Thawing Her Heart

I do not own Inuyasha or any of it's characters but I do envy Rumiko Takahashi for that right! ^_^

Thank you for all my wonderful reviews! They have inspired this next chapter.

Chapter 21 A Fear Revisited

Kagome was tired, they had been walking non-stop for three days now. As tired as she was however she did not want to stop and rest, Naraku had her pups and she was getting them back. She could only pray to kami that they remained unharmed. When she felt Sesshomaru's hand on her shoulder she turned to look at him, "Koi we need to stop for the night, we all need rest. You especially have been pushing yourself too hard, it was not your fault they were taken. Come let us make camp." She sighed and let him lead her into the trees. Together her Sango, and Ayame made camp while the men hunted. Miroku stayed behind to keep watch. When the men returned the women started dinner, Ayame cleaned their kill of dear while Sango fetched water for the stew that Kagome would make. Soon a hearty aroma filled the little campsite as Kagome dished out dinner to all. Once she had finished she made her own bowl and sat down next to Sesshomaru to eat. Inuyasha was the one to break the silence, " Kagome I can understand your haste to rescue the children but you need to slow down before you tire yourself completely. We are all here to help you, you are not alone." Everyone nodded as he finished, and Kagome couldn't help the tears that fell at his words. No she would not cry, she could not! She had shed so many tears in the past she did not want to shed any more. Setting down her barely touched food she raced from the camp, when Sesshomaru made to follow Koga's voice stopped him. "You must let her go, she has many things on her mind that she must come to terms with. She needs this time alone." Sesshomaru sighed but sat back down placing his hands over his face. When he moved them back to his sides he could smell the salt of her tears as they floated on the air.

She ran as far as her tired body could take her, and being as she was a full demon it was far indeed. When she felt her legs give out she let herself fall and the tears to flow freely. Why was it she could not stop her crying? She felt so weak when ever she cried but it seemed even with the changes that had been wrought there was no changing her non control of her emotions. She suddenly shifted as she noticed a change in the air around her, what was this familiar presence? Looking around she didn't see anything but she could sense it, she noticed that the crickets had ceased their chirping and the owls had ceased their endless questioning. Standing she started to make her way towards where she felt the nagging familiarity coming from. She walked for what seemed like a few feet when she felt it shift farther away, not wanting to lose it she quickly let her demon speed take over. She never noticed that she was being led further from her friends.

They had all been sitting quietly waiting for Kagome to return when finally Ayame spoke up. "Why has Kagome become full demon? I do not understand this change in her, while I am not against the strength it brings her I have to wonder if it is not at odds with her miko capabilities." Sesshomaru had known he was going to have to explain this, he sighed when he noticed the expectant gazes around the fire all centered on him. " She and I are soul mates." He watched as the faces around him registered this and then continued, " I have always felt a certain pull for her even when she pulled the fang of my father and handed it to Inuyasha. I was infuriated at the fact that she did not fear me, at the time I was going through my selfish faze of hating humans. After all it had been the love of humans that had led to my father's downfall and to my brother's imprisonment, how was it that she a ningen onna did not fear me? Even then when I tried to kill her with my poison I heard my soul cry out to me not to bring her harm. I knew the fang would protect her and allowed my poison to stray from its original target of her heart and fall harmlessly on the wall behind her. Even in the other battles I had with my brother I made it a point to avoid fighting around her then as if in rebellion to the feelings that were trying to inch their way back into my heart of ice I tried to kill her with the sword that was meant to protect her kind. After that battle I couldn't understand the guilt that seemed to plague my every thought, almost like I had betrayed my self in my actions. When I met Rin and later revived her it was because she had the look of the woman whose visage I could not erase from my mind. When I saw what the poison master had in store for her I simply could not allow it. I have tried hard over the last three years to ignore the pull I felt for her, but when I failed her I felt a guilt that surpassed that which I had felt in the past. When she healed my arm was when I remembered my past life, and hers. We were mates her and I, we lived and loved together. When the evil that threatened our land and our happiness took away my life my last thought had been of her and our son. Inuyasha would succeed where I could not, but unfortunately my mate feels she herself is responsible for my death. You see it was because the demon you know now as Naraku wanted her that the war that claimed so many lives, including mine and her father's, was waged. It was at that moment that I knew I could not fight the feelings inside any longer, she had not only healed my heart but my mind and spirit as well. It is the reincarnated spirit of my mate as well as the miko that she resembled. That is why she has changed, as for her powers I have no fear as in the past life she was a miko youkai, it was the one thing that enabled her to have the strength she has." He watched the tears glisten in the demon slayers eyes and the sorrow in the eyes of the ookami female. However it was Inuyasha who broke the silence, "What did you mean when you said you failed her brother?" Sesshomaru only shook his head refusing to answer, when his brother asked again he simply replied, "That is not my place to speak, if Kagome wants you to know she will tell you herself." Inuyasha sighed and let it go knowing his brother would not tell him. He jumped when Sesshomaru shot to his feet, "Kagome, I can no longer feel her aura. Quickly let us look for her." Silently they all split in twos and searched the surrounding woods. When they all met back up empty handed Inuyasha felt his heart race when he noted the red in his aniiki's eyes. It was then they heard her scream.


