Hell Hath No Fury

(A/N: Review reply time!



Harmony, I’m SO glad you liked that Ayame/Kouga chapter so much! When I saw your review on it, I SERIOUSLY began to tear up! I’m glad you liked it so much!!!!!! And we all LOVE YOU TOO!!!!!!!!!!!! And I’ll try and make the past lives thing a lot more clear! Glad you like it!



Selina: I FINALLY learned how to use Italics!!!! YAY!!!! Thanks for showing me!!! And she’s NOT schizo! Well…okay…maybe a little, XD. But seriously! It’s not how it looks!!! And yeah, I’ve noticed it is DEAD around here lately. *mutters* Friggen finals. Hope yours are going well and I am in such love with your latest story! Keep at it!



Thanks again for the reviews! Peace and love to all of ya!



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~



“Kagome…”



The young girl opened her eyes slowly, feeling a calming effect surrounding her body. As if she were floating in the cooling waters of a natural spring. A bright light blinded her vision for a moment before she found herself floating in the very same waters that calmed her very soul. Despite her naked body and her long hair flowing in the gentle current of the water surrounding her, this was very familiar to her, but this time, it was different. The waters were in chaos, crying out to her. She swam towards the beautiful white light in the distance, only to see a powerful, enormous blue dragon and an unfamiliar red, dog demon doing battle with it. The dog demon sank it’s fangs into the dragon’s neck, but the dragon retaliated by digging it’s claws into the demon’s jaw. Why was the demon trying so hard to defeat the dragon? Its red aura was blinding and it swam around in such a rage. It suddenly locked its black eyes on Kagome who could only stare at the dragon and the dog demon fighting before her. She swam over to the massive battle, holding out her arms to the dragon.



“It’s okay, come back. Come back to me…! Stop this fighting!”



It growled at her, but despite being almost twenty times the size of the young woman in front of it, she showed no sign of fear. She was uneasy, but she wasn’t afraid of him.



“I can’t let you die…I must kill…” it growled.



“Just come back to me! Don’t keep doing this!”



It growled ferociously before charging at Kagome. It coiled around her body, knowing it could crush her very soul if it so desired. Its aura returned to it’s normal blue color and it’s red eyes returned to their soft, emerald green color. Kagome closed her eyes slowly and despite the fact her hand probably felt like a small flea upon it’s beautiful, blue scales, she pet it gently.



“Good boy…”



She locked her eyes on the dog demon who disappeared into a beautiful flash of light…



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~



Momoeiko stood outside, shaking out the laundry before hanging it to dry. Inuyasha wasn’t too far from her, sweeping off the patio. Momoeiko was humming a sweet little tune, much to Inuyasha’s irritation. Kagome had been unconscious for almost three days and she was acting as if there wasn’t a thing wrong. During the day, Momoeiko would sit by her side when her usual household duties were completed. During the night, she would bath Kagome and change her bandages. Inuyasha held slight envy for Kagome—the girl was getting more attention from his mother than he was. Moreover, she was continuously smiling as if she had a secret—Something that irritated her son to no end. She moved on from the laundry and preceded to beat the futons so gracefully and yet with such force, even the dust mites were afraid to settle into it. She turned to look at her son with a smile. He looked so handsome when he was helping out around the house. He wore a white shirt and a pair of red shorts when helping out. She always hated how loud those shorts were, but red was in fact his favorite color. But he looked more pensive than lately. She knew the reason exactly—Kagome had been unconscious for three days straight. She hoped his concern was a small sign of hope. For he and Kagome’s relationship anyway.



“Inuyasha, will you please go look in on Kagome?”



“Why?”



“She should be waking up by now.” She replied with a smile.



“Whatever…” he sighed.



He took off his purple bandana and sat down the straw broom. He headed to Kagome’s room and slid open the door, only to be staring down at an empty futon. He looked around, noticing the note lying on her pillow. He picked it up and read it with an incredulous look.



No one come looking for me.

I need time alone.

I’ll be home soon.

By the way, you can still reach me on my cell.



