JR- Thank you for the reads, and reviews! I know it's uneventful and mediocre still, but I promise there will be adventure in there… this is just a leading up to it kind of thing :)

Welcome to Nyratar

"We're here," Sesshoumaru nodded at the barren sea before the two. The sun had set for hours now, and they have yet stopped for another rest.

Kagome stared at the crashing waves in front of them. She kept silent as his cloud began to descend towards the water, "Ses-shoumaru? You do know that there's nothing here right?" A chill shot up her spine at the thought of crashing and burning… and drowning at sea. Sesshoumaru's silence didn't help her one bit—"Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"Miko, I'm aware there appears to be nothing in front of us," Sesshoumaru let out an annoyed sigh. "If patience is one of your traits, you would've waited until the portal opens." They came to a stop, hovering a few inches above the dancing waves—"Nyratar kin tou" he rumbled deeply from his chest.

She shivered from his deep baritone whisper subconsciously. For a brief moment there, she felt bashful for noticing the proximity between them but she caught herself. 'Baka! He's like your brother-in-law!' she chided herself. Putting this odd issue aside and focused on the even before her and the one who confuses her. The air before shimmered and pulsed in waves like a drop of water disturbing still water. Slowly, yet surely a hole began to open and expand with each passing second. "Wow…" the portal grew large enough for her to glimpse at the new world and she was mesmerized.

"Miko, there's no turning back until our mission is accomplished," without a warning, Sesshoumaru stepped into the portal—leaving Kagome behind with his diminishing cloud.

"Wait!" Kagome gasped in horror when she realized that the cloud began to dissipate—she snatched one of his sleeves and launched herself into the portal after him. "YAH!" She screamed harshly once she landed on her knees through the portal, "Your cloud was disappearing before I could step through!" Her hands gripped the dark, fertile dirt beneath her and noticed two pairs of feet before her—one belonging to Sesshoumaru and the other…

"She is the one who will aid you, milord?" The voice's owner incredulously asked—her voice as smooth as silk. The creature wearing the sandals woven from golden thread stared down at Kagome with piercing grey eyes, "Is she capable for such a task?" She asked Sesshoumaru disregarding, or uncaring of Kagome's ability to hear their conversation.

"She'll do," Sesshoumaru briefly spoke and brushed passed both females.

"I'm still here you know," Kagome dusted herself from the dirt on her clothes and looked up, and shock donned her face. "Wow," Kagome breathed out in surprise.

"Wow to you too, human Miko," the female nodded her head in acknowledgement. "I am Ysahir, the Elven Princess of Nyratar." A princess indeed, on the crown of her head laid a tiara woven from silk and embedded with gems Kagome haven't seen before. Ysahir's slender, narrow face breathed elegance, her long dark pine colored hair contrasted against her beige skin and grey eyes. She smiled warmly at Kagome, "Come… we will head to the Grand Tree. The Kadin waits."

Speechless, Kagome followed blindly behind the enchanting elf—this was all too exciting, too new for her. It seems like everything in this land has a life force of its own. The tendrils of vines on trees seem to sway curiously towards her direction in the absence of wind or breeze, the flowers in a myriad of exotic shapes and colors seem to turn to her—displaying their sensual petals for the world to see. Everywhere around her was covered in luscious, dark green leaves and vibrant, bright colors caught her eye. And with every step she took, a prevailing surge began to course through her body.

"Human Miko, what is your name?" Ysahir tossed a brief glance above her shoulder and brought Kagome out of her musing.

"Uh—Kagome," still speechless, Kagome tried her best to keep up with the long, elegant strides of the elven princess. "Why does it seem like… everything is looking at me?"

"Because they are, Kagome" she extended her arm to the plants and shrubs near her hip and slide her hands through the lush leaves. "Everything here is connected to our Yanira. She is the one who breathes us life and supplies our land with a bounty of food."

"Yanira? What's that?" Kagome cocked her head to the side in confusion; all these new terms were confusing her even further.

"Yes, Yanira is something like your Kami—but she is one with everything, everyone and keeps every aspect of our life balanced," she whispered longingly. Her sweet voice began to darken, "But something has trespassed into our land and Yanira has grown weak with infection and untimely death…"

"Do you know what's hurting your land?" Kagome questioned with curiosity.

