Throw Caution to the Wind by cloverx

Domino Effect

THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND_*CHAPTER 1*_DOMINO EFFECT

You know how you can tell who a person is by their actions? Well, It's usually a true statement, a good guideline, something predictable.

Obvious? Predictable? Ha. Right now, I was walking jerkily, my fists clenched tight to my side in compressed balls, my somewhat-existing nails digging into the palms of my hands. I was cursing ever so slightly under my breath, ok, not so slightly. To put it lightly, I was pissed. And it was obvious. You could definitely tell by my actions, and if that wasn't enough, one look at my face would have made the fact undeniable. Ok, so that was predictable. But still.

It just wasn't fair, the hanyou hypocrite! He could yell at me and tell me whenever I should go home, but anytime I wanted to, which was usually for important reasons like a math test or something, it was completely out of the question. No, no, no, he'd gone much farther this time than merely trying to block the well with a boulder (I had put out his back for a week when he had tried that). No, this time he actually had to use his brain. Something very unpredictable for Inuyasha. In short, he'd asked for help. As if my grade point average wasn't as low as Miroku's hand, already!

That's right. Inuyasha, the king of not accepting help from others had done just that. And not only that, but he had asked, get this, Kouga for help. The contradicting freak! He had told Kouga that I, quote, "leave through the well and don't come back for a long time whenever I do. And, someday I might not come back" and that if Kouga wanted to see more of me, he should trample the well. Kouga, apparently after a fair-sized debate, had gone for it. Inuyasha had just gotten the whole wolf clan out there to crush the well to pulp when I had showed up. Excellent timing. Maybe. I recognized what was happening immediately.

Needless to say, I had Inu Yasha very well acquainted with the ground by the time I was done. Fortunately, all I have to do to convince Kouga of anything is say something nice to him. He had sped off then, but not before promising to come back for me; he had also gotten word of some fight or something that was ready to brew between to important demons, only giving him more incentive to take off. So, after many annoyances, I had managed to save the well and my future self, no thanks to the stupid hanyou.

How the hell am I suppose to pass my classes with Inuyasha trying to stop me from going home, studying, or doing anything relevant to school? Somehow I had managed to get through to my junior year and was working on my senior now, but that was by pure luck, summer classes up the ass, and a whole lot of "sit's". I have no time to study! I'm horrible at math...I'll never graduate at this rate.

So, back to the main point, I had been very much angry. Inuyasha was pouting on the roof of Kaede's house or getting bandaged up or something. Shippo was with Miroku and Sango, who were off searching for rumors of a shard in the next town; I had declined to the little expedition, do to the opportunity of brushing up on my science notes. I intended to review in utter peace and quiet...at home.

It was a beautiful night. So I decided I would just have to prove to Inuyasha that I could go through the well whenever I wanted and he couldn't stop me. I would take my stuff while Inuyasha was preoccupied and simply leave. If he decided to make things difficult, I would sit him to Canada. It would be a victory for myself, albeit a small one.

The stars were beautiful, the night air warmer than usual, and the moon was an amazing white orb in the sky, spreading its silver rays upon everything in the forest. The light filtered down through the trees, covering patches of dark earth. Unfortunately, I was too ticked off at Inuyasha at the time to notice any of this. I stared at my feet, watching the black ground so that I wouldn't trip. I guess I was only too busy watching the ground, because, as I walked, I slammed straight smack into something hard and fell backwards.

How stupid. After all, not many people ran into trees. I cursed the tree. It was between me and my victory and it had set me back a full two minutes. Not to mention, now I had to get off my aching butt.

Damn tree. I stood up wobbily. Usually I'm a big nature-lover. It's not its fault, the damn weed. Usually... I looked up at the tree, ready to give it a good kick, but stopped when it looked back at me. Come to think of it, what tree stared back at you? What tree wore a white yukata, haori, thingy and most of all, what tree stared at you with golden eyes. And what tree gave a snort of indignation when you looked up into its golden eyes? Not any that I knew of. Oh damn.

" Sesshoumaru." I looked up at him, calmly. "Fancy running into you here." Fancy?! "Literally." I added as an after note. I tried my hardest to sound bored. Really all I wanted to do right then was jump into the well, before the guy had a spare second to kill me, and go home. Do homework, I didn't care, I just wanted out of the sengoku jidai. That instant.

"Where is the hanyou." he said, staring straight at me. It was a bit unnerving. Ok, very unnerving, in fact, scary. I mean, the guy was a cold-blooded murderer, right? Should I not be afraid? But I was determined to achieve my small goal. If survival instincts didn't kick in first, that is.

"No clue. Now if you'll excuse me, Sesshoumaru-sama, frankly, I have somewhere that I have to be." And frankly, you're in my way!!!

