Enchanted Orbs

Chapter 44 Battle of Possession

Warning: The perspective is going to change rather rapidly. I do not wish to mark every single switch with picket fences so, bear with me. I'll try to make it obvious who is the first person character, but …well we'll see, won't we?

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As the sun completed its journey and set behind the trees at their backs, Sesshoumaru and Aishi were reaching the Eastern Fortress. The taiyoukai searched the area for any signs of danger, but strangely nothing was out of the ordinary. There was supposed to be an attacking army or a field of dead and injured, but there was nothing.

This made both general and lord uneasy.

Sesshoumaru then searched specifically for Kagome, and he couldn't find her. She had become very adept at hiding all signs of her existence, but he could usually find her with a bit of concentration. In all likelihood, she was in the palace seeking solitude.

With a slight gesture to Aishi, Sesshoumaru signaled their stop just inside the ring of trees. Both still feeling uneasy about the passing silence of the manor, they would approach with caution.

However, Kagome showed much less caution. The creature had sifted through the entirety of her memories and found many things of interest. One such thing was the growing relationship between the miko and her lord. Also to his liking, were the abilities she had at her disposal, but then again, he already knew she would be a great tool to have at his beck and call.

The only thing he would have to overcome was her kindness; his queen must be able to rule, and a ruler is not the friend of her subjects. She is the monarch. But with a few mental adjustments, all within his capability, he could fix her attitude.

But Kagome's involvement with Sesshoumaru could be of great advantage. For you see, the creature could always use another body, and the taiyoukai would work magnificently. Darkness was a great warrior, as was Sesshoumaru, with those two as his alternating hosts, the creature would be unstoppable. Both bodies were immortal, but it always helps to have a back up in case one host gets damaged. :evil grin: who saw this coming?

Kagome could be a good host, too, but he enjoyed possessing males. Their thought processes were easier to understand, him being the same sex, and thus easier to predict and manipulate. Plus, it was somewhat insulting to have to mentally possess the one you are trying to woo. The creature had little scruples, but even that seemed a bit odd. He would if he was forced, but what little resistance she offered could be overcome when the taiyoukai was under his control.

With his decision made, he altered Kagome's course. She was only a short distance from the recently arrived lord, and he would take advantage of that. There was another with Sesshoumaru, but his presence could be dispatched easily enough. One thing all males understood was sex.

Kagome was aware within herself, but she couldn't do anything. It was as if she sat and watched everything happen through a window, but was locked inside with no way out. She could feel his irritation at her resistance, so she knew she was doing something with her attempts to break free, but it seemed as if she was an ant throwing pebbles at a giant.

There was one advantage her body being possessed. Kagome had access to his memories; when he was tearing through her mind to find ways to control her, she sifted through his own. As he had violated the most intimate of moments in her life, Kagome had found ways to free those under him. But the results were not promising.

In most cases, when the creature released his control over something of lesser power with lesser will, the result was insanity. Time and repeated failure to overcome the creature's control wore down the willpower, and eventually all decisions made by the master creature seemed to be their own decisions. With the ever-present mental control gone, the captive had nothing left. Fear coursed through Kagome at this knowledge. Were Kouga, Ginta, and Hakkaku destined to go mad, or could they be saved?

Another thing she previously thought was an advantage turned into disadvantage very quickly. She knew his plan; she could hear his internal thoughts like a loudspeaker across her mind. One might think that a great blessing, but now she knew his intentions toward Sesshoumaru. And now Kagome knew that she would be the tool the creature used to gain her lord. She fought against her invisible bindings with all she had. There had to be some way to break free.

Again she felt his irritation, but this time she felt as if he put more effort into controlling her. Strange. A rush of heat flew through her veins when she knew how her captor planned on isolating Sesshoumaru. She would definitely be blushing if her body was hers. He wouldn't. He couldn't. How embarrassing! But there was also an inkling of curiosity. How would her stoic lord react to such strong advances? Would he turn her down, human that she was, or was he somewhat attracted to her?

She quickly reprimanded herself. If Sesshoumaru turned her down, then he would be able to better fight the creature controlling her. But Kagome couldn't lie to herself when there was nothing else to do but think; there were no more inner thoughts to try to hide. All things subconscious that Kagome had desperately tried to ignore had been viciously exposed to sunlight by the creature with his thorough search.

It wasn't fair, finding out you love someone by having your thoughts ripped open by another. But she really didn't have much time to harp on it because her body was only a few meters from Sesshoumaru, his white and silver form standing out in the darkness like a beacon in the night.

