Hello, my dear readers
I am sorry for such late update but my life changed very fast and it is how it is.
I will definitely finish this story, but unfortunately it will be a very long journey.
Enjoy reading
Yours E

It was hard to watch her pant and growl in her sleep. She was crying, desperately clutching the sheets and begging everyone for forgiveness – even him. That is mostly with him she pleaded in her nightmarish reality.
The beauty fades and he is powerless to stop it. It annoyed the great demon, however he could not leave her. Strange as it sounded and felt – he cared for her.
Days passed and she still was unconscious. Sesshomaru began to suspect that Miko avoided reality on purpose and tried to think of ways to wake her up, but nothing seems to be suitable. Healers also were helpless, saying that she will come around when she will be ready. However when it would be no one knew.

Kagome awoke from a strangest dream she had in years. It was all about blood and revenge. She saw herself broken and bloodthirsty desiring things beyond comprehension. She opened her eyes and blinked twice not recognising her surroundings.

- Where am I? - she whispered to herself taking everything in. The room looked huge compared to her own and neatly decorated. The walls were painted in a warm sand colour that contrasted with heavy dark-wood vintage dressing table and a little stool beneath it. The wardrobe and bedroom chairs that stood next to a beautifully ornamented fireplace were also made from the same wood as the table. Kagome moved in awe and winced from discomfort. Her limbs were all tingly and uncooperative as if she was slept on them for far too long. She brushed off the feeling and moved forward, which ended with her face planted into the soft carpet.
-Mmm, - she mewled gently stroking the surface. It felt nice and cosy. Kagome wanted to stay on it forever, but something kept reminding her that it was not a good time. She grumbled trying to get up, but failing. She tried again and again, however the result was the same and her temper began to rise.

The servant that was asked to watch over "Lady Kagome", found her growling and spatting hushed curses on the floor. To say that she was perplexed by the sight is like to say nothing at all. For it seems like eternity she was just gawking at the strange human, but then recovered and meekly tried to gain Miko's attention.

- Can I be of any help, Lady Kagome?

- Huh? - was intelligent reply from so called lady.

- Is there anything I could help you with, Lady?

Agata repeated and bowed not wanting to disrespect her Lord's guest.

- Are you speaking to me? - Kagome asked and rolled her eyes at herself. Of course she is speaking to you girl! Get a grip of yourself!

- Khm, I am sorry. I am just a little bit fuzzy after my sleep.

- It is perfectly fine, Lady. You do not have to explain yourself to this lowly servant.

- Servant? Where am I?

- In the western palace, Lady.

- Western? You mean like in Sess...- Kagome caught her tongue in time, - I mean Lord Sesshomaru's lands?

- Yes, Lady.

If Agata thought that Miko is too familiar with their great Lord or disrespectful or simply insane it was not shown on her face or in her voice.
Kagome looked around one more time and rubbed her eyes then looked again. Everything stayed the same, even the bowing servant. She expected anything from Sesshomaru – to live in a cave or in a magnificent palace. To be a ruthless killer or a martyr in disguise, but what she did not expect is for him to be so "modern" and – where the heck he got these things?And most importantly what she is doing here? Unless the dream was not a dream and these despicable things have really happened. But it could not be, right? If they were true which was not, but if they were, she would be dead by now. That is for sure. It was not like Sesshomaru to keep his opponents alive and if to be honest the acts that trespassed in her dream...After them she did not even deserve to be alive. So it was a dream for sure. However the question still stays – what she is doing here? Because it is true that Sesshomaru kills his opponents, but it is also true that he is not helping his brother's wench in any circumstances.

