Hiya! So sorry I haven't updated in a long while, but….(nervous chuckle) to tell the truth I'm kinda bored with this story. Eheh…(ummm...yea) but, here's the update. It's kinda ironic that I'm bored with this story now that there is only like 3 to 4 more chapters to write, huh? Thanks much for the reviews, I love hearing form all ya readers out there, even if some are a little…disturbing( cough* friggin terrifying as hell* cough)! (large happy grin) If you see fit, I will write! Sop let me know, k?

Warning!!! Graphic gory scenes to ensue, please avoid reading this fic if you are not of a suitable age, or do not have parent consent! You have been warned!

I do not owe either the InuYasha characters or those of YuYu Hakusho

Bitter Memories

Chapter nineteen : Darkness rising

The darkness of the area seemed ethereal. Clouds hid the moon's impressive platinum rays. A lone figure stood nonplussed amidst such a foreboding scene. The long, dark cloak made the figure blend into the scenery with perfect harmony. The world was devoid of sound till a single twig snapped. The figure didn't move, nor flinch; it merely turned its head toward the sound. It's eyes flashing in the waning moon's glow, while it locked onto something only visible to its trained senses.

"You're getting sloppy in old age. You should take more care in your approach." The cloaked figure had spoken in a wise, aged voice to the now emerging creature. The approaching creature did not deem fit to hide her appearance. And indeed it was a she, the grace and fluid movements that accompanied her, along with her well groomed appearance and angelic face dictated so. Glossy auburn hair fell well below her knees, cascading down her back like a glittering rust river. Liquefied pools of onyx were fixed on the cloaked figure before her, her incredible orbs narrowed dangerously at the previous statement. Pale, perfect skin shone of its own accord; the dark slashes under her eyes were the only shadows on her stoic features. Her medieval style dress flittered around her as she walked, the white, silken, flowing fabric caught in the motion of the elf's movements. Every strand of the delicate fabric standing out against the harsh dark surrounds, while the bodice clung to the slim, dainty physic of its owner in desperation.

"You presume too much, old woman. My age is still relatively young for a celestial elf, and I knew it wouldn't matter if I made noise or not. You knew I was here long before I snapped that twig. But perhaps I give you too much credit. You, after all, did beseech my aid and yet you mock me upon our meeting…" Her voice was smooth and regal; it flowed evenly and with reserves of strength as it caressed the evening. Everything about this elfin-youkai was elegant and demanding of respect. In truth she appeared no older than a twenty-two year old human, but her eyes held depths of knowledge that belied this illusion. The figure turned to face the youkai, reaching up and removing the dark velvety hood concealing its features.

"Amasidia. It's been entirely too long my friend. I indeed do have a matter of much importance to discuss with you." As seemed custom with these two creatures of power and wisdom, her voice faded into the all-consuming darkness. Both human and youkai stood in complete comfort, the silence not being in the slightest unnerving, but friendly. The moon broke free of the cloud's embrace at that moment, the brilliance of its rays lighting up the small clearing. The once hooded figure was bathed in light, her pink hair shining as the light intertwined with the hairs strands. The light glinted off her murky eyes, showing the concern and curiosity that was held there. Her statue was much shorter than her companion's, Amasidia's height being nearly three feet taller than her own.

"And what exactly would that be my friend? Surely, Genkai after all our years as friends you have gained enough confidence in me to speak freely?" At this Genkai laughed good-naturedly. The clouds choose that moment to cast the world into darkness once more. Genkai's eyes, however, glittered in amusement before falling into their normal serious expression. At her amused chuckle, Amasidia's mouth turned up in a smile, her eyes, too, twinkling in mirth. When Genkai once again became serious, Amasidia's smile faded, a look of curiosity filtering over her features instead. Silently, she prodded Genkai to continue, which she did.

"Over the years you have studied numerous arts. It is a particular magic that I know you to be skilled in that I ask your help. Do you still know the arts of Calie?" At her nod, Genkai smiled, eyes twinkling. Genkai was up to something; Amasidia could see it in Genkai's eyes and to tell the truth it made her weary. Since Genkai was a young girl that look never boded well.

