JeniNeji Comments:

Thanks everyone for the reviews! I hoped that this story would get more than a 100 reviews! What I think is already…almost achieved! Yey! The next chapter is the one you have all waited for, so review please! (I think you will all get 1/3 ...33percent angry with me…I'm so evil!).

I have an exam this week! Wish me luck!

DISclaimer: I don't own Inu-Yasha, but yes the other characters!

Pandora-of-the-south: Yeah, I think Koga is too young to proclaim her as his woman…and she is very young as well, and Inu no Taisho's daughter…I dont think anyone want to see him mad and fatherly-like. Kagome is not aging mostly because of the Jewel…since there are no other miko who can handle it and its demonic powers are less that in the series (it was purified by Midoriko and only a few demons have been locked inside) the jewel "wants" to be kept by her…unless a greater evil appears.

Bella Rae: No the elder's miko's curse is still asleep. It will explode in next chapter. It would be a surprise for everyone…Im sure. I hope that like it was at least something surprising and unexpected…non one will kill me.

Enchanted nightingale: Thanks! Things like this raise my spirits!

DemonDeReves: That's the point, that people dislike the new lord. Yup…I don't like him either…he's sort of creepy.

Moonlit marauder: I did as you said, and I divided the parts of the story. I hope people understand it better now. Thank you very much!

Fanged falcon: Hi! You have been with me for so long, Im so happy! Read and see what happens in the contest. Poor Momo…she has issues, but she will be fine…soon, perhaps. :) I have read few Koga/Kagome…but I don't mind that couple…it's interesting if you make it very IC.

Heartlesslover11: (How touching your nick…its like painful but at the same time kool…don't know what to say): BIG SURPRISE!

When the Past is the Future…

Chapter 14:

His return

The ninth fight had started a while ago, and Kagome watched both the fox demon and the bear demon while sitting next to Koga, who was standing. Surely, the match would be interesting… if the fox were to win. Bears had always been known for their superior strength, but foxes were experts on mischievous trickery. The young fox boy seemed nervous, the taller and older bear was intimidating him without difficulty. Yet, the stubborn boy refused to give up without trying. The bear demon eyed the fox demon that lied unconscious some meters away. The corners of his mouth twitched and long canines were clearly visible as the beast did something that resembled a smile.

"Fox Magic!" shouted the younger fox demon and then disappeared. Kagome heard Koga snort at her side and she smiled a little. It seemed like simple magic was not able to trick him, and she was glad for it… looked like he really was strong after all.

Kagome turned her eyes to Amaru and Mina. Amaru was reclined to a wall and Mina was at her side, her golden eyes focused on the battle. Her tiny fists were on her chest, she was worried about the fight. From time to time, her eyes would find Amaru's, then she'd ask her something, which Amaru gladly answered.

"It's over" announced Koga at her side, and Kagome turned just in time to see the young fox demon flying back, blood pouring from a wound on his shoulder. Kagome narrowed her blue eyes in anger as she witnessed this.

The bear demon roared to confirm his place as victor and then walked away proudly. "There was no need for that" commented Kagome irritated "He didn't need to injure him, everyone knows he's stronger" she finished.

"That's a human way of thinking" replied Koga, with his blue-gray eyes on the fox "Demons must be strong…and cautious" he said, then his eyes searched for Kagome. "It's better he learns these things here and not out there where his enemy will slash him without any hesitation or remorse" he concluded. Sighing, his eyes went to the old man who was to announce the next battle.

Kagome considered his words, and she was aware about those rules and facts, nevertheless, she found them to be more of a cowardly act: to crush the weak than a way to prove or teach.

She was taken away from her thoughts as Amaru walked down to the battle ground, Mina followed her nervously. Mina was younger than most of the participants, perhaps, a lot younger than the fox demon just now, but this tournament was supposedly a try-out, nothing more.

Amaru was wearing a purple sash and black pants. She was protected by a white silvery armor which covered her chest. She had a sword, but the rules of the venue prohibited the use of weapons. Mina was wearing a golden shirt that matched her eyes and black pants. She was wearing the same armor that Amaru had, the armor of the Taisho Clan.

Kagome stood to watch better and Koga eyed her, measuring her euphoria since no one else was around her. The demons had sat far from them, the reluctance to be near a miko who wore the uniform of the Demon Exterminators was too much to bear. He then turned to the battleground again, the rival team was composed of panther demons, a young girl and a male. Koga eyed them and sniffed the air around him.

"What?" asked Kagome in a concerned tone, her eyes looking at the right side of his face.

"Nothing" he said casually "just measuring their strengths" he commented with a grin.

Amaru's battle cry took Kagome's attention to the battleground once again. Amaru kept her ground as both panther demons prepared awaiting her attack, they were some 150 meters away. Amaru charged at the panther duo, her speed was very good for a dog demon. Both rivals had their claws at the ready, their eyes were fixed on Amaru.

"Over here" said a tiny little voice behind the panthers and both gasped. The female panther turned immediately, surprise was evident on her face.

"Don't!" yelled the male panther and the female turned, only to be pushed down by Mina. They both fell to the floor and rolled as they fought.

Amaru engaged the male panther demon aggressively, but he was undoubtedly stronger. Amaru growled as she tried to overpower him, her canines visible.

"She's so fast!" exclaimed Kagome as she realized the distance Mina had achieved in only the blink of an eye "I had no idea" she added as she smiled proudly. Amaru was holding her ground and Mina was slowly, but surely, gaining the upper hand with the panther girl.

"She is" said Koga with a voice that revealed admiration. "But, she needs more training, I bet she could almost match my speed if she does" he affirmed with a smirk, she seemed to be a very, very promising future mate.

