Chapter Three: Something Snaps
The answer was...nowhere; anger, hurt, sorrow, and true pain built within her as Kaede stopped at the edge of the clearing. Koneko's eyes bled from silver to black, her pupils elongating to white slits. Her ears flattened and fluffed, and seemed to grow to look more like kitsune ears than cat, her tail bristled and twitched angrily as her aura pulsed to black. Her fangs lengthened and sharpened, nicking her bottom lip.
Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, and the rest of the group stopped just out of the clearing, stopped by the shear power of her aura. Their eyes widened at the sight of her and her voice came out darkly, "NO MORE!"
Her energy crested and as the light went down, a true demon stood in the clearing its eyes gleaming darkly in the sunlight. Sesshomaru took a step forward, only to freeze when those cold eyes landed on him, "Koneko?"
She laughed darkly, "Wrong......I AM ZETSUMEI." Her claws flexed menacingly as she stepped closer to him, her walk seemed more seductive until she stopped in front of him with an evil smirk on her face, faster than any of them could react, she was gone, leaving Sesshomaru with deep bloody gashes down his chest and an openly surprised look on his cold face.
"Now, she's acting like a full demon."
Kagome scowled at him, "Inuyasha, now is not the time. We don't know what she may do... what if humans get in her path? What would she do?"
Sesshomaru's voice came out calmly as his mask of indifference slid back into place, "She'd kill them...without a second thought."
Everyone looked at him with wide eyes, "But she likes humans!!!"
"Correction she as you knew her liked humans, even as I once knew her...but now she is acting more like a Demon Lord..and an angry one at that. She won't hesitate to kill anything that gets in her path."
He began walking to the South, where her scent was strongest and after a moments hesitation the others followed, "Neh, Kagome?"
"Yes, Shippou?"
"You don't really think she'd hurt anyone do you?"
"I don't know Shippou." She shook her head sadly, "I just don't know."
Miroku and Sango walked slowly behind them worried about what their newest friend would end up doing in her present state of mind. They silently grabbed each other's hands and walked a little faster to keep up with the group.
They had walked almost 20 minutes before they stumbled upon the remains of several demons. Demons that had been slaughtered...only one had managed to survive, but not by much. It laid on its side under a small mound of other slain demons. Sesshomaru uncovered him and leant down, "What did this?"
The demon coughed up blood before wheezingly answering, "A...a...fe...female...n...neko...youkai...her...p...power...c...called...to us...our fault....shouldn't....have...tried...to force..." His voice faltered as his eyes rolled up into his head and he exhaled his last breath.
"It was her."
Inuyasha's eyes widened, I didn't think she's be...so....sadistic. This is more Sesshomaru's style."
"My Lord?"
"What is it, Jaken?"
"That was young Lady Koneko...was it not?"
Sesshomaru stopped and glared down at the small toad youkai, "Yes, Jaken that was Koneko."
Jaken pulled back some, surprised by his lord's sudden anger. Rin walked next to him and took his hand, "But what has made her loose control?"
Sesshomaru kept walking as Inuyasha looked at the toad, "He won't answer you Jaken, because he IS the reason."
Jaken stopped mid-step, "B...but, m...my Lord?" A small idea formed in his toady little brain, "You...refused her...didn't you?" Sesshomaru kept walking, "And to think that I thought you were wise."
Sesshomaru froze, "How dare you speak to me like that!"
Jaken held his lord's angry gaze steadily, "Because my Lord, it is the truth. You could have had a powerful mate...and as a bonus one that loved you unconditionally AND on that you at least had somethings in common with. My Lord, I regret to say...you were down right foolish."
Everyone stepped back, waiting for Jaken's imminent death...that never came. Sesshomaru released a ragged sigh as he looked at him, "You're right...this is my fault...because I thought love was a weakness."
Rin released Jaken's hand and hugged Sesshomaru's leg tightly. "My Lord...love isn't a weakness," Rin said in her cutest little voice, "it can be a great strength...it gives everyone a reason to keep going."
Sesshomaru looked down at her and patted her head gently, "I see that now." He turned to the group, "Lady Kaede, watch after Rin for me.......please."
