Chapter 7 The Deal

Sango watched as Kouga ran off with Inuyasha's limp body then she looked down at the puddle of blood left behind.

'How could she . . . why?'

She couldn't move for a brief second, remembering the arrow piercing through her silver-haired friend's back. Sango quickly gathered her thoughts, swung around and stormed towards Miroku and a struggling Kagome.

A small cry from Shippou almost stopped her. She looked in his direction and yelled ,"Kirara take Shippo inside now." Not stopping to see the large Fire Neko gather the crying kit by the scruff, Sango quickly ran up to Miroku. She wanted to grab Kagome by the hair and punched her out. But Kagome was already on the ground unconscious from the spirit hold Miroku had on her.

"You stupid, selfish bitch!" Sango shouted. "I should beat the hell out of you!"

She started to raise her leg to kick the fallen priestess, but strong arms around her waist stopped her. Sango turned her head and look at the monk, and cried out, "You don't understand!" she struggled against Miroku's hold, "I think Inuyasha is pregnant! She could have killed them!"

Miroku didn't ease his hold on her

"What . . . pregnant . . how?"

Sango stopped fighting him and turned around completely in his arms. She then told him about all of her suspicions. The monk just stared blankly at her.

"Well, you are the demon expert around here," he said, not really understanding anything Sango was saying.

They both looked down at Kagome; she was still unconscious. Miroku picked up the miko and they headed to their hut.

"What are we going to do with her?" Sango questioned, glaring hatefully at Kagome while thinking of ways to dispose of her quick and quietly.

"I don't know . . . I thought she might be possessed, but she isn't," Miroku said as he again checked Kagome for any signs of some evil being inside her body. "There is a dark energy surrounding her. Someone or something helped her to develop her powers." He turned his attention to Sango. "She meant to hurt them!"

"She's been acting different ever since the jewel was placed back inside of her body," Sango murmured, recalling all the arguments she and the miko had had, plus Kagome's strange behavior.

"Do you really think that she meant every thing she said? Do you really think she hates all demons . . . that she hates me?" Shippou's small sad voice asked, hoping they would tell him 'no'.

Before anyone could answer a soul shattering wolf's cry echoed through the village, startling everyone inside the hut.

"Th . . . Th . . . That's a cry of sorrow . . . something very, very bad has happened," Shippou cried, quite obviously startled by the echos of the forest.

Miroku stood to go outside. Sango held out her arms. Kirara and Shippou jumped into them and they followed the monk outside.

"Inuyasha. We have go see if he's ok." Miroku's voice had filled with worry.

"What about Kagome?" Sango inquired and they all turned around to look at the sleeping priestess but she was gone.

"Where did she go?" Sango ran back into the hut to check around. "She vanished."

"We don't have time to worry about her right now," Miroku stated, more concerned for Inuyasha at the moment. "We need to get to Kouga's den, and fast."

Sango looked around once more and walked back outside.

"Lets go Kirara."

They all climbed on back of her and took off into the air, heading North.

None of them noticing the dark haired priestess watching them from the entrance of the forest.

In The Forest

Kagome walked away from the village through the forest. She stalked away, remembering what had happened during her encounter with Naraku.

His body had been destroyed in the battle but not his soul. Somehow, he had managed to get a new body, but the aging demon body he now occupied was becoming useless to him.

Flash Back

From the very moment the jewel entered my body, I started to feel different. I felt stronger and more powerful. With that strength and power I also felt a dark aura lingering around me. I chose not to tell anyone and just ignore it. Nobody had to know that the aura felt just like Naraku except me, right? Besides now that I had the jewel I know I can destroy any evil that comes our way . . .

During the next week I played with my new powers. Proving myself to my friends and my only love, Inuyasha. I wanted to show him that I wasn't useless since I never really had measured up to the level of might Kikyo had achieved with the bow and arrow.

My first order of business was to let him see that Kikyo didn't go to hell. I knew if that happened Inuyasha would never forgive himself or forget the dead miko. So I suggested that she help protect the jewel, and that seem to make Inuyasha very happy.

