A/N: *opens up a brand new spakin' box of youkai lawyer seals, also known
as disclaimers* Okay, I'm ready to get back to work!! I sadly do not own
any teeny tiny part of Inuyasha, not even a lock of that beautiful silver
hair *sob* But if I did.*happy smile* Ah well, in my dreams
Hello Minna, boy has it taken me forever to write this chapter, and get the ball moving on this story. Thank you everyone for your suggestions, but the true inspiration have to go to George and Kitiara (bacioni cara) for their wonderful ideas. George who came up with the idea in the first place, though I didn't think it would work, and Kitiara who had to beat it into my head that this was a story after all, in a world where anything was possible. I was a little too obsessed with true possibilities and such. *laugh* What can I say, I'm dedicated to being as true as I can, I only hope I've succeeded.
I've decided to put review comments first on this chapter, only cause there were SO many, and you all deserve my attention first (that and the fact it gives me more woolgathering time). *grin*
Inuyashalover, Mitsuko Maxwell, Taintedthought88, Michelle, Ame Tenshi, Burnsybabe, Ryuko, Alika, Sakura Avalon, Inuyashachic515, ladyjulianna, The perpetually Hyper one, kivon, queenizzay, KagomeWannabe, Kachie-chan, Laura. Keri Maxwell, Colleen
What can I say, you all had some really wonderful reviews for me, some 'interesting' ideas as well."Hello Kitty/Sesshoumaru pairing? *shudder*, Barney with a chainsaw, a couple of things that don't quite go under a PG- 13 heading, Naked Inuyasha (though we've had two helpings of that in the anime already *laugh*) *hands Perpetually their own Anti-Kikyo Union Member card* Oh, I asked a little while ago about the fluffy thing on Sess. Shoulder? Well, in converting my friend to IY, I have been watching the first episodes with her, and I noticed that the fluffy thing is NOT attached to Sess, in fact he uses it at one point to attack IY.
One last very important announcement, this is my special thank you to battousai-heart, who has very graciously agreed to be my beta reader! Arigato!
Anyway, enough chit chat, here's the update you were all waiting for ^_^
Previously on Inuyasha (ducks from the Yugi fans who throw blunt objects at her for stealing that line.)*********
I could hear noises echoing down the corridor, and I crept closer. Carefully, I peeked my head around the corner, and the sight made my heart stop.
***********************
Inuyasha stood with his back to me, hands clenched at his side, glowing. Actually glowing. I didn't have to see his eyes to know that his youkai blood had taken him over. He swayed slightly, shifting from foot to foot, and emitted a soft growl from deep within his chest that terrified me.
I stood, still partially hidden behind the wall as I stared at the source of his anger.
Lying on one side, covered it seemed in only a blanket of her own hair, was a woman, a youkai by the shape of her ears and the markings on her face and body. She had her eyes half closed and seemed to follow Inuyasha's movements carefully. He appeared to be in a battle with himself and I felt that he could snap at any minute. Slowly the youkai opened her eyes and emitted a soft growling noise, and I could see Inuyasha's body tense up as he seemed to move involuntarily towards her. She rose up on her hands, facing him and the air was charged with so much tension that I could feel the heat on my face. With a harsh growl Inuyasha stepped forward, and the cavern erupted in a flash of light.
My eyes stung painfully and I crouched down, arms covering my eyes. Slowly the black spots in my vision began to diminish and I rose to my feet, looking again into the cavern. Inuyasha stood frozen, his face locked in a hungry snarl. The woman was no long a woman, instead had become a hideous oni, who grinned down at the frozen Inuyasha.
"Ah, so foolish to fall so easily into my trap," it leaned forward and sniffed, its face distorting. "Ah, I hate my meals, impure," it growled and reached a hand forward. I could see Inuyasha's eyes following the hand, while the rest of him was immobile. It hovered just above his head, and a red glow began to form around Inuyasha. He began to scream, a horrible bloodcurdling scream that reached deep down into my soul and pulled me from my paralysis. I rushed from my hiding place, bow drawn.
