Disclaimer: As always

Big thanks goes to Tsuki Ai for beta-ing, and to my kind reviewers: bookpotato795, NanaoFan, Alechaos Ogigio, petitefeeme, ginnie177, BlackDog616. Thank you all for supporting me!

Now to the chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 8- Hard changes pt.1

Mrs. Higurashi woke up in the night from her sleep. After a few failed attempts to fall back asleep she decided that perhaps a glass of water could help her, so she stood up and went in the direction of the kitchen. However, the blue light emitting from her youngest child room, suggesting that the computer was still working, stopped her. Quietly she opened the door.

"Souta? Are you awake?" she asked quietly. She didn't want to wake him up if he was sleeping. When she got a reply it didn't shock her.

"No mum. You can come in if you want to," the boy said turning back to the monitor. The woman smiled gently and entered the room. She looked curiously at what her son was doing. Her eyes widened slightly.

"Youkai? I never knew you were interested in them. Perhaps you could ask Kagome about them; I'm sure she wouldn't mind telling you about a few of her adventures." Souta only shook his head.

"It's not that mom," he said sadly. Mrs. Higurashi, catching the negative emotion in the boy's voice, sat on the bed waiting patiently for an explanation. Soon enough, Souta turned to her with a serious expression.

"Mom, did-... did something strange happen at Kagome's birth?" The woman blinked. She expected something, but that wasn't it. Lightly shaking her shock off, she replied.

"No, I don't think so." Souta sighed, before looking at the monitor and back at his mother.

"Perhaps there was some astronomical occurrence. I don't know- a moon eclipse, a comet or something?"

"No. I don't remember anything like that," a little smile appeared on her face as she continued, "But on that day was the last episode of my favourite series and because of Kagome I wasn't able to watch it." The teenager huffed angrily.

"I'm serious." The elder woman nodded, her motherly smile still in place.

"I can see that, but I'm wondering why that is?" Souta bowed his head, his dark bangs covering his eyes, but said nothing. Mrs. Higurashi just waited, she knew her children very well and she knew that her son would start talking when he was ready and she could wait. After all, it's what mothers are for, and as always, she was right.

"I just- it's... I just want to know why all of this is happening to her. Why it's always her?"

"Who's she?" The boy sighed again.

"Kagome. Why it's all happening to her?" The dark-haired woman was caught off guard for the second time.

"What do you mean?"

"You know the Jewel, youkai, traveling across the time. Why it's her?" The woman smiled to herself.

"Souta, are you jealous?" The boy looked at her dumbly for a moment before shaking his head violently.

"No! Of course not, I mean sure, now it sounds exciting, but I was such a coward back then. You know once something attacked us here and Kagome asked me to jump to the well to bring Inuyasha. I never told her but I was so terrified that I was standing over the well for a good five minutes before jumping inside. I'm not jealous, but I think it's unfair that stuff is always happening to her. Can't she just be my older sister? Does everything bad have to happen to her?"

Mrs. Higurashi sighed, pulling her child closer and embracing him. She never told anyone about this or allowed it to be seen, but there was so many times when she was thinking like Souta. Of course she was very proud of her daughter, not many girls in her age would be ready to sacrifice her time and safety to travel through time and fighting things that even she would be scared of. But still sometimes she just wished that Kagome was never taken through the well, so she could be her little daughter.

She had cried a few nights worrying if her baby was safe, protected. If she would even return once her mission was over... If she would survive another day, so she could come back to her family. And then when everything was over and she was back, then this...Yes, she really could understand her son.

"I think that everything is happening for some reason Souta, and I hope that Fate have something good in store for her," she whispered. The boy tightened his embrace on her waist.

"Fate can be cruel," he mumbled. The woman nodded.

"It can, but it cannot be cruel forever."

The boy nodded and no more words were said. They just sat there allowing the other's presence to sooth their worries.

oOoOoOoOo

"What?" Kagome whispered in horror. She couldn't believe what she just heard. He couldn't be serious, he— no, he just cannot be serious!

"What?" she asked again.

Sesshoumaru just sat in silence watching her. He was actually hoping that the miko would take it better, but on the other side, he wasn't subtle about that either. He didn't see any need for it, and perhaps it was a mistake on his side. Still, what was done was done; there was no reason to cry over it. He would just remember today's lesson for the future.

"You can't be serious!" the young woman cried bringing the inuyoukai from his thoughts.

"I think I made it clear that I am. I'm waiting for your answer." The woman shook her head in disbelief.

"You can't expect me to answer you now. I need time to think over it, probably ask my mother for some advice. At least give me one day," she almost begged. She really had enough stress for one night. Perhaps youkai were used to having their world changed in one hour, but she was not. Of course, the mighty lord couldn't see her point.

"I do not have the luxury of time, miko. Neither do you." She whimpered in her hands. 'Kami please help me. I need someone's support,' the little miko prayed.

She sat like this for a long moment, and Sesshoumaru was starting to suspect that she had fallen asleep, but then she spoke.

"I—I need a moment to think about this. Could you... umm could you give me something to drink by the way?" she said weakly. The man nodded, quickly standing from his chair. He was more than ready to cooperate with her now when she was showing some common sense.

"Would you like tea?" The girl nodded.

"Yes, I would be grateful."

"I shall be back in a moment." With that he exited the room, leaving her to her thoughts.