She felt her aura being released around her, no longer hiding. Sesshoumaru and Aishi spun to face her, both visibly relaxing when they found the power behind them was Kagome. Defensive positions dropped for a more casual stance. The miko felt herself smile.

"Good evening, Lord Sesshoumaru, General Aishi." Kagome winced, the volume of her own voice nearly drowning her. The loudspeaker effect of the creature's thoughts was much more preferable to the near deafening sound of her own spoken voice.

Aishi's eyes narrowed. Kagome never addressed him with such respect unless sarcasm was laced with her words. Something was wrong; not to mention that her normally indecent attire was much worse than usual.

When Sesshoumaru's gaze fell upon Kagome, his eyes widened. Why was she outside amongst the trees at this time of night? And why was she wearing clothing that left so much of her skin bare to the elements? Her legs and arms held signs of her carelessness as branches left angry, red marks across once fair skin. Nothing was right about this situation. Kagome had more intelligence than this.

"What has happened?" Sesshoumaru's voice inflected none of his suspicions.

"The invading army disbanded, milord." Kagome spoke, and again she was pained by her own voice.

"Why are you outside the fortress?" He pressed on despite such an inadequate explanation.

Kagome watched as her eyes left Sesshoumaru and traveled to Aishi. The creature's thoughts spun through her mind, and she tried to prepare herself for what was coming. She didn't want to watch, but in her bodiless state, drifting within her own mind, she had no eyelids to close, no head to turn away.

"I was looking for you, Sesshoumaru." Her voice dropped in pitch, a low seductive sound, that Kagome thought was downright trashy. She huffed inwardly at what this thing controlling her was making her do. As soon as she got her body back, he was going to get it. But secretly, which wasn't really a secret because of shared thoughts, she wondered what affect she could have on Sesshoumaru. Maybe, maybe…

Kagome felt her body move towards Sesshoumaru, but it wasn't her normal walk. There was more swaying involved as if she was standing on a boat being rocked by the ocean. She inwardly growled and began fighting harder. This was going to end. It had to end; she couldn't ever face Sesshoumaru again if the creature truly went through with the attempt at seduction.

She felt her hands brush her thighs as her hips swayed throughout her walk to her lord. That could be overlooked, but then…Kagome flushed with indignant rage as her hands gripped her waist and flowed across her own skin, pressing against her ribcage and traveling up and down, trailing her fingertips under her tank-top and across the flesh of her stomach as a lover would.

The miko was furious. She could feel the amusement lacing through the creature at her emotions. He was enjoying her discomfort immensely. Sooner or later, he would get it. If only she had claws…

Aishi's face openly expressed his shock at her actions. He had seen many of Sesshoumaru's memories, but from not one had he gotten the impression that his lord and Kagome had shared any carnal experiences. Had his lord hidden those experiences or was there something wrong with this situation? Aishi had never seen the miko act in such a manner, but he guessed anything was possible.

Sesshoumaru knew that this was not a normal occurrence, and he knew that something was definitely wrong. That sick feeling assaulted him again. Was he too late? He looked deep into Kagome's eyes. Her blue depths promised him that she would do anything and everything he wished. Her eyes held the heat that one gains deep in the seduction; that dark light that fills the eyes when your partner knows you won't refuse, the knowledge that things had progressed too far and there was no turning back.

The things she silently promised him made his body react. Yes, she was human; yes, she would not be his, ever…but his body could care less. Sesshoumaru's mind reminded him that the miko was not for him, but his body saw a way to relieve the frustrations with which she had gifted him.

But they were in the middle of the forest, had company, and this was not Kagome. If anyone had the control to simply dismiss such advances, it was him. But despite all that, he was relieved to see life in her eyes. The being before him was not a shell or golem. Perhaps he looked at a shapeshifter who was impersonating Kagome? There was only one way to find out what was going on, he had to follow through with events long enough to discover what was coming then spring the trap before it was ready.

Aishi had noticed the near invisible movements of his lord. Sesshoumaru was shifting slightly; none other would have been able to detect them. He struggled to retain the smirk that wanted free; perhaps Sesshoumaru's choice about the miko had been made for him. He turned to his lord after all mirth had passed without being expressed on his face.

"I will take my leave of you now, milord." Aishi spoke calmly, his voice not expressing the extreme curiosity about the situation which he was willing to leave. But he could not shake the feeling that something was not right. He turned to leave, but his departure was stopped.

Sesshoumaru called out after him. "Aishi."

