Morning came much too quickly for Kagome and she groaned into her down pillow. Snuggling closer, she had every intention of falling back to sleep. Nightmares of Naraku still plagued her dreams and had her waking in cold sweats often through the night. She was a second from sleep when she realized that something wasn't right. She cracked her eyes open quickly, glancing around at her room. Seeing the walls of her home, a smile spread over her face. She sat up slowly, stretching her arms high over her head. Her arm ached dully. Despite the fact that her miko powers advanced her healing, the slice in her arm still hurt. Knowing that she needed to at least remove the stitches, she stretched once more and yawned.

Turning to get off her bed, she froze in place. Sesshoumaru was sitting on her floor, his knees bent toward his chest and his one arm draped over them casually. His head was bent back and his eyes closed, though his face was alert and Kagome could tell he was awake. Knowing it was rude to keep him waiting her, she glanced at the still unmoved Sesshoumaru before rising and padding over to her dresser. She pulled out all new clothes, enjoying the smell of their laundry detergent, before she walked out of her room and toward the bathroom.

It didn't take her long to change out of her soft night clothes and into jeans and a T-shirt. Winter had just set in here as well and the chill in the air chilled her to her bones quickly. Shuttering, she brushed her teeth quickly before walking out of the room and back to her own. She braided her hair as she walked, thinking about what they were going to do with the day. Back in her room, she pulled out a plain hoodie and tugged it over her head. She glanced at Sesshoumaru. He hadn't moved an inch.

Walking over to him, she knelt in front of him and tentatively reached out her hand to touch the demon's cheek. He caught her hand easily and smirked at her before opening his eyes.

"Good morning, miko," he said quietly as he released her hand and stared at her slightly flushed face. She jumped back and half-heartedly glared at him.

"You shouldn't scare me like that," she huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"You should ask before you touch someone," he fired back easily, a smirk playing on his lips as her glare intensified.

"Well, come on, I have to go shopping for a few things today. We'll eat with my family tonight and we might stay tomorrow. I haven't decided yet," she said as she offered her hand to help him up without thinking. He stared for a long moment and just as she was pulling her hand away, he gripped it carefully. She didn't really pull him up so much as he stood up on his own. He glanced at their linked hands for a split second before letting go. Looking at her expectantly, he was surprised by her look of annoyance. Before he had a chance to ask, she reached out for his hand again and held it tightly. She nodded once and turned to pull him along with her. He followed her without a word down the stairs to the small tea area she had showed to him last night, and into the kitchen.

There, a human woman in her mid-forties stood with her hair tied back in a small ponytail and a crème apron wrapped around her upper body. When they entered the room, Kagome released his hand and walked over to her as the woman turned around.

The resemblance between the two was shocking and Sesshoumaru knew immediately that this was the girl's mother. He watched impassively as they hugged and offered short greetings to one another before Kagome caught her mother eyeing Sesshoumaru curiously.

"Oh, how rude. Sorry, mama, this is Lord Sesshoumaru of the western lands. He'll be staying while I'm here. He's Inuyasha's half-brother," she introduced as she grabbed Sesshoumaru's hand and pulled him forward. He followed without protest and bowed briefly in response when the older woman bowed low.

"It's very nice to meet you, Lord Sesshoumaru, my name is Himeko Higurashi. Thank you for taking my daughter under your protection." She bowed respectfully one more time. "Now, what do you like to eat? I'll make it for dinner tonight," she said happily as she wiped her hands once on her apron and turned to continue making a small lunch. He peered at it curiously before switching his gaze to Kagome. She had followed his eyes and smiled as she answered his unspoken question.

"It's for my little brother, Souta. He's twelve." Sesshoumaru nodded at her explanation and looked around the strange room that they were in. Kagome had explained that it was a kitchen, and he had scoffed, this looked little like a kitchen to him.

He watched now, in ill-concealed awe, as the woman moved about the kitchen and cooked. She turned a dial and fire was instantly there. Turning another knob, she called water from a pipe and filled a strange, ill smelling vessel with it before turning the water off and putting the vessel over the instant flame. He vaguely noticed that Kagome was no longer in the room, but was too amazed by the technologies of this era to wonder where she was. He watched as she continued to bustle around the kitchen and was about to leave when she stopped and stared at him.

"Uhm, Lord Sesshoumaru, will you get the vase on the top of the shelf. I stored it up there to get it out of the way without thinking about needing it again," she asked kindly as she wrung her hands on her apron. Sesshoumaru quirked a brow at her before walking over and easily grabbed the glass vessel from the top of her cabinets. Handing it to her carefully, he watched as a bright smile crossed her slightly wrinkled face. It was strikingly like Kagome's, yet it lacked the fire and passion behind it. This woman's was weighted by ancient grief and loneliness. Sesshoumaru wondered idly what had caused such emotion in her, but didn't have time to think about it much before Kagome re-entered the room with a bag slung over her arm and a set of keys in her hand. She smiled at her mother and half hugged her gently.

"I'm taking Sesshoumaru shopping in town, mama. But," she paused for a moment and looked Sesshoumaru head to toe sideways, before continuing, "He can't go out like that. Could I… Borrow some of Dad's clothes?"