Sesshomaru reluctantly returned to his home. Lately he stopped enjoying the quite and steady atmosphere of his domain. It was too quiet. It was...He could not really pinpoint what exactly changed, but he craved to hear some sound. Preferably stubborn Miko's voice. Even more preferably directed at him. He smiled; a little tiny smile that was reserved for Rin and now for the thoughts of Kagome as well. He found amusing how the strange woman seemed to be oblivious of the strengths and appeal she possessed; ignorant of the power she held over her companions, half breed, Rin and even him. Sesshomaru had enough time to think over the alien sensation that was building in his chest from the first day they met and come to a conclusion that was a rare one for his kind, but not unheard of. It was sympathy. He was genuinely enchanted with the Miko.
The eastern hall echoed his footsteps and he signed. May be it was time to settle down; to have pups that would run around this empty room and drive him crazy with irritation and pride. He signed again and chuckled. Melting comes with a price. He discovered the warmth of companionship, caring and sympathy, but also the bitterness of longing and loneliness. However, later concepts were very familiar to him, so he did not pay much attention to them. Right now the importance lay in the western family wing. The one young and innocent; in need of his protection and guide; the other more mature and brash, but in need of the same things and if she allows something much more.
His sensitive ears picked up the sound that was coming from Miko's room. It must be servants, he thought crushing raising hope to see Kagome up. He would not admit it but the sight of her lifeless body lying unconscious hurt him immensely and ache became even stronger with each passing day. Nevertheless, he went to the door and opened it. What he saw thought did not disappoint him on the contrary for the first time in his adult life he struggled with a desperate desire to laugh. Kagome currently was lying on the carpet, refusing help of a servant girl, and tried to stand up which proved to be very hard for her, as she was collapsing on the floor again and again.
-...stupid legs! - he heard her angry whisper. - Work!
- Lady Ka...
- No! I do it myself! - she growled, which pleased Sesshomaru. Fire was burning in her, so maybe he misjudged her character. May be she was coping better than he thought she would.
- Good morning, Miko. - he greeted, watching how her body stiffened then relaxed again and one of the most radiant smiles that he have ever seen blinded him.
- Good morning, Lord Sesshomaru, - she said, which surprised him, but did not show on his face. - I apologise for my state and inability to greet you properly, but my stupid legs refuse to work!
Sesshomaru just nodded, indicating that he understood her problem and turned his attention to the servant, in order to give himself time to adjust to new Kagome, who was surprisingly well-bred and polite.
- You are dismissed, - flat tone, cold in every syllable. Agata bowed and disappeared in seconds. He turned to Kagome again:
- Tell me Miko what have you done with the girl this Sesshomaru knows by the name of Kagome?
- I'm surprised you know my name Sesshomaru, - despite the taunting tone her face lit up with a pleased smile. The great demon just raised his eyebrow. Fast change, he noted.
- Oh, come on, Sesshomaru. I can be polite and respectful! - the absolute doubt shining in his eyes begged to differ.
- Fine. If you please tell me what you have done with the great and almighty Lord Sesshomaru?
- This Sesshomaru did nothing, - came indifferent reply.

Kagome felt oddly secure in his presence. When did I start to feel like this? She still knew that Sesshomaru was as deadly as they come, but somehow deep inside her started to bloom a new believe: he would never hurt her again. Did she lose her mind? In any case, she decided to follow her instinct.

- Liar. - she giggled. - You have not threatened me even once in all five minutes that we are together and I am sure like hell I said things wrong, dropping your title and all.
Sesshomaru inwardly chuckled finding pleasing her lack of fear.
- There is no one to witness your lack of manners, so this Sesshomaru can suspend your education ... just this once.

Kagome narrowed her eyes.
- So death threats now considered to be an education?

-Yes. You are alive, are you not?

- Not thanks to you!

- That is a debatable question, - he said and smiled. Kagome looked stunned and it amused him further. He thought that he should smile more often, as her face upon seeing it was priceless, but when she smiled back – tender and shy smile- Sesshomaru thought it worth even more.

- What am I doing here Sesshomaru?
- Healing.
- Will you elaborate, please? - she signed and tried to get up again and failing, however this time she did not hit the floor. Instead a strong arm caught her and held upright.
- Thank you, - she whispered and blushed a little. He was warm and smelt sweet. Kagome fought the urge to lean closer and inhale deeper.
- Try not to overdo, Miko. You slept for a very long time. Your body needs time to adjust.
- How long I was sleeping?
- Almost a moth, - came short reply from him.
- Oh...- her voice became sad. - I think, you can let go me now.
His grip automatically tightened.
- I can, but I won't. - came another short reply, which shell shocked Kagome. First of all, Sesshomaru dropped the third person act. Secondly he was willingly hug...hugging her.
- Are you planning to brake me, Sesshomaru? - she whispered.
- Do you wish me to? - he purred, hugging her lean form closer to his own. He was aware that change of rules came too fast for comfort, but his head was foggy and he was too happy and amused by her reaction to care anyway.

