Hell Knows No Bounds

A.N.: I'm back! Behold! The chapter many of you readers have been waiting for! Hopefully I won't screw it up to high hell! *evil smirk* And so I present to you, for your reading enjoyment, the battle royal!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

**Last Chapter**

"Are you ready?" Sesshomaru's silky words brought her back from her intense inspection. His eyes betraying his concern for her as she smiled nervously.

"Not really"¦but it will keep things interesting, I'm sure." Kagome giggled lightly, her gaze fixed on Jutori's scowling face. With grim determination, they strode forward towards the waiting demons.

**On with the story**

Chapter 17
And then there was a Hellhound and a Leopard...

Featuring: "What it is to burn" by Finch (in basic italics)

A cloud of voices echoed in the surrounding trees as Kagome and Sesshomaru approached the group of demons. The anxious faces of Inuyasha, Kikyo, Sango, and Miroku appeared as Kagome turned her attention to the disturbance. A gust of wind left a grinning Kouga standing next to a disgruntled Inuyasha. Kagome waved at them, happy to have her friends with her.

"Show her what a real demoness can do!" Kouga bellowed out, making sure Jutori could hear him. His smile widened as the Snow Leopard demoness beside Jutori giggled at his boldness. She quickly stopped, noticing his gaze and blushed. Jutori sent her own hateful glare at the flushed demoness.

"Lady Kagome!" Miroku waved happily as they made their way to her.

"Kagome! We came to cheer you on!" Sango smiled brightly upon seeing her uptight friend. "Give that snobby bitch the ass kicking she deserves!" A fierce light came to the demon exterminator's eyes. Kagome laughed at her obvious comment; the Southern Lady didn't seem to find it quite so amusing.

"More human filth to deal with!? The miko-demoness can't handle her affairs on her own? Hardly surprising"¦" Jutori spat nastily, her own face flushed in embarrassment from Sango's comments.

"Quiet, Leopard-whore!" Inuyasha barked out, earning a good round of chuckles from the entire group. Kikyo had to place a hand over her lips to hide the spreading smirk. Before Jutori could remark on the ex-hanyou, her mate placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We have better things to tend to than half-breeds gone human, and weakling exterminators; let's get down to business, shall we?" Mashiru's tone was sickeningly sweet, curling Sesshomaru's stomach.

"Agreed." Kagome growled out, she thanked her friends before following Sesshomaru behind a set of trees.

"Here." Sesshomaru placed the dormant, crimson staff in Kagome's open palm. "Don't hold back on her and never let your guard down, Kagome. Mistakes are not a luxury you can afford." His eyes bore into hers, the seriousness of his message wasn't lost. Her eyes flew wide as he suddenly crushed her against him, whispering gently into her ear. "I know you can do this. Come back to us"¦in one piece preferably." Kagome laughed at his small quip. Sesshomaru pulled away slowly and pulled some clothes from a bag at his side. "Here are the clothes that you wore the night you changed. I had a body suit of the same color made to wear underneath." Kagome took the clothes and reached up to kiss him gently.

"Thank you, Sess." He nodded to her and left to give her room to change. The suit ran the length of her arms to tie at the apex of her fingers, providing cover for her knuckles.

The bottom of the pants tightened at her ankles, she chose to go without shoes to keep a free feel on her steps. Giving a test tug at the suit's edge around her throat, Kagome straightened her kimono and pulled her hair back into a tight braid. Tucking the staff into her sash and taking a deep breath, Kagome stepped out of the trees and stood beside Ah Un.

"You two behave for Sesshomaru"¦I love both of you very much." She embraced the saddened pair, closing her eyes as she took in their combined scent. The demoness released them, flashing the group a confident smirk before turning and approaching the others.

Jutori broke away from the group and made her way out into the center of the field, Kagome following closely. The Southern Lady abruptly stopped and turned, her eyes flashing dangerously. Kagome returned the heavy gaze, her heartbeat beginning to quicken as the fire in her blood flickered to life. The leopard demoness pulled a slim, long sword from the sheath in her obi, crouching slightly.

A cloud drifted across the sky, casting a shadow as Kagome drew and staff from her sash and waited; the staff horizontal from the ground at her chest level. The staff flashed to life, the burning scythe blade materializing before their eyes. A charged silence fell over the meadow, each group looking on as the demoness stared each other down. The sound of tearing grass and breaking earth marked Jutori's charging form as she dug her feet into the ground and leapt into the air, roaring out as she swung the two-handed blade down over Kagome's head.