The general turned to look back at his lord. A heavy silence filled the air as both shared their gaze.

The creature possessing Kagome tried to enter their minds and hear their thoughts, but he was denied. Both creatures had very stout barriers barring their minds from him. He would not be able to break them from a distance. He needed to lure the lord to an area where he would have direct access to Sesshoumaru instead of having to use Kagome as his host. He watched as the heavy look ended between the youkai and watched Aishi leave.

Sesshoumaru faced the girl wondering what would happen next. He was not used to being confused about things; he did not like being unsure about the actions being taken around him. This entire situation greatly unsettled him, and the fact that he was willing to be dragged into such a situation to save Kagome spoke mountains to him. Aishi was right; he did love her. He had acknowledged that in some manner, but until now, until he was willing to risk everything to save her, when in truth he was unsure whether she was in danger, until he felt that unmistakably miserable feeling when he thought she was in danger, he had still questioned Aishi's declaration.

And with that one realization, he was thrown farther into unknown territory.

Kagome stopped inches from him; looking up into his face, she tilted her head to the side a bit and blinked slowly at him. Sesshoumaru's brow furrowed…what now. Kagome smiled at him and ran her hand over his arm, never breaking his gaze.

"I found a lovely spot by the water where we could talk. We have things we need to discuss." Kagome spoke smoothly, her voice still deeper than usual. The voice raged through her ears again, and Kagome began to wonder if you could actually get a headache if you had no physical head.

The miko seethed within her own skull. This was ridiculous; the whole situation was unimaginable. Silently she was pleased that Sesshoumaru hadn't turned down her advances, but extreme discomfort settled into her metaphysical being. Would this creature allow her first intimate act with a male, well, besides her first kiss, to happen while she was locked in what amounted to a closet within her own body? Was he really going to seduce Sesshoumaru with her body, or was it just a ploy to get him isolated?

She felt the indignant sigh of the creature and his thoughts echoed across the space within which she was contained. No, she would not share her body with Sesshoumaru, yet. Her first act would be with him, she would be his queen. Though her former lord might become his pawn as well, then Kagome would be welcome to give her body to him.

Kagome was being pushed far past her limits, but there was absolutely nothing she could do. She viciously shot back to him that she would never be his queen. She would allow herself to die first.

She felt his amusement drift over her and his answering thought. But this time, instead of just knowing what he was thinking, his exact words raged across her, searing her with his threat. 'Then I will be forced to crush your resistance. You will be mine Kagome, one way or another. Stop fighting, it is futile.'

If she had been capable of crying, she would have.

Sesshoumaru silently followed the girl he refused to believe was Kagome until she stopped and turned to him. The smile returned to her face and she started speaking to him again.

"How were your travels, Lord Sesshoumaru?" Kagome's captor purred through her mouth.

The taiyoukai was about to reply with a noncommittal response when he felt something attacking his mental shield. His eyes narrowed; otherwise, he gave no outward impression of knowing what was happening. If he could pinpoint from where it was coming, he could dispatch the being responsible. No doubt it was someone with loyalties to the one calling himself Darkness.

Creatures with such astounding mental capabilities were usually cursed with deflated and near useless bodies as a result of their psychological prowess. If the lord could find him before he broke through his defenses, there would be no effort in dispatching the youkai. Thanks to Aishi and his training sessions, the taiyoukai's defenses were in excellent shape.

Scanning the area, while continuing with the mindless banter with the girl, and retaining his composure was not an easy as it appeared while this being was battering at his mind. Sesshoumaru doubled his efforts to find his attacker, but before he succeeded, Kagome's hand gripped his. Her fingers delicately traced across the sensitive skin of under his wrist, effectively distracting him.

He felt the efforts to breach his shields increase, but he held them together.

The creature watched through Kagome's eyes and his own, observing the powerful lord resisting his attempts. Brilliant green eyes narrowed in frustration. Sesshoumaru was too strong to force his way through, but there were other ways. Doubts, confusion, and anger were tools that greatly increased the creature's chances of slipping through defenses. He quickly changed his tactic, and Kagome released Sesshoumaru.

The taiyoukai felt the barrage against his mind end as abruptly as it started, and he felt Kagome release his hand at the same time. His eyes narrowed in suspicion; he had a very good idea of what was going on but he still was uncertain how to fix the situation if he was correct.

Sesshoumaru watched as the life left Kagome's eyes, like water draining away after a rain. This upset him greatly, but he had not the time to remedy the situation because she began walking away from him. He was stopped before calling out to her by the sight of Darkness materializing in front of one of the surrounding trees. The shadows had kept him successfully hidden until he wished otherwise.

