You guys probably thought I forgot about you. Well I didn't. I'm sorry it
took me so long to get this out. I probably started over like a hundred
times. It never fit right until now. Whelps, I hopes you like it. Go ahead
and read. That is what your hear for right?
Kagome sat still in her bed, tear streaks going unnoticed by her empty brown eyes. How was she supposed to concentrate with that horrible dream stuck in her mind? No, it wasn't a dream. It felt to real to be a dream.
What she had seen was real.
Kagome clung to her knees, shaking her head slightly, fighting new tears. 'It can't be. I must be paranoid or something. Sessho would never...'came her reassuring thoughts. But an undeniable whisper spread dread through her. 'He's a DEMON LORD. He wants a DEMON mate who can satisfy him like you couldn't.'
That thought struck her...hard.
The slow pulse of her mark died down, but Kagome's hand remained over it. She glanced to the window in her room. The sun would raise soon, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo would wake up. Even with her friends in the same room as her, Kagome felt very alone. And very cold. Another tear cascaded down her cheek as she thought sadly to herself, 'What am I supposed to do?'
X'ith sat on his dark black marble throne, looking at the large mirror on the wall that contained Chii's image. Her slender arms were across her chest and her posture tight as she stood in her dark and gloomy tent. X'ith could see she was in a bad mood not only from the scowl on her face but the white in her eyes and the dark wisps of smoke that wafted off of her body. Her cat's eyes were narrowed dangerously while she seethed inside.
"I ALMOST had him!" she growled to her Shadow Demon Lord. "But that damn hawk demoness RUINED it!"
"Calm down Chii." X'ith commanded softly. He had seen their moment and was just as angry. X'ith also knew it wasn't all bad. "While you didn't 'get' Prince Sesshomaru, I believe his mate, wherever her doomed soul may be, has seen what you almost achieved through the mark. A couple more close calls and she'll be crushed." X'ith grinned as he reassured his councilor. Chii blinked twice before her scowl fell away. A wicked grin took her, her slim cattail twitching with excitement.
"I forgot about the mark." she admitted, another plan forming. "Let's see how much more damage I can cause before I finally capture Sesshomaru." Chii hissed gleefully. X'ith watched as Chii turned from the mirror in her tent, composed herself, then walked out into the misty rain.
X'ith couldn't contain his mirth any longer. His deep rumbling laughter resounded through out his throne room." I am so glad I sent her. Just like a cat, she stalks her prey until its time to strike. Which will be soon."
Sesshomaru stood alone in the clearing, the light mist of rain causing his clothes to be wet and sticky. While he looked calm and serene, inside was enough anger to wipe out a whole army. It was a slow smoldering rage that he only controlled because he sensed something was wrong with Kagome. How he wanted to rush to her, comfort her, and try to take that deeply sad feeling away from her.
He was trying to calm down because he knew his rage would only make it worse for her. He closed his blood red eyes and allowed his mind to wonder and touch hers. He couldn't talk to her, but this way he could catch a glimpse of what was going on in her mind.
The force of the sadness hit him like a blow to the ribs and the image that he glimpsed in her mind brought him unconsciously to his knees. 'No, its not possible.' he thought before realization slammed into him. 'The mark.' He cursed his actions further.
He was the reason for Kagome's torment. She had seen what had transpired between him and Chii. She had seen it like she had been there and now she was being torn apart by the image. He was the cause for her sadness. The anger he had felt at him self returned full force. He dug his poisonous claws into the cold, wet earth in front of him with such force that the whole of his hands became buried. "No." he hissed between clenched teeth.
So caught up in his rage that he did not sense the presence until it was too late. But he was in no mood to talk, let alone look at anyone else.
"Sesshomaru?" came the last voice he wanted to hear at the moment. Within the blink of an eye, he stood facing his visitor, blood red eyes promising death. There was no warning, he simply attacked.
Kagome gasped sharply as she felt a wash of rage engulf her. It wasn't her rage, her anger; it was someone else's. And she had an idea who's it was. 'Sessho!' Her heart and mind called out, sadness fallowing that sudden bout of rage. He was angry, she had to try and calm him. No matter what the cause of his anger, she knew he would not be able to act and think properly with such anger that it became maddening.
