Chapter 3: Devils Rising

Warning: This chapter contains graphic material only intended for mature readers.

Sesshomaru glided through the tall trees of Inuyasha's forest, his tattered clothing slowly knitting together with each step, intricate strains began weaving delicately together, the tight bonds forming under the growing presence of his jaki. Through the pale rays of moonlight, he stalked his next meal, his senses stretching out to encompass the forest taking in each small movement on the wind. Each sound, each breeze carried fragments of information, painting an elaborate map of his surroundings. Within the corner of his eye he saw a flash of pale skin, nearly missing a step Sesshomaru turned to look again. There was nothing but dark canopy and sky. Turning back downwind of his prey, he let out a small growl. Again, another flash of enticing skin, followed by blue eyes disrupted his vision. Coming to abrupt stop, he centered his jaki and delved within.

"Contain yourself beast, you have been over stepping your grounds."

A deep rumbling growl answered him.

"You will cease and desist with this disgusting imagery."

"So the mighty Taiyoukai, cares not for matters regarding the fairer sex? "

"She is a human, a disgusting withering mass of weak flesh and bone."

A deep husky laugh rumbled from the beast.

"She is a woman, a delectably ripe, powerful woman who remains unclaimed. What is there not to desire?"

"She is not of our race, she is inferior. I will not fall into the same affliction as my father."

"You doubt my judgment? Am I not an extension of your base instincts?"

"You are nothing but a beast. The symbol of my powers origins."

"You fool. Look past what only your eyes perceive and truly see the strands that have intricately spun around that single mortal woman. Once you see you shall be content with our choice."

Another vision of skin covered in a light sheen of sweat flashed before his eyes, the light laugh of his beast echoed within his mind as he faded into the recesses of his sub-conscience.

"Idiotic beast. At least now I am free from his depravity."

Red slowly faded from his golden eyes as he regained full control of his body, the primal urges faded from his mind as a new urge made its presence known, the desire to hunt and satiate his current hunger. Sesshomaru re-scented the breeze, his target had moved only a small distance, his claws began to lengthen as he leapt from the canopy. Racing forward he regained the distance on his prey, his superior senses picked up the light crunch of dried leaves and labored breath of a bear youkai. His stomach clenched as the urge to engorge himself rose.

One more elegant leap and he was on the bear, quickly ramming his clawed hand through its chest, grabbing hold of its heart, he tore it from its chest. Screams reverberated off the hollowed trunks, and thick canopy. The bear had not died yet as he began his meal, blood drenched his mending robes as he took pleasure in his wailing meal. After finishing, he lifted his face to the moon, blood coating his face as he basked under its glow, his jaki growing and replenishing only to fill his body with a new vigor. Slowly rolling his neck he gave a small burst of jaki and cleaned his body of any remains, blood disintegrated from his skin, the tangles of his recent battle unraveled allowing his silken strands to flow freely, his robe mended fully bringing it back to its pristine condition. He slowly ran his fingers through his mokomoko, relishing in the pulse beneath his fingertips. His body radiated with the power of his jaki, he let it expand and grow crushing the surrounding forest to dust, then outward toward Inuyasha's village. It rushed forth flooding the land with his force, causing other youkai to flee. A small smirk graced his lips as a familiar power rose up to embrace his call; he knew it was time to return and find the answers to the questions he had.

"hm. Interesting."

Sesshomaru turned toward the direction of Inuyasha's village and sped off in a ball of light.

"Inuyasha ye should give Kagome some space, ye are smothering her. " Kaede gently rested her hand on his shoulder.

Inuyasha's face slowly turned a ruby red as he took in the position he held Kagome in. He hand cradled her tightly within his arms, her kimono coming slightly undone in the movement. Kagome's slender collarbones open to his gaze. He quickly pushed her from his arms, as if she had burned him. A disappointed grimace graced her pale face.

"Keh yeah.. this wench scaring us all."

