Thanks for all of your reviews; as always.

But special thanks to Jeweled Fairy for saying my story is unique and explaining why. So thoughtful; though I'm sorry to say I won't be answering your question. You'll have to find out.

Oh and some of my pairings may seem… kind of OC (like the Mir/San I have) But this takes place after he proposes to her and after they've figured out they love each other. I'm not mad; I'm glad people ask questions. It's a healthy habit!

Kagome hissed in anger as she tripped yet again over some stupid tree root. She'd landed face first in the dirt that time which was absolutely humiliating. She had always caught herself before! Thank goodness no one was around to see her mishap. Imagining the demon lord with her when she'd made that little mistake almost threw her over the edge. She'd have died of embarrassment; after all he was the epitome of balance and grace.

Pushing herself off of the ground with a grunt Kagome then brushed the dirt from her scrapped knees and again made a noise of disapproval. That actually burned. Too bad she couldn't be more like Inuyasha or Sesshoumaru huh? If Inuyasha did injure himself he usually wouldn't whine about it as she felt she was doing with those groans of displeasure. And Sesshoumaru… Well he never really hurt himself too often so may as well leave him out of the picture.

Though it was getting increasingly more difficult to do that. She glared at the ground with little humor. Why was this happening to her? She'd loved Inuyasha so much before and now look at her! She was already throwing her life away for a demon that didn't like her very much and who was Inuyasha's enemy. She could just hate herself.

But at least she wasn't drooling over him yet! That was definitely a good sign right? Sighing loudly Kagome felt like a moron. It was obvious what was happening here; even to her. One little vision and she was among the stars.

Why couldn't she fall in love with the normal guys? You know; human and well… Not cursed in some way, hateful to humans or half mad. That would just be so good for a teenage girl that needed to be in high school so she could go to college and get a degree to help her family in their money issues.

And what about her; couldn't she have a husband that would want to have kids with her and not care if they were half breeds?

Well that was a lie… From what he'd told her in the field Sesshoumaru would want her human body as much as she would want his demon. Naturally children would come from… well… sex… Since that's what it says in sex education.

Blushing deeply Kagome shook her head hard trying to dismiss the impure thoughts. All of this was so strange. She was changing lately even if it were hardly noticeable to others; Kagome could feel it. She didn't understand what it was but something was certainly different about her.

She was beginning to feel more mature throughout her body as well as her mind. Even her spiritual powers were radically growing in strength. It was all happening so fast that she felt a little lost. Brows knitting in confusion Kagome idly wondered if she were maybe in the final stages of becoming an adult or something. Strange; she thought she was already pretty grown up.

An owl made its self known far ahead of her making Kagome feel a little less lonely. "But what's changing the most…?" She murmured almost silently.

It was probably her heart that was the culprit when it came to her mental and spiritual state. The physical part was to be expected at her age but some of this was just so much to handle. Glancing up at the moon Kagome thought of Sesshoumaru again; her heart pounded for a moment.

She was changing because of him. Eyes filled with surprise Kagome turned the thought around in her mind. How could seeing that he would be in love with her throw her for so much of a loop? Oh she could just pull her hair out! Hadn't she had enough of dog demons; half bred or not?

Something pulsed along the wind and through the ground.

Kagome's heart suddenly faltered; its beat skipping insecurely. Her body felt cold and yet burning hot at the same time. Something was out there… She was nearly to the well; only about fifteen more minutes walk to go.

She wouldn't make it there like this while it was so hard to breathe. She'd have to face whatever it was which made her body react as it was.

Scanning the trees with stormy blue eyes Kagome found nothing and still sensed nothing but something was near; it had to be. It was now pulsing in rhythm strongly with her beating heart and it was calling to her. Her vision blurred for a moment but she blinked it away. "Is someone there?" Her voice rasped lightly. There was only silence.

