Blood of a Demon
Chapter One
Author's Note:
I want to begin by expressing my gratitude for your patience and understanding during my recent absence. It has taken me some time to regain access to my account, but I am thrilled to be able to continue this story. I considered creating a new account, but thankfully, that was not necessary.
Before we delve into the revised version of "Blood of a Demon," I would like to acknowledge that I am aware of the events in Yashahime, where Sesshoumaru has children with Rin. However, I must confess that my heart remains loyal to the enchanting bond between Sesshoumaru and Kagome, and I don't foresee that changing any time soon. So, with that said, let's embark on this revised journey together!
In this installment, Kagome finds herself crossing paths with a formidable demon possessing a unique ability—a mere scratch from this demon can transform a human into a demon. Although the demon lacks control over the specific demon form a human assumes, the power to transform anyone at will rests solely in their hands. Legends of a powerful priestess have spread throughout the land, and the relentless demon has scoured far and wide in search of her. His ultimate aim? To turn her into a demon and claim her as his mate.
Once again, thank you for your unwavering support, and I sincerely hope that this revised tale captivates your imagination. I am determined to see it through to the end, and I hope you all thoroughly enjoy the journey we are about to embark upon together.
It was yet another splendid day, where the sun beamed brightly, casting a warm glow upon the earth. The symphony of birdsong echoed through the trees as the group ventured deeper into the forest, driven by their quest for elusive jewel shards. Inu Yasha, driven by that familiar gleam in his eyes whenever he caught Kikyou's scent, had hastened ahead once again. Each time he set off in search of Kikyou, it tore Kagome's heart asunder, yet she felt powerless to intervene.
"Kagome, are you alright?" inquired Sango, the valiant demon slayer.
Kagome turned to her companion, offering a half-hearted smile. "I'm fine. Perhaps we should rest here and replenish ourselves. Inu Yasha won't be returning anytime soon, I presume."
"An excellent suggestion!" chimed in Miroku, the monk.
"Great idea. I'll take a brief walk for now. I'll be back shortly," Kagome replied, making her way towards the trunk of a tree. She gently placed her sizable yellow backpack on the ground, alongside her bow and arrows—weapons that had become synonymous with her during their arduous battles.
"Don't wander too far. We'll be right here if you need us," Sango advised, her expression laced with concern as she watched Kagome fade into the depths of the forest.
Lost in her thoughts, Kagome strolled through the woods, a vivid mental reel of Inu Yasha and Kikyou replaying incessantly. Would he ever regard her with the same tender gaze he reserved for Kikyou? Did Inu Yasha's heart have space for her, amidst all her doubts and insecurities? Such weighty contemplations swirled within her mind, weaving an intricate tapestry of emotions.
The snapping of a twig interrupted Kagome's thoughts, drawing her attention. She surveyed her surroundings and realized that the day had considerably waned. Disoriented, she found herself disconcertingly unsure of her current location. Scanning the area for the source of the sound, she found nothing.
"Inu Yasha?" she called out, her voice reverberating through the silence. Could it have been a mere figment of her imagination? Movement at the corner of her vision caught her eye, compelling her to turn her head and come face to face with the piercing yellow gaze of a snow leopard demon.
"Who are you, and what do you want?!" Kagome snapped, meeting the demon's eyes with defiance. His presence unnerved her, and a shiver of panic coursed through her body as she confronted his smirking countenance.
"At long last, I have found you," the demon responded, leaning nonchalantly against a tree as his gaze remained fixed on Kagome. "It has taken quite a while to track you down, little priestess. I have heard tales about you, and I must say, you do not disappoint. It's not every day one witnesses a human transform into a demon, especially a priestess."
"What are you talking about?! That doesn't explain who you are and what you want!" Kagome exclaimed, taking a step back from the menacing presence. Her surroundings remained a mystery, leaving her uncertain of the path back to her companions.
