Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own Inuyasha or any of the original characters of the Anime/Manga series. They are the property of Rumiko Takehashi and I would never presume to compare myself to her genius.
This story is for entertainment purposes only. I do not wish to gain any financial benefits from these fics at all. I just love writing them.
Note: This chapter is a little darker than the preview. It contains implications of both torture and rape, though it is not graphic. Still, if stuff like this bothers you, don't read on! Oh, and if your under, like 15, I am putting a warning in too. This is not for you! No pairings in this one as of yet. Future pairings: InuxKag, SangxMir, KogxAya and I'm not telling you any more. You'll just have to wait and see. Evil Grin
Chapter One: A Curse Destroyed
She hung from her wrists, bare from the waist up. Tears from the loss of all she loved in this world still stained her cheeks, running down her face as the rivulets of blood ran down her naked skin. The man who had inflicted these wounds stood before her now, a handsome man, but with eyes as cold and cruel as the corrupted, Demonic aura that radiated off of him.
"You try my patience, Demon Whore! I know that your grandmother was Midoriko's constant companion at one time; that your line has known her secrets since even before the Shikon NoTama ended up in the Miko Kikyo's keeping. If there was any contingency plan for dealing with a guardian's failure, you would know of it."
"Even if I did," She replied. "I would never tell you! Foul little Hanyo. You are beneath my notice. You are not worthy of any of my secrets, not even of my lies!" He struck her then, hard enough to make her mouth bleed, but she glared back at him, licking away the blood with a predatory sneer. "You have no power over me."
"Oh, but I do, Slut." He replied smoothly. "I have the power to paralyze you, and render you helpless. All that I have done to you is but a taste of the further horrors and indignities that I can inflict upon you. But threats have little power without actions, so perhaps a demonstration is warranted." Without any further hesitation, he used talons to rip away the remaining rags of her under-robe, exposing her completely. His cold, slender hands moved down below her waist, spreading her thighs, opening her up to his intrusive touch. "Believe me, Wench." The cruel voice purred; "By the time I am done with you, you will weep with despair and yet be completely helpless to my slightest whim. You will be mine utterly, and you will truly know the meaning of violation. Prepare, Cat Princess. You are about to enter an entire new world of agony."
She awoke suddenly, the memories racing through her mind, and glanced around frantically. Why was she remembering these things now? Why was she being tormented by a life that was no longer available to her, and why did her memories focus on the terrible moment that had changed her fate forever? She looked around, again sniffing the air nervously for any sign that he was near. He had always ignored her. For all he knew she was just another Two-Tail Demon cat that fought on the side of light. Of all the minor demons, the Two-Tails had the sentience to make a choice. Some chose just as she had, some chose darkness, and yet others simply ignored their sentient conscience and existed as beasts did, focusing day to day on hunting, survival and reproduction. Not that Two-Tails were common, but after all she had been through and learned, it was doubtful that he recognized her as the powerful being that he had once brought down.
Sensing nothing of his presence or scent, she glanced around the camp. The Kitsune kit, who often snuggled with her close to the fire, was sleeping with his soul-mother now, curled up at her side, his fluffy tail wrapped around his nose. She had her arm about him, her other hand resting on her bow and arrows, just instinctively. She purred approvingly. The young Miko was learning much. She was becoming more powerful and more cautious. This was a good thing, for her strength was greatly needed in this group.
On the other side of the fire slept her own current Human companion. There was greatness in this Tajiya, but she needed to overcome the entire problem of her brother first. It held her back from seeing her own strength, from seeing the true love that waited patiently at her side. She purred again, but this time with a touch of amusement. The Monk lay near the lovely Tajiya, not touching her, not even with his instinctive groping, which so infuriated the young woman, but there, as if he couldn't stand to be too far away from her, not even for the few precious hours of rest that Humans needed every night.
She moved up to him and gave him an approving lick on the cheek. She understood more than most of them realized. Not that they ignored or disrespected her, but to them she was just an unusual Two-Tail kitten, who could move in and out of her adult form at will. They did not truly understand that Two-Tails seldom remained in kitten form for more than 5 years, but she had been this way for longer, much longer. She also understood why the monk flirted and groped so shamelessly. He loved the Tajiya, more perhaps than he even realized, but until the problem of the deadly "Wind Tunnel" was solved, he did not expect to live much longer. How could he ask a beautiful, young and virile woman to give over her heart and soul to someone who could not spend an entire lifetime with her? He flirted and groped to keep her from becoming too attached. Unfortunately this four-legged observer knew that his scheme was not working. The Tajiya loved him already; she just avoided facing the truth, because his behavior still angered her.