"Stop it!" I screamed, but the monster ignored me. Inuyasha's eyes turned towards mine, and through the pain I could see the pleading in them. Go Kagome, save yourself!'
'Baka' I thought and watched frozen in horror as Inuyasha's form began to waver. The pitch of his voice began to rise as he was pulled into two beings. I finally broke from whatever was holding me back, and loosed my arrow, watching it strike the barrier surrounding them in a shower of lights. Inuyasha's scream was cut off and I dashed forward, to catch him before he hit the ground. The very human looking Inuyasha, was breathing heavily and cringing from pain. Human? My eyes slowly drifted upward to see the youkai Inuyasha staring down at me. Before I could react, he reached down, grabbed me around my throat, and pushed me against the cave wall. He growled deeply and fearful shivers ran down my spine. Just behind him, I could see the oni, eyes watching gleefully.
"Yes my pet, feed your hunger, bring me the shards she carries," the oni growled.
"Inuyasha," I whispered and he leaned his head forward, eyes ruby red.
"Mine," he growled and pressed his mouth against my shoulder. I froze as he nipped playfully.
"Inu-" I glanced at the human Inuyasha who watched helplessly from the ground.
"Feh, weakling," the youkai hissed and pressed close against me. I watched the human Inuyasha simply stare down at his hands.
"I'm sorry Kagome, I couldn't protect you from my greatest enemy, myself," I heard him whisper. The youkai's free hand traveled down my side, playing at the fringes of my shirt and running one clawed finger along my stomach. I tried pushing at his arms, a weak and futile effort.
"Yes my pet, feed your hunger," growled the oni. My eyes flew open, and I pulled the one weapon that I knew just might work.
"Pet?" I whispered, trying to ignore the goose bumps that ran on my skin, "Is that what you are? The mighty son of a taiyoukai, the little puppy dog of a miserable oni?"
He growled fiercely against my neck and I could feel his hand tighten around my throat. "You'll do his bidding won't you? Be his pet, obey his commands, Inu-Yasha," I gasped, deliberately separating his name to stress the meaning: Dog-demon. He released me, my weak knees collapsing beneath me, and with a howl he leapt at the oni. I scrambled to my feet, dashing to the fallen human Inuyasha. He looked up at me, with hollow eyes. I knelt to wrap one of his arms around my shoulder and stood, pulling him to his feet.
"Come on, we've got to get out of here," I grunted and he halfheartedly walked with me.
Time seemed to stop as we made our way out of the cavern. Everyone was waiting just outside and I let go of his arm, letting him stand or fall, whichever he chose.
"Miroku, barrier scrolls," I said, running to his side. He was still staring at the human Inuyasha. I shook his shoulder's forcefully, "Damnit, now monk!" He blinked in surprise and pulled them from his robe. I snatched them from his hands and quickly closed my eyes, empowering them as I had done with my arrows, willing my purpose into them. I could feel the power flare up in them just as a howl echoed from the chamber.
"Shit" I mumbled and hurried to the cave walls. Quickly I placed one on either side of the cave. Red eyes glowed in the distance and I knew the time was almost up.
"Shippou, " I called and the kitsune leapt into my arms. I handed him the last seal and tossed him up. He sailed through the air and slapped the last seal into place, just as I heard, "Mine" hollered and I knew I had been spotted. Shippou fell into my arms and we stood just outside the barrier as the youkai rushed at me with a growl.
He hit the barrier triggering it with a flash of light, and a shockwave so powerful that it sent me flying as well. Shippou soared out of my arms and I flew head over heels in the air. Strong arms stopped my descent and I recognized Inuyasha's red robes.
"Arigato," I whispered and he set me on my feet, his arms encircling my waist possessively. I could feel the cold glare the human Inuyasha gave his youkai half.
"Mine!" screamed the youkai, beating against the barrier.
"I won't let you have her," whispered Inuyasha against my ear. His touch, everything about him was unusually gentle.
"Mate, mine!" screamed his counterpart. The rest of the group watched this display with confusion clearly visible on their faces.
"Sango, why is Inuyasha a human and a youkai," Shippou whispered the unspoken question.
