more to come

As she let her feet guide her to the next assignment, she took in the scenery around her. She was heading South this time, she wondered if she would have a free moment to stop in on Lord Suki. Then again, her free moments were usually spent trying to rush back to the West to see her family. She sighed, stretching her arms above her head in boredom. This job took a lot out of you, you get tired of always being on the move. She pulled her weapons off her back and slapped the ends together to make her staff. Her weapon was a lot larger than what it use to be, the use to be 12 inch blades were now about 32 inches. Wide and carved with perfection from the shining base to its lethally sharp tip. The 5 inch blade attached to the top was now about 14 inches and the slick ivory handle that turned black towards the end by the time it reached her forearm now was the full length of her arm. So when she did made her staff it was large enough to use as a hiking stick.

Scythes were important in the underworld; it was the weapon choice of Hades himself and he passed the tradition on to all his children. Her scythes were enhanced to handle her new abilities that came with being Death. She twisted the weapon for a moment, it was a lot heavier too and it took some time getting use to the weight but now she can carve through bones and butter with this thing. She smiled to herself, Sesshomaru would be pleased, he was always impressed by someone getting stronger. Like when she was first coming into her fire powers, he was more excited than she was about being able to set herself on fire. Now that she had a few decades to master the ability, she learned her fire powers went farther than just burning. Like she did with the once Lord of East she can turn a demon human with her fires. She can cure and heal, she can even breath fire like a dragon. She can control other fires around her and even heat the temperature around her.

She twisted her weapon again, walking down the path of the forest, it was quiet as usual. The silence was deafening as always so she found herself humming to fill the air. She was forewarned about her singing though; Death's song was not meant for the ears of the living. Thanatos told her it would have the effects of a siren and drive a person mad. She couldn't tell if the prankster was joking or not, but she didn't take the risk, so the singer only hummed at best.

Glancing around she realized the sun was slowly setting, some time must have past, she looked around realizing she was approaching a village at the bottom of a slope. Twisting her staff once more, she headed forward, knowing the disturbance was in the area. The village was not huge, just a few scattered huts for maintenance of the grounds. It was more of a stop and go market. Carts, booths and small boutiques set up in a large circle. Shoppers were bustling around getting last minute chores and shopping done before returning home.

Kagome shifted to her shadow form before entering, in her solid forms, regular or death, she had the ability to allow others to see her and die. Sometimes when she was focusing on something else, she'd slip up and accidentally expose herself and she really didn't need that problem right now. So, she learned to shift to her shadow form when in a large group of livings. Slowly she glided from booth to booth, blending in with the shadows around her. Her eyes landed on a woman, she was tiny, barely reaching 5 feet, her short black hair pulled up in a bouncy ponytail, her expressive brown eyes shining. She seemed to be getting groceries Kagome figured as she watched her buy a bag of potatoes. She was sure the girl had something to do with the disturbance, so she glided a bit closer for a better view. As she moved in on her target, she felt another presence in the marketplace. A demon. She stopped on the top of a booth and surveyed the area; she knew this aura. Thanatos called them Ciphers. They had the ability to drain the holy powers of mikos and monks or the souls of powerful infants. Thanatos also called them pests because they weren't supposed to be on this plane. He explained it in a story that a long time ago a hand full of the demons escaped hell while Hades was with his brothers dealing with Cronus. They multiplied like rabbits and till this day he was still on clean up duty.

Kagome frowned, she understood Thanatos hatred for the creatures, they were annoying and time consuming to get rid of. Instead of looking for the demon however, she moved closer to the small woman that was now buying a sack of rice. She felt from a distance the raw power that was coming for the girl. She wasn't the most powerful miko but there was enough purity in her aura to attract a Cipher. She slid into an alley made by two booths closest to the woman, eyes again scanning the area. Just then her hip decided to vibrate, with a frown she pulled the mirror off her sash and spoke into it.

" Father."

The mirror vibrated as a voice responded, " Mini me, you would not believe who just stopped by the cave."

Her blue eyes continued to search the area, " Was it the seers from the last time? Because I'm not going to congratulate you on another threesome."

There was a laughter from the other side of the mirror and another voice was heard, " You told her about that?"

" Hey, Death doesn't get to have sex often okay. I was bragging."

Kagome smirked, eyes still scanning the marketplace, she knew the pest was here, she can feel it. She focused on the aura as her father and Hades continued to argue.

" It is just an odd thing to openly tell someone, your daughter non the less."

" Well, I remember when you told me about the fun you had with a certain goddess of..."

