Disclaimer: No ownership have I, unless all should pay lots and lots to help me become-nah, that's completely not possible.

Author's Note:

Hello, my friends. I actually don't think anybody's reading this, and I don't think that'll change, even when I actually start writing new chapters. It makes me a tad sad, that it does.

Dark Lineage

Shade Seven

Inuyasha was thinking once more upon Kikyo's now mysterious past. Why had that Sachiko woman come for her? Was she also a dark miko? What exactly was a dark miko? Who were Nanashi and Nobu? There were too many questions to answer. What was happening to Kagome? Who was Sachiko?!

As if his rambling thoughts had summoned her, the ethereal lady appeared. She smiled a little at his shock. There was no smoke to mask it, she had simply…appeared.

"Surprised, Inuyasha? Of course you are, everyone is. I bet you thought that if I ever returned, I would drop like I did when you were with Kikyo, and I had to take her away."

Inuyasha tightened his fists a little more, feeling the sweat begin to condense in his palms.

"Where is Kikyo? Is she safe?"

Sachiko laughed without any mirth, and fingered his silver hair.

"Safe? Hardly so. Kikyo is undergoing the process of reentering the Hell in which we all dwell. Her essences will be used to enhance the comfort of living in the Hell. There isn't much you can do about it. It's time for you to realize that you never had much say in any case."

"You really don't care about her at all, do you?!" Inuyasha began raising his voice, despite the fact that she was only inches in front of him.

Sachiko's face hardened, and she stepped back, the closeness feeling wrong.

"You don't know anything about how I feel about my sister. You know nothing."

"Your sister? Kikyo was from hell…"

"-and you know absolutely nothing about her. Her 'past' as we so nicely put it, is all Kieoko's. Her true past…you know nothing of. Heed my warnings, and have nothing to do with her. You began liking Kagome because she was so similar to Kikyo, her reincarnation. Kieoko will look the same. She will act…in a way you will not suspect. Do not trust her, are anybody for that matter, for she has been sent by-" the miko choked, and she doubled over.

"I…am not…permitted…to say. I…must…leave. Do not trust…the one in the black…mist."

This time, her departure was with a slight shimmer before she snapped out of the picture.

"Do not trust Kieoko. Do not trust the one in the black mist. Who can I trust? This is all turning out to be some strange twisted hackneyed life." Inuyasha muttered, walking back to Miroku.

"Hell. I can't even trust Kaede. She said she was kind of the link between her sister and this world, and if I can't trust her sister and she is closely associated with her, what am I gonna do?!"

Naraku nodded nefariously, a small, smug smirk gracing his features.

"It will be as you say. If the Nobu was here, do you think he would have agreed?"

"No, you should be aware that I am of the darker ones, he of the lighter. You must find a way to mask her entrances, they are very…unique. You may call her Mitsuko. I will send the soul to you in one moon. My personal servant will deliver it."

Bowing to each other, the each went their separate ways.

Naraku would have rubbed his hands gleefully if he were that kind of person. Instead he just chuckled. This new plan would work even if several separate parts failed. The miko would be his. It had been rather amusing to learn that the Onigumo had fallen in love with a dark miko. Life was truly ironic.

"Kanna, see if you can find your sister now." He commanded. Kagura was really getting to be a problem. It was his essence that was missing, substance that could be used to make a more useful demon. All he wanted was to push the right buttons, get the right reactions, and then have the plan go out perfectly. Then the girl would be his. If anything went wrong, there was always the old trick to fall back on.

Kagome had soaked the stress of the test away in a bath. She hoped that her studying had paid off.

"Hey sis, Inuyasha's here. Are you going back anytime soon?" came Souta's voice, accompanied by a knock on the door.

Kagome sat straight up. The nerve of the hanyou! So soon too!

"Tell him I won't be back for at least two weeks!" she screamed, immediately regretting the action as the sound bounced off the walls of the small room and into her ears.

Souta leaped back from the bathroom door. He glanced over to Inuyasha, whose hands were clapped to his sensitive ears.

He shrugged and said humorously, "Well, I guess I don't need to repeat what she said."

