Orbs & Lights

Kagome's patients paid off a little after dark. The villagers had long ago retired to their huts for the night when Kikyo walked out of the village. As soon as Kikyo stepped into the woods she was surrounded by her Soul Collectors. Kagome watched with disgust as they dropped small white orb's of light on their master and they entered her body.

So many souls who will never find peace because of her. How does she keep going on knowing what she is? Knowing what she has done to the dead as well as the living? Kagome shadowed Kikyo as she slowly moved away from the area. For a moment she thought Kikyo had sensed her when she stopped and started looking around.

Kagome already had her plan in mind and soon would be putting it into action. As Kikyo reached the base of a cliff she was caught off guard by a hard blow to the back of her head. Luckily for her it only knocked her out. Taking her to a cave Kagome waited for her to wake. Less than an hour later Kikyo started to wake with her head and wrists throbbing.

She had no idea what or worse, who had hit her. She found her hands were both tied behind her back and her ankles were bound. The cave was dark and Kikyo couldn't see anything. The only light was the dim glow of the full moon that was outside the cave. She was glad she was able to see at least some of the dark cave, even if it was only a few feet of it and so far away.

Her head jerked when she heard the sound of something moving inside the cave. " Who's their? What do you want with me?" She called out hopping to get answers. She could feel the aura that stood only a few feet from her. The aura felt strange and was like nothing she had ever felt before. It was already very strong, but it was still growing and contently changing. For that reason alone Kikyo was afraid of who might have her.

Thanks to Kagome having demonic abilities she was able to see within the cave with no trouble. She could see the fear that was in Kikyo's eyes and on her face. She smiled as she thought of how Kikyo would react to it being her. Kagome knew she could end it all quickly as she stared at the confused woman in front of her. However she wanted to make Kikyo suffer as she had been doing for so long.

Kikyo jumped when she felt something brush against her arm. Her breath stilled as she waited for whatever would happen next. She once again tried calling out in the dark, trying to get answers, but nothing came, only silence. She was enjoying the fear that was coming from Kikyo. Kagome knew it was starting to get late and she prepared to let the object of her anger know who she was.

Sesshomaru sat in a tree just outside the cave entrance. He could hear everything that was happening inside and was surprised by what Kagome was doing. As he thought about it he realize not only was she not acting like herself, but she was acting like Naraku. To Sesshomaru it seemed to make since considering her demon blood came from him.

Sesshomaru lightly grinned when he felt Inuyasha's aura coming closer. Even though he was still miles away Sesshomaru knew it was only a matter of time till he would arrive. As he waited much was happening inside the cave. A spark flashed quickly lighting up the cave before it became dark once more.

A dim light started to fill the darkness and slowly grew as the fire took hold. Erie shadows danced on the walls, floor and ceiling. She could make out the outline of her captor as they knelt beside the fire. " Who are you? Why are you doing this?" Kikyo ask as she stared at her captors back. The sound of a low growl filled the cave, echoing off the walls and sent a cold shiver down Kikyo's back.

" You should know why Kikyo." Kagome stood. " It's your fault what happened to me. Betrayal is an ugly thing to do to someone." She said as she walked to the back side of the fire and looked Kikyo in the eyes. " Did you think you were going to get away with it? That nothing was going to happen to you just because you have Inuyasha fooled?"

Kikyo's eyes went wide and she gasp. " You!" Kikyo's voice was full of fear and shock as she stared at her younger mirror image. Kagome smiled when she felt fear radiating from Kikyo as it flooded the entire cave.

" Wow don't tell me even the walking dead can feel emotions. Are you afraid Kikyo?" Kikyo said nothing only stared at her. Kagome stepped closer and looked Kikyo dead in the eyes, their noses almost touching. " Your right to be afraid. You have good reason for it." Kagome grinned evilly before she turned around and picked up a single piece of burning wood. They both watched the flame go out on the wood leaving only the growing red embers.

Kikyo's eyes darted from Kagome to the red hot embers then back to Kagome's face. " Kagome I had no control over myself when I shot you. I kept trying to fight it, but I couldn't do anything to stop what happened." When she looked into Kagome's eyes what she saw only made Kikyo's fear grow even more. Her eyes held the same look as Naraku's, cold, cruel and dead.

" I guess in a way, I should thank you for killing me. Even though it hurt like hell. When Sesshomaru brought me back I was changed. No one knew Naraku's blood had entered my body, not even me." As Kagome spoke she slowly moved toward Kikyo.

" Inuyasha will come for me." Was all Kikyo said.

Kagome leaned in close to her ear and softly whispered. " Inuyasha is still searching for you Kikyo. In a way I hope he does, but know this. If he gets in my way.... I will kill him too." An evil grin appeared on Kagome face as she pulled back from Kikyo. Before she pull completely away Kagome raised the glowing red hot wood and glanced down at Kikyo's leg. " Tell me. Can you feel pain like I do?" Kikyo screamed out when Kagome quickly brought down the growing red hot stick and it made contact with her leg. " I guess you can." Kagome said laughing.

Kikyo's Miko powers surged to the surface, sending out a wave of her energy toward Kagome. Kagome started laughing again and shaking her head. " Have you forgotten I'm a Miko too? You can't hurt me with your weak powers." Kagome's own Miko powers surged to the surface and a wave went straight at Kikyo almost knocking her backwards. " I'm much stronger than you or Inuyasha have ever given me credit for. That moron can't even tell us apart when I wear the red and white clothes."

Even though Kikyo could feel pain and she was crying, no tears fell from her eyes. She closed her eyes, silently calling for her Soul Collectors. Kagome quickly walked to the cave entrance, glancing out of it. She knew what Kikyo had done as soon as they started coming into view. As they started coming into the cave Kagome killed them one by one.

