InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Together Forever ❯ Tainted? ( Chapter 27 )

Chapter Twenty-seven: Tainted?

Kagome was making dinner when Ares returned, they has all decided to get to sleep early, all of them tired both mentally and physically. As they all lay down, Inuyasha went over to Kagome, laying down beside her and wrapping his arms around her waist. "You sure you're ok?" Kagome sighed and moved so that she could see him more clearly. "Yes, I'm fine. Are you going to stay here, or in a tree?" His eyes darkened slightly. "I'm going to keep watch in the tree for a while, then I'll lay with you." She nodded as he stood, watching his form in the dying light of the sun as he jumped from branch to branch, then settled upon a large one in the tallest tree. Kagome sighed, laying down, wrapping her arms around Shippo; deciding to nap before going to meet Sakura.

Kinjya pushed a branch aside, her eyes scanning the forest around her. He's here somewhere close by. She thought to herself, sniffing at the air with her sensitive nose. She smirked devilishly, finding the scent she wanted. "Now; it's time for the chase." She whispered, taking off at a full out run towards the scent of her prey. The trees blurred together as she ran, her eyes letting her see easily in the darkness of the almost pitch black night. Her claws extended from her finger tips; deadly sharp, her fangs becoming longer and sharper, her long and sleek black tail unwrapping from around her waist and slipping through the small slit in the back of her dress, and her blue eyes began to change slowly becoming red with her youkai blood; she was ready to hunt.

Anna felt the shift in her friend's ki and shook her head sadly. Whoever she was hunting would die without question. She looked up, the full moons light spilling down upon the world around her, but she stood in the shadows, knowing better than to leave the safety of it's darkness at the moment. "Soon….it will begin soon." She whispered, holding her hand out before her, palm up. A ball of silver seemed to form there from nothingness, but it actually was power from the spirits around her. This was one of her greatest gifts; to call upon the power of the spirits of the physical plain. Within this "ball" she could see anyone she wished; seeing what they did, hear their every thought if she so whished, and hear their every word. As she gazed into the sphere she saw a girl wearing miko garb, with her black hair held back in a low ponytail make her way through a dark part of a cavern; then she disappeared; she had entered a barrier protected point. "So, that is the undead miko……"

Kagome jerked awake, a cold sweat covering her body. She didn't remember her dream, and obviously she didn't make any sound because Inuyasha was still in the tree. She smiled at him sadly; he was asleep. He really hadn't been resting well, even for a hanyou he wasn't sleeping enough. His ears were alert but he was sleeping soundly. Looking at her watch Kagome found she had half an hour till midnight. Perfect. She thought. She got up, dressing in her training outfit then making her way towards the stream three miles away, her quiver of arrows slung across her back, bow in hand, and a note left for Inuyasha incase he awoke.

"Meow." Kagome stopped jogging; looking around for the source of the cat-like mew she had heard. A fire neko with snow white fur and three tails, each baring 3 black rings circling the tip of the tails sat upon a fallen tree, watching Kagome with pale green eyes flecked with chocolate brown. "Are you my guide little one?" she asked. "Meow." It bowed its head, and then hopped from the log to a few feet away from her.

In a flash of fire it was fully transformed, the fire that was on its body was a bright burning crimson, orange, and gold fire that lit the way down the path and chased away the shadows. The fire neko lowered its upper body to the ground; inviting Kagome to ride. She went over to the neko with a sigh, cautiously looking around, then hoisting herself upon its back, holding on as it stood then took off at an almost perilous pace.

A few moments later they arrived at a small clear stream lined with small wild flowers and special herbs; herbs she was in need of replenishing. "Thank you for coming." "I'm curious as to why you called me out here; so far away from my mate, pup, and friends." Sakura came to stand by Kagome's side; both watching the stray petals and leaves from the trees float along in the air and touch the water softly, barely causing a ripple. "I haven't harmed you Kagome. I never intend to do so." "I know, but why all this secrecy?" "It isn't safe anymore, not now…."

"DIE!" the cry rang through the air as Kinjya closed in upon her prey. He was frantic, confused, tired, and scared. She smelt his fear; she could taste it in the air. She reveled in the heat that ran through her veins, her heart pounding in her chest; the sound of her prey's frantic heartbeat sounded in her ears. She broke into a clearing, finding the one she hunted gasping for breath. His coal black eyes widened and he looked around for a way to escape; running was futile. His flame red hair was a mess, sticking up in odd angles with bits of twigs and leaves poking out of the mass of tangles. "You dared to attack someone who is under protection of the Lady of the West; for that you shall be punished." Kinjya said, drawing a blade of black stone. "N-no! Plea-"his cry for mercy was cut short. He seemed to choke, going into a coughing fit as his lungs screamed for air and filled with his blood. "For those who show no mercy, I shall have no mercy. You betrayed her trust, the trust she gave you and your people." With that said Kinjya left the clearing, leaving the neko to his slow death; there would be no help for him now.