Inuyasha nodded, and headed off in the direction of the well. It was fine with him, more time to think on the problem.

"Miroku, get your hands off my…eek!" Sango did a lively dance as Miroku went beyond daring. Her boomerang came close to his head several times, but Shippo restraint her with his little statues, which built up as she struggled.

"Hey, do you think Kagome's ever coming back?" Shippo asked suddenly. Sango and Miroku froze in their places as the statement penetrated their brains.

"No comment." They said at the same time.

'Is that…'

"Kagura! You forgot to bring your money!" a cheerful voice sounded. The woman who lived across the street from the Higurashi's slid open the front door and waved some coins and bills at the girl. She turned, giving Kagome a view of her face.

She had deep gray eyes, filled with sorrow and rebellion. Her hair was up in a form of a bun, secured with a feather, her earrings were red orbs. The face that Kagome knew so well looked misplaced on the schoolgirl's uniform.

"Kagura?" whispered Kagome. She ran to the girl and asked,

"Where did you come from? Why are you here, to fight? Naraku-"

Kagura faced Kagome and smiled a little.

"I am free. That force holding me back has released me…or have I escaped? Life is but a series of contradictions."

Her 'mother' raced down the steps to explain to Kagome,

"This is my adoptive daughter Kagura. She was found a couple weeks ago, and has apparently suffered from amnesia. Don't mind anything she says the police have already investigated, there are no marks on her except for a weird tattoo. Actually, it was more of a burn…" Covering her mouth, the woman apologized for talking so much and fast, and went back into her home quickly, red from embarrassment.

Kagome stared. That lady was strange.

"Well, Kagura, I guess I can show you around school and introduce you to people." 'And stay close enough to find out who you really are. I don't trust you…you shouldn't even be in my time. And do you really not remember anything?' she added silently. "I'm afraid I won't be by very often, these illnesses seem to have a habit of infecting me whenever possible.

Kagura grinned eerily and said, "Oh I know. You have to go see him, right?" she would not give an explanation for this comment all throughout the day. Everyone was mystified by her unnaturally cheery countenance.

Everyone that is, except for Hojo. He was enchanted with the bubbly new student, and asked her out. Eri had tried making friends with the ex-wind sorceress, but when Kagome had handed Kagura her books and began talking, she had left, assuming that she was already being taken.

After a month..

"Mitsuko, this will be your new master." Said a miko, bowing to Naraku as she spoke. The pale girl stared with blank eyes. Her waist-length hair was bound in a braid and doubled back. Her bangs framed a symbol, /. Aside from that, her beautifully clear white skin was unblemished. His view of her was also unhindered, being as she wore nothing.

"The Nanashi Akira says that you may clothe her as you wish. She will do as you command, but has enough intelligence to make decisions for herself. The Nanashi also implores you to remember to mask her entrance and any other remarkable features of this. Akira has made the body herself, it would please her if body and soul remained together."

Naraku nodded. "It will be as your Mistress wished." He paused. "You seem familiar. May I have to honor of knowing your name?"

Her lips curving into a smile even as she prepared to leave, she responded,

"My name is Kieoko."

Leaving Naraku frowning, his forehead crinkling, she blew a kiss as she disappeared. Naraku turned to look at his new servant.

"Well, we are going to have some fun. But first…let's have a look at your quarry." Tesake appeared almost instantly, the fear showing in her eyes. It prompted a reaction from the empty Mitsuko…

Kagome vaulted out of the well easily, marveling at how lithe her body was becoming. She remembered pulling with her arms really hard at the beginning of all these adventures just to get out of the well. Until the ladder and the vines had been 'installed', she had gone through a lot of trouble and scrapes.

Inuyasha landed in front of her, arms crossed.

"Miko, are you ready to begin searching again?" he asked stiffly, not sure of how to act. Kagome smiled brightly and said, "Of course dear." She skipped to the village.

Inuyasha followed, blinking at her hyper and sunny state. It seemed false somehow. 'I bet you something is going to happen today.' He thought moodily to himself.

They had been walking for a time when Kagome stopped quite suddenly.

