Slowly, he pulled back. "It was I who awakened you,"

"Right, because your Sesshomaru," She whispered, shocked.

"No, because the dead Miko said only one would awaken you,"

"I don't trust her as far as I can see you, you do?" She asked,

"Witch spells are not something I deal with, Miko. However, I will not allow you to be in the wrong hands,"

"And you are not the wrong hands?"

His hands were warm,

"Aren't you mad?"

"I have come to terms,"

"To terms?" She could not believe her ears; just like that, he came to terms?! What had all happened while she was asleep?

"Why is it Miko that you are more angry than I?"

"Oh right, because you should be mortified because I'm human; you're not Gods the gift to women, Sesshomaru." She stepped back.

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you are not attracted to me?"

"Oh my god, are you really asking me that? Sesshomaru, like that really matters!"

"So you are,"

"Grr stop it, this is serious!"

"I am aware."

"Stop, whatever trick you have going, stop." She was not playing around, and tears had started to form in her eyes.

"I have traveled fighting evil in a time that is not even mine, followed your brother, loved him, and for what? For him to turn his back on me for a dead girl!" She screamed,

"Then that same dead girl cast and freaking spell on me, and the only person, in the whole damn world, out of billions of people, that can wake me up is you! You, Lord Sesshomaru, a demon male, you're not even human! If I had not fallen down that well, I would have never even met you! I don't know what I did to deserve this, but the Kamis must be having a good laugh right now!" Her screams turned to painful talk.

He stood there, listening to her talk to him as if he were a gross bug, something he was not used to; women flocked to him, women died for his attention, and here he was telling her that he was 'ok' with her and she was telling him to go screw himself.

"You would rather die?"

She stopped her foot. "No, but I, it's just- She turned from him. "My life is somewhat a fairy tale, but I long ago came to terms that my love life would be far from one."

She turned and looked at him. "I may be just a human peasant girl to you, but you are no prince riding in on a white horse here to save me; you're a demon who happened to get pulled into some spell," She looked away again. "Sesshomaru, to answer your question, yes, I'd rather die than to have you stuck with me because the Kamis want a good laugh; I hung on your brother's every move and word because I thought I loved him; I refuse to be a fool again, to think, to even, you and me-" She shook her head "You don't love me, you can't love me, you won't love me."

"And you?" He asked,

"I'd be too afraid to love you."

"You believe in soul mates?"

"I'd like to," She whispered. "But-

"The spell was the bonding of souls,"

"I know,"

"What you do not know, Miko, is that your soul is different,"

She knew that, that's why so many were after it.

"I did not wish you to be in the wrong hands,"

"You said that before, what do you mean,"

"Your soul was not bound to any other,"

She looked hurt,

"Do not mistake my words, Miko."

She turned from him and ran her hands through her hair. "I am so confused,"

"You get to choose,"

She turned her head,

"Who is worthy of you,"

"That makes no sense, you woke me up,"

"You keep asking why me, why me indeed,"

"You think-

"I do not think anything, Miko," He stepped up to her."The Miko is the one who plays tricks, not I,"

He looked away and then back down. "Others could not wake you because of selfish reasons,"

"And you?"

He thought about it long and hard. Kikyo's words were tricky; sure, someone down the way might have been able to wake her, but he knew what the key was.

"I did not seek your power nor your knowledge of the future,"

She waited,

"I did not seek to wake you, only to protect you,"

Her heart skipped.

Kikyo smirked; she knew he would figure it out if only he was honest with himself.

Just as the sword awoke to protect her, he woke her to protect her. Her soul's string danced in the wind free; all he had to do was be worthy and reach out for it.

Kagome's mother's words rang in her head: lean on him, learn and grow, trust.

"So, what now?"

The wind blew, and he watched her hair dance off her neck.

"Her spell may have awoken you, but only mind can sustain you,"

"You have a spell?"

"A way of bonding us in life and after,"

He lifted his hand and ran his knuckles against her neck. She closed her eyes.

"Do you want this, me?"

"I would not be here, Miko if I did not; my father's sword protects you, my kiss awakens you, and my mark will tell all others you are mine,"

She opened her eyes,

"Do you trust me?" He asked,

Kagome realized she felt calm and warm with him. Protected and safe.

"Yes,"

He leaned down and used one hand to push her neck to bend. His fangs elongated, and he let them wisk over her skin. She gasped, and goosebumps rose on her skin.

"No, this bond can not be undone, no spell, no challenge, not even death, woman,"

She placed both her hands on his chest and felt his calm heartbeat. "You have a heart."

"I can not promise you fairytales, Miko,"

At least he was honest.

"But I will try,"

She smiled. Was this her proposal?

"Ok,"

"Miko," He said loudly against her neck,

Kikyo stepped out,

"Leave us,"

She bowed and left, and when he was sure she was gone and not others were around, he bit down.