InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ Brief Contact ( Chapter 23 )

Chapter Twenty-Three:

 Brief Contact

 

Finally, Kagome could relax. Lying back with a huff, she welcomed the soft and fluffy furs and feather pillows.

Today had been an easy day. Well, almost easy. Of course Sesshomaru had been on her tail nonstop. She had successfully avoided him thanks to Lord Toramaru. He had been pulled aside by his uncle earlier and had not been seen since. She was glad for that, she could finally breathe, could have time to think.

But even thinking about all that had happened didn't really help. Her thoughts were over shadowed by homesickness.

She missed her home.

She missed her Northern lands. She missed her people, her room, the familiar surroundings, everything. She wondered how everyone was doing. She hadn't had the chance to write home, nor had Miroku or Rykotsu written to her.

Kagome smiled sadly at the thought of Rykotsu.

She missed him most of all.

She had not been able to say goodbye to her second father. And that was kind of what he was to her. She didn't remember her own father, and over the years, she had come to see her General as her father figure. He had always been there for her when she needed him. She couldn't remember a time when he had not been in her life.

Since that day, years ago, she had been attached to him, and he to her.

Rykotsu had found her alone, locked in her mother's closet. Covered in blood, she had been crying and scared. He had taken her, cleaned her up and ever since then, they had formed a bond. At least that is what she was told. She didn't remember being in a closet covered in blood, she didn't remember that day at all.

But that was okay with her, she would rather not have to remember anything about that day. Rykotsu knew what had happened and that was enough for her.

A loud knock at her bedroom door interrupted her thoughts.

Starting, Kagome sat up.

The knock came once more, sounding a little ominous.

Who could that be at this hour?

Getting out of bed, she reached for her robe at the foot of the bed, slipped into her bedroom slippers and headed for the door as she pushed her arms through the silken sleeves of the robe. Opening the door, she winced at the loud creak. It was loud and a bit grating and at this hour, she was sure everyone was sleeping. She really didn't want to wake anyone up.

She was surprised to see that no one was there.

Her brow furrowed in confusion. Sticking her head out of the door, she looked both ways in the long dark, empty hallway.

Nothing.

The entire hall was empty. Not a soul to be seen. Going back inside her room, she closed the door, heading back to bed.

Before she could reach the bed there was another knock.

A bit annoyed, Kagome once again went the door, and again, it was empty. Slamming the door in agitation she crossed her arms and tapped her foot in anger, watching the door and waiting for another knock, ready to give the prankster a piece of her mind. When a few minutes passed and no knock was heard she sighed and turned to head to bed once more.

Just as she was climbing onto the fluffy bed spread the knock once again stopped her.

With a growl that would make any youkai proud, she whirled around, anger turning her face red. She stormed over to the door and wrenched it open, ready to flay whoever it was with a few choice words.

A black fog crept into her room, winding around her.

The energy it was giving off was sickening, instantly she felt sick to her stomach. Covering her mouth she tried to close the door. It wouldn't budge. As the fog thickened, she could hear heavy footsteps.

Loud and echoing, Kagome began to get nervous.

What the hell was going on?

"Kagome,"

The deep voice came from the fog out in the hall. It was unnerving, scary even. It sent chills down her spine.

As she peered into the smoke she began to make out a form, a male was walking towards her.

Kagome took a few unconscious steps back, stopping when she came up against the bed. The dark fog parted, revealing the male's face. He was smiling at her. Dread pooled in the pit of her stomach despite of his features. He was handsome. Darkly so; tall and muscled heavily. His face was savage and yet completely perfect, the blood red stripes on his pale cheeks looked smooth to the touch, his crimson eyes were nothing she had ever seen before, bright and piercing, his jet black hair rippled with power.

All in all he had to be one of the most intimidating male's she'd ever come across. Kind of like a dark Sesshomaru. She felt like a mouse in comparison to his strength and power.

"Kagome," he called again, a gleam in his eye.

She was chilled to the bone. Who was this man? What did he want?

"W-who are you? What are you doing here?"

