AN.: Hello everyone. Here is the fifteen chapter. Hope you enjoy it.

I have something important to ask you: DO YOU WANT ME TO END THIS STORY NEXT CHAPTER? Because it could be the final chapter, the mating ceremony. If you don't want it though I might think of something else and I will not finish it ;) . If you do not say anything, I will take your silence as a 'finish the damn story' response.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the characters.

The night was not as peaceful as the others until now. She could not fall in the deep sleep that claimed her every night. Her sleep was plagued by nightmares of the day Inuyasha died and she was more and more nervous. She would not be able to rest for the coming journey they were about to start in the morning. So she stood from the bed, took a look at Sesshoumaru, who she was certain was not sleeping and knew what she was about to do, dressed herself in a training outfit, took her weapons and left the room.

She was set to go to the gardens so she exited the castle and once in the castle's grounds she picked up a tall and huge tree and sat under it. The cool air of winter was calming her jumpy mood, so she let it play around her, her silver locks engaged in a dance with the cool breeze. The tree was magnificent. Its long powerful boughs were slightly bent towards the ground because of the snow's pressure.

She settled herself into a meditative pose, took her weapons and put them in front of her and closed her eyes. She allowed the cool air to caress her body for some more moments and then she erected her barrier. She was going to meditate and let the stream of memories drown her. She was set into remembering everything that happened that day so maybe after that she will calm enough to rest some more. She did not know why, now of all the nights that passed, she was having nightmares about that fatal day. And then she remembered: a month had passed since he was killed. She gritted her teeth in fury for the Kamis and Megamis that allowed him to die and concentrated on her inner turmoil.

Flashback

It was dawn in their camp and you could already hear voices yelling all around. It was Inuyasha who took it upon himself to wake them up every morning. When it came to waking up Kagome though it was always a challenge, for she always sat him a couple of times until she decided to awake for his mouth was too foul to take it anymore. She gathered her bathing supplies and went to the hot spring from their vicinity and came back some good hour after leaving.

Inuyasha was furious and started bickering her so her anger rose and started yelling at him for his foul mouth and jumpy mood he seemed to be as of lately. Miroku was unconscious under a sakura tree, a nasty looking handprint on his cheek, Sango was cooking them breakfast, all the time muttering something about lecherous monks and Shippou and Kirara were enjoying the scene unfolding in front of them, a big grin plastered on their faces. Yup, this was ordinary in their little tachi, so no worry.

They were on the move for some good hours when Kagome stilled. She felt the tug of a Shikon shard, only that this one was too powerful. Actually, it was too powerful to be a couple of them. When she realized what it was, her eyes widened in fear, surprise and confusion. When Inuyasha saw her stop he immediately started bickering her for her repeated breaks and her being ningen. She shut his mouth with a:

'Sit boy!' and proceeded explaining the others what was happening.

'Minna, Naraku is approaching. I can feel the Shikon no Tama, and it is coming this way.'

When they heard her words they all stilled in preparation. Inuyasha jumped from the ground as soon as the enchantment's effect diminished and stood on Kagome's right side, Tessaiga drawn.

'Sango, will you allow Kirara to take Shippou away from the battle? I am afraid for their safety and I really do not want anything to happen to them.'

'Of course Kagome.'

Kagome took her adopted kit in her arms, gave him a hug and set him on Kirara's transformed back. She concealed their scents and auras and said:

'Shippou, if by chance we lose the battle and Naraku manages to put all the jewel together and kill us, go and find Sesshoumaru. Tell him about what happened and pray to Gods he will be able to kill Naraku, for he would be the last hope the entire world has.' She kissed his forehead and Kirara took off.

The little party was standing in a clearing, weapons drawn, and waiting for the hanyou to reach them. They didn't have to wait too much, for Naraku was upon them in just mere minutes. Kagura and Kanna were with him.

'Ah, so we finally meet, little miko.' Naraku's oily voice sounded in the clearing. Kagome nearly shuddered because of it and glared at him.

'So you finally decided to step out of your hiding and face us?' Kagome asked him with a calm voice.

'So harsh words, my dear Kagome. I was not hiding, only merely preparing our encounter.'

