~Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the Inuyasha characters or story.~

The Beauty Who Became the Beast

Chapter 3

It goes without saying Sesshomaru's mom was not a happy camper, her face twisted in rage as the taller silver haired demon held her against the wall with what looked like the effort he would use to kill a fly. For my part I just stood there, unsure of whether or not to speak as he clearly has serious mommy-issues and I didn't particularly care to interfere. The jewel wielder clicked his tongue as he stepped into view, ice blue eyes taking in the scene before him neutrally. Smart wolf, I wasn't about to get in-between the family spat myself and Koga had acted wisely in keeping his nose out of things for once.

"Kagome? What in the blazes are you doing here?" Looking at my old friend I wondered if I should even inform him of Inuyasha's newest treachery or just point out the obvious, to just about everyone else, compass in the center of my forehead.

"You always did know how to pop up at the most inconvenient times..." He tilted his head as he really looked at me, finally noticing for the first time since he'd been in my presence- the new ink I hadn't asked for. All at once his expression changed from rage to sorrow, as he approached me for an embrace Sessomaru decided it was time for his famous transportation act.

"There's a thing called personal space dog, you've got about the same amount of manners as the half-breed." Sesshomaru growled, his fangs bared as he stared Koga down,
the wolf knew that although in the wild his species reigned supreme, it was quite a bit different when demon race was thrown into the mix.

"Now, now boys let's all play nice." The two demons staring each other down turned at the sound of my voice, everything left unsaid still evident in the murderous swirling of their aura's- a fight for dominance the silver haired one would win.

"I'm not finished here yet, why don't you back off to a safer spot, eh- Kagome? Don't want my woman getting hurt." With that the last of Sesshomaru's control snapped,
eyes bleeding crimson he moved so swiftly Koga would have been killed had I not stepped in the way.

"Koga! I've told you a thousand times I'm not your woman and if you insist on this charade every-time we bump into each other? I'm going to send a little letter to Ayame asking her to put a leash on you!" The silver haired demon's claws were mere inches from my face, the extent of his self control impressive considering how close he'd already been standing.

"What...? B-but Kagome!" I turned and glared at the handsome wolf demon, hopefully conveying with my eyes this wasn't the time for his antics as we had bigger fish to fry- one of them stood silently by the castles entrance as she took in the whole encounter silently. Watching us all with her cold amber eyes it was uncanny how she could remind me of her son yet repulse me at the same time.

"The miko and I are leaving, there will be no further discussion." His mother moved from the spot she was perched at and made her way towards us, long silver hair fanning out behind her as she walked but what I noticed the most had to be her markings.

"I think not, you will show me the respect I deserve child or the girl will die." Demons I hadn't sensed were there stepped out of the forests shadow line, their faces all menacing with eyes bright as foxfire, they slowly circled us.

"Mother, you do not want to go down this road. I am not Inutaisho, this Sesshomaru will kill you if necessary." She turned toward me, her amber eyes lighter than the demons she commanded and more vicious than I'd ever seen her son's.

"You aren't like your father that is for certain, he may have fallen in love with a human but at least he had the strength to protect her. Do you really think you will fair the same against demons your father trained personally?" Looking around at the demons surrounding us I had the strangest feeling that something was off, she wasn't the one who was really in control- I was fairly certain she wasn't even in control of herself.

"Sesshomaru! Someone else is pulling the strings here, I don't think your mom is in control, I sense something I've never felt before and it's coming from her!" His eyes widened momentarily before he snapped his head in the direction of his mother, Sesshomaru's anger dissipated to be replaced by genuine concern.

"What do you mean? Explain, miko." The thing was I couldn't, whatever was wrong with her is beyond my understanding as I had never encountered it before, I don't think anyone has.

"Yeah... about that? I have no clue what it is, I just know something is wrong." He looked frustrated, though I had never seen so many emotions cross Sesshomaru's face before I paused briefly to contemplate if it was because I'd spent the last couple days with him or he's just being more expressive because of his seemingly self appointed mission?

"That's helpful, it's almost as if your trying to make me lose my patience woman. If you don't know what's wrong- just that something is wrong with her, what exactly am I supposed to do?" Sesshomaru's question caught me off guard, was he actually asking for advice, even if it didn't quite sound like that when he asked, or is it rhetorical?

"I don't know, just try not to kill her until I figure out what it is. Maybe whatever's wrong with her holds some answer's about what I'm supposed to do, is there anyway to restrain her without everyone dying?" Looking around I wasn't surprised to see her demons were almost an inch away from us, snarling and readying themselves to strike I knew at least most of them would die if not all.

"This Sesshomaru wouldn't have seriously harmed his mother, miko." From what he had said earlier and the way he looked as he retrained her I wasn't so sure about that, when it came to me lately I've noticed he's become a bit unhinged. Then again I've also noticed he seems to threaten just about everyone who comes in contact with him, perhaps it really was just a bluff.

