This one's really short, and I apologize, but I have to go to work.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

It Begins

A pull, fierce and demanding, tugged at his black soul. Sinister look overtaking his features, he threw back his head and laughed. The time was nigh; the Jewel of Four Souls was now separated into only two pieces, and they called to one another… to him.

Crimson eyes glinting, he began summoning his dark powers, his hoards of demons rising from the depths of Hell like a great, billowing leviathan.

Shedding his baboon pelt, he donned his fighting armor and erected a barrier around himself. Gathering Kanna, Hakudoshi, and Kohaku, the only three of his servants that remained, he looked to the blackening sky, malice and evil clouding his once human heart, a thirst for blood coiling in the pit of his belly. Like Lucifer himself, the malevolent being smiled a cruel smile, his soul roaring at the thought of the innocent lives he would take.

The Shikon would be his, as would the world. All would bow down before Naraku, fear and worship his very name. Even the great Sesshomaru would not stand in his way. And then, when all was in place, as it was meant to be from the very moment he was spawned, the pure little Shikon Miko would belong to him.

Anticipation mounting, he envisioned all of the marvelous things he could do to her body. Once before he had experienced what her sweet, virginal self had to offer, and the memory of her tight, clenching passage around his fingers made his loins ache with a fierce desire. Though she was no longer a virgin, he was certain that her body would still be as pleasurably tight.

For a second, his mind wandered to the many ways he could torment Sesshomaru for his trespass. Kagome was to be his, as was her virginity, but the meddling inu had gone and botched things up. Either way, he would rid himself of the dog and take back what he had claimed.

He chuckled. His need for the wench had become almost as persistent as his need for the Shikon. She had truly done a number on him. However, it did not bother him. She was, after all, the strongest miko known to ever exist. With her powers surpassing even the great Midoriko's, she was a living embodiment of holy energy and all that was good.

'Perhaps,' he thought offhandedly to him self, 'I will force her to grant my wish for me. Wouldn't that be delicious… to have the miko grant me eternal power?'

Had he a heart in his body, it would have leapt at the notion. 'That would truly destroy her,' he surmised, barely able to hold back his increasing eagerness.

'Soon I will bathe in her tears,' he purred, eyes flashing a brilliant red. 'I will bathe in her tears… and the taiyoukai's blood.'

"Thank you for everything, Ryou," said the young miko in soft tones, "It certainly was nice having her with me, even if it only was for a short while."

Taking the reins from the priestess' hands, the young breeder smiled at her before casting a wary glance at the tall, silver haired inu youkai. "It was a pleasure doing business with you, Lady Kagome. I hope to see you again some day. I can always use an extra hand."

Batting at him playfully, the raven haired woman chuckled at the teasing tone in his voice. "Perhaps I'll come around to check up on my girl."

"Indeed," Ryou agreed, "she seems to have taken quite the liking to you."

Nodding and bidding him farewell, Kagome threw her arms around the young stable owner, sighing when she heard a growl come from her comrade. Turning, she swatted Sesshomaru over the shoulder and droned, "Oh hush, you."

When the couple turned to walk away, Mischief whinnied in a disgruntled fashion and began to tug at her reins, trying her hardest to follow after the young miko. Wild eyes flashing, she neighed shrilly, hooves pawing at the ground as the young girl cast a quick look back at her.

Patting the wild mare's neck softly, Ryou reassured, "You'll see her again, girl, I'm sure of it."

Kagome stole another glimpse at Sesshomaru, groaning when she found he had a somewhat perturbed look on his face. "Calm down," she pleaded, "it was a friendly hug, alright? It's not like I was flirting with him."

Huffing, the taiyoukai suggested sternly, "Perhaps you should express your gratitude in a less evocative manner. I could smell arousal in his scent."

Blowing a raspberry, the young miko threw her hands up and hollered, "Hopeless, each and every one of you men! Why do I even bother?"

"Kagome," the tall demon chastised, "you need to learn your station. As my future mate, you can not perform such acts. It sends the signal that you are available, and I will not tolerate other males touching what is mine."

Sighing in defeat, she hugged him tightly around the waist and surrendered, "Alright, dear, you win. No more hugging males… other than you."

He nodded once, firmly and critically, and she couldn't help but giggle at just how seriously he was taking this whole matter.

Against the folds of her fighting garb, the weight of the Shikon shard bumped against her hip, warming her skin with its mystical touch. She had decided to store it there for the time being, as opposed to around her neck.

Hand dipping into her inner pocket, she curled her fingers around it, rubbing the smooth portion with her thumb while tracing the many edges of its serrated side with her index finger.

Soon the battle for this sacred gem would begin… soon the fate of the earth would be decided. She would fight to the death if need be, and with the gods as her witness, she would defeat the evil force that stood against them.

Hand nestling on her shoulder, the taiyoukai pulled his miko closer to his side, his demonic cloud materializing beneath their feet. Smoothing out the tangles from her hair, he assured her with a whisper, "All will be well, koi. We will stop Naraku, and I will not let any harm befall you."

Winking in a teasing fashion, she whispered back, "I know."

Burying his nose in her hair, he inhaled deeply of her honeyed scent, unable to wait for the day that he would be a part of that scent permanently. Even his inner beast could hardly contain its anxiousness. However, she was not yet ready for such things, not yet… not after what had happened. Her fragile heart was not ready for another of his advances. For the time, he would work on piecing it back together… then he would focus on other things.

So, instead, he licked her cheek gently, claws grazing against her arm as they flew together toward his home. Until Naraku made his move, they would rest in the safety of his palace.

From the south, he could feel the familiar thrum of his enemy's aura; the hanyou's power level slowly increasing. Though it was obvious Naraku was not yet ready to invade his lands, one thing was painfully clear.

Golden orbs shifted to southern regions, scanning the beautifully painted evening sky as a single thought crossed the owners mind. 'It has begun.'

Ohhhhh… we draw closer to the battle in which we are anxiously awaiting. There are still a few chapters to go before the big face off, so be patient.

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