X-stasy

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha.

Chapter 12: -Rainbow-

Kagura used the back of her hand to wipe her eyes of the tears that seemed to stubbornly keep falling. She knew she had to report to Naraku on her progress of gaining Sesshoumaru's trust. She had to admit to herself she never thought it would have been so easy. But ever since she started to help Sesshoumaru with anything concerning Isane he had actually seemed to warm up to her. As outlandish as that may seem. A feeling of bitterness washed over Kagura as she thought of Isane, however. Why did that crazed woman seem to melt Sesshoumaru's heart of ice? How did she manage to make Sesshoumaru fall in love with her?

It just didn't make sense. Kagura had always imagined Sesshoumaru with a strong, powerful, and confident woman. But Isane...was weak, insecure, and even mentally unsound. At least in Kagura's opinion. She shook her head wondering if that saying really was true that love was blind. It certainly seemed that way after all. Had Sesshoumaru lost control of his senses to actually fall for such a woman? Kagura didn't understand Sesshoumaru at all. There was no logic in Sesshoumaru's attraction for the woman. He could do far better after all. He should have someone more like...more like her, she decided.

Kagura entered Naraku's throne room and was surprised with the scene that met her ruby gaze. Naraku was sitting casually upon his Blackwood throne while drumming the fingers of his left hand on the arm of the chair in an almost impatient manner. His form radiated poise and elegance. Kagura's eyes traveled over her 'father's' form, taking in his thick, wavy hair, those cold bloodred eyes of his, always lined in blue, the thin line that was his mouth. Had she even seen him smile? But what disturbed Kagura most about the scene were the globs of shadow that surrounded the floor at Naraku's feet.

Those globs seemed...alive. They were making gurgling noises as they approached the throne and soon began to come together and meld. Kagura's eyes traveled over to the nearby vaulted window and noted that the shadow creatures were coming in through there as if the window were actually open. They continued to mass together, merging, and assimilating into one creature of darkness. What in the hell was going on?

"You look surprised, daughter," Naraku drawled, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Kagura gathered her wits about her and went to kneel before her would-be Father. "I'm just surprised is all. I thought Sesshoumaru had destroyed your shadow completely." Kagura waved a hand nonchalant in the air dismissing her unrest. It wouldn't look good to appear upset that Naraku hadn't been defeated after all.

Naraku let lose a bark of laughter. "Oh, is that so? Well I'm afraid you're mistaken. Sesshoumaru managed to destroy quite a bit of my shadow, but not all of it. And so now here is the rest of it coming back to me, to become one with me once more. Just as you shall become one with me again should you ever seek to betray me."

Kagura swallowed a lump of fear that had formed in her throat. "I would never-"

Naraku raised a hand to silence her. "You have done well, Kagura. Now tell me how goes your mission?"

"It seems that Sesshoumaru is actually beginning to trust me."

"Good." Naraku's red eyes sparkled with mirth. He then looked down to see that his shadow was nearly intact. "Ah, it seems my shadow has something to say to me. What's that? Their fears? Oh, do tell. Mmmhmm. I see. How very interesting. So Isane fears the Tenseiga...I wonder why. After all, she is an immortal being. I must know if she truly fears the sword or just the master of the blade. And Sesshoumaru...fears a great many things! I'm surprised! He always acts so unconcerned when really he cares about a great many things. Now how to use their fears against them...to make their greatest fears a reality?" Naraku noticed that Kagura was carefully listening to every word he was saying. "I think it's about time to put part of my plan into action, daughter dear."

"Oh?" Kagura raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," Naraku reached into his sleeve and pulled out two objects that shimmered golden from the light the vaulted window was casting into the room. "I want you to give these two items to Sesshoumaru. Tell him that if he fears Isane will leave him then with these enchanted items he can make certain she'll never do so. The necklace is to be worn by Isane and the ring by him. Wait until the time is right. Understand?"

"I understand," Kagura replied taking the items from him. She gasped when she saw how stunning the necklace was. It was solid gold and heavy in her delicate hands. The chain itself was composed of small, golden feathers linked together. And the charm that the feathers supported took Kagura's breath away-shaped in gold was the image of the Goddess of the Sun, Huang, and in her hands she held the sun, which was actually a giant ruby. The detail was incredible down to the benign smile on Huang's face. The ring was more plain but not less beautiful. It was thick gold with small feathers that were etched in a pattern circling the ring. "And what of your promise?"