Inuyasha rolled his eyes in annoyance. If she didn’t want to be found, why would she leave her cell phone number? He balled up the note and tossed it into the first trashcan he found. As he walked back to the courtyard to report to his mom, she was walking towards him with his helmet.



“Make sure she’s home in time for dinner.”



She handed him the helmet with a small grin and Inuyasha quickly grabbed her wrist.



“Okay, I’m sick of the secrets! Ever since I brought Kagome home, you’ve been acting like the cat that swallowed the canary! You barely had any reaction when I brought Kagome home and now, you’re all nonchalant about her being gone, which something I don’t understand, considering I haven’t even told you!”



“The long you stand here accusing me of something, the further she could be getting.” She smirked.



Inuyasha stammered in anger for a few minutes before snatching the helmet out of her hands and storming off past her.



“I want answers when I return, dammit!”



“Of course, dear! Be safe!”



Inuyasha wasted no time in hopping on his bright red scooter and hurrying off to find Kagome. It wasn’t like he cared, but if she wandered off and into the wrong places, it could mean big trouble for her.



~*~*~*~*~



Though, when she was wearing a light blue summer mini-dress that flared out around her thighs, and stopped about six inches from her knees, needless to say, she hadn’t gotten far. She stared up at her latest ‘suitor’, who was being really nice to her, but secretly was hoping she was easy enough to go off to a hotel with him.



“So, what do you say? Let me take you out somewhere.”



“No thanks.” She replied with a sigh.



“Aw, come on. You don’t have a man, do you?” he asked.



The fact that he even asked such a question, and even felt the need to take her hand, annoyed her to no end. She grabbed his wrist and smiled at him. He grinned back like an idiot.



“So, is that a no?”



With a quick flick of her wrist, she threw the asshole into a row of vending machines. Those around at the time were more than amazed. She didn’t wear a Shikon Tama, yet she was so damn strong! Kagome walked over to him, her white, strappy heels clicking on the concrete. She reached into the vending machine behind him, where his head had left a pretty nice hole, and grabbed a cold can of juice. She winked at his unconscious body and smiled.



“Thanks for showing me a great time.”



Popping the can open with one finger, she began to walk off once more. She’d been wandering around with no set destination since she’d woken up, so the cold, fruity drink tasted really good to her. She was starting to get hot anyway. As she continued to walk, she caught a sight across the street that could only make her smile slightly. It had to be a couple’s first date together, especially judging by how nervous they were both acting as the guy presented a bouquet of flowers to a girl. She accepted them and grinned her biggest, brightest smile. Kagome watched as they walked off together and sighed a little remorsefully. She doubted if she’d ever get that close to Inuyasha, especially after what had happened. Kagome put her hand over her heart with a sigh. She doubted there was a future between them at all at this point. The realization hit her so hard; she crouched down, burying her face in her arms. She tried to fight back the tears, but after years and years of dreaming, waiting and training, it had all been for nothing.



“Well, well, this is quite a surprise.”



She looked up, blinded for a moment, only to see Sango standing over her. She was dressed casually in a cotton, light blue tracksuit with white lining. Her jacket was opened, revealing a white tanktop that enhanced her already nice-sized bust. She pushed her long, black hair out of her face as she kneeled down and that’s when Kagome saw it. A light blue eyepatch covering her left eye. Tears welled up in Kagome eyes and she broke out into full sobs, startling Sango. Sango looked around before kneeling down. Even though she was crying and whimpering almost uncontrollably, she could hear Kagome saying things like, ‘It’s my fault’ and ‘I’m so sorry’. Sango gave a small sigh and put her hand on Kagome’s head. When the girl looked up at her, Sango could only half-smile.



“Come on, stop making a scene. Let’s grab a bite to eat.”



Hungry, tired and starting to feel like an idiot for making a spectacle of herself, Kagome didn’t object as she and Sango stood up and began walking down the crowded streets of Shibuya. Sango reached into her purse and gave Kagome her pink handkerchief.



“Here, stop crying.” She sighed.



“It’s easier than it looks! I hurt you and Inuyasha probably wants nothing to do with me!”