Something was near but where was it? She was trying to find it by using her senses but it was as if it both existed and did not all at once. Maybe she just wasn't a strong enough priestess to find this thing; whatever it may be. Or maybe it was scared like she was and desperately trying to conceal its self.

"I promise not to do you harm, whoever you are." Her voice sounded softer and much kinder than before; fear hardly detected in its delicate wrapping. "Just please come out." Scoffing at her words the demon Lord stepped from the tree line after he found her jabber annoying now that she was no longer talking to herself.

He watched her eyes widen in shock from where she sat on the ground, holding her shirt tightly with a fist. "Sesshoumaru!" She wheezed in surprise as he entered the small area where she sat.

The parchment in his haori beat along with her heart; it was summoning her but somehow she had resisted its control. She wasn't fully trained and yet she could fight its desire to overwhelm her. Very interesting. "This," Sesshoumaru began. "is a scroll created by the Gods with their blood allowing passage to their land above our plain. It seems this piece of paper wishes use of your spiritual abilities having had a priestess and a demon to create it."

Now that Sesshoumaru stood near Kagome had already begun to feel better. She managed to stand on wobbly legs. "So then… Why doesn't it try to take yours too?"

Smart girl.

It was trying but he ignored its efforts. "I am a Tai youkai who was trained in one year of my life specifically in case of these sorts of things ever deciding against me." Kagome breathed heavily but felt most of her strength returning. "You need to hurry home miko; once you return from your rest you will need as much training as you can receive from myself. You are vulnerable."

Lightning struck her eyes; he arched a brow. "I'm not completely weak you know? You make it sound like I have no abilities what so ever!" She nearly shouted; her rage surprising the scroll into immobility. "I can defend myself a little at least!" Sesshoumaru glared down at her huffy form, something turning frigid in his glare.

"I warn no one child," His tone was menacing but his calling her a child irked her unbelievably. "But you shall be the exception; should you raise your authority against me again I will not hesitate to show you what meager ability you have in self defense."

Kagome wanted to say something or yell at him some more but she found her self instead in the air. "Wha-What!?" She shrieked in surprise. When had he picked her up? She'd never seen it or felt it.

"Silence human." She'd cried out as if she'd been stabbed; it was painful to his sensitive ears but also very irritating.

Again Kagome wished she could say something to him but thought better of it once realizing how far in the air they were. If she fell now or if he dropped her she'd be dead. And if not dead she'd not last the night.

Else Where

"My Lord?" Myouga asked wearily as something surrounded the pool of water that Totosai was protected by during his injured state. It moved like a water snake or a dragon; hopefully no enemy.

Sensing his worry Inu-no-Tashio almost laughed. "It is only a friend Myouga; you will recognize him once he surfaces." The flea demon looked over at Totosai who slept soundly. Surely his Lord was right if even Totosai remained unfazed.

The water makes beasts look much larger than they are he remembered with a gulp of nervous anticipation, hiding in his lords tail. Beady eyes watched the blue depths with rising excitement and fear as whatever it was came closer. The water began to swirl in tiny whirl pools.

A large head slowly surfaced from the water, twice as large as Totosai and dwarfing his Lord easily in his current state. The dragon was not a foot from the great dog demon of the west; his body climbing further and further into the blackened sky; speckled with stars. His large head easily came over top of the mountainous, craggy rocks which over looked the vast forest.

His scales glistened in the moonlight; glimmering blue, green and some purple. He took a mighty breath as his body surrounded the island like a snakes; the sound menacing and the vibrations shaking the water all the way to the rocky crevice about them. Apricot green eyes watched the trio quietly; contemplatively. Three stripes ran about his face; two blue ones placed as Sesshoumaru's own red were and the third ran through those two continuing past his eyes.

He lowered his head carefully in a bow before transforming into his humanoid state. Myouga's mouth gaped open. "By the Gods; it's Akin! When have you had the time to grow so much boy!?" The flea demon had believed it were him upon seeing the markings but had wanted to be certain. The humanoid form was unmistakable.

