InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Impossible Love ❯ Chap17 ( Chapter 17 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: YuriYaoiHet_ILoveEmAll 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Suspense / Romance / Hentai / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.31.2014 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 337 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Suspense / Romance / Hentai / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.31.2014 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 337 | Status: Work In Progress
Impossible Love
Chapter 17
YuriYaoiHet_ILoveEmAll
A/N: I'm Baaaaaaaack!!!
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o BREAK 0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Inuyasha and Tonkouro lead their small army through the trees. They moved quickly, but silently in the darkness just before dawn. They'd left the kits an Jinsea, along with the injured Kitsune at the cave Sango and the others had found the previous night, just before dark and had spent the rest of the night circling the wolves territory. As they neared the border, the strong smell of wolf reached their nostrils. Tonkouro flicked his tails and Inuyasha signaled a halt. The elder kitsune could sense youkai energy further away than anyone and could now feel the aura of the patrolling wolves. He clicked his teeth sharply twice and Kasumi, Faryea and their trackers moved the the head of the pack. Takata and three other kitsune moved forwards with them.
Just as he was about to give the order to attack, a spark of powerful youkai energy flared very close to their left flank. Every member of the pack was immediatley on guard. Inuyasha, however, was confused. That energy was very familiar. For once, he didn't trust his senses. Why would he be here? He barked a sharp order for his army to keep position and darted towards the source of energy.
"Little brother." A deep, smooth voice said. "So I have reached you in time."
Inuyasha leapt down from the tree he was in and continued towards his half sibling. "Why are you here, Sesshomaru?" He asked as he approached him.
His half brother had grown even taller in his time away. He was now as tall and slender as their father. At his side, hung the Tenseiga and another sword that Inuyasha did not recognize. It smelled similar to the Tenseiga, but different at the same time. He shrugged off the questions in his mind. There would be time for that later.
Sesshomaru sent him a cold look. The affection they'd shared for one another when they were young had lessoned since the giving of the swords. This was the first time they'd spoken in two years.
"I am here to fight for the honor of the Inu Clan of the Western Lands." He raised his arms and snapped his teeth together with a sharp click.
Youkai energy flared to life behind him and there was movement in the trees. Inuyasha worked hard to conceal his surprise as a hundred or more low level and mixed youkai stepped into view. They all smelled of death, dirt and old bones, the scent that still lingered on Kohaku and Jinsea. Sesshomaru had brought them back from the dead. They all regarded him with a cold indifference, but made no move to strike.
Inuyasha looked back up at his brother. "What is this?"
Sesshomaru smirked. "My army. To supplement yours. If the Inu Clan goes to battle, so does its Prince."
This time, Inuyasha could not conceal his surprise. "You would fight with me, despite what has happened between us?"
Sesshomaru looked down at him and let some of the old affection flow into his eyes. "You are still my brother, Inuyasha. No matter what descisions our father makes. Whether in the giving you the stronger sword, or in killing my Lady Mother. He is our King. His descisions are not meant to be questioned by lesser beings as ourselves." His voice was hollow with sorrow, but the determination in his eyes never wavered. "I have learned that now."
Inuyasha held out his hand. "I would be honored to fight beside you, my brother. My future King." He let the old affection flow back into his eyes as well.
Sesshomaru gave him a true smile. He ignored Inuyasha's outstretched hand and pulled his little brother into a swift hug. "Come, brother." He said, pulling back. "Let us show the wolves what happens when they cross the Inu Clan of the Western Lands!"
Inuyasha nodded. His heart swelled to finally have his brother back at his side. "Hai, brother."
They set off towards where Inuyasha had left his army, with Sesshomaru's at their backs.
0o0o0o0o0o0o BREAK 0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Kagome looked at herself in the mirror. One of the Lady's Maids had turned it around and she saw herself for the first time since she'd seen Inuyasha's mark on her neck. She'd lost weight, but that really wasn't surpising. After all, she'd barely eaten since she'd been kidnapped and the rations she'd been given in the caves had been meager at best. Last night a meal had been brought for her, but she'd let Hinata have most of it. Ayame's Lady's Maids had offered to prepare her something, but the mere thought of eating set her stomache on edge.
