more to come

Kagome took her time walking through the forest, she had her staff in one hand, her eyes continually sweeping the area. She didn't feel any disturbance, but she had pallbearers scouting the lands as well. She used them a lot to help guide souls to the underworld, death was too constant for her to try to be everywhere at once. She also used Shinidamachūs, these Soul Collectors were a type of youkai with long, eel and insect-like features. They were good at finding lost souls and bringing them to her. A nature death or ' scheduled' accidental death she did not have to be present for. She was mostly exclusive to deaths that upset the balance of good and evil. Almost like a Seer, a keeper of Fate even, making sure whatever is supposed to happen happens.

She was nearing the edge of Kaede's old village, the old priestess passed away some years ago. Kagome personally escorted her to the Neverlands, a realm between the underworld and what everyone thought was heaven. It is a Garden of Eden you wait in until someone comes for you to escort you to your paradise. They had talked for a long time as Kagome waited with her, she had apologized to the older woman for the way she was when she was younger. But Kaede had already forgiven her and told her how proud she was of her. Kagome was happy to see she got everything she ever wanted in her paradise. Kagome didn't know how hard Kaede it had when she was alive, the miko had actually turned down love to fulfill her destiny as her village protector. Luckily in death the miko and Crane demon she once fell for found each other again.

Now the elder demon slayer and monk ran the village, combining it with the exterminator village not too far from here. It was a few months after her death when Sango and Miroku got married. Then the babies started coming, one after another after another, Kagome was so shocked when she dropped by for a visit years ago. They had 13 kids; they all were gifted fighters and specialist with auras like their father. Now it was the great grandson in charge of the village, his genes so strong he looked just like Miroku. Kagome watched as a man stepped out of the now larger hut, He was tall still and looked damn good for someone reaching 80 years. His once jet-black hair was now gray but still full and luscious, pulled back into a low ponytail. Minimum wrinkles on his face, his deep, dark stunning violet irises all knowing. The gold earring in his left ear passed down through the family and that dazzling smile able to make any girls heart sink. He wore his navy blue and purple robes of a monk and in a rosemary covered hand he held a Shakujo staff.

Those violet eyes glanced over her way; they squinted as if they could see her though she knew he couldn't. Even still a smile crossed his face and he waved, she laughed at the always funny monk, even at his old age he was still too much of a youngster at heart. Something she is sure Miroku installed in all his kids.

Taking a step closer, she reached into a pouch inside her robe and plucked out a seed. Holding it in her hand, she charged it, then reared her arm back. The seed landed about 3 meters to the right of the home before it shook and started to grow.

He watched the sprout grow rapidly and quickly motioned for everyone to come outside. The tree grew tall, branches thick and strong before the leaves of the weeping willows traveled down to the ground. The many children surrounded the tree once it finished growing, the younger ones were more than ecstatic, playing within the long leaves of the shade tree. The eldest however looked to her mother then father with a raised brow. He just turned the girl around, lifted her arm and made her wave.

Kagome again laughed, heading off into the forest. She walked the worn trail with a sigh, she learned to love these lands over the decades she's been dead. She never thought she would miss the simple joys of noise, with her being Death, everything was so silent and still. It's like someone pressed the mute button every time she steps into a forest. She had gotten pretty good at ignoring it, but it wouldn't hurt to see a rabbit or dear just strolling along. The animals sensed her presences, knew she was death and stay as far away as possible.

She walked at a leisure pace, a few Shinidamachūs floated around her, passing along their findings of lost souls. Kagome just gathered them into individual black pouches before placing them in a larger satchel. She would give it to Hades, he would sort through them, he had the gift to touch a soul and see every sin that person ever committed when they were alive. Sometimes when she wasn't too busy, he would let her watch which was always an interesting sight, but she was always busier than not.

She followed the worn path through the forest, the sun was finally reaching the highest point in the sky. She glanced up and for a moment, wondered what her family was doing, wondering if they were staying relaxed during the hot sticky weather. She knew from experience that Sesshomaru did not like to be over heated and always found a way to stay cool in heat like this. She sighed, glancing back to the path, strolling deeper into the woods. She let her feet guide her wherever they were meant to go. She called it the FP Affect, Faith's Path. She could randomly walk and drift around the world and somehow, she was always able to find the particular spirit that needed her presence. Hades explained it as the Gods doing their will, showing her what needed to be done to keep the balance. She always preferred when her father just gave her a call on her magic mirror but those were only for contract jobs.