He approached her, coming so close to her she could feel the dark energy rolling off him in heavy waves. It made her lightheaded. He reached out and touched her cheek. His touch was gentle and yet threatening at the same time, it revolted her, sickened her, and made her insides clench with antipathy.

A mouth full of gleaming white teeth greeted her question.

"You will know in time," he responded.

In time?

Kagome wasn't sure she ever wanted to know what he was talking about. He was not a man that many wanted to know, she was sure. She was pulled from her thoughts as the male pulled at her clothing. Her robe fell away from her, pooling at her feet.

She looked up at him, about to stop him, to tell him off, and yet she stopped. Looking into his beautiful eyes, she felt a connection to him.

As if she knew him from somewhere. The connection was strong and instant.

There was something between them, some pull she didn't understand.

"You feel it don't you? Our connection?"

Her lips moved as if to speak, and yet nothing came out. Taking a breath, she tried again.

"I don't-"

"Denying it will not make it go away, Kagome,"

Her brow furrowed.

"How do you know me?"

Once more he caressed her cheek. This time, the caress did not feel as repugnant as before. His energy was no longer so overbearing. It was…..comfortable. That scared her even more.

"You need not concern yourself with such trivial things at this point in time."

Kagome placed her hands on her hips in agitation, her anger flaring.

"I think I'll be the judge of that, thank you very much."

He raised a brow at her.

"You would dare be angry at me woman?"

Kagome gulped, but lifted her chin in challenge.

"Yes. I would."

For a moment he fixed her with an assessing stare, as if searching to see if she was serious. Whatever he saw thoroughly amused him because he threw back his head and laughed. The sound sent chills down her spine. It was a bit malevolent, cruel even. As if he was laughing at her more than at what she had said.

Kagome huffed at that laughed. The nerve of some males. Great, now she had another arrogant ass to add to her collection.

"Can you at least tell me your name?"

He smirked and shook his head.

"So what am I supposed to call you then?"

"Call me V."

Now it was Kagome's turn to life a brow.

"V?"

"Indeed."

They stared at each other for a moment before Kagome shrugged and said,

"Alright, V it is."

She crossed her arms.

"Why are you here V?"

He shook his head slowly, grin intact.

"You will know in time."

Kagome began to protest but he placed a finger over her lips.

"It is time for me to go for now. We will meet again."

As the fog began to dissipate, he pulled her against his muscular body. Kagome shivered, her flesh crawling. She could feel the heat from his body. It permeated through to her very bones. He took her lips in a deep kiss. Heat swamped her body. She trembled under his melting kiss, although, there was something missing.

She couldn't help but compare it to the kiss from Sesshomaru. As she began to feel lightheaded once more, her last thought was that V's kiss paled in comparison to Sesshomaru's. Where her kisses with Sesshomaru sent her body ablaze, this male's lips felt as cold as death.

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

Kagura opened her eyes. Shock roared through her.

The young woman's brown eyes were glazed over as if she were in some sort of trance. But that wasn't what shocked her. What shocked her was that she had her arms around Kagome and her lips locked with her. She was kissing Kagome!

Abruptly, Kagura pulled back, letting the dazed woman fall lifelessly back onto the bed behind her.

'Stop standing there like a fucking idiot. Put her under the furs woman.'

His connection to her was weak, as if he had spent a large amount of energy. He must have, taking over her body that way! She felt more violated than she had ever felt in her entire life.

He had tainted her in every way possible.

'NOW !'

The command issued with a blast of energy, her mind felt like it'd split in half. Kagura jumped in surprised-pain; clutching her head from the pain, she closed her eyes tightly.

'I will not say it again' Vishious hissed in her mind.

With trembling hands, Kagura dragged the woman under the furs and covered her body. The young woman sighed and snuggled under the warmth of her fur bed spread and seemed to come out of the trance. In moments her glazed eyes closed and her breathing evened out.

Shaken, confused and more embarrassed than she could ever remember being, Kagura left the room, closing the door behind her.

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

Vishious was very pleased indeed.

