It often made her wonder what she had done to be destined to always be in life threatening situations. They originally came here as they sensed Naraku only for them to come across a once dead Priestess by the name of Hitomiko. A woman who had spoken to Kagome through the soul of Midoriko, who explained to her that priestesses could contact one another with their lingering spirits.
She nearly screamed in frustration. Why did everyone have to be cryptic? It didn't help that she was alone and trapped by Hitomiko's barrier.
If she were to shoot the spider nesting within her with her sacred arrow then Hitomiko's soul will never be saved. She will die a demon along with her soul. If she also chose to shoot Hitomiko then her own heart would be corrupted and she would fall victim to Naraku.
Running through the temple covered in spider webs that burned with bright flames and bells. She had fallen through the floorboards and hovered over skulls, crows and the river of flames.
"Why were you given the name Kagome?!" Hitomiko screamed at her
She had hated her name when she was a young girl, the other kids always made fun of her for it. They constantly sang her name, 'Ka-go-me' and insisted on playing that stupid game. She always won though, as she always knew who was behind her, it had been like a sense of sorts to know. Her mother had named her because she had seen a star shaped light in her chest when she was born.
Which meant that her mother had seen the Shikon jewel inside her seventeen years ago.
Narrowing her eyes, she searched into the glowing black purple spider that clung to Hitomiko's chest. Where Naraku laid in wait, watching her.
Drawing her bow, she notched the arrow. The tip glowed a purple pink color as she aimed it right for Hitomiko's chest. The arrow soared in a large light, going straight through Hitomiko and striking Naraku.
Immediately Hitomiko glowed a bright white light before it blinded her. Shielding her eyes, she waited for the light to die down only to see that the Temple was back to normal. A smiling Hitomiko stood before her with a smile.
"You were able to combine your power and the spiritual power of the bow to rid the evil presence that bound me. Thank you for saving me Kagome, that much I understand."
"The power of the bow?"
Hitomiko hummed, "it is a special bow. However, there is something that is sealing your true power. You must search for that for yourself as I do not know."
It was her last words before the elder priestess collapsed.
"Lady Hitomiko!" Kagome rushed forward to catch her."
Your name and source of power are a mystery."
Then she closed her eyes. The priestess had gone cold.
Sesshomaru's fingers moved deftly through Kagome's damp hair, braiding it with a gentle yet precise touch. She nestled in his lap, her back against his chest, feeling the warmth of his body seeping into hers. The river they had bathed in earlier flowed nearby, its gentle babbling a soothing backdrop to their moment of intimacy.
"Koi," Sesshomaru murmured, his nose buried in her hair as he inhaled her familiar scent. "You have been quiet since we left."
Kagome sighed, her thoughts still tangled with the revelations from Lady Hitomiko. "I am just thinking," she said softly. "Lady Hitomiko told me that my sacred powers have been sealed. She said the source of my powers and my name are a mystery. At first, I thought it might have been Kikyo who sealed them, but that doesn't make sense. Her will aligns with Midoriko's, and I don't believe she would do such a thing."
Sesshomaru's fingers stilled for a moment before resuming their task. "Did Midoriko tell you of the seal?" he asked, his voice a low rumble in her ear.
"No," Kagome replied, frustration evident in her tone. "She speaks to me in dreams, in broken riddles, visions, and through others. It's like she wants me to figure it out on my own."
He finished braiding her hair and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. He placed a tender kiss on her neck, his lips brushing her skin before he nipped at her gently, eliciting a small gasp from her.
Kagome leaned back into him, her fingers tracing the patterns on his kimono. Sesshomaru's embrace tightened around her, his presence grounding her in the midst of her swirling thoughts.
Kagome turned her head slightly to look at Sesshomaru, her eyes meeting his. The intensity in his gaze made her heart flutter. "I worry about what will happen," she whispered, her fingers reaching up to caress his cheek.
He caught her hand, bringing it to his lips and placing a soft kiss on her palm. "You are my mate," he said simply. "Your concerns are mine as well."
Turning in his lap, Kagome stared at him, her eyes searching his. "We have been separated for too long," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of longing and sadness.
Sesshomaru smirked, grasping her hips and adjusting her more comfortably into his lap. His hand slid up to gently grasp her face, bringing it close to his. "This one has missed you as well, koi," he murmured, his voice low and filled with emotion.
