Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed ❯ Chapter Six ( Chapter 6 )

Cursed

 

Summary: Yu Yu Yasha x-over

 

Because of her incarnation's curse, every new moon she turns into a lusting demon. Her friends have always been there to keep her from trouble but one night of the new moon, no one is there to save her. If she mates then she will not only forever be bound to that male but, she will stay demon forever. Will she be stopped in time?

 

QUICK NOTE: I know that a lot of you are more than likely confused at this new turn of events, especially involving Kagome's diary, Sesshoumaru as a mate, and recently being claimed Youko's mate. However, this chapter and chapter seven will explain everything. So just hold tight and soon you will know why everything is the way it is.

 

Chapter Six

 

Sesshoumaru sighed mentally as he watched the village bellow. His brother and two friends, the slayer and monk, had just returned from their second search for their lost miko. They had once again come up short and returned to the old miko without their precious friend.

 

`Perhaps the half breed will learn to curve his temper.' Thinking a moment more on this, the demon lord realized that it was simply too much to ask of the poor hanyou. He had killed one woman he loved because of his temper. What was another? `But before he kills this, Kagome, I'll need her to remove this spell she has cast upon me.' A glare of hatred formed on his regal and sophisticated features.

 

Deciding that he would grace his brother with a visit, Sesshoumaru stood from his place on a tree branch and stretched his lightly aching muscles before jumping and leisurely making his way into the now bustling village.

 

|| YRA ||

 

Kagome sighed as she slowly walked the used pathway leading to the village of the Priestess Kaede. Her thoughts were running rampant through her head, the beginnings of a great headache forming.

 

`Oh, what am I going to say? “Hi everyone, sorry I ran away and fucked some kitsune youkai stranger after you yelled at me over keeping a secret about my curse that has already stressed us enough.” Keh, yeah right.' Was the main thought of the moment. `And speaking of kitsune youkai strangers, where is Youko? He was right behind me a second ago.'

 

Stopping on the pathway, Kagome turned around and found nothing but forestry. Lifting her nose to scent the air, she couldn't find any trace of the sneaky fox and worry filled her.

 

“Miss me?” whispered a husky voice right in her ear. Startled, Kagome snapped around to find Youko standing there with a pleased smirk on his face. Panting and clutching at her chest, Kagome glared at the cocky kitsune.

 

“You have some nerve.” She snapped angrily. A perfectly sculpted black eyebrow lifted as if to mock her and Kagome huffed as she pushed past Youko to continue along the worn trail.

 

`Ah yes, she was well worth the trouble.' Youko nodded to himself as he watched sway of his mate's hips. Licking his lips excitedly, he watched as the breeze lifted her short skirt just enough so he could see-

 

“Well, aren't you coming?” she called back to him and Youko sighed before continuing after the jewel he had claimed for his own just recently.

 

`Though, explaining to her that she is mine, eh, might present a slight hitch in my plans. After having seen the way she reacts after Inuyasha and Kouga go at it…' He cringed at the thought. `Well this shall only serve as another rewarding challenge.'

 

|| YRA ||

 

“You! What the hell are you doing here?” Inuyasha demanded, a hand tightly gripping onto the hilt of his precious Tetsusaiga.

 

“Is it really wise to demand anything of your elder brother and lord?” Sesshoumaru asked calmly, fixating his half brother with his infamous look of boredom.

 

“I don't give a fuck who you are! What the hell do you want?” Inuyasha persisted, watching carefully as his brother slightly nodded his head as if he had just decided upon something.

 

“Inuyasha just wait. We're inside Kaede-sama's hut and Sesshoumaru shows no signs of hostility. Just think for a moment, would you?!” said Miroku exasperatedly, as he stood.

 

“Feh!” Inuyasha huffed. “Whatever.”

 

“You should listen to the monk, Inuyasha. He is wise.” Said Sesshoumaru, matter-of-factly.

 

“Keh!” was all Inuyasha had to say.

 

“What brings ye here, Lord Sesshoumaru?” asked Kaede calmly.

 

“I am here to speak with the young miko. After our last encounter, I merely wish to ask what spell she cast to cause this Sesshoumaru to lose control so quickly.” He replied.

 

“Spell, I see.” Murmured Kaede, a nod of her head indicated that she understood.

 

“It was not a spell that Kagome-sama cast upon you.” Miroku corrected.

 

“Oh, do explain monk.”

 

“Well you see, Kagome-sama has had a curse placed upon her. It was done by the undead priestess, Kikyou. Her incarnate. It is a spell that causes Kagome-sama to transform every new moon into a demon, a demon in heat. And during that time, Kagome-sama is not at all aware of what occurs.” Miroku explained.

 

Sesshoumaru calmly watched the faces of all that resided in the hut. There seemed to be no signs of lying and so the demon lord simply nodded. “Interesting enough. Though you still have not told me where your miko is.” he repeated, his golden eyes devoid of any indication as to what he thought about their tale.

 

This somewhat concerned Miroku and Kaede, as it gave them no insight as to how to keep the youkai from becoming frustrated and angry.

 

“They made her leave.” Young Shippou announced suddenly as he stood from his place beside Kirara and Kaede. Sesshoumaru looked down at the young fox kit with a slender black eyebrow lifted in curiosity.

 

“They?” he asked simply.

 

“Yeah! Stupid Inuyasha and Sango got upset when Kagome told them something new about her curse and yelled at her.” Shippou explained. Sango and Inuyasha both winced at the young fox's words.

 

Miroku quickly spoke up to lighten the harshness of Shippou's words. “Kagome-sama revealed to us that there was no way to remove the curse and after a certain amount of time, she would eventually end up as a youkai, even if we were able to keep her from mating.” He began. “However, Lady Sango and Inuyasha responded in a manner that only upset the already delicate Kagome. She just returned to us after nearly killing Lady Sango during her last transformation, and so we were all treading on light ground with each other. Something was bound to happen.” Finished the monk, dismissing the glare that Shippou sent his way.

 

“Hm, I always knew you were slow half-breed.” Sesshoumaru said coldly, throwing salt into an already irritated wound. However, the Lord of the West did not get the reaction he had been prepared for. Inuyasha simply bowed his head and took the insult.

 

`Curious.' Thought Sesshoumaru. “As interesting as your story is, I need to speak with your priestess to confirm.”

 

|| YRA ||

 

The aged priestess watched knowingly as the demon lord sat calmly upon a large boulder just outside of the fence designed to designate where the herb garden was inside the village.

 

There was tension in his entire being as he sat, watching for signs of the miko that had yet to appear in the village.

 

It was now midday and Kagome still had not returned. Though this troubled even herself, Kaede knew it would do no one any good if everyone gave up on their chores to wait for the missing girl to return. Which was likely to never happen after what occurred yesterday. So, the wise Kaede had decided to tend to her garden of herbs, the demon lord following.

