InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ Secrets Revealed ( Chapter 26 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter Twenty-Six:

Secrets Revealed

They were catching up to him; the sound of their light footfalls reached his sensitive ears, almost as deafening as the loud, pounding of his heart.

He put on another burst of speed, desperate to put more distance between him and his pursuers.

Behind him, he could hear the anguished cry of those that were not fast enough to escape death at the hands of those mad males. The sound of his own heart was loud in his ears, his feet falling heavily on the ground. For once in his life he felt fear.

It crawled up his skin, sending cold shivers up his very spine.

Never could he ever remember being afraid of anything other than his Lord. But now, at this moment, he had never been more scared in his entire life. He tried to breathe but his lungs felt so heavy. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up on end.

He could feel the sinister aura of one of the dragons at his back, burning his skin.

They were close.

His lungs clenched in panic, restricting air flow and making him feel light headed.

In front of him the ground broke apart, and from the gaping hole a large, rock wall rose upward, blocking his escape route. He changed direction without stopping and again the ground rose and formed a wall. Behind him another wall formed, then another; boxing him in completely, trapping him like an unlucky rat.

Terror gripped him, his stomach twisted and his heart beat so fast, so loud he was sure that it would fail him if it continued to labor as it was.

Death by heart attack was better than death at the merciless hands of those demented demons.

"You are familiar to me. Why? Who are you?" a voice asked.

Haku spun around, his heart pounding even harder. Standing before him was one of the Ryu youkai.

Haku blinked at the male's features.

It was impossible to imagine, but Haku was sure he had seen him around somewhere. Those eyes, he had seen them before, had looked into their depths.

But where?

Where had he seen this psycho killer before?

The male took a step towards him and to Haku's great embarrassment; he took an instinctive, fearful step back. Shame blooming brightly on his cheeks and neck, Haku forced himself to stand his ground. He straightened his spine, standing up taller, not wanting to show his terror to the other male.

"You are familiar as well. I know not why," he said, surprised his voice sounded so calm in the face of certain death,

The male came closer to Haku, his gaze hard and assessing.

"Who are you?" The male asked again.

Out of habit and pride, General Haku came to automatic attention; feet together, back straight and arms down to his sides, viciously stomping down on his fear.

Presentation was one of the most important things Lord Sesshomaru valued. Since he had joined the Western Military it had been drilled into his brain over and over again. His Lord was very strict in the training of his soldiers. The slightest mistake could set him off.

Lord Sesshomaru dispensed discipline to those that made mistakes and dismissed those all together that could not get their act together after a warning.

"In the Western Military there is absolutely no room or tolerance for failure,"

His Lord stated this every day before training and once more after training was complete. They had become words he lived by. Words all the soldiers lived by. And now, in the face of evil, there was no room or tolerance for failure.

"I am General Haku of the Western lands," Haku stated.

The male's dark brows drew down in thought, clearly trying to remember who he was. Before he could remember, Haku realized who he was.

How could he have forgotten who the male was?

"It's you," he said, his eyes widening in shock, "Lady Kagome's General, Rykotsu,"

It was impossible, inconceivable, and completely incomprehensible.

And worst of all, it was true.

What the fuck was going on?

He was sure it was General Rykotsu. The male had argued with him before he had gone to retrieve Lady Kagome. He remembered. He had just been given his instructions from Lord Sesshomaru to arrest the female…..

"You are to apprehend Lady Kagome. She is now a prisoner of this Sesshomaru. She will be taken back to the Western lands to stand trial and will be sentenced accordingly," Lord Sesshomaru dictated.

They were in his Lord's chamber in the Northern castle. As always, he was awed by his Lord's accommodations. Decorated in blue and black silks, furs and expensive furniture the room was large and spectacular. Fit for royalty.

He had never and probably would never have a room this grand.

Though he knew it was wrong, he could not help but be envious of Lord Sesshomaru at times. Envious, but not jealous or angry at his Lord. Even though he was the Lord of the Western lands and did not have to work hard nor join battles Lord Sesshomaru did so willingly.

He worked just as hard as the soldiers themselves. For that he respected him.

General Haku came to attention.

"Yes sir," Haku said.