Tired, completely drained of energy, but pleased none the less. He had made contact with his female. Had touched her, kissed her, spoken to her; it was enough to make any man happy. Of course he couldn't feel her completely because he had used Kagura's body, but it had been something.

He smiled.

Things were going as planned so far. He planned to win Kagome's heart before she knew who or rather what he was.

By the time she found out it would be too late. Her heart would belong to him. What better way to tie a woman to a male than to take her heart? Females were weak in such things. Easy to manipulate and control, his female was no different. She would fall prey to his charms like any other.

Females, males, they were pretty much the same when it came to emotion.

Except for him of course.

He was completely superior to any and all beings.

He could not be manipulated like he manipulated others. As if anyone would try. None would dare.

Closing his eyes he rested, trying to regain some of his strength. He lay on the hard floor of his prison. After he had left Kagura's body he had collapsed nearly completely drained of power. Possessing another body and animating it took a lot of energy out of the person. But to him it was more than worth it to caress his woman's face.

He let out a yawn then stretched.

He would rest now. He wanted to make contact with his woman again in the near future.

"Tourcher! Mahdness!"

Ahgony ran towards his two comrades in all his naked glory. Tourcher's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. Mahdness smiled as Ahgony stopped before them. They had traveled through most of the night towards Ahgony's location, following his telepathic energy. The scent of blood and decaying flesh had been strong, reaching them from miles away.

"Reunited once more!" celebrated the nudist.

"You have been busy," Mahdness said looking at the burned down village and the tortured bodies that littered the ground and hung from various places in agonizing positions.

A few people were face down in the chamber pots in front of their houses, drowned inside the feces and urine. The trio walked through the village, admiring Ahgony's handy work. Mahdness approved of his work. Ahgony was a true artist when it came to death, pain and destruction.

"So," Ahgony said as he took a seat on a pile of bodies, "What's the plan gentleman?"

"It is time for Vishious to be released. We have to collect the ingredients for the ceremonial potion for brother Vishious' female. After our last brother is revived we will go and retrieve the woman," said Tourcher, his right eye still twitching in annoyance.

"Ahhh, the female. Vishious has made contact with her, has he not?"

Mahdness nodded.

"Last night."

"Her reaction?" Ahgony asked as he pulled at the arm of one of the bodies he sat on, bending it back into an odd angle.

"Big brother V did not feel the need to share that bit of information with us, only that he had made contact with her and would continue to seduce her."

Ahgony snorted, "Big brother? Seducing? That is a fine jest."

He pulled the arm harder. The bone snapped in half.

Tourcher shrugged, "This is something new to big brother. You know he likes to try new things. He has taken into his head that he can bend the female to his will with romance," Tourcher shook his head', "So far it is doing no harm, I see no reason to worry. Once he is done with this game he will do as he has always done. If the woman does not bend willingly to his will, he will break her to it. Is that not the way of men and women?"

Ahgony nodded as he ripped the arm off. Blood splattered onto Tourcher's light blue kimono and hakama. The twitch in Tourcher's face intensified. Ahgony winced at the stain soaking into the fine silk, all the while trying to contain his growing amusement.

Tourcher loved cloths; he was very anal about such things. Dirty cloths ticked him off. Not wearing clothes in public ticked him off as well.

Ahgony was completely the opposite. He hated cloths. To him, cloths were not a necessity. He preferred to walk around in the buff so he did. He did not wear cloths unless Vishious instructed him to do so.

Other than that he'd die before he dressed.

So it was safe to assume that Ahgony and Tourcher got into more than a few scraps over clothing, or lack thereof.

Anger bloomed. Tourcher's eyes flashed red, the markings on his face turning jagged.

"Do you have any idea what you have done?"

Ahgony snorted. "Oh get over it Tour, it's just a pile of silk. Plenty more to go around," he said, waving the arm around as he spoke.

Secretly he watched in amused satisfaction as a few more stray drops of blood from the arm he was waving stained the ruined silk.

Mahdness rolled his eyes.

Ahgony enjoyed provoking Tourcher into a few rounds of rough housing that always ended in bloodshed, broken bones and severed body parts. The two had a kind of love-hate relationship like any brothers.