'You coward. You will die today.' Inuyasha shouted, releasing his Scar Wind towards the three figures. The Kazee no Kizu was immediately rejected by Naraku's strong barrier and Inuyasha this time approached and let his Tessaiga change. Its blade became a blood red and when he felt the pull of enormous power he released another attack, this time successfully destroying the barrier.

Naraku's red eyes widened in surprise and he let his miasma take him away from the attack's imminent path. Kagura used her fan to divert the destructive power and Kanna was just about to use her mirror to repel it but Kagome outmatched her. She drew one arrow and notched it into the bow's string and shoot it to Kanna's mirror. It immediately shattered and let the spirits loose from it. Kanna was now defenseless in front of Inuyasha's Kazee no Kizu and when it reached her she embraced herself for the impact. She was killed on the spot, her body turned into a heap of ash.

'Now, now Kagome, why did you have to kill one of my children? Did I do anything to you?'

'Yes of course you did. You killed everyone in Sango's village, took Kohaku with you to do your dirty work, cursed Miroku's line with the Kazaana and merely killed Inuyasha. You deserve to die Naraku, and today we will finish this.'

'Oh, my little miko, you will not be able to do that, for you see, I have almost completed the jewel. All I need are the few pieces that hung around your neck.'

'That means … Kouga, Kohaku … what did you do to them?'

'The wolf is still alive, he managed to escape my trap, but his shards were taken by Kagura. Kohaku on the other hand lies somewhere in a heap, just a mere corpse.' Seeing Sango's painful expression, Naraku started laughing, a malicious laugh that no one ever heard before.

'You will pay, Naraku.' Inuyasha yelled, lunging for the hanyou and releasing another attack.

This time Naraku dodged the attack and transformed into his hideous demonic side. He was a jumble of different kind of youkai, all kept together by the jewel that glowed red in one of his tentacle-like hands.

Kagura made a move to interfere between Inuyasha and Naraku but a purifying arrow attracted her attention to the three ningen standing on her left. They were prepared to fight, so she thought she would let Naraku fight his fights for once and take care of the three pathetic humans.

'Sango, Miroku, I'll go help Inuyasha. You fight Kagura here. I am sure you will manage to defeat her and kill her.' With those last words, Kagome made a dash towards Naraku, a pink energy ball forming in her palm. When she was sure she was close enough to him, she released it and it flied right to him, hitting him and instantly purifying some of his multiple tentacles. Unfortunately she did not see the one tentacle coming to her and wrapping itself around her waist. She shouted in shock and tried to purify it but until she managed it, another tentacle hit her just above her heart, piercing her shoulder and exiting through her back. It was drawn back and Naraku took advantage of her state and took the vial with the shards from around her neck.

When in the possession of the last shards, Naraku threw her in the way of another Kazee no Kizu that Inuyasha released in hope he will be able to save her from Naraku's grasp. The Wind Scar was approaching with such fierce and her body was in such pain from the gash that she nearly collapsed and let the power consume her. But then she saw Naraku putting together the jewel and she gathered her remaining energy and put up a barrier. Only it was not powerful enough to withstand the entire energy Inuyasha sent so it collapsed as the remains of it were to pass and she was slashed all over her body.

Inuyasha was immediately by her side and scooped her up in order to take her away, but he didn't manage to leave, for they were surrounded by Naraku's foul miasma. Kagome asked him to let her down and to take cover. She summoned all her powers and released them. In a flash the miasma was purified and they could again breathe fresh air. At that instant they heard a loud cry and they looked towards Miroku and Sango. They were both badly wounded, in fact they were on the verge of dying, but still Miroku released his Kazaana and managed to suck Kagura into the void in his palm. Then, with his last energy he closed his palm and put the beads back on. They fell to the ground with a thud, not being able to move any longer.

Naraku saw it and thought he could take advantage of their situation. He made a move towards them, but Inuyasha was there in a blink of an eye. Only that him being so close of Naraku backfired. Naraku sent his multiple tentacles towards the red-clad hanyou and managed after so many attempts, to hit him square in the chest. Then he implemented a few of them into Inuyasha's chest and belly, effectively knocking him to his knees. After that he used one of his tentacles to throw Inuyasha into a tree.

