Chapter 4:
A bird soared through the night sky. Wings beat strongly. Kagome recognized it as the bird from the previous dream. A voice followed its flight. The same voice. It sang a melodic song that seemed to hover around the bird. The bird shrieked, its voice joining the song in harmony.
The bird's eyes were ablaze with light, pale blue eyes filled with flame. Suddenly the bird's wings burst into flames as the song reached its climax. Kagome screamed in fear, worried that the bird would fall out of the sky, wings crisped and black. Instead the bird flew higher, a new sense of strength radiating from it. The bird was alive with power. Kagome's eyes caught the bird's as it turned to stare at her. The pale blue was gone, replaced by a darkness that reflected the night's sky.
Kagome watched it fly towards the voice as it called for the bird; a hunter calling for his hawk. Her eyes wandered to the night sky. There were no stars. They had all gone out, leaving the world in darkness.
Kagome sat up quickly, panting for breath. The dream had once more left her with an uncomfortable, disturbing feeling. It frightened her. For what reason she didn't know. Glancing around, she saw Inuyasha was out. Kagome wondered if he had even been listening to Kaede's instructions.
Kagome was alone. Inuyasha had dowsed the fire, leaving the cave to collect the drafts. Kagome shuddered in the cold. Water had collected in the pit of ashes, adding to the dreary cave. Kagome wondered how long Inuyasha would be gone. She knew she shouldn't light the fire again, but it didn't change the fact that she was freezing her arse off.
Her head pounded. She had had migraines before, but this was far worse. She slowly stood, her head throbbing as she did so. Kagome knew she shouldn't leave the cave, but right she needed to find a hot spring and fast. After sleeping on ground for God knew how long, and waking up shivering without a way (without getting in trouble) to light the fire, she needed a bath. Plus, it couldn't do any harm to try to rid herself of her dreadful headache while at the springs.
Determined, she clambered out of the cave, grasping ridges in the stone to keep herself up. As she left the cave, her legs began to work more easily, but she still wobbled in pain. I don't know which is worse. Being unable to control my power or having to be ill and pained all the time. I feel like all the illnesses Grandpa has been inventing are coming true. "Ouch!" Her foot struck a rock, causing her to stumble several feet. She scanned the area, trying to get a sense of direction. Sounds of water hitting rocks greeted her aching ears. She grinned. The spring wasn't very far. At least, she hoped it was a spring. Either that or it was a stream. Cold water didn't sound too tempting, but it would still be able to sooth her headache. Kagome hobbled down the hill and walked through the forest a little ways.
A hot springs greeted her weary eyes, which widened in delight. Hot steam rolled up to the canopy of leaves. Beyond the leaves, stars began to appear as the last light faded. The moon hovered in the sky, nearly full. A few days from now the great white orb would be complete and cast down light to illuminate all the shadows gathering around her. On walks the full moon was great. However, when Kagome had tried to sleep during the full moon she often had to sleep face down due to the bright light.
The second day since she had turned sixteen was nearly done. That meant she had only three days left. She wondered if she would live through those days. Sighing in distress, she floated on her back in the warm water. Her clothes lay on a nearby bank, forgotten for the moment. Kagome hoped that Inuyasha wouldn't find her. Her bag had been left with Sango when she had taken off to visit Kaede and she had left her swimsuit in her bag.
She inhaled slowly, listening to the mellow trickle of warm water falling into the springs. Two eyes suddenly stared down at her from overhanging branches. Kagome quickly found her footing in the silt and looked up at the creature, all her senses screaming in alert. The creature drew closer to her, lowering from the branches. It was an enormous snake. More than that, it was a snake youkai.
Emerald eyes stared into hers, unblinking. A forked tongue slid out, smelling her. It flicked in front of her face, causing her to cross her eyes to watch it. "Hello, dear. What ails you?" Kagome frowned in confusion. The youkai seemed to be able to smell her emotions. A little disturbed, Kagome quickly thought up a lie.
"My boyfriend's cheating on me." Kagome blurted out. It seemed reasonable and not a complete lie. However, she wondered if a snake youkai would know what she meant by a 'boyfriend' cheating. Its tongue flicked out once more and it nodded in understanding. A small splash sounded and Kagome found the snake in the water next to her. Kagome tried to scream, but her voice was gone. Before her eyes, the snake's form began to change. She found herself staring into the eyes of a boy in his late teens. He looked at her in sympathy.
"Lovers can be quite cruel." He stated. Kagome nodded in agreement. She found herself becoming overwhelmed by the fact that Inuyasha continuously chose Kikyou over her. He always sided with her, defended her. He had chosen Kikyou countless times. Kagome was only a tool he was using to get the shards. The truth stung her, burning her raw heart as salt burned a gashing wound. The boy watched her, full of love and understanding, as she felt the first tears of frustration well in her eyes.
She stared at him through blurred eyes. His hair was slicked back, jet- black and straight, flowing down his muscular back. His chest was bare. The top of his pants could be seen just over the water's surface. A blue- green glaze caused the pants to shine as brilliantly as snake scales. She knew this was one of the forms this snake could take. This was his human form. The boy's eyes were an emerald green as the snake's had been. They gazed at her, never blinking.
"It hurts to see a maiden in so much pain." Kagome let out a soft moan, trying not to break down and sob in front of the youkai. He seemed so completely affectionate. She knew at once that she could trust him with her darkest secrets. He was everything she needed. She dreaded ever being apart from him. His eyes drew her in, comforting her.
"What's your name, love?" He asked her, lifting her chin gently with a callused hand. She stumbled for words.
"K-Kagome." She finally managed to get out. His other hand reached up to wipe away a tear from her cheek.