Mina pushed the panther girl away and stood. Her short brown hair was tousled and her golden eyes were fierce. The panther girl stood and hissed at her, the greenish eyes wild and out of control. She jumped over to Mina attempting to slash her, and Mina ran at a holy speed until she was right behind the panther girl. She kicked her back so hard that the girl was crushed to the floor. Mina's golden eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and she smirked as she verified the panther girl was unconscious. However, a pained scream made her turn just in time to see a flash explosion in front of Amaru. She gasped horrified and ran to Amaru as the latter fell to the floor with various, nasty bleeding cuts.

The male panther demon turned to Mina with wild hateful eyes and she stopped in her tracks, her golden eyes full of sorrow. He dashed for her and Mina dodged easily, and then dodged his dangerous claws. She moved as fast as she could as the panther kept assaulting her, but then, in one of the maneuvers, his wild eyes settled on her. She couldn't avoid looking at them, but that stare he gave her froze her, and she was unable to dodge his next attack. He dug his nails on her middle, where her armor was and lifted her, throwing her to the floor a second later. Mina managed to rise with her hands, trying not to stumble. Her golden eyes settled once again on the panther demon. He smirked and once again, energy exploded from him and a blast was heard, then smoke covered the entire area.

Kagome gasped horrified and tried to run to the battleground, but Koga's firm hand around her upper arm detained her. She turned to him with angered eyes, but his soft gaze made her stop.

She turned to the battleground and waited for the smoke to disperse. After what seemed to be almost a minute, she noticed Amaru, kneeled in front of Mina with her sword pinned to the floor. Her blue eyes were firm and held a controlled anger. She had used her sword to protect them both from his attack.

The smirk on the male panther faded as he realized they were both unharmed. Amaru's eyes remained on him as she took her sword and sheathed it. Mina was still sprawled on the ground behind her, her golden eyes wide and fearful.

"I give up" said Amaru with a cold voice that almost matched the iciness of Sesshomaru's voice. Amaru turned to Mina and silently ordered the younger demoness to stand. Mina quickly recovered and did as ordered. They both left the battleground silently.

Kagome let out the air that had been trapped on her lungs. Amaru had preferred to lose before allowing Mina to be hurt. The moment she unsheathed her sword, she was sure she was going to be disqualified, but that didn't prevent her from doing it. That was indeed an admirable demoness, she would be great as a partner in battle. Kagome made a mental note to praise Fuma later on for his admirable job with her.

Gossip was everywhere. Many were impressed, others were disgusted. The appearance of Onigumo in the battleground, accompanied by Momo made everyone hush. The eyes of the demons were set on them, after all, they were the daughter of the terrific Inu no Taisho and the son of the new Lord.

Onigumo raised his hand and smirked "This is going too slow…so I decided to change the rules a little" he explained with pleased eyes. "I challenge any team, battle us" he said in a high voice and his red eyes fell on Momo, then he smirked. "If any of you manages to defeat us…my lands will be the prize" he offered with a malicious smile and narrowed eyes "But be warned, I will not hesitate to kill" he finished and Momo tensed at his side.

Roars full of avarice and desire for power were heard from many places and a team of bears ran down to the battleground. Kagome looked at Momo terrified, last time she had seen her sister, her fighting skills were moderate, strong, but not over the norm. How did this Lord dare to make an announcement like that without consulting it first? Risking Momo's life was not very protective of a man who said he wanted her. Kagome's aura flared in anger, she was her sister!

She heard Koga chuckling at her side and she looked at him with confused eyes "Why are you laughing?" she asked angered.

"We are going to beat them, and these lands shall be property of the Wolf Tribe" he announced with a sly grin and Kagome allowed a disgusted gasp escape her. His blue eyes turned to her "What? Don't you tell me you want these lands? "

"She is my sister!" she replied irritated "I am not fighting her" she informed firmly "And I won't be responsible for anyone's death" she concluded, her blue eyes flaring as much as her aura did.

Koga's gaze became hard . "You can't stop me Kagome. His offer is far too good, it was a stupidity to offer something like that" he said a little heatedly. "And I am not asking you to help, this is different" he said and turned his angered face down, pressing his hands and turning them into fists as if preparing them for the next fight.

"I will not allow you to bring harm to my sister" she said, being her overprotective self. "And you will do well to not go against the Lands of the West" she threatened with cold blue eyes.

Koga clawed his eyes on hers for a moment, but then turned to the battlegrounds, ignoring her harsh accusations.

A group of three bear demons ran to Onigumo and Momo. Onigumo walked some steps forward to hide Momo from them, a protective move. He had a devilish smile on his face as he took out a long katana.

Momo's pink eyes flashed and barriers began to be formed, gathering the bears in a thin corridor of invisible barriers. She had managed to gain almost the same control Sephira had with her barriers.

Kagome's blue eyes widened as she witnessed how Momo helped Onigumo, how could she be a part of this? Kagome was able to see Momo's barriers since she had lived with her for twenty long years, and they were infused with a minimal amount of demonic aura. Though not many noticed such little changes on the surrounding air.

Onigumo began to engulf his katana with his force energy and soon, its blade began to glow a red color. The bears kept on running, the fools hadn't even noticed Momo's barriers, they had blocked all paths except the one that lead to Onigumo. She had caged them, from the back, the sides and above. Onigumo screamed something in a foreign language and a red blast of power was expelled from his katana and directed at the bears. The bears howled and roared in pain. As soon as the attack collided with Momo's barrier at the end of the corridor, it was reversed to them. Momo gasped and ran in front of Onigumo and managed to place another barrier in front of her, just in time to prevent the blast from burning Onigumo and her to death. She then allowed the barrier over her to disappear and all the energy poured out to the sky.

Kagome was holding Koga's arm, outraged at her sister's actions. Koga tensed and kept watching.

Momo turned to Onigumo, her pink eyes full of untold emotions. She had just killed the bear demons. Her conscience began to reproach her for such foul and lowly actions, but she wouldn't give up. Her brother always told her that she needed to become stronger, that she needed more training. She needed to hide her emotions, to be cold in battle. Otherwise, no demon male would want her. She had to be strong. The demons would have killed her, their eyes told her that much, although she couldn't be blamed for this. Still, she glanced at those red eyes that were also on her, a silent conversation going on between them. He would accept her, she believed that, he will mate her, and she will certainly mate him. After reassuring herself of this, her barriers collapsed and there was nothing of what had been the bear demons, not even ashes.

