A/N: Waaaaaai! This is my...:counts on fingers:...fifth chapter in this story :Throws confetti: This is a cause for celebration! I'm not sure why but let's just wing it shall we? Thank you to all that reviewed! I love you all sooooo very much!

The scenery rushed past them as they traveled in the car. Keiseki had insisted that they go home so that Kagome could be properly examined. Kagome didn't resist. She just let Shippo guide her to the car that they had arrived in (Kagome and Sesshoumaru had been dropped off by one of his drivers). She was sitting next to Ruri, who had insisted in letting her come too, who was also watching the scenery go by.

Kagome hadn't paid attention to the landscape upon entering his home this morning, so much had happened in the expanse of one morning. She watched as the forests thinned and completely parted to allow the stately mansion to come into view.

The large white house resembled a modern castle. It stood out proudly, the gardens surrounding the house stood out proudly. The flowers created a pretty picture that looked like it was from a magazine. The house seemed majestic and Kagome could hear Ruri's awed voice whisper in astonishment at the expensiveness in which Maru Taisho lived in.

Kagome had to admit that this was the only way she could see Sesshoumaru living. The kind of person he was seemed to demand nothing but the best and that's exactly what he got. She loved the hidden meanings in the simplest decorations as they walked up to the front doors. Upon the brass knocker (placed more for show) were little carvings of crescent moons and dogs.

She was disappointed that Fujimaru and Muraki couldn't come with them. They said they would have to attend to other things, Fujimaru's term paper and Muraki's job. Sesshoumaru asked that they meet them tomorrow at the mansion and they had left.

Sesshoumaru pressed a button concealed on the wall somewhere near the door. Automatically the door opened and he strode through them, not waiting for the heavy doors to finish opening. Without another word to them he walked down a hall and to the left. Kagome had no idea where they were going, she had only been in Sesshoumaru's wing of the house and she still had no idea where that was in this grand castle of his.

They walked into a room that looked like a large den. It was rectangular shaped with two large windows at the shorter exterior wall. A desk similar to the one in Sesshoumaru's office sat in front of a tall window. The long wall had a tall bookcase that reached the ceiling; the books were leather-bound and looked old.

Kagome became very interested in the bookcase; she looked at the books from where she sat in the seat Keiseki made her sit in. There were about a dozen or so shelves and they seemed to be divided in half, the right side containing books and the left side contained jars of what looked like herbs and others she didn't want to know resided inside.

Shippo turned to see what had absorbed Kagome's attention and smiled cunningly. He walked over to the bookcase and picked up a jar. Kagome watched to see what he was doing and tried to figure out what was in the jar he was holding. She craned her neck to see but he blocked it from her as he walked closer to her.

His hand covered the thing inside but she could tell that there was some sort of yellow liquid inside. She suddenly became apprehensive, the smirk on Shippo's face as he was picking up the jar made Kagome regret her curiosity but she really wanted to know what was in it.

Shippo's smile grew wider as his hand fell from around the jar and he held it in the palm of his hand. Kagome's eyes grew wide as what was in the jar became suddenly clear to her. She let out a high-pitched scream of terror as she stared at it. Her scream was accompanied by the dropping of books and the tipping over of a chair.

As Kagome hid her face from viewing the...thing...Ruri, Shippo, and Keiseki watched Sesshoumaru as he stood next to the fallen chair and the books he had been previously holding strewn messily on the ground. His eyes were wide and held fear, his skin lost all pigment and thus was paler than usual. His pupils had dilated and his hands were shaking slightly. Everyone watched this for a full second until he recovered and became normal.

Keiseki shook her head and walked up to Shippo then promptly smacked him on the back of the head. "Fuzakenai-deyo!"

"Hey! I was just playin! I didn't think that Sesshou would get scared too." He grinned triumphantly toward Sesshoumaru, who was currently doing his best at killing him with his intense glare.

He broke the death glare to look down at his hands. They had stopped shaking but he worried that something was wrong with him. He had never reacted like that to anything before and the unfamiliar reaction confused him.

He looked toward Kagome, who was not paying the least bit of attention to them. She had raised her knees up and hidden her face with her shaking hands. She was obviously still scared, he could practically hear her furiously pounding heart and the rapidity in which she was breathing.

He walked up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Her breathing calmed immediately and she lifted her head from her hands. Her blue-gray eyes were calm now, not holding fear. His hands moved of their own accord, reaching out for her and touching her cheek with the back of his hand.

Her eyes closed and he could feel her calming down, her breathing evened out and became less shallow. Something occurred within her when he touched her, a soft heat flowing through her and an overwhelming sense of security engulfed her being. She knew she was safe as long as he was there. She relaxed fully and allowed her legs to drop down from their defensive position.

"Not feeling the symptoms my ass." Keiseki mumbled to herself, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping the ground frustratingly with her foot.

Shippo did nothing but raise an eyebrow at her then look to Sango...or Ruri...whoever she was. "Are you following this?"

Ruri's head snapped toward him and her eyes widened as she registered what he had said. Her eyes narrowed and she replied with a solemn "not at all."

Keiseki shook her head disapprovingly and snatched the jar from Shippo, careful not to look inside and placed it on the shelf where it belonged. It was wrong of Shippo to show anyone, especially Kagome, who was pure of heart the vile creature that currently took residence in the formaldehyde-filled jar.

It really was a remarkable creature, when you knew how to defend yourself against it. Most people saw the ugliest creature that existed on the face of existence but to someone pure of heart they saw the most terrifying thing they have known. With Kagome, it was no wonder why she was so terrified. Her purity combined with her horrific experiences equaled an easy prey for the creature.

What Kagome saw was the face of the man...well...hanyou that she had learned true hate from. He was the person that made her shed tears and scream in outrage. All she had ever wanted was to live happily and in peace but he made all of that disappear. His head floated in the yellow substance she could only guess was formaldehyde.

The gruesome visage of the hanyou was suspended in the middle. His hair was swaying as it was moved in Shippo's hand. His face was contorted in an evil, sadistic grin that made her whole body go numb. From his eyes blood poured and they delved into her soul. She had never wanted to see that face ever again. After his death she tried her hardest to forget that deceptively handsome face. He had chased her through her subconscious and followed her into her nightmares.

"Kagome," she heard the warm and deep voice call to her. She let the feelings of relaxation wash over her and calm her down.

Her blue-gray eyes focused on Sesshoumaru's face. He looked indifferent but his eyes held concern in them. She could see behind him Shippo and Keiseki speaking (mostly Keiseki yelling at Shippo) and Ruri being the referee. She was vaguely aware of their voices raising as their fight heated but she couldn't focus on them. Sesshoumaru's face was so close to hers, if she moved up just a little more their lips would...

Kagome shook her head and stood up suddenly, surprising the demon lord and making him step back. She tried to focus on warding off the blush that was quickly reddening instead of Sesshoumaru's intense stare, Shippo's apologies and both Keiseki and Ruri's questions on her health.

"I'm fine, really." She muttered and bowed her head; "I would like to lie down. I still feel weak from the..." She trailed off, not knowing what to call the memory transfer she'd been obligated to perform earlier.

Keiseki nodded and wrapped a comforting hand around Kagome's shoulders. "Daijobu desu Kag-chan, I'll take you to your room. Shippo, I trust that you will show Ruri-chan her room as well?" She glanced at Shippo who nodded then sent a small glare to Sesshoumaru. Then turning to Kagome she smiled comfortingly, "this might feel weird Kag-chan but it'll only last but a few secondssss."

Kagome blinked as Keiseki's voice quickly began to trail off, her 's' dragging out until silence came. Kagome could feel her arm still wrapped around her shoulders but could not see the demoness. All of a sudden Kagome felt a small pull and then a glimpse of the mirror as she blacked out again.

"Hush miko," the deep voice that was all too familiar to her commanded her to stall her whimpering.

She felt the cold hands touch her stomach and under her shirt to trail farther north, becoming uncomfortably close to her breasts. It was wrong, she was unsure of who he was. Had the feeling that it wasn't someone worthy of her. She knew that cold voice held menace and not affection for her.

She pulled and kicked but he wouldn't release his hold on her. He held her by her stomach, laughing a sadistic, mocking laugh and she knew immediately who he was.

Naraku...