Kagome closed her eyes and tried to feel him through his mark. She traced the anger back to its source, his mind. There would be no way to reason with him, there was a wall of red blocking her way. 'If I can't try to calm you down, I will steal your anger and replace it with my calmness.' Kagome said to no one but her self. With that, she began to draw the blood boiling rage into her while pouring her calm and serene peace of mind into him and prayed it worked.
Sesshomaru held his poisonous claws an inch from Chii's face. He had her pinned to the wet ground and had been fully prepared to go for the killing blow. But suddenly his anger seemed to be sucked out of him, replaced with the calm control he needed. He wasn't sure if Chii was used to being afraid, but at that moment, he could see she truly was. He simply froze above her, eyes glaring down at what had caused his mate pain.
He narrowed his now golden eyes and growled harshly. "If you want to remain alive, you will stay away from me. I will tolerate you and your games no longer." With that, he pushed up and to his feet. He tossed a disgusted look at her before turning and walking away.
Chii watched him with wide eyes, her mind racing to come up with an explanation to what had just happened. Then her own anger took over. She stood and brushed off her tight, wet dress. "How dare you!" She yelled at his back. When he didn't turn, she pounced on him.
He turned just in time for her body to hit him flush in the chest, knocking both of them down. She heard him snarl beneath her, one of his claws catching her throat just as hers wrapped around his.
"I don't care who you think you are, I do not need to be treated with disrespect." Chii hissed down at him, tightening her grip when she felt him tighten his.
"You will be treated with respect when you EARN it." Sesshomaru snapped back, eyes beginning to turn red. Chii's own anger rose to match his. Her eyes began to turn white and black wisps of smoke trailed off of her body.
"If you insist." she hissed before she allowed her shadow powers to join with her demon ones. With her powers combined, Sesshomaru was no longer stronger then her. Chii could not keep her powers combined for long, but she was tired of waiting. She would make Sesshomaru hers NOW.
She pulled his claw off of her neck, leaving marks she ignored. She pinned both of his hands down, taking advantage of her momentary strength increase. "You will learn your place, Prince." she sneered before crushing her lips to his. With that act, all her attraction ability poured into his unprotected mind. Even when he resisted, her strength kept him at bay. As her ability rampaged through his mind, his resistance weakened second by agonizing second. Within minutes, he would be hers completely.
Many, many miles to the North, Kagome screamed in agony. Lord Derenti, Lady Ventai, and her friends stood helplessly around her bed. None of them knew what to do or what they could do.
Kagome's mark not only pulsed, but also burned with a fiery agony. It was like someone had taken lava and poured it on her shoulder. She curled up, trying to find some position that didn't cause pain but failed. As the seconds passed, the more it hurt. It felt like the mark was being burned off of her shoulder, like someone was trying to destroy it. Her back arched painfully as another wave of agony raked through her body. She felt a black veil wrapping around her mind, shutting her off from her body. She tried to fight it, but was too stricken by the pain to concentrate.
"Kagome! Kagome, what is it?! What's happening?!" Sango cried as she watched her friend twist in unimaginable pain.
"Sessho..." was all that Kagome was able to gasp before her mind was completely blocked off from her body. The pain ceased but the steady throbbing of her mark. She tried to turn her head, but she couldn't. She tried to open her eyes, but they refused to move on her command. She panicked. 'Help!' she cried silently to herself. She was washed in darkness, no sensation but her own fear.
Sesshomaru thrashed beneath her, not only fighting with his body but with his mind. He could feel her ability coursing through this mind and ultimately he knew he would lose. Somehow she had raised her power and he was incapable of defeating her. He knew that, but that didn't stop him from making her work for his mind.
Sesshomaru snarled in defiance as he felt some of his mind being shut off from his control. His body was still his but he wasn't sure how long that would last. He needed to get her lips off of his, that's how she was transferring her power to him. He loosened up a little bit, even opening his mouth to invite her in. As he suspected, she hungrily plunged in his mouth. That was a mistake on her part. His fangs elongated with his will and he bit down on her soft tongue. Hard. He felt his top fang meet his bottom teeth as he pierced completely through her tongue.
She jerked up in startled shock. "You bastard. Resisting will do you no good." she snarled down at him, blood trickling out of the corner of her mouth.
"I don't know what you are, but you will learn one thing from this. I don't go down easy." he hissed back, gathering his will while he had her talking. 'Stall for time.' his mind screamed as he worked to purge his mind of the darkness that she had put there.