Roaring was heard. Many other demons, furious about what Onigumo had just done, prepared to attack him, but Onigumo only smirked as he ran forward and slashed every single one to death as he encountered them. Some tried to flee after witnessing his strength, but were too slow and were slain as well.

Less than a minute had passed, and the battleground was now full of corpses and blood. What hadn't happened then? This was only supposed to be a fun tournament, not this!

Kagome was holding her head with her hands, she had no idea of what to do now. This was not a war, this was not a battlefield. She couldn't just purify them; most of them were the sons and daughters of Lords! Practically royalty! If she were to harm them, she would only cause problems for Inu no Taisho. Momo had already caused trouble…but she was not Momo either way.

Koga trembled next to her and Kagome turned to his gray-blue eyes. She saw a contained fury that she never imagined belonged to him. It was as if he was possessed. He let out a pained scream and Kagome scanned the battlefield. Onigumo sheathed his sword and some wolf demons falling lifelessly to the ground.

Koga dashed forward at a speed she would believe impossible. She yelled a pained "Stop!" but he didn't listen. Kagome ran down, trying to stop him, to make Onigumo stop or Momo as well. She didn't know what she was going to do, but she had to do something.

She watched as Koga managed to pass through the demons and reached Momo. He instantly kicked her and sent her flying against the castle's wall. Onigumo's red eyes became angry and he tackled Koga to the floor and began to punch him wildly, trying to inflict as much damage as possible. Koga held as he could and began to roll to escape his grip.

Demons jumped over Onigumo and took him away from Koga and began to fight him. Amaru and Mina were at Momo's side, helping her, but Momo pushed them away, too angered to allow them to help. Her pink eyes were furious and they searched for the wolf demon who had dared hit her.

As her pink eyes fell on him, she began to create more barriers, one after another, intending to kill him. Amaru was alongside her, telling her something, her blue eyes seemed full of despair as she tried to make Momo stop.

Kagome stopped , suddenly, her left hand was glowing pink. Instantly, a bow and arrow appeared on her hand. She took the string with her right hand and shot it at Momo's barrier, a blast of pure energy left her fingers. Momo's barrier quickly faded, but the impact made a loud sound and demons turned to the miko. Many growled at her wanting to launch an attack uncertain about her actions. Kagome took no heed to them and she kept shooting and collapsing more of Momo's barriers. The demons soon ignored Kagome enough to stop their menaces…but they were still wary.

Momo turned to, livid, and began to cast barriers to trap Kagome. Kagome allowed her bow to disappear and began to use her hands to make way through the barriers, finding it easily enough to achieve. She destroyed all of Momo's barriers until she came to a stop near Koga.

Koga was bleeding from his head and from his lip. His lips were back and he was showing his canines, almost looking like the bears a while ago. He dashed against Onigumo and he pushed him to the side easily, making him crash against the wall. "You dirty wolf, die!" shouted Onigumo as he ran forward with his katana ready to piece him.

"No!" cried Kagome and she ran after him. Realizing that she would never make it on time, she stopped and closed her eyes.

"Curses!" shouted an irritated Onigumo as he fell back after he collided full strength against Kagome's barrier, which now surrounded Koga protectively.

A growl was the only thing Kagome heard before something pushed her to the floor and she screamed in agony as she felt the skin on her face burn under pressure against the ground that she slid on because of the impact. She opened her eyes, horrified as she saw blood pouring from her right cheek. Tears began to fall from her eyes as she opened her mouth to scream, but someone punched her and pulled her up by her raven hair mercilessly.

"Don't interfere!" screamed Momo and threw her to the floor, Kagome placed her arms around her instinctively and rolled to minimize the impact. She quickly stood again, her blue eyes on Momo. Momo dashed at her again shouting. "You are always in the way! Stop being the center of the world, miko".

Kagome placed a barrier around her and Momo stopped before touching it. She raised her pink eyes and smirked. She placed a thick barrier over Kagome's and began to force it down on her. Both barriers were fighting each other, Kagome's pushing up and Momo's pressing down.

Amaru came to Momo and pulled on her shoulders "Stop it, Momo!" she yelled enraged. "Have you become mad?" she asked and began to pull Momo forcefully away from Kagome.

Momo pushed her to the side and took one of her blades, "Don't touch me!" she threatened. "Or else you will regret it" she finished in a dangerous tone. "I am the second heir of the Western Lands Amaru, not her" she said with disdain. Amaru looked at her confused, but more than anything else, she felt broken, she had admired Momo for a long time. Now, she was ashamed of her.

Momo moved some steps near Kagome and smirked "I am mating him" said Momo, with a voice so filled with hatred and frivolity, that Kagome could hardly recognize her. Momo's pink eyes were still the same ones, the ones that tried to kill her so many years ago. Kagome's eyes narrowed in despair and sorrow. "I am not going to be a half demon any longer, and YOU…!" she said and growled full of rage "…YOU won't take him from me. NEVER! I won't allow you to take him away like you did with Mother! Like you did with my Father!" she spat with hatred.

Kagome felt her heart cry out as Momo said these things…what had happened to the loving sister she had met? She raised her arms and her barrier broke through Momo's. Kagome turned to Onigumo who was still fighting Koga. Momo ran towards Kagome at full speed with her blades in hand. Kagome used her miko powers to create a sword and blocked it with difficulty, Momo's strength was superior to hers.

"Momo!" she cried "Stop this! He's evil! He's not good for you!" Kagome tried to make her be reasonable, but that only served to irritate her further. "And Mother loved you, Momo! She died protecting you, do you need more proof of her love?" she asked with tears in her eyes.

