Nothing much to say as of now, just hoping that you will stay with me until the end. :) I'll try my best to stick to my update schedule!

This chapter is for my good friend CrescentMelody. I really hope you like it. It even has a few of your ideas in it!

Disclaimer: You've been reading this nine times now, I think you know what this means…Okay fine! I don't own them!

Summary: The fight with Naraku ended a year ago and Kagome was pulled back into her own time. The fight with Naraku ended a year ago and Kagome was pulled back into her own time. While she was on a 'forced' date with Hojo Kagome was yanked down a puddle into ancient Hittite by an evil Queen wishing to sacrifice her. And just when she thought her life couldn't get even worse she becomes the 'concubine' of one the princes that reminds her of a certain perverted monk.
Kagome, has been taken by the Black Prince. Will she ever return to her new-found love, the 3rd Prince of the Hittite Empire, Kail Mursili?

Beta: The Lovely Kaykai-sama (Me!)


Where the Sky and Red River Meet


The sickly young man watched with wide eyes at the young woman who just shouted at him. Her bright, clear blue eyes were a blazed with a fiery determination as she began to bark out orders.

"All right! You can believe whatever you want, but I am cleaning this place up!" Kagome turned to her handmaids. "Ryui-chan, gather all their cloths and blankets. I'm going to wash them! Shalla-chan, open the windows and let in some fresh air, I'm going to get some clean water."

Mitanni guards rushed in to stop her. "No, you can't Ishtar-sama. You don't have permission to go to the well."

She threw the gourd at him. "Then you go get me some!"

"What?"

Kagome's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Don't you realize that if you are wounded in battle you could end up in such a place?" she hissed, though her voice came out in a sickly sweet tone. "Wouldn't you want clean water to drink?"

The guard gaped at her, seat beading down his face. He quickly snapped his jaw shut and held the gourd close to his chest. "Yes, milady. I'll fetch it."

"Kagome-sama." Ryui choked on the dust in the air.

"Don't you need to talk to the prisoners…about fighting for prince Kail?"

"That will come in due time, but I refuse to turn my back on people in need of help. That can wait. This is far more important." Kagome answered.

Over the next couple of days Kagome set out most of her time cleaning up the house of rest. While she was alone in her room, she infused the new, clean bandages with her reiki, helping some of the people heal much faster.

"Ryui-chan, heat up some water. Shalla-chan, we're going to boil everything, once more." She spotted a woman placing a basket of food. "Oh, Onee-san, did you bring some food?"

"Y…yes, my son is here."

Kagome smile generously at the older woman. "Perfect timing. We're short on staff. Will you help us, please?"

"There's a commotion at the house of rest. What's going on?"

"Ishtar started a big clean up a few days ago."

"They say the sick are healing in half the time it used to take and are having fewer stomach problems than before."

"Really? If keeping this place clean helps the sick to get better, I'll help her."

Shalla approached the miko. "Kagome-sama, we're short on bandages and sheets for the sick."

"I have some new bandages in my room in the seraglio and we can bring some more blankets for there, also."

"What?"


"Kagome-sama, I found the bandages." Ryui called out.

Kagome paused in taking down a dark red curtain and smiled. "Good job, Ryui-chan. Shalla-chan, bring those carpets, too."

"Oh. It looks like she finally decided to leave."

The raven haired woman stopped what she was doing and glanced over her shoulder and spotted three concubines snickering.

"Oh, my. She's even dirtier than usual."

"She stinks, too."

Kagome interjected when the twins opened their mouths to snap at the women. "It's okay." but the next comment struck a nerve.

"That rumor about her being the concubine of a Hittite prince can't be true."

"Of course not. No prince would ever fall for a creature like her."

Shalla turned to snap at them, no longer able to curb her anger. "When Kagome-sama dresses up, she's more beauti…"

"Shalla-chan! I said that it is okay." She cut her eyes at the three women and gave them an icy glare, allowing her reiki to fill her eyes, making them glow eerily. Kagome smiled coldly when woman gasped and rushed away. "Let's go."

A fuming Ryui and Shalla reluctantly followed their princess out of the seraglio.

"The girl…goes out every day?" Mattiwaza commented, watching their retreating forms.

"Yes, your Highness. She goes to the house of rest."


Kagome dusted off her hands. "There. How do you like it? It's a lot better than before, right?"

"It's soft. It smells like sunshine."

"Thank you. It feels good…to be clean."

"This is the best I've felt since I got here!"

"I'm starting to believe that I may live."

Kagome grinned at the kind comments she was given. "Hehe! Let's do laundry." she dipped a bloodied cloth in the water and began to scrub it, while doing that she was slowly spreading her healing reiki into them.

"Uh-oh. A royal concubine doesn't wash clothes." Shalla said.

"I know. Looks, she's covered with dirt again." Ryui agreed, watching the water splash up a strike their princess in the chin.

"But, that's Kagome-sama."

"Yes, it is." Ryui smiled gently.

"She's a beautiful girl." Someone praised. "I've never seen anyone so beautiful."

"Nor I." they watched Kagome giggle as she used her feet to stomp the clothes into the small pool she built for laundry. "No princess in the world is as radiant as she."

"Though she may be covered with dirt and dressed in rags…Kagome-sama is the fairest Princess of them all."