'Such a pretty name for a lovely maiden. It fits you perfectly." His words smoothed over her like silk, wiping away her pain as he had wiped away her tears. She sniffled.
"It's odd. I've only just met you, but I feel like I've known you all my life." He whispered. Kagome nodded, understanding what he meant. She felt the same way. Slowly his hand lowered, tracing her neck and down her arm.
Kagome looked up into his gaze, seeing deep into his soul. He was entrancing, affectionate, caring. Everything she wanted. Everything Inuyasha was not. Kagome relished in his warmth and love.
Her skin was aflame with his touch as his fingers brushed hers. All her nerves longed for him to hold her. The feeling seemed to be mutual. Suddenly his arms wrapped around her, holding her close to him. She leaned against him, placing her head on his shoulder.
The boy clung to her. His tongue traced her neck, following the path his fingers made moments before. Kagome shivered. Run! A voice deep within her shouted. Her heart smothered the voice, claiming it was fear of love. Kagome sided with her heart and ignored the voice, trusting her heart. The voice faded. Slowly, Kagome closed her eyes, enhancing her other senses, trying to feel him, to smell him, to taste him as his mouth found hers. She was astonished at how her senses reacted to the kiss. It was as if she had finally awaked from a long sleep. She felt alive, vivacious. She felt desire.
Suddenly she felt a new sense. A sense she had never felt before. Kagome couldn't seem to understand it much. It was like a third eye, a sixth sense, a sense of instincts. She could see the boy, even though her eyes were closed. She could sense his aura. She watched herself, saw herself in his arms. Suddenly the boy's appearance changed. He was a snake again, forked tongue slipping into her mouth. Tail wrapped around her, constricting. She blinked and her sense showed the boy again. This time she could see his eyes. In emerald green eyes she saw her own reflection. She was screaming but emitting no sound. Her eyes bulged. Her mouth hung open in a silent scream and her cheeks were deathly pale. Her hair was tangled. Hands wrapped around her throat. He was choking her.
Kagome suddenly opened her eyes. She couldn't breath. She looked at the boy. He was human, not snake. She felt her throat. There were no coils or hands there. Shaking slightly, she tried to get her breath back. It wouldn't come. Frightened now, she tried to back away.
The boy's arm shot out, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back to him. He was kissing her again, pressing her against him. She couldn't break his hold to her. Show me the truth! She screamed in her mind. Suddenly the boy vanished. A snake's head stared at her, tongue flicking against her lips. Kagome gasped. She reached once again to her throat. Thick coils were squeezing her neck, choking her. Everything had been an illusion.
Kagome felt the ground sway. She was going to die if she didn't act soon. Desperately, she tried to call out to Inuyasha, but she couldn't speak.
A spell came to her. Her mind shrank away in fear, scared of what powers she possessed and what the spell might do. Instincts controlled her now, all reason leaving her. She was abandoned, left to die or use the spell. She chose to use it. Digging into the deep crevices of her mind, she found the words and silently began chanting.
"Ail Oim Freal Trai fov gei da Pae wio syi moa."
Kagome didn't know what she was saying. Nor what would occur because of the chanting. All she knew was that she mustn't stop chanting those words, even if she could only chant them in her mind.
The snake looked down at her, twitching slightly. Suddenly his emerald eyes fogged over, hazed. Kagome stared in horror, unable to comprehend what she was seeing.
The snake youkai began to shake violently. His scales blistered where they touched her skin. He jerked away from her, hissing in extreme pain. The scales, however, didn't cool once away from her skin. They began to peel back, revealing muscle beneath them. The pink muscle smoldered, bubbling. Fat boiled and blackened. His eyes began to dim. Tongue turned black before crumbling into ashes and falling into the water. Slowly, the muscle burned away, revealing the skeleton of the youkai. The white bone stood out against the blackened corpse. Eyes were wide in fear, alerting Kagome that the youkai was still alive. Finally the bones crumbled and fell, eyes falling from their sockets. Kagome shrieked in disgust as the eyes dimmed entirely and sank in the water.
Repulsed, Kagome struggled to get out of the spring, now infested with bits of charred corpse. Arms grabbed her, stopping her retreat. Spinning to face her intruder, Kagome saw it was Inuyasha. He stood in the water coming up to his waist. His hands refused to release their grip. Her jaw trembled as she tried to keep back tears. His eyes regarded her with a kind of fear and concern as they had when she had killed the other youkai. Kagome knew he had seen what had happened. He had been there the entire time, hiding from her. He had seen it all.
She turned back to face the middle of the spring, unable to face him. An eye suddenly bubbled to the surface. Kagome watched it, disgusted. It suddenly shrank and became the size of a pearl, turning white as the last one had. Kagome shook off Inuyasha's hold and waded out into the water to pick it up. She knew what it signified. Her second kill.
Inuyasha helped her out of the spring, handing her her clothes. It was then she noticed her nudity. Embarrassed, she quickly shoved her legs into the panties and skirt, then pulled on her bra and shirt. Inuyasha had been respectful enough to turn away as she did so. Once properly clothed, Kagome slipped the stone into her pocket where she had kept the other one.
Finally she faced Inuyasha again, cheeks still burning in chagrin. He looked at her hesitantly, as if he feared for his life. Kagome knew he did. "Kagome.you just.you," he couldn't say it. Kagome nodded. He looked as if he had just seen a ghost. Only, Kagome knew a ghost wouldn't scare him like this. Kagome looked down at the grass, unable to face the fear in his eyes any longer.
Suddenly his arms wrapped around her. "I was so worried about you." He whispered. "I.I've never felt like that before." Kagome frowned. He had seen her in danger plenty of times. How could it be that he had never felt afraid for her before?
