One night, when Sesshomaru is out patrolling his lands, a witch disguised as a demoness tries to seduce him. He refuses her advances for fear of following in his father's footsteps and leaves her on the forest floor, half dead. Scorned and angry, the witch curses Sesshomaru and erases all of his memories except for one: Kagome.

bold- Sesshomaru's beast

italics- thoughts and memories

.xXxXxXx.

What is love

Blessed

Sesshomaru's healers had brought Kagome into her room and he sat next to her bedside, watching over her. A fever would sometimes over take her small body and Sesshomaru would be unable to touch her skin. For now, he was holding her hand and she seemed to be sleeping peacefully. He eyed the black eight pointed star on her forehead warily. Kagome was a human. She should not have that mark. He felt that odd tug at his heart. That tug where he wanted to rip apart everyone that hurt Kagome and to never let her out of his sight just to make sure she didn't get hurt. He growled softly, not daring to wake his sleeping miko. He was worried that she wasn't going to wake up and that scared him, not that he would admit that to anyone. While he stared at the mark on Kagome's forehead he thought back to when he told her about the different youkai.

.xXxXxXx.

It was one of the rare times that Sesshomaru was traveling with Inuyasha and his gang. Rin was sick and needed Kagome's care, so he stayed with her. The rest of the group was asleep and Inuyasha had run off to see the dead preistess. Sesshomaru could see Kagome's hurt written plainly on her face and it made his blood boil. He and Kagome were the only two awake. He was watching over the group since Inuyasha was failing them in this and Kagome was tending to Rin.

"Sesshomaru?"

Kagome's voice brought him out of his thoughts, "Hm?"

"Are there different types of Inu Youkai?" Kagome looked up at him, her stormy grey eyes full of questions.

"Hai," Sesshomaru folded his arms in his lap, "There are different... breeds... I suppose you could say. Inuyasha and I are silver Inu Youkai, but there are also gold, brown, blue, and black. Although black Inu Youkai were wiped out almost two hundred years ago."

"Wiped out? Why were they wiped out?" Kagome asked, horrified.

"The higher youkai deemed them to be a threat because they were too powerful. Most Inus are elemental, at least the powerful ones. I, myself have control over ice. I don't use it often because I have no need. All black Inu Youkai were elementals because they were also mikos and monks. Their youki and riki were in a perfect balance and didn't cancel each other out, so they couldn't be purified. For this reason they were hunted and killed. Even their females and pups were killed," Sesshomaru explained.

Kagome felt fire burn in her veins, sadness and hatred flashing brightly in her eyes, "That's terrible! How could they do that?"

"Fear doesn't just rule humans," Sesshomaru placed his hand over hers, "Their power was feared and these youkai let their fear control them."

"All those poor cute pups," Kagome's eyes shined, "Was their line royal like yours?"

"Hai. They controlled the Eastern lands. They enjoyed the rising of the sun. When they were murdered, Kouga's wolf tribe took over the Eastern lands. The wolves feared the black Inu Youkai the most," Sesshomaru's eyes seemed far away.

"Shame on Kouga!"

.xXxXxXx.

Sesshomaru was brought out of his thoughts as Kagome shifted and moaned. Sesshomaru heard her breathing quicken and knew she was about to wake. He quickly slipped his hand from hers and sat back in his chair, waiting for her to open her eyes. Kagome shivered slightly as she woke and groaned as she tried to open her eyes. It was so bright and she felt like she got hit by a truck. She didn't remember how she got here or what happened. Kagome's eyes fluttered open and she looked to her side to see Sesshomaru sitting next to her. Kagome smiled weakly and sat up slowly.

"What happened?" she asked quietly.

"You fainted, miko," Sesshomaru moved closer to her, "Why is the mark of the black Inu Youkai on your forehead?"

"Nani?" Kagome's brow creased as she looked at her reflection, "Holy crow!"

"You must come home to me before your 21st birthday, Kagome. It's important! Don't forget!"

Kagome shot up out of bed, "I need to go home, Sesshomaru! Now!"

"Home, miko?" Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.

"Yes! Please take me home! I think my mom might know why this mark is on my forehead!" Kagome scrambled to put her shoes on.

"Very well," Sesshomaru scooped Kagome into his arms and jumped out the window, forming his orb.

They landed at the well in less than twenty minutes. Kagome nervously fidgeted with the hem of her t-shirt as she looked at Sesshomaru. Would he want to come?

"You don't have to come with me if you don't want to," Kagome said.

"This Sesshomaru will come with you," he left no room to argue.

Kagome held out her hand and Sesshomaru took it, "Okay, but I'm warning you... the smell is pretty strong in my time."

