Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha
Sorry the last chapter was kind of short, but it didn't really flow with this one. But I'll make this one longer than usual to make up for it =)
By the way, lemon time!!!
Chapter 10 - Soulless
Kagome was amazed at the forces Sesshomaru had gathered. And the fact that he had already located Kikyo's palace. It had only been two weeks since Inuyasha had left. Since he made her his. She rubbed her shoulder as the caravan moved through the forest. Sesshomaru had said there was a clearing up ahead; they would camp here before moving in the next day.
When they approached the clearing Kagome recognized it as the one she had paused in when she tried to escape. She had been traveling in the right direction after all. In a weird way she found that fact to boost her confidence in her own abilities.
She was laying her own tent trying to ignore the noises she heard coming from Sango's. She merely giggled at her friends' happiness. She couldn't help but laugh loudly when she heard a smacking sound however. She looked outside of her tent to see a disappointed Miroku head back to his own sleeping place. Shaking her head Kagome went back inside to try to fall asleep. It wasn't easy.
Kagome couldn't help but think of Inuyasha. Footsteps outside of her tented alerted her to the fact that someone was outside. She crept towards the entrance trying to figure out who was so close to her tent. A hand snaked inside the tent startling her as it clamped down firmly on her mouth. Another hand came inside the tent and grabbed her wrist, dragging her outside. She looked up into her captors eyes, only to find deep violet eyes staring back. Inuyasha was human, and he had found her once again.
"Come with me. These forces aren't necessary, I know how to get my soul back without Kikyo knowing."
Kagome nodded excitedly and allowed him to lead her through the forest towards Kikyo's palace. The large doors granted them entry as they sneaked towards the throne room. She couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. Something wasn't right.
They entered the dark throne room and Inuyasha locked the door behind them. She turned to ask him why he had done that, when she saw a glowing orb floating where Kikyo's throne was. Instantly, the two rows of candles along the carpet illuminated, throwing shadows upon Kikyo's smiling face.
"I…I…I don't understand…"
"Simple Kagome. Being soulless puts you under the command of whoever possesses your soul. There's no bother trying to escape, Inuyasha doesn't remember you. You aren't leaving this room in the same state you entered. Inuyasha, bring the other one, we're ready to begin."
Inuyasha briefly left the room and came back with a struggling Kouga.
"Kikyo I don't understand. I thought you only wanted my soul."
"Foolish girl," Kikyo spat. "You think you know everything. My precious Shikon has another name. In legends it is referred to as "The Jewel of Four Souls." Hundreds of years ago it was created by the Lady of the North, Midoriko, as a force to protect her people. She and the ladies from the other realms all placed their souls within as a unifying force for the four realms. The four women died, but the lands remained in peace. The jewel always stayed in possession of the lady of the North, descendent of Midoriko. However, over the years the jewel slowly lost its power, until it become the dull orb you saw before. Over time the other realms even forget the jewel existed. Except for the North that is. We held onto it for sentimental value, until my mother. She knew the ritual for extracting souls, and knew the jewel could be revived again. This time however, the power only belonging to the north. In order for this to be possible, four souls have to be collected. Each a descendant of the original soul within. My original plan had been to marry Sesshomaru and possess his, but he chose a mere servant girl to mate instead of me. Without his soul my planning would have been useless. I extracted the soul of the fool Onigumo, and convinced him to kidnap Inuyasha. My forces soon grew as I took the souls of soldiers and lost travelers.
However, a soul only lasts for so long once extracted, before it becomes a star. I simply told Inuyasha that he was soulless so he wouldn't leave me. Thinking that the "girl with the light" could help him, he had no objections taking you, not having any memories of you. For you see, once you enter my realm, all your memories are erased. For example, Kagome, who are your best friends?"
Kagome started to speak, but realized all she could remember were faces, and blurry ones at that.
"You see. You're already beginning to revert. Well story time is over. I already possess Inuyasha's soul. That just leaves, yours and Kouga's."
"Won't you die without your soul?"
Kikyo began to laugh again. "That fool Midoriko gave her soul without caring about the sacrifice. My mother knew it would all be pointless for me to die after rejuvenating the jewel. She's already upstairs, more than willing to sacrifice herself for me to become powerful. This was her plan all along."
Onigumo appeared with a glowing vile in his hand. He walked over to Kikyo, and knelt before her, lifting it above his head.