"Inuyasha, what do you mean?" She asked, pulling out of his hug. Her eyes wandered over his, searching for the answer.
"When he.when he kissed you I felt a feeling.I suddenly felt like I wanted to kill him right there and then. Rip out his throat. I've never felt that way before.even with Koga." Kagome couldn't help it. She grinned. She understood exactly what he was saying now. She had felt the same feeling many times before when she had found him with Kikyou. He was jealous. She wrapped her arms around his neck this time when his arms reached for her.
"And then when he tired to kill you.Never do that again!" Kagome felt his tears on the back of her neck and she pressed herself against him. His breath shook as he tried to stop the tears.
"I wont, Inuyasha." She promised him. I sure as heck never want something like that to happen again. I can't believe I did that! I actually went into a trance. Scary. I'll have to look out for snake youkai. She thought. All at once, Kagome realized that he was finally showing her weakness. He was finally opening up to her. She relished in this realization.
"Kagome," she looked up into his eyes. "I.I love you." He said in a quick breath. He kissed her, not waiting for her reaction to his confession. Kagome accepted his kiss. At long last her lips met his and she felt a connection with him. He pulled away to speak again. "I choose you." She grinned. Hah! Take that Kikyou!
"So you choose me over Kikyou?" Kagome said, pulling away as he bent down to kiss her again.
"What?" He seemed stunned at her question, then realization crossed his eyes. "Oh, I'm so foolish. I forgot you didn't know about the ways of inu- youkai. We mate for life. Kagome, I don't just choose you over Kikyou. I choose you, love, as my mate." Kagome smiled, understanding what he meant. He chose her over everyone. He chose her forever. She was his. Kagome laughed in delight, a year of frustration vanishing. She wondered if this was a dream and finally decided that if it was, she never wanted to wake up. She leaned in to accept his kiss again. The kiss became deeper as they explored each other's mouths.
His hands slid over her, caressing her. She moaned against his mouth. Her heart felt ready to burst. He pulled back again. "Will you accept me as your mate?" He asked her, smiling down at her.
"Mm hm." She nodded, beaming. "I love you." She whispered. His ears twitched toward her as he growled softly in delight. She reached up to kiss him again. He pulled her into another kiss, running his tongue across her lips before forcing them open to explore her mouth. After several more minutes in ecstasy, she felt him pushing against her, lowering her to the ground. She let him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
His hands stroked her stomach for a moment before pulling the bottom of her shirt up. She lifted her arms, watching him as she felt the fabric fall away from her body. He gazed down at her bra. His ears twitched, confused as to how to remove it. "Err.um." His claws ripped through the fabric gently and the bra fell away. Kagome giggled. He might be a hanyou, but he was still a guy. No guy ever seemed to have enough pride to ask for help. No, just do things their way.
His hands continued to caress. She felt his desire for her. Slowly his hands moved lower to the rim of her skirt. He looked into her eyes. "Kagome," she cocked her head in question. "I want to be connected to you. Emotionally, spiritually, and physically." She frowned, not understanding what he was saying. "I want to mate you." He said, trying to clear up her confusion. Her heart cried out in joy. He was hers. The voice returned. "No. No yet." Kagome recognized the voice this time. It was her new sense. It was her conscience. Her soul. Her heart whined at Kagome, pleading to give in to him. To let him take her. To give him her virginity. She knew she couldn't though. She wasn't ready. She listened to the voice.
"No, not yet." She repeated the voice after a moment of turmoil. Inuyasha looked at her, pained. She knew he didn't like her answer. But he accepted it. Slowly he reached for her bra to replace it, only to realize he had ripped it and couldn't repair it. His face went crimson.
"Er." Kagome quickly threw the bra into the bushes.
"It's a good thing I have extra bras in my pack.which is with Sango." She cringed.
"I'll get the pack for you in a few days." He casually pulled the shirt over her head, adjusting it over her. He seemed completely relaxed now that he knew she had more bras. Kagome kissed him once more before sitting up. The grass had itched her back, but she didn't notice it. Her hair was tangled and sliding her tongue across her lips, she found them slightly swollen.
She stood up gradually, disoriented. Seeing this, Inuyasha helped her onto his back. She didn't know where Inuyasha was going to take her, but didn't question him. Moments later they were flying through the night sky. Kagome shuddered as a slight breeze whipped her clothes around her. She hadn't been able to dry off, making her clothes damp. Inuyasha had reached the small village within a minute and helped her off his back, holding her to steady her. She glanced around, seeing he had landed in front of Kaede's hut. She quickly ducked her head and entered the comforting hut.
Kagome heard the fire crackle as she was thrown into warmth upon entering the hut. Kaede was deep in thought, staring into the fire and muttering to herself. Her eyes jumped up to land on Kagome as she entered. However, Kaede didn't acknowledge her for several minutes.
"Kaede," Inuyasha called as he ducked through the small entrance. Kaede looked up at him. "I have the most wonderful news!" He stated, beaming. Kagome smiled. Within two days he had changed so much. A few days ago he hardly seemed to know she existed. Not any more.
"Kagome loves me!" He shouted in pure joy. Kagome felt warmth in her cheeks and knew she was blushing. Kaede's eyes darted to her.
"Is that true?" She asked. Kagome smiled and nodded excitedly.
"I've always loved him." Kagome confessed. Kaede seemed relieved to hear her say this.
