Chapter 8: The Devil Wears Tiger Stripes

So I guess I'll make up a character and put a little more oomf into this chapter. After all, a corrupted Kagome sounds like one who's ready to throw a hit or 2 to me. Add that to a protective hanyou and the possibilities are endless! Again, this story is fun to write.

(Kagome's POV)

I could sense demonic auras emanating from the mountain sides. I could tell Inuyasha could sense it, too, by the expression he had, and the pick up in speed.

"Sense any jewel shards?" He asked. I didn't currently, but that didn't mean that there weren't any to be found. "Nope, not just yet." I responded, glaring at the mountain side, slightly hoping at least one shard was there, so that some sort of progress could be made today.

Collect them for Naraku, deary. He'll come to retrieve you and them very soon.

That poison was starting to get really on my nerves with its attitude. I'm not an idiot. I know coming after me with the infant was on Naraku's to-do list, but I also know that right now, by rejecting anger and frustration and replacing it with my usual optimism, I'm slowly but surely pushing the hatred out of me.

Pushing me out? You can't push me out. That hag doesn't know anything, Kagome.

I wasn't gonna let that taunting get to me. Even as it talked to me in such a rude and sarcastic manner, I have to remain calm! There's nothing that should upset me right now. Everything is normal.

We arrived at the base of the mountain, only to hear growling coming from the entrance of one of the caves.

"Hope you weren't planning on travelling up this mountain." A deep voice boomed and echoed. I got off of Inuyasha's back and he readied his Tetsaiga. More voices from behind him snickered, almost as if they were laughing at us.

"We lost something, we dropped by to make sure it wasn't picked up by any mountain dwellers." Miroku explained in a very mature and professional manner. (As always.) He motioned for Inuyasha to put his sword away and walked a little closer to the entrance. "May I ask you to come out, just to ask you about what we lost."

More growling came from inside, almost like whoever they were, they were discussing whether or not they should come out and talk to us.

Finally, one man, around the age of 20, emerged from inside. He had long, thick black hair and black eyes. He was tan, but not dark. Probably a little lighter than Kouga. He also had 4 black stripes crossing horizontally on each side of his face. A metal vest covered his chest and long, puffy tan pants covered his legs.

"I am Torao, leader of this demon-tiger tribe." He smiled, baring his sharp teeth, "We did not steal anything of yours, small group of travelers. Now, though it is by an inch, you are still crossing our territory, so I would suggest you get outta here, before the fighters of my tribe attack to protect out land." Inuyasha, of course, laughed, "Keh, if it weren't for it probably being just a waste of my time, I would kill you right now."

I concentrated on Torao's body, searching for any sign of a jewel shard.

Am I making this hard for you Kagome? Do you have a problem finding your pure spiritual energy?

Dammit! This was getting difficult! I tried even harder, my eyes fixated on the demon.

"Huh! Inuyasha, the shard is in chest, near his heart!" I shouted. Torao looked slightly confused for a moment, but then seemed very amused by my ability. He took out two small daggers, "So, you've been looking for that? Well, finders keepers, didn't anyone ever tell you?" He let out a loud roar, and about 10 tiger demons crawled out of the cave.

"Before we kill you and enjoy your meat for dinner, how did you know I had one in there?" The leader asked, seemingly eager for my answer, "Do you have a special talent?"

"Don't talk to her." Inuyasha stood in front of me, like a shield.

Can't you fucking talk on your own without the mutt acting like your some fragile child!? TELL HIM! If the mutt is that strong, he'll kill the tiger so it doesn't matter. Are you actually gonna fucking let him just stand in front of you like that! He treats you like a little bitch!

"I can sense jewel shards! We're collecting them! To prevent them from falling into the wrong hands!" I shouted, quickly realizing the stares I was getting from the rest of the team.

"Hm. There are more shards?" He mused, laughing to himself, "Listen, brothers, take care of these idiots... I want to find the rest of these shards.."

Inuyasha quickly pulled out Tetsaiga, and attacked. "WIND SCAR!" Some members of the tribe were destroyed by the sudden attack, but not the leader. He stood on one of the ledges of the mountain, frowning.

