Crisp golden leaves lay like a blanket on the forest floor. Startled birds shot from empty branches like a bullet, as twigs snapped and leaves crunched under sandled feet. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a shade of mauve as it's rays shined through the few hanging leaves, illuminating their colors of auburn, yellow and orange.
Autumn's sweet breath blew through the open forest, causing long raven hair to dance around a slender form. A soft white hand reached up to tame the wild whisps of hair as a heavy sigh of frustration left rosey lips. A skinny arm wrapped around a large basket full of herbs, steadily balanced it against her body for support.

Times like this Kagome missed the nekomata more than ever.
Every few weeks or so she would go to the neighboring village to visit the gentle giant, Jinenji and his mother.
Both of them were her teachers, teaching her about herbs and medicine as part of her priestess training, along with poisons.

And usually during these trips Kirara would accompany her, carrying the miko easily upon her back while flying through the dark reddened skys to Jinenji's village at the crack of dawn.
Hours later they both would return together. Kagome once again on Kiraras back with baskets full of herbs strapped to the large cat demons body.

Kagome remembered the feeling of flying with Kirara; how safe she felt even though they were hundreds of feet up in the air. Her arms would stretch out to the her sides like a air plane, as her thighs clutched onto the demons back for support. Wind would comb through her, bangs fluttering away revealing sparkly hazel eyes.
She remembered how she would shout, "Kirara, go higher!" And the demon would roar happily, quickly obeying her command. The cat would then leap up higher and higher into the sky till her large paws glided over fluffy white clouds.

And now.. the nekomata traveled with Kohaku.

During Kohakus last visit he asked Sango if Kirara could come with him during his travels; exterminating demons that terrorized villages. He previously requested the help from the fire cat in the past, going to far off lands that would have him away months at a time. But this time he wished for a more permanent companion on his adventures

.And of course his older sister said yes to his request with no hesitation.

Kagome knew her best friend would often worry about her younger brother while he was away, especially when he was gone for countless weeks.
Now she could tell that Sango felt more at ease knowing someone she trusted was with Kohaku; keeping him company and protecting him.

With a soft sigh, the miko suddenly stopped in her tracks, placing the basket full of herbs down upon the golden covered pathway at her feet. She stretched her arms up to the sky, giving her small muscles a little break from carrying the surprisingly heavy basket.
Hazel eyes squinted down the path leading out of the colorful forest to her bustling village.
Less than a mile away, she could see the littering of brown rooftops of the village huts and smoke from warm fires lingering above them. She heard her stomach growl as it turned with hunger as thoughts of the families cooking delicious meals above those dancing flames filled her mind.

Suddenly a shiver ran up her spine as her pale skin erupted in goosebumps. Her breathe caught in her throat, as alarms screamed inside her head warning her of nearby danger.

A demon.

Through squinted eyes, she hastily scanned the village in the far off distance, quickly noticing there wasn't a demon within the area.

Worried eyes skimmed over the countless rice fields and grassy lands till they landed on her hill near the village.

Hazel eyes slightly widened when they landed on a darken form that stood under the large tree that was isolated on top of the grassy mound.

Is that... Koga?

Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of the handsome wolf king coming to visit her once again.

Since his first visit to her village about a month and half ago, the wolf demon tried to see her as much as possible.
Sometimes he'd show up in the morning patiently waiting outside her hut to see her. Or would bravely walk through the human village midday seeking her out while she did her priestess duties.
Even when she was busy with tasks he'd trail behind her, helping her and Kaede whenever he could. And if he wasn't needed, he'd just sit back and watch from a distance, azure eyes never leaving her form.
At night he'd appear while she sat upon that hill. She'd happily greet him as he took a seat next to her. Both would begin talking to each other as they watched the sunset set behind his mountain miles away.
And every time he visited, he showered the miko with countless gifts. Giving her stacks of firewood, bags of rice and vegetables, assorted meats and even to her surprise, kimonos along with hair ornaments.
And she would happily accept them all, with a fierce blush upon her cheeks.

Then suddenly, out of no where, another wave of goosebumps dusted her skin causing the miko to leave the blissful thoughts of the wolf king.

There was not one demon, but two.

The priestess started to nibble upon her bottom lip in worry.

Koga always traveled alone when he visited her. And when she asked why he didn't bring Ginta, Hakkaku or even Tomoe with him, he would simply shrug and say when he left the mountain, he needed his strongest warriors that he trusted to protect their home during his absence.

So if it wasn't Koga... then who could it be?

Quickly she grabbed the basket from the ground, grasping it tightly within her arms, she took off running towards the demonic auras.