Grunting slightly, the Hellhound ducked down, arched her back, and flipped backwards. A growl of annoyance reverberated around the clearing as the clicking sound of steel and rock echoed. Lavender silk shone brightly in the clouded sunlight as Jutori continuously swung the blade at Kagome, aiming for any limb in the open. As another hasty thrust came towards the miko-demoness's throat, she ducked low and swung the blunt end of the scythe blade into the attacking woman's abdomen. Kagome smirked as a pained grunt met her ears as Jutori sank to one knee, rage burning in her heartless, cobalt eyes.

Miserable wretch! I am through with playing!" The Southern Lady screeched miserably.

Within a bat of an eyelash, Jutori had swung her leg out and take Kagome's legs out from underneath her. She quickly recovered, rolling out of the way as the blade came down once more. Flipping on to her feet, Kagome brought the blade down in a side-swipe, tearing the flesh of Jutori's right forearm. The conniving woman jumped back, an expression of hate and surprise clashing across her features. A growing pool of crimson marked her kimono sleeve as she lifted her blade once more, wincing at the burning in her arm. She growled lowly, spying Kagome's all-knowing smile.

"Now what could the miko playing demon find amusing?!" Her gruff tone only widened the smile.

"Notice that *tiny* burning sensation in your arm yet?" Jutori froze, sweat running down her pale skin. She scowled as Kagome continued. "The wound will spread to three times its original size, scarring your oh-so-perfect skin for the rest of eternity. A special gift from me to you, compliments of my own special poison." The Hellhound let a small chuckle fall from her lips at Jutori's incredulous expression. Kagome spun the blade around her once more before bringing it down into a fighting stance. Jutori's hateful scowl faded, a plan forming in the back of her mind. Fighting off the urge to laugh, Jutori leapt forward with her sword drawn low.

Kagome danced to the side, kicking Jutori's feet from under her as she passed. The leopard demoness flew to the ground, slowly rising to her knees as Kagome approached. The Western Lady drew the scythe above her head and slowly closed the distance between herself and the floored demoness. Finally standing over her hunched form, Kagome made ready to bring the blade down. She registered the sinister smile on Jutori's lips too late to prevent the next string of events.

Flipping over suddenly, Jutori pulled a handful of powder from a satchel hidden in her kimono. A bright cloud of blue powder met Kagome's eyes, dropping the demoness to her knees. A cry of outrage echoed through the clearing as Kagome's friends and family looked on.

"Sesshomaru, stop this! That Southern bitch is cheating!" Sango roared as she fought Miroku's grasp.

"I cannot interfere. There are no such restrictions once the fight has begun; however, her pride will never recover since she had to resort to tricks to win." Sesshomaru growled through clenched teeth as his mate screamed out in pain. "˜Focus, Kagome! Do not give up!' The children's sobs reached his ears, he turned and held them though his eyes never left his mate.

"Fight her, mama!" Shippo bellowed, holding onto his sister and father. Rin whimpered as Kagome's weapon fell from her grasp.

A deep, malicious chuckle caught their attention as Mashiru applauded his mate's plan of action. Sesshomaru flexed his claws as their gazes met. The Southern Lord arrogantly shot him a victorious smirk.

Kagome placed the palms of her hands to the ground, trying desperately to calm her senses. Her ears flicked as Jutori picked up her sword and kicked Kagome's dropped weapon further away; laughing loudly at the blinded demoness before her. Instead of ending it right then and there, another plan of action came to mind. The Southern Lady dropped to one knee before Kagome's paled eyes, smiling in triumph.

"Feel honored enough to know that I have never had to resort to such an act before." Her smile deepened as Kagome's eyes snapped shut. "A pathetic creature such as you could never be a high-class demon. Your true destiny is to die alone in this field, disgraced for the entire world to see." Jutori jumped back as Kagome took a swipe at her, baring her teeth in a vicious growl.

"Coward!" Kagome's agonized scream tore through the treetops. "I will see you dead before the day's end!" The searing pain in her eyes was beginning to fade; the fire roaring to new ends within her. Something began to call to her, she swung her head to the side and froze, listening intently.

"I don't think you'll be seeing anything anytime soon, my Lady!" The sarcastic bite in her tone sent new rage flowing through Kagome's veins. A cooling in the air told the Hellhound of the cloud covering and impending drizzle of rain.