The corner of Naraku's mouth twitched. "Do not worry you shall have what you desire."

"So be it." Kagura's hand closed upon the two objects. 'Sesshoumaru...please forgive me for betraying your trust but if it means I can have you...I will do whatever Naraku asks of me. I'm so sorry.'

On Kagura's way out she noticed a figure half-hidden in the shadows. The youkai was dressed in robes of black, and was cloaked and hooded as well. It was a strange looking youkai with large bulging eyes, oily black hair, pointed ears, and a blue crescent moon on his forehead. He also held a staff in his hand of gnarled Blackwood that had a crescent moon symbol at the end made out of obsidian...

He looked liked some sort of demented Priest. Kagura decided.

Naraku turned his attention to the Dark Priest in the shadows. "Will they work?"

A grim smile formed on the pale face of the youkai. "Do you doubt the craftsmanship of a member of the Order of the Dark Moon, a Priest of Dark Feng?"

"Of course not." Naraku put a finger to his chin in thought. "I can't help but wonder why you are so willing to help me."

"I'm not helping you, I'm helping me." The youkai smiled widely revealing his yellow, crooked teeth.

ooo

Sesshoumaru wished he had strength enough to fly for about the hundredth time. But there was no use worrying about things he couldn't do anything about. Instead he poured the last of his energy into his speed as he and Isane fled out of the Forest of Death. The name of the accursed place rang in his head and he frowned. No, Isane wouldn't die there, he would see to that.

"Sesshoumaru..." Isane's weak voice came to his ears.

"Save your strength," Sesshoumaru scolded more harshly than he intended. Surely, those would not be his last words to her.

"But...I'm sorry." Isane told him. Before he felt like his back was on fire. In fact it was on fire.

"Isane!" Sesshoumaru cried and could see light up ahead. They were almost out. It was just a little further. Sesshoumaru summoned the last of his yoki and Isane and himself went flying out of the forest.

Sesshoumaru landed face down on the dirt and turned to see what had become of his dear Isane. Sesshoumaru fought back a scream as he saw her ashes being scattered behind him as the flesh of her body was being burned away. She must have turned died just as they were leaving the forest. He hoped against hope that none of her ashes had been left behind in the Forest of Death.

Sesshoumaru blinked his eyes from the glare of the rising sun. He watched with baited breath as the sun's rays hit Isane's scattered ashes. Sesshoumaru couldn't take much more of this. He unsheathed the Tenseiga so he would know what was going on. Sesshoumaru let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding at the sight before him.

Dozens of worker-fairies were fluttering in the air around Isane's ashes. There had never been this many before and Sesshoumaru couldn't help but smile at the reinforcements that had been called by Isane's plight. He had never seen such a beautiful sight in his opinion. But perhaps it was only beautiful because of what it signified. The worker-fairies gracefully flew about gathering Isane's ashes into one place using their colorful butterfly-shaped wings to speed them on their way.

Their delicate, silvery-green bodies shimmered with magic and power. Their hair and wings were a myriad of colors of purples the color of lilacs, pinks the color of cheery blossoms, greens as green as freshly cut grass. They were otherworldly creatures that seemed human and demonic at the same time. They possessed features that were human such as a body, face, limbs, and hands, but also had slightly furry bodies, feelers for eyebrows, pointy ears, and small claws. They possessed a supernatural beauty indeed.

Soon the pile of gathered ashes was becoming moist and began to bubble. The worker-fairies proceeded on creating an image of Isane. And in moments a clay doll lay on the ground at his feet. He was then surprised when he saw one or two of the little faces look back at Sesshoumaru hesitantly. He also noticed that several of the fairies were shaking as if they were afraid. Sesshoumaru looked more closely and saw one of the fairies look at his sword and make a blessing. So they were afraid of his sword, well he wasn't about to impede them from helping his Isane.

Sesshoumaru quickly resheathed the sword trusting the worker-fairies to do their work. The clay doll before him began to harden and turn white. And suddenly it broke away to reveal the newly restored Isane. He wanted to rush to her. To pull her in his arms and kiss her all over her face, but knew he couldn't. She would be angered if he betrayed her trust and saw her face against her wishes. So instead Sesshoumaru watched as Isane replaced her Noh mask upon her face painfully slow before approaching her.