The sad silence that hung in the air was thick and almost uncomfortable for the taiyoukai. Kagome's mom broke it with a breathless laugh and wiped her hands on her aprons self-consciously. She walked quickly out of the room and down a hall that Sesshoumaru hadn't been down yet. Kagome watched after her with sad eyes, chewing on her bottom lip gently. Turning to Sesshoumaru, she tried to smile but it came out all wrong so she let it go. Rubbing her hands together for a moment, she shook her head and looked at Sesshoumaru again up and down.

"Is there any way for you hide your markings? Your hair won't be a problem; I might have to tie it up though. And you need to be careful with your claws, unless you can fix those too," she said quietly as she reached her hand out and touched his wrist gently. Kagome smiled softly. She pulled her hand back quickly when her mom returned with a shirt and a pair of pants. Behind her, Souta walked in holding a dusty pair of shoes and yawning. Kagome walked over and ruffled his hair, smiling a little more when he smiled up at her in excitement.

"Sis! You're home. It's good to see you. Who's this? And where's Inuyasha?" he asked excitedly as he set the shoes on the table and hugged her. Sesshoumaru stiffened at the name of his younger brother and flexed his hand tightly. Kagome noticed and smiled reassuringly, trying to calm him.

"This is Lord Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha's brother. Inuyasha couldn't come this time, sorry," she turned to Sesshoumaru with a bright smile and guided her brother forward gently. "Sesshoumaru, this is my brother, Souta."

Souta threw his hand out politely and held it in the air until Sesshoumaru clasped it, careful of his claws, and shook the tiny human hand once before letting it go. Souta smiled and turned to Kagome.

"I'm going to school, with you be at dinner?" He asked hopefully. Kagome smiled affectionately at the smaller boy and nodded. He nodded back and walked around her to the counter. Grabbing his lunch, he kissed his mother on the cheek and left for school. Kagome watched him with a smile before turning to Sesshoumaru and handing him the clothes her mother had brought down.

"Change into these, and these, then meet me in the kitchen. We have to go to the grocery store and the pharmacy."

Sesshoumaru didn't reply as he walked back up the stairs to her room. Out of the corner of his eye, he say something sparkle in the living room. Walking back down the stairs, he walked slowly toward the small alter that was in the far right corner of the room. Kneeling, he stared at the photos that sat side by side. One was of a young man, handsome for a human, smiling through the glass at him. The other was of an elderly man who was caught between a grimace and a smile. He was in traditional shrine keeper garbs and holding a paper sutra. Incense had been freshly burned and some of the smoke still hung in the air. A small flower for each of the men was in a small basin of clear water. In front of the alter, there two small urns sitting side by side, one in front of each picture. Sesshoumaru could assume that the elderly man was the grandfather that Kagome had been speaking of, however, didn't know who the younger man was.

Sesshoumaru stored the question for later as he stood and used his demon speed to change where he was. Spreading his youki over his body, his long silver hair bled a deep black and his stripes and markings disappeared slowly. His claws would not dull unless down manually, and he had no desire to do that, so he left them as they were.

Walking back into the little kitchen area with his regal clothes neatly folded in his hands, he looked to where Kagome was standing beside her mother, both their backs to him. They were talking quietly as they peeled small potatoes over the skin and Kagome gently nudged her mother with her elbow. They laughed for a moment before Kagome turned around and looked at Sesshoumaru with soft sad eyes. He took in the split second that her eyes widened in shock before understanding settled in them and she smiled. Finishing the potato in her hands, she set it in a large bowl and set the other device in the strange basin that the water poured into. She kissed her mom's cheek gently before she walked over to Sesshoumaru with a small smile.

"Good job on the cover up, I'm impressed," she said pleasantly as she looked him up and down. He quirked a brow at her and his look was haughty. Rolling her eyes at him, she nodded toward the door. Grabbing her keys and purse off the table, Kagome waved one last goodbye to her mother before they left the house.

Walking across the chilled yard, they started to descend down long flight of stairs that led up to the shrine in comfortable silence. They had to go to the bottom because that's where their garage was. It was a pain, but her mom had always reminded her that it was good exercise. She chuckled at the memories before she glanced back at the black hair fluttering in the wind and smiled.

"I like the silver better," she said casually as she reached the bottom and went to the right. The garage was padlocked and it took Kagome a moment to unlock it. Walking in, she unlocked the family car and glanced at Sesshoumaru. He stared at the car with easily read mistrust. Kagome laughed and walked over to him and patted his hand gently.

"It's a vehicle, runs on oil and gasoline. You turn it on and steer it and it takes you places," she explained. Sesshoumaru glanced at her, disbelief dancing in his eyes, before he took a few cautious steps toward the strange metal contraption. Kagome laughed at him and closed her door. Relocking the car, she grabbed his hand and led him out of the garage.

"Maybe the car is a little too much to take in this visit, since it is the first, so we'll walk instead. It isn't that far," she said with a smile and a soft laugh as she padlocked the garage once more and grabbed the icy demon's hand. Walking away from the stairs and the forgotten car, with her hand locked in his, she smiled happily. Sesshoumaru glanced down at her with unreadable eyes before he smirked and squeezed her hand.

"So, this is the first of other visits?" he asked casually. This place made him oddly relaxed, he had no title here and no one was looking up at him. He had no reason to remain as reserved as he normally would, so he wouldn't. He allowed himself to relax and enjoy being with the miko. She looked up at him with mischievous eyes and a playful smile. He enjoyed the flush that the cold brought to her cheeks.

