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Inuyasha's heart was beating faster than they were flying. He was so close to the place he had spend his whole childhood, he could smell the exotic flowers his mother had insisted on growing there. He wondered if Kagome had seen them. Appreciated the hours his mother spent with the soil, weeding and planting. Inuyasha felt a pain deep in his stomach. He didn't want to return there. But he did it for Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara. Or did he do it for Kagome?
But he was still angry at Kagome. That she willfully committed such a vile act. But in a way, he knew he couldn't be angry at her for long. To Inuyasha, Kagome was surrounded by a white light, which not even the darkest and most sinister could taint. He turned to look at her face. No, Kagome was so strong, and so beautiful, she could not be touched by such things. He blushed at his bold thoughts. Kagome turned to look at him, with a sadness in her eyes. Inuyasha almost snarled.
Above all else, he hated pity. Pity was something left for pitiful creatures, something he was not. He promised himself he would be so much stronger than Sesshoumaru. So much stronger than his father. He wouldn't die out of sorrow for a woman.
But he had, hadn't he? When Kagome had left, Inuyasha felt stale, dead inside. Like something was missing. It had affected him physically as well, and he had only realized now, how alike he and his father had been. Sesshoumaru stole everything from him. His mother, his father, his Kagome. . . His Kagome? 'Where the hell did that come from!?' He thought to himself in alarm. Kagome looked down seeing his face. Embarrassment, or shame? He wondered.
But he had little time to pace on those thoughts, for the castle was coming up rapidly. He could now make out towers and balconies with his sharp eyes. Places where he played, where he trained, where he sat. Forgotten memories rushed back to him, smothering any other thoughts.
"Inuyasha? Inuyasha?" Kagome asked twice, after Inuyasha had not responded.
"What?" He asked.
"Should we go in the front gates, er. . . go in the side entrance? Or in the north tower?" She inquired. Inuyasha winced. She knew the entire castle, inside out. She had probably seen where he used to sleep. Even his parent's room. . .
"The front gates." Inuyasha replied hesitantly.
"Yea. Okay." She replied. Inuyasha nodded. They were coming up on the grounds now. The ponds, the old willow trees he used to play in. . . He remembered it all like it was yesterday. But it was over fifty years ago. Fifty long quiet years. 'Damn Sesshoumaru!' He thought. Kagome turned away from him and began to focus on landing at the grand marble stairs. They came down slowly and surely, touching down at the base of the steps. Inuyasha jumped off and drew the Tetsusaiga.
Using his keen nose, Inuyasha sniffed around.
"What the hell is this?" He yelled in frustration. Kagome turned to him. "Where the hell is he!? He should at least have some guards or youkai or something!" He shouted, half expecting Kagome to slap him. But she didn't move. She just stood there, like a zombie.
In fact, that's all she did. He ran to her side and took her shoulder in his claws. She didn't move. Her eyes were purely glazed over, and her body unflinching.
"Kagome!" He yelled next to her ear. She didn't move. He backhanded the side of her face. No reaction. In fact, he felt like he had just hit a rock, not flesh. His hand throbbed. Kagome jerked her head to the side, facing the castle again.
"Kagome, wake up!" He shouted, taking hold of her hand. But she just continued to turn, and then walk very tightly, as if it hurt her to do so. Inuyasha ran after her as she entered the Castle doors. When he stepped inside, they were plunged into complete darkness. Inuyasha stood still. Then he heard an ear piercing scream. It was Kagome. So without thought he ran, and fell down a trap door. He heard Kagome's scream below him, and he finally hit the floor with a thud, yet still in darkness. But not for long.
"Damn it, Kagome, where are you!?" He yelled. The light of thousands of candles bursting into flame filled the room. Kagome was on the floor beside him, tears streaming down her eyes. She got up and ran to Inuyasha. He spread his arms out to accept her, and she jumped into his chest. Inuyasha scanned the room and spotted a corner still in darkness. Then there was a growl, but not from his throat. Kagome didn't hear it.
