Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Damnation of a Tortured Soul ❯ Chapter 1

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Title: Damnation of a Tortured Soul
Authors: Vivian, BrokenSouledPoetess, Ryukotsusei
Disclaimer: We do not own any part of Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. They belong to their respective owners.

Summary: Kagome has to begin a new journey even tougher than that of Naraku, to save her own soul.

Prologue

The whole village scrambled around the group, every ear waiting patiently to hear the words being spoken by the elder miko. Startled gasps were heard upon learning that the former miko Kikyou was back among them. She was coming to stay, to live out her life in the village. To take over their care after Kaede was gone, along with the hanyou Inuyasha. The taijiya, houshi and fox kit would be staying as well. Tonight was a night of celebration, the evil known as Naraku was gone. The jewel was gone, they could live their lives in peace from attacking youkai.

They owed it all to this ragtag group, strangers that had come together. Now a family, as well as friends. No one noticed as the small neko ran off towards the forest. The jewel was complete once more but not gone as everyone suspected. She knew better, it wasn't over. It never had the power to grant wishes or power to its holder but the war still waged inside. That battle wouldn't be over until things were set right, until her soul could be at peace.

The neko bound up to the edge of the forest before taking off into the sky. For months she had suspected a truth, now it was confirmed. Despite what her friends believed there was more to her. The wind blew gently off her fur, taking her closer to her destination. The girl was suppose to stay for two more days, then return home. Enough time to do what was needed, to do what she could to save her friend's soul. The one responsible for the death of Naraku, the miko known as Kagome. Kirara's heart twitched as the girl's face came to mind because she saw another.

She let her mind wander back centuries, almost a lifetime ago for her. She had been born a lady of the Central Lands, having an older sibling. Takai had been raised spoiled and taught to be cruel. From childhood she'd tried to stay away from him, his cruelty extending even to her. No one was shown mercy once he took over ruling after the death of their father. Decades went by, her life being one lived in the shadows. If she crossed his path, he'd found a reason to punish. One day she believed her life could finally be one of happiness. A friend of her brother's had stopped by to pay his respects.

Kirara could still remember every line of his handsome face. A bat youkai, the proudest of his people. His long black hair had been spun form the finest silk, to cascade over the small wings attached to his back. His features had been sharp but accented his perfect face. His eyes pitch black, the darkness of them enough to pull your soul into the depths. Every line of his body had spoken of great power, a worthy ally or foe.

It had been love at first sight for her foolish heart. She'd fallen for that false smile, the good looks. At first, he hadn't noticed her hanging around the corners to watch him. Her eyes use to seek him out, enjoying his every movement. Her nights had been filled with longing, the desire to touch him. Her world had changed the day he approached her, striking up a conversation. His words had been sweet, his manner polite. It was the first step to her downfall.

Soon he began seeking her out more often, mostly to talk. She had believed that he was truly interested in her person. All her life she'd dreamed of finding a mate to love and cherish. Up until that point she didn't even know his name, never being bold enough to ask. Till one evening she was preparing for bed, he came to her. Her heart had rejoiced, knowing that it was the night he would proclaim his love for her and take her as his mate. Her dreams were about to come true, all in the form of the beautiful bat.

His seduction of her young body had been easy, so easy it should have been a crime. She let him have his way with her, trying to enjoy being with the man she loved. When it came time for the marking, nothing happened. The mating had been painful but not near enough to cause her to cry out. Her mother had explained that the first time was unpleasant. Her heart believed in that fact, it would be wonderful next time. He'd left her that night without giving her anything but for his name.

Roninher lover left without looking back that night. The next few days went by in a blur for her, none of it mattered. She was counting the days until she saw him again. Seeing him again was the only thing that concerned her. It was two weeks before he came back, then only after everyone had retired. Sneaking into her bedroom to take her once more. The next time hadn't been painful but nothing like she'd hoped.

Still she'd given her heart to him, letting him come to her at night whenever the mood struck him. Over a year went by, weeks in between his visits. He came to the estate often but didn't seek her out on every occasion. That hadn't stopped her, every time she'd welcomed him with open arms and a blind heart. Never suspecting the ugly truth, behind her love.

A month went by between his visits, she'd discovered that she was pregnant. The need to talk to him urgent now, her joy had been immense at the discovery. She wanted the child, it was theirs. One day news came to her of his arrival at the estate. Knowing that he would be in his reserved rooms she'd struck out to find him, to share the news. It was that day her life had changed. The door was slightly cracked, letting the noises come forth from inside. Curious she opened the door further to see what was happening. Her shocked gasp was loud enough to be heard by the two occupants. Her lover was on his knees behind Takai, taking him in the same manner he'd taken her.