"Of course! You can't expect this to be my last visit. And if you insist on following me to protect me, then you'll have to come with me every time. Which means yes, you will be visiting again," she said confidently as she stopped walking.

Sesshoumaru took this moment of pause to look around the large village they were in. They were surrounded by tall structures and there were humans everywhere. Of all shapes, and sizes, and ages. They walked and stood with each other, in singles, couples, and small groups. The tall buildings were made of strange metals and glass that shone bright in the sun. The strange vehicles that Kagome had almost taken filled the streets and emitted irritating, screeching noises when moving around. He had yet to find a pattern to the noises. The only thing that bothered him more than the sounds was the smell. Everything smelled like toxins and poison, just as bad as Naraku's miasma. This smell was much less potent, however, more of horrible aftertaste than the actual taste. He found that after a little while, he was able to ignore it.

Kagome watched his molten eyes flicker around and smiled at him. He was behaving surprisingly well. She had expected him to get annoyed and hurt someone. The fact that he hadn't was definitely a welcome and pleasant surprise. What wasn't a surprise was the sheer number of people staring at them; Sesshoumaru in particular. It didn't both her all that much, she knew that Sesshoumaru was attractive and had expected some stares. She stole a glance up at his face, taking in his blank expression. Something was missing and it took her a moment to realize that it was the lack of markings. When they stopped for the cross light to turn green, she reached her hand up and gently touched his cheek. His eyes immediately went to her and softened at the pout on her lips.

"I miss the markings too," she whispered as she looked back to the light as people around them began to move. Sesshoumaru smirked a little and chuckled.

"You have shown quite a fixation with my markings. Why is that?" he asked as she began to walk again and he walked alongside her. People moved around them, but Kagome hardly noticed them. Finally, she looked up with an envious look in her eyes and a glare.

"I don't have them. I kind of wish I did, and claws and fangs. People see me as a human and assume I'm weak. Even when they find out I'm a priestess they assume that I can't defend myself. In some cases, it's because I'm a miko. Maybe if I was a little more menacing looking, people would take me seriously," she said with a shrug. Then, she looked at him with a little, shy smile and added, "That, and they're uniquely yours. From all the demons I've seen in Nishi, I've never found any with the same as yours. Not even Hiyashi has ones similar to yours."

Sesshoumaru nodded after a moment and released her hand to touch his face gently. He smiled at a long forgotten memory and let his hand fall. Kagome watched this with mystified eyes, but the look in Sesshoumaru's made her stop herself from asking. Shaking her head, she smiled and stopped walking.

"First, the pharmacy."

The automatic doors opened with a mechanic whir and Sesshoumaru was immediately assaulted by the strange smell of foreign herbs and an odd, toxic smell. He wrinkled his nose in distaste and looked down at the little human next to him. She smiled and grabbed a strange, green basket and walked away from him. He walked slowly after her, eyeing all the white bottles lining the shelves. Picking up one of them, he smelled it carefully and tried to place the strange material it was made out of. Giving up, he placed it back in its place and continued to look around the store that Kagome had taken him into. He noticed that some of the bottles were filled with little round objects that he didn't know the name of, others with strange liquids that smelled awful. He could recognize some of the medications. Fish oil was in little capsules, they had used it in his time to relieve the burn of a fire. He suspected now that perhaps that was the improper use seeing as the bottle read 'FISH OIL CAPLETS: LOWERS YOUR CHOLESTEROL'. The demon lord wondered for a moment what this cholesterol was, but brushed the question away as he set the bottle down and looked at the miko coming toward him. She had a basket filled with bottles and a few strange tubes of things. She had a cheery smile and bright eyes.

"Are you ready to go?" she asked happily, the basket slung casually over her arm. Sesshoumaru eyed the things in her basket and then touched it gently.

"What is this made of?" he asked curiously, as he ran a claw over the material gently. It cut and flaked the green material easily. Kagome watched and swatted his hand gently, her face kind of stern. He growled low in his throat and clenched his fist, his knuckles popping menacingly. Kagome squared her shoulders and pointed her own menacing finger at him.

"Oh no, you don't. This isn't mine and if you break it, I have to pay for it. Now, it's a sort of flimsy material called plastic. It's man made," she explained as she shifted the basket out of his reach and turned her back to him. "C'mon, we have to pay for this and then go to the grocery store. Since you never told my mom what you wanted, I'm just going to get some stuff so that she can make her hot pot." With that, she walked to a low counter and set her basket on it. A bored looking, teenage human took the bottles and tubes from the basket and ran it over a strange machine that flashed a red light over them before beeping. Sesshoumaru twitched after the third beep and Kagome patted his hand gently below the counter before giving the teen the correct amount of money and grabbing the bag filled with her purchases. After a moment, and a short string of curses from the teen, she was giving her change and they departed from the pharmacy.

Fifteen minutes later, they walked through another set of doors into a large building filled with food and the same plastic that the basket had been made out of. He watched large versions of these plastic baskets roll around as people pushed them. He didn't ask this time and just followed Kagome as she grabbed another basket, this time it was red, and walked down the aisles. She grabbed strange boxes made of what smelt like heavy paper. She grabbed strange cylindrical vessels made of a metal smelling material. He didn't ask what she was buying or what it was made of because he didn't really care, he just enjoyed watching the look on her face when she held a product and tried to decide if she wanted it or not. Eventually, she would either throw it into the basket among other things or replace it back on the shelf. After about half an hour, she put the basket on a strange moving platform and another person at the end of the moving strip shone another red light over the products and it beeped each time again. Sesshoumaru sighed and ignored it as Kagome smiled at him apologetically and paid this cashier as well. Grabbing as many bags as she could, she turned to Sesshoumaru with pleading eyes. He smirked at her, and took a few of the strange bags in his hands. He knew it was worth it to help when he looked at her breathtaking smile.

