InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ A Blood Bath Eases the Mind ( Chapter 22 )

Chapter Twenty-Two:

A Blood Bath Eases the Mind

 

Kagome sat on the edge of a sparkling fountain in the garden, the cool air caressing her hot cheeks.

It was dark outside but was illuminated by the flickering candles attached to stone polls hanging above. She had not seen such a thing before. The candles were encased in some sort of glass material.

It was beautiful.

Calming.

She was so confused.

Sesshomaru made her so angry; his arrogance, his domineering ways, and yet, when he touched her, looked at her; kissed her she could barely breathe, barely think. He stirred her body in ways she didn't want but she couldn't help.

She wanted him.

Physically anyway; emotionally she'd rather suck a lemon.

She sighed.

She had to find a suitable mate soon or she'd be tied to that insufferable male for life.

Looking at her reflection in the clear water, she touched it, watching the image ripple. She had never thought of herself as beautiful, pretty maybe, but nothing out of the ordinary, and yet these males seemed to think she was beautiful. She didn't see it. Her hair was the standard black, though she did like the blue highlights. Her eyes were pretty, a lighter shade of brown than was normal..

Swirling her finger around in the water she hummed softly.

She had to make sure she didn't end up mated to Sesshomaru. Not only for her peace of mind but for the child she would bear in the future. Katzunami had told her the child would be incredibly strong and able to defeat the Evil Six if she or someone else was not able to.

The way Sesshomaru was, he would probably think nothing of letting his child fight those sick beings.

Would probably demand that the child do so.

She however would not allow it. And that would be a problem between them. She knew it like the back of her hand. He was too domineering and egotistical to allow her to have her way.

The bastard.

"Bring it on, mutt face! I'll wipe the floor with you!"

Kagome looked up.

"Let's see you do it ugly!"

She recognized those voices.

`What the hell is going on?'

Kagome stood and followed the voices through the short maze of bushes, past rows and rows of roses and wild flowers out to the exit of the garden. Just on the edge of the garden, in a small clearing, Lord InuYasha and Lord Yamiko stood nose to nose, anger blazing between the two.

"I won that match and you know it ugly!" InuYasha yelled.

"Dream on dumbass, I was victorious!" Yamiko yelled back.

Kagome sat there watching, hands on hips, wondering what the ridiculous argument was about.

"Well then, what do you say we settle this here and now? First person to die wins," InuYasha suggested in a crude voice.

Kagome gasped. They wouldn't!

"You're on idiot,"

"Wait a minute! Hold on! You two cannot be serious!" Kagome burst out as she rushed over to the duo.

They barely spared her glance, their deadly stares locked on each other. Butting herself between them, she pushed InuYasha backwards, hoping Yamiko wouldn't follow.

"Back off Kagome, he's going down!" InuYasha said, pushing her aside a bit rougher than he intended.

"Don't you push her that way! Apologize!"

"Make me, bitch!"

Yamiko moved towards him, dangerous intent clear in every step.

"Hey, come on now, there's no need for this." Kagome said, holding a hand out to ward him off.

"Step aside, my Lady," Yamiko said, hand on his sword.

"No, I will not step aside. There will be no bloodshed. The Tournament is over, there will be no more fighting," she commanded, her own anger rising to the surface.

She was tired of the fighting, tired of pigheaded males wanting to cut each others throats. Why couldn't they be sensible like women? Why couldn't they talk things out instead of trying to fight it out? Violence wasn't always the answer to a problem.

Her words went unheeded, clawed hands settled on her hips. Gently setting her aside once more, taking care not to be rough again, InuYasha pulled out his sword, as Yamiko unsheathed his own.

They charged at each other.

Okay, that was it, she'd had more than enough.

Those two going at it was one thing, but treating her as a child and not listening to her was quite another! With a burst of energy she sent it flying at the two males. Concentrating on the energy, she narrowed it out, shaping it into ropes and wrapping it around the combatants.

Tightening the rope of energy, she brought them up high above the ground, tightening the rope around the hands holding the swords. Their swords clattered to the ground as they levitated feet above the ground, their arms bound to their sides. Arms crossed, Kagome walked over to the stunned men.

InuYasha struggled to get free.

"What the hell did you do?" he demanded when his struggles did nothing to loosen the bindings.