Her careful circuit made, she padded out into the forest nearby, her feline eyes picking up all the details as clearly as if she was seeing things in full daylight. Glancing upward to the branch of a nearby tree, she saw the dark shadow that rested watchfully against the trunk. She had little trouble joining him there. What she couldn't jump, she could climb. His golden eyes turned towards her as she padded elegantly towards him on the branch. His gaurded nature was lessened here, alone at night, and she felt rather fortunate that she better knew the softer side of him that he rarely allowed his companions to see.
"Hello, Girl." He spoke quietly as she climbed into his lap. "Doing your nightly guard duty too, eh?" He continued to stroke her softly as she curled up in a companionable manner in his lap. That was another thing that he would never let his friends see; an Inu stroking a tiny little pink-eyed Neko. In his own gruff way he reminded her of another golden-eyed, white-haired Youkai, who also hid a softer side behind a cold, hard exterior. She wondered if he would be stroking her so calmly if he knew what she was currently thinking.
She lay broken and exhausted on the cold forest floor. She had escaped him, but it had cost her severely. She was still wounded from what he had done to her, and even the usual healing that accompanied a shape-change was much lessened. Of course this change had not been her choice, and the curse bound her inexorably. If she was able to be somewhere safe, where she could heal, she might recover some of her former strength, but that looked less and less likely now. She knew he had killed the Witch who had done this to her. He used her power as he used everything else; without caring, conscience or soul. She had served her purpose, but now that she knew his secrets and had shown the potential of a power greater than his own, he had to get rid of her. It was just how Naraku did things.
She felt the youki force of a very powerful Demon approaching, and for a moment she feared that he had found her, but the power felt different, and though her sense of smell was not as strong as an Inu's, it was sharp enough to know that the scent was not his. It was a scent that she knew, however. She did not want him to see her this way, and she gave a soft mewl of despair. Her desperate flight and her weakened condition had drained all her reserves. She couldn't even crawl the few feet that would take her into the comforting concealment of the nearby bushes. Would her scent be familiar enough to him, she wondered despairingly? Would his nose tell him the terrible story of her shame? She wasn't sure if she feared that discovery or Naraku more. But right now, she was failing; perhaps she wouldn't even live to learn the truth.
Her vision was narrowing to a dark tunnel when she saw the two richly embossed leather boots enter the clearing. A weary upward tilt of her head revealed tightly laced, white kobekama, bloused in the style of a noble-born Warrior. A richly detailed belt/hakame in blue, gold and white: woven steel, stiff silk and finely worked leather, rose above that. The light, protective and deadly spiked armor of woven steel and boiled leather led her gaze up even higher, along with the crest-detailed haori and mantle, the flowing fur of his supple "tail" and the glorious silver waterfall of his long hair. "Kami! Why is he so beautiful?"
"What is this?" The smooth, baritone voice still set her entire body resonating with its glorious timbre. "I thought that I followed a familiar scent, but perhaps I was deceived." He knelt down in a single, graceful move, left hand resting instinctively on the hilt of his sword. "A Two-Tail kitten." he spoke. "How unusual." His hand gently tipped up her chin turning her head from side to side and checking for indications of the seriousness of her wounds. "You are alone in the world, Little One, your parents no doubt dead, or gone, having given you up to the forest. I should leave you to that designated fate." She was surprised when he lifted her carefully into his strong, slender hands. "But I will not let it be said that an innocent Youkai, no matter how minor, will come to harm in this Lord's forest. If you are truly worthy of it, you will survive." The last thing she saw were those beautiful golden eyes looking at her in calm curiosity, and then she let her overwhelming weariness sweep her gently away.
She would have liked to stay longer in Inuyasha's presence, for he was really much more like his brother than either of them thought, but there was something else calling her still, pulling her ever deeper into the surrounding forest. She stayed long enough to be polite, then rose and stretched languidly before hopping lightly out of his lap.
"Off to complete your patrol, eh?" He asked. "Just be sure to yowl if you run into trouble." She gave him as withering a look as a cute kitty with large, pink eyes could, and paced haughtily away as he chuckled, soft and warm. Then he was out of her sight again, as she lightly descended the tree and struck a course further into the woods.
She followed that strange, unspoken call until she found a small gurgling stream and the round private pool of a steamy hotspring. The girls would be glad to learn about this place. They had been talking very longingly about enjoying a real bath, but so far they had only come across cold pools and waterfalls. She would show them the way tomorrow morning, but right now she would bathe in the more practical, cat way. She was studiously licking one of her paws when she thought she heard a voice calling her name. She stopped to listen more carefully. Had Sango woken up and gone looking for her? She knew better than to wander off into the woods alone. She listened for a few minutes longer, but heard nothing more. She began to wash her face.
