Author's Notes: I want to personally thank jojo10 and OsuwariTestsusaiga for their constant support as well as everyone else who has reviewed. I've only one other fic that's received this many reviews and that was only because it was a thirty plus series. Thank again everyone and I hope I don't let you down!
While You Slept In My ArmsKimiko helped Kagome every step of the way in preparing for the ceremony. Sango helped the miko get dressed in the ceremonial Chihaya, or miko's robe, while Shippo kept guard outside the hut from the ever-peeping houshi. Miroku insisted that he could contribute positively to Kagome's preparation, but the girls would hear none of it. So exasperated as he was without getting to see even an inch of Kagome's bare skin, he relented to help prepare the shrine at the back of the village.
The chihaya that Kagome wore was a loosely fitting light pink from the waist up, embroidered with green and blue doves and a blue sash wrapped around her waist. From the waist down it was a solid dark green skirt, but most of the attention was drawn to the golden headdress Kagome wore which resembled a crown more than anything except for the see-through pink silk that hung down behind her all the way to her waist.
"Kagome-chan, you look beautiful." Sango complimented.
The miko blushed. "Arigatou." Where are you Inuyasha? Kagome was composed on the outside, but on the inside she was a nervous wreck. She didn't want to go through something so important alone and even though the ceremony's success depended on a calm mind and soul, hers were in turmoil. Even though Sango and Miroku would be there with her, Kagome always felt safest when the silver-haired hanyou was within reach.
The ceremony consisted of Kagome chanting an ancient prayer in the lost language of the priestesses, and then the final fusing of the Shikon no Tama. Kimiko and Kaede would also be present close by to be able to lend their life force to help Kagome. Sango and Miroku would be there but at a distance.
Kagome tried to steady her beating heart as she tightened her grip around the rosary in her right hand. Inuyasha, wherever you are, I need you. I don't belong here, as much as I try and I don't know if I can do this. What if something goes wrong? What'll happen to the Shikon no Tama?
Kagome's silent thoughts were interrupted when Shippo entered the hut. "They're ready at the shrine."
Kagome nodded and lead the way with the other two women following behind her.
* * *
Out in the forest, Inuyasha had his hands full dealing with the hordes of menial demons that were attracted by the Shikon no Tama's aura. Intact or not, if even one of the shards Kagome possessed got into these amateurs' hands they'd have problems. So, since Inuyasha was still torn about which path he should take, he decided to take out his aggressions on worthless demons.
Not even needing Kazu no Kizu and not having enough ki to blast back with a Bakuryuuha, Inuyasha stuck to simple slashes and Sankon Tessous which was more than enough for most of the demons. As he took out the last demon in sight, he cracked his neck and smirked. "That was refreshing."
Catching a soothing tone, his ears perked at the music coming from the shrine a few miles away. Kagome's there. He thought in sadness. Why am I afraid to see her? Is it because I hurt her before? Or because of what I'm thinking of doing?
Inuyasha sighed and his ears drooped down. The expression was heartbreaking, which was exactly what the dog-demon was going through. He wanted to go, but he couldn't face Kagome yet. I'm fighting off all these demons to protect her, but the one that poses the biggest threat to her is actually me. I don't belong there…but still…
* * *
Kagome tried her best not to limp as she climbed the steps leading up to the decorated holy ground. Her heart had not ceased its motion and the blood beat rapidly in her ears. I have to calm down or everything everyone has worked so hard towards will be for nothing!
When she got to the top, she saw Sango and Miroku, along with a smiling Shippo and Kirara. Nearer to the dais was Kimiko and Kaede, both on either side awaiting Kagome's arrival. She approached the dais slowly, as if trying to draw out the inevitable. I'm not ready for this! I'm not ready!
She reached the alter and stood there a moment, staring into the flames burning before her. The jewel shards were in her hands awaiting the fusion. She looked back at the open doorway to the shrine, hoping against hope that Inuyasha was there smiling at her, telling her everything was going to be okay.
Her eyes dulled a little more than before when they saw no such figure, only small birds flying past met the miko's gaze. Sadly, she turned back to the fire and closed her eyes, telling everyone she was about to start.
"We're ready when you are." Kaede said, knowing the girl was beyond nervous.
Kagome closed her eyes tighter, almost to the brink of tears from fear alone. Inuyasha…
"Wait!"
Her brown eyes show open and Kagome whipped around, actually shocked to see Inuyasha, a little battered but okay, walking towards her with his half-smile. "A few demons in the forest were trying to crash the party." He joked.