Kagome then screamed. She could not believe it. Inuyasha was not moving. But doing so, Naraku's attention snapped on her. She was wounded but she was still alive and she knew that with him having the entire jewel now the world would be in great danger. So she stood, took her bow and notched an arrow to its string. She pulled the string hard behind her, gathered all the power she could muster in her and poured it in the arrow, allowing her very soul to be attached to it.

When she was sure she would hit him square, she let the arrow loose. The bow snapped in her hand and she fell to her knees. She watched as the arrow hit Naraku and managed to purify him almost instantly. Then she saw Onigumo's soul floating above the pile of ash and her very soul directing it into the jewel. She managed to crawl the few meters to the place Naraku found his demise and reached for the Shikon no Tama. It was tainted and when Onigumo's soul was captured by it, it turned a blood red shade. When she touched the jewel, her soul hovered over her and reentered her body. She then crawled away from Naraku's ashes and collapsed. She was too tired and she had lost too much of her blood to be able to move anymore. She was sure she would die that very instant.

Instead, she felt the wind pick up a little and then a cold hand reached for her face to caress her.

'Thank you, Kagome, for defeating Naraku and for finally letting me rest.' She opened her black eyes and looked into clay-like face, pale-looking skin and brown dull eyes.

'Kykio …how was it even possible to let my soul into the arrow and not die? I knew I was able to do that and I was keeping it as an ultimate solution, but I did expect to die.' Kagome whispered.

'Kagome … you didn't die because of your pure heart and soul. You see, to really kill Naraku, his human soul had to be captured into the jewel you are now holding in your hand. You did not die, for you are not a simple ningen. You are more than that and Fate must come true. Arigatou for allowing me to rest, Kagome-sama.'

'What do you mean?' Kagome managed to say.

'I was being able to walk the living world because I was linked with Naraku. Until he was not stopped and killed I could not take my place into the other world.'

With that, Kykio stood and walked to Inuyasha. She lovingly placed a kiss on his cold lips and then did something Kagome would have never expected. She cut the link that kept half of Kagome's soul trapped into the clay body and let it float towards its owner. At the instance the soul exited her cold body, she transformed into a pile of dirt. The soul came and reentered Kagome's body. She had a feeling of wholeness and felt her body aflame with miko powers she never knew she had. 'I guess my powers were unsealed once my soul was whole again.' was her last thought before she felt unconscious.

End of flashback

Kagome was still deep in thought in her meditative stance when she felt a presence approaching. She knew the aura and it was strong. She did not acknowledge it though and waited for the other being to speak first.

'Kagome-sama.'

'Noriko, why are you here?' Kagome asked, letting her barrier down.

'I came because I wished to talk with you. I have been here for some time but did not want to disturb you from your meditation.'

'I know you were here. I could sense your aura in the back of my mind.'

'I have seen you were restless. Why is that?'

'My sleep was plagued with nightmares. I came here because I needed to calm my body and mind. Tell me why did you come?'

'I came to tell you about the journey you are to start when morrow comes. You will find the Lady of the Lake and she will talk to you, but you must act as the Goddess and miko you are. You must not let your demon side take over, for she does not like youkai, being them females or males. She is Izanagi but she will not tell you that unless you manage to convince her of your good intentions.'

'Thank you, Noriko.'

'Why were you plagued with nightmares?'

'I kept dreaming about the day we fought Naraku. And I could not stand relieving the moment Inuyasha died. So I came to meditate.'

'But it didn't help you too much, did it?'

'No, it did help. I remembered everything that happened that day and it helped me understand some of the things I did not until now.' Kagome said in a melancholic tone.

'Kagome, your intended is approaching, I must take my leave. Take care on Mount Hakurei and do not take the two youkai male with you up to the lake.'

'Hai, arigatou Noriko.' That being said, Noriko floated away.

'Why are you here, little one?' came Sesshoumaru's voice a few moments later.

'I could not sleep, so I came to meditate for a while.'

Sesshoumaru came to her and sat behind her, put his arms on her waist and pulled her in his lap. When she realized what he did she blushed furiously. She hoped however that he did not saw it for the night was dark, due to the fact that there was no moon. He saw her cheeks taint pink and smirked inward at her reaction to his proximity.

