Disclaimer: I think we all know mine by now. Lady Death, don't own her. Inuyasha, not him either. This story is an original created from the abyss of my psyche, and is owned by me. Things will start to get a little more interesting from here on in future chapters. Special thanks to those who have reviewed, you are my 'living Muses. You know who you are. :)

Enjoy!

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Terms used in this chapter:

"aye" or "yay"- Old English/Renaissance term; 'yes'

"nay"- OE/Ren; 'no'

"poppet"- OE/Ren; term of endearment for a child or a little person

"mayhaps"- OE/Ren; 'maybe'

"musoka"- Japanese; 'day dreamer'

"sensei"- Japanese; 'teacher'

"megami"- Japanese; 'goddess'

"shi"- Japanese; 'end of life'

"fujin"- Japanese; 'woman'

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Chapter 10.

Revelations

(interlude—Naraku's castle)

Kagura landed at the top of the steps on the castle balcony. She was glad that she had escaped the Chaos Incarnate wave. She walked into the adjoining room to be greeted by Kohaku.

"The Master wants to see you as soon as you returned."

She glared at him. Never a moment's peace…

"Very well." She followed him into the dojo room. It was dimly lit due to a few candles inside. Just beyond the shadows that danced in the light was the ominous figure of Naraku.

Brooding as usual… she sighed.

"Naraku?" she asked. A flash of two red orbs appeared in the darkness. They were unnerving to look at, more so in the dark.

"What did you find, Kagura?" the low, dry voice of Naraku inquired.

"The energy seems to be concentrated in the forest, around an old well. But that's not the only thing. I found a trail of it that led me to an old acquaintance of yours… Kaede. The younger sister of the miko Kikyou, now aged."

"And?" Naraku's face came into view slightly as he leaned a bit forward. Kagura hesitated, wondering to herself whether she should tell him about the pale fury and her powers, or not. From what I've experienced of this woman, she could mean the answer to my freedom.

"I found nothing. The energy ended at Kaede's home—"

Something shot from the darkness and wrapped around her throat. She was dragged towards the eyes she feared by a tentacle. The face of Naraku now in front of hers.

"Tell me, Kagura, why am I around your throat?"

His grip tightened, while she struggled to breathe.

"You seem to forget so quickly that I still have your heart under my control, and so you should be as well. Yet you continue to defy me. Did you thing I wouldn't know that you lie even now?"

He dropped her suddenly. She landed hard on the dojo floor, coughing as free air flowed again into her lungs. She glared up at him, silent.

"Do not look at me that way, lest you wish to join the rest of your brethren. How does the word 'absorb' sound to you?"

She gasped as the horror recalled in her mind.

"Who is this pale woman?" Naraku asked. The figure of Kanna appeared, holding her mirror. Naraku gazed at it, the scene of Kagura being bested by Lady Death and her sword's power. He frowned, but slowly displayed a smirk as he observed the creation and release of the Chaos Incarnate.

Impressive. I must know more about her, he mused. She would make a good addition to the 'family'.

(end interlude)

"So Poppet, I wish to know more about your realm. You, your life, this world of yours—everything. If I am to the utmost to your benefit, it would be useful to not only myself, but to you as well."

The Goddess of Death eyed him thoughtfully. They walked side by side in the field where they first met. The forest passed had done them both some good to assess what had transpired in the day so far. It was midday when they reached the stream. Inuyasha had been unusually quiet, though to Lady Death, who did not know better, this was normal of him. Upon reaching the stream, Lady Death stopped and looked at him. He seemed to be deep in thought, and it occurred to her then that this was not normal.

"Poppet, did you heed my request?"

He was staring at the other side of the forest, across the stream, his mind wandering. Lady Death touched his shoulder and he started. He could have sworn he heard her utter 'musoka?' to him.

"Wha—?" he blinked his mind back to her gaze.