"Sesshoumaru, stop hiding." Inuyasha said with a hiss of anger in his voice. Sesshoumaru stepped out of the shadows, no weapon drawn. Kagome pulled away to look at him. She held still, observing him for a moment. Sesshoumaru was red eyed and deep shadows lay in his face. A lopsided grin hung on his lips. It wasn't a happy Sesshoumaru, he had gone crazy.
"Sesshoumaru, please, where are our friends?" Kagome asked calmly, standing up. Sesshoumaru didn't reply, so she began to walk toward him, her arms down in a defenseless gesture. "Sesss-Sesshoumaru?" She asked quietly. He turned to look at her, and his disturbed face became an angry snarl.
"Bitch, this is your fault. I am Lord of the Western Lands, and you dare to mess with me? I should have killed you when I had the chance you back-stabbing witch." He said in a deep voice, raising a clawed finger to point at her. But Inuyasha saw the attack before Kagome did. Sesshoumaru's hand began to glow, and a ball of black energy spiraled her way. Inuyasha ran, but before he could reach her, she waved her hand in a casual gesture, and the ball faded. Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks. Kagome's eyes were glowing blue like fire.
"You filthy wench, take it off. Take it off now, or you'll never see them again." Sesshoumaru yelled. Kagome gasped.
"Excuse me!?" She yelled at him.
"Oh please, like I need to see your disgusting flesh again! I'm telling you to take the spell off! Take the damn spell off!" He yelled, a red vein appearing on his head. His eyes began to twitch, and his hands shook.
"Sesshoumaru, take what spell off?" Kagome asked, as if dealing with a mental patient.
"Stop saying my name like that! Stop it right now! I am Lord Sesshoumaru!" He yelled. "Now, take the fucking spell off, or I'll kill your friends, one by one." He said, waving a hand to the dark corner. The wall was illuminated.
Hanging by their wrists, Sango and Miroku were suspended by chains on the wall. Shippo and Kirara lay unconscious in a cage below their feet. All were covered in bruises and dry blood.
"You bastard!" Inuyasha yelled, charging with the transformed Tetsusaiga. Sesshoumaru easily dodged the attack and turned around to face all of them.
"Inuyasha, wait!" Kagome yelled as he reared his word in the air again. He stopped and sent a questioning glare her way. She simply turned to walk to Sesshoumaru again.
"What spell, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked courteously. He snarled again.
"THE LOVE SPELL YOU CAST! TAKE IT OFF!" He yelled back to her, his claws digging onto his own flesh. Blood dripped to the ground from his closed palms.
"Sesshoumaru, I didn't cast anything, I swear." Kagome said slowly taking another step toward him. He was only four yards from her now. Inuyasha was struggling with his urge to take advantage of Sesshoumaru's weakness.
"You did, of course you did! Why the hell else would I be in love with you!? WHY THE HELL ELSE WOULD I FEEL LIKE THIS!?" He yelled. Inuyasha lost his breath. 'Not my Kagome. Not EVER!' Inuyasha thought angrily.
"Sesshoumaru, it's not a spell." Kagome said bluntly. But Sesshoumaru wouldn't stand for it. He charged after her, and Inuyasha only pulled her out of the way just in time. They fell to the floor, Inuyasha still shielding her. Sesshoumaru was practically foaming at the mouth.
"If it's not the spell, than if I really do love you. . ." Sesshoumaru thought aloud, pausing in his attack. Inuyasha pulled Kagome to her feet.
"Then. . . you will be my mate. . . you will be mine." He said, a mad tone seeping in his dark voice. Inuyasha growled.
"She will never be yours! She's mine!" Inuyasha yelled, charging again. This time he sliced Sesshoumaru's shoulder, and Sesshoumaru stumbled.
"Inuyasha wait I-" Kagome stopped herself. 'Did Inuyasha just say what I think he just said? Did he just say that he . . . that he loved me? Oh my Gods. . . I . . . I. . . I love Inuyasha too!' She realized. It was like a deep part of her heart had been open. She lost that deep heavy feeling she didn't even know she had.
"Oh Gods!" She shouted. Inuyasha turned to look at her, thinking something was wrong. Kagome blushed under his gaze. "Um- I. I'll get the rest, you take care of Sesshoumaru." Kagome told him. And he actually smiled, and nodded in return. Kagome thought she was living a dream.
