Kujokokugen would admit, only to herself, that she was a little intimidated by the icy glares shot at her from the Empress and Emperor. She had, of course, hear the phrase if looks could kill, but had never known the truth until that morning. She was a little intimidated, but nothing would stop her in her plan to destroy the saikougenshu and bring the failed experiment called time to a close. She was weary, and bored, and nothing would deter her from her goals.

Lady Kagome took little time in erecting a barrier around her and the forces that stood with her, including her mate. Sesshoumaru growled low at the kami, and pulled zeninusayuu from it's sheath at his back and started calling forth power. Kagome likewise unsheathed Tetsuaiga and started searching for the scar of the wind, hoping to find the point where powers met. She was quite shocked to see no aura about the kami. She was like a void, and was terribly confusing. Kagome put the Tetsuaiga back in it's sheath at her hip, and brought forth her bow. Perhaps that would work better. When she nocked an arrow, she was dismayed to find that while she could feel her reiki all around her, enveloping her in warm comfort, it did not react as it usually would, when an enemy was near. She hoped that the kami would be able to be purified, but was doubtful.

Kujokokugen could not repress her grin. So, the miko turned daiyoukai thought that she would go down easily?

"You are most foolish, empress," she drawled, "Your power was given to you by the kami…did you really think that it would work against us?"

Sesshoumaru did not wait for anymore talk. He swung his arm down and released power from the sword of his family, the sword of ultimate power…

They watched as the silver streaks of light raced towards the kami, all holding their breath, praying it would work. Kujokokugen did not even blink an eye. The destructive power of the sword dissipated before it was even close to her!

She laughed as she watched the dismay on the faces of the saikougenshu. Did they honestly think that she was some pathetic hanyou, or some youkai that would be easily slain? She was a little insulted. She decided it was time for the to see the true power of one such as her. She lifted her hand and poured power into her palm, shining like the brightest diamond. She turned this towards them in a move so fast, even their youkai eyes could not follow. She directed the awesome power directly at the saikougenshu and whispered, "Progress".

Kagome and Sesshoumaru barely had time to prepare when they were bombarded with the attack from the rouge kami. To their unending surprise, they were not affected, even as they saw the trees, flowers, and grass around them age so quickly that they were dust in the blink of an eye. Kagome looked down upon her chest, which was tingling with a strange warmth. The necklace that had been bequeathed to her from Sesshoumaru's mother Keiko was glowing. Even from beyond the grave, she was still protecting her son and his family.

Kujokokugen narrowed her eyes. She did not like being ignored, or thwarted in any way.

"So, I see the rumors were true," she spat at her adversaries. "Keiko really did steal the pendant of protection from the kami that was supposed to be guarding it. I don't see how I could have missed it before. That stupid crescent upon your forehead was a dead giveaway." She narrowed her eyes, "No matter, the protection she has given to you will not last forever. Let's see how long it can survive my power?"

Sesshoumaru gathered his mate in his arms, making sure to shield her from the kami in case anything were to get through the barrier his mother had left to them. He sent a silent prayer of thanks to her for the protection. He just hoped it would be enough.

Blast after blast was leveled against the Emperor and Empress, but still, the barrier held. Kagome whimpered, she could feel it, the pendant's power was weakening. She wasn't sure what she could do.

Sesshoumaru could feel it as well. He knew he would have to do something, but he didn't know what. He had to save his mate. It was worth any price. He closed his eyes, and nuzzled her hair, taking in her glorious scent, as well as something else…a new life. A small smile appeared on his face. His mate sure was fertile!

His protective instincts were on high alert. No one, nothing would harm his mate and pup. He would do anything to protect them…

"Anything, Sesshoumaru?"

He looked around, realizing that he was no longer on the battlefield, and that Kagome was no longer in his arms. He looked around for her, desperate to know she was protected, but could find no trace of her, not even her scent.

He began to panic. Where was he?

"Are you even going to answer me, son?" The voice spoke again.

Sesshoumaru turned around, and saw who was speaking. "Mother! Father!"

His parents stood together, only feet away, his father with an arm around his mother's shoulders, and his mother with her arm around his waist. They looked happy, they looked content.

"Why have you brought me here! Kagome is all alone with that rogue kami! I cannot abandon my mate and pup!" he shouted indignantly.

His mother took a step toward him, and put her hand lightly on his cheek. There were tears running down her lovely face. A face he had not seen since he was a pup. "Do not worry, son, it may seem like you have been here a long time, but on the plane you still live in, it will be as if you never left. Your mate will not even know you were gone."

This calmed Sesshoumaru somewhat, but he still was anxious to return to his Kagome. "Why have you brought me here?"

His father took over. "We needed a place to talk to you once more. We do not have the power to return again. First, let us say how proud of you we both are. You could not have given us more joy than you have, and we are honored to call you our son."

Sesshoumaru looked closely at his father, and could sense no deceit. He turned back towards his mother, who drew him into a tight hug.

"I know that you wish to return, so I will keep this short. The pendant I have given to your mate will not last long. You must face this foe together…"

The images of his parents flickered for a second.

"Mother?"

"…souls together…power…"

"Mother! Father!"

"Look inside…sacrifice…win…"

He screamed again for his mother and father, but the whole scene was fading fast. He heard one last thing, before it was gone. "Love you, son."

Kagome did not know where she was. She only knew that this was not the battlefield, and Sesshoumaru was not next to her.

"Sesshoumaru! SESSHOUMARU!!!" She cried out.

"Jeez, K'gome…why don't you keep it down!"

She knew that voice. She spun around, and there he was…Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha! Where's Sesshoumaru?"

He rolled his eyes. "Still hung up on that stupid icicle?"

Kagome crossed her arms and huffed. "I'll have you know, that icicle is my mate! Watch what you say!"

Kagome hugged him briefly, and then looked around again. "Where are we? Where is Sesshoumaru? Am I dead?"

"One question at a time, wench!" He shook his head in frustration. "You are not dead. He is not here, and I don't know exactly where here is, okay?"

She shook him. "I have to get back! He will wonder where I have gone!"

He grunted. "To him, to everyone, it will seem like you never left, so stop freaking out! I came to tell you that your barrier will not hold forever. You must try something else! Your reiki will not harm the kami, but maybe something else will. Try to figure out what your greatest strength is. That is all I can tell you. You must succeed! The fate of everyone, in all universes, in all of time is counting on you."

Kagome buried her face in her hands. "What if I can't do it? I am not that strong. I am afraid all the time!"

He hooked his clawed hand under her chin, and looked into her teary eyes. "I know you are afraid, but you must succeed. Look into your heart. It will guide you, always."

He started to fade out, and as he did, she made to hug him once more. Her arms passed through the air. She looked into his face. "Goodbye Inuyasha! I will always love you! You were my best friend!"

"Don't forget, Kagome…"

She could hear nothing more, as he faded from sight, and suddenly…

She was on the field of battle again. It seemed like no time at all had passed. She was still in Sesshoumaru's arms. She looked into his eyes, and all at once, she knew what she must do. It was time she gave all for her family, for her love, for her soul's mate…

A/N: Sorry for the long gap in updates! I promise to do better!