A/N Hello everyone, as you are all aware of my name is Tigress and this is my new fic Awaken to Twilight. This story had initially been a novel I had planned to write, however I am currently swamped with the ones I am currently trying to write and my fanfics. And I noticed that I feel more obligated to write my fics sometimes so I thought the only way I'd get this done was if I turned it into one. So I've adapted it to the Inuyasha setting. For this one especially, I will be looking for as much feedback as possible. For should it go well, I will convert it back to its original format. I would also like to apologize to those who read my other fics, because I haven't updated any of them in a long time. If it's any consolation, this is what I've been devoting my time to. You can always tell when I'm working on something new because I'll stop writing everything else. I will try and update the others as soon as possible. So without further adieu, I hope you enjoy.
Your faithful authoress,
Tigress.
Awaken to Twilight
By: TigressMoon
The line between good and evil, love and hate, life and death is thinner than the width of rice paper. This line often becomes distorted when the two switch sides to survive. And with three hearts hanging on the balance between the two, there words, hearts and lives, are about to change forever.
It felt as if I were drowning.
Drowning in darkness I could neither escape nor comprehend how I'd gotten there. My body was writhing with pain, it seemed that every fiber of my being was on fire. I tried to breath but the fiery burn only grew worse, I tried to move my arms but there was a weight holding them down. The same rang true for my legs.
I felt something fill my most precious of cores and I screamed out in agony. My mind began to turn upon itself, devouring morals, principles and all concepts of time and space. I became aware of only this phantom presence forcing itself inside of me, tearing threw my heart.
I could struggle.
I could scream.
I could writhe and I could feel.
But I could not stop this searing stabbing pain. Slowly very slowly, the pain became so great that I became numb to all else that lay around me. I did not hear taunting laughter, did not feel their hands on my body, and did not smell my own blood in the air. And of course, I never saw the blade that rose above my heart…just before it fell.
Something had awakened me.
Whether it was some fore-boding thought or some unshakeable feeling, I cannot tell you. But it was something and my body obeyed.
My eyes fluttered open and as my eyes began to clear I realized that something was very, very wrong. My body felt like led, refusing to move at all. I felt as if I'd been torn apart and then loosely put back together. And as my perception grew I became aware of all the other aches in me.
My wrists and ankles burned from some unseen force. My neck ached as I tried to look about me. My head felt heavy and my mind oddly blurry. But the worst and most surprising was the sharp steady pain between my legs.
I tried to sit up but the movement made my muscles flare in protest. Nonetheless I pressed on till I could sit up comfortably.
The room was as dark as the night sky just beyond the window. And as my eyes adjusted I made out the silhouettes of a desk, bureau and door. The door caught my attention above the rest because I heard someone coming closer. The door opened and a tall figure stood in the doorway.
I did not bother tying to lie back down. For one, it would be damn near impossible to do so. And second…I had already been seen.
"By the gods your awake!" A richly cultured male voice declared.
The lights flared on to my surprise, nearly blinding me as I forced my eyes closed. I heard his hurried movements and could not gauge where he moved until I felt strong arms wrap themselves around me.
I winced as he pressed against my still very sore body and growled.
"Let me go."
The voice that escaped my lips did not sound like my own. It was deeper more sultry. He pulled away just enough to see me, but he still held firm to my body. And as I stared into his eyes, I realized he was one of the most beautiful men I had ever seen.
He stared at me with eyes a startling crimson shade. They stood out against the paler than ivory tone of his skin, and blazed in contrast to his sable-in-shadows colored hair. His features were well chiseled and defined, aristocratic yet somehow causal.
I could tell he was tall, although the exact height was beyond me. His lean sturdy muscles could be felt as he held onto me. It was this I questioned.
I knew not who he was, and yet he seemed to know me. And well enough where he could take such a liberty and I stared at him puzzled and yet annoyed to have him so close.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice echoing my eyes.
His elegant brow rose at the question.
"You don't…remember me dear one? You don't remember…us?" He asked, nearly as surprised as I.
"What…us?" I repeated.
"You do not remember who you are?"
