A Demon's True Nature

by Sk8er7

Chapter 10

An Unavoidable Meeting

Kagome opened her eyes tiredly and breathed in, taking in the scent of her surroundings. It was a cool morning with no sun, but still a very nice day.

She got up, barely feeling her usual resistance of becoming awake. Passing this off as just some odd thing, she walked outside.

Passing a large old tree, though not like the old God tree, she reached a small pond. This would be a good place to wash her face.

Dipping her hand into the light, cool liquid, Kagome tried to cup it into her hands and splashed it onto her face. It was cold, but utterly refreshing.

The small ripples in the water dying down, she looked into the pond. She pulled at her face, trying to find some sort of blemish. But she found none.

Lightly caressing her face, she stared at her reflection. She was a goddess. Not exactly of course, but it was a close comparison.

Having never seen such beauty, not even with the model's and idol's of her time.

It didn't seem entirely right. Or fair. Why was she blessed with such beauty? Was she supposed to be like this? How did she deserve this wonderful fate?

Her demonic features cast this beautiful appearance around her, but would she stay beautiful? Remembering the dog brother's, she wondered if she had a true form, or if she would lose control?

Without warning, she dunked her head into the water, her hair flowing out over the water's top. She closed her eyes, pondering the situation.

Kagome let out a strangled gasp as she felt a heavy force pull her arm, yanking her from her cool sanctuary. Spluttering, she looked into the concerned (and...angry?) eyes of Tojo.

"Are you all right?" Tojo asked. Kagome could tell that he was worried, although his voice sounded just the same.

"I'm fine." She brushed her hair away with her fingers and gently pulled the knots out with her claws. Slowly breathing in the clean, fresh air, she exhaled calmly.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, after a moment. As far as she was concerned, she had done nothing wrong. A thought struck her like a bolt of lightning to a metal rod. Did he know any leads on Naraku?

"I just saw you and thought that maybe you could possibly -" He cut himself off, and turned away. Kagome raised an eyebrow and sniffed at him. His scent was mixed with worry and a tiny hint of sweat? She had taken a morning stroll, quite a distance from their camp. Had Tojo run all the way here?

"Right." Kagome stood up. "I don't suppose that there are any leads on Naraku?" The demon lord stood still, before nodding.

"There have been strong demonic auras located near the south of my lands," Tojo told her. Grinning like a fool, she happily did a sort of jig on the spot, all oblivious to Tojo, who was still faced away from her.

"We're one step closer to killing Naraku!" she cried gleefully. It was quite a wonder how someone could talk about such a disturbing topic and be so happy about it. Her face fell. "But up until now, Naraku has hid his demonic aura and we haven't been able to sense him anywhere."

"This is true. But we still must check it out. I have some demons of my command stationed there, and they have told us, that there was a huge aura. It quite frightened them," he added. Turning around,he fingered Kagome's necklace, which hung around her neck. "It's best if you continue to wear this. Some demons know who I am, but no one knows of you. You will be out secret weapon."

Kagome grinned. This feeling felt so great! She could actually do something useful! Although she was the paramedic for her companions, and had her holy arrows, it didnt' truly seem as though she did much. She had a few lucky shots, but she was lacking behind everyone.

But now. Now she was skilled in her priestess abilities, weapon handling, and was further learning to use her demonic strength. There was no doubt that in a common fist fight, she could beat Inuyasha blindfolded.

Checking that their provisions were in good care, the two powerful demons ran off.

Tojo and Kagome had gotten off to a great start, that was very true. But Kagome had not fully adapted to her new body. Technically, it was not her new body, just her enhanced one.

She could go at amazing speeds, but not for too long. Her longest was about two hours, nearly as fast as she could. After that, she had been so exhausted that she fainted for a nap.

Surprisingly, Tojo didn't quite mind the slow pace they were going. He got to enjoy the scenery, something that was always there, but much more enjoyable with the presence of Kagome.

After she woke up, they started off once more. They ran at a leisurely pace, though as fast as the best athletes in Kagome's era. It was quite a feat; demons.

"Oh!" Kagome suddenly said. She slowed slightly. "T-there's a jewel shard!" Tojo nodded, and sped up again, leaving Kagome in his wake.

Becoming momentarily aggravated, she struggled to keep up with his alarming speed. Kagome really had to work on her demonic skills. But still, Tojo was a demon lord and had been alive for centuries. ('Maybe even a thousand?' Kagome wondered wordlessly.)

As she sped up, she could feel the presence of a dark, tainted shard. It wasn't nearly as big as she had remembered, but it was much more than she and her friendshad collected previously. Chances were that it was a puppet, but they still had to come, scouting out clues.

"They're so dark and tainted," Kagome murmured. Tojo nodded. He and his people had faced a demon that had possessed jewel shards. And not simply one. It took quite a while to get rid of it, and some demons were wounded. Though it was horrible, it truly was amazing.

Startlingly soon enough, they reached a large clearing. It had the most malicious aura that the two demons had ever felt. It was no doubt that Naraku was somewere near here.

As if on cue, or a very cheap story writer's first attempt, an explosion met their sensitive ears. Ground was charred, the trees were completely demolished and some uprooted.

"Naraku!" Someone shouted. To Kagome's surprise, it was Tojo. His face was contorted into an angry expression and he looked absolutely livid. His aura had heated up as well, and if it could be transferred into a colour, it would have been blood red.

Racing forward, he readied his claws, which seemed much longer that before. His eyes flickered from hazelnut gold to a deep crimson. And then it was gone.