It took them half an hour to get home and they chatted pleasantly the entire way. By the time they arrived, Kagome realized she had never heard him speak so much, and she had never heard him talk so openly. He chuckled and he smirked, he poked fun at her and talked seriously, deeply, in a way that she had never thought possible for the demon lord. It made her smile, and her heart fluttered when he looked at her.

Upon returning home, she opened the door and was hit by the smell of cookies in the oven. Sighing in heavenly bliss, she walked into the kitchen and put the plastic bags on the kitchen table. She gave her mother a hug before telling her of their adventures in the city. Himeko nodded at her daughter's words but looked out of the corner of her eyes and watched the way the demon lord stared at his daughter. She smiled knowingly before returning her eyes to her oldest child and patting her arm.

"Sounds like fun, dear. I'm just glad that it didn't rain today," she commented as she pulled open a strange contraption that heat swelled out of. Sesshoumaru looked at it and decided that he knew what it was. It was a fireplace; he could smell the cookies baking from within it. An odd sense of pride swelled in him that he was able to decipher the use of one of the girl's future devices. He smiled a little and hid it when said girl turned to him.

"Let's go upstairs and get everything ready. We're going to leave tomorrow morning, after breakfast." With that, she grabbed one of the bags from the group and carried it up the stairs. From the sound of liquid sloshing and little capsules rattling, he was sure that the bag was from the first strange store that they had been at.

"Miko, that first place that you took me, what was it? What did it sell?" he asked, realizing he had never figured it out. Kagome looked back at him in confusion for a moment before she laughed and opened her door. Emptying the bag next to her large yellow one, she balled up the strange material and tossed it into a small bin. She answered as she sorted the bottles into unknown categories.

"It was a pharmacy, a place where healers sell their medicines and treatments and tinctures. You see, in this time, doctors and healers have found ways to isolate the herbs and medications that heal certain illnesses and diseases, and then they condense them into pills," she held up a bottle filled with the little capsules, "and liquids," she held up a bottle of bad smelling liquid them before tossing it into a small bag's only pocket. "I find that bringing my own medicine gives me a better chance to heal myself and others." She shrugged as she read another label before throwing it into the same pocket. Sesshoumaru nodded in understanding as he went and sat in the chair and stared at her.

"Miko, may I now change out of these cloths?" As soon as Kagome nodded he was back in his original clothing and his markings bloomed back on his face. He sighed, almost happily, and flicked his silver hair over his shoulder. Kagome smiled and once she had finished putting mediations and bandaging in the medium sized box, she pushed it into her large yellow bag with some of her clothes. It was quiet in her room for a little while before she set her packed bag on the floor and turned to Sesshoumaru. He was staring at her patiently; the clothes had been wearing folded neatly on the desk beside him. With a sad smile, she grabbed them and was about to leave the room with them when Sesshoumaru's voice stopped her.

"Whose clothes are those?"

Kagome stood at the door with her back to her room and took a deep breath before she answered.

"They're my father's." Kagome turned and held the clothes gently, like they were the most precious thing that she had ever laid her hands on. Sesshoumaru watched this with a strange expression.

"Is he the young man who is in the picture on the small butsudan in your living room?"

"Yeah, he passed away when I was seven years old. He got hit by a car on the way to work one morning," she said, careful to keep her voice detached as she moved her hair out of her face. Sesshoumaru looked at her and after a moment nodded before he turned his eyes to the window and looked away from her. He listened as she left and waited for her to come back.

It didn't make sense to him why she would be even remotely attached to something that belonged to her deceased father. His father had died and the only reason he had ever gone after anything of his father's was because he didn't think his whelp of a brother deserved it. Though, he'd be lying if he didn't appreciate the sword his father had passed down to him. As much as he's hated tenseiga upon receiving it, he had learned the advantages to having such a weapon.

He turned to look at her when she entered and enjoyed that a smile had returned to her face. She was holding a small pile of clothes that she set on the end of her bed before she fell onto it with a heavy sigh. Rolling over on her side, she propped her head up with a hand and stared at the demon lord.

"Can I brush your hair?" she asked suddenly. Sesshoumaru quirked a silver eyebrow at her as curiosity about her question filled his mind.

"Why do you wish to brush my hair?" He was amused by her inquiry; it wasn't something he expected to hear from her. In demon society, it was normal for two mates to brush each other's hair. It built trust and brought the two closer together. It was unusual for two non-mates to do such with one another. His beast surfaced for what seemed like the first time in days.

'She is our future mate, so it is acceptable for this to happen,' his voice was oddly stern and left no room for argument. Sesshoumaru, wishing not to argue, agreed with his beast as he waited for the miko's response. She was blushing madly at the realization of what she had asked and she fumbled for a good answer.

"Well, it looks soft and I imagine that it must be hand to brush it on your own since it's so long," she blurted out frantically. Her heart fluttered like a hummingbird's wings. "I mean, I just, I just want to."

