DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan - Yomiuri TV – Sunrise. No money is being made from this work. The author (Evellin) is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media.

AUTHORS NOTES: This chapter was originally apart of chapter Eight. However, I decided to give it it's own section. Beware, this chapter is very short, but is key to the story.

With that, I say enjoy!

Autumn

Chapter Nine

By Evellin

It was within the heavens, that They resided. Amongst the glittering stars and swirling galaxies, Their bodies floated between endless time and space. Fathomless to the finite, these infinite beings of power and persuasion regarded Their children with indifference. Withdrawn emotionally, yet bursting with curiosity, the Kami ruled Their universe and all those that dwelled within, with cautious reproach. No action was made in haste, nor thoughts made persistently. They were above such weaknesses, and immune to the passions of mortals. As the founders of life and rulers of law, the Kami were witnesses to the universe, guardians of Fate and Masters to Their given strengths. Though They too were once born, now, They simply were, forever an embodiment of consciousness gifted with infinite knowledge.

Amongst the glowing lights of distant worlds, swirling femininity burst into being, exploding into starlight glittering within the endless void. Separate yet formless, two entities collected, pulling Their displaced consciousness into one location. It was at this place, that the awareness of two Goddesses came to gather; a rarity throughout the universe. Countless in number the Kami were, yet these celestial beings choose seclusion. As such, with the reunion of two Sisters, the universe hummed in celebration, lulled into joy at the sight of such endless consciousness forming in one location.

With a breathe, the reality of life whispered in excitement as one swirling femininity approached the other. "My Sister... Lover to the Great White Snake, Favored Daughter of Amaterasu, Bringer of Inspiration, Guardian of Love, Granter of Fortune and Keeper of Wisdom... I greet Thee, Benten." came the booming, musical voice of birthed Autumn as swirling plum and scarlet twinkled with the dew from an early morning mist.

"My Sister... Born of the Wind, Wife of Tatsuta-Hiko, Great Weaver and Maker of Dyes, Guardian of Children and Bringer of Autumn... I Greet Thee, Tatsuta-Hime." replied the infinite form of Benten, Her voice rich and filled with the cries of those in passion. "What is it, that You seek, My Sister?" the Goddess asked as Their two abstract forms swirled through the heavens, intermingling with one another in happy celebration.

Femininity hugged the other as stars thrummed with pleasure at such a reunion. With starlight glittering through Their divine expanses, the sharing of concerns, knowledge and idea's began. "My Sister, I come to you with curiosity." The caressing voice of Autumn whispered as Her infinite vision looked to the distant reaches of the universe.

"And what is it, that has stirred Autumn into curiosity?" Benten asked in fascination as Her own consciousness inspected the other. Shining with the scales of dragons, the Bringer of Inspiration caressed glittering dew from a mornings storm, admiring the beauty of her Autumn Sister.

The Earth was then brought forth before Their endless vision, falling upwards, filling the space before these two eternal beings who looked on with infinite eyes. "Fate has been cruel. With the witnessing of Will and Change, so too have I seen the destruction of two hearts. Tell Me, My Sister, how can one be prosperous, if said prosperity instills resentment?" Tatsuta-Hime asked of Benten as space shifted once more.

With the completion of Autumns words, the Earth continued in its assent into view, filling the deities vision only then to zoom closer, expanding around the Sisters. Warping around these two eternal beings, the topic in which They spoke of, fell before Them. Upon a plush bed lay the two which inspired this conversation, their naked bodies under warm furs and silken sheets. A glorious vision of beauty lay before the two Kami who looked on with curiosity. Silver hair mingled with raven black, creating a yin and yang of balancing forces. Hard masculinity cradled soft femininity as the two mated mortals rested through the night, unaware of the heavenly bodies now looking upon them.

Swirling consciousness split in two as Their abstract awareness filled the large room, and flooded through the Shiro. Gathered in this finite space, Their massive essence spilled about, overflowing the world in which They visited. It was during this expansion and separation, that the Granter of Fortune caressed the Chosen One who clung to her Fated mate. With a sigh, the femininity then swirled around the Yokai, inspecting this mortal with curiosity. It was with this probing that Benten gained the answers in which She sought.

"I am afraid their paths are set." Benten announced vaguely as Her swirling consciousness revoked Herself from the slumbering couple. Tingling through the air, the Great Dragon Woman mingled with Her Sister once more, ending Her inspection.