"I don't care how 'easy' you go down. Once I'm done, you will wish I 'd killed you. Your pathetic miko will cringe at the sight of you." She threatened, sucking the blood back in her mouth and flashing long fangs. "So you like to bite huh?" He immediately regretted his plan when he realized what she was going to do.
'Kagome, I'm sorry I failed you. I hope you know I tried. And I will break free... some time.' That was the last thought he had before he felt her teeth sink into his bottom lip as she kissed him once more, filling his mind with her controlling ability.
Sango watched as Kagome's body stilled, sweat trickling down her forehead. Derenti was close by, flipping through many books, hoping to find a cause for Kagome's condition. Miroku had tried a couple of his healing spells but he had discovered Kagome was no longer in control of her own body. She was locked away, deep in her own mind and blocked there. She could neither see nor hear, feel nor smell anything. She was alone in her own mind.
"Who could have done this?" Sango whispered softly to herself, stroking the crying kitsune's hair. He clung to Kagome's arm, crying softly and silently begging her to 'wake up.'
Ventai sat on the other side of the bed, looking down on Kagome like a concerned mother. She gently cleansed her forehead, humming softly to herself and expecting Derenti to find a solution.
Miroku stood slightly behind Sango, his eyes down cast. He had tried to find Kagome in her own mind, but it was like it was shut off. There was no activity. It was like all her doors were locked and sealed shut. Either so no one could get in or she couldn't get out. Or both.
Sango's eyes drifted over her tense and cold friend, her mind running a million miles per hour trying to think of something, anything that would help her friend. Sango's eyes turned to Kagome's neck. Her head was slightly rolled so she couldn't see the mark she knew would be there. Out of curiosity, Sango moved Kagome's head slightly, wanting to look at the mark. Once she saw it, she almost wished she hadn't.
Where two twin puncture scars should be was bruised and discolored skin. It looked like someone had beaten her. "Derenti!" Sango called, getting the attention of the dragon Lord and every one else in the room. He peered closely at the bruised skin. They all watched in morbid fascination as the skin slowly turned black.
"Derenti, " Ventai gasped softly as she realized what as happening. "Some one is destroying the bond!" Both dragons shared a look of pure dread.
"What? What does that mean? What happened to Kagome?" Sango asked, fighting to keep her tears at bay.
"Their souls are being blocked from one another. They were mates, bound together. Without the 'presence' of the other one, the bond is reacting as if Sesshomaru is dead." Derenti visibly wilted. "The black skin will slowly cover her body until her whole body is black. The bond will snap and Kagome will be truly lost in her own mind. Not truly dead, but not truly alive. The best we can hope for is a reasonless anger. The worst is a self decaying depression."
Sango looked at Derenti in disgust. "Why would demons bond if this was the punishment if one of them died?" she cried out in outrage. It made no sense to her.
Derenti looked at her with sadness. She did not understand. "When demons mate, its for life...or for death. If one of them were to die and the other to keep living, what would be the difference? They are connected. Kagome would not truly live if Sesshomaru was dead anyways. For her, I don't think she would be taken by the mindless demon rage. She will most likely slip into depression."
"We have to do something!" Sango cried out, confused and hurt.
"Do what, dear?" Ventai asked softly, not taking her eyes from Kagome. " You have to trust in Reshki, Roku, and Kari. If they can't do it, then we are lost."
"No! I won't accept that! There's got to be something I can do! I won't sit here while my friend slips away!" Sango stated, wiping away fresh tears before running out of the room, fighting the tears she knew wanted free.
Miroku shot Ventai and Derenti apologetic looks before running off to find Sango. Neither demon had taken offense to Sango's outburst. They felt the same.
Miroku found Sango crying under a tree in the garden. He approached slowly, silently cursing the good weather. It made him remember how little things like this affected nature. He didn't want to admit it, but whether Kagome lived or died, life would go on.
He sat next to Sango and took her into his arms, allowing her to cry on his shoulder. "You know we can't go leave here." He said softly, stroking her hair in a soothing motion.
"I know." Sango cried into his shoulder, tightening her grip on him.
"Don't worry, Lady Sango. Sesshomaru will fight whatever has Kagome locked away and fix everything. Sesshomaru is a demon Lord. And he loves Kagome." Miroku tried to reassure her.
"You're right" Sango said softly, trying to believe with all her heart what Miroku had just told her.
