Thanks for all your great reviews!! I really appreciate each and every one. I know I took a bit longer to update this but I've been sick, as well as my daughter and my stupid computer/internet has been acting up and giving me a hard time.

And since I'm still pretty sick I'm not sure when my next update will be. Hopefully soon okay?!

And hopefully this chapter doesn't reflect how I've been out of it & on medication all day! LOL! -^_^-

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Last time…

Just then she heard the large metal doors of the building creak open and she whirled around in utter surprise as she came face to feet with the one whom she had just been thinking of.

The awe inspiring Autobot leader…Optimus.

Ch. 6 Understanding

"O -Optimus." Kagome breathed his name, inexplicably impressed with how large he was as she allowed her eyes to travel from his feet to his large chest and finally to come rest upon his luminous eyes. He seemed to look at her in surprise for a second or two, before he allowed his eyes to travel behind her to rest on the newest addition to the Autobots.

"Girl." Answered Ironhide in his leader's stead as he and Ratchet came out of the hanger to see what was going on.

"Robot." The miko retorted.

And though the large black mech snorted at her attempt to be cheeky and snub him, he quickly turned his attention to the robot who stood behind her, apparently doing a much better job at slighting her than she thought she had.

"Sideswipe!" The weapons specialist called out truly surprised upon seeing the silver mech who stood behind the small human, arms crossed over his chest waiting to be acknowledged.

"Still as popular with the femmes I see. The welcome could've been better." The silver mech known as Sideswipe countered as his fellow 'bots began to come forward and slap him upon the shoulder in cheerful greeting.

"It seems that all of you know who this fleshling is." Sideswipe remarked with a look towards the little human female who stood off to the side watching them all with interest.

"There is much to talk about old friend." Optimus answered. "You are correct, we are acquainted with the woman you brought, however I would like to know how you came to familiarize yourself with her as well." He stated with an undertone that hinted at his immediate compliance on the matter.

"Of course. The humans on this planet are really extraordinary. Since I landed on this planet I haven't encountered another being with her energy source, let alone one who was able to stand up to Barricade and some other little Decepticon slag. I was really impressed with her ability to--"

"What do you mean Sideswipe?" Optimus hastily interrupted just as he and his fellow 'bots were walking back into the large building.

Sideswipe shrugged unsure if what had occurred was not an unnatural occurrence for the organics on the planet. Perhaps it was just her that was rather unique in this aspect.

"Okay, seriously, I'm standing right here." Kagome piped up having had enough of their conversation, as she stood there hearing them speak to one another as if she didn't exist. Every time Inuyasha had done the same, it irked her until she had to sit him a couple of times; although he never seemed to learn. "If you want to know what happened I can tell you everything…actually you know what?" She questioned as if speaking to herself after realizing what she had just volunteered. "I rather not tell you anything. It would be best if you would just take me home now. I just want to go home a-and shower and forget I was attacked by those two--"

"What happened to you?" The Autobot leader questioned as he bent on one knee before her to see directly into her face, his facial features arranging themselves into one of displeasure.

Kagome took a few steps away from him as was suddenly right before her. "I -I…was attacked and umm shot at. A police car a-and some little toaster were -they came after me but I -that is to say…" She couldn't seem to speak coherently; his nearness seemed to be affecting her. His sheer size and presence was just overwhelming. Yet for some odd reason the words 'gentle giant' kept coming into her mind and she realized with a slight frown that she hadn't even thought twice about answering his question.

Sideswipe suddenly stroked her head with one large metallic finger and ran it down her hair making her turn to him in surprise. "Don't worry human, I'm sure Prime won't harm a pretty little thing like you."

"Don't touch her." The simultaneous demand from two mech's made everyone gathered look from one to the other in genuine surprise.

It seemed that Ratchet and Optimus took exception to her being touched in such a way, though for two very different reasons.

The look of bewilderment that Sideswipe had upon his face almost made Kagome want to laugh, and before he could demand an explanation for such a strange command, she spoke first.