 

`Smarter than his brother though he may be, he still is ignorant of the good of emotions just like Inuyasha.' She wondered to herself, deciding to take a break and speak with the demon.

 

Kaede knew exactly what it was that was troubling the young lord and why he had decided to wait for the arrival of their young Kagome. `He even goes so far as to think it a spell or curse.' She chuckled to herself.

 

Stopping just beside the boulder and facing the direction his chilly golden gaze watched, Kaede began her disguised lecture. “What is it that ails ye, Sesshoumaru-sama?” she asked, not at all feeling fear as he turned his cold glare upon her.

 

“And what, priestess, makes you think that this Sesshoumaru is troubled?” he demanded. His chilling voice forcing all that dared to try to eavesdrop, leave the area and provide the miko and youkai with privacy.

 

“Though ye try and hide it behind a look of anger and indifference, I can sense that ye thoughts are troubled. I am a trained priestess after all.” Kaede replied calmly, turning her good eye upon the demon.

 

Sesshoumaru however just glared at the woman before fixing his glare upon the woods once more. “Leave me.” he commanded, harshly.

 

Before leaving the young lord to his peace, and returning to her herb garden, Kaede spoke wisely. “Did ye ever stop to think that the spell Kagome cast upon ye, might be one of love? Something she has no control over, even after she transformed. Perhaps it is ye, Sesshoumaru-sama, that has cast this love spell upon himself. Thinking enough about our young Kagome will do that.”

 

And with that, Kaede was gone, leaving the demon lord with slightly widened golden eyes and thoughts racing.

 

|| YRA ||

 

“Youko!” Kagome called out, causing several heads to turn in the direction of which her voice sounded from.

 

“Did you hear that?”

 

“Sounds like Lady Kagome.”

 

“She's back?”

 

“Lady Kagome has returned to us once more.”

 

“Never fails.”

 

“I know.”

 

“Her trust and love for her friends is almost to a fault.”

 

“I know.”

 

“Even after they continuously hurt her, she always comes back.”

 

“Un.”

 

“They truly are blessed by the Kamis to have her loyalty.”

 

“Yes, that is most certain.”

 

“They don't deserve it.”

 

“Not at all.”

 

Kagome winced at the words that assaulted her newly sharpened sense of hearing. The words wounded her heart with their truth. Even the villagers, whom her and her friends rarely paid attention to, seemed to see right through to all their faults.

 

Though what the villagers said was partially true, they forgot so easily of all the stress that their fabled group of travelers was under. The stress that the very loyal Kagome's curse caused.

 

“Think nothing of what they say, Koishii.” Youko whispered gently into his mate's ear. Feeling the tension in her body melt away pleased the silver kitsune and he quickly fell into step with his most prized possession, to make sure that she did not pay attention to the words that the villagers spoke.

 

Somewhat alarmed at the pull he felt to comfort her, Youko reached out one of his clawed hands to tenderly grasp Kagome's hand. Seeing her stunned looked, he merely winked at her before pulling her further into the village.

 

“Lady Kagome!” many of the villagers cheered, upon seeing the young woman. Kagome smiled pleasantly for all of them and waved as she continued through the masses to stop doubtfully in front of the hut belonging to the Priestess Kaede.

 

Kagome turned curious eyes to Youko's form when he stepped forward and slid a single white rose into her hair, behind her ear. “What's that for?” she asked, reaching up a hand to finger the rose gently.

 

“That rose, is one that I have personally grown in my garden. I have imbued it with my energy, allowing it to release a scent that calms and soothes.” Youko replied.

 

“You invented this rose?” Kagome asked in awe.

 

“Well, I am a silver kitsune. My specialty is working with plants, you know.” He replied with a smirk at the spark of delight in his mate's brown orbs.

 

“Wow! That's amazing.” She murmured, closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath to allow the flower's effects to calm her already stressed nerves. Feeling the scent wash over her like a waterfall, Kagome opened her eyes, determination shining brightly.

 

`No matter what, I'll be okay.' She thought to herself, reaching out to peel back the straw door.

 

Seven pairs of eyes all snapped to her direction, six of them widening with surprise.

 

“KAGOME!” Sango and Shippou yelled out simultaneously. Not knowing what happened nor how, Kagome was suddenly pulled into the hut and seated in between Kaede and Sango, Shippou cuddling into her chest, and Kirara nuzzling her leg. Miroku sat opposite of her with a joyful smile on his normally perverted features. Three pairs of golden eyes all watched her, each with varying levels of gratefulness.

 

“Um, guys, why is Sesshoumaru here?” Kagome asked curiously, cautiously watching the inu youkai.

 

“Wait, wait, wait! First, who is that?” Sango asked, directing everyone's attention to the third golden-eyed figure.

 

“Ahem. Hello.” Youko greeted, smiling slyly at everyone. They all noticed the mischievous look in his eyes and had to wonder at what he was going to say when his mouth opened once more. “I, am Youko Kurama, the lovely Higurashi Kagome's mate.” He added with casual smugness.

 

“MATE!” roared everyone.

 

“YOUKO! You've got some `splaining to do!” Kagome demanded, her eyes narrowed with anger.

 

|| YRA ||

 

“I can't believe you fucking fucked a strange hentai kitsune youkai!” Inuyasha roared angrily, red slowly sleeping into his vision as he panted furiously.

 

Excluding Sesshoumaru and Youko, everyone scoot back away from Inuyasha, fearing for his transformation. However both of the previously stated demons narrowed their eyes at the hanyou. Neither of them pleased with his outburst and whom his anger was directed towards.

 

“Silence half-breed.” Sesshoumaru demanded calmly, standing at the ready should he have to step in and force his younger half-brother's demon blood back into balance with his human blood.

 

“Kagome-imoto? Did you really mate with… him?” Sango asked, unsure of what to think of Kagome and the kitsune Youko, but still not wanting a repeat of last night.

 

Blushing brightly at all the eyes on her, Kagome's gaze fell to the floor below, lost as to what she could possibly say to assure her friends that she had not turned into some kind of common whore looking for comfort in any male every time things went wrong in her life. “Uh, … …yeah?” she answered, with a nervous shrug.

 

“YOU STUPID-”

 

“Inuyasha!” Kaede quickly bellowed over Inuyasha's own loud voice as he began his rant anew. “Perhaps ye should rethink what it is ye would like to say to Kagome. How she came back to us was, after all, caused by harsh words from ye, if ye will remember last night.” At these words, both Sango and Inuyasha fell into an uncomfortable silence and shared a look between each other.

 

`It's our fault that Kagome in now bound to this youkai.' They both thought, turning their own gazes to the wooden floor below.