Sesshoumaru felt his beast's joy fill him, and realized after another moment that he was happy too. It was nice to know that the miko found him enjoyable to look at. After a moment, he nodded at her and watched her sigh in relief. She was glad he hadn't been offended by the question and jumped off her bed and scrambled to her dresser to grab a hair brush.

Pointing at the foot of her bed, she sat behind him and slowly ran the brush through his hair. She smiled softly and they settled into a comfortable silence. She giggled under her breath when she heard the content purr rumbled through his body and vibrate against her knees where they touched his back.

"Miko, I am curious about something," he said through growls as she set the brush down and moved away from him. She hadn't wanted to stop, but she knew that dinner was going to be soon and she didn't want her mother to come in and see them like that. She would jump to conclusions that weren't true and that was the last thing Kagome wanted. As much as Kagome loved the demon in front of her, she knew that they would never be able to be together. She was destined to be at his side, but she knew that it would never amount to a mating. As well as the fact that he was all about the preservation of his bloodline. Kagome didn't want her mother getting her hopes up. Just like she was trying not to get her hopes up. She knew that it was too late though. With a sigh, she slid off her bed and tried to smile.

"Yeah?"

"Why do you choose to live with me? There are so many conveniences in this time that my time cannot offer you. Why would you choose to live in my time?" He was honestly confused by this. Why someone would leave this time was beyond him. Most diseases could be treated and water and fire were on hand at any moment that one would want it. What did his era possibly offer her?

Kagome was slightly taken aback by his question. She thought about the best way to answer before a ghost of a smile touched her lips and she shrugged.

"It's clean there. I can see the stars there. And, I have to work there. I have to earn what I want and people need me there," she smiled a little wider at the thought of the era she loved and shrugged again, "I'm destined to be there." 'And you're there,' her mind whispered softly, before Kagome shut the little voice away and mentally slapped herself for even thinking that. She stared innocently at Sesshoumaru as he processed her answer and tipped his head to the side. Then, he nodded as he accepted her answer. Kagome was about to ask what he thought of this era when her mother's voice floated up the stairs.

"Kagome, it's time for dinner!"

Kagome smiled and seized Sesshoumaru's hand as she dragged him down the stairs and to the table. The smell of warm broth and ginger swam around the air and Kagome could feel herself drooling as she sat at the table and patted the seat next to her. Sesshoumaru took it gracefully and looked at the meal before him. It smelled delicious. He picked up a thin slice of beef and dipped it into the hot pot. It was as good as it smelt. Kagome glanced out of the corner of her eye and smiled when she saw him eating. Relaxing, she started to eat as well.

Dinner went well, the conversation and food was pleasant and Kagome was happy when her mother talked to Sesshoumaru and he talked too. Once it was over, Kagome offered to help her mother clean the dishes and she smiled at Sesshoumaru.

"You can hang out in my room if you want," she offered lamely, smiling apologetically as she gathered the bowls off the table and set them in the sink. Sesshoumaru merely nodded and walked up the stairs to her room. Kagome watched him go with a smile before turning to her mother and handing her the leftover food. As her mother portioned it all into plastic containers, Kagome ran the hot water and started to pour soap on a sponge.

"I see the way you guys look at one another, you know," Himeko said casually as she snapped a lid on a container and slipped it into an open space in the refrigerator. Kagome, startled by the statement, dropped a dish into the soap water and let out a tiny yelp when soap and water splashed her. Grabbing a towel, she wiped the sudsy liquid away as she stared at her mother.

"Excuse me?"

Kagome's mother gave her a knowing smile before she dug a dish out of the water and started to clean it. "I see the way you two look at each other. The affection there, I can see it growing into love. He looks at you with such tenderness and devotion, I'd be surprised if he didn't already love you," she explained as she rinsed the dish and set it on the drying rack. Kagome looked at her mother out of the corner of her eye as she returned to her half of the sink and sighed.

"Mom, that's crazy. There's no way that he likes me like that. He's so-so… royal and besides, he doesn't date humans," she said as she set a few glasses on the rack and started on a large dinner plate. Her mother chuckled at that and shook her head.

"Dear, social status means nothing when it comes to love. You should have seen the way that your father's family reacted to his marrying a shine keeper's daughter," she looked at her daughter with sparkling brown eyes, "Just wait and see." Kagome sighed at her mother's words and half smiled.

"Whatever you say, mom," she said as she dried her hands and smiled at her. "I'm going to go and get some sleep; we're leaving tomorrow after breakfast. I know it's a short visit, but a big event is happening in Nishi for Sesshoumaru and he really needs to get back home." Her mother nodded understandingly before hugging her daughter.

"Don't give up before you even try, dear. Give him time to understand his own feelings, because I know they're there," she pulled back and winked, "Mother's intuition." Kagome laughed at her mother's words and nodded.

"Okay, mom," she said before she turned and trotted up the stairs. Entering her room, she looked around and tried to find the silver demon lord. Brows furrowing, she walked over to her closet and peaked inside. Not finding him, she huffed and pouted.

"Sesshoumaru, where are you?"

"Right here, miko." Kagome jumped out of her skin and screamed quietly when the demon lord was suddenly next to her. Heart racing, she put a hand on her chest and looked at the demon lord angrily.

"What did I say about scaring me like that?" she demanded as she stood up on shaky legs. Sesshoumaru raised an amused brow at her and chuckled.

