Kagura grumbled well naturedly as she searched the halls for the avatar. The still didn't get how they all had gotten into this mess, but she knew that she was needed and wasn't forced to be of service so she was happy.

She paused.

No, she wasn't really happy. Something was bothering their miko.

Kagura didn't have the complete sensitivity that their miko had, but then again she was only bonded to the land that she ruled over- not the whole land of the three worlds. She stopped her walking and tilted her head at the disorientating rush just the thought of all that sensitivity sent along her senses.

She shook her head to clear it and once again searched out the red haired avatar. The stoic frown settled on her lips, as it usually did when she was thinking deeply. She was surprised to find him examining one of the walls of the castle keep, but then again- he was a kitsune. She had seen many a time where the rambunctious Shippou and the ever energetic Jinenji got together to discuss their avid and mutual hobby.

She smirked.

Then again- there were plenty of times they accosted their miko and dragged the shocked woman into discussion of botany and sunlight and fertilizer and – things that Kagura really didn't understand…really.

She supposed it would be something mutual among a race that was so in tune with the lands. But she shook her head and held out her hand- and he bowed over it while ghosting his lips over it as was protocol.

"You are to accompany me, I have a few questions."

Kurama nodded his head at her, and she took his arm and started to lead him through the halls towards the outer gardens as she thought of how to word her questions. She knew the fox avatar was a curious creature by nature- and she didn't know how much of that curiosity she wanted to arouse.

But she persisted; "I would like to know how the battle with Ketsueki went, I have only heard tales and rumors about his might." Kagura let her eyes rake over his face for any deceit or cunning but found none. "I was positive that the Blood Rites would give him a harsh edge- what with the additions we Highers added."

The avatar seemed to physically draw himself up and pounce on that informational tidbit, but Kagura was hard put to keep her laughter at bay as she watched him. So interested in the puzzle…. Even as he kept his dignity and gentlemanly airs about him; "I was interested in the additions, having an avid interest in the original; works I wouldn't see any reason to add a tale."

"You wouldn't would you." Kagura smirked. Call it a learned vice but she loved stirring the waters much like Naraku used to- and Kagome trusted the avatar so it was good enough for her. Besides, the wind bowed to no one, and the wind touched all with ripples and gales.

She had the fleeting sensational prick of guilt that she was putting Kagome in the proverbial and potential spot but she brushed it aside. Kagome knew what kitsune were like, she practically raised one.

So she would have welcomed this avatar while knowing what would happen, and Kagura trusted her miko- she was, after all, the reason the wind was free. She nodded her head and elaborated to the fox. "This tale was particularly involved with our miko and some happenings in the sengoku jidai era, and it elaborated on her receiving of the title of the Miko without time and how she created the blood rites."

She CREATED the blood rites!; practically screamed across his face and the wind witch let out a happy laugh. He was so fun to watch.

She sobered up with an amused grimace; having reminded herself of Naraku with that behavior, as many a day she had passed him pondering what to do with a situation just to see how people would react.

"Yes, she was one of the guiding forces in the discovery anyway, the retainer – Inuyasha – had a special attack where he used his own blood, and the miko was curious after her brother asked a rather vague question." Kagura let her mind drift and felt her face ease as she remembered the good old days when things were so simple.

Kagome was laughing- again. And Kagura found she rather liked the sound. The miko never directed her laughter at anyone, and that made all the difference to her.

They had spent a hassling few days trying to assimilate all the miko had told them even as she calmly sat there and smiled at them so serenely they had little else to believe except that everything would be alright. Never mind the fact that only a few days ago she had completed a ritual that gave away her eyesight and left her permanently handicapped…

Ah yes, simple.

Kagura snorted at her stupidity. Nothing was ever simple when their miko was involved; 'but then again', she thought with a smirk, 'would I wish it any other way?'

The kitsune avatar perked up, his eyes seeming to light from within and establish this golden glow that should have been clashing with his green eyes but somehow didn't…Kagura pouted.

It wasn't fair that kitsune could be sooo pretty when she had to work with her choppy hair and red eyes- they didn't match much she could tell you that!