A small look of disbelief crossed his perfect, smooth face, hardening into accusation. "Why is that and why do you attempt to lie to me. Lies are wasted on me and they do the one telling them dishonor."

Ok, when he said it, he sounded quite annoyed, but I was just staring at him in disbelief. That was the most he had every talked to, or directed conversation towards me, besides taunting Inuyasha about his weakness for humans-namely me. Second, was he, in a subconscious, mundane way, giving me advice? So, as you see, I had the right to be shocked. And even scared.

"Well, wench." he stared at me coldly. I snapped out of my little drift-off spell immediately and looked at him square in the eye. I now despise that word.

"Probably somewhere in the village, or maybe here in the forest. Don't know, don't care. But I doubt he'll be doing much traipsing around considering I sat the hell out of him this morning." Not that Sesshoumaru has any idea what I'm talking about.. "Yeah, I'd say won't be moving much for a good week." Only then did I realize the mistake I had made. I had told Sesshoumaru that Inuyasha was maybe bedridden, therefore vulnerable for a week, Stupid, stupid Kagome. But stupid Kagome was countered with occasionally-intelligent Kagome and I thought out a plan. If this guy was anything like Inuyasha, well, never mind. That wouldn't work. If this guy had any sense of honor, which, is a given, this could work. "But if it's the sword you're after, don't embarrass yourself." Yeah right, what else would he be after?!

His eyes narrowed dangerously and he advanced towards me.

"I..didn't mean it that way..honestly." I waved my hands frantically, stumbling backwards, but he kept walking towards me. "I meant that, well, since Inuyasha is injured, it's no challenge. No glory. Wait a few days or so, then attempt to kick his ass once again, lose, and come back again later."

Ok, so I hadn't made it any better... His eyes narrowed once more. He stopped, a step away from me, and reached out to me. I almost choked when his hand cupped my chin and he turned my face from side to side. But, much to my relief, all he did was look at me. He stared hard into my eyes, as if to confirm whether I was telling the truth, or maybe just to see if he should waste his time with killing me. Or maybe he was examining me for kidnapping! What if he was inspecting how juicy I was! What if he was going to eat me!! No, that's not logical, I thought. By the looks of it, this guy is clearly vegetarian. I don't make sense when I'm nervous. No even in my own head..

Suddenly, he dropped his hand and stepped back, without killing me, I might add, much to my relief.

"Girl, you are a miko, are you not."

I didn't see any sense in lying to him; he could probably sense it if I was. "Yep, indirectly a pure bread miko..well, kinda.Ok, not....oh never mind." Today was sooo not my day. Was there possibly any other worse time for me to behave like a complete dolt?!

Sesshoumaru looked at me, slightly amused. I think he knew how lost I was.

"Indirectly...indeed." he repeated softly, as if to himself, only to raise his head slowly. "I leave for now."

There was a fluttering of white fabric and Sesshoumaru flew away, his words still running through my head. I turned around and could see a blur of red flying towards me, so I jumped into the wells before Inuyasha could get to me.

I had no idea, whatsoever, of what the hell that, with Sesshoumaru, had been. It was scary. But, the part of my mind that is never reasonable kept repeating that it was somewhat interesting. He hadn't killed me, after all.

____________________

Well, well, well. Well, actually, bone-eaters' well, bone-eaters' well. God. Someone stop me.

My little trip home had been a successful one, if you could call it that. I had gotten in a full day and a half, almost two, of studying and tests before Inuyasha had come storming and yelling obnoxiously. Of coursed I refused to return. Unless I could go back next time whenever I wanted, without him interfering (I still had to make up tests and assignments). He snorted, then agreed, dragging me all the way to the well. The well.

Last time I had been on the other side of the well, I had run into, quite literally, Inuyasha's dreaded half brother Sesshoumaru. And I had escaped unmarred. It was quite a bit to take in. Never, not once, had I ever encountered Sesshoumaru where he didn't make an attempt at my life. So, it was a bit disconcerting to think that I had had a short conversation with him.

I continued on, my usual self in our little group. I hadn't told Inuyasha about Sesshoumaru. Why hadn't I? Well, why should I? It's not like Inuyasha's my father or anything, thank heaven. I had actually forgotten about the little incident until about a week, week and a half later. Inu Yasha had attacked a demon with shikon shards and I had used my arrows to lend a hand. Miroku had mentioned something about mikos and Sesshoumaru's question popped into my head instantly. It still confused me. Inuyasha continued to plague me. We had gotten into a few good arguments over the last couple of days. Each time, I would growl at him under my breath for fighting with me when I had saved his life from Sesshoumaru. Of course, he had no idea that I had done such a thing, but still...

