Chapter Two

Kagome opened her eyes, gazing at her surroundings. Finding herself near the Bone Eater's Well, she immediately relaxed, so relieved at finding something familiar that tears began to well in her eyes.

What am I going to do? She thought, blinking back the threatening tears. I'm all alone; there's no one that can help me.

Automatically, Kagome sat down and reached into her backpack, rummaging through the large, yellow beast of a bag. Pulling out a sketchbook and pencil, she began to draw, sketching furiously, focusing intently on what she was doing.

Soon, a detailed sketch of the Lady Midoriko appeared on the page. She had a small, sad smile on her lips, but her eyes were full of joy.

Kagome sighed, satisfied with her work. Since the death of Shippo, she had begun to draw, an attempt to keep her life from the sadness she felt. When she drew or painted, she was forced to focus on her art, and this effectively pulled her from the world around her. But even though she was drawn from the chaos of her life, she was compelled to see the beauty of the world around her, to appreciate what life offered. Through her art, she was able to communicate this, to express herself in a way words could not, would not.

Closing her sketchbook, she gazed around once more, emotions now back under control. Okay. Let's think this through, she said to herself. In this time period, Sango, Miroku and Shippo aren't alive yet, so that just leaves Kouga, Inuyasha, Kikyo and Kaede. If I go to Kouga for help without any sort of protection, chances are I'd get killed or raped. So… not Kouga. Kaede is still just a little girl, so she won't be any help. That leaves Inuyasha and Kikyo. But if I interfere in their young relationship, I could do some horrible damage. Not to be vain or anything, but just becoming Inuyasha's friend put some major strain between the two of them.

So, counting off on her fingers, Kagome hung her head, realizing she had just eliminated everyone. Cursing softly, she thought, is there no one alive that can help me?

Sighing, she got to her feet slowly. Pulling her backpack on, she said to herself, "I guess Midoriko was wrong. I shall be alone in this quest of mine."

Then, in the deep recesses of her mind, a voice spoke to her. It was one so powerful and knowledgeable, she knew at once that it was a god. Here, deep in her mind, the god spoke the name of the one person she had forgotten.

Eyes wide, Kagome swallowed. Hard. "Sesshomaru?" she whispered, the fear of speaking his name too loudly tight around her throat. "I have to askSesshomaru?"

When Kagome awoke, she found herself lying in an awkward position, in her same spot near the Bone Eater's Well. "God," she groaned, rubbing her stiff joints as she slowly sat up, "what happened?"

"You fainted," replied an amused, cheerful voice. "And while I do enjoy the honorific, there's no need to call me god."

Startled, Kagome turned quickly and looked up to see a floating… well… god. She gaped up at him, eyes wide, jaw slack. He was absolutely gorgeous. He was a tall, lithe and tan, wearing a simple toga, winged sandals and a winged cap, an odd looking staff in his hand. His eyes were the color of the sky on a cloudless day, his hair the color of gold. His face was smooth yet strong, and his smile was bright and contagious. He was watching her appraise him and, when she realized how rude she was being and blushed, his smile widened.

"My name is Hermes and I am the messenger of the gods," he said, with a bow and a wink.

Blushing, Kagome introduced herself. "I'm Kagome."

Hermes chuckled at this, saying, "I know who you are, Kagome, favored one of the gods. I must say, I finally understand why you are so favored…" he said, floating closer to her. "You truly are a powerful and blessed miko… and I hear from Athena you are gifted in the arts. Oh, and Kagome?"

Still a bit unnerved, Kagome said, "Y-Yes?"

Floating even closer to her, he whispered into her ear, "I give you my permission."

With a gulp, Kagome said, "Permission? For what?"

"To draw me, of course!" said Hermes, with a small spin, as a model would. "I mean, I may not be an Apollo or a Cupid, but I am quite good-looking, if I say so myself. I am a god, after all; chiseled features, strong chin, built physique… they're all a part of the job description."

With a giggle, Kagome said, "I'll try to draw you to the best of my abilities."

With a smile, Hermes said, "Good." Turning, he began to leave, but then said, "Oh, I completely forgot."

Turning back to Kagome, a sheepish grin on his face, he handed her a scroll. "Zeus would've struck me with one of his thunderbolts if I forgot to give this to you. Although, I'd probably just blame your beauty for distracting me…"

Blushing, Kagome turned her attention to the scroll in her hand and began to open it. Stopping her, Hermes said, "Sorry, Kagome. It's not for you. It's for Sesshomaru."

"Then why give it to me?" Kagome asked, eyeing the scroll curiously.

Laughing, Hermes's smile widened. "Let's just say it's an incentive for Sesshomaru to help you instead of kill you. The world depends on you, Kagome. W can't have you killed before you even accomplish anything, can we?" He asked with a flirtatious wink.

