Loving Thru the Trials of Love

Hi...I'm sorry this took so long...but...well, there's been a lot on my platter lately...First, I took a few days off for the holidays...then...a whole bunch of bad family things occurred...such as diagnosis of cancer in a favorite relative, who was given around a year to live and who died a month later. It was a lot to swallow...and then a death of an acquaintance of mine occurred on the very same day of that said relative's funeral. I didn't know the kid very well, but his older sister has been a close friend of mine for years...and he was hit by a car...on his way to school...the whole community was in bad shape...

It took a while for things to calm down in my life...plus there were exams for me to contend with...and a whole huge thing I'm working on now involving getting to a college for a trip this summer...money is a problem...and life is just getting in the way of itself right now...

I am in much better shape recently, however, and have updated my other story in accordance with my orderly thing that I tend to do. I am sorry this has all taken so long...

I made a promise to one of my reviewers to start working on this chapter, however, and I keep my promises. So here I am, writing this thing again...I'm sorry if it's not up to par, but I tried...

Disclaimer: I own nothing...songs included... (free Valentine's Day song-fic one-shot to the first person to give me the song title and the FIRST person who sung it...any pairing from this story is usable...)

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Return and End of the Monsters Inside

Ariel pounded her fist angrily into the water that served as her window. She screamed in her anger at the fools that were defying the spell...HER spell...

"Kotaro! Come to this one at once!" she screeched. She needed to know what was happening. There had to be an explanation as to why her spell was being broken repeatedly by the ones it was cast upon!

Kotaro heeded her words and hurried to her side, not wanting to be subject to her obvious anger and destructive mood. He did not know how to respond verbally, however, because he found himself becoming more and more rebellious of her as time passed. Just a few days ago, he was completely devoted, and even so for a while after he discovered her lies, but after that...he gradually seemed to want to defy her more and more...it was odd...an almost liberating feeling...

"My lady...how may I be of service to you?" That sounded like the right thing to say...didn't it?

Ariel snarled, "Kotaro! How is it that these imbeciles continue to defy the great works of this one's spell! There must be an answer, and you must know of how to find it!"

Kotaro hesitated, but shook his head, "No, my lady, I do not know how precisely it is done...perhaps it has to do with the small orbs that seem to appear when they do. Magic fills the air when this occurs, and I have noticed that it is their own auras that make them up. There is more to them than what was originally perceived..."

Ariel cocked her head to the side, "So...this one could possibly tap into this power of theirs and use it for this one's own plans?"

Kotaro turned stiff, "I...my lady, that would be a disagreeable plan...we do not know the precise nature of these orbs or what they can do...and until that much is learned, it could put you at risk..." He did not want to encourage her seeking more power. He hoped that his argument was convincing enough...

Ariel nodded mechanically to herself, "This is true...this one will first attempt to discover the nature of these orbs before putting such rash thoughts into plan..." She paused for a moment as she thought to herself, and looked back at Kotaro.

"Kotaro, do not act so leashed...this one prefers your calmer, more content demeanor..."

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Inuyasha sat atop Kaede's temporary hut and surveyed the camp of the villagers. With the help of his friends and himself, reconstruction of the village was going smoothly, although a bit slowly since the ground was still thawing out. There were about six huts in liveable condition now, though none were completely finished.

Inuyasha caught a scent and looked towards one of the huts, and expectantly saw Hekele emerge with Rin. She appeared to be in better condition than she had been the previous night; she had obviously gotten some form of sleep, though Inuyasha suspected not as much as she should have. She had been up late talking with Sesshoumaru when another of those weird orbs had appeared.

Inuyasha had felt the strange surge of power and had come running to investigate, only to be accompanied by everyone else. Apparently, he wasn't the only person jolted from a peaceful rest by the energy...

"Inuyasha..." swivelling an ear in the direction of the sound, he made no other movements to confirm or deny the person speaking behind him.

"Inuyasha, are you going to sit up there all morning or are you going to help us get back to work down here on a little planet we like to call earth?"

"Shut it Miroku. I'm thinking up here..."

Miroku sighed and shook his head. "That's precisely why I'm concerned. You didn't say much last night after the orb appeared, but have instead been partaking in a very rare thing...well...for you anyway. You've been off in your own world and those of us normal people are beginning to worry..."

Inuyasha growled, "Watch it Miroku, I'm not in the mood for your stupidity today..."

Miroku nodded in understanding, "You're thinking about your situation with Kagome aren't you?"

Inuyasha shrugged, "It came up once or twice..."

Miroku chuckled, "Inuyasha, you don't think enough to focus on one or two different thoughts at once...or to think for such a short time on various things..."

Inuyasha glared at him, "First you say I don't think and then you say I take forever to think! Make up your damn mind!"

Miroku shook his head, "My friend, when you do think, you do not think lightly. You go in depth with your thoughts and don't share them with a soul until they are beaten out of you. Perhaps if you were more open with Kagome, you could patch things up with her sooner..."

"Damn it Miroku, do you really think it's that simple? What if she gets set off again! And not the yelling, I think at this point I could handle that, but what if she loses herself again? I wouldn't be able to fight her...I mean, could you?" Inuyasha pointed out accusingly.

He knew the answer as soon as Miroku's face turned solemn. Inuyasha knew he was right; no member of their little group would have the heart to fight, hurt, and possibly kill Kagome if she went on a rampage like she had that once. It was the very reason that he was still alive after those times he had transformed into a full demon. They didn't have the heart to harm him, and Inuyasha knew that Kagome had the power to do it even then if she had so chosen. Even if they were afraid of him...if they had the thought to harm him, they could have.

Miroku shook his head, "I see you've done more thinking than the rest of us on the subject put together...No...I would be unable to harm Lady Kagome...she is too dear to me as a friend. I see now why you're so hesitant..."