With a sigh, she decided to just let her mind drift to happier times when she was still alive. She thought about her mentor and wondered how the old bat was doing, the last time she checked in on her was a few years ago. The woman didn't age like a normal human, she was now about 107 years old but looked no older than 25, which is a great compliment since she was 40 when the 7-year-old first met her. Her powers restored her cells when they died to keep her young, it was a technique Kagome actually taught Rin the first moment she sensed that spark of a miko within her. She knew her little sweetheart was going to be a force to be reckoned with when she got older.

She sighed, flicking a loose strand of hair behind her back and thought of the West, she missed Rin and Shippo, she missed all her kids. Last time she seen Shippo he worked for Tahoe in the East; he was so big now. He was a man now and all she wanted to do was squeeze his cheeks and kiss his face. Tahoe was doing good for himself, now Lord of the East, he was working hard at being the best leader he can be. She stopped by to see him a few times when she was checking in on Shippo, he was making good on his promise to give Shippo the best life possible. As if being claimed son of the Lord of the West wasn't enough, Shippo rose in the ranks of the Eastern army to second in command and adviser to Tahoe himself. The young fox was wise beyond his years, smarter than most he came across and sly. Boy was he sly, even the fox's pranks were elaborate and cunning. But Tahoe loved him like a son, she missed the lovable dragon.

She let her mind drift even farther, she had so much love for so many people in the west. It still, til this day surprised her at how much she cared. There was one point in her life where all she did was hate. Where she wanted everything and everyone to burn to the ground, but in the west, she found peace and in Sesshomaru she found love. She thought about her mate for a moment, she thought about him often, watched him when he was sleeping, stared at him through the open doors of his study. He was just as remarkably gorgeous as he was 50 odd years ago when they first met.

She sighed again and roll her shoulders, side stepping a few thorny bushes. For a second she wondered how long it has been. Because she didn't sleep, she never could keep track of time anymore. A minute could have been an hour for all she knew, she thought about focusing on the disturbance in the air to try and find it quicker, but she was actually very comfortable with the forest scent surrounding her. She didn't get these quiet moments often and it was nice when she wasn't running back and forth from soul to soul, keeping the balance of good and evil that was needed. She could completely understand why Thanatos worked as hard and as long as he did for a replacement. This job just made you tired, made your bones weary, it drained your soul.

So, she continued to roam, not in any rush and took in the scenery, it was a beautiful day, and the sun didn't hint to letting up the summer heat any time soon. She was stepping out of the tree line when she spotted a child by a small brook. Glancing around for a moment Kagome realized she was in the Northern lands, that was about a good 4-hour hike from her last location so she must have been walking for some time.

Blue eyes turned back to the child, her FP senses were tingling, she was sure the kid had something to with the disturbance she was feeling. She took in his features; the little boy was too cute. His little tanned face filled with freckles, his reddish-brown hair short and pulled back into a ponytail, strands sticking out here and there. She took a step closer and the little boy's head snapped in her direction. It was so sudden she actually paused, forgetting for a moment that he couldn't see her. His dark eyes were wide, it made Kagome blink, he couldn't see anything she realized, seeing the film of gray coating his orbs. He was blind. Kagome continued to stare at him, and yet she felt an awareness in the glazed stare.

His cute little head tilted ever so slightly to the left, as if he was trying to recognize a familiar noise. A soft voice squeaked out, " Is someone there?"

Kagome stepped closer and saw his head turn in her direction, an eyebrow raised, " You cannot see and yet you face me."

The little face nodded, slowly pulling himself to a stand, as if he knew he was in danger and positioning himself to run. " I can sort of feel when others are around. My mother told me it is a gift to make up for the sight I lost."

She stepped closer and immediately knew he knew that she did. His shoulders tensed and his knees bent in position to run. " I am not here to hurt you." she said, taking a step to the right and watched his head turn in that direction.

" Who are you?" he finally asked.

Kagome moved closer, astonished at how he was able to follow her every movement, " I am Death." she honestly answered.

She smelt the fear in his aura musk the sweet scent of lilies and saw the shiver run up his spine at her announcement. " Is... is it my time already?"

She raised a brow, that was an odd reaction for a child, her blue eyes glanced around for a moment, taking in the secluded area, " Do you come here often?" she asked, instead of answering his question.

The child blinked, clearly confused before turning back to the small stream of water, his voice a whisper as his non seeing eyes stared into the water, " My sister died here, I come a lot to talk to her, my mother doesn't like it though."

Kagome moved closer to the kid, " You come out here alone?"

He nodded, dropping back to his knees, and again started plucking strands of grass from the ground and throwing them into the brook. A habit he usually does when he was here, blue eyes watched the kid carefully, it must have been a purposed death, or she would have remembered the girl. She moved even closer, slowly coming up behind the kid but kept her distance so he wouldn't touch her. And that is when she seen it, what was causing the disturbance of balance.

