Dark: Holy pink poop on toast! 46 reviews! I didn't think I would get even three reviews. I'm so happy! *Jumps around *

The disclaimer is on the first and second chapters.

Hugs you all* THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Thank you for staying and
reading through chapters one and two (I had writers block) you are the
BEST!

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I didn't scare you off did I? Well anyways here is the story.

* Grabs popcorn and pushes button to start the story.*

~~~*~~~

It was a peaceful and beautiful morning. The birds were chirping and lovely and dainty noiseless filled the air...

"LET US IN KAGOME!" I pulled a pillow over my head to block out the loud banging on my door.

"KAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!" Dang nab it! I can't concentrate on ignoring them like this! I threw a pillow at the door in hopes of them stopping. Silence stretched out and I sighed in satisfaction.

"OPEN THIS DOOR OR WE'LL KNOCK IT DOWN!" Caught off guard I fell of the bed and onto the floor. "Oof." Thank God for extra pillows. I brought another pillow to my chest and I hollered back.

"YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!" And even though they couldn't see me I stuck my tongue out for effect.

"GET OUT HERE!"

"I DON'T WANT TO JOIN YOUR GROUP INTO FACING EVIL!" Then I muttered under my breath "God knows I've done that one too many times..."

"LIKE IT OR NOT YOU WILL BE COMING WITH US SO PACK UP! IF YOU AREN'T READY IN THIRTY MINUITES WE'LL DRAG YOU, SCREAMING AND KICKING IF NEEDED!"

"I swear Fate has it in for me... Destiny protect me from your sister!" I begged (Dc: I believe that Fate and Destiny are two different people so... yeah...) Popping one eye open and finding that I was still in the room I grumbled. "Someone up there really has it in for me..." Sulking, I began to pick things that were really necessary.

"Cheese! We can't live without cheese!" After stuffing all the food into my bag I started towards the weapons. Needless to say I took all the weapons in my room. I put a dagger into a strap on my leg. Another one was hidden in my sleeve. A sword I hide in the other sleeve. I took a whip and tied it to my bag. I slung a bow onto my back without the arrows; I kinda figured that I would use my spiritual energy for arrows. I took a boomerang Sango made me before out of a demon's tooth and tied it to my waist. Let me tell you, I nearly fell over with the weight. It weighed more than all the other weapons I held. Then I walked over to what seemed like a cloak and I wrapped it around me.

I had made it of a strand of my new demon hair and a tooth to bind it. I weaved it from yesterday night and now it was a magnificent cloak that would keep me from feeling the cold and preventing me from slowing down by whatever nature had in store for me. Also making a clasp for the cloak wasn't the only thing my tooth was for... I was now indescribable, not many things could harm me when I was wearing the cloak. I fell as soon as I finished putting on the cloak. Holy Moly! This thing was even heavier than the boomerang! I quickly chanted a spell and it became much lighter. "That's better!" I beamed.

Last but not least a piece of junk. Or at least what seemed to be junk. It was only a piece of metal but everyday I was working on it and soon it would be a flute... a flute that could change into almost anything... (Dc: I own this contraption that doesn't yet exist... I made it up for my character Destiny, but I'm letting Kagome use it for this story.) I stashed the piece of metal into the pocket of my cloak. I picked up my bag and went out the door with ease.

~~~*~~~

There was a loud commotion and Merry and Pippin suddenly hurtled themselves at Boromir and tackled him. Boromir was knocked to the ground at the mercy of the two hobbits, provoking a chorus of laughter from me.

"Boromir, getting beaten up by hobbits, eh? Still say that women are inferior?" I called. Laughing I fell off the rock I sat on.

"What's that?" I heard Sam ask as I scrambled up off the dirt floor. I glanced in the direction he was pointing. A dark cloud had appeared on the horizon and was moving quickly in our direction. It didn't seem particularly out of the ordinary, but there was something unnerving about it.

"It's nothing, just a wisp of cloud," Gimli replied. I rolled my eyes, I had the feeling that there was more to it then it seemed.

"It's moving fast, against the wind," observed Boromir. I looked closer and found his observation correct.

"Crebain from Dunland!" shouted Legolas.

"Hide!" commanded Aragorn.

Everyone began to panic and run around like chickens with their heads hacked off, and I just stood there, confused.

"What's up with everyone?" I asked, "Why not kill them?" But instead of answering, someone grabbed my arm and dragged me down. A rock concealed our hiding spot but that didn't seem like enough for whoever pulled me down, for they wrapped one of their arms around me in a tight embrace and the other hand covered my mouth. I think they didn't want me to leave the rock or blow our cover by talking or even breathing to loudly.

And then the crows came.

They arrived, screeching louder than a demented five years old who had one too many sweets in a packet. There were hundreds of them, swooping and circling in the air. I wanted nothing more then to leap out and feel their blood on my claws. They continued to pass overhead, leaving me half in hatred and half in disgust. They finally left, quickly disappearing on the horizon. Whoever was hugging me let go of my waist, but held my hand instead. Let me tell you, whoever they were, they would die... They hauled me over to the rest of the fellowship, and to my surprise it was Legolas that was holding me. I opened my mouth to yell at him when...

"Spies for Saruman," muttered Gandalf, peering at the horizon. "The passage south is being watched. We will have to go over the pass of Caradhras."

"Huh?" I asked dumbly. No one heard me, as they were busy packing their belongings. I sighed, muttering to myself about their ignorance and shouldered my pack.

