Akuma to no Keiyaku by Rinku

Chapter One: Deal with a Stranger

 Akuma to no Keiyaku (Deal with a Devil)

-By ForgottenHero

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Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha and am making no profit, what-so-ever, from this fanfiction. Any InuYasha related items are respectfully owned by Rumiko Takahashi and her producers.

WARNING: Sexual Situations [Lemons, limes etc...], Violence/Gore and strong Language.

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My Corner:

Hey guys and welcome to my newest fanfiction! Its a pretty interesting plot and kinda original I think. I hope you enjoy it. I'm working on some fan art (and some for my other fanfictions) for this story. I think I really love Kikyou too much ;u;. Yes, I am a Kikyou lover so I will NOT be bashing her in this fanfiction or in any. She was truly a beautiful and gentle soul who dealt with many grievances. In my story, I wish to bring out the real Kikyou I saw in her character and have you all love her as well.

I'd also like to make a note that this fanfiction is uploaded and even considered because of the wonderful Theia - she proof-read, advised and helped me so much. I thank you so much

So please enjoy the new fanfiction and...

Don't forget to Read, Rate, & Review!

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Chapter One: Deal with a Stranger

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Beep. Beep. Beep.

A faint heartbeat was documented on a black screen with its neon digits. Across from it, a child who appeared to be no more than eight years of age sat in a chair beside a hospital bed the machine was stationed by. Sapphire blue eyes watched the monitor as if in a trance, their depths watery with tears that gently cascaded down round cheeks. The little girl's small hands clutched her hospital-gown in a white-knuckle hold as she suppressed the sobs that ached to be let out but she couldn't. If she was too loud she would be caught and then removed from the room. 

The girl-child glanced at a very similar figure in the bed. The unconscious child was her twin sister, Kikyou, who lay oblivious to her surroundings; the girl was in a permanent coma. Kagome, the conscious child, winced as the drugs she had been given during her own previous bout of unconsciousness began to wear off. But that didn't matter. Her physical pain was nothing compared to the one in her heart.

The girl's broken gaze slid down to her own bandaged arms, her tears silently falling as the cause of her and her sister's poor states replayed in her mind's eye. She still couldn't grasp how her life had changed so quickly in a moment. What should have been a joyous night had become twisted into a nightmare that she couldn't wake up from.

It had been the night of their school play. Her older twin sister, Kikyou, had been assigned the lead role of the Princess and she, Kagome, her Lady-in-Waiting. It was a wonderfully done production for children their age; the twins had practiced with their classmates for weeks. When the curtains had fallen to a roaring applause, Kagome as the less popular of the two, had shuffled into the background as per usual.

Everyone were fixated on Kikyou; she was the main lead afterall. She watched her sister be swamped by their classmates who loudly stated what a beautiful Princess she made and how well she had done. All the while, watching from the sidelines, Kagome couldn't help the twinge of envy she usually felt when her twin was cast in the spotlight.

Yet imagine her happiness when Kikyou then broke free from and ignored the cast to run to her twin. She then hugged Kagome, her amethyst gaze staring loyally into her sapphire one, and told her she had done a wonderful job. It was then in her sister's hug that Kagome had felt the spark of jealousy she occasionally felt towards her sibling fade.

The two had then run to their Father who waited proudly backstage. His handsome, kind face glowed as he embraced both girls and crowed many praises on the beaming children. Their Mother wasn't present due to the fact she was in China visiting relatives thus their Father tried to make up for her absence. He then lead the twins away with a hand on each of their small shoulders to treat them to McDonalds for supper.

A while later, Mr. Higurashi announced it was time to go home to his daughters who were still on a high from the play and ice cream. Unbeknownst to the twins, he was nervous. Mr. Higurashi had noticed the beginning of a worrisome storm and wished to avoid the probable traffic as other people scurried to do the same due to the weather. The girls then excitedly rushed to the car, Kikyou calling shot gun as Kagome willingly climbed into the back.

Kagome was secretly looking forward to dozing off in the backseat as it was a good twenty minute ride to their home from the Yukuza prefecture. Nestled comfortably, her Father having upped the heat and playing his usual soft instrumental radio music, Kagome listened drowsily to Kikyou chirp about how they were going to become famous actresses and share their fame and fortune together as she eventually nodded off.

Way too soon she was woken by Kikyou telling her to get up, that they were nearly home. The younger girl reluctantly opened her eyes and saw her sister turn around in her seat to address her. 

"Oi, Kagome, do you want to-"

Kagome didn't get to hear the rest of what Kikyou was asking because she was too focused on the blinding lights coming fast towards them unbeknownst to her sister. With a screech, the car made impact and chaos unfolded in a blink. The shrieks of the tires, the glass shattering and the feeling of being a rag doll as the car careened into the ditch had Kagome screaming in terror.

Her little body luckily held in place by her seatbelt, the child shrieked as her body light on fire from the surrounding window glass slicing into her like hot knives.

The reeling car finally finished its death roll with a groan. Kagome weakly lay in what felt like hot water, not knowing it was her blood, her eyes barely able to stay open as her gaze doubled and tripled. She remembered seeing her Father limply hanging to the side still in his seat; his body only held in place by his straining seat belt. The car had been struck with such force it was now on its left as its lights flickered pathetically in the torrential rain.

Kagome croaked at her Father for help. He was their hero and protector; he would save her from the pain quickly settling into her shocked body. But Mr. Higurashi didn't respond nor did Kikyou. Then her vision went dark while the sound of an ambulance's wail pierced through the rumbling thunder. It was last thing she heard before the shadows enveloped her.

An unknown amount of time passed and she had woken up in a hospital room.

Confused and scared, she had noticed a nurse sitting in a chair beside her, obviously there to monitor the child, who in turn rushed to the now conscious girl. The young nurse gently assured her that she was okay and everything was "fine". The terrified little girl couldn't agree less to that statement. A male paediatrician then appeared a short while after. He was older but seemed kind and gentle as he greeted the pale faced girl with sympathy.

