Hell Knows No Bounds

A.N.: I glad the battle scene lived up to expectations!!! I appreciate all of the wonderful reviews I received for it as well. You guys fuckn' rock! I do have some pics to put up, but I have just to figure out how to post them on the AFF art section at yahoo. *sheepish grin* I'm clueless sometimes"¦ In response, I did come up with the whole Hellhound Demon idea. The product of chocolate brownie ice cream, a 6 pack of coke, and 4 hours of sleep. Anyway! Enjoy!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha"¦but I do have a pet squirrel!

**Last Chapter**

"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.

**On with the story**

Chapter 18
I remember everything"¦

The castle of the Western Lands bustled with new life as Sesshomaru's guests began to arrive. The remaining demon lords, Kouga, Ellitari, Inuyasha, and the others had agreed to meet to discuss the unexpected turn of events. Kagome remained in a deep sleep ever since they had returned home; that had been a solid week ago. Sesshomaru was beginning to worry about her condition as the days wore on. The children fared no better and constantly visited their mother's room to check on her.

The main dining hall roared with excitement as servants bustled between guests and the children. Sesshomaru pinched the area between his eyes, fighting the onslaught of noise. Excusing himself as politely as the moment could afford, and left for his chambers to check on Kagome. He sighed in relief as the noise gradually faded as his chamber door grew in the distance. The door slid back smoothly and silently, leather boots scratched as he stepped inside. A smile graced his lips as the demoness's chest rose and fell in easy breathes.

The Western Lord sat on the bed next to his sleeping mate; lazily brushing away strands of hair from her pale face. Her tail twitched slightly at the contact. Sesshomaru looked from her fair face to the open balcony, his eyes trained on the setting sun. Slowly, taking care not to disturb her, he rose from the bed to walk out into the sweet, summer air. The air caught his silver mane up, orange and pink dancing along the strands. A deep breath helped him calm his tried nerves. A sudden painful shriek pierced his ears; he spun and looked to the bed as his face revealed his sudden flash of fear. Within a breath he was at his mate's side, reaching out to her as her small form arched off the bed.

Kagome's face was twisted with pain, her mouth opened once more in a silent scream as her back left the bed. Sesshomaru's arms flew around her as he fought to still her thrashing body. Burgundy eyes flew open as he whispered softly to her, commanding her back to him. Clutching to the demon lord, Kagome gasped wildly for air and blinked back the darkness.

"Kagome? Wake up, Kagome!" Sesshomaru cupped her cheek gently as he held her, genuine fear in his eyes. His fears were not without reason. The eyes that stared back at him were changed somehow, darker and deeper than they had ever been. "˜What is happening to her?' He knew that the rage was gone, but something predator-like still lurked in her wine-colored orbs.

"Sess"¦Sessho"¦maru?" Confusion and pain draped across Kagome's whiten complexion like a curtain. Her body trembled as a blanket of ice fell over her; Sesshomaru rubbed her arms as he laid her beneath the sheets and slipped in beside her.

"I'm here, koi." He nuzzled her neck as she snuggled into him, unable to sleep but craving the warmth of his body. Amber eyes gazed lovingly upon her as Kagome felt the heat return to her blood. Sighing deeply, she rolled over and met Sesshomaru's warm gaze.

"How long have I been asleep?" Kagome whispered; her throat dry with lack of fluids.

"A week"¦give or take a day." Sesshomaru answered as he searched her dark eyes. "How do you feel?"

"I'll be fine. I just need to get up and walk around a little." Kagome sat up slowly, throwing the blankets from her. Sesshomaru allowed her to get up, finding the idea of movement a good one. He rose from the scattered sheets and went to her side, leading her to the vanity to sit.

"I'll have a servant sent up to help you to the springs and into fresh clothes. Try to take things slowly for now." He bent low and kissed her brow, her eyes closed at the touch. Casting another curious look in her direction, Sesshomaru brushed a hand against her cheek and left the room.

Kagome jumped slightly as a knock tapped against the door sharply. A familiar voice called out behind the screen; the Western Lady grinned as Hikaru opened the door and entered the room.

"Welcome back, Lady Kagome!" Hikaru spoke cheerfully, happy to have the kind mistress home. The house was already buzzing with news of their Lady's new-found gifts, but Kagome's personal servant chose to ignore such mindless talk.

"It's good to be home, Hikaru"¦" Kagome's breath caught in her throat; yes, this was home now.