"A shard?" asked Sango hopefully.

"No, it is something else. I felt a demonic presence manifest itself. Inuyasha, do you sense anything?"

"Now that you mention it, yes, I do. This demon could strong, but the air smells like a combination of the Shikon jewel, Kikyo, and…Naraku." He said, his nose up in the air, eyes screwed closed.

"Let us wait for this demon to come forth. It may be best to ready ourselves for battle." Miroku said, sitting down lethargically. They all took a seat, facing outwards in a tight circle.

Pretty soon, the source of the power appeared in a cloud of black. As the smoke cleared away, the figure straightened. It was a woman, scantily clad. Her tight white clothing barely covered her curves, and the cloth was sheer. Her white silk headband was the only material close decent on her entire body. Miroku goggled while inching nearer.

"Will you d-do me the honor of b-bearing m-my child?" he stuttered, forgetting that she was a demon. He inched closer.

The woman frowned, and refused by shaking her head. Her gaze fell on Kagome and suddenly amused, she said in a husky voice,

"I suppose my clothes are not quite appropriate." She waved her hand and her top instantly became longer, and turned black. It was still form-fitting, but it was more modest. Her pants elongated to end a little below the knee, and intricate green embroidery stood out on the hems. Her headband turned a blood-red, shimmering in the sun.

Kagome found her voice first, and asked,

"Exactly who and what are you? Now that you are so close, I don't think you're a demon." The stranger looked puzzled, and replied,

"I…do not remember who I am. I do remember my name, but I cannot give it to you until the time is right. As for being a demon, I am one-I think. I'm not human, so that must be what kind of blood that's running through my veins." She sat down and began to busily braid her hair. Individual strands of color began to appear, standing out against the dark black.

Inuyasha strode boldly to stop before her and asked haughtily, hand on his sword, "Why are you here? There must be some reason you came to us."

She looked up, faintly annoyed, and replied in an unkind voice, "I felt that there was something drawing me to you, that my destiny would be bound with yours. I wish to find out why."

Inuyasha spluttered, "Does this mean that you are going to stay with us from now on? Damn! Miroku's not gonna be able to keep his fricken hands off of you in battle!"

"Inuyasha! I take offense to that." Miroku cut in, hurt. He undid his words as he reached for her hands. She gracefully moved herself out of reach.

"We would believe you better if you actually acted less hormone driven." Muttered Sango, dragging Miroku as he sported a foot long bruise on his head.

"But my lovely Sango," he protested, "It is normal for one of my family to appreciate the members of the opposite sex. You don't seem to appreciate it, so shouldn't I look for a woman who would?"

Far from appeasing the red demon exterminator, it angered her more.

The demon woman cocked her head as if listening for something. "The time is right. I will tell you my name. My name is Mitsuko."

"That was fast." Muttered Shippo, clinging to Kagome.

Kikyo glided over to Inuyasha, this time a bit shakily. Soon, he realized that he was the only one who could see her. He was puzzled by this; after all, he had seen her get dragged back to hell by her sister, Sachiko. And now, while there was a ghostly aura around her, Kikyo is definitely there. She motioned for him to follow her, and he obeyed instantaneously.

Kagome watched Inuyasha leave with hooded eyes. She could see Kikyo, too. And she also knew what happened to her, and why she is back. Yes, it was the dark miko blood taking over.

"Kikyo, I thought you went back to hell with Sachiko, your sister." Inuyasha asks, obviously puzzled.

"I did. And then I came back. I have to tell you that the one whom I replaced is back. Do not even talk to her, it could prove fatal, as it was for me." Kikyo sighed. Inuyasha noticed that her snakes were not with her.

"I have died a cruel death. I shall not give you the details, but you must know that I will not appear to you again. My love for you is the only thing that enabled this last meeting. Demons are not who they appear to be. Give me a last kiss, Inuyasha, and be prepared to meet me soon. In my hell."

Inuyasha leaned in and kissed her. Kagome, watching as always, grumbled. Even when she knew why, it still didn't hurt any less. In fact, it hurt more.

The reincarnation slipped back to the group. They were still walking, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Inuyasha returned shortly, his eyes downcast.

