Lucy stood, head tilted back, looking up at Mt. Hakurai as it cast its shadow over her. She knew there was a huge shit-eating grin on her face. In her hand was clutched the Key she had just acquired. It was the Ruby Key of the Goat. The young girl had been strange and very off-putting. But now was not the time to think about that.

When she had left the black space, or void, with the Key in hand, Lucy had literally collapsed to the ground. It had been a long time since Lucy had felt such a physical drain from being overly emotional. And seeing Sesshomaru sitting there, face relaxed as if he was a statue carved from white marble and frosted with ice. She had giggled, causing his brow to twitch before his normal frown appeared on his face, and he cracked his eyes to look at her.

Then he proceeded to make his usual snarky commentary. Lucy had just flipped him the bird as she held up the Key in her other hand proudly. Even after ten minutes had passed, Lucy's body wouldn't move. Thus the awkward situation of his silent royal highness had picked her up bridal style, making her feel uneasy. When Lucy had threatened to bite him repeatedly if he continued to carry her like that, she had her own damn pride. In the end, he helped her by supporting her around the waist with an arm over his shoulders. Their height difference had her toes barely touching the ground as her legs swung limply.

Now, though, after crossing the lake to the shore beneath Mt. Hakurai and resting, Lucy was ready. Taking a deep breath, letting her body relax upon exhaling as she moved into the correct position. The thrum from the Ruby Key as she pulled minute amounts of magic and fed it into the Key to start the summoning.

"I am the road that connects this world to the Celestial Realm," Lucy said as she felt her magic manifest all around her. "Open the gate of the Ruby Key of the Goat, Kanna!"

The sudden pull drain on her magic was not as bad as it had been with Toga, Jorumaru, and Hiyoshimaru. But it still had her feeling dizzy from how quickly her first origin and half of her second were sapped. The sound of a goat bleating as the space before her distorted and darkened to black. In seconds it coalesced into the shape of a small girl, who was nothing but shades of white and holding a small mirror in her hands.

"Hell, Lady Lucy," Kanna said, bowing her head as she smiled sweetly.

Before Lucy could speak and ask what the terms of her contract were, a loud poof and chime echoed from behind Lucy. The latter half of her second origin was drained further. Lucy tilted her head just enough to see who had popped out and felt shocked at seeing Capricorn.

"Father!" Kanna gasped, making Lucy feel light-headed as her eyes rolled into the back of her head.

Sesshomaru watched this all with a sense of detachment. His instincts didn't even stir when another of Naraku's incarnations manifested. Though to see the white girl, Kanna of the Void, smile sweetly up at Lucy, looking as innocent and lively as Rin was disturbing. He let his mind wander until he saw Lucy's body begin to fall backward after Kanna called the Goat Spirit Capricorn's father.

He had been against her summoning the Spirit as soon as she could move on her own. And he was already planning on how to get back at her for threatening to bite him after trying to help by carrying her. Though he was more disturbed by the fact that he would welcome that challenge, Sesshomaru had quickly dropped her from his arms and carried her like he would another male. Though Sesshomaru still found it odd how he was once again in close proximity to the woman.

So, when she fell backward, Sesshomaru's body moved on its own. His arms caught, causing her head to slam into his chest. His mother's words echo in his head about protecting her. It was rather annoying, but he could tell by her breathing she had temporarily fainted. Lifting his gaze to look at the two Spirits, he noted that Kanna looked surprised and highly amused. At the same time, the gaze of Capricorn was cold and calculating. He didn't appreciate that look, but with care, he lowered the woman to the ground.

Once Sesshomaru felt satisfied she was okay, he walked back to where he had been originally standing. Ignoring the looks from the others in their group, and sat on the ground. He was only doing as his mother told him where the damnable woman was concerned. But he could feel his father's aura and looked to his left. There, his father stood staring down at him with a smug, all-knowing smile on his face. Sesshomaru didn't have to ask what that smile meant; he knew. So, arching an eyebrow before he looked away. He was not like his father; he wouldn't change even for this strange and annoying woman.

Lucy felt her eyes dart back and forth between Capricorn and Kanna. Her mind was swirling at hurricane speeds and being so overloaded she was sure that a bloody nose was imminent. But yet Lucy felt strangely happy from what she had just learned. It expanded her knowledge even further of the Spirits she loved so much.

"Yes, well, now you know. I took Piscis Austrinus as my lover," Capricorn recounted with a fondness. "And from that, my daughter Kanna was born. She is aligned to the star Nashira in my Constellation. I was so proud and frustrated with my daughter who wanted to be a Constellation Spirit like me and her mother."

Lucy just nodded her head and accepted it as fact. That meant hundreds of years ago, Kanna (along with all the other Gem Keys) had been separated from their loved ones. Lucy found it amusing that some of them had started up new lives, while others seemed to have become pieces in a cruel game by a very evil person. But knowing she had reunited a father and daughter, who were obviously very much alike, had Lucy feeling very emotional.

Letting her head drop so no one could see the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, Lucy understood the meaning behind the trial. After finalizing the contract with Kanna, Lucy had gotten to see what her life had been like. How after arriving in this world that didn't have the magic to sustain her and not being one of the more powerful Gem Keys, Kanna had just waited. That time being alone, wallowing in the loss and pain, becoming a voice instead of the brilliant sun-like star she was born as, turned into a dark void.

Lucy had the urge to find the remains (if they even existed) of that bastard that had used Kanna as a means to incarnate himself and use her as a tool for evil. It was an injustice that had the happiness in Lucy's heart fluctuating and turning to a cold rage. Knowing that her Spirits could feel her emotions, Lucy did her best to clamp down on them.

"Hey, what kind of abilities does Miss Kanna provide Lucy?" Miroku asked, changing the topic.

Lucy lifted her head after blinking the offending tears away. Her lips quivered into a small smile as she looked at Kanna. Who had a spark in the depths of her night-sky-black eyes? Giving a small nod of her head, Lucy indicated that Kanna could tell them if she wished.

"My abilities include scrying, absorbing light, sound, and smell. And I can reflect a certain amount of an attack in battle. Whether it is an enemy's attack or an ally," Kanna stated softly. "But I don't like to be in battle. It is not my forte, unlike my father."

Lucy felt contentment and pride flow through the link she shared with Kanna and Capricorn. She also felt the love between them. Already Lucy could tell that Kanna was a Daddy's lil girl. Lucy had talked in depth with Kanna through the mental link bout the amount she could absorb and reflect. So using Urano Metrio was not an option.

"You said scry?" Miroku asked, showing his interest. "Does that mean you can help us find the other Gem Keys for Miss Lucy?"

Silence hung in the air at the question. Lucy wondered just why Miroku liked to play this game? He was obviously an intellectual who was good at manipulating the situation around him for his benefit. But being obvious and subtle at the same time while mining for information.

"Yes and no," Kanna said concisely. Her dark gaze became cold and withdrawn, making it clear she wouldn't answer more.

Lucy snuck a peek at Miroku, who pouted but graciously nodded his head in acceptance of her unspoken refusal. This question was something Lucy had asked Kanna as well. Kanna had explained that she could point her in a general direction, but not the actual location. Each Key was a house for a Sentient Being that should be respected. And each Key would hold a trial for Lucy.

TBC!

It is November, thus National Novelist Writers Month (NaNoWriMo), and like the previous years, I will be solely focusing on writing nothing but Fairy Tail (FT) stories. And I am doing this because I want to finish them and get the hell out of a fandom that has become toxic. More so with the new insurgent group of fans that promote unhealthy and toxic behaviors and relationships.