I'm back people! I'M BACK FROM THE DEAD! Sorry for the long delay, but let me tell you it was entirely my fault. I was being a lazy author, too busy reading other fanfiction's to write my own! Then school started. I kept telling my self I was going to work on this, but then I kept putting it off. I'M SORRY! It took an angry fan to e-mail me, demanding I get my butt in gear, to make me post this chapter. So keep that it mind, continuously annoying me DOES make me write faster. Have fun!
Demons Don't Cry
Chapter 11-The Price of Revenge
Time slowed as Kagome heard the twang of Kikyo releasing another arrow. Before anyone could blink it was over. Sesshoumaru smirked as he heard several amazed gasps issue from behind. Kagome stood calmly, as if nothing had happened, Kikyo's arrow held delicately between her index and middle finger, the tip mere centimeters from her heart. Slowly she held out the arrow, eyes locked with Kikyo's, the edges burning with red-hot fury. Kagome snapped the arrow in two with ice cold precision, then silently set about to stalk the Priestess from Hell.
"In the end, Kikyo, it is you who will always lose. Do you know why? It is because you have killed everything you ever loved. There is no one here to blame but yourself for Inuyasha's death. Now you will suffer as well."
Sesshoumaru watched the exchange with rising amusement. In his opinion the undead miko was already doomed. Instead he observed Kagome's movements, noticing the flow and rhythm in her step. She possessed a fair amount of natural talent in battle, which was absolutely necessary if she were ever going to become a truly worthy student. He sat back impassively, allowing a tiny smile to grace his features. The Western Lord dearly loved combat, even if he wasn't the one fighting.
Kagome quickly advanced on Kikyo, scanning her enemy through narrowed eyes. Almost immediately, she noticed changes overcome her body. Her weight had shifted to the balls of her feet, allowing for absolute silence while moving. Everything became sharper as her senses homed in on Kikyo. She noticed the delicate rustle of cloth over skin and the miniscule stitches holding together a recent tear. She observed the movement of her opponent's chest as it rose and fell, mimicking a now unnecessary breath. She crouched low to the ground as she approached, making herself a smaller target. Muscles bunched and coiled, claws flexed, Kagome raised her bow and readied an arrow to fire.
It flew through the air like a shooting star, trailing sacred energy in a graceful arc. Kikyo watched the arrow calmly, never moving or even bothering to blink. Her body stood perfectly outlined by the rising sun, the distinctive red and white priestess outfit fluttering gently in the breeze. Wind gently brushed her hair behind her shoulders, giving the illusion of serenity. Kagome's arrow crashed down just to her right, blowing a small crater in the ground. Kikyo just smirked, still unfazed, as dust and grit blew by her face.
"As usual, you missed. Really, Kagome, I would have thought after four years of traveling with Inuyasha your aim might have improved. It continually amazes me that a pathetic weakling like such as yourself could ever be my reincarnation. "
'How dare she!' Kagome howled in rage, charging up the hill to slash the priestess down, her demonic blood dictating revenge. Immediately the enraged demon realized her mistake. While charging, she had left herself wide open to an attack. Kikyo lifted her hand with cold eyes and sent a blast of purifying energy in her direction. The Inuyoukai gave a desperate scream of pain and frustration as she was sent smashing into the ground several yards away. Kikyo slowly paced to her hunched form, like a vulture waiting for the kill.
"How I hate you Kagome. I have dreamed of this moment for years, this and nothing else. If I cannot have Inuyasha, then you shall be mine."
With a flick of her wrist and a silent command, four soul collecting demons flew from the forest. Their lithe bodies twisted and entwined around her own, holding her as an unwilling captive. Kagome snarled and howled, batting the demons away. But the more she struggled, the tighter their hold became. With a final cry she slumped over in defeat, utterly exhausted. Dimly she was aware of the dark miko's cruel laughter in the background. 'The only person she hates more than Inuyasha is me. Why did it have to be this way? The only crime she ever committed was loving a hanyou. Now she is trapped within her everlasting hatred. I will end this madness and send her spirit to rest, once and for all.' Kagome focused her attention back on the Priestess, who seemed to be planning something, her eye slowly seeping red. The sickeningly sweet voice of what was once Kikyo floated over the air, invading her sensitive ears.
"Ah, my demonic reincarnation, I finally have you. The remaining question is what to do with you, hmmm?" Kagome snarled furiously. Kikyo's eyes lit with malicious intent as sudden inspiration struck her on the spot.
"Oh, I have an idea! I think I'll put a dog collar on you, a subduing spell, just like the one you placed on Inuyasha. It is the only thing your youkai strength could never hope break. My eternal slave. Poetic justice, wouldn't you say?" All the color drained from Kagome's cheeks. It was pure miko magic, the kind she would never be able to counter. The spells were specifically designed to control demons, and whatever else she was now, she was most definitely demon. If Kikyo placed a subduing spell upon her, she would surely fall. Silently she cursed her own selfish stupidity.