Sango looked at the girl walking beside her as she wiped her cheeks as best as she could, but it did little to help as more, fresh tears would always replace them. They finally found a place to relax in a local burger place. Kagome sat down at a table and waited for Sango. She had to admit, it was interesting to be rescued by the girl she damn near killed three days ago. When Sango sat down across from her with a tray filled with burgers, fries and two, large drinks, Kagome could only stare at Sango who was already in the process of unwrapping a burger.



“Well, are you going to eat? I mean, a pity party seems a lot better on a full stomach.”



“I…just don’t know what to say.”



“Just shut up and eat.”



Kagome reached for one of the burgers on the tray and unwrapped it. It tasted better than usual, then again, when you were done crying your eyes out, things seemed to taste so much better. Sango eyed Kagome as she reached for a few fries with a small smile.



“So, care to explain to me what you were doing in the middle of a Shibuya sidewalk crying? Nevermind the fact no one saw you for almost three days.”



Kagome finished her burger and balled up the paper with a small sigh.



“It’s just…I don’t know what to do.”



“You don’t know what to say, you don’t know what to do…You just have continuous problems, don’t you?” Sango sighed, raising her drink to her lips.



Kagome looked away from Sango and out of the plexiglas window. As usual, it was a busy day in Shibuya—plenty of high school students hung out here from all over. Some were with their friends, some were with their boyfriends or girlfriends…but no matter what, they were all enjoying their lives. That was far more than Kagome could say for herself. Sango took a deep breath before saying was honestly on her mind.



“So…care to explain what happened?”



Kagome looked at her and then quickly looked down at her own drink.



“I just…lost control.”



“Well no duh. I’m asking why. You’re a sweet girl and all, but you went Charles Manson on me. Not like I didn’t have it coming…I mean, everyone said not to challenge you.” She sighed, spinning her straw around in her drink slowly.



Kagome’s eyes widened a little bit and Sango looked up at her.



“Look, you’ve got everyone at Mizuryu scared as hell, but you don’t wear a Shikon Tama. You caught Miroku off guard, you managed to bring Inuyasha down to his knees and then…”



Sango hinted to her eyepatch, which Kagome was just now noticing matched the rest of her light blue outfit. Kagome looked down at her lap, feeling the pressure of having done something so terrible.



“Y…your eye…are you going to be alright?”



“Eventually, but if someone makes another damn pirate joke, I’ll kill them. Anyway, there is something special about you. Point blank, we need you to hang around for a while.”

Kagome couldn’t have looked more surprised. Sango chuckled at the look on her face, but felt slightly embarrassed. She still acted like a total bitch to the girl when they’d first met. The least she could do to apologize was tell her the truth.



“I don’t know if you know, but all of the big schools around here are at war. There’s North Mizuryu, our school, West Chikyuryu, East Houryu and finally, South Yukiryu. I don’t doubt that pretty soon, those schools will be forming alliances with one another and be ready to take us out. I mean, we’ve kept them at bay with having everyone knowing that Inuyasha, Miroku, Shippo and myself protect Mizuryu. But without a leader, we’re fucked.”



“A leader…? Don’t you guys have one?” Kagome asked, unwrapping a burger.



“Psh, we had one. Believe it or not, he hightailed it right before you showed up. He was handsome, strong…”



Kagome noticed the soft look on Sango’s face as she stared out of the window. Did she have something for their past leader?



“And he protected every single one of us. He and Inuyasha were close, like brothers, he and that idiot Miroku used to go bar-hopping and girl hunting and even he and Shippo found a lot of common ground in setting up our electronic defenses of the school.”



“What about you and him?”



Sango blushed and quickly looked away once more with a huff.



“We were just good friends was all. But anyway, he’s gone and no one has heard a word from him. He was a great leader, so it’s anyone’s guess why he just disappeared the way he did.”



Translation: Sango was the most hurt by him leaving.



“Toushi are killing each other everyday just to be able to rise to power. Currently, everyone’s trying to side with East Houryu. Not out of loyalty, but out of fear and cowardice.”