Apricot eyes found the retainer and glowed softly as he smiled. Then he turned his attention to Inu-no-Tashio, bowing low in respect. "My Lord; it is unbelievable you are alive but welcome. I will serve you as you see fit."

Hunter green hair that held some blue and purple stripes was pulled back in a high pony tail; just as his father who died before he were placed into the dog demons service. Sesshoumaru's father clearly saw the resemblance now that he was out of his teen ages and into his low, low twenties.

"I came here because of that actually; would you mind taking care of a task for me?" The dragon demon lifted his head to his Lords gaze.

"Whatever you so wish of me." Inu-no-Tashio smiled. It was time to make things a little interesting.

Else Where

He'd held her uncomfortably against his body and armor; Kagome gripped the steal that felt as though it were bone out of fright. He smelt the nervousness in her scent but paid it little mind or at least tried to. Now the full affect of her fragrance assaulted him with her body so near it was difficult to ignore it. Damned humans.

It wasn't entirely unpleasant but it was still human which was an annoyance on its own. Sesshoumaru's hair billowed behind him but once Kagome's other arm wrapped around his back he felt her fingers touch it lightly; accidentally as she also did with his tail. The feeling was strange, sending shivers down his spine in an uncomfortable manner. He would ignore it to the best of his ability for once he placed her on the ground this feeling of connection would cease. He sped his pace slightly; finding they were nearing their destination and she hadn't fallen yet. It was probably safe to assume demonic speed.

The scroll swirled and pulsed slowly in his robes; seeming contented now that they were physically closer though not entirely appeased. How peculiar. Was this due to its being created by both youkai and miko powers? Glancing down at Kagome with little thought he found her slipping into unconsciousness. They were in the clearing where she could jump into the well now but her eyes though partially lidded were blackening. She looked as though she'd been bitten by something venomous and were dieing. She didn't feel cold; a good sign and he sensed no marks upon her.

"Miko?" Her eyes remained lidded; darkening further. Kagome didn't react in the way he would have expected; instead she reached to his face. Sesshoumaru pulled his head back a slight, white bangs flowing with the movement, but her fingers touched his temple; eyes still black. He really didn't like that look.

Energy twisted from her body into his and he felt himself shift from here and now to somewhere further. It was like rolling on waves of fire and wind. Where he was going he didn't know; he only felt as though he were still here physically. Sesshoumaru gasped inaudibly as Kagome suddenly disappeared from his hold and he stood in a sea of mist. "What is this place…?" His words were loud in the silence of the surrounding area.

Turning his head to the right of him when Sesshoumaru felt something pull his spirit he found that there was a figure shrouded in this fog. "Girl?" His eyes narrowed as the grey thickness became more shrouded. He could hardly focus on her anymore. The scent of Kagome disappeared and was replaced by the smell of ice. She didn't seem to like certain titles; maybe she would refer something else. He decided to call out to her again. "Kagome?"

A fierce wind blew; billowing his robes and hair violently about his body. The torrent was so powerful he felt his feet slide back a slight as he grit his teeth, though just as soon as it'd begun the gust was gone. Kagome turned to him in surprise; he'd called her by her name. But how was he here with her?

"What is this place miko?" Sesshoumaru glanced around him before taking steps to her. If she had placed some sort of spell on him he was going to be very irate. She took one step; still in shock.

"It's a place where I sometimes am before visions…" Her blue eyes ran over his form again, still not understanding. "I've never had another person here in my head with me before. I don't know what will happen now that you are."

"You knew not that you summoned me with your spiritual power?" He doubted that.

"I did what?" Kagome stepped back in surprise. It seemed honest enough, but many things can seem innocent and be vicious.

"You brought me along with you." Glancing over her he noticed her cloths were different; a priestess' hamaka. She hadn't seemed to find the difference.

