Hello everyone! I am alive! And... sorry it has been so long. My last few weeks of my past semester were BRUTAL. I won't go into it but lets just say between sick kids being home while trying to study for finals was NOT helpful and I did have a full blown panic attack that resulted in needing to drop one of my classes. It was a time. And I took a break from LIFE after. I definitely meant to post more story content but my brain was FRIED. Anyways, thanks so much to my reviewers who have been so kind and supportive for this new story! Honestly I don't actually have a plan for where this will go yet, so while I am working on my other story, Standing Strong, that does have a plot and plan in place, the updates for this one may be somewhat delayed compared to the other one. But reviews always seem to inspire me! Just saying!

And I don't own Inuyasha.

Sesshoumaru was working late into the night, signing off on scrolls, reports and other duties that he neglected whenever he went on patrol of his lands, when he felt it. That familiar brush of power, faintly stroking against his very soul. It seemed like such an easily missed whispered-soft brush of power, but he knew better. That same power could easily turn oppressive and crushing in a physical manifestation when her anger was stirred. Thankfully she never seemed to get as angry as her father. That could be trouble.

With something of an aggravated sigh he set his ink brush down and slowly stood, it would seem he wouldn't get much work done further tonight. He headed towards the main courtyard where the gates were.

He arrived just as a brilliant white light, that made the moon in the sky glow brighter momentarily, flashed, making his guards flinch. When the light receded, Sesshoumaru's eyes widened a fraction at the sight before him. Standing before him in all her glory was his cousin. Long turquoise hair that was pulled up into a ponytail, halfway the hair color changed to a lavender color. Her bangs parted in the center, showing off her pale glowing white crescent moon on her forehead, and hanging down past her chin. Her ears pointed, the same as his own. She was wearing a dark blue-purple kimono that only hung off one shoulder. The other arm covered with an a full length glove, that only covered her thumb and first two fingers on her hand and reached up to her bicep. The kimono hung off one side of her body, twisted to show off her hip. She was wearing black spandex shorts and also had thigh high black stockings and dark geta sandals. Her obi was turquoise and elaborate in a large bow with trailing tails in the back. And she had a sheer violet cloth with shimmering gold embroidery that floated around her. Her pale vertical-slit lavender eyes met his.

He was astonished by her indecent dress, but what was more astonishing was the miko she held in her arms who looked like death warmed over. The smell of her blood was overwhelming, and she was deathly pale. The sheer amount of blood he could see staining her clothes was enough to tell him the miko had managed to somehow avoid death, but just barely.

"Cousin." He greeted her in his monotone. "Is there some reason you have brought my half-brothers wench to me? I will not use tenseiga on the likes of her." He reprimanded with a frown.

He was met with a snort. "Oh please. You should know me better than that 'maru." She lifted her own slender brow at him as he glared at the childhood nickname she had always given him. "I have sealed her soul in her body. She won't die. I just need a healer to tend to her wounds." She told him, returning to a serious expression. She knew her cousin would not be swayed with sarcastic retorts and held his stoic gaze with a serious one of her own.

"Why do you care what happens to her? This one believed you were happily living within the moon, away from the cares of humans." He couldn't contain his curiosity of why his cousin had seemingly interfered on the miko's behalf. Regardless of what happened to her. Sesshoumaru and his cousin had always gotten along well due to their similar world views and opinions. She had been raised by her father who was rarely benevolent, and prided himself on being cruel with swift retribution to the things that disturbed him. As such his cousin had distanced herself from the affairs of humans, not wishing to get caught within their emotions and growing attached. It had been driven by fear of her father's reaction as a child, but then when Inukimi had taken over her upbringing for a duration, Sesshoumaru had watched his quiet and contemplative cousin develop into a woman who understood herself to be superior to humans.

A trait that Sesshoumaru and she had bonded over. So, it was a wonder as to why she held a dying human miko in her arms.

"She sent a plea to the heavens, and I was sent to offer retribution in her place. It is my duty to ensure she remains safe while she completes her quest and fulfils her duties. The kami have decreed it so." She explained with all seriousness.

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed on Kagome's unconscious form. "What? They actually intervened. For her?" He was astonished, though knew only his cousin would be able to actually tell. His eyes met his general who stood behind his cousin waiting for orders. "Very well. Take her to the healing room. We will discuss this further later. I have matters to attend to."

A slight smirk graced pale painted lips. "Thank you, milord." She teased with a knowing look. Sesshoumaru shot her a glare and growled low in his chest. A warning. This cousin of his was truly almost as maddening as his mother and her mischievous games designed to elicit a response.