"I don't remember such an interaction," he said innocently as he took an intimidating step forward. He raised a clawed hand and touched her cheek gently. Beneath her soft skin, he could feel her pulse beating frantically and he smiled. Kagome looked up at him with wide eyes, a light blush lingering on her cheeks.

The demon lord leaned down purposefully, maintaining eye contact the whole time. Kagome felt her breath hitch the closer he got. She raised small hands touch his neck, fingers pressed gently under his jaw. She could feel his heartbeat, deep and steady. She closed her eyes when their lips were touched. Her hands moved up and buried in his silky hair. His arm curved around her waist, gripping her sides almost hard enough to bruise. He was more careful kissing her this time, not wishing to hurt her with his fangs again. He allowed himself to be melted in the kiss, enjoying the feeling of her weight against him. Kagome's short nails scraped lightly against his scalp, pulling his hair gently. A deep growl rumbled through his chest; Kagome felt it against her chest and shuttered as well.

Sesshoumaru pulled away first, pressing his forehead against hers. Short, quick gasps fanned against his face. Kagome hadn't realized she'd risen onto her tips toes until she felt the slight burn in them. She sunk down slowly, tipping up her chin to look at him.

"We seem to be doing that more and more often," she said quietly, a small smile gracing her lips. She reached out and touched his strips carefully, smiling as he turned his face and kissed her palm. She giggled and pulled her hand back and ran it through her hair.

"I'm going to take a bath and then we're both going to get some sleep. Tomorrow, we'll eat a quick breakfast and then go back," she smiled playfully, "And then we can work on the ceremony preparations." Sesshoumaru growled at her in a half threat. He had spoken to her multiple times about how tedious the entire ceremony was. The miko smirked at him, sticking out a tongue cheekily.

She brushed past him quickly, not giving him time to answer before entering her bathroom and preparing for a nice, long bath.

An hour later, Kagome entered her room with a towel wrapped around her head and light blue pajamas on. Her body was relaxed, warm, and noodley. All the tension had been melted away, leaving her feel like she was made of jello.

She had removed the stitches before her bath and re-bandaged the injury in clean gauze. She turned her back to the mirror and stared at the bright pink scars along her back. They were still sensitive and easily irritated when touched. All in all, they'd healed very well though.

Ruffling her hair in the towel one last time, she tossed it into her laundry bin and looked at the demon sitting cross legged on her floor. She smiled at him and yawned quietly. Flopped unceremoniously onto her bed and wiggled under her blanket. Once settled, she stared at his unmoving face.

"Do you ever sleep, Sesshoumaru?" she asked. Her voice was sleep and slow. Sesshoumaru turned his head to stare back at her and smirked.

"Of course I do, I have to survive. Just like any creature," he said arrogantly as he closed his eyes again.

"Do you want to sleep up here?" she asked. She didn't want another night of nightmares. Sleeping next to Sesshoumaru had worked once and she was willing to bet that it would work again. She needed a good night's sleep and the idea of sleeping in the same bed as Sesshoumaru definitely wasn't something she was going to object to. She squirmed over so that her back was against the wall, patting the space next to her twice. Sesshoumaru sighed, knowing that he couldn't deny this woman was she wanted, and rose in a swift movement. He carefully removed his boots and armor. He rested his swords within reach next to the bed.

Throwing the blankets back for him, she cuddled into her pillow as he settled himself in her bed and she pulled the covers back over him. She smiled tiredly and settled into her blankets with a heavy, sleepy sigh.

"G'night, Sesshoumaru," she slurred as the heavy fog of sleep settled over her. The demon lord smirked at her and brushed her hair gently out of her face.

"Good night, little miko."

….

Kagome woke slowly, the dull sun shining through the curtains of her window. It had snowed again that night and the clouds remained overcast in the sky. She stretched out like a cat and winced at the pain in her arm; the area around her wound stung from removing her stitches. Groaning, she rolled over and threw her arm over the hard, warm object sitting in bed next to her. Peeling her eyes open, she stared at Sesshoumaru dully for a moment before she smiled and sat up.

"Good morning." Her voice was bleary and soft. Bending down, she kissed his cheek before crawling over him and padded across the room. Once she had an armful of clean clothes, she wandered to the bathroom. Sesshoumaru watched her go and shifted out from under her blankets. Out of sheer force of habit, he fixed the bed perfectly before he sat on it and waited. The miko came back within a few minutes dressed in heavy clothes. She had an additional coat thrown over her arm.

"When we get back to Nishi, I can put a kimono on again," she said as she threw her pajamas in her laundry bin before she grabbed her bag and glanced at Sesshoumaru. Looking at her bed, noting that it was neatly made, she smirked and sighed. "Come on, let's go."

Sesshoumaru nodded as he rose from her bed and followed after her down the hall and down the stairs. They went straight into the kitchen after Kagome dropped her bag near the door. Kagome hugged her mom quickly before grabbing an orange off the counter. Peeling it easily, she popped a slice in her mouth and chewed before she began to speak.

"We've got to go, mama. I'll be home, eventually. I can't come home as often now, we aren't at the village ever. So, when I can, I'll come home," she promised as she half hugged her mom one last time. Her mom smiled and hugged her back.

"Okay, dear, be careful. You know how much I worry when you're gone," Himeko said softly before she released her daughter and smiled. Kagome smiled back before she walked over to Sesshoumaru and nodded. She was about to lead him out of the room when her mother spoke up.

