InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Visions ❯ Unveiling ( Chapter 3 )

(A/N: Well, the long awaited chapter finally appears. Yes, I know it’s been a while again, but I’ve been extremely busy. I just started my new teaching job instructing high school students about English, and then celebrated my 21st birthday on the fourteenth. I almost had this out by then, but something didn’t feel right about this chapter, and I had to redo some parts. But, the wait is over, and you can enjoy chapter three.

A HUGE thanks to Wiccan, my new beta-reader. She tweaked this around to become the best it could be, and I’m sure you guys will love it more because of that. Also, for all the support I’ve received from her and others, I thank you.)

Visions
Chapter Three
Unveiling

Absolute silence descended over the odd little group still gathered in Kagome’s room. Suddenly, the little miko was finding it very hard to breathe.

“How… how do you know about that?” she asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t answer, just stared at her in that odd way that was just beginning to unnerve her; she could still sense his anger underneath the surface, although she didn’t know how she could tell. There seemed to be a strange thread of connection between them now, humming softly in her subconscious, but her mind couldn’t get around the fact that he had just called himself the very thing she had been searching for all of these years.

“‘Chosen One’?” Inuyasha spoke up again, his voice skeptical. “What the hell is that? It sounds like something out of a cheesy romance novel.”

“I think we are all forgetting the reason why we are here in the first place,” Shippo interjected from the hallway. “Anyone remember, you know, that whole problem with the rogue demon going on a killing rampage? Now is not the time to be talking about this.”

“Despite the fact that I don’t think you appreciate the importance of what just happened here,” Miroku said dryly, “you’re right. We have time to discuss this later. Kagome, what do you remember from your vision?”

He looked at the young miko, who still looked shell-shocked, and the tense TaiYoukai who was still occupying the bed with her. He knew that, whatever this ‘Chosen One’ was, it was very important, but they had a killer to find. It seemed like their night had just begun.

“Kagome?” Miroku asked again, almost having to resort to snapping his fingers to get her to focus on him. Truly, he’d never seen her at a loss for words and, as inappropriate as it sounded, he wished for a video camera right then. He turned his thoughts back to more serious matters as Kagome turned large, doe-like eyes on him.
“Tsuki’s Oden Shop,” she whispered. “That’s the only thing I could see as he was ripping… my back…”

As she closed her eyes, Miroku seemed to realize that a part of her was still very much focused on the vision, the look on her face plainly indicating the remembered pain. A soft sound could be heard from Sesshoumaru, a sort of rumbling and, surprisingly enough, it seemed to calm the miko. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Inuyasha’s jaw drop.

She continued in a much stronger voice, as if she was unconsciously taking strength from the near-growling sounds coming from Sesshoumaru. “The same beast who killed the victim last night, killed me tonight. The leader was in the background again; I couldn’t get a look at either of their faces because I was against the wall, but he said something again. He said I wasn’t worthy, or that the human he was killing wasn’t worthy.”

“Worthy of what?” Sango asked, intrigued by the whole byplay of the two people on the bed, yet trying to keep her mind focused. Still, the sight of the young miko calming down while Sesshoumaru almost seemed to be purring at her seemed a bit… odd. Even in her business.

“I don’t know,” Kagome said, frowning in thought. “But it might be a motive, if anything.” Blinking, she looked at Inuyasha, who still had his mouth opened wide enough that she could see the tips of his fangs, while everyone else was still casting strange, furtive looks at her. “What?”

She noticed that Sesshoumaru changed the tone of his rumbling (‘When had that started,’ she wondered), and directed it towards his half-brother. It was her turn to look strangely at Sesshoumaru, her whole thought process bewildered and confused.

“Tsuki’s Oden Shop is a few miles from here, in the downtown district, a less populated area at night. Perfect if someone wanted to engage in less than legal activities,” Kouga said thoughtfully. “It’s doubtful that there will be any witnesses to anything.”

“We have to at least call it in,” Sango said. “I’ll call the department on the way so the morgue can pick up the victim. We can take the van, so we’re not all separated and arriving at different times, just in case the killer is still there. We have to be alert.”

“Right,” Inuyasha said, already turning to go down the hallway. “What are we waiting for?”

