To say that the last few hours were chaotic would have been a drastic understatement.

Her wariness was endless and while she spoke to all the individuals at the ball, her thoughts were elsewhere. She noted that her companions tried to make light of the events—but deep down, Kagome knew they were far more worried than her. That thought alone stressed her out even more.

What had happened?

Was she different?

Sparkling curiosity kept running different possibilities through her mind.

Finally, she let out an irritated sigh and told herself that if something had happened, surely the entire room would have sensed it.

Right?

However, had that truly been the case—wouldn't they have stopped worrying by now?

"Mama?"

His worried voice brought Kagome out of her thoughts almost instantly. Staring at the grown kit before her she tried to remove her feelings of impending doom. After all, she was probably just overthinking everything.

Besides, this was the future—it's wasn't the Feudal Era anymore.

"Yes?"

"You're worried." Kagome didn't bother denying his statement.

"Aren't we all?"

Shippou drew in a breath and looked around the room.

"Is it not possible that all is well? That we are all rewarded for our contribution to the battle from so long ago?"

She couldn't help but let out a strained laugh. How she wished she believed that—or believed that he truly thought such a thing was possible.

"Shippou, I know you don't believe that. What if—" But she wasn't allowed to finish her question due to a smooth voice interrupting her.

"Whatever comes from this will be handled." Her alphas voice was firm, but it still held a hint of caution. Just as she was about to nod to him in agreement, she let out a gasp. Her body began to tingle and her senses screamed for her to protect those she held most dear.

"Sesshoumaru—"

She couldn't finish her words. It had come to fast for her to warn anymore. The swift and unspoken power radiated throughout the room—a power she knew all too well.

But, what was so familiar to her—was horrifying and indescribable to the youkai surrounding her. She knew that the moment they felt the sheer wave of power that their instinct told them to flee.

Yet, nobody moved.

For a still moment in time, every individual in the room was frozen in shock. The room filled with a bright light but it only lasted mere seconds. As the light began to leave the room, she felt a large burst of energy reach out for her. Kagome instantly recognized it—after all, it mirrored her own.

Squinting her eyes to see where the power was coming from, she gasped in confusion. There, in the center of ballroom stood an individual that she was sure she would never see again.

Midoriko.

The figure seemed to have no time for formalities, or even introductions. Instead, the decades old miko locked her eyes upon hers, and began to speak.

Her voice, booming through the entire hall.

"The jewel was not expected to survive this long for its power to be utilized. With that, there is little time given for me to be here. Hundreds of years have passed, and with such, dangers have begun to show themselves."

Midoriko had spoken with such urgency that Kagome had initially held back any words of confusion—until now.

"Dangers?"

In the present time?

She had barely managed to get the word out before she sensed several people suddenly by her side. She smiled in reassurance at the familiarity. Even though the room was filled with holy power, they still pushed out their youki in warning—knowing that it could potential kill them. That action alone gave her more courage than she could have asked for.

"There is a war coming, and nothing like the battle that you have survived. The gods have tried to bless you with the power of youkai—but you refused."

The power of youkai? Surely she did not mean that they had tried to turn her? Panic filled her. Had she insulted the gods? By refusing their gift? Was that why Midoriko was here?

"Fear not, miko. By refusing such gifts, you made us realize there was something far greater that we could bestow on you that would aid you in this coming war."

The room was full of quiet murmurs of confusion. Greater powers than her becoming a youkai? Many in the room questioned if there was even such a thing. Interrupting everyones thoughts and questions, Midoriko began to speak once more.

"Be aware, we grant this unique gift because we see what is up ahead—and we know of the betrayals you will encounter. We know of the pain that will be endured."

Kagome's face turned cold.

Pain?

Again?

Had there not been enough suffering and pain to last ages?

Had Naraku not all but ensured at least that?

Apparently not.

Kagome looked up in Midoriko with questions in her eyes but all she received was a reassuring smile. Approaching her, the woman held out her hand. Trying to see what was in it was nearly impossibly due to the blinding light coming from it. Squinting her eyes, she waiting to the light to die down. When it turned into a faint hue, she was able to make out what appeared to be a small bag.

"Take these, and understand that sheer force will not be what will win this battle—it is love."

To say that she was confused would have been an understatement.

Love?

To win a war?

So much information had been thrown at her, all at once. But this had to be the most confusing of all. As Kagome gazed at Midoriko in hopes of more answers, all that was given was silence. Following the womans gaze, she looked down at the delicate bag in her hand. Opening it open, revealed twelves baubles the color of ice.

A brilliant silver, but oddly cold to the touch.

Baubles were going to win this war?

And love?

"What will these do?"

She knew her voice held agitation, but there was simply not enough information. Gazing at the woman in confusion once more, her eyes widened as she realized that the former Miko was slowly beginning to disappear.

"Wait-"

"Those that cannot be found…have chosen other paths. Be wary, Kagome. Blind trust will result in our downfall. Be careful."

And with those words, Midoriko was gone.