"NO!" she replied, pushing Kagome back "She died because you brought the Jewel with you, because she had to protect me to save it!" she shot, her eyes hardening once again. "You are not good enough for Onigumo! I am beautiful, no one compares to me, and I am strong" she pushed Kagome and freed her blades from Kagome's sword. "Get out of my life!" And with those words, she openly slashed Kagome.

Kagome ducked and rolled to the front, she then pushed Momo on her middle and sent a spark of miko energy. Momo screamed frightened at the odd sensation and Kagome kicked Momo's hand and sent her blades flying. Momo screamed in anger and turned so her hands found a fistful of Kagome's hair. Kagome cried in pain as Momo mercilessly pulled her long black hair and Kagome fell to the side. Kagome was thankful she had the Exterminators' outfit, otherwise, she would have had nasty scratches on her legs as well.

Momo laughed uncertainly when she pulled Kagome to her, her left hand gripping tightly. Amaru managed to push Momo to the floor, freeing Kagome. Mina came to Kagome's side with Momo's blades under her protection.

"Lady Kagome" she called softly and full of worry. She placed Momo's blades on the floor and pulled Kagome to her lap.

"I'm fine" said Kagome hurriedly, "We have to stop this" she explained tense, sitting up. Her hands trembled a little. "She's not like herself" she commented as she saw Momo and Amaru pushing each other.

Mina turned away from Amaru and Momo who were now fighting, with both inner beasts almost taking over, but at their age, neither was supposed to be able to let it out. "Amaru is stronger than her. Momo has been feeling too lonely lately, she needed someone to blame" explained Mina with a soft voice and turned her golden eyes to Kagome's blue ones. She examined Kagome's face and looked at Kagome's wound and made a face "That is a nasty wound on a human"

"It's nothing" replied Kagome as she tried to pull herself away, looking for Onigumo "I have been worse" she told Mina uninterested; still, her wound itched. At that very moment, she wished she could heal herself.

"Let me clean your wound" asked Mina, intending to lick it "It could get infected if I don't, and it would heal faster" she added, trying to make Kagome cooperate.

But the harsh and broken scream of Koga as he crashed against another castle wall made both turn to look at him. Onigumo laughed triumphantly as he saw Koga still against the wall, unmoving and bleeding. He was sure the wolf had several ribs broken and an injured leg. He then turned to Momo and Amaru, who were still fighting each other, each using claws and teeth. He narrowed his red eyes in exasperation as he walked over to them. He grabbed Amaru by the armor and threw her away with immense force. Amaru cried in pain and fell to the ground, then rolled to the side, curling in a fetal position because of the pain. "Don't hurt my mate!" he yelled with furious red eyes.

Both Mina and Kagome gasped in horror. Mina looked at the battleground, a few demons remained in the castle, although most of them had escaped a while ago. The few demons that were pacing the battleground looked ominous, and others looked older than what was expected of the demons in the tournament. Mina tensed, she couldn't leave the place, Amaru was there, and they both had to protect Momo and Kagome, the Ladies of the Western Lands and the Taisho Clan.

Momo whined softly, she was bleeding and hurting, Amaru had beaten her up. Onigumo kneeled in front of her, and Momo closed her eyes as she expected a reprimand, but instead, Onigumo's right hand found her chin and he pulled her closer to him and kissed her on the lips. Momo's eyes snapped open in surprise, but soon enough, she closed them again, to feel him.

Kagome's eyes widened, frightened at the reality she was facing. This couldn't be happening, Inu no Taisho was going to kill them both. She turned to Mina to find equally terrified eyes, things weren't looking right. What should she do with Momo? Kagome pressed her hand to Mina and the latter turned to her with wide golden eyes. Kagome narrowed hers, she was going to fight, she was going to take Momo back, and if she had to purify the demons, well, it wasn't the first time she had done so.

Kagome stood, and Mina did the same. Kagome turned to the silent demons that were coming out of the castle, walking dangerously towards them. Kagome summoned her miko powers and created a bow on her left hand. She pulled the bow with her right hand, and the demons that had been approaching stopped for a moment, confused since she didn't have any arrow. Still, the demons going closer to Koga kept walking. Kagome turned to the ones going to Koga and let go of the string. Both demons howled in pain and were purified as miko shots of pure energy pierced them.

The demons near Kagome gritted their teeth and were about to attack, but Onigumo, letting go of Momo's lips and standing, stopped them. Both Kagome and Mina turned their heads to Onigumo, who had his red eyes on them. Momo was flustered and her cheeks were a faint pink. Her eyes were golden again. It had been years since her eyes had been coated with that, hatred-filled, pink color of her instincts. Kagome felt a pang on her heart, Momo was returning to her old self, the loving sister she knew. Kagome looked again at Onigumo, it was a shame how it all was because of a demon like him. He was a terrible demon, and his aura emanated darkness, he couldn't be good for her. He was using her.

"Kagome" he said with a smirk "The human that never ages" he taunted and began to walk around them, as if he was a predator and them his prey. Mina growled softly despite her best efforts, she was a very dominating demon, and this place as prey didn't suit her. Onigumo chuckled at Mina and his red eyes locked on Kagome's. "And why is that Ka-go-me?" he mocked with wide, interested eyes.

Kagome trembled as she heard his voice, his words and his emotions. They hit the core of her life hard and dangerously. She hugged herself for protection, but her wide, shaky eyes were still on him. "Stay away from us!" she threatened, but her voice trembled and her breathing became difficult. She felt torn, this fear she felt was irrational, he was nothing more than a demon and she was the worst enemy of his kind…why was it that he frightened her so much?

Onigumo laughed and his head fell back as he did this "Or what?" he asked with closed eyes. "You are going to purify me?" he asked and his eyes turned to her, entertained. "That doesn't work on me" he said and his eyes narrowed. Smiling slyly, he roamed her body with his eyes, she still looked like a 10 year old girl. She'd looked way more appealing if older, he had to admit, but those eyes and aura were hers, undoubtedly… She held some charm about her. He extended his hands to her, and smiled.