Mitsuko stopped suddenly, her head once again bent at an angle.

"I must leave you." Without any further explanation, she leapt for the nearest tree and bounded away. Soon after, Inuyasha reported that her scent had suddenly faded away.

"Nobu, I have come as you asked." Mitsuko said, bowing low.

"How, my little doll, did they receive you?"

"Very well, although they are still suspicious. The demon exterminator seems not to have found my personality suitable for her companions."

"Well as they should be. Tell me of how it went after I left you."

"After you left, I decided to be conveniently floating around the edge of the warrior spirit world. Perhaps after a day the Nanashi came. She seemed to be searching for another, but upon seeing me changed her mind. My soul was ripped from my spirit body, and brought to her stronghold. She then fashioned this body, with only a few essential details. After instructing me in what to do, she gave me to her servant, Kieoko. Kieoko brought me to Naraku, and left after informing him of her name. Naraku then decided that I was to appeal to the monk and Inuyasha first, thus my indecent clothing. He then gave me my third set of orders, and promised a punishment for disobedience. Now I have been walking with them for a few days." Mitsuko said in a slight monotone, her voice lifting a little at the end of each sentence.

"Very well. This is what I wish you to do." The man leaned in and began to murmur in her ear. Only the last sentence was audible.

"Make sure she doesn't suspect anything." Upon that, the man shimmered away, leaving Mitsuko alone with an evil smirk on her face.

After two weeks, much of their relationship remains the same. Miroku has given up on winning Mitsuko over; after a few overzealous passes she has become physical in her refusals. As strong as Sango is-the demonic strength she possesses deals an extra blow to his spirit. He went back to 'appreciating', as he calls it, his 'lovely Sango.' As if she had sensed how he had almost escaped, there isn't as much hitting going on as before.

Mitsuko is definitely not trying to do well. On the few battles that have occurred, she has stood on the side, interfering only when she wishes. Even so, her slight resemblance to Kikyo has given her the opportunity to start snaring the hanyou. He seems to be the only one not immune to her charm, and the demon means to make the most of it.

Shippo has remained unaffected, having been 'lost'. He is not worried; he knows that Kagome will find him eventually. That's why she gave him the shielded shard of the Shikon Jewel so long ago. Her ability to sense the shards will lead her straight to him sooner or later. It is this precaution that blinds him to the obvious danger drawing closer.

Kagome's miko powers have stopped glowing with the pure pink light that was characteristically hers. Instead, the pale rose had darkened to a dark, blood red. Her sacred arrow no longer formed a bullet of purity, but instead, a driven, spiked blast of energy that worked just as well. She had grown accustomed to her new fate.

Kagome, of course, with her newly awakened miko powers, knows that something is going on, and that Mitsuko is behind it all. Feeling suicidal, she shimmers back to the well.

Sitting on the side, there isn't much she can do about it. While her thinking had been impaired with the awakening of her dark miko blood, she retained enough rational thought to know that she would have to do something about Inuyasha.

Falling backwards, she traveled back to her own time. Upon heaving herself out of the well, she came face to face with Kumiko. His blond bangs covered most of his face, and he pulled her out easily. Unbalancing, Kagome fell heavily on him.

Grunting softly, he turned quickly so that she was pinned under his body.

Kagome opened her eyes cautiously and found herself looking into a blend of lush forest greens. They swirled and pulsed, a hypnotic sight that held her attention. She didn't notice him moving in until his lips fell on hers. Not really surprised, she still let him play with her, until his hand moved up her waist, and higher still.

"What the hell are you doing?" she demanded angrily, not using her full strength yet. The boy on her still retained a peaceful look, not minding her struggles at all.

"Taking you." He replied simply, adding, "I have to receive something for helping you all the time, don't I?"

"Sure." She replied sarcastically, finally shoving him to the side and standing up.

"If you wouldn't mind, I would love it if you would leave now." she said coldly, walking to the door.

"What, and leave your precious hanyou already?" he smirked, throwing all abandon aside.

Kagome froze, her hand motionless on the door, ready to slide it aside.

