Destiny's Prerogative

Summary: As if fighting Demons and traveling back and forth between times wasn't problematic enough, Kagome has found herself in a time different than that of her own or Inuyasha's, thanks in part to the well, and mostly the now complete Shikon Jewel. To make her life even more annoying, Kilala and Shippou are stuck with her and upon her arrival, she is attacked by...a centipede AGAIN!

Anime/Manga: Tegami Bachi (Letter Bee)/InuYasha

Pairing: Kagome/Zazie

Genre: Romance/Adventure/Angst

Rated: M

If you don't know that series and are interested, you can find the episodes on AnimeFreak (dot) Tv (search under Letter Bee), or you can read the manga on onemanga (dot) com.

Disclaimer: I do not own Tegami Bachi or InuYasha. The characters belong solely to their respectful creators.

Claimer: I do however own this plot AND the poem below. It's called 'Let Me Rise'.

-x-x-x-

A Chance Encounter

-x-x-x-

Let me rise at first glance of sun,

And with bright light,

I shall shine.

Let me guide with a strong body,

And with firm hands,

I shall take yours.

Let me fall with reason,

And with strong sense,

I shall rise again.

(Kagome's P.O.V)

'With strong sense, I shall rise again...damn it.' I held tightly to the rocky ledge of a cliff. The jagged stones had started cutting into my hand, the only one holding me up still. Why, do you ask, am I only holding on with one arm...? Simple my dear friend; I had a broken arm! 'This wouldn't be nearly so bad...if it weren't for the arm!' I pulled myself up as much as possible until I could see over the ledge. Another question you may have is why I am hanging from a ledge with a broken arm in the first place. That to is simple. A forty foot armored bug wanted a word with me. See...simple. It wanted a word with me, I didn't want to talk, it broke my arm with a clawed something or other and knocked me back so far that I am now dangling from a cliff.

"KILALA!" The two-tailed fire neko was dodging claws with Shippou hanging onto her fur for dear life. Having long since changed into her larger form. The cat turned and jumped away from the bug before flying to my side and allowing me the chance to climb onto her back. Shippou clung tightly to me and I glanced down. 'I can't give up,'

I looked around for my bow; it had been knocked from my hands when the oversized bug hit me. I saw it behind the bug and for a second I wondered if I had pissed some deity off that this was all happening to me again. I mean, this was a centipede bug the size of a skyscraper...what is it with me and centipedes!? I saw my chance and grabbed hold of my bow before Kilala took me higher into the sky.

"...There!" I pointed to a pink spot shining from a top the bugs' skull.

"Shippou, hold the bow for me!" I pointed my arrow; I only had two left since the others had fallen down the cliff when I went over.

I would have shot it had a black panther with a wild mane not gotten in my way. "DAMN IT, MOVE!" I shouted to the wild black cat. It glanced up in surprise no doubt and jumped out of my way. With no more obstacles, I let my Miko energy flow through the arrow and to the tip. "RELEASE IT SHIPPOU!"

He did as told and we watched the arrow fly before puncturing the skull of the bug. I don't think I'd ever been more surprised than I was now. The bug blew up into sparkling and shining lights of...nothing. Yet it was still beautiful. The armor, this entire time, it was empty.

"Hey!"

Kagome wearily looked down and saw a boy standing on the cliff where she had moments ago been hanging from. The panther was next to him, nudging him in the leg and asking for attention. I would have commented on how odd it was for a boy no older than her to have a fully trained panther for a pet...but then, who was I to say anything. My own pet wasn't the normal house cat but rather a fire breathing, two tailed, flying demon cat; I have no room to speak.

"...Kilala, land. I need his help finding a place to stay."

The cat nodded and landed. Carefully, I dismounted and she returned to her false form before jumping to my left shoulder, so not to harm my right arm. Shippou hid behind my leg, looking carefully from the boy to the panther, which, now that I looked at it, looked more like a large cat, than a deadly panther. He stared at Kilala and Shippou curiously, but said nothing of his thoughts. "Could you please tell me where I am..."

He looked confused, but nodded none the less. Pulling a map out, he pointed to a spot that looked to be about right outside the second of three rings. "...uh...okay, and that's where?"

