Kindred Spirits

Dark Inferno

Soon Inuyasha and the gang were bounding through the thick greenery mountains which belonged to Sesshomaru. The lands stretching as far as the eye could see. Covering mountains, plains, and even small human empires. Thoughs who Sesshomaru aloowed to rule the human populace. Those who were too afraid to see their lives governed by a yokai. Kagome gripping onto the hanyou's crimson cloth. Beckoning him to run faster. As she could sense a tainted shard of the Shikon Jewel close by. But something was off with the jewel,besides the obvious taint. The jewel gave off a strange red aura. One that concerned Kagome even more than the taint itself. "I smell smoke." Inuyasha informed the group, the hanyou increasing pace. As the smell of smoke continued to flood his senses.

Inuyasha struggled not to cough amidst the smog, whilst Sango placed a mask on her face. Allowing her to breathe abit more comfortably in the smoke, she then handed one each to Kagome and Miroku. Apologizing that she did not have anymore spare ones for Inuyasha and Shippo. Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders, saying he would be fine. Before the group came to a screeching halt. As a vast stone and wood wall circled around a vast villa. One Inuyasha was sure belonged to his brother. But that was not what stopped them. What did was the forest around the villa was completely overcome by strange black flames. Ones that stole the very life from everything it touched.

Kagome gasped at the strange flames, fear of being harmed by the fire. But she wasn't the only one as the sounds of battle sounded in Inuyasha's ears. Grunts, metal clashing against one another. With the cries of victory ringing loudly. Inuyasha then yanked off his "Cloth of the Fire Rat" placing it on Kagome's shoulders. Knowing the garment would indeed protect her.

"Okay! Sango,Miroku! I smell demons everywhere. Take em down. Shippo help any survivors!" Inuyasha ordered the team nodding to one another. Each taking off to the designated post. While Kagome stood by Inuyasha's side. Her hand squeezing his larger one. As the two gazed into the smoldering black inferno they were about to face.

"You ready?" Inuyasha asked, the young girl leaning her head against his shoulder. Taking a deep breathe before nodding "Yeah,lets go." She answered, as Inuyasha gripped onto her waist tightly. Before running top speed through the vicious flames. Kagome's grip on him, tightening as she witnessed the flames lapping at Inuyasha's flesh. Burning and sizzling the delicate flesh causing Inuyasha to hold back a yelp. Even as the flames threatened to devour him,Inuyasha continued. Panicked. As he could smell the blood of Sesshomaru nearby.

The hanyou bursting through thr front doors of the villa. Black flames licking at the walls and ceilings, eating away at the flesh of lesser yokai who failed to escape its clutches. Kagome gasped at the sight. Insisting they continue, the couple ran through the vast halls. Kagome shooting multiple arrows at remaining yokai who attacked. The two soon coming to see tbe body of a young man. His strange crimson and gold blood pooling around his body. The man appeared to be fairly young perhaps 18, his face strong and defined. A warrior in the making. His long raven hair which seemed to be once held together in a hair tie lay sprawled around him.

The injured man clutching onto his abdomen, where his blood continued to gush out his person. "Oh my God!" Kagome exclaimed as she rushed to the man's. Struggling to open his eyes the man blinked slowly his striking amber orbs shaking Inuyasha to the core. He knew those eyes. Sesshomaru's eyes. It appeared he had a son as well. Kagome began to pull onto gauze, and peroxide, applying it carefully to the wound. And wrapping the young man up, who began to regain color in his face.

In a deep voice the man thanked the two of them. Showing his gratitude to Kagome by flashing her a brief smile. Promising to repay her for her kindness ones things were settled. As the man stood from the ground, pulling his once snow white yukata now dyed in the hues of his blood. The man peered to Inuyasha, as he sniffed the air abit. Before nodding towards him. "If you are able I implore your aide- My sister...." The man began as Kagome asked him to breathe and tell them who he was.

Taking a deep breathe the man introduced himself. Turning his gaze to the two of them. " I am Souma, Son of the Daiyokai Sesshomaru and Celestial Maiden Shizuka." Inuyasha and Kagome's mouth's agape at Souma's words. Celestial Maiden? A Celestial Maiden had Sesshomaru fall for her? A Goddess? How was that even possible?

"How's that even possible?!" Inuyasha exclaimed as Souma snorted at him lowly, irritation evident on his handsome face. So much like Sesshomaru it was weird. "Believe what you will, I speak the truth. Now either you help me or get the hell out of my way!" He scowled pushing pass Inuyasha abruptly, katana in hand as Souma bound off the nearby balcony. "Wait!" "Your woman will protect my mother!" "His woman?!" Both Kagome and Inuyasha exclaimed, the two turning as red as tomatoes as Souma's words. "I guess we split up." Kagome confirmed as Inuyasha nodded, kissing the top of Kagome's head. Before taking his leave. Following Souma through the burning battleground.

Leaving Kagome behind in front of the throne room. Now able to sense a serene almost warmth coming from inside the room. Kagome turned to the vast doors, her fingers grazing the handle of the door. Only to feel a sudden burst of electricity to surge through her body. Kagome yelped,pulling her hand away from the door. As slowly the very blood Souma had left on the ground. Began to move, slowly flowing to the throne room doors. Creating a large full moon at the center of the door, dyed both crimson and gold. Giving off a luminescent glow before the doors slowly began to creep open. Seeming to be a seal of some sort to keep whatever was in this room safe from harm.

Brilliant white light blinded Kagome's sight as she stepped into the throne room. The doors slamming behind her with a loud thud. Trapping Kagome inside with whatever or whoever it was in there with her. Slowly the light began to die away, allowing Kagome's vision to focus. As before her sitting upon the gold encrusted smaller throne beside a larger one. Sat a woman, her skin the hue of a winter's first snow. Flawless, giving off a silvery glow about her. The woman was beautiful beyond compare, her heart shaped face, plump lips, and captivating emerald orbs that seemed to see beyond Kagome. Seeing her for who she was. Who she could be. And most of all who she would be in the future.

The woman remained silent for a moment, her emerald orbs scanning Kagome up and down. She suddenly took a stand, allowing her long flowing raven locks to fall to her knees gracefully. The woman held a certain gentleness about her which was out of this world. Such purity. Such raw love. Kagome felt herself bending the knee before the woman. Her body not her own, as the warmth of the woman's aura enveloped Kagome. Giving her a sense of peace and warmth in these trying times of hers. "Thank you for coming." The Goddess breathed her voice soft as the gentle wind of spring on ones face. In a swift motion the unearthly woman closed the distance between she and Kagome. Bidding her to stand, her snow white and sheer layered kimono flowing gracefully with each movement.

"I am the Celestial Maiden Shizuka,and I am in need of your help. Kagome." Shizuka emplored Kagome unable to take her eyes off the lovely creature before her. Unable to say no to her wish regardless. Kagome agreed to help Shizuka, she only prayed they were not too late.