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Chapter Text

Kikyo felt cold, chilled down to the bone both in body and spirit; her pale skin lacking the flush from blood pumping through her veins. Her most hated adversary trailed his cool fingertips down her alabaster cheek, causing her to shiver in sheer repulsion. 

Through the cracks of a lattice window, a vibrant fuchsia glow emanated. An eel-like youkai carrying a bluish orb approached the window before being electrified and disintegrated into dust, its cargo floating away. She saw the destruction of her servant but remained silent, observing her captor's reaction. 

"I have put up a barrier. It seems you are paralyzed without the assistance of your *Shinidamachū."

"Naraku..." Kikyo uttered, opening her eyes to glare up at him. He simply smiled as he drew closer towards her, taking her by the chin as he bathed her entire body with his despicable gaze. Kikyo gritted her teeth and attempted to move her fingertips, to no avail. Her body remained paralyzed from having her souls depleted, stiffening back into hardened clay without the resiliency or warmth of life. 

"A Holy Miko, once the sole caretaker of the Shikon Jewel. Now, reduced to stealing the miserable souls of mortal women? Kikyo, how pathetic you've become." He sneered, sitting back and placing his hands on his lap at last. 

She was able to take a breath, though doing so caused her to feel sharp pangs in her lungs. "I must assimilate their souls in order to sustain this body, such as you require the culmination of those lowly demons in the mountain to live." Kikyo smirked, closing her eyes.

She had been a witness herself to the bloody show of desperation at the cave where he was pitting demons to fight to the death; absorbing one another until only the victor remained and morphed into a disfigured motley of bodies, called a * Kodoku . The remainder would be consumed by Naraku to preserve his mutated body and make his demonic flesh more powerful. That was when he had captured her, when the souls sucked from her body had left her incapacitated, and he was rejuvenated from his consumption of the foul accumulation of beasts.

"I had cast the *Fuko spell in order to create my new body. Then, you appeared. You have the power to easily break the seal of the spell. If you had truly wanted to protect InuYasha from being fused with the demon, you should have shot the demon with your arrow. The demon would have disintegrated, and the Fuko spell would have been broken. Were you trying to see what waited beyond the creation of the Kodoku?" He asked, genuinely curious as he narrowed his crimson eyes onto the frail, beautiful miko. 

Kikyo turned her gaze back on him and bared her teeth in a bitter grin. "I simply had to know what was at the demon's destination. And there you were. That is a mighty fine guise you don, Onigumo," She said with a soft laugh, sliding her eyes away and smirking up at the ceiling.

"Onigumo, heh . How sentimental of you. Fifty long years ago, you saved a wounded bandit and sheltered him in a cave. He was badly burnt, rendered invalid. In his desire for power, he offered his body willingly to the demons to be devoured. Using Onigumo's tainted soul as their crucible, the gathered demons became one, and thus was born the new demon you know now- Naraku," He mused.

And it was he, who led me to my death 50 years ago. 'Naraku'. Feh , Kikyo thought coldly, as the soul catchers blindly attempting to enter the barrier hit against the walls and hissed with melancholy.

"You shall come in handy; surely InuYasha wouldn't allow any harm to come to his precious Kikyo." He chuckled lowly, then revealed a glimmering Shikon jewel shard between his fingers. Kikyo had sensed the jewel long before it was revealed, but she hadn't expected it to look like… this.  

"That's…!" She gasped as she saw the tiny shard in his hand, such a minuscule little thing; so vast in the overwhelming dread she knew now that the rest of the shards were free for any demon to take.

"Precisely. The very object you sacrificed your life for in trying to erase from the world. A mere fragment of the Shikon Jewel."

"I have heard that you even went as far as to kill me in your desire to possess the Shikon Jewel." She swallowed, meeting his eyes bravely once again. Naraku looked away, basking in the heat of her hateful gaze on his cheek.

"Yes, and I would again. Dear Kikyo, what do you know of desire? Such a puritan. A virgin, untainted by mortal desires of the flesh," He said softly, blinking as his own demonic gaze met with hers, and trailed down to the chaste folds of her hakama robes. "How delicious would that be, a miko with eyes as wet and deep as crimson ichor?" He purred, and trailed his nail down the white fabric, peeling it back to expose just the soft summits of her breasts.

Kikyo's breath hitched in her chest as it heaved, causing the dark desire in his eyes to alight all the more fervently. Perspiration dripped down her neck as he traced his fingers along the edges of the fabric and opened his mouth to taste the small drop of heat. He chuckled softly, his hot breath washing over her exposed throat as she gulped nervously. Kikyo flinched as he moved himself over her paralyzed body, and hovered just a hair's breadth from her.

"You're panting for your breath, you drip with anxious perspiration, how lovely would that be to see that virginal heat rise up in those cheeks?" His voice curled lustfully, then Kikyo keened out shrilly as he moved his groin roughly against hers.

Naraku laughed heartily, like a child savoring the fruits of a well-planned prank. He chuckled, and caressed her face with his hand before drawing away.

"Ah, to be as incorruptible as you! So coy you are, Kikyo. All the more entertaining." He graveled, then opened the sliding glass window and allowed in one of her shinidamachū. Naraku's eyes emitted a red light which instantaneously shattered the soul catcher's body. He then imbued the Shikon Jewel piece into the soul that it was carrying, and in turn, the orb glowed red and became a flame. Naraku was using a malicious energy created by his dark yin* named Jaki* to taint the shard.

The flaming shard hovered over Kikyo, then sunk into her chest and she took a shuddering inhale of the musty air. Her back arched up from the ground and her white robe slid off of her shoulders and hung from the peaks of her breasts as Naraku lifted her by her hips and kissed her exposed sternum. She felt a new power racing through her body, an unfamiliar darkness swirling in her mind.

Kikyo's husk of a body had been sustained by more than just the souls of women. She was driven to survive by her hatred for InuYasha. Her broken heart made her hatred all the more fervent as she opened her eyes and they flashed with a maroon hue.

She cried out hoarsely as she clutched him by the shoulders roughly and convulsed beneath him, her agonized face concealed by the curtain of his dark, crinkled waves surrounding her as she felt newfound sensations so unbearably intense, that they burned through her body unhindered by her spiritual power.

"Naraku!" Kikyo screamed, enraged and impassioned by her deep animosity. "What have you done?!" She growled, and he dropped her writhing body to the floor, turning away.

"There is a young priestess traveling with InuYasha who shares a resemblance with yourself. You despise her, correct? You must find her, and kill her. Do this for me, and I shall give you relief from the burning heat in your veins."

Kikyo sat up then, and stared out with a far-off gaze as she stumbled to her feet, clutching her kimono around her chest. Her eyes flickered bright crimson, then back to brown as she blinked, then smiled.

"You need not persuade me. I shall remove her from this world, where she does not belong," Kikyo said coldly, taking her bow off the floor before taking her leave of the castle. 

Naraku turned to observe the wooden demon puppet on the table, a wry grin curling up onto his cheek.

~x•X•x~

Definitions: 

*Shinidamachū: "Dead Soul Insects", known as Soul Collectors in the English dub, were a type of yōkai with long, eel and insect-like features.

*Kodoku/Fuko: (蠱こ毒どく, "Toxicity") is a type of sorcery. It is a magical art called fuko which is to close venomous insects or lizards in a vase and to make them kill each other. The only survivor turns into a creature called Kodoku.

*Jaki : Malicious energy. A poison present in Youkai separate from Youki. He can expel it at will, and it can also be found in his miasma. Naraku uses Jaki to taint items and influence people to do his will. 

*Yin : the opposite of Yang. (In Chinese philosophy) the passive female principle of the universe, characterized as female and sustaining and associated with earth, dark, and cold.

Chapter Text

"Ok! That's enough sitting around!" Kagome huffed to herself as she slung her arrows over her shoulder, feeling antsy to get going after all that had happened in the mountain. They had been lured there by the miasma, InuYasha and Miroku went to investigate, and  who else  but Kikyo showed up. The enigmatic priestess walked right past her and directly into the cave, seemingly shooting her arrow to stop the spell from absorbing InuYasha– and yet, though he was spared, Naraku was still able to absorb the Kodoku and carried the unconscious Kikyo away. 

Kagome thought back on the events and shook her head angrily. "InuYasha. Stupid jerk !" She muttered to herself. She couldn't help but feel a little bit miffed that InuYasha had thrown himself into danger to try and rescue Kikyo. Once she'd been drained of her souls and fell into the Fuko spell, he had only only wanted to protect Kikyo. In fact, it was almost as if he  totally  forgot about her for a moment. I can't force him to think of only me when Kikyo is around. It's not like he's my boyfriend or something. Kagome froze as she considered the idea, her eyes widening. Is he?

Kagome's cheeks flushed hotly as she stormed over to where InuYasha idly sat, flapping one hand in the spring and splashing water at Shippo. He didn't even really seem to put that much effort into bullying the little fox demon, something that was one of his favorite pastimes. Shippo simply shook off the water, then blew a raspberry at the dejected hanyou and ran towards Kagome as she stood behind InuYasha.

"Um, hey. InuYasha?" She said timidly, picking Shippo up in her arms.

"What is it?" InuYasha grumbled, crossing his arms before side-eyeing her.

"Don't you think we should go and look for Kikyo?" She may have had her qualms with Kikyo, but she didn't wish the fate of being alone with Naraku on  anyone .

Miroku and Sango stood aways back, intently listening in on their conversation. They observed InuYasha and Kagome with mutual bafflement, then looked at one another.

"Do you think those two have been acting rather odd lately?" Sango said lowly, covering her mouth with her hand conspicuously.

Miroku leaned over and whispered back, "Yes, they are. Let's see how InuYasha handles this one."

"Don't worry about it. I'll go find Kikyo. You guys stay here," InuYasha said stubbornly, looking away from Kagome. The young priestess ground her nails into her bow but remained silent so as to not cause a scene. 

Miroku came over and nudged InuYasha in the head with his foot. "Don't be such a fool!" He scolded, and Kagome looked on in astonishment as InuYasha took the abuse.

"Did you forget? Kikyo was captured by Naraku!" Sango added in as well, and Miroku nodded in agreement, removing his foot at last so that InuYasha could rub his head angrily.

"Sango is right. Naraku isn't just your problem alone. We've all got a bone to pick with him," Miroku reminded them, and returned to Sango's side. 

Kagome watched Miroku retreat and took her chance, letting Shippo run off so she could speak with InuYasha privately as the others prepared to leave."InuYasha. If you're trying to spare my feelings or something, don't," She said bluntly, taking him by surprise.

"Huh?" He backed away from her as she edged in closer to look into his eyes.

"Kikyo saved you! She risked her life to break the spell! So,that's why we should do the same. It's only fair," She reasoned. "We're a team! We should work together all as one. No sneaking around!" 

 InuYasha stiffened up, taking offense. "Who said I was sneaking!? I don't 'sneak' around! I told you exactly what I was doing!" He snapped back. 

Miroku got their attention quickly, clapping his hands once."Shh! You two, stop bickering! We have company!" He hissed, and they all looked up to see Naraku's spying venomous wasps flying away, likely back to their master.

"Saimyōshō!" InuYasha growled, sniffing the air and picking up the pungent scent of miasma. Wherever the Saimyōshō were flying usually led them to Naraku or one of his puppets. Knowing this, they took off towards the direction the wasps were flying. 

Kagome hopped onto the back of Kirara with Sango, to the demon slayer's surprise, as Kagome huddled down behind her. "Shouldn't you ride with InuYasha?" Sango asked hesitantly, watching as Kagome shook her head stubbornly.

"It's ok! Let's just go!" She squeaked out, and Sango shrugged.

Kagome exhaled deeply. Right now, I don't feel like it would be right. All of his attention is on finding Kikyo right now. Even though I said some noble things, I can't help but just be a teensy bit jealous after all...

InuYasha ran, bounding over hills and grass as quickly as he could after the Saimyōshō, but it seemed they had all but dissipated. Kikyo died because of Naraku! I can't let him take her again!  He thought with determination, before looking to the side of him to see a couple of Kikyo's shinidamachū flying by.  Her shinidamachū! That means she must be close by!

Miroku closed in behind him , "Watch up ahead, InuYasha!"

Inuyasha turned his head just in time to see what had Miroku concerned. "Mist?!" He wondered aloud in confusion as the shinidamachū flew directly into it.

"This could be a trap. Everyone, don't let your guard down!" The monk shouted behind him to the rest of his companions, and they hardened their eyes on the swirling mist ahead. 

InuYasha leapt into the vortex, and floated down, looking around him in confusion as the mist obscured his vision and he at last landed on solid ground. "Kikyo!" He shouted, then heard a crackling din in the distance that grew in intensity as he walked closer, shielding his eyes from the smoke that was stinging them as his vision slowly adjusted. InuYasha struggled to comprehend what was going on, squinting to see where he was, though the flames were so bright they temporarily blinded him. This village, it's being attacked by something...? No! This is Kikyo's village! 

He looked behind him urgently and shouted , "Watch out everyone! I'll go on ahead!" Then paused as the smoke cleared and he was able to see more of the burning remnants of the familiar village before him, the hot winds from the flames battering his robes about and blowing his hair back with its billowing embers. InuYasha raised one hand and caught an ember just to confirm that this was real, and felt it burn his palm before shriveling into white ash. How did we get here? Wait, did someone call my name?  He thought, confused by hearing sudden shouts ringing out in the distance.

"It's InuYasha!"

"Let's get him!"

"He's after the Shikon Jewel!"

"He won't get away with attacking our village!"

The voices cried out angrily, and InuYasha gasped upon hearing their accusations. He was taken back to that dreadful event, fifty years ago. "No! I haven't killed anyone! Why are you saying all this–?" InuYasha began to defend himself, clenching his hand in a fist and noticing something round was clenched tightly in his hand. 

He opened his palm and stared at the gleaming jewel that he recognized as the one that Kikyo expended so much effort to purify and protect. "The Shikon Jewel!" He gasped, staring at it in awed despair. "But how did I get it?" He was just as puzzled as that day in the past, lost for a moment in Naraku's skillful illusion. InuYasha shook his head and tried to free himself of the spell, seeing a flash of Kagome's face in his mind and recalling that the jewel he was holding was currently shattered into hundreds of pieces. "This isn't real!" He whispered as if to convince himself, though his confidence was waning due to how visceral this experience was. Everything around him seemed incredibly realistic, from the heat of the flames around him, to the weight of the jewel in his palm, as well as the volume of the angered shouts surrounding him. 

A familiar twanging sound in the air distracted him from his silent reverie as he looked sharply to his left and an arrow flew by him, disintegrating strands of silver hair as it whipped past.

"InuYasha!" A familiar voice yelled out in a shrill tone of accusation, then the flames cleared and he saw Kikyo standing before him, though she didn't hold herself with confidence as she normally did. She was hunched over, the right shoulder of her robe drenched in blood.

"Kikyo?" He gasped, then it dawned on him.

This is that day, 50 years ago... When Kikyo and I were tricked into thinking we had betrayed one another! Have I returned to that day? The day when Kikyo shot me? The prediction came true faster than he could even blink, and he was unable to stop Kikyo from notching her arrow and pulling the bow string back with full intent to shoot him.

"Wait, Kikyo! I didn't do this! It was Narak-"  Before he could speak the full name of the sorcerer casting this terrible spell, his body lurched back, and a crushing weight hit him in the chest, pinning him to the tree with her arrow. Kikyo stumbled towards him, clutching her bleeding shoulder with a sorrowful look in her eyes.

As InuYasha was pinned to the tree, he let go of the jewel and it bounced across the ground with a crystalline tinkling sound. Kikyo bent down to pick up the proof of InuYasha's betrayal. 

"The Shikon Jewel... you would do all this, for such a thing?" She clutched the jewel to her chest and cried, "You betrayed me!"

Her hurt face and broken voice made his heart seize with agony all over again as if this event had happened only yesterday. He would reach out to embrace her, if only the effects of the mystical paralytic imbued in her sacred arrow didn't flow throughout his being. 

No! You're wrong, Kikyo! We were both caught in Naraku's trap! I didn't  betray you! InuYasha wanted to cry out to her, but it was as if his vocal chords were strangled, his tears evaporating into salt that stung his face as the flames around them still roared through the village and ate away all the structures there. 

"I was so foolish, that I could even think for a moment that I could spend my life with you..." She whispered, and InuYasha felt drowsy from her sealing spell, lowering his eyelids as Kikyo embraced him.

"I won't.. let you die alone..." She uttered softly, clutching to his robes weakly as he felt her warm blood soaking into his clothing.

Kikyo… followed me in death. I know now what it is I have to do, we must go together... To the Underworld, where we belong.

Naraku watched over the scene from beyond the sanctuary of his barrier, smiling smugly as he revels in his success.  

"InuYasha is tangled in a web of wooden vines that leech his soul from him, latching onto the despair that my spell has drawn out in him, from the darkest depths of his heart.

“If InuYasha cannot escape, I will take his soul. The same will go for his friends, Shippo, Miroku and Sango. All victims of my Illusory death, lying contorted as the images of their most feared memories trap them in terrified limbo. Miroku, eaten by his wind tunnel. Sango, slaughtered by Kohaku. And Shippo, left all alone with nobody there to soothe his frightened cries." 

~x•X•x~

At the center of The Forest of Illusory Death was a great magnolia tree, with Kikyo's many shinidamachū circling and being repelled by the barrier around its wide, tumored trunk that kept them from tending to Kikyo. Her straight, black hair draped over Naraku's arm as he held the sleeping woman cradled to his chest. Observing the effects of his spell on his unwilling participants, Naraku chuckled in amusement from behind his baboon mask. 

"All easy prey for my Spell of Illusory Death. My my, how very frail human hearts are, indeed. Sadness... Fear... Confusion... If even  one  of these dark roots reaches down into the darkest reservoirs of horror I've sunken into this land, it's over," He said, slowly and with a soft, grating voice that almost purred with its cruelty. The dark, empty eye sockets of his haunting mask stared out as he spoke softly enough to not wake the beautiful priestess sleeping in his grasp. 

"The darkness will rise in them. And consume their souls." He looked down to Kikyo and smiled. "Yes, Kikyo. Even your beloved InuYasha is quickly ensnared by the illusions. Only- that Kagome girl, as I expected... is impervious to my spell."

~x•X•x~

There was a low, howling moan of the wind like a dying woman as it scraped and echoed through the trees, sending a chill down Kagome's spine.

"Guys...? Where'd you go?" Kagome said softly, her voice trembling. She stepped forward and heard a snapping sound as tree roots were crushed beneath her feet, the vines curling back as if in distaste of her touch.

"This is creepy... I swear these vine things are moving..." Kagome gulped, then looked back to see the vines were now all deathly still. Not a moment later, she yelped as one wrapped around her ankle, and she slashed wildly at the roots with her bow, causing them to retreat. 

She walks through my tangled roots... but not one of them is able to ensnare her at all!  Naraku thought bitterly as he watched the girl through the cracks in the trees.

No sooner than Naraku laid his crimson gaze upon her, Kagome sensed something nearby. It felt like a shikon jewel… yet, not. She turned her attention towards where she sensed the energy, and gasped upon seeing Naraku's position just beyond a few rows of trees. Yikes! It's Kikyo and Naraku!  Kagome's heart races, and she ducks behind a tree. She saw that Kikyo seemed to be asleep, then changed her mind upon sensing a flare of familiar energy. It was Kikyo's spiritual power. Kikyo opened her eyes, and they darted directly at her, most likely sensing the jewel fragment around Kagome's neck.

Kikyo must be paralyzed. Now's my turn to save her! Naraku mustn't know I'm here!  She pulled free an arrow from her quiver and aimed it. Please... hit! The young miko pleads as if she's speaking to the arrow. The arrow whips through the air with a heavy twang of her bow string, and breaks through the barrier, dispelling it easily. It strikes the baboon puppet directly in the chest, causing Kikyo to fall to the ground as Naraku's voice can be heard laughing softly. 

"Good work, I knew that you would make it here by yourself." He said with a knowing laugh before the puppet guise dissolves and all that is left is the wooden golem with Naraku's long black hair tied loosely around it.

"Huh...? What does he mean? Was this a trap?" She gasps, then feels the ground beneath her being to crack in large, jagged lines. Then it opens up beneath her and Kagome falls through, screaming.

I cannot destroy her soul... but I  can  destroy the flesh that harbors it.

Kagome struggled to hang onto the edge of the chasm, her legs flailing to find grip as she kicked hopelessly.

"Help! Someone help me, please!"  She cried, but it went unheard over the crackling of roots and the bubbling of a thick miasma at the base of the chasm, ready to eat away at her flesh.

…

The shinidamachū hissed and rammed their serpentine bodies harder against the walls of the barrier, where Kikyo now lies alone in the bows of the magnolia tree, completely drained of souls. 

Naraku's voice whispers from above the shadowy copse in the tree, where two red eyes can be seen peeking out. "No one is going to come. InuYasha and the other's souls have all been ensnared by my spell of illusory death. Soon, they will all be dead. There is no one left to rescue you, Kagome.  Die ."

"Help! InuYasha!" Kagome struggled to hold onto the cliffside, panicking as she looked down at the bubbling acid, then her grip loosened on the chasm's edge as a figure slowly approached in the distance. She managed to reach up and grab onto a root, attempting to climb up, yet as she pulled upwards, she was met with the apathetic visage of her former life. 

"Kikyo?" She questioned, confused by her sudden appearance. Something was odd about her. Wait… What is that? The presence of a jewel! Kagome gasped, sensing a jewel shard inside of Kikyo's chest. 

Kikyo was simply watching her struggle, her hair loose from its ties as the wind howled through it. She held the golem puppet in her hand, looking from it, to Kagome. A red glow emanates from Kikyo and she sneers at Kagome. Though Kikyo hadn't favored Kagome previously, she was acting even more cruel than usual. 

"He's using a golem puppet... Hn, how fun would it be for him to watch as well?" She sneered, before setting it down upright in the dirt. Kagome looked on in utter shock as Kikyo smiled at her.

"But.. I thought you were paralyzed?" 

"I could have moved whenever I wanted to. I was simply watching... I was curious to see what Naraku intended. It seems, he also sees you as nothing but a nuisance."

Also ? Does that mean Kikyo does too?  Kagome thought, her large eyes wide with wonder as they met with Kikyo's that narrowed cruelly upon the sight of her heinous reincarnation. 

Does this have something to do with that corrupted red jewel shard implanted in her chest? Kagome wondered. If that were the case, Kikyo was under the control of Naraku.

~x•X•x~

Flames danced into embers, fluttering away into the dark of night. Kikyo... If I'd only trusted you back then! Instead, I hated you. I didn't know that you followed me into death. I'm so sorry. InuYasha thought dreamily as he sunk further and further into the illusion, his soul being lost little by little.

There is nothing for me here now... I have nothing left to protect. Kikyo, let us go. To Hell, together. So that you won't have to be alone any longer... Goodbye, Kagome...

Kikyo's doppelganger clutched him tightly to her chest. He held her close as she latched her lips onto his, and his soul began to ooze from his body in white orbs that hummed and floated, then sunk into the artificial Kikyo. His body began to wither, then she pulled away from the husk of a person. InuYasha became one with the tree as the roots tangled around him.

Kikyo wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and smiled as a trickle of blood leaked down her chin. She marveled at her own hands as they slowly became tipped with claws, her dark brown eyes, golden yellow as she took his soul, as well as all the power held within it, then abandoned him at the scene, the shell of Kikyo walking back to her master to give him such a wonderful gift.

~x•X•x~

" Kikyo! You have to help me! Naraku has us all under his spell, you included! We have to save the others!" Kagome cried out. Kikyo only laughed at her as the cliffside crumbled, and she lost her footing, the roots she was holding onto for dear life snapping apart. Kagome screamed as she fell, then Kikyo's shinidamachū came up beneath her and caught her, wrapping around her ankles.

"Oh, thank goodness!  For a second there, I thought you were going to l-let me fall!" Kagome said with a nervous chuckle, then watched helplessly as an insectoid-like youkai clasped its arms around the Shikon Jewel fragment and tore it from her neck, then brought it back to Kikyo. Kikyo took it, clutching it to her chest.

"This is  mine . You are not supposed to have it, foolish girl. It's your fault that the Shikon no Tama is incomplete, and now all your friends are dying as their souls are being sucked from their bodies." Kikyo said hatefully, stepping back from the chasm.

" What? You're going to let us all die now? But, you saved InuYasha before!" She shouted, now just as frightened as she was angry.