She ran back to Sango and Miroku, and saw the chains had no locks. She had little experience with bending metal, but she tried. With a snap and a clip, Sango and Miroku fell to the ground clumsily. Kagome ran back to the cage and popped open the lock with the same technique. She pulled Kirara and Shippo out of the cage, finding Myouga in Kirara's fur.
"Kagome!" He shouted, jumping from Kirara's head.
"Myouga, thank Gods! We'll talk later; we've got to wake up the rest! Help me!" She shouted, running back over to Sango. Kagome picked up her head with her hands and pressed a hand against her forehead. With a light blue shimmer, Sango opened her eyes. Kagome wasted no time in going to Miroku and awakening him as well. She found Shippo and Kirara awake from Myouga's flea bites.
"Get up guys; we've got to get out of here!" Kagome yelled, trying to pull them up.
"Where are we?" Sango asked in a dazed state. Kagome pulled her off of the ground and found them all waiting.
"There's not time to explain! Every one fallow me, I think I can get us out of here!" Kagome said, trying to form a plan. Kagome and the others ran to where they had fallen from, and Kagome pointed up.
"Kirara, take them all out of here, we'll be up soon!" Kagome ordered. As fast as they could, Sango Shippo and Miroku climbed on the transformed Kirara's back.
"Kagome, what about you?" Shippo cried out.
"I'll be fine, hurry, leave!" Kagome ushered. Kirara jumped up and began flying up to the entrance. Sango and Miroku watched Kagome grow smaller and smaller at they reached the trap door, and she disappeared completely.
Kagome turned to a strange sight. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru began circling each other.
"Then we will fight to the death, Inuyasha! Who ever wins will mate Kagome! Agreed?" Sesshoumaru yelled, drawing a sword.
"Agreed!" Inuyasha shouted. Kagome was stunned. 'Does Inuyasha really want to mate me? Gods, I'm flattered. . .' She thought.
'But there's no time for that! I've got to help Inuyasha!'
Inuyasha's heart was beating faster than they were flying. He was so close to the place he had spend his whole childhood, he could smell the exotic flowers his mother had insisted on growing there. He wondered if Kagome had seen them. Appreciated the hours his mother spent with the soil, weeding and planting. Inuyasha felt a pain deep in his stomach. He didn't want to return there. But he did it for Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara. Or did he do it for Kagome?
But he was still angry at Kagome. That she willfully committed such a vile act. But in a way, he knew he couldn't be angry at her for long. To Inuyasha, Kagome was surrounded by a white light, which not even the darkest and most sinister could taint. He turned to look at her face. No, Kagome was so strong, and so beautiful, she could not be touched by such things. He blushed at his bold thoughts. Kagome turned to look at him, with a sadness in her eyes. Inuyasha almost snarled.
Above all else, he hated pity. Pity was something left for pitiful creatures, something he was not. He promised himself he would be so much stronger than Sesshoumaru. So much stronger than his father. He wouldn't die out of sorrow for a woman.
But he had, hadn't he? When Kagome had left, Inuyasha felt stale, dead inside. Like something was missing. It had affected him physically as well, and he had only realized now, how alike he and his father had been. Sesshoumaru stole everything from him. His mother, his father, his Kagome. . . His Kagome? 'Where the hell did that come from!?' He thought to himself in alarm. Kagome looked down seeing his face. Embarrassment, or shame? He wondered.
But he had little time to pace on those thoughts, for the castle was coming up rapidly. He could now make out towers and balconies with his sharp eyes. Places where he played, where he trained, where he sat. Forgotten memories rushed back to him, smothering any other thoughts.
"Inuyasha? Inuyasha?" Kagome asked twice, after Inuyasha had not responded.
"What?" He asked.
"Should we go in the front gates, er. . . go in the side entrance? Or in the north tower?" She inquired. Inuyasha winced. She knew the entire castle, inside out. She had probably seen where he used to sleep. Even his parent's room. . .
"The front gates." Inuyasha replied hesitantly.