"You will finish it?" Anna nodded to Kinjya, making her way into the clearing. "Do not fail." "I never have." Anna replied, bowing her head, the stench of blood and the smell of a dying body attacking her nose with its putrid potency. "You have brought this upon yourself……" A small gurgling noise and a cough of blood met her words. "Kage; take him to the seventh level of hell." A black mist rose from the ground, forming a circle around the injured youkai. A creature both beautiful and soulless emerged from the mist, seemingly born from it. Black hair fell in straight strands to the ground, almost touching it, blank red eyes stared into nothingness, and a black dress scantly clothed the deathly pale yet shapely body.

Anna bowed her head, shielding her eyes from the darkness before her. She heard the sound of tearing flesh, blood hitting the ground, and a scream born of true pain and terror echoed through the darkness of night. A shiver ran down her back and she felt the dark power that had come with Kage leave. Looking up she cringed, the body was gone but blood littered the ground, seeping into the earth as the cry still echoed in her ears. She felt the presence of many small youkai, mindless killers; wanting to taste the fresh blood. Disgusting; they would even drink the blood of their brethren. She fled from the clearing then, tears pricking her eyes, her heart full of sorrow. No, she did not cry for the neko youkai nor the weaker youkai who now feasted upon the blood; she cried for those yet to suffer because of the curse placed upon them all; the curse of power; the curse of the Shikon no tama.

"What's happening?" Sakura looked up, watching Kagome's blue eyes darken as she felt the change in the air. "It seems that the punishment has been fulfilled." She answered. "Punishment?" Kagome's eyes held confusion. Sakura nodded. Such soulful eyes. She thought suddenly, smiling at the girl before her apologetically. "I can't explain." She said, standing. "Now, Kagome, miko of the Shikon no tama, mate of Inuyahsa the hanyou prince of the West; it is time for you to understand some things." Kagome blanched at the title. "How do you know-" "Come Kagome; I know more about you than anyone else." "How?" she was desperate to know; she felt helpless and lost. "You may not know; not now."

"Where in the hell do you get off telling me-" "Kagome; listen well! The darkness that fights you goes beyond Naraku! If you are not careful it will destroy you!" "What evil is greater than that bastard!?" Sakura froze, the look she gave Kagome chilling her to the bone, a tremor of fear making itself known. "Are you so blind to what tries at every moment to taint you?" "Taint me?" "It tries to consume your soul, to taint you with its evil; you already bare its curse.

Now she was scared, no, beyond scared; she was terrified. "You do know what I speak of, do you not?" Sakura asked her eyes the only thing seeable through the black robes and hood she wore. Kagome's hand flew to her neck, grasping the third of the jewel she possessed. "The Shikon no tama." She breathed hoarsely. "Yes a gift and curse. Its powers are unlimited, yet it taints all it touches with darkness and hate. Inside that jewel Midoriko the miko's soul still fights the evil youkai who is also trapped within the jewel. Why do you think so many wish to possess it?"

"For its power." "Yes, but what is it that draws them to that power?" Kagome pulled the jewel out from under her top and looked at it intently. It shimmered innocently in the moonlight but still she silently watched it with bated breath. For what she didn't know, but deep in her gut she had a feeling that told her to keep watching and she would understand. She felt it before she saw it; the feeling of cold sweeping through her body, then the jewel flashed, for only a split second, black. She almost believed she didn't really see it, but it was undeniable; she knew what she had seen.

"The youkai…...it's……still alive!?" "In a way; yes it is. If Naraku were to make a wish on the jewel evil would befall this world. You're not a normal human Kagome, nor is Inuyasha a normal hanyou. The jewel will keep trying to taint you, yet you're so pure that it can not do much against you." "Am I pure, even if I'm Inuyasha's mate? Does his youkai blood taint me?" Sakura's eyes became hard and glittered with rage. "To some degree, I suppose it does, but it all depends on you. How you control yourself. It is first the mind, then heart, then soul, which allows us to use our power, that is tainted. Inuyasha loves you and you him; it is a pure love."

"But it doesn't ensure that I couldn't harm him, or for that matter, anyone I love with my power, does it?" "No." "What if I loose control?" "Then you do. I can't tell you everything, but I will help you as much as I can." Kagome nodded, making her way towards the direction she had arrived from. "Kagome, Kikyo will try to kill you and take Inuyasha from you and down to hell; but do not worry, he is loyal to you. It is the others you should worry about, especially Shippo. Anyone who wants the Shikon will go for your strongest weakness; remember that." Sakura called over her shoulder as she made a shooing gesture towards the fire neko. "Watch over her for now Hoshi." The neko bowed her head slightly, then took off, following Kagome as she made her way through the forest, her head spinning with thoughts and a feeling of worry beginning to pit within her gut.

