The anime/manga of Inuyasha or its characters do not belong to me.

The idea and any new character's that may arise belong only to me.

Ok folks, I have been told that there may be some confusion on certain parts of this story. I may not have made it to obvious that Kagome is flashing back and forth from her past to the present. I realize that it might be a bit confusing with the flash backs but unfortunately in order to understand the future we must first understand the past. I need people to understand Kagome's history and why she is the way she is today. It helps to understand why she is so dark, and who her past enemies were. I also want everyone to understand that Kagome is, for lack of a better word, a predator. She's not a demon, but she's no longer human either. She does feel her humanity but she will also push it aside to do what she thinks needs to be done. She doesn't relish taking a life but she will if it comes to that point.

Ok I think that is all I need to say on the story itself. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have read and reviewed my story. I hope that each chapter I write is a new thrill for you and that it is enough to have you continue with your reviews. I need to have those reviews in order to make sure that I am doing right by this story. I really like where it is going and hope that you do too. Thank you!

And now on to chapter seven, please review!

P.S.

Just as a side note. If you see this ****** next to a word, then It means that there is a

translation at the bottom of the chapter. ~~Nessa~~

Chapter Seven:

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I woke up from one breath to the next. Everything in me seemed like it was on fire. Tiny little electric shots racing through my body had the effect of a very disorienting alarm system. I laid there for a moment feeling the stillness of the house. There wasn't anything that seemed out of place but the sensation I had felt earlier wasn't a figment of my imagination. I closed my eye's and followed my thread of power back to the barrier that I had surrounding the shrine, searching for any weak spots that weren't there before. When I opened my eyes again, I could see the blurred vision of the walls of my home, but beyond that I saw the netting of weaved power circling the grounds. It's color a pale blue with tints of black around the edges.

I shivered when I felt the strands of my hair blowing in a wind that didn't exist. The current of power that surrounded me caressed me with its warmth, welcoming me home. This place was seductive. Power in its most basic and raw form existed here, the kind of power that you could lose yourself in if you didn't keep yourself grounded. There weren't any left who could tap into this kind of magic, and those who somehow managed their way here would go insane if they stayed in the clutches of this realm for to long. It takes a life time to master the skill. I had to learn it the slow and very painful way. I shuddered at long forgotten memories of a darker time.

I stopped my search when I found what I was looking for. The strands of power that had been knitted close together now stood stretched and warped. The colors melded creating a magical finger print of the person who weakened it. By the size of it there couldn't be more than two or three of them.

I reached out to the weave, pulling out my threads and braided them back together. I gathered the discolored marks of red and dark purple to me, knotting the ends together and I let if float in front of me moment. I lowered my head as I whispered, holding my hand on either side of the knotted threads.

"Power unknown, marks unseen I call to thee, Power of light I call to thee. Come to me, guide my way, take me to those who might cause pain."

I looked up when I felt the pulse of power; a light slowly grew steady from the start of the knots and straightened out to shoot forward creating a path from it to its creator. I traced it to the front of the shrine just before the steps. A wicked smile curved my lips, the thrill of the hunt crawled through me. The darkness that was always a part of me practically hummed with pleasure.

I know where you are now. You're mine.

I couldn't help myself. I didn't want this to happen. I didn't want to reveal to others my existence but the predator in me demanded that I teach those who crossed into my domain a very serious lesson with pain and blood. The logical reason let go of its fight, knowing that this is what had to be done. My choice was made, there was no going back. I would not give up those that I had chosen to protect.

I let go of the power realm, and the walls of my bedroom became solid again. I slipped from bed and pulled on my robe and slippers. I silently made my way down the steps and into Sesshomaru's room. He was sitting up in bed, sweat had broken on his skin and he was heaving. The journey from our shared dream was a bit rough on him. He would eventually become accustomed to our mind link but to have been ripped from our first link was like being dragged thru mud and water to emerge on a bed of knives.

I placed a hand on his shoulder and held a finger to my lips to silence his questions.

"We are not alone. Stay here and don't come out, and don't argue with me. You aren't going to be much help right now. You're energy is still too weak."

"Do you think that I would let you go alone? I doesn't matter if this Shessomaru is not up to his normal standards. I can still be of some assistance."