Sesshomaru only nodded before they both climbed over the well and were swallowed by the blue light. When Sesshomaru landed on the other side of the well, the smells that assaulted his nose made him stumble. How could the humans stand this smell? Kagome squeaked in surprise when she felt Sesshomaru's arms wrap around her waist and he buried his nose into her hair. She smelled so good. Fresh rain, vanilla and spice, a perfect combination in his opinion, and her scent over powered the rest of the smells. After a few minutes, he pulled away from her and focused on her scent. Kagome stared at him, confused.

"Ano... Sesshomaru why did you just do that?" she asked.

"Your time smells awful, Kagome and I find your scent pleasing," Sesshomaru stated, "As long as I focus on your scent, I'll be fine."

Kagome blushed, "Oh well, let's go."

Kagome started to climb out of the well before Sesshomaru grabbed her around the waist again and jumped out of the well. He set Kagome gently on the ground and followed Kagome out of the well house and towards her house. Everything was so different in this time and Sesshomaru kept looking all around him, taking everything in. Kagome soon opened a door to a medium sized house and Sesshomaru was thankful that when she shut the doors, the smells from outside stayed outside. The inside of Kagome's house smelled like spice, flowers, food and cat. It was a nice smell, except for the cat, of course. Sesshomaru growled.

"Stop growling," Kagome hissed.

"I smell cat," Sesshomaru said simply.

"It's a house cat, Sesshomaru, he won't hurt you," Kagome began walking again, "Mama! I'm home! Where are you?"

"In the kitchen, Kagome!" a female voice called back.

Sesshomaru followed Kagome to where her mother was in the kitchen. The older woman's back was facing them and as Kagome walked into the kitchen, the woman turned around and pulled Kagome into a tight hug. She pulled back, her eyes moving to Kagome's forehead. She frowned and then she looked over to Sesshomaru. Her eyes widened and she stepped back to look at Youkai lord.

"Mama, this is Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands," Kagome said, "Sesshomaru this is my Okaa-san, Hitomi."

Hitomi bowed, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sesshomaru-sama."

"Hn," Sesshomaru inclined his head towards her.

Hitomi raised her eyebrows but Kagome only shook her head at her mother and took her hand, pulling her into the living room. Sesshomaru followed behind them and stood in the doorway, his hands clenched at his sides. The smell was bothering him and he didn't like all the noises that he was hearing. Kagome and Hitomi sat down on the couch and Kagome faced her mother, her eyes burning slightly.

"I'm assuming you're here because of the mark on your forehead?" Hitomi asked.

"Hai," Kagome nodded, "Sesshomaru says its the mark of the black Inu youkai... but he says that they're extinct."

"They are... except for you, Kagome," Hitomi gently traced the mark on Kagome's forehead.

"But you're human," Kagome's brow furrowed in confusion.

"You were once human, too," Hitomi stood and began to pace, "Do you know the story of the Shrine, Kagome?"

"No. I think that's the one story Grandpa never told me," Kagome's eyes followed her mother's movements.

"This Shrine was built almost a thousand years ago by a human monk named Souka. He was the head monk for the Lord of the Eastern lands," Hitomi began, "Souka had complained to the Lord about their Shrine being unfit and the Lord agreed and soon this shrine was built. Souka had a daughter named Amaya and she was the most beautiful miko in the Eastern lands. Lord Isamu's youngest son, Kaito, was in love with Amaya and wanted her for himself."

"I don't understand what this has to do with the mark on my forehead," Kagome interrupted.

"We are the direct descendants of Souka and Amaya, Kagome," Hitomi said.

"Oh," Kagome was surprised, she didn't expect that.

"As I was saying," Hitomi cleared her throat, "When Kaito figured out that Amaya was in love with him, too, they began to meet in secret. Soon after, Amaya became deathly ill and Kaito pleaded with Izanagi to save her. Izanagi heard Kaito's pleas and answered him because of his love for the miko. Amaya was the first black Inu youkai to be of human birth before the Gods blessed her to become Youkai."

"Who were the others?" Kagome asked.

"You're very impatient today, Kagome," Hitomi teased.

"I have the mark of an extinct youkai race on my forehead," Kagome huffed.

"Hai, hai," Hitomi waved Kagome off, "About 250 years after our shrine was built, other youkai began to fear the black Inu youkai. What with their power and their close relationship with the Gods. For this reason, other youkai banned together to take the Eastern lands from Lord Isamu and to destroy their entire race. After 50 years of war, a wolf tribe finally defeated Amaya and Kaito, who were the only ones left. With her dying breath, Amaya begged Amaterasu to save her race and the Goddess answered her. The wolf tribe never thought to destroy the mikos and the monks that worked at the shrine and Souka's family survived and we've been working at the shrine ever since."

"That still doesn't explain why this mark is on my forehead," Kagome frowned.