"Oh Legolas..." I crooned in a singsong voice, "Let go of me before I slug you." He dropped my hand as if it was an insect and a pink tint showed on his face... wait... Legolas was BLUSHING?!

~~~*~~~

(Dc: I have got to warn you, I'm quite fuzzy on where they go after they leave, so I'm making this up k?)

We had been walking for FIVE HOURS STRAIGHT with NO REST and NO BREAKS! But I wasn't complaining. Pippin, Merry, Sam and Frodo were beginning to slow down and began to stumble about.

"It's times like these," I muttered, "When I wish Kirara was here." My eyes widened in alarm as Pippin tumbled and fell. Gandalf too showed concern and stopped. "We must take a break now, the halflings are exhausted."

Boromir spat snidely "Are you positive that it's not the woman?" Accepting the silent challenge I stood up straighter and held my head up high. "We must continue onward." Fire once again burned in my eyes; did Boromir not care for the little one's?

"I agree it is too dangerous to stay in one spot." I glared at Gimli, that traitor. Wordlessly I dropped my bag onto the floor, and chanted another spell. My bag began to shrink and I dropped it into my pocket. Without making a protest, but still glaring at the two traitors I put Merry and Pippin onto my back, and Frodo and Sam in my arms. The extra weight didn't really bother me, what bothered me was that Boromir kept glance at my way.

Another four hours pasted and the hobbits I was carrying began to sweat like crazy. Frowning I gently placed them on the ground. The rest of the fellowship stopped as well.

"What tired already?" Boromir, how I wished I could kill him... but I ignored him and I turned to the hobbits.

"Why are they sweating?" I questioned. The fellowship stared at me as if I was crazy.

"Do you not feel the heat Kagome?" Gandalf asked, worry evident in his voice.

"Heat? What heat?" It was then that I gazed up into the blazing sun. I blinked, and my mouth took the shape of an O. Wasting no time I unclasped my cloak. As I disconnected four parts of the cloak (the joy of being a miko) I wrapped them around the halflings.

"What are you doing?!" Aragon demanded. "You'll kill the hobbits with the tepidity!"

I slung the hobbits back in place and I replied coldly. "Does it look like they are dieing of heat?" They inspected the little ones and turned to me with an astonished look on their faces. "Why do they remain unaffected by the sultriness of today?"

"My little secret." Was my great answer. We trudged on for many more hours before someone else collapsed, and it sure as the underworld wasn't me. It was Gimli.

"What do you say about a break now Gimli?" I asked, impassively. I wanted to humiliate Gimli for taking Boromir's side when the little ones fell.

"Aragorn," Gimli pleaded on his knees. "Let us rest." Aragorn nodded his head as a sign of agreement

As the 'men' set up camp ("Women are too weak to do a man's work." Stated Boromir.) I tended to the hobbits and watched as they regained their energy. Pippin was the first to awaken, I'm guessing it's because he was the first to sleep. He stirred and he blinked.

"Kagome?" He asked hoarsely.

"Pippin!" I rejoiced, "You're awake!"

"I'm sorry I couldn't stay strong."

"Don't talk as if you are dieing!" I scolded.

"Sorry." He laughed sheepishly. The rest of the halflings shifted and awakened. As they stretched, my cloak pieced together and I retrieved it.

I helped the little ones walk over to the fire, where the others were serving food. An enormous growl came from my stomach. Speaking of food...

"Pah!" I quickly spat the disgusting tasting 'food' out of my mouth. "You call this food!" I drank greedily from my canteen, trying to wash the appalling taste from my mouth. The men hide their offended looks until they too took a bite of their 'food.' I have to admit it was quite funny how their faces quickly turned from hurt to horror. Even Legolas and Gandalf rushed for water.

"Is there non among us that can cook?" Boromir demanded, ignoring my waving hand.

"Hello? YOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Over here! Female! A female who knows how to cook! HELLLLLLOOOOOOOO?" Boromir ignored me and asked again:

"Is there non among us that can cook?"

"Kagome, go ahead." THANK YOU GANDALF! I wanted to scream, but I remained composed.

"Add cheese and garlic salt." I muttered under my breath. I stirred the contents of the pot; it was good that I packed all the food in my room into my bag.

"Finished!" I sang, the men gathered and we sat in a circle. I poured some soup for each and everyone. Pippin was the first to taste-test it. We waited apprehensively and watched as his face lit up in bliss.

"This is delish Kagome." He told us, and I beamed with pride. Serving a hungry dog demon, a growing fox demon, a big but small cat demon, a not so honorable monk, and a demon slayer sure had its good points sometimes.

"So... Boromir..." I drawled "What do you say about me now?"

"You feed us well enough." 'Well poo on him.'

"Anyways!" I stood up, yawned and stretched. "I think I'll hit the sack early tonight."

"Hit the sack?" Legolas asked, one of his eyebrows rose.

"Yeah, you know, sleep in early?" I could never cease to be amazed at how much they didn't know.

"Ah."

"I told you women were weak."

"Oh?" I asked, "how so, Boromir?"

"Women hide behind us men, looking for us for protection."

"We protect the children whilst you men make merry, drinking and talking." I shot back; two could play at this game...

He glowered for a moment. "Women can't do anything useful if their life rid' on it."

"We cook, we clean, we treat wounds, we take care of the children, and without us you wouldn't exist today."

"Women can't take the smallest ounce of pain, unlike us men."

I smirked knowing I had this in the bag. "Ever tried to bare a child?" The men in the fellowship quickly flushed. I smirked again in amusement

"I believe I made my point." My mouth opened to yawn again as if making 'it's' point. "Now if you gentlemen" I snorted at the word gentlemen "will excuse me I'll go to sleep."

I awakened that night to loud chattering. I moaned in protest at the lack of sleep before I got out of my sleeping bag. I wasn't too surprised to see the hobbits huddled together all shivering at the cold. My grumpy expression softened and my mother mode (it grew after I adopted Shippo) kicked in. I unzipped my sleeping bag and covered the little ones with it, making it serve as a thicker blanket, then the flimsy one they were using. Seeing as it wasn't big enough to fit them all I unclasped my cloak and covered Frodo with it.

"Sleep well little ones." I whispered softly, and walked out the tent.

I jumped in fright as I bumped into someone. I twirled around claws ready to kill when to my relief saw it was Legolas.

"I saw everything you know." He said. I blink in confusion.

"You saw what?"

"I saw how you sacrificed your sleeping bag and your cloak for the hobbits. You aren't as cold as you think you are."

"What are you talking about? I only gave them the stuff so that they wouldn't catch a cold and spread it, to me." Okay... that was a downright lie, but he didn't need to know that.

"You lie." He stated.

"No I didn't." Did he just smile at me?

"You are, if you were scared of catching a cold you wouldn't have given them the cloak, in this way you are in more risk of catch a cold." I blink and then I blinked again.

"You do know that I didn't understand a word you said right?" Legolas laughed, and it wasn't forced, sad, or lonely, it was pure happiness. Although I only met him, I KNEW that, that wasn't normal.

"Have you ever been afraid, Kagome?" I blinked, I seemed to be doing that often these days but he changed the subject so fast...

"Yes I have." And I thought back to the feudal era. 'I wonder if the gang is missing me as much as I'm missing them?'

"It doesn't seem like it."

"Well it doesn't seem like you are afraid and yet I know you aren't fearless." His face showed that he was bewildered, and then his eyes twinkled in enjoyment.

"Oh? And how do you figure this?"

"Well," I looked up at the glimmering stars "No one can be fearless, unless you are a baby of course, but everyone has to have a weakness. Mine are my friends." My tone suddenly became saddened, Legolas sensing this began to worry. "When my enemies can't kill me directly, they try and kill my heart." I placed one hand to my chest. "They try to make those around me miserable, there for hurting me. I'm afraid that one day, when I'm not around they'll break. I'm afraid of helplessness." I smiled sadly. "That is my weakness." Legolas nodded and before I left I told him

"I hope you find yours before your enemy does, and I hope you'll learn to make your weakness your strength soon."

Since I couldn't sleep in my sleeping bag anymore, I found a tree like Inuyasha would and jumped into it. I sat on a branch and I fell asleep.

