DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA NOR THE MANGA, NOR THE ANIME

SunMoon1285: Hello fellow readers! This is SunMoon1285 here… with the chapter I promised to have in a few days time! I'm trying to compensate for my lazy self and for not updating in such a long time… forgive me (sulks)

Sesshomaru: Foolish human

(SunMoon1285 scowls at him before taking one of his swords and slashing at him)

Sesshomaru: (laughs) Silly ningen, you took Tenseiga!

SunMoon1285: Oh… (laughs nervously)

Sesshomaru: Such a delectable ningen to try to kill this Sesshomaru… worthy of being my m- (SunMoon1285 stuffs his mouth with chocolates and turns to audience)

SunMoon1285: Please review and no flames… the more I get… the sooner I update! Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Recognition

"She's only mine to protect…" the voice in him cried

"Fuck… you again" Inu retorted.

It wasn't a good time for his spirit to gain control of himself. It only made Kagome fight against him even more desperately. His beast growled in order to make the human give in to his spirit and relinquish his control.

"Protect… protect…" the demon chanted in the recesses of Inu's mind.

'Damn,' Inu thought, 'He's gaining control gradually after that fight with Naraku. I don't know how much I can bear this'

"Not now… I can handle this… go away and I'll summon you if it all fails," he ordered sternly to the howling beast within.

"…" the beast only growled and finally gave in to the stronger human, smelling the truth in his words.

Inu quickly gathered his wits and control of his body, only to hear Kagome yell at the top of her lungs and fight against him. 'What is wrong with her? I don't know what to do…' he thought, 'I can only hold her back'.

By that time, Jaken made his way to the living room, and gazed at the scene before him. Inu and Kagome were drenched from the heavy rain as he tried to pull Kagome back inside. Finally, Inu flung her over his shoulder and made his way inside.

"She's possessed" Jaken cried at the boy.

Before the male could respond, Kagome turned around and they both caught a glimpse of her eyes. The greenish glow from them was unearthly. It made Inu wince at her glare and remained rooted where he currently stood.

Taking Inu's shock to her advantage, she slowly walked back outside, keeping her intense gaze with the young man. When she arrived outside, Kagome's braided hair became undone and her ebony locks rustled wildly from the wind as the rain continued to fall on her damp body. Her white satin nightgown clung to her slender body, showing her voluptuous curves and her heaving chest.

"A little help here…" Inu cried as he tried to avert his gaze from her emerald orbs, before crying out in pain as something hit him hard on his legs.

Jaken took his staff and slammed it to Inu's legs, making him trip backwards and land on his back, but effectively turning him away from the possessed woman.

"There!" Jaken said proudly before he got stepped on by an angry toad.

"We'll settle that later, toad!" Inu cried as he made his way to the balcony

Kagome hoisted to the banister again only to get pulled back again by a composed Inu. He dragged her again inside and threw her on the leather sofa. 'Damn… I hate to do this… but-" he thought before crying out.

"Jaken! Get Taisho!" Inu yelled at the cowering toad.

"Stubborn human… not appreciating anything I do" Jaken muttered under his breath before he made his way to the other male's room to summon him.

(Inu's POV)

Inu turned towards Kagome's ethereal body who lay sprawled on the leather could. The pale, cold, shivering skin gave her a ghostly appearance.

"WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING KAGOME?" he yelled.

Kagome didn't respond. She renewed her trek towards the porch but Inu grabbed her arms forcefully preventing her from going further. She turned around and punched him clear across his cheek.

"Let go, Inuyasha" she cried incoherently as she pushed him to the floor, "I belong to Sesshomaru!"

"Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha mumbled as he took hold of her form, preventing her from getting up.

(Jaken's POV)

Jaken made his way to the front of Sessho's door. He was about to knock when he noticed the door was slightly open. He glanced through the small opening to see the human staring at his full length mirror. He only wore his sweatpants and his blond silky hair framed his handsome features.

"You really think you can beat me, demon?" he said before being quiet for a few moments.

"Fool… In three days time I will exorcise you and then… Kagome will be mine" Sessho said aloud as he turned away from the mirror.

Jaken gasped from the human's ulterior plans causing Sessho to glare at him.

"Something's wrong, human… I can sense it from his aura," Sesshomaru said aloud. He knew better than warn his rival but if it involved his mate, he'd be willing to do anything.

"What do you want?" Sessho said stoically.

"My lord's mate is in trouble-" Jaken started before being pummeled to the wall. He let out a squeaky groan before amber eyes glared at him, so unlike his Lord.