It had always been that way between the two.

Tourcher narrowed his eyes at the naked man as the blood splattered over and over onto his silk. Tourcher had liked this kimono. He had taken it from the mansion Mahdness had decimated. It was made from the finest silk in all of Japan. Cloths of royalty. With more than half of its people being farmers and peasants, this sort of silk and design and color was hard to come by.

And he could fit the damn outfit!

Not many could compare to his height and frame so it was really, really hard to find cloths he liked that fit him so well. And now, now his outfit was ruined.

That bastard.

Mahdness jumped atop a roof, and sat next to a dead male, nailed to the roof. Leaning his back against the bloody body, he waited. It was not long before Tourcher tackled the nude demon clear off of the bodies and onto the floor and the fight commenced.

Mahdness felt nostalgic at the scene.

It was just like old times. Almost as if they had never been imprisoned.

His heart felt heavy in his chest. Even though there were a few of them missing, he felt whole once more.

Relaxing against the dead body, he fell asleep…

It hurt. Everything hurt. His body was throbbing all over. No part of his body was left untouched. He picked himself up from the pool of blood he had been lying in and stumbled to the hallway. Today was the day. The day it ended. He was not happy, nor was he sad. He felt nothing. A strong nothingness. He felt it in the very depths of his soul.

It did not frighten him in the least, this feeling of nothingness. It felt good. It felt right.

Strong floral perfume tickled his nose.

'Mother,'

She glided to him in her graceful way, bloody knife in hand. She twirled around once, laughing as he watched her from the hallway. She stopped mid spin, balancing on one tipped toe. Her purple eyes clashed with his own.

She was beautiful, his mother.

Long dark hair, shinning purple eyes, a bit thin and yet completely feminine.

And completely out of her mind. His mother was insane, as was he. How could he not be when he enjoyed what she did to him?

Placing both feet down on the ground, she smiled at him.

"Darling," she beckoned, holding out a pale hand to him, "come to mother, darling Akuma."

He walked over to her and looked up into her beautiful face. Her eyes were glazed over and he could tell she no longer had a concept of reality. Had no idea what was real and what was not in her deteriorating mind. She folded him up into a tight embrace, hugging his small childish body as if she were a loving parent.

It was sickening, this false show of affection.

A sharp pain pierced his side. Her hand pushed the blade in slowly, blood trickling down his side.

He moaned in bliss.

"Anata ga kirai desu," she whispered against his ear.

He smiled.

He hated her too.

Pulling the blade free she spun away, licking the blood from the gleaming blade. She sat in a nearby chair. Watching him; always watching him.

"You look like him. Your father. That devil of mine."

She stood again, the expression on her face happy and young. Her cheeks bloomed with crimson and she stood there, blushing like a virginal maiden on her wedding night. Her hands on her flaming cheeks as she spoke softly.

"He took me into his arms and made love to me. Right here in this room."

Her expression turned fierce and ugly as she turned to him.

"And then you. You showed up. You, my little Akuma"

Slowly she brought the knife to her palm and in a clean sweep she sliced into the delicate flesh.

When he didn't answer she stomped her foot and pouted, crossing her arms.

"You don't speak to me. He talked to me."

Looking around as if she had heard something, she walked over to him. Grasping his arms in a panicked frenzy she shook him a few times.

"He still talks to me," she whispered, "In here," she said pointing to her head.

He continued to stare silently.

"Talk you stupid fuck!" she cried with a small sob.

Eyes watering when he remained stubbornly silent, she turned away.

"Of course you won't speak. You're just like him; you've always been like him. He didn't talk either."

She moved a few paces away from him and went into the bedroom. He followed her, entering the large bedroom and instantly spying her small formed huddled in the corner of the spacious room. The room itself was tastefully and expensively decorated. It was decorated in red and black silks and high-priced furniture.

Candles were glowed softly, throwing shadows across the room.

Mocking him.

Those damn shadows, always mocking him.

"You are going to kill me aren't you, my child?" she asked from her place in the corner.

Slowly turning her head to face him she smiled at him.

