I apologize for taking so long to update, I have been swamped with work and trying to have a remotely social life. To make amends I have written an extra long chapter for you to sink your teeth into. Warning readers please take into consideration the content of this chapter which contains a vicious rape scene and note the M rating of the story. If you feel uncomfortable with this kind of content then please do not read. Thank You and enjoy!
Chapter 32- A Miko's Test
"How delicious." A dark voice murmured from the shadows. "I believe some adjustments are in order. I can't have my dear miko recovering, not when she is so close to my goal."
Yamashi watched the two embrace from afar, cloaked in darkness, his corrupted mind whirling with a wicked scheme. Dark eyes glittered with malice. "She believes to have found her savior. It's just too bad she has wasted all of those frivolous feelings on that half demon. I can't have Inuyasha messing up my well thought out plans."
The ice demon chuckled sinisterly. Turning away from the couple, his black cloak swirled behind him, keeping him hidden from the naked eye. As the darkness swallowed him, his hollow words lingered. "It's time to join reality my dear. There is no use for petty dreams here."
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Kagome fisted her hands deeper into Inuyasha's kimono, savoring the feel of his warm skin radiating through the fabric. She placed her head on his chest, just glad to be near her only source of comfort.
"I don't want this to ever end." She whispered into his shoulder. Now that she had finally remembered him, she never wanted to lose him again. He was her life line, her reason for living.
Inuyasha gripped Kagome's waist, his claws gently scratching soothing circles across her back. "You have no reason to be afraid. You are safe, here with me. In your dreams nothing can harm you." He spoke in a hushed tone.
Kagome froze. Her body grew numb as she felt the icy breath of fear settle in her chest. Her arms prickled with the unwanted presence of goosebumbs. She felt warm tears trickle down her frozen cheeks and drip onto the red fabric. She took a rattling breath and forced her head up to look at him.
"Did you say dreams?" She asked hoarsely. Her eyes were wavering with a new flood of tears as she stared into his amber eyes that ignited her dark world.
Inuyasha didn't trust himself to speak. How he wanted to tell her a sweet lie. He longed to fabricate her fantasies and to keep her sorrow and anguish at bay. But he knew he could not lie
to her, no matter how much he wanted to. She deserved the truth. So instead of answering her, he just nodded.
Kagome shivered against him. Her forehead felt clammy and dripped in a cold sweat. Her body trembled uncontrollably, despite the warm embrace she felt. How could this possibly be a dream? It felt so real. She could feel Inuyasha's touch, his lips against hers, his strong arms securing her, his gruff voice comforting her. It seemed impossible for this to be unreal. She refused to believe it.
"No." She whispered. She squeezed her eyes shut, trapping the unshed tears and preventing them from escaping. She had finally found him after being so lost, and now she was supposed to accept the fact that he was not real? The thought literally sickened her.
Inuyasha withdrew his head from its place nestled in her hair. He had been hoping that it would be easier to break this to her.
"Now Kagome, you need to listen to me." He tried to console her. Gripping her shoulders gently but firmly, he tipped her chin up, forcing her to look at him. Watery stark eyes pinned him with an incredulous gaze. He knew this was going to be difficult for her, he just didn't expect it to be so unbelievably strenuous. Her nerves were literally shot, after all that she had just recently gone through, obtaining her memories back, and now she was expected to let him go? Inuyasha could understand where her emotions were coming from.
"You need to wake up. It's the only way for you to return to normal." He stroked her cheek softly. She continued to shake with silent sobs. He let her body tremble against his, ignoring his own tormented feelings and focused on soothing the quivering woman who clutched to him.
"I know you're strong enough to wake up from this." He whispered into her frazzled hair. It was unnerving, looking at this woman, so detached looking. She was a former shell of what she had once been. At one time she had been one of the most promising miko's to ever walk Japan. Her spirit was strong and able, her words wise and caring. Now she lay crumbled, in a defeated heap, helpless and void of any self esteem.
Kagome heard his smooth voice from deep within the folds of his haori. Her puffy eyes blinked, sending another river of tears cascading down her cheeks. She relished her hiding place in his kimono, and only wished to stay buried within the warm haven forever.
"I know you wish to ignore me, and pretend this nothing happened. But the truth is it did. You have to learn to accept that. The sooner you do, the sooner you can begin to awaken from this dream." Inuyasha hated to sound so harsh, but he knew if he was ever going to convince her to wake up, he was going to have to start pushing.
Kagome felt her breath hitch. Her eyes narrowed to a steely squint. She drew in a sharp breath. She felt the burning flames of anger lick at her insides. So he thought she was being uncooperative did he? He hadn't just gone through hell and back, trying to get his memories back. He hadn't been used by a malignant demon with a psychotic streak, who enjoyed toying with people's minds.
She looked at him, a frosty gaze in her eyes. "And what would you know of it?" She hissed through clenched teeth. Her jaw was rigid, she looked furious, daring him to say otherwise.
Inuyasha's honey eyes widened, he looked at her, startled. A small glimmer of hurt flashed through his hypnotic orbs, before he put up his familiar wall. She could pretend all she wanted too, but that still didn't give her the right to give him the cold shoulder.
"You're being utterly ridiculous, Kagome." He told her in a soft voice, but the annoyance was still evident in his tone. His eyes darkened a tinge as he frowned at her.
