Never Again by Fluffy's Lady

A Full Moon and An Empty Heart

Warnings, slightly OOC Sess in this first chap, but not in the following chapters. Thank you.

Note: This story currently has 9 chapters already written out. 5 reviews to get the next one.

Disclaimer: (finally, eh? audience glares warningly at FL Ok, ok I'll say it now!) I don't own Inuyasha. If I did, I wouldn't have to worry about getting scholarships for college. Heck, I wouldn't even have to worry about college!

Kagome stood in the rain, letting it soak her to the bone, numbing her body. No matter how numb she was on the outside, though, it was no comparison to how numb she was on the inside.

Funny, she thought, that I don't feel any emotions. No hatred, no sadness, not bitterness, no anger, no jealousy–nothing. I feel like I'm at absolute zero, but I don't think I can help it right now. It's all because of him.

FLASHBACK

Kagome's senses had picked up Kikyou's miko powers. At first she just ignored it; her powers had grown far stronger than those of Kikyou and Inuyasha was sitting beneath the tree still. Kagome could tell this without opening her eyes because she had her head in his lap, thinking of that day two years ago.

FLASHBACK WITHIN FLASHBACK!!!

It was the day of the final battle, the day they had defeated Naraku. They still hadn't completed the Shikon Jewel. Well, that wasn't entirely true. They had completed it–or to be more precise–Naraku had. He was about to make his wish when Inuyasha and Sesshomaru had joined together in a last ditch effort to defeat the evil hanyou who had screwed with all their lives in one way or another.

Inuyasha used the Wind Scar and Sesshomaru had used Tensaega. It had worked. The Tensaega's attack had hit first–reviving all the youkai Naraku had killed in order to form his body. The Wind Scar hit next–killing every last one of them. The force of the attacks, though, shattered the Jewel once more.

As a token of her appreciation for helping them out–Kagome healed Sesshomaru's arm for him. Inuyasha didn't take this too well and immediately started berating Kagome for her "stupidity"

Sesshomaru had begun to walk away when he heard his half-brother's words. Turning, he quickly strode over to where Inuyasha stood yelling at a now-crying Kagome. He raised his newly regenerated arm and punched Inuyasha square across the face. The blow sent him flying into the bloody remains of Naraku.

"Do not insult the miko. She made a wise move by giving me back the arm that you took from me four years ago. If she hadn't I would have killed you." With that, he had left. But not before looking at Kagome once more, with something akin to longing and gratitude in his eyes.

END FLASHBACK WITHIN FLASHBACK

As Kagome pretended to sleep–her head still in Inuyasha's lap–she still couldn't figure Sesshomaru out.

Her musings were cut short, though, when she felt Inuyasha gently move her head off his lap. She heard him walk off so she opened her eyes, got up and followed him.

She stopped about ten minutes later when Inuyasha met Kikyou in a large clearing.

"Beloved," Kikyou said, locking her arms around Inuyasha's neck. "You promised me that once Naraku was dead then you would come to hell with me." She tilted her face and kissed Inuyasha full on the lips.

Kagome barely stifled a gasp. Inuyasha didn't seem to notice but Kikyou did. She broke the kiss and laid her head on Inuyasha's chest. A sadistic smirk graced her features.

"Well, I...I mean...I..." Inuyasha fumbled for another excuse. He had used so many over the last two years. He really hated lying to Kikyou, but he really didn't want to go to hell–not yet anyway.

Kikyou pulled away and looked him in the face. "It's my reincarnation isn't it? That Kagome girl. You love her don't you? You love her more than me," the clay pot pouted.

"No! No! That's not it! That's not it at all! I don't love her, really I don't!" Inuyasha hastened to assure his dead miko.

"If that is true, then what is she to you?" Kikyou prodded, knowing full-well the one in question stood just a few yards away from them.

Instead of answering, Inuyasha kissed Kikyou hard and began to undress her. She returned the kiss and began to undress him as well. They parted for air and finished undressing. Inuyasha threw his clothes and the Tessaiga in a pile but a few feet in front of Kagome.

He then grabbed an equally naked Kikyou and gently lowered her to the forest floor before making love to her.

Kagome was beyond mad. She was beyond any emotion or rational thought. So she was in a very vulnerable state of mind when an idea popped into her head.

