Song Of My Soul

AN: Wow. Never expected this story to go this far but hey as long as people want to read it then I’ll keep going until it’s out of my system. Thanks to the praise guys you are the greatest. Remember to review. It’s one of the ways we writers are able to know if what we are writing is good or not. Thanks again.

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

Song of My Soul

Part Twenty

“Kikyo dear. You need to wake up now.” Naraku’s smooth voice filled her sleep. Kikyo moaned as the aches and pains from the day before came rushing back into her senses but worse. She mentally willed herself to open her tired eyes and look at him. He sat next to the bed smiling at her. His clawed hand ran through her hair brushing it away from her face. He leaned down closer and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. For some reason she didn’t like the attention he was bestowing upon her. It just didn’t seem natural for him to be displaying this kind of affection to anyone let alone her. She groaned and tried to set up but was stopped by his hand on her shoulder.
“It’s going to be alright love. I brought you something to make you feel better.” He smiled at her again then stood and left the room.

Kikyo’s eyes followed his back as it disappeared from view down the hall. ‘For the love of God,’ she hissed to herself, ‘at least give me the strength to set up.’ She gritted her teeth forcing her trembling hands under her. Her weak arms almost couldn’t push up enough but she managed to shift herself into a setting position when she picked up the sound of scuffling shoes on the wooden floors just down the hall. A muffled whimper became clearer as the shuffling footsteps came closer.

“Move it you little bitch.” She recognized the harshness in Naraku’s voice. It was the same forceful tone he used with servants that were not moving as fast as he wanted them to. Her weary eyes soon focused on the figure of Naraku as he pulled someone into the room behind him. She couldn’t stop the startled look she knew was on her face at the sight. Hovering just behind him was the head of a snake like creature whose body seemed almost transparent with an eerie bluish glow about it. Small hook like legs curled just behind the head giving it a mixed appearance between a snake and a bug. Her eyes followed it’s body down to where it was coiled around the trembling figure of a girl no more then perhaps 15 or 16 in filthy tattered clothes. Terror filled the girl’s eyes as they shifted from Naraku to the creature that held her in it’s grasp. Kikyo narrowed her eyes with a frown.

“What’s the meaning of this?” She waved her hand dismissively in the direction of the girl. Naraku turned slightly and smiled. His clawed hand lifted the girls face up slightly as he ran his thumb across her bottom lip. The girl whimpered and tried to move away but the snake like creature held her tightly. It’s hollow eyes set firmly on Naraku.

“I found her and a companion not far up the river. They were doing very naughty things. Weren’t you my dear?” He chuckled at the look of guilt that flashed through the girl’s eyes. “Didn’t your parents teach you that doing things like that could get you in trouble?” His chuckled became darker as a tear slipped down her face. Shame was clearly evident in her slumped form. Kikyo glanced back and forth between the two. A part of her felt some sort of empathy toward the girl but at the same time a larger part of her wanted to reach out and strangle the vile little slut. She shook the thoughts from her head with a frown.

“What is that thing?” Kikyo decided maybe taking his attention off the girl would help her to regain some of her senses. He glanced up at the snake like creature with a satisfied smile. His hand stroked it’s scale like skin lovingly like a pet owner would his dog. She swallowed the feeling of bile rising in her stomach at the thought of keeping such a creature as a pet.

“Oh this is my newest pet. It’s a shikigami or soul stealer if you must know.” He watched the emotions dance across Kikyo’s face marveling at the shock that rested there.

“How is that possible? They don’t exist.” She sneered at the idea. Soul Stealers were mythology even in the Shinto religion. Naraku glared at her grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh but they are very real as you can see. If not then tell me what it is. The book said the spell would summon one and this is what appeared.” His grin became wider at the startled look on her face. “Yes my dear you let me read the book remember? It was very interesting to say the least.” He walked over and set on the bed next to her taking her hand in his. “I found many intriguing things inside it. One was a way to help you keep your body from deteriorating so rapidly.” His cold dark eyes held hers as he spoke. “I know you are in pain. Your moaning is enough to wake the dead so I thought I would do some research in the book to find a way to relieve you from your torment.” The smooth sound of his voice settled her pinched nerves. He held in a growl of satisfaction at the confusion that filled her dull eyes. “I found the spell you used to stop the tumor and after more reading I figured out what went wrong. You didn’t have a virgin soul to consume at the time so now until you gain the power necessary to stabilize the torment surging through your frail body you will have to continue to find suitable substitutes to fill the void that is consuming your soul. It’s the purity you lacked in life that has caused this and it is purity that your damned soul hungers for.” He patted her hand at the lost look in her eyes. It was really very pathetic as far as he was concerned.

