The Dark-Light
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
By Anime-Goddess-Sakura
A/N Yep, another chapter is out. WOW! Amazing! LOl. Thanks to all the reviewers again. Btw this is another long chapter, hopefully you guys will like it.
Princess of the Saiyans 16, bluediamond-hime, Me, InnocentDarkSassycat, Harmony8390, Midnight Faerie, Inuyashafeudalgirl, Hikaritenshi2000, Golden-Eyed-Girl, Lady Lenn
Inuyashafeudalgirl: I haven't had time to check out your fic yet, but I promise I will read it and let you know what I think. Thanks for the review.
A big thanks to dog-demon-emiko once again, for being my beta!
Chapter 15 The God of chaos Akuma
Kagome yawned as she lay down on the grass, looking at the sky. She was feeling extremely lazy at the moment. Inuyasha and Kikyo were sitting in the tree above them. She almost smiled as she watched Inuyasha whisper something in Kikyo's ear, making the priestess blush. She looked away as Inuyasha made to give Kikyo a kiss.
It was strange, how she had gotten over the hanyou so easily. It didn't hurt anymore to see the priestess and the hanyou together. She knew very well that she had to thank Sesshoumaru, for getting over Inuyasha. Inuyasha will always be her first love, but what she felt for Sesshoumaru seemed to be much stronger than what she felt for his half-brother. She wasn't sure what the relationship between them was. She loved him that much she was sure about, but she wasn't sure what Sesshoumaru felt for her. She knew that she was putting herself out there, but she had to take risk.
She knew very well that she could get hurt in the process. Yet she was willing to play that price if only to have one chance with Sesshoumaru. It was strange how they went from enemies to such intimate friends. However unlike everybody else she discovered a portion of what was behind the mask that Sesshoumaru always wore. And she was determined to discover the rest of it.
Her cheeks flamed as she recalled of how she had kissed Sesshoumaru this morning. She really wasn't in the right state of mind at the moment. She had never been as bold as that before. He had always been the one to start the kiss. Yet seeing him looking so vulnerable under her, had just propelled her to kiss him. She quickly shook her head as she tried to banish those thoughts. However one thing was sure, she meant what she had told him. She really wanted to get to know the real him.
She sighed. Looking around she had to admit that she already missed Shippou. Rin and he had dragged Mitsuko and Miroku along to another part of the garden, where Rin had spotted some flowers that she wanted to pick for her. By some kind of miracle, Miroku seemed very good with children and Rin had developed a very strong liking to him. Children were really strange sometimes. She had to admit that it felt good to have some time to herself and the best of it was that there was no Miroku to grope her. Sango was enjoying the peace and quiet as well as she sat down with her back against the tree. Her eyes were closed. All of them were still a bit tired from the journey. And it wasn't like they had a lot of time just to sit and relax.
Tomorrow morning they would be leaving to continue their journey, so for now she would just relax and enjoy this calmness while she can. Still she would have rather spend this time with Sesshoumaru, but a servant had informed her that the Lords were having a meeting. Well, she was glad that she wasn't invited this time. She was sure that things would only get worse between her and that butterfly.
There was just something about her that seemed to send any logic that she had down the drain, bringing out the demonic side of her. Shaking her head she tried to banish those thoughts, even though flashes of Natsuko being all over Sesshoumaru made her growl. It didn't take a genius to notice that Natsuko was in fact attracted to the Demon Lord.
"Oh look at this one, Miroku!" Rin cooed as she picked a beautiful purple flower.
"It's perfect for Sango. Here, give it to Sango." Rin said trusting the flower in the monk's hands.
Mitsuko who had been observing them from afar, could only smile as Miroku blushed. For such a small child, Rin sure was very perceptive. Mitsuko sat quietly on a bench under a tree looking at them. She knew she was evil for letting Miroku look after them, but the children were a handful and could tire even her.
She chuckled as Shippou jumped on Miroku's head and secured a flower crown on his head. The monk tried to grab the little kitsune, but the pup proved to be too fast as he jumped from his head and ran away, with Miroku right behind him. Rin squealed and ran behind them, giggling all the way. Rin let out a loud squeal and Miroku picked her up and twirled her around. Mitsuko had to admit that the monk would be a good father, even if he was a pervert.
She looked up as Miroku trudged tiredly towards her and with a defeated sigh; he slumped on the bench next to her.
"Where do they get all of that energy?" he asked tiredly as he ran a hand through his hair that was now matted to his face due to sweat.
"Ah, the mysteries of life." She said jokingly.
Amazingly enough, Miroku and she got along quite well as long a he kept his hands to himself. He was smart, funny and calm most of the times.
"Miroku, do you mind if I asked you something?" she asked calmly, making the monk look at her.
"Is there something going on between Kagome and Sesshoumaru?" She quickly blurted out.
Her right eye twitched as he watched a mischievous smile appear on his face.
"Well, I don't think you should be asking me." He said grinning from ear to ear.
"And pray tell, who I should ask?" she said annoyed, even though her face didn't show anything.
"I would suggest you ask Sesshoumaru." Miroku said simply, internally laughing as he imagined her asking Sesshoumaru the same question.
"I see." She said calmly, ignoring Miroku's snicker.
She knew the monk was up to something, but she just decided to ignore him for the moment. Her silver eyes shifted to a some trees in the distance. She could sworn, she felt a presence there, but she ignored it as Shippou and Rin ran towards them. Her eyes widened as she noticed them dragging a little girl with them.
"Miroku, Mitsuko, look we've made a new friend." Shippou yelled excitedly as he pushed the little girl forward.
"Ah, who's the lovely little lady?" Miroku asked offering her one of his charming smiles.
The girl blushed prettily as she averted her gaze, making both Miroku and Mitsuko smile. Her eyes were a distinct color of amethyst, while her skin was darkly tanned. Her hair was lilac and reached her shoulders. She was cute to say the least with her big eyes and cherry colored lips. Mitsuko decided to try. She slowly squatted down in front of her.
"Hey there." Mitsuko said smiling at the little girl.
The girl finally looked up. Mitsuko offered her a warm smile.
"My name is Mitsuko, that man over there is Miroku and who might you be?" she asked.
"Shiori." The girl whispered softly, once again averting her.
"Shiori. That's a very beautiful name, it soothes you. "So Shiori, do like flowers?" Mitsuko answered, earning her another blush from the child.
The little girl looked up and eagerly nodded her head. Mitsuko held open her palm. Her palm glowed violet for a moment and all three children watched in awe as a beautiful pink flower appeared in her. The flower had specks of silver and gold in it. It wasn't like any other flower they had seen before.
"This is called 'Precious Dreams', you can only find it in the Heavens. And it's yours." Mitsuko said gently tucking the flower behind the Shiori's ear.
The girl seemed dumbfounded for a moment as she tentatively brought her hand to brush the soft petals of the flower. Without warning she threw herself at the White-Light.
"Arigatou." She whispered happily.
"You're welcome." Mitsuko said satisfied as she watched the child play.
The girl smiled brightly, showing off a set of little fangs. It was then that Mitsuko realized how different her aura was. It was neither human nor youkai. In fact she felt a lot like Inuyasha. Her eyes widened at this. The little girl was a hanyou.
A servant calling the little girl's name brought Mitsuko out of her musings.
"I have to go now. Bye!" Shiori said softly as she whirled around and ran towards the servant.
Mitsuko stared at her, until she disappeared in the castle, before turning to look at Miroku.
"She's a hanyou."
"What? You mean like Inuyasha, but she looks youkai." Miroku exclaimed.
"She might look youkai, but her scent, aura are a hanyou's."
"And she's living in the palace? That's strange I would suspect she would be considered even lower than a human here." Miroku said thoughtfully.
"So Inuyasha's father was a demon Lord, while his mother was a human?" Mitsuko asked.
Miroku nodded his head.
"Wasn't it hard for him?" Mitsuko asked concernedly, knowing very well that hanyou were looked down upon. In most occasions the would be killed at birth.
