~Special Announcement~ Today's chapter is dedicated to: All my amazing readers! I love you guys so much!

Disclaimer: I do not own either one of these great manga/anime. Red River belongs to Chie Shinohara and Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.

Summary: All Kagome has ever wanted was for the Well to reopen so that she could return to her first love, Inuyasha. But the Fates had different plans for when. After she was forced to try to forget her life in the Sengoku Jidai, Kagome rejects Hojo's confession of love to her and ran when he got forceful. Then something happened, she was pulled down into a lake by the Queen of the Hittite's to be sacrifice for a Katashiro.

Before the queen could do so, she is saved by the Third Prince – Kail Mursili and became his concubine and then the incarnate of Ishtar, Goddess of Beauty and War. Now, she must fight her way back home as well as whatever the Fates throw at her.

As Fate Would Have It

Ramses placed his hands on his hips as he stood proudly as the wind blew against him. A proud look found its way to his face as he watched the Hittites retreat from their weak defensive positions. "We've won." he said confidently, his heterochromatic eyes shined glee from his victory over Kail. 'I'm surprised Mursili II was so ill prepared for this battle. Still, I'm pleased that we've crossed the Orontes.' He chuckled as he formulated his plans further. 'After bringing Ugarit under Egyptian control, I will move on to Hattusa.'

"General Ramses!" a foot soldier called out, gaining the blond's attention. "The Pharaoh has just arrived from Thebes."

"Has he, now?" Ramses said with a look of distaste. So, he would do all the hard work and the so-called Pharaoh would reap the benefits. "And just in time to take credit for my victory." he sighed, and he turned away from the foot soldier, reaching up to tug his scarf from his head. "Don't worry. I will hand over command to him."

The Egyptian warrior gave the General an incredible look as Ramses began to walk away from his post. "Sir? Where are you going?"

Ramses spat out the saliva that was collecting his mouth. He shot the soldier a coy smile as his golden hair was blown by the breeze that shifted through the air. "With the Pharaoh on the scene, I'm redundant." He pointed his thumb at himself, his lips spreading into a wider grin as his eyes sparkled mischievously. "I've got a considerable amount of leave saved up. And a vacation in Byblos sounds mighty appealing right now."

With the retreating Hittite Army, everyone was concerned for Kail's health. Although it seemed that he was feeling a bit better, no one was for certain what caused him to be so ill. Mettannamuwa and Kash rode behind the Emperor's flank, keeping a close eye on their surroundings so that no enemy could sneak up on them and harm the blond Emperor.

"How is His Majesty fairing?" the bald man asked, his concern growing by the minute. He's never seen Kail in such a frail state.

Kash shook his head. "He seems to be feeling a little better." His brown eyes gazed at his friend and higher-up.

Mettannamuwa's grey eyes locked the flowing cloak of the Emperor. "Wonder what was wrong with him?" he pondered about what could be wrong with Kail. The Emperor did say that he had a touch of nausea. "Could it be something he ate?"

"I think it was stress."

"Stress?" Mettannamuwa repeated his eyes growing wide. "Well, with his brother dying in his arms."

Kash interrupted the older man. "It's not that. His Majesty managed to attend State and Military affairs even at the time of death with his Father, Emperor Suppliululimas and when he lost another brother, Prince Zannanza, whom he trusted more than anyone." No, the redhead knew what kind of stress was impeding the Emperor very well. He had the same stress when he knew that he was going to lose the love of his life. "What troubles him, I think, is Princess Kagome. It's her fate." He cringed, knowing that he would have gotten an evil glare from the priestess for saying that word. "Not knowing if she's alive or dead that's putting a strain on His Majesty's health."

Though they knew the risks, they all wanted Kail to marry Kagome. So, they knew that her loss could well be a mortal low. Everyone knew how badly Kail needs Kagome at his side. And if Kagome is truly gone, then all their hopes for the future have left with her. The two commanders looked at their Emperor with concern shining in their eyes and even in the brisk wind from the speed the chariot was going there was still a sheen of sweat coating Kail's face and the tired look in his ocher eyes.

As the ship settled on the dock, Rusafa quickly scooped Kagome into his arms and rushed her to the closest doctor that the captain told him of. He burst into the building; his voice frantic as he called out for the doctors. The deputy made sure that the glowing marking on Kagome's chest was well covered as he laid her gently down on the examination table for the doctor to look at her. Rusafa waited anxiously as the physician took his time taking the Princess' vitals. "Tell me, doctor!" he exclaimed in a panic. "Will Ish...I mean Pri...I mean my little sister be alright." In his frantic haste, he nearly revealed their identities.

The doctor moved away from Kagome and covered her body up with a thick blanket to preserve her body heat. "I don't like the way things look." he clicked his tongue as he watched the girl curl onto her side, cradling her stomach as her brow furled in pain. "You said she'd been in the water for some time after the shipwreck, that ordeal has certainly weakened her. It's not just her baby, her own life is in grave peril."

Kagome flipped over on her back and let out a tear-jerking scream. "My baby! Please save my baby!" Sweat dripped down her face as she panted in exhaustion. Her internal fight with Ankoku was draining her of her reiki, so she could not heal her body on her own. Rusafa was by her side in a matter of seconds, placing a cool, wet rag on her forehead, his eyes brimming with concern. He knew that from the dark violet glow of the marking that Kagome was losing her battle.

'She could die? But Princess Kagome is the Hittite Empire's Goddess of War and her baby is the first child of our Emperor.' His fist clenched tightly at the thought of losing both Kagome and her unborn child. 'I brought her to Byblos hoping she would recover, and I could take her back, alive and well to His Majesty. He rose to his feet and approached the physician with determination in his eyes. "Doctor! Please do what you must to save them! I'll give you anything if you do that!" he reached around his neck and pulled the golden choker that Kash had given him when he became the Deputy and pushed it towards the man. "Here take this in token!"

"No, I can't accept it." the doctor denied, shaking his head sadly. "There's really nothing else I can do for her! We can only keep her warm, give her medicinal tea and pray." He reached for the rag that was draped over the back of his chair and wiped his hands, "There are better doctors within the Egyptian forces though. Egyptian medicine is the best in the world. But they may not be inclined to treat a civilian patient."

Rusafa paused, his fingers coming up to caress his chin in thought. 'If I reveal Princess Kagome's true identity, they might agree to treat her. But they could well hold her hostage or, in the worst case even kill her! What should I do?'

The doctor's wife approached the deputy with her face lit with concern. "I've heard that the Egyptian Commander is a decent man." she placed her hand on her cheek as she watched the young girl squirm in pain on the bed. "His name is Ramses, I think."

"Ramses?!"

The doctor shook his head as he walked over to the basin filled with cool water and rinsed a new rag for Kagome. "I doubt he'd agree to it. The Egyptians are very preoccupied with their war against the Hittites."

Rusafa grit his teeth as uncertainty filled his being. He was sure that Ramses would arrange for the priestess to see a good doctor, but he also knew of the obsessive "love" the blond man had for Kagome. He cringed when Kagome let out another heart-wrenching plea for her unborn child. His mind was made up, Rusafa walked over to Kagome and placed his hand on her cheek gently before muttering an apology.

"What did you say?" An Egyptian guard demanded. "You want to see General Ramses? Why would His Excellency wish to waste his time on a civilian?" he gaffed, pointing his spear in Rusafa's face in a menacing manner.

The Deputy did not yield from the threatening way the Egyptian stood over his kneeling form. 'I know what I'm asking must seem ridiculous, but I have no choice!' "I beg you!" he said in a strong, clear voice. "Please ask your superior to arrange a meeting with General Ramses for me!" His eyes widened when the guards denied his request, turning their back to him in dismissal. "Please! It's important!" he reached into the strap of his robe and pulled out one of Kagome's necklaces. "Here, to compensate you for your kindness..." but then the pretty jewelry was taken out of his hands from behind.

"Ho!" the guard that snatched the necklace away hummed as he took a swig of the alcohol in his jug. "This looks expensive. We might arrange that meeting for you after all."

Rusafa's ebony eyes widened in realization. "You! You're the soldiers who were on the Canaanite ship!"

"It's pathetic to see a grown man beggin' on his knees." The man took another swig from his jug and hiccupped drunkenly. "She's just your stupid sister. Why make such a spectacle of yourself over the li'l snip." He then held the necklace up in the air, watching it gleam in the moonlight. "As I said, we could arrange that meeting, but this isn't enough."

One of the other men noticed Rusafa's sword resting on the ground next to him. "He has a sword. What use is that to a merchant?"

Rusafa cried out as he quickly grabbed the sheath of his blade but was not quick enough as the sword slid from its covering and gleamed brightly in the light. "Give it back!"

"A most unusual sword, too." the man slurred, admiring the shine of the blade against the moon. "Too fine for a merchant. We'll keep it for you."