Liquid fire spread inside her. He was too warm and too welcoming to refuse. But she was confused. Why? Why he was so...so...so not Sesshomaru? What brought this on? What happened? Where are her friends? And why she enjoys it so damn much!?

- Did you hit your head or something? - Kagome tried to reason, tried to understand.
- I was not the one, Miko. If I recall correctly you just burned me a little. No head hits. - he said it playfully, almost as a joke, but it was enough to froze her.
- Wh-hat?
He felt her stiffen.
- You do remember, Miko, your furry and wish for revenge. Our battle? - it was not a question, but doubt could be tasted in the air.
- It was a dream? - uncertainty coloured her voice. She looked at him. Eyes begging to say "yes"; to calm her down; to take away the burden and he felt his will crumbling and at this moment the great demon knew that he is done for. His everything will be anchored to her. Most certainly for eternity. It unsettled him.
- No, - he said before his voice left him, before his universe changed its name to "Kagome".
- I...I...and Rin? You!? - she was hurt, he could feel it. She was disgusted and frightened.
- Yes, - he answered not sparing her or his own feelings for that matter. Sesshomaru knew she will break and he will be the reason for it. He only hoped he would be given a chance to mend her afterwards.
- Why? - her form started to shake and he held her even closer.
- Why what, Miko? - he gently said, stroking her hair and thanking Kamis for giving him Rin before her, as now he knew how to comfort even just a little bit.

- Alive...- she choked on her own tears. - I...live...- she sobbed now.
- Education, Miko, does not require pupil's death, - he stated simply, believing in every word.
- How!? How can you say such things? - she almost shouted, trying to get away from his grip, but failing. - I do not deserve that. Education!? I almost killed an innocent girl! I am disgusting egoistic creature. I should be dead! - and she fell into the grips of hysterics.

Some time after when tears and curses ended, and Sesshomaru coaxed her to sit with him in one of the chairs, she asked:
- Do they know?
- No, - he said gently stroking her dark hair.
- Why they are not here then? - her voice was hoarse from crying, but he could hear that it was also void of emotions and that alarmed him.
- They do not know where you are, - the demon Lord stated the obvious.
- Or may be they do not even want to know...
- May be, - he agreed. - Are you ready to listen, Miko?

- Listen to what?

- Reason.
- There is no reason in what I did nor there any justification.
- Why there should be justification for getting upset, Miko?
- Ecxuse me!? -
Ah, emotions, - he thought.
- You were upset, Miko. Angry at me for making you suffer. Displeasure got the better of you, since you do not let it show very often. You lashed out. That is perfectly fine.
- I almost killed you both Sesshomaru, just because you upset my mother.
- I almost killed you too on many occasions, Miko, for fever reasons.
- That's not an argument, Sesshomaru. You are a demon and...
- And this does not change anything, little Miko.
- Rules are different.
- Are they, Miko? In life there is only one rule – kill or be killed. It is normal for you to want to avange your mother's pain. I would have done the same.
- But I am not a demon Sesshomaru.
- It is clear as a day, Miko.
- How so?

- You did not succeed.

- Sory?

- If you were a demon, Miko; if you were a disgusting monster – you would have killed me and Rin without a doubt.

- But...

- Hush, Miko. - his patience was wearing thin - That is the difference. You could refuse your desire to kill because your heart is pure. It is not in your nature to hurt and destroy. I see that. Why won't you?

- Because I failed everybody...-he smelled salt again.

- Whom, Miko? Your loyal friends - sarcasm colored his usually stoic voice - that did not even bother to look for you or your precious half breed that runs away at any chance given?
- They should not come. They know I am nothing.

- Are you, Miko? - annoyance filled his every word.

- I am.

- May be you are, Miko. - he growled, getting tired. She sobbed again.

- You pity yourself nothing more. - Sesshomaru finalized, leaving her alone, despite the hurt in her eyes and his chest. She needed space and time to think it through. His presence only fueled her despair.