Luna: WOOT! Chapter 3!

Veron: Now then, are we going to learn what the hell is going on with Kagome now?

Luna: Maaaaaybe…

Veron: OOH you're so infuriating sometimes.

Luna: Makes you wonder why you love me so much huh? ((Cheeky grin))

Veron: ((flames erupt behind her))

Luna: ((hides))

Disclaimer: Hey Look! Rights to Astroboy!

((All the lawyers turn as she runs away))

Suckers…

((Falls backward as one throws their briefcase, nailing me in the head))

Okay fine…I don't own Inuyasha but I own this farking storyline! MWAHAHA. I don't own Astroboy either. But I do own Himawari-Sama! Nyeh!

Chapter 3: To Repay a Debt

Kikyo let her shock subside as she continued to follow his servant through the winding wooden corridors that made up the small-scale palace. He was very well off for someone who was estranged from his child's death. He owned an entire province that spanned for miles, she had also learned that he was allies with the demon lord that reigned over his lands.

The Western Lands.

The woman let her eyes burn into the chattering servant's head as he continued speaking, giving away valuable information that most likely should have been kept secret. But despite these mild concerns, the priestess continued to listen, surprised that Sesshomaru would be allies with a mere mortal lord.

" He owed a debt to my lord. What a fine man milord is both of them. Himawari-Sama's great grandfather saved Sesshomaru-Sama's mother one day and from then on the two have been allies. And have combined their forces on more then one occasion…" Kikyo then proceeded to let her thoughts drift elsewhere as the man rattled on about his family, more trivial matters spilling from his mouth.

So, the demon lord held some honor after all, he owed a debt to a mortal's lineage for saving his mother. Kikyo contemplated further, her mouth set in a slight frown. If he had been a normal human he would have slain him on sight. But to actually go so far as to pay back such a debt meant that Sesshomaru held emotions after all. The one person he cared for besides the strange ningen child he let travel with him was his mother.

Kikyo found this oddly fitting seeing as how Inuyasha had cared for his mother as well. The woman's eyes grew saddened as she let her fingers dig into her blouse as if searching for something. It was then that she realized Naraku's vengeful fingers long ago had crushed it and she had never owned one since.

A trivial item but it had meant so much to her at the time that Inuyasha would give her something so precious. Something she had never thought she'd own.

The very thing that adorned the pale hime's lips.

Red wax.

The miko knelt beside Kagome's body, her normally tanned skin as pale as her own. Sweat lined her brow and her face was slightly flushed from a deep fever. Kikyo dipped a piece of linen into a bucket of ice cold water and pressed it to Kagome's forehead. The girl visibly relaxed and the color of her skin slowly returned.

The healers that ran about the room gazed in awe at the priestess's handy work, amazed that what they had been striving to do for almost six hours, she had accomplished in under five minutes.

" I require some herbs, for when she awakens," Kikyo demanded, her steel eyes never leaving Kagome's troubled features. The various people nodded and fell over themselves as they dashed into the vast gardens of the palace, searching for the foliage she desired.

" It seems that I am repaying my own debt to you in full. My debt that I never thought could ever be repaid." Kikyo let a sigh be released as she dipped the linen back into the bucket. Her mind wandering to how this was going to finish. If and when Kagome regained her memories, would she still be so cordial to her? Kikyo had never seen anyone so cheerful towards her, save the young girl Sayo and her sister. Her smile was almost something Kikyo had to see. If she didn't she instantly became worried and wondered if she had done something wrong. It was in this moment that Kikyo realized exactly what had occurred inside of her.

Inside of all of the companions that Kagome kept at her side.

She had fallen under her reincarnations' spell. It was this that had melted her beloved hanyou's cold heart. It was this that had brought young Shippo back from his grief. It was this that brought hope to both the houshi and the taijya that they could seek vengeance.

It was her never-ending kindness, her joy at being helpful and loyal to her friends, and her pleasure at helping someone.

And for a brief moment, Kikyo felt an overwhelming sense of loss at the thought of Kagome regaining her hate for her once more.

But all of it faded as soon as the poor girl jerked and started sweating again, causing the woman to awaken from her musings.

She couldn't move, bright lights blinded her vision. Lights that held the same glow as the strange light that brought her to this place. Kagome opened her mouth to speak, but stopped as she heard the murmurs of a stern female voice and the ever-familiar gruff male voice that haunted her dreams. The words stopped and the lights faded from view and were being sucked into the ground.

Kagome strained at her ties as she screamed, only to realize that no one could hear her. A pale form was clutching to a red one and she wondered if she knew them. Their bodies were blurry and she couldn't make out their faces.

Rage and disgust brewed in her stomach as she yelled at the pale form, wondering where this bout of jealousy arose from as she felt her heartbeat. The glowing orbs flew from the ground and out of the pale form into the vast expanse of the sky. The red form broke away, leaving the white form in the crater.

Kagome felt her movement return as she felt annoyed relief flood her body as she gazed up at the blurred savior.

Her heart stopped as her vision was encompassed with worried amber gold.

Kagome shot up, her eyes wide as she panted, her hand clutched to her heart as she stared blankly at the wall opposite of her. She let her eyes close wearily, not caring how she ended up back in her bedroom. Slowly, she noticed the presence of a singular person beside her and she looked to her left.

She smiled wearily at the cool look that graced Kikyo's features; the dripping linen still clutched tightly in her pale fist. Wiping some sweat from her forehead, she sighed and slumped.

