InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Chosen ❯ A Death by Family Betrayal ( Chapter 16 )

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters; thus I'm not making any money from this. It's purely for fun. Shadow, Death Strike, Mikel, Faele, Falcon, the Evenstar family, Sindel, etc…are mine. Ask before you borrow them.

 

Italics = thinking

“….” = talking, or singing

*….* = telepathic speech

 

 

Chapter 16: A Death by Family Betrayal

 

InuYasha stepped from Blaze's gateway into the grand hall of the Evenstar mansion and shook himself. He'd never get used to the tingling feeling that crept along his skin each time he stepped through one of the fae portals. Cradling Kagome closer, he glanced down at her pain clouded face before stepping aside to let Sesshomaru and Koga through. The younger twin girls appeared pushing a rolling bed; like one he's once seen while watching one of Kagome's `so-pop-rahs' on the magic box. The pink haired female gestured for him to lie Kagome down and he did so reluctantly. Touching her shoulder, he nudged her as gently as possible.

 

“Kagome,” he called, “Kagome, you have to stay awake. Are you listening wench?”

 

Kagome moaned in pain and then screamed as another gaping wound opened across her lower abdomen. Truly frightened by what was happening to his mate, InuYasha looked from the girls to Sesshomaru to Blaze seeking some kind of help; some explanation for what was going on. He feared his sanity would snap if someone didn't do something. He didn't register the pink haired girl's gentle hand on his arm at first, but finally moved off to the side as she was asking him. Mikel swept into the hall, his aura blazing with anger, as the two linked hands over Kagome's body. Their powers swirled around their bodies like purple and hot pink ribbons as they attempted to partially heal the woman they claimed as kin.

 

InuYasha looked on in horror as laughter suddenly erupted from Kagome's mouth and the twins were sent flying backwards. Waves of malevolent yellowish power poured from his mate's body as peals of laughter rang through the hall. Blaze and Mikel rushed to help their fallen sisters as Kagome's eyes opened, but it wasn't Kagome's cheerful pink gaze that InuYasha's gaze met; it wasn't his mate that was looking out through her eyes. Angry orange eyes, glowing with darkness and the promise of eternal pain, surveyed the hall as a wicked smile slowly spread across Kagome's lips.

 

“Insolent foolss,” a voice that was not hers flowed from Kagome's lips, “none of you are powerful enough to challenge me. Your vain attempts to ssave this pathetic creature are a wasste of power.”

 

InuYasha forced back a growl as the orange eyed gaze left his and traveled to where Koga stood with the unconscious Death Strike in his arms. Koga didn't bother muffling his growl as he bared his fangs at the entity that now controlled his pack sister's body, but it wasn't looking at him; it was looking at his mate.

 

“And the mighty Death Sstrike is brought low at last,” again Kagome that was not Kagome laughed, this time with dark glee as she stared at Death Strike. “How easily the great jaguar is brought to her knees. Who would have thought that the simple sslaying of her baby sisster, her precious Crysstal, would be enough to break her?”

 

Death Strike's bright blue eyes opened slightly as the creature inhabiting her cousin's body laughed. Lifting a hand, palm up, she uncurled her fisted fingers to expose a silvery glowing amulet and Kagome screamed again.

 

“Eraktna hye, Sindel!” Shadow snarled in Fae as she swept through the doors at the end of the hall and made her own appearance at last. With her hair blown into unruliness by the wind, cheeks stained red with emotion, eyes snapping with angry fire and her bow at the ready by her side, InuYasha found himself imaging the demon fae female as a very furious avenging angel. Risking a glance at Sesshomaru, he wasn't surprised to see the surprise and approval in the taiyoukai's eyes even though his elegant features remained calm and emotionless. As she stood now, Shadow looked very much the part the daughter of a goddess.

 

“Ahhh, the Dragon rears her head at lasst. What are you going to do? Kill thiss body?” Kagome-Sindel laughed haughtily and struggled to sit up on the bed as she continued, “There is nothing you can do, Sshadow.”