He gently informed Kagome she and her family had been in an accident. The little girl eyed the room warily, noticing her sister and Father were not present. That was not right. Kikyou and her Father should be here with her; they wouldn't leave her alone.

Kagome clutched her bed sheets, her small face pinched, and shakily asked, "Where's Otou-san? Where's Kikyou-nee-san?"

The doctor's expression became sombre as the nurse behind him gave her a pitying look. Her gut twisted in the most unpleasant of ways as she gazed at them pleadingly. She knew deep down that when people looked at you like that it was never good news. The doctor had shaken his head and reached over to pat her small bandaged hand empathetically.

"I'm sorry, Kagome-chan. But your Otou-san..." He looked pained to say what was to come next but continued. "He is gone. Your sister, Kikyou, is in another room with special machines to help her. She isn't feeling well... do you understand?"

Kagome understood what he meant and knew all about death. She had found a small bird once that had a broken wing. She had tried to nurse it back to health but a few days later, she had found it stiff and cold in the make-shift home she had made it in a shoebox. She had petted and kissed it anxiously, trying to make it chirp at her again but it continued to lay unresponsively despite her frantic attempts.

That is how Her Father had found her. He walked towards her, having heard his daughter's sobs and whimpers, and picked her up, wiping away her tears. He thence sat her on his lap. Gently, Mr. Higurashi explained to Kagame that the bird had gone to Heaven; that everything and everyone eventually dies. Death was a natural part of life.

It happened every day, everywhere, and when it happened, it lead you to the place you were the happiest with all the people you loved and who loved you.

Kagome had stared at the doctor numbly as her young mind tried to process the correlation. She could not picture her smiling, strong, seemingly indestructible Father like the little bird; cold, limp, lifeless. The nurse rushed forward and hugged her while patting her hair, unable to save the little girl's breaking heart despite her best intentions.

The doctor then left the room. He stopped at the head nurse to whisper that Kikyou was not going to make it the night and to keep her, Kagome, comfortable in her room and avoid further scarring her by not having her witness her twin's impending death. Yet little Kagome managed to hear the update, her stomach falling to her knees as she gasped. Kikyou was dying?

Swallowing thickly as she forced herself to pretend to accept the nurse's well meaning attempts at consolation, the girl wisely didn't let on she knew. These adults would try to stop her from getting to Kikyou out of some belief they were saving her from further heartache. She waited for the nurse to leave, all the while her heart hammered in her chest as if it were trying to beat for both she and her sister.

Eventually, the evening nurses left and the night shift nurses arrived. As the chaos of shift change and report started, Kagome quickly snuck away and down the hall without detection. She had to find her sister. Pulling her I.V machine behind her carefully so as to avoid its loud squeaking or it being caught on something, the child peered into each room to try to find her sibling. Her desperation grew as each room she investigated either was empty or didn't have who she sought.

Where was she? Was she even in this wing? Was she on a different floor?

Anxiously she continued until she came to the last room at the end of the hallway. It was an isolation room and the attending nurse to it had luckily gone on a bathroom break. Kagome wheeled herself to the singular window, stood on her tippy toes and peered in only to freeze. There, on the lone bed in the room, appeared to be a small mummy.

Her heart pounded in recognition of that wrapped doll-like figure. They were twins; they were bonded in a way no one could understand.

Hesitantly, Kagome slipped in and brought herself to the motionless being's side.

There, Kikyou was carefully laid out as if she were already dead, her little chest moving unnaturally as the machine forced it to rise and fall. A tube had been shoved down her throat in an effort to save her; the ventilator was the only thing keeping her alive. There was only a small gap in her bandages to allow the tube into her swollen mouth yet the bit of skin Kagome could see was heavily bruised.

The girl shook as she took in her twin's condition with horrified round eyes. Kikyou looked broken. Her entire head was bandaged as was the rest of her. There were numerous beeping machines surrounding her sister with numerous long tubes that lead into her skin. Kagome barely managed to swallow over the lump in her throat as she then looked around the room fearfully. A chilling sensation crept up her spine like an icy spider. A heavy, ominous aura permeated the room; Death was here, lurking by patiently waiting for its prey.

Kagome trembled but stood closer to her sister protectively.

He couldn't have her too. 

She didn't know how long she stood beside Kikyou but eventually, her own injuries made themselves known. Forced by her exhausted body, on trembling legs the girl rolled her IV and herself to a nearby chair. Now here she was, in the present time, staring at the little screen that was announcing her sister's dying heart with its simple, unfeeling 'beeps'. She whimpered before then sobbing into her hands, her bandages and gauze soaking up her tears.

"Kikyou... please... don't leave me..." Kagome begged to her motionless twin, her shoulders trembling.

The machine 'beeped’ back at her mockingly. Her watery eyes lifting from the safe darkness of her palms, Kagome slowly stood again, her little heart fluttering in panic. She couldn't leave Kikyou's side; not even if it hurt. Limping, she wheeled herself back to her sister. Desperately, she placed her hand over one of her sister's, hoping it would squeeze her back.

The hand remained limp. Kagome drew in shaky breaths as panic swelled within her, her breathing near hyperventilating as the gravity of the situation overwhelmed her young mind. Death was here. He had taken her Father and now he was closing in on her sister. The child looked around helplessly for an adult but none were around. She had no one; her Mother was far away and her grandfather was old and probably asleep at this time.

And her Father... Kagome quivered.

"Please... somebody... help me..." She whispered through trembling lips.

Silence met her pleas.

Closing her eyes, the tears now swiftly falling, she pleaded again desperately, "Somebody... anybody... help... please help."

Nothing again. Kagome felt her young heart shatter as an adult lesson was cruelly learned then and there. Fairytales weren't real. The stories her parents read to her of magic and angels weren't possible. There was no miracle being that would come save her sister. A sob broke from her as she then fell forward and clung to her sister's broken vessel. The small child cried softly into the cotton hospital blankets. It wasn't fair. This wasn't fair!