Since it was the only one she had at the time, Kagome followed its orders.

END FLASHBACK

So here she was now–standing in the rain, soaked to the core and staring at the sky, Tessaiga firmly clasped in her hand.

Kagome was wondering what she should do now. She didn't want to go home–Inuyasha could and would follow her there. She couldn't go back; Inuyasha would be pissed that she left. He would be beyond control if he found out she had taken the Tessaiga. And she couldn't just wonder around here on her own. That most certainly was not an option.

It was then that Kagome remembered something. She remembered Sesshomaru.

Well, she thought, might as well explore that option. It seems it's the only one left to me.

She closed her eyes and concentrated–searching for Sesshomaru's aura. She found it quickly. It was much larger and stronger than normal. Kagome didn't know what that meant but she hoped he would accept her and her gift.

She opened her eyes and swiftly jogged toward his location. When she stopped, she gasped, there in the clearing in front of her stood Sesshomaru in all his glory.

He was in his true form and sitting in the middle of the field looking up at the clearing sky. In the middle of the ever-increasing hole in the clouds hung a beautiful full moon.

She walked out into the clearing as she felt her aura flare madly at the beautiful sight.

Sesshomaru was surprised when he felt the aura flare up. It was a different type of aura–he couldn't exactly put his finger...er...paw on what was different about it, though. He whirled around and instinctively growled at the approaching aura.

Kagome cried out in fear as Sesshomaru whirled on her. She clenched her eyes shut and waited for the impending blow. It never came.

After a few minutes of waiting, Kagome opened her eyes to find Sesshomaru in his true form standing before her.

"What is it you seek, Miko?" he asked quietly.

"I...I wanted..." Kagome faltered. What was the best way to ask? She decided to be blunt. "I wanted to know if I could travel with you."

Sesshomaru barely controlled his surprise. Why would his half-brother's woman want to travel with him? "Why?"

Kagome was taken aback by his question. She had been expecting him to say no and then kill her for her boldness. "Because I no longer wish to travel with...him," she whispered.

"Who?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Please, don't make me say his name," Kagome was nearly in tears.

"What is it that my half-brother did that drove you to me?" Sesshomaru wondered.

"He went back to his dead clay pot of a miko. He said I meant nothing to him. He said he didn't love me. Then he made love to her right in front of me!" Kagome's voice had been steadily increasing in volume until she was yelling.

"I see," Sesshomaru said. "Why should I let you travel with me?"

"Because I will give you the Tessaiga," she answered, holding the sword out to the enormous white dog.

"I could kill you and take the sword," Sesshomaru stated nonchalantly.

Kagome gave a bitter laugh. "I know you could. But I believe you have more honor than that. That is something that he would do," she replied evenly.

Sesshomaru eyed Kagome inquistively. "You understand me better than I give you credit for. You are right; I wouldn't do something so dishonorable as that. I also owe you for healing my arm," he said, inclining his great head slightly. "Yes you may travel with me."

Kagome sighed in relief just as the skies opened up and poured out their wet gift of life upon the earth beneath them.

"Great, just great," Kagome muttered, starting to shiver.

All at once, the rain stopped. No, that wasn't it. Kagome looked in front of her, it was still pouring down rain. So why was she not getting any wetter? Looking up, she found her answer.

Sesshomaru watched as the miko started to shiver. He quickly and effortlessly moved to where he stood over Kagome and she was between his magnificent snowy forepaws.

"Why?" Kagome asked, clutching the Tessaiga to her chest.

"Because," Sesshomaru said, "I am allowing you to travel with me and as part of that agreement I am obliged to protect you."

"Why do you think I need protection?" Kagome sniffed.

"Humans are fragile creatures, they need protection," he explained.

Kagome's anger soared. Sesshomaru sensed it through her strange aura and crooned softly deep in his chest. Kagome heard the croon and instinctively relaxed.

"Come, Miko," Sesshomaru commanded softly and began to walk.

Kagome stumbled and quickly regained her balance, making sure to keep herself between his forepaws at all times. Their combined body heat and the exercise soon warmed her.

After twenty minutes of silence, Kagome asked the question that had plagued her mind since she first saw Sesshomaru that evening.