"I knew from the day you were born, I knew. It was you. It's always been you."

Knife in hand she stumbled over to him. Gone was her flowing grace. She walked as though intoxicated, stooped over as if the weight of the world was resting upon her slim shoulders. Dropping the knife she knelt in front of him and looked up at him tearfully.

"I love you, you know that right Akuma?"

She smiled up at him.

"And yet you are so silent. The silence, the silence, the silence, the silence," she muttered as she rocked back and forth.

Turning away, she crawled to a nearby wall.

"You torment me. You and him and they. Tormenting me and tormenting me."

She whirled to face him once more.

"WHY?"

Clawing at her hair she pulled out tuffs of her hair. Holding them up to see, she shook them.

"Is this what you want?"

Silence greeted her outburst. She grinned, letting the hair fall to the floor. She turned away from him. She pulled her knees into her chest, humming a song to herself.

He walked over to her, stopping only to pick up the knife. As he raised the knife over her, she looked up at him with her deep purple eyes. They were clear for the first time, intense and oh so clear.

She smiled up at him.

"Anata ga kirai desu, Akuma," she whispered as the sharp blade pierced her tender flesh…

 

Slowly, Mahdness opened his eyes.

The sun was high, birds singing as they flew through the deep blue sky. It was noon; he must have been out for about an hour. He stretched. He had not dreamed in such a way in a while. It was refreshing.

He smiled.

His mother's death; it was a fond memory of his. Rarely was his mind clear enough to piece together a complete memory, let alone that one.

That made him happy.

Looking around he noticed he was no longer on top of the hut, but rather on what was left of the hut; a crumbled pile of wood.

Sitting up, he looked around. The village was decimated. The huts were much like the pile of rubble he rested upon. Most of the bodies that had littered the ground were badly burned and mutilated from the battle Tourcher and Ahgony had no doubt engaged in.

Mahdness stood and searched for his brothers.

He did not have to go far.

Tourcher was glaring hard at Ahgony who lay naked and contorted on the ground, laughing his ass off. Ahgony's body was badly bruised and torn, his left leg was nearly severed, barely regenerating and a few of his fingers were snapped in half. Tourcher himself was leaning against one of the few remaining huts, healing from a gaping chest wound.

Mahdness shook his head and chuckled.