Kagome blew off his warning with an angry breath. She pulled out of his arms, eager to escape his ensnaring grasp. Stumbling back a few feet, she was relieved to be free of his iron grip. But no sooner had she been able to steady herself, when she felt his arm clamp onto her wrist. An angry hiss escaped her lips as she was pulled rather roughly back into his arms. This time he encircled her, placing his palms in the small of her back, and applied ample pressure to keep her forced up against his chest. She tried to squirm her way out of his hold, but a sharp growl and a slight squeeze immediately halted her efforts.
Kagome seethed as she was held tightly in place. Her forehead pressed against his shoulder, trying to force him to move. But his body was as hard as marble, and refused to budge. Kagome snarled as her efforts were in vain and she remained pinned to him, clamped in his hold. No matter, she would make him release her. She raised her eyes to him, deviance glazed over them. She sucked in a small breath, preparing to release her last resort.
But she never got the chance as Inuyasha's lips slammed roughly into hers, silencing her words. He ignored her surprised gasp as his lips ravished hers. His fangs pricked her lips dominant and forceful.
Then he parted from her mouth a fraction of an inch. "Don't you dare." he growled his voice low and dangerous. Something in his tone told Kagome she should not defy him. She reluctantly settled to fuming. Satisfied that she was not going to subdue him, Inuyasha backed off.
"I can't believe you were going to resort to something as childish as subduing me." he chided her, the anger still thick in his voice.
Kagome refused to look at him, knowing if she did, she would see his disappointed and angry eyes pointed at her. Inuyasha's arms did not relinquish their hold, but rather slackened, now that he knew she would not try and escape him. His grip now fit more comfortably around her body.
Kagome saw her chance at freedom, and quickly rolled to the side, slipping through his grip. Inuyasha let out a curse as his mate escaped, but Kagome ignored it. As soon as she was free she stumbled to her feet and began to run through the shadows, not knowing where to go, only sure that she wanted to be away from him and his smothering grasp and harsh words.
Kagome had only gotten a few feet at most, when she felt arms snatch her, pulling her clear off the ground at an alarmingly fast rate. Her feet tripped out from under her as she tumbled toward the ground. But instead off slamming into the granite like floor, her body collided with an all too familiar chest, sending her and Inuyasha crashing to the ground.
The sudden impact jarred Kagome, causing her body to jerk involuntarily, but strong arms wrapped protectively around her, shielding her from the initial damage.
Inuyasha held her close to him, as his back slammed forcefully into the ground. He gritted his teeth as pain shot through his spine. After the worst of it was gone, he lay there, holding Kagome immobile to him.
She lay there, listening to the deafening silence, hardly breathing. Her eyes were screwed shut, afraid to open them for fear of what she would face. The only sound was the constant hammering of her heart as it crashed against her chest. Kagome was very aware that she was lying on top of Inuyasha, his arms encasing her in an unbreakable hold.
Somehow she knew she wouldn't have gotten very far, she knew he would catch her. He always did. But the fact still remained that he had told her it was all just a dream, a figment of her manipulated conscious. Those shattering words still swam around in her mind, taunting her. She knew it was unreal, but that didn't lesson the anguish embedded in her heart. She knew she had to accept this, or she would remain trapped her in this shadowy realm forever.
Kagome took a deep, steadying breath. She opened her eyes to twin pools of amber staring back at her. Inuyasha was watching her carefully, his eyes searching hers carefully for any sign of anger. But there was nothing left, her rage had been subdued, and now her chocolate brown eyes only stared widely back at him, filled with a tangled array of emotions.
"Have you calmed yourself down now?" He asked quietly. His molten eyes burned into hers. Seeing her wide eyes fraught with remorse and guilt, he felt his own eyes soften. He began to rub her back gently, methodically as he subconsciously pulled her closer to him. Her nose pressed against his collar bone, his hot skin leaking warmth into her body.
Kagome let out a rattling breath, releasing her pent up anxiety, frustration, and anger. Pressing her hands into Inuyasha's chest, secretly enjoying the back scratch she was receiving.
"I'm surprised you're not still mad at me." She mumbled, refusing to meet his eyes. Her hands slid from his chest and dropped into her lap, where they lay unmoving.
Vibrant rumbling shook his chest and she heard soft chuckling. Kagome snapped her head up, seeing his tiny smirk.
Inuyasha slowly sat up from the ground, supporting her back as he leaned toward her. "I'll admit I'm still a little irked at the scene you pulled. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole idea. Do you mind telling me exactly what was going through your head?" Inuyasha stared at her with smoldering eyes, awaiting an answer.
Kagome bit her lip, immediately dropping her head from his hypnotic gaze. She couldn't help but fall to pieces whenever he fixed her with that stare. His eyes pierced right through her.
Inuyasha sighed, and reached down and cupped her chin. He held her face softly in his hands. His lips brushed over hers for a brief instant. Unlike his previous assault, this kiss was gentle and soft. When he drew back, Kagome's lips were tingling pleasantly. She shuddered before resuming her fixed gaze at the clasped hands in her lap.
"What is it Kagome?" He persisted.
He got no answer. Kagome only shook her head, letting her bangs fall in her eyes. Mumbling something incoherent her eyes stayed glued to her lap.
Inuyasha pricked his ears up. Leaning in closer, his two fingers caught her chin, forcing her head up. Brushing her bangs away, he found her eyes fixated down, refusing to look up.
"Look at me." He commanded gently.
Kagome couldn't ignore his voice. Slowly, she dragged her eyes up until they met his. His lips curved into a small smile, glad that they were making some progress.
"I was afraid." Kagome whispered, her voice torn. Her eyes floated away from his. She was far too embarrassed to look at him. She didn't want to see his reaction to her shameful excuse.
