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A Time For Change by Sesshy81

Chapter One

A Time for Change

Disclaimer: Nu-uh, not mine. Just the story.

A/N: This is my first attempt at a Sesshomaru/Kagome fic. Please be gentle with me.

Chapter One:

'Five years,' she thought to herself. 'It's been five years, to the date, since I was trapped here in the Sengoku Jidai. At twenty-three, most girls my age were pregnant with their sixth child. All I have is Shippo.

'Visiting mikos look down on my adoption of the swiftly growing kitsune kit. But that's their problem. Although, one had the temerity to tell me that if I wanted a child so much I should 'rescue the poor unfortunate girl who followed the Western Lord'. I laughed in her face. If only she'd known!'

With a slightly more cheerful chuckle at the memory, Kagome moved down the street toward Sango and Miroku's home in the taijiya village. With Sango pregnant with their second child, Miroku was a supremely happy man. He had the woman he loved and the family he'd always wanted. Although he still groped other women occasionally.

"Bad habits die hard," she muttered to herself. 'Even I, the village miko, am not immune,' she thought to herself, brushing off the front of her white haori, self-consciously. But she understood. He only did it when she was feeling especially homesick or depressed.

Looking up, she saw a familiar red-robed figure sitting on the small family's roof. Smiling, she waved and continued her slow walk. Somehow, somewhere along the line her love for the inu hanyou had morphed from a childish crush into the strong love of best friends or siblings. She wasn't unhappy about, but sometimes it did leave her feeling rather lonely.

"Keh. What took ya, wench?" Inuyasha asked as he jumped down, appraising her with the same intense golden eyes she so loved. "You've lost weight," he noted. "Not eating again?"

She chuckled sadly. "No, Inuyasha. But when Kaede died I had to take over all of her duties as well as my own, and it's a strain. It's nice of you to worry."

"Good. I don't want to have to spoon feed you again. You were a worse patient than my brother was."

"Gee, thanks," she growled, well-remembering THAT particular battle. Grinning to herself, she noted the change in the way Inuyasha spoke of his brother. 'Naraku did only one good thing, and that was bring those two together long enough to reconcile,' she mused. 'And that was what brought him down.'

"So, you ready to party?" asked Inuyasha, effectively bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Sure." Every year the small group reunited to celebrate the evil hanyou's defeat. They switched back and forth between Kagome and Inuyasha's home outside the village and home in the taijiya village. The population was growing, thanks to Sango and Kohaku's recruiting efforts.

That was the one miracle that no one expected. When the battle was over, Sesshomaru's ward, Rin, had led Ah-un into the demolished clearing bearing a familiar burden. Apparently the little girl had found the boy's body nearby and brought it to them, having recognized the body.

**Flashback**

Sango's gasp brought heads up all around the clearing. Too exhausted to move the demon slayer could only hold out one hand in the direction of the two headed dragon and cry as Miroku wrapped his arms around her trembling body. Rin had frowned at her as she walked to her Lord and settled down beside him in silence. Finally, after watching Sango turn her head into Miroku's shoulder, she looked up at Sesshomaru and asked "Why's the pretty lady crying?"

Kagome, her pale face blanching further, dug deep inside and found the energy to push herself to her feet and stumble over to the unlikely pair. Collapsing beside them she pulled Rin to her and hugged her. "Sango's very sad, Rin," she whispered to the little girl. "That boy, Kohaku, was her brother and now she thinks she's all alone."

"Oh." Then she looked back at Sesshomaru, cocking her head this way and that, as if to analyze him. "But Sesshomaru-sama can make it better, like he did with me. Then the pretty lady won't be alone any more. Rin isn't alone anymore, either."

'Make it better?' wondered Kagome. The she remembered. "Of course, Tenseiga! Will you please use it, Sesshomaru-sama?" she asked excitedly, raising her face from where she'd buried it in Rin's soft hair. Cautiously, she met the demon Lord's molten eyes and held his gaze for a few scant seconds. "Please?" she whispered.

Sesshomaru's eyes wandered the clearing, meeting each and every pair of eyes. Finally he came back to the two females before him and regarded them a moment. Then he shoved himself to his feet and walked over to the dragon. In one smooth, graceful stroke he both drew and swung the powerful blade, slicing through the messengers of death. With that one act done, he returned to his resting place below the outspread limbs of the only remaining tree.

On the dragon's back, Kohaku began to stir. Finally pushing himself off, he boy blinked a few times and looked around, eventually meeting his sister's gaze. Her face brought back all his jarring memories, and he collapsed to his knees, silent tears running down his face, as he finally remembered in minute detail what had happened when he'd last been aware.

Sango struggled to her feet and lurched over to the sobbing boy, then taking him into her arms and holding on for dear life. Kagome gazed at Sesshomaru, shock and awe written clear on her face. "Why?" she choked out.

Sesshomaru scowled at her and flicked his glance over the little girl in her arms. Looking away he responded quietly. "A child, any child, be it human, demon, or hanyou, deserves to live. The boy's life was cut far too short by an evil he had no control over."