"I'm sorry if I had Sesshoumaru but I don't understand how I may have." There she went again; calling him Sesshoumaru rather than Lord Sesshoumaru. Such a brazen little mortal girl.

"Miko, I…" He'd been ready to correct her mistake when a mighty wind blew against him again. He turned his face away for a moment because the gust stung his eyes. When he turned his gaze to her again Kagome was gone.

Shifting his eyes around him Sesshoumaru saw nothing in this dark place and sensed nothing. Neither evil nor any good. He stepped forward for the ground seemed solid enough when a light began to surface. It was reaching to him with hands of light, whispering things not even he could understand though it sounded as if Kagome were speaking them. What was this new occurrence?

There was a great flash as they swarmed around him, fingers touching the ground where he stepped and in an instant he was there looking at himself. Surprise filtered over his features which is understandable. It isn't every day you see yourself unless reflected. "Sesshoumaru!"

Turning to look behind him as his self looked straight through his body Sesshoumaru noticed Kagome running up, waving her hand happily. He'd never seen her smile as she did now; it was strangely blissful as if she had stepped into heaven. Her blue eyes sparkled with glee.

Knowing this had never happened Sesshoumaru supposed his future self stepped toward her. The pair stood not four foot from him. "Thank you for letting me go to Sango and Miroku's wedding. Oh she was beautiful! And they were so cheerful." Kagome talked happily about the ceremony for some time as they both walked from an open field and into a forest. The day was coming to a close and the purple hue in the sky somehow managed to reflect from her eyes.

Sesshoumaru noticed how at ease he was with her; not emotional but definitely attached to the miko. He did not like attachment. "How's Rin been since I've been away?"

"Bored; most children tend to be once spoiled." He cut his eyes to her catching the blush she tried to hide. The present Sesshoumaru caught that his voice was lighter with hints of amusement.

"I don't spoil her…" Kagome tried to deny.

"What would you call it then?" He asked, raising an eye brow.

"Um… A healthy dose of love?" She said weakly with a smile. He let out an almost silent sigh which was his version of Inuyasha's eye roll and her small snort; only of air though. Kagome made no noise like a pig. So she knew that he thought it was a ridiculous reason. "You know, you need one of those too!"

He looked down at her petite form as if to say 'oh really?' without doing so. Kagome simply stared back at him before they both stopped dead in their tracks. "Run." His voice surprised both the present Sesshoumaru and the future Kagome; he'd become cold again. She could detect the fierce anger as easily as his past self.

"What…?" Kagome murmured uneasily. She didn't like the thought of leaving him.

"Run northwest; you will find Rin." Sesshoumaru stepped before Kagome's body protectively making his past self tense. He was too close to the girl in the future.

"But Sesshoumaru I can't…" Kagome reached out and took his sleeve in her tiny hands; fisting the material. Her heart was hammering.

His blazing eyes turned to her. "You are still weak Kagome; I smell reminisce of your illness in your body." He removed her hands from him carefully so as not to claw her. "You will only hinder me should you remain."

A flash of light appeared and Kagome fell from her future self's body. "This is the part I can change…" Her voice, though soft, rang clearly in Sesshoumaru's ears. He'd stepped toward her but she hadn't looked at his approaching form; too intent on what was to be. He watched her carefully for a moment before returning his attention to the small preview of his life.

"Sesshoumaru; I can fight!" She was begging; she wanted to stay with him. "Please; let me stay!" She reached for him again.

Her body was thrown back by his left arm; she crashed into a nearby tree with a sickening crack. Her body slid down slowly; a large indenture left in the bark. Kagome looked up at him, fear in her eyes and pain. Sesshoumaru's present self had never seen such hurt there before; besides maybe the day she said she would kill his brother. Sesshoumaru now stood over the Kagome who was watching this scene along with him and she still noticed him not. "Miko?" He called; but she never reacted. Instead she watched with clouded eyes.

