AN: Thank you to all my reviewers, Shinsei Shinja86, tvsweetie, angelprincess22, lilxneko, MoonlitBlackRose, Versus-E, you guys are the greatest.

Song Of My Soul

Part Eleven

Kagome lay facing the wall in her dark room wondering why she felt so empty inside. It was Sunday night, tomorrow she would be going back to work. Of course it took the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday to convince Inuyasha of that. He insisted she go to work with him where he could keep an eye on her. Fortunately Naraku paid another visit and between the two males they came up with a plan that even she could live with for now. Inuyasha would stay with her during her off time and when at work she would have to be in Naraku's office.

Although she felt strange sharing an office with her boss, she did feel better about going back to work because of it. Even her mother had expressed how strange things had been at the shrine since Kikyo's disappearance. Odd things had occurred even there. Her grandfather stated he had sensed great spiritual power in the area for some time but was unable to track it down. So in order to calm the excitement that existed over her working she let them make arrangements to run her life, but only for a while. That is until she could prove to them nothing was going to happen to her. A branch banged against the shingles of the roof outside her window causing her to bolt straight up out of bed.

She clutched a hand on her chest over her rapidly beating heart and glance at the window with large eyes. She could see how badly the wind storm had grown outside from the dancing shadows of the many branches on the same tree. Her heart took another leap as he bedroom door slowly squeaked open. A dark shadow loomed in the darkness of the hall beyond the light given off by the moon. "Kagome? Are you ok?" Came the soft whisper of Inuyasha. He stepped into the room quickly shutting the door behind him sensing her fear. His bare feet padded silently over to her bed where he sat down next to her. Protectively he wrapped his arms around her drawing her closer to his warmth. Relieved it was him she snuggled into his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist holding him close to her.

"What happened? I heard something banging around up here." His voice remained low so he didn't wake up her family. She sighed then looked up at his worried face.

"A branch blew against the roof outside my window." She sighed enjoying the closeness. They sat in comfortable silence holding each other while the storm raged outside. "Inuyasha?" Kagome mumbled next to his chest.

"Yeah?" He said as he leaned back to look in her eyes. She smiled at him warmly.

"Thank you for worrying." She hugged him tightly with a happy sigh. He held her tight to his chest and kissed the top of her head. His arms tightened even more when she snuggled closer. Suddenly she realized his grip on her was becoming tighter and tighter. "Inu...yasha....I can't....brea..." She tried to choke out between gasps for air. His arms became even more tighter around her slender form. She tried to move her head up so she could look into his face but his sharp chin bore down on her head holding her in place. She would have screamed but there wasn't enough air left in her lungs. Her eyes became blurry as she looked around for a way to escape.

The room around her was black with out shape. She looked down at Inuyasha's arm but even his skin was an inky color instead of the paleness of his bare skin in the moon light. She struggled harder trying in vain to gain her freedom but couldn't loosen the hold. His muscled arms seemed to stretch and flow wrapping around her endlessly while his chest became scratchy and stiff like the bark of a tree. A cold sliminess slid across the bare parts of her skin. She forced her lazy eyes to look around her again then back at the black skinned arms that were now scaley snake like tentacles.

Her mind screamed from fear and loath. Where was she? What happened to her room, her house and her family? Where was Inuyasha? The air in her lungs was squashed more causing her to whimper in pain. The lack of oxygen was making it hard to stay conscious but she fought to keep her eyes open. She glanced around again and saw trees all around now. Dark and formidable darkness filled the space between them, the wind howled around her eerily sending goose bumps all over her body. 'This can't be real.' She thought with all her strength but she couldn't convince her sore body. A maniacal laugh filled the darkness around her. She twisted with her remaining strength to see her tormenter before she passed out. To her horror there stood Kikyo.

"Hello cousin, aren't you happy to see me?" She cooed out between her laughter.

"Kikyo?" Kagome whispered barely having the strength to talk let alone move again.

