Author's Note: Ok... so this is going to be a two-shot... i know you guys wanted something with more chapter but be patient please. I do plan on creating an actual story, though in third person, that'll be a sequel to this. Anyhow, I hope you guys enjoy and leave a review! :)

I felt the sun's rays kiss my face but I had no desire to get out of bed. Rolling over, I buried myself into pillow and comforter. My head pounded and my stomach seemed to roll on its own accord as I closed my eyes and willed myself into the black abyss of sleep.

Unfortunately, even in sleep I couldn't find peace. A whispering voice kept mumbling in my dreams but I couldn't tell what it was saying. Every time I tried to focus on the voice, my head would throb with a stabbing pain that would cause me to groan.

The voice seemed to enjoy my pain as I felt it laugher ring through the darkness until something caused it to stop.

It was another voice. This one was strong, but quiet with an underline hint of a growl. The voice sounded so familiar but throbbing in my head wouldn't let me place it.

Focusing on the familiar voice, I felt the whispering voice growl? Yes, it most definitely growled but I ignored it in favor of the soothing familiar voice.

"Miko."

I frowned at the title. I did not want to be a Miko anymore.

"Miko."

This time I felt my body shake, causing my head to scream in protest. I felt more then directed my hands to my head as a whimper escaped my lips and instantly the shaking stopped.

I was happy that the shaking had stopped but I frowned when the familiar voice didn't sound again.

Something warm touched my forehead before sliding to my cheek and I was tempted to open my eyes but I found I didn't care to. The warmth felt so good.

"Kagome."

The familiar voice softly called as the whispering voice snarled boldly, but again I ignored the threatening sound. I preferred my name.

"Kagome, open your eyes."

It was an order no matter how gently that familiar voice said it. I want to comply but my eyelids seemed to be made out of lead but still I struggled until they fluttered open.

Instantly my vision was filled with eyes the color of fresh blood that were etched with concern before I was able to see the face that went with those eyes.

"Hiei?" My voice sounded hoarse in my own ear but I couldn't find the energy to care.

"You have a fever."

I tried to smile but couldn't so I settled on nuzzling into his warm hand that hadn't left my cheek yet. "You feel nice," I found myself mumbling as my eyes started drifting shut again.

"No, stay awake," he command.

Again I forced my eyes open and gave him a questioning look. "I'm so tired though and my head feels like it's going to exploded," I told him simply.

He frowned at my words and I watched as his eyes forced on something only he could see before a confused look graced his features. Finally, he looked at me and I felt his thumb brush my skin.

"You must eat and have something drink before going back to sleep," he explained before his presences and warmth vanished.

With him gone I felt sleep tug strongly at my eyes but I fought it. Hiei was right, I needed food and my throat was parched but knowing those facts didn't make it any less of a struggle to escape sleeps grasp.

I must of drift off because the next thing I knew I was being shaken again. "Kagome." I was surprised by the patience I heard in his voice as helped me to sit up.

My world seemed to swim and I must have tried laying back down because Hiei gripped my upper arm suddenly. "Stay sitting up," he ordered as he locked his gaze with mine. Slowly, I found myself nodding and he released my arm.

Leaning against the wall, I closed my eyes and tried to stop my world from spinning.

I opened them again when I heard my name and I found Hiei offering me a cup of tea. Carefully I took the beverage. Feeling the heat of the cup in my hands I sighed; the warmth felt wonderful. With shaky hands I lifted the cup to my mouth and drank deeply, savoring the warmth as the hot liquid slipped down my throat and warmed my insides.

Finishing the cup, Hiei took it with a soft frown on his face but he didn't say anything as he passed me a container filled with hot miso soup in it. I sipped the broth before taking a bite of the solids. Again I felt the warmth spread over and I almost shiver with the sensation.

He gave me an odd look but said nothing as I finished my food. Taking the bowl he gave me some more tea. Even though I was still exhausted I at least my stomach wasn't rolling anymore and the pounding in my head had dulled.

"Thanks."

He frowned slightly in response but nodded once before the confused look deepened. "What's going on?"

Now I frown. "What do you mean?" I don't think I can handle much of a conversation right now. Already I could feel the blackness of sleep threatening to overwhelm me.

His frown deepened at my own question. "You don't feel anything… different about yourself?"

I gave him an odd look as I tried thinking over his question. Should I feel anything different about myself? Trying to search myself, I couldn't seem to penetrate the heavy exhaustion that was nearly drowning me.

"I'm so tired." I felt my eyelids droop farther. I felt Hiei's warm hand take my tea cup causing my eyes to snap open. "Sorry."

He set the tea cup next to my bowl. "Besides being tired, is there anything else?" Again, he looked passed me to something only he could see.

"Shhh… just go to sleep."