Kagome paused in her duties when one of the younger, more healthy, men presented her with a dandelion with a faint blush dusting across his cheeks. She smiled kindly at him and accepted the yellow-white blossom, saying a word of thanks.


It's not that she's a royal concubine or a Goddess…The Black Prince contemplated about the young woman he captured from Kail Mursili. She has qualities that win people's heart. Whether Mitanni or Hittite, all are drawn to her, I begin to see why Prince Kail loves her. But… his thought turned bitter. Women change. There's no guarantee that Kagome won't become like Tatukia. No one can guarantee that Kagome won't change in the next 18 months…while Mursili fights his way to Wassuganni.

"Prince Mattiwaza! A rider has come from the border!"

"What?"

"Your Highness! Both Haahum and Haran, our first and second lines of defense, have fallen! The Hittite forces are on their way here!"

"What? That cannot be! How could they have fallen so quickly? Our chariot forces are the best in the world!"

"They have all been wiped out, your Highness." the rider bowed lower, his nose almost touching the ground.

"What? How did Mursili do this?"

Kagome clutched the tiny gold flower to her breast. Kail is on his way! She looked down at the dandelion; the white feathery tips fluttered gently, and raised it to her lips. With this dandelion, I make this wish. Carry my heart's desire to you, Kail, I love you…

Unknown to the raven haired miko, her reiki fused with the feathers that flew when she blew on the bud.


"It's amazing…" Kash admired the battlefield. "Such a quick victory!"

"Yes. " Rusafa agreed. "Prince Kail's plan worked perfectly!"

Kash grinned cheekily. "Perhaps we shall defeat the Mitanni in less than a year, eh?"

"That's not good enough." Kail spoke up. "We only have five months left." he froze, a ghost of a kiss brushed passed his cheek and a whisper, unheard to the others, rang through his ears. "With this dandelion, I make this wish. Carry my heart's desire to you, Kail, I love you…" the 3rd prince's amber eyes widened. "Kagome…"

"Your Highness?"

Kail snapped out of his daze, focusing his attention back to the task at hand. "I made a promise to Kagome to bring her back to Hattusa within five months. I must confront the Black Prince as soon as possible." Kagome, I love you as well. Aishiteru, my ai.


Mattiwaza scowled. How did Kail Mursili defeat my chariots?

"Your Highness, Ishtar was Mursili's concubine, she may know something…"

"Hey, don't try to pin this on me. I don't know anything!" Kagome narrowed her chilling electric blue eyes. "These victories all happened while I was imprisoned here. How would I know why?

"All right." the Black Prince gripped her chin briefly before running his fingers through her thick raven hair. "Whatever you were in the past, you're now the Mitanni's Ishtar. Will you grant us victor?"

Kagome froze; her heart began to beat erratically in her chest. Why is he being so gentle? She jerked her face away from his hand.

Mattiwaza's eyes showed a hint of hurt before it clouded back over to its normal hazy steel grey as he barked, "I don't care how Mursili managed it…It won't allow him to advance any farther! I'll go out and meet him in battle!"

"Your Highness is going into battle? We'll see to the preparations."

"The Black Prince is taking to the field!"

Kagome watched with calculating sapphire eyes. The Black Prince is going out to fight Kail. I just hope that security in Wassuganni will be lax in his absence.


"Ryui-chan, Shalla-chan, this is our chance! We've got to inform Prince Kail-sama that Wassuganni's defenses are going to be weakened."

Shalla gripped onto her sleeve, "Kagome-sama! How can we do that? They're watching us, we can't get out."

Kagome grinned. "That's why; I kept in touch with the Hittite prisoners of war."

"Oh! We can ask them to be our messengers." Ryui spoke up.

"By the way…"

"Do you think that Prince Kail is winning because…"

"Yes, I think so." Kagome sighed lovingly. The wind season has come to Anatolia. It's the time to make iron. I believe Kail's men were armed with iron in those battles. I'm not sure how he did it, but with his brilliant mind, I'm positive that he came up with an ingenious idea. Kagome's mind wandered to the day she made the wish on the little yellow-white blossom. As childish as it was, I feel content. Kail must be close. It's been a month since he took Haran.


The raven haired miko had a wide smile on her face as she did her nightly routine at the house of rest. The residents greeted her as normal.

"How is everyone? I brought you some food." She show them the tray filled with various meats. As sneakily as she could she leaned down and whispered in someone's ear. "Who's the healthiest one among you? Shhh, speak low so the guards won't hear."

"Most likely the new man who arrived yesterday, he's young and seems to have some strength left. He's in the courtyard now."

Kagome nodded proceeded to walk out the door when one of the guards stopped her. "Holy Ishtar-sama, where are you going?"

"To take food to the people in that courtyard. Wait for me there." she ordered.

"Kagome-sama, if you rush, the guards will suspect something." Ryui warned.

"I know, Ryui-chan." But I can't help it, if all goes well, I may can get back to Kail. Kagome shrieked when a pair of calloused hands wrapped around her thin waist and yanked out the room. Ryui and Shalla grabbed nearby poles and trapped the man's throat between them.

"Your bodyguards are as sharp as ever."

"Ah! Prince Zannanza-sama!"

The twins immediately drew back their make-shift weapons with quick apologies to the blonde 4th prince. Kagome stood on her tip-toes and wrapped her arms over his shoulders, giving him a quick hug.

"How did you get here, Prince Zannanza-sama? I thought you were leading the second force."