Kikyo placed the jewel fragment around her neck as her eyes flickered crimson. "I had to let InuYasha think that there was still a chance I cared for him before we took his soul, or else the spell wouldn't have worked. You saw how easily he would risk his life for mine over yours, didn't you? Or, are you truly that much of a fool?"

Kagome began to cry, large beads of moisture falling from her eyes. Then, the shinidamachū protecting her from falling now turned to roots, and she cried out as they began to give way.

"InuYasha! Help! InuYasha, where are you?!"  She screamed, but there was no answer as Kikyo watched her with an amused expression.

"He isn't coming. His soul is rotting in hell. But I'm sure you'll be seeing him soon, you can join him as he relives the day he betrayed me over and over for all eternity."

"But, Kikyo, that was all Naraku's plan to turn you two against each other, wasn't it? You have to believe me!" Kagome screamed, her voice growing even more shrill.

"I know that. That is why I decided that I cannot keep living on, watching him reenacting the way our life together was  supposed  to be, but with you . My soul no longer yearns to be with InuYasha as it once did. Once I'm free of you, I shall do as I please…. Without your interference!" She said viciously, and with that, the Shikon Jewel turned black on her chest, and the roots holding up Kagome dried up and shattered, and she fell helplessly into the miasma, her body going underneath as if suctioned inside. 

Kikyo watched with a fevered gaze, her crimson eyes aglow with fascination as the lilac hued liquid burbled, and blood mixed with the bubbling acid still echoing out her dying cries. Kagome's soul oozed out of her, and began rushing back into Kikyo, hitting her body back and forth as she regained her soul back at last.

Kagome's soul fought for survival as Kikyo fell back and writhed on the ground. Her skin glowed red and black, then lavender and white as the souls battled within her body. Kikyo closed her eyes and squeezed them shut, feeling that terrible burning feeling rising up in her chest once again.

Flashes of Kagome and InuYasha's memories together entered her mind unhindered; all the times InuYasha had chased after Kikyo and left Kagome alone to weep, and that bitterness within Kagome's heart that envied Kikyo burst free in a wash of dark purple. It flooded through her veins, all the way to her fingertips until Kikyo became still, and her skin paled, returning to its normal color. The corrupted jewel melted into her chest and sank in until only a small portion of it showed, its immediate influence causing her eyes to fly open in shock as she felt a new surge of power rise within her.

Her irises were the color of pale lilacs with red at the center, the pupils cat-like. As if sensing this transformation, she blinked in surprise. Kikyo attempted to familiarize herself with her new body, licking her now sharp, fanged teeth with a long, forked tongue. Her lips were slick and black, and as she reached to touch them, she noticed how her nails had elongated into long, red claws tipped with black. She flexed her fingers and uttered a small, demonic purr of happiness before standing up and allowing a pair of wings to burst free from her back as she took flight back to Naraku's castle.

~x•X•x~

Chapter Text

The night sky outside above the silent castle was devoid of moonlight. It was the night of the New Moon. The guards outside of Naraku's castle held their trembling halberds tightly as demons flew across the sky and swirled around above the large, dome-shaped purple barrier, blindly crashing into it. The daiyoukai of the castle inside was weakened upon the night of the New Moon, and it would be the perfect time for the demons to devour him and regain the control and power they once had over humans before he came along. 

The wind howled and made the shoji screens on the ancient windows clatter as Naraku paced back and forth anxiously, waiting for Kikyo's return. He'd been allowed to see at last the demise of the irritating little miko, once Kikyo had allowed her to fall into the miasma, and her skin melted from her bones. His entire being felt alive with anticipation; he knew Kikyo would return to him, and when she did, she may be different than before. She would be fully fleshed now, as her soul had returned to her completely, so would her life. No longer would she be just a clay doll with a hard, cold shell on the outside, who could only feel somewhat real when filled with the souls of the dead. He wanted her to be a real woman. A warm, blood-filled woman. 

There were multiple yells and sounds of a scuffle, then a soft chuckle as his Kikyo doppelganger killed both of the guards outside the door. He looked over quickly and stilled expectantly. His demon puppet had returned successfully, it seemed. That meant InuYasha was dead. The doppelganger came through the door, her brown eyes flashing golden, with needle point pupils. He looked her over, assessing the changes that took place after absorbing InuYasha's youki.

"I come bearing gifts, Master Naraku," She said, and dropped her robe, which was only an artificial guise of a priestess's attire. He looked over her pale body, musing as he trailed his eyes down the newfound red markings that accented her hip bones which jutted out from her flat belly. But this was not the real Kikyo, only a Kugutsu* , or demon puppet, made of soil and demonic energy. More or less, a literal figment of his imagination spawned from a small piece of his hair, and hers. 

Naraku had made many of these imitations of Kikyo in the past, earned after stalking her through the woods long enough to snake a tendril out like a branch and capture one of her long hairs. Though doppelgangers had some small fragments of her essence, they never seemed to satisfy him. Maybe it was because they were too compliant to be realistic. The real Kikyo would never be this obedient. 

"Good pet. Come here," He said softly, then parted his robe to expose the pale, smooth skin of his chest. The doppelganger came forward, hissing lowly, then baring her fangs cautiously as he circled her in his arms. While embracing her, he could better sense the strong youki within the shell. Naraku slanted his mouth against hers and held her tightly as he kissed her with hunger, the kugutsu gripping onto his shoulders tightly. Naraku was voracious with his passion, so much so the demoness yelped against his mouth as his teeth became sharp like razors against her lips and her mouth started to suction into his more forcefully than she would like. It was as if he wanted to inhale her, and though the kugutsu was supposed to be loyal to her master, something had changed inside of her upon absorbing InuYasha– almost as if she had free will. 

Once Naraku drew blood the demoness reared back and hissed at him, her claws lengthening in a threat. He acted quickly before she could utilize any of InuYasha's powerful youki, a glowing white light suddenly surrounding the struggling woman. She attempted to get away but the forces pulling her in were much too strong, and her nude body was pressed up against his firmly before her smaller form dissipated into his own. The only remaining part of her were her flailing limbs as they disappeared into his chest cavity, her nails still scraping his chest in a futile effort to escape before being enveloped as well. 

Naraku shuddered as he felt the newfound power rushing through his veins. "Ahn... The power of a half-demon... shall be just enough to make me whole…" He whispered, and spread his arms, becoming aglow with sparkling red light as the youki swirled around him, becoming accustomed to its new master.

He heard a clatter. Naraku turned his face sharply to watch as Kikyo slinked through the open window, closing the shoji shutter behind herself. Is this the real Kikyo? He wondered, taking in her odd appearance. She licked her lips subtly, and as he stared at her in wonder, he noticed that her eyes were crimson and lilac colored, and staring directly into him as if she could see all the way through his body. He was in a most compromising state on the New Moon, akin to a newborn deer being left alone in the wilderness while at the pinnacle of his new transformation. 

The corrupted miko was coming closer, looking up and down his partially nude body inquisitively with a smug smile. The Kikyo he lusted after as Onigumo had never been so brazen. She had always been modest, insufferably so. This was certainly an interesting development. The youki of InuYasha at last acclimated with his own, settling within his cells. Naraku cringed, then bent over as his skin began to move and contort, his bones breaking and rehealing as his entire composition became altered.

"Naraku... so it is true. You are in fact, a hanyou..." She stated, her pale hand to her chin as she watched with bated breath. Naraku's bones cracked, skin slithering over his flesh, his hands, clenching and unclenching as long claws grew, then retracted. He straightened to his full height which towered above her. She watched as his crimson eyes lit golden, then calmed into a deep amber shade. He sighed, shuddering as his body at last completed its transformation.

"So, you've seen my weakness yourself, Kikyo. Is that what you wanted to witness before?" He whispered, his voice had a low growling quality as he watched her apprehensively; questioning her loyalty. Kikyo moved across the room gracefully, and stood before him. Something about her seemed... different , and it was not only her appearance. Her energy, it was malevolent. Demonic energy! Is it possible that her spiritual power merged with the Jaki in my corrupted shard and produced a unique synergy of these powers, making Kikyo a half-demon ? 

Naraku was startled by the sight of her eyes returning to chocolate brown. For only gaining these powers recently, she has marvelous control over them. Who am I kidding? This is Kikyo. Of course she would master a new power within seconds of having it. Naraku mused silently, then sniffed with a heightened olfaction, a new talent he'd acquired from InuYasha. He could smell her Jaki. It had a strong scent akin to red spider lily, which was sweetly aromatic, yet sour like lemon. Naraku narrowed his lilac lined eyes on her curiously. Jagged magenta and indigo colored slashes formed below his eyes as he gained his demonic markings, and he stilled his breath as Kikyo moved forward, just barely grazing her fingertips over the markings, humming curiously.

"Yes, and my curiosity seems to grow ever more. As you have the look of a certain... Inu-Hanyou..." She whispered, then retracted her hand quickly away as if stung. Kikyo backed away from him, and Naraku's eyes glowed ruby once again, making her sink to her knees with a pained howl. Her insides burned, each breath felt like fire was entering her lungs and acid was flowing from her heart and into her veins instead of blood. 

"Does that displease you? After all I have given you?" He questioned angrily, and watched apathetically as she writhed on the floor. The heat burned through her entire body until a red light exited out of her mouth as she screamed in agony. 

"Well? Speak ," Naraku demanded, stepping on the edge of her loosened collar, and glancing down at the interesting mutation on her collarbone. Kikyo stayed silent, and covered her face with one hand as if she were abhorred by his appearance. Implanted into her collarbone was a fragment of the sacred jewel that had turned nearly completely black, with dark purple striations surrounding it. He grinned upon seeing this, his gaze turning fiery as he was clearly pleased by the visible evidence of Kikyo's corruption. It was as he'd always wished!  

"You've changed. Does this mean you no longer love InuYasha?" He purred in ardor, licking his lips with desire. 

Kikyo coughed, then scowled and attempted to regain her dignity, though it was difficult in her current position. "Feh. Naraku, though my heart no longer yearns for him, I cannot bear to look into your amorous gaze, for it reminds me of his, in life..." She whispered hoarsely, and squeezed her eyes shut. Naraku sighed, and there was a rippling sound as he absorbed the markings back into his skin, and his eyes went from amber back to crimson in a flash. He knelt on the floor beside her, and brushed away the hairs sticking to her wet cheek.

"You loved him. I... understand. How it feels to love someone you cannot have." He swallowed, and blinked in surprise at his own words.  Odd. Was that sympathy...?  He hadn't felt that emotion in many years.

"Do you...? Is that why you did the cruel things you did? For love? Do you understand what love  is  Naraku, or is it only a demented desire to defile my body?" She uttered, her voice breaking with weakness. Though Kikyo had once possessed the hard body of a clay doll, her body was now real, as well as her emotions. With her entire soul intact, she was recalling her fear from back when she had cared for the bandit in the cave, knowing all the while that if he were able to move from his convalescing place, he would not hesitate to chase her down and rip the holy garments from her body. He wanted to deflower her. Defile her, use her, abuse her. That was not love. 

Naraku seemed to sense that Kikyo's thoughts had turned darker, and he removed his foot from her haori. Now free, Kikyo managed to push up off the floor and sat before him, wiping her tears away with a bitter grimace on her face. Naraku lowered his eyes to the floor, squeezing one hand into a fist.

Onigumo... He loved Kikyo just as much as he lusted after her. Onigumo's greed was the entire reason I came into being. Onigumo's heart that still cares for Kikyo. Is it his fault I feel this pain deep in my heart, like a jagged knife when I see her face?

He turned away then, not wishing to answer her. Kikyo whimpered, and he raised one brow with interest. He felt an ache down in his belly he hadn't felt in some time, as he lowered one hand and placed it there.

Curious. I have the physical need for solid sustenance. I've only ever experienced Kuchisabishii*, and ate for pleasure alone, eating only to satisfy my lonely mouth's desire for flavor. I haven't felt the hunger that mortals possess to survive since before my rebirth. Now that Kikyo is whole once again too, perhaps she hungers as well. Naraku clapped his hands once, summoning a servant immediately.

"Y-Yes, Lord Kagewaki..?" The servant said shakily, getting down on one bended knee.

"Lady Kikyo and I require sustenance..." He looked back to her curiously, with a tiny smile. "The freshest food you can find. As well as spirits, we are celebrating a monumental occasion," He said, in a soft jovial tune, and the servant reared back at once, staring at him with widened eyes.

"You look at me as if I were some kind of Baku* spirit, did you think I didn't  eat  like anyone else here?" Naraku snapped back, and the man shook his head vehemently, "No! No, My Lord, it's just... After your father's passing, I've not seen you eat nary a crumb of food, nor liquid, if I may... We were only growing concerned," He said, shaking, and Naraku nodded, feeling Kikyo's presence at his back.

"You have my thanks, but I am feeling much better. Now, move along. I wish for the utmost privacy while I am entertaining Lady Kikyo," He said, with a voice thinly veiled with a threat.

"This is most splendid news, Lord Kagewaki! The cooks shall prepare the spread immediately!" The servant nodded eagerly, and ran from the room. There was a soft chuckle, and Naraku turned quickly to see Kikyo smiling. For the first time since her resurrection, she was  smiling . It wasn't a smile of spite, it was a true smile of happiness. Kikyo was  amused !

"What's so funny?" He sneered, finding it hard to show kindness still, even though her smile made an odd warmth spread in his chest and face.

"You, Naraku!" She giggled, doubling over with laughter. He growled at her, furrowing his brow.

"You must be famished, now that you've acquired all the qualities of a dog-demon, perhaps we should feed you kibbles and bits!" She laughed, feeling oddly giddy. Where did that even come from? She wondered almost immediately after saying the silly thing. 

Kibbles and Bits? What the hell is that?  Naraku thought, angered, and went to burn her again, then paused, feeling perhaps he was too hasty to inflict violence on the woman he was trying to… Woo.  Romance?

"Feh. Shut up!" He growled, and looked away. Kikyo quieted, and sat down on the floor beside him. She wrung her hands in her lap, feeling odd. The damn, stupid miko inside must be acting up now, making her say stupid things! Now Naraku is angry, after just showing her kindness for the first time.

"I'm sorry, Naraku." Kikyo said, tucking a few long strands of hair behind her ear. Naraku looked over and patted her thigh twice, awkwardly. Kikyo stiffened, having not been touched by him in such a way, ever. Is he.. feeling apologetic?

"It's alright. It was amusing, I suppose," He said softly, and looked at her. "I've never heard such... beautiful laughter." He said, and smiled at her. Kikyo's eyes widened with surprise and her cheeks reddened. She touched her cheek, feeling the heat in her skin and being amazed. Naraku faced her, and took her hand in his, feeling the warmth, looking down at her palm, the veins that now pumped warm blood, and placed his other hand over it.

"It feels... odd, doesn't it? It's almost as if we're both..." He paused,  human? Is that how I'm feeling? It had been so long since he resided in the body of Onigumo, it was difficult to remember how exactly that felt.

"Alive." Kikyo whispered, and stroked his hand. "I feel alive again. Free to love, free to hate. My soul is so much freer than it was then." She smiled, and clutched her hand around his, squeezing tightly.

"Yes. That's how I feel. Powerful. Whole. And yet, there's something awakening inside that I haven't felt for many years," Naraku said, and squeezed her hands back, feeling a jolt of something hit deep in his stomach. Electricity seemed to surge between the two, and they both pulled back quickly in response, retracting their hands as the servants began bringing in a feast fit for a king and queen. Kikyo darted her eyes back at Naraku, and blushed.

That stupid girl! Her love for InuYasha must still exist in my soul, and his soul is responding in kind! How ridiculous! There is no way in hell  I could feel like this towards Naraku!

The servants set a low table in the center of the room for them, and comfortable pillows for them to sit on as they served them. Naraku sat beside Kikyo, watching tensely as the servants placed the many plates and bowls of odd delicacies before them. The most interesting was a bottle of sake with three saucers stacked beside it. Did they think Kikyo would partake in San San Ku-Do * with him? Naraku lowered his eyes and blushed, and Kikyo followed in turn. Somehow, the servants had gotten the wrong idea. Or was it? Though it was a traditional wedding ritual, perhaps Naraku could begin courting Kikyo anew. This time, he would hopefully have more couth. 

The smell of the food was growing so tantalizing, he licked his lips and his stomach growled. He picked up the sticks he was given and furrowed his brow, then remembered.  Oh right, these are chopsticks . He held them the proper way, and looked to see Kikyo doing the same, perusing the many items of food with an innocent light in her eyes.

"Go on, help yourself," He said, and watched as she speared a spring roll, and quickly popped it in her mouth. Kikyo felt the flavor immediately, and had to stifle her enthusiastic moan that threatened to come forth. She covered her mouth, sighing. Naraku did the same, picking up a piece of meat he sniffed, then stuffed it in his mouth and nearly howled like a dog with his ecstasy. They looked at eachother with widened eyes, then back at the food, and didn't hesitate to fulfill the need they both had, enjoying all the flavors, and the full feeling of satisfaction as they finally fed their new bodies.

Later, the servants cleared away the empty dishes, and he and Kikyo stared at the bottle of sake, sharing nervous glances. Naraku took the initiative and began to serve their sake. If Kikyo took the saucer, that could perhaps mean that she was accepting his offer to court her. His trembling hand offered the saucer, the luminous liquid inside swirling about with the light of candles reflecting Kikyo's fair face upon the surface. Their eyes met in the reflection, and Kikyo's cheeks blushed prettily, making Naraku's heart race even faster. His hand was beginning to sweat, so he gripped the porcelain tighter so as not to drop it. At last, Kikyo took the saucer, then took a small sip. Naraku followed, and they continued drinking from the tiny saucers, feeling the light burning in their throats as they drank.

"That was very refreshing, thank you. Even as a mortal I don't think I've ever eaten so well," Kikyo said, feeling warm and relaxed, the hollow in her belly now sated, as she observed Naraku reclining on his side, propping his head up on his hand with a sideways smirk.

"With the power I have over others, I see no reason to live any less. Human minds are easy to persuade; it takes no less than the illusion that I am their Lord Kagewaki Hitomi, and they serve me without question," He said, almost bragging as he took another long sip from his saucer.

Kikyo looked at him closely, feeling very curious. The guise he wore truly was appealing, as he made himself into the image of the young lord, with black locks, pale skin, but, what was his true form? Was it Onigumo, the burned man? A spider, hideous and deadly?

"I see. Naraku... have you ever wondered, what would it be like if we...never died?" She asked, stunned by her own bluntness.  It must be the sake, she realized , and lowered her saucer. Naraku frowned, lowering his as well with a grimace.

"Die? I never died, Kikyo. I've lingered on for these 50 years since the demise that fell upon you and InuYasha, but if you're asking, do I wish I could have lived on as Onigumo...? No. It was pure hell, being trapped in that disgusting body, unable to... To have to watch, as you fell in love with InuYasha, and I was nothing but the burden that you bore," He spat coldly, turning his eyes from her.

Kikyo frowned, feeling conflicted. 

"Naraku, I... don't know what to say. I apologize. I was shallow, frightened, I was just a girl who was yearning to be free. And look what happened to me, I got my wish. To be an ordinary woman, to live, to love InuYasha. Then, my corpse had to be resurrected, with only a tiny sliver of that beautiful soul that I gave the miko. I wandered on, never truly living, only feeding on my hatred... It wasn't ideal. But, now... I feel reborn. I feel like a woman again, I feel I could spend the rest of my days happily now," She said, and her words softened the resentment Naraku felt as he eyed her, and moved slightly closer, pouring the both of them another serving.

"To new life. To our rebirth, Kikyo," He said, and they drank, looking at one another with newfound understanding.

Definitions : 

* Baku : (獏 or 貘) Japanese supernatural beings that are said to devour nightmares. According to legend, they were created by the spare pieces that were left over when the gods finished creating all other animals.

* Kuchisabishii : A uniquely Japanese word that literally means “lonely mouth” or “longing to have or put something in one's mouth.” It can also be explained as mindless eating or eating when you are not hungry. 

* San san kudo : (translated: three, three, nine times) is a binding ritual of sharing sake.The couple each takes three sips from three special, differently sized cups, each one slightly larger than the other. The smallest of the cups represents heaven, the second the earth and the third humankind. Odd numbers are seen as being lucky in Japan, and in particular the number three, so drinking three times from three different cups is thought to be particularly auspicious.

Source: https://www.eat-japan.com/all-about-sake/more-about-sake/sake-culture/

* Higabana/Spider Lily : "Flower Of Hell '' A poisonous flower commonly planted on graves to ward off animals. It's considered bad luck to touch these flowers. 

* Kugutsu :   ( 傀儡 くぐつ , "Puppet"), commonly referred to as a demon puppet, or puppet for short, is a golem of sorts used by certain characters to act as an avatar or substitute.

Chapter Text

Naraku had waited until all was still, once Kikyo had become lightheaded from the sake and asked to go lie down. He had a room prepared for her ahead of time that the servants took her to with a bit  more  assistance than Kikyo had wanted. She kicked her legs stubbornly like a mule as they carried her, and complained that she wasn't drunk, 'a miko would never allow herself to become intoxicated by the devil's water',  she'd said, but Naraku had known better as he smirked into his sleeve. Surely, Kikyo had never drank more than one saucer of sake in her life, whereas he enjoyed it, perhaps too much, back when he was the mortal Onigumo.

He sighed, rubbing his face that was oddly moist with sweat, something he was still getting accustomed to, and he accidentally rubbed away the lilac eye paint he wore with one hand. He called in a servant, and they brought him a hot basin of water. Naraku cleaned himself up with a steaming hot cloth, and his robe slid down his back as he bathed. Naraku paused, almost hesitantly. He turned his head to look at his back, and grimaced. The spider mark glowed with InuYasha's red youki, like it was still smoldering.

No matter how many times I change flesh, the burn scar of the bandit Onigumo will  not leave my back... He thought with disgust, he absolutely hated to see that hideous mark; to feel that lingering pain with each time it resurfaced on his new flesh. It was like a curse; he would be forever damned to remember why the burn scar would never disappear. Why the woman in the other room still despised him; though the euphoria they felt tonight had been promising, he knew that once she got over her initial euphoria, she would most likely leave him and return to her temple to continue her priestly duties. But, he wondered,  could she? Whatever had happened to Kikyo had given her a powerful jaki, but the reason why, she did not divulge. Naraku narrowed his eyes and seethed with anger as he poured the hot water down his back and watched his skin redden and welt up, gritting his teeth.

The sun rose slowly over the castle, as Naraku reached back and there was a terrible tearing sound, then a bellow of agony. Kikyo sat straight up in bed, her heart racing wildly as she heard the sound. Her vision spun as she reached around on the cool floor, searching for purchase as she got onto her knees, her body still swaying from intoxication. Kikyo was able to at last stand, her vision unstable as she struggled to see, feeling her way down the cool corridor. She wasn't sure why her heart raced so quickly, she felt frantic as she at last came up on his bedroom, and felt for the sliding door.

Kikyo swallowed anxiously, her chocolate brown eyes lit up with the sparkling blue and red auras in the room, as Naraku sat still, staring out the open window, his back bared to her. She gasped and hid her shocked expression with one hand. Her inquisitive gaze took in the sight of him. His skin was torn wide open, the pink, blood-weeping flesh of his back exposed to the cool, misty fog of morning as he stared up at the pinkening sky, and closed his eyes. Kikyo was so shocked, and disgusted all at once that she stepped back, ready to run away. But, something stopped her, and she hesitated, her hand resting on the cool paper and making a blurry shadow as she rested her forehead against the wall.

InuYasha , A voice whispered, and she felt it shoot deep down into her heart and twist there like a knife.

He's in pain. Kikyo, can't you feel him there?  Kagome whispered, and threatened to surface. Kikyo shook her head, biting her bottom lip as she gazed at the pale figure bathed in sunlight. No matter how she looked at him, he was still the man who had hurt her, and led her to her untimely death at only the age of eighteen. Kikyo was so young, and yet aged beyond her years with the wisdom of having been to the underworld and back, of having her life stolen from her, then her unwanted resurrection, which brought her back to the world of the living, yet not ... as she was then forced to watch as her soul was sucked away; her InuYasha replaced her with this 'Kagome', a cheap imitation, and to her, they were nothing alike.