Glittering scarlet nestled beside the greatness that was Her Sister. "Surly the Guardian of Love can instill such emotions upon the Blessed..." Autumn questioned, surprised by Her Sister's previous reply.

"Sadly, I may not." Suddenly the consciousness that was Benten solidified into a fluxing female form. Without definition, this humanoid vision filled with starlight, turned to look upon the Great Sesshomaru and his sleeping Mate, Kagome.

As this eternal being looked upon the couple with curiosity, She continued. "Their paths were created many a millennia ago, and are bound to the story which Fate has written. Though inspired to do so, even I can not change what has been written. Her heart is broken, her spirit a mere ember of its previous inferno... Even I, the Granter of Fortune and Guardian of Love, can not force unwanted emotions upon a mortal; for that would be a direct violation of Free Will gifted upon all beings of this Universe." Turning to the Bringer of Autumn, the semblance of eyes blinked as Benten's infinite gaze fell upon Her Sister. "However..." Her voice trailed off as the Goddess paused in Her sharing of information.

The Great Weaver swirled forward, surrounding Her Sister as She too inspected the Blessed beings currently asleep. "However...?" Tatsuta-Hime asked as Her own great awareness shifted into a floating form of physical femininity, void of any details beyond the shifting of Autumn colors and a halo of maple leaves crowning the deity.

"The Chosen One was cast through time for a reason. The Shikon Miko she may be, but her true purpose for her traveling was not for the Shikon no Tama itself; for she was born with the jewel safely embedded within her body. Kagome was brought forth by the great centipede who craved the jewel. Yet this was not the Miko's planned fate; rather, it was the means to her future. No... the Shikon no Tama was not her purpose for her time travel, nor was it meant to be her only destiny. Rather, it is the outlet for her happiness... If her heart allows it." Benten explained as Her endless gaze swam with stars, looking upon the line of time as if it were a book to be read.

"Her happiness? How could such a tormented jewel, known for tainting the hearts of mortals, bring about her happiness?" Tatsuta-Hime questioned, curious to such an interesting fact. Could it be She had been wrong in thinking the Chosen One was doomed to a cruel fate?

"It is true the Shikon no Tama brings destruction and chaos in its wake. It corrupts the hearts of those who are near it and inspires desire most foul. However, it is within this savagery, that the turning of her heart can take place." The Great Benten replied, her consciousness caressing the Chosen One as Kagome's story glowed before Her limitless perception.

"I do not understand..." Tatsuta-Hime expressed as She too looked upon the mortals, confused by Her Sister's words.

Turning to Her Sister, Benten's awareness sighed as She further explained. "Through tragedy, the hearts of mortals may unite, sharing the load of suffering and inspiring joy where once there was none. As it is true with others of her kind, so too will it be for the Chosen One named Kagome."

Once more Benten looked upon the ningen onna, Her infinite gaze staring upon the face of the slumbering female, and the contentment which rested there. "The lust for power, and the woes of jealousy have yet to play their part. Many awaiting outcome, lay before the Fated One and his Chosen Mate... When disaster strikes, these paths shall become clear. It will be then, that choices must be made. When this occurs, it shall be left to the Miko on whether she lives beside her Mate with love or in scorn..." Benten sighed gently as She looked upon the Blessed One named Kagome. "She has many children to birth, and centuries of life to live... However this female is stubborn. Unfortunately, the whim of her heart has yet to be determined."

"The Inu is an arrogant fool, stubborn over the matters of blood...He will never allow the girl happiness." Tatsuta-Hime announced plainly as the Bringer of Autumn joined Her Sister in looking upon the mortals.

"Oh? I disagree, My Sister." The awareness of Benten giggled, Her mirth causing star light to swirl within her form of femininity. "Their souls are bound, and unusual blessings are upon them through this rare unity. No soul, no matter how resistant, can cause harm onto itself for very long... Only hours have passed for these mortals, and already their hearts are shifting towards one another. Even she clings to her Mate this evening, despite her forced hand into this binding. However..." Benten trailed off once again, Her voice echoing into the universe as She floated around the two mortals. It was during this, that inspiration was struck within Her consciousness.