I wanted to take him to my time, but only if he agreed to become human. Let's face it no matter how much I say I accept him it wouldn't have worked out between us ,if he stayed a hanyou. Then I would have control over my priestess powers and have him by my side. Forever.

End Flash Back

Kagome headed back to the hidden castle she left Naraku in, wanting to feel something, some kind of emotion, but she was empty. She thought about the agreement between herself and the dark half demon.

"Inuyasha . . ."

Flash Back

Last night I seen Inuyasha giving his love away to Kouga of all people. I ran away feeling betrayed. Sorrow and rage had built up inside of me quickly. I truly felt hatred towards Kouga for taking my Inuyasha.

I felt the dark aura become stronger this time. It surrounded me as I ran blindly through the forest, crying out my heartache and sorrow. 'Why couldn't it have been me enjoying Inuyasha's kiss, his touch. Why couldn't I be the one he held?'

I tripped over a branch that I had not seen because the hot salty tears clouding my vision. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Naraku and darkness had come. I had passed out. For a long time darkness surrounded me, and then I suddenly woke up. Naraku stood before me. I looked around and noticed I was sitting on a chair. I quickly stood and stared at him, waiting for him to talk.

"Miko, why did you act surprised to see me, when I've been with you all along?" he asked me.

I knew he spoke the truth. I did feel him, everyday inside and around me. My voice came out strange even to me when I answered, "I liked the power I felt. I knew the only reason I was becoming stronger was because of you. Why?"

He didn't answer the question at first, he just started telling me about the jewel inside of me. He told me that the jewel was like a second heart to me. It fed off my feelings. When I felt hurt, it began to turn black. When I felt mad, it filled with rage. When my heart broke, it shattered inside of me filling every part of my body with the ominous, evil shards. He told me that is why he came to get me. To help me.

He laughed at the expression on my face and added, "I also help you, because . . . I love you."

Now it was my turn to laugh. He continued to talk "No matter what form you're in, or what time you come from you will always be the one I love."

I didn't know what to say at first. All I could think was that the only reason he said these things was because I looked like Kikyo, The priestess Onigumo fell in love with. but then it hit me. He had said 'time'. He knew that I was from a different time, but how? I didn't even have to ask because he answered for me.

"I have read your thoughts, I have seen your memories, and tonight I felt your despair. I want to help you my love. I want you to help me also." There it was. I knew he wanted something from me. I narrowed my eyes when he told me, "I want you to get me a new body, a body that can go through the well with you."

Every warning bell went off in my head. I fought for control over my 'righteous' priestess instinct, and forced myself not to flee. I could handle Naraku, especially now that he was so weak. I wanted someone to be there for me for once, and since Naraku was willing, I would help him find a new body. I had just the perfect body in mind.

I told him only Inuyasha could pass through the well. Together we agreed that we would break Inuyasha, use his body and kill Kouga. I would still have Inuyasha in some way, even if it was just his body. When we got through the well I would use the jewel to turn Naraku in Inuyasha's body human..

He shifted closer to me and told me he would give me his demon sight, excelled hearing, voice for chants and curses, and power through his hands . . . I started to feel warm and for some unknown reason I leaned towards him as he spoke to me.

"Inuyasha hurt you . . . used you . . . you never meant anything to him. I will give you so much more than he ever could. We will be perfect together," he purred.

He brought his hand to the back of my neck and pulled my body against his. He moved his face close to mine and lightly pressed his lips to my lips. "Kiss me, Kagome," he said seductively or maybe I just thought he sounded that way.

I should have been disgusted , but when I looked into his eyes the darkness drew me in. It was so beautiful to me, I also began to think he was beautiful too. My mind or body no longer tried to fight against the evil spreading through them. I began to kiss him back.

He released me and told me once again that he would love me forever, and that he would never hurt me like Inuyasha did. Right then images of Inuyasha under Kouga, naked, flashed through my mind, and I couldn't contain my fury. My whole body glowed black form the broken jewel shards and the destructive feelings I had.