Here was when she screamed, clawed and bit that hand that touched her. Her purification powers tried to burn the evil flesh that came in contact with her. It made him laugh harder, throwing his head back and allowing his black wavy hair to fly in the wind. She screamed and fought but to no avail. When all of her strength left her she fell limp and defenseless against him.

"Are you really going to give up to him?"

The voice made her head raise and she looked around but saw no one. The movement made Naraku chuckle as he continued caressing her skin through the fabric of her clothes.

"Help..." She muttered helplessly as Naraku pinned her to the ground.

"Fight," the voice said again. This time she saw who was watching. Sesshoumaru stood there unmoving as Naraku leaned in to breathe in her ear.

She outstretched her hand, "help." Her eyes held tears as she reached for him, pleaded with him to help her.

He shook his head and stared at her with a daring glare. "Help yourself, if I were to help you now, how will you defend yourself when I am not here? The hanyou may have time to baby-sit you but I do not. You are more than capable. Purify Him."

She shook her head as he licked her neck, the slimy feeling making her want to throw up. "Too strong..."

"No, he's not."

"I can't..."

"Do not tell me you cannot, this Sesshoumaru does not lie. You can and you will."

"Demo..."

"No, do it now or you shall perish." He turned his head as if to end the conversation that had gone unnoticed by Naraku, who had preferred to lick at her neck and listen to her screams.

"I'll..." Kagome murmured weakly as her fists clenched. "I'll... kill... him." Naraku stopped what he was doing as her eyes glowed blue and static built up around her body. "I WILL KILL YOU!"

Naraku screamed as the purification powers seared his flesh and turned his miasma to a harmless fog. His burnt face glared at her as he burned and disintegrated atop of her. She stood and backed away from the mound of ash and bone then spit on it. Her eyes hadn't returned to normal and her vision remained blue-tinted, except for the form of Sesshoumaru, which was red. Instinct told her he was dangerous...

Her hands outstretched and a blue bow made of light appeared in one hand, an arrow made of the same energy in the other. She needed to destroy him because he was a threat. He was youkai and a powerful one at that.

He looked her straight in her eyes with that powerful and commanding gaze. She could feel her energy dropping but she stayed with her bow and arrow aimed at his heart. All of her senses and instincts told her to fire, to kill the evil and move on to another.

But she couldn't...

Sesshoumaru sat watching the miko who had managed to pass out yet again with worry. She was muttering incoherent words and let out sparks of energy in bolts that shocked him when he touched her. It was like when she had been fighting the miasma that had entered her bloodstream.

Her eyes had opened once, and on that occasion they had been an electric blue and were unseeing. "What happened to you miko?" Sesshoumaru muttered as he moved to touch her again, only to frown when he was burnt by her power.

She began to shake violently and called out to someone, asking for help and crying. Her energy reached a spike and then plummeted. He watched as she became calm and energy radiated off of her form.

He touched her cheek and the energy fluctuated but then rose again, violently attacking the intruder. He growled in frustration and reached for her once more, this time forgetting the pain coursing through his body. His fingers found themselves on her cheek, his palm touching it lightly. It hurt but the longer he stayed the weaker her defenses became.

As her energy level went down he felt her forehead with the back of his hand. The sweat that had collected on her brow he wiped off with his sleeve tenderly. It reminded him of when Rin had been sick with a fever and wouldn't let Sesshoumaru leave her side.

But as he stared down fondly at the sleeping miko's face he found himself noticing her beauty. He couldn't compare her to Rin, he just couldn't think of her as another daughter. She was a woman, one who had managed to gain his affections without even knowing it. He leaned in and placed a feather-light kiss upon her soft cheek and pulled away to stare into the open eyes of Kagome.

She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and began to sob softly into the crook of his neck. He sat on the bed and allowed her to cry, wrapping his arms around her waist and occasionally patting her back. Soon her tears stopped but she didn't let go of him, she burrowed her nose into his neck and took a deep breath.

"You smell nice," she murmured then pulled away a bit, wiping at her eyes. "Thank you Sesshoumaru, I'm sorry about your shirt." She pointed to the wet spot and tried to cover a giggle. His eyes narrowed but he said nothing and watched as she fiddled with the pajamas that Keiseki had changed her into.

"Is it late?" Kagome said after a while.

"It is nighttime and everyone else is settled in for the night. I came in to check on you." He decided not to tell her about her less than normal activities during her sleep.