There was a crash, " I told you not to ever speak of that!"

There was some muffled sounds and Thanatos yelling for Hades to get off him. " Not my fault you can't hold your liquor!"

There were more shouts in the background, making Kagome snicker, the two oldest people she knew, and they were the biggest goof balling children she had ever met. There was a shuffling noise, then another crash, Kagome saw movement from her peripheral.

Another shuffling sound was made before Hades again spoke, " Anyways, the reason for this communication was to invite you to a party tonight."

Kagome watched the Cipher finally come into view, it looked like a giant mosquito, unseen to the eyes of the living. " What party?"

" My brother Zeus and his wife had a baby apparently, so it's some sort of welcoming party."

Kagome eyed the mosquito closely, " All the way on Mount Olympus?" that was clear across the world.

" Yes, Thanatos will be covering your duties until we return."

Kagome blinked, she was getting a day off? This was a first, she watched the mosquito lazily buzz towards the woman who was having a light conversation with a shop keep. She nodded, " Okay, I'll be back as soon as I'm done here."

" Be quick, we have to get dressed accordingly, everyone who is anyone is going to be there."

Kagome just nodded and placed the mirror back on her side, her target was now in range, about to bite the miko on the neck, so she launched forward. With a quick twist of her staff, the head of the Cipher was cut clean from its body and fell to a pile of ash on the ground. She then immediately became the woman's shadow as she turned in her direction, eyes narrowed as if she sensed something in the area. Her brown eyes glanced around for a moment, suspicion on her face before she finally turned back to the keeper, she was buying radishes from. She took her purchased and immediately began walking away, again glancing behind. Disturbance now gone, Kagome quickly glided out of the marketplace and headed back towards her cave. Just another day in the life of Lady Death.

This was it, the time was right, it was finally the perfect season, the perfect year, the perfect set up for the return of Evil. It's been far too long, waiting and hiding; staying one step ahead of Death. But it was now time to proceed with the plan, finally time to take revenge on all those who betrayed him. And to him, that was the world. He wanted everything to burn, but first let's start with his homelands.

A figure slid out of a cave, his heavy cloak too hot for the sunny weather. He can see them, standing around his so-called home, peeking from behind the trees of the forest that surrounded him. He didn't mean though, he can always see the dead, that's how he knew he was the only one that can do what needs to be done. It was his calling that led him here. Discreetly, he sniffed the air, he was close. Close to his destiny. Soon. Very soon, this world will burn.

A chill shivered his bones, he glanced up and saw a shadow in the forest passing by. He ducked back into his cave, hiding behind the scent of rotting bear carcasses. Death. He had to avoid it at all costs right now. It wasn't the right time to expose himself to Death, not yet. There was so much he had to do still. He couldn't get caught yet, not yet. He was so close to the fires. He couldn't make a wrong move. Not yet. Not when he was so close.

The first thing she noticed was the brightness, all the Gods around her seemed to glow with their power. She glanced over, even Hades' caramel skin glowed with an orange tint. She glanced over her changed outfit; it was Greek attire since they were in Greece for the night. The entire dress was white but was laced in gold armor, the swell of her breasts looking scrumptious against the heart shaped silk corset top. It hugged the top of her body lovely, a gold laced plate cinching subtly yet attractively at her waist. The white skirt underneath flared out and ruffled around her in wavy layers of the softest material she ever had the pleasure of wearing. On her left arm was a gold band where the sleeve attached to then opened, fluttering around her. Her lips painted a deep brick red, her liner a royal blue to brighten her already icy blue eyes. Bangs brushed back, her hair was up in an elaborate bun threaded with glistening beads, with a gold tiara and gold knee high gladiator sandals to finish the look.

Gods from all around the world was here, the music was different, played on instruments she never seen before, and she has been all around the world. The food was something she can actually taste so whenever she got the chance, she ate her fill. That is where Hades found her during the party, at the buffet table, " Would you stop stuffing your face, you look like a pig."

Kagome just stuffed more mini pies in her mouth, " Don't care, this shit is delicious."

Hades frowned with a roll of his eyes, leaning a hip on the table, " I hate these things." he mumbled.

Kagome smirked, picking up a fancy cup and taking a large gulp of blood wine, " You hate anything that's not about you."

Hades smirked, " True."

A man stood in a blindingly white toga, he was thick with muscle, his long blond hair curled around him like a lion's mane, his bright blue eyes shined like the morning sky. His tan body glowed with a yellow power like the sun. His plump pink lips turned up in a smile, his voice boomed like thunder across the crowd, " Thank you all for coming to celebrate the welcoming of my son, Hercules."

