Title: Snow of the Moon, Ice of the Sun

World: Inuyasha

Challenge: Dokuga Twisted Fairytale Challenge

Chapter Two

Rating: M

It was midday when she stopped near a cave. She had felt a faint pull on her soul and thus, she wasn't surprised when Kikyo had stepped out of the cave. The clay miko held her hands up, to show that she meant no harm and came closer. She ran her hands through the ebony fur and traced the strong muzzle.

"So it's true…my poor, poor reincarnation, must we always fall to the specter that is Naraku?"

A large sapphire eye, the size of a grown man's fist, stared at Kikyo, wondering what she planned when the miko spoke again.

"There is a village, three days from here; someone there may know how to break this curse."

"Why should I believe you?" She growled at her past self and began to pace around her. "Why should I believe you when all you've wished is for me to die? You could very well lead me to my doom."

Kikyo winced at Kagome's words. "I know that I have done nothing to earn your trust, but believe me when I say that I no longer am prey to the darkness of Naraku and Urasue."

Kagome paused in her pacing and listened to what the part of her soul that gave Kikyo her half-life sung to her. There was truth in her words, she did not lie nor deceive. Tears fell out of her eyes as she nudged Kikyo's shoulder with her head. She had had only the highest of respect for the miko and a strange sort of kinship to her. They shared the same soul, the same love, the same enemy. The pain she felt at having her soul torn apart lessened, it was as if a weight had been lifted from her chest.

"Well come on, I think I can make it there in a day." She lay down on the ground. When Kikyo didn't moved and just stared at her, puzzled, she explained herself. "It'll be faster if I carry you."

It was a few minutes before sunset when they arrived at the village deep within a mountain forest. It was nestled in a valley between high mountains. A demon with lilac eyes and violet hair stood waiting for them at the village gates. Curiously, Kagome sniffed at the air and her eyes widened in wonder. Youkai, hanyou and human lived peacefully there. She could even smell the purity of monk and miko. Yet there was another scent that she could not identify, it was reiki and youki both.

"I welcome you to our village, Kikyo and Kagome. I am Akatsuki. You are weary and burdened from your travels, please, rest. Our borders are well protected; you need not fear the shadow of Naraku." He motioned towards the village and was about to lead them away when Kikyo spoke.

"Please, do you know of any way to break this curse on Kagome?" Kikyo slid down from Kagome's back and pleaded to the demon.

Akatsuki turned towards them and walked closer to Kagome, his purple eyes glowing eerily in the coming darkness. "I know of what you speak. I will do what I can, but I cannot break it. That, you must find yourself, the one with the power to end the curse." Power flowed from him and surrounded Kagome.

Kagome sat on her hind legs and gazed up at the moon that had begun to rise for a moment before she curled up next to where the dead miko stood. They were all bathed in the moonlight as Kagome seemed to growl limp and lifeless until she was merely a pile of furs on the moonlit forest floor. Slowly, almost hesitantly, the furs moved upward and both caught sight of a pale hand, and then another. A figure rose up out of the furs, pale and perfect, in the moonlight. The figure was Kagome.

Akatsuki's words echoed in her mind as she tracked her pack, Kikyo riding on her back.

"You will walk in a human body during the night, that is all the reprieve I can give you. The curse can be broken completely…but you only have one chance, if that chance is wasted, your heart will shatter like ice and you may die. You must earn the love of another, a true and pure love. But do not worry for the softness of your heart. You, in your human body, are similar to a Yuki Onna. Love will not come easy for you, unless you already loved them before your curse."

She shook her head. Who would love her? Inuyasha didn't. Kouga didn't love her. Did he? Could she love Kouga?

"I found them. They're a few miles east of us."

Kagome shook her worries from her mind and concentrated on running. She didn't wait for Kikyo to answer her, she just ran faster. They would reach the pack's camp just before nightfall. She didn't have to worry about anyone tracking them, Kikyo and she had hidden their aura and smell, they were as ghosts.

Rumors were already spreading through the land, of a girl who had been cursed. They emanated from a village of magic deep within the mountains. They said that only the truest of love could save her from fate. The rumors had reached the ears of the pack.

"Do you think it could be Kagome?" Sango looked up from where she watched the dinner to Inuyasha sitting not too far from her with his arms crossed.

"I don't know. Kagome does tend to get into all kinds of trouble. And it has been days since we've been separated from that last battle with Naraku." She began to serve them the cooked meat and paused to nudge the melancholic kit who was buried in Kagome's sleeping bag. "Shippo, the food's ready. Kagome wouldn't want you to skip meals."

A head of auburn curls poked out of the fabric, followed by a small body, the little fox demon curled up next to the monk and poked at his food. They all ate quietly, the silence only being broken by the crackling by the fire. It was expected to be another quiet, depressive night when a soft cry came from Inuyasha.

"Kikyo…? Kagome…?"

On the edge of the clearing they had commandeered stood Kikyo with her hand on the shoulder of a great, dark wolf-like blue eyed fox. When the last rays of the sun disappeared on the horizon, Kagome stood there in the place of the fox. But she was different, so, so different. Her ears were elfin and her hair was even darker, so dark that it was almost silver. It reached to her calves in a curly mass of ebony locks. Dark, purple stripes adorned her wrists and cheeks and legs. An inverted crescent moon in black graced her forehead with an azure teardrop below. The moon appeared to be cracked, angry red veins snaked throughout it.

She was barefoot and clad in a loose, flowing garment. Long, billowing sleeves came from a straight neckline. The skirt was long in the back and short in the front, coming up to her knees. It was all done in a white almost silver, shimmering fabric.

"Kagome…what happened to you?"

"I….I…" She tried to speak, but she could only cry. Kikyo explained what had happened. She told them everything. From Naraku's curse to Akatsuki's gift.