"Why, little priestess, it is you I desire. I have been seeking you for a considerable time," the demon divulged with a smug expression. "You see, a powerful priestess like yourself would bear formidable offspring. However, we cannot allow mere half-demons to populate the world. Hence, we must make a change, and by that, I mean altering you."
"Change me... What do you mean?" Kagome's voice trembled with a mixture of fear and confusion.
"You see, dear priestess, one of my demonic talents lies in transforming humans into demons," the demon revealed, maintaining his casual stance against the tree. "While I can control this aspect of my power, I cannot dictate which demon you shall become."
Kagome's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the demon. He wouldn't dare transform her into a demon, would he? She couldn't afford to find out. Without hesitation, she spun on her heel and sprinted into the forest, her mind devoid of any recollection of the path she had taken earlier.
"You may run as much as you desire, priestess, but you cannot escape me," the demon chuckled, observing Kagome's frantic retreat. He allowed her a brief head start before commencing the chase.
Kagome glanced over her shoulder as she darted through the woods, skillfully evading low-hanging branches along the way. Gradually, she slowed to a cautious walk, seeing no signs of the demon pursuing her. Surveying her surroundings, she struggled to determine the right direction to follow. Should she call out for her companions? Or would that only reveal her location to the demon? Undoubtedly, it would. Her only option was to try and retrace her steps or hope that Inu Yasha was already searching for her.
How could she have been so foolish to leave her bow and arrows behind? How could she have allowed herself to lose track of time and become lost in the labyrinthine forest? There was no time to dwell on her mistakes. The demon was surely on her trail. Catching her breath while pondering her predicament, she resumed running through the forest, her destination still shrouded in uncertainty.
"The game is over, my little priestess," the demon's voice resonated, freezing Kagome in her tracks. He materialized before her, his approach unhurried, and effortlessly pressed her against a tree, locking his gaze with her sapphire eyes. "Fascinating eyes you possess, my dear. The transformation will be a sight to behold. Indeed, changing you will amplify your powers. Breeding with you will undoubtedly yield exceptional and robust progeny."
Wide-eyed, Kagome stared into the eyes of the demon who held her captive, his smug expression sending chills down her spine. His hand reached out, encircling her throat, and his index finger trailed along her neck, drawing blood. "And thus, the transformation begins."
In that very moment, the snow leopard demon was sent hurtling through the air with incredible force, crashing through multiple trees. Swift as lightning, he regained his footing, his claws unsheathed and poised for combat, only to be met with the chilling golden gaze of the Western Lord himself.
"What brings you to my domain?" questioned the Demon Lord with authority.
"Forgive me, I... I did not realize I had trespassed into the Western Lands, Lord Sesshoumaru," the demon stammered, bowing deferentially before the imposing figure.
"You will depart these lands immediately. Should I find you here again, your life will be forfeit," Sesshoumaru commanded, his voice cutting through the air.
"Yes..." the demon replied cautiously, carefully making his way past the priestess and the Lord of the Western Lands.
As the demon retreated, Sesshoumaru turned his attention to the perplexing presence of the priestess, known as the half-breed's wench. What was she doing within his domain, and where was his vexing half-breed brother?
As he towered over the human girl, a sudden pallor washed over her features. She raised her trembling hands before her, witnessing them elongate and her nails sharpen into claws. Her once shorter hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes transformed from sapphire to a vibrant blue. With a worried expression, she looked up at him before shuddering uncontrollably, her body collapsing to the ground in a state of unconsciousness.
Glancing down at her inert form, a notion flickered in his mind to leave her behind, allowing any passing demon to take advantage of her vulnerability. However, as he began to walk away, a lingering thought compelled him to reconsider. Why go through the trouble of saving her only to abandon her to the whims of another demon?
Observing her now fully transformed into a pure demon, he gathered her delicate form as best he could with a single arm and made his way back to his castle, where a certain human child awaited his return.
Entering the stronghold, he was greeted by the exuberant presence of Rin, a spirited young girl known to all, and the loyal toad demon, Jaken. His sharp gaze scrutinized Jaken as the diminutive creature approached the unconscious woman, sniffing curiously.
