The Curse That Binds Us by Ayaika

The Beginning of the End

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything relating to Takahashi-sensei’s Inuyasha. All OC's and plot line belong to me

A/N: I've put a lot of effort into rewriting this, I felt very disconnected from the story, But I love the idea so I am trying to recover the original story line. Thank you everyone for your support!!

Chapter One: The Beginning of the End

Kagome sighed, the mountain path that they trudged along was treacherous. The limbs of nearby trees kept clawing at her face, leaving thin spiderlike marks on her flush cheeks.

"How much longer till we arrive?" Sango asked repositioning Hiraikotsu on her shoulder.

"How am I suppose to know!" Inuyasha growled cracking his fingers.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome threatened, everyone was a bit on edge today.

They had finally reached a town, only to learn that the villagers were plagued by a dark witch in the mountains. The gang had agreed to check it out, but as they started up the mountain Kagome began to feel sick, and as they climbed higher, the feeling got worse and worse. After what seemed ages, the gang came upon a small pathway leading up and around the mountain. A small crooked hut came into view as the gang rounded the first corner. Inuyasha stopped abruptly and sniffed at the air.

"Hold on," as he said this he raised a hand, "Something doesn't smell right."

He moved quickly over to the hut, and opened the door slowly, it creaked under its weight. He entered and a few moments later came back to the doorway.

"Come on guys, there seems to be no-one here."

They followed Inuyasha into the hut, but Kagome stopped in the entrance. Her eyes trained on scarlet streaks marring the wall.

"Kagome?" Shippo's voice sounded by her feet.

She blinked and the stains were gone.

"Keh!" came Inuyasha's voice in front of her "This was a waste of time."

Kagome looked at him, as he punched the wall, the decaying timber splintering in response.

"Inuyasha," she began stepping over the threshold.

Suddenly a cackling laugh rung out around them, a shadow obstructed the light from outside. Kagome whirled around to find a slender woman standing in the doorway. Her long black hair swirling around as if blown by a nonexistent wind. Kagome froze, every nerve in her body sending out electrifying pulses, she barely registered Inuyasha drawing his sword.

"So you've finally arrived," the woman said.

Kagome's mind was groggy, her shoulders felt as if they were being torn from their sockets. Her wrists shackled, the cold metal rubbing against her skin. She blinked, her surroundings coming slowly into focus. It was dark and musty, a large cauldron sat in the center of the room, a brilliant blue fire stoking it. Suddenly the black haired woman came into view.

"So you've awoken," she said, a glint from a knife making itself present in her hand.

Kagome's eyes flickered down, before searching the face of the woman.

"Don't worry it won't hurt." the woman said a she stepped closer.

The woman stuck the knife deep into her side. Kagome gasped, her voice gone, as she felt the hilt press against her skin.

"Now, Now," said the Woman "It wasn't that bad."

Kagome gritted her teeth as the woman walked over to the cauldron, and spilled Kagome's blood into it. It sizzled and popped as the liquids touched. She quickly withdrew a small vial from her yukata. It gleamed in the flickering light as she poured the dark red liquid into the cauldron. This time a large cloud of smoke billowed up.

"Just as I thought," she said a smile on her face.

"Who are you?" Kagome finally managed to say, her side throbbed intensely.

The woman looked up at her.

"They call me the dark Witch, but you needn't worry about that." she said stirring the steaming liquid.

"It's not like you'll remember anyway," she said as she poured liquid into the small vile, when she finished she made her way over to Kagome.

"Now don't fight, this will take care of those pesky memories, among other things."

She grabbed Kagome's jaw, her nails dug into her skin, and pried it open. She quickly poured the liquid down her throat. Kagome coughed and sputtered as the flickering lights went out.

"Kagome? Kagome?" Sango's voice echoed from afar.

Kagome slowly opened her eyes, the blue sky looming down on her.

"Are you alright? We have been trying to wake your for a few minutes now." Sango asked her eyebrow raised.

"What!?" Kagome said quickly sitting up and scanning her surroundings, her fingers digging into the frost bitten earth.

"Where is she?" she asked franticly her voice quivering.

"Huh? Who?" Inuyasha asked as he made his way towards her.

"The Witch, did she get away?"

"We took care of her, don't you remember how easy it was?" Inuyasha questioned as he smirked.

"What? I don't remember that."

"Kagome it has been over a week since then, are you sure you are okay?" replied Sango

Kagome rode silently on Inuyasha's back, her mind drawn into itself. Why could she not remember the witches death? Had more than a week really passed unnoticed? She numbly chewed on her lip, as her thoughts swirled around rapidly. Inuyasha came to a sudden stop causing her to bump into his back. A sharp pain shot through her wrist. She was just about to look down when Inuyasha's voice interrupted her.

"Should we stay at this village for the night?" he asked looking toward Kagome.

"Uh sure," she said vaguely, her eyes locked on the small bluish bruise encasing her wrist.

It was a peaceful night in the small village, but Kagome could not rest. She was gently tracing the bruises on her wrists. That had to be good enough evidence of what had happened. Finally she stood up and went to the door of their room and slid it open softly. There was a light breeze that night, and the moon was uninterrupted by clouds. She gazed at the stars, so beautiful in this time Era. Slowly Kagome felt the pull of sleep and she made her way back to bed.

The morning came earlier than any of them had expected as the sound of screaming villagers pierced the air. Rushing outside as fast as they could the gang saw what exactly had the villagers all stirred up. A large Centipede Yōkai was rushing toward the village, swooping down and the people running away.

"Well," Inuyasha started, "Guess we have to work for our breakfast."

With that he cracked his knuckles and unsheathed his Tetsusaiga and ran toward the demon.

"Inuyasha!!!" Kagome hollered as she followed suit behind him, her bow and arrows slung across her back.

Slowly as the fight ensued they managed to push the Yokai back from the village, Inuyasha landing strike after strike. But the Yokai was not taking any damage, no matter what the group threw at it.

"Kagome, you need to shot it with a purifying arrow," Sango said, as Kiara and her flew overhead.

Kagome nodded and pulled an arrow from her quiver, pulling it tight and aiming it. Her wrists gave a protest as the bruises stretched.

"Damn!" Inuyasha growled, striking another blow at the large Centipede Yōkai, sending it reeling back.

"Kagome! You'd better hurry up!" he yelled over his shoulder.

Kagome stood a few meters away from him watching the yokai carefully, she had to find an opening in its defenses. She glared over at Inuyasha, in a silent threat, at his remark. She closed her eyes momentarily at the pain in her wrists, and searched for her reiki. She carefully entwined her power into the arrow and focused on the yokai. Once the moment was right she released the arrow, but her birthright failed her. Her arrow flew and embedded itself in the belly of the centipede but there was no explosion of power or scorching of flesh. Kagome stared dumbfounded at the yokai, waiting for something, anything to happen.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled as the centipede lunged at her.

Kagome rushed backwards as the yokai slammed into the ground. She drew an arrow, and summoned her power again. She held her breath and shot it. This time the arrow exploded, flinging her back suddenly. She stood up just as the ground beneath her started to break away, causing her to fall into the rushing river below.