Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. All rights belong to Takahashi, Rumiko.

Warning: This story will contain character death. A sequel chapter with alternate ending will be made after the story is completed.

The Wish That Sealed Her Fate

There is a dark void; filling me with its emptiness. How ironic that something so nihilistic could consume someone completely. However, there is a strange want deep inside. Lurking silently at the very bottom, slowly driving me crazy with its burning intensity. What is this? It's the only thing standing between me and that devouring darkness, shinning vaguely in the depths of my soul. What does it want? If not for this secret yearning, I would surrender to nothingness, staring blankly at the same colorless sky day after day. Tell me, please...What are you, oh cruel desire? Why won't you let me fall, let me rest, let me disappear?

Sometimes, a familiar face flashes through tangled visions; happy memories of another time. Angelic features on a regal face etched in a perpetual serene expression. All except for intense golden eyes; devastatingly entrancing, full of burning passion. I remember those beautiful amber pools following my every movement, stalking me as I hid from them foolishly. I was young and drunk on life's nectar, unwilling to understand the depth of his obsession until it was too late. He was ancient, had tasted all that life had to offer, yet he lingered on waiting, for something I could neither understand nor could I give at the time.

Everyone has wondered at least once in their lifetime what it means to truly love someone; yearn for that person so much that the line between love and hate blurs indiscriminately. I was torn, caught by my first tentative encounter with illusory affection that I failed to notice the deeper, darker pull of real love; the desperate feeling of wanting something forbidden which could devour your whole being without asking for permission. By the time I realized this, he was gone and all I was left with was bitter longing and the echo of a taunting promise, accompanying me through eternity.

Kagome

"I can grant your deepest desires, miko. Choose; what do you yearn for the most? I will make it a reality." The hypnotic, androgynous voice tempted Kagome with visions of an idyllic future. Silver haired children with cute dog ears running through a meadow of flowers while laughing jovially. Strong, dependable arms circling her waist in what she had previously thought to be the safest embrace in the world. Beloved friends sharing amusing stories over a vibrant campfire without fear of a brutal, unexpected attack coming.

Then, the visions changed; turned into something terrifyingly gruesome. Countless demons tearing through her vulnerable form, breaking her repeatedly only for her bloody pieces to be sawn back together, so the endless torture could begin anew. No, this was not her she realized belatedly with absolute horror. The armored woman looked familiar with that pure, blinding reiki, but it was not her.

"Midoriko." The cold, eerie voice provided the name she was seeking; insinuating what her fate would be should she make the tragic mistake of wishing selfishly.

"What do you want from me!?" she cried out desperately, reaching blindly through the darkness for a sliver of light, something to hold on to in this despondent black hole.

"Choose." The materialized voice of the Shikon no Tama reiterated.

"But choose wisely." A delicate yet strong feminine voice added as she felt a sudden warmth engulfing her, caressing her chilled body lovingly.

"Peace! I wish all the pointless, sorrowful battles over this cursed jewel would cease once and for all," she exclaimed breathlessly, borrowing strength from the faint spiritual presence of her predecessor.

"Sacrifice! Sacrifice! Sacrifice!" Guttural, malicious voices erupted inside the dark dimension deafening in their demand.

"That was truly a selfless wish, child; however, I am afraid your trials do not end here." The saddened voice of her predecessor informed her with regret lacing her condemning words as a radiant visage of the warrior miko appeared before Kagome. Stunned by the woman's beauty and glorious aura, she watched helpless as Midoriko placed her palm on Kagome's heart and that brilliant glow was passed onto her, filling her soul to the brim. The previous miko's visage then dimmed as her apparition shattered into a million tiny lights, disappearing forever.

"My gift to you for what is to come. I am sorry, but your fate is sealed, child. The consequences of being the Shikon's guardian are greater than you could have ever imagined." Midoriko's parting words echoed through Kagome's mind while tears sprang from her eyes, realizing the horrible reality that had become her life.

"Please! No, this has to be a mistake! Midoriko!" Kagome cried out desperately, overwhelmed by the added spiritual powers and new found battle experience, gained by Midoriko's sacrifice. She had absorbed the mighty miko's reiki and combat abilities at the highest price.

"What am I supposed to do now? What is my fate? What's going to happen to me?" she demanded with bitter grief, collapsing to her knees with a defeated expression.

"You must guard me through eternity, bound by invisible shackles forever. However, do not worry, Kagome. I will devour you as I have done with countless others before and your suffering will be no more." The cursed jewel's now purely demonic voice taunted her cruelly, relaying what her bleak future would be from now on.

She had wished for peace and coexistence. It was her duty to make sure her wish was realized by not allowing the evil inside the Shikon to devour her soul and wreak havoc on the land at the cost of her freedom. She may not have been trapped inside the jewel's tainted core, fighting for balance with hordes of blood thirsty demons, but it was the same nonetheless. Her life belonged to her no more.

I will be updating this story biweekly. The chapters will be around 1,000 words in length more or so. The beginning of each chapter will always contain thoughts of the characters.

I wish to thank my wonderful Beta for helping me with yet another story. Many thanks, Beloved Stranger.

It is also posted on Dokuga under the pen name Stella.