Sweat dripped down the deputy's face as he felt his pride as a soldier slowly being revoked now that his sword was taken. "Alright." he nodded in agreement as he reached into his strap and pulled out a cloth. "Take it if you want. In return, show this to General Ramses and tell him the owner of this necklace needs to see a doctor." he pulled the cloth away to reveal the onyx stone that Kagome had inlaid into a golden choker. "That's all I ask of you. Will you do it? Will you deliver my message?" He cringed when the man swiped Kagome's necklace out of his hand and gave a drunken smile. "Say you'll give him my message!" he pleaded harsher than intended.

The Egyptians looked at Rusafa for a minute to let his words register in their inebriated minds before shoving him hard. "This your way of askin' for a favor? How rude!"

"Bow on the ground and say, "Please give my message to General Ramses."" The one who snatched the golden choker out of his Rusafa's hands demanded. He snorted when the black-haired man glared at him venomously. "What an insolent fellow you are? Still can't fault you for a lack of pride."

The crowd began laughing at Rusafa as they shot jeers at him. "You want us to relay your message to General Ramses, don't you? They dangled the golden choker in his face swaying it back and forth. "You want to arrange a doctor for your little sister who is about to miscarry, isn't that right?"

Rusafa clenched his teeth together as the truth of the man's words rang in his ears. Kagome desperately needed to see a better doctor if he wanted to save her life. Slowly, he knelt on the ground and bowed his head. He growled deep within his chest when the Egyptian suddenly slammed his face into the rocky surface of the ground, cutting his cheek. He could hear the crowd around him snickering louder at his shameful display and clenched his fists tighter.

"I guess you don't want to say "please," eh?" the large tanned man commented. "Then you don't want us to convey your message?"

Sweat rolled down the deputy's face as his pride diminished as his concern and love for the Princess grew. Rusafa sighed quietly as he unclenched his fists, resting his fingers in the rocky ground. "I beg your pardon." he spoke quietly. "Please, take my message to General Ramses."

The crowd erupted into cackles at Rusafa's plea. The foot on the black-haired deputy grinded down slightly, tangling up his hair. "Just a lowly worm." he huffed out, a slight slur to his words. "Is he really a man? Look, he's too scared to stand up." The Egyptian removed his sandal from Rusafa's head, allowing him to look up. "Let's go."

Rusafa shot up, his eyes wide as he pleased once more. "Please! Take the necklace to General Ramses for me!"

"He's still on that nonsense!" One Egyptian laughed loudly.

'Make fun of me if you want!' Rusafa thought as he watched the tanned, drunk men walk away and into a tavern. He gritted his teeth as he thought of Kagome writhing in pain on the doctor's bed. 'But while I have no reason to trust Egyptians, I know of no one else to ask! If I can't see Ramses, Princess Kagome may not survive!'

Inside the tavern, the Egyptians were still having a grand laugh at the expense of the "merchant" outside. They had women draped across their laps, and more offering them alcohol. "Teasin' that fella was fun!" one of them slurred as he reached behind him to grab the woman rubbing his shoulders.

"Haha! Another laughed as the woman in his lap pepper kisses along his chest, his loins beginning to stir with desire. "Yeah, what a weakling!" he turned to his commanding officer with a drunken grin. "Are you gonna pass his message on to the General?"

The man who had publicly embarrassed Rusafa let out a hiccup-burp as he caressed the woman in his lap with one hand, the other holding a goblet of alcohol. "You kiddin'" he hiccupped again. "Why would I bother t'do that?" He pulled the jewelry out of the tie in his sash, watching it glitter even in the dull lighting of the tavern. "Once we sell this jewelry, we can have lots more fun."

"Yer right!" another agreed as he pulled one of the whores into a deep kiss.

The Egyptian, who took Rusafa's sword, pulled the blade from its sheath, examining it closely. "Huh!" he said, flipping the sword around in his hands, trying to figure out what it was made of. "This sword's really something. It doesn't look like bronze." He held the sword up into the light to get a better look at it with her swimming vision.

"Hey!" another Egyptian called out, rising to his feet. "Let me see that sword."

"Oh! Commander Waset!" He handed the sword over quickly to his higher-ranking officer.

Waset inspected the blade closely, noting that the metal was a deeper gray color than usual bronze swords. He narrowed his eyes as she turned back to the foot solider. "Where did you obtain this sword?" he demanded.

The foot soldier stuttered, his voice cracking under pressure. "Uh... we, we bought it from a merchant in Ugarit, sir."

"Don't give me that!" Waset scowled as he snatched the sheath out of the man's hands and placed the sword back inside it. "This has an iron blade! Only the Hittite make such weapons, and they're extremely expensive! There's no way someone like you could afford it!" He placed stern eyes on the drunken soldier who obtained the weapon. "Come on! I'm taking this matter to General Ramses!"

Ramses held the iron blade in his hand as he crossed his legs, petting the dog resting next to him. His heterochromatic eyes glared down at the three groveling soldiers before him. He ushered away his pet lest the blood of these men stain his golden coat if they dared to lie to him like they tried with Waset. "Now explain to me how you came by this iron sword. Are you working for the Hittites? Is this some sort of reward?"

"Oh no, General!" they began, their voices thick with fear. "A merchant gave it to us in return for doing him a favor!" The middle soldier nodded his head in agreement and pulled something out his sash. "Yes, sir. He had something he wanted us to show you."

This piqued Ramses' attention as he watched the soldier offer something wrapped in a cloth. "What is it?"

The soldier carefully unwrapped the cloth and presented Ramses with the jewelry. "This, sir. He asked for the services of one of our doctors. He said his little sister is having a miscarriage and her life is in danger."

Ramses' eyes shot open wide at the sight of the golden choker, the onyx gem gleaming up at him in the candlelight. He reached out to touch it, making sure that it was real. 'This is Kagome's necklace!' Ramses rose out of the chair, walking towards the soldiers. "So, what we have here is a medical emergency?" He yanked the man off the ground by his necklace, pulling him close so that he could see the venom in his gold and sepia eyes "If this merchant's sister dies, I'll personally drag you back to Egypt and feed you to the crocodiles!" Ramses let the man fall back onto the ground as he called for his commander. "Waset! Summon my best surgeons! Take me to this girl and hustle! Every second counts!"

Kagome moaned weakly as she pleaded to whatever God would hear her, "No! Not my baby...please not my baby..." she reached her hand out as if to stop something from taking her precious child.

Rusafa felt pain grip his heart at his helplessness. Kagome was fighting an internal battle to protect her child and was using up all her energy for the fight and was not focusing on healing herself. "Princess Kagome..." he whispered, grasping her hand, despite the flash of her sacred energy trying to ward him off. He ignored the pain as he stroked her flesh soothingly. "I've sent for help, so hold on. You'll be alright, I swear."

Suddenly the door burst open as Ramses rushed into the room, his eyes wide with fear for the woman he loved. "Kagome!" he called out, looking for her. "Is she still alive?!" He ignored the doctor and his wife as he spotted Rusafa holding onto Kagome's hand delicately. "Rusafa! I knew it was you. "he walked over to the priestess and took in her sweaty body. "I've brought the doctors you requested."

The doctors walked into the room and quickly began to examine Kagome's body. They took note of the dark purple bruise that was forming on the middle of her stomach and the blood that was dripping down her legs. "Hmm... this girl is in a bad way. All men, please leave the room. Lady, bring us more hot water!"

Outside the building the physician bowed before the General, singing praises to him. "General, I never dreamed so great a personage as you would visit my humble clinic!"

Ramses never took his eyes off the door of the clinic as his worry for Kagome grew with each passing second. "I am the father of her baby."

Rusafa scoffed a little under his breath at the blatant lie.

"Hee..." the soldiers shrieked. "The baby is yours, sir? We...we're terribly sorry, sir! We didn't know!"

The Egyptian General glanced over at Rusafa and noticed the lightly bleeding wound on his cheek. Ramses walked over to the deputy and took his chin in his fingers. "Who scarred this man's face?" He turned a slight smile at the soldiers, his face tight, "Perhaps I'll throw you in the Nile after all." the General chuckled when the foot solider pleaded for his forgiveness. "Tell you what..." Ramses let Rusafa's chin go. "Fight this man hand-to-hand. If you win, you're in the clear. I can't imagine this man poses much of a challenge to an Egyptian soldier."

"The General doesn't know the merchant is a coward."

"Right. Our comrade will win easily."

The larger Egyptian soldier charged at Rusafa with his hands spread to put him in a choke hold. The deputy remained where he was causing the others to jeer at him, saying that he was frozen with fear and couldn't defend himself. Rusafa sidestepped the large Egyptian's attack and wrapped his hand around his neck and brought his knee up, striking him painfully in the gut. He watched as the man's eyes bulged out from their sockets before letting him slide off to collapse against the ground.

