To Fulfill One's Destiny

Chapter 16- Dealing with the Devil

Days turned into weeks, weeks to months.

And still they had not found her.

Not a trace of her, Naraku, or the poison winds that bore them away.

They had found the two demons that had attacked her, well, what was left of them anyway.

Inuyasha and the others had caught up to Sesshomaru, and they'd spent all hours of the day and night searching.

Kagome had returned, retrieved by Kirara in top speed and informed of the latest events by Sango.

All of Sesshomaru's castle intelligence and his brother's knowledge of Naraku amounted to naught.

Now, they were resting around a fire where they were to camp for the night.

Miroku and Sango were fretfully asleep, exhausted and tired. Inuyasha was watching the moon from his bed in the tree branches, at a loss at where to do from here on out.

Sesshomaru was even more cold and distant than he had been when they had met him, refusing to even speak.

Kagome had wandered off, a habit she'd picked up lately. Recently, she'd become so adept she could sneak by Inuyasha when he was awake and lost in thought.

Wandering in an open field, she sought a clearing in a tree grove a good hike away.

Upon arriving, she stood, suddenly fearful of what she was about to do. Taking a deep breath, she walked to the dead center of the open ground and felt as though she were tempting fate.

For the first time since the encounter with the witch Urasue, she allowed her spirit to reach outside her body, opening like a many-petaled flower, glowing in the darkness.

As she'd hoped, a soul-stealer appeared, followed by dozens of others.

Kikyo turned sharply.

Is it be my spirit calling out to me?

But why?

She vanished in the direction of the calling.

Seeing Kikyo appear before her, Kagome reeled in her struggling soul.

Thanks Kaede. The training did come in handy.

"Clever girl. Why have you sought me?"

"I have a deal to make with you."

Kikyo stood in amazement.

She wants me to tell her where to find Naraku. She's figured out that I know where he resides.

"And what do I receive in return for this information."

Kagome took a deep breath. Now or never girl, don't lose the nerve once you've come so far.

She drew a memory of Maria's smiling face to mind.

You put yourself in danger before because of me, to save me. Now it's my turn.

For you...

"What do you want?"

Inuyasha suddenly cocked his head.

Just as a soul stealer drifted by.

Kikyo.

Standing to go, he suddenly stopped.

Where's Kagome?

Suddenly in a panic, he stole off to the woman he knew would hold an answer.

Arriving at the clearing, he gazed in amazement at the scene in front of him.

Kagome and Kikyo held each other tightly in an embrace, surrounding by swirling winds flowing upward toward the sky.

Kikyo was whispering in Kagome's ear, fast and calm. His sensitive dog-demon hearing couldn't pick up the words, only snatches of rare emotion.

Then Kagome's voice chimed, a clear and determined "I promise."

The winds died away as Kikyo summoned her soul stealers, bearing her away as she spared one last empty smile for Kagome before she disappeared.

"Kagome"

She turned and faced Inuyasha, a puzzling look on her features that he couldn't quite figure out.

"I know where he is now. I know where to find Maria."