Hey there! As always, another week and another chapter! I do hope you will like this one, even though it's shorter then the last one. Oh, speaking of which, I would truly and deeply want to thank you for all the reviews I received after the last chapter. You really made my week ;D
So now enjoy!
Kagome was once more woken up due to someone talking. Trying to get up she failed miserably because of the numbness in her legs. 'Probably thanks to Sesshomaru laying on them. Speaking of which I wonder where is he?' she thought to herself.
After a few minutes, she finally managed to stand up, left the cave, and found everyone. Rin and Shippou were playing with Kirara and her pet, Sango was talking with Lady Saya and the males were sitting in a circle, surrounding something.
"Totosai, explain yourself to this Sesshomaru" Kagome tried to chuckle but the sunlight made her a little dizzy, causing her legs gave in under the weight. Inuyasha was immediately by her side, helping her to stand up and bringing her to sit with them. The daiyoukai felt the need to help the miko, for some unknown reason, but brushed it aside.
Kagome smiled to everyone and then locked her gaze for a moment with the Inu male.
"Are you feeling ok now?" she asked not sure how to behave around him after what she saw last night. He only gave her a slight nod and turned his attention back to the sword smith.
"What do you want me to explain Sesshomaru?"
"How this sword came to my possession."
"Does it matter?" taking a growl as an answer, Totosai continued.
"You are aware that every newly born Daiyoukai must receive his own weapon?" Sesshomaru nodded.
"It's simple. I came here, took the sheath from Kagome, approve it and then you two filled it with your demonic powers, creating this sword." He finished pointing at the thing lying in the middle of their circle.
"This weapon is useless then." He stated calmly.
"Excuse me!?" Kagome asked, clenching her teeth's.
"Ah yes" interrupted Totosai "Bakusaiga is an amazing sword. With one cut, it can rip the opponents' body to pieces. Even after the attack, it kept ripping it until there is nothing left. Do not underestimate your own heritage Sesshomaru. Still, I'm not sure what that blinding white light was back then, though." Kagome heard enough and seeing where the conversation was going, she decided to back away and avoid the questions.
"Where are you going Lady Kagome?" Miroku asked with narrowed eyes. He had an idea what that light might be but without any evidence he didn't want to tough the subject.
"I need a bath. I didn't get one two nights ago and yesterday thanks to someone" she finished shooting a death glare at Sesshomaru, turned around and left them muttering under her breath 'ungrateful dog' all the time.
"You know you really should be nicer to her, whatever that means to you." Inuyasha said looking at his half-brother with a hint of anger in his voice. The daiyoukai only raised his elegant eyebrow.
"What he means" started Miroku "is that Lady Kagome was really scared during this whole ritual and trying to keep your beast in check really worked her out. She is still very weak and vulnerable to anyone. The least you could do is thank her for not letting you kill everyone."
"This Sesshomaru is not so low as to thank some weak miko. It was her own decision." And with that he took the sword and headed back to the camp, not missing Inuyasha saying "that weak miko had a stronger aura then yours two days ago".
--
Kagome on the other hand was walking to the hot spring with Sango.
"So what's between you and Sesshomaru?"
"What are you talking about Sango?"
"You know, that kiss. It looks to me like you were enjoying it." She said taking off her clothes and stepping in the warm water.
"I did what I have to do. Besides…" Kagome growled "… he's an arrogant, stuck up, cold hearted, murderous demon who only thinking about gaining more power. Please I would never ever fall for someone like him." She finished and dove into the water, enjoying the warm feeling as her muscles relaxed. After a while, she leaned back against a flat rock.
"This feels so good."
"Yeah, too good if you ask me."
"So Sango" Kagome started gaining attention "We had really no time to our girl to girl talk. How are things with Miroku?" her older friend blushed a little which make the young miko smile.
"It's good… I think. I mean I can see he is trying hard."
"You are right. He seems so serious and I haven't seen him groping your but all the time like he used to." Sango nodded and sighed.
"Yeah, but…" she blushed ten shades of red, and not because of the water.