Ramses scoffed, "Hardly worth the trouble. At least it was quick." He chuckled when he heard the quiet giggles of the townspeople behind him. Crossing his arms over his chest, the General said, "Drunken oaf! A disgrace to your country! It's the front lines for all three of you. It will be a lesson for the rest of the troops. Discipline has been lax lately." he watched as Waset took the three men away to prepare to send them to their newly assigned task. "Wouldn't these fools be surprised to learn that their meek merchant was actually a top commander of the Hittite Army?"

"Why did you want us to fight?" Rusafa asked.

"Sir!" one of the doctors called out.

Ramses immediately gave him his full attention. "How...How's Kagome?"

The doctor gave them a grim frown as he shook his head sadly. "We couldn't prevent the miscarriage. She lost the child."

Kagome watched with teary eyes as the Shikon-possessed Ankoku approached her with every intent to steal her baby from her. She should feel the pain of the spear stabbing at her womb, the one place that was supposed to house and protect her unborn child from all harm while developing. "Please..." she whispered, placing her hands over her pierced belly as if to shield it from the demoness. "Don't do this...I need my baby...Kail needs our baby..."

Ankoku's glowing red eyes seemed to soften briefly before a cruel smile curled at her lips. "The Shikon demands its product of true love and we shall have it!" She wrapped a clawed hand around the shaft of the weapon and yanked it out brutally.

The Princess have out a loud wail as blood gushed from the wound. She could literally feel her baby leaving her body through the opening in her body. Kagome watched as the little fetus slowly began to glow as its body began to form. Tears swelled in her eyes as she realized that it was a girl. Her little princess was leaving her body to be trapped within the Shikon forever. "My baby girl! No! You can't have her!" Kagome reached out for her child as the Ankoku cooed at the little girl, beckoning her close.

The baby waddled over to the strange looking woman, the sight of her familiar. Was she her mommy? She smiled brightly at Ankoku and raised her little arms, wanting to be picked up. The baby was nearly in front of the demoness when a bright flash of blue light lit up the darkness that was the space they resided in. The baby looked over at the glow and giggled happily.

Kagome shielded her eyes from the glow until it receded, and her mouth dropped. "Ursula-san?!"

Ursula smiled as she held out her arms for the golden-haired baby. "Come here, sweet child, I will keep you safe." She smiled when the child raised her hands happily and waddled over to her quickly. Ursula sensed the vileness that was approaching her and quickly used the tear gem around her neck to blast it away. "You will not take Princess Kagome's first child, demon! I'm here to protect her soul until she can be reincarnated! That is what Lady Fate told me to do!" She picked the smiling baby up in her arms and cradled her close.

The Shikon no Miko gasped. Fate sent Ursula to her to save her baby's soul. While it was a kind gesture, she needed her baby to return to its safe haven within her womb. "My baby, please come back to me! Your family needs you. Don't go! If you do, I'll go with you." she reached out for her giggling princess when a hand was placed gently on her shoulder. She looked to see who was touching her and saw that it was Prince Mali Piyasili! "Prince Mali?" she questioned.

"Princess Kagome, you will not go with them." he commanded softly. "Lady Fate thought that you would try to go with your baby, so she sent me here also." He pointed a finger towards the light behind her, her consciousness. "You will return to life and to Brother Kail, who waits for you." He saw the demoness trying to approach Ursula and the little princess again and his eyes flashed. The ground opened and trapped Ankoku's foot within it. "You, demon, will not have the baby's soul! Ursula, take the princess away."

"No!" Kagome begged. "Wait, Ursula-san! Don't take my baby away from me!" She reached out for the woman who was moving away with her precious daughter. "Wait! Please!" Tears fell unbidden down her face as she watched Ursula disappear in the darkness with her beautiful child. The product of her and Kail's love. Trapped within the tear gem with Ursula until reincarnation. "NOOOO!" She screamed out.

The youkai of the Shikon, dissatisfied that their reward was taken from them, released Ankoku from their hold, allowing the demoness back control over her body. She fell to her knees, weakened from the experience as Mali's enchantment faded away with his soul. She never wanted to go through that type of hellish treatment again. She'd rather have the purity in her soul purify her with the intensity of a thousand suns than have those youkai take over her mind and body again like that. Her golden-orange eyes opened to spot Kagome bleeding on the ground, tears streaming down her porcelain face. "Lady Kagome!" She shot up and rushed over to the fallen priestess. "I'm so sorry! I couldn't stop them from taking your baby. I understand if you want to purify me from your soul."

Kagome cried silently as she turned her gaze up at a face so much like her own. "A-A-Ankoku..." she sniffed before throwing her arms around the demoness, ignoring the pain from the wound in her stomach. She could feel her reiki slowly beginning to heal her body now that the youkai of the Shikon have left. "M-m-my b-baby... Ursula-san has my baby with her inside the tear gem!"

Ankoku was shocked at first at the news but felt relief that she had not fulfilled the youkai's purpose of taking Kagome's firstborn child as their reward. Now that the child was out of their reach, they will have no reason to return for anymore of the priestess' children. "Oh, Lady Kagome..." She stroked her mistress' hair softly. "I'm sure Ursula will care for your baby until it is time for you to be together again." Ankoku tried to soothe her mistress, but it was to avail. She knew that only Kail would be able to heal her grief. "Let's get you back. I can smell Ramses' and Rusafa's worry for you."

Kagome slowly opened her dark blue eyes and took in her surroundings. Memories of what happened flooded her mind and she whimpered softly when Ramses and Rusafa shouted out her name, asking her to speak. She closed her eyes and turned her head to the side. "I hear you, Ramses and Rusafa." Tears sparkled on her lashes as she spoke, "My baby...my beautiful baby girl...is with Ursula-san..."

Ramses said nothing as he approached the weakened princess. He placed his hand gently on her forehead and stroked her bangs. "It's a miracle you survived this, Kagome." Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her sweaty cheek. "Try to get some rest now."

"Alright. You see she's going to be alright. So, please leave the room, gentlemen."

Rusafa covered his face with his hand as sorrow filled his being. "This has been such a trauma. She cannot yet weep for her loss."

"Trauma, Rusafa?" Ramses reiterated, "Loss? Can such words even begin to express what she has experienced?"

Back with Kagome, the physician's wife had covered her with a fresh blanket since the other one was drenched in sweat. "Losing a baby is sorrowful, my dear." she commented, "But I rejoice that your own life was spared. You are still young and will regain your full health." She moved to leave the room so Kagome could rest more. "There is every reason to expect a fruitful future. Rest now."

The priestess laid in the bed, unmoving as she recalled the event that transpired within her consciousness. The Shikon used Ankoku to stab her through the stomach, her baby was a girl, Ursula was going to protect her baby until reincarnation. 'But who knows when that will be? Perhaps I will have more children, but they will not be the one whose soul is trapped. How can I bear knowing that? And... how will I explain it to Kail...? He was so happy when he heard the news. And relieving me of my duty as Commander-in-Chief was a huge sacrifice for him, but he wanted me in a safe place during my pregnancy. And yet...my daughter's soul is trapped within my tear.' She rolled over onto her side and pulled the blanket higher to cover the bottom half of her face. 'Our daughter. How can I expect Kail to forgive such a failure?'

"Lady, Kagome, Kail will understand. Be happy that the Shikon does not have your child.' Ankoku tried to comfort her mistress with her words but it was to no avail. She could feel the guilt and sorrow emitting from Kagome. The priestess blamed herself for her child's soul being trapped because she ultimately made the selfish wish on the jewel. It was because she fell in love and had unprotected sex. It was her fault that she had gotten pregnant. It was Kagome's fault that her child was taken before she and Kail could even name her. "Do not blame yourself for falling in love with your soulmate! Remember that I am the one who begged you to save Zannanza! If you want to hate someone, hate me! I am the one who's weapon pierced your body. I am the one to tried to take your daughter. Please hate me and not yourself!"

Kagome said nothing as she continued to stare blankly at the wall, her mind still numb to everything around her. Ankoku sighed as she knew that her words did not reach the grief-stricken young woman. The loss was too soon, and she would only properly grieve once she was in the arms of her true love. The demoness settled down within the consciousness of her mistress' mind.

Rusafa felt his mouth drop open in surprise at what he had just heard. "Ramses!" he called out, denial echoing through his voice. "What did you just say?!" he had to hear it again to be sure that is what the Egyptian said.

Ramses glanced back to the black-haired deputy, his lips in a neutral expression. "I thought I was clear. It is my intention to take Kagome to Egypt."

"That is unacceptable! Princess Kagome is the Hittite Emperor's concubine!"