The dress Ayame had picked for her was very pretty. It was made of fur, which didn't surpise her. All the wolves wore furs, but she'd never seen fur quite like this. It was glossy and the strangest shade of blue-black. It shone in the light like marble and it was as smooth as silk to the touch on both sides. It hung down past her knees and the back was open. the only thing holding it up was a string of the same material tied to the back of her neck.
The Lady's Maids had powdered her skin with something that made her almost glimmer in the light from the lamps and the make-up they'd put on her made her eyes look larger and darker and her lips fuller. All in all, she did not look like the same person. If it weren't for the worried look on her reflection's face she'd swear there was someone else beneath the wood's surface looking back at her.
Normally, she'd feel elated to look so pretty. Now she felt like there was a hole eating her heart. She held her tears in check. She refused to allow Kouga and the Black Queen smell her sorrow. Yes her life might be over, but it would only give them more power over her if they knew how much she was hurting. After what they'd done to Hinata, she knew that any weakness she showed would be used against her.
At least if she figured out a way to break the Black Queen's hold on Kouga and the other affected wolves, she could be done with all of this. She could return to Inuyasha and try to salvage something. If not, then she would return home. It would be the only option she had left if he refused to forgive her. Almost without realizing it, she lifted her hand to cup the mark on her neck. How she longed to see him. To apologize for all the childish things she'd said to him. It didn't matter to her anymore if he apologized, just so long as he forgave her and gave her another chance.
She sensed someone coming down the corridor and, with a bit of concentration, she knew it was Ayame. It seemed strange, but now that she had reached a state of inner calm, her Miko powers seemed more willing to do her bidding. It was food for thought.
Ayame stopped just inside the doorway. "Kagome?" She said quietly.
Kagome turned. "Hai?"
Ayame stepped towards her and reached for her hand. "I just want you to know that though I do not wish this upon you, I will be honored to call you one of my bond-mates." She hesitated to gauge Kagome's reaction.
Kagome gave her a strained smile and squeezed her hand. " I know you don't wish this for me, Lady Ayame. You love Kouga still. How could you want him to lie with another?"
"Please just call me Ayame, Kagome. I don't feel like much of a 'Lady' right now. A true Queen would have seen this coming and would have been able to stop it. I've only been able to stand by and watch as my clan was pulled to ruin around me. I'm partially responsible for ruining so many lives. Including yours."
The sorrow Kagome felt emanating off of her was an echo of her own. Both had lost everything they'd held dear. Ayame was still fighting with everthing she had to get back some of what she'd lost. Kagome could only hope she would remain as strong.
She put a hand to Ayame's shoulder and squeezed it. "You are still a queen, Ayame. Once the Black Queen's influence is lifted you can make them remember. You can make it right."
Kagome didn't voice her own doubts about breaking the Black Queen's influence. She still hadn't been able to think of anything. Now more than ever, she missed the old lady Kiade's training and guidance.
She felt the young queen shudder and looked back up at her. She was shocked to see that she was crying. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"I'll never be able to right the wrong they are about to do to you. Once you are bonded to us, you'll have to stay here. It will cause us all pain if you leave. I won't be able to keep my promise to you, Kagome!" She cried.
Kagome looked away as she processed Ayame's words. After today, her life outside this would be over. She would never be able to return to the Western Lands. She would never see, Iyayuma and find out if she was ok. She would never be able to thank Lady Megumi and Lord Inutashio for their hospitality. She would never find out if Shippo and the others had made it. And most importantly, she would never see Inuyasha again. Once again, her hand cupped the mark on her neck. It would be the only reminder she had of the life she'd had outside this.
After all the disappointments she'd suffered, it really shouldn't have come as a surprise that her dreams were to be dashed yet again. She couldn't even seem to find a tear to shed. The hole in her chest seemed to have absorbed them.
She looked back up at Ayame and saw that the young Queen had turned away from her and had her face in her hands. She was sobbing her heart out. It took Kagome a moment to realize why through her haze.
Since Ayame could no longer promise to take her home then she thought that Kagome would no longer help her. Kagome thought about it. Even though her dreams were shattered, did that mean she had to do the same to Ayame's? Could she stand by as the wolves slaughtered innocent people and youkai while she might be able to save them?