Inuyasha drooped his ears, "If I knew for a fact that it'd be safe...I'd talk to her more...but I'm afraid that she'll change again...and if she does, that the only way to change her back would be to hurt her...I'd never be able to do that...I could never live with myself if I harmed her...necessary or not..."

Miroku bit his lip slightly in thought, "Perhaps you should speak with Sango and Hekele...being even closer to Kagome than I, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Kagura even would be better than myself...I can only speculate..." Inuyasha nodded and hopped down from the roof of the hut. He was about to walk in the direction that he had seen Hekele go in, when Miroku grabbed his shoulder.

"...Inuyasha...you may find yourself in a position where you will have to act against your better judgement, and where you will have to make a choice that would break your heart either way. Just...try to listen to what our Kagome would say to you, and not the words the spell-bound Kagome will...all right?" he advised quietly. Inuyasha sighed and nodded.

"I made that choice once before Miroku...and you saw how close I came to making the wrong one...but it hit me at that last second...and I reached out my hand for Kags instead of Kikyo. I didn't think I could ever make a choice more difficult than that one...but...if it comes down to Kagome living or dying...by my hand...then I don't think I can do it..." he said solemnly, shrugging off his friend's hand and beginning his trek to visit the girls.

Miroku sighed. There was once a time when he would charge into a fight without a care as to who died as long as they were in the wrong and he survived; then he met Kagome, and was given the gift of someone to protect. He was so brash, even then, but now it seems that, after his altercation with Kagome and the weighing stress of Ariel's wrath becoming more evident, he's aged fifty years. His face no longer holds rebellious youth, but instead the constant sadness of an aged man forever trapped at war. His heart is beginning to fray at the edges, and he remains too deep in thought for far too long.

Something will happen soon, with Inuyasha this torn and distracted, and Kagome ever changing, the spell upon them may very well strike to its fullest soon. I pray they are both still strong enough...

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Kagome winced as she cracked her back; she really should have gone to bed instead of hunching over the book and reading so late into the night that she fell asleep that way. She was compelled to keep reading however, for the pages of the book seemed to call to her. There was something buried there that could open a gate to defeating the fallen; she could feel it.

It was odd; as soon as Kagome had opened the book to Ariel's chapter the previous night, she had felt the strangest sensation of need to read its pages. There were over fifty of them in her chapter, and the print of the book was quite small too...

"Kagome child...have ye not slept a wink all night?" Kaede asked as she entered the hut. Kagome smiled sleepily and shrugged.

"Not as much as I would have liked, but I couldn't help it...this book is so odd..." she said, staring at it once more.

Kaede eyed her carefully, "Odd? In what way child?"

Kagome shook her head, "I feel like it's calling me...like it wants to be read. I can't explain it...but I feel something coming from the book...like something in it wants to be let out...not a spirit or anything like that...but..."

"A story perhaps? It is quite possible that an unknown tale is yearning to be unraveled within those pages..." Kaede suggested. Kagome nodded.

"I think so...and I only get that sensation whenever I begin to read Ariel's story...like there's a story within a story there somewhere...one that I can find if I pick up on the right clue..." she admitted. Kaede made her way over to the girl and peeked over her shoulder at the said book. After scanning a few lines, she too felt something pulling on her spirit, and she backed away.

"...The feeling is quite strong...and yet, strangely not evil...it is almost pure..." she thought aloud. Kagome nodded.

"Weird huh? It doesn't even feel like Ariel's fallen purity...just...purity..." she stated. Kaede nodded.

"Well, my dear, lay down and get some well needed rest. Yer mind will be better equipped to deal with this oddity once it's slept enough..." she said, grabbing a blanket from the floor and unfolding it. She handed it to Kagome cautiously. Kagome rolled her eyes.

"I'm fine Lady Kaede...I don't need rest. I just need to finish reading this thing so I can figure out what to do next..." she said. Kaede shook her head.

"Rest child, the book shall remain until ye awake again. Sleep is in yer best interest now..." she tried. Kagome growled lowly at her when she made move to touch the girl's shoulder.

"I said I'm fine; I don't need your care!" she retorted threateningly. Kaede only nodded and left the hut, though a bit more hurried than usual.

Kagome growled again and turned her attention back to the book. And it was then that Ariel met Zachariah...

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"Lady Kagome growled at you once more? This isn't well..." Miroku stated, touching his forehead. Koga sighed and gazed at Kaede.

"It is happening isn't it? The spell within her and the mutt is getting stronger...why the hell isn't there anything any of us can do to help at least curb it?" he asked. Kaede sighed as she put a pot of rice on the open fire for breakfast.

"...It is not our problem. The spell was designed to be broken by their mutual feelings for one another; their feelings for us are not in question, so nothing we do can affect their outcome. It is why, despite the other spells peaking and coming into view, why they have yet to confront each other with the possibility that things may be more than they seem..." she explained.

Miroku nodded, "We could scream it in their ears a thousand times that the reason this is all happening between them is the spell, and they still would not think to try that approach with one another. And if Inuyasha does think to try that route in explaining to Kagome what happened with the fallen, she will only believe that he is lying. This spell cannot be explained away to be overcome...it must be suffered, and in the heat of the moment, your heart has to decide whether or not you will trust the person more than your mind tells you too...and if you do trust them, then the spell will vanish. In this way it is completely ingenious..."

Koga sighed, "But then what happened with Hekele and Sesshoumaru then? And Kachie and I? There isn't some emotional factor driving us apart...it's outside forces. Hekele's father and Kachie's parents...they don't even involve Sesshoumaru and myself..."