"As ye wish." She took Rin's hand and began walking back towards the village. "Come child, and we will get ye something to eat."
Inuyasha stepped up to his brother, "What are you planning to do?"
Sesshomaru looked up, his eyes not quite are guarded as usual, "I don't know yet."
Inuyasha shook his head and sighed, "Let's go then, between us, we might be able to think of something to stop her."
Kagome smiled lightly, "After all she is our friend."
Shippou stood up proudly, "Yeah...besides I'll do it for her rice cakes!!!"
Miroku chuckled, "I must admit I'd miss those...but I'd never abandon a friend in need."
Sango squeezed his hand, "Yes, it goes against the demon slayers code."
"So we're agreed, whatever it takes?"
They all nodded and Sesshomaru gave them a curious look, "You're still willing to help her even though she may try to kill you?"
"Sesshomaru, she's our friend."
"Friend....I do not understand you Inuyasha."
"Somehow, I didn't think you would. You can't trust anyone enough to let them be your friend...let alone five them your heart...Now let's go save Zetsumei."
Miroku, Sango, and Shippou climbed onto Kirara and rode, while Kagome rode on Inuyasha's back, and Sesshomaru ran with them, leaving Jaken to run after them in a large cloud of dust. "You know Inuyasha that Zetsumei isn't her real name don't you?"
"...You said her real name that was...something that started with a K..."
"Koneko."
The smell of blood reached their noses as their speed increased...they ran into another clearing to find demons strewn across it and many more trying to kill a silver haired cat demon...that was laughing as she slaughtered them. She was down to five demons, seemingly teasing them as she dodged their blows and laughed while slicing her claws through them.
She finished off the demons and turned menacingly to the group, a low growl escaping her throat as her claws flexed. Inuyasha looked back at everyone, "Remember, we don't want to hurt her," he thought for a second, "but don't let her kill you either."
They spread out as her tail flickered angrily and her black eyes followed their every move, the growl slowly getting louder with every passing second. Sesshomaru took a deep breath before he tried to attack, only to have her dodge and retaliate with a slash at his sides. Jaken through the trees, into the clearing, and right into her leg. She jumped back and hissed at him before returning her attention to...the bigger threats.
Jaken watched as she played with the others, after all the demons she'd fought...she only had two scratches on her. Her sinister laughter echoed in the empty forest as the smell of blood polluted the air. As she leapt up, Jaken used his staff to send fire at her and it hit its target. The skin on her arm blackened as she turned to avoid the biggest part of the fire and a shrill scream of pain escaped her as she landed and turned to glare at the toad that had caused her pain. She stalked towards Jaken and his pulse flew into his throat, "L...L...Lady Koneko?" She stopped and only Jaken saw the brief flash of silver within her eyes before she turned away, back to the others. Jaken took a deep breath, "Forgive me, my Lady."
He sent a stronger blast of flames at her, this time completely scorching her back, but at her pained cry he automatically stopped. Her silver hair splayed over both should, having narrowly been missed by the flames, as she turned and sent him flying into the forest.
Sesshomaru and Inuyasha ran to grab her...only to have her jump out of their paths...and have them rum into each other head first. She landed with a hiss of pain as she kept her attention on the group. Sango looked to Miroku, "What do we do now?"
"I don't know....what CAN we do?"
"If Kaede was here...we could put a submission spell on her...what about a sacred arrow?"
"No offense Kagome...but you aren't exactly the best shot...and she's moving extremely fast."
Inuyasha got sent flying into the center of the group, "DAMN IT! SHE SHOULDN'T BE THIS STRONG!"
Sesshomaru stood face-to-face with her almost four feet apart and staring at her eye-to-eye, almost afraid to blink as they circled each other. Deep laughter from the woods made them jump apart and everyone turned to see the Demon Lord of the Southern Lands, Lord Doragon. "Well, well, what have we here? A lovely, powerful demoness, fighting Lord Sesshomaru, a half demon mutt, a kitsune pup...and three humans...not a fair fight if you ask me." He flexed his own claws as he gazed hungrily at Koneko, "I can kill you all...and claim my prize."
