They were to be Mated

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters.

Author's Notes: As you may have noticed, the rating of this story has been changed to M for Mature due to language. Please read at your own discretion.

Last Time:

"Go through it." Sesshomaru finally spoke. Kagome looked up and met her nervous eyes with Sesshomaru's calm eyes. They seemed to reassure her of something.

Kagome nodded and made her way to the shield. She smiled back at everyone as if reassuring them. Sesshomaru was conflicted. He wanted her to go through, and yet he didn't. He didn't know of how he would react if she got hurt again.

She stepped inside, causing a pink glow to flow through the shrine. She released a breath when nothing stung her. She reached towards the jewel, and a blinding light came through, successfully blinding the three waiting tensely outside.

Chosen

Chapter 9: Four Forces we Bind

Izayoi sat silently in front of her water bowl. Her eyes narrowed in deep concentration as she watched the water.

Technically, she didn't even need the thing. Her visions came at random burst, but the bowl allowed her to see what she had seen. She was able to find details in her visions and was even able to show them to her mate.

"I came as soon as I felt your anxiety." Touga said as he ran into the room, looking at his mate in worry. "Is everything alright?"

Izayoi's eyes never left the water. "It is something that involves our children and their mates, more so than us."

Touga's eyes widened his throat constricted, yet his voice still remained full of authority "What is happening mate?"

She closed her eyes painfully as tears streamed down, "A war is beginning."

Touga's face hardened. He quickly made his way to his mate and placed a calm hand on her shoulder. "When?"

Izayoi opened her eyes and gave a painfully sad smile as she recited softly. The water swirling to show a girl's hand frozen centimetres away from the Shikon no Tama.

Here they come, in a symphony.

Colours: White, blue, red, and green.

We see to thee.

Power: Wind, water, fire, and earth.

We call to thee.

Let it be known they no longer run.

They no longer shun.

Embrace thee the words of the Gods.

Embrace thee the odds.

Earth support and strength is thy name.

Water hold strong, may your hands and words heal all.

Fire, do not destroy, for thy name is rebirth.

Wind guide thee; show thee that there is a world to live for.

Be free thy symphony, for a war has begun.

Kagome's fingers had not touched the jewel, and yet her heart was hammed loudly with the words. Her head turned slowly towards her friends. Yes, they were her friends a voice said in her head. She didn't know them really well, but she didn't need to.

Bbbump.

Her eyes searched for the gold irises, reaching them she knew he had heard it to. They were uncharacteristically wide. 'Why?' Her mind said. 'No... you shouldn't have heard anything.'

Bbbump. Bbbump.

She didn't want to move her eyes away from his, but knew she had to. Her eyes slowly moved to another pair of a more yellow-ish shade of gold. They held such surprise and shock that it nearly forced her to tell him it was okay. 'But was it? Was it all okay?'

Bbbump. Bbbump. Bbbump.

'Please'. Her mind begged. 'Please be normal Kikyo. Please say it's my imagination. Please...' But when her eyes met Kikyo's she knew that it wasn't her imagination.

Bbbump. Bbbump. Bbbump. Bbbump.

Her body felt weak. She could feel the burden of the words already encompass her. She didn't know what to do. What was she supposed to do?

"Kagome."

Her name. She turned her distraught eyes to the source that said her name. The gold eyes were no longer wide; instead they were full of understanding and firm resolution.

"Kagome." There was her name again. "Take the jewel and return to us." The voice said.

Sesshomaru could feel Kagome's emotions radiating from her. He knew that a demon had the ability to identify the scent and match the emotion. And yet, he had actually felt what she was feeling. This was too much. Sharing blood did not do so much.

He wanted to think about explanations, but couldn't. Right now she needed him. As strange as it was, she was feeling lost and a burden on her, somehow, restricting her movements. He didn't know what possessed him to say Higurashi's name.

But it had felt right.

He gently, but firmly told her to get the jewel and come back. He however, had not expected her reaction to be of comprehension and understanding. He didn't actually expect her to feel comfort at his words... after all they were meaningless. Or so he had thought.

She seemed to feel determined as her fingers grabbed the jewel. Her figure glowed purely of the pink hue that surrounded the jewel. He watched in barely contained shock as the jewel dissolved into her heart. Her body began to fall and before he had even thought of the act, he had her securely in his arms.

He raised his eyes to see the startled and confusion expression on his half-brother. But when he moved to the miko, there was preeminent relief and then a sad look took over.

"Will she be alright?" Kikyo asked softly.

Inuyasha seemed to relax slightly, but his shoulders were still tense, "Let her rest. But we all need to talk."