"It was very hard. From what I know, his mother died leaving him very young, his father had died protecting her mother and him, so he was orphaned at a very young age. He had to learn to become strong, seeing that he was hunted."
"It's sad to hear such a thing. It must have been very hard for him." Mitsuko said sadly, slowly understanding the brash and rude hanyou.
"It's not of your fucking business!" A rough voice said from behind them.
Whirling around they saw Inuyasha standing there. He looked pissed. Kagome had sent Inuyasha to fetch Miroku and the others. He had reluctantly agreed, not really in the mood. However as he came up to them, he heard them talking about his past. He could clearly hear the pity in Mitsuko's voice and it made his blood boil. He needed no one's pity, especially not hers.
"Inuyasha." Miroku acknowledged, knowing very well that the hanyou hated his past being discussed so openly. It took a long time for the hanyou to open up to them. So for Mitsuko to asked about such personal things felt like an invasion to the hanyou.
"Inuyasha, forgive me for intruding. I was just curious." Mitsuko whispered lowering her head, but apparently the hanyou would have none of it.
"Listen here, pretty girl, you're not a part of this group. You're a fucking outsider. The only reason you're here is because your Kagome's sister. So keep your nose out of our fucking business, especially mine!" The hanyou growled.
"Inuyasha, enough!" Miroku said angrily, stepping towards the hanyou and glaring heatedly at him.
"What? I'm only telling her the truth!" Inuyasha snarled.
Miroku scowled and was about to knock some sense into him, when Mitsuko stopped him.
"He's right. I'm not part of this group and I will never be, I'm just outsider." Mitsuko whispered, her bangs covering her eyes.
"Gomen. Please excuse me." She said softly as she stood up and walked away.
Once she was out of earshot, Miroku turned and glared at the hanyou, but not before knocking him in the head with his staff.
"What was that for!" Inuyasha yelled enraged.
"You baka! She was just curious. If you haven't noticed she is trying to get along with all of us!" Miroku yelled, which was very uncharacteristic of him.
Yet he didn't care, he was that furious.
"So? What do I care?" Inuyasha asked crossing his arms over his chest and looking away.
"By the way you spoke to her, I will say that you don't care, for if you did, you would go and apologize to her."
Inuyasha snorted at this.
"I wonder sometimes, do you act like an ass or does it just come naturally to you?"
With that the monk spun around and walked away, with the two children following him. Shippou made sure to glare at Inuyasha. Inuyasha watched as they left, his gaze softening. Looking at the sky, he wondered if he had been too hard or too rash. However he just couldn't help himself. He didn't like his past being brought up, especially not to strangers.
Yet what had irked him more was the way the White-Light had looked at him. It was pity and he didn't want pity. However there was also something else in her gaze and that was, understanding. It was the same way Kagome looked at him. He snorted. How could she understand him? Nevertheless the more he thought about it, the worse he felt.
"Miroku, is right I am an ass." The hanyou muttered, before walking away in the opposite direction of where Miroku and the children had disappeared.
"There's a reason, why all of you were summoned here and the reason concerns the two lights." Sora said calmly as he looked at the Lords and Lady.
Natsuko amazingly enough was sitting far away from Sesshoumaru. She almost looked deep in thought.
"What about those females?" Ciro asked bored as he ran a hand through his long red hair.
"We've all seen what power the Dark-Light possesses. I'm sure you all remember last night's incident with Lady Natsuko." The eagle youkai said calmly, not flinching when Natsuko glared at him.
"If you have a point to make, I would advize you to come out and say. You're wasting my time and testing my patience." Sesshoumaru said coldly, not wanting to have to hear nonsense chatter at the moment.
"Always the inpatient, I see. No matter…what I want to say is that both of these females must be mated to one of us. Their power could be of great use to us and by mating one of us, we will ensure their cooperation and submission to the youkai council."
"What!" Kouga yelled, voicing Sesshoumaru's thoughts.
"We cannot have creatures of great power such as theirs running around free. Just think about if Naraku or any one else with evil intentions manages to capture them and mate them, they could be very well be used against us." Sora said trying to convince them.
"What makes you think that they will agree?" Sesshoumaru ground out.
"Who says they have a choice in the matter?" Arashi shot back, really liking this idea. A certain blue haired female came to mind.
"We cannot force them and we will not force them either." Tsukyoumaru said speaking up, his voice was soft, but it clearly held authority.
"Really bat, who gave you the command here?" Arashi shot back, blue eyes boring at the bat youkai.
"I agree with Tsukyoumaru, we cannot force them and I will not allow any of you to force them either." Kouga said growling.
"I side with the wolf." Sesshoumaru said distastefully.
Ciro chuckled at this making; all of them look at him. He smirked.
"Who said we will force them, what if we court them and let them make their own decision. Hell, I'm willing to court the Dark-Light, I'm not a pup anymore; it's time to choose a mate." Ciro said smirking even wider as Sesshoumaru growled at him.
"It's settled. All of you have my permission to court the two females." Sora said seriously, looking around the room.
Sesshoumaru abruptly stood up, making the others look questioningly at him. Without a word, he walked out.
"Is there something wrong with him?" Sora asked.
"You've just decided that what he considers his is free game." Kouga said with a wry smirk before standing up and rushing out of the door, after Sesshoumaru.
"Sesshoumaru, wait up!" Kouga yelled as he watched the Demon Lord walking away.
Sesshoumaru was fuming. How dared they? Kagome was his and his alone and now he would have to bear someone else courting her? His eyes bled momentarily as his youkai demanded that he killed any competition.
Kouga's voice cut through his thoughts, alerting him of the Lord's presence. To say it wasn't the right time would be an understatement. Kouga was competition after all. To Kouga's dismay, the wolf decided to lay a hand on the Western Lord's shoulder, thus before he even realized he was pressed against the wall, dangling by his throat, with a very angry inu youkai glaring at him.
"What do you want wolf?" He growled, his patience running out and the ache to draw his rival's blood pounding in his ears.
"I came to talk to you and to help you with Kagome." Kouga finally blurted out, having found his voice again.
"And pray tell why I would need your help, wolf?" Sesshoumaru spat back.
Kouga growled indignantly at him. He kept reminding himself that he was doing this all for Kagome.
"Listen here, you fucking dog, I don't want to see Kagome with the likes of Ciro. Your dear cousin will probably bed and when he tires of her, he will look for another female to bed. That's why I think you should make your move and claim her as soon as possible!" Kouga spat, his temper flaring and his own eyes bleeding red.
"Why me? You could claim her." Sesshoumaru countered.
"I would, if I knew she loved me, you idiot!" Kouga yelled back.
He was surprised as Sesshoumaru lowered him down. Rubbing his abused neck, he turned to look at Sesshoumaru was looking expectantly at him.
"Look I don't like you. Hell, I don't like your whole family….but Kagome loves you. And I know that you will protect her with your life and treat her right." Kouga said crossing his arms over his chest and looking at the Demon Lord, who was looking stoically at him.
"So basically what I want to say is, take her away from this freaking place, so that your cousin dear or any of those sick fucks can't get their claws on her and make her your mate. I assume that you know how to make her your mate right or do you need some pointers?" Kouga said smirking as he watched Sesshoumaru narrow his eyes at him.
He knew he was treading on thin ice, but well who cared.
"You speak too much, wolf." Sesshoumaru bit out, even though a smirk appeared on his lips.
"And you speak so little dog." Kouga countered smirking as well.
Sesshoumaru stared at Kouga for a moment, before turning around and walking away. However Kouga's voice made him stop in his tracks.
"Make her happy, she deserves it."
"I will." He whispered back, so that only Kouga could hear, before walking away.
Amazingly enough, the wolf and him had come to an agreement and all because of Kagome. Who knew that the little female had so many that wanted the best for her. He smiled as he thought about Kagome, she was special indeed and she didn't even know it.