Kagome closed her eyes, trying to take his last look away from her mind. She walked a step back, still hugging herself. She counted, then she opened her eyes, holding more strength and determination. She dropped her arms to her sides and her hands began to flare in miko powers. "Let's see if it really won't work" she threatened with furious blue eyes.

He smirked and prepared himself, with his katana in hand to attack. Mina disappeared from Kagome's side and the next thing Kagome knew, Mina was helping Amaru stand. Mina began to lick Amaru's wounds, hoping to help her heal faster, since she had never trained and knew nothing about tactics.

Onigumo attacked with his katana, making a horizontal slash, and Kagome materialized a sword and blocked it, but she was easily pushed back, she was too lightweight to hold the impact. Kagome remained standing, taking deep breaths, trying to calm her erratic heart. She then took her sword and allowed a blast of miko energy to explode from it, but Onigumo easily dodged it by running to the side. The exact moment when his feet found the ground after he jumped to the side, he pushed himself into motion and ran to Kagome with his katana still ready to strike. Kagome managed to block him with much difficulty, but once again, she was pushed back, but this time, he made her swirl to avoid being cut down. Onigumo then pushed her consciously this time, trapping her. Unsure about his intentions, Kagome managed to free her sword, but in that instant, the strength she used made her turn and her back was to Onigumo. Her sword was in front of her, leaving her back completely unprotected. She immersed her left hand with miko energy and turned, ready to blast him in any place she managed to reach, but he surprised her by kicking her and sending her to the floor. Kagome cried as her back hit the floor, and soon enough, he was over her, his hand biting into her shoulder painfully.

"Give it back!" he roared and his eyes began to search for a necklace or any jewelry that she may possess.

Kagome immersed her hand with miko energy once again, and she held his right wrist and burned him. He screamed and then slapped her with strength, leaving Kagome's already wounded cheek itching terribly.

He had his hateful red eyes on her. "I told you" he said in a controlled, yet irritated voice and his eyes kept searching her. "You can't purify me" he finished with a growl. After that, he expanded his aura and began to trace Kagome's. "I know you have it" he roared and frustrated began to release miasma.

Kagome cowardly shook under him as she took in his scent, she tried to cover her nose and mouth with her hand, but Onigumo wouldn't allow it. She began to trash wildly, trying to escape him, she knew how poisonous miasma could be. She heard him chuckling, her blue eyes found his face. His red eyes were full of pleasure.

"The girl is nothing more than a child" he said in a mocking tone. "You forgot how to save yourself" he added, remembering when Kagome had used her purifying powers to create a clean barrier around her. "Such a shame…seems to me then, that you are going to …argh"

Kagome sat and took a mouthful of clean air the moment Onigumo was taken away from her. She stood with shaky legs and turned to Onigumo. She never expected to find that her savior had been Koga, who was now fighting Onigumo. She had thought Mina had saved her…but it had been Koga.

"Koga!" she called worried, asking him to come closer. She knew he had heard her, but Onigumo was making difficult for Koga to reach her. He was strong, admitted Kagome, as Koga managed to dodge so many attacks, it was difficult to gain the offensive upper hand on him. Koga avoided a slash of his katana and kicked him on his side. Onigumo wasn't pushed back, but he doubled a little and Koga took on that opportunity and ran to Kagome. Onigumo's red eyes bled and he began to fill his sword with energy again. Kagome extended her hands as she watched the blade go red and as soon as Onigumo sent the attack, she covered them both under a protective barrier.

The barrier held the bloody attack, and Kagome could even swear she heard screaming as the attack passed. Her eyes stared at the red flash of energy, but she saw nothing. She then eyed Koga, who had one knee on the floor and his hand held his other leg, which was wounded. Kagome walked to him and she sat at his side, her blue eyes took on the big slash…so much blood poured from it. He was a demon, he was supposed to heal faster.

"Why aren't you healing?" asked Kagome as she set her hands over his wound and began to heal it. "You are still bleeding nonstop" she commented, still concentrated on her task.

Koga turned to see the bloodshot eyes of Onigumo, he was shaking in anger. Koga could also notice that the pair of dog demonesses on the far back were getting better. The silvery haired one looked pale and was on the floor, looking. "His sword…I think it has dark magical powers" he commented simply, as if it were the most obvious thing. His eyes watched her hands as he felt the wound already healing… a little smile came to his lips and he looked at her face. He growled deeply in his throat as he saw her bleeding face.

Kagome's eyes widened and found him "I'm sorry" she said mechanically "I didn't know it hurt" she said motioning her hands.

Koga growled again and extended his hand, cupping her face and began to lick the wound on her right cheek. Kagome gasped as she felt him doing this and her body trembled with a feeling of wrongness. Only Inu no Taisho did that and the feeling of this stranger treating her so affectionately gave her the creeps. "Don't " she pleaded softly, and he stopped, his blue gray eyes looking at her questioningly.

"KANNA" was shouted and all heads turned to Onigumo. A small, fragile girl dressed in white, with white hair and monotonous black eyes appeared at his side. Her eyes were on Onigumo and a moment later, on Kagome and Koga. The young demoness raised her mirror and Onigumo began to gather energy on his katana once again.

Koga stood, his instincts were sharp, and this didn't appeal to him at all. He was in front of Kagome, having decided to take the full blow in case the barrier gave way, the human body of the miko behind him wouldn't survive any other way.

Kagome stood and her eyes fell on Kanna and then her barrier. Her barrier was still strong and she doubted a demoness was able to destroy a miko's barrier. The blade was now a vivid red color, but nothing happened. Kagome's eyes turned to Mina and Amaru, who were looking as confused as she was, and then her gaze traveled to Momo, who was standing on the battleground, her eyes blank, maybe a little interested too.