Kikyo clenched her shaking fist, and fought against Kagome. Backing away from the gory sight, she ran to the room given to her, and gathered up her meager belongings, before leaping out the window, and taking flight with her newly acquired wings. She darted away from sight, into the forest, not wishing to be seen by Naraku, or InuYasha for that matter. Kikyo flew up into the sky and chose to rest on the thick bow of a tree, which was much more uncomfortable than the bed inside, but she had grown accustomed to sleeping in odd places as a wandering husk of a woman. She scooched herself back further into the safety of the tree, her crimson and lilac eyes glinting just barely from where he could see her, far away through the castle window.

Naraku sighed, and turned to look at his back again. It was there again, he saw, and pulled his robe back up around his shoulders to cover the hideous burn. He felt something odd pulse through him, and looked at one hand curiously, flexing his fingers as long claws grew once again, with maroon stripes crawling up his arm. Naraku's eyes flashed golden, his hair silvery black as he growled lowly to himself.

She's all alone... Kikyo. Kagome. Go to her. A sudden voice whispered, and Naraku gasped, digging his nails into his palm.

You dare? Do you know from where you're speaking, cur? Recede back inside my body.  Naraku threatened, moving the bloody tips of his claws, and watching, amazed as the blood glowed, and he felt a powerful sensation rushing through him.

Blades of blood! The voice hissed. Naraku shook his hand to shake off the blood, and jolted upright when four red slashes flew through the air, and struck the wall, leaving jagged divots.

"What the...?" Naraku murmured, looking at his hand. Then he remembered that time he had disguised himself as InuYasha all those years ago to steal the Shikon Jewel from Kikyo, he'd used that very attack.

Asshole . The voice whispered again, and Naraku growled at it, feeling the reverberations in his throat as he made the newly acquired animalistic sound.

"Shut up!"  He snapped, then heard a chuckle from within. The power pulsed once again; how strong was this half-demon? Strong enough to overtake Naraku's body?

Go to her. Make sure she's safe. You have to. It's Kikyo. Kikyo and Kagome  need us .

InuYasha urged from within. He floated in darkness, only able to watch from inside through Naraku's eyes as he at last stood, staring out the window. Naraku smirked and glared out the window, able to clearly see the shadow hiding there in the trees. The stubborn yin inside of him crept up; ignoring InuYasha's protests, and he narrowed his eyes. Alighting ruby, his eyes honed in on her and soon he heard her hoarse cry as she felt her blood burning through her veins as punishment.

"Don't you dare tell me what to do, you lowly dog, or you can watch your beloved suffer," He whispered huskily, slamming the window shut, and turning away. Naraku wished for nothing but the comfort of darkness and privacy. The disembodied soul inside raged, and the angered red youki of InuYasha sent tremors through Naraku as he simply sat and drank a saucer of sake as if nothing were amiss; the whites of his eyes flashing red with rage, demonic markings appearing and disappearing on his cheeks as he resisted InuYasha's struggling.

Kikyo! Kikyo!

"Why do you cry for one, but not the other?" Naraku sneered with a smirk, sipping.

I care for both! But Kikyo, she's hurting... She may have killed Kagome, but only because  you've  corrupted her! She's gotta change back! InuYasha shouted, but Naraku only silently shook his head back and forth, grinning with his sheer amusement.

"I did not corrupt her. I may have placed a small seed of malcontent, but Kikyo was the one who sprouted branches, and Kagome was the one who made her true self emerge. She is so beautifully defiled, so corrupt, and now with this gift, you can watch us become one ," Naraku seethed, feeling the shudder of disgust from InuYasha pulse through him. You'll never be with her, over my dead body!

"Correction, you're already dead, but perhaps that could be arranged," He said slyly, tossing his head back and laughing.

InuYasha's soul seemed to recede, slumping down and admitting defeat, at least for now as Naraku chuckled softly with his satisfaction.

Chapter Text

The acrid stench of decay permeated the hot summer air, as a white daubed figure could be distinguished behind the moving shadows of trees, the soft steps he made nearly indiscernible below the loud din of buzzing cicadas and flies. A small demon at his back covered his nose with one sleeve as they approached, and made a loud gagging sound.

"What is that terrible smell? Must we go right into the belly of the stench, My Lord...?" Jaken groused, looking up as Sesshomaru paused, then cringed back in fear of his vengeful master.

They came across a patch of land that was completely barren, covered with overgrown roots that had dried up and died, as they crunched loudly underfoot.

"That's odd, these roots... " Jaken murmured, looking down as he walked, then stopped in place as Sesshomaru hopped up, and lept far away to avoid the roots, his long fur trailing behind him.

"Wait up!" Jaken yelled, and scrambled across the roots, which clattered almost like bones as he ran, panting from the sweltering heat.

Sesshomaru landed, softly settling onto a barren patch of land, whereas the rest was drenched in blood. Jaken fell forward, and nearly touched noses with the gooey substance, which had become tacky where it laid.

"Blood! Human blood!" Jaken gasped, and struggled to stand, using his staff of two heads, he got his bearings, and looked all around himself warily. Sesshomaru moved swiftly, and spotted the source, a man and woman entangled in the roots, where as he knocked away the dried roots, the man's hand fell, where it lied open, the prayer beads around it seeming oddly placed. Jaken came forth and poked at him with his staff, then snorted.

"A young monk and female demon slayer, dead. What killed them?" He wondered, as he poked at the female. "Pretty girl, too. Such a shame." He mused, and paused when he felt a cold air at his back, and tensed.

He backed away from the bodies as his master moved forward, and glared down at them a moment, blinking as he examined the wounds with his eyes.

The odd thing was, that there seemed to be no aggressor; it didn't seem that they'd fought each other, but instead, succumbed to the roots. He followed the pattern of the roots, to where, as he gazed, he found a startling sight; enough for him to take a sharp intake of breath. The roots crawled up, and up until they curled around a massive, ancient tree, which was much like the Goshinboku where InuYasha had been sealed away for 50 years, but now... he had become one with the roots.

"It's the young Lord InuYasha! Your half-demon brother!" Jaken gasped, and quickly ran towards the scene, but not before Sesshomaru could make it, and stood before InuYasha. Jaken fell back from the force of his master's landing, watching anxiously as Sesshomaru stepped forward, then pulled away a few vines, revealing the hilt of the Tessaiga.

"Your father's sword! The brat never even took it out to defend himself!" Jaken gasped, and Sesshomaru's eyes widened,  What could have possibly prevented him from unsheathing his sword to defend himself...?!  Sesshomaru moved quickly to take the sword, but Jaken stopped him.

"Wait, Lord Sesshomaru! Here!" He yelled, and ran over to the two human corpses, pulling away the heavy indigo robe of the monk, where it wasn't drenched in blood. Jaken held out the robe, and Sesshomaru took the blade and its scabbard quickly, and dropped it onto the fabric before it could burn through his palm like before. The little imp wrapped it, and offered it to his lord, but Sesshomaru didn't take it.

"Here! Surely, we can find you a new arm, so that you may wield it!"

Sesshomaru nodded once, somberly, then looked up at InuYasha's face, and reached out to touch it.

"Don't! Don't touch that filthy mutt's corpse!" Jaken cried out, and it was too late. Once his long fingers touched just barely, InuYasha's body crumbled into what looked like dirt, moist and red. Sesshomaru rubbed the substance between two fingers, and sniffed.

"It's clay… mixed in grave soil," He muttered, then receded backward, looking back down at the roots, and the bodies of the dead companions.

"What does this all mean, My Lord...?" Jaken asked curiously, as Sesshomaru sighed, flicking the dirt from his fingers.

"Their souls were absorbed, Jaken. Neither InuYasha's soul, nor body reside here any longer... Something has taken them," He said, but Jaken felt a small shiver, for whatever had killed InuYasha, had taken away Sesshomaru's opportunity. He sensed a spike in anger, as Sesshomaru moved quickly to walk across the wasteland, then paused as the nearby bushes shook. Jaken jumped in his skin, nearly dropping Tessaiga as he ran into Sesshomaru's leg. There was another rustle, then a pop, as a large, pink bubble floated up in mid air, wobbling as it began to moan and cry threateningly.

"Get baaaack, get baaack! I'll eeeaaat you!" It growled, not before Sesshomaru gently poked it with one poison claw, and the ball shrank back, wailing loudly as it sputtered and deflated as it flew up into the air like a balloon rapidly losing air. A smoke cloud poofed, and a small kitsune child fell from the air, and landed, before scattering back in fear of the tall Inu-Yokai towering over him. The beautiful, white haired demon's vast height was only overshadowed by the calm, yet threatening gaze in his yellow eyes, with slit pupils like InuYasha.

"I-I-I'm warning you! L-Leave this place, and never return!" Shippo whimpered, and attempted to throw his spinning top, which was easily batted away by Sesshomaru before it could even enlarge. Shippo scampered back in fear, tears budding in his eyes as he attempted to appear fearsome.

"Enough. Tell me, what happened here?" The odd man intoned with a silky baritone voice; just flexing his powerful fingers was enough to put Shippo into submission.

"You aren't- f-friends with Naraku, right?" He queried, shaking.

"Naraku...?" Sesshomaru mused, narrowing his eyes.

"Uh-huh... he's this awful demon! He lured me and all my friends into this trap, him and Kikyo, then they k-killed them all!" He wailed, his eyes overflowing with tears. Jaken stepped forth as his master was silent, leaning on his staff as he eyed the little demon. He felt a small tinge of pity.  Why, that strange maiden, and InuYasha seemed quite strong before, when he cut off Lord Sesshomaru's arm! This does not bode well.

Jaken took pause, as Sesshomaru tilted his head back to the air, and shivered.  He's caught the scent of whatever that thing, Naraku, is...  

Sesshomaru moved swiftly, and lept up levels in the rock, until he reached the cavern where Kikyo had let Kagome fall to her death. Jaken ran along with the little fox demon in tow and they came up the hill, panting once they'd finally caught up. Sesshomaru was squatting down to pick up the demon puppet, with two long, black strands of hair wrapped loosely around it. It dissolved in his hand, but he had more than enough to go off, as he stared down into the bubbling miasma, whereas a bubble popped, a white skull surfaced, and bobbed there.

"She fell down there, eh? Eugh . That's most certainly an unpleasant way to die.." Jaken shuddered.

"Kagome!" Shippo cried, picking up her broken bow and arrow, and holding it to his chest as he sobbed. Sesshomaru straightened, readying himself to leave, then felt an odd throb of the Tenseiga at his hip. It sang, calling to him. He reached one hand over it, and hesitated.

What could Tenseiga possibly want? All of these mortals are long dead.  He pulled out the blade, and looked down into the miasma, and saw the demon messengers from the world beyond, gathering up the girl's bones, bundling them up with chains, and putting them on their backs.

"My Lord? What do you plan to do..?" Jaken asked, puzzled. I've never seen Lord Sesshomaru actually use his blade, but why? What can he do with it?

"Nothing, this blade does not cut," He said, frowning as the messengers disappeared, along with the remains of the girl. Jaken eyed him, and gasped, as he saw a frown on his master's pale visage, and wondered,  Does the lord feel pity...? Or is he dissatisfied that he was unable to be the one to kill InuYasha?

He then sheathed the sword, and began to turn away, when he took notice of the incessant sobbing that had been going on in the background.

"You, where's your kin?" He demanded, and Shippo's crying grew even louder, until Jaken struck him over the head with his staff, and the boy was stunned into silence, a red bubble forming in his red hair.

"-sniff- They're all dead too... I'm all alone.." He murmured, blinking hard to try and stop the tears.

"...Jaken. Watch he doesn't fall behind," Sesshomaru said quickly, before looking up, as Ah-Un lowered, and sent Shippo scampering back in fear.

"Hop on, then! Hold on tight!" Jaken said, and pushed him up onto the two-headed demon steed, taking a seat as well, as Sesshomaru flew up ahead.

Well, my lord certainly is acting strange these days... can't say I blame him though, what with all the odd things going on!  Jaken thought while looking over at the small fox demon huddled in a frightened ball. "I j-just can't believe it's all over now, and they're all g-gone... " He whimpered, and Jaken groaned, looking up at the sky as it seemed to have dark storm clouds rolling in, that encompassed most of the horizon.

"It'll be fine, hush," Jaken snapped, and Shippo stiffened, shivering from his shock, as the imp relented, and simply ignored his cries. I just hope that whatever got InuYasha doesn't have a chance against Sesshomaru.

Chapter Text

Dawn came with a heavy stillness that weighed down upon the curled form on the ground, as Kikyo began to gently stir. A pale hand came to her chest, where she clutched it painfully, remembering the burning ache that still lingered from Naraku.

I shall relieve the burning within your veins. He had promised this, and yet, he had only burned her once again, punishing her mercilessly. Kikyo grunted, getting up onto her knees from the mossy sod where she had slept the night before.

Kikyo reached for her long bow, using it to aid herself in standing. She felt an odd sensation in her chest as she looked down, and saw the black malignancy inside swarming, then trickling back into her veins. The malignant forces inside of her were relieving her pain and making her unnaturally strong, but not strong enough to resist Naraku, it seemed.

She found it odd he had not come after her, and when she turned, she saw only lush, green forest around her. The castle, as it would seem, had completely vanished, leaving her there. Where it had sat, the ground was black, and barren. The sky had now returned to it's natural state, becoming dusky grey, with the first rays of sunlight making red gashes in the clouds.

Am I... free? Kikyo wondered, stepping out into the clearing and looking all around. There was nothing, no sign of Naraku's path, the castle seemed but an illusion now, drawn back into the rolling black storm clouds that travelled wherever Naraku appeared.

"Thank you.." She whispered, and stared at the horizon as the sun slowly began to rise, her long black hair moving, and dancing with the cool dewy breeze.

Kikyo moved her arms out, allowing her robe to flutter on the breeze, before lowering her face, and turning away from the direction where she could faintly sense he had gone. She didn't wish to follow him, and he was telling her, she didn't have to, but as she walked, she felt a slight pull from within, as Kagome yearned to run in the other direction, after InuYasha. Kikyo grimaced, and forced herself forward with her bow, gritting her teeth. InuYasha... InuYasha needs help.. Kikyo... He's trapped inside Naraku! Kagome's mournful voice cried from within, but Kikyo only bared her teeth and growled at the sound, her pupils lengthening with her anger, lilac blooming into red. "Shut up, girl!" She snarled, shaking her head, burying her hands into her long black strands.

"I killed you, you have no more body! And soon, you will be gone from me! I will make your soul be QUIET!" Kikyo hissed at her, her fangs showing, making Kagome recede back for the moment.

"I'm sorry." The girl made a small, pitiful peep back, and Kikyo huffed, shaking off the annoyance rattling around in her brain, as the sun rose, bathing her back with red luminescence, as she closed her scarlet lidded eyes, and made a feline chattering as her back arched, and her black, whiplike tail ripped from her garments, the forked prong at the end, slicing through the air, as her wings tore free, and she quickly took flight, stirring up the maple leaves, and flying quickly over the forest, a flash of black and red.

No-one shall have influence over my soul! Now that I have regained my spirit, I shall do with it, what I Desire!

Travelling with the Lord of The Western lands, was as expected; a long and arduous journey for a small kitsune fox boy, as Shippo found, and one that didn't allow for rest stops! As far as he knew, the daiyoukai didn't sleep! He had slept fitfully, bouncing on the back of Ah-Un's saddle, as he could just barely discern the blur of white, as Sesshomaru lept from rock to rock, and as he drifted off, he could have sworn he saw him levitating atop a sparkling, red, nimbus cloud of sorts, but that had to be just a fantasy. The little kitsune had seen fox fire, sure, but was there such a thing as... dog fire?

"You, little one! Wake up!" Jaken snapped, nudging Shippo from where he slept on Ah-Un's saddle. Shippo came out of his childish thoughts, rubbing his ginger mane. "We stopped?" Shippo proclaimed, hopeful, but not seeing Sesshomaru anywhere.

"Yes, M'lord has gone ahead to scope out the area."

Shippo's tiny nose twitched, and he looked around for the source of a tempting aroma.

"Huh? What smells good?" Shippo questioned, still rubbing the sleepiness out of his bright green eyes.

"Your breakfast!" Jaken huffed, his large yellow eyes narrowing as he turned, and walked towards the dying coals of a fire, where a cooked rabbit was roasted on a stick.

"I woke up to this on my lap this morning, which was quite unpleasant, you know! I at least had the decency to cook it, though." The imp growled, picking up the stick and thrusting it towards Shippo.

"Thanks!" He chirped, then licked his lips eagerly, and took it. Shippo chewed for a moment, gulping it down as if he hadn't eaten in days.

"Well, my pack typically ate meat raw, but this is just as good. I'm sick of fish!" Shippo spat, then seemed melancholy as he remembered how Kagome used to cook him said fish.

" Be grateful, brat! I've never recieved such kind treatment from M'lord, and I've been his faithful servant for many years! Lord Sesshomaru may as well be a cat demon, for his aloof attitude, and this nasty little 'gift'!" Jaken snorted under his breath, making Shippo's eyes widen from over the meat.

" You should know, Lord Sesshomaru is highly dangerous! You'd be wise not to get on his bad side!" Jaken whispered sharply, then Shippo jumped as a rock flew at the demon's head, knocking him out cold for a moment.

"I heard that, Jaken." Sesshomaru said, as he came over the ridge. Jaken got up quickly, and immediately took to grovelling at his feet.

"I apologize! M'lord, what have you seen over the lands?"

Sesshomaru mused on this, looking back a moment at the dark thunderheads off far in the distance.

"He is traveling quickly. Why, I do not know." He said, and perched deftly on a rock. Jaken looked out over towards the sky, and tried to squint to see Naraku's castle.

"A travelling castle? How is such a thing even possible?" He snorted, shaking his head as he plopped back on the ground. Shippo nibbled the last remnants of the rabbit off the spit, then set it in the fire, receding back with his small hands on his lap.

"W-well, from what I know... This Naraku, he cannot be killed. InuYasha cut his head clean off, and he survived. He was able to rebuild his body using a Fuko spell." He said anxiously, putting together the knowledge he had gathered in order to attempt to help in whatever way he could.

"Fuko... poison magic. So he is a master of the Kodoku technique. Coalescing pitiful masses of lowly demons to feed his body." Sesshomaru scowled, feeling disgusted. He flexed his claws, and stood quickly. "We're moving." He stated curtly, and returned his chase after the castle. Jaken huffed, his shoulders slumped. Shippo looked on in wonder, as the imp motioned for him to get up, pulling on Ah-Un's reigns to move the beast as well.

"It may be a few days journey, I'm afraid." Jaken stated, and hefted Shippo up onto the saddle once again.

The malignant miasma in the air left in it's path, desolation and death wherever Naraku's castle laid waste upon the forest, until at last it came to a slow, hidden within the masses of storm clouds. It settled at last, atop a vast field of flowers, which withered upon the settling of the massive structure. The barrier that kept it afloat, suddenly broke apart, disintegrating. Miasma rushed out from the broken barrier, and spilled out across the blackened grass, making it curl, killing anything it touched.

Through the barred windows, it was dim within the castle, but what could be seen was an unsettling sight. Blood was spilt across the floorboards, mangled limbs and prone bodies of the retainers who had once served Kagewaki lie mutilated. A curled form struggled on the floor, behind a curtain of black tendrils, Naraku's pale skin stretched and strained, pushing and struggling to force out InuYasha. The half-demon's face could be seen, as if gasping for his breath beneath a wall of flesh, before being quickly sucked back up. Naraku seethed out his agony and frustration, his fingers making divots in he floorboards.

"This new body is now no good! The half-demon has only served to weaken me, but I cannot seem to separate myself from him, his youkai is intertwined with his spirit, and I cannot take his youkai, without also sucking in his pitiful human half, the half that also ... loves Kikyo!"

Doesn't feel good, eh? Having someone's claws clutching your heart? I won't let go until you're dead. Just try and push me out.

"You aren't very wise, InuYasha. What's to say I won't slaughter your precious Kikyo right before your eyes?" Naraku sneered, clutching his chest, an agonized expression twisting his regal features.

Because she is also precious to  you , Naraku. I know of all your treachery to try and pit her and I against eachother so that you could have her all to yourself.

InuYasha's voice whispered back, and Naraku snickered lowly, "My, my, aren't we the insightful one. You forget, Kikyo is still connected to me with the corrupted shard buried deep in her bosom, sealed with a kiss. I can hurt her, I can kill her if I so choose, and you cannot stop me." Naraku seethed, and then his eyes glowed red, making Kikyo suffer from where he was.

No! Stop it, Naraku! InuYasha screamed, desperately pushing against the barriers of Naraku's fathomless abyss, as Naraku chuckled, giddy by the power this gave him over InuYasha, momentarily forgetting how this hurt Kikyo in his sadistic elation. Some small voice in him cried out as well, making InuYasha turn sharply in the darkness.

Whose there?! He questioned, the the hairs on the back of his neck prickling from the dark entity hidden in the chambers of Naraku's blackened heart, trapped within the wall.

I am... I have always been here... InuYasha. The voice said softly, curling with Naraku's shared enmity for InuYasha.

"Be quiet!" Naraku snarled, and plunged his fingers into his own chest, making InuYasha's soul leap back, as the bloody claws scraped around inside the chamber, missing him and the other, before pulling back, the hole quickly closing.

Naraku pulled his bloody fingers out of his chest, covered with dark ichor, and laughed shakedly, violently whipping the blood from his fingers. Blades of blood flew out, and slashed the privacy byōbu surrounding him, making a red gash in the grey cloth covered in black and red maple leaves.

Naraku stared through the gash, his crimson eyes becoming solemn as he stared through the opening, towards the window, where the blinds rattled from the thunder still crashing outside. Naraku inhaled sharply, closing his eyes, and the thunder stopped as an image, brightly lit, appeared in his mind.

Kikyo. The three voices of his conciousness spoke at once, as an image of Kikyo appeared. Naraku's brows creased in the center, as the images played out before him.

The image of Kikyo, lit by soft candlelight, as she carefully tended to Onigumo's wounds, a small smile on her face as she worked. Onigumo took a rattling breath, hissing as she dabbed ointment onto his scar tissue.

"How can you smile, when you look at me...? You are so... pretty. I'm disgusting... my wounds, no matter how well you tend to them, I am slowly rotting. You need not care for me, leave me be." He whispered, and Kikyo reached for the bowl of ointment, dipping her long fingers in, and swirling the substance around his bared chest, the exposed tissue grown brown at the very edges like spoiled meat, perhaps still good to eat... But no longer sweet.

"I smile, because today is another day. Can you hear the birds outside, Onigumo...? Don't you hear the lovely songs they make?" She said softly, and he listened, a tear rolling down his raw flesh, from his bulbous eye where the outer flesh had been melted away.

I came to love her, kind Kikyo...

I lay like that, many days. She had always come back for me, her and the little girl. If not her, then the little girl. Then, just the little girl... And how I wished to wring her spiteful neck.

She wasn't coming back.

...Lady Kikyo. When will she come back for me? A hollow voice rattled, as the wounded bandit in the cave struggled to see out to the bright sunny world beyond the limits of his convalescing place, his deathbed.

She won't come back. She's left with InuYasha. She loves... the half-demon boy.

Naraku felt a deep hurt within his body, where the hole in his chest still leaked with his miasma, the poison mingled with blood. It stuttered to close, quivering as his three consciousnesses were now aware of this pain, and sharing in it.

No... It wasn't like that! Kikyo wouldn't abandon anyone. She did come to care for me, very much. But Kikyo cared for everyone. InuYasha sighed with resignation, responding to the disembodied voice. She may have loved me, and I her... But Kikyo was never truly all mine to claim. She was dedicated to her work, to the point of exhaustion. I'm sure it took a toll on her, in those last few months, she took comfort in my presence, and I... her. I simply didn't want to be away from Kikyo. She was the first human, who looked at me like I was any other person.

InuYasha whispered softly, looking back at his memories. Flashes of a happier time flashed through Naraku's mind, of the precious time when Kikyo and InuYasha were in love. Cherry blossoms falling, wind sweeping her raven hair up in the breeze, as she laughed, and looked up at InuYasha, perched in a tree. Heavy snowflakes cascading down, as snow covers the roofs of all the huts in the village. Kikyo walks past, snowy shoulders kept warm with hay, InuYasha still watching her. Sunset setting on still waters, as a red daubed figure stands on the docks. Kikyo steps off the boat, and looses her footing, falling into him. She looks up, her dark brown eyes meetng amber pools like honey. InuYasha embraces her tightly.

