By: Kisu
A/N: Whew! Finally we're getting somewhere! ^_^
Disclaimer: Inuyasha does not belong to me. ^_^
Flashback:
"Inuyasha! Don't do this!" Kimiko cried. "Open your eyes, Inuyasha."
"If you walk away now, I will be forced to kill you." Sesshoumaru warned.
"So be it." Inuyasha replied as he leaped into the sky.
"Inuyasha!" Kimiko screamed as she rushed forward. Sesshoumaru pulled her back into his arms and she wept bitterly. "It's not supposed to turn out like this. Damn you Naraku!"
Chapter 9: Hanyou
The sun was warm and bright and its rays shone through the large glass windows of the castle. Kimiko walked down the halls, enjoying the rays when a chill suddenly went up her spine. She ran to the nearest balcony and swung the doors open. Once outside, her eyes rapidly scanned the forest that outlined the estate. Tonight. She gasped in realization. Tonight, Inuyasha will lose his hanyou form and become human. Tonight, is the night of the new moon. Fear quickened the beat of her heart and she closed her eyes. She would have to go to Inuyasha tonight. She had to protect him. She gripped the railing tightly as a burst of pain ran through her head.
"Kimiko!" She heard Sesshoumaru's voice far away and the sound of his quick footsteps. "Kimiko, what's wrong?" His voice was always calm, even if there was a slight frantic tone to it. She fell back against him and surrendered to darkness.
***
"Is Mama all right?" Toshi stood quietly by the door as his father sat next to his mother who was lying on the bed.
"She'll be fine, Toshi." He reassured him. Toshi paused and stared uncertainly at the scene before him. A small smile crossed his face as Sesshoumaru held out his hand to him. He ran over and wrapped his arms around his father.
"I'm scared, Papa." He said, softly. "I have dreams. Rin tells me that they are nightmares and nothing more."
"You must be prepared for the worst, Toshi." Sesshoumaru sighed. "We will have one last battle to counter the evil. Perhaps this will be the last time. Even I, get weary of blood and war."
"Mama told me. She told me that soon everything would be over." Toshi murmured. Sesshoumaru's gaze averted back to his mate and his brow furrowed. I hope she isn't thinking of any sacrifices. Her mental stability isn't that well. He caressed his son's silver head and stood up.
"Let's leave your mother to rest. We will check up on her later." He took Toshi's hand and they exited the room. The silence of the room was once resumed.
***
Rise, Kimiko. Her eyelids fluttered as Kikyo's soft voice echoed through her head. Night has fallen, I will help you escape.
She slowly got up and her hand went to her aching head. She moaned softly and looked around her room. Indeed there was no moon tonight and only the stars gave little light for her to recognize her surroundings. The Shikon no Tama glowed and she felt a slight tugging. The tugging suddenly exploded into a world of pain and she fell to the floor. There was a burst of pink light shot upwards into the night sky and like a falling star; it sprinkled down onto the ground, covering every inch of the estate.
Kimiko, are you all right?
Kimiko stared down at her nails changed into claws and she could feel her bones shifting. Her long black hair that fell draped over her shoulders became visible in the darkness, for now it draped over her shoulders in smooth silver strands. Even her senses became keener. "Kikyo, you should have warned me when you used the jewel." Kimiko commented, softly.
Sorry. I placed everyone under a sleeping spell for a few hours. Kimiko sighed and inhaled deeply as the scent of the night washed over her.
"Wait for me, Inuyasha." She smiled as she leaped out her window and landed on the soft grass below. Taking up in a fast sprint, she dashed through the trees leaving no trace behind.
***
Inuyasha sighed as he sat motionless on top of a tree branch. He inwardly cursed his human blood for the tenth time and squinted into the darkness. No one had come looking for him; they knew it was the time when he wanted to be left alone. Except Miroku who had stuck his nose in his business and received a black eye. Even if he was human, he could still pack a mean punch. This was a critical time, after all—things were uneasy and he had to protect Kagome.
"Inuyasha?" Her sweet voice rose up from underneath him and he peered through the leaves at her figure. "Inuyasha? Are you up there?"
"Yeah." He replied.
"Inuyasha, can you come down here?" She asked. Inuyasha sighed and slid down off his branch. Leaves fell with him and Kagome smiled as she picked a leaf out of his hair. "I was wondering if you were hungry." She told him. "Miroku told me to give you this." She handed him a pair of chopsticks and a cup of ramen. He smiled and greedily began slurping it down.
"Thanks." He said as he placed the cup down after a few moments. Kagome nodded and sat down next to the tree. Inuyasha followed her example and sat down next to her. "I always wondered what will happen if I had wished to be a human." He gazed out into the distance and clutched his tetsuaiga closer to him. "I always miss my demon blood when I am like this. I hate feeling weak."