 

“Kaede-sama, please don't remind them. I don't believe it to be their fault and neither should any of you. If anyone's fault, it should be my own and mine alone. They were simply shocked and I should have remembered that last night before I went looking for Youko, but, I suppose I forgot.” Here the young miko shrugged sheepishly. “Sorry.” She offered, smiling brightly at them all, completely dismissing all of the recent events.

 

Again, Kagome blushed and looked down as everyone watched her closely as if in awe. Well all except for the youkai lord, Sesshoumaru. Speaking of which, said taiyoukai, though he did not look such, was as amazed as everyone else at how the young miko took the blame for everything and simply brushed it off, deciding to not think on it any longer.

 

`Such . . . . purity.' He wondered, astounded that a human could hold such a quality. Growing a new respect for this woman held her in a light that few other's had in his eyes. Sesshoumaru, decided that it was about time that he begin showing this woman the respect that she was so deserving of. The respect that no one else had showed her.

 

“So Sesshoumaru,” Kagome began, forcing herself to relax under everyone's gazes. “What brings you to our side of town?” she asked, her brown orbs watching the very regal Sesshoumaru turn his attention to her.

 

“It is of no importance now, Priestess.” Sesshoumaru replied.

 

“Oh, okay then.” Kagome nodded, smiling slightly.

 

“However, your so called friends, pack if you will,” Sesshoumaru began, drawing the miko's attention back to him. “are undeserving of your affections and presence. You'd be wise to leave your pack as they will only further misuse you.”

 

Several gasps of horror followed the demon lord's words along with Youko's own chuckle of delight at the bluntness of the taiyoukai.

 

Sesshoumaru, deciding not to stick around and wait for the group to gather their wits about them to retort to his truth, stood and made his way out of the small, overcrowded hut.

 

Kagome sat with wide eyes unseeing, looking at the gaping faces of her friends before her. Her mind stuttering, she forced her eyes and brain to focus as she watched Sesshoumaru leave the hut. “Se-Sesshoumaru wait!” she called after him. Clumsily standing on shaky legs, she followed the demon from the hut. “Wh-where are you going?” she panted, reaching out a hand to grasp the silk of his kimono sleeve, effectively keeping him close. Golden eyes glared hard at her but Kagome was still too out of her mind with his cold words, to notice.

 

“I never said I was leaving, Priestess. I simply had need of a breath of fresh air, untainted by the stench of humans and my half-brother's filth.” Sesshoumaru replied, holding Kagome's gaze with his own before gesturing to her hand on his empty sleeve. “If you will refrain from touching my person.” Blushing in embarrassment, Kagome let go of his kimono and backed away slightly, and into the hard form of her mate.

 

Looking up into Youko's honey-golden eyes, she instantly felt the calming effects of the flower in her hair once more fill her being. Smiling her thanks at him, Kagome again moved forward towards the ever-imposing inu demon lord.

 

“Sesshoumaru,” Kagome started, somewhat at a loss of what to say. “You have no right to tell me who I can and can't choose for friends. Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha, Shippou, Kaede, and Kirara are my closest and dearest friends and though we may have had a falling out, it's because of this stupid curse. And you, …you can't come in here a speak as if you know everything, when all you do is demand that Inuyasha had over his birthright to you or die. You… you have no right to open your mouth and say anything against my friends.” Growing angrier by the second and with each word that came from her mouth, Kagome decided to not speak another for fear of overstepping the delicate boundary that she was treading heavily upon.

 

Not at all surprised by her outburst, the inu youkai smirked, though Kagome could not see. “How touching.” Sesshoumaru said sarcastically, ever aware of the ears of the miko's friends that were listening intently.

 

“You don't understand Sesshoumaru!” Kagome insisted, hearing the sarcasm in his comment and becoming even more angered at his lack of care. Why she felt the need to explain all this to him, she did not understand. And why she felt she needed his approval and understanding, she did not know.

 

“No, Priestess, I fully understand. It still stands that your loyalty is misplaced.” Sesshoumaru snapped, turning back around to face the miko and pin her with his glare, frozen anew.

 

“Why do you even care?” she whispered.

 

“That, is no business of yours.” He replied simply, turning back around. “Not yet, at least.” He added before he was gone in a flash of silver and white.

 

|| YRA ||

 

“Kagome-chan, why did you defend us against Sesshoumaru?” Sango asked curiously, once Kagome was seated in Kaede's small hut again.

 

Youko was beside her with his eyes closed as he leaned lazily against the wall. It was a bit unnerving for Sango to see him there as a reminder of how she had betrayed Kagome, but Kagome didn't have a problem with it and so Sango kept her mouth closed.

 

Hearing the demon slayer's question, Kagome frowned as she looked up. “What do you mean Sango-chan? I should have right? I mean you are my friends and Sesshoumaru, even though he may be a lord, has no right to tell me who I can and can't spend my time with.” Replied Kagome. “It's not like he's my mate or . . any . . . thing. Oh Kami!” It was then that the young priestess remembered the book that she had brought along with her.

 

Suddenly fearful, Kagome quickly crawled her way over to her giant yellow backpack and began tossing things out of it in her search for the diary she had found in the future.

 

“What the hell?!” Inuyasha growled peeling back the straw door and nearly being struck with one of Kagome's math textbooks. “What the hell is she doing?” he demanded looking around the room for an explanation.

 

“We're not sure. Kagome-sama had an epiphany, I assume, and now she seems to be looking for something inside her bag.” Miroku replied.

 

“Oh Kami!” Kagome exclaimed, finally finding the book. Taking a shaky breath, she stood carefully and turned to find somewhere more private to read the book. Not even noticing the several pairs of curious eyes following her form to the door, Kagome nearly ran into Inuyasha who still stood in the doorway.

 

“Geez Kagome. What's so important about that book that you can't watch where you're going?” asked the hanyou.

 

“Nothing.” Kagome replied quickly with a shake of her head, raven locks shaking around her with the movement of her head. “Excuse me.” she asked politely, scooting around the inu hanyou to disappear from sight.

 

Standing slowly and stretching tiredly, Youko made to follow after Kagome only to be stopped by an angry Inuyasha.

 

“Stay the hell away from her!” snarled Inuyasha, narrowing his golden orbs at the sly fox demon that had charmed his way into a position with Kagome that he himself had been wanting for a while.

 

Youko merely smirked at the half-breed. “As Kagome's mate, it is my duty to make sure she stays safe. And unlike you, her so called friends, I take my responsibilities seriously. And as a thief with my status, I find Kagome to be a gem worth guarding.” Said Youko simply, pushing several buttons that he knew would throw the hanyou off his game.

 

The battle was won as Inuyasha had nothing to say in a retort to Youko's sharp wit. With a victorious chuckle, the silver fox slipped past the hanyou and after his precious gem.