"Sesshomaru," she said tentatively, "why are you alone and in your true form?"

Sesshomaru said nothing, he just kept walking silently. At first Kagome thought he wasn't going to answer her question.

"As a hanyou, you know Inuyasha has a time of month when he loses his demonic powers, correct?" His voice startled poor Kagome so much that she lost her balance and nearly went sprawling down the muddy hillside–she had been having enough trouble keeping her footing without him surprising her.

Sesshomaru saw her trip and quickly grabbed her by her backpack and carried her the last little bit down the hillside before setting her down again.

"Thanks," she mumbled, blushing, returning to her spot in between his snowy white forepaws.

Sesshomaru nodded and continued with his explanation. "Well the opposite is true for me. On the nights of the full moon, my powers exceed their normal levels. On these nights my youkai and I both long to be as one. I release my true form and leave the others so that I can feel free and unrestrained."

"Oh." By now Kagome was have a hard time keeping her eyes open. It had indeed been a very long day for her. "So, since this is the first night, how long are you planning on staying out here?"

"Another three days," Sesshomaru replied.

"Sesshomaru, can we stop for the night? I'm practically asleep on my feet," she complained.

"Do you see that line of trees in the distance?" he asked. Kagome nodded. "There is a hidden cave behind them. We will stay there for the next few nights."

"How long will it take to reach it?" Kagome wondered, a hint of a whine in her tired voice.

Sesshomaru heard the note and took pity on the girl. He was, after all, supposed to take care of her to the best of his abilities since she was now in his care. He used his left forepaw to gently scoot her out in front of him.

"Wha-what?" Kagome stuttered. "What are you doing?" Was he making her leave? Why? What had she done to offend him?

In answer to her question, he extended his massive leg. "Get on," he said simply.

"What? Why?" Kagome was seriously confused.

"You are tired and the cave is a good two hours walk at this pace. You may get on if you wish. Or would you rather walk?" Sesshomaru questioned.

"No! I am grateful for the offer Sesshomaru." She bowed to the Taiyoukai.

"Hmph," was his reply. "Hurry. You want to sleep right?"

"Yes," she affirmed as she scrambled up his leg. It was difficult going for her; his fur was wet, making it extremely slippery. It was made even harder considering she had to get Tessaiga up as well.

After her fifth failed attempt, she sat on the ground–on the verge of tears–feeling like a failure. What must Sesshomaru think of me? So much for creating a different impression from before, she thought wryly.

Sesshomaru saw her start to cry and gently pushed her to her feet.

"Come," he said softly. "Stand up."

Kagome sniffled and nodded, allowing Sesshomaru to gently push her to her feet. She looked up at the distance it would take her to climb and nearly burst out into tears again.

Sesshomaru sensed her distress and had a feeling he knew what it was about. He lowered his head and gently grabbed her big yellow backpack. He picked her up and placed her on his back.

"There," he said. "Now hang on. It will take at least thirty minutes to reach our destination."

"Alright," Kagome nodded. She wrapped her hand in his fur and held on to Tessaiga with the other. "I'm ready," she called to Sesshomaru.

"Good," was all he said as he took off in–what was to him–a slow run.

Kagome "eeped" and buried her face in his back, hanging on with all her might.

Sesshomaru snorted softly at her antics but didn't let up on his speed.

Thirty minutes later, he slowed to a halt and turned his head to look at Kagome. She had fallen asleep on his back with one hand still loosely tangled in his fur. She looked like a tenshi lying there asleep on his back. The little moonlight that broke through the restraining arms of the canopy of trees slowly fell down to softly kiss her sleeping form.

Wait, what am I thinking? She is a human, a miko at that! I can't possibly have feelings for her!...are you sure about that?...what do you mean?...are you sure she's a human?...yes, why?...her aura has changed since we last saw her...what has that got to do with anything?...her aura no longer seems-human...you're right. I wonder what happened to her...ask later. For now just go into the cave and rest. Sesshomaru followed his youkai's advice.

When he came to his sleeping area deep inside the cave, he gently picked Kagome up–waking her up in the process–and set her on the ground.

"Where are we?" the sleepy-eyed young woman asked.

"We have arrived," Sesshomaru answered.

"Oh, okay." She looked around the cave for a place to lie down and go back to sleep.

