InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Sage ❯ The Effects of the Dark ( Chapter 25 )

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A/N: Anywho on with the chapter *hands out popcorn*

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~LIME WARNING~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Chapter Twenty-Five

The Effects of the Dark

 

Kagome sat quietly in the passenger seat of Sorano's Carrera GT as they drove towards Tower Recording. A lot seemed to have happened over the last week or so. Her and Inuyasha were mates and that meant that Inuyasha was a LOT more protective over her then usual. Which was saying a lot because he was already very protective of her. She couldn't even get around to classes anymore without him trying to kill every guy that happened to glance in her direction. Not to mention that trying to tell him to knock it off was like talking to a brick wall.

 

And then there was the Shikon no Tama that she had to carry on her at all times. It was beginning to get on her nerves. Though Inuyasha did say that it looked beautiful on her she didn't really like the attention that it was bringing. All the youkai and hanyou in the school would look at her funny and some of them would walk right over to her and then when Inuyasha asked what they were doing they seemed to come out of some sort of trance. The worst part of carrying the Shikon no Tama was the fact that her miko had increased dramatically. Her arrows and kekkai were even starting to get to powerful for Sorano to pass through unharmed.

 

Sorano. The youkai beside her. Kagome glanced at Sorano and frowned. Sorano had been quiet for the last five or six days. She was very happy to hear the next morning that her and Inuyasha were now mates but then later that day she went to the United Alliance and Sorano hadn't been the same since. She was getting a little thinner, which was strange for a youkai who didn't need to eat to keep her body going, on top of the that she was getting paler and her youki was always so low. Something was wrong and even Sesshomaru knew that.

 

~~~~~~~

 

Kagome was sitting under the Goshinboku while the others looked around the shrine. They had never been there during the day and since Kagome grew up there she didn't feel the need to tag along. So instead she was enjoying a peaceful moment under Goshinboku. After all they would be heading back to school after taking a few days off for her to get used to the Shikon no Tama. Kagome reached into her shirt and pulled out the Tama. It was glistening and shimmering happily in the mid-day sun.

 

Kagome sighed to herself as she stared into the depths of the Shikon no Tama. Sorano had down right refused to allow Kagome to go to the United Alliance to check in with Kaeda. She had said that since Kagome couldn't control the fluxes of the Tama she was not to go anywhere where there were many youkai and hanyou. Instead Sorano had been going to the Alliance everyday for the last three days to check in with Kaeda and attend to `Elite' business.

 

Kagome knitted her eyebrows as she torn her gaze away from the Shikon no Tama and looked into the many boughs of the God Tree. Sorano had been acting weird the last couple of days and she wouldn't tell anyone her reasons. She said that she had a lot on her mind and the others left it at that but Kagome knew better. There was something wrong with her and she needed to tell someone.

 

Kagome glanced around the grounds and spotted Inuyasha and Miroku laughing as they read all the preys that had been left at the Shrine. Kagome would have stopped them but since the shrine had closed down there were no miko or houshi to pray to the Kami-sama for those preys. Kagome looked around and couldn't see Sango anywhere but she figured that Sango and Rin were off in the woods behind the shrine as it was perfect place for Kirara to play.

 

Kagome gasped as suddenly a shadow fell over her. “Sesshomaru don't scare people like that. You know you need to make some kind of noise when you walk.”

 

Sesshomaru didn't say anything as he took a seat beside Kagome and stared off into the boughs of Goshinboku. Kagome cocked an eyebrow at Sesshomaru but if he was happy just sitting in silence then so was she.

 

They sat for what seemed like hours. Both of them staring off and sitting in complete silence. Kagome was never good at just sitting there not talking when someone was sitting with her. It was almost killing her not to say anything. But Sesshomaru wasn't the type to talk or show emotion. How Sorano and Sesshomaru ended up together was still beyond her. Not to mention that Sorano said that Sesshomaru is usually the one that does all the talking. `I guess he just likes to talk to her. I mean we have been sitting here forever and he still hasn't said anything. Of course if he did all of a sudden make a fast movement I would probably end up purifying him'

 

“How close are you and Sorano?”