He broke into her thoughts casually, and she was amused that she had let herself drift so far into memories and petty jealousies when there was a potentially threatening presence near- then she paused, for maybe this was how her miko had let her guard down, that he somehow broke through barriers with that damnably polite persona and gracious looks.

"He used his own blood in an attack? How did that help her create the Blood Rites?" He interrupted her thoughts before she could really work up her paranoia.

She shuffled her feet through the path, taking special note of one plant that was a gift from their miko that seemed to be flourishing. So she reminded herself to trust their miko- she was never wrong about a person after all. "Kagome is insatiably curious, and she realized that…" She paused to look at him, and she really wondered. "Just how much do you know about the Blood Rites anyway?"

He blushed faintly and rubbed the bridge of his nose in an attempt to hide it subtly. "Not much I'm afraid, I only heard that they would be of use to anyone of any reikai graded level, and being what I am I have many theories about it."

Kagura smirked smugly before she continued. After all, he was being honest enough, she would as well. "The Blades of Blood was his personalized attack, and Kagome theorized that if one used their own blood and shouki or youki, they could have their own fail safe attack. It wouldn't matter who drew first blood in a fight if your blood gave you a weapon and proved to be less a hindrance and more a danger- enemies would be shorthanded of techniques to kill you. After all, demons much prefer the bloodier way out."

She watched the avatar grimace in distaste and nodded her head in conclusion. He wasn't one for unnecessary blood shed she supposed, he could hold his own but then again he would rather defeat his enemies by cunning and trickery- like a fox.

He didn't speak and she took it as encouragement to continue. "The tale tells of the first attempt used from her theory, actually since she was the first one to experiment with it she practically solidified her own theory." She added this as an after thought and watched him startle at the mere thought of the miko using blood in something like an attack. So she corrected his wayward thought; "She performed a ritual using her blood, and that was when she gave her eyesight away. She had years to…"

She was cut off as the hulking shadowy form came from the shadows and she smiled ruefully as Jinenji bowed and smiled tentatively at the avatar. The resulting pleasantries and conversation carried on were of things she held no interest in, and it was never a more clear dismissal from the central lord than any other shed experienced. So she smirked as she left, sure that she had left the avatar stewing in his curiosity and his damnable sense of etiquette that demand he pay courteous attention to Jinenji, until the central lord had gained all his attention anyways…

With a swish of her fan and a gust of playful wind she left them to their conversation. How she loved to ripple the water.

.x.X.x.

Kurama had been walking and chatting with the central lord, having found the gentle giant a cornucopia of knowledge about plants and an even greater abundance of love for them. They had talked of little, save for the plants and what their miko had done to some of the hybrids that Jinenji had created. She seemed to permeate the very air of each of his sentences in some way, and Kurama found himself painting a picture of a rambunctiously energetic but compassionate girl who welcomed all to her fold.

A rather contradictory picture to him.

But Youko was disinclined to agree, and he found himself listening to two different demons talk about two almost completely different subjects. Jinenji was rather easier to listen to he found, with his gentle rumbling voice and certain grasp of his botanical knowledge, it was Youko he was having trouble with.

'I'm telling you that she is a contradictory person. She's a miko red'

Kurama nodded absently at the demon lord's enquiry about the beauty of some plant before he reiterated. 'I'm not saying she isn't; she's a miko that consorts with demons, I'm sure that even Kuwabara could spot that she is a contradiction in itself.'

Youko snorted with a little twitch of his nose, 'Remember that she avidly supports Hiei, and they have that weird ki connection thing they did at the shrine.'

Kurama paused as he remembered the odd sensation that had sent along his senses, wondering what it meant and how and why they had done it. Kurama had the disorientating sensation that Youko was taking him in circles and really didn't have a point to make but the irritated scowl was conflicting that thought. 'What I am saying is that I can't picture her being very rambunctious and energetic when all I've seen of her is the serious and gentle miko.'

The calm statement was refuted casually and just as calmly. 'She kept up with us when we went after Ketsueki, that tells us that she has muscle and power under all that miko clothes,' a brief pause that had Kurama's eyebrow twitching, 'and she seemed to enjoy the trip and our company and questions. And she laughs with her brother and….'

