Chapter 21: The miko's arrival...

It was about noon when the great miko and it's escort arrived at the Sacred Shrine. She was greeted by her fellow sisters. As she was passing each of them bowed in respect. At the grand entrance she was greeted by the hight healer.

" Welcome, great sister." she was happy to see her, but the miko's face was blank and her voice was a cold whisper.

" Take me to her." she ordered not bothering to look at the older miko. She had no choice but submit so she showed her the way, stopping at the door of the room where the guardian was staying in.

" I'll be here if you need something." the healer said bowing. The other only nodded and entered the room. At the sound of the door opening and closing the guardian awakened.

" You finally came." she reached a hand to the young miko. She knelled taking it. Now the expression on her face was readable, she never had a chance in hiding her emotions from the guardian so she made no attempt, not only her face expression but her eyes which usually showed more than they should, were full of concern and frustration, self blaming, and something that shouldn't be there fear. Fear of disappointing, failing and dishonor.

" Yes." she immediately burst into tears. " I'm so- so... sorry." fragments of words were the only things you could understand between her snobs. " I-I... I should have... co- come earlier..."

" Shhhh, it's all right my child..." she kissed her forehead in attempt of smoothening her. " I wanted you to be as ready as you could be. Forgive me but I had my reasons of doubting your capacity to control the power I could not."

" I don't know if I'm ready to become the guardian of the Shikon No Tama." she said lowering her head after she calmed enough so she wouldn't shake anymore, her breathing calming.

" But I do." the older miko cupped her face in the palm of her hand. " I have faith that you are strong enough to keep it safe for a long period of time, which we desperately need now."

" I understand, great guardian..."

" Please, don't call me that. You don't need to here, is just the two of us." the ill miko said with the voice of the most loving being.

" Thank you, ..."

Kagome slightly turned pale but she putted on a smile that could easily hide her uncecuretly

" How nice to see you,..." Kagome said turning towards the figure behind her. But she was cut off by a rough voice.

" Just cut the crap, Kagome! Where is he?" the person standing in front of her was for some reason very pissed off.

" Where is who?" she asked innocently. She was giving her best efforts to control herself. If there was a single person in the whole world, besides Kaede, she couldn't lie to, it was this one.

" You know very well of who I'm talking about, so don't act all innocent with me!"

" Is there something wrong, Kagome?" Kaede asked interrupting the discussion in the most perfect moment possible. Kagome was thankful of Kaede's intervention. She made a mental note to thank Kaede for her perfect timing.

" Oh, everything is just fine Kaede! Now where is he?"

" He who, dear?" she was acting all innocent as well.

' Good, Kaede got the hint and joined the game.' Kagome was really pleased with herself for trusting Kaede and he friends about Inuyasha since her unexpected visitor could kill him easily.

Lord Inutashio and lady Kaiya were walking in silence through the old castle's garden. Suddenly Inutashio broke the silence by asking a question that seemed to eat him from inside ever since Kaiya started to plan Kagome's wedding.

" Kaiya, tell me why are you so eagerly to get Kagome married?"

" Because I want grandchildren of course." she said that without looking at him.

" We both know that this isn't the real reason." there was a bench in front of them so Kaiya went and took a seat. He got near to it but he didn't take a seat next to her. After a moment in which Kaiya made no movement he continued. " You haven't told her did you?" Kaiya moved her head to one side avoiding his gaze. " What have you been thinking? She'll be 16 soon." she finally spoke after his statement.

" I know. It always been hard and now is even harder."

" What does she know about the book?"

" She thinks it's just a story..."

" Whattt? Are you nutss! How could you do this to her?"

" I'm sorry!" she looked at him. " It's hard for me that when she'll find out that she'll hate me for lying to her." now the tears that were forming earlier started to run down her face.

" Ha! You bet!" he knew how critical the situation was, but he wasn't so sure she did. " Do you know what will happen on her 16 birthday?" he asked taking a seat next to her.

" No. I wish I knew." she said shaking badly from her snobs.

" Calm down and I'll explain it to you. You'd better pray to every kami you know that she doesn't..."

YEAH! BIG CLIFF HANGER!

I'm soooo evil! (wicked smile! )

Review! Review! Review! Review! Review! Review! REVIEW! If you wanna know what happens next! Ha-Ha! Ha-Ha-Ha! (Mandark style laught)