"Two down, two to go."
Kagome's mind raced. She knew she couldn't allow this woman to take her soul. She watched as the guards grabbed Kouga and forced him to kneel before Kikyo. Kikyo placed her hand on Kouga's heart, and began to chant. The spot beneath her hand soon began to glow. Kouga started screaming as Kikyo's eyes became wide and an evil grin appeared on her face. She pulled with all the force she had and was soon rewarded with a ball of light in her hand. Kouga collapsed to the floor panting. Kikyo place her hand up to the Shikon, and watched as it flowed within the jewel. The jewel glowed brilliantly with the light of the three souls.
Kagome didn't know what to do besides run. She turned around and ran straight for the spot she had seen Onigumo emerge from.
Kikyo shook her head playfully. "Inuyasha, prevent her from leaving. But wait for daybreak."
Inuyasha stood and waited, until suddenly his transformation began to take place. However this time instead of the hanyou, he was full demon. Kagome gasped as she peered into his red eyes.
"O, I forgot to mention. Hanyous become demons with they lose their souls. And soulless demons love nothing but to kill."
Kagome had no choice but to turn and run. She heard Inuyasha laugh as he took off after her. She knew he wasn't running as fast as he could. He was playing with her, the whole time laughing.
Kagome soon found herself inside the Lair of the Stars. She couldn't figure out where the exit was due to the fact that the room was pitch back, save the glowing lights. Inuyasha stepped in behind her laughing menacingly.
"Foolish human. Did you honestly think you could escape me?"
Kagome had no other options. She had to plead with him. "Inuyasha, please stop, I'm your mate!"
"What makes you think I'd take a human as a mate?"
"I can prove it, look at the mark…" She pulled her collar aside, only to find the mark was gone. Kagome felt her world crash down around her. She sank slowly to her knees and began to cry. Her mate, or should she say former mate, was going to kill her. "It's gone with your soul."
Inuyasha looked down at the human crying before him. He couldn't kill her, Kikyo wanted her for something… he couldn't remember what. She didn't say he couldn't have fun though…
He knelt in front of the human girl, and pushed it onto her back. She looked up at him with fearful eyes. She looked so pathetic. This was going to be fun.
Kagome couldn't believe it. He wasn't going to kill her, he was going to rape her instead. Well, would it be rape. In her heart she still loved him. Should she try to protest?
"Girl, why aren't you at least moving, or are you that sad?"
"I already explained you're my mate," Kagome said slowly, "Mates don't refuse one another."
Inuyasha was confused by her words. She was just going to let him do whatever he felt like? That actually kind of took the fun out of it.
Kagome saw the confused look on his face and took advantage of it. She pulled him down on top of her and kissed him as hard as she could. He grabbed both her hands and brought them above her head. With his other free hand he cut open her miko robes she had been wearing. He broke the kiss and began to bite her all over. Not enough to break skin, but enough to leave marks.
Kagome held her breath as he went all over her body. She could only hope this worked…
He removed the ties to his pants and forced himself into her as quickly as he could. He was surprised not to find a barrier and stared down at the girl.
"Been around have we?"
"For the third time, we're mates, meaning we've done this before."
"Whatever, makes my job easier." He began thrusting harder than she remembered the first time. It actually hurt, but in a good way. With his free hand he grabbed her from behind to force himself even deeper. As he felt himself coming he heard the girl scream. At least she's having fun too he thought to himself. However, when he came, he didn't expect to feel the warm feeling he felt inside his heart. He jerked himself out of her, and looked down at the girl below him. He saw a mark appear on her shoulder. The character for love.
Inuyasha jumped back from the human. What was happening? He felt his claws and fangs grow shorter. His vision changed from everything having a red hue to being normal. Kagome sat up and looked into his eyes, except to find golden ones watching her. She watched him come towards her and bring her into his arms.
"I'm so sorry."
"I'm glad it worked."
"What do you mean." He stammered.
"After you left I asked Miroku what the difference between mating and marriage was. He explained that mates do more than proclaim their love. They open their souls to one another, and in some cases they even give each other part. I had hoped this was true in our case, meaning that a possessed part of your soul. And well, I could only think of one way for blind mates to recognize one another."
He watched her blush as she said the last part, slowly rewrapping her robes around herself. He couldn't believe she had risked rape on a hunch. He hugged her again as fiercely as he could.
"Kagome, thank you."