F5: Eto…well..I can officially say I have no excuse whatsoever for forgetting about this for nearly two years……woops? dodges knives I Be SORRY!!! Pwease? (Glares from readers send F5 Scrambling for cover) Gomen Nasai Gomen Nasai!!! I'm So sorry!!!

Cai: Just get on with it before they all kill you painfully.

F5: (mournfully) I guess you're right….

Disclaimer: Even after two years I just can't seem to get through all that red tape to own the damn series, so it is still in the hands of Rumiko Takehashi..(cry cry tear tear)

-------------One More Shock and the World Tips Sideways----------------

Kagome, Inuyasha and the little dragon girl Orala trudged, or rather, the two hanyou's trudged and Orala gracefully floated, back to the palace compound and into their respectful bedrooms. The sun was just cresting the earth when their heads hit the pillow and both hanyou's fell into sleep with the grace of a flying anvil. Orala smiled softly and left them, walking down the hallway towards an undisclosed room and closing herself in it. She needed to have a long chat with a certain prophecy before she went any further.

"Alright Hia, come out, I know you are here," she spoke, her words whispering in the wind. A sigh resounded and a rush of wind blew back Orala's long blue hair as a woman stepped out into the open. Her tawny eyes, strange for a Golden One, met blue ones and the young girl could see just how sad she looked.

"Ah, the dragon clan. How very nice of you to stop by. I was unsure of why you decided to come into the picture so soon. I would have figured you were one for waiting it out until just the right time," she said, walking around the center of the darkened room. Cavernous walls seemed to close in on the two as the space tightened, pulling all light from the few candles littered around the space. A large candelabra soared for the ceiling in the very center, stone tiles forming an abstract pattern of a haphazard circle.

Hia herself was not all that tall, around five foot, with long, flowing silver hair instead of the normal golden color that populated the Golden Ones line. On her forehead was the mark of water, brightly shining through her gold skin. Much of her was just like her species, but her eyes, those tawny eyes, were different.

Orala stood up straight, staring Hia in the eye. "The time has come. My lands in the north are plagued by strange happenings and those who do not belong here are suddenly appearing in places unbeknownst to me. Naraku is the least of our worries at the moment. You know this as well as I. Kagome is one of the last of my clan as well as the most powerful. She is a miko of the highest class, a Golden One with mysterious power and my blood kin. You know this was inevitable Hia. Why have you been stalling in their training?" Hia growled.

"That girl you so blatantly told last night that she and her future mate were to save the world only found out about her heritage not more than a week and a half ago! I should be asking you the same question! She is not yet ready! She is, at the moment, too naïve to understand what will happen if she fails! She still thinks this is some pretend game! Inuyasha is no better. He still wants revenge on his brother Sesshomaru, still cannot accept his feelings and there will be hell to pay if I cannot get them to listen to me soon!!" Orala stared at Hia wide eyed, then looked down at her hands, the bluish tint fading to pale skin.

"Oh, I see. I misunderstood your methods. They are that far behind then. It is unfortunate. A hoard of these strange creatures that invade my territory are coming straight for this capital and if those two cannot be ready than I fail to see the point of the prophecy," Orala remarked harshly, glaring at Hia. "Your prophecy is horribly inaccurate and you know it. That slander you and your people have been handing out is nothing more than dissuasion from the truth. I want the real prophecy, the one that you have been so faithfully been keeping from the light for over a thousand years Hia. I need it now." Hia let loose a sigh and shook her head, her hair glistening in the candle light.

"I am afraid I cannot do that Dragon Child. I am the only one able to hold that prophecy in my hands and read it and I will do so when the time is right."

Orala's skin turned red. "I refuse to hear this from someone who is feeding the saviors of the world lies! You know what happens if either of them dies! You cannot keep this up! This ruse you insist on living is neither wanted nor convenient any longer! Kagome and Inuyasha must learn not only what you wish to teach them but what they must know to survive! These masses of monsters will tear them apart and leave nothing left if they do not have the necessary skills! Naraku is nothing more than a passing interest to your race so why are you placing such an emphasis on him in you damn little prophecy? You have more important things to be doing with your power!" Orala was slowly letting off heat, bathing the room in a wave of hot air. Hia seemed unaffected as she stared dimly at the girl.

