Hello. Welcome to the Fanfiction theature. We would appreciate it if you refrained from smoking, talking or flash photography during the show. Thank You. And now, we give you..... Chapter 12!

The Beast Within

Sesshoumaru jumped up. A snarl rumbled through his chest, menacing and lethal. Something was happening to Kagome. He could sense her unique aura, the demon underlying a beacon of purity. But hatred tainted her sent, along with confusion and fear. It was her fear that made his hackles rise, poison throbbing under his claws. Sesshoumaru's body longed for combat. Snarling again, he shook his head to clear it.

"Kagome," he muttered. Her pain permeated the air, causing a familiar ache to form in his chest. 'What has happened to you?' The desire to protect, to defend, to shelter his demoness forever rose fiercely in his heart. In another moment he was gone, racing towards her silent summons.

Sesshoumaru reached the summit of the bluff, halting in frozen shock, eyes wide and golden. 'Her true form.' Kagome stood just below him. Long white fur billowing in the crisp morning breeze, the wind carelessly reaching out to twirl her tail, tossing it playfully in the air. She struck a perfect pose, ears and mane waving majestically, nose held high and proud. There she rested the brilliant form that had dominated all his dreams of late. Her absolute beauty caused the Lord to catch his breath. At last, he had found his equal. But the radiant joy bursting from his heart soon gave way to confusion.

For a moment she looked back over her shoulder, and their eyes met. What Sesshoumaru saw disturbed him deeply. She was in pain. There was fear, vast anger, but most of all confusion. 'She doesn't know what's happening to her. She's not even aware of her true form, this hasn't happened before.' Her innocence pulled at his heart, leading him closer to her presence. Instantly Kagome pulled away, turning to escape his intense gaze. She kept shaking her head, pawing at the air and snorting. A noise from the village caught her attention, propelling her closer to her home. The Demon Lord studied her short jerky movements, quivering muscles and bloodshot eyes. There was no doubt in Sesshoumaru's mind that she meant to destroy Musashi's Domain, and everything within it.

'She is too far-gone to be called back. Agony and torment have pushed her over the edge of reason. She must be stopped now, or I fear the consequences will destroy everything she holds dear.' Sesshoumaru briefly recalled the young kitsune she had named her son, steeling his will. His blood beast called from within, raging for battle. With a reluctant snarl Sesshoumaru let himself go, feeling the raw power soar through his body. He looked down and saw two white paws tipped with deadly poisonous claws, dripping with toxin. Carefully he allowed himself to smile. 'Oh, this will be fun.'

By the time he reached his true size Kagome had felt him. Slowly she turned to regard this new threat. An unknown male intruding upon her territory was enough to snap her already nonexistent restraint. The two dogs snarled at each other, hackles raised and teeth bared. Sesshoumaru had the high ground, perched atop the cliff like it was a castle. Kagome crouched in the valley below, ready at the slightest movement to strike. The wind whipped at their fur and stung their eyes. For a moment everything was absolutely still. Sesshoumaru's growl cut the air like a knife, lashing Kagome's ears with all the sting of a bullwhip. It was the cry of the Inutaisho, dog general, a taunting snarl designed to call her out, deliberately challenging her right to the territory. Kagome took the bait, instantaneously flying into a fit of rage. In a moment she upon him, rearing up to bat at him with razor sharp claws. Sesshoumaru met her head on, ears laid back and fangs bared. He felt his jaws close around one of her forelegs. Powerful muscles contracted as his fangs sank in, toxic saliva mingling with blood. Kagome managed to sink her own teeth into his shoulder, tearing away a hunk of flesh and fur. They both came apart in a rush of air and a fit of snarls, staggering back to catch their breath. The poisonous sludge sank into Kagome's wound, making it impossible for her to use her leg. Sesshoumaru limped sideways, ignoring his own bleeding shoulder.

'She is tired, and wounded. It won't be long before she collapses. I must finish this quickly.' With that last thought burning in his mind, Sesshoumaru attacked once more. Kagome was taken completely off guard. The full force of Sesshoumaru's body slammed into her side, knocking her onto her back. In an instant Sesshoumaru was over her, pinning her to the ground with his considerable weight. She struggled wildly, red demonic eyes wide in fury. Sesshoumaru growled and pinned her tighter, restricting her movements. She began to snarl, thrashing in desperation, wriggling her body beneath his. The Prince of the West whimpered in protest, fighting in vain to repress his primal instincts. She was too close, too warm, and so vulnerable to his desire. Before he could stop himself he lowered his fangs to her throat, resting them carefully against her neck. Beneath him Kagome froze. She instinctively realized her complete vulnerability and stilled in submission. The slightest movement could kill her, yet she felt strangely safe. Sesshoumaru rumbled in quiet approval. At last she had learned her place. 'She will be mine.' Tenderly he bit her neck, then quickly pulled away.

