Lost and Found by raindancer13

Chapter One

Kagome sat in the hot waters of the natural spring, sighing as she ran her fingers through her thigh length hair. The full moon reflected off her pale skin and shown her natual blue highlights beautifully. Kagome, now 23, had grown from the clumsy, awkward, 15 year old girl to a woman, gorgeous and statuesque. She had grown into her curves and supple breasts. Her face became sharper, more defined with age, and a natural beauty began to show through. To anyone who cared to look in, she would seem like a celestial maiden who had chosen to grace the earth with her presenceand bathe in it's waters.

For what ever reason, the well had sealed off when they had destroyed Naraku and she made her wish on the jewel. She had accepted the fact that she was never going to see her modern family again. At first she cursed the fates for this terrible misdeed. Then she remembered. 'No good deed goes unpunished.' She figured that it was her punishment for defeating the evil hanyou and destroying the sacred jewel of the four souls forever. That sickening lonely feeling started creeping it's way into her chest. Sighing again, she stood from her spot and started to dance to a tune only she seemed to hear. Soon she started to sing a soft song. Like honey on the wind to the demonic ears that listened intently to each note.

I can hold my breath

I can bite my tongue

I can stay awake for days

If that's what you want

Be your number one

I can fake a smile

I can force a laugh

I can dance that part

If that's what you ask

Give you all I am

I can do it

I can do it

I can do it

But I'm only human

And I bleed when I fall down

I'm only human

And I crash and I break down

Your words in my head, knives in my heart

You build me up and them I fall apart

'Cause I'm only human

I can turn it on

Be a good machine

I can hold the weight of the worlds

If that's what you need

Be your everything

I can do it

I can do it

I'll get through it

But I'm only human

And I bleed when I fall down

I'm only human

And I crash and I break down

Your words in my head, knives in my heart

You build me up and I fall apart

'Cause I'm only human

I'm only human

I'm only human

Just a little human

I can take so much

'Til I've had enough

'Cause I'm only human

And I bleed when I fall down

I'm only human

And I crash and I break down

Your words in my head, knives in my heart

You build me up and then I fall apart

'Cause I'm only human

Sesshomaru watched his half brother's miko twirl around the clearing stark naked, her towel lying forgotten near the steaming waters of the spring. It was then that he realized that the boisterous little girl he had met several years ago had indeed grown up. Her legs were well toned and muscled that went up the soft curve of her behind. Her stomach was also well toned and flat from her years of traveling and fighting while hunting for the sacred jewel shards. As she turned towards him, her arms raised to the heavens, he saw the plump breasts of a woman. Her supple pink nipples were hard from beind exposed the air and it almost seemed as if they were greeting him, inviting him to come taste them. He unconsciously licked his lips. Her face had become more slender, her features sharper. Her eyes though were off. He remembered a bright, happy go lucky, teenaged girl who was innocent to the ways of the world. Her eyes always held a happy sparkle to them. The woman before him now shocked him to say the least. Her eyes were sad, lonely, and hard. Like she was now more experienced in the ways of the world. No where did he see the remnance of the woman child she had once been. He tentively sniffed the air. A multitude of scented accosted his sensitve nose. Earth, sweat, an oncoming storm, vanilla, sunshine, lonliness. He did not scent the half breed anywhere. He took another sniff. It seems as if the his half brother's wench was by herself and has been for a long time.

Kagome was aware of the eyes on her. She'd been on her own for nearly 5 years. She had time to hone her miko skills and aquire several others. Kagome braided her long hair and tied if off with a leather strap. She waited a moment feeling that the prescense was not shifting. She shrugged, her modesty only somewhat intact. After 5 years on her own, with no one to talk to, Kagome had lost her modesty about being naked in the middle of the night, in the middle of the woods. Emerging from the spring, she patted herself dry with a cloth and moved to get dressed.

Sesshomaru watched her emerge. Why was he watching her? She was simply a lowly human woman who had no real power. She wasn't even that attractive.

*Liar* His beast yiped, smugly.

'Silence' He snarled internally.

*Then why do you continue to watch?* He refused to answer. He refused to even acknowlege that the woman before him had indeed grown the be a beautiful woman. He watched as she got up from the water and began to dry herself off. She kept her back to him and he noticed that she had long, sensuous, muscular legs that gave way to a taught bottom.

Now, he was truly confused when he watched her dress in skimpy, immodest clothing made from furs and pelts. Where was the strange, innapropriate clothing he had seen her in when he first met her? He did a mental count and realized that it had been several years since he had last seen her. She was still just a girl then, barely growing into her woman's body. She had stayed behind to be priestess of the small village near the well. How did she come to be on her own? He tried to tell himself that he didn't care. Just as he wa about to turn and go, he heard her voice. He remembered it being high pitched and would crack sometimes due to her transition from girl to woman. Now, it was smooth and lilting. It called to him.

"Lord Sesshomaru." He froze when he heard his name. He had to admit that he was slightly shocked that she used his title. Again remembering that she had been young and brash, and defied him at every turn. "I know you are there. Won't you join me?" Sesshomaru stiffed his back and put is usual mask of cold indifferance into place. He had been found out. By a human. A female human. His ego took a blow but he stepped out anyway.

"Miko." He addressed her by her title. She smiled, sweetly at him and he saw her face for the first time since Naraku's defeat. He had to admit to himself that was a subtle sort of beauty there. Her lips were rather full and pouting even as they curved up to form that smile that made the demon lords heart pause in it usual beat. She bowed to him, causing her long braid to fall of her shoulder. Cerulian eyes met gold ones. Sesshomaru stood frozen in that moment. She had changed. Radically. She was not long the strange girl from another time, with her strange ways and her strange speech. He remembered once, that she had looked upon him in fear and awe. She had been brash, loud, and emotional. This woman,... She was guarded, her eyes not giving away what she was feeling. She looked at him with no fear. No awe. The sparkle she had in her eyes many years ago had faded and was no longer present. Sesshomaru found that he did not like that.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked, standing tall again. Sesshomaru did not speak for a moment. Kagome bent and began to gather her things. He noticed that she had several strange containers that held an odd looking liquid in them. She noticed his curious gaze and decided to explain. "It's called plastic." She tapped the bottle. "I kept them so I could make my own shampoo and body wash. I can't stand smelling like a sweaty cow." She said. Ah yes. He remembered her fondness for bathing and could not recal a time when they traveled together that she did not bathe at least once a day. Sometimes twice if she were given the chance. He nodded his understanding. "So, what are you doing here?"

"You are on this Sesshomaru's lands. I should be asking you." He saw a thoughtful look in her eyes.

"Have I really gone that far west?" She spoke more to herself than to him. "Sorry. I didn't mean to intrude or anything." She said, reaching down to pick up her bow and arrows. Her usual weapons. And a sword. He did not recall her carrying one before. When had she learned? "I can leave if you want." Sesshomaru said nothing, only raising a single eyebrow. Leave? He gave no such command.

"You may stay." He said, regally. "But do not make me regret this charitable act." His voice dripped with poison to let her know that he wouldn't hesitate to take her head off should she cause trouble on his lands. She just looked at him, with an almost bored expression and nodded. For some reason that angered him. How dare she look at him as if he were making a tedious request? In less than a second he was in front of her. She didn't even flinch. That only irritated him more. "Do you not fear me?" Now she looked at him. Something flashed in her eyes. But it wasn't fear. He wasn't sure what he'd seen.

"No." She said simply.

"Why?" He truly wanted to know how this little slip of a woman could stand there, less than a foot from the great demon lord, the most pwerful youkai in Japan and not be afraid of him.

"I have been on my own for nearly 5 years, Lord Sesshomaru. My contact with people is very limited. I have fought, defeated, and killed many demons who would attack me for one reason or another." She shrugged and then she gave a short, fake laugh. "I even lived with Koga's wolf tribe for awhile. They taught me how to hunt, how to fight, how to survive on my own in the wilderness. I might be human, but I can fight like a youkai now, thanks to them." Sesshomaru snorted. He highly doubted that. "I'm sure you'll see what I mean. But I will not try to prove myself to you, Lord Sesshomaru." I have spent many years practicing with my miko abilities and I dare say, I am much more powerful then even Kikyou now, than I was when we last met. I've even learned to use my reiki like a demon uses their youki." He eyed her closely, trying to feel her aura. But he noticed nothing special about her. She didn't seem any stronger than what she did when he first met her. She looked at him with something akin to guilt in her eyes. "I see you haven't gotten your arm back." She watched the empty sleeve billow in the breeze. His eyes narrowed. "You know, I always felt that it was my fault that you lost your arm." Sesshomaru stared down his nose at her.

"It was nothing of your doing." He said. But Kagome just shook her head.

"I still feel terrible." She looked up to him, that strange sensation coming back to him as she stared into his eyes. "I would like to make it up to you, if you will let me." She said, carefully choosing her words. He snorted again.

"And what makes you think that you can return this Sesshomaru's arm?" He snapped. He was not in the mood to be toyed with. "This Sesshomaru's healers are the best in lands and even they cannot restore my arm." Kagome just smiled at him before offering her answer.

"Because," She said. "I'm awesome like that." She put down her belongings and raised up her hands. "May I?" Sesshomaru glared at her suspiciously but he smelled no evil intent on her. Nodding once, he turned to his left. He felt her remove his armor and gently set it aside. When he felt her start to untie his obi he grabbed her wrist, squeezing slightly.

"What do you think you are doing, miko?" He said, his voice icey cold. Again, she showed him no fear.

"I do not mean any harm. I just need to get at your shoulder." He let go of her wrist but kept an eye on her. She loosened his obi just enough so that she could pull his haiori open to reveal the tattered and chared flesh of his arm. Kagome sighed and the sight. Just what had she allowed Inuyasha to do to him? "Maybe you should sit. This will hurt." When Sesshomaru did not move she shrugged her shoulders and placed one, delicate, calloused hand on his shoulder and the other over her chest. "Here we go." She whispered as she closed her eyes in concentraition. Sesshomaru was begining to think that miko had been bluffing just so she could put her hands on him when suddenly he felt a searing pain rip through him. His usual cold visage shattered and pure agony took it's place. He dropped to his knees as they were enveloped in a blinding blue light. Suddenly, without his will, a memory resurfaced.

xXxFlahsBackxXx

The girl never ceased to suprise him during that dark battle. She had fought harder than any human should have the energy or power for. She fought to save her friends, the whole of Japan, his ward and retainer even. She had shocked him most when she had saved him. His pride nearly screaming at him to make her go away, that he didn't need the help of some lowly human but he allowed her to fight over his fallen form. He just needed a moment to heal but the misasma that Naraku had inserted in his body kept him from doing so with any kind of haste. In a blast of holy energy, Kagome purified the demons in front of her and then turned to him.

'Hold still.' She ordered. He had glared at her, but allowed her come near him. With the touch of her hand, his body screamed in pain. Her holy energies invaded him, taking his breath away. For a split second, his vision went black and he fought to remain conscience. This is it. She was killing him. Him. Lord of the Western Lands. The Killing Perfection. Was going to die by the hand of a human girl. But, before he could find the energy to be angry at her, his vision cleared, the pain gone, his wound was completely healed. 'Get up.' She said, turning to once again fight off another wave of demons. 'We have way to much work to do for you to take a break!' She was teasing him. In the midst of battle, she was teasing him. He was far too shocked to be angry with her. He fought by her side then. They had downed many demons and worked their way forward. He could scent her exhaustion heavy in the air. He knew she wouldn't last much longer at this pace. Her life blood was flowing from several open wounds. 'We have to get to Naraku.' She said. 'Soon.' He knew that she was fully aware of her state and that she needed to finish this now before she became completely useless and the spider hanyou won. Nodding, he wrapped his mokomoko around her and unleashed his most powerful attack to clear a path between them and that vile creature.

'DRAGON STRIKE!'

Using all the speed he possesed to close the distance. Once he was only a hundred feet away he was blocked by a mass of tentacles.

'You think it so easy?' The spider mocked. 'I will devour you! You and that pitiful human wench!' Just as Sesshomaru was going to unleash his dragon strike again Kagome touched his arm.

'Let him take me.' His eyes were wide as and incredulous look took over his face. She leaned in, whispered in his ear and kissed his cheek. 'Go.' She said as she untangled herself from his mokomoko. He didn't move. Tentacles surrounding them. He only stared at her as she made her way further into the fray as if accepting death. She turned, a small innocent smile on her face. Without a word she held up a hand and let a blast of holy energy out that sent him flying backwards out of Naraku's reach. As he sailed away, he could hear Naraku laughing.

'You think that will save him?!' He snarled at the miko. Sesshomaru didn't know what happened beyond that. He'd been flown backward into another horde of Naraku's minions and he was once again fighting them off. After what felt like hours of fighting, Everyone stopped at hearing Naraku howling in rage and pain. 'NO! STOP THIS!' He screamed and writhed. His flesh bubbled and began melting away as if he were bathed in acid. His minions took that as a sign to run. But no matter how far they had gotten, they too melted away into puddles around the group of allies that stood before the now disentigrating hanyou. Sesshomaru nearly expected for a moment that he too would melt away but then he felt it. A surge of holy power. A smirk played at the corner of his mouth. She was doing it. That little girl was killing one the of the most evil and dangerous demons this realm had ever seen. And she was doing it alone. He watched as the body of the wretched hanyou melted away still screaming. His body like black tar oozing down from around that little slip of a mortal. Kagome. He reminded himself. She was now worthy of a name to him.

He watched as Kagome slowly reappeared from the depths of the black pool but somehow her body was clear of the mess. Her eyes glowed a vibrant blue with her holy powers. The last of Naraku's screams turned to gurgles as he choked on his own filth. Sesshomaru breifly wondered what it would be like to be purified but as he watched he decided that that was enough. Sesshomaru watched as the hanyou was now a puddle at Kagome's feet, the jewel safely in her hands and completely purified. Approval washed through him even as Kagome collapsed in the black puddle. The mere contact of her skin on it purified it into nothing. Sesshomaru made to walk forward to pick Kagome up but his half breed brother beat him to it screaming out her name.