'Who has come to see you? I sensed one of the Kamis in the garden just moments before I came here.'

'It was Noriko that came to me.'

'Why?'

'No reason actually. She saw I was restless and she came to see me.'

'I think I would like to go back to our room. I would like to sleep a little before we take our leave.' she said after a while.

'Alright.' He stood and in a few leaps he was back on their balcony and into the room. He put Kagome in the bed and climbed next to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and let her sleep. She fell into a light slumber almost immediately.

When dawn came he woke her up and told her to prepare. When they were all dressed up into their usual black training outfits, they went to breakfast. Kouga was already in the dinning hall waiting for them. They ate in silence and then walked to the castle's grounds. They were about to depart.

'How are we to travel?' Kagome asked.

'We will take it to the heights and follow Kouga towards our destination.'

'Iie, if you fly you will not be able to see me or sense me. We will get separated and we will have to stop and look for each other.'

'No, we will not. This Sesshoumaru is very capable of flying and following someone, especially such a wolf like yourself.'

'What do you mean with that, you mutt?'

'I was merely pointing out that your smell can be sensed from far away.'

'Why you mangy dog. First you take my intended and say she is yours and then you tell me I smell?' with that Kouga lunged to attack Sesshoumaru. Kagome, who was just about to snap from their bickering, got even angrier when she saw Kouga lounging for Sesshoumaru and when she heard him telling again that she was his intended.

She had had enough of this, she would put a stop to it the very instant. She saw red in front of her eyes and in a flash she was in front of Kouga, right hand in his neck, strangling it. She let her instinct take control over her and she growled low:

'Are you able to transform?'

Both males were shocked. Kagome was using the language of the youkai to speak to them. If Kouga's eyes were bulging out of their sockets, Sesshoumaru's narrowed just slightly. He was suspecting she could change into her demonic form, but now he was sure she was quite able to do it. He snapped out of his thoughts and answered for Kouga:

'Hai he can transform. His true form is an ookami, half the size my true one is.'

'Then we will travel in our true forms. Let's change.'

She let go of Kouga's neck and stepped a few paces back. She let loose her demon side and it took control. She was engulfed in pink, white and red light. Her body hovered above the ground and she curled herself into a tight fetal position. All this time it seemed that the three lights were fighting one with the other to take over her. A few moments later the red light overpowered the others and it seemed to explode from within her and expanded in the whole grounds of the castle.

Still in a fetal position, with her beautiful silver hair encircling it, her body started to change. Her face lengthened to the point of changing into a canine one; her claws and fangs also lengthened and sharpened even more. Her arms and legs grew and turned into powerful canine legs. Her hands and feet turned into huge paws. Her hair turned into silver fur. She kept her marking on her forehead and the two black stripes on her cheeks. She opened her eyes and looked at both the males with a frustrated look in her eyes.

Both Kouga and Sesshoumaru were speechless. Yes, Sesshoumaru could not say anything. For the first time in his life, he was not able to utter a word. Kouga was on the ground, in the same position he fell when Kagome dropped him. He was looking at her with disbelief written all over his face. He never heard of a female youkai changing into a true demon side. That was not possible. As far as he knew, females were not able to take the form, and yet here she was, standing in front of him, a true Inu demoness, in her dog form.

Kagome hit the ground with one of her enormous paws in aggravation. She growled at them, telling them to hurry up for they were losing precious time. Sesshoumaru snapped out of his awe first and growled back to her:

'You will not be able to travel too much in that form. You are not used to it.'

'But as long as I can travel let's leave. We lose precious time here and energy.'

They were interrupted from their barked conversation by Amarante and Hinode, who have come to see what all the commotion was about. When they first saw the gigantic dog in the castle's yard they thought it was Sesshoumaru, but when they reached them and saw Sesshoumaru to be in his humanoid form they instantly looked at Kagome and asked in a choir:

'Is that Kagome? How is this possible?'

'Hai that is her. I trust that the three entities inside her are the ones that give her this ability. She has managed to entwine them beautifully if she is able to transform.' Sesshoumaru said. Without any other adding, he leaped in the air and changed.