"The shrine no longer has a boundary or anything protecting it. We stay here until she wakes." Sesshomaru said as he crouched down to lay Kagome down. Laying her down gently, he moved so they were a foot apart and sat down.

Inuyasha and Kikyo followed suit, leaning back against the wooden walls of the shrine. Silence enveloped them.

Not one of them wanted to start to explain what they saw and heard.

"This wasn't supposed to happen!"

"Are you serious? You learned how to do this when you were four."

"Well, if you're so good, you do it!"

"Why would I subject myself to do something for my younger brother?"

"Will you let that go? They were ten minutes!"

"Regardless, I am the elder sibling."

"Oh no, you're not the elder sibling, more like the elder pain in the ass. I can't believe I share the same face as you."

"You mean my devilish good looks and handsome hair?"

"That's it! When we get home, I'm getting a haircut and dying my hair!"

The elder of the two brothers laughed heartily, "You do that."

Kagome tried to blink her eyes open, though it seemed she couldn't.

Things were definitely not going as planned. She had planned to go backpacking through Europe with her friends as a grand camping trip. Only she ended up five hundred or so years in the past.

She had planned on finally getting back at Hojo for asking her out, only now he was nowhere close to her. Wait, actually that was good thing. Huh... who'd a-thought? Now things were getting a little complicated.

Seriously, first off she's attacked. She meets the most beautiful man living only to turn out to be a demon, which by the way was totally unreal. Like seriously, demons? Just three days ago—well she thought it was three days ago, but she was pretty sure she had passed out so it may be more—she was complaining and telling Souta to never, ever listen to a thing her grandpa said. And now?

Where was a gun when you need one?

Really, now here she was. Not only was she in a world where demons—and probably dragons, witches, faeries and other supernatural creatures roamed—there was a war beginning. Honestly, a freaking war! Now she was going to die young in the most gruesome way. Impaled to a tree, head chopped off, and have her heart eaten raw... you know all the gory stuff that she tried to avoid.

There must be some stupid ass deity up there laughing his ass off at her.

She was going to find the sorry bastard and beat him to a bloody pulp as soon as she got the chance. Being in this world really hadn't given her peace. It had given her something she hadn't expected though.

She had actually been surprised when she discovered it that she didn't have to hold herself back. She didn't like how she used to hide that she was able to fight well or that she was a fair bit intelligent and not the average student she made herself out to be. Why had she done that?

She didn't want unnecessary attention, especially after her father's death. But here no one knew her. She could be who she wanted to be. And if a prophecy had just landed it's heavy feet on her shoulder, she would do it. She could accomplish it.

All she needed to know if they were going to be with her. Actually, she knew they were. That just allowed her some calm and time to think rationally.

Again she blinked, and slowly opened her eyes. She noted that Kikyo's brown were looking at her in concern. "Wow guys, talk about crazy, huh?"

Kikyo smiled in defeat, "Are you alright Kagome-san?"

Kagome sat up and found that it was easily accomplished. Pleased with herself she grinned up at Kikyo, "Never better. You know, I should get used to all this weird magic mojo by now." She noticed Sesshomaru raise his eyebrow at the odd word. "Mojo is well… another word for stuff."

"Are you sure? You were..."

Kagome sighed softly, "Yes, I'm okay. I think we all—" she paused as she looked around to see Inuyasha sitting rather tensed beside Kikyo and Sesshomaru as he watched her carefully. "—need to talk about what happened."

Sesshomaru spoke up, "Did you remember what was said?"

"I do." Kagome nodded, "It spoke of the four powers, and I'm actually assuming these are elementals, are coming out from their hibernation or something because a war is beginning."

"Yes, the four powers are the elementals. Legend has it that they are free spirits and travel around the world guiding heroes from time to time but nothing more." Kikyo paused, "If this prophecy is stating that they are returning and will be helping... this could be a very catastrophic war."

"Which, by the way, is freaking odd considering there hasn't been talk of anything like that in the demon circles or in the human ones." Inuyasha relayed.

"Colours must be significant in some way. I think that the prophecy linked white to wind, red to fire, blue to water and green to earth. Maybe, like an aura of something?" Kagome asked.

"We're going to have to watch out. This will be one bitch of a thing."

"Inuyasha!" Kikyo scolded, "The colours may be aura colours… for example a light rose colour is for pure auras, while a sickening purple for evil and dark auras. Maybe we are to find these spirits with the help of these colours?"

"What I don't understand is that the Gods are all in on this one." Kagome huffed, "It's odd. Really, as if they knew all along I was going to come here—I think that's what triggered this!" Kagome's eyes widened with understanding. "This is my entire fault."