"I need you to perform a link-dream spell." Amasidia's finely sculpted eyebrow shot up in question. It wasn't often someone tried to perform one of these. In fact it took a great amount of skill, the slightest mistake would kill the two victims, and the caster. Amasidia didn't have to wait long for her to continue. "For the last few years I have worked closely with a koorime (is that the correct thing to call him? Isn't that the term for a Ice-Fire Demon?), Hiei. Recently, an Inu-youkai has entered his life. I want you to link them; hopefully this will be the small push they need to get it together. They are mates-to-be; anyone that cares to look can see it. Normally, I wouldn't get involved, but I fear that something darkens the horizon. If they don't act now they may lose all chance to." While she spoke, she had glanced off into the surrounding forest, watching the breeze lick the dark leaves into a frenzy. Now she glanced up to look at Amasidia directly, Genkai's eyes pleading with her to understand. Amasidia, being very in tuned to Genkai's feelings, nodded her head in the slightest manner; just enough for Genkai to see that she had reacted at all. Genkai offered her a soft smile as gratitude, she didn't react to this, and instead she stood towering over Genkai, her eyes focused over Genkai's head into the distance. When she spoke, her voice was low, and although it would seem lacking of emotion to anyone else, Genkai could hear her thoughtfulness.

"You know plenty of demons that could perform this particular task for you, but you summoned me. This means there is something more to all this than you are letting on. Who is the girl?" Her eyes flashed like a nocturnal animal's as she fixed her gaze on Genkai again. The stare piercing and soul searing, anyone else would have flinched; Genkai merely returned it. This was one of the things Amasidia respected her for, even as a child Genkai never allowed anyone to stare her down.

"Always the perceptive one. I take back what I said earlier about you losing your touch with your advanced age. You actually know this girl well. I believe that you have many years ago predicted her to be a miko of great power. You also had predicted her demise." This last part was said with a grave air the youkai before her growled softly. As a close confident, Genkai had been told all about the viscous prophecy that was to befall a young girl. First, Amasidia had predicted the deaths of everyone the girl held dear. Next, the girl was to suffer greatly, the cause shielded even from Amasidia's keen sight. Then, and finally, the girl was to encounter a demon of amazing power and strength. This demon would fight the girl and the girl would lose, not because she wasn't capable of winning, but because she had given up. Amasidia began to shake her head, before explaining her refusal.

"Do you understand what you ask of me? I could easily perform this act for you, but I cannot. If I were to bring together this prophesied girl with the demon you spoke of the consciences would be dire on my part, as well as possibly fatal on theirs. I don't need Fate seeking my blood; I've laid my grudge with her aside long ago. There's no sense in surfacing it now." Amasidia crossed her arms over her chest, her hands burrowing into the long bell sleeves.

Amasidia had once before interfered with Fate's plans. The details of how and why are still unknown, but Fate had been angered. Fate was a goddess of amazing power. She decided what was to become of all the mortals on Earth; among being beautiful and powerful, she was also vengeful. In a rage Fate had assaulted Amasidia, killing the elfin-youkai's mate and quadruplets. Genkai frowned at Amasidia, she had known that Amasidia might refuse, but she hadn't told all the details.

"I understand your want to let things lie, but you're the only one to perform this task. Had it not been for this exact reason I wouldn't have even approached you. If they can overcome this darkness that awaits them, then there will be a child, an innocent that's life depends on our interference. For this reason I ask you to reconsider." Amasidia sighed and eyed Genkai cautiously. After years of isolation, here she was being offered a chance to save a child after not being able to save her own. Granted, it wasn't really the same, but it was something. If what Genkai said was indeed truthful, then Amasidia's life was surely worth the risk. And if Genkai was right, then the two in question not only needed all the help they could get, but they also needed to get a chance before something happened. Genkai wasn't someone to throw around empty threats, nor was she one to over access a situation. If there was one thing Amasidia knew, it was that it was better to have loved and lost than never loved at all.