Caught up in her happiness, Kagome ran the last few feet between them, and threw her arms around his waist, very much like the time he'd pushed her down the well telling her to never return. Inuyasha's shocked also reflected that time, except this time he hugged back. "You didn't think I'd leave you to face this alone, did you?"
Kagome pulled back and shrugged. "I had my doubts."
"I'll always be here for you." He said, his voice unnaturally sweet.
Nodding with renewed confidence, Kagome faced the alter and knew now that she was finally ready. Inuyasha stayed a few feet behind her, but between the miko and the door, in case there were demons he'd missed.
Closing her eyes, Kagome began the rehearsed chant and was almost scared she'd say something wrong. She wasn't all that great in English class and this was even worse for a second language. She had been told earlier that the chant translated as follows:
Gods of life and fortune
Grant your powers upon this shell
Bless it with your unlimited powers
Remove the taint that dwells within
And restore it to its former beauty
Inside Kagome's cupped hands the Shikon shards began to glow and resonate. Kaede and Kimiko also had their hands folded and lent Kagome as much strength as they could.
Kagome immediately felt her body weaken, but she knew she wasn't finished, so she pressed onward, forcing the pieces together as she remembered Kikyo doing before. She gritted her teeth as it became harder to keep her focus, but when it seemed the pain throughout her body would never cease, it died down and she was left breathless.
Behind her, Inuyasha slowly reached out to her. "K-Kagome?"
Opening her eyes she looked down in her hands and for the first time in three years, she saw the completed Shikon no Tama. "It is done." She managed, before collapsing to the floor.
Everyone in the room gasped, but Inuyasha reacted quickly, catching the drained miko in his arms. "Oi, Kaede-baba! Will she be alright!?"
The elder miko nodded solemnly. "Yes, she's just been drain of all her miko energy for now. All she needs is rest."
The hanyou gently lifted her up and held her against his chest. The Shikon no Tama still securely held in her hand. "Sleep, Kagome. You've done your part." Now it's time I do mine. He turned on a heel and walked out of the shrine, leaving everyone behind without so much as a word. He would return Kagome to the hut where she could rest, but when she woke up things would be different.
* * *
Kagome slept the better part of the next day, but as dusk slowly approached, the miko began tossing in her sleep. With no one there with her, none could see the clenched teeth or the sweating brow.
At that time, Kagome had a dream, no not a dream, a nightmare. A vision so fearsome and yet, the young miko knew it foretold of a very dark future in which she would have to face her worst fear…
Before Kagome stood two Inuyashas. One had long silver hair and adorable doggy ears. His golden eyes reflected nothing but love and devotion and an underlying sense of protection for her safety. The other was the human Inuyasha. His black hair and brown eyes made her feel sad. Scorned and hated for the greater portion of his life, his eyes gave a glimpse of the sadness and fear the torn hanyou felt deep within himself.
Kagome loved both of them equally and would continue doing so as long as he wanted her by his side.
But suddenly, behind them appeared a third Inuyasha. This one Kagome feared for the most because his youkai blood would take over and cause him to hurt not only those he cared for and loved, but push him to death's door as well.
The miko watched helplessly as the demon Inuyasha slashed through the backs of both hanyou Inuyasha and human Inuyasha, and all the while Kagome was reaching out to try and stop the massacre.
Afterwards, the demon with red-glowing eyes moved towards Kagome. She took a fearful step backwards when he lashed out with his claws, slitting not only her throat, but the precious jewel that hung around her neck.
She clutched her bleeding wound as she fell to the ground. The demon Inuyasha sneered happily as he clutched the defiled Shikon no Tama in his bloody claws.
The last thing she remembered seeing through tear-filled eyes, was a slain human Inuyasha. His eyes were closed but a sad smile was on his face as if he died happy, thankful to be relieved of the pain that had haunted him for so long.
Inuyasha… The miko thought as her vision blurred and darkened. Did you…choose this?
Eyes that would remain closed forever refused to answer…Why?
* * *
Kagome bolted from her sleep and her hand immediately went to her neck where the jewel should've been hanging by now. When her fingers found no such round jewel, her eyes went wide with fear. "Oh no…"
She jumped to her feet, not even realizing that she was back in her school uniform, and rushed outside. Sango and Miroku were just on their way to check up on her when she practically ran into them.
"K-Kagome-chan!"
"Kagome-sama, should you be out yet?" The monk asked.
"Never mind that!" She shouted exasperatedly. "Where's Inuyasha!?"
Sango blinked. "We don't know. After he carried you back here, he ran off towards his forest again."