Yes... I loved her. InuYasha sighs, and Naraku is silent, sweat dripping from his temples, as his pupils are expanded, looking to somewhere far off in the distance. At last, he is alone in his thoughts once again, dipping his head down to his chest, and laughing softly.

"I now know what to do... I thank you." He said, grinning, and stood, as the blood grew cold on the floorboards.

"If I cannot kill either of you, I will find a way to be rid of you, one way or another. I will not be victim to those who allow the pathetic trappings of the human heart to control them. I, Naraku, do not love Kikyo. " He seethed, and his eyes grew red once again, as one hand flew up to his chest, and a splatter was heard, beads of blood pelting the decorative byōbu screen.

Chapter Text

~x•X•x~

A large roaring bonfire, giving off black smoke with bright embers laced throughout its billowing filth crackles at the center of a ruined village. The broken boards from huts are intermingled with the limbs of the dead villagers, which snap and pops as the skin crackles, and melted fat seeps out and stokes the fire even furthermore. What appears to be a rogue group of bandits, mixed with demons is sat there, eating. The bandit leader takes a leg of meat from the pile, and tears a strip of blackened flesh right from it with his teeth. Chuckling as he chews through the gristle, the surrounding onis and corrupt men share in the feast, making unsettling crunches into the flesh and bone of their victims barbecued in the remnants of their village. A small mewling sound can be heard from within a burlap sack, where something is shivering so violently with hunger, the bag can be seen shaking.

"Shut up!" One of the onis grunts, and beats the bag with his kanabo stick, making the small creature inside make pained grunts as it's mercilessly beaten within an inch of death.

"Tenderizing' the meat, Gurtham?" One of the human men snickers, watching the oni beat it, licking his lips.

"All the more mushy to eat," He grunted back, then picked up the sack with his long horns, shook it around, then dropped the small thing back onto the ground. The other hulking oni growled, and grabbed for it, and for a moment, the two grappled, growling, tangling violently with sharp horns, rolling across the blood sodden ground; fighting over the little struggling thing in the sack. All the bandits and lesser demons laughed, until the leader stood up and shouted, waving the human leg he had been gnawing on that was now chewed down to the bone.

"Enough! Gurtham, Ognard, let the skinny little bitch go!" He growled, hitting one of them over the back with the leg, as the poor victim in the sack began screaming out in pain, being pulled back and forth viciously until her poor limbs were surely stretching.

"We're to bring her to Master Naraku! Surely the Lord of the castle will appreciate us feeding him such a delicious meal, and virgin meat is even better!" The cannibal bandit shouted, and the two onis dropped the girl in the sack, not caring as she made another pained yelp as she dropped.

"... That may be true, but now the little bitch is all bruised up, Boss. P'raps he wouldn't want er' anymore once we've all had her..." Ognard growled, bowing his head submissively as he made a rattling growl deep in his barrel shaped, red chest.

"Don't touch her, got that? Or else, he'll have both your heads!" Yakatsue retorted back, then turned and returned to gnawing on his meal.

The onis grumbled, sitting their hulking forms back down as they stared down at the bandit troupe, veiny yellow eyes wandering as they perused which of their fellow men would taste best.

"If you're that hungry, go on and fetch some live meat, why don't you?" Yakatsue relented, and the two beasts nodded eagerly.

"Yes, Boss," Gurtham obliged, and the two walked off, chortling and snickering eagerly as they did.

" 'Live meat', he says, why don't we eat him whole and leave nothing but the feet?" Ognard rasped, and the other agreed, as they walked through the tall grass, and came to a deep crack in the earth, where a purple luminescence was radiating, lighting up their bulbous eyes. The large lump of veiny flesh throbbed, and tempted them with it's helplessness; a juicy looking lump of flesh, fresh for the taking. The onis licked their fat lips, and hopped down fearlessly into the abyss, landing on either side of the thing.

"What is it, you thinks?" Gurtham questioned, and the other poked at it with his sword.

"Methinks it looks delicious, it's a type of cocoon where inside a treat hides!" Ognard said giddily, wagging his steer-like brush ended tail, and began slicing open the purple wrapping, revealing pale flesh. Then, as he went to poke at the being, an arm shot out, and grasped the sword, pulling hard on it.

"A hand!" The oni gasped, and struggled against its strength, it pulled itself out of it's flesh cocoon, and stole the sword away from Ognard, and slayed him with a deadly slash across his third eye. The beast shrieked, clawing at his face as he was rendered sightless. Gurtham growled, and charged for it, but the man knocked his kanabo away, and stabbed him through the heart. Dead, the oni slumped from the blade, and the man was revealed to the moonlight.

The naked man stepped fully out of the flesh encasement, and lifted a head of long, shaggy black hair, then began walking towards the large fire, a spider mark clearly burned into the skin of his back.

"Say, boss, what village should be hit next?" The grovelling, ugly little green man besides him asks as he nibbles on the finger he's holding, and Yakutsue chuckles, tossing the stripped limb into the fire.

"Some place with lots of women, and sake!" He growls enthusiastically, and all the others laugh. A rustling in the grass is heard, and they pause laughing to listen.

"Shh, what's that?" One demon hisses, and a man answers, standing up bravely, and strolling over to the source of the sound.

"Say, Gurtham! We ate the little bitch you wanted!" He teased, then there was a flash of some dark tendrils reaching out, and sharp vines protruded out of his back, as he was slowly lifted.

The bandit spit up blood from his lips as he gurgled, then screamed as his face was carefully peeled away with the sharp pincers that had grabbed him.

"A face! I need a face!" The faceless man cried out, then dropped him, dangling the face on his claw as the others receded back inside him, looking at it inquisitively.

"Is this a nice face?" He questioned, then snapped back with irritation as the leader Yakatsu caught his attention, the others yelling, swinging their blades at him. The faceless man twisted around quickly, and began attacking them with incredible speed, blood splashing up into the air, as a frightened face peered out of the burlap sack, and the girl quivered.

Bodies dropped all around the man creature, and then there was a terrible peeling sound, as the tiny child held her dirty hands over her mouth, and receded back deeper into the bag, making herself as silent as possible while the faceless man removed the faces of the bandits one, by one…

~x•X•x~

It was early dawn by the time she had reached her destination. Kikyo landed aways from the temple grounds, and hid behind a tree, watching the mikos and priests as they did their individual duties. Looking down at herself, she realized her clothes were tattered and covered in dirt, and stripped them away, coming up silently behind a shrine maiden, and quickly breaking her neck.

The girl dropped, and Kikyo paused, staring down at her a moment, licking her lips. She wasn't sure why she felt so hungry for human meat, but she almost couldn't refuse it.

No, Kikyo! Don't eat her! Please! Kagome cried desperately, and Kikyo paused, realizing what she had been thinking about doing, she shook her head.

"I wasn't planning to!" She scoffed back, she most certainly wouldn't go so far as to eat the corpse to defy her, she may have been influenced by some malignant forces in the jewel, but she wasn't a cannibal.

The bare skinned demon priestess knelt down, and removed the other's garments carefully, before slinking off towards the back of the shrine, finding the hot springs high up in the mountains it was built against. Kikyo eagerly got in, leaving the stolen robes on the bank. She slipped her porcelain white curves into the water, long legs receding as she hissed with pleasure.

It was a welcome relief to at last bathe, and so Kikyo contented herself by combing her fingers through her wet hair as she rested; feeling relaxed by the steam, the heat working out the tension in her back where her wings and tail were curled inwards, the fragment of the sacred jewel at the center of her breasts, still shining a dull purple laced with smoky rings of black. Kikyo hummed to herself, her eyes closed as she rubbed her face clean, then leaned back into the water and relaxed.

She did not think much on how she'd killed the shrine priestess on her way in, but the annoyance Kagome was inside her, screaming at her angrily as she tried to relax.

How could you? That girl was just like you! You're evil, Kikyo!

Kikyo laughed, and twirled a long strand of black hair around her fingers.

"Silly girl, you think I care?" She purred, and crossed her legs in the water, her shiny black toenails peeking out of the water as she preened, her lavender and crimson pinprick irises lowered as she fretted over her sharp, red fingernails.

"I cannot believe my eyes, if they weren't attached to my head I would say I had gone blind," A smug voice laced with sweetness suddenly chimed in, making Kikyo perk up suddenly, huffing that someone had interrupted her preening.

"Yes, that's you, it would have to be you, Kikyo? Is that you I'm seeing?" The other girl asked, and Kikyo quickly turned her head, her tongue flicking back into her mouth from where she had been polishing her nails with it.

The other person interrupting her bathing seemed vaguely familiar, as Kikyo eyed her, and growled softly, her demonic nature truly exposed. The woman approached, dropping her purple and black robes to reveal a young, lithe body, her chest concealed by long locks of hair as she made her way down the steps, and into the heated water. Her thick, slightly frizzy black hair surrounded a small heart shaped face, accented by a gold seashell hair pin in the middle. Thin brows arched over bright lavender eye makeup on her blue eyes, and bright red painted lips, as she eyed Kikyo's appearance just as curiously.

"Tsubaki, I presume...?" Kikyo said slowly, stiffening her back in the water as the other got in.

"Hehe, so you do remember me! Though, I bet you're jealous I look so pretty, and you don't! Shouldn't you be an old woman by now? It seems instead, you've taken on the look of an ugly demon." Tsubaki giggled, fluffing her hair, and cradling the white snake nestled around her shoulders as she settled in, careful not to get it in the water.

"Did you in fact die a violent death at the hands of the man who loved you...?" Tsubaki purred, and Kikyo narrowed her eyes at her.

"Yes, but not because of your little curse. I find it hard to forget the Priestess who attempted to curse me 50 years ago, Tsubaki...But, I flung it back at you, and your curse was rendered useless on me, when it was your own shikigami biting you!" Kikyo snapped back, a red youki surrounding her, emanating from where the incomplete jewel was tainted by the red shard that Naraku had given her.

Tsubaki chuckled bitterly, green scales showing around one of her eyes, as she petted the shikigami she had made her pet. "Yes, unfortunately, you were able to evade my curse, but it seems your terrible destiny was still enough to kill you, and for that I am glad; despite the fact that I have been forced to hide my disfigured face with this piece of the jewel shard." She said, huffing as the burn mark faded with a purple light from her forehead.

"Oh, that tiny little fragment?" Kikyo snickered, and placed one hand on her sternum. Tsubaki's eyes travelled down her chest, widening once she saw the jewel there, and turning green with envy.

"That there, between your flat little breasts is mine! It was supposed to have been entrusted to me! Give it to me, Kikyo!" Tsubaki shouted, and Kikyo stood quickly, covering her well filled out chest with one arm, as Kagome scoffed from inside her.

Flat?! Our chest isn't flat!

"Be quiet, girl!" Kikyo hissed, and Tsubaki took it that she was addressing her, standing up as well.

"I won't be silent, I'll take that jewel from you, just as you stole my youth!" Tsubaki cried out, and Kikyo narrowed her eyes, seeing the jewel shard that was in her forehead.

Tsubaki sensed this, and the snake around her shoulders lashed out at Kikyo, aiming for her eye, but she was quick to bat it away, sending it back towards Tsubaki, who backpedaled in the water, fear clear in her eyes as Kikyo advanced on her, and thrust her up against the rock wall by her neck, holding her there tightly; but not enough to kill her just yet.

"Enough! Tsubaki, back then, you and I were the most powerful priestesses in this land. Tell me, is there a way to separate a soul that has been joined with my own? When I was revived by the demon Urasue, she took the soul from my reincarnation, and used it to revive me, but now that I've eliminated my reincarnation, her spirit has returned to my own, and she won't leave my body now. What do you know?" Kikyo demanded, and Tsubaki struggled against her hand, wriggling as her hair flashed from grey to black.

"I- can tell you I've delved into the occult, and that- I know of the demon Urasue, and perhaps I could help you- but first, let go of my neck!" Tsubaki choked, grabbing at Kikyo's hand with both of hers, and struggling in the water.

Kikyo reached over, and slowly began pulling the jewel shard from Tsubaki's forehead, making her scream.

"Yes! I can separate your soul from hers!" She screamed, and Kikyo let go of the shard, dropping her in the water.

"Good. Show me, then." Kikyo said calmly, and stepped out of the water, her demon features receding, before putting on the traditional priestess garments.

"You really are a tricky one, Kikyo." Tsubaki coughed, and pulled her robes around her body, which seemed like it was sagging slightly before she quickly tied her robe together, and walked towards the temple.

~x•X•x~

They were nearing closer and closer to the black storm clouds, now after the third day of tracking Naraku, Shippo stopped to fetch water from a nearby river. He happily pranced down the path, his fluffy tail wagging as he approached the shore.

"I wonder what type of fish Lord Sesshomaru likes?" He asked himself, sniffing, then making a questioning sound. "Hmm? That's odd. I smell.. blood?" Shippo said, then froze up; his tail puffing. The stream was red with tendrils of blood, and it was coming from upstream.

"Human blood. This water's no good." Jaken added, coming up behind him. Shippo turned tensely, already frightened.

"Something's up there, Jaken." He shivered, and the imp huffed at him, seemingly frustrated.

"Everywhere you turn you see something frightening! Toughen up, fox child! Walk up there, and fetch your breakfast!" He snapped, and Shippo nodded obediently, then scurried up the hill, sniffing all the while.

Jaken began to follow, just to see exactly what this scary thing was, so he could make fun of Shippo for being scared, when he heard a soft step behind him. Jaken turned and saw Sesshomaru, and immediately grovelled at his feet before he could even speak.

"Oh, M'lord, it was terrible! That poor, useless little brat was gobbled right up! See the blood in the stream? I thought it best not to go after him!" Jaken babbled, then was kicked away by a quick black boot. Sesshomaru ignored Jaken, and lept upstream, to where he suddenly heard Shippo screaming.

"Help!" He cried out, and the daiyoukai and a shaken Jaken appeared from the bushes, a lump on his head. Shippo was picked up, and shook by the man who looked like the dead Yakatsue holding him; inspecting Shippo's features, then deciding the little demon's face was too small, he held up a knife as if to gut him. The man had found some nice armour to wear, and had been trying on faces when Shippo came upon him, and saw him washing the bloody faces of the bandits in the water.

"Unhand him," Sesshomaru warned, stepping forth. Shippo yelled out, "Fox fire!" and blasted the man in the face, making him drop the little fox demon, and send him running back behind Sesshomaru's leg, where he hid. The man placed both hands on his damaged face, and began to sob, feeling the resonating sting where the fire had hurt him temporarily. He pulled his face off, revealing a blank slate where only the planes of a face remained.

"What the- This man has no face, M'lord! Be he like Mu-on'na, the nothing woman we used before to imitate InuYasha's mother?" Jaken said suspiciously, and Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes on the man, considering this; but this seemingly human man was thick with the scent of Naraku, and did not appear to be a demon.

"Who are you?" Sesshomaru said, flexing his claws, and holding his hand steady before the man in warning. He lowered his hands, still sobbing, and began to tell them how he came into being.

"I am nothing, yes... I have little memory of who I used to be, what was my name? I was asleep for so long in the darkness, until I heard her voice. Kikyo.." He cried, feeling his face, and dropping to his knees.

"That scent…Does he not smell the same as that despicable Naraku, M'lord?"

"Where is your master?" Sesshomaru questioned hastily, ignoring the incessant sobbing. The man paused, lifting his head, and slowly stood.

"I take orders from no-one. I just kill everyone I hate, and burn them!"

Sesshomaru huffed, "Then I have no qualms with you, unless you seek your death."

"That face... your face, it's beautiful... Yes, I must have it! Kikyo will only love me if I can make myself handsome!" Onigumo suddenly shouted, and hurried towards Sesshomaru; the great dog demon's golden eyes widening just slightly as Onigumo jumped for him, with a knife drawn to slice off his face, but he was quickly stopped from ever attacking, when Jaken used his Staff of Two heads, and a massive flame encased him, rendering him into a blackened and burnt form within seconds.

The old man's laugh at last stopped the flame, and Jaken pulled back his staff.

"That takes care of him! Nobody tries to steal my Lord Sesshomaru's beautiful face, and gets away with it!" He yelled out defiantly, then stabbed at the burnt body on the ground with his staff.

"That's enough, Jaken. Let's keep moving." Sesshomaru said, and Shippo agreed, ready to be far away from the burned corpse.

~x•X•x~

Murmurs and whispers followed Kikyo and the dark priestess as they entered Tsubaki's sanctuary, the soft mutters that she heard were of her dark aura, and the demonic youki she emanated, though she had the appearance of any other shrine maiden.

"Come this way, Kikyo. I believe we should do this in private." She said, and led her down a dark staircase, into a basement beneath the temple. Candle sconces lit the corridor, as Kikyo followed Tsubaki, she noticed the way she appeared even more haggard and greyed in the dark, as they came down to a large room filled with an assortment of potion bottles, and Tsubaki gestured to a table. Notches were cut out of the sides for her wrists, and ankles to restrain her, she gathered from a short examination.

"Don't be afraid, now lie down and I will find the correct tincture." Tsubaki said, and Kikyo shrugged, having no fear of the other priestess. She knew that she would be able to handle herself if Tsubaki tried anything amiss. Kikyo lied down, and slipped her limbs into the openings.

Tsubaki found a tall black bottle on the shelf, and blew some dust off of it. Kikyo watched from the corner of her eye as the other priestess prepared for the ritual, lighting a few candles, and a brass incense burner, which she swung from a chain as she began chanting; making an invocation to summon a demon from the netherworld. Kikyo's eyes widened slightly, not expecting Tsubaki to be capable of wielding such a dark power. She poured an amber liquid from the bottle, and it puddled on the floor, parting the thick clouds of smoke rolling across the floor boards.

"Yuki Onna! Come to receive the soul that was stolen!" Tsubaki shouted, and Kikyo stiffened, feeling a cold wind suddenly blowing in from the rattling floor boards, as Tsubaki grinned down at Kikyo, and waved the incense burner, the smoke curling out, and choking her, Kikyo coughed, her eyes growing watery from the heavily fragranced air.

"You shouldn't summon the tortured soul of Yuki Onna! She will claim more than just Kagome's soul, she desires a maiden's soul that will revive her murdered spirit!" Kikyo shouted, struggling against her restraints as Tsubaki continued the incantation, and snow began whirling up from the cracks in the floor. The snow woman was summoned from the deepest, coldest level of hell.

A blood curdling scream was followed by a tortured moan as she arose, gales of bitter winter wind whipping out from her tattered, bloody white robes. Tangled black hair clung around her frozen, frostbitten black skin, as she tossed her head back and moaned, dragging her long black nails across an icicle encrusted face where her endless streams of tears had frozen solid. Kikyo gasped as she screamed once again, shaking the walls as she revealed her slit open throat, where sharp teeth glistened.

"TSUBAKI! We shall both be devoured! The Onna is vengeful! You must release me!"

"Hyuuuuu…. Hyuuuhuhuhuhu…dororo" Yuki Onna moaned in a haunting tone, and Tsubaki flung the incense smoke at her, making her spirit notice it's surroundings, sniffing hungrily, she lowered her head, and slowly calmed herself, the bitter winds slowing to snowflakes circling her, as her long black hair fell, and dragged on the floorboards as she walked, becoming deceptively beautiful, as she eyed Kikyo with her pale blue eyes, surrounded by redness. She made a low whining from her throat, reaching out with her black fingers, clawing at Kikyo's robes.

"Soul…" The demon hissed, eying the way that Kikyo's soul was now slowly emerging, white orbs floating out of her, as she gasped, and felt her body weakening.

"Onna, you may only take part of her soul! That is what I am ordering you here to do! Do not defy me! I will send you back to hell for all eternity!" Tsubaki shouted angrily, and Yuki Onna chattered at her, then growled, her voice guttural as she grew angry once again.

"dorodoro… Hungry. I have come to claim what must belong to me… Give it to mee… " She hissed, and made another achingly long howl that shook the bowels of the temple.

"Hyuuuuu..huhuh.." Her guttural voice rattled, once beautiful as she sang her tormented pleas, begging for her hurt soul to return. She turned her eyes down onto Kikyo, and stared, tears falling as her head tilted, and she pursed her black lips.

"We are but the same… murdered by the man we loved… Kikyo… Return to the netherworld and follow in my hidden path. They cannot find us there." She whispered through her tiny bow shaped lips, appearing innocent as she offered her palm to her, and Kikyo tossed her head back and forth, clenching her fists, and bringing out her demon youki.

Yuki Onna chattered, scattering back quickly, her hair rose up threateningly around her, as her eyes widened, and her hidden maw began to open once again, grinning hungrily.

"Return there… Go back to the depths you once knew, or stay hidden in the snow… Yuki Onna…" Kikyo grunted, feeling her soul being tugged, malignancies and all. Tsubaki cackled with her success as Kikyo appeared to be weakening, playing tug of war with the demon, and the last remaining bit of soul left in her body.

The soulless Kikyo slumped down onto the table, and Yuki Onna chattered gleefully, surrounded by orbs of light that she was reaching out to and admiring in her palms.

"Your work here is done, Yuki Onna. I have given you Kikyo's soul, and that's all I can part with. Now, leave this mortal plane!" Tsubaki shouted, and swung the smoke at her, making her hiss as it stung her skin and eyes, and she clawed at them, and began to sob mournfully.

"You have given me both a soul, and a worthy gift! The youki of a demoness priestess, something I have never come across in all my time devouring souls!" Yuki Onna cackled, and sucked in all the souls, and even the orbs of red youki, her eyes widening as she swallowed them. Tsubaki gasped, stumbling backward as Yuki Onna screeched with delight; and snow rushed up from around her in a tornado, the spirit orbs lashing around her angrily, as she felt the new soul within her taking hold.

She placed both hands on her face, her hair flying upwards as Kikyo found her spirit trapped inside Yuki Onna, and her eyes flew open, her demon power new emerged with the ice demon, a great, fluctuating youki surged out around her, as she turned her face quickly, and honed in on Tsubaki.

"She was the one who cursed us! Tsubaki, why have you plagued us! Give us back the life we have lost!" The both of them hissed, and Tsubaki dropped her incense burner, instead gesturing to attack with her white Shikigami snake.

"Don't blame me for your own misfortune! I have lost my life too, when you cursed me, you made it so that no man would ever love me!" She cried out angrily, and sent her Shikigami straight towards them.

Then, just as Kikyo and Yuki Onna were about to be attacked, Kikyo's inert body sat up, and at that moment it had the appearance of Kagome, more than Kikyo.

Suddenly, a voice erupted from Kikyo, her brown eyes lacking pupils.

"Tsubaki! Leave Kikyo and Yuki Onna be, you are the most cruel of all!" Kagome shouted, and thrust her arms out, making Tsubaki tense suddenly, as her Shikigami was thrown back violently, and attacked her, Kagome turning her head to avoid seeing the blood splatter.

"Girl... Child…" A disembodied voice hissed, and Kagome turned to look towards it. Kikyo and Yuki Onna came forth, and hissed, fully merged now, the ice demon stalked forward, ready to at last slay the girl that had stopped them from having their revenge.

"Insolent child… You defy me...? I wished to rid my body of you, but now you have stolen it back from me… give it back!" Kikyo growled, and lashed out with her claws, but Kagome was able to avoid them, once Kikyo just nearly scratched her face, she sobbed out a wretched cry.

"It's ok. You can both be free now." Kagome said, smiling as the claws just barely touched her face, her eyes closing, small tears falling down as the creature shivered with her words.

"Yuki Onna. You should rest. Whatever cruel act was done to you in the past is over now. I promise. If you let go of your resentment, you'll be much happier. You should listen too, Kikyo. If you go back to Naraku, you and him can at last stop hiding. You should tell him how it makes you feel when he hurts you. Maybe one day, he can come to understand that his bitterness is only going to push the both of you apart. If you and he could make your peace, we could all be freed of this terrible tragedy." Kagome said softly, and the clawed hand released it's tension, slowly going back down, as the demoness lowered her face, and the hair covered her conflicted expression. A soft wind blowed, and a resonating sobbing could be heard that shook the walls of the temple, as Kagome looked on with encouragement, Kikyo's visage looking pure and innocent as she smiled, and offered her hands out to the other one, coming closer, and slowly embracing her.

"I'm so sorry, Kagome…I cannot go back to the way things once were. I am so full of hatred…" A muffled voice said, and made a choked sob and Kagome looked, puzzled as if to whether this was Kikyo, or Yuki Onna talking.