 

Kagome jumped as Sesshomaru finally spoke, “I guess you could say that we are really close. Of course not a close as her and Rin but I think of her as an older sister. Why?”

 

Sesshomaru didn't move his gaze from the sky as he spoke again, “Has she been acting differently?”

 

`I think this is the longest I have every spoken with Sesshomaru.' Kagome pulled her knees into her chest and hugged them tightly, “I guess she has. I mean she is a lot paler then usual.”

 

Sesshomaru looked straight forward and, to Kagome's utter surprise, he continued speaking, “She will not talk with me anymore and every time I look into her eyes there is an unknown emotion there.”

 

Kagome tilted her head to get a better look at him, “Unknown emotion?”

 

Sesshomaru's looked at Kagome out of the corner of his eye quickly before turning his attention back to the empty grounds, “I believe that it is guilt. She will no longer talk with me.”

 

“WHAT?!”

 

Sesshomaru glanced at Kagome's outburst and Kagome felt her cheeks warming in embarrassment. Kagome mouthed her apology and Sesshomaru continued, “She does not want us to go to the United Alliance but every time she returns there is something amiss. I was hoping that she would have talked to you about it.”

 

Kagome glanced down at her shoes, “Sorano has never been one to talk about things that truly upset her or things that are very emotional. She likes to be left alone when that happens. She closes herself off and hopes that no one will notice. But she will not talk about it, not even to Rin. I'm sorry Sesshomaru that I am of no help to you. But I can tell you that she will work it out and then she will be all right. She just needs space.”

 

Suddenly Kagome felt a little gust of wind and when she glanced in the direction that it came from she found that Sesshomaru had stood up and walked off without so much as a good-bye.

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

Kagome drew herself from her memory as she felt the car slowing down. They finally hit a red light. Kagome licked her lips as she stared at Sorano. Kagome could tell that Sorano was trying very hard not to look in her direction.

 

“Sorano?” Sorano didn't look at her or make any other movement that she heard her. Kagome licked her lips again nervously as she spoke again but this time a little bit louder, “Sorano!?”

 

Sorano glanced at Kagome before she looked back at the light. Kagome bit her lip. Sorano looked so tired. It was strange and a little scary to see Sorano look so weak. Her eyes no longer glistened with energy instead they were starting to dull and looked more grey then silver.

 

“Hai Kagome?”

 

Kagome shook her head as she remembered that she was just staring at her blankly, “Are you okay? I mean you haven't been yourself lately. Is there anything wrong at work?”

 

Kagome saw Sorano grip the steering wheel a little tighter but her voice was still even and calm, “There is nothing to worry about Kagome. I am perfectly all right. Now remember what we talked about earlier.”

 

Kagome nodded her head, “Hai. I am to go straight to Kaeda's office. I am not to stop and talk with anyone. Inuyasha and other's will all be going to Rin's office to study the new files on Mystic and you are going to come with me to Kaeda's.”

 

Sorano loosened her grip on the wheel, “That's right. Kaeda is the oldest miko that I know to still be alive. I am hoping that she is willing to teach you how to make sure that no one will be able to sense the Shikon no Tama on you. I am unable to teach that myself,” The light turned green and Sorano shifted quickly to get back up to speed, “She will also hopefully tell you about the fortune of the Higurashi.”

 

Kagome sighed. Yet another thing that my ancients did that others wish to have. Why couldn't I be born to a normal family that isn't full of mystery and murder? Kagome looked at Sorano and saw that she was no longer in the talking mood. There was differently something up and Kagome was going to find out if it was last thing that she did.

 

***

 

Inuyasha drummed his claws on the highly polished oak desk. They had arrived at the Headquarters about fifteen minutes after Kagome. This alone pissed Inuyasha off more then anything. He didn't have clearance to the top levels of the Alliance therefore making it impossible to get to Kagome. Inuyasha smirked to himself as he thought about Kagome. However this was shortly lived as Miroku thumped him on the back.

 

“Ah to be in love.” Inuyasha growled at Miroku.

