Chapter One

Kagome looked down at the Shikon no Tama in her hand, joy and sorrow filling her heart as she gazed at the pure, glittering, completed jewel.

It was over. Her quest, her destiny, everything. She had reached the end; all she had left to do was to make her wish and go home, to leave this time forever.

But at what cost? Kagome asked herself as she gazed at the war torn land around her. We have fought the final battle against Naraku for two entire years; so many have sacrificed their lives, dying a gruesome and terrible death. A death of a warrior. But for what? With a look of disgust at the jewel in her hand, she answered her question. For the Shikon no Tama. For a wish.

She looked around once more, her eyes taking in everything with small, quick observations. She gazed at Sango, the taijiya resting against her large firecat, Kirara. Sango had aged ten years in the past year, having lost Miroku.

Miroku, that lecherous yet wise monk that had sacrificed his own life for Sango. He had used his wind tunnel dispite the large swarm of Samiyoushi around them to protect her from the frenzied attack of youkai that had left her injured. It was Sango that had held him in her arms as his life slowly faded from him, the poison freezing his blood within him.

His last act, with the final breath of his life, was a small smile as he placed his hand onto Sango's rear. Sango, despite her serious injuries, fought to protect the body of the monk, determined to give him a proper burial. A burial that he deserved. They had never admitted their love for each other, and they never would. Not until the next life.

Kagome turned, catching a glimpse of the daiyoukai as he left the battlefield, a spot of white in the muddied, blood-ridden, smoldering field. He had assisted them in the final battle, but had remained as mysterious and cold as ever to her. Sesshomaru, the infamous and deadly Lord of the West.

She looked at her hands again, but this time her attention was captured, not by the jewel, but by a small, green ribbon tied around her finger. Shippo…she thought sadly, a tear escaping her eyes.

Shippo, too, had sacrificed everything for the battle. A few months before Miroku had died, Shippo had taken the brunt of an attack from Naraku, an attack meant for Kagome. He had died instantly, and thought it had happened so long ago, Kagome still felt the pang of pain and remorse whenever her thoughts turned to the small fox youkai. He had been like a brother to her; he did not deserve such an end.

Finally, her eyes landed on the hanyou who stood nearby, his gaze turned to the full moon above them. Now that the battle was over, she knew he had nowhere else to go. Kikyo was dead, long gone from his life, but never forgotten and always loved. He had nothing; no one. As long as Kikyo was gone, his life would be bleak and lonely.

Kagome sighed, having known that for a long time. It pained her, but she knew it was her fate, not to be loved by Inuyasha. No, her fate was to right the many wrongs in his life, to give him friendship when no one else would. And though she would disappear back to her time, she knew that what she had given him would be timeless. It was her destiny, no matter how unfair and unjust it seemed.

It was her, after all, that had put the end to the one called Naraku. Early that morning, she had awakened from her sleep, and knew that today would be the end to the epic battle. As the battle raged around her, she stood silently. From what little she remembered, she had felt the hands of fate fill her with power from the gods, and had exploded in a burst of energy. It had destroyed all it touched, except for her allies. When she roused from the darkness, she found herself unscathed despite the great amount of energy she had released, and in her palm she held the Shikon no Tama.

With a sigh, Kagome shook her head from her thoughts. She knew what she had to do with her wish: she had to change history. She knew that she had to go to the source in order to return the world to the peace it had been long denied.

Closing her eyes, clearing her mind of all the doubts and pains that filled it, she made her wish. I wish that Naraku never tricked Inuyasha and Kikyo into thinking they had betrayed each other.

With that wish, Kagome sealed her fate, not realizing the horrible consequences of her actions. In a flash of blinding light, she disappeared, rushing to the destiny that awaited her.

Kagome opened her eyes slowly, having closed them against the blinding light. Blinking, she looked at the figure in front of her, and, realizing who it was, stuttered, "L-L-Lady M-Midoriko?"

Midoriko, arrayed in a simple, white kimono, laughed at the surprised miko. "Hello, Kagome," she said, smiling kindly.

"What are you doing here?" Kagome blurted out. Realizing how rude she sounded, she blushed and immediately said, "What I meant to say was: Why am I here? Is this a part of my wish?"

Smiling gently, Midoriko said, "It is connected to the wish you made, Kagome. I am here to help guide you in your next quest."

Kagome silenced the groan that threatened to escape her lips. "Another quest?" she asked, feeling the weight of yet another responsibility rest upon her shoulders. "But I just finished mine!"

Midoriko laughed, a sound light yet dark at the same time. "I understand how you feel. But you are the pure one, chosen by the gods for this task. Will you deny them?"

