Kagome had continued traveling for two weeks alone ignoring the fact the Band of Seven had been following her until she reached the Cave of Midoriko where the Shikon Jewel had been formed. She sat before the preserved corpse of her fellow guardian with respect she bowed her head before whispering in the echoing cave.
"Lady Midoriko creator of the Shikon no Tama...what should I do now that I am here. I have gone 20 years further into the past then I normally do when I travel. Is something here that I need to preserve?"
She allowed her face and hair to show freely in the pure aura of the cave knowing that even the poison master's poisons would be useless here. A glow much to the amazement of the Band behind the priestess could only watch in awe as the Priestess spirit came to life. They were amazed at the resemblence between the two women.
"Kagome I wish to speak with these men if you do not mind. I would ask you to step outside for a few moments." The wise priestess requested.
"Of course Midoriko-sama," Kagome aquiesed turning and walking past the band nodding to them in acknowledgement. The blue of her eyes shocking them as it had been night when they first saw her seeing the bright eye color mesmerised them.
"Now that she has gone to wait outside...I have a request of your Band...Bankotsu." The woman stated softly her eyes shone with a serious and yet saddened glow.
"What would a priestess want with a band of mercenaries?" The young man asked his Colbat eyes meeting hers. The men behind him nodding in agreement. The woman smiled and nodded to show she understood the question before replying, "Kagome has a mission that must be accomplished here...one that both honors her but, only with death." The woman paused to see if they understood so far.
Jakotsu stepped forward unhappy, "Are you saying that the girl has to die? What the hell does that have to do with us?" He asked shocking his brothers as he continued, "Is she some sort of glorified sacrifice by the gods or something?
The priestess nodded, "Yes she must die...but at a particular moment in order for her soul to be divided back in two. She holds two souls bound as one within her body...her own as my reincarnation and that of another priestess Kikyo whom was killed. As for what her death has to do with you...everything." She turned away before looking back, "She is destined to love one of the seven warriors who are scorned by many and with the selfless sacrifice of giving her life for her soulmate her soul will be free."
"Why would we want to fall in love just to have her die?" Suikotsu put in. Midoriko smiled, "Loving someone happens, whether you admit it or not. Her death is not a permanent thing to occur. It needs to happen so the souls can separate before hers may return to her so Kikyo may have her soul whole once more." The priestess said softly.
"So, how do we come into this are we all going to die?" Renkotsu asked panicked Ginkotsu and Muikotsu nodded in agreement.
"Yes you will but, you will be revived 10 years from now before you will return from the dead under Kagome's enemy known as Naraku. We of the Kami have blessed you already with protection. When the jewel shards are removed your fake bodies will disappear but, you will manifest into your true forms in this very cave where you will wait until all seven of you are whole. By then you will travel towards the Bone Eater's well where you will watch her disappear to where Muikotsu saw her for the first time once she appeared here." She let the information sink in.
"Now think on how you will invite her to travel with you...you will need her in order to have your second chance at life once you die." The priestess said before looking at Jakotsu, "Would you be kind enough to send Kagome in once you and your brothers have left this cave." He nodded confirming that he would politely. The band turned as they left the cave Jakotsu motioned towards the cave, "She's ready for you, Kagome."
Kagome smiled beautifully and nodded before walking in saying a soft, "Thank you Jakotsu...by the way nice kimono." She said with a wink as she walked in not noticing his happy expression. Just seeing her being nice to Jakotsu made all the band want to reach out to her. She showed an open heart and an accepting personality.
Kagome approached the spirit of her ancestor asking, "You have some answers for me?" The elder priestess nodded with a sad smile, "Yes Kagome I have answers preferably the one about why you are here." Kagome smiled knowing that she most likely wouldn't like what she was about to hear. "I understand Midoriko...just tell me."
"You are a brave soul Kagome do you want the good news or the bad news first?" The priestess asked using some of the phrases from Kagome's home time. "Bad news then good news." Kagome stated plainly. Midoriko nodded in understanding, "The bad news is you will die in this era...the good news is that you will be returned to life with your own soul and not Kikyo's. Even better news for you is that you will find the love you have been longing for that with Inuyasha you could have never obtained. This Kagome is the Kami's way of thanking you for everything you have done for them and for the world."
Kagome absorbed the information before nodding lightly in shock. "Why would I have my own soul...I thought I was Kikyo's reincarnation?"
"No my child, you are my reincarnate...haven't you ever wondered why you were born with the jewel inside your body as it was once in mine?" Midoriko answered with a laugh. "But...Kikyo had the Shikon burned with her body at death...was that really just ironic coincidence?" She looked up at the chuckling miko,"Yes Kagome...the kamis do enjoy a good laugh unfortunately most times it is at a mortals expense.
"So I am going to meet my soulmate...is he a good person? Will I be able to stay with him and still see my family? Or will I be sent home never to see him again?" Kagome asked concerned. Midoriko paused at those questions as if waiting for an answer from above when she smiled again softly, "Kagome he will be a wonderful match to you but, it will take time for the two of you to warm up to one another. Your personalities are very similar. As for your home and family you will have passage but, only at certain times of the year...mostly birthday's and Christmas. No your mate will not die again once he and his brothers have their new forms until you both are old and gray." The elder promised with permission from the Kami's.
"I guess I have a long journey ahead of me then...well I'm off to find my destiny again it seems!" Kagome said with a cheery smile as she left the cave. Midoriko merely watched on as her descendent and reincarnate made her proud once again. "Go with the blessings of the Kami, my sweet child...my Kagome."
