Disclaimers Notice: I know! I will pretend to be Rumiko Takahashi and steal her identity! Wait...that's illegal...

Authors Beginning Note: Here's your new chapter! Updates are a bit slow right now, but they should be coming faster! (I hope!)

Shout it outs!

Rayame 325-I'm glad you're so anxious to read more of my story!

Diamond Mace-Thanx so much for your review and support! (

Animefreak808- Yes Keisuke is a bit far from his cracker, but I figured that he'd make an interesting character to lighten the mood. And instead of thrownig a frying pan at ya or a bucket of cold water, I have a really loud annoying alarm clock that should be able to wake you up easily! :D

Orion Kohaishu-It's great to have someone so enthused about my chapter!

Aharah Musici-Thanx for sticken around for so long to offer as much support as you do. ;)

Chapter 36

The Priestesses of Far


Forward hit, block, swing, turn, duck, swing,

"Uff!" Kagome sailed to the ground, landing on her back

"You're not concentrating."

"Yes I am." She said to her rival and quickly stood and took a beginners fighting stance preparing for the next hit.

Run and thrust, block, kick, block, dodge, hit...

"Uff!" Kagome fell onto her front this time, barely catching herself.

"Oh! I was doing fine earlier." She whined and hit the ground.

"If you would get your head out of the clouds." Sango said reprimandingly. Her hands were on her hips and she barely looked to have broken a sweat, while Kagome on the other hand looked disheveled. The black shorts and loose white tucked in shirted gym clothes she had brought were covered in dirt, and her hair fell all around her face, where it once was all held back tightly by a thick bun.

"My head isn't in the clouds."

"Is that so, than why are you making such simple mistakes?"

"It's not all that bad." Sango raised an eyebrow and glared a teacher's glare. Kagome tried to best her, but in the end even the great Kagome had to forfeit the staring contest.

"It's Inuyasha isn't it. You're worried about him." Kagome lightly nodded. Sango let out a sigh and smiled.

"He'll be fine. This is Inuyasha the ever immature Mr. Macho man who can actually back up his words once in a while." She said teasingly.

"I know...it's just...he's been gone for ten days now." Sango lowered herself to a more level position.

"Kagome, you should quite worrying. He'll be back soon. He probably just got lost or something. Have faith in him." Kagome nodded and finally broke into a grin.

"Sango! Kagome! I have a message for you!" Cried a child's voice from above. Kagome quickly sat up and both looked up. A small girl that looked to be of the age of 13 was flying in the air using her big cobalt blue wings. Her small sapphire blue and sky blue trimmed skirt flipped effortlessly in the air and her little matching shirt clung tightly to her and showed off her stomach. What was just as cute was her footwear. They seemed to be white knee high boots but instead of covering the foot like a shoe or boot, they looped so that they were strapped underneath the foot and by the ankle, leaving the toes and heal free to move and wiggle, and on the front was a sapphire blue flower that never aged. Though these boots seemed to be made out of flimsy material, Kagome was told they were actually made of a nearly impenetrable substance.

"What is it Sapphire?" Sango asked.

"Lady Keade said that Kagome is to be present to help greet a powerful priestess who is to be here soon. You are to be present and act as a guard of sorts." She said tilting her head, and as she did, small wisps of her short shaggy hair fell across her face and accentuated her long pointed ears.

Another priestess! But there was just a large group of them a few days ago. I never knew there could be so many! And as many priestesses there are, there's twice that in yuakias! I guess I never really thought about it.

"Tell Keade we will be there as soon as possible. First we will clean up, unless you think us presentable and our time short." The girls sapphire eyes looked scrutinizing for a minute and calculating as she encircled the two and quickly backed away holding her nose.

"You two smell. I'd clean up first, weather there's time or not. It's better to offend a guest by being late, than by forcing them to smell you when you stink for an extended time. No matter the occasion." Kagome smiled and nearly laughed.

"Okay, we'll wash up at the nearest spring. You may leave now if we smell that badly." Sapphire's eyes twinkled with merriment and soon she was gone. Sango helped Kagome to her feet and soon we were in the hot spring, out, and into fresh clothes. Sango was wearing her usual long green skirt and maroon shirt and had her fighting clothes wrapped into the blue cloth around her neck. Kagome wore her usual green school outfit, only without the arm sleeves since they had been ripped and torn. Sango let out a long shrill whistle and soon Kirara came bounding out of the woods purring and mewing.

"Kirara, you up for a good sprint?" As if to answer her question the little Neko kitten turned herself into a large fiery cat, while still purring. Sango and Kagome quickly got on and were air born.