"Stupid, stupid, I should have known better than asking such questions." Mitsuko muttered to herself as she made her way through the castle.
She still felt bad after what happened with Inuyasha. She guessed it was somewhat her fault. Yet she couldn't stop the ache in her chest as she recalled his words. She was an outsider to them. She knew that his words were true. This group had been traveling a long time together. And in that time, they did grow close. She on the other hand was nothing more than a stranger, someone that was trying to fit in and that was failing miserably. She sighed tiredly.
She didn't know where she was going and frankly she didn't care. She tentatively made her way to the window as she noticed it getting really dark. Dark clouds covered the land and it almost seemed as if it would rain very soon. She unconsciously shivered, the same feeling of dread that she experienced yesterday, settled in the pit of her stomach.
Her hands unconsciously began glowing as sparks flew everywhere. She fisted her hands as she tried to regain her control. Something was very wrong here. She ignored the feeling and kept walking. She felt an unwelcome presence. It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand.
Whirling around she was met with only a dark and empty hallway, but for some reason, she felt that someone was there. Ignoring her instincts again, she kept walking. Yet the scene that greeted her, made her blood run cold. Servant after servant lay dead in the hallway, most of them mutilated; blood coated the floor as the coppery scent invaded her senses.
She winced as she almost slipped in the blood. Warning bells were going off in her head. It began pouring outside, with lightning cutting through the skies, while the sound of thunder in the distance. Her muscles were taut and ready to jump at any sudden movement. She quickly whirled around a bow and arrow materializing in her hands.
"Hey, easy there wench!" Inuyasha yelled shocked as he found the glowing arrow pointed at his face.
Mitsuko quickly lowered her weapon, but her eyes kept darting around.
"What happened here?" Inuyasha asked concernedly as he looked around. He furrowed his brows. Blood was everywhere.
"Can you sense it?" Mitsuko said softly, making the hanyou look at her.
"Yes, but I don't know what it is. It's not youkai, that I'm sure of." Inuyasha said tightening his hold on his sword.
"Whoever it was, it was fast. They didn't even sense the danger. It was a surprise attack." Mitsuko said observing the way the bodies were cut.
"Hn…let's go. We need to find the others and tell him about this." Inuyasha said motioning her to follow him.
Mitsuko and Inuyasha's ears twitched as movement from the right from them caught their attention.
"Look out!" Mitsuko yelled pushing the hanyou down. The chains sailed passed them.
"What the fuck was that?" Inuyasha growled, sitting up with Mitsuko still on top of him.
"I don't know." She said standing up and offering him, her hand, which he took.
Inuyasha did register that she had just saved him. However those thoughts would have to wait until later. The chains once again shot out towards them. This the hanyou used Tetseiga to deflect the chains that shot towards them. Mitsuko summoned small shields and blocked the attacks as she jumped back. She hissed as one of the chains managed to graze her left cheek. The chains had small blades attached to them. The White-Light quickly clutched her cheek that was bleeding.
"Are you okay!" Inuyasha growled as he regained his footing, seeing that the chains managed to push him back.
"I'm fine. We need to get out of here. We're clearly at a disadvantage here." She whispered.
"Not shit." Inuyasha said sarcastically.
They stood now with their backs to one another. Both of them were on guard. Once again the chains shot towards them. Mitsuko summoned her staff and deflected the chains as they headed for her. Her silver eyes focused on the movements of the chains. It was then that she noticed that the chains shot out from the shadows on the walls, only to disappear in them again.
"They're coming from the shadows." She said urgently as Inuyasha growled as one of the chains managed to cut his shoulder.
"Fuck, who the hell is doing this!" Inuyasha yelled enraged as he looked around.
To his dismay, he couldn't see anything. Mitsuko let her powers flare as she tried to find the location of their enemies. She quickly turned her right and gasped as the chains headed towards her. She had no time to react as the chain went through her right shoulder. Inuyasha's eyes widened in horror as he watched the White-Light get struck.
"Mitsuko!" He yelled.
The White-Light was slammed into the wall by the force of the chains. Inuyasha quickly made his way towards her. Mitsuko hissed in pain as she tried to get the chain out. Looking up she watched Inuyasha nearing her.
"Inuyasha." Mitsuko whispered, reaching for him.
However just as her hands were about to touch Inuyasha's she was pulled backwards in the shadows, disappearing in the wall. The last thing the hanyou saw, where her silver eyes looking helplessly at him.
"Mitsuko!" Inuyasha yelled clawing at the wall, but it was in vain, she was gone.
No, he would not loose her. He had thought long and hard over what happened earlier and he was sorry for the way he acted. He wanted to apologize to her. She didn't deserve anything that he had told her. Sniffing the air, he was glad to detect her scent. He would find her and bring her back. With that last thought he ran away.
Mitsuko groaned as she sat up, she was outside of the castle, somewhere in the gardens. Looking at her hand, she noticed her blood covering her hands. She shivered as she felt the same presence again. Looking up, her eyes widened at the figure standing there.
At first it looked like a figure wearing a black cloak, but on close inspection you could only see what looked like the outline of a shadow under the cloak, no face was visible. He was nothing more than a black cloak. Recognition flashed in her eyes as she noticed the kanji meaning shadow beast in red flash in the void where his face was supposed to be.
Her blood ran cold. He was one of the condemned beasts. He was known as the shadow beast. She quickly pushed herself off the ground as chains shot towards her from the cloak. Summoning her wings she flew up. However she had to cover her ears as high screeching noise invaded her ears. In her moment of distraction, a chain shot out towards her and knocked her out of the sky.
She landed with a painful sound on the ground. Ribs protesting against the action, but she had no chance to recover as the shadow beast rushed towards her. She threw up a shield, but he seemed to disappear in the shadows, only to appear in front of her. She cried out as dark long claws slashed her chest, blood spraying. She stumbled back, but quickly regained her stand and summoned two sais. As the chains flew towards her once again, she blocked them with the sais.
Unknown to her, blood red eyes observed her. He was impressed by the way she was handling herself, even though he still expected more from her.
"Fire!" Mitsuko yelled, sending flames towards the beast, but to her horror it absorbed the attack.
"Your attacks can't harm me." A creepy voice answered her.
She took a step back as yellow eyes looked at her from the cloak. Fear tried to take over her, but she quickly squashed it down, as she stared at her opponent. She knew she had to find a way to defeat it otherwise, she would die tonight.
She cried out as hands lashed out at her and knocked the sais out of her hands. She gasped as a dark hand shot out from out of the cloak and wrapped tightly around her neck, preventing her from breathing. She instinctively clawed at the hands, but was shocked to see her own hand go through the shadow-like form. She gasped for breath. She couldn't breath. Summoning her purifying power, her claws grew bright.
"You will die here, White-Light." She heard the same eerie voice tell her.
"No, I won't." She managed to choke out, bringing her claws in a downward slash, where his face was supposed to be.
The creature let out a strangled cry as it released her, backing away from her, while clutching his 'face'. Physical attacks might not work, but her purifying powers sure did. The shadow beast let out a enraged cry as it charge at her. With claws extended it rushed towards her.
She stood her ground as she summoned more of her purifying power, this time in the form of a bow and arrow. Blue purifying energy crackled around the arrow as she aimed at her opponent. Once again chains shot out towards her, but she didn't move. One of the chains struck her left side, cutting her, but she didn't even flinch. With a final roar the condemned beast jumped into the air and made to strike her, but it was in that moment that she released the arrow.
"May the heavens have mercy on your soul."
The arrow zoomed through the sky leaving blue sparks in its wake. It struck dead center right between the yellow eyes of the beast, making the creature roar in agony as it stepped back. His whole body glowed blue, before exploding. The force of the explosion knocked Mitsuko back.
Once the smoke cleared there was nothing left. It was as if the beast had never even existed. Mitsuko slowly sat up, wincing from all her wounds. Yet she couldn't stop the relieved sigh that left her lips. It was over.