"Enough! Now, my son. Do we fight or will you run with your tail between your legs like the pup we all know you are?" He snarled at her but made no move to attack, the wheels in his head were turning and I could see in his eyes the inner-debate on how to handle the situation.

"No, we fight." I stepped in front of Sesshomaru, he growled while grabbing for my arm but I turned swiftly- trying to convey with my eyes I knew what I was doing, once nodded his understanding I turned my attention back to the beautiful silver demoness in front of me.

"You must be joking mortal, how can you defeat someone like me?" Her laughter surrounded us as she mocked me, not realizing that I was not just an ordinary human, even before the compass on my forehead came around, I was and am still a priestess of great stature.

"Listen lady, I know you don't know me but don't assume I'm going to be easy to take-down because I'm a human." She stopped laughing and really looked at me this time,
her eyes widened when they landed on the compass.

"How is it you have the compass and are not already dead? Someone such as yourself does not deserve to bear the mark of the Gods." My heart stopped beating at her words, I wasn't going to let her see that her words affected me but they did. I needed to know more but I couldn't as long as she was in this state, so it was obvious what I needed to do although I wasn't sure I was completely comfortable with it.

"Can we just get on with this already? I had more intense fights with Inuyasha! Beside's, it's not like I really had a choice in the matter." Being disrespectful to the Lady of the West was probably not a good idea but for my plan to work she had to attack first.

They say be careful what you ask for because she did attack first, she did it so quickly I dodged but was still left with a long angry gash across my stomach and blood went flying everywhere. Sesshomaru jumped in front of me throwing me a look that said I will never trust your judgments on matters like this again but I put my hand up and winked at him. The wound looked worse that it actually was and that's exactly what I was going for, the smell of my blood drove her crazy for some reason because as soon as she lifted the hand my blood spilled on to her face she moved for me again. This time I was ready though, pulling out a small leather pouch and throwing it at her, my blood the activator, I lifted my hands to begin the chant of subjugation. Beads similar to the one's Kaede used to bound Inuyasha- but black- flew around her neck, it was convenient of Kikyo to teach me that little trick before she died. The only beads we could find that would be work were an old set of Miroku's prayer beads that kept his wind tunnel at bay, she also warned me that unlike the one's used on Inuyasha these had a mind of their own due to the years spent subduing what is basically a giant black hole.

"What is the meaning of this! Get them off me!" She began to panic as she tried and failed to remove the enchanted necklace, it was almost comical how similar her reaction is to her son's half-breed brother.

"Heel!" The beautiful silver haired demoness's necklace glowed a vibrant bright purple before she was forced to come and sit at my side, her hands firmly planted on the ground in front of her while the beads forced her knee's underneath her.

"You filthy human scum, release me at once!" Due to the nature of the beads used in the enchantment I was able to make it multiple use, more than one incantation would work I just had to pick another binding word.

"Obey! Now, call off your demons, then be silent." She did as she was told and I couldn't help but feel bad, I knew when I made it that using it would be wrong so I vowed only to use it in a seriously dire circumstance.

"What have you done? How is this possible?" Koga's voice rang out over the crowd reminding me of his presence, of course he's seen me sit Inuyasha so many times he should already know the answer to his question.

"You know what I did Koga, you've seen this before." He walked over to us and stared down at Sesshomaru's mother, even I had to admit the situation became weird fast,
it seems I underestimated my ability to be cruel.

"No, I've seen you sit Inuyasha but this? You took away her free-will, it's dishonorable!" Even though I agreed with him I wasn't about to let him change my mind, this was the only way to ensure no one dies here today.

"Would you rather I let her go so her and her army can attack? I don't want her harmed, I think she might be apart of this." As I finished speaking I pointed at the compass on my forehead, although understanding lit his eyes I could tell he was still uncomfortable.

"Listen, Kagome, I actually know a little bit about that symbol and what it means. You didn't have to turn her into a slave!" My eyes widened at his words, he knew about the compass?

"Either way there is something wrong with her and she needs to be under control until I can return her to normal." Koga didn't look entirely convinced but dropped the argument, his body language still telling me he was unhappy with my enchantments.

"Well what are you going to do with her now then?" That was a good question and I honestly hadn't thought that far ahead, I did know however that she needed to be restrained because whatever energy it is that infected her was starting to pulse wildly around her demonic aura.

"Chiro!" Sesshomaru called out towards the castle, although not very loud as demon hearing is exceptional, the kind red-haired demon made his way through the front doors only moments after being summoned.

