Chapter 9: Whoa What Just Happened

So the gang is continuing their journey with Kagome in her condition. Will the purpose make it easier or harder to deny the poison? Do I even know where I'm going with this? Not at all. Just going with the flow I guess. But hey, hope you guys like it.

(Kagome's POV)

The gang rushed in the direction of Torao, where they found him and another female tiger demon, who was holding a baby.

"There you are, bastard." Inuyasha growled, showing off his claws.

Torao peered over at us before standing in front of the girl and the baby, "So, you all actually found me." He snickered, bearing his fangs, his eyes glowing red.

Something was off though. I-I couldn't sense the jewel shard in his chest, but it was still somewhere. But where!? I looked around, but still had difficulties using my ability.

C'mon! Where is the jewel shard!

"Listen, tiger, just hand over the jewel shard and make this easy for you." Inuyasha threatened, taking a step closer to the demon, who shielded the other two.

"Inuyasha...the shard...it's not there!" I shouted, still trying to find it. It wasn't anywhere on him.

"What are you talking about? Didn't you say you sensed it?" He questioned, not moving from his stance but looking back at me in agitated confusion.

"I-It's here. I sense it. But it's not in him!" I answered. Gosh! How much harder do I have to try! Why can't I sense it! "I can't pinpoint where it's at!"

Inuyasha grinned, "Well, if it's not with him, taking him out will be even easier." Torao laughed, taking out his two daggers. He looked ready for battle.

"What do we do about the woman and the baby?" Miroku asked, taking a place by Inuyasha's side.

"Heh, after we take him out, we'll just ask for the jewel shards." He mumbled, "After that, they can go back to their mountain."

"You won't dare touch my family!" Torao shouted.

Is this idiot serious? Did we threaten anyone? What the fuck just happened?

"We didn't say we would touch your family! We said the exact opposite!" I shouted, " Oh my gosh, Inuyasha kill him please!"

Again, I got stares from the team. Because, of course, I had to open my big mouth and say something totally unnecessary just because the poison provoked me. Again, I was stupid. And again, I'm having difficulties pinpointing the jewel shards.

"Listen girl, you keep running your mouth, you might get hurt." The tiger said, (obviously upset that I made him look stupid.)

What's he gonna do? What's he gonna do? Kill you? No. You die when I say you die.

I stayed silent while Inuyasha went on about how no one is gonna lay a hand on me. Ya know, the usual.

"Well then, dog, how about let's see who's stronger." He grinned, before jumping up, preparing to to stab Inuyasha. Inuyasha jumped out of the way, then took out Tetssaiga. He ran over to Torao, swinging his sword at him, but he only managed to graze his arm with his sword before Torao moves in the other direction.

"Keh, why do you bother?" Inuyasha mocked.

Can't we just skip this battle scene? It's not like you're any help anyways. Unless of course, you look over at that woman. She looks a little suspicious. Besides, she's with the tiger. She's a tiger demon herself. You should kill her. And that hellish baby. Why not just waste them? One of them has to have the jewel shard! Killing them won't make finding it harder! It'll make it easier if anything. Kill them Kagome. They're nothing.

I want to help. I want to help. Should I just? N-No? Yes?

Do it Kagome! Stop being a bitch! Fucking kill them! Bring them to their death!

I felt myself getting weaker, while my body got stronger. Soon, vision blurred and I could feel my arm rising up.

"Kagome!" Sango's voice was like an echo, bouncing back and forth in my head, "Kagome, don't!" She was desperate to stop me. But why? Why would she want to stop me from helping the team? They had to die, right? That's what I wanted to do, right?

My arm swung, shooting corrupted energy towards the woman and the baby. Right before the blow hit, Torao came to their rescue, carrying them away from the line of fire.

"What the hell Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted, looking at me like I was crazy.

"Don't you dare try to question me." I warned him, shooting him a deadly glare.

"She's being taken over by the hatred!" Miroku informed, "Her eyes are black, just like they were when she was first corrupted and Naraku was influencing her."

Huh? "No, you idiot!" I yelled back, unaware of what I was going to say or even why I was saying anything, "I am Kagome. Now, shut the fuck up, you damned monk."

Torao looked angry, but also slightly amused. "Hatred? Is this girl a victim of corruption?" He laughed, "Darling girl, why are you fighting alongside these sad excuses for heroes when you know you want something else. You don't want just satisfaction in yourself, you want power."

I do. I do? What? Power? I thought I wanted to destroy the shikon jewel once and for all. That's what we're doing, right? I am so confused. Is Miroku right? Am I currently possessed?

Not a word was spoken in the back of my mind. No smart comment. I was thinking to myself instead of to the poison, but although I felt alone inside, I still felt corrupted.

"You shut up!" Inuyasha was getting angry. I could see his grip on Tetssaiga tighten, "I told you. You don't deserve to talk to her."

Inuyasha. Inuyasha. He's protecting me? Or is he blocking my way to power? I can't think straight. The poison...is it becoming one with my spirit?

"NO!" I couldn't contain this. What has happening?

Inuyasha rushed to my side, "Kagome, snap out of it!" It was almost like he was coaching me. Snap out of what? How do I snap out of myself?

Just do it, Kagome. Fight your first instinct. Don't kill the woman. Don't kill the baby.

"Just be yourself." He continued, "The real Kagome."

With Inuyasha's voice ringing in my ears, I finally realized I don't want to kill. This poison doesn't have me fully in its control. It's still in the process. That means I can stop it. But how?