"And how exactly is this little piece of paper going to protect me from Sesshomaru?" she questioned, trying to hide her blush from his handsome gaze.

"Trust me, Kagome," he said, taking her hand. "No harm will come to you. Not from Sesshomaru, anyway."

Before Kagome could react to his words, he kissed her lightly on the lips and, with a wink, raced away into the sky. "Farewell, Kagome. Until next time!"

Her entire face flushing, Kagome put a hand to her lips. I just got kissed… and by a god. Maybe Fate isn't as bad as I thought she was.

Hearing a loud rumble overhead, Kagome glanced up just as a torrential downpour began to fall. Wait… I take that back. She's worse.

Having found herself shelter in Inuyasha's Forest, making sure to conceal her scent and aura, Kagome desperately tried to make a fire.

Just my luck, she thought, finding her flint, matches and lighter either soaking wet or broken. With an unhappy mumble, her teeth chattering, Kagome said, "It's really not fair for Fate to be so against me. I haven't done anything wrong-"

Before she could finish, a cold, feminine voice sounded in the darkness. "You are forgetting miko that you are committing one of the greatest crimes. You are changing the past, a past already set, already determined by me. Many others have attempted the same thing, and their lives have been full of torture and pain. Yet, because you are the favored of the gods, I am expected to just let you unravel everything. You forget what you are doing, miko, and you forget who you are crossing."

With a gulp, Kagome bowed her head in deference. "Forgive me, Fate, for my rudeness. But this is the path I have chosen and, if given the chance to choose another, I would not."

But there was no reply to her statement, just an intensified rainfall. Kagome stared into the darkness, her frozen limbs forgotten, as she finally realized what she had gotten herself into. Alone, in the darkness that surrounded her, the rain falling in sheets, Kagome closed her eyes, trying to keep the darkness from her soul.

Kagome spent the next few days on her trek towards the Western Lands. She figured that was where Sesshomaru would most likely be, since neither Inuyasha nor Kaede spoke of the youkai lord while reminiscing of these times.

Kagome took her time, but only stopped to eat, paint and sleep. Since her conversation (if you could call it that) with Fate, she had sobered, intent on finishing her task despite obstacles that were sure to find their way in her path.

Finally reaching the borders of the Western Lands, Kagome hesitated. Here was the first fork on her path: to ask Sesshomaru for his assistance, or to continue alone in her task.

It's like choosing between getting shot or hung, Kagome thought bitterly, her foot hovering in the air as she decided whether to enter the lands or not.

With a deep breath, Kagome put her foot down. "All I have left to do is find him," she muttered to herself sarcastically, knowing that the Western Lands was a large, vast area.

Pausing, Kagome realized one flaw in this little plan of hers: she was just one little miko while he was a daiyoukai in his territory, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of youkai, all at his beck and call. Maybe I should move on to plan B…

Sesshomaru walked silently, on yet another patrol of his lands. The world was at peace, for now, yet he could not help but feel a nervous dread that it would not last very long.

Shaking his head at such foolish thoughts, Sesshomaru stiffened suddenly. He could sense something disgustingly pure pressing softly on his senses, as if a miko or monk were searching for something with their powers.

Frowning, Sesshomaru ignored it. Worthless humans unable to control their powers. Pitiful.

Before he could continue on his way, a powerful, burning sensation pulled at his senses, stirring the youkai fire within him. It was a summoning, a challenge, from a soon-to-be-dead filthy human. Sesshomaru raced towards the pure, burning fire that was calling him, his eyes bleeding red.

Oh, shit, thought Kagome, the burning fire of his anger painfully searing her senses. She could feel him coming, closer and closer, his anger growing by the second. What have I done?

For a split-second, Kagome contemplated turning and getting the heck out of there. But then she realized that he'd just catch her anyway. There was no way in hell she'd outrun Sesshomaru, let alone an angry Sesshomaru.

Maybe I should raise a barrier, she thought nervously. But he'd probably just destroy it and kill me. Oh, god, what have I done? I've made a horrible mistake.

So, with a deep breath, she steeled her spine and lifted her chin, ready to face the consequences of her actions, in the form of an outraged Sesshomaru. She ignored the all too quick beat of her heart and her shortness of breath, and she was so busy trying to ignore them that she did not notice the appearance of someone behind her.

Sesshomaru stopped, seeing the miko who had dared issue a challenge to him and immediately grew angrier, but he made no move to harm her.

