*Disclaimer*: Inuyasha is owned by Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media. Please support the official anime and manga.

Japanese terms:

Daiyokai: Great Demon

Hanyou: Half demon

Houshi: Monk

Inu: Dog

Miko: Priestess

Ningen: Human

Onna: Girl

Ookami: Wolf

Taijiya: Slayer

Yokai: Demon(I use this term to describe demonic auras and if I use it otherwise, it is when I use the term 'lesser yokai' which are the bullcrap weak demons Naraku always uses.)

H&DR

The sun was beginning to set, causing hues of orange and pink to stretch across the sky. You could already see the waxing crescent of a moon that had made it's appearance in the sky, but dark clouds were rolling forward from the distance. It was on this night that one inudaiyokai lord and one time-traveling priestess were to be bound in a manner that should not be taken lightly.

For once bound, you can never be released from the hold of it. It is something deeper than friendship or what any emotion could portray. The way in which they would be bound would give the demon lord another whole sense, a whole new feeling, it would be the feeling of Kagome's well-being.

However, if only they had known of the trick that Sesshomaru's beast had pulled, they would know that they were already bound in a different way. A way stronger than even a pack bond could give. Yet, they knew not of that and had no idea that they were bound by blood to pull towards each other like magnets of opposing sides. However, perhaps it was the first binding that the beast had initiated, that had caused this second one to come to pass.

Kagome was sitting against a rather large rock and the air was moist and warm from the hot spring nearby. She had her breathe held and her eyes tightly shut, awaiting the burn of Sesshomaru's poison. Instead, she felt her chin being grasped and tugged to turn her head. She opened her eyes up to stare into the depth's of molten gold iris's that always demanded her deepest attention. They always caught her own eyes and held them attentively, it was hard not to look into his eyes.

"Don't be afraid for it." His voice had simmered down to a whisper, and he said it with a soft tone as he pressed a clawed thumb to her lips before dragging his other four claws lightly down her throat. Kagome closed her eyes again as a blush erupted on her face, but she relaxed against his touch none the less. She felt him grab her left hand and he pulled it to him to place it against his chest. She blinked her eyes open at him, but he began a low rumbling that caused his chest to vibrate.

Kagome didn't know what it was about that-Inuyasha would do it too and it always made her relax and not just that, but it made her feel less frightened.

"Sesshomaru-sama, if you don't mind me asking-?" Kagome began and he narrowed his eyes at her softly, anticipating her question. Kagome took his look as a means to continue and went on.

"This growling, vibrating thing you do, what is that? Inuyasha could do it too..." She admitted and was worried he'd get upset that she spoke about Inuyasha, but instead, the smallest of smiles had graced his lips.

"It is a calming mechanism of sorts. It's a low growl in the chest that can be used to calm yourself or someone else." He explained as he continued to rumble. He was happy to tell her. He wanted her to ask questions about inuyokai, to learn about their customs, so he would answer any question she had on the subject. After all, she was to be his alpha bitch.

Kagome nodded slightly as she absorbed the information and then turned back forward.

"Okay, thanks. I've wondered that for a long time." She admitted with a half smile. She felt like she was being rude, even if the demon lord wouldn't agree.

"Ask anything and more. You must learn about these things eventually with what will come to pass." Sesshomaru explained and she nodded. She supposed he was right.

That was when a funny thought hit her. Even if she got kicked out from school, it was funny, because now she had a new subject to learn. Now she was being educated about inuyokai customs, tactics, archery, hand to hand, and she was told that once they found someone, she would be better taught the arts of a miko. Maybe fate had planned this-Maybe fate had thought it would be funny if she were to 'transfer' not only school, but her entire life.

"What troubles you, Kagome?" Sesshomaru asked, using her name now that they were most definitely away from prying ears. Kagome shook her head.

"Nothing, I was just thinking, fate can be funny sometimes." She told him and he held her statement within his mind and turned it over.

"You have this Sesshomaru's agreement on that." He said as he pulled a pouch from up his armless sleeve. Kagome eyed him for a moment.

"Where do you keep all these things?" She questioned and watched his lips almost twitch into a smirk, but he decided to keep his face neutral this time.

"A question for another time." He said as he placed the pouch in Kagome's hand and she looked at it with scrutinizing eyes.

"Open that." He said and she did open it. It was tightly bound and took her a moment before she finally got it. She pulled the leather lips apart to see some strange-looking ink inside. She held it out to him and watched him dip his finger into it.

"What is that?" Kagome asked as she realized it was chunky.

"Crushed berries." He said as he began to wipe the strange substance on her shoulder.

"Why are you-." She began, but he interrupted her.

"You may think I am the embodiment of perfection, but even this Sesshomaru is capable of mistakes." He teased and watched her blush. She huffed in his direction before facing away.

"Oh, don't worry, I know-. Your far from being perfect." Kagome said, but he could hear the teasing in her own voice. He smirked before letting his face take back it's serious mask.

