As always - "Parenthesis" are spoken words, italics are thoughts, and AAAAAAA are a scene shift.

Shout outs are in bold at the end of the story.

Disclaimer- I don't own Inuyasha or any other original character. I only own the plot, storyline, and all original characters.

AAAAAAAAAAA

Kaede slowly and cautiously crossed the room to the woman gone mad with hatred. "Sister Kikyo, please don't do this. Ye know this be not right nor the way of the world."

"You cannot stop me. Obey your sister and leave it be to happen as it should."

"I cannot do that."

"Try to stop me if you must Kaede. I will not be persuaded to end this journey until my goal is met."

The older woman knew she was not near as fast but she was so much more determined. If she could bind Kikyo then she could prevent her evil deeds from coming to light. She didn't mean the dead woman harm but she could not be allowed to harm the young one either.

Kaede started chanting under her breath to bind Kikyo's powers since they would only be used for the wrong reasons. She moved ever so slowly towards her as she reached and grabbed a length of rope from a nearby shelf. She crept while she chanted knowing that Kikyo was aware of her intentions.

"You would turn on your own blood so easily little sister?" Kikyo let out a menacing laugh that made Kaede cringe slightly. They were challenging each other and Kikyo thought the old woman incompetent against her.

Kaede watched as Kikyo pulled a small blade from the folds of her clothing and a little light from the fire glinted red off of it, giving it a surreal evil quality that caused a shiver to go down the elder's spine.

They struggled for a few moments as the both tried to overpower each other. Although Kaede was old, she still had some fight left in her. Each woman had a hand on the hilt of the small blade as they toppled over each other.

In a flash everything was over. Kaede was breathing hard as Kikyo's still form lay on top of her. She knew what had happened and felt regret and sadness in her heart but consoled herself with the fact that her sister would be able to finally rest peacefully.

She pushed the cold clay shell to roll off of her as she heaved in the air that her lungs were starving for after such strenuous activity. She crawled a few feet away to rest against the wall.

A breeze began to whip through the interior of her little hut and it seemed to all gather around the body of her once again dead sister. She could see the knife slip soundlessly from the place where it was embedded deep within her chest. The still form began to hover slightly above the ground as her black hair whipped around in the wind that engulfed her body.

Kaede's heart was just starting to calm as a white orb lifted out from the false body of her sister and streaked across the sky towards the north. The old woman knew what the little ball of light was and felt a heavy burden lift from her in the knowledge that wherever Kagome was, she would finally be whole again.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

All bickering stopped as the stranger strolled lazily and gracefully into the clearing. The woman was hanyou, which was certain from the cute ears perched on the top of her head. He greyish white hair swayed in the slight breeze. She looked to be a soldier, and a high ranking one at that if her apparel was anything to judge from. A scabbard was slid into her waistband with mysterious blue markings glinting in the sun.

The hanyou stopped a few feet from the two who had been previously glaring daggers at each other. All eyes had followed the entire length of her stroll.

"Just who the hell are you, bitch?" Sango rolled her eyes. Typical Inuyasha language and behavior. Act and speak brashly and rudely first, question later.

Miroku stepped up to the female, "Please excuse our idiot friend. He does not know how to speak properly to such a beautiful lady such as yourself."

"Letch" was growled as Sango let him know of his treatment for the newcomer through the use of her hirakots.

The hanyou lifted an eyebrow at the strange behavior of the group but shrugged it off. She had been sent here on a mission from her cocky cousin and the sooner she carried it out, the sooner she could get back to her own life.

"As entertaining as this is, I have come to your group for a reason."

Sango decided that perhaps it would be best if she were to steer the conversation since the two males seemed to have no finesse in doing so. Besides, she wanted information out of this woman. She had mentioned Kagome and Sango was damn sure going to find out what the woman knew.

"Might I ask what that mission was and who you are exactly?" Sango hoped the idiots hadn't angered her into not answering.

"First, my name is Rain. I am a wolf hanyou from the Northern Mountains and cousin to the acquaintance of yours named Kouga. Second, I was sent by my cousin to retrieve the traveling companions of the Lady Kagome with great urgency."

The grouped all turned startled eyes on one another and then back to Rain. Inuyasha was the first to break the silence that had fallen over them.

"What do you know about Kagome, wench? What does turd breath want with us?"

Rain sighed as she took in the hanyou of this group. He was good looking in a rugged way but his speech and manner left something to be desired. He was rude and brash and she could just guess that his fighting styled would mimic this as well.