A voice… the whispered voice lullabied as I frowned. I wanted to but I glanced at Hiei: he didn't want me to and he'd never done anything that I know of that hadn't been for the better for the grounds or myself. So I fought the voice's words.

"The Voice wants me to sleep. It says I'll feel better in the morning."

I watched as his eyes flashed as mine began to close. Feeling his hands grasp my upper arms, I snapped awake again.

"What voice?" His voice was growing distance as the blackness of sleep began fully taking my mind. He shook me and I blinked before he rested his hand on my cheek.

I leaned into his hand and gave him a weak smile before I yawned. "The Jewel's voice…"

Before I could finish what I was saying I was pulled into the black abyss of sleep. Vaguely I was aware of Hiei's warm arms laying me back in bed before nothing.

My dreams were chaotic and dark; filled with blood and gorge. I saw strangers and friends tortured and shredded to pieces before they'd be put back together for it to repeat itself.

It was haunting and I couldn't help but wonder how I could dream such horrors about my loved ones.

Suddenly the scene changed and I watching something from an ancient past.

An uncountable number of demons rushed a tiny village. Several demons reached the village before a strong barrier sprang up, reflecting the horde.

A woman's voice, soft from her youth but harden by battle, chanted from the center of the village. She wore robes of the Miko under her warrior armor and she had a Greatsword strapped on her hip.

Insuring her barrier, she rushed the demon horde as her people watched with despair and hope as she battled. I watched as she slowly herded them away from her people using her own body as bait.

I watched as the days passed by for Mikorido and I couldn't help but feel a seen of déjà vu settle over me. Hadn't my own battle with Naraku gone in must the same manner? Had we not fought against him for days to destroy him?

Mikorido was in the cave now. I don't know if she knew it, but that cave would be her eternal resting place.

Morbid fascination took over as I watched her dying form become nothing more then a play toy for those beasts. The horrors I witness in my dreams had been lost in the many years it took for the Jewel to reach Kikyo I realized.

I wanted to turn away from the horrors but I couldn't. I wouldn't disrespect Mikorido in such a manner. The gift of knowledge always came with a heavy price.

She continued to fight even when her body began to fail and I watched as the demons started devouring her living body. Continuing her fight, I watched as her body glowed pink and as began she began her final attack that would ultimately form the Shikon no Tama.

Her pain was my pain as I saw her power pulse with the rhythm of her heart. Her own energy nearly destroying her before her beating heart burst through her chest. It beat once, demolishing the souls of the lesser demons as her body beheaded a demon that attempted to attack the detached organ.

In its second beat, it drew the more powerful souls into it while crystalizing everything within the cavern, leaving a thick silence that would forever hum with the ghost of the destructive force that Mikorido had unleashed. A portion of the warrior-Miko's conscience would linger in this cavern waiting for peace while still offering protection to those of pure intentions.

On the third beat, the heart itself changed. One second it was a healthy blood color with Mikorido's bright, powerful soul shine around it and then, in the next second, it was a withered gray color with a dimming light. The glow completely vanished and her heart remained suspended in air for a second long before it began to dissolve slowly.

Nothing but a sparkling powdered remained, floating where the heart had once been, as final pulse of energy erupted and a blinding light filled the cavern. When it cleared, the jewel was in its place, glowing with a lustful light.

"I do not want this fate for you…"

The whispering voice weaved around my dreams. The statement confused me. Why would I share Mikorido's fate? I would never create another Shikon.

"I wish to insure it…"

How? What kind of insurance did the voice want? I promise I'll never make another Jewel.

The voice hummed with amusement. "Your soul is as pure and as powerful as Mkorido's was… whether intentional or not you possess the power to create another…"

Ok… so what did it want me to do about that? I never asked for this type of power. Never but I had accepted it with regret. What more did the voice need?

"A half-demon could never do as Mikorido has…"

Now I'm confused even more. Mikorido was a warrior-Miko: I knew that. I'm a Miko and I'm told I could rival Mikorido in power: fine, I accepted that fact. I understand that half-demons could never do what Mikorido did because they are impure by nature: being neither pure demon nor pure human. But what does that have to do with me?

"In the years of my existence my souls have never agreed… except this once…" The voice paused before continuing. "I will never allow another such as myself to exist again… so I am blessing… cursing you Guardian…"

How? In what sense? I feel like I've done my best for you Shikon.

"When you wake you will no longer be completely human… not completely demon…"

Wait a minute! Are you telling me you're making me a half-demon?

Again an amused laugher filled my dreams and it was neither friendly nor unfriendly. "Indeed Guardian… I cannot risk such a creature as myself to exist again…"

Ok… what else could I say? I didn't sound like I have must of a choice in this issue.