 

Perhaps he could persuade her to forget about her silly book in favor of a repeat of their repeat of last night.

 

|| YRA ||

 

A silently brooding Youko, lay sprawled comfortably over his silken sheet covered futon. Kagome sat next to him intently reading through the book that she had found to be her diary. Starting from the beginning, she was just now reaching the part of the diary where it went into more detail about Sesshoumaru being her mate.

 

Oh, he's so amazing. Just wonderful, the perfect male that I had been waiting for.

 

Well both him and . . .

 

There was a water stain that Kagome could only guess was from a tear.

 

`Someone else? But.. who? And what happened to him to make it so painful to think about?' Kagome thought to herself.

 

Anyways, I'm very much in love with Sesshoumaru and though we did not start out as friends, I could not imagine myself not ending up with him as my mate.

 

The beginning of our more intimate relationship began the day that he stopped into Kaede's village looking for me to lift the spell that he thought I put on him to force him to fall in love with me. Of course he learned that I hadn't, but still was unconvinced. He stayed in the village for the next couple of weeks following me around and demanding that I stop with this charade and remove my spell before he tested his theory of my death ending the spell.

 

Hm, such an impatient male he was. However, I was unable to do as he asked and as the arrival of my monthly transformation came closer, I left to spend a couple of days at home in my time with my family.

 

“Kagome, koi, are you sure that you are too occupied to spend time with me? Your mate?” Youko whined, another chapter to his irresistible charm.

 

Sparing a glance in his direction, Kagome found herself staring into dancing golden eyes that sparkled with lust. And then suddenly, Kagome was lying on her back with Youko hovering just above her, smirking slyly as he leaned in to smother her neck in little nips and kisses.

 

Licking her lips in delight, Kagome sighed. Why did she have to go and make the sexiest demon she had ever seen, who knew that he was which only further fed his already large ego, her mate?

 

“Youko,” she whispered. “Please don't. I really am too busy.”

 

“Your book will not be going anywhere.” Youko replied, not stopping in his advances.

 

“Yes, but neither will your libido.” Retorted Kagome, and against her will, her eyes slid closed in pleasure. There was a chuckle from above that sent vibrations throughout her body, teasing her enough to want to continue.

 

“Very bright and quick retort. It would seem that I'm not concentrating enough to do my job.” Youko murmured against the skin of his mate's neck. Leaning up just enough to cover Kagome's lips with his own, Youko ran a clawed hand up the smooth expanse of the flesh of her thigh, as his tongue slipped past the barrier of her lips.

 

Peaking open an amber colored eye, Youko focused his spirit energy on the many plants growing along the walls of the room. Though it was unseen, the plants released a scent that acted as an aphrodisiac for the still resistant priestess.

 

Catching the sweet scent in the air, Kagome finally relaxed, allowing Youko to finally have his way.

 

The silver fox, smirked in delight as he recognized the rising scent of arousal coming from the woman beneath him. `Score.'

 

|| YRA ||

 

“Where is she?” demanded Sesshoumaru, appearing suddenly in the doorway of Kaede's hut.

 

The aged priestess, Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha, Kirara, and Shippou all looked up in surprise at the Western Lord's unexpected arrival. However, they all knew whom he was looking for.

 

Frowning his displeasure at having to see his half-brother so soon, a day since his last visit, Inuyasha growled. “Why the hell do you need to know?”

 

Finding it hard to refrain from rolling his eyes, Sesshoumaru snarled. “None of your business half-breed. What I do with the priestess is my business and my business alone!” It would seem that Sesshoumaru was just as displeased at seeing Inuyasha.

 

“Feh! Wouldn't it be Kagome's business too?” Inuyasha retorted with a smirk at being able to poke fun at his brother. However his joy was short lived when he found himself suddenly lifted off the floor with his brother's claws digging deeply into his neck.

 

“She had better not be with that fox!” Sesshoumaru growled, blood seeping into the golden of his eyes and changing them as he lost control on his inner demon.

 

Choking slightly, “W-why do you care?” Inuyasha rasped.

 

Almost instantly the red was gone from Sesshoumaru's golden eyes as they widened slightly.

 

`Why do I care?' the demon lord asked himself. Thinking quickly, “Because that demon that you let her run off with and mate, just so happens to be an accomplished thief. I've learned from my spies that this Youko Kurama, has not only been following your ragtag group for several months eyeing Kagome, but his eyes have often been seen eyeing the Shikon. Though it's not my job to protect your priestess, Rin would be devastated to learn of Kagome being hurt by the thief whom might have only been using her to get to the jewel.” Sesshoumaru replied easily.

 

“That's where I've heard that name before!” Sango gasped suddenly with realization. All the stories her father had told her of the thief and bandit Youko Kurama, came rushing back to her. “Oh Kami.” She whispered, suddenly feeling dizzy.

 

“You guys, Youko is not a lightweight. His power, …he really could hurt Kagome-chan. And we wouldn't be able to do anything about it.”

 

“Well fuck Sango! Why the hell didn't you mention this sooner?!” Inuyasha demanded, able to breathe once more, now that his brother's grip had loosened. “Let go you bastard! I have to go find Kagome before it's too late.”

 

“Hn. Gladly.” Said Sesshoumaru, releasing the hanyou from his hold. “Filthy half-breed.” And he was gone.

 

|| YRA ||

 

Brown orbs with an underlying red tone, snapped open quickly from a deep sleep. “The book.” Kagome gasped as she sat up suddenly. Tears were gathering steadily in her eyes as she searched frantically for the book that had been forgotten about in favor of her mate.

 

Wrapping the sheet around her bare skin, Kagome fell to the floor on her hands and knees, desperately searching for her diary.

 

`Where is it? I need . . ' The tears that had gathered in the corners of her eyes, slipped onto the ground below. Looking back up at the unmoving body still on the futon, the dream that had just played, came back to the forefront of her thoughts and Kagome quickly crawled back onto the bed.

 

“Youko!” she whispered, gently shaking the fox demon. Though he was warm beneath her hands, tears continued to flow down her cheeks. “Youko!” she whispered again and yet not receiving an answer. “Youko!!” she cried shaking him more firmly now. “Please?” she whimpered. Still he did not answer and Kagome was left to grab her head and shake furiously at the images playing there. “No, no, no, no, no!”

 

Feeling a drop of water hit him in the face and then roll down his cheek, Youko finally awoke to find Kagome kneeled above him, chanting the word “no” repeatedly.

 

“Kagome?” he asked carefully. Seeing her become startled at the sound of his voice before throwing herself on top of him, Youko felt the need to ask what was going on. He was however, interrupted when Kagome's lips covered his own is a desperate kiss. Not one to let a good thing slip through his grasp, Youko returned the kiss, thoroughly pleased to wake up this way. Until Kagome pulled back and buried her face in his chest as she sobbed.

