Wow, I think it's been over a year since I updated this story, huh? Well, I'd just like to say that I'm sorry it's taken so long! I've been fighting a custody battle with my ex-husband for my daughter and she's finally coming home! Now that that's over I will begin updating this story much more regularly. I'll most likely update every 1-2 weeks. This chapter is fairly short but I wanted to give you guys something to read and enjoy while I started the more in depth chapter. Lol. So, enjoy!!

Disclaimer: Nope, they not mine. Do I wish they were…you have no Idea!

**

She was floating.

The world around her was in hues of blues and gold; complete silence encompassed her. Her body rocked gently back and forth as if she were deep beneath the surface of the ocean, the gentle waves caressing her still body. Her azure eyes slid slowly open and a small breath fled from her body; she watched as the bubbles floated up and up until they were far from her sight. A groan escaped from her lips as she tried to remember where she was or what exactly was happening, but all her mind could process was the gorgeous blues and gold of this watery world. Her entire body tingled as she began to move, the sloshing of water met her ears and she began to take in where she was.

Everything was beautiful; this place seemed to sing to her, the voice was soft and sweet and warmed her soul. The only thing that actually met her eyes was water but it seemed to glow much more brightly than it ever had before. She watched as bubbles of gold floated past her head and fish swayed through the water. Sunlight couldn't possibly reach this far down into the water and yet the world around her was lit perfectly. As remarkable as this place was, she couldn't help but wonder exactly where she was.

"Hello?"

The question came out clear and strong from her lips; as if she wasn't under water at all. 'That's weird.' She thought. Another thing that hit her was how in the world she was breathing. As long as she was able to continue breathing the science behind how she was just didn't matter.

"Is anybody there?"

She whispered the question, afraid she was completely alone. When that thought hit her fear sliced through her, what if she never got out of this place? What if she was trapped here forever? What if she never saw Sugimi again? A warm voice spoke to her then, calm and reassuring and distinctly feminine.

"Hello dear one." It spoke, the sweet voice echoing throughout the watery world.

Her racing heart calmed when the voice reached out to her. There was someone out there!

"Hello? Where am I? Who are you? Can you help me get out of this place" Kagome's voice was slightly frantic and her need to see a familiar face or any face at all intensified.

The water around her began to bend and twist, and Kagome watched in awe through her charcoal hair as a shape began to form. A beautifully shaped oval face appeared in the water. From that face flowed an elegant neck and a perfectly formed hourglass figure. Eyes of gold watched her; they were the only distinct features on the shimmering form. Lips of smooth water parted and the being spoke.

"Be calm, dear one. You are safe here. As for who I am, I am you. I am only here to assist you in choosing what it is you wish to become."

Confusion marred Kagome's features at the beautiful creature's words.

''What...I am...to become? W-What do you mean? And, how are you me? None of this makes any sense!"

Tears welled in Kagome's bright eyes, what was going on??

"Do not cry dear one. This change will be for the best, because of it you will be able to see the ones you love again. Do you not wish to see Inuyasha again? Or your dear Sugimi-sama? What of the cold Daiyoukai whom you have grown to respect so dearly, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Sniffling Kagome looked up through her long bangs, her confusion evident in her sparkling eyes.

"W-what do you mean? I can see them again?"

A gentle smile stretched across the woman's face and she gave a small nod.

"You may see them again, but only if you choose to accept this change. If not, the liquid flowing through your veins will kill you…they will be lost to you forever."

Kagome gasped. She could die?? Fear uncoiled in her belly at the thought of dying. She'd done so much to help others but she'd never really helped herself. There was so much she still wanted to do with her life, so much she still wanted to experience. She'd never even known what it was like to be loved in return. Determination made her full lips into a thin line, her eyes steely and strong.

"What exactly do I have to do?"

A sigh of relief slid slowly from the watery woman's mouth at Kagome's words.

"All you must do is decide, dear one. In all of your travels what have you most admired? Who have you most admired? Can you say that you have never wanted to be like them? So strong, so courageous, so very able to protect yourself? All you must do picture is who and what you've always wanted to become."

Kagome did as she was told. Images of Inuyasha standing strong and brave in the sunlight with his sword, that cocky smile spread across his face began filling her mind. She saw Sesshoumaru, tall and strong and so full of pride, fighting fiercely in battle. She watched in awe as the images in her mind began to dance in front of her very eyes in the swirling water. Sesshoumaru twirling in mid air as he sliced through foe after foe; Inuyasha yelling "Kaze no Kizu!" and watching his enemies disintegrate and die. And she saw Sugimi, so warm and full of life and compassion and yet so strong…so deadly. His face was proof that youkai could be compassionate and caring, he was proof that they could be…human.

Suddenly the images burst, luminous golden bubbles exploding in front of her eyes. The water around her began to boil, the bubbles quickly surrounding her being. The taste of fear was thick in her mouth as the glowing golden orbs began to stick to her being. Kagome feverishly tried to scrape them off but they stuck to her like glue. A piercing scream filled the water as the bubbles began to burn her skin. Wild-eyed Kagome stared through the cloud of gold and into the eyes of the water woman.

"Did I do something wrong?? What's happening? P-please, don't let me die!"

The woman only smiled and said

"You must die in order to live."

Tears flew down Kagome's cheeks at her words. She was dieing! Another scream tore free from her throat as the bubbles continued to burn her soft skin. She watched in terror as they began to melt into hot, liquid gold. It coated her skin and her mouth, her eyes and her nose until every part of her was gone beneath a layer of hardened gold. Her breathing stopped and panic filled her entire being, her heart banged in her ribcage like an untalented drummer on a new drumset. She screamed again and felt the liquid pour down her throat.

'Oh god, I'm really going to die! Why?'

Her last thoughts faded into darkness. Her heart studdered and skipped…struggling to beat until finally the last beat echoed and faded.

Silence filled the watery world as her last heartbeat vanished completely.

She was...

dead.

The dull gold coating her skin began to glow, began to pulse. The force of the pulse began to stir the waves into a roiling cauldron. It swirled and tumbled in on itself, wave crashing into wave until finally the golden coating exploded in a burst of bright, luminous light. The water was lit up with bright, golden light and the woman smiled once again.

"Good luck, dear one."

And she was gone.

**

Her eyes flashed open in fear, she gulped in deep breaths of clean, fresh air. Her wild eyes met warm amber pools of worry and before she could react Kagome was enveloped in strong, masculine arms.

"Thank Kami you're okay, Kagome!"

The voice belonged to Sugimi and Kagome began to take in her surroundings. She was back in the clearing. The moon was bright and a cool breeze ruffled her long, dark hair. The stars were winking and the trees danced in the gentle breeze. She was alive! Tears streamed down her face and Kagome returned the hug feirecly.

"I thought you were dead!" Sugimi whispered softly into her hair, his grip on her tightening. Kagome only cried harder and whispered

"So did I Sugimi-kun, so did I."

******
K! That's it! till next time haha!

-sesshysgirl08-