Hey guys! Thank you so much for the reviews.

One of you (Luna) asked a few questions and I'll answer one of them: I started this as a one-shot, but then I got a little idea and you guys liked it, so I continued. SOOO I have no idea when it will end… probably when I run out of ideas. xD

P.s. Kagome's guard is no one important. I tried finding someone to fit the part buuuut no one really worked… sorry.

UPDATED

When the Moon Comes to Visit

When Kagome awoke, the sun was shining into the room, warming the bed. She curled into the blankets, moaning in delight. This was so much better than fur on a stone floor.

"You're finally awake," Sesshoumaru's voice twisted through her gut, making her frown. And here she was having such a good morning.

"Barely," she murmured, rubbing her eyes. "How long have you been up?"

"A few hours," he moved next to the bed, "Now get up, there are a few things to do before you leave for the lake house."

Groaning, Kagome sat up in bed, pushing her hair out of her face. "Fine fine." She sighed, "Sleep hater…"

She got up, pulling her nightgown down instinctively. "Your clothes are laid out on the end of the bed, change and meet me downstairs in the dining room."

Kagome gave him a look, he was being oddly kind. But she wasn't going to complain, instead she gave him a nod, watching him go with a shrug.

. . . . . .

When Kagome finally made it downstairs, wearing a proper kimono and having pulled her hair up into a messy bun after much hair maneuvering (boy did she miss hair ties), Sesshoumaru had finished eating, and was waiting with a girl she recognized as Kikyo.

Heat flashed to her face when she recalled the first time, and last time, she saw her.

Trying to hid it, Kagome walked up to them, feeling awkward in the heavy fabric. "So what was it I have to do before we go?"

"Nothing much," Sesshoumaru said, looking at a piece of paper on top a stack of others. "Firstly, eat. And during Kikyo will inform you of the rules and purpose of the lakehouse."

Kagome nodded, looking at the covered platter in front of her. Before removing the lid, she looked at Kikyo and offered a smile. "We haven't been properly introduced," she hadn't meant it badly, but was glad it turned into a small jab at Sesshoumaru for their first meeting. "My name is Kagome."

Kikyo smiled back, face carefully controlled. "It is very nice to meet you, Kagome."

Satisfied, Kagome began to eat as Kikyo started to talk.

"The lake house is on top of a hill about a half day's march from here; the lake itself is small enough to see across, but not enough to swim it." She paused in case Kagome would have questions. "It is a large home, with twenty-two rooms, split in half, eleven on either side."

"Is there a reason for that?"

"When a girl goes to the lake house, she is accompanied by a minimum of five guards, one of which is her personal guard for the duration of the stay. Generally, once we are given a personal guard, he is with us indefinitely."

"So that way you gain trust?"

Kikyo nodded, "As well as that way the guard can get to know you enough to keep you out of trouble, in case our curiosity overwhelms us."

Kagome nodded, taking a drink of chilled juice. Briefly she wondered how they got it cold…

"While there, we are to bathe twice a day, as well as rest and eat an extra meal a day."

"So basically we are going there to relax?"

Kikyo smiled, "Precisely."

Kagome sighed, "I wish that was what happened back where I'm from."

"What did you do?"

"Continued working, cleaning, and whatever it was we had to do." She snorted.

Kikyo blinked at her, "That must have been awful."

Kagome shrugged, "We also had pills that made us feel better, so it wasn't too bad."

"Pills?"

"Medicine," she explained.

"Ah," Kikyo nodded, "We are not permitted such things during our moon days."

Kagome raised an eyebrow at the terminology, but said nothing.

When she was finished eating, Kikyo led her down the stairs to the main door. Four guards stood on either side, watching them with interest. She felt as if they were scrutinizing every step she took, but she tried to ignore it. Perhaps they were mad she hadn't been punished. Hell, Kagome was surprised she wasn't, too. Sesshoumaru wasn't exactly the forgiving type – why allow her on a vacation, whether or not it was her time of the …moon? She wasn't complaining, but she was sure she would be soon enough.

