Hello, one and all! I am not even sure if this fic will ever be read. But, I am going to continue to publish and hope my fellow SesshxKag fans find their way here. I'm supposed to be working on something else, but I needed a break from the hefty writing of my daytime job so here we are.

I hate clunky paragraphs so hopefully this formatting doesn't make anyone wanna bang their head against a wall. Or if it does, grab a pillow and read on! I have been reading SesshxKag fics for over a decade now, so hopefully this makes me worthy to write my own finally. This idea popped into my head and I sat down to plot away. I have an epilogue, and even several after stories ready to be written once this one is through. I imagine it to be quite long, so hopefully, I can build a fascinating enough boat others will want to ride on. And once we traverse the waters together, we can enjoy the paradise of the best couple anime has ever brought us (non-canon sadly but that ain't stoppin' me from believing).

Please offer tidbits or extras and each chapter end, I will reply with anything necessary. I don't think I'll be defending any grammar as it's decent enough for this quest, but if there are glaring mistakes, please let me know. I'll fix them! This chapter will be the shortest of them as it's just setting it all up for us. Also, I do promise lemony goodness in the future.

Curiosity may have been bad for the cat my dear friends, but pure satisfaction brought it back to life. And curiosity is the bones of this pairing. Enjoy...

-Rilore


Mysteries of a Miko

Chapter One


The Lady of the West stretched out her long legs before she recrossed them. Delicate fingers ran through silver locks and bright ivory eyes closed.

"Little Demon," she mused. "It seems that my son has decided I am not worth the effort, no?"

Jaken shook as he bowed his head. "It is Jaken, my Lady. And, not at all! Lord Sesshomaru could not possibly come! My Lord is tracking down the witches who dared to trespass on his lands with their latest spree of human sacrifices. He thanks my Lady for her information as he has been making use of it." Jaken hoped that the meeting would be over quickly so that he could return to his Lord, but so far, she had done everything in her power to draw the visit out.

"Oh? So, my son is out there protecting humans instead of visiting me then?" She let her bottom lip puff out just barely as she threw her hand to her forehead. "Am I to be neglected after being so helpful?"

"My Lady!" Jaken fell to his knees, throwing his body down. "My Lady, he is protecting us all from the nefarious scheming of those witches. He is serving his lands and all of us as we speak! Lord Sesshomaru would be here if he could!"

Jaken lowered his head as he allowed his voice to rise. "Lord Sesshomaru is tracking down the traitors. He wished me to inform you that it has been confirmed the witches are collecting soldiers to do their bidding." The imp demon finished and raised his head to take in the Lady. Her eyes slackened as she readjusted her body once more. Her indigo kimono stretched across her form.

"Is that so, little Demon?"

"I am Jaken, My—"

"I would like you to inform my son that I have heard another such encounter to the East, past that cat woman's clan. That is where he should traverse next if he is to obtain control of the situation," the Lady of the West glanced down at the demon with a serene gaze. She couldn't help the thoughts of taking the little demon's life, but she let them slip away. It just wasn't worth the effort. And she'd have to find another messenger.

"Yes, My Lady! At once!" Jaken turned on his clumsy feet.

"Little Demon." Jaken stilled as he glanced over his shoulder. "Do not come again without my son."

"Yes, My Lady! Of course, My Lady! I am sure Lord Sesshomaaru will make haste to visit you once he is able! If it was not for that hanyou and the human woman he would have been here to see you, but My Lord is so thorough." He began strutting down the hall and mumbled along to his inner thoughts. "Kagome was very insistent. It seems the witches' deeds have spread quite far. It will be yet another triumph for My Lord once those lowlifes are dealt with!" A snicker left the green demon as he continued down the ornate hallway. "My Lord is so gracious."

"Kagome?" The Lady of the West questioned, but the little demon was loudly rambling and stomping away. Her mind whirled until she settled on a single memory.

"How very interesting…"

. . .

Kagome settled against the decaying log as she looked toward the open sea. It thrashed against the sand with the sun hovering just above the horizon line. The entire sky looked like it was on fire—tendrils of its vivid hues trembled on the water's surface.