Heavy breaths of air left her lungs as she ran as fast as she could down the beaten path. The hill she sat upon almost every night was coming closer and closer with every step she took.
Through squinted eyes she peered up at the hill, noticing that the figure was cladded in white, peacefully standing underneath the swaying tree of golds and reds.

...white?

Her footsteps slowed to a walking pace as her eyebrows furrowed together in bewilderment.

Lord Sesshomaru?

"Miss Kagome!"

A girls voice called her name from above.

The priestess snapped her head upwards, hazel eyes widening slightly as she followed the graceful movements of the two headed dragon flying in the sky above her.
A young girl rode on his back, one hand clutching leather reins as the other hand waved in the air ecstatically, the plum colored kimono she wore shimmered in the sky.

The miko watched as the girl pulled the reins with a sudden force, causing the gentle beast to dive down towards the ground with great speed near her standing form.

And with sudden shake of the ground as large clawed hands and feet landed upon the earth, an energetic teenage girl jumped off the saddle that was latched tightly onto the dragons back.

With arms spread wide and a bright smile placed upon painted red lips, the young girl embraced Kagome. "I've missed you so much." she said.

Balancing the basket on her side, the miko wrapped a free arm around the girl bringing her into a warm hug. "I've missed you too, Rin." She said softly, "You've been gone a long time."

Usually the girl stayed in Kagomes village accompanied with the dragon demon for a few weeks. She would spend time with the miko and her friends while learning about medicine and herbs with Lady Kaede.
Lord Sesshomaru would drop by every once in a while to bestow a gift onto her. But, Kagome figured it was mostly to make sure that his ward was safe and well taken care of while he left her in their care.

And then eventually, after so many weeks, the Lord would come to retrieve Rin and A-Un from the village. Taking them both back to his castle in the west where she would then live amongst his demon court.
The only time she didn't see the young girl was during the winter, unless it was a for short visit.
Lord Sesshomaru didn't want his ward to live in the village during the freezing harsh winter. Instead he preferred her within his warm castle, where servants kept warm fires ablaze at all hours in her extravagant room, serving her countless meals throughout the day without her having to worry about food shortage while she was dressed in layers of the most expensive silks keeping her warm at all times.

Rin pulled away from the mikos warm embrace, her lips spreading into a wide smile, as the flower ornaments and pearls in her brown hair glittered underneath the setting sun. "Lord Sesshomaru took me to the beach! It was the first time ever seeing the ocean. So we decided to stay for a few weeks. I have so many stories to tell you."

"I can't wait to hear them all." Kagome smiled.

Eyes of the color of charcoal, glanced to the basket that was held tightly within one of the priestesses arms. "What is that?" Rin asked curiously.

"Herbs."

Thin eyebrows raised with realization, "You went to Jinenjis village, didn't you?"

Kagome giggled at the girls reaction. She knew how much the fifteen year old girl enjoyed the giants company. He had so much patience with her while he taught her about the different types of herbs and their properties. She'd often confused them, but he'd always gently correct her while giving her some sort praise at the same time.

"Yes, I did. He was actually asking about you today."

The miko watched as the girls red lips slightly pouted.

With a small sigh Kagome said, "Don't worry, we'll go visit him and his mother again soon. I still have a lot of herbs I need to retrieve from their garden as we well as poisons."
With a groan she continued, "Sango wanted me to bring back certain poisons on this trip for her daughters demon slayer training. I couldn't carry all of it... but, with A-Un here I'll be able to get everything I need on our next trip." Kagome said happily as she reached out to rub the top of Uns head. The dragon mewed happily as his brother nudged her hand gently, wishing for the same loving treatment.
The miko giggled softly, her small hand gliding over to As head, fingers rubbing agaisnt the thick black hair.

"Where's Kirara? Doesn't she usually go with you?"

Kagomes eyes glanced over to the girl, her hand pulling away from the two headed dragon. "She went with Kohaku."

"Oh," she said, as a sad smile graced her pretty face at the mention of the demon slayers name. "He was here?"

The miko nodded, "He left a few days ago, saying he planned on traveling up to the North for a few weeks."

Kagome knew that Kohaku and Rin had a special bond that formed all those years ago when Naraku was still alive.
And as the years went on as they both grew into young adults, the bond continued to strengthen between them where feelings soon developed. Though when asked how they felt about each other; they both quickly denied of having any type of feelings that surpassed friendship.

"I was hoping to see him..." Rin said softly.

With a gentle hand, Kagome brushed the long bangs away from the girls saddened eyes, careful not mess up the extravagant hairstyle that she adorned. "Don't worry, he said he will be back in time for the autumn festival."