"Yes, my lord?" His eyes fell on the Lady of the West as he approached, confusion and apprehension evident on his handsome face but as he drew closer something worried me, it was if the energy surrounding her fed on Chiro's aura. I gingerly placed my hand on her shoulder as I willed my miko aura to battle the strange energy, surprised and relieved when it seemed to work as I felt it begin to shrink into itself.

"Bring my mother to her room and make sure to accessorize her with the silver cuffs of Sage, she is dangerous- I would be wary of her claws when securing them." He faced Sesshomaru while he was speaking but then turned his attention towards me.

"How is this possible, she is a very strong demon Lady Kagome- this shouldn't be possible." I was about to respond when Sesshomaru held up his hand to silence me, he apparently didn't want his staff knowing too much about whatever it was infected his mother.

"This Sesshomaru doesn't remember giving you orders to ask questions, now go and do as I say or end up in the recovery room." Memories of our earlier visit to the medic wing made my skin crawl, they should probably just rename the whole chamber and add some torturing devices. That would make more sense and as for a name more befitting?
Yeah, I got nothing... never was great at naming things just ask Buyo, either way I didn't want anyone to end up there let alone Chiro so I tapped Sesshomaru on the shoulder and gave him my best impression of my mom's scolding face.

"Leave him alone Sesshomaru and for the record I think you should rename that wing to something that actually describes it. Plus, I really think I should go with him and your mother, I'll explain later." He looked at me as though he wanted to say something but then changed his mind last minute, instead he just nodded and jerked his head towards the castle.

"This Sesshomaru must attend to things here, go and do not get yourself into anymore trouble... it seems to be a knack for you." Giggling nervously as I remembered all the times I was kidnapped and had to be rescued I was about to comment when Koga interrupted.

"She ain't going to get herself in trouble if she keeps trapping people like that, besides- I think I should go with her. Kagome's last name is chaos and it's been a while, regardless of this situation it'd be nice to catch up." It was almost like he was asking Sesshomaru for permission, his body language, however, told us he planned on going- no matter what was said.

"Very well, try not to get yourself killed in there. My servants have enough work to do without cleaning up wolf blood, I suggest Chiro- you take them through my wings,
let Ay-yo know she is to assist you in dealing with my mother." He nodded before gently picking the Lady of the West up bridal style and turning towards the far left path towards the castle.

After what seemed like an hour of walking, though, I might be exaggerating a bit, we finally reached a set of double doors with what looked like Sesshomaru's dog form carved into each one- facing each other, complete with light green emeralds for eyes, and what looked like claw marks embedded across both. Tracing my hand from the top right to the bottom left I briefly wondered if Sesshomaru had done these, the doors were cool under my touch meaning they were made of metal- not wood. Chiro pushed one of the doors open and went right in, lighting candles as he led her to her "bed". Depositing her on the giant silk purple pillows the red-haired demon then went to a wardrobe on the left hand corner of the room and rooted around until he found what he was looking for. When he turned around he held two silver engraved cuffs held by a long thing chain, they sparkled in the candle light as he moved towards the Lady of the West.

"Chiro, I will destroy you if you place those on my wrists, Sesshomaru may rule these lands now but every demon in this castle is loyal to me!" The red-haired demon said nothing as he gingerly unhinged the first cuff before gently placing it on her left wrist.

"No, mistress, not every demon here is loyal to you and I fear that you will not be able to destroy anyone while you are burdened with these." He held up her cuffed wrists before solemnly dropping his hands.

"You second-branch family piece of filth! Who do you think you are?" Before she could continue berating Chiro with her words I verbally silenced her, he shot me a grateful look before turning towards the doors in search of the demon named Ay-yo.

"Now that we are alone I can start the process of hopefully returning you to normal, where did you travel to before you came back here?" She stared me down with her lovely amber eyes but made no move to respond. "Answer me." Her face twisted into such a powerful expression of rage I nearly took a step back, calmly reminding myself I was the one in control I felt silly for jumping when Koga spoke.

"What do you mean return her to normal, what's wrong with her?" Looking towards him I wondered- and not for the first time this evening, why he was so concerned with what happens to her.

"She is infected with some sort of strange energy, it's eating away at her aura and I would like to speak with the Lady of the West when she is herself. Whatever this is it's elicited some sort of constant rage into her demonic energy, she seems to always be teetering or on edge. I think it's eating her sanity..." Koga's blue eyes became so big it was if his eyeballs were about to pop out of their sockets.

"Lands far to the South, I traveled to the Kaga province in Ishiura." My eyes widened as I realized where she'd been, known as Kanazawa in my era it was said to be a land of gold, the gold flakes contributing to it's name were discovered by a peasant named Imohori Togoro as he was digging for potatoes.

"Interesting, why were you there? Answer the question." Baring her fangs and growling at me I could see her trying to resist the beads compulsion, when she realized she couldn't- no matter how hard she tried I saw the concession in her body language.