It still felt somewhat strange to say call it such, but with the well closed off and being "˜officially married' to Sesshomaru, there would be no need to call any other place home. The sudden calming in her life felt good. A frown came to her face; the issue of Whispering Fields would arise at one point. Hikaru talked on as she led the thoughtful Kagome down the hall to the baths. Kagome was roused from her mind as Hikaru informed her that they had arrived.

"Just call for me, my Lady, when you are finished!" Hikaru smiled brightly again before exiting the spring and leaving Kagome alone once more. Pulling the flimsy robe from her body, Kagome's eyes narrowed as she began to notices how dark her marks had become. Her snowy skin had taken on a glow that shown like moonlight on a veil of ivory. The eyes that stared back at her in the reflection of the water were not her own. Crimson was not the right color to describe the depths. Kagura's had been crimson; a bright red that sparkled with a chained energy.

Kagome slapped at the water in annoyance. She knew what words would describe her eyes now. Blood"¦the color of freshly-spilled blood. A color that hums with the very rhythm of life itself as the colors swirled and sway in the light. Her red highlights in her hair were now more pronounced as well, matching her eyes as it danced with the strands of ebony. The demoness slipped into the water and sat back, her gaze fixed on the wall opposite of her as she became lost in thought once more.

"˜How do I tell them?' Closing her eyes, she allowed her body to slide beneath the water's glassy surface.

Main Dining Hall

"How do we handle a situation like this?" Kouga asked impatiently, his eyes flickering to the new ruler of the Southern Lands, Lady Ellitari. There were no heirs or relatives of the previous rulers, so by blood she had taken on responsibility. A first to do so at that.

"We can't just lock her up or seal her away! If we just find out what caused it, we can prevent it!" Inuyasha bit out, pacing the polished floor as fought his own warring thoughts. Miroku stood at his side in deep thought. Noticing the fleeting Wolf's glance, Inuyasha came to his side and smirked. "Ayame wouldn't be too happy to know that you're checking out some other demoness!" The smirk vanished as Kouga's lips drew into a thin line.

"Ayame would not care"¦she gave up on me." Kouga sighed heavily as Inuyasha's head shot up at the news. "Smart woman. She knew better than to wait around for me. Another saw her for who she was and appreciated her strength, beauty, and mind; she's happily mated as we speak." Regret seemed to have snaked its way into his words. "It's for the best, dog-breath." Kouga smiled in triumph as Inuyasha cursed, happy that the name still had the desired effect.

"I feel that the situation was beyond Lady Kagome's control! It's true I have just only met her, but I know deep down that she is not a bloodthirsty monster!" Lady Ellitari's voice rose as the others listened with peaked interest. "There has to be a reason why this happened"¦" The last part seemed more like a plea to her own heart rather than an argument to the others.

"I'm not sure what to think anymore." Sesshomaru murmured as he watched the children run with Sango and Kikyo. "All I know is that I want my Kagome back." His whisper was so low that it missed everyone's ears but one"¦Ellitari. She smiled sympathetically at him, unaware that Kouga had come to her side.

"I'd watch it if I were you. Last thing you want to do is piss Kagome off." Kouga remarked snidely. The Southern Lady snorted at his arrogance.

"Careful, wolf"¦the last thing you want to do is piss me off." His shocked expression sent her into a hearty laughter.

"Aren't you upset over your family's deaths?" The incredulous expression on his face sobered her laughter. Her look of happiness instantly froze over.

"Spare me, Prince Kouga. I was treated like dirt by those pompous imbeciles, and I won't give them the satisfaction of grief for their lives. Mashiru and Jutori received their just ends." The coldness in her voice sent shivers down Kouga's spine; he placed an arm around her shoulders slowly, waiting for any sign of discomfort or hostility on her part.

"Forgive my rash words, my Lady." He smiled charmingly as she shook her head, forgiving him with a wave of her hand.

"No need, my Lord." Her sunflower eyes rose to his, the Wolf prince felt his breath hitch as a blush rose to the woman's cheeks. The daze was soon ruined at the doors to the hall were swept aside. A gasp rising from the inhabitants as the feminine figure glided into the room.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha rushed forward but halted as the Hellhound demoness's gaze settled on him. The air rushed from his lungs as he took in the slight change in her. Despite his new life as a human, he still could sense certain things and something was definitely up with his best friend. Sesshomaru closed the distance and approached his mate, his eyes searching her for anything out of the ordinary. Her eyes landed on him and regarded him with a sadness that sent the demon reeling.

"I realize that you all have questions so I will speak quickly." Looking once more up at her concerned mate, she continued on with her explanation.