"Release us at once Lady Kagome!" Yamiko demanded heatedly.

Kagome lifted a slender brow.

"You will not yell at me or demand things of me. You will speak civilly and ask for what you want in a respectful tone,"

InuYasha snorted.

"Fuck that! Let me go right no- ahhhhhhhhhh! What the hell are you doing?"

Kagome's brow drew down in anger as she spun her finger around and InuYasha's body followed the movement. Round and round his body spun in a tight circle, curses spewing from his mouth. Yamiko watched in horrified amusement.

"Serves you right, half-breed," Yamiko commented as InuYasha began to slow.

InuYasha growled as he was turned upright, glaring daggers at Kagome but wisely keeping his mouth closed.

"Now, my Lords, do we understand each other?"

When they remained quiet, she took their silence as agreement.

"Good. Now, as I was saying. There will be no bloodshed. No killing, no fighting. If declaring a winner is important to you both, we will settle this matter with a small competition,” she suggested, hands on hips once more, “Tomorrow, we'll have an archery contest, the next week there will be a swimming contest, and the final contest will be a surprise event. Once this is over, a winner will be declared and there is to be no more fighting. Understand?"

"Alright, I accept. You're going down mutt." Yamiko said, excitement blazing in his yellow eyes.

InuYasha snorted rudely.

"That's fucking stupid. You couldn't beat me even in your dreams ass face."

Kagome let them down gently as they continued to argue, unwrapping her energy from around their bodies. She clapped her hands together to gain their attention once more. Once they turned to her she began.

"There are a few rules you must abide by. Rule number one: No physical contact with each other. By physical contact I mean fighting. Rule Two: No cheating. Rule three: Both of you have to accept the outcome of this contest. If you don't follow these rules, you forfeit. "

"Fine," Yamiko agreed.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," InuYasha conceded, arms crossed.

Kagome smiled.

"Good. The archery contest will be tomorrow after the midday meal."

InuYasha headed back to the castle.

"Be ready to lose shit for face," he hissed before he disappeared into the garden.

Yamiko fumed silently as he left. Kagome walked up to him, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"Why do you hate InuYasha so much?" she asked.

As he looked down at her, Kagome noticed he turned his head slightly, hiding the scar from her line of vision. Her mind took not of that action for future reference.

"He's arrogant as shit. Thinking he's better than me. The bastard,"

"But he's really nice. You just have to get to know him," she said with a smile.

Yamiko snorted as he walked towards the castle. As though he would ever 'get to know' that mutt. He'd sooner gut him than make conversation.

As he disappeared down the path back to the castle, Kagome could only shake her head.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Katzunami led Hikari back to the castle.

His instincts were screaming at him. Something about this female was not right. She seemed innocent enough and yet something was off.

She was quiet as she walked next to him.

He glanced over at her. She was looking at him. Her stare was a bit strange, as if she were contemplating something about him. When he raised a brow in question she blushed and turned away.

A strange female indeed.

From what he had been able to learn from their brief conversation, her brother Mahou was here on business with Lord Sesshomaru. Apparently they were staying here for another five or six months.

They maneuvered through the garden and in through the castle doors. The celebration was coming to an end, guests were filing out the door and the servants had begun to clean up.

"Do you see your brother Lady Hikari?"

She looked around the room for a moment before she nodded.

"Yes my Lord. He's there, near the wine table," she said, inclining her head in his direction.

Ushering her over to the table, they approached a tall male. Instantly, the male's gaze locked on the woman beside him. Katzunami was surprised. Though she called him brother, the male wasn't a dragon youkai like the female that walked next to him. He was a bird demon. He had short black hair and brown eyes, but there was no resemblance between the two.

They were not blood brother and sister.

That added to the mystery surrounding this woman. Usually one variety of demons would not claim a child of a different one.

"Hikari, where have you been?" the male asked as soon as they were close enough.

Hikari looked down.

"I'm sorry big brother. I got lost outside in the forest. Forgive me," she said.

Reaching out, he took her hand and gently pulled her towards him.

"It is alright, little sister," he said, and then he turned to Katzunami.

"Thank you for returning her to me, my Lord," he said as he bowed.

Katzunami nodded and smiled.

"It is no trouble I assure you."

Mahou turned back to his sister.

"Come, you must be tired."

The female nodded with a smile and turned to Katzunami once more and bowed.