Kaede sighed, "I do not know exactly, but I have a theory for ye. Hekele and Sesshoumaru have never had a problem with their relationship, there has never been an emotional factor that threatened to drive them apart. Sesshoumaru wouldn't simply fall for another woman and Hekele wouldn't mysteriously fall for some random male as well. It is too uncharacteristic for either of them, and the other would know in both their heart and mind that something was not right. So, the only thing that could drive them apart was an outside force that neither had control over. Hekele's father had never been found after his crimes, and was the only reasonable thing the spell could throw at the two. It was a long shot, and a weakened state in the spell, and so easily overcome when Sesshoumaru was able to involve himself..."

Koga looked at the ground, "...What about me and Kachie then? Am I going to suddenly fall in love with Kagome or somethin'? That's what kept us apart in the beginning..."

Kaede shook her head with a soft smile, "No...I hardly think that will happen. Ye and Kachie are being molded by outside forces as well; yer mannerisms aren't changing, and that is why everything is clear to ye. Yer 'love' for Kagome was but a mere crush compared to what ye feel for Kachie, and ye were never kept apart by it. Yer feelings for Kachie developed slowly in spite of what ye thought ye felt for Kagome, but Kagome never hindered those feelings, because part of ye knew that she didn't love ye. That time with Naraku was overcome, and the spell would not repeat something that proved so useless anyway..."

This seemed to make Koga feel better; he didn't know what he would do if he found that he had hurt Kachie the way Miroku had discovered that he had hurt Sango; it would kill him inside.

Changing the subject, Koga looked at Miroku, "Speaking of spells, how is Sango doing? Better?" Miroku nodded.

"Yes, I am happy to report. She had a bit of frostbite after that whole thing, but it's healing nicely...perhaps a day or so more and she'll be completely healed. I'll need at least three more days before I'm well enough to do much more than grope..."

Koga rolled his eyes, "We will never understand why she loves you; your habits are disgusting...monk my ass..."

Miroku held a finger in the air, "Former monk..."

"You were never a monk to begin with you lech! You couldn't be!"

"Then explain my holy powers."

"Dumb luck!"

Kaede rolled her eyes. Perhaps I should go see how the girls are doing...it might prove less childish...

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Inuyasha looked around swiftly before leaping out of the bushes. He ran and dove into the well, hoping no one followed him. There was something he needed to take care of, and he didn't want to be interrupted.

Hekele had been visiting with Sango, who was still bedridden from her 'ice induced injuries.' He was happy to talk to the both of them at once; it had made it easier.

Flashback:

Inuyasha sighed as he sat near the two girls, his ears drooped. Hekele patted him on the shoulder affectionately, and Sango offered a sympathetic smile. They knew that he was there to talk, or else he wouldn't have been sulking so.

"So, our dear dog-boy, what's on your mind now?" Hekele asked. He shrugged.

"This whole thing with Kagome...the spell is going to peak soon...I can almost feel it...and I don't know what to do. I know that it could come down to a fight...and I don't think that I could do it..." he said.

Sango sighed and looked at her folded hands in her lap, "Inuyasha...there is one thing I know...the spell is trying to separate us...to drive us apart by any means necessary...you can't let it do that...you must stay together...I think that's our best shot at beating the fallen...and I think that's why she cast the spell..."

Hekele nodded, "I think she's right...Koga and Kachie are apart, Sesshoumaru and I were separated by my father, Sango and Miroku were torn apart by Koharu and that extra spell...and now Kagome's personality change and the possibility of her losing control drives you from her...and then of course there's that thing where she thinks you lied to her about killing the crystal chick...these things are just ways of keeping us apart so that we are weaker and more vulnerable...and easier to finish off..."

Inuyasha sighed, "It's not...that easy, is it? I mean, if it's so simple...then why can't we just ignore the spell? If we know what it is, then we should be able to render it useless..." Sango shook her head.

"You're right, it isn't that simple...Even though I knew in my heart that Miroku would never hurt me like that, my head couldn't quite grasp it...and that's what led to my depression. The spell takes what hurts us most...and puts it against us so that we have to overcome it. Twice now I've had to deal with Miroku supposedly leaving me, and it worked both times. Why, you ask? Because it is my worse fear. I love Miroku more than anything...but Miroku is Miroku, and with his past, and sometimes current, habits, it's hard to trust him when it comes down to other women. Even now, I know in my heart that he loves me and that things'll always be ok, but my head keeps screaming that he's a lecher and a hentai. Both happen to be right, but the spell sort of increased what was in my head to the point where I didn't trust him, and that was our downfall."

Hekele nodded, "Sesshoumaru and I don't have that problem, but all the same, we are stronger when we're together, and I know that I at least am as vulnerable as a new born kitten without him there to protect me..."

Inuyasha snorted, "Even you aren't that weak..."

Hekele sighed, "When I am afraid, yes I am. My father frightens me like no other, and I feel so helpless against him because for as long as I can remember, I was. Even if I were to face him in this demonic state, I'd still freeze in fear. Sesshoumaru is my strength then, like he was the other night. I did what I could, but it was worry for him once he found me that gave me the strength to do what I did...or at least the instinct..."

Inuyasha and Sango looked at her curiously. "What...exactly happened last night? No one would tell us the details..." Sango asked.

Hekele sighed and looked at the ground, "I...killed him...He and Sesshoumaru were fighting...Sesshoumaru was trying to protect me, but my father wasn't weakening or tiring like Sesshoumaru and I...the spell made him immune to the fatigue, whereas Sesshoumaru, not used to fighting in his human body, had exerted a lot of his energy just to find me in time...so...my father had the clear advantage...and he had weapons...a knife and a gun. So...when the gun got kicked over to me, and when Sesshoumaru was finally struck down for even that instant...and when my father was about to stab him...I did what my body told me to, without even thinking. I grabbed the gun...and killed him..."

Inuyasha looked at the ground, grim. If the spell had the power to render Sesshoumaru weaker than, in Inuyasha's mind, he ought to have been, and give a normal human the ability to never tire, all while simultaneously making everyone else's life a living hell, there was no doubt in his mind that when the spell finally peaked for Kagome and himself how hard it would be.