 

Now thoroughly confused and somewhat concerned, Youko wrapped his arms around her smaller frame, gently combing his clawed fingers through her hair. “Kagome, ..what brings these tears to your eyes. What has caused my precious jewel to lose her shine?” he asked.

 

Though he couldn't explain why, seeing Kagome cry, brought a pang to his chest. It hurt him to see her so distraught. He knew it was not love he felt for her, as he is the great Youko Kurama and did not love. Most especially when he had all the playmates he could ever want. But perhaps, due to her status as his mate, he was a little bit more attached to her. She was after all the first he had ever marked his own. And though there was no love, he certainly did like to see her shine like the gem he saw her as. It would seem that she had won his heart as his most prized possession, albeit stolen.

 

Not receiving a response from the woman in his arms, Youko sighed. “Kagome, jemu, tell me.”

 

Lifting her head slightly, Kagome peered carefully into the golden eyes watching her so carefully. Once more, tears gathered there as she saw flashes of her dream in her mind's eye. “I . . I had this dream, but . . Where is my book?” she asked, unable to speak of what she had seen. And yet, needing to see if her dream had been a vision of what was to come. If so, then so Kami help her, she would do whatever she had to, to keep her dream from coming true.

 

“I didn't move it. So it should still be where you dropped it on the floor.” Replied the fox. His curiosity, though, had been awoken when Kagome would not speak of what had happened in her dream to drive her to the point of tears.

 

“I looked and it's not there.” She sniffled, laying her head back down to relax comfortably against Youko's warm body.

 

“I'll help you look later. For now, just rest.”

 

And as Kagome closed her eyes to relax and return to the land of dreams, Youko was left to lay awake, pondering and still curious as to what dreams had elicited such a disturbing reaction from his mate and precious gem.

 

|| YRA ||

 

The next morning, Kagome and Youko did look for the book but could not find it. Knowing that she had not misplaced it and that Youko did not take it, Kagome was left with worry and fears that could not be put to rest. Youko, however, did not let Kagome sulk over what he thought was a silly book and decided that it was best for his mate if she were to return to the village with her friends.

 

“But Youko,” Kagome began in protest, as he gently led her from the cave and out into the warmth of the day.

 

“Come now love. I'm sure that your friends are worried for you. Spend some time with them and repair the damage that you said yourself was there.”

 

Kagome sighed and stopped resisting against her mate. “Fine.” She grumbled.

 

Delighted that the argument had been settled and he had won, Youko smirked. “Good. Now then, I'll take you to the village. After that I have to go but, I shall return soon for you.”

 

“Go? Where?” Kagome asked curiously.

 

“Ah. That, my love, is a secret for now. However, when I return, I shall share with you what I accomplished.” Replied Youko.

 

“Mmm, promise?”

 

Chuckling at the childlike state of his mate, the silver fox pulled Kagome to him and leaned down to kiss her lightly on the lips. “I do.” He whispered, watching with prideful delight at the blush that rose onto his mate's cheeks.

 

Releasing the young woman, Youko once more began to lead Kagome back to the village of the Priestess Kaede. The rest of their journey passing in silence.

 

Upon reaching the village, Kagome was greeted warmly by her friends and they in turn were given a firm warning from Youko that should anything happen to Kagome while he was gone, their deaths would be a light punishment, all things considered.

 

“Keh, whatever.” Inuyasha grumbled, still sore over the fact that the woman he loved, now belonged to another youkai.

 

Recognizing the frown that appeared on the dangerous kitsune youkai's face, Miroku quickly stepped forward, laughing nervously, while mentally cursing his hanyou friend. “Don't worry Youko-sama. Kagome will be taken care of and safe until your return.”

 

“I'll hold you to your word monk.” Youko said calmly. A dark glint behind his golden eyes. Allowing his youki to rise in warning, Youko turned sharply on his heel before disappearing in a flash of silver.

 

Miroku sighed heavily once the presence of the silver kitsune youkai could no longer be felt. “Well then Kagome-sama I guess we'll have to lock you up somewhere safe until your mate returns.” He joked, violet eyes sparkling when Kagome's giggles reached his ears.

 

“Hai Miroku. If that is what it takes to keep you all safe from Youko's wrath.” Kagome replied, continuing along with the joke. Grabbing onto the monk's hand, she drug him along through the village towards Kaede's hut. Sango, Inuyasha, Kirara, and Shippou following behind.

 

`Now maybe we'll get the chance to fix our relationship before it can suffer any more.'

 

|| YRA ||

 

Kagome in an inhuman display, growled lowly as she stalked through the forestry just outside of Kaede's village, anger radiating from her aura. `Just who does he think he is? Threatening me like that?! Well now I see why Inuyasha hates him so much. Arrogant prick!'

 

“Kagome!” Said hanyou's call, reached Kagome's sensitive ears and the young miko stopped fuming to look up. Spotting the red clad inu racing towards her through the tree tops, she stopped her angry march through the forest.

 

“Down here Inuyasha!” Kagome yelled out. She waited patiently until her half-demon friend stood before her, watching cautiously for any sign of annoyance that she might show. Sighing, Kagome forced herself to relax and smile for her companion. “I'm okay Inuyasha. But that brother of yours, he won't be if he doesn't leave me alone.”

 

Inuyasha snickered. “Keh, just let me know when you're ready to kick his ass. I want to be there to see it firsthand when Sesshoumaru, all-mighty-demon-lord, gets his ass kicked by a pissed off miko.”

 

Kagome giggled at her friend's words and nodded. “Un!”

 

“Now come on. The other's were worried when you stomped off like that.” Holding out his hand for the girl, Kagome blushed before gently taking his hand and allowing him to lead her back to the village.

 

`I'm sorry Inuyasha. I wish it had been you.'

 

|| YRA ||

 

It was now two weeks having passed since the proud youkai, Lord Sesshoumaru, had arrived in the village and began to persuade Kagome to remove her spell of “love”, that she supposedly cast upon him.

 

It hadn't worked. Things had worsened and Sesshoumaru found that few things entertained his thoughts other than the priestess Kagome. This had only served to make him angrier. To think that he, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands, had fallen in love with a human priestess.

 

Kagome, however, found that it was soon time to return to her era for her visit with her family, before her monthly transformation. She sighed heavily at this thought.

 

`I hope he doesn't try to kill everyone out of anger while I'm gone.' Kagome thought to herself as she sat in Kaede's hut packing her yellow backpack to take home and refill with supplies. `Maybe he'll go home. …For good.' She added hopefully, but then realized that this was not at all a possibility. The proud jackass would not be happy to find out that she had disappeared and would only pester her even more when she got back, knowing to himself that he, as the “Lord of the West”, would not be denied his freedom from a “lowly” human miko.