"I do not wish to incorrectly draw the crescent, so I am drawing it on you with this, before I do it permanently." He informed her and watched her whip her head back to gaze at him. Her chocolate brown eyes seemed to twinkle before she blushed lightly and looked away again. Sesshomaru drew a circle onto Kagome's shoulder before he wiped away any imperfections or oddities to it. After that, he filled it in. He then began to wipe a smaller, second circle out of the first going towards the right. It gave him the perfect crescent shape he sought to mark her with. He began to release bits of his yokai that he pulled into his body to condense. Using Tai chi, he used physical body movements to direct his yokai to his fingertips where he began to ooze out poison. He flung the first bits away because the poison would be more potent and watched as the green poison his claws procured began to darken in color, till it became a more brownish color. Satisfied that he had combined a good mixture of the caustic poison with traces of his yokai, he turned back to Kagome's shoulder and stared at the crescent shaped jelly he'd painted onto her with his finger only moment ago.

"Try to stay still, I'm going to do it now." He said as he began to growl even more deeply into his chest, increasing the vibration and the frequency of his rumble. Kagome had replaced her hand on his chest after opening the pouch of jelly and he watched her visibly relax further, but she still chewed on her lip with anxiety. Finally, he pressed a claw against her skin, at the top of his pre-drawn crescent. He listened to her breathing become more shallow and he could feel her hand that had a moment ago only touched him, grasp against the white fabric of his haori. Her eyes were squeezed shut and he decided to try and do this quick. So he traced the outline of the crescent before he filled it in and pulled his hand away. He let the poison at his fingertips dissipate and shook the excess poison from his claws before he grasped Kagome's hand. He finally stole another glance at her face to see tears forming in her eyes. Her eyes were clenched and he could literally hear her teeth grinding.

"It has to stay on for a moment longer to take." Sesshomaru tried to explain as he released her hand to place his fingers atop her head. He drifted his claws lightly through her hair, against her scalp, and then down her neck. He still had strands of her dark hair caught in the crooks of his fingers as he gently slid his hand against her cheek and rubbed her upper lip with the pad of his thumb. He watched as her eyes fluttered open and she stared up at him. He wondered what was going through her mind right now. Was the pain unbearable to her?

No, her reiki imploding on itself had caused her pain. He had seen it written all over her face-. Her tolerance for pain was exquisite, he should know, he had already tried to harm her in the past. He could feel some sort of dark feeling creeping through his intestines to find entrance to his stomach and he looked away from Kagome. He felt guilt for what he did. Even if at the time he had thought she deserved it, he knew now that he should have looked past it. Then again, as Kagome so eloquently put, fate had a funny way of doing things. If him hurting her had never come to pass, would any of this have? Would it be better or worse if none of this ever happened? He seemingly knew his answer when he remembered realizing that he'd rather see her hate him, but still see her than to never see her again.

"Sesshou-." She had started to say his name and he could literally feel it said with her lips pressed against his thumb, but he pressed his thumb slightly more forward to stop her. He didn't want to hear her voice because it would only make him want her more, right now, in this moment. It was hard enough as it was, being near her, smelling her scent, feeling the touch of her aura that was so relaxing, and then of course those omnipotent brown eyes of hers. He had once thought them dull and average, but when you looked into them, you could almost see the power beheld behind them. Not only that, but her eyes could make or break you. She could hold a sight of genuine happiness and her eyes would shimmer with it, but when she was upset, her eyes became ominous and dark. Yes, her eyes were mesmerizing and then her dark, thick hair that came out in a light wave and had a knack for getting itself messed up.

Yet, although her hair texture may look rough, her hair was actually soft to the touch and in a way, it was fluffy when you dragged your fingers through it. He finally looked away from her chocolate brown eyes as he looked towards the crescent burning itself onto her shoulder. He slowly pulled his hand away to grab her shoulder and he let his face inch closer towards the forming mark when he felt her hand clench a handful of his silky locks and she pulled on it lightly to grab his attention.

He turned his head to look at her, but instead found his lips being pressed on by her own. His eyes went wide with shock as he searched her reddened face. Her eyes were clenched shut and he could hear her heart beating rapidly. His own heart sped up as he he stood there, his hand to his side as he acted much like a statue and did nothing. Kagome pulled away just as quickly as she'd pressed forward and looked down nervously. He could smell the shame that began to radiate from her, her shoulders sagged and it looked as though those tears from earlier decided to come back.

"I'm sorry, I really misread-." She began, but he finally came to his senses. He wound his hand around her neck gently, but he didn't put any pressure to it as he leaned forward to press his lips against hers. It was strange, he'd never kissed anyone-it was something saved for intimate couplings, for mates. However, the rejection of her kiss had hurt her deeply and he wanted in no way to reject her. She was caught off guard as his lips crashed against hers and her heart went from a sinking feeling, back to beating so hard, it might just fly out of her chest.

Kagome couldn't help as she entwined her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. He seemed to oblige as he slid his hand down her back and wrapped his arm around her waist and he nicked his fang against her lip. Kagome winced with slight pain before she felt his tongue come out to lick at the blood. As always, his tongue was so soothing against any cut or wound-as strange as that sounded. Kagome gave the tiniest mewl of appreciation before the demon lord finally pulled back.

"I must do this now. " Sesshomaru said in a stern voice before he unraveled his arm from her and pulled away from her arms. He snatched her arm in his hand and was quick to lick away the poison that still simmered against Kagome's skin. Yes, her pain tolerance was high indeed if she was able to simply get used to the sting of that or perhaps distractions really were the best medicine. Either way, it didn't matter. He continued to lick at the spot on Kagome's arm, even after he removed the excess berry jam and poison, so he could let the healing process begin. It would be sore for the first couple days and look like a horrible bruise, but it would eventually take a purple, brackish color and stop hurting.