"Kirara!" The small kitten stopped again. That was definitely her name; a woman was calling her name, but where was she?" She glanced around again, sniffing the air, but there were no unusual scents. She stood up, circling once, then let out an inquiring mew. "Look in the waters, Kirara." The mysterious voice urged. "The water will show you the truth."Confused, but somehow drawn to obey, she moved over to the hot spring and peeked over the edge. It was then that she gave a very startled "MEW!" and tumbled backwards. There was a woman looking at her from the surface of the water! She turned to look behind her, where the stranger should have been standing, but the clearing was completely empty. "Kirara, don't be scared." The voice continued. "Things are changing now, and soon your full strength will be needed." Kilala glanced back down into the water. The woman still stood reflected there, and Kilala moved closer. There was something very familiar about that figure.
Then, with a start, she recognized who it was. "Midoriko!"
"You're right, Kirara; you're right. I'm here to help you. Reach your hands into the water, splash it over your body, welcome the changing magic!"
"I don't have hands." Kilala protested, but even as she spoke those words, she discovered that they weren't true! There were hands, clever hybrids of clawed paws and normal, Human hands! And as she stared at those hands and back at the powerful Betsushikima gazing at her from the water's surface, a strange feeling of rightness overcame her. Midoriko smiled at her, and then Kilala plunged her hands into the water and the Miko's image vanished in a storm of ripples. Kilala did not hesitate, but splashed the hot, slightly sulphurous water over her body once, twice, three times. The surface of the pond scintillated and danced violently for a few more moments, and then it calmed down, and became smooth and reflective once again.
Kilala looked on in amazement! Midoriko's reflection was gone, but in place of her own familiar kitten face, another looked back at her. The face was that of a young woman, with smooth skin and wide, emerald-green eyes. Long silver hair hung down on either side of that face, but there was a jet-black streak on either side, right above the delicately tapered ears. She knew this face, just as she knew the slender, nude body that was attached to it. Each wrist had three, slashing, flame-like markings across the top, in red, and three more slid along the sides of each of her ankles. There were delicate red, flame-like markings on each cheek as well, and a black diamond-like star in the middle of her forehead. She also knew that there were three more black slashes across her lower back, underneath the long silver curtain of her hair. It was hers; her body, her humanoid body, like it was before the curse, and with it she felt the growing surge of her returning power; her full power!
She gasped and fell back, staring at her renewed body, touching her hands, her legs, her arms, face and hair, just to confirm that this wasn't a dream. "It's real!" She almost screamed. "It's all real! Oh, Kami! Can this truly be?" She was still shaking and staring, when a strong familiar presence tugged at her soul and assaulted her newly restored senses. She had always been able to sense him; one with such a powerful youki was easy to sense, but it had never felt this way before. She turned slowly to see him standing at the side of the clearing, bathed in the full glory of the pale moonlight. He was motionless; a beautiful statue of crimson and silver and white. If he was surprised, the golden eyes did not betray it, but her heart pounded anyway.
"So I was not deceived after all." He spoke calmly, and for some reason her face burned red with shame. For a moment she saw surprise at her reaction, but the face was soon the familiar, calm, emotionless mask again. With unimaginable grace, he moved foreward and removing his outer mantle draped it about her shoulders. Warmth washed over her like a heated bath, and not just from the concealing robe. "Why have you returned now, Princess?"
Strangely, she was able to answer. "I-I don't know."
"When your lands were attacked, all were sure that you had perished. There is nothing left of them. The Neko No Yonshi family line rests solely in you."
"You remind me well of my obligations, Lord Sesshomaru." She knew that there was a certain coldness, in her voice, but she was too confused and exhausted yet to try and control it.
Was she just imagining it, or was there a slight smile tugging at the corners of that beautiful mouth? She could think of much better uses for those lips than laughing, and yes it would involve her too. But now he spoke again, and it was her turn to be surprised. "You misunderstand me, Lady Kirara /key-rahr-ah/. You bear the entire legacy of a great and honoured Daiyoukai family. As Lord of the Western Lands, my duty is to aid you, but my palace will serve better for such purposes."
"I-I cannot leave those I have pledged to protect."
Distaste briefly marred the perfect face. "My witless brother does not deserve such devotion, nevertheless you are of little use to them now. You're power is all but drained; you have no weapons, not even a single scrap of clothing. You must recover now, among those who understand and respect who you truly are."
More warmth rushed through her. He was offering assistance, shelter, healing; he knew who she was; he honoured it. Oh, Sesshomaru; if your brother knew!" But her duty was still strong. How could she leave them to recover in peace and luxury, while they struggled on? How could she not even tell them what had happened, or where she had gone? Now she could help them, truly help them, as her family had always lived and believed. Now she could protect them; now she could protect Sango, and open her sorrow-clouded eyes to all that her life could truly be. "I am strong enough. If you find me a trader, I will return the funds when I am able. I do not need a weapon to fight. I honour your willingness to do your duty by our two families' legacy, but I will not desert my companions; I will not!" She stood up taller, to her full regal height. She let her resolve burn in her emerald eyes and surge forth in the youki energy that she allowed to wash over him. Unfortunately, it drained her much more than she expected. A wave of weakness overwhelmed her, and her legs turned to jelly beneath her. Her sight rapidly dimmed and she fell towards the ground once again.