"I think I know what is going on here." Kagome stated.
"You do?" Sango asked wide eyed.
"Yeah. I think you miss the old Miroku. You know the lecherous, perverted monk. After all, isn't that the reason you love him?"
"I suppose you're right" Sango replied with a small smile. "Anyway, we've been sitting here for a good hour. Shouldn't we be going back?"
"No, I want to stay here for a little while longer. I'm in no hurry to get back there, believe me, but if you want to go then go. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine"
"Well if you put it that way" the older girl said finishing her dressing.
Fifteen minutes later Sango managed to get back to the others, only to be greeted by an angry half-demon.
"Sango what the hell? Where is Kagome?"
"She wanted to stay a little longer in the hot spring, why? Is there something wrong?" Inuyasha let out a breath of relieve.
"No, sorry. It's just, she is not fully recovered yet and we don't want her to be hurt more than she already is" he said the last part looking at his older half-brother.
"Yeah you're right we don't wan-"a piercing scream filled the air.
"It's Kagome!" called Inuyasha when a white blur passed him and kept going in the direction of the sound. Everyone looked dumbfounded at one another. Sesshomaru on the other hand was running and wondering in the meantime why was he going to help her in the first place.
--
After Sango left, Kagome washed her hair and body humming a happy tune all the time.
"Hey Sango have you forgot something?" she asked hearing some movements in the bushes. When there was no answer, she wanted to turn and take a look, when a smooth voice spoke next to her ear.
"Hello Kagome. It's been a long time." Her body tensed, and when she felt a hand on her shoulder, she screamed, jerked forward and spun around, only to face a pair of crimson eyes.
"Naraku" she breathed in wide eyes. He just smirked evilly.
"So you are still alive after all huh?"
"Ah yes, much to my surprise I am. Thanks to you my dear Kagome."
"What are you talking abut? I killed you!" he chuckled at the panic in her voice.
"You managed to kill my body, but my soul filled with hatred towards you linked with the sacred jewel and prevented it from dying. Now, both of us want to get our revenge and kill you."
"In other words you won't die until you kill me?"
"Ah, of course not Kagome. My soul will be satisfied and soon after that I will have my new body and new weapon."
"Weapon?" she asked with narrowed eyes completely forgetting that she was standing naked in front of Naraku.
"Yes, weapon. The most powerful of all. Able to kill thousands of lives with just one attack. The ultimate weapon Kagome." He released one of the tentacles from his baboon pelt and pointed it towards her.
"Right now, my new incarnation is about to obtain it. Unfortunately you won't be able to witness how I kill your comrades my dear Kagome." The brown tentacles shot forward and with only a few inches from her, it was slashed by a yellow light. Kagome looked up with an expression mixed with shock and relieve.
"Ah, Lord Sesshomaru. Since you arrived I might as well give you my deepest wishes because of your birthday."
"I do not have time for you, half-breed." He growled hearing Naraku laugh.
"I believe you don't, seeing that you only arrived here, because your beast was concerned about its mistress safety" it was his time to chuckle at the daiyoukai with narrowed eyes.
"Oh yes, this is a problem isn't it?" Naraku said and locked his gaze with Kagome who immediately tensed. There was something in his eyes that scared the hell out of her. She jump out of the water and hid herself behind Sesshomaru; still feeling Narakus eyes on her. Second later, he was behind their backs.
"I will see you soon dear Kagome" he managed to said before the dog demon slashed him to pieces, letting a small wooden doll fall on the ground.
"Another puppet…. How cowardly of him." Sesshomaru said, sheathing his sword. Hearing Kagome whimper, something inside of him stirred and in a flash he was next to her, purring quietly and nuzzling her cheek. That is how the others found them. Inuyasha was red, both from embarrassment and from anger. Saya just smiled slightly. Miroku, Sango, Shippou and Rin were more than shocked.
After calming down Kagome felt her body tensed up again; when she remembered that she was naked in front of everyone. That is when she felt a silky material wrapped around her shoulders. Looking down at it, she saw it was Sesshomarus haori so the mikoness looked up into a pair of crimson red eyes with blue orbs and smiled softly, thanking him for it.