I wanted to laugh at his usage of the third person format. It must be a family trait. I shook my head at him.

"Shessomaru, if you try to help me and become injured I won't be able to protect you right away. You may cause more harm then good."

"I will go with you."

Stubborn demon.

"Fine. Stay out of my way."

He pulled himself up and out of bed. Once he was ready we both turned towards the door and made our way to the front door. Reaching out, I placed a hand on the knob turning it. Taking a deep breath I exhaled and pushed it open. I hadn't realized that it had started to rain again until I felt the moist plop of a drop on my skin. Thunder crashed through the sky as if in welcome. I moved beyond the door and out into the court yard to meet the two intruders that stood at the steps of my home. I was aware of Sesshomaru at my side. There was no fear in him, even in his weakened state. The female in me could appreciate a man who knew how to stand his ground.

"Welcome gentlemen."

Their shadowed forms stepped forward and into the light of the court yard. I didn't recognize them. One was demon and the other a human monk. I was sick at the corruption that swirled in his aura. Another monk who blackened his soul for money. How very dirty. I could even hear the darkness in his voice when he spoke. And it was obvious that he thought much of his abilities.

We shall see little monk, we shall see.

"Are you the owner of this place?"

He asked me as if in shock.

"I am."

He wasted no words; he darted forward with an attempt to run his sword through me. I jumped and in the space of a heart beat I was pressed against the wall of my home, Sesshomaru had immediately jumped but as weak as he was it tired him out and he was breathing hard with the effort it took him. I lowered myself into a crouch, my eyes never leaving the dark monk. He pulled back, and I saw the lines of energy that he was trying to pull to him.

Impudent child. Why meddle with magic you have no understanding of?

The thought crossed my mind at the same time that I realized that he was pulling energy with some experience. Someone had taken the time to teach him some technique in drawing energy. It didn't matter.

I sent my mental fingers seeking, I tapped the line of power and let it flow into my body and channeled it to the well in my mind that had taken me centuries to perfect. It allowed me to store excess energy for later use. I stopped pulling energy but I stayed linked to it so that if I had to pull more I would. I was not a fool to underestimate my enemies.

The dark monk let his curse go, and it came rolling at us in a burst of red and purple.

"TUTELA!" ******

I called out and a circle of protection surrounded us, the fires of the curse

shattered against the walls of my barrier. I smirked at the monk with glee. His

look of horror was absolutely delightful to me.

"My turn."

And the coldness in my voice caused a shiver to go through the strangers before me.

I dropped my barrier and let go of the energy that I had collected. It burst out of

me in a wave of blue and black. It knocked the men down and I was by their side

in blur of motion. I had already palmed the knife that the monk held hidden in his

sleeve, and pushed the blade thru his rib cage and pierced his heart. I let him go

and he was dead before his head hit the ground. I turned towards the demon that

had been with him. His skin was burned and peeling in areas where my energy

had touched him. I raised a blue glowing hand towards him and quirked an

eyebrow.

"Would you like to leave here with your life demon?"

He nodded at me in fear.

"The take this message to your master, tell him that those he seeks are under

my protection. If he comes for them again I will be forced to take action."

His lips parted with a tremble.

Honestly, how cowardly can a demon get?

"Who are you?"

I have been hearing that question a lot lately.

"I doesn't matter WHO I am only WHAT I am. Tell him that it was a true Miko that

did this."

The demon sputtered in disbelief. My eye's narrowed in anger. Here I was

granting him life and he sits here shaking in his boots. Mind fucked demon. I

raised my glowing hand and he got the hint and took off down the stairs.

I touched my hand to the netting surrounding the shrine and expelled the excess

energy spindled in my head, making the protection stronger than it was before.

I released the pent up sigh I had been holding. I was actually sadden by the fact

this fight was not much of a fight, and soon my existence here would be known.

Absolutely fucking-tastic.

I heard a whisper of fabric as Sesshomaru came up behind me. We were covered from head to toe in water, and lightening lit the sky. There was a clash of thunder somewhere in the distance, but I paid it no mind. I turned to meet his gaze.

"Sesshomaru."

"Miko."

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Latin Translations:

1. Tutela: Latin word for protection