A/N: I am sooo glad that people are actually still interested in this story even after two years! I'm so touched! I want to say thank you to the four that reviewed my story! And thank you so much for your well wishes, it means alot to me! I hope that you guys like this chapter as much as the last! I worked hard to make sure I could get it done in the little time I have between waking and having to get ready for work! I'm so sorry if there is any spelling mistakes or grammar mistakes, I wrote this and then posted it after only rereading it once. I just wanted to get it out as soon as I could.

A Chance To Change Fate

Chapter 4: An Insult To Injury

Not for the first time since she left the village in which she killed the bear did Kagome question how sane it was for her to have left. Her wounds on her leg were deep and painful. And while the stitches remained in tact several times a day, if she walked for too long, they would weep drawing lesser demons attention to her.

In fact with the many interruptions with the demons and the need to constantly change her bandages, it tripled the time in which it took for her to get to the next several villages. She was severely thankful that the last two villages had only minor problems that she was easily able to solve in exchange for arrows and medical supplies.

Though, the word in both villages was that Sesshomaru hadn't been around in a month. Leaving her clueless where the Lord actually might be, but it helped foster the rumor of the Shikon Miko in the West. She could only hope that Sesshomaru would get curious as to why she was there, or maybe he would just be curious as to why she is traveling alone, either way meant he would track her down.

There was a chance that he would simply not care either way, and if that was the case, he would avoid heading in the direction the rumors were traveling. Making a split decision she decided to change paths and head South-West. It wasn't like she knew what direction to travel in, and she definitely didn't know where the Western Palace was.

And if he was looking for her, he could probably track her by scent just as well as he could by rumor. After all, with all her stops to clean her wounds, her blood was probably soaked into the ground in several places, leaving her trail quite clear and obvious.

With her change in direction through the forest, Kagome was pleased to find another village path only a couple hours later. Her thigh throbbed angrily begging her to get off her feet and a village would be a good place to rest, and maybe she could restock. It had been six days since the last village, and she only had four arrows and enough supplies to re-bandage her wounds two or three times.

When the village came into view a sigh passed her lips. All she could think about was the pain in her leg and having somewhere, hopefully soon, to sit down and rest. With that distraction, it wasn't until she had reached the outskirts of the village that she realized what was making her so uneasy. She stopped dead in her tracks, her body tense, her lungs breathless.

This wasn't just some ordinary everyday run of the mill village. It was a demon village. She could feel eyes on her. Some curious, others cold and hateful. Swallowing hard, she shouldered her bow in a sign of good faith and walked into the row of houses, headed towards the village proper. It was a struggle to keep her reiki under control as it wanted to lash out at the harsh demands of the youki pressing down around her.

Her hands were shaking by the time she made it into the proper and she had to fist them in her hakama to hide them. She glanced around, taking note that the demons were going about their day, but their eyes still followed her. A shiver of fear shot down her spine, but she remained standing tall, even if her scent gave her away she would try not to let her body do it too.

"What brings a Miko," a voice asked from behind her, "to our village?"

She turned slowly, her eyes finding a pair of bright yellow orbs. A panther demon stood, watching her expectantly waiting for her answer. He had short spiky black hair and wore black haori and hakama. His arms were crossed, but his stance was defensive. Even with her reiki held in check, her presence would still undoubtedly cause a stir.

"I'm merely wandering in search of an ally," Kagome was surprised at how calm her voice sounded.

"And whom is this ally you seek," his gaze he leveled at her showed he was unconvinced.

She swallowed down the lump in her throat, "Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands."

Her reply gained her the attention of the entire village. All daily activity stopped. It was so silent that the sound of her breathing seemed almost like a scream in the stillness. Despite being leveled with so many stares, she kept her hands at her side. If they wanted her dead, they could have her so before she could ever reach her sword or bow.

"Our Lord would never ally himself with a mere miko," the panther seethed.

"We were allied in the fight against Naraku," she offered, "I'm not sure if our alliance still stands after Naraku's defeat, which is why I am seeking him out."

"The only miko who had anything to do with Naraku," a demon to her left hissed, "was the Shikon Miko and she died, three summers ago."