Inuyasha sat by the small creek that ran close to his tent. Suki was inside, sleeping, as he had left her. Even now he could hear her calm breathing. It was the only thing that allowed him to relax. The only thing that could make him relax. They were approaching Derenti's land. The closer they got, the more nervous he got. He knew it would be all right. Or at least he hoped it would turn out fine.
The other thing that unnerved Inuyasha was the fact he hadn't heard from his brother. Nor Derenti. He didn't know whether he should continue on with caution, or if Derenti even knew he would be approaching as a distraction. He didn't want to risk sending Suki to her father. He knew she was watched like a hawk watches its prey.
And Inuyasha couldn't go off and talk to Derenti either. He was watched as well. Even sitting by this stream, he could feel eyes on him. He sighed deeply before glancing one last time at the moon, then stood. He made his way back to his tent, walking in silently so as to not wake up Suki.
Just as he was about to lay down, Suki rolled over and stretched before asking, "Inuyasha, where have you been?"
"I just wanted to get some air, love. Go back to sleep." He whispered back softly, pushing a lock of golden hair out of Suki's face.
"You know I don't sleep well with out you." Suki replied lightly, grasping his hand and pulling him down to her. Inuyasha kissed her softly, smiling at her through the darkness.
"Well I'm back so now you may sleep." he stated gently, smiling at his mate. Inuyasha saw her expression grow slightly concerned.
"Inuyasha, do you honestly think everything will be fine? You haven't heard from Sesshomaru or my father..." Suki began before Inuyasha placed a finger on her lips to quiet her.
"Suki, try not to worry about it. I'm sure my arrogant brother has something planned. As for your father, I'm sure he already knows about Inutaishou's plan. Get some sleep. If I don't receive word from my brother soon, I will simply send a messenger. We're on the 'same side' after all." Inuyasha reassured her. He tried to project a calmness he didn't truly feel.
"You always know what to say..." Suki mumbled sleepily. She snuggled into his side before allowing sleep to wash over her once more, comforted by the presence of her mate. Inuyasha glanced outside of his tent and to the dark woods there.
'I hope you're ok, brother.' Inuyasha thought before lying down with his mate, taking his own advice and sleeping.
Thanks for reading another chapter and I hope you like it. Sorry no lemon yet, just couldn't really find an appropriate place to put it. So who expected this to come? Hope it met all ur guys's expectations! Please Review!
Kagome sat still in her bed, tear streaks going unnoticed by her empty brown eyes. How was she supposed to concentrate with that horrible dream stuck in her mind? No, it wasn't a dream. It felt to real to be a dream.
What she had seen was real.
Kagome clung to her knees, shaking her head slightly, fighting new tears. 'It can't be. I must be paranoid or something. Sessho would never...'came her reassuring thoughts. But an undeniable whisper spread dread through her. 'He's a DEMON LORD. He wants a DEMON mate who can satisfy him like you couldn't.'
That thought struck her...hard.
The slow pulse of her mark died down, but Kagome's hand remained over it. She glanced to the window in her room. The sun would raise soon, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo would wake up. Even with her friends in the same room as her, Kagome felt very alone. And very cold. Another tear cascaded down her cheek as she thought sadly to herself, 'What am I supposed to do?'
X'ith sat on his dark black marble throne, looking at the large mirror on the wall that contained Chii's image. Her slender arms were across her chest and her posture tight as she stood in her dark and gloomy tent. X'ith could see she was in a bad mood not only from the scowl on her face but the white in her eyes and the dark wisps of smoke that wafted off of her body. Her cat's eyes were narrowed dangerously while she seethed inside.
"I ALMOST had him!" she growled to her Shadow Demon Lord. "But that damn hawk demoness RUINED it!"
"Calm down Chii." X'ith commanded softly. He had seen their moment and was just as angry. X'ith also knew it wasn't all bad. "While you didn't 'get' Prince Sesshomaru, I believe his mate, wherever her doomed soul may be, has seen what you almost achieved through the mark. A couple more close calls and she'll be crushed." X'ith grinned as he reassured his councilor. Chii blinked twice before her scowl fell away. A wicked grin took her, her slim cattail twitching with excitement.
"I forgot about the mark." she admitted, another plan forming. "Let's see how much more damage I can cause before I finally capture Sesshomaru." Chii hissed gleefully. X'ith watched as Chii turned from the mirror in her tent, composed herself, then walked out into the misty rain.