"...You are on the outside of Yuusari, and are currently in the Yodaka outskirts." He said blandly. "...you are a Bee?"

"A what; Bee? Like a buzzing bumble bee?"

He glared at me and I just noticed his charcoal grey cat like eyes. They were...beautiful. Shit! 'I can't think like that, though it wasn't inappropriate, they really are beautiful...but STILL!' I didn't realize I was blushing but he obviously did, sense now he was smirking.

"Like what you see?"

"Hmm? I don't see much?" Okay, I had NOT meant for that to sound so insulting! I mentally kicked myself when his eyes turned hard again. "I didn't mean it like that. But you are covered head to toe in clothes, so really, there isn't much to see. But you do have really pretty eyes." I smiled and thought about how corny that sounded, but how true it was.

HA! It was his turn to blush!

"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Kagome." I would have held my hand out to shake his...but one arm was broken, so no hand for that one, and my arm that wasn't broken, had an injured hand that was covered in blood.

"Zazie, this is my Dingo, Wasiolka."

"Dingo...? I thought she was a panther, not a dog..."

"..."

I saw him withhold the face palm and knew that I was off by a lot.

"She is a Large Black Cat, and a Dingo is a partner. It's a term that letter Bee's use."

"You used that word again...what is a Bee?"

"You really don't know?"

I frowned, "Would I be asking if I did? Look, I'm not from around here."

"Yeah, I figured," He looked pointedly to her skirt and she resisted the urge to role her eyes. "Despite not being from around here, you should still know what Letter Bee's are."

"Is that a type of disease?" I asked blandly, hoping he would catch onto my impatience. Normally I wasn't in this kind of mood, but I was still bleeding buckets here and I ached all over. He obviously wasn't a gentleman, or else he would have already offered to help her. Not like she was hiding her injuries him.

"A Bee is a deliverer."

"Why did you think I was one?"

"Bee's are the only ones capable of killing Gaichuu."

"...Bless you?"

His eyes widened and this time he brought his hand up and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Damn, you are giving me a headache."

"You would understand better if I told you the truth, but I won't." I smiled playfully, trying to ignore the throb in my arm.

"...right, look, a Gaichuu is an armored bug with nothing but emptiness beneath its armor. It feeds on the Heart of people. If you have a strong Heart, it will no doubt come to you."

"I see..." I couldn't help the sigh, 'That's another way of saying, people like me are screwed.'

"Momma, does that mean more will come after us?"

"Yeah, pretty much. I'm probably a delicacy for them." I glanced to Shippou before something struck me. "I forgot to introduce these two. This is Kilala," I pointed to my shoulder where the demon cat sat cutely. "And this is my son, Shippou."

His eyes widened, "You are how old?"

I smiled, "Sixteen, no doubt, the same age as you...maybe a little older; Shippou is my adopted son though. I didn't birth him."

Zazie nodded.

"Momma, your hand is still bleeding."

I looked at my hand. Once more I looked around, "Did you see a yellow bag anywhere?" I asked Zazie.

"Ah, Wasiolka."

Apparently, nothing else was needed, the 'Dingo' took off in a random direction and I turned to Zazie. He sat down and I couldn't help but realize we were still on a high ledge. "Better than hanging from it I guess." I had said this to myself, but he'd heard.

"So where are you heading?"

"Central Yuusari."

"Where?"

"..." He pulled the map out once more and pointed to a spot on the second ring, "Central Yuusari."

"Okay, sure. Take me with you."

He stared flabbergasted, "Can't,"

"Why not?!"

"Because, you need a crossing pass."

"We will see about that. Then I'll just follow you."

He stared at me and would have said something, but I stopped him as Wasiolka came back with my yellow bag. "Zazie, I really have no idea about where I am, or what is in this world. Try and understand, I'm not from around here. I hate having to tell stories repetitively, so I'd prefer to wait and talk with someone with a high ranking or a little more power than you."

He really knew how to glare.

"Again, not meant as an insult, but if you can't even help me pass into Yuusari...I believe you called it...then you aren't someone who can help me." I smiled to the cat and took my bag. Grabbing the first aid kit from inside the bag, I pulled it out only for it to be taken from me.

"I can't help you cross Bifrost, but I can help you wrap your injuries at least."