Suddenly, a biting coldness entered the room. Blinking back her running tears, Kagome lifted herself up from Kikyou and froze. She blinked again, unsure if she was dreaming. The hospital room was gone. There was nothing but blackness surrounding her and Kikyou's bed. Looking down at Kikyou, she noted the machines were still hooked up to her but everything else, the hospital room and hallway, were gone and replaced with endless shadows. Her mind reeled in confusion. 

Looking around shakily, Kagome then noticed something moving in the shadows around her. The child yelped in terror. Someone or something was there! Frightened, she threw herself onto Kikyou, prepared to protect her sister from whatever or whoever lurked nearby. She watched anxiously as a long black figure draped in a pitch black cloak then materialized slowly from the floor onyx depths surrounding her.

The little girl watched in stunned awe as a face so pale that it glowed like moonlight in the night appeared. Shaken, Kagome's grasp loosened on her sister momentarily. The pale face was breathtakingly beautiful - it looked like the angels she saw painted on the ceilings at the church her family attended. Her big eyes round with awe, she slowly straightened up when she noticed the stranger's bright gold stare fixed on her, an odd glint to its striking amber depths.

"Wh-who are you?" She stammered.

The figure stepped forward silently, his head held high as he eyed her coolly.

"I am someone who can help you." Those pale, thin lips moved to let forth a deep, silky voice.

The little girl frowned at the angel-faced man sceptically. The angel cocked its head to the side as if reviewing her, his gold gaze flickering as he raised a single brow.

"Or do you no longer need help, Kagome-chan?" He questioned silkily.

Kagome pursed her lips thoughtfully. She liked his voice. It was deep yet smooth and strangely alluring. Standing up slowly from Kikyou's prone form, she tilted her head to the side like the angel, her long black pigtails swaying as she mimicked his pose. He watched her silently with those odd eyes. She looked him over curiously.

He had smooth porcelain skin, an angular jaw and high cheekbones. His sharp features had odd tattoos on it; two maroon stripes on each cheek, red eyeshadow framing his eyes and a blue crescent moon in the middle of his forehead. The little girl couldn't help but like and trust the man before her as her naive mind deduced he must be a Heavenly being.

"Are you an... angel?" The little girl breathed, her wide eye stare sparkling with hope.

Those golden orbs of his narrowed while the left corner of his pale, sensuous mouth lifted slightly.

"In a way." He replied placidly, his eyes hooded beneath his thick lashes.

Kagome pondered that reply and watched the beautiful dark angel thoughtfully.

"How can you help me?" 

The stranger's angelic face softened from its icy smirk as it stepped forward elegantly.

"I can save your sister, Kagome-chan." 

Kagome gasped. She then looked at the dark angel reverently. She stepped around the bed, pulling her IV machine she was hooked up to and stood before him. She had to crane her head back to meet his gaze, he was so very tall, that in turn stared down at her with an indistinguishable look.

"You can save Kikyou-nee-san? Do you really mean it?" The little girl demanded with a hiccup as her tears began to fall again.

In a fluid movement the black-draped angel knelt before her and raised his left arm. His silky cloak sleeve pooled at his elbow to reveal a large, slim hand that had long, claw-like nails. He gently wiped away her still warm tears as he stared into her large blue eyes. Sniffling, Kagome glanced at his wrist and was curious when she saw two slim stripes, much like the ones on his cheeks, wrapped around it.

Why did this angel have so many odd marks? Were they tattoos?

She slid her gaze back to his. His golden eyes were cold but oddly hypnotic.

"But for me to do so Kagome-chan, you must give me something." He bartered in a silken yet matter of fact tone.

Kagome bit her bottom lip nervously as she pondered the angel's reply. She could give all her allowance and toys – it would not be nice to have nothing but her sister was worth it. The figure shook his cloaked head.

"Toys and money do not interest me." He responded dryly, seeming to have read her thoughts.

Her shoulders fell dejectedly, her tears dripping again down her cheeks. She had nothing else to give. She was only eight years old; what could she possibly have that an angel would want? The figure was eying her silently as she sniffled across from him. He then gave her a slight smile, the little girl to young and innocent to see the sardonic twist in the smirk, his golden eyes flashing ominously.

"Kagome, would you give me your soul?" He asked rather nonchalantly, his eyes half-lidding as he watched her reaction.

Kagome's brow furrowed in confusion. Her soul? What was that? They talked about it all the time in Church but she still didn't quite grasp the concept at her age.

The figure's smirk slightly widened, revealing sharp white fangs.

"A soul is nothing really important, little Kagome-chan. It is something you can’t see. It’s in your heart." A single claw pointed to her small, bandaged chest. "It is the most beautiful and precious thing you have. Would you give it to me for your sister?" He asked, his satiny voice almost like a purr as his now predatory stare gleamed dangerously.

Kagome felt something in her mind telling her not to agree. Something she couldn't understand at her age was screaming at her from the back of her undeveloped mind to not accept such a deal from this stranger. Her Otou-san had always warned her to not talk to strangers or accept gifts from them. But this wasn't a gift. She was paying for it.

To her, this was just a trade much like what the children in her class did with Pokémon cards; her peers always traded cards with one another. What was wrong with trading something she couldn't see and didn't know what it was for her sister's life? She glanced anxiously at Kikyou one more time over her shoulder, her heart tightening at the pitiful image her sister made. She turned back to the man and nodded with conviction.

"Okay! Just please save Kikyou-nee-san!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, the mysterious man suddenly stood and glided towards her sister, his long black robe trailing behind him. Kagome nervously followed him. Could this stranger really save Kikyou? Did that mean he was an angel then? She watched him then raise his arms and push back his hood. Long, snowy-white hair with glistening silver streaks pooled down his back and almost touched the floor like a cascading waterfall of moonbeams. Kagame audibly gasped.

What stunning hair!

The little girl felt her fingers itch to braid and brush the beautiful tresses. However, she repressed the urge; her parents had always told her to not touch things that weren't hers. She look up at the man who was now staring down at her sister and noticed he had long, pointy ears - much like an elf from the storybooks her father read to her at night time.

The man glanced at her from the corner of his eye, a slender brow cocked at her.

