I'll Bet One Year by *A-Kay*

Chapter One: The Woman

Disclaimer: I don't own them. Not even on a box set... yet.

A/N: Well this is the first chapter of my newest fic. I do hope you guys like it. This piece will be updated maybe once a week. Errors to be fixed later.

She sat in thought out in the garden. Legs folded beneath her as the delicate silks she wore flowed out around her. She dressed this way on rare occasions. Most of the noblemen or youkai lords and ladies thought it a conspiracy for one such as her to be allowed to wear garments not meant for her. To them she was undeserving, but they did not know her. She was a miko - the miko that will save them all.

He watched as she lovingly ran her fingers through the dark brown hair of the child who was sound asleep, resting her head in the woman's lap. They made this a habit once every month. If the time was granted it would be twice. It amazed him how well they bonded in such a short amount of time.

She has been in his care for six months now. She was indeed a nuisance. She talked too much, far too curious, and her moods - like her emotions - were unpredictable. There was no telling with her. You just never knew what to expect.

She questioned him, argued, and even dared to lecture him on his actions towards others. A constant headache she proved to be and yet he never got rid of her. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he tried to remind her who Inuyasha was.

She was a mystery he vowed to figure out. She, the woman, the miko named Kagome was the greatest mystery he's come across. He knew she was different, but it became more obvious the past six months. She challenged him in more ways than one. Often times pissing him off. Still. She was still here. Why? He asked himself that every morning and never getting an answer. He watched her.

Six months ago in mid-September, the morning after one particular rainy night he gathered his small group so they could continue their slow trip back to the western lands. Rin ran ahead, but always in his line of sight or hearing range. Jaken followed closely behind guiding Ah-Un by its reigns.

The toad imp was grumbling something about foolish humans, but he really wasn't listening. He was too busy staying alert for any threats. At least that's what he had been doing before Rin called out to him, urging him to come over. Jaken instantly went into a rant that was just as quickly silenced by the mere tone his name was called. It was a warning that the toad imp took heed of.

Walking over to his ward he watched as she kneeled down and began poking something. As he got closer, he noticed that something was a someone. A female who's scent - though faint - was familiar. Rin moved the wet raven locks from the woman's face and gasped. They knew this woman. Why was she alone? Where was her group? Not really caring he turned around. "We're leaving." He stated firmly before taking a step.

"But, Lord Sesshoumaru, we can't just leave her." The child said. She hadn't moved from her kneeling position next to the unconscious woman.

Jaken's squawking began. "We can and we will! Who are you to question my honorable and most prestige Lord Sesshoumaru? Come away from that filthy human this instance you insufferable little..."

Tuning out the annoying imp he heard Rin speak again, "She'll get sick. Please Lord Sesshoumaru. At least until she gets better." Apparently the child learned how to ignore Jaken as well.

However, that did not stop Jaken from ranting anew. "How dare you even suggest a thing to Lord -"

"Jaken."

The imp stiffened at the tone of his lord's voice. Either he was about to be given orders or threatened with a hidden promise of death or both. "Yes, my lord?"

He started back to where his ward was. She was far too caring. He stooped down and looked over the soaked woman. Her hardly decent clothes were ripped and hanging off her in shreds. Her skin was burning up with fever. He lifted her as best as one could with one arm. A task that would have been far more easier had she been awake.

Ignoring the smile on Rin's face and the way Jaken's beak-like mouth hung open in shock, he issued out his orders. "Take Rin and ride back on Ah-Un. Stop at the village closest to the western lands and purchase proper attire for the miko. Rin may choose." A cloud began to form below his feet, lifting him from the ground. "I expect her returned in one piece." then he was gone.

Jaken was shaking in fear while Rin smiled and giggled happily. "Come on Master Jaken. We have to find something pretty for Kagome."

Had he only known then what he knew now. If only he knew how much of a hassle she really was. He would have... what? What would he have done? Left her? Rin would never allow that. Search for his brother? No, the trip alone would have made her developing fever worse. Not only that, but his brother's stupidity would have surely led to a fight. The hanyou would no doubt believe that hew as the cause of the girl's predicament.

He had no desire to hear Rin whine and be stubborn enough to refuse to leave the older girl's side. Nor did he desire to fight his brother over this. So what other option did he have? If only he knew.

It took her three and a half days to wake up. Her fever had lessened thanks to his healers. He hadn't allowed Rin to come in contact with the sick woman. To his understanding sick humans could be highly contagious to other humans, especially children. He didn't want to take that chance.

After receiving good reports on her health he ordered two female servants to clean and feed her. When all of this was taken care of, he allowed Rin to visit her. Rin knelt down in front of her with a big smile. "Hi Kagome. Are you feeling better?"

Confusion swam in the eyes of the woman as she looked at the child. "Ka... Kagome? What's that?"

Rin giggled, oblivious to what was going on. "You're Kagome. That's your name. Remember you told it to me?"

Grey eyes still confused looked from the child to the youkai lord at the door. He eyed her critically. Assessing the situation mentally. She didn't seem to recognize him. In fact she didn't seem afraid at all. He could hear Rin ask her if she remembered them in which she replied, "No." The little one introduced them to the woman named Kagome as if they were meeting for the first time. "Rin and Lord Sesshoumaru." she repeated the names. Testing them out.

"Woman." He called out, causing both females to look up. "Where is Inuyasha?" he didn't expect her to know. He merely wanted to see fi she recognized the name. Judging from the fact she didn't know her own name it was not a surprise when she answered...

"I-Inu...yasha? Who is that?"

He narrowed his eyes at her before reminding Rin of her nightly meal. She asked to share it with Kagome, but was denied. Making sure to inform the child that the woman had already eaten. Rin accepted that and promised to visit later before skipping out the room.

He looked at the human looking for any signs of deceit. He'd actually hoped to find some. He wanted her to be pretending. He wished that she was expertly lying to him. Unsure if he would take that well or not. He knew that if she had he would instantly know how to deal with it.

Continuing his questioning on Inuyasha, Tetsusaiga, the taijiya, monk, kitsune, and neko. He even went as far as to ask about Naraku. All of which she had no memory of. He gave up. What had he gotten himself into?