"How does it feel? Is it painful?" Sesshomaru finally asked when he pulled back. He brushed strands of hair that had fallen in front of his face as he scrutinized the mark he had given her. Kagome did her best to glance at it to see it, but all she could make out was that is was horribly irritated and inflamed. However, it didn't hurt that bad. It had been at it's worst when he first started, but the pain dulled away soon after.

"No, I can barely feel it." Kagome said and he nodded to her as he took a slight step closer and held his arm out as mokomoko wrapped back around her torso and bottom to enable him to move her in her weakened state.

"I thought a bath would be in order for you. It will help to keep it from getting so sore tomorrow." He explained and he brought her closer to the onsen and watched her blush harder and harder. As they got closer, she saw a box shaped package, wrapped in parchment with two green ribbons to secure it at the top. Kagome narrowed her eyes at it before looking away from it. She would assume nothing as of now. She was only trying to figure out her situation. Where was Sesshomaru going with all of this-?

"I know I should have waited till the ceremony to get you a welcoming gift, but I could not help myself." Sesshomaru admitted as he sat her down against a tree, just a few feet from the hot spring.

"Please, you don't need to give me anything-." Kagome began. He was always trying to give her things. She couldn't understand it. It was strange when not so long ago, they weren't so friendly and now all these things were happening in a whirl... What if she regretted them?

"Nonsense, you need to realize where your place is now, Kagome, you must hold your head up high and disregard what anyone else thinks of you." Sesshomaru let out, after all, he already knew many would be upset by this news. Then the challenges would pour in-it wouldn't be pretty. However, he was confident in her ability to fight. So far, he was trying to get her to figure out how to purify by touch. He knew it was possible, some monks and priestess's possessed the ability to do such. Sesshomaru really had no idea how to, but he figured they should start with her trying to sense how her energy converts from spiritual to physical. If they could figure out how it worked, then perhaps it could be as simple as applying it differently. However, he knew that things were rarely that easy.

"Kagome, tomorrow I will mark your monk and kit and then we will leave for the castle." Sesshomaru finally informed her. Kagome eyed him with confusion.

"Mark them?" Kagome asked.

"Like this?" She looked at her shoulder. He shook his head.

"No, they will not have nearly as much of my yokai fused with their auras. I will simply take them into my pack. It is a different mark, the one I have given you is normally saved for those who have earned the rank of being an alpha bitch. It automatically gives you ranking over Rin, but she will still have to formally concede to you." Sesshomaru told her. Kagome looked to be thinking for a moment.

"So tell me this, at least-why was Rin your alpha bitch?" Kagome asked.

"The first member of the opposite gender accepted into your pack is automatically your alpha bitch. I had so foolishly forgotten." Sesshomaru explained as he looked away. Kagome nodded with understanding now that she was more informed on the situation. That was when Sesshomaru stood up and mokomoko stayed attached to her as he turned his back to her.

"I will leave you to bathe. Should you need immediate help, mokomoko will stay behind. In that package contains your new garment as well as some bathing accessories and soaps. It is not much miko, but I thought it would be something nice to offer you on this night." He informed her and he could feel her gazing at him.

"Oh-." Was all that left her lips and she watched as he began to leave.

"Wait, how will I get out of here?" Kagome started and he stopped in his tracks and stood there.

"Simply tell mokomoko when your ready and I will arrive shortly." He said before he heard her heart begin rapidly beating and he wondered why. Was she going to say something to him? Was she she thinking about-. His face gained the slightest hint of color and he was thankful to be facing away from Kagome. It was stupid, really, he receives his first kiss and now-this.

"Sesshomaru-sama, what about this?" Kagome questioned and he stood there, gaining his composure for a moment, before he turned his head to look at her. She was clutching his leather pouch in one of her hands, out towards him. He turned the rest of his body around and started back towards her. The whole time, their eyes were locked on each other. The air felt tense and neither of them spoke. He finally reached where she was seated and a rush of strong wind blew their way. He reached out and clutched the pouch as his hair whipped in the wind when something cold landed on his nose. He crinkled his nose as a droplet of water dripped down his face and he found himself gazing up at the sky. Black clouds rolled over head and although there were no signs of lightening, it seemed ominous. He had smelt the rain in the air previously, but did not think it would hit until later at night-which usually meant-.

"Perhaps a bath should be skipped tonight-." He let out, but he saw a pout forming on Kagome's face.

"It'll be okay. A little rain never hurt anyone." Kagome said and he held back a sigh, it would not be a simple rain. He was reluctant, but at least now he would know if she got hurt. Now he was connected to her, plus, mokomoko would be here. His beast would most definitely warn him if something bad happened. So Sesshomaru shoved the leather pouch up his armless sleeve before he turned around again and began to walk away.

"Stay safe, Kagome." He let out as he reached the edge of the clearing.

"You stay safe!" Her voice held a teasing tone that brought a slight smirk to his lips as he continued off a bit before he sat down against a patch of brown and yellow grass and leaned his back against a tree that no longer contained leaves. He closed his eyes and he felt more droplets of coldness hit his face before he opened his eyes and held his hand out. He waited patiently for one of the cold drops to hit his hand and when it did, he brought his hand close to his face and inspected it. If you held one close enough, you could see it was really a snowflake just before it melted. He looked up at the sky, at the dark clouds over head and let a smile linger on his lips for a moment before he closed his eyes and let his smile fade away. He always did like the winter and he had always loved the snow.