"Inuyasha, never mind all that...why don't you go do something to take your mind off of things...it'll make it easier to sort through everything else later if you have a clearer head. Why not go talk to Mom? She's noticed Kagome's mood swings and is worried...and she doesn't blame you for getting upset with her that day...we told her about her end of the argument...but she is concerned and maybe if you explained to her what's going on...even just a little bit, it'll help get it off your shoulders some more...ok?" Hekele suggested, rubbing the hanyou's back gently.

Sango nodded, "Yes! That is an excellent idea...go have a venting session with Ms. Higurashi, she'll be glad for it I'm sure..."

Inuyasha nodded, "Thanks...I think I'll do that..."

End of Long Flashback

And so, Inuyasha now found himself standing at the bottom of the stupid well. He climbed out and, after looking around carefully, darted to the house. He knocked on the back door, (still remembering what happened with Koga that time before Valentine's Day,) and wait ed patiently for it to be answered.

He hadn't long to wait. Ms. H. opened the door within a moment or so and was pleasantly surprised to see him on the other side. She smiled brightly at him, (which made him feel a bit guilty,) and moved out of the way to let him inside. She led him to the kitchen table and got to work on some instant ramen for the two of them; it was nearing lunch time anyway.

"So, my usually puppy-eared friend, what brings you here when Kagome is on the other side of the well?" she asked softly, sitting next to him while the microwave did it's wonders.

Inuyasha sighed, "Well...part of the reason is to apologize...for raving like a lunatic last time I was here...I should have tried to keep my cool...especially with the kid around..."

Ms. H. waved him off, "I've heard the story behind most of that argument, and I'm not upset with you. My daughter isn't immune to making mistakes, and I know that. She has a habit of losing her cool once in a while as well...more now that usual I might add..."

Inuyasha looked down, "...That's the other thing I came to talk about...it's not just Kagome...it's that spell that's on everyone...that's what's effecting her and making her act this way...Our stupid fight started with me trying to explain that to her...involving a situation we had been involved in...she didn't believe me..."

Ms. H sighed, "Or, she did, perhaps, in her heart, and her mind couldn't handle it...so she lashed out at you verbally. It's a common reaction for us humans to have..."

Inuyasha shook his head with a ghost of a smile, "I think it's a common reaction for all creatures..." He looked up when the microwave beeped and Ms. H. got up to get their food.

"Inuyasha..." she began, handing him his ramen and a set of chop-sticks and sitting down across from him. She continued when she had his full attention, which was surprisingly immediately, "...just take care of her...ok? I don't know what I'd do without my little girl...even if she isn't so little anymore..." Inuyasha smiled softly at the woman in front of him. And, shockingly enough, the answer didn't come as difficultly as he would have thought it would.

"Of course...I won't let anything happen to Kagome...I promise..."

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Kagome closed the book and sighed. The story was a sad one, and Kagome couldn't help but understand what it was like to have love ripped from you the way that Ariel had. Back in the day, it was constantly happening to her because of Kikyo, and she could understand why Ariel now hated the world. Why she hated their particular group, however, was still a mystery.

Kagura padded softly into the hut to check up on Kagome, "Hey, you doin' ok?" Kagome sighed, annoyed, but tried to keep her cool.

"I'm fine; I finished reading Ariel's chapter in the book, and I must say, I understand her...I mean, this whole chapter is a Romeo and Juliet love story. She had the perfect love, and it was ripped away from her without a second thought...and she was even punished for it..." she replied. Kagura sat next to her.

"...Sort of like Kikyo was. Kind and loving to the end, only to be revived as a monster that could only learn to hate and destroy. Vengeance was all she cared for, as does Ariel..." she said quietly. Kagome snorted.

"Kikyo may have had her love taken from her, but it was because she and Inuyasha didn't trust one another. It wasn't real love without trust. Here...with Ariel...she and this guy loved each other more than anything. She gave herself away as an angel, but wouldn't be punished unless he revealed her to others. She trusted him, and he told no one. After a while, they moved in together. They stayed that way, in love but pure at the same time, for a year. As long as they didn't 'sin' then Ariel could remain as long as she liked. But...after a year..."

Kagura nodded, "The pressure, so to speak, got the better of them...and she was taken away kicking and screaming."

Kagome nodded, "But neither had regrets...despite that, she loved him and he loved her. While back in Heaven, being sentenced, it was discovered that she was pregnant, and since this had never happened before, they let her go back to Earth...but only until she delivered the child, then she was to be imprisoned in a layer of Heaven...and...even her child would be left behind... The guy, Zachariah, was so full of happiness at the prospect of being able to spend more time with her, and was even happier about their child-to-be. While she cried, he didn't nothing but try to comfort her and make her happy, telling her that he would tell their child about her everyday, and how much he would always love her and everything..."

Kagura had to smile, "Wow...talk about devoted...this guy sounds like a winner. Why was she being punished if she was in love?"

Kagome sighed, "Because she was a pure angel. She was supposed to be above that, to be completely devoted to Kami and Kami alone. It was forbidden...and she knew that...but since love is so unexpected...and so wonderful...she couldn't help it...I mean, when it comes down to it...who can, right?"

Kagura rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Love, is love, is love; nothing can stop it, nothing can curb it, and nothing can deny it forever. Kami obviously is just finding that out. Ariel was pissed, got out of her imprisonment, and is now exacting revenge on the world to spite him."

Kagome sighed, "Yeah...in her hatred and anger she turned evil...fallen in the truest sense...and apparently, we foiled her plans in the future, so she came back here to stop us...why, I still have no idea...I mean, are we so much stronger in the future, or is there another factor?"

