Set Ablaze

Disclaimer: I don’t know much about the Catholic faith. It’s simply what I needed for the story. I’m saying this now, so everyone knows right off. I’m not religious and from what I have seen of it, I’d prefer to remain spiritual. But I was raised in a religious home. Some may not believe that parents would or could force their children to take up religion but I can tell you now, there are some who do.

The songs that Blaze sings are ALL mine. Don’t even think about stealing them, they are copy written poems and hell hath no fury like me getting my lawyer.

[A/N]: I’m correcting a few mistakes that I’ve made here and there…I don’t have a beta, heh, so be patient with me. The soliloquy of sorts, is fixed. I hadn’t meant to mix up, she and I – Lunaris-e is supposed to be speaking of herself the entire time…Those of you who are reading it after the changes…well, disregard this. Hehe.

‘’ and italics – thinking
Italics alone – character revelations
“” speaking

Chapter One

[[Relationships Starts with Acceptance]]

Strong spring winds played wistfully with silken strands as a boy of about twelve years strode proudly down the sidewalk in a dark suit. Sesshou Taisho tucked the wayward strands of naturally bleach blond hair behind his ear.

His feet were leading him to the one place his father commanded he return every Sunday – Sunday Mass. His brother usually did not show.

He didn’t mind.

‘Father’s going to punish him again,’ the boy knew a grin lingered on the corners of his mouth.

The weak-minded, bastard child could fall into the depths of Hell and he still wouldn’t move a muscle to help him. When the cathedral came into view he straightened his navy tie and emotion dropped from his face. Though he didn’t believe the gibberish being spat in his direction by the priest, he had promised his father he’d attend.

Thus he did.

He proceeded through the doors and sat for the service. As the male behind the podium droned on and on Sesshou mentally reviewed his schedule for the next couple days. The track team looked promising this year; perhaps he’d indulge the coach and participate. In a month, if things did not get boring, he’d stay.

To his right Inuyasha dropped into the seat beside him, breathing heavily. A fine sheen of sweat covered his brow and tendrils of ebony strands stuck to his face in various places. His suit had apparently been thrown on in a rush.

Sesshou glanced to the younger boy, a sculpted eyebrow raised in a condescending manner.

“You are late Halfling,” he announced, allowing a bit of his disappointment to show in his voice.

He’d actually been hoping the child wouldn’t show. ‘Things always did get amusing when father gets angry at the whelp,’ Sesshou mused.

At his older half-bother’s words, Inuyasha’s hackles rose.

“Well, I’m sorry to have even showed up, but I’m not takin’ another beatin’ to amuse you, asshole,” Inuyasha sneered.

For an eleven year old, the boy had a mouth on him. There were speculations of how Touga Taisho could even stand raising the brat, but the multimillionaire had never been proper by any means when it came to women.

“Such foul language in the cathedral bastard child – what would father think,” he warned, a malicious gleam entering his golden hazel eyes.

Inuyasha’s mouth snapped shut with an audible click, but the violet disdainful glare remained on the light haired pretty boy.

They were complete opposites, always would be.

Sesshou’s mother had been a delicate flower, petite and playful. The woman is where he’d inherited those piercing eyes. She may have looked harmless, but was poisonous as a viper when provoked. Yukari was from a prestigious family, who’d have gladly married her off to the wealthy man - if Touga was one to be tied down. Once she’d given birth to his eldest child, he banned the woman from his estate. There hadn’t been a battle for custody over the newborn - his mother’s family didn’t have the power to take Touga Taisho.

Inuyasha’s mom came from the streets. A tiny thing, like Sesshou’s mother, she had gentle violet eyes and wavy ebony locks. They’d never learned how he stumbled upon the weakly female, but he took her in and nursed her back to health. The exchange between the two had been simple and clean cut. For his good deed and cash in hand to help her along the way, she’d give him another child. The months flew by for the both of them and in no time she was walking out the door, leaving her baby behind.

A missing mother being one of the few things they had in common, Sesshou and Inuyasha could not find a reason to get along.

“I hate you,” the younger child snapped then slumped into the pew in a most undignified pose.