A flash of white light left Kanna's mirror and Kagome turned just in time. Her barrier was still holding, nothing had changed, Kanna's energy had dispersed over her barrier…and then, she saw how Onigumo's flame attack left his sword once again. A smirk marked his face and Kagome felt her heart beating. She raised her eyes, she could still feel the barrier connected to her, still holding.

Koga growled softly, nervously rather than angry as he waited for the attack to come. The Red flash attack finally collided with the barrier, and Koga raised his hands to protect his face instinctively, but the pain never came, the barrier held. There were sounds everywhere, the attack colliding, the energy being transformed and changed, Onigumo's laugher…another sound invaded his ears, one he hadn't notice before and he turned to Kagome.

Kagome was on the floor screaming and her body convulsed madly. He gasped and ran to her, holding her head carefully, so she wouldn't hurt herself. "Kagome" he called, but no signs of recognition appeared on her face. He pulled her closer to him and hugged her tightly, she was dying before him! What was happening?

Soon enough, the barrier collapsed, but the attack had died long before. Onigumo laughed as he saw he had succeeded on taking down Kagome. "I thought this was going to be much more difficult" he said with a sickening voice as he walked to Koga and her. "You can go, Kanna" he said and afterwards, the young demoness disappeared.

"Stay away!" shouted Koga, furious. He squeezed Kagome one last time and placed her on the floor; he fisted his hands and slowly stood up. He cursed not having his sword with him, this one mistake was going to cost him his life. He had to protect her, this Lord was mad, what had gotten into him? He had to defeat him, for his fellow mates, for these lands and to protect the remaining demonesses. He turned to Onigumo, his gray-blue eyes determined to give his life in exchange for theirs, but sometimes, things don't go as expected. Koga was surprised when a vertical slash was his welcome and Onigumo's sword hit full strength on his armor on the right side. Koga howled in pain and surprise, but he dug his feet on his current position, his gray-blue eyes were on Onigumo's hateful ones. A moment later, Onigumo let go of his katana and slapped Koga hard on his right cheek, Koga, was finally hitting the ground. Koga stood up shakily, intending to keep on fighting, but his nose collided with an invisible barrier. He snorted annoyed, and his eyes found pleased pink eyes, and the young silver-haired demoness nearing him. He snarled at her, his patience was now very thin, and the despise he felt for the demoness was not helping.

"So" began Momo with a wicked smile, her hair waving as she walked. "You have taken a liking to my sister" she said sourly and chuckled "Everyone does" she explained. "She's a wicked miko…I always think she resembles more a witch or a dark miko, but no one believes me" she said playfully and her eyes turned to Kagome "The miko that doesn't age" she repeated softly to herself, a smirk on her face. "I don't know if she can't die…" she commented, with a smile.

Onigumo was walking closer to Kagome. She was unconscious, the pain of the last attack numbed her. Somehow…the white demoness had managed to connect Kagome's barrier even further to her, and as Onigumo's attack collided, Kagome felt as if the attack had hit her instead of her barrier…what she knew was impossible, she could have died. She only connected herself enough to feel it.

Mina appeared out of nowhere, her frightened golden eyes fell on Onigumo as she walked in between them and her hands came near to Kagome, intending to take her as far away as possible. Amaru ran to Onigumo with sword in hand, prepared to give Mina as much time as possible.

"Amaru, Mina" called Momo sternly. "Stop what you are doing now!" she ordered, her lip trembling in anger.

None paid her order any heed, but Mina screamed in pain. Amaru's worried gaze went to her and Mina ran some meters, holding her hand in pain. A barrier had appeared around Kagome's little body, protecting her from demons. Amaru stopped her attack, since they couldn't move Kagome anywhere, and she was too weak to fight Onigumo.

Onigumo laughed again as the two resigned. He then let out a battle cry and a black aura coated him, gushing him as some liquid would. Everyone looked at him wide-eyed, the sight was grotesque. Koga began to pound the barrier, trying to break it, but it was no use.

The black coat fell over Kagome's pink-translucent barrier, and her body trembled as more energy was being taken from her body and placed on the barrier. A manic laughter resounded, and a pink glow exploded from her insides as the location of the Jewel of Four Souls was given to Onigumo.

His greedy eyes stared at the Jewel resting on Kagome's chest, and he doubled his efforts to break the barrier. Just a little more, only a little, and the Jewel would be his. Onigumo turned to Momo, knowing their triumph and a smirk showed on his face…without the Jewel…Kagome would age and die in some years, and the Jewel would be his.

Momo smiled, genuinely glad and stepped forward, her silvery hair floating in the soft breeze. She closed her eyes as she felt the realization of something she had wanted for so many years, the scent of blood that surrounded the place was no longer a bother, but a sweeter scent. Brother would be proud of her, he had always hated Kagome. He despised her more since she became a General. He will love Momo more, he will thank her.

A presence appeared in front of her, out of nowhere, and hard slap on her left cheek sent her flying some feet away and Momo yelped in pain. An attack, ordered by a slow and masculine voice collided against Momo's barrier, making it succumb easily, and Koga was freed.

Onigumo turned to Momo once again as her screaming permeated the place, and he saw her lying on the floor. He turned to where Koga was, and the sight that greeted him made his blood chill in iciness. His red eyes widened as no one had seen before. His face traveled between the unconscious Kagome and the dog demon… Lord Sesshomaru. Uncertainty was etched on his features.

Koga eyed Sesshomaru and his mouth hung open a moment, the resemblance he held with Inu no Taisho was remarkable. He eyed Mina and Amaru, and both demons looked like they had their god right before them, the ease and happiness that emanated from their souls a was clear indication. He allowed his shoulder to relax as well, and as he did this, his body ached all over. The adrenaline that had been numbing his senses was slowly leaving his body and changing those sensations to pain.