"I like you better as yourself. Your hanyou form is your true self and you should never be ashamed of that side." Kagome stretched her arms out and looked up at the stars. "Your mother gave you your human form and your father gave you your hanyou form. They are gifts from their hearts."
"Kagome." Inuyasha wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer. "If I had wished to be a human, I would have probably never have met you."
"But you'll have Kikyo." She replied, calmly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He frowned. She breathed in softly and exhaled.
"Nothing." She said.
"You always bring her up, why?" Inuyasha shifted to get a good look at her expression. However, her dark bangs hid her eyes from his view.
"You stole her heart, but now it's mine." She told him.
"What?" He suddenly gasped as something pain lanced through him. His eyes were wide and Kagome looked up at him in sick fascination. Then she withdrew her hand from his chest and blood gushed out from the wound. She licked her fingers delicately and Inuyasha fell to his side, a hand gripping the wound.
"I discovered your weakness, Inuyasha." She laughed. "Now, I will kill you once and for all. You have been a nuisance for far too long!"
"Inuyasha!" A blur ran toward him and gentle hands gripped his shoulders. "Inuyasha, are you all right?"
Inuyasha stared up at the demoness in confusion. "Who are you?" He whispered as his vision started to blur. His hand reached out to touch her face and he left a smear of blood on her cheek.
"Your losing so much blood, Inuyasha." She frowned. Her hand touched his wound and he winced. A pool of pink light deftly closed the wound and he stared at her. "This will help you for a bit, but you would have to wait until your demon blood kicks back in." She winced as the usage of the Shikon collided with her demon blood.
"Kimiko?" He stated as he gazed at her in wonder. She smiled at him; her amber eyes were warm and kind.
"You should have believed me when I told you. Men are so stubborn." She retorted. Standing up abruptly, she stared at Kagome. "Isn't it the time for you to show your true self? Naraku?"
"Kukukuku." Kagome laughed and smiled at her. "It's amazing how beautiful you turned out. I was wondering if you could have demon blood running in you."
"Why not? After all, you have human blood running through your veins." Kimiko smirked.
"Enlighten me on how you changed into a hanyou." Kagome replied, ignoring her previous comment.
"I have been changing into this form every new moon after I became Sesshoumaru's mate." Kimiko told him. "Now, let me give you first hand experience of what I can do in this form." Her hands glowed and her claws turned into needle like points. She smiled viciously as she dove forward. Kagome laughed before tentacles sprouted out from her and she rose high off the ground.
"Stop! Even if she's Naraku, he must be taking control of Kagome." Inuyasha yelled, desperately. Kimiko halted for a second and a tentacle hit her side and she hit the tree next to Inuyasha.
"Why can't you get it through your thick skull?" She snapped as she got up. "Remember what Miroku said? Naraku can take any form and he chose a form to spite you." Inuyasha's eyes widened and he slumped down onto the ground. "I told you, but you wouldn't believe me! You should know who is who! Especially if it was Kagome! Why are you so dense?"
"So you are Naraku." Inuyasha whispered.
"About time. It was amusing to play your petty Kagome." Naraku laughed. Tentacles flew at him and Inuyasha closed his eyes. A soft wind brushed his face and he opened them to see Kimiko standing in front of him with pieces of the tentacles everywhere.
"Watch out, Kimiko!" Inuyasha warned as she leapt up into the air and nimbly sliced away every tentacle.
"Thanks." Kimiko stated as she landed lightly. One hand brushed her silver strands away from her face and Inuyasha watched in awe. "Take this, Naraku." She yelled as she leapt forward and swung her hand. The needle-like points on her hands shot forward and glowed pink before embedding into Naraku's flesh. Naraku yelled and clutched her chest. She turned into a swirl of misama and started laughing.
"How foolish of you to leave the castle unattended." She commented. "I have already sent a hoard of youkai there. I wonder if they are asleep or not." Naraku laughed once more. "Thank you, Kimiko." She flew away and Kimiko stared after her. She fell to her knees and covered her face.
Kikyo…how long will your spell last for?
Another half an hour.
"Toshihiro." She whispered as she quickly stood up. "I have to stop them! Stay here Inuyasha!" She ran off and Inuyasha stood up with the Tetsuaiga as support.
"Uncle Inuyasha!" Kohaku burst through the trees and quickly ran over to him. "Ma! Pa! I found him!" Sango and Miroku quickly appeared and they ran over to him.
"What happened here? Where is Kagome?" Sango asked.
"Quick, we must get back to Sesshoumaru's castle. Naraku has sent an army of youkai there." Inuyasha told them. "I'll explain everything on the way."
"Kirara!" Sango called. The youkai cat quickly changed into her larger form and they quickly got on. "Back to the castle, quickly."
In the west, a storm of youkai flew quickly to the unsuspecting castle with Kimiko hot on their heels.
"I must get there." Kimiko whispered as dread filled her.
TBC! I swore I uploaded this chapter…;;