Zannanza scoffed, his pale eyelids hiding his warm hazel brown eyes. "My nii-sama's armies are handling the Mitanni quite nicely on their own. The reason I stole in here…" his arms tightened around her petite waist. "To help you escape, of course. Nii-sama sent me."

"He sent you?"

"Yes, he must be near Zalpa by now."

"Isn't it wonderful, Kagome-sama?"

The miko blinked. "No! If the three of us disappear now, they'll tighten security in the city! Now would be the perfect time for prince Kail-sama to attack this city because Mattiwaza is going out to fight." she removed herself from Zannanza's grip.

"Then we will stay, but you must go." Shalla tried to compromise.

"No, I won't do that! If the find me gone, they'll kill you and Ryui-chan. When we go, we'll go together." Kagome turned pleading blue eyes on the 4th prince. "Prince Zannanza-sama, you must have found a way out, ne? Then please get a message to prince Kail-sama for me."

"What?"

"The Black Prince is leaving soon to engage his armies. If he wants to strike Wassuganni while its defenses are reduced, the Hittite prisoners and I will open the gates for his soldiers. Tell him, I'll be awaiting his instructions, all right?" Kagome spoke in a hushed tone as she began to pull away once more.

"Wait, Kagome. Don't you know why my nii-sama sent me to rescue you in this risky manner?" he asked. "We have only four more months until the water season arrives and the morning star appears in the sky. It will shine for one month, but it is a long journey back to Hattusa. You must leave here within four months' time…Otherwise, you won't be able to return to you country."

Kagome's eyes widened. Japan! My home…my family…Inuyasha… "I won't be able to go back to Japan…" she made up her mind and pushed Zannanza away.

"Kagome…!"

"Please tell Prince Kail-sama, not to worry about me. He should focus on winning the war. I'm tired of being the one who always protected. Now it's my turn to help him."

"You say you and the Hittite prisoners will open the gates, but…" Zannanza snapped his hazel eyes at the door.

"Your Highness, we can do it. Thanks to Kagome-sama."

The 4th's eyes widened. Kagome has won the loyalty of these prisoners?

"See, Prince Zannanza-sama? We'll be fine. I promise to do my part well. Please go back without us, for now." she turned a charming smile at him.

Zannanza felt his heart swell as he took hold of her delicate hands. "Kagome. You've grown."

"You noticed! Ryui-chan said that I grew three inches. But, the women still pick fun of me 'cause I'm shorter than them."

"All right. I'll return with my nii-sama's orders."

"Wait, Prince Zannanza-sama." Zannanza turned back around and was caught by surprise when Kagome pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth. "Please, give this to Kail for me." she smiled gently, not once realizing she spoke his name without an honorific.

The blonde placed his fingers to the place where her lips touch, a red hue spreading over his face. "I must go." Zannanza said suddenly. "I want to leave the city at nightfall."

"Okay. Please be careful, Prince Zannanza-sama. Thank you for coming to rescue us."

Ryui leaned over and whispered to her sister. "That was a bit cruel of her, wasn't it?"

"She's so blinded by her love for Prince Kail; she forgot about that Prince Zannanza loves her as well." Shalla said back in an equally hushed tone.

Kagome turned a sugary sweet smile at the twins. "I'm sorry did you two say something?"

"Ah! No, Kagome-sama!"

"Well, then. Let's return to the seraglio."

"H…hai!" a drop of sweat dripped down their faces. She sure can be scary….


"We can't allow the Hittites to advance any farther!"

"Black prince! Chariots on the horizon! It's the Hittite army!"

Mattiwaza smirked. Kail Mursili. Now I'll learn your trick! "Attack!"

The Mitanni forces began their attack but paused when they saw something off.

"What is that?"

The Black Prince's hazy steel colored eyes widened, "Three men in one chariot! Impossible! No chariot can bear the weight of three men! What's their secret?"

"Your Highness, our arrows are not hitting them."

"Of course not. Two men on a chariot can provide little protection for themselves, but….with three men one can focus on offense while another provides defense. This gives them a decisive advantage!"


Kash grinned almost madly with thrill. "This is splendid! As prince Kail said, our chariots easily support the weight of three men with their wheels and axels reinforced with iron!"

"Stay alert, just the same! Today we are fighting an army commanded by the Black Prince himself." Kail informed loudly to his soldiers. "Don't forget, they are still the finest charioteers in the world!" Flowing ebony hair caught his attention and his amber eyes locked with the hazy greys of Prince Mattiwaza. Black Prince!

Is that Kail Mursili? Mattiwaza's steel eyes narrowed at the two man chariot. His chariot has two men instead of three?

"The Black Prince is mine! No one else touches him, understand?" Kail ordered, unsheathing his sword. "Black Prince!"

Mattiwaza held his blade in front of him to black Kail's well-aimed swing. "So…you sacrificed numbers for speed in order to reach me, eh? You must really hate me for stealing your Ishtar." his eyes widened in disbelief when Kail's iron enforced sword broke his bronze sword. My sword broke?

Scowling he reached for a fallen soldier's sword and tossed his black cloak off his broad shoulders. "You're a fool. Women are inconstant creatures. No matter how beautiful or young she is, a girl will eventually become that greedy demon called a woman."

"Is that your experience? Then I pity you!" Kail scoffed, holding his blade over his head.