I looked over into the eyes of the woman in Torao's arms, who stared back at me in confusion. Then, my eyes wandered over to the baby, who lay restless in the woman's arms. How could I have wanted to kill such an innocent creature? My eyes began to water when I noticed a pink light glowing within the baby.

"What?" I began to think out loud, "The shard...it's in the baby?!" Torao's smile widened, "My son will grow powerful with that jewel shard. And so will I when I acquire more. And there ain't a thing you can do about it."

Inuyasha growled, "I can kill you first."

Wait..what just happened? He put the shard in his baby?

Kill it, bitch.

Wait...did I stop the poison from taking over me completely? It's back at square one!

A smile grin formed upon my face, and I found myself backing away from the battle. Farther, until I was behind everyone. I would not take place in this fight. I would not be tempted.

Torao dropped the woman and his son, and again, readied himself against Inuyasha. The two fought, barely evading each other's blows.

"Takara, take our son away! I will find you at our spot when I am finished." Torao called out to the woman, who only nodded and began running with the baby in the opposite direction of us, "Hide your scent!" He shouted.

We can't let them get away!

Dead bodies can't run you fool.

"Miroku, get the baby!" Inuyasha ordered. Miroku nodded and ran in front of Takara. "I'm sorry, but I need your child." Takara began shaking her head and holding on tighter to her son, but Miroku was able to take him from her.

"He will be returned to that mountain after we acquire the jewel shard." He comforted the crying demon, but Torao was already on his way over to his family.

"Give my wife back our child!" He shouted, unable to attack Miroku while he held his son, "And prepare to die."

Inuyasha ran up on Torao, slicing his side with Tetssaiga. He fell to the ground, blood pouring out. Takara was by his side, holding him.

"Y-You monster..." Was the only thing she could say while she ripped off the piece of cloth from her outfit and pressed it against Torao's wound.

"Let's go." Sango said, "There's no point in killing him if he can't fight back and he doesn't have a shard."

Everyone nodded and headed out, with Miroku carrying the now crying baby.

"Satoru!" Takara shouted, as Miroku, Sango, and Shippo boarded Kirara, while I decided I should do the right thing and get on Inuyasha's back.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Back to the village." He said, not only to me but to the rest of the team.

We headed out and in no time, we made it back to the village and was greeted by a confused Kaede.

"Did ye kidnap a baby?" She questioned, taking him from Miroku.

"Takara called him Satoru." Shippo said, "So that must be his name."

3 claps for that amazing detective work.

I rolled my eyes, but luckily no one saw me. I really need better self control.

"He's a tiger demon." She noted, looking at the three black striped on each side of his face, just like his father, "But why did you take him?"

"He has a jewel shard." I answered, concentrating to find where exactly it was located, "...in his right arm." I pointed to a spot an inch above Satoru's elbow.

She looked taken back, "Now why would someone give an infant a jewel shard?" She pondered.

"Keh, blame his idiot father." Inuyasha snorted, crossing his arms, "Can we just take the jewel shard and return the kid?"

I watched the baby marvel at this new and unfamiliar setting, squirming in Kaede's arms. That baby was innocent. The jewel shard was pure.

"Let's take him into my hut." Kaede said, heading inside.

"C-Can I hold him?" I asked suddenly.

Kaede's eyes questioned me for a bit, but then handed him over. As I held Satoru, I felt better. The aura of a jewel shard being powered by a pure and innocent child made me almost feel like normal again. I smiled wholeheartedly at the baby, who's eyes widened in awe at me.

"Let's keep the jewel shard in him...for a little bit." I grinned at everyone, who looked lost.

"And why would we do something like that?" Inuyasha asked.

It was almost like Kaede could read my mind, "The pureness of the child is having an effect on her. It's conflicting with the poison."

I didn't wait for everyone to decide whether or not we would keep the shard before entering the hut and sitting down with the baby.

"Hi Satoru!" I grinned, letting his small hand hold my pointer finger. He shook it around a bit and giggled.

AWW AWW AWW! BABIES ARE ADORABLE!

The rest of the gang entered and just watched me and little Satoru. I was ecstatic playing with him. He made me feel good and warm. I missed this feeling.

"So...I take it we're not removing that jewel shard for a while." Miroku said, smiling at me.

"Nope!" I laughed, while Satoru watched me, still gripping onto my finger, "Hey what's for dinner?" I asked, listening to my stomach growl.

"What do we feed the baby?" Sango asked. Satoru looked to be around 6 months old. I could get him formula from my time! And other baby food!

"I know! I know!" I yelled out, startling Satoru, who looked scared at first but then smiled. SO CUTE!

I stood up, gave Sango the baby and ran off to the well.

"Where do you think you're going?" Inuyasha called out, running up from behind me.

Didn't know he was in charge.

"I'm going down the well!" I shouted.

"Keh, why?" Inuyasha asked.

"Keh. I'm getting some stuff so take your doggy self back to the hut, okay?" Don't actually get angry, Kagome.

I hurried and jumped down the well before Inuyasha could say anything else. Now, all I needed to do was get supplies!

So this took a strange turn but hey, I thought it'd be interesting! Kagome is babysitting! But let's not forget Satoru's parents are still out there! And Kagome, although she is kind of being purified by the baby, she is still corrupted! Can't wait to see how this turns out.

And don't forget to review and thanks again to everyone who has been supporting this!