It was just like old times.

~~~~~~~~~~

Kagura watched as the small swimming contest commenced between InuYasha and Yamiko. So far, Yamiko was in the lead, Kagome cheering on both males, while Sarinji and Katzunami chatted quietly with one another a distance behind her.

A small group from the castle had met up at this large lake after the midday meal. They too were cheering, most for Lord Yamiko rather than InuYasha.

The sky was a bit cloudy today, offering shade from the sun, and casting shadows on the bright green grass. The lake was clear and clean, shinning beautifully.

It was a good day to be outside.

Kagura barely noticed.

She was still chilled by Vishious' possession of her mind and body last night. Kagome had not seemed different today, so it was safe to assume she did not know that Kagura had been in her room last night. Kagura hoped to keep it that way. Her cheeks still burned with shame as she thought about last night's events.

Damn that bastard.

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

In the end, Lord Yamiko was victorious, and even then, the two still bickered over who the better swimmer was. Kagome smiled at the two and shook her head. Those two were something else.

Speaking of something else…..

Last night had been something else.

That mysterious male who called himself V. He was like nothing she had ever come across. He was dark, evil; there was no doubt about that. It radiated from his very being. And yet, she had talked with him, conversed normally, allowed him to touch her, kiss her.

When she had woken up this morning she had thought the whole meeting was just a dream; an outrageous, scandalous dream.

But when she thought back to it, she wasn't sure if it had in fact been a dream.

"Lady Kagome,"

Kagome turned to see Lord Sarinji standing behind her. He looked very nice today. Wearing a white silken kimono and hakama and dark blue obi, small wolves woven into the right shoulder of the expensive material. His hair was pulled back in a high pony tail, enhancing his handsome features. All in all, he looked quite dashing today.

He smiled at her, bowing regally.

"My Lady, I'd be honored if you would take a walk with me back to the Western castle," he invited, holding out a clawed hand to her.

Kagome smiled and placed her hand in his.

"Of course my Lord,"

Wrapping her hand around his arm, he led her back to the castle, taking the long way back. Lord Katzunami watched them leave. He wasn't worried at all. Sarinji was an honorable male and would not harm Kagome, nor would he allow any harm to befall her.

She was in good hands for now.

Kagome and Sarinji walked at a moderate pace, enjoying the scenery. They walked in silence for a while before Sarinji broke the silence.

"I would like to ask you something, my Lady. I pray you will not think me rude to do so."

"I am sure I would not, my Lord. What is it?"

"Why did you take the position as Lady of the Northern lands? Did you not understand the consequences of such actions?"

Kagome smiled a bit.

"Well of course I did. I knew what would happen if I took the position. I knew the pros and cons like the back of my hand."

Confused, he looked down at the smiling woman.

"Then why? Why put yourself through this?"

"Simple. It made me happy. My people, my home, my lands, it's a part of me. It's always been. When my parents died, I inherited everything. Their land, their people, their stress, their debts, and I was happy. It was something from my parents. Their legacy. I wanted it to be my own. "

She looked down with a blush; embarrassed.

"This may seem silly to you but to me, it was everything. The last tie to my parents."

He could understand her feelings for they were his own. His territory was his legacy; everything about it was what drove him every day. But still…

"I can understand that. Yet it is known to you that this is not a position for a woman to be in."

Her anger was instant and acute; her dark brow twitching in annoyance.

"And why not, may I ask my Lord? Do you think females are inferior to males? That we lack the mental capacity to successfully run a territory?"

He smirked. She had a temper, this one. Desire spread through his body.

"Not at all, my Lady. It is not the mental capacity, nor inferiority; it is simply the construction of a woman. Women are often driven by emotions at times when emotion is not needed. Their judgment is often clouded and rash decisions are made."

Her anger grew with each word.

"I hardly believe that being emotionless is the way to run a territory, my Lord."

"I see naught wrong with it."

"Sometimes emotion is needed in order to make the right decision. For example, when it comes to settling disputes between villagers, you cannot make the right decision if you cannot place yourself in their position, if you cannot sympathize with the people, and comprehend their pain."

Amusement bloomed. The explanation he expected from a female.

"Being too sympathetic can also cause a bad decision to be made."

"While being emotionless can cause a careless, insensitive decision to be made and bring displeasure and unrest within the heart of your own people, turning them against you,"

Sarinji snorted elegantly.

"My people would not dare. Swift and merciless punishment is dealt to those that resist."

Kagome sighed and shook her head.

"Typical male response," Kagome said as the castle came into view.

