Hello everyone, I know I have been on a long hiatus, but I really want to return to writing and finish the stories that I started.

Also, special thanks to everyone that has commented recently and give me confidence to finish this story.

ENJOY!

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SKIN

I had been having the most peaceful sleep, in my mate's arms, when a sharp cry broke through the silence. Everything that happened next was in slow motion as I saw a dark figure moving away from Yasu's crib laughing in pleasure.

"NOOO!" I scream rushing out of bed towards Yasu. Protect pup. I heard Sesshomaru growl as he tried to strike the figure but failed. I lost sight of the world around me as I saw a dark sphere sinking into Yasu's heart as he cried out in agony. I tired reaching for it to pull it out but before I could even reach for it, it had disappeared under his skin.

I picked him up as his cries stop as he fainted from exhaustion in my arms.

"YASU!" I cried out in agony thinking this is all my fault.

….

PUP IS DYING my beast screamed at me.

"Sesshomaru?" I cried out weakly. "What's going on, I can feel his yokai fading?" My eyes searched Sesshomaru's for answers, but what I saw, terrified me. Despair graced his face, as his eyes stared into the pup in my hands.

"SESSHOMARU! Snap out of it. We need you. OUR PUP NEEDS YOU." My cries seemed to bring him out of the trance he was in.

"His yokai, I shall replenish it." His hand moved over the pups round belly. Suddenly a wave of Sesshomaru's yokai spread throughout the room. The surge of energy causing the pup to whimper. His pained cries breaking my heart.

"That should hold him for a short time, however, we mustn't linger. We must find a way to save him." He breathed deeply, trying to compose himself, but exhaustion was evident in his face. Before I could ask him about it, the door sprung open.

"Kagome? Are you okay, I felt your mate's aura?" My father barged in, closely followed by Rynold. Sesshomaru's growl stopped them in their tracks.

"Sesshomaru stop. We don't have time for this" I reasoned with him, but his eyes were locked on Rynold, ready to strike at any moment.

Yasu began to whimper in my arms. I could feel his yokai weakening once more.

"Sesshomaru" I looked to him pleadingly. "Yasu's yokai is weakening again"

Sesshomaru attention quickly moved to Yasu. "I don't understand, my yokai should have helped him." His hand moved once again over Yasu, this time Sesshomaru released all his yokai and it was overpowering. I could see my father struggling to stand, while Rynold knelled on the floor breathing heavily.

"Rrrraaaaaahhhhhhh" Sesshomaru screamed suddenly, as dark tentacles sprung out of Yasu's chest and grabbed onto Sesshomaru's arm, sucking at his yokai. In the blink of an eyes, the tentacles retreated into Yasu, disappearing as fast as they appeared. Sesshomaru's knees hit the floor, his eyes barely open.

Before I could even reach for Sesshomaru, I was in horror at the sound of my father's body hitting the floor. Over him, stood Rynold with a bloodied sword next to his body.

"Rynold what is the meaning of this? What the FUCK have you done?" I screamed with all my might.

"Getting back what belongs to me" he said with a smile on his face.

"I don't understand Rynold, this isn't you. You are kind and gentle, why are you doing this?" I pleaded, looking for any sign of the person I thought I knew.

"What part of you belong to me don't you understand" He roughly grabbed my arm, pulling me to him. I struggled to keep Yasu tight in my arms.

I stared at him straight in the eyes, "I will never be yours"

His smile surprised me, "you will, if you want to save the life of your precious pup". His words were full of venom.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I can remove that parasite that is sucking your pup's yokai from him, but that comes at a price" He said, the price evident in his face.

"Kago…me don't do it..I can protect our pup" Sesshomaru spoke, but it was evident he didn't believe his own words.

"What do you want from me?" Moving my eyes away from Sesshomaru in shame, shame that I was giving in.

"Allow me to remove your mating mark and erase all memories of that mutt from you, and then I will remove the parasite from your son" He said.

"Fine. But allow me to put Yasu down first" I asked.

As he nodded his head, I moved to put Yasu on the bed. I lingered over him, kissing his forehead. Using that as a cover, I slid my claws up my right sleeves, and held back a scream as my claw punctured my skin.

I pulled back and moved towards Rynold, my heart breaking at Sesshomaru's pleads to come to him.

Rynold grabbed my shoulder and turned me around "I want him to see". Rynold's fangs lengthen and he placed a strange substance on them. Before I knew it, I was screaming in pain as he bit down on my mating mark. I could feel my shoulder burn with pain as my bond to Sesshomaru banished. He bit down harder, forcing more of the strange substance into my body. Soon, my mind became cloudy and the last thing I saw was white haired man trying to reach for me.

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The pleasure that I felt at biting down on her neck was unimaginable. Finally, she was back in my arms.

I threw her limp body over my shoulder. "Well, I guess a deal is a deal."

Kicking the mutt out of the way, I approached the pup. Rage filled me at the idea of Kagome carrying a pup other than my own. Just like I was told, I held a strange jewel over the unmoving pup. The jewel glowed until a dark orb exited the pup's body and entered it, smothering out its light. The once bright jewel was now swirling with darkness.

The wind rose around me at the arrival of a new presence. "I'm surprised you pulled it off. Who knew you had it in you?"

I turned to be greeted by the wind witch. "Here is the dammed jewel, I have done my part. Now I take my leave"

Without turning I said, "Don't forget to finish the mutt off".

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Pain rushed through me as I open my eyes, the sun shining through my lashes.

I looked around me trying to figure out where I was, to notice a man standing by the edge of a lake.

He slowly turned towards me, and a smile gracing his face "My love, your finally awoke. I was worried about you"

"Love? Who are you?" I ask feeling cautiously.

"My god. Your head injury could not have been that bad. Its me, your intended Rynold" He said, looking worriedly into my eyes.

"I don't remember you" I said unknowingly trying to put distance between us. In fact, I don't remember much of anything.

"My love, we were traveling and got attacked. You hit your head; I did not think it would be this bad. Allow me to take you to my home, no our future home" He corrected. Hopefully you will remember soon"

Don't trust him, I heard my demon speak to me. Why? I asked. I do not know. Instinct.

"Perhaps a bath will calm you, we are next to a lake." His concern seemed to be so real.

Against all my instinct I said "okay". I moved towards the lake and noticed that he had no plans of moving away. "Umm, could I get some privacy?"

"Of course, silly me. I will stay close for your protection. Can't have someone else attacking you" He walked around a tree and sat down. I could still see the slight silhouette of his back.

Knowing that he would not budge any more, I began to remove my kimono.

Fear rang through me, making my body shiver. Every hair in my body stood as I read the words carved into the skin of my arm "KILL R"

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As I mentioned, I really want to continue writing my stories. Reviews always give me inspiration to do, so as always Please Review. It thanks to the reviews that I have received that I want to keep writing.

My writing skills might be a little rusty so excuse any mistakes as I re-familiarize myself with the story and writing.