External Noise Chapter Nine: The Crimson, an inuyasha fanfic

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of it! Atreyu owns the song! Sessho, Kags, and Inu are only visiting.

AMP: I realize that I may have thrown a few people off with the blood drinking in the last chapter and I have only one thing to say about that...I'M NOT SORRY! MUAH-HA-HA-HA!

Sessho: Calm down everyone, AMP has just lost her sanity again...

AMP: How could I lose what I never had?

Kags: ::yells from the bathroom where she's still brushing her teeth:: I'll say she's lost it! AMP! You made me drink BLOOD!

Inu: Wow...AMP, that was really fucked up, but so wicked awesome at the same time!

Kags: You're not helping!

AMP: Get used to it Kags. Ok everyone, The next chapter will be what I call a "Reasoning Chapter" in which the answers to all will be known! I guess that makes this a "Prologue to the Reasoning Chapter". Enjoy!

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Chapter 9: The Crimson

The panicking demon lord had refused to allow even Iriai near Kagome upon their return. He himself had already cleaned her up, but that dilated, wild expression was still in her eyes. He feared for the life of anyone in his household who came near her. As he carried her to his room he screamed at everyone to stay away. He could hear Rin crying distantly, but that was inconsequential at the moment.

He gently set her on his bed and stood back. She was responsive now, but staring at everything as if seeing it for the first time. It was as if the very movements of her hands fascinated her.

"Why doesn't she attack me?" he thought. "If she's so hungry for demon blood then why hasn't she come after me?"

Kagome suddenly stopped staring. She closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side as if listening. If Sesshomaru hadn't known any better he would have thought she was meditating.

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Everything was so…interesting that the miko could do nothing but stare. It was as if everything was alive and breathing.

Then her vision faded pink.

Well, you've done it now. There was nothing wrong with killing the tiger, but drinking his blood is quite another story.

"So there you are. Where were you before when I could have used your guidance?"

You did not need me to fight the demon. Sesshomaru would have never let you walk into a battle that he wasn't sure you could win.

"The other voices said to drink."

Don't listen to them if you can help it. I can't give you all the details about what's going on in your head because I don't know them all. However, there is one person who may be able to help get some answers.

"Who?"

Kaede.

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Kagome opened her eyes. Her pupils weren't dilated anymore, but she still gazed in wonder at everything around her.

Sesshomaru put a hand on her shoulder to draw her attention. She gave him a passing glance before turning her attention back to the shadows on the ceiling. She spoke her request in as few words as possible. "We must see Kaede."

She rose and left the room to prepare for the trip, leaving the demon lord to stare after her.

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"Since when is allowing her to drink demon blood helping her?!" Sango screamed at Sesshomaru. He might have been twice her size and a powerful demon, but Kagome was practically her sister, and Sango felt it necessary to defend her.

The Taiyouki narrowed his eyes at the angry taijiya. "That choice was not mine to make, slayer. Her face was buried in his throat before I could stop her."

"Sango, let Sesshomaru-sama be. We have more pressing problems." Kaede had visibly paled after hearing the demon lord's account of the events and instructed Shippo to distract Kagome outside. "Kagome's aura has changed. There is a faint demon trace to it."

"How is that possible?" Miroku asked. "To our knowledge, Kagome is completely human. Her aura has always displayed her power, but it is spiritual, not demon."

"No, Miroku. She was human. But her humanity has faded slightly. It is as if the demon blood she consumed has been distributed thought her body and blended with her own."

"Will it stop?" Sango inquired.

Kaede considered for a moment. "It seems as if it is content with merely merging. It would take more infusions for the change to continue."

"And if she drinks more?" Sesshomaru inquired from his position next to the door.

Kaede gave him a sharp look. "She could become almost completely demon. I do not believe she could ever be a full demon because of her spiritual powers, but they could be what is causing the demon blood to intertwine with her own rather than just kill her."

"Kill her?" Sango yelped. "How could it kill her?!"

"A large enough infusion of demon blood could kill a normal human." Kaede replied. "There was a rumor once about a demon who took a human mate. He believed that by infusing her with his blood he could extend her lifespan. However, the young woman died a slow, painful death. The blood of a demon is just too powerful for an ordinary human to withstand."

"What would Kagome be like if she were almost completely demon?" Sesshomaru demanded. "Would she exhibit spiritual or demon powers?"

"I do not know for sure." Kaede responded. "But I believe she will have both. The demon blood currently in her is not inhibiting her power in any way. But you may notice her senses becoming sharper as the blood settles in."

"So she will still be able to keep the Shikon no Tama pure?" Miroku questioned.

Kaede's expression became worried. "Where is the jewel now?" she asked the demon lord anxiously.

Sesshomaru moved the collar of his haori to show the chain from which the jewel hung. "Safe."

Kaede let out a relieved sigh, but Miroku immediately become defensive. "How do we know you won't use it for evil purposes?"

Kaede came to the Taiyoukai's defense. "Sesshomaru-sama does not seek power from outside sources; therefore he is no danger to the jewel. I believe that Kagome is still capable of keeping it pure, but who knows what will happen if she kills another demon. I say that the Shikon should remain with Lord Sesshomaru for the time being."

Kagome and Shippo chose that moment to reenter the hut and all conversation stopped.

Shippo was extremely quiet and stared straight ahead with a shocked expression. Kagome, by contrast, was looking at everything with an intense stare and seemed unable to focus.