Sesshoumaru was surprised to note that InuYasha's haori had not been consumed in the flames of Isane's rebirth. He then remembered that it was made out of the skin of a fire rat youkai after all. He made a mental note of that and watched as Isane struggled to dress herself, he wanted to go help her, but once again his pride stopped him. His eyes never left her as she placed the Fenikkusu at her side once more.

"Isane..." Sesshoumaru began tentatively as he looked at her covered face. His eyes then widened when he realized the two strands of hair on either side of her face had remained white. "Are you alright? Are you fully healed Isane?"

Isane's body trembled but a small smile formed on the face of the Noh mask. "I've been fully healed."

"But your hair..."

Isane brought a hand to her hair to see what Sesshoumaru was taking about and rubbed a white lock between two fingers. "It seems...I am not to forget after all." It would have been asking too much for her to forget her Nightmare. No matter how much she loved Sesshoumaru she knew he would only ever hate her. It was her destiny to love and be hated in return. And her hair would only serve as a constant reminder of that fact it seemed.

Sesshoumaru wondered what she was talking about and remembered how Isane had seen him show such weakness back in the Forest of Death. She had seen him cry and even tremble with fear. His pride felt stung. But even so he still loved her. However, he also had not forgotten the Nightmares and his fears. He loved Isane with his entire being but was afraid to actually consummate that feeling. How could he do so without giving in to a side of his nature he simply abhorred and without being dishonorable?

All Sesshoumaru wanted to do was tell Isane how much he loved her. How he couldn't live without her. But because of his pride he could never do something so...weak. And so the two of them remained silent lost in their own morbid thoughts. So close and yet so far away from each other...

ooo

When InuYasha and the others finally came out from the Forest of Death they found Isane and Sesshoumaru in the same way. Silent, sitting across from each other, and unmoving.

Kouga was at Isane's side in an instant. "Isane...are you alright? Sesshoumaru didn't hurt you did he?"

Isane slowly looked back up at Kouga and his sincerely concerned expression. "No, of course not. I owe my life to him."

"Oh, I see." Kouga said his eyes flickering over to Sesshoumaru's still form. "Then I should thank him for taking care of you while I was away."

Sesshoumaru was about to give Kouga a piece of him mind when a small voice rang out interrupting him.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin's child voice was carried on the wind. She flung herself into Sesshoumaru's arms and he found himself embracing Rin back.

"Rin," Sesshoumaru breathed his voice thick with emotion. After those horrible Nightmares he was glad to see she was unharmed.

"Rin missed Sesshoumaru-sama! Are you alright?" Rin questioned looking up at Sesshoumaru her brown eyes shinning with tears.

"Rin...don't cry." Sesshoumaru let a small smile form on his lips. "I'm just fine. Isane gave me the power to defeat the Shadow Demon. I couldn't have done it without her." Sesshoumaru looked over at Isane briefly. He was surprised to see that her attention still seemed to be focused on him even when the wolf demon was continuing to chatter on about this and that. Sesshoumaru smiled when he realized she was in fact ignoring Kouga. Perhaps he was beginning to read Isane without having to see her face after all.

Well near death experiences always had a way of bringing people together. Just how he and Rin had become like father and daughter.

"Well, that's good to hear." InuYasha said, Kagome at his side.

"Yea, we were all really worried about you." Kagome ran a hand through her hair.

"So how did you manage to defeat the demon anyways?" Sango asked walking up next to Miroku, and placing her hand in his. She felt a slight blush tinge her cheeks as he closed his fingers and squeezed her hand in return.

Sesshoumaru lifted Rin's body into his arms so that he was cradling. "It was the power of..."

"Love." Isane finished for him.

"The power of love?" Miroku sounded amused. "Well that is quite the powerful force. Wouldn't you agree Sango?"

Sango just turned red as a beet.

"Lord Sesshoumaru!" came a squeaky little voice from across the field. It seemed that Sesshoumaru's retainer Jaken had returned. He was carrying a wrapped parcel in his arms, which was too big for him to handle. He soon tripped and the parcel went flying out of his arms and towards the group.

"Jaken," Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the toad youkai. He still hadn't forgotten how Rin was supposed to have been in his care and how he had said those things about Isane.