"What's the matter little cousin? Didn't you want to see me?" Kikyo asked with a pout. "I wanted to see you but that bastard husband of mine wouldn't tell me where you were." She gritted her teeth just at the mention of Naraku.

"Kikyo," Kagome hissed out as pain shot through her once again, "I can't breath. Please." She pleaded thinking it was her last moment.

"Oh I guess I can give you a little room since we are speaking." Kikyo waved her hand toward Kagome's directions and immediately the slimy scaley muscles around her loosened enough for her to gasp for air. Kagome's lungs hurt from the harsh intake but she couldn't stop herself from panting as if it may be her last chance. "Kikyo." She moaned. Her body slumped forward but was still held against the tree except this time just tight enough to keep her from escaping. She felt weak and exhausted from her struggle but had to know. She raised her eyes up to look her cousin in the face. "How?" She heard her voice but it sounded so pathetic.

"How am I alive? How are you here? Why don't you finish your question? Really this is so aggravating but then you always were a little twit weren't you." Kikyo proclaimed with her nose up in the air in a snooty manner. Kagome nodded her head letting her choose which one to answer first. Kikyo looked at her crossly then sighed exasperated. "For heavens sake Kagome. Didn't those buffoons tell you anything? Well of course not, they are men after all. Just worthless pieces of flesh to use then throw away." Kikyo giggled with a little blush. Kagome didn't know if she was going crazy or not. This was not her cousin. Kikyo never spoke like that. Sure she had been snooty at times and acted like a spoiled child but this was like a totally different person.

"I don't understand." She could hear herself saying even though she didn't feel her lips move. Kikyo looked at her crossly.

"I'm beginning to think you aren't any better." She snorted very un-lady like. With an evil smirk Kikyo slowly walked toward Kagome swaying her hips from side to side with each step until she was standing right in front of her. Kagome could see her eyes more clearly now and it was true, they held no life in them anymore. She could almost feel the hate flow from Kikyo's body in waves of dark essence. Kagome couldn't hold back the shutter from the coldness she felt coming from her cousin.

"Kikyo, tell me what happened. I need to know." Kagome whispered softly. Her heart went out to her cousin. Her once beautiful cousin was something you only read about in horror stories or see in movies. She wasn't the same girl Kagome had grown up with and known. With all her heart, Kagome wanted nothing more then to reach out and hug her close to fend off the evil spirits and make it all right. As that emotion filled her body Kikyo cringed and stepped back. She glared at Kagome.

"No you can't make me change again." Kikyo said sternly as if reading her thoughts. "There is nothing you can do to turn the past around."

"I don't understand what happened." Kagome held back the tears. She couldn't show that kind of weakness right now. It wouldn't help.

"Hate, betrayal, all the lies. You name it. They are responsible you know." Kikyo looked at her with cold lifeless eyes. "I would protect you from that." Kikyo's face softened as she reached out and ran her cold fingers over Kagome's cheek. Kagome felt like recoiling from her touch but forced herself to remain still. "They will do it to you too. They will hurt you. You know I speak the truth. They already did some damage. I can feel it in your heart. I didn't know back then before you left. My eyes were still closed to the truth but after they put me in that place, I realized what they were trying to do. That is when I knew I had to get away. The gift I have can be used to cleanse the world of scum like them. I can stop them but you have to stay out of my way." She went on speaking still caressing her face with the back of her fingers. Kagome looked at her in wonder. She seemed so dead inside but still held so much negative emotion.

"Who did this Kikyo?" Kagome kept as much warmth in her voice as she could so Kikyo would stay content and talk to her sensibly.

"They did of course." She said with a heavy sigh and dropped her hand.

"Who are they exactly?" Kagome pressed wanting to make sure she wasn't jumping to conclusions even though her heart was telling her who it was. Kikyo gave her one of those looks like 'You have got to be kidding me!'

"My selfish husband and that weak puppy, that's who." Kikyo said with a hand on her hip and rolled her eyes.