"Are you watching the same sunset, Mom?" the young woman sighed. "It's been over three years now. How are you?"

"Kagome?" A familiar male voice reached out to her. She turned to see Miroku strutting along the beach. "Are you alright?"

"Just missing my family. It's a little hard sometimes," Kagome smiled up at her friend.

"It's only been a few months, but I can understand your heavy heart," Miroku gave a slight nod as he settled next to her. Kagome let her smile fade just a little. That's right. That's what she told them. It's what they had all expected. The second the Shikon jewel was destroyed she was supposed to go back to her time. She had been prepared to end up in the future and fight her way back to the past, to her friends.

The jewel didn't do what they had expected, though. And Kagome kept the truth of where she'd been for those three whole years to herself. She felt awful for lying, but when she came back just several months ago, she couldn't bring herself to tell them where she ended up. The moment her eyes landed on Inuyasha, she knew she couldn't say a word.

"You will see them again, Kagome," Miroku leaned in, taking her hand. "I believe it. Your fate has always been tied to your hands alone. You possess such strength and will."

"Thanks, Miroku," Kagome matched his growing grin. "Anyway, did you come over to tell me somethin'?"

"Ah! Yes! I have secured us several rooms at—"

"I don't want to know." Kagome cut him off. He may be with Sango, but his charms and tricks were as robust as ever.

. . .

"Keh," Inuyasha spat. "He's here."

Sango and Miroku stood behind him, but each readied themselves. Ever since Naraku was defeated, they would only have minor run-ins with the Great Demon Lord. And not a single one had resulted in bloodshed. However, the first few seconds of each encounter were always full of tension.

Kagome glanced up, as she instantly recognized the narrowed eyes and tall frame. She looked over to Inuyasha who had his arms folded with annoyance coating his features already. She just shook her head and waited for their guest. Sesshomaru floated toward them, wrapped in beams of moonlight. She fixated on his silver hair and those purple markings… Just like Toga.

"Little brother you have information," his cool tone was carried along the gentle breeze. His yellow eyes betrayed no emotion, and despite the title he gave Inuyasha, it lacked any warmth.

"More like an exchange of information. We know something about the freaks, but you gotta tell us what you know first," Inuyasha straightened as his brother walked closer. Sesshomaru's eyes flickered for a brief moment and Kagome knew they had landed on her. He would have noticed her absence, at least she'd assume, but it seemed she was as irrelevant as ever.

"I do not need to share anything with you. I will settle this matter despite your minor details," Sesshomaru replied cooly. He stopped just a few feet away from them as Inuyasha closed the distance.

"There really isn't any reason we can't divulge what we know first, Inuyasha," the monk offered.

"Right," Sango followed his comment quickly with her own. "It just matters that this is dealt with as fast as possible."

"Listen here," the hanyou began. "I'm not given' anything up first! You're gonna wanna know this, Sesshomaru. So, just tell us what you know already."

The Western Lord lifted his chin. "No."

"You really wanna play hero don't ya! Missed your chance with Naraku and you still can't let it go," Inuyasha taunted. Kagome let out a sigh. He hadn't changed one bit.

"That is very mighty talk for a half-breed who needs humans to finish his battles," Sesshomaru said. A smirk began to play at the corner of his lips.

"I knew you weren't gonna be useful! Damned cocky bastard!" Inuyasha barked as he turned to walk away. "Whatever! Just don't come cryin' to me when I save your precious Western lands. Again!" A minute passed before anyone moved.

"I'm gonna go check on him," Sango mumbled, taking off.

Inuyasha turning his back on his brother was the only indicator that they weren't at each other's throats anymore. It was the only thing that reminded her those years weren't a dream. Time did pass while she wasn't here.

He continued to stomp away as Miroku shuffled uncomfortably. Kagome shook her head lightly as she mentally patted herself on the back as she had prepared for this exact turnout. Sesshomaru let out a noise as he began to walk toward the outline of trees just ahead.

Kagome turned to take in her friend and gave him a wink. He nodded as he plopped himself to the ground. If anything went wrong, he'd be there to assist. With her backup in place, she took off after the dog demon. Silver hair floated freely against the weak winds as she fell in step behind him.