As soon as the mikos words reached her ears, her expression immediately lit up with excitement. "Really!?"

"Yes."

The teenager twirled around happily for a moment, her silk plum kimono with gold koi fish sparkling in the light.
Then with a sudden gasp leaving her lips with widened eyes, she suddenly stopped and reached out for the basket that the miko held. Small fair hands lightly tugging it from her grasp.

"Rin?" The priestess said her name in confusion.

"I completely forgot," the girl said hurriedly, holding the basket tightly against her breasts. "Lord Sesshomaru wishes to speak with you before he takes leave."

Hazel eyes glanced from the young girl to the stoic figure standing upon the hill. She could see the silver strands of his long hair dance in the chilly breeze along with the thick white fur of his tail.

"With me?"

Kagome shouldn't be surprised.
The powerful Lord often requested to speak to her or Kohaku before he left his ward in their care, never asking for anyone else.
Though as the years went by, he seemed to solely ask for her now.

In the beginning she felt some what awkward in his prescence. Due to his frigid personality and lack of conversation on his part when she went to meet with him. She would nervously ramble on about everything while he stood quietly, golden eyes every so often glancing at her with pure boredom.
And when she called him brother; his feminine features would contort into utter disgust at the word, making her feel even more tense under his glowering gaze.

But, when her fiance, his brother, disappeared... that all changed.

Once she was anxious due to his indomitable presence before her, now it was because of his appearance. His golden molten eyes and long silver hair reminded her so much of Inuyasha. The striking features would often cause her to look away from him, never making eye contact while they conversed.

Charcoal eyes rolled, "Of course, my Lord always asks for you. He might not show it, but he does care for you Miss Kagome. Now please hurry, Lord Sesshomaru has been waiting for a long time."

Rin quickly walked past the priestess, her expensive sandals crunching against twigs and dried leaves as she made her way down to the village, the dragon demon walking protectively next to her. "I'll take these to Lady Kaedes!" She shouted over her shoulder.

With a heavy sigh of defeat, anxious eyes glanced away from the retreating forms of the girl and dragon, to the figure that stood upon the hill.

Here goes nothing...

With a huff of determination she made her way up the steep hill till she stood a few feet away from the dog demon.

She couldn't help but gawk at his god like appearance as her hazel eyes raked all over him.
Long silver hair fluttered around him, while bangs swayed ever so slightly against the autumn breeze, revealing molten golden eyes outlined in magenta stripes that caused the already enchanting eye color to glow even more brightly.
His porcelain skin seemed to shimmer underneath the setting sun, while the purple colored crescent moon and magenta stripes upon his cheeks seemed almost misplaced upon the angelic looking face.
He adorned his usual kimono of pearly white decorated with crimson cherry blossom crests, along with his armor; that gotten even more extravagant as the years went on with intricate designs and two spiked pauldrons that covered his left shoulder.

She felt so insignificant standing next to him.
Her eyes glanced away from the powerful dog demon to her own raggedy appearance. Looking over her traditional miko robes, that were covered in dirt and mud from digging in Jinenjis garden earlier. And her hands looked no better; slightly scratched from the jagged rocks upon the earth along with black dirt underneath her nails.
Self consciously she curled her slender fingers up, placing her hands within one another in hopes to hide the mess.
She could only imagine what her face and hair looked liked...

Once again she peered up at the demon, only to find golden eyes staring intently back at her.

With a surprise squeak leaving her lips, she quickly bowed forward respectfully to the powerful lord, long dark hair cascading over her shoulders in the process.

"Lord Sesshomaru" she nervously said, "it's been such a long time since we've last spoke. It's so nice to see you again, everyone has missed you dearly."

Missed?!

"Oh? I've been missed? That's surprising."

Her heart started to beat nervously within her breasts as she anxiously chewed upon her bottom lip.

"I've missed you and our talks."

The two stood in silence, the miko still bowing before him, to embarrassed by her words to even look at him.

"Look at me." He commanded.

Kagome held her breathe as she slowly raised up from her bowing stance, her head slightly lifting up so she could look into his golden pools.
Surprisingly she didn't turn away from him like how she did in the past when her eyes met his.

His beautiful eyes were a brilliant gold, a trait that he shared with his younger brother, Inuyasha.
She remembered how images of the hanyou would flood her mind when she looked into Lord Sesshomarus eyes, causing her to feel so much pain in that moment.
But, now she felt nothing, besides the fascination of the mesmerizing eye color that stood against magenta.

"Not turning away this time?"

