X-stasy
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Warning: This fic is R rated.
AN: Thanks again for the reviews!!! Oh no! It's another Chapzilla! Ahhhh!
Chapter 17: -Labyrinth-
Darkness.
Darkness surrounded Isane on all sides. Overwhelming, suffocating darkness. And there ahead of her Isane saw...herself.
There hanging in midair while attached to a gigantic stone cross was a doppelganger image of herself. It looked just like her...but it wasn't her at the same time. This 'Isane' had red hair, but the two tendrils that hung on either side of her face had turned black versus their usual white. Her gold and crimson wings had turned as black as the night sky. And her usual red and gold kimono had been replaced for one of red and black colors.
Tendrils of shadow god-power restrained the image of herself to the cross making escape an impossibility. She was completely at the mercy of...
Isane gasped...it was...someone she knew she should recognize.
A warrior...a Dark Knight stood before the doppelganger Isane. He had long, black hair, golden eyes lined in red, and skin as pale as the moon. He was wearing a swirling cape of black and red. And in his hands was the Da-ku Fenikkusu...
He approached the image of Isane suspended to the cross with slow, purposeful steps. He held the Da-ku Fenikkusu in both his hands and in an instant he was standing on top of the cross itself on the right bar where the doppelganger Isane had her right arm restrained to the cross. He suddenly noticed that Isane was watching and gave her a cruel smile before raising his sword overhead...
"No!" Isane cried as she watched. "Don't!" She began to run towards the image of herself and the Dark Knight hoping to stop the inevitable. But the ground...something wasn't right about the ground. It felt like she was running through water...she looked down to see darkness and red...blood. She was running through a deep pool of blood. This only caused her urgent steps to be painfully slow.
She was too late.
She couldn't bear to watch as her mirror image was impaled through the chest by the Da-ku Fenikkusu. Isane covered her eyes with her hands and wished she had covered her ears instead.
A blood-curdling scream echoed in the underground chamber.
A scream not only of physical pain but also of utter heartbreak.
Its song reverberated in Isane's bones. She could feel the sorrow of her doppelganger as if it were her own. The pain, the sorrow hung in the air, so tangible, perhaps it would have been able to be cut through with a knife. It was overwhelming...
Isane felt a wetness on her cheeks and realized she was crying...
"Why..." Isane wondered as she looked down as tear drops fell on her hands. "Why am I crying...?"
A maniacal laughter soon filled the air and a chill went down Isane's spine. That laugh was horrible...so cold, and unfeeling. Isane rubbed her arms to will the feeling away. She looked up horrified to see that the Dark Knight was coming towards her now. She tried to back away but was paralyzed with fear.
Isane woke up with a frantic scream from her Nightmare. She could feel the sweat on her brow underneath her Noh mask. Her breath was coming in and out in short gasps. Her entire body was trembling violently. She brought the silk sheets of her bed closer around her. Sheets? Bed? Where was she? She couldn't remember a thing. It had been so long since she had slept and then forgotten. But now...she strained to remember...anything.
The dream had felt so real to Isane. The last time she had experienced something like that was when she had had a vision of the future. So did that mean that dream...no, the nightmare she had just had was foretelling something that would soon come to pass?
At that moment Sesshoumaru decided to barge into her quarters. He had heard Isane's piercing scream and was worried that she was somehow in danger.
"Isane!" Sesshoumaru yelled as he entered.
Isane looked towards the door in bewilderment and as her eyes took in the sight before her...
She screamed again.
It was the man from her vision...the man that would stab her through the chest with the Da-ku Fenikkusu. The Dark Knight, Key of Darkness. She was positive it was he. Black hair...golden eyes lined in red...skin as white as the moon...blue crescent moon adorning his forehead...
"Isane? What's wrong my love?" Sesshoumaru was at her side in an instant. He was so worried that he didn't even realize what he was saying, what he had just said. Sesshoumaru powerful hands grasped Isane's shoulders in an effort to comfort her but he seemed to only be making things worse.
"Stay the hell away from me!" Isane cried as she struggled futilely in his iron grip. "Don't you dare touch me! Get away!" Isane brought up her hand and clawed Sesshoumaru's face so fast and unexpectedly that he didn't have time to avoid her sharp nails. She left three tracks of red on his once flawless face.
Sesshoumaru stared back her bewildered and released her. He then distanced himself from her before speaking once more. "Isane what the fuck is wrong with you?"
Isane looked like a cornered wild animal. She had already shifted positions and was on the bed in a cat-like position ready to pounce on her prey. She practically hissed at Sesshoumaru.
"What's wrong with me?!" Isane pulled her hair in frustration. "Who the hell are you? What am I doing here! What is this place!?"
Sesshoumaru blinked back at her in shock not believing what he had just heard. He couldn't have possibly heard her correctly. There was no way Isane could have forgotten them...their night together...was there?!
"Isane...it's me Sesshoumaru..." Sesshoumaru said in a strained voice thick with emotion.
"Sesshoumaru..." Isane closed her eyes and concentrated on that name and what it stirred in her. She felt warm and safe. She felt lustful and content. She remembered...silvery white hair...harsh golden eyes...