~~~*~~~

"Kagome!" 'He hollered. He smiled evilly and I wondered if he was Naraku in disguise. "I finally found a way to keep you here, by my side forever."

"No..." I whispered unbelieving. "I won't let you hurt me again you bastard!" He waved a finger as if scolding a five-year-old child.

"tsk tsk, it seems you have picked up my language huh?"

"Why are you doing this?" I felt like Kikyou, empty, without a soul, cold, alone, scared.

"I love you Kagome, come back to me." He came closer.

"No! Leave me alone! You never did love me! If you did you wouldn't have gone to Kikyou all the time."

"Fuck it Kagome. I love you, and even if I have to force you, you'll love me too, and always stay by my and only my side."

"Inuyasha, NO! You hurt me too many times! I gave you my heart a long time ago... but you spat on it! You spat on it, trampled over it and it killed me, Inuyasha, it killed me and it was all for her. I was left in the rain to pick up the pieces, while you were with Kikyou, then that day... I can't forgive you Inuyasha! I can't. It hurt too much." I smiled as I felt my body awaken from my slumber.

"Good-bye Inuyasha."

"NO!" He growled. "This isn't good-bye! You'll see me in every fucking time you sleep, because Kagome, you belong to me..."

~~~*~~~

That insolent pup! He dares to call me his! But... my heart did belong to him at one point. Silently I raced for the camp. 'What did he mean, I would see him every time I slept?'

As I pondered on this I nearly passed the camp.

"Morning Kagome!"

"Good morning Pippin." 'No need to worry the little ones.'

"Kagome?"

"Yes Sam?" He handed me my sleeping bag and Frodo handed me my cloak.

"Thank you." I couldn't help but think of Shippo. 'I miss you my little kit.'

"No need to thank me guys, I didn't do it for you, I did it for me." 'I can't afford more friends' I thought desperately. I could tell they saw right through my lie, as they nodded.

We picked up our belongings and left.

~~~*~~~

If I thought the desert was bad, the mountain was horrible! Legolas and I couldn't feel it for we were used to such things and I also had my cloak to shield me from the cold. The others however were not so fortunate. I could tell that they were freezing their butts off. The halflings were worse for the wear. Their lips had long turned blue and their skin paled incredibly. The smell of their frozen blood entered my sensitive nose and I winced. The halflings seemed to always need my assistance one way or the other. Dropping back I walked with the little ones. I unclasped the cloak once again and held it to them. They took the cloak without a question and you could see the immediate change. The color returned to their skin and their lips turned rosy again. Unfortunately for me I wore only a t-shirt, fingerless gloves and jeans. "Dang." I muttered.

And yet the snow showed no sign of relenting.

I glanced back to make sure that the hobbits were okay, when I noticed that everyone had stopped. I dropped back to see what had distracted them. Frodo had evidently fallen and Aragorn had steadied him. I didn't see what the big deal was until I noticed Boromir held the chain, which held the Ring.

"Boromir," warned Aragorn.

"It is a strange fate that we suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing..." he reached forward as if to caress the Ring.

"Boromir!" exclaimed Aragorn. He withdrew his hand and blinked as though he had just been awoken from a dream. "Give the Ring to Frodo." He slowly handed the Ring to Frodo.

"As you wish. I care not." Frodo snatched the Ring from him. Boromir chuckled uneasily, tousled his hair, and shouldered his shield as though nothing of great importance had happened. I felt a chill go up my spine.

It was too obvious that he did care.

Suddenly I heard a deep echoing voice, bellowing phrases in a strange language. It was then that I declared myself officially mental. Legolas suddenly strode forward and stood at the head of the path, listening.

"There is a foul voice on the air!" he exclaimed and unknown to me he started edging towards me. I began to contemplate the stability of his sanity as well as my own.