Everyone filed out of the room as Kagome slowly got off the bed, Sesshoumaru following close behind. She was very confused and feeling very vulnerable at the moment, even if it didn’t show on her face. Quietly, she began to walk out of the room, almost hunching over. She could still feel the discontent from Sesshoumaru as well, practically pounding at her back. Suddenly, she felt his hand at the small of her back, propelling her down the hallway in an almost protective manner. Immediately, she could feel warmth and comfort infuse her body at the contact of his hand, but her confusion doubled. Why was she reacting to him in this way?

“Sesshoumaru?” she began, tentatively sneaking a peek at him through her lashes. His jaw was rigid, as if he were clenching his teeth together.

“Later, Miko,” he said in a low voice. “We have much to discuss about our current predicament but, right now, focus on the case and do not stray too far from me. I don’t think it would be too wise, considering the circumstances.”

‘Predicament? Circumstances? What the hell was he talking about?’

“What-” she tried again, but he interrupted once more.

“Later.”

Gulping, she nodded quickly, not wanting to anger him further. All of the fight seemed to have gone out of her in the wake of his apparent fury, which still radiated throughout his trim body. She suddenly wanted to know why the thought of displeasing him now bothered her so much.

Regardless of her wish to just sit and let things soak in, she found herself sitting in the front seat of a nondescript van, with Sesshoumaru next to her in the driver’s seat. She didn’t think she’d ever been as aware of a person as she was in that moment and it disturbed her greatly. Whatever had happened when he touched her for the first time, it had changed something. She kept stealing surreptitious glances at him from the corner of her eye, trying to put a finger on what was so different. Attempting to put aside the emotions that were coursing through her, she tried to look at what she was feeling analytically.

For one thing, she was sure that the TaiYoukai was famed for his control and emotionless façade; right now, though, she was reading him like an open book. The way his hands periodically clenched on the steering wheel, as well as the interesting little tic in his jaw, would be unnoticeable to anyone else, but she knew it meant that his emotions were close to the surface and he was trying desperately to be stoic. There was rage seething beneath the surface, barely kept in check. She knew that, right now, he was one of the most dangerous beings on the planet. Surprisingly, though, she felt no fear toward him. Apprehension, yes, but she knew instinctively that he wouldn’t hurt her; another interesting revelation. When it came to the rest of the world’s population, however, she wasn’t sure they would fare so well.

She was faintly surprised that she could discern so much of what he was feeling, especially since his face never revealed a thing, save for that delicious little tic in his jaw. Yet she knew that his eyes, too, would reveal everything to her. The TaiYoukai wasn’t as emotionless as he would like everyone to think. That amused her slightly and, as he slid a withering glare in her direction, she wondered if he could feel the same things about her. That thought sobered her up quickly. If that were true, then they were deeply connected, and she wondered if it was because he was her Chosen One. She was dying of curiosity, but knew that she would have to wait until they finished this night’s investigation before she would be able to get any answers.



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Going to the place that she saw in her vision turned out to be a bust. The killer had already vacated the area, leaving nothing behind save a torn body. Thankfully, Sesshoumaru ordered the members of the team to take care of the body before Kagome could see it, as if he knew that it would disturb her greatly. Following his request, which had actually sounded more like an order to her (the bastard), she never strayed far from him, despite the tension between them. It was as if she couldn’t let him out of her sight, and vice versa, or they would both become uneasy. He never said anything, but she could feel it. Everyone kept throwing them concerned and questioning glances as they scouted the area surrounding the oden shop, however, she wasn’t about to offer any explanations, mainly because she had none.

The moon was at its peak in the inky sky when they arrived back at headquarters. By this time, Kagome was about to burst open with curiosity; Sesshoumaru had barely entered the cozy sitting room when she exploded.

“Okay, I’ve waited long enough. It’s time for some explanations. How do you know about the Chosen One? And what makes you think you’re mine, for that matter?”

“I belong to no one,” was the clipped answer, and Kagome realized that, maybe, she should have phrased her last sentence differently.
“Uh, do you want others to be here for the little spat I can feel brewing, or would you two like to be alone?” Inuyasha spoke up from the doorway, staring at them both strangely.

Sesshoumaru growled at him.

“Right, that’s my cue to leave,” the hanyou said, ushering the others who were standing around curiously at the door. “It’s obvious they have a lot to talk about.”

When the door clicked close, Kagome rounded on Sesshoumaru again, only to find him with his head leaned back and eyes closed. He looked extremely tired. “Sesshoumaru?” she asked, concern lacing her voice before she could think.