"Oh don't worry about it, that one there," she said pointing a slim finger at the yellow and chrome mech, "I believe his name is Ratchet- seems to think that I'm contagious…hmm…or maybe that I am dangerous and can harm you. So he doesn't want anyone touching me. And Optimus…I -well- I'm not sure, I think he might--"

"It is of no consequence. Everyone inside…now! Move Autobots!"

Optimus hadn't said anything that he hadn't thought out clearly and concisely in over a millennia. What was wrong with him? It was obvious the girl brought out the strangest reactions in him, and while he knew he needed to run some diagnostics on his programming to make certain everything was running as it should, he couldn't help but feel that he needed to keep the human female here, with him, until this perplexing link between them was deciphered.

He was most disconcerted with his behavior as of late. Despite the fact that he felt some…unexplained force in his spark drawing his mind and thoughts to the girl, he couldn't help but to be thrown off balance with the strange feelings she was invoking within him. It was almost as if he had been…had been displeased that Sideswipe had found her, and had been touching her so familiarly.

These displaced sentiments and thoughts almost certainly had something to do with the energy source originating from her small frame. Somehow she was invoking a comparable power to that of the Allspark. Some…otherworldly energy had to be making him want to protect it -thus become protective of her- as he knew he had been at one time when he was desperately trying to safeguard the cube and trying to keep it from falling into Megatron's hands.

But they had to find out what this power was and how she was able to project it to harm and even kill one of their kind. He needed to find a way to allow Ratchet to run some tests on her. Perhaps then, all would be explained including this strange connection he seemed to share with her.

"Optimus," Ironhide called out, "are you coming? I believe we need to find a way to get the girl to--"

"I'm on it Ironhide, you needn't concern yourself with her." Optimus answered as he walked passed the black and chrome mech.

"Hmph, well whatever, just don't let her leave until we can get to the bottom of this."

The place was huge. Kagome thought as she entered the hanger. Although it had plenty of windows, she noted that they seemed to be covered in dirt and build-up making the place look rather dim. She began to sneeze with all of the dirt the Autobots were stirring up with each step they took making her huff and run to find a corner to stand in thus getting out of their way.

Optimus paid no heed to her obvious attempt at hiding and before she knew what he was doing, he walked over to her and picked her up.

"Hey!" Kagome exclaimed as she was lifted up and placed on his shoulder like some doll. "You should ask before you do that! I don't like to be manhandled like that!"

"Then, it is a good thing I'm not a man." He countered making the girl gape for a second or two before a small smile appeared on the corner of her lips.

"No, I suppose your right…so that means I don't like to be handled roughly…by anyone." She said trying to retain a bit of her anger but failing.

"Do not worry Ka-go-me. I will be very careful with you." He answered.

Damn it! Why did he always have to say her name that way?! And why did it sound like his simple statement had a double meaning? Or was it just her that was trying to make it sound like he meant something else, something that caused her to shiver. She was just being ridiculous. And even though she found that she liked sitting upon his shoulder and being in a position that was so close to his face, whereby she could see his intelligence and his quick wit -even his kindness in his facial features didn't mean anything. Did it?

She swallowed. Her heartbeat accelerated the longer she stared at him. The rational part of her mind knew that he was an alien -someone who was nothing like her in physical terms, but she had to conceded that she was slightly and just barely attracted to him. It was rather surprising really, for her to feel any kind of attraction to a mechanical being that was twenty-eight feet tall and several metric tons in weight. Though her attraction went beyond just the physical of course. There was just…just something else about him that was calling out to her.

Kagome knew that she would not deny herself this revelation, for she had denied and even lied to herself so many times over the puppy love -attraction and hero worship complex she had developed for Inuyasha. And that didn't turn out well. Yes she still loved the hanyou but she had learned long ago that he would never see her in such a way, that his love for Kikyo had kept him from seeing her as just plain old Kagome. So now that love had turned into one of a best friend.

And while her mind chose that moment to remind her of how her heart was now empty and broken because of the love she harbored for him and her feudal family, she couldn't help but allow herself to wilt with the memory.