"There is no going back after I heal your sister; this is a binding promise, Kagome-chan. Do you fully agree to my conditions?" He demanded in his monotonous voice yet there was a slight softness to it that none had heard before.

The little girl nodded again stiffly, her little face puckered with determination. "Yes, Angel-sama."

He then turned and knelt before her again, the two of them beside her sister’s bed. Polar opposites in every way.

The angel then held up her hand in his large claw and said, "Then you need to sign something to make this final, Kagome-chan."

In his other hand appeared a long piece of very old looking paper with strange writing. He raised his arm and the scroll unraveled, the odd text long and foreign. Kagome frowned as looked at the withered parchment in bewilderment. She had never seen such writing before and for some reason, the alarms in her head were now screaming. Suddenly, she felt a a sharp pinch on her finger that drew from her thoughts effectively.

The girl looked down and saw her pointing finger on her right hand was now leaking a bead of bright, crimson blood. Her scared stare snapped up from her sudden wound and fixed on the angel almost pitifully. 

His elfin features were placid and serene, his hooded gaze unreadable but like two pools of gold as they met her anxious ones calmly.

"It is fine, Kagome-chan. Just write your name with your blood and your cut will heal. Then I can save your sister." He explained in a deep murmur that was oddly reassuring.

Kagome felt her mind oddly go numb as she lifted her bleeding finger and pressed it against the paper. Slowly, the little girl wrote the kanji for her name, her wobbly, immature writing exposing her childish innocence as she squinted with concentration to write her fulll name; Higurashi Kagome. The scroll vanished instantly in a burst of flame when she finished the kanji for 'me'.

She gasped and stumbled back but was stopped by the man's hold on her wrist. She looked at him with sudden wariness when she saw something odd flicker in his golden gaze as he then kissed her bleeding finger and stood in a hiss of silk. As he returned to Kikyou, Kagome examined her finger curiously. She breathed sharply in amazement when she saw the cut was indeed healed like he had promised. The child felt hope burst in her heart.

He wasn't lying! He could surely heal the cuts and injuries on Kikyou! She smiled in awe at the dark angel in front of her.

The stranger then glanced at her from over his shoulder and ordered with a sudden flat tone, "Turn around. Do not watch this, Kagome."

Without a second thought, she turned around, dragging her I.V machine beside her. The dark figure eyed the back of the little girl's head as she eagerly listened to him. A small, cruel smirk of satisfaction pulled at his mouth. She was so obedient; it was almost too easy. He moved around the bed silently, eyeing the almost dead mortal in it for she was his ticket to the soul he desired.

Coldly, he examined the girl who looked so similar yet not to his new pet. His towering frame gracefully leaned forward causing some of his moon-beam tresses to slide over his shoulder, and levied his mouth beside Kikyou's ear.

"Remember this well, mortal. You were loved and were precious enough to another that she gave her soul unto me. Do not forget that." He whispered darkly almost in a hiss, his ochre gaze flashing mercilessly.

With a movement unseen by the human eye he sliced open his wrists. The angel raised his arms and hovered them over the child, his black blood pouring out of the self-inflicted wounds and gathering in the air like spilled ink. His pale elfin face blank, he snapped his two claws and the cuts disappeared with a hiss and some smoke. He then focused his attention on the bandaged human below.

His eyes narrowed and telepathically he ordered the blood to seep in the tube in her mouth. The inky mass slid down it ominously as her barley visible skin started glowing red. The numerous cuts and lesions on her tender skin began to sizzle and close as her flesh knitted together again, expelling thin wisps of smoke as the scars erased themselves mysteriously from her flesh.

Inside her body, the black liquid moved like a serpent and healed the torn apart intestines, bleeding brain and numerous traumas that threatened her life. Its work done, the demonic blood left through her nose and hovered in the air again before its owner. Another snap of his claws and the black mass reformed itself into the shape of a crescent moon. His sign. Satisfied and feeling his own excitement building, the man turned to Kagome and saw her still dutifully staring ahead.

"Kagome, turn around." He ordered emotionlessly despite his own anticipation that flickered in his stare now.

The little girl eagerly obeyed again but froze when she saw the hovering black crescent moon in the air beside him. She subconsciously took a step back and pointed at it warily.

"What's that?" 

He blinked calmly and replied in a way to not garner suspicion, "It’s a symbol for you to wear and is a sign that you have paid me."

She frowned and took another step back. Her gut was twisting and those screeching alarms were screaming. Something didn't feel right anymore. She eyed the stranger a bit suspiciously for the first time. He stared back at her stone-faced and unreadable. He then glided forward and placed his claw on top of her head gently, making the child freeze. Kagome felt his large, oddly warm hand gently cradle her cranium much like how her Father would. Slowly, she looked up at him through her thick bangs.

"It will not hurt. Trust me." He promised in a smooth baritone, his bright gold stare piercing her nervous pair.

She didn't know why but it was like her head moved on its own in a single nod. The crescent moon mark then gently descended in the space between them and hovered there. The angel grabbed her arm gently and turned it over, revealing her palm to the sky. Kagome watched with bated breath as the black crescent moon then landed slowly and planted itself on the inside of her wrist.

She blinked in amazement at how she hadnt felt anything as it planted itself into her skin. The stranger then kneeled in front of her and placed a small kiss on the mark which flashed red the moment his lips touched it. Kagome couldn't help but giggle; his smooth, pale lips tickled her skin. Suddenly and in a flurry of robes, the angel then stepped around her, his cloak billowing behind him.

The girl watched in stunned confusion. Was that it? Was Kikyou actually healed? Where was he going? Before she could think of which question to ask him first, he paused and glanced over his shoulder. A single gold eye caught her wide blue ones as he lifted his hood, the luxurious white hair hidden again.

"Your sister will wake up tomorrow and will be cured, Kagome-chan." He promised in a suddenly cold tone.

Kagome nodded in amazement.

"Th-thank you, Angel-sama." She stammered back.

