InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Between Darkness and Light ❯ Between Madness and Desires ( Chapter 16 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi does.

*…* telepathy

`…' personal thoughts

Between Darkness and Light

Chapter 16: Between Madness and Desires

By Cataluna

Inuyasha rubbed his eyes with the heel of his palm. "Kagome," he murmured her name softly. He stood up and stumbled toward her, ignoring the crouching sound his shoes were making with the broken glass in his path.

She looked beautiful, seemingly oblivious to his presence, despite how much he was aware of hers.

"You're here." He reached out to touch her, eyes widening when his hand passed right through. His eyes flickered back and forth between her form and his hand.

`An illusion?'

"Kagome," he repeated again.

She finally turned to look at him. *I need you.* Every word was heard loudly and clearly, but not spoken. Her mouth remained close in a small smile.

He nodded and attempted to touch her again, to offer her comfort, and was met with cold air like last time.

Kagome gazed at him with worry and concern. *He wants to make me forget…*

Before he could question who "he" was, a searing pain tore through his mind, causing him to drop to the ground on all four. The glimmering shards jabbed at his hands and knees, causing his blood to sluggishly mix with the alcohol on the floor, but it was nothing compared to what he was feeling right now.

`Cold… almost like before her…' with that thought, his head snapped up.

She was gone.

…as though she was never there in the first place. The only remainder of her brief visit was the blood on his hands and the void in his heart.

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Kagome forced her eyes to open despite their heavy weight. They were greeted by nothingness, just a plain white ceiling darkened by various kinds of stains and water spots. She blinked rapidly in confusion.

`Amber… where's the amber?'

There was almost an urgent need for her to see the color of shining gold and silver, but why? All she could remember was that she was supposed to be staring up into deep pools of gold and be surrounded protectively by a curtain of silver-white.

She shifted and tried to push her body up, but immediately found herself falling backward, arms shaking in exhaustion. A light sheen of cold sweat precipitated on her face, she felt nauseated, cold and hot at the same time. Her mouth felt like sandpaper, tainted with a suspicious taste, but she quickly disregarded it, for the rest of her body was demanding all of her attention right now. She remained absolutely still until she was sure that her stomach had stopped churning, before attempting to take another look at her surrounding.

Her eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, allowing her to distinguish beyond shapes and forms. She knew what she was able to do right now was strange. It should have been impossible for her to see the back of her hands, let alone the details of each grain of wood on the door. But for some strange reasons, she could. If she had a mirror she was sure that she would be greeted by the sight of her eyes glowing like a nocturnal animals from the wild.

Everything about this place was unfamiliar to her. Her nose twitched in distaste at the staleness in the air accompanied by a sweet metallic smell. The windows were all boarded up and decorated with heavy curtains, allowing no light to shine through or air to circulate. She had no idea if it was night or day. The only certainty was how desperately she needed to get out of here. Carefully testing out the muscles on her legs, she prepared to step out of bed, but stopped her movement at the sound of approaching footsteps, coming in her direction loudly and speedily.

After a quick turn of the lock, the door swung open loudly, revealing a powerful and handsome young man on the other side. A flood of light from the hallway shone through, temporarily blinding her sight. Finally adapting, she noted there was no difference in the ability of her vision with or without the aid of the light. Actually, she could see better without it.

A bright cocky smile appeared on his face when their eyes met with each other. "Oh good Kagome, you're awake." The bed creaked and the mattress bounced under his weight as he sat down beside her.

`Do I know him…?' She stared at him warily with unblinking eyes, and immediately shifted away when he tried to touch her forehead. Regardless of her loss of memory and recognition, she knew that somehow he was not to be trusted… he was not supposed to touch her. There was something about him that turned on the warning signals in her mind. "Who are you?" She almost jumped at the sound of her own voice. It sounded so harsh and bitch-like.

He laughed softly, choosing to pay no attention to her hostility toward him. "You must have hit your head harder than I though. I'm your boyfriend, remember?"