"Kagome what happened here?" Inuyasha asked, breaking her moment of peace.
"Naraku was here" she whispered tensing up a little again, remembering his last glare. Everyone looked at her shocked.
"Why was he here?"
"Well, first he said hello, then we talked and then he tried to kill me."
"What were you talking about Lady Kagome?" the miko tensed more from nervousness and panic. How was she supposed to tell them that she, Kagome Higurashi was the reason that Naraku was still alive?
Sesshomaru, returning back to normal somehow felt her distress.
"Enough. We shall return to the castle."
'The castle' Kagome thought. That is when it hit her. Ultimate.
--
"I especially liked the part about first Inu General and his Sword of Ultimate Destruction.
(…)
The sword was sealed because many demons and people alike wanted to have it in their possession. We can only imagine what kind of power is hidden inside it. However, no one, after the Great Inu-no-Mato was able to wield it without being possessed"
--
"Sesshomaru" she said tightening her grip on his right arm. "The sword."
He just raised one eyebrow at her.
"The sword. Naraku is after the Inu-no-Mato Sword of Ultimate Destruction!" she screamed; frustrated that he did not understand what she was talking about. At this point his body tensed, he pushed her on the ground and let the pink smoke engulfed his figure, turning him into his deathly dog beast form.
"Milady how can this be? Master is far bigger than before." Jaken asked with utter shock on his face. Yes, it was true. Now Sesshomaru was almost two times bigger than before. Bigger even than his father. With one swing of his tail, the beast jump up in the air and took in the direction of the castle.
"We should go too." Kagome said sheathing the Bakusaiga lying on the ground. Everyone nodded. Inuyasha was running after Kagome, Shippou and Rin were with Lady Saya and Jaken on Ah-Un's back and Sango along with Miroku were riding on Kirara.
After what seems like the whole day, the group managed to get back to castle. Kagome was already there with Inuyasha, fighting some low demons, while Sesshomaru was ripping to pieces everything that crossed his path. To their surprise, Kikyo was also there, shooting the demons with her sacred arrows. The younger miko turned to the half-demon.
"Listen Inuyasha. I need to make sure that the sword is safe. Can all of you manage to distract them for a while?"
"Sure thing." She smiled and turned when he spoke again.
"Oh and Kagome" Inuyasha blushed a little "make sure to get back in one piece"
"Will do Inuyasha" she smiled once more and went to the dojo. Making sure that there was no threat inside, young miko entered the small corridor and stopped in front of the gate. Two guards were laying slashed in two, in a pool of blood. Kagome shook her head, remembering why she was here and with much difficulty, she opened the door. At first, everything seems all right. The weapons were lying just as she remembered them. Looking straight, the breath caught in her throat. The stone, where the sword was put under the spell was empty with only a red rose in the middle of it. Kagome felt like fainting but a sudden scream of her friends from above stopped her.
--
Everyone was watching as Sesshomaru in his true form was killing the last group of demons. They gave a sighed of relieved, thinking that it was finally over, when the white dog turned his head in their direction and gave a low, malicious growl. Sango, Rin and Shippou screamed in fear and surprise.
"Lady Saya what is happening?" Miroku asked after recovering.
"My son is in blood lust."
"Blood lust?" the monk asked surprised.
"Yes. I was worried this might happen eventually. When a demon is in blood lust it will kill everyone, not caring if it's an ally or enemy."
"What can we do?"
"I believe there is nothing we can do." She said in a sad whisper. Just when a beast was ready to strike them all with his paws, a whip of green light hit him in the right back. Everyone looked to see Kagome, standing there with red eyes.
"Sesshomaru!" she called gaining the beast attention "I won't let you destroy everything precious to you. Do you hear me?!" the white dog only growled loudly at her, angry that someone interrupt his 'fun'.
"Kagome what the hell are you doing? Get back here!" Inuyasha screamed ready to strike his older brother.
"Stop! Get inside the castle and stay there!" she screamed in response.