Sesshomaru looked at the demon in the middle of the battleground, his odor was repugnant and low, and this angered him more than anything. A lowly demon had done this, shamed his family and attacked his sisters and subordinates. He turned to Momo for only an instant, the anger he had felt sometimes because of her, was nothing compared to what he felt now. She had gone too far… too far.

Sesshomaru began to walk towards Onigumo, his steps slow and steady. He carried the same cold and frivolous eyes, the eyes of a cold-blooded murderer. Although this time, like few others, he desired to smash the demon, kill him once and again. This added a new fear to his dark, murky aura.

Onigumo fidgeted. This was his chance, his grand opportunity, the first time he had gotten so close to the Jewel in so many years! But he, he who never cared about nothing was here, and his eyes told him that he had changed, and that he now cared….about something, even if he wasn't sure what it was. He clenched his teeth in defeat, he needed more time to break through the barrier. He stopped the assault on Kagome and faced Sesshomaru. He raised his katana and began filling it with energy, he won't run away. He won't go down without a fight.

Momo gasped and stood. "No!" she cried to Sesshomaru "I beg you, don't kill him" she yelled and ran to her brother at full speed. She grabbed his right arm and kneeled in front of him "Please, brother Sesshomaru, don't kill him" she pleaded and slowly her pink cold eyes began to fade, the usual golden color he always remembered her having, was returning as tears filled her eyes. "He is my mate, he is the one I recognize as mate, his scent and his aura…please don't kill him" she cried more and hid her face on his white pants, sobbing.

Sesshomaru never took his eyes from Onigumo, and Momo's words irritated him. This stinking lowly demon will surely not be his sister's mate. He watched the defiant demon, who still held his sword at the ready, playing to be dangerous. A soft smirk began to appear on Onigumo's lips as he saw Sesshomaru pondering over Momo's words and his stance relaxed a little. This enraged Sesshomaru and he pushed Momo aside. "You are so capricious" he said with a cold tone. "You are not prepared to mate, you have just broken every rule there is to be expected from a demoness in mating age. Your ignorance will cost him his life" he finished, his voice as cold and sharp as thin ice. He dashed forward to Onigumo.

Onigumo's face crisped in disbelief, anger and fear, as he shot Sesshomaru with his Red Flame attack. His breathing was ragged and his eyes were crazy as they searched Sesshomaru. Since the attack blurred his vision he tried to locate Sesshomaru by his demonic presence. He was somewhere in front of him, that he knew, he then froze as he felt Sesshomaru's aura moving. He let go of his katana and readied his hand in case he needed to maneuver fast, and a shout called for his attention.

A shout from Momo pleading him to stop, but the next thing that Onigumo came to realize was, that he was falling…falling back. He could see the sky above and then the ground…

Momo screamed and hid her eyes with her hands, crying wholeheartedly. Koga, who was some meters away watched, unblinking. Sesshomaru looked at Onigumo with an unreadable expression, his golden eyes blank as he tried to remember where he had met this demon.

Amaru and Mina looked at Onigumo's corpse along with his dismembered head. Mina was holding Amaru's weight, and her golden eyes then found Kagome. She was still unconscious, but the wound on her right cheek had stopped bleeding. The barrier was still over Kagome and Mina wondered what they were going to do now, wait until she regained consciousness?

Sesshomaru shook his head slowly and murmured a soft "foolish weakling", and then began to walk to Kagome. Each step reflected strength and authority. His golden eyes inspected her with great detail: feet, ankle, leg, hip, waist, ribs, back, chest…, arms, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers, neck…and face. He exhaled by his nose with more strength than usual, annoyed at what he found on her. She seemed to have an injured, but not broken rib, she was bleeding in the back part of her head and finally she had a wound on her right cheek that was healing faster than usual. He narrowed his golden eyes in annoyance and kneeled to take her in his arms. Mina extended her hand to warn him about her barrier, but as she saw him take her without any problem her words died on her mouth. She could still see the barrier around Kagome, the very same barrier that burnt her hand. Slowly the barrier began to fade and Sesshomaru turned to Momo.

His face showed disgust as he stared at her "A real female mate would never allow anyone of her clan get hurt. Your actions are shameful to our family" he said cooly, his words cutting her deep."Find your way home, I will not care for you from now on" he warned and began to walk toward Amaru and Mina. Momo exploded, drowning in her own tears, doing her best to not break apart.

Koga hurried to his side, his gray-blue eyes looking at Kagome the best he could "Is she all right?" he asked seriously, but behind his tone his concern was obvious, his eyes traveling up to his cold, golden eyes.

"Mind your business, scrawny wolf" said Sesshomaru coldly as he changed Kagome's position in his arms so Koga wouldn't see her.

"Hey" he said offended "I helped in saving her too, you know" he explained angrily. Stopping for a moment, he fisted his hands, then walked.

"That's the only reason I have not killed you" he said as he kept walking. "Don't touch her ever again, she doesn't belong to you" he ordered and sent him a warning look, "Next time, I am going to cut your filthy tongue" he threatened with very serious eyes and voice.

Koga froze for a moment, his head was swirling with many thoughts. Had he just been threatened? He? The Wolf Prince? Kagome was this demon's sister! Not his mate…

Sesshomaru ignored the wolf's flaring aura and finally reached both dog demon girls. He stopped in front of them, his eyes scanning them only a second. "You are Fuma's daughter" he said more than asked and Amaru's blue eyes widened for a moment, before nodding her head. "Very well" he said and began to walk out of the castle "We will go to the Western Lands now" he ordered and both demoness nodded their heads in acknowledgement.

Amaru stood on her own feet, ignoring the pain and tiredness, but regaining her pride and stubbornness as well. Mina was still beside her, to help her in case her resistance failed her friend. Amaru began to follow Sesshomaru, but stopped a moment, nodding her head in gratitude towards Koga. Mina soon followed, she was fine, only with some minor scratches.

Some minutes had passed when Koga decided to move again, his leg was still hurting, but he could move, so he began to follow Sesshomaru as well. After all, the Western Lands Castle was nearer than his home.