X'ith couldn't contain his mirth any longer. His deep rumbling laughter resounded through out his throne room." I am so glad I sent her. Just like a cat, she stalks her prey until its time to strike. Which will be soon."
Sesshomaru stood alone in the clearing, the light mist of rain causing his clothes to be wet and sticky. While he looked calm and serene, inside was enough anger to wipe out a whole army. It was a slow smoldering rage that he only controlled because he sensed something was wrong with Kagome. How he wanted to rush to her, comfort her, and try to take that deeply sad feeling away from her.
He was trying to calm down because he knew his rage would only make it worse for her. He closed his blood red eyes and allowed his mind to wonder and touch hers. He couldn't talk to her, but this way he could catch a glimpse of what was going on in her mind.
The force of the sadness hit him like a blow to the ribs and the image that he glimpsed in her mind brought him unconsciously to his knees. 'No, its not possible.' he thought before realization slammed into him. 'The mark.' He cursed his actions further.
He was the reason for Kagome's torment. She had seen what had transpired between him and Chii. She had seen it like she had been there and now she was being torn apart by the image. He was the cause for her sadness. The anger he had felt at him self returned full force. He dug his poisonous claws into the cold, wet earth in front of him with such force that the whole of his hands became buried. "No." he hissed between clenched teeth.
So caught up in his rage that he did not sense the presence until it was too late. But he was in no mood to talk, let alone look at anyone else.
"Sesshomaru?" came the last voice he wanted to hear at the moment. Within the blink of an eye, he stood facing his visitor, blood red eyes promising death. There was no warning, he simply attacked.
Kagome gasped sharply as she felt a wash of rage engulf her. It wasn't her rage, her anger; it was someone else's. And she had an idea who's it was. 'Sessho!' Her heart and mind called out, sadness fallowing that sudden bout of rage. He was angry, she had to try and calm him. No matter what the cause of his anger, she knew he would not be able to act and think properly with such anger that it became maddening.
Kagome closed her eyes and tried to feel him through his mark. She traced the anger back to its source, his mind. There would be no way to reason with him, there was a wall of red blocking her way. 'If I can't try to calm you down, I will steal your anger and replace it with my calmness.' Kagome said to no one but her self. With that, she began to draw the blood boiling rage into her while pouring her calm and serene peace of mind into him and prayed it worked.
Sesshomaru held his poisonous claws an inch from Chii's face. He had her pinned to the wet ground and had been fully prepared to go for the killing blow. But suddenly his anger seemed to be sucked out of him, replaced with the calm control he needed. He wasn't sure if Chii was used to being afraid, but at that moment, he could see she truly was. He simply froze above her, eyes glaring down at what had caused his mate pain.
He narrowed his now golden eyes and growled harshly. "If you want to remain alive, you will stay away from me. I will tolerate you and your games no longer." With that, he pushed up and to his feet. He tossed a disgusted look at her before turning and walking away.
Chii watched him with wide eyes, her mind racing to come up with an explanation to what had just happened. Then her own anger took over. She stood and brushed off her tight, wet dress. "How dare you!" She yelled at his back. When he didn't turn, she pounced on him.
He turned just in time for her body to hit him flush in the chest, knocking both of them down. She heard him snarl beneath her, one of his claws catching her throat just as hers wrapped around his.
"I don't care who you think you are, I do not need to be treated with disrespect." Chii hissed down at him, tightening her grip when she felt him tighten his.
"You will be treated with respect when you EARN it." Sesshomaru snapped back, eyes beginning to turn red. Chii's own anger rose to match his. Her eyes began to turn white and black wisps of smoke trailed off of her body.
"If you insist." she hissed before she allowed her shadow powers to join with her demon ones. With her powers combined, Sesshomaru was no longer stronger then her. Chii could not keep her powers combined for long, but she was tired of waiting. She would make Sesshomaru hers NOW.
She pulled his claw off of her neck, leaving marks she ignored. She pinned both of his hands down, taking advantage of her momentary strength increase. "You will learn your place, Prince." she sneered before crushing her lips to his. With that act, all her attraction ability poured into his unprotected mind. Even when he resisted, her strength kept him at bay. As her ability rampaged through his mind, his resistance weakened second by agonizing second. Within minutes, he would be hers completely.
Many, many miles to the North, Kagome screamed in agony. Lord Derenti, Lady Ventai, and her friends stood helplessly around her bed. None of them knew what to do or what they could do.