"She is right; we should take your mate and companions inside." Lady Saya said in a firm tone.
'So he mated Kikyo' Kagome thought with a little jolt of sadness.
"Are you crazy?! There is no way I'm letting her-"
"Shut up and go to that fucking castle!" growled the raven-haired girl interrupting her friend. Everyone seems to take a hint, so they moved and stayed in the main door hidden, but able to see what was going on.
--
Kagome on the other hand felt a little scared, now that she had no idea what to do. Looking at the beast closely for the first time, she spotted that his second arm grew back. 'What can I do? The only thing I can think of is subduing him again, but with this new energy, I don't think I will be able to do it.' She thought to herself and then put one hand on her chest.
"I need you to help me. Can you do it?" she whispered quietly. Her inner beast growled softly in agreement.
"I want you to take control and somehow help me to stop him from doing the things he would regret later. You do wish for him not to harm our Rin, right?" the beast growled now a little louder at the thought of the little girl being hurt. Kagome just smiled.
"All right. Let's do it then." She closed her eyes and locked the spiritual powers deep inside, letting the beast take complete control over her blood and body. She felt her mind going blank, but leaving a little space for her to remain conscious.
--
Back in the main gate, everyone watched as Kagome was whispering some words to her chest and then closed her eyes. What happened next however shocked everyone. Slowly a green smoke surrounded her whole silhouette. Circling and finally closing the miko body inside the green cloud, a little orb of light shot high in the air and then back down on earth, exploding. When the green dust cleared, Kagome no longer there; but in her place was a big, black dog demon. Its fur was short and smooth; ears were long and pointed just like the long black tail. Two magenta strips were on both sides of its jaw and the crescent moon was clearly visible on the forehead.
"Lady Saya I thought that Kagome was a half-demon all this time."
"I too thought so at the beginning Monk, but during this whole time it seems that her miko powers turned her into a full fledged demon."
"But how is that possible?" Sango asked.
"You don't know?" everyone shook their heads.
"My theory is that because she trusts her beast and in her own way loves it. That is what makes the beast more powerful and that is why she is the size of my son before his ritual, even though she is 180 years old in demonic years."
"I see. That makes a lot of sense indeed." Miroku said and the group turned their attention back to the two big dogs.
--
Sesshomaru was now fully turned to the black beast in front of him. His own inner self did not recognize the creature in front of him, nor did he himself. Without a second thought he launch straight at it with his claws. The black dog dodges the attack by jumping in the air, managing to leave a few scratches while landing behind the white beast. The bigger creature blocked Kagome's view with its tail and slashed its right paw, leaving four deep wounds. She could feel that her inner self was ready to go into blood lust as well, in order to survive but she told it not to. Since the black dog was hurt it was nearly impossible to launch an attack so the only choice left was dodging every one of the opponent attacks.
Sesshomarus beast on the other hand was more and more furious. Two hours had passed and the only damage it was able to do was the slashes on the right paw. Deciding to put an end to this childish play his beast launch itself one more time from the air at the black beast which move forward. However, with one swift and quick movement the white dog bit its fangs in the left side of the other beast and ripped a piece of flesh from it.
Kagome felt her beast whimpering in pain and when a green smoke again engulfed the whole figure, the young miko laid on the ground in the pool of blood pouring from her side, screaming in agony as the pain was consuming every inch of her wounded body.
"I will kill that bastard!" Inuyasha screamed ready to attack when a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Wait. Look." Miroku said.
Sesshomaru gained a little consciousness and what he saw almost broke him. There, on the ground lying was the miko, who tried to stop him from destroying his palace. 'I've done it. I've done it again' he thought to himself. The daiyoukai felt his beast roaring mentally in pain at the picture in front of them. Slowly and quietly, the white dog made its way to the figure on the ground, whimpering quietly at the smell of blood. Stopping in front of her, the beast touched her softly with its big nose and sniffs a few times. Kagome was barely breathing with eyes closed, still screaming. Second later, her screams stopped.