She would only get hurt. Becoming friends with any of these beings was only going to lead to new heartache, one which she knew she would not survive a second time. She couldn't allow herself to feel anything for them, even if she didn't deny that she found them fascinating and -and attractive, she wouldn't open her heart to them. No new adventures, no new relationships, no new family. She would not replace the one she had lost. She would not allow herself to forget the--

"What bothers you girl? Your heart rate and pheromone level increased in a matter of 12.6 seconds then dropped drastically. What were you thinking about that brought about this change in your body?" Ratchet asked after being subtly startled when he heard Prime joking around with the girl.

Everyone seemed to have noticed as well for they had all looked at each other inconspicuously in surprise and uncertainty. They had never heard their solemn and restrained leader not be serious with anyone before. Not even with the human boy Sam. It was so unlike his usually reserved and contemplative nature.

"Yes, what troubles you?" Optimus asked as he took a seat closer to the only room in the warehouse that looked to have been used as an office or workroom.

She was brought out of her thoughts not only by hearing Ratchet's question but by the way Optimus sat down. Her somber mood soon gave way to laughter as he sat down with a giant 'thud' jarring her position on his shoulder precariously. Thankfully he grabbed her with one hand to steady her and she couldn't help but to giggle with the ineloquent way he sat, almost as if plopping himself down because of his enormous size.

"N -Nothing bothers me." The miko finally answered between unrestrained giggles. "Can I -umm- can I move to a different spot Optimus?" She asked, her body almost twitching with the chance to get to explore the giant robot beneath her. Although she did shoot a menacing glare toward Sideswipe as he snickered under his breath with her request.

Prime agreed with a nod of his head wondering where the little female wanted to move and why.

"You did not answer my question girl." Ratchet spoke up still not completely comfortable with the way Optimus was letting her be so close to his person without first examining her.

"Oh," Kagome answered with a wave of her hand as she decided if she could possibly climb down and sideways toward Optimus' chest. "I was just thinking about something, though I don't see how its any of your business to be checking out my pheromone levels really."

Ratchet sputtered more in surprise than anger while Optimus looked down at the little human who was now trying to climb her way towards his chest. Reclining a bit further back against the wall of the concrete building, he made it easier for her to get to the area she was so intent on reaching, wondering all the while why she was trying to climb toward his chassis.

Since she seemed to be unable to get a good solid hold and her footing wasn't firm, and since he didn't want her slipping off thus injuring herself, Optimus used his hand to help guide her. Noticing how the rest of the Autobots were starring at him intently he decided to have Sideswipe explain to them how he go to Earth, and everything he had done and seen, since arriving. Once he was finished he would have Ironhide and Ratchet explain what had transpired throughout the time since their arrival and why Jazz was missing from among them. That way they could quit their scowling, as everyone but Sideswipe seemed to be displeased with the way he was allowing the little human female to get acquainted with his person; for even he himself was unsure as to why he was allowing her so much liberty.

Kagome heard this Sideswipe begin to speak and explain things she neither understood or was really paying too much attention to. For once she stood by Optimus' chest, studying the way it consisted of windshields, wipers, wires, and plenty of metal plating, she noticed the strangest bright light. Although she could barely see it through all of the thick plating, she couldn't seem to focus on anything else.

The light had to be some sort of power, she concluded in thought. The miko didn't know what kind, but it seemed almost as if….almost as if it were calling to her, a soft ringing echoing in her mind as well as in her heart. What was it? She wondered in fascination. She drew herself further up -almost as if in a daze- and allowed her hand to skim over the chest plating that housed this strange light.

Without realizing it, her powers had come forth and her hand was infused with her own miko energy, and as she reached forward trying to get through the metal wall in her way, she felt the power in his chest draw forward and out and merge with the one she was projecting in her hand. Immediately upon the contact she felt Optimus suddenly lurch forward in surprise or perhaps in pain, she wasn't sure, as she herself was thrown back so violently -as if a blast of power had pushed her away from him- that she landed quite far upon the dirt covered floor completely winded.

In that instant, as the priestess tried to regain her breath and take count of the injuries she had no doubt sustained as intense pain was beginning to shoot up her body, she heard -and felt the vibrations beneath her- a great commotion of yelling, walking, questioning, and if she wasn't mistaken, she heard the whirl of that stupid cannon of Ironhide's coming to life. She was seriously starting to detest that thing, she thought with a grimace of pain and annoyance.