I growled, already displeased at having a conversation based on questions.
"Would it be to difficult to just give me an answer instead of a question?" I demanded.
He sighed and stared at me, his swirling crimson eyes an array of emotions.
"You are Kagome Higurashi, High Priestess of the Shikon Jewel and Princess of the Bow." He told me and not waiting for a reply he added.
"…I am Naraku Araignée and…I am your consort."
Shock and denial hit me in one tremendous blow so much that I felt back into the twilight of which he spoke. And my eyes saw no more.
Alright everyone, that was the prologue. If some are you are confused let me explain a few things. First, the italicized part was a dream/memory that will soon be explained. Second, Kagome's titles are honors she has acquired and will also be explained in later chapters. Third, Araignée is the French word for spider; I thought it was fitting. Have you any more questions you can post them in your reviews and I'll answer them as soon as possible.
Thank you very much for reading
Sincerely,
Tigress.
Chapter 1: Awakening
My head was swimming in thick oblivion, and yet a hazy cloud kept me afloat. By the Goddess what is happening to me? I wondered as the cloud began to give way.
I could hear a voice calling to me from somewhere in the abyss, deep and soothing and yet I knew not from who it came. Pushing aside the cloud I concentrated on the sound and forced myself to listen.
When the haze parted, I heard the words.
"Come back dear Lady." The voice was welcoming and smooth.
"Come back to me dear Lady." It repeated.
Slowly like floating back to the surface I rose, and as my eyes fluttered open I saw the owner of the voice.
The one called Naraku. He smiled at me showing a row of perfect white teeth the canines slightly longer than usual. But in my state I did not notice.
"Good morning." He told me.
He was still holding me much to my surprise. I stared past him at the window, the light poured in and I could her the charming sound of birds chirping from outside.
Then I turned my attention back on him and placed my hand to his chest to push him off me.
"You have not the strength to move my lady, do not try." He tried to tell me.
I stared at him annoyed and asked him again.
"Who are you?"
His head cocked to the side.
"I am the Prince of the Sword and consort to the High Priestess of the Shikon no Tama." He told me simply and I shuddered at the last statement.
"That tells me what you are, but not who you are." I replied.
He sighed deeply and stared at me as if trying to figure me out, while I was doing the same.
"I am Naraku Araignée, I know no other way to tell you my fair lady." He said.
"Do not call me that." I growled.
"It is who you are, who you were born to be."
"And how do you know this?" I demanded.
"I know this because I know you, I have known you all your life as you had known me."
"This is a dream, this cannot be real."
I told him remembering my life and who I really was.
"I'm eighteen years old, I just finished high school, I have jewel shards to find, and friends who need me. Whatever sick game you're playing it is not amusing." I told him.
Again he shook his head.
"I expected this, but it is another to face it."
I stared at him surprised.
"This is no game my lady..."
"Do not call me that." I growled.
"Kagome…this is not a game. The shards of which you speak of are not mere shards; the Shikon Jewel is complete Kagome. It hangs upon your very neck." Out of reflex my hand shot to my neck.
Just as he said the Jewel of Four Souls lay nestled in the hollow of my throat. I fiddled with the small sphere still trying to understand how it was possible.
"You must try to remember Kagome, your memories are the key to understanding that which lays before you." He told me.
I gazed at him for a long time, his eyes returned to fathomless scarlet. But they seemed too sincere…it was strange. There was something about him that did not seem quite right, but at the same time I felt as if I could trust him.
I closed my mind and tried to still the mass of my teeming thoughts. Slowly I began to regain control. Images flashed before my eyes, people who I once knew people I cared about.
"I see my Mom, Grandpa, and Souta. And then the people of the Warring States…Kaeda, Shippo, Sango, Miroku, Kouga…and Inuyasha."
A snarl so fierce escaped his lips and made me jump before I could look at him. I had not thought it possible for his already blood-kissed eyes to grow any fiercer. But they did, flaming to a startling angry crimson.
"My lady if you only knew the things he has done you would not speak of him with such…compassion."
"This cannot be real, this has to be a dream."