"Sooner or later that girl, too, will reveal her true character, which she hides behind the mask of Ishtar." Mattiwaza crossed his broken sword with the other, thus catching Kail's blade between them.

"I don't love Kagome because she is Ishtar. I fell in love with her before she became a Goddess."

The Black Prince struggled with the force of Kail pushing down on his blade before he was forced to throw it away, the metallic scraping echoed through their ears. Kail gritted his teeth and went on defense when Mattiwaza swung his blade in an arc, parrying his strike. It didn't take long before the Mitanni prince noticed that something was off. He calculated that Kail should have been able to defeat him and that it seemed that his troops were holding back.

"Look!"

"That's'…"

"Black Prince, look at that! Smoke rising from Wassuganni!"

Mattiwaza pushed the 3rd prince away from him. "What?"

Indeed smoke was wafting up through the air where the great city of Wassuganni was located.

Damn! Now I understand! He wants to keep me here!

A smirk danced over Kail's handsome face.


"Advance on the palace! We want only Turshratta, king of Mitanni!" Zannanza ordered. "Don't harm the civilians! Only attack the soldiers!"

Kagome hopped on the edge of the wall, looking down at the battle below. "It looks like we're going to win. Once Wassuganni is in our hands, the war will be over, right Zannanza-sama?"

The 4th prince couldn't help but to grin at the young woman's enthusiasm before the bit his lip. "No, conquering the capital won't be enough. Wars between Kingdoms aren't over until the king and crown prince have been captured. That's we're assembling out soldiers at the palace right now, but we don't have enough force because many of our troops are still fighting elsewhere."

An idea ran through Kagome's head. "Ne, Zannanza-sama, do you want me to keep an eye on King Turshratta while you gather your soldiers?"

"Kagome?"

"I can freely enter the palace, y'know, being Mattiwaza's concubine." she hissed out the last part.

The blonde 4th prince grabbed her by the shoulders. "What did you say you'd do? I have to take you to my nii-sama!"

"It's the Black Prince! The bloody Black Prince has returned!"

Mattiwaza bgean barking out orders to his soldiers. "Hurry to the palace! We must help the King escape!"

Kagome chewed on her thumb. "Prince Zannanza-sama." she regarded him with his royal title, much to his dismay. "If we don't hurry, the Black Prince will escape with the king and if we don't capture him now, Prince Kail-sama's efforts will be in vain." the fair skinned miko made up her mind and turned to rush back to the large building. "I'm going back to the palace."

"Wait, Kagome!" Zannanza grabbed her slender wrist. "Kail will reach Wassuganni soon. You need only to delay them until then." he smiled charmingly bright at her. "As soon as my nii-sama arrives get out of the palace, no matter what!"

Kagome returned the bright smile with one of her own, making the younger prince's heart swell. "Okay, Zannanza-sama. I promise I'll get out! Ryui-chan…Shalla-chan, listen carefully…"


"Ishtar-sama. You are not allowed to bring weapons into the palace."

Kagome held up her hands in surrender. "I am not armed. The prince must be back." Kagome ran farther into the palace when she heard a well-aged voice imploring,

"Send for help!"

She turned and spotted the king hiding behind his throne with Mattiwaza looking down at him in disappointment.

"Mattiwaza! Ask Egypt to send an army! Otherwise that palace will fall into their hands!"

"Father, it's far too late for that." he crossed his strong arms over his powerful chest. "We must flee Wassuganni."

"No, I won't go!" the king trembled in fear. "As soon as we are out of the palace, we'll be captured or killed by the Hittites!"

Hazy steel grey eyes narrowed. "Old age doesn't make one wiser. When you were young, you defeated the Hittites and even dreamed of surpassing Egypt. It's hard to believe you're the same man who had such ambition and vigor." He turned to his guards. "Escort his majesty to his carriage!"

"Yes, your Highness."

"L…let go of me, you ruffians!"

Kagome rushed into the room. "Wait, Black Prince-sama!" May as well try to get brownie points…

Mattiwaza smirked. "You're still here? I thought you'd be the first to bolt."

She scowled. So much for that plan. I have to delay him until Kail arrives.

"I've no time for you right now. I have to free the women of the seraglio."

"Eh?"

"We abandoning Wassuganni, and we can't take the women with us." He chuckled softly. "I must admit, Mursili has put me in a tight spot."

Kagome watched as the Black Prince told the women he took as his concubines. The women shrieked in terror as they scrambled around the seraglio.

"Your Highness!"

The miko turned to see the younger Babylonian princess rushing towards them. "Nadia?"

"Your Highness! I beg you, take me with you!"

Mattiwaza scoffed before a cruel smile spread over his thin lips. "The queen of the Hittites is your older sister, no? if she won't help you, then cozy up to a Hittite man. Isn't that what you do best?"

Nadia fell to her knees. "My prince! Prince Mattiwaza, that's cruel. Why are you are so mean to women?"

He ignored them. "Bring my chariot to the front of the palace. I'm leaving."

Kagome took hold of the silky black cloak he wore over his shoulders. "Wait, Black Prince-sama!"

"I've no time for you, Girl."

She huffed at the comment. "You said that you were freeing the women, but what about Tatukia. She's very important to you, isn't she?" the miko smirked inwardly.

Mattiwaza gave her a chilling death look and the young woman bristled. "I don't know what you are babbling about…Tatukia is my aneki. She left the Kingdom twenty years ago."

"Aneki…?

