars.

"You are not with your group," he seemed to state rather than inquire.

She nodded sadly though her face held a smile, "Hai, I needed time to think." Sesshomaru's gaze narrowed the slightest bit, he could detect there was something else ailing her, though why he truly cared he himself could not answer.

"Do not attempt to lie to this Sesshomaru," he warned with a growl. The miko's head snapped up to meet his gaze angrily.

"I don't have to do what you tell me to do," she stated. Her response was rather childish and Sesshomaru felt relief rather than annoyance, he had almost been worried this miko was truly a shell of her former self as was that disgusting woman, Kikyo. "-anyways you wouldn't care, my lord." Caught up in his own thoughts Sesshomaru had barely even noticed the little miko lecturing him.

"It matters not whether I care but when I inquire something, I demand the truth," he quickly recovered as he blurred out of sight only to reappear with his face mere inches away from her own. Startled the girl jumped back but only surprise showed in her eyes, there was no fear.

"You want the truth?" she whispered brokenly and suddenly he began to regret ever asking. "I accidentally walked in on Inuyasaha and Kikyo. I-I had wanted to-to g-go home and…they-they were-" The miko broke off into silent sobs of pain.

Sesshomaru pulled away from her as salt assaulted his sensitive nose mercilessly. His idiot half-brother had finally broken the little miko's spirit. "Silly wench," he murmured but as he got to the edge of the clearing he watched out of his peripheral vision as the miko stood defiantly and faced him.

"My name is Higurashi Kagome, KA-GO-ME, Lord Sesshomaru," she spoke softly but he could hear the pride and anger she tried to hide. So her spirit was not yet broken, interesting.

"Very well, KA-GO-ME," he replied just to humor her and gave a mocking bow before taking his leave.

The next few years Sesshomaru watched the odd little miko, Kagome, closely. And every now and then they would have an occurrence similar to the first. Though the taiyoukai would grudgingly admit Kagome was intelligent, beautiful, even for youkai standards, and brave to a foolish degree, her humanity would not allow him to admit any feelings he held for her, however minimal they were. She began training with the ookami and taijya and there was a gradual decrease in their meetings until they finally came to a halt. Rin was wed to a farmer, leaving him alone to care for his lands.