Jutori raised an eyebrow at Kagome's distracted expression, but shrugged it off as she delivered a vicious kick to the woman's ribcage. Kagome grunted in surprise and pain, rolling to her side only to receive a blow to her jaw and another to her back. She cried out in pain as the assault continued. The first drops of rain both soothed the sting of her open cuts and darkening bruises, and her tingling eyes. A new scream tore from her throat as woman above her roughly grabbed her scalp and drew her to her knees, the cold pressure of steel settled at her throat. Kagome fought the urge to vomit as Jutori's breath blew across her ear and bruised cheek.

Licking her lips, the leopard whispered low to make sure the others would not hear. "Just out of spite for your audacity, I'm going to personally make sure all of your little friends meet their end"¦one way or another." The frigid beast laughed in genuine delight as she threw Kagome to the ground once more; too wrapped up in her thoughts of victory to notice the sudden warmth that had erupted in Kagome's aura.

She burns

The Hellhound demoness clawed at the ground beneath her, Jutori's words echoing in her mind. The strings of Kagome's conscious tightened and began to split as she lay on the cold earth, the rain soaking her through but leaving the inferno inside her untouched. The aches and pains of her body faded into nothing, the strange call rose in her again. Kagome climbed to her feet, rolling her neck as she felt bones twist and pop back into place. The copper taste of her blood made her growl slightly, her eyes remained closed. The Southern lady stood aghast at Kagome's sudden intake of strength.

Today's on fire
The sky is bleeding above me, and I am blistered

The coward of a woman swung the sword at Kagome's turned back, only to have it caught between two claws. A startled cry broke free from her lips as the steel warped and melted in Kagome's grasp. The sudden slam of Kagome's fist into her cheekbone sent her flying through the field.

I walk these lines of blasphemy, every day
And still:

Sesshomaru's widened eyes took in the scene, his mind whirling from the intense flood of energy he felt from his mate. "˜This isn't Kagome's natural youkai form. This is something darker and far more troublesome to control. The question is"¦can she control it?' A sudden realization dawned on him as he saw the Southern Lord's fearful gaze of recognition. "˜Wait! This is what they Hellhound demons were hunted for! The rage that lay lands to ash and fire.' He quickly turned to the awestruck group behind him, his eyes charged and demanding.

Like a bad star,
I'm falling faster down to her

"Jaken! Take Rin and Shippo back to the village! NOW!" Sesshomaru held the children, explaining that this place was no longer safe. Afraid to disobey, the children nodded and let Jaken lead the dragon away. Sesshomaru turned his attention to Inuyasha and the others. Their confused expressions slowly turning into ones of concern.

She's the only one who knows,
what it is to burn

"What's going on, Sesshomaru? Why are you freaking out all of a sudden?" Inuyasha held Kikyo tighter to him as his eyes held his brother's.

I feel diseased
Is there no sympathy from the sun?

"I have reason that this area is no longer safe for spectators. Kagome is turning into something far more dangerous than any of you are prepared to handle." The man shook his head forcefully, unsatisfied with the explanation.

The sky's still fire
But I am safe in here, from the world outside

"She's not in her true form so I don't see the problem!" Miroku interjected as Sango continued to watch Kagome's changing aura, her eyes widening in terror.

So tell me"¦
What's the price to pay for glory?

"My mate is not like other demons, monk. When demons change there is usually only their humanoid form and their true form. Kagome is special because she can either change into her true form, or its opposite, a more unstable, raging, humanoid form. Very little of her appearance will change, but the person on the inside will transform into something completely different. In this state she is unpredictable and unreachable. Blood is her only understanding and she will burn the world to ashes to get it!" Sesshomaru barked out in an annoyed tone. The faces around him paled considerably, each person digesting his news. His eyes softened slightly before he continued. "You all must leave here before it's too late. If she gets past me, there will be no way to stop her from slaying each of you in your own turn."

Like a bad star,
I'm falling faster down to her

"I'll stay just in case"¦" Kouga said, folding his arms across his chest. Inside he was just as confused as the rest of them.

She's the only one who knows,
what it is to burn

With great hesitancy, the group agreed and left the field. Each member of the party glancing back at Kagome's rain-drenched form as she let a spine-shattering roar into the air.

Today is fire, and she burns

Still in the process of her change, Kagome managed to make out the Southern Lady's shadowed form as she rose from the ground and leapt forward with her claws extended.