"You are oblivious. Yes, Naraku holds little to such a clan as us and he is barely the slime on the bottom of the metaphorical barrel, but Kagome must have something she can work towards. If such a great task as what you propose is pushed on her, what do you think will happen? I know what she needs to learn and I cannot be taught. This battle that you speak so insistently of, the invading demons, will show her her own weaknesses. You must be patient. Kagome and Inuyasha have more here to do than you give them credit for Orala. You are still as much a child as Inuyasha and Kagome are, so blind to the inner workings of the minds of others. Why do you think I deceive those two when I know the consequences? They must find out for themselves or else they cannot hope to survive the upcoming battles. A great event will take place and it will reveal just how far these two will go. It is unfortunate that it must be so, but it will. I assure you that Kagome and Inuyasha will be well prepared." Orala gave Hia a dirty look.

"You know they must be in one piece, am I correct?"

"One piece has many meanings, but physically, they will be in one piece. Emotionally or mentally, I am unsure of at the moment. I am doing all I can to prepare them though."

"Yes, those little mental conversations with them are surely helping them train."

"I am unable to leave this room. I am trapped for another hundred years just as all prophecy holders are. I am the prophet of a race who has forgotten I exist. It is ironic, don't you think? I am unable to view the world beyond my own mental scope and through my two pupils eyes and my own race has forgotten about me."

"Do not give me that crap Hia. I know you purposely made it so. You did not want to be remembered so you purposely wiped yourself from existence. More than one person could remove that seal on the door if you wished it so." Hia smiled at the girl.

"Yes, true, but I must remain hidden for a while longer. There are a few more people that must be involved in this prophecy for it to remain on course and no matter how much you dislike the fact that I refuse to give you anything beyond my spoken word, you must trust that those two will be ready when they are needed. Just do not expect the same two people to come."

Orala sniffed lightly. "I will see for myself prophet. I will remain with this group and observe what you plan on doing and in doing so I will be able to teach Kagome her own powers." Hia shook her head.

"I cannot allow that at the moment Orala. Something else must pass first, and any interference from you will send it far off course. If I find you intervening in my plans then you will be eliminated, Dragon Child or not. I did not orchestrate this prophecy just so some young child could go and completely screw up my entire plans. I have spent far too long in shadow and I will not have it go to waste. Remember that Orala. I am not afraid to manipulate someone else into oblivion, just as I have done for centuries." Her voice carried a cold edge to it, her eyes narrowed. Orala nodded and turned to leave.

"Fine Hia, I understand. But if I fail to see what you are doing after this event you speak of, I will come here and rest that prophecy from your fingers, like it or not. Good day, prophet. I will watch closely." Her feet made no noise as she left, shutting the door behind her and leaving Hia alone in the dark. The prophet sighed and took a chair in the very back, amongst scrolls and books of innumerable size and number.

"I expect nothing less from the Dragon Child. Even if you do not know your part in the prophecy. I am sorry, but it must go on this way. Kagome, Inuyasha, I apologize ahead of time for what I must do." With this said, Hia closed her eyes and placed her hands in a prayer as a silver sheen covered her entire body and silver lips chanted out unheard words. The destiny of all was hanging on what this woman did, and if she could do it in time.

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"Kagome, wake up…" Something was poking her, something sharp. She growled, hoping would leave. When it didn't, Kagome rolled over, groaning as the poking continued. She was trying to sleep damn it! Her hand reached out and absently swatted the thing away from her and made contact with skin. Immediately, she sat up, rubbing sleep filled eyes and muttering apologies.

The sound of someone laughing reached her ears and she found herself staring at Sango, who was snickering behind her hand. Casey, apparently up earlier than one would think, was also smirking and laughing, something seeming impossible to do. Kagome glared.

"Why am I awake? What time is it? What are you two doing here?" She spit out, wanting to return to blissful sleep. She didn't get much of it lately. Sango, wearing her kimono and looking quite relaxed, said,

"It's nearly noon Kagome. You've been sleeping all morning. Same with Inuyasha. What have you two been doing?" her tone was sly and Kagome blushed.