 

“Shut it Monk!” Miroku held up his hands and went back to his studies. The guys were all to be studying because they were getting ready to take their entrance exam. Inuyasha thought that this was a bunch of bullshit. He didn't really care that he had to know all the rules and regulations or the dynamics of the nano-tech or all the clearance levels. He just wanted to be with Kagome. She was his mate and the fact that Sorano had driven her to the United Alliance and was with her right now was driving his youkai blood crazy.

 

Inuyasha was vaguely aware that Rin was leaning over him as she looked over the book that he was reading. “Uhmm Inuyasha?”

 

Inuyasha sighed as he leaned back in his chair and glanced over his shoulder at her. “Yeah?”

 

“You know that your test in a few days right?”

 

Inuyasha could already feel the vein in his forehead twitching, “Yeah.”

 

“Well then I guess I should tell you that you answered questions five, nine and eleven wrong. The test is a one shot thing. If you don't get a ninety percent on the test or better you are dismissed from the Alliance and your memory will be modified.”

 

Inuyasha glanced down at his work and sighed. He was thinking about Kagome on those three questions and did in fact answer them completely wrong. Inuyasha grabbed the white out and started to work on getting rid of his errors. Fucking organization that wants the people to take a fucking test to get in. And if you do poorly they get rid of you.

 

Sango sighed and stretched as she looked up from the file that she was reading. “I really hate reading files. I swear that is what we do half the time. I'm going down to the gym. Maybe there will be someone there that will want to spar.”

 

Rin giggled, “Yeah like there is going to be anyone stupid enough to want to spar with you. Taijiya you pretty much kill your opponents and other then new recruits there isn't a person here that would fight with you.”

 

Inuyasha threw his pen down and grinned at Sango, “I'll spar with you Sango.”

 

Sango grinned, “Yeah?”

 

Inuyasha flashed his fangs as he grinned back, “Yeah this is boring me to death. Just lead the way.”

 

***

 

Sorano was vaguely aware of what was going on around her. They had arrived at the Headquarters with no problems but just being in the building was making her on edge. Why did this have to happen now? I did not need any of this! Everything was starting to make sense and then he had to show up. Sorano sat in the corner of Kaeda's office dreading what she needed to do. Of course none of the others knew exactly what she was dealing with but the effects were starting to show. Sorano herself didn't even know how much longer she was going to last.

 

Sorano jumped slightly as she felt a pulse of miko coming from the two in the room that she was to be watching. She needed to be here for what they were doing with their miko because Kagome was a member of her team. If she weren't present for Kagome's miko changing then she would get injured in the field. Of course that meant that she was to be paying attention, which she wasn't.

 

Kagome and Kaeda were both sitting across from each other with their eyes closed and muttering a sutra under their breaths. They had been that way for over twenty minutes and just now they looked like they were making some progress. Kagome's miko was glowing the minute she started the sutra but, since Kaeda didn't really need to use her miko, she took a lot longer to call upon it. Sorano sighed as she continued to watch. The air in the room was becoming thicker and it was getting harder and harder to breath.

 

Then suddenly it all stopped. Sorano felt even more weakened but at least she had managed to keep her youki in check. The whole time she had to stop herself from attacking the two of them because the miko in the room was trying very hard to purify her. Sorano sat up as Kagome and Kaeda both opened their eyes and looked at one another. Kagome was sweating slightly but Kaeda looked perfectly fine.

 

“Well child how do you feel?”

 

Kagome raised her hands and flexed them before herself; “I feel a little weak but somewhere deep down I feel great. It is as if something has been lifted from my very soul. The Shikon no Tama doesn't feel like it is controlling me. It feels like the other way around.”

 

Kaeda smiled as she rested her head in hands, “That is very good to hear. Now Miko remember that the Shikon no Tama will be attracting a lot of unwanted attention. I fear that the attention will also be coming from within the Alliance. You must let the Shikon no Tama tell you what you need to do. Your ancestors listened to the call from within the Tama and they were able to keep it safe for many, many years.

