Hello every body!
The evening, Kagome noted, was far quieter than what the afternoon had been. She hadn't gone to dinner and regretted the decision for when Akin found her searching through her pack she had brought with her for food he confiscated it in order for Sesshoumaru to look over the contents. A sigh erupted from her frame before the wind came to blow it into the air, far above her head and into the endless evening. Kagome felt as if her heart floated into the black night as well.
Behind Kagome, a deep voice broke the surrounding silence. "Do you enjoy this open air miko?" There was a slight amusement behind the spoken words as Kagome gasped in fright.
She answered after regaining her composure. "Yes I suppose I do Sesshoumaru." Kagome never turned to view the male standing behind her small form.
The demon gripped her wrists, forcing her to him. "Why is it that you are so bold as not to speak to this Sesshoumaru-sama in a respectful manner?"
"You do not respect me. I am known as Kagome, not miko, human or shard detector or even woman! I am Kagome." The female tore away from Sesshoumaru's touch as tears stung her eyes. A foul hatred seeped into her, for as she disrespected this man she realized kindness was stealing away from her, thanks to the bitter treatment of Inuyasha. Moments of silence passed, seeming like years and maybe even eternity until his voice broke the air.
"Sleep well, Kagome." The young woman heard the ridicule from behind that voice, the laughter he hid and the disgust he showed. She whirled around and gripped his arm turning him to her. Before she could speak his hand was to her throat and she was against the wall. "Ally or not I will end your life where you stand if you so dare to touch me ever again. Remember miko, I am not Inuyasha and so will not tolerate your formularities."
The demon glared into her eyes for a moment before dropping her onto the ground. The miko sat unmoving for quite a length of time though her hair swirled within the winds caress. Thoughts of Inuyasha and her friends caused tears to sting her eyes. Memories of who she was once and is not now harmed her person in a way that none could understand. Kagome lay on the ground and softly whimpered before sleep came. Her last thought being. "Why is it that at night we find how terrible nightmares can be?"
Akin came from the shadows as sleep over took her being. It was to be a slightly chilly night and so he wished her not to gain cold or any other illness that humans were so prone to catch. The youkai lifted her into his arms and brought her to her room, laid her within the sheets and covers before exiting in order to speak with his lord who await him outside the girl's quarters.
"Akin, you will do to be careful with this human." Confusion flowed over his guard's scent and so he spoke slightly more. "Do not allow these feelings to come any farther, not even to friendship. Is this understood?"
"Of course my Lord." With this Sesshoumaru entered his study in order to prepare his mind for the on coming of his allies. Humans, demon slayers, demons and the occasional priestess would not be a good combination of beings to have in a room together, yet it would have to do. The oncoming day would prove to be a frustrating one, especially with a little daring miko running on the lose about his fortress. Oh yes, tomorrow he was so very ecstatic to meet.
Koga sat in his room, staring at the sealing thinking of his Kagome. Something was most definitely wrong with her, for she was so extremely sad. This was most likely Inuyasha's doing and so Koga desired him to pay dearly for whatever it was he had done to the female. Yet, he supposed, that would either have to wait or would never happen. He knew Kagome would not enjoy his beating of Inuyasha.
His thoughts would also slither toward Ginta and Hakkaku, hoping that they were protecting his den well. He believed they were fine though, for from the last battle with Naraku they had suddenly grew very courageous and protective over the pack. This relieved Koga in a way, for one day they would make their own packs and needed to be strong as they have become.
A rap at the door caused Koga's attention to avert to current matters. "Yes what do you want?" Akin's voice came through the shoji screen.
"My lord desires a conference with you for a moment." The wolf walked from his room and into the hallway, past Akin and to the study. The youkai protector then stood at Kagome's door, his hearing deciphering some of the conversation.
"Koga you will now answer my question. Have you sensed Naraku's aura as well?" The wolf youkai looked downward his eyes showing anger and even fear.
"Yes I knew of his demonic energy reviving a few weeks ago, when you came to speak with me of other possible allies. You felt it at that moment as well, correct?" Sesshoumaru nodded. "I fear that he's returned in order to kill Kikyo and" the wolf paused "-and Kagome." Sesshoumaru once again nodded in agreement. "Willyou protect each for, as much as I would hate to admit, I can not protect Kagome? Naraku, he is to powerful for even I to handle alone."
"I shall take the miko's into my household for I believe Naraku could defeat all allies I contain, but I at least may stand a formidable chance."
"Why is that Sesshoumaru-sama?" Koga smirked for the cockiness in the family line did not amaze him.