H&DR

Inuyasha had run ahead of Kirara who was currently carrying both Sango and Kikyo. As Inuyasha jumped from tree to tree, he pressed his aura out as far as he could and kept his senses open. All morning he had a bad feeling. Maybe it had something to do with the ominous clouds hanging over head, but something just didn't seem right to him. He had gone far ahead when he had finally caught a smell-Blood. He smelt blood, so much blood. It was all demon blood. He made his way towards the smell to come tumbling into the middle of chaos. As soon as he had jumped for the next tree, just as he was reaching the smell, some sort of feral, lesser yokai with the ability to fly had shot towards him and pinched his leg between it's teeth. He was brought about fifteen feet forward when the stupid lesser yokai realized it was losing velocity with so much weight, but it was too dumb to act.

They crashed against the ground and Inuyasha let out a snarl as he finally plunged his claws into the useless thing. However, as he finally got his bearings, he realized all around him-. People were crying, people were screaming, people were fighting for their lives, and others were defending their loved ones. Inuyasha was sitting on his rump as he eyed his surroundings, it seemed to be a mixed demon village. All around him were lizard yokai, a few elementals, and a few stray others. What caught his sight the most were the turtle-shell shaped shields that stood as the symbol of the southern land's army. As he looked around, he felt horror gather up within the pit of his stomach. Even if everyone here was a demon, it wasn't right. A woman wailed out over her dead son's body and he watched as a crazed demon fought off lesser yokai, two younger demons stood close behind him, seemingly siblings who held each other and one whimpered as the other cried. It was sickening that these lesser yokai were doing their best to eradicate this village.

What made it worse was that the south was the most accepting in terms to race, but as more southerners died, the less people there were that were accepting. He continued to sweep his view over the village when he caught the gaze of a little yokai girl. She looked to be some sort lizard demon. Her scaly skin was a light blue hue with yellow and darker blue scales here and there. She was staring at Inuyasha with a careful intensity just under the cover of an old wooden cart that had been broken on the other side. Inuyasha placed his hands on the ground and slowly stood up. Everything around him was happening so fast, but at the same time, it was like everything was in slow motion. As he steadied his feet, he could still hear all the cries and shouts around him, how he was able to pick up that one scream he didn't know. He had looked up to the sound of a scream to see that three lesser yokai had smashed the lizard girl's cart and she was trying to outrun them, but they were luring her to be in the middle of them. Inuyasha glared at that as he drew his tesseiga and watched as it transformed.

He ran forward and began taking leaps to reach his targets more quickly. As soon as he reached the first one, he brought his blade down, giving it a quick, not-so-clean-cut beheading. With his blade now pointing downwards, he drew it towards the side and jumped over the little yokai girl to land just behind her and he swiped horizontally through the torsos of the other two lesser yokai who had given chase to her. Inuyasha quickly turned to see the little girl staring at him wide-eyed and he smirked at her.

"You better go find another hiding place." He said before he walked past her and began hacking at the lesser yokai like all the other demons with more than half a brain were doing. As he was hacking and slashing, he hadn't even realized the light snow till he looked at the ground and found it covered with a blood-stained blanket of the cold substance.

H&DR

Miroku had been standing outside looking into the distance. As the sky began to darken, it began to snow more heavily and Sesshomaru and Kagome had yet to return. He was searching the darkness with his eyes, trying to see into the distance, although he could barely make anything out. He heard the rice mat to Kaede's hut open and close, but he didn't bother to look. He could sense with his spiritual energy that it was only Tyon.

"Do you worry for Kagome-sama?" Tyon asked and Miroku gave a look to the inu.

"Of course I do." Miroku stated and in his peripheral vision saw Tyon gaze up at the darkened sky that was filled with gloomy clouds.

"Because she is with Sesshomaru-sama?" Tyon asked, but Miroku shook his head.

"No, only because it is late and the snow is coming down harder." Miroku said and Tyon nodded as he looked over at the monk before tightening his long, low pony tail.

"You do not feel unease that she is a miko being made pack by a daiyokai lord?" Tyon questioned seriously and watched as the monk proceeded to glare at him.

"Do you feel at unease?" Miroku questioned haughtily and Tyon shook his head again and lightly smiled.

"I was at first, but I can see why she is a good choice, now that I've met her." Tyon admitted and Miroku glanced at him hard before trying to look back into the distance.

"I did not come out here to make you feel uncomfortable." The inu finally let out after a moment of silence and Miroku didn't bother to look at him.

"However, I have had a realization of sorts, but do not know Kagome-sama so well as you." Tyon continued and Miroku finally eyed him a little.

"I heard a rumor that there is a new provincial law, that for all four of the major kingdoms, there is to be a team of both humans and demons to resolve the problems between ningen and yokai." Tyon explained, which caught Miroku's full attention.

"I can't help but think of maybe recommending Kagome as the lead ningen, as I think my lord hasn't even made the connection. However, I wondered what one who follows her might think of the idea." Tyon went on and Miroku seriously thought on this. It was strange, because a long time ago-. He turned to go back inside.

