Disclaimer: Yeah, I still don't…

Chapter 4: And turns…

:DREAM SEQUENCE:

"…And the slayer and the monk have the beginnings of quite the brood."

Kagome laughed to herself; she had always known they would work out. She did not ask Midoriko the fate of her friends very often, for she knew it would hurt more to hear of their lives day-by-day and not be able to see them. But, the occasional update was enough for her these days. It had been 2 years after all…

"And how is Shippo coming along? He should be coming into quite a few new powers?"

Kagome winced at the touchy topic choice.

"Considering he spent the majority of his life as a fox kit, I think his progress is fine."

Midoriko sighed, turning sad eyes to Kagome.

"He hasn't realized any of them has he?"

The younger miko stood up with a huff, throwing back her pitying stare with a look of defiance.

"He had only truly come into his fox magic at the time you and the fates mistakenly transformed him into an inu! He is just a child!"

Midoriko matched the younger woman's anger with that of her own.

"The fates- The Kami, do not make mistakes Kagome. Yes, the transformation was originally intended for you, and once a plan has been set into motion not even the Kami can stop it. But after realizing that leaving your humanity intact would have more impact, and in the long run better your chances of success on your quest, there was a change of plans."

Kagome opened and closed her mouth like a fish, taking in all the elder miko had told her. She could tell that Midoriko was purposely talking around the subject.

"So Shippo…was just a diversion? You forced something on him just because the Fates couldn't think things all the way through the first time?"

"Watch you tongue, Kagome!

"No! I'm sick of being a pawn to the Kami!"

"An amusing notion at best, because you were perfectly fine with it when you were ignorant to the fact that you were destined for greatness."

Kagome grit her teeth, having nothing more to say. She knew the words Midoriko spoke were true; she had had no problem cavorting around the entire countryside looking for jewel shards when she thought it was an obligation of her own, but now that she knew she was merely acting on the motives of someone else…

"They do understand, Kagome."

Midoriko placed her hand on her shoulder, snapping Kagome out of her musings.

"The Kami are aware that you are not particularly fond of knowing that your choices in life are not your own- who would be? Sometimes…ignorance is bliss."

The tenseness that surrounded them previously faded quickly as they both shared a giggle. The world around them slowly began to rock; had it not happened several times before, the two women wouldn't have noticed.

"It seems as if our time is being cut short, Kagome."

The younger woman nodded; Shippo must've been shaking her, trying to wake her.

"I'll see you again?"

Kagome flashed her a bright smile, having forgiven the miko that floated in front of her. Midoriko had been just as much a pawn as she; trapped forever in the jewel fighting a war for peace. Midoriko laughed again, placing her hand on Kagome's cheek.

"Not this time, little one. Today is the day your journey begins."

:END DREAM SEQUENCE:

"Okaa-san, please wake up."

Kagome sat up quickly, having been pulled abruptly from her dream. The boy at her side was startled by her sudden movement, for only a few seconds ago he was coming to the realization that she was unawake-able.

"What is it, Shippo?"

"A baby!"

He whispered frantically. Kagome squeezed the bridge of her nose, still trying to come back to herself. A baby? What baby?

"The one that's crying, Kaa-san, can't you hear it?"

No, she couldn't hear it. She wasn't even aware that she had said that out loud.

"Uh…"

She stammered before going quiet, focusing in on her surroundings. Oh Kami, she did hear it. She scrambled to her feet, grabbing for her arrows just as quickly. The poor child was crying it's little heart out.

"Stay close to me Shippo, alright?"

The small boy nodded, grabbing the back of her yukata.

A/N: The longest chapter so far! Back story…FINISHED! Onto the good stuff! Thanks for sticking with me through it, hope it wasn't too slow and boring for you guys. Oh yeah! To those people who added me to their story alerts list, I'm flattered (really I am), but is a review too much to ask for? I assume you wouldn't add a story to your alert list if you didn't like it, SO TELL ME! Seriously, it only takes like…two minutes or less. Please? Thank you!