"Hush now, child. It is our land, and it is not safe to speak of that here. We are near the Grand Tree where the Kadin will speak to you," Ysahir chided Kagome like a mother would scold her child.

Kagome nodded dumbfounded but did as she told and remained quiet throughout the rest of their walk towards the Grand Tree. She spotted Sesshoumaru strolling through the land easily and knowingly—like he's been here before. Slowly, but surely the Grand Tree emerged through the dense forest and stole her breath away as she stood on the hill.

The sun casted luminescent rays through the gaps of the leaves of the tree—giving it an ethereal, untouchable glow. Large, rustic vines twirled around the trunk of the tree and up towards the canopy where hundreds of exotic birds flew in groups without a worry to the world. At the trunk of the tree laid a palace made of smoothed stone embedded deep into the side of the Grand Tree. Around the roots of the tree were hundreds of smaller buildings made of stone and wood—making it a city of wood and stone. "This… is enchanting," Kagome gasped in awe. She's been through all over Feudal Japan and knew what beauty was, but what she saw before her was entirely out of this world.

"Come Kagome, you must not dawdle," Ysahir beckoned her to follow in haste.

-0-

"Announce me to the Kadin, our guests have arrived," Ysahir ordered a servant guarding a carved double door with embedded metals and gems. The servant bowed lowly and partly opened the door and entered briefly before coming out, telling them to enter.

"Father, my beloved Kadin. The InuYoukai Prince of the West and his company have arrived," she greeted with affection. Behind the lavishly decorated desk, stood a man taller than Sesshoumaru, with shoulders sturdy and wide, carrying golden silk cape.

"Thank you, my child," his voice boomed in the silent study. He turned around to greet his guests, "Thank you for coming Prince Sesshoumaru." His tall frame and elegance surprised her for what seemed like the millionth time.

"How are you elves?" Kagome finally exploded from bottled up amazement. "I thought elves were supposed to be short, chunky and dwarf looking with long beards! Like Keebler elves on those packaged of cookies!" Her eyes were wide with shock and uncertainty—'Oops…'

The Kadin chuckled, "The Keeblers Elves are a cousin of ours in the deep South of the mainland far West of here. Though they may be short and chunky as you say, I wasn't aware that they make this thing you call… 'cookies?' Are you well acquainted with them, Kagome?"

Kagome stared at him with a blank expression, 'Seriously?' She couldn't help but want to kick herself in the ass later—'I wonder if the cartoon elves are how they really look like…'

"Ignore her, Kadin. She is a wary one. I wish to rest for the night and reacquaint myself with Princess Ysahir. If you would brief this human Miko here for this one," Sesshoumaru offered in his icy tone betraying no emotion.

The King of Elves nodded, "Ysahir, take the Western Prince to the chambers adjacent to yours and serve him well. It has been a long time since he's visited us." Ysahir nodded and brushed her fingers tentatively along Sesshoumaru's biceps and beckoned him to follow her with a seductive grin.

Kagome blushed brightly, 'Did he just ask the King to sleep with his daughter?' She turned sharply on her heel and glared daggers at Sesshoumaru's back until they disappeared through the door. 'What a jerk,' she hissed in her mind.

"Kagome," the Kadin called for her attention. "You mustn't feel despair for their coupling. It is only natural." He smiled at her with a warm understanding tone.

She blushed and shrugged, "I supposed, milord. Say, how do you know my name anyway? I don't believe we've ever met before."

The Kadin smiled, "I know everything, my sweet girl. I am the Kadin of Nyratar—it is only natural for me to know all the details of my inhabitants on the land." He stepped closer to Kagome—his frame towering over hers. "Come, we shall discuss our important matters without Sesshoumaru. Come sit here," he gestured at a low cushioned chair. She did as asked and sat patiently as he took his seat in front of her and stared at him with his eyes.

Kagome noticed his eyes were grey—a murky grey in which those who have lost their eyesight's odd murky color. 'It wouldn't be nice to ask…,' she smiled and bowed her head at the King of Elves. "What is it that you need from me, my King?"

"An extermination," his friendly tone grew serious. "We are in a dire need to rid our land of this existence that has been spewing death all over Yanira's work. I, no… we need you and Sesshoumaru to kill this one called Curome."

'Curome? Why does that name sound so familiar?'

/

JR- Thanks for reading, please leave some comments!