I don't own Death Note nor Inuyasha

"He can't go to the afterlife" the ferryman stated sharply. "He used a Death Note. You know as well as I do, miko, what that means."

"Yes I know" sighed Kagome. The supernatural being really was irritable ! She had just mentionned that Ray wasn't allowed to leave this world and he already was hostile to the both of them ! Remembering her own reaction when the ghost had mentionned the Death Note, she took a calming breath and spoke evenly. "The problem is, he doesn't remember anything related to a Death Note. How is that possible ?"

Taken aback for a moment, the ferryman then snorted. "He must be lying to trick us and go to the afterlife. How could you fall for such an obvious invention, miko ?"

"He is not lying." Her voice was pleasant but a gleam in her eyes didn't leave any room for argument. At the same time, Ray stepped in indigned : "I'm not lying !"

The ferryman completely ignored the ghost and narrowed his eyes at the miko. He also opted for a more diplomatic approach : "I have to follow orders. It was recorded that this man wrote 11 names in a Death Note, resulting in 11 deaths. Only a Shinigami could change his punishment."

"Then I want to speak to a Shinigami." Like before, Kagome's voice was kind and civil whereas her eyes were determined. But unlike before, the man didn't take her seriously. He smiled condescendly and said : "Just because you want to speak to a Shinigami, doesn't mean you're going to. I won't disturb them for some little miko."

XxxxX

"But can't you do anything ?" Ray asked. He couldn't believe it : they had found a ferryman, but he refused to help him because his problem wasn't important enough for him ! The logical part of his brain could understand his reasoning : what was a single ghost to them, especially when he had supposedly killed eleven people ?

What puzzled him was that Kagome didn't seem upset. Of course, she must have known it was desperate from the start. But why did she keep smiling ? It was then that she spoke, interrupting his musings :

"I understand, you can't annoy a god because 'some little miko' wants you to." She came closer to the ferryman and talked lower, in the same sympathetic voice. "But I'm sure you would do it if the Shikon no Miko requested it."

To Ray's amazement, the ferryman seemed to pale slightly and lost contenance.

"This man doesn't lie, and he doesn't remember usind a Death Note. I find this concerning : either his memories have not been returned to him, or something is really wrong." continued the miko, acting as if she hadn't noticed the reaction she had gotten. "This is why I wish to discuss this matter with a Shinigami. You wouldn't want to be responsible for a miscarriage of justice, would you ?" At that, the man shook his head. "Of course not. Now, all I ask from you is that you go to the world of the Shinigamis and that you bring a Shinigami here so I can talk to him about this. Okay ?"

The ferryman seemed to have find his voice again. "Yes, miko-sama." And he disappeared.

Amazed by what had just happened, Ray turned toward Kagome. She grinned at him, obviously amused by the whole ordeal, and said rassuringly : "Don't worry, I'm sure that the Shinigami will listen to us. We'll find a solution."

Although he was relieved, Ray couldn't let what had just happened slide : "What was that ?"

Kagome looked embarrassed and answered "Well, he wouldn't let us see a Shinigami, so I had to persuade him." She then mumbled under her breath "I didn't mean to scare him this much though."

Her answer only increased his curiousity. "But why was he scared of you ?" It didn't make sense to him. How can a supernatural being who takes the souls of the dead to the afterlife be afraid of a teenager ?She can see ghosts, but it doesn't make her very threatening. What else can she do ?

"Let's just say I have a bit of influence and am quite well-known. My opinion is taken seriously."

"What about 'Shikon no Miko' ? Is that a title ?" Ray wouldn't settle for half an explanation. Kagome, seeing that he wouldn't drop the subject, sighed and went to answer.

"Yes, it is a title. Basically, it says that I'm one of the most powerful miko in the world."

"One of the most powerful ? How humble. You are the most powerful miko in the world." said suddenly a third, unknown voice.

Ray turned to discover... something.

He didn't know what it was, because it didn't look like anything he knew. It was at least two meters tall, with a human-like shape covered by green skin and ominous, glowind yellow eyes. Its hands and feet were huge and black, as were his teeth, which looked, in fact, more like fangs. It was bald and that fact made the absence od ears even more obvious. To Ray, he looked like an alien in a movie.

He barely had the time to close his mouth –which he hadn't even noticed he had opened- before Kagome spoke calmly, as if she saw Martians like that every day. Which, Ray realised, she very well could, considering she obviously was used talking to ghosts and didn't hesitate scaring ferrymen half to death.

"Hello, Shinigami. It is a pleasure meeting you."

This thing is a Shinigami ? It doesn't look like a god to me, but what do I know ? I've never seen a god, thought the former FBI agent.

"I see the ferryman really was quick in finding you." continued Kagome, oblivious to Ray's trouble.

"Hello, Shikon no Miko." replied the creature. "If that's really what you are. The idiot ferryman, indeed, was in a rush. He appeared right in the king's throne room, looking quite flustered, and said that the Shikon no Miko wanted to speak to a Shinigami. He didn't even see a proof of your identity. You know what I mean, miko."

She looked amused. "Yes, I had noticed he had forgotten." Then, pulling something which seemed attached to a string around her neck from under her shirt, she presented it to the Shinigami. At first, Ray thought it was a locket or something like that, but when he was able to see it properly, he saw it was a large jewel, white and pale pink. It seemed to satisfy the Shinigami who declared : "Good. Now that that's settled, what did you want to talk about ?"

AN : Originally I wanted this chapter to be longer, but I decided to cut it in two chapters because I wanted to post chapter 3 beforethe end of the holidays. Newt week I will go back to school and I will be taking exams until Thursday, so I don't know when I'll post the next chapter. What did you think of the description of the Shinigami ? And the new title ? And Kagome's personality ? It would help me to know what you think !

I'm happy when you review =)