AN: Hey Everyone, I bet you're all surprised that it didn't take me a year to update. LOL. I hope you enjoy the chapter! A reminder that Souta is seventeen.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho and/or Inuyasha.

Recap Chapter 8

She blinked her eyes coming back to stand in the landscape Midoriko resides in. It wasn't until now that what the elder was trying to tell her fully sunk in. What the extent it meant for the older to get on her knees before her. 'Am I willing to turn my back on them?' Kagome asked herself.

Casting a longing gaze back at everyone she holds precious she knew her answer, "Midoriko."

In a surprising show of affection she kindly took the face of the other in her hands. Kagome gingerly brought Midoriko up to peer into her compassionate eyes. "Midoriko, I'll protect everyone. If I must suffer for the good of those I love, I'll willing make that sacrifice. I'll set everyone's hearts and souls at peace. I would be honored if you would train me."

After centuries of depression Kagome's smile finally reached her eyes and Midoriko felt privileged that she was the first to see it. "No Kagome-sama, it is I, who is honored by your acceptance. Thank you." Midoriko whispered.

Chapter 9

"Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends." ~ Czech Proverb

'Kami has heard her acceptance from the depths of her heart. All shall start to fall into place.' The elder thought to herself. She closed her eyes reveling in the feeling of compassion Kagome gave off. Without Kagome's knowledge she looked into the outside world surrounding her charge.

xXxXxXx

The wrap that shielded the priestess started to splinter, yet it did not fall. The fractured shield's pieces gathered into seven orbs. Midoriko's voice echoed in the hallway as the seven orbs hover around Kagome, "All ambassadors must be guarded. Kagome-sama has accepted her place in Kami's great plan. In His plans you have been chosen." She paused letting the orbs shoot out into the respective seven.

Hiei's shot his sword out in front of him trying to slice through the orb coming towards him. His eyes widened a fraction as the orb melted through his blade. Its path didn't even waver. 'I'm going to be purified.' The thought had the hybrid's blood run cold. From the corner of his eyes he could see Kurama fruitlessly try to cut through his own orb with a miniature rose whip.

Souta didn't know what was going to happen, but if it had something to do with his sister he wouldn't flinch from the orb. Time seemed to slow down as Souta watched the orb come towards him. Absent mindedly, he wondered if it would be painful.

The other four stood still for their own different reasons. Kuwabara instinctively knew the orb wouldn't harm him. Yusuke wasn't about to let some orb frighten him. Koenma knew it wouldn't do any good to run and Botan wanted to do everything in her power to help the priestess.

It came as more than a pleasant surprise as the orb met with the flesh of their foreheads sending heat throughout their bodies. The sensation soon faded leaving an uncomfortable stinging on their foreheads. A black outline of the kanji "guard" appeared upon their foreheads.

Midoriko aged voice vibrated off the walls as she spoke, "Yusuke Uremashi, Kazuma Kuwabara, Hiei of the Jagan Eye, Yoko Kurama, Shinigami Botan, Prince of the afterlife Koenma, and Souta Higurashi. You all shall hold the honor of standing beside Kami's Ambassador. Do not think lightly of this post. Kami has seen your courage, spirit, strength of will, and far more. Be humbled that He has orchestrated you into his greatest plan. However, heed His warning; betraying His favored is like spitting on His handmade gift. Hell will not deal out your punishment. You will be caged at His side with fires hundred times hotter than Hell melting your never-ending skin. The most vicious of orges will have their way with you. Poisons will be forced in your every opening dissolving your inner working. Sleep shall not comfort you, for the most horrendous of nightmares will greet your closed eyes. For your sakes, I think you should heed the warning for there is no guarantee that He will not punish your loved ones as well for your transgressions."

Hiei's growl interrupted Midoriko. "How are we supposed to know your words are true? That pathetic wench can't even stand on her own two feet. You want us to believe Kami wants anything to do with her." Hiei sneered put. Kurama secretly agreed with his long time partner, yet he did not voice it.