"Ha! So you're no ordinary demon! You're IT's servant!" Sessho retorted.

"Listen to him human, she's in trouble!" Sesshomaru said demandingly.

"I will go to her… but learn this stubborn fool, do not tell anyone what you've seen if you value your own life" Sessho warned darkly before releasing the toad, "and… she won't be that mutt's mate for long"

"What can this Jaken do?" Jaken muttered before following the human back outside. 'I must tell her… somehow' he thought.

(Normal POV)

Sessho came running in his sweatpants, refraining from wearing a shirt. He arrived just when Kagome punched Inu on the face and tackled him to the ground. While Inu regained his composure she walked again to the porch.

"What's happening?" Sessho asked as he looked at his bleeding rival.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ON? SHE'S TRYING TO KILL HERSELF!" Inu yelled as he grabbed one of Kagome's legs tripping her on her face, and then pulling her away from the sliding doors.

"This must be the work of Naraku" Sesshomaru whispered, "Let me out… only I can subdue her"

Sessho completely ignored his request and made his way calmly to the window. Inu managed to press her form against his chest, with her back towards him so she wouldn't freeze him again.

"It looks like you're forcing yourself on her" Sessho said calmly as he locked the porch with the key and hiding it behind a figurine.

Inu quickly let her go but remained behind her at arm's length.

Kagome glanced at Sessho with those eerie depths, which made him uncomfortable, but still managed to keep his stoic nature. The unnatural gaze didn't seem to affect him.

Noticing this dilemma, Kagome sent a backwards kick on Inu's chest, sending him flying to the couch. She slowly walked to the glass door.

"Be careful… she was given certain powers upon mating" Sesshomaru warned, "even if she doesn't realize it…"

She began to vainly open the entrance again when Sessho finally decided to intervene. He deftly pulled at her shoulder throwing her to the floor, careful to not hurt her. Sessho stared at her her petite body, demanding an explanation.

(Kagome's POV)

Kagome managed to finally free herself from Inuyasha. She was walking towards the illusion of Sesshomaru when something pulled at her shoulder. This time, she didn't feel danger, but recognition.

She fell on the floor only to be faced by her mate. Sesshomaru stared down at her stoically as if demanding an explanation. 'He's not the illusion I saw earlier… that's really him' Kagome thought happily.

"Sesshomaru…" she whispered, "You're here…"

Sesshomaru's eyes widened at that remark…

(Normal POV)

"Sesshomaru…" she whispered, "You're here…"

'She thinks I'm the Taiyoukai?" he thought angrily as his eyes widened at her statement. His face contorted in anger as his hands balled up at his sides.

She gave a small smile as she raised herself and walked towards him. She hadn't noticed Sessho's angry reaction upon hearing his rival's name. His thoughts were cut short when she threw herself at him causing Sessho him to stumble backwards in surprise.

"Why are you angry, Sesshomaru? Did I do something wrong? I love you…" Kagome whispered against his chest, "You called me… told me you wanted to be free"

"I didn't communicate with her… I couldn't…" Sesshomaru added to the human.

Sessho didn't respond at the Demon Lord. His eyes narrowed in fury while his body shook in rage.

"Don't you want this, Sesshomaru?" Kagome said as she reached at his bracelet, but for her it was the chains that she saw in her illusion.

"Kagome… she is not herself human! She's possessed! She's not behaving clearly!" Sesshomaru howled within not caring at all for his youkai pride, "Please… I beg you… please… let me… out… so I can…. touch her… and help her"

"NO" Sessho replied icily, "I can handle this myself… no need to beg for me, lonesome youkai…"

"DAMN YOU…" Sesshomaru seethed.

"Don't think I know your tricks, Kagome… You DO want that Demon Lord…" Sessho accused.

"Sesshomaru… we can finally be back together…" Kagome said in an enchanted tone, "Why are you speaking like this? You are the Demon Lord!"

"Human wait! She's posse-" Jaken was stopped short when Sessho side kicked him to the far end of the apartment.

She continued to try to pry the bracelet off, while Sessho held her shoulders away from him.

"Bitch" Sessho said bitterly before punching her across her cheek sending her staggering backwards, "He is dead… while I am ALIVE"

Sesshomaru howled in pain and anger, seeing her mate being hit by another male.

"How…dare… you… hit her! SHE IS NOT HERSELF!"

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?" Inu said while he stood up gaining his consciousness, "She thinks we're the spirits!"

Fortunately, for Sessho, Inu didn't hear the last remark he made to Kagome.