The brook must be deeper than she thought because the body was well hidden under the slow-moving water. What gave it away was the nostrils softly peeking through the surface and the subtle flick of the tongue tasting the air. She couldn't tell if it was fully matured but by the size of its head, she knew it was a rather large Daija. She glanced to the small boy on the bank, he was a mere foot and some inches away from the animal. One quick snatch and the snake could have easily dragged the kid under and effectively end his life. She wondered for a moment what the reptile was waiting for, leaning in a bit to get a better look.

As she did, she noticed the Daija duck its head fully under the water, she smirked. Ah, though it couldn't see her, the beast was still able to sense something more dangerous than itself in the area and was being cautious.

" Are you still there Death?"

She nodded though he couldn't tell, " Yes I am."

He glanced behind him, already knowing she had come up from the rear, " If you don't mind me asking, why are you here?"

Kagome shrugged a shoulder, eyeing the snake that has yet to move closer to its easy prey. Death was not meant for him today, she can sense that he was important, but something is supposed to happen here. " I'm waiting."

He frowned, again picking at grass strands, confusion in the air, " Waiting for what?"

Blue eyes saw movement and watched the snake peek its head out of the water, inching closer towards the boy. She frowned, pulsing her aura ever so softly, watching it duck back under the surface. She glanced to the kid, " For who." She corrected.

The boy blinked, confused for a moment, he then jerked at the statement, realization sinking in. Someone is going to die. His mouth opened but words failed to come out. Before he can compose himself, he heard his name.

" Tanaka! Boy where are you!"

Both heads turned towards the tree line just as a woman stepped out. Kagome frowned, she saw the stagger in her walk and immediately knew she was an addict. And by the looks of it, she just finished fucking for her latest hit. The woman slapped at tangled black bangs, her brown eyes wide and high, " What did I tell you about wondering off!"

Kagome smirked at the kid as he rolled his eyes, " Like you noticed." He mumbled.

The sleeve of her dirty kimono slid off her shoulder, showing she wasn't wearing a bra on her rail thin body. She yanked it up and sniffled, " What you say boy!"

" Nothing mother."

She nodded, " That's right nothing." She barked, marching closer, scratching her neck as her other arm twitched. " Now get up, I need you to run to Old Shana's hut and pick something up for me."

Tanaka stood, turning towards the woman that was making a bee line for him, " What is it this time?"

She swayed as she came at him, sniffling again and wiped her nose with the back of her hand, " None of your damn business, you're just to go get it!"

Kagome raised a brow, then glanced over, the snake had moved closer to the bank, its massive head now resting on the soft grass. By the thickness of its neck, she could tell it had to be at least 20, maybe 25 feet long, easily able to devour an adult. She blinked, that was it, turning back to the woman who was now just a meter away from them, her drug induced state didn't seem to alert her to the danger in the water.

Knowing what she had to do, Kagome took a few measured steps back, the kid most have felt the presence of his friend leaving because he turned in her direction, " Death?"

Not able to see or sense Kagome like her son, the mother immediately took the name calling as an insult. " What you call me?!" she screamed as she finally reached the boy.

Her hand raised and swung out, delivering a powerful smack to his face. " Don't you dare disrespect me; I didn't have to keep you!"

Kagome watched Tanaka slam to the ground, off balanced by the hit, she took advantage of the opening and shifted into her shadow form. As soon as her aura dissipated, the large Daija seized its opportunity, hunger agitating the already aggressive snake farther, the animal hissed, dashing forward. Its heavy, thick body surprisingly fast, like lightening. Prey in sight, it heaved a quarter of its body out of the water. Standing at 7 feet, eyes locked in on a soft neck and struck forward. The neck would have belonged to a young small boy... if he was standing, but he wasn't. The mother screamed as she was tackled by the snake, feeling the sharp teeth dig into her flesh. She then suddenly felt herself being heaved into the air as the beast pulled back and dragged her under the water.

Tanaka blinked, rushing to his feet, he can hear her gurgles from the brook, " Mother? Mother! What's happening?!"

Kagome stayed silent for a moment, seeing if she was supposed to intervene. She wanted to help the kid, but her job came with terms and conditions, she was not to interfere unless there was a disturbance. And from the feel of things the disturbance was settled, the kid was alive, the junkie was dead, and all seemed to be right with the world. But what about Tanaka? She didn't feel right about just leaving him here alone.

