Song Of My Soul

AN: Thank you to those that reviewed and sent e-mails. I appreciate your support. To all my loyal readers I have a few other stories I'm working on right now but won't start to post until this one is close to being finished. (I have a hard time concentrating on one at a time lately. I think my muse is back. LOL) Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything about the Inuyasha series or anything else that I can get sued over.

Song of My Soul

Part Eighteen

The first thing that entered his mind was the immense pressure on his chest. It felt like a mixture between a pinch and something sharp bring shoved into his heart. Every nerve in his body felt like it was on fire. His skin was crawling with the shear heat of his blood. Then the throbbing became a focus in his weary mind. He could have sworn there were small demons inside his head using sledge hammers in an attempt to pound his eyes from the sockets. When he groaned he found his throat was so dry it sounded more like a broken whimper in his own ears but then he wasn’t sure if he was hearing himself or not due to the pounding in his ears.

“Oh my poor baby.” A smooth female voice cooed from next to him. His first instinct was to look at her but his head wouldn’t move. It wouldn’t do any good anyway, he couldn’t see either. He felt her cool fingers slide over his heated skin giving brief relief in their wake. It felt so good he was ready to beg for more. “Are you still in pain?” Her voice was filled with sympathy. She kissed him gently on the temple. He could tell she was smiling even with his eyes closed tightly but didn’t know how he knew. “Well it won’t be long and you’ll start to feel better. The spell said the pain would go away after a while. You’ll be ok. I have some things to do when you’re feeling up to it come to the couch when you are ready.” He felt the bed he was on dip as she got off and heard her footfalls as they exited the room.

‘Who the hell was that?’ His tired mind asked. All he wanted to do was go to sleep and never wake up.

“The mistress.” Came the reply. He frowned and tried to focus on where he heard the voice. “Don’t bother looking around. I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere.” The voice said smugly. He growled at the thought.

“I have no mistress.” He snarled hotly.

“Yes we do and until we figure out a way...” The voice started to explain.

“What the hell do you mean we? I don’t know you nor do I want to.” He snapped.

“Oh your a bitchy one aren’t you.” The voice snickered lightly. “Well no one said it was easy getting used to servitude. But for your own sake you better get with it. She can be quite mean when she wants to be.” It warned warily. If he could have grabbed the voice by the throat, he would have. “Who are you?” He asked almost afraid to know. His ears picked up a little snicker.

“Why I’m you moron. Don’t try to deny it. That is what the spell does. It separates the soul into the good and evil sides. I’m the good side of course and you...”the voice paused “well, you’re the evil side. Quite pathetic if you ask me.” The voice snickered at his growl. “That is why you don’t have any memory because you’re a part of our consciousness that has never been allowed its freedom. Heaven forbid that should ever happen.” The bodiless voice continued.

“Oh and I suppose you have memories.” He shot back snottily. The voice chuckled again.

“Of course, who do you think has kept you at bay until that thoughtless bitch brought you out. She doesn’t even know what she is messing with.” The other voice replied darkly.

“What exactly is she messing with?” The evil side asked out of curiosity. There was silence as he heard footfalls coming closer then they disappeared down what sounded like a hallway.

“She’s such a bitch.” The embodiment of the good side sighed. “Anyway, back to your question. She’s messing with the secrets of Hell. Something that is forbidden even in the demon world. She wanted us to understand the book but if she had just taken the time to read further she would have seen she didn’t need to separate us like this to achieve it. All demons have the ability to read the words of hell deep in the psyche but she used the wrong spell. Or maybe she did know what she was doing. At any rate we aren’t as powerful separated like this. She may or may not know that fact.” The good side was interrupted by the bad.

“Hold on a second. I don’t understand this good side evil side things let alone the separation you keep going on about.” He fumed feeling like he was being tricked. “How do I know that I’m not the good side?” The evil side went on defiantly.

“Well duh, do you feel like being good?” The other side said sarcastically.

“Not really. If I could kill you I would.” The bad side snarled.

“Exactly my point. I don’t really harbor any bad feelings toward you at all.” The other side confirmed.