"Alright. I'll help you, but if Fate finds out this is partly my fault, you better be willing to fight with her, because she's likely to blow this completely out of proportion. I need to know whom you intend to be the receiver and whom the intruder." Amasidia pulled her arms from her sleeves and placed them on her hips, looking off at the stars showing dimly through the coverage of clouds.

Genkai smiled once again. She had known that Amasidia would help her. If anything, Amasidia's one fault was her empathy.

"I intend to send Hiei into Kagome's mind. He is a Jaganshi, so he should be able to handle it better than she would. Plus I wouldn't dare send that poor girl into his head, who knows what kinds of things she would encounter." Amasidia nodded mutely, she didn't know Hiei as Genkai did, so she couldn't share in the humor that the elder woman was trying to portray.

"No matter what, stay back. Don't ever touch my skin, or you could kill us all." Amasidia warned Genkai deafly, she wasn't even paying attention to her surroundings anymore, and the warning was more of habit than one she thought was necessary. Amasidia placed her hands palms up the milky texture of her tiny hands bathed in the light the feeble moon was emitting. A wind kicked up around the elf, leaves and other debris floating around her in a vortex. Small flickers of purple lightening danced in the sky overhead as in the swirling vortex surrounding the celestial elf. Twin orbs of mauve and lilac power gathered in her upturned palms, till they were both about the size of a golf ball. Amasidia brought her hands up to her face, the right palm coming to rest level with her lips. Softly blowing on the orb it took off heading in a northward direction leaving a gust of wind and a trail of light in its wake. Soon the left orb followed suit, this one going more westward. Turning her inky depths to Genkai, she nodded and smiled, even as her eyes began to glow lavender.

~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~*** ***~~~~~~~~

The silvery glow of the moon invaded the open window, its light obscured by the tall oak that sat directly in front of the balcony. The leaves creating dappled patterns all around the room. Even in the darkness the simple, and yet intricate bedroom was breath taking. The wooden door was covered in protective kanji, the wooden paneling that ran from ceiling to floor were similar in design to the door. Windows were located on three of the four walls on the room. The largest of the three was really two French doors that were open to the balcony, which jutted out into the serene, night covered garden.

Inside the room there was little to no furniture, with the exception of the large four-poster cherry wood bed and matching dresser. The bed was covered in down comforters, stained a pale blue. The sheets were a navy blue in color, and at present a single, small person was sandwiched in between them. Long, inky tresses fell over the pillowcases, looking like a river at midnight. A small, alabaster face shone in the pale light making its owner seem all the more young and alone in the king sized bed. Her eyes were shining dully in the darkness, silvery-blue silted orbs. Twin streaks running down her cheeks following an unseen path, only to fall to the already damp pillows, showed her to have been crying. Now, despite her best efforts, her wet eyelashes fluttered closed. Sleep was finally claiming her after she had fought it for the last four days. With a single tear rolling down the contours of her face, she succumbed to her overbearing exhaustion. Unnoticed, a small, lilac ball had flew in through the open door and entered the crying girl's body, it's magic instantly taking hold and lulling the girl to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~*** ***~~~~~~~~

The dark, stifling cave had grown too much for him. Now outside, the wind played over his face drying his tears. He was still angry with himself for ever shedding them, but no one had seen him, and had they, they wouldn't have lived to tell anyone. The tree he had claimed as his own was a tall, large maple. Far below him the grass shone in a metallic sheen, from the sliver of moon that hung in the sky with several wispy clouds. He had been sitting here for hours, and yet his mind was still playing images like a broken record player skipping. For the last few days he hadn't slept, nor eaten both of which normally wouldn't have hindered him in the smallest, but as he sat high above the ground he couldn't help but feel the undeniable tug of sleep. On occasion he would let it take him just so he had something to pass time, but now he adamantly refused. Sleeping meant dreaming, and dreaming meant the possibility of dreaming about 'her'. Even though he refused, he found himself lulled into oblivion, his problems, like his thoughts, melting away as sleep overpowered him. He, too, hadn't noticed the mauve ball of energy that raced into his chest. Like it's twin, it took hold of his resisting body and forced him into a deep slumber, immediately forming a bond with it's twin's host.