He was engulfed in a red light and his facial and body characteristics changed into those of a male canine. He was taller and bigger than Kagome, but that was to be expected. He was male and besides, he was older also. Seeing they both changed, Kouga followed their examples and transformed into his ookami side. He was only half the size of Sesshoumaru and Kagome, but he did not feel disadvantaged.

They leaped high in the sky and over the high gates and they started running. In the beginning they were running in a slower pace, for Kagome was not used to her demon form but after a few hours she relaxed and growled at them to go at their real pace.

When sunset approached, Kagome was a little weary. She could feel she needed some rest and she would not be able to keep the pace or even the youkai form much longer. Sesshoumaru sensed it and howled to Kouga to stop. They all stopped and he barked:

'This Sesshoumaru thinks it is time to make camp. We will change into our humanoid forms and we will settle into the clearing. You Kouga will find dinner for us, for I have to talk with my mate-to-be.'

'Ok, we will camp here.' Kagome agreed with a bark.

Kagome's demon side started to retreat in the confines of her soul and she started to change back into her humanoid form. The same red light engulfed her and as she was changing back the other two started to glow more and more until she was engulfed into pink white and red once again. When she opened her eyes next she was in Sesshoumaru's arms. She looked up at him and smiled. They locked eyes and said nothing. She was worn out, but she was not going to admit it to them.

'Tomorrow we travel on my youki cloud.' Sesshoumaru said in a soft voice. 'How was it possible for you to change in your youkai form?'

'What do you mean? I let my youkai take control.'

'But no other demoness ever was able to change. It is impossible for a female to change.'

'What? How come? Why?'

'I do not know, little one … but they don't. Maybe it is because they are not powerful enough to sustain such a form. For you need a tremendous amount of energy and power to change and to keep the form. You are weary, precious one. Due to the amount of energy you spend you would have collapsed and changed back, maybe even fell unconscious. You being able to travel at our fastest pace in our youkai forms for an entire day says much about your strength, power and energy. I am proud of you as I am honored to be your mate for the eternity.'

At his words, Kagome blushed madly. He really knew how to compliment a girl. And coming from him, she knew she could do nothing but trust him, for he never spoke untruths.

Kouga returned not long after that. Sesshoumaru was by then sitting on the ground with Kagome in his lap. Upon finding them in that position, Kouga snarled and turned around. He let their dinner fall on the floor and moved with his own portion of wild boar on the far end of the clearing. He was not going to just stay with them while they were in that position.

Kagome stood, went to the rest of the wild boar and took it to the little stream that crossed through the clearing and started skinning it. While she was busy doing this, Sesshoumaru cleared a small portion of the ground from the snow and waited for her. She came back, gave him his portion and they started eating. After they finished, he asked Kagome if she could build a fire with the help of her miko powers. She nodded and Sesshoumaru gathered some wood and put it in the spot he took care of earlier. She engulfed the wood with a purifying energy ball and the wood started burning.

The night passed slowly, Kagome peacefully sleeping in the Taiyoukai's lap. When dawn came they ate the rest of the wild boar and they took it to the sky on Sesshoumaru's cloud. Kouga was running in front of them in his true nature, guiding them towards south. They have spent several days on the road, trying to reach Mount Hakurei.

At the sunset of the fifth day they reached the most south point of the Southern Lands. They stopped by the feet of the mountain they all hoped was their destination.

'Mount Hakurei.' Kagome whispered after they stopped. She was looking at it and she noticed it was quite high. 'It will take me probably a day to reach the top by foot.'

'Hn … use your demonic speed and you will be there before noon.' Kouga said.

'I cannot use my demonic powers. I must not offend the Lady of the Lake. And surely I do not want her to believe I wish to harm her in any way. I will go there as a miko and a Fallen Goddess.'

'Keh … do as you please female.' Kouga dismissed her.

'You will not use such words when speaking to my intended, Kouga. Taiyoukai or not, I will kill you and claim your lands.' Sesshoumaru spoke.

'I think we should make camp. I am going to leave as soon as I finish dinner. I do not want to prolong the journey more than it is necessary.'

'Are you sure you should travel by night?'

'Hai. I will be there by sunrise and she will know about my presence as soon as I set foot on her mountain.'

'Very well. Now let's eat.'