"Oh," she muttered and fell silent again.

Damn, woman! Think of something to say! There is a half-dressed hottie sitting on your bed close enough to kiss and all you're doing is sitting here! Do something you dolt! Just as Kagome had gathered her courage and looked up she felt a soft pressing of lips against hers. Her eyes remained opened and as it ended she heard herself groan from the loss.

He smirked at her and watched her blush darken by the second. Even though his instincts told him to pin her down on the bed and have his way with her he just could not do it. Something was not right with him. Usually he would not give in to temptation and here he was kissing a mortal girl. But he did want to do it again more than anything.

Yet he couldn't...

He stood with a little too much effort and brushed his clothes to rid them of wrinkles. His smirk was gone and his eyes returned to normal. Kagome tried to read his expression but she couldn't see past the mask he had managed to place on after only a few seconds. "Sesshoumaru," she called as she quickly got up from the bed.

He turned from the door; he had almost succeeded in leaving the room. His hand was on the doorknob and he had already opened the door a bit. "What is it miko?" His voice was a bit forced and stringent but Kagome ignored it and walked up to him.

She stood close to him, impossibly close without touching him. He could smell her enticing scent. Her eyes sparkled and gleamed, making him stare into them and become drawn to her further. He noticed her wavy hair's descent across her shoulders and over her...ughh... He blinked away the (disturbingly perverted) thought and raised his eyes back to her blue ones instead of...other places.

He started when he felt her hand on his face, tracing imaginary figures on his skin. Her fingers felt warm and he involuntarily leaned in to her touch. He bowed his head lower, silently giving her permission to continue. She stood on her toes and pressed her petal-soft lips to his own in a soft kiss. His chain of control cracked under her hands and lips. Her taste was wonderful and his tongue peeked out to taste her further.

She opened her mouth in response and wrapped her arms around his neck. Their kiss became deeper and Kagome felt dizzy. The sensations were so new to her and the fact that it was Sesshoumaru who was taking the lead and kissing her with such ferocity made her heart swell. She felt weak and dropped her feet to plant firmly on the ground where she could stay upright. He followed her and continued his kisses down to her neck placing his hands on her small waist.

Sesshoumaru couldn't stop and he didn't want to. But wanting and needing were two totally different things. He may not want to stop but he definitely needed to. He didn't feel anything more than attraction for her and he knew that it was the same with her. As his tongue tasted her soft neck the words that Keiseki had spoken suddenly made sense.

The blood...

"Kagome, we need to stop." Sesshoumaru whispered as he nuzzled her neck with his forehead, enjoying the feeling of her nails trailing lazily across his scalp and through his hair.

She nodded but didn't move. Neither of them moved for a while and then Sesshoumaru lifted his head so he could stare into Kagome's eyes again. She saw his heated golden eyes and almost melted under the intensity of his stare. She didn't love him, why did she feel this way. She couldn't love anyone else, she'd lost the ability to love but she felt an attraction to Sesshoumaru and wanted to be with him.

Kagome released her hold on him and tried to fix his hair, giggling a bit at the spots of color in his cheeks. She didn't know whether it was a blush or from the heat of passion but she thought it was cute and couldn't help but laugh. He smirked at her and then pulled away, taking two steps back and putting a hand upon the doorknob.

"Goodnight Kagome," he said as he disappeared through the door.

"Onna," the demanding voice of Sesshoumaru called from the other side of the door.

Keiseki groaned and rolled over in her bed, pulling the covers over her head and pulling the pillow over her ears in the hopes of muting Sesshoumaru's voice.

"Wake up, there is something about Kagome we must discuss."

Keiseki shot up from the bed and (while cursing through gritted teeth) pulled the covers off. While yawning she waved a hand, dispelling the lock from the door. "Come in, impatient youkai lord."

He stepped in and closed the door behind him. He sat at the chair across from the bed that she was currently sitting on, trying the smooth out her messy black hair. "What is it that couldn't possibly wait until morning milord?" She yawned and peered at the clock on her nightstand, groaning at the time that greeted her, 3:21...

Evil man...erm...youkai...

"The symptoms have appeared," he said simply.