"Jaken," Lord Sesshomaru called.

Never far from his liege Lord, Jaken was there in an instant. The little imp stood at his side practically radiating pleasure. Being so close to Lord Sesshomaru usually did that to the little beast.

Queer, that one

. If he did not know any better he would have suspected Jaken had feelings for his Lord. But that was a road he would rather not travel.

"The cuffs, Jaken," Sesshomaru commanded.

"Yes me Lord!" Jaken said reaching into the sleeve of his robe.

The chains attached to the cuffs clanged loudly as Jaken pulled out the heavy metal and offered them to General Haku.

Haku took them, hiding his extreme reluctance.

This didn't sit right with him.

He really did not want to be the one to do this to Lady Kagome. Despite the charges against her, she seemed to be a sweet female. And in his opinion she had not done anything to warrant these ridiculous charges.

To his vast knowledge of the law, she had not broken any written laws.

But then, it was not his place to say so. He was naught more than a General, a soldier duty bound to follow orders without question.

Besides, he was loyal and only loyal to Lord Sesshomaru.

Even if disagreed with his Lord's methods and actions, he could not and would not go against his Lord. He would see that his Lord's wishes were carried out and completed in a quick and orderly fashion. Perhaps sensing his discomfort, his lord went a step further.

"Remember General; In the Western Military there is absolutely no room or tolerance for failure. You are dismissed," Sesshomaru said.

Haku bowed.

"Yes, milord,"

That said, he turned and left the room and headed upstairs to Lady Kagome's room. As he walked, he sighed, twirling the cuffs, dragging his feet.

Damn.

He did not want to be the one to do this shit. He had not wanted to come here at all. After being briefed on their mission before traveling toward the Northern lands he had agreed with their reasoning but not with their course of action. Back when they had though the Northern lands were run by a male.

Even then he had not thought it necessary to take this risky step to expose the elusive Northern Lord.

Knowing his Lord, this whole thing was an ego trip, plain and simple.

"Where do you go?" a voice asked.

He stopped and turned to see a male behind him. The male was tall and dark, and despite his non threatening stance, he felt a strange underlying malice radiating from his person. The sort of malice that clocked his liege Lord but different, more intense and definitely more unnerving.

Instantly General Haku tensed. This man could be a potential threat to him or others.

"What business is it of yours? Who are you?" Haku asked.

At that question, the male came to attention.

'A soldier' General Haku noted.

"I am General Rykotsu of the Northern lands. I guard Lady Kagome. You are headed towards her private chambers and I demand to know who you are and why you are headed in that direction," the man stated.

General Haku came to attention as well.

"I am General Haku of the Western lands. I have a warrant, issued by Lord Sesshomaru for Lady Kagome's arrest."

General Rykotsu's eyes gleamed dangerously. His energy changed from simmering malice to barely restrained violence. Haku gripped the cuffs tightly but stood his ground none the less.

"On what charges?" General Rykotsu asked softly.

"I am not obligated to release that information to you," General Haku stated.

This seemed to irritate the man even more, but Haku refused to back down. He was the General of the Western lands and his Lord had given him orders. He could not, and would not disappoint Lord Sesshomaru.

A long, and awkward silence ensued, bringing with it a heavy and oppressive tension. The tension slowly tightened between the two males.

For a moment, Haku was sure he would attack.

He tensed, ready if the man made any such move on him.

He didn't.

With a vicious gleam to his eyes the male bowed and turned to walk away. Before he reached the staircase he stopped.

"Be gentle with her. Despite these charges and allegations she did not intentionally harm anyone. She is a good woman and a damn good leader. She did what she had to do to protect herself and her people."

That said, Rykotsu disappeared down the hallway. General Haku continued on to Lady Kagome's bedchamber, cuffs still clenched tightly in his hands….

What the fuck are you doing here?” General Haku sputtered, “Does Lady Kagome know what you're about?"

Even as he asked, Haku knew that it couldn't be true. That sweet woman could not know what her General was up to. There was just no way in hell she would condone such activities.

Rykotsu's brows drew down and a frown marred his features as if he was confused by Haku's question.

"She knows nothing," he confirmed.