Sesshomaru expected the human Miko to turn at some point, or show some other sign that she was off to a task. As she didn't stray, understanding hit him at last that she was following him. Irritation instantly shot through his demon blood, but he allowed it to simply simmer instead of reacting. His feet stilled and he waited.

"We really could use the information. There's so many conflicting stories from the villages and we can't shuffle through what's real and what isn't," Kagome began. She continued walking until she stood in front of him. Deep yellow eyes glared down at her as she saw his claws twitch.

"I have given my answer, human Miko," Sesshomaru replied easily.

"Yeah, well you are gonna want to hear what we found out. There's one thing that keeps popping up and I have a feeling you have the missing pieces," Kagome gave him a soft smile. "I'll tell you either way, but for what you know, I want to offer something."

His face remained impassive, but there was movement along his jawline for the briefest of moments. It could have been shock or irritation, she couldn't tell. His reactions were too fast for her to pick up on. "What could a human possibly have to offer me?"

She had been expecting that, but at least he entertained her instead of taking off.

"Your left arm," she motioned toward him. "I'll heal it for you."

A bitter laugh escaped him as he lifted the mentioned limb in front of her. "That is a useless offer even if your meek abilities had increased in your absence." So, he did notice? Kagome figured he did, but it was still odd to hear him admit it. It was her turn to smile, and she couldn't help the little bit of slyness that crept in. His brow arched as his humor died.

"We both know it isn't healed. Not fully." Kagome pointed and they both looked at his right hand where purple markings lay across his skin. His left arm still dangled in the air—minus any form of markings whatsoever.

"You believe I am so vain as to trade information for some of my old markings?" Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes further. He let his reply hang between them, but she didn't offer an answer. She gave him a knowing look that unsettled the Western Lord at that very moment. Not many knew about the missing marks of his bloodline. And if they did notice, like his mother had, they dismissed the loss without a thought. There were only a handful of demon clans that held their bloodline power within their markings, and Inuyokai was one of them. Even amongst the clans, it was rare knowledge of the repercussions of the loss of them.

The ones that he once had on his left hand and forearm were enough to be noticeable. He had lost some power. It was minuscule, but he knew it in each fight or pull of his youki. A piece of him had been missing for years. And this human Miko knew. Sesshomaru felt the need to demand her to heal him this instant. He felt his demonic aura buck against his control as he let out a smooth exhale. How can he accept her offer, without confirming her suspicions? As he continued to take her in, the deceptive slant to her mouth disappeared.

"Lord Sesshomaru just let me, okay? You did help with Naraku, no matter what Inuyasha says. I think he's still holding a grudge about the Kik—ya know. It doesn't matter. Anyway, just let me say thank you. It won't hurt. And if you happened to let the information slip while I'm busy healing, well, I'd appreciate it." Kagome finished with her warm smile back in place. She really hoped that he would just accept her offer. She can only imagine what it must've been like to not feel like oneself for so long. She thought back to her family and those three long years. She just wanted to do what she could.

"Very well," he replied as he offered her his arm. She raised her hands, but before she touched him, she met his eyes. She stared back at him with a questioning gaze, but he didn't pull away.

Her fingers settled on his skin and she nearly let go. She swallowed her gasp as she tried to ignore the very heated skin beneath her hands. She was expecting his skin to be cold. Kagome almost felt like laughing at that. All those years of Sesshomaru being called so many names, but often associated with something frozen or icy had warped her thoughts. She pushed the humor down as she began to focus on her task.

She took a breath and pulled her reiki from the depths of her being. Kagome was sure to be slow, letting her control wrap around her like a security blanket. She knew what it would mean to let too much out at once, and no one here was prepared for that. Her secrets would come out in time, but not before she was ready. Warmth gathered through her until it slithered to her hands. His heated skin seemed to thrum with expectation. She could feel the spaces of his youki that's been missing. And as she dug further, she could sense the dormant lingerings of energy. Slowly, she coaxed it forward.

"From what I have discovered, there is a group of witches, no more than six, that have begun to use elemental magic," Sesshomaru began. He spoke low as if he didn't wish to be overheard by the others. "Elementals exist as neutral parties and normally live their lives unburdened by human or demon involvement. From what I have gathered, elementals are having their magic siphoned away without their knowledge. I have been told that human sacrifices have also begun recently. I have tracked the humans to several villages, but even when I allow no survivors, more humans appear. It has been rather endless recently."

Kagome took in the information, but she let it sit on the sidelines as she maintained her focus on the Demon Lord's youki.

"The humans that help the witches are always men, and they wear red-scaled armour. It is unfamiliar to me and I have been unable to track their origins. And upon torture, they give nothing away. I believe magic holds their tongues. The witches—"

She could feel Sesshomarus's pulse as it gained in intensity. Her breathing became ragged as she fought to bring the remnants of his youki to the surface. It had been dormant for so long that it nearly melted into nothingness. She forced it to come forward and multiply where there needed to be more. Kagome filled in each gap and layered it back to where it should've been all along. His skin grew more heated beneath her fingers as she felt the last bits of his demonic energy surface. And then Kagome let go. Her hands were instantly cold from the loss of his skin, but she just clasped her trembling fingers together.

"All done! Feel better?" She watched as his eyes widened. In a blur of motion, his armour was dropped to the ground. She watched as he removed his arm from his kimono followed by his hidagi. Smooth skin that rippled into firm muscles met Kagomes's surprised eyes. He maneuvered his arm to take in the dual purple stripes that now sat across his wrist and identical ones at his bicep. She was about to look away when that same vibrant color caught her eye—somewhere entirely unexpected. Pointed stripes angled from his ribcage, just a breath away from defined abs. His entire body was toned to absolute godhood. She licked her suddenly dry lips. Kagome realized what she was doing just a moment too late. She tore her eyes from his torso only for her to meet his gaze. He didn't move, didn't say anything and she refused to admit she'd been caught ogling him. She was admiring her work, that was all it was. Exactly that.

"Thanks for the info!" She blurted as she smoothed the sleeves of her casual pastel yellow kimono.

"Miko—"

"Yeah! So!" She instantly cut him off as she continued to fiddle with her sleeves. "We found out that the sacrifices seem to fall on either a full moon or a new moon. We aren't overly sure of the pattern quite yet, but there were rumors that one of the witches had dealings with Naraku. He had spoken of some plan forever ago that involved gathering witches, but it didn't work out. Some demon village in the East let the information slip. They didn't know anything more than that, though. So, that's what we got!" She clasped her hands as she dared to meet his eyes once more.

He had already dressed during her spiel and she couldn't help the smallest twinge of loss at not sneaking in one more look. Kagome instantly admonished herself for the thought and turned to dart away.

Sesshomaru didn't reply. And he didn't turn as she scurried off toward his half-brother and their little pack. He was still reeling from the wholeness that he'd been missing for so long. He had attached powerful demonic arms to himself, but none brought him closer to this. When his left arm sprouted anew, he had waited for those inklings of power to come back, but it never did. He had tried healers and demonic salves. He had soaked in the Jiro Springs for days and still nothing. It had taken a human Miko to give him what he'd been missing.

Rin had taught him a great many things, but his pride struggled against the development of this event. Especially, the knowledge that it was his brothers Miko. He turned around then. The sight of her sauntering toward the opposite side of the forest unsettled him. She was different than before. As her hands were upon him, he couldn't stop her reiki from slipping through his youki in soothing energies. He allowed it, but what he didn't expect, was the well of energy that lay tucked away inside of her. He could sense her holding back and the power that lay just beneath those small hands. In dealing with his Western lands, Sesshomaru would order Jaken on various endeavors. He'd often come back with stories of his half-brother saving some villagers, or getting in the way, but even the imp noted the missing human. He couldn't be sure how long she was gone from her group, but in that absence, there were apparent changes.

His mind instantly brought him back to her lips curving into a smirk as she challenged him. Then the darkening gaze she gave him after he disrobed partially. She was different. That, he was certain of.

Where did she go in her absence? And what was she hiding behind such limited control?