Kagome had finally met up with who she had sensed, but she still could not see it. "Who ever you are I know you're there, show yourself!" When the bushes to the left parted her eyes took a moment to recognize who it was that stood before her. Although the right side of his face carried a scar from chin to hairline she knew with out a doubt that it was Lord Kotaru who stood before her. He approached and her body froze, why could she not move? It seemed every time she found herself in this youkai's sight she could not move. It was almost as if he held some sort of power over her. " I see the confusion in your eyes my love, you want to know why it is I seem to over power you am I correct? Let me enlighten you, you see it has been a long well kept secret that the lords of my clan hold the innate ability to nullify the powers of a miko." Smiling he made his way closer, " So even though you are now youkai your main power is that of a miko. I can not allow you to resist me, I have been away from you to long to let you get away. I will now finish what I started the last time." He grabbed her before she could bolt and ripped open the front of her haori, sucking in his breath at the familiar sight of her breasts he laughed when he heard her scream. He was surprised however when he felt the growl that followed as it rumbled from her chest. He decided he did not need her transforming on him, while he had told her the truth about her miko powers he had left out that she still had the capabilities of a inu youkai. Striking the pressure point where her shoulder met her neck he felt her slump in his arms. Lowering her to the ground he stripped the rest of her clothing, once she was bare before him he let his eyes drink in the sight of her form. Slowly he lowered his lips to her flesh, by the kamis he had dreamed of this! She tasted as heavenly as before, while he knew Naraku wanted her for himself he would not allow it. Almost as if on cue the young pale girl made herself visible at his side. "Naraku beckons for you to bring the miko." The girl really did make him shudder, her voice as always held no emotion coming out flat. He had no idea why the hanyou kept her around. "I will be with you shortly now leave us." He spoke in a clipped tone, angry at having been interrupted. He was surprised when she persisted. "My lord, my master wishes for you to bring the miko to him unharmed." He brought his head back up and peered at the girl narrowing his eyes in annoyance. Seeing the impassive look on the girls face he resigned himself to wait, he would finish with his soon to be mate but it would have to be at a later time. He dressed Kagome and then picked her up, walking towards the nondescript girl he carried her bridal style. Hearing the growl from behind him he stopped, "Did I not warn you before about touching Kagome Koatru? It seems I was remiss in making my point!" He turned to face the angry youkai, taking in the companions behind him he smiled. "I see your company has changed lord Sesshomaru, However I do recall informing you that this woman would be my mate. As before you have failed in protecting her from my desires hmmm? How ever I will not allow you to interrupt me again, this time I will succeed in marking her as my own." With a final sinister laugh he stepped into the portal that Kanna made for them.


Sesshomaru could only watch helpless as his love disappeared before his eyes. "Brother, do not worry I think I know where they might have gone. I glimpsed a familiar sight on the other side of that hole." Turning to face his ragtag group he said not a word as he walked back to their camp.

When Kagome awoke she was a bit disoriented of her surroundings, the last thing she remembered were the woods. Wait the woods...she had been following someone, but who? In a flash it all came back to her, Kotaru and his intentions. Sitting up she felt her head spin, placing her hand to her temple she took in the sight of the room she found herself in. She caught the undeniable smell of blood and sex even though it appeared to be clean, sniffing delicately so as not to overwhelm her new found senses. Her eyes widened in realization, she was in Kotaru's room. It smelled heavily of him and the blood of another, if her instincts were anything to go by she would say it was Kagura's blood. She jumped from the bed as if scorched, shaking her head side to side she made her way to the door. Fumbling with the nob she finally got it open and peered into the hall, after ascertaining no one was around she made her way towards the end. When she rounded the corner she found her self in another hallway, again she moved forward trying to find a way out. She stopped short at a door when she heard a voice, it sounded like Rin...and Kagura? Slowly she slid it open and the sight that greeted her was astounding. There before her Kagura held the young girl in her arms as she cried, Kagome could make out the words as the young girl spoke. She wanted to go home, with Sesshomaru-sama and Kagome-neesan. Making her way into the room she stilled when her eyes met Kagura's the wind sorceress paled even whiter if possible when she saw Kagome standing there. Moving Rin out of her arms she winced slightly at the pain this caused. "How dare you hold her when you were the one to take her! She would not be unhappy had you simply defied your master!" Kagura seemed to flinch at every word, but when Kagome made to continue Rin tugged at her sleeve. "Kagome-neesan it is okay, Kagura is a friend. She bandaged Shippo and I when the bad men hurt us, she used her own healing strength for us so we would not be in pain." Kagome looked down into the chocolate eyes of the girl so close to her heart. She could see the truth shining there, looking back at Kagura in apology and thanks she knelt down and hugged Rin. Looking at the futon where they had been sitting she noticed Shippo still laying there, she released Rin and made her way to him. When she got a bit closer she saw the scars on his tiny back where the covers stopped. A sharp intake of her breath made the other two in the room realize what she had seen, neither one were prepared for the rage that seemed to flow from the woman when she turned back to Rin. Marching to her she turned the girl and looked her over as well. Noticing the bright pink scars on her small back as well she couldn't help the shaking that over took her body. Hugging Rin close she carried her back to Kagura," Please watch my pups for me Kagura, it seems I must teach some men to not harm my children." Kagura nodded and accepted the child, when Kagome had made her way to the door she let out the breath she had not known she was holding. Kagome had resembled her true demon form, the feral look of a wild mother dog protecting it's young had been shining in her blue-green eyes. Kagura certainly did not want to be on the receiving end of that wrath.