Sango pushed through Kaede's doorway, slightly out of breath as she took in the scene. Miroku followed closely behind as Shippo grasped his shoulder. Taking a moment to catch her breath Sango gave Kagome a small smile, which in turn Kagome gave her a weak smile.

"Kagome-sama, are you alright?"

"Yeah are you alright Kagome? Miroku came back from the well and said everything was fine, but then Inuyasha came back later and said that he had to find you cause of what Kikyou said " Shippo asked as he hopped down from Miroku's shoulder. Sango rushed forward and covered Shippo's mouth.

"Enough, this is not the time for that Shippo." Sango gently scolded the fox kit. Kagome flinched at the sound of Kikyou's name; it did not go unnoticed by Miroku. He vowed to ask her about it later as his curiosity rose. Sango slowly removed her hand from Shippo's mouth as she gave him a knowing glance.

"What he means to say Kagome-sama, is that once we got to the well you were unconscious in Sesshomaru's arms.

Kagome turned to look into Inuyasha's eyes searching his soul for the answer, looking for some sign that what Shippo had said was not true. Inuyasha averted his eyes from her probing gaze. The aching feeling rose within her chest, the rising anxiety from her dream caused her to shiver. She knew there was a possibility that he had gone to her after their fight, she had known from the deepest part of her soul, but to see that he confirmed her suspicions only made the ache worse. Kaede sensing the rising tension gently placed her hand on Kagome's shoulder.

"Aye child can you tell us what happened? " Kaede gave her shoulder a light squeeze as she returned to tend to the fire.

Shippo noticing Kagome's grim look, walked over to her and took hold of one of her clenched hands. Without thinking, she leaned over and gently picked him up and placed him in her lap. She wrapped her arms around him; one hand held him close as the other lightly ran her fingers through his hair. Kagome gave him a small smile before taking a deep breath.

"Miroku is right, I was perfectly fine when he left me at the well. I was just out getting some air to calm my nerves. I had only been there a short while when I felt this sort of tug."

"A tug, what do you mean Kagome?" Shippo asked as he looked up into her eyes.

Inuyasha returned his gaze onto her. A deep feeling of dread raced across his spine. Kikyou's words ringing in his ears.

"The strands of fate are usually so tightly bound Inuyasha. If you are not careful her's will soon be out of your reach.."

He could feel a slight disconnect from Kagome, it had been growing larger and larger throughout the month they had been traveling. He had assumed it was because of Kikyous increased appearance, summed it up to Kagome giving him time to reflect. Something within him burned, branded by those words Kikyou uttered. He noticed the slight shiver she had, the tilt of her head away from his questioning eyes, how she held Shippo to her tighter as she continued. Kagome looked into Shippo's emerald eyes, trying to gather the right explanation.

"Yes Shippo a tug, I can only describe it to you as that, or in a way it was this deep and over whelming pull, my miko powers rose and my whole body began to glow in a way it never had before."

Kaede turned from the fire, she moved to sit beside Sango as she glanced at Inuyasha. Something had covered the Hanyou in haze, blanketing his form in a dark turbulent shroud.

"This is most troubling child, did you have any control?"

"What do you mean Baba? You think she was possessed?" Inuyasha growled out, his hand rushing to the hilt of his sword.

"No, no, no NO! I'm sorry let me rephrase it. It's just very hard to explain, it's something you have to experience. "

Kagome twirled a strand of Shippo's red hair; she readjusted herself on the bed, letting her legs swing over the side.

"It was so powerful, but I knew the moment it happened I had a choice, a choice whether I would let it guide me or end the experience altogether. In that moment I chose to let my powers guide me."

Inuyasha could feel the distance grow slightly wider at her words, rage spread throughout his body as those treacherous words rang out again.

"The strands of fate are usually so tightly bound Inuyasha. If you are not careful her's will soon be out of your reach.."

His voice rang out in his mind, red seeped into the edges of his eyes, as it repeated over and over.