Kurama and Youko were abruptly pulled from their inner argument by the even more abrupt stop of their demon escort as he fell to his knees and the ground shook upon the impact. He looked around him frantically in search of any possible threat that could have downed the great lord but found nothing save the tremor of the land as it reacted to its lord's agony.

It was oddly upsetting.

There was no rain, but the clouds blocked the suns welcoming and warming rays from the observing fox and weeping lord. For Kurama watched the lord, watched him openly weep for the loss of beauty in this scrap of land, and he wondered. The lord held nothing back, and he left no emotion hidden.

It was oddly discomfiting to watch such a powerful figure show such a weakness. He knew not what land this was, as he knew naught about the lord he now accompanied. He could do nothing.

The castle keep had rung with the sounds and alarmed calls of intruder and he and the lord had broken out of their discussion of makai politics to rush to aid whoever they believed needed it.

It just so happened to be the makai lord of the central lands himself and now Kurama couldn't help the emotionally unstable lord. 'He's grieving so harshly…'

'Maybe this area was special to him?'

Then the silent air rang through him, all nature that he could sense paused, and the very air he breathed seemed to freeze in his lungs and encourage him to calm and come to his aid.

'Good Kami it's…'

The loud staccato burst the came forth from the lords throat cut off any thoughts.

Jinenji threw his head back, mouth raised to the sky, as his hands fell to the ground beside and behind him when his legs crumbled underneath him. Another short staccato burst filled the air, followed by another and another and another…

It echoed through the lands, and Kurama could feel it getting the attention of every being he could sense at the moment, and wondered what beings he couldn't sense could hear it.

'The call….'

Then the force of the call reached his soul. Kurama fell to the ground kneeling, bowing his head to the painful emotions forced upon him by the lord's call. His mouth opened in pain, a strangely disorienting feel of someone else's anguish washing over him and confusing his senses.

All he understood was that Jinenji-sama was calling for help, and that anyone and everyone who could be of aid would come.

The air turned quiet.

The land echoed naught anything that was called or anything that answered. Kurama shivered. He'd never heard a Highers call before, as it was a very unusual situation to find a lord or lady in danger. The call still echoed in his souls, even as the air was still with the silence.

No sounds.

No animals.

No life.

Suddenly, the air around them ripped in a torrent, swirling and screaming its rebellion to the previous peace. The violent winds whipped at their clothes and the crumbled form of the Central Lord was oddly unaffected by the unnatural winds and howls.

The oddly defeated whimper that came from the lord's mouth startled Kurama, and he broke out of his rambling thoughts to stare in open wonder at the usually proud and collected demon as he released another haunting cry into the air of Makai.

The winds stopped, and through the rip in the barriers he could just make out a ningenkai forest before it was abruptly closed and he realized that the person who had opened the barrier was already near the lord. He turned around sharply, startled to find the miko holding onto the arm of the large demon lord.

He was not as startled when more swirling portals opened up around them, as the miko and lord held all of his attention. She was crying.

Tears sparkled in the setting sun, and in a moment of Youko's strange poetic insight he reminded him that her home was the Sunset shrine and that it strangely suited her. Opened eyes of the galaxy seemed to be shedding tears of the red and gold sunset, creating a meeting of Mother Nature and the ethereal. Her whisper of the central lord's name brought Kurama out of his stupor, and he felt oddly intruding as he witnessed more tears leave her eyes when the lord still gazed at the sky.

"Jinenji-chan…."

The retainer Onigumo stepped forth, placing a comforting hand on the miko's shoulder as she looked up to him with sparkling eyes. She shook her head to his enquiring look and gently pushed him away with one hand.

He didn't look offended by this gesture and he only turned around and spotted him before walking in Kurama's direction. He guided him away from the sight before him- of a once proud demon and distraught miko-away from the scene of more gathering highers and nobles and to the vision of the makai forest of the central lands.

All in a daze.

'That's the call! I thought it was a myth! Good Kami they can actually…'Youko trailed off as his more human side dazedly asked the question to the scholar of the highers.