`You know love, you shouldn't reveal too much….' Suaru smirked as Sesshoumaru's slightly angry voice echoed within her mind. And you should trust me. She replied within her mind. `I do, but must you really go out? You're with pups!` Sesshoumaru, I told you what must be done, now please my mate, do not play this the wrong way. `I wont, now go!` Suaru sighed and made her way to the waters edge, watching as it rippled then settled once again as she dropped a single rose petal upon its surface. "Will she break?" she whispered to the wind, asking for their wisdom, she received no answer, the trees were silent, barely whispering, the energy around her was still; calm for once.

She sat upon the cold ground, listening to the cries of pain coming from the earth. It wept tears of blood for its children, and it died a little everyday. The amount was small, but the pain was forever there. Even now in this un-developed world, it was in pain. She could only imagine what it was like where Kagome came from.

She pulled her legs up to her chest, locking her arms around her knees, smiling wryly at herself as she realized she wouldn't be able to do it much longer. Her voice floated through the woods, and Kagome paused, listening intently, the words making her heart ache as she clutched the Shikon no tama through her clothes.

"The world cries as it dies, as the blood paints the ground red we fill our heads with lies. This life is pointless, making me broken and careless. And when the world begins to fade I shall watch with unshed tears, and while my heart breaks I won't hide from my fears. Standing against the darkest night; hoping again to see the light. So tell me wandering soul; do you miss the days of old,

when the world wasn't so dark, damp, and cold? Tell me wandering soul……." She stopped, shaking her head sadly. She made her way towards the West; to the many duties awaiting her.

Kagome felt a shift within herself as she entered the camp once more. Inuyasha hadn't awoken and she smiled at him softly. She put on her night clothes quickly then slipped into bed with Shippo, falling asleep the moment her head touched the small pillow she had gotten from home. "I will not be tainted…." She murmured as she slept, everyone unaware of the soft pink glow that encircled their camp, warding off the evils of night.

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Special Thanks: Thanks soooo much to: Orb, Meru, and everyone else who has reviewed, and a HUGE Special Thanks to: My muse and good friend KagomeReborn. She's the one making me update!

Note: I will state this now; The Suaru in the fic isn't me, I just like the name!

Kinjya belongs to my friend Koga, Anna to my friend Anna-chan, and Lia and Sae to AngelofDaimonds so ask them if you wanna use them. Suaru, Rath, Ares, Kenji, and others that will come in later belong to me or one of my friends; I'll let you know, so ask before using them!

Question for the reviewers: Ok, I'm thinking that after this fic is done I might do a fic of how Sesshoumaru and Suaru got together, sound good? Anyone want something like that? Let me know in a review or email to FadingMoonDragon@aol.com, thanks! Also, if anyone would like to chat about anything or ask me something directly feel free to IM SuaruChan or ElvenMiko, I'll be more than happy to speak with you!

Answers and replies: Orb: I'm glad you liked it, and yes I agree, Inu is cute! ^.^ *grumbles* I'm fighting the writers block….slowly….hopefully….might beat it after all…*sighs* - Meru: I'm glad you LOVE IT! Lol, and umm…*looks at you as you cheer* Uhhh…I forgot…oh yeah…ummm…..*big eyes* I hope you enjoy the rest of it, and yeah….*scoots away* So yeah….enjoy it and all that….. O.o ~ Thanks all ~

*~* Translations*~* Koi - Love (Koibito - Lover) ::: Koishii - Beloved ::: Oniisan - Big brother ::: Miko - Priestess ::: Youkai - demon ::: Kitsune - fox ::: Ai shiteru - I love you :: Kami - God ::: Nani - what ::: Gomen - Sorry ::: Arigato - Thank you ::: Kawaii - cute ::: Kowaii- Scary ::: Nee- chan: Big sister::: Taijiya - youkai exterminator ::: Houshi - priest/monk ::: hentai - pervert :: ako - my child ::: domo - thanks ::: Kaze no Kizu - wound of the wind (I think) :: Sore wa himitsu desu - It's a secret ::: Reisho - Thunder :: Kage - shadow :: Shinju - pearl :: Sango - Coral :: Kohaku - Amber :: Hoshi - Star :: Inu - dog :: Inuyasha - dog demon/daemon :: Sesshoumaru - (the) killing perfection :: Iie - no :: Imouto - little sister :: Shizu kani - shut up :: Ichi - one :: Demo - but ~ (That's all for now)