No. She could not. If she had the opportunity to save lives, then she would take it. Just because her life was over, didn't mean she couldn't help others. She could do some good and maybe make up for the mistakes she had made. The decision didn't take away her sorrow or make her feel any better, but it lessened a weight inside her that she hadn't known was there.
She didn't bother puzzling over it and instead put a hand to Ayame's shoulder. The demoness looked up at her, tears still trailing down her face. Kagome smiled at her.
"It doesn't matter. My promise still stands. If I can find a way to help you and your clan, I will."
Ayame looked shocked. "But . . . I have nothing to offer in return."
Kagome shrugged. "My promise still stands."
"You mean . . . you'll still help me?" Kagome nodded and then it was her turn to be shocked as the demoness threw out her arms and pulled her into a hug. "Domo arigato, Kagome!" She whispered.
Kagome hesitated a moment, before hugging her back. "Don't thank me yet. I still have to find a way to pull it off."
Ayame pulled back and looked at her. She still had tears in her eyes, but now they were bright with happiness. "Just saying you will try is enough."
Kagome smiled, but inwardly, she was astonished. After all this demoness had been through, how could she still be so optimistic? How could she put so much faith in something that she had no guarentee would work out?
She was distracted when she sensed someone coming down the corridor. The energy wasn't familiar so she tensed as she turned to look. Somehow, she knew whoever was about to come through the doorway was not a wolf. She sent a warning glance at Ayame, before standing.
A few moments later a very young spider youkai came around the corner. Ayame gasped lightly, but Kagome didn't look away from the spider-child. She was very tiny compared to the other spiders, only reaching Kagome's shoulder. She didn't seem surprised to see that Kagome was waiting for her. In fact, at a glance the spider seemed placid and her pupils were very dialated. She walked with a strange lurching gait that sent Kagome immediatley on edge. There was a small pouch tied to her waist that seemed to be moving.
She gave Kagome a very wide smile. "Ohayou. I'm Maya." Her voice was lilting and sweet, but slightly off in a way Kagome couldn't place. "You're the miko lady, right?" She asked moving forward.
"Hai." Kagome resisted the urge to back away. After all, it was only a child.
Maya stuck out her hand in a swift movement, startling her. "I want you to have this." She said, smiling wider.
Kagome looked down and saw that she was holding a necklace. She hesitated a moment, before picking it up, careful not to touch the spider-child's skin. She held it up and looked at it. It was just a small metal amulet on a peice of black thread. The amulet was in the shape of a strange symbol that Kagome didn't recognize. The metal it was made of was very old and smooth and almost soft to the touch. It was warm and actually felt kind of comforting in her palm.
"What does it mean?" She asked, pointing at the symbol.
Maya blinked, the large smile still stretching her face. "I heard it could be useful. They are making you do things you don't like, right?" Kagome nodded. "This will make it easier. It's for luck."
Kagome nodded. "Arigato." She made to put it down.
"No. You have to wear it." The spider-child insisted.
Kagome glanced a Ayame who shook her head the tiniest bit. "It won't look right with this dress, but I promise I'll wear it later."
The smile turned at once into an angry pout. "Put it on!" She snapped, her light airy voice turned dark and menacing.
Alarm bells were going of in Kagome's head, but she forced herself to remain calm. Showing her alarm or allowing this strange child to smell it would be bad. "I don't think I will."
"Fine! If you won't except my gift, then I guess I'll help mother play with your freind." She opened the pouch at her waist and pulled out a struggling baby rabbit. Kagome gasped. "I like playing with things. I don't get to often." She grabbed one on the rabbit's ears and stroked it. "I have lots of fun." Without warning she tightened her hand and yanked her arm, the baby rabbit's ear came with it.
Kagome couldn't help her sympathetic cry as the baby rabbit squealed in pain and began struggling harder. "Stop! What are you doing?" Ayame shreiked.
Maya smiled again and this time it was an evil grimace that contorted her face. "Playing." She tore off its other ear and then grasped it by two legs and began pulling them apart.
Kagome lifted the necklace up. "No, Kagome! Don't do it!" Ayame screamed.
Kagome slipped the necklace over her head. "Alright! I put it on! Now leave it alone!"
Maya snickered and continued stretching the rabbit out. "Never said I'd stop if you put it on."
