On the Train

It was almost midnight by the time he reached the subway station. His long silver hair was trailing behind him as if playing in the wind with the few snowflakes that begun to make their way from heaven to earth. He had had a very hard day at the office. Of course as the owner he could just lay back and let everyone else work their asses off but this was Sesshomaru we were talking about, he wasn't one to let others handle what he could perfectly do, (he would probably do it better than his subordinates anyway.) He would usually take his silver Mercedes to the office but this morning it had snowed too much and all the streets near his house in the suburbs were blocked making him take the subway.

He walked elegantly into the platform with his Armani business suit and a portfolio full of papers from the office. There was no one else in the platform, probably too cold for ningens. As a matter of fact the morning news announced that due to the snow storm most works would be cancelled today so he guessed very few people would worry to go and work. In his office only ten of the fifty secretaries and other workers showed up. However snow did not stop the taiyoukai from working. The train approached and he stepped in when the doors opened. There was no one in the train. Whit a sight he sat and leaned his head back closing his eyes letting the light out. The train stopped and when the doors opened a presence and a scent drifted into the wagon he was in. The presence he identified as a human female sat across from him and remained silent. Her scent was sweet, like a mixture of honey and warm sugar and her presence was powerful and tinged with a little magic.

Probably a descendant of some miko or priest´ he thought and without opening his eyes he scanned her aura with his own. When he reached out for her he expected a little jolt of purifying energy, a natural reaction from mikos towards youkai but he found none. Instead he found it welcoming his aura.

Strange and interesting ´ he thought, and slowly opened his eyes to see her.

She also had her eyes closed and as he could sense from her breathing and heart beat she was oblivious to his scanning her.

He remained silent and quietly observed her for the rest of the ride.

It was a twenty minute ride from the office to the station nearest to his house and when the train stopped he opened his eyes and got out of the train without looking back on the girl sitting in front of him, she still had her eyes closed but he was sure she wasn't sleeping. The doors closed behind him as he stepped into the platform and the train started again towards the next station. As soon as he got off the train he felt a very small tug on his insides telling him something was off but he couldn't pin point it.

The nest day it was pretty much the same, heavy snowstorm and him having to ride the subway to the office. Again it was almost twelve by the time he reached the station to go home.

Will she be there again? ´ he found himself thinking and quickly pushed the thought to the back of his mind.

The train arrived and he stepped in. The moment he went in he felt something dangerous around him; his youkai senses telling him to be on guard. He sat and waited for the next stop to see if the girl would be there today as well. She was and just like the day before she sat across from him. This time Sesshomaru kept his eyes open and he saw how she smiled at him and sat reading a book. He nodded back to her in some sort of polite greeting and sat back watching her out of the corner of his eyes.

After five minutes in silence the feeling of danger returned and as his senses told him to be prepared for an attack he saw her put away the book and look around with a slightly scared face. He was taken by surprise when she perceived the evil aura, for only youkai and trained mikos could do that. She looked at him and locked her eyes with his. Golden met stormy gray eyes and they stayed like that for a few seconds. All of a sudden the train abruptly slowed down and possibly got off its tracks because it felt as if it had turned left when stopping.

The girl flew out of her seat pushed by inertia and could have probably cracked her head open hadn't it been for two strong arms that held her around the waist and a strong and muscular chest in front of her to steady her. She looked up with shocked expression to find the same golden eyes looking down on her. She gave him a little smile but couldn't perceive his reaction because right in that moment the lights on the train went off. Sesshomaru had no problem seeing on the dark, he was a youkai after all but he knew she was human and would probably get scared. And just as the thought crossed his mind he felt the girl in his arms tense and unconsciously step closer to him.

Without thinking (something he didn't do often) he said to her

"It is going to be all right, don't worry" To say he was shocked beyond belief to his own words would be an understatement. However before he started cursing himself for his outburst he felt her relax a little and in the dark he could see her smile brighten. Her smile on its own made him forget that he had just spoken to a stranger, a human girl none the less.

"I'm Kagome Higurashi. What's your name?" she asked in a clear and still nervous tone.

"Sesshomaru Takayama" He released his hold on her but kept a hand ready to steady her should she trip on something in the dark.

"Thank you" she said in the sweetest tone he ever heard coming from a ningen, yet he couldn't find any deceit coming from her like every other female that approached him with the intention of getting his attention. odd girl ´ he thought, odd but interesting none the less ´

The strange presence from before returned and this time it materialized into someone. It was just a shadow on the doorway for Kagome but Sesshomaru could see all too clear that it was a man. His youkai senses told him Be ware, it is a hanyou ´ Kagome tensed and took a small step back. Out of instinct the taiyoukai stepped in front of her as if to protect her. However he wasn't prepared for the hanyou´s next move.

"Well, well… isn't it charming? The taiyoukai trying to protect you from me my little miko" then he laughed at loud. It was a horrifying sound like taken out of a horror movie. He proceeded then forward with a malicious smirk on his face, his eyes fixed on the girl. His stare was broken thought as Sesshomaru stepped completely in front of her blocking her form completely from his gaze.