"Come here for a moment." Miroku gestured Tyon to come with him as they entered Kaede's hut. Tyon watched as Miroku began to dig through Kagome's bag and he was about to suggest that maybe he shouldn't be digging through her things when the monk procured one of the strange parchment books that were bound by the thinnest metal spirals he'd ever seen. Miroku quickly opened it and flipped past the page stating that if anyone finds this notebook, to please return it to the healer, Kaede in the village of Edo. Miroku almost chuckled as memories practically floated past his eyes as if it was yesterday-.

"No one's going to travel here just to return a notebook." Miroku told Kagome as she wrote it down. She brushed him off and laughed.

"I would if I found someone's journal and it said where to return it to." She answered and Miroku rolled his eyes with a chuckle as he sat down by her.

"So, what's this one for?" He asked. He knew Kagome had notebooks she studied from and another one to remind herself of things.

"I'm going to record all the altercations we have, to see if I can succeed in my goal." Kagome said as she continued writing. Miroku gave her a puzzled look before he asked another question.

"Of collecting more jewel shards?" Miroku asked and saw her shaking her head.

"I have a lot more goals than just that one..." She said as she locked her lips and continued jotting something down. Miroku looked over her shoulder to see what was being written. As always, Kagome seemed to always have a more intellectual way towards her goals than even he, Miroku. It read:

'Being that I've met no others in the feudal era from my time, and I have been to no other era other than what is called the 'feudal era' and the 'modern era', I have concluded that for now, I am the only time traveler back to the feudal era. In my travels I have found that the mythical demons known to our modern lore are very much real. It is my quest to understand exactly why demons and humans no longer coexist, as well as find out for sure if this is truly the past of my time. Is this an alternate reality, the past, or something else? If it is the past, can what I do here change the future? Or is the future set in stone? Can I make it so humans and demons coexist in the future after all or will it all be for nothing? I will record my adventures and make conclusions due to the results-.' Miroku read it word for word as she continued to write it and he smiled at her. She wanted to change the future. She wanted to change the fact that demons didn't exist in the future.

Miroku blinked the memories back as he reread the writing before smiling at Tyon.

"I think Kagome would do very well in the position you've described." Miroku finally said and Tyon nodded as he smiled too.

"Then I shall see what my lord thinks of the idea when they return." Tyon said and Miroku nodded, before he frowned and looked at the rice mat covering the entry way.

"I hope their okay." Miroku muttered and Tyon shook his head.

"I am not worried. Sesshomaru-sama is a terrible force himself and then Kagome-sama can just explode with reiki, I think they can handle themselves." Tyon said and Miroku held a sideways frown on his face.

"I suppose your right." The monk muttered as he stood up and opened the rice mat just as Kaede came in. The old healer smiled at him as she brought more blankets in from storage. Miroku had sensed her presence and decided to be helpful. Kaede went about her business as Tyon sat down and jotted away on cloth parchment. Miroku didn't know what to do with himself, so he sat down and went into a meditative posture as he tried to be mindful of that around him and allowed his mind to empty of thoughts as he gave way to his usual trance. However, as he sat there, stuck within his own mind, he felt grief. Everything was truly changing and now Sango really was out of his life. Sango was out of his life and it was his fault for not stopping-. He felt his heart clenching as he tried to remind himself that Sango deserves better than him. If he thought for a second that a strong, beautiful, crafty demon slayer like Sango could ever fall for him, a perverted lecher, well, it was a laugh to be had or so he told himself.

H&DR

Sango stared at Inuyasha as he tossed and turned with a sweat in his sleeping bag. She was beyond worried and she kept an ear out for Kikyo. She wished Kikyo and her would have gotten there sooner, if they had, maybe Inuyasha could have lived-... It had only been a couple of hours ago when Sango, Kirara, and Kikyo made it to the battle. It was amazing, Inuyasha was throwing wind scars and backlash waves and many demons had rallied behind him before they all charged with one last attack. Inuyasha had spotted them once there were barely any lesser yokai left and the normal demons went around making sure they were all dead. Inuyasha came towards Kikyo and Sango, he looked worse for wear, but he smiled and limped towards them. He had put a hand on Sango's shoulder and gave a small smile before his eyes slipped into his head and he fell hard against the ground, out cold.

It had terrified all three girls and a couple of the demons from the battle saw what happened and ran over. They eyed Inuyasha and then Kikyo, and then Sango. They hadn't realized how strange it looked for a miko, slayer, firecat, and hanyou to traveling together, but the demons pushed that to the side. There was no reason to fret over that, plus, the south was known as being more open-minded between species.

"Does he have any stab wounds?" One quickly asked and Kikyo narrowed her eyes before she dismounted Kirara and crouched over Inuyasha. She began to check him over when her eyes widened in horror. There was a stab wound all the way through from his torso. He must have been stabbed from behind, because the front of his haori wasn't ripped there, but it was in the back. The wound was bad, it was already festering with a dark black gunk that made Sango's stomach queasy. Kikyo stared at it a moment longer before looking back to the demons.

"Poison-." Kikyo spat out and the two demons looked down.

"We know not how to stop it, only that it is miasma based and before you die, large painful bumps swell up all over your body and Burst to spread it to others. Don't let that gunk get anywhere near any open wound you have." One warned.

"Especially because it's even worse when it effects humans." The other added. Kikyo shook her head.

"No-, That can't be, there has to be a cure-!" Sango started and the two demons exchanged grave looks.