She was also flushed and had a red smear across the corner of her mouth. The stench of blood invaded the Taiyoukai's nose.

Sesshomaru stood and approached her cautiously. "Kagome," he began. "What have you done?"

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The miko brought the demon lord into focus and began to study the way the light of the torch made his hair glisten. Was there a pattern to
it?
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Sesshomaru threw the humans in the room a worried glance. He grabbed Kagome's arms and shook her a little. "Answer me, miko! What have you done?!"

Shippo's broken sobs caught his attention. "It attacked us! A bear demon! Kagome slashed its chest with her katana! Its skin was starting to burn away! And then she threw herself on top of it and…and…" The young fox demon began to rock himself and wail.

The demon lord knelt next to him and placed a comforting arm around him. "And then what happened, young one?" he asked softly.

Shippo was shaking so hard he could barely answer. "She…I…I could see her licking its heart! Blood was still pumping out of it and she was just sucking it up! Oh Kami, I can still hear the noises she made!"

Then he fell apart and they couldn't get anything else out of him.

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Kagome's singing caught Sesshomaru's attention, but he almost couldn't stand to listen. He was traveling with a killer. He was bringing a killer into his home, where his entire household was easy prey for her.

"I feel it welling up inside
And Robert Smith lied,
Boys do cry and with
Blood tears in my eyes I'm an Anne Rice novel come to life.
I can't hide the monster anymore…"

Even if the old woman was right and Kagome was only attacking demons that threatened her, it was still a huge risk. His only comfort was that she wouldn't go after Rin.

"One can only feel desolate for so long until
One starts to change into
Something the mirror doesn't recognize.
Metamorphosize…"

But what of the fox child? He was practically Kagome's own kit. She hadn't attacked him, but she might have emotionally scarred him for life. Could their relationship ever be mended? He had calmed slightly once the situation had been explained to him, but the sight of the only parent figure he had drinking blood from a demon's chest had just been too much for him to bear.

"The darkness has been biding it's time
To claim its latest victim,
Fresh meat for carnal desires,
To become, what I became.
I viewed the sun for the very last time…"

Was it really so bad to stop her? If it didn't kill her, then the most it would do would be to extend her life span and abilities. Only good could come out of that. Unless of course she developed an insatiable appetite for demons.

"Will you still hold me when you'll see what I have done?
Will you still kiss me the same,
When you taste my victim's blood?
So crimson and red,
I feel it flowing from your lips.
My heart is dead and so are you…"

Kagome had handled the impact of the demon blood better this time. She had still been able to function even if she couldn't focus. And the fact that there was already demon blood in her was making the change go faster according to the old woman.

"And it pulses through,
The desire to change, to deconstruct
All of my,
All of my, my past failings…"

Sesshomaru almost wished he had never taken her in. She would have only been a danger to herself if he had left her with her human companions. He closed his eyes and lowered his head. He couldn't change the past, and he wasn't sure he would even if it were possible.

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But where to begin because when you live in sin
It's hard to look at saints,
Without them reflecting your jet black aura back on you.
And all I have is hope,
My inner burn's not fading,
I'll wipe the blood from my cheek and get on with my day.

"Why do you make me do these things?"

We did not make you do it, miko. You chose this fate.

"No."

Yes. You drank from the tiger, and now you cannot help it. You will kill until the process is finished.

"How long?"

That depends on the amount you take next. For now, you must use your powers to consciously intertwine the demon blood with your own. The faster you do this, the faster it will be finished.

"Why are you doing this to me? What will you get out of it?"

As long as you are alive, we profit. As a demon you will live much, much longer. The corruption of a miko isn't a bad incentive either.

"Why would you want me corrupted?"

Isn't that what all mikos believe demons are good for? Corruption?

"You are demons?"

…………………………

"Answer me!

Silence. Kagome slowly came out of her trance and focused on the graceful demon walking before her.

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Sesshomaru felt Kagome's gaze long before he decided to acknowledge it. He paused and stared at the ground before turning around to meet her gaze.

"Why, Kagome?" He asked dejectedly. "Just tell me why you do this."

Tears filled Kagome's eyes and threatened to spill over. She stepped towards him and placed a small hand on his upper arm. "Why are you so sad?"

He was surprised that she spoke. "Because I took you from relative safety with the agreement that I would protect and help you and I have failed."

"And all I have is hope
And all I need is time
To bury in pine under six feet of time
The lies I told me about myself…"

Kagome looked him straight in the eye. "Is that a question of honor, or do you really care?"

"Claw my way out,
Pick the splinters from under my fingernails.
I won't lose hope,
I won't give in…"

Sesshomaru returned the miko's gaze with uncharacteristic warmth, then reached up and ran one clawed hand over her hair. "It is both."

"Just live and breathe, try not to die again.
Just live and breathe, try not to die again.
Just live and breathe, try not to die again.
I try not to die again…"

Kagome leaned into his touch and gave him a small smile.

"Now," he continued. "When we return you will answer the questions of this Sesshomaru."

"Is that a request or an order?"

"Take it how you will, miko."

She feigned consideration for a moment. "This Kagome agrees."

Sesshomaru almost laughed.

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AMP: Everyone enjoying my blood thirsty side? Special thanks to: Lil' JJ, LadyKellet, mangadreams, vampric instincts, and Archangel's Requiem. You guys rock! Keep it up!