"Thank you for seeing me back to my brother, my Lord."

Katzunami inclined his head.

As the male lead his sister away, Katzunami gazed after them.

He wasn't sure what disturbed him but he felt, deep in his gut, something wasn't right.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vishious was thoroughly pleased with the way things were going. Progress was smooth and significant. He would be released from his prison soon. He could feel it. Once he was free he would be able to claim this world and his woman.

Speaking of which he had watched the conclusion of the tournament and celebration today.

That beast had been all over his female ever since his victory. The tantrum Vishious had thrown during and after the social event had been explosive and violent. Now, he avoided checking up on her. He could never keep a clear mind; anger clouding his judgment when it came to her.

The next few months were critical.

He needed a clear mind to think.

Any mistake could see him back in this prison or dead. Once he was freed, he would be weak, vulnerable from so many years of confinement.

His thoughts turned to more calming matters.

He had been keeping an eye on Naraku. So far, the male was enjoying his little vacation. Since Kagura had been taken back to the castle he'd had no need to summon the Rai Ku Youki at the moment. Naraku had been furious when Kagura had not returned and had been about to go out, find her, and beat her until he couldn't move anymore.

Vishious had contacted him then, letting him know that there was going to be a change in plans and that for the time being no new Rai Ku Youki were not needed. With that news he had gone back to butchering random families without a care in the world.

Reaching out with his mind, Vishious found a familiar telepathic pathway and connected to it.

'You are displeased with this world.'

'Vishious! What the fuck is this? Is this some kind of sick twisted joke?'

Vishious felt his lips twitch in amusement. Ahgony was the most amusing of his brothers.

'I assure you this is no joke, sick as it is. I see you are also taken aback by the state of this world.'

'Hell yes I am, more than just `taken aback'! I'm completely disgusted! What the fuck is the problem? When last I roamed the land the humans and demons were at each others throats! What the hell is going on?'

'It seems that the humans and youkai have come to a mutual agreement of peace between the two species.'

'That's disgusting. It's sick! Do these creatures have no morals? No sense of pride?'

'Indeed. The world has lost their common sense. They have become insane almost. I cannot understand it.'

'I cannot stand it for long. When will you be free?'

'When our last brother has risen and the ceremonial brew has been created.'

'And the woman?'

'She will have to be captured. There may be resistance from a mutt.'

Vishious could feel Ahgony's laughter.

'Another Siunki, eh?'

'Indeed. The outcome will be different however. This one covets my female. He thinks to have her, not only for a good fuck, but as a mate. I want his head.'

'And you shall have it, but you must allow me to have fun with him before he departs to the afterlife, yes?'

'Of course. Where are you now?'

'Headed to a nearby village to dismember some people. I need to sharpen my claws. It has been such a long since I've killed. I will be on edge until I feel flesh tearing, and blood running through my fingers.'

'You need not explain, I understand dear brother. I myself am on edge. I have been here for centuries without being able to kill. You and our brothers have had it easy. At the very least, you were all in torment. That at least entertained you I have no doubt. I have not even had the pleasure of being tortured,'

Ahgony chuckled.

'Poor big brother. I feel your pain; however it is not fair to blame us. We were lucky, you drew the short stick.'

Vishious rolled his eyes.

'Indeed.'

More amusement from Ahgony.

'Don't be upset big brother, you shall be out soon.'

Vishious smiled. Leave it to Ahgony soften the blow.

'Indeed I shall, dear brother.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Vishious disconnected from his mind, Ahgony continued on his way to the village, naked as day he was born. Ehvil had left some time ago to make the long journey to revive their last brother, leaving him with a full belly of kraken and not a stitch of clothing.

As if he cared, he preferred it this way, nudity was freedom.

Ahgony was the nudist of the group. Clothing was choking to him, restrictive and completely unnecessary. The few times he wore clothing was when his brothers had made him do so for one reason or another, otherwise, he wouldn't look twice at clothing.

He walked through a swamp, his bare feet sinking into the soft muddy dirt.

He grimaced at the feel of it. Normally he didn't mind getting his feet dirty, but mud just didn't feel right.

After a few minutes of travel he came upon the village. It was a very, very small village, no more than sixteen huts large and in poor condition. Roof's had been mended and re-mended, and the air smelled most foul. Chamber pots were lined outside in front of the small huts.