"Why are you doing this? Have you lost your fucking mind?" Haku demanded, “Do you have any idea what you've done?!”

Rykotsu crossed his arms over his chest in agitation.

"I do not need to explain myself to the likes of you. Someone such as you could never understand,"

"You don't have to explain?” Haku repeated in disbelief, “The hell you don't! Have you any idea the trouble you are in? Let alone the trouble you've cause Lady Kagome? She could be held responsible for the actions of her General!"

A slow, cold smile touched his lips.

"That means no one else needs to find out then, now do they?" Ehvil said, eyes gleaming wildly, “I need only get rid of you to keep my secret, ne?”

"You've gone mad!"

Ehvil tilted his head.

"Possibly. Or perhaps I have always been so," Ehvil shrugged, “It matters not."

"Indeed it does not," Haku said as he withdrew his sword.

Taking a long dagger sheathed at his hip, Rykotsu advanced on Haku. General Haku tensed and dropped into a defensive position.

"I need only to get rid of you to protect my secret," he repeated, running his finger along the sharp edge of the blade.

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

It was peaceful here. The wind was blowing softly across the open plain. The grass was as green as he had ever seen it before. A few flowers grew here and there, giving the vast greenness splotches of intense color.

The weather was rather cool; the bight shinning sun hidden behind white fluffy, slow drifting clouds in the deep blue sky.

Toramaru sat quietly under a tall, heavily leaved tree, eyes closed, enjoying the peace and quiet. He did not have chances such as this to relax very often and because of that he was determined to soak up every second of this moment. With his position as Elder he bore a lot of responsibility. At times, he hated it, and yet most of the time he enjoyed the challenge.

"Enjoying yourself, little brother?"

Toramaru's eyes snapped open. That voice. He recognized that voice.

It couldn't be.

Toramaru sat up, amber eyes searching for the owner of the voice.

"InuTaisho?" he asked, "Is that you big brother?"

On his right, a few feet away from him, a figure appeared. Hazy at first but soon cleared. The figure was none other than his big brother, InuTaisho.

He looked just as he had the day he left. Strong and handsome, silver hair pulled back in a high ponytail, golden eyes wide and piercing, his aristocratic features set in a serious facial expression. That had happened after Izaoi had died. He had become serious all the time, his laughter and joy no longer easily brought forth.

He even wore the same cloths; an expensive blue and white kimono and hakama and gleaming armor.

Toramaru stood and slowly approached his big brother, almost afraid that if he moved the wrong way he would disappear.

"InuTaisho," he breathed.

InuTaisho graced him with one of his rare smiles and held out a hand to Toramaru.

"It's been a long time, little brother."

They clasped hands, Toramaru holding on a bit tight. The emotion welling up in his chest was almost too much. After all this time, his brother was here. They had been as close as two brothers could possibly be.

Almost as close as twins.

Hell, they looked so much alike that they were often mistaken as such. InuTaisho was years older than Toramaru however.

"Where have you been? What happened to you?" Toramaru asked impatiently.

"That is not important at the moment. My fate will be revealed in time. For now, tell me of my sons. How do they fare?"

Even though he wanted to know the fate of his brother now, Toramaru decided not to push. It'd be useless anyway; trying to get information out of his big brother. It had always been that way.

"InuYasha has your temper big brother, only ten times worse."

InuTaisho smiled fondly at that.

"A bit of an outcast because of his hanyou blood though. I am ashamed to say I cannot protect him from everything."

InuTaisho nodded solemnly.

"I had not expected you to. I knew well what the consequences of my mating Izaoi would bring him."

"He is a good pup. A bit rough around the edges and wild, but good at heart,"

There was a pause between them. Toramaru knew what InuTaisho wanted to ask. He could tell by the pain that filled his brother's amber eyes.

"And Sesshomaru? Does he still…" InuTaisho could not finish his question.

But Toramaru knew what he meant.

Did Sesshomaru still hate him?

Toramaru chose his words carefully, briefly he debated lying to his brother.

"I am sorry to say that Sesshomaru's….feelings for you have not changed," he said softly, hating having to tell his brother the truth.