If he didn’t need her alive for now he would have ended her existence while she slept but the damn necklace was still too strong for him to break the control it had over him. He held back the snarl that wanted to escape him. Now wasn’t the time to show any trace of his hatred for her. It would only make her suspicious and that could ruin all his planning. He ran the back of his fingers down her cheek gently to sooth the worried look in her eyes. With a smile he waved his hand toward the still trembling girl. Her scared eyes darted from him to her. “So I have brought you a present.” Kikyo narrowed her eyes and glared at him.

“She isn’t dead you dolt. For me to take a soul the person has to be dead.” Kikyo fumed in exasperation. He held back the growl that was forming in his chest and smiled warmly at her. ‘The bitch is really asking for it now.’ His dark side snarled in his head. ‘Remain calm. We can’t do anything about it for now.’ His better side snapped back.

“Oh but you see that is where the shikigami comes in. They aren’t called soul stealers for nothing my dear.” He cooed at her. The young girl’s eyes widened in fear as realization set in. Kikyo frowned and shook her head.

“But you said you found her doing things with someone. How do you know she is pure and innocent as a virgin?” She insisted rolling her eyes at the fact he seemed to have missed the obvious. He chuckled darkly and tapped his nose.

“You forget Kikyo. I’m part demon. I can smell it. She may not be as innocent as you would like but she is definitely a virgin.” He explained through gritted teeth. If she would just let him give her this first soul then she would become dependent on him for the very life she wanted to keep so desperately. At that point he would have her where he wanted her with out her even knowing it. “Oh and before you ask,” he raised a hand to stop her from talking, “the boy has been disposed of already. He wasn’t a virgin but besides that since he was male he would have been of little use to you except maybe as a toy.” Naraku got a look of contemplation then waved it off with a shake of his head. “Now if you are ready to accept my gift I’ll prepare her...” He was startled by Kikyo’s cold voice.

“Why?” She didn’t look at him but he could tell her mind was mulling something over and over.

“Why what?” He asked with as much confusion in his voice as he could muster. She looked up at him coldly then glanced over at the girl.

“Why are you doing this for me? You could have let me die.” She replied with cool control in her voice. He regarded her for a moment then smiled slyly.

“Are you not my mistress? Didn’t you put the necklace of submission around my neck so that I would serve you like a faithful dog?” His voice was calm and collected. Much like he would use when he was in an important merger meeting to get a point across to the opposition so things would sway his way. Using his voice in such a way seemed to be a natural talent he had. He slid one clawed thumb under the necklace to show his acceptance of his fate. It began to glow at his touch and a scowl filled his face before he dropped it back to where it originally set on his neck. “I couldn’t stand by and let you die. This damn thing won’t let me.” He hissed as he stared at her.

“Poor baby.” She scoffed. “Alright then, show me what you have to offer and then we will talk about what you want in return.” Kikyo smiled inwardly at the look of shock that flashed past his eyes for a moment then he narrowed those cold depth less eyes on her with a scowl after realizing she had figured out he wanted something in return. He should have realized she would, after all she wasn’t completely stupid. A smile smeared across his face shedding light on his handsome features while his eyes flowed over her studying ever inch he could see.

“All I want is for you to get better so we can return to my pent house. If I remember right, the library there has some books we will find interesting to say the least.” He could see the distrust she held when she crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes. With a frown he snorted. “All right damn it. I want my fucking freedom. If I help you get what you want then you remove this cursed necklace and then I want you to leave me the hell alone and go away.” He snarled with a deep growl in his chest. She regarded him cooly.