As she watched the angel begin to blend in with the shadows, signalling his impending departure, she realized something odd and yelled, "Wait! What's your name?"

He stopped, barely recognizable from the darkness enveloping him like a lover.

Without even looking back, he answered.

"I have many names but the one you will know me by is Sesshoumaru. In ten years, I will come to collect your debt. Do you understand?" He replied smoothly as he stared ahead of him, his back the only thing the little girl could see.

The little girl nodded. He then slipped back into the shadows and disappeared.

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Ten years later…

Beep. Beep Beep.

An alarm clock screeched, causing a large bump in a massive disarray of blankets on the bed to move. Reluctantly, a dark head appeared, its hair a tangled mess, from beneath the covers. A young girl on the cusp of womanhood yawned, her blue eyes sleepily staring at her bedroom ceiling. Sunlight poured through her window which did not actually put her in a good mood.

She hated mornings.

Grumbling under her breath about examinations incoherently, Higurashi Kagome blearily waited for her sleep-deprived body to find the energy to move. Her head panged as a reminder of her recent torture. She had spent the entire night studying for her upcoming examinations next week. In fact, every college hopeful in Japan were currently frying their brains studying. 

It didn't help that she happened to have set her eyes on one of the most difficult and prestigious schools in Japan; the University of Tokyo aka Tokyo U. It was one of the top rated universities in all of Japan; even beating Kyoto and Osaka. While it was a noble endeavour for most honour roll students, it was more akin to a torture gauntlet for the less studious Kagome who, sadly, had always struggled in school. Kagome stared at her ceiling blankly as she, for the thousandth time, admonished herself for choosing Tokyo U.

Her head fell to the side morosely, her gaze falling on a carefully positioned picture on her nearby nightstand. A handsome man smiled back at her as he held two beaming twin girls in his arms in the picture. The girl felt her heart twinge. Her Father had gone to Tokyo U; in fact, that is where he had met her Mother. Thus when she had informed her Mother of her intention to apply for Tokyo U, Mrs. Higurashi was elated. She had basically swooned that she would be so proud to have two daughters in Tokyo U.

Kagome's face puckered into a frown.

Kikyou, her twin sister who was older by a minute, was also studying for Tokyo U. It was she who Kagome was studying with last night. Her sapphire eyes narrow as her cheeks puffed angrily. She could still remember Kikyou chastising her for being late, pointing out the numerous errors in her arithmetic, the issues in her physic functions and don’t even get her started on the critiques on her English studies.

In her defense, English was one of the hardest languages in the world – how could she be expected to be fluent in something she didn’t speak?

Kagome grimaced.

But Kikyou was fluent in English.

In fact, Kikyou was an honour roll student and had been the chair leader in all their high school’s extracurricular functions and the student council president. While as she... well, Kagome had stuck to being in the social committee as a back participant. Something she had come to accept was it was best to sit back and let Kikyou to do what she did best which was, ironically, everything it seemed. The younger twin scowled as she mulled over her shortcomings. 

Sometimes, she theorized Kikyou had stolen all the good genes while they were in utero... 

Knock. Knock.

Kagome blinked, drawn from her musings, and looked over at her door wearily.

"Come in." She sighed lazily.

Kikyou, her twin, opened the door a bit, peering inside curiously. Her amethyst gaze fell on her sprawled sibling and immediately her porcelain face took on an exasperated but kind expression.

"Really, Kagome? You're still not up?" She sighed as she pushed open the door fully to step into her sibling's room.

Kagome watched the morning sun seemingly welcome her twin like a lover, setting her gorgeous features off to an almost nauseating perfection. With her sloped violet eyes, flawless ivory skin and long black hair that was perfectly straight and shiny, Kikyou was the epitome of what a person would describe as a classic beauty. So many times while the twins had been out and about, Kagome had been shoved to the side and watched as Kikyou was literally chased down by random strangers. It was the usual requests; to modell, act, date or even the occasional marriage proposal

It was to the point that Kagome rued going in public anywhere with her twin. Yet Kagome had to admit she felt sympathy for her more recluse sibling. Kikyou was not one to enjoy attention or fawning and to her credit, was harsh and cold in her rejections to anyone who was too persistent.

"I'm awake doesn't that count?" She quipped back as her older twin surveyed her room with a critical eye.

Kagome knew that look. She swore Kikyou had OCD and was obsessed with cleanliness.

“I supposed. Anyways, Happy Birthday, Kagome.” Kikyou relented with a small smile.

Kagome returned the smile with a more toothy one of her own.

“Happy Birthday to you too, Kikyou-nee-san.”

Kikyou's violet gaze slid around her room, unable to hide her brewing compulsion.

“You didn’t clean your room like Momma asked.” She pointed out, already striding towards a pile of clothes in the corner. 

Kagome couldn't help rolling her eyes.

“I was too tired after studying for most of last night.”

Kikyou glanced at her over her shoulder, a single onyx eyebrow ticked upward.

"Kagome that’s not a sufficient excuse. It really isn't hard to pick up some clothes and put them in the hamper when you take them off.” The older twin quipped back as she dropped the clothes she had gathered in the nearby hamper.

The younger girl flushed indignantly, sitting up in her bed as she grumbled, “Yea, yea. Sorry I’m not perfect like you.”

Kikyou froze, a pained expression flashing across her face. “Kagome-“

Kagome immediately regretted what she had said. She could feel when Kikyou hurt and she literally felt how her comment had pained her sibling. She really had to stop being so reactive sometimes. Her face reddening, she looked away from Kikyou's probing stare and sighed, "I didn't mean that. Sorry, Kikyou. I'm just tired and a bit cranky."

Kikyou gave a small smile and nodded in understanding. "Okay."

The younger twin then swung herself out of bed, standing up in a large stretch and yawned.

"Anyways, what's up? Why'd you come in here?" She asked nonchalantly as she began to make her bed.

Her older twin paused in her shuffling of Kagome's study notes and books, apparently in the middle of organizing her desk. Somehow she had managed to sneak over there in the span of seconds.