`No, you're not… ' a voice inside her screamed out roughly in denial, her eyes immediately winced shut. She shook her head and pressed her palm against the center of her forehead, trying to massage the pain away. What he said was not true, and she refused to believe otherwise.

He looked at her briefly in concern before stretching his body out next to her, using the small bed as an excuse to lie closer. He reached over to lightly play with her hair, winding a tendril of curls tenderly around his index finger. "You really don't remember, do you? Tonight was supposed to be our one-year anniversary. That's why you got all dressed up. You wanted to look special for me…"

She smoothed down the material at the front of her dress. Staring up at the ceiling, `Special…? I wanted to look special for him, but who's him?' She sneaked another look at the man next to her. His blue eyes seemingly shined despite a lack of illumination. `Not him… never!'

~ Flashback ~

…the most beautiful thing about him was his eyes, his amber eyes. She had never seen anything like it. It's like they burned and crackled with a life of their own. Kagome can't seem to tear herself away from looking into them. She felt as if she was falling into two deep pools of amber…

~ End Flashback ~

`Gold. Not blue.'

She could not see his face… only his eyes. Her mind was being so stubborn, as though it was purposely refusing to let her see his features. But whoever he was, she knew that he was the one who would protect her, whom she felt safe with. Kagome tensed when his fingers left her hair and began to travel down the side of her slender neck. `No… not him. I feel so uncomfortable around this man.' Her eyes slid close as she tried to recover what was lost, too worn-out and too preoccupied with remembering the man in her visions to push his offending hands away.

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A lone figure jumped easily from rooftop to rooftop, seemingly flying for his feet barely touched the ground. The entire muscles lining along his powerful legs were like metal springs. They needed only a brief contact with the hard floor before he was high above the sky again. His speed was unbelievable, human or untrained eyes could only see a quick flash of silver streaking across the heaven. Every so often he would pause at the slightest hint of her scent. His sensitive nose sniffing dog-like at the air for a smell that he had long ago memorized, his face in absolute concentration.

They had bonded.

When? He did not know.

Was it the first time they talked?

Their first embrace?

Or their first kiss?

Somehow she had connected with him in the deepest way possible without his knowledge. His subconscious had accepted her, treating Kagome as though she was a part of him.

His other half.

And he didn't even know it was there till it was lost.

He had heard stories about kindred spirits and soul mates; their auras were shared, creating a powerful connection. But it was something he never though possible and least of all would happen to him of all people. Hell, he was ready to live alone for the rest of his life until he met Kagome. Until her sweet smile, he had thought love was for the weak. Now, he would rather die than to live without her.

`Did she know what she was doing when she cried out for me?' He seriously doubted it. He didn't even "get" what had occurred until a few moments ago. All he knew was that she was in trouble and needed him. There was no doubt that she was still alive. The link may have been severed, but he could still sense traces of her from the far corner of his mind, hidden away. It was barely keeping him sane. He tried to clear his mind and reach out to her again, using a technique he had vowed never to use.

*Kagome, where are you? *

Once again, there was no response, just the loud echo of his voice.

He growled in aggravation and clamped down hard on the inside flesh of his cheeks, instantly tasting blood. `What are they trying to do to you? And why do they want you to forget?' His numerous attempts at reaching her had thus far been a complete failure.

Over the years he had concentrated on strengthening both his physical and mental self. After all, brute strength was completely useless against an opponent who could render him helpless with a mere thought. As a rule, vampires were especially gifted when it came to using the power of their mind. Some were better than others, while most were too concentrated on feeding and killing to realize their newly gained ability. Master vampires could control minds and plant suggestions. Being half vampire and the son of one of the greatest psychic ever, he was also blessed with this gift, though he only used it to protect his mind.

It made him wonder how powerful her mental power was, since she had broken past his shield without realizing it. Perhaps being a slayer came with having the "sixth sense," or she was simply drawing on their-

He suddenly came to a crashing stop in the middle of a jump, and rolled onto the ground to slow his momentum. Leaping off the rooftop, `Here… where her scent is the strongest and most recent.' If he was angry before, he was murderously furious now. Breathing heavily, he glared at the sidewalk.