Kagura shook her head, "We'll figure it out...does that book tell you anything about her kid?"

Kagome nodded, "It was a healthy baby girl. Ariel got to stay long enough to name her..." It was then that Kagome's eyes widened drastically and her mouth parted in silent realization.

Kagura looked at her carefully, "What is it? Are you ok Kags?" Kagome moved her lips, but at first nothing came out.

"...The daughter's name...that's it...Ever since I've opened that chapter...something was calling to me...something felt like it was trying to escape...like a hidden clue...or something..." she said finally.

Kagura growled, "Well, don't leave me hanging! What's the little girl's name?"

Kagome blinked finally, "...Miko...her name was Miko..."

Kagura's own eyes widened, "Miko...as in, priestess? As in, yours, Kaede's, and Midoriko's title? Is that the same 'miko'?" Kagome tilted her head slightly.

"It...could be...and since the child was half angel...she had holy powers..." she wondered aloud. Kagura shook her head.

"I'm getting Sango; she might know something about Midoriko's origins...she was one of the first miko's, right? I'll be right back..." Kagura jumped up and rushed out the door, intent on bringing Sango to that hut if she had to drag her. Kagome just sat there.

...I think...something's still missing...part of the mystery...it's still hidden...but it's not in the book...I can't feel it in the book...it's hidden elsewhere... And then, as she was standing up to go see Sango, (and prevent Kagura from aggravating her too much,) that she felt something in the air. It was suddenly too thin; like something was wrong. She almost felt like she couldn't breathe, and it was beginning to frighten her.

What...on earth? I feel so...taut...so...compressed...like a balloon about to explode...like a bomb with a ready fuse..I can't breathe...what is this...?

Hello dear...this one has returned...

What? Who...

I thought you and this one had this cleared up last time dear...this one is you...remember? It was this one who warned you of Inuyasha...

...You can't be me...Who are you really?

This one is you Kagome...

I don't refer to myself as 'this one'...who are you?

...This one took your stupidity for granted...

You're...

This one is Oyu...as this one is sure you have guessed...

Witch...what are you doing in my head!

That's it dear...get angry...

Get out of my head!

No...this one doesn't want to. This one wants to show you something...

Get out of my head!

Don't you want to see how you killed the crystal woman?

...That...that really happened?

Oh yes...you murdered her like you did countless others...but you enjoyed it much more...you've taken well to your demonic state...

Don't show me...I don't want to see that!

Inuyasha...such a fool...do you realize that he is plotting to kill you?

"Kagome? Kagome! Are you ok? What's wrong?" Kagura said as she re-entered the hut. Kagome was staring straight out in front of her unmoving, eyes wide...and completely red.

Sango limped in with Hekele's help and the two looked in alarm at their friend. "Kagome? Answer us, please!" Sango pleaded.

Inuyasha wouldn't try to kill me...he loves me...even if he doesn't always show it...

He thinks you are to dangerous...he and your friends feel that it would be better if you were disposed of...

"Kags! Snap out of it! Tell us what's wrong so we can help..." Hekele tried, helping Sango sit down and rushing to her friend. Kagura was right with behind her.

...My friends...No. You're lying; they wouldn't do that to me! They care about me!

...Like this one thought Kami cared about this one...but this one was betrayed and put into imprisonment in Heaven...

...Kami...didn't betray you...you shouldn't have sinned...

Sin? Is love a sin? If so, then is it not a sin to love Kami as well?

...Well...Hey! Stop changing the subject! My friends wouldn't hurt me and neither would Inuyasha! Now get out of my head!

"Kags, get a grip! Snap out of it!"

"Kagome! Wake up! If you can hear us, listen damn it!" Kagura yelled. Sango bit her lip, and then painfully stood up and slumped over to the doorway.

"Kaede! Miroku! Somebody get over here! There's something wrong with Kagome!"

You will not be swayed in your thoughts then? Even with all the whispers around you?

They would never hurt me! I'm not so gullible as to believe that they would do that to me! Get out of my head!

...Well, if you will not yield...then this one will have to give you a push...

"Sango! What's wrong with Kagome! Is she all right?" Shippo asked, bounding into the hut after hearing Sango's distress call. Hearing a growl emerge from Kagome, Sango grabbed Shippo as he tried to run past her and held him protectively to her chest. She looked to Kagura and Hekele, who had reflexively taken a step back, with a mental question of what to do now.

Red flashed out of the corner of their eyes and all in the hut directed their attention back on Kagome. She was glowing a brilliant red, one that matched her eyes. Sango held Shippo tighter and Hekele and Kagura tensed as Kagome began to stand, her glowing eyes looking at nothing.

Frightened, Shippo buried his head into Sango's shoulder, "W-what's wrong with her? Why's she glowing like that?"

"...It's the spell Shippo...this isn't our Kagome...this is the fallen's doing..." she said, not knowing any other answer to give him.

Hekele and Kagura were slowly backing up, sensing the impending danger of their spell-bound friend even as she turned her face towards them. Kagome's expression was unreadable; within it was confusion, annoyance, sadness, anticipation...an infinite mixture that made no sense. They didn't know what she'd do, and it frightened them.

Before another word or action could be made, Kagome charged at Hekele and Kagura, claws flexed and a sneer on her face. Kagura maneuvered out of the way but grabbed Kagome's arm to prevent her from getting closer to the still injured Sango and the defenseless Shippo. Hekele rushed at her, grabbing her other arm, and with Kagura's help, slammed her into the far wall. Kagome snarled at swiped at them viciously, successfully forcing them to back up. She then flexed her claws dangerously as her demonic features, for the first time, turned rigged and threatening. The red glow she was surrounded in seemed to intensify and swirl around her in a similarly warning fashion.

What's going on! Why am I trying to hurt my friends!

Hmm...this one told you that you needed a push...this one shall leave your pathetic body when this one is certain that the strategy has been successful...

