Ahyo! It has taken me so long to update and I feel like a traitor for doing so. Although, I did it because I had posted another fic, Black Hole. I hope that one will be successful!

Anywho, does anyone have a cure for 'fanfiction ideas threatening to give your brain an information overload?' I would like that . The reason is because, I just got an idea from watching Teen Titians and it's threatening to blow me up...That ep was really corny...I got all sentimental. I'm such a loser...

Robin looks so cool with long hair...and being 20 years older...I'll shut up now.

Enjoy...

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The Curse

Kagome awoke from her short slumber, yawning the sleep from her body. She got up and stretched, sighing contentedly.

The days had been mild so far. No freezing fog or sleet, just sunshine. Hard packed snow carpeted the forest floor, crunching under her feet as she walked around. She climbed a hill and looked over into the horizon, watching the red rim of the sun rise into view. In the east, a bank of wispy clouds hung, hardly seeming to move at all. Other then that, the sky was clear.

She looked down at the camp, seeing if anyone else was awake. Sango was curled up in her cloak, leaning against Kirara's fury side. Miroku lent against a tree, staff resting against his shoulder. Higher up in the pine's branches slept the hanyou, one leg dangling off the thick branch he was seated on.

She smiled. They all looked so peaceful, No worry showed on their faces, just peace. Sleep. She hadn't been able to sleep peacefully for a while now.

' Father...'

Tears welled up in her eyes but she shook them off, refusing to cry. Crying wouldn't bring him back. No, it never did. It only proved to be a waste of body fluids. Yet, she couldn't help it. She needed to vent her feelings. Keeping it in was starting to take its toll on her.

Sighing, Kagome sat down on her cloak, staring off at the distant mountains. Nature always made her feel at peace. When she was a child, Kagome would take her little black mare Bess out for a ride and just be at peace with nature. Let its soothing sound wash away the worry.

Now though, the worry never left her, not even in slumber. Her dreams were plagued by dangers and despair. No matter what she did, they were always there, lurking at the back of her mind. Haunting pictures of her father's mangled body laying with a group of others. Images of Kouga and his father, cackling away at the blood shed going on before their eyes.

It just wasn't fair. Why did she get tormented with all this? Why did all this have to happen to her? Why?

' I have friends though, friends who understand. They've gone through the same or even more. I don't really have a reason to fight, I'm just tagging along for the adventure. I can't be sure father is dead but he's been gone for so long, too long. How I miss him...'

A single bead of silvery emotions leaked out of her eye, running down her rosy cheek. Another one followed, then another. Then, a steady stream fell down her face and onto the snow below.

She didn't stop them though, just let them fall. They'd been wanting out for many days. Now, it was time to let them dry out so she could concentrate on the task at hand. No sounds came from her mouth though, she cried silently, not wanting anyone else to hear.

The crunching of footsteps behind her broke Kagome out of her daze. She wiped a hand across her face and looked on, pretending not to notice the person approaching.

"Kagome-chan?"

She looked around to find Sango, looking down at her with concern. "Is something wrong?"

She looked away, focussing on the horizon. "Sort of".

The taijiya sat down beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What's bothering you?"

It was now or never if she wanted to vent her feelings, to someone who would understand. "It's just the stress of our journey. The presence of evil and all the demons I've had to purify lately. I guess it's just getting to me".

"There's something else isn't there? Go on, you can tell me", Sango said quietly.

Kagome sighed. "Well, eleven years ago, my father left on an expedition. He'd been on many before and had always returned when he said. That time though was different. He wouldn't come back.

Maybe if he had spent more time with his family, it would've been easier to except his death. I can't except it though. He was the one I'd always look up to and dream of being one day". She paused and looked over at the taijiya who only nodded for her continue. " Well, now I'm doing exactly what he did except, I have a reason for doing it. It would be so much more though if he were here with me".

Sango was quiet for a moment. This was a fragile emotion that could easily be turned into bitterness and she had to choose her words carefully. "I don't think your father meant for this to happen. He was only doing what he did so he could teach you of other places and cultures. He never meant to desert you like he did".

"I know that but, I just miss him so much".

"Kagome, things happen. My whole family was slaughtered before my very own eyes by my dear little brother. Although that was a traumatic experience, I've learned to live with it and only hope that they're in a better place".

The miko nodded, face brightening. "You're right Sango. Even if he isn't here physically, he's with me in my heart. So in a way, I'm sharing this adventure with him".

"That's exactly what I was going to say".

They both smiled at each other and stood up. Talking like this had done a lot for both of them. Now, they're spirits were a bit more at peace.

Silently, the two made their way back to camp, ready to prepare breakfast. The men were beginning to stir and would be demanding something to fill their bellies.

Kagome beamed, now that her mood had been changed. ' Father may not be here with me but he's here in my heart. I also have my friends to share this adventure with. That is more then I could ever ask for'.