Koenma recognized the voice as the jewels creator, Midoriko. 'What the Hell is that idiot doing?' It was too late to scold the short demon on his mistake for Midoriko took it into her own hands.

"Such foolishness, nonetheless He sees where you falter in your faith. In a show of mercy, He will let you glimpse into His plan and what should await you if His favored is betrayed by you." Midoriko haunting words ended.

Souta tried to protest; however the marking on their foreheads glows to life. Darkness consumed their vision as they were thrust on top of a building.

Standing before them is a young woman whose body is lean, fit, and held the grace and muscles of a dancer. What little of her skin showed was sun kissed. Midnight blue hair sparkled as if stars actually existed within their thick depths. The young woman's head is turned looking at the bustling city below, but Souta knew who she is.

She is clad in a blend of olive green wool and cotton. Loose fitting hakama pants that hung low on her waist were held in place with a golden colored woven belt. The golden belt is decorated with red rubies making azaleas and poppy jasper made up her bittersweet flowers. Her top is cropped with the same olive green material held tight to her bust stopping just inches below. At the bottom of her top the material becomes screened with a small diamond pattern revealing her toned stomach beneath. Three-quart sleeves cover most of her arms. The bordering on her top is done like her golden belt. Hearing something that none of the others could; she turned her face towards them earning a gasp from the seven.

"Kagome-neechan." Souta confirmed.

No longer did her eyes look haunted with pasted aggressions; nor was her skin the clammy ill colored milk that turned his stomach. She stood in front of them with an aura that radiated confidence and authority. Her eyes are a magnificent shade of indigo blue holding love and understanding that balanced out with her aura.

A laugh broke through her lips and it was amazing to them. It was as if, the problems of the world suddenly crumbled leaving behind only the softest security blanket to rest with in.

Out of the blue, the picture ripped in half and all seven stood under a great shadow. They opened their mouths to talk to one another, but no sound came. A voice broke through their rising panic, "Taste a sample of Kami wrath should His beloved suffer unnecessarily."

Asako watched in horror as all the youth, except her daughter, scream in silent agony. Bodies twitched, shrunk away, and held still by unseen forces. Mute sobs shook the figure of the one they called Botan.

"Please Kami, let this suffering end." She choked out as she held her sons head in her lap. Just as the last word left her lips the ones before her bolted up from were they lay scanning the room for their tormentors.

Mirdoriko's sullen voice called to them once more, "That was but a taste of your punishment should you fail Him. Further instructions will be given later when the jewel is returned to its rightful owner." Her voice died out at the end leaving behind seven badly shaken souls.

"That was but a taste." Souta quoted. "I don't want to even try to imagine that for five minutes; yet alone eternity."

The six others nodded their heads in full agreement. Yusuke looked to the young priestess. She was now situated in her grandfather's arms as he lightly rocked back and forth waiting for her to awake. "It looks like this mission just added a lifetime warranty to it." He grumbled aloud.

Kurama followed his line of sight watching the seemingly innocent priestess sleep. "Yes, indeed. The question is will we make it a pleasant or torturous agreement?" he asked.

"One thing is for sure, Detectives. This mission is no longer in my hands nor my fathers. Spirit World is now just a subheading branch. The creator of all things in existence has chosen us." Koenma found himself rubbing his temples; trying to relieve the migraine that now pulsed within his head. 'One jewel, priestess, add Kami and you get the recipe for the perfect never ending migraine.' He bitterly thought.

Botan sat herself beside Akio Higurashi taking a small bit of comfort from watching the priestess being so lovingly handled. "Koenma-sama, you know what we need to do now." She said not taking her eyes off the young woman.

"I'll go get the jewel now." Koenma replied.

~ Chapter 8 Fin ~

AN: Its short, but I need time to figure out what the Hell is about to go down with Kagome's new position. There were issues with Kagome's background, but a plot is being rotated around to give the falling out of the Inu-Tahi more depth. In fact, one of the Inu-Tachi will be making an appearance in the upcoming chapters. Tell me what you think!

If anyone wants to become my Beta-Reader I would appreciate it.

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