"I offer you a sanctuary while you learn control… a safe place where you needn't fear of hurting others…"

Well, I guess that makes sense and I'm thankful too for the gesture. I would be devastated if I hurt anyone got hurt because of me.

"Now awaken and greet your world with new eyes…"

My eyes opened slowly as I stretched. I felt surprising good though I had a dull ache that I couldn't pinpoint. Rolling over, I caught sight of Hiei and quickly sat up.

His face was blank but his eyes were glowing with a light that I had never seen before. The look made me slightly nervous.

"Feeling better?" his voice was sharp but void of emotions.

I nodded, not really sure how handle this side of Hiei. Actually, he'd never been so cold to me before.

"Are you in pain?" That question surprised me but I answered him honestly.

"I feel a dull ache but I don't know where it's coming from and I don't remember being hurt."

He snorted at my response before eyeing me carefully. "Get used to it. It'll never go away. Do you understand what you have become?"

I swallowed and shook my head. "Did the Shikon speak with you as well?" My voice was small but I had to know. What has my ward done this time? Did it mess with Hiei's life someway?

"Hn, in a sense. Care to explain?"

Pulling my legs to my chest I rested my chin on my knees. "I've told you an edited version already when I spoke of the Shrine's history. Do you remember?" He nodded after a moment. "I was the priestess in that story and I was dragged through time by the well. The Shikon no Tama was the artifact that I shattered and was piecing back together."

"After the final battle, I thought the Jewel had become dormant when it returned to my body. Apparently I was wrong."

"Obviously," he snorted coldly as his eyes narrow dangerously before his looked softened some. Pushing himself off the walk, he moved so he was sitting on the end of my bed. "Explain what you know," he ordered though his voice wasn't as cold.

He desired to know. The Jewel had messed with his life and for some reason tangled him into my mess. So leaving nothing out, I explained everything that I had seen and told in my dream. Hiei didn't look at me as I talked but I saw his shoulder sag as I told him what the Jewel said about half-demons and how I was going to be one.

"I don't understand why though the Jewel would call it a curse though?" I couldn't help but question as I finished explaining.

Seeing the powerful demon sigh deeply was strange as the air around him changed to something more disheartened. "Hiei what's wrong?" I dared to whisper but he didn't acknowledge me.

"You are a forbidden mix though not by birth. Originally your birth right gave you the ability to destroy demon with a brush of your fingertips. Holy power was never design to share a body with youki. Nature dictates that this. Now you go against nature by what the Jewel has done. Hence it makes you forbidden; an unorthodox creature in that natural flow." His explanation made sense.

"Did the Jewel explain that to you?" At my question he turned a guard eyes on me.

"No," he answered simply. He paused as if debating how much to say or how to say it. I couldn't tell for sure, but when he did finally speak I listened carefully.

"Holy energy and youki are no more meant to mix then fire and ice."

My eyes widened in understanding and everything I knew about him seemed to fall into place. "That's why your energy is so chaotic and your bloodlust is so great huh?" I asked the question softly afraid that he would drop the conversation.

He nodded once before he gave me a careful look. "You'll come into your new abilities gradually. The stronger your abilities become the more you'll hurt," he gave me a hard look, "and you'll learn to handle the pain."

I nodded waiting for him to continue but he stood instead. "Get dressed. We have things that need to be done." With that said, he left my room, giving me the privacy he knew I'd want to dress.

Quickly I dressed before heading to the bathroom before making my way to the kitchen. Hiei already had several empty left over containers on the counter and he was sitting at his spot at the table. Two plates already were sitting on the table: one was in front of Hiei and the other was in front of my spot.

"Thanks," I said softly as I sat down and began eating as he grunted his response. Following my lead, we ate in a comfortable silence and I collected the dishes when we'd both finished. However, as I moved to finish cleaning up the mess, Hiei hand caught my arm.

"Leave them, let's go."

His hand left my arm and captured my hand before leading me to the front door. Once it was opened I gasped in surprise.

Everything within the Shrine was the same except it now had a five foot stone wall around it. On the other side of the wall, a wild and untamed forest stretched as far I could see and the sky had an unearthly pre-dawn color to it. Unnatural bright stars littered the sky.

However, it was the forest that held my attention. Some plant life I recognized while others were completely alien to me.

"They're Makai plants," Hiei supplied.

"Makai?"

"It's where demons live," he answered simply though his eyes still roamed the forest with a guarded expression.

"This is your Sanctuary… your training field…" the voice of the Shikon rang around us. Jumping, I inches closer to Hiei and his hand tightened around mine.

"This place will adapt to your needs… change as you grow… fulfilling your desires…"

By the look on Hiei's face, I could tell he had heard the voice too. "When will we be allowed to return to the real world?" he asked breaking the thick silence that the voice had left in its wake.

There was a long silent before the voice sounded again. "When all requirements have been made…"