Isane's eyes snapped opened as she took in the man before her. It looked a bit like the Sesshoumaru she remembered...just different coloring but...what worried her the most is that her soul did not recognize the soul in front of her to be that of Sesshoumaru.
"You lie." Isane said through gritted teeth. "You are not Sesshoumaru." Isane looked into the eyes of the man before her and saw the shadows there and shivered. This man wasn't her Sesshoumaru. Her Sesshoumaru's eyes were different-filled with defiance, power, and strength...these eyes were haunted, troubled, and evil. "You are not the man I love."
Her words were like daggers piercing his heart. Had he really changed so much that he was so unrecognizable? Had giving into the darkness within himself really changed him so much? Was he truly a different person now? Isane seemed to think so. He felt like himself...only freer...but at the same time he felt more trapped. It had been exhilarating to give into his darkness at last...give into his feelings of anger, hatred, and even lust. But then he had lost control and gone too far. He had lost his honor in his battle at the floating City of the Clouds. But he had gained another kind of strength-a tainted evil that empowered him.
Sesshoumaru ran a hand through his hair. Isane had always seemed to recognize him at least a little bit after she had slept but now...it seemed she really had forgotten him...or that he had changed so much that she really didn't love what he had become? What was he? What was happening to him anyways? He had been just as surprised as Isane had been by his sudden change in appearance brought on by a mixture of Sex Magick, his climax, and his hidden powers finally awakening as he gave in, at last, to the last dark emotion within him-lust. He had changed on the outside as well as on the inside.
He knew this to be true and yet he wanted to overcome this new threat to himself. He had been able to overcome all the obstacles life had placed before him so far, so why should now be any different. As he looked back at Isane...who was radiating fear of him he wasn't so sure. She had never feared him to this extent-ever. He didn't know what to think. As he looked back at her he felt that awful feeling of helplessness once more. He hated that feeling...it was bordering on fear. Once again he wasn't in control of what was going on around him and he hated it. Sesshoumaru clenched his fists in anger.
'What the fuck is her problem anyways!? So she doesn't remember me now! She used to be able to remember me before! Bitch! I can't believe she's forgotten me...what we had together. She just forgot what happened...I can't believe this! Do I really mean so little to her that she would react this way! Stupid bitch!' Sesshoumaru was filled with more anger than perhaps the situation warranted. His feelings felt like they were spiraling out of his control. What was wrong with him? He found himself approaching Isane again and was disgusted when she again started to scream.
Before he really realized what he was doing he had backhanded Isane hard across the face affectively quieting her. "Silence bitch!" Sesshoumaru growled and was surprised at the venom in his tone. But even as he felt bad about having hit Isane at the same time he felt a thrill of pleasure at the pain he had just caused her. Sesshoumaru looked down at his hand like it wasn't a part of him. It seemed foreign, repulsive, and despicable. Sesshoumaru was tempted to rip his own arm off so disgusted by his actions was he. But he was conflicted at the same time, which made him even angrier. Was he pleased or disgusted?!
Sesshoumaru stormed out of Isane's room before he caused any more damage. He had to get his chaotic emotions under control. That wasn't supposed to happen. Things weren't supposed to be this way. Once again Isane was just out of his grasp. If only there was a way that he could trap her, make her his, forever. There just had to be a way to trap his little bird in a golden cage.
Sesshoumaru approached two of his best guards to stand watch at Isane's door.
"No one is to go in and no one is to go out." Sesshoumaru warned them. "Understand?"
The two guards only bowed respectfully in response. They would follow their Lord's wishes even if it meant their lives. Sesshoumaru's mere presence alone commanded both respect and fear in those that served him. And he wouldn't have it any other way.
Sesshoumaru made his way out to the practice grounds to let off some steam. He knew that if he didn't take his anger out on the practice dummies Isane would likely become the unfortunate target for his tightly strung emotions.
Unsheathing the Da-ku Fenikkusu from his obi belt he began to demolish the wooden figures that were meant to represent the enemy. Who was Sesshoumaru's enemy now if not himself? Sesshoumaru growled in frustration as he cut down another dummy.
"Dammit Isane!" Sesshoumaru said aloud. "You won't leave me again!"
Unbeknownst to him he was being watched.
The wind caressed Sesshoumaru's sweaty cheek with a coy touch...
Shippo hopped up onto Kagome's shoulder with glee. He was so glad that everyone had come back to Kaede's after so long. He had been so mad when he had woken up to find everyone gone one day. They always treated him like a little kid but he knew better. He could fight too and well when the occasion called for it. He had even saved Kagome a few times when they were in a pinch. But they had left him behind anyways, at Kagome's request, since she had feared for his safely.
Shippo's anger had subsided somewhat after learning it was because Kagome cared about him. He had missed his adoptive mother a lot. More perhaps than he would ever admit to willingly, he was a full youkai after all. He looked over to Rin though and his expression of happiness changed to one of worry. The girl hadn't said a word since they had returned along with Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Kouga, and Ayame.
