Hey, guys thankyou to all who reviewed the first chapter of my story. I'm posting now because of you all. I hope you like what I've done with Kagome and how I'm making her more grown up. And I assure you she will be a kick-ass fighter when I make her fight. And I guess you'll have to read more if you want to have a clue who her mate will be. There is only one person who asked about this particular character and I'll tell you that, yes, her mate is him. So, I hope you guys like my next chappie and I hope you guys heck up on my other updates. I've updated two others of my strories. So, ta ta for now.

Chapter 2

Inuyasha Mistake and Kagome's Decision

"You shall be half kitsune half dragon," he proclaimed.

Kagome made a move to speak, but a bright white light quickly surrounded her body, encasing her in a dense fog. Kagome gasped and then screamed in agony at the burning sensation that traveled up and down her bones and spine. Kagome continued to scream as she collapsed to her knees, breathing heavily, her head thrown back. And just as quickly as the pain came on, it disappeared leaving Kagome panting and gasping for breath.

Ever so slowly she crept to her feet as the dust settled and Midoriko and Nisa got a good look at her. Kagome laughed at their expressions before covering her mouth. Was that really her voice; that soft husky tone that had dropped a few levels. Midoriko was gaping, her mouth dropped to her chin, while Nisa smirked proudly at his creation.

"So how do I look?" Kagome asked breaking the stunned silence.

"Wonderful, Kagome," Midoriko breathed. "You look absolutely perfect."

Kagome hopped excitedly. "Can I see, can I see?" she asked.

The older couple laughed, before Midoriko waved her hand and created a mirror for Kagome to gaze into. What she saw astounded her.

Kagome had long, long black hair with red, white, and blue streaks. Her eyes had changed to a pure red color, lined in dark blue. She had two blue stripes on her cheeks with the Kanji for protector on her forehead. She also had black ears with blood red tips and 5 tails, all black with red streaks and tips. Her bangs had grown out and her hair had straightened and grew down to her thighs. She also, strangely enough wore wings exactly like Nisa, pure black in color, with red along the edges. She was wearing a black hoari and hakamas with a dark blue Obi. She also noticed she was carrying to two fans.

"Midoriko, what are these for?" she asked, rising up her new weapons. One of them had the kanji for light, while the other had the kanji for dark. (You know, the fans like Katana from the Mortal Kombat games uses). The right fan had the picture of a roaring dragon, while the left had a picture of a silver fox, transformed in its animal form.

"Well, those are also our gift to you. Once you learn properly how to use your miko powers, you can infuse your energy and purify anything that touches your fan blades," Midoriko explained patiently.

"Wow," Kagome placed both her weapons into their holders and ties them to her obi.

"So, are you ready to begin your training, Kagome?" Nisa asked.

"Sure!" Kagome chirped, and then frowned. "But what about my friends? Won't training take a long time?"

"Well, yes it will, but here time is ageless, so that when you come out of your spell, only a day will have gone by," Nisa explained.

Kagome nodded. "So what are we going to learn?"

"Well, first you are going to learn to meditate, because it meditation helps boost your power level. Then we'll move onto basic self defense and sparring, and Nisa will teach you to use a sword while I teach you how to correctly use your fan-blades," Midoriko stated. "You will also learn how to speak telepathically and will be able to use telekinesis. And of course, you'll also learn how to cast spells so that you will be able to walk in human form once you go back home."

"Wow, that certainly seems a lot, but I suppose in the long run all those things will greatly improve my fighting abilities," Kagome said thoughtfully. "So, let's get to it!"

"Right," Midoriko and Nisa announced together.

Over the next few months in Kagome's mind, she learned so many things; she thought her head would explode. But during that time she'd also formed bonds with both Midoriko and Nisa. Midoriko, she looked up to as a mother and close friend, for she was both wise and friendly. Nisa, Kagome had come to love. He was a very patient but ruthless teacher who never held back for fear of hurting her. And for that she was grateful of.

Towards the end of their time together Kagome grew sad at the thought of leaving her new friends, but realized that if she wanted to find her mate before long, she'd have to eventually go back to the real.

And so it was on this sad day that she stood embracing Midoriko for all her help.

"Midoriko, thank you," she whispered, hugging her closely. "You've been so kind to me and a great teacher. You've taught me so much and I assure you I will find a way to free you...you and your mate."

"It was no trouble, Kagome, for you are far more powerful than you give yourself credit for," Midoriko replied pulling away from the younger girl.

"Yeah, but you still don't have as much power as I do," Nisa pronounced tipping his nose to the sky.

"Yeah, right. You wish," Kagome laughed. Nisa hugged her tightly as well and then pushed her away gently.

"Now, Kagome, get out of here." When Kagome still looked a bit nervous he chuckled gently. "Kagome, it'll be all right. We wouldn't have chosen you to be our successors and complete the Shikon if we didn't have complete confidence in your abilities to accomplish this task."