"I'm happy for you both." Kaede told them with a brief nod. Kagome didn't notice her statement. Right then she felt like she could float. "Inuyasha, might I talk to you for a moment.alone." Kagome frowned now. She had thought Kaede would be thrilled at the news. However, Kaede seemed to hardly care, too focused on whatever she had to tell Inuyasha. Disappointed, Kagome stomped outside, once again frustrated by Kaede's lack of enthusiasm and her exclusion from whatever Kaede telling Inuyasha.
Hushed voices could be heard from outside the hut. Kagome ventured into the woods, too upset to care what Inuyasha would think about her wandering off. Kaede had dismissed her after she had told her such important news. Kagome clutched her fists into balls. Kaede hadn't seemed to even notice how important this was to her. The woman had always seemed to want Inuyasha and her to get along, but now that they loved each other, Kaede didn't even sound thrilled.
Kagome kicked an innocent bush in hopes to get her anger out. Instead, her anger only built. She walked faster, determined to get away from Kaede. The trees grew closer together as the woods became deeper. Kagome continued to walk, going nowhere in particular.
A figure stepped out from the shadows, blocking the path Kagome had chosen at random. Kagome growled in fury of being disturbed and stopped on her walk. The figure stepped into the patch of moonlight. It was Kikyo. "What do you want?" Kagome muttered through bared teeth. Kagome was determined to not strangle Kikyo right there and then, but the thought was enticing.
"You love him, don't you?" Kikyo asked calmly, gazing solemnly into Kagome's narrowed eyes. Kagome's senses became ablaze.
"Yes, God damn it! And there's nothing you can do about it! He loves me too! He loves ME. Not you!" Kagome heard herself shouting, but could hardly understand what she was shouting. She was seeing red through narrowed vision. Her body shook in rage. The thought of strangling was becoming stronger every second.
Kikyo nodded slowly. "This cannot come to pass." She said after a long moment of silence. "You can never be with him." The urge to strangle became too great. Kagome screamed and lunged at Kikyo, all control gone. Kikyo raised a hand and muttered something. At once Kagome found herself suspended in the air, frozen. She struggled against invisible bonds binding her in the air. She was less than a foot from Kikyo. Legs kicked out viciously, trying to make contact with Kikyo's face. Kikyo merely took a step back out of harms way.
"You can never be with him. He's not for you." Kikyo continued, watching Kagome struggle.
"What would you know? You tried to kill him once and are back from the dead to take him to hell and have him all to yourself. Well, I have news for you. He doesn't want you! He wants me!" Kagome shouted, hands whipping through the air, searching for the binds suspending her.
"I know." Kikyo said coolly. Kagome stopped struggling and stared at the woman, puzzled at the response. "And this is why I had to come to you. To warn you. You did wrong. He was never meant to be brought back to life. I sealed him for a reason."
"It was Naraku who killed you! He disguised himself like Inuyasha! Inuyasha never wanted to hurt you. It wasn't him! It's Naraku you want, not Inuyasha. Haven't you been listening to anyone?" Kagome interrupted, enraged that Kikyo was still blaming Inuyasha for what happened.
"Now, it is my duty to kill Inuyasha once and for all. Before he completes what he started with me. You can never be with him." Kagome's mouth fell at Kikyo's ignorance. Had Kikyo been listening to anything Kagome had just said? Kagome couldn't believe how selfish Kikyo was being. How jealous.
Kagome's vision narrowed to a thin slit. Instantly she forced her energy away from her. She heard something shatter and found herself falling to the ground. The binds had broken. She hit the soil and rolled, finally coming to her feet, now covered in dust. Kagome glared at Kikyo, who looked pale.
"Y-you're sixteen?" Kikyo stuttered. Kagome nodded.
"That's right. You aren't the only powerful one around here anymore." Kagome forced her power back into herself. "Hae ji!" She shouted into the forest. The wind stopped abruptly. Leave froze their sway. Time itself was frozen. Kagome smiled, satisfied with the new feeling of power sweeping through her. Now they wouldn't be interfered. Only Kagome and Kikyo were mobile in this frozen world.
"When did this happen?" Kikyo stammered, fear filling her eyes. Kagome knew she had noticed her newest display of power and wondered if even Kikyo could stop time.
"Two days ago." Kagome flipped her hair over her shoulder, nonchalant. Kikyo stepped back, horrified.
"Two days? That's impossible." she muttered under her breath. Kagome heard.
"It's possible. And now, I can finally deal with you fairly. You have interfered with Inuyasha and me for the last time. Now, I am finally able to do something about it." Kagome took a step toward Kikyo, closing the space between them. "This time I'm going to send you back to hell where you belong." Kikyo winced.
"You don't know what you're saying. Stop this at once. I came to warn you, not kill you. I'm after Inuyasha. He is mine. My responsibility. You are not." Kikyo stated and then turned to walk into a thicket of trees off the path. Then, as if rethinking something, she turned back to face Kagome. "You haven't mated with him, have you?" Kagome's eyebrows shot down as she glowered at Kikyo for having the gall to ask her that. Kikyo gave a faint smile. "I take that as a 'no'. Don't. Not until you know what you're doing." Kagome's frown deepened. What is this? A sex ed. talk? "Inuyasha isn't who you think he is. Just.be careful, Kagome." Kikyo vanished into a sudden mist that had appeared. Kagome watched the mist fade away. It reminded her of a magician's disappearing act, only Kagome knew it wasn't an illusion. Kikyo had faded into the mist.
With a single word, she returned time to the world. The breeze returned, making her hair fly out behind her. Kagome stared in silence at the place where Kikyo had stood moments ago. She wondered where Kikyo had gone. Why had she come? To try to break Inuyasha and Kagome apart of course. But why? Kikyo had even admitted that Inuyasha didn't want her. Nothing seemed to make any sense.