“Sit down, Miko,” he said wearily. “As Inuyasha said, we have much to discuss.”

He waited until she was seated across from him, at a distance that his subconscious approved, before he began. “How much do you know about the Chosen One and this situation?”

She sighed. “Unfortunately, not much. Whatever I do know comes from a scroll in the Ancient Library; it just tells of a miko in the past who found her Chosen One, thereby escaping the fate that befalls every miko like me.”

“What fate?”

At this, she gave a wry, self-deprecating smile. “Insanity. If a miko does not find her Chosen One, her visions will eventually drive her to lose her mind.”

“A harsh fate to bestow upon those who are trying to save the human race,” he said, a sliver of condescension entering his deep voice.

She shrugged. “Can’t argue with you there. But, that’s life. On average, the mikos who have my curse last into their late twenties, except for the one miko who escaped that path by finding her Chosen One. Every time I was depressed, or thought about just ending my pitiful life right then, I remembered that one miko.” Her eyes grew distant and faded. “She gave me hope. However, I didn’t know what a Chosen One was, nor how to find it.” Her eyes suddenly focused on him, making him blink at her. “This is where you come in. I would like a few explanations from you, now.”

“Do not presume to order me around,” he said calmly, but she could feel the rage and helpless fury he was experiencing. “This is not something I would have chosen for myself, and I’m still trying to see if there is a way to change it.”

Look, perhaps if you could explain what ‘it’ is, I could try to help. You say you are my Chosen One, but I can tell that you aren’t thrilled by that prospect. I’m trying not to be angry about being left in the dark here, so cut me some slack. And would you please try to calm down? Your emotions are all over the place and it’s not a comfortable feeling.”

He stared at her a moment,and she could feel his surprise. “Indeed, not very comfortable at all. It appears, miko, that we have a strong connection to each other. You feel what I feel, and I can feel your emotions as well.”

‘Huh, so I wasn’t the only one,’ she thought, then she couldn’t help herself. She smirked. “Well, it’s nice to know I’m not alone in this. I must confess, this morning I thought you were a frigid bastard. I bet everyone else thinks the same. What would they do if they found out how much you keep hidden?”

I am a TaiYoukai,” he said softly, as she felt his temper spike. “If I do not keep a rein on my emotions, I cannot predict the consequences. There are many demons out there who would not hesitate to try to take over my position. While they would never be able to do it, it is a matter of retaining their respect and honor.”

She looked unimpressed. “Anyway, why do we have this connection? Why are you my Chosen One? How come I didn’t feel anything from you before? How did you even know about it in the first place?”

He stood up and began to pace, something he usually onlydid when he was alone. He almost stopped on principa but, at that moment, he just didn’t give a damn. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. “I will explain it to you, but there will be no interruptions.” He waited as she huffed and sat back before beginning, trying not to let his hesitance show even though she could probably feel it from him. Damn that ridiculous connection. “I thought that the Chosen One was just a myth; today I was proven wrong.” He paused and she could sense a great reluctance in him. “From the moment I saw you I felt….”

“Felt what?” she asked softly. Even still, it took him a moment to admit it.

“Destiny.”

She sucked in a breath, taken aback by his choice of words and the resonance they created within her. Destiny. Was that what this was?

“Once I felt it, knowing how abnormal it was for me, I decided to do some research in my family library. I had heard of this connection before, from my father. I found an old scroll in our library that told of this happening to one of our clan, my father’s uncle. He met a miko with whom he had a strange connection, much like ours.”

“But there’s only been one miko, ever, who found her Chosen One…” Kagome trailed off as the implications hit her. “Your father’s uncle was her Chosen One, wasn’t he? What did the scroll say? Did it explain anything? How does this whole thing work?”

“Miko,” he said, his tone sounding overly ominous in her opinion, so she stilled. “Yes, he spoke of the connection and its power over him.” Or rather, domination. At least, that’s how Sesshoumaru viewed it. The scroll made it sound like his father’s uncle had found his soulmate and immediately claimed the miko as his mate but, to him, it seemed as though his relative couldn’t live without the woman, something unbecoming of a powerful member of the inu clan. To have some…clingy bitch...hanging onto him for the rest of eternity did not sound attractive. “The scroll was not overly informative. There was the relating of his first meeting with the miko and the abnormal… attraction he felt for her. Nothing happened until he laid a hand on her for the first time, then the situation was altered. He no longer belonged to himself, but to her. They could read each other’s emotions and could sense when the other was in any danger or distress. Subsequently, that connection to her caused his instincts to come to the surface in matters concerning her. None but him could be near her for very long, nor have close contact with her, as it caused his beast displeasure.”