"I didn't die," her blue eyes found the male who had spoke, "I simply went back to my village for three summers before returning."

Laughter erupted around her, mocking her, another demon called out, "and you expect us to believe that?"

"I traveled with Inuyasha and my group of friends, a demon slayer, a monk, a kitsune kit whom I adopted and a twin tailed cat demon," she humored them, "Lord Sesshomaru would know me by sight and scent."

The hush was broken by the panther demon, "so you know all that traveled together, that still doesn't make you the Shikon Miko. You should leave."

"Please," she startled the panther, "I need supplies and I have money to pay for them. I haven't seen a village in six days and without medical supplies, I won't make it to the next village."

"That is entirely not our problem."

"I'll pay double," she tried again.

"No."

She grit her teeth at her rising temper. She couldn't fight an entire village, with her leg in it's current state she would be lucky to be able to take down just the panther in front of her. With a bow of her head, she turned and began heading South-West again. As she exited the village, the sounds of daily life started back up again.

She had been so lucky with the last several villages, it wasn't a surprise that her luck had finally ran out. She wasn't sure how many days it would take her to get to the next village. She just had to hope that her wound wouldn't get infected during her travel. Though, she had to be thankful for small mercies they could have just as easily killed her rather then let her go.

One of the three wounds on her leg was infected. It was red, swollen, and oozed a yellowish colored pus. When she took a step, her hakama rubbed at the sensitive wound and made the pain almost unbearable. If she wore a kimono, her legs would sweat, and the only material there to soak it up was the day old bandages on her leg.

She had given herself three days before she found a place to settle down. It was a small clearing that was easily defended and it had a small cold stream that ran through it. She sat in her haori with her left leg held down in the stream, using the water to suppress the pain of her leg and help clear out the pus of the infection.

Fever had hit her late the night before, and it still burned rapidly through her body. She felt insufferably hot, despite how freezing the water felt. The pink tint to her cheeks spoke of her heighten temperature. Without boiling water and drinking a tea made from herbs that Kaede had shown her, she wasn't sure how else to bring her temp down. And she didn't know how much longer till she reached her next destination.

A rustling of noise across the stream drew her attention. Acting quickly she grabbed her bow and nocked an arrow, aiming it at the slight disturbance. She held her breath, and released it almost instantly when white clothing, splashed with red, and armour became apparent. Still she aimed true until the demon stepped into the clearing, silver hair and golden eyes, was all she needed to confirm his identity.

She allowed the string to slowly return to it's original position before setting her weapon on the ground beside her. The Demon Lord stood silently, watching her with one raised eyebrow. She gave him a soft smile as she folded her hands comfortably in her lap, a way to hold her haori down so he couldn't see her undergarments.

"Sesshomaru," she greeted, slight pain hidden in her tone.

How she had missed him. Two a half months without seeing him had been torture. Yet, she still had to remind herself the man standing in front of her was not her Sesshomaru. But, seeing him here, knowing he found her instead of the other way around gave her hope. He remained unmoving, even as her eyes drank in his appearance. It was bitter-sweet to see Sesshomaru in his haori and hakama. In the future, she had accepted that she would never see him in it again.

"Miko," he inclined his head slightly, "Inuyasha had said you had returned."

"Yeah," she felt nervous under his gaze, "I'm not sure what happened. The well… it just didn't work. And then one day… it opened again."

She was surprised when he sat down directly across from her, his hakama almost touching the stream. Sesshomaru had known of her time traveling, only because he had joined their group right before the final fight. And something in her had subconsciously realized that she would be forced to return home. Even though Inuyasha had expressed his concern, she had told the Taiyoukai anyway.

"You are ill," his deep monotone voice drew her back from her thoughts.

"Oh," she jumped, "no. I'm not ill. I have an infection in a wound, that's all."

"Why?"

"I didn't have the supplies. I was running out of them, but the last village I went to… turned out to be a demon one, and they refused me even though I offered to pay double."

"Hn."

"Sorry," she murmured, "I didn't mean for you to find me like this."