“What do you mean…?”



“Ever heard of Naraku Akuyoukai?”



“I can’t say I have.”



“Are you for real?! How can you not have?”



Sango sighed in slight exasperation before unwrapping another burger for herself.



“He’s a strong and pretty-hated bastard, but he’s power hungry and will do whatever it takes to win. His ‘Big Four’ aren’t exactly weak either. Everyone is either joining him for the sake of power or to make sure they aren’t killed by him. Cowards.” She sighed in disgust.



Kagome had to admit, she was a little surprised by all of this new information. Why exactly was everyone fighting one another? Was it really just for power or something more? She glanced at Sango’s dark pink Shikon Tama with a small sigh.



“What was the fate of your predecessor?”



Sango looked at Kagome and absently put her hand to her Shikon Tama dangling from her ear.



“Sangorin Bai-Sheng lived almost 1800 years ago when this war first started. He was powerful, proud and closest to the leader of the West—Inu No Taishou. As a matter of fact, if Inu No Taishou and Kikyou hadn’t ran off together, Sangorin Bai-Sheng would have played a key part in uniting the North and the West. But, because I wear this Shikon Tama, my fate is set in stone.”



“And what’s your fate?”



“I’m apparently going to die before I see the North Mizuryu and West Chikyuuryu united and take over East Houryu.”



“Do you honestly believe that your fate is set in stone because of what happened all those years ago?”



“I’ve seen it happen so many times—People who try and change their fate, but it never works. I mean, I’m not even going to try and change my fate. As long as I accomplish a few things in my life before I die, I’m fine.”



“You make it sound…so simple.”



Sango looked at Kagome who was sipping her drink as if lost in thought. Sango rested her chin on her hand and sighed.



“What’s your fate, Kagome?”



Kagome looked at Sango, then smiled almost wistfully.



“I don’t know about my fate, but I know my dream is to marry Inuyasha. Marry Inuyasha and be his wife and have his child.”



Sango’s eyes widened to their full capacity. There is no way Inuyasha would ever want to settle down and father anyone’s child. Not yet, anyway. Why would Kagome come from China so soon just to get married?



“And you swam all the way from China just to do that? You don’t have any other goals or dreams you want to accomplish first?”



Kagome thought about it for a minute and sighed.



“I’d like to tame a dragon.”



Sango looked at her incredulously. Suddenly, her goal of marrying Inuyasha didn’t seem so farfetched in comparison to what had just left her mouth.



“What are you talking about? Tame what dragon?”



Kagome could only giggle sheepishly. She knew she probably sounded stupid, but Kagome wanted to make sure she never hurt another person ever again. If she could just defy her own fate and achieve her goals and live her life to the fullest, that was all that mattered to her. Kagome felt pocket vibrating and felt her cell phone going off. She pulled the white cell phone out of her dress and saw it was Inuyasha. He was probably looking for her and probably had been all day. It was getting late in the day. Kagome silenced her phone before placing it back into the pocket of her dress with a small sigh.



“I have to go now.”



“So soon?” Sango asked, eating the last of the fries.



“Yeah. Thank you for everything today, Sango.”



“Don’t mention it. So, I guess I’ll see you at school on Monday?”



“You can count on it.”



As the two girls stood up and left the restaurant, about to go their separate ways, Kagome took Sango’s hand, much to her chagrin. Kagome brought Sango’s knuckles up her lips and smiled gently.



“Try not to be in such a hurry to die. I don’t want to lose the first friend I’ve made here. Everyone can change their fates, so for our friendship, please change yours.”



She kissed Sango’s hand and smiled up at her. She released Sango’s hand and waved before heading off in the direction of the setting sun. Sango stood there, a little surprised, but could only smile. The girl may have been a bit airheaded and naïve, but she had a strong spirit and a good outlook on life. Even though Sango wouldn’t have admitted in court, she almost admired Kagome. Sango started off on her own way, Kagome’s words ringing clearly throught her mind. It brought a blush to Sango’s face—Kagome was the first female friend she’d ever made and it made her happy to know that even though they had tried to kill each other just three days ago, Kagome still saw her as a friend.