And while it seemed everyone was arming themselves, getting ready to remove her from the face of this planet -which was her planet incidentally- Kagome couldn't force herself to move, and all she could do was wonder what the hell had just happened. Had she done something that caused this? Was -was Optimus hurt? Was he alright?

Feeling the ground trembling beneath her as it seemed Ironhide came closer to her, wanting a point blank shot no doubt -though how he could miss her with a cannon that was twice her size was beyond her- she turned her head away not wanting to see his obvious anger at putting their leader in danger.

Apparently her neck was the only part of her body she was able to move, she thought wryly as she turned away noticing she did it with ease.

'How sad. The great Shikon miko unable to even stand to defend herself.' She thought with great sarcasm and bitterness. 'I'm going to die like some squished bug…or -or going to end up like some blackened stain on this floor. Well then perhaps my pain will finally end. I'll finally be free of all my memories and--'

She felt herself being lifted up by a giant hand then, interrupting her cynical and morbid thoughts of death. Turning to look at the hand until she had a face to place it, she immediately noted that it was not Ironhide who had stepped forward to get a closer target, but it was Ratchet who held her gently. Hovering right above her was the concerned face of Optimus as well.

"I -I didn't hurt you did I?" She questioned the leader before he could blame her, hoping he would deny the fact. "I don't know w-what happened. I'm -I'm so sorry Optimus." She said feeling the first stirrings of regret and some other odd emotion that made tears gather in her eyes.

"Kagome, we must scan you and check your vitals. You are the one that is injured, not I. I am…." Optimus wasn't too sure what to say. He was quite stunned with what had just occurred, though he was sure the girl had no idea what had just taken place between them. Was it really possible that they had just--

"We will not harm you." Ratchet added upon seeing Prime unable to finish his remark, reeling with what he had just transmitted silently to them all via their com link. "I am the medic on the team and only wish to run some scans. You might have injured--"

"Wh -What happened?" Questioned the miko cutting him off still not understanding why they were suddenly trying to help her instead of doing away with her. Hadn't they thought she had tried to harm Optimus?

"I will explain later." Answered Prime his eyes darting to the rest of the 'bots making sure they understood none was to mention his conclusion on the matter. "For now you must let Ratchet do his job and tend to you."

Kagome swallowed, her nervousness skyrocketing. "I don't think…"

"You must Kagome." Came Optimus' deep reply leaving no room for argument.

"W -Well since you asked so nicely." She answered sarcastically miffed that he was being so demanding.

His deep chuckle made her heart skip several beats, making Ratchet suddenly rush her to a large metal table set in the corner of one area, probably thinking that she was going into cardiac arrest.

Even stranger were the muffled whispers of 'she did do something to him, didn't you hear him laugh' that began to float around them until Optimus silenced them with a dark look.

Ratchet began to scan her body, his eyes abruptly illuminating a light that reminded her of the scanners at the stores, though this light was a soft blue and white, instead of the harsh red she had come to recognize.

"Don't worry girl he wont hurt you." Came Ironhide's reply as he came forward to check on her progress after noting how her heart was hammering in her small human body.

"You know," Kagome began almost conversationally as Ratchet continued to point all sorts of lights and strange objects at her, "I do have a name. It's Ka-go-me. I know we haven't been formally introduced or anything, but I was still under the impression that you were beings of higher intelligence. Did I misunderstand Ironhide?" She asked the last very sweetly, using his name so he could know how rude he was being by not using hers.

It seemed today was a day for firsts for as Ironhide began to laugh deeply, everyone gathered turned to look at the mech.

"Ah girl, oh I mean Kagome…you are an interesting female to say the least. Osoraku tsu no shurui ga ari masu." (Perhaps you are one of a kind.) The mech answered in her native tongue.

"Watashi wa watashi wa shinji te." (I believe I am.) She answered though with a taint of sadness. No on else understood what she had gone through, and no one ever would, she concluded forlornly. Perhaps she genuinely didn't wish to be one of a kind.

Optimus placed a hand over the plating that covered his spark as an unexpected sensation washed over him. He felt a sorrowfulness that almost matched his own. Yet…it was not his own emotions he was feeling, they belonged to another. Could it be….could it be the human woman's?