Footsteps behind her alerted her. Quickly spinning around she was glad to see Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango and Kirara. Standing up, she tried to wave at them, but tumbled forward, fortunately for her Inuyasha managed to catch her.
"Feh, what happened wench?" Inuyasha asked as he looked her over.
"A new enemy." She whispered as she unconsciously leaned against the hanyou.
Inuyasha blushed as he felt her press her chest against his. Okay, she wasn't Kikyo or Kagome, but she was female nonetheless. He was taken back as she pushed herself away from him and staggered on her feet.
"We need to go warn Kagome." The White-Light muttered as she slowly began making her way towards where she could feel her sister, but she was stopped by Inuyasha, who stepped in front of her.
"Get on my back." He said softly, not looking at her.
She looked questioningly at him, before understanding. With a soft smile, she climbed on his back. Inuyasha secured his arms around her, before taking off in a sprint.
"Arigatou." She whispered quietly, making the hanyou tense. He was clearly not expecting that. Not after how he had treated her earlier.
"Feh." Inuyasha yelled.
She smiled, knowing that that was the best she would get from the hanyou.
"Naraku!" Kagome growled as she stood up.
She had been just about to drift off, when she felt the malevolent presence of the hanyou. That wasn't all the sky had darkened and it began raining. Sesshoumaru had just reached her side, when Naraku made his presence known. Miroku and the children had arrived a moment prior then the Demon Lord. And to her confusion Kouga seemed to have followed Sesshoumaru.
Kagome growled as she looked at the source of all her problems. There in front of them stood Naraku in all his malevolent glory. Kagome could sense that this wasn't a puppet. She glared heatedly as the hanyou. The hanyou dared to attack them here. He was just like them soaked to the bone as his dark hair was plastered to his face and neck. Thunder illuminated the dark sky anc casting and eerie shadow on the hanyou's face.
Her power flared around her as she recalled how many lives had been lost, because of his greed for power. Black pulsating spheres that were the size of a baseball appeared around her. Blue energy swirled in the black spheres.
"It's good to see you once again, my sweet Kagome." Naraku spoke softly and calmly, his voice amazingly hearable above the thunder.
The lower-class youkai behind him looked eager to attack as they stared hungrily at Kagome and the others. Kagura and Kanna were each on opposite sides of Naraku. Kagura had her fan ready to attack, while Kanna calmly held her mirror.
"What do you want Naraku?" Sesshoumaru asked coldly as he stood next to Kagome; he was barely restraining himself from attacking the bastard.
The hanyou shifted his gaze from Kagome to look at the Demon Lord. You could clearly see the distaste and jealousy in Naraku's eyes as he looked at Sesshoumaru.
"Ah, Sesshoumaru. I see you're doing quite well. Although I must admit I've never pictured you as one to pick up your brother's scraps." Naraku said smirking, earning him a growl from both.
"Watch your tongue, hanyou!" Sesshoumaru bit out, his eyes dangerously narrowed as he tightened his hold on his sword.
"It's really astounded me, how easily she moved from one brother to the other. It makes me wonder. Maybe you're just a replacement for the one she could never have. It's a possibility that she doesn't really love you, my dear Demon Lord." Naraku said delighting at the anger that he felt rolling off of them.
Naraku's eyes widened as Kagome all of the sudden appeared in front of him. He had not even seen her move. She swiftly punched him in the jaw, sending him flying in the trees behind him. He knocked several of the trees down with the force of the impact. Naraku sat up shock clearly on his face as he looked at the petite female standing a few feet away from him.
He was taken by the picture that she presented to him. Kagome stood there her eyes threatening to bleed red, while her markings on her skin glowed eerily. Her wings were spread behind her, while her dark hair flew around her. The black spheres around her seemed to pulsate even faster. She had her fangs bared at Naraku as she growled menacingly at him.
"Never question my feelings for Sesshoumaru, you bastard." She hissed.
Naraku wiped the blood of his lips and slowly stood up all the while a smirk on his lips. He had to take a hold of the youkai part of him. They demanded that he tame the female in front of him and make her his. Yet he knew that this wasn't the place for such 'activities'. No, he would claim her, but not here. But first he needed the Demon Lord out of the way.
"I guess I will have to kill him in order to finally make you mine." He said calmly.
With a snap of his fingers the youkai charged at them. Sesshoumaru unsheathed Tokijin, while Kouga dropped in a fighting stance.
"Fool." Kagome whispered as the spheres pulsated wildly.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion after that. The youkai closed on them, but they never managed to reach her. As soon as they touched the spheres, they exploded, releasing the blue purifying power covering the field in a blue mist.
Sesshoumaru and Kouga instinctively jumped back as the energy was released, but to their amazement, blue luminescent shields appeared around them, protecting them. As quick as the energy was released it was absorbed back into Kagome, who seemed unfazed.
"What was that!" Kouga exclaimed as he rubbed his arms. The hairs were all standing on end.
He had witnessed and felt Kagome's purifying power before, but never like this. This one send shivers of fear down his spine. He turned to gaze at her. She had grown much stronger and much deadlier.
Naraku was unscathed. He had managed to summon a shield for at the last moment. He growled angrily as he noticed that most of his youkai army had been annihilated.
"Her soul is growing." Kanna said quietly, making Naraku look questioningly at her.
He turned crimson eyes to look at Kagome and was shocked to see how her aura flared and grew around her. It was beautiful to see the shades of blue, white and black swirl with one another. The black was what caught his attention though.
Mentally shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he decided to take some action. With a flick of his wrist, he gave Kagura the signal. The wind witch snapped her fan open and released her deadly blades on the gang. However to their shock, the blades, abruptly turned around and headed towards. Naraku once again summoned the shield to protect them, but not before glaring heatedly at Kagura for her incompetence.
"A strong soul is approaching." Kanna said in her eerie voice as she raised her face to look up into the sky.
"Kagome!" Everyone turned around to see Inuyasha running towards them with Mitsuko on his back.
Kagome let out a grateful sound as the hanyou finally made it to the battle. She had been wondering where the hanyou had been. She was almost certain that he must have sensed Naraku by now.
Inuyasha finally came to a stop in front of Kagome and lowered Mitsuko to the ground. Kagome's eyes grew like saucers as she noticed her sister's blood. Mitsuko was clutching her right shoulder that was bleeding. Her chest had some nasty claw marks on them.
She rushed towards the younger female and helped steady her. Looking at her, Kagome noticed all of the cuts and bruises.
"What happened?" Kagome cried out.
"We were attacked by one of the condemned beasts." She said panting as she tried to regain her breath; she looked angrily at Naraku, who raised an eyebrow at her.
"What are the condemned beasts?" Kagome asked curiously.
"Why did you release such vile creatures?" Mitsuko growled as she pushed herself away from Kagome to glare at Naraku, her blood was boiling with anger.
"I can assure you that I wasn't the one to release those beasts." Naraku said calmly.
She resisted the urge to double over. She had always been sensitive to auras. And Naraku's aura was almost too much for her. It was so evil and it threatened to overthrow her.
"Who was it then?" Mitsuko asked steeling herself, she would be damned before showing any kind of weakness.
The condemned beasts were no laughing matter. She knew exactly what those creatures could do. With them free, all humans and youkai alike were in danger; they would not stop until everything was destroyed. These creatures lived for the pleasure of killing and destroying.
"That would be me." Another voice said from behind them.
Naraku chuckled as he watched the figure step out of the shadows. He stood imposing at six foot something with a tall and lean well-build body. He had broad shoulders and a small waist. His skin was the color of ivory, pale and luminescent. Hair as silky as spider's web cascaded like an ebony river along his back and shoulders. A pair of dark blue horns protruded from his forehead, while large black bat-like wings were folded behind his back. His skin contrasted heavily with his dark hair and made his blood red eyes stand out even more.