She turned, sensing an aura approaching, a slender brow on her face raised as a man stepped out of the tree line. He wore the colors of the North; his kimono was mostly chocolate brown with burnt orange swirling designs at the sleeves and black sashinuki hakama with black boots. He had armor which covers his entire midsection and shoulders and one sword under his orange sash. His long black hair swayed around his shoulders wildly, his softly pointed nose adorable on his handsome face. His fair colored skin tone a complement to his dark emerald eyes. A bear claw print in the middle of his forehead. Brown jagged strips on each cheek and wrist.

Kagome blinked, recognition sinking in, it was Lyon, youngest son of Lord Lemin, he looked to be about the age of 20 now. She took a cautioned step back in her shadow form as the demon scanned the area with his aura. Like most forest animals, bears had a certain awareness when it came to the presence of Death.

She watched as the focused eyes landed on the spot she stood, Tanaka turned in the direction of the bear, " Is someone there?"

Lyon turned towards him, seeing that the kid was blind, he stepped forward, " Are you out here alone kid?"

He shook his head, " My mother... I think, I think something took her in the water."

Lyon frowned, touching the hilt of his sword as he got a closer look, it smelled like snake but not youkai. He seen slight signs of a struggle in the grass but not much resistance was put up, it must have been a big snake. His emerald eyes glanced to the water, " Well there's nothing here now."

Tears leaked from the small child's eyes, " She's dead isn't she." He shook his head, his voice a soft whisper, he knew it was no coincidence, " Death was here, she was waiting for someone to die, and it was my mother."

Lyon blinked, looking to the kid, that was an odd statement for a child, " What makes you say that?"

Tanaka turned towards the demon with such pinpoint accuracy it made a brow raise on the young demon's face, " That is what she told me."

Again, the emerald eyes turned to the spot Kagome stood, she did not move, or shift from her shadow form so she should have been undetectable. But she knew, he knew she was standing there, watching them. The young bear turned back and bent in front of the small boy, curiosity getting the best of him, he moved his hand in front of the boy's eyes to see if they would follow.

Tanaka blinked, " Are you waving your hand in my face?"

The smirk came quick at being caught, " How did you know that?"

" I can feel the shift in the air and smell the citrus on your fingers, did you just finish eating an orange?"

Lyon's nodded, " Tangerine actually." he stared at the boy, " You have amazing awareness for someone who is blind."

" My mother called it a gift because of the loss of my sight."

He leaned back on his heels, " What's your name kid?"

" I'm Tanaka."

" I'm Prince Lyon, son of Lord Lemin."

At the name, Tanaka immediately bowed his head to the grass, " My prince I did not mean to disturb you."

Lyon stood, impressed at the show of respect, " It's fine." He crossed his arms, " Do you got somewhere to go Tanaka?"

His small head shook, " All I had was my mother."

His head tilted, a claw tapping on his shoulder, " Well, I'm on my way home, would you like to come with me?"

The young boy blinked, " To Lord Lemin's palace? Why?"

Lyon took a step to the left and watch the boy's head turn, easily following his movement, " I think my father would like to meet you."

" Bears don't eat kids, do they?"

Lyon's laughed, " No kid, actually a lot of us bears eat mostly fruits, rice and vegetables, meat is only for occasions. And honey, my father loves his honey."

Tanaka stood, not like he had a real choice, he had nowhere else to go, he wiped his dirty hands on his pants, " Okay I guess, I'll go with you."

Lyon nodded, " Perfect. This way." turning towards the other side clearing.

" Can I hold your hand?"

Green eyes blinked at the sudden request, he turned back, seeing the young boy was still facing him, hand raised for him to grab. He paused for a moment; it took him off guard that the human was so willing to touch him. He shook the thought off, it made sense, the boy couldn't see so he couldn't follow, though he was sure if he said no the boy would be able to keep up.

But it did seem easier to just lead the kid, so he stepped forward, " Sure kid." his hand reaching down, taking the smaller hand in his. Tanaka felt the hand was so much bigger than his, and warm. Lyon looked down, the kid's hand was soft, delicate, almost fragile and yet he felt a certain power pulsing just beneath his skin. Interesting, he thought, " This way."

Tanaka nodded, following the prince as he led him across the clearing, " Thank you my Prince. If it was not for you, I would be next on Death's waiting list."

The comment made the young demon glance once more around the area, again landing on the spot Kagome never moved from, " We'll talk more about that once we get to my home." he mumbled, before turning his head and disappearing into the tree line.

Kagome blinked, seeing that she was finally all alone she shifted from her shadow form back to her regular form, " Well, that took care of itself." with a roll of her shoulders, she turned and walked away, her ear already buzzing with the next disturbance.

More to come