"Of what?" He grabbed her chin once more, forcing her to look at him. She needed to learn the concept of looking him in the eye when she spoke to him, no matter how difficult it may be.
"I didn't want to face the fact that this was a dream. I didn't want to go back to reality." Kagome let out an uneasy breath. She had been happy with the way things had been going thus
far. It all seemed so wonderful, almost too good to be true. Inuyasha's blatant harshness had given her a cruel dose of reality. It was something she was not ready to face.
"You where forcing me to see reality." She accused defensively. She felt another stab of anger in her chest as she voiced her belief. She couldn't help it; Inuyasha seemed to be relentless in his effort to bring her out of this dark illusion.
"Did it ever occur to you that perhaps the reason I forced you to see reality was so that you would be able to distinguish the difference between dreams and the real world? Is it possible that you refused to believe me because you wanted to remain in an illusion? You were too stubborn to accept the fact that it wasn't real. Well I have news for you, the world is a lot crueler then any dream. Flittering amongst trivial illusions is something only a coward would do." Inuyasha's voice was harsh again as he glared at Kagome through narrowed eyes.
Kagome instantly regretted her last sentence. She felt her spirits sink as Inuyasha's words took their affect. She hadn't thought of the reason why she wanted to keep living in this fantasy. All she knew was that she had felt a sense of security. But Inuyasha had proven that living in a delusion was a pitiful way to spend one's life.
"Believe me," He placed his hands over her shoulders softly, bringing her in close. Her chocolate eyes stared tearfully back at him. His voice was softer. "My words hurt you far less then you're death could ever hurt me. Words can be taken back, life can't. Think about that next time you decide to do something as foolish as clinging to an illusion."
Kagome released a choked sob. She collapsed onto his chest, allowing him to rub her back soothingly. She hadn't even considered any other options besides this one. All of her friends and family were waiting on the outside. Her mother, grandfather, and young brother, how would they react knowing she had forsaken herself to a worthless dream? Sango and Miroku would have been devastated. And Shippo would have snapped. His little heart wouldn't have been able to take it. His whole world consisted of her, and to have that ripped away from him, when he'd already gone through so much, it was simply too disturbing to think about.
This last thought brought Kagome out of her hysteria. She wiped her eyes briskly, and after several sniffles she looked up, her eyes finally dry. Inuyasha smiled. He embraced her, tucking his chin gently into her shoulder.
Kagome looked up at him, her eyes full of emotion. "I'm so thankful that I have you, to awaken me from this nightmare. You saved me from having to repeat a horrible fate. If I had been unable to find by way to you, if I had lost my way..." She faltered.
"Hush." Inuyasha admonished gently. "Do not think such thoughts; you must have more faith in yourself. If I were ever unable to help you, you have to believe in your own spirit to have
the strength to move on. You are a strong person Kagome, one of the strongest I've ever known. You cannot let your own self esteem weaken you."
She nodded, more for his sake then her own. But deep in her heart she knew that she could not survive without him. She bit her lip, worry still clogging her senses. Laying her head on his chest she let him hold her, relishing the feeling of being protected.
"If I weren't so weak, perhaps I could conquer all of this." Kagome whispered. She bowed her head, feeling utterly helpless.
Immediately she knew she had said the wrong thing when she felt Inuyasha stiffen. She winced as she was jerked forcefully from her comfortable position. Inuyasha's golden orbs were burning into hers, fury residing in them. His mouth was drawn into a frown as he glowered at her. Kagome cringed, knowing what was coming.
"What in the hell is wrong with you?! Do you fail to grasp the concept that you are an amazing miko with extraordinary power and an amazing gift?! Are you so lost in your own mangled thoughts that you have forgotten who you are? Do you not realize how many people you have helped, how many lives you have saved?!" Inuyasha growled in vehemence. He felt his blood churning as his inner youkai raised its sleeping head and howled.
"You have no idea what I'm going through." Kagome told him bitterly, looking away with hardened eyes.
Inuyasha grabbed her shoulders with a seething growl. Pulling her close, he gave her a jolt hard enough to bring her distraught filled eyes to look into his own. "I know exactly what you're going through. Believe me I was there to witness it! I watched as he controlled you, turned you against me, and touched you in vulgar ways. I have experienced much in my life that has taught me valuable lessons. One of the most important being trust Kagome! Trust is what holds us together! Without it, we aren't any better than Kikyo was." He hissed with resentment.
Kagome felt a sheet of cold ice wash over her, numbing her body. Her stomach convulsed into twisted knots, and her mouth felt as dry as sand. How dare he bring her up! Especially at a time like this! Who was he to lecture her about trust? He always pushed her away, wanting to shut everyone out and deal with his issues alone. He rarely accepted her help, insisting he didn't need any, and then he would end up getting himself injured! And she was there every single time to patch him up again, without a thank you or any sign of recognition.
She had watched every single time he had gone sneaking off with Kikyo and had forgiven him every single time, never mind the endless tears she had cried over him! Kagome felt the choking hold of anger consume her. The ice slowly began to melt as flames began to build inside, her rage fueled by every thought.
Kagome turned to look at him through cold rimmed eyes. "And what would you know of trust Inuyasha? You're no worse than I am. You let a lowly demon come between you and you're supposed beloved. That shows how much trust you have in people." Kagome bit out at him. She knew she was hitting low, but she didn't care. He needed to know how she felt.
Inuyasha's eyes sparked with new felt anger. He felt the beast within him slash against his barrier, longing to escape its confinement. He pitted Kagome with a blazing look, preparing to give her a severe tongue lashing. But he was surprised as she ripped herself from his arms once more and turned to him, her eyes blistering.