Almost.

He left his general to lead her and the miko to the healing wing.

When Kagome woke, her mouth was dry as though she had swam through sand. Her head was screaming in pain, a splitting headache that felt like an instant migraine. But the worst part was the deep aching pain that seemed to be radiating in her middle. She groaned as she turned her head, the motion feeling like she was moving slowly through water.

When she opened them again, her eyes met a pair of pale lavender sharp eyes, as unflinching and soul searing as Sesshoumaru's. Her eyes widened as she remembered everything that had happened to her.

"You... you saved me?" Kagome asked the elegant woman before her. She dipped her head in response.

"I did. You prayed to the gods for deliverance. They sent me to watch over you." She replied.

Kagome paled. "W-wait! Does that mean you're a... a kami?" She was glad she was laying down, otherwise she might have fainted. The woman regarded her stoically for a moment before conceding with another head nod.

"Partially. I am half kami, thanks to my father, and half youkai." She explained. "I have celestial power which is why I was able to act on their behalf. "

"O-oh... should I bow or something?" Kagome asked, a bundle of nervous energy as she laid there completely exposed to this higher being sitting casually against the wall, one arm slung over a bent knee. She really didn't seem like a goddess. Being half youkai made sense. What didn't make sense was that she could barely sense any type of reiki or youki from the being before her.

"Can you?" She asked with a smirk and a raised brow. Questioning Kagome's current physical ability for, well, any type of movement. Kagome clenched her abdominal muscles, only to flinch and grimace, lifting a hand to press to her painful midsection.

"No... I suppose not..." She replied meekly with some mild embarrassment, a light blush dusting her cheeks.

The minor kami before her snorted with amusement. "Then do not fret over it." She replied. Kagome could only assume that it was a fairly decent concession coming from her rescuer, considering she was forced to rescue her.

"What is your name?" Kagome asked her after a long and awkward silent minute.

"Tsukihime." She replied with a raised brow. Kagome blinked slowly, something about how she was staring at her, made Kagome feel that she should be putting some puzzle pieces together. Her brows drew together as she tried to make her sluggish brain function.

Her father is a Kami... and her name meant Moon Princess... like a slap to the face, a shock coursed through Kagome. "I-is your father Tsukuyomi?" She squeaked in alarm. Tsukihime answering smirk spoke volumes, but even so she dipped her head in acknowledgement. Kagome gulped. "And... where are we right now?" She asked, her eyes flickering around the extravagant room.

"We are in my cousin's palace. Since I reside within the moon normally, I couldn't very well bring you there. Your human body would not have survived. My cousin has graciously allowed us to stay during your recovery, and once you are able to, you will train and then we shall search for your friends. I do know they are not dead, however anything after I was pulled from the moon to save you, I am unaware of their current states." Tsukihime explained, graciously anticipating her questions about her friend's welfare.

"O-oh..." Kagome really hoped that this kami's daughter was not as temperamental and malevolent as her father was famed to be, though so far she hadn't gotten those vibes. "And, who is your cousin?" She added faintly, not sure if she could handle any more shocks.

Tsukihime snorted in amusement. Using a hand to wave her concerns away dismissively. "Don't worry about that. Your main responsibility is to get better... my cousin is someone powerful enough that his home is heavily protected, so even if that halfling fleabag comes after you, he will never reach your rooms."

Somehow this only made Kagome worry for her friend even more. "It was Naraku. He cursed Inuyasha and made his youkai blood take over he wasn't himself... he wasn't thinking straight."

Sharp lavender eyes narrowed in on her. "That may be... but all the kumo-hanyou did was bring his youkai blood to the forefront permanently. He was behaving purely on base level instincts. And those instincts were to devour you. However, rid yourself of any thoughts that I'll be benevolent towards him. He nearly killed you . I had to seal your soul to your body which was practically dead until the healers here could close your wounds. He attacked you and he is the reason I was sent to protect you. I will not be allowing him to travel with us, even were he to miraculously recover." Her hand clenched into a fist as anger flared in her eyes and Kagome felt the, up until now missing, feelings of her oppressive youki that swelled with heavy celestial magical undertones. The youki was dark and forbidding.

Kagome gulped in the face of Tsukihimes hard expression. "Okay." She agreed meekly in a small voice. Remembering the feeling of terror and pain from the night before. Tsukihimes words about his base instincts were also hurtful. Knowing deep inside Inuyasha had never seen her as more than a shared detector and a piece of human meat. It was difficult not to believe her when she said it so bluntly.

