A/N: Sorry for the delay! I've been trying to finish the next chapter for KKNB and it's like trying to demolish a brick wall with your bare hands :P But anyway, I hope you all like this new chapter!

Kagome's POV

oooooOooooo

Chapter Forty: Befuddlement

oooooOooooo

Blinking open watery blue eyes, I cringed at the harsh sunlight streaming through a far window, and tried fruitlessly to remember what happened.

Where was I?

My skull throbbed in time with my heartbeat and I gingerly sat up with one hand pressed to my forehead. I felt that I was forgetting something important . . . Sesshoumaru . . .

Sesshoumaru.

Abruptly lucid, I jumped hastily from the strange futon I lay in. Oh gods, where was he? And Kagutsuchi? Were they still trapped underground, or had Izanagi released them?

My expression darkened as I thought of Izanagi. How darehe have me kidnapped?! And how could Ihave gone along with him so easily? I silently cursed my stupidity. Worry for Sesshoumaru had taken precedence over any thoughts of self-preservation, and that was obviously something Izanagi had counted on.

It was so apparent now, when I recalled it. Kagutsuchi's presence alone should have been warning enough that not all was as it seemed. He had used his sons, knowing that a fight was inevitable and, when the timing was perfect, had set his plan into action.

I slumped back onto the futon, weariness and emotional turmoil taking a toll on me. What could I do now? Escape wasn't a possibility, seeing how I had no idea where I even was or who held me. I would have to wait, and hope Sesshoumaru could find me until I discovered more information about my predicament.

A sliding screen door suddenly opened to my left, and I immediately tensed in anticipation and fear. "Hello?" I called hesitantly. "Is someone there?"

A woman― a goddess, from the looks of her ―swept regally into the room. "You're finally awake, then?"

I nodded, but scarcely heard what she had said. In all my time here, in this divine realm, I had never seen a goddess look so . . . there wasn't a word to describe her. Human, perhaps? Her coloring was plain, for a heavenly being. Her hair was dark, the brown of chocolate, and her skin, while possessing the same luminescence as all other deities, was a very light gold in comparison to the general milky white skin common among the gods.

Her beauty was simple, classic, and striking. She was, by far, the most beautiful goddess I had yet to see.

"Are you well?" she asked, and I mentally shook myself. "You seem distracted."

I attempted a small smile. "Ah, yes, megami-dono. I am well, thank you." I didn't bother to mention that distraught may have perhaps been a better word to use. Something told me this goddess had everything to do with my current situation and I didn't see any pressing need to antagonize her.

She beamed in return, and the entire room brightened. "Wonderful to hear. I was so afraid those buffoons would injure you when they put you to bed last night. Soldiers aren't the gentle type, you know."

I was sure the bewilderment was clear on my face. "Pardon me, megami-dono, but could you perhaps tell me where I am? My memory from yesterday evening is . . . vague."

"Oh, of course." In the next moment, she was by my side on the futon. "You must forgive the measures taken to bring you here. I'm ashamed to say I didn't know of any other way."

"Megami-dono―" I began, but was interrupted before I could finish.

"Goodness, how rude of me. Please call me Rin. My proper name is Yukiko, but I'd prefer it if we were more familiar with each other. Do you mind?"

"Not at all," I replied shakily, feeling my head spinning. She spoke so quickly!

She smiled again, and again the room seemed to lighten. "Now, Kagome-chan, do you know why I have brought you here?"

Startled at her informal address, I answered slowly. "I . . . I do not, Rin-dono."

"Oh, there is no need for formalities!" she exclaimed with a wave of her hand. "I have a feeling we will be great friends. So, you do not know why you are here?"

I shook my head, and Rin launched into her explanation to my presence with so much enthusiasm I felt exhausted for her. "It has been brought to my attention that you are married, Kagome-chan, and while marriage is something to be celebrated, I have brought you here so that you may consider alternatives to married life. I feel that you and your husband are unsuitable for one another, and wish to ask that you renounce your marriage and separate from your husband."

Once I was able to make sense of what was said, I looked at her with something akin to horror. "You wish for me to leave Sesshoumaru?"

At this, Rin frowned. "Sesshoumaru-san?"

I nodded. "Yes. He is my husband."

Standing, Rin shook her head emphatically. "No, no. That cannot be right."

"What do you mean?" I asked as I, too, stood. "He is my husband. I was sacrificed to him."

"No," Rin repeated. "That cannot . . . if that is true then . . . oh no . . ."

"Rin? What's the matter?" She seemed truly troubled and confused. "Tell me."

Finally, she turned to me, apparently worried. "I brought you here, not because you are married to Sesshoumaru but . . . but because I thought you were married to Kagutsuchi."

oooooOooooo

A/N: Hope you liked it! Please review!