"You can't make me believe you did not expect this, Rusafa." Ramses replied, crossing his arms over his bare chest, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "You know what I truly value. I've made it no secret of my desire to have Kagome for my own." Although he knew that the woman of his affections was still mourning the loss of her child, he would soon make her forget about Kail's child by giving her another one that she could love. His seed. "A man like you would not be foolish enough to think I'd send her back to Mursili."

Back in Ugarit

Kash watched over the defensive line with reproachful eyes as he took in the hundreds of Egyptian soldiers that stood menacingly just outside. He sighed out as the wind blew back the black headband of hair. "The Egyptians have surrounded us, but that's all so far."

Mettannamuwa nodded his head in agreement. "Indeed. Pharaoh Horemheb has assumed command, but he's no Ramses. For that we can be thankful." He placed his hands on his hips as he stared out from the top of the castle where they were stationed. He turned around, his grey eyes full of concern. "By the way, how is His Majesty doing? He's carrying out his military duties and seeing to the administration of Ugarit, but his health remains a question."

"I agree." Kash replied, looking back towards the door that led to the room Kail was resting in. "He doesn't have much of an appetite. Even when he does eat, he can't seem to keep it down."

Kail sat in his chair by the open balcony, using the breeze to try to cool his sweaty body. His eyes drooped close as fatigue swept over his body. He began to relax when Kikkuri walked into the room carrying a bowl of fruit.

"Sir..." the brunette called out, watching the young Emperor jolt awake. "I would suggest you take advantage of this lull in the fighting to get some proper rest."

"I can't rest, Kikkuri." The blond said, his stomach tightening with nausea. He was still feeling extremely sick at the thought that Kagome was lost to him and he missed her terribly. He could only pray to Teshub that she was safe and alive, but that feeling of dread would not leave him. His eyes lost their usual healthy glow and his skin was paler than usual.

Kikkuri moved a little closer to his best friend, his concern for him growing even more. "Excuse me, sir, but will you let mere uncertainty overwhelm you?" His fingers clenched tighter around the rim of the basket he was holding. "We've just received word that Ryui was picked up by an Arzawan merchant ship. If the sea could not take her, then I don't see how it could hope to claim Princess Kagome."

Kail glanced up at his closest friend with wide, almost childlike eyes. He wanted to believe Kikkuri. He really did. "I see your point, Kikkuri. Bring me that fruit, please?" The blond took the smallest apple from the basket and took a small bite from it. He could feel his stomach roll at the scent of the sweet fruit, but he forced it to stay down. Sweat still rolled down his face as he leaned back deeper into his chair. 'I was supremely confident, thinking nothing would stop me from leading the Hittite Empire into a glorious new era. I believed my will was unshakable! But look at me now! How pathetic.' His mind drifted to his beautiful Koibito. How he wished he could gaze upon her face and kiss her soft lips. 'If Kagome doesn't return how will I find the strength to carry on?!'

"Sir!" Kash called out urgently. "Your Majesty!"

The Emperor, feeling better after Kikkuri's speech and the food that he was made to eat, rose out of his chair. He was putting on one of his long cloaks to ward off the chill of the wind when Kash rushed into the room. "I'm right here, Kash. What's the matter?"

The Chariot Commander dropped to his knees before the Emperor, his brown eyes wide. "I've been looking into what stirred up the crowd and caused them to overturn Princess Kagome's palanquin." He waited until the blond looked at him fully before he continued, "What I found out is, to say the least, troubling." Out of the corner of his eye, Kash saw Mettannamuwa kneel next to him. "There was a provocateur inciting them to demand that Ishtar show her face. According to witness accounts the man was blind in one eye and clad in a black cape."

Kail felt shock run and down his body as he realized that the person described had to be Urhi. Which meant Nakia was making another move and knew of Kagome's pregnancy before they had spread the news to Hattusa.

"Oh, Princess Kagome..." Rusafa started as he waited at her bedside. IT has been a few days since they left Byblos with Ramses and they were on yet another ship. This time going to Egypt. The dark-haired man had tried to stop the Ramses from taking Kagome, but the Egyptian threatened to reveal his identity. "Will you tell me how you're feeling? If you're cold, say the word and I will bring more blankets." He sighed when the Princess remanded silent, just lying motionless on the plush bed. Rusafa hesitated for s minute before speaking again. "I can't tell you how sorry I am about all this. I swear to you, Princess Kagome, I will do whatever it takes to return you to His Majesty, but at the moment I dare not attempt it. You're still far too weak. Your reiki hasn't finished healing the damage the Shikon afflicted on your body. Once you've recovered your health, I'll..."

Kagome cut him off with a soft laugh. "It's okay, Rusafa. Byblos or Egypt. It's all the same to me. Even if I did make it home, I don't know what I could say to Kail." She stared blankly at the canopy that wrapped around the bed she was laying in, her mind drifting towards her Koishii. How she longed to see him and have him hold. No, she needed to see him and hold him close while she let out her sorrows over losing their first daughter. But, how could she face him and tell him that their child was lost for who knows how many years until her soul can be reincarnated. And who knew that her daughter's soul would be reincarnated in this lifetime or even be her child again? It took five hundred years for the jewel to be passed down to her body for Kikyou.

"What are you talking about, Princess Kagome?" Rusafa nearly shouted, "No matter what it takes I swear to get you back to His Majesty!" He crossed his hand over his heart in a pledge of loyalty. The deputy would fight tooth and nail for the woman he adored more than his own life. He swore to cherish her happiness first and love her silently.

"I do not doubt you, Rusafa." The priestess replied simply, turning her head away from him and pulled the blanket up higher over her face. Kagome did not even flinch when Rusafa called out Ramses' name when the handsome Egyptian barged into her room and took her face in his fingers, caressing her chin gently.

"What? How dare you touch Princess Kagome!" Rusafa yelled, his hackles raised.

Ramses rolled his eyes. "Calm down, or I'll toss you overboard."

"You can try, but even that wouldn't get rid of me!"

The blond let out a grumpy sigh as he lifted Ishtar Incarnate's face to get better access to her neck and slid her choker back into its proper place. He then scooped Kagome into his arms, ignoring Rusafa's shout of rebuttal. "Oh, be quiet..." he muttered as he carried the limp princess out of her room and into the salty sea air. He noticed that she perked up slightly and he smiled down at her softly. "There's something I want you to see, Kagome." He nodded his head into the direction of the starboard that faced the sea line. "Over there in the near distance is Egypt.

Kagome's eyes widened slightly at the sight. "Egypt..." she repeated softly as Ramses decided that the sea breeze was good for her and laid her down on a covered lounge chaise.

He smiled down at the miko charmingly as he placed his head scarf on to ward off the scorching sun. "Well? What do you think of the Nile? The water upriver is very calm. Don't you like it?" He tried to start a conversation with the beautiful priestess, but it was to no avail. All she did was stare blankly at the sea with dull blue eyes. Ramses felt his heart twist painfully in his chest. He could not wait until they made it to Egypt so that he could put a smile on her face when she realizes that she can carry another child. "The sun is extraordinarily strong. You must be thirsty. Care for something to drink?"

"How about some fruit, Princess Kagome." Rusafa offered, dejected, when all Kagome did was close her eyes and leaned back further into her lounge.

Kagome said nothing to the two men worrying about her as she pulled one of the many pillows that surrounded her closer to her chest. 'It's scorching here. The waters of the Nile are gentle, but dark. Everything is vastly different here than in Anatolia. But I really don't care. I don't really care about anything.'

Ankoku shifted uncomfortably within her space in Kagome's consciousness. She knew that whatever she said would not help her mistress feel better about her miscarriage. Although the wounds the miko received from Ankoku's spear have healed, the damage to her body due to the actual miscarriage was still healing. Ankoku was scared that Ishtar Incarnate would never recover from this fully because Ramses would not let her go easily.

The deputy sighed as he walked over to Ramses and nudged him so that he gained the Egyptian's attention. "Ramses, I understand it will be some time before we reach the capital, Thebes. I'm not sure such a long voyage will be good for Princess Kagome."

"We're not going to Thebes." Ramses said simply, no taking his eyes off the shoreline that was fast approaching. "We're bound for Memphis. It's an ancient city situated at the end of the Nile Delta. We'll arrive this evening."

A few hours late, the boat entered a small canal that led into a large area. Rusafa's eyes widened with astoundment as he looked around the buildings. "Wow!" he admired briefly. "You can enter the city by boat. Is this a temple?"

Ramses bent to scoop Kagome up in his arms, close to his chest. "This is my residence." He nodded his head at the servant that welcomed him at the gate. "IS everything ready according to the instructions I send ahead."

The servant readily nodded his head. "Yes, sir. We have placed all the necessary items in the lady's room."

Voices echoed from round the corners, giggling as several women peaked from around the corner of the doorway, "Is that her?"

"I think so."

"It's the first time User's brought a woman home from a campaign, isn't it?"

"How does her look?"

"I can't really see from here, but she seems petite."