~*~*~*~*~*~



With her white sandals in her hands, Kagome made her way down the beach, illuminated by the large, orange orb in the sky disappearing over the horizon. Kagome stuck her feet into the cool and calm ocean waters and smiled. The wind blew gently, sending her long, black hair wafting in the breeze. She could hear the faint sound of seagulls crying and the sea calling out to her. She dropped her sandals on the sand and began walking into the ocean. She was knee-deep in the water when she heard a faint whistle from the shore. She turned around and saw Inuyasha standing on the shore, waving to her and yelling at her to come back. Kagome smiled, taking some comfort in the fact that Inuyasha had come looking for her. Inuyasha watched the young girl walking towards him and for a moment, stood mesmerized. Whether it was the sun dying behind her and illuminating her silhouette, or the way her black hair wafted in the wind gently, he wasn’t certain, but right now, as she walked towards him, Kagome looked…



“Inuyasha, you came all the way out here to get me?” she asked, walking up to him.



He looked at her for a moment, putting his hand to the side of her face. For the first time since they’d met, he felt attracted to her. Why? He knew he didn’t love her—He was very clear with himself on that. He quickly snapped back to reality when he realized what he was doing. He sighed and huffed, turning his head away from her and removing his hand.



“You feel really cold. Let’s hurry up and get home before you catch a cold.”



“Okay.” She replied with a smile.



She kneeled down and grabbed her sandals and caught up with Inuyasha who was already heading for the pier. She caught up to him, yelling at him to wait, but when she finally caught up with him, he was already standing in front of his bright red scooter. He handed her his only helmet and sighed.



“Just quit yakkin’ and let’s go. Mom is gonna be pissed if we’re late for dinner. Jeez, I can’t believe I spent all damn day trying to find you.”



Kagome took the helmet, staring at him for a moment. He really spent all day looking for her? She sat on the back of his scooter, sitting sidesaddle and held onto him as the scooter kicked into gear. She sighed, resting her head against his back, tightening her arms around his stomach.



“Thanks for coming to get me, Inuyasha…” she sighed with a smile.



Kagome wasn’t certain if Inuyasha had managed to hear her over the motor of the scooter, but if she’d bothered to look into the rear view mirror, she would have seen a small blush staining his cheeks. They pulled up to the large house a little while later and headed inside once he parked his scooter in the storage shed. Momoeiko was just happy that Kagome was home and safe. As they sat down to eat dinner, she asked Kagome if she wanted to hear a story that reminded Kagome of her little wandering off adventure. Sitting her bowl of rice down, Momoeiko smiled.



“Are you familiar with the story of Izayoi-Hime, Inu No Taishou and Izayoi’s older sister, Kikyou…?”



Kagome shook her head with a smile and asked to hear it. Inuyasha just sighed and rolled his eyes. He’d heard this story so many times, he could recite it in his sleep.



“Izayoi was a beautiful princess who lived 1800 years ago in Northern China. She was beautiful, educated and very gentle. Many suitors came to court her, in hopes of being given her hand in marriage, but her heart was only set on one person: The great general of the West—Inu No Taisho. Despite her ferocity in war and his reputation on the battlefield, whenever they were together, Izayoi knew no gentler soul.”



Kagome glanced at Inuyasha who was in the process of shoving a fried eggplant down his throat. He was in another world—a world consisting of food and not fairytales. Kagome gave him an agitated look. What a romantic. Momoeiko took a sip of tea before continuing on.



“One day, Inu No Taishou came to her father, the lord of the North and asked for Izayoi’s hand in marriage. The father agreed for two reasons, the first being his youngest daughter’s happiness. The second was that with the powerful union of the West and the North, they could finally end the war started by the Eastern nation, especially because the lord of the North had already allied with the Southern nation. Izayoi was so overjoyed and they set a date to be married—a day that would live on in history as the happiest, but saddest day ever.”



Kagome ate a little more while Izayoi took a break from storytelling in favor of eating her own food.



“So what happened next?” Kagome asked.