"I wish to rest at last, but only if he were to go to hell with me. I don't want to die all alone again…" The pale woman, concealed by lengths of sleek black hair said, as she clutched Kagome's back tightly.

"You won't be all alone, Yuki Onna. If you can forgive him, you can go on to Nirvana, where you may be at peace forever. You will never be alone again. I forgive you." Kagome said, and there was an ethereal sigh, as the coldness began to break, and instead, there was a bright, fluttering light flickering all around them, orbs twinkling and chiming as they began to rise from the woman.

Kagome looked back, and saw the sweet face of the snow woman now back to her human form, as she smiled warmly back at her, and thanked her.

"I think I'm ready to go to sleep, now. Thank you, kind priestess. I shall be immortally grateful to you." She whispered, then the light surrounded her, and she slowly dissipated, and Kagome was left holding a creature that was made of red light, the sacred jewel fragment in it's chest still glowing, as the purple illumination mixed with black made reflects across Kikyo's face that was possessed by Kagome.

"I need a mortal body, you cannot take my life from me. You already stole InuYasha from me, and softened his heart in my stead. Now this is my turn, I deserve to die in the arms of a man who loves me, and you shall go back to rest within me." Kikyo said bitterly, and before Kagome could speak, she was pulled back into the creature, and Kikyo returned to herself.

She looked to the mangled remnants of Tsubaki on the floor, and scoffed, turning away disdainfully. Kikyo had come with revenge in her heart, and left with a small piece of forgiveness.

~x•X•x~

Chapter Text

Darkness surrounded him. InuYasha opened his eyes, taking in what little he could see. There was only the faint glistening of wetness surrounding him, and the occasional scuttling of insectoid limbs on the wet floorboards. The heavy, moist heat around him was unlike when he was trapped inside Naraku, amongst the cold, slow throbbing of Onigumo's weakened human heart. This was different entirely, he realized, as he reached out with one hand to feel around.

His fingertips dragged across the floor with blunt nails, as he came to realize what had taken place. He'd transformed to his human state, in what was the terrifying tearing open of Naraku's chest in order to discard Onigumo's heart. InuYasha gulped, looking around the room for a possible exit. Naraku had spoken of getting rid of him, so maybe this was the most opportune time? InuYasha carefully walked across the floor, eying the other demons in the room, all twisted together and held in place by bulbous veins, tentacles and webbed black flesh that oozed with toxic venom. The stench was unbearable, rife with the deepest, innermost miasma that exuded from what InuYasha concluded must be the shedded demon fragments of Naraku, strewn about the room.

Was I discarded as well? He wondered, glancing around himself as he covered his face with a sleeve, seeing the weakened demons squirming all around him, seemingly all attached to one another; similar to the demons trapped in the Fuko spell. He shuddered, ready to get himself out of the terrifying basement. InuYasha made his way across the room, stepping over the lumpy flesh that bubbled beneath him, and towards the rattling trap door on the ceiling. He reached up, scenting the fresh air coming in from above, and pushed on the trap door, finding it was heavier than he thought it would have been.

"Urg.. damn it!" He growled, and went to punch the door. His fist never made impact though, instead cutting through the air, as the wind was knocked out of him by a long tentacle, wrapping tightly around his ribs. InuYasha gasped and was yanked violently back into the darkness, grabbing for whatever he could, he tore a segment off the demon's body, but it only kept dragging him, a malicious chuckle right behind him as InuYasha screamed out in horror.

Naraku ensnared the straying half demon back into his grasp, spearing him in the back with his scorpion like tail, hefting him up roughly to face him. InuYasha was paralyzed; struggling to move, what remained of his strength was quickly being weakened by Naraku's potent venom.

"You thought you could escape, did you..?" Naraku rasped, his disembodied head hanging by strands of hair, his pale skin dripping with translucent slime. InuYasha flinched back in disgust at seeing his true form, not wishing to be any nearer than he was now as he was being slowly dragged closer. He struggled, the venom of the scorpion tail lanced through his back impeding his movements.

"Why do you want me, I'm just a half demon...like you..." InuYasha whispered raspily, before letting his body fall slack. Naraku smirked, then closed his eyes and rested, eager for his body to be made anew.

"InuYasha…You have something that I do not, a thing I desire to use to my advantage. Perhaps you don't realize how instrumental the hold you have over Kikyo's heart is in achieving my goals. With that, and your strength, I have in me all I need to rid myself of her… curse." Naraku spat bitterly, watching the motley of disgust, anger and despair going across InuYasha's face. 

"You're disgusting, Naraku… No matter how you try to use me to your advantage, she will never come to love you. She's not yours to take, Kikyo's free. She didn't need me, and she doesn't need you." He growled lowly, wincing as the stinger dug deeper into his chest, his arms hanging limp behind his back. 

" 'Love'...heheh...Who said I wanted her love?" Naraku whispered in a curdled breath, and tightened his grip on the half-demon, wedging the scorpion tail deep into his sternum until he fell limp, blood dripping from the large gash in his chest as Naraku slipped his appendage from him, and InuYasha's body fell limp to the floor. Naraku glared down at the sleeping countenance of the boy, and snaked out a tendril to drink his blood from the floor. 

He may not be able to rid himself fully of the half-demon's interference, but without the heart of Onigumo that loved Kikyo, Naraku found the heart that Kikyo loved much more desirable. He was sure of it this time, she would come to him without resistance. He desired Kikyo so much, desired to see her fair features twisted in agony, her frail and exposed before him. Loathing, lust, bitterness . Those were all acceptable averices he held for the priestess. 

 Miasma rose from the floor as his grin spread, the images of her torment rolling through his mind. By the end she would be crying out his name, crying out in pain, without that insufferable voice screaming from deep within that told him that he loved her, that Kikyo was precious to him. 

"You will know no other master than myself, Kikyo. Your heart shall be mine, mine to take, mine to break." He whispered cruelly, then from the tangled masses of bodies, a red glow emanated, and Naraku squeezed the tainted jewel shard in his hand, calling Kikyo back to him. 

As the tendrils drank the last of the blood puddle on the floor, Naraku chuckled to himself, and closed his eyes as the flesh surrounding him began to pulse, and writhe. Bright blue light lit the basement walls as there was a loud, cracking and slurping sound of flesh being rendered, devoured as it all came into one being, the fragile human man's body curled into itself as massive joints and claws suctioned into his back; becoming one with him. 

~•x•X•x•~ 

Kikyo had been making her way out of the bowels of the dark basement after defeating Tsubaki and taking her jewel shard, when she felt it. Hot, searing pain spiked through her entire being as Kikyo felt her soul being pulled, her nails digging into the skin above the red, glowing anomaly inside of her chest where the tainted jewel shard remained. She stopped in place, and fell to her knees at the base of the stairs, panting. 

She heard the sound of an old door swinging, and stairs creaking as someone came down to the dark basement.

"Mistress Tsubaki, I thought I heard something odd down here, is everything alright?" A voice called down to the fathoms, and a pink light gleamed from the woman's hand as she lit it with her spiritual power to see better what the dim red glow was in the dark. 

"Lady Priestess, are you hurt?" The black haired young woman said, coming to her side to attempt to help her stand, placing her hand beneath her arm. 

"Away with you! Leave me be!" Kikyo shouted, and her dark eyes changed hue for a moment. Kikyo almost succeeded in frightening the woman, her large blue eyes widening, but she did not relent, shaking her head of shaggy midnight black curls. 

"No. You're hurt and you need help," The patient girl said with a gentle smile, 

"Let us heal you. I am a student of Mistress Tsubaki, my name is Kagumei." The girl said, and Kikyo felt her soul shudder within her after hearing her name, the kind smile on her heart shaped face so hauntingly familiar. 

It's... me! She's just like me! This is so freaky! Kagome said from within, and this only enraged Kikyo further. 

Kikyo gripped the shoulders of the woman holding her and hissed, baring her fangs. Kagumei was startled, gasping upon realizing that the other Miko had been possessed in some way, her claws causing blood to seep out into her white haiori, and drip onto her long, pleated green skirt. 

"Leave me be." Kikyo snarled, and glared deeply into the other woman's eyes, attempting to use her demon powers to ensnare her. Kagumei held up two hands and interlaced her fingers, creating a barrier around herself. "You have been corrupted. Allow me to rectify that." Kagumei said sternly, and nodded her head slightly; invoking a large bubble of light that surrounded the two of them. Kikyo gasped, and glanced around herself in apprehension; not expecting the other priestess to be so capable. Kagumei chanted an incantation, and Kikyo stiffened; her body paralyzed by the purification spell. 

Dark bolts like arrows shot out of Kikyo's body and ricocheted inside the bubble, deflecting off of Kagumei and Kikyo. Kagumei continued to chant, her white aura washing out in circular waves that bent the air and caused the darkness within Kikyo to rush out unhindered, then become trapped in individual bubbles, which shrunk, then popped, eliminating the darkness from Kikyo bit by bit. 

Kikyo felt as if her entire body were burning, the red jewel shard at the center of her chest trembling as Kagumei struggled to combat Naraku's incredible strength. The young girl was weakening, her face becoming pale and sweating, her bright blue eyes dimming. 

You can do it, Kagumei! Come on! Kagome encouraged her twin of the past, Kikyo, internally cursing the pest but incapable of retorting back at her. Kagome looked around herself in the darkness of Kikyo's soul, and saw a light at the end that led to Kagumei. 

She attempted to move her limbs, but they were like lead. If she could only run towards Kagumei, and lend her some of her strength! 

Kagome froze as there was an overwhelming amount of red light within the bubble, and heard a chilling laugh. No… it can't be! 

Kikyo took a breath at last, feeling the paralysis ebbing away as Naraku slipped past Kagumei's barrier easily, and the dark and light battled brightly for a moment, flashes blinding Kikyo and sending her and Kagumei hurtling back as Naraku used the jewel inside her chest to assist her, it glowing brightly as he pushed Kagumei back aggressively. Kagumei! Kagome cried, worried for the priestess, who she could tell was inherently good. 

 Kikyo fell down the stairs, but quickly righted herself before she could hit the ground, unfolding her wings that seemed to be in tatters, tiny shreds of black disintegrating. "No… no…my power!" She cried, but then heard the same rattling laugh again. "Do not worry, Kikyo. Once you share my power, you can be torn apart and yet come together as whole once again." Naraku whispered, Kikyo glancing around herself to attempt to find him in the darkness. 

"I am not here. Return to me. Take the girl, use my gift sealed with a kiss to enslave her mind. You will find that you and I have a mind one and the same. I wish to rid myself of InuYasha, and you wish to rid yourself of Kagome. Come back to me, Kikyo." Naraku whispered, and Kikyo found her heart struggling inside her chest as she listened to his voice. He spoke the truth. 

"The time is now. Act quickly." He said, his voice fading. Kikyo turned back to see that 

Kagumei had become frozen in a trance, and Kikyo watched the girl's eyes dulling curiously. I wonder if perhaps Naraku believes this girl would be a good host for my annoying little passenger as well . Kikyo mused. She looked, and acted so much like Kagome, who had identified with her immediately. Kikyo dug into her own chest with a claw and made pained gasp, as red sparks surrounded her sharp nails as they took hold of the red jewel shard. Kikyo retrieved the shard and placed two fingers on Kagumei's forehead, a red diamond shape remaining where the tainted jewel had sunken in. Kagumei's eyes turned red and she remained silent as she and Kikyo stood up. She had to leave these grounds at once, now that Tsubaki's presence was gone, the shrine was returning to a holy place, and she couldn't allow anyone else to notice her escorting one of their own away. 

Something is pulling me to it…I feel it. Does he… wish for me to come back so soon? Kikyo wondered, even without the jewel shard inside her any longer, she still felt his influence, though now he could no longer speak through her shard. Kikyo was capable of removing the shard all along, but now she'd found the perfect use for it, despite it being with Naraku's assistance. She smiled, and felt the ache subside somewhat in her chest, allowing her to stand.

 Kikyo left the basement with Kagumei in tow, following obediently behind her. She came outside at last and took a deep breath, retaining her human form.  Kikyo found a horse tied to a tree, and untied it's rope. Whatever this new pull was toward Naraku, it was too powerful to be deflected by her own demon power, shard or no shard. 

Naraku. I should have known that you would beg for my return. Fine then, I'll come to you. And when I do, I shall kill you. 

"Kagumei, are you leaving so soon? Who is in your company?" A young monk called to her, and she glanced back momentarily; seeing a youthful man with a mole on his chin. Kagumei was incapable of turning around to the name, instead staring at nothing as Kikyo regarded the monks tensely. 

"Kagumei is capable, Musou. This other  woman carries the aura of something malevolent. She is not to be trusted." His mentor scolded lowly, and Kikyo smirked at his clever words. 

"You'd be wise to take your Mentor's advice. Besides, we are leaving this place." She said, and pulled herself up onto the horse,  Kagumei following to sit behind her obediently. Musou watched the two leave, Kikyo's long, black hair carrying on the wind behind her as the equally lovely Kagumei held onto her back, and gulped. Kikyo was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, second to Kagumei. 

"Musou!" His mentor scolded, and snapped his fingers at him. "Do not long after that woman. Though beautiful, she is no ordinary woman. I am unsure just how a miko could allow herself to become corrupted, but such an abomination of good and evil cannot exist in harmony in this world." The priest spat, and placed his hand on his pupil's shoulder. 

"But, Master… Did she not appear to suffer? What of Kagumei, why do you think she would go along with her? She was oddly silent." He questioned softly, and his mentor looked to the direction where Kikyo and Kagumei had gone. 

"Perhaps Kagumei has a plan, but the other Miko is not long for this world, and purification would be best to lay her to rest." He said softly, then gripped Musou's shoulder and shook him. 

"Are you prepared for the task that Buddha has entrusted us with? Shall you come to slay the demon priestess?" He questioned sharply, and his pupil nodded eagerly. 

"Yes, Master. I'm ready." He said with conviction, and nodded. Musou's mentor smiled, and the two followed her cursed path. 

~•x•X•x•~ 

The rancid scent of miasma and burnt corpses lingered where Naraku's scent had led them. Sesshomaru walked through the abandoned village, looking down with an apathetic glance; seeing how the faceless man had laid waste to the warriors, leaving corpses strewn about, with black faces where skin had once been. A massive pyre was at the center of the blood sodden ground, riddled with blackened bones tangled amongst the white ash of still smouldering wood. As further evidence of the tragedy that befell this village, a hollowed out human skull with flame flickering inside of it balanced at the forefront as Sesshomaru passed. 

 Shippo and Jaken followed closely behind, the young fox demon shuddering at the sights around him. Their lord paused, and they fell into his pant leg with the sudden halt in movement. 

"Stay here." He said lowly, and walked carefully over the battlefield, disregarding what he stepped in, or over with his black boots, as he came to a wooded area beyond the stench of death, and saw a small child there in the field, picking flowers. A bandit man with half of his face hanging off was walking slowly towards her with a knife in his hand. He was the only one left of Yakatsue's band that had survived the attack, which would have never happened had they not stopped to take the little girl for Naraku. The other demons assured him that their Master would enjoy a young, virginal girl like this as a reward to play with and eat. He planned to take her for himself now, having tasted human flesh, seeing how delicious it was; not realizing how it addled his brain.

 The girl was completely unaware of his presence, and hummed to herself just as Sesshomaru surged forth and used one arm to slice through the air with green slashes, striking the man down with his poison claws. He fell to the ground bleeding, gasping for his breath, but only coughing up more blood until he made a gurgling sound with his death. The girl scurried away and hid behind a nearby tree, frightened of the demon's claws still dripping with acid. Sesshomaru lowered his hand and his grimace relaxed. He wasn't sure why he saved the girl. Sesshomaru  approached the small human child and knelt on one knee, seeing how she was dirty, and covered in bruises. She wore a tattered scarlet kosode, and had one swollen shut eye. Her long, scraggly black hair was to her waist, a tiny pigtail sticking out the side.

"What are you doing here?" He questioned more softly then he knew he was capable of, and the child looked at him in surprise. Though her dark brown eyes indicated she was surprised, she did not answer him, only taking in the impressive demon man, attempting to decipher if he was good or bad. 

"Answer me, why are you here?" He said in a low baritone, and the girl looked away quickly, hiding behind the tree. 

She had been a captive of Naraku's henchmen, beaten by the Oni, and left in a burlap sack when the faceless man had come, and slaughtered them all one by one.

She had only survived because she had been rendered mute after witnessing what was done to her village, and how her family was eaten by men and demons. She trusted neither, and wasn't totally sure of the demon man before her now, though his robes were white, and free of bloodstains. 

"I am not going to hurt you like that man." Sesshomaru stated, his sharp amber eyes softening along with his baritone voice. Rin admired his purple moon crescent marking, the magenta slashes beneath both amber eyes with red colored eyelids. Such a pretty demon can't be evil, she thought with hope. The ugliest demons had always been the meanest to her, yet she'd never seen one like this. He was regal like a prince, and just as curious about her, as she was him. 

Sesshomaru's pointed ears perked and he scented the air as the little child came out from behind the tree, though she was dirty, she carried a light gardenia aroma beneath  other scents of dirt and her blood. Upon seeing his inquiring head tilting just barely to the left; revealing a tiny shred of canine nature, Rin laughed happily, a tooth missing from the front of her mouth. 

"Why are you laughing? I simply asked you a question." Sesshomaru huffed and stood up, readying himself to leave. Rin walked closer and offered him a small, pink flower as gratitude, a shy smile on her face. Sesshomaru opened his large, nimble fingered hand, and she placed it there, not fearing the long claws that had saved her life. He closed his hand around it and his lips parted then closed soundlessly; as if looking for the correct thing to say. Rin smiled up at him and a faint warmth came over his cat-like eyes, though his face remained a stoic façade. 

Shippo and Jaken had appeared beside him without his knowledge, and the two children looked at each other curiously. The girl had never seen a demon child, but he looked friendly enough. 

"Hi, I'm Shippo. What's your name?" He questioned, coming closer and looking bashful. The girl glanced back at the tall demon, then back at the little one. 

"Hello. I'm Rin." She said softly, and gave him a shy smile. 

"Go on, get , you, shoo! We've got no scraps, or coin for a vagrant brat, you're testing Lord Sesshomaru's patience!" Jaken shouted with a shake of his staff, and Rin furrowed her brows at him. 

"Jaken..." Sesshomaru scolded, then decided he had enough of this, he was only wasting time dawdling on the girl when he could still follow the scent trail of Naraku carried by the faceless man.

"Bye, Rin! I hope I can see you again!" Shippo waved as he left with the others, and Rin waved back after a moment's hesitation, a shaky smile forming on her face. She glanced back to the trail where footprints still flattened the grass, and considered that perhaps she could be taken in at the neighboring village, though she felt wary now of other humans. On the other hand, she was curious about the beautiful demon man in white, and where he was going. The imp had turned her down, but he was only the lowly retainer of the powerful Lord Sesshomaru, her savior.  

Rin smiled and gathered up her flowers, bringing them close to her chest and breathing the fragrant scent in. Then, she thought herself clever with her idea, and ran away from where she had been, not choosing either path but her own into the dark forest, leaving a trail of flower petals in her wake. 

 ~•x•X•x•~ ~•x•X•x•~ 

Water splashed as a man bathed in the river, a head of shaggy black hair concealing his face as he looked down, stroking his hands across his sculpted abdomen. I have a body at last that's all mine, to do with what I wish. He thought, reaching now to scrub his face with his hands, feeling the flat planes of it where there was nothing but skin. He mused that perhaps he lost his face due to the fact that most of it was burned away in his former life. Back when Kikyo cared for him in the cave, and all he had left was a gaping mouth with a few loose teeth and bulging eyes, his skin burned away and shriveled. She had cared for him then, she had never shown disgust for him, only remorse. Lady Kikyo was the most pure, most kind priestess he'd ever laid eyes on. Now that he was free from Naraku, he no longer had to watch and wail when his host would lash out at their woman, their beloved. 

His host body was made up of the spider demon, and many others demons who had promised him a strong body to pursue Kikyo with, but it had betrayed him! 

When he became Naraku, the malcontent of the demon's took him over, and he grew more envious, spiteful and manipulative against InuYasha and Kikyo. Kikyo was supposed to be his, but she had given into the half-demon and desired a life with him. 

The Faceless Man, the essence of Onigumo cried, but no tears came from his fleshy sockets. Water dripped down his nude body, and waves splashed around his inert manhood that also ached for Kikyo. He was in a body that was at least man, though he had lost his face when he was attacked by Sesshomaru's servant. He was able to regenerate, though, and his skin healed. That seemed to be his primary power, regeneration. He could generate weapons at will too, and it proved useful to him. He was strong and invincible against anything. 

He stepped out of the water, his wet hair spread across his back revealing the large burn mark of the spider that still remained. He heard a jangling sound, and crept into some bushes and waited. A merchant's caravan passed by, and he grinned, though his impassive face did not show it.  He generated a long, black spike from his palm, and jumped out of the bushes, spearing the merchant at the reins through the heart quickly. 

A while later, the caravan was overturned and its contents spilled after being rummaged through.

The bastard , he recalled it well now that his memories became more clear to him. He had been nothing, a poor, centless bandit who had lost his army. Thief and vagrant, he had used trickery to have Rasetsu's help. He dared for him to go after Kikyo and steal the jewel from her, and when the bandit leader had taken his challenge, he took the opportunity to steal his army. He knew that with the priestesses power, she could easily overpower him. While Rasetsu fought the woman, they slashed through their enemies and drank to their victory, feasting until their bellies were gorged, indulging in sultry courtesans in a cozy inn. Onigumo had never expected Rasetsu to survive his encounter with Kikyo, though he failed to retrieve the jewel, he did survive, though with one eye less. He returned to have his vengeance, and burned down the inn that Onigumo was staying in as his revenge. Once the embers died down, they found his badly burned body and laughed as they stabbed him, beat him with sticks, then rolled him into a carpet and tossed him off a cliff. 

The faceless man shook his head. Perhaps he didn't want to go on as Onigumo, but now as a new man if he could find himself a handsome face, and a new name. That name was shameful to him and only reminded him of his failure. He did not want Kikyo to pity him, but instead fawn in awe over him, and fall into his arms at last as he had always wished. His chest ached for that, yearned for that. That feeling that Naraku had chosen to discard, love. He knew that he was capable of it, but inside of Naraku his feelings towards Kikyo were all twisted and turned to malcontent. He needed to show her that he was sorry, and he could be an honest man that could care for her, just as she cared for him. I'll find you, Kikyo. I'll make you my woman. We can be together at last! The heart that yearned for Kikyo squeezed, pushing his new body forward faster towards her as darkness fell, and a full harvest moon swelled above the cedar trees. Tonight, she would know romance like no other. Kikyo would be a whimpering mess beneath him. She'd forever forget the half-demon, and he'd claim his woman at last. 

 ~•x•X•x•~ 

After night had fallen, Kikyo and Kagumei found themselves inching ever closer to the dark lands of Naraku's castle. The sky above was ribboned with violet swirls of miasma that made the horse slow its gait, and come to kneel on its shaking knees, shuddering with heavy sounds of exhaustion. Kikyo frowned and kicked at the side of it but the horse only stretched its neck out and laid it's head on the grass, snorting. It refused to move for her, the hours long journey she had made it endure had brought it to exhaustion, not to mention the miasma in the air made it grow even more drowsy. Kikyo was unaffected by the poison gas and stood from her place on the saddle, turning to see that Kagumei had slumped down onto her side and was curled up beside the warmth of the steed, the steady rise of her chest indicating that she was sleeping. Kikyo huffed. 

She placed one hand on her chest and felt that it was quiet. Naraku had relinquished his pull on her for now, as perhaps he too was at rest, but she felt restless. After all that had happened, Kikyo's mind was buzzing. She felt like she needed time to comprehend all that had happened and make sense of it. She felt herself going back to the time at Naraku's castle when they had seemed to tolerate each other's presence and drank sake together. Naraku really was quite a handsome man, though she found his personality and presence loathsome, at times his intellect matched hers and lashing spiteful insults back and forth with him was almost... thrilling . Kikyo shook her head at such silly thoughts, but it was true. 

InuYasha had never given her such a challenge, instead he cowered and wished to be her servant, 'protector'. She scoffed at the notion. Kikyo needed no protection, though…She did desire love, passion. A man's rough, warm touch to make her feel weak in his arms for just a moment. She wished to surrender herself just once to a man who desired her before she died. Her experience with Yuki Onna had revealed her heart's true wish to her, and had broken her bitterness just enough to form cracks in her wall of hatred. Weakening the misery that fueled her against InuYasha and Naraku, and revealing to her the answer. Yes, she would be a strong woman that bowed to no man, but one that took what she wanted, when she wanted. She would also allow herself to be weak, for just a moment. 