“Well you don’t exactly sound all that saintly either.” The bad side snorted.

“That would just be an oxymoron. I’m a demon after all. No matter how good we want to be there’s still a darker part that lurks in our consciousness. Good or evil, it’s the part that draws out the malicious side of us so we do bad things. So basically I’m not much better then you but still I’m the good side because I’m not as evil in my actions. Even most humans have it but there are some, like a certain miko, that seem to be immune to it’s influence.” The evil side shuttered at the thought of the miko in question. The good side smiled. “Well that is one thing we definitely have in common. We both lust after Kagome.”

“I can’t deny that. I want to devour her innocence and purity.” The evil side hissed in pleasure at the thought.

“You just made my point. I don’t want to hurt her. I just want to fuck her senseless.” They both laughed. “You see we are the same just in a slightly different way.” The evil side considered this for a moment.

“Alright, I’ll buy your story for now but tell me one thing.” The evil side conceded. After a bit of silence it went on. “Why is it that I seem to be the only one feeling this damn pain and I have control of movement.” He lifted a hand and flexed his clawed fingers testing the level of pain. Thankfully it seemed to have lessened greatly during their little talk.

“Ah well you see that is where Kikyo made her mistake. A demon can read the words of hell by using the darker part of the psyche when awakened. I’m guessing Kikyo thought it meant she needed to awaken the darker side of the soul in order for us to be able to understand the words. In order to achieve that she needed to give the main control to you for a time but when the pain leaves we will both have control. The good and evil sides will still be separate but we will both be able to control the body. We won’t know more until she lets us read the book.” The good side answered plainly. “Oh and for your information I can feel the pain just as much as you, I’m just not as verbal about it so suck it up.” The good side snorted. The bad side growled.

“I ain’t whining so stick it up your ass.” It growled harshly.

“Temper temper.” The good side snickered. “After all, it’s your ass too.” The good side howled with laughter while the evil snarled hotly.

“Well you seem to be feeling better.” The female voice cooed from the door way. Naraku opened his eyes and looked at the blurry figure standing a few feet away.

“I still can’t see very well.” He hissed out and shut his tender eyes.

“It’ll pass.” She said sharply. “Now getup and move before you start to grow moss from lying there.” She walked over to the bed to help him set up. As she leaned over he caught a very disturbing smell coming from her. He wrinkled his nose and pushed her away roughly.

“What the hell did you do? Go dig in another grave or something? You smell like death warmed over.” He snorted trying to clear his sinuses of the stench. She frowned then leaned back and slapped him hard enough his head turned with the blow. He snarled and lunged at her only to be stopped by the necklace. Pain shot through his nerves that was almost as bad as the spell and fell to his knees. He roared in furry fighting the effects. His clawed fingers clutched at his skull as if trying to hold it together. The more he fought the more it tore at his senses. Kikyo watched with a sadistic sneer plastered on her face enjoying his pain.

‘For God’s sake, stop fighting it before you kill us.’ The good side pleaded with the evil. ‘If you fight it then the pain never stops. I know I was in control the first time it happened.’ The voice pleaded. ‘Just wait, you’ll get your chance. Let it go for now and calm down.’ The voice tried to sooth the other. Naraku collapsed on the floor. His chest was heaving from the exertion. Sweat beaded on his forehead from the fight. A cool hand touched his cheek but he whimpered and slid back from her.

“What the hell did you do to me bitch?” He snarled still feeling after shocks go through his body.
“Now, now be nice or I’ll make the necklace do it again.” She stressed trying to control her own temper. “I don’t appreciate your attitude.” She walked over and flopped down on the bed.

“What do you expect? First I wake up here in more pain then I can remember then you slap me around like I’m your dog and expect me to take it. Who the hell are you and what do you want with me?” He snarled out between gasps of breath. Her eyes snapped up to meet his ruby red ones. She frowned then stood up and walked over to where he sat on the floor. He jerked his head away when she reached for him. Her eyes narrowed and she pursed her lips then she stood up glaring at him.