Villagers gaped at him as he entered the village; women ogled his body, staring at his lower anatomy with coy smiles and wanton looks, while the men seemed too stunned to move from their spot.

Children pointed and snickered as they ran around the village.

Ahgony seemed oblivious of it all, walking as if nothing was amiss.

Finally, three young males approached him. One was tall and skinny, dark hair and dark eyes, clutching a hoe. His brown kimono and white obi were dirty and ripped. Another was short and skinny; brown hair and gray eyed, he too was clutching a hoe, and wore a dirty blue kimono and white obi. And last was a tall, fat man with long dark hair and dark eyes, he clutched in his chubby little hands a broom stick, his red kimono and blue obi too small for his large body.

Ahgony scrunched his nose up. They smelled like shit.

"Get the hell out of my way. You fucking stink," Ahgony said to the three males.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" the short one demanded.

Ahgony blinked once before a big grin spread across his face. Sweeping himself into a bow, he bent at the waist to the men as if they were royalty.

"Where are my manners? Ahgony at your service," he introduced himself.

The men looked at each in confusion. He had to be completely mad. That was the only explanation for his nudity and strange behavior.

The tall skinny one leaned on his hoe, a confused look on his face.

"Are you stupid or insane?" he asked.

Ahgony smiled.

"Insane, thank you."

Silence met that comment, lasting only a few moments.

"Alright, we've had just about enough of ye, why don't ye turn about from whence ye came and leave us in peace, demon,"

"And get ye some cloths. It ain't decent the way you carry on here,” said the fat one, his voice laced with venom and disgust.

Ahgony cocked his head to the side at the men.

"Why would I do such a thing?" Ahgony asked in a confused voice.

"Enough! Remove ye self from our village demon!" said the short one.

Ahgony smiled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagome awoke the next morning. The sun bright and high, shinning through her bedroom window and warming her skin. Kagome lay in her bed for a moment, looking up at the ceiling.

She was worried.

Something was wrong. Or would go wrong today, she was sure of it. Her stomach was tightening with dread and the very air felt ominous.

Sitting up, she set her mind in a more positive light.

Whatever it was she would get through it. She was ready. Never one to take anything lying down, Kagome leapt from the bed in considerably good spirits. She took a quick bath before donning a bright red silk kimono and black obi.

As she sat down at her vanity, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," she called out.

Kagura walked through the door.

Kagome smiled.

Kagura had proved to be a wonderful friend. She was kind and wise. Kagome had feared she would be sad and depressed from her attack but to her surprise she did not seem to be affected in any significant way.

She was very strong, this woman.

"Good morning Kagura."

Kagura smiled. She was very pretty when she smiled. Dressed in a simple blue kimono and green obi she was beautiful.

"Good morning to you as well, Kagome. I've come to assist you with your hair."

Kagome turned as Kagura moved behind her. When she didn't feel Kagura touch her hair, she looked back to see the woman just standing there. She looked ill. Kagome turned around and went to the woman's side.

"Kagura, are you okay?"

Reaching out to touch the woman, Kagome felt the sick, malicious energy surrounding Kagura's body. Rearing back, Kagome slapped a hand over her mouth, trying to hold back the vomit that was fighting to come forth. Kagome stepped back, clutching her stomach as she gagged. It was sickening, this aura. Someone or something had connected to Kagura and the energy it gave off was like nothing she had ever felt before.

As suddenly as it appeared it retreated. Kagura seemed to come out of her trance-like state and went over to Kagome.

"Come, Kagome, sit down here."

Kagome didn't protest as she sat her down at the vanity once more. Kagome took deep breathes to try and calm herself. She was shaking like a leaf.

"Calm down. Breathe," Kagura murmured.

Kagome let out a breath slowly. Smiling, she patted Kagura's hand.

"I'm alright now."

The smile faded.

"What was that thing Kagura?"

'Thing? Aww, she's breaking my heart, Kagura. My woman thinks I am a thing.'

Kagura stood, and walked a few paces towards the window. What could she say? That what she had felt was the energy that surrounded her every time he connected to her mind? Not likely.

'You are not foolish enough to warn her Kagura. I would make sure you know the meaning of pain.'

