Chapter 1

Kagome felt the liquid run down her throat. It was cool and yet, warm. Refreshing and somehow strengthening. She sighed as it ran down to her stomach. She found out then what the potion did. She felt her reiki pulse and spread through her. She started, scared that Kikyo would feel it.
Sayuri said,"Shush, Kagome. Relax. Kikyo will not sense this. None but us can, my soul twin." She felt the younger woman relax and saw her eyes open. Smiling, she pulled away to get something out of her pack. She turned toward her soul twin again. She handed her a letter. Then she fixed Kagome some broth and a cup of tea. Kagome read the letter. She folded it up and held it to her chest. She cried then.
Sayuri set down the bowl and cup. She rose and helped her soul twin to her feet and held her close. She said nothing, made no reassuring noises. She simply held her close. She let her friend cry as she needed to.
Kagome let it all out. The pain from every physical and emotional scar of the past six months. She cried until weariness almost overwhelmed her. She calmed after several more minutes. "Thanks. Do I smell broth?"
"Chicken broth and ginseng tea. I will help you sit and give it to you. I will take your place now. I will not let them succeed. The Shikon miko and the Shikon Iris are yet needed. "
"You can't. They will kill you," said Kagome. She was not fixing to let an innocent suffer for her.
"I will be fine. I am your born protector, my twin. I have heard their plans, but I know that they will not succeed. The darkness will not win." Sayuri fell silent as she took the broth bowl from her twin. She and Kagome sat in silence for five minutes, just sitting together.
Suddenly Kagome looked up and looked about her."Do you hear that? I think I hear Kaede's voice. Her prayers. . I feel them."
"Yes. They told me they would. I have been hearing them for a while now. You can rest here a little longer. Then you must cross to the other side. There you will be safe," said Sayuri mysteriously. She smiled at Kagome's confused look. She rose to stand apart.
Kagome wondered what this strange friend of hers meant. She was aware of her reiki growing stronger. She felt the broth and tea helping. She watched Sayuri stand with her right hand resting on a knot in the tree beside her.