"A Knight dressed in crimson armor, came galloping down upon her, brandishing a great club. Just as he reached her, the horse stopped suddenly: 'You're my prisoner!' the Knight cried, as he tumbled off his horse."

Kagome wasn't sure when it happened, although that wasn't much of a surprise as she wasn't sure when anything happened in this place, but something in the air changed. The thundering sound of horses' hooves on the ground and the path, the trees, even the violet sky seemed to resound everywhere with power and the rhapsody of eager welcome.

"Stand your ground." Inuyasha warned quietly and Kagome looked at him in surprise. Since they had past the horrible scene of his ancient friend being whipped he'd been silent and withdrawn and Kagome hadn't questioned it. But now he stood with a king of hesitant respect as they listen to the sound of approaching hooves.

"Inuyasha. Who is it?"

"I remember this presence." Inuyasha said softly. "I've felt this before."

Two things happened then. A rider on a huge white mount thundered around a bend ahead. His silver hair was plaited neatly into one long braid that fell down his back to his thighs. His eyes were deep gold and a four point star mark was set on his forehead. He wore ancient gray armor over a kimono of pale white. Kagome let out a cry when the rider didn't stop or even slow his huge mouth; paralyzed by fear and awe and something else she couldn't comprehend. Second Inuyasha screamed her name and jumped forward to strike bringing his claws down on the white mount. The instant his attack hit the mount disengaged and the rider fell to the ground with a surprised grunt.

Kagome stared in shock. Inuyasha stood by her side again, cracking his knuckles and that sharp sound was the only noise as silence fell. Kagome hated to silence as she watched the rider rise to his feet slowly, eyes flashing with anger and shock.

"Inuyasha."

"Yes Kagome." He answered quietly.

"What's going on?"

"I believe I would also like and answer to that question." The voice was a woman's. Kagome felt her eyes widen and her blood chilled. Something pulsed gently within her, a memory? Her heart? A sense of kinship? She turned her head beyond the man to see a woman ridding up on a white mount. She wore armor over a miko's clothing much like Kikyou's form of dress. She carried a blade unsheathed in one hand, her other hand settled on golden reins. The same 4-point star was set on her forehead. Kagome recognized her instantly.

"You're the Priestess Midoriko!"

Kagome started to bow but her knees locked place halfway and not just from anxiety because anxiety would have been a good excuse. It would have been helpful if she could understand why she couldn't bow. She struggled for breath, found its rhythm, forced her lungs to adhere to it. The Priestess Midoriko. From who's body had been born the jewel and who was trapped inside it with the demon she'd been fighting.

Midoriko turned dark brown eyes on her. "You are bold girl. And boldness is not always unpleasant."

"Just now." Kagome murmured.

"Perhaps."

Her hair was not as long as the silver haired rider and it was dark inky black. Her skin was pale and fair and she was taller then Inuyasha. Taller, in fact then any woman Kagome had ever met. Behind her were 3 more riders. 2 other men, on with short black hair and the second with long fiery red drawn back into a ponytail. Also with the men was a second woman with black hair just barely shorter then Midoriko's. The priestess' eyes slide away from Kagome's face to fall on Inuyasha.

"Midoriko." The silver haired man started but Midoriko held up a hand and he fell silent before she urged her mount forward.

"Why did you halt the passage of my comrade?"

Inuyasha growled. "He was in our way."

Midoriko smirk. "I'm sure he'd protest to just the opposite." She leaned forward and studied the both of them and Kagome fidgeted under the inspection. "You are the companions of the last of the demon exterminators." She sat back and a genuine smile curled her mouth. "Further more you are Inuyasha, the youngest son of Inutaishou." She looked at Kagome. "And you are the priestess bestowed with the task of guarding the sacred jewel."

"You know of us?" Kagome asked in surprise while at the same time Inuyasha questioned.

"What do you know about my father!?"

Midoriko nodded. "I do. And your father was one of my companions Inuyasha. The only one who did not join my Battle within the sacred jewel." She smirked her amusement. "And I assume you did not enter the jewel to request a place in my company either."

"As if." Inuyasha scoffed.

"We were trapped inside it by Naraku. He has the jewel now."

"What!?" Midoriko's eyes suddenly sparked with anger. "So you were the ones who let the jewel fall into dark hands."

Inuyasha growled. "Yea right! Like we'd ever give over the jewel to-"

"Inuyasha sit!" Kagome snapped. She didn't think his angry rantings were going to get Midoriko on their side. When the priestess watched Inuyasha hit the ground without blinking an eye Kagome went on. "We were fighting to get the jewel away from Naraku when we got trapped inside. We're trying to find our way out so we can stop him!"

Midoriko had returned attention to her again and Kagome partly wished she hadn't. "A way out? That will be very difficult. Impossible perhaps."

"Why?"

"Because The Beast is reigning now. When the jewel is in pure hands I am the stronger one in this realm and so rule it. But in times like this when the jewel is tainted The Beast rules and I must retreat to gather my strength. The Beast guards the only way out of the jewel. It would be best if you wait with us for the time being."

Kagome shook her head. "No. Out friends are out there. We have to get back. They can't fight him alone. Can't you help us?"

Midoriko shook her head. "I cannot. I will not risk my company on a futile fight. However I wish you luck in your suicide mission." She nudged her mount forward and offered a hand to the silver haired man, which he took and swung up behind her on her white mount.

Kagome took a step closer. "But-"

"Let her go Kagome. She'd be useless to us." Inuyasha growled as he stood from the sit command slowly.

Midoriko looked at him and smirked. "You have your father resilience." She glanced at Kagome then back to him and smiled. "And your father's heart. I'd like you to meet my consort and your half brother Kiyoshi, Inuyasha." She said gesturing towards the man who sat behind her.

Kiyoshi gave no sign of surprise or shock and learning Inuyasha was his brother just inclined his head lightly, mouth set in a light frown, most likely still upset at being unhorsed. Inuyasha however had gone wide-eyed with shock. Midoriko smiled.

"If you survive your encounter with The Beast you are welcome to find out camp. Otherwise I wish you both happy." She extended a hand and the bend they'd come around disappeared slowly and instead a door floated just a few feet away. "There is a shortcut but be warned, The Beast is beyond there. Make your choice wisely. Now, move out of our way of you will be rundown."

She set her heels to the horse's flanks and shot forward. It was Kagome who had to yank Inuyasha out of the way by his sleeve, and they stood on the edge of the path as Midoriko and the 3 other riders thundered past them kicking up dust. When it settled Kagome saw that something had been left behind. A bow of smooth, white wood and a green and silver quiver of arrows. Kagome walked over slowly to pick both up, brushing fingers over a white fletched arrow.

She looked at Inuyasha. "Now what?"

Inuyasha scoffed and moved forward carelessly but Kagome could tell he was still reeling from the news he had another elder brother. "Now. Now we keep going." He glanced down when Kagome wriggled her hand into his and paused a moment before closing his fingers around hers then they stepped through the door.

"as he tumbled off his horse."