"Yea. Okay." She replied. Inuyasha nodded. They were coming up on the grounds now. The ponds, the old willow trees he used to play in. . . He remembered it all like it was yesterday. But it was over fifty years ago. Fifty long quiet years. 'Damn Sesshoumaru!' He thought. Kagome turned away from him and began to focus on landing at the grand marble stairs. They came down slowly and surely, touching down at the base of the steps. Inuyasha jumped off and drew the Tetsusaiga.
Using his keen nose, Inuyasha sniffed around.
"What the hell is this?" He yelled in frustration. Kagome turned to him. "Where the hell is he!? He should at least have some guards or youkai or something!" He shouted, half expecting Kagome to slap him. But she didn't move. She just stood there, like a zombie.
In fact, that's all she did. He ran to her side and took her shoulder in his claws. She didn't move. Her eyes were purely glazed over, and her body unflinching.
"Kagome!" He yelled next to her ear. She didn't move. He backhanded the side of her face. No reaction. In fact, he felt like he had just hit a rock, not flesh. His hand throbbed. Kagome jerked her head to the side, facing the castle again.
"Kagome, wake up!" He shouted, taking hold of her hand. But she just continued to turn, and then walk very tightly, as if it hurt her to do so. Inuyasha ran after her as she entered the Castle doors. When he stepped inside, they were plunged into complete darkness. Inuyasha stood still. Then he heard an ear piercing scream. It was Kagome. So without thought he ran, and fell down a trap door. He heard Kagome's scream below him, and he finally hit the floor with a thud, yet still in darkness. But not for long.
"Damn it, Kagome, where are you!?" He yelled. The light of thousands of candles bursting into flame filled the room. Kagome was on the floor beside him, tears streaming down her eyes. She got up and ran to Inuyasha. He spread his arms out to accept her, and she jumped into his chest. Inuyasha scanned the room and spotted a corner still in darkness. Then there was a growl, but not from his throat. Kagome didn't hear it.
"Sesshoumaru, stop hiding." Inuyasha said with a hiss of anger in his voice. Sesshoumaru stepped out of the shadows, no weapon drawn. Kagome pulled away to look at him. She held still, observing him for a moment. Sesshoumaru was red eyed and deep shadows lay in his face. A lopsided grin hung on his lips. It wasn't a happy Sesshoumaru, he had gone crazy.
"Sesshoumaru, please, where are our friends?" Kagome asked calmly, standing up. Sesshoumaru didn't reply, so she began to walk toward him, her arms down in a defenseless gesture. "Sesss-Sesshoumaru?" She asked quietly. He turned to look at her, and his disturbed face became an angry snarl.
"Bitch, this is your fault. I am Lord of the Western Lands, and you dare to mess with me? I should have killed you when I had the chance you back-stabbing witch." He said in a deep voice, raising a clawed finger to point at her. But Inuyasha saw the attack before Kagome did. Sesshoumaru's hand began to glow, and a ball of black energy spiraled her way. Inuyasha ran, but before he could reach her, she waved her hand in a casual gesture, and the ball faded. Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks. Kagome's eyes were glowing blue like fire.
"You filthy wench, take it off. Take it off now, or you'll never see them again." Sesshoumaru yelled. Kagome gasped.
"Excuse me!?" She yelled at him.
"Oh please, like I need to see your disgusting flesh again! I'm telling you to take the spell off! Take the damn spell off!" He yelled, a red vein appearing on his head. His eyes began to twitch, and his hands shook.
"Sesshoumaru, take what spell off?" Kagome asked, as if dealing with a mental patient.
"Stop saying my name like that! Stop it right now! I am Lord Sesshoumaru!" He yelled. "Now, take the fucking spell off, or I'll kill your friends, one by one." He said, waving a hand to the dark corner. The wall was illuminated.
Hanging by their wrists, Sango and Miroku were suspended by chains on the wall. Shippo and Kirara lay unconscious in a cage below their feet. All were covered in bruises and dry blood.
"You bastard!" Inuyasha yelled, charging with the transformed Tetsusaiga. Sesshoumaru easily dodged the attack and turned around to face all of them.
