AN. : I am back with another chapter. I hope you really like it, 'cause I loved writing it. I guess it is my favourite so far.

My muse wouldn't stop bugging me until I wrote this, so that is why, my readers, I have come forth with the next chapter so fast after the previous update.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I own the characters.

Up in the sky, in the holy realm, the Kamis were again gathered in the Round Chamber. They were discussing about the latest changes in the realm below them, especially about a certain situation.

'The time has come. Our beloved and long lost Goddess of Fate will return to us.' the God of Reason said.

'Yes. It is time. It will not take long from what I see.' the Goddess of Choice added.

They were all smiling, all except one. The present Goddess of Fate.

'I am well aware that all I am is just a mere replacement of the true Goddess and not a successor, for my forehead was never honored by her marking. It seems that it has chosen to remain with the true Goddess, even if she was a Fallen.'

At the simple pronunciation of the word 'Fallen', all the Kamis' eyes fell to the ground in shame, for they knew what that implied. She had defied the council when she went to speak with Inutaisho.

Flashback

Inutaisho was in his office, pondering upon a very important matter for his House. While all the other Houses had a royal marking, the East had the sun, the South had the water and the North had the fire, the West had no marking. For that, all the other Lords thought his family to be cursed, which made them decide that he had to be fought and his lands divided between the other three Houses.

Still in deep thought, Inutaisho rose from the chair, walked out of his office and castle and into the confinements of the gardens. He was always at ease in his mother's gardens. He had been Lord of the Western Lands only for a couple years and he knew he was considered to be too young and too inexperienced.

He was sitting under a huge sakura tree when he felt the approaching of a creature with immense powers. He stood and waited, and in a blink of an eye, she was in front of him.

'Inutaisho-sama. It is an honor to meet you. I am the Goddess of Fate.'

He said nothing, only bowed deeply in respect for the Goddess in front of him. He straightened and looked at her. She had long, wavy, raven locks that fell down her back and ended at her mid-thigh. Her skin was as white as the purest snow. Her eyes were black as the moonless night and her lips were as red as the fire. On her forehead she wore the marking of her element: a black crescent moon. She wore a long white kimono, with an intricate design of the formation of the universe unfolding, on its lower part. She was floating in mid-air, not honoring the ground with the touch of her feet. She was a deity, in both beauty and power.

'Goddess, I am most honored you have come to see me, although I do not know what I did to deserve such a visit.'

'Inutaisho-sama, I have come for I have seen you fate and it has troubled me. It seems you have two parallel fates, a situation unheard of.'

Inutaisho's eyes widened in surprise and confusion.

'You are well aware of the plans the other Lords have upon fighting you and taking your lands. Although I know you are more than able to fight them and protect your lands hear my plea. Should you choose to act in this way, your fate is sealed. You will never have the trust of the other Houses and youkai as you will never find a mate and will not produce an heir. Upon your death, which will be earlier that you would think, the lands will be divided and your House's existence will end. Should you choose to act against this, I can help you.'

'I have no desire in ending my House's blood-line. Nor have I the desire of getting every youkai's hate. Goddess, how can I change my fate? I plea for your help.'

'Your fate lies within the East. The House of the Sun holds your destiny, in the form of Saisho, the Lord's daughter. If you win her as your mate, part of your fate will settle, and no problems will occur for the next two centuries. But when problems, in the form of a horde of low level youkai, appear, seek for a powerful priestess named Midoriko. She will help you.'

'Thank you Goddess. I am honored to have heard your voice and seen your holy face, but even more honored to be helped by you.'

'I am pleased to see you are wise. Now, there is one more thing I need to do before I leave, for the other Kamis do not know of my departure. And I will do this even if it means to defy them. Come closer, Inutaisho-sama.'

Upon his approach, the Goddess reached and touched his forehead with her slender fingers. A moment later, a twin marking of a crescent moon, only in a mirrored position with the kami's one, appeared. Only his had the color his stripes were, magenta.

'Whoever sees your marking now will know you were blessed by me. You are now the first of the House of the Moon. Now I must go. Remember what I have told you. My soul would be torn apart if you chose to fight and be the first and the last of your House. It will never find its pace and will wonder in this realm, never being able to reincarnate, for I know the punishment for my defiance.'