"Greetings, Lord Sesshoumaru. We meet again." Darkness called to him.

Sesshoumaru offered him no reply as he watched Kagome walk up to the foreign warrior and stopped directly in front of him, facing him. White teeth flashed against the night as Darkness smiled down at the girl. The taiyoukai watched their interaction warily.

The creature had successfully blanked Kagome's mind and left, putting all his efforts into controlling Darkness and trying to invade Sesshoumaru's mind. It would be easier to enter the taiyoukai's thoughts if he could upset the demon; with the thoughts roaming Kagome's mind, the creature had a pretty good idea of what would upset the lord.

Darkness was tall, much taller than Kagome; Sesshoumaru watched he bent his head to Kagome's neck. The dark being made an agonizing show of breathing deeply of the miko's skin, but he never removed those ebony eyes from the Western Lord. Darkness placed both hands on Kagome's shoulders and turned her to face Sesshoumaru.

Her eyes were still lifeless; she looked like a broken doll. The taiyoukai silently vowed to demolish the one responsible as painfully as possible. He stared directly into the black eyes of the one behind her. Though none but Sesshoumaru knew, the lord was dangerously close to releasing his wrath upon everything in his path until Kagome's lively spirit was returned to her.

Darkness reached down to grab Kagome's hand. He held it in his, beside them about chest high, well within Sesshoumaru's line of sight. Strong black fingers slid amongst small white digits, teasing the youkai before them.

Sesshoumaru was struck by the sight before him. She was so tiny. Darkness was a warrior of similar height to the taiyoukai, but the dark being was stouter. Muscle was corded across his shoulders and chest. Sesshoumaru was incredibly strong, but his build was slimmer.

And Kagome stood before this creature like a child. Her body, though curved and appealing, was almost consumed by the bigger man behind her. His fingers were thicker and longer; Kagome's hand looked so delicate against his. Her skin stood out in stark contrast against his, her fair flesh screamed against his skin and the night.

Sesshoumaru's perception of her changed in that second.

His Kagome, the strong, fierce, fiery woman whom he had come to respect a great deal stood before him, but he had never truly seen her like this. Fragile. She was powerful and beautiful, but now, he saw before him a delicate girl. The miko had never allowed herself to be seen like this; her posture and demeanor demanded respect. But before him now she was so delicate. Someone to be protected, handled so carefully or she'd break, cherished. If he survived long enough, he would guarantee on pain of death that the man who courted her be strong enough to protect her but gentle enough to revere her.

Or he would die, impaled upon Sesshoumaru's claws.

But that was a problem to be contemplated later. At the present, there was another pressing situation with which to be dealt. Kagome was gone; replaced by this doll which was being held by his newest nemesis. Yes, a much more pressing situation.

Onyx eyes swept down the front of Kagome's body; heat filled those eyes. Sesshoumaru almost growled, but he stopped himself when those dark eyes met his. Darkness smirked, it was time to see how far the taiyoukai could be pushed.

"She is beautiful, is she not, Lord Sesshoumaru?" His voice, already achingly deep, adopted the heat in his eyes.

Sesshoumaru did not wish for his enemy to know what Kagome was to him, so he answered harshly. "I suppose, for a bothersome, human wench."

Kagome was stuck alone in her body. The creature had vacated her mind, but she still could not retake her ability to move. She struggled, trying to push this weight from her mind, trying to unlock the door the creature had shut on her. But she froze when she heard Sesshoumaru's reply. Bothersome. Human wench. The words, though normally harmless coming from Inuyasha, struck deep through Sesshoumaru's mouth, and her efforts ceased.

Darkness smirked at Sesshoumaru. "Normally, I would have killed you for insulting my future queen in such a manner, but I am in a good mood with her pressed against me." For emphasis, the free hand slid across her stomach pressing her small body backwards, resting against him.

Sesshoumaru tried to ignore the blatantly sexual tone of the man behind Kagome, but it was incredibly hard. His only comfort was that he could not save her unless he knew what was happening. It was a cold comfort, but it would have to do for now. He concentrated on the other words Darkness had said.

Queen. It rang across his mind like a gong. His brow furrowed, that information disturbed him. Greatly

The creature knew his words through the mouth of Darkness had an effect on the male before him, but the taiyoukai hadn't gifted him with a response. He decided to move the script along faster; there was one phrase that should sink into his body like a dagger, and he would use it now.