Inuyasha saw the familiar determination in her eyes. "Kagome, don't!" He started forward, intent on stopping her. But as he darted forward to grab her, she eluded his grasp by inches. Sucking in a deep breath Kagome prepared herself for what she was about to do. She knew there would be consequences. She knew she was being extremely childish, but right now she didn't give a damn. She needed to do this.
"Inuyasha, sit." She said forcefully.
As soon as the word left her lips, gravity turned on the wide eyed half demon, and he was pulled to the earth by the enchanted beads. A resounding crash indicated his connection with the ground.
Inuyasha's initial reaction was shock. He didn't think she would actually go through with it. But now as he lay face down on the concrete floor, trying to get the feeling back in his aching limbs, his inner demon was snarling and raging, clawing at his chest, sending his heart into frenzy. He rose from the ground slowly, all the while trying to beat the monster back. But he could feel his restraint slipping, no matter how hard he tried to fight it. He knew what would happen if lost control, if he hurt her, even accidently. The outcome would be too horrific for him to bear.
"Kagome," Inuyasha growled in a raspy voice. His eyes flickered crimson. "Distance yourself from me." He could feel the fire in his veins building, taking over his senses.
The black haired miko stood frozen, her previous anger at the half demon now abolished. Now she only felt concern for her mate, and shame towards herself for acting so childish.
"Inuyasha… I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to act so immature. I was just angry. You don't deserve to be ridiculed just because I was being uncooperative and foolish. I should not have said those cruel things and brought up your past, it was wrong of me." Kagome spoke sincerely.
Inuyasha shook his head, his eyes closed, hiding his scarlet orbs from view. "I was in the wrong too. I could have been more patient and understanding of your situation instead of assuming you had to move on and forget about it. I was too harsh with you. I brought up Kikyo when I knew she was a sore subject for you to discuss. But none of that matters now. What is important is that you get as far away from me as you can." Inuyasha was gasping in short breaths now as he tried to keep his demon side at bay.
Kagome didn't move, still rooted to the spot. She could only stare at Inuyasha through watery eyes.
The half demon opened his eyes. Noticing Kagome was still there, his ruby colored eyes narrowed. "What are you waiting for?! I said get out of here, NOW!" He snarled at her. He could feel the merciless fire quickly making its way throughout his body, licking at his insides, muddling his conscious. He knew he wouldn't be able to stop it, not this time, not without tetsaiga. The last thing he saw was his mate sprinting towards him, before his mind clouded over, and he saw red.
Kagome plowed into Inuyasha, immediately wrapping her arms tightly around his form. She could hear his deep, throaty growl. She knew she was too late. Inuyasha's fangs grew in length, their pearly points jutting out over his bottom lip. His hands cracked as his fangs grew longer, more deadly. Jagged purple stripes appeared on his cheeks, finishing the transformation.
"No Inuyasha stop! You must break away from this! Please, I know that you have the power to do it!" Kagome screamed hoarsely, all the while clinging to him.
"It's useless my pet." A new voice broke through the darkness, startling Kagome. Yamashi stood at the edge of the blackness, watching her through emotionless eyes. "Inuyasha is no longer able to hear your desperate pleas." He took a step towards them.
"Don't come any nearer!" Kagome warned. She held onto her raging lover, burying her face into his haori. Inuyasha struggled and thrashed, completely unaware of his mate's voice, only aware that someone was holding him, preventing him from moving. He snarled angrily, digging his claws into Kagome. A gasp flew from her lips as she hissed in pain. Kagome sunk her teeth into her lip to prevent herself from screaming. Blood trickled from her lip and down her chin.
In an instant Yamashi was beside them, observing the couple casually. After watching Kagome struggle with her pain for a few moments he raised a hand and pointed his palm towards Inuyasha.
"I have had quite enough of your trivial behavior." He spoke quietly. Kagome watched with wide eyes as black sparks formed at Yamashi's fingers. The sparks formed
became a swirling energy that intertwined around Inuyasha. A feral scream tore from Inuyasha's lips as the dark energy bound him, burning his flesh.
"No! Stop it! You're hurting him!" Kagome screeched at Yamashi. She held on to Inuyasha despite the mass of rippling energy that threatened to consume her.
Yamashi ignored her pleas. His black eyes were fixed on Inuyasha who was snarling and swiping at the sizzling restraints that held him. "It's time to say goodbye." He pointed his hand at him once more. In a blast of wind Inuyasha was flung across the shadowy realm, before vanishing into the darkness with a furious howl. The noise eventually faded as he disappeared from sight into the inky blackness.
All was silent as Kagome could only stare after him in shock. Yamashi stood next to her, observing her with bemused eyes.
"You're bleeding my love." He whispered, stepping towards her his arm outstretched.
His hand swept over her chin and Kagome flinched, expecting the contact to hurt. But he was surprisingly very gentle, his touch feather light as he wiped away the traces of blood from her lip and chin.
"Now that we're alone, and that ignorant half demon has been eliminated, we can get down to business." He licked his lips as he stared her down through unwavering eyes.
Kagome's heart was pounding in her chest as she watched him. Her hands became slick with sweat, and her forehead felt clammy. Her breaths came out in quick, short gasps.
Yamashi sauntered toward her deliberately slow, savoring her terrified expression. She took a step back, trying to distance herself from the advancing demon. Yamashi saw this and smirked. In an instant he had vanished. Kagome looked around frantically searching for him.