They both turned to see her standing there with disbelief and horror written over her soft features. It all suddenly made sense to her, the frequent visits but not to her. The closeness of the two men, they were more than friends. Her brother moved faster than she could, slamming his fist into the side of her face. The man that greatly resembled her, stared down at her prone form with unguarded hate. She tried to call out to her love, asking for his help. He rose from his knees to stand next to her brother then proclaimed that he'd just agreed to become Takai's mate.

Through her broken heart she began to feel the onslaught of kicks. Disbelief and denial kept her mobile, Ronin took a few steps back watching while she was beaten. A harsh kick was placed to her abdomen, drawing her eyes from her lover. She struck out bringing her claws across Takai's fleshy thigh. She crawled across the floor putting distance between them, her brain functioned at last. She'd just lost something that had never really been hers. Instinct told her to run, to save her unborn child.

Laughter was heard as she transformed, the desire to live consuming her. She was no fool, she'd just struck her brother. He would see her beg for death before granting it. Run, it was her only option, flee for her life. A hand landed on her back, trying to halt her progress. Ronin had a handful of fur fisted, aiming to cause pain. A smile was plastered across his beautiful face, triumphant was shining in his eyes. He thought he'd won, she would not be used or die without a fight. Her fangs bared then sank down into the hand that had once caressed her.

The hold was released giving the precious seconds needed to flee. Servants moved out of her way as she ran down the great hall to make her escape into the morning sky. Not long after taking flight she felt the first pains, proof that Takai would take everything from her. Half an hour later the pain became too great, forcing her to land and change form. Her senses told her that Ronin wasn't far behind, unwilling to let her leave. Tears began feeling the steady flow of blood, robbing her of the child.

He landed beside her, her tear filled eyes turned to meet his gaze. She whimpered when his hand tightened around her throat cutting off any sound. She had been forced to listen as he told her what he wanted. After years of wanting his own lands and a title, he noticed Takai's growing infatuation with him. One day he'd decided to use it, so he became her brother's lover. Then she had come along so stupid and naive, ready to throw herself at him. His plan was to keep them both, bragging that her brother was so far gone in his infatuation, Ronin already ruled him. The next step would be the Central Lands and her.

The words were causing as much pain as the trauma in her abdomen. She realized she meant nothing to him, he'd never loved her. Being nothing more than an added bonus to what he really wanted, the Central Lands. Her struggles at the news angered him causing him to strike out.

While fighting the darkness that tried to claim her, panic set in. His hand went for the gown she was wearing, pulling the cloth up. He growled when his nose picked up the scent of blood. She watched in horror as he began removing himself from the white pants he always wore. Her voice fell on deaf ears as she begged him to spare her. She screamed as he entered her, a sharp pained accompanied the penetration.

Her hand fisted his long hair, trying to pull his mouth off her neck as his fangs grazed over the sensitive skin. The feeling of him entering her again caused her hold to loosen allowing him to mark her. She could feel her strength giving out from the loss of blood. Her body cramped from the brutal penetration along with oncoming miscarriage.

It looked like fate had abandoned her, leaving her at his mercy or lack of. He was still thrusting inside her, ignoring her whimpers of pain. A streak of pink light crossed her eyesight to land in his back. He jerked up filling the clearing with his own screams. She looked up to see his back smoking one of his wings gone, the flesh where it had once been bubbling. Bile tore up her throat but she fought the urge. A small girl was standing off to the side, a human no older than the age of eight or nine. His eyes started to bleed red, rage consuming him as he stared at the girl.

Kirara reached up and brought her claws across the left side of his exposed face. The flesh tore, nails scraping across the bone underneath. He was finally off her, rolling on the ground holding his bleeding cheek. His curses were heard as she pulled herself up, swearing to kill them both. Her feet carried her over to the child who was still watching Ronin. Not wanting the child to die after saving her, she used the last of her strength to transform.

The girl decided to trust her and hop on before he got up. Kirara thanked the gods that had sent the young Midoriko to her that day. After reaching safety the girl had proven her skills as a miko by healing her but had been unable to save the child. From that day she had followed Midoriko to her village where everyone welcomed her. It was a village of taijiya but that didn't seem to matter. The village elder was told of her problem, a solution was found. The only real means of him locating her was through the mark he'd placed upon her neck. The only good thing was that while she was in her true form he couldn't use it against her. He was a bat youkai while she was a neko, the difference in species was enough. As long as she wasn't in her humaniod form, she'd be safe from him and her brother.

For ten years she'd stayed with her new friend, coming to love her like a sister. Midoriko became stronger, a miko of untold power. Kirara had loved the girl, watching her grow into a beautiful young woman. The miko had just turned eighteen when she found her first love in the form of a human boy. The courtship had been a shy one and forbidden. No one questioned the friendship but Kirara had seen the signs of love just below the surface.