"She's lying like a doll in User's arms."

"I'd no idea he liked the submissive type."

Rusafa glanced over his shoulder at the sound of the women's voices and spotted them. They all locked eyes with the handsome deputy before disappearing back to where they had come from. Ramses, not noticing the young women that were spying on them, paused to ask if the deputy was coming along with him or not. Rusafa quickly shook his head and followed the General.

'I don't know how I can help Princess Kagome. If only His Majesty could be here with her.' Rusafa wondered how he could possibly put that sparkle back in Kagome's eye. She still had not fully recovered from her miscarriage so he could not steal her away to Hattusa, so what could be do. 'What if Princess Kagome received a letter from him? The one His Majesty sent her from Mitanni helped rally her on that occasion.' Rusafa made up his mind that he would get out of Ramses' temple and go back to the Emperor somehow. 'If I could sneak out of here and bring back such a message, maybe...'

"You see?" A voice startled the deputy. "I told you he'd try something." A tall, black-haired woman walked out from behind the pillar she was spying from, a smaller blonde child slinking up behind her. Rusafa blushed lightly at the attire the older woman had on. Her dress, if you could call it that, bared her breasts for all to see while the beige-white skirt clung to her lower body like a second skin. "This one's not a mere servant. And an ordinary guest wouldn't act so sneaky."

"And you were right, Big Sister." the small blonde replied, her large golden eyes trained on Rusafa's form.

The older sister marched up closer to Rusafa, her breasts jiggling with the fast movement. "Just who are you? She questioned. "And who is your mistress?"

The blonde shyly approached the deputy, her hands still folded against her chest. "My sisters told me our Big Brother, User, brought home a woman to marry."

"Your Big Brother?" Rusafa repeated. "You're General Ramses' sisters?"

The little girl nodded, her golden eyes piercing. "His younger sisters!" she corrected while giving him a once over. "And you sure don't look like an Egyptian."

'Are all those women his sisters?' The black-haired deputy thought back to all those young women staring at Kagome when they had first arrived at this dwelling. He placed on a cheerful looking smile as he introduced himself. "Well, I'm a merchant from Ugari and that woman is my younger sister."

"You're lying!" the older sister replied to his introduction, her own golden gaze piercing right through him. "You're a military man." She eyed him up and down carefully, slightly appreciating his well-built frame. "A high-ranking officer, unless I miss my guess." She reached out for his hand and traced the rough spots along his fingers. "Those calluses on your fingers come from many years pulling a bow. Ours is a military family, so I know. I'm curious to know what kind of woman would accompany a man like you." She giggled when Rusafa snatched his hand back, gripping it close to his chest. "Our older sisters said she seemed to be submissive, but I know my brother wouldn't choose that sort of woman for himself."

Ramses brought in a plate of food, trying to coax Kagome into eating something. She had barely touched any of her food when they were on the ship and her cheeks were starting to look a bit sunken in. "Kagome, please, you must eat something." He sighed when the miko simply looked away from him with dullness in her eyes. "Kagome?" The Egyptian stared down at the beautiful woman sitting on the bed and set the plate down on the table. Reaching out, Ramses took her chin in his fingers and gently tilted her face up to meet his seeking lips. As he kissed the woman he loved, he noticed her lack of reaction. Usually Kagome would have bitten him and slapped him away by now. Ramses tried something else and laid Ishtar Incarnate onto the bed, wrapping his arms around her as he deepened the kiss. He swept his tongue inside and stroked hers while staring into her dull blue eyes. "I'm going to make love to you." He just knew that would spark something within her and he saw her eyes flash golden orange for a brief second before they glazed back over with lifelessness.

Kagome heard what Ramses had said, but she could not bring herself to act. Even when Ankoku stirred at the Egyptian's words, saying that she would take him up on his offer. But the miko could only feel the numb emptiness. 'I'm so empty, I can't feel anything. All I know is that my daughter's soul is lost. Trapped with Ursula-san.' She felt her body sink deeper into the mattress of the bed she was laying in. 'Why am I here? What am I doing here? What am I supposed to do here? I know I should try to pull myself together, but I can't.'

The General pulled away from the miko, sliding his fingers along her cheek before moving away from her all together. Ramses walked out of the room he'd given to Kagome and out of the building. His dog met him at the gate and licked his hand for attention. The blond smiled as he sat down on a ledge and began to give his pet the attention it wanted. Ramses played with the dog for a few minutes when a voice called out to him from behind.

"Brother User. You've brought home an interesting campaign souvenir."

"Nefert." Ramses called out, looking at his younger sister.

Nefert looked at her older brother with shrewdness in her sparkling golden eyes. "User..." she said teasingly. "What is this woman's lineage?"

Heterochromatic eyes narrowed as a drop of sweat rolled down the side of his face, "You are the smartest and shrewdest of my sisters." He waited until Nefert smiled for the complement before saying, "and a constant royal pain." With those words, Ramses rose to his feet and turned away from his little sister.

"Wait!" she called out. "I didn't come here to exchange sarcasms with you." Nefert rushed to catch up with her older brother and smiled widely as she gave him the news she had learned from the latest gossip. "I've learned through palace sources that the Hittite Emperor's health is failing. Did you know that?"

"What?" Ramses questioned, his eyes wide. "Mursili II is ill?" He shook his head at the news. "No, I certainly didn't know. Are you sure about that?"

Nefert nodded her head, smiling cheerfully. She knew that this news should delight her brother. If the Hittite Emperor is weakened by his illness, then Ramses could swoop him and behead him for Egypt. "Yes, I am." she announced cheerfully. "Apparently his condition is so bad, he can't command his troops. Our forces drove his troops back, but our Pharaoh did not seize the opportunity to pursue them and wipe them out. Everyone's saying only you possess the necessary boldness for such things." She nodded her head when Ramses wanted to confirm the source of this news. She placed a finger to her cheek when her brother asked her did, she understand what the news means. "Well... I guess it means Egypt needs you more than the Pharaoh."

Ramses looked at his younger sister with softness in his eyes. "You're just a daughter of an aristocrat after all." he sighed at her confused look before leaning in and kissing her on the cheek. "Never mind. I promise I'll find you the best husband in all of Egypt." He turned to go back into Kagome's room, his dog quickly scampering after him. He spotted Rusafa approaching the young Princess, room with a bowl of fruits. Upon closer inspection, Ramses saw what the fruits were. "Jujubes?"

Rusafa paused when he heard Ramses' voice behind him. "Uh-huh. Princess Kagome is very fond of them." he lowered his head at the thought of seeing that lifeless look in her beautiful dark blue eyes. The deputy could only pray that her favorite treat would bring some light into her gaze.

"I've brought news that I'm sure will lift her spirits." Ramses declared.

Inside her room, Kagome had moved from her position on the bed to the floor beside it, a pillow resting behind her for support. She shifted her eyes over to the two men that entered her room but said nothing. She turned her blank stare back to the random spot on the wall she had been staring off at.

"Princess Kagome," Rusafa began gently. "I brought you some jujube. I know you like them, so please eat some."

Ramses agreed with the dark-haired deputy with a nod of his head. "You've arrived in Memphis at the right time. The jujubes are very sweet this time of the year." His eyes narrowed as he readied himself to speak the next sentences that should bring that spark back into the woman he loved. "By the way, Egypt is poised to vanquish the Hittite Empire." He plucked a jujube from the bowl and popped it into his mouth, letting the sweet juices coat his tongue. "I learned that Mursili II is gravely ill. Our forces will take every advantage of that."

"How did you hear of this?!" Rusafa demanded.

Ramses ate another jujube. "Does it matter? The Hittite Empire has no one to replace Mursili II." he carried on, watching and waiting for a reaction from Ishtar Incarnate. "If he is too ill to lead his army, Egypt will be assured of victory over the Hittites."

Kagome's eyes slowly filled with their usual spark at the news about her Koishii. Kail was sick? How? "Did you say Kail is ill?" Her eyes regained their light as she sat up on her knees before moving over to Ramses and grabbed the necklace that surrounded his neck. "What is wrong with him? Did someone injure him in battle? Had he caught some disease! I need to heal him!"

"I don't know. The news came from sources inside the palace." Ramses replied.

"Then you really don't know anything!" Rusafa yelled. "How will this help Princess Kagome?!"

The miko's eyes went wide as Ramses' words settled in her mind. She placed her hand on Rusafa's shoulder to quiet him down. The information came from sources inside the palace? But that could only mean...? Kagome's dark blue eye hardened as her spark returned full force. Her gaze flashed silver with her reiki as she fully understood what Ramses was saying. She turned towards the Egyptian, her voice hardened. "So, this isn't a military report, but covertly acquired information." She narrowed her eyes when Ramses nodded his head. "So, the question is how was this information conveyed? And who received it?" She gasped as realization struck her. "A spy within the Hittites..."