Their breaths mingled as they gazed into each other's eyes, the world around them fading away. Sesshomaru's fingers trailed along her jawline, his touch light and reverent. Kagome felt her heart race, the warmth of his hand sending shivers down her spine.
"I've thought about you every day," Kagome admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Every moment we were apart, I felt like a part of me was missing."
Sesshomaru's expression softened, his usual stoic mask giving way to the depth of his feelings for her. "I share your sentiments," he replied. "You are a part of me, Kagome. Being without you is like a wound that never heals."
Kagome's eyes filled with tears, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his words. "Sesshomaru…" she began, but her voice trailed off as he leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss.
The kiss was slow and gentle, filled with the unspoken words and emotions they had both kept locked away. Kagome's hands found their way to his shoulders, her fingers curling into the fabric of his kimono as she kissed him back with equal fervor. Sesshomaru's arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer as if he couldn't bear the thought of any distance between them.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily, their foreheads resting against each other. Kagome's eyes fluttered open, meeting Sesshomaru's intense gaze. "I want to feel you," she whispered, the words coming straight from her heart.
Sesshomaru's eyes softened further, his thumb brushing gently over her cheek. "What is it that you are asking of me?"
Her hands gripped the silk fabric of his clothing, pulling him closer. "I have an ache that only you can fulfill."
Her words caused his eyes to flash red. Heavy lust filled his gaze, his magenta stripes growing larger and more jagged. Kagome felt her body responding to his presence, her breasts growing heavy and tender, their nipples taut. An ache between her legs grew hot and began to hurt, an overwhelming desire flooding through her.
Sesshomaru's control slipped as he leaned in, capturing her lips in a fierce, passionate kiss. His hand moved to the back of her neck, pulling her closer as his tongue explored her mouth. Kagome responded eagerly, her fingers tangling in his silken hair, pulling him closer.
He shifted, laying her gently on the forest floor, his body pressing against hers. The weight of him above her made her heart race, her desire for him intensifying. Sesshomaru's lips trailed down her neck, leaving a burning trail in their wake. He nipped at her skin, causing her to gasp and arch against him.
"Sesshomaru," she moaned, her voice filled with longing.
He growled in response, the sound vibrating through his chest. "Koi, you are mine," he declared, his voice rough with desire.
His hands roamed over her body, caressing her curves with reverence and possession. Kagome's back arched as his hands found their way under her clothing, his touch sending shivers down her spine. Her breath hitched as his fingers brushed over her sensitive nipples, her body responding eagerly to his touch.
Sesshomaru's mouth followed the path his hands had taken, kissing and nipping at her exposed skin. Kagome's fingers dug into his shoulders, her body aching for more. He growled low in his throat, his desire for her growing stronger with every passing moment.
"I want to claim you, mark you as mine," he whispered against her skin, his voice filled with raw need.
"Yes," she breathed, her eyes meeting his. "I want that too."
With a predatory growl, Sesshomaru's eyes darkened with lust. He moved lower, his mouth trailing down her body, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Kagome's body arched off the ground as his lips found her sensitive core, his tongue teasing and tasting her. She cried out, her fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer.
Sesshomaru's hands gripped her hips, holding her steady as he continued to pleasure her. Kagome's moans grew louder, her body trembling with the intensity of her desire. She felt herself teetering on the edge, her release building with every stroke of his tongue.
Just as she was about to fall over the edge, Sesshomaru pulled back, his eyes locking with hers. "Come apart for me," he growled, his voice filled with possessive hunger.
Kagome's eyes fluttered open, meeting his heated gaze. "Please," she whispered, her voice trembling with need.
With a predatory grin, Sesshomaru moved back up her body, his lips capturing hers in a searing kiss. She moaned, clawing at his back as euphoria washed over her singing his name into the cool night air.
Kagome and Inuyasha sat with Kaede in her hut, the warmth of the fire doing little to ease the chill that hung in the air. Sango, Miroku, Sesshomaru, and Jaken remained outside, granting them privacy. Kaede stared into the flickering flames, her weathered face somber as she processed the heavy news that Inuyasha had delivered.
Kikyo had once again died.