"She will soon be out of your reach.. She will soon be out of your reach.."

Inuyasha jumped up, his whole body tense as he roared out.

"YOU FUCKING IDIOT! What if it was a trap? What if it was Naraku's Influence?"

Kagome instantly recoiled at the tone of his voice, she knew he was concerned but she could not understand why he was getting so upset. She gasped as she noticed the red entering his gaze, the slight feral twinge to his handsome features.

"Inuyasha, please don't speak to Kagome-sama that way! Let her continue!" Sango cried out, her face twisted into a snarl. Her fist clenched in rage at his outburst. The turbulent shroud now completely encompassed his body, warping his mind to her words. Kaede turned a steely gaze onto Kagome urging her to continue. Kagome began to tremble under Inuyasha's oppressive gaze.

"I..I chose to let my powers guide me, there was this urgency behind it …" her voice began to waver as a small growl escaped Inuyasha's lips. "All I could see was the tainted aura of several jewel shards in the distance. "

Kagome gently removed her hand from Shippo's locks as she ran her hand beneath the sheets of the bed, once finding the jewel shards she gathered them in her palm. Kagome raised her hands from the covers and slowly opened her palm. Each of the five shards was a translucent pale white, brightly shining against her skin. Kaede looked on in shock, as the others looked to Kagome in confusion. Kagome closed her palm once more, closing her eyes she let out a small breath as her powers flashed briefly. Opening her eyes she reached up and pulled a small vial out from the folds of her blood stained Kimono, she dropped the sliver of Jewel into it.

"Ye have purified even the smallest taint from the piece of the jewel ye hold. Its link to the other tainted shards has been severed."

"Yes Kaede, I had never felt so connected to the Jewel or to my powers and so I knew it would be okay." She gave her a shaky smile; she placed the vial back into the fold of her Kimono. Inuyasha seemed to calm after hearing her words, he still looked agitated as he rubbed a thumb against the hilt of his sword. His gaze never leaving Kagome.

Suddenly Kagome froze, her powers swiftly rising up, swirling around the room bathing each occupant in a radiant glow. Her eyes glazed, as it lit her body aflame, causing her to cry out. As soon as it had started, her power receded just as quick. Kagome raised a hand against her beating chest, she looked to Kaede, knowing it had affected her as well.

"KAGOME! TEME, what the hell is going on?" Inuyasha began to pace, the recent flare of her powers had burned his skin, his heart beating rapidly in his chest as his senses tried to locate any threat. Sango and Miroku jumped up, each face dawned a healthy blush. The flush of Kagome's powers had been soothing, but almost to the point of being pleasurable. Before they had a chance to ask Kaede interrupted them.

"Please relax, each of ye has experienced the reaction to a call. "

"What call, I did not hear anything you old hag."

"Inuyasha silence ye self. It was not something you can hear so to speak. It was the pulse of one soul to another. Ye should know his aura by now."

Shippo clung to Kagome now, her flare of powers had felt warm and soothing but he had also felt the terrifying Jaki of the Youkai they spoke about. Kaede moved to tend to the fire again, yet Inuyasha's gaze froze her to the core.

"Who is calling Kaede. Who is fucking calling that I can't pick up on?"

Kagome barely spoke above a whisper, but his ears stilled at his name.

"Sesshomaru. I could tell it was Sesshomaru."

A depth of emotion ran across Inuyasha's face, red began to rise again as he started to pace. The dread, the anxiety of the day was drowning him in uncertainty. The rest backed away from him as his pace increased, small snarls escaped his lips as he turned to face Kagome.

" And just how in the hell do you know that Kagome?" His voice was rough, low and menacing as his hands clenched into fists. Tears began to fill her eyes, she was truly afraid of him in this moment.

"I don't know, I don't know Inuyasha! This is all new to me as well!"

"Whoa, Whoa, we need to calm down, maybe now is not the best time for this. Inuyasha let us wait for Sesshomaru and just figure this all out once he is here to explain as well."