"My brother would stand and fight before the hanyou to defend each woman, you would protect Kagome, I my household and each miko would in turn defend the both of you. Another reason, besides power, is that I know my lands well and each of my allies shall come to know it as well as I do. All aliances I hold will battle the half breed." At this each male smirked. "Defeat shall be very difficult for each of the battlers yet it will be done."
"And who shall defeat him?"
"The west shall of course." Once again the cockiness that Koga did not miss came upon him. "That is all I desired to speak of, now you may leave." Koga stood and exited Sesshoumaru's study, returning to his own room.
Akin revealed nothing to the youkai lord as Koga stopped in front of him. "I know you heard so just-take care of her dumb ass." With that the wolf stormed into his chambers, slamming the shoji, managing to rattle it from place which he fixed in frustration.
"Now I have been down graded to an ass when at least I know how to fix at least a door correctly."
"I heard that!" Akin smiled as the demon shouted at him. Oh how this evening was already proving to be entertaining. All the while Kagome slept oblivious through the sound of her friend shouting through the night. Dreams captivated her instead and one would not say that they were of the happy nature. They were rather filled with pain and sorrow.
Within Kagome's dream.
Inuyasha stood over Kagome's unmoving body and over Kikyo's as well. Who would he decide to take? Would it be the living miko or the dead priestess? The boy bent down, hovering mere inches from each females face. His smelt of them, touched each and even held them, one at amoment for long periods of time. Finally he stood and muttered. "Kikyo."
A painful scream came from Kagome's lips as her soul began to tear from her, as her very life died away. The miko tried to hold it in but failed miserably as she felt her self dieing away and becoming the priestess known as Kikyo. Fear engulfed her and so she cried out louder. Tears ran down her face freely as the searing pain of flesh being torn by the power of her soul erupted into and out of her.
Out side of Kagome's dream.
Sesshoumaru flew from his study as the piercing scream took over his halls. Akin had already slipped in through the door by the time each lord reached where he stood. Kagome's body hovered above the bed and her soul was tearing away from her and trying desperately to escape through the closed doors and windows. Neither Akin nor Koga knew what action to take. Even Sesshoumaru was baffled for a moment, yet when her body quit its angelic glow, and her screams alike to Hells chimes disappeared and she lay upon her bed in death an idea came to him. The Lord lifted Tensegia from his side, out of its sheath and stood over Kagome. Rin appeared in the door way, along with Jaken and a few guards, before Sesshoumaru struck over Kagome's body. Her soul screamed, yet returned. Koga's sky blue eyes bulged as he came to her side. "Kagome are you alright?"
The young woman opened her eyes for but a moment uttered these words before sleeping again. "Inuyasha-why- he chose her? He chose Kikyo-wanted me to die-so she could live." Koga's eyes became slightly fiery as he held her hand. Anger and sorrow slid into his veins.
"Oh Inuyasha I vow to this frail creature that you shall pay for what you've done to her." Koga heard a small step behind him and felt a hand come about his.
"I don't believe Kagome-chan would want that Koga-sama. Please don't hurt Inuyasha when Kagome is near, or at all for it would hurt her more than she is pained now." The wolf youkai's features visibly softened and he sighed. Tears stung the girls eyes causing the wolf to think over what she had spoken.
"Very well Rin, you're right. It would hurt Kagome wouldn't it?" The female nodded to him and smiled once he continued. "And no one wants Kagome sad. Now go to bed Rin."
"Did you bring Kuyo with you?" Rin thought of the one wolf that Koga kept with him often which turned her fear into admiration of the beasts.
"No not this time, but maybe another time I'll bring him, okay?" Rin nodded before skipping off to her room, knowing Kagome would be okay. The guards had left butAkin stayed. "She's always been a good kid." Sesshoumaru scoffed as he turned away.
Neither man moved for quite some time, thinking mainly of Kagome for their own reasons. Sesshoumaru who had stood so far from Kagome after he had resurrected her turned toward her features and smelt over her skin. She smelt like wild flowers in the morning dew but there was the stench of black magic flowing over her body, attacking and pulling her spirit. Koga hissed at Sesshoumaru warningly. "Relax wolf and smell her body as I have, you will find a curse over her."
The wolf demon lord bent over her and did as was told. His eyes widened and he stepped back. "What shall we do then? I know nothing of curses, do you?"
"I am aware of a single detail, it is Naraku's curse." The room's air supply crackled with waves of demonic energy, accompanied with anger and for some, nervousness. "I suppose the demon is extremely angry with the miko and sohe wished to extract her very life."
"Yeah but what would he do with it?" The western lord turned toward the eastern and sighed.
"I am not sure Lord Koga, all one can do is wait for him to attempt another movement on the battle field." Akin's eyes narrowed.