"...thank you, Zazie."

He nodded and began cleaning my wounded hand. I couldn't help but stare at his face the entire time. He had already pulled me down so that I was sitting, which was painful for my butt, but what could I do?

Oh, you guys must be wondering how I got here...let's rewind a bit.

-x-x-x-

(Flashback)

3rd Person P.O.V

-x-x-x-

Kagome walked ahead of Inuyasha and Sango. Shippou and Kilala were with her as she stopped at the edge. "Kagome..." Sango's sad voice carried to her, she turned and gave a sad smile.

Miroku had lost his life when Naraku attempted to take them out with him. He had enlarged the wind tunnel and immediately, he pushed Sango away from him. Inuyasha had to grab hold of her to keep her from getting to close until the area around him settled down again.

"Sango," She ran forward and wrapped her arms around Kagome.

Sesshoumaru had arrived in time to help Inuyasha take Naraku down as they combined their attacks and aimed them at Naraku. I aimed my arrow and at the same time, our combined attacks had hit successfully.

"Sango...you will be okay...right?"

"...Mm, I'll be...alright."

"Inuyasha will take care of you, and so will Sesshoumaru."

"I-I know."

Sango let go of her and Kagome made her way to the lip of the well. Already Sango had given her Kilala. Told her to take Kilala with her, to whatever future she would have. Shippou didn't have a choice, not that he'd cared. He was sad to leave Sango and Inuyasha, hell, he was even sad to leave Sesshoumaru, but he wanted to go with Kagome and she had already told him that after the final battle, he would come home with her.

"I should go now, Sango, Inuyasha...Take care."

"Kagome!" Inuyasha stopped her from continuing and turned her around. He went to kiss her but she placed her hand in-between him and her.

"No, Inuyasha. I saw you with Kikyou, and I heard what you two were saying about me. I won't let you make excuses this time. I can't live my life with you, knowing only half of your heart loves me. I will find someone to love; someone who will love me fully and completely."

"...Kagome..."

She smiled before jumping down the well.

'Let me find someone, I just want to be happy...that's all I want...'

Her body seemed to stop in the well, highlighted in a light pink glow.

'Is that your wish, child?'

'No...Midoriko...it is merely a dream.'

'Even dreams come true, with the right guidance and a little faith, anything can happen.'

Kagome watched as the blue light surrounding her shifted into a light violet before seconds passed and her feet touched the ground.

"Momma?"

"It's...alright Shippou. We are just, taking a detour."

"To another time?"

"..." She chose not to answer, instead, she climbed out of the well and immediately attracted the attention of the villagers around her. They were staring at her as if she was a disease, so she took that as her cu]e and left; Kilala following close behind her. It was only four or possibly five miles away from the village when a large centipede thing appeared out of the barren sands and rocks; throwing things in multiple directions too. She moved to get out of the way and pulled her bow from over her shoulder. She moved to grab an arrow when it whipped one of its arms out and took her by surprise. This caused her to drop the bow as she was thrown past the ledge. Her hands lashed out and took hold of the end rock. 'Shit...' She could hear the growling of Kilala and the yelling and crying out of her son.

-x-x-x-

(End Flashback)

Kagome's P.O.V

-x-x-x-

That's pretty much what happened. I was swept off my feet by a giant bug.

"Done."

I jumped at the sound of Zazie's voice and he raised a brow. His dark feline eyes once again captivated me as he watched me carefully. I fidgeted under his scrutinizing gaze. I felt like he was reading me. Did I have my life story written on my face, in my eyes or on my hands? No, but yet, this boy was seeing something, or maybe he was just staring at me without meaning. Did I have a reason to be nervous? No. Was I? Yes. Why? I had no earthly idea.

"Hey, I'm going now. If your following or not, it doesn't matter to me, but you better make up your mind."

I nodded and stood; that's when I realized he had also wrapped my broken arm in a make shift sling, and I hadn't felt it. "Thank you, thank you very much."

"Tch,"

I always meet these overly stubborn and arrogant guys, why is that. "Shippou, Kilala, stay above us in keep a look out for anything that might be potentially dangerous to us."

"Yes mama!" Shippou jumped up as Kilala changed forms and caught him on his back.