"I don't know Shippou-chan, but I think the bigger question is, what happens now?"
Shippou sniffed, "He doesn't even smell like Inuyasha, even on the nights of the new moon." Kirara mewed her agreement from Sango's shoulder.
"What does this mean," Miroku whispered.
I had pulled myself from Inuyasha's embrace. "The oni is dead?" I asked the youkai.
"Dead-kill-mate, now mine!" it howled and I closed my eyes.
"With the oni dead, they should return to themselves, unless something is keeping them apart, unless someone is," I turned back to the human Inuyasha who was watching me, silently.
"Inuyasha, you said something in there. You said you couldn't protect me from yourself. Do you mean the youkai inside you, behaves this way around me?"
Shippou made a face, "You want to mate with Kagome?!": His shrill voice carried over the stillness like a knife-a knife that struck Inuhasha painfully.
Miroku grabbed Shippou by the tail and turned, "I think lunch would be in order," he said calmly, carrying the protesting kitsune pup away with him. Sango followed, catching on.
I watched Inuyasha, "Is Shippou right?"
He looked up at me, "No!" he shouted but his eyes betrayed him, the hurt and the shame clearly visible. I sighed softly, "You're keeping him seperate, aren't you? You're trying to protect me?"
He glanced up at me through those ebony bangs and I knelt before him, taking his hands in mine.
"You are miserable as a human, I know this. Why are you doing this to yourself?"
He glared up at me, "Because now more than ever, he-" he pointed at the growling youkai, " fills my senses. Whenever I'm near you, he's there, barely below the surface, screaming at me to take you off somewhere and-" his voice choked in his throat. I understood what he was trying to say though, and kept the blush from my cheeks as best I could.
"But you didn't," I managed to get out softly.
"But I might, and I can't let-" he sighed.
"Inuyasha, he's a part of you, not the best or worst part, but half of who you are. I've accepted this, you have to as well, despite what all this means."
He crossed his arms, "No, let him stay locked up in that cave for the rest of my life, I don't care what happens."
I opened my mouth to protest, but he turned around and walked into the forest following the direction that the others took. I stayed to keep an eye on the other one, who kept staring at me intently.
Hello Minna, boy has it taken me forever to write this chapter, and get the ball moving on this story. Thank you everyone for your suggestions, but the true inspiration have to go to George and Kitiara (bacioni cara) for their wonderful ideas. George who came up with the idea in the first place, though I didn't think it would work, and Kitiara who had to beat it into my head that this was a story after all, in a world where anything was possible. I was a little too obsessed with true possibilities and such. *laugh* What can I say, I'm dedicated to being as true as I can, I only hope I've succeeded.
I've decided to put review comments first on this chapter, only cause there were SO many, and you all deserve my attention first (that and the fact it gives me more woolgathering time). *grin*
Inuyashalover, Mitsuko Maxwell, Taintedthought88, Michelle, Ame Tenshi, Burnsybabe, Ryuko, Alika, Sakura Avalon, Inuyashachic515, ladyjulianna, The perpetually Hyper one, kivon, queenizzay, KagomeWannabe, Kachie-chan, Laura. Keri Maxwell, Colleen
What can I say, you all had some really wonderful reviews for me, some 'interesting' ideas as well."Hello Kitty/Sesshoumaru pairing? *shudder*, Barney with a chainsaw, a couple of things that don't quite go under a PG- 13 heading, Naked Inuyasha (though we've had two helpings of that in the anime already *laugh*) *hands Perpetually their own Anti-Kikyo Union Member card* Oh, I asked a little while ago about the fluffy thing on Sess. Shoulder? Well, in converting my friend to IY, I have been watching the first episodes with her, and I noticed that the fluffy thing is NOT attached to Sess, in fact he uses it at one point to attack IY.
One last very important announcement, this is my special thank you to battousai-heart, who has very graciously agreed to be my beta reader! Arigato!