InuTaisho turned and paced away from Toramaru, sadness rolling through him in waves. It was hard for Toramaru to watch his brother in such pain.

"He was young when this happened. He did not understand at the time and because it was not explained to him, he does not understand it now. You cannot continue to blame yourself for this InuTaisho,"

InuTaisho stood silent.

"InuTaisho-"

"Yet it is my fault. Blame is to be laid at my feet not his,"

"It is not your fault!"

"It is!" InuTaisho said fiercely, turning on Toramaru, "It is my fault do you not see? He was grieving the passing of his mother. I was not there for him. I was too intent on mating Izaoi, too focused on my own goddamn happiness to pay heed to his pain,”

His fists clenched at his sides.

“He grieved alone. I was happy with my new mate while his mother lay cold in the ground."

Such anguish filled his amber eyes that Toramaru had to look away. The guilt his brother bore was still tearing him apart inside, even after all these years. And after all these years, Toramaru was still unable to watch his brother's misery without sharing the same blistering, gut clenching pain.

"I failed him," InuTaisho whispered.

They sat in silence awhile before InuTaisho spoke again.

"There is something I have to tell you…"

Toramaru opened his eyes slowly. The high gray ceiling in his room was the first thing he saw. He stared up at it as he tried to piece together his dream.

He had not dreamed of his big brother in centuries. It was long ago but he still remembered feeling crushing sadness afterwards. He didn't this time. He felt almost hopeful. Hopeful for what he did not know.

It was strange.

What had big brother wanted to tell him?

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

'Concentrate…..'

The light grew more intense, compressing into a perfect, sphere shaped orb.

Her hands held together as if she were praying and her eyes closed, Kagome focused on the ball of energy floating a few feet away from her face. She was seated on the floor of the room.

'Concentrate…'

The wind picked up around her. Heat generated from the spherical ball of energy, sucking all cool air from the immediate area.

'Concentrate….'

"Add more energy," a voice commanded.

She added more energy and the sphere lost shape; turning oval shaped.

"Don't lose shape. Keep the sphere," the voice instructed.

'Concentrate….'

The sphere regained its spherical shape, larger than it had been originally.

"Compress it. You cannot absorb it at that capacity," said the voice.

Using more energy, she added pressure to the floating energy. The energy was reduced in size but once more reverted to its oval shape.

"Careful," the voice whispered to her.

Slowly she compressed it even more. Sweat beaded her forehead as it became more compact, shrinking down into a small and spherical ball.

"That's it! Absorb it,”

Kagome took a breath and prepared to absorb the energy. Slowly and carefully, she retracted the energy she had added to the sphere only a moment before.

The ball began to move towards her slowly until it hovered close to her hands clasped hands.

Finally she opened her eyes and lowered her hands.

The heat was intense and nearly burning. Kagome opened her mouth and the energy slowly slipped down her throat.

Once it was inside her the fever began.

"Let the energy settle,"

Of course she knew that; she had done this more than a few times, this was their last session in fact, but that didn't make the absorption less painful. It felt like her insides were on fire, as though she were melting completely from within.

Her breathing grew labored and ragged, perspiration dripping down her back and neck.

She counted backwards.

'Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one,' she thought to herself, pushing her mind away from the burning pain.

It was a while before the blistering heat and pain dimmed and in its wake she felt power humming through her body; rushing through her very veins.

"You did it!" the childlike voice cheered.

In front of her a figure began to form. Small and shadowy it was blurry at first but soon cleared. Kagome was surprised to see it was a little boy. He had to be no more than seven years old. She had never seen the face behind the voice that spoke to her until now.

He was adorable.

Fluffy orange fox ears, an animated tail that wagged back and forth in an excited pace and bright green eyes that were alive with as much excitement as his tail. He wore a simple white kimono and blue hakama. Eyes wide, Kagome blinked.

"Are you the spirit of the amulet?" she asked.

The boy nodded.

"I am," he said as he dropped down into a squat to lick his paws, which were covered in orange fur, and ran them over his adorable ears.

"You're not what-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm not what you expected," the boy said rolling his green eyes.

Kagome giggled at the gesture.

"What's your name?" Kagome asked.

"Shippo," he said standing.