"Kagome whomever you think you saw save the people of this era are not real. They never existed. They were dreams, and this." He said pointing around us. "This is real."
Reluctantly he released me and set me carefully on the bed. I was glad to no longer have the contact. And I forced myself to sit up and watched him, trying to understand who he was.
When I looked at him I felt something, something familiar, like I should have known him. Just not in the sense that he spoke off, something was wrong here. There was something he was not telling me.
"You lye." I snapped and again he shook his head at me. "My name is Kagome Higurashi, I live in a shrine with my mom, my Grandpa, my little brother Souta, and my cat named Bouyo. I am the reincarnation of a priestess from the Feudal Era, I was assigned to collect all the shards from the Shikon no Tama and be its Guardian!"
For a long moment, neither of us said anything. My words echoed in the room and drew out the silence. Then when Naraku went to speak.
"Lady Kagome, if you allow me…I can help you."
My eyes narrowed into a glare. "And how exactly do you plan to do that."
For a moment Naraku looked down as if he were wary of meeting my gaze.
"Your mind milady. Your mind in its present state is fragile…however I have the degree of control were I could unlock the memories your mind has probably suppressed."
I was confused for a time before somehow I understood the concept that he might be a telepath. If he could do what he said, I could understand who I truly am and what happened to me. But I knew that for this there was a price…there is always a price.
"And what do you seek to gain from this?" I asked.
"The love of my lady is all I could hope for." He said simply.
My gaze locked on his and I scrutinized every inch of his face. But there was no flinch or change in the way he held himself. Oddly enough he was either a really good liar or he might actually be telling the truth.
"And what guarantee have I that you will not do my mind further damage?"
Naraku looked stunned or more so hurt and for some reason the expression pulled at my heart.
"To do you harm would kill me Kagome, what of this do you not understand."
His words were quiet, but the heavy feel of sincerity weighed them down and swarmed around me like a swarm of hornets. Hanging my head I whispered to for our ears alone.
"Do what you must."
Moments later I felt his warm fingertips on my temple. A shudder ran through me as I felt his power begin to circulate around us. It bathed over me like a hot mist and moments later my eyes saw not but shadows as I was plunged into darkness.
Naraku's P.O.V.
Her body fell forward into the curve of his chest and he righted her so that she could be comfortable. The one called Naraku looked down at her sleeping form, all warmth drained from his eyes.
His face was a calm mask, the epitome of control. He laid her back on the bed and pulled the covers over her. For a long time he stared at her, etching every feature to his memory. He had given up much to have the High Priestess of the Shikon Jewel and he would not lose her.
She had blossomed from an attractive bud to a gorgeous flower. Her long raven colored hair glistened as brightly as an ebony waterfall. The dark tendrils were satiny smooth as he fiddled with them and even from here; he could smell her scent rising off them. She smelled Moonlight Lilies, a delectably sweet and soothing aroma.
Tenderly he drew a clawed finger down the line of her well-chiseled cheekbone, then her jaw and then carefully the swell of her very full very tempting lips. He bent down to hover mere inches from her face but did not close the distance, no that would be for much later.
He pulled away from here moments before the door opened. A man clad in simple brown and white man's kimono entered the room. His average length brown hair and cold brown eyes would never make him handsome, but he made up for it with shrewdness.
"Does all go as planned Master Naraku?" The man asked.
Naraku turned from him and stared again down at Kagome. He did not understand why he would not let his gaze leave her; he knew only it did. Without even looking at him he replied.
"Yes Onigumo, all goes as planned. She will see and hear only what I want her to. She will soon turn against those she once loved. She will turn to me in her grief and I will be here as I always have. Only this time, she will have no way of turning back. I will make sure of it.
A/N Okay everyone that's the chapter. If anyone is confused please feel free to post it in your review or email me, I'll reply with an explanation as soon as possible. Do not worry; the chapters are about to get much longer. And all will be explained with time. I ask only that everyone is patient with this one. I thank you all for reading, and even more so for reviewing.
Be well, safe, and blessed.
Your faithful authoress,
TigressMoon.