____________________________________

"No way, Inuyasha! I've got tests for the next three days straight! Make-up tests!! Tests I've already missed!!" Inuyasha had growled or snarled, did his dog thing, grabbed me by the arm, throwing me on his back and attempted to take off out of my bedroom window. I felt my back pop when Inuyasha came crashing to my floor as I sat him unmercifully. I thought he'd crash through the ceiling downstairs, hitting the floor that hard. This was getting old.

"Look, Inuyasha, give me three or four more days, ok."

He had grumbled, but let me go. He was more lenient these days, although he bitched more and more as I left. But I took it as a sign that he cared for me. And that made all the difference, even if he was an immature, selfish, dog boy.

I had worked harder than I ever remembered doing before. I had taken seven make-up tests, three regular tests, and had managed to pass every one except for pre-calculus. Damn math. But, in the end, I was feeling happy and relieved, looking forward to the five day holiday I would spend with my friends.

I packed everything up in my yellow backpack, including a super supply of ramen. I had left a note for Mama, Souta, and Grandpa, telling them that I had left and would be back as soon as I could. I had left the house and, hiking up my back pack once more, jumped into the well. I was enveloped in the soft light and came out on the other side, landing softly, almost losing my balance due to the huge yellow pack. The sound of loud voices ringing out through the air, and I clambered out of the well, spotting Inuyasha and Shippou, both yelling. That's when it happened.

___________________________________________________________________

It had been a short battle.

How had it happened?

I don't know where I was going. It didn't matter. Away. Away was all I wanted. I told them I was going back to my own time for four or five days. They hadn't stopped me, I think they were doing their best to help me.

My mind was numb, no thoughts ran through it, driving me onward, it was only the sheer need. I needed to get away from it. The death. The deceit. I couldn't handle it. The pain. Too many lives taken in this time, too much sadness. All of my friends had experienced it, and now it was my turn. Sango had lost her whole family. Inuyasha, his first love, until recently, and almost all family members. Miroku had lost his father and who knew what other relatives. And Shippou. Shippou. Shippou had lost a mother and a father. And now, I had lost too.

No thoughts crossed my mind as I ran. I had forgotten everything. Except him. His untidy hair, his cute, odd ears. His beautiful demon eyes that watched everything so carefully. His stubborn and caring ways. The want to perhaps only prove himself. The want to protect his friends.

My pace slowed down to a walk, my hands covering my face. I, a miko, had failed him. I, the one with purifying and healing powers had been completely helpless. And all because I had been three minutes late. I had failed him, one that I loved. Stopping, I took a deep breath, but my whole body shook. I collapsed onto my knees, my fists clenching at the dry earth beneath them. My body stopped shaking and I leaned back against a tree. I gazed up at the little amount of stars I could see from between the swaying branches of the forest. Suddenly, out of my control, tears slid down my cheeks. My body shook with silent sobs. Why had this happened? How did this happen?

I was aware of a presence nearing me. I didn't care, but I wiped my face quickly, ready to face death with a stern resolve, just as he had.

I hadn't expected him. He stared hard at me for a long second, as if contemplating my appearance. A look flashed across his face. I don't know what it was. I hated him. I hated him more than anything for intruding on my mourning. For being there. For not threatening to kill me. For not being predictable.

He walked up to me slowly, sure in his motions, yet a hint of skepticism could be found about him, directed towards me. He walked straight up to me, standing two feet in front of me. His eyes flashed over my face and I found myself burning as he let out a slight scoff. Seeing as I hadn't said anything, he opened his mouth to question my condition, I was sure of it.

"..."

"I don't know where Inuyasha is. Just leave him alone, will you?" He glared at me and I knew he could see the remnants of my tears now. Something passed over his face. But he ignored them, the tears.

"Your miko powers, you are a healer, are you not?"

I was slightly shocked that he had completely ignored the topic of Inuyasha and was inquiring about me, once again.

I nodded dumbly.

"You are experienced then." he asked, but it sounded more of a command.

I nodded once again, stunned for the moment out of my mourning.

He nodded once in response, turning his back to me.

"Come." he took a few steps but halted, seeing as I hadn't followed him. Did he think I would follow him like a dog, without any reasoning whatsoever?

He let out a small exasperated sigh.

"I do not have all day, woman."

I stared at him, defenses building, he courage returning.

"I have no reason to go anywhere with you." I replied. And it was the truth, too. The youkai had tried to kill me and my friends numerous times. If he thought I was just going to up and follow him somewhere to God knows what, without the slightest idea of what he had in store for me, he was deeply mistaken.

"You will come with me. You will learn your place. You will refer to me as 'sama', not as "you", wench." he snarled.