Kagome could hear the baby rabbit's bones snapping over its squeals of pain and fright. She felt sick. "Let it go!"
She mentally reached into her core were her miko powers lay and called her power. She started to let it pulse, like she'd done before with the spider queen, but as soon as she did, something clicked inside of her. Her powers winked out of her reach like an invisible wall had just slammed down inside of her. Kagome lost all of her senses. For a moment, she was alone in darkness. There was no sound, no light. She could no longer feel the dress against her skin. She didn't have skin or a body. She was just there. With a suddenness that left her weak, she was back.
Just in time to watch the spider-child rip the rabbit in half. Kagome shreiked and stumbled backwards onto her bed beside Ayame to avoid the shower of blood and organs that spilled from the mangled little body that Maya still held in her hands. Ayame caught her and wrapped an arm around her with a strangled moan of disgust and fear. Kagome wrapped and arm around her as well and tried to get over the sudden nausea she felt.
"What just happened to me?" She asked in a shaky voice.
Maya laughed and let the two halves of the body fall to the floor with wet splats. "Every time you try to use those powers of yours that will happen." She began to lick the blood off of her hands.
Kagome shook her head. "You said it was for luck." Her head was swimming and her vision was still hazy.
"Yes. But I didn't say who's. It will make mother and Lord Kouga's job that much easier." She turned. "It's been fun playing, miko lady." Her voice was once more that of a child's and her sweet and innocent smile was back. Kagome tried to pull the necklace off but it immediatley tightened around her neck into a choker. She gasped and tried to break the thread, but it would not budge. "You can't take it off. I put the magic in it myself. Mother said I did a good job." Maya told her in that sweet voice. She beamed at them sweetly before walking away, her lurching gait slightly less pronounced.
Ayame looked back up at Kagome as soon as the spider child left the room. "Are you alright?"
Kagome shook her head. She started tugging at the necklace again. "See if you can break it."
Ayame immediatley reached for it. As soon as she touched the thread a jolt of what seemed like electrictly ran through the both of them. They were unable to scream or move save their bodies wild jerking from the shocks. After a few moments Ayame managed to pull her clenched fingers away form the thread and they both fell backwards on the bed, gasping for air.
A tinkling laugh reached their ears and they both struggled to sit up. "That was funny." Maya called, still laughing. Ayame managed it first and moved to help Kagome. Maya had apparently stopped to watch them.
"How did you know we'd try that?" Kagome snapped.
Maya grinned and a hint of the evil they now knew she possesed leaked into it. "I would have." She flipped her thin hair. "You really should stop messing around. You messed up your hair. Mother won't be happy if you don't look pretty." Then her smiled widened. "Or at least as pretty as you can look." Then she left again.
Kagome tried to sense with her powers to see if she'd really left this time, but as soon as she tried, she felt the curse in the necklace move to prevent it. She immediatley let go to try and avoid the numbing darkness, but she was once again plunged into nothing. This time, she waited patiently until she came back. As soon as she could see, hear and speak again she turned to Ayame, who had a concerned look on her face.
"How long was I unaware?" She asked, her voice shaky again. Though she'd been prepared for it, it was still disorienting to loose all of her senses.
"Only a few seconds. But where do you go?" Kagome told her about the numbing dark and how it robbed her of all of her senses. "I've never heard of anything like that."
Kagome shook her head. "Nor have I, but this is bad. I can't afford to be vunerable around Kouga or the Black Queen, even for a few seconds."
"Then you cannot try to use your powers."
Kagome gave an exasperated sigh. "I'm useless now! My powers are like breathing. I use them on a subconscious level sometimes."
Ayame looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"I mean there's no telling when I'll loose myself. Reaching for my power is like breathing. I barely have to think about it. Just now, as soon as I felt the curse, I tried to stop but it was too late. The second I called my power it was too late!"
She was shaking violently. Her only defense, the only thing that could have helped her now, was gone. She'd sometimes cursed her miko powers, but they were a part of her. A soul deep freind that she realised she had taken for granted until now. She had no threat, no way of ensuring her own saftey or that of anyone else. She was just a ningen, surrounded by youkai and phenomenal magical power that she couldn't even begin to phathom. She shivered in fear. They could make her do anything now. They could hurt anyone right in front of her and she would be powerless to stop it. Now, more than ever she was glad that Shippo and the others had escaped.