Clawed hands grasped her waist, causing her to shriek. A hand quickly covered her mouth, muffling her cries. "Shhh, there, there my darling, cease your cries. That despicable half demon is gone. There is no need to waste your pity on him. Not when you have such a riveting experience to look forward to." His velvety voice purred in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
Kagome tried to make a break for it, wrenching herself out of his grasp. Her feet pounded loudly on the hard ground as she bolted away from him. She had only gotten a dozen feet or so when she felt a hand connect with her cheek, sending her crashing to the ground.
Finding herself sprawled on the ground, Kagome tried to ignore the burning pain in her cheek. She felt a wet liquid seep through her kimono and looked down to find dark patches staining her knees. The silken material had been ripped to shreds, exposing her battered kneecaps. Gritting her teeth she focused on sitting up. Pain exploded through her body as she put all her weight on her bloody knees. Staring at her palms she found the skin marred by vicious red scrapes.
Yamashi's voice crooned from above her. "I despise having to use force in order to keep you in line. But if that's what it takes."
He knelt beside her and began to caress the cheek he had struck, ignoring her wince of pain. His other hand found its way to her chest and began to fondle her breasts through her clothing. A soft shudder left his lips as he closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her breasts beneath his hand.
His hand left her cheek to wrap firmly around her torso, keeping her in the kneeling position. Kagome tried to struggle out of his grasp, only to feel the sharp prick of his claws on her skin, creating angry red welts. Whimpering, she immediately stopped her resistance for fear of being scratched again.
A slimy and wet something slithered along her neck and Kagome realized with a gag what it was. Yamashi trailed his tongue along her pale skin before nibbling her earlobe. She tried to crane her neck in hopes of eluding his touch but a sharp pain on her throat caused her to momentarily stop. Her eyes swiveled to meet his as he held her neck in a stranglehold, forcing her head down, closer to his quivering mouth.
Moving his hand from her throat to the small of her back, Yamashi forced Kagome down to the ground and onto her stomach. The miko in a desperate attempt tried to belly crawl away from him, digging her elbows and knees into the ground. Her efforts were in vain as she felt her feet being drawn together by an unknown force. She looked back and realized that it was the same dark sizzling energy that had bound her feet together, leaving her lower half immobile.
Her hands still free she dug them into the granite like ground, trying to drag herself away. Her feet thrashed in a futile attempt to help her body move.
"Where are you going my little miko?" Yamashi's amused voice rang out as he taunted her.
Kagome's eyes widened as he appeared suddenly in front of her, blocking her path. He bent down to a crouch. Holding his hands out over her scrambling hands, energy pooled from his palms and wrapped themselves around her wrists, efficiently binding them together. She cried out in frustration as her last attempt to escape was thwarted. She
tried to wiggle free of her restraints only to howl in agony as a nasty electric shock rippled through her, searing her skin and leaving nasty burns.
Yamashi leaned down and fingered the ropes of energy. She felt him bend until he was whispering in her ear. "Remember little miko, you are mine to control." Kagome stiffened, expecting the excruciating shock to course through her body once more. But it never came.
Soft laughter followed her initial shock. "Silly girl, the ropes only respond if you try to escape. It's simple, don't try to run away and you won't be punished."
He planted hot kisses from her neck all the way to the corner of her mouth, ignoring the steady river of tears that flowed down her cheeks. "You will know how it feels to be taken by a demon of true caliber. That half breed animal of yours knows not how to appreciate a woman."
Kagome drew back from his touch, twisting her head away from his wondering mouth. She felt his claws pierce her cheeks as he grabbed her head forcefully and turned it towards him. He slammed his lips over hers, plunging his tongue deep into her throat. Kagome's eyes widened before she reeled back, finally breaking away from his mouth. Gasping and chocking, she concentrated on trying to breath normally again.
"How do you like the taste of a real demon? I bet your pitiful excuse of a mate pales in comparison."
Kagome's eyes were furious as she glared at him. "Even with his half demon heritage, his human blood makes him more of a man then most would ever hope to be. And as for his demon blood, it is what keeps him strong and able to protect the ones he loves."
Yamashi smiled devilishly. "I find it ironic that you speak so highly of your mate, yet he is not here to protect as you say. If he were a true demon he wouldn't let anyone stand in his way, especially his own soiled heritage. His blood is tainted with the impurity of humans. Men are greedy and selfish creatures who only yearn for their own selfish desires. You are a mortal yourself and yet you still chose to stay with an exiled beast, rejected by humans and scorned by demons."
Kagome's eyes were a mixture of anger and sorrow as she continued to stare into his sinister smile. He seemed pleased from her reaction, glad that his words had such an effect on her.
"You're wrong. I am human, and I accept Inuyasha for who he is, half demon or not. He is accepted by other humans as well, ones who have come to rely on him as a leader and a faithful friend. There are demons who follow his path as well, seeking his wisdom and protection. Inuyasha has humans and demons alike who accept him for what he is. He drives the ones he loves away in order to protect them. His demon blood leaves him tittering on the brink of
destruction, trapped between two different worlds both so profoundly different that he was forced to live as an outcast for most of his life."
Yamashi snorted. "You're sympathy for the half breed amuses me. You take pride in being claimed as his mate, and yet you would let yourself be manipulated so easily by insignificant hallucinations. You were so determined to cling to your dreams that you failed to realize how irrational you were acting. You claim to love him and trust him whole heartedly, but you refuse to believe him when he told you the truth about your illusions. He was trying to save you, and you pushed him away. You rejected him."