"If I could tell you that, Kagome, I would do so," Kagura said softly, “It is something that I must endure for now, but it will not hurt you. You need not worry,”

'Good girl.'

Kagura closed her eyes against the snickering in her mind.

Though she wanted to ask more questions, Kagome let it go. For now. She had to build up a relationship with the woman before she demanded answers. Pushing her further wouldn't help right now.

"It's alright Kagura. I understand."

Turning once more, Kagura tried to hold back the pained expression on her face.

"Now, shall I help you with your hair?"

'Yes, let s help her with her beautiful hair, I would like to run my fingers through them again.'

This was getting dangerous now. And Kagura was afraid for Kagome. There was no way she could protect the woman, nor tell her the truth. And every time Vishious connected to her, he was stronger than before. It had gotten to the point where he could actually feel things through her. Almost as if they were one. And that terrified her in ways she had never imagined.

As she brushed Kagome's long dark hair, she found herself running her finger through them slowly, as if savoring the feel of it.

Heat flooded her body as she inhaled the flowery scent of the black-blue locks. She was aroused, or rather he was aroused. And from the question in her brown eyes, Kagura knew that Kagome felt what was going on, though she clearly didn't understand that the desire in Kagura's eyes did not belong to her, but to her Master.

Kagome watched her in the vanity mirror; confusion and shock clear in her eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Screams, long drawn out agonizing screams permeated his ears. Smoke filled the air, and the scent of blood, death and fire blended together to create a potent mixture, the smell so thick and chocking it was hard to breathe. Dead mutilated bodies littered the ground.

Only two men remained alive, though they wished they were dead.

Naked, the tall and skinny male was nailed to the roof of his small hut, his screams were deafening. His body was covered in nails. Each finger tip was nailed through with sharp five inch nails, one for each finger; his upper arms were nailed through with three ten inch nails. From chest to abdomen, from abdomen down to both legs, the man was nailed through with more nails, each toe of his feet were shot through with five inch nails.

Blood poured down the man's body, dripping onto the ground. He had passed out a few times, but each time he awoke, it was to pain like he had never felt before.

On the roof of the next hut over, the short skinny male lay in an agonized daze. The pain so intense he had retreated into his mind. He trembled softly, his eyes glazed over, completely unaware of his surroundings. Every bone in his body had been snapped like a twig. His fingers were bent upward, his toes curved backwards.

He could move no part of his body.

His bones weren't just broken, they were shattered, most of his face was caved in and he could feel some of them sticking out of his skin like pointy knives. Blood leaked from his nose and ears.

And last but certainly not least, the tall, fat male was stuffed into a huge pot, his limbs snapped in two during the process. Water had been poured up to his chin and he had been placed over an open fire. He had died hours ago from the intense heat of the boiling water. Now, his body was as tender and ripe as the meat he had often shoved down his throat.

Ahgony, still nude, walked over to the pot and lifted the lid and took a big whiff of the human inside. His stomach grumbled at the smell.

Nothing like boiled human to start out the day.

He ate with the sound of screams around him, basking in the pain and suffering he had created. It was incredible, better than he remembered.

Finally, he could relax.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But while Ahgony relaxed, Mahdness was doing quite the opposite.

Tourcher crossed his arms as he watched his brother, letting out a sigh. Well Mahdness had reached his tolerance. Shaking his head, he jumped up into a tree above to watch the show.

Slamming his head over and over against a tree, Mahdness muttered to himself; dark incoherent words of anger. Blood trickled down his forehead as he slammed it into the hard trunk of the old tree. When that didn't satisfy him, he stopped and stared at the tree. His blood had splattered onto the bark and was oozing down the rough bark.

He watched the trail of blood until it dripped to the floor, completely ensnared by the deep red color.

Turning, he walked away.

Tourcher followed above, jumping from tree to tree. He knew enough to steer clear of him when he got this way. He just hoped this would be a mild tantrum.

With Vishious it was easy to guess how long it would last, but with Mahdness it could go on for days.

Mahdness walked until he came upon a mansion. It was large and beautiful. Made of the best wood money could buy, the large structure looked incredibly expensive. Mahdness looked up at it, childlike excitement blooming on his bloody face. He clapped his hands.

"Mother can Mahdness play?” he whispered to himself “Can he play, can he play, can he play?"

Tourcher smiled.