They were all having a goodbye dinner since the two wolves would be leaving the next day to attend to their joint duties over the Seven Wolf Tribes. Shippo had been surprised that Kouga had suddenly given up on Kagome to pick Ayame, but he saw that the two were a well-suited match. He may have been a kid but he was prideful at his uncanny perception of grownup things.
"Do you guys really have to go so soon?" Kagome pouted and both of the wolf demons laughed in response.
"I'm afraid so Kagome," Kouga smirked. "You know, I'm surprised though since you were never so adamant about me not leaving before...I should have thought about using jealousy when I was trying to win your heart!"
SMACK.
This of course earned him a hard smack on his cheek by Ayame, who was beautifully blushing with anger Kouga noticed with pride. He had indeed picked a worthy mate. Strong, powerful, hot-tempered, and beautiful to boot. 'Ah, the ideal woman.' Or at least in Kouga's book.
"Kouga!" Ayame reprimanded but she was all smiles. Ayame's hand snuck over and held Kouga's a little more tightly than was probably his wont. "I'm not letting you get away from me this time. I'm your mate...forever."
Kouga fell over. "Forever!" He groaned in a joking fashion clutching his heart. Miroku laughed and Inuyasha tried hard not to smile.
"What is it with men and being afraid of commitment?" Kagome frowned and shot a heated glance towards Inuyasha.
Inuyasha gulped nervously. The last thing he wanted was for Kagome to bring up their...relationship? He still had to chose...and wasn't ready yet. He felt bad about putting Kagome through this, but when he decided who he was going to give his heart and soul to he wanted to be completely sure he had made the right decision. Besides he was torn between his first love Kikyo and his newfound friend Kagome for very good reasons in his book. He hoped that things would become clear to him and soon because the last thing he wanted to do was make either woman suffer on his behalf.
"Feh," Inuyasha responded crossing his arms into his red fire rat haori. Sometimes it was better to just keep his mouth shut before he stuck his foot in his mouth yet again. He certainly didn't feel like 'sitting' anytime soon, his butt was still sore from earlier that morning...when he had eaten Kagome's entire supply of ramen soups. Although it was worth it he thought with a contented sigh.
"I think the only men that are afraid of commitment are the ones that don't know how to handle a woman." Miroku gave Sango a lewd smile. "I, certainly wouldn't be afraid about making a commitment to a certain lucky lady...that is if she would ever have me. Of course we all know chances on that one are pretty slim." Miroku laughed and Sango turned beet red at the implications in his words.
Inuyasha looked skeptical. Since when was Miroku willing to set aside his womanizing days to settle down with 'one' woman! Was that a pig he saw flying past the window? Inuyasha shook his head disgusted by everyone for the moment. It was turning into some sort of...as Kagome would say 'love boat' around here and he was feeling thoroughly suffocated by it all. Inuyasha chose that opportunity to leave before he ended up saying something that would get him made to 'sit', if he didn't throw up first that is. Inuyasha sighed. Did Kagome really trust him so little to still have that damned prayer necklace around his neck!
Kagome watched Inuyasha go and felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She knew exactly why he was leaving...and felt rejected. Every time he did this she wondered if it meant that he had already chosen and that it wasn't her. Kikyo. That name brought up so many feelings inside Kagome, some that she was thoroughly ashamed of. She blushed thinking that her friends could hear her hidden thoughts. What would Inuyasha think of her if he knew just how petty she could be. Everyone seemed to have someone...except for her. Kagome tried not to reveal her emotions as she looked at the happy couples before her. Perhaps, one day she too would find that special someone. She could only hope that her someone would come equipped with two soft and fuzzy dog ears.
Kagome couldn't stand it anymore and decided to take a walk herself. She was surprised when her steps lead her to the God Tree. And she was even more surprised when she saw Inuyasha sitting in its branches deep in thought. She was about to go when Inuyasha spoke with his eyes still closed.
"Hey...do you remember when you freed me from the God Tree?"
Kagome laughed and tucked a stay hair behind her ear. "How could I forget that. I was so scared by that centipede demon, but then you saved me." Kagome smiled.
"Feh," Inuyasha scoffed. "You're lucky I didn't kill you."
"Yea but you didn't."
"I...uh..." Inuyasha was stuttering and Kagome's eyes widened wondering what he would say to her. "I just wanted to say thanks...for everything Kagome."
Kagome nearly fell over. Inuyasha had -never- thanked her for anything before. And besides that he was showing his gratitude towards her for...everything. Kagome grinned and plopped down by the God Tree resting her back against it. "You're welcome, Inuyasha." And for now it was enough for the both of them.
'She never has to leave you...' A voice upon the wind answered.
Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat. "Come on out Kagura."
A gust of wind and Kagura appeared before him. "Oh, so we're on a first name basis now are we Sesshoumaru?" She winked playfully before continuing. "Anyways, as I was saying Isane never has to leave you again. If you have a way to prevent her going."
Sesshoumaru clenched and unclenched his claw as he summoned its venom. He had an entirely small amount of patience today. Kagura didn't fail to notice this however and wisely decided to continue despite his lack of vocal response.