Kagome lay trembling on the ground. Her hands balled into fists as she pressed them tightly into her torso, trying to find a way to stop the violent trembling. She squeezed her eyes shut as his words penetrated her already weak conscious, breaking down her wall of resistance. His words seemed to crash down on her in a mass of overwhelming pressure. She gasped for air as she clutched at her chest with her useless hands. She felt as if an enormous boulder had been placed on her chest, crushing her lungs and depriving her of much needed oxygen.
Yamashi crouched down behind Kagome, watching her body convulse. He stretched out a hand and caught her throat in a light grip. Even though he did not apply pressure to her windpipe, Kagome immediately tried to stop her body from shaking, afraid that if she didn't he would tighten his hold. But instead he ran his claws lightly across the scar that was etched into her neck.
"This mark is a fluke to true demons. A human marked by a half demon, how trivial. Your bastard mate must feel abashed that he had to mar a beautiful human woman with his dirty blood. How insignificant he is, not to grasp the concept of a proper demon and his mate. He does not know how badly he has scarred you, by marking you as his. He has trapped you in an eternal bound, forever to him. A human and a half demon, it's a shame how desperate he must have been, so eager to have a wench to call his own." Yamashi breathed this all in a raspy whisper.
Kagome's eyes leaked a new river of tears as they fell rapidly from her cheeks to the grimy floor. Yamashi had hacked his way into her heart, and was now tearing it out, piece by painstaking piece. She knew who she had given her heart away to; it had been captured years ago by a roguish half demon with a fiery personality and a spiteful attitude to match. And to hear Yamashi talk of him like that, with such assuredness, how he described Inuyasha as a sex driven animal who only marked her out of pure lust. And the way he claimed to know her as the hapless woman who was forced to be his mate. It made her sick.
Kagome began to writhe upon the ground, trying to force her body to move. She needed to get away from this monster, before something worse occurred.
Yamashi quirked an eyebrow. He placed an arm around her chest, pulling her swiftly against him.
"Are you eager to see your filthy half demon?" He asked huskily in her ear. He tightened his grip around her chest, "Well let's not keep him waiting then." He tucked her under his arm and launched into the blackness.
Kagome let out a small shriek as they flew further into the endless dark. Icy wind frosted her cheeks, numbing her face. Her eyes streamed from the harsh wind. She could do nothing but stare into the bleakness as they flew by at inhuman speeds. The darkness seemed to stretch on like an overwhelming shadow.
Yamashi dashed through the gloom at such a dizzying rate, that Kagome's head began to spin. Closing her eyes, she tried to block out the nauseating feeling that had embedded itself into her stomach. Taking in several big gulps of air, she let the frigid air rush down her throat, instantly soothing her burning irritation.
She tried to ignore the fact that Yamashi held her captive. Instead she focused on the prospect of seeing Inuyasha. His transformation just happened to be a slight downfall to her mind's flawless interpretation of him. She smirked despite it all. Inuyasha could have been a raving, monster bent on destruction and she would still love him. Her love for him was unconditional and irrevocable. Most people labeled her as foolish for mating with a half demon. But when did she ever care what other people thought? All that mattered was her love for him, and his for her. And that was enough for Kagome any day.
A faint, unidentifiable noise caused her to open her eyes. They were still rushing though the darkness, but now an echoing howl could be heard, followed by a series of high pitched screeches and snarls. Kagome realized with a jolt of panic what it was. As they continued on the sounds got louder and more frenzied.
Then it was if the darkness melted away, and they were standing under a large spot light that cast a large a beam that pierced through the blackness.
Kagome could only stare in horror from her prison in Yamashi's grasp. Inuyasha was suspended in the air, held up by invisible strands like a lifelike puppet. The dark energy swirled about him like an angry snake waiting to strike. Inuyasha snapped at the black ribbons, but otherwise he was powerless to do anything else. He stared at his visitors through burning scarlet eyes.
Yamashi let go of his hold on Kagome, letting her fall to the ground in front of Inuyasha. A gasp flew from her lips as her already scarred knees collided with the granite hard ground, sending tremors of pain shooting up her spine.
"Here we are once again. This is becoming quite repetitive, our meetings wouldn't you say Inuyasha?" Yamashi sneered at the dangling half demon. Inuyasha snarled at him, his eyes bubbling with untamed rage as he swayed back and forth from his air born position.
Ignoring the vicious snarls, Yamashi approached Kagome, who was still kneeling on the ground. Taking her face in his hands, he gazed at it. "I believe that Kagome knows the purpose of why we are here." He stared at her fearful eyes with excitement. "We simply must conclude who the better mate is. A lowly half demon whose blood is tainted or a true demon whose power outmatches all? It's not much of a contest really. But just to be sure, I might as well take my turn now." Kagome started shaking uncontrollably at his last words.
Yamashi turned to face Inuyasha once more. "Watch and learn from a true demon." A ripping sound pierced the tension filled air. Yamashi's claws held a tattered fragment of silk as Kagome's clothes were torn to shreds. Her kimono now hung precariously from her lithe frame.
Kagome could only tremble as Yamashi eagerly pushed the ragged remains from her shoulders, letting it pool in bunches at her knees. With a flick of his wrist, her obi was in threads, letting the back hang open, revealing her thin undergarment robe.
Yamashi reached a hand in, maneuvering around the fabric, stroking her soft, milky skin. He quivered with desire as his hand found her naked breast.
"No, please." Kagome croaked her voice feeble. She made a weak attempt to push him away, but her efforts were in vain. He curled a hand around her arm, preventing her from moving while he continued his exploration of her body.
After a long moment Yamashi withdrew his hand from the folds of her kimono. Placing a hand on the small of her back he pushed her to the ground. Kagome fell onto her stomach with a huff. She could only lay there vulnerable and weak as he knelt beside her.