Sesshoumaru was furious. His demonic aura flew off him in waves, causing the surrounding grass to shrivel and die. He was continually clenching his fists, releasing blood to flow from his arms in startling vermilion rivulets. An almost inaudible growl rolled around the hilltop, setting the lecherous monk, the demon exterminator and the old priestess on edge. At last Kaede stepped forward as Sesshoumaru began to finger the hilt of his sword. Hesitantly she put a comforting hand on his shoulder, hoping he wouldn't turn and behead her. His only reaction was to tilt his head a millimeter and growl louder.
"Go to her, Lord Sesshoumaru. She needs your help. My sister must be destroyed, for all that remains of her is evil."
At last Sesshoumaru gave a silent nod and disappeared over the treetops. Kaede let out a sigh of relief and turned to her friends.
"Sango, Miroku, go warn the village. I have a feeling there is going to be trouble. Make sure you tell the elders to strengthen the defenses as soon as possible. Now hurry!" Sango and Miroku instantly ran off, Kirara following closely at their heels. They were in no mood to stick around and witness the wrath of Sesshoumaru. Kaede turned back to the battle and slowly let her body sink to the ground. Wearily she closed her eyes and began to chant a mantra of protection, hoping her precious village would be spared.
Kagome snarled in helpless rage. She couldn't escape the hold Kikyo's soul collectors had on her. Desperately she reached for her bow lying on the ground a few yards away. Try as she might, the weapon remained just beyond her grasp. Finally she gave up, giving in to the hopelessness of her situation. Nearby Kikyo sat in prayer, readying the subduing spell that would herald her doom. She sighed in sadness, thinking of all that she would miss. Rin's laughter, Shippo's adorable smile, the feel of Sesshoumaru's lips over hers... As if the very thought had summoned him, she detected his uniquely refreshing sent upon the air. Unable to resist a smile, she turned her head to observe the majestic Inu approaching. Like a knight in shining armor, he stood framed by the rising sun. His eyes burned with the fires of hell, scorching Kikyo to the spot.
"Release her." He demanded, his voice wielding the deep command of a Lord and the promise of death at disobedience. Kikyo's eyes snapped open, studying the taiyoukai in surprise. Her face twisted into an insolent scowl as she responded to his demand with fury.
"You are too late, Demon dog. The wench cannot be saved." With a last withering glare at Sesshoumaru, she released her spell. The beads sprang from her hand, charged with a powerful purifying energy. They flew through the air, like fireworks, in a headlong rush for Kagome's struggling form. At the last moment, Sesshoumaru drew Tokijin.
"Kagome!" He called, and tossed the sword in her direction. She raised her hand to catch it without a second thought. As the hilt came in contact with her skin, she gasped. Immediately, the sword's inherently evil aura flared to life. Kagome's skin burned as her own powers flared to the surface in response. With an earsplitting scream the sword purified, instantly turning a blinding shade of white. Kagome growled with conviction, confidently wielding her new weapon. It responded in kind, singing under her claws. She swung the blade to meet her opponent's attack, miko energy meeting miko energy. There was a crippling wave of raw power, flattening everything within a hundred-meter radius.
Kagome lost herself in rage. Her vision had narrowed to mere slits and she saw only through hazy red. Dimly she was aware of shredding through the soul collectors, of decimating their bodies and scattering their remains. Finally she came back to herself, only to find she was laughing gleefully over their mangled corpses. The thrill of victory a heady rush of joy and exhilaration. Adrenaline rocketed her body into action, flying over village huts in hot pursuit of Kikyo.
Sesshoumaru rose slowly to his feet. He had witnessed Kagome's startling display of demonic power. There was no doubt in his mind now that the demoness wouldn't have any trouble defeating her hated enemy. Carefully he made his way over to the spot where she last stood, observing his forgotten sword. Tokijin lay on the ground, cleanly split in two pieces. The blade had been forged from the tooth of Goshinki (I think that's his name.), the only demon he had ever known to possess the ability to break Tetsusaiga. This sword was no toy, yet Kagome had snapped it in half with her power. 'That should be impossible,' Sesshoumaru mused, confusion wrinkling his brow. 'The only way her miko powers could ever remain that powerful, was if the Shikon was still in existence.' He frowned in thought, bringing his arms up to rest on his chest. It was then that he noticed something odd around his right wrist. There, resting tightly around his hand, was a bright red bracelet made of prayer beads. His eyes widened in horror as he realized just what it was.