"I see. You think it is their fault for what exactly?" Kagome asked. Kikyo scowled at her as she shook her head.

"You haven't been paying attention Kagome-chan. They both betrayed me. They lied to me and then expected me to let them get away with it. Well I am smarter then that. I will show them that they can't get away with using humans like they do. They're filthy hanyous with no respect for their human half. They shame us with their half breed lives. They need to be eradicated from existence. They are a blemish on society." She began to rant.

"But Kikyo, they both loved you so much. How did they betray you?" Kagome was trying hard to hold back her tears. Kikyo turned toward Kagome with fire in her eyes.

"First it was Inuyasha. He only pretended to love me so he could get close to you. I saw it in his face every time he looked at you. He didn't love me, he loved you all along." She spit out hotly. Kagome couldn't keep from cringing. Kikyo's face softened and she reached toward Kagome but didn't get any closer. "Oh Kagome-chan, I don't blame you. Don't be afraid. You were just to naive to know better." She took a step forward. "You will see when I explain." Kikyo got a thoughtful look on her face. Then she scowled again. "Then Naraku tricked me into thinking he really cared. He promised the world to me if I would be come his. I was fooled into believing him by his promise of riches and beautiful things. At first he kept his promise but then he too decided he wanted you instead. You were still pure of heart and soul. You know that is what demons do. They taint purity." Her eyes became dark as she spoke of her husband. "He threw me out when he took you away and hid you. Even Inuyasha couldn't find you. He was so sad all the time and he blamed me. Me!" She screamed. "Me of all people. I gave him my love and he promised to always take care of me. But no, what did he do? He married my cousin to get back at me for trying to find true happiness when I figured out he was only using me." She shrieked into the darkness around them. Kagome couldn't stop the shudder that ran through her. She was terrified now as tears of fear slid down her face.

Kikyo looked at her and laughed. "But you see, I figured it out. They think I am crazy but I know their plan. They wanted us to hate each other so they could use us against each other in a sick scheme to ruin man kind. I won't let it happen and with your help we can end their miserable lives." She took a step closer to Kagome. Her eyes were wild and unfocused. "If we join together we will be unstoppable, you and I. We are strong on our own but together there isn't a demon alive that could stop us." She grinned widely at Kagome's horrified look. "Yes you feel the fear of it. You know don't you." She glared at her cousin. "We must join souls and then I can end the demonic plan to end human life. I will be the savior of our race with your powers joined with mine they won't be able to stop me." She stepped closer. "Just a little pain cousin is all it will take and then you won't feel the horrible betrayal any more. I will take good care of you. Come join with me." She placed a hand on Kagome's head.

Kagome's eyes widened as she felt heat on her head so intense she thought her hair was on fire. A terrible pulling sensation filled her being and she thought she was being ripped apart. Instinctively she began to struggle. She moved her head so Kikyo's hand fell free from it. Kikyo frowned and waved her hand. The scaley tentacles that held Kagome to the tree started to tighten again. "So you don't want to do this the easy way. Alright then we will do it the hard way. It is more messy mind you but with the same results. When your soul leaves your lifeless body I will claim it." Kikyo crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. Kagome screamed as she felt the crushing pressure trap her against the rough bark. Her breath was being painfully forced out of her body. She thought her ribs would give any moment but her mind screamed for help.

Behind Kikyo she saw something small, like a pink glowing ball appear through the darkness. It called to her through her pain with a gentle pull. She focused her mind on it, wishing and pleading for it to help her. She felt it's soft glow envelop her, soothing some of the pain away so she could think more clearly.

'Inuyasha!' Her mind screamed into the infinite darkness that threatened to over take her. She could barely hear Kikyo's voice yelling from somewhere outside her protective pink bubble. Her cousins words spun in her mind over and over. 'Don't fight it you know it is the right thing. Stop fighting me.' With a final shout from her own mind she forced it out with all her might. 'Inuyasha help me!' She pleaded from her very soul. She could still hear Kikyo calling to her from the darkness.

