Lucy felt odd as she watched her body spring up and twist and kick in the air. It was definitely interesting to observe her body as an outsider while it moved at someone else's command. The disconnected sensation was utterly fascinating. There was no pain, coldness, or numbness. However, her eyes roved appreciatively over her body and the changes made by the Spirit fusing with her. The Spirit, The Rabbit, former demon Juromaru had made Lucy look like a demonic bunny girl! One that wasn't overly sexualized. And, Lucy was sure, Gajeel would have a field day if he saw her like this.

Lucy wondered if she was smiling. She couldn't tell. Her mind was trying to stay focused, yet it was getting harder and harder. Lucy wasn't a complete idiot. She quickly rationalized she was having a forced out-of-body sensation. IE: her soul had been displaced. It left her wondering if those with near-death experiences were similar to what she was experiencing right now?

A sharp tug had Lucy gasping (or she was sure she was?)That little bit of magic she had was further drained, meaning magic exhaustion would set in. Her eyes suddenly grew hazy as her eyelids began to flutter shut.

Her body was on the Snake's head; her feet were moving so fast they were nothing but a blur. Just like Sawyer from the Oracion Seis when he used his magic. The power of those rapid kicks had the giant Snake's head caving in as the scales cracked and shattered from the constant onslaught. Lucy knew that Juromaru was strong and fast. And with him in control, it was impressive and scary as Lucy tried to continue to watch from under her fluttering eyelids. She was sure there was no way the human body should exert that level of strength and power. Let alone constantly over a period of time.

00000

He couldn't help but watch as the Spirit inhabiting the woman's body brought the Snake down. It was shocking, yet he could easily tell her body had been pushed beyond its limitations. His eyes narrowed as Lucy's body landed gracefully and marched to the downed Snake, which was staring in confusion at the body approaching it.

"Brother? The Shikon?" The strange dual-toned voice asked.

"Enough, Kageromaru," A distinctly male voice spoke from the woman's mouth. "I am fine. She is a wonderful mast- Mistress and friend."

"No! I refuse. I don't want to return to being a Spirit. I'll be abandoned again when the owner of my key dies."

Sesshomaru felt his eyes narrow further until he was staring through his lashes. The words gave him something to think about. The Spirit were sentient beings with thoughts and feelings, and fears. The woman knew this and accepted it, allowing them to be their own individual. It showed how magnanimous she was.

"Brother, Kageromaru, Lucy gave to me with no question, complete trust to control her body to return you to yourself. I need you too, brother. Accept her; she has been blessed with most of the Zodiacs Golden Keys."

The way the snake's giant head lifted and tilted to the side had Sesshomaru tensing. When the long serpent tongue slid out and wrapped around the woman's body, Sesshomaru curled his hands into fists to keep from using Bakusaiga. He still didn't relax when the tongue retracted back into the Snake's mouth; he still didn't relax.

"You like her?! Her magic is pure like her heart!"

The awe heard in the reptile's voice grated on his nerves. Before he could try and guess why the Snake's body glowed and shrunk until it was only as long as the woman's arm. Though it now no longer looked like a snake. It had a small head that looked similar to the Rabbit Spirits and two small arms ending in scythes?

"Brother if you chose her, save her. Your poison is killing her."

Sesshomaru felt his eyes widen as he watched as the woman's body returned to its normal appearance. His body moved on its own as the woman's body fell toward the ground. He caught her unconscious body before it hit the ground.

"Brother, I'm unable to. But the male holding her can. He neutralizes my celestial poison with his own."

Sesshomaru had an ominous feeling as he glared at the odd Spirit.

"Snake, how is my son able to do this?"

Tiny eyes narrowed as the Snake Spirit hissed in disgust at his father, Toga.

"He is a mix between you and a demon. He just has to embrace her body and inject his poison into her blood before she dies. Her time is limited to less than half an hour."

Sesshomaru didn't like what was just said. He didn't even control himself as he growled threateningly at the Snake Spirit.

"I refuse to sleep with a human."

His words had his father and the Snake Spirit looking at him as if he'd gone daft.

"Dog, is your son an idiot?"

"Not that I was aware. But I think I might have to reevaluate his intelligence."

Sesshomaru huffed in indignation as he glared at the two speaking. All he got in return was two blank stares.

"Erm... Excuse me, Lord Sesshomaru."

Letting his eyes roll to look at the Monk. Sesshomaru arched an eyebrow to indicate he should speak quickly.

"As to what was said," Miroku said, smiling rather widely. "You do not have to partake of fleshly desires to embrace Miss Lucy. Simply hold her in your arms and inject your poison via your claws through her exposed flesh."

If he were a lesser demon and man, Sesshomaru was sure his embarrassment would have shown. Already he could feel heat trying to creep up past his collar. His lips lifted into a cold smirk as he turned and marched to the unconscious woman. Kneeling, Sesshomaru lifted her. His dignity demanded he remove their persons from being watched as if they were a spectacle.

In seconds Sesshomaru had them airborne and moving towards a nearby hot spring. He felt bothered at how cold the girl's flesh felt as his nose noted the disgusting undertones of the Snake's poison in her blood.

00000

Worry held the Spirits as they finally looked away from the viewing pool. The fight was done, but their Mistress was on death's door, again. The chill in the air was palpable. None spoke as nothing could be said. Slowly and quietly, they all left the viewing pool. New and old spirits, sans the three in the human world, needed some time alone.

For those that had been with Lucy for years, it was death. Especially those who swore to serve her family line. While the new ones held an understanding that they might be abandoned yet again. Not by choice.

"Why is everyone so sad?"

The faint, ethereal-like voice had the Spirit's pausing and looking back towards the viewing pool. There floating above the water, was the fuzzy image of Lucy. It was clear her soul was fading.

"Oh, Hime!?" Virgo cried out, her eyes misting with unshed tears.

"Princess, you shouldn't be here," Leo/Loke said softly. His voice was heavy with emotion.

"I don't know how I got here other than suddenly wanting to see my family," Lucy said. "But if not here, where should I be?"

As one, the Spirit's returned to the viewing pool. The surface rippled before a particular image appeared. Causing a blush to appear on everyone gathered faces.

"There, Princes," Leo/Loke said. "Please return there."

00000

Eyelids fluttered open as blood rushed to deathly pale cheeks. Blurry, unfocused brown-eyes looked up into deep golden-amber eyes, framed by long silvery-white locks. Pasty pink-white lips parted, and a breath was exhaled.

"Can you quit injecting poison into me?" A raspy voice asked.

Silence ensued as brown and gold-amber stared at each other. Neither moving as a contest of wills took place.

"Foolish, woman."

"Indifferent, jerk."

Soon a matching smile appeared on the two faces. The two faces are still inches apart, neither person daring to move.

TBC!