Suddenly a light shinned down a few feet from his right. It was beautiful, that light. Nothing she had ever seen before. It gave off a wonderful feeling of comfort, safety and warmth.

"What's that light?" she asked in a awed tone of voice.

Shippo looked at it, and then turned back to her, a joyful smile on his boyish face.

"Time for me to go home, I don't have to be locked in this amulet anymore."

"Home? Where is your home?"

Shippo stepped over to the light with a laugh.

"As if I could tell you that,"

"Why were you sealed in the amulet?"

He seemed to be confused for a moment.

"You forgot? You were there when it happened,"

Now it was Kagome's turn to be confused.

"What are you talking about? I've never met you before," Kagome said.

"We weren't introduced exactly, but I saw you. You were there and you were young, just a child."

Kagome shook her head at him in confusion. Was he nuts? She was older than him, or at least she thought she was. No telling when one was speaking of a youkai.

"I never-"

The light shinned bright red as if angered. Shippo looked up.

"I wasn't supposed to say those things to you," he said looking at her, his ears laying flat against his head, "it's not time yet."

"Time for what?"

"For you to know."

The light flared again.

"I've said too much already. See ya!" he said as he disappeared.

"No wait!" she said.

But of course, it was too late.

He was gone.

Great, one more mystery she did not need. With an exasperated huff, she fell back on the floor, arms out stretched.

Closing her eyes, she allowed the darkness to cover her.

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

Sesshomaru stood on the border of the forest leaning casually against a solid tree. Blended in with the surrounding shadows, he was almost invisible to the naked eye. Bright, intense, amber eyes were locked on the glowing woman in the clearing.

She levitated a few feet off of the ground; a thin green lining of light outlined her body.

Her flaming silken blue-black hair glistened, waving slightly from the energy, as though a soft breeze was playing with the long, curly tresses.

She was beautiful.

She wore a pink silken kimono pelted with white daisies, a bright, pure white obi tied about her little waist.

He longed to see her draped in his colors of blue and white.

She would wear them to perfection when they were mated. His inner beast stirred. It had been drawn to the surface quite often this half month. Ever since that female had come into his life.

Part of the reason she drew the beast forward was her power. It sizzled against his skin bring him pleasure and stirring his desire for challenges. An acute spike in her power occurred suddenly, and the green light flared. The beast stirred restlessly in his head, aggression and sexual tension flowing over her.

Sharp amber eyes focused on the descending female as she was slowly lowered to the ground and the green hue reseeded.

She stayed that way for a while, eyes closed.

"Why are you watching me?" she asked softly.

He smirked, stepping from his secluded spot, and over to her.

Her softly voiced question drifted easily to his keen ears.

"I need not a reason to watch my female,"

As he knew it would, that statement brought her temper sky high. Her cinnamon eyes snapped open in an instant and she glared daggers at him, her energy flaring. His own energy flared in response.

"I am not you female and I never will I ever be," she hissed at him between clenched teeth.

He wander closer towards her, primitive aggression purring through his veins. It was exhilarating. He felt like the hunter stalking its prey. Kagome stood ramrod straight as Sesshomaru glided up to her, stopping only when he was almost chest to chest with her.

"You continue to fight it and yet your body has already accepted it,"

"My body has accepted nothing," she said as her cheeks heated.

"Do you deny that I gave you pleasure? That you moaned my name as you climaxed? That you enjoyed every moment of it?”

"I deny nothing. It was no more than a mistake,"

Reaching out a hand he pushed a stray strand of her hair from her face, caressing her cheek as he withdrew his hand.

She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.

"A 'mistake' happens once. Two or three times is an addiction," he said softly as he leaned in and kissed her.

She did not hesitate to respond.

Throwing her arms around his neck, she returned the kiss. His hands slid down her waist to her hips, then further down to cup her ass in his clawed hands.

She moaned into his mouth and pressed herself against him.

He felt her nipples through their cloths, sending a heated sensation down to his groin.

He lifted her up and stumbled over to a tree. Back against the hard trunk, Kagome wrapped her legs around his hips, grinding against him. Sesshomaru pushed against her, more than happy to allow her to grind to her heart's content.