"Ahem." Kagura tossed her hair back. "I happen to have something that can help you." Here Kagura fished into the sleeves of her kimono and pulled out the elaborate necklace and ring. "Here." Kagura handed him the two pieces of jewelry and Sesshoumaru hesitated before taking them from her. "This necklace and ring will give you power over Isane, such power that even if she wanted to she couldn't leave you, unless of course you willed it yourself." She didn't want to be careless and say outright that it was a Control Collar and Master Ring. She was afraid if she did say it so bluntly that Sesshoumaru would refuse her little 'gift'.
"Power...over Isane." Sesshoumaru looked at the necklace and matching ring intently. "How does it work?"
Kagura let out a breath she was holding. He seemed to be open to the idea so far. She hoped she wouldn't mess this up. "Well, the necklace is to be worn by Isane and you are to wear the matching ring. Through the ring you should be able to feel Isane's presence...you'll know exactly where she is, what she's doing, and even what she's feeling. If you sense that she is about to leave you can simply 'will' for her not to and the power of these two magical items will take effect. Your will alone will have the power to control Isane's actions. If you will for her to stay she will suddenly find herself unable to move. And in so doing she'll never be able to leave you. Understand?"
Sesshoumaru suddenly remembered his time with Lumina. "You mean these are a Control Collar and Master Ring?"
Kagura had to catch herself from falling over. 'How the hell does he know what they actually are!' Kagura knew she was walking on thin ice. "Yes, that's what they are. I had no idea you knew of...such things. I had them commissioned by a...certain priest not too long ago. But since I myself have no use for them decided that perhaps you would be better off with them than I."
Sesshoumaru sniffed the air. "I don't appreciate it when you lie to me, Kagura. What's the real reason you are helping me like this? Is this some sort of trick by Naraku?"
Kagura stiffened. "I'm hurt you would think so little of me Sesshoumaru. That I would betray you...I admire you and only wish for your happiness. And I thought we were friends now." As long as she didn't lie...
"I see..." Sesshoumaru looked down at the enchanted items in his hands. Before...he never would have considered...but now...he wasn't so sure. He really had changed. Sesshoumaru sighed and clasped his hand around the two items. He was decided. He couldn't let Isane out of his grasp again. This time she wouldn't leave him. He would have control over her and the little bird's wings would finally be clipped. Sesshoumaru smiled a cats-paw smile at the thought.
Kagura who had never seen Sesshoumaru smile was a bit unnerved. "Uh...well I guess I'll be going now. Take care, Sesshoumaru."
"Wait." Sesshoumaru said just as Kagura was taking a feather from her hair.
"Yea?" Kagura raised and eyebrow at him.
"It seems I owe you one." Sesshoumaru told her since she had said they were 'friends'.
Kagura simply waved a hand in the air dismissing the idea. Then without words she took off into the air and let the wind carry her home without looking back. She couldn't look back. Not now.
Meanwhile...
Isane was taking deep breaths as she tried to calm her frazzled nerves. She just had to formulate some sort of an escape plan. But what? Sesshoumaru had posted two highly skilled guards outside her door and her Fenikkusu sword was nowhere in sight. She could probably fireball them but without a proper distraction the guards may be too fast for her. She felt somewhat lost without her sword, which had truly become an extension of herself. Perhaps, she had come to rely on her sword too much. Sesshoumaru must have known this and taken her sword along with him when he had chosen to leave her so abruptly.
Now without her sword she was truly alone. How she hated males at that moment. They were always making her life miserable...they were nothing but weak creatures...
'That's it!' Isane smiled as she came up with an idea and quickly put it into action...
"Did you hear that?" One of the youkai guards questioned his comrade.
"Uh, yea, it sounded like the girl fell down or something."
"You don't think she's trying to hurt herself do you? Sesshoumaru would be extremely angry with us if he came back to find the girl dead by her own hand. In fact, I'm sure he would end up blaming us for her death if that were to come to pass."
They both heart a moan of pain coming from inside the room.
"Shit...I hate to disobey a direct order from Lord Sesshoumaru, but I think we have no choice. Besides...she's just one woman. What harm could she possibly do to us? We're not Lord Sesshoumaru's two top guards for no good reason!"
"You're right! We can handle this!" The other youkai agreed wholeheartedly.
The two nodded once before opening the door to see Isane lying on the floor...her kimono was hiked up and showed her leg up to her thigh.
"Ohhh my leg..." Isane moaned while rubbing her leg and exposing more of her flesh. "I tripped and I think I've badly injured myself. Do you think one of you check and see if I've broken anything?" She asked in an innocent tone.
"..."
Both of the guards seemed to be at a loss for words as they looked upon the most beautiful woman they had ever laid eyes on before in their entire lives. One had his mouth hanging open widely and the other was drooling.
Finally one seemed to snap out of his trance. "Uh...I would be honored to be of some assistance."
"Oh really? That would be just too kind." Isane let a smile form on the face of her Noh mask.
He was about to approach when the other placed a hand on his shoulder stopping him. "Hey just wait a minute! Why do you get to help the girl out!"
"I offered my services first."