For there, at her side, stood a goddess; but not just any goddess. It was Artemis, standing proud and tall, a knowing, mischievous smile on her lips. This… miko… was under her protection, for Artemis had her bow in hand, her other hand ready to pull an arrow from the quiver on her back. Sesshomaru knew that he may be powerful and Lord of the Western Lands, but he also knew his limits. Against an immortal, who were known for their quick and harsh tempers, he would not stand a chance. Even if he did survive an attack from the goddess, he knew that she would be supported by her brothers, sisters, and parents… all who were eager to cause some sort of damage to the mortals and youkai of the world. So he simply stood there, angry at his inability to attack, angry at the interference of the goddess.

With a deep breath, Kagome bowed low and stayed bowed. For, although Sesshomaru had not attacked her, his body posture screamed death and murder at her. "Lord Sesshomaru."

Turning his attention from the goddess to the miko, Sesshomaru growled. "You have no right to address me, filthy human."

Bristling, Kagome began to snap at him, but, remembering herself, returned to her bow. "Forgive me, but I have a message for you from the gods."

Narrowing his eyes, Sesshomaru said, "Why must you give me a message? Is the goddess behind you unable to speak for herself?"

Frowning at his words, confused, Kagome turned around. Upon seeing Artemis behind her, she bit back a scream. With a quick bow, she stuttered, "G-Goddess…"

With a light, carefree laugh, Artemis said, "Hello Kagome, Sesshomaru. You're probably wondering why I'm here."

Upon receiving a flushed, nervous nod from Kagome and a menacing glare from Sesshomaru, Artemis let out a soft chuckle. "I've been sent to protect you, dear miko, and to keep you, daiyoukai, from denying your destiny."

With a huff, Sesshomaru replied, "I choose my own destiny, goddess. No one, not even Fate, can sway me from what I am and what I am to be."

With another chuckle, Artemis said, "How could I forget, Sesshomaru? You are one of the few who live that Fate despises. Speaking of fate…here," she said to him, taking the scroll from Kagome and handing it to him, "a message from my father."

With a wary, exasperated sigh, Sesshomaru took it and opened it, scanning its contents. Eyes narrowing, the scroll disintegrated in his hand, dissolving into a smoky, green pile of ash.

"Is that your reply, Sesshomaru?" Artemis asked, all laughter gone from her voice. Hearing it, Kagome unconsciously stepped away, her blood running cold.

With a snarl, Sesshomaru turned, gracefully beginning to walk away. Sighing, Artemis pulled an arrow from her quiver and aimed at the lord. Realizing what the goddess was about to do, Kagome gasped, crying, "No!"

With a tilt of her head, Artemis turned her attention from the daiyoukai to the miko, but did not lower her weapon. With amused curiosity, she asked, "No, miko?"

Sesshomaru paused and turned back towards the two. Why? Why did she stop Artemis?

With a bow, Kagome said, "Please… I beg of you. Don't harm him. You know as well as I that if I fail in my task, he is the only hope the world will have."

"Do you truly have so little faith in yourself, Kagome? Who says that you shall fail?" Artemis asked, lowering her weapon.

Frowning, Kagome tried to explain herself. "It's not that… it's just that if you kill him, I have already failed in my quest."

Walking closer, Sesshomaru said, "Explain yourself, miko."

With a sad smile and a far-away look in her eyes, Kagome said, "When I agreed to this task, I promised myself that if I could prevent the deaths of anyone close to me, I'd do whatever it took. Too many have suffered for too long."

With a huff, Sesshomaru said, "Foolish human. You speak as if this land has been warring. There have been no wars for years. I myself have made sure of it."

"I know. The last war was when your father died, wasn't it? But there is someone coming that will spread evil throughout all of Japan," Kagome said grimly.

"You feel it, don't you, Sesshomaru? That uneasy, restless feeling in your bones that something is going to happen. Something bad," said Artemis softly.

Sesshomaru did not reply, merely narrowing his eyes at the two. After a moment passed, he eased his defensive posture a bit and said coldly, "I shall accompany the miko in her quest. But," he said with a threatening growl, "this does not mean that I accept the terms in the scroll."

"Of course," said Artemis with a smile. In a flash of twinkling light, she disappeared, saying, "We'll be watching."

Yay! Another chapter come and gone. Hermes is a cool god, huh? I know most books and cartoons usually describe him as some little kid/messenger type of person, but I don't know. I always pictured him as a grown man, prone to smile and laughter. He's supposed to be cunning and shrewd. And he's a god. Gods are usually extremely good looking. And, I'm sorry, but I'm not the kind of person who pictures a little boy when I think of a hot god. Haha.

Hopefully I'll have another chapter posted soon… and by soon, I don't mean another month. I dunno. I'm having some difficulty coming up with ideas… I mean, later on in the story I'm stock full of 'em, but as for the in-between… ugh. Oh well. I'll live. I hope.

I do not own Inuyasha.