Kagome smiled back, the tension leaving her. "Well, goodbye. I'll see you later," she said softly before she closed her eyes and willed her body to wake up.

As she disappeared before their eyes, Midoriko turned to her mate, blinking tears away from her eyes. "Do you think she'll find him?" She asked quietly.

Nisa smiled down at his pretty mate, before kissing her softly. "Yes, she'll find him," he whispered soothingly before they began walking away. Before totally disappearing he concluded, "And you never know. He might find her first...being what he is."

Kagome heard someone calling her name urgently from far away. Forcing herself to fully awaken, Kagome blinked open her eyes, before searching around to find Inuyasha staring down at her.

Momentarily stunned at his closeness, Kagome shot up in bed screaming a, "Osuwari!" causing Inuyasha to topple backwards and face plant into his old friend, dirt.

"Kagome!" A young voice cried flinging himself upon the miko-demon.

"Shippo!" She exclaimed happily forgetting about the 'accident' on the ground currently spewing out curse words unfit for young children. "Oh, how I missed you."

"Me too momma, but what happened to you?" he asked curiously. "You look different and you smell different too."

"Well, Shippo-chan, why don't we go out and greet everyone else and I'll explain there, okay?" She kissed his nose before getting out of bed and stepping on the hanyou still pinned by his curse.

Stepping out of the hut Kagome stopped noticing a very familiar and funny scene. Miroku and Sango were sitting together calmly, while Kirara lay sleeping in her kitten form in Sango's lap. At first glance it didn't look too unnatural. But to the trained eye, Kagome spotted the hand slowly making its way towards the unsuspecting Taijiya's backside.

"AAAHHHHHH! Hentai!" Sango cried bringing her fist down upon the monk's head.

"I'm sure Miroku was merely swatting a fly," Kagome stated calmly waiting for their reactions.

"Oh yeah sure Kagome," Sango replied rolling her eyes.

"Yes, that is exactly what I was doing when-"

"Kagome!" They exclaimed together, before Sango ran over to her friend and dragged her into a crushing hug.

"Oh, Kagome, I thought for sure something awful had happened to you," Sango cried.

"Sa-Sango-chan...can't breathe 'pant...pant'," Kagome wheezed.

"Oh, god, I'm sorry," Sango drew away before finally realizing something was different about her friend.

Miroku approached them. "Kagome-sama, I hope you are feeling much better," he said pleasantly. "But, if I may say so, there is something more different about you today."

Kagome smirked. "Why, yes, Miroku, thank you for noticing. And I just told Shippo that I would explain it to you all when we were all together," she said.

"Oi, wench, what was that for?!" Inuyasha shouted.

"Inuyasha, osuwari! That was for scaring me!" She shouted back, face angry. She turned back to Miroku and Sango and grinned sweetly. "Now that we're all here, I have some things to tell you guys." Miroku, Sango, and Shippo sweat dropped at her rapid change in emotions.

"Er, yes, Kagome-chan, why don't you sit down," Miroku said.

And so they all sat while Kagome explained the gist of her new powers and about the jewel. When she explained about Midoriko falling in love with the evil demon, Sango's eyes went wide. Inuyasha and Sango looked shocked, while Miroku was slightly amused.

"You mean to tell me, that Midoriko fell in love with the demon she's been fighting for centuries?" Sango asked, quizzically. Boy, talk about ironic.

"Yes, but that isn't the concern right now. The concern is that the jewel shards are going to be twice as powerful as they were before," Kagome stated wisely. "And now Midoriko says I have to complete the jewel in a year's time, while finding a mate." She said the last part flippantly, as she was now used to the idea of finding a mate.

She realized her mistake when she noticed everyone giving her strange stares. "What?" she asked confused.

"Kagome?" Sango asked calmly. "Did you say you have to find a mate?"

"Uh, oh yeah, did I leave that part out?" she asked sheepishly.

"A mate!" Inuyasha exclaimed. "NO way, no how, you are not getting a mate. You are staying right here and helping us find the shards. There is no reason why you should have to find a mate! I won't allow it!" Inuyasha went off on a tangent before he noticed Kagome's rising temper. Silently he gulped before attempting to scoot away.

"Just what do you mean I can't find a mate?" She finally blew up. "If Midoriko says I have to and it is needed, then I will search for a mate. I do not, need, or want your opinion on the matter as this is my life to live not yours!!!!!"

Miroku and Sango were staring in shock at her outburst.

Inuyasha began to growl. "No, you will not find a mate! You belong to and with me. You are my jewel detector and I will not allow some sleazy mate attempt to steal the jewel from us."

Upon realizing what he said once again, expecting a sit. When it didn't come he looked up to spot Kagome staring at the ground, her black hair hanging in front of her eyes.