"Welcome back to the world of the living. Your mind had left your body for a while, it seemed. Tell me, what did you encounter?"

She freed the sheath and sword from her hip and set it against a tree. Indeed, the very same tree where Apocalypse rested earlier. She started to remove her cloak, hanging it over a low branch when Inuyasha blushed and whipped around.

How do I get into these things?

"Uhh… wha… what are you doing?"

Trying to ignore the fact that there was a woman almost naked in his presence, and about to remove the rest of her clothes.

How DO I get into these things?

She had a slight amused expression while addressing the back of his head. She couldn't help but to chuckle.

"You are quite charming when you flush the same color as your robe."

He turned his head a bit her way, but kept his gaze averted. "How did you…?"

"I can see auras, energies fields or imprints, no matter where they come from. Plus, your actions betray the fact that you are embarrassed. Relax. I do not wish to have your humility continue unless there is a good reason for it. Turn around."

Her voice was commanding. He swallowed the lump in his throat and turned full, still not looking at her. She saw the pink flush return to normal and waited until his embarrassment was gone. He quickly looked at her unintentionally, and before he blushed again or averted his gaze, she commanded again, but softer.

"Look at me, directly in the eyes."

He did, finding that he couldn't turn away again. He let his eyes take in everything that was her. Her clothing (or lack thereof), the length of her hair, her height. Imprinting it to memory without a second thought. She was, by his account, the same age as Sesshoumaru. Not much older than himself to where he felt as a little brother might be in awe of his sister. He could see himself as such in her eyes eventually.

"Good. You are doing what I was going to teach you first—showing respect. By meeting my gaze. But imprinting myself to memory goes beyond what I was going to start off with. It is not a bad act, do not judge it as such, for if anything should happen to either of one of us…"

"Don't say or think that, please! I can't stand the thought of loosing someone before I have a chance to know them!"

He was clearly worried about her.

"Who did this, and when?" He was opening up to her now, she thought, but hen he shut down. His gaze may have been strong, but his aura betrayed him still. His normal red aura was now the worried shade of orange tinged with grey spots. The color of sadness. Someone, or something, had hurt him badly. She turned the tables on him to get him to open up again.

"I know what it is like to be scared. To feel alone, without a known friend to you. I know what it is to loose one you know well, care for, and love."

He shot her a surprised look. She had hit the nail.

"Yes, Poppet, love. My mother, my lover Niccolo, my very self before I entered Hell. I was alone in a cruel, unknown world, surrounded by screams of terror and the smells of blood and burning flesh. But you know of this already. It is no worth repeating. So I shall answer your inquiries. What do you wish to know?"

He thought for a while about what would be appropriate or not or even significant. He felt silly as well, silly at himself because it was he who wanted this one-on-one talk. He shook his head as his mind flooded with questions. Finally, they settled.

"Just how old are you? You look to be the same age as my brother, yet you have spent over 400-some-odd years in Hell and have not shown it the way others would. No battle scars, not even wrinkled up bags of skin like Kaede has—why not? You are human, right? But you don't smell or have the feel of other humans, how is that? How can you call such spectacular attacks that I only saw a bit of thru the shades of the window? No demon I've ever encountered can do what I've seen so far, and I know Naraku can come nowhere near your power! What about weaknesses, do you have any? Why did the jewel shard you have turn purple?"

He finally caught his breath and wondered if perhaps he was asking too much.

Lady Death removed her spurs and walked into the water, towards the pool in the center. She lowered herself completely under the water, much to Inuyasha's confusion. She stayed under just enough for the water to permeate her everywhere. When she came to the surface, Inuyasha had not moved his stance. His hands rested on the handle of Tetsusaiga, his eyes still held the questions in them. She turned her injured side to have a look as the water beaded off of her.

To Inuyasha's bewilderment, her side was unscathed. No blood, no claw marks, not even a scar. Before he could ask his next barrage of questions, she gave her answers.

