I do not own Inuyasha. 

I hope that this has more detail in it.  This chapter is more of a relationship builder between Sesshoumaru and Kagome…but the next will be centered on Sess’s involvement with the other major Demon Lords in their attempt to destroy the last empowered Miko…

To my first reviewer on this fic…

Alexa Gray: Don’t be too hard on Inuyasha…he may appear later on in the story as a plot thickener…I believe his vow to Kikyo is a sincere one…even though I think Kikyo needs to get a life and go back to whence she came…Before Kikyo was revived by Urasue, I liked her a lot and even now, I pity her. 

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Chapter Two

          Kagome looked up at the full moon.  Tomorrow she would reach Sesshoumaru's castle.  But tonight was hers.  Clutching the Tama that hung from her neck, Kagome headed towards the hot springs that seemed to call out her name.  Tying the packhorse to a tree, the Miko stripped down to her undergarments, a bathing suit left over from the 21st century, and stepped into the hot water.  Kagome smiled blissfully.  Thirty minutes later, a clean and content Kagome took to her coverlet and fell into a deep slumber.  Than she dreamed.

Dream: Kagome stood by helplessly as Inuyasha and Kikyo slipped into hell.  They had just defeated Naraku and Inuyasha had gone to Kikyo willingly, without even a second glance at Kagome.  Kagome's heart wrenched tightly as the ground swallowed the last traces of the two lovers.  Sango came up to the silent teenager.  "Kagome...will you be alright?"  Kagome sunk to her knees in utter despair, "He didn't say goodbye...I didn't even exist to him..." Sango embraced the sobbing girl as she kept saying Inuyasha's name over and over again.  End dream.

Kagome woke up in a cold sweat, with tears running down her cheeks.  "Inuyasha...why did you leave me here to weep over your absence?" Kagome whispered to herself.  It was early morning and Kagome had to travel the last two miles to her appointed meeting with Sesshoumaru.  Kagome mustered her resolve and unloaded the packhorse.  Taking out her formal kimono, Kagome changed.  Sweeping up her hair into a tight braid, Kagome let it fall down her back.  The kimono was a light pink, the pattern of sakura blossoms.  Kagome slipped the finishing touch on the outfit, the obi, around her waist.  Then, saddling the horse, Kagome jumped gracefully into the saddle, sitting sideways as to not crumple her kimono.  Clucking to her horse, Kagome turned toward her date with destiny.

Sesshoumaru's castle...

          Sesshoumaru paced back and forth lightly in his throne room.  The miko was set to arrive today.  Having entered his lands two days ago, Sesshoumaru had calculated her arrival as such.  Jaken was watching Rin so there would be no interference in his dealings today.  Sesshoumaru finally sat down in order to wait for the miko.

          Kagome took in the immense castle with startled awe.  She knew Sesshoumaru would live in luxury but this was ridiculous.  The castle itself was huge, more Gothic European than Feudal Japanese style.  Kagome shook her head in wonder and then dismounted just outside the gates.  A guard came out and questioned her, "What business do you have with the Lord Sesshoumaru?"  Kagome bowed, out of respect and replied, "I was summoned by his Lordship to be in his presence this very day."  The guard, full knowing about the miko, opened the gate.  Kagome's progress was slow and deliberate.  Having many thoughts in her mind, Kagome did not notice when her horse was led to the stables.  Another servant came out, "Lady Priestess, you will accompany me to your chambers to await the Lord's summoning."  Kagome nodded and followed the servant.  A pair of golden eyes trailed her arrival.  Sesshoumaru wasn't sure if it was indeed the same girl that had traveled with his brother, but he was intrigued nonetheless. 'She carries herself well, for one who is to meet her destiny here at my hand', Sesshoumaru thought as a cold smirk spread his features out. 

          It was close to sunset when Sesshoumaru finally summoned his guest.  Kagome made her way to the throne room. The doors opened and Kagome entered. The walls were covered in intricate tapestries depicting scenes of past Western Lords, standing in triumph over some sort of battle.   The room was empty, save for the Lord and the Miko.  "Miko-san, you honor me with your presence this evening."  Kagome wondered at the warmth in the demon's voice.  Bowing low to the floor, Kagome replied, "I am honored to be here, Lord Sesshoumaru."  Kagome rose from the floor and found herself face to face with the Demon Lord.  Sucking in her breath, Kagome struggled to wrestle her fear away.  "Tell me, Miko-san, are you the woman who traveled with Inuyasha?"  Kagome smiled faintly,” I am she, my lord."  Sesshoumaru could not fathom the startling changes in the girl’s attitude.