“Is that what you feel?” she asked quietly. “About me, I mean.”

Once again, she could sense his hesitation and frustration. “I will not deny that certain… baser parts of my personality are more present when you are near me.” He held in a snarl, barely.

“What parts?”

She felt a dark flash of energy from him, and wryly guessed that, right at that moment, he didn’t want to divulge those things-and that she really didn’t want to know when he was like this. The TaiYoukai certainly had a hell of a temper on him. “Forget it. So, what else?”

He looked at her coolly. “We must find a way to see if this is reversible.” He could feel a sharp spike of panic coming from her, and steeled his body against the temptation to cross the few feet to her and nuzzle into her hair.

Her voice was calm, however, when she spoke. “Look, Sesshoumaru, I know this is a really big inconvenience for you, and I admit that I’m still ridiculously confused over this, but I’m not about to lie and say that a part of me isn’t relieved that I found you. Or, that you found me.”

As much as he tried to fight it, a deep part of him was smugly pleased and appeased that she didn’t want to get away from him so soon. He watched with lidded eyes as she nervously wrung her fingers together and looked at her lap, hiding her gaze from him. Her voice was extremely soft when she spoke, “The visions have been taking a toll on me lately. I haven’t ever really let anyone know what they truly do to me, but you were there, in one with me. The pain…can be extremely overwhelming at some times and the monsters committing the crimes seem to be getting worse with every year that passes. Last year, one killed every night for two months. I could barely eat during that time; I would throw up when I would have flashes of some of the things he did to his victims. His female victims were always treated the worst…” She broke off on a vicious shudder, and he couldn’t stop the instinctive step towards her before halting with his fists clenched. “There are things a man can do to a woman that can not only ruin just her body, but also her mind. I’ve told myself I would have to deal with that- that I would have to be strong enough to take whatever the visions throw at me. However, I’ve found myself beginning to slip, sometimes. Tonight, though…tonight was the first time I didn’t have to deal with it. When you were there, in the vision with me, I knew I was safe.”

She looked up at him, her eyes wide and luminous, and he swallowed. “Isn’t that funny? I don’t even know you. You don’t even seem to like me, and anything you might feel is probably just due just to the connection but, for once, I was at peace. Forgive me if I don’t want to give that up so easily.”

Internally he fought with himself. Her words struck something within him, a part of him calling to protect her and stay with her, yet the other side desired to stay angry, to remember all of the inconveniences this would cause in his life, chaining him down. The latter won. “Then you must forgive me if I refuse to stoop to being some convenient watchdog for an insignificant, cursed miko,” he sneered. He felt the shock and hurt course through her like a physical blow, affecting him as if they were his own emotions. Not for the first time, he cursed the damn connection. He was feeling something suspiciously akin to guilt, something he hadn’t felt in centuries.

Kagome had her hands clenched against the pain and anger his statement evoked. Insignificant miko, huh? So, she was going to put a wrinkle in his perfect little life and become an inconvenience? To hell with that. And she was really starting to get frustrated with the feel of his youki brushing against her aggressively, by turns, then with soothing waves. Both made her tingle, which made her confused, which led to her giving in to her anger, which then caused her to let a bit of her miko powers leak out, brushing against him in kind. To her unrestrained shock, she watched as his eyes closed and his jaw clenched, his powerful body becoming taut. She felt a spark of pleasure from their connection before he abruptly hissed through clenched fangs, “Don’t push me, miko.”

She flushed and quickly recalled her powers. He took a few more moments before taking a deep breath, slowly opening his intense eyes. To distract herself from his penetrating gaze, she looked to the side of him and said, “Fine, I get that you don’t want this. Since your family scrolls didn’t say anything about how to break the connection, there’s only one person I know that could give us any additional information on this.”

“You would be willing to break the connection?” he asked suspiciously, and had the pleasure of seeing her volatile eyes turn to him with temper flaring. Her scent spiking dangerously, it was almost as tantalizing as the feel of her spiritual powers sparking against his skin.