"I gained a tremendous amount of magickal abilities after I entered Hell. The most simple of which is the fast ability to heal. Your enemies will not hesitate to fell you if they sense you are weak. There is much magick in this stream, in the forest, in your realm. When one recognizes it, it is to their advantage if it can be utilized."

Inuyasha blinked in confusion. What is she talking about? There's nothing magickal about this stream or the forest—it's just water and trees!

She continued. "But as to how old I am, that would depend on which age you are speaking of. I was born on All Hallow's Eve in the Year of Our Lord 1331. I was but a mortal girl of ten and six years when the threat of Black Plague became real in my village, the same year that Matthias slew my mother. That was the Year of Our Lord 1347. When the village mob came for us, nine years had passed, making my age then five and twenty years. There is no known measure of time lost in Hell, and even though over four hundred years have passed for me since I have been in Hell, I have not aged. So again, it depends on which age you speak of. I am, physically, a woman who is five and twenty years. Yet I have resided in a Netherworld where time does not exist for over four hundred years, so then just how old would I truly be? Mayhaps if there is a scholar in your village who would know of the year I am in currently, then my 'true age' would be known…"

He stared blankly, letting it absorb into his mind. More answers she gave.

"I choose to remain in human form, though I did for a short time transform into something else. Remember my tale around the dinner fire? My scent is what I choose it to be. If ever I want to have one permanent, it would be the scent of the blood of a dragon. I have always liked it. If I do not wish to be felt by others, they will never know my aura. That is an advantage when it is needed to slay a foe. I do not have any weaknesses, save for the desire to have my life back, but I have since abandoned that and accepted my fate as the Avatar of He Who Reaps. My magickal abilities come from recognizing the magick around myself and utilizing it. As for the jewel shard, that is a mystery to even me. Mayhaps it was simply reacting to my uniqueness, as your friend monk observed?"

He was lost now, glancing left and right. She was amused again at his simple confusion as a small curl came across her mouth. But he must get out of the muck from their skirmish earlier and experience just what she was explaining to him.

"Come into the water, Poppet. Clothes or not, it is your decision, and it is no matter to me. Just to have the peaceful feel of water on you will clear your mind and center your confusion."

He looked at her like she was Shippou throwing one of his fits. He did have a funk about him, he wouldn't deny that. He just felt a little weird. How "bad" could it be, he thought. He removed the top of the Fire Rat robe, but kept the rest on. No need for anyone to see the rest of him. Tetsusaiga was laid next to Apocalypse against the tree, and he waded in. It was a bit cold at first and he startled, but quickly got used to it. He met her at the pool in the stream, shaking a bit for some inane reason.

The White Goddess looked down when she noticed his trembling.

"Cold?" she asked with a slight tilt of her head.

"Me? Naw…" He tried to hide it. Not a very good liar.

"You lie like a dog." She kidded. He glowered at her while crooking an eyebrow. She held out her hands over the very top of the water, looking at it pensively.

Inuyasha kept watching her curiously, and then decided that it must be some sort of exercise or lesson. He mimicked her moves. The sensation of it was indescribable at first, but his mind soon registered the sense of floating. His mind raced at the sensations after that: soft, peaceful, electric, powerful, and yet fragile.

He lightly flexed his claws until they dipped below the surface and giggled at the springy sensation. Lady Death eyed him as his aura changed from the worried orange to bubblegum pink with red sparks. He was happy now. He will learn quite quickly if he is taking to mimicking me already. I may not need to explain much to him.

"Close your eyes, Poppet. Tell me the first thing that comes into your mind."

Watching him intently as he did what she asked, he tilted his head back and closed his eyes.

"Hmm… stillness, calm… peaceful. Warmth, protection… mother."

He slowly opened his eyes to the overhanging branches of the tree. Thinking Lady Death still wished for him to speak what was in his mind, he spoke a word that had no meaning in his heart, yet meant everything.