Bowing her head in submission, Kagome answered with her silence.

Nodding once, Midoriko attempted a smile. "Very well. I come as an emissary of the gods to tell you what awaits you. This is your task: to kill Naraku before he can cause injury to the miko Kikyo. As you know, it was this act that changed the course of the miko and the hanyou, changed the course of the world."

Taking this all in, slightly shocked at the weight of her task, Kagome asked, "Will I be alone in my quest?"

Midoriko smiled a secret, knowing smile. "That is up to you, miko. You shall have to choose your companions, if they accept to. But you will have at least one; the gods are not as cruel as you think they are."

Biting back a smile, Kagome said, "The gods? Cruel? Never!" She laughed bitterly, fingering the green ribbon tied around her finger.

Midoriko's eyes softened as she said, "You are neither the first nor the last to lose a friend on the battlefield. Be glad for what you have, Kagome."

Shaking her head, Kagome said, "No. Please, Lady Midoriko, don't. If it weren't for me coming to the past, none of this would have happened. But it was my destiny, my fate to bring the jewel back to its own time. It is not the gods that are cruel; it is Fate."

"I must agree with you there," Midoriko said softly. "As much as I hate to tell you this, I have one more thing to tell you: you shall be changing the course of time, and in doing so, changing the fate of all, for Fate and time work closely together. Of course, the gods would never risk such a thing, for it could lead to the destruction of everything, but Fate has grudgingly allowed it. But it comes at a price."

Steeling herself, Kagome asked, "What does Fate request?"

With a sad smile, Midoriko said, "In exchange for the death of Naraku, changing the fate of all who were affected by the evil hanyou, Fate requests that you be punished. All trace of you in this time shall be forgotten; you were never dragged down the well. In fact, the well shall no longer transport you to this nor any other time. No one shall remember you, unless they are cursed by Fate themselves. If you do, in any way, return to the past, it will be for one thing: love. Love will bring you to this time, but it shall be your downfall. For you shall be betrayed by the one you love and, in return, he shall betray you."

Kagome, pale and stiff from the curse Fate had placed upon her, whispered, "I shall have the fate meant for Kikyo?"

With a nod, Midoriko replied grimly, "Aye. Fate is both cruel and loving to those she chooses. The path she chooses for those who live on earth is not to be changed; and you, dear Kagome, are changing one of the most drastic of them all."

But Kagome did not reply, far away in her thoughts. "Will I survive my trial?"

With another sad smile, Midoriko said, "It is not for me to know. Only you can decide this, favored one. The gods have blessed you and interfered countless times in your behalf. It is your bravery and beauty that calls their attention; you are more pure and more loving than any other. Keep your heart unclouded and strong, Kagome, and you shall survive the trials of Fate."

Frowning slightly, Kagome said, "Trials of Fate?"

"Throughout this task you shall be forced to face them, and you will have no protection from the gods," Midoriko replied gravely. "But have no fear. Come, now, and let us send you on your way. Are you ready?"

Taking a deep breath, Kagome nodded. "I am."

"Very well. You will have one year to find the one named Onigumo; one year before he attacks the miko Kikyo as the hanyou Naraku. All memory of where he is located and what he looks like shall be wiped from your mind; even his name."

With a start, Kagome said, "Wait…what?"

"It is the only fair way to grant your wish… at least in Fate's eyes," said Midoriko. "Do not fear; you shall be able to complete this task."

With an uncertain nod, Kagome bowed. "Thank you, Lady Midoriko. Without you, I fear I would be lost."

Smiling, Midoriko bowed back. "Farewell, young miko, and may the gods bless you. May your courage and strength never fail you."

In a flash of blinding light, Kagome disappeared, traveling to another time and place.

Well, it's another Kagome/Sesshomaru story from me. I dunno; this one has been on my mind for a while now, and I just had an urge to post it. It's based on the song "Pollen and Salt" by Daphne Loves Derby. It's a real good song. Actually, now that I think about it, the middle/end of the story will be based on that song. Huh. Oh, and it's kinda based on greek mythology. Not, like, myth for myth. I won't be copying them, simply changing the characters to Kagome and whoever else. It'll be based on them, but not exactly. Does that make sense?

Oh, and just a little tip for while you're reading this story: Fate with a capital 'f' means Fate as in the person/god/thing that controls destinies of people. Fate with a lower-case 'f' means fate as in the destiny that Fate chooses for a person. Make sense? If not, I'm really sorry, and I'll explain it to you better if you send an email or review or something. Alright.

I do not own Inuyasha. (tear)