"It's alright, Kagome. You don't have to tell us anything! We're sure that what happened wasn't your fault and you never meant for things to get so out of hand." Kouga smiled sadly as he shrugged. Kagome shook her head slowly, her eyes darkened with tears.

"But you're wrong, Kouga." Her voice began to waver slightly as the words spilled forth.

"How can that be? You've been out for a week so you probably don't even remember what happened, Lady Kagome." Miroku leaned on his staff as his eyes traveled to hers, confused by the intense sadness that radiated from her.

"You've been misled in your theories then, Miroku." Kagome whispered as she licked her parched lips. Sesshomaru moved closer to her but she stepped away, as if afraid her touch would hurt him.

"Kagome?" Sesshomaru's tone was a flat-lined as ever to the others, but to Kagome she could sense the undertone of hurt as if she had been slapped. Her eyes begged him to understand as they gazed at one another.

"I remember everything"¦I know what happened." Her eyes fell to her hands, twisting the peach fabric of her kimono. "Jutori sent me to my knees and promised death to all who I love and hold dear." The heat of anger began to burn again within her chest. "As I kneeled there and listened to her words"¦something in me broke away. A freedom I had never experienced before in my life took me. It called for her blood"¦her flesh"¦her soul." Kagome choked again as her hands began to shake.

"Lady Kagome"¦" Lady Ellitori's whimpered words went unanswered.

"I hated her for what she was doing"¦her and her mate! The insult of my blood and the threat on my loved ones- especially my children, could not go unanswered. The darkness came to me and I let it take me. The demon you saw slay the former Lord and Lady of the South was not a mindless, bloodthirsty beast. I had plenty of mind when I sent them to Hell." A dark silence settled on the room. "It was only after Jutori disappeared into the pit and I lost the scent of her blood, did I lose control. But if you were all hoping that I would come out and say that I don't know what happened and that the whole thing was an act not of my own"¦I am sorry." The others stood in shock as silent, heated tears coursed down Kagome's cheeks.

"But"¦" Inuyasha started, unable to complete the thought. "You're not that kind of person, Kagome! You could never intentionally hurt someone!" A mirthless laugh rang from Kagome.

"But I did, Inuyasha." The boldness in her words fell like ice. "I took control of the blood in my veins "“ in my dead father's and murdered mother's veins, and accepted who I am completely. What you see before you is not the innocent little girl that fell through the well so long ago!"

Kikyo, Sango, and the children had entered unnoticed during Kagome's words. Both women were unsure of how to react, but the children remained silent. Shippo's eyes held a strange, all-knowing look to them. He understood what had happened and was glad; his mama had protected them all and he would never forsake her for it.

"It's okay, mama. You did it for us, so you can't be evil." Kagome kneeled to the floor and spread her arms wide. The kitsune tore his hand from Kikyo's and ran into his mother's waiting arms, snuggling into her. Rin was soon clutching at her in the same affectionate manner.

Sesshomaru observed the sight with mixed emotions: he was happy that Kagome had fully accepted who she truly was; on the other hand, what if she couldn't truly adapt to her new life? Kagome rose and released the children, glancing at the people around her. How would they take her news? The part of the question concerning Sesshomaru was answered when he calmly approached her and dipped his lips to hers. The group around them gawked at the display of affection, but chose to keep their opinions to themselves. Breaking the kiss, the Western Lord cupped his mate's cheek lovingly.

"Remember, koi, I will be there to help you through this. And so will everyone else"¦" His eyes burned into hers as she blinked away the remainder of her tears. Her eyes flashed about the room"¦searching for confirmation of his words in her companions. The awkward silence descended once more.

TBC

Well! That's all you get for now! I was tempted to end the story in one last chapter but a certain reader rode my ass until I caved in. *glares at Blue Inferno* But I'm not goin to mention names. Be warned that the end does draw near but there may be a sequel! I haven't decided yet! *grin* REVIEWS PLEASE!!! I gots to have em!!! Lemons and more to come! Cheers! "“ G.S. (the original Hellhound Demoness!)

Special thanks to:

SexGoddess "“ Yes"¦.treats for the faithful readers! I'm glad that the rapid updating is appreciated! Thanks for the reviews!!

Artemis "“ Lovin the reviews! I'll keep the drama coming! Thanks again!

TricksterGoddess "“ YES!! The passionate reviewer makes the scene! I have to say I'm becoming addicted to your "˜colorful' vocabulary! I'm glad you like my demon breed. It's amazing what too much sugar and soooo little sleep can do! Thanks for the reviews!!