Then the other had appeared, Kirara being the one to find him. After scouting the area one morning she found a fire youkai on the verge of death. Instead of letting him die, she'd dragged him to the village. From there Midoriko had nursed him back to him against the wishes of the others. After waking even she began to quarrel with the rude man. The human boy that loved her tried to convince her to send the youkai away. Weeks went by, the youkai was more than healed but stayed in the village. Kirara knew it was because of the miko, her friend was about to know heartache.

One evening on a stroll Midoriko had confessed to loving both men and could not choose. She then laughed, saying not like she'd ever get the chance. Her life was meant to be served helping those weaker than herself. The two men began bickering with each other aware of the other's desire for the girl. Kirara had interrupted a few of those brawls, the human standing no chance against the youkai. In the end their hate for each other began to eat at Midoriko. She couldn't have either, both had been lost to her from the beginning.

One evening she'd found her friend crying. Unable to just sit in her lap, she'd taken the chance and changed. Needing to convey words that the girl would understand. The talk had helped her some, giving Midoriko hope. Yet that mistake had cost them both. A week later Kirara had been out scouting the area when she'd fallen into a trap. Her brother was seen laughing at her from above, then nothing.

She'd come to days later, to come face to face with Takai. He enjoyed torturing her for days, keeping her in humaniod form. She listened as he told her of his plans to destroy her and the human girl. They had permanently disfigured his mate, for that they would pay. Then he spoke of killing the miko, how the two men turned out to be a great help. Their hate for each other being the downfall of the miko.

Ten days passed in which he took the pleasure of torturing her, allowing his men to use her body for their pleasure. The cell where she was being held was somewhere in the western lands. She knew jealousy was keeping him from taking her back to the estate. He yelled at her to no end of being tired of Ronin's desire to see her returned. On the eleventh day he left her, throwing her back into the cell leaving only his guards to watch over her.

She waited until it was safe then made her move. All the men were sleeping peacefully around the cell, relaxing now that their lord was gone. Takai had forgotten to put the chain back on her throat, it had contained the ward stopping her from transforming. Once their snores filled the cave she made a break for it.

What she found had crushed her heart, her friend was gone. The cave not far from the village turned out to be her eternal resting place. That was when she found the jewel and heard her friend's voice. "Betrayal has brought me here. Protect my soul, my friend." She'd taken the jewel back to the village, explaining everything to the village elder. Then her search had begun for the two men that had betrayed the miko.

To make sure she was never found after telling her tale, her human form was forgotten. Her search never produced anything, both men had disappeared. Word came to her that the jewel was stolen, so she returned. For a long time she followed rumors of the jewel, needing to find the youkai in possession of it. She'd made a promise to see to it's safety. Her new journey led her to youkai and humans that had the jewel and lost it to another much stronger. Till one day with the help of fellow taijiya the jewel was back in her possession. It was then decided to be given to a powerful miko by the name of Kikyou. Kirara had been worried at first but knew it was for the best.

For a few years she'd lived among the villagers worry free, enjoying what happiness she could find. Then tragedy had struck and Kikyou had fallen, the jewel being burned with her body. Kirara wasn't sure what effect that would have on the souls contained. Fifty years, until fate would bring her friend back but this time as a girl from the future.

Sango had become her companion, that led her to everyone. The jewel was back, due to Kagome's accident. Through most of their journey she believed the stories of her being Kikyou's reincarnation. Until the end, that's when she noticed the similarities. Kagome did resemble Kikyou but for someone that had known the miko in which the jewel had been created from; she looked exactly like Midoriko except for the hairstyle.

One belief that had confused the neko was the tale of when Kikyou was brought back from the dead stealing part of Kagome's soul, her own. Kirara knew the truth now, it was clear. When the jewel was burned five hundred years before Kagome was burned, majority of Midoriko's soul had been released. Enough to allow reincarnation, in the form of Kagome Higurashi. When Urasue had been trying to call Kikyou's soul for some reason she had failed. The body already being reformed into the living dead was once walking among the living, with the ability to steal souls.

When the witch had seen Kagome greatly resembling the dead Kikyou, she assumed what everyone else had. That Kagome was indeed Kikyou's reincarnation, so she'd used the girl. Kikyou had died just like Midoriko, being betrayed by someone she loved. Both souls angry and consumed with despair. Hearing Inuyasha speak her name gave Kikyou's reanimated body the push it needed to steal the first soul, a soul much like her own.

Before Kikyou could kill Inuyasha, Kagome had been able to call the soul back. Which wouldn't have been possible if it had indeed originally belonged to the dead woman. She'd been able to escape with a small portion still intact, then began feeding off the souls of other dead women.

