A/N: Thanks for the reviews guys. I'm sorry a lot of you are confused, but just so there's no more confusion this is an Alternate Universe story. It's set in the Feudal Era, but aside from that it is nothing like the Canon Universe. Sesshoumaru is not a dog demon in this story, Kagome is not a miko, there are no hanyou, etc.

Now that we have that all cleared up, please enjoy this new chapter.

Kagome's POV

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Chapter Five: Encounter

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Nights had never been so awe-inspiring at home.

I started for a moment, wondering at the thought. Home . . .

Could I really call that place home?

I shivered slightly as a chilled wind brushed over my bare neck and shoulders. I wasn't accustomed to my new style of dress yet. Sesshoumaru insisted on wearing clothing from the continent. It was very loose and free-flowing, allowing for easy movement, but it was just a reminder of how far I really was from everything I knew.

I leaned over the railing of the bridge I stood on to watch the koi frolicking beneath me. Their pond was the center of the vast garden I had quickly grown fond of. It was peaceful here, and I basked in the serenity.

In this quiet place, surrounded by nature, I didn't feel quite so alone.

A splash sounded, and I jumped. Brilliant moonlight rippled from the after effects of a tailfin, and I was reminded of my 'husband', Sesshoumaru.

I hadn't seen him for two days. Myouga told me he was busy, that he'd put off some urgent matters that needed attending, and assured me I had no reason to worry. But I still felt . . . uneasy without him near. Unsafe.

Which was probably ridiculous.

I left the bridge and wandered onto a stone path. The breeze twisted around me again, making my hair flap about my knees and my hands clench my wrap tighter. Shuddering, I swerved and changed direction, heading back to the palace. There was only so much of this lukewarm air I could take.

"My my. Aren't we the pretty one?"

I spun automatically, and almost fell back when I came nose to chest with someone. I stepped away hurriedly before remembering myself. "Gomenasai," I said while bowing politely. "I did not realize I had company."

A dark chuckle answered my apology. "Well, he certainly has you trained, doesn't he?"

My cheeks flushed, and I straightened, eyeing the god in front of me. Because he was obviously a god, if he had the audacity to gossip about Sesshoumaru so openly. "I take it you know Sesshoumaru well, to speak of him in such a manner."

"I suppose you could say that," the stranger replied, grinning. He was very . . . odd looking. His smile was a bit too wide, and his black eyes glittered maliciously. Even his posture belied a sort of . . . predatory grace, and his hair was like that of a red Ryu, wild and tangled.

I wanted to get away from him.

Smiling, I bowed once more. "Then I shall inform him of your visit immediately, my lord. Your name, if you please?"

He cocked his head to the side, and I was suddenly aware of how terrified I was of him.

He took a step forward, gauging for a reaction. When I remained still, he beamed. "Kagome-dono," he muttered, his weird eyes sparkling, "I do not think you want to know my name."

I attempted to seem unconcerned. "If I do not know your name, how am I to tell Sesshoumaru of your arrival?"

The god did not answer, only gazed at me with his disconcerting eyes.

Breathing deeply, I motioned for him to follow and walked toward the bridge over the pond. "Come then, and we will see him together."

I had almost reached the bridge when I heard him whisper, "Homusubi."

I turned, surprised. "That is your name?"

He was directly behind me, closer than he'd been when he snuck up on me, and I instinctively moved back, close to the water's edge. "Yes."

I was intensely proud of myself for not screaming. ""It is a nice name."

"Ha!" he barked, catching me of guard. He seized my wrist roughly and I stumbled, one foot going into the pond. "A nice name, is it?"

I said nothing, too stunned to react. "Homusubi is not my only name, Kagome," he snarled. "Think, now. Use that pretty little head of yours. Who am I?"

"I . . . I don't . . ." I was scared. What would he do if I couldn't remember? I looked at his face, at his burning eyes and hair like fire, and . . .

And I knew. My heart began to thunder, and I knew.

I began to gasp. "You . . . You're the original fire god."

His smile was wicked and his teeth gleamed dangerously. "Very good, Kagome!" His hold tightened as he leaned in. "And my name?"

"Ka―" I choked, terror rushing through me. "Kagutsuchi."

"Excellent." He raised his right hand and smirked. "Although, I'm afraid your life did not depend on that answer." His fingers glowed like embers, and I didn't struggle as they neared the exposed skin of my neck of. "My brother has always been a fool, but bringing a mortal here? Into the realm of gods?" Kagutsuchi's thumb pressed lightly on my collarbone, and I whimpered at the sting, unable to help it. "He couldn't have expected you to last long."

He had me by the throat in less than a second. The fingers of his free hand curled into a fist, and I sighed, knowing what he was planning. "Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice barely more than a murmur. "What is there to gain?" I wasn't certain if I cared if I lived or died, but if I was going to be murdered, the least this fire god could do was tell me why.

He shrugged, his lips smirking at me. "Nothing. This is just for fun." The fist blazed, and his onyx eyes stared into mine. "You picked the wrong man to marry, Kagome, so if you want to blame someone, blame him."

My eyelids wrenched themselves shut, and my mind began its own silent plea. Help me. Please.

Help me.

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A/N: Hope you guys liked it! Reviews are appreciated!