Kagome's mark not only pulsed, but also burned with a fiery agony. It was like someone had taken lava and poured it on her shoulder. She curled up, trying to find some position that didn't cause pain but failed. As the seconds passed, the more it hurt. It felt like the mark was being burned off of her shoulder, like someone was trying to destroy it. Her back arched painfully as another wave of agony raked through her body. She felt a black veil wrapping around her mind, shutting her off from her body. She tried to fight it, but was too stricken by the pain to concentrate.
"Kagome! Kagome, what is it?! What's happening?!" Sango cried as she watched her friend twist in unimaginable pain.
"Sessho..." was all that Kagome was able to gasp before her mind was completely blocked off from her body. The pain ceased but the steady throbbing of her mark. She tried to turn her head, but she couldn't. She tried to open her eyes, but they refused to move on her command. She panicked. 'Help!' she cried silently to herself. She was washed in darkness, no sensation but her own fear.
Sesshomaru thrashed beneath her, not only fighting with his body but with his mind. He could feel her ability coursing through this mind and ultimately he knew he would lose. Somehow she had raised her power and he was incapable of defeating her. He knew that, but that didn't stop him from making her work for his mind.
Sesshomaru snarled in defiance as he felt some of his mind being shut off from his control. His body was still his but he wasn't sure how long that would last. He needed to get her lips off of his, that's how she was transferring her power to him. He loosened up a little bit, even opening his mouth to invite her in. As he suspected, she hungrily plunged in his mouth. That was a mistake on her part. His fangs elongated with his will and he bit down on her soft tongue. Hard. He felt his top fang meet his bottom teeth as he pierced completely through her tongue.
She jerked up in startled shock. "You bastard. Resisting will do you no good." she snarled down at him, blood trickling out of the corner of her mouth.
"I don't know what you are, but you will learn one thing from this. I don't go down easy." he hissed back, gathering his will while he had her talking. 'Stall for time.' his mind screamed as he worked to purge his mind of the darkness that she had put there.
"I don't care how 'easy' you go down. Once I'm done, you will wish I 'd killed you. Your pathetic miko will cringe at the sight of you." She threatened, sucking the blood back in her mouth and flashing long fangs. "So you like to bite huh?" He immediately regretted his plan when he realized what she was going to do.
'Kagome, I'm sorry I failed you. I hope you know I tried. And I will break free... some time.' That was the last thought he had before he felt her teeth sink into his bottom lip as she kissed him once more, filling his mind with her controlling ability.
Sango watched as Kagome's body stilled, sweat trickling down her forehead. Derenti was close by, flipping through many books, hoping to find a cause for Kagome's condition. Miroku had tried a couple of his healing spells but he had discovered Kagome was no longer in control of her own body. She was locked away, deep in her own mind and blocked there. She could neither see nor hear, feel nor smell anything. She was alone in her own mind.
"Who could have done this?" Sango whispered softly to herself, stroking the crying kitsune's hair. He clung to Kagome's arm, crying softly and silently begging her to 'wake up.'
Ventai sat on the other side of the bed, looking down on Kagome like a concerned mother. She gently cleansed her forehead, humming softly to herself and expecting Derenti to find a solution.
Miroku stood slightly behind Sango, his eyes down cast. He had tried to find Kagome in her own mind, but it was like it was shut off. There was no activity. It was like all her doors were locked and sealed shut. Either so no one could get in or she couldn't get out. Or both.
Sango's eyes drifted over her tense and cold friend, her mind running a million miles per hour trying to think of something, anything that would help her friend. Sango's eyes turned to Kagome's neck. Her head was slightly rolled so she couldn't see the mark she knew would be there. Out of curiosity, Sango moved Kagome's head slightly, wanting to look at the mark. Once she saw it, she almost wished she hadn't.
Where two twin puncture scars should be was bruised and discolored skin. It looked like someone had beaten her. "Derenti!" Sango called, getting the attention of the dragon Lord and every one else in the room. He peered closely at the bruised skin. They all watched in morbid fascination as the skin slowly turned black.
"Derenti, " Ventai gasped softly as she realized what as happening. "Some one is destroying the bond!" Both dragons shared a look of pure dread.
"What? What does that mean? What happened to Kagome?" Sango asked, fighting to keep her tears at bay.