“I’m not about to force you to do something you don’t want to do; besides, with your temper and attitude, I’m not sure I would want you around me anyway!” She sniffed haughtily after this statement, turning her pert nose up at him, causing his more dominant instincts to want to give her a little nip as reprimand for snubbing him. Tamping it down, he asked, “Even though you run the risk of insanity, you would do this?”
‘No person was that unselfish.’ His eyes narrowed, but he could sense no deceit from her, just her delicious temper.
“Is that so hard to believe?” she shot back. “Trust me, I don’t want to be around someone who doesn’t want me. I’ve had enough of that in my lifetime anyway.” Her lower lip trembled dangerously for a second before she clenched her jaw. He paused for a moment, but she didn’t give him a chance to say anything before she spoke again. “I’m sure my mentor, Kaede, will have some answers for us. We might as well get this over with as soon as possible. After all, I wouldn’t want you to suffer my presence too much longer.” She got up and marched to the doorway as he held back a growl at her flippant comments. Damn all females and their stupid emotions! Grudgingly, he followed her to where she was currently dialing one of the speaker phones in the office as she flounced into a seat. Tensely, he sat down in a seat across from her, waiting for whoever was going to be on the other end of the line to pick up.

“Who is this and why, in the name of all that’s holy, are you calling me at this godawful hour?” a scratchy, ancient, warbling female voice answered.

“Kaede, its Kagome.”

“Kagome?” The voice sounded a bit more alert. “What’s wrong, child?”

“I seem to have run into a bit of a… problem...here, Kaede, and could really use your knowledge.”

“About what, child?”

“About the Chosen One.” There was a pause on the line.

“You know I can’t give that information to you, Kagome,” the older voice said regretfully. “It’s up to you to find what. or who, is your Chosen One.”

“See, that’s the problem,” Kagome said, sheepishly. “I, uh, I’ve kind of found him.”

“What?” Kaede’s voice was sharp. “What do you mean? Him?”

“Yes, Kaede. Sesshoumaru-sama is my Chosen One.”

“Sesshoumaru? As in TaiYoukai of the Western lands, that Sesshoumaru?”

“The very same,” Sesshoumaru spoke up, not pleased to be left out of the conversation.

“Well.”

“Well?” Kagome repeated. “You don’t sound all that surprised.”

“Considering that the last Chosen One discovered was a part of his lineage, I can’t say that I am.”

“What do you know about the Chosen One, Kaede? Is it reversible? We’re kind of in the dark here.”

“Reversible?” There was a short, rusty bark of laughter. “Why would you want to reverse it? This is the best thing that could happen to you, child.”

“To me, maybe,” Kagome said with an uncomfortable glance towards Sesshoumaru. “But there are two people involved in this.”

“Sesshoumaru-sama, you are displeased with these events?” Now Kaede really did sound surprised. “You have finally found your chosen mate. Any demon, especially a powerful pack demon such as yourself, should be pleased.”

“Mate?” he said sharply. “What are you talking about, old woman?”

“You really don’t know, do you?” There was a sigh. “I hope you are sitting down, because this might take awhile. Kagome, while Sesshoumaru is your Chosen One, you were also chosen by the Gods for him. Specifically for him, otherwise there wouldn’t be such a strong connection between you two. Am I right?”

“About there being a connection? Well, yes.” Kagome furrowed her brows. “Is that what it’s like between demons and their mates? We never got around to that area of my education.”

“Yes, there is a strong connection between youkai and their mates. Unbreakable, almost. Sesshoumaru-sama, already your instincts are in overdrive to protect her, right?”

Silence was her confirmation.

“If you were officially mated to her, it would be the same feeling. Surely your father told you this.”

“My father has been dead for centuries, leaving me when I was still a pup,” was the cool reply. “Are you suggesting that, even without this ridiculous Chosen One nonsense, I would still be compatible with the miko as a mate?” Was she telling him that all of this was unavoidable in the first place? He shot the petite miko a look from under his lashes, considering her. Would he find her attractive without the connection? Possibly, he mused, but there was no guarantee.

“Yes, that is what I’m saying. You were chosen for Kagome to be her protector, but she was also chosen for you to complete you. To be your other half. That is the relationship between the Chosen One and his charge.”

“Could you explain this relationship a little bit further?” Kagome asked, while Sesshoumaru was trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Kagome would have been his ideal mate regardless.