"My... brothers...I will get those jewel shards, dog." He began rapidly climbing up the mountain, "...And revenge.."

"He's getting away!" Sango yelled, then, after noticing the few tiger demons that were remaining, she threw Hiraikotsu at them, taking a few out. Miroku gripped his staff, waiting for Inuyasha to make a move.

Inuyasha was ready to follow after him, and put Tetsaiga away again, but one of the 2 remaining tigers pounced on him, knocking him backwards. He quickly brushed him off, and stood, clenching his fists.

"So...guess you two wanna go out like your brothers. Fine by me." Inuyasha said, intimidatingly. He jumped up, "IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!" Both of the demons jump up and dodged.

"You will die for so carelessly killing of members of our family!" One of them cried out.

"Your body will feed our young tonight!" The other joined in.

Inuyasha cracked his knuckles, "Shut up and die already." He pulled out Tetsaiga, "WIND SCAR!" One was hit, but the other jumped up and landed behind me.

"Hehehe. C'mon dog, bet you won't attack me now behind this priestess lady." He snickered, putting an arm around my waist.

"GET YOUR HAND OFF OF ME!" I shouted, squirming in his grip.

What's he gonna do? Poison you with hatred or something?

"GET OFF OF HER!" Inuyasha held Tetsaiga but made no attempt to attack.

That's your problem Kagome. You rely on a dog that isn't loyal. That's what made you easy prey for me, and now, you are weak to even shove this demon off of you. Maybe, if you learned to only depend on yourself earlier, you would've worked harder to become stronger.

This demon isn't strong. It's just some weak tiger. His grip isn't nearly as painful as Naraku's. Hojo could probably hold me as hard as this. If I try hard enough, I should be able to shake his grip so Inuyasha...or someone else...can get him!

I wiggled and tried to break free, but couldn't. And I began feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. I need to get him off me. Now. Now Now. Get off of me!

Energy surged through my body, pulsing in my veins and burning all the good, positive thoughts resting in my heart. My arms began to glow a violet color, and I lifted them swiftly. The demon was knocked backwards by the blow. I turned and watched him shuffle to his feet, startled by my powers.

Get him. Kill him. He put his disgusting hands on you.

With a quick swing of my arm, corrupted spiritual energy hit and destroyed the demon in an instant. I felt proud and even excited by my very own victory. I killed a demon! I-I killed!

"Kagome!" Inuyasha immediately found a place by my side, "What the hell! You can't use your powers like that!" Oh right.

"Huh? Sorry..." How could I forget?

"At least you're okay!" Sango said, giving Inuyasha a watch-what-you-say look.

"Where did Toroa go?" Shippo asked, hopping onto Inuyasha's shoulder.

I shook my head, "I don't know. I shouldn't have told him about the shards."

"What the hell were you thinking!" He shouted.

"I don't fucking know, Inuyasha!" I clenched my fists, "I wasn't thinking!" He drew back any comeback he had up his sleeves and just crossed his arms, "Well, let's just go get the shard."

"Great fucking plan." I murmured.

He looked at me, "What."

"I said great fucking plan!" I said, raising my voice.

"Why don't you tell me a better one!" He countered.

What an asshole.

"Was I not clearly complimenting you?" I turned my back, "It's a great fucking plan. No one else could've possibly come up with something so complex."

"Keh, glad you think so." He replied, "Just get on my back and let's go."

I shook my head, "I'm riding with Sango. On Kirara." With those words, I hopped onto Kirara's back and Sango, a bit shocked, quickly and quietly, got on behind me. Shippo joined us as well. Miroku shrugged and hopped on as well, considering he would have a tough time getting up the mountain on foot.

"Keh, whatever, let's just go." Inuyasha mumbled, obviously frustrated with me.

He should be. You were acting like a bitch.

Huh? I was, wasn't I. The voice has been tricking me into getting upset and I don't know why it's so hard to fight off the anger it brings. Then, afterwards, it's so much easier to direct the hate towards myself. Is this it's plan? My hate towards Inuyasha doesn't seem to last longer than an argument. But now, I feel so much resentment towards myself because I keep letting it influence me.

Kill yourself.

