Oh, Death,

Well I am Death, none can excel,

I'll open the door to heaven or hell.

Kagome was fifteen when she stood up to Death.

"Hey, Dad! Watch this!" Souta then showed off his climbing skills on a tree to his new father.

After growing up without a father, then having Souta's dad bail out when he found out her mother was pregnant, Kagome didn't have a lot of trust in the male population. But this one was different. Even after her mother's miscarriage, he stood by her side. He even adopted them!

He's a keeper, Kagome thought, watching her brother and new father romp around on the grass. He had taken the family out to the park, and they all rested in a lightly forested area.

Kagome sprawled out on the grass, smiling.

"You're not much of a child any more."

Her eyes sprang open, and she sat up, twisting around to find the voice.

She found the owner in the shade of the trees. But this time, the shadows weren't hiding him.

She could see a black cloak that seemed to meld into the darkness, but his facial features were clear for her eyes to feast on. An elfish face, pointed ears, and strange stripes on his cheeks and eyes. Long, moonlight hair. For a moment, all she could do was stare at him. Then she became angry.

"Why are you here?"

He tilted his head, appraising her.

"No longer afraid, I see."

His monotonous response only made her angrier.

"Answer me! Every time you come around, someone dies! Why are you here now?" Her body vibrated with anger, her fists clenched and flesh heating up.

He looked beyond her, and Kagome felt her blood go cold. She turned, seeing her father wave to Souta as he walked away to sit on a bench, absently rubbing his head. Kagome gasped. He had been complaining of headaches for a few weeks now.

"No…no!" She cried, facing the man again. "You can't take him!" But he was gone, and in her desperation, she turned back to her father.

He had collapsed.

Crying out, she ran to his side, and held him to her.

"Dad, no! No! You can't take him! He's ours!" She sobbed.

Time seemed to stop, and when she looked up, she found it had. The people around her were frozen. The air seemed colder as a misplaced breeze fluttered around.

"You believe you can stop me, child?"

He knelt by the body of her father. She curled closer around him, hoping to shield him from this strange man's touch.

He narrowed his eyes at her, and with a wave of his hand, she was blown away. She fell on the grass a few yards away, and opened her eyes to see him peering down at her.

"I am Death, child." He cupped her face in his cold, cold hands. "I could remove this entire city, and no amount of your tears could stop me."

Her lip trembled, and new tears leaked from her eyes. "Please…" She whispered hoarsely.

He stared at her for a while, then turned to look at the man still frozen a few yards away.

He narrowed his eyes, seeming annoyed, then pinned her with his stare again. His fingers clenched around her face, and she felt the danger of his claws.

"You cannot stop the cycle of Life and Death, little mortal. One day, everyone must end." He released her and stood. "Enjoy your time with him, young one. It is drawing to a close."

He faded away, and time started again, and her father was getting back up. Kagome let out a ragged breath.

Her father would live another day.

And she silently thanked Death for giving her time.