Blood red eyes framed by long dark lashes stared at her. Mitsuko felt her heart stop in her throat as he turned his eyes to look at her. He wore completely black. He wore a black pair of pants, boots and sleeveless shirt that hugged his torso. The top was kind of v-neck, showing off his chest. A sword rested at his hip. He was beautiful. His features almost feminine in a sense, but the more you looked at him, the more you could see that he was a male. His small full lips were set in a smirk as his eyes held Mitsuko's. He looked really intimidating and deadly.
"Who are you?" Mitsuko heard herself ask, even though she had a hard time thinking what she was saying.
She felt herself drown in those deep pools of red. There was something there, almost calling her. She berated herself for such thoughts as she tried to regain what little composure she had. Kagome whom was standing close to Mitsuko felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand. The aura that radiated of this stranger was very powerful and dark.
Sesshoumaru tensed as well as he felt the power rolling of this new individual. Yet what bothered him was the way this new individual looked at Kagome's sister. It was the way that a predator would look at a prey. He unconsciously stepped in front of the two girls, shielding them from this man's gaze. Kouga let out a growl as he looked at the stranger.
"My name is Akuma and it's a pleasure to meet White-Light." He said in a velvety soft voice, making a shiver go down her spine.
However her eyes widened as she recalled his name. Her throat went dry as all that she had learned about the creature that stood in front of her came back. A thousand angels murdered in one night. Villages destroyed. Souls condemned and tortured. It took the Goddess of Heavens and three archangels to seal this creature. The three archangels lost their lives. She unconsciously took a step back. He was considered the God of chaos.
'The angel of death. The God of chaos.'
"It can't be. You were sealed." She whispered, making everyone look at her.
They were all suddenly very afraid and curious as they watched the blue haired female show the first signs of fear.
"Ah, but I unsealed him." Naraku said chuckling, making Mitsuko turn to glare at him.
Akuma chuckled as he watched her aura flare. There was something in her. He could clearly see that she was a force to reckoned with when provoked, but most of the times she kept that temper hidden. Maybe it was time to let that temper out, he thought smirking. And in order to do that, he would need some privacy.
"Naraku, the Dark-Light is yours. And the White-Light is mine." Akuma said calmly.
"Not in this lifetime, pretty boy!" Inuyasha yelled.
"And how do you intend to stop me?" Akuma asked a smile playing on his lips as his eyes seemed to glow bright.
It was as full chaos erupted after that as Akuma seemed to appear in front of them. Naraku motioned for Kagura and Kanna to attack as well. Akuma was just too fast. He easily knocked Inuyasha away. Kikyo who had arrived knocked an arrow towards Akuma. The arrow flew towards him, he easily caught it and snapped it in two; the purifying power not hurting him at all. He smirked as he felt the demon exterminator's weapon fly towards him. He stopped it with one finger, before sending it flying back at the exterminator, knocking her and Kirara down.
"Kaze no Kizu!" Inuyasha yelled, but was shocked as Akuma, just dodged it and appeared in front of him.
"You're not worth my time, hanyou. How do you dare challenge a God?" he whispered, before kicking him in the gut.
"Kazaana (sp?)" Miroku released the black hole on Akuma, but he didn't even move from where he was. His eyes narrowed slightly and Miroku found himself on his knees clutching his arm as the Kazaana threatened to grow and suck him in.
"You bastard!" Kouga yelled throwing a punch at Akuma, who easily caught his fist.
"Foolish wolf." He whispered, kicking Kouga and the stomach, knocking the air out of him, before punching him in the jaw.
Sword met sword as Sesshoumaru appeared out of nowhere. Akuma chuckled as he noticed the Demon Lord's glare.
"You might be a worthy opponent." He said smirking, his fangs showing. He easily pushed Sesshoumaru back, shocking the Demon Lord.
"On second thought, you're not worth my time." He whispered as he knocked Tokijin away from Sesshoumaru. He brought the sword down on Sesshoumaru, managing to wound him at the side of his neck. The Demon Lord jumped back as he snarled.
Naraku who had been observing everything smirked. His plan was going according to plan. His eyes caught the side of the bronze butterflies surrounding the clearing.
"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome yelled, avoiding Kagura's attack, while Mitsuko fought against the rest of Naraku's youkai army.
Mitsuko was panting hard, defeating the shadow beast had taken its toll on her. She was fighting hard to keep the youkai away. Akuma had just about enough as he watched the youkai surround Mitsuko. She was his to do as he wished. And he wouldn't allow such low-life youkai to hurt her.
Before anyone could say anything, he appeared in front of Mitsuko. The White-Light tried to jump back, but his strong arms came and wrapped tightly around her.
"You can thank me later for saving you." He whispered seductively.
She gasped as darkness surrounded them and they disappeared.
"Mitsuko!" Kagome yelled panicking as she couldn't see her sister anywhere, forgetting about Kagura.
The wind youkai's eyes widened as she noticed her attack going towards the Dark-Light, with a small shift of her fan, the attack diverted slightly, only wounding Kagome slightly. If she hadn't done that, the attack could have killed the girl for sure. Sesshoumaru's eyes bled red as the scent of Kagome's blood hit his nose. Turning around he watched as Kagome held her left side, where there were some small cuts. He was too far enraged to notice figure behind him.
The bronze butterflies gathered behind him and slowly began taking form. Soon enough Lady Natsuko stood there. Naraku's smirk grew as he watched the glitter of the shikon shard. Kagome whirled around as she felt the shikon. Her eyes widened as she watched Natsuko.
"Sesshoumaru, look out!" she screamed.
Cold sweat ran along her body as she swallowed hard. All around her was darkness. Not even one speck of light. She took a deep breath and tried to control her beating heart, but it was proven to be futile as her heartbeat seemed to increase as the sense of foreboding settled in the pit of her stomach. She tensed as she heard a sound behind her. Whirling around her silver eyes scanned her surroundings, but to her discomfort, she couldn't see anyone there. She winced as her wounds protested against the sudden movements.
Her pointy ears twitched as soft chuckling reached her ears. Yet not even how much she looked around, she couldn't see anyone, the only thing she could see was complete darkness and she hated it.
She was completely tense, her muscles were taut and were ready to snap and propel her to move or attack if even the slightest provoked. Her demon took over; her instincts were in full control. She was an animal trapped and that would fight if necessary.
What bothered her was the fact that it had suddenly gone eerily quiet, not a sound could be heard. And normally that was a very bad sign. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears as her breaths came in short ragged pants. Her tongue darted out licking her suddenly dried lips as cold sweat ran along her body.
She hated to admit it, but she was panicking. Not even as hard as she tried she felt fear creeping up on her. All the stories that she had read about him, didn't even come close to the raw power that he had displayed a few moments ago. He was a God, while she was a simple mortal. How could you fight against a God?
Taking a deep breath, she tried to hold on to the little bit of control that she still had. He was playing with her. To him it was just a sick game of cat and mouse. The darkness that surrounded her wasn't comforting as the darkness that she commanded, no this one was almost chocking in a sense. She had tried calling forth the element light, but not even her faithful servant the element light could banish this darkness that surrounded her. She knew why this darkness was different, this darkness was him in his most glorious and deadly form and he had her trapped. She was a fly trapped in a spider's web.
A startled cry left her lips as all of the sudden arms appeared out of seemingly nowhere and wrapped around her small frame. One hand snaked around her waist, while the other one her tightly just above her chest and below her neck. Her first instinct was to attack and free herself, but all thought of this flew out of the window as she was brought against a hard chest and hot breath dancing along her ear and neck.
"Caught you, my little Hikari." He said silkily in her ear, paralyzing her in fear.
She couldn't move as one thought kept going in her mind, the game was over and he had won. She just wanted to close her eyes and wish that this was a dream, but the warmth alone that he seemed to be emanating reminded her of his presence.
He reveled in the fear that he felt permeating from her. She was afraid of him. Her fear was the sweetest thing that he had ever tasted. Unlike others her fear was laced with purity and that still underlying courage. She wasn't one to give in so easily to her fear and even at the moment he knew that she on some level still fighting this fear. This of course pleased him, for he wanted a challenge.