"...Perhaps a little inspiration, as to where to obtain knowledge, is in order." Looking to Her Sister, Benten's awareness thrummed with happiness as Her consciousness discovered a small loophole in which She could instill joy. "The Buddhist Monk arrives with the Hanyou and Slayer... Perhaps a little intuition shall strike tomorrow..." Benten giggled as Her eternal gaze looked through the walls of the Shiro, over the lands, through time and upon the mortal in which she spoke. "The prophecy shall be rediscovered and through this, disaster shall strike." Pausing once more, Benten hugged Her Sister before adding, "Fear not, for within the hearts of these mortals, their salvation awaits."

Benten then began to gather Herself, flowing away from the mortals as She began to ascend into the heavens. Her glittering mass was joined by Her Sister alight by the flaring shades of Autumn, Their abstract forms swirling together as They returned to Their homes. It was as They glided through the skies that Tatsuta-Hime looked to Her Sister alight by the dusting of stars, curiosity within Her gaze. Could the simple installment of understanding, bring forgiveness to the heart of the Miko, and empathy to the Inu? Tatsuta-Hime was unsure, however with Her Sister's words on the matter, the Bringer of Autumn had little recourse left. Fate will have to unfold, and with it, the outcome of the mortals heart will be decided.

With this final thought, the Bringer of Autumn decided to keep a watchful gaze over the two Fated beings. Though their own happiness was left to them, Tatsuta-Hime felt She had yet a part to play. As the Guardian of Children, and Granter of Prosperity, was it not Her role to offer favor in such matters? There was only one truth that was undeniable; the Miko Kagome was bound to her Inu Mate for countless centuries to come, and through it, bear countless children who will bring forth peace between two species currently at odds.

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

The evening was silent. All throughout the expanse of the Shiro, darkness fell as lamps were extinguished and fires put out. The fortress was calm. Countless servants, workers and Noble's alike, returned to their chambers to tuck themselves away for the evenings rest. All was right within the Western Capital. A sense of peace mingled through the air, for their Lord had returned to his lands, ending the worry that always followed with his departure. The great Shiro of the Western Lands fell into slumber, as too did the large village resting far below in the rich valley nestled between great mountains. Tranquility fell over all like a blanket, encircling those who resided within this space; their safety left to the nightly watch of a few hundred guards. All that could, turned in for the evening; all, but save one.

Deep within the catacombs of the ancient fortress, surrounded on all sides by mighty pillars of granite, a Triple-Tailed Kitsune huddled upon her knees. Rich silks pooled about her form as a sickly green glare filled this space, hidden deep within the heart of the mountain. This light was sourced from a large basin made of bone, filled with water and sprinkled with a mixture of ingredients. It was within this sickly basin, ancient in origin, that the Kitsune witch named Michi-Masuyo stared, a sneer twisting her full, red lips.

Clawed hands, held out before her gorgeous face, widened as lavender eyes narrowed with determination. It was during this, that ancient words, created a millennia ago, fell from her lips. Echoing into the night, each syllable boomed with power, causing the air to tremble as the Kitsune began her spell. Like a knife, these incantations sliced through the evening, and revolved around the basin before her kneeling form. It was as these thundering words came to a close, that the green light flashed, brightening to tremendous levels before suddenly dissipating to a comfortable glow. With this, her sneer turned into a wicked smirk as the Kitsune witch edged closer to the basin.

Looking deep within the swirling pool of glowing light, Michi-Masuyo began yet another incantation. However, unlike the previous spell, these words were but a handful in number, whispered lowly upon the Kitsune's breathe. It was with the last sentence that the vortex of water came a sudden, unnatural halt, turning to mirrored glass alight with silver green hues. Smooth and translucent, this basin now began to serve its purpose.

Through the glowing light of enchanted spells, came a swirling darkness which swallowed the silver glass. With a roar, what once was alight, now turned into an endless black oblivion. It was with this sudden turn, that the Kitsune witch grinned, her eyes flashing as her spell came to fruition. Now, staring into the never ending void of black, housed within the basin made of bone, the Witch began to speak.

"My Lord... I come to you with news..." Michi-Masuyo wickedly purred as lavender eyes filled with the sight of a white, baboon pelt adorning her Lord and Master. "...I believe you will find what I have to say, most interesting..."

AUTHORS NOTES: And so the plot thickens! Muahahaha! :-D