This story is devoted to my favorite character Kikyo. Pairing: Kikyo/Sess/Kurama/Inu?

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'Sesshomaru? Is he not the son of Inu no Taishou, and half brother of Inuyasha?'

The thought of the connection between this demon and Inuyasha sent a sharp pain through Kikyo's heart and replaced her fears with sorrow. But she quickly refocused her attention to the matter at hand and swallowed the sadness that threatens to disrupt her composure.

"What is it that you seek with me?"

"How is it that you are alive again? The only ones with the power to bring back the dead are my sword and the Shikon jewel. I know for a fact that it is not my doing, and the jewel is yet to be assembled, so who else possess such power."

"This doesn't concern you."

Sesshomaru abridged the distance between Kikyo and him until they are only a couple of feet apart. Kikyo did not move or even quiver; instead, she held her original position and stared straight into Sesshomaru's eyes with no change in expression. Her fears have faded, for, although his features are cold, she could not detect any intention of violence in the man whom she is now facing.

"Mind your tone you impertinent woman. Answer my question."

"I do not have to explain myself to you."

"Whatever you are planning with your new powers, just mind one thing—I will be the one to send Naraku and Inuyasha to hell. If you try to interfere, I will not hesitate to eliminate you."

With this said, Sesshomaru walked past Kikyo, leaving the latter standing alone where she had stood when this terse conversation began.

The next day, Kikyo occupied her self with her usual routines in the village. She could not, however, stop thinking about the encounter she had the previous night. How strange was it for a powerful demon like Sesshomaru to bother himself with her, for she knows about his hatred for humans, and more importantly his abhorrence toward Inuyasha and anyone associated with him, such as herself. Why did he bother warning her? If he had merely wanted her out of the way, he can easily get rid of her when she becomes of a pestilence; in fact, he could have done it last night.

Unknown to Kikyo, Sesshomaru was too pondering over their rendezvous. He cannot understand why he contrived that pathetic excuse to speak to her or why he cannot stop thinking about her. He had actually enjoyed the previous night, and, even more strange, he yearns to see her again.

'There is something about this woman that I can't quite identify, something very intriguing, captivating almost. I must see her again to put an end to this ridiculous fixation.'

Sesshomaru enters the village in which Kikyo is residing but decides not make himself visible to anyone. Instead, he hides within the shadows and makes observations of Kikyo's daily routine. Although she is an integral part of the village, Sesshomaru notes, she does not belong with the rest of those human, and her loneliness is clear. She does not purposefully seek the company of anyone, but rather she patiently entertains all the nonsensical whims of those inferior beings. She feigns happiness in order to ease the suffering others, but when she is alone, her features reflect the sadness that is within her heart. At night, she would often take a stroll in the forest after failed attempts to sleep or after waking from nightmares, undoubtedly about Inuyasha, for she constantly mumbles his name in her sleep.

The more time Sesshomaru spends watching Kikyo, the harder it is for him to maintain that she is just another worthless human, or that she is indeed any different from him. Although that brainless human who is always around Inuyasha is supposedly to be Kikyo's reincarnation, Sesshomaru can evidently perceive Kikyo's superiority in every aspect. At times, he even doubts that there is anyone who will be able to rival the beauty, elegance, and majestic aura of this woman. So how would an incredible being such as Kikyo fall for a worthless piece of scum like his half brother, and what is it that continues to bind her heart to him after all the damage that the latter has dealt?

For the past few weeks, Kikyo has sensed a continuing presence about her that she cannot quiet locate or identify. She always feels as if someone is lurking in the shadows, watching her, but since no actual harms has been done to her or the village, Kikyo resolved not to bother herself with this mystery.

On a night much like every other, Kikyo was resting on a boulder by a spring, staring blanking into the placid surface when her image was disrupted by ripples. This, coupled with the scent of many demons that pervaded her senses, alarmed Kikyo. Sesshomaru, who was closely observing the priestess, sensed the abnormality as well. Kikyo's eyes widened as she tried to pinpoint the source of the demons, for they seem to be coming in every direction and in vast numbers as well.

'This must be Naraku's doing.'