 

`Also remember that now that you are mated it will be even harder to listen to the Tama when it comes to Inuyasha. Inuyasha is a hanyou so the call of his youki to the Tama will not be as high. And since the two of you are now one the Tama will not feel that he is a threat to its protection. In other words the Tama will be calling to Inuyasha like it calls to you. You will need to inform Inuyasha of these things so that he can be ready and can call off his youki if need be.”

 

Kagome grasped the Shikon no Tama in her hand as she nodded to everything that Kaeda had said to her. Great now Inuyasha is going to be one of the baka that are going to be coming after Kagome. Just what I need. I have to protect Kagome but how do I protect her from Inuyasha when youkai law states that he has the right to do as he pleases with his mate and no one can tell him what he can and cannot do when it comes to her. I don't really care about the youkai laws but just the thought that Inuyasha could call upon the law is enough to chill me right to my very core.

 

Sorano quietly stood up and walked towards the door. She had matters to attend to all her own and she knew that Kaeda needed to talk to Kagome about the Higurashi Fortune. Sorano reached the door and was about to turn the handle when a voice behind her called out, “Sorano you're leaving?!”

 

Sorano glanced over her shoulder at Kagome and smiled, “Hai. I do not think that is necessary for me to stay any longer. After all, you and Kaeda still have a lot to talk about and now that the bonding is complete I am no longer needed to be within the room. I will not be long. I have matters to attend to now. Ja ne.” With that said Sorano turned around, opened the door, and started her slow trek down the corridor.

 

An uneasy feeling was starting to form in her stomach as she neared the Elite Office. She wanted to enter that room as much as she wanted a hole in the head. It had been the same all week. She had entered the office on the soul fact of finding Suzuki to talk with her before she left and let her know what was going on but every time she entered the room she was greeted by none other then Duane. Duane. Just the thought of him was making Sorano feel weak.

 

How could Kaeda bring in a youkai like him when she knows that I am a light youkai? Does she really think that we would get along? Did she think that she was setting us up because our power balances each other? Kaeda no baka if she thought that! Light youkai bond best with dark objects not dark youkai!

 

Sorano stopped outside the office and stared at the door. She didn't really want to go in there but if she called Central Command to locate Suzuki they would ask a million and one questions as to way she was trying to contact her in the first place. Plus when she said it was because she wanted to say good-bye they would think that she was going to challenge Suzuki. I know that I am not ready to challenge Suzuki and the more that I have been thinking about it the more I don't think that I want the job of Head Elite. School is already taking a lot of my time and that doesn't even count the time for homework, writing music, recording, touring, performing, outings with the band, autographs, then the assignments.

 

No, there was no way that she was going to be able to do it. She needed to get her life in order and now that she remembered who she really was there was no way that she was going to add on the fact that if she became the new Head Elite that would mean that she was in charge of everything at the Japanese Alliance. She would only answer to Kaeda and her alone.

 

Sorano jumped back as suddenly the door to the Elite Office slid open. A loud hiss and a near hit to the head from a fist caused Sorano to almost loss her balance. “What the fuck Sorano!!”

 

Sorano focused on the figure in front of her and smiled, “I was hoping to find you here tonight Suzuki.”

 

Suzuki crossed her arms and glared at Sorano, “Yeah well you should have just come in instead of standing outside the door like some kind of poor attacker. Come on in and we can talk.” Suzuki didn't even wait for a reply as she turned on her heel and headed back into the office. Sorano smiled as she followed in after her.

 

***

 

Kagome felt in a lot better spirits as she left Kaeda's office ten minutes later. Of course Kaeda didn't really know anything about the Higurashi Fortune but she did give Kagome the scroll that her Jii-chan had left with her. Kagome could feel her Jii-chan's aura swirling within the tightly coiled scroll. It was like having her Jii-chan with her again.

 

Kagome walked down the hall and stopped outside the Central Command Office. She giggled softly to herself as she stared at the door. The guys thought that they were in an all-cleared level when they arrived and that meant that Inuyasha wasn't going to try and find her but little did he know that she was only down the hall from him. Of course she didn't like the idea of lying but the last thing she needed was Inuyasha bursting in thinking that she was in trouble or something when her miko spiked.