“Ok hot stuff show me what your little eel can do.” She chuckled at the anger he was trying so hard to control. He glowered at her as he snapped his fingers. The coils on the shikigami loosened enough for the girl to drop from it’s clutches. As fast as any human could she sprang to her feet and bolted for the door. She skidded to stop shrieking when she almost ran into Naraku who stood in front of the door blocking her escape. The poor girls eyes stared at him with fear as he snarled at her threateningly. But little did she know he wasn’t the real danger.

Kikyo watched with amusement when the girl bolted like a scared rabbit making Naraku move to block her way to freedom but then the blood that was still in her heart chilled at the sight before her. The shikigami had changed colors and was now a velvety red color although still transparent. It turned and floated toward the unsuspecting girl as quietly as a breeze. Once it was close enough it’s little legs latched onto the girl’s back.

Kikyo felt her heart stopped for a moment as she watched the horrified look on the girl’s face. Her frightened eyes became hollow and blank as if there was nothing left inside her. Her mouth dropped open in a silent scream as her once flesh toned skin turned pasty white like the color was being drained from her. Then the shikigami began to move back from it’s victim with a glowing wisp of energy clutched in it’s little claw like legs. Kikyo was fairly sure that glowing wisp was the girl’s soul. A feeling of loathing filled her being as she watched the empty body drop to the floor with a sickening thud.

The mouth still open with the soundless terrified scream and the dead empty eyes staring at nothing. She would have thrown up if she could at the sight. It was spiritually revolting for her. All her training as a miko swam through her mind trying to tell her this was wrong and an unnatural act against God. She contained a shiver as the eel like thing turned from the dead girl and began to float toward her. Her eyes locked on it as it moved slowly toward her in a drone like manner. She pushed back against the pillows once it began to hover over the bed. Her eyes blinked rapidly trying to decide if she wanted to see what was going to happen or if she was too afraid to face it. Finally when it was above her chest the thin legs released the glowing wisp letting it fall helplessly to her. The eel’s color returning to the calming blue it had been before while it waited for the soul to come to it’s resting place.

To her amazement the girl’s soul sank into the shell she had for a body and instantly she began to feel better. Some of the pain reduced and she was able to swing her legs over the side of the bed. She couldn’t contain the smile that graced her lips as her eyes traveled over to Naraku. He leaned against the door frame with a smug look on his face. “I told you it would make you feel better.” He grinned. She nodded happily as more pain began to leave her body. He pushed off the frame and walked over to her. His clawed hand cupped her cheek making her look into his eyes. He frowned as he regarded her still pale skin. “You will need a couple more before you feel more like yourself.” A smirk covered his lips again. “I know just where to go.” She considered him for a moment then boldly reached forward and ran a hand over the shikigami’s skin. It was cold as death but other wise didn’t really feel any different then being touched by cold damp air. An almost clammy feeling to be exact.

“Alright you have a deal.” She looked back at him with a smile. The shikigami wrapped lazily around her body before sliding away to hover next to her.

“I knew you would see things my way.” He snorted with satisfaction then led the way down the hall so they could go after her next meal.

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AN: EWWW It made my skin crawl to write that. I don’t think the chapter is that good but I was at a blank what else to put for the moment. It was hard for me to write due to the fact that the role of Kikyo in the show is a bit twisted for me. I’m not necessarily a Kikyo lover nor hater but the action of her consuming souls to survive reminds me of nothing less then a succubus. (Shivers) Sorry Kikyo lovers (although I don’t think any Kikyo lovers would be reading this) Anyway hope you enjoyed it. Review please.

On another note I feel obligated to let you all know that the next chapter may be a while. Unfortunately I haven’t had time to start on it and from the looks of my schedule, I won’t have much time for a couple of weeks. Please don’t give up on the story. I have the ideas in my head just not enough time to get them down. I know, I know, I hate when I get interested in a story and then all of a sudden it doesn’t update very often. Really I’m working on it but real life is more important and we all know how that goes. I’ll do my best to update as soon as I can until then add me to your favorites and then you can get notified of the next update. Thanks again to all of you and have a GREAT EASTER!!!!