She felt her heart stop.

He noticed...

Of course he noticed...

She didn't know what to say to him.

She couldn't tell him that his eyes reminded her so much of Inuyasha in the past that it was unbearable to even look at him...

"Well I-"

"I already know why." The dog demon said as his eyes scanned over the mikos face. "You're horrible at hiding your emotions, woman."

Kagome felt her face flush immediately.
She didn't know if it was because she was embarresed or because Lord Sesshomaru paid that much close attention to her.

"My brother, is a fool." He said sternly. "Even though we do share some resemblance, you should be well aware that I am nothing like that honorless half breed. And the fact that you would look upon me and think of that weakling, infuriated me."

Kagome continued to stare at him in silence, eyes unable to turn away from his emotionless face.
She was taken aback by his sudden remark, as well as this being the first time he ever really conversed with her.

"I'm sorry." She said softly, feeling ashamed by her past behavior.

They were silent for a while, the only sound you could hear was the whistling wind and the tree branches cracking as they swayed against it.

"I will be venturing up to the North for the next few weeks, leaving Rin under your care until I return for her."

"The North?" Kagome questioned, eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Kohaku told us he was also going up there."

"That boy? Why?"

The miko shrugged slightly, "He said to exterminate a demon, other than that I'm not to sure. He never goes into detail about his plans."

"Hn."

"Though he did say he would be back in time for the autumn festival taking place in the village."

She watched as the dog demon cocked his head to side, "Autumn festival?"

With eyes full of excitement the miko began, "Yes! There will be tons of food, games, dancing and shops! The whole town will be decorated for the festival!"

With a warm smile she said, "I know Rin would be so happy if you came."

He was silent for a moment, watching as the priestess beamed up at him. "And you? Would you be happy if I came?"

A light blush dusted her cheeks at his unexpected question. "Of course. If you come, you'll see me perform the ceremonial dance."

Lord Sesshomaru stared down at the slender miko before him. Her fingers fidgeting with the sleeves of her kimono as she nervously chewed upon her plump bottom lip. Her eyes though, a beautiful hazel speckled with peridots stared bravely into his own.

"If all goes well on my journey, I will come to this human festival for Rin." He paused for a moment, and then finally said, "And to see you dance."

Her blush deepened at his words. This whole conversation was so unexpected with the usually quiet lord. And yet, she felt happiness bloom within her, being able to finally connect with the powerful dog demon.

"I look forward to seeing you, Lord Sesshomaru."

A gust of strong wind blew past them suddenly, causing their kimonos to flutter against their warm bodies and long hair of silver and black to dance around chaotically.
White hands reached up to try and tame the thick long hair, eyes closing as its strands whipped against the mikos face.

When the winds finally came to a halt, Kagome let out a sigh of relief as her fingers started to work through the black mass, hoping to make it some what presentable.
Suddenly she felt a slight tug on her hair, that wasn't due to her own fingers combing through it.
Hazel eyes slowly opened, only to immediately widen with surprise as she saw the lord standing now mere inches away from her.
Her eyes glanced from his handsome face to a clawed hand that was held up slightly between them, with her raven hair delicately placed within it.
His thumb gently glided over the soft strands of hair as pools of gold stared intently at it.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

"You're hair..." he began, "it has gotten longer."

Kagome stood absolutely still under his touch, not sure what to do. Her heart felt like it was going to explode within her chest as her shocked eyes continued to dash between perfect lips to the clawed hand still holding her hair.

"It suits you quite nicely."

He's complimenting me?

Not only was the great lord complimenting her, but was also touching her... her... a mere human.

She felt her face burst aflame, causing a red hue to glow over her porcelain skin.

"T-t-thank you." She stuttered.

"My offer, will you finally accept it?"

Hazel eyes stared up at the demon as his gold ones bore into her.
Her mind was frazzled due to all the unexpected events happening between them that she couldn't think straight.

"O-o-ffer?"

For a moment she thought she saw agitation cross his face due to her cluelessness. But, it was quickly covered up by his usual mask of emotionlessness.

"For you to come stay in my castle with Rin during the winter season."

Oh. That offer.

Kagome didn't know how she could have forgotten about it since he asked her every year after the disappearance of Inuyasha.
He offered his warm castle to her to stay during the winter season. His only request being to continue to teach Rin about medicine and to keep her company.
She had to admit the offer had crossed her mind once or twice. The cold winters were unforgiving here and you constantly had to ration your food to make it last through the dead season.
But, the thought of leaving her friends and the other villagers behind during a time where she was needed the most... she could never accept it.