A bird soared through the night sky. Wings beat strongly. Kagome recognized it as the bird from the previous dream. A voice followed its flight. The same voice. It sang a melodic song that seemed to hover around the bird. The bird shrieked, its voice joining the song in harmony.
The bird's eyes were ablaze with light, pale blue eyes filled with flame. Suddenly the bird's wings burst into flames as the song reached its climax. Kagome screamed in fear, worried that the bird would fall out of the sky, wings crisped and black. Instead the bird flew higher, a new sense of strength radiating from it. The bird was alive with power. Kagome's eyes caught the bird's as it turned to stare at her. The pale blue was gone, replaced by a darkness that reflected the night's sky.
Kagome watched it fly towards the voice as it called for the bird; a hunter calling for his hawk. Her eyes wandered to the night sky. There were no stars. They had all gone out, leaving the world in darkness.
Kagome sat up quickly, panting for breath. The dream had once more left her with an uncomfortable, disturbing feeling. It frightened her. For what reason she didn't know. Glancing around, she saw Inuyasha was out. Kagome wondered if he had even been listening to Kaede's instructions.
Kagome was alone. Inuyasha had dowsed the fire, leaving the cave to collect the drafts. Kagome shuddered in the cold. Water had collected in the pit of ashes, adding to the dreary cave. Kagome wondered how long Inuyasha would be gone. She knew she shouldn't light the fire again, but it didn't change the fact that she was freezing her arse off.
Her head pounded. She had had migraines before, but this was far worse. She slowly stood, her head throbbing as she did so. Kagome knew she shouldn't leave the cave, but right she needed to find a hot spring and fast. After sleeping on ground for God knew how long, and waking up shivering without a way (without getting in trouble) to light the fire, she needed a bath. Plus, it couldn't do any harm to try to rid herself of her dreadful headache while at the springs.
Determined, she clambered out of the cave, grasping ridges in the stone to keep herself up. As she left the cave, her legs began to work more easily, but she still wobbled in pain. I don't know which is worse. Being unable to control my power or having to be ill and pained all the time. I feel like all the illnesses Grandpa has been inventing are coming true. "Ouch!" Her foot struck a rock, causing her to stumble several feet. She scanned the area, trying to get a sense of direction. Sounds of water hitting rocks greeted her aching ears. She grinned. The spring wasn't very far. At least, she hoped it was a spring. Either that or it was a stream. Cold water didn't sound too tempting, but it would still be able to sooth her headache. Kagome hobbled down the hill and walked through the forest a little ways.
A hot springs greeted her weary eyes, which widened in delight. Hot steam rolled up to the canopy of leaves. Beyond the leaves, stars began to appear as the last light faded. The moon hovered in the sky, nearly full. A few days from now the great white orb would be complete and cast down light to illuminate all the shadows gathering around her. On walks the full moon was great. However, when Kagome had tried to sleep during the full moon she often had to sleep face down due to the bright light.
The second day since she had turned sixteen was nearly done. That meant she had only three days left. She wondered if she would live through those days. Sighing in distress, she floated on her back in the warm water. Her clothes lay on a nearby bank, forgotten for the moment. Kagome hoped that Inuyasha wouldn't find her. Her bag had been left with Sango when she had taken off to visit Kaede and she had left her swimsuit in her bag.
She inhaled slowly, listening to the mellow trickle of warm water falling into the springs. Two eyes suddenly stared down at her from overhanging branches. Kagome quickly found her footing in the silt and looked up at the creature, all her senses screaming in alert. The creature drew closer to her, lowering from the branches. It was an enormous snake. More than that, it was a snake youkai.
Emerald eyes stared into hers, unblinking. A forked tongue slid out, smelling her. It flicked in front of her face, causing her to cross her eyes to watch it. "Hello, dear. What ails you?" Kagome frowned in confusion. The youkai seemed to be able to smell her emotions. A little disturbed, Kagome quickly thought up a lie.
"My boyfriend's cheating on me." Kagome blurted out. It seemed reasonable and not a complete lie. However, she wondered if a snake youkai would know what she meant by a 'boyfriend' cheating. Its tongue flicked out once more and it nodded in understanding. A small splash sounded and Kagome found the snake in the water next to her. Kagome tried to scream, but her voice was gone. Before her eyes, the snake's form began to change. She found herself staring into the eyes of a boy in his late teens. He looked at her in sympathy.
"Lovers can be quite cruel." He stated. Kagome nodded in agreement. She found herself becoming overwhelmed by the fact that Inuyasha continuously chose Kikyou over her. He always sided with her, defended her. He had chosen Kikyou countless times. Kagome was only a tool he was using to get the shards. The truth stung her, burning her raw heart as salt burned a gashing wound. The boy watched her, full of love and understanding, as she felt the first tears of frustration well in her eyes.
She stared at him through blurred eyes. His hair was slicked back, jet- black and straight, flowing down his muscular back. His chest was bare. The top of his pants could be seen just over the water's surface. A blue- green glaze caused the pants to shine as brilliantly as snake scales. She knew this was one of the forms this snake could take. This was his human form. The boy's eyes were an emerald green as the snake's had been. They gazed at her, never blinking.
"It hurts to see a maiden in so much pain." Kagome let out a soft moan, trying not to break down and sob in front of the youkai. He seemed so completely affectionate. She knew at once that she could trust him with her darkest secrets. He was everything she needed. She dreaded ever being apart from him. His eyes drew her in, comforting her.
"What's your name, love?" He asked her, lifting her chin gently with a callused hand. She stumbled for words.
"K-Kagome." She finally managed to get out. His other hand reached up to wipe away a tear from her cheek.