Strategy! What are you trying to do you witch?

...This one knows that the spell reacts and changes you when you are in danger or being annoyed and angered...however...this one believes that the scent of blood on your claws may bring the monster in you to the surface...

Wha...I won't let you do that! I won't let you hurt my friends with my body!

...Too late...you cannot over throw this one's control...

"Kagome! For the last time! Snap out of it! You can beat this!" Kagura yelled, gripping her now open fan tightly. Hekele held her sais out at ready, standing, like Kagura, protectively in front of Sango and Shippo. She could smell Inuyasha running towards the village; Sesshoumaru and Miroku, who had been near the river getting supplies for the huts, were on their way as well. Koga must have been downwind, because Hekele couldn't catch his scent to locate him.

It seemed that Kagome too realized that she would soon be outnumbered, for she snarled once more and charged at the group before her. She was lightning quick, and had slashed Kagura's abdomen even before she could call upon the wind to protect her. She likewise turned on Hekele, who, not wanting to hurt Kagome, tried to maneuver to get hold of her friend from behind to incapacitate her. She was met with four claws protruding all the way through her right shoulder. She let out a loud cry of pain and fell backwards towards Sango.

Kagome looked at Sango for a moment, as if assessing the situation, and was about to strike her frightened friend when she saw Shippo curled up fearfully to her chest. Something in Kagome clicked, and she stopped. She stared at Shippo for a second, before dashing out the window at the back of the hut. Sango was startled, to say the least, but glad all the same. She could smell Miroku coming, and she knew it would be ok.

It was then that a fierce battle cry was heard, and the hut was crushed into itself, and the four occupants inside.

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Inuyasha ran for all his might was worth. While eating lunch in the other era, he had felt a distinct energy spike, one similar to the one that Kaede mentioned Sesshoumaru feeling as the spell took full effect. He had suddenly bolted from the table and out towards the well, leaving a slightly confused and very worried Ms. Higurashi totally in the dark.

Once on the other side of the well, his demonic senses told him that there was a strong energy in the direction of the village, and he knew it was Kagome. He didn't want it to be, but in his heart he knew what was happening.

He was on the outskirts of the village, and could see the hut where Kagome had been earlier in plain view, when the energy seemed to explode. And then the hut collapsed. Worry filled the confusion when he smelled Kagura's, Hekele's, and even a bit of Sango's blood wandering through the air.

Sesshoumaru and Miroku burst from the edge of the forest then, obviously having sensed the same thing he had. The scent of blood in the air did not help their worried expressions.

"Go to Kagome Inuyasha, we could smell her pass us just now; we'll tend to everyone here!" Miroku yelled to him as he frantically started to pull away debris in hopes of finding Sango. Sesshoumaru only nodded briskly as he too began digging through the rubble.

Inuyasha caught Kagome's scent and followed it as quickly as his legs could carry him. He had to find her and fix what was happening...even though he had no clue as to how.

I hurt myself today
to see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
the only thing that's real

Kagome stood in the middle of a clearing a good two miles from the village. She wore a sadistic smile on her face. The blood on her claws felt and smelled wonderful. It was like she had been liberated from some prison; she felt free. Her eyes glowed crimson as the scent of Inuyasha reached her nose. He was coming. Coming to kill her.

No...he wouldn't... Kagome growled and shoved the tiny voice in her heart to the ground. She would not listen to weakness and insecurity. Smelling her own blood, she looked at her arm and saw a faint cut on it, probably from darting through the trees. She felt entranced with it, for she felt nothing.

A rustling was heard, and she turned her attention sharply to the place where she could smell Inuyasha coming. It took only seconds longer, and he was in the clearing with her. She smirked at his light panting, knowing that he had come as quickly as his hanyou body would allow. It, in her opinion, had taken too long.

"Kagome, listen to me! This isn't you!" he yelled at her. Kagome cocked her head to the side slightly.

"No? I think it is..." She charged.

the needle tears a hole
the old familiar sting
try to kill it all away
but I remember everything

Inuyasha leapt out of the way but grabbed her wrist. He spun her to him and grasped her other one. "Kagome! Snap out of it! I don't want to hurt you! Listen to me damn it!"

Kagome whipped her head back and smashed it against his, forcing him back and to let go. She smirked, "Weak...pathetic hanyou..."

Inuyasha growled but kept his cool. He didn't like the way his blood was beginning to boil beneath his skin. He knew what that meant... "Kagome! I promised your mother that I wouldn't let anything happen to you! I won't strike you down, so don't try to make me!"

Kagome smirked as he drew his sword, "You will not strike and yet you draw your blade on me? How hypocritical..."

Inuyasha growled a bit, but the boiling feeling didn't return, and he was put a bit at ease, "You know why I have this Kagome! I will defend myself, but I will not strike at you!"

what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end

Kagome charged at him again, her claws grazing his cheek as he thrust the sword into the ground in front of him to block her. She smirked as he winced. She knew she would enjoy this.

Stop hurting him! He's only trying to help! Once more Kagome shoved her heart down, not knowing why such a foolish thing existed to begin with. Why was there conflict withing her? All this battle served as was a way to get a thorn that had repeatedly pricked her out of her path. She cared not. So why did her useless heart?

"Kagome! Stop swinging your damn arms around and listen to me! You are under a spell! I'm sorry I couldn't help you before, but you wouldn't let me!" he yelled, charging at her, trying to find a way to get hold of her limbs so that she couldn't cut him up.

Kagome saw this and smirked, "Watch yourself..." She charged at him as well, at an angle, and slammed him in the chest painfully. His sword went flying.

Inuyasha winced as he sat up and rose to a standing position, "Damn it Kags...let me help you! Let me find a way to fix this!"

Kagome snarled, "I don't need your damn help! I'm powerful enough without you!"