Sessho smirked at that remark and glanced at Kagome's still form. Her still green eyes became blank as tears coursed down her face. Her hand caressed her swollen cheek.

"You don't want me… Sesshomaru?" she said quietly.

"Kagome… it wasn't me…" Sesshomaru pleaded in Sessho's mind.

"I was trying to prevent her from reaching the window…" Sessho lied averting his gaze to the other male.

"Are you conspiring with Inuyasha?" Kagome asked blindly.

Meanwhile, Jaken collected himself and saw a light emanating from the girl's room. Hobbling close to it, he saw the necklace pulsing. He quickly took the necklace and staggered back to the living room.

Kagome raised her body against the wall for support and stood up shakily. Her eyes still retaining green fire in them.

"I'm sorry, Sesshomaru… I see now, you don't care about humans, do you?" Kagome cried.

Sessho remained quiet, hiding the smile that threatened to grace his features. Inu was shocked beyond words.

"My lady!" Jaken cried as he tossed the necklace to Inu, "Put it on her!"

Inu quickly held her body from crawling away as Jaken tied the necklace around her.

Sessho stood perplexed at what was happening. 'Perhaps there's a chance after all' he smirked at this.

"Kagome I don't care-", whispered Sessho quietly.

"Kagome listen to me! I am Inu... not that damned spirit! Fight it! You know that theillusion is not the Taiyoukai," Inu said as he knelt by her and took her hand.

"I can't..." Kagome managed to say, showing the briefest glimpse of brown in her eyes, "Don't go. Why don't you care?" she said subconsciously.

Sesshomaru couldn't take it anymore. The human went too far this time. Mustering all the strength he could gather, knowing of the consequences of relinquishing his powers to the bracelet. He began to take hold of an unwilling Sessho.

"Fool… you are ready to disappear for her sake?" Sessho asked

"I'll do what I must do…" Sesshomaru swore.

Consequently, Sessho convulsed heavily causing Inu and Jaken to stare at his strange transformation. The two minds began to fight for dominance in a celestial battle between realms. Inu and Jaken could only see the internal battle as the eyes of the human began to flicker different amber hues, determining which one would hold more control. Sessho tittered from one side to the next, holding his sides as if his life depended on it, as he grimaced in pain and suffering. Sessho would not give in to a mere demon that easily, and the Taiyoukai felt exactly the same way. Sessho's body trembled heavily from its exertion and sweated profusely from the inner battle. It felt like having a seizure all over your body. In certain fleeting moments you'd see fangs before turning back to teeth, claws before turning back to human nails, and silver hair before diminishing to its usual light blond, all this went in an incessant cycle.

Finally, Sessho gave a long yell and the bracelet's usual hue turned to one of white fluorescent marble. Sessho collapsed to the ground and crawled up to Kagome. Sessho remained himself, retaining his human characteristics, but when his weakly raised his head, his eyes were not the same. On his forehead, a crescent moon appeared but it was rapidly vanishing.

Sesshomaru gasped in pain as he used his human arms to make his way towards his love. Inu tried to help Kagome sit up against the wall. While Jaken held Kagome still, Inu reached forward and gathered Sesshomaru closer to her. Sesshomaru nodded slightly for his kind cooperation. At least Inuyasha's host was not as wicked and immoral as his own.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken bowed low crying heavily.

Sesshomaru nodded slightly at his servant before wrapping his arms around the weeping girl. She began to talk incoherently in her daze.

"Help her… please" Inu begged.

Sesshomaru took the whimpering girl closer into his arms and nuzzled into her wet, cold body. He kissed his mating mark tenderly before leaning his face towards her ear, letting his breath caress the sensitive flesh.

"Forget any of this happened for it was not real, my love. You know in your heart that I would NEVER harm you in such a way… I couldn't harm you even if my life depended on it. I worship and devote all my soul to you, Kagome. I am here, I will be here always… Open your eyes for yourself and notice that it was only an enchantment" he whispered to his mate.

Kagome opened her eyes to stare up to the Demon Lord in all his glory. Her face broke into a smile as she held him tightly against her.

"It was Naraku… I'm sorry" she whimpered as she gave butterfly kisses all over his pale face. She then grimaced in pain when she felt a throb emanating from her cheek.

"What is... It really happened?" Kagome asked.

"Kagome… would I everharm you?" Sesshomaru asked quietly, "I made a promise to you 500 years ago... and by my honor as a youkai I will not break it"

"No… I know that-" Kagome was cut off when Sesshomaru groaned in pain. She glanced at the bracelet, which was almost transparent in hue.