"It is not Kagome-san." Kikyo replied sternly, "You will not degrade yourself in thinking so. It is all a pre-destined fate. Nothing more and nothing less."

"Kikyo's right. You didn't have any control over that." Inuyasha added, though he looked away. "The elementals… I think that each of them will be helping us by the request of the Gods or something."

Kagome nodded her head slowly, still trying to see reason with it not being her fault. "You do realise that war is a serious thing. People die in war… families are torn and you have to bury your own blood. War isn't… it shouldn't be something that you—I just. Look… I have seen what war can do to nations, be it demon or human… the end result is always the same. Destruction and loss."

Sesshomaru nodded, "War is not something many desire. It would be best if we traveled to speak with Mother and Father." He paused and then added, "Speaking with the twins might helps as well."

Kagome looked at them blankly, "Who are the twins?"

Sesshomaru lips twitched slightly. "The twins are in charge of our information network. They have contacts all over the country relaying bits and pieces of information to us. In fact, I would not hold it past them to know how and why Inuyasha has stayed for so long. Or as to why I am here."

Kikyo smiled, "Yes, I have heard that the West's spy network is the best of the best."

"Guess it's settled then."

Kagome nodded, "To the castle tomorrow."

Kikyo woke to a peculiar scent. It wasn't a disgusting or a notoriously sweet scent. More of an odd scent of food flavour. She was naturally an early riser, but today found herself to be the last one to wake.

She took the scene in front of her in slight amusement. Inuyasha sat back, leaning on a wall while eating noodles of some sort from a strange looking bowl. Sesshomaru seemed to be sniffing the said bowl trying to figure out what it was, while Kagome was rolling her eyes.

Kagome's eyes drifted over to Kikyo. "Good morning."

Kikyo smiled and softly replied, "To you as well."

"Kikyo! You have got to try this! It is fu—fantastically awesome!" Inuyasha gushed, stopping in between when Kikyo gave him a look. "It's like the best da—darn thing I have ever tasted!"

"What is it?" Kikyo was not used to such an exuberant Inuyasha so early in the morning.

Inuyasha blinked not knowing what it was called and turned over to Kagome. Kagome shook her head slightly, "Ramen. It's umm... basically its noodles in a soup mixture." Kagome then narrowed her eyes at Sesshomaru, "It may not be the healthiest thing, and I know it doesn't have any meat but it does help that it is food."

"It's the best!" Inuyasha added cheerfully.

Kikyo blinked, Inuyasha was hardly ever so… cheerful. She didn't know exactly how to react. She watched him slurp a few noodles, before blushing and realising that she was staring. She turned away to note that Kagome had gotten Sesshomaru to try the food.

From what Kikyo could tell he wasn't complaining, but he wasn't complimenting it either. Kagome was shaking her head at him but still seemed pleased. "Kagome-san?"

She turned to look towards Kikyo, "Hmm?"

"Would you mind accompanying me?" Kikyo asked softly. She actually wished to speak with Kagome on how she was dealing with everything.

Kagome smiled in understanding, "Absolutely, I wanted to clean up and I was actually going to ask you where you bathe since you are familiar to this area."

Kikyo nodded and stood up making her way out of the shrine. "Inuyasha please do try to leave food for the rest."

"Oh don't worry about that Kikyo, I'll make sure he'll have hell to pay if he doesn't." Kagome said loudly while pulling a smaller bag from her yellow one. She gave Inuyasha a quick glare and silently dared Sesshomaru to do the same only to receive a raised elegant silver eyebrow.

Kikyo and Kagome exited. Kikyo watched Kagome carefully, "Are you alright?"

Kagome looked at Kikyo. "You know… I was educated as a child." Kikyo was very surprised a woman could have an education. "I was taught and shown the consequences of a war. I have never in my life thought I would be here."

"What do you mean?"

"I never expected to be here. I was told that I was adopted before my unexpected arrival. I was given this sword—which had always been a family treasure to ensure my safety." Kagome continued. "This whole world is basically new to me Kikyo. As for the war… I've seen how badly people are affected. I didn't know that demons existed but I'm sure they suffered just as much if not more."

Kikyo knew this well. After all she had lost her parents to a civil war eight years ago. "You still did not answer my question Kagome-san.

"Question?"

"You mentioned how this place is so different than yours, it is only natural I ask how you have been coping with the change."

"Oh." Kagome smiled, "Sorry, I got kind of spacey for a sec. Umm... I guess it's a lot to take in... But I'm managing so far. Only, I guess I miss my family and well it is a huge change but I'm going to make the best of it."