 

Striding forward to the foot of the bed, Shadow glared into the orange eyes as she leaned forward and planted her palms on the mattress.

 

“Bet me, serpent?” she snarled in contemptuous reply as the pink and purple haired twins leapt to the sides of the bed and quickly pinned Kagome's body down. “Star, Heaven; keep that creature still. Sesshomaru, InuYasha come here; I require your assistance. Blaze, take Koga to Death Strike's room. Mikel, send Glory and Ebony to fetch our cousin's other companions from the Feudal Era. Sindel, don't even think about it!”

 

Shadow's barked orders were almost instantly followed; her tone brooking no arguments. Star and Heaven, the pink and purple twins, struggled to hold Kagome's body to the bed as Blaze grasped Koga's arm and hustled the wolf, and the now semi-conscious Death Strike, from the hall. Mikel simply vanished, much like his sister had done when she escaped Sesshomaru's hold during their tussle in Kagome's bathroom. With the hall cleared except for them, InuYasha moved to stand beside Shadow as Sesshomaru simply glared at the onna that attempted to order him about like a common servant. Finally, he too moved to stand beside Shadow as Sindel-Kagome suddenly stilled and hissed at them.

 

“Kagome is caught in the dream realm,” Shadow explained coolly to the inu brothers; her eyes still locked with Sindel-Kagome's orange ones. “I can't harm Sindel because of the oath I swore, you two however; do not have anything to keep you from destroying this pathetic serpent. I need the two of you to journey into the dream realm to save Kagome. Remember this though; any damage taken in the dream realm is real here in the physical world. Your body is ruled by your mind and as it is your mind that exists in the dream realm, if you die there…you also die here.”

 

Neither brother liked what she had just told them, but neither was willing to simply stand around and do nothing. Kagome was InuYasha's mate, and Sesshomaru grudgingly admitted to himself that he had become fond of the girl; although when and how was still a mystery to him.

 

“What do we have to do?” InuYasha asked when Shadow offered no further information.

 

“First you will need to take a little of my blood to make it easier for me to help with your transition into the dream realm; it will create a slightly stronger link than what we now share mind to mind. It will also give you some protection against Sindel's attacks and against anything else that might attempt to harm you. After I give you my blood, you will both need to bite Kagome to form a physical link with her. Her blood is required for you to follow her to where she is specifically in the dream realm; sinking your fangs into her wrists should suffice although you may use your mating mark, InuYasha.” Shadow replied and both brothers nodded.

 

“That it?” InuYasha asked, certain that there was something she wasn't telling them.

 

“Basically, yes. Once you've formed the link, I'll need the two of you to relax and I'll send you to sleep.” Shadow shrugged like this was nothing more than a simple stroll through the park. “After that it will be up to you. Once you free Kagome from whatever holds her and defeat Sindel, the three of you should wake up naturally.”

 

“And if we don't?” the hanyou muttered irritably.

 

“We'll cross that bridge when we get to it,” was all he got as an answer and he found it more than slightly disconcerting.

 

Shadow gave him a small, reassuring smile and then sliced her palm with her claws. He barely caught her softly muttered `ow' before she offered her bloodied hand to him. Hesitantly he took her hand and bent his head. For a moment he just stared at the bright red blood that flowed sluggishly from the shallow cut, finding it hard to do what his mate's cousin asked. Steeling his resolve, he swallowed hard and then flicked his tongue over the wound, thoroughly coating it in Shadow's blood. The fire that raced through his veins almost immediately after sent him reeling as he released her hand and staggered back a step. His eyes watered and his vision blurred momentarily as his body felt like it was being seared from the inside out. InuYasha heard his brother's strangled gasp as he sank to knees and grasped his head in his hands. He started to panic as his world started to slowly go black and then the fire wracked his body again and he moaned, nearly missing Shadow's grumbled comment as he felt someone's hands on his face.

 

“Well I didn't think they'd react like this. InuYasha didn't react like this to Kagome's blood, and Sesshomaru sure as hell didn't seem harmed when he marked me.”