He released her lips and attacked her neck, licking and suckling the tender flesh.

He nipped her neck with his fangs, drawing a low moan from her lips.

Her thighs tightened around his hips and her grinding grew frenzied. Not able to stand much more, Sesshomaru pushed his back against her, stopping only to pull the top of her kimono open, baring her breasts to his hungry mouth. Her back arched from the tree as he sucked hard on one of her nipples, pulling the hardened bud gently with his teeth.

Kagome gasped against his ear and her hands slipped into his clothing. She ran her hands over the hard planes of his muscled chest, up over his shoulders and down his perfectly chiseled back.

Lightly she clawed his back.

Sesshomaru hissed in a breath and ran his tongue over her nipple before turning to the other and showering it with the same attention. Kagome leaned her head back and pushed her breast forward into his mouth, her fingers stroking the softness of his hair.

"Oh yes," she moaned as he caught her nipple between his teeth and swirled his tongue over it.

Heat pooled low in her stomach. She never felt this way with anyone but Sesshomaru. It was daunting but true.

He knew just how to make her body sing.

His tongue traveled up between her breast, up her throat and once more to her lips.

"Why do you deny this Sesshomaru?" he whispered against her lush lips, "You need only give yourself to me and end this charade."

She shivered.

Gods did she know that and damned if she wasn't tempted.

Would it be so bad if she did?

If she let herself go and let him have her? At least for one night; they wouldn't be mated or anything, she could still choose her own mate, but when she did finally choose she would never again feel his mouth on her, or feel is big masculine hands on her body.

What would be the harm in sampling before she was tied down?

"Take your hands from her foul dog!"

The angry voice was like a bucket of cold water being thrown over her head.

It was distorted and yet familiar.

She couldn't see who it was with Sesshomaru's large body blocking her vision. She was too shocked to feel embarrassed about being caught in such a compromising position. Sesshomaru slowly licked her lips once more, amber eyes bleeding crimson, clearly not appreciating the interruption.

"Do you leave now; I will refrain from killing you," Sesshomaru said in a voice distorted and enraged.

"Release her now and I shall try and refrain from killing you," the voice replied.

Sesshomaru smirked.

A cruel up turn of his lips. Kagome leaned away from him, eyes wide. She didn't think she liked that smirk at all. It was laced with malicious intent.

Scary even.

"This time, Katzunami, I will kill you."

Kagome gasped at his words as he released her. Reluctantly, he pulled her legs from his hips and let her feet slip down to the ground, her bunched up kimono following. He pulled the top of her kimono close and leaned down for one more slow, thorough kiss.

Kagome was a bit dazed by the kiss.

The kiss was cut short by the vicious growls from behind Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru pulled away and vanished in a flash. Her legs felt like noodles, and she collapsed onto the ground.

She caught a brief glance of Katzunami, his eyes glowing blood red, his facial markings jagged and bright with color, his expression savage, and in a flash of silver and white he was knocked on his ass, a big bleeding gash staining his chest.

Katzunami was up in a heartbeat, running at Sesshomaru, claws outstretched and sharper than ever, he swiped at the smirking Inu youkai.

Sesshomaru dodged each angry swipe, countering with an upper cut and a powerful kick to the gut. Katzunami went flying, smacking into a thick tree and breaking it in half like a twig. That impact seemed to bring Kagome from her daze.

"Stop it," she whispered.

Katzunami shot out from the destroyed tree with a burst of energy and hurdled right towards Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru caught the male in midair by the throat.

Kagome stood and ran towards them.

"Stop it!" she screamed.

Katzunami reached out and grabbed Sesshomaru's throat as well. Their crimson eyes bore into each other, neither relenting. Katzunami brought his foot up and kicked Sesshomaru in the gut. As he was released he flipped backwards away from Sesshomaru.

"Stop it right now!" Kagome screamed at the two.

Her words fell on deaf ears.

"This day, you will die," Sesshomaru said, his flexing claws glowing green, "Come. Let this be done."

"No-!" Kagome started.

Pain stopped her protest. Blinding pain shot up her spin, forcing the air from her lungs. She dropped to her knees, hyperventilating.