'You mean you have chosen to be banished from the holy realm just to warn and help me? I do not deserve such an honor.' With these words, Inutaisho fell to the ground, his beautiful face contorted with the pain of knowing the Kami's fate.

'It is my choice. And I have chosen wisely, Inutaisho-sama. Now go and fulfill your fate.' With that she vanished into thin air, leaving a startled Taiyoukai behind.

End flashback

'We have been too harsh with her punishment.' the God of Justice reasoned after a pain strikingly long silence.

'But now she returns home. She will be amongst us again.' the God of Reason added.

All the Kamis were smiling to the prospect of their most beloved Goddess' returning. They knew she was the most worshipped of them by the people and she always was a kind, warm Goddess, her advice and word being holy even for the other Kamis. When still amongst them she was no Goddess of Fate, for it was long since she became Fate itself. That was the reason her marking remained with her and didn't appear on the other's forehead when she passed the ritual.

All but one were smiling, for the Goddess of Foretelling knew what would happen, but she would never tell them. She was long convinced that if the other Kamis were to know what was to come, the Fate would be again changed. She wanted so much to see the other Goddess after such a long missing, but she knew better than playing with Fate, and therefore with the Goddess herself.

'They will have to wait and see what will happen. I will not endanger her again. I do not wish anything to stand in Fate's way.'

00000;)00000

To say the scene that greeted Sesshoumaru in Kagome's room startled him would be the understatement of the century. Her powers had completely slipped from under her control and pink flames of purifying energy were brushing the walls as if trying to purify everything in their way. Pink energy balls were flying around the bed, encircling the sleeping girl.

He walked to her bed and looked at her. Her body was all drenched in sweat, her face contorted in pain. It could be seen in a mere glance that she was in lots of pain due to her changes and that her body was torn in two: it was trying to sooth her pain and also rein her power. Not knowing what to do, he sat on the edge of her bed and gathered her in his arms. Truthfully, he was amazed she was still alive. He could feel the surge of power and, to some extent, the pain she was in through their bond and he knew it was not easy to handle them as a ningen.

It seemed that his touch gave her further energy to harness the amount, for they withdrew inside her body.

'Lord Sesshoumaru'

'Who are you?'

'I am Midoriko. I have come to talk with you.'

'How come I cannot sense your aura and powers?'

'I am but a spirit, therefore I have little time. The change is close. It will be over by the next dawn.'

'What is she to change in?'

'I cannot tell you for I do not know either. All I know and was instructed to tell you is that you are not to leave her side. She needs your strength and power to get through this, so stay with her. Also, you might try and put her into the hot spring, for the warm water will sooth her pain and help her furthermore to rule her power while her body changes. Help her and remember: do not leave her side, not even for a blink of an eye. It is most crucial.'

'Who is it that instructed you to tell me this?'

'The Goddess of Foretelling. Kagome's very important for the Kamis. Her fate is not sealed yet. She has to make an important choice until the change is over.'

'What choice is that?'

'All I know is that it is connected with what she will change into. Sesshoumaru-sama, I am afraid I must departure. My time here is limited. I must return into the jewel once again. Remember never to leave her side.'

That being said, Midoriko's form dissipated. Sesshoumaru was by now in deep thought, the girl cuddled at his chest.

'What can this mean? The Kamis have given her a great fate? I must admit I find it confusing also. I wonder what that priestess said about the choice Kagome has to make before she completely transforms. Indeed. Troublesome miko. It seems she is wrapped into mysteries. Hai. But let us not forget her wellbeing. Let us take her to the spring.'

Shaking off his thoughts, Sesshoumaru took the girl in his arms and exited the room through the second door, the one Kagome saw a few hours earlier, but not before he gathered a night kimono and a cloth for drying the water. When in the bathing area, the Taiyoukai put her on a stone bench and took a look at her. She was still wearing his haori. He reached and loosened up the little piece of cloth she had made as an obi and then he took off the haori letting it fall to the ground. He was met with an odd sight. She was wearing very strange undergarments. After fussing around with her bra for quite some time he managed to open it. When he was done, he lowered her in the warm water, taking care her head remained above it.