Kagome looked fearfully at the darkening woods as the sun began its dip below the mountains.
"Kagome-chan, what's wrong?" Sango asked the hysterical girl.
"Inuyasha's about the make a horrible mistake!" Kagome replied, then ran off towards the trees.
Miroku and Sango exchanged looks and quickly ran after her.
* * *
Inuyasha stared at the completed Shikon no Tama dangling from his claws. He had swiped it from Kagome just before putting her down to rest. Now, he began to wonder if what he was going to do was really the right thing.
If I use this, I'll become stronger. I can protect Kagome from anything and she'll never get hurt again. But if I depend on this, will it be like I was giving up on myself? Inuyasha looked at the setting sun and sighed, standing up on the branch of the ancient Goshinboku. "Well, there's no going back now…"
He held the jewel in his hand and closed his eyes, thinking nothing but Kagome and how much she meant to him. I want to make my wish come true. Shikon no Tama… He thought in his mind. The jewel began to resonate a bright pink in response to his whim. Grant me my one true desire…He paused, a moment of hesitation lingering in his heart.
In the forest, Kagome ran as fast as her legs would carry her. Don't do it! Inuyasha!
"Make me a full demon!" He shouted, the jewel erupting with power all around him. He screamed and cried out as power surged through every muscle and every fiber in his being.
He felt as though he were being ripped apart. He felt his claws grow longer, his fangs got sharper, and his youryoku – which always disappeared along with the moon – increased tenfold.
He felt an immense pain in his back and cried out louder as huge bat-like wings erupted from his shoulder blades, shredding the top of his haori to pieces. The jointed bones that created the wings were a deep blood red, while the leather-like material in between was a dark black.
His eyes transformed from golden yellow, to hellish red – his pupils disappearing entirely. Inuyasha, no longer the hanyou, was now a full demon. As the transformation completed, the sun completely set, throwing the world into darkness.
"Inuyasha!!!"
His sensitive ears picked up the sound and whirled to see Kagome burst from the trees. She gasped in shock when she saw his new form. "No…"
From inside, Inuyasha reached out as Kagome's form seemed to back away beyond his reach. "No! Kagome, don't go!"
On the outside, his form smirked evilly and tucked the powerful jewel in his pants pocket. Blood… I must feed on blood… It thought. When its glowing red eyes befell Kagome, staring back with fear and disbelief, its smile grew. I want her. I want this girl…
Sango and Miroku finally caught up to Kagome and nearly fell over in shock upon seeing Inuyasha's full demon form. "Inuyasha!" Sango gasped.
"What has he done!?" The monk exclaimed.
Kagome narrowed her eyes. "He stole the Shikon no Tama from me and used it to become full demon." Her fear had immediately turned to hatred when she began to realize that Inuyasha never thought of her as a friend at all. It was all just an act to use her and get the Shikon no Tama for himself. How could he? Was everything from the festival a lie? "Why Inuyasha!? Why betray me!?" She shouted at the creature before her.
Inside, Inuyasha shook his head. No! That's not why I did it! Please understand!
FLASH!
The revived Kikyo clutched the wound in her shoulder, took one look at the blood, and glared at Inuyasha with nothing but hatred. "Why did you betray me!? Inuyasha!!?
FLASH!
NO! Not again! Kagome! I love you! Don't leave me!
On the outside, Inuyasha cracked his knuckles and bent down, like a wolf ready to pounce. "You, woman! I'm going to take you and make you mine!"
Upon hearing this, both of the miko's friends jumped in front of her, holding their weapons out defensively. "Kagome-sama, get out of here!" Miroku ordered.
Kagome took a moment of hesitation, then turned and ran. Ran from the creature that had one been her secret love. Ran with nothing but fear and hatred for him in her heart. A salty trail of tears followed her, but remained unnoticed by the upset girl.
Inuyasha, completely ignoring the two pests before him, flapped his new mighty wings, and took to the air.
Easily catching up with the fleeing miko as she exited the forest and reached open plain, he dove down and scooped her up, holding her possessively and savagely against him. She struggled, but he grinned in victory. "From now on, you're mine!"
Author's Notes: How was that, huh!? I was thinking when Inuyasha's youkai blood naturally takes over, we see demon Inuyasha. Well with the Shikon no Tama powering him up as well, I was thinking a demon Inuyasha on steroids would be more correct. How horrible is it that Inuyasha has to relive those same words from his previous lover? Well, this was the big surprise I had planned and here it is! Question remains…where will I go with it??