" That…was so…"

Kikyo moved forward and wiped the sweat from Kagome's flushed tan face, sliding the cool cloth over her heated skin, her expression placid but slight motherly concern flickering in her gray orbs as she bent over the princess. Kagome smiled gratefully as Kikyo eased her into a sitting position and offering her a cup of steaming tea. The young woman sipped it and ignored the bitter taste that graced her taste buds after swallowing the murky brown concoction.

" Were you worried about me, Miko-Sama?" Kagome asked softly, her stormy orbs meekly looking up at the older woman through her raven bangs.

" I was summoned here. They wished for me to heal you."

The hime pressed a hand against her cheek and gazed around at the room's walls, surprise etched on her features. Bracing herself up against a wall, she let her eyes fall closed for a minute letting the day's events catch up to her. Opening her eyes, she let her gaze lie unfocused on the surface of the tea.

" I saw this strange bunch of glowing lights in the forest last night."

Kikyo felt a slight stab of guilt gnaw at her false heart, realizing that the young hime has seen the souls that were now harbored in her body.

" And I felt a pain here, here and on my back." She pressed a steady gentle hand against her lower abdomen and her fingertips against her left cheekbone.

" I fainted and this voice spoke to me. Saying how it was who I was before I forgot everything. I stepped into this ripple and…"

Kikyo gazed steadily at her, motioning her to continue.

" …I was trapped by the white lights. To a tree I think, and there were these two people talking. I felt angry and jealous as a pale figure started clutching the red one. It was all very blurry but I screamed at the pale figure and bright orbs flew out of it and into the sky.

…

And these eyes of amber gold filled my entire vision. They were worried and then I woke up."

Kikyo stood, carrying the bucket and cloth beneath her arm. She gazed impassively over her shoulder to her distraught reincarnation. Her voice indifferent as she spoke.

" It was either a memory or a dream."

" What do you think it was, Miko-Sama?" Kagome pressed, her hands clutching the now cold tea in her palms.

" It is up to you to decide." Kikyo paused as she stepped over the threshold of Kagome's bedroom, adjusting the bucket beneath her arm.

" Finish your tea." The woman ordered with a tone of cold finality as she shut the paper door behind her and wound her way back to the entrance. Her face one of weariness as she realized what memory had resurfaced.

Kagome had remembered the first time she had tried to take Inuyasha to hell with her. The souls she had collected the night before had triggered this memory.

Kikyo hung her head for a moment before regaining her regal posture as she strode out of the palace after dropping off the bucket. It had to be that memory she regained first. Could it not have been something else? Anything? Kikyo berated herself for her childish behavior regarding her reincarnation.

There were other matters to attend to.

Such as how to deal with her "father" and if his delusions would interfere with Kagome regaining her memories.

But it was yet to be seen.

Kagome sighed as she stared up at the night sky, holding a flower in her hand, plucking the petals gently from their brethren. She hummed a tune softly underneath her breath, wishing that the moon were up so she could be bathed in its light.

Looking into the inky black sky, she smiled slightly the stars winking at her as if keeping secrets from her. Cupping the petals in her hands, the princess let the breeze caress her hair before blowing the flower remains into the air, watching them as they sailed away.

"Fly far." The young woman whispered, her face in an expression of contentment as she gazed up at the sky once more. " It's the new moon tonight…"

And she felt the familiar pangs of fire on her face, back, and stomach before falling backward in another faint.

Shippo sat on his haunches, his narrowed green eyes scanning the shadows around him. The wind ruffled his hair and he breathed in deeply, letting his eyelids fall closed for a moment. The breeze continued to pass against his clothing as he made himself become aware again.

He turned and stared at the body of Inuyasha, his long black hair blowing in the wind. The same peaceful look adorning his features and the arrow ever protruding from his body.

The young kitsune shook his head furiously as he felt the pangs of his sorrow eating at his heart again. If Inuyasha's eyes would open they would be violet. And most likely angry. The boy let a sad smile cross his features when he suddenly stood to attention.

His eyelids fell closed and he breathed in the aroma around him, petals caressing his skin. This scent was so warm and familiar…it was Kagome's scent…

Shippo gasped and gazed towards the West, his eyes glimmering with disbelief. Kagome's scent, there was no mistake! It was coming from that direction. He'd have to explore it later apparently as the vile aroma of demons over powered her own.

But with that simple act, he felt all the more stronger, his lips curled in a smirk reminiscent of Inuyasha's as the snake demons towered before the kitsune. His paws glowed with a blue fire and he growled his fangs bared.

" KITSUNE BI!"

Kikyo let one of her shikigami dance across her pale skin, a slight smile on her face as the snake swirled gracefully in the air before her. Her eyes slid over to the reed flap door and the shadow that was nearing it, with a simple wave of her hand, the soul stealer drifted out the opposite window into the night.

Lighting a candle as she stood, she pulled the door back, her hair loose and flowing as her eyes narrowed upon the tired messenger from earlier in the day.

" Forgive me Miko-Sama, but Milord is frantic. She's collapsed again!"

Kikyo nodded and blew out the flame that danced upon the wax pillar in her grasp. Setting it down, she pulled a linen from her left sleeve and tied her hair back once more. On her way out the threshold, the miko slung her bow and quiver over her shoulder.

Her eyes gazed upon the stars over head, an emotionless mask in place. It was the new moon tonight; Kikyo suddenly had a suspicion on what exactly Kagome was remembering.

Luna: Not too cliffhanger ish I hope.

Veron: ((sleeping))

Luna: ((poke))