"Kagome, I didn't me-"

"Save it! If that's what you really think of me, then I'm leaving," She said calmly, trying to hold her tears at bay. She stood up, picked up her sleeping kit and grabbing her backpack from the hut, never glancing once at Inuyasha's guilty expression. She turned once to Sango, who looked sad at the thought that maybe this time her friend really was leaving for good, before whispering, "I'll be back to finish what I started. And when I do, Sango, when this is all over, I want you and Miroku to come live with me in my time, okay?" Sango attempted a smile, as she felt Miroku reach over and throw a comforting arm around her waist, for once not acting like a pervert.

Watching her friend disappear into the cold night air, brought tears to her eyes and she finally collapsed brokenly into Miroku's arms, as he stroked her back reassuringly.

As Kagome walked she allowed one tear to slip and that was it. She wasn't going to cry any more. She wasn't weak and naïve anymore, she wasn't the same young teenager that first crawled her way out of the Bone Eater's well. No, she was a strong miko-demon, destined to save the world from a terrible evil. And, she decided, she would find a kind and wonderful mate, perhaps a demon since humans seemed so boring to her now, who would always stand by her side and aid her in the destruction of Naraku.

Caring her little kit, she smiled softly. He was snoring softly and contentedly in his mother's arms, gripping her shirt tightly in his small fisted paws. Smiling lovingly, she reached a hand and brushed his red lucks away from his eyes and kissed his forehead, watching as he smiled in his sleep. It was strange, before when she was human she always felt a special connection with Shippo. Now that she was a demon, part kitsune at that, she felt an even stronger bond. She wondered if Shippo realized yet she'd turned demon.

She had told them about turning into a demon, but by that time Shippo had fallen asleep, while Kagome never told the others the specifics of her transformation. She couldn't wait to show Shippo what she looked like as a demon.

And that's when she decided that for once in her life she would no longer live for anyone but herself. She would bring Shippo home with her and show her world, while training him and searching for her sole mate. Sighing happily now she spotted the well, looking so achingly familiar. She wasn't worried; she knew the others would be okay without her for awhile. And she'd go back to train and visit with them until the defeat of Naraku. But until them, Kagome would stay in the future...and be happy.

Silently and effortlessly she jumped into the well with the up most grace, letting a happy laugh linger long after her descent, as a pair of sad golden eyes watched as his best friend went off to live a life without him.

Gasp the man shot up in bed, cluching his chest. What was that? One minute he'd been laying their peacefully sleeping and the next...the next he'd felt the strangest sensation wash over his body and mind.

Yoko, what was that? Was that you?

A sleepy voice replied after a few minutes of silence. No.

Rolling his eyes at the one-syllable response, Kurama asked of his counter part, well, do you know what it was?

What? Yoko asked, sounding confused. You mean to tell me you don't know what that was?

If I asked, wouldn't that tell you something? Kurama asked sarcastically.

Geez, someone's a cranky pants tonight, the kitsune stated mockingly.

Yoko, just tell me, Kurama threatened.

All right, all right. That my, my dear, young, foolish, stubborn, naïve-

Yoko!

Ahem. Human, that was a sign of who we have been searching for our entire lives.

Uh...what? Kurama was now quite confused.

Yoko humphed from the back of his mind, and Kurama could just make out the annoyed silver kitsune flick his tail in annoyance. Our sole mate, boy. That was the energy of our sole mate. We've finally found her.

Sole mate? Yoko, explain.

Patience, my dear counter part. You see, when a demon reaches a certain point in his life he finds himself searching for the right compatible sole. That energy we felt was her sole searching for us.

You mean to tell me, that that energy we just felt was our mate's sole reaching out to find us? Kurama frowned suspiciously.

Yes, essentially she is calling to us whether she is aware of it or not.

Wait, don't we have a say in this? Kurama didn't like how that sounded. If that meant he was automatically bound to this one female, then he wouldn't be allowed to search on his own. Not that any of the current girls at school were what he wanted, but still. Didn't he get a choice?

No. And neither does she, Yoko replied simply. And tomorrow, we are going to start searching for her.

Kurama didn't respond and merely lay back on the bed and closed his eyes, pondering over this...news.

Kurama's aura flashed amusement suddenly as a thought sruck him. Hey, Yoko, what if she's butt ugly?

He could hear Yoko scoff as Kurama chuckled outloud. Ha! There's no way that the mate of the great Yoko Kurama would ever be so disgustingly ugly. Of course, she wouldn't be as beautiful as me, mind you.

Oh, of course, Kurama chuckled, now feeling quite intrigued at these turn of events. Truth-be-told his sole was jumping at the chance to finally find someone he could fully love, without them loving him for his looks or brains. Goodnight, Yoko, he yawned.

Goodnight...red head.

So, who is his sole mate? Is it Kagome? Or is it someone else and I'm doing this to piss you people off? Well, you'll just have to read and find out now, don't you all. Anyway, that's it for now, so I hope you're all happy. Remember to R/R.

Kura-kun's-lovr