"I know nothing but the message I have already given. I am not privileged to any other information and frankly, I could care less. I was glad to get away."

AAAAAAAAAAA

As the ruling family of the North sat and pondered the answers of the many questions they had about their newest member, a silent figure that hid in the shadows watched. She gave an internal chuckle at their frustrations.

Her voice wafted lightly through the room. "You will not find what you are looking for in any book."

Gasps and growls were heard as they searched for the intruder. Nobody should have been able to break through their barrier and the intrusion was definitely not appreciated.

A beautiful elemental stepped from the shadows and seemed to glow from her own internal light. Long, curly brown hair cascaded down her back and her eyes glittered in the firelight. A beautiful gown wrapped around her body in the colors of nature herself.

"Do not fear or mistrust me, youkais. I come with a message from my mother, the Moon Goddess. Your dear little one is not what she appears. None other like her has ever been born. She is touched by the moon, holds the blood of a youkai, and holds the purity of a miko. She is more powerful than any other being within existence. "

She paused to allow the family to drink all the information in before continuing. "I know you have many questions, and I will give you all of the information that I possess, but know now that I do not hold the answers to everything. Your daughter takes no true form of youkai simply because she is no form of youkai. She is the only of her kind. Her markings represent her youkai blood, while the moon on her forehead represents being touched by my own mother."

Aiyana considered the elemental before her. Her aura held no malice or lies. Perhaps she would now get some answers to the questions that had been plaguing them all.

"Please, young elemental, we would have your name so that we could speak freely to one another."

"Your request is simply answered. I was named Ori upon my birth by my great father."

"Ori, would it please you to answer some questions we have about our little one?"

Ori felt that there was no need to hide anything from these beings. They had taken the one with great power in and revived her body and continued with attempts to revive her heart and soul. They had done the world a great service.

"Ask your questions, Lady of the North and I shall answer whatever is within my power."

Everyone gathered gave a sigh of relief as they took turns asking away. Ori told them much about Kagome. She explained that Kagome would never die of old age or disease. These had been gifts from the Moon Goddess upon her birth. She also explained that the blood amulet that they had provided for her protection had unlocked her youkai blood that had lay dormant all of these years. It had been sealed away for Kagome's protection until such a time when protection need not be a worry.

Kagome's full potential and power would only be reached when she had found her soul mate and true love. Until then, she would feel the pain of loneliness and sadness that was currently haunting her. Her soul was reaching out and searching for her other half, only to be denied every time. For some reason, her soul mate had intentionally been blocking her access to him and denying the pull that he felt within himself.

What Ori could not tell them is who that soul mate would be and what would become of the jewel. Oh she knew who it was without a doubt, but was not allowed to interfere directly in that way. Given, she had already bent the rules of the game nearly to the point of breaking but giving them a name was out right defiance.

Aisoka looked at the elemental in a new light. "We understand what you have told us and thank you for the knowledge you have bestowed upon us. We will use to the best of our abilities."

Ori smiled warmly at the family before giving her final warning. "Before I leave, I must tell you that it is of grave importance for Kagome to find her soul mate and quickly. Her soul and body will not be able to continue to live unless it becomes whole and he will be the only one capable of bringing this about. She will die without him. It will be painful."

Shock rocked through the family library like an earthquake and reached to their very cores. They did not want to lose her and the world needed her. Seeing the shock turn into sadness and despair, Ori felt the need to reassure the family.

"I have set some things in motion for the soul mates to find each other. Although I cannot reveal what they are, I have struck deep within the soul of the male and thrust Kagome right into his face. He would be a fool not to recognize what is being presented to him."

With those final words, Ori disappeared once again into the darkness of night as she made her way to a room where a little gap toothed girl slept in a room next to a heart of ice that was in some desperate need of defrosting.

AAAAAAAAAAAAA

Thanks to everyone for holding onto some patience:

Emogirl: no worries, I will be finishing it. I am not a quitter.

DeadlyWolfQueen: I am soooooooooooo happy to see you again too. Watch those sugar rushes girl, they can be deadly. (Chuckles synically while handing her a cookie riddle with chocolate chips)

TsukiyoTenshi: Sorry, no early reveals. I don't want to ruin it for everyone, but I hope you like a little suspense.

Loveinthebattlefield: Thank you for your condolences. They are greatly appreciated.