Momo was lying on the battleground, it had begun to rain some minutes ago, and they hid the tears that still flowed from her eyes. She raised her eyes and was welcomed by Onigumo's corpse. She screamed and ran away inside the castle, not wanting to face the truth, the demon she had wanted to mate lying dead, his aura had disappeared, everything went wrong. His brother despised her…but why? She did what he had wanted to do…

She walked inside a room she didn't know who it belong to and jumped on a futon, covering herself. Why? Why? Why? That was the only thing she could think of. Brother had always hated Kagome as well, why did he do this? Why did he kill Onigumo? She had pleaded and pleaded, but he didn't listen to her.

"Do not let your eyes rain" said a voice from behind the closed shogi door.

Momo stopped crying and sat "who's there?!' she asked with a cold, irritated tone, promising pain to whoever interrupted her.

The shogi door was opened and the white demoness from before stood there with her mirror in hand and her void-like eyes still unresponsive. She walked some steps closer and sat, with her mirror in front of her. "The one has not disappeared, his heart still beats" she told her simply and an image began to take form on her mirror.

Momo looked at her with wide eyes, tears falling from her eyes once again, but now out of joy. She walked closer to Kanna, and her once again pink eyes stared at the mirror. She let out an eased laugh as the images comforted her broken heart, and a single voice was heard, a voice inside her heart, her brain… which escaped from Kanna's lips.

"I live…find me, and then, we will achieve everything we dreamt….we will be happy"

"You lost it!" screeched a woman's voice inside a castle "I can't believe how miserable this plan was. It's all your fault!" she screamed beyond irritation. She began to pace the room from one side to the other, trying to calm herself. "You lost the Jewel" she accused, full of impatience.

A man's chuckle was heard and the woman set piercing pink eyes to him "Calm down, Almira, be patient" said a smooth voice. "We have valuable information" he reminded her. "Just remember, help Momo into finding me…and the Jewel, that will grant you any wish, will be yours" he said, red eyes finding her pink ones, and a satisfaction passed through them, as an accord was made on the silence of the room.

"I want….revenge" finished Naraku and walked out of the room.

Almira smirked. "And I want my wish, I swear I will help you get Momo's love" she said with satisfaction.

Sesshomaru stopped on a hill just before the Western Castle "Go to Inu no Taisho" he ordered Amaru. "Explain what happened" he continued and then snorted "You go with them, wolf" he said in a cold tone.

Koga came out of a dark forest and smirked. His gray-blue eyes issuing a challenge with the cold demon in front of him. "Of course" he said in an amused tone. He walked to Mina and Amaru, then past them. Amaru followed without looking back, it was an order and she would not be disrespectful. Mina however shot a last glance at Kagome, then at Sesshomaru, then followed suit.

The sky was now dark, the wounded younglings made their return slowly. Sesshomaru watched them go, and after assuring himself they were at a safe distance, he looked down at Kagome. Her cheek had healed completely, and she seemed to have drifted to sleep rather than being unconscious. He sniffed her cautiously, the dried blood that coated her healing wound of her head made a little smirk graze his lips. It was undeniable, his blood still traveled through her veins.

His golden eyes for the first time were free to roam her, to his father's annoyance. Her face: little nose, fine lips and long lashes. Her untangled black hair was very long and soft. She carried a delicate scent that he couldn't describe, since the scent of the mixed blood of her didn't allow him to. She was very thin, he noticed. She really looked like a human child, only that the stance she often took and the intelligence in her blue eyes gave way to her real age. His eyes then trailed her hands, many little scars marred her skin, and he noticed that most of them seemed to be the product of practicing with various weapons. Her hands were fine, but calloused, what he considered to be a trait of a strong female.

He blinked as she made a soft sound, his eyes widened, uncertain, but she resumed her sleep. Her breathing was normal, what meant she was alright. She was…alive, and he had saved her.

Because she was a member of the Taisho Clan, and also because it would be denigrating for her to die, it would be regarded as a weakness by his family's part.

His hands gripped her securely, an unconscious part of his brain acting by its own. His eyes rose to the moon. In a few days, it was going to be the new moon. The lands were submerged in darkness. His senses expanded, searching for Inu no Taisho. He was sure he was going to be enraged to hear Kagome was with him. Little and weak Kagome, he said in a mocking voice in his head, and his golden eyes fell on her again. What had he expected? Nothing had changed her in so many years…

Only her scent…and her aura, which was growing stronger, had changed. He growled a little, the scent of his blood was very appealing to him. He was sure that his blood added to her strength and abilities. What she was, she owed it to him. He saved her on the future…she would be dead if not for him.

A sound made him look around, his cold eyes searching for its source. He gasped as he realized, that what he heard had been himself. A possessive growl had escaped the deepest part of his throat. He clenched his teeth as she looked at her again.

No. She was a human miko, and he was the next ruler, the strongest demon the lands will ever know, Sesshomaru. He shook his head and willed his instincts to face control and began to tie them. This pest was not going to be his mate.

He growled as he tried to make the restless and autonomous part of his brain acknowledge this. A smile crept upon his face and his golden eyes twinkled with a new plan, a new path.

The image of a black haired dog demoness with long black hair came to him. She was a fine demoness, and a strong one. Fuma was a remarkable general that was loyal to his family. Yes…she will make him forget the human miko. It would be an honor if he were to propose Fuma to mate his daughter, ask him for her hand.

He stood, with Kagome in arms and began to walk to the castle. Resolute on making this work, he, for the first time in centuries…smiled. He will succeed, no longer be tied by these strange feelings or instincts…because he, Sesshomaru, would never have feelings for a human.

Or so he told himself…

To be continued...

JeniNeji's Note:

The moment you have all waited for is in…NEXT CHAPTER! Sesshomaru can't stand it anymore and lets everyone know! The thing is…how? The chapter is done and my beta and I are fixing it so it will be great! Hope you like it! Review!