Kagome had the strangest feeling come over her heart then. It was almost as if…as if she could feel someone else's emotions. The foreign feeling continued bringing with it the most disinheriting sensation of sorrow and loss like she had never known; a -a feeling of loneliness on such a profound level, that not even her own desolation and grief could compare. Was she -could she be feeling someone's emotions, someone that was in this building with her?

Kagome looked around her, at the sentient beings that now stood talking and exchanging information with one another, however, as her cerulean eyes landed on the blue and red leader, the miko couldn't help but to see the similar look upon his face that mirrored her own.

He looked so troubled and so very tired as if….as if the fate of the world rested upon his shoulders.

She almost chocked on her thoughts then, for that could very well be the truth. He was…he was trying to save her human race after all, wasn't he?

Suddenly wanting to know everything about this war, about everything that was happening between the two sides, about what they were truly fighting for, she allowed herself to begin to…to care.

Swallowing slightly with this new revelation, she had another reflection press forward in her mind and in her heart in that instant that left her almost breathless. She -she wanted to comfort this leader, this being of great power, and also of great sorrow and loneliness. For it seemed that he was far, far worse off than she thought she ever was, even at her lowest point. He needed someone, he was calling out to -to her. He had to be, for the young woman sensed the connection, the link that had joined them, coupled with that of their deep loss.

Sardonically, she came to the immediate conclusion that her loss could probably never compare to his, for he was on a different planet, with only but a few of his kind for companions. Had she -had she been so selfish all of this time? She contemplated with startling clarity. Had she only been thinking of her self and of her loss and no one else? Had she truly stopped caring for the world she lived in, and for those around her who seemed to have lost even more than she? Was she not supposed to be a miko, a guardian, a protector, and a defender of life…of everything good and worth defending and protecting? Hadn't she cared -to the point that she constantly risked her life- when she had been fighting Naraku for the remaining jewel shards? What would her feudal family tell her now? Would they approve of the way she's been behaving since finding out that the well no longer worked?

Although she heard Ratchet's voice telling her that she would live, that she only had a bruised rib and a swollen ankle, she heard him speaking as if he were far away, never taking her eyes off of their leader. For once she allowed herself to contemplate, to truly see the reasons behind her actions. She saw that Optimus didn't break the connection with her either, and instead proceeded to walk towards her, his eyes trained upon her own.

She sat up slowly, her body getting over the shock of the fall, as he came forward. The sudden enveloping silence did nothing to distract them from each other it seemed, for as soon as he was within touching distance, the priestess lifted her arm up in a silent invitation, asking him to lift her up and into his hand.

Almost as if knowing what she wanted, he gently cradled her in the palm of his hand and brought her towards his spark.

"I -I need to feel you Optimus." She stated softly not even knowing why she was saying such a thing.

His eyes never blinking while he watched her, his face perfectly void of all emotion, Kagome could still feel all the emotions swirling within her that she knew did not belong to her, showing her far more than what he was expressing, far more than what she could see in the physical realm.

He brought her forward and cradled her against his chest while she pressed herself into him.

"I wont hurt you." She said softly as if the tiny woman could do irreparable damage to an armed metallic being one hundred times larger than herself. He seemed to understand though, that the assurance was not said with this intention, but with the intention of one who wouldn't hurt another soul, another so like them, mentally or emotionally.

Yes he understood indeed. For he allowed her closer, allowed her to touch him without any fear.

Kagome infused her hands with her miko energy as her soul seemed to be instructing her to do. Then, ever so slowly, she brought both her hands forward, and closed her eyes as she made contact with his light.

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I know that it might seem as if Kagome is all over the 'emotional map' here but she doesn't know quite how to act around them. Although a bit of her former character comes out -her strong, independent, sarcastically feminine type- she still doesn't trust them very well and perhaps thinks they'll hurt her. Then to top it off this strange connection w/Optimus is making her face reality and open up a whole new can of emotions she's been bottling up. So forgive me if she was OOC.

Well, that's just how I see her. I think we're all creatures of varying emotions ne?

Anyway…thanks for all your feedback and I hope you'll continue to REVIEW!!

Until next time….