"Saruman," hissed Gandalf angrily, seeming to hear the voice too. I wondered if we were all going nuts when a loud groan from up ahead pierced the air. Several bulky rocks tumbled down from the peak of the mountain, falling into the rocky pit below us. Gandalf stood up tall, staff in hand, and began shouting what I assumed was a counter-spell, his voice rising to mingle with Saruman's. Quickly I also began chanting a spell. There was a humongous crack and a fork of lightening struck the mountain, causing a huge amount of snow to cascade down the mountain. As I finished my spell of protection for the others I noticed the avalanche headed our way.

Acting on impulse I threw myself at the fellowship and then... whiteness... wait... whiteness? Wasn't it supposed to be black? I began to panic when I found my lungs were being forbidden of air. Using my claws I furiously dug my way out. I took a deep breath in as I reached the surface. I dragged my battered body to the hobbits. Luckily my cloak had saved them from becoming a prisoner in the white prison. Then I started looking for the others. I found them scattered but non-injured too badly, and none of the injury as bad as mine.

"We must get off the mountain!" Aragorn yelled above the wind.

"We must take the Pass of Rohan or take the road west to my city!" Boromir protested.

"Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!" Aragorn argued.

"If we cannot go over the mountain, I say let us go under it!" exclaimed Gimli, his frosted beard wagging comically. A sudden flashblack hit me so hard I fell on my butt.

~~~*~~~

With a terrible cry the Balrog fell forward, and its shadow plunged down and vanished. But even as it fell it swung its whip, and the thongs lashed and curled about the wizard's knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss. 'Fly, you fools!' he cried, and was gone

"Mamma!" I cried and she stopped reading to look at me.

"What's wrong sweetie?"

"It's too scary! I don't want Gandalf to die!"

"Oh honey." My mother sighed. "It's just a story, it's not real."

"Really?"

"Really."

~~~*~~~

That's why this whole thing seemed familiar! It was in a book! It was in a book called Lord of the Rings.

"No!" I bellowed. "We mustn't."

"What would a women know of this? Moria is the best choice."

"No! We mustn't go through Moria! Orcs! A Balrog! No we mustn't!"

"You see? She's talking gibberish, Moria is the safest way to go!" Gimli insisted

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! Gandalf will fall to his death!" That got the fellowships attention.

"What would a female know of the future?" Gimli growled at me.

"No! Gandalf please! I don't want you to die! Gandalf! You are the second grandfather to me and I won't allow you to fall into the endless hole and end up still fighting the Balrog and become Gandalf the white! No matter how powerful you become! I don't want you to die!"

"Let the Ring bearer decide," said Gandalf finally. Everyone looked toward Frodo, who seemed deep in thought.

"We will go through the mines," he said finally. "No." I whimpered one last time. Gandalf nodded, looking somewhat apprehensive.