"I need your help, Kaede," Kagome asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "The priestess Hitomiko told me that my powers have been sealed. At first, I thought it was Kikyo, but her will is also the will of Midoriko, so it couldn't be her."
Kaede hummed thoughtfully, her one good eye never leaving the fire. "The jewel sealed your powers."
Frowning, Kagome stared at the elder miko through the flames. "What do you mean, Kaede?"
"The jewel was reborn inside of you, child," Kaede said, poking the fire with a stick. "The jewel must have sealed your powers out of fear. It contains the soul of a demon alongside Midoriko."
Inuyasha nodded, his expression grave. "Kaede is right. Ever since you came here, you've had trouble accessing your powers."
Before Kagome could respond, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end, a shiver running down her spine. She jumped up, as did Inuyasha and Kaede. Miroku and Sango burst into the hut, their faces pale with urgency.
"Did you guys feel that?" Miroku asked, his voice tense.
Kagome nodded, her eyes wide. "It felt like pure evil." She tried to use her reiki to sense anything unusual, but her heart sank when she couldn't feel Sesshomaru. "Where did he go?"
"He just flew off west," Sango said, her voice trembling slightly.
They all rushed out of the hut, their senses on high alert. The sky, once bright and blue, was now shrouded in pitch-black clouds. A crackle of lightning illuminated the darkness, followed by a deafening thunderclap. Kagome felt it then, a suffocating wave of darkness as the jewel shards in the jar around her neck pulsed ominously.
"I feel Naraku," she said, her voice barely audible over the rising wind. "He's in the direction Sesshomaru went."
"We have no time to waste then," Inuyasha growled, crouching in front of Kagome. "Climb on."
Kagome quickly climbed onto his back, her heart pounding. "We have to be careful. Naraku will try to take Kohaku's shard."
"Then we should leave him here," Sango said, her voice tight with fear.
"He'll be defenseless if we leave him here," Kagome argued. "You and Miroku will have to watch him and protect him."
The urgency of their mission weighed heavily on them as they prepared to set out. The oppressive aura of evil lingered in the air, a constant reminder of the danger they faced. As Inuyasha leaped into the sky, Kagome couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in her chest, knowing that Naraku's dark presence loomed ever closer.
They arrived just in time to see Sesshomaru locked in a brutal fight with a demon of pale skin, an adult male with long, shaggy white hair similar to Inuyasha's, with facial markings of blue like Sesshomaru's, pale blue lips, and dark armor. Sesshomaru's fist was embedded in the demon's torso, but what struck Kagome was the surge of anger and frustration she felt radiating from Sesshomaru.
"Something is wrong," Miroku stated, his voice tinged with concern.
"What do you mean, Miroku?" Sango frowned, her eyes darting between the combatants.
"He should have been able to pierce that demon's body, but it looks like his arm is being swallowed instead."
The demon's mocking voice echoed through the mountainous terrain. "Now then, have you realized just how weak you are?"
Large, sharp tentacles sprouted from the demon's body, shooting toward Sesshomaru. He leapt back, but his arm was a bright red, smoke curling off of it.
"SESSHOMARU!" Kagome pushed past Inuyasha, running towards him.
"STAY BACK!" he commanded, his voice a thunderous roar that caused Kagome to falter. He had never raised his voice at her before.
"Take her and leave," Sesshomaru ordered in a cold, indifferent tone, his eyes never leaving the demon.
The demon seized the moment, rushing at Sesshomaru. Kagome's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Sesshomaru, usually so composed and powerful, now solely on the defensive, barely able to dodge the onslaught of attacks.
"KOHAKU!" Sango's voice rang out, desperate and filled with fear.
The young boy threw himself in front of Sesshomaru. "He can't touch me, not with Kikyo's light protecting me."
Sharp tentacles immediately wrapped around Kohaku, defiling the jewel shard embedded in his neck. Kagome's breath caught in her throat as the shard, once bright, turned dark and sinister.
Before the demon could crush Kohaku, Sesshomaru intervened, allowing the spikes to pierce his own body instead. Kagome fell to her knees, a cry of anguish escaping her lips. Never had she seen Sesshomaru struggle like this. The jewel's corruption spread, its darkness suffocating her hope.
"That should stop you!" The demon's smile was wild, his eyes gleaming with malice.