Chapter 17
YuriYaoiHet_ILoveEmAll
A/N: I'm Baaaaaaaack!!!
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o BREAK 0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Inuyasha and Tonkouro lead their small army through the trees. They moved quickly, but silently in the darkness just before dawn. They'd left the kits an Jinsea, along with the injured Kitsune at the cave Sango and the others had found the previous night, just before dark and had spent the rest of the night circling the wolves territory. As they neared the border, the strong smell of wolf reached their nostrils. Tonkouro flicked his tails and Inuyasha signaled a halt. The elder kitsune could sense youkai energy further away than anyone and could now feel the aura of the patrolling wolves. He clicked his teeth sharply twice and Kasumi, Faryea and their trackers moved the the head of the pack. Takata and three other kitsune moved forwards with them.
Just as he was about to give the order to attack, a spark of powerful youkai energy flared very close to their left flank. Every member of the pack was immediatley on guard. Inuyasha, however, was confused. That energy was very familiar. For once, he didn't trust his senses. Why would he be here? He barked a sharp order for his army to keep position and darted towards the source of energy.
"Little brother." A deep, smooth voice said. "So I have reached you in time."
Inuyasha leapt down from the tree he was in and continued towards his half sibling. "Why are you here, Sesshomaru?" He asked as he approached him.
His half brother had grown even taller in his time away. He was now as tall and slender as their father. At his side, hung the Tenseiga and another sword that Inuyasha did not recognize. It smelled similar to the Tenseiga, but different at the same time. He shrugged off the questions in his mind. There would be time for that later.
Sesshomaru sent him a cold look. The affection they'd shared for one another when they were young had lessoned since the giving of the swords. This was the first time they'd spoken in two years.
"I am here to fight for the honor of the Inu Clan of the Western Lands." He raised his arms and snapped his teeth together with a sharp click.
Youkai energy flared to life behind him and there was movement in the trees. Inuyasha worked hard to conceal his surprise as a hundred or more low level and mixed youkai stepped into view. They all smelled of death, dirt and old bones, the scent that still lingered on Kohaku and Jinsea. Sesshomaru had brought them back from the dead. They all regarded him with a cold indifference, but made no move to strike.
Inuyasha looked back up at his brother. "What is this?"
Sesshomaru smirked. "My army. To supplement yours. If the Inu Clan goes to battle, so does its Prince."
This time, Inuyasha could not conceal his surprise. "You would fight with me, despite what has happened between us?"
Sesshomaru looked down at him and let some of the old affection flow into his eyes. "You are still my brother, Inuyasha. No matter what descisions our father makes. Whether in the giving you the stronger sword, or in killing my Lady Mother. He is our King. His descisions are not meant to be questioned by lesser beings as ourselves." His voice was hollow with sorrow, but the determination in his eyes never wavered. "I have learned that now."
Inuyasha held out his hand. "I would be honored to fight beside you, my brother. My future King." He let the old affection flow back into his eyes as well.
Sesshomaru gave him a true smile. He ignored Inuyasha's outstretched hand and pulled his little brother into a swift hug. "Come, brother." He said, pulling back. "Let us show the wolves what happens when they cross the Inu Clan of the Western Lands!"
Inuyasha nodded. His heart swelled to finally have his brother back at his side. "Hai, brother."
They set off towards where Inuyasha had left his army, with Sesshomaru's at their backs.
0o0o0o0o0o0o BREAK 0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Kagome looked at herself in the mirror. One of the Lady's Maids had turned it around and she saw herself for the first time since she'd seen Inuyasha's mark on her neck. She'd lost weight, but that really wasn't surpising. After all, she'd barely eaten since she'd been kidnapped and the rations she'd been given in the caves had been meager at best. Last night a meal had been brought for her, but she'd let Hinata have most of it. Ayame's Lady's Maids had offered to prepare her something, but the mere thought of eating set her stomache on edge.
The dress Ayame had picked for her was very pretty. It was made of fur, which didn't surpise her. All the wolves wore furs, but she'd never seen fur quite like this. It was glossy and the strangest shade of blue-black. It shone in the light like marble and it was as smooth as silk to the touch on both sides. It hung down past her knees and the back was open. the only thing holding it up was a string of the same material tied to the back of her neck.