"My Lord, if you do not mind my intrusion, I believe I know of what this demon plans." Sesshoumaru consented for the young youkai to continue. "I believe that this Naraku will use the power within her soul to better his own. Miko soul or not, a demon, half demon or what have you will be able to take the strength of that soul and be immune to other abilities such as what the soul carried. He will also gain the soul's abilities, such as Lady Kagome's purification."
"How have you acquired such information?" Akin smirked as memories of how ruthless his uncle had once been came to mind.
"I recall a family member trying to become more powerful in such a way many years ago." Sesshoumaru seemed to agree with what he said and thought over many a detail. If Naraku wished to gain Kagome's power then he is trying desperately to find some way to thwart the possibility of the miko using the attack again and destroying him for many years. Yet the energy it took, if Sesshoumaru recalled correctly, rendered her memory less of the event. Now, he realized, it was his job to teach her in order to remember or redo the attack with out memory.
This of course he realized would be difficult and so he sighed in frustration. He almost desired to return to five years ago when all was so very simple. A smirk came to his lips, a bitter sweet movement yet he did almost smile. Five years ago, he had still been looking for allies and that was slightly difficult but not as difficult as what he would have to perform soon. It was four years ago that the miko had defeated Naraku, which was at the end of the time when she first arrived in the feudal era.
He recalled that it was a blizzard like winter eve. The moon had crested the brow of the hill causing an eerie feel to enter the blood. All had been silent for a moment but then Naraku smirked just before striking Inuyasha and the youkai lord. The demon slayer and monk who rode the feline Kilala came directly above the evil hanyou. Sango stuck him with her boomerang and Miroku attacked him with his sutras. Yet all attempts were in vein for the moment each had hit Naraku his wounds healed immediately after.
The miko was no where to be seen, for the pure energy of that sort of blood could not have been missed. Sesshoumaru honestly didn't care either way for he had a battle to fight, no time to think of pesky humans, especially spiritual ones. Naraku had proven extremely formidable that day for he had acquired much strength just before the battle. Sesshoumaru recalled the hanyou throwing jewel shards at he and Inuyasha, daring them to use the shards in order to defeat him. Neither used the fake power, only continued to attack him relentlessly.
Kagome then made her appearance, pale as death. She almost seemed to be among the lifeless for a moment for her spiritual energy seemed to have been released from a body yet she was among the living. Her eyes held tears and when she had surfaced from the woodland so weak as she was Inuyasha suddenly grew in power and began to thwart Naraku's attacks. The little miko sauntered toward Sesshoumaru and once she reached his side she smiled. "What do you smile at human miko?"
Her smile brightened yet the eyes; they did not match the light and shine of face. "Sesshoumaru I may die today."
"How perceptive human, do you wish to confess for past sins for I have not the time?" With this her laugh came forth, so dry, so dead. She, Kagome, seemed to be gone, have vanished from existence.
"No Sesshoumaru-sama that is not what I'm asking. I merely need your assistance." The young woman waited for him to incline his head in order for her to continue without disruption. "I am in need of your strength. I know how to defeat Naraku, Kikyo spoke with me but a moment ago and told me how to win this. She is unable to use the attack for her strength is almost deflated and Naraku knows of the battle tactic I speak of. Yet he knows not that I am able to use it myself."
"And why would my own strength be acquired little miko?" Kagome's smile became bitter.
"You are of demon stature Sesshoumaru and can shield from any attack Naraku may throw will Inuyasha could not think so quickly. I need time, moments or minutes to allow my miko energy t fly forth." The demon seemed to consider to this proposal for a moment. "Will you aid me Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"You would willingly throw your life away miko?" Kagome nodded which earned a slight smile from the youkai lord. "I suppose I shall."
"Thank you for this my Lord." Kagome bowed to him and stepped back ward. Sesshoumaru stood before her body and growled when Naraku's hissing voice came forth.
"Oh so the demon lord Sesshoumaru shall protect a weak human such as Kagome." Naraku laughed. "Has he fallen into his father's foot steps?"
Inuyasha seemed angry but the sight of Kikyo in the forest caught his attention. As he was to run toward her she shook her head. The demon/human boy was confused for a moment but then realized. Kagome was not too bothered and Kikyo was not too be known of. Inuyasha turned his eyes away and back toward Naraku who laughed like a true villain would.
An odd powerful light burst from Kagome as her body rose into the air spinning slowly at first but gaining speed with every turn. Alike to the starting of a propeller below a ship yet she was vertical, not horizontal. Sesshoumaru gathered his demonic energy about him in the small cloud and rose higher and higher along with Kagome. Her voice came through, not like her own as it spoke in the rich tones of a battling Angel. "Sesshoumaru-sama you must transform." At her words his body seemed to shift on its own accord.