~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~*** ***~~~~~~~~

Immediately he knew this wasn't his dream. The setting was too realistic, the darkness that resides here wasn't welcoming as in his dreams, but foreboding and menacing. Unbidden, shivers raced up his spine at the feeling of sorrow this place elicited within him. Only one person could have such a realistic dream, or in this case nightmare.

'Kagome.' Even as the thought ran through his mind a loud clap of thunder shook the very ground with its intensity. The dark gray sky overhead chose that moment to release its heavy burden. The clouds that covered the entire sky as far as one could see darkened threateningly, as large harsh raindrops descended from the heavens. In mere second he was drenched. His hair tumbled into his eyes, the rain helping to obscure his vision further. Not only was the rain hard against his skin, but also it was the bitter cold, thoroughly soaking kind that reached your bones. Shivering, despite the internal warmth that ran through his veins, he gazed miserably out at the desolate landscape.

The terrain was rocky and ominous, nothing seemed to live in this place. However, the darkness coupled with the slanting rain kept his vision very limited. Just then a bolt of severe white lightening streaked a crossed the sky, only serving to blind him before sending him careening back into utter darkness. Once again, shivers racked his body causing him to glance down at his attire.

He was wearing a black silk shirt that clung to his body due to its dampness. Its long sleeves billowed, or would have had they not been soaked. At his throat was a tie, which was left open at the moment. Dark, baggy dress pants also clung to his wet frame, outlining his toned body. Glaring at the drenched garments, he frowned deeply allowing his thoughts to focus.

'If this is Kagome's dream why is it so… depressing, and deserted. Why am I dressed this way? And better yet, why am I here?' Dragging a hand through his hair he attempted to push his dark tresses from his face in vain. Aggravated, he allowed a growl to reverberate from his chest as the pieces fell right back into place. 'I guess since I'm sort of still linked to her that explains how I got here, but why? Did she want me here? Where are you Kagome? What's possibly made you this upset?' With the last thoughts echoing through his head he once again searched the horizon.

A heart wrenching, pain-filled half sob-scream bounced off of every rock, its sound muffled by the loud clap of thunder that accompanied it. Snapping his head in the direction it had originated, he couldn't help the feeling of distress that washed over him. There was no doubt who that was. But it was the sound, the absolute heart broken, soul-shattered pain behind it that caused the terror in his heart.

'Did he hurt you? Is that what happened? I'll kill him.' Without another thought, he took off in what he hoped would be her location, his heart in his throat, and a silent vow to protect her from whatever was wrong, urging him on. A blinding lightening bolt was the only answer to his silent questions.

~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~*** ***~~~~~~~~

At first things seemed okay. InuYasha and Yukina were a happy couple, holding hands and smiling contently. Kurama and Botan, as well as Keiko and Yusuke were the perfect mirror images of the happy couple. My friends, their love and happiness serving to blanket me in their glow, surrounded me. I couldn't help but smile at the lovely landscape, the singing birds and the absolute perfect sky above us.

Then, it fell apart. One by one my friends deserted me till there was no one left. The sky slowly darkened, thunderclouds rolling in. The birds grew silent, the land twisting. The once lush green scenery crinkled and died. The smooth ground turning rocky and bleak before my eyes. Even my clothing changed.

Before I had been wearing the marvelous silk dress that Sango had created for me, its fabric hugging my figure flattering me. The beautiful colorful designs melted away, the silken kimono fading. Now I was left in a completely black, sheer, tight fitting dress, its fabric not even slightly protecting me from the bitter cold winds that flared up. My hair fell around me, falling out of its bindings, the wind snatching it away and tugging on it painfully.

I was alone. There was no one there for me. There was no one here to love me.

"Hiei!" My voice was snatched away from me; even my voice deserted me in this place. My knees buckled, the rocky terrain greeting me in a painful reminder of the nothingness that made me. This place was the essence of me, without him, I was nothing. Without him, I had nothing. Just as this thought surfaced in my turbulent mind, the ear shattering thunder sounded. The force of which sent me once again to the ground, my hands clenching in the dirt and gravel till I bled. Nothing mattered anymore, not pain, not life. Rain began to pelt my back, the sheer fabric serving only to stick to me, not even shielding me from the cruel cold. Swallowed in pity, loss, and sorrow, I threw my head back meeting the rain face first. With my hair plastered to my face, neck, arms, and back I closed my eyes and let out my feelings in a scream, feeling as if my entire being was destroyed, and suddenly not caring.