I despised them both now. I wanted Inuyasha to suffer and hurt like I did ,and I wanted Kouga dead. Naraku brought both hands up to my face and began to chant, moving his fingers across my eyes, "My eyes are your eyes" . . . ears, "My ears are your ears", . . . and mouth " My voice is your voice." He told me if he gave me his power he would be too weak to come with me. Then he grabbed my hands and chanted again, "My hands are your hands"

I felt the energy leave his body and come into mine. It felt incredible. He then grabbed my face, and kissed me again. I kissed back this time, I knew he was using me but I truly didn't care, I felt happy and wanted.

Through it all my mind refused to let me forget about the betrayal and deceit of Inuyasha and Kouga.

End Of Flash Back

Kagome finally made it to the hidden castle, angry at herself. She walked through the castle stunned and tormented at the events that had happened. 'I shot Inuyasha. It was suppose to be Kouga . . . not Inuyasha'

No matter what, she couldn't stop blaming Kouga for what happened. 'It was his fault I hit Inuyasha, he let Inuyasha get hit, it was suppose to be him'

Now she started to hate Kouga even more. First he took Inuyasha from her, then he couldn't even protect him from an arrow meant for his heart. 'I will get even'

She headed toward Naraku with hate and revenge on her mind. There was no turning back now. She knew even with the little help Naraku gave her, she herself had conjured the deepest darkest powers of the jewel.

It had been a quite afternoon in the western lands. The sun was shining and the cherry blossom trees were in full bloom, their pedals showering over the land.

"Wow, we should visit here more often," a little girl's voice filled the air as the wind picked up and pink pedals danced around her. "Don't you think so, Master Jaken?"

It had been a year and a half since the toad demon had last seen the castle beyond the mountains, and, for once, he agreed with the child beside him.

"Yes Rin, we should come here more often," he squawked. Looking to the side to discover he was talking to himself. Rin had gotten bored and wandered off to pick up the fallen pedals.

"Hitori de Sabishi . . ." Rin sang as she drifted int her own world

"Futari de Mairimasho . . ." Her words drifted in the wind and rang into Sesshomaru's ears. He currently sat by himself under a sakura. It was conveniently located on a small hill where he could keep an eye on his ward and . . .whatever Jaken was to him.

He'd been thinking about her, about why he'd let the human child stay in his presence for the past three years. She was the first human he'd ever accepted into his life. She was growing up, and he didn't know how long she would want to continue to be in his company.

Tenseiga pulsed at that moment, jerking him out of his thoughts. His eyes quickly scanned the field Rin and Jaken were in, seeing that both were alright. The sword at his side pulsed again, only this time with a greater force, his back brushing against the tree. Tenseiga's pulse quickened with every passing second until it had gotten so fast that it threatened to undo his obi.

"Tenseiga . . . is pulsing," Sesshomaru murmured, astounded at the strength of the 'useless sword.' "Is this some new ability you have, Tenseiga?"

Sesshomaru took the hilt of the sword with his hand, the vibrations shaking his whole body. He tightened his grip, and the movement of the sword suddenly stopped. All was deathly quiet. Then Tenseiga shot straight up into the air, pulling a surprised Sesshomaru onto his feet. He refused to let go . . . he may have hated the sword, but no one could have it except him.

He tried to plant his feet in the ground. "Tenseiga, where is it that you are taking this Sesshomaru?" Then he was jerked forward all the way down the hill.

He had passed by Rin who had stolen Jaken's two headed staff away from him and entwined flower pedals around it.

"Sesshomaru-sama . . ." Rin asked looking questioningly at her struggling lord.

"My Lord?" Jaken called after Sesshomaru.

"Rin . . . Jaken lets go" he said, pointing Tenseiga, like nothing was out of the ordinary.

Sesshomaru did not know where the sword was leading him or who was causing it to react in such a way. Whether he wanted to go or not it seemed Tenseiga's hold on him made him follow. He was determined to get to the bottom of this as quickly as he could.

TBC: