Chapter 2: Coming Back to Me in My Memories

AN: Sorry for not updating I was on vacation were they had like no internet connection. Oh yeah my username is now Luna Yue just in case you are wondering why its different. Please read and review! Thanks!

"Tell me Lord Sesshomaru, what do you think of the stars?" Kagome asked curiosity lighting her eyes as they settled on the indifferent taiyoukai that sat next to her beneath the shade of the Goshinboku, an aura of melancholy surrounding him.

Sesshomaru arched a slender eyebrow at her question causing her to blush in embarrassment. "Sorry I'm just curious, after all every time we've met it has been beneath the stars," she tried to reason a frustrated sigh escaping her lips.

"The stars never change, though clouds may block them, they are always in the sky, allowing new kin to gaze and learn from their knowledge," Sesshomaru answered, remembering what his father had told him as a pup.

"Interesting," Kagome said softly her eyes sliding back up to the sky, "I believe each star has their own story, their own beauty. Each is unique, though there may be many they are all somehow slightly different. Kinda like how ningen or youkai may be one race but each is their own individual."

Sesshomaru felt a bit stunned though he didn't show it, he had not realized how intelligent the miko was before, instead he watched as she nestled her head into her arms a small smile playing on her lips.

"I suppose you believe me to be foolish, ne?" she asked glancing at him.

"Your theory, to say the least is quite…riveting," he stated as he studied the miko that had caught his eye. Throwing her head back, Kagome laughed lightly, her voice sounding like music to his ears, "In other words you are agreeing that my idea is foolish."

Sesshomaru just listened politely as Kagome talked more about her family, opinions, and beliefs she cherished. However, he barely heard, instead he watched her face as her lips grew into a smile then a small frown. How could ones face be so expressive he wondered to himself? The miko was certainly unlike any creature he had ever made contact with.

She held no fear towards him and actually seemed to enjoy his presence. But what drew him to go out of his way just to meet this female ningen? After all, she was a miko, his enemy since birth. Yet still she was so intriguing, so unlike any females he had encountered and it wasn't just the way she dressed, though he was pleased she had finally gotten rid of her ridiculously short kimono and donned a more appropriate fighting kimono that went a bit further than midthigh, it was still short but more fitting for her position as the guardian of the shikon no tama than miko garbs her other outfit.

A hand in front of his face caused his focus to be lost though he made sure his cold façade was still in place. With his only arm, Sesshomaru grabbed the offending appendage with ease as the little miko let out a squeak.

"What is the meaning of your flailing?" he questioned, he was actually quite amused by Kagome's antics though she seemed to be regretting her actions as his grip tightened around her slender wrist.

"Um, well I kept saying 'Lord Sesshomaru' to see if you could her me but you didn't reply so then I waved my hand in front of your face?" she finished sheepishly as she continued her attempts of breaking free from his iron grasp.

After a moment of the miko's excessive struggling Sesshomaru showed mercy and released her hand with a barely noticeable upturn of his lips, which Kagome was oblivious to.

The moonlight cascaded down on the petite woman, completely engulfing her form as the waves crashed against the rocks she was sitting on, the icy spay hitting her like tiny needles.

"Miko, do you have and self-preservation?" his word cut across the air.

The miko stared dreamily at the full moon before turning towards where he stood, an easy grin gracing her features.

"Nope I guess not," she said cheerily.

Sesshomaru sighed softly his eyes softening in the darkness as he took in her joyful aura.

"Know this miko, I shall not rescue you should you fall in," he warned dryly.

Kagome's cheerful demeanor evaporated before her grin grew even wider, "I wouldn't expect anything less of you."

Blood dripped onto the forest floor. Sesshomaru watched as the metallic scent caused Kagome to flinch back, her nose crinkling up as she looked away from the gruesome sight of the Tokijin glistening with blood that looked almost silvery in the moonlight, impaling a youkai that would have surely killed her.

Letting the body fall to the ground, he took long strides until he stood directly in front of her. Kagome's bow lay crushed beneath his feet from the youkai's earlier attack and her own blood dripped down her arm.

Sesshomaru had to do everything in his power to control his beast. For some reason it had become enraged when he smelt her blood in the air and felt her rising fear. He himself was trying to remain neutral but felt the need to use the Tensaiga to bring the youkai back to life and then torture it until it died once more.

"Why did you save me?" the miko finally managed to find her voice bringing Sesshomaru out of his dangerously musing.

He remained silent, not really knowing how to respond. His beast had wanted to save her and he could not stop it if its mind was set but Sesshomaru knew he had also wanted to save her. Instead of answering, he turned and began back the way he had come from. She had become a weakness to him if he now felt the need to protect ningen. Still…

"Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru," Kagome's soft whisper carried across the breeze.

…he had become her protector whether he liked it or not and he his charge.

Sesshomaru's eyes slowly opened, his back was against the rough bark of a tree. Rays of sunlight washed down from the canopy of the tree branches, illuminating his silver hair.

He had been having the same memories of the miko, Kagome reoccur in his dreams for months and it was getting irritating to have to ponder the strange protectiveness he felt when he thought of her. Sesshomaru still had not completely accepted the idea of being her protector and had tried to distance himself when the feelings grew too strong and eventually he stopped seeing her completely.

His golden eyes settled on his avid toad-like follower that was passed out on the forest floor. The past few years had been dull with only Jaken to entertain him. When Rin had announced she had fallen in love, with a farmer boy he was surprised but it was what she had wanted at the time and she needed to be with people, with ningen.

The ningen had treated her well, as they all understood she was under the protection of the Western Lord so he left her and watched from afar, not wanting to disturb her new lifestyle.

Nevertheless, it was time for a bit more action and the miko would be surprised to see him again. Yes, Sesshomaru decided, it was time for a visit.