"Their souls are being blocked from one another. They were mates, bound together. Without the 'presence' of the other one, the bond is reacting as if Sesshomaru is dead." Derenti visibly wilted. "The black skin will slowly cover her body until her whole body is black. The bond will snap and Kagome will be truly lost in her own mind. Not truly dead, but not truly alive. The best we can hope for is a reasonless anger. The worst is a self decaying depression."
Sango looked at Derenti in disgust. "Why would demons bond if this was the punishment if one of them died?" she cried out in outrage. It made no sense to her.
Derenti looked at her with sadness. She did not understand. "When demons mate, its for life...or for death. If one of them were to die and the other to keep living, what would be the difference? They are connected. Kagome would not truly live if Sesshomaru was dead anyways. For her, I don't think she would be taken by the mindless demon rage. She will most likely slip into depression."
"We have to do something!" Sango cried out, confused and hurt.
"Do what, dear?" Ventai asked softly, not taking her eyes from Kagome. " You have to trust in Reshki, Roku, and Kari. If they can't do it, then we are lost."
"No! I won't accept that! There's got to be something I can do! I won't sit here while my friend slips away!" Sango stated, wiping away fresh tears before running out of the room, fighting the tears she knew wanted free.
Miroku shot Ventai and Derenti apologetic looks before running off to find Sango. Neither demon had taken offense to Sango's outburst. They felt the same.
Miroku found Sango crying under a tree in the garden. He approached slowly, silently cursing the good weather. It made him remember how little things like this affected nature. He didn't want to admit it, but whether Kagome lived or died, life would go on.
He sat next to Sango and took her into his arms, allowing her to cry on his shoulder. "You know we can't go leave here." He said softly, stroking her hair in a soothing motion.
"I know." Sango cried into his shoulder, tightening her grip on him.
"Don't worry, Lady Sango. Sesshomaru will fight whatever has Kagome locked away and fix everything. Sesshomaru is a demon Lord. And he loves Kagome." Miroku tried to reassure her.
"You're right" Sango said softly, trying to believe with all her heart what Miroku had just told her.
Inuyasha sat by the small creek that ran close to his tent. Suki was inside, sleeping, as he had left her. Even now he could hear her calm breathing. It was the only thing that allowed him to relax. The only thing that could make him relax. They were approaching Derenti's land. The closer they got, the more nervous he got. He knew it would be all right. Or at least he hoped it would turn out fine.
The other thing that unnerved Inuyasha was the fact he hadn't heard from his brother. Nor Derenti. He didn't know whether he should continue on with caution, or if Derenti even knew he would be approaching as a distraction. He didn't want to risk sending Suki to her father. He knew she was watched like a hawk watches its prey.
And Inuyasha couldn't go off and talk to Derenti either. He was watched as well. Even sitting by this stream, he could feel eyes on him. He sighed deeply before glancing one last time at the moon, then stood. He made his way back to his tent, walking in silently so as to not wake up Suki.
Just as he was about to lay down, Suki rolled over and stretched before asking, "Inuyasha, where have you been?"
"I just wanted to get some air, love. Go back to sleep." He whispered back softly, pushing a lock of golden hair out of Suki's face.
"You know I don't sleep well with out you." Suki replied lightly, grasping his hand and pulling him down to her. Inuyasha kissed her softly, smiling at her through the darkness.
"Well I'm back so now you may sleep." he stated gently, smiling at his mate. Inuyasha saw her expression grow slightly concerned.
"Inuyasha, do you honestly think everything will be fine? You haven't heard from Sesshomaru or my father..." Suki began before Inuyasha placed a finger on her lips to quiet her.
"Suki, try not to worry about it. I'm sure my arrogant brother has something planned. As for your father, I'm sure he already knows about Inutaishou's plan. Get some sleep. If I don't receive word from my brother soon, I will simply send a messenger. We're on the 'same side' after all." Inuyasha reassured her. He tried to project a calmness he didn't truly feel.
"You always know what to say..." Suki mumbled sleepily. She snuggled into his side before allowing sleep to wash over her once more, comforted by the presence of her mate. Inuyasha glanced outside of his tent and to the dark woods there.
'I hope you're ok, brother.' Inuyasha thought before lying down with his mate, taking his own advice and sleeping.
Thanks for reading another chapter and I hope you like it. Sorry no lemon yet, just couldn't really find an appropriate place to put it. So who expected this to come? Hope it met all ur guys's expectations! Please Review!