"I came to get you because Momma has breakfast ready and everyone is waiting for you so they can eat... Souta especially. He's been complaining of his "aching" stomach for the last half hour. At this point, I'm sure he has wasted away." Kikyou explained nonchalantly yet a mischievous twinkle entered her gaze.

Kagome snorted, a smile on her lips. "Oh yes, it's not like he is a bottomless pit. Okay, okay. I'll be down in fifteen minutes, is that good enough?" 

"Five." The older girl bantered.

The younger twin scowled playfully, taking on a defiant pose as she crossed her arms, her eyebrows wiggling. "How about twenty then? Just to make sure you can listen to Souta really complain."

Kikyou dramatically sighed. "Ten, final offer."

Kagome smirked. "Done! Okay go, count down doesn't start until you're at the stairs."

Kikyou couldn't help but roll her eyes as she made her way to the door. "Honestly, sometimes it's hard to believe you are eighteen today."

Kagome replied by sticking her tongue out playfully. “Neeeuuuggghhh.”

Kikyou pursed her lips. “You really ought to act more your age.” The older girl mumbled while exiting the room.

Kagome shrugged her shoulders while she finished making her bed, her back to her twin as she arranged her numerous pillows the way she liked it.

“No, I’ll always be me, Kikyou. Even when I'm old.” She replied stubbornly.

Kikyou stopped at the door and glanced at her sister, her gaze softening. A gentle smile pulled at her lips.

“I hope so, Kagome-nee-san. I truly do.” She murmured before retreating, relenting to her twin.

Kagome paused when she heard her sibling shut her door. She glanced down at the pillow in her hands she was fluffing, a thoughtful look on her face. Even if Kikyou drove her crazy sometimes, no one knew her better than her. Their bond went beyond the normal sibling one people described. They were twins; identical technically but so opposite that Kagome sometimes wondered if the doctors had misdiagnosed them and they were in fact fraternal.

Kikyou was her best friend, her biggest supporter and strongest ally. She also was her biggest competition. But despite all of the ups and downs, she wouldn't change or give up her twin for a second.

The girl drew from her musings and forced herself to quicken her pace. She had promised ten minutes and it wasn't only her birthday; the thing about being a twin it meant you had to share your big day so it was Kikyou's day as well which meant she was waiting for Kagome to start the celebrations. Throwing on a pleated skirt and top with thigh high socks, she quickly ran her brush through her tangled hair and washed her face.

Almost running to the stairs, she went down them two at a time and made a large ‘thump’ when she almost tripped on the last one.

Another difference between her and Kikyou; Kagome was notoriously clumsy while Kikyou was graceful.

Kagome couldn't count the numerous times she had fallen, tripped, bounced, stumbled and whatever else over practically air. Flustered, she righted herself, smoothing her clothes and hair one last time before entering the kitchen where her waiting family sat. Her Mother, Grandfather, Kikyou and their younger brother Souta sat at the western-styled kitchen table, waiting to eat as usual because Kagome tended to be the last one ready most mornings.

Sliding into her usual chair, she noticed Souta glaring at her accusingly. She scowled back at the disgruntled teen boy. The little twerp was seriously that annoyed over food? Both their eyes fell on the stack of pancakes in the middle of the table and then slid back to each other. A silent, unspoken challenge was acknowledged. Forks raised in unison, sapphire eyes clashing with deep brown, the siblings prepared for battle. Across from them, Kikyou sighed, pinching her nose.

They were going to do it again.

“So you’re eighteen today girls! My, my how time flies.” Their Jii-chan cackled, his aged face reminiscent. “I remember the day your Mother and Father told me they were pregnant with twins – girls nonetheless! What a day that was.”

Mrs. Higurashi nodded as she watched Kagome and Souta dig into their food viciously unperturbed, and smiled sunnily.

“Yes, Akira was so excited. What a beautiful gift and great beginning to a family. Why it seems just like yesterday-"

Kagome and Souta scowled at each other as they continued to shovel the food into their mouths, oblivious to the chatter around them. On the other side of the table, Kikyou serenely watched the stack of pancakes decrease like a falling tower, gracefully eating her own as she watched the show. Kagome grew worried when Souta’s already ridiculous speed doubled. Her eyes widening at the blurred movement of his hands, she swiftly tried to up her speed to make room for the last pancake. Yet, just as she finished the last piece on her plate and moved for the very last flapjack, Souta swiped it in a blur.

The girl glared at her brother as he triumphantly poured syrup on the very last one, a coy smirk on his face as he preened at his victory. 

“I won again. Third time this week!" He gloated as he shovelled pancake in his mouth.

Kagome rolled her eyes and sat back in her chair. “You were down here first. I think you ate a bit before I got here.”

“Ask any one who was here, I didn't! Momma made us all wait for your lazy butt.” Souta denied vehemently.

Kagome glanced at Kikyou who sighed and looked at her with disapproval. Rubbing her stomach, she felt a prick of guilt over the immature action. That's right. She was eighteen today. Why was she still partaking in these games with Souta? Why didn't she feel compelled to act more composed and graceful like Kikyou? Was there something wrong with her?

Mrs. Higurashi cut into her thoughts.

“We will be having dinner at a restaurant tonight and will be opening your presents there, girls. I’m going to be making the cake today and I’ve already invited all your friends.” She announced cheerfully, looking at her daughters with obvious pride.

Kikyou glanced at their Mother and asked serenely, “Did you ask Hiro and Takuto to come, Momma?”

Kagome blushed and looked at Kikyou from beneath her bangs. Her twin gave her a knowing smile. Hiro and Takuto were brothers that she and Kikyou were interested in from study group. They both had been waiting for the "right" setting to make their interest more apparent to the boys which their party most definitely was the best option for.

Mrs. Higurashi nodded and chirped sweetly, “Of course! You girls are eighteen, I think its fine to get married now and give me some grand babies!"

The entire family watched their matriarch's eyes then become starry as the image of grandchildren played in her mind.

Jii-chan spluttered indignantly.

"W-what!? Grandchildren? Oi, I'm not ready to be a great grandfather!" The elder snapped, his face bright red with mortification.