Miroku stepped up and gently place a hand on Inyasha's shoulders, he gave a gentle squeeze but as soon as the pressure left a new pain formed in his wrist. Inuyasha quickly reached up and dug his claws into Miroku's wrist, tightening his hold. A low menacing growl erupted from his lips as he barely formed his next words.

"You all better get the fuck out, I want to talk to Kagome alone."

"We cannot leave her with you in this state Inuyasha. Please calm down, we are your friends." Sango tried to plead with him.

He continued to stare into Kagome's eyes as he tightened his hold on the monk. Miroku's cry of pain caused Kagome to shiver, Sango and Kaede rushed to his aid as they tried to remove Inuyasha's Hold.

"Tell them now Kagome. Or next it's Shippo."

All eyes turned on Inuyasha, his eyes almost completely covered in a haze of crimson, feral strips flashed against his pale cheeks, Shippo trembled within Kagome's embrace sobbing slightly against her chest.. Slowly she rose from the bed, gently she set Shippo down, she whipped his tears and kissed his forehead before she pushed him in the direction of the exist.

"Inuyasha please let them go. Please guys just leave let me talk to him and calm him down."

"Kagome are you sure?"

"Yes Sango, just please go, take my bag with you and treat Miroku."

Inuyasha Instantly pushed Miroku's damaged wrist away, he stepped closer to Kagome as the sound of the others leaving the hut reached his ears. He saw that she was crying but he could not understand why, he was just so angry, angry over the words Kikyou had said, angry that his brother dare lay his hands against her pale skin, angry that had seemed content in his arms, even if she had been unconscious.

"Come here Kagome."

Inuyasha raised his hand for her to take; Kagome hesitantly placed her shaking hand in his. He instantly tightened his hold to an unbearable degree. He pulled her close, holding her tightly against him as he breathed in her lavender scent.

" Inuyasha please your hurting me, please calm down and go back to the Inuyasha I know."

She did not dare struggle in his grasp; she wanted him to just return to normal. He had never shown aggression to her and their friends without being near death. She pulled him close, as her heartbeat rapidly within her chest. The ever-growing ring of Sesshomaru's Jaki evaded her senses; she knew he was almost there, dreading the moment Inuyasha sensed it as well.

"Kagome why were you with him."

"I tried to tell you Inuyasha, my powers sort of guided me to the Youkai he was battling. When I saw them in the clearing and everything was covered in blood I knew I had to help. I remember calling out letting him know it had jewel shards, and then the Neko Youkai came after me and then.. Nothing."

"Why did you leave the village in the first place."

"I was.. hurt. Inuyasha you never came back after our fight. I was worried something happened to you. I was thinking of going home but I told everyone I was just going to go to the well for a while. It helps me think."

Inuyasha took in another deep breath of her soothing scent, the rage slowly fading from mind with her words. She smelled so enticing even in her fear; he tilled her face up toward his. She was still crying, but it stirred his blood, her silken strands were messy against her skin, the tracks of her tears slid down the smooth curve of her jaw, trailing deliciously down her slender neck. The overwhelming smell of blood, her fear and the raging desire to make sure other males would know that she was his rang loudly in his mind. Kikyou's words adding a sense of desperation to prove her wrong, that Kagome would be his for eternity. He lowered his lips to her neck, nibbling along the side of her jaw, as he pulled her close.

The oppressive force of Sesshomaru's Jaki bared on her conscience, as Inuyasha began nibbling along her Jaw. Kagome cried out in alarm, something was off with Inuyasha, she knew he would never have kissed her like this.

"Please Inuyasha your not yourself, you have to stop!"

"I won't Kagome, not until you understand." He continued to kiss and lick along her neck, Kagome began to cry harder, she tried to struggle within Inuyasha's hold, to beat his chest with her free hand, but he held her tighter. He pushed his weight against her, causing her to fall on the ground, his pressing weight immobilized her, the new position gave him better access to her neck and shoulders as he took both her hands and pinned them above her head.