"Yes. She was about your age when she was sold to the pharaoh of Egypt." Mattiwaza delved into his memory, a solemn expression etched across his face. "At the time, or country was very small. In exchange for a fortune in gold, my father sold his own daughter to be the concubine of Amenhotep III. The pharaoh was a very old man."

"Oh, I'm so sorry…!" She sounds familiar… Where have I heard of this story…?

Mattiwaza cut his eyes at her. "You needn't be. Two years later, Amenhotep III died and his son became Amenhotep IV. Word reached us that the new pharaoh made my aneki his queen. The new king was sickly and my aneki controlled him completely. I do admire her shrewdness."

Images of a beautiful woman graced his mind. Matti…

"Now Amenhotep IV is dead as well, and my aneki rules Egypt through King Tutankhamen."

The images shifted to one of the woman and a young man kissing intimately. Matti…

My Aneki… "In Egypt she is called Nefertiti."

Kagome gasped. That's who she is! Nefertiti, one of the famous Egyptian Queens! That's Mattiwaza's Onee-san?

"Women prosper through guile and cunning…they thrive on power and gold."

"Urusee!" she shouted. "I still feel sorry for your Onee-san. She was lonely and afraid in a strange land. That was the only way she could survive under those circumstances." Angry tears stung the corner of her eyes. "Blossoms will not grow without light and water. We need love to survive the harsh elements of this world as well!"

"Does Kail Mursili…love you?" he questioned suddenly.

"Excuse me?" Kail hasn't said it directly to me, but…

"People say Kail Mursili will succeed his father. Is he going to make you his queen?"

"His….queen." Kagome repeated before heat filled her cheeks. "You jest! You have to be of Royal blood to be a prince's wife." Besides, I'm to go back to Japan, open the well and return to Inuyasha…

"You really are a most unusual woman…" Mattiwaza drawled, approaching the young woman. "Perhaps I shall keep you with me." he wrapped his arms around her thin waist and covered her with his cloak.

Mitanni soldiers began rushing into the palace, yelling that Kail was coming. "Your Highness, the main Hittite force is at the gates of the palace!"

Kagome placed her hands on Mattiwaza's chest and pushed herself away, a happy smile adorned on her face. Kail has arrived!


Kail raised his sheathed sword in the air. "Find the king as soon as the gates open!" he turned to his brother. "Zannanza, is Kagome inside the palace?"

"Yes, but she was meant to flee upon your arrival." The 4th prince answered.


Kagome shoved the Black Prince away from her when she felt his arms slacken. Kail! Finally, I can see you again!

"Guards! Don't let her leave the seraglio!" Mattiwaza barked.

"Ishtar-sama. Please stop!"

The raven haired miko instantly dropped into a fighting stance, a slow smirk gracing her pale face.

"Give up. You can't fight them without a sword."

"Ryui-chan! Shalla-chan!" she raised her hand into the air when her twin handmaids grinned and tossed her blade down. "Gomen ne, but I have to go now." The guards charged at her and she disarmed every one of them and ran up the stairs, leaping over the edge.

"Kagome! Damn, she jumped off the wall!"

Kagome twirled through the air, ribbons, unraveling from around her arms, wedged themselves in the cracks of the wall as she called for her stallion and the sleek black horse caught her as she budgie jumped from the edge.

"Don't let her escape! Get her!"

Kagome ran back over the words that Mattiwaza had spoken to her and questions bombarded her. Can I really be the wife of a Hittite prince? Is Kail going to make me his official wife? No! What a ridiculous idea. That will never happen. I…I still love Inuyasha…don't I? A voice in the back of her mind told her that it wasn't the silver haired Inu hanyou that she loved but the blonde amber eyed 3rd Prince of the Hittite Kingdom. Hot tears began to fill her eyes. Why? Why did I fall so deeply in love with Kail? I don't belong here. My place is with…?

Images of her family back in Japan flooded through her mind. They most likely thought that the well opened back up and that she returned to the Sengoku Jidai. Flashes of Shippo, Sango, and Miroku came next. Oh, how she missed them. Next was Inuyasha, with one of the rare soft smiles that he only graced her with hit her hard and her tears sprung free.

I'm sorry…I'll return to you soon...

"I'm glad we got out of the seraglio, but fires have broken out everywhere and citizens are panicking." Ryui informed.

"Kagome-sama, please be careful."

Something caught Ryui's attention and she called her sister, "Shalla, look at that!"

"What?"

"That banner! That's the banner of the Gal Meshedi!" Ryui said happily.

"That means that the emperor will be here soon."

Kagome, after she dried her tears, repeated the aforementioned word, confusion laced through her tone before her eyes widened in realization. "Oh you mean the highest office in the Military that's responsible for the Emperor's safety. A position that is usually held by an important prince."

Ryui smiled at the younger woman's knowledge. "That's exactly right! Currently one of the Emperor's brothers, Prince Zudia is the Gal Meshedi. The presence of the imperial guard means that his Majesty had taken to the field."

Shalla added in a sing song tone, "This war will soon be over!"

Dread filled the young woman's body. That means, with the war's end, I'll be returning to Hattusa and saying goodbye to Kail forever… "Ryui-chan, Shalla-chan, let's find Prince Kail-sama. He's probably at the front gate."

"Yes, Princess."


"Kail! Zannanza!"

The 3rd and 4th prince turned and spotted their uncle and called out for him.