Sesshomaru was at her side in a flash, catching her before she could hit the ground. His rapidly clearing eyes were the last thing he saw before darkness overtook her.

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

Kagura was sitting under one of the many cherry blossom trees, letting the cool breeze softly wash over her. She had never felt so relaxed, so at ease.

It was as if she were living in a dream.

Her wounds had healed, she no longer had nightmares, and Lady Kagome was kind and gentle with her; treating her more as a friend and companion than a servant. She seemed to care about her, even love her as someone apart of her family. Kagura had to admit to herself that she felt much the same towards Kagome.

She was too kind not to love.

Suddenly a dark feeling of dread washed away the peace she had been feeling.

Kagura sighed in frustration and dropped her head back against the tree. Why could he not leave her be for just a moment.

Dark laughter filled her head.

'You will never be free of me Kagura. I created you, we are one.'

'What do you want?'

His displeasure was instant. She felt it down to her core. She cursed herself for her unusually loose tongue.

'Do not question me bitch. I will tell you what you will do.'

Kagura clenched her fist and teeth.

'Is that understood?'

'Yes Master Vishious.'

'Good. You will approach a woman that is residing in the castle. You will do so now.'

Woman?

Here?

Why would Vishious be interested in someone here? Knowing not to question him again, but wanting badly to, Kagura stood and walked into the castle.

'Where is she Master?'

'Fourth floor, first room on the right.'

Like a puppet, Kagura followed his directions and came to a door.

'Knock.'

Lifting her hand she knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" came the voice of the female on the other side of the door.

'Who should I say?'

'Tell her your name.'

"Kagura, I am Lady Kagome's servant."

There was a moment's hesitation and then the door swung open. A woman with brown hair and light blue eyes stood in the door way. She looked as innocent as a kitten. The woman blinked up at her curiously.

"What can I do for you?" she asked.

"I…uh…..I….."

'Tell her you want to make a deal with her.'

"I…want to make a deal with you."

The woman's brows drew down in confusion.

"A deal? What do you mean?" the woman asked.

'Ask her what her name is.'

"I'm sorry, I may have the wrong person, do you mind if I ask, what is your name?"

This seemed to confuse the woman even more. Kagura shifted on her feet.

"Hikari," the woman said.

'Tell her you wish to speak with Kurai.'

"I wish to speak with Kurai."

At the question, Hikari looked shocked and panicked. Taking a step back she placed her hand on her chest, mouth agape. Now it was Kagura's turn to be confused. Who was this Kurai? What was she to this woman? And what did Vishious want with her?

"W-why would you ask that? H-how do you know about her?" Hikari asked.

"You need not concern yourself with how."

'Tell her to bring forth Kurai.'

"Bring forth Kurai,"

Hikari shook her head, "You don't know what you ask."

'Tell her she can be rid of Lady Kagome if she but let Kurai speak.'

Kagura felt her heart stop. Get rid of Kagome? How? Why?

'Do not disobey me Kagura.'

Reluctantly, Kagura obeyed.

"If you bring forth Kurai, you will be rid of Lady Kagome," Kagura said.

The words felt bitter on her tongue.

Hikari started to hyperventilate and a spike in her energy crackled against Kagura's skin. Hikari dropped to the floor holding her head.

"What have you done?" she cried from her position on the floor.

Kagura watched in shock as Hikari's hair turned black.

What the in the hell was going on?

'Kurai is coming forth. Hikari and Kurai are one in the same. Hikari is the innocent, while Kurai is more like myself.'

Kagura could sense his pleasure, his amusement. As Hikari stood once more, Kagura felt the change in her. Her aura was similar to Vishious and Naraku's, although not as bad. Pushing her hair back, Hikari looked up at Kagura, purple eyes glowing.

"Now what's this about a deal?" she asked.

"You are Kurai?" Kagura asked.

"The one and only," she said with a dark smirk, "Now, tell me of this deal."

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

Here's another chapter for you guys. Please be sure to review and let me know what you liked or disliked about the chapter, any mistakes you spotted and most of all, how you think the story is going so far. A big thanks to all those that reviewed!

Till next time!

Laters!

~Sessakag