'Such a pretty name for a lovely maiden. It fits you perfectly." His words smoothed over her like silk, wiping away her pain as he had wiped away her tears. She sniffled.
"It's odd. I've only just met you, but I feel like I've known you all my life." He whispered. Kagome nodded, understanding what he meant. She felt the same way. Slowly his hand lowered, tracing her neck and down her arm.
Kagome looked up into his gaze, seeing deep into his soul. He was entrancing, affectionate, caring. Everything she wanted. Everything Inuyasha was not. Kagome relished in his warmth and love.
Her skin was aflame with his touch as his fingers brushed hers. All her nerves longed for him to hold her. The feeling seemed to be mutual. Suddenly his arms wrapped around her, holding her close to him. She leaned against him, placing her head on his shoulder.
The boy clung to her. His tongue traced her neck, following the path his fingers made moments before. Kagome shivered. Run! A voice deep within her shouted. Her heart smothered the voice, claiming it was fear of love. Kagome sided with her heart and ignored the voice, trusting her heart. The voice faded. Slowly, Kagome closed her eyes, enhancing her other senses, trying to feel him, to smell him, to taste him as his mouth found hers. She was astonished at how her senses reacted to the kiss. It was as if she had finally awaked from a long sleep. She felt alive, vivacious. She felt desire.
Suddenly she felt a new sense. A sense she had never felt before. Kagome couldn't seem to understand it much. It was like a third eye, a sixth sense, a sense of instincts. She could see the boy, even though her eyes were closed. She could sense his aura. She watched herself, saw herself in his arms. Suddenly the boy's appearance changed. He was a snake again, forked tongue slipping into her mouth. Tail wrapped around her, constricting. She blinked and her sense showed the boy again. This time she could see his eyes. In emerald green eyes she saw her own reflection. She was screaming but emitting no sound. Her eyes bulged. Her mouth hung open in a silent scream and her cheeks were deathly pale. Her hair was tangled. Hands wrapped around her throat. He was choking her.
Kagome suddenly opened her eyes. She couldn't breath. She looked at the boy. He was human, not snake. She felt her throat. There were no coils or hands there. Shaking slightly, she tried to get her breath back. It wouldn't come. Frightened now, she tried to back away.
The boy's arm shot out, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back to him. He was kissing her again, pressing her against him. She couldn't break his hold to her. Show me the truth! She screamed in her mind. Suddenly the boy vanished. A snake's head stared at her, tongue flicking against her lips. Kagome gasped. She reached once again to her throat. Thick coils were squeezing her neck, choking her. Everything had been an illusion.
Kagome felt the ground sway. She was going to die if she didn't act soon. Desperately, she tried to call out to Inuyasha, but she couldn't speak.
A spell came to her. Her mind shrank away in fear, scared of what powers she possessed and what the spell might do. Instincts controlled her now, all reason leaving her. She was abandoned, left to die or use the spell. She chose to use it. Digging into the deep crevices of her mind, she found the words and silently began chanting.
"Ail Oim Freal Trai fov gei da Pae wio syi moa."
Kagome didn't know what she was saying. Nor what would occur because of the chanting. All she knew was that she mustn't stop chanting those words, even if she could only chant them in her mind.
The snake looked down at her, twitching slightly. Suddenly his emerald eyes fogged over, hazed. Kagome stared in horror, unable to comprehend what she was seeing.
The snake youkai began to shake violently. His scales blistered where they touched her skin. He jerked away from her, hissing in extreme pain. The scales, however, didn't cool once away from her skin. They began to peel back, revealing muscle beneath them. The pink muscle smoldered, bubbling. Fat boiled and blackened. His eyes began to dim. Tongue turned black before crumbling into ashes and falling into the water. Slowly, the muscle burned away, revealing the skeleton of the youkai. The white bone stood out against the blackened corpse. Eyes were wide in fear, alerting Kagome that the youkai was still alive. Finally the bones crumbled and fell, eyes falling from their sockets. Kagome shrieked in disgust as the eyes dimmed entirely and sank in the water.
Repulsed, Kagome struggled to get out of the spring, now infested with bits of charred corpse. Arms grabbed her, stopping her retreat. Spinning to face her intruder, Kagome saw it was Inuyasha. He stood in the water coming up to his waist. His hands refused to release their grip. Her jaw trembled as she tried to keep back tears. His eyes regarded her with a kind of fear and concern as they had when she had killed the other youkai. Kagome knew he had seen what had happened. He had been there the entire time, hiding from her. He had seen it all.
She turned back to face the middle of the spring, unable to face him. An eye suddenly bubbled to the surface. Kagome watched it, disgusted. It suddenly shrank and became the size of a pearl, turning white as the last one had. Kagome shook off Inuyasha's hold and waded out into the water to pick it up. She knew what it signified. Her second kill.
Inuyasha helped her out of the spring, handing her her clothes. It was then she noticed her nudity. Embarrassed, she quickly shoved her legs into the panties and skirt, then pulled on her bra and shirt. Inuyasha had been respectful enough to turn away as she did so. Once properly clothed, Kagome slipped the stone into her pocket where she had kept the other one.
Finally she faced Inuyasha again, cheeks still burning in chagrin. He looked at her hesitantly, as if he feared for his life. Kagome knew he did. "Kagome.you just.you," he couldn't say it. Kagome nodded. He looked as if he had just seen a ghost. Only, Kagome knew a ghost wouldn't scare him like this. Kagome looked down at the grass, unable to face the fear in his eyes any longer.
Suddenly his arms wrapped around her. "I was so worried about you." He whispered. "I.I've never felt like that before." Kagome frowned. He had seen her in danger plenty of times. How could it be that he had never felt afraid for her before?