Snorting, Souta crossed his arms over his chest, a sceptical look on his face.

"Well, I think Kikyou has a chance," Kikyou blinked unaffected by the slight insult. "at landing a guy but Kagome? Seriously, who would want to deal with her?" 

Kagome spat at Souta, "You're one to talk! How is asking Ami out going?" 

Souta instantly flushed bright red. "H-hey! How do you know about Ami!?"

Kagome rolled her eyes and gathered her dishes, ignoring Souta's incensed glower. All the while Kikyou was convincing their Mother that they in fact, weren’t ready for marriage much less children. Their Mother pouted as their Grandfather rambled on about needing their help later on that week with puryfing the shrine, grumbling under his breath about eighteen wasn't the new thirty, as the twins swiftly left through the back door and made their way to the car.

Kikyou drew the keys from her pocket and shook them at Kagome.

“Do you want to drive today or me?”

Kagome shrugged. “You can drive there and I’ll be the one to drive back.”

Her twin nodded in acquiescence. “Deal. I hope we can make it to exam prep early. I need to speak to Misimoto-sensei about some of the equations for physics we did last night.”

Kagome settled herself into the passenger seat as Kikyou started the car with a twist of the key. Backing out of the drive way and turning left, they drove to the nearby high school the college examination prep classes were being held. A strained silence filled the car which was normal for whenever they drove. Kikyou held onto the steering wheel with a white knuckle grip, cautiously driving to the point that older people were shaking their fists at her as they passed.

Yet she ignored them and continued at her preferred pace.

Her violet gaze nervous but determined, she slowly made her way to college prep. All the while, quietly sweating beside her, Kagome gripped the sides of the seat nervously. This was the effect the accident they had suffered ten years ago had on them. They knew it was PTSD. Yet no amount of counselling, therapy or exposure ever conquered the persistent fear the twins felt whenever they entered a car.

To be honest, it was a miracle the girls had even managed to get their licenses.

Trying to ignore her anxiety and not look at every car within their vicinity which she was prone to do, Kagome focused on looking out the passenger window, her sapphire-blue stare unfocused as her mind trailed away from reality. She couldn't help but think of their Father every time she got into a car. It was even worse that the memory of his limply hanging body in his car seat never failed to cross her mind; it was a torture she wish she could erase from her mind.

She sighed and pressed her cheek against the window, curling into it sadly.

Kikyou glanced at her suddenly morose twin and frowned. She knew Kagome was feeling the same pain she was. Any time either of them drove or were in a car, every holiday, every sundae or treat store they passed, they were constantly reminded of their Father. Kikyou had always wondered if maybe they had left McDonald’s earlier or if they hadn’t gone out for dinner at all if their Otou-san would still be alive. It haunted them both. The what ifs of that night and how different their lives would be if their Father hadn't died.

Kikyou felt the all too familiar lump form in her throat as she blinked back tears. They could not blame themselves forever. But for some reason, Kikyou dreamt of not the accident when it rained or on a particularly bad night. No, she always dreamt of a dark figure who would always whisper something in her ear she couldn’t make out. It was such a strange yet terrifying nightmare that had plagued her since she had woken up in the hospital ten years ago.

Clearing her throat anxiously, she glanced at Kagome from the corner of her eye.

“I had the dream again.” She announced, trying to break the silence.

Kagome stiffened and looked over at her. “You mean of the black figure?” She clarified hesitantly.

Kikyou nodded and asked, “Have you as well lately?" 

Kagome looked down at her fisted hands that now crumpled the hem of her skirt with sweaty palms. Every night for the last ten years she dreamt of a man. She could never see his face nor make out his form. He was always dressed (or in her opinion disguised) in a black cloak that was indiscernible from the shadows that always permeated her dream's surroundings.

Yet there was one feature she could never forget nor miss.

His voice. It was a sinfully beautiful, deep baritone that was both steel and silk wrapped together. It was as smooth as honey and left her always wondering what kind of creature could possess such a sound. Even the angels above would be green with envy of the beauty of that timber tone he or it possessed.

“Ya.” She admitted reluctantly.

Kikyou pursed her lips, casting a concerned look at her suddenly evasive sibling.

"Well? What happened? Can you actually remember this time?”

Kagome turned her face away from her twin's probing stare, flushing in mortification due to the images that question illicited in her mind.

She could not tell Kikyou about this dream... in fact, about any of the dreams she had been having nightly since the last few months. She always claimed ignorance or amnesia to Kikyou when she asked what occurred for very good reason. The owner of that sinful voice did things her virgin mind couldn't comprehend. The numerous times she had woken up, drenched in sweat and between her legs were her greatest shame she would never admit too, not even to her closest person, Kikyou.

Kagome felt her face burn and the uncomfortable burning between her legs instantly start as the unwanted memories flooded her mind.

Drawing in a shaky breath, she tried to block out the images in her mind but to no avail.

The man or whatever he was, be it an angel or other worldly being, did things to her she couldn't even admit to herself. The blush deepened on her cheeks. There was a routine to these dreams. It would always start with her in darkness, the shadows endlessly surrounding her, and then, magically, a large bed, bigger then any king size, would form in front of her with blood red silk sheets and the fluffiest looking pillows. She would then be pushed onto the bed and feel something heavy pin her to it.

She would always struggle but it was futile. The black figure would flip her onto her back and pin her hands above her head, leaving her breathless from her struggles and fear.

Slowly, he would lean into her and give these searing kisses on her neck, trailing to her ears and outlining them with the hottest tongue she imagined. As that slick appendage traced her neck and ear, always that sinful voice would murmur, ‘Mine’, his hot breath sending tingles from her through her entire body and rendering her to jelly. He would than take one of his hands while the other held her wrists captive and caress her slowly, possessively, his smell of musk and jasmine making her mind whirl.

His hands were particularly odd. She’d feel the scrape of long claws and would try to ask him who or what he was but somehow, her tongue was always too heavy or fumbled to form words as he would then either rub her erect nipples or lightly trail those claw-like whatever-they-were across her stomach or down her leg. His tongue would trace her neck and her lips but she could not see him. He always made sure to keep his face hidden.