Sesshomaru settled down in his spot as he watched Kagome select a place to lie down.

Kagome picked a spot by the cave wall a decent distance away from Sesshomaru. She took out her sleeping bag and spread it out. Digging through her bag, she pulled out her pajamas. It was a pair of blue cotton shorts that reached to her mid-thigh and a white tank top that hugged her curves.

Kagome crawled into her sleeping bag and sent a glare at Sesshomaru. "Don't look," she told him.

Sesshomaru said nothing, merely continued to look past her out the entrance of the cave.

She quickly changed and put her jeans and Jason Aldean t-shirt, along with her shoes and socks, in her backpack. She heaved a tired sigh and laid back down before drifting off to sleep.

Sometime during the night, all hell broke loose outside. The skies broke open with a loud thunderclap and a monstrous gale ripped through the forest. It howled in pleasure as it uprooted trees and destroyed houses in villages. An enormous flash of lightening lit up the sky, momentarily bathing the area in a light bright enough to rival that of the sun's.

The thunder awoke Sesshomaru and Kagome at the same time.

Sesshomaru merely opened his eyes at the noise, closing them again almost instantly.

Kagome–on the other hand–was scared stiff. She had never seen such a bad storm. She whimpered quietly and curled into a tight ball, silently wishing Buyou was here.

Sesshomaru opened his eyes and lifted his head at the miko's whimpering. What is she whimpering about?...uh, maybe she's scared...of what?...of the storm. Duh, stupid...why?...who knows. You should comfort her...why should I?...um, because you now you want to, and I know it too...who says?...you know I'm right...I really hate you sometimes...I know

"Miko," Sesshomaru said. No response. "Miko," he said a little louder. Still nothing. He sighed. "Kagome," he called softly.

That got her attention. "Huh?" was her brilliant reply.

"Kagome, come," he told the frightened young woman.

Kagome knew what he meant. She wasted no time in scrambling out of her sleeping bag and running the short distance to Sesshomaru's side.

She collapsed against him and shivered constantly. Winter was silently creeping into the land. The air in the cave was cool–cold to Kagome's bare skin.

Why is she shivering?...Uh, maybe she cold or scared? Sesshomaru lightly sniffed the air. Sure enough, Kagome's normal scent of lilacs, sun flowers and daisies was almost completely masked by the scent of her fear.

He leaned his head down and softly nuzzled Kagome's back. "Do not be afraid," he comforted softly, "it will be alright. You're safe here with me."

Kagome sighed and nodded, resting her head on Sesshomaru's side with a mumbled word of thanks.

Sesshomaru covered her with his tail before laying his own head down.

As he fell asleep, he thought of the young woman beside him. In the six years since they had met, she had developed from a scrawny little school girl into a beautiful and voluptuous young woman. She had let her raven locks grow, now they reached down to her bottom. She had grown four inches and now the top of her head reached the bottom of his chin when he was in his humanoid form. What had confused him, though, was her aura. It had changed from that of a normal miko's to...something different yet familiar. He wasn't sure exactly what it was.

Sesshomaru pondered all these thoughts in his head as he dozed off.

&&&&&

FL: So how did you like it?

Inu: yells indignantly You made me seem like an insensitive jerk!

FL: yells back That's because you are! Isn't that right Sesshomaru?

Sessy: glares evilly at Inuyasha Yes, you are right, FL.

Kags: I agree, you really are insensitive.

Kik: wraps arms around Inuyasha I don't think he's an insensitive jerk. In fact, I find him rather sensitive.

FL, Kags, Sessy: gags in disgust as Kik and Inu make out

FL: See that's what we're talking about right there! That is absolutely disgusting! muttering I mean come on, kissing a dead person. How gross can you get?

Inu: throws deadly glare at FL What were you saying?

FL: Eeep! hides behind Sessy

Sessy: looks behind him at the fear written on FL's face, transforms into his kawaii doggie form Come, FL, Kagome, let us leave the two idiots to there disgusting venture. crouches down

Kags, FL: look at eachother and grin All right! We get to ride on the kawaii inu! jumps on Sessy's back

Sessy: rolls eyes and stands up and looks at audience We will be back for the next chapter. Until then...

Kags, FL, Sessy: Ja ne!