He leaned down close and his cold breath was in her ear. "Don't be frightened Kagome. This is an experience you will never forget." He nibbled her ear, causing her to whimper.
Kagome began to quiver as she felt his hands on her body again. With a flash of his claws, Yamashi left her virtually without any clothing. Her inner robe had been torn to ribbons and now hung off her in useless rags. Pushing the discarded clothing aside, he began to stroke her back in long, smooth motions, enjoying the touch of her supple skin.
Growing bored with the back scratching, Yamashi moved down to Kagome's posterior. Her flesh was as white as snow and the perfect fullness. He gave the twin, plump cheeks a firm squeeze. Then ever so slowly, her dragged a claw downward until he was tracing the inner crevice of her thigh. He grinned as he felt the moisture from within. Raising a finger he sucked delicately on it, tasting her juices.
"The taste of pure satisfaction." He murmured.
A piercing scream erupted, and Kagome's head snapped up from its slump on the ground. Inuyasha's mouth was open, his lips curled back to reveal his canine teeth barred in a threatening
manner. He thrashed bodily in the air all the while howling and spitting in a boiling fury. His red orbs burned with a fiery rage as the youkai within him screeched his wrath and anguish. But still he did not speak, not a single syllable. It seemed his youkai blood had consumed his body in such a way that it prevented his human instincts from arising. Currently he was a raging beast who sought the blood of the one who was violating his mate.
"I seem to have upset him." Yamashi smirked. "Let's see what kind of arise I can get out of our little half demon friend."
He pushed a finger deeper into Kagome's crevice. A petrified cry escaped her lips as she felt his finger inside her. His touch felt wrong, indecent.
Another howl arose from Inuyasha. His chest rumbled with oncoming snarls as he expressed his revulsion.
Kagome had shut her eyes, and tried to imagine that it wasn't Yamashi defiling her this way. She tried to block it out, his touch, voice, everything. She began to shut down, burying herself deep within her own subconscious, determined to block out this horrific experience. Her eyes went blank as she just stared into the distance, completely detached.
"Well now, it looks like you're finally ready to cooperate with me." Yamashi whispered in a cheerful voice, misinterpreting her silence for obedience. Somehow the friendly tone made him all the more threatening.
Kagome didn't even flinch when she felt him lift her body and turn her over. She now rested on her back; her frayed kimono lay open, leaving her completely exposed.
Yamashi leaned down and began to suckle her taught nipple, tugging it vigorously. His tongue swirled over her skin relishing her taste. While his mouth explored her breasts, his hands began to wonder, trailing over her stomach. He tangled his fingers in her dark curls before parting her feminine lips slightly. Here he paused. Leaning away he stripped his formal suite, kicking his pants off and tossing them aside.
He positioned himself before her opening. Slowly, deliberately he began to force himself through the taut crevice. He was halfway within her, grinning in sadistic pleasure as he felt her tight walls close around him. A wall barred his way, her wall, that which kept him from fully taking her. It would be so easy to break, she was already so fragile. So weak.
"You were most easy to control Kagome, like a doll. My doll to do with what I please. And like a doll, you obey without insolence. It is amusing though. How simple it was to get you under my control. You're resistance was frail; all it took was the minimal of power to overcome your mind and body. I thought for sure that once you entered unconsciousness you would return to normal. Just as feisty and stubborn as before. But you continued to surprise me. Even in your foggy, misinterpreted dreams, you still failed to see them for what they were. Dreams. Silly
illusions, not real at all. They are only tricks of the mind Kagome." He crooned to her blank face.
You have no reason to be afraid. You are safe, here with me. In your dreams nothing can harm you. A rumbling voice echoed through her.
He broke through her wall, plunging himself deep within her.
She didn't scream, not a sound. Unknown to Yamashi, his words had struck a nerve. They whirled around in Kagome's mind like a vicious hurricane, tearing and ripping at her sensitive defenses. But the rumbling voice was louder, drowning out his cold words with their own.
Do you fail to grasp the concept that you are an amazing miko with extraordinary power and an amazing gift?! Are you so lost in your own mangled thoughts that you have forgotten who you are? The voice screamed in her head, furious.
Kagome was hesitant at first, the words caught in her throat, forming a lump. For a moment she moved her lips and no sound came out. She could feel the words on the tip of her tongue, just waiting to spring forward. She knew she had to say them, to voice her thoughts or else she would never be free of this torturous prison of her mind.
"Dreams cannot hurt me. They are not real. They have no effect; they are merely illusions, figments of one's mind formed by desire."
Yamashi froze, still implanted within her. His smug expression had vanished and was replaced by a mixture of shock and disbelieve.
Kagome's eyes were filled with fiery determination once more. The chocolate orbs shone brightly with resolve and emotion. Her face set into a triumphant smile. She stared up at Yamashi's frozen face.
"And you are just a nightmare, nothing more than a bad dream that I will wake up from."
And then she felt it, like a small pin point at the center of her core, an exhilarating feeling that began to build and grow. It filled her body, mind and soul, warming her from her fingertips to her toes. Her body felt exuberated, the blood pulsed hot and fast in her veins once more. She could feel her heart beating strong in her chest. She had awoken.
Raising her hands from the ground she placed them on Yamashi's chest. Power surged through her and her palms turned a brilliant pink with the pure energy. And then his weight was gone, as he was thrown completely off her.
With firm determination Kagome concentrated her spiritual energy. The burning energy fell away from her limbs. She eased herself up, before slowly rising to her feet. She clutched the haggard fabric to her body, trying her best to cover herself.