Kagome practically flew through the forest, her feet barely touching the ground. Ahead, she could make out Kikyo's retreating form, weaving through trees in a futile attempt to remain undetected. The priestess had slowed down considerably, having lost several of her life sustaining souls in the blast of spiritual energy. At once she turned, sensing her furious reincarnation about to strike. They traded blows fast and furious, a blur upon the hilltop. Kikyo relied on her greater experience in battle to keep the upper hand. Kagome used her limitless speed and strength to match Kikyo's cunning, meeting her enemy blow for blow. At last the two combatants separated, backing away to wearily circle around each other. Kikyo breathed hard, watching suspiciously for any sign of the inuyoukai's charge. She carefully observed her opponent's eyes, seeing there a wild animal-like rage that would stop at nothing to bring about her demise. Kikyo smiled thinly, knowing that she had not lost everything to her reincarnation, it was inevitable that they meet like this, fighting to the death.
"Somewhere over the years, I lost my humanity. When I died, what innocence I had left fled my body. I always thought that was why Inuyasha fell in love with you. Because you possessed what I no longer had. But it seems I was gravely mistaken. For you have no more humanity, purity or innocence than I do. You are nothing more than an animal, a rabid dog." Kagome howled, years of standing in Kikyo's shadow coming to light. She brought all the power her being possessed into one single attack, releasing a blast of energy so intense it leveled the entire mountain. To her amazement, it worked. Kikyo lay several feet away, still. Reluctantly Kagome approached her, unwilling to get close. She stopped a short distance away, falling to her knees in relief. 'At last, this terrible battle is over. I can return to blissful peace.' Her head bowed in silent prayer, long silver hair shielding her face from view.
At length, Kagome felt a small tug in her chest. Straightening quickly, she glanced around to see what it could be. 'There it is again! It feels as if there's a hole in my chest. Was I wounded without realizing it?' She glanced down at herself and frowned, apparently unharmed. Then it came again, stronger this time. Kagome glanced at the fallen priestess and gasped in realization. 'It's my soul calling out to me! It wishes to return to my body.' The demoness glided to Kikyo's side, pausing in apprehension. She knelt beside the body, gingerly placing her index and middle finger upon the miko's forehead. A gentle wind blew at Kagome's form, whipping her hair about her face. Unexpected warmth rushed through her hand, along with a soft glow. Kagome watched her soul slip from Kikyo's chest and slowly enter her own with silent amazement. When everything was completed, she sat back with a heavy sigh, finally allowing her weary body to rest. Before her, Kikyo's body quickly dissolved into a pile of dirt.
Sudden agony raced along her spine. Her body twisted in torment, rejecting the darkness of her new soul. 50 years of repressed hatred, anger at Inuyasha, pain, fear and death flooded her body. 'Kikyo's soul.' Kagome realized, although much too late, that Kikyo's hatred was now her own. Weakly she tried to summon her miko powers, but the battle had exhausted all of her reserves. She had nothing left to purify her own corrupted soul. Fury swamped her mind, halting all rational thought. All that remained was the overwhelming urge to kill.
Kaede returned to the village as soon as Kagome had left, chasing after her sister. The old priestess was now working alongside the villagers, reinforcing walls and boarding up homes. She looked to the forest and shook her head in regret. 'What has my sister done now? I have a feeling it is more terrible than anything this village has ever known.' She was interrupted from her thoughts by a blood-curdling scream. Someone in the forest was in desperate pain. 'Kagome, poor child.' A moment later the miko's senses went on high alert as she felt an explosion of demonic power. The ground beneath her feet began to rumble, trees shook and houses trembled. A shadow fell upon the tiny village. Kaede's jaw dropped in terror. This was a demon of the likes she had hoped to never meet.
There stood a great white dog, towering above the forest. It's fur floated in all directions, aided by a mysterious wind. Its eyes glowed with the fury of God, promising death to all who dared to look upon it. It snorted in anger, lumbering towards her humble village. The trees parted before it's giant paws like water, snapping under the pressure. The claws scraped long furrows in the ground, etching a path a total destruction. On it's brow rested an indigo moon, flashing brightly under the morning sun. With mounting horror, Kaede realized the truth. It was Kagome. "Kami help us," she whispered.
And there it is, finally completed! The eleventh chapter of DDC! Well, how did you like it? Come on now speak up, you can't be TOTALLY speechless in awe. LOL, anyway if you have any plot suggestions, comments, or still wish to vote on what Fluffy's subduing command will be, make sure to review! I love you all, my precious readers! –Stel
To my reviewers: I am so amazed. I received more reviews for this story than I ever thought possible. Please, I want to let you know how much each and every review meant to me. I read them all, make no mistake about that. And they brighten my day, every time. Thank you! There are just too many to list this for this chapter, and my fingers are tired from typing. So be content just to know that you hold a special place in my heart. (Was that too sappy? I try SO hard. Lol)
Bye everybody! Until next time...