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'There's something troubling him. What though?' She stared after the hanyou as he charged away, going ahead to scout.

Everyone could feel it. Something was brewing. The air was crackling with anticipation, faint wisps of powerful youki floating about.

The horse's were uneasy and Kirara's fur kept bristling, low growls escaping her throat. Cadoc wasn't helping either, pulling at his reins and jerking his head up every so often, making it hard for Kagome to hold him. She had to calm Ionn while keeping a firm grip on the stallions reins. It wasn't easy.

"Lady Kagome, do you sense that?"

She nodded at Miroku's question, beads of sweat starting to roll down her face. ' What is that? The youki is getting stronger by the minute. Such power, hatred even. Wait! It's coming from...'

"Inuyasha!" She dug her heels into Ionn's sides, forcing him into a frantic gallop. The others followed, realizing all too quickly what was happening.

Soon enough though, the horse's began to spook, sensing the demon energy growing nearer. They balked and half-reared, becoming very hard to control.

"We should continue on foot", Sango said quietly once the horses altogether stopped.

The two riders dismounted and tied the horse's securely to a tree branch, making sure they were well hidden from any travellers. Then, Miroku and Kagome climbed on Kirara's back behind Sango, faces showing concern for the young lord.

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"Who are you?!", Inuaysha growled angrily at the giant demon before him.

The demon shifted his bulk, light purple mane rippling in the wind. His large reptilian head bent down further to study the tiny figure standing before him. "I wouldn't suspect you'd remember little man. I was the one commissioned by Naraku to kill your parents, and guard this". He moved his gargantuan body to reveal a flat slab of rock, devoid of anything but a rusty old sword stuck into the stone.

The hanyou's eyes widened. ' Tessaiga...' He looked up at the demon and found another surprise, Planted between its red eyes was a white mask, beady eyes staring down at him tauntingly and a smirk firmly planted on its pale skin. "You're Ryuukotsei aren't you?!"

The dragon youkai chuckled, the earth trembling with his voice. " You're not as daft as I thought you to be. Tell me little man, have you come to take back your sword?"

"Now that it's within reach, damn right I am. It was stolen from me all those years ago and I'm determined to get it back!"

Ryuukotsei chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Just try it half-breed".

Inuyasha growled, cracking his knuckles. "Try and stop me". He launched himself into the air, arms outstretched.

He hit hard, claws sinking into the demon's thick hide. A triumphant growl escaped his throat only to be replaced by a gasp of shock.

He landed back on the ground and stared dumbfounded at the place he had just struck. There was no mark, none what so ever.

"Is that the best you can do? Surely you're better then that".

"Feh. I'm just getting warmed up". The hanyou launched himself again, right hand raised above his head "SANKONTESU!" Yellow light erupted from his claws as they made contact with Ryuukotsei's hide.

Inu jumped back, believing he had left the demon with a gaping hole in his side. He was wrong. Instead, there was nothing but unscathed hide, showing no signs of ever being touched.

"I thought this would have been more entertaining then that, I'm disappointed hanyou. Since that is over, it is my turn to attack". He jaws opened wide, showing white dagger like teeth, each as large as a full grown man. Blue sparks of energy began to gather at the back of his mouth, forming one churning sphere of power. Then, with a sharp pang, it came free, hurtling towards the much smaller demon.

Inuyasha took one look at the growing mass of raw power then averted his gaze to the Tessaiga. He could get to it if he was fast enough. Ryuukotsei would be paying too much attention to the blast and the light would give him some cover. He decided to take the opportunity.

As quick as a mouse, the half-demon darted out of the way and sprinted for his sword. He strides came faster and faster and he became more determined, believing he had it won.

The dragon youkai saw this, even in the blinding light. His blast exploded where the hanyou should have been, blowing thick chunks of rock, snow and soil into the sky.

He smirked, summoning up the call that would awaken the curse. "I call upon the curse of 200 years! Teach this hanyou his place and make him suffer!"

Inuyasha's strides faltered, then stopped altogether. His hands came up to his head, holding it as if his neck couldn't support the weight. Sweat beaded his forehead and he sunk to his knees, body starting to shake uncontrollably.

"Now how does it feel hanyou," Ryuukotsei growled with satisfaction. " to have the burden of killing your own parents bear down on you hm? The constant notion that you played a part in their demise. Tell me Inuaysha, now that you feel it on your shoulders, what will you do?"

Inuyasha chuckled, a foul wind blowing back his silver hair. His eyes remained shadowed under his bangs but a low growl emitted from his mouth, elongated fangs clearly visible.

The other youkai lost his triumphant smirk and frowned. ' What is happening?...' He sensed the hanyou's youki becoming stronger, more like that of a true demon. ' It can't be possible though. He's only a half-demon'.