Kikyo and Sesshomaru silently acknowledged the same fact. But what surprised them was the approach of another presence that belongs to Inuyasha. This was confirmed when Inuyasha sprinted from the nearby shrubbery with Kagome's hand in his and Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara trailing behind. As soon as Inuyasha met Kikyo's eyes, he froze, and by his silence, the others also turned their attention to Kikyo. At that moment, Kikyo wished that it were a thousand demons instead, for the sight of Inuyasha holding the hand of her reincarnation immobilized her with pain. Seeing the pain in his love's eyes, Inuyasha quickly dropped Kagome's hand and walked toward Kikyo.

"Kikyo…"

That was all he could say before demons appeared from every direction and attacked the group. A bird-like demon dove at Kikyo from the right but missed when Inuyasha pushed her out of the way just in time. Kikyo landed on the bottom with Inuyasha on top of her, and his face only centimeters away from hers. Amber eyes met emerald ones; both can feel the other's heart beating rapidly. Inuyasha slowly closed his eyes and lowered his lips to Kikyo's, but before they touched, this moment was disrupted by an ear-splitting scream from Kagome, who was calling Inuyasha for help.

"Kikyo…ju…just hold that thought."

Tears formed in Kikyo's eyes as she saw Inuyasha rush to Kagome's aid, but what she did not see was another demon diving straight in her direction. Out of the nearby tree, Sesshomaru sprang out and slashed the demon into a million pieces with his claws before it could even touch Kikyo. Then he scooped up Kikyo bridal-style and leaped upward until they were out of premises of the brawling mess. Seeing his love in the arms of his half-brother, Inuyasha was instantly filled with rage and jealousy.

"Come back here you bastard! Don't you dare touch her! Kikyo…"

Kikyo tried to turn her face toward Inuyasha's cry, but Sesshomaru prevented this by pressing her closer into his chest.

Deep within Naraku's abode, the hanyou watched the proceeding in Kanna's mirror.

"Interesting. It seems that there is a new player in the game."

With a snapped of his finger, Naraku commanded all the demons to retreat, leaving three very confused human and one very angry hanyou alone in the once-again silent forest.

In a matter of minutes, Sesshomaru arrived at his castle and was greeted with Jaken and Rin.

"Master you're back. You'll see that I have taken great care of you palace, and the Western land is as…"

The sight of Kikyo caught Jaken in the middle of his sentence. The vassal intended to make a derogatory remark toward the inferiority of human, but the caring manner by which his lord was holding this woman halted the thought before it can be spoken. Jaken's silence went unnoticed for Rin could not stop commenting on Kikyo's beauty.

"Jaken, is the guest room next to mine prepared?"

"Yes master, but…"

Sesshomaru did not wait for Jaken to finish his protest, nor did his gait quiver as he carried Kikyo past servants who bowed to hide their surprised faces. Sesshomaru carried Kikyo into a luxurious room decorated with finely crafted furniture and expensive adornments. Gently, he lowered her to the silk and fur-covered bed and lowered his face to hers until their noses are almost touching. Kikyo stared into Sesshomaru's intense gaze, trying to understand what thoughts are passing through his mind. But instead, she is riveted by those pure golden colored eyes that are so similar to, and yet so different from Inuyasha's. After a long moment of silence, Sesshomaru finally spoke:

"You should rest now. The maids will take care of your every need. I'll be right next door."

"Why did you save me? I could have protected myself."

"You would have died."

"Is that not what you wish? For me to be eliminated?"

"I do not have to explain myself to you."

With this said, Sesshomaru exited the room, closing the door upon a very confused Kikyo supporting herself on her forearms.

"Master, may…may I ask what is that woman's purpose is here? The castle of the most fearsome demon lord is most definitely not…"

Sesshomaru slipped into his room and closed the door on his very talkative vassal. But in his mind, the lord finished Jaken's last sentence:

'The castle of the most fearsome demon lord is most definitely not the resting place of a mere priestess.'

"Then why did I bring her here? And why DID I save her?"

Sesshomaru asked himself as he closed his eyes and rested his forehead on the doorframe.

Next chapter: Sesshomaru forms an alliance with Kikyo. An alliance? Or is it something more?

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