Turning, she stared at Inuyasha, whose eyes were still burning out of control. She padded slowly over to him. She stopped a few feet away from him, still wary of him in his transformation.
Closing her eyes for an instant, concentrating on freeing him. She opened them when she heard the thump and a fuming growl. Inuyasha lay on the ground in a heap, freed from his bindings.
"You were right all along you know." She whispered to the irate half demon. "About me."
He stared at her, shock flooded his red irises. His blood was still boiling inside, clogging his mind, making his head cloudy and his judgment inaccurate. All he felt was a burning desire to kill, the demon in him slammed against the hasty restraints he had put up. Her voice was what had reached him, deep inside, the tiny part of his soul that had been salvaged. He could feel the snag, the pull within that willed him to trust her. Her presence was the only thing that kept his sanity in check.
She stepped forward, a cautious step. His youkai immediately went into overdrive as she neared him, her scent alone paralyzing his senses.
"Stay back!" He yelled in a throaty growl. He bounced back in a swift movement to distance himself from her.
Kagome stood frozen in her spot as she watched him through sorrowful eyes. Her knees were trembling, nearly buckling under the tremendous weight that she carried mentally. His eyes still burned an awful red, the aguish and pain had returned.
"Inuyasha please let me help you." She pleaded. Her voice was wrought with distress.
"You're too late. I'm beyond help." The self loathing seeped into his voice.
He turned his back on her abruptly, not wanting to see the torment written on her face. His sensitive ears picked up the delicate sounds of her footsteps as she tried to quietly approach him. A gentle, almost hesitant hand was suddenly on his shoulder. He flinched. He should have known that she wouldn't ignore him. When did she ever listen to what was good for her well being? That was Kagome though, always wanting to help others, not caring if she got hurt in the process. Her own life seemed disposable to her.
Inuyasha quivered, trying to overlook her hand that was still on his shoulder, ignoring the fact that his vision was clouded with red. His hands twitched, itching to rip into her delicate flesh. He clenched his fists together, letting his claws pierce the skin.
"Leave me be, Kagome." He said through clenched teeth. Even without looking at her, he knew she was upset. But he knew if he turned to look at her now, he wouldn't be able to control himself. The anger was so overpowering, a massive wave of blistering heat that seemed to hover over him. His instincts told him to attack, but it was by sheer will power that he remained unmoving, his back still rigid. What he had been forced to whiteness, it was so brutal, so sinister he had to choke back the bile that had formed in his mouth. And to have it happen to Kagome, who was so innocent, so pure and good. He was supposed to be her protector, her mate. And to have someone violate her in such a way… Another shudder ran through him and he had to bite his tongue to keep from turning around.
Kagome stopped, letting her hand fall listlessly from his shoulder. She could only stare at his retreating back as he paced to the end of the darkness.
Standing there, she shivered in the cold, trying in vain to keep herself covered with her tattered rags. Despite what happened, she had done it. She had repelled Yamashi, and as a result her powers had returned to her. Kagome still was not sure how they came back, but she assumed it had something to do with her conscious registering her own strength. It was she who had to make the effort. She who had to find the courage to defeat Yamashi's mind tricks. It had been so dark and bleak, he had overcome her, and she had submitted to his will. She had believed herself to be worthless and unable to find the light.
He had forced himself on her, touched her, and violated her in ways unimaginable. But something he said had stuck with her.
Even in your foggy, misinterpreted dreams, you still failed to see them for what they were. Dreams, silly illusions, not real at all. They are only tricks of the mind.
Was it all just that? A dream? What was the purpose? Was it some sort of test in order to see if she was strong enough? It had felt so real, everything. Kagome felt gravity press in on her as she forced herself to remain upright. The darkness swirled around her. Her body felt so heavy all of a sudden, the hard ground looked very promising. Maybe if she just lay down for a moment, only to catch her breath of course. Then she would confront Inuyasha.
Kagome let her knees fold, kneeling to the ground. She clutched the threads to her chest, trying to provide some kind of warmth. It was so cold in the confines of her mind. As her eyelids grew heavy, she tried to imagine herself curled up in her bed, snug and warm in her cocoon of blankets. Closing her eyes, she curled up upon the ground. A comforting wave of heat settled over her, and Kagome instantly smiled. Her imagination must be better then she thought.
Clutching further for her source of warmth, she was rewarded when it pressed in on her, banishing the cold from her bones.
Inuyasha stood crouched over the sleeping miko, his haori tucked securely around her. His eyes were still an unbearable red, but despite that he was able to be close to his mate. He watched her deep, even breathing and allowed himself a small smile.
"You sleep now", he whispered to her. And when you wake up, it will all be better."
He looked across the shadowy hollow to see a crumpled Yamashi. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes to angry slits. Hissing through clenched teeth he glared at the fallen demon with disgust. His mind was swarming with endless thoughts and strategies as he prepared himself for the looming slaughter.
Oh my goodness, that was a monster of a chapter I would say. Kagome had to find her inner strength in order to overpower Yamashi. The mental rape was the shove she needed! I hope it makes sense to you readers and it was not too confusing. Once again I'm sorry for taking so long to update. I have been putting a lot of time and effort into making this chapter good, so it's not just laziness I promise! I am starting college again on August 25th so it's going to be harder to get in more writing time, plus I also work. But no worries I am not giving up on this fic, it just may be longer periods of time in between chapters. I thank all of the readers for their patience and taking their time to read this story. Please let me know what you think of this chapter, I'm dying to know your thoughts!