Rusafa dropped the basket of jujubes at the notion as he realized it with the Princess. Someone was trading Hittite secrets with the enemy?

"Apparently, the Egyptian palace has excellent eyes and ears that reach all the way to the Hittite rear echelon." Ramses watched as Kagome's eyes went from silver to red as Ankoku's influence took over. He could literally see the red aura mixing with her usual blue to make a violent purple. The gears in her warrior's mind turning as she relayed the news.

'Passing information like this to Egypt is unacceptable!' Kagome felt mildly responsible for this slip of information. It meant that her soldiers were lacking, and they were allowing such details about their kingdom slip. Just who could be passing along such information? It was treasonous! Ramses was right. This little slip of info would very well mean the end of the Hittite Empire! It must be someone close enough to Kail to be able to report on his health and it broke Kagome's heart to suspect any of her dear friends as the traitor. "You have to let me go, now." She demanded. "I need to go home! I must see Kail and inform him of this immediately!"

Kagome made the move to rush past Ramses when it looked like he was about to block her escape. She needed to get back to Kail! She had to tell him of this treason. She had to save him! A sudden wave of dizziness struck the miko and her eyes clouded back over as a terrible pain settled in her womb. Kagome vaguely felt Ramses reach out to catch her as she slumped to the ground, the strength leaving her legs.

"This is precisely why I brought you here." Ramses said gently, stroking her long hair. "You can't travel in this weakened condition."

"I have to go, Ramses." Kagome said, her breath coming out in heavy pants as she tried to fight the pain that was stabbing at her abdomen. "I must tell Kail about the spy!"

Ramses looked down at her pain-stricken face, seeing the sweat build around her forehead and roll down the sides of her face. He felt his heart twist up painfully at the look in her eyes. The sheer desperation that shimmered in those deep pools of blue. "I think we can deal with it from here, Kagome. The real problem isn't the spy, but the spy's client. And we can uncover the identity of that party here in Egypt."

"Are you saying, you would help me find that person?" Kagome asked, her eyes shining brightly with budding hope. "That you would be willing to betray a fellow Egyptian?

"Fellow Egyptian..." he scoffed, allowing the priestess to leave the security of his arms when he was sure she had regained enough strength to stand on her own. "These days, one never knows who's a friend or an enemy of one's own countrymen not excepted." His eyes took on a dark gleam as he narrowed them sharply. "Our priests and bureaucrats are preoccupied with intrigues designed to bring them power. I suspect one of them placed that spy, and now has an advantage over his or her rivals. In Egypt, the Pharaoh is a God, and he alone rules the nation. I chafe at our current Pharaoh's incompetence but I'm truly outraged that someone is gathering intelligence and not sharing it with our ruler! The rank ambition behind that cannot be good for our nations!"

Ramses then began to leave the room, turning to flash Kagome a charming smile. "In that sense, we have a shared interest in learning more about this. I will send men with appropriate skills to the palace to investigate."

Kagome raised her head indignantly as she said, "I will accompany them then."

"To what purpose?" Ramses countered, his eyes piercing through hers. "You aren't fully recovered yet and you would only attract attention if you tried to snoop around." He clapped his hand together when Ishtar Incarnate tried to argue with his decision, summoning the servants. "Yes, I want you to look after this woman. She's my special guest. So, please see to her every need." Turning to face the beautiful miko, he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Kagome leave this matter to me. And try to get some rest while I'm gone." Ramses then pulled her closer and placed his lips on her in a quick kiss, quickly backing away when she swung her fists at him. This was the Kagome he missed. Her feisty behavior was so charming, and it suited her unlike that dull, emotionless behavior.

"Don't touch me!" Kagome snarled after the Egyptian as he exited the room.

Rusafa bowed to the priestess before following the General. "Ramses!" he called out to the slightly taller man. When he finally caught up with them, the Deputy continued, "I can't believe you're doing this! It doesn't make sense that a high-ranking Egyptian military officer like you would betray his country!" Rusafa waited for an answer but jumped slightly when Ramses tossed something to him. The familiar weight settled in his palms and his eyes widened. "My sword!"

"Yours for the moment..." Ramses reminded. "And only for a specific purpose. I'm glad I was able to lift Kagome's spirits, but I'm worried she'll still try to go to the palace." The Egyptian General turned away from the Deputy. "I want you to watch her. Stop her, if needed."

"I'll protect her, you can count on that!" Rusafa declared.

Ramses smiled as he looked over his shoulder at the dark-haired Hittite. "Also, trust no one here..." His sepia and gold eyes darkened as his voice dropped. "And I mean no one, understand?"

Back inside with Kagome, she was in a daze about how there was a spy in her Koishii's camp. She knew that she had not fully recovered from the miscarriage, her reiki was still trying to replenish from the Shikon's attack so it could not fully heal her body at its usual fast rate. But her mind was in a state of distress at the thought of the spy. She had to find out who it was immediately! She blinked when the bottom of her dress was suddenly splashed with a bit of water and the handmaids began to freak out.

"I'm..." she stuttered out. "I'm terribly sorry, Ma'am! I..I... I splashed water in your dress!" She dipped into a deep bow before Kagome, her forehead nearly touching the floor. "P... Please forgive me!'

Another maid joined her in her bowing. "This..." she started, "this girl just joined us recently. She isn't..."

Kagome raised her hand, smiling gently as she spoke. "Why the fuss?" she asked softly, trying to ease the two women's frantic minds. "It's just water. Nothing to worry about."

This confused the two women. "Uhm..." the older one began. "Don't you want her whipped?"

"Whipped?" Kagome said, surprised. "No, I don't!"

"Then..." the younger handmaid started. "How many days must I go without food?"

Ishtar Incarnate's eyes widened. Was this the types of punishments they dealt out here in Egypt? "None!" she said vehemently, confusing everyone in the room.

"You are very unusual." a voice called out from behind the priestess. Kagome looked over her shoulder to see a tall, beautiful Egyptian woman with shoulder length black hair and piercing gold eyes. "An aristocratic woman is usually more severe with her servants?"

Kagome arched a fine, black brow and tilted her head slightly in confusion. "I'm sorry. May I ask who you are?"

"Me?" she smiled as she began to introduce herself. "I'm Hathor Nefert. I came to see the woman my big brother brought home." she strolled into the room and began to inspect Kagome, taking in her exotic looks, her ivory skin and dark blue eyes. Nefert nodded approvingly. "You are very exotic looking, though you're not very voluptuous and I doubt you're of Royal lineage. I can understand a little what my brother sees in you." her eyes lit up as she noticed that there was not a single blemish on Kagome's skin. "Oh, you have such smooth skin!" Nefert ran her hands over the miko's shoulders before coming in close contact with her breasts. "With such beautiful skin, you should bare your bosom. That's the style nowadays!" She frowned when she saw that there were white bandages tightly wound around the woman's chest. "The bosom is a powerful asset for women.

"Excuse me?" the princess sputtered out as she tried to move Nefert's hands away from her chest, holding onto her bandages for dear life. "Wait, what are you doing?"

Nefert managed to give the younger woman's feeble attempt the slip as she undid the bandages at Kagome's chest. "Oh my!" she cheered at the size of Kagome's full breasts. "You do have large breasts! Why do you hide them away? They're so nicely shaped, too!" The Egyptian woman retied Kagome's dress so that her chest was on full display. "They definitely must go on display!"

Kagome blushed as she covered her chest with her hands. Kail would have a heart attack if he knew that so many people saw the true size of her breasts. "They'll do no such thing!" She tried to move away from Nefert, but the older woman followed her around the room.

"Oh, don't be a prude, dear!" Nefert cooed, holding onto the shorter girl's dress she noticed the dark pink mark tattooed on Kagome's flesh. "So... what exactly are you?"

-A few days later-

Nefert frowned when she spotted Kagome with her breasts tightly bound and in one of her dresses that covered her completely. "My dear Kagome! Back in your boring attire I see."

Kagome laughed softly as she rubbed the back of her head. "I told you that I'm shy about my birthmark." She pulled her shawl closer to her chest as her answer seemingly pacified the Egyptian Princess.

"But you'd look wonderful in this dress I selected!" Nefert exclaimed, holding up a sheer gold dress that was lying on the miko's bed. "Such sheer fabric would look wonderful on your ivory skin!"

Rusafa smiled uneasily at the Hittite Princess. "You seem to be getting along well with Princess Nefert."

Kagome sighed out a long breath. "I suppose so." she rolled her eyes when Nefert began to gush about another dress that would show off her chest and even said that Kagome could wear her bandages if she wore the gown. "Never mind that. Have you heard anything from Ramses? He's been gone for several days."

"I don't think he is back yet; ma'am I imagine he's still looking into the spy business." The deputy reported.