"Are you that weak? Submitting to a curse is all takes to bring down the great Lord of the Western realm? What will you do now weakling. Die under my hand or, die from a broken heart?"

Inuyasha stood up, hair bristling. He turned around, one claw held up before his face. "I can assure you one thing Ryuukotsei, I won't die under your hand but you will die under mine". With that, he launched himself into the air, red eyes gleaming at the thought of spilling blood.

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The group arrived at the scene to see Inuaysha sink to his knees. A gargantuan dragon youkai reared above him, a smirk planted on his reptilian face.

They were all speechless. The sheer size of this beast amazed and terrified them at the same time. Waves of powerful youki radiated from his bulk, causing the three to cringe in fear.

Kagome however wasn't really cringing from the youki but from the guilt and pain she felt in Inuyasha. ' That demon is doing something to him but, what? Oh Inuyasha'.

Then, a voice that sounded like distant thunder rumbling all around them, causing the trio to freeze and listen to the haunting words.

"Now how does it feel hanyou, To have the burden of killing your own parents bear down on you hm? The constant notion that you played a part in their demise. Tell me Inuaysha, now that you feel it on your shoulders, what will you do?"

The demon seemed to hesitate, red eyes widening slightly as a sinister wind blew in. He then continued, this time, less naive; "Are you that weak? Submitting to a curse is all takes to bring down the great Lord of the Western realm? What will you do now weakling. Die under my hand or, die from a broken heart?"

' Broken heart? What?' The young miko frowned slightly.

Inuaysha then stood. He turned around so everyone could see his face and they all gasped. Two long fangs protruded from his upper lip. One jagged purple stripe stretched across his cheekbone on each side, adding even more fire to his blood red eyes. Blue dilated pupils glared hungrily up at the giant youkai, the lust for blood dancing in them. He looked fierce.

"I can assure you one thing Ryuukotsei, I won't die under your hand but you will die under mine". His voice was deeper too, rumbling in his throat like a growl.

Then, he leapt, claws outstretched and eyes gleaming.

Thick blood splattered on the ground as Inuyasha's claws ripped through Ryuukotsei's thick hide. The dragon youkai, was winded by the blow, gasping for breath and confused at the pain. He hadn't been hit in a very long time.

' He winded me. Pierced my skin. That half-demon did it to me. A HALF-DEMON!' He was outraged that a hanyou had been able to puncture his thick skin. A being that was no more then an ant to him had caused him pain. Even slight, it still made him angry. That demon would pay.

"That was a grave mistake. Now die you impudent half-breed!" Ryuukotsei lunged, a thundering growl rumbling from his open mouth. Instead of getting a mouth full of flesh and blood, he just bit down on hard packed snow and rock.

Above him, Inuyasha smirked, claws tearing through the dragon's exposed back. "Keep your eyes open next time!" He landed back on the ground and shook the dark blood from his claws. In his eyes showed nothing but utter disgust at what he was doing but on his face was planted a smirk.

Kagome stared wide eyed, her body shaking uncontrollably. ' What has happened to Inuyasha's face?!' She didn't know what to think. She was so confused, Why was he acting this way? Why hadn't he told her? Then again, he's told her next to nothing.

Suddenly Miroku gasped when he spied Tessaiga sticking out of a slab of stone behind the dragon youkai. "That's...it can't be. I thought..."

Both girls turned to him. "What do you think Miroku?", Sango asked, worry etched onto her face.

He shook his head and pointed. "That sword sticking out of the rock. It's Tessaiga!"

"Tessaiga?", they both asked.

"Yes, Tessaiga! Inuyasha's sword that was given to him by his father. Now I see why he is full demon".

Kagome edged closer to him. "Fill us in Miroku".

"That isn't important right now", he waved them off and pointed at the sword again. "We need to get the sword to Inuyasha in order to turn him back to his normal self. If we don't, he'll continue this bloody rampage!"

The miko nodded and spun around. "Inuyasha! Go get the Tessaiga!"

Something flickered in his eyes as that shrill voice registered in his mind. He turned around in mid-air to see Kagome staring up at him, eyes wide with concern. ' Ka-gome?...'

"Inuyasha. Get the Tessaiga!".

He shook his head and landed on the ground, fighting some internal battle.

Ryuukotsei picked himself up and looked at the three humans standing among the trees. His eyes gleamed with malice as his jaws opened and an orb of light began to gather inside. He waited until it was as big as he could make it then, let it fly.

It flew through the air towards the three, leaving behind it a trail of blue sparks. ' Say goodbye to your friends hanyou'.

A loud explosion sent trees toppling and earth flying. A flash of blinding blue light enveloped everything for a second then vanished, leaving a giant crater veiled in smoke.

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Thank-you Getto 820 for reminding me to write more! That really makes me happy that people just can't handle waiting for the next chap!

Don't forget to review and I'll update soon, promise!!! ;D