Blood… ten streaks of red… her blood.

It appeared to be self-inflicted, but nonetheless it did not bring him any sort of comfort or relief. She had been hurt and felt pain. `I wasn't able to protect her…' He could feel his fangs lengthening, pushing out from between his lips. The vision before his eyes was turning into a field of red.

Whoever did this would pay dearly.

They would suffer Kagome's pain times a thousand, a drop of hers for their gallon. He would not rest until the sky poured down heavily with their blood.

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Kouga growled in frustration, and slammed his fist down on the table, nearly breaking the wood in half. "She's still not responding to me. She's acting so cold, like… "

"Like me?" she added with a bitter laugh.

"Bitch, you told me that this would work. Why isn't the potion doing its job?"

If she was offended or angry by what he had just called her, she gave no notice of it. She crossed and uncrossed her legs before finally deciding to stand, choosing a relax pose instead of her usual stance. Adjusting the daring slit to her clingy black dress, "Sometimes even magic can't work miracles. Can I help it if she finds you unattractive?"

He was a mere inch away from strangling her with his bare hands for that remark. He didn't understand why Kagome continued to refuse him. Her loss of memory should have left her feeling vulnerable, and needy. But it didn't matter… she would be his queen rather she wanted to or not.

"I don't see why you didn't just bite the slut already. You have to make things all complicating," she sighed, and inspected her perfectly manicured nails.

Kouga glared at her with distaste. "You have no right to call her a slut. Besides… I don't want to hurt her."

"And kidnapping her won't? You're nothing but a love-sick fool, who can't get a girl without drug-"

He slapped her with the back of his hand, causing her head to snap back.

A trickle of blood dripped down from her cracked bottom lip. She gingerly touched the cut, and stared at the red in her hand with an unreadable expression.

He instantly regretted his action. She could probably kill him with a flick of her wrist. Like him, she was recently made, but was much stronger than any novice vampires, since Naraku himself had made her, and…

Before he could utter an apology for his action, he found himself in a tight headlock, struggling for air as she increased the pressure to his windpipes. "That was idiotic." She gave one last squeeze as a warning, then released her hold on him. Laughing at the terrified look on his face, she reached inside her dress and produced a green vial. "Put this in her food. It's even stronger than the last one, not only would she not remember, but it'll also make her desire you." She tossed him the potion.

He enclosed the vial securely in his hand and smiled at the thought.

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"Hungry?" he pushed a huge spoonful of steaming soup toward her unwilling mouth.

She turned her head away in disgust. "No."

"Kagome, you have to eat something." He had the urge to just force her mouth open and pour the hot liquid down her throat, but decided not to risk it. Though she had no idea of her true strength, he was sure that her instinct to fight back when threatened would not be easily forgotten.

She ignored his pleading and looked down at her hands. The tips were a bit pink and tender, but she could see no visible wounds. Her hands itched, telling her to do something, anything. And the burning on her back… She was grateful that he had not tried to kiss her yet. It made her skin crawled to even think about having his lips on hers.

Realizing that he was not about to leave her alone until she was fed, she decided to comply with his wished, at least for now. Taking the spoon from his hand. "I'll feed myself."

His face broke out into a huge wolfish grin.

She stirred the bowl's content around for a while before finally filling the spoon halfway. She brought it to her mouth and blew on it gently, stalling for time. The intensity of his stare was making her nervous, keeping her from taking the liquid into her mouth. `Why is he so eager for me to drink this?' She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

~ Flashback ~

...slipped his hands underneath her legs and wrap them around his waist. She thought she would die from sheer pleasure.