When they exited the castle, a large, lavish carriage waited outside with ten more guards standing at the ready. They all looked the same; buff, tall, with weapons and eyes that were ready for battle. Seemed an awful lot for two human girls.

"Why do we have so many protectors?" Kagome found herself asking.

"We are prizes, Kagome. Our Lord may be the ruler, but that does not mean others defy him and wish to take his belongings."

She frowned harder at that, "I am not a belonging," she snapped, "Or a prize."

Kikyo didn't respond to that, instead she continued with what she was saying. "They are here to make sure no one tries to harm us or take us for whatever reason."

Folding her arms, Kagome admitted to herself that having more guards didn't make her feel safer, they did the exact opposite. Needing this many guards made her feel as if being taken was a much greater threat than she originally felt.

"So who's my personal guard?" At her words, one of them stepped forward and bowed his head. He looked ordinary enough, more human than the rest of him, and introduced himself as Hento. She was a little less than impressed, but figured he had plenty of skill to work with.

She turned to Kikyo, about to ask who her guard was, when Sesshoumaru walked out and everyone dropped into a low bow – except for her, of course.

He barely glanced at her, first scanning the surroundings as if looking for threats. With a simple 'hn' he nodded and his loyal subjects rose. Kagome rolled her eyes.

She was going to be punished, he said as much last night, and already she learned he enjoyed punishing, so trying to get on his good side would do little good. Certainly not enough to make her feel worth it to actually bow.

"I will see you when you return," he said formally, "Ride safely and trust your guards." With that, he turned on his heels and walked away, leaving Kagome staring after him like an idiot. Was that the real Sesshoumaru? Had he been taken over by a polite zombie?

"Come on, we have to get going." Kikyo gently tugged on her sleeve, and together they made for the carriage. "We sit alone inside, the men ride next to us." She explained as she helped Kagome into the tall hunk of prettied up wood.

Once inside, she reveled at the beauty. It was so simple, four walls, two windows, two long seats, and yet simple splashes of light reds and yellows made it look so regal.

"Wow," she whispered, scooting over to the window on the wall of the carriage and pulling the cover from it. "This is amazing."

Kikyo climbed in after her, shutting the door softly and sitting down on the opposite side. "If you enjoy scenery, keep an eye on the window, it is quite beautiful."

Kagome glanced at her, she had pulled out thread and some sort of needle; she knew it wasn't called sewing, but frankly hadn't a clue about that sort of thing and couldn't put a name to it. "Aren't you going to watch?"

She shook her head, "I have seen it many times."

Kagome pouted, looking back outside while she wondered if she had somehow upset Kikyo. She seemed so formal, as if she didn't want to be friends. She and Sango were polar opposites… With a sigh, she wished the latter girl had come along instead.

Mentally slapping herself, Kagome stiffened. It was hardly fair for her to judge Kikyo so harshly… for all she knew, her past was as gory as Sango's, and she just handled it differently. After what she had seen, Kikyo deserved nothing but kindness.

Kagome turned back, deciding to try harder. "So what are you making, there?"

Kikyo glanced at her before continuing, "It is going to be a scarf," she held it up, "Or a blanket."

Noting the vast difference, but deciding not to mention it, Kagome asked, "For you?"

"No," Kikyo responded.

She bit her lip, "Who's it for?"

Kikyo didn't look up this time, "Probably no one."

For the love of Kami! "So why make it? Do you just love to …knit?" She hoped she got the right term.

Kikyo erupted into laughter, shocking Kagome into silence. "Are you kidding? I hate it!"

"Then why do it?" She sputtered.

"Because it is the only thing we can do that keeps me from dying of boredom." Kikyo said, still giggling.

"What did you do before you came here?" Kagome asked suddenly, then immediately regretted it. "I'm sorry, you don't have to answer."

Kikyo shook her head, "It is alright. I was a priestess."