~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~*** ***~~~~~~~~

A light, brighter and more brilliant than the flashing lightening, grew on the horizon. Hoping beyond hope, I sped towards its source. In all this darkness, there was only one thing I knew that could glow so utterly pure and beautiful, Kagome.

Skidding to a halt, I swallowed a large lump that had mysteriously grown in my throat do to the sight that greeted me. Kagome was kneeling on the ground her fists clenched in the ground, the knuckles drained of blood from the force of her grip. Her long dark hair hung in wet ringlets around her small frame, shielding her face from my view. A dark dress clung to her, its fabric was flimsy, and I could see her shaking from the cold where I stood several feet away. I felt glued to the spot. Despite her obvious distress, she was beautiful; she took my breath and my speech away.

Upon my arrival, the rain had increased in intensity, by now there was no space in between the drops and even at this short of a distance, my vision of Kagome was blurred. I found myself moving toward her unsteadily. My feet leading me to where she sat oblivious to my approach. Over the noise of the storm my heart hammered in my ears, drowning out the rest of the world. My sight was focused, all of my attention was on the woman I loved, and nothing not even this gloomy landscape could steal my attention.

"Kagome?" I wasn't sure if I had even spoken, I couldn't hear anything over my own heartbeat. At this close of a distance I noticed the amount of water that was pooling up on the ground where she sat. This parched land couldn't even obtain all the water the sky was releasing. I felt like I was watching someone else's life, like this wasn't me standing here in the rain watching Kagome hunched on the ground. My body had gone numb, but it wasn't from the rain, it was from shock and…fear.

Kneeling before her I reached a shaky hand forward and lightly brushed my thumb over her cheek. To my surprise, my hand seemed transparent, nonexistent.

'Your a ghost in her mind, something she didn't think she would ever see again.' The voice startled me; it was soft, feminine and played on the wind like leaves do. Twisting around I narrowed my eyes focusing on trying to find the intruder. Once again, the rain obstructed my view, the surrounds dark and concealing. A chuckle was pulled along on the breath of the wind, apparently part of the storm its self.

'You won't be able to find me, Hiei. I'm a very old creature with enough power to keep myself concealed from the likes of you.' Now annoyance overrode my initial shock, this bitch was pushing my already shattered patience.

"Who the hell are you? Better yet, what the fuck do you think your doing here?" I had intended for my voice to come out menacing and threatening, unfortunately, it had a mind of its own, so my voice came out strained and more bewildered than condescending.

'Who I am is of no importance. I am here to show you the torment she's been experiencing since you left. She's worried about you, and well…some things are better left to her to say. But you could feel it couldn't you? The moment I brought you here you knew something was horribly wrong with her didn't you?' The voice was softer and unnervingly near my ear. It was a disembodied voice that knew too much for its own good, had this creature had a head; it would be severed about now.

"How could I not know? The dark, foreboding, and utterly sadistic landscape was a dead give away." I growled, this time my voice had followed my commands perfectly, it came out as a growl and overly sarcastic. For some odd reason, I could feel the creature's shock. Something I said must have struck a cord with it.

'You can see the terrain she's in? That shouldn't be possible! This dark of a depressed mind won't allow anyone to witness its trouble. How? How did you get in?" I couldn't help my smirk. So the bitch was less all knowing then she had at first attempted to pull off. Good, now that I know she doesn't know as much as I first thought then she might not have to die after all. After all, a person with enough power to send me into Kagome's mind without my knowledge was worth my time in hunting down, it's more fun to chase your prey anyway.

"Looks like you don't know as much as you said you did. Too bad, I guess you'll never find out why I'm able to see all of this." Once again a smirk filtered acrossed my features, despite my attempt to stop them. A hiss, close to my ear alerted me to the creature's anger at my actions and words.