The shock continued to play over the recently changed miko's face as she stared at the impassive demon Lord. No one in the field of battle had expected such a statement from that particular party's lips. As a stray thought hit her, Kagome gasped and glared at him from over the top of Rin's hair. "Then what about Inuyasha? Why didn't you let him stay when his mother died?" she challenged.

Lips twitching at the miko's forwardness, he turned back to her and lifted one eyebrow. "The hanyou would have been in even more danger had he stayed. It is rather likely that he would not have survived, being seen as a way to injure me. Being turned out gave the impression that he would not be a plausible target for my enemies."

"Oh," was all the response Kagome could muster.

In the ensuing silence, Kohaku's sobs were clearly heard and the faint query wafted through all of their ears. "Why, sis-sister? Why did you bring me back? I ... I d-d-did s-s-so ma-many horr-horrible t-things! I d-don't deserve to live. If I died, no one will get hurt again."

A low growl echoed across the clearing, originating in two throats. Sesshomaru glared at the boy and proceeded to box his ears, verbally. "Grow up, boy. At some point in their lives all beings do terrible things. Show some honor and live for those whose lives you've taken. Do not make my gift a vain one. If you truly wish to atone for the deaths you've caused, return to your home and put it back together."

Inuyasha closed his mouth with a snap. That had been about what he was going to say. "Look, I know everyone's tired, but we should leave the clearing before carrion eaters arrive," he said instead as he pushed himself to his feet. "Come on, Kagome, it's time to head home."

Suddenly gasping as another thought came, Kagome lurched to her feet and turned to stare in horror at Inuyasha. "Oh, Kami! How could I forget!?"

The hanyou continued to stare at her until she yelled at him. "The well, baka! The well! What if it doesn't let me through?" The last sentence was spoken in a whisper only the Taiyoukai heard.

"Explain, miko," he demanded. He'd never heard of anything such as this. 'Where is this girl from?' he wondered. 'What would a well have to do with it?'

"Sesshomaru-sama..." Kagome began, unsure if she should tell the Taiyoukai of her origins.

"Speak, ningen."

"Oh, alright!" she exclaimed, exasperated. "Look, technically I come from a time five hundred years in the future. The old well in Inuyasha's Forest is the portal I use to travel here. But I've been worried that once the Jewel was complete I would either be stuck here or sent home with no way back. I don't want to lose either of my families," she said, her soft voice trailing off, as her large blue eyes shimmered suspiciously.

"Ah." 'This mortal wench certainly knows how to pull at a person's better nature. I actually feel an infinitesimal bit sorry for her.' "Rin, come," he growled, levering himself to his feet and began to walk away, totally ignoring the state of his attire and the blood running from still open wounds.

**End Flashback**

"K'gme!" squealed a two year old as he rushed out of the home and careened into the conversing pair. Deftly Inuyasha caught the stampeding boy before he could reach his target and lifted him up by the back of his violet shirt.

"Oi! Stop running, runt. You should know better by now than to jump on Kagome. You might knock her over," he growled playfully into the boy's stomach, making him giggle.

A rather round and awkward Sango shuffled out of the doorway, dressed in a simple green kimono, and smiled at the trio on her front steps. "Is Shiro being a pain again, Inuyasha?"

"Nah, just running everywhere, as usual. Once again, he tried to jump on Kagome. He's getting too big to do that, ya know," the hanyou grumbled.

"I know," she laughed. "Well, come on in, we've been waiting for you two to show. Miroku's got the fireworks all set up and Shippo is coming in from ..." Eyes widening in shock, Sango's mouth dropped open even as she bowed politely at the tall figure behind the still giggling trio. Finding her voice again, she said "Konichiwa, Sesshomaru-sama. To what do we owe the honor?"

Eyebrows rising in surprise, Inuyasha and Kagome turned around to greet the Taiyoukai. "What's up, Fluffy?" asked Inuyasha with a grin.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome warned. "How can we help you, Sesshomaru-sama?"

"This Sesshomaru desires to speak to the miko when she has a free moment," he stated in a monotone.

Trading looks, the three wondered what could be so important to Sesshomaru to bring him out here the talk to Kagome. Somehow, the two mortal women had managed to win the aloof youkai's respect. Unexpectedly Shiro slipped out of the haori bunched up in Inuyasha's claws and launched himself at the Taiyoukai excitedly.

"Tail! Tail!" he shrieked happily, latching onto the appendage draped over Sesshomaru's shoulder.

Lifting one delicate eyebrow, he lifted the small boy off the ground by the very limb he was attached to and met the boy's bright violet eyes. "My tail is not a toy chibi ningen youji," he intoned solemnly.

"Here, let take him," said a shocked Inuyasha, reaching out for the small boy. "Kagome? You going to be okay?"

"Yeah. Come walk with me, Sesshomaru-sama and tell me what brought you here," replied Kagome as she began walking toward the gate to the village. "I'll be back before the festival starts, Sango, don't worry," she called over her shoulder.