"You definitely could be a Bee."

"..." I turned away so that he didn't see the pink tinge that my cheeks had taken on. It was frustrating; letting people have this kind of effect on me. Well, I don't really care, it's not like he holds anything more over me than he did. In fact, he probably couldn't do anything anyways.

I followed in relative silence and watched as an hour of peace passed before we reached a gate.

"Hey Signal,"

"This government is aware of all information regarding individuals that are permitted to cross the bridge." I looked to my lest to see a cloaked man with silver hair, and bandages wrapped over red scarred eyes that were sealed shut, a pipe in his hands. "I am the Gatekeeper Signal." He said softly. "The blue smoke from this black crystal pipe verifies those who come to cross, the bridge."

Zazie sighed, "I told you that you couldn't cross."

"I have verified the Letter Bee Zazie, age fifteen and his Dingo Wasiolka. I have also verified the Miko Midoriko, and Her Dingo and Child." I looked behind me to where Kilala stood with Shippou on her back.

"Midoriko?"

"..." I stared at the man with a frown, but chose to keep my mouth shut. 'I'm sure this will come back to haunt me...but...damn, I have to say something.' I walked up to the man behind the bars, "Gatekeeper...I'm sorry but, I'm not Midoriko."

"...oh?"

"Yes, my name is Kagome Higurashi, but perhaps, what you see..." I pulled the complete Shikon from around my neck and held it up to the bars. "Is this." I clinked it against the bars a few times and he took it in his hand after following the sound.

"This is complicated...Zazie should take you to the Director. Be sure she gets there, a top priority. I can't verify her as Midoriko anymore."

"..." I sighed, but smiled, 'At least my conscience is cleared.' I took the necklace back and pulled it on, following Zazie through some doors and down some stairs until we came to a bride that was level with the surrounding ocean.

"Don't fall in; I'm not diving in to get you."

"...right." I followed down the walkway and made sure to keep an eye on Kilala and Shippou who flew above and ahead of me. "Kilala, come down here, we will walk from here on."

The fire neko responded by listening. I caught Shippou in my uninjured arm when he jumped and Kilala landed once more on my shoulder. I wasn't sure why, but the previous man's aura was on the other side as well, which was weird, everyone had their own unique aura. Take for instance cat boy Zazie, his was a dark, smooth shade of purple with wisps of lilac mixed in.

It took about thirty minutes to cross at the steady pace we had taken on, and when we got there, we were staring at the same person.

"Hey, Signales, I was told by Signal to take these three to the Director. Want to send word?"

"Already done."

Zazie nodded, "I figured as much." He put his arms behind his neck in a crossed position and waited for the blue smokes confirmation.

"I have verified the Letter Bee Zazie, and his Dingo Wasiolka. I've also verified the Kagome, and Her Dingo and Child."

I was surprised that messages passed so quickly between the twins.

"Please pass through."

I watched with interest as a large gate opened before us. Shippou stared in awe as they walked through to the town, "Momma, what is this place?"

"This..." I smiled, "Is Yuusari, right Zazie?"

He nodded from next to us. "A horse and cart is waiting for us if I―"

"ZAZIE!"

He let his hands fall from behind his head as he turned to me and pointed ahead. "That's Connor, he's a Letter Bee also, but he's also a big softie. His Dingo is a hound dog named Gus. He will be taking us to the Bee Hive."

"...of course..." I smiled, 'What was I expecting them to call their head quarters? Something normal would take away the fun.'

I followed and Zazie introduced me to Connor, or Connor Kluff as the boy had introduced himself. I introduced Kilala and Shippou for the second time that day and climbed into the cart. Zazie sat up front with Connor, I was lying down with my head on Wasiolka's side, Shippou was up front between the two boys and Kilala was curled up by my tummy. I really wanted to just let sleep take me after the days events, but I couldn't do that, not just yet...

-x-x-x-

Me: Hope you all enjoyed this new story. I had to write this crossover since I have become slightly obsessed with Tegami Bachi and Zazie. I will update soon, but please be patient. If you don't know that series and are interested, you can find the episodes on AnimeFreak (dot) Tv (search under Letter Bee), or you can read the manga on onemanga (dot) com. Please Read and Review Sankyu! ^_^''