"Father…"

Lady Death glanced up with a quirky grin. He sees it now. Excellent.

Inuyasha lowered his head and met her gaze. His eyes were a glowing a deep gold and his aura was the faintest purple. He looked around at the rest of the water, the edge of the forest to his right, and to their swords at the left. He saw Tetsusaiga's energy as it slowly pulsed a muted red glow. Then he noticed Apocalypse. His eyes narrowed in somewhat disbelief.

"Whoa… it's gold with small white sparks—no, it's lightning!" He looked back at the White Goddess.

"I understand now—what you mean. I see it. It's everywhere! But trees and water and swords aren't demons—how can I see… whatever these things have?

The box that held Pandora's curiosity had been creaked open.

"It is not what they have, more than what they are, Poppet. We are no different, not just you and I, but humans, animals, half demons and demons as well—we are all connected. The air we breathe, the water we drink and bathe in, the ground we travel upon, the fire we create as well as the fire within—it is all connected. Just in a different manifestation. The swords are made from Earth and Fire. Earth in the form of Metal. Trees—Earth and Water. The stream—again, Water. Water forms the Air for us to breathe when it dries. And so, what are we?"

She raised her hands out of the water.

"We are… everything! We're all connected!" His aura glowed a radiant red. He had centered and as now ready to trust her completely.

"Excellent! Well done indeed, Poppet!" She beamed proudly and took a hand of his.

The scene of a sword atop a hill engulfed in flames came into view again. Inuyasha tried to shake the image out of his mind by shaking his head. Lady Death didn't waver.

"Do not fight me, Poppet. Tell me about this sword. Why do you fear it?" Her voice calm and focused.

He opened his mind to hers as they became one image. He could swear he was standing in the pit of hell itself, staring at the one sword that threatened to destroy Kagome's time, the one he dared try to wield and tame, and the one sword that had horrific consequences.

He shuddered, but she needed to know about it; he felt a portent of things to come.

"The sword is named Sou'unga—it has no meaning. Only one person I know of besides me has ever had it in their possession and has been able to wield it successfully—my father. A malevolent spirit that is bent on total destruction possesses it, and how my father managed to keep it under control I will never know. No one knows who forged it or how it came into my father's hands, but something about having 'demonic blood' keeps it at bay. Totosai, the demon-smith, told me that it was on of three that my father had."

He glanced back at Tetsusaiga resting against the tree, nodding in its direction.

"Tetsusaiga, the sword that I have, is known as the Sword of Man. It has the power to slay on hundred demons in a single stroke. It is the protector of human life. Its name means 'Iron Crushing Ability'.

The second sword, the Tenseiga, belongs to Sesshoumaru. It is known as the Sword of Heaven; its name is 'Heavenly Ability'. Its power can save one hundred lives in a stroke.

But Sou'unga… it is the Sword of Hell. It has the power to raise the dead, but unlike Tenseiga, those who are raised by Sou'unga's power are left with no life in them. They are the living dead."

He returned his gaze to her. Lady Death began to understand why the sword called her its mistress.

Who better to wield the Sword of Hell than the Queen of Hell herself?

But there was more to this blade as Inuyasha continued.

"Sou'unga has but one ability—the Dragon Twister. It forms as a cyclone of dragon energy straight from Hell itself, destroying everything in its wake. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that damned sword came from Hell. Do you know?"

The Goddess of Death had barely a perceivable smile on her otherwise stone-hard features. She already had it in her mind that she would return to Hell, now she had all the more reason to. If this sword was as destructive as Inuyasha claimed it to be, what would it do while in Hell?

What has it done already? She wondered.

"No, I do not, but I intend to know. It is only a matter of timing, mayhaps, that the portals shall align again for me to return to Hell."

Inuyasha broke the psychic link by breaking her hold. He panicked. Eyes wide, he searched her face for what she had meant.

She meant to claim Sou'unga as hers!