“Don’t play games with me Naraku. You know perfectly well who I am.” She fumed. “As far as what I did, I set you free. You aren’t confined to that narrow minded attitude you used to have. I opened your mind. All I ask is for some cooperation to get what I want then I could care less what you do.” She looked at her fingernails with a grimace trying to think of the last time she had a good manicure done.

“I...I don’t know you wench.” He feebly pushed himself off the floor and stumbled over to the bed. He let his body fall onto the mattress as his eyes closed to block out the harsh light. She watched him with a sour look. It was true she knew this could happen. The book said it might but she thought he was stronger then that. Again he was disappointing her expectations of him. With a sigh she walked back over the bed and sat next to him. He growled when she reached out to wipe the bangs from his sweaty forehead. Reluctantly she pulled her hand back frowning. With a sigh she placed both hands in her lap and looked at them contemplatively.

“I was once your wife.” She finally said softly. He looked at her through slitted eye lids. ‘Is that true?’ He asked his other self. ‘Unfortunately.’ It replied. He sighed taking in another harsh breath of air. Luckily the pain was starting to go away but he didn’t feel like he had the strength to move just yet. “We’re divorced.” She went on surprising him. He didn’t respond just laid there letting her confess. “The book said that this might happen but I was hoping you would retain your memories. I can’t help that now but you needed to be able to read the words for yourself.” She didn’t look at him until he shifted and raised up on the bed. His eyes stared at her coldly.

“So your telling me you did something to me to make me lose my memory so I could read some stupid book.” His voice was harsh but she didn’t say anything only nodded. He snorted bitterly.
He looked at her sideways. “Did you ever think to ask if I could read it?” She glanced at him from the corner of her eye.

“I showed it to you and you said you couldn’t so I did what needed to be done.” She jumped back when he burst out laughing.

“He was right. You didn’t even read the whole thing did you?” She blinked at him with surprise and confusion.

“He who? No one else was here.” She frowned.

“Me, my other self. The one you shoved to the side in order for me to come out.” He quickly jumped up on his hands and knees as he leaned forward snarling. “You split us up you stupid bitch.” He leaned forward and smirked when she fell back from him with fear in her eyes. “You split my soul into good and evil. I’m the evil side.” He snickered when her eyes got as big as saucers. He leaned closer bearing his fangs. “You didn’t need to do that you know. We had the power to read the words from hell anyway. We are a demon after all. But no you had to play like you were some powerful witch or something. Now look at you. You’re pathetic.” She glared at him and narrowed her eyes.

“Back off or I’ll use the necklace.” She spewed back at him hotly. He laughed darkly and leaned closer.

“If you didn’t smell like shit I’d fuck the sassiness right out of you.” He cooed then sat back on his haunches staring at her fuming face. She couldn’t even look at him. Her mind raced with answers to this new development. Suddenly she jumped off the bed and ran down the hall. He snickered and followed just to see what she was doing. After all this was the only entertainment there seemed to be at the moment. Torturing her was fun and the good side didn’t seem to mind at all. He found her at the kitchen table flipping through the pages of a book. He stared at the book for a moment then it registered. It was ‘the book’. A wicked grin crossed his face as his ruby eyes flashed dangerously. He wondered just what he would find in that book that could be used to his advantage.

‘Don’t get any ideas. I can still take you out if I wanted to.’ His good side warned. He cringed a bit but snickered. ‘No worries. I was just contemplating the possibilities.’ He said back to sooth the other side. ‘Remember, I know what you are thinking so you can’t fool me.’ He growled low. ‘Damn.’ He snorted to himself while the good side chuckled in amusement. Kikyo glanced his way but decided to ignore him for now. She finally found the place in the book she needed.

After reading for a long time she set the book down and sighed. He was right. She didn’t need to use that spell after all. In one way she felt like she should try to fix it but then another part of her figured to hell with it. He deserved it anyway. With a defeated ‘hmpf’ she set her forehead on the open book.
His cold red eyes scanned her knowing she found out he was right.

