Ta da! Next chappie up and runnin' for all of you loyal fans.

Just to clear things up, Kagome is not a hanyou, nor is she a dark miko or a witch or whatever! She is simple complete; her soul tapped into the source of her power now that she is balanced. Also, do not fret, this is a Sess/Kag pairing, after all, so they will be together eventually. It simply takes a while. It is, after all, a romance/drama. I couldn't simply have them fall in love instantly. How out of character would that be?

Anyways, on with the next chapter.

Disclaimer: Me no own Inuyasha.

Faia Enko

Lifting a slender, silver brow as she exited the tent, Sesshomaru watched as the young miko thanked the vendor and wandered off. Her old garments had been replaced with newer, much more appropriate clothing.

He mused on the thought for a second. She truly was one of the most peculiar beings he had ever met. She was a priestess, and yet she had walked around in garments befitting a whore. Her lewd language and constant show of disrespect when in the presence of men astounded him. Was she thick, or had she simply not been taught proper etiquette while growing up? She was so bold as to even look him in the eye while addressing him. Did she not understand that it was blatant insolence to look one's better in the eye? Perhaps she had a death wish.

Growling at himself for his lack of control, Sesshomaru wondered why he even cared. His curious nature was getting the best of him again, an act that displayed weakness, and he was most certainly not weak.

He cursed the infuriating wench for the umpteenth time that day, not knowing what it was that so drew him to her. She was nothing, just another pathetic ningen onna. She was not worth his time. And yet, she was an enigma of sorts. He would often hear her speak of things that even he himself did not possess knowledge on. She was smart, even by demon standards, though when it came to common sense, she had little to none.

He thought back to what she had done in the hut. No one was that humane, especially not a miko. Despite their teaching, miko's were racist, hate filled beings, who strove to wipe out the demon population. Why on earth would she have helped them if not expecting something in return? Humans were greedy, selfish creatures that preformed tasks only when they knew it would benefit themselves in some way. What made her so different?

Though his mind raged on, fuming at the fact that he had yet to leave, he remained, watching from the safe distance of a tree as she scurried about the village, buying what he guessed were necessities for her travels.

She had changed, he could tell. Though her actions belied his conclusion, he could sense that something about her was off… different. She was still kind, as he remembered her to be, helping human and youkai alike, but something about the way she carried herself had altered. She seemed a little more refined, less reckless than she had been before. And her eyes, they were darker, like some tainted secret lie waiting in their mystic blue depths. Her very air seemed wiser, less naïve. Perhaps she had simply matured since their last battle.

Whatever the cause of her change was, he intended to find out. Once his curiosity was sated, he could leave the insufferable wench and get back to important things.

Opening her newly bought leather sac, Kagome placed all of her recently purchased clothing into it. She figured that walking around with her large, bright yellow backpack was probably not a good idea, especially now that she was on her own. She had traded the humungous monstrosity in for a much more suitable traveling bag, one that was much lighter and much less of an eyesore. Tying the top shut, she slung it over her shoulder and took a quick peek into her change purse. There was still plenty of gold left, enough for her to buy a meal, provisions, new weapons, and have enough to put away for later.

Blowing a raspberry, she sauntered over to what looked like a blacksmith's shop. Growing somewhat uneasy as she neared the brawny looking youkai out front, she asked nervously, "Are you the vendor?"

When he scowled sharply at Kagome, she shrunk back a ways, but refused to break eye contact.

"I am the proprietor, yes."

His rough, gravely voice boomed in her delicate ears like a clap of thunder, making her shiver. 'This walking mass of muscle is just trying to intimidate me,' Kagome thought sourly, 'Well I won't play his game.' Standing completely straight, she put on her best serious face and asked, "Do you make swords as well?"

"Swords?" was his gruff reply. When the tiny, human onna before him nodded, he answered, "I make all variety of weapons. Yet I fail to see what a little wench like you would do with one of my creations. I refuse to sell my goods to someone who will abuse their potential."

Frowning slightly, Kagome bit out, "I assure you, my good man, if you were to sell me one you would not be disappointed."

Laughing in a mocking tone, the burly bear youkai scoffed, "I highly doubt you could even lift one, little girl."