"Teacher, Sensei… I beg of you. Don't pursue this blade. No good will come of it. Demon swords should only be used by demons, or at least by half-demons like me. No telling what it would do in human hands—no, wait! One human did have Sou'unga briefly, and although he was living dead and needed Sesshomaru's severed arm to hold the sword, nothing but destruction came about."

He dipped underwater briefly and started heading back for the shore. His aura was again the worried shade of orange.

"Poppet, what are you afraid of, and why?" Lady Death was going to get answers, even if it meant a sword fight would ensue.

"I am not afraid of that wretched sword, if that's what you're thinking!"

He was out of the water and putting on the top of his robe, shaking his wet mop of hair free of water. He reached for his sword, but stopped. Looking back at his teacher, he could sense he had made a mistake in lashing out at her.

Lady Death said not a word, but just stared. That stone-cold stare could melt even the snow off of Mt. Fuji. He abandoned his desire for the sword and stood upright, hands in the sleeves of his robe.

"I'm sorry." He breathed out deeply, centering himself. He could already tell she would not be fooled by his covering-up again. It was pointless to even try.

"I'm afraid of being killed while I'm human. I'm afraid of loosing myself to my youkai blood if I'm not careful. I'm afraid of loosing Kagome to Naraku, if he ever got it in his head to come after her for her ability to sense the jewel shards. I'm afraid of loosing her to her own time once the jewel is whole—would that ever happen… it petrifies me!"

He shook his head to free his mind from the plagued images. Lady Death walked out of the water towards him, reaching for her cloak. He met her gaze again.

"But I have dreams as well. I dreamed once of being completely human, only to have that dream fade away into a haunting reminder that I have no control over. I dream of being a full youkai, but without loosing my mind or my human heart. I dream of a life possibly with the woman I love, whomever she might be. And, despite the fact that it's utterly impossible, I dream of a better life with my brother, Sesshoumaru. He knew our father. Went on patrol nightly with him. Fought by his side in many battles. Things, events, memories that I will never have. It baffles me to no end why exactly Sesshoumaru despises me. What the fuck did I ever do to him!"

Lady Death secured her cloak around her neck. She admitted to herself silently that she wasn't good at consoling, but she did have a sympathetic ear. She let him vent his frustration in a session of fuming breaths and gritted teeth.

"Come, Poppet. Let us return to the homestead. The others will have wondered just how long two beings can take to clean after wounds." She held out her hand signaling towards the path back.

Inuyasha gave one final huff and looked up at her. He felt as if all of his defenses were being knock down, one by one.

He couldn't have been more close to the truth in that thought. He reached for Tetsusaiga, while she for Apocalypse, both securing their swords at the sides again.

"What of this 'woman you love, whomever she may be'? It sounds to me that there is more than one?" The White Goddess inquired as they started back down the path.

He wasn't expecting that. Damnit! I can't hide anything from her—why am I even trying now? He raised his brows in confusion on just how to answer that.

"Uhh… well…" Mother puss-bucket! How DO I explain this? I guess just come right out and say it then.

"I loved a woman named Kikyou… years ago. She was Kaede's older sister—you know, the one who was given the jewel to purify it and keep it from harm. Well, she… came back from the dead, so to speak. But she's not really living. She needs to have mortal souls placed into her being in order to stay among the living, so she's no really dead either. It's so bloody complicated."

"Was she one of the dead raised by Sou'unga?"

Lady Death was all-too-curious about the Hell-sword for his taste, but he would not mention it. Not while she was his Sensei, at least. He would mention it if she made good with her promise to actually obtain the sword, but he would stay quiet until then.

"No, she wasn't. A demon-witch named Urasuei stole a portion of her graveyard soil, dug up her ashes, and made a 'body' for her out of clay. All to manipulate Kikyou to get the jewel for her own evil purposes. But Urasuei wasn't counting on the one thing Kikyou needed in order to return fully—her soul. That had been reborn into Kagome. Gods, Kagome looks SO MUCH like Kikyou it's hard for me to keep them separated at times!"