They ate in silence. As soon as they finished Kagome stood and untied Tessaiga from her waist. She gave it to Sesshoumaru and said:

'I do not wish to infuriate her by going there armed. I will take my bow though, for it is the normal weapon of a miko.' After placing Tessaiga on the ground, Sesshoumaru stood also and encircled his arms around her waist.

'Be careful, my little one.' And he captured her lips in a sweet kiss. Kagome responded to the kiss, wishing to deepen it but knowing they did not have time and plus Kouga was there also.

She stepped back from his arms and stood still. Then the three pink, white and red lights engulfed her one more time. Her body curled into a tight ball and hovered above the ground. The three lights fought for some minutes until the white one seemed to win and exploded all around them. With the white light came the body changes: her silver locks turned black once more, her claws and fangs disappeared and also the black stripes from her cheeks. Surprisingly the crescent moon on her forehead remained. The light faded and she stood once more.

'I am going to her as Nadeshiko, the Goddess of Fate.' she answered their unasked question. She took Jounetsu and strapped it to her back and put her quilt with arrows on one of her shoulders. She tapped into the Goddess's power and levitated in front of them. She turned around in the air and started her way up the mountain.

Several hours later she stopped in mid air for she had seen a small little girl curled in the snow and a youkai towering over her. He was just about to use her as his late dinner. Kagome instantly erected a barrier around the girl, which made the demon look at her. Upon seeing her he abruptly changed his mind and started towards Kagome, a predator seeking its prey. Kagome took Jounetsu from her back, notched an arrow to its string and warned:

'Come closer and die. Leave and live. What choose you?'

'Do you think I am afraid of a human girl with a bow? What can you do? Even if you are a miko I am too powerful to be purified by you. You are not powerful enough.'

At his comment, Kagome let her miko aura flare around her to show the insolent youkai she was a force to reckon. She did not wish to kill him if he chose to flee.

'I do not wish to kill you demon. I am not as any miko you may or may not encountered. I do not hate your race but if you make one more step towards the girl or me, I will kill you.'

Hearing her and sensing her miko powers he drew back and fled down the mountain. She relaxed and put her arrow and bow back to where they belonged and went to the girl.

'Are you alright?'

'H-H-H-Hai. Arigatou.' With that she scampered up the mountain and in an instant she was gone.

Kagome continued her way up the mountain, this time choosing to go by foot. Her light steps though did not even make a mark on the snow covered path.

The moon was hanging high in the sky when she reached another scene. A male demon was surrounded by ten or fifteen humans, all of them carrying all sorts of weapons. Kagome sped up and stopped in front of the male demon.

'Why are you trying to kill this youkai? What has he done?'

'He has endangered my daughter. He is filth and we will make sure he dies.'

'How has he endangered your daughter?'

'He wanted to take advantage of her innocence.' Hearing his words, Kagome turned to the youkai.

'What is your name?' she asked softly.

'Nian' the frightened youkai answered.

'Nian, do you want to tell me what are these men talking about?'

'I have found a girl on the path. She was lying in the cold snow and she seemed to be in pain. I kneeled next to her and took a good look at her. She was badly wounded. Probably from a rock that fell from the mountain and hit her. So I stretched my hands and started to heal her. You see I am a healer. One of the villagers found us in that position and must've assumed I wanted to take advantage of her. That is why I did not fight them until now, for I did nothing wrong but to heal his daughter.'

'Where is you daughter?'

'I am here.' a small child whispered.

'Please tell me what happened.'

'I was going back to my village when a rock fell and hit me. He found me in the snow and made something with his hands and then some light came out of them and then my whole body was worm and then all the pain was gone.'

'It appears to me that Nian did nothing but to heal your daughter. He is innocent. You should not judge anyone by appearance. Not all the youkai try to kill or take advantage of ningen. There are kind youkai also. For example the Taiyoukai, the ones that rule the Lands. I am a miko and I do not hate them. I only kill the ones that kill others or wrong people. I have been traveling for four years across all of the lands with a hanyou and now I am to be mated with a youkai.' Kagome told them.

The villagers left the youkai alone and they scattered. Kagome turned towards Nian and asked him:

'What kind of youkai are you? You look like a silver kitsune.'