Is that what it wants? Will that make it stop? I couldn't...

My eyes glistened as I tried to fight back tears. I don't want anyone to worry about me, especially now that we're on a hunt for a jewel shard. Not to mention, I made acquiring it a lot more difficult when I opened my mouth and inspired Torao to go hunting for more. Now, that tiger has us running after it, when Inuyasha could've just taken it from him back at the cave entrance. Me and my big mouth...

We settled at the top of the mountain. Inuyasha lost his scent, which was rather odd.

"Dammit! Which way did he go!" He growled, banging his fists against the ground.

It's all my fault!

Yeah it is. Haha!

Shut up. I can't keep listening to this voice. But it's getting harder to tell the different between it and my own thoughts...

Now why would that be? Maybe it's because I'm latching onto you Kagome. Our existences are combining. I am becoming you. And you're making it easy.

That can't be true...Kaede said the poison takes over people in an instant. It's been a days and days now and it still hasn't fully taken control. I'm stronger than most people...

My insides went quiet. No echoes or voices. I was right, and there was no comeback to be made because I was right.

"Look, over there." Sango pointed to a forest north of the mountain. Trees were rustling, and birds were flying out towards the sky. "That has to be him!"

We continued towards the forest, but this time, I sat in-between Miroku and Sango, instead of in front.

"Hey, Kagome." Miroku's voice was quiet, so only I could hear him. I turned and looked over at him.

"Yeah?" I said, wondering what secret he would have to spill.

"Whether or not you know this, I think Inuyasha really does love you." He whispered.

L-Love? But, he loves Kikyo, doesn't he?

I stayed silent, so Miroku explained his theory further, "I'm not sure he knows it or even understands his feelings, yet, but you can see it in the way he looks at you."

I thought back to when I came out the well after wreaking havoc on my family, and how Inuyasha was there for me and saw me cry. I thought to when he almost kissed me by the stream. But that doesn't mean love...does it?

"I don't want you to confuse his behavior for anything else than him unsure of how to act because he's still figuring out his own emotions." He continued.

"Miroku..." Was the only thing I could force out of my mouth. I had no idea how to respond. Back when the infant first tried to corrupt me, I had decided that all the impure feelings I had ever briefly felt about Inuyasha and Kikyo only meant that I was in love with Inuyasha. But I didn't imagine he felt anything like that towards me.

"He wants to help you overcome this." Miroku sighed, "He doesn't know how to make you feel better without exposing his feelings, which would mean accepting them on his part, which would mean letting go of Kikyo. Kagome, I don't think he feels anything more than obligation towards her because of what they were. But from what I can tell, when he lets go of that, he'll be able to accept you."

You shouldn't have to wait for a stupid hanyou to realize his feelings.

"But just because he hasn't fully accepted it himself, doesn't mean it's not there." He finished.

My heart fluttered a bit, but I was still very confused. I know Miroku was telling me this because knowing how Inuyasha felt would make it a lot harder to get so upset over what he does and it would give me an advantage over the poison. But I'm not sure I can believe something like that right now.

Of course you can't! He jumps right back to Kikyo every moment he gets! That's love. You're just a jewel shard collector, and a shitty one at that.

I looked over at Inuyasha, only to see determination burning in his eyes. Could he love me? Did I want him to right now?

"Ha! Got his scent back!" Inuyasha grinned, "That bastard hid it on the mountain because he didn't think we would be able to find him afterwards. Well, here we come stupid tiger. Get ready."

I won't mess things up this time. I leaned in, concentrating on my pure spiritual energy, or at least what was left of it, and I tried to sense a fragment of the Shikon jewel. I tried and tried and tried.

You're not strong enough, stupid bitch!

Finally, I big smile was plastered on my face as I pointed forward, "Jewel shard that way!"

Inuyasha looked over at me, confused as to why I would yell that if Inuyasha already had his scent and could follow where he was going, but then he just smiled and nodded his head in understanding. I did it.

I like Torao. He reminds me a bit of Kouga but not desperately in love with Kagome. I think there's potential for that character. Anyways, can't wait to write the next chapter. Hope you guys enjoyed this one!

Don't forget to tell me what you think! Comment! :)