"The …call..?"

Onigumo gave him a measuring glance and Youko quieted in their mindscape. (All the better to hear the answer and observe – with an uncomfortable strain of his neck – around the retainers body and to the gathering demons and miko). "Yes, that is the call- thought we never expected him to use it; much less use it when you were around." Onigumo sighed and pulled him away, Kurama was about to protest with Youko's urgings when they noticed all the others gathering themselves together and leaving quietly as well.

He twisted his head around, catching Onigumo's attention with his incredulous and disbelieving look when he spotted just one miko and the demon lord. How was it that the miko was the only one who could help the central lord- how was she as the only one who could comfort him?

Onigumo sighed and gave a more insistent tug on his arm for them to enter the woods; Kurama obscurely recognized the path as one that led to the gardens of the central lands- but Onigumo stopped before they reached the more manicured gardens, and he pulled Kurama onto a side path he had previously not noticed (even though he had the connection with the plants he and Youko had been frustrated to find that the plants of the central lands didn't really react to him when he wasn't in a panic).

Onigumo seemed much less hostile to him this time, and Kurama found he was uneasy even thought it should have set him at ease. "It would seem that you have become irreparably a part of our circumstance," a sharp glance was sent his way before it softened into something he couldn't define. "Despite all that we have done to dissuade you from our miko and us, you seem to have the uncanny ability for being where we wish you weren't."

Kurama understood so much, he was being accepted on some level- but he didn't know how much they would be telling him yet. He was surprised he had gotten so much conversation in with the wind witch and the central lord earlier, at least so much without anyone else interrupting them.

'They are on their guard.' It would seem that with their lowered defenses Youko had an easier time sensing what was going on, but Kurama found himself agreeing as well. 'I know of nothing that could set them so ill at ease that even exists, at least in this day and age.'

Kurama tilted his head and regarded the long haired retainer as he was being regarded in the same manner. 'Are you certain? They did get irate over the Rites, maybe Reikai is causing too much trouble?'

Youko made a soft sound of disagreement- not quite sure himself but differing because of some instinct. 'No, that was more of an insult to them, that something they entrusted to the reikai royals as a sign of peace and mutual respect was so carelessly guarded.' He paused as a shiver of adrenaline raced down his spine and his tail fluffed with excited awe. 'I can't believe they actually loaned out the Blood Rites….'

Onigumo had been watching him with this peculiarly knowledgeable glint in his eye, and he smirked in understanding as he waited for Kurama to come to his less mental senses. Kurama was once again struck by the thought that his eyes were true demon's eyes- and struck dumb by the ramifications.

A smooth and cultured voice; "That was the Call you heard. Jinenji has never before used it, and there has been only one other time in my memory that I have heard it."

Kurama's sharp gaze caught the slight dulling of the demons eyes, and he wondered at the first Calling but never got the chance to ask, as Youko was paying to much attention to Onigumo- so much that his own senses had sharpened on the retainer as well.

"The areas you just were in- that desecrated land," he snarled out with a vicious and unforgiving sneer, flashing fangs that were all too suddenly true demons' fangs. "Those were the lands where Jinenji had buried his mother's ashes, and where he had created the memorial to his father."

The land was desecrated; the once peaceful and flourishing memory of someone's special person was now a dark and shocking example of another's selfish tendencies. Dark earth was torn up, and the once carpet of green was broken by the dark splashes of turmoil. The air was heavy with the scent of moist disturbed soil, and the vase for a person's ashes was shattered against a memorial stone, now cracked and crippled.

He shook his head in horror and disgust as he glanced up to the demon in uncertainty. He simply nodded his head in return, and turned to face him directly and lean against a tree.

.x.x.x.x.

Sorry for errors, I'm practically falling asleep at the keys and I have no beta. Sorry, but I hope you enjoy and that it wasn't too rushed! (God I had to fix so many typos just because my eyes were blurring! Thank god for spell check!) ENJOY THE CHAPPIE and hope you enjoy the long weekend!

PS: I have realized I always forget the disclaimer, but since this is FANfiction I hope YOU realize that I know this isn't mine. XP