Anyway, enough chit chat, here's the update you were all waiting for ^_^
Previously on Inuyasha (ducks from the Yugi fans who throw blunt objects at her for stealing that line.)*********
I could hear noises echoing down the corridor, and I crept closer. Carefully, I peeked my head around the corner, and the sight made my heart stop.
***********************
Inuyasha stood with his back to me, hands clenched at his side, glowing. Actually glowing. I didn't have to see his eyes to know that his youkai blood had taken him over. He swayed slightly, shifting from foot to foot, and emitted a soft growl from deep within his chest that terrified me.
I stood, still partially hidden behind the wall as I stared at the source of his anger.
Lying on one side, covered it seemed in only a blanket of her own hair, was a woman, a youkai by the shape of her ears and the markings on her face and body. She had her eyes half closed and seemed to follow Inuyasha's movements carefully. He appeared to be in a battle with himself and I felt that he could snap at any minute. Slowly the youkai opened her eyes and emitted a soft growling noise, and I could see Inuyasha's body tense up as he seemed to move involuntarily towards her. She rose up on her hands, facing him and the air was charged with so much tension that I could feel the heat on my face. With a harsh growl Inuyasha stepped forward, and the cavern erupted in a flash of light.
My eyes stung painfully and I crouched down, arms covering my eyes. Slowly the black spots in my vision began to diminish and I rose to my feet, looking again into the cavern. Inuyasha stood frozen, his face locked in a hungry snarl. The woman was no long a woman, instead had become a hideous oni, who grinned down at the frozen Inuyasha.
"Ah, so foolish to fall so easily into my trap," it leaned forward and sniffed, its face distorting. "Ah, I hate my meals, impure," it growled and reached a hand forward. I could see Inuyasha's eyes following the hand, while the rest of him was immobile. It hovered just above his head, and a red glow began to form around Inuyasha. He began to scream, a horrible bloodcurdling scream that reached deep down into my soul and pulled me from my paralysis. I rushed from my hiding place, bow drawn.
"Stop it!" I screamed, but the monster ignored me. Inuyasha's eyes turned towards mine, and through the pain I could see the pleading in them. Go Kagome, save yourself!'
'Baka' I thought and watched frozen in horror as Inuyasha's form began to waver. The pitch of his voice began to rise as he was pulled into two beings. I finally broke from whatever was holding me back, and loosed my arrow, watching it strike the barrier surrounding them in a shower of lights. Inuyasha's scream was cut off and I dashed forward, to catch him before he hit the ground. The very human looking Inuyasha, was breathing heavily and cringing from pain. Human? My eyes slowly drifted upward to see the youkai Inuyasha staring down at me. Before I could react, he reached down, grabbed me around my throat, and pushed me against the cave wall. He growled deeply and fearful shivers ran down my spine. Just behind him, I could see the oni, eyes watching gleefully.
"Yes my pet, feed your hunger, bring me the shards she carries," the oni growled.
"Inuyasha," I whispered and he leaned his head forward, eyes ruby red.
"Mine," he growled and pressed his mouth against my shoulder. I froze as he nipped playfully.
"Inu-" I glanced at the human Inuyasha who watched helplessly from the ground.
"Feh, weakling," the youkai hissed and pressed close against me. I watched the human Inuyasha simply stare down at his hands.
"I'm sorry Kagome, I couldn't protect you from my greatest enemy, myself," I heard him whisper. The youkai's free hand traveled down my side, playing at the fringes of my shirt and running one clawed finger along my stomach. I tried pushing at his arms, a weak and futile effort.
"Yes my pet, feed your hunger," growled the oni. My eyes flew open, and I pulled the one weapon that I knew just might work.
"Pet?" I whispered, trying to ignore the goose bumps that ran on my skin, "Is that what you are? The mighty son of a taiyoukai, the little puppy dog of a miserable oni?"
He growled fiercely against my neck and I could feel his hand tighten around my throat. "You'll do his bidding won't you? Be his pet, obey his commands, Inu-Yasha," I gasped, deliberately separating his name to stress the meaning: Dog-demon. He released me, my weak knees collapsing beneath me, and with a howl he leapt at the oni. I scrambled to my feet, dashing to the fallen human Inuyasha. He looked up at me, with hollow eyes. I knelt to wrap one of his arms around my shoulder and stood, pulling him to his feet.