 

“Bastard.” She grumbled, slowly coming to a stand. Carefully, Kagome poked her head from the hut and checked with every sense she had, for the presence of the demon lord. Luckily, he was nowhere to be found and deciding not to question her luck, Kagome made a break for the well.

 

Having already explained to her friends of her plans to return to the future for a couple of days, Kagome did not bother to worry about seeking them out and letting them know that she was leaving. One name, however, did come to mind.

 

Youko Kurama, her mate. He hadn't shown his face for a while and that slightly worried her, though she did not know why, considering that she barely knew him and they had been mated for less than a month. The only things she really knew about him were that he was an arrogant, sexually lustful, thieving, sneaky, gorgeous, silver kitsune youkai. However rather than worrying more than necessary, Kagome knew that should he return while she was away, her friends would explain to him of her whereabouts.

 

“Well, I guess this is goodbye for now.” Kagome sighed as she came to a stop in front of the Bone Eater's Well. Turning back around she scanned the clearing for any presences and was glad once more to find none. “Be back soon.” She whispered before turning to leap over the edge of the well.

 

In a flash of sky blue and white lights, Kagome was gone to travel through the ages ending up where it all started. In the future, where she was born.

 

Two pairs of amber eyes, unknowing of each other, watched the well for a moment longer before both pairs disappeared in a flash of silver.

 

|| YRA ||

 

“Hey Kaede-sama, I've got a theory, but since you know all there is to know on Kikyou's curse, perhaps you can decided whether or not this makes any sense.” Miroku said, turning his thoughtful lavender gaze upon the aged miko.

 

“Yes Miroku-san?” Kaede answered.

 

“Well, the curse that has been put on Kagome-sama, you've stated that if Kagome-sama were to mate while she was in her transformed demonic state, she would stay a demon once the time of the curse's activation had finished. But Kagome-sama has mated while in her human state. Would this at all affect the curse, or would Kagome-sama still stay a demon? Does this curse still even have any power, now that Kagome-sama has mated with Youko?”

 

Sango and Inuyasha shared a look at Miroku's words. Could this be true? Did the curse work anymore? Had Kagome's mating Youko been a blessing in disguise?

 

“Hm, this is a wonderful point ye have brought up Miroku-san. However, my understanding of the curse that Kikyou used is that this particular curse acts as an incurable infection. It lies dormant until once a month where it flares up and forces these changes that Kagome undergoes. While dormant, it goes undetected and so even if there was a way to break the curse, there would be no way to attack it, until it flares and becomes active. However, because of how the curse works, one is too busy trying to keep the infected from mating, that there is no time to apply any type of cure. And although I wish it were possible, I don't think that Kagome mating Youko while human, would affect the curse in any way. I'm sorry Miroku-san but, no.”

 

Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha sighed sadly.

 

“Well, since we can't help her while the curse is dormant, is there something, anything to break it when she does transform?” Sango dared to ask.

 

“Not anything that I know of. Perhaps ye should seek out that witch once more.” Offered the aged miko.

 

“Keh, yeah right! The old coot was of no help the first time.” Inuyasha grumbled.

 

“Then maybe ye should seek out a dark miko.”

 

“Like Tsubaki?” Sango wondered.

 

“Hai, though most dark mikos are paired with evil, there are some that were just wronged and seek to help in any way they can with their changed powers.” Kaede replied.

 

“Where would we find one Kaede-sama?” Miroku ventured.

 

“Well, I doubt ye would be able to locate her in time for Kagome's next transformation, but there is one kuro miko that lives in an abandoned village to the south of here. Lady Mitei-Ai, was a miko that was wronged and though she does not outright declared herself sided with evil, she is not entirely for the greater good. Be careful when ye seek her assistance.”

 

“Thank you Kaede-sama.” Smiled Miroku.

 

“Keh, well I'm not waiting. We've got two days before Kagome returns. I'm going now.” Inuyasha declared, standing and slipping the sheathed Tetsusaiga into his sash.

 

“Wait Inuyasha. I'm going too.” Sango stated, standing quickly and gathering her weapons.

 

“I will accompany you as well. If all else fails, perhaps we can use the witch's spell, to contain this Lady Mitei-Ai until she provides us with her assistance.” Miroku added, stretching lazily as he came to stand beside Sango.

 

“Keh, or maybe we can use you to seduce her ya pervert.” Inuyasha scoffed. Though he was joking, he did not miss the thoughtful look behind the monk's lavender eyes. Rolling his amber eyes, Inuyasha walked out of the hut, not once looking back.

 

“We'll shall return shortly.” Miroku bowed to Kaede, before he too followed after his companions.

 

Shaking her head sadly, Kaede could not help but sigh. `Dear Kami, please be with those three and see them back safely.'

 

|| YRA ||

 

Kagome sighed, depressed that her time in the future had so quickly passed, leaving her with only little over an hour to get back to the past before her transformation.

 

“Relax dear. We know you'll be in good hands, so why do you worry so?” Mama Higurashi asked of her daughter. Smiling comfortingly, she pulled the young woman into her embrace, hands soothingly running through the silky black locks.

 

“I'm too strong for them.” Was the soft whisper that reached Mama Higurashi's ears. Looking down, she was startled to find that no longer did her daughter's laughing brown orbs hold her own gaze, but the ruby red gaze of a stranger.

 

“Kagome… I,” Kagome's mother fell silent, realizing that she had no idea what to say.

 

“Azumi! Daughter, where are you?” the aged voice of Kagome's grandfather called from just outside her bedroom.

 

Both women paused and looked to the door. Azumi, Mama Higurashi, was glad for the interruption as it distracted her from realizing that her daughter was slowly dying in front of her. Realizing that the stress of time-hopping and monthly transformations into a creature the very opposite of who she was, was slowly killing her daughter.

 

“In here otou-san.” Azumi called. The door swung open quickly after and in stepped Hisao Higurashi. He was wearing a goofy smile and holding a scroll in his right hand.

 

“Ah, there you two are… What's happened?” he asked, seeing the despondent nature of the two important women in his life.

 

Azumi faked a smile and shook her head. “Nothing's wrong otou-san.” She lied. “What's that in your hand?” she continued, completely missing the look on her daughter's face that screamed that she needed to talk. Needed her mother's comfort.

 

“Ah, yes!” Once more, the goofy smile appeared on Hisao's face. “I need to speak with you. In private.”

 

“Okay. Kagome, dear, why don't you finishing packing, hm? We can finish talking later.” Azumi offered, tentatively meeting her daughter's ruby red gaze.

 

“But-” Kagome began.

 

“I love you.” Interrupted Azumi, leaning forward and placing a quick kiss on Kagome's forehead, before following her father from the room.

 

`Okaa-san? You too?' thought Kagome sadly.