"Indeed."

A part of her wanted to be annoyed with his lack of words and conversation, but she was happy that he was even speaking to her at all. He could have easily just turned away and left her there alone. This was the past Sesshomaru, and this was very much like all the conversations she had held with the Taiyoukai as they had searched for Naraku. But, it was still hard to listen to his cold monotone as opposed to the warm rich tones he used in the future.

"You did intend me to find you, however," it wasn't a question.

"I was looking for you, yes," she nodded.

"Why?"

Blue clashed with gold, "because…"

"You told the villagers that you were still uncertain of our alliance, but that isn't the truth."

"No," she shook her head, "I know our alliance was only for the battle of Naraku."

"Incorrect."

"What," she gaped at him.

"My alliance was given to defeat Naraku, but in his downfall, it remains."

"Oh," she glanced down nervously at her hands, "well, that's good to know."

"Miko."

"Right," she blushed, making her face turn from pink to bright red.

"You need a healer."

"Yeah," she waived it away, "maybe."

"I will bring you to one," he stood, "then you will explain to me, why."

She couldn't argue with him. In-fact, she didn't want to. Carefully she stood, and waiting only a moment, she put on her hakama and gathered her stuff. She turned back to him with a bright smile. He stepped over the stream, and to her surprised wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to his chest. Her hot face met cold metal and she shivered.

His youki pooled at his feet and the cloud began to rise them into the sky. Her mind wandered, drifting into the memory of his arms around her right before she fell down the well. She ached for her Sesshomaru. She wanted so badly to take back her choice to leave. Pulling back just slightly, she looked up at his face.

Handsome didn't do him justice and beautiful felt like to dainty of a word. He was gorgeous. His face was sharp lines and aristocratic features. His pointed nose, high cheek bones, pointed chin. His dark magenta markings on his cheeks and upper eyelids, and his purple crescent moon on his forehead. His most startling and mesmerizing feature was his bright golden eyes, which were now trained on her blue ones.

She gave a soft 'eep' at having been caught staring she pressed her hot face against his armour. Realizing that she was actually pressed up against Sesshomaru, she tensed. He had put her there, in this position, that was true, but this wasn't her Sesshomaru this was the Sesshomaru of the past. His silence was unnerving, but she couldn't bring herself to break it.

He watched her, curiously. She showed no signs of fear. In fact, she almost seemed content to be here with him. It was odd. Three summers ago, even while allied together to fight Naraku, there was a small tinge of fear marring her scent no matter what he had done to try to alleviate it. And still to this day, he couldn't understand why he didn't want her to fear him.

He had always wanted everyone around him to fear him, but there was just something about her. There had always been something different about her. Even though she had feared him, she had stood up to him. She had thrown herself in harm's way to protect her friends. And she had never backed down. Most of all, everything he had thought humans to be, she proved that she was not.

Rin, as well, had proven that what he thought was not always correct. Truth was that most humans were weak, stunk to high heaven, and cared about only themselves. But, Rin and this Miko were different. They were caring about all the people they held dear, they stood up and faced their fears, they were loyal, and their scents were pleasant.

This Miko had be the one to end Naraku's life. Had shown a strength he had never seen in a mortal body, though oddly he didn't smell any mortality on her. The scent of impending death, of slow decay and aging, was not present in her scent. She was still human, that was certain, but the only thing that dampened her scent was the smell of fever and infection.

He could feel her body heating up, even with the wind blowing against them as they traveled. He knew she was becoming delirious as her fingers wound themselves in his fur on his chest. A contented sigh passed through her lips as she cuddled closer to him. If he hadn't strained to catch her words, he never would have heard the whisper that passed her lips.

"I'm so glad you found me," she murmured, petting his fur and tangling her fingers in it, "I missed you."

An eyebrow shot up and he was hard pressed not to let his surprise show on his face. She shuffled slightly till her entire body was pressed into his fur, her hot face almost searing through the thick strands. He needed to hurry, before the fever worsened and she became lost to the fire in her blood.