"Come on, we've got to get out of here," I grunted and he halfheartedly walked with me.
Time seemed to stop as we made our way out of the cavern. Everyone was waiting just outside and I let go of his arm, letting him stand or fall, whichever he chose.
"Miroku, barrier scrolls," I said, running to his side. He was still staring at the human Inuyasha. I shook his shoulder's forcefully, "Damnit, now monk!" He blinked in surprise and pulled them from his robe. I snatched them from his hands and quickly closed my eyes, empowering them as I had done with my arrows, willing my purpose into them. I could feel the power flare up in them just as a howl echoed from the chamber.
"Shit" I mumbled and hurried to the cave walls. Quickly I placed one on either side of the cave. Red eyes glowed in the distance and I knew the time was almost up.
"Shippou, " I called and the kitsune leapt into my arms. I handed him the last seal and tossed him up. He sailed through the air and slapped the last seal into place, just as I heard, "Mine" hollered and I knew I had been spotted. Shippou fell into my arms and we stood just outside the barrier as the youkai rushed at me with a growl.
He hit the barrier triggering it with a flash of light, and a shockwave so powerful that it sent me flying as well. Shippou soared out of my arms and I flew head over heels in the air. Strong arms stopped my descent and I recognized Inuyasha's red robes.
"Arigato," I whispered and he set me on my feet, his arms encircling my waist possessively. I could feel the cold glare the human Inuyasha gave his youkai half.
"Mine!" screamed the youkai, beating against the barrier.
"I won't let you have her," whispered Inuyasha against my ear. His touch, everything about him was unusually gentle.
"Mate, mine!" screamed his counterpart. The rest of the group watched this display with confusion clearly visible on their faces.
"Sango, why is Inuyasha a human and a youkai," Shippou whispered the unspoken question.
"I don't know Shippou-chan, but I think the bigger question is, what happens now?"
Shippou sniffed, "He doesn't even smell like Inuyasha, even on the nights of the new moon." Kirara mewed her agreement from Sango's shoulder.
"What does this mean," Miroku whispered.
I had pulled myself from Inuyasha's embrace. "The oni is dead?" I asked the youkai.
"Dead-kill-mate, now mine!" it howled and I closed my eyes.
"With the oni dead, they should return to themselves, unless something is keeping them apart, unless someone is," I turned back to the human Inuyasha who was watching me, silently.
"Inuyasha, you said something in there. You said you couldn't protect me from yourself. Do you mean the youkai inside you, behaves this way around me?"
Shippou made a face, "You want to mate with Kagome?!": His shrill voice carried over the stillness like a knife-a knife that struck Inuhasha painfully.
Miroku grabbed Shippou by the tail and turned, "I think lunch would be in order," he said calmly, carrying the protesting kitsune pup away with him. Sango followed, catching on.
I watched Inuyasha, "Is Shippou right?"
He looked up at me, "No!" he shouted but his eyes betrayed him, the hurt and the shame clearly visible. I sighed softly, "You're keeping him seperate, aren't you? You're trying to protect me?"
He glanced up at me through those ebony bangs and I knelt before him, taking his hands in mine.
"You are miserable as a human, I know this. Why are you doing this to yourself?"
He glared up at me, "Because now more than ever, he-" he pointed at the growling youkai, " fills my senses. Whenever I'm near you, he's there, barely below the surface, screaming at me to take you off somewhere and-" his voice choked in his throat. I understood what he was trying to say though, and kept the blush from my cheeks as best I could.
"But you didn't," I managed to get out softly.
"But I might, and I can't let-" he sighed.
"Inuyasha, he's a part of you, not the best or worst part, but half of who you are. I've accepted this, you have to as well, despite what all this means."
He crossed his arms, "No, let him stay locked up in that cave for the rest of my life, I don't care what happens."
I opened my mouth to protest, but he turned around and walked into the forest following the direction that the others took. I stayed to keep an eye on the other one, who kept staring at me intently.