Today is fire, and she burns

Jutori growled venomously as Kagome jumped to the side, narrowly dodging her poisonous claws. Narrowing her eyes, the leopard demoness spun abruptly and connected her heel with Kagome's jaw. The Hellhounds demoness flew back stunned, a thin line of blood running from her bottom lip to her jaw-line. Jutori smirked maliciously as she flipped her hair, now free flowing from its confines.

She burns

Kagome's mind pulsed as the fire consumed her whole, leaving a new conscious in its wake. The Hellhound demoness shuddered in response to the sharp change in sense. The very pulse of the Earth ran in time with her own, she could almost feel flames flick against her flesh. Raindrops hissed as they made contact with her flawless, marble skin. Kagome whispered soundlessly, her staff flying through the air and into her outstretched hand, roaring to life once more. For the first time since the power blinded her, Kagome's eyes opened. The warm burgundy that had once existed was now a bright gold, while the surrounding white had changed to the black of oblivion. Kagome felt her body begin to respond to her commands again.

She burns

Her heartbeat came back harder, pounding into her ears as she sank to one knee. Letting the breath she was holding go, ash poured from her and she clawed the ground. The Hellhound demoness answered the call of her blood as her head shot up to find Jutori's smile had melted into a blanched expression of horror and fear.

She burns

The Hellhound turned fully and raised the scythe above her head, her black and gold eyes held no feeling as her gaze fell on the shaking demoness before her. Jutori backed away stumbled over a fallen branch; looking up, she watched with tearing eyes as golden rings of flame surrounded Kagome's rigid form.

She burns

Sesshomaru looked on, franticly hoping for an idea of how to call his mate back to him. Mashiru stood frozen to his spot, eyes widened in pure fear as his mate fell.


"Remember, old man! Remember that it was you that brought this upon the woman you so dearly "˜love'!" Sesshomaru spat out the last word as if it left a foul taste on his tongue. The Southern Lord shook his head dumbly, the cold rain biting at his skin.

She burns

"It's not possible! They died"¦.they all died!" Madness had come into the trembling demon's eyes as raised an arm in front of his chest, as if to fend off some approaching attack. The Northern and Eastern Lords held their ground; despite the danger, this duel was not over. The fear in their eyes remained as they stood still, holding their offices as witnesses.

She burns

"There has to be some way to stop this! She will destroy us all!" The younger demoness stared at the waiting men, her eyes wide.

Like a bad star,
I'm falling faster down to her

"Quiet, Ellitari! I do not need my mate's sister telling me what to do!" Mashiru's reddened face began to purple.

She's the only one who knows,
what it is to burn

The demons gasped as the rain slowly took on a new form, the clouds darkening as the smell of sulfur took to the air. Flakes of ash fell like snow as eyes observed the heavens; lightening danced across the clouds every now and then. A cold, heartless voice stirred them out of their daze.

"Get up." Kagome noticed the change in her voice, but ignored it. Her body hummed with new life as her hair lifted to dance on the wind, growing to lengths to rival the roots of the oldest trees. The demoness in front of her flinched but remained grounded, tears falling from her cheeks yet to afraid to speak. "GET UP!" Kagome's aura flared as the demoness slowly complied. A cruel smile lifted the edge of her mouth as Jutori shot her a pathetic attempt at a brave glare. Her cold voice carried on the wind.


"You dare to threaten those who have done no wrong to you?! A COWARDLY BITCH LIKE YOU DARES TO THINK SHE IS OF HIGHER BREEDING THAN A HELLHOUND DEMON??!!!" Kagome's echoing voice lowered to a deadly whisper. "For such impudence"¦your body will burn in my fires as I send your soul to HELL!!!"

The ash fell heavier as a clearing in the clouds opened above Kagome's glowing form. The scythe pulsed with its mistress's heartbeat. Sesshomaru realized what was going to happen as time seemed to slow. Mashiru, in his madness, charged forward against the laws of combat. Sesshomaru called to Kouga to take to the air as Kagome's whispered words met his ears.

I call upon the darkness of my blood"¦

Bring forth the oblivion of my heart"¦

These offerings of flesh and bone"¦

Shall be consumed in your embrace"¦

Ellitari stood in shock as her brother-in-law ran towards the demonesses, his own sword raised above his head in a battle cry. She jumped as strong arms swept her up in a bridal-style embrace, taking her into the air. The other lords soon joined as the scene unfolding before their eyes. The final line of the spell fell into place a Kagome slowly let the scythe drop towards Jutori and Mashiru's blurred forms.