'Kagome! Kagome, wake up!' He yelled. He merely stood by and watched as Kagome stirred and groaned. 'Kagome!'

'Ugh...' She groaned again. 'Sit, Inuyasha.' Amusement spread throughout Sesshomaru as he watched the boy face plant into the ground with a yelp. 'You know,' she began as she glared at the hayou shaped crater. 'I'm not really in the mood to be screamed at right now...' She said sitting up, holding a hand to her forehead. 'I'd appreciate it if you could keep your voice down.' Sesshomaru smirked at her ire.

Afterwards, they went their seperate ways. Kagome and her friends returned to the village at the edge of Inuyasha's Forest and Sesshomaru and Koga headed back to the Western fortress to discuss their new alliance, as the ookami prince approached him shortly after the battle and suggested a truce between their repective lands.

xXxXxEndFlashbackxXxXx

Sweat formed on Kagome's brow and her pale skin became even more pale. She grunted with the effort and soon, she felt it. She felt that surge of power with in her as it shot through her heart and into his shoulder. Kagome released him and took a deep breath she didn't know she was holding. She stumbled backwards and landed on her rump.

Sesshomaru felt as if she had tried to rip him in half and that was exactly what he intended to do to her. He stood, his knees shaking violently but he willed himself to continue standing. He held onto his shoulder, attempting to ease the pain she had caused. Kagome watched him, his eyes bleeding red with malicious intent. With no fear in her eyes, Kagome reached out and took his hand. Sesshomaru snarled at her and snatched it away. Then, he paused. Looking at the hand that held his shoulder with then looking down. Down the length of his arm, and to the five, perfectly clawed tipped digits. His eyes reverting back to gold, he widened them. She did it. Testing out the new appendage he brought forth the poison that flowed in his viens and watched it drip from his finger tips, marring the earth beneath them. Kagome smiled as she sat back against a boulder.

"Told you I was awesome." She said. Her voice was quiet now, weakened. He looked at her and she looked as if she hadn't slept or eaten in days. Her skin was pale and clammy. Her eyes were half lidded. She had over exherted herself giving him his arm back. Before Sesshomaru could even utter a 'hn' the miko had passed out from her excessive use in power. Sesshomaru decided to repay the preistess and allow her to accompany him to his castle. He would ask her about why she was on her own when she awoke. Picking up the woman and her belongings, he formed his cloud under his feet and took off into the night. Again, a memory resurface unbidden by the daiyoukai.

xXxXxFlashbackxXxXx

'You think it so easy?' The spider mocked. 'I will devour you! You and that pitiful human wench!' Just as Sesshomaru was going to unleash his dragon strike again Kagome touched his arm.

'Let him take me.' His eyes were wide as an incredulous look took over his face. She leaned in, whispered in his ear. 'Sometimes it's the person you least expect.' She kissed his cheek. 'Go.' The feeling of her soft lips on his cheek had shocked him beyond belief. No one, human, demon, or otherwise had ever dared to kiss him upon his cheek in such a familiar fashion. It was then, truly then, that she had invaded his mind and refused to relinquish her place in his thoughts.

He wanted to tell her no. He wanted to keep her by his side to insure her safety for what she had done for him. But she had already wriggled her way out of his grasp and was walking toward the vile hanyou. Did she expect to die while attempting to kill him? Is that why she was so bold in her actions towards him? He was unsure and was even more unsure of why he didn't want to let her go. She was just a human girl. His inner beast whined an argument. A human girl yes but she was anything but just a human girl. She was the Shikon Miko. She was a powerful miko at that with powers that he suspected would rival even that of Midoriko's. She was the tipping point of the scales in this battle. If she died, all would be lost for she was the only one who could deliver the final blow to Naraku. The only one who could purify the jewel and rid the world of it's cursed existance.

His thoughts faultered when she turned back and smiled at him. That damned smile that would haunt his dreams and almost all of his waking thoughts. 'Go.' She had said as she blasted him backwards with her holy powers. At first he was angry that she had sent him away. But after many years of contimplation he had come to realize that, however foolish her attempts seemed to him, she was trying to keep him safe. And, as much as it hurt his ego to be protected by a human girl, he allowed her that much. Even if it were more for her peace of mind than it was for his safety.

xXxXxEndFlashbackxXxXx

"Hn." A strange feeling spread it's way through his chest. Something he was certain unaccustomed to yet, not opposed to. It was a rather strange feeling. Warm as if his blood were surging. Sesshomaru thought for a moment. 'I will have to investigate this strange feeling further.

A/N: I apologize for not putting this in at first. I completely forgot. The song is Christina Perri's Human and I do not own that either.