'You fool, if I don't know all there is to know we could all die! You need to tell me…Kagome?!?' I instantly turned to face Kagome, puzzled at what could have distracted the disembodied voice so greatly. What I was presented with horrified me.

Kagome, her arms stretched over her head was standing mutely staring up at the darkened sky, the water was glistening down her body in mesmerizing patterns. But it was what was happening that was so terrifying. The sky above her was churning, it's color changing from black to emerald green. The lightening intensified, it's color changing from colorless to obsidian in the expanse of jade sky. Kagome, herself, had her head tilted back, her body shaking in tremors. Along her cheeks slid twin lines of black blood. Their decent starting at her now black eyes. She opened her mouth, and blood poured from its depths. She began to convulse as her neck was slit open from an invisible force. Just as I jumped to my feet in an attempt to save her, the black lightening streaked acrossed the sky only to end up pulling together and in a giant blast, that sent me to the ground, struck Kagome fully in the chest. As my head contacted with the jagged rocks beneath my head in a violent crash, the world collapsed into the familiar darkness of unconsciousness.

~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~*** ***~~~~~~~~

Even before my eyes focused on the leaves I knew to be overhead, I was up on my feet. The narrow branch wasn't even a concern of mine. Something was wrong with Kagome, and I needed to find out what.

'Your right. Something is terribly wrong with the miko-demon. I've never seen anything like this. It was a warning, Hiei. A darkness haunts her, one I've never seen before. Within a moon's cycle, as far as I can tell, Kagome will be dead. Nothing can stop it, so…do you really want to spend the last month of her life brooding? Don't start your mourning yet, my friend. Save it for when she's really gone…'

The voice from Kagome's dream faded into the night, leaving me alone in my maple tree high above the ground. Even if I didn't trust the dream bitch, I had to admit she was right. Something was coming for Kagome, something evil. I could feel it in my bones, in the very marrow that made them up. And there was no way in the seven depths of hell that I was going to sit by idly as she was hunted. They'd have to kill me first.

A flutter of fabric, and the creaking of the tree were the only noises that accompanied my descent to the ground. No sooner had my feet touched the ground, than I pushed off and began to run with a speed I had never achieved before.

"I'm coming Kagome."

~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~*** ***~~~~~~~~

I jumped awake, the covers falling off of my chest only to pool around my stomach. A shaky hand was quickly brought to my face, it's digits trembling. No blood. Fearful, I brought the hand lower till it grazed my throat. No slit throat. No nothing.

Placing my head in my hands I sat staring at the open balcony door. The cool air played it the curtains, forcing them to twist and turn. Deep navy skies splattered in twinkling stars showed the night to still be relatively young. Despite the knowledge I was indeed fine, and that it had only been a dream, I couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding. Chills raced up and down my spine, my chest constricting painfully. Cool hands traced patterns over my back, the long claws attached to said hand prickling at my exposed neck. My entire room was suffocated in an evil aura. My dream may have been fictitious, but these lingering feelings were not.

Something wasn't correct. Something was off balance. Something was coming. Just then, a dark figure leapt onto my balcony. Correction, something was here.

~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~*** ***~~~~~~~~

Well, what ya think? Do ya wanna know who's on her balcony? DO YA? DO YA? HUH? HUH? HUH? (sugar people, it's damn addictive stuff…)

OKAY! Since we are soooooo very close to the end, would you like to read something else written by me? Yes guys, this is where I (the author) ask you (the reader) to tell me another story you would like to see written by yours truly. Before I end this story I would like to hear your ideas. Okay, an example of what I'm talking about….humm. First tell me yes or no to seeing me write another story. Then give me an idea of what kind. Do you wanna see me try my hand at another cross over? Do you wanna see me write a purely InuYasha story? (For those on ff.net) Do you wanna see me try my hand at X-men evolution, Harry Potter, something else?

Next chapter I'll narrow down the choices and we'll begin voting for the one you'd like to see the most, and the character pairings you would like to see. Cool, thanks much!

Ciao!