Funny how the 'immortal' concept, his main weapon against Kagome, would be the final punch to Sesshoumaru's barrier. The creature watched anxiously from a tree. He had abandoned his traditional hiding spot under black, braided hair because if Sesshoumaru decided to attack Darkness, the master did not wish to be so close to the battle.

Darkness took his cue from his master. "My immortal bride" He murmured like a secret, sweet nothings between lovers, into the night, but it was clear to the youkai's abilities.

And Sesshoumaru stumbled. Immortal? Surely he was mistaken, Kagome was human.

Confusion was etched across Sesshoumaru's strong features, and Darkness laughed. "She didn't tell you her new discovery then? She will live as long as you and I…perhaps longer than you." The creature baited Sesshoumaru through his puppet, then turned a full battery of assaults against his mind.

But Sesshoumaru felt the first strike and fought for his shields to hold. He knew the game now, but it was much harder to grip his shields. The full force of the mental raid left him feeling a bit lightheaded, but his defenses were still intact.

Irritated that his words didn't have the desired effect, he decided to let his words carry his sentiments. And Darkness continued to be his weapon.

"It is very interesting, don't you think, Sesshoumaru?" Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed at the disrespect this thing before him was showing, but the taunts of the one called Darkness would be swallowed for now because those who are both arrogant and narcissistic often enjoy speaking of their brilliance. And in the end, Sesshoumaru wanted Darkness to speak; he wanted him to spill all of his plans and abilities.

The lord would silently wait as long as needed.

"Her immortality caused her such fear and confusion that access to her mind was easily gained, and now, her resistance, which was quite a nuisance, I assure you, was effectively killed by you. The one she tries so desperately not to love has given me full control over her; with your cruel words, her fighting ceased. Thank you, Sesshoumaru, for now I will have every part of her." His dark eyes bore into the taiyoukai's very soul, and he smiled.

The dark hand that had been pressed against her stomach moved up, running fingers through her hair, grasping the strands and tilting her head. Then Darkness forcefully brought his lips to Kagome's, his grip tightening in her hair, forcing her mouth open and searching with his lips, teeth, and tongue.

Kagome had given up. It was true; her struggles were useless anyways. And what was the point after what Sesshoumaru had said. He obviously didn't care about her freedom; he was only here to dispatch the danger to his lands then he would be on his way. The heartless youkai would probably leave her lying on the forest floor trapped within her body. It wasn't true, but to Kagome she had no doubt of its accuracy.

And now, the enemy's toy, this man, as black as night, was using her, manipulating her prison to his will, stealing the intimacy she had only shared with one other. She wanted to feel outrage, pain, irritation, determination…anything, but she couldn't. Kagome didn't feel anything but numbness, the blissful void.

She felt her power rise up within her; the dead feeling spurred the energy to attack as it had before, but Kagome couldn't bring herself to care. The last thought traveling through the void was, 'At least my power will kill me. It is better than being a pawn for the rest of my unnatural life.'

The kiss did it. Sesshoumaru's control of his defenses left when the anger flooded his mind. That thing was kissing his Kagome without his or her permission. Intolerable. Rage flew threw him instantly. Too late he realized that he was still engaged in a battle for his mind. He desperately tried to regain his barrier, but the creature had found his way in before Sesshoumaru could block his attack.

Glee filled the creature as he broke through Sesshoumaru's defenses. Now everything was at his command, Darkness, Kagome, and Sesshoumaru. Nothing could stop him now.

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Ohhh, evil cliffie! I'm going to get roasted aren't I? Heehee. Sorry folks, but I've had so many people give me these "good chapter, but I hate cliffies," reviews, when it WASN'T a cliffhanger. Therefore, I present to you this ending. I'm a sadist, yes…but its fun. I'll update soon. Until then, if you have questions or actively want to flame me, my MSN account is on my profile. I just don't have the time to answer reviews, as much as I would like to, I just can't right now.

Oh, and I couldn't resist answering this review…Skitzoflame: yes, in the books where Darkness is featured, he has a "real name" though, I'm sorry, its not Bob. lol. His name is Doyle. He is the captain of the Queen's Guard (called her Ravens), the most feared warrior among his kind. The nickname "Darkness" was given to him by the queen. In the immortal words of Mrs. Hamilton (see previous disclaimer) "He was the queen's right hand. She would say 'Where is my Darkness? Bring me my Darkness.' And someone would die or bleed or both." A Kiss of Shadows p169. Not proper documentation, but it'll do for now.

Much love, until next time.