Inuyasha's roar of fury echoed through the valley. "BASTARD!" He swung his sword, severing the tentacles and freeing both Sesshomaru and Kohaku. Au-Uh, flying overhead with Jaken, caught the young demon slayer just as Sesshomaru landed heavily on the ground.
"You must be Naraku's latest," Inuyasha spat.
"Naraku?! How dare you group me with that weak half-demon!"
"Get Kohaku out of here," Inuyasha commanded.
"He's right," Kagome nodded, her voice shaking. "If Kohaku stays here any longer, we could lose him."
"He's not waking up," Sango cried out, tears streaming down her face. "Please, Kagome…save him."
They all landed on the ground a distance away from Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, and the demon. Sango cradled Kohaku in her arms, her body trembling with fear. Kagome knelt beside her, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She closed her eyes, willing herself to calm down. Concentrating, she summoned forth her reiki and spiritual energy, the air around her humming with power.
Fear gnawed at Kagome's heart, her desperation and insecurity threatening to overwhelm her. She had never felt so helpless, watching Sesshomaru struggle and Kohaku's shard being defiled right before her eyes. But she couldn't afford to falter now. Drawing on every ounce of strength and resolve she had, Kagome focused on purifying the tainted shard, determined to banish the darkness that sought to consume him.
Exhaustion weighed heavily on Kagome, reminiscent of her early days training with her reiki. The seal on her power must have drained more from her than she realized. Once she was finished purifying the shard, she nodded to Sango and Miroku.
"He should wake soon," she assured them, then turned her attention back to the demon.
There was something unsettlingly familiar about him. His presence resonated with her in the same way Midoriko's did. Why did he feel so similar?
As though sensing her thoughts, the demon turned his crazed gaze to her. His eyes softened momentarily, a strange recognition flickering within them. "Midoriko…"
"What did you say?" Kagome asked, her heart pounding.
In an instant, the demon rushed at her, grabbing her face and bringing it close to his. His breath was hot against her skin. "Midoriko… I have missed you."
"My name is Kagome," she corrected, her voice trembling.
He seemed not to hear her, continuing to stare at her with intense emotion. "You have finally been reborn."
Reborn…?
"Keep your distance from my mate," Sesshomaru's voice was a low growl.
Blinking, Kagome could only stare as Sesshomaru appeared before her, his arm wrapping around the demon's neck. Sesshomaru's eyes were bleeding red, his fangs elongated, and his stripes jagged with rage.
"S-Sesshomaru…" she whispered, feeling the raw power emanating from him.
The demon giggled maniacally, his eyes lazily sweeping over Kagome once more before turning back to Sesshomaru. "That is what you think."
Sesshomaru tightened his grip, his claws digging into the demon's flesh. "You will not touch her," he hissed, his voice filled with deadly promise.
The demon only laughed harder, the sound echoing eerily through the trees. "Midoriko… Kagome… it does not matter. She belongs to me," he declared, his voice dripping with madness.
Sesshomaru's fury was palpable, his aura flaring dangerously. "You will regret those words," he vowed, his grip tightening further.
Kagome felt a surge of fear and determination. She reached out, placing a hand on Sesshomaru's arm. "Sesshomaru, please," she implored. "We need to understand what he means."
Sesshomaru glanced at her, his eyes still glowing red, but her touch seemed to ground him. He loosened his hold slightly, though his anger did not abate.
"Speak," Sesshomaru demanded, his voice a lethal whisper. "Explain yourself before I end you."
The demon's laughter died down, replaced by a sinister smile. "Ah, but the story is long, and the night is short," he said cryptically. "You will understand in time. She is more than what she seems. And so are you, Sesshomaru."
With a final, deranged grin, the demon's body began to dissolve into a dark mist, slipping from Sesshomaru's grasp. His voice lingered in the air, a haunting echo. "We will meet again, Kagome… or should I say, Midoriko."
Kagome shivered, the weight of his words settling heavily on her. What did he mean by 'reborn'? What connection did she have with Midoriko that even a demon recognized? She felt Sesshomaru's arm wrap around her protectively, pulling her close.
"You are safe," he murmured, his voice back to its usual calm tone. "I will not let him harm you."
Kagome nodded, leaning into his embrace. But deep down, she knew that this encounter was only the beginning. There had to be an explanation why she felt the way she did and why her soul called out to him.