"My Lord!" Jaken approached and made a deep bow. "I have brought what you requested of me the last time."

"Oh?" Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow trying to remember what he had said.

"Yes," Jaken seemed irritated Sesshoumaru had forgotten. "The kimono for that-" Jaken coughed catching himself before he would have made an insult. "For the Lady Isane." Jaken still couldn't believe Sesshoumaru had wanted his mother's Kimono for what he considered to be nothing but a lowly, man-killing, whore.

"Well, Jaken it seems you've done something right for once." Sesshoumaru walked over with Rin still in his arms and Rin hopped down to unwrap the package exposing several gorgeous hand stitched kimono. Kagome and Sango couldn't help themselves from coming over and admiring their beauty. They were made of the finest materials, silks and satins, and thread of gold. They were fit for royalty and had been.

Isane seemed to want to go and see the kimono but was unsure. Luckily Kagome noticed and motioned for Isane to come on over. "Isane what are you doing just standing there like that. After all these kimono are for you!"

"Oh, right," Isane blushed underneath her mask. "Coming!"

Sesshoumaru watched as the women sorted through the kimono Jaken had brought and was so pleased he considered forgiving the little toad for his previous misconduct. His eyes wandered over to the wolf demon however and he was angered to see how his eyes were roving Isane's body. Oh, how he would enjoy killing that wolf if it wouldn't make Isane sad or angry. He would find no little pleasure in ripping Kouga's limbs off one by one. He had actually never hated anyone so much as he hated the wolf demon at that moment.

He was tiring of Kouga's interest in Isane and wondered if he should actually put his pride aside long enough to make it clear that Isane was his woman and no one else's. Sesshoumaru shook his head; there was no reason to go that far yet. When the time was right he decided he would mark Isane as his mate. He may put aside his emotionless mask for Isane, but he had no reason to do so with the others, and so his neutral expression was upon his face once again in no time. So much had changed and yet so little.

Soon Kagome, Sango, Rin and Isane left the boys to have Isane changed and ready. Sesshoumaru was glad since he was tiring of seeing Isane in his brother's haori. When she returned his breath hitched in his throat. She had chosen to wear a white kimono with a red flower pattern, and with a red obi belt tied about her waist. Her hair was once again styled childishly into two buns on either side of her head from which came two long ponytails. Two strands of white framed her face. She was so stunning. He wondered briefly why she had chosen to wear her 'forever child' hairstyle once more and found that he had liked the way her hair had looked down, it had been more feminine and womanly.

Nevertheless, she was still beautiful. She was simply gorgeous however she did her hair he decided with a small smile.

Soon his attention drifted back to the girls conversing...

"Rin wants to wear Rin's hair like that!" Rin exclaimed.

Isane was taken aback. "You want to style your hair like me?" She felt so nervous since she really was awful with children. They were usually afraid of her, freaked out by her enchanted face-shifting mask and crazed state of mind. And so they were rarely nice to her, some had even gone so far as to spit in her face, she had gotten used to it however. Isane was very surprised that Rin had taken a liking to her at all. And she still felt awkward with the little girl's attentions.

"Yep!" Rin broke out into one of her toothy grins.

Kagome gave Isane a assuring smile and Isane sighed. 'So be it.' Isane motioned for the girl-child to come over with her and Isane went about the task of styling Rin's hair tentatively. She was so nervous her hands were shaking. What was wrong with her?

Sesshoumaru's eyes never left Isane. And he also noticed how nervous she was and felt concerned. After all, she had no reason to be nervous around his little Rin. It was almost like she was afraid of Rin.

Isane slowly combed out the tangles in Rin's hair before beginning to gather half of it up and styling that part into a bun. She then let the rest cascade in a ponytail and began to start on the other side. Isane felt very out of place in such a role. She could never see herself as a mother, that was for sure. She was the forever child after all. She was also the Insane One. No she hadn't forgotten her true identity. Her time with Sesshoumaru and the others all seemed like a dream. A dream she never wanted to wake up from. Even through the worst of times she found her time spent with Sesshoumaru was the best in her life.

Isane felt a chill go down her spine. Sometime was on the horizon, she could feel it. Would this time she had enjoyed finally come to an end? It was all like a never-ending carnival to her...but a carnival comes and goes. Would it come back to her? Isane knew something was up. She used to have the ability to have visions of the future so perhaps her subconscious was trying to warn her of something that was going to happen. She supposed she'd just have to wait and find out.