Hitomi smiled, "Amaterasu was true to her word. She came to the Shrine when you were five years old, Kagome. She told me that you had a destiny to fulfill and that you would save the world one day. That's when you came running out. Amaterasu took one look at you, smiled and then you began to glow this beautiful red. You couldn't stop laughing and when the Goddess set you down on your feet, that mark was on your forehead. She told me that it would fade after a few days and that on your 21st birthday the dormant youkai inside you would come out and you would be the first black Inu youkai in 700 years. You were blessed, Kagome, the Kami choose you to carry this burden and you must not fail."

Kagome stared at her mother for a long moment before her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she passed out. Sesshomaru caught her gently in his arms before she could slump to the floor and hit her head on the table in front of her. Hitomi gave a startled gasp and knelt next to the Youkai lord. Kagome was only out for a minute or two before she groaned and opened her eyes, blinking rapidly. She instantly focused on Sesshomaru, forgetting for a minute that she was back in her own time until she remembered her mother and what her mother had just finished telling her. She turned her head sharply to face her mother, her mouth opening and closing silently as she searched for words.

"Yes my little guppy?" Hitomi smiled.

Kagome glared at her mother, "Why was I blessed? What am I blessed for?"

"I don't know Kagome," Hitomi sighed and gently brushed Kagome's bangs from her eyes, "Amaterasu never said why she choose you or what burden you're supposed to be carrying. I would assume that its because we're direct descendents of Souka, but what I've already told you is all the Goddess told me."

Kagome grumbled to herself as she sat up and leaned against Sesshomaru, "That doesn't help me at all."

"Gomen, love," Hitomi took Kagome's hand, "I wish I could be more help... but I know just as much as you do."

Sighing, Kagome stood up and helped her mother to her feet. Sesshomaru stood quickly, his clawed hand hovering close to Kagome's back so he could catch her should she fall. Hitomi smiled at them and they walked back into the kitchen. Sesshomaru had his arm wrapped possessively around Kagome's waist and she leaned into him, thankful for his strength. Hitomi gave her daughter a knowing look, which made Kagome blush brightly, before she hugged her daughter tightly.

"I know you have to go back," her mother said, "Just make sure its not so long between visits next time, okay?"

"Okay mama," Kagome hugged her mother before she stepped back into Sesshomaru's arms.

"It was nice to meet you, Sesshomaru-sama," Hitomi bowed slightly, "Please take care of my daughter."

"Hai, I will," Sesshomaru smiled down at Kagome before they walked out of the kitchen and towards the well house.

Sesshomaru made sure he focused on Kagome's scent while they were walking outside. He didn't know how she could stand the smell! Then again, her human senses weren't as sharp as his youkai ones and it probably didn't smell as bad to her as it did to him. It only took a few minutes before they were inside the well house and Sesshomaru scooped Kagome up into his arms and jumped down into the well, the soft blue light surrounding them before they hit the bottom of the well. Sesshomaru took a deep breath and he knew that they were back in his time because it smelled... right. Kagome breathed in deep, enjoying the fresh night air before Sesshomaru jumped out of the well.

"So that's a lot of something to take in," Kagome sighed.

"Hn," Sesshomaru looked down at Kagome and smiled softly, "But you'll be able to handle it."

Kagome beamed brightly at the youkai lord before his calling his cloud under his feet and heading back towards the Western Lands.

.xXxXxXx.

The spy sat on his bed, contemplating the best way to kill the miko without actually getting himself fried. He didn't understand why Fumiko couldn't just erase all of Sesshomaru's memories. Why had she let him keep the ones he had of Kagome? She had to make things difficult for him. The hanyou would've been easy enough to take out by himself, but now he has to worry about Sesshomaru and blowing his cover in the Daiyoukai's palace. It was all rather frustrating. Of course, being one of Sesshomaru's most trusted advisers had its advantages and he had no doubt that he would be able to get close enough to the miko without Sesshomaru becoming too suspicious... but damn those miko powers of hers! One touch and he would be toasty fried. Not something he really wanted to have happen to him. A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts and he scrambled to put all of his papers in their secret spot so no one would find him plotting against his Lord's demise.

"Enter," he said in a clipped voice.

"Sir, Sesshomaru-sama and Kagome-sama have returned."

"Arigatou, Meshi-san, I'll be down in a moment."

Grinning wickedly, the spy started downstairs to greet the arrogant youkai lord and the human miko. They had no idea what was in store for them and he couldn't wait to put his plan into action. He was tired of serving under the spoiled dog. The Western Lands needed a new Lord and he was going to make sure that happened.

.xXxXxXx.

A/N- Oh my gosh you guys! I'm so sorry that it took me soo long to get this chapter up! I've been having major writers block and it took me forever to figure out how I wanted this chapter to go. I had to have changed it at least five times. Its up now, though! So thanks again for those of you who reviewed! Keep them coming! They make the story totally worth it.

Disclaimer- Nope... still don't own Inuyasha. Sadface.

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