Kikyo stood in a tall field of grass, staring out at the moon, and smiled. A large amount of darkness had been sucked from the jewel that resided in her chest, leaving it with a pinpoint of black that could grow and be defiled again at any moment. But at this moment, Kikyo felt like herself again. Her demonic aura had been dispelled by Kagumei and she felt a lightness inside her that she hadn't felt since she was alive. She and Kagome existed in harmony, the girl was sleeping inside of her in silence and she felt freedom once again, to be whoever she wished to be. 

 ~•x•X•x•~ 

The two holy men crouched in the bushes, whispering, their presence enraging him. How dare they spy on Lady Kikyo, allowing her no privacy! The Nothing Man clenched his fist around the handle of his sword, preparing himself for attack, but Kikyo had already turned her beautiful face, and eyed the monk with apprehension, as his pupil hung back. 

"Stay here, Musou, I'll deal with her." The monk said, and his younger nodded. The faceless man wished to move after them to come to her aid, but he felt confident of the miko's ability, and laid back in wait, watching the young monk, and admiring his face as he walked a little ways away, and sat down, his fair face looking worried. The faceless man advanced on him, finding his name, and his comely face to be exactly what he wanted. 

"Who goes there?" Kikyo said with warning, drawing her arrow and holding her bow steady. The elder monk approached her, holding out his staff to show that he wouldn't hesitate to attack either. And yet, this priestess seemed different somehow than she had earlier. Her evil aura seemed to have been dispelled, though something about her was still amiss that he couldn't place. 

"I have come on account of Kagumei. Why did you need to use a compliance spell on the girl, have you ill will?" 

"That is none of your business. Did you stalk me?" Kikyo said sternly, aiming her arrow at him. The faceless man extended three long, sharp claws from his knuckles, and approached the crying monk hiding in the weeds. He heard a twig snap, and saw boots before him, looking up quickly. As soon as he looked up, he was pierced through the heart, and lost his breath almost immediately, slumping in place. Claws cut away his face with precision. 

"We followed you, you seemed to leave the temple urgently. What is your purpose for taking Kagumei?" The monk asked sharply, and Kikyo sneered at him. 

"I have no reason to explain anything to you. What do you alone plan to do against me?" She laughed, her velvety, vampy voice like silk caressing the faceless man's ears. 

"Musou! Come here!" The master shouted just as he lifted a familiar face, a thin line of blood dripping down the side of his cheek where it attached. The nothing man had now taken Musou's appearance and name, and so he came when he was called. 

"Yes, Master?" He answered in a deep timbre, making the monk turn quickly to see who had answered, because it clearly wasn't his Musou. Kikyo looked on curiously at the man that walked up the hill to where her meager fire was burning, and gulped. 

"Y-you're not Musou, what did you do with him?" The monk asked with a trembling voice, and Musou grinned with perfectly white teeth, his eyes sparkling with mirth as he felt satisfied by the man's frightened reaction. "I killed him. I'll kill anyone in my way, I'll kill all my enemies and burn them." He said with a bitter growl, and stalked closer to the man. The monk went to slash at him with his staff, but the breath was knocked out of him all in one gust as an arrow hit him, and sent him hurtling down the hillside with its sheer power. Musou stepped aside and watched as Kikyo lowered her bow, grimacing. She looked down the hill and saw the monk at the bottom of the hill come to a still, dead. The handsome man who had come to her aid turned his face and she tensed as he eyed her in awe. 

"I didn't need your help, those stalkers were tailing me all day. I would have lost them if it weren't for my horse tiring like it did." Kikyo said, and Musou smiled. 

"I know you didn't." He said simply, and looked at her with a soft smile. Kikyo's heart froze mid-beat as she looked into his eyes, and examined his gaze in the darkness. Something was odd about him that she couldn't place. 

"My name is Musou. May I have a word with you, priestess?" He questioned softly, and she nodded, stepping back. She had taken the time to make a fire in the clearing at the center of the tall, swaying grass, and sat herself on a log. Musou hesitated to take a seat by the fire, glancing at it nervously.

"Come sit." She said, and patted the place a few feet away from her. He looked to be fighting an internal battle as he looked at the fire warily, then to her and relented. He came to sit next to her, and Kikyo's nose was filled with his scent of warm vanilla and musky sandalwood. He was dressed like a wealthy noble, but carried himself almost clumsily as he dropped his body onto the log, then gripped it to balance himself. Kikyo found a tiny smile teasing at the corners of her mouth, though she had just killed a man. 

"I apologize for interrupting you tonight. I see you were able to handle that nosy monk quite easily." He said, and Kikyo shrugged. 

"I do not mind. Is that water in your jug?" She questioned, leaning closer to point to the container hanging from his belt. Musou's heart sped up and he shook his head and laughed.

 "Um.. If you like water that gets you drunk, Lady Priestess. Hehe." He chuckled like a schoolboy. Kikyo giggled, and brushed a long bang away from her face. 

"I like drinking that kind of water... to a limit. Don't worry about formalities. My name is Kikyo." She said, and offered her hand to him to shake. Musou wiped his sweating hand on his pants and extended it out to her to shake. She slid her cool palm into the warmth and roughness of his and gripped it.

"Musou." He responded, and Kikyo narrowed her eyes at this, retracting her hand as he reached for his sake jug with a shaky hand. "Wasn't Musou the name of the Monk's pupil?" She said slyly, and he looked back at her quickly. Kikyo examined his green-blue eyes curiously as he thought of an answer. 

"It was, isn't that a coincidence." He said, and she nodded. "It is." Kikyo smiled. He offered her a small cup of the shimmering drink. 

"Here, have some." He said anxiously, and Kikyo took it.

 "Thank you. There is no need to be nervous in my presence." She said softly, and he nodded. 

"Oh, you're very welcome. I'll try to be less nervous now." He chuckled bashfully. Musou glanced at their surroundings and saw a  woman dressed as a priestess sleeping by the horse. Kikyo took the jug and poured him a drink. 

"So, tell me about yourself." She stated, and he felt panicked. How can I tell her about himself without giving away my true identity?  

 "What's there to tell about me…? I am… a traveling ronin." He stated, hoping that his new attire was convincing enough. Kikyo's brows raised at his statement. He couldn't help but fall into her chocolate gaze, and began talking, his lies and his truth melding together as he told her about his conquests as Onigumo with pride, neglecting to mention his old name or anything that would give him away. In his past he had been a bandit, and surely Kikyo didn't recall every little thing from fifty years ago. This land was rife with battle, so he neglected to give the names of the warlords he struck down and did not reveal how they raided the villages afterwards. 

"Oh, how impressive. Where is your army, Musou?" Kikyo questioned as he poured her another glass. "I–I have no army, I'm a mercenary now. I just join wherever the pay is good and my strength is needed." He said with a feeble smile, but Kikyo accepted what he said easily enough. In truth, she hadn't been listening to everything he said, but instead studying him. She noticed the mole on his chin and found it vaguely familiar. 

"What about you, Lady Kikyo? What battles and foes have you conquered with your powerful arrows of purification?" He asked eagerly, and she blushed at his interested gaze. He seemed to be genuinely interested,  and she was convinced that he would hang onto her every word, until drool was dripping from his lower lip, and the thought made her shoulders shake with laughter.

"I've enough talk of battle and foes for one night. I just want to relax, and I think these drinks are doing it." She said softly, and tossed her arrows and bow to the ground. Kikyo was startled when Musou did the same, tossing his sword to the ground, and looking at her with a gaze that she couldn't quite read, except that it made warmth stir up inside of her with the way he stared right through her. 

"Kikyo. You're so strong. Strong and beautiful, if you don't mind me saying so." He said with conviction, and she glanced away from him with a smug smile on her face. She felt like her head was starting to spin maybe a bit too fast, but she didn't care. 

"I don't mind. I like a man who knows what he's up against." Kikyo said coyly, then reached back and let her hair down from her ribbon. Musou watched, and gulped. He removed his headband and his wild black waves fell around his handsome face. Kikyo took a sharp intake of breath at his seemingly bold action. What is he doing, is he playing a game with me? She stared at him, licking her lips, and felt her face heating up as he inched closer. Kikyo realized something. His hair was shorter and less tightly waved, but it was like Naraku's. Why? A shudder went through her. 

"Tell me what you're thinking, Kikyo..." He said in a low, husky voice full of passion, and Kikyo took a deep breath, braving herself as the man seemed to be closing the distance between them, seeing if perhaps he could make a clever move on her. 

"I'm thinking that something is familiar about you." She said, and he stopped moving closer, frozen in place. His hand that had been reaching to caress her thigh paused in mid-air.

"Yes?" His eyes widened. Kikyo recognized his eyes, if that was one thing she would never forget, was how they spun in his bloodshot sockets while he writhed in pain, but still retained their vibrant blue-green shade. 

"I once cared for a wounded bandit in a cave, 50 years ago. He was badly burned and beaten, then tossed down a cliff where I found him at the very cusp of death. He could do little but sip gruel and talk, but when he did, I found his sentiments dark, and full of malicious intent. I didn't trust him, but still I chose to shelter him, and the foolish young girl I was, I forgave his lustful gazes because I knew he was incapable of acting upon them. His name was Onigumo, and you remind me of him. Your eyes are just like his." She shuddered and shrunk away from him. 

Musou looked torn, defeated, his face drawn with agony when she admitted that she felt such a way for him. 

"Kikyo…you are a benevolent, beautiful woman, but also…cruel." He sobbed, and turned his face away, placing his hands there and gripping his face. Kikyo turned towards him quickly and grabbed him by the arm and tugged harshly, his fake face fell away and before her was a blank slate. 

"Nothing Man. Who created you?" She said coldly, and he gasped, though he had no lips or mouth. He covered his face again and his shoulders shook with muffled sobs. 

"Naraku discarded me. I am the heart of Onigumo that cares for you, Kikyo. Please don't hate me… I mean you no harm." He sobbed, and Kikyo smirked at him. 

"So this is what lies inside of him, a weak, sobbing little man." She snickered, and ground the deceptive face into the ground. 

"Show me your true face." She commanded, and he glanced up at her. 

"My true face…? I forget." He said weakly, and Kikyo shook her head. She came close and knelt between his legs, placing both hands on his face. 

"Onigumo." She whispered, and a soft pink light covered her hands. He tensed beneath her grip, then shook his face away from the heated hands of the priestess. When he looked back, she was shocked. What faced her was the familiar countenance of Naraku, yet softer. Less cruel, warmer, almost foreign with the particular way he used it to express his emotions. He felt his own face and smiled. "Yes, this is my face. You found it for me." He said softly, and Kikyo looked on with curiosity. 

" Your face? But you look like him." 

"He looks like me . He stole my body, Kikyo. I only ever wanted to have a good body so that I could be with you. That's all I wanted." Onigumo said with a rush of confidence, gripping her hands. He was no longer ashamed of his name and his true face as he stood, and brought her close to him. Kikyo was unblinking as she was pulled into his warm embrace. 

"I loved you then, I still do. I will never stop loving you, and pursuing you, Kikyo." He said, and stroked her hair. Kikyo closed her eyes and her brows arched upwards as her anger softened with his confession, and his hand straightened the tangles in her curtain of sleek, raven colored hair with a dark violet hue. 

"You accepted me, despite my many faults. You cared for me, and were unrelenting in your mission to bring me back to health. Why did you take care of me for so long, Kikyo? Why not leave me to die?" He whispered urgently, and she gripped him by the robes on his chest, her body quivering as his other hand roamed her back and squeezed her tight. 

"I knew what you were, but it was never my right to judge a person by their past faults. I cared for you because you were still a person, and you were in pain, even if it was to the point the sickness infected your mind. You were once a man, and I simply wished for you to die...having felt the touch of kindness."  

"And I would have, if only I didn't give into the darkness. That day you left with InuYasha, you never came back later to care for me. I knew that your heart belonged to the half demon and yet, I didn't blame you. I knew that you couldn't love or desire me the way I was. I was weak, and I gave into the spider demon's temptation." He said quickly, and Kikyo looked up at him, suddenly she understood so much more about Naraku than she ever had. But, this wasn't Naraku, was it? Was this his very essence, or just a discarded part of him? Kikyo stepped back from his embrace and looked anxious as he followed her retreat with hungry eyes.  

"Please, don't leave me." He begged, and reached out to her. Kikyo felt conflicted, but her body also felt weak and her mind was all over the place. 

"If I...touch you again, I may do something I regret." She whispered, and felt a weight fall from her shoulders as she admitted the truth to herself at last. She felt something for Naraku, she wasn't sure what it was, but this was only a piece of him. Somehow, allowing herself to be with Onigumo felt like she was betraying Naraku. 

"Kikyo, please. I need you." He said with a deep, rugged voice and came closer to her until he was falling on top of her in the grass. She felt her head reeling from the sake and her body was weak, but still she struggled to get out of his grip. She couldn't do this, not with Onigumo. Kikyo turned her face away from her kisses, even though tears fell down her cheeks. Doing so hurt, for some inexplicable reason. She was worried what would happen if she rejected him, but she also needed to be honest with herself and take the time to think about her feelings. 

Kikyo gave a gentle push on his chest and shook her head. 

"I can't." She said sternly, and Onigumo moved slowly back. 

"Why?" He questioned, looking crestfallen. 

Kikyo stared at him and shook her head, feeling like perhaps she'd made a mistake tempting the man, or maybe the sake had simply gone to her head. 

"You are not him." 

He stared at her, and his brow furrowed. 

"How? You hate him, and so do I." Onigumo practically snarled with his hatred, and Kikyo sighed, placing her hand on his cheek. 

"There is enough hatred and bitterness soaked into this land. The more blood that is spilled, the more chances we have to live, and thrive are lost. Perhaps I do not hate him, perhaps I wish to give him an end so that he may rest. And I, too. My spirit is not long for this world, my touch is only warm because this body houses a stolen spirit." Kikyo clenched her fists. 

"I need you to go back to him… return to Naraku." She said softly, and Onigumo shook his head; abhorred by the idea. 

"No, you can't ask that!" He shuddered, a visible chill going through him. 

"Do you wish to be with me, Onigumo?" She said sweetly, and caressed his cheek where tears ran freely. He was so expressive and emotional with his feelings. He was after all, a mere weeping heart in a man's body, full of passion and pain. 

"Yes." He answered, closing his eyes. She could tell that he meant it with every part of his being, and she felt her heart fluttering in her chest, the immature girl inside her chattering and encouraging her to go for it, but Kikyo did her best to quiet Kagome. Kikyo leaned forward and gave him a tight hug. He embraced her, and rested his chin on her shoulder, cherishing her touch. They stayed like that for a few more moments, before parting. Kikyo rested her hands on her folded thighs and closed her eyes, the fragment of the jewel at the center of her chest looking a dazzling lilac hue as he admired its purity. 

"Then you must leave. Goodnight, Onigumo." She said softly, but he knew she meant business, and he didn't wish to disappoint his beloved lady's wishes. 

"If you were to have me, just for one night I would be ever so careful to never harm you, my Lady. I'd treat you like porcelain-" He began, and Kikyo took a deep breath. 

"Thank you. Please go." She said, and Onigumo nodded slowly, stepping back from her, but she could tell it took all he had in him to walk away. He paused to pick his sword up off of the ground, and put it and his bottle of sake back on his belt. 

"Goodnight my lady. I love you." He whispered, and Kikyo smirked as she sat still, waiting for him to retreat. Kikyo chuckled soundlessly into her hand, then peeked over her shoulder, cheeks blushing pink.

"What a silly man." She remarked, then stood, brushing grass and dirt off of herself. Kikyo readied herself for bed, lying herself down on the opposite side of the firepit that now only had tiny flames flickering in it. She didn't realize that Kagumei had opened her eyes, and had been listening to all that happened with great interest. The compliance spell had weakened enough now that her eyes were an odd shade of purple, so she couldn't leave, but she was also aware of her surroundings. This was certainly a curious situation she was in. 

Chapter Text

The chill of night slowly departed as the fog laden clouds moved to reveal the hazy sky, a dirty sun struggling to shine through the thick miasma. Acid rain came down in pockets that sizzled upon hitting the ground, melting whatever surface it found.

Kikyo doused the ashes from the now long burned away fire, smoke clouds billowing out as Kagumei sat up and observed her surroundings. Her memories of the previous day were foggy, but she sensed right away that something about the woman she was with was off. Her compulsion spell had waned overnight while Kikyo's powers became muted, and her eyes had returned to their natural azure color.

She reached for the reins of the horse while the other miko had her back turned, but Kikyo was quick to turn and raise one hand at her, folding her fingers down until only her index and middle remained, a bead of bright pink light glowing at the center. Kagumei tensed and got to her feet, the two women like a mirror reflection; despite Kagumei's shorter hair and features that were oddly similar to Kagome's.

"What do you want from me?" She asked, holding both hands up in a sign of surrender.

"I don't want anything from you, I just need you." Kikyo said coldly, and the pink bead suddenly grew larger. Kagumei used both hands to attempt to create a spiritual barrier. Her transparent wall was erected, but it was too late. Kikyo's orb passed through with a crackle like lightning, sparks surrounding the ball as it moved through the wall, then quickly back into Kagumei's forehead where the corrupted jewel was. Kagumei fell backwards as if she were thrown. The stunned miko landed on the horse with a puff of black miasma upon contact with the poisoned corpse.

The barrier was dispelled and Kikyo was able to walk past effortlessly, kneeling down to examine her work. She turned Kagumei's face and frowned at seeing how the corrupted shard had a hairline of lilac color showing through. Kikyo placed her fingers over it; imbuing it with some of her own darkness remaining from the jewel. The jewel in turn, became more clear where it showed on her chest, and the one in Kagumei's forehead, darker. The enchanted miko's eyes turned back to crimson red as Kikyo regained control over her.

"Stupid girl. You're just as foolish as the one before you." Kikyo muttered, hauling her up roughly by her arm. Kagumei got to her feet then Kikyo produced rope from the saddle bags and tied her wrists with it.

"There, now you can't get yourself in trouble." Kikyo said, and guided her to get behind her. She was more than ready to free herself from this nuisance and the one lying dormant inside. Kikyo looked at her surroundings and her gaze fell upon the darkest point at the highest peak of the cursed land she was standing upon. She could sense that Naraku was drawing her there and didn't resist his pull, dragging Kagumei behind her.

~x•X•x~

Hours passed, though it seemed to be timeless in the bleak wastelands of Naraku's domain. Kikyo stopped upon seeing a small cave in the forest untouched by miasma. She hurried inside and shoved Kagumei down beside her. The acid rain she could resist using her powers of purification for a while until it began to burn her. That was one reason for respite, that and her hunger that could no longer be ignored. Kikyo knelt down by the lip of a small pool and splashed water on her face, removing whatever traces of acid that could have landed on her. She sighed and dipped her sleeve in the water, then wiped Kagumei's face with it. The girl looked dead on with a blank stare as she did, unnerving Kikyo. She was surprised to see that Kagumei was also able to resist the acid as long as she did, but they both needed rest and something to fill their stomachs for the time being.

"You're pitiful like this, you know. I think I liked you a bit better when you were at least angry." Kikyo said, then allowed Kagumei's compliance spell to weaken just enough for her to be coherent, her eyes turning pink. Kagumei looked around herself anxiously, then struggled against her binds.

"Don't bother trying to get away. Do you see where we are?" Kikyo said, then kneeling back down by the water, watching fish swim in the deeper parts of the crystal pool. It was odd how this cave was untouched, perhaps it was tucked away sufficiently enough to avoid corruption? Without Onigumo's heart, Naraku didn't have the compassion to provide her with shelter and food. But, he did have plans for her, so maybe that was enough reason for him to provide her some meager sanctuary.

Kikyo placed her hand on the surface and pulsed her energy through it, electricity killing the fish instantly. They floated to the surface as she turned and sparked a pile of dead grass and twigs, a fire roaring away in seconds. Kagumei's eyes widened as she observed how Kikyo used her powers to procure them a firepit and fresh fish. Kikyo smirked at her success then took out a small knife and began gutting the fish. Kagumei's lips trembled, then she managed to speak at last.

"Why are you doing this...? I don't.." Kagumei whispered hoarsely, watching how Kikyo tossed the inedible parts of the fish into the fire before beginning on the next one.

"I need you alive, girl. What else is there?" Kikyo remarked flatly, furrowing her brow. She disliked speaking to the girl, she'd had enough of Kagome as it was, she didn't need Kagumei getting in her head next. Kagumei took this in and looked down at the ground glumly.

"So, you don't plan to kill me…?" Kagumei asked meekly as she watched the other priestess procure a stick, which she used to skewer four fish on. Kikyo stabbed it into the dirt by the fire, then washed her hands in the creek.

"No, I don't, not at this moment." She said, chuckling softly.

"Oh…Then tell me who does." The girl boldly stated. Kikyo eyed her closely and Kagumei seemed to tremble from fear, but never moved from where she sat.

"Your curiosity will be your downfall, just like the one before you. You don't need to know something which you cannot understand." Kikyo said bitterly, turning the stake to cook the other side of the fish. Kagumei frowned, feeling unsatisfied with this answer.

"How can I understand if you won't tell me?" She wailed in frustration, watching Kikyo's face for answers. Kikyo lifted her gaze and took a moment to think about her next answer.

"Know that your foolhardy attitude will neither make a difference, nor will it change your fate. But, I'll tell you simply with the hope it quiets your whining." Kikyo said with a sigh, plucking the stake from the ground and setting it aside to let the meat cool. Kagumei looked on eagerly, and Kikyo had to admit a part of her did feel sympathy for the clueless girl.

"I'm taking you to a very powerful man who has plans for the both of us. His intentions may not be completely honest, but with me, you shall not suffer…long." Kikyo said solemnly, Kagumei flinching.

"N-Not long?" She breathed, then the mark on her forehead glowed red and her frightened face grew calm.

"I don't mean to frighten you, but I also mean to warn you. There will be no fighting it, so you should accept this now and move on. We do not plan to kill you, that would defeat your purpose." Kikyo said gently, moving the stake closer to Kagumei so she could take her serving of fish. She untied the rope around her wrists, but with just a lift of her finger Kikyo could put her in spiritual shackles if she so wished. Kagumei seemed to know this, and resisted the urge to run away, instead gently blowing on the steaming fish before taking a small bite.

Kikyo watched her for a moment, then went about eating her own. She didn't want to take too long or let their trip go on for another night. There was more danger here now than there was previously, Kikyo could hear the swarms of Naraku's demons and poisonous insects as they passed overhead, screaming and crying in utter madness. Kagumei looked out the cave entrance and gasped as she heard the swarm pass over, fear coming over her features.

"I hate those nasty things." She uttered, shuddering. Kikyo observed her, and confirmed that this girl did indeed live up to the closest meaning of her name. Mirror.

~x•X•x~

A robed man with a round amigasa hat protecting him from the rain stood at the entrance of the cave, drawn by the scent of cooking and the sight of smoke. Onigumo waited to see any movement inside before stepping inside, taking off his straw hat and squatting by the firepit that was still steaming after being doused with water. His short, shaggy hair concealed most of his face but for the exceptionally fair look of it, pale and bloodless.

He stuck his finger in the ashes and felt heat sizzling away at his skin, before slowly pulling it out to look at it. The blackened skin bubbled and popped before drying up and peeling away, revealing the pristine skin underneath. He was immune to fire, acid, weapons, but one thing held him powerless. Her.

Onigumo stood, seeing that Kikyo was no longer there and left the cave, following her tracks. "Lady Kikyo." He uttered softly, stumbling over a demon's horned skull and goring his leg, then continuing on his path as if nothing had happened. He was clumsy, cared not for his own well-being and trailed after the priestess like a blind man with the snout of a bloodhound. Citrine eyes narrowed as they observed this all with contempt. Sesshomaru stood atop a rock precipice, looking down at the desolation in disgust; the reeking scent of decay and miasma filling his nostrils with Naraku's putrid malodor.

He watched the Nothing Man who had attempted to steal his face before crawling his way after the priestess, leaving a trail of blood that gradually blackened and congealed. After surveying the direction he went in, Sesshomaru felt certain he could follow the blood trail without any issue even if the acid rain didn't let up for hours. He turned briskly and made his way back down the cliff, going back a good ways until he reached the thicket where Jaken and Shippo were staying.