"Not exactly." Ramses' voice called out. He pushed the door open and walked in with a light smile on his face. "I just got back from Thebes." Turning to his sister, he said, "Nefert, will you please excuse us?"

Once Nefert, Kagome walked closer to Ramses. "You've been to Thebes?" she asked in a quiet voice. "Did you find out who the spy is?" Hope gleamed in her eyes that Ramses was able to uncover the name of the person who was leaking Hittite information to the enemy. Oh, how she wished she were there to punish the traitor. She would show them no mercy for endangering her love and her home.

Ramses shook his head. "No. I didn't, but one of my men at the palace brought me some interesting news. Seems like that for the last few months a high-ranking official has been traveling quite often between Byblos and Thebes." He announced, watching Kagome's eyes darken with anger with each word he spoke. "He began this activity around the same time the intelligence about Mursili II started being disseminated at the palace." He shook his head again when she asked if that man was the spy. "No, he could never get close to Mursili II. I believe he's a relay man passing information from the spy to the mastermind of the operation. No doubt he travels by the Nile to Thebes. The Nile bears a fairly constant amount of heavy traffic, so it should be easy to follow him surreptitiously."

Kagome raised her chin and said, "I'm going with you." She sighed when Rusafa called out her name in a tone that screamed his rebuttal about her condition. "My reiki has healed my body enough to handle a boat trip, Rusafa. If you think I'm going to sit around while Kail's in danger, you're sadly mistaken." she turned back to Ramses, her eyes hardened into steel. "Look, if you have a woman along with you, you'll be less likely to arouse suspicion, right?"

"Two women would be even better." Nefert said, popping up around the corner. She stuck her tongue out and giggled when Ramses scolded her for eavesdropping. "Of course, I was, Dear Brother."

"What an awful mess this is becoming." Ankoku growled as she polished her scythe. She had been careful to not brandish the weapon during Kagome's depression, but now that the miko was focusing on her anger that someone dared to leak information about Kail that could put him in harm's way, the demoness could have it out. Besides, Ankoku desperately needed to clean the blade off as it was starting to rust from Kagome's blood and the sight sickened the miko youkai. "This spy and the person behind all this could destroy everything. Lady Kagome, permission to make them pay?"

"Permission granted." Kagome said, her eyes flashing red with Ankoku's influence.

"That boat..." Kagome pointed out, the sea breeze making her long hair sway wildly. "It is the one carrying the official?"

"Uh huh." Ramses nodded as he crossed his arms over his chest and rolled his eyes at his younger sister. He was still a bit miffed at her that she had been eavesdropping on his conversation. "The man's man is Kelef." His eyes suddenly narrowed as he noticed that the Nile was devoid of its usual traffic. "This looks bad. There are fewer boats than I expected, and his boat has slowed down. They may suspect us."

Kagome looked around to confirm Ramses' statement. There surely were not many boats out and it did seem as if the boat yards away was slowing their pace. "And matching their pace would only confirm that we're tailing them." she sighed as she raised her thumb to her lips and worried the flesh with her teeth, 'What should we do? If Kelef thinks he's being followed, we'll go back to square one." Kagome ignored Ankoku's question for permission to take control when a splash to her right stole her attention.

Nefert swam back to the surface of the river. The back wig she'd been wearing slipped from her head, revealing her short blond hair. "Ah, refreshing!" she smiled brightly when Kagome called out her name and asked what she was doing. The Egyptian Princess climbed back onto the boat, her sheer white dress completely drenched to show off her shapely hips and large breasts that were already uncovered. "C'mon Kagome, jump in! The water's great." She sighed as she tossed her wig onto the deck. "Phew! This wig's no good for swimming."

Ramses had shoved Rusafa into the hiding space underneath the canopy. "She's always pulling stuff." he watched his sister to see just what she was scheming.

"We'll attract Kelef's attention swimming here?" Kagome said, taking a step back when Nefert approached her with a sly look on her face. 'I don't like that look on her face.'

"Who cares about him?" Nefert replied, approaching the miko and grabbing at the silk fabric of her dress. The Egyptian Princess knew that Kagome had those bandages wound around her chest, so she made sure to grab the little tab that the miko had tried to hide. "Be a sport and join me!" Nefert pulled Kagome's dress open, revealing her beautiful, pale body. "There we go."

Ramses stared at Kagome's body appreciatively, clapping his hands. It's been a while since he's laid eyes on the Hittite Princess naked body. "Yep." he smiled as he continued to gawk at Kagome, hearing Rusafa yelped out and a banging sound was heard. "Always pulling stuff."

Rusafa blushed as he quickly diverted his eyes and began banging his head against the wall, trying to erase the image of Kagome's curvy body from his brain. "I saw nothing! Nothing!" he repeated even those that image was permanently burned into his mind. He would never be able to forget about it now. "Forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"Gimme my clothes!" Kagome yelped out.

Nefert giggled as she dogged the priestess's grabs. "Oh, don't be a poop."

Kelef and his men watched the two beautiful women run around on the deck of their chip for a few more minutes, enjoying the view. It's just some foolish rich girls on a pleasure cruise." Kelef said, clearing his throat. "Ignore them. Let's go.

Kagome had finally managed to swipe her dress from Nefert's sly hands. She shot the older woman an annoyed look when Ramses poked his head out of his hiding spot. "We seem to have allayed their suspicions." He turned to flash Kagome a reassuring smile as he noticed out of the corner of his eyes his sister put her wet wig back on her head.

'Nefert may have gotten us out of that one, but she didn't have to strip me in front of Ramses and Rusafa!' Kagome thought with an angry pout.

Ankoku added, "Well, you are supposed to be marrying her brother and Rusafa is in love with you." She jumped and let out a shrill scream when the purity in her soul burned her so deeply it made her fall to her knees. "Fuck! Take a joke!" She panted as she held her chest. That one felt like she was going to be purified from the inside out with how strong it was. Perhaps, Kagome was taking her advice on hating the miko demoness inside of blaming herself for the loss of her daughter.

Ramses watched with narrowed eyes as the boat ahead of them shifted. "Eh? The boat's heading for shore?"

"We've reached Thebes already?" Kagome asked.

"Hardly." he answered. "That town's called Akhenaten. It was the Egyptian capital during Amenhotep IV's reign..." he trailed off.

Kagome caught onto Ramses' train of thought as her own eyes narrowed. "You're saying that the spy's master lives here and not in Thebes?" She turned to face the edge of the boat and stared at the small town that was sitting near the shore. "Who lives here, Ramses. I know some towns are abandoned. But Kelef would not stop here if that were the case."

Ramses turned to face the miko, his eyes hard as he stared into hers. "This one is largely deserted, but there's still a small population." He began in a slow, angry voice. "It mainly consists of the wife of Amenhotep IV, Queen Nefertiti and her various retainers."

"Nefertiti..." Kagome repeated in a dry tone as she accepted a few pieces of fruit from the offered tray. That woman was basically the Egyptian counterpart of Nakia. If she were the one behind the espionage, this could get very messy. "Do you think she's behind all this?" she nibbled on the piece of orange.

"I'd put money on it." the General said, lifting his cup to his lips for a drink. "My investigations did not turn up this wrinkle, but it fits the circumstances. The men I had watching the palace told me Kelef stayed there two days before leaving for Thebes. While my men in Thebes never saw him do anything suspicious. No one witnessed his activity during transit though...until now." He ran his fingers through the soft fur of his dog as he placed the cup down on the table next to him.

Kagome took a drink from her cup. "It sounds like your Queen Dowager is as much into schemes and dirty dealings as ours." She grimaced when Ramses nodded his agreement to her assessment of the Egyptian Queen Dowager, "So, what shall we do about it? I do believe that you want to apprehend whoever is behind the spying, but I just don't see how you can manage it." She stared the General down for a long minute in silence. Kagome growled when he simply looked away. "Ramses!"

"General." a soldier called out. "It's time for your meeting."

"Very well." Ramses replied. He rose to his feet and bid Kagome farewell, but not before he stole a light kiss from her lips and dodged her right hook.

Kagome sat in the room with a bitter look on her face. It was not due to Ramses stealing a kiss from her, but the thought of having to deal with two very corrupt Queen Dowagers. If Nefertiti can make even Ramses quake at the mere thought of confronting her, then what could they do to stop her. It must be done though otherwise her Koishii and the entire Hittite Empire would be done for. Looking up with determined blue eyes, Kagome sought out her Deputy. "Rusafa, will you do me a favor?"

Rusafa tilted his head to the side. "Of course, Princess Kagome. Ask whatever you will.

Ishtar Incarnate rose to her feet and quickly pulled Rusafa away from prying ears. Once she made sure that no one was around to hear her, she said, "I want you to escape from Egypt. You must inform Kail of what we've learned today."

"I can't do that, Princess Kagome." he refused.