“You are now tied to Sesshoumaru-sama, Kagome, as he is to you. You two cannot be parted for long, or his beast will become anxious without you by his side and you will feel uneasy as well. To hear these reactions described, it sounds very mild but, I warn you, these emotions can be intense. The connection between you two will only get stronger as time goes on.”

Kagome looked dismayed she felt Sesshoumaru’s reaction to that statement. She could hardly ever leave his side, otherwise she would pine and yearn for him like some simpering ninny? That didn’t paint a rather attractive picture of her.

“As you know, there are very important benefits to this connection already. Kagome, when Sesshoumaru touches you during a vision, do you feel any of the pain?”

“No,” Kagome admitted. “I was able to just view the vision without feeling the emotions of the victim or the pain.”

“Conversely, Sesshoumaru-sama, your beast is pleased to be able to help your mate, it thrives on being able to keep her from harm.”

“She is not my mate, woman,” he said lowly. This situation was quickly getting out of control and he needed to regain some semblance of it.

“That is just a technicality now, my lord,” Kaede said, going on as if his opinion didn’t matter. He held back a growl of displeasure. “And something that, I’m afraid, will be...uh...rectified. Soon, most likely.”

Both the miko and the demon froze. “Kaede, what are you talking about?” Kagome asked cautiously.

The old miko sounded slightly embarrassed, but forged onward. “Your physical relationship is also very important, and both of you will need to have constant contact with one another. Not just the usual contact that a demon of your nature would thrive on, though, Sesshoumaru-sama, but also more intimate.”

“What are you trying to say?” Sesshoumaru asked bluntly, his patience at an end.

“You will only ever feel truly complete with one another when you are inside her, Sesshoumaru-sama,” Kaede said frankly. “Your connection will not, and cannot, remain just emotional. Sex is one of the most powerful bonding methods. You were made to… please one another. You will know things about each other, without even needing to ask, and you will both become stronger each time you renew, uh, this certain connection.”

Kagome’s face was quickly rivaling a tomato, and Sesshoumaru’s face had eerily blanked of all emotion. She could still sense inside him, though, and he was in chaos: disbelief, anger, and, to her dismay, a sliver of lust that would flicker stronger by turns. She would have to sleep with him? Remembering the attraction she felt when she first saw him, and still continued to feel, her traitorous body heated and she really couldn’t help but scrutinize him. Kaede had said that she would know things she normally wouldn’t know about him, so now she concentrated on really looking at him. Her eyes landed on the pointed tip of his ear and, without thinking, she knew that he would go wild if she stroked him there. Or, that he would be at her mercy if she put her mouth there and ran her tongue over the interesting folds. Or, over other places…

She held in a gasp as a wave of heat overtook her, and his eyes turned sharply in her direction. Taking a deep breath, she tried to tear the lusty thoughts from her head and focus on something else so, she wouldn’t have to feel the answering heat within him. He didn’t want her, it was just the damn connection. That sobered Kagome up quickly. He didn’t want her, not really. She needed to remember that and try to find a way around this, for his sake.

“Kaede, I don’t understand why the Gods chose us to be compatible. I am a miko and he is a demon, a very powerful one. In the natural order of things, we would be considered enemies.”

“No, you are not enemies and, indeed, were never meant to be enemies. It is society that has labeled you as such, not the Gods. Even now, your powers will not be able to hurt him, nor would he be able to bring harm to you with his youki, because of the connection. You can only provide aide and comfort to one another.”

Sesshoumaru thought back on the pleasurable tingle of her miko powers on his skin and fought a shudder. From the way her scent changed in that moment, he knew she, too, was not unaffected by his powers. A miko who couldn’t harm him was very interesting, and his out of control thoughts rapidly turned towards all the way she could provide pleasure for him with her powers, as well as how he could pleasure her. He tore himself away from contemplating such delights when the old miko on the phone spoke again.

“Your miko power is now the perfect contrast to his overwhelming youki. The fates knew that, even though you are opposite, youkai and miko are the perfect compliment in power to one another. Since you are already a High Miko and Sesshoumaru is considered one of the most powerful demons in Japan, you two make a formidable force, most likely unrivaled by any other in the world.”

That caught Sesshoumaru’s attention. His quest for power was never-ending yet the fact that this little slip of a girl could provide power for him was almost laughable, as long as he didn’t take it into account that he could feel the thrum of her powers within her. She would make a worthy mate for any demon, and giving him power no other demon would have.