When Sesshomaru came through the clearing, Jaken looked up eagerly to see his Lord had returned. Sesshomaru glared at Jaken, and he quickly bumbled to form words, trembling.

"W-what did you find, M'lord? Are we nearing Naraku's castle?"

The daiyokai ignored his question, his narrowed eyes casually inspecting the area for the little kitsune boy.

"Where is he?" He asked calmly, not showing the concern the question would have implied. Jaken looked around himself quickly, as if he hadn't noticed Shippo was gone yet.

"Drat! That little nuisance must have taken off! Let's leave him then, you have much more important matters than one small kitsune child!" Jaken snorted, a large sweat drop forming on his brow. Sesshomaru seemed to contemplate on this silently, his stony expression not changing but for a low simmering aura of anger that Jaken seemed to sense, backing away anxiously.

"Go find him." Sesshomaru seethed, then turned back. Jaken's meddling would prove to only lengthen their journey, now they had to backtrack to find the brat he so casually abandoned. It wasn't exactly the fact that Shippo had gone missing that perturbed him, but the clumsy trail of evidence that Jaken left everywhere they went. They were in Naraku's territory, where Saimyōshō spies lurked at every corner.

~x•X•x~

Shippo giggled as he ran into a fox hole and hid, watching from between blades of grass as a small, barefoot set of feet ran past, then hesitated. Shippo stifled a snicker as his new friend searched for him, away from the gloomy skies ahead and in the dead center of a wide open meadow, where there was barely anywhere to hide unless you were tiny enough to curl up in a burrow.

He snickered as he eluded the girl, forgetting for a moment the dangers of the wilderness which was rife with demons and people just as bad as them.

After a while, Shippo grew tired of waiting and poked his head out of the burrow, but his play partner was nowhere to be found. He ran through the meadow in a panic, shouting "Rin! Rin!" As his shouts echoed through the trees, a shiver went all throughout the young kitsune's body. "Rin! Rin!" His voice echoed moments later, growing smaller and smaller as it faded into the distance. Shippo shivered and hid in the grass as he worried about the girl's fate; too afraid to investigate on his own.

He was saved by the sound of Jaken's shouts for "Little brat!" And "Annoying fox kit!" Shippo ran out the grass immediately, and clung to Jaken's sleeve in terror. Jaken exclaimed in disgust and attempted to shake him off, but then he too felt a cold chill and froze in place.

"What is that…?" Jaken gasped, clinging to Shippo in shared terror as the sky darkened, and the ground underneath them began to move.

"Help! Shippo!" Rin cried, and Shippo freed himself from Jaken's clutch at the sound of the fearful voice. When he ran further from the meadow, and into the thicket he saw a flash of her red kimono and was joined by Jaken running behind him at the behest of Sesshomaru's threats to not let any harm come to the child. Large insects buzzed overhead- massive hornets with red eyes and segmented purple and yellow bodies with deadly stingers.

"Saimyoshō!" Shippo gasped upon seeing Naraku's spies. Jaken looked up at the insects that Shippo had identified and yelped in fear. Suddenly, Shippo had stopped and Jaken tumbled into his back. As he neared the voice, he began to see her form become clearer, and gasped upon seeing that Rin was in the clutches of two large Onis. The stench of decay and miasma permeated the once fragrant, flower-filled forest, now rotted away and black with Naraku's infection. Massive roots surrounded the girl and her captors, some spearing up through the ground to make it more difficult to pass through.

"Shippo!" Rin cried out, then was silenced by an Ogre's warty purple hand over her mouth. The two demons chuckled raspily, one stroking its claws through her hair as the other plucked at her kimono and sliced it, exposing the fair skin of her arm. It pricked her skin and she began to bleed, her muffled crying carrying across the forest as she struggled to escape from the ogres.

"We have to do something!" Shippo cried out, and reached into his pocket to find a tool that could help her. He retrieved a spinning top and tossed it, the top enlarging and breaking off some of the smaller roots blocking the pathway. It spun for a moment before being knocked away by an ogre and shrinking down in size. Jaken looked on in a panic, clutching his staff tightly. Lord Sesshomaru will surely kill me this time if both children perish! He thought and gulped, watching the fox boy pull out another trick, a green flame that burst out in a promising way, then quickly puffed out uselessly as an Oni walked directly through it. Jaken moved quickly to use his staff of two heads, but couldn't get a good target without harming the girl, too.

Just as the ogre nearly stepped on Shippo and squashed him, he was cut down by a flash of green light. The oni's body fell to pieces that oozed a noxious black fog laden with flies, causing Shippo and Jaken to cough. Rin cried out, "Lord Sesshomaru!" As he made his appearance by landing atop the thorny branches where she had been ensnared at the center by a cage of squirming vines.

Sesshomaru leapt down and dispatched the other oni with his claws, watching how it weakly attempted to defend itself before falling. It too landed in clumps and gave off miasma afterwards, confirming that the Oni's had been nothing but reanimated corpses. Sesshomaru scowled and turned his attention to the buzzing insects surrounding Rin, hearing a deep, scathing chuckle coming from the darkness as the Saimyōshō swarmed around her with intent to sting.

"Rin!" Shippo shouted, running to her aid. He was stopped by Jaken holding onto his tail, then dragging him backwards. "Stay back, fox kit. This is the work of something malignant!"

"Naraku. It's you there, isn't it?" Sesshomaru stated calmly, watching as Rin's body was lifted from the sticking thorns, and laid across a white fur pelt, bleeding freely onto it. Naraku cradled the girl on his arm with a mischievous smirk showing beneath his baboon mask, the hornets surrounding their master as the wind turned the Oni's into nothing but dried husks that were carried away on the swaying grass.

"You sniffed me out, Sesshomaru. Is the fate of this human girl truly your concern?" He purred, tracing Rin's cheek with a pale finger and making her grimace away in disgust. Sesshomaru glared at him, his eyes never landing on the child. His intent was merely to kill the one who had thought it wise to attempt to poison him with his gift of a human arm, and gave him the hive of bees to incapacitate the monk. That, and slain his brother before he had the opportunity to defend himself. It wasn't like InuYasha to have never reached for his blade, and still the mystery continued to elude Sesshomaru as he glared at his hateful enemy's facąde. Naraku was nothing but a curse upon these lands, a black smear that must be cleansed away.

Naraku took Sesshomaru's silence as his answer and formed a pale spike from his hand, aiming it at her throat. Shippo cried out from the ground where Jaken held him down, and Sesshomaru frowned from the sound. He stepped forth and formed his whip with a shimmer of golden light, roots falling away from their surroundings in response to its power.

Naraku's rattling laugh came as he directed the spike to Rin's, then stabbed her, infusing her with miasma.

Sesshomaru scented the child's tainted blood in the air and rage stirred within him. He charged forward, wielding his light whip; attacking the roots that jutted out in response, and broke off with every attack. The inu daiyoukai was unaffected by the poison gas; possessing his own venomous claws.

Naraku attempted to reform his roots, but they failed to take form, crumbling into dirt. He dropped the girl and backed away from Sesshomaru's blows, using his long black hair to try and wrap around the whip before it melted like tar upon contact with its heat. Sesshomaru leapt forward and the whip curled then wrapped around Naraku multiple times before Sesshomaru pulled the whip and sliced his body into segments; which bubbled and burst, miasma and purple blood bursting out. Sesshomaru's enemy crumbled to pieces as he decapitated the head off the body, and picked up Rin all in one motion.

Naraku's puppet quickly dissipated, leaving only the wooden doll and a few tatters of white pelt behind. His angered face formed in the dark copse of the trees; enraged that he couldn't combat Sesshomaru with the failure of his puppet. Something went terribly wrong with my puppet, my roots couldn't regenerate any longer once they'd been severed! Naraku seethed in disbelief of his defeat. Sesshomaru dissipated his whip and turned to look at his opponent's specter.

"You failed to accomplish whatever it was you thought you were doing… didn't you, Naraku?" He calmly stated, then watched as the face quickly disappeared along with the insects. "Hn." He mused, then set the girl down on the grass. Rin groaned, reaching to touch her injured throat. Jaken and Sesshomaru observed the child silently, the vassal eyeing his master from the corner of his eye and waiting to see his next action.

"Rin!" Shippo shouted, running to her aid immediately. The boy saw her injured throat, and a worried expression came over him as the wound bled.

"Wait just a sec! I know what to do!" He said brightly, then rummaged through his pockets. Sesshomaru looked on with seemingly no reaction, until seeing the paper Shippo presented. He peeled away the top layer, revealing a flesh colored item. It was a bandaid from Kagome's medical kit; saved in the likelihood Shippo cut himself. Sesshomaru's nose crinkled subtly from the scent of the object, and the unfamiliar look of it.

Before Shippo could apply the bandage, Sesshomaru's immediate glare made him hesitate. "It's ok! It's just a band-aid. This will help keep dirt out of her wound so it can heal faster!" He said brightly, then his grin faded as the inu daiyoukai turned away briskly.

"The girl will die. Jaken, find cover for you and Shippo." He said beginning to leave the area.

"W-What?" Shippo gasped, looking on in horror as he recalled how when Miroku sucked in Naraku's venomous insects with his wind tunnel, he became ill almost immediately, only recovering with the aid of Kagome's medicine… but Kagome is gone now.

"M'lord! Where are you going?" Jaken questioned frantically, running to attempt to cling to Sesshomaru's mokomoko. The silver-haired Lord turned sharply, removing the fur from his vassal's grip. Jaken fell back in fear as Sesshomaru nearly stepped on him, annoyed that his departure had been delayed.

"Naraku's scent trail is still viable."

Jaken nodded and remained there once his master leapt out of the meadow. Shippo frowned and his lip quivered as Jaken looked for Ah-Un to fly them somewhere safer, finding the two headed steed off grazing not far from where they were.

"Rin…I failed you… Just like I failed Miroku… and Sango… and everyone." He pouted, tears pouring down his face. Rin's pale face beaded with sweat, then her eyes slowly opened to see Shippo hovering over her.

"You're alive! Thank goodness." Shippo exclaimed, hugging around her neck. Rin grunted in pain, the wound underneath her bandage turning purple and black with dark striations branching out. Rin blinked wearily, surprised to see Shippo leaning over her. She remembered being rescued by Sesshomaru, and the brief moment she spent in his arms before passing out.

"Where's… Sesshomaru-Sama?" She asked.

"He took off after Naraku! But don't worry, I'm here for you, Rin!" Shippo said bravely, puffing up his tiny chest. Rin looked on, puzzled, before Jaken huffed and hit the ground with his staff.

"Enough of this, the girl is conscious, yes? Leave her!" Jaken urged Shippo, who in turn seemed crestfallen.

"But… she was infected by Naraku's miasma. She needs more medical attention." Shippo mused sadly, looking up to Jaken with tears shimmering in his green eyes. Jaken hesitated to answer, looking from the girl then back to the boy. He thought it was odd how Sesshomaru paid any attention to the girl before, yet his Lord's protection of Rin confirmed that the cold demon held some small amount of sympathy deep within him. Plus, he didn't want to risk being disciplined.

"Fine. Let's get her on Ah-Un's saddle. With luck, we may come across some antidote or healer. If not, then…"

"YAY!" Shippo shouted, making Jaken's ears ring.

"Yes, yes, now let's make haste, we must find cover!"

~x•X•x~

There was a clatter as Naraku watched his wooden puppet be sliced cleanly into multiple segments, a sneer on his face. He stroked the thorax of a Saimyōshō insect that was fluttering its wings on his bent knee; relaying messages to its master of all it had seen and heard. Naraku was pleased with what the hornet had told him by the intricate movements of its wings as well as the pheromones it exuded. According to the insect, he had Sesshomaru sniffing out his trail like the demon hound he was. With Kikyo bringing Kagumei, Onigumo at their heels, and Sesshomaru at the rear, it seemed everything was going his way. Perhaps the heart of InuYasha could be enough to ensnare the priestess fully into his web, and the foolish daiyoukai would come barreling to him seeking revenge without even knowing his younger brother's youkai had molded seamlessly with his, his spirit entangled in that gossamer labyrinth as well. The only thing concerning him was his puppet's failure to regenerate during its fight with Sesshomaru.

Naraku let the insect flutter away, standing up. His dark robes settled around his waist, the upper portion of his pale, sculpted torso and arms revealed. Naraku took a deep breath; his eyes widening upon smelling an odd scent carrying from the open windows before him. Naraku blinked in disbelief, covering his mouth with one hand as he felt strange fangs lengthening from his gums and his mouth watering upon contact. Red blossomed in the corners of his dark red eyes with a golden glow shimmering around the circumference of his irises. A scent faint with blood and grave soil, yet fresh and fragrant. It was delicate, barely detectable- yet sweet, and inviting. Bellflower.

Naraku's heart raced as he watched out the window, then gripped the windowsill and lifted himself out and away from the safety of his castle, his tangles of long inky hair lifting off his back and revealing his burn scar as he did. Something had come over him that made his sanity slip away, as he leapt down from the crags and spires of the steep mountain his castle was situated snugly upon.

"Kikyo…I'm coming for you!"

…

Fallen branches crunched underfoot as the two priestesses made their way through the forest, Kagumei's wrists bound with lavender spiritual shackles as she trailed behind Kikyo. They made their way steadily over the overgrown roots until Kikyo paused and Kagumei nearly stumbled into her. The captive looked at her abductor curiously, then went to look back before being stopped by Kikyo's palm landing on her jaw before she could turn her face fully. Kikyo attempted to communicate a message to the girl with her stern gaze, one finger over her lips. Once Kagumei understood, Kikyo nocked an arrow and aimed it towards the shadowy path in a warning. The cracking branches stopped at last; the stalker had been caught.

Onigumo darted behind a tree, watching her with a fervid gaze. His fingers dug into the bark and a predatory growl came from somewhere low in his gut. A sense of danger grasped at his subconscious and held him stiff, aware that she was nearing Naraku's castle. He feared the massive, dark demonic aura that laid across the land like a poison mist; knowing just how dangerous its venom was. Yet, the dark priestess never ceased to draw him into her spell. Onigumo took a step forward and revealed himself, and Kikyo's long bow creaked as she fastened her grip on the arrow.

"Kikyo… please have mercy on me…" He pleaded softly, a feeble smile alienating the familiar features he shared with Naraku.

"I do have mercy on you, Onigumo. Like I once was, you are naught but a specter in a body that is not your own. You must come with me willingly, and return to your host." She said softly, lowering her arrow.

Onigumo seemed hesitant to comply, balling his fists. Most of his clothing had been destroyed by the acid rain by now, leaving him mostly nude besides the remnants of some brown pants. Even the armor he had worn had been discarded.

"Do you… Care for that demon more than I? I am the part that loves you. How is it that my love can hurt you? Explain it to me." He uttered softly, yet his voice rasped with his growing ire. What Kikyo saw before her was a beast freed from its cage, and clenched the arrow tightly again.

"I'm warning you, stay back." She grit out bitterly, the answer to his question burning brightly in her mind as if her death 50 years ago was just yesterday.

Kikyo's hand trembled as Onigumo surged forth with one arm raised, his hand turning into a jagged claw. In her fear, she loosed her arrow prematurely. Time seemed to stop for a moment as the arrow head sliced through the air and wind raked through the feathers of its fletching.

The projectile found solid flesh and plunged through it, obliterating through muscle and bone as if were butter. Onigumo was left with one arm sliced cleanly off at the bicep, the point of severance still pulsing, blood rushing from the wound. Onigumo grimaced and clutched the remnants of his limb, stumbling closer to Kikyo as she and Kagumei began to back up, then turned tail and ran away from him. In Onigumo's mind, he could only see two versions of Kikyo, both equally desirable. No amount of pain or dismemberment would prevent him from pursuing the woman he loved. The two women ran out of the forest hurriedly, before halting to a stop at the edge of the woods, Kagumei falling into Kikyo. The two priestesses clutched each other as their lungs burned with a need to take in air, fear overwhelming their reservations about holding each other close.

"I will have what I desire, Kikyo. It's fate that we would meet like this now, can't you see that? You and I are living flesh. Even Naraku was thrilled by the concept."

Kikyo took a step backwards, clutching her bow once again. Onigumo chuckled, raising the stump of his arm, and being bewildered when Saimyōshō flew down and formed into a new arm for him. His arm restored, Onigumo grinned and flexed his hand.

"Look upon my beautiful body. I am indestructible, that must be so irresistible to you… I'm no longer that weak bandit in the cave. I am born anew, as are you!" He yelled enthusiastically, Kikyo and Kagumei flinching back as he suddenly leapt over the both of them, a large shadow passing over the field. Kagumei took a deep sigh of relief, but Kikyo was less confident. She clenched her fist as she attempted to push wings from her back, but the demon trait had been taken from her when Kagumei purified her.

She guided Kagumei by the arm and took off after the shadow. Perhaps it was the Gods cruel trick that they were brought together like this- to coexist, yet never entwist, for that joining could never bring them peace as long as Naraku lived, and the darkness within Onigumo still lingered from his link to the spider's nest.

~x•X•x~

Chapter Text

Last Chapter…

"I will have what I desire, Kikyo. It's fate that we would meet like this now, can't you see that? You and I are living flesh. Even Naraku was thrilled by the concept."-Onigumo

He was being pursued. Chased by the very object of his desire, whom was not only one woman now, but two. Kikyo and Kagumei seemed identical to Onigumo, he would take whichever one he could. Their desire to kill him did nothing yet excite the incarnation of Naraku, and so he flew faster, the wasp like wings on his back fluttering. The absorption of the Saimyōshō had given him insectoid qualities that he could utilize at will. Onigumo decided to return to the ground now that Kikyo and Kagumei had lost his trail, and landed in the grass.

His body transformed to something stronger, something armored against arrows. His lower body became segmented like a scorpion with six legs and a curled stinger that he would utilize to sting and paralyze her. I'll immobilize her body then drag her back to my cave. Then she'll never escape! Kikyo, we'll be together soon! Onigumo thought blissfully as his nude torso rose above the insectoid half, and he was able to capture her fragrance in the air.

He scuttled towards her eagerly, blind with his desire. Kagumei breathed shakily as her wrists and ankles burned from Kikyo's spiritual restraints. Here, pinned to a magnolia tree, she was easy bait. Onigumo would come running to her scent regardless of whether or not she was actually Kikyo, and Kikyo had predicted this. She lie in wait not far from the trap, her bow at the ready. A powerful bead of spiritual power was already at the tip of the arrow, ready to obliterate the incarnation of Naraku. If her hunch was right, her plan would go along smoothly.

Kagumei whimpered and struggled in her binds as the creature neared ever closer, practically drooling as he licked his lips. "Finally, you get it… That's right, don't fight me… Soon, Kikyo. Soon we'll be together, without anyone's interference!" He hissed with hunger and desire while eagerly approaching Kagumei, stinger dripping with venom and poised at the ready.

Before the stinger could strike, Kikyo released her arrow. It flew forward with an incredible amount of spiritual energy surrounding it, washing the surrounding trees with a purple glow.

"Kikyo, no! My love—" Onigumo gasped and turned his horrified gaze onto the true Kikyo, but it was too late. As the arrow neared him, parts of his flesh had already begun to disintegrate. Upon contact, a burst of energy exploded from the purifying arrow and Onigumo screamed in agonizing pain. A shadow of his deformed body was lost in the light, and the heat from the blast blew him into indiscernible fragments, obliterating him to pieces.

Kagumei cried with relief upon his destruction, yet Kikyo only released a deep sigh, then grit her teeth. She knew better than to celebrate. She left her hiding spot and went to release Kagumei from the tree. Her plan had worked seamlessly; she knew that Onigumo would be incapable of killing Kagumei. His only desire was to possess her, and hoard her to himself whether or not she agreed. Her girlish heart ached and twisted within as Kikyo stood where Onigumo had been destroyed, stepping on part of his insectoid carcass. She ground her foot on his remains, releasing a purple, gooey substance and smearing it on her geta sandal.

Once done, she raised one hand to release the spiritual shackles. Kagumei fell to the ground with a grunt and Kikyo turned away without offering assistance.

"We should return to the castle now before Onigumo has a chance to rebuild himself. Naraku is expecting us."

Kagumei nodded, though seeming hesitant. She remained completely silent as her eyes seemed glued upon something by Kikyo's foot.

"Well? Get up." Kikyo ordered, and the girl nodded without a word.

I may be able to escape, yet. Kagumei silently hoped as she followed Kikyo wordlessly through the forest.

~x•X•x~

Awhile later, the two stood motionless at the center of the castle courtyard. Their contrasting, yet complimentary green and red hakamas swayed gently in the wind as they paused to admire the large maple tree stationed at the center of the otherwise empty courtyard. Naraku's Castle lay just beyond, its dark walls nestled within trees and foliage as effective camouflage. Kikyo felt certain that even if Onigumo was capable of regenerating from her blast, he would remain hidden in the forest, too afraid of being reabsorbed by Naraku to follow.

As they stood together, Kagumei slowly felt Kikyo's grasp on her subconscious ebbing away second by second. The compliance spell began to wane as Kikyo silently stared at the tree– Kagumei could not possibly comprehend why she did so, so she remained quiet and observant. Though Kikyo was utterly silent and her impassive expression showed only the slightest whisper of a whimsical mood, Kagumei could tell that her captor was affected in some way.

Not only that, but Kagome's specter, like InuYasha's, remained imprisoned somewhere within its captor's heart– unable to escape, yet able to see through their eyes. Kagome felt a ghost of a memory attempt to enter Kikyo's mind, though it seemed so long forgotten that Kikyo scarcely remembered it herself, and was processing the memory that was sparked by the sight of the tree.

She was standing in a clearing much like this one, watching her younger sister run beneath the falling leaves and play in the piles that resulted. Kikyo's wistful, gentle expression deepened as the thought took hold and she seemed to be transported to that innocent time for just a moment.

"Sister Kikyo! Watch! I can dive for fish like an umiu bird!" Little Kaede shouted happily, capturing her elder sister's attention as she jumped into the leaves enthusiastically. Kikyo looked on with a small smile and nod as she set her flower basket to the side and sat down on the grass.

Kaede's happy cries rang throughout Kikyo's memory as if she'd only heard them yesterday. The little girl in the vision was not the elderly woman she'd claimed to be before. Kagome looked on with Kikyo as the memory progressed, and for just a moment, the hardened walls of Kikyo's heart trembled with emotion before being stifled by the stoicism of the priestess.

Another fond memory surfaced this time, yet this time, instead of Kaede, it was InuYasha she sat with.

"Inuyasha, what do you think of me? Do I seem ordinary?" Kikyo asked softly as pink cherry blossom petals carried on the gentle summer breeze, a thoughtful look on her face.

InuYasha's ear twitched and he looked at his companion oddly. "Huh? Where are you going with this?"

"I must never reveal my weaknesses to anyone. I must never waver. If I did, a demon would get the better of me. Inside, I am an ordinary woman, yet I cannot reveal myself as such. In many ways we are similar, both outsiders. That is why I was unable to kill you." Kikyo explained to him, her loosely tied hair swaying in the wind as her stoic facade fell away entirely and her kind, delicate features were made more obvious to his admiring eyes.

"Feh! Quit whining. We've all got our cross to bear." He grumbled. Inuyasha began to walk away, but turned to see Kikyo smiling gently at him

"You're right. I shouldn't complain." She remarked with a soft chuckle.

"InuYasha." Kikyo and Kagome said in unison, sharing in their affection for the half-demon.

~x•X•x~

Kikyo… Kikyo, where is she? A voice, very much unlike Naraku's own, came from deep inside his subconscious— InuYasha's specter had sunk his claws in deep, and refused to let Naraku regain control. InuYasha's spirit refused to be smothered entirely; one amalgamated being with the one he despised the most. Likewise, Naraku had lost grasp on the half-demon; the two youkai energies within them had intermingled deeply without the interference of Onigumo, and now it was InuYasha's soul that became the driving force. The one who retained his own heart, as well as his love for Kikyo. Naraku could only look on at his demons succumbing to their lust to defile the priestess without interference from the heart who loved her to stop it.

They came into a clearing where the scent of bellflower was the most powerful; fanged mouth salivating for the taste of her lips, or to drink her blood. It did not have the mind to discern between desires. Naraku's demons wished to defile and devour, whilst InuYasha wished to possess and fervently protect his beloved– to never allow her to escape from his grasp.