"I will not go anywhere with you without do cause, for, contrary to popular belief, I am not a blundering idiot. Also, I know my place, Sesshoumaru-sama.." I spat out in obvious disgust. "and it is not cowering to overzealous taiyoukai. Also, you will refer to me as Kagome. Not woman, not wench, not human filly, and most definitely, not Inuyasha's whore. Now, what do you want?" I had said this all very fast and doubted whether he had even got the gist. The fact was, my anger was only doing a poor job of keeping the earlier tears at bay. The faster I talked, the less likely I was to cry, and the last thing I wanted to do was cry in front of Sesshoumaru.

He glared at me, approaching me, ready to grab me by the neck and did so. I hung, suspended in the air by my throat for a minute before he thought better of it and released me. I don't know why, but whatever the reason, I'm sure I love it.

"There is someone under my protection who requires healing." he stated simply.

Suddenly, I noticed the absence of the toad-thing that always followed Sesshoumaru around like a lost, deranged puppy or a horribly disfigured shadow. Had that thing..was it Jaken.... been hurt? No, Sesshoumaru had often chastised the creature with me as a witness. I didn't think that Sesshoumaru would go such lengths for a creature that he thought worthless. So, obviously, I wanted to know who this person or thing was. I wanted to ask him, find out more. Yet, I didn't. The other half of me was still crying, berating myself for not crying enough for my loss. I didn't need anything else to think about. My head was already feeling as if it would crack in half. The half warned me and told me to go home to Momma. She would make everything better.

"Why me?" two sides were battling in my brain.

"I know of you." he looked down at her, unmoving. He had to know at least one other miko. After all, this was Sengoku Jidai, wasn't it? The place had a miko for every mid-sized village. This didn't make sense.

"And why, of all reasons should I help you?" I truly wished to know the reason that he hadn't killed me yet.

He frowned at me.

"I would return you in three days. Untouched." he seemed to be struggling internally, even though nothing was apparent on his face. " My ward is ill." he stared straight at me, and I could tell that saying those words had taken a lot out of him. After all, I'm pretty sure he is not accustomed to asking others for help. Especially for help for others. " Or I could kill you now." he added in an off-hand way, as if inquiring on the weather. No wonder he never asked for help. Who in their right minds would help him?

Since when did Sesshoumaru have a ward?! I looked at him, shocked, but recovered quickly. Thoughts were racing through my head, sporadically colliding into each other. It could work. Not the him killing me thing, but the me aiding his...ward...thing. If a child was in trouble, I would be the last to back out, even if the child was "under Sesshoumaru's protection".

"So let me get this straight. Your ward is ill? And you need my assistance?" How far could I push him? I needed facts here. Would he admit to needing my aid?

He nodded curtly. "Yes."

"Just three days?" An expression I could not place flitted across his stoic face. He nodded once more, impatience slowly appearing on the unfeeling mask.

"And you won't hurt me?" I wiped off my face, hoping to clear the shiny trails left from my tears earlier, hoping he hadn't seen.

"Yes." he was growling a bit at me now.

Was I actually thinking about this? Was I contemplating helping the feared, murderous half-brother of Inuyasha? I desperately wanted excuses, but my mind told me that I could do this. So what if it was unexpected or if it was strange and...unforgivable? Things didn't always go as planned. After all, I had accidentally fallen through a well and ended up 500 years before the day I had.

I had nodded silently. I understood now. This was what I needed. I needed to do this. I had not been able to save him, perhaps I could aid Sesshoumaru's....ward.

Inuyasha wouldn't be expecting me for another four days and, to tell the truth, I was dying to see what Sesshoumaru had gone out of his way, to me, for to help.

"So, I'm supposed to trust a youkai who has tried to kill me numerous times. I'm supposed to help you?" My voice came out sounding incredulous. "Help you heal a ward that I have never seen? Do you think I'm crazy!"

He stared at me, as if daring me to go on. A clawed hand moved slowly towards the sword resting beside it.

"All right then. Three days. Let's go." I said, trying to sound cheerful, but, slightly failing. I bent down and picked up my yellow back pack, slipping it over my shoulders. "Well, come on, lead the way, I don't know you to get...hey!" I had stopped short seeing as Sesshoumaru was already a good fifty yards ahead of me, walking silently into the trees. Why had I just agreed to help the ward of Sesshoumaru, let alone Sesshoumaru himself? Why was I following what I considered the most dangerous youkai in the world? The answer was simple yet painfully complex. I didn't want another person to die, Not when they could be saved by me. I couldn't bare to have the pain of a death resting on my shoulders. I wouldn't let an innocent life to be cut short or manipulated again while I could help.

I ran to catch up to him . To put it simply, I cared.

I sneaked a look at Sesshoumaru as I walked. There was complete look of disinterest covering the flawless skin, covering up something else that played in his eyes.

"Who is your ward? What is your charge like?" I couldn't help but wonder aloud. After all, this was an amazing piece of information. Sesshoumaru's ward...

"You will meet her soon enough. Then you may be the judge."