Kagome's eyes stared up at him in wonder, melting back to lavender, free of the vicious fear that previously possessed them. 'At last, she has returned to herself.' Slowly his own eyes returned to gold as he reached down to lick away the blood from her neck. A fragile stillness settled on the two forms, announcing that the fight was, at last, over. 'She is mine now, mine and no one else's.' Her gentle purrs made him pull away again, so he could behold his beautiful mate. Suddenly Sesshoumaru blinked, his mind pulling out of its carnal haze. 'Mate!' He snarled and quickly jumped off of her, ears back in distress. 'What in Kami-sama's name made me mark her? What have I done!' He anxiously turned to regard the demoness. Kagome continued to lay on the ground unmoving, but her head turned to follow him, an irresistible question burning in her eyes. There was something about her that Sesshoumaru found deeply mysterious and eternally unreachable.

He snorted in dismay and pawed at the ground. 'Why can't I understand her, and why am I compelled to act so rashly in her presence?' He snarled in frustration and turned to stride away, but a brush on his shoulder stopped him. Kagome sat sagely beside him, curiously observing his true form. Her ears dipped in sudden sorrow as she noticed the bleeding wound on his shoulder. Hesitantly she moved closer to inspect. Sesshoumaru growled in warning, his pride not allowing him to accept her aid. Kagome just looked at him and snorted, darting forward before he could dodge away. Soothing warmth enveloped his shoulder, whisking the pain away. He whimpered in reluctant relief, turning his head to see what she was doing. Kagome gently licked at the wound washing away dirt and blood. The injury quickly healed, with each lick it closed a little more. Sesshoumaru stared in amazement. He had never healed this fast before. 'Kagome must be a natural Miko, a healer. Where my saliva is a caustic poison, hers is a healing balm.' When she finished, she gave him an affectionate lick on the nose. Sesshoumaru blinked in surprise, and found himself returning the gesture.

He moved away slowly and began to head towards the village. Kagome followed him closely but soon fell behind, limping badly on her injured leg. Sesshoumaru turned back and returned to her side, running his nose comfortingly along her flanks, his tail gently brushing across her chest. She whimpered softly and let her body fall, resting her stomach against the forest floor. Soon light and warmth surrounded her and her senses began to tingle. She closed her eyes at a brief moment of pain and opened them again to find that the world had changed. Slowly she raised an arm in wonder, noticing for the first time that is was a hand, not a paw. 'So I am human again. I can do no more damage.' She slumped down allowing herself a soft sigh of relief.

Before she could sink further into her dark thoughts a warm pressure was placed on her shoulder. She turned to meet the soft golden eyes of her companion. Quickly, almost impulsively, he leaned forward to brush his lips against hers. Kagome sat still, delighting in the feelings Sesshoumaru was evoking in her body. At last he pulled away, unable to hide a small grin of absolute self-satisfaction. They sat for a moment, trapped in each other's eyes. Reluctantly Sesshoumaru moved to stand, pulling Kagome up with him in the process.

"Come. We must return to the village. Kaede needs to look at your wound, and I sense there may be trouble with the farmers."

At his words fear flashed through Kagome's eyes.

"Stay!" She cried desperately. "I can't face the villagers yet. And I fear what is inside of me. Stay here with me, please?"

Sesshoumaru searched her eyes incredulously. 'She still fears her friends' reactions. But why? Do they hate demons so deeply that they would harm a dear friend?'

"If you wish it, I will stay."

He replied at last, appalled at his apparent lack of conviction when it came to bending under her will. Unnoticed by either of them, a sudden flare of purple appeared at Sesshoumaru's wrist, then died away to nothing. Kagome nodded her head in earnest relief, closing her eyes in a futile attempt to quiet her mind. She slowly sank back down to the ground, giving way momentarily to her wounds. Sesshoumaru sat beside her, watching her with a curious yet concerned gaze. At last he spoke the question that had been lurking in his mind since Kagome had last appeared.

"What happened?"

Kagome snarled and clenched her fists, trying to recall everything that had occurred.