"Milord, who is this demon woman you have brought back?" Jaken inquired, thoroughly examining the prone figure of the demon woman.
"She is Inu Yasha's wench," came the cool and composed response of the Western Lord.
Wide-eyed, Jaken glanced up at his lord, then back at the woman sprawled on the floor. Surely his lord hadn't just referred to her as the half-breed's toy.
"Get her to a room," Sesshoumaru commanded, his voice carrying an air of authority as he stepped over the motionless girl and continued his stride through the castle.
"Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru! Right away!" Jaken hastened, promptly beckoning a couple of servants to assist in escorting the woman to a designated chamber.
As he walked down the corridors, a tumult of conflicting thoughts churned within the Mighty Lord. 'What has possessed me to bring that wench to my domain?' he silently questioned, a hint of vexation tainting his demeanor. 'Surely, I have erred in allowing that bothersome girl into my presence.'
A subtle voice probed his consciousness, whispering temptingly. 'You could utilize the girl as a means to acquire the fang your brother possesses.'
A flicker of consideration ignited within Sesshoumaru's calculating mind. 'Yes,' he thought to himself, his resolve strengthening. 'That may indeed be the path I shall tread.'
With purposeful steps, the Western Lord made his way to his study, his mind set on weaving a strategic plan that involved the enigmatic girl who had unexpectedly entered his life.
In the quiet confines of his study, Sesshoumaru immersed himself in contemplation. His keen intellect delved into the depths of intricate schemes, seeking a course of action that would fulfill his objectives. The girl, now lying within his fortress, presented an unforeseen opportunity—an instrument he could employ to pry loose the coveted fang from his half-breed brother's possession.
As his thoughts swirled with calculated precision, Sesshoumaru's gaze fell upon the grandeur of his surroundings—the shelves lined with ancient tomes and artifacts, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows upon the walls. The weight of responsibility and the gravity of his decisions loomed over him, for the outcome of his carefully devised plan could alter the course of his future.
A knock at the door interrupted his contemplation, drawing his attention. "Enter," he commanded, his voice resolute and commanding.
Jaken, his loyal retainer, entered the study with an air of deference. "Lord Sesshoumaru, the girl has been placed in a secure chamber as you instructed," he reported, bowing respectfully.
Sesshoumaru regarded Jaken with a piercing gaze. "Ensure she is well-guarded, Jaken. Her presence here carries significant implications for our future endeavors."
"Of course, my lord. I will personally oversee her protection," Jaken affirmed, a trace of determination coloring his voice.
Sesshoumaru nodded in acknowledgment, his mind already drifting back to the intricacies of his plan. He contemplated the potential alliances he could forge, the obstacles he would need to overcome, and the delicate balance of power that must be maintained.
As he delved deeper into his strategizing, a flicker of doubt momentarily tugged at the corners of his thoughts. The girl's involvement introduced an element of unpredictability, and Sesshoumaru knew he must navigate this treacherous path with caution. But the lure of acquiring his brother's fang, a symbol of dominance and power, spurred him forward, overriding any reservations.
With unyielding determination, Sesshoumaru steeled himself for the challenges ahead. He would manipulate the girl's presence to his advantage, employing her as a pawn in his intricate game of power and destiny. The tides of change were in motion, and he would seize every opportunity to shape his own fate.
Resolute and focused, Sesshoumaru set his plans into motion, each move calculated and precise. The path he walked was treacherous, with alliances to forge and secrets to unravel. Yet, with his indomitable will and strategic acumen, he remained poised to navigate the treacherous currents that lay ahead. The enigmatic girl under his watchful gaze would become an instrument in his grand design—a stepping stone toward his ultimate goal.
As the weight of responsibility pressed upon him, Sesshoumaru drew strength from his unwavering resolve. The girl's fate intertwined with his own, her role instrumental in the tapestry of events that would shape their shared destiny. And with each passing moment, Sesshoumaru's determination burned brighter, his path illuminated by the flickering flames of ambition and purpose.