'You are correct, milady. I am a silver fox demon.' Upon closer inspection, she could tell he was quite young. He had silver hair, that reached his waist and was tightly braided. His eyes were a silver shade. He had one jagged silver stripe on each cheek. His body was lithe and he was her height. He had a long silver tail that he kept wrapped around his waist.

'I have a pup that is a silver fox also.'

'Milady? You said you are just about to be mated. How is it that you have a pup? And I did not know there still are silver kitsune, for I know all of the remaining ones. Who are you?' Nian took a good look at her and observed her mark. And he recognized it.

'You are the Goddess of Fate, Goddess Nadeshiko.' He gasped not knowing how to act in her presence. He immediately dropped to his knees and bowed, his forehead touching the ground.

'Oh, please Nian stand. It is a long story about my kit, but I will tell you this. My name is in fact Kagome. I am the reincarnation let's say of the Goddess and a miko. Tell me, what is it that you are doing here?'

'My entire clan used to have quarters on the other mountain, but a few years ago they were all killed by a traitorous hanyou who wanted my healing powers. I do not know how he was about to take them, but my clan protected me and sent me on this mountain to live. I was the prince of the silver kitsune youkai. Naraku killed them all but did not dare to approach this mountain because of the legend of the Lady of the Lake.'

'I am so sorry to hear this. As for how he would have taken your healing powers, well he wanted to absorb your body into his. But now he is dead. I killed him with the help of my friends. So I tell you this, if you have nowhere to go, climb down the mountain and at its feet you will find Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands and Lord Kouga of the Southern Lands. If you wish, you can accompany us back into the Western Lands and meet my kit. If you wish to remain there I am sure we can work something for you.'

'You are so kind milady. Thank you. It will be an honor.'

'Than tell them both what happened with your clan and what did the ningen try to do and wait for my return with them.'

'Hai, milady.'

That being said they parted and each of them kept going to their destination: Kagome to the top of the mountain to meet Izanagi and Nian to the bottom to meet Sesshoumaru and Kouga.

As the sun's first rays made their way to the sleeping earth, Kagome approached the top of the mountain. When the sun was about to rise from the horizon, she was already at the lake. She knew she was not alone and that the Lady was here also, for she could sense her aura clearly. Kagome bowed in the direction she felt Izanagi's aura and spoke:

'Lady of the Lake. I have come to you with peace.'

'I know. You can stand. Who are you? I have sensed your tremendous powers and I did not know if I should trust you or not. I could not even decide what you were: a demoness, a miko or something else? That is why I have submitted you to two tests. To see your character.'

'I am Kagome. But maybe you know me better by the name of Nadeshiko.'

'True you have her marking, but you are slight different. So Kagome is the ningen your soul has reincarnated into.'

'Hai, Lady Izanagi, great Elder of the South. So the little girl and the demon, Nian were just tests?'

'Hai, no one lives on my mountain.'

'I found their presences strange. What about Nian? He seemed to know of our most hated enemy. Was he just another illusion like the others?'

'No, Nian was no illusion. I have granted him entrance on my mountain when I have heard of his clan's fate. I wanted to save him and the silver fox youkai from perish for I saw his pure soul and gentle heart.'

'Hai. I have saw that in him also. I have told him to climb down the mountain and wait for me with my intended, Lord Sesshoumaru and with Lord Kouga. Lady Izanagi, I have come here with a plea.'

'What is your true form, child?'

'My true form? It is an Inu youkai. But I have opted to come to you in the form of the Goddess I once was for I didn't know how you feel about youkai.'

'I wish to see your true form, Kagome.'

'My humanoid form or my demonic one?'

'Oh? You can change into the demonic form also?'

'Hai.'

'The humanoid form shall be enough.'

'As you wish.' Kagome was engulfed by the three lights again and she allowed herself to regain her true form, the demoness she actually was. Keeping the Goddess's form was draining her energy as keeping her youkai form. As soon as her transformation was over, Izanagi said:

'Why have you sought me out and came to me?'

