The chorus of voices ascended to the far corners of the Temple, where the statues of Priests and Priestess's listened with somber faces to the old words. Shining white marble pillars spiraled down to the steps of the great altar. At the top of the stair stood Queen Kikyo and behind her Stood her warriors, dressed in pristine white robes, each carrying a red velvet pillow with white silk tassels at each corner. Upon each pillow rested a gleaming silver sword.

The queen shifted her regal stance, her gaze locked on the tall golden doors at the back of the temple. She knew that eight young men waited nervously outside. Each one would enter as an apprentice and leave as a warrior of the realm.

One of the banners caught her eye. It was for Kamego the only son of Lady Midoriko. Her eyes looked at the two women under the banner. They were the Elder Higurashi Sisters. Sango Higurashi was a respected blacksmith. Rin Higurashi was a healer without compare. They were tall for women. Both were so respected that she looked forward to being able to bring them into her palace.

They both looked around nervously smoothing invisible wrinkles from their dresses. Kikyo noticed that Lady Midoriko was absent. Trumpets sounded through the temple as the doors opened and the men walked in.

One by one she knighted each of them. Touching a blade to their shoulders then handing it to them. She was interested in all of them, however the one she was most interested in was Kamego. They said that he had almost single handedly overcome the smallest Western Stronghold.

Finally Kamego stood before her. Her anger rose as she realized that he still wore his helmet. Such disrespect before not only her but the gods.

"Remove your helmet boy" She commanded

The boy slowly inclined his head. Then he removed his helmet.

A gasp rose from the crowd as a wealth of long raven hair spilled down around the boys face and back. She could not believe it. Kamego was a girl. Not Possible!

"What insolence is this? Where is Kamego?" She demanded

"My name is Kagome. I have masqueraded as a Kamego to prove my worth as a fighter" Kagome responded with her chin lifted proudly.

No wonder her mother was not here. This must be so embarrassing to her

"I should kill you where you stand for this deceit." Kikyo snapped

"You need my skills too much to do so" She replied with a smirk

Kikyo nodded "You are right . . . Kneel Kagome Higurashi before me and say your vows"

Kagome lowers herself to one knee "I swear this day upon my sword and soul to guard and keep the crown. To renounce all claim to the title to which I was born. To place my queen and land above all others"

Kikyo touches the blade to her shoulders. "Rise Sir Kagome Knight of the Northern Kingdom. Take your sword and your place as a knight of the realm"

As Kagome leans forward to take the sword Kikyo whispers "If you or your sisters ever pull a stunt like this again . . . I will behead the ones involved."

Kikyo raises her voice "My people . . . I give you . . . our new knights"

As the crowd cheers the newly knighted knights marched out the doors of the temple. As Kagome passed her sisters she shot a vicious smile filled with glee at them. She turned her head straight ahead and walked out the doors of the temple. Leaving her past behind her she accepted a scroll stating her new won status and her medallion of a sun behind a bow and sword.

Years of hard work had finally paid off. She was a knight, and she had a whole life of freedom ahead of her.