"So be it."

~~~*~~~

Gimli went on and on about a royal welcome, but I knew better. We would get a royal welcome all right... but not a good one... My eyes shifted to my left and I blocked out every other noise.

"Please," I prayed, "Help us."

We finally reached the walls of Moria a little while after dinner. By then Gimli had run out of things to say—that and Aragorn was beginning to look a little irritated—so he had busied himself by twisting his head every which way in order to see everything at once. I had to admit, the walls were as impressive as the book said it was to be. They shot up toward the sky, dark and mysterious against their surroundings. They were not particularly smooth or polished, but surprisingly the creases and cracks in the rock made it even more enchanting.

Though I was incredibly awed by the walls, there was something rather odd about the place: there was no one in sight. You would think that a place so utterly sacred to the dwarves would have millions of disgruntled, axe- wielding guards—or just many Gimli clones—surrounding Moria. But the place seemed abandoned and dead, an ominous silence shrouding the walls and I knew why. I felt slightly unnerved; similar to the dislike and hatred I had experienced on Caradhras. A twig snapped and I twirled around ready to kill, but it was nothing. Even so, I remained tense, and aware.

And still the silence grew.

There was no sign of life whatsoever, even as we went around the lake that had been so inconveniently placed between the walls and us. It was too quiet; the silence seemed artificial, as though it was there to hide something. It was incredibly tempting to shout to break the quiet, but I decided that my companions would not appreciate it. Yet knowing what's about to happen but unable to change it.

When we reached the walls, I pressed my palm against them, letting the rough texture imprint itself on my fingertips. This gate was the marking of the loss of Gandalf. Gandalf felt along the walls beside me, evidently looking for a door or another form of entrance. He rubbed some dirt off with his hands. I could make out a faint carving that twisted and flowed in many directions.

"Isildun," he murmured. "It mirrors only starlight and moonlight."

Almost exactly after he uttered those words, the clouds parted and the gentle light of the moon shone through. I watched the walls. The design began to glow with a soft light, somewhat reminding me of the glow sticks I used to get at Halloween parties.

"It reads 'The Gates of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak Friend, and enter.'"

"What do you s'pose that means?" inquired Merry.

"Simple," replied Gandalf. "If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors open." He placed the head of his staff on the door and bellowed a short phrase.

Silence. Nothing happened.

He tried again, this time using a different password.

Still nothing.

After many failed tries, most of us spread out on the ground while Gandalf searched his memory for the correct password, I knew the password but I was reluctant to voice it. Aragorn and Sam unpacked the pony, "Bill" and set him loose, as we couldn't take him into the mines. I felt bad for Sam—he had a loved that pony and looked rather forlorn as he watched Bill trot off into the distance. I sighed. Hobbits just seem to have a way of being unbelievably cute and irresistable when they're upset. It was hard to not run over and hug him reassuringly and whisper into his ear soothing things, as I would have done with Shippo. Merry and Pippin threw rocks into the lake until Aragorn told them to knock it off. Finally I found my voice.

"It's a riddle." My voice cracked, "Speak 'friend' and enter. The elven word for friend is Mellon."

There was a loud creak and the doors swung open. The fellowship stared at me and I fought back tears. Hold on a moment... Didn't Frodo nearly die twice in this mine? Gandalf looked as though Christmas had come early and stepped inside, a tiny light on the end of his staff glowing in the darkness. I gathered up my belongings, following after the others. I cautiously stepped into the darkness, the flickering light of Gandalf's staff and my glowing aura my only guide.

"Roaring fires, malt beer, red meat off the bone! This is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!" he continued, I knew better, I knew this was a tomb.

"This is no mine, Gimli," I said sadly, before Aragorn had a chance. "It's a tomb." The little light we had shined onto a mass of skeletons.

"No!" Gimli cried devastated; he bent down to examine their remains. I looked upon him mournfully. He had lost a great deal, and we soon would too.

"Goblins!" he whispered.

"We make for the Gap of Rohan! We should never have come here! Get out! Get out!" Boromir exclaimed, fear dripping from his words.

"Strider!" Sam suddenly shouted. I spun around. This was it... the beginning of it all...Frodo was being yanked roughly across the ground by a slimy tentacle that had emerged from the water. Aragorn rushed forward, his sword unsheathed and gleaming in the moonlight. I quickly followed with the rest of the Fellowship extending my claws as I've seen Inuyasha do many times before, I cut the tentacles that was heading for the other little ones. Sam sliced off the tentacle that had grabbed hold of Frodo. The remainder slithered back into the water and there was a pause, almost as if it had been defeated. Suddenly, dozens of wormlike tentacles surfaced and plucked Frodo off the ground, and pulled him out far over the water. I concluded that it was time... I pulled out my finished flute and as I touched it, it turned into an icy crystal sword. Aragorn and Boromir launched forward, hacking at the slithering tentacles. Using my demon abilities to my advantage I leapt up towards Frodo and slashed at the tentacle. As I caught him I set him on the ground with Pippin and Merry. By this time, I was totally drenched. A head slowly rose out of the water. It was hideous, seeming to be related to an octopus of some sort. I also thought it bore an undeniable resemblance to my seventh grade math teacher, but I figured that this was not the best time to mention it.

I heard a soft hiss as an arrow whizzed by my ear and found it's mark in the creature's head. I glanced behind me and saw Legolas readying another arrow. I stood on the edge of the shore, with my sword in hand. Thinking quickly I put my sword away and bought out my own bow. "Let this work, let this work." I half prayed half muttered, as I shot my purifying arrow, at the octopus, surprise, surprise it landed on once of its tentacles and the tentacle dissolved.

"Into the mines!" yelled Gandalf. He didn't need to tell me twice. I sprinted as hard as I could back into the foreboding darkness of Moria, the rest of the Fellowship trailing behind me. There was a crack and then a loud rumble. I glanced back and saw the gates crumble behind me. Large sections of the stone ceiling were knocked loose and spiraled down to the floor.

As I glanced backwards I saw the little ones struggling to keep up and I knew then that without help they would die. Swiftly I picked them all up and ran twice my first pace. As things died down a bit Gandalf continued

"Right. It is a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope our presence may go unnoticed," leading us further into the depths of Moria.

~~~*~~~

Moria was terrifying.

Darkness conquered everything, seeming to wait hungrily for an unsuspecting prey. The light from Gandalf's staff and my purification arrow was merely enough to allow us to see the path in front of us. Otherwise the darkness remained unbroken. An uneasily silence settled over the Fellowship.

We walked on for many hours, traveling through numerous caverns, following many a path into complete darkness. Here and there we would find possessions of the dwarves; weaponry, armor, pickaxes, long since abandoned and forgotten on the grimy floors. Some times Gimli would let out a cry laden with grief, bending to examine the items that had once belonged to his people. Gandalf would gently guide him forward, whispering reassuringly. Poor Gimli lost every one of his kin in this useless thing called war.

Weariness began to set in. I walked on still, but I knew the little ones were suffering.

"We must rest," Boromir said weakly, steadying Sam for the third time. "The Halflings are exhausted!"

"Boromir is right. Rest and some food would do us some good," Aragorn replied. Gandalf nodded.

"I know of a place a little farther ahead that would be a good place to rest. But there will be no fire. Evil lurks near and a fire would only draw unwanted attention to us," said Gandalf, the light of his staff bobbing along merrily as he led us onward.

"Evil will come fire or not." I muttered sadly. Legolas hear this and concern washed over his face. He walked over to me as if trying to sooth me with his presence.

We went up a slope in the path and discovered a small, secluded alcove strewn with weaponry and other random objects that had once belonged to the dwarves. I cleared a small space for the little ones and set my cloak on the dirt and grime that had accumulated over the years. As soon as they found that I made the clearing for them, the halflings collapsed.

Dinner...or maybe it was breakfast or lunch...I wasn't sure...was cold chicken, a carrot, half of a raw potato, and some water from my canteen. I haphazardly made my way through my meal, barely tasting the food I placed in my mouth. When I finished, I uncurled my sleeping roll and covered the little ones. This time since we were pressed for space the roll was big enough. I laid myself on a place beside the little ones and I drifted off immediately into the deepest sleep I had ever had since I arrived in Middle-earth.

~~~*~~~

He was there...

"Kagome... you were a fucking bad girl leaving me again." Inuyasha laughed.

"Inuyasha... I did take the jewel shards, but only the ones that I worked for! So just leave me alone!"

"Kagome... I love you, come back to me." He caught me in an embrace. Taking one of my hands he drew an 'I' on it. Ripping myself from him I ran.

"Dammit! Kagome! Come back here! You can run but you can't hide Kagome." Everywhere I went he was there.

"Kagome... I rule this domain! I rule your dreams so anything I say goes." A tear slid down and it was like I could only cry for him.

"Kagome!" A different voice called. 'Over here!' I wanted to call.

"Kagome! Dammit! Come out!" Inuyasha hollered. I whimpered and shook in fear.

"Sit." I commanded. Nothing happened.

"I told you I ruled this domain Kagome, I have my rosary outside of this dream world, it doesn't work here." My breath caught in my throat.

"Kagome!" The calming voice shouted again, this time panicky. The world began to shake and I was pulled from the dream.

"Until next time Kagome." He sneered.

~~~*~~~

I sat right up. The fellowship was looming over me. I gasped in pain and surprise as my right hand harbored the 'I' Inuyasha wrote.

"What was that dream about Kagome?" Legolas asked, his eyes were narrowed and demanding.

"Nothing." I said quickly, covering my small wound with my fingerless glove."How much farther do we have to go?" I asked Gandalf, changing the subject.

"We've made excellent time. The other side is two days away, at my best guess. But if we keep a good pace, we may see daylight earlier than planned," he replied, busily packing some bags.

I smiled.

Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I had thought.

~~~*~~~

I hadn't counted on Gandalf getting lost.

We had come up a path to find three separate doorways. I waited impatiently for Gandalf to make a choice between the three. But instead he said something that brought fear and slight annoyance to my heart:

"I have no memory of this place."

So we spread out on the floor yet again, waiting while Gandalf searched his memory.

I used this time to muse about my dream. 'Inuyasha when will you stop plaguing me?' I jumped up as I heard a voice whisper 'until you are mine.' Legolas glanced at me worriedly.

"Kagome..." He stood up and made a seat beside me.

I tried to smile to show that I was fine, but I failed miserably. Legolas stared at me and my eyes met his. Suddenly just when I was about to crack I leapt up and joined the hobbits.

"Kagome..." I heard him sigh.

"Ah! It's this way," Gandalf exclaimed sometime later, rising from his seat. I silently cheered.

"He's remembered!" exclaimed Merry, scrambling to his feet.

"No, but the air smells less foul down here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose," Gandalf replied, stepping into the tunnel. I bit my lip before I said 'My demon nose only smells skunk gas.' And followed.

We walked on for a little more. After a while, Gandalf seemed to recognize landmarks and his stride became more confident.

"Let me risk a little more light," he whispered quietly after we had passed under a low doorway. The stone on his staff grew considerably brighter, lighting up the area around us. I was awed. A vast room had been revealed, with incredibly high ceilings and immense columns. The book did not do justice to this marvel! I looked around me, marveling at the skill that had been used to create such a masterpiece. "Behold!" exclaimed Gandalf. "The great realm of the Dwarf-city of Dwarrowdelf."

"Well that's an eye-opener, no mistake," commented Sam. I remained speechless.

"What do you think of that, eh?" Gimli asked slapping me on the shoulder. "Not so haughty now, are ye, Kagome?"

"Oh...stuff it Gimli," I murmured.

We wandered through Dwarrowdelf for a while, apparently looking for an exit of some sort. Gimli suddenly made a grunt of surprise and darted toward a room off to the side, running as fast as his little legs could carry him.

"Gimli!" exclaimed Gandalf. There was a cry of grief and we quickly followed him to the room. Gimli was bent over what appeared to be a tomb, mourning, amongst the many scattered skeletons. Gandalf approached the tomb. I started to distress. "We have to get out of here now!" They ignored me. "They will come! We must leave at once." No one listened. And we paid the price for it.

"'Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria," he read, peering over the runes engraved on the top of the tomb. "He is dead then. It is as I feared." Gimli wailed and leaned his head against the stone.

Gandalf handed his hat and staff to Pippin and bent down to retrieve a very large and thick book, held in the hands of a skeleton.

"We must move on. We cannot linger," Legolas whispered worriedly to Aragorn. I glanced at him, "Yes! Finally someone who listens!" I encouraged.

"We must leave now!" Legolas was the only one who paid attention to me. "They are coming!"

Gandalf opened the book. A shower of dirt streamed out. He smoothed over the pages, gently blowing off the dust.

"'They have taken the bridge and the second hall," he read. "We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums, drums in the deep.'" He turned the page. "'We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out." He paused. "'They are coming.'" I felt a chill go up my spine as the men stared at me. I hadn't noticed that I recited the journal along with Gandalf.

"Please." I pleaded, "We must leave before it's too late!"

Suddenly there was a crash. I looked around for the source of the noise. Pippin was standing by a skeleton seated on a well. He had apparently knocked the head of the carcass into the well. Suddenly the rest of the corpse tipped backwards and fell in with a resounding crash. It had been attached to a chain, which was linked to a bucket, which fell noisily in with it. There were reverberating crashes and clangs throughout the mine as the skeleton made it's way to the bottom of the well.

"NO! Hurry!" I grabbed the nearest person, which were Legolas and Frodo. I tried to drag them out the door. But they didn't want to leave. "They are coming! We must leave!"

And then there was silence.

Pippin looked sheepish, and rather frightened. Gandalf angrily snatched his hat and staff from him.

"Fool of a Took!" he exclaimed. "Next time throw yourself in and rid us of your stupidity!" Pippin looked at the ground in that cute way that hobbits do, making it ridiculously hard to not run over to him and reassure him that it was not his fault.

"We have to leave now! Before it's too late!"

Boom.

It was muffled at first and I had prayed that perhaps it was my imagination.

Boom.

It was louder this time, and it was evident that everyone heard it as well. I inhaled sharply.

"Too late." I muttered sadly.

Boom. The volume and the rhythm increased dramatically. My heart pounded in the rhythm of the drums. Frodo withdrew his sword. It had begun to glow a bright blue.

"Orcs!" exclaimed Legolas. Fright had nearly paralyzed me. My hands shook as I unsheathed my flute, this time it turned into twin blades; one said, "Light for Hope and life." And the other phrased "Darkness for death and misery." I poured some of my purification energy into them and I felt a hand on my shoulder. I glanced around to see Gandalf.

"Trust in yourself," he whispered. I swallowed and nodded.

Boromir ran toward the door and peered out. Two arrows whizzed by, barely missing his head. He slammed the door shut.

"They have a cave troll," he muttered.