 

Trying to send Inuyasha a message through their bond and pray was a lot of work but at least she thought that she had done it. At least letting him know that she was indeed okay was better then him going nuts around the others. Kagome placed her hand on the I.D. pad and it flashed to life as it opened the door.

 

“Nani?” Kagome walked into the room and found that it was completely empty. I wasn't gone that long was I? I mean it did feel that I was in there forever but I think Kaeda said that I had been with her only about half an hour. I wonder where they all went? Kagome's thought were answered, as she got closer to the table and noticed that there was note on Rin's desk.

 

Kagome,

Sango and Inuyasha decided that they were going to spar. We are all in training room four. When you get this note we will probably be still down there. Hope your meeting with Kaeda was fun.

Hugs,

Rin

 

Kagome smiled to herself as she turned around and left the office. So Sango has finally met someone that is going to fight her on her own turf. I have to see this. I hope that they just don't end up killing each other. Two stubborn fighters going at it will have the whole Alliance talking. Kagome left the office and headed to the elevators. A small smile playing across her face as she walked.

 

***

 

Sorano and Suzuki were enjoying each other's company. They had been talking about Suzuki's transfer to Russia and what that meant for the Japanese Alliance. Of course Sorano knew that Suzuki was mostly trying to convince her to become the new Head but that was a battle that Suzuki was losing and Sorano just smiled at the frustrated look on her face.

 

“Sorano I mean it. Once I leave for Russia the United Alliance here will be without a Head of the Elites. I can think of no one better then you.”

 

Sorano crossed her legs and smiled softly at Suzuki, “I know that I will not be able to handle the new work load to the best of my abilities and that, to me, is wrong. The next Head will need to be someone that can devote all their time and energy to the Elites and I know for a fact that I will not be able to do such a thing. I am truly sorry Suzuki.”

 

Suzuki hissed out in frustration, “Your more stubborn then a mule youkai you know that Sorano. You are needed and I know that Kaeda isn't thinking of anyone other then you to become the new Head. Even the new guy Duane thinks that you will make an excellent knew Head.”

 

Sorano felt her youki rising at the mere mention of his name. “We will not talk about Duane. I do not like him and I will not become the Head of the Elites. I am, again, sorry Suzuki. I have to much to worry about now.”

 

Suzuki huffed as she stood up and walked to the door. Just before she exited she looked over her shoulder, “Sorano you have the power, intelligence, and experience to become the next Head. I just wish that you would do it. No one will become the next Head Elite unless it is you. I will come and find you before I leave for Russia. Ja ne.”

 

Sorano made to reply but Suzuki had left the office without another glance. Sorano sighed and rubbed her temple. Youkai don't really get headaches but it just felt like a good thing to do when she was frustrated. How long she sat there Sorano didn't know. Once Sorano felt that she was able to, she stood up and started her walk towards the office doors.

 

Well this night isn't going that badly. I haven't run into Duane and if I can get away without seeing him tonight I will finally be able to regain my lost strength. I am tired of having all the others looking at me with worried expressions. Sorano stopped just before the doors and glanced over her shoulder. It wouldn't be to bad governing over the Elites. It is something that Suzuki has been training me to do. But could I really actually give it my full attention?

 

Sorano heard the door slide open and, without looking forward, she walked through the door only to walk into something solid. Sorano felt herself falling backwards but then suddenly two arms wrapped around her and she was pulled flush up against someone. Sorano didn't need to look at the person to know who it was. She could instantly feel her youki fighting with the person.

 

“I was hoping to catch you tonight my Sorano.”

 

Sorano growled as she turned around and faced the one person that she was hoping above anything else not to see. Silver eyes met emerald green. “I am not yours Duane. Now release me. I have somewhere that I need to be.” Again Sorano felt her youki trying to push at Duane's but his was just wrapping around it and pulling her closer.

 

Sorano felt her knees weakening as Duane held her flush against him. His youki was flaring about him as he marched, with Sorano still flush against him, back into the office. Sorano watched in frustration as the doors once again slid closed. Though try as she might she was getting too weak to stop his advances. He wasn't fighting with his youki to leave her alone where she was, thus making her the weaker of the two.