Green energy swirled about him as his form began to take it place and from this miasma a large aw stepped forth. Finally a full body, supported by three legs, came forth from the small tornado of demonic energy. Sesshoumaru began to attack Naraku unmercifully and not a single blast from the hanyou reached past the demon lord. Kagome began to scream and suddenly a light shot out and around her allies, including Sesshoumaru. The bright light destroyed Naraku, he screamed in agony before disappearing.
Kagome fell from the air her clothes almost totally shredded from the quickness of her spins. Sesshoumaru, in his demonic state, felt overwhelmingly protective and so caught her by leaping underneath her body. Kagome landed in the soft fur unconscious and almost lifeless. After waking three days later he heard from Koga, she didn't remember anything.
This is why Naraku attacked her soul now, probably Kikyo's next; in order to stop each from using such an attack again while his power staggered forth. Sesshoumaru turned and left the room which she slept in. How he was to train her was a difficult question in deed, but one that must be answered. As he entered his study and sat down he realized that Kikyo must be enduring the same treatment and so he searched for her aura. After long moments he seemed to find what he was looking for and so took away from his castle quickly.
In the outer western regions she sat her soul above her body. The soul collectors sat above her holding her essence. Sesshoumaru smirked; the blasted things were good for something after all. Using Tensegia the demon lord struck over Kikyo and got the half expected result. Yes she was indeed returned to her body yet her body suddenly held a heart beat and when he lifted her from the soil she felt warm. The sword in which he used to revive her was far more powerful than first believed.
As Sesshoumaru began moving back toward his castle Kikyo's soul collectors dispersed, having no dead miko to follow any longer they didn't seem to know what to do for them selves. The sky, youkai Sesshoumaru noted, began to fill with an odd miasma. He turned his head to view over his shoulder and found that from the east, Naraku seemed to be taking demons with in himself once again. This caused Inuyasha's half brother to smirk for battle would most likely be coming soon and of course he would be prepared.
The fortress soon came into view causing the demon inward relief. For an odd reason there had lately been a sense of foreboding. To leave his home unguarded seemed foolishly treacherous. Kikyo stirred in his hold causing Sesshoumaru to cast his eyes down. Kagome resembled the once dead miko greatly when sleeping yet when each were awake they seemed different in odd ways. Sesshoumaru, now within his gates, stopped to turn and view an oncoming aura of some sort.
It was his first ally, slightly early yet of course he had come. This lord's name was Kokan and he was, as said, the very first ally made. He was young and brash yet Sesshoumaru enjoyed his battle style. The demon would be at his palace with in an hour but would probably rest the night under the stars and Sesshoumaru could not blame him for the stars were beautiful at this time of year yet with in ones castle, they go unnoticed.
With those thought's from his mind the demon lord set forth to find the priestess Kikyo chambers that would be comfortable to her. Of course this was an easy task for he didn't truly care too much for others comfort, just as long as they had somewhere to stay and would keep from his way quarters would be fine. The youkai would explain details to her in the morning, though he had a hunch that Koga would speak with her, probably to see if Inuyasha did anything wrong to his Kagome.
Akin was standing upon the balcony, looking over the western domain without much notice. His thoughts were placed on the silent miko who had hardly made a single motion throughout the night, besides earlier occurrences. What was she truly like? The youkai wished to know of her and had some sort of feeling that he would soon find out. He also found it odd that he wanted to be her friend. He supposed it was because of the vibes he felt around her. The miko, who wished to be called simply Kagome, had some sort of aura that told most she desired friendship and trust, nonsense that enslaved men in terrible ways.
First it would begin as friendship, his father told him, then attraction and then you have a woman who wishes to kill you if you look at another though you are free. He would wink before Akin's mother would hit him over the head. Such fond memories to be recalled. Why is it that when one is alone that one remembers all that is to be recalled? It mattered not though, Akin supposed.
A small noise took his attention from his thoughts as Kagome whimpered with in her sleep. Her breath came out in pants and she seemed to be battling some sort of beast that she wished would go away. Akin gripped her hand in a reassuring gesture. This caused the woman to sigh and smile before her slumber was so deep that he believed not even the sun's heat or moon's cold could stir her now. He pulled a chair toward the bed for she wished that he would stay, for when he tried to take his hand away she would grip tightly, warning him not to leave. And of course, as any protective guard, he wouldn't.
Well there you have it guys, a whole new chapter. Is it good? Do you like it at all? I hope so because it's a little bit longer. Well the next one will take longer to finish but it will be even better than this one, I promise.