She looked at him with a 'I coulda told you that' look. "I told you Sesshoumaru, giving her your blood only increases the attachment between you."

His face turned from the window and his eyes narrowed. "Attachment? Explain."

Keiseki resisted the urge to roll her eyes at his impudence but decided to just do as he said. "The affect of the blood transfusion is that your minds, mannerisms, and even bodies will call to each other. When Kagome-san became frightened earlier this evening you felt it as well and felt the need to comfort her no?"

Sesshoumaru didn't say anything but he could remember the feeling that had overwhelmed him when she had curled up in the chair with fear. He saw what she had seen, the floating face of Naraku with bleeding crimson eyes and that sadistic smirk. He had wanted to hold her and comfort her. To chase her fears away and smooth out her worries, to protect her. He had wanted to do all of that but he hadn't known why. Well he knew now...

"You don't have to answer, I know it's true. You will feel what she feels, will be drawn to her, want to touch her and be near her. You might even start to act like her or vise versa." Keiseki crossed her legs and placed her folded hands in her lap calmly. "Our miko had a nightmare; you calmed her did you not?"

Sesshoumaru cocked his head to the side a little in question then nodded slowly. "If you could call that calming her then yes, I did."

"Hn," she nodded. "It seems that the kitsune's 'harmless prank' has seriously affected our favorite ningen onna. She's had a nightmare of that evil hanyou Naraku."

"You speak of him as if he's alive."

Keiseki smiled and waved a hand, "you know I'm not the serious one. That would be Kai-san."

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow; "maybe I should speak with her then?"

Keiseki frowned and closed her eyes for a few seconds, "no. She's sleeping now; she needs her rest for what is to come. There will be many hardships for us soon, especially for our miko. Kairin says to be careful and keep her close." Keiseki's eyes opened and she smiled widely, "So! You kissed her huh?"

Sesshoumaru glared at her and promptly walked out of the room, leaving a beaming Keiseki behind to drown in her thoughts.

-- Kagome and Sesshoumaru make a cute couple don't you think?

Yes, they are but do you think it's wise to keep their fate a secret?

:Sigh: Sadly, I do Kairin-pin. I wish we could help but nothing can be prevented. You need to rest now; they will need you more than they do I soon.

Hai, I shall rest. Stay safe Keiseki-chan; I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself. Take care of the miko and be sure not to say anything from the future.

I will be sure to follow your advice. Sleep now.

Farewell, for now.

Keiseki's eyes opened and their emerald depths seemed to glow in the darkness of her room. They had become normal and less dull than when Kairin appears. It was a burden, housing two minds in one body but Keiseki had grown used to it in the many centuries that Kairin had been with her.

Having two minds had its advantages and disadvantages. She had gained new abilities such as an increased knowledge and the ability to see into the future. Of course with every good thing there were bad things as well. Inherited weaknesses and different opinions were two among the many downsides there were.

Keiseki rubbed her temples and smiled to herself. It didn't really concern her but her vision of Sesshoumaru and Kagome was getting even more vivid. Her time in the outside world was running out yet she hadn't finished what she needed to do. I'll take care of it in due time, I wish I could see my future. Kairin put restrictions on her powers; it was part of the deal. Kairin could take over or interfere whenever she felt she had to so long as it wasn't life threatening.

Being able to tell the future on a whim was not in her capabilities. Kairin would send her visions and that's all she was allowed to receive. It is a dangerous thing, messing with people's future. If they know something is going to happen they might change something and ruin the whole span of time and the lives of others.

Lying back down in her bed and pulling the sheets over her once more Keiseki closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep for another four hours. That is, if nothing happened...

A/N: So that's it everyone! Sorry about the lack of updates but I hope to make it up to you by sending the next chapter out in a few days. Please review this story, I've noticed that it's getting a lot of hits but only a few are reviewing. I need reviews!

Parting Riddles for you all:

What do Koala bears, prairie dogs, fireflies, silkworms, jackrabbits, and guinea pigs all have in common?

A police officer saw a truck driver going the wrong way down a one-way street. The cop did not try to stop him, why?

Try these... the answer is in the next update.

Review Responses:

Juupren: thank you for the compliment! Wow is a good word, especially if it's describing my writing. I'm glad you find my work interesting!

Ashley41791: thanks for another review!