 

InuYasha felt someone, probably Shadow, drag him closer to Kagome's bed and then suddenly there was warm flesh in his mouth.

 

“Bite,” Shadow commanded.

 

He bit down, unable to disobey. New blood flooded his mouth, a gentle hand rested between his ears, and consciousness faded completely.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

“What'd you do, Sister?” Heaven asked as she watched the orange slowly fade from Kagome's eyes. When the body finally went slack, the purple haired demon fae sighed and released her hold.

 

“Nothing out of the ordinary; well, nothing that I know of,” Shadow replied as she summoned in a warm, moist cloth to clean the blood from her palm.

 

“Then why did your blood almost kill them?” Star asked as she took a seat on the floor. She watched as her sister slowly wiped away the blood from the now healed cuts and began to wonder if Shadow was ignoring the question.

 

“I don't know,” Shadow finally said softly. With a sigh, Shadow sent the cloth back to wherever she called it from and knelt to gather her discarded bow. “Should a problem arise, I will be in my room. Call if I am needed,” Shadow added as she pivoted on her heel and strode from the room. Heaven and Star exchanged a worried glance and sighed.

 

“Why do I feel like we just got the short end of the stick?” Star muttered softly as she looked from one unconscious inu to the other.

 

“Possibly because these three are going to be very ornery when they wake up?” Heaven offered with a rueful grin as she too took a seat on the floor.

 

“If they wake up,” Star whispered and again the girls glanced at each other; fear and hope warring for dominance in their hearts.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

The breeze blew through his hair, the heat that engulfed him made worse instead of better by the movement of the air. Darkness blinded his eyes and he swore.

 

“I can't see a damn thing,” InuYasha grumbled softly and then jumped, startled, when a clawed hand wrapped around his upper arm. Reacting on instinct he swung at the unseen person. The grasp on his arm disappeared and a hand caught his wrist seconds later; blocking his punch from connecting.

 

“You always swing first; use your head little brother,” Sesshomaru hissed at him. “Had someone meant to harm you they would not have warned you so.”

 

InuYasha felt the hand leave his wrist and then Sesshomaru brushed past him. Even being close enough to touch, he still could not see the other youkai. Why's it so damn dark? He wondered irritably and then blinked; he could see.

 

His brother stood a few feet in front of him dressed in his traditional attire and InuYasha raised an eyebrow in question. Hadn't he still been in those strange pajama pants a little while ago?

 

“It seems that I wear whatever I desire to be wearing here,” Sesshomaru stated simply after catching the slightly confused look on the hanyou's face. He snuffed the urge to smirk as he surveyed the landscape that had suddenly appeared.

 

The land was flat; almost perfectly, unnervingly smooth except for the motley of cracks lacing the surface. The red glow emanating from the cracks told both inus that the ground was hot, or should have been, but neither found it uncomfortable on their feet. Occasionally a small geyser of flame would erupt from the ground and draw their attention in its general direction, but aside from this, neither saw any sign of movement.

 

A muffled sob caught InuYasha's attention and his ears immediately swiveled around to get a better grasp of where the sound was coming from. He was unable to tell if it was Kagome he heard, but he assumed it was and took off in the direction of the sound; not caring if Sesshomaru followed or not.

 

He crested a rise that he hadn't realized was there and saw her. Kagome lay with her eyes closed, half on her side, on the ground just down the slope from him. From the shallowness of her breathing and the amount of blood on ground he could tell she didn't have much time left. It didn't occur to him to think about where Kagome's assailant was; he simply sprinted towards his injured and dying mate as Sesshomaru appeared behind him. He heard the taiyoukai growl, but ignored it until Kagome's eyes opened.

 

“Look out!” she rasped softly, the sound coming out as a strangled gasp as she attempted to warn InuYasha back, but it was too late.

 

InuYasha didn't have time to react as the enormous snake barreled into him. Both went down hard, black dirt thrown high into the air from their impact. InuYasha attempted to get his claws around the creature's neck as its body began to twist itself around his. It suddenly constricted around his middle, forcing the air from his lungs as his claws finally sank through the thick protective scales on the creatures hide. Instead of releasing him and backing off, the snack hissed angrily and squeezed harder around his middle and InuYasha found it nearly impossible to draw in even a shallow breath.