VOID OF THE SEVEN HELLS!!!

Silence. And then an ear-splitting roar erupted as the ground split and tore; fire surged forth as black limbs shot out from the deep pit. Winds whipped around the ash-ridden field. Mashiru had almost reached Kagome when an unimaginable pain shot through him. Looking down he found a black hand had burst though his chest, grasping him; his scream of terror and pain joined his mates as his thrashing form disappeared into darkness.

*Kaede's Village*

Back a Kaede's village, Inuyasha and the others looked on as fire and ash consumed the sky in the distance. All of them held each other as the wind carried the screams and roars to their ears. Inuyasha looked at the two children, observing their strangely calm expressions. The question on his mind slipped through his lips.

"What the HELL is causing all that?!" He, along with Kikyo, Miroku, and Sango, gasped in wonder when Shippo spoke up"¦only one word seemed to fit.

"Mama"¦"

*Whispering Fields*

Jutori feebly clawed at the grass and rock beneath her while the hands that held her ankle drug her closer to her doom. Her panicked eyes darted to Kagome's, begging for forgiveness but saw no such emotion from the pools of black and gold that stared back. There was no smile or sneer from the Hellhound demoness; there was nothing. With a final scream and cry for mercy, the leopard demoness was torn from her hold on the ground and over the edge into darkness. As soon as the screams had ended, the ground shook and sealed itself once more. Clouds dissipated and the ash ceased, leaving only a once green field a barren, ash-ridden crater.

"KAGOME!" The Western Lord flew towards the ground as Kagome turned to look at him, her eyes still cold. He stopped as the scythe rose once more, still burning as brightly as ever. Kouga landed a distance away, gently setting Ellitari on her feet. Karumos and Toshiben hovered next to Sesshomaru, unsure of what to do. The question was answered for them when a wave of fire shot towards them.

"KAGOME! Come to your senses!" Kouga begged as her eyes turned to him, he protectively stood in front of Ellitari to shield her from harm. Though with his friend in her current state, he wasn't sure how much it would help. Another wave of fire was his answer as he gathered up Ellitari and took to the air.

Distracted by her dodging targets, the unleashed Hellhound never saw Sesshomaru appear behind her, his arms snaking around her in an iron hold. The demoness shrieked in rage, her blackened depths seeking out his amber as she thrashed in his grasp. The Lord of the Western Lands held her firm despite her increased strength. No one had ever seen the full measure of his power, she was the first to require it.

"Kagome"¦come back to me." His breath caressed her neck as she continued to fight, unable to free herself from his grasp. "Come back to me, koi." Gold dimmed as burgundy swirled, black fading slightly. "Come back to us...do not forget your promise to them. Do not forget your promise to me!" Her hair returned to its normal length as the words rung clear. Sesshomaru sighed in gratitude to the gods as she began to settle.

"Sesshomaru? Gods"¦what have I done?" The whispered words faded as his mate's head fell back against him, her body limp as she gave in to a dreamless sleep. He adjusted her in his arms, gazing at her in wonder and then at their surroundings. His companions approached him slowly, eyes locked on the slumbering woman in his arms. They didn't need to say anything"¦in this case, the silence of the dead plant life and smell of blood spoke louder than words.

The South was now without a Lord or Lady, but that could be remedied. He told Kouga and the others to head for his castle, this incident would need to be handled quickly. Whatever had set Kagome off in such a way would need to be figured out and prevented from occurring ever again. Sesshomaru wasn't even sure if Kagome would remember what she had done. That is, if she would ever awaken again.


TBC

HELL YES!!! I'm done!! I hope you guys liked it! Don't flame me for Kagome's little slip of control! *evil grin* I had to keep you guys on your toes. Thanks for reading so far and I'll see ya soon!!! More fun on the way! Cheers! "“ G.S.

Special thanks to:

Lenay "“ Your review was sooo sweet! Thank you so much! It made me happy!! *grin*

PJ - *evil laughter* You were right"¦can't let him go if ya can't trust em!!! Don't worry Mashiru's right where he should be!

Babygirl "“ Thanks for the review! I hope I met your "˜ass kicking' requirement! *victory sign*

Justme "“ Yes"¦I am evil! *chuckle* Thanks for the review!

Kikiz "“ See? Patience has paid off! ~_0

TricksterGoddess "“ I have to give Fluffy a little feelin to him. It was just too tempting! And hopefully you'll be seein some artwork here soon!!