Kagome didn't know where she was, but she knew she wasn't in the forest anymore. Everything around her was white and void of any smells or sounds. It was almost enough to drive her mad. However, Sesshoumaru was proved right. She did hear the cub's heartbeat in the devoid.

Wrapping her hands around her midsection, she slowly turned on point, looking for anything; anything at all. When there was nothing, she called out a 'hello', but was rewarded with nothing but silence for a long enough moment to drive her crazy. When there was a voice, it made her jump and cover her ears.

"Welcome, Sister."

Looking all around her, Kagome cleared her throat. "Who's there? Where are you?" There was no answer, but all around her, images of her past appeared. It was like watching her life in photographs. Everywhere she looked, there was another memory staring back at her.

Slowly, she walked forward, the images becoming more recent the longer she walked. She had no idea how long it took, or how far she walked, but eventually, she finally came across another person, looking up at two images, one of her as the human was, and one of her as the demon she is now.

She picked up the pace and called out "hey', but the being didn't turn, or even move for a long moment. Kagome stopped a few feet behind her, her own eyes looking up at the comparison photos, a drawn look on her face. She sighed and looked away.

The being, a small smile on her face, tilted her head to the side. "You're beautiful, Eastern Lady." Turning her head to look at the demon behind her, she smiled wider. "You shouldn't hide."

Kagome slowly looked back to who she was with, shock shooting down her spine as it snapped straight. "Midoriko."

The miko smiled at her before returning her attention to the images before her. "You, Kagome, and your soul are the Kami's greatest creation. Even as you are, a year later, you have never killed another." Slanting her eyes to the dumbfounded demon, her voice was flat. "That male of yours, though. Kami help him does that demon have a temper."

Only half covering the cringe at the mention of Kouga's rather nasty temper, Kagome cleared her throat. "How..."

Finally turning to look at her, Midoriko held her arm out to the side, indicating all the images displayed. "This is all by design of the Kami. You have lived well, Kagome. You should be proud of yourself. So much temptation in your time, and so many things working against you in this one. You, and you alone, have been given the power to end this all."

Kagome shook her head. "I don't understand. How are you here?"

Midoriko smiled at the demoness. "My soul is the Shikon no Tama. I live in all of it, as do the demons. It's not about who has the pieces, Sister. It's about how they use them. All power, real and mystical, have the ability to be both good and evil. It's the person that makes the choice. Power cannot make that decision. You, as you were, had the power to destroy countless demons, and you chose to instead use it to help them. You, as you are, have the ability to massacre any number of humans you choose, yet you choose to leave them to live. That is real power, not a wish you can make on a jem."

Kagome nodded as she crossed her arms. "Why me?"

Moving to stand before the demoness, Midoriko set her hands on Kagome's shoulders, a serious look on her face. "Because, only you could have accomplished what has been in the last years. It is your Kami given purpose, Sister, to bring together the Kami's children and show them demons and miko can once again life together in peace and harmony. No one but you can do it."

Kagome shook her head. "I'm not a miko anymore. My powers were stolen a year ago."

Lowering her voice, Midoriko spoke like she was telling a secret. "And I'm going to give them back."

Horrified, Kagome ripped herself out of the older miko's hold and shook her head as she wrapped her arms around her belly. "You can't! My cub..."

Midoriko cut her off. "She will be just fine."

Kagome blinked. "She?"

Nodded, Midoriko smiled. "Males aren't meant to wield riki. You were made for this, and so will she be as the first born demonic miko." Then, once again, the miko became very serious. "Make no mistake, Kagome. I can only give you the tool necessary to end this war, but it will be up to you to so. You were chosen by the Kami. You simply must believe that, or all will be lost. No evil can win."

Kagome frowned at first, but as that last part sunk into her mind, her eyes snapped to Midoriko's. "Kikyo."

Glaring at one of the images that held the mentioned miko, Midoriko crossed her arms. "A corrupt soul without a purpose of their own will always throw off the balance. She, more than any, must be stopped. She broke the cardinal rule of mikos and disgraced us all. Working in tangent with a great evil for selfish purpose is not, and has never been, tolerated." Shaking her head, the miko became disgusted. "She was once so revered and respected, tasked with importance only to throw it all away. She ruined much with her selfish ways, and will one day be punished for her crimes."

Listening to her, Kagome gulped. "My mating?"

Returning her eyes to the young lady, Midoriko gave her a reassuring smile. "It will remain intact. Magic stole you powers, but it wasn't magic that bonded you to your demon, nor was it magic that gave him your heart. That was you. Your choices are not being questioned or condemned, Kagome. You were meant for the wolf. Sometimes... it just takes a little bit of persuasion to make things happen.

Kagome cocked a brow. "Persuasion?"

With a giggle, Midoriko turned back to the images of the two Kagome's and raised her arms. "Fine. Divine Intervention."

Though Kagome opened her mouth to say something else, Midoriko began moving her hands closer, combining the two stills. As they collided, Kagome felt like she was punched in the gut. Dropping to her knees, she gnashed her teeth together and wrapped one arm around her waist, using the other to hold herself up as she choked on her breath.

As the room went white again, and Kagome's vision began to fade, she heard Midoriko's disembodied voice ring in her ears.

"Good luck, Sister, and Kami Bless your arrows."

Shooting up with a gasp, Kagome panted for breath, looking around her and finding she was back in the woods, with a very concerned inu staring at her.

The General looked at the Eastern Lady, and couldn't believe his eyes. She was clearly still a demon, but there were now bright pink markings on her cheeks and arms, and her eyes were longer the blue they were, but a vibrant purple. Her scent changed as well. It was crisper, cleaner. He was confused, but her safety was more important than a few demonic markings and different colored eyes. Reaching out and grabbing her hands when she held them out, the general pulled her to her feet. steadying her when she swayed. "Are you alright, My Lady."

Pressing the heel of her hand to her forehead, Kagome nodded. It took her a moment, but the world did stop spinning and when it did, she looked at the general and spoke, her words brokering no arguments. "I need a bow, arrows, and a ride."