 

He growled and sank his claws deeper, but had to with draw them swiftly and block as the snake lunged for his head. A fang dug deep into his forearm and he grunted in pain as flesh tore and the snake's venom slowly began to eat away at the ragged edges. From the corner of his eye he saw a flash of orange then steel rang against steel. Somewhere out of his sight that voice laughed haughtily and Sesshomaru growled again.

 

“Oh give it up, she's practically dead anyway. What do you think you're going to do? Bring her back from death?” Sindel laughed again and InuYasha saw red.

 

With a feral roar, InuYasha knocked the snake's head back and plunged his claws under its scales, ripping at them furiously and succeeding in pulling chunks of them off. Just as suddenly as the snake had attacked, it released him and moved swiftly away, its black blood hissing and popping where ever it touched the ground as it retreated. Grasping for tetsusaiga, InuYasha unleashed the wind scar on the snake, but growled in frustration as the orange eyed woman rushed to snake's aid and shielded the two of them. He hated it when his wind scar was blocked and was about to try again when Sesshomaru stepped up to his shoulder.

 

“Get your mate,” he said softly, his eyes on Sindel as he held tokijin at the ready before him.

 

InuYasha nodded once and then rushed to Kagome's side. Plunging his sword into the ground, he dropped to his knees beside her and wrapped one arm under her knees and the other under her head before pulling her gently against his chest. Tears sprang to his eyes unbidden as she whined softly in pain at the movement.

 

“Shhh now koi; I've got you.” InuYasha whispered as soothingly as he could, his voice cracking slightly as he attempted to hold back the tears. “Everything is going to be ok.”

 

Sesshomaru moved to stand beside him again, still waiting for the orange haired female to attack, but she never did. Instead she tossed her hair and snorted in contempt as she spun around and walked off; disappearing into darkness as the snake swiftly followed suit. InuYasha gasped in surprise as the wounds on Kagome's body started to slowly, but noticeably heal, but his heart still feared the worst for her.

 

“InuYasha,” Kagome managed in a choked whisper, almost too soft for even his keen hearing to pick up. “I love you….I'm sorry…” She took another shuddering breath and blood bubbled onto her lips as she exhaled.

 

“Kagome?” InuYasha called, slightly panicked by the strange way she was acting. He wanted to shake her, but knew that wouldn't be a good idea due to her injuries.

 

Kagome went limp in his arms and pain suddenly exploded in his chest. His vision blurred momentarily as he struggled to stay upright. Concentrating hard, he realized Kagome wasn't breathing, nor could he hear her heart beat.

 

“No!” he managed to choke out through a strangled gasp as another searing pain lanced through his chest.

 

“If one were to die, the other would also die; that is the price of a soulmate bond. Death is usually instantaneous so there isn't any pain for the widowed mate…”

 

Death Strike's words range through his mind and he gritted his teeth and fought the pain trying to consume his body.

 

“No pain…yeah, right,” he muttered as he hunched forward, cradling Kagome's body closer to his. He felt Sesshomaru standing nearby, but figured the bastard wasn't going to bother helping even if he could.

 

*InuYasha!*

 

He blinked, his vision blurring again.

 

*Stupid hanyou answer me!*

 

Was that Shadow? He wondered. Groaning softly at the pain it caused, he attempted to turn his head to find her.

 

*Yes, it's me! I'm not actually there; remember? Tell Sesshomaru to use his damn sword to bring Kagome back! Keep fighting the pull!*

 

“The pull?” InuYasha said out loud and Sesshomaru looked at him with an eyebrow raised slightly.

 

*Ugh, never mind!* Shadow groaned and disappeared from his mind.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Sesshomaru stood at his brother's side as the hanyou clutched his dead mate to his chest. He could almost feel the pain that wracked the younger male's body and he couldn't find a reason for it. As far as he knew, and could smell, InuYasha was not harmed severely enough to inflict that much pain.