"Oh God no, not again." Lady Saya said with tears falling from her cheeks. Everyone looked at her with strange expression. However when the loud howl filled the evening air, all of them felt the unbelievable pain, sorrow and regret filling and breaking their hearts. When they opened their eyes, the white dog was nowhere to be seen.
--
When Kagome woke up two days later, the first thing she had done was blink back the tears of pain coming from her body. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw that she was lying on a large bed in a very big bedroom.
"Where am I?" she whispered, though it was hard because her throat was dry.
"Ah Kagome you've woken up" the Inu female said with teary eyes. Immediately all of their friends were surrounding her bed asking many questions.
"I'm sorry. I would like to talk with Lady Saya alone" she whispered again. The gang nodded and left without a word. After being sure, that it was safe to talk Kagome spoke.
"What happened?" she asked.
"You decided to fight with my son and somehow you turned into a dog demon. How were you able to do that?"
"I don't know. I asked my beast to help me, locked my miko powers to let it have better control and it just happened." Saya nodded her head.
"After you turned back and fainted from too much pain we moved you here to Sesshomarus chamber. No one wanted to leave your side for a moment so I decided this room was the only one able to accommodate us all. The dead priestess, Kikyo was tending to your wounds and healing them slowly with her miko powers." Kagome nodded and after a while decided to ask the most important question to her.
"What happened to Sesshomaru?" Saya visibly drop her shoulders and let out a long sigh.
"After you transformed back, his beast howl in pain and run away. He has not come back in the last two days." Young miko felt the tears coming down her face.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
"What are you sorry about?" Inu female asked surprised.
"I was supposed to show him love and kindness, not pain and sorrow. It's all my fault. If I didn't transform he wouldn't be suffer right now out there."
"Kagome it is not your fault. If anything, we should be thanking you for saving our li-"
"It happened before right?" Kagome asked cutting her off. Saya only nodded not able to say a word. This was all the young miko needed to know. Throwing herself in the arms of the older female, she cried her pain out, knowing all too well that it was her fault in the first place.
--
After a few hours, Saya entered the great room. Everyone stood and looked at her pale face and red eyes.
"Kagome wished to talk to Kikyo." She whispered. The dead priestess nodded and went to see her reincarnation. Knocking on the door and hearing a quiet 'come in' she entered the room, now lighten up by a few candles and sat at the edge of the bed, looking at Kagome. After a moment she spoke.
"You are probably aware of what is going on here?" Kikyo nodded.
"Yes I am aware but I'm not sure how it is possible." Kagome sighed.
"It's my fault" she whispered. Dead priestess looked at her confused so the mikoness decided to continue.
"I will tell you why but you must promise me not to tell anyone. Especially Inuyasha."
"I will not tell." Kagome nodded and told everything that Naraku told her back at the hot spring, about his soul, sacred jewel and the sword. Kikyo was listening carefully, letting every word to sink in her mind.
"So what do you think about it?" Kagome asked when she finished.
"It is indeed a difficult situation. First, it was not your fault that Naraku is alive. It was his hatred towards you, nothing more. Second, now that he is linked with the Jewel of Four Souls he will be even more powerful." Stated Kikyo. The younger miko sighed.
"Yeah I know"
"However" Kikyo continued "it is also a good sign for us, because now, we do not need to kill him physically." Kagome gave her a confused look.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean that since Narakus soul is inside the jewel we need only to purify the jewel without killing him. Of course, knowing Naraku the jewel will be inside his new body."
"Yeah probably, just like the last time." She sighed again.
"You should get some rest."
"Wait, Kikyo" the dead priestess stopped and looked at her.
"Is it true that you and Inuyasha are mated?" there was a short pause.
"Yes it is true. I'm sorry Kagome that you had to learn about it this way. I, we really wanted to tell you this after the whole case with Sesshomaru is closed." At the name of the daiyoukai, the younger miko visibly flinched.
"No that's ok, really. I hope you two will make each other happy." She replied with a warm smile.
"Thank you for understanding Kagome." And with that Kikyo left the room, leaving the sleeping girl alone.