Isane finished doing the girl-child's hair and felt her nervousness recede a bit when Rin smiled back at her in pure glee. Perhaps, the reason she was so uncomfortable around Rin was because of Sesshoumaru. Rin was like his daughter, and when she was in this sort of role...it was almost as if she were acting like the child's mother. But that role would never be filled by her. She just knew it. She would never be good enough to be Rin's mother. Or Sesshoumaru's love. Yes, that is why she felt so out of place. That and the fact children always unnerved her.

Sesshoumaru's eyes softened as he saw Isane's nervousness recede and take Rin into her lap. He sighed in contentment thinking of how Isane and Rin looked nice together almost like...Sesshoumaru shook his head. Why was he thinking such thoughts? But he couldn't help himself. He was beginning to think of Isane as his life-mate, and as Rin as his daughter...they could almost be a family. Sesshoumaru admitted that he would like that very much. Having come face to face with his only fears he realized losing the people he cared about mattered to him. He didn't want to lose Rin or Isane. He wanted them to be by his side forever.

Ever since Rin had come into his life he realized something surprising. He had a knack for dealing with the high responsibility of taking care of a child and had to admit that he enjoyed it. Sesshoumaru had always been alone after the people he had cared most about had all left him. Besides his retainer Jaken Sesshoumaru had rarely talked to anyone. But then Rin had come into his cold, and lonely life and brought light again. When he had seen her laying there dead, killed by wolves, with blood pouring around her she had looked so much like Haruna.

He couldn't bare to just leave her there because of it. If only he had had the Tenseiga when he was nine then he might have been able to save his child-love. But no he had failed her. The Nightmare had reminded him of that. And so Rin unexpectedly came into his life and before he knew it she was following him as if it had always been that way. At first Sesshoumaru was hesitant and sometimes thought about leaving her at some human village but found he couldn't abandon her. Abandoning Rin became the same as abandoning his treasured memory of Haruna. The only woman he thought he would ever love.

Until he met Isane that is. Funny how the only reason he had tolerated Isane's presence at the beginning was because she baffled him. She was a mystery, an enigma, which he had to solve. And yet he didn't really care so much about that any more. When had his feelings of curiosity and then possessiveness turned to love he wondered. It had all come upon him so suddenly. But he couldn't ignore it any longer-he did love Isane. But now he didn't know what the hell he was going to do about it. Would he try and court her? Try to make her fall in love with him in return? It had seemed she hated males greatly. It would be hard. But Sesshoumaru was up for the challenge. Even if he didn't know what he'd do exactly without his pride getting in the way.

He and Isane had been through so much but there was still so much between them. Sometimes he felt she was like the moon, and she was as far away as the earth. It wasn't only her mystery that alluded him-it was herself. She still hadn't shown him her face. When he was surprised to find himself putting aside his own mask before Isane. He was beginning to allow some emotion back into his life. He smiled when he mused about how similar they were on many levels and yet how completely different they were at the same time. What would become of them? Sesshoumaru also sensed that something was on the horizon.

And then there was Kouga. Sesshoumaru knew he was up to something. And didn't like that he had no idea at all what that was. Kouga's eyes never left Isane either. And his gaze was more calculating that admiring as it had been before.

ooo

Kouga had expressed his wishes to travel with Sesshoumaru, Isane, and the others in their quest to find and defeat Naraku. Sesshoumaru had wanted to be rid of the wolf demon but was unable to voice his opinion.

He stayed unnecessarily close to Isane Sesshoumaru thought and it took all of his willpower not to rip the wolf demon to shreds.

It seemed like a day just like any other day when it happened...

Sunset was approaching and Isane was going to take her leave of the others to have her privacy as she went through her dying and restoration process. Sesshoumaru wanted to accompany her but because of his pride he wouldn't show such concern and care for Isane in front of the others. Instead Sesshoumaru found himself lost in thought about past and his Nightmares...

Kouga smiled at his luck. Sesshoumaru was completely distracted by his dark thoughts and so wouldn't notice the wolf demon's sudden leave taking. Tonight was the night. It would be the night of the full moon and he was already cutting things pretty close. If he hadn't marked a new mate by the time the moon showed full in the sky he would lose his position as Lord of the Wolf Demon Tribes. And he couldn't possibly allow that to happen.