"What hanyou are you talking about?" she demanded, determined to keep it a secret if she still could. She didn't help her situation when she slapped him, hard across the cheek.

"Only the fact that you go back to the past for more than the jewel shards and the lives of innocents." He smirked, his now long tongue cleaning the blood that was slowly flowing out of the small cut near his cheekbone. It drew attention to his eyes, which were by now just slits. Kagome began to back up, inching her way blindly.

"Naraku doesn't want you escaping so quickly," He said, moving to block her way. He dropped the spider's name off easily, on purpose.

"But then again, I don't want you escaping already. You influence me, and I find myself liking it. You can't deny the attraction." He said, closing in again.

"And when I'm finished…your precious hanyou won't want you anymore." He whispered against her ear. Frozen in shock, Kagome could do nothing, despite all of her newly awakened miko powers.

Mitsuko chose this time to start influencing Inuyasha's mind. She released more of the attracting powder given to her by the Nanashi to keep Miroku and Sango busy, and then evolved into her spirit form. In her ghostly state, she slipped into Inuyasha's body without him noticing. Well, he can't notice, as his senses are put on hold once she takes control. It is all so convenient for the double-crossing demoness.

"Miroku, I'm going to look for Kagome. It could take a while before I return, so don't worry."

"Okay Inuyasha, see you later." Miroku responded absentmindedly, waving his hand. Mitsuko gave a mental smirk. The monk was so stupid as to fall for her trick. She hadn't even tried to act like Inuyasha, speaking the way he does and everything.

Inuyasha, with the help Mitsuko, shimmered to the village. Kaede looked out, but didn't move to talk or stop him. It was doubtful that she even knew what was happening. Kagome was sitting on the side of the well, facing the inside. Her feet dangled weakly, and a visible red aura surrounded her. It grew darker and darker, until the shape of her body could barely be seen.

"Kagome, how do you wish to die?" Mitsuko, through Inuyasha, says with a sneer. Kagome raises her head and laughs. Since the Tetsusaiga is already out and pointing at her, she runs towards it. It pierces her in the heart, and the shards on her necklace fly into the air like crystalline tears. Real drops fall from her eyes, which are slowly blinking.

She ran backwards, and fell against the well. Leaning and breathing weakly, she waited.

The spell, now broken, Inuyasha realized that something had gone horribly wrong.

'Kagome!' Inuyasha silently shouted. He didn't understand how she messed up his joke. Running towards her, he threw the Tetsusaiga to the side, forgetting about the demonic blood running through his veins. There was no apparent danger, not yet anyway…

Kagome smiled, and said softly,

"You won't forget me, will you. I'll be seeing you soon, Inuyasha. Either in hell, or back….among the….living…"

"No! I will never forget you!" he shouted in pain, not realizing that she had not asked a question. He lowered her limp and bloody form, wondering how he would explain this to everyone else.

Her still bleeding body pulsed as she was drawn into a black void.

Pain…Death is a release.

Death…death will feed you.

Life…life will hurt.

Rebirth…that will make you.

Undead existence…powerful existence.

Evil, that is your fate.

Light…overwhelms you.

Echoing around the new soul reaching for the spirit world, the guardians of the path chuckled. They could see that the Goddess of Life had not yet release her hold on this mortal's soul.

Go back, and live.

Go back, and feast.

Go back, and hurt.

Go back, and establish power.

Go back…and take your revenge.

The spirit opened her spirit eyes. They focused on the shape of a man…with purple streaks going across his eyes. They moved slowly.

"Greetings, miko. I am the Nobu."

"Do you know me? What is my name? Why am I here?"

He laughed, and said,

"It is what you wish. But, I would like to call you…Kimo. Yes, that will be your new name. And because I am the one who has given you your name, I will be the one to instruct you in all that are natural…and destined. Come with me, Kimo. Your fate will soon be revealed."

Kimo followed the Nobu. She had to know everything, with the hunger of the undead taking her over.

Author's Note:

Well, anyway, Happy Holidays.

Might be interesting to know that I myself have submitted 622 reviews. That's a nice number.

Review please.