Inuyasha shook his head, "It has nothing to do with power! I want to protect you! I want to keep you safe!"

"I'm not weak!"

"I know that! You could be as powerful as Kami and I would still try to protect you! I'd give the world to protect you because I love you damn it!" he yelled.

and you could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

"You don't love shit!" Kagome yelled, running at him with her claws extended. Inuyasha barely dodged, and was able to wrap his arms under hers and clasp his hands behind her head.

"Kagome...you've got to listen to me...I care about you too much to let you become this!" he said, trying to hold her firmly in one place.

Kagome became still. Inuyasha felt her drawing in her energy, but didn't know why. He saw her body begin to glow a dull pinkish color and suddenly felt himself being burned.

He screamed in agony as he was propelled backwards across the clearing. It took him a while, but he finally was able to sit up. He was covered from head to toe in second degree burns, and even a few third degree where he had been touching her. Standing in front of him, was a very human Kagome, looking as fierce as any demon, and swirling in miko energy.

I wear this crown of thorns
upon my liar's chair
full of broken thoughtsI cannot repair

"I can change back and forth now...didn't you know? You shouldn't get so close hanyou...you could be burned..." she cooed mockingly. Inuyasha felt the blood in his veins boil over, anger and pain taking over his instincts to survive. His aura began to change, and his eyes began to glow a crimson the rivaled Kagome's.

Kagome cocked her head to the side again, "Ho? How interesting...maybe now you'll strike at me..."

Inuyasha snarled at her, but did not move, "...Protect..."

Kagome charged at his fully demonic form, "Protect yourself!"

beneath the stains of time
the feelings disappear
you are someone else
I am still right here

Inuyasha charged at Kagome and she blocked with a shield of miko energy. Inuyasha growled in pain but came at her again. Again and again he charged and she blocked, burning him each time.

Stop hurting him! Stop it! The annoying voice was louder this time, and much harder to shove down, because now it shoved back. Stop hurting Inuyasha!

Kagome snarled and hurled a spear formed of miko energy at Inuyasha, hoping to quell the voice inside of her. It wasn't working, "Die you stupid hanyou!"

what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end

Inuyasha dodged the spear and it exploded next to him, sending him flying to the side. He quickly rose though and charged at Kagome again. She was about to form the shield of energy when the voice inside of her screamed in her ears.

This is my body! This is my soul! Stop it! In the moment of distraction, Kagome didn't form her defense, and was fully aware of Inuyasha about to crash upon her. She braced herself for impact in the last second.

Nothing, no pain, no blood, just warmth. Opening her eyes, Kagome found that Inuyasha had not struck her, but was holding her tightly to his chest, even in his demonic state. She could feel his claws pressing into her tender human flesh, but it was not malicious. Instead...it seemed desperate...

"...I...won't...hurt you..." he growled out, holding her close to himself so that he wasn't given the temptation. His eyes flickered back and forth from red and gold, neither dominating.

Kagome tried without success to break free; in her human state, she wasn't as strong physically. She focused her miko energy and let it burst from her body like before, sending Inuyasha flying away from her.

She glowered at him, but there was confusion in her eyes, "Why did you not strike me! You should be trying to kill me!"

Inuyasha didn't move from his spot on the ground, but did reply, his once more golden eyes glancing at her dully, "...I promised to not let anything happen to you...and I won't..."

Kagome growled. "You are a fool! I stand before you with the intent to kill, and you won't even strike at me! You are beyond idiocy!"

Inuyasha let out a strangled laugh, "Nah...I just try to keep my promises...I couldn't hurt you either way though Kags...I love you too much..."

and you could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

Kagome collapsed to the ground, hands holding her head, "Aaahh!" She screamed in pain.

See! He loves me! I won't let you hurt him anymore! This isn't me! I will not betray him like Kikyo did!

"Stop it! You infernal voice! Aarrgg!" she screamed again, holding her head in her agony. Inuyasha saw this, and fought hard to stand. He limped over to her and collapsed on the ground next to her. He wrapped his arms around her as tightly as the pain permitted. He would not leave her alone. Kagome had always refused to leave him alone, even when he thought he wanted her to, so he would not leave her either.

if I could start again
a million miles away

Kagome slumped into him, "Get away...I'll purify you if you don't let me go."

"...Go ahead...I won't let go..." he said.

I won't let you hurt him... Kagome felt a warmth rising within her, a pure warmth. It was rising within her at an alarming rate. She felt something poking beneath her back and she let out a silent scream of pain. She didn't know what was happening.

Inuyasha looked at her, concerned. He didn't know what was happening either. He held her to his chest protectively, somehow knowing that she was fighting the spell. He recalled suddenly the time when Kaguya had emerged from her mirror imprisonment, and had taken control of him. She had stolen his human half and sealed it in her mirror, but Kagome hadn't given up on him; she hadn't run away. Instead, she made him aware that she was there for him, and had done what she could to reach him.

She had kissed him. The feeling of the light pressure of her lips on his own had somehow called his heart back to him. How could he have forgotten the feeling of affection that had radiated from her at that moment? How could he not have told her way back then that he had loved her, or even realized that she truly loved him?

He tightened his hold on the pained girl in his arms, her body beginning to glow pink, but slowly fading into white, "Kami...I'm sorry I'm such a fool Kags...maybe if I hadn't been so blind before...when you kissed me to bring my heart back...your love was right there in front of me...but I never really saw it...If I had...and if I had been smart enough to tell you how much I loved you...maybe now you wouldn't hesitate to trust me...maybe the spell wouldn't have worked..." The glow coming from Kagome intensified and she screamed once more, clutching Inuyasha tightly as though gripping onto something would lessen the pain.

Inuyasha, not knowing what else to do, stroked her hair, hoping that the slowly purifying light meant that she was winning the battle. He tilted her head up and gave her a small smile.