'Tonight is the night,' Kouga mused. 'The night I make Isane mine.'

He had planned everything down to the last detail. Nothing would go wrong, he was sure of it. He quickly and quietly snuck out of camp and began to follow Isane.

When Isane thought she was a good distance from the others she began to strip off the kimono that Sesshoumaru had given her since she didn't want it to be burned to ashes. She carefully folded the beautiful fabric running a hand over it and thinking of the man who had gifted it to her. She then laid the kimono aside with the Fenikkusu sword on top of it, followed by her obi belt. There she was ready. The sun was already sinking towards the horizon filling the sky with the colors of red and orange. It was beautiful but scary at the same time.

"Hello, my lady." Came a voice.

Isane gasped in surprise and turned around to see Kouga, who was leaning against a tree casually with a cocky grin on his face. He let his eyes blatantly wander over her naked form.

"Kouga?" Isane asked. "What are you doing here? I liked to be alone when I must face death at sunset. You know that. Why are you here?" Isane tried to keep the nervousness from her tone. She didn't want to show weakness not to this male. He couldn't know how weak she was after sun set right? That's not why he was here right? No, it couldn't be.

"Isane," Kouga said taking slow steps and beginning to approach her. He knew he had to play his cards right or else Isane might decide to send a fireball his way. "I just wanted to speak with you alone."

"You could have chosen another time," Isane spat.

"But it always seems Sesshoumaru is there hounding you. I really needed to speak with you. I hope you'll forgive me." Kouga gave her his most repentant look, his bottom lip pouted and she couldn't resist a smile.

"Well, what is it you wish to speak with me about?" Isane said in a rushed voice. Watching as the sun was getting ever closer to the horizon line.

"I wanted to speak with you once more about...my proposition of you becoming my mate."

"I thought I already made myself clear-"

Kouga had been closing the space between them and she hadn't realized how close he was until he placed his lips lightly on her neck. She was too surprised to react and simply let him kiss her.

When he pulled away she was slightly flushed.

"I'm sorry," Kouga said with a hand behind his head. "I just couldn't help myself. Every inch of your skin is precious so I just had to offer homage to your graceful neck."

"Kouga..."

"Isane please be my mate. I will be good to you, I swear it. Better than Sesshoumaru ever will be. He has a heart of ice...but I love you Isane."

"You love me?" Isane was feeling faint.

"Yes," Kouga placed both of his powerful hands on her arms. "Won't you unite your life with mine? Please. I offer you all I have once again. My heart, my soul, my body, and my position. Rule at my side Isane. I truly do love you."

Isane's head was spinning. But was Kouga the one meant for her and only her? She knew what the answer to that was. "Kouga...I'm so sorry."

Kouga looked back at Isane with cold and determined eyes. "So be it."

At that exact moment the sun had reached the horizon and Isane screamed in pain as she was engulfed in flames. Kouga simply watched with an emotionless expression upon his face. Soon Isane's body was being restored and in moments the clay began to break away to reveal the newly restored Isane, her body shaking from the aftereffects.

Isane reached her hand out for her fallen Noh mask, her crimson locks of hair cascading over her, and blocking her face from view. Her hand almost had grasped the mask until Kouga suddenly kicked the mask away from her.

"Not this time I'm afraid."

Trembling, she looked up at him, at his eyes that had never looked at her so coldly. She found that she was afraid. "Kouga...please give me my mask..."

"No." Kouga stalked over to her and lifted her up with one hand about her neck. Her locks of red hair still blocking her face from view as she hung her head in defeat. She had no power at her disposal. Kouga walked over and pressed Isane up against a tree lifting her two arms above her head and grasping her wrists with one hand pinning her there.

"Don't...you mustn't look at my face...only the one that is meant for me and only me can..." Isane pleaded.

Kouga simply ignored her. He pushed aside her long, waves of scarlet hair to reveal the curve of her neck. He then leaned over and sunk his teeth into the tender flesh there.

Isane gasped as pain shot through her entire body. Kouga's fangs pierced her skin and he drank of her blood. He had marked her as his mate. Kouga licked the remains of blood from her neck relishing the taste of her, sweet, and intoxicating. He smirked.