Kagome raised an eyebrow, unable to look away from the collar at her throat, which matched her own. "A miko?" She asked.

"Yes," she gestured to both of the collars, "Something you and I share."

Kagome shook her head, "Not really. I had no idea I was a miko until I got the color explained." She shrugged, "Even then I didn't believe it."

"Until you tossed Lord Sesshoumaru out the window."

Kagome laughed, "Yeah, that's when I believed it."

Kikyo set her needle and thread down, "I was born into a small village, and raised to become the high priestess when I came of age." She looked out the window, her past in her eyes. "It was long before humans were nearly wiped out. Back when we outnumbered the demons."

"Could you fight?" She asked, thinking of Sango again.

Kikyo smiled, "It is one of the more important duties of a priestess to purify demons, and most of the time that requires battle, so yes, I could. But I was most handy with the bow."

"You're an archer?" Kagome's eyes sparkled; the idea of bows and arrows had always fascinated her.

"Once I was one of the best," she sighed, leaning back against the cushion. "But that was a long time ago."

"Maybe I can ask Sesshoumaru if he would allow you to start up again," she bit her lip, "And maybe I could learn a few things?"

It was Kikyo's turn to raise an eyebrow, "If you can convince him of such a thing, I would be more than happy to teach you."

. . . . . .

They had stopped twice throughout the journey, breaking for the horses as well as for themselves. Somehow the sun had lowered to a sliver; night was almost upon them.

"It's gorgeous in the light," Kikyo explained as they came upon the lake house. Like she said, it was on a mountain, at the highest point.

They had to walk the last mile, and after sweating in the damn kimono, Kagome was beginning to complain, "Why is it at the top?"

"It is a strategic point," she was told, "That way we can control anyone who tries to come up."

That was all fine and dandy, but walking up the rough path in a tight, heavy dress was hell.

"I'm looking forward to that bath."

. . . . . .

Before climbing into the hot water, fed from a spring somewhere (Kikyo had explained, but Kagome wasn't listening), Kagome cooled herself off with a splash of cold water. She doused her whole body, enjoying the relief from the warmth outside, and for a moment stood, waiting to be too cold.

When it finally happened, she dipped into the hot water, enjoying the heat this time.

The girls took turns washing each other's backs and hair, both perfectly fine with enjoying only the sound of running water.

After cleansing and drying off, they said their goodnights. The long journey had tired them, and Kikyo promised to give her a tour in the morning.

Kagome had gone to her private room, glad she'd had the option to choose between the differently designed temporary homes. Each were larger than her apartment, with private washrooms and tables and chairs for relaxing and dining. It was all very relaxing, but for some reason, Kagome couldn't bring herself to lay down, she was tired from traveling, but also excited at the new surroundings.

Pulling her wet hair up, she walked out into the hall, knowing already that the guards were only allowed to come to their side of the home if they sensed danger or were called. Since neither was happening, Kagome felt completely at ease as she walked through the dimly lit hallway. She took her time, glancing into each room, enjoying the different styles and colors once again.

She had started to walk past Kikyo's room, seeing as she knew someone was in there, but stopped when she heard scuffling.

Worried something was wrong, Kagome reached out to knock.

"We must be careful," she heard, pausing her mid-hit. "No matter the circumstances, we could be found out, and then where would we be."

"Dead," another voice, a very male voice, responded.

Kagome flinched back, eyes wide. What was a man doing in Kikyo's room?

If there was a camera for her to look at with a knowing 'duh' look, she would have.

But wasn't that more than forbidden? Torture, a slow death, all of that!

Having no idea how to handle the situation, at least not at the moment, Kagome took a step back, planning on going back to her room.

"Shush!" She stopped, "I smell someone."

"What?!"

The male shushed Kikyo again, and the two fell silent. Panicking, Kagome forgoed being silent and took off, flying back to her room as fast as she could.

Once inside, she locked the door and jumped into bed, huddling under the blankets as if hiding from a monster.

What was she supposed to do?!