That train of thought screeched to a halt when he realized what had just passed through his mind. Slowly, his idea of the miko was being warped into something beneficial- he needed to keep his wits about him. He didn’t choose this.

“You will tell me how to reverse this,” he demanded imperiously, placing his claws on the table and standing up slowly.

“I am afraid that is impossible, my lord,” Kaede said. “Even if there was a way, you would be defying the gods and would be punished accordingly.”

He fought against he urge to snarl. Kagome quickly spoke up to try to appease his temper, even though it was unthinking. “Kaede, I’m sure Sesshoumaru is justified in his anger. Because of this connection, I know that I am not his true choice for a… mate,” her mouth almost stumbled on the word, but she pressed forward. “I don’t want him to have to feel bound or obligated to me. Please, isn’t there a way?”

“No, child, there is not,” Kaede said, this time regretfully. “Sesshoumaru-sama, you need to understand that this is what was meant to be. You perfect each other and you will be happy with her. There can be no other for you than her. Soon, you will realize this and protect her with all of your being. Kagome is your destiny.”

Both froze when they heard that word. Destiny. Something was beginning to click into place in Sesshoumaru’s mind, but he tried desperately to ignore it. He had been desirous of the perfect mate for centuries, but this wasn’t the way he thought he’d attain one. A whisper in his mind was saying that this was what he’d wanted all along, yet he still fought. He needed to get away from that impossible miko and think. Baring his fangs at the unmoving and bewildered miko, he stalked out of the room, ignoring the way his mind was already telling him to go back to her, that it was stupid to leave. He was going to do this his own way, damn it.

The door slammed closed behind him, making Kagome flinch.

“Kagome?” Kaede asked over the phone. “Is everything all right?”

“I don’t know, Kaede,” Kagome said, feeling cold without the presence of Sesshoumaru in the room. She wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly feeling very defenseless. She could still feel him, but it was fading and she realized he was leaving. Panic gripped her and unbidden tears came to her eyes.

She suddenly felt very alone.



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The foothills of Mt. Fuji were among his favorite places to go to when he wanted to be alone. Even though he was a modernized demon, his very nature demanded being away from the smells of the city occasionally and basking in the power of the earth. His speed allowed him to travel away from the city at will and he was currently looking up at the fading moon while sitting on a large rock, pondering the events that took place that night.

More importantly, he was pondering the existence of one very unique and odd miko. Once his temper had faded somewhat, he knew he needed to look at his situation logically. He was nothing if not a logical and calculating being, and he knew he would do the thing that benefited him the most. Selfish, maybe, he thought with a mental shrug. Then again, he was, to be quite honest, a selfish being.

The night had brought him more surprises than he had thought possible and he hated surprises. Nothing was going the way he expected it to and, out here alone, he could finally admit that he was at a loss as to what to do about it. The connection with the miko was pulling at him, calling him to go back to her, and part of him wanted to give in. That part was telling him that he had left his mate alone, defenseless and vulnerable.

But she wasn’t his mate. He closed his eyes as his thoughts were torn in two. Was this really the will of the gods? Would he be tempting fate if he just left her?

His eyes shot open as something in him rebelled violently at the thought of being separated from the miko; of leaving her to the cruel fate of going insane because of the visons.

The old miko, Kaede, had said that Kagome was his other half. She appealed to his demonic side and his beast was more than happy with her presence. It was the logical side of his mind that rebelled. She wasn’t his choice.
‘But she could be…’

If he accepted her, it would be on his terms.

With that thought in mind, he weighed the pros and cons.

He saw her as desireable and the connection would ensure that he would always want to be around her. She was a powerful miko, as able to use her power as he was his, thus aiding him against any enemies. She would be saved from madness if he stayed by her side, although he grimaced at the thought of doing something nice for someone. But it would be different, though, if he was doing it for his mate. It would be his duty. Besides, the miko was unique.

He frowned. Yes, she was unique, stubborn, and just happened to have a temper to rival his own. That would be a con. Then the memory assailed him of just how delectable she looked when she had a spark of temper in her eyes and color on her cheeks. His blood heated at the thought of taking that temper away, turning her mind to other intense emotions, and he shook his head. Okay, maybe not a con after all.