Putting the kettle on, Sesshoumaru sighed. He could actually understand the woman's troubles. He had lived around humans for long enough to learn about their nature. He knew that they needed time to get used to changes even if they were preparing for them. The problem always lied in accepting the new situation. But he didn't have time to give; he was truthful when he said that to the miko. Giving her time to accept the changes could cost her life. That wasn't an option.

She was already attacked twice, and the second time they were bold enough to come to her home. By living through them, she had only put a death sentence on herself. She had proved two things to them: that she was aware of her powers, and that she could use them. That made her their number one enemy.

Of course, he was also partially at fault. He had saved her, and even met with her, but somehow the fact that she could be in danger missed him. It was just hard to place her in this time, even if she never fit into the Sengoku period's standards, he couldn't shake the feeling she was part of it. His stupidity nearly cost her life, but he wouldn't make the same mistake again.

Seeing that the water was boiling, he cut his train of thoughts. Quickly, the drink was done and he returned to his office. The miko was sitting in the same position as when he left, her body shaking.

"Here is your tea," he said, placing the cup in her hand. She took it and nodded gratefully.

"Did you make your decision?" he asked sitting in his chair. Kagome sighed, taking a little sip of the tea.

"I still need to know a few things." He nodded and once again grew annoyed at himself. How hard could it be to remember that she couldn't see the gesture?

"Ask," he said.

"You said you wanted me to take part in your project, leave my job and move from my house, but you never said what I should do after that. I don't have money to afford a new apartment right now, and it's hard to find job when you're blind. How do you expect me to survive?" 'Especially with a killer breathing down my neck?' she added mentally.

"I can place you in my apartment. It's big enough and you wouldn't have to worry about the payment. About your work, I can give you a job in my firm but I doubt you will be able to do anything after the tests." The girl nodded thinking over her next question.

"Why with you?" He saw that question coming. It was perfectly obvious that even if they were no longer enemies, the last time they saw each other 500 years ago they were just two beings fighting for the same end. In this time it would have to be different. He thought about his answer carefully.

"I can place you somewhere else, but I believed that humans tend to be more confident around faces they know." Kagome chuckled lightly.

"Faces are not something I can take comfort in; a voice is more adequate. However don't fool yourself; you're not someone I would choose for comfort anyway."

"I'm aware of this."

For a moment, Kagome wished she could see. She was wondering if his facial expression would tell her something about the way he felt about this. 'Well there is no point in dreaming for something that won't happen. I have other matters to concentrate on.'

"Why should I believe you?"

"This Sesshoumaru has no need to lie to you," the lord replied, sounding slightly offended. Kagome frowned.

"We weren't friends then, nor are we friends now. Why should I place my life in your hands?"

"This Sesshoumaru—" the daiyoukai stopped for a moment rethinking his words. After a few seconds he started again.

"Times have changed miko. So have I. I cannot claim any longer that humans are not important for they've shown that they're able to conquer the world. As a species, my opinion hasn't changed. I still say that you're a mindless, wild race who never considers the consequences of your decisions. However, as individuals, you can prove your worth. I have seen your power and loyalty miko, and on a few occasions, I have protected you. I shall do the same now."

Kagome was speechless. His words were repeating in her mind over and over again.

Sesshoumaru really has changed, but she still could recognize his old self in this man. Just look at her, she had changed so much in last 5 years and he had 500 years for that. Then she knew his words were always true, 'perhaps…except threats about killing Inuyasha,' but she had no reason to doubt him now.

But she still hesitated. By agreeing to this, she would place him as her protector. Until now it was Inuyasha who protected her, first as her hanyou friend, then as her dog. Even if her pet wasn't the man she met so long ago, he still carried his name. She felt like she was going to betray him. Both of them. Yet, did she really have another choice?

Her answer was simple and she knew it, as well as the youkai sitting somewhere across her. She was in a grave danger. The danger that no one could save her from, and she couldn't really count on her good luck. At some point, she wouldn't be able to save herself with only her powers.

Her shoulders slumped in defeat; there was no point in considering it any longer. She had to give her answer. Taking in the little strength she had left, the young woman straightened her back.

"Very well, I agree to your offer." The youkai nodded. The miko proved to be reasonable, that was a good start.

Clearing his throat he spoke, "As you decide miko. From now on, you're under protection of this Sesshoumaru." The girl opened her mouth to speak again, but Sesshoumaru cut her off quickly. It was late enough; they could talk about the rest in the morning.

"We shall speak later. For now, we will go back to your apartment and you will take a few necessary things for the night, then we will go to my house. The rest will be collected in the morning. I believe you don't work on the weekend?"

"No, I don't." The man smirked to himself taking her arm under his.

"It will allow us to rest. Now let us go miko." Kagome adjusted her hold over his arm and they moved out of the room going back to the car.

Like the previous one, this ride was also silent. They had enough to think about. When they arrived at Kagome's apartment, she moved quickly placed the most needed items into her bag, she took only clothes for the morning and her toiletries since Sesshoumaru promised they would come back here tomorrow.

Once she was ready, Kagome took her white cane and turned to the waiting man. He stood from his chair to leave when she stopped him by extending her hand to him. He looked at her waiting for an explanation.

As if she saw him, she explained with small smile, "If we are to be partners and roommates I think we need to start everything from the beginning."

"Hn." Kagome giggled at the elaborated reply.

"Well Sesshoumaru, my name is Kagome. I'm a miko."

AN: Thank you for reading! I hope you liked it and.. I'm waiting for your opinions :)