The huge stone doors opened and a soldier of the west walked out. It was General Haku. Seeing the two he paused for a moment and a small frown tugged at his lips as he made his way over to them. He seemed to disapprove of them being together.

They stopped as he swept himself into a formal bow before them.

"My Lady, my Lord, you have been summoned to an emergency council meeting by Elder Torao, Elder Kiji, Elder Toramaru, and Lord Sesshomaru. If you would follow me please."

Turning he started towards the castle.

Lord Sarinji moved to follow the male; Kagome hung back a moment. What could they want with her and Sarinji? Gods she hoped it was not more bad news. She didn't think she could stomach anymore.

"My Lady?"

Looking up she saw it was Lord Sarinji calling her, a concerned look on his handsome face. General Haku waited behind him patiently.

"Sorry. I'm coming."

Taking a breath she followed the two men inside.

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

Sesshomaru sat in his chair, looking down at the reports in deep displeasure. The reports from the patrolling soldiers were shocking to say the very least. Chaos, destruction and anarchy had broken out in a few places throughout Japan. Now, usually, this was not something to cause alarm. A small group of soldiers dispatched to each area to investigate and bring forth any wrong-doers would normally be the protocol but these incidents were anything but normal.

Massive destruction of villages and towns, hundreds of deaths in a gruesome fashion, all of this damage and anarchy in a course of a week and a few days. No. This could not and would not be handled normally.

The way things were progressing, he might well have to step in personally.

The door opened and Kagome and Sarinji stepped in. General Haku stood at attention and announced the two to the room's occupants, before exiting, closing the door behind him.

Sesshomaru had not seen Kagome for hours, having been detained by the elders to discuss these issues in detail.

He looked upon her now, pleasure rushing through him at just the sight of her.

She looked at him and blushed before turning away again.

He would have smirked at that, but at present moment he was too ticked off about the situation at hand to do so.

He stood and motioned to the two empty chairs at the table. The table was packed with maps and documents, most of the scrolls reports from the patrolling soldiers in all four territories. Normally, such documents would not come to the Western lands. Each patrolling group of soldiers would report back to their own territory Lord or Lady, but seeing as all the territory Lords and Lady had gathered here, the documents had been forwarded to Lord Sesshomaru and the Elders.

Kagome took the chair next to Lord Yamiko.

He was still radiating triumph; no doubt from the contest. Beating InuYasha had put a smile on the face of the moody young Lord. As she seated herself, she felt a strange tingling sensation. Like little pricks against her skin; it didn't hurt exactly but it wasn't comfortable either. She looked around but no one seemed to notice anything out of the norm.

Sesshomaru sat once more.

So what's this about?" Lord Yamiko demanded, arms crossed.

Kagome felt light headed. She blinked, trying to force herself to pat attention.

Had it happened? Had her vision come true?

"Ryu youkai have been reported, by patrol soldiers, of causing anarchy and destruction. The reason for these attacks is unknown; they wear no banners or identifying patterns that can be traced back to a territory or group. They are not part of any rebellious group or under the command of a foreign Lord or any of us here today. They seem to be independent of any influence. The only purpose these individuals seem to have is to kill. No other information has been gathered about these youkai,” Toramaru explained.

Lord Yamiko, Sarinji and Kagome were shocked.

"How many villages have been destroyed?" asked Sarinji.

Sesshomaru folded his hands, elbows resting on the table.

"Fifty villages in total; thirteen in the Eastern lands, twenty-two in the Southern lands, eight in the Northern lands and seven in the Western lands. There are no survivors from any of the villages. Information was obtained from dying villagers from some of the locations."

Kagome felt her heart constrict. Her people were being slaughtered.

"A group soldiers will be dispatched today to detain the suspects fitting the descriptions given."

"I want my soldiers dispatched as well!" Yamiko yelled, anger blazing like never before.

His newly acquired scar gave him a fierce countenance. Yamiko was furious. Someone had dared to attack his lands! Twenty-two villages? Fuck no! He was not going to take that lying down!

Sesshomaru inclined his head.

"You are free to do so."

"I believe I will do so as well," said Sarinji from his place on the left of Sesshomaru; he too was upset, his rage tightly restrained, but there, simmering just below the surface.

"I will too of course," Kagome agreed.

Sesshomaru raised a brow. Kagome narrowed her eyes, daring him to nay say her. He could not; until the two months were up and she had mated she was still in control of her lands.

"We will await the results from the soldier that are to be dispatched today. When the perpetrators are brought to justice, the individuals involved will be tried and sentenced in coordination with the laws and regulations of Japan. Now, on to another matter that has cause for concern. I am sure you have all had experience with the monsters known as the Rai Ku Youki," Lord Toramaru stated.