"Is Miroku rubbing off on you now?" She asked, pleased to see it garnered a blush in return. Sango shut up and Casey took the opportunity to speak.

"Alright, I know it's early for you, but some of my informants have informed me that something is coming. Something they haven't seen or heard of before, and that is saying something in itself. We may need you to help us if we cannot defend our home ourselves. It has been centuries since we have been called on to fight and, as much as it pains me to admit it, our skills are slightly rusty." Casey grimaced, hands clenched in her lap. Kagome and Sango stared, not noticing the door opening up behind them.

"Wow, milady, that sounds almost mature of you. Not expected," the child-like voice commented. Sango and Kagome whipped around as Casey turned her gaze towards the intruder. The young Eldest's voice caught.

"Orala?"

"You!" Kagome and Casey exclaimed simultaneously. Casey turned to the newly appointed half-demon. "You know her?"

Kagome stuttered for footing on shaky ground, unsure what to say. Hia remained silent in her mind, not providing any comfort. The sun beat down on her through the sliding glass doors as she struggled to find some suitable response. "Eto…" Orala answered for her.

"Kagome has met me before, just last night. Though I am sure she would be more than happy to tell you why," the young demon said, flicking now red eyes towards the golden teenager. Casey and Sango looked towards her. Kagome glared, opened her mouth to answer, and was surprised when Hia decided to intervene.

Kagome, do not answer. Orala does not yet understand. Tell her it will disrupt the balance so find a new game before I boot her out of this one. Kagome was speechless. What in the world was going on here?

What do you mean by that?

Just say it. Orala will understand what it means.

Fine, but if she asks questions I am not answering them.Kagome turned to look at the dragon child.

"Um, It will disrupt the balance so find a new game before I boot you out of this one," Kagome repeated hesitantly. Orala frowned. Apparently, from the offended way she was acting, she got it, Kagome deduced, but what it meant still escaped her.

"Fine, fine, play your little games. But when you lose, do not come crying to me," Orala muttered, stomping out. Kagome heard a distinct sigh from Hia.

All will be explained in due time child. In due time. Her presence vanished from her mind before Kagome could ask anymore questions.

"What was that all about Kagome?" Sango said, turning to look pensively at her best friend. Kagome sighed.

"I wish I knew Sango. I really do." She climbed gracefully to her feet, noting that she was still in her combat outfit. Growling about late nights and pushy voices, confusing her two companions even more, she yanked a pair of jeans and her old school shirt (the skirt had been destroyed by the elements a few day back) and stomped into the adjoining bathroom to change, leaving Sango and Casey to stare blankly at her retreating back.

"Do you know what she was talking about oh high and mighty Eldest?" Sango said softly. Casey shook her head, too preoccupied to even berate the demon slayer for using her title.

"Nope, not a clue," was murmured as Kagome stepped out of the bathroom, her hair now done up in a pony tail and wearing regular clothes. The sun threw a bright sheen along her skin, highlighting the deep golden color, much like it was doing to Casey's. Sango couldn't help but cover her eyes somewhat as the irate miko threw her clothes into the bag and headed for the door, not waiting for her friend or the Eldest to follow.

"That damn dragon girl had better explain things a whole hell of a lot better than she did," Kagome said vindictively, opening the door and turning left, heading for the guys room, glaring harshly at the guard standing outside, refusing to let her in. She snarled at him, in no mood to compromise or even try to talk it out. With a squeak, the highly trained fighter scrambled out of her way and Kagome stomped inside, up to Inuyasha's bed, and yanked on one of the dog-hanyou's ears.

"Itai! Damn it, who did that?" the boy screeched, holding the abused appendage in one hand before his eyes met the silver ones of Kagome and he gulped. "Uh…hehe…I was just kidding…?" he said, trying for not being slammed face first into the ground. Kagome ignored him but hauled him out of his bed and dragged him down the hall, soon followed by Sango, Casey, a curious monk, Shippou and Tiaki, who had been sent to check on them and joined the train that had started to tail the two hanyous.