“What planet are you from? This story is so old!” Inuyasha sighed.



“Hey! I want to hear the rest of it!” she replied in irritation.



“Inuyasha, leave the girl alone. Anyway, Kagome, everyone prepared for the wedding of Izayoi and Inu No Taishou, and more so the uniting of two nations that would bring about peace to all of China. However…he never showed up.”



“Why not?!” Kagome quickly asked.



“At first, no one knew. However, a week later, Kikyou Sakurahime, Izayoi’s older sister, told Izayoi that he’d been ambushed and died in that attack. Izayoi fell into such deep depression after the news that she began to make herself sick. Her family and members of her court begged her to eat, but she wouldn’t. However, she only worsened when she learned that Kikyou had gone missing as well…”



Kagome’s eyes widened as it suddenly began dawning on her. She held her chopsticks tightly.



“D…don’t tell me…”



“Kikyou and Inu No Taishou had run off together. Izayoi’s fiancé was alive and well and had preferred her sister to Izayoi herself. Izayoi was heartbroken, but filled with a terrible rage that didn’t do much for her condition. In the days before she died, she packed up and disappeared. She was found several days later, lying dead in a field.”



Kagome looked down at her half-empty bowl of rice. It was a sad story—one that put sorrow in the very depth of her soul. She suddenly felt like crying…



“Izayoi’s father, so upset by the death of her youngest daughter and betrayal of his eldest, promised vengeance for the honor of Izayoi. He launched a full-scale attack against the East with the help of the South, while the remaining Western forces charged ahead into the battle, with no sign of their leader. There were many casualties and none of the generals and lords survived.



“So no one won?”



“No. But, as time went on, the souls of the warriors who had died without knowing a victor became restless…”



Momoeiko narrowed her eyes over her cup of tea and she raised it to her lips.



“They now continue their war inside of the bodies of their successors.”



It only took Kagome a moment to realize that she was referring to Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku and all of those wrapped up in this ‘battle’ for power. Inuyasha glanced at her and saw the shell-shocked look on Kagome’s face. He sighed heavily and removed his red Shikon Tama and sat it in front of her.



“Understand now? This little bead contains the soul of the warriors we used to be. When worn, we have access to their power, and also their fates.”



“But once you take it off, you can control your fate, right?” Kagome asked frantically.



Both mother and son went silent. Inuyasha sighed.



“It’s not that easy. Once you accept the Shikon Tama, your fate is set in stone. Your fate will mirror the one of your predecessor. The souls of the past want us to settle this war once and for all. They want to declare a winner and know which of the four nations, or now, schools, is the strongest.”



“That’s right, I’m afraid. Mizuryu High School represents the North, and the element of Water and Wind. Chikyuuryu High School represents the West, and the element of Earth and Metal. Houryu High School represents the East, and the element of Fire and Lightning. Lastly, there is Yukiryu High School, the one that represents the South and the element of Snow and Ice. Eventually, there will be a winner, but…there will be a lot of deaths in the process.”



Momoeiko sighed and looked down into her cup of tea before glancing up at Kagome.



“Honestly, while we are happy to have you here, it seems you play no part in this ‘war’ whatsoever. Why don’t you return to China where it’s safe?”



Kagome stood up so fast, it startled both Inuyasha and his mother.



“No way! I won’t go back!”



“Idiot, why not?! You don’t have…!” Inuyasha raged.



“I want to protect you, Inuyasha!”



Kagome blushed and kneeled down in front of Inuyasha and looked at him on the verge of tears.



“I don’t care if I get hurt…I’m so sick of everyone ready to die just because their fate is ‘set in stone’. I don’t want Inuyasha to die and if I can prevent that from happening, I will do that. I’ll protect Sango, I’ll protect Miroku…I’ll protect all of Mizuryu if I have to! But you cannot honestly expect me to go back…”



Inuyasha wasn’t sure what to do when tears started streaming down Kagome’s cheeks. He sighed heavily and just wrapped his arms around her.



“Look, if you stay and you get hurt, who knows what will happen?”