Kirara had believed this more everyday that passed. Now she had proof, Kikyou was once alive. Her soul having been returned, her flesh restored. Kagome had given Inuyasha what his heart desired above all else, a life with Kikyou. The girl had done so believing that when the wish was made she herself would die, having to give up the soul in order for Kikyou to live. The wish was granted, both still lived and Kagome regained the part of her soul Kikyou had stolen.

If Kagome was Midoriko's reincarnation, it meant only one thing. The jewel still existed, most of the power gone; used in the wish to bring the undeserving miko back. Kirara's heart was aching, feeling the sorrow coming off the girl. The youkai presence inside the jewel was gone leaving only the tormented soul of Midoriko. What hadn't been reincarnated into Kagome still remained, battling out the darkness due to hatred and bitterness. That same bitterness and sorrow had caused her to give out in the end, having her love used against her.

Kirara reached the cave, the stalagmite rested inside nothing left but the shell of her former friend. It still saddened her to look upon the remains. With most of the soul now with Kagome, it was only a matter of time before the jewel awakened. Only the healing of her soul was left.

The neko stared at the statue that was keeping the girl's beauty portrayed one final time. She brought a large paw down to crack the side where the demon was trying not to disturb the wrong side. Several minutes later stalagmite began to crack, her claws chipped away at the remains. Something shiny was seen glistening after two hours of scratching.

Kirara grabbed the hilt with her teeth, using all her strength to remove the blade. It had been her sword, the only gift the youkai man had given her. She would see that Kagome got the blade and one day knew the truth before it was too late. One day the soul would need healing or the despair would consume the girl. She had no memory of her former life but the rest of her soul still contained within the jewel remembered every agonizing second of the day she'd been betrayed.

Kagome leaned against the wall with Shippo in her arms, feeling his loss already. She'd woken up before dawn, wanting to be alone for awhile. Today she was to head home for the final time. The end of her journey through the well, time to say her final goodbyes. What she wouldn't give to stay but this wasn't her home. Inuyasha had Kikyou, Sango and Miroku had each other; that just left Shippou. If it was possible the kit would be coming with her. He had no family left and thought of her as a mother.

Everyone was still asleep, unaware that they were missing. This was what she had decided upon, to leave without saying goodbye. If she had to look everyone in the face and wish them farewell it would break her. It was best to leave this way, no tears. Well none until she was home and away from them all. She didn't want to bring them down, not when they were so happy.

Both couples would live happy lives with her gone. She had a family and a life waiting on her on the other side of the well. She pushed herself away from the wall to walk outside. Dawn would come soon, Inuyasha would be the first to wake. He was so happy it made her want to cry. Seeing him that content filled her with unshedable tears. Would she ever feel that way?

Was it possible that she'd one day find love? To find someone to share her life with was something she longed for. Sango and Miroku would be getting married soon, Inuyasha had already taken Kikyou for his mate. The kit snuggled closer, as if trying to convey the message that she wasn't alone. It was true, she had her kit.

The well soon came into view, the doorway home. As she approached the wooden structure, a youkai aura was approaching at a high speed. Kirara? The miko stopped to turn, the neko was coming at her at top speed. That's right, she hadn't seen her since the other day. What was that in her mouth?

Kirara landed in front of Kagome. Had she been about to leave? It wouldn't have been good to if she'd missed her. The blade was dropped at her feet. Kirara tried to get her to understand, to take the blade. Kagome reached down, confusion crossing her lovely features.

"For me? Thanks Kirara, I wasn't expecting a going away present from you girl." Kagome held the blade in her right hand, leaving Shippou to dangle in her left arm. Holding it almost felt eerily familiar, had she seen it somewhere before. "It's time for me to say goodbye. Head back to the village, I'm sure Sango will be looking for you."

Kirara knew the girl meant to leave now, she couldn't allow her to leave alone. She pulled her power tighter to shrink her size then jumped onto Kagome's shoulder. The miko squeaked, reaching up to remove her. "I'm leaving, so you have to stay here."

Kirara ran over to the lip of the well and looked down, then back to the girl. Hoping she would understand her request. There was no way the girl was going to leave her behind. She found the same spot on Kagome's shoulder and meowed. When the girl tried to pry her loose once more she grabbed a hold of her shirt. Her tiny teeth holding on for dear life.

Kagome heard her shirt tear and swore. What was wrong with the cat? Was she trying to stop her from going? No, it was more like she was wanting to go. "Kirara, Inuyasha will be up soon. I'm going to jump through the well now. If you don't want to end up in my era I suggest you get off." She walked over to the lip and climbed on. "Last chance, you might want to get off."

Kirara just meowed and kept a hold of the shirt, in case Kagome got any bright ideas of trying to toss her at the last minute. The girl threw herself over the edge. Shippou cradled in one arm, the sword in the other and a grinning neko attached to her shirt. The blue light encased them, sealing behind them as they fell.

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