Anger spiking, Kagome decided that if this youkai would not listen to reason, she would simply have to show him her potential. Reaching inside herself to the swelling stream of power that now rested within her, she called forth her holy energy, smirking as she felt it snap and crackle around her in little sparks of pink and purple.

The vendor's eyes went wide, his arms uncrossing as he stepped back warily.

Using her sternest and, what she hoped to be most imposing voice, Kagome boomed, "Do you still believe that I would abuse their potential?"

Blinking, he shook his head and stammered, "Of course not miko-sama. Come right in."

Energy fading, Kagome smiled knowingly and thanked him, walking proudly into the little shop to examine the wares.

She felt somewhat bad for using such a tactic to get her way, but experience had taught her that at times, one must use intimidation in order to get what they need. She would not have hurt him, no, she simply planned on scaring him a little and, apparently, it had worked. 'Why haven't I ever tried that approach before?' she mused to herself. Then, begrudgingly, she remembered, 'Oh yeah, because I could never call forth my powers like that.'

Stopping dead in her tracks, her vivid, sapphire eyes locked on to a beautifully crafted sword hanging along the back wall. It seemed to call to her. Expanding her senses, she noted that the blade seemed to have a mystic energy about it, one that was rather alluring.

The tang was covered in tight, black leather, a small red tassel hanging from the golden pommel. The large blade was mostly black, though the sharpened edges were trimmed with silver. Painted with extreme delicacy along the base of the sword, where the blade met the hilt, red and yellow flames lapped at the shimmering steel, the vibrant colors meshing together perfectly. The end of the blade curved into a large, scythe-like arc, giving it a fearsome appearance.

Pointing, she asked, "That sword there, what can it do?"

Smirking, the vendor replied, "I see you have picked up on it's ability. That sword is the Faia Enko, it's mystic ability is to wield the power of flame. However, miko-sama, I have yet to see a human use it successfully." He clenched his eyes shut, fearing her wrath at the possibility that she might not be able to use the blade. He did not, however, expect what came next.

"Well, may I at least try it?" Kagome inquired cheerfully.

Eyes going wide and bushy brows shooting up, he nodded in a stupefied manor and retrieved the sword from its place on the wall. Handing it cautiously to her, he watched as she struggled to hold it, her arms at an awkward angle. Scratching his head of thick, chestnut hair, he asked skittishly, "Have you ever used a sword before, priestess?"

Smiling sheepishly, she commented, "Please call me Kagome, and no, I don't think I've ever even held one, other than the Tetseiga the odd time."

Gasping, the burly youkai inquired, "The legendary Tetseiga? You have touched it?"

Nodding merrily, she added, "Yes, but I've never used it, I only handed it to Inu… er… someone on occasion."

He couldn't believe his ears. This small slip of a ningen woman had held the Tetseiga, fang of the reputed Inu no Taisho? Something was very different about this girl, something special.

Getting back to the task at hand, he moved awkwardly behind her and took hold of her hands, showing her how to angle her arms. "You hold it like this, Lady Kagome."

Smiling up at him, she chirped, "Thanks!" The sword, however, was growing rather difficult to balance, and so she lowered her arms, allowing the blade to rest on the floor. "I'm new at this, but I plan on learning!"

Clearing his throat, the confused bear youkai suggested, "Perhaps we should see if its abilities answer to you first."

Gasping in remembrance, Kagome nodded and chirped, "So how do I do it?"

"You have to connect with the sword, allow its power to become a part of you, like an extra arm or a tail, if you will. If the sword finds you worthy, it will awaken."

Closing her eyes, Kagome concentrated on the swords aura, seeking it out until she had found its root. Then, opening her own aura up to the blade, she waited.

Onyx eyes going impossibly wide, the proprietor of the shop was at a loss for words as a brilliant red glow lit up the hut, flowing around the blade like a flame. She truly was special, this woman, to wield a youkai sword.

Opening her eyes once more, Kagome found her aura to be meshing pleasantly with that of the sword's, the red glow lapping at her purple one. Satisfied, she allowed her power to settle, turning back to the vendor and stating, "I'll take it!"

Well there you have it, folks, our little miko is suiting up! For those of you who are interested, Faia Enko actually translates to Fire Arc, the name of Kagome's new blade.

So… review, all of you!