"So what I'm the one who decided we should see if she was in trouble."
"Get out of my way!"
"Make me!" The youkai suddenly drew his sword on his comrade.
Isane blinked back at them in surprise. 'This is working out even better than I expected.'
The other youkai guard in turn unsheathed his sword and the two of them began to circle each other. They were so caught up in their rivalry that they didn't even notice Isane stand.
"Fireball!" Isane cried and unleashed two fireballs simultaneously, one from each hand, at the two youkai guards.
The youkai guards' eyes widened as the fireballs sped through the air towards them and they only had time to hug each other in fright as the fireballs hit them. They fell to the ground twitching and slightly charred.
"Thanks for your help guys!" Isane sang as she skipped her way out of the room. 'Men really are pathetically weak creatures!'
"You will come back and visit right?" Kagome asked Kouga and Ayame hopefully as she and the others were saying their final goodbyes to the wolf couple. They had all gathered outside to see them off.
"Of course." Ayame beamed at Kagome. She had taken a liking to the young miko since the first time they met and never really considered her a 'rival'. She was glad that things had worked out as they did so they could now be friends.
Kagome nodded happily.
Just as Ayame and Kouga were about to begin walking down the dirt path into the forest the sky began to darken ominously. Gray clouds gathered overhead in seconds and the sound of thunder rang through the air. The wind began to blow harder and the girls' long tresses blew wildly in the air because of it.
Suddenly a lightning bolt shot down from the sky. The light blinded Kagome and the others temporarily and when everything seemed back to normal there were seven mysterious cloaked and hooded figures standing before them. One of them approached and lowered his hood to reveal a young man with auburn-colored hair, golden eyes, and the symbol of a golden sun upon his forehead. Kagome's eyes wandered over the man's face and took into two battle scars...one a cross shaped scar on his left cheek and another scar on his right side across his eye. Kagome also noticed with surprise that he was missing his left arm.
He bowed before speaking. "My name is Flash, I am a Priest of the Order of the Sun and Moon. I am here to retrieve the Doorway from the clutches of the Key of Darkness. You will tell me where the Dark Knight has taken her or..." Flash unsheathed his Hikari no Ken and produced a blade of holy god-power. "Suffer the consequences."
Kagome blinked at him confused and vaguely registered that Inuyasha had unsheathed and transformed the Tetsusaiga. Inuyasha was about to step forward to face the new threat when Kagome put out an arm stopping him. "Wait Inuyasha. Uh...Flash right? Who is this Dark Knight you're looking for anyway? Does he have a name?"
Flash sighed. He should have known these people would be ignorant of the prophecy. "The Dark Knight...he called himself Sesshoumaru. And the Doorway...is known as Isane Rune."
This caused many intakes of breaths on part of Kagome and the others. "You mean you're after Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked worriedly. "Why do you want to find him? Has he done something wrong? Does this mean he and Isane are back on earth? We thought they left this world...to some other place."
"I, and the Seven White Knights are here because we wish to stop an ancient prophecy from coming to pass...one where the Key of Darkness, or Sesshoumaru as you know him, will open the Doorway, that is to say force Isane to bring about the annihilation of all of humanity. The Seven White Knights are destined to fight the Seven Dark Knights to ensure this doesn't happen."
"Oh man, oh man, oh man!" Kagome began to yank on her hair. "I hate ancient prophecies! They totally suck! Sesshoumaru...forcing Isane to wipe out humanity! This can't be good. I know Sesshoumaru hates humans but there must be some sort of mistake. After all, Sesshoumaru took in Rin and made her his adopted daughter! He doesn't hate humanity all that much. He couldn't or else he never would have saved Rin's life."
Flash raised an auburn brow at Kagome. "I'm afraid what I say is true. Now you will tell me where I can find Sesshoumaru."
"Feh," Inuyasha came to stand next to Kagome. "Why should we tell you anything? It's not like we can trust what you say. For all we know you could be spouting lies. And I may hate my brother but I'm the only one who gets to kill him!"
Another of the cloaked figures stepped forward and pulled back his hood to reveal short, unruly white hair, and red eyes. He had the symbol of swirled red sun adorning his forehead. He put a hand on Flash's shoulder and smirked at Kagome and the others. "Bro, I don't think that threatening these people is going to get you anywhere. They seem in their own abilities. Perhaps, they could even become valuable allies...that is if they care what happens to humanity."
Flash sighed. "Spark..."
"You do care what happens to humanity right?" Spark addressed Kagome who flushed for no apparent reason.
"Uh...well...duh! It's not like we can just stand back and watch humanity be wiped out if what you're saying is actually true! Isn't that right guys."
"Well, if they are telling the truth I agree with Kagome." Miroku said watching the seven figures closely.
Sango ran a hand through her disheveled hair. "Sesshoumaru...is hard to figure out. He may or may not actually want the annihilation of humanity. I say we go to his domain and find out. There's no use blaming him though without any proof."
"So then you will lead us to Sesshoumaru?" Flash questioned and tried to keep the hopeful tone out of his voice.
Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged a knowing glance before nodding to each other. Kagome stepped forward. "Alright here's the dealio. We'll take you to Sesshoumaru but on the condition that once you arrive you don't start fighting him right away without good reason. We'll find out what his true intentions are and then we'll go from there, agreed?"
Flash clenched his fists in anger and before he could answer another of the cloaked figures came forward. This figure didn't bother to remove her hood but when she spoke a woman's clear tone was issued forth. "How dare they Flash. Sesshoumaru...is nothing but a mindless killer. He killed so many of our people. We can't possibly agree to such a ridiculous request when we already know what that demon's true intentions are! Destruction! What more could tha-that monster want?! I can't forgive him for what he did! I won't!"
"Surya," Flash began stopping her from continuing. "Do you think I don't understand how you feel?"
Surya flinched remembering that Flash had lost the woman he loved at the hands of that monster. "No..."
"Then you will trust my judgment. Sesshoumaru...was not himself that day. I want to see what it all means. I have decided we will agree to this girl's conditions."
"But-"
"No buts." Flash let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his now short red hair. He had cut his ponytail off and left it at Lumina's gravestone. He wanted to leave something of him behind so that Lumina would not be alone. She had always loved his auburn locks and had enjoyed combing and braiding his long hair. He had no use for such vanities as those now. He had said goodbye to Lumina that day. "We don't want to act as the Shadow Masters now do we? Without mercy and not to mention irrationally. We will find out the truth and then pass judgment."
Surya hung her head and Spark began to inch over to her before placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. He then began to slid it down before...
SMACK.
"Spark now is not the time!" Surya huffed at that idiot brother of Flash. He was always trying to get under her skin.
"Aw come on babe I was only trying to comfort you!" Spark placed a hand behind his head bashfully.
"Babe?!" Surya clenched her fists in anger and a pair of golden eyes glowed back at Spark in a fury. Her aura had become so powerful her hood blew back to reveal her long, dark red tresses.
"Stop it you two." Flash half-smiled.
Just then two of the hooded figures that were about the same size broke out into a fit of giggles. Soon the two figures were on the floor rolling from the force of their laughter. Flash put his face in his hand and shook his head in disbelief. 'Oh well, they say laughter is good for the wounded heart. Maybe a bit of laughter is what we all need right now. After...what happened.'
The figures upon the ground were laughing so hard that their hoods soon fell back to reveal that the two figures looked identical. In fact, they appeared to be twins. The two girls both had hair white and red stripped hair, which was playfully styled in two pigtails on either side of their heads. They both had golden eyes, lined in red, and their lips were also painted in red. There was a red crescent moon adorning one girl's forehead while the other's mirror image had a red sun adorning hers. They were both wielding staffs one was sun tipped and the other moon tipped.
"Sparkle," Flash began and turned to the other. "Dazzle behave yourselves!"
"Yes Flash!" The girls said in unison while trying to quell their laughter.
"Anyways, we will accept your offer...Kagome was it?" Flash bowed.
"Yep," Kagome nodded. "That's my name don't wear it out!"
"Well it seems our honey moon will have to wait." Kouga spoke up suddenly and Ayame smiled in return.
"Huh?" Kagome questioned. "You guys care about what happens to humanity?" Kagome blushed scarlet when she realized what she had just blurted.
Kouga however only looked amused. "I may be a full demon but...I think you've shown me that the human race has some merit Kagome. If it's in danger that means you're in danger so I can't allow that. I'm sure Ayame feels the same way."
"That's right!" Ayame nodded vigorously causing her orange pigtails to sway back and forth. "You're our favorite human!"
Kagome laughed and placed a hand behind her head. "Riiight well ok then! Off we go to the Western Lands!"
"Right on!" came Shippo's voice.
Kagome looked at the little fox demon and frowned. She quickly covered it up and smiled brightly. "Shippo I have a very important mission for you!"
"Really?!" Shippo beamed. "What?"
"I want you to stay here and look after Rin." Kagome advised.
Shippo appeared crestfallen. Once again they were treating him like a normal human child or something! "But Mom!" Shippo whined.
"Shippo...Rin can't possibly come with us in the current state she's in and I really need to know that she's safe. Please Shippo I'm truly counting on you for her safety."
Shippo sighed. "Alright." He grudgingly agreed.
And so it was decided that the Seven White Knights and Kagome and the others planned for their trip to the Western Lands.
Neither group knew what awaited them there...
The sky above them thundered ominously overhead.
Sesshoumaru walked with purposeful steps towards Isane's room clutching the necklace in his hand. On his way Sesshoumaru decided to place the Master Ring on his left hand. He could feel the power the ring possessed and smiled.
'Surely, if Isane accepts my little gift she will never be able to leave me again. She will be my possession forever.'
Sesshoumaru turned down the hall where Isane's room was and was surprised to see that the two guards had left their posts. Picking up his pace he came to Isane's door and pushed it open. There on the ground were his two 'faithful' guards still twitching from the aftereffects of being hit with a fireball at close range. They were lucky she hadn't aimed to kill only main. But not that lucky. Sesshoumaru nearly exploded with rage and quickly disposed of his two useless guards with one slash of the Da-ku Fenikkusu. Isane was gone and was kami-sama knows where. Sesshoumaru growled deep in his throat before spinning around with a swirl of his black cape and going in search of Isane.