She tensed as he ran a hand on her exposed stomach. Her felt her muscles jump at his faintest caress. Her natural scent of fresh fallen rain and jasmine was laced with her fear and the coppery scent of her blood enticing beyond limits. The wound on her left shoulder was still bleeding, her blood running along her pale skin.
She let out a painful gasp as he inserted two of his claws in her wound. He liked the feeling of her blood coating his fingers; with a jerk he withdrew his fingers from her wound, eliciting a strangled cry from her lips.
"Shhh…my sweet Hikari." He whispered, placing a soft kiss on her temple.
She whimpered. He was so much taller than her, his tall form almost seeming to engulf tiny form. He smirked at her reaction as he brought his bloodied fingers to his nose, inhaling the sweet scent. He was pleased with the scent of her blood; it was sweet due to her purity with the underlying sharpness that symbolized her power. His tongue darted out and licked the blood of his fingers, a delighted moan leaving his lips as he thoroughly enjoyed the sweet tasting nectar.
"Your blood tastes so sweet, my little Hikari." He whispered, seductively running his tongue along the shell of her ear, before gently biting her earlobe.
She wanted nothing more to pull away, but for some reason, she felt utterly drained. She squinted her eyes as she noticed the darkness swirling around her. She bit back a moan as he gently nipped at her neck. Everywhere that he touched her; her skin seemed to be blaze. She mentally concluded that he was like fire, burning, scorching and deadly. Her eyes drooped as she surrendered to whatever spell he had woven around her.
He smirked against her neck as he felt her, relax completely against him. Unnoticed to her, he was slowly draining her energy as his own aura wrapped around hers, caging hers. She should have been unconscious already, but to his amazement she was still conscious, it didn't matter that she was swaying between the realms of consciousness and unconsciousness. The fact was that she was still slight conscious. He had to admit that normally it would have been much easier, but again she had surprised him by fighting it. Yes, she was perfect.
"Do you wanna know a secret, my little Hikari?" he asked softly, continuing as he felt her stir slightly. Good she was still conscious.
"Naraku was the one to free me, with one condition of course. He wants me to kill you. Apparently he's worried that you will interfere with his plans. At first I thought that his fears were unfounded, but I seem to have been mistaken, my little Hikari. And I would have killed you for being so weak. However you surprised me, you're stronger than I had expected, much stronger. You still have so much untapped power. Of course the foolish hanyou cannot expect me to kill such a creature like you. You're too good for death. Now that I'm finally free again, I will need a mate. Of course not just any would do. No, I seek the best, one that can match me in power; a unique creature, powerful, beautiful and pure, someone just like you my sweet little Hikari." He said gently kissing her neck once again as one hand ran along her arm, while the other was wrapped around her waist.
As expected she tensed at his words and he couldn't help, but smirk. Such a fighter, she was. He was taken back as she spoke. He presumed that she would have been too tired to speak by now. He slowly released her hair from the ponytail and as he ran his fingers to the blue soaked locks.
"I really like your hair down." He whispered nipping the side of her jaw.
"Won't Naraku be angry, when he finds out that you didn't kill me?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
She cried out as he tightened his arm around her waist, a fierce growl leaving his lips. She was scared as she felt his aura flare dangerously, almost knocking her out.
"That hanyou has no say in this. I would never obey such a pathetic creature that needs to use the shikon to gain more power!" he snarled angrily.
She almost whimpered as the sound of his voice seemed to travel through her whole body. He was furious.
"If he dares to interfere I will kill him, just like I will kill anyone else who dares to take you away from me and that includes your sister and his little friends." He whispered in her ear, even though his voice was soft, she could feel the underlying danger.
"I will not let you hurt any of them." She seemed to regain her strength as she spoke very coldly to him.
She almost growled as she felt him smirk against her neck. She wouldn't let him hurt her sister or any of her friends. She would be damned if she allowed this. He was surprised at the loyalty she showed towards her family and friends. Such loyalty was hard to discover in these times. Most beings would not risk their own neck to safe another. He had to admire such loyalty. He would ensure this pure creature's loyalty as his mate. Yet he was certain that once she gave you her loyalty, it would be for life; she was that kind of creature.
She closed her eyes as she tried to regain control of her body and tried to push away the drowsiness. Her eyes snapped open as he spoke.
"And how do you intend to stop me, my little Hikari, when you're so scared of me?" he asked mockingly.
This time she did growl. Not only dared he threaten her sister and friends, he dared to mock her. His eyes narrowed as he noticed her aura flare around her. He couldn't sense any fear in her scent anymore. Instead he could sense anger and determination. Apparently he had hit a sore spot. She concentrated at the center of her being, where she could feel her power. She almost smiled when she brushed against the core of her power.
"I will never be yours and you won't hurt anyone." She whispered icily.
"Light!" she yelled, taking him off guard.
He instinctively released her as her body glowed brightly. He snarled as he felt something burn his arms and chest. Jumping back, he covered his eyes as the whole place seemed to explode in light. As the light died down, he dared to open them and gaze at the creature that he could only describe as a Goddess, a very dangerous one at that.
She stood there, her eyes glowing brightly as the violet rim around her eyes glowing eerily. Her long hair billowed around her. Her upper-body was almost completely bare, safe for her chest that was covered by a very strange white contraption that hid her breasts from his hungry eyes. Her white wings were spread behind her, the white feathers seeming to gleam in the darkness. Her pair of white pants was stained by her own blood as were her were white gloves that covered her hands.
Her wounds were still bleeding. He watched in fascination as the glowing crimson liquid ran along her pale skin, creating a very alluring picture in his opinion. He finally realized that her blood was glowing, something that wasn't very normal. He made a mental note to solve this mystery.
Tearing his eyes away from her, something that for some reason was very hard, he looked down at his hands and chest. They were slightly burned due to her purifying power. Fortunately had acted quickly, avoiding greater injuries.
Raising his blood red eyes to look at her again, he couldn't help but find her beautiful. All in all she presented a very tempting picture. He felt the red hot flare of desire surge through his veins. Before he had imprisoned, he had had his share of females, but he had never craved any of those females the way he craved this one. She was dangerous mix of purity, power, protectiveness, innocence, courage that seemed to call to his dark and tainted being, like moth to fire.
He chuckled, his burned hands glowing red, the burns disappearing instantly. He slowly ran his hand across his chest, healing that wound as well. Once he was done, he straightened up to look at her. A smirk played on his lips as she gazed at her.
She was breathing harshly and it was clear that she was having a hard time standing up. And just as expected her legs gave out from under her and she fell kneeled on the ground. Both of her hands were on the ground, her back bend forward and her bangs obscuring her eyes from his view.
With slow deliberated steps he walked towards her. He could hear her ragged breathing. It was probably due to her broken ribs. She coughed, blood slipping from her mouth. She had overused her powers and she was just about to loose consciousness. He quietly squatted in front of her. She instantly tensed, probably sensing his presence. With a quick movement he caught her chin and raised her face so that she was looking at him. Her silver eyes were swimming with different emotions, anger, shame, courage, fear. His eyes narrowed as she all of the sudden lashed out him.
Using his quick reflexes, he managed to grab her hand and pushed her down on her back. She let out a muffled cry as her back connected painfully with the soaked ground and mud below her. He pinned her hands above her head with one hand as he straddled her. His weight pressed her down deeper in the mudd. She tried to kick him, but he didn't even budge. Her pristine white clothes were now stained with mud as was her face and hair. And still she looked so breathtaking in his eyes.
"Do you really want to do this, my little Hikari? You're already hurt." He said mockingly.
He was pleased as he noticed her eyes narrow and her aura flare. He just didn't know what seemed to draw him towards her. Maybe it was the fact that she would not break.
"Do not call me that! I'm nothing of yours and certainly not your little light. Release me now or I swear I will purify you!" she snapped, her temper close to exploding.