“So bitch,” he emphasized the word with a heated snarl, “you figured it out did you?” He waited for her to say something but she didn’t. His dark laugh filled the small room. “All you managed to do was release the devil.” He continued to laugh. “And look what you did to yourself. Your a shell of the woman I married. You’re nothing more then a decaying pile of flesh and bone. How long do you think you can keep this up? A week or maybe a month? You truly had no idea what you were messing with did you Kikyo.” He chuckled at the look of despair on her face.

“How...how did you know?” She whimpered. He grinned at her showing off his fangs.

“I said it once and I’ll say it again. You smell like death warmed over. I wasn’t trying to insult you it’s just the way it is. I’m a demon after all. Now from what I have seen you evidently did something to save your life and now its coming back to haunt you.” He leaned against the counter watching her closely. Her once bright brown eyes were now dull and muddy colored. Her skin was taking on a pasty look like the blood had drained from it. She sighed and slid the book toward him.

“Well since you can read it now then look for yourself. Page 24 if I remember right.” She placed her hands on the table then settled her forehead on them. He sat in the chair across from her and began to read. In all actuality he was surprised. The book was rather interesting and since she was able to pull of a few of the spells he knew it was a genuine book of the dark arts. One that demons often gave their souls for. He resisted the urge to laugh out loud when he found the spell she used on herself to save her pitiful life. His eyes glanced at her over the top of the book but she still had her head on the table. According to the book she would be luck if she remained alive for the next week unless she continued with the ritual of taking virgin girls’ souls.

“So when was the last time you fed?” He asked with sarcasm knowing even she didn’t have it in her to consume the souls of young innocent girls. She visibly cringed at his question.

“I haven’t.” She whispered. He raised and eyebrow at her.

“Well then what do you have planed oh mistress of mine?” He cooed at her with more sarcasm. She raised her head and looked at him with anger evident in her dull eyes.

“I was going to consume Kagome’s soul but Hiten and Maten failed. I don’t think I have enough energy to resurrect them again. My only hope is you and from the way you are acting you’ll just wait until I turn to dust.” She would have cried if she could but the fact was there wasn’t any moisture in her body for tears. As time passed she was indeed becoming that of a walking empty pot with nothing more then her soul to keep her moving.

“Oh, my dear Kikyo,” Naraku stood and walked over to her side of the table placing his clawed hands on her shoulders securely. “Don’t despair. I wouldn’t abandon you like that.” He rubbed her shoulders affectionately and leaned down to her ear. “There still might be something in that book to solve this problem. Just give me some time to read more and I’ll see what I can do.”

Kikyo turned and looked at him. “You would do that for me?” She asked with hope in her eyes. He smiled gently and picked up her chin.

“Of course. Didn’t we once have a beautiful life together?” He ran his fingers through her dark hair scanning her face with his eyes. “I feel partially responsible for this. Maybe if I had paid more attention to your needs this would have been avoided.” He ran his fingers down her cheek as he stared into her eyes. “All I need is some time to read that book. I might be able to find something to help.” She nodded thinking maybe he was right.

“Good now why don’t you try to get some rest. Go meditate or something to draw energy into yourself.” He smiled as she stood and left the room. His eyes flashed red but it vanished as quickly as it came. ‘You saw it?’ The evil side asked the good side. ‘That I did. I believe you are thinking the same as me.’ He chuckled to himself and sat back down. ‘Yes, we will have Kagome and be rid of her soon enough. First we have to prefect those binding wards then we’ll convince her to feed off the souls of virgin maidens to keep her alive long enough.’ His eyes read over the pages as quickly as he dared. ‘Don’t forget we still need to find that gem.’ His good side insisted. ‘Yes I know, the one called The Shikon no Tama. I think we have heard of that one. There were some books about it in my collection at the penthouse. We will make a trip there as soon as she can travel.’ The evil side concluded. ‘Yes as soon as she can travel, we will leave. Or we will have to go without her.’ The good side agreed.

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AN: Not sure how I feel about this chapter. I'm not really happy with it but thought I would give it a go anyway. Review if you get a chance.