He raised his head back, mock shouting to the sky. Frustration at its finest.

Lady Death began to realize why he seemed so torn and held back. His heart was in two places, as he was in two beings.

"You speak of Kikyou in the past tense. What of Kagome? Do you love her as well?"

"I don't know. She is a kind person with a warm heart, and a fighter's spirit. It seems at times that she puts too much thought into everyone else and not of herself. I've lost count of how many times I've had to save her ass." He chuckled at the memories of all the life-saving times.

"Kikyou was going to use the Jewel to help me become human. We were going to have our lives become one together after that point. But then Naraku came, and ripped all of our worlds apart. Mine, Sango, Kohaku, Miroku, even Kagome. That bastard won't stop until all around is nothing but evil. But one day, he will meet his demise at my hands."

He clenched his fists in future triumph. Already a plan was forming. Lady Death sensed the bloodlust for battle on his aura. Soon, Poppet, you will be stronger than even you could have imagined. Then, woe to any foe that dares to challenge you.

"If you were faced with the decision of being with Kikyou as a human, or with possibly Kagome…"

"I never said anything about being with Kagome! You're reading way too much into this."

His heart betrayed his mind with images of kissing Kagome. But I was under the power of my youkai blood at the time—she did that to bring me back… didn't she? It was all that Moon Princess Kayuga's doing! But then why… did I… hug her?

"Kagome was a fool. She could have been killed at my hand!"

Forgetting for the split moment that he wasn't walking alone, he squinted his eyes shut. I just did NOT say THAT, did I?

"Pardon?" Ah ha… so he does harbor feelings for the young mistress. That shall be his fire in the training. Hmm, mayhaps I should suggest a more worthy weapon for her as well… The Goddess of Death mused.

"Nothiiiinnnggg…" Inuyasha tried yet again to cover up. Shit—why am I doing that again?

"Poppet, if you have such deep feelings for the mistress, is she aware of your heart?"

They had reached the shack at last. Inuyasha's heart was in his throat as he fumbled for an answer. His pulse quickened even more when the object of his thoughts had come out to see if they had returned yet or not.

"There you two are! Finally, geeze, and here I thought Souta bathed too long! Inuyasha, why are you blushing?" Kagome noticed he was matching his robe.

"Poppet is embarrassed at my 'indecency'." With that, Lady Death closed the front of her cloak around her, slyly glancing at her charge. He let out a silent breath of relief. Lady Death stood closer to his ear and whispered.

"You must tell her of your feelings, if ever the unthinkable does happen. Do not let a faint heart remain so."

He glanced from her to Kagome and back, nervously scratching his whispered-into ear.

"Now then, let's have a look at those gashes… what? What happened? Where did… they… they're gone!" Kagome stared in amazement at Lady Death's side, pulling back the cloak to reveal nothing.

The White Goddess looked down. "Aye, they are. Mayhaps 'tis my magick combined with the stream?" She knew it was, of course. But to explain that to Kagome hadn't crossed her mind at all.

Kagome blinked up at her, dumbfounded. Lady Death changed the subject. "You, mistress, do you know of a scholar in this village? I wish to know some things that Poppet is unable to tell me."

"Scholar? You mean of a teacher, or just someone who knows a lot of things? I attend a school, well, not much these days due to hunting jewel shards, but I have an education. What do you want to know?" Kagome was eager to know more about this fascinating new person in their lives in her own way.

"Pray tell me, what Year of Our Lord is this in which we are in? I fear me, that not only have I entered a where, but also a when while I came to your world. Mayhaps… a different… manifestation of it?"

A bright idea came to Kagome. She had left her history notes on the Sengoku Jidai at Kaede's shack one time. I wonder if they're still here?

