Hi, I'm so glad to be writing this story. It was just something that came to mind in the….strangest of times. If you have read my ongoing story "Beyond the Mirror the Journey Begins", you will see some similarities between the two. No, that does not mean they are connected in any way, shape, or form….they just share the same characters (whom none I own might I add), different plot lines. I'd like to hear what you have to say so far about this one and if I should continue it. Thank you to whoever takes the time to read this. (^_^)

Chapter 1:

What is the meaning of repentance? Do we have to pay a price? I can't remember what it was like to not have that chain attached to my collar.

Tug. Pull. Yank.

Guess it's time for my last and final assignment before I receive my reward. But I can't call it a reward for it's nothing that I've achieved out of good will. No, not in the least.

I walk the dark city streets, letting the wind ruffle my hair and bite at my cheeks. Nothing like this where I'm from. Wind. Chill. Dark. The moon that had always been below me, now stands as a splendor of faded light above me. The stars twinkled lightly, sharing their glory with the moon, and also keeping a watchful eye.

"One more street." I whispered as a puff of smoke ghosts its way from my lips. I don't like to walk, in all honesty. Just thinking about it makes the appendages on my back become restless and want to break free of the thick coat used to shield this weak body.

Humanity is such a strange thing. Always searching for new things; either to create or destroy. Always wanting was is unavailable. Always running on little time. I never saw why I was so intrigued. I guess that was the human in me speaking for I wanted to be what I could not. And now that I am, in a way, I want to be nothing more than back with my own kind; away from all this hate and love and pain.

But I start to wonder, why go back? To a life of white. To a life of obligations. To a life of emptiness. No, it was because humans carried many qualities and felt both physical and emotional pain that I was so interested.

"This should be the place." Standing in front of the old warehouse, I take a moment to "size up" the situation. Must have been a murder case. This person will be harder to persuade to be saved. Pushing open the rusted gate, I make my way through the unkempt path, weaving past thick underbrush and slinking in the shadows. Even with the veil of night, one can only be so careful.

Once inside, the stage set itself up. A girl, black hair, gray eyes, was murdered here. She was a tall and thin woman, with pleasant features, though more elongated and hollow. I stretch out a hand and invite her to take the stage with me.

"Kikyo."

The woman slowly faded into my line of vision, appearing right out of the shadows. Her timid nature probably suggested that she knew not if she heard wrong or if I could see her at all. I made sure to make eye contact, without seeing right through her at the wall.

"I'm here to help you." I keep my hand steady and beg with my eyes for her to step forward.

"Why can you see me?" She doesn't move, only waits.

Slowly, as not to alarm her, I shrug my coat off and unfurl my long folded appendages. Ahh, much better. The surprise on her face could not go unannounced for I knew exactly what she was seeing.

Black wings.

"Because I'm here to help you." I say again.

She starts to glide a little closer. "How?"

"By giving you a second chance." I crack a smile to help ease the situation. This will probably be the hardest stage yet, but I guess those are usually saved as a finale.

"Why would you possibly want to give a ghost a second chance?" She grabs at her left arm as if trying to hug herself without shying away.

"Because it's my job."

"They'll find you."

I pause. She knows. "I know." As I too grab at my right forearm. The scarring hasn't fully faded yet. Human bodies take way too long to recover for my liking.

"Looks like it won't be the first." Kikyo eyes my arm then looks back at my wings. "What are you?"

"I'm a 'who' not a 'what'. My name is Kagome, and I'm here to save you."

So that was just a short little chapter that I'll keep up for a while. If there's not much going on with it than I'll just trash this idea and just work on the other story. Please read and review!