He moved with the grace and speed that was second nature to him, catching her fainting body in one strong arm. The mantle he had draped about her fell open and her skin shone in the moonlight. He moved his other hand in one slow sensuous sweep down the length of her body, and she had a moment of deep confusion. She seemed to remember that he only had one arm left. Where his hand swept her flesh, energy followed checking her life force, reinforcing it, and causing other sensations that were both extremely embarrassing and wickedly delicious. She saw his golden eyes gaze into her own. For a moment they seemed to be dancing with suppressed laughter that the calm, beautiful face did not betray, then something changed. She was too disoriented and weak to fully interpret that momentary flicker of deep emotion, before he bowed his head to hover just over the exquisitely sensitive spot where the neck curved into the shoulder. There, he shut his eyes and breathed deeply of her scent. Caught off guard by that incredibly intimate gesture, Kirara wanted to respond, but she was rapidly losing the battle with unconsciousness.
Just before she slipped away into the soft darkness of her overwhelmed mind, she heard him speak. "As you wish." Then there were only dreams, or they must have been. "My mate." the dreams whispered and the exhausted cat princess knew no more.
Interlude: In the Darkness
The naked man awoke in confusion. Had he only been asleep, or had the memories of pain and torment been more than just a dream? He felt unchanged at first, but he quickly realized that this was not the case; there were differences: Thoughts spun about in his head; thoughts beyond only the primal needs to kill and feed that he had known before; and an aching loss that, at first awakening, he could not quite fathom. Then the realization struck him like a whip. His brother; his brother was no longer with him, in fact he could not sense him anywhere! He started upwards with a strangled sob, calling out the name of one who no longer existed, only to be brought up short, by the steel chains about his wrists and ankles.
"Noooooo!!" He tugged frantically at his bonds, the sharp pain of loss filling him momanterily with anguish and unreasoning fear. Then he stopped again. He had never been able to speak words before. This calmed his fear. He could communicate now; he could ask and he knew that the familiar presence he now felt in the chamber would answer those questions. "What is happening? Tell me!"
"I am sorry, Jaromaru; your brother's essance could not be saved, but his remains have been used to greater effect. You are sentient now, able to learn, plot, stratagize. You will be able to use your brother's knowledge and your great physical prowess to even greater advantage. You will be my greatest creation yet; an ultimate weapon to succeed where your traitorous sister failed."
There were many questions left to ask; questions and demands that his quick mind sorted rapidly through with ease. He asked only the most important now. "What do you want from me?" His lord and master moved into the half-light of the chamber in which he lay and Jaromaru knew that it was Him, not a puppet or an illusion.
"I ask only for what you have done before. Hunt down the enemies you were assigned; prove your loyalty and avenge your brother's death. Do not fail me, like Kagura did."
He sensed the emotions that were coming off his Lord. Even though he saw little more than a slenderly muscled silouette, he could feel the tension. "You do not trust me yet. Is that why I am still chained?"
"I do not fear your brash actions, Jaromaru. The intelligence that you have gained speaks to you enough of the futility of attacking me. I have no need to keep you chained, beyond the fact that it pleases me."
"Pleases you? Because you relish having ultimate control over your creations?"
"Not all my creations, Jaromaru, but yes I relish the control I have over you at the moment."
Anger and fear rushed through him, though he didn't fully understand it. Nor would he let his master see that fear. "Why?" His voice snarled low and ominous.
The Master moved forward now, coming fully into the dusty light of the prison chamber. Very deliberately, he removed the elaborate haori that he always wore, and the shitake underneath, revealing the hard muscled chest and the large spider-shaped scar on his back that Jaromaru knew he shared. Very gently he brushed back the young man's light, lavender hair, and yet it was one of the most threatening gestures the pale warrior had ever experienced. His baritone voice was low too, and it's tone sent shivers down the naked prisoner's spine.
"Because we have something to discuss, you and I; a matter of the very foolish removal of a head from the rest of a body; a body that bore a very strong likeness to the Lord you are bound to serve. My children are becoming far too defiant, and it is time that they experienced the full extent of my true power over them. Prepare Jaromaru, for a very object lesson in the consequences of disobedience."
The smile that the helpless prisoner looked upon was evil incarnate, and the cruel, handsome face moved slowly closer, blocking out the light all together.
So, what do you think? That's all I'm putting up for now. No flames please, though I don't mind some constructive criticism. Believe me, I will be updating. I just want to hear what all of you have to say.
Thanks! DoS