"I demand to know who you are and what your business with this girl is" His posture and tone was calm and apparently relaxed, however he was ready to attack or defend in any second. He felt a small hand griping for dear life the back of his overcoat and sensed Kagome behind him anxious and afraid.

"Aw, isn't it cute? My name is Naraku. Don't worry Sesshomaru of the Western Lands, I wont do any harm to you or her. I just want her to come with me. Why would I harm my property after all?" At this his voice became taunting and mocking. Sesshomaru was taken back by his words his property? ´ he couldn't sense any kind of mark on her. The grip he felt on his coat became all the more tense and he could feel her slightly shaking behind him.

"Give her to me youkai, my business is not with you!" he was getting annoyed and he took another step forward. They were now barely one meter away from each other. When Sesshomaru didn't budge to either give her to him or answer him, the hanyou lost his patience and launched forward.

"Give her to me!" Sesshomaru just turned and gathered the girl in his arms and moved out of the way in one fluid movement. With his inhuman speed he raced out of the train wagon into the rails.

"Do you know him?" he asked her in a whisper meant only for her to hear as the rushed through the tunnel towards the next platform to be able to move more freely if he needed to fight.

"Yes, please don't let him get me" She was on the verge of tears, her complexion was pale and she was shaking slightly.

"Who is he?" his voice was soft yet demanding and his eyes were locked with hers. He felt as if he knew her from before but he didn't know from where.

"He… he killed… he killed my family… and now… he… wants to kill… me" She stammered and tripped on her words. She didn't know what made her tell him that, it was a well kept secret for years and now here she was letting it out in the open for a stranger to hear. But it feels so right ´ her mind kept telling her. She felt like she knew him all her life and that she could trust him with her life.

"I wont let him" they were near the next platform, somewhere up front they could see lights but they didn't make it for a huge explosion made Sesshomaru jump quickly to a side to avoid being smashed by the ceiling of the tunnel, courtesy of Naraku.

"One last chance pup, give her to me and stay out of it!" The hanyou was beyond pissed and in the shadows they could both see the red glow of his eyes. Kagome buried her face on Sesshomaru´s coat to avoid the sight of those well remembered eyes. A flashback came into her mind

The storm outside of the temple… "The jewel is not here! Now get out of these grounds if you want to stay alive demon!" Her grandparent faced a red eyed demon with long wavy clack hair. The demon smirked and charged slashing through her dear grandfather's throat. Little ten year old Kagome and five year old Souta shivered and cried in silence inside the well house where their mother hid them with a concealing spell to keep them out of harm. The watched in horror when their mother was killed next along with their father in seconds. The demon burned down the house after he searched it all and apparently couldn't find what he was looking for. They remained in the well house until a neighbor came in with the firefighters and the police. "Mommy is gone sweetie, you and your brother will have to live with your aunt in Hokkaido." The police officer was very nice to them and took them personally to their aunt's. After a couple of years her brother went off to study in America and she stayed with her aunt in the shrine training her miko abilities.

He was back for her now. She had moved on with her life without knowing why her parents were dead, all she knew that it ha something to do with the Shikon no tama that her family guarded. After all her training she had discovered that the reason why the jewel wasn't in the house was because the jewel was inside of her, embedded there before she was even born. She had forgotten about it with time and move on with her ordinary life working as a model half time to get some extra money and working as a designer for a friend in town. She hadn't had trouble until now but she still recognized his aura and his appearance from that night and all the terror came back full force when she looked into those eyes.

"Stay away!" She screamed still not facing him. Sesshomaru gently pushed her behind him and into a crack in the wall to keep her safe from any debris falling from the walls. He took of his overcoat and wrapped it around her to keep her warm in the biting cold of the darkness.

"Stay there and nothing will happen to you" She looked up to see his eyes and his blank face give the tiniest of smiles. Then he turned and was gone in seconds.

She couldn't see anything with her mortal eyes but she could feel the two auras clashing and fighting.

"He will come one day my child. He will protect you and then evil will have no power over you" She could remember the words of her aunt about a prophecy that said that every holder of the Shikon would have a protector granted by the gods to keep the jewel safe and out of reach of evil beings. Could he be…. ´ Her eyes widened in realization. It was not simple coincidence that they had met in the subway those two nights. It was not coincidence that she had to take the subway those two nights because her car was stuck in the snow. Thank you kami ´ she thought and right then the two auras clashed yet again but this time with so much force that the whole tunnel shook with their force.

Sesshomaru was fighting with apprehension for he knew very well that the whole tunnel could collapse in any second if her dared to let out his whole energy. Naraku was very aware of this and was beating the crap out of him. They clashed yet again and this time more rocks flew down from the upper part of the tunnel. He was struggling hand to hand when a strangled scream pierced his ears. Kagome´ his eyes flicked to where he had left her and dashed towards her making it just in time to avoid her getting smashed by a particularly large concrete piece that had fallen. However, to save her he had to cover her with his own body and his back was badly bruised and cut for taking the blow himself.