Sesshou wrinkled his nose in disgust at the boy but chuckled “The feeling is reciprocated, ten fold.”

Neither said another word to the other as the service persisted. When it finally ended Sesshou stood and headed to the confession booth after he’d caught the eyes of Father Lionel. Touga had informed the man that his eldest would be making his first confession today.

The multimillionaire did not bother to tell how his son had protested.

Closing the curtain, Sesshou remained silent for a bit then leaned back, an unseen smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.

“Tell me what ails you my son,” Lionel’s terribly high pitched voice made the smile more prominent.

Cloaked in darkness Sesshou shut his eyes to his inhibitions and spoke. “Forgive me Father…for I have sinned. I am boy who grows into a man who cannot hold faith…”

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Kagome smiled brightly, clapping her hands together joyously.

“Reinn, it’s beautiful!,” the exuberant eleven year-old announced to her best friend, electric blue hues danced with mirth.

Today was the third anniversary of her father’s death. Since then Reinn had been her rock, the one who had pulled her way from the edge of insanity. The boy threw an arm over her shoulder, tucking her close to his side with a smile of his own.

“It’s nothing. I guess there is some use to being the son of a florist,” he laughed, a blush coloring his cheeks.

Beside her father’s head stone sat a colorful arrangement of roses, lilies, carnations, and violets wrapped together skillfully in a bundle.

“Thank you anyway…,” she stated, moving out of his embrace she knelt on the springy grass.

The girl trailed her fingers over the letters carved into the stone. A stone lodged itself in her throat and slim shoulders shuddered with the effort to hold a sob.

Akira Higurashi had died for a brilliant cause. He’d been an environmentalist with an awe-inspiring drive and devotion. On the job, he’d taken a nasty spill - instantly snapping his neck when he had hit the ground.

To this day, Kagome had thoughts that there was something else to it.

Retracting her hand, the girl folded them into a prayer position and closed her eyes.

‘Thank you kami for the wonderful things you’ve given me…I thank you for the time I had with my father and I pray that you keep my family safe from harm. Please take care of my father,’ she finished off with a smile and got to her feet.

“C’mon Reinn. Let’s go get something to eat at my house!,” the girl dragged her best friend up the street at top speed, stomach growling at the thought of food.

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“Miroku, we have paper work to file,” a cold voice interrupted the male’s suave workings.

The one named Miroku waved his hand briefly “Okay, Sess, in a minute,” he stated then turned his charms on completely. “So, my dear…do you have any spare time tonight?”

He had to get the big breasted, blonde’s number before his friend decided to reprimand him for brushing off the blatantly stated order to get his ass back in the office and do his job.

Cutting a bland look to his partner, Sesshou paused in his typing. Why had he stayed partners and friends with the perverted ex-monk again? Grasping the dictionary he kept beside his computer he chucked it at the man, a smirked appeared faintly when the book nailed the target upside the head.

“Do not call me by any nicknames. Get to work. Because people praise our unit is not a license to slack,” he said then returned his attention to the computer screen.

Their unit had been top of their game since leaving the academy. They were deemed some type of prodigy team, leaving their schooling in two- three years tops.

Miroku careened forward, arms flailing to catch himself on the nearest wall. Missing completely, he plummeted to the floor in a heap at the lady officer’s feet. The black haired male groaned, nearly sulking as he heard bell-like laughter and black pumps disappear from his view of the front of his office.

“Damnit Sesshou…couldn’t you have waited until I got her number first?,” the lecher whined collecting himself.

Patting off his black slacks, the purple eyed man dragged his feet to his chair and plopped down. He pulled out file after file, scanning over them expertly waiting on his reply. When none came, Miroku peered over the sheet.

Sesshou bit back a sigh as his partner’s questioning gaze landed on him. “No, lecher. I couldn’t. You are to pull your own weight.”

Miroku thrust out his lower lip in a pout, eyes widening in shock. “My friend,” he gasped out dramatically. “How you wound me. I merely have urges that need to be taken care of promptly. And I work all the –.”