"Rai Ku Youki?" inquired Torao.

"The monsters and ghouls that slaughter the humans and spread the wasting disease to the youkai, it was recently discovered that Lady Kagome has the ability to eradicate the disease. The names of these creatures were revealed to her in one of her visions,"Kiji informed the Elder.

Kagome blushed as Torao looked at her with a calculating eye.

"visions you say? Yet another secret, my Lady?"

Straightening prudishly in her chair, Kagome said," It is an ability I have had since childhood. I am under no obligation to report such things to anyone."

"Are there any other abilities you have, my Lady?" Toramaru asked, clearly fascinated.

Humans were not known for such talents.

"Indeed I do, my Lord. Many of which I have not had the time to properly train and develop. Others such as my visions are strictly involuntary. To my knowledge they cannot be controlled or predicted."

Toramaru made a mental note to look into her abilities at a later time.

"Once more, we are dealing with these monsters. Over a hundred villages have been infected by this wasting disease by these creatures, all have perished," Toramaru said.

"Wait."

All eyes turned to Kagome.

"How many demons have been reported to have been causing the destruction?"

"Four," Sesshomaru answered.

Her stomach clenched, and that tingling feeling intensified. She remembered her vision and felt sick.

"The Evil Six."

"What?" asked Sarinji.

"From my vision; I was told that soon a group of psychopathic dragon youkai, bent on bringing as much pain and suffering to the world as possible would once again roam this earth. Those four must be part of the Evil Six. One is imprisoned but has discovered a link to the outside world and another is roaming the lands, raising his dead comrades as we speak." She said.

"Evil Six you say?" Toramaru asked in shock.

"That's impossible! Those six were captured and put to death centuries ago!" exclaimed Torao.

"Who are the Evil Six?" asked Yamiko.

"Sesshomaru, your father went into battle to against those six with cousin Siunki. InuTaisho never returned and cousin Siunki perished in battle," Toramaru said sadly.

"And you suspect that these individuals are the Evil Six?" Sarinji inquired.

Kagome nodded. "They fit the description."

"We shall await confirmation of their identities before taking action, we cannot jump to conclusions and assumptions," Sesshomaru stated.

As he spoke, Kagome felt her head spin. Something strange was happening to her. Her head hurt.

Blinking hard she tried hard to focus. She had a question. For Toramaru. Yes, a question for him. Turning to him, Kagome forced her mind to work.

"The amulet of Aman du Rai. Where is it?" she asked Toramaru.

"How do you know of such a thing?" he asked in a deadly tone.

How the hell did she know about it? He had brought it with him on impulse today. How did she know?

"I don't know."

He looked at her, staring hard.

"You have it. Let me see it."

"What do you two speak of?" Sesshomaru demanded.

"Along with the sword Aman du Rai that slays the Rai Ku Youki many amulet and jewels were made from the Emerald Jewel. They are keys to Hell. The power trapped inside is only released by the Emerald Jewel."

The tingling began in her legs, tightening and tightening.

Gods, what a time for a vision! It was so hard to breathe. She tried to breathe but couldn't get enough oxygen in her lungs. Her breath hitched in her lungs. This wasn't a vision. It felt….different.

"Give me the amulet."

"What need have you for the amulet of Aman du Rai?"

"I don't know,” she admitted, “I have no idea where this is coming from."

Taking a breath, she calmed herself, regulating her breathing. It was hard; the tightening sensation had spread throughout her entire body.

"Please my Lord."

Hesitating for but a moment, he pulled the amulet from his robes. The connection was instant. Yamiko moved unconsciously from the dark haired woman.

The energy surrounding her crackled, prickling against his own energy.

Her eyes glazed over as she stood. Slowly she walked over to the necklace. It was beautiful and shiny. The chain was made of gold; a green emerald jewel hung from the gold chain. Kagome was enthralled, entranced by the twinkling gem. Reaching out, she took the locket from his clawed hand.

The room was silent as the men watched with curious interest.

Her eyes began to glow eerily as she clasped it in her pale hands. Energy flowed into her body, overwhelming her, suffocating her. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't let go of the amulet.

Right before the stunned eyes of the males in the room, her form glowed, energy crackled.

Concerned, Sesshomaru headed for her, intent on taking back the amulet.

A strong barrier stopped him in his tracks. It was like nothing he had ever felt before. It hurt. His beast was roused instantly, the fine hairs on his nape standing and alert. To think that anything, even a barrier could harm one such as he was unthinkable! But it was true, his insides were on fire.

Kagome looked over at Sesshomaru. His blazing red eyes were the last thing she saw as her eyes rolled back and her vision went dark.

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

Okay, here you go, hope you guys enjoyed it. Please review and tell me what you think.

Laters!

~Sessakag