Ok guys- here we go into the the story. I have updated 4 chapters at once. I want feed back big time- I on what all of you think.Just 2 minutes of your time to let me know at the end of your read- is that so much to ask?

After the next two chapters - the story picks up. You will want to read the next 2 chapters however so that you don't miss some facts that are key to the tale.

Please Note:

I do not in any way own Inuyasha or any of the wonderful characters created in that delightful Anime. They are all the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi. I am merely expressing my imagination on her wonderful tale. There are a few characters I have created that do not belong in InuYasha- they are mine, as is the imagination and story line I have superimposed.

Please do not make this a legal issue.

Chapter 19: For the Mercy of the Fates

Akara had made haste to the Abode of the fates. There was only a slim chance that her plea would be heard- but she had to try- it just had to be enough.

She had never in her life seemed to hurry as she did today.

Vidhee, the Queen of the Fates greeted her at the gates.

"Akara." She stated simply as she opened the gates that seemed to be made of clear water to allow the godess of the heavens entry into the domain of the fates.

Akara held back her emotional revulsion at seeing those shimmering clear gates.

They appeared so innocent- so simple and clear. In fact the gates were made of a Spider's web. Koonchan, the spider of fate, would weave his sticky web about those the fates would capture in their plans; to draw them in- helpless to escape.

Koochan rarely was aroused- sleeping mostly. Usually the fates could handle on their own what they willed. But when the fates wished to end an era and start anew- great power was needed to complete plans and so he would arise. His clear body like glass would be seen scurrying about spinning rapidly from heaven to hell and with earth inbetween- pulling everyone and everything as the fates willed it to be.

Akara shivered. She hated all spiders. Her dislike had stemmed from eons of seeing the devastation that followed Koochan's arousal. And now- Koochan had been aroused- his weaving gave her an ill feeling in the pit of her heart. Nausea had overtaken her when she had spied his clear body appear like a sliver of light flashing between the earth and around it- his web starting to form and shimmer – well seen from her abode in heaven.

That sight and days of agonizing over intervening after her meeting with Roykuma were what had brought her here today.

Vidhee opened the gate further and motioned Akara to follow. Akara stifled her ire and irritation. Here she was heart aflutter, worry a mountain upon her head- and obviously Vidhee knew- for she should be able to know everything that was happening before it happened. And yet she had done nothing to change anything! It did not bode well for her mission here.

"Vidhee" she simply replied in return. Noting that Vidhee had obviously known her emotional thoughts just now by the wry smile that quirked her lips and the knowledge that lit her eyes.

"Well what do you want me to do Vidhee- I cannot stop my mind from its thoughts." She irritably replied as she followed the back of the Queen of fate as she leisurely turned and walked toward her throne room at the heart of her domain.

Irritation- very rare indeed for the godess, Vidhee thought as she continued to serenely walk ahead of Akara, Goddess of the heavens. Vidhee was well aware of all that went on emotionally, mentally, and physically in all the domains of existence. She was the Queen of Fates- hence all such knowledge was hers. She was the designer of patterns in fate's plans, and Koochan was her loyal servant.

However, Vidhee thought, there were minions of fate that even she had not been able to control through the eons of time. If Akara was here to plead that she do so- it was very very unfortunate. For Thannu, one of the gods of fate was an entity unto himself. She had never been able to control him. He had upset many of her plans through the ages- and she had learnt that while she may rule the fates- she did not necessarily have the right to decide them. Most of her gods obeyed, but there were a few that had indepentent spirits- and whose powers actually exceeded her own. Thannu was one of them.

It was also doublely unfortunate for Akara, that the fates themselves had woven a pattern that agreed with Thannu's plans this instance- only that their pattern had not gone as expected, hence the outcome so far had been different. Until Naraku, under the guidance of Roykuma's magic had found a way of correcting that oversight that no one had noticed. Now everyone did- and since it was something they had initially planned and designed- there was no mercy in the fates for Akara's plea, Vidhee thought dispassionately. No mercy at all.

Akara was unaware. She emotionally presented her case- she ranted almost as she pleaded that the fates allow for a change.