"Keade, you must teach that Miko in training of yours some manners. Honestly, the strongest priestess is but a mid hours length here, and still she does not show herself."

"Kagome will show Namiya. Do not fuss so." Namiya's back went rigid and straight. She was obviously one of the more arrogant and strict Mikos known. She wore the usual Miko's outfit, arrows ready and strapped, bow always in hand or at least not far from it, and her long straight purple black hair tied neatly at the nape of her neck.

"And while we're on the topic, that girl is simply barbaric. She really must wear a Miko's clothes, as is fitting. She is after all, the Shinkon bearer. She uses the title of a Miko, she could at least wear the proper attire, otherwise if this goes on much longer, I may have to insist the Holy Council to put an end to this." Keade seemed to stiffen, and hardly gave the woman next to her a glance.

"The child has her reasons."

"Do you really think that as the bearer of the Shinkon Jewel, you should be letting her gallivant off into the wild like she does. It is simply much to dangerous..." Keade held up her hand.

"Kagome is fine. She is not on her own, she is accompanied by Sango, the Taijiya, and when not with Sango, with someone just as capable as she." The woman snorted.

"And what a fine example she is. She is most unlady like, and I highly doubt her capabilities to protect. Look at her village for an example..."

"Enough! Namiya, you speak nothing but rubbish and dung. Cease your mindless chatter, for you yourself know not what you say. I bid you leave if you should choose to speak so little of those whom I care for and watch in my old age." At this Namiya was quite and instead stood still and rigid, like a perfect doll, perfect so much, as to be imperfect.

"Hang on, Kirara going to make a sharp landing!" Sango yelled over her shoulder to Kagome and she nodded, holding on even tighter as she looked below. There was a large welcoming crowd of people and Mikos already there to greet the infamously strong and distant Miko. Feeling her stomach turn and do a great flop, Kirara landed right in front of Keade and Namiya who held her nose up in the air and gave a disapproving glare, but said naught a word. Kagome and Sango quickly got off the now small Kirara and were standing right besides Keade as a crowd of horses pulled up and blew dust here and there, but not much. The horse in the lead contained a tall woman who looked delicate and strong. Her jaw was set determinedly and her face held what Miroku calls a 'holy peace' to it as well as determination. Her hair was long and brown streaked with chestnut gold, and it like all other Mikos excepting one, was held back at the nape of her neck. To her right, a tall person garbed in complete white jumped off the horse and aided the Priestess in getting down. A hushed silence seemed to fill the whole area as the crowd of red, white, and sprinkled browns was filled with awe in her beauty. The woman unstrapped her slender sinewy bow and arrows.

"Welcome fair priestess of the north. We are glad that you would accompany us in this great time of need." Namiya said stepping forward. The priestess's eyes shot to her and were sharp like ice blades.

"I am called Miyako, and I am the great Priestess of far northern Japan. And I greet you, though do not flatter yourselves thinking I came specifically just for you and to grace you. I came here because much is at stake if the opponent we fight is to win. Now, if you would not mind, I would wish to see the shard bearer." She said regally. Namiya's cheeks were flushed with embarrassment as she stepped back and fell into the crowd. A few moments passed.

"Kagome, she wants to see you, go up and greet her." Kagome's feet seemed glued to the very spot and then Miyako looked straight at her and stepped forward, the white-garbed person in step behind her, obviously a guard of sorts.

"You, you carry the Shinkon No Tama, do you not?" Kagome nodded. The woman held out a closed fist and Kagome looked confused for a moment.

"Hold out your hand." She said patiently and Kagome did so. As she did she felt something cold fall into her hand and looked at it. For a moment it was only a strong black aura, but that soon dissipated and turned into a pale pink shard. The crowd awed and Miyaka smiled appraisingly.

"Here is the shard I have been caring for. It has become too much of a burden and I fear complete corruption from it. It was all I could do to hold the black aura from affecting me. Will you take it and care for it as you have with many other shards?" Kagome let out a small smile.

"I will." Miyaka's attention turned to Keade. Feeling eyes upon her Kagome turned and looked at the white-garbed being. All that could be told was that this being was tall, at least a head taller than herself, and the eyes a sharp secretive and intelligent white, for everything else was hidden by a white facemask of sorts, a white hooded cloak that went down to the ankles, and white boots.

"I greet you young Kagome. And I thank you." Came his voice, obviously male. By the sound of his voice he seemed to be of the age of his early to mid twenties.

"You thank me for what?" She asked but he had already turned his back and was following Miyako through the thick crowd.