Kikyo stopped as they came by the same lake Inuyasha had washed on the previous day. Kikyo began to wash her face, her hands and then she pulled the ribbon free from her hair.

"Wow Kikyo, you have beautiful hair." Kagome said smiling. Kikyo looked startled. "Hey, that's not fair Kikyo! You do have beautiful hair and you are a strong and powerful miko... you probably don't believe that since that stupid thing is inside me now. But I think it's only in here—" Kagome motioned to her heart, "—because I'm the carrier until we get it where it wants to be. I would be very grateful if you continued your duty to protect the stone, disregarding what it may do to me."

Kikyo stopped mid-motion of dipping her hands in the cold water. Yes, she realised... Kagome was a lot stronger than she let on.

Inuyasha nosily slurped the last of his ramen, looking at the bottom of the plastic carton with despair. Why did it end? Couldn't it have gone forever? He could swim in the delicious soup with the perfect texture and shape of noodles. He was more than half tempted to lick the carton clean.

He was in love.

Yes, he could only describe this feeling as love. He glanced over to his older brother eating the heavenly food elegantly and slowly.

Inuyasha swallowed slowly. Would Sesshomaru mind if he ate the rest? It wasn't like Sesshomaru had wanted to eat it in the first place. So... if Inuyasha ate the rest of his share, he would be...helping him out. And that's what brothers did for one another. Help out.

Yeah. He wanted to help his older brother. It was only respectful to take something from him if Sesshomaru didn't like it.

Inuyasha cleared his throat lightly, "Ne... Nii-san?" Sesshomaru looked up to meet Inuyasha's eyes. "I know you don't like this... uhh food. If you didn't want it, I can dispose it for you."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes slightly, "Is that so."

Inuyasha nodded vigorously, "It's only uhh— a brotherly thing to do."

"The answer's no, Inuyasha." Sesshomaru said, returning to eating his ramen.

"But you don't like it Nii-san." Inuyasha insisted. Seeing that Sesshomaru had not stopped eating, but continued with a slight more determination. "Nii-san. Come on."

Sesshomaru actually turned away from Inuyasha and continued to eat. "No."

Inuyasha knew what was happening. He shouldn't have made it so obvious. He cursed himself silently. He knew that ever since he was young, if he wanted something from Sesshomaru he would have better luck making an absolute idiot of himself before even getting a glimpse of what he wanted.

He needed a new tactic.

He assessed the area and noted that his older brother was about seven feet away from him. His brother's demon sword was within reaching distance, but at the same time he would not be able to use it. After all, he would not want to drop the ramen cup. Inuyasha had made up his mind.

He lunged at Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru had gotten up so quickly that all Inuyasha got was his face introduced to the wood floor of the shrine. Sesshomaru looked down at Inuyasha from his standing position while, eating the ramen without making the 'slurp-y' sound or getting any of the broth on his face.

"You don't even like it!"

"I do not recall saying that."

Not to be out done, Inuyasha quickly got to his feet and lunged again at him. Sesshomaru's brought his foot up, setting it hard on Inuyasha's shoulder causing him to topple over.

Inuyasha said getting up quickly. As he tried again, only Sesshomaru quickly drank the broth and finished his noodles, showing the bottom of the carton to Inuyasha with a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.

"Wow Dog-Ears, you really are a mutt."

Both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru turned to see that Kikyo and Kagome had returned. Kikyo had been watching, Inuyasha could see that she was looking at him in the most confused manner. Kagome was clucking her tongue, while shaking her head.

"I'm not a mutt wench!"

They both stepped inside. Kagome gave Kikyo something wrapped. Inuyasha watched, but noted it was not ramen. "Here you can eat this while we're moving." Kagome said with a smile. "If you're all done we should head off so we can make the best of today." She picked up some of her things that she had left behind. "Come on, Mutt-boy let's go."

Inuyasha watched as Sesshomaru walked out with Kikyo and lastly following him. He felt pissed. Who was she to order him around. "Screw off."

"Make me." She retaliated without another thought.

"Wench."

"Mutt."

Four Force we Bind

Questions and Answers:

1. Kikyo and Kagome with the Shikon no Tama?

Umm... well I hope I was able to make it clear from the start that Kikyo doesn't really well... she thought of it more as a responsibility and duty rather than an item to make her feel strong and powerful.

2. Castle?

All in good time.

3. The Higurashi Twins?

Oh, I love them! I have so much planned for them. They're going to come in soon I think. I just hope that no one hates how I gave Kagome older twin brothers.

Author's Note: Please I could really use your guys opinion on this twist. So please, please review and let me know what you think.