 

His eyes traveled to the dead miko in InuYasha arms and for a moment he felt sadness, but as swiftly as it had come, he locked it away. Emotions were a weakness.

 

*Sesshomaru!* Shadow called.

 

He felt his skin crawl as her presence invaded his mind. Her mental voice, though quiet, rang through his mind like a shout and he cringed slightly. He would never get used to her doing that.

 

*What?* he snarled back at her, a little more viciously than intended.

 

*Don't you dare use that tone with me, Fluff-butt!* She snapped back just as furiously. *I need you to use that sword of yours to bring Kagome back. If you use that there and I summon her soul here in the physical plane we should be able to revive her.*

 

*Tenseiga is silent. She is not meant to be saved.* He replied shortly.

 

*Whatever. Just do it, damn you!*

 

With that, she was gone from his mind and he sighed. She was a very exasperating female, but perhaps that was one reason he felt drawn to her; although he would never admit it to anyone else.

 

Pulling tenseiga he moved closer to InuYasha and his mate and watched. He didn't see the soul gatherers, but swiped the sword over the two of them anyway. He nearly dropped the sword when Kagome suddenly gasped and then gave a small scream of pain.

 

InuYasha leapt upright, staring down at his revived mate, the pain in his own body suddenly gone.

 

“Ka...Kagome?” InuYasha whispered as he slowly reached to brush a strand of hair from her forehead.

 

Just before his hand connected with her skin, Kagome faded from his arms.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Shadow was exiting the hall for the second time that day when she heard InuYasha leap to his feet with a startled, half choked roar of panic.

 

“That's one hell of a way to wake up,” she muttered with a chuckle and headed towards the workout room.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Later that day, after Kagome had been successfully healed by `Pink and Purple,' as InuYasha had deemed Star and Heaven, the two inu brothers and Kagome sat in the bedroom that had been prepared for the miko. Kagome protested hotly about being tucked into bed when there was nothing wrong with her, while InuYasha snarled at her to just do what he told her to for once. Sesshomaru watched from his place near the door as his brother practically held his little spitfire of a mate down and fought back the urge to smirk. They had been this way since they'd woken up, and Sesshomaru was starting to get frustrated at the confinement. He could vaguely sense Shadow's presence, but nothing beyond that she was nearby and it grated on his nerves.

 

“Lord Sesssssshhhooooooooomaruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!”

 

The high pitched feminine squeal brought him immediately out of his thoughts the door flew open and Rin came barreling through the doorway to latch onto his leg. He really want to sigh and ask the girl if she wasn't just a bit old for these antics, but his ego prevented him from stooping so low. Instead he said nothing and just gazed down at the smiling child.

 

Jaken followed next, at a slightly slower pace, with a slight trace of fear in his normal rather appalling scent. When he paused in the doorway, a monk's staff came down on his head, and Sesshomaru guessed as to why his retainer was afraid.

 

“Move toad,” commanded the slayer as she shoved him aside and entered the room, the fire cat perched on her shoulder.

 

She was swiftly followed by the monk and kitsune and Sesshomaru suddenly found the small room far too crowded. Removing Rin from his leg as gently as possible without making it seem he was being gentle, he grabbed the robes that Jaken held in his arms but had not yet offered his master, and swept elegantly from the room.

 

“What's his problem?” Sango asked, slightly annoyed at the taiyoukai's sudden hasty exit. She shrugged, turned her attention to Kagome and InuYasha and demanded to know what had happened.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Evening had fallen by the time Kagome and InuYasha had finished filling their comrades in on what had happened in the past couple of days. InuYasha was beginning to get irritated about going over the same things again and again when the summons came.

 

An unknown bird youkai announced that the Lord of the manor desired their presence. Kagome made to get out of bed, but the bird ushered her back under the covers.

 

“Lord Stormhawk asked for your companions to attend him, my Lady. You are to remain in bed and rest,” the servant explained as she tucked the covers firmly around a now fuming Kagome.