When the Miko had traveled with Inuyasha, she had displayed enormous courage and sometimes, a misplaced loyalty.  Her scent was the same, a little heavier with grief, but the same.  Yet there was no fire in her eyes, only a calm acceptance of her life.  "Do you tremble, Miko-san? Do you fear for your life?", Sesshoumaru purred, "Do you know that I despise all reminders of my half-brother?"  Kagome's gaze met Sesshoumaru's.  "I do not care for my own life, Sesshoumaru-san, yet I cannot let my life be forfeit for the sake of the Shikon no Tama."

 Sesshoumaru pondered the girl's words.  'She doesn't care for herself, yet it is still that jewel which fuels her existence', the Demon Lord thought.  "You are no ordinary human, Miko-san. For that, I will spare your life."  Sesshoumaru called for a servant to lead Kagome to the gardens.  "I will accompany you later in the gardens.” With that, the Demon Lord disappeared into thin air.  Kagome had noticed a bit of curiosity on the part of Sesshoumaru.  But the Miko didn’t have time to think on such things.  Now it was time to ponder on why she was here.

In the gardens…

          Earlier on, Kagome had explored the expansive gardens of the castle.  The layout was stunning; four main sections took up at least one-mile lengthwise and a mile widthwise.  And each section had a distinct theme of its own. The far right section was the rose garden.  Many varieties were arranged in a naturalistic manner and in the center of the garden there was an elegant fountain depicting a nymph sitting gracefully on a stone.  The far left section was a bonsai garden, replete with koi ponds full of brightly colored goldfish.  The closer-to-the-castle section on the right was centered on the idea of a maze.  The walls of the maze were hedges and at the epicenter of the maze was a gazebo, draped in jasmine and honeysuckle. And the last section was open to the elements.  It was beautiful in its controlled wildness.  Wildflowers, a natural pond and a simple path out of the garden comprised its contents. 

          Kagome sat on a bench in the rose garden, taking in the heady scent of the flowers therein.  Roses were a definite favorite of the Miko’s and it was the one small pleasure in life Kagome had left.  Kagome’s daily life consisted of healing aches and pains, fighting off demons and practicing her archery.  And like her predecessor, Kagome began to feel the burden of the Shikon No Tama. 

The young Miko sighed over these thoughts and started up to go back to the castle.  Sesshoumaru had yet to make an appearance and Kagome was getting weary.  As if to rebuke her inner thoughts, Sesshoumaru quietly entered the rose garden.  Kagome did not turn towards the Demon Lord right away.  Sesshoumaru bit back a warning growl and approached the silent Kagome.  “I sense you have some questions, Miko-san. You may ask them now if you like,” Sesshoumaru spoke in a low voice.  Kagome turned and bowed slightly. 

The pair started walking slowly along the path.  “Why was I summoned here, Sesshoumaru-sama?” Kagome asked, respectfully, wishing to get to the point.  Sesshoumaru inhaled deeply and then answered, “To satisfy my curiosity over your inherent powers and person.  And if I am satisfied, present you to the Demon Court in assurance of your promise to leave the Demons to their own devices.”  Kagome’s eyes got big for a second and then she asked further, “Am I a threat to the Demon Lords?”  Sesshoumaru pondered this, “That is what I am supposed to determine.  Since you and I agree that I am most powerful of all the Lords, it falls on me to determine if you are a threat or not.” 

What Sesshoumaru kept to himself was that the other Lords wanted Kagome dead; regardless of what threat she may pose.  “I can’t say that I am not a threat since I do not know the full extent of my powers,” Kagome paused to take a breath and then continued, “On the other hand, I can say I will only fight if there is a threat to the Jewel.”  By the time of Kagome’s last comment, the sky was completely dark and only the few torches lit kept a low visual on the pair.  Sesshoumaru turned towards Kagome and whispered in her ear, “Where has your fire gone, Miko?”  Then, the Demon Lord vanished, leaving a very confused Kagome to find her way back to the castle.

La Ha ha ha!  Finally, I have finished this chapter…

Teaser of the next chapter… “What have you decided, Sesshoumaru-san?” questioned the Demon Lord of the East.  Sesshoumaru came out of his stupor.  In reality, Sesshoumaru did not want to decide about Kagome until he killed his growing admiration for the girl…