"You amaze me! I thought it would take two years for you to capture Wassuganni, but you did it in only eight months!" Zadia praised. "It happened so quickly that his Majesty had to leave Hattusa in haste! He should be here in about seven days."

"Nii-sama won the war so quickly because of Kagome, Uncle Zadia." Zannanza bluntly said. "The Black Prince made a huge mistake when he abducted her. It was as though he had lit a fire under Kail."

"I see. I'd heard that Kail was in love with his concubine. I was thinking of warning him about that, but if his love can bring about warning him about that, but…perhaps you should get yourself a few more concubines, then you might even conquer Egypt." he gave a low chuckle.

Kail let out a low exhale. "I doubt that u could bear the pain." He turned to address a soldier that reported that the palace gate had been torn down. "Very good. I believe Kagome is still inside the palace, tell the men to be careful to not harm her!"

"He seems to have a bad case of it." Zadia whispered to Zannanza.

"Yes, I hope he survives." The 4th prince commented.

"We haven't found King Turshratta yet, sir. Nor the Black Prince."

"Keep searching! They must still be here!" Kail spotted a dark low hanging cloud and the scent of burning wood wafted up to his nose. "Where's this smoke coming from?"

"The Mitanni soldiers have set fires to cover their escape. The fire is nearing the palace!"

"What? There are still people in the palace." Kail began giving orders. "We only need to capture the king and his crown prince. Forget about the escaping Mitanni soldiers! Extinguish the fire!"

"Yes, but…"

Kail snapped, "Never mind! I'll see to it. This city has a canal connected to the Khabur River, right? I'm going to stop the fire there!" he turned to the Mal Geshedi. "Uncle Zadia! See to the palace. Zannanza, I want you to see to the safety of the citizens."

"Yes, Prince Kail!"


Kagome maneuvered her stallion between the screaming crowds of people running in fear from the palace. Ryui and Shalla began ordering as calmly as they could for them to make way for them.

Frustrated, Kagome addressed her companions. "Ryui-chan, Shalla-chan! We're going to take a detour." she tugged on Aslan's mane, but the stallion jerked its head in the opposite direction. "Aslan? Kagome pulled the stallion's head back in the other direction. "Not that way, this way, Aslan."

Aslan jerked its ear out of her grasp and began to race back in the direction it wanted to go in. "Aslan! We want to go toward the palace! Aslan! What's gotten into you? You're heading for the canal!" a scream was torn from her throat when the sleek black stallion suddenly reared back on its hind legs with a loud whinny.

Kagome hacked on the smokey air. "Aslan, what's wrong? Are you thirsty?" the smoke began to sting her eyes. "It's so smoky here. I can't see the surface of the water…" Kagome trailed off as the hazy smoke began to drift away with the wind and she caught sight of familiar blonde hair. Kail? Is it really you? Please don't let this be a cruel dream!

"Kagome!"

When she heard the smooth tenor of his voice called her name she instantly knew that he was real, very much so. "Kail!" Kagome urged Aslan to proceed and jump over the canal when a thin lasso wrapped around her body, yanking her off the horse.

"Kagome!" Kail raced to the water's edge.

"Kagome-sama!" the twin immediately hopped off their own stallions and rushed to their princess's side and a dark shadow washed over them. "Black Prince!"

"Ryui-chan, Shalla-chan, run!"

"We can't leave you, Kagome-sama."

Before anyone could react the identical women were shoved into the canal.

"Ryui-chan! Shalla-chan!" Kagome reached out for her friends and was yanked back.

"I don't need them. I only need you."

"Mattiwaza!" Kail hissed.

The Black Prince lifted Kagome into his arms, holding down her wrists with one large hand. "Kail Mursili? Open the gates of Wassuganni for us. You will withdraw your army from the city and allow my father and I to depart."

"What?"

Mattiwaza raised his blade to Kagome's chin, pressing the sharp tip delicately into her flesh. "It's your choice, but if you care for this girl, you'll do as I ask!"

Kail drew his lip between his teeth, biting hard enough to taste the sweet metallic flavor of blood.


"What? He took Kagome hostage?" Zannanza stopped what he was doing to run to the palace gates.

"Ishtar!"

Zadia rushed to his nephew's side. "Kail! What are you doing? You must capture the king and the crown prince now! Why do you hesitate? Are you giving up the chance to win this war for one little girl? Your soldiers have risked their lives for you! They'll never accept this!"

Kail remained silent as his topaz eyes narrowed when Mattiwaza and King Turshratta walked down the steps, Kagome still in his arms with the blade pressed tightly against her throat. "Make way for us! Or I will kill Ishtar before your eyes."

"Ishtar!"

The soldiers immediately made a path for the Black Prince and King Turshratta, greatly surprising the Hittite princes. The soldiers are letting them pass! To save Kagome!

"Listen Mitanni soldiers! We have the Goddess of War in our hands! The Gods are with us!" Mattiwaza cupped the back of Kagome's head, bringing her closer to him, and slanted his mouth over hers.

Bile rose up in Kagome's throat when Mattiwaza's cold lips touched hers and tears began to collect in her eyes. I don't want this!

"Kagome!" Kail would have lunged at the Black Prince in blind rage if the 4th prince had not held him back. "No!"

"Nii-sama!"

The Mitanni soldiers began to boast. "Out of our way! Ishtar belongs to us now!"