"It was the priestess Kikyo. I destroyed her body, but her… MY soul endured."

Sesshoumaru tensed and closed his eyes.

'What do you mean, your soul?"

He asked, his voice more frigid than before. Kagome looked away, sadness clouding her features.

"Kikyo died long ago, as I'm sure you are aware. Her body was burned along with the Shikon No Tama. Then I was born, her reincarnation, with the Shikon inside my body. "

Sesshoumaru turned to look at her, an odd expression crossing his features.

"There came a strange witch demon, who desired to bring Kikyo back to life as her puppet. She stole Kikyo's ashes and created a new body from dirt and bones. But to bring her back to life, she needed the original soul. So she lured me there and took it."

Sesshoumaru interrupted with a rude snarl, tail twitching in frustration.

"And where was the half-breed during all of this? Did he not pledge to protect you?"

Kagome stayed silent for a moment then glanced off to the village, her eyes clouded and distant.

"He was there," she admitted at last. "As it is, I am extremely lucky I was able to retain half of my soul. Kikyo remained partly alive as well, with her soul collecting demons. But she seemed to dwell only on her hatred for Inuyasha, and the mistaken belief that he killed her. I suppose that eventually her soul became infused with the emotion. When I finally destroyed her and regained the other half of my soul, I wasn't prepared for the intensity of her hatred and it consumed me." Her voice dropped to a whisper and she clutched at her chest. "Even now, it rages to be let free."

Sesshoumaru frowned, leaning back to unsheathe Tensaiga. Kagome watched with a certain amount of curiosity as he held it out before him, staring deep into her reflection on the blade, as if in meditation. His body stilled, eyes slowly drifting shut as the spirits let their voices be known. Kagome felt a hint of apprehension as the time began to stretch on. Fearing, perhaps, that he had slipped unknowingly into death. But as soon as the thought crossed her mind his eyes snapped open, the penetrating gaze fixed rigidly upon her.

"Tensaiga has sensed your pain and desires to mend the rift in your soul. I can heal you, if you will let me."

Kagome met his eyes, allowing him to witness all the faith she placed in his heart. She nodded once, giving him permission to reconstruct her soul, trusting him with the ability to forever change the fundamental being of her existence. Calmly he stood, never taking his eyes from her own. The last thing she saw was the glint of silver above her head before she sank into the blissful darkness of oblivion.

"Kagome… Kagome! You must wake up!"

Groggily she blinked, wearily cracking open one eye. The world lay in shadow. A jab of fear stabbed her heart, making it hammer in her chest. She bolted upright, looking around frantically. Only darkness met her eyes. She was floating at the center of an endless abyss, without beginning or end. "Where am I?" She whispered, shrinking upon herself, curling into a tight little ball. After a moment of silence an answer floated upon across the void. It was a wonderful musical voice, dancing through the air to fall on her delicately pointed ears.

"This is the cavern of your soul, Kagome."

Immediately her fear receded, giving way to a growing sense of confusion.

"Who are you, and where is Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"Do not let yourself be troubled. Sesshoumaru watches over your body in the waking world, he awaits your return."

Kagome nodded in hesitant acceptance. Slowly she uncurled her body, sneaking furtive glances into the darkness. Her feet swayed back and forth making unconscious swimming motions, causing her body to rotate. Pale moonlight white locks of hair drifted in and out of her vision, floating about in unruly patterns. At length, the voice spoke again.

"As for me, it is more difficult to answer. I have been through countless ages, worn different faces and taken many forms. But you may call me by the name I was first given… Midoriko."

"How can that be?"

Kagome gasped. Her body began to tremble in silent awe. She was in the presence of a great warrior priestess who's story harkened back to the days of old. She bowed her head in respect, allowing humility to sink into her posture.

"Millennia I spent trapped within the prison of that jewel. Locked in mortal combat with my great demon foe. My mind grew tired and weak as I longed for freedom. And then, at long last, freedom was granted to me."

"When I destroyed the jewel." Kagome whispered.

"Yes." Midoriko affirmed. "I owe you an eternal debt of gratitude. Soon, I shall be able to rest."

Kagome could detect a warm smile in her tone. An answering wave of warmth flooded through her body. But when Midoriko next spoke, a hint of wistfullness entered her voice.

"But I cannot sleep, not yet. There is something here that remains to be done. That, Kagome, is why I have summoned you."

Hey guys! Thanks for reading. Sorry for the long delay. I'll try to update again as soon as possible.