"Stay close to Gandalf!" yelled Aragorn. I slowly shifted into my fighting stance. Gandalf's words echoed in my head and I straightened my back.

Legolas, Aragorn, and Boromir barred the doors with the weapons of the dead dwarves. I stood behind them ready to kill, and to avenge Gimli's lost kin. Gimli jumped up on his cousin's tomb, growling like a lion on the hunt.

"Let them come!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with the desire of battle and bloodshed. "There is one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws breath!"

I gripped my swords tightly, standing poised and ready for what was to come. Footfalls echoed throughout the corridors as our enemy drew closer, growing louder as they approached the door. The door shivered as they battered noisily against it. I knew it would not take much force to break, as the wood was rotted and well beyond any real defense. Small holes began to take shape and I could almost see them. The arrows of Aragorn and Legolas sped through the small holes, straight into the throats our rivals. There were several strangled squeals that chilled me to the very bone.

And then the door gave way.

When I first laid eyes on the orcs, my first thought was that they must have been a hybrid of a lizard and cheese mold. In short, they were utterly repulsive. Aragorn and Legolas took care of the first row or so with some amazing archery. But they were outnumbered and the orcs soon flooded into the room.

One approached me, hissing and slashing the air with its weapon. I easily blocked its swings. I knew that others would come after me soon and that I had to defeat this one...but I didn't want to kill it. It was disgusting and everything, but the only living thing I'd ever killed before were pesky insects and evil demons, and then it wasn't done out of spite. This bore a vague resemblance to a human. I couldn't just kill it.

While I was debating with my conscience, the orc took a swing that I failed to block properly. I winced as its blade sliced my side. The orc made a noise similar to a laugh, which totally pissed me off. Completely abandoning the idea of allowing it to live, I took one big swing and lopped off its head. The purification energy began to do its job, the rest of the body dissipated. After that I was able to fight without feeling guilty. They were like most demons, corrupt with evil and death did what justice they deserved.

A roar interrupted my thoughts as I fought. I brought my swords through another orc and looked up. A gigantic...thing carrying a large club had entered, an orc leading it by a chain. It reminded me of an overweight, underpaid concert security guard, but I decided it was the cave troll Boromir had spoken of earlier.

"Dammit!" I swore softly. Taking care of most of the orcs I turned my sights to the troll. But the orcs kept on coming! I poured more of my purification energy into Light and Dark. I cut through the orcs easily. Knowing this was to slow of a process the flute morphed into a bow "Fire one!" I shouted letting the arrow loose. It killed anything it touched that was filled with evil. I did this process ten times before the orcs numbers decreased; in fact, there were only a few left.

"Aragorn!" Frodo suddenly screeched. From what I could see, the troll had grabbed hold of his foot. "No!" I knew what was to happen next. I knew that Frodo was protected by a dragon waist bend but things seemed to go in slow motion as the spear was thrown at Frodo. Forgetting that Frodo would survive I hurtled my self at the spear. My eyes opened in pain as the spear dug into my stomach. Unfortunately for me I had lent my cloak to Pippin and Merry to protect them from the slauter. I fell against Frodo, the head of the spear went through my body so Frodo wasn't injured as badly but I was afraid that it might have been enough to kill him, and watched as Legolas' arrow make its mark in the troll's throat. It made a few guttural sounds and moaned painfully, swaying as death claimed it. It finally fell, shaking the room. Pippin was flung off his back, landing hard on the floor. Why he was up there in the first place was unclear to me.

I saw Aragorn bending over me. I smiled weakly and spat out blood.

"You should be dead! That spear would have skewered a wild boar!" exclaimed Aragorn, almost accusingly. Gandalf's eyes twinkled.

"I'm a demon..." But I followed their gaze to Frodo. I grinned weakly. "He has a dragon waist bend underneath I answered." The fellowship glanced at me and the spear lodged in my stomach. I coughed up more blood.

"But... I could have sworn that Frodo was the one to be hit."
They muttered.

"Are you hurt Kagome?" Legolas asked

"Nah, I just have a long spear in my stomach, of course I'm hurt!" With what was left of my strength I pulled out the spear and the others gasped as more blood flooded out.

Many footsteps in the corridor interrupted our meeting.

"To the Bridge of Khazad-dûm!" exclaimed Gandalf, taking off out another door. We ran after him. Legolas ran by my side.

It was at this time that I became aware of the pain in my side. During battle I had ignored it, as there were things of more importance at hand including my bigger and more important wound. The injury ached as I ran, as though it was constantly trying to remind me of its existence. I couldn't very well ask to stop now, so I bit my lip and remained silent.

Meanwhile, orcs were crawling out of their hiding places. They swarmed down the pillars in the ceiling and up from the floors. We ran on, but the orcs grossly outnumbered us and we were soon surrounded. They hissed and jeered at us from all directions in their own tongue.

This is not happening, this is just a dream...I said to myself over and over again.

A deafening roar suddenly broke the jabber of the orcs. They froze in fear, and spoke amongst themselves. It sounded again. They all squealed in terror and quickly began to retreat, back into the darkness. Chills ran up and down my spine.

This was not good.

"The Balrog." I whispered in fear.

An eerie light that seemed to come directly from the depths of Hell had begun to shine in back of us from behind a corner. Legolas had readied an arrow, aiming it at the strange glow.

"What is this new devilry?" asked Boromir.

"A Balrog," replied Gandalf, a hint of dread creeping into his normally stable tone. "A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!"