The Lady's Maids had powdered her skin with something that made her almost glimmer in the light from the lamps and the make-up they'd put on her made her eyes look larger and darker and her lips fuller. All in all, she did not look like the same person. If it weren't for the worried look on her reflection's face she'd swear there was someone else beneath the wood's surface looking back at her.
Normally, she'd feel elated to look so pretty. Now she felt like there was a hole eating her heart. She held her tears in check. She refused to allow Kouga and the Black Queen smell her sorrow. Yes her life might be over, but it would only give them more power over her if they knew how much she was hurting. After what they'd done to Hinata, she knew that any weakness she showed would be used against her.
At least if she figured out a way to break the Black Queen's hold on Kouga and the other affected wolves, she could be done with all of this. She could return to Inuyasha and try to salvage something. If not, then she would return home. It would be the only option she had left if he refused to forgive her. Almost without realizing it, she lifted her hand to cup the mark on her neck. How she longed to see him. To apologize for all the childish things she'd said to him. It didn't matter to her anymore if he apologized, just so long as he forgave her and gave her another chance.
She sensed someone coming down the corridor and, with a bit of concentration, she knew it was Ayame. It seemed strange, but now that she had reached a state of inner calm, her Miko powers seemed more willing to do her bidding. It was food for thought.
Ayame stopped just inside the doorway. "Kagome?" She said quietly.
Kagome turned. "Hai?"
Ayame stepped towards her and reached for her hand. "I just want you to know that though I do not wish this upon you, I will be honored to call you one of my bond-mates." She hesitated to gauge Kagome's reaction.
Kagome gave her a strained smile and squeezed her hand. " I know you don't wish this for me, Lady Ayame. You love Kouga still. How could you want him to lie with another?"
"Please just call me Ayame, Kagome. I don't feel like much of a 'Lady' right now. A true Queen would have seen this coming and would have been able to stop it. I've only been able to stand by and watch as my clan was pulled to ruin around me. I'm partially responsible for ruining so many lives. Including yours."
The sorrow Kagome felt emanating off of her was an echo of her own. Both had lost everything they'd held dear. Ayame was still fighting with everthing she had to get back some of what she'd lost. Kagome could only hope she would remain as strong.
She put a hand to Ayame's shoulder and squeezed it. "You are still a queen, Ayame. Once the Black Queen's influence is lifted you can make them remember. You can make it right."
Kagome didn't voice her own doubts about breaking the Black Queen's influence. She still hadn't been able to think of anything. Now more than ever, she missed the old lady Kiade's training and guidance.
She felt the young queen shudder and looked back up at her. She was shocked to see that she was crying. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"I'll never be able to right the wrong they are about to do to you. Once you are bonded to us, you'll have to stay here. It will cause us all pain if you leave. I won't be able to keep my promise to you, Kagome!" She cried.
Kagome looked away as she processed Ayame's words. After today, her life outside this would be over. She would never be able to return to the Western Lands. She would never see, Iyayuma and find out if she was ok. She would never be able to thank Lady Megumi and Lord Inutashio for their hospitality. She would never find out if Shippo and the others had made it. And most importantly, she would never see Inuyasha again. Once again, her hand cupped the mark on her neck. It would be the only reminder she had of the life she'd had outside this.
After all the disappointments she'd suffered, it really shouldn't have come as a surprise that her dreams were to be dashed yet again. She couldn't even seem to find a tear to shed. The hole in her chest seemed to have absorbed them.
She looked back up at Ayame and saw that the young Queen had turned away from her and had her face in her hands. She was sobbing her heart out. It took Kagome a moment to realize why through her haze.
Since Ayame could no longer promise to take her home then she thought that Kagome would no longer help her. Kagome thought about it. Even though her dreams were shattered, did that mean she had to do the same to Ayame's? Could she stand by as the wolves slaughtered innocent people and youkai while she might be able to save them?
No. She could not. If she had the opportunity to save lives, then she would take it. Just because her life was over, didn't mean she couldn't help others. She could do some good and maybe make up for the mistakes she had made. The decision didn't take away her sorrow or make her feel any better, but it lessened a weight inside her that she hadn't known was there.