Tsukihime nodded there was more she wanted to say on the subject of Inuyasha. She doubted there was any hope of reversing Narakus spell, but Kagome wasn't ready to hear the warning that she may have to purify her friend and first love. She would explain all that later. "Good now get some rest. A handmaiden will be sent to check on you later and change your bandages. And... please don't purify any of the demons here or my cousin's allowance for our visit will end." With that she stood and left the room.

As soon as Tsukihime left she went searching for Sesshoumaru. She didn't have to go far. He had been eavesdropping in the garden space of the guest wing just outside of Kagome's room. Tsukihime made a beeline for him and dropped unceremoniously next to him. Sesshoumaru rose his eyebrow at her and the corner of her lips curled up into a mischievous smile.

"So you say you don't care what happens to her, but then I find you snooping outside her room?" She teased him. He shot an icy stare her way, but her grin merely grew wider. "Not only that, but you do also have that little human girl who follows you around as well."

"Rin is different. She accepts youkai-" He started. But when his cousin interrupted him he looked momentarily perplexed and annoyed. A scandalized look for Sesshoumaru if there ever was one.

"Don't even start on that. You know full well if Kagome didn't accept youkai, she wouldn't be travelling with TWO, and friends with many more... Well technically she is travelling with one and a half, but I digress..." She shrugged.

"The miko is like all the others. She has attacked this Sesshoumaru many times before."

"Ah. But who started it? Did she, or did you?" Tsukihime smirked at him, already knowing the answer.

"I did not attack her first." He gave her a pointed look.

"No, of course not. You only attacked the person she loved most first. Many times, may I add. You can hardly fault her for being loyal to her friends and the person who held her heart. Despite the fact he was wholly unworthy of it." She gave him a pointed look, knowing full well one of the things Sesshoumaru valued most was loyalty. His lips tugged down into a frown at the verbal corner she had pinned him into. With narrowed eyes he turned away in annoyance.

"Also... She isn't a mere miko. When the gods called on me to protect her... they called her "our daughter." The Kami basically claimed her as one of their own. They don't do that with reiki users typically. They would call them their agents, not their children." Sesshoumaru's head whipped around to Tsukihime and he stared at her with shock. Then he frowned. What did the kami's claim mean? It was puzzling. And when he noticed the look of pure amusement on his half-kami cousins face he glared at her and then looked away. She knew of his desire to always be aware of everything. And now he was uncertain as to Kagome.

"You are endlessly irritating. Just like my mother." He growled lowly.

To this Tsukihime laughed. "Well... she did raise me for a portion of my youth. It was only natural for me to pick up on her word games... Speaking of which, she likely knows I am here with that mirror of hers. She will likely be coming by at some point to see me."

Sesshoumaru tensed, debating on whether allowing his cousin and the miko to stay was truly worth it at all. "And why would she bother going out of her way to see you?" He bit out, annoyed.

"Maybe because she LIKES me." Tsukihime smirked, and Sesshoumaru frowned.

"Don't pout Sesshy-kun." She said standing and patting him on the shoulder, he swatted her hand away immediately in irritation with the nicknames he had always hated. "Besides. You forget that as much as I like to poke fun at you, I also like to do the same with her. And how often do you get to see your mother annoyed hmm?" She teased him. He merely frowned and looked away, and Tsukihime walked away, tossing a hand over her shoulder in a casual farewell.

Sesshoumaru refused to let his aggravated sigh escape him at his cousins antics. Besides he very much doubted his mother's attachment to Tsukihime. She wouldn't come here for a visit, especially if she had used her mirror to know and saw that the miko was here as well.

He stood up and approached the pagoda, and then started towards his office. It was as he opened his office door the sound of hurried pattering feet rushed his way. Sesshoumaru turned to see Jaken huff and wheeze as he ran towards him.

"Milord Sesshoumaru! Your mother is here!" The toad wheezed, just as the distinctive aura flared signaling her arrival.

A growl ripped from Sesshoumaru's throat as he snapped the study door back closed and stalked off in the direction of the greeting hall without a word.

Ha ha poor Sesshoumaru! I am not gonna lie. Originally when I thought of this story I had entertained the idea of not making Tsukihime his cousin, but rather the love interest, but I was in the mood for some familial "Bonding" for him, and by bonding I mean aggravating encounters with a clearly mischevious sister-like cousin. He needs someone to help him unhinge a little at any rate. LOL

Let me know what you think! And if you have ideas for the plot or situations and encounters, feel free to send them my way, I am always happy to try and oblige what you the reader would like to read!

~ArtisticQuill