His lips hungrily journeyed down to her chin, nibbling gently…then to the curve of her neck. Warms lips devoured her throat; she arched her neck, giving him more access…

>>>>>>

She silenced him with a soft kiss, and felt his resistance for only a moment, before responding. Unlike last time, their kiss was tender and sweet. Kagome pulled away, and brushed his bangs from his eyes, trying to read his emotions. She saw confusion, happiness, and maybe even love. "I'm a big girl, let me decide what I want, okay? " she smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek...

~ End Flashback ~

*Kagome…* His voice was rough but gentle, caressing the back of her mind.

The spoon left her mouth and fell to the metal tray with a loud bang. `That man!' She reached out toward him, a mere shadow from afar, with a twin pair of glimmering light shining beckoning at her, drawing her in closer. *Who are you? Why can't I remember? Why can't I see your face? * A tear slipped down her face. *I need you… whoever you are. *

"Kagome! What's wrong?" Kouga grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

She blinked several times, almost expecting "him" to be there in front of her, but instead she only saw a pair of piercing blue. "Don't touch me!" She swiped his hand away; her sudden movement caused the tray to tip over, spilling hot liquid on one side of the bed.

"Fuck! Now why did you have to go and do that Kagome?" He sighed and slipped what was left of the potion from the front of his shirt. He didn't care anymore. She was right. He should have taken the easy way out, instead of going through all the unnecessary ordeals. "You're just making this harder on yourself. Should have just drunk the sucker in the first place like I told you to." Before she could ask him what in the world he was talking about, Kouga pushed her down on the bed and straddled her, so that his knees were holding her arms down.

"L-let go of me! What's wrong with you?"

"Fixing things." He lightly touched the side of her face, in which she immediately turned away. Looking incredibly upset, "Why do you continue to resist me? Don't you know we're meant to be?" He replaced his knees with his hands, shifting so that they were molded with each other. The potion was momentarily forgotten when he came in full contact with her. Grinding his body against hers so that she could feel how much he wanted her. "So soft…" Ignoring the look of disgust on her face, he dipped down to lick the valley of her breasts. "So sweet… " he growled lustfully. He freed one of his hands by capturing her wrists in the other. Dipping his head down to kiss her, "So beautiful…"

Before his lips could touch her, she managed to break out of his strong hold. With unbeknownst strength, she pushed as hard as she could with her hands against his chest. "Get the fuck off of me you perv!" Her eyes widened when he literally flew across the room and slammed into the wall. She stared down in amazement at her hands, then at the man lying stunned on the hard floor

He got up off the floor and pressed his hand gingerly against the back of his skull. "Woman. What was that for?" his nostrils flaring with anger, for he was once again being rejected by the girl of his dream.

They were quickly distracted by the sound of loud crashing and people screaming. Nervous fumbling for the doorknob to this room was heard, followed by two bloodied men stumbling in. "Kouga!" one of the men cried out, trying hard to maintain his composure.

He picked up one of them effortlessly by the collar and slammed his head against the wall, adding to the noise coming from outside. "What the fuck is going on? I told you… no interruptions!"

The other man opened his mouth to speak, but quickly closed it in fear of the repercussion for saying the wrong thing.

Cracking his knuckles, "Well?"

Gulping audibly, he kneeled down in front of Kouga with his head hung low in submission. "T-trouble… intruder, really angry… killing everyone in sight." The noises seemed to be getting closer and closer. "He's c-coming!"

Puffing out his chest in confidence, "Let the asshole come, nothing I can't hand- "

The door fell down with an earth-shattering bang. "Kagome!" a man with silver hair cried out. His voice held such desperation, as though simply saying her name was his breath, his savior. He looked wild, looking more like a predatory animal than a man, eyes flickering from blood red to warm gold. His clothes torn and bloodied, though she doubted they were his, hair all over the place, and slick with sweat.

He appeared to be dangerous, but she was not afraid. No matter the color, his eyes reserved a gentle look for her, only her. She could feel her heart beating faster and faster and her body beginning to move on its own, wanting to be with him, aching to touch him. Her unsteady steps faltered as the last piece of the puzzle fell into place…

~ Flashback ~

He cupped her chin and gently brushed away her tears with his thumb, before taking her close in his arms, resting his cheek on the top of her head. "Don't be an idiot. Whatever happened, I am me. There's no way I would forget about you," he said softly before lifting her chin up to fasten his mouth over hers.