Akaraknew that the fates had decreed things to be- but she did not realize that there was no mercy to be found for her plea in this domain. Though she knew it would be a far off shot, she had hoped there would be a slim chance of change. She had to believe that- her heart – one that was already torn to pieces, would turn to dust if she had known or aknowledged that all was lost. That there was nothing left for her to do but watch- and that even had she tried to intervene- there was no longer room for change.

Vidhee also comprehended this. She – while having no wish to change things that would come to be, comprehended Akara's heart. And there was for this one reason- the willingness to issue warning. After listening to the Goddess of Heaven's heart borne plea- she could not bring herself to tell her all was lost. Akara would find this to be so as time would pass. Perhaps it would be kinder to prolong hope- for Akara's emotions were currently bordering uncontrolled- and Vidhee had no intention of tipping the heavens over just yet. Perhaps instead of brutal fact, what Akara needed was to realize herself in the larger scheme of things. She had not yet done that due to her own emotions.

"Akara- you know it had been decreed to Roykuma's will……."she held her hand to stop Akara from interrupting her words, "But I know your heart in this- and how you fear for the good and just souls in this. For Heaven would not find such pure souls for centuries again." Vidhee paused and looked upon Akara, who held herself silent- but the rapid beat of her heart belied her fear.

Vidhee continued, " But you must understand that the fates did not decree this to destroy goodness nor to break their souls. Our sights have never fallen on individual lives- that is your domain. Our sights have always been upon the greater events that must come to be."

"What events?" Akara cried. "What would possibily be worth such a great sacrifice on the side of good?"

Vidhee remained silent. Contemplating whether to speak or not. Deciding the Godess of Heaven had more that just that role in this event, and deserved to know why things would happen for her own closure, Vidhee continued-

" In this case- the world of Earth can no longer sustain the Sikon Jewel. It must be lost to Earth- and yet there is only one way for that to be done. You and I know it……..so understand us, my Goddess."

Seeing the light of comprehension and then of fear since Akara now understood what was more important in the larger view of the fates, Vidhee continued-

" Understand that we have no wish to harm those close to your heart- but that we wish to save the world from itself. The world has entered an age of impurity. An age were none will be completely pure of soul. For the Sikon to remain in such an Earth may destroy the 3 worlds themselves. This age- known in some ancient texts as the Kaliyuga, will continue for another eon. We are merely at the start- and you must surely see the devastation and impureness of it already. The Kaliyuga began with the birth of a child. The Hanyou Inuyasha. The Kaliyuga began with the death of greatness. It began with the death of the immortal demon- InuTashio. You know all this Akara- and yet you have not wished to acknowledge it- and I know why. However, you must now. Please my Goddess, we the fates do not wish to be against you."

Akara's heart had stopped with realization. She knew now why. She knew deep inside her heart that already she had lost. She had lost so long ago when she had tried to stop all of this. She herself had been woven into this pattern long ago. She bowed her head. When she lifted it again- her mind ruled her once again. No longer did her heart- but she felt it break into dust.

"I am not against you Vidhee." She stated simply. "I now know where I belong in this war." She paused a second- a shimmer of tears held at bay in her eyes. "But I beg you only this once- as a mother, I beg you- at least warn them….. give them a chance to stop it all. I will not ask it of you again."

Vidhee took in the regal bearing that was pleading for her mercy. Not as the goddess of heaven- but as a mother for her son. Akara's silver eyes were filled with unshed tears of love and concern. Her long silver hair framed her pale prefect face, that was distinguished by the beautiful dark marking of the half crecent moon upon her forhead and the small twin stars of magenta upon her cheek bones.

"I will let them feel a warning Akara- that there is danger in what lies ahead. However- Thannu is powerful, and I will not stop him or interfere futher. It now lies unto them- the priestess and your son, whether they put themselves in to Thannu's grasp or not now."

Akara nodded. She knew that Vidhee's willingness to do this was more than what the Queen of fate had initially wished. This was the last sliver of hope of diverting things to come. This was the last hope of saving her son. Beyond this- she could no longer interfere. Beyond this she would only allow herself the role of Goddess of the Heavens- and not allow herself the right to the role of a mother.

She had long ago lost that right anyways.