“It doesn’t matter. I want to stay and protect you, Inuyasha…and I also want to become your wife.”



“That again?!” he raged with a blush.



“Always! If I can’t be here as your wife, then atleast let me stay here and protect you!”



“Feh, a weakling like you…”



Inuyasha looked at her and then at his mother who seemed to be deeply moved by Kagome’s words and sincerity. He sighed in exasperation.



“…can do whatever you want. But honestly, don’t think I’m going to need protection. It’s probably you I’ll be protecting, baka.”



Kagome closed her eyes as he wiped her tears away and nodded with a smile.



“Then we’ll protect each other, fair?”



It was Inuyasha’s turn to blush. He just huffed and told Kagome she should go and take a bath. Kagome finished her food and thanked Momoeiko for the meal before standing up and heading off to the bathroom. Inuyasha continued to eat, glaring at his mother.



“Why did you tell her that lie?”



“What lie?” she replied.



“That lie about that story having something to do with her! It had nothing to do with her and everything to do with this war right now.”



Momoeiko could only smile gently.



“Inuyasha…there is a difference between Izayoi and Kagome and Inu No Taishou and you.”



“And that is…?” he asked, setting down his bowl.



“When Izayoi left her castle for whatever reason, no one went after her. You went after Kagome today when she left.”



Inuyasha blushed and glared at his mother.



“Whatever! I only did it because you told me to!”



“Even if I hadn’t, you would have though, right?”



Inuyasha stammered for a moment before Momoeiko giggled at him.



“It’s okay, Inuyasha. Anyway, I believe you had some questions for me?”



“Oh, yeah…You’ve been acting real nonchalant about this whole Kagome-freak-out thing ever since I brought her home three days ago. Why is that? What do you know that I don’t?”



“I know a lot that you don’t, my son. As for why I’ve been calm, it’s simply because getting excited over it wouldn’t have done anything to better the situation at the time. Besides, Kagome healed. Isn’t that what matters?”



“I guess, but…if only you could have seen it…”



Inuyasha’s eyes glazed over slightly and Momoeiko could tell he was recalling the events in his mind…



”Kagome, stop! That’s enough!” he yelled.



Kagome turned towards him, her eyes taking on the appearance of cat-like pupils. With a devious smirk, she shook her head.



“No…it’s never enough.”



Miroku pulled away from Shippo’s grasp and charged at Kagome, ducking when she went to kick him. He dove under her and grabbed Sango’s limp body away from her. They violently rolled off to the side. While Kagome was distracted by having her prey taken away from her, Inuyasha charged at her, holding up two fingers and jamming them clear into her stomach. Kagome coughed up blood, but it wasn’t enough to pull her out of her trance. She grabbed Inuyasha’s neck with an inhuman strength and licked her pink lips.



“I’m so going to enjoy this.”



“Let him go!”



Kagome glanced up in time to see Shippo charge at her, reach into his sleeves and throw something at her. Kagome released Inuyasha in favor of catching whatever it was he was pitching her way. She caught it, she was confused to see it was a kunai wrapped in a talisman.



“What is…?”



Before she could finish her sentence, powerful volts of electricity surged through her body, making her scream and throw her head backwards. She released the kunai, but the moment she did, her body became surrounded in a powerful, blue aura that surged upwards into the sky. The clothes on her body began to tear away until she was standing there only in her panties and her school top, which was also slowly disintergrating. Inuyasha could faintly make out a strange dragon tattoo upon her body, curling around her stomach, trailing across her back until it’s head appeared over her shoulder. It’s claws extended and it’s mouth open, it’s fangs were heading straight for Kagome’s heart.



‘What the fuck is that…?!’



Inuyasha stood up and grabbed ahold of Kagome, the moment her bra and shirt ripped away from her body into shreds. The ground began to crumble and shake violently, but Inuyasha never let go of the girl’s body.



“Kagome…! Stop this now!”