"Inuyasha, wait!" Kagome yelled as he reared his word in the air again. He stopped and sent a questioning glare her way. She simply turned to walk to Sesshoumaru again.
"What spell, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked courteously. He snarled again.
"THE LOVE SPELL YOU CAST! TAKE IT OFF!" He yelled back to her, his claws digging onto his own flesh. Blood dripped to the ground from his closed palms.
"Sesshoumaru, I didn't cast anything, I swear." Kagome said slowly taking another step toward him. He was only four yards from her now. Inuyasha was struggling with his urge to take advantage of Sesshoumaru's weakness.
"You did, of course you did! Why the hell else would I be in love with you!? WHY THE HELL ELSE WOULD I FEEL LIKE THIS!?" He yelled. Inuyasha lost his breath. 'Not my Kagome. Not EVER!' Inuyasha thought angrily.
"Sesshoumaru, it's not a spell." Kagome said bluntly. But Sesshoumaru wouldn't stand for it. He charged after her, and Inuyasha only pulled her out of the way just in time. They fell to the floor, Inuyasha still shielding her. Sesshoumaru was practically foaming at the mouth.
"If it's not the spell, than if I really do love you. . ." Sesshoumaru thought aloud, pausing in his attack. Inuyasha pulled Kagome to her feet.
"Then. . . you will be my mate. . . you will be mine." He said, a mad tone seeping in his dark voice. Inuyasha growled.
"She will never be yours! She's mine!" Inuyasha yelled, charging again. This time he sliced Sesshoumaru's shoulder, and Sesshoumaru stumbled.
"Inuyasha wait I-" Kagome stopped herself. 'Did Inuyasha just say what I think he just said? Did he just say that he . . . that he loved me? Oh my Gods. . . I . . . I. . . I love Inuyasha too!' She realized. It was like a deep part of her heart had been open. She lost that deep heavy feeling she didn't even know she had.
"Oh Gods!" She shouted. Inuyasha turned to look at her, thinking something was wrong. Kagome blushed under his gaze. "Um- I. I'll get the rest, you take care of Sesshoumaru." Kagome told him. And he actually smiled, and nodded in return. Kagome thought she was living a dream.
She ran back to Sango and Miroku, and saw the chains had no locks. She had little experience with bending metal, but she tried. With a snap and a clip, Sango and Miroku fell to the ground clumsily. Kagome ran back to the cage and popped open the lock with the same technique. She pulled Kirara and Shippo out of the cage, finding Myouga in Kirara's fur.
"Kagome!" He shouted, jumping from Kirara's head.
"Myouga, thank Gods! We'll talk later; we've got to wake up the rest! Help me!" She shouted, running back over to Sango. Kagome picked up her head with her hands and pressed a hand against her forehead. With a light blue shimmer, Sango opened her eyes. Kagome wasted no time in going to Miroku and awakening him as well. She found Shippo and Kirara awake from Myouga's flea bites.
"Get up guys; we've got to get out of here!" Kagome yelled, trying to pull them up.
"Where are we?" Sango asked in a dazed state. Kagome pulled her off of the ground and found them all waiting.
"There's not time to explain! Every one fallow me, I think I can get us out of here!" Kagome said, trying to form a plan. Kagome and the others ran to where they had fallen from, and Kagome pointed up.
"Kirara, take them all out of here, we'll be up soon!" Kagome ordered. As fast as they could, Sango Shippo and Miroku climbed on the transformed Kirara's back.
"Kagome, what about you?" Shippo cried out.
"I'll be fine, hurry, leave!" Kagome ushered. Kirara jumped up and began flying up to the entrance. Sango and Miroku watched Kagome grow smaller and smaller at they reached the trap door, and she disappeared completely.
Kagome turned to a strange sight. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru began circling each other.
"Then we will fight to the death, Inuyasha! Who ever wins will mate Kagome! Agreed?" Sesshoumaru yelled, drawing a sword.
"Agreed!" Inuyasha shouted. Kagome was stunned. 'Does Inuyasha really want to mate me? Gods, I'm flattered. . .' She thought.
'But there's no time for that! I've got to help Inuyasha!'