Before he could finish his sentence Miroku was up and at the door with a brunette’s hands between his own.

“Sango, my love, you’ve come to see me,” he spoke gently to her.

The woman’s face reddened in embarrassment. Cheeks puffing out in irritation, Sango’s closed her eyes to count as her anger management counselor had been telling her.

“One….twothreefourfivesixseveneightnineten...” as the last syllable left her mouth the chocolate haired woman slammed her fist down into the man’s skull. “Don’t touch me pervert. Of course I didn’t come to see you,” she ground out.

Sesshou finally sighed then massaging his fingers over the bridge of his nose he leveled his eyes on Sango. “What do you have for us?”

She put the folder she’d been holding on the blonde’s desk, the ex-monk forgotten. “This. Our unit has been assigned to recent case. Another child has gone missing.”

A grave quiet collapsed into the room.
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Working at the same environmentalist company had been tough at first, but the feeling of loss and despair had slowly subsided with help from Reinn and attention from the one true love of her life. Kagome sighed as she flipped through another file. The results didn’t make sense. ‘Where the hell is the radiation coming from?’

As she stepped into her office, the young woman’s head snapped up to right, zoning in on a groan.

On top of her desk, the man who was in love with her fondled and caressed Kikyo. Kagome had known the woman wanted Inuyasha but she had never thought he’d give in.

“I-inuyasha!,” she choked out.

Shock prevented her from hearing the door closing behind her as the two of them straightened their clothes leisurely. Strong arms dropped around her, keeping her arms at her side. The eighteen year old was completely baffled. What in god’s name was going on here? Sandalwood and peppermint wafted into her senses, recognizing the scent she whipped around and buried her face in the familiar chest.

“Reinn!,” a sob tore itself from her throat.

Reinn drew small circles on her lower back, comforting the small creature in his arms. He cooed softly, eyes locked with the man in the shadows behind Inuyasha and Kikyo who stared at the scene with amusement.

“Gome-chan,” he whispered, holding her tightly. “You need to do something important for the company.”

She sniffled repeatedly and leaned back to peer into her best friend’s eyes. “W-what are you talking about?”

He brushed away her tears lovingly with his thumb, pride swelling when she leaned into his touch. “To help progress with the project, we need something from you.”

Becoming wary, Kagome stiffened “What do you need?”

Kikyo spoke up with a laugh “Your powers, you dun-“Her words were cut short by a glare from the three males around her. She huffed, folding her arms together. Kikyo eyed the other female jealously. ‘I’ll be glad when you die…’

Naraku stepped forward, standing to her side. His fingers brushed her chin. “You will become…the epitome of power…And the woman you become will be my pet.” The voice that she’d always found sexy and enchanting sounded sinister.

She began to struggle, frightened as she had not been since her father’s death.

“No! NO! Don’t touch me!” Her screams were unheeded as Reinn held her still and Naraku injected her with something.

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[[And Changes With Betrayal]]

The world was a hazy mix of pain when awake and when I slept. Sometimes I hoped they would simply end it – take my life away, as I initially figured they would. That was not the case. As Reinn and Naraku had stated, I became part of the experiment. They manipulated me, expanded and tampered with my DNA and renamed me like a newly acquired puppy.

There was nothing left of Higurashi, Kagome. She died when Naraku put that first batch of chemical in her body. They stripped me of my life and left me with the papers and tags of a project.

Lunaris-e. The moon…I was to become just as distant and alone. I was to become an isolated being, without sight of anything close to mercy.

I tasted hatred for the first time. It was bitter and hard to swallow, but I managed.

Months blurred together in an undistinguishable mass as the powers manifested in my body. I became something more than I was - yet something less than human. Somewhere between the long days and even longer nights when I sat in my cell I mastered the abilities bestowed upon me. I let them feed me, clothe me, train me what they wanted and bided my time.

An unexpected change of pace occurred in the mesh of night-day, second-minute of my life there – A small, redheaded boy was tossed into the cell with me. A pet for his pet, Naraku stated when I asked what the purpose of the sleeping boy was.