 

“I can assure you Sorano you will be mine. Kaeda knew what she was doing when she asked me to come to Japan. I couldn't even fathom how powerful you were and your file picture doesn't do your beauty justice.” Sorano felt her thighs hit against one of the many desks.

 

“Kaeda did not know what she was doing with inviting you here. I can see her inviting you because, as your file says, you're an excellent Elite and the fact that we will be down an Elite when Suzuki leaves. Now I say again, release me!” Sorano pushed against Duane's chest but it didn't make a difference. He was holding her too tightly for her to make much of a stand.

 

Sorano flinched as Duane started to run his hands up and down her back. She could feel his youki filling the area around her as her vision began to blur. No! Why is this happening?! How I wish this was daylight and I could make a better stand. Sorano blinked hard trying to clear her vision. Suddenly she felt a hot breath on the side of her neck and froze.

 

“Sorano tonight I will make you mine. I do not care that you smell of another. I can tell that his scent is old. You have not let him touch since I have been courting you. I know that you want me. Your youki is joining mine. We will be together.”

 

Sorano bit her lip hard as she felt Duane's lip lightly touch her neck. No! What?! Why can't I yell out? Why can't I use my voice?! Sorano felt her hands slid from Duane's chest as he started to nibble on the tender flesh of her neck. It was as if she was paralysed. She was watching this all happen from outside her body.

 

Duane wrapped one arm securely around her waist as he ran his other hand across her hip and to her stomach. Sorano grasped as Duane licked from her neck to her ear. Stop! For Kami-sama's sake Duane stop! Sorano was vaguely aware that her arms had fallen limply to her sides and hit the desk. Duane ran his hand up her chest and started to pull off her jacket.

 

Sorano felt like she was is a nightmare. There and yet not there at the same time. She could feel everything that Duane was doing but was powerless to stop him. His youki was too tightly wrapped around her that her own youki was but a shimmering twinkling spec in her mind's eye. Sorano felt her jacket fall from her shoulders and land with a soft thump to the ground.

 

Sorano stood stack still as Duane pulled back and looked into her eyes. “Ah I see that my youki finally has you. Soon you and I will be mates. We balance each other Sorano and soon you will see why it is that we are meant to be together.”

 

Sorano screamed out in her mind for someone for anyone to come and stop this madness. She was going to becomes mates with someone that she didn't care about; someone that she didn't love. Duane leaned down and captured her lips in a bruising kiss. She could feel his tongue forcing its way into her mouth and tasting all of her.

 

Sorano gasped as Duane roughly grabbed her breast and started to knead it and weigh it in his palm. Duane finally released her mouth and grinned down at the defenceless youkai. Sorano could see the look of utter lust and desire shining in his emerald green eyes. Suddenly he reached around her and grabbed her buttock and lifted her into the air. Without the ability to move she felt herself fall backwards and land hard on her back on the desk.

 

Duane pushed her legs apart and positioned himself between them. All Sorano could really see was the ceiling but his youki was sending her a clear message. He was going to claim her. He was going to mate with her even though she was not willing to do so. Duane placed a clawed finger at the collar of her shirt and with a quick slicing motion split her shirt open from the collar to the buckle of her skirt.

 

Sorano felt the cold air of the room on her bare flesh as Duane pushed the tore clothing from her chest. She was powerless and didn't like it at all. She could feel the hungry stare that Duane was giving her though she could not see it. Sorano felt a hot wet streak run down her temple as Duane grabbed her breasts and pinched her nipples through the silver lace of her bra.

 

Sesshomaru! Please make this stop! I need you to make this stop! Sorano silently screamed as she felt Duane clamp onto her lace covered breast with his hot wet mouth. Sorano squeezed her eyes closed and called out repeatedly to Sesshomaru. The one person that she knew would make this nightmare end. The one person that she knew that she cared deeply about. The one person that she loved with everything within her. Sorano was surrounded by darkness. She refused to believe what was happening to her. The tiny glimmer of light that was her youki faded as the effects of the dark consumed her.

 

***