"Umm, well this timeline is known as the Sengoku Jidai, or Feudal Era, of Japan. Hold on, let me go get something." She ducked into the shack, rummaged around, and with a triumphant "yes!" emerged with her lost notes.

"Okay, the Feudal Era began during the Muromachi Period, year 1467, and 'supposedly' it will last until 1615 when final peace is restored in the soon-to-be Edo period." Kagome repeated off her notes.

"What do you mean when you say 'supposedly' and 'soon-to-be'? The terms were so strange to Lady Death.

"Ahhh… yes, well… I'm from… the future. What you would say Year of Our Lord… currently, in my time it's the year 2006. I've also traveled back in time like you, well maybe. What year were you thinking of?" Kagome scratched her head.

"Two thousand and six? This means I am older than I had first thought. My time in Hell has been far longer." Lady Death was now the one confused.

"Wait a minute—just how old are you? What year were you born?" Kagome asked.

"Year of Our Lord 1331. I was ten and six years of age when the Black Plague struck my village…"

That was from the years 1347 to 1351 in Europe, thought Kagome.

"… and another nine years had passed when I was burned at the stake and went to Hell. I was twenty and five years then, but I did not age physically." Lady Death could see Kagome was working mathematically, counting out on her fingers.

"Let's see… in here it's the year 1572, or so… but if she were to go to my time… well, brace yourself. You are either 241 years old, or 675 years old, depending on which timeline you go by. Either way, you are way more older than Inuyasha, and definitely older than Sesshoumaru. I think he just might be the oldest thing around here, isn't he? Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha was staring wide eyed and wide mouthed. She's an ancient! What power has she obtained over the years?

"INUYASHA!" Kagome yelled.

"Hai—Kami! Kagome, you don't have to yell! I have sensitive ears you know! What did you ask?" He glared back at her.

"How old is Sesshoumaru?"

"Why should I know that? Why not ask him the next time we run into him, if you're that curious." Inuyasha crossed his arms defiantly.

"Geez, you're no help!" Kagome huffed.

"Poppet…" Lady Death warned.

"I don't really know, we're not exactly close, nor do we ever talk except to beat the shit out of one another. I've heard that full demons age 1 year to every 100 human years… he was alive when my father went to rescue my mother and myself from the palace the night I was born—Totosai has told me that happened over 200 years ago—but we know that the ol' man can be forgetful. Sesshoumaru looks to me to be about… 23? So I'm guessing maybe he's 230? Possibly older."

Wow, is he that old? Inuyasha marveled.

"So then, if you are half-demon, what is your age?" Lady Death inquired.

"I guess, because of my half-human blood, it would be a half-factor. That is, I would age 1 year to every 50 human years. My mother told me when I was younger that I was born on the longest day of the year 1505. I think Kikyou told me that I looked about 15, before she pinned me to the Tree of Ages… fifty years went by, but I didn't age—just like you. When Kagome awakened me—some, what? Two years ago? I look like I'm only 17… so chronologically that would make me… 69? Hey, I'm your grandpa's age now!"

He kidded at Kagome.

"Very funny. He'll love that, but don't go telling him next time we're back in my era. He'll have you playing shuffleboard or chess with his cronies in no time!"

Kagome had to giggle herself at that image.

"Or, if you really want to get technical… when I go with Kagome to her time, I'm about 501 years old. Confused yet? I am. I'm just me—Inuyasha—don't care how old I am."

Hands on the hilt of Tetsusaiga matter-of-factly.

The Goddess of Death was at a loss. She shook her head, letting the told information sink in. I'm older than I thought, much, much older. Not quite an ancient compared to others that I know, but to these people, they cannot fathom it. I must find a way to return to Hell and seek out Sou'unga. I must find out what has become of my friends there also…

Too many images flooded her mind and clouded her thoughts. She should be focusing her mind and energies on Inuyasha now; the rest would have to wait.

Mayhaps I should try the well sometime? If the chance is right… or if the Nexus has turned the right portal again?