I cared for him, shielded him from the harsh reality of the laboratory and individuals that kept us captive. In turn, they gained leverage over me. The boy was a breath of fresh air that I did not want to go without. Playing with him and teaching the boy was the highlight of the endless entrapment. As long as I behaved accordingly the boy would not be harmed.

My imprisonment came to an end when Hojo, some faceless security guard who had gotten a little too nosy for his own good discovered us. We made it to the front compound before all hell broke loose. One of Naraku’s top scientists, Kan’na, caught the man by his ankle, bringing him down hard. I continued to run with Shippo cradled in my arms. My body between him and any harm – or so I thought. Kagura, his lead security guard, the bitch that loved to toy with explosives and all types of weaponry made herself known.

I rounded the corner and she open fired. The bullet barreled through my shoulder – right into my little boy’s skull. He went silently into death, without even a whimper of pain. I clutched him close, straining against the damage done to my body. The agents that now made up Lunaris-e worked rapidly to repair me. Nothing I could do would repair Shippo though. My mind blanked - I am not entirely sure how I made it outside the building but I did. In the middle of the night, I prayed to the Gods to let my friend rest in peace.

That was back when I believed they were owed my loyalty and obedience as a priestess.

For weeks afterwards, I was pursued relentlessly. I slept little, ate little, drank little – but I didn’t need much of those things to survive anymore. Over land, water, and sky they hounded my every foot step.

The chase ended when Maisma Laboratories guards cornered me in North Carolina, Charlotte. Our battle waged long and hard for hours then someone had the bright idea to fire a missal, unaware that the town was built on a dormant volcano…

I can still remember their screams as the lava took the town - I could do nothing. The company assumed I was dead from either the explosion or the volcano’s rage. Unfortunately for them…I am of the elements.

The indestructible weapon he wanted became a reality. That was about two years ago.

I’ll be sure to thank Naraku for that when we next meet. Which would be soon if I could help it. Was this not what he wanted? I’d become perfect weapon, creating a new identity to prance around in public and pick off the enemy – how cliché. They could have done better.

Blood that paint my hands this grisly crimson is for all of you- Grandpa...Souta...Mother...Shippo. I'll make them suffer….

Blaze shook off her thoughts as her manager paced the floor in front of her, obviously in a panic.

“Blaze! Are you listening!? Oh, of course you aren’t! You are busy day dreaming!”

Pushing aside the frantic woman’s ranting, Blaze blinked. Leslie always got like this. “What is it that you want?,” exasperation colored her face as the woman slumped.

“When are you going to record your next song…? I know you’ve written something. I see you working away sometimes,” her usually husky voice was high and breathy from not breathing properly.

Flipping crimson locks over her shoulder, the gray eyed female lifted herself from the couch and sauntered out of the lounge.

“Come then, manager. I will sing for you and you will stop stressing, no?,” Blaze drawled, tossing a casual over her shoulder.

The taller woman nearly squealed in delight and launched herself into action, following after the singer. The red haired woman placed the music in front of the band members. She paid them good money to simply play – nothing else. Who strummed the melody didn’t matter as long as it was done well.

Blaze slid into place behind the microphone, nodding her head to the steady beat of the drums. Cradling the microphone in her hand, the singer started out low. “Liquor flavored dreams…Don’t touch my bubble.” Her back up repeated the last sentence in a low rumble.

The woman seemed to purr the words as she tugged the tool closer. “This close to breaking. Too weak to face whisky rich hallucinations.”

“Covering fears with Hennessey flavored delusions,” she flipped healthy silken strands over her shoulder, allowing them to shroud her face.

Expression mournful, the singer crooned “Close to the edge…” She wished that alcohol could do that to her. When she was human she hadn’t been a drinker, but Blaze longed for an escape. From a while, when she sung, it felt alright to year for the life that had been Kagome’s.

Behind her the group of women sung up. “Whiskey lullabies…”

“No one hears the confusion,” she hummed the lonesome tune, “No one hears my cries. No one sees beyond the Advil created, Novocain induced….”

Leaning back her voice deepened in pitch, hitching at the beginning. “Alcohol loaded lullabies.”