At the center of the clearing was a massive 'Kaede,' or red maple tree, full with fluttering frog's hand leaves and gnarled, moss coated limbs. InuYasha scaled the tree easily, climbing up to the top to get the best vantage point of the surrounding forest.

"Kikyo! Where are you?" He cried out to the skies in an anguished howl, causing birds to fly out of the neighboring branches in a panic.

The object of his desire turned her attention to his summons, suddenly alert. She could have sworn she heard InuYasha's voice, but it was… Changed, different somehow. She had long ago let go of her desire to follow him to the underworld–though, something about his mournful cry evoked sympathy in her that she no longer knew she possessed. Her body and mind was weakened to the Inu-Youkai, within some crack of her hardened heart. Perhaps it was Kagome's specter peeking through those cracks, attempting to dig her way out.

Kikyo took a few hesitant steps forward, swallowing a painful lump in her throat. It was impossible, wasn't it? InuYasha was dead. Her doppelganger had seen to his death while Kikyo sent Kagome to her painful demise in the miasma, hadn't it? Kikyo clutched one hand to her chest and took a few more steps with Kagumei trailing behind. Whatever, or whoever it was that contained InuYasha's voice could not be real. Therefore, Kikyo would not show her fear.

"I'm here, is that you… InuYasha?" She asked the dark figure crouched in the shadowy boughs of the maple tree, its red eyes glowing predatorily as it stared at her through a patch of scarlet leaves. He crawled forth, one hand coming into the light. Kikyo observed as the mysterious man crawled forward, and took note of each distinguishing feature. Those were InuYasha's claws, yet they were colored black. He had red, demonic eyes with a golden ring around the irises, and silvery hued hair atop black waves. A shudder went throughout her body as she took note of these unnatural features, and stumbled backwards once. This was not the InuYasha she had known before.

"Don't run away, please…" He whispered, and Kikyo gulped. It did sound like InuYasha… somewhat. Like before when Naraku had shown off his new body. Naraku! She gasped. I'm but a fool… To think Naraku could imitate InuYasha so well…

"Naraku… it's you there, isn't it?" Kikyo responded, tilting her chin up to face the creature hovering in the overhanging branches like a spider. She hardened her face and body to remove any signs of fear; imagining herself to be the soulless clay doll she was before Naraku's intervention.

A hissing chuckle sent shivers down her spine, then she was granted full sight of him when he leapt down from the tree. A seamless fusion of Naraku and InuYasha stood before her, their features melded together so smoothly it was as if they'd never been two separate people at all.

"Yes, I am fully present... What will you do now, Kikyo? Do you like what you see?" Naraku purred, his blood curdling voice scraping through her ear canals like razors.

"Don't listen to him, Kikyo! It's me!" InuYasha shouted, his hand over his heart as he spoke earnestly. Upon her resurrection, he had worn his heart on his sleeve whenever it came to Kikyo. He was open, unlike the secretive half-demon she'd known in her previous life.

Kikyo took a measured breath and braced herself, glancing back at Kagumei. A silent command in her glare made the girl stay glued in place, whether out of fear or the desire to see what unfolded–it didn't matter to Kikyo as long as she stayed put. She turned her sights back on him, whoever he was, and approached him. Though her impassive expression revealed nothing, the hesitant steps she took disclosed her true feelings. Heart racing in her chest, she reached out and placed her hand on his cheek, stroking the smooth skin with her thumb as she looked into his eyes inquisitively.

An animalistic snarl escaped him and his fangs were bared for a moment, before receding into his mouth. The fragrance of bellflower soothed him for the time, and his glowing red eyes faded to white, with red-golden ringed irises.

"Hm." Kikyo smiled, and her stoic facade faded to one that was soft and kind.

"You ask if I like what I see. I will not lie, part of me, perhaps the foolish girl in me wonders if there is a way to soothe your savage beast…to love one half, yet hate the other? The logical side of myself recoils in disgust, anger and pity for the sake of my dearest departed." She finished, her fingernails digging into his cheek as if desiring to tear apart the foul mutation.

He growled softly at her, baring one fang and narrowing his gaze in a way that suggested he was unhappy with her answer. Kikyo chuckled and removed her hand from his face, the small crescent shapes cut out of his skin by her nails refusing to regenerate, instead bleeding a deep maroon shade.

"And yet, as a whole… I am pleased. Why? Because you have finally gotten your wish, Naraku. I know how badly you desire to be a full-demon. You need to prove that you're whole, to fill that empty space in your heart… So that I will finally love you as you do me?" Kikyo teased in a silken voice rife with sarcasm, smug with her satisfaction that no matter how many times Naraku changed his body, or denied his feelings, he was desperately clawing for her favor.

This time, InuYasha growled. "Is that true, Naraku? Are you using me to get to Kikyo? Is this all part of your big plan, to make her love you?! You make me sick!"

Kikyo could tell that the demon was battling within his own mind for an answer to her query; she observed him with the morbid fascination of an entomologist watching maggots clean a carcass.

Naraku scoffed back at the Inu-Youkai, the cumulation of their spirits taking form as small, nude figures that wandered throughout the chambers of their conjoined hearts. "Don't be foolish, InuYasha. Is this not your true desire? Look at the power we share as a full demon! With our hearts pumping together as one, we could ensnare Kikyo… You could have her as your beloved again, just as you always dreamed."

InuYasha stood up and glared at Naraku, who was perfectly relaxed as he reclined on the floor of their shared hearts. He fisted his hands and trembled with anger as he confronted his enemy. "I'm not an idiot! I know this is all part of your scheme, so that you can finally kill Kikyo! Naraku, the longer you deny your feelings, the more those feelings fester and turn to hatred! You only want to kill her to silence those irresistible urges!"

Naraku smirked and stood up to face InuYasha, strolling forward. "You're sharper than I thought. Too sharp. It's time to let me take the stage." Naraku said, and clasped his hands tight over InuYasha's mouth. From the outside,

Kikyo could visibly see the change within him as some of those more Inu-Youkai features softened, and were replaced by the familiar guise of Naraku.

"This is your opportunity, Naraku. What will you do with me? Will you kill me, or kiss me?" Kikyo responded gently as she gazed into his blood red gaze, reaching out to him in order to attempt to heal the scratches she'd left on his cheek. She was puzzled, Kikyo had scratched him as a test to see how he'd react without the interference of Onigumo, and it had given her an odd result. She thought that he would kill her right there and then, but InuYasha had made sure that didn't happen.

Yet, now… InuYasha was suppressed as well. It was just her, and his demons. Kikyo sighed and removed the ribbon from her hair, allowing it to flutter away with the wind, Kagumei and Kagome looking on in wonder. Her loose black strands fell and surrounded her face, wafting her heady floral scent towards him. Something else was there as well, a warm, womanly scent that Naraku's sensitive olfaction was well aware of.

"Do it. Do whatever you will with me, I'm ready. I will not fight." Kikyo closed her eyes and surrendered her body to him, stepping directly into his arms as if to embrace.

Naraku surged forth and placed his hand around her throat, hoisting her body up into the air. He tilted his head to the side and an unnatural chittering sound left him, a venomous saliva building in his mouth. Demonic mandibles like a spider's formed as his canines enlarged, and a greenish saliva dripped down his chin. Do it. Do whatever… the demons repeated, and were very tempted by this offer. They could either devour the object of Onigumo's affections, or defile her. Or maybe, they could finally do away with her once and for all.

As Naraku debated on this, Kikyo felt her airways closing and heard her blood pressure thumping in her ears. Naraku leaned in close and traced her tear tracks with the tip of his nose, taking in the scent before a pointed purple tongue snaked out and licked them away. He savored the salty flavor, leading him to wonder how her blood would taste as well. Kagome shuddered from within, crawling away to the farthest wall in Kikyo's heart in order to escape Naraku. Kikyo seemed truly prepared to let him kill her. "Kikyo… If you let him, he'll do it… Do you really want to die?" Kagome whispered, before hearing Kikyo's answer.

Yes… This is my wish.

Fresh tears ran from her eyes as Kikyo smiled blissfully. Kagumei observed this all with keen interest, her previously pink eyes returned to their natural azure shade as Kikyo's influential spell had completely ebbed once she was captured by Naraku. Naraku drew away upon seeing her smile, grimacing. He had no desire to mate with a woman who was so helpless and willing. No, the only option here was to dispatch this nuisance, then eat her corpse.

"I'll prove you wrong once and for all, Kikyo! I, Naraku, harbor no emotion on your behalf, save for pity. For what a waste of time pursuing you has been! You're a weak woman, a weak, ordinary woman who has no place amongst demons!" He hissed, forcing his hand to tighten on her throat until the rosiness left her cheeks. Soon, her petal pink lips would also lose their vibrancy and turn blue.

"No! Kikyo, you can't let Naraku kill you!" InuYasha cried out. He could not allow such a thing to happen, and so he grabbed the arm, pulling at Naraku's arm with his own.

His desire to free Kikyo was so much, he gored the arm and ripped a chunk of skin away. Naraku only laughed at InuYasha's futile efforts. Soon he'd regenerate and take control… Right?

A tendril of anxiety shot through his being, and Naraku was reminded about his decision to reject Onigumo. A decision he may now regret.

InuYasha continued his rebellion until the bone was showing through, and still his skin hadn't healed. Naraku was aghast with horror. There was a ball of sparkling light, then a burning sensation hit him in the shoulder, and he released Kikyo in turn. Kagumei had decided to assist Kikyo by shooting a purifying arrow at the arm choking her captor.

Kikyo fell to the ground, coughing as she clutched her own neck and attempted to recover her breath. Naraku stood still as if frozen in place, looking down at his own mortally wounded arm angrily as if staring at it this way would heal it faster. Curses! It is true… Without Onigumo's heart, I lack the capability to regenerate my flesh! I came so close to killing her…and yet—

He glanced back at Kikyo with widened eyes, one that was red, the other golden. He had become a chimera of sorts now, with half InuYasha's features, and half of his own now divided in a stark contrast.

"Yet, no matter how many times you change your filthy body, you still can't kill her. Face it. The proof of your affection is here now, even without Onigumo's heart. You still couldn't finish the job."

"No, I… I…" Naraku whispered softly, horrified when faced by the complexity of his soul. The demon spider who had carried on his life span, who wore face after face and killed millions in its wake, was perhaps not completely flawless in its malice. Where was the flaw? Naraku would destroy this body again if only to find that flaw and discard it once and for all! Yokai could not love. It wasn't feasible. It had to be Onigumo's heart that was the sole bearer of affection.

Kikyo sat up and observed him silently while a purple glow came from her throat, the jewel inside her body healing her injury. She saw how tormented Naraku looked, but could not see into his mind or understand his relentless mission to rebuild his body over and over to deny his true feelings. Why could he not accept those feelings, hateful as they may be? She frowned and got to her feet, sensing another power in the vicinity.

"I hope that you have come to a deeper understanding of yourself, Naraku. Now that you've taken your anger out on me, shall we return to the castle?" She said softly, no trace of her inflamed anger remaining. She seemed cold and apathetic. Defeated. It was so unlike Kikyo–at least, this revived Kikyo who had repossessed her own mortal soul. It was akin to the mood of her soulless husk.

"Plus, it appears you are wounded. If you're wise, you will retreat. Someone strong is coming." She sighed, and stepped closer to take a look at his bleeding arm, reaching out to tend to his wounds. Naraku recoiled from her touch like a feral cat, minus the hissing. His body tensed and he leapt backwards, glancing around himself and sniffing for the presence she announced. There it was! On the cliff overlooking his castle. How hadn't he noticed the other youkai in the vicinity, especially one as formidable as this?

"Kikyo, return to the castle alone! I will arrive later." Naraku demanded, and Kikyo silently frowned at him in contempt. The two eyed each other down for a moment, red meeting brown and clashing like the clay and iron rich seas of the Pacific and Atlantic.

"...Do you think of yourself as a martyr? Do not sacrifice yourself for my sake.

He will kill you swiftly as you are now. You had better think of something, fast." She said in a flat tone, then grasped Kagumei's hand, and the two retreated wordlessly.

~x•X•x~

Upon a stone precipice, Sesshomaru silently observes the goings on below with his keen vision and hearing. He witnessed everything that happened upon Kikyo and Naraku's meeting. He cares little for the bickering between the pair, and more for the strange scent that seems to fade in and out. The Tessaiga on his hip had drawn him to this location with its rattling, as if singing to its true master. Sesshomaru gripped the hilt of the rebelling blade with his dragon arm and his stern features iced over with anger.

Something was odd about this situation, according to the conversation between the Miko and Naraku. It seemed like InuYasha was present, yet not. Sesshomaru's eyes widened with realization, flashing back to the discovery of InuYasha's 'body' which was not truly a body. It was completely made of clay, which meant… Somehow, his younger brother's body and soul was in Naraku's possession...his use.

It's curious. As well as despicable. Perhaps, Tessaiga… You will find what you're looking for. Sesshomaru thought silently. He'd also kept track of another oddity, the one that was this 'Mūso' or Onigumo, the Faceless Man. By trekking after him, he'd come into the clearing of dead grass and dessicated trees that made up the courtyard of Naraku's Castle. He also notices that Kikyo and her captive, Kagumei, had retreated into the forest instead of following Naraku's orders.

Strange, that dead priestess. Though she seemed agreeable, that was only a ruse. For a woman of InuYasha's, she's more clever than I would've predicted.

….

With her hand in an inescapable vise, Kagumei stumbled over the unkempt forest floor in order to keep up with Kikyo, who seemed to glide gracefully over every obstacle in her path. Kagumei breathed heavily as she kept her eyes on Kikyo's back, wondering why they'd gone into the forest instead of the castle. Many of Kikyo's actions were wildly unpredictable to her. Once they'd reached a path less treacherous, and far enough away from the courtyard to not be heard, Kagumei decided to voice her confusion aloud.

"Why are we here? Is that the man you're taking me to?" She rattled off all in rapid succession, distracting Kikyo from her task. She was glancing around the weeds, looking for some healing herbs for Naraku and InuYasha's injury. Or whoever 'he' wanted to call himself.

Kikyo sighed without turning around, foraging through the grass as she thought about her captives' questions. It's not as if she had to answer, yet she was almost tempted to discuss her feelings on the confusing matter.

"Make yourself useful and help me find the healing herb Gotu Kola, then I may answer your questions." Kikyo instructed, and the disciple of Tsubaki knew well the healing herb Kikyo spoke of. She nodded and got to work searching another area of weeds nearby. After a while, Kikyo spoke up.

"I've allied myself with Naraku because he has promised to…cure me of my own ailment. One that he shares as well. I cannot give you any further information."

"But why?! He tried to kill you! If I hadn't shot him, you–!" Kagumei was swiftly silenced by Kikyo's cold glare that could cut through ice.

"Silence, or else I'll paralyze your mind once again! Did I ask for your assistance?" Kikyo snapped, raising one finger in a threatening gesture. Kagumei flinched slightly but persevered nonetheless.

"No, but– I couldn't let him kill you!"

"And why not? My life is not yours."

"Do you… Do you want to die?"

Kikyo was silent for a moment, and they returned to their foraging.

"...I suppose it's not my time…yet. But don't expect me to thank you."

Kagumei was rendered momentarily speechless, her mind wandering as she searched for reasons to justify Kikyo's actions. Before she could come to a conclusion, Kikyo answered her question as if she'd heard her thoughts.

"I have been dead before. I am not meant to be alive. The body I inhabit now is sustained by a soul that was once…mine."

Kagumei gasped and looked at her captor in an even more intriguing light.

"Do you love him?" Kagumei blurted out impulsively, and Kikyo's eyes darted away deceptively. The girl had not specified who 'he' was, so she remained silent, contemplating whether or not her tired soul was still capable of love. She'd felt certain before, when she'd been released from Naraku an overwhelming sensation of vibrance and joy had overwhelmed her limbs and imbued her with life.

"I am free to hate. My soul is so much freer than it was then. Free to hate. Free to love."

Kikyo turned to Kagumei, and the most wonderful thing happened that made her blue eyes sparkle with awe. Kikyo smiled, her dark gaze melting into rich hues of mahogany and chocolate as happiness overtook her expression. Her modest smile was small, yet amazed Kagumei with its radiance. She truly looked like she was glowing with a lavender aura that chased away any dark storm clouds that had lingered overhead.

Kikyo pulled the plant she was looking for from the ground, and held it close to her equally glowing chest. The sacred jewel implanted there was being purified! Kagumei looked on in wonder as Kikyo bathed in its glow. Yet, for a moment she was hit by a strange vision of a soulless doll surrounded by flames, with a vacant expression on her fair face.

"I am not Kikyo, the keeper of the jewel. Nor am I the dead priestess who feeds on the souls of the departed. I am simply… Kikyo. I have been given the opportunity to live my life one last time. Once my time is over, I wish to die in the arms of a man who loves me. I almost had it, before you…" Kikyo began, then turned around sharply.

Kagumei remained frozen in place, wondering if she had made some drastic miscalculation by saving Kikyo's life. Surely she didn't really want to die just then, did she? Unfortunately, it seemed like her question wouldn't be answered just yet.

They had company. Kagumei reached for her bow, but Kikyo was less tense than she. She glanced down at a shivering bush, then knelt beside it and parted the leaves, revealing the frightened face of a small demon boy.

"What are you doing here, Shippo? Eavesdropping?" Kikyo teased in a gentle tone. Inside of her, Kagome beamed with sheer joy upon reuniting with her old friend. Shippo gazed up at Kikyo with widened eyes. Previous experience would tell him to be cautious around her, and yet… He didn't sense any evil aura from her. He could actually see how she resembled Kagome this time, and it made his little heart pitter-patter with excitement.

"Get back, vile corpse woman! This time, you'll be cremated permanently!" Jaken shouted from afar, waving his staff of two heads. His threats held little real weight seeing as he was too terrified to even approach her. Though Kikyo disliked the rude imp, the scent of miasma distracted her from Jaken's demands. Instead, she knelt down and picked up Shippo, looking at him curiously.

"Why have you spied on me?" She asked the trembling fox boy, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"W-Well, we-we were wondering… since you're a priestess like Kagome was… could you... help Rin?" He pleaded, and Kikyo took his request into consideration, looking over to the meadow where Ah-Un and Jaken were standing protectively over a motionless figure which had purple gas clouds swirling over it, along with those annoying Saimyōshō insects buzzing above the clearing.

"Has Naraku infected her with his miasma?" She asked to confirm her own suspicions.

"Yes, but she's still breathing! Can you help us, please?" Shippo begged, tears beginning to burst from his innocent green eyes. Kikyo sighed, then gently nodded.

"Let's begin the purifying rites, Kagumei. I shall require your assistance."

Kagumei gulped hard, her blue eyes wide with some unknown emotion. Kagome could see directly into her eyes through Kikyo, and she attempted to shout at the girl. "Tell her, Kagumei! Tell her what you feel!"

Kagumei opened her mouth, and spoke in a trembling voice rife with anxiety and fear that she would be killed where she stood. Yet, upon seeing Kikyo's gentle nature revealed, she decided to change her mind about escaping for now and instead, decided to help her captor. Who knows, maybe if she did this, Kikyo would let her go and change her mind about sacrificing her to Naraku!

"Kikyo, I need to tell you something! Back there, when you shot Onigu-"

Kikyo raised her fingers and Kagumei's lively blue eyes became dull and completely fuschia with compliance. Her mouth hung open, paralyzed. She couldn't talk now even if she wanted to. Kikyo's anger with Kagome's voice shouting inside had overridden her judgment and she cared little to listen to whatever the silly girl had to say. There were more important matters to attend to.

"Let's go, Kagumei."

"Yes, Mistress Kikyo." She answered lifelessly.

"No… Kagumei!" Kagome lamented helplessly.

Be silent, girl! Soon, you'll never speak inside of me again. Kikyo reminded her cruelly, though her exterior seemed pleasant, inside, an inky vein of darkness burst from the tiny black spot of malignancy in the jewel.

~x•X•x~

What is this… weakness? Naraku lamented, glaring down at his wounds that continued to pulse out blood. They were stuttering to close as he utilized every ounce of his will to regenerate the wound as he was capable of before.

Weakness? This is something we all suffer through as half-demons. My wounds don't heal instantaneously, but they will heal, Naraku. InuYasha said with an irritated sigh, rubbing his reddened throat where Naraku had silenced him by constricting his vocal cords.

The other being sharing the body did not listen, hissing through his teeth as he clenched his fist and something bubbled beneath the surface of his arm.

The golden left eye of the being widened as he stared in horror, able to feel the pain that radiated from Naraku's right side.

Naraku grimaced in pain as his own poison acid oozed out of his veins, turning black upon making contact with the oxygen in the air. The acid replaced his blood quickly and began flowing down the mangled limb, coating it completely in a layer of black. The skin began to sizzle and burn from the acidity, effectively being cauterized. Though the method was extreme, the results were enough to justify the risk. As the flow of acid lessened, InuYasha was able to see how the skin scabbed over immediately, achieving Naraku's goal.

"You have impeccable timing, Naraku." A baritone voice resonated from above, and both looked up immediately to see that they were being rushed from a great height by a massive youkai energy. Sesshomaru had waited until the moment Naraku, or 'InuRaku' healed himself to leap from the summit forty meters above. The velocity had built to such a point that just landing on Naraku would likely split his body clean in half. The demon sped out of the way milliseconds before the other could land, darting to safety.

Sesshomaru landed, making the ground split and dirt spray out around his pristine robes and fur still in an upward position as his aura rippled around him. Naraku and InuYasha's eyes widened this time in harmony, both aware of Sesshomaru's heightened energy that clearly indicated a threat to any demon in the vicinity. A nearby tree fell over from his landing, the surrounding dirt falling from the air as Sesshomaru centered his aura and retained his impassive demeanor.

"I have impeccable timing?" Naraku sneered sarcastically while brushing dirt off of his shoulder. Sesshomaru had yet to face him, his silver lengths of hair and garments gently falling into their rightful places along with his proud mokomoko.

"Yes…In your unconventional way. I refuse to challenge anyone weaker than myself. I hope that you will not disappoint. InuYasha."

The being that shared a body with his most despised enemy was startled by being acknowledged by his elder brother this way. InuYasha had little reason now to accept Sesshomaru's challenge, after all. The only thing he was fighting for at this moment was to save Kagome and Kikyo from whatever twisted ideas Naraku had in mind for them. Kikyo was an enigma, she had aligned herself with their enemy and done his bidding, but to what end? InuYasha didn't know what Kikyo's true desire was. But he did know that Naraku didn't deserve to have his grubby paws all over her. He would not be a part of that. If he could leave this vile prison, then he would.

Sesshomaru turned around slowly as he pulled Tokijin from his waist belt, observing how the strange chimera of Naraku and InuYasha seemed to separately take in his statement. He had singled out InuYasha purposefully with the hope that his juvenile half-sibling understood his true meaning. Sesshomaru was not there to kill InuYasha. If he were to do so, he would much rather face him separate from Naraku.

"Why are you here?" Naraku seethed, taking notice of the silver blade that slowly raised to aim towards him. Sesshomaru gripped the hilt tightly and anger fissures wrinkled his aristocratic nose, he resisted the urge to bristle at Naraku though he would very much enjoy it.

"I have come to deliver the Tessaiga. Who will be its rightful master?" Sesshomaru intoned with all seriousness as he glared down at the crouching form below him, centering the tip of Tokijin now towards the yellow eye on the left. InuYasha gasped and his eye darted to see the familiar sheath on Sesshomaru's left side. The side not handling the Tokijin. There, instead of lacking an arm, there was a dragon's arm! InuYasha quickly attempted to put the parts of Sesshomaru's appearance together with his words, and came to an understanding he had yet to accept.

Is… Sesshomaru… here to save me?! He thought in abject horror. His elder brother had not once ever shown an inkling of concern for his well-being. Why now? This must be a trick. There was something he was missing, surely. InuYasha looked down, and his heart began to race in harmony with the pulsing of the blade. It began to rattle in the sheathe, sensing its true master in the vicinity. Before it could fly towards InuYasha, Sesshomaru took hold of the hilt with the dragon arm and silenced it forcefully.

"If you want the blade, you'll have to earn it." Sesshomaru reminded InuYasha, and the younger of the two bristled this time with zero hesitation.

~x•X•x~

"Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."

"I am a forest, and a night of dark trees: but he who is not afraid of my darkness, will find banks full of roses under my cypresses." -Nietzsche