She watched Kagome kill her last Soul Collector and the dead souls that kept her alive float away. Kikyo knew it was only a matter of time before she would die and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Kagome whispered something then vanished into the darkness. When she stepped back into the light of the fire she was wearing the same clothing as Kikyo. " Lets see if he can tell us apart, shall we." Kagome said with a large smile across her face.

Kagome drug Kikyo out of the cave and up the side of the cliffs. Sesshomaru couldn't understand what Kagome purpose was, but he was sure he would soon find out. Finally what she had been waiting for appeared at the base of the cliff. " Kikyo!" Inuyasha screamed as he looked up at her and Kagome sitting on the steep rocks.

" Which one of us is Kikyo Inuyasha? Better catch her." As Kagome screamed down at him she quickly cut the ropes Kikyo's hands had been tied up with. Grabbing her shirt, Kagome jumped off the cliff pulling Kikyo with her. Their bodies twisted and turned as they fell toward the ground. Inuyasha screamed Kikyo's name and jumped up to catch her.

But instead of catching Kikyo he caught Kagome thinking she was Kikyo. Landing he look over at the one he left to die, expecting to see a twisted bloody broken body. Instead what he saw made him scream out in pain. Kikyo laid on the ground as she gasp for air. Her body was broken in many places and the souls that kept her alive were quickly leaving her. Inuyasha fell to his knees when he realized what he had done. His body went numb and he was unable to move.

Kagome started to walk away but stopped at the edge of the trees and turned around. " You were always comparing me to her. Calling me her name as if you were trying to make me her. If you would have only listened she would still be alive. Can you see I'm not Kikyo now Inuyasha?" Then she vanished into the trees.

Sesshomaru who had been sitting in the near by tree was very impressed with how she had made her point to Inuyasha. Inuyasha didn't even acknowledge Sesshomaru when he jumped out of the tree. Sesshomaru looked at Inuyasha before he left the clearing, leaving Inuyasha to mourn the death of his mate in private.

As Inuyasha morned over Kikyo the last of her souls left her body. When the last orb raised into the air instead of going up it shot off into the forest. The orb was traveling so fast it looked like a long line instead of an orb. It past by Sesshomaru almost knocking him down. Kagome felt something strange and turned around to see what it was. When she did this the orb struck her in the chest knocking her to the ground unconscious.

By the time Sesshomaru found Kagome she was laying on the ground unconscious. He became worried when he looked at her and saw what looked like two completely different aura battling for control over the other. He saw what looked like marking appearing and disappearing time after time. When he touched her face, he found she had a raging fever that promised death if she was not tended to quickly. Picking her up he took to the sky, traveling as fast as he could.

Even the strongest of demons will eventually tire when pushed to hard and Sesshomaru was no exception. The longer he traveled the more he could feel his strength slipping away, but still he refused to stop or even slow down. It was early morning and the sun was trying to come up when the Manor came into view. It was as if he was rejuvenated by the very sight of it and his speed quickly increased.

Landing he quickly entered the Manor. He started yelling for his healers as he jumped the grand staircase and landed on the top floor. By the time he reached his private room the halls were filled with healers and servants all rushing after him. With so much activity Sango and Miroku appeared from their rooms to see what was going on.

They watched as servants and healers entered Sesshomaru's room in a flurry. When a servant came rushing out, Miroku stopped her to get information. In their brief exchange Sango and Miroku learned that Sesshomaru had returned with a woman who had a very high fever and looked as if she were close to death.

Miroku held Sango as she buried her face in his chest and started crying. As much as they both wanted to barge into the room they knew it would be a sign of disrespect and Sesshomaru would see it that way. So they stayed in the hall waiting and worrying. Sango was grateful Shippo was still sleeping and knew nothing of what was happening.

Slowly healers and servants came from the room, until only Sesshomaru was left. He didn't bother to approach them as he stepped into the doorway and started to speak. " You will find the kit then join me4 in this room." No more did that last word pass his lips before he retreated back to the other side of the door.

Miroku and Sango hurried through the twists and turns of the long halls before finally stopping. Taking a deep breath they entered the room and tried to prepare themselves for what was to come. Sango held Shippo firmly on her lap before they told him about Kagome. As they expected he started fighting trying to get lose so he could find Kagome.

He only calmed after they promise to take him to her. They did bother to knock as the walked through the doors. Sesshomaru stood beside the balcony door and turned to see them looking at Kagome. Their breath stilled and bodies froze at the sight of Kagome's changing body. She hovered inches above the bed with a shimmering blue light encasing her as if she were inside some kind of cocoon.

Shippo was the first to find his voice as he called out to Kagome and jumped from Sango's arms. Unfortunately Shippo was in for a rude surprise when he tried to jump on the bed beside her. As soon as his feet touched the silken sheets he was knocked back across the room by an unseen force. Thinking perhaps since Rin was human that maybe she might be able to, but sadly the same thing happened.

Sesshomaru had hoped with their special bond that Shippo might be able to at least touch Kagome. It seemed as if he had been wrong. He turned to the sight of Shippo staring at Kagome with tears falling from his eyes. If there was one thing he would not tolerate that was a demon who cried, even if he was young.

" Kit you will follow me." With a worried and scared glance to Sango and Miroku, he followed Sesshomaru onto the balcony. " I can not your age. You will stop this outburst. A man does not cry." Shippo nodded his head as he tried to dry his tears. " The Miko will live. I will have it no other way." To Miroku and Sango it looked as if Sesshomaru was trying to make Shippo feel better.

Stepping inside they all waited for whatever was to come. To every ones surprise Sesshomaru sat on the bed next to Kagome's floating body. " It seems I am the only one allowed to touch her. Perhaps it is because I was holding her when the blue lights first appeared." Even though they were unsure they excepted his explanation and silence fill the room.