"Kagome no. Kagome listen to me. Kagome! Kagome! Kagome!" Kikyo's angry voice was becoming fainter and fainter in her ears. Kagome covered them with her hands to drown out the rest but could still hear her name being called. She felt herself becoming warmer as the crushing feeling began to leave her body.

"Kagome? Kagome?" She heard a voice huskier then before calling to her.

Inuyasha sat straight up on the couch from a dead sleep. He could have sworn he heard Kagome scream his name. His ears swivelled toward the stairs to listen more closely as he lifted himself off the couch slowly. At first he couldn't hear any sounds at all from up there where she and her family were sleeping. There! A soft whimper drifted down to his sensitive ears and that was all he needed. He leaped over the back of the couch and bolted up the stairs. He jerked Kagome's door open quickly and looked around. She lay on her bed with her head thrashing back and forth whimpering. Sweat poured off her in rivers and her teeth were gritted so tightly he could see the stress of her jaw muscles even in the dark. Her body was stiff with her arms held close to her sides as if being held there. With out further hesitation he closed her door softly then darted to her side.

He picked her up carefully as he moved to set on her bed. Her body jerked from his touch but he didn't let it stop him. He could smell the fear coming from her. Her eyes were closed tightly. He thought she must be having a nightmare so he began to call her name over and over as he rocked her back and forth soothingly. Slowly her breathing started to get slower as she calmed down. Then with a jerk her eyes snapped open. He could see the fear in their unfocused depths. "Kagome?" He whispered as he nuzzled the side of her head. "Babe it's ok." He cooed to her gently. She looked up at him with wide eyes that soon filled with tears. She lunged into him grasping at his shoulders as if he would let her go. "Shhh.... it's ok. I'm here now." He soothed lovingly.

"I saw her." She cried into his chest. "She tried to kill me." Her whimper broke his heart. He never should have stayed on the couch. At this point beating himself up about it wouldn't do her any good. He would make sure nothing like this would happen again though. Gently he stoked her hair and let her cry it out. "Don't leave me." She pleaded when he shifted their weight so they could lay down.

"It's ok love. I'm not going anywhere again." He held her close and let her cry it out until she fell asleep but he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep the rest of the night.

Outside a shadowy figure stood in the dark cover of the trees that stood at the edge of the shrine courtyard. A deep scowl could be seen on the pale face. Lifeless eyes glared up at the window of the young woman who had just defeated her. She never would have imagined that her little cousin could hold so much power. It never occurred to her Kagome would be so strong and be able to break the hold she had over her dream/nightmare. But now that hanyou was with her and it would be impossible to approach her again with out him sensing it. The power had almost been hers if the little wimp would have just given in like a good little bitch. Didn't the little twit know how hard it was to manipulate someone's dream into a sense of security then turn it into a constricting controlled environment? Just enough to make them susceptible to her soul summoning.

Kikyo fisted her hands tightly at her sides as she stared up at the bedroom window of her cousin. Her long fingernails sank deeply into the flesh of her palms causing half moon shaped wounds across them. Blood dripped from them in slow sluggish drops only to be lost in the gusts of wind that whipped past her. Her long black hair swirled around her body and in the air like it had a life of its own adding to the demonic effect of her dark sinister look. Hateful thoughts filled her heart and soul as she continued to stare at the window trying to think of another plan. Some how she had to get them apart then she could try again but how? If Inuyasha even thought Kagome was in danger he wouldn't leave her side. His faithfulness was admirable but a pain in her ass at the moment.

Then it came to her. 'Yes' she thought as an evil smile spread across her cold features. 'He could help her. All she had to do was manipulate him slowly and carefully. Make him think it is his own desire and then she would get them apart. It shouldn't be too hard since he already held a thing for her. Yes. He would make a perfect puppet.'