Kagome sighed. "I know I'm asking you to risk your life, but..."

Rusafa cut her off. "I don't mean that." He placed his hands on her shoulders briefly before letting them fall to his sides. "I don't fear danger or death. But I refuse to leave you alone in Egypt!"

The priestess blushed prettily at his confession. She had not forgotten that Rusafa loved her dearly, more so than his own life. But Kagome needed Kail to know of this information. "I'm so grateful to have someone like you with me here. Believe me. I'd leave with you if I could..." she placed a hand on her still healing womb. It always took her reiki much longer to heal internal wounds, but even more so now since her body was drained of her powers with her fight with the Shikon. "But I'm afraid I'd only slow you down. And this is vital! You must warn Kail of the danger he's in! If that spy is as close to him as we fear, then gathering and passing information, bad as that is, may not be all the spy's going to be ordered to do."

Ishtar Incarnate could feel her emotions swelling as she thought of just what else the spy could be ordered to do. I'll be fine here. You know as well as I do that Ramses will protect me." Her eyes flashed red with Ankoku's influence before her reiki skimmer around her irises, making her orbs glow iridescently. "And if it comes down to it, Ankoku will aid me to protect my life and you damn well I can protect myself!"

"Princess Kagome..."

She cut him off as tears began to burn at the corners of her eyes. "No more, Rusafa, please." her heart twisted painfully as she thought of the life that was lost and how she went into a depressive coma. "Just do this, I beg you. If anything happens to Kail, I'll truly have no reason to keep living. I already lost our child. I cannot bear to lose the man I love."

Rusafa looked down at the woman he'd come to love so much. He could not stand to see the tears in her beautiful, dark blue eyes. Eyes that entranced him the moment he looked into them. Sighing in defeat, he looked away. "I'll do it, Princess Kagome. Upon my life, I will get this warning to His Majesty!"

Later that night, Kagome and Rusafa snuck out to the riverbank. The shadows concealed them as they used the faint moonlight to guide their way to the shore. The priestess turned to her deputy with concern shining in her eyes. "My maids told me if you follow this canal, you'll soon reach the Nile." It felt strange calling women who were not Hadi, Ryui and Shalla her maids. She missed them dearly and hoped they were okay and safe with the Hittite Empire. "You might be able to steak a boat, or..."

"I'll find a way out." Rusafa said. He turned to look down at the miko sitting next to him, a grim smile on his lips. "It's time you got back to your rooms. You'll have to cover for me as long as you can." He shook his head when he noticed the defiant look in her eyes. "No, it'll be easier from here on if I'm alone."

Kagome said nothing as she stared at her deputy. She was amazed by his devotion and loyalty to her. Moving as if time had slowed down, Ishtar Incarnate wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. "Thank you, Rusafa. I know I've asked you to do this being aware you'd never refuse me." She noticed that even though she had hugged him, Rusafa's hands stayed tightly wound around the tree behind him.

Rusafa had to force himself to not indulge into his desires and hold the woman he loved so deeply in his arms. He knew that if he had done that, he would not leave her alone in Egypt. He would have stayed with her despite her wishes. But he had to leave. He had to go and tell the Emperor about this espionage, "Thank you, Princess Kagome. You've very rightly shown me where my duty lies. Now," he gently pushed her away. "You should return."

"Alright." the Hittite Princess nodded. "Please be careful, Rusafa."

The Deputy smiled gently as he watched Kagome make her way back inside the palace. 'Princess Kagome, I'll be the epitome of stealth.' He promised as he could still feel the warmth of her body pressed so closely to his. 'That tiny gesture of gratitude has tempered my spirit to brave the very fires of hell itself!' Rusafa ducked into the shadows and eased his way along the edge of the canal. He kept hidden until he reached the dock and spotted the many Egyptians stationed there. 'Too many guards for comfort.' He pulled out a small compact and began coloring his skin with the contents inside. 'Perhaps, I should grab a small fishing boat...' After making sure his guise was perfected, Rusafa pulled a head scarf out of his sash and wrapped it around his head.

Rusafa took a few steps, hiding in the tall grass. He jumped when birds suddenly flew up in his face and made a loud screeching noise as they took flight. This alerted a few guards that were patrolling near the fishing boats the Deputy had been planning to use.

"What was that?" One called out. "Is someone there?"

They quickly approached Rusafa with their spears aimed and ready to attack.

"Soldier! What're you doing here?"

"What's your unit?!"

Rusafa stared wide-eyed as he was cornered against the bank of the river. He scrapped his mind for an answer as his heart began to race in his chest. "I work for General Ramses..." he took another step back

"You'll come with us!"

The deputy felt trapped as he continued to step backwards to avoid capture. "I'm on an urgent mission!" he tried to explain. Rusafa gasped when his foot slipped and the makeup, he used to color his skin washed off when it touched the dark waters of the Nile.

"Hey!" one of the soldier's exclaimed as he noticed the pale skin peeking out from under the tanned makeup. He quickly rushed over to Rusafa and yanked the scarf from his head, causing the man to fall back into the shallow waters and uncover more of his pale skin. "He's not an Egyptian!"

"He's not?"

They pointed their weapons in his face. "Up, you!"

"Wait." a voice called out next to them. They all turned their heads to see Ramses standing in the tall grass, his hands on his hips as he narrowed his eyes at the soldiers. "Where are you taking my aide?"

"General Ramses?!" the soldier squeaked out in a slightly higher voice than planned. "He's your aide? But..." he trailed off, shifting his gaze to Rusafa. "He's a foreigner..."

Ramses nodded his head as he approached the trio with a stern look in his heterochromatic eyes. "A militiaman from Rhodes to be exact. And a far better soldier than you, it seems" He waved the soldiers off when they claimed that they were just following orders. "Yes, yes... I know. I suggest you get back to your rounds. One word about this to anyone and you're for the front! Got it!" he called after the men when they scampered away from the area. Ramses then turned back to Rusafa, "It'll be dawn soon. You'd better get going."

Rusafa narrowed his black eyes as he stared the Egyptian General down. "Why?" he asked. "I don't understand you, Ramses. Why don't you kill me? Is it Nefertiti? I sensed your disdain for her!" He placed his hand on his chest as he rose from the shallow waters. "If she hired the spy, that's as much a problem for you as for the Hittites, isn't it! You're caught up in your country's power struggles and I'll wager she's one of your main adversaries!"

The blond remained silent for a long minute before speaking, "Rusafa..." he called out to the shorter man. "Politics breeds dreadful sort of hypocrisy in the best of men. And I'm no more than a man. I told you the palace is abuzz over Mursili's failing health but..." Ramses trailed off, his eyes opening to pierce through Rusafa's. "That's not how I got word of it. I discovered that fact for myself when I overwhelmed his troops at the Orontes River. And I know why he's ill." He turned away from the Deputy, his hands on his hips once more. "It's no physical illness that's brought him low, but a sickness of the heart. When he met Kagome, he found the other half of himself. Believing her dead has broken him. But that's not how I want things to be. There's no satisfaction in prevailing over a mere shadow." Ramses declared, an image of Kail standing tall and proud flashing within his mind. "Nor do I wish triumph thought espionage! It would be ashes in my mouth! I am a proud man, Rusafa. The only foe worthy of me is Mursili II in his full glory!" He turned blazing eyes back to the Deputy, "Tell him. Tell your Emperor that Kagome is here, in my keeping! He may come for her, but he will first do us the favor of wiping that spy off the face of the Earth! Tell him that, Rusafa!"

Rusafa said nothing as he climbed into one of the boats that were floating against the bank. Only when Ramses approached the vessel with his foot on the wicker to help him set sail did he speak. "Ramses, you and my Emperor are much alike. Each strong and proud. Each capable of realizing his dreams. But I warn you..." he trailed off as Ramses gave the boat a shove and it back floating down the Nile. Rusafa rose to his feet, using the pole that was in the boat to steer. "The purity of your idealism cannot escape the heat of your ambition. What sort of man will emerge from the crucible?"

Ramses watched the deputy fade off into the stretch of the Nile, his arms crossed over his chest. "That is an incredibly good question.

Back inside the palace with Kagome, she was kneeling on the bed, staring out at the semi-full moon. She lifted her hands in prayer and closed her eyes. 'All the Hittite God and all the Gods of Egypt please protect Kail for me and bring us together again soon!'

I am finally done! I'm so sorry that took so long to get out. Vet school has taken up so much of my time! But now I have a small break in between studies that had to sit down and write this chapter down. I guess not many people were happy with the last chapter as it did not get many reviews, so I'll be guessing this one probably will receive the same treatment...cause yes... Kagome did lose the baby. And it was a girl! Anyway, I'm going to try and update my other stories now! P.S. I'll answer reviews in another chapter since there were only five...*sad face*

Ja ne!

~Kirei Ai Tenshi