For once the so-called ice princess lost her cool. He chuckled at this. She was so beautiful when angry. However he knew that he needed to show her, her place. She wanted to defy him. He would show her, who was in charge.
"Do you dare to threaten me child!" Akuma hissed, baring his fangs at her.
Compared to him, she was a child, he was decades old. He had seen and experienced things that she could only dream about. And still this child dared to challenge him. She would not go down without a fight, but he would make sure to break her. She would be his and she would submit. She bit her lips as he tightened his hold on her wrist. She refused to scream. Instead she glared at him. He felt whatever anger he had been feeling at the moment drain as he looked at her face.
"Why do you keep fighting, even though you know you can't win?" he asked in a soft whisper as he used his other hand to wipe the blood away from her lips.
She tensed even more as his hands traveled from her lips to her bleeding shoulder. She tried to pull away as his hand glowed red. She whimpered as his hand glowing hand settled on her wound. She had expected it to burn her, but instead warmth seemed to stream through her as he healed her.
All the while he looked directly into her eyes, which showed her confusion. Next his hand trailed to her left side, where her broken ribs were. Once again she felt the same warmth invade her as her broken ribs were healed. Slowly he managed to heal all of her wounds, leaving flawless and unmarred skin in its wake. As last he laid his hand on her semi-exposed chest where four claw-like marks could be seen. She tensed as his hand gently settled on her chest.
He looked deeply in her eyes and he could see the discomfort in them as his hand wandered over her generous chest, healing her wounds. With his work done, he retracted his hand and she released a breath that she didn't know she was holding. By now she was completely calm and was looking curiously at him.
"All done." He said grinning.
"Why did you do that? Why heal me?" she asked calmly.
"It wouldn't do for me to injure my future mate." He said, enjoying when he watched her scowl.
"Why do you insist on wanting something that you won't get?" she asked him coldly.
She gasped as he lowered his face towards her so that their lips were only inches apart. She could feel his hot breath on her and it made for some reason her heart beat faster. His long glossy dark hair cascaded along his shoulder, creating a dark curtain around them, almost seeming to close them up in their own world. His blood red eyes seemed to glow as he looked intently at her. From this up close, she could see how handsome he really was. He reminded her of the night, dark, mysterious, alluring. She watched almost mesmerized as water droplets ran along his cheeks and lips. She mentally kicked herself.
"Don't you know that the forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest?" he asked tauntingly a smirk playing on his lips as he watched her blush prettily before looking away.
The way he was straddling her and with their soaked clothes, caused that she could feel the heat radiating off him. It was a very strange feeling to say the least. Her eyes widened like saucers as he grabbed her chin and made her look at him.
"You're the forbidden fruit that I crave." He said huskily as he inched his lips closer to her.
She noticed as his red eyes darkened, until they looked almost crimson as he looked hungrily at her. Her breath hitched in her throat as his tongue darted out and licked the blood that coated the corner of her lips. Acting on pure instinct as she panicked, she summoned the last bit of power and blasted him away.
She slowly sat up, so that her weight was resting on her elbows as she looked warily at Akuma, who had managed to do a back-flip, so that he landed perfectly on his feet. As he looked at her, he could see the confusion in her eyes. She was afraid of what he was invoking in her.
"I see you're still quite innocent to the matters of seduction. I'm more than willing to teach you though." He said smirking, his fangs showing.
She shivered at his tone. She bit her lips as she thought that if he tried something now, she wouldn't be able to stop him, she could barely sit up at the moment, let alone fight. Yet the next moment, he seemed to tense and look up towards the sky. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he scowled. He abruptly turned his gaze towards her, making her freeze.
"I guess it's time for me to leave. I promise we will meet again, my sweet Hikari." With those parting words, he summoned his black bat-like wings and flew into the dark sky, disappearing quickly.
Once she was sure that he was gone, Mitsuko let her body fall backwards. She looked tiredly at the sky. It was still raining. She felt so tired. She might not be injured anymore, but she had absolutely no energy left. Just as her eyes were about to close, she saw familiar faces descending from the sky. Their golden armor standing out as did their white wings followed by two others that she didn't know if she would see again. She wanted to stay awake, but she just couldn't. As the voices grew closer, she closed her eyes and surrendered herself to the awaiting darkness, knowing very well that she would be safe.
Kagome's eyes widened, but it was already too late as Natsuko introduced the tainted shikon shard in Sesshoumaru's neck. Sesshoumaru howled in pain as the shikon pulsed and the dark aura surrounded him. Natsuko who was standing close by was flung backwards as Sesshoumaru's left hand lashed out at her. The butterfly youkai was slammed into a wall, her body coming to rest silently as blood flowed around her from a wound on her head.
"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome yelled trying to get to the demon Lord, but quickly jumped back as Sesshoumaru's whip flew towards her.
"Stay back!" He growled.
She watched horrified as Sesshoumaru's eyes kept switching from gold to emerald as his eyes bled red. The Demon Lord of the West howled in pain as he tried to regain control of his body. It felt like liquid fire was running through his veins. He fell to his knees panting, his claws digging in the earth beneath him.
"Sesshoumaru." Kagome whispered uncertain as the Demon Lord just sat there.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she watched his lips quirk into a deadly smile. Her eyes widened as the darkness around him, seemed to increase.
"Get out of here." Kagome said softly, without looking at Inuyasha and the others.
"Hell no!" Inuyasha growled as he too sensed the change in his brother.
Before he even knew it, he was dangling from his throat in the air, with Sesshoumaru standing in front of him. The hanyou's eyes widened as he noticed his brother's eyes. His normally golden eyes were now emerald and was surrounded by red, instead of white. It just like when he transformed in his real form.
"Foolish hanyou, she told you to run, because she knows what I'm capable of." The Demon Lord said, tightening his hold on Inuyasha's neck.
"Let him go." Sesshoumaru looked at his right where Kikyo stood pointing an arrow at him.
The miko's face didn't betray any emotions, but he could clearly see the fear in her eyes. Kagome stood frozen in place, not knowing what to do. She knew that Kikyo would have no qualms about purifying Sesshoumaru, if he decided to kill Inuyasha. She needed to do something.
"You reek of fear miko." Sesshoumaru said smirking, making Kikyo narrow her eyes at him.
"Let him go or I won't be responsible for my actions." Kikyo said in a deadly calm voice as she tightened her hold on the bow.
"As you wish." With a flick of his wrist, he threw Inuyasha at Kikyo, who amazingly managed to dodge Inuyasha, only to gasp as Sesshoumaru appeared in front of him, with his claws drawn.
She quickly released the purifying arrow, but was knocked aside by Kagome, thus resulting in the arrow missing Sesshoumaru. The Demon Lord jumped back and looked curiously at Kagome, who was ignoring Kikyo's glare.
"What do you think you're doing?" Kikyo hissed as she glared at Kagome.
"I couldn't let you hurt him." Kagome said calmly, her blue eyes locked with Sesshoumaru's emerald ones.
"Sesshoumaru, this is between you and me." Kagome said standing up and straightening up.
"My sweet Kagome, you don't know what you're talking about." Sesshoumaru said smirking.
Kagome narrowed her eyes and smiled seductively at the Demon Lord.
"Come on Sesshoumaru, afraid to be defeated by a mere female."
Sesshoumaru let out a growl, not liking the way she was taunting him. She knew that although the shikon was corrupting him, deep down he was still the Demon Lord. He wouldn't let anyone question or mock his honor. She let out a startled scream as Sesshoumaru appeared in front of her. His strong arms snaked out and wrapped around her tightly as he brought his lips to her ear. She could clearly feel the tension in his body as anger rolled in waves off of him.
"Run." He whispered in her ear.
Kagome felt fear course through her as her body instinctively reacted to the command. She quickly turned around and ran into the woods. She could distinctly hear her friends call out her name, but she knew she had to get away, for her friends sakes.