"Um…what is going on, highness?" Tiaki asked, leaning down to Casey. Casey whipped a glare at him but answered anyway.

"The Dragon Child came to the girl's room and said something. Kagome replied, the Child left and Kagome got mad at something. Now we're here, attempting to find out what is going on before that hoard of demons arrives and destroys us. Oh, and Kagome's dragging Inuyasha along for the ride and the monk is here for Sango," Casey added as an afterthought. Tiaki nodded pensively.

"So she has come now. I though she wanted to wait until she had no other choice," he murmured, about as cryptic as Kagome had been earlier. Sango looked over at the ruler of the Golden Ones but got nothing but a pensive stare in return and opted to wait until a later date to interrogate the child.

"She has no other choice Tiaki. Those demons are coming from her territory," Casey pointed out. Surprise found its way onto Tiaki's long face and he nodded.

"Oh, I see. So this is what it is all about now." And their journey for answers continues, Sango thought wryly. She glanced up ahead and saw Miroku backing off Kagome, Shippou sitting on his shoulder and Kirara running alongside him. A sudden jolt and they stopped, unwilling to get any closer to the sparking hanyou in front of them, who had just found her object of anger. They all closed ranks and listened in as Inuyasha held his arm close to his side.

"What in the world was that all about? What game are you two playing?" Kagome shouted at the child, who was now sporting long red hair to match her current pale complexion and red eyes. Orala gave her a small smile.

"Now that would be breaking the rules. If you want to know so badly, ask her. She might tell you, though I doubt it. She wouldn't tell me either." Orala folded her hands in front of her and smoothed her dress. Her eyes held nothing but amusement. "But if you wait long enough, the game, as she calls it, will be clear." Kagome snarled and Inuyasha tried to fade into the background. He had been on the receiving end of Kagome's anger often enough to not want to be there again.

"I don't get it! What game? And why do you keep changing colors?"

"You don't have to get anything just yet Kagome. It will be clear. And for your second question, have you spaced the fact that I am a dragon demon? I can change my outer appearance on a mere thought." Kagome glared at Orala.

Hia, you had better answer now or I WILL tell them everything!

My god Kagome, are you not the patient type.

I thought we cleared that up already. Inuyasha, apparently, had a death wish and found himself face down in the dirt. Never mind me.

We wouldn't anyway. Now, Kagome, Orala is quite right. This game, it is much more important that you seem to think, and if you tell them anything than you jeopardize the entire planet and its dimensions. As she said, the game will reveal itself eventually, but for the moment, you must be content. It will become clear in time. Now, hush up and calm your temper before you end up destroying someone. Kagome blushed. She had been steaming.

Yes ma'am, though when will we know?

Soon enough child. Just be patient. Hia, with this said, vanished once more from their mindscape and Kagome sighed. It never seemed to turn out the way she wanted it too. She turned back towards her friends after giving the Dragon Child one more glare and apologized profusely.

Tiaki groaned and wondered just how much more of this madness he could take. "Alright kids, inside now. It's lunch time. You can discuss battle tactics, argue or do whatever after that. But now, we are eating. And no arguments," he growled, glaring at them all. They nodded and dutifully followed the warrior inside and to lunch. Their stomachs were rumbling anyways.

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Hia laid her head in her palms and breathed deeply once more. "I am sorry for this Kagome but fate leaves me with little choice. You will understand in time. In time. It will take but you will understand child. Me the gods forgive me for what I have to do.

F5: See! I be done! Though Hia wanted to write the whole thing herself. Damn prophets hate giving up control. Hope I still have some who are willing to yell at me for not writing for so long, though I promise to update more regularly on this story! I do!!!

Cai: Of course.

F5 (glares at muse) Ignore her. But thank you to all my reviewers! REVIEW!! OR INUYASHA GETS SAT TO AMERICA!!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!

Cai: Psycho.

F5: Darn right I am. Oh, and if anyone can guess what Hia's Diabolical scheme is gets the next update dedicated to them and a box of pocky!!! (maybe a plushie of your choice, if you get the entire thing!!!)