"Inuyasha, what do you mean?" She asked, pulling out of his hug. Her eyes wandered over his, searching for the answer.
"When he.when he kissed you I felt a feeling.I suddenly felt like I wanted to kill him right there and then. Rip out his throat. I've never felt that way before.even with Koga." Kagome couldn't help it. She grinned. She understood exactly what he was saying now. She had felt the same feeling many times before when she had found him with Kikyou. He was jealous. She wrapped her arms around his neck this time when his arms reached for her.
"And then when he tired to kill you.Never do that again!" Kagome felt his tears on the back of her neck and she pressed herself against him. His breath shook as he tried to stop the tears.
"I wont, Inuyasha." She promised him. I sure as heck never want something like that to happen again. I can't believe I did that! I actually went into a trance. Scary. I'll have to look out for snake youkai. She thought. All at once, Kagome realized that he was finally showing her weakness. He was finally opening up to her. She relished in this realization.
"Kagome," she looked up into his eyes. "I.I love you." He said in a quick breath. He kissed her, not waiting for her reaction to his confession. Kagome accepted his kiss. At long last her lips met his and she felt a connection with him. He pulled away to speak again. "I choose you." She grinned. Hah! Take that Kikyou!
"So you choose me over Kikyou?" Kagome said, pulling away as he bent down to kiss her again.
"What?" He seemed stunned at her question, then realization crossed his eyes. "Oh, I'm so foolish. I forgot you didn't know about the ways of inu- youkai. We mate for life. Kagome, I don't just choose you over Kikyou. I choose you, love, as my mate." Kagome smiled, understanding what he meant. He chose her over everyone. He chose her forever. She was his. Kagome laughed in delight, a year of frustration vanishing. She wondered if this was a dream and finally decided that if it was, she never wanted to wake up. She leaned in to accept his kiss again. The kiss became deeper as they explored each other's mouths.
His hands slid over her, caressing her. She moaned against his mouth. Her heart felt ready to burst. He pulled back again. "Will you accept me as your mate?" He asked her, smiling down at her.
"Mm hm." She nodded, beaming. "I love you." She whispered. His ears twitched toward her as he growled softly in delight. She reached up to kiss him again. He pulled her into another kiss, running his tongue across her lips before forcing them open to explore her mouth. After several more minutes in ecstasy, she felt him pushing against her, lowering her to the ground. She let him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
His hands stroked her stomach for a moment before pulling the bottom of her shirt up. She lifted her arms, watching him as she felt the fabric fall away from her body. He gazed down at her bra. His ears twitched, confused as to how to remove it. "Err.um." His claws ripped through the fabric gently and the bra fell away. Kagome giggled. He might be a hanyou, but he was still a guy. No guy ever seemed to have enough pride to ask for help. No, just do things their way.
His hands continued to caress. She felt his desire for her. Slowly his hands moved lower to the rim of her skirt. He looked into her eyes. "Kagome," she cocked her head in question. "I want to be connected to you. Emotionally, spiritually, and physically." She frowned, not understanding what he was saying. "I want to mate you." He said, trying to clear up her confusion. Her heart cried out in joy. He was hers. The voice returned. "No. No yet." Kagome recognized the voice this time. It was her new sense. It was her conscience. Her soul. Her heart whined at Kagome, pleading to give in to him. To let him take her. To give him her virginity. She knew she couldn't though. She wasn't ready. She listened to the voice.
"No, not yet." She repeated the voice after a moment of turmoil. Inuyasha looked at her, pained. She knew he didn't like her answer. But he accepted it. Slowly he reached for her bra to replace it, only to realize he had ripped it and couldn't repair it. His face went crimson.
"Er." Kagome quickly threw the bra into the bushes.
"It's a good thing I have extra bras in my pack.which is with Sango." She cringed.
"I'll get the pack for you in a few days." He casually pulled the shirt over her head, adjusting it over her. He seemed completely relaxed now that he knew she had more bras. Kagome kissed him once more before sitting up. The grass had itched her back, but she didn't notice it. Her hair was tangled and sliding her tongue across her lips, she found them slightly swollen.
She stood up gradually, disoriented. Seeing this, Inuyasha helped her onto his back. She didn't know where Inuyasha was going to take her, but didn't question him. Moments later they were flying through the night sky. Kagome shuddered as a slight breeze whipped her clothes around her. She hadn't been able to dry off, making her clothes damp. Inuyasha had reached the small village within a minute and helped her off his back, holding her to steady her. She glanced around, seeing he had landed in front of Kaede's hut. She quickly ducked her head and entered the comforting hut.
Kagome heard the fire crackle as she was thrown into warmth upon entering the hut. Kaede was deep in thought, staring into the fire and muttering to herself. Her eyes jumped up to land on Kagome as she entered. However, Kaede didn't acknowledge her for several minutes.
"Kaede," Inuyasha called as he ducked through the small entrance. Kaede looked up at him. "I have the most wonderful news!" He stated, beaming. Kagome smiled. Within two days he had changed so much. A few days ago he hardly seemed to know she existed. Not any more.
"Kagome loves me!" He shouted in pure joy. Kagome felt warmth in her cheeks and knew she was blushing. Kaede's eyes darted to her.
"Is that true?" She asked. Kagome smiled and nodded excitedly.
"I've always loved him." Kagome confessed. Kaede seemed relieved to hear her say this.
