He was a being of immeasurable power; purest light, endless love, boundless compassion, perfectly just. With ease he stepped through the ether between worlds, from one reality to the next. There were few who would survive such a journey without at least his protection, the properties of the Ether Place enough to shred minds and bend souls. The little one he carried would be in no such danger with his power wrapped around it, but he pulled it closer regardless as a nudge of reassurance.

He parted the starry veil in front of him and approached the small contingent of glowing beings he could see just a short way off. His steps were serene and his manner at peace. He did not want to alert them to his presence before he was ready, it was more fun this way.

They were embroiled in an intense discussion, brows furrowed and hands flying, all except for one. She appeared a beautiful, radiant woman, a soft gold glow surrounding her entire being. Black hair like silk cascaded down her back, and her gold robes wrapped around her and gleamed like sunlight. He paused and grinned at the wrench he was about to throw in their plans.

"Amaterasu."

The being so addressed turned abruptly, eyes startled and gold silk swirling.

"Ilúvatar! It has been more than an age. Are things well for you?"

"They are as well for me as they seem to be for you." He replied with the slightest air of cheekiness, and the sun goddess before him wrinkled her nose and sighed.

"Yes, we have a conundrum I fear. And having a terrible time finding a way to untie the knots these humans seem able to tie in the cords of fate with ease."

Eru Ilúvatar chuckled warmly. He knew well the mischief and trouble humans could get up too, he had plenty in his own realm.

"Perhaps I could offer a solution." He said, raising his hand to reveal the little whispy orb in his palm.

"What is this?" Amaterasu asked, knowing a soul orb when she saw one, but not catching the meaning behind his offering.

"She is an elf maiden, pure of heart and soul."

"An elf maiden? Why give her to us? What place has she on Earth? We have no elves here, and Youkai are not close enough to-"

She was cut off by more of Ilúvatar's chuckling.

"She is an elf now, but she need not stay an elf. At least, not for the time being."

"What has happened to her, Ilúvatar? Why have you brought this Elven soul to us?" Amaterasu asked suspiciously. Ilúvatar sighed, his bright, glinting eyes dimming just a bit.

"She has been displaced. A botched curse meant to destroy her has left her bodiless and untethered. A soul cannot survive this way. She would unwind and become a dark force for Sauron to use against her family, which I suspect was his purpose all along."

"Sauron." Amaterasu sneered. "Worse than that Naraku we've been dealing with."

"Yes. But he and Melkor will be brought to heel at last. Her son will play an integral role in his downfall and the destruction of the ring he so covets. Sauron knew this, and provided the necessary magic to the vexed little dwarf who thought to punish a king with his own might. He had hoped losing her would throw a spike in the wheels of fate, but he has only strengthened my plan unknowingly. I cannot return her, however. Sauron will only attack again, until he has succeeded in destroying her. I have brought her here to assist you for the time being. Her heart is pure enough to deal with your little jewel problem. I would tie a bridge back home for her inside the jewel, but beyond that, I will not interfere with your plans for your own realm."

Amaterasu looked wide eyed at the little soul orb hovering before her, gingerly reaching out to cup it in her own hands. It felt slightly different from the souls of her own people, but not so different that she couldn't command it. And though she couldn't change its nature, she could bind it to a mortal body for long enough to suit both deities' purposes.

"Very well Illuvitar. We will help each other out in this. I thank you for your assistance, and should you ever need our help-"

"My thanks to you, Goddess of the Sun. May your kingdom prosper."

With that, he slipped back through the ether into his own realm, and Amaterasu turned to address the other gods currently in her council.

"It seems we've been granted a boon. We will not have to reincarnate the soul of our fallen priestess. Humanity is too easily tainted in any case. We shall use this instead." She said, presenting the soul of the little elf maiden to those before her.

"Yes. Yes she will fulfill our purpose splendidly."

And as the gods convened, fate was rewoven as they commanded. A still birth reversed, a baby girl to be cherished. A portal through time, a sleeping boy to wake. A heart pure enough destroy an evil gem in one realm, while her son helped to bring destruction to an evil ring in another.

The cry of an infant filled the hospital room of a young mother and father. Tears spilled from their eyes and hearts, while doctors gaped at the miracle before them. Life, where once had been death. The young woman in the bed snuggled her bundle close, whispering prayers of thanks and protection in her hair.

"Oh, Kagome. My sweet, precious Kagome."