'I wonder what will she say when she will find out who undressed and dressed her back. I bet she will make a very interesting sight with that feisty character she has. …'

All the while in the hot spring, Sesshoumaru cleaned the sweat that drenched her hair, using his claws to also untangle it. 'She has such soft hair, even in this predicament. And her skin is silky, its color contrasting beautiful with the hair and eyes. What is this? Is the great Sesshoumaru falling for a ningen? No. I was barely observing her features. Whatever, but you know you cannot lie to me. I am your other half, so I know better. You will realize it one of these days. Hn. This Sesshoumaru has nothing to realize. Never will a mere ningen catch this Sesshoumaru's eye. You will see. Just wait.'

Dream

'Kagome-sama.'

'Midoriko? Am I dreaming again?'

'I am not Midoriko. I am the Goddess of Foretelling. I have come to tell you the truth. Your change is not far from ending. When the new dawn will come it will stop. You will become what you choose to be.'

'What do you mean with that?' In that moment she felt something cold touch her forehead and with the mere brush of fingertips, memories of a long forgotten life came back.

'Kagome-sama, you are the Goddess of Fate. No, I am wrong, you are Fate itself. You are the most beloved among the holy realm. I am sure you can remember why you have come to be a mortal human. Trust me, all the Kamis regret their overzealous decision.'

With her memories, her anger for the Kamis came also. She knew they would have let Inutaisho-sama destroy himself and his lands. And that was why she has helped him, so that his House would rise from the darkness and have a chance. That was what she did. She has given him a chance. And he has taken the chance and it budded into two beautiful flowers: Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. Although the first one was dead, the latter still had the chance to find a mate and continue the heritage his father has left him.

And that was the moment she understood why Sesshoumaru wasn't able to resurrect his brother.

'Tell me, Goddess, why didn't Tenseiga work when Sesshoumaru-sama tried to bring his brother back to life?'

The Goddess was surprised by this question. She didn't expect it, nonetheless she would answer.

'The Kamis saw it a mere punishment for the Western Lord.'

Kagome's anger was building up. She could not believe that the Gods and Goddesses let an innocent life fade away as punishment.

'Since when are the Kamis playing with innocent lives? Or was it because they still think the House of the Moon was destined to destruction?'

'Kagome-sama, I have come here not to talk of these things, but of your choice. What do you choose? Do you want to come back amongst us, and be worshipped by the people and loved by the Kamis? Do you want to come home, or do you want to remain in the realm you were sent as a Fallen?'

'I will never come back to the council. They have taken only wrong decisions. I will remain in this realm even if I know I will be a mere mortal. I prefer mortality amongst people that I care for, than immortality amongst Kamis that have done me and the world so much wrong.'

'Very well, Kagome-sama. I bid you farewell.' And with that, the Goddess faded away, letting an enraged Kagome alone with her thoughts.

She could feel the amount of power that surged through her; now that she was reminded her past life her powers as a Kami, dormant within the frail body of a human female, had awakened. She was wondering what will happen to her now, when she heard a distant voice.

End of dream

Sesshoumaru saw the change in her. As the dawn was drawing in fast, she started stirring. Her beautiful face still contorted in pain looked as if the agony would tear her in small pieces at any moment. As the first rays of sun appeared, a pink light engulfed them both. It lasted only a few seconds, but it was enough for the pain to subside to nothing and to let the girl peacefully sleep in the warm water.

What intrigued the stoic Taiyoukai was the marking on her forehead. A black crescent moon adorned her brow, only it was positioned in a mirrored angle with his. His eyes widened slightly in recognition. That was the marking of the Goddess that helped his father, the same one that gave them the marking of the House of the Moon. Sure he remembered the story very well; his father used to tell it every night as a bedtime tale, making sure he will remember it and honor the Goddess. After all, it was thanks to her his parents met and mated, it was thanks to her he was born.