He turned glaring eyes to the group before attacking Sesshomaru quickly only to have his hand caught by Koneko's mere centimeters from Sesshomaru's heart. She growled as she crushed his hand, "I BELONG TO NO ONE!"
She brought her other hand up and through his chest, mutilating his heart. She pulled her hand back and licked the blood off slowly. Inuyasha went to grab her...only to end up face first in the dirt as she jumped up. Kirara swatted at her, successfully knocking her off balance enough for her NOT to land on her feet...
DEEP WITHIN KONEKO'S MIND
The Koneko everyone knew and loved sits in the darkness. Her own memories locked away from her.
She doesn't know why
She sits there crying
And doesn't know why.
Silently sobbing,
But she doesn't know why.
Her shoulders shake with grief,
And she doesn't know why.
Tears cover her face
But she doesn't know why.
People ask her why she cries,
She doesn't know what to tell them
Because she doesn't know why.
The sky darkens with her tears
And she doesn't know why.
She mourns for something or someone,
But she just doesn't know why.
She just sits and cries
Sometimes she no longer cares
Why she doesn't know why.
BACK IN REALITY
Inuyasha managed to grab her from behind and held her tightly while she fought against him, her feet kicking at him, her claws tearing at him, and her teeth trying to bite him.
"Sesshomaru, Do something!!!"
His mind screamed at him as the demoness she'd become fought to free itself and deep with in his mind he heard her voice softly, from when they'd read together crying within the prison of her own mind. From his heart another poem formed and this time regardless of who was there listening he spoke it to her,
"In the darkness of my mind
I hear your voice calling,
Full of love
Full of sorrow
You've lost all hope for tomorrow.
I look into your angry eyes
I see the loneliness there within your heart.
My beloved I am sorry,
Forgive me for what I have done.
Without you there's no reason to awake
With the morning sun.
Come back to me and I will vow
My eternal love, until the end of time,
Only for you."
WITHIN KONEKO'S MIND
Silver eyes looked up into the darkness as a sad familiar voice echoed around her, "S...Se...Sess..."
BACK IN REALITY
Sesshomaru closed the distance between them, pressing their bodies together. "Release her Inuyasha."
"Are you out OF YOUR MIND!??!"
"If she kills me, I deserve it...now release her."
"Miroku...was it just me or did Sesshomaru just recite a very sweet poem?"
"He did...but if we wish to live....I don't recommend us ever mentioning it again."
Inuyasha released his hold on her as Sesshomaru's arms went around her. Her claws dug into him as he lowered his head to hers, "Forgive me for my foolishness....Koneko." He sealed his lips over hers, tasting wild strawberries in her kiss.
BACK IN KONEKO'S MIND
"SESSHOMARU!!!"
BACK IN REALITY
The dark aura around her dissipated as she brought her hands up to cup his cheeks and her eyes closed. The others watched her body return to normal...She opened silver eyes and smiled tiredly at him, "I was right..."
Sesshomaru raised on eyebrow elegantly, "About what?"
"Your lips are soft and gentle
Yet demanding in a kiss"
Sesshomaru actually chuckled as she rested her head against his chest....and fell asleep with a soft pur emitting from her throat. He looked at the others, "Come, we will return to your village now....and let her rest."
They turned to walk away as a small voice called out...."Um...My LORD!!!? Could you possibly help me our of this tree?"
They all turned back around to find Jaken.....upside down....with his robes over his head.....and a small loin cloth covering him. Inuyasha smiled...."I'll get him down....you go ahead and head towards the village...." The others nodded as he started towards the little toad, "Hey Jaken...remember when you tried to steal my sword....and all the times you've bugged the hell out of me?" Inuyasha's voice went sinister as the little toad shivered, fearing for his life....Inuyasha jumped up and slashed the tree branch...making Jaken land on his head with a solid thump..."Now we're even," he laughed as he lifted the him by his robes and carried him back towards Kaede's village.
There we go not to bad, hope it was worth the wait, please review if you thouroughly enjoyed it.