An excited squeal could be heard from behind the glass as knobs were adjusted.

“That was brilliant! I’m sure your fans will appreciate it,” gushing, the hyper woman clasped her hands together. “You have a concert coming up! It’s perfect! You are passionate performer…I don’t see why you don’t have more public showings…”

Blaze shot her a sharp glance, shutting Leslie up immediately. Her mess of brown curls bobbed as she shook her head. “Sorry, sorry!”

Raking a dainty hand through her waist length red tresses, the singer wrinkled her nose slightly. More concerts would probably be a good idea. Perhaps they should even invite some people.

‘ Naraku…Inuyasha….Kikyo…Reinn…Kanna….Kagura…,’ she smirked wickedly. ‘Come and play with your pet…’

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Miroku and Sango practically danced to the music in front of their seats, Sesshou remained sitting. The woman had a set of lungs on her and the lyrics made him think. However, he was seated in the row in front of his lowly younger half-brother.

Relaxing around the Halfling was not an option.

On stage the red haired female swayed from side to side, voice haunting, challenging – absolutely scorned. “No such thing as – Happy Endings.”

Her stormy orbs brewed over them, brooding. “Clearly disguised fables landslide into shambles. The stories are stripped naked and flogged”

“-at my command,” she tilted her head to the side. The sea of red fell over her shoulders, hiding her features behind the thick curtain. “Golden bells rusted through – No melodious twinkle for you. Croaks of disaster greet our “fairy tale couple.””

She slid down on to the stage floor, tossing her hair back, exposing the slim column of her throat, eyes sparkling with sadistic amusement. “No such thing as – Forever. Plunged head first into another trap. Therein in lies no bliss…,” Blaze hissed pushing up on her knees. “Eternity defined with a coffin nailed shut…Leaving behind family to reminisce.”

The performer got to her feet, sashayed to the edge of the stage, a mock coy smile playing on her full lips. “And all the while…,” her voice dropped to a whisper – kept loud by the microphone alone “you discount these….Happy endings denounced. Forevers regretted…”

Sesshou watched her move across the stage. Her passion was palpable, he almost felt like he could reach out and touch it. He wondered briefly what could have led to the woman creating and singing songs like “Remembered Never”.

Inuyasha clapped, whistling louder than he would have if his half-bother had been somewhere other than the row in front of him. ‘Take that self righteous, ass.’ “Hell yeah! That’s what I call a show!” The dark haired male elbowed his companions. “That’s what I call a body…,” he grinned as Naraku and Reinn laughed.

They were glad they decided to come; the women had been either too busy or too jealous to show up at the stadium for Blaze’s concert. Around her throat was a spiked choker that matched the spiked arm bands on each wrist and ankles. Her jeans were snug, cut neatly at the knee and up to her thigh in a series of three. A gray belly shirt hugged her chest but remained covered by a black button up, she’d performed barefooted.

“For once you’re right, out cast,” Reinn chuckled, side stepping a jab from Inuyasha’s elbow. Naraku laughed as well, eyeing the younger male for an attack on his person.

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Reinn had easily ditched Naraku and Inuyasha – he’d been without a woman for long enough. Back stage, the male slid a couple thousand to the guards who gladly stepped aside. Blaze would do fine for a short affair, after all the woman didn’t have the time for a commitment. Within minutes he reached the room set aside for her to relax in. Clearing his throat, the male knocked on the door briefly then stepped inside. She was sprawled out on an old fashion, burgundy fainting chair.

Reinn tossed her a sensual grin assured that the singer would be in his bed tonight. “Blaze, a pleasure to finally meet you.”


Blaze leveled guarded heather eyes on his form but smiled welcomingly. “Hello there…”

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That’s chapter one. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did writing it. Tell me what you think.

[A/N]: I’d like to thank all those who reviewed while I’m at it. You inspire me! *Hugs all around* Critiques are appreciated. And I on that note I’d like to say a special “Thank you” to Seren1tyStar01 for pointing out my mistake in Kagome’s thoughts. I completely missed that. -_-;; Thanks! I sincerely hope not to disappoint you with this story.