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Absit Omen

"Kagome – what was it that happened? Why did you leave the den? Why did you come out of my room?"

She takes a deep breath and then faces him again, scrubs at her eyes with the back of her hands.

"It was because the dream I had wasn't a dream, Kouga. It was something real – and because something like that dream happened to me again, but I felt more than wings. Those bird-things -"

"They're harpies, Kagome."

"Harpies, then. The thing that leads them – its not one but two; twice as many terrible things. What they want...what they want...there's no point trying to talk to them. They want a place from which...to attack...they want...they want to kill...destroy...revenge on the wolf, the wolf who wounded us -"

She shudders; her eyes grow distant; as she remembers, the feeling that is so faint now grows stronger once again – as she remembers, she is pulled along the thread of feeling and recognizes that it is a thread o power – a thread of presence – shikon no tama...

"-gome! Kagome!"

"Ah – I...what? Kouga?"

He swallows; he is the slightest bit afraid, but she is...she again, herself, a strong presence with her attention undivided.

"Kagome, you...shouldn't do that. Whatever it was you just did – whatever it was -"

Her voice is quiet.

"It's the shikon no tama. It connects me to that leader – because it's inside him – because he's full of malice and ill intentions and coming closer, always closer...or he was. He's retreating now -"

"Kagome that still doesn't answer my question. Why did you come outside? If you didn't want to fight; if you don't want to kill; if you don't know your power then why did you come outside?"

"Because of the dream! Because I saw wings and the all wanted you dead – all of you dead – because I saw it happening and I didn't want it to – I didn't want it to – I thought I'd do anything so that what I saw didn't come to pass. You've been so good to me – and your wolves too – and there are so many little ones – and those harpies are so evil -"

The faintest glow encompasses her body, lavender and lovely. It warms Kouga's fingers warningly, but doe not burn, and in a flash Kouga understands more than he has thus far. He doesn't need to know exactly what she saw; all that matters to him is that she acted to protect his pack when he wasn't there to do so, and that for the second time she has proved herself worthy of his interest. A miko who would protect youkai from other youkai; special indeed.

And maybe third time's the charm?

"Kagome, if you can tell what they're doing – if you're connected to the shikon no tama – can you see where they are in the harpies' leader like you can see where they are in me?"

She hesitates only a moment and then nods.

"I – I think so; I won't know until I try."

"Then we'll try and find out, but I think you'll be able to; I think it's the miko in you, if not the shikon no tama. That old woman in the village – she knew what I had; the power that was in me. Knew better than to say anything, too. Will you come with me, Kagome? When I go hunting?"

She swallows; she knows what he's asking. Hunting. To go after the harpies; to slay and destroy them; use her power against them; but she knows she must say yes. He saved her; she owes him. More than that, it is the shikon no tama that is causing all this trouble, and she is the one who brought it to the dangerous past. Even unknowing, even unwilling, she had done it.

She had not realized at first what she had done; she was still not certain of the full consequences, but now she knew that there were consequences – maybe terrible ones.

She takes a deep breath.

She closes her eyes and makes a decision. She makes it because she is dutiful, because she is loyal and self sacrificing. She makes it because she is too kind not to feel guilty – and because Kouga is the one who asks.

"All right. I'll do it. I'll help you hunt them, even though I don't know how much help I'll be –"

Kouga grins.

"Don't sell yourself short, Kagome. You've already done more than I ever would've though to ask of you. I wouldn't even ask except – except I think I'm going to need you, Kagome. I think I'm going to need you, and your help."

A/N: Aha! As I said, the more is soon! Which is now! Tada! Much thanks to ye reviewers, and a renewal of love directed toward my cake, and a translation: "Absit Omen" means "may the presentiment not be realized". Not much...more...to say...except onward! Today's chapter (as in an on-time one) shall be up shortly, for I begin it now!

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