She licked her dry lips nervously, "Lord Sesshomaru, I -"

She paused.

Her white flesh broke out in goosebumps while the nerves under her skin tingled.

Before she could register anything, clawed hands shot out from behind her.
One arm snaking around her small waist protectively as a clawed hand was firmly placed upon her shoulder.
Then with a sudden jerk of force, her back was pulled up against hard armor.

Surprised eyes watched as her hair slivered out of Lord Sesshormarus hand as she was pulled away.

Frantically, Kagome glanced behind her, seeing Koga baring his fangs at the dog demon.

"Ko-"

"Sesshomaru." the wolf demon sneered his name. His embrace on the miko tightening as a low growl left his lips.

The Lord retracted his hand, eyes scowling at the wolf demon who grasped the priestess protectively.

"I thought I smelled the disgusting scent of wolf."

She felt Koga start to shake with rage from behind her. His growling becoming more louder as it vibrated through his thick armor against her back. "Heh. It's better than the scent of wet dog."

...This can't be happening.

Kagome watched as Sesshomarus face harden, his slender fingers jerking slightly as if he was trying his best to restrain himself from throttling the wolf before him.

The priestess didn't know what to say or even do at this point.
From what she remembered the two demons barely knew one another and had no quarrel amongst each other.
Unless something had taken place that she wasn't aware of...

"Why would a demon Lord want to visit a human village?"

"I could ask you the same question, wolf."

Silence fell between them, as the two demons continued glower at each other. The only sound that could be heard was the low growls coming from Koga and the nervous pounding heart beat erupting through Kagomes breasts.

Eventually golden eyes broke away from scowling azure, skimming down to the priestesses worried ones.

Through thin lips he said, "I wish to not waste my time any longer on such an inferior breed."

A growl erupted through clenched fangs.

The demon lord ignored the beastly sounds, his eyes continuing to stare into the human girls, "Kagome, I urge you to rethink my offer."

Then with a sudden slight bend of the knee, jumping high into the air, the powerful demon lord took flight.

Kagome watched in silence as his white silhouette became a dot in the sky as he drifted farther and farther away.

With a sigh of relief leaving the mikos rosey lips, she thanked the gods that a fight didn't break out between the two demons.

She slumped into Kogas strong embrace, her body no longer tense with worry.
Sensing that anger still rolled off the wolf demon in waves, she noticed that his protective arm and hand still did not retract away from her form now that Lord Sesshomaru had left.

She gently placed her small hand upon his arm that was still wrapped tightly around her waist, in hopes to calm the wolf.

"You don't have to worry, Koga." She said softly, "Lord Sesshomaru is a friend now. He comes to the village every so often to drop Rin off here to stay with us. He'll come by to check on her and then eventually after a few weeks he will retrieve her to take her back to his castle in the west. He would never hurt anyone here... he would never hurt me."

Koga grunted, "That's not what I'm worried about."

The mikos eyes furrowed in confusion. If he wasn't worried about him inflicting harm upon her and the village... then why was he so angry and protective of her in front of the lord?

"Koga, then why-"

"What offer?" He asked, interrupting her.

"What?"

"Before he left, he asked you to rethink his offer. What was his offer?"

She felt the wolf king tense up behind her, his arm tightening around her waist, giving her the feeling that he was afraid that she might disappear from his grasp.

"Every year he offers his castle to me, for shelter and protection from the harsh uncaring winter season. During my stay he wishes for me to continue to teach Rin about medicine and to keep her company... I personally feel the reason why he offers it, is like he said, for Rin, but also because he feels obligated to take care of me in some way since Inuyasha disappeared. If I did marry Inuyasha, Lord Sesshomaru would have been my older brother, making us family."

"Will you go?" Koga whispered.

"To his castle?" She paused for a brief moment, then said, "No, though I do love Rin with all my heart, I couldn't possibly leave my friends and the village people behind during such a hard time."

The wolf king left out a heavy sigh of relief, as his head leaned forward to rest upon her shoulder. His nose nudging the sensitive skin of her neck while deeply inhaling her scent. "Thank the gods." He whispered.

The mikos skin immediately flushed a deep red. The touch of his nose along with the hot breathe leaving his parted lips caressed her flesh, sending shock waves through her body.

"K-k-koga?"

"Don't ever leave me, Kagome."

Her heart fluttered at his worried words, as his embrace tightened even more around her.

"Promise me, Kagome. Promise me you will never go to far away where I'm unable to reach you..." the wolf king softly said, his face snuggling closer into the crook of her neck.

It was her turn to keep a promise.

"I promise I won't, Koga."