"Your mine Kagome, mine."

Kagome struggled harder as he ravaged her neck; ripping her obi with his free hand, he slowly began to open the top of her kimono. Panic flooded Kagome's veins, the thought of her love raping her in an anger induced haze caused her to struggle harder against his hold, she began to scream as he nipped a path down her chest. Hoping that the other had gone far from the village, she did not want them to see what had become of Inuyasha.

The demon within Inuyasha was relishing the screams; it egged him on further, demanding he skin his fangs in her pretty little neck, to force apart her legs as he sank within her folds. A small part of himself that was barred away cried out in agony, it fought the chains that shackled him from the conscience world. He pleaded with his demon, to stop, to let her go but it only encouraged him further.

"Stop! Inuyasha Please stop! Your hurting me! Your hurting me Inuyasha!"

He dug his claws into her wrists, as he harshly bit down on her nipple, pushing his lower body against her pelvis. She was truly screaming now, trying to pull away from the pain, trying to kick and move away from his bruising dominance. She closed her eyes tightly as she felt his rough hands roam her body, one sliding down her side to dig his claws into her hip. She tried to think of anything else, to find out why this had all gone so wrong when she heard a deafening roar. Snapping her eyes open she turned to see Sesshomaru had torn the door of the hut down and stare at the sight with blazing red eyes. In one swift motion, he ripped Inuyasha from Kagome and slammed him through the wall. Sango rushed in after him, dressed for battle she raced to Kagome's side.

"He arrived as soon as we heard the screams, he just lost control and we knew it would be a good time to get you." Sango gently pulled Kagome into a sitting position as she pulled her stained Kimono closed. Helping her to her feet, she rushed Kagome out of the Hut.

"You Pathetic Half-Breed, You disgrace our blood line event more with your dishonorable actions."

Inuyasha didn't respond, the demon within him had completely taken over, he simply turned toward the sound of his brother's voice.

"Female… Return breeder. " the monstrous voice growled against the rubble, he slowly pushed himself up. Slightly unsteady the feral Inuyasha crouched ready to attack.

"You will not touch her in that manor again!" Sesshomaru charged forward, his hand clenched in a fist as he connected to Inuyasha's chin in a powerful blow. It flung him back, crashing through several trees before resting underneath the damaged debris. Satisfied his brother was no longer conscience he turned to locate the Miko.

He found her trembling against the slayer, sobbing in her arms as cried out her frustration. The other member of her group looked on, horror gripping their features as each new cry reached their ears.

"You will explain what happened here Monk."

"I not quite sure, one moment you are dropping her in our arms and the neck Inuyasha has gone berserk after she mentioned coming to meet you tonight."

"Inuyasha was blanketed in a strange shroud of energy during Kagome's explanation, hopefully we will find out more once he come too." Kaede tried to reassure the group.

"Hn. Miko you will explain what entailed once you were alone."

Turning his gaze onto Kagome, she had stilled against the slayer, he could still smell the scent of her tears, the almost tangible aroma of her fear. It caused his beast to claw against its binds, to tear apart her attacker once more.

Kagome stilled at his words, his touch still branded her skin, the sight of his red eyes as he forced her down flashed in her mind. The events of the day quickly caught up to her, the fight, the surge of powers the dazzling starry dream, followed by haunting images of her attackers death all bombarded her. Yet once this all reached its zenith, that burning, tearing pain in her soul started once more. She gasped for air as it consumed her, clenching her hand against her, the muffled cries of her worried companions reached her ears, as she descended into darkness. All the while, the last thought before her vision darkened, as the pain intensified was that Kikyou was back once more.

Thanks once again, for all the reviews. Let me know what you think. This chapter I mulled over for quite some time, but it turned out how I imagined it would. More suspense around the corner. I hope you enjoy, see you next week ~ Lauree