Standing there, gaping like an idiot, Kagome snapped out of her trance and immediately raced after her savior, muttering about how she should learn to act faster. But what had happened with Tojo? His outward cool demeanor was penetrated by the foul posion half-breed? The older demon seemed to have developed a long and deep hatred of Naraku. (Most did, but that was besides the point.) Had Tojo met Naraku? Did they know each other from somewhere?

Tojo stealthily leapt up, taking a swipe out of the large mass of demons. They were killed and split open as if they were made from butter. His attack killed many at a time, possibly over a hundred. Tojo kept mercilessly attacking, wanting only to get to his target. The lesser demons meant nothing to him.

"Hey!" Kagome shouted to him. He turned deaf ears to her. She huffed, not one bit amused. What was his problem? Just because he had a grudge against Naraku didn't give him a reason to ignore her!

Weaving out of the destroyed bodies of the lower class demons, she followed after Tojo, sometimes slicing her claws through some demons that had dodged Tojo's claws.He seemed to be a quite person, a being who didn't like combat or death. Out the window that idea went.

Nearing closer to her new companian and the despicable demon who had caused her so much strife, she began to hear voices. They weren't clear, even for her own special ears.

" -el!" came a shout. Kagome whipped her head around in time to be amazed. She was staring into a black hole. And she knew that black holes suck in things that are around them.

Fighting back as hard as she could, she stepped back, even as other objects flew around her and into the oblivion.

With great determination, she bent her knees, and with great force, went up and away, flipping out of danger. Was that truly a black hole? Had Naraku required such an amazing weapon? Unless it had been...

"Miroku!" yelled Kagome. As the black hole subsided, she could clearly see where it had come from. And it was indeed a certain perverted monk.

"Lady Kagome!" Miroku ran towards her. "Are you all right? Please accept my apolgies. I thought that you were another demon." His face fell with a grave look. "There are thousands all over the area."

"Then I'm guessing Naraku is involved," she stated. Miroku nodded.

"Sango, Kirara and myself are getting rid of the lesser demons while Inuyasha is fighting Naraku head-on." Kagome felt her stomach tighten.

"Thanks, Miroku," she told him. "I'm sorry I can't stay and help, but I have to go and get rid of Naraku." She ran off, leaving a gaping Miroku.

Kagome could smell the stench of blood and the disgusting Naraku. She could smell her hated love, Inuyasha, and her new companion, Tojo.

"Tojo!" Kagome shouted. The said demon lord was clawing viciously at the poison demon, trying to tear him apart. His claws seared the flesh off, but Naraku seemed to keep on regenerating. Coming closer to Naraku's large form, she pulled her hand back.

"Claws of steel!" she yelled. Her attack left an ugly gash near his midsection, but sealed almost instantly.

"What?" she cried. Kagome whipped around, hearing her name.

"Kagome!" It was Inuyasha. "Get out of here! It's too dangerous!" Kagome snorted. The half lying half demon was going to tell her what to do? No way.

"No way," she replied. "If you want to leave, then be my guest." Pulling from her side a long, well crafted sword, she closed her eyes and let pure holy energy into the weapon. It glowed pink, and she leapt up, plunging it where Naraku's heart should be.

The demon within the baboon costume stopped. Slowly, the body began to disintegrate. Before it was fully gone, Kagome was angered to hear laughter. On the ground, she saw the link to Naraku; the remains of the doll. She crushed it with her foot.

"Damn," she cursed. "I thought it was a puppet." Kagome looked around, trying to find Tojo. He was not too far away, the red blood lusted eyes had disappeared and were replaced with his normal orbs. He was breathing slightly harder than normal. Tojo's head glistened with a fresh, thin layer of sweat and perspiration.

"Stupid!" he yelled. Tojo curled his hands into fists at his sides. He just stood there, the anger slowly seeping away from him.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha ran over, sheathing his Tetsusaiga. He shook her shoulders lightly. "Are you all right? Are you injured or anything?" She ignored him. Soon his worriedness turned to anger. "What the hell were you thinking? You could have gotten killed? Why didn't you listen to what I told you?" Kagome whipped around quickly, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Am I your pet?" she asked angrily. "Must I listen to every little thing you say and follow all of your demands? I am my own, and I will do as I wish. Stop bothering me; I am no longer associated with you, Dog Demon." Kagome turned away coldly, calming walking away.

Inuyasha was shocked. What had happened to Kagome? Had he really hurt her this much?Or had something else happened? The fair haired half demon reached out to stop her, but was stopped as a hand reached out to grab his arm.

"Don't touch her," growled Tojo. He dropped Inuyasha's arm and followed after Kagome.

"Just who the hell are you?" snarled Inuyasha. It angered him that this demon was involved with Kagome in any way.

"I am Tojo Yamato, Lord of the Eastern Lands, and Kagome's lover." Tojo turned back and glarded icily at him. "Do not touch her. Or I shall kill you personally."

As the pair ran off, Inuyasha could only stare blankly after them. Kagome had found someone new? Inuyasha had always had a sneaking suspicion that Kagome might have liked him, but it had not been confirmed until he had been told by Miroku and Sango.

Even as there was nothing left to stare after, Inuyasha stood there. And then he came to a conclusion. His heart becoming only slightly lighter, he knew. 'I know who I love. And - I think that it's Kagome.'

a/n: haha, hate me why don't ya! i'm so sorry that this took so long! i have awful writer's block, but your wonderful reviews kept me going! I would like to reach 100 reviews! yay!

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