If I Never Knew You by Sheena Dawn

Chapter 1

Kagome Higurashi sat on the side of a grassy hill in feudal era Japan looking up at the starlit night sky, taking in the tranquility of the world around her. Nature didn’t have to contend with the so called conveniences of the modern era, the moon and stars lit up the night as opposed to street lights and neon signs and the air was fresh and clean not adulterated by car exhaust and offensive perfumes. She felt a tug at her heart as she realized this was the last time she would get to experience Japan this way as the next morning she would be jumping into the bone eater’s well for the last time, she felt tears start to flood her eyes. She didn’t want to leave, but she also knew that there was no reason for her to stay in the feudal era with the Shikon jewel complete and Naraku defeated her time in the feudal era was done. She was so deep in her thoughts that she almost didn’t feel a strong demonic aura approaching her from behind, however there was only one demon who could possess an aura that strong, she looked over her shoulder and saw Sesshoumaru approaching her at a leisurely pace. Her heart began to beat a little bit faster as he approached but not because she was afraid of him, they had grown quite close since Sesshoumaru started traveling with Inuyasha’s group. They often slipped away from the group to have some private alone time together in secluded areas where they were able to talk or just spend time together away from the curious eyes of other members of their group or anyone else who might be watching.

“Hello Sesshoumaru,” She said looking at him with sadness in her eyes as the realization hit her that she might never see him again once she returned to her time. While he did have a longer life span than humans it was still possible for him to be killed in the heat of battle, she quickly wiped her eyes trying to remove any signs of tears although she was pretty sure that Sesshoumaru could smell them.

“Kagome… what’s the cause of your tears?” Sesshoumaru asked concerned as he approached the young female, he had been sensing her sadness ever since Naraku had been destroyed, it growing more intense as the days had passed by. Not that he could blame her, he was none too thrilled about what had been decided as far as her fate and had made a point of voicing his displeasure about it. He would be the first to admit than when they first crossed paths he had an extreme dislike of her, however after getting to know her better she had gained his respect for being fearless and trying to stand up to him even though she knew full well he could kill her at any moment, after his group started traveling with Inuyasha’s group he came to realize that she was extremely protective of those she closest to her often causing bodily injury to herself in the process. He himself had been on the receiving end of her protection during an encounter with the monk Ungai, putting herself between the two of them and staring the monk down not moving until the monk stepped down. When asked why a priestess would protect a demon the answer she gave was that she wouldn’t let the death of a friend rest on her conscious even though she knew full well he was more than capable of protecting himself, she had received a warning from the monk that this wasn’t over and that if she got involved again he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her although Sesshoumaru silently vowed to never let any harm come to her.

Kagome fought back the tears not wanting him to see her that way. “I realized that after tomorrow I might never see you again.”

“You don’t have to leave,” Sesshoumaru said taking a seat beside her on the hill, and saw a small flicker of joy in her eyes before it disappeared behind a vail of sadness. “You could stay here with me.”

“I wish I could but there’s no guarantee that once a wish had been made on the jewel that I’d be allowed to stay.” Kagome said as he gently wiped away a rogue tear that was running down her cheek, as she looked into the warm gold eyes of the man she had come to trust and love. “I’ll never forget you Sesshoumaru.”

“Kagome, come with me.” He said standing up and helping her to her feet before flying towards the west with her on his back, Mokomoko wrapped around her to shelter her from the wind that raced by. He didn’t want her to leave, he had become quite smitten with her and wanted her to stay so that he could properly court her and eventually mate with her. He eventually set down in a secluded area of the forest, it was a place they had come to numerous times together a place where they could be alone. “I thought you’d like to see this place one more time,”

“Hai!” She said as she took in the place that had come to mean so much to her, this was the place she first realized her feelings for Sesshoumaru. She was so deep in thought that she hadn’t notice him sit against the large willow tree that over looked the small pond, Kagome walked over and sat beside him resting her head against his chest as he subconsciously placed his left hand on her waist the sleeve of his haori covering her legs like they had done every time they came here. It was moments like this that she had come to enjoy with the demon lord, when Inuyasha made the choice of being with Kikyo over Kagome she found herself being comforted by Sesshoumaru and over time they found love in one another’s arms. “Fate can be so cruel,”

“I know what you said about the jewel being the reason you’re allowed to stay here, but I wish you’d at least try to stay here with me.” He said causing her to look up at him with confusion in her eyes. “I’d rather have you try to stay here with me and lose you, then lose you forever and never know.”

“Ses… sho… maru…” She said taking in what he had said, she was beyond conflicted did she stay with the one she loved with a possibility of never seeing her family again or return to her time with the possibility of never seeing Sesshoumaru again.

“I have something for you,” He said reaching into the sleeve of his kimono and taking out a small silver necklace without him saying anything she turned and lifted her raven locks so that he could place it on her, the small crescent moon pendant resting on her heart.

“It’s beautiful,” Kagome said admiring his gift.

“Now no matter what happens tomorrow, I’ll always be with you.” Sesshoumaru said gently running a hand through her hair. “And I had some of my youki combined with the metal so that I’ll be able to protect you from afar.”

Kagome overcome with emotion wrapped her arms around him, and without hesitation he returned the gesture. She knew almost instantly what her decision would be the next day, she would miss her family but she didn’t want to live the rest of her life not knowing that she could have been with him. She gently pulled back and looked deep into his eyes. “I love you Sesshoumaru.”

“I love you as well,” He said and leaned forward to place a soft kiss on her lips. They both knew that this was meant to be no matter what anyone thought, that they were meant to spend forever in one another’s arms and be the genesis of a new world where demons and humans were able to co-exist in peace. “I suppose we should head back,”

“Jissai ni, I wouldn’t mind staying here tonight.” She said.

“That’s fine,” Sesshoumaru said and pulled her close to keep her warm as she put her head back on his armor covered chest and drifted off to sleep while he watched over her.