Everyone clapped and cheered, Hera, wife of Zeus stepped forward holding the sleeping baby in her arms, her pink glow surrounding her, " Our son is blessed to have so many allies."

Zeus nodded, touching the shoulder of his wife, " Speaking of blessings, now it is time for the traditional gift giving from my two favorite brothers."

Hades rolled his eyes at the dramatics his brother was known for, another man stepped forward, his glow a dark blue. His hair was dark, a rich deep ebony, long and braided down his back. His blue eyes glistening like lost jewels of the sea and seemed brighter against the dark shades of his bangs, vivid against his pale complexion. His armor a mixture of blues, grays and blacks and seemed to be moving around him like water.

He raised a hand as he approached Hera and a water Triton formed, " I present to my new nephew the gift of agility. To always be quick, adaptable, nimble and yet forceful." he touched the glowing Triton to the child's head, " Like water."

The blue glow of the weapon surrounded the baby for a moment before it sunk under his glowing yellow skin. Everyone clapped praising the God of the Sea before they all turned towards the buffet table where Kagome was still stuffing her face.

All eyes fell on the other brother, Hades was again tempted to roll his eyes, instead he stood up straight. " A gift for the child huh? How about I leave that up to my granddaughter." he said with a smile, patting Kagome on the back.

She coughed, choking on a fruit tart for a moment before turning to Hades, " What?"

His head tilted towards his watching brother, burgundy strands sliding over his shoulder, " Give the kid a gift."

Blue eyes blinked, slowly she put down the food she was holding and turned to the waiting crowd. Clearing her throat, she stepped forward, " What could Death give to a God?" she said out loud, slowly approaching Hera, feeling all eyes studying her.

She raised a hand, " I present to the young Hercules, the gift of wisdom." with a flick of her wrist she called to her fire powers and created a flaming butterfly. " To always see the truth, able to read the souls of all around you and to see all sins." she kissed the butterfly, " Everything is revealed in the eyes of Death."

Holding her hand out, the butterfly fluttered over to the baby, landing on its nose and turned a fiery blue. The baby laughed, as if it tickled, the butterfly suddenly erupted into a blanket of white light, bursting into a dust filled cloud around the child, coating him with its glitter before it sunk into his skin.

There was a hesitant pause before everyone clapped, returning to the party. Zeus stepped forward, patting Kagome on the back, almost making her fall over at the strength. " Such a wonderful and thoughtful gift."

Kagome bowed her head in respect, " It is an honor."

" Who are you again girl?"

Kagome turned, seeing the other brother standing beside Hera. Poseidon stared openly at her, those blue eyes were so dark and secretive, she wondered for a moment what he was hiding. Kagome didn't show her discomfort, she simply smiled at him. " I..."

Hades stepped forward, touching Kagome's shoulder, " She is the daughter of Thanatos, of Death itself, current Grim Reaper."

Zeus stared at his brother for a moment, as if trying to read his mind, then he glanced to Kagome once more, " Another one of your creations then?"

Hades shook his head, " Nope, she was born not spawned."

Poseidon crossed his arms, staring at Kagome, " How is that possible?"

Kagome raised a brow, " Do you want me to explain how sex works?"

He smirked, it reminded her of a shark, something dangerous. " You do seem to possess Hades' attitude."

Hades frowned at the attention his brother was showering on his granddaughter. He didn't like the way he looked at her, as if she was prey. Hades touched her shoulder, " She has no label on what she is, she was once human, she was once miko, she was once demon and now she is simply Death."

Kagome glanced up, seeing silver metal like eyes still on his brother, clearly claiming her as his. She watched as Poseidon eyes narrowed ever so slightly at the marking of the territory. But she didn't get a chance to see why he would feel offended before Hades started speaking again, " Kagome, go eat."

She nodded, bowing her head respectfully, before backing away from the three brothers. Walking back over to the buffet table, she picked up where she left off with some juicy crab cakes. She popped one in her mouth before turning, seeing the three gods quietly talking to one another.

" Well, that was uncomfortable."

Kagome turned to the voice, seeing another god standing beside her. He was tall, his chiseled face carved from a sculptor's dream of perfection, his skin a deep Hershey chocolate. His brown eyes more of a hazel color and seemed to be shifting into different colors as he stared at her, plump lips juicy and delicious looking. His broad shoulders rippling with muscle, his chest out for the world to see, covered in red markings, the V cut low and seductive. His long dreads falling past his slim waist, standing in just black pants and boots.