"You are mine now," Kouga declared.

"No," Isane chocked on a sob.

"Yes," Kouga declared. "I tried to do things the nice way Isane. But you wouldn't have it. Sesshoumaru hadn't marked you for his mate and I believe he never would have. Sesshoumaru is incapable of love. However, I love you. So in fact I've done you a favor. And now to see that pretty face of yours."

"No," Isane murmured as Kouga's hand pushed away her stream of hair from her face. His eyes looked upon her face and he consumed her. He took in her almond-shaped golden eyes, the beauty mark under her left eye like a tear, and her luscious red lips. They were such alluring lips. He pressed his lips hungrily to hers and thought he heard Isane whimper. This only spurred his desire and he pressed his lips harder against hers. "You are so beautiful." Kouga said looking at her.

"Kouga...please don't do this..." Isane begged.

"Ah, Isane but you're my mate now. And we must finish what we've started. It's a ritual, you see, and it hasn't even begun yet. It's time to make you mine completely." Kouga informed her. He then began to trace his tongue over her flesh, the curve of her neck, down to her cleavage...

He brought his head up to gaze into her lovely eyes again and saw that they had glazed over and almost looked lifeless as if her soul had vanished. Kouga shook his head. It was probably just his imagination. He was sure he'd be able to make Isane see the light sure enough and seduce her. He was determined to do so. He had to, he really had no choice. Desperation had made him come to this.

He began to run his hands over Isane's body and was pleased that he met with no resistance on her part. Perhaps, she had finally realized her place was at his side and not Sesshoumaru's.

He began to nibble on her ear and was surprised that it was round and humanlike. When he looked back into her eyes again he was shocked by what he saw. Tears were falling from her eyes that were no longer glazed over but alive, fiery, angry, defiant. He also noted her round pupil. Kouga gasped when he realized the secret Isane had been hiding all this time. She was human.

"Impudent male," Came a strange, otherworldly voice that sounded like Isane and not like her at the same time. It almost sounded like two voices overlapping one another.

"Isane?" Kouga questioned suddenly afraid. Isane's aura was getting stronger and soon a golden glow surrounded her. Kouga didn't know what was going on since Isane shouldn't have such power for several more minutes. And the look she was giving him...pierced him down to his very soul as if she could see right through him. The look had turned cruel, and merciless.

"The little bird has fled." The woman before him spoke and it was like the sound of bells chiming, birds singing, the sound of a crackling brook, the soundless sound of wind blowing through the trees, the sound of crickets chirping, children laughing, all at once. "The cat tried to consume the bird, showed its sharp claws, pierced her delicate heart, and frightened the poor little bird so that it flew away. Out of its golden cage and into the sky, far away. There she sings a song of sadness. She will not return until the one that is meant for her and only her finds her and brings her back."

"What the hell?" Kouga was bewildered. This woman before him...was not Isane. Her scent, her aura, and her yoki were all different, had changed.

The woman pointed a her slender finger at Kouga. "You are the big bad cat that has frightened the little bird away. You who forced the bird to show her face. You who tried to consume the bird's body. You who made her sing her song of sadness. You shall be punished. By the power of the Sun and the Moon it shall be so."

Kouga raised his hands in front of him, "Wait a minute. I didn't mean to-"

But that was as far as he got.

ooo

Sesshoumaru immediately knew something was wrong when he heard Kouga's blood curdling scream. Something was very, very wrong. Before the others could stop him he was off into the forest in search of Isane. He reached the clearing Isane had chosen in seconds but she was already gone. But there before him was Kouga...

He was suspended between two trees by vines that seemed to now possess a life of their own. Several of the silvery-green vines were wrapped around Kouga's arms and legs and some were even wrapped around his neck. They seemed to be constricting him and the vines about his neck were obviously left to strange him to death. His clothes had been ripped from his body, and his torso was covered in cuts and bruises. He was also bleeding from several wounds on his arms and legs that had obviously been made by a blade.

Sesshoumaru wanted to leave him there to die but then he wouldn't be able to find out what happened. Sesshoumaru simply used his spare sword to cut Kouga down, where he fell to the floor with a thud. Sesshoumaru grabbed Kouga about the neck and lifted him so that they were eye to eye. He was about to question Kouga when he noticed the stricken look upon the wolf demon's face, his pupils were dilated, and his expression was terrified. His whole body was trembling and Sesshoumaru realized that he was afraid. What could have scared the wolf demon so badly? Surely not Isane? But then did something or someone attack them?