He landed quickly in the village, gaining the attention of the demons within. The village that had told him a miko had came through claiming to be the Shikon Miko and they had turned her away. Now, they would have to repent for not giving her the supplies she needed to keep herself healthy.

"My lord," the village leader, a panther demon immediately appeared before him, his wide yellow eyes taking in the women he had turned away days before.

"She is in need of a healer," his hard golden eyes bore down on him, "as your village turned my ally away, you will repair the damage that has been done in your negligence as repentance of your folly."

"Of course my Lord," he bowed and showed him to their village healer.

The healer greeted them, shock clearly written on her face at the sight of the Miko who was still encasing herself in Sesshomaru's fur. He gave her a hard glare, daring her to say something about his current position.

She tore her eyes away and led them into her hut, where Sesshomaru carefully laid Kagome down on a futon towards the right side of the room. He was surprised to find that she complied and laid down, but her fingers refused to release his silky fur.

"Miko," he chided, gently prying her fingers from his person.

"Don't go," she feverishly begged, "please."

"I will be here," he gestured to the head of the futon.

"Promise," her small hand reached for him as he stood.

"Yes."

Instantly she calmed, her hand falling to her side. Her glossy eyes watched the healer approach her. The woman glanced between the two, surprised that Lord Sesshomaru was humoring the young human. It was surprising indeed that he had yet to kill her, as no one dared to speak to him how she did, let alone touch him.

"I will do what I can," she offered the young woman, "could you please remove your hakama?"

She was prepared to argue her point with the girl if she refused, human's had such modesty around the opposite sex. To her surprise, the Miko instantly tugged the ties around her waist and pushed the material off her body. The healer resisted a chuckle when her small hands fisted in her haori and pushed the fabric down to cover her undergarments, with a heavy blush.

"Are you sure you wouldn't feel more comfortable if Lord Sesshomaru stepped out for your treatment," she asked gently, afraid to upset the Miko and make Sesshomaru angry.

"No," embarrassed at her quick and almost desperate reply she ducked her head as much as laying on the futon would allow, "I want him to stay."

"Hn," Sesshomaru commented, "I wouldn't leave either way. I will watch your treatment to make sure no attempts are made on her life."

The healer nodded, not offended in the least. It was common for healers to kill the one's they are suppose to heal if it was in their interest. And any demon would take advantage of a chance to kill one of their sworn enemies. Yet, she glanced at Sesshomaru who was steadily watching her, he didn't want her dead. In-fact he actually wanted her to survive. The question was, why?

Sure she had been an ally, but was that really enough for him to put in this much effort to make sure she lived? Well, either way, he would make sure it happened and she would be the one to do it.

Sesshomaru watched carefully as the healer set about her hut, grabbing herbs, bandages, and other healing items. As she set to work purging the wound of the pus, one of Kagome's hand had came up and fisted in his hakama. Her teeth were gritted in her pain, her body was tense and tears glittered in her eyes.

She was clinging to him in her time of need. She was looking to him for comfort. What had happened in the past three summer that would cause such a change to her? Sure, she had indulged herself in conversation with him in their travels. He found that she had wanted him to feel welcome among them, and she was also just a tiny bit curious about him.

But, she had always shied away from him. She had never touched him. And when she became to nervous or fearful to be around him, she would sink back into the group to sit next to Inuyasha for comfort. And yet, here she was having searched him out. And when she couldn't find him, she made it easy for him to find her.

She was alone now, no Inuyasha or friends to keep her company or protect her. She had protected herself and according to some of his villages she had help them out with demon problems in exchange for supplies. All in the name to get his attention. Though, he was sure she would have helped the villages without pay, that was just who this Miko was as a person.

He pried her fingers gently from his hakama and wrapped her hand in his. The tenseness in her body subsided, though he could still tell she was suffering. Her fingers tightened around his, offering herself comfort from his person. She didn't even flinch when his deadly claws pressed gently against her delicate flesh.

"Thank you," her head was tilted back so her eyes could connect with his, tears slid down her temples into her hair.

And somehow, Sesshomaru knew she was crying for something much more than just the pain of her injury. And not for the first time since he saw her, he wondered just what the last three years of her life had held.