"Ah, Kagome, you go ahead. I need to speak to Lord Sesshoumaru for a moment. He can meet you at the well," she said with a smile as she walked over to Sesshoumaru and looked at him. Kagome glanced between them and narrowed her eyes for a moment before nodding slowly.

"Okay, mama. Meet me out there, Sesshoumaru," she said suspiciously as she heaved her bag onto her shoulder and walked out of the house. As soon as her mother knew that she was gone, the older woman turned to Sesshoumaru with surprisingly sharp eyes. Sesshoumaru watched her sharply as well, wondering why she was looking at him with such a serious look in her eye. Then, she smiled softly and put a hand on his arm.

"My daughter is very fond of you. I'd go as far as to say that she loves you," she said simply. The rice cooker took that moment to beep loudly, startling both of them. The older woman turned to silence it. Sesshoumaru stared at her for a moment before blinking slowly and cocking his head to the side. He was about to say something when she turned and looked at him with the same knowing eyes that she had looked at Kagome with.

"And you're rather affectionate of her as well, perhaps you love her in return. I know, I know, you're going to deny it. Kagome already told me that you don't usually like humans, but I can tell that you love her. Despite what you might say." She scooped out a spoonful of rice while she spoke. "And I'm in full support of you two being together, but I must warn you something."

Himeko paused and looked at him with one of the most dangerous looks that he had ever seen. Feeling challenege, he levelled her with a threatening look of his own. She didn't back down and just took a step forward, staring straight up at him.

"My daughter is trusting, loving, and caring. She used to fall in love very easily. And then Inuyasha broke her heart, and we were afraid that she wouldn't get over it. She came home and cried for days, locked in her room and refusing to leave. Until one day, she came out of her room with a bright smile and she acted like it never happened. We were worried that she was just bottling it up but we were so happy to see her happy that we didn't do anything. And now she has feelings for you. I will not stand to see her broken like that again. So, if you are going to break her heart, do it now. Before her feelings for you become any more serious."

Sesshoumaru listened to this and clenched his fists at the thought of Kagome in such a state. She was so warm and bright; the thought of her being broken and sad infuriated him more than he would have thought. He wasn't sure what he should say to this woman. Thinking about the miko, her smile and her smell and the way she talked, it made him want to smile. Looking back at the girl's mother, at the fierce protective look in her eyes, he nodded slowly.

"I have no intention of hurting your daughter, you have my word," he said slowly, his voice gaining confidence as he spoke. He knew that he would never purposely hurt the Kagome. He would do anything he could to keep her safe. He knew that her words were true, that his affections were turning to love. He just wasn't ready to say that yet, to admit it outside of his own mind. He had never told another being that he loved them and he wasn't ready to do it quite yet. Kagome's mother smiled knowingly and patted his cheek gently. Sesshoumaru moved away from the touch and walked toward to door.

"Take good care of her, Sesshoumaru. She deserves it," came Himeko's voice softly. Sesshoumaru ignored her words and walked out of the house and toward the little shack that held the well. The miko was standing outside it, her face blank as she stared at the Goshinboku. The demon lord paused, staring at the far-away look in her eyes. There was something other worldly about her, as if she would disappear if you looked away. The lord shook his head as he walked up to her. She grinned when she saw him. Taking his hand, she held it loosely and they walked into the well house in silence.

Kagome was dying to know what her mother had said to the dog demon, but she held her tongue. She knew that Sesshoumaru wouldn't tell her and that it was a waste of effort. Sliding the door to the well house closed, she stepped over the lip of the ancient wood easily and fell into the abyss. Sesshoumaru followed right behind her. The warm blue light swirled around them before the clean scent of his era filled his nose. He sucked in a deep breath and was happy to be rid of the awkward aftertaste of the air in her time. Putting an arm around her waist, he jumped easily out of the well and they landed softly on the snow above. It was late morning in the feudal era and the sun was shining brightly through the clouds, despite the fact that it was frigid out. Frost tipped leaves and the sun glittered against the snow.

Kagome took a deep breath of her own before she smiled at Sesshoumaru. She took a moment to adjust her bag on her back, strapping it securely to her body. Once done, she walked over to him, pushed up on her toes, and kissed him. Sesshoumaru returned the kiss, cupping her cheek. After a moment, Kagome pulled her head back and smiled at him.

The anxious voice in her head told her to be careful. Her feelings for Sesshoumaru were only getting stronger. Her mind whispered that they would never be able to stay together. 'He'll need to take a mate and produce heirs someday.'

She ignored the voice, if only for now. She was happy and after days of despair and nightmares, she wanted to concentrate on being happy. Sesshoumaru stepped back, releasing her waist and staring down at her intently.

He knew that he should worry about such blatant displays of feelings for her, for allowing her to show such affections when they were not promised to be mated and had no open intentions of being mated at that moment. He'd admitted to himself that he was more than affectionate for her, would even go as far as to say he was starting to love her. Her mother's words whispered through his mind: 'Take care of her. She deserves it.' He had promised the older woman that he would not hurt her and he had no intention of doing so. Consequences be damned, he was not going to inflict pain on Kagome.

Kagome looked at the lord curiously.

"Are we flying?"

Sesshoumaru nodded slowly and held his arm out for her. She moved over and stood next to him as his arm snaked around her waist and suddenly they were up in the air. Kagome clung to his arm tightly and sucked in a surprised breath. Sesshoumaru smiled and held her tightly.

