Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Lady Death. I do own this story. Some of you familar with Lady Death's story might notice some continuity discrepancies in timeline and/or objects. Some things were changed in order for this story to come into being. Enjoy!

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Chapter 6

… and So We Meet

Lady Death was momentarily distracted by the glowing object. It had some power to it, but for what and why she didn't know.

And what was it doing in the body of a snake? She asked herself. That's when her senses lit up. She detected four energy imprints; two human, and two she didn't recognize, though they seemed animal. At least one for sure was animal. But what was this last one?

She focused harder, but movement caught her eyes. There, just beyond the trees, something was coming. Her senses shot slightly behind her and to the right. Another one? Her mind shifted. She would not jump to extremes and slay them first. Their energies were not threatening to her. But she would not appear unarmed. She took up Apocalypse and strapped it to her hip, undoing the peace-tie. Better safe than sorry. She thought. The four figures came into view. Two indeed were human; one appeared to be a giant cat, while the next to last one was… interesting. She had a few moments before the fifth one arrived. She turned towards them, taking neither a defensive nor offensive stance. Just a ready stance.

"Hurry! It's this way! Just beyond the tree line!"

Inuyasha yelled and sped up. Kilala flew low next to him with Miroku and Sango aboard. They broke thru the tree line into the field that bordered the stream and the path to the well. Inuyasha turned to his right quickly, then back ahead. Damnit! I don't have the time for this! He growled under his breath, having viewed the setting sun. Straight ahead of him was a sight he thought he knew.

"Is that Sesshoumaru? What's he doing here?" Inuyasha stopped suddenly, taken aback. It wasn't Sesshoumaru's scent. Who is that? He wondered. A noise to his left made his pulse quicken. He felt his body shift then.

B-BUMP! B-BUMP! He was starting to change. He barely was able to draw Tetsusaiga from its scabbard, but it was too late. The sun had already set; the night of the New Moon was upon him. The voice of Kagome rang in his head a he dropped the unchanged Tetsusaiga and fell to his knees.

"INUYASHAAAA!"

Kagome ran from the tree line. I'm too late! She cursed herself. She ran straight towards him while Kilala landed, Miroku and Sango immediately dismounting and ran to place themselves on either side of Inuyasha. Kagome reached into her pack, grabbing the blanket, and threw it over Inuyasha. She was too worried about him to notice what they were focused on. It was Kilala's warning growl that alerted her. Kagome turned her head towards the left. What she saw made her heart skip a beat in fear. A tall, white figure with a blue-white glow was walking towards them, staring right back. The stare of Lady Death.

Intrigued, Lady Death gave a small leap to hover towards them. She landed just a few feet away from them and walked calmly, the ground crackling slightly at her every step. Why, they're so young. She thought. She could have sworn that she sensed only two human energies of the first group, with the fifth possibly being human as well. The cat creature was there, but the last one had… changed somehow. It doesn't help matters that there is a blanket over this creature now. Lady Death thought as she came closer.

Kagome had dropped to her knees. Quickly she reached into her bag, pulled out the blanket, and threw it over Inuyasha. She comforted him then.

"I'm here, Inuyasha. I'm here."

"Kagome…" he said, lifting his head slightly to her. "You're all right. What happened to you?"

"I had a run-in with a barrier in the well." She explained.

"A barrier? But how? Who?" Inuyasha sat up cross-legged now, still covered somewhat.

"Uhh… I don't mean to break the moment," Miroku interjected, "but we have 'someone' coming our way."

Lady Death was now face to face with them. The cat creature growled at her, but she stood her ground. Just as big as Vassago. She marveled. The girl that stood by it said something, but Lady Death did not recognize the language. The one who was dressed similar to a monk was saying something to them, while the girl next to the covered one on the ground seemed to be pleading with her.

"Please don't hurt him, or us." Kagome begged. Lady Death said nothing. She raised her hands, palms up. Closing her eyes, she turned her palms over and lowered them down, back to her sides. The words were clear to her now.

"Please don't harm him, or us."

Lady Death stared back into Kagome's eyes. They were fearful, but calm. Something else deep within them, just below the feelings. An ancient power, yes, this girl had that. She would inquire about that later. She lowered down to sit on her knees in front of the covered one. Raising her hand up, the girl by the cat called a name.

"Kagome!" Sango tried to run in front of Lady Death's raising hand, only to be stopped by Miroku's arm. Lady Death glanced her way slightly.

"I will not harm you", she said as she slowly lifted away the blanket covering Inuyasha. He raised his head to stare into silver, almost non-existent, eyes. Lady Death saw a young man with black hair and light hazel eyes staring back at her. He was not much younger than her. Perhaps 5-6 years at the most. He didn't have the fearful look to him, more the look of determination, or fire. He had a power as well, but it was hidden somehow.

"Why, you're just a poppet!" She finally said.

"A pupp-WHA? What am I?" Inuyasha retorted back. He thought he heard 'puppy'. He grabbed Tetsusaiga and stood up. Lady Death did the same but only took a neutral stance, her sword arm at the side ready to draw Apocalypse.

"Inuyasha! Stop it! She did not call you 'puppy'! Kagome had stepped in front of him, putting her self between them. She turned to Lady Death, still fearful, but braver. "You didn't, did you?"

"Nay, mistress," said Lady Death. "Poppet is likened to 'little one', or 'child'."

"CHILD!" He started again.

"Inuyasha," Miroku stayed his friend's temper. "Perhaps we should all return to Lady Kaede's shack and learn more about our guest…" He paused, looking and raising his eyebrows at Lady Death.

She took his clue. "I am Death. Lady Death." She felt a bit strange by their stares. She noticed that, compared to them, she was wearing next to nothing. That and she towered over them by at least half again their size, and was carrying a menacing sword. If that didn't make anyone nervous, the fact that she glowed would, and it wasn't because she was stark white. Even Inuyasha was wide-eyed. Lady Death redid the peace-tie on Apocalypse and slipped her arms inside her cloak. She pushed her arms thru armholes in the sides and brought the front to a close. It instantly fused together in one piece. Looking up, she said not a word but inclined her head, indicating that she was ready.

"Well, all that aside," Sango started, climbing aboard Kilala. "Shall we be going?"

She reached out a hand to help Miroku up. Kagome and Inuyasha stared at each other, at Lady Death, and back to one another again. Kilala could not carry all of them. Lady Death caught on to their feelings and without warning, levitated. Kagome's eyes widened, her mouth agape. Inuyasha wasn't surprised. Nice trick. My brother can do that. He smirked as he stepped over to Kilala. Lady Death looked at Kagome. She extended a hand forward. Kagome, not too sure about it, hesitated.

"I can piggy-back very well." Lady Death said reassuringly. Kagome took her hand, which was warm despite the pale look. Lady Death swung her around and onto her back. Inuyasha gave another smirk as he climbed aboard Kilala and settled behind Miroku. Kagome wasn't too sure about this, but given the circumstances, how back could it be? It was no different than being on Inuyasha's back. And so they were off.

However, high above them, watching, was an old enemy…