He sniffed the air trying to find a trace of her unique scent. Then the scent of frankincense and myrrh hit his nostrils. A sly smile formed on Sesshoumaru's lips. He had found the scent of his prey and now the hunt was on. His blood boiled as he followed the trail of Isane's scent. He was soon lead out to his gardens. He was close now. He could feel it. His smile widened as he began to close in for the kill so to speak. He had always enjoyed a good hunt...hunting down a dinner of lesser youkai or perhaps a traitor. And now he was hunting down his mate. Such fun! He followed her scent until he found himself in front of the entrance to his garden labyrinth.
'She's a clever little trickster isn't she? But she's only postponing the inevitable. I will find her and make her mine!'
Isane had managed to use her sex appeal to make it as far as the gardens. The gardens themselves were huge and she knew she had to cross them before she could make her escape into the nearby forest. She was about to continue her way towards the forest when she sensed that Sesshoumaru was getting close. Hoping to buy some time she spotted the garden labyrinth and decided it was worth a shot.
She shrugged before running into the labyrinth. The maze was quite elaborate with many twists and turns. She knew she was getting lost but didn't care. All she knew was she had to get as far away as possible from the taiyoukai that was hot on her heels. She didn't want to face him...the man that was so much and so little like the one meant for her and only her. It was an insult to her love's memory this evil, heartless being that had somehow trapped her in this strange place. How she hated this man for his insult.
'But where is the real Sesshoumaru,' she wondered and felt a pang of sadness in her heart.
She felt lost in more ways than one. Sure she was lost in this garden labyrinth, but she was also lost in a sea of chaotic emotions as she struggled to make heads or tails of what she was feeling. She was surprised she felt so lost without Sesshoumaru, who had become her guiding light, her north star, that was always there to protect her, make her feel safe.
What was the truth? What was reality? Who was this man? Where was Sesshoumaru? Where was she? Why was she here? Questions that she had no answers to swirled about in her mind until she couldn't take it anymore.
Hot tears began to stream down Isane's face underneath the Noh mask and it was becoming hard to breath as her body was wracked with sobs.
Lost in visions and fragmented memories she continued her way until she came to a dead end. She was about to turn around and try another way but as she turned around her breath caught in her throat. There before her was that strange man that had trapped her here.
Sesshoumaru smiled as he found his prey and walked towards her, cornering her. Isane's body began to tremble violently and this only made Sesshoumaru's blood boil even more as an overwhelming instinct to attack overcame him for a moment. He wanted to pin her down and take her right then and there but he remembered he first had to get her to accept his gift. Using all of his willpower to do so Sesshoumaru kept his distance and merely spoke to the frightened little bird he now held under his paw.
"My dear Isane...this isn't like you. Running away from what? Imaginary enemies? You silly little thing. I came here to find you. I was worried about you. I'm so glad to see that you're alright. Here I have a present for you..." Sesshoumaru opened both his hands to reveal the stunning necklace resting on his open palms.
Despite herself Isane gasped at its beauty. It was simply the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever seen...the chain made of delicate golden feathers and there in gold holding a gigantic ruby was the image of the Goddess herself. Isane felt herself being drawn towards the necklace an unseen force making her move closer step by step. She had never received a gift before and couldn't believe that this man could be all that bad if he was actually giving her a present.
"Is it really...really for me?" Isane questioned hesitantly. "I've never received a gift before."
"No?" Sesshoumaru sounded surprised. "That is odd since such beauty should be rewarded often. I wish to make amends for my actions earlier Isane. I hope with all my heart that you will forgive this unworthy soul. I didn't mean to scare you or hurt you. I only wish for your happiness my love."
Isane wanted to believe his words even if they seemed rather far-fetched. She wanted to believe...that this man was her Sesshoumaru when deep in her heart she knew that he wasn't. Even though she knew it wasn't her love Isane took the necklace from Sesshoumaru's hands with trembling fingers. Maybe...just maybe...she should give this Sesshoumaru a chance.
'So naïve...forever child indeed.' Sesshoumaru hid a smile behind his hand as he pretended to cough.
"Allow me my dear." Sesshoumaru said approaching Isane and helping her place the necklace about her delicate neck. He had it clasped in an instant and suddenly his body was filled with...her.
Her scent...her body...her song...it was all his to command, to control. He felt her every cell through the Master Ring. Every particle of her being now belonged to him. She was his. There was no escaping him now.
As the necklace was clasped Isane felt a familiar surge of power flow within her, overwhelming her, taking her over, consuming her. Isane was confused at first before she remembered where she had felt such a thing before. Horror flooded Isane as she realized what had happened. He had tricked her just as Naraku had tricked her long ago...
This was no gift...this was a curse.
How could she have been so stupid!?
'A control collar in the guise of a beautiful necklace.' Isane thought with woe. She then began to laugh a sad laugh. "I see...how very clever of you, Dark Knight. You wish to control me do you? Turn me into your personal weapon? You're just...just like him!" Isane hiccupped on a sob.