Swiftly making her way towards where she smelled Naraku and Kotaru together she stopped at the closed door. Listening to the voices she tried to make out what they were saying. " I know that it was Sesshomaru's actions that led you to seek me out, however you will not lay claim to the miko! She is mine, if you need a woman that badly then simply take Kagura I have no more use for her." Kagome could not believe her ears, what filth was this that they thought they could barter with lives not their own. Deciding she had heard enough she let her anger flow through as she slammed open the shoji door. Storming into what seemed to be the main hall in the dwelling she glared at the demons before her. "How dare either one of you seek to lay claim on what you hold no rights to! I have been informed that you two are responsible for the pain inflicted upon my kits, do you deny it?" Naraku was ensnared at the beautiful sight before him, she was here and her rage was absolutely delicious. " My love the only way to stress the importance of your joining me was to remind you of my power!" Kagome almost lost herself in anger at the sight of his ugly smile, while his face and body were pleasing to the eye in human form he was hideous in the evil that flowed from his very soul. When she looked at Kotaru she saw the same in him as well. Letting her rage finally take over she made to strike at Kotaru with her claws, he jumped out of the way but not quick enough as he felt the blood flow from the wound she inflicted upon his shoulder. His eyes lit with lust as he watched her place her claws in her mouth licking them clean of his blood. "I will so enjoy tearing you limb from limb bastard!" He beckoned for her to continue, but before he could take another step he felt something wrap itself around his ankles. He was jerked to the floor painfully as he tried to see who it was that had interfered. His good eye widened at the sight of Naraku in all his demonic glory. He felt himself being pulled towards the hanyou and when he tried to claw his way free more tentacles wrapped themselves around his arms and waist. He was pulled eye to eye with his enemy when he next spoke, "What is the meaning of this Naraku? I thought we had a deal?" "Deal? What deal? I merely allowed you to allign yourself with me for my benefit. Kagome was my ultimate goal, not your loyalty. Now you will pay for touching what was mine!" In the blink of an eye he found himself encompassed by Naraku's massive form. Kagome backed up into the wall as she watched Kotaru be absorbed into Naraku, she could not hide the look of horror as she slid to the floor. How could he simply destroy an ally? How could he be so...so...evil? Shaking her thoughts away she stood once again advancing towards him. Reaching for her swords she remembered they were not there, she had left them back at camp when she had sought solitude. Cursing under her breath she made to defend her self with her claws when Naraku shrunk back to his humanoid form. He was before her in an instant pinning her to the wall, smiling down at her he pressed his body closer to hers. "So it now seems that I am able to block your miko energy thanks to Kotaru! KuKuKu! This will surely come in handy now won't it mate?" She spit in his face and was pleased at the rage she saw there, still pinning her arms above her with one arm she watched him wipe the saliva from his cheek. When he was done he brought that hand to grasp her throat and leaned in close to her. She could feel his hot breath on her ear when he spoke again. " You will learn your place bitch! You are mine and will do as I say, remember your children only live because of my grace. However keep on as you are now and they will die." Her breath hitched in her chest and her heart lurched into her throat at his threats, she could do nothing when he leaned in to kiss her. She gagged when he shoved his tongue inside her mouth. Letting go of her throat he let his free hand caress her body, she was shaking so hard she thought that she would collapse were he to let her go. Suddenly he pulled back to look in her eyes once again. "I will enjoy you and make you my mate, however I intend to break you first. I will start tonight with your body, and when your lover arrives as I know he will, I will break your soul by letting you watch as I slay him once again! Now get from my sight and do not think you can escape from here, I have your every opportunity blocked." She almost fell as she ran from him back to Kagura's rooms, when she had reached them she collapsed on the futon next to Shippo waiting for the tears to come. This time how ever was different, it seemed her tears had finally dried up.

OMG Kagome what is wrong with you? How could you forget your swords???? OOps my bad that's my fault! LOL ^_^