Kagome blinked, she knew him, well knew of him, he was Anansi, the African trickster god, she smiled at the delicious being before her, " Yeah, that was weird."

Anansi shrugged a shoulder, " Specially with the way old blue eyes was staring you down."

Kagome nodded, the God's African's accent was such a turn on, " You seen that too huh?"

Anansi raised a brow and stepped closer, looking as fully amused as Kagome did interested, his powerful presence overpowering as he closed in, wide shoulders blocking Kagome's view of the passing party goers. Catching the slightest whiff of the strange, spicy scent the God possessed was rare and a testament to his close proximity, making Kagome's gut tighten. He was close, so close that she could feel the heat emanating off him. He was looking at her, his heated gaze roaming over her in such stark possessiveness that Kagome wondered for a moment if he was going to devour her where she stood... And if she would let him.

He suddenly grinned and Kagome fought a shiver, he leaned over, picking up a biscuit from the tray behind her, " Poseidon don't trust Hades, he still not over the whole tried to take over Olympus thing." he mumbled, biting into the buttery bread as he stepped away.

Kagome grinned, with a roll of her eyes, the trickster was messing with her, " I heard that happened forever ago."

Anansi shrugged, " Water boy holds a grudge."

Kagome snickered at the nickname, " That accent, Nigerian?"

He smirked, glancing over, " Yes, you've been?"

Kagome nodded, taking a sip of blood wine, " Yes, long time ago, followed a man there." she giggled at the thought, " He still give me chills."

Anansi grinned, " Thanks, I liked you too."

Kagome choked on her drink, then blinked, turning fully to the God, " Akachukwu?"

Anansi winked, " At your service."

Immediately Kagome stepped forward and grabbed the god's shoulder, pulling him close, and licked his neck up to his ear. She purred with a hum as her eyes closed in pleasure, " Cinnamon and chocolate."

She stepped back, nodding, " Yup you're Akachukwu all right, I can never forget that taste."

Anansi laughed, the sound smooth like red velvet, " I knew you were following me."

She just shrugged a shoulder, story of her life, " What were you doing in Jos, you left me in Kwanda all alone."

" Same as always, causing mischief and passing wisdom." he smirked, " I saw you in the marketplace charming some old fool out of everything on his cart."

Kagome grinned, " Granted, I gave all the food to orphans."

" I seen that too."

Kagome took a sip of her drink, " You saw a lot more than that."

Anansi laughed again, " I may have gotten a little caught up in the moment, I was in intrigued. There was something special about your aura."

Blue eyes glanced over, " I knew you were something more than a human, the way you touched me had me seeing stars and thunderstorms."

Anansi grinned, shaking his head, " I always liked your sense of humor Kagome."

She smiled, nudging him with her shoulder, " You're lucky I'm mated now."

A thick brow raised on the handsome god's face, " I'm lucky?"

Kagome just nodded, " Yes. You're lucky. I know there's a back room up here somewhere."

Again, Anansi laughed, just then Hades walked over, " And what is so funny over here?"

The African god glanced over, tossing a dread behind him, " Just two friends catching up on old times." He suddenly grinned, " Speaking of old friends, Aphrodite hasn't taken her eyes off you since you entered the room, Hades."

Said God shook his head in disgust, " Kagome are you ready to go?"

She nodded, turning, grabbing a platter and filling it up with food, " Yup."

Hades stared at his granddaughter for a moment before just shaking his head, " Let's get out of here."

Kagome turned to follow him to the door, " Nice to see you again Anansi."

He just winked an eye, " It is always a pleasure."

She grinned, snatching a bottle of blood wine from the buffet table before hurrying after her grandfather, not wanting to get left behind.

Back at the cave, Kagome sat on a warm lounge chair, eating the last traces of food on her platter. Thanatos wasn't back yet so she was taking advantage of her night off, it didn't happen too often.

Hades plopped down beside her, grabbing her bottle of blood wine and poured him a cup, " So, Poseidon thinks you should be brought in for questioning."

Kagome raised a brow, " For what?"

Hades shrugged, " Suspicions of conception, some conspiracy theory."

Blue eyes rolled, " No body worried about him."

Hades took a sip from his cup, " I think he remembers you."

That made Kagome blink, she traveled all around the world and met a ton of interesting people but now she was starting to wonder, how many gods did she actually meet when she was alive?

" From where?"

Silver eyes glanced over, " Remember the storm that brought you to Thanatos?"