"Do not fret. I will not drop you," he whispered reassuringly against the wind. Kagome nodded and turned her face into his shoulder to protect it from the wind. Sesshoumaru sighed and tightened his arm just a little more as he flew a little faster. He wished to return to the castle as quickly as they could.

Darkness had just fallen over the western lands when Sesshoumaru released Kagome and she walked a few feet on weak legs. She was tired and it felt like an entire day was gone. She blinked groggily and smiled when the children came rushing out. Shippou jumped easily into Kagome's arms as Rin stood between Sesshoumaru and Kagome. She looked back and forth between them, her face torn. Kagome realized quickly that she didn't know which one of them she was going to hug. Smiling gently, she lifted Rin into her other arm and held her up to Sesshoumaru. Her smile was wide and Sesshoumaru found he missed the gap where her missing tooth had been. He knew though that she was a human and that she was going to grow. He held her steady as she wrapped her arms around him while her waist was still in Kagome's arms.

"You're home!" Rin said in childlike excitement as she hugged Sesshoumaru tightly before she let go and hugged Kagome too. Rin and Shippou both did. Kagome couldn't help hugging them back tightly and loudly kissing both of their cheeks. Setting them down, she knelt in front of them and looked at them in mock sternness with a firmly pointed finger.

"Isn't it almost time for a certain two little children to go to bed?" she said, her smile breaking the fake authority. The children smiled at her and nodded before they each kissed a cheek and hurried off into the castle. Kagome straightened before she turned to Sesshoumaru and grinned. Together, they walked in silence into the castle. Sesshoumaru waited patiently as the caring miko tucked in the children and kissed them goodnight. She whispered promises about reading the two of them stories the next night.

"So, dinner and then bed?" she offered as they started to aimlessly wander the halls, noting that neither of them had eaten a real meal that day. She glanced up at the demon, smiling when he nodded.

They stopped by their rooms long enough for Kagome to shed her thick clothes and change into more appropriate attire. The two of them walked in comfortable silence to the dining room and sat with each other as they eat miso soup and pickled radishes. They chatted and laughed, but Kagome could tell that the demon lord was guarded here. She smiled though, just as happy with quiet grunts as she had been with chuckles. Taking another sip of water, she set her chop sticks down and yawned. Sesshoumaru set his own chopsticks down and looked out the window into the darkness where little pins of stars tore through the black blanket of the sky.

Standing, he held out his hand to the miko and she took it immediately. She stumbled a little when she stood and leaned on the demon. He sighed and held her up straight. He could tell that she was exhausted and that it was definitely time for her to go to bed. Leading her out of the dining room, she became more alert as they walked. Soon she could walk on her own without his help and her eyes were a little more focused.

They walked in a silence that made Kagome want to talk, but she didn't know what to say. Sighing, she gave up on what to say when they reached her room. Awkwardly they stood outside Kagome's room before she smiled. In a quick move, she leaned up and kissed his cheek gently.

"See you in the morning." Sesshoumaru caught her wrist just as she turned and held it for a moment. Her pulse was thundering against his palm.

"You will sleep with me for the night. You are less likely to have a nightmare when you sleep with me and I do not wish you fatigued due to the hanyou," he said after a moment. Kagome blinked before a soft, affectionate smile spread over her lips.

"I need to change and I'll meet you in your room." Sesshoumaru nodded and released her wrist.

He walked into his room and listened to her change as he stripped out of his own clothes and tossed them into a small basket near the door. Crawling into bed, he only had to wait moments before the miko was peeking in his room nervously.

"Come in, miko," Sesshoumaru sighed as he moved over and made room on the futon. She made her way across the room quickly and laid out beside him. Covering her with the blankets, he waited for her to settle before closing his eyes. She was quiet for so long that Sesshoumaru was sure that she was asleep. He settled in and was on the verge of sleep when her quiet voice reached his ears.

"I like you. A lot." Her voice was a soft, soft whisper. He would miss it if he didn't have the hearing of a demon. He glanced at her for a moment before staring up at the ceiling. She was nervous of what he was going to say. He could say that it meant nothing to him. He could say that he didn't care. Her chest tightened. The strength of her feelings continued to shock her. It was amazing that he could get this reaction out of her by not saying anything at all. She swallowed against her tightened throat. Finally, he spoke.

"I'm rather affectionate of you as well," his voice was deep and rumbled in his chest next to her.

She felt relief spread through her, loosening her chest enough to breath. Bitter feelings of unease and sadness were left though. While he had admitted his feelings, that didn't necessarily mean that they were going to go anywhere. They could disappear; they could end up being "nothing" feelings. Feelings that he thought he had but didn't really. She pushed these desperate thoughts from her head and sighed as she closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep. Acknowledging and admitting he had feelings for her was more than she had ever hoped for. And for now, it was enough.

Eventually, they will need to completely sort it out, but right now, she needed to sleep. Sesshoumaru stared at her and knew that something was still plaguing her thoughts. She was withholding something from him.

Exhaling loudly, he closed his eyes and willed the troubling thoughts of the miko out of his head long enough to fall asleep. Kagome rolled over and curled closer to Sesshoumaru's sleeping form and hummed sleepily when his arm wrapped around her. She would just need to wait and see where all of this went. It's not like she had anywhere else to go. Within minutes, they were lulled to sleep by the sound of each other's heartbeats.