At What Cost? by Peach

The Cost of Change

At What Cost?

AN: Ok, so I got a new story. I know I have been gone for a long time and for that I am sorry. Things have been crazy for me lately and I hadn't had much time to write. I know everyone is anxiously waiting for me to update 'A Tale of Souls and Swords' and I promise that I haven't forgotten about it. Truthfully I've kinda hit a writers block with it. I got the next chapter almost done but I'm still messing with it because i am not 100% satisfied with it. Which brings me to this story. I've been trying to work through my writer's block with this and I thought to myself that I was being pretty selfish for keeping what i am currently working on from those who like my stories and are currently waiting for me to post more. So here I am... With a new story and a BIG apology for staying gone so long! Feel free to tell me what you think, reviews are always appreciated.

I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Cost of Change

At what cost? That was truly a dangerous question. Sometimes it is laid out in front of you and sometimes... It isn't. It stays hidden until you find out that the cost of it was far greater than you ever expected, and by that time it is far too late. She wondered if Naraku knew the cost when he decided to accept the demonic offers that changed him from human to hanyou? He was never a good soul to begin with but would his human self have approved of the carnage he was responsible for? It was hard to say... And it was too late to ask.

One thing was for certain though, he most definitely wasn't prepared for the cost of completely changing her. The shocked look on his face as she ripped him apart was evident. He hadn't anticipated her change to be so strong, the strength she displayed shock even herself.

Shadows danced around her, their chanting rang loudly in her ears. Her naked body laid cold on a stone slab as her body shook violently from pain. She couldn't move, no matter how hard she tried. As she wildly looked around, ruby red eyes caught her attention and everything stilled. Her eyes widened in terror as Naraku's voice, sickeningly smooth, touched her ears.

"Do you feel it?"

Kagome's terrified eyes followed him as the tears began to leak.

"Do you feel the flaming heat trying to devour your soul?"

She let out a choked sob but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't speak.

Naraku chuckled. "You see, I've finally figured out what to do with you my sweet little Kagome."

A shudder ran through Kagome's body as she felt Naraku's disgusting touch. Her stomach rolled as he lightly ran his clawed finger tips across the underside of her breast. She wanted so badly to recoil but her body failed her. Biting her bottom lip harshly, she heard Naraku laugh as he continued to trail his fingers down across her bare stomach.

"I've found a way to keep you from interfering permanently."

Suddenly his touch was gone. The soft chanting got louder, now hurting her ears. The shadows drew closer, circling her now before she felt something wet splash across her bare form. Looking down, Kagome almost retched as she saw them cover her in someone else's blood. Then the pain intensified, white hot flames licked her whole body, it felt like someone was shredding her soul into millions of pieces. Her body arched off the stone slab as a cry pushed past her lips.

Sharp claws pushed her once human nails out.

Fangs replacing her human k-nines.

Rounded ears grew to points.

Human pupils dilated before turning to slits.

Her medium length hair grew past her rear, now almost touching the floor as it hung off the slab.

The Shadows began to draw symbols with blood all across her body and the pain got even worse. She didn't know how much more she could take.

Once the blood began to fully soak in she finally fell to darkness.

She didn't know how long she was out for but when her blurry vision finally cleared, the only thing she saw was Naraku's crooked smile.

"You look beautiful... Absolutely perfect."

Her eyes narrowed as rage set in. She wasn't even sure why she felt rage instead of fear but she suppose it didn't matter. After that everything was a blur. Flashes of his surprised face and blood... Lots and lots of blood crossed her mind. Her next conscious thought was when she stood inside that same dark room, alone. Bodies littered the floor, the wall painted red... as well as herself. A tiny glint caught the corner of her eye as she approached Naraku's dead body. Leaning down in a half daze, she pried his right hand open.

The Shikon Jewel.

The 3/4th sized bobble pulsed with a dark aura but she didn't fear. Without a second thought Kagome reached down and picked it up. It wasn't until then that she realized exactly what Naraku's plan was. Dark whispers of power and false promises kissed her ears. Her slit like pupils dilated and her youki pulsed with need.

Youki... Her eyes widened. It was her youki. Her breath hitched as she tried to summon her reiki... But nothing. Nothing but youki.

Yes, his plan became so very clear at that moment. He didn't just change her body... He changed absolutely everything.

She was no longer human, miko, or even spiritually pure.

A dark purple, almost black aura swirled around her violently as rage sunk in. The cost of change finally clear.

She could no longer purify the jewel... She was no longer the Shikon Miko.

At what cost? Yes, a dangerous question indeed. Kagome's silent foot steps came to a halt as she stared down at the dark pulsing bobble around her neck. Looking further, she took note of her blood soaked sweater and dark stained jeans. Sucking in a silent sob, she tried to wipe off her dried bloodstained clawed hands.

The blood of her once alpha. She won the battle but she couldn't help but wonder at what cost. No, that was a lie... She knew the cost, but just didn't want to admit it to herself.

The cost was her pack.

Salty tears rolled down her pale striped cheeks as she sucked in a sharp breath. A small whimper snapped her back to the present as she looked over her shoulder. There lying in her oversize backpack was all she had left. The small puffy orange tail of her little kit occasionally flickered as he dreamed, putting a small sad smile across her lips. She may have lost her pack but she still had her kit.

Taking a deep breath, Kagome slowly bent down and picked up a long cloth bundle that held Tessaiga. The sword having fell out of her hands at some point when she was lost in thought. Giving a long sigh, Kagome glanced up at the tall white Shiro she was quickly approaching and couldn't help but wonder.

What was the cost going to be for asking the Western Lord for help?

END OF CHAPTER 1

AN: Thank you all for reading. I hope you all are well and stay healthy. Until next time! :D

-Peach