Even from where Miroku was kneeling with Sango in his arms, he could see tears running down Kagome’s cheeks, despite the fact she was still locked in her monstrous transformation and a murderous state of mind. Was she regretting what she was doing? What the hell could have possible had such a strong hold on her to make her mind suddenly snap the way it did. When he felt a warm liquid on his hand, he looked down and saw it was a trickle of blood coming from Sango’s eye. He figure she wounded it when she was slammed face-first into the ground. The wind picked up, sending bits and pieces of concrete and metal flying everywhere. He shielded Sango and himself from most of it, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of the scene unfolding in front of him. Inuyasha’s Shikon Tama was glowing the brightest he’d ever seen it. A bright, red aura suddenly replaced the overwhelming blue aura coming from Kagome’s body. Miroku’s eyes widened as he could see the red aura taking the form of a large demon of some sort. With it’s fangs wide open, it attacked the blue dragon made of blue aura. The aura-based dragon struck back by digging it’s claws into the side of the demon’s face. Miroku’s look of awe turned to one of horror when he saw blood suddenly come from Kagome’s shoulder and five perfectly executed scratch marks appear on Inuyasha’s cheek. Both aura-based creatures roared and disappeared in a blinding show of light, leaving only an exhausted Inuyasha holding a completely nude Kagome. She was bleeding from her shoulder where she’d gotten ‘bitten’ and the side of Inuyasha’s face was bleeding from the scratch marks placed upon him. Inuyasha fell to one knee, holding on to Kagome, sweating like crazy. He caught his breath for a moment, glancing down at Kagome’s naked body. The tattoo was gone as if it’d never been there in the first place. Miroku and Shippo went over to check on him, but had no words for what had transpired. Once he’d gotten Kagome home, he went back to her room, once she was bathed and resting on her futon. Everyday, he checked to make sure that damn tattoo hadn’t shown back up and it hadn’t…



“Inuyasha?”



His mother’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts and he looked up at her from across the table.



“Why don’t you get some sleep? It’s been a long day.”



“Yeah, I will. Just…tell me honestly,”



Momoeiko looked at her son who seemed tired and just wanted to lay down. These past couple of days had been stressful on him and he’d had little sleep.



“If…you’d saw what I had seen that day, what would have been an explanation for the whole damn thing?”



Momoeiko took a small sip of tea and sighed. She didn’t even need to see what had happened that day to know.



“Just like you and your friends possess a Shikon Tama, something that holds the power over your fates, Kagome-Chan possesses something as well. She possesses a dragon.”



“A what?!”



“Come with me.”



Momoeiko stood up from the table and Inuyasha followed her into an older room of the house that was filled with books, old scrolls and other reading material. After searching for a moment, Momoeiko approached her son with an old scroll and laid it out for Inuyasha to see. Sure enough, it was of a beautiful blue dragon with mysterious green eyes. Even more interesting was the beautiful young woman holding a cherry blossom branch, showing no fear of the creature before her.



“There is more to the story than you are allowing yourself to learn, Inuyasha. It is written, though few know of this, that in the final days of her death, Izayoi offered her soul to ‘Ryumizuhime.’ A great dragon with control over all of the seas and waters of the world. She begged it to teach her soul to be calm like the waters and not be filled by such hate when she eventually died. Ryumizuhime accepted her request, but in return, Izayoi had to be the dragon’s container.”



“You mean Izayoi allowed a dragon to live in her body? Why?! Wouldn’t that have killed her instantly?”



“No one is certain except for the reason that Izayoi wanted to be free from anger and hatred in death. But, Inuyasha,”



Momoeiko narrowed her eyes at her son, hoping he’d understand what she was about to tell him.



“When a person dies, it is said whatever abilities and powers that person had is passed on to their reincarnation. It is only a matter of waiting for those powers to be awakened.”



Inuyasha’s eyes widened in disbelief. He shook his head angrily. He refused to believe it. He refused to believe what his mind and his mother was hinting at, but somehow, he knew it to be true.



“Inuyasha, stop denying it. Kagome is the one fate chose to help you lead these rivaling schools to a new era. Kagome…”



Inuyasha sat there, staring at his mother, gritting his teeth.



“Kagome is Izayoi reborn.”