 

|| YRA ||

 

A constant tapping of claws against wood, sounded throughout the small hut of Priestess Kaede as Inuyasha sat impatiently worrying over the missing miko, Kagome Higurashi.

 

“Where is Kagome-chan? She should be here by now.” Sango wondered aloud, just as worried as the inu hanyou seated across from her.

 

“I'm sure she's hopping into the well in her time as we speak, Sango-sama.” Miroku offered, hoping to soothe the nerves of his friends. However, because he was as worried as they were, his words were of no help.

 

They had returned only a mere two hours ago from their trip to seek out the Lady Mitei-Ai. When they had reached the village, they had found it entirely abandoned. There were signs of life in one of the huts and they had come to the conclusion that it was the kuro miko they were looking for, when they came upon the garden of all sorts of herbs and plants. But it would seem that she was not currently in the village.

 

Deciding to wait a day to see if she would return, Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha stayed the night in the abandoned village. When they awoke the next morning and still no signs of the kuro miko, it was decided that they should begin making their way back to their own village, for Kagome would be returning the next day and it had taken them a while to reach the village they were now in. Defeated, they left the village of the kuro miko Mitei-Ai.

 

Now here they were, back home with empty hands.

 

“Baka girl. The sun's more than halfway down now! Where the hell is she?!” Inuyasha growled, jumping to a stand and tilting his head to scent the air in hopes that Kagome's sweet scent was nearby.

 

No such luck. Only the scent of her mate, Youko Kurama.

 

Snarling at this thought, Inuyasha plopped back down on the wooden surface.

 

The silver fox had returned right after Kagome had gone through the well to her time. Knowing exactly where his mate was, he had not bothered to stop by the village to visit with his mate's friends, rather stayed on the outskirts of the village, by the well awaiting her return.

 

There was one more scent that reached Inuyasha's nose, and it was of his brother's. Sesshoumaru had yet to leave and once he had found out that Kagome had disappeared, he had nearly killed Inuyasha in his demands to know where Kagome had gone.

 

Fearing for the hanyou's life, Sango and Miroku had explained to Sesshoumaru the details of Kagome's life, including her birth in the future and trips through time. After the explanation, Sesshoumaru had staked out in the forestry surrounding the well to await the priestess's return. Of course all this happened before they left to seek out Lady Mitei-Ai.

 

Neither Sesshoumaru nor Youko had met yet and this left Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, and Kaede in a state of worry, considering the fact that two very powerful demons were awaiting the same girl. One looking to sweep her off her feet and take her away to Kami knows where, and the other looking to kill her for casting a love spell.

 

“Inuyasha please.” Kaede scolded lightly, poking at the flames in the center of her hut with a wooden stick.

 

“Feh!” Inuyasha huffed, rolling his amber colored eyes in frustration. However, he could not sit back down and wait any longer. “I'm going to get that stupid girl and drag her back here.” He announced and not waiting for anyone's approval, he disappeared from the hut.

 

Sango and Miroku both groaned.

 

“It will not do anyone any good if he goes to get her as he is now. He might even start a fight between Youko and Lord Sesshoumaru.” Kaede spoke wisely, eyeing the demon slayer and monk with a look that said they need to stall Inuyasha until the very last moment.

 

“Alright Kaede-sama. We're going.” Miroku sighed, coming to a stand. Grabbing his staff from the wall he chased after the hanyou.

 

Left with only Sango, Kaede waited. “Is there some reason that ye are not out there helping Miroku?” she asked the youkai taijiya.

 

“Kagome-chan is too strong. How can we possibly hope to save her when everything we have to protect her, she can break through?” Sango asked despondently.

 

“So ye would rather give up on her?” Kaede retorted.

 

“No! It's just that I don't know how to-”

 

“Ye fail Kagome so much worse by giving up, than by just trying ye best and failing.”

 

“Kaede why-”

 

“And ye call yourself her friend. What friend would give up on someone they loved when faced with the questions, “how”? Ye still fight for you brother, Kohaku, do ye not?”

 

“B-but I-” Sango stuttered, fighting off the tears that threatened to fall.

 

“Kagome will know that ye have finally failed her. And Kagome will probably suffer, but because she is so strong, Kagome will find a way to continue on. Continue to help ye fight for ye brother. Even though she now must have to deal with two powerful youkai mates, without any priestess powers to help her fight ye war against Naraku.”

 

“I-I,” The sound of tears beating against the wooden floors was the only thing to be heard.

 

“KAGOME!”

 

Looking up sharply, Sango and Kaede were horrified to find that the sun finally had set.

 

“Hurry! Before it is too late!” Kaede urged, pulling Sango roughly to her feet and thrusting Hiraikotsu into the slayer's hands.

 

Looking up with her one good eye, Kaede looked Sango deeply in the eyes. Tears still poured down the younger girl's face and Kaede tenderly wiped them away. “I know ye have yet to give up on Kagome, but ye must continue to fight this inner demon that threatens to devour ye will. Kagome needs ye all more than ever now. She needs you, more than ever. Do not fail her.”

 

Nodding furiously, Sango wiped the last of her tears. Turning to face the door, she paused for only a moment. “Arigatou Kaede-sama.” she whispered before racing the hut. Kirara hot on her heels.

 

`Good for ye Sango.' Kaede sighed thoughtfully. `Now for that stubborn hanyou. What can I say to him to get him to realize just how much he needs to wake up, before he loses the woman he chose over Kikyou?'

 

|| YRA ||

 

“Mou,” Kagome groaned as she tiredly tossed her yellow pack down into the depths of the well. It was an easy task even though the bag was filled to the brim with all sorts of food and objects to help her in the past. But considering the sun had less the half a ways to go before completely set, Kagome knew that it was just her demonic strength.

 

Sighing sadly, Kagome sank to the ground to wait for her mother to come. Her mother had promised to see her off and so Kagome would wait, even if it mean to wait to the very last second. Looking up, Kagome continued to sit and watch as the sun slowly descended behind the trees. “Okaa-san, where are you?” she wondered aloud.

 

The minutes continued to tick by.

 

It wasn't until the sun finally disappeared completely behind the trees, and the first star of the night twinkle merrily in the sky did Kagome stand, giving up on the hope that her mother would come. And as her hope faded, so did the chocolate brown color of her eyes. Blinking away her tears, ruby red orbs gazed into the dark depths of the well, as clawed hands gripped the edges.

 

“Kagome?” Azumi whispered, unsure if it was her daughter, or a monster standing before her.

 

As if she had never heard her name, Kagome swung her legs over the lip of the well.

 

“Kagome!” Azumi called desperately, her father's words ringing in her ears.

 

“Why do you ignore the signs?” Hisao asked her daughter, dropping the playful old man façade in favor of the disappointed father that he was.

 

“Excuse me?” Azumi asked, unsure she had heard her father correctly.