"Has this Sesshomaru interrupted something important?"

"Hmm, oh, no, not at all. It's just been five years, that's all. We all thought it was something to celebrate," she informed him.

"For what?"

"Naraku's defeat. It just seemed like the thing to do. To celebrate life, and those whose lives were lost to him. Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha, and I get together every year, but this year the whole village is going to hold a festival. It's kinda fun, would you like to stay? You will be welcome."

Sesshomaru grunted. "I do not believe so, miko. This Sesshomaru will complete his business with you and be on his way," he stated solemnly. 'The miko has grown up quite a bit,' he noted. Taking in her unique scent, he allowed it to comfort him and soothe the unsettling thoughts racing through his mind. Once he realized what he was actually doing, he pulled back from the miko and stared at her in some shock. Her scent had changed; it was subtle, but noticeable. "What has happened, miko? When last we met, you, as yet, still smelled human. Now you do not."

Stopping, Kagome turned to him, her eyes glassy and haunted. "I ... I keep ... changing. At first they were small, but they keep getting bigger and stronger. Like what you just mentioned. I can calm people by scent alone now. I ... I don't know what I am any more," she told him in a whisper.

A thoughtful frown settled over his face as he watched Kagome make herself comfortable on the ground, her knees tucked up to her chin, arms wrapped around them. Gracefully, he lowered himself beside her, wondering once again what it was about her that made him respect her so. She was human, damn it! He shouldn't offer her as much as a glance.

"So what did you want to talk to me about, Sesshomaru-sama?" she asked, a bit unnerved by his unblinking gaze and his previous question about her changing form. She plucked at the red cloth covering her legs, her eyes averted from the Taiyoukai beside her.

Sniffing, he caught no hint of fear in her at being alone with him, only worry and confusion. Of course, that would be one of the reasons he respected her, her utter lack of unnecessary fear. "It ... is Rin."

Kagome's eyebrows shot up and she made as though to rise. "Is she ill?" she demanded.

"Iie!" responded her companion quickly, as he watched the relief rise in her eyes when he waved her back to her seat on the grass. "She has ... become old enough, in human years, to have a mate." Sesshomaru told her while staring at some point in the distance.

A look of shocked comprehension flashed through Kagome's eyes. "Oh," she replied intelligently.

"However," he continued. "I am unfamiliar with the courting habit of humans. I would not wish to do her a disservice, and choose one incompatible."

After a moment of silence, Sesshomaru turned to look at her, only to find her staring at him, her shoulders shaking in silent mirth. He growled at her. "This Sesshomaru would be pleased if you could offer some ... advice on how to handle the situation," he said with great dignity.

Shoving away her need to laugh, Kagome smiled at him reassuringly, busily running a list through her mind of what she needed to do before she could leave.

Taking her silence as refusal, Sesshomaru rose and began to walk away. "If you do not wish to aid me then I should return to my lands," he told her stiffly. He was stopped by a gentle hand on his arm as a now familiar scent drew close around him, calming him and reassuring him.

"I do want to help, Sesshomaru. Please don't take offense," she said quietly, having risen to her knees to reach him. "I was just trying to decide if I could leave the village for that long. I can't just up and leave with no warning."

"I see."

"I think it should be alright for a few weeks at least. If anything major occurs, then Miroku or Inuyasha can come get me," she mused thoughtfully.

Growling in irritation at her assumption that she would be leaving with him, he asked "What makes you think you are going anywhere, miko?"

Sniffing primly at him, she turned her back. "You did want my help, didn't you? Well, I can't do that from here. I would have to meet the hopefuls myself to assess them."

"Hn." Offering his hand to the girl in a gesture of near-habitual courtesy, he pulled the girl easily to her feet. However he overestimated her weight and pulled her right off her feet.

Stumbling into him, her face met up with, what she realized was a very nice silk-clad chest. "Oof." She grumbled into his chest. "That wasn't very nice," she told him.

"I agree with the hanyou, miko. You have lost too much weight," he muttered as he stepped back when the flustered miko regained her footing. "Were you, as he hanyou implied, ill at some time past?" Damned if he couldn't keep a hint of concern out of his voice!

"It was a while ago Sesshomaru. No need to worry," she said with a smile. Turning back toward the taijiya village, she waited for him to step beside her before walking back the way they had come.

"This Sesshomaru does not worry," he informed her loftily.

She laughed. "Right. Let's go back to the village so I can pack and tell the others what's going on. I hope you have a few ideas of who would be appropriate, since I won't be able to stay for months on end. And I know how long it can take to find a suitable match!"

"A few. Very well. Let us make haste that we may return to my home" he said as they passed through the gate once more.

'Inuyasha is not going to like this,' she thought to herself as they approached the inu hanyou sitting on the porch.

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Ta-da! So whatcha think? Did you like it? R&R please!

INUYASHA © Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan • Yomiuri TV • Sunrise 2000
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