Sesshoumaru observed with a satisfied smirk as she ran away. His inner youkai was howling in excitement for the hunt. Raising his face to the sky he let out a howl.
The hunt has begun.
Kagome who heard the howl, increased her pace. She knew that the hunt has begun and she was the prey. She cursed Naraku. He had all of this planned all along. The hanyou had left as soon as the shikon had been introduced in Sesshoumaru's neck. He was probably very sure that Sesshoumaru would do his bidding.
As another howl resonated, she increased her speed. She knew very well that getting captured wasn't an option. She needed to get him away from the others. If he stayed in the city, he would without a doubt kill innocent bystanders.
She needed to find a way to extract that shard from hi or at least purify it. She knew Sesshoumaru was strong in spirit, body and mind, but not even he was able to resist the power of a tainted shikon shard.
Her eyes suddenly widened. She quickly summoned her wings and took off into the sky. Just in time too as Sesshoumaru's whip came sailing towards her. Kagome stared at The demon Lord from the sky, while he stared back at her.
"Sesshou." She whispered sadness laced in her voice as she looked at the person she loved.
Sesshoumaru smirked he heard her utter his name. Closing his eyes, he inhaled her scent, which was laced with fear, sorrow and hopelessness. Her fear made his inner youkai howl as it acknowledge his prey. Opening his eyes he stared at her, she looked so small and helpless, floating there in the sky above him. He felt the familiar warmth gather in his hand as the poison gathered there.
Without notice he jumped towards her. Kagome was completely taken back as he appeared in front of her. A startled cry left her lips as his claws dug in her left side. Her blue eyes were wide as he jerked his hand out of her flesh, her blood coating his claws and hand.
Disbelief was clearly shown in her eyes, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside as she summoned some of her power and blasted him away. The Demon Lord did a back-flip and landed easily on his feet.
Kagome's hand quickly covered her wound. His poison was already taking effect. She winced as pain shot out through her side. The Demon Lord's poison was very strong. She blinked trying to clear the blurriness from her as the burning in her side increased.
She slowly descended to the ground, clutching her side, her own blood staining her hand and clothes. She needed to heal it quickly. As she descended her hand glowed white, healing the wound and making the poison disappear from her body. She let out a wince as her knees gave out from under her and she fell on her knees. Even though she had healed herself, the poison had shaken her a bit.
Shaking her head, she stood up. She straightened her back and looked at the Demon Lord who was only a few feet away from her, looking at her like she was some kind of meat. She knew very well that within a blink of an eye he could be in front of her.
He surprised her as he brought his claws to his lips and licked the blood from his claws. He never looked away from her as he cleaned the blood from his fingers almost sensually, for a moment Kagome thought that she forgot to breathe. Nevertheless she was brought out of her thoughts as Sesshoumaru tensed. She was taken back as she watched his eyes shift to gold.
"Ka..Kagome." he bit out.
"Sesshoumaru." Kagome called uncertain, not knowing what was happening.
The shikon in his neck pulsated and glowed a bright pink as it was purified. Kagome quickly decided to go towards him, but was stopped by Sesshoumaru's strong voice.
"Stay back." He growled; Kagome watched in horror as the shard once again, turned a deep dark color.
No, she would not stay back. With assured steps she made her way towards him. She almost stopped in her tracks as he raised emerald eyes to look at her. He snarled at her, but she didn't back away. She was only a few steps away from him.
She gasped and tried to get away as his hands shot out and pulled her against him, pinning her hands at her side. She flinched as his claws dug in her wrists and hips, but she refused to cry out.
Raising her eyes, she looked into his emerald eyes that kept switching back to gold. He was breathing heavily, his teeth were clenched, while he trembled. She knew he was fighting to gain control.
"Ka..Kagome." he snarled, his claws digging deeper in her flesh, releasing more of her blood, surrounding them in the spicy coppery scent.
Her eyes saddened as she watched the inner battle in his eyes.
"I'm here, just let me help you." She whispered, leaning her forehead against his.
He was sweating now. His whole body trembled. She had never before seen him in this state. His usual calm façade was shattered and it made her heart ache to see him in this condition. She needed to help him, but with her hands restrained she couldn't reach the shard or purify it for that matter.
Leaning away from him, she looked at the shard in his neck. She felt it calling out to her, to purify it. It was literally crying out to her. Without thinking she closed her eyes and leaned towards his neck. Before he could comprehend what she was doing, he felt warm lips touch his neck.
He gasped as warmth surged through him as the shikon shard pulsed. He unconsciously tightened his hold on her, eliciting a whimper from her as his claws dug deeper in her tender flesh. The shikon quickly purified, a bright pink light surrounding both of them. The light quickly died down and both of them collapsed on their knees.
Kagome supported Sesshoumaru who was leaning against her with his eyes closed. The shard had sprung out of his neck and quickly infused itself with the piece of shikon who was hanging from her neck. Letting out a relieved sigh, she looked at the Demon Lord who still had his eyes closed.
"Sesshou." She whispered afraid that he might be hurt.
Slowly he leaned back from her and opened his eyes to gaze at her. Her heart leaped as she was met with beautiful golden eyes that she loved so much. There wasn't a speck of red left. Happily she flung herself at him, giving him barely any time to steady himself. He released her hips and wrapped his arms around her waist. She buried her face in his chest and she was reassured that he was okay by the steady beating of his heart.
"You're back. Oh Kami, you're okay." She muttered as she tried to press herself closer to him.
She sighed as she felt him hug her back. He buried his nose in her neck, inhaling her scent. He was glad that she was alive. The shikon had controlled his body, but he could still see everything that he was doing. He had almost howled in rage and agony as he watched his claws break her flesh, drawing her blood.
However it had also been her blood that had seemed to have given him somewhat of control back, making it possible for him to fight the power of Naraku. Gazing at his claws he almost whimpered as he saw them coated in her blood. He pushed her a bit back and brought her right wrist to his face and looked at the wound there. He could clearly see the imprints of his claws as her blood still seeped from her wound.
A growl left his lips. He almost whimpered, but he bit it back. He made to look over her other wounds, but she stopped him.
"Don't worry, about it." She said smiling.
Her face was so sincere that he felt even worse. He had hurt her, even if he had been under Naraku and the shikon's control, the fact was that he had hurt her. And she still wasn't angry with him.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, looking away ashamed.
Yet warm small fingers took hold of his chin and turned his face so that he was looking into beautiful blue eyes.
"It's okay, there's nothing to be sorry about." She said softly.
She could see so many emotions in his eyes. There was guilt, fear, anger, relief and so many other emotions that she was unable to decipher at the moment. She knew very well that he felt guilty of hurting her, but she wanted him to know that it wasn't his fault. She didn't back down and kept looking straight in his eyes, trying to show him that she wasn't angry with him nor did she blame. She was just happy that he was okay now.
Her eyes widened as he pulled her towards him once again and hugged her. She was shocked to say the least, but quickly returned the hug.
"Thank Kami, that you're okay. I wouldn't know what I would do if I lost you, my Kagome." He whispered in her ear.
She felt her breath catch in her throat due to his words. She could feel that he meant what he said. She didn't know what to say.
"I will always be here; I won't leave your side ever as long as you want me here I will stay." She whispered as she tightened her hold on him.
Yes, she knew now for sure that she had fallen for Sesshoumaru. He loved the Demon Lord and God was she happy, but at the same time she was scared. She was scared to get hurt once again, but as his words kept ringing in her head, she couldn't feel that maybe she had found her true love this time. However their moment was broken as a bright light erupted in the woods to the right of them.
"Mitsuko." Kagome whispered.
Before he could ask anything, she was already up and running towards where the light had been. Taking a deep breath, he stood up and followed her. Mentally he made a note to check on her wounds later. The scent of her blood hung heavily in the air and it unnerved him that he was the one who had hurt her. Releasing a ferocious growl, he followed her. Naraku would pay dearly for this.
TBC……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………