"I'm happy for you both." Kaede told them with a brief nod. Kagome didn't notice her statement. Right then she felt like she could float. "Inuyasha, might I talk to you for a moment.alone." Kagome frowned now. She had thought Kaede would be thrilled at the news. However, Kaede seemed to hardly care, too focused on whatever she had to tell Inuyasha. Disappointed, Kagome stomped outside, once again frustrated by Kaede's lack of enthusiasm and her exclusion from whatever Kaede telling Inuyasha.
Hushed voices could be heard from outside the hut. Kagome ventured into the woods, too upset to care what Inuyasha would think about her wandering off. Kaede had dismissed her after she had told her such important news. Kagome clutched her fists into balls. Kaede hadn't seemed to even notice how important this was to her. The woman had always seemed to want Inuyasha and her to get along, but now that they loved each other, Kaede didn't even sound thrilled.
Kagome kicked an innocent bush in hopes to get her anger out. Instead, her anger only built. She walked faster, determined to get away from Kaede. The trees grew closer together as the woods became deeper. Kagome continued to walk, going nowhere in particular.
A figure stepped out from the shadows, blocking the path Kagome had chosen at random. Kagome growled in fury of being disturbed and stopped on her walk. The figure stepped into the patch of moonlight. It was Kikyo. "What do you want?" Kagome muttered through bared teeth. Kagome was determined to not strangle Kikyo right there and then, but the thought was enticing.
"You love him, don't you?" Kikyo asked calmly, gazing solemnly into Kagome's narrowed eyes. Kagome's senses became ablaze.
"Yes, God damn it! And there's nothing you can do about it! He loves me too! He loves ME. Not you!" Kagome heard herself shouting, but could hardly understand what she was shouting. She was seeing red through narrowed vision. Her body shook in rage. The thought of strangling was becoming stronger every second.
Kikyo nodded slowly. "This cannot come to pass." She said after a long moment of silence. "You can never be with him." The urge to strangle became too great. Kagome screamed and lunged at Kikyo, all control gone. Kikyo raised a hand and muttered something. At once Kagome found herself suspended in the air, frozen. She struggled against invisible bonds binding her in the air. She was less than a foot from Kikyo. Legs kicked out viciously, trying to make contact with Kikyo's face. Kikyo merely took a step back out of harms way.
"You can never be with him. He's not for you." Kikyo continued, watching Kagome struggle.
"What would you know? You tried to kill him once and are back from the dead to take him to hell and have him all to yourself. Well, I have news for you. He doesn't want you! He wants me!" Kagome shouted, hands whipping through the air, searching for the binds suspending her.
"I know." Kikyo said coolly. Kagome stopped struggling and stared at the woman, puzzled at the response. "And this is why I had to come to you. To warn you. You did wrong. He was never meant to be brought back to life. I sealed him for a reason."
"It was Naraku who killed you! He disguised himself like Inuyasha! Inuyasha never wanted to hurt you. It wasn't him! It's Naraku you want, not Inuyasha. Haven't you been listening to anyone?" Kagome interrupted, enraged that Kikyo was still blaming Inuyasha for what happened.
"Now, it is my duty to kill Inuyasha once and for all. Before he completes what he started with me. You can never be with him." Kagome's mouth fell at Kikyo's ignorance. Had Kikyo been listening to anything Kagome had just said? Kagome couldn't believe how selfish Kikyo was being. How jealous.
Kagome's vision narrowed to a thin slit. Instantly she forced her energy away from her. She heard something shatter and found herself falling to the ground. The binds had broken. She hit the soil and rolled, finally coming to her feet, now covered in dust. Kagome glared at Kikyo, who looked pale.
"Y-you're sixteen?" Kikyo stuttered. Kagome nodded.
"That's right. You aren't the only powerful one around here anymore." Kagome forced her power back into herself. "Hae ji!" She shouted into the forest. The wind stopped abruptly. Leave froze their sway. Time itself was frozen. Kagome smiled, satisfied with the new feeling of power sweeping through her. Now they wouldn't be interfered. Only Kagome and Kikyo were mobile in this frozen world.
"When did this happen?" Kikyo stammered, fear filling her eyes. Kagome knew she had noticed her newest display of power and wondered if even Kikyo could stop time.
"Two days ago." Kagome flipped her hair over her shoulder, nonchalant. Kikyo stepped back, horrified.
"Two days? That's impossible." she muttered under her breath. Kagome heard.
"It's possible. And now, I can finally deal with you fairly. You have interfered with Inuyasha and me for the last time. Now, I am finally able to do something about it." Kagome took a step toward Kikyo, closing the space between them. "This time I'm going to send you back to hell where you belong." Kikyo winced.
"You don't know what you're saying. Stop this at once. I came to warn you, not kill you. I'm after Inuyasha. He is mine. My responsibility. You are not." Kikyo stated and then turned to walk into a thicket of trees off the path. Then, as if rethinking something, she turned back to face Kagome. "You haven't mated with him, have you?" Kagome's eyebrows shot down as she glowered at Kikyo for having the gall to ask her that. Kikyo gave a faint smile. "I take that as a 'no'. Don't. Not until you know what you're doing." Kagome's frown deepened. What is this? A sex ed. talk? "Inuyasha isn't who you think he is. Just.be careful, Kagome." Kikyo vanished into a sudden mist that had appeared. Kagome watched the mist fade away. It reminded her of a magician's disappearing act, only Kagome knew it wasn't an illusion. Kikyo had faded into the mist.
With a single word, she returned time to the world. The breeze returned, making her hair fly out behind her. Kagome stared in silence at the place where Kikyo had stood moments ago. She wondered where Kikyo had gone. Why had she come? To try to break Inuyasha and Kagome apart of course. But why? Kikyo had even admitted that Inuyasha didn't want her. Nothing seemed to make any sense.