Realization downing into his mind he stood and got her out of the spring, wrapped her in the cloth to dry the water and then put the night kimono on her. After he finished with this, he gathered her in his arms and carried her to the bed, gently laying her down. He took an intake to sense her scent and what he felt in it disturbed him. Her aura was not one of a Kami, neither was her scent.

'Kagome' he whispered slowly. He couldn't believe that was what she had changed into.

And right on queue, Kagome woke up. She slowly opened her eyes and met Sesshoumaru's. The first impression she had was that of being hit in the head with a brick. Her head was pounding with pain and she felt her forehead burning slightly where the Goddess in her dream touched it. She remembered the dream but still couldn't believe it. But she knew she was not a Goddess. She was not feeling as one. Instead, she felt odd. She took a quick breath and merely fainted at the richness of the scents in the air. Her ears picked up every noise in the castle and in the forest that lay near it. Her eyesight was sharper also. Her hair was longer and it seemed to reach her mid-thighs. She slowly raised her hand and looked at her fingers. She still had the claws and she could feel the poison rushing in her veins, so no change there.

She stood up on her shaky feet and tried to walk, but miserably failed. It took all her will not to whine in pain because of the sore muscles she had but surprisingly enough, the pain was fading fast and she could feel herself healing them. She moved towards the mirror in her room and took a good look. Her once raven hair was now silver and silkier than before, her skin was more velvety but it kept the same shade. Her cheekbones were a little higher than before and her arms and legs were well toned. Another change was her high. If before the change she barely reached Sesshoumaru's chest, she now easily reached his chin. She could see the black crescent moon adorning her forehead, even if she was sure she was not a Kami, but quite contrary, a demoness, and an Inu demoness to that.

She turned towards the Taiyoukai and locked her black eyes with his golden ones. His face was emotionless, but his eyes gave him away. He was curious of what could this female Inu youkai do, what were her abilities.

As if she had read his mind, Kagome raised her left hand and concentrated. A second afterwards, her claws were shinning green from the poison she had drawn in. She had raised her right arm and concentrated again; this time she had brought her miko powers forth.

'Good. I still am a miko. Which means I still am the protector of the Shikon no Tama.' As she said this she broke the eye contact and looked at her hands.

'You know that you are now in danger? If you do not train to learn how to use your new powers and abilities, you will be the victim of the first male powerful enough to subdue you. And you will be taken, with or without your consent, as his mate. You are a very powerful demoness and a miko also. You are the only of this kind. You will be the target of all the unmated youkai.'

Hearing his words, Kagome snapped her gaze back on him and growled. This earned her a smirk from the stoic Taiyoukai.

'Do not growl at this Sesshoumaru, wench.' he said in a dangerously low voice.

Kagome just smirked back and said, into a more playful tone:

'Do you forget who I am? You should respect me. I am the one thanks to whom you are now standing here. I deserve your respect and I am asking you to show it. You will not address me with 'wench', 'miko' or other similar names. My name is Kagome and you will use it. We are equals, Sesshoumaru, even if you don't like it.'

Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth in anger. How could this mere slip of a girl, well, now demoness, put him to respect? He will never accept this. So he made a move towards her with his demonic power. Only that Kagome's keen eyes could see him and she knew he was in for her neck so she stood her ground and in the last second she dodged his hand and jumped behind him, clawing at his shoulder.

'I am no longer an easy target Sesshoumaru. I agree that I need training, which I will start as soon as I finish breakfast, but that does not mean I am not your equal. I do not have to look at your shoulder to know I have drawn blood. I can smell it and feel it on my claws.'

Sesshoumaru was enraged. His eyes were turning red and he knew what was to happen. If he would lose his cool and let his youkai half take control, the miko would be in great danger. So he turned around slowly, eyes set on hers, and with the greatest difficulty, he controlled his youki and answered back:

'Very well. I will have the servants prepare breakfast. You may come down in a half an hour. I trust you may find your way in the palace with the help of your nose. Nevertheless, I will have Liu come and attend your needs.' With that he left the room, swiftly closing the door behind him.

AN. : Thank you all for reading. I have to tell you that I do not know if I will be able to write another chapter the next few days. So it will take me some time, but hopefully not too much.

Ja ne.