"What did you say?" the Hittite soldiers demanded. "We'll get her back, whatever it takes!"

"Kail." Zadia called out for his older nephew. "I'm impressed by the character of your men."

"Uncle Zadia?"

"His Majesty and I built our small nation in Anatolia into the powerful empire it is today." he continued. "And I believe that you are the one who will carry our legacy forward. Kail. You have the wisdom and charisma to be an emperor." Zadia looked at his younger nephew. "And Zannanza would make an excellent Gal Meshedi. You already have people qualified who can serve in your senate. All you lack is a wife." The older prince turned to leave. "It's a shame, that girl does not have the proper pedigree to be your wife. Well, I must get ready to receive his Majesty."

Kail watched his uncle walk away, once he was out sight, he turned to his personal servant and best friend. "Kikkuri, prepare to pursue the Black Prince. I believe he'll seek refuge either in Nineveh or Carchemish. Time is of the essence. We must return Kagome to her country in four months' time. Whether she has the proper pedigree or not, there's no way she will be my queen."

"Your Highness, you should keep Kagome-sama with you."

Kail paused in his movements. "Ilbani? What did you say?"

"You know that Kagome-sama has all the qualities to be Tavananna. Keep her here and make her you lawful wife."


Kagome freed her wrists from the Black Prince's iron grip. "Let me go you brute! You said it yourself, you have no interest in me!" she pounded her fist against his chest, hot flashes of her ki singing the edge of his black cloak "Send me back to Kail!"

"I've changed my mind. You said blossoms need light and water to grow, correct? The same is true for trees." When you provide enough light and water to a sapling and nurture it, it will grow into a massive tree that in turn can help the dessert retain water. Perhaps this girl will be strong like that. Kail Mursili, we shall see now, if you really love her, will you try to take this girl back from me.

Kagome blinked her, wild reiki simmering down back into her skin. What is he contemplating?


Four months have passed since the Black Prince took Kagome once again away from Kail, and the blonde 3rd prince had managed to surround Carchemish.

"Make Kagome my lawful wife?" Kail repeated to himself. "Make her Queen of the Hittites?"

A soldier came in to report that the emperor has arrived.

"Kail. It seems the Mitanni is determined to hold out forever, eh?"

The 3rd prince kneeled. "Father. I'm sorry. We failed to capture Turshratta, although we seized his capital."

The emperor looked down at his son. "It's all right. I expected this war to go one for years. I never dreamed you'd have success in less than a year." He smiled slightly. "Besides, Turshratta's escape will afford me the opportunity to witness his beheading." Glancing at the wall of the city, he said, "It could take six months for a city like Carchemish to run out of food. It will fall in three months whether we attack or not."

"I intend to end this war in five days, Father." The 3rd son interjected.

The emperor looked at his son, "Kail?"

"I have a plan. I'm just waiting for the right moment to try it."

"What is this plan?"

"I'm going to send an assassin into Carchemish." Kail said seriously.

The emperor's wood colored eyes widened. "An assassin?"

"Yes, Father. If we kill the king and the crown prince, the war is over. With them gone, the Mitanni will fall. They will have no choice but to lay down their arms." Kail looked at the steady streams of smoke rising in the air. "Look, Father that is the smoke of burning bodies. The inhabits are starving. The longer the siege drags on, the more people will die unnecessarily."

"Hmm. But how are you going to get the assassin in?"

Kail closed his amber eyes, letting out a low exhale. "I don't know yet. I offered them food, but the Black Prince refused to open the gate."

"Never mind. I have entrusted the front-line command to you. Do what you think is best. I am prepared for a long war." he turned to his brother. "Zadia, why don't we drink some wine in anticipation of our victory?"

"Very good, your Majesty."

Kail bowed as his father bid him farewell and Ilbani approached the blonde prince.

"Your Highness. No need for haste, my prince." Ilbani commented. "We need do nothing. Carchemish will soon fall on its own. You can take Kagome-sama back after that."

Kail narrowed his eyes at the emerald eyed man. "And make her my lawful wife? Is that it? As I recall when I took her as my concubine, you opposed the ides more that anyone."

Ilbani shrugged his shoulders. "True, your Highness. But I didn't know then the kind of person she is. For years you have sought a princess who would make a Tavananna, a woman with leadership ability, wisdom, and self-discipline. Now you have found that woman. She is Kagome-sama."

You don't need to tell me that!" Kail snapped. He took a deep breath before speaking, "You're right. Kagome would make a wonderfully ideal Tavananna, but I promised I'd return her to her own country! She was never meant to be here in the first place. She wasn't meant to meet me. She wasn't meant to meet any of us." She has a family in her own country and another love… "We must give her up and pretend she never existed."


"More people perish every day. The foot soldiers are already going hungry." Mattiwaza's cold grey eyes held a hint of softness. "You should eat while you can."

Kagome glared at him out of the corner of her electric blue eyes before she turned her nose up at him, huffing, "When you let me go, I will."

"Enough. Most women would adapt to their new circumstances within a month of their capture. What do you see in Kail Mursili?"

Kagome merely turned her chin up defiantly in the air, refusing to answer him. I'm not going back to Kail. I'm going back to my family and try to get the well to open. If…if I stay here any longer, I'm scared that my love for Kail will grow to strong that I will never want to go back…I was ready to go back the moment Wassuganni fell. I was preparing myself to forget about Kail and remember my love for Inuyasha. She cursed the Black Prince under her breath.