 

“Why do you ignore your daughter's suffering?” Hisao repeated, turning to face is daughter.

 

“Otou-san?” gasped Azumi, hurt by her father's words.

 

“Don't, Azumi. She's still you're daughter… and she's suffering. Why do you ignore you're daughter's pain? You fail her when you do. She needs you, and you ignore her. How can you expect her to return to a home that no longer welcomes everything she is? This curse is now a part of who she is so again I ask, why do you ignore her pain and suffering?”

 

Sighing, Azumi shook her head in shame. “I don't know. When I look in her eyes, I see that she hurts and I don't know what to do. I don't know how to help her. How can I claim to be her mother when I don't know how to keep her from hurting?”

 

“You don't have to know how to solve her problems. You just have to be there to comfort her when she needs comfort. Love her when she feels lost and alone. Don't you want to be the one she comes home to when she does have the answers? The one who hugs and shares in the joy of knowing that she's figured it out on her own, grown into a woman that can take care of herself? Go to her, Azumi. Go to your daughter.”

 

“Kagome, I'm so sorry.” Azumi whispered. “You don't have to forgive me now, but please just let me know that you'll come back. That you'll come home.” She pleaded. Watching her daughter carefully, she was startled when Kagome turned her head to look at her from the corner of her eye. Ruby red met her chocolate brown eyes. Emptiness. Blank, ruby colored eyes stared back at her.

 

“You're too late.” Kagome stated calmly. A smirk followed her statement and before Azumi could say anything else, her daughter had fallen into the well's depths, disappearing in a flash of blue and white lights.

 

“Oh dear Kami.” Azumi murmured, sinking to the ground below as she stared, unblinkingly at the well.

 

|| YRA ||

 

Sesshoumaru rolled his amber eyes as he listened to his brother argue with the monk and taijiya. `Fools.' The scent of rain and cinnamon however, alerted Sesshoumaru to the returning miko and he turned his attention to watch as a yellow pack was thrown from the depths, only to land a few feet from the well.

 

Just as the taiyoukai was preparing to leap from his place, hidden in the trees, another figure appeared in front of the well, peering curiously over the lip and sniffing delicately down into it's depths. `Where did that kitsune come from? And why did I not sense him before?' Sesshoumaru asked himself, thoroughly disappointed in his abilities.

 

“Kagome?” the smooth and seductive voice of the kitsune called down into the well.

 

Again the scent of rain and cinnamon reached Sesshoumaru's nose, only this time it was laced with something else that sent his inner demon reeling. `Shit.'

 

Below, Youko waited patiently for Kagome to make her way out of the well. He did not wait long however, when her tiny hands appeared from the darkness to grip the lip of the well. There was something different about her hands though, and tilting his head to the side slightly, Youko smirked slyly, recognizing that his mate was no longer human.

 

`I can not believe I almost forgot.' Amber eyes bleeding red, lust enveloped his mind. “Well, well. How is my mate this evening?” Youko asked, delicately lifting Kagome from the well and seating her on the lip. Blood red met ruby and Youko nearly lost himself as he took a deep breath.

 

Kagome smiled, licking her lips. Leaning forward to brush her lips teasingly against his own, she sighed. Wrapping her legs around his waist and pressing her chest against his own, Kagome began to place gentle nips and kisses along the kitsune's neck. She was startled however, when he growled threateningly at her. Pulling back to look curiously at him, “Oh?”

 

“You are my mate.” The kitsune snarled, grabbing her wrists and pulling her away from his body forcefully. “I will take charge.”

 

Kagome laughed, realizing that she was dealing with a very dominant male. “Ah, I see. But you will get nothing, if you do not release me, now.” Kagome retorted. When Youko did not obey, Kagome did something unexpected that shocked the kitsune into letting go of her wrists.

 

Pulling her fangs from the flesh of the left side of his neck, she ran her tongue over her sharp teeth, nicking herself in the process before running her bleeding tongue over the mark she had just made on the silver kitsune. The wound on her tongue and the wound on his neck, sealed instantly. Youko, however was left with a scar. “Now,” Kagome whispered, looking defiantly into Youko's rage filled blood-red eyes, “-you are my mate. And we are equals.”

 

Now honor bound, Youko retaliated the only way he knew how. Angrily he forced his mouth upon her own and kissed her as roughly as he could. Kagome however, did not seem fazed and kissed him back just as hard. Her claws tore through the material of his shirt, only too ready to consummate their new relationship.

 

Sadly, they were interrupted when Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku came barreling through the tree line. Seeing what was going on between their dear friend and her mate, “KAGOME!” Inuyasha screamed.

 

“Hiraikotsu!” Sango yelled, throwing the hefty weapon at the silver kitsune. The oversized weapon did its job and separated Kagome and Youko from each other, when both jumped out of the way to avoid the deadly object. They each landed on either side of the well, glaring at the newcomers.

 

However, before anyone could make any moves, Sesshoumaru, whom had been waiting in his tree until now, obeyed when his demon growled at him to go after the unfulfilled Kagome.

 

Sango, Inuyasha, Miroku, and Youko all watched as Sesshoumaru appeared behind Kagome in a blur, securing her in his grasp, before disappearing just as quickly in a second blur. Cautiously, the slayer, hanyou-turned-human, and monk turned to gauge Youko's reaction.

 

Large vines from the ground below shot up and enveloped Youko in their massiveness, before pulling him under the ground and out of the group's site. But not before they felt the explosion of the silver kitsune's youki. It was so filled with rage that it nearly choked them all in the single second that it had been there.

 

They were silent, knowing that once sunrise came, Kagome would be back. Only this time, she would be mated.

 

They had failed. Miserably, they had failed.

 

“Shit!!” Inuyasha cursed, throwing his fist at one of the trees behind him. Miroku and Sango could only look on sadly.

 

“We've failed her. We failed Kagome-chan.” Sango sighed, sinking to the earthen floor.

 

`I'm so sorry Kagome-sama.'

 

Owari

 

Mou, twenty-seven damn pages. I'm proud though, as it took me several months to finish.

 

I apologize for such a long delay in between chapters. However after my spark of creativity, I was bombarded by the fact that . . . MY MUSE HAD LEFT ME ONCE MORE!

 

!-! -cries and curses muse-

 

Ahem, anyways, I found inspiration in music and your lovely reviews.

 

Thank you all for being so supportive and patient. I shall do my best to manifest the next chapter coming out much sooner than this one. …But knowing my lack of creativity and lack of muse to inspire me, that might be a while.

 

Oh the word jemu, means gem in Japanese. Though I don't know how that wouldn't be obvious. If you read aloud then you'll see just what I mean.

 

So until I next update for you all…

 

Sincerely Yours,

 

|| Your Rude Awakening ||