'Great Elder of the South, we have some problems at the border between the Western Lands and the Northern Lands. There is a drought and as much as the villagers do, they cannot keep the water. They digged deeper but the water vanished in mere hours. They built water retainers but the earth sucked all of it. The crops do not grow anymore, the game has fled from those parts. Two villages in the North and one in the West were abandoned since last winter. I have come here to ask your help, Lady Izanagi.'

'When did this started to happen?'

'It started many moons ago. I think three winters have passed since it first started to occur.'

'And what do you wish me to do?'

'We were thinking if you could come with us and bring back the water, Lady Izanagi.'

'Very well, I shall come. But only if you can guarantee my mountain will remain untouched by anybody.'

'Hai. I will put a miko barrier around it and no one, not youkai, not ningen would be able to enter. You will be the only one let inside. And it will remain for as long as you wish to let it up. The only people that will be able to enter will be the ones you will invite or allow.'

'Yes, that would do it. Now let's descend. For I am sure the two Taiyoukai are eager to know how everything went. I am sure you can keep up, can't you?'

'Hai, I am a youkai after all.'

'Good.' That being said they rushed down the mountain path, both with the speed of a youkai.

They reached the mountain's base quite fast and upon meeting the three males, Kagome said:

'Lady Izanagi, these are Lord Sesshoumaru, Lord Kouga and Prince Nian.' The two Taiyoukai bowed their heads in acknowledge and Nian bowed from his waist.

'I thank you Lady Izanagi for allowing me to take refugee on your mountain.'

Kagome turned and started chanting. For putting up a barrier around the mountain she needed as much power as she could muster, especially since this one was a special one.

'Lady Izanagi, I will infuse some of your aura into the barrier so it will recognize you.' Then she proceeded to work. It took her the best part of an hour to complete her work, but she was satisfied with the result.

When she finished they decided they should leave. They were to meet Amarante and Kagetora in the place they needed the help of Izanagi for. Amarante was to bring Izanami. Kagome and Izanagi traveled on Sesshoumaru's cloud and Kouga and Nian were running towards their destination.

Several days later they were all standing in the deserted lands. They met Amarante and Kagetora and they were with Izanami.

'Lady Izanagi, this is the place I have told you of.'

'Thank you child. I will take care of it.' She kneeled on the ground and placed her palms down. She closed her eyes and searched for water in the depths of the earth. When she found it, she willed it to resurface and she created a strong stream. But not long after that, the water dispersed. Intrigued, she concentrated again and found a curse placed upon the main stream of underground water. She stretched her hand towards Kagome and beckoned her to come and sit next to her.

The demoness sat and Izanagi took one of her hands and placed it on the ground under hers.

'Concentrate, Kagome, upon the curse. You will find it easy if you concentrate. Break it and I will be able to bring the water again in these parts.' Kagome concentrated and true enough she found it. She formed one of her energy balls and sent it towards the curse, guiding it with her mind. When it reached its destination, the curse was broke and Izanagi focused once more on the water, bringing forth a strong stream. Then she worked to bring water as close to the surface as it was necessary for the wells to have water and for the crops and plants to grow.

'There, my job here is done. Thank you Kagome for your help with my mountain. Now I take my leave.' That being said Izanagi left for her home.

Kagome then kneeled and put her palms on the ground again. This time she called forth her healing powers, sending them into the ground restoring every tree and every plant there should have been. When spring will come, the entire area would be full of flowers and the crops will grow again. She stood and let Izanami do her job. She stood still, focused on the cries of animals from far away. She then gave a piercing shriek and moved to Amarante. She told her something and then left also. Amarante came to Kagome, who was now in Sesshoumaru's arms because the tremendous amount of energy spent made her nearly lose her conscience.

'Lady Kagome, you have passed my test, therefore I deem you worthy of being Lord Sesshoumaru's mate.' Amarante declared.

At that point, their marks flared to life and turned blood red. This time they remained that way.

'So it is over with the tests. Now we are allowed to mate.' Kagome thought. Immediately she fell asleep in Sesshoumaru's arms, smiling softly.

AN. : Well what more can I say? Megami means Goddess. I hope I did not do any mistake with the Kazee no Kizu - which as I know means Wind Scar - and the Kazaana - the Wind Tunnel.

Thank you for reading and reviewing. Don't forget, tell me if you want me to continue this story or end it with the next chapter.

Ja ne.