"Ses… Sesshomaru?" oh no, please´ his knees collapsed but managed to avoid squishing her. His eyes were closed and blood oozed from the cuts on his back and from the back of his head. Kagome was at a loss, he… he saved me… by risking his life! ´ Tears ran down her face as she tried to hold him up.

"I see your protector can no longer protect you my little miko, so why don't you make it easier on both of us and just come with me?" He was smirking and approaching fast to the two on the floor. Sesshomaru opened his eyes and managed to turn to him and place himself before Kagome.

"No please, you're hurt! He'll kill you, please stop!" She half screamed half pleaded him to stay back while trying to pull him back but he just growled and looked back at her with annoyance.

"If you don't want to go with him then let me fight!" He all but screamed at her. He had lost his self control and his eyes glowed red. His inner beast raged for the blood of he who dared to challenge him. Kagome sat back shocked to see his red eyes and to feel the immense power radiating off of him.

Sesshomaru stood up and calmly walked to his opponent who took a step back on feeling his much more powerful aura. He was pushing back his power before and now… he lost his control! ´ Naraku was nervous, he hadn't expected the demon lord to have so much power. The fight resumed again and this time Sesshomaru easily got the upper hand giving Naraku the whooping of his life.

In a second of chance Naraku pulled out his secret card and dashed towards Kagome who just had time to gasp as she was roughly picked up by the neck from behind, a sharp claw at her throat.

Sesshomaru growled loud but stayed put lest he put her in more danger.

"That's it pup, stay where you are unless you want her throat to smile at you" He was talking in a hushed tone. Then he made the worst mistake.

"She is so pretty isn't she?" His tongue flicked out of his mouth and he passed it along her jaw line. "I'll love to hear her scream for more" He laughed but wasn't able to register the blow that sent him flying straight into the wall.

Kagome felt the wet appendage sliding across her jaw and she cringed in the tight grasp when suddenly a strong wind blew her hair back and the hand that held her let go in favor for the two strong arms and the chest that had saved her earlier. She breathed relief when she saw silver hair cascading down into her line of vision, she was safe. She was about to hug him when he moved her behind him again and moved to finish the hanyou who sat spiting blood against the wall.

"Never touch her again" was all Naraku could hear before darkness made itself known to him to never leave.

Kagome stood back disgusted by the sight of the burnt flesh and insides of the creature spluttered against the wall.

Sesshomaru flicked his hand and the green venom stopped flowing from his claws. He took a few seconds to clear his vision but just as the red dissipated his badly wounded body gave in and he fell to his knees panting.

Kagome was beside him in a second and tried to support him. He looked at her with his stony face and silently asked with his eyes what she was doing.

"Please, let me help you now" she silently pleaded. He just gave her a nod for he was too tired to talk. All his energy was drained whenever he allowed his beast take over, he needed rest. But as soon as the thought passed his mind, warmth engulfed him and he opened his eyes to see the girl crouching by his side glowing soft pink with her eyes closed in concentration. He had never felt such a strong aura on a ningen before, not even powerful mikos. It was so warm and welcoming that he felt his eyes drift close and his pulse slowing down to normal. His wounds no longer hurt and his body felt rested. The warmth slowly gave away to the normal icy temperature of the tunnel. When he opened his eyes he reacted just in time to catch the girl before she fell unconscious on the floor. As he stood up with the girl in his arms he noticed that his wounds were closed and that the cracks in the walls, the wholes in the floor, the broken rails and the destroyed train were back to normal. The pile of remains of the hanyou was turned to ashes that soon dissipated with the cold air of the night. He looked down on the sleeping face of the girl in his arms, so much power, in one girl ´ He felt deeply attached to this young miko but didn't know why. He would have to ask her when she woke up. He started towards the next platform in his youkai speed and out of the subway station. He decided that it would be faster if he just flew home. As he emerged into the street he noticed the night air was chilling and it was still snowing hard. He noticed that even during the fight the girl hadn't let go of his overcoat. He tucked it around her to keep her warm and flew into the still dark sky. Soon it would be dawn.

He arrived at his condo after a couple of minutes and descended gracefully on his balcony. Pushing the door open with one hand he stepped into the warm room. The bed was ready for him as usual, the maids knew to leave it prepared before they went to bed for their master arrived very late. He placed the still sleeping miko on the soft silk sheets and tucked her in. he moved back to close the balcony doors and then he did the only thing that he could do. He went into his office right next to his bedroom and started a search for powerful mikos. Who is she? Why do I feel the urge to protect her? Why does she have so much power? Why do I feel like I want to be with her ´ There were so many unanswered questions in his mind and even when he read for hours he couldn't find a thing. There is only one other way ´ he thought ask her´