Mahdness was such a child some times but he was glad that his brother had found something to take the edge off.

Mahdness walked up to the large double doors, nodding to himself as if he had come to a very important decision.

A twenty foot stone wall surrounded the entire mansion; the only entrance was two large double doors made of stone which could only be opened by the guards posted above the stone wall. Fifteen archers lined the front wall, ready to fire at a moment's notice.

"Halt!" commanded a guard, "Identify yourself or die!"

Mahdness continued to mutter to himself as he approached the doors, completely oblivious to what the guard was shouting down at him. The guard signaled for the archers to get into position.

"Halt and identify yourself or die!"

Mahdness continued walking.

"Archers! Ready! Aim! Fire!"

At the command of the head guard, the archers took aim and fired at Mahdness. Arrows pierced his body. Mahdness close his eyes in ecstasy. The pain felt so damn good he nearly came in his hakama. He continued walking, arrows sticking out his body. The archers and head guard were taken aback.

"Demon!" someone shouted.

"It's a demon!" someone else shouted.

"Ready the oil and fire!" shouted the head guard.

Two men rushed over to the oil dipped arrows and handed them out to the archers. The two men lit the tips with a torch.

"Ready! Aim! Fire!" shouted the head guard.

The archers released their fire tipped arrows, each one finding their mark. Mahdness erupted into flames. With a groan, Mahdness felt himself cum in his hakamas. The flames licked at his cloths and skin, it was almost like his prison, except this fire was not enough to burn his skin completely off.

This of course made him very upset. He wanted to burn, to feel his skin slide from his very bones.

Leaping onto the wall like a giant torch, Mahdness rushed towards the men, claws aflame as he snatched the head from the shoulders of the nearest archer. The men scrambled to the other side of the wall towards the exit, pushing and shoving at each other in their desperate need for escape. The head guard turned to them and in a rage shouted,

"Where in the fuck are you going?" spittle shot from his mouth with every word," Are you women or are you men? Get over here and fight!"

The guard was so angry that he had all but forgotten Mahdness behind him.

"We are here to protect Lord Yatiko! We do not run from a threat!"

"You speak too much. Shhhhhhh," Mahdness said from behind him as he thrust his arm through the man's chest.

The man screamed in pain, thrashing around. The archers ran in terror as Mahdness threw down the dead head guard and advanced on the archers. The exit became packed as the men shoved each other, trying to get out. As Mahdness began tearing through the men, one by one, some jumped to their deaths, preferring to die instantly rather than be torn apart.

Tourcher watched the grizzly scene with disinterest.

The agonized screams of the men were like a lullaby. And before he knew it, he had fallen into a peaceful sleep, the scent of blood and death tickling his nose as he dreamed of a world of chaos and death.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagome was beginning to think this would turn out to be a bad idea. Nervously, she stood up against a tree, an apple on top of her head, and a notched arrow aimed at her.

The midday meal had been tense and hostile. At least between Lord InuYasha and Lord Yamiko. They had glared at each other, trading scathing comments that were barely acceptable at the table, let alone in public. While they had glared, a silent battle had been fought between Sesshomaru and Katzunami.

Those two had been in their own world of anger and hatred.

Those two made her nervous.

They weren't like InuYasha and Yamiko. Those two meant business, she could see the difference. There was hatred, and then there was hatred. And she had no doubt that if those two went at it, there was no way in hell she could stop them or get them to agree to solve matters in a peaceful, non-violent way.

While those four engaged in two separate wars, Kagome had made idle conversation with Sarinji. She was pleased to fine he had an extensive knowledge of herbs and the art of healing.

After the meal, they had gone to the archery range and gone through with the archery contest as scheduled. Sesshomaru and Katzunami had glared at each other through the entire event. Not paying attention to it in the least. InuYasha and Yamiko had argued and bad mouthed each other all through the competition, and Sarinji had shaken his head at the four youths, and had instead helped Kagome set up and at times, prevent Yamiko and InuYasha from physical violence.

She was glad he was there. The archery contest had gone off without a hitch but it had ended in a tie. So, in order to break said tie, they had stepped up the difficulty of the competition.

As Kagome stood with the apple on her head, she concentrated on the crowd of spectators that had gathered to watch the competition.