"Heh… I guess this summon took his toll on me, Kagome…" he said as he leaned towards her for a chasted kiss.Kagome accepted his kiss whole-heartedly.

"But… but you will come back, won't you?" Kagome cried in confusion when his eyes darkened a bit. Then she knew, what he thought. 'His spirit has waned... he can't come back'.

"Wait for me… even if you won't see me… a part of me will be in your possession forever" he grimaced before losing his consciousness and falling next to her frail form, "Don't give up hope, koishi"

Kagome cradled his form before giving a long heart wrenching yell. She wavered for a while when she collected herself. She looked at the shocked yet worried Inu beside her on the floor and at the still crying Jaken. Kagome gazed upon the man that had encircled his arms around her waist. She could have sworn she heard the voice of her mate in her deep abyss of nightmares. "But it wasn't real… what happened in this realm and room, was truly him" she said aloud.

Wishing to the heavens, she gently raised his head from the crook of her shoulder. She softly removed the shadowed hair that covered his face and frowned at the sight. It was Sessho who lay there unconscious. There were no markings or any evidence that may tell otherwise. The lord was gone.

"He saved you…" Jaken said, ending his emotional outbreak.

"I know…" Kagome asked as she looked upon them.

"Sesshomaru…" Inu replied, "He was good being…"

"No… I won't give up on him" Kagome said determinedly, "He's still here… somehow…"

"Why do you think that?" Inu mumbled curiously.

"Because the necklace is still beating with Sesshomaru's soul…" Jaken said enthusiastically.

Kagome smiled at them, her eyes giving an ethereal glow as the light from the dawning sky showered on their forms.

The next day…

The light was slowly emanating through the window, caressing Sessho's beautiful features. Amber eyes opened up to stare at the ceiling of his room. Sessho quickly sat up and glanced at his now translucent bracelet. 'The fool really did sacrifice himself' he thought.

"Demon?" he called within to find no answer

He called about a dozen more times, insulting him, spurning his anger, in order to make himself known. Finally, he tentatively began to remove the bracelet from his wrist and quickly shut his eyes awaiting the spirit to take over him but it didn't. Unconsciously he began to put and remove his bracelet constantly, as if making sure it wasn't a dream. After a while, he threw the bracelet away and began to laugh hysterically as he rose from his bed to glance at his full length mirror.

"Free…" he whispered, "I'm free…"

Hismask devoid of emotion gave way to shock, joy, and fulfillment. He laughed darkly at this wonderful event. 'I win…' he thought with a smirk on his face as he left the room.

Little did he know that his bracelet still pulsed eerily from the secluded spot Sessho threw it in...

A/N:

Inuyasha: Well, I guess this is it... freaking wench made me get beat up by a girl... again

(Sunmoon1285 comes back and whacks him on the back of his head)

SunMoon1285: BAKA! (to audience) In case your wondering… SESSHOMARU is NOT dead… he's just weak from the fight with the bracelet… so I DID bring him back for your good graces… and besides, he has other methods to arrive (winks)

Sesshomaru: But you made me return back to that dreaded place

SunMoon1285: Well…

Sesshomaru: What?

SunMoon1285: Read the preview!

Jaken: Finally, it's the day of the full moon! But the plan to revive my Lord is forgotten (weeps)

Sesshomaru: (whacks Jaken) get to the point, Jaken...

Chapter 11: Pain

Kagome yelled and called for help before being hit again against the wall. As the guys were cackling and touching her, she thought sadly of what was about to happen. 'Not again,' she thought ruefully as they began to rip her clothes off.

One of the men threw her purse far away into the alley. She turned to the darkened alley to see the orb slipping away from the open purse and shattering to the ground. Kagome cried when she saw the still glowing, but broken shards of the golden orb.

"No…" she whimpered before one of them turned her face roughly away from the site.

Unbeknown to them all, a light permeating from the shards levitated above the site as it swiftly took form of a being. The light dimmed to show a tall, lean, and slightly pale ethereal body. His naked form remained knelt down on the ground with his bangs covering his eyes. He slowly raised his face to show his unworldly features. His blue crescent moon and magenta stripes adorned his calm, stoic face. His silver hair rustled wildly about him as his cold amber eyes narrowed slightly at the scene before him.

"Die…" he murmured turning everyone's attention to his silhouette.

Jaken:Coming soon: Chapter 11 Pain! I like Pain...

(Sesshomaru slashes at him with Toukijin then reviving him with Tenseiga)

Jaken: MASTER!

Sesshomaru: I thought you liked pain... (to audience) please review no flames