"Here, this is all we can do for you, if you can make it there." One said as he grabbed a rather large rock and he held his finger to it. As he pressed down, he used his demonic abilities to press the rock in as he was a earth elemental. He jotted down a quick map and circled a spot.

"Your friend is a hero and will be welcomed to the southern lands. They have medicines there that can stop the pus-filled bumps from forming and your friend would be more comfortable. I'm sure Hirigana-sama would like to personally thank him if he can." The elemental said. The other, a badger demon nodded.

"We will send word for your arrival, if you are able to make it, but we need to know your names." The badger said. However, everything they said went ignored by Kikyo. She just kept hearing the news that Inuyasha couldn't survive this, replaying in her head over and over again. She wanted to cry, but no tears would come. She wanted to scream, but she could not find her voice. She moved a shaky hand out to grab Inuyasha's and she rubbed his hand that with her other hand. She couldn't lose him. It wasn't right. She should die, not Inuyasha!

"You said Inuyasha?" The elemental exclaimed and Sango nodded. The two demons eyed Inuyasha before frowning even more.

"Your great deeds have been heard of, even here." The badger said and they both looked down sadly.

"Our condolences, we'll leave you now." The elemental finally put in before they turned back to help their own friends. Sango looked down to Kikyo who held Inuyasha's hand and Sango felt tears in her eyes and they began to slowly crawl down her cheeks as she crouched down and held Inuyasha's other hand.

"Sango, I'm going to make him more comfortable and then I need to find some certain plants. You will have to stay with him and protect him." Kikyo muttered and Sango eyed her.

"Plants?" Sango started as Kikyo stood up and stuck her arms under Inuyasha's arms and she wrapped them over his shoulders as she began to carefully drag him away from the battle field. Quickly, Sango grabbed his feet as they moved him.

"Plants for what?" Sango asked as her voice broke on the last word.

"Letting Inuyasha pass is the very last thing I shall do. It matters not if there is no cure, it only means I will be the one to discover and create it." Kikyo said and Sango looked downwards. Kikyo was so sad... For good reason. Now Sango was sitting here, watching over Inuyasha as his condition only worsened and she awaited Kikyo's return.

H&DR

It had been late last night when his lord had returned with the miko, Kagome. It had been strange when they entered, his lord acted like a different person around her. It almost blew his mind to see anything other than uninterest or a scowl placed on his lord's face. When his lord had entered with Kagome, a smile had been plastered to his face as he helped guide the ningen girl in. Then, today, his lord insisted they hunt for snow birds. Snow birds were these tiny little birds that were hard to capture, but if you could, they held a small piece of tender meat that practically melted on your tongue.

This only worried Tyon slightly more. Sure, he liked Kagome, but hunting snow birds was usually something you did when courting someone. It would prove that you truly cared for the person as you went so far as to hunt such a delectable, yet tricky creature. Tyon felt nervous about this. His lord's father had fallen for a ningen and if not for Sesshomaru being his only son, war would have broken out in the western lands. Demons upon demons would have murdered each other for the western throne. However, Sesshomaru-sama had no heir. Courting a human girl would only spell disaster for their family. Even if Tyon himself was no where in the line to the throne, they were still distant family.

The first to be killed would be anyone related to Sesshomaru and even if his immediate family were all inuyokai, they were not that strong. Their sacred blood had been diluted with having more choice in your selection of a mate. It was not so important to mate the most important, powerful female and his heart went out to Sesshomaru, but couldn't his lord see the danger he was putting his family and closest servants in? He would say something about it, but it wasn't his place. He wouldn't test the wrath of his lord, but he found himself worried. However, it didn't deter him from what he really wanted to suggest. As he tried to shrug aside the thought of his lord courting a lowly human, he looked up to see his lord's scrutinizing face as he searched the dead branches and sniffed the air.

"Sesshomaru-sama, I was thinking-." Tyon began and his lord seemed to pay no mind to him.

"I heard about a new project, where a group of humans and demons will solve mishaps between the two species-." Tyon went on, but Sesshomaru still seemed to not hear him. He went on anyways.

"I only wish to recommend Kagome because she holds no hatred for our kind. She is intelligent and although human, I would pit her basic knowledge against those of the wisest demons." Tyon explained as finally, his lord made eye contact with him. Sesshomaru stared at him for what seemed like eternity before he turned his back and continued on.

"I think she would actually do her best to help solve problems!" Tyon started, but only received a glare from his lord. He closed his mouth and eyed the ground before trying to catch up with his lord who now stalked ahead. He felt irritated. Why couldn't his lord listen to him just this once? He was about to open his mouth and say more when Sesshomaru put a hand out, stopping the younger inuyokai. Tyon looked up to see his lord staring upwards, so he followed his gaze. Tyon felt somewhat mesmerized as he stared up at a big, hibernating tree. In the tree, on it's large multitudes of branches sat hundreds of snow birds. Now the thing about snow birds were that you had to kill them carefully, lest you ruin it and then it would be unedible.

They all looked to be sleeping and that's what caught the young inuyokai by surprise. How did his lord manage to find such things? Tyon watched as his lord began to condense yokai within him before he began to let poison drip from his claws, eating away at the dead grass and frozen dirt as he began to combine the two in lethal amounts. As he did so, it began to form an acid green miasma that he sent forward all at once, causing the birds to drop out of the tree like stones. Tyon had never seen anything hunted in such a way and peered at his lord with amazement. Even if he didn't always agree with his lord's decisions, he was terribly amazing. He could do things that the younger inu wouldn't even think to do. Sesshomaru nodded towards Tyon.