Goddess!

She caught the aura of an unknown origin in the woods. Hiding, and wishing to stay hidden. For the time being. No real threat, to anyone for that matter. Just an observer. But something was oddly familiar about this aura, almost as if it was standing right next to her…

Lady Death turned to look at Kagome, and then turned slowly looked into the forest. The same energy. Could it be?

"You, mistress, and you Poppet."

They both stopped their conversation and startled at her. She had the look of the warrior on her face again. Like she did when she faced Kagura earlier.

"Stay here." She warned and headed in the direction of the aura. She undid the peace-tie on Apocalypse as she went. Just in case.

The energy imprint led her into a small clearing concealed by the trees from the outside, but one could see everything if they were the observer on the inside. Lady Death stopped in the middle of the clearing, her senses focused all around. It, or whoever, was right behind her.

"I am not so easy a target you will soon find if you choose to let loose your arrows on me." She warned.

The sound of drawn-tight leather relaxed. Lady Death turned around as a figure in priestly attire came out from behind its hiding tree.

"The Megami Shi Fujin. I had heard tales of you. What you looked like when you appeared. I had to see for myself. You DO exist. Have you come here to collect my eternal soul? You will find yourself gravely mistaken. I have no soul, but I live on."

Lady Death recognized the energy now. "Kikyou. Protector of the Shikon no Tama. We meet at last."

The White Goddess' energy flared lightly. Kikyou didn't flinch.

Lady Death raised her hand, pointing at Kikyou. "You dare to draw weapons upon me? Few have dared and triumphed to tell of it. As for your immortal soul, that will be mine in time. You walk upon this Earth as a half-life, collecting the souls of the departed in hopes to bring yourself back from your fate. But you have attempted to cheat Death, and that is something that I cannot abide by."

She raised her energies for the Touch of Death. She approached Kikyou, but hesitated. Something about the look in the priestess' eyes had no fear. She looked like she would neither fight, nor welcome it.

"I understand. But please, my mission here in this time has not been completed. There is something I must do before I willing pass on."

Kikyou stared into the silver eyes of Death Herself. She is more beautiful than the stories have told.

"I am listening." The Goddess of Death was intrigued.

"I wish to kill a monstrosity before my life will finally end. The reason why there is great evil in this world as we speak."

Lady Death eyes narrowed. "Pray tell, does this walking corpse have a name?"

Kikyou felt as if her mind was been invaded. It felt as if a warm water washing over her senses. I could easily slip away… so peaceful… NO!

"His name is Naraku."

It all comes to the beginning now, the White Goddess pondered. "Indeed. The very same being who slayed you while in the guise of your lover, Inuyasha. The one who disguised himself as you to kill him in return. The one who has many 'spawn', one of which challenged me, and lost pitifully. I know of who it is you speak."

Kikyou lowered her gaze. She must not be so bold as to openly defy a Goddess, especially the Goddess of Death.

Lady Death lowered her energy. Not now, the end will be the same. If Poppet is to be with her, she will stay until his choice is made. After that, she is mine.

"Very well. You have your reprieve. But you cannot escape me. I will find you in the end." She warned.

"Hai, Megami. Arigato." With that said, Kikyou bowed in respect, turned around and walked off into the forest from which she came.

Lady Death returned to the shack to find Inuyasha telling of his adventure in the stream to everyone. His eyes as wide as Shippou's while telling his tale. He stopped mid-sentence when he sensed his Sensei had returned.

"What was that all about?" he asked.

"A memory of the past, Poppet. Your past, but you should not concern yourself with such things now. In time you will. This time, however, is meant for your training. I think me I smell the wonders that is the noonday meal inside. We shall eat, then start your training." She motioned for them to go inside.

Inuyasha eyed her indifferently, but his growling stomach and the excitement to begin his lessons overrode his questioning.

But he would not forget what it was that was on his mind.