 

For some unknown reason Kagome didn't object, she simply crossed her arms and stuck her lower lip out in a pout as the others exited the room after the bird youkai. InuYasha was still pondering Kagome's actions as they were shown into what seemed to be a large, lavish library. With a small bow the youkai exited and closed the French doors behind her. From another, smaller side door, Sesshomaru and Koga were ushered in as well.

 

The two youkai joined InuYasha and his entourage as the French doors swept open again and a handsome youkai with eagle's wings glided almost soundlessly into the room. A broad smile lit his face as he came forward and wrapped a stunned InuYasha in a warm embrace. Releasing the startled hanyou, the man made as if you embrace Sesshomaru as well, but the stoic inu taiyoukai stepped back with a slight frown marring his perfect visage.

 

The obviously older male tilted his head to the side slightly with a slightly quizzical expression on his chiseled features, but after a moment also took a step back and inclined his head to Sesshomaru. The taiyoukai, however, did not return the gesture and for a moment the old male's eyes clouded over, but InuYasha could not tell if it was with anger or something else.

 

“It seems my eldest daughter's chosen mate lacks respect for her father,” the winged male stated bluntly as he turned on his heel and closed the great doors.

 

Sesshomaru actually looked stunned for a moment before he softly cleared his throat and inclined his head to the older male.

 

“I did not know that you were Lady Shadow's sire,” Sesshomaru said softly, the slightest hint of apology in his voice. “It is…not common where I come from for males to embrace each other in such a way.”

 

“Ah yes, I forget that you are not from this time period,” Shadow's father spoke just as softly as he made his way to an overly large oak desk and took a seat. “I had simply thought to welcome you as warmly as possible into our family. I am very pleased to meet the mates of my beloved daughters and niece; although Kagome can now be considered my daughter as well due to the mate bond.”

 

“Excuse me,” Sango stepped forward, her confusion evident in her large brown eyes, “What do you mean by that? How can Kagome be your daughter when she is your niece?”

 

“My apologies slayer, the Demon Fae acknowledge that being linked by blood is a stronger bond than a mating bond. However, in the instance of soulmate bonds, the link between soulmates is considered stronger. Since Kagome is soul-bonded to InuYasha and InuYasha is blood brother to Lord Sesshomaru who is, or will be shortly, soul-bonded to my eldest daughter, Kagome becomes Shadow's sister through mate-bonds. This supersedes the previous blood link of cousins, making Kagome now acknowledgeable as my daughter, entitling her to her own lands to govern here in the family territory,” Stormhawk replied and then sighed at the blank stares he was receiving from the group. Only Sesshomaru seemed to understand. “In lay-man's terms, Kagome and Shadow have brothers as mates; they in turn become sisters; which makes Kagome my daughter.”

 

“Oh,” was the simple unison reply and Lord Stormhawk had to wonder if he was wasting his time in the attempt to explain what was coming next.

 

“Please, have a seat. There is much I must tell you, and I would have you comfortable as I explain,” he motioned to the numerous couches and arm chairs that sat before the desk in a large half circle.

 

Shippo was the first to bound over to a seat and sit himself down. With a wide grin he snuggled back into the overstuffed armchair that he'd chosen. More reluctantly the others followed the little kitsune's lead, but predictably, Sesshomaru remained standing.

 

Lifting a small bell from his desk, the winged Demon Fae rang it three times and servants entered through the side door with trays of food. The smells wafting from the dishes made InuYasha's mouth water and he was more than slightly pleased when a servant handed him his very own tray filled with delectable smelling goodies.

 

“Please eat, I'm sure it's been a while since you've had a decent meal and I will not have it said that I do not treat my guests and my daughters' mates with the utmost respect,” said Shadow's father as he forced down a chuckle. InuYasha had practically dived into his food and the Fae Lord found it most amusing.

 

He was about to continue with his planned speech when the French doors swung open again; this time to admit a very unkempt Mikel. Approaching his father slowly, Mikel knelt by his side as the group watched in confusion. The youkai could smell Mikel's hidden tears as Stormhawk placed a hand gently on his eldest child's dark hair.