He would whisper things in that mind-destroying, resolve-melting voice of his.

He promised naughty, forbidden things. He would tell her she tasted delicious and he could not wait to have her. He would tell her how he was going to please her and claim her. She would try and protest but somehow she would end up naked, exposed and wanting underneath him, her body dripping. His mouth would trail across every plane of her body, her nipples stiff and aching, her woman’s core throbbing.

She didn’t understand what she felt or how someone’s mouth could feel so good and yet as hot as Hell’s fires. 

The worst was that every time things began to progress to a dangerous level, she’d hear a dark chuckle that would raise the hair on her body in fear. It was a predatory, victorious rumble that shook her to her core and awakened a prey response in the most primordial part of her brain. After all of that, she would wake up panting, her body aching in the most confusing way yet her heart racing with terror.

Kagome grimaced as her mind conjured a semblance of that chuckle. It had to be the most sinister yet seductive sound in existence, imagined or not.

"Hello? Kagome?” Kikyou’s voice cut into her thoughts.

The younger girl shook her head and forced herself to look at her concerned sibling nonchalantly.

“Uh, well, you know telling me it was almost time… whatever that means.” She mumbled, her face hot and a deep crimson as she then quickly looked away from Kikyou.

Kikyou’s hands tightened on the steering wheel.

“You don’t think it’s a demon do you? I’ve purified your room and mine so many times and erected strong barriers even a daiyoukai would have problems attacking… it doesn’t make any sense…” The older twin pondered nervously.

Kagome nodded. “It doesn’t. Your barriers have always been impenetrable and we both do purifications of the entire house and shrine routinely. It can’t be a demon. It has to be something else.” She reasoned, her gaze equally nervous.

Kikyou shook her head, the two long forelocks by her face swaying with the movement.

 “I think you're right. I haven’t sensed any youki, much less any other aura then our family's. Whatever it is, it is not of this world." Kikyou stiffened and looked at Kagome sharply. "Maybe the accident knocked something loose in our brains? Maybe there is a psychological reason and this creature is a manifestation of our trauma or-" 

Kagome scoffed, “Ya because having a mental disorder, brain damage or some sort of unresolved trauma that has taken on this type of form is so much better then a demon, Kikyou.”

Kikyou winced. “Well, you never know.” She paused and added quietly, "And to be honest, if this thing is a demon I would be very hesitant to battle it. It is not a normal youkai."

Kagome flinched. What Kikyou said had an odd foretelling sense to it and made her seriously uncomfortable. Shaking her head, she mumbled, "I think we are obsessing about this thing too much thus giving it power. Let us just hope these dreams stop and that whatever it is, if there is something that’s doing this, grows bored.”

The younger twin eyed her older one hesitantly as they continued to the school. A certain question plagued her a lot recently and she had to ask her sibling.

"Kikyou... I was wondering... what happens in your dreams anyways? Is it just the whole telling you stuff you can’t understand?”

Kagome watched Kikyou’s reaction closely. If her twin was being molested too she would be able to tell. They were both virgins afterall and she could read Kikyou better than anyone. Besides, her twin was very prim and proper so if the creature was doing anything to her like he was Kagome, Kikyou would probably be horrified. She felt her stomach churn oddly when Kikyou nodded, her face pinched with confusion.

“Yes and no matter what enchantments, spells or purification prayers I say in the dreams, the creature is not affected. In fact…” Her eyes narrowed anxiously, her lips thinning. “It-it laughs… and it is a scary type of laugh. I feel like I’m listening to a sinister evil... like something truly sadistic…”

Kagome tensed. She knew what Kikyou was talking about but surely her twin could hear the sensuality in the creature's voice?

She glanced at Kikyou and saw the terrified look on her face. Nope. Apparently only Kagome was twisted and  attracted to maniacal sounding creature. Lovely. Maybe Kikyou was right about the PTSD or mental disease? Sighing, she watched Kikyou then pull into college prep and park the car. Grabbing their books and notes, they closed and locked the doors to their small car and made their way together to the class. Entering the class together, they went different ways to their respectable groups.

Kikyou settled in with her usual friends Kanna, Kaguya and Kagura as Kagome went to Sango, Rin and Ayame. Each group of friends yelled happy birthday to the twins and began to push presents upon them. Kaguya, Kagura and Kanna all waved and wished Kagome ‘Happy Birthday’ as Sango, Ayame and Rin did so for Kikyou. Still shaken by her and Kikyou's conversation, Kagome forced a smile on her face and accepted the gifts from her excited friends awkwardly.

“We hope you like everything. We all tried our best but you’re so darn difficult sometimes.” Sango teased as she sat on the desk across, wiggling her eyebrows jokingly.

Ayame, a red-haired wolf demoness, huffed beside her.

“Well I know she’ll love my present. I know Kagome very well.”

Rin glanced at Ayame curiously. “Don't we all?”

Ayame flushed and looked away. “Keh.”

Kagome laughed, the tension in her body unraveling as she felt the safe, warm presence of her friends surround her. As she unwrapped each gift, she was pleasantly surprised by the awesome loot her friends had put together for her; a new Hello Kitty cell phone holder, some gift certificates to a local bubble tea shop and clothing stores and some candies. Smiling, she thanked them all, answering their questions about the upcoming party until the teacher arrived. 

Glancing at Kikyou who in turn gave her a small, reassuring smile, Kagome exhaled to calm ber nerves as she tried to focus on the bane of her existence; studying. As she halfheartedly scribbled the teacher's lecture notes, she snuck a look at her friends Kikyou and felt a sense of contentment alleviate her anxiety. Her life wasn’t perfect but she wouldn’t change or give it up for anything.

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Translations:

Otou-san: Father

Jii-chan: Grandfather

-nee-san: The suffix for sister.

-chan: The suffix to add to a girl's name to show friendship or familiarity.

Youkai: Demon

Kami: God

Miko: Priestess