She didn't bother puzzling over it and instead put a hand to Ayame's shoulder. The demoness looked up at her, tears still trailing down her face. Kagome smiled at her.
"It doesn't matter. My promise still stands. If I can find a way to help you and your clan, I will."
Ayame looked shocked. "But . . . I have nothing to offer in return."
Kagome shrugged. "My promise still stands."
"You mean . . . you'll still help me?" Kagome nodded and then it was her turn to be shocked as the demoness threw out her arms and pulled her into a hug. "Domo arigato, Kagome!" She whispered.
Kagome hesitated a moment, before hugging her back. "Don't thank me yet. I still have to find a way to pull it off."
Ayame pulled back and looked at her. She still had tears in her eyes, but now they were bright with happiness. "Just saying you will try is enough."
Kagome smiled, but inwardly, she was astonished. After all this demoness had been through, how could she still be so optimistic? How could she put so much faith in something that she had no guarentee would work out?
She was distracted when she sensed someone coming down the corridor. The energy wasn't familiar so she tensed as she turned to look. Somehow, she knew whoever was about to come through the doorway was not a wolf. She sent a warning glance at Ayame, before standing.
A few moments later a very young spider youkai came around the corner. Ayame gasped lightly, but Kagome didn't look away from the spider-child. She was very tiny compared to the other spiders, only reaching Kagome's shoulder. She didn't seem surprised to see that Kagome was waiting for her. In fact, at a glance the spider seemed placid and her pupils were very dialated. She walked with a strange lurching gait that sent Kagome immediatley on edge. There was a small pouch tied to her waist that seemed to be moving.
She gave Kagome a very wide smile. "Ohayou. I'm Maya." Her voice was lilting and sweet, but slightly off in a way Kagome couldn't place. "You're the miko lady, right?" She asked moving forward.
"Hai." Kagome resisted the urge to back away. After all, it was only a child.
Maya stuck out her hand in a swift movement, startling her. "I want you to have this." She said, smiling wider.
Kagome looked down and saw that she was holding a necklace. She hesitated a moment, before picking it up, careful not to touch the spider-child's skin. She held it up and looked at it. It was just a small metal amulet on a peice of black thread. The amulet was in the shape of a strange symbol that Kagome didn't recognize. The metal it was made of was very old and smooth and almost soft to the touch. It was warm and actually felt kind of comforting in her palm.
"What does it mean?" She asked, pointing at the symbol.
Maya blinked, the large smile still stretching her face. "I heard it could be useful. They are making you do things you don't like, right?" Kagome nodded. "This will make it easier. It's for luck."
Kagome nodded. "Arigato." She made to put it down.
"No. You have to wear it." The spider-child insisted.
Kagome glanced a Ayame who shook her head the tiniest bit. "It won't look right with this dress, but I promise I'll wear it later."
The smile turned at once into an angry pout. "Put it on!" She snapped, her light airy voice turned dark and menacing.
Alarm bells were going of in Kagome's head, but she forced herself to remain calm. Showing her alarm or allowing this strange child to smell it would be bad. "I don't think I will."
"Fine! If you won't except my gift, then I guess I'll help mother play with your freind." She opened the pouch at her waist and pulled out a struggling baby rabbit. Kagome gasped. "I like playing with things. I don't get to often." She grabbed one on the rabbit's ears and stroked it. "I have lots of fun." Without warning she tightened her hand and yanked her arm, the baby rabbit's ear came with it.
Kagome couldn't help her sympathetic cry as the baby rabbit squealed in pain and began struggling harder. "Stop! What are you doing?" Ayame shreiked.
Maya smiled again and this time it was an evil grimace that contorted her face. "Playing." She tore off its other ear and then grasped it by two legs and began pulling them apart.
Kagome lifted the necklace up. "No, Kagome! Don't do it!" Ayame screamed.
Kagome slipped the necklace over her head. "Alright! I put it on! Now leave it alone!"
Maya snickered and continued stretching the rabbit out. "Never said I'd stop if you put it on."
Kagome could hear the baby rabbit's bones snapping over its squeals of pain and fright. She felt sick. "Let it go!"