"I expect you to collect these and meet me at the village." He said before he began to stalk away and Tyon sighed as he grabbed one of the three satchels on his shoulder and began to collect the dead birds.

Human & Demon Relations

The sun was placed almost directly in the middle of the sky, though it's heated rays did little to warm Kagome up. Kagome was bundled up already. She wore a thick winter coat over the new yukata Sesshomaru had given her. It was much the same as the other, except it was white with a red trim. There was a large, purple crescent on the upper back and in the front was an embroidered symbol of a dragon-like serpent, in the shape of a circle, that ate it's own tail. Kagome didn't ask him what it was, but she already knew what it was, she had learned about it back when she was taught about ancient civilizations. It was called an ouroboros and is a symbol for eternity. Kagome wondered why he had decided to have such a symbol there, but she didn't question it. Instead he had carried her back as snow fell relentlessly to the ground.

They had all ended up sleeping in Kaede's hut and although it wasn't very spacious, everyone being in there had helped to create more heat in the night that 'winter' began. In truth, winter was still a little aways, but in this era, people simply said it was winter once it snowed, so she didn't correct it. However, as she trudged through the snow with a pair of good, water-proof boots and a pair of bright green snow pants, she was sure she looked maybe a little ridiculous. However, she didn't care. She was warm and that's what was important. She finally found Miroku in the clearing she, herself had created a few days ago when her reiki had seemingly exploded out of her. Miroku stood in the middle and Kagome frowned at the landscape. It reminded her of a crop circle and she almost chuckled at that. It helped lighten her mood at least a little.

"Miroku." Kagome called and he turned to look at her before gazing back to where he'd been looking before.

"Yes, Kagome-sama?" He sounded distant and Kagome frowned at that. He didn't sound like himself at all.

"There is something I didn't know about, that I should tell you." She said. She would ask what was wrong, but she had to get this out first, lest she forget.

"Yes?" He wondered again and Kagome stopped by his side, trying to see what he was looking at, but she couldn't figure it out.

"When I asked Sesshomaru if you could come with me, he took it as me asking him to make you pack..." She began before Miroku gave her a confused look.

"However, I could tell him he misunderstood me and explain it better." Kagome added and Miroku thought for a moment.

"Sesshomaru and you have been around each other a lot lately." Miroku finally said after a moment. It caught Kagome off guard because it seemed to have nothing to do with what she told him.

"What do you think of him? You once said that you disliked him because he held no remorse for his sins-." Miroku stated, but Kagome shook her head.

"I was wrong." Kagome put out and Miroku gave her a look.

"He tortured you-." He said, but Kagome shook her head again.

"And then he healed me." She answered, but Miroku sent her a glare.

"It doesn't change the fact that he tortured you." He finally said and watched as Kagome looked down sadly.

"If that night never happened, then we would never of grown closer." Kagome said and Miroku stared her down.

"It that doesn't mean anything, Kagome, of all things, then I'm afraid I will have to leave this group." He said and watched as tears formed in Kagome's eyes. She couldn't understand what he was getting at. She simply asked him a question and he was going to leave because of it?

"Miroku, why?" She started, but she couldn't properly form sentences because she was choking up.

"No, it is not your turn to ask questions, you tell me, why is Sesshomaru better to follow than Inuyasha? Why must we always follow someone else? You are my leader, not Sesshomaru." Miroku muttered and Kagome eyed the ground.

"I accepted his terms because he revived me, and saved my life from this strange demon, I didn't tell you yet, but the night Inuyasha burnt me and all that, Sesshomaru saved my life again." Kagome explained, but Miroku shook his head and finally turned to face her completely.

"So, anyone who saves your life is someone you will follow? Inuyasha saved your life countless times. Sesshomaru only saved you twice." He said and Kagome shook her head.

"You knew what I was doing-." She began as she went to her knees and cried harder, but Miroku let out a sigh.

"Kagome-sama, I only wish for you to realize what your doing." He said and Kagome looked up at him.

"Which is?" She questioned through her sniffling and Miroku sighed again.

"Your falling in love, but I think there's even less of a chance of him falling for you-. You will get hurt." Miroku told her and watched as she stared at the ground, she'd given up on talking as she sobbed.

"I won't be marked by Sesshomaru. He is not my leader, but I will follow you. I just wish you would see your own potential... You don't need anyone." He said as he crouched down and wrapped his arms around Kagome to comfort her.

"I did not mean to make you cry. Just, please, think of what your actions may cause in the future. Sesshomaru is a lord, his own father was killed over his love for a ningen..." Miroku said and watched as Kagome wiped her tears and nodded.

"I understand." She said and Miroku looked away sadly.

"I never understood how you felt before." He said and she looked at him with a confused expression through her flushed face and puffy red eyes.

"With Inuyasha, but I think it will be much worse for you with Sesshomaru. Your so much happier and I just know that when things go wrong-." He shook his head and Kagome watched his eyes shimmer as he blinked back moisture. Kagome realized that this wasn't really about her, it was about Sango.