 

“Mother…” Mikel paused and swallowed hard, “I mean, the Lady Sentara has been…dealt with…as requested.”

 

Again Mikel swallowed with great difficulty just before his father pulled him from the floor into a tight embrace. Unchecked tears slide silently down both males' faces as the moment seemed to drag into eternity.

 

“I'm sorry, my son, there was no other way,” the Lord told his son softly as he smoothed some of the unruly hair back from the boys forehead. For an instant, InuYasha saw only a sad, partially distraught little boy being comforted by his father and forgot all about the fact that that little boy and his father were greater creatures than any youkai he had ever faced.

 

“I know, but it lessens the pain none, Father,” Mikel replied equally as soft as he pulled away and wiped the moisture from his face. He made as if to rise, but Stormhawk motioned him to a chair just off to his left and Mikel nodded once before taking the proffered seat.

 

InuYasha came back to himself and sat up a little straighter as he cleared his throat. Everyone's attention swiveled to him and he had to fight down the urge to shrink back in his seat slightly. He hadn't expected everyone to look at him so expectantly. Mentally puffing himself up, he cleared his throat again.

 

“What's happened?” InuYasha demanded. “Who is this `Lady Sentara' and what's happened to her? Is there something we can do to help?”

 

The answer came from an unexpected quarter as a soft, weak feminine voice came from the direction of the French doors.

 

“She's our mother….and she's dead.”

 

Mikel and Stormhawk were on their feet in an instant and the others could only stare at the semi-transparent girl child that stood before the closed doors.

 

Her pink and blue locks were pulled into high pigtails and her face sparkled slightly as if she were dusted with glitter. She had a combination of facial markings, a single stripe under her right eye with five tiny stars underlying it. Bright blue dog ears adorned her head and they caught a glimpse of hot pink claws as she reached up a hand to scratch one. Her clothes were undeterminable as they saw more of the door behind her than of her body. Sesshomaru decided she could not be much older than his ward.

 

“She is dead,” the girl said again taking a step forward. “The disloyal bitch deserves no less.” The girl reached out a hand towards the man that was obviously her father as glistening tears pooled in her bright lilac colored eyes and then slid down her cheeks. “Daddy…” she whimpered softly, “Daddy, I have to go now. I'm sorry…tell them that I love them all…”

 

And then she was gone. In the moment it took Lord Stormhawk to fall to his knees with an anguished gasp, she faded into nothingness. As quickly as an indrawn breath she was simply gone, leaving the occupants of the room startled.

 

“Take them back to their rooms, Son,” Lord Stormhawk whispered roughly. His eyes were wide and unseeing as his pain etched itself across his face; his hands still reaching for the girl that was no longer there as he rested on his knees on the hard wooden floor. “Just take them elsewhere. I require some time alone…”

 

Mikel's eyes where void of emotion as he escorted the others from the library, but InuYasha caught the Lord's last tear-filled words:

 

“My sweet Crystal…I'm so sorry my baby girl…”

 

The doors swung shut and he heard to no more as he quickened his pace to catch up to the group. What is going on? he wondered, unknowing he would have his answer very shortly.

 

***************************************************************** ******

 

Author's Note: Well I had planned on making this longer, but it's not going to happen this chapter. Sorry everyone. I'm doing the prophecy and some background info in the next chapter. So for those of you that have been waiting on edge to find out about what Kagome is, it's coming up.

 

Review Responses:

 

Thanks to all that reviewed. I'd do individual comments, but I don't know how far back I need to go. I keep all the alerts from mm.org in my outlook mail, but I recently reformatted my computer and lost my archive. Silly me! Thanks to the FFARG reviews, I'm working on fixing that stuff. I'm also on the hunt for a new beta because I have a hard time editing my own work, for obvious reasons, and because I need someone to help me catch when I jump between verb tenses. I can be such a dolt about that. Again many thanks for the wonderful reviews and suggestions. If anyone is looking for a good story to read while you're waiting for me to update, I recommend xbitternessx and WhisperingWolf. Now I'm off to email my mailing list, play some pool, and work on the other story. Enjoy!