She mentally reached into her core were her miko powers lay and called her power. She started to let it pulse, like she'd done before with the spider queen, but as soon as she did, something clicked inside of her. Her powers winked out of her reach like an invisible wall had just slammed down inside of her. Kagome lost all of her senses. For a moment, she was alone in darkness. There was no sound, no light. She could no longer feel the dress against her skin. She didn't have skin or a body. She was just there. With a suddenness that left her weak, she was back.
Just in time to watch the spider-child rip the rabbit in half. Kagome shreiked and stumbled backwards onto her bed beside Ayame to avoid the shower of blood and organs that spilled from the mangled little body that Maya still held in her hands. Ayame caught her and wrapped an arm around her with a strangled moan of disgust and fear. Kagome wrapped and arm around her as well and tried to get over the sudden nausea she felt.
"What just happened to me?" She asked in a shaky voice.
Maya laughed and let the two halves of the body fall to the floor with wet splats. "Every time you try to use those powers of yours that will happen." She began to lick the blood off of her hands.
Kagome shook her head. "You said it was for luck." Her head was swimming and her vision was still hazy.
"Yes. But I didn't say who's. It will make mother and Lord Kouga's job that much easier." She turned. "It's been fun playing, miko lady." Her voice was once more that of a child's and her sweet and innocent smile was back. Kagome tried to pull the necklace off but it immediatley tightened around her neck into a choker. She gasped and tried to break the thread, but it would not budge. "You can't take it off. I put the magic in it myself. Mother said I did a good job." Maya told her in that sweet voice. She beamed at them sweetly before walking away, her lurching gait slightly less pronounced.
Ayame looked back up at Kagome as soon as the spider child left the room. "Are you alright?"
Kagome shook her head. She started tugging at the necklace again. "See if you can break it."
Ayame immediatley reached for it. As soon as she touched the thread a jolt of what seemed like electrictly ran through the both of them. They were unable to scream or move save their bodies wild jerking from the shocks. After a few moments Ayame managed to pull her clenched fingers away form the thread and they both fell backwards on the bed, gasping for air.
A tinkling laugh reached their ears and they both struggled to sit up. "That was funny." Maya called, still laughing. Ayame managed it first and moved to help Kagome. Maya had apparently stopped to watch them.
"How did you know we'd try that?" Kagome snapped.
Maya grinned and a hint of the evil they now knew she possesed leaked into it. "I would have." She flipped her thin hair. "You really should stop messing around. You messed up your hair. Mother won't be happy if you don't look pretty." Then her smiled widened. "Or at least as pretty as you can look." Then she left again.
Kagome tried to sense with her powers to see if she'd really left this time, but as soon as she tried, she felt the curse in the necklace move to prevent it. She immediatley let go to try and avoid the numbing darkness, but she was once again plunged into nothing. This time, she waited patiently until she came back. As soon as she could see, hear and speak again she turned to Ayame, who had a concerned look on her face.
"How long was I unaware?" She asked, her voice shaky again. Though she'd been prepared for it, it was still disorienting to loose all of her senses.
"Only a few seconds. But where do you go?" Kagome told her about the numbing dark and how it robbed her of all of her senses. "I've never heard of anything like that."
Kagome shook her head. "Nor have I, but this is bad. I can't afford to be vunerable around Kouga or the Black Queen, even for a few seconds."
"Then you cannot try to use your powers."
Kagome gave an exasperated sigh. "I'm useless now! My powers are like breathing. I use them on a subconscious level sometimes."
Ayame looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"I mean there's no telling when I'll loose myself. Reaching for my power is like breathing. I barely have to think about it. Just now, as soon as I felt the curse, I tried to stop but it was too late. The second I called my power it was too late!"
She was shaking violently. Her only defense, the only thing that could have helped her now, was gone. She'd sometimes cursed her miko powers, but they were a part of her. A soul deep freind that she realised she had taken for granted until now. She had no threat, no way of ensuring her own saftey or that of anyone else. She was just a ningen, surrounded by youkai and phenomenal magical power that she couldn't even begin to phathom. She shivered in fear. They could make her do anything now. They could hurt anyone right in front of her and she would be powerless to stop it. Now, more than ever she was glad that Shippo and the others had escaped.