Soulless Desire by MyLamb

Prologue

Kikyo sighed gently, leaning into the warm chest behind her. The warm breeze caressed her face, playing with her hair.

"Sesshoumaru?"

Looking down at her, he arched his eyebrows.

"Is this even possible?" She closed her eyes, allowing her breathing to become in sync with his.

"Is what possible?" His velvet voice sent shivers up her spine, causing her heart to leap.

"Us."

"Obviously so." He ran his fingers through her hair, toying with the midnight strands.

"I Love you Sesshoumaru." She kept her eyes closed, listening to the gentle beat of his heart.

Sesshoumaru remained silent as realization sunk in. He had fallen into the same trap as his father; he had fallen for a human woman. He truly cared for the girl in his arms, but to admit such a thing, was to admit defeat... He should not have repeated such a mistake, the past result was Inuyasha – how could Sesshoumaru bring himself to make something such as that?

Kikyo opened her eyes. Wasn't he going to respond?

"Kikyo, I cannot Love you." Sesshoumaru looked down at her, brandishing his stoic mask.

Kikyo pulled away from him, hurt splayed across her face, shimmering in her eyes, "Wh-why?"

"You're human. I could never Love," for a moment, he hesitated. It was the best thing to do, right? Of course, this Sesshoumaru could not be known for such a mistake as his father was now, "I could never Love a human."

"You seemed to Love me a moment ago! What are you afraid of now Sesshoumaru?"

"I fear nothing wench." His emotionless mask remained unflawed, "You heard me. No human will ever deserve Love from one such as I."

"You – You two-faced bastard!" Kikyo's heart burned, her passion forming into hate. She brought her hand across his magenta striped cheek, tears spilling onto her face.

Sesshoumaru didn't flinch from the attack, though he saw it coming long before her hand connected with his face.

"You led me into your heart, and now you're throwing me out! How could you?!" Her thin hands formed into fists, and she clenched her teeth.

Unable to control himself, Sesshoumaru smirked at the sight of her defiance.

The young woman winced; his one show of emotion was the result of her degradation. Her heart stung, but she knew how to punish the Youkai. Wiping at her eyes, she took a step back, her body radiating with Holy energy.

Sesshoumaru's golden eyes narrowed – just what did she think she was doing?

"You're a two-faced lair Sesshoumaru. But," She paused, watching his eyes slowly narrow, "I know just how to punish you."

Growling low in his throat, Sesshoumaru flexed his claws.

"Since you already seem to have two sides my dear Sesshoumaru, how about I separate them? Your dog half on one, your human form on the other... that sounds good to me."

"Shut up wench. You have not the power to do such a thing." He should have killed her right there. He wanted to kill her. But... he couldn't bring himself to.

"You willing to take that risk Sesshoumaru?" Kikyo leaned her head back, staring at the sky. The new moon... perfect.

"Your beast side can be unleashed upon the earth when the New Moon takes its power on your Youki. It will be sealed away during the rest of the Moon's cycle, your human form dominant. Two trapped in one."

"Your tongue speaks nonsense human." Sesshoumaru felt himself tense though; her scent gave no hint of lying...

"Until the time you attain the Love of another human girl."

Sesshoumaru smirked, "That should not be difficult. It was simple enough to attain your unwanted affection."

Kikyo threw her head back, and laughed dryly. The wind picked up, shaking the leaves of the surrounding trees, swaying the branches.

"Not just anyone's Love Sesshoumaru. Mine..."

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened.

Kikyo laughed freely as her soul departed from her body. Death was the only way she could achieve the power to perform such a curse. Only in her death could she punish the one she had dared to Love...

Teeth slashed through and through, claws tearing the flesh to shreds. He'd started on a hunt for deer, but an old man had caught his eye.

Really, it tasted so much better, even if it always brought him so much trouble anymore. No one would miss this guy though. He was just some hermit, living alone out here. He wouldn't be missed. Besides, he was trespassing.

That's what you thought last time...

Ignoring the thought, the silver beast finished his meal. The Sun had yet to rise, so he ran. Stretching all four legs to their limit, he savored the feel of the wind rushing over his face.

Running crimsoned claws through silken hair, he stretched his stiff body. It was the last Night of such torment for a few more weeks. Locating the clothes he had laid out the day before, he sighed internally. The attire of this era was, to say in the least, disturbing. He chose to wear blue jeans and a solid color T-shirt on most occasions. Today he wore a white shirt that clung to his toned body, revealing the hours of training he put forth.

Training... Sesshoumaru rubbed his forehead, folding himself to the ground. He could no longer perform enough killing and hunting to keep his body in a desirable fitness. Now he had to take time of his day working out, exercising.

"What am I supposed to do about that body?"

Hmm... I don't know. Not my problem.

"I thought we were going to stick to deer and such?

But the old man was so much more enjoyable. You know how it is, humans will always fight back.

"I am aware."

We need to do something. I don't know how much longer I can contain myself to deer.

"Don't forget the occasional trespasser."

Yes, well, they may be more entertaining than deer, but still...

"You want more?"

Exactly.

"Me too... Me too..." Sesshoumaru mumbled his words. He needn't worry about himself getting in trouble for the murder, it would simply be labeled as yet another dog or wolf attack, and people would move on. It would probably be days, or even weeks, before some other trespassing hunter stumbled upon his remains.

Lying back in the grass, Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, blocking out the heated Sun. Over the centuries of time, one thing that had never changed was the sky.

So... you've found the newest reincarnation?

"Indeed."

Well, why are you sitting around here then?

"Shall we review the demise of the past ones we've found?"

Hn.

"The first one was eaten –"

Not my fault...

"Not your fault? I don't believe I was the one who shredded the girl to pieces."

You shouldn't have had her over so late in the afternoon.

"We've scared numerous off, not found several until too late, we've simply not located some –"

Caused the last one to commit suicide.

"How do you believe we fare with making this one break the curse?"

I'd say not a chance. How bout we just eat her?

Rubbing his temples, Sesshoumaru sat up. Moving swiftly, he began to make his way out of the all too familiar forest.

"I do no wish to remain this way forever."

You think I do? I only get three Nights every twenty-eight days.

"Hn." Stepping quickly he listened to the silence of the forest. It was always so quiet after a murder. He'd lived in and around this area for longer than he cared to remember. It was the very place the curse had been cast. He felt attached to the place. He'd bought the deed to the land years ago, when people had tried to move in on it.

What's this ones name?

"Kagome."

Hmm... sounds delicious.

"Please refrain from eating this one."

You're no fun.

"So I've been told."