"You can win Kags...You're the strongest person I know...you'll break free...and I'm right here..." he gently stated. He bent down a bit and kissed her lips, a sweet desperation laced in with the evident love.

Kagome's body suddenly burst forth with white light, glowing with a fierce intensity that began to swirl around the two. A red light soon began to swirl alongside the white and formed a sort of cocoon around the two. The light was so bright that Inuyasha could no longer see the girl less than a foot below his line of vision. From Kagome's aching back exploded two perfect white wings, growing in length until they shrouded the couple almost entirely.

Inuyasha looked down at Kagome in wonder. The swirl of red and white decreased in size until it was the shape and size of the two mysterious orbs that had appeared when their friends had broken their ends of the spell. When the orb was completely formed, it hung on a chain around Kagome's neck, and Inuyasha now saw that she was clad in a pure white kimono with golden lilies embroidered into the bottom half. Her face was calm, and completely angelic in every sense of the word. It was at that moment that Inuyasha realized that he no longer felt any pain. Examining himself carefully, he found his wounds completely healed.

I would keep myself
I would find a way

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Inuyasha's astonished eyes returned to Kagome when he heard her breathing change. She scrunched her eyes in an effort to block out the sun, but consciousness had reclaimed her, and she slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Inuyasha hovering above her, Kagome whimpered slightly and threw her arms around him.

"Inuyasha! I'm so glad that you're ok! I'm so sorry for all this...I didn't want to hurt you!" Inuyasha felt her tears slide down his skin and squeezed her tightly.

"It's ok Kagome...I know it wasn't you...I know you'd never even dream of hurting anyone you cared for...All that matters was that you beat it in the end..." he said calmly, thrilled to have her back. Kagome shook her head.

"...I hurt Hekele, Kagura, Sango, and Shippo...I couldn't stop Ariel from..." she trailed off, remembering how Ariel had taken control of her body long enough to harm her friends and then bring down the hut on them. Inuyasha only continued to hold her to himself.

"They know Kagome...they know it wasn't you...we've known about the spell for a while...but..."

"...But it already had a hold on me and I wouldn't listen...I'm sorry I'm so weak..."

Inuyasha kissed her forehead and shook his head, "You won...you aren't weak...you just had to have the advantage...and your human form...your miko form...is too pure for an evil spell to fully control...and your heart had leverage when the spell tried to use that form to purify me..."

Kagome rested her head against him and sighed, "...I'm so sorry Inuyasha...I'm sorry I hurt you...both physically and emotionally..."

Inuyasha smiled and nuzzled her lightly, "Stop apologizing and take a look at yourself Kagome...you're an angel..."

Kagome looked at him oddly for a moment and he tugged one of her pure white wings for emphasis. Noticing them for the first time, Kagome's eyes became like saucers as she examined herself. The said wings were enormous and breathtakingly beautiful; Kagome couldn't believe that they resided on her back...

"It's just like...that time when Midoriko merged with me to defeat Kikyo...I had wings like this...she said something about helping me use my powers because I didn't know how yet...because we needed them at that precise time...I didn't understand though...that those wings were really mine..." she said. Inuyasha stood then and helped her to her feet. He then motioned to the orb around her neck.

"I think," he began, "that we need to start figuring out what those things are...and what we have to do to beat Ariel..." Kagome's eyes brightened suddenly.

"I finished reading the chapter on her! I know her whole story up until she was imprisoned in Heaven..." she said happily. Inuyasha grinned as he picked her up bridal style, in too good a mood to be his usual rude self, and began heading back to the village.

"Anything useful?" he asked. Kagome laid her head on his shoulder, a smile playing on her lips as his warmth enveloped her.

"...Before imprisoned...she and a man on earth had a daughter...she was half angel...and Ariel named her Miko...Kagura and I think it may tie to regular mikos...so...we think that if we can learn of Midoriko's origins...we may be able to find a link..." she said, closing her eyes.

Inuyasha nodded slowly, "It's a long shot, but if you're right...it could either be or reveal the weakness we're looking for...good job Kags...get some rest..."

"Arigato...I think I will..."

Inuyasha smiled down at her as the outskirts of the village began to come into view, "Kags?"

"Hm?"

"Aishiteru..."

Kagome smiled, the scents of her friends wafting over her, letting her know that they were safe, and that their injuries hadn't been severe. She peeked an eye open to look at Inuyasha, "Aishiteru too...very much..."

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Ariel's eyes narrowed as she looked into her pool of magical water. The spell had been undone once more, and this time...this time she had been so close. If only Kagome hadn't transformed into her human state, Inuyasha would've been dead, and the rest of the group may or may not have fallen in wake of that 'tragedy'. Her anger, however, did not dwell on that fact. Her anger was directed at something else; something that could not possibly have happened, had occurred. It was a good thing that she now had enough power stored up within her catalyst; her plan could have been ruined if she weren't so far along in it already. In the corner of her eye, she saw Kotaro.

It all made sense now. All the things that ought not to have happened...starting with Miroku and Sango...she now understood it all...

Only he could have told them this one's true name...this one has been betrayed...Pity...if he had survived the next step of the plan...this one was willing to share command with him...now he will have to die...one way or another...

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Me- Ta da! Remember, be the first to name the song and the original artist, and you win a Valentine's Day song-fic one-shot! Any couple in this story applies! All persons but Kachie eligible!

Kachie- Awe...no fair...oh well, I told you which one to use...so I'm happy enough! Review everyone! This story is now over one year old! And still kicking!

Me- Whoop whoop! Success rocks! I love you reviewers! You guys have kept this story alive for a whole year now...and my other story is still getting new readers all the time...so you've in turn kept that one alive for two wholeyears! Thank you bunches and Congrats for your awesomeness!