Another three days has passed after that night. The wounds on her right hand were gone and the piece of flesh on her left side was almost healed as well. Kagome was cheerful around everyone, smiling and laughing. However, everyone knew it was just an act. Every night, when she thought her companions were asleep she buried her face in the pillow and cried, whimpering quietly.
It was the fourth day, evening to be exact and the young miko was sitting on her favorite bench in the garden with closed eyes, trying to think of anything other than the current situation, when a screams from the front gate reached her ears.
--
Inuyasha and the rest of the group were standing in the main door looking at the Dog demon.
"Where the hell have you been?" the half-demon asked.
"This is none of your concern." Calmly stated the daiyoukai.
"None of my concern? You almost killed Kagome! How the hell is this none of my concern?"
"Miko is still alive?" Sesshomaru asked with a little hope in his voice. Inuyasha was startled a little.
"Well yeah she is." He replied calmly and after remembering, whom he was talking with he screamed again.
"Anyway what were you thinking? Were you thinking at all?" with every word it seemed like the Inu male was shrinking.
"How could you done som-"
"Stop it Inuyasha" came a calm voice from the left. Everyone turned to see Kagome standing and looking at Sesshomaru.
"Kagome but he alm-"
"I said stop it. He was not himself. It wasn't his fault." She said averting her gaze to the younger brother.
"It was just the same as with your transformation so I believe you have no right to criticize him, Inuyasha." At this statement, the half-demon ears went flat against his head.
"We should leave them alone." Lady Saya said. Everyone nodded and went back to the palace. For the first time, Kagome had a moment to look at Sesshomaru and she did not like what she saw. His face and clothes were covered in dirt and blood. His hairs were sticky, without their usual shine. But what make her feel the worst were his eyes. Normally hard, firm golden orbs were now empty, dull. Not able to hold back her emotions, Kagome release her tears, ran and hugged the daiyoukai tightly.
"I'm sorry" she kept whispering over and over again. Sesshomaru was shocked and did nothing to hide it. It was just too much.
"Miko" he said gaining her attention.
"Why are you crying?" Kagome blink back a few tears, surprised by his question.
"Because as a person who subdued your beast, I was supposed to show you love and kindness, not pain and suffering." Another few tears make its way down her cheeks. The daiyoukai was, in short, dumbfounded.
"Why are you not mad at this Sesshomaru?"
"Why would I be? It was my fault after all. If I were not so stupid and stubborn to stop your blood lust, you would not have ran away and be in this condition. Besides, as I said, you were not yourself, so how can I blame you for anything?" she finished with a small teary smile.
There was a long silence. Kagome was no longer hugging him but still kept a hard grip on his wrist, afraid that he would run away again if she let go.
"This Sesshomaru is ashamed of himself" he said suddenly. Kagome looked at him with very wide eyes. 'Am I hearing wrong or did he just apologized to me in his twisted way?' she thought to herself and then smiled.
"It's ok. Now come on, we need you to take a nice long bath and change. You stink." Receiving a growl as a reply, she laughed lightly, looking at him. Sliding her hand down a little, she interlocked their fingers and start walking back to the castle, smiling silently to herself, at the old sign, which returned in his eyes.
I think I owe you some explanation about Kagome at this point. She is a full blooded demon if this is what you are wondering. However, thanks to her miko powers she is able to look like a normal human, without strips and moon on the forehead. And yes, at the begining she was a half demon, but due to the power she already possessed and the bond she created with her inner self, the best grew in power and enable the transformation. Well, that's in short, I think. If you have any questions, you know what to do. I explained it so that you could knew my thinking (though it may be twisted, I know :P)
--
Now, the preview for the next chapter (it was kinda hard to pick something up :P)
--
Hey, do you know where Inuyasha is?"
"We haven't seen him since yesterday."
"Actually…" Lady Saya spoke after a moment "I haven't seen my son either."
"No way" Kagome groaned "Don't tell me they are doing it again"
--
The next chapter is funny ( at least to me :P) and shocking and well. Some of you might not like it because of... ;D
See you next wednesday! ;D