"Kouga! What has happened here?" Sesshoumaru demanded.

Kouga looked past Sesshoumaru as if he weren't there. Sesshoumaru was about to try and use some persuasion when he noticed that Kouga's lips were moving. He was mumbling something but it was in a voice so low Sesshoumaru had to lean his head in to hear it.

"Please...don't...forgive me...goddess...Isane...my lady please! Light...so much light. My eyes...I can't see...blinded by magnificence. So bright...so beautiful...not from this world. Beyond...from a world beyond this one...gone...gone back to that world...back to heaven...back to the City in the Clouds...stepping stone to the heavens." Kouga's voice trembled.

Sesshoumaru threw the wolf demon from him disgusted. He was completely out of his wits for the time being. Something had really managed to give the wolf demon quite a scare. That only made him feel he had to find Isane as soon as possible. Something was very wrong and he wondered if this was what he had sensed on the horizon. Sesshoumaru set off flying through the air in search of his love. He just had to find her.

'Dammit! I really should put that woman in a cage! She seems to always be running away from me! Isane! Why? Why are you always running away from me! Don't you realize your place is at my side, forever? Isane...'

ooo

Kagura sped through the air on her feather marveling at the beautiful starry night it had become. It was a beautiful night indeed, the sky a velvety black, and a full moon shinning overhead tinged with red. And there in the sky, Kagura gasped, was the largest Lunar Rainbow she had ever seen. In fact, it was the only Lunar Rainbow she had ever witnessed. And Kagura remembered a verse from an ancient demon legends:

Blood red moon high in the sky

Light of the moon shed on high

Lunar power gleams so bright

Reveal the path with all thy might

Gateway of stars twinkles bright

Open thy doors for just one night

Fly on feathered wings of white

Tis quite the merry mortal sight

It was about how a lunar rainbow was thought to be a staircase to heaven one which the only the Gods and Goddesses themselves could use to descend to earth or ascend back into heaven. A gateway to heaven would be opened if such a thing were to occur. But it was just an ancient legend, a myth, Kagura mused, until she saw something out of the corner of her eye.

Wings of gold and red shimmered in the moonlight. Isane was flying through the air, stepping from treetop to treetop gracefully. It was like watching a dance. Isane was dressed in the white kimono with the red flower pattern Sesshoumaru had gifted her with, her red obi sash tying the Fenikkusu to her side. Her hair was down, and the moon's rays highlighted her white strands of hair, which hung on either side of her face. She was also radiating energy, golden and silver in color. She continued her way in the direction of the Lunar Rainbow Kagura noted. Suddenly Isane leapt into the air towards the Lunar Rainbow as if she intended to actually be able to land upon it. Kagura nearly laughed at Isane's foolishness and expected to see Isane pass right through.

She nearly bit her tongue when Isane landed on the rainbow as if it were actually solid. She then watched in awe as Isane began to travel up the Lunar Rainbow. Kagura's eyes widened even more when she noticed something in the night sky. It looked like a star was getting closer and closer to the ground as if it were falling. But then Kagura realized it was a bright light which was getting larger and larger almost like...not it couldn't be. Was that the gateway to heaven? Was the gateway to heaven actually opening? And why was Isane going up the Lunar Rainbow towards it? If she made it through she would be lost to Sesshoumaru forever.

Kagura couldn't help herself from smiling at the thought. If Isane was gone from this world Sesshoumaru would be hers once and for all. There would be no competition and the path to his heart would be open. Kagura bit her lip as she saw Isane getting farther away.

"Dammit!" Kagura cried. She knew what she had to do. She had barely managed to earn Sesshoumaru's trust and left on her own she'd never be able to actually win Sesshoumaru's heart. And Naraku had promised her, that somehow Sesshoumaru would be hers. If she had any chance at all it was with Naraku's offer. She couldn't do it on her own. And if Kagura allowed Isane to simply disappear Naraku would no longer help her. It was her only chance and she couldn't just throw it away. Kagura knew she had to find Sesshoumaru before it was too late. "I can't believe I'm doing this!"

ooo

To be continued...