"A spy of mine was sent there to negotiate but as it turned out he smelled gold under the ground and began to dig, the Lord of the South hadn't known it was there so once found out he contacted me because although it was his lands the gold was found on- it was my demon who found it." It was then I felt the compass start to pulse as if telling me something, it's energy pulsated through me so rapidly I felt myself begin to fade into unconsciousness.

Waking up alone, dressed in a long flowing sheer golden Kimono, and placed in front of a long antique gold mirror for the first time since acquiring the compass- I was able to see what it looked like. The compass, almost resembling a hologram, is gold in color surrounded by what looked like small golden swirling lilies, it's arrow pointing to the south...

I awoke what must have been several hours later in the guest chamber I'd been brought to my first night in the castle, initially I thought I was alone until I felt Koga's presence, looking over to him I realized he was asleep- curled up on the floor in front of the door and I wondered how he'd managed it. Sesshomaru was not really the type to allow things such as this but then again I am a new addition to his group, it's not like I know what he's like since we've barely even communicated before this. I felt Koga begin to stir as Sesshomaru's aura appeared like lightening outside of the door, he swung open the shoji screen so quickly the wolf demon laying in front of it jumped to his feet- alert and attack mode ready, it took him a few moments to recognize who'd woken him or even where he was. As his sleep fuzzed eyes cleared he dropped his fists and stood aside, allowing Sesshomaru to come into the room without having to pummel him before quickly making his way to where I still laid.

"Miko? Are you conscious?" Nodding slowly as I tried to lift myself into a seated position I was grateful when Sesshomaru assisted me, our eyes meeting as he helped position me I felt that same electricity as earlier shoot through my veins.

"What happened?" He shook his head as though he didn't know how to explain, of course when it concerned me lately there was a lot of things happening that normally wouldn't and it was starting to scare me how calm I feel through it all.

"You've been asleep for three days, passed out when we were talking to Sesshomaru's mom who lost her mind when you'd dropped." Looking at Koga I could see intense worry in his eyes but I didn't know if it was directed towards me or her.

"What do you mean lost her mind?" Shifting his weight from side to side it appeared as though I'd missed a lot, though three days knocked-out usually does that to a person because life in the feudal era moved fast.

"She tried biting through her arm to be released from the cuffs, she's gone completely nuts!" Ah, so it seems that strange energy I felt was indeed eating through her sanity as I'd suspected.

"We need to go to the South and we need to bring the Lady of the West with us." Koga's eyes narrowed but it was Sesshomaru who spoke, his body language informing me of his decision before he voiced it. For some reason my body began to react to him, I didn't notice it before but his voice was sending pangs of electricity to my southern regions.

"No, miko. She can't and will not be coming with us, instead I will place her into the protection of my army. Chiro!" He called the red-haired demon's name and again, moments later he appeared. Thankfully distracting me from my very abrupt and confusing body malfunctions, since when did I get turned on by Sesshomaru and why the hell would my brain think its okay to be attracted to me ex-mate to be's brother?

"Yes, my lord?" Go with Ah-un and get my men, tell them they are to be here by tomorrow morning." He nodded, already walking to the door before he suddenly turned, his eyes found mine, and he stopped walking all together, turning to make his towards me with a look of relief before Sesshomaru stepped in front of him.

"Go." He nodded before once again began his way to the door, the silver haired demon then turned to me with eyes colder than ice, he was not happy about the interaction with Chiro it seemed.

"Do you like him?" My eyes widened with shock before I snapped my neck in his direction, finding his beautiful amber eyes in seconds as I uttered what... stupidly, did he really just ask me what I think he asked me?

"You heard me." He growled, making his way closer to me until he stood at the side of the bed, his aura pulsated with every move he made, as he grabbed my chin- forcefully keeping me turning away, I felt chills up go up and down my spine.

"No!" His shoulder's relaxed but he didn't release his grip on my face nor did he move himself from my personal space, he just stood there- having yet another staring contest with me, as Koga shifted nervously by the open shoji door.

"Who do you want then? You smell of arousal and I want to know why." Koga tried to walk closer but Sesshomaru's low growl kept him at bay, if I told Sesshomaru anything other than him would he lose his mind and kill everyone? Why is he behaving so erratically? I didn't know dog demons could smell arousal too and it's honestly embarrassing, especially if I think about all those times around Inuyasha ...

"Well?" I stared at him, his long shining silver hair, his strong but elegant bone structure, those insanely beautiful golden eyes that seem to melt my sanity, and last but not least the magenta markings lining his cheeks complete with an indigo half moon on his forehead. How could he think my- or any woman's choice really, would be anyone other than him?

~Does anyone else feel like maybe Koga is into Sesshy's mom? Mwahahahahaha... Until next time reader's.