Some of the royal guest that was staying until the conclusion of the two months to see who she chose to mate. There was one female in particular that arrested her attention. The stare was unnerving, creepy really. The girl seemed to be of royal blood from the material of her clothing, black hair and purple eyes.

She kept staring at her with a strange burning emotion in her purple eyes. It made her think the woman wanted to gut her.

But then she told herself she was just being silly, she didn't know the woman so there was no logical reason for the woman to feel such a way.

Though she told herself this, the woman's hostility still made her uncomfortable.

InuYasha lined his arrow straight at the apple on her head from a hundred yards away. Kagome closed her eyes. The arrow whizzed through the air with speed and precision, briefly Kagome felt a breeze from the passing arrow. Opening her eyes she watched as InuYasha smiled smugly at Yamiko. Reaching up to feel the apple, she felt two halves.

Removing them and placing them on the ground she took another apple from off the ground and placed it on her head.

Suddenly, that bad feeling from this morning returned with a vengeance. A dreadful, sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She felt shaky and nervous.

Gathering her energy just in case, Kagome placed the apple onto her head. As Yamiko lined his arrow up with the apple she felt it, a slight shift in the air. Being a miko, she was very sensitive to the energy of demons and felt the energy shift as clearly as a slap to the face.

The energy stretched into the air, shifting the current of the wind. Yamiko's arrow was thrown off balance and headed straight for her chest. Using the energy she had gathered, she erected a barrier.

The arrow collided with the barrier where it disintegrated. That energy had to have come from that purple eyed woman.

Looking around for that strange, hostile woman from before, Kagome wasn't surprised to see she was gone. What the hell was going on? Who was that woman, and for what reason was she trying to harm her?

As InuYasha gloated about winning, and Yamiko snarled at losing, Kagome shook her head. She had no proof that woman had done anything, but she was not foolish enough to dismiss the female either.

She would watch have to watch her back around here.

Something wasn't right.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mahdness was covered in blood, soaked from head to toe. He lay in a puddle of blood and fire. The remnant of the mansion was currently burning to the ground around him. Screams of people still trapped inside the blazing structure was music to his ears. He felt so much better. He could think once more.

Tourcher dropped down from the tree he had been napping in and stretched. He had not slept that good in centuries.

Walking over to Mahdness, he reached into his mind for the first time since they had been reunited. Vishious was the only one that could decode and decipher what went on in Mahdness' mind when he hadn't killed massively, only after a fresh kill did his thoughts take form and come together in an orderly fashion. Touching his mind hesitantly Tourcher was relieved to see that there was no mass of disorderly thoughts bombarding him.

'Do you feel better now?' Tourcher asked him.

Mahdness did not bother looking at him as he wallowed around in the blood of the dead.

'I feel much better. Better than I have in centuries,' he responded a bit breathlessly.

Tourcher chuckled. His brother Mahdness was something else.

'That is good. Are you done here?'

'Yes. I believe so. Is it time to collect the material?'

'Yes. We have wasted enough time as it is.'

Hmm.'

Tourcher waited for Mahdness to collect himself before they started down the path once more. As they disappeared down the road the giant burning mansion collapsed into itself.

Mahdness sighed and relaxed his shoulders, he was thrumming with excitement and satisfaction, and finally, he could sort his mind out. Fresh from the kill, his mind was at rest, no longer jumbled. He knew not how long he would keep a clear mind, but for now, he'd take advantage of it.

His mind was so fucked up, that even he knew it.

Only after a mass murder was his mind at peace or something like peace anyway.

He enjoyed both states of his mind but sometimes; he liked a little order to his thoughts. As he followed Tourcher he took the time to connect with Ahgony.

'How are you my brother?' he asked Ahgony.

'Well, well, well Mahdness! Fresh from the kill, eh?"

Mahdness smiled. Of course he was. He never contacted anyone when he wasn't in his right mind.

'Why of course I am.'

He could feel Ahgony's laughter.

'Let us meet before you are thrust back into madness once more, yes?'

'Indeed. Tourcher and I shall meet you momentarily.'

Turning to Tourcher he said,

"One more delay, dear brother, Ahgony is up and about."

Tourcher groaned.

"That indecent fuck," Tourcher muttered.

Mahdness could only laugh. It felt good to be out of the chaos of his mind for the time being.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There you are guys, another chapter. Hope you enjoy, see you guys.

Laters!

~Sessakag