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. "Just like who?"
Isane ran her hand back through her red locks of hair. "Naraku."
Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat insulted at being compared to the hanyou. "This Sesshoumaru is nothing like that pathetic half-breed!"
"Oh but you are..." Isane choked out. "I should have seen it before. I should have known...that things would only end up the same way. I'm cursed to fall in love with men that will only hate me in return!"
"I do not hate you." Sesshoumaru told her in a strained voice.
"How could you not to do this to me? To trap me in a golden cage once again...my greatest fear is becoming a reality. All I ever wanted was to be free...free to love and be loved in return. And now you've ruined everything. I trusted you Sesshoumaru...I really did. I'm saddened that you would betray my trust in you like this. I thought...you were different. But you're the same...just like all the other males on this miserable earth! I hate who you have become. You are not the man I fell in love with Sesshoumaru." Isane leapt at Sesshoumaru and began to pound her fists weakly into his chest.
Her words and actions stung, but angered Sesshoumaru at the same time. "You were foolish to assume you knew anything about me. I am a demon Isane, a full youkai. My nature is innately evil. I am not...nice. Nor will I ever be nice, kind, or compassionate. My existence is void of those feelings. Just as it is void of the weak, human emotion called love. Demons do not love only they can become attached to their mates. Perhaps, even bonded to their mates since they shall be together for life, but I assure you it is not love. The only feelings I have ever had for you Isane should not be confused with love. I do care for you and I have a strong desire for you to be my mate, but that is all." He grasped her by the wrists and shoved her away from him.
Isane looked up into his lifeless golden eyes. "You're wrong Sesshoumaru. Demons are capable of love! You were capable of love. What's happened to you Sesshoumaru? The Sesshoumaru I remember was in control of his evil not ruled by it! The Sesshoumaru I loved had a heart. But you...are nothing but a cold, unfeeling, bloodthirsty animal!"
Sesshoumaru backhanded Isane. "You dare insult me!"
Isane staggered backwards from the blow. "Yes, I dare. Something has happened to you Sesshoumaru. And I want to know what it is! This isn't you! You are Sesshoumaru but you aren't Sesshoumaru! I just don't understand what's going on!" Isane pulled her hair in frustration.
"Nothing is 'going on' wench. This is my true self. I have only now accepted my true nature. I have embraced the darkness within myself...a darkness that was always there. It is not something that can be cured or taken away because it is a part of me, of who I am. You claim to have loved me, but you only loved a shadow of my true self. That wasn't the real me Isane. This is the real me. I have finally accepted who I am and am happy for it. I was becoming weak...letting my emotions rule me but now...I am stronger. I am above such petty things as love! For the first time in my life I am truly happy."
Isane shook her head back and forth. "No! No! No! This isn't right. You're wrong! You aren't in control at all. You're being controlled by this darkness inside of you. You think you aren't letting your emotions rule you but you are! It's just a different set of emotions...dark emotions! Before...you were in control...truly in control of yourself. You were strong, and powerful but now you've become weak. Weak enough to let the darkness consume you and warp your original personality into this...monster you have become! I won't believe that the man I loved never existed. I-I'll find a way to save you! To bring you back to me!"
Sesshoumaru lunged at Isane and put both of his powerful, clawed hands on either side of her head. He then began to press on her skull until Isane yelped in pain. "If I could I would squeeze these foolish thoughts out of your mind. I do not need to be saved. I am who I am. You think you're so smart that the darkness is in control of me. But you're wrong. I am what I am...I am a demon who also happens to have the blood of Feng flowing within my veins. I am an innately evil creature who happens to also find extreme pleasure in the pain I inflict in others more so than a demon normally would. Plain and simple. So give it up Isane with your little fantasies. You've tricked yourself. You created this image of someone who doesn't exist. You claim I've left but I haven't gone anywhere. You claim to have loved me when you only knew a very small part of me...the worst part. And now I will show you what it means to be my mate."
Sesshoumaru began to run his hands over Isane's body and she offered him no resistance as he slipped his clawed hands under the folds of her kimono. It was just as it had been with Naraku those many moons past after she knew he had betrayed her. She had no longer felt anything for Naraku and the times they spent together afterwards had become meaningless.
Isane let her soul leave her body as Sesshoumaru took her. She allowed herself to become an emotionless vessel. She did not feel anything. Not pain, not hatred, not fear, not anxiety. Nothing.
Isane would wait and not return until Sesshoumaru, the real Sesshoumaru, came back to her. Isane grasped her hope like a tangible object and held it close to her bleeding heart. Hope was all she had to keep her alive. She had lost what had become the most important things in her life. Him. Sesshoumaru had become as important to her as the air she needed to breath and now she felt like a fish out of water struggling for that life sustaining breath. She wondered how long her starved heart could live on hope alone.
Her heart clenched...shedding tears of blood for a love lost....
While the love she harbored for Sesshoumaru flew away on feathered wings of white to wait...
'No...it was the best part.'
To be continued...
Reviews welcome!