"If the Gods grant him victory, you can go back to him. But if they favor me, you will have to give him up and be my woman."

The raven haired miko scoffed. Great, another Kouga-kun… "Prince Mattiwaza-sama, what are you going to do? Your enemies have you totally surrounded. You aren't waiting for her help, are you?" Kagome smirked inwardly when he froze. "Do you really think she will send an army up from Egypt to rescue you? Do you expect Tatukia to save you? If so, then you are pathetic."

Mattiwaza cut his hardened metal grey eyes at the female, turning, and slammed his hand on the wall beside her head. Kagome bit back a gasp when he covered her mouth with his, silencing her taunting. She felt him nip at her lower lip sharply and she yelped in pain, giving him the advantage to snake his tongue in her moist cavern.

Mattiwaza jerked back when a piercing sting erupted from his mouth. "How crude of you to bite my tongue! Is that a Hittite custom?" he mocked her, rubbing his thumb along the tip of his pink appendage.

Kagome hissed at him, baring her pearly white teeth. "Kiss me again and you will lose it! Better yet, don't ever touch me!"

The Black Prince picked up a small twig from the pile of wood. "It seems I needn't worry about boredom, however long we are stuck here." he held it over a small flame. "But there are ways to tame even the wildest of cats."

"What do you think you are doing?" she watched the yellow-red fire wearily. Kagome closed her eyes when the flame came within inches of her bared leg.


Kikkuri watched Kail pace back and forth, swinging his sheathed sword from his hip to his shoulder until he couldn't stand it any longer. "Prince Kail, please get some rest. We'll find some way to get an assassin into the city."

"I know." The 3rd prince answered curtly. "I shouldn't be impatient, but I can't help it. In a few short days it will be too late."

"Your Highness!" a soldier kneeled. "A woman who claims to be the Black Prince's concubine is asking us to help her enter the city."

What?"

"I have a request, your Majesty. My name is Nadia. I've come all the way from Wassuganni to be with Prince Mattiwaza. Please help me. I beg you, please." Nadia bowed lowly before the emperor.

"I will not. I won't allow my enemy the comfort of his own concubine."

"Wait, Father." Kail smiled charmingly. "This woman is Step-Mother's sister. Perhaps you should grant her request."

"What?"

The blonde prince leaned in close to whisper, "A concubine has an entourage, right? This is the opportunity we've been waiting for."


"They agreed to let Nadia-sama enter Carchemish!"

"Good, I'll sneak into the palace." Mettannamuwa smirked proudly.

"Me too."

"And I."

"We'll send only one." Kikkuri argued. "More might be found out."

Mettannamuwa grinned. "Then let me go. You want the king and crown prince killed, right? Well, I'm the finest swordsman here."

Kash growled. "Idiot! You'll have to disguise yourself as a handmaid. No one would take a bear like you for a woman."

Rusafa pulled a cloak over his head and batted his eyelashes. "He's right. I should be the one to go." his giggled turned into a cough when the robe was yanked off his head.

"I shall enter Carchemish."

"Prince Kail!"

"Nii-sama, what nonsense is this?" Zannanza asked.

"Your Highness, please don't"

"Please allow us to do it."

Kail reassured his commanders. "Don't worry. I'm nearly as good with a sword as any of you."

The blonde 4th prince stepped forward. "Nii-sama, you wish to rescue Kagome yourself, don't you?"

Kail pulled the cloak over her head. "Don't tell Father of this, all right?"


A sweet smokey scent flowed up to her nostrils and she opened her blue eyes to see Mattiwaza set down a pot. "Incense?"

"Yes. This is to stop you from biting me."

Kagome snapped at him. "Urusee! I am not a cat that's high on catnip!" she stood abruptly and began to walk away from him. "Just stay away from he, hentai…" Kagome swayed of her feet and the Black Prince stood to catch her. Why can't I keep my balance all of a sudden? A rush of cool air touched the flesh of the junction of her throat and shoulder. "What the hell? What are you doing?"

"This incense was made for an Egyptian king, for use in his bedchamber." He reached for the tie at her waist, giving it a sharp tug. "I was dubious that it had the power to arouse women, but I've decided to give it a try."

The white robe Kagome was wearing pooled at her feet and she shrieked in protest. Mattiwaza laid her naked body down on the alter, looming over her as she used her words to mock her.

"If a blossom will grow when given love and nurture, what will happen if that blossom is broken before it can grow? Can you tell me?" his hands moved down her abdomen.

Kagome, despite herself, shivered underneath his touch. This sweet scent has done something to me. My body is sapped of its strengths; it feels as if my reiki is being blocked… A tear formed in the corner of her eye when Mattiwaza lowered his face to trail his tongue down the same path his fingers had just touched. Kail…


Well. I guess I'll stop here for now. Hope I didn't leave it in a cliff hanger, but then again I kind of did want to. (Gotta keep you at the edge of your seat). I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed. To Anatolia fan, I'm glad that you like my fic and yes I know she is fierce in Inuyasha, but remember that she was just ripped away from her first love and now her second love. Wouldn't that weaken you, too?

Anyway, hoped you enjoyed the chapter, CrescentMelody. (It was for you!)

Thank you, ~TLK

A/N: I'm so serious on Word Document this chapter was only 8,197 words. So, it is a medium length chapter!