We took off in another direction. My side and my stomach throbbed painfully, but some unexplainable determination pushed me onward. We turned a corner and found our path swerved to the right, bridging a dark pit. Boromir had not stopped quickly enough and teetered dangerously on the edge. Legolas grabbed his shirt and pulled him backward.

"Lead them on Aragorn!" instructed Gandalf. "The bridge is near." Aragorn looked apprehensive. "Do as I say!" Gandalf bellowed. "Swords are no more use here."

I watched as the little ones ran down a stone staircase with no railings the seemingly endless pit. After a while they came to a large gap in the stair. Legolas jumped easily across, and then motioned for the rest to do so as well. Frodo took a deep breath and jumped, not knowing whether or not he would ever feel solid ground beneath his feet again. He landed hard and would have toppled down the rest of the stairs had Legolas not steadied him. Frodo regained his balance; I heard his heart beating wildly after such a frightening experience. Legolas motioned to Gandalf. The wizard hesitated. The roar of the Balrog was heard in the distance. That seemed to be his motivation, as he jumped, his robes billowing out behind him. He landed easily.

Boromir tucked Merry and Pippin under each of his arms and took a mighty leap across. He landed as the edge crumbled. Gandalf righted the two hobbits, standing in back of them in case they fell.

And as if we didn't have enough problems already, the orcs began shooting at us.

Fortunately they weren't very good shots, but it really scared the heck out of me. Legolas easily disposed of most of them with superior archery. Meanwhile, Aragorn picked up Sam and threw him across the gap. He made a motion as if to pick up Gimli.

"Nobody tosses a dwarf," Gimli said, holding up his hand. He jumped, but didn't quite make it to the other side, as he teetered on the edge. Legolas grabbed him by the beard to prevent him from falling. "NOT the beard!" he exclaimed, his eyes growing incredibly large. It was rather funny, now that I think about it, but back then I was panicked and pressed for time to even let a ghost of a grin conquer my lips

Portions of the stair on the opposite side began to crumble and fall. Aragorn and I scrambled backward on the stair to avoid going down with the rubble. The gap between the two sections was too wide to jump and Aragorn stood evaluating the situation. There was another roar from the Balrog and sections of the stone ceiling began to break off. One landed with a crash on the stair Frodo and Aragorn were stranded on, separating it from the rest of the staircase. It began to tilt noticeably to the side. Aragorn, however, seemed to notice that he could influence the direction of the tilt by leaning forward, backward, etc.

"Lean forward!" he called to me. We both leaned forward, which caused the stair to tip toward us. It finally crashed into the top part of "our" staircase. The momentum threw Aragorn and I forward, Legolas and Boromir having to catch us. Once our feet were set firmly on the ground again, we ran. As we darted away, a large part of the staircase cracked and fell into the abyss below. I allowed myself a small sigh of relief.

We continued to run until we came to the bridge. It made me nervous just looking at it. It was slender, almost threatening to break over yet another dark and endless chasm. That and it had no railings or anything else to help pedestrians across. I silently cursed the dwarves making sure I was behind Gandalf.

Remarkably, most of the fellowship reached the other side without tripping or having any other close brushes with death. The Fellowship looked back across the bridge. The Balrog, which like a large solid mass of fire and lava, crudely shaped into a winged demon, was approaching the bridge, which Gandalf and I were crossing. He turned around the face the Balrog.

"You cannot pass!" he yelled to the demon. I went unnoticed to all. A wave of flame washed over it.

"Gandalf!" cried Frodo. Gandalf's back straightened and power seemed to pulsate through his body.

"I am a servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! Dark fire shall not avail you, flame of Udun!" he exclaimed. The Balrog drew a flaming sword and swung it at Gandalf, who blocked it. "Go back to the shadow!" he commanded. "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!!!" He slammed his staff against the ground, emitting a flash of white light, which drove the Balrog back. It drew a flaming whip and snapped it loudly, and stepped on to the bridge. The stone began to crumble beneath its feet. Having nothing to support it, it fell into the void below. Gandalf sighed a little, as though that burst of magic had exhausted him, and began to cross the remainder of the bridge. I exhaled sharply in fear of what was to happen.

The crack of the whip of the Balrog pierced the silence, and wrapped itself around Gandalf's ankle. He was knocked to the ground and pulled backward to the edge of the bridge. Just as he was about to fall, he caught hold of the very end of the bridge. He struggled for a moment and then stopped, I took this time to leap out of my hiding spot and as he commanded quietly.

"Fly, you fools!" With those words, he let go; I grabbed his hand.

"Kagome!" Gandalf and the other called. I grinned weakly.

"I told you I wouldn't allow you to die and become Gandalf the white."

"Let go before you are dragged as well."

"NO!" I shook my head stubbornly. Smiling sadly Gandalf inflicted a small wound on my wrist.

"No matter what you do Gandalf I won't let go!" But my grip was slipping.

"Until we meet again Kagome." My second Grandfather breathed and he fell following his adversary into the black depths. My breath caught in my throat and I choked on the tears that welled up in my eyes.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" shouted Frodo, trying to break free of Boromir's grasp. Legolas ran for me and gently took me by the wrist, pulling me out of Moria and into the sunlight, away from Gandalf, the father and grandfather I had never known. (I have a grandpa not a grandfather.)

~~~*~~~

Dark: So how was it???? Oh and the disclaimer is on chapters one and two. I'm already finished five pages of chapter five, so just press that little button down there. Just telling you, the more reviews I get the more I become happy and the more I become happy I write more... so REVIEW!

Polls:

Nothing's changed, but Legolas paired with Kagome: 10

(I also decided that you could vote for alternative endings.)

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