AN:Hey ladies and gents! Guess who lost their job and isn't too sad about it? This here writer! I missed all of you and my writing and your sweet comments so much! kimchi759 wrote me a comment that really spurred me on to update today, and just know that a well-timed comment almost always fuels my brain for a new chapter. Sometimes I get discouraged and don't know what I should do next, and you guys always seem to write in at just the right moment to encourage me, so thank you all!

Chapter Eight:The Girl Who Sheds Blood.

Natasha was sleeping like a child when Fury arrived to confront Kagome, Thor and Loki. The group had not moved from their spot in the hallway, and Natasha looked paler than any living person had the right to look. Hawkeye was watching Kagome intently, his eye straying to Natasha every few seconds. If Kagome had killed her, she knew Hawkeye might well exact a revenge even Fury couldn't dissuade him from.

It was her fault. Kagome had repeatedly asked her to call the Director. If the Black Widow hadn't been so antsy to pick a fight with her, no harm would have come to her. But Kagome wasn't heartless. She already felt badly for having to subdue the woman. But why had her power caused such a bad reaction? Natasha was human, and shouldn't have responded so violently to the purifying energy. But then again her powers had expanded with the Jewel's destruction. Perhaps this was a consequence of that.

"Take her to the medical bay. Now."

Hawkeye was about to protest, but did as he was asked. After all, it was what he truly wanted to do. But duty was supposed to come before his desire to help his..ally. Fury wouldn't send him off if he didn't think he had everything under control. The swish of his coat was all Kagome heard in the hall. Everything was soft and dangerous now, quiet as a glen before the hunter sprang his trap.

Loki and Thor had taken position to either side of her. Thor knew better than to touch his hammer. Fury would take that as a sign and..well. Whatever half-cocked plan the humans had in place. Perhaps more Tessaract generated weapons. Or worse; they would send Tony, Bruce, and Steve after them. He couldn't fight his comrades. It would mean leaving Earth without his woman, and potentially never having the chance to return.

But the way they were treating Kagome and his brother was unjust. He was a ruler, it was his duty to protect his people and preferably all people in his sight from such injustices. What good be a crown that came without the power to keep others from suffering?

Fury seemed to be trying to read them. Loki was starting to get a handle on the situation, especially with Kagome standing in the lead, her dark hair rippling free and her grey-blue eyes dangerous and unreadable. Had she really done this to protest being cut off from him?

"She attacked me when I asked peacefully to speak with you. I defended myself and then backed off once she was subdued. I don't intend any harm to anyone, but I am not a citizen here and refuse to be mistreated and told whom I can and cannot see. If you refuse to let me see Loki I will take the three of us to Asgard. Along with any benefit I might pose to your current predicament with this mystery villain who is on the way."

Fury looked like he might bust a blood vessel. His voice was soft and dangerous.

"You didn't intend harm, but you sure as hell managed to dole it out, little girl. Do you really think Loki can be reformed? He nearly destroyed this planet. If he can find a way to use you against us, do you really think I can allow that?"

Loki felt a wave of irrational anger sweep down his back, making him bristle like a porcupine. But just as he was about to defend himself he realized Fury was correct. If he had just met Kagome and knew of her power, he would certainly exploit her for his own benefit. But..now it was different. He knew without thinking twice that if he wished for any of the dark desires of his heart that Kagome would have no choice right now in granting them.. but he would lose her forever.

And Loki couldn't chance that. Not after being around her for so long. Not after growing attached. Besides.. it would be far better to obtain his greatness without anyone's help. She could be his strong right hand.

Loki made a choice then.

Loki met Kagome's eye, turning her head from Fury effortlessly. It was like she knew, and couldn't look away.

Green eyes met hers, and Kagome felt weightless and full of trust. She somehow knew that Loki wouldn't jeopardise this.

"He speaks the truth. The only way to remain here is for one of us to sacrifice something. I wish to prove my loyalty. My loyalty to you."

Loki knelt then, and Thor felt his chest tighten in pride. His eyes began to wet with tears, which he worked hard to blink away. Only Loki would do such things at a time like this. But it was the leap his brother was making that astounded him. A leap of faith. Faith that Kagome was someone who would understand and not abuse the things Loki offered.

"When Asgardians swear, we swear in blood. Our blood contains the essence of our beings. If we break an oath made in blood, we die."

Kagome gasped, immediately trying to speak over him when the trickster's index and middle finger came to rest over her full lips. The motion left him with shivers down his spine, but he chalked it up to the momentous feeling of the moment. She quieted for him, and Loki offered her his hand. Remembering she carried a few small knives, Kagome removed one from a pocket and offered it to him. Loki sliced a shallow cut into the palm of his hand, and Kagome was mesmerized by how dark his blood cut her palm as well, and she couldn't feel it. He had done it as gently as he would stroke her hair.

"I, Loki Laufeyson do swear in blood that I shall protect and honor the Priestess Kagome Higurashi in word, deed, and thought. That I shall not abuse her power directly or indirectly. That I shall keep others from doing the same. Should I break this oath, may my soul be ripped from my body. For should I fail her, I would not deserve to keep it."

He kept her eyes the entire time. Kagome's own were wet with tears, but Loki remained kneeling.

"I would also like to wish.. that nobody be able to make wishes without Kagome's consent. So that she may lead a safer life, uninhibited by people trying to abuse her."

Nobody had thought of that. Kagome's body seemed to illuminate from the inside out, the faint pink glow rising until it formed a barrier over the top layer of her skin. It receded after a few moments, but Kagome nearly tackled Loki to the ground, dropping to embrace him and bowling him off his knees.

He kissed his cheeks, crying and smiling and all sweetness now that the danger(to her knowledge)had passed.

Loki fought himself not to lean in for a proper embrace. He was still stiffly watching Fury. But he did fold Kagome tightly to his chest, securing her with an arm. Thor stood ready to protect them as well. It was perhaps the only time he ever appreciated having his brother around.

"Is that satisfactory?"

Fury looked like he was ready to lose his mind. Now he had to put faith in alien blood rituals? What if it was all mumbo-jumbo? Thor would likely swear to it, and then when the shit hit the fan Loki would use Kagome- but then again he had wished for her to be esssentially unwishable. Fury knew as well as Loki did that if he forced Kagome's hand and refused to let her see the alien, she would make good on her promise and he would alienate her.

Damn it.

"You attacked my agent. As long as she lives we won't have an..issue. But next time, come to me before you spring a prisoner and try to go commando. The last thing we need is more damage dealt to this Helicarrier. Loki needs to be secured, and then-"

Thor spoke then, which surprised Loki.

"Nay. You cannot keep him in a single room alone anymore. I am responsible for him, and long have I allowed him to be kept too chained. If human imprisonment is based around the concept of rehabilitation, I do not see how locking him out of sight and simply feeding him enough to keep him from death counts as rehabilitation. Lady Kagome has been far more successful in reaching him. Keeping them together would be a better course, and we can't waste time guarding him when we need to train and prepare for what approaches."

Fury was about to speak when Thor cut him off.

"This is not negotiable. If you refuse Lady Kagome has already offered to return us to Asgard."

He wanted to strangle them. All of them.

"...Well then this isn't up for debate. But I warn you now. Any move he makes, you two are responsible for. And if he takes a single human life while he is under your protection, I will lock both of you in a cell with him!"

Fury turned and left, a flip of his coat the only outward sign that his mood was currently matching his ominous name.