"Se-Sesshoumaru?" Her voice whispered along with her shallow breath. The human heart in her body hammered wildly; it sounded as though it would shake itself from her ribcage. Those blue eyes filled with the tears that he'd seen many times before but for the first time because of him.

His eyes were hard and cold. "Should you not wish to be attacked by two opponents then I suggest you leave."

"I… I…" Kagome shook her head; Sesshoumaru would never hurt her. The thought was written clearly on her face; she had far too much faith in the demon lord or did not know him well enough.

He pulled a sword she'd never seen before from his side and came down in the spot where she would have been. The past Sesshoumaru noticed how slow the movements were though Kagome hadn't registered it. Neither had figured it out. "Leave this place!" He spit venomously; speeding up his movements a touch in order to slice her hamaka. Blood quickly dripped from the spot that was cut.

The force was drawing near and Kagome already felt her lungs burning; bronchitis still in her system. She didn't want to fight Sesshoumaru because it would distract him and it was tearing her apart that he would attack her. She didn't understand. Was it because he was protecting her in a more violent manner? "I will go…" She whispered almost silently, hair covering her eyes.

The demon lord relaxed very much at her words. His swords tip touching the ground rather than remaining in the air. "But," Her voice became hard suddenly and he stiffened. She walked up to him as he readied himself in case he need force her away again. "Don't you dare die." She'd lifted her face to look him in the eyes; tears brimmed over the surface.

"I would not…" He began; eyes narrowed at the assumption. How dare she think him so weak.

"Shut up!" She hissed through sadness and pain. There was no anger he noted. She stood on the tips of her toes and placed her hands behind his neck pulling his face near hers. Kagome's lips crushed his with the force of her love for him. He gasped a slight, mouth opening. The scent of his demon spread over her like a fan and so she crushed herself against his armor mouth opening as well with a small noise. Something flickered shyly and suddenly he tasted her; his eyes widened and he took her body into his hands, dropping his weapon, to return the favor. Kagome whimpered as his long fangs unintentionally caressed her upper lip; puncturing where creamy skin met pink, soft flesh.

He pulled her from his body; it was his mistake for distracting her. He should have pushed her away sooner; now she may hear the battle. "Go!" He said forcefully, eyes fierce with love. Kagome nearly fell out of herself. "Now!" He growled as he pulled her hands from his body.

She wouldn't say I love you. If she did it would mean she wouldn't have anything else to tell him and she didn't want him to think that. "I have something you must know; come back to me."

"Always."

With that promise she touched his lips shyly again before turning away and running as quickly as her human legs could carry her. He'd wanted her to find Rin so she would. She wouldn't look back; that's what she told herself.

"Don't look back; don't look back; don't look back!" Something loud shrieked behind her; like a bow string snapping and an arrow flying fast. Kagome fell to the ground; Sesshoumaru hissed her name before everything went black and the present demon lord, along with the priestess, stood next to the well again.

For a moment she remained silent. "All of that so I could remember to look over my shoulder…" She nearly fell over; why was fate toying with her and this love thing for Sesshoumaru? She knew it was going to happen; it must be trying to make her really, really want it.

"Love?" A chill ran up her spine at his word; the venom behind it shook her to her core. "Love for a human?" She turned to him; his eyes held a reddening hue. What had she done…? "Never would I love a mortal girl."

Kagome stepped backward as he clenched both fists; blood running down his knuckles. "Find yourself another sensei human." The youkai turned from her and began to walk rigidly from the clearing.

"Sesshoumaru…!" Kagome stepped forward, hand reaching toward him. She needed to explain to him, tell him something. He deserved that right? He turned immediately with red and blue eyes raising his clawed hand; venom dripping from his talons and swiped.

Oh wow…. That was exciting huh? Got you pumped for the next chapter?

And Akin's back; yay! For those of you have never read my other fanfics Akin is in all the others but My Protector.