Kagome frowned, thinking back to the day she died, it was not a pleasant memory. Rage, the pirate that abducted and abused her, got loose from the ropes she used to tie his drugged body to his bed. He stumbled into the cargo hold just as she finished setting fire to the ship. They fought, but not for long, the fire finally reached the gun powder and blew the side of the boat clean off. She was washed out from the sudden water rushing in and funneled to the dark sea below.

She was drowning and knew it, she didn't try to fight it, the dark water around her glittering as the burning ship above her illuminated the area. Her lids were growing heavy when she noticed something in the water was coming at her fast. It was the biggest, most monstrous, megalodon dinosaur shark she ever seen. And it stopped right in front of her. The tip of its nose actually touching her forehead. It was staring at her, big black glowing eyes. Then it grinned, showing rows and rows of sharp ready to tear her apart teeth. She had tried to scream but there wasn't any air in her lungs at that point so her eyes had simply rolled to the back of her head.

Kagome shook her head at the memory, tossing the last fruit tart in her mouth, " Always thought that was some last breath, coping with dying dream."

Hades shook his head, " Poseidon usually takes the form of a shark, he swears it's the smartest hunter ever created."

Kagome poured herself a cup of blood wine, " He reminds me of a shark, in a way."

Hades just frowned, sipping some of his drink, " Nevertheless, I know when my brother is up to something. I shall keep an eye on him, he seemed far too interested in you."

Kagome laid back on the lounge chair, crossing her legs at the ankles, " Please. I have nothing to do with the Gods and their strange plans."

Silver eyes glanced over to the nonchalant female, a brow raised on his handsome face, " The blood of a God runs through your veins, what we do definitely affects you."

Kagome blinked, turning her head towards him, " What? You saying I'm a God now?"

Hades, sighed and leaned back in his own seat, relaxing a bit more, " As I stated earlier, you carry no label. Human, priestess, demon, death, even demigod. Your creation breaks the laws of nature, there is not a definition to what you are. You are just here."

Kagome thought about that for a moment then shrugged, " Well I sure feel special."

Hades grinned, glancing over to his granddaughter, " It does not bother you, does it? Not knowing exactly what you are."

Kagome shook her head, " It doesn't matter what I am, I know who I am. Kagome, Asa Shin Fujo, wife and mate to Lord Sesshomaru of the western domain of Japan, mother to five."

" You miss it don't you."

" Being alive?" she asked, " Very much, I'll do anything to return to them."

Hades glanced up to the ceiling of the warm cave, " You will. One day. But for now, Death is needed."

Kagome just nodded, she heard the line before and wasn't going to argue with the God, " Speaking of Death, why did I get the day off?"

Hades shrugged a shoulder, " Thanatos had some errands to run and didn't mind covering for you." he grinned, " I think he misses it; retirement doesn't suit the old bat."

" Hey, I hear you talking about me." a man said as he walked into the cave carrying his scythe.

Hades looked over to Thanatos, " Oh I'm scared."

Kagome laughed, sitting up, " Father, did you enjoy being back on the field?"

Thanatos walked over, leaning his weapon against the smooth wall of the cave, " Forgot how much I hate walking."

He plopped down on the last empty lounge chair, Hades held out his hand, Thanatos nodded, " Oh right." flicking his wrist and grabbing a scroll that appeared before him, handing it over, " Here you go."

Kagome glanced over, " What's that?"

Hades just grinned as he tucked the scroll in his sleeve, " Oh, just a little side project of mines."

A slender brow raised; she leaned forward to get a look at her father who was busy pouring himself a cup of blood wine. She noticed how he avoided eye contact, it made her frown, " What are you two up to now?"

Hades shook his head, taking a sip of his drink, " I don't know what you're referring to."

Her frown deepened, a hand reached up and scratched behind her ear as it began to buzz. Duty calls, she stood, " I have to get back to work, but don't think this is over, I'll figure out what you're doing later." she said, switching to her shadow and gliding out of the cave.

Thanatos glanced over to his creator, " You think this is a good idea?"

" No. But it is necessary." Hades mumbled.

Thanatos frowned, " If anyone found out we had a part in this..."

Hades cut him off, " They won't." Silver eyes glanced over, " We both know Fate has a path designed for everyone..."

" And they must follow it, I know." Thanatos finished, " But if we interfere and..."

The God cut him off again, " We are not interfering, we are simply..." he paused thinking of the right words, " suggesting a direction."

Thanatos smirked and rolled his eyes, sipping on his drink, " You're the boss." he mumbled.

" Exactly." Hades said with a nod, " Trust me, all will work out well." drinking more of his blood wine, trying to believe his own words.

more to come