~ End Flashback ~

`Inuyasha!' familiar warmth flooded through her inside.

She was complete.

Her vision blurred quickly with hot tears. How could she forget him… even for a second? She swallowed, instantly reminded of the strange taste in her mouth. `Drugged?' She had a sudden urge to just keel over and empty whatever was in her stomach… the supposed cause of the state she was in right now.

Everything happened at once.

Her eyes caught the movement of shadows coming up from behind him. "Inuyasha!" But it was too late.

He was so preoccupied with her well-being and the reestablishment of their connection that he didn't even realize the predicament he was in until...

The menacing glint of cold steel.

Sharp intake of breath as it tore through his tissues.

Blood flowed freely, soaking the ground.

A hand circled her wrist roughly, nearly pulling it out from the socket. She barely had time to cry out before her back collided painfully with a strong wall of muscles. Blinking away her tears, her eyes immediately widened at the sight of Inuyasha looking down in shock at the pointed end of the metal blade sticking out from his stomach.

"No!" she whispered softly at first, then louder the second time. "NO!" She was numb, and all she could see was red.

Kouga sighed with relief at having protected his new treasure and at the view of his rival down on his knees. Oblivious to the comatose-like condition she was in, he wrapped his arms around her in a possessive manner that would have crushed the ribcages of a normal human. "I didn't say you can go."

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A/N:

I am SO sorry for taking so freaking long with this chapter and leaving you guys with another cliffhanger. I think this had been the longest since I've updated. Originally, this was supposed to be the first half of chapter 16. It just seemed to be the best place to stop, since I'm still not done with the second half yet and I didn't want to make you guys wait even longer for an update. Hopefully, it won't happen again, but I'm afraid midterms will leave me little time for writing.

Damn… this chapter had the most reviews out of all the others. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reviewing!

Sarah - well thanks for reviewing, but I'm not sure why you gave me a summary of this chapter…

Rhiannon - did I mention how much I love your reviews? I'm glad that you weren't grossed about by Naraku and Kikyo. Yea, I agree… Kouga needs to die.

Inu fan - I know it's been a while since I've updated. School in general has kept me very busy. I'll try to be quicker with my next update.

Kayasha - that's a good question. I'm not exactly sure when it'll end either, but I think we've hit a halfway point. I keep coming up with more to add to the plot.

akiko - awww… thanks for reading my story. Reviews are in general a good thing, since most people don't bother to do it. Sorry for keeping you up ;)

Jessica - thanks for reviewing and emailing! I know cliffhangers are evil. I hate them too. I hope you won't kill me for leaving you with another one.

Dark Angel Himiko - *blushing like crazy* you're too sweet

Blade - lol, I hope you're still not crying

Abby Rose - as always, thank you for reading

Sasali the Snowgirl - yup, it's another cliffhanger. I'm too evil.

Melly - Thanks! Sorry for taking so long with the update.

H20-polo-player - Hey girl, I got your email. I'll go read your fic soon.

Raiye - *grin*

MountainSpirit - lmao, hope you're still hanging in there

Ella - thank you!

Goddess of Death - *nods head in agreement* too bad he's just an anime character

Demonblade - sorry for the nasty aftertaste. There's definitely more fluffy moments coming up.

Aylee the Dragon - *wink*Yes, I'm evil.

Since, ff.net had decided to stop the posting of NC-17. If I do a lemon for this story, it'll be posted on my website. I update my profile pretty often, so just check there if you wanna see what I've been up to and why I haven't updated.

New Story (Chapter one has been posted):

Our Love Affair - A/U I/K/S affair. Kagome is marrying Sesshoumaru because of a business arrangement. She's miserable until she meets his brother, Inuyasha.