"You miss her?" Kagome questioned and watched him nod before he choked on his next word that he never got out. Kagome took this as her turn to wrap her arms around him. As she did, she rubbed his shoulder in a comforting manner.

"It'll be okay Miroku, we'll defeat Naraku and then you'll go and get her back!" Kagome told him and Miroku didn't answer, he just stared into space, breaking Kagome's heart.

"I bet she misses you just as much as you miss her." She said, but he shook his head.

"She hates me." He said and Kagome heaved a sigh.

"It's what I wanted-. What I thought was the right thing." He muttered before he pulled away from Kagome's comforting embrace.

"It really does hurt when you do the right thing-and then when you admit it... You were right, Kagome-sama." He said and Kagome looked down thoughtfully.

"If you never admitted your pain, then you would never be able to rid yourself of it, that's something a wise monk once told me." Kagome answered and watched as Miroku chuckled sadly at the memory.

"Perhaps your monk should learn to stay out of other people's business." He had said it to make himself feel worse. He was so upset, so angry, yet he took it out on Kagome. He supposed she was an easy target. She would cry and crumble before she stood up for herself when it came to her friends.

"I'm sorry Kagome-sama, it's just, every where I look, there is new love in the air for everyone, but me." He said and Kagome looked confused.

"You and Sesshomaru, Inga and Kasumi are both being wed by the spring time." Miroku stated and Kagome eyed him.

"Who is Inga and Kasumi?" She asked and Miroku shook his head.

"Well, they used to be my favorite two village girls to tease, but now they have husbands-to-be." He stated and Kagome couldn't help her giggle as she shook her head.

"Come on, Miroku, let's go back. I have to tell Sesshomaru you don't want to be marked." She said as she stood and offered her hand. Miroku shook his head as he took it.

"I will accept his mark." He finally said, which stunned Kagome.

"But you said-." She began, but he stopped her.

"I know what I said, but there is one thing I said that means more than anything else." He told her and she cocked a brow at him.

"I will follow you Kagome. If you think being in a pack with Sesshomaru is best, then I will do so." He said and she shrugged.

"I don't know if that's the best." She stated and Miroku shrugged too.

"Well, we'll find out, won't we?" He questioned before he looped his arm with hers and began off. He had to find a way to make it up to Kagome. He hadn't meant to break like that on her, but he felt as though his heart was steadily beginning to harden. Although it was somewhat comforting, the numb feeling that would only give way to an ominous knot sensation in his stomach also terrified him.

Forever Changing

A/N: So, this will be a long a/n, sorry 'bout that. First things first, we hit the 100 follower milestone and still counting, and more than 50 people have favorited this story. So I have simply been jumping with joy for this fact. I'd like to thank the reviewers again. c: Thank you Pawnstarr, Undertheskys, and Inomay for your reviews. I really do cherish them. So anyways, yes, they shared a kiss in chapter three, but that was Sesshomaru's beast and the beast had blocked Sesshomaru from their senses. So this is Sesshomaru's first kiss, d'awww. Also, I know Miroku was being kind of mean, but so everyone knows, he is going through his own problems, he's finding himself in a dark place and were going to be opening up on that. I just wanted to say that in case his sudden demeanor confused anyone, I think when your upset and depressed, you act out upon it, if that makes sense. Miroku is no exception.

Also in the last a/n I had said I liked stories in which 'they don't', and I just meant don't get together super quick, just to clarify. When I reread it today my heart froze, I was like what if people think I mean they will never get together. Don't worry, it's not that second option, lol. Also, to pawnstarr, I wanted to reply yet again to you, I believe tragedy is only a good cliffhanger to the next chapter, if that makes sense. Also, I, myself, am a sucker for happy endings. To Inomay, I wanted to say I will be finishing this story, I spent like a year and a half outlining it so if I don't write it all the way, all that time would be a waste, so it will be completed, it will just be a while because this story is going to be loooong. I have planned three arcs and were only about a third of the way into arc one I think. I actually came up with this story while listening to music and working constuction, cause I hate construction so i'd just fantasize about this fic, lol.

Alright, well, thank you everyone so much for reading. Next chapter will be out in two weeks or less, but probably less. Two weeks is just like my deadline goal. Also I just did spell check online for this, I just got my new apartment and I'm unpacking. I'm also going through the first ten chapters to fix them and their problems, so once we hit like chapter 20, I will go back and fix any errors here. I've reread this chapter several times, but I didn't reread again just now, but I will later.

One more thing-I set up my deviantart. I will be posting the explicit content there once we get to that point. I need you guys to tell me what site you would prefer that allows mature content that is easy for you to use. On DA I post it as a pdf file and it won't let me view it on my phone... :c If worse comes to worse, if when I write the limes and lemons, if someone really wants to read it but can't view it on DA, then I could message it to you I suppose. Also, I have a concept of Tyon up on there and two later characters, who will be in the story. I did the drawings a while ago when I was outlining this whole story, so I did get a little ahead of myself at the the time, but their there if you want to see them. My username is 'lcoruscate123' there, just like it is here. Alright, well, salut.

P.s. I know on my profile it lists two songs that inspired this story, but there was one more that actually inspired the entire plot from beginning to end and I feel that it has so much feeling, but that's me for ya. Anyways, its called 'werewolf' by cocorosie, I thought I'd just share that real quick. Its like a techno folk song, I don't know how else to explain it. C: Salut for real now.