"Hey! Its rude to walk away when someone's talking to you!" She huffed.

"Kagome, I think he meant when you accepted the jewel shard. Like the priestess Miyako thanked you, he did too." Sango said.

"Yah. I guess so." But Kagome wasn't completely sure of it.

Running. Running so fast, but why? What...what am I doing?

"Don't be afraid. Everything will be all right. The men and I will take care of the biggest task, all you have to do is give it the finishing blow."

"Okay." It's you! You're that girl again. What is this? Who are you! Who are the men?

Running. Running even faster. I must keep up. But why? Because I don't want her to think I can't handle it. I want to be strong like her. Who is she.

Oh no. I don't want to fight! Ahh! It's coming right for me! I won't die. Wait how do I know? So tired, my head, I can't think. Everything is getting dark. But wait! Where is that girl? How does this end? This battle? Is she killed? I have to know! Ahh! The pain!

"No!" Kohaku flung himself straight up grasping his forehead in pain. His body shook with chill and fear. Sweat poured down his face. His stomach turned, threatening to heave.

"It...was...a dream...it was just...a dream!" He yelled trying to convince himself but the reality of it seemed more like a twisted memory. He laid back down, curling into a ball and shaking, unable to sleep.

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow I will have her, and then Kagura will come and take us back to Naraku. Then he can help me. Then these dreams will leave." He said whimpering like a small child. Only a few hours before dawn broke, he gave up completely on sleep and began walking towards his goal.

"Keio."

"Yes?"

"I think I shall take to training the young girl. The shard bearer."

"..."

"I see you are questioning my decision."

"It is not my place to say."

"Humph. Always the reserved one. I however give you permission to speak freely of this matter."

"If it pleases you. I think the girl is too immature to be trained."

"Ah, true. But if not now, when? She will be too impatient if she gets older, if there ever will be a time. And her aura, there is a hidden strength to it. I want to know what it is."

"You are playing a dangerous game."

"Possibly, but I want to know if she could be the next."

"I see that you will not be swayed then." The priestess looked sharply and curtly nodded her head.

"What is it that you see? What have you seen that you keep from me?" She asked sharply.

"Why would you suggest I have seen more than I have told you?"

"I have my ways. I sense your aura, even as well hidden as It is, It says you are hiding something." The man in white looked straight into her eyes as he stepped up to her, barely a few inches apart. Her eyes were locked onto his, as if mesmered by a spell.

"Do you really wish to know what I have seen?" He said, his left hand place on the side of her cheek.

"Yes."

"I saw you in battle. You were battling a fierce Yukai. One of the stronger in the war to come. One that took the shape of a wise young sage from the other lands across water. His face soft and pale. His hair down to his shoulder blades and he wore robes of earthen color. His head was hooded for the most part, and covered his eyes. His eyes however could be seen even in the concealed shadows of his hood. His weapon was a staff of oak. And he challenged you. The battle turned fierce and seemed evenly matched. Until he struck you with his staff, whose end had turned into a sharp sickle. Thinking you were dead he turned to leave, but you sat up and shot him with one of your strongest purifying arrows." He stopped and Miyako turned walking, to touch her bow lovingly.

"There you see, was it that bad? I won and nothing bad happened, accepting a minor injury." She said nonchalantly.

"No."

"What do you mean 'no'?" She turned to face him.

"He lived, but was fatally injured. Another Yukai slayed him."

"And who was this Yukai." He was silent for a moment.

"It was I."

"Hm. Good for you then."

"And so did you."

"What?"

"You died too."

"What do you mean, I died?" She said trying to conceal her emotions. Most would never have noticed the slight tremor in her voice. But Keio isn't like most people.

"The wound he gave you was filled with poison. It ate you rapidly, and left you screaming. You died, leaving only a puddle of steaming acid behind."

"This is of course a joke." He did not reply. At this she suddenly became infuriated.

"Answer me!"

"I kid you not."

"No! It cannot be! You lie!"

"You know well enough by looking at my aura that all that I have said is the truth."

"Get out. Get out!" She screamed in a rage. Keio bowed quickly and left the room unfazed while closing the door before that clay vase could hit him in the back.
Authors Ending Note: Where is Inuyasha? What's taking him so long? Who is this Miyako, priestess of the far north and is she to be trusted? Is the man in white to be trusted? What sinister plot could they be coming up with? What do they mean when Kagome could be the 'next'? And what of Kohaku's mission? Poor Rin, what will she do? With Sesshoumaru in the way, how can Kohaku possibly manage to complete his task in one piece?