He would look weak in front of his enemies. Taking on a human mate, a miko to boot, all because he couldn’t fight the connection to her. Yes, definitely a big con.

‘But you’ve never cared what other, lowly beings have thought of you, and you would have something no other demon would have: a powerful miko mate with purification ability. They would bow down once again to your superiority and any who dared defy you would be turned to ash.’

These pros and cons were getting him nowhere and he could still feel that damned pull at his soul to go back to the miko. A little while longer and it would start to become more than unbearable. This must be the uneasiness that the old miko was talking about and he didn’t like it, not one bit.
Then again, what if she had another vision when he wasn’t there? What if someone tried to touch her on his territory? The possessive side of him rose up, faintly surprising him with its intensity. She could make him feel things long buried and almost forgotten. Things he should only be feeling towards his chosen mate.

He looked up at the moon, waiting for answers. He received none.

The call to go to her came again and, this time, he couldn’t ignore it.



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She was sleeping, tossing and turning uncomfortably on the covers as her body fought for rest, while another part of her was yearning for something… or someone. Since Sesshoumaru left, that empty feeling inside of her grew into hollowness and she felt utterly miserable. She was amazed at the effect he had on her. She didn’t know him, didn’t even know if she liked him, yet she couldn’t truly sleep anymore unless he was there. What if another vision came? She was used to the pain of her visions, but, since she’d had a sip of a painless encounter, she found she was addicted. The thought of going back to that pain was enough to make her whimper.

She heard a sharply indrawn breath and froze. She relaxed when she felt the ghost of a touch on her hair and felt the hollow feeling inside her immediately fill up. She murmured sleepily, “Sesshoumaru?”

The hand halting its motion on her head was her answer. “What are you doing here?” she asked, though not really caring because his comforting presence was already sending her on her way into a deep, dreamless sleep.
“I find myself unable to leave you, miko,” was his reluctant answer. The ache in his chest had gone as soon as he had seen her slumbering form. He had been drawn to her, watching her sleep fitfully for several minutes, his claws clenched at his sides. It was her tiny sound of distress that had him reaching for her, trailing those claws through the silk of her hair, feeling contentment fill him. He was so unused to that feeling that he had forgotten what it had felt like. He decided that it could become addicting.

“Okay,” she said, nuzzling his hand unconsciously, before sinking back into her pillow. In doing so, she missed the way his hand clenched at his side at her childlike trust in him. To be allowed to watch over a pack member while they slept was the biggest display of trust the inu clan had; it filled him with a foreign emotion which, under any other circumstances, he would have called tenderness. His eyes hardened as he realized that it was probably just another side effect of their bond, but his hand never stopped stroking her soft hair.

Becoming aware of what he was doingand how unlike him it was, he left her side to go sit in one of the chairs by the windows, but soon her restless tossing called him back to her side. He gently laid a clawed hand on her cheek, and she sighed softly before calming. It seemed that the miko was more at ease, especially when she slept, if he was touching her.

That thought filled him with an absurd sense of pride and he rolled his eyes at himself. He was turning into a pup all over again, all because of this woman. She was making him lose face, even with himself.

That damnable part of him, which had become more vocal as time went on, told him to think of it as a type of power over her. She couldn’t sleep without him; only he could grant her rest. It wasn’t that he found himself unable to sleep if he wasn’t with her, it was the other way around. He had a right to feel proud of that, as well as a bit smug.

He hesitated for about a second before shrugging mentally and removing his shoes. He doubted he would get much rest this night anyway; besides, there was no one around to see. In the morning, he would decide what to do but, for now, he just didn’t want to think anymore.

He gingerly settled in behind her, her back barely brushing his chest, and set his hands hesitantly on her waist. She wiggled closer to him and he thought to himself that maybe this wasn’t the best idea he’d ever had; now her soft rear was against the cradle of his hips with her silky hair tickling his chin, teasing his nose with her delectable scent. It took a few moments for his brain to send the signal to his hands to refrain from roaming all over her softly giving body, but it took longer than that for his blood to cool down.

A slightly exasperated sigh left his lips, barely